Exploration News


NPD grants Total, Tullow drilling permits

May 18, 2016

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted both Total E&P Norge and Tullow Oil Norge drilling permits in the North Sea. Map of 30/4-3 S, from NPD. Total’s wildcat Total…

Novatek, PTT ink E&P, LNG MoU

May 18, 2016

Russia’s Novatek and Thailand’s PTT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate and study potential joint opportunities in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, the implementation of LNG projects, the supply of LNG and the development of LNG markets…

Petrobras gains double Campos extension

May 18, 2016

Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency (ANP) granted a 27-year extension to Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) for two concession contracts in the Campos basin, offshore Brazil that will lead to the drilling of 10 new wells. Image from Petrobras…

Mubadala starts at Sri Trang-1 off Thailand

May 18, 2016

Drilling has commenced at Mubadala Petroleum's Sri Trang-1 exploration well in the Gulf of Thailand, using the Atwood Orca jackup. Sri Trang-1 is in the reservation area of the G1/48 concession, approximately 18km north northeast of the Manora oil development…

BP asked to resubmit Bight plan

May 17, 2016

Australia's National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) told oil major BP to modify and resubmit its environment plan for exploration drilling in the Great Australian Bight (GAB).  NOPSEMA said if BP accepts what it described as 'an opportunity…

Santos starts Indonesia appraisal well

May 16, 2016

Santos began drilling the AAL-4X appraisal well, offshore Indonesia using the PT Apexindo's Raniworo jackup. AAL-4X is located in the West Natuna basin in the Northwest Natuna license and sits in 72m water depth Santos is drilling…

Quadrant to start Outtrim off Western Australia

May 16, 2016

Quadrant Energy is set to begin drilling operations at the Outtrim East-1 well in the North West Shelf of Western Australia in June, using the Noble Tom Prosser jackup, according to partner Carnarvon Petroleum. Carnarvon's CEO Adrian…

Wintershall to drill Orion with Borgland Dolphin

May 13, 2016

Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has granted Wintershall Norge consent for exploration drilling at the Orion prospect in the North Sea with the Borgland Dolphin semisubmersible. The 35/11-19S well is located in production license 248…

MEC gains Auz geochemical support

May 12, 2016

MEC Resources has received geochemical support for a potential exploration well within PEP11 in the offshore Sydney Basin. The new geochemical report reviewed the hydrocarbon analysis performed on sediment samples obtained within PEP11 during 2010…

India to auction 67 fields

May 11, 2016

India will auction 67 small oil and gas fields on 25 May that will test some of the key policy changes introduced by the government in the upstream sector, local media The Economic Times reported. The fields previously held by ONGC and…

Pura Vida takes over Ambilobe, Madagascar

May 10, 2016

Pura Vida Energy has taken over operatorship in the Ambilobe block, offshore Madagascar, east Africa, following the withdrawal of Sterling Energy from the license. The move means Pura Vida now also has 100% interest in the license and means additional strategic options will be available…

Eni shows Ghana's Offshore Cape Three Points project

May 09, 2016

In this illustrated video, Italian giant Eni give an overview of the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project that is located offshore Ghana. The existing project involves the development of multiple subsea wells tied back to a FPSO…

Mirach in Cambodian mire

May 04, 2016

Cambodia's Ministry of Mines and Energy has terminated a Petroleum Agreement for Block D, offshore Cambodia, with CPHL (Cambodia), with immediate effect, according to Mirach Energy, which owns 48% of CPHLC.  MME will hold Block D for…

Cobalt hits condensate, gas off Angola

May 04, 2016

Cobalt International has struck its sixth pre-salt discovery offshore Angola. The firm made a 'significant condensate and gas' discovery on the Zalophus #1 pre-salt exploration well in Block 20 offshore Angola. It is the firm's third discovery on Block 20…

Hess farms into Suriname

May 04, 2016

US-based explorer Kosmos Energy has agreed to farm-out a one third stake in its Block 42 contract area offshore Suriname to Hess. In return, Hess will fully fund the cost of a 6500sq km 3D seismic survey, expected to start in Q3 this year…

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