Equinor, Aker BP, Vaar face rising project costs, Norway budget shows
The Norwegian government announced on Monday that Aker BP, Equinor and Vaar Energi had raised their estimates of costs for major oil and natural gas development projects in the Norwegian continental shelf. The government's fiscal budget documents revealed that the cost of Equinor Johan Castberg is expected to rise from 80.3 billion crowns, which was estimated a year ago. Aker BP’s Yggdrasil will likely cost 134.4 billion crowns compared to 120.2 billion crowns a year ago, and Vaar’s Balder Future is expected at 52.2 billion crowns compared to 44.5 billion crowns.
Infinity Natural, a company that produces oil and natgas, files for an IPO in the US
Infinity Natural Resources, an oil and natural gas developer, is planning to launch its initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. This comes after the company nearly doubled its revenue during the first half year. Infinity, backed by investment firms Pearl Energy Investments (PEI) and NGP Capital (NGP Capital), will seek to list at the NYSE. The filing was made just days after the shares of BKV, a natural gas producer, began trading. Infinity will enter the public markets in a strong financial position.
Petrobras claims that the Sirius gas field in Colombia could produce 13.3 million cubic metres of gas per day.
Petrobras' exploration general manager Rogerio Soares, who spoke at a conference for the industry on Thursday, said that Colombia's offshore Sirius well could produce 13.3 million cubic metres per day in 10 years. Soares, speaking at the Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP)'s forum on oil and gas in Cartagena, said that the initial concept of Sirius envisioned the first offshore gas production in 2029- 2030. Four wells would be producing and a total of 13,3 million cubic metres per day was expected for a period of 10 years.
Ithaca Energy joins Eni's North Sea Business
Ithaca Energy announced on Thursday that it had completed a deal worth 754 million pounds ($993 millions) to purchase nearly all the UK oil and natural gas assets of Eni. This was a 100% share transaction, which created one of the largest independent energy companies operating in the North Sea. Luciano Vasques was the former Eni UK Managing Director and CEO of the combined company. This move is part Eni's'satellite strategy', through which the company has spun off businesses that are focused on certain geographical areas to attract investors.
Suriname oil and gas project worth $10 billion to be approved by TotalEnergies and APA
TotalEnergies, a French company, and APA Corp, based in the United States, announced on Tuesday a positive decision to invest in Block 58 of Suriname, the most promising offshore oil and gas project. This is expected launch Suriname’s first offshore production. The small South American nation wants to follow the example of its neighboring Guyana. In 2019, a consortium led Exxon Mobil began developing over 11 billion barrels worth of recoverable gas and oil resources, making the country a major producer. Total said that the decision to invest $10 billion in the project will be taken in the fourth quarter.
Sources say that Shell is the preferred bidder in Trinidad for a shallow water block
Three people familiar with the process have confirmed that Trinidad and Tobago has selected Shell as its preferred bidder to bid on a shallow-water block. This bidder beat out BP and EOG Resource. Trinidad and Tobago's natural gas production has declined in recent years, and the country has struggled to supply its petrochemical and liquefied gas plants. The government organized bid rounds and pressed producers to deliver the first output of offshore projects. Shell and BP have the largest stakes in Trinidad's Atlantic LNG Project, which is a 15.3 million ton per year project.
Helene reaches hurricane strength in Gulf of Mexico and threatens Florida
The National Hurricane Center reported that the powerful storm Helene became a hurricane Wednesday morning. It was packing winds of up to 130 kph (80 mph) as it churned off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters said that Helene would continue to intensify throughout Thursday and bring a life-threatening storm to Florida's coast. The National Weather Service warned that more than 40 millions people in Florida and Georgia, as well as Alabama, were under tropical storm and hurricane warnings on Wednesday. Several evacuations have been ordered along Florida's Gulf coast.
Cuba and Florida prepare for Tropical Storm Helene's impact
The U.S. National Weather Service reported that Tropical Storm Helene will cause mudslides, flooding and major hurricane-like conditions in Cuba. It is then expected to reach major hurricane status on Thursday when it reaches Florida with a life-threatening ocean tide. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said that Helene was moving northwest at a speed of 45 mph with sustained winds up to 72 kph. Forecasters say Helene is expected to strengthen rapidly over the warm waters of Gulf of Mexico, resulting in a major hurricane with winds up to 115 mph. State and national authorities in the U.S.
As a major hurricane approaches, oil companies are evacuating their staff from the Gulf of Mexico.
On Monday, U.S. producers of oil scrambled to evacuate their staff from offshore oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico as the second major storm to hit in two weeks is predicted to ravage them. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that a potential Tropical Cyclone over the warm waters of the Gulf could rapidly intensify and become a major Hurricane with winds up to 115 mph (185 kph). According to the NHC, the storm, called Helene, would hit the U.S. at a category 3 on the Saffir Simpson wind scale. It could bring "the risk of life-threatening surges and damaging hurricane force winds" to Florida Panhandle and the Northeastern Gulf Coast.
