Exploration News


VAALCO spuds Angola probe

Mar 05, 2015

VAALCO Energy has spudded the post-salt Kindele-1 well, its first exploration well on Block 5 offshore Angola using Transocean's Celtic Sea semisubmersible drilling rig. The well will be drilled to a planned total depth of 2250m in about 100m water depth…

BOEM reveals August lease sale details

Mar 04, 2015

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced the bureau will offer more than 21 million acres offshore Texas for oil and gas exploration and development in a lease sale that will include all available unleased areas in the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area…

Lundin starts Morkel probe

Mar 04, 2015

Lundin Petroleum started drilling exploration well 33/2-2S in PL579 on the Morkel prospect in the Norwegian Sea. Morkel is 180km west of Florø on the Norwegian west coast and approximately 40km northwest of the Snorre field. The main…

Petrobras board approves divestment plan

Mar 03, 2015

Petrobras's executive board approved a two-year (2015/2016), US$13.7 billion divestment plan. The plan includes exploration & production assets in Brazil and abroad (30%), as well as assets in the downstream (30%), and gas and energy (40%) segments…

Porcupine’s potential spikes

Mar 03, 2015

Initial evaluation of 3D seismic data shows that Providence Resources P.l.c.’s Drombeg prospect offshore southwest Ireland, is consistent with those of a large deepwater fan system. The Polarcus Amani 3D seismic vessel…

Red Emperor farms in SC55

Mar 02, 2015

Otto Energy Philippines Inc. signed a farm-in agreement with Red Emperor Resources NL for a 15% working interest in SC55, offshore the Philippines. The Maersk Venturer. From Otto.   SC55…

Kosmos makes Morocco play-opener

Mar 02, 2015

Kosmos Energy is to plug and abandon its CB-1 well in the Cap Boujdour permit area offshore Morocco after gas and condensate was found – but not in commercial quantities. Despite the non-commerciality of the well, Kosmos CEO Andrew Inglis says the results are positive…

What lies beneath

Mar 01, 2015

Most of the Mexican side of the Gulf of Mexico remains unexplored. Dan McConnell explores the geotechnical knowns and unknowns in the basin. Acquiring geotechnical data for platform foundation design in Mexico’s Bay of Campeche Image from Fugro…

Transforming the future of oil

Mar 01, 2015

Repsol’s Director for Exploration and Production Technology Santiago Quesada discusses the company’s partnership with IBM aimed at developing cognitive technologies for better decision-making. As demand for oil and gas increases and oil plays mature…

Australian and New Zealand offshore exploration

Mar 01, 2015

Angus Rodger and Matt Howell discuss the exploration environment as well as the potential impact from the recent fall in oil prices on Australian and New Zealand projects. Graphs from Wood Mackenzie.   Australia…

Statoil to drill Gina Krog well

Feb 26, 2015

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway granted Statoil consent to drill well 15/6-13 Gina Krog East 3 in the central North Sea. Drilling operations with the Songa Trym semisubmersible are expected to begin in April 2015 for approximately 50 days…

Total E&P gets two well approval

Feb 26, 2015

Total E&P Norge received approval from the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway to drill two wells in production license 627 in the central North Sea. Blocks 25/6-5 S and 25/6-5 A Skirne Øst will be drilled with the Leiv Eiriksson semisubmersible to investigate the find's potential…

Santos, INPEX gain off Western Australia

Feb 25, 2015

Santos and INPEX were awarded two exploration permits offshore Western Australia. Image from INPEX.   Blocks WA-513-P and WA-514-P are located about 500km north-northeast of Broome and cover areas of 335sq km and 415sq km…

Oil & Gas UK paints bleak picture

Feb 24, 2015

Oil & Gas UK’s new report on offshore exploration, investment and production provides striking evidence of how rising costs, taxes and inadequate regulation have taken their toll on the UK industry’s international competitiveness. The…

Talisman gets Snømus approval

Feb 23, 2015

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway granted Talisman Energy Norge AS consent for exploration drilling of well 15/12-24 at the Snømus prospect. Image of the Maersk Giant jackup. From Maersk. The well is located in production license 672…

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