Politics

PDP wins in Nigerian President’s home state

Josh Lewis — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:00:35 GMT

Nigeria's ruling party candidate has been elected governor of President Goodluck Jonathan's home state election, ending months of political uncertainty over who is in charge of the oil-producing state.

Iraq warns Total over Kurdish deals

Josh Lewis — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:06:31 GMT

Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain Shahristani has warned French major Total would bear the “full consequences” if it signed oil deals with semi-autonomous Kurdistan.

Venezuela sends in Guarapiche cleaners

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:04:51 GMT

Venezuela will put 1500 people to work clearing up an oil spill at a river in the east of the country that has forced the authorities to close a water purification plant, the environment minister said on Sunday.

Thailand aims to open up 22 blocks for offers

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:22:07 GMT

Thailand is planning to open the delayed 21st licensing round, which will include offshore acreage offering fast-track development opportunities, either on � 8 March or in early April.

Standing up for reform in Russia

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:20:18 GMT

With less than one month left until Russia’s presidential elections, the country is witnessing a revival of political activity that almost disappeared during Vladimir Putin’s reign of more than a decade.

Stormy waters ahead for UK’s offshore scene

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:20:10 GMT

These are uncertain times in the UK with a new energy secretary, a faster-than-expected run down in oil and gas production plus talk of independence in Scotland.

Crude market looks on as Iran and Israel start beating the Middle East war drums

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:20:05 GMT

The next few months could well see the most serious yet escalation in the confrontation between Iran and Israel.

Oil overhaul is imminent

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:55 GMT

NIGERIAN legislation to overhaul the oil and gas sector will be submitted to the National Assembly next month, according to the chairman of the House of Representatives Downstream Petroleum Committee, Dakuku Peterside.

Task force

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:50 GMT

The former chairman of Nigeria’s Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has been asked to head a special Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force by Minister of Petroleum Resources Dieziani Alison-Madueke.

Mota’s selection eases path to oil reforms

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:47 GMT

Mexico’s chances of legislating a more meaningful opening-up of the oil sector look better than ever after the second of the country’s two biggest political parties concluded the selection process for presidential elections scheduled for July.

Russia dialogue bid as Syria killings go on

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:41 GMT

Syrian forces intensified their assault on the rebellious city of Homs, killing at least 67 civilians.

Militants target pipeline

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:35 GMT

NIGERIAN militants claimed to have destroyed an Agip-�operated trunk line feeding the Brass crude export terminal in Bayelsa State.

US puts Iranian trade on the rack as Israel threatens attack

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:31 GMT

Iran’s oil and other trade has started suffering as the US tightens sanctions yet another notch— amid speculation that Israel could be on the verge of carrying out a military attack against Iranian nuclear targets.

Transparency plea for Africa’s dealings

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:19:27 GMT

Pressure group Global Witness has called for more transparency in Africa’s oil, gas and mining industries to prevent corruption and instability.

Rosneft takes Sberbank’s stake in oil producer

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:18:29 GMT

Russia’s state-controlled Rosneft oil company has signed a deal with Sberbank Savings Bank of Russia to buy a 35% stake in oil producer Taas-Yuraykh, writes Vladimir Afanasiev

Arctic role for Norway

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:18:25 GMT

Norway is pushing further into the Arctic north, with plans for a seismic campaign in the northern part of the previously disputed area in the Barents Sea.

Iran ‘to pipe gas to Iraq’

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:16:51 GMT

Iran claims to have completed nearly half of planned work on a pipeline to Iraq and expects to export gas by early 2013.

Deadline on Farzad contract

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:16:46 GMT

Iran has given ONGC Videsh (OVL), the overseas arm of India’s Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, a one-month deadline to sign a contract to develop the Farzad-B gas field in the Persian Gulf, at an estimated cost of $5 billion.

Moves to quell unrest over relocation fears

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:16:42 GMT

GHANA’S Petroleum Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah this week moved to allay fears that investments related to the development of gas from the Jubilee field and surrounding reserves are to be relocated from Domunli near Bonyere and moved farther east.

