CNOOC Ltd began production at its 100%-owned Kenli 3-2 oilfields, the company announced on 12 May 2014. The Kenli 3-2 oilfields, located in the southern Bohai Sea at an average water depth of 20m, consists of Kenli 3-2, Bozhong 34-6/7…
Statoil announced plans to divest its interest in the ENI-operated block 15/06 offshore Angola for US$200 million. The transaction, which will be effective 1 January 2013, means concessionaire Sonangol EP will pick up Statoil's 5% participating interest…
Maersk Drilling has taken delivery of its first ultra harsh environment jackup, Maersk Intrepid, from the Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore on time. Maersk Intrepid will start its mobilization to the Norwegian North Sea in about two weeks…
In early April, Rosneft and ExxonMobil began aerial gravity-magnetic surveys over offshore blocks in the Yuzhno-Chukotsky licence area in the eastern Russian Arctic to establish the subsurface structure of the field. As part of a framework agreement…
UK-based Africa and Celtic Sea-focused explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas has farmed out a 9.375% interest in the Foum Assaka license, offshore Morocco, to SK Innovation, the energy and chemicals affiliate of SK Group, South Korea's third largest conglomerate…
Three newbuild jackups based on the XL Enhanced design will hit the market in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Photo from Maersk Drilling. A number of rig providers are increasing their fleet with builds over the next three years…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the US Department of Commerce, announced yesterday the start of the 2014 hydrographic survey season. New data collected will increase coastal environmental intelligence around the country…
Maersk Drilling has named its latest ultra harsh environment jackup drilling rig, the Maersk Intrepid, ahead of its first deployment development drilling on the Martin Linge field offshore Norway. Maersk Intrepid is the first…
Octanex N.L. announced that OMV New Zealand Ltd. has completed the planned 2D seismic survey, named Mohua, in the Taranaki basin off New Zealand. OMV has confirmed the survey vessel, Aquila Explorer, commenced acquisition of the Mohua survey on 19 April…
Dubai-based rig and platform builder Lamprell has set an official Guinness World Record for the heaviest load moved by self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs) as part of the Golden Eagle platform project (pictured). Lamprell’s contract was for a production…
Noble Energy Inc. announced that it will propose the election of the company’s President and COO, David L. Stover as a director at its 22 April 2014 organizational meeting, and that it intends to appoint Stover as CEO in October 2014. This decision follows current Chairman and CEO…
Dragon Oil says drilling on the Cheleken Contract Area in Turkmenistan has been delayed and will be weighted towards H2 this year, with a total 14-16 wells due to be drilled. The Cheleken Contract Area covers about 950sq km and comprises two offshore oil and gas fields…
Statoil has signed an agreement to farm down a 15% interest in WRG Angola Block 39 Ltd. offshore Angola in the Kwanza pre-salt basin. WRG is a 50/50 joint venture comprising White Rose Energy Ventures and Genel Energy plc. Statoil is operator of the block…
Aker Solutions’ former well intervention services business, which was acquired by private equity fund EQT VI in January this year, has been restructured and will operate under two brands from 22 Apr 2014: Altus Intervention and Qinterra Technologies…
Austrian integrated energy firm OMV has boosted its UK west of Shetland holdings after agreeing to buy four licenses in the area from Hess, including the Cambo field and the Blackrock prospect, for US$50 million. Depending on future developments…