Exploration News


Global seismic vessel roundup

Jul 07, 2015

Seismic vessels are the lifeblood of global offshore exploration efforts. Jeannie Stell searches for bright spots in the current global market of seismic vessel activity.  The Sanco Sword. From Dolphin Geophysical…

Quadrant spuds West Auz well

Jul 06, 2015

Quadrant Energy Australia spudded the high impact Levitt-1 exploration well in WA-482-P Carnarvon basin, offshore Western Australia, according to partner Karoon Gas Australia. Map of Levitt-1. From Karoon…

Statoil adds to Gina Krog area reserves

Jul 01, 2015

Norway's Statoil has made a small discovery near the Gina Krog development project, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and pratner Det norske. Wildcat well 15/6-13 and appraisal wells 15/6-13 A and 15/6-13 B were drilled…

West African risks and rewards

Jul 01, 2015

The tides are changing in many countries, which are ramping up their political policies to provide international operators the consistency and transparency needed to invest in the region. Heather Saucier reports. Noble Energy has distributed approx…

Realizing CCS’s potential

Jul 01, 2015

Could the North Sea become a CO2 storage site? Elaine Maslin takes a look at two proposed projects and some of the challenges involved. The CCS goal—how the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage sees carbon capture and storage on and offshore…

Seeing the unseeable

Jul 01, 2015

Improved ways to gather and interpret geophysical data were highlighted at OTC. Bruce Nichols reports. Rocky Roden, consulting geophysicist for Geophysical Insights, showed an OTC session how to…

Eyes on New Zealand

Jun 30, 2015

Oil and gas companies are still testing the waters offshore New Zealand when it comes to production, and little has been done off the islands in the exploration arena.   Māui A platform. Images from NZP&M/ Rob Tucker…

IOG eyes Skipper FPSO options

Jun 30, 2015

Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) has started discussions with potential floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel providers for its UK north Sea Skipper development.  The firm, which recently agreed to acquire 50% of the Skipper license from Alpha Petroleum…

UK drilling activity increases

Jun 30, 2015

Exploration and appraisal activity in the North Sea doubled in the opening three months of the year following the UK Chancellor’s industry tax cut, new figures reveal. Data published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)…

Petrobras to cut investment by 41%

Jun 29, 2015

Embattled Brazilian state-owned energy firm Petrobras has approved a new five-year investment plan for 2015-2019, which slashes total investments by 41% from last year’s estimates, the company announced on 29 June. Last year, the company announced it planned a total capex of US$220…

New drilling outfit takes shape

Jun 29, 2015

Houston-headquartered driller Northern Offshore (NOF) is to be combined with Chinese-controlled Blue Ocean Drilling into a new firm if a deal with Shandong Offshore International Co. worth about US$160 million (NOK 1.3 billion) is agreed…

Eni, KMG to explore Isatay

Jun 29, 2015

Kazakh state-owned KazMunayGas (KMG) and Italian giant Eni finalized commercial terms to move 50% of the suboil use rights of the Isatay block in the Caspian Sea to Eni. Image from Eni. Isatay…

Unique Group plans business expansions

Jun 24, 2015

Unique Group, formerly known as Unique Maritime Group, has set in place measures to double its size and global infrastructure by 2019 through capital investment, acquisitions and expansion into key markets. With a current turnover in excess of US$100 million…

Greater Njord taking shape at drill bit

Jun 24, 2015

Drilling to further grow the resources around the Njord field in the Norwegian Sea has started, with more expected this year, helping firm up plans for the greater Njord area, according to partner Faroe Petroleum. Concept selection for…

Suncor's Norway probe dry

Jun 24, 2015

Suncor Energy Norge's Niobe exploration well has been classified as a dry well, according to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. The well, 25/10-13 S, in production licence 571, was drilled in 119mm water depth, in the central part of…

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