Suncor ramps up in Libya

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:16:34 GMT

Suncor Energy has resumed production at its joint venture operations in Libya from three out of five fields.

Tribe’s court battle to stop wind farm plan

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:15:57 GMT

The Osage Indian tribe in Oklahoma has filed an appeal in a Denver court to stop a planned wind farm in a legal battle that underscores the clash �between mineral owners and renewable power companies in �energy-critical areas of the country.

Fresh interest at in-state gas pipeline possibility

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:14:52 GMT

The Alaska legislature is looking anew at the possibility of an in-state natural gas pipeline, should TransCanada’s proposed Alaska Pipeline project fall by the wayside.

Pioneer sells off Alaskan Cosmopolitan unit

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:14:48 GMT

Pioneer Natural Resources has sold the Cosmopolitan unit in Alaska to a team comprised of Australian explorer Buccaneer �Energy and privately-held BlueCrest Energy for an undisclosed sum, writes Noah Brenner.

Sand mines proposal

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:14:39 GMT

A legislator in Wisconsin has proposed tighter state regulations for mining sand used in hydraulic fracturing as the number of sand facilities in the state has increased dramatically.

BC strategy

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:14:34 GMT

British Columbia has created a natural gas strategy to build on its prolific shale gas deposits and attract investment to the western Canadian province.

Timor-Leste sets up group to look at maritime borders

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:13:58 GMT

The government of Timor-Leste is setting up a working group to make a fresh assessment of the country’s maritime border �despite negotiations on its southern boundary being suspended due to the treaty for the Sunrise liquefied natural gas project, writes Russell Searancke.

Political tensions stoke crude

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:12:37 GMT

OIL prices have been at six-month highs this week due to political tensions in the Middle East and improved economic news in China, the US and European Union.

Analysts reject YPF nationalisation talk

Andrew Hobbs — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:40:27 GMT

Analysts have dismissed rumours that YPF, Argentina’s largest oil company, could be renationalised amid government pressure to bring additional resources on stream and accusations of overcharging.

Saudi Arabia considers Korea crude

Andrew Hobbs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:20:02 GMT

Saudi Arabia has given South Korea an assurance that it will “actively consider” providing additional crude supplies to the major gas imported if requested.

Uganda president 'to resist oil opponents'

Steve Marshall — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:18:12 GMT

Uganda’s president has reportedly pledged to stamp out efforts by lawmakers to derail development of the country’s oil resources after overcoming a potential legal roadblock to newly signed production sharing agreements with Tullow Oil.

Nigerian Eni pipeline attacked

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:17:10 GMT

A Nigerian militant group based in the oil-producing Niger Delta has claimed responsibility for an attack on an oil pipeline owned by Italian company Eni, a strike the military said was the work of criminal gangs.

Blast hits Egypt-Israel pipeline

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:51:40 GMT

An explosion hit a gas pipeline running from Egypt to Israel on Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks on the installation that crosses the increasingly volatile Sinai region, witnesses and state media reported.

Iran oil ban no nuclear deterrent

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:28:24 GMT

Iran's oil minister said the Islamic state would not retreat from its nuclear programme even if its crude oil exports grind to a halt, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Tullow chief executive pushes for cautious approach at Jubilee field

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:10:13 GMT

TULLOW Oil chief executive Aidan Heavey this week dismissed advice to increase production at the flagship Jubilee field off Ghana “just to get high numbers so everything looks great”, cautioning against any moves to “damage the reservoir in the longer term”.

Burmese gas goes domestic

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:06:46 GMT

Burma does not plan to export any gas from new projects coming on stream after 2013, with all such subsequent production being used domestically, writes Amanda Battersby.

Court rules BP must indemnify Halliburton over Macondo

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:45:03 GMT

Supermajor BP must indemnify Macondo contractor Halliburton for damage claims under its contract related to services provided on the ill-fated well, according to a ruling this week by US District Judge Carl Barbier.

