Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have cut oil/gas drilling rigs by 7th week, to the lowest level since 2021.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the seventh consecutive week. This is the lowest level since November 2021. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by four in the week ending June 13 to 555. Baker Hughes reported that the decline this week brings the total number of rigs down by 35 or 6% from this time last. This week the oil rig count dropped by three, to 439, its lowest level since October 2021. Gas rigs fell by one, to 113.
Baker Hughes reports that US drillers have cut oil/gas drilling rigs by 7th week, to the lowest level since 2021.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the seventh consecutive week. This is the lowest level since November 2021. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by four in the week ending June 13 to 555. Baker Hughes reported that the decline in rig counts this week is 35 rigs, or 6% less than this time last. This week the oil rig count dropped by three, to 439, its lowest level since October 2021. Gas rigs fell by one, to 113.
White House aide: US Energy Loan Office should fund oil and gas
A White House aide stated on Tuesday that the U.S. Energy Department loan office should finance oil and gas infrastructure. Jarrod Agen said, "One of our biggest problems is that the loan program office was used in the past for many of these renewable energy projects" at a Politico Energy conference. Thanks to the legislation that was passed during Joe Biden's term, the Loan Programs Office has grown rapidly and now has hundreds of millions of dollars of loan and guarantee capacity. Agen stated that the administration has changed the priority of LPO.
The new Texas wastewater regulations could increase costs for oil producers
The new guidelines for permitting wastewater disposal wells are likely to increase the costs of oil producers, as the crude price is low. This will be the latest challenge faced by an industry that has seen its output growth slow down as it matures. U.S. oil production has soared to a record 13,4 million barrels a day (bpd), thanks to technological advances that allowed companies to tap into its vast oil reserves. The growth is slowing down, though, as the best oil resources are exhausted, forcing operators to drill in less profitable locations where more water is produced.
EPA wants to give Texas the authority to supervise CO2 injection permits
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed Monday to approve Texas' application for its own permitting of projects to inject underground carbon dioxide, a step long sought after by the state's regulators as well as oil and gas firms with projects in development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that Texas was best positioned to protect drinking water from contamination, while allowing lucrative CO2 injection, also known by the name carbon capture and storage projects (CCS), to mitigate climate changes, to proceed. Carbon injection is a method of permanently storing CO2 emissions deep underground from industrial and power plants.
Baker Hughes reports that US oil/gas rig counts have fallen for the 6th consecutive week, to levels not seen since 2021.
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the sixth consecutive week for the first since September 2023. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by four in the week ending June 6, to 559, the lowest level since November 2021. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs dropped by nine this week to 442 while gas rigs increased by five to 114. The company has announced that it has corrected the oil and gas classifications of approximately 8 to 10 rigs located in the Marcellus-Utica basins as of April 4, 2019.
Spain's oil imports from Venezuela dry up before US sanctions deadline
Spain did not import crude oil in Venezuela during April. This was ahead of the key deadline for sanctions set by President Donald Trump’s administration. The United States has revoked the permits of foreign companies operating in Venezuela to export oil. This includes Repsol, the largest Spanish oil company. Repsol has been given until May 27 to cease operations in Venezuela. Repsol received the oil as payment from PDVSA, the state oil company. Cores, the energy and environment ministry of Spain, released data on Friday showing that imports were down in April after a sharp increase in 2024 and in earlier years. Repsol held discussions with U.S.
Mark Tucker, former chairman of HSBC, joins Asia insurer AIA
Mark Tucker, HSBC’s highly-regarded Chairman, will leave the bank and take up a new position as chairman of AIA Group. He was previously CEO of the pan-Asian insurer where he served. HSBC announced that Brendan Nelson, a KPMG former partner and member of its board who chairs the audit committee for the group, will become interim chairman on October 1. On May 1, the bank announced that Tucker would leave before the end the year. However, the statement released on Friday stated that he will depart on September 30, according to the bank.
Brendan Nelson, chair of the audit committee at HSBC, is named interim group chairman
HSBC Holdings PLC announced on Friday that Brendan Nelson will be the interim group chairman after Mark Tucker retires from his role on September 30, following his retirement. Tucker will also resign as a member of the board on that date. The process of selecting the permanent HSBC Group Chair, led by Ann Godbehere (a senior independent director), is currently underway, the banking giant announced in a press release. Nelson served previously as a non-executive independent director of several major UK listed companies, including oil giant BP & financial services firm NatWest. HSBC announced on May 1, that Tucker will retire at the end of this year.
Petrobras CEO: Africa will be the main exploration region for Petrobras outside Brazil.
Petrobras wants to develop Africa as its primary region outside Brazil. The CEO of the state-run oil company said this in a broad interview on Thursday. Petrobras CEO Magda Chabriard said that Ivory Coast extended the "red-carpet" to Petrobras when it granted the company the preference for buying nine offshore exploration blocks on Wednesday. She said that Nigeria, Angola and Namibia also expressed an interest in working with Brazil's giant. Chambriard said, "We are experts on the eastern margins of Brazil," citing similar geological features between the region and Africa.
