Exploration News


Egypt awards four offshore blocks

Oct 07, 2015

Egypt's state gas company EGAS announced the result of the 2015 international exploration Mediterranean bid round, with blocks awarded to BP, Eni, Edison and Total.   In total, four blocks were awarded, with a total investment of US$306 million and a signing bonus of $10…

Nalcor study reveals Newfoundland resources

Oct 05, 2015

Resource assessments of the 2015 license round area for offshore Newfoundland and Labrador shows the potential to hold 12 billion bbl and 113 Tcf of gas in place, according to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nalcor Energy and Beicip-Franlab…

A 2.0 silver lining?

Oct 01, 2015

Low oil prices, falling investment and the need to transform the UK exploration and production sector were high on the agenda at SPE Offshore Europe. Elaine Maslin reflects. A packed plenary session during SPE Offshore Europe 2015…

Innovation is the key to Brazil’s deepwater reserves

Oct 01, 2015

Today, deepwater reserves are a key part of the world’s oil and natural gas needs, accounting for roughly 11% of global production. Over the past five years, two-thirds of discoveries occurred in deepwater, and Brazil has been the preeminent site of this trend…

Kosmos gets Achiever extension, dayrate drop

Oct 01, 2015

Dallas-based Kosmos Energy entered into a deal with Atwood Oceanics that will see the exploration and production company get an extension, and a reduced rate for the Atwood Achiever ultra deepwater rig for operations offshore Northwest Africa…

Eni to develop three fields off Mexico

Oct 01, 2015

Italy’s Eni won, with a 100% share a production sharing contract, to appraise, develop, and exploit the oil fields of Amoca, Miztón e Tecoalli, located in the Area 1 in the Campeche Bay, offshore Mexico, following an international auction held on 30 September in Mexico City…

Mexico's Round One, phase two "a success"

Sep 30, 2015

Nine bidders made up of individual companies and consortia bid in Mexico’s Round One, phase two today (30 September), in what Mexico's National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) is calling a success with three out of five winning bids in the shallow water areas of the Southeast basin…

Lundin hits more oil at Alta

Sep 30, 2015

Lundin Norway encountered oil at two appraisal wells at the Alta discovery in the Barents Sea that proved important for the eastern flank Alta, and will result in further exploration in the area.    Map of the appraisal wells…

Shell to explore Black Sea

Sep 29, 2015

The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy awarded Shell E&P a permit for deepwater exploration of oil and natural gas in Blocks 1-14 Silistar in the Black Sea, according to Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova. Image from Shell…

Petrobras hits oil at Carcará Noroeste

Sep 29, 2015

Brazil’s Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) discovered high-quality light oil potential at the third well in the Carcará pre-salt discovery area offshore São Paulo. Carcará map. From Petrobras. The third well…

Eni in Guendalina gas find

Sep 28, 2015

Eni encountered gas at the Guendalina sidetrack well offshore Italy, according to partner Rockhopper Exploration. The well, located at the Guendalina gas field in the Adriatic Sea, reached its target depth of 3276m measured depth on schedule and budget…

Shell abandons Alaska exploration

Sep 28, 2015

Shell is ceasing further exploration offshore Alaska after the company's Burger J prospect failed to prove oil, resulting in a multi billion dollar write-down. The Transocean Polar Pioneer  “Shell…

Primeline spuds East China Sea well

Sep 24, 2015

Primeline Energy Holdings spudded the LS23-1-1 exploration well on 23 September to tap into resources near its LS36-1 gas field production facility, in the East China Sea. Images from Primeline Energy…

IOG progresses on Skipper

Sep 24, 2015

Independent Oil & Gas (IOG) has made significant progress towards drilling the Skipper well in the Northern North Sea, located in Block 9/21a, in license P1609. Image from IOG. Alpha…

ROC spuds second Bohai Bay well

Sep 23, 2015

ROC Oil commenced drilling operations the second of two planned exploration wells in the Bohai Bay basin, offshore China, according to joint venture partner AWE. Map of Block 09/05. From ROC. The…

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