Oil spill in Santos basin

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:40:49 GMT

A rupture in the production riser of the Dynamic Producer floating production, storage and offloading vessel led to a spill of roughly 160 barrels of oil during an extended well test in Brazil’s Santos basin pre-salt province, writes Fabio Palmigiani.

Chavez... from tragedy to farce

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:33:49 GMT

In a policy decision that has confounded some observers, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is pulling his country out of the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

PNG government must give communities their due or investments will be at risk

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:32:52 GMT

There is never a dull moment in Papua New Guinea politics, but last week’s short-lived mutiny illustrates that having two men simultaneously claiming to be prime minister is a step too far for some.

Players ready for KRG race

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:32:30 GMT

Suggestions by the head of a key Iraqi parliamentary energy committee that ExxonMobil broke no laws in entering Iraqi Kurdistan may encourage other oil companies to follow in the US supermajor’s footsteps and set up shop in the autonomous region, writes Nassir Shirkhani.

Saudis vow to boost output to ease global supply fears

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:32:01 GMT

Saudi Arabia has again pledged to use its spare capacity to make up for any production shortfalls as it moves to ease concern about possible disruptions to global oil supplies amid tightening sanctions on Iran.

Iran and IAEA end ‘good’ talks on nuclear programme as military strike speculation rises

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:31:36 GMT

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have had their most productive talks on Iran’s nuclear programme for several years as the US gives the anti-Iran sanctions screw a new turn and speculation reaches a new peak over possible military action by the US and/or Israel.

Players can sign KRG PSCs

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:31:16 GMT

A senior Iraqi paliamentarian has suggested that the country’s legislation does not prevent foreign companies from signing upstream deals in Iraqi Kurdistan, writes Nassir Shirkhani.

Syria call

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:30:54 GMT

Russia is poised to veto a draft of a United Nations resolution urging Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down unless it clearly rules out military intervention against Damascus.

Production up in Libya

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:30:26 GMT

Libya has restored more than 80% of its pre-revolution crude production level as it heads for an output of 1.6 million barrels per day by the end of the year or early 2013.

Madueke sets up PIB plans

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:29:54 GMT

Nigerian Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has inaugurated a 12-member committee charged with devising a new corporate governance code embracing global best practice and ensuring transparency reforms are carried out in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other organisations within her portfolio.

No new EU frac laws

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:29:24 GMT

The European Union does not intend to create new legislation covering the use of fracturing in shale exploration operations but may consider changes applicable to production activities.

Scottish independence referendum ‘a point of uncertainty’

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:24:52 GMT

UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry has described the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence as “a point of uncertainty” for North Sea oil and gas companies, writes Rob Watts.

Jail for four UK oilmen

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:24:26 GMT

Four men have been given prison sentences in the UK after being found guilty of obtaining corrupt payments related to a number of upstream and downstream projects, writes Iain Esau.

Reassurance at Bentley

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:24:03 GMT

The UK government has issued a “letter of comfort” to Toronto and London-listed junior Xcite Energy for its proposed Bentley oil project in the North Sea.

South rejects Khartoum offer to free oil cargoes

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:21:20 GMT

An offer by Sudan to release crude cargoes for export from the South “as a goodwill gesture” has been rebuffed by South Sudan, which is pressing on with a planned total shutdown of its oil production.

Dau orders closure of 200 production wells

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:20:55 GMT

SOUTH Sudan Petroleum & Mining Minister Stephen Dhieu Dau has ordered the closure of more than 200 oil production wells in the Petrodar consortium’s Palaung field in Upper Nile, accounting for half the field’s output of 25,000 barrels per day.

Chinese workers kidnapped

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:20:34 GMT

SUDAN rebels captured 29 Chinese workers in oil-rich South Kordofan state last weekend, rekindling fears in China over the Khartoum-based Sudan government’s ability to protect foreign nationals working close to the South Sudan border, writes Barry Morgan.

