Regional Reports News

Centrica buys into Fogelberg offshore Norway

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:28:00 GMT

North Energy has agreed to sell its 12% interest in Norwegian production license 433 for $12 million to Centrica Resources (Norway).

Trinidad & Tobago look for deepwater offshore development partners

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:54:00 GMT

The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs plans meetings with potential oil and gas partners in Houston Feb. 28-29.

New joint venture to serve Asia’s growing offshore market

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:06:00 GMT

A new joint venture in Malaysia aims to support Asia’s upstream sector with a wide range of services. Offshore’s contributing editor Gurdip Singh recently spoke to Maarten Spilker, Managing Director and CEO of Technip MHB Hull Engineering (TMH) – a new joint venture between global group Technip and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Berhad (MHB).

TGS performs wide seismic sweep over northern Europe

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:03:00 GMT

TGS (TGS:Oslo) has updated various seismic gathering programs off northern Europe.

Iona agrees terms for undeveloped West Wick oil field in North Sea

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:59:00 GMT

Iona Energy (INA.V) UK has agreed to acquire from Centrica PLC (CNA.LN) a 58.73% interest in block 13/21a containing the West Wick oil discovery in the UK central North Sea.

BAM Clough to supply module offloading facility for Ichthys LNG project

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:55:00 GMT

The JKC joint venture has awarded the BAM Clough joint venture a $A140 million ($151 million) letter of intent for work on the Ichthys LNG project.

BP Namibia offshore farm-in confirmed

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:32:00 GMT

Enigma Oil & Gas Exploration has secured approval from Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy for a farm-out agreement with BP in offshore block 2714A.

NZOG assesses Tunisia seismic needs

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:00 GMT

New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) is finalizing arrangements for a new 2D seismic survey in the Gulf of Gabes ofshore Tunisia.

Buccaneer lines up deal to operate Cosmo offshore Alaska

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Buccaneer Energy has agreed to acquire the two main productive leases in the former Cosmopolitan Unit (Cosmo) from Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska.

Petrobras oil spill clean up working

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:00 GMT

Petrobras has executed all of its contingency procedures in response to the oil spill at Carioca Nordeste.

Beibu Gulf project on course during operations review

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:38:00 GMT

ROC Oil has issued an update on its exploration and production programs offshore China.

Association questions need for Europe-wide safety rules

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Oil & Gas UK has attended a meeting in Brussels to reaffirm its opposition to the European Commission’s proposed offshore safety regulation for programs around Europe.

Cal Dive wins GoM abandonment, decommissioning contract

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:05:00 GMT

Cal Dive International Inc. has won a field abandonment and decommissioning contract from a Gulf of Mexico operator.

Next round of UK offshore licensing under way

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:47:00 GMT

Britain’s Energy Minister Charles Hendry is offering 2,900 blocks under the UK’s newly launched 27th offshore licensing round.

Rosneft draws up program for Barents Sea licenses

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:25:00 GMT

Rosneft has secured licenses for geological survey, exploration, and production of oil and gas at three blocks on the Russian Barents Sea shelf.

Centrica ups stake in Statfjord complex

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Centrica has agreed to acquire ConocoPhillips’ interest in the Statfjord field and associated satellites in the North Sea for $223 million.

Offshore Asia returns to Kuala Lumpur

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:38:00 GMT

Operators are increasingly looking to offshore Asia for opportunities to supply the world’s energy demand, and several new projects are being developed in the region.

Offshore pioneer ‘Doc’ Laborde reminisces on early offshore technology development

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Alden J. “Doc” Laborde, a graduate of the US Naval Academy and World War II veteran, left his job with Kerr-McGee in 1950 to found the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Co.

Shell gets deepwater exploration tracts offshore Nova Scotia

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:29:00 GMT

The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) has awarded to Shell Canada Ltd. exploration rights for four deepwater parcels offshore southwestern Nova Scotia.

RWE Dea strengthens license position in Norwegian Sea

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:27:00 GMT

Norway’s government has awarded RWE Dea Norge seven new licenses under the APA 2011 round, two as operator.

BOEM schedules Central GoM lease sale

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:53:00 GMT

The consolidated Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 216/222 is scheduled for June 20, 2012 in New Orleans.

Offshore West Africa conference opens in Abuja

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:25:00 GMT

The Offshore West Africa 2012 Conference and Exhibition opened on January 24 in Abuja, Nigeria.

ConocoPhillips, CNOOC settle Bohai Bay fishery claims

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:10:00 GMT

ConocoPhillips and the China National Offshore Oil Co. have agreed with China’s Ministry of Agriculture to resolve issues around the incidents at Peng Lai 19-3 field in Bohai Bay.