EIA: US crude stocks fall as refiners increase output
The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday that U.S. crude stockpiles dropped last week, as oil refiners increased production to coincide with the start the summer driving season. Fuel inventories, however, rose due to a weaker demand. The EIA reported that crude inventories dropped by 4.3 millions barrels, to 436.1 million in the week ending May 30. This was in contrast with the analysts' polled expectations of a draw of 1 million barrels. The EIA reported that refinery crude runs increased by 670,000 barrels a day. Utilization rates also rose 3.2 percentage points, to 93.4%.
Abu Dhabi's XRG aims to reach a gas and LNG capacity of between 20-25 million tonnes per year by 2035
XRG is the international investment arm for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The company stated in a Tuesday statement that it aims to have a business of gas and LNG with a production capacity between 20 and 25 million metric tonnes per year by 2035. XRG, a company that invests in lower-carbon energy sources, gases and chemicals with assets exceeding $80 billion, was established last year. The board of the company, which includes former BP CEO Bernard Looney, and Blackstone's Jon Gray on Tuesday, approved a capacity target as well as a five-year plan.
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR signs agreements for oil exploration with Exxon and BP
Azeri SOCAR, the state-owned energy company of Azerbaijan, signed agreements with Exxon Mobil & BP for oil and natural gas exploration in Azerbaijan at a conference on energy in Baku. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Azerbaijan's proven oil reserves are 7 billion barrels. Its proven natural gas reserves are 1.7 trillion cubic meters. The country's oil output has been declining for several years after the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) complex of oilfields passed its peak of 50 million metric tons, or 1 million barrels per day, in 2010. BP declined comment. Exxon Mobil didn't immediately respond to a comment request.
Financial Times - 2 June
These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. BP has received early interest in its sale of Castrol, the lubricants division, from both private equity firms and other industry players, including China’s state-owned Citic. However, some bidders are willing to accept offers lower than the $8 billion-plus expected range. AstraZeneca announced positive results from a trial for a drug to treat breast cancer that stops mutating tumors before they grow. The company hopes that this will be part of a portfolio that propels it to the top of oncology.
Experts say that Australia's investment in natural gas threatens its climate credentials
Experts and two Pacific Climate Ministers say that Australia's approval for a 40-year project extension has undermined its bid to be the host of a United Nations Climate Summit next year, and its green credentials. The centre-left government that came to power in 2022, with a mandate to reform climate policy, has approved Woodside Energy’s North West Shelf Project to continue until 2070. This is subject to a review. The company and energy industry hailed the move, citing the continued operation of LNG plants as an alternative fuel to coal.
North Dakota regulators extend the time oil producers can drill wells without completion
North Dakota's Department of Mineral Resources announced on Thursday that it has extended the policy for how long producers may leave unfinished wells after drilling. This is expected to assist drillers in dealing with low oil prices. As U.S. crude oil prices dropped to $61 per barrel, the majority of companies have decided to delay completion and drop their rigs. This is because they are below the $65 average price that is required to make a profit. North Dakota producers must plug their wells after a year or put them into production to avoid abandonment. Operators will be able to extend their current policy until the spring of 2027.
Edison confident in positive outcome of Venture Global LNG arbitration
The chief executive of Italian utility Edison said that it is confident in a favorable outcome of an arbitration between Venture Global, a U.S. supplier of liquefied gas, expected to be completed by the end the year. Edison is among several European energy firms, including Shell, BP, and Galp that have filed arbitration cases claiming Venture Global intentionally failed to fulfill its supply contracts by dragging their feet when commissioning a plant so they could profit from higher prices. Venture Global said that the Calcasieu Pass process took longer than expected due to several unforeseen factors.
Australia approves Woodside's North West Shelf LNG Plant to operate until 2070
Australia approved Woodside Energy’s request on Wednesday to extend the lifespan of its North West Shelf Gas Plant until 2070. This follows a six-year process that was plagued by delays, complaints and criticism from environmental groups. North West Shelf, located in Western Australia on the Burrup Peninsula, is Australia's largest and oldest liquefied gas plant. It also serves as a major supplier of LNG to Asian markets. In a press release, Environment Minister Murray Watt stated that the decision to approve an extension of the project was subject to strict conditions.
US drillers reduce oil and gas rigs at lowest level since November 2021, according to Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes, an energy services company, said Friday that U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the fourth consecutive week, making it the lowest count since November 2021. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by 10 in the week ending May 23. This was the first time in 2024 that drillers had reduced their number of rigs for four consecutive weeks. Baker Hughes reported that the number of rigs is down by 34 or 6% from last week. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs dropped by eight this week to 465, the lowest level since November 2021. Gas rigs dropped by two, to 98.