Chevron admits routine gas escapes at Funiwa

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:18:35 GMT

Chevron chief executive John Watson has accepted gas escapes did occur from the Funiwa Deep-1a well in the lead-up to the recent blowout off Nigeria that claimed two lives, but said such events are not unusual.

Watson defends supermajor’s response to Frade spill off Brazil

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:18:11 GMT

US supermajor Chevron has rigorously defended its response to the November oil spill from the Frade development off Brazil and asked for a fair treatment from local regulatory bodies.

Sakhalin 2 to break even well ahead of schedule

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:10:57 GMT

Russian authorities have �revealed increasing returns at the Gazprom-led Sakhalin 2 offshore oil and gas development in the country’s far east.

Government revenues from Russian PSAs set to increase

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:10:35 GMT

government revenues from the three production sharing agreements that are in place in Russia — Sakhalin 2, ExxonMobil-led Sakhalin 1 and Total-led Kharyaga — are expected to rise by 20% this year to over $3.6 billion, according to Russia’s Energy minister Sergei Shmatko.

Restart for Arthit North gas

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:10:12 GMT

The owners of the Arthit gas field in Thailand have found a way to restart production from the mothballed Arthit North satellite field.

New regulatory process for Canada ‘in months’

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:59:24 GMT

A plan to streamline Canada’s regulatory framework and speed up the review of major projects should be introduced by the federal government this year.

Anadarko nails down site for export plant

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:37:16 GMT

US independent Anadarko has selected the preferred site for its 10 million tonne per annum liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique.

McDermott subsea deal

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:36:24 GMT

McDermott has confirmed winning the subsea equipment and installation contract worth US$2 billion for the Ichthys project in Australia.

Gazprom unveils results

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:32:01 GMT

Russia’s state controlled Gazprom has unveiled financial results for the first nine months of 2011.

Crude robust as eyes turn to Iran sanctions

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:31:37 GMT

Oil prices were relatively robust this week, slipping slightly from intra-day highs on Wednesday on news of higher-than-expected US crude inventories.

Crashing back to reality

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:31:12 GMT

US natural gas futures crashed back to reality this week amid continued warm weather and rising gas production, writes Noah Brenner.

Moore to go in 2013

Andrew Hobbs — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:08:32 GMT

Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore will not contest the next state election, ending what will be a 36-year political career when his term expires on 21 May 2013.

South Sudan rejects AU plan

Josh Lewis — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:37:39 GMT

South Sudan's chief negotiator has rejected African Union-backed proposals that could see it pay up to $6.5 billion to Sudan in the latest attempt to break a deadlock between the two over oil export transit fees, according to reports.

US lawmakers consider new Iran sanctions

Andrew Hobbs — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:09:37 GMT

Leading US lawmakers are considering adding measures to a new package of sanctions that would single out Iran's national oil and shipping companies and restrict its ability to tap into electronic banking services.

Petronas in possible TNB compensation

Andrew Hobbs — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:43:20 GMT

Malaysia’s Petronas could be required to provide further compensation to the nation’s largest electricity utility for its burning of distillates to provide power.

Putin call to 'cut Gazprom stake'

Steve Marshall — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:41:11 GMT

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for the government to reduce its stake in state-owned companies, including gas monopoly Gazprom, according to a report.

South Sudan shuts output

Josh Lewis — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:40:21 GMT

South Sudan has totally shut down oil output in a row with Sudan over export transit fees and will only restart after the two reach a deal covering border security and the disputed Abyei region.

Obama sets out rocky path for domestic energy with State of the Union address

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:51:17 GMT

US President Barack Obama laid out, at best, a rocky path towards increased domestic energy production in his State of the Union speech this week, by both promising oil companies more acreage while again going after their tax breaks, and expanding subsidies to clean energy start-ups with the knowledge that some will fail.

Keystone XL in the spotlight

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:51:12 GMT

The television and radio airwaves were buzzing in Canada last week when news the US had rejected TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline to the US Gulf Coast from the oil sands of northern Alberta, Canada, writes Tonya Zelinsky.