US, Canada complete step in Arctic Ocean continental shelf identification

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:06:00 GMT

A fourth joint project to map the Arctic Ocean continental shelf by the United States and Canada is now complete.

PDO joins ITF Middle East group

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:49:00 GMT

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has joined ITF, the UK-based technology facilitator for the global oil and gas industry.

Spring moves for emergency preparedness offshore Norway

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:40:00 GMT

Norwegian E&P independent Spring Energy has signed a framework contract under which Acona will become its emergency preparedness services provider.

Blocks nominated for next Norwegian offshore licensing round

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:02:00 GMT

Thirty-seven companies have nominated blocks for inclusion in Norway’s 22^nd licensing round.

EnQuest looking to drive North Sea Kraken project forward

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:56:00 GMT

EnQuest is set to become operator of the heavy oil Kraken development in the UK northern North Sea.

UK offshore drilling decline countered by development surge

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:12:00 GMT

Exploration drilling activity offshore northwest Europe last year dropped by 12%, according to Deloitte’s Petroleum Services Group.

CAMAC negotiates Gambia blocks

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:06:00 GMT

CAMAC Energy has provisionally been awarded two offshore exploration blocks by the Gambian Ministry of Petroleum.

Statoil joins Cairn in two exploration licenses offshore Greenland

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:08:00 GMT

Statoil has acquired 30.625% working interest in Cairn Energy’s Pitu license in Baffin Bay offshore western Greenland.

Nigeria relief well next step, Chevron suspends search and rescue

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:11:00 GMT

Chevron Nigeria Ltd. is learning more details behind the K.S. Endeavor jackup drilling rig fire.

Norwegian stalwarts rewarded under latest licensing round

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:07:00 GMT

Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has offered 60 new production licenses to 42 companies under the country’s Awards in Pre-defined Areas (APA) 2011 scheme.

Review for NW Europe emergency response

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:54:00 GMT

Six national oil and gas trade associations are strengthening their emergency response arrangements for offshore northwest Europe.

Norway investor confidence to remain buoyant

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:37:00 GMT

Investment and activity offshore Norway will remain high over the next five years, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s (NPD) latest annual review.

UK Fiscal Forum on oil and gas tax holds first meeting

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Britain’s Treasury has held the first meeting of its Fiscal Forum, designed to promote a constructive, long-term engagement with the industry on the UK’s oil and gas tax regime.

Tullow outlines North Sea gas developments

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Tullow Oil expects to bring the KA10 infill well in the UK southern North Sea onstream in March.

Tullow, Shell team to tackle frontier plays

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:55:00 GMT

Tullow Oil has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Shell to collaborate in frontier exploration in selected regions and geological plays around the Atlantic basin.

CNOOC forecasts more fields to produce offshore China

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:44:00 GMT

CNOOC is targeting net production in 2012 of 330-340 MMboe, slightly up on last year’s level.

Luno leads Lundin’s offshore Norway development line-up

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:11:00 GMT

Lundin Petroleum has unveiled a $960-million development, appraisal, and exploration program for 2012, a 40% increase on the company’s anticipated capex last year.

Chevron continues fighting rig fire offshore Nigeria

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:57:00 GMT

In its latest report, Chevron Nigeria Ltd. continues work to contain a fire on the K.S. Endeavor drilling rig offshore Nigeria. The rig is operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Ltd.

Total builds stakes in Makassar Strait permits

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:41:00 GMT

PTTEP has agreed to reduce its interest in three deepwater exploration blocks in the Makassar Strait offshore Indonesia.

Shell gets conditional BOEM approval for Chukchi exploration

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:32:00 GMT

The Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) has approved conditionally Shell’s Revised Chukchi Sea Exploration Plan set to begin this year.

Statoil details Canada exploration programs

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:23:00 GMT

Statoil has concluded agreements with Chevron and Repsol related to exploration offshore eastern Canada.

Enbridge investigates leak near Stingray natural gas pipeline

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Enbridge is investigating the report of a small natural gas leak in the West Cameron block 275, about 66 mi (106 km) off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hess outlines 2012 offshore spending plans

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Hess Corp. plans to spend about $1.6 billion in 2012 on production operations that include Gulf of Mexico production and water injection wells at Shenzi and production wells at Llano field, plus production wells offshore Equatorial Guinea.

New World reviews Danish license potential

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

New World Oil and Gas has signed a Letter of Intent with Danica Resources concerning a license offshore/onshore Denmark.

Prospects bright for Norway E&P activity in 2012, review claims

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:51:00 GMT

Last year was exceptional for the Norwegian upstream sector, according to Wood Mackenzie’s latest review.

Providence wins gas-prospective Welsh block

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Providence Resources’ UK subsidiary PR Singleton has been awarded an exploration license over block 103/1 in the St George’s Channel basin, offshore western Wales.

