Exploration News


Funding awarded for Rockall exploration

May 03, 2016

The University of Aberdeen is to get a £250,000 grant from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) to investigate the potential for hydrocarbon exploration in the Rockall area of the North Atlantic. The funding is part of a package of measures…

Let’s get deep

May 01, 2016

Ultra-deepwater exploration on the Atlantic margin could be the opportunity the offshore industry is looking for, according to geoscience firm Spectrum. Elaine Maslin reports. Maersk Venturer drillship…

Harsh realities

May 01, 2016

Remaining competitive through the downturn is a tall order for some. Caitlin Shaw, of Quest Offshore Resources, examines how the exploration, drilling and subsea segments are expected to fare through 2017.   The…

What role for NOCs?

May 01, 2016

In 1975, the UK’s national oil company (NOC), BNOC, was formed. It didn’t last long, while others are still going strong. Alex Kemp takes a look at the whys and wherefores of NOCs. National oil companies have been in existence for many years…

Conoco cuts deepwater GOM drilling plans

Apr 29, 2016

ConocoPhillips said its participation in the non-operated Gibson will be its last deepwater exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico, as it looks to cut its spending.  The firm, which announced a plan to reduce deepwater Gulf of Mexico activity last year…

Byron to deepen SM71-1

Apr 27, 2016

Byron Energy will further its efforts at the SM71-1 well in the Gulf of Mexico after encountering the presence of oil in three intervals, according to partner Otto Energy. A quad combo porosity logging run has been acquired and 7 5/8in…

Mubadala hits twice at Manora

Apr 27, 2016

Mubadala Petroleum encountered oil at two wells in the Manora field, offshore Thailand. Map from Mubadala. The Atwood Orca jackup drilled wells MNA-15 and MNA-16 wells to final total depths of 2566m and 2998m…

Tullow eyes next Mauritanian move

Apr 26, 2016

Tullow Oil is eying exploration leads offshore Mauritania in order to fulfill a minimum work obligation of one well on the block before the second exploration phase runs out in November 2017.  Image from Tullow…

Deep Sea inks global work in multiple deals

Apr 25, 2016

Deep Sea Supply has been awarded multiple contracts by several international oil companies for work in the North Sea, offshore Asia, and South America. Statoil awarded Deep Sea a two-year contract, plus three yearly options for the PSV Sea Falcon for operations in the North Sea…

CNOOC starts at Panyu

Apr 25, 2016

China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) has started production at its Panyu 11-5 field in the South China Sea. Panyu is loctated in the Pearl River Mouth basin in 110m water depth.  While there is currently one well producing approximately 3270 b/d…

Quadrant in Outer Barrow discovery

Apr 22, 2016

Quadrant Energy has encountered natural gas at its Davis-1 near-field exploration well, off the coast of Western Australia, according to joint venture partner Santos. Davis-1 is located some 12km from the existing John Brookes platform…

Porcupine results "change game" offshore Ireland

Apr 22, 2016

Significant hydrocarbon potential has been outlined in the south Porcupine offshore Ireland, according to initial results of a collaboration project between operator Providence Resources and oilfield services firm Schlumberger. Two firms…

Byron hits at GoM SM 71 well

Apr 20, 2016

Byron Energy has encountered three discrete hydrocarbon bearing intervals at its latest exploration development in the South Marsh Island block in the Gulf of Mexico. Hercules 205 jackup, from Hercules…

Statoil to drill 30/11-13 well with Songa Delta

Apr 19, 2016

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted Statoil a drilling permit for well 30/11-13, tobe drilled from the Songa Delta drilling facility in production license 035. The drilling program for well 30/11-13 relates to the drilling of a wildcat well…

ExxonMobil starts up US$4 billion Julia project

Apr 19, 2016

ExxonMobil has started oil production at its US$4 billion Julia oil field in the Gulf of Mexico with the first production well currently online, and a second well set to start production in the coming weeks, the supermajor announced. Image…

Current News

BW Energy Enters Angola with Two Offshore Blocks Acquisition

Harbour Energy Bolsters North Sea Output with Waldorf Assets Buy

Shell to Launch Drilling Campaign Offshore Namibia

SLB, Shell Form Alliance to Streamline Digital Oil and Gas Solutions

Subscribe for OE Digital E‑News