Statoil and Repsol have agreed deals covering acreage in Norway, UK, US and Brazil. Statoil is to farm down 15% in the Norwegian Gudrun field to Repsol, retaining operatorship and 36% interest. Pending Repsol partner approval, Statoil…
Houston-based BOP Technologies announced a new approach to allow a BOP to work even if the drilling rig loses power or hydraulic pressure. The company calls it 'a huge step' toward making BOPs the last line of defense in case of a blowout…
Noble Energy revealed a 15,000 boe/d increase in its Q4 2015 sales volumes for both offshore and onshore fields to an estimated 405,000-415,000 boe/d. Map of Noble's Gulf of Mexico assets. Image from Noble…
US-based Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is cutting two vessels in the Gulf of Mexico in an effort to defer investments in several of the company’s long-term projects due to the oil and gas market slump. Image from FCX…
The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) will launch a pilot risk-based inspection program for offshore facilities, the agency announced on 7 December. “By focusing on facilities based upon their risk factors, BSEE…
Image from IOG. Murphy Oil encountered hydrocarbon pay at its Thunder Bird sidetrack well in the Gulf of Mexico, but has decided to plug and abandon the well, due to the low oil price environment…
Houston-based Marathon Oil's Solomon exploration well in the US Gulf of Mexico has been plugged and abandoned after not encountering its lower tertiary target interval. The well reached its total depth of approximately 34,600ft on Walker Ridge Block 225…
US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Brian Salerno testified today (1 December) before a US congressional committee on Energy and Natural Resources defending a new well control rule, 30 CFR Part 250 released earlier this year…
Walter Oil & Gas announced the installation of the recently completed Coelacanth Field platform at Ewing Bank Block 834 (EW 834) in the Gulf of Mexico. Image of Coelacanth Field’s platform heading to sea…
The Louisiana US District Court ruled for Anadarko Petroleum to pay a US$159.5 million penalty for its role in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that spilled 3.19 MMbbl into the Gulf of Mexico, and left 11 people dead. Transocean's…
Getting HPHT right is a real challenge for today’s industry, involving finding new materials, setting new standards and building competence in the industry. Elaine Maslin reports. Ian Penman, senior global technical advisor…
With a mere four orders so far this year the floating production system (FPS) sector is suffering. However, things are anticipated to be better next year, with the US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in particular, having a surprisingly bright future…
Several companies and individuals, including Black Elk Energy Offshore and Wood Group PSN (WGPSN), are being charged with crimes for the fatal November 2012 explosion of the West 32-E platform in the Gulf of Mexico that left three contract workers dead…
Shell made a “major discovery” at its Kaikias well that could possibly surpass 100 MMboe, in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Map of the Mars-Ursa basin. From Shell. Kaikias is located about 60mi south of Louisiana…
First oil at Shell’s Stones project in the Gulf of Mexico is on the horizon, as the Turritella floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO) set sail from Singapore this month. The Turritella…