Israeli offshore license farm-out authorized

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:21:00 GMT

Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner has approved Adira Energy’s farm-out of 25% of its interest in the shallow water Yitzhak license to the AGR Group and Ellomay Oil and Gas 2011 LP.

Talisman may ease back on North Sea commitment

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Talisman Energy’s expects to allocate $1.2 billion for its North Sea projects in 2012, similar to last year’s level.

UK offshore focus shifts to development

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:40:00 GMT

High oil prices continue to drive offshore projects in the UK sector, according to analysts Wood Mackenzie latest review.

Hurricane targets overlooked UK plays

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:25:00 GMT

More oil companies have issued details of licenses newly awarded under the second tranche of the UK’s 26th Seaward Licensing Round.

EnQuest joins Kraken heavy oil partnership

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:11:00 GMT

EnQuest has agreed to acquire two companies owned by Canamens, thereby gaining entry to the Kraken heavy oil field in the UK northern North Sea.

Exxon, Statoil get Julia field lease extension in GoM

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:05:00 GMT

Exxon Mobil Corp. and Statoil ASA will keep leases covering the Julia deepwater Gulf of Mexico oil field in a settlement with the US Department of Interior.

Total gains deepwater block off Mauritania

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Total has signed two exploration licenses with the Mauritanian government.

Sterling to proceed with Black Sea E&P programs

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:40:00 GMT

Sterling Resources has received documentation from the Romanian National Agency for Mineral Resources (NAMR) confirming the term of an offshore license in the Black Sea.

Hansa adds to North Sea gas interests

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Hansa Hydrocarbons has completed the acquisition of a 19% interest from First Oil Expro in license P1745 in the UK southern North Sea.

UK awards encourage frontier exploration

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Britain’s Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has awarded various licenses in little-explored regions under the 26th seaward oil and gas licensing round.

Statoil keen to sustain Norway momentum

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Statoil expects to maintain its current output offshore Norway – 600,000-700,000 b/d of new production – at least until 2020.

Romar awarded UK well abandonment role

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:15:00 GMT

Hess has contracted Romar International for decommissioning services for up to 30 wells over the next four years.

Noreco opts out of Zidane offshore Norway

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:40:00 GMT

Norwegian Energy Company (Noreco) has completed the sale of its interest in Norwegian Sea license PL435 on the Haltenbanken to OMV Norge for $30 million.

Reviewing proposed EU oil and gas offshore safety regulation: Little to fear and much to gain, or a slippery slope?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:35:00 GMT

It might be said that the industry has little to fear and much to gain from efforts in Brussels to ensure the safety of offshore oil and gas production in Europe.

New analytical tool addresses lateral buckling

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:55:00 GMT

The high temperatures and pressures which occur in subsea flowlines induce large compressive axial forces in the pipe wall.

McMoRan continues with GoM shallow-water, ultra-deep gas successes

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:29:00 GMT

McMoRan Exploration continues to build on its successes in its shallow-water, ultra-deep gas play in the Gulf of Mexico.

BOEM holds Western Gulf of Mexico lease sale

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:22:00 GMT

In mid-December, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 218 in New Orleans.

North America

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:44:00 GMT

Kenai Offshore Adventures has acquired the jackup GSF Adriatic XI from Transocean, renaming it Endeavour – Spirit of Independence.

Gulf of Mexico outlook bullish

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Everyone wants to know when activity in the Gulf of Mexico will return to pre-Macondo levels.

South Pars structures awaiting installation

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 GMT

Loading operations have started for two new platform tripods for the South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.

UK wraps up North Sea 26th round awards

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:25:00 GMT

British Energy Minister Charles Hendry has awarded 46 new licenses to explore for hydrocarbons in the North Sea.

NPCC eyeing offshore projects outside Gulf

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:20:00 GMT

National Petroleum Construction Co. (NPCC) is more optimistic over its prospects in 2012 after what it calls a “flat” 2011.

Renaissance seeks funds for Middle East expansion

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:15:00 GMT

Renaissance Services plans to raise up to $130 million of additional capital via a private placement.

Otto, BHP complete Palawan farm in

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Otto Energy Ltd has executed the final farm-in agreements on BHP Billiton’s entrance into Service Contract 55 offshore Palawan, Philippines.

Panoro completes farm-out of Brazil blocks to Vanco

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Panoro Energy ASA has completed farm-out of offshore Brazilian blocks BM-S-63, BM-S-71, and BM-S-72 in the offshore Santos basin to Vanco Brasil Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gas Natural Ltda.

One killed, two injured in Petrobras offshore accident

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:25:00 GMT

Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has reported an accident on its offshore rig PUB-03 and that one worker is dead and two injured, according to Dow Jones.