Hurricanes force oil companies to evacuate staff from the Gulf of Mexico
U.S. Oil Producers scrambled to evacuate their staff from Gulf of Mexico platforms on Monday as forecasters warned that the second major hurricane within two weeks would likely tear into offshore oil fields. The U.S. National Hurricane Center stated that a potential Tropical Cyclone System Nine, near the western tip of Cuba, was expected to intensify into a Hurricane on Wednesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The NHC says that it could turn into a major hurricane by the time it reaches the Northeastern Gulf Coast.
Energean gas's first-half profit rises on increased output
Energean, a gas producer, reported higher profits in the first half of this year on Wednesday. This was due to a strong summer demand from Israel, which accounts for more than 70%. The company is expanding in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It is particularly interested in areas where gas is supported by long-term policies and coal is being replaced. Carlyle, a private equity fund, had agreed to buy the assets of the company in Egypt and Italy for $945 million. Energean is expecting to pay up to $200,000,000 in special dividends following the conclusion of this deal. This should be completed by the end the year.
APPEC-India ONGC Videsh focuses on stakes in oil and gas assets amid energy transformation
The head of finance at ONGC Videsh said that the company is focusing on acquiring stakes overseas in oil and gas producing companies, as the shift to renewable energy will likely reduce the demand for conventional fuels. We are not interested in long-term projects, due to the energy transition. Anupam Agarwal, at the APPEC Conference, said that exploration was not a top priority for the moment. ONGC Videsh is the overseas investment arm for the top oil and natural gas exploration company in the country, Oil and Natural Gas Corp. It has stakes in 32 oil and gasoline projects in 15 different countries.
OPEC+ Has Oil Price and Demand Problems. It Should Solve Demand
OPEC+ has two problems and two solutions.The first problem is that crude oil prices are too low for the comfort of most of the members of the group, which pulls together the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies including Russia.The second issue is that crude demand has so far disappointed the somewhat optimistic forecasts made by OPEC for 2024 growth.The first solution is for OPEC+ to surprise the market and change its mind on increasing output from the fourth quarter onwards.The second solution is to increase output as planned…
India's ONGC wants US approval for two projects in Venezuela
Rajarshi Gupta, the managing director of ONGC Videsh Ltd in India, said that the company is looking for U.S. permission to run two projects to increase production in Venezuela. Gupta said that ONGC wants to obtain a license similar to the one granted to U.S. oil giant Chevron for operating oil fields in Venezuela. "We have requested a license to allow us to run our two projects. The approval will allow us to operate our two projects using U.S. entities and dollars. "We will use the funds to operate these projects", Gupta said.
Min says that seismic work will begin on gas fields shared between Trinidad and Venezuela.
Stuart Young, Trinidad and Tobago's energy minister, said on Facebook on Friday that seismic work is expected to begin in the next few days at the offshore gas fields shared between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela issued a license in July allowing for the development of the Cocuina Field, its side of reservoir. In early 2014, the U.S. also approved this project. It will be developed by Britain’s BP and Trinidad’s National Gas Company. Cocuina and Manakin, whose Venezuelan part belongs to the Plataforma Deltana offshore gas project, which is currently idle, have 1 trillion cubic feet in proven reserves of gas.
Shell to make large cuts in its oil exploration division: sources
Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewables and low carbon businesses. Sources said that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units would result in hundreds of job losses around the globe, with the greatest impact in offices in Houston, The Hague, and Britain. Sources added that consultations will be held with the employee representative bodies to determine the exact 20% reduction.
Sources say Shell plans to make large cuts in its oil exploration division.
Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewable energy and low-carbon businesses. Sources say that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units is expected to result in hundreds of job losses around the globe, but will be most felt in Britain and The Netherlands. Sources added that consultations will be held with the employee representative bodies to determine the exact 20% reduction.
Shell to make large cuts in its oil exploration division: sources
Shell will cut its oil and natural gas exploration and production workforce by 20%, according to company sources. CEO Wael Sawan is extending his cost-saving efforts to this highly profitable division following the deep cuts made in renewables and low carbon businesses. Sources say that the restructuring of the exploration, wells development, and subsurface units is expected to result in hundreds of job losses around the globe, but will be most felt in Britain and The Netherlands. Sources added that consultations will be held with the employee representative bodies to determine the exact 20% reduction.
CNOOC China posts record profit in the first half of 2018 on robust output growth
CNOC, the Chinese offshore oil-and-gas major, posted a record profit for the first half of this year on Thursday. This was largely due to higher oil prices and increased output. CNOOC reported in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that net profit attributable shareholders increased 25% to 79.73 yuan (US$11.19 billion). CNOOC's oil and gas production increased by 9.3%, to 362.6 millions barrels of equivalent oil. This was due to the expansion of its reserves. Among the key discoveries made during the reporting period were Lingshui36-1…
Namibia plans to complete its sovereign wealth fund by 2025
Namibia's Finance Minister said on Tuesday that the government expects to approve its first offshore oil project in 2025 and complete the creation of its sovereign fund. Namibia, which is yet to produce oil or gas, became a hotspot for exploration after TotalEnergies, Shell and offshore discoveries. Shiimi, Namibia's Minister of Finance, said that Namibia does not expect to see income from the fund until oil production begins, which may take four to six years. He added that TotalEnergies, Qatar Energy and other companies would likely be the first to approve oil exploration off Namibia by 2025.
