The latest EIC Monitor report once again shows a significant decline in the levels of contracting activity across the global upstream sector in Q1 2015. Despite the overall number of contracts being awarded dropping, the value of some is substantial…
London-based explorer Sterling Energy started a 1250sq km 3D seismic survey on the Ambilobe Block, offshore Madagascar. The acquisition is being undertaken by CGG Services, on behalf of the Ambilobe Block joint venture partners, and completion is expected within 45-50 days…
Dallas-based explorer Kosmos Energy’s Tortue-1 exploration well offshore Mauritania, western north Africa, has made a “significant, play-opening” gas discovery. Tortue-1 was drilled in 2700m water depth, 285km southwest of Mauritanian capital Nouakchott…
A tribunal has rejected a bid by the Ivory Coast to stop oil and gas exploration and development activities in a disputed area between its waters and offshore Ghana. The ruling paves the way for UK-headquartered Tullow Oil to continue with its TEN Project offshore Ghana…
Baker Hughes Inc. issued its international rig count that showed 1251 rigs operating worldwide in March 2015 outside of the US and Canada. Unsurprisingly, global rig counts have dropped significantly due to an approximate 50% drop in crude oil prices since 2014…
Houston-based Africa focused explorer CAMAC Energy is changing its name to Erin Energy following a reverse stock split - each six shares of common stock were converted into one share of common stock. Kase Lawal, Erin's Chairman and CEO…
Applus RTD has been awarded a contract from Heerema Marine Contractors as part of the Kaombo development offshore Angola. As part of the largest ultra deepwater subsea, umbilicals, risers, flowlines (SURF) development, Applus RTD will…
OneSubsea is getting a piece of BP’s West Nile Delta Taurus Libra development offshore Egypt by snagging a multi-million dollar subsea contract. Image from OneSubsea. The scope…
InterMoor completed replacing critical components in an floating production unit (FPU) mooring system offshore Equatorial Guinea, enabling the prime contractor, Boskalis, to expand the InterMoor work scope. The Zafiro Producer…
Young Okunna, GlobalData's upstream analyst covering Sub-Saharan Africa reported that the current downturn in oil prices has not slowed down in the region. Although several firms have cut back on their global exploration budgets, the region continues to attract activity…
London-based junior explorer Sterling Energy is challenging the expiration of its first renewal period on the Ntem concession offshore Cameroon. The firm declared a force majeure on the 100% owned Ntem concession in May 2014, due to its…
ConocoPhillips’ found no commercial hydrocarbons at its Harrier prospect in Mississippi Canyon Block 118 in deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Harrier was drilled to a total depth of 19,400ft. The well will be plugged and abandoned. ConocoPhillips is the operator of Harrier with 63%…
Asset integrity management specialist, XPD8 Solutions, secured a £375,000 contract for work in West Africa with Tullow Oil. Over six-months, the Aberdeen-headquartered firm will migrate Tullow Oil’s existing computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to the Maximo software package…
The UK government is giving Dea UK and partner LetterOne three to six months for a further change of control for UK North Sea petroleum licenses or they will be revoked. RWE Breagh installation…
Spectrum began a 3500km multi-client 2D seismic survey offshore Namibia. The BGP Pioneer. From BGP. The survey is being conducted in the Orange basin to complete the 6000km survey over the Namibia and South Africa border…