Noreco withdraws from Danish offshore field

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:50:00 GMT

Noreco has completed the sale of its interests in the Siri field in the Danish North Sea to DONG Energy for $13 million.

Endeavour set to strengthen UK North Sea production

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:06:00 GMT

Endeavour Energy UK has agreed to acquire ConocoPhillips' interests in three producing fields in the UK central North Sea for $330 million

Bahrain shipyard opens repair facility

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:20:00 GMT

Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard (ASRY) has opened a new 1.38-km (0.86-mi) repair quay wall.

Beach opts to exit Albania license

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:05:00 GMT

Beach Energy has advised operator San Leon Energy that it will withdraw from the Durresi block offshore Albania.

Cobalt confirms Angola offshore license award

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:01:00 GMT

Cobalt International has signed a PSC with Sonangol for block 20 offshore Angola.

Offshore's Top 5 Projects of 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:45:10 GMT

The editors of Offshore have made their choices for the winners of the Five Star Award, the top five offshore field development projects for 2011.

Indonesia awards offshore Kalimantan block

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:50:00 GMT

A joint venture consortium led by operator Kris Energy has signed the offshore Indonesia Tanjung Aru production sharing contract (PSC).

Awilco fixes date to close down Fife, Fergus North Sea wells

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:25:00 GMT

Awilco Drilling has confirmed a contract from Hess UK for use of the semisub WilPhoenix on an abandonment program next year on the Fife and Fergus fields in the UK North Sea.

BP picks up deepwater Angola blocks

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:10:00 GMT

BP has secured access to five new deepwater exploration and production blocks offshore Angola.

Statoil adds to presalt acreage offshore Angola

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:25:00 GMT

Statoil has won operatorship for blocks 38 and 39 and has become a partner in blocks 22, 25, and 40 in Kwanza basin offshore Angola following the completion of a bid round.

Eni to explore further in deepwater offshore Angola

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:35:00 GMT

Eni and Sonangol E.P. have signed a production sharing contract to explore block 35 in deepwater offshore Angola.

Parkmead plans well on UK gas prospect

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:11:00 GMT

Parkmead Group has signed an agreement with Sorgenia E&P (UK) to acquire 20% stakes in four blocks in the UK southern North Sea.

Russian rig Kolskoye sinks off Sakhalin Island

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:10:00 GMT

The most recent reports from Russia regarding the sinking of the Kolskoye drilling rig off Sakhalin Island says an emergency aid center has opened for the families of those involved in the incident.

Rosneft gains blocks off eastern Russia

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Rosneft has been awarded five blocks for geological surveying, exploration and development on the Sea of Okhotsk shelf off northeast Russia.

Melrose updates Europe exploration plans

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:40:00 GMT

Melrose Resources has outlined its upcoming work programs in the Black Sea and offshore southern France.

PGNiG lifts stake in Norwegian Sea concession

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:46:00 GMT

PGNiG Norway has approval from Norway’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to double its interest in the PL558 license in the Norwegian Sea.

Danish oil and gas output forecast revised upwards

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:40:00 GMT

The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has updated its five-year forecast of Denmark’s oil and gas production, exploration investments, operations, and gas transportation.

ITERA commissions Turkmen Caspian Sea drilling feasibility study

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:05:00 GMT

ITERA Oil and Gas has contracted SHELF Marine Technologies Center for a drilling feasibility study in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea.

BP, Cameron settle Macondo claims, legal proceedings between the companies

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:40:00 GMT

BP reports is has agreed with Cameron to settle all claims between the two regarding the Macondo Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Review outlines recommendations for UK offshore safety

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:25:00 GMT

An independent review commissioned in March 2011 has acknowledged the strengths of the UK’s offshore oil and gas safety and environmental protection regime, according to Britain’s Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Chevron, Brazil legal tangle over Frade incident continues

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Brazil wants Chevron Corp. and Transocean Ltd. to stop operations offshore Brazil while a lawsuit for environmental damage against the two companies goes forward, according to a Dow Jones report.

Kosmos gets two exploration blocks offshore Surinam

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:35:00 GMT

Kosmos Energy has signed two production sharing contracts with Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V., the national oil company of Suriname, for offshore blocks 42 and 45.

BOEM outlines GoM lease sale results

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:15:00 GMT

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Gulf Coast Region, has released the Sale Day Statistics for OCS sale 218 involving the western Gulf of Mexico.

Suit not expected to halt GoM offshore lease sale

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT

A scheduled Gulf of Mexico lease sale will proceed despite a lawsuit challenge.

Farm-in could trigger offshore Tunisia oil project

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:46:00 GMT

New Zealand Oil & Gas (NZOG) has agreed to take a 40% stake in a Tunisian offshore permit in the Gulf of Hammamet.