In contrast to 2015, upstream oil and gas deal activity is set to ramp up this year regardless of what happens to the oil price, according to Wood Mackenzie's M&A outlook for 2016. Should oil prices stay low, companies will be forced to sell assets and merge businesses: to free up capital…
Louisiana-based LLOG Exploration’s Delta House floating production system (FPS) achieved its nameplate oil capacity of 80,000 b/d in the Gulf of Mexico during the last days of 2015. Image of Delta House…
Bad weather has delayed first oil from Premier Oil's Solan project, in the West of Shetland area, until January, the firm announced on 23 December. Premier Oil stated in its operations announcement that further progress has been made…
Shipping and offshore specialist law firm Wikborg Rein says current low oil prices could mean there are bargains to be had for investors in the offshore sector who follow recommended procedures for assessing and acquiring distressed companies…
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…
Total has brought on stream its ninth project since the start of this year, its Moho Phase 1b project, 75km off Pointe-Noire, Congo. The project, with 40,000 boe/d production capacity, sits in 750-1200m water depth and comprises 11 new…
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…
Apache is to increase investment in drilling to 78% of its annual capital spending in 2016-2020, compared to 51% in 2012-2015, a business breakfast was told in Aberdeen this morning. Investment in seismic will double, from 5% of its capital spending to 10%…
Even before the drastic drop in oil prices, deepwater extraction costs were under examination, as costs had nearly quadrupled in the past 10 years. The price collapse has created a greater urgency for rethinking how the industry does business…
The Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources rejected Delek Group’s petition for Alon B/365, Alon F/369, Ruth A/358 and Ruth B/359 licenses offshore Israel. The rejection follows the Oil Commissionaire’s previous decision not to approve the extension request…
Norway's Det Norske has bought UK-based independent explorer Premier Oil's Norwegian assets for US$120 million, just a month after agreeing to buy Svenksa Petroleum for $75 million. The Premier Oil assets include the Vette development…
Houston headquartered Apache has unveiled a string of discoveries it has made in the UK North Sea which could increase its total North Sea reserve base by 50% and result in investment in new production facilities. The company says it has made two 'significant' discoveries in the Beryls area…
Technip CEO Thierry Pilenko. Photo from Technip. “We are in an environment where something was broken.” It’s a harsh summary but one few would dispute. Nor would many now…
As Stone Energy reported a net loss of US$8.4 million in Q3 2015, the company’s operations in the Gulf of Mexico are moving full steam ahead, with exception of the decision to shed a minority stake in one non-operated project, in addition to cutting some of its workforce in Q4…
Image from Baker Hughes. Baker Hughes announced the commercial release of FATHOM XT SUBSEA525 inhibitor that helps control asphaltene deposition in deepwater wells. The…