Minister: Estimated 6 billion-barrel shale oil reserves in southeast Turkey
The Turkish Energy Minister said that U.S. oil company Continental Resources estimated there to be a shale-oil reserve of 6.1 million barrels in Turkey’s southeast Diyarbakir Basin. If confirmed, these reserves would put Turkey ahead of some OPEC countries such as Gabon or Congo, as well as other major producers like the UK. Continental Resources and the Turkish National Oil Company TPAO signed a Joint Venture Agreement in March for the development of shale-fields in this basin. "Turkey imports 365 million barrels of crude oil annually." "A 6.1 billion-barrel reserve is an impressive figure…
Norway's oil-drilling unions are seeking wage mediation in order to avoid a strike
Employers and three unions reported that wage talks with 7,500 oil drilling employees in Norway failed on Wednesday. This could lead to a strike later this year. The Norwegian Shipowners' Association's (NSA) talks with the Safe, Styrke, and DSO unions are to resume at a future date, which is yet to be determined, under the mediation of a state appointed mediator. Geir Sjoeberg, the NSA's lead negotiator, said in a press release that "unfortunately" it wasn't possible to reach an accord. In Norway's highly regulated system of collective bargaining, workers can only go on strike when the mediation fails.
OPEC+ targets US shale again with output increases
Saudi Arabia and Russia, the group's leaders, are also pushing a secondary objective behind OPEC+’s plan to increase oil production and punish overproducing allies: taking on U.S. shale to win back market shares from the United States. OPEC’s last price war against U.S. producers ten years ago failed, as technological and drilling breakthroughs allowed U.S. shale firms to cut costs, lower prices, and take market share away from the 12-member groups in the years that followed. The U.S. is more susceptible to price wars now. In the last three years, costs have risen for U.S. shale oil producers.
Norway Oil Drilling Unions Seek Mediation to Avoid Strike
Two unions have said that wage negotiations involving 7,000 oil drilling employees in Norway failed early on Wednesday. This could lead to strike action later in the year, which would disrupt exploration. The unions have announced that the talks between the Norwegian Shipowners' Association and the Safe and Styrke unions will be resumed at a future date, under the direction of a mediator appointed by the state. Norway's highly regulated system of collective bargaining allows workers to strike only if mediation fails. The NSA represented the NSA and other companies in the talks, including Transocean Drilling, Odfjell Drilling and Archer.
Minister: Estimated 6 billion-barrel shale oil reserves in southeast Turkey
The Turkish Energy Minister said that U.S. oil company Continental Resources estimated there to be 6.1 billion barrels of shale-oil reserves in Turkey's southeast Diyarbakir Basin. Continental Resources and the Turkish National Oil Company TPAO signed a Joint Venture Agreement in March for the development of shale-fields in this basin. "The current (crude oil) imports by Turkey amount to 365,000,000 barrels. "A 6.1 billion-barrel reserve is an impressive figure," said Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar to reporters on a recent visit to the southeast of Turkey.
North Dakota oil producers are planning to reduce rigs as a result of lower prices, a state regulator has said
The Department of Mineral Resources in North Dakota said Friday that oil and gas operators have stated they will be reducing rigs and crews in response to lower oil prices. This move is likely to affect output in the country's third largest oil producer. Prices have dropped below $65, which is the minimum price needed to break even. North Dakota's breakeven prices have traditionally been between $55 and $60 per barrel, according to Nathan Anderson, the director of the state regulator. Anderson stated that about four to five operators are planning to abandon rigs, either due to their business plans or low prices.
US drillers have cut oil and natural gas rigs in the third week of a row, according to Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the third consecutive week for the first since mid-April. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by two in the week ending May 16 to 576, the lowest level since January. Baker Hughes reported that the rig count was down 28 rigs or 5% from this time last week. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs dropped by one to 473 in the past week, which is their lowest level since January. Gas rigs also fell, by one to 100, marking their first decline since early April.
US drillers have cut oil and natural gas rigs in the third week of a row, according to Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes, a leading energy services company, said that the U.S. firms have cut back on the number of natural gas and oil rigs for the first week since mid-April. The number of oil and gas drilling rigs, a good indicator of future production, dropped by two in the week ending May 16 to 576, the lowest level since January. Baker Hughes reported that the rig count is down 28 rigs or 5% from this time last week. Baker Hughes reported that oil rigs dropped by one to 473 in the past week, which is their lowest level since January. Gas rigs also fell, by one to 100, marking their first decline since early April.
Japan's oil refiners reduce decarbonisation and refocus on fossils fuels
Japanese oil companies have scaled back their decarbonisation projects, including ammonia and hydrogen, as the world shifts towards fossil fuels that are more cost-effective and stable. This move is a reflection of the growing concerns about energy security and U.S. policies risks. It also reflects rising costs for materials due to inflation. All these factors undermine project profitability. Companies that had reoriented portfolios in order to combat climate change, are now refocusing their attention on oil and natural gas. The returns from these fuels have increased since the price of fossil fuels has recovered from its pandemic lows.