New leaders for Egypt

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:51:08 GMT

Egypt’s new parliament opened this week for the first time since a historic free election put Islamists in the driving seat after years of repression under deposed president Hosni Mubarak.

Gracas Foster to replace Gabrielli as chief executive of Petrobras

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:59 GMT

The nomination of Petrobras gas and energy director Maria das Gracas Foster as chief executive, replacing the outgoing Jose Sergio Gabrielli, will trigger a wider clear-out, with new directors also expected to be announced for key areas such as exploration and production and engineering services, according to company sources.

Obama campaign takes off with energy

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:55 GMT

US President Barack Obama has directed his administration to open more than three-quarters of the nation’s potential offshore oil and gas resources for exploration in his State of the Union address this week.

Russia to double Azeri gas

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:50 GMT

Russia is nearly doubling its gas imports from Azerbaijan to 3 billion cubic metres this year and hopes to raise the amount next year, according to an agreement signed this week.

Production still on the up but problems lurk

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:46 GMT

Libyan oil production has reached about three-quarters of pre-war levels and will continue to rise in the coming months.

Terror group arrests

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:42 GMT

NIGERIAN authorities have arrested 158 suspected members of the Islamist terror group Boko Haram which admitted planning the multiple attacks in the northern city of Kano last weekend that left hundreds dead, writes Barry Morgan.

Probe into funds claim

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:36 GMT

Angola’s government has �denied that $32 billion worth of funds are missing, as was claimed last month by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Iran stands firm as new sanctions start to bite

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:31 GMT

The confrontation between Iran and the West over the Iranian nuclear programme entered a new phase with the European Union banning oil imports and joining the US in fresh financial and other sanctions that could escalate into military action.

South to stop oil output

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:27 GMT

South Sudan will stop all crude production following a protracted dispute with Sudan over transit and transport tariffs, but will not pull out of adjourned talks under African Union auspices in Ethiopia to resolve differences, writes Barry Morgan.

Chesapeake’s plans to shut-in wells spurs slumping US market

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:50:05 GMT

Plans by US producer Chesapeake to shut in up to 1 billion cubic feet per day of output, about 1.5% of total US production, gave a fillip to the slumping US natural gas market this week, writes Noah Brenner.

No room for complacency on safety

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:47:22 GMT

It is now almost two years since the Macondo blowout and explosion claimed 11 lives and caused the worst oil spill ever in US waters.

Differing opinions in view

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:47:12 GMT

“A ONE size fits all approach to safety is impractical due to each region’s unique geography and conditions,” says American Petroleum Institute president Jack Gerard.

Recorded incidents set for five-year low

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:47:08 GMT

The number of recorded safety incidents on drilling rigs in US waters is on pace to set a five-year low, even as operators begin to ramp up operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Battle lines drawn for SEMS attack

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:47:02 GMT

OFFSHORE industry representatives are challenging US regulators to either change or scrap some of the provisions of the newly revised safety and environmental management system (SEMS) rule, arguing that it is becoming too prescriptive.

Cleaning up the US inspections process

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:57 GMT

US regulators say progress has been made in revamping an offshore inspections programme heavily criticised in the wake of the 2010 Macondo disaster.

New centre takes fresh approach to deep safety

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:52 GMT

An industry-led group proposed in the fallout of the 2010 Macondo disaster is taking shape with a fresh approach to deep-water oil and gas safety, writes Kathrine Schmidt.

BP’s safety team takes a sweeping policing role

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:32 GMT

THE direction of BP has been transformed by the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, one in a series of fatal accidents in the UK supermajor’s recent history.

HSE sets its sights on stopping leaks

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:11 GMT

Reducing the number of unplanned hydrocarbon leaks is the fundamental issue facing the UK oil and gas industry, according to the country’s top offshore safety official.

UK faces toughest challenge

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:06 GMT

Probably nowhere are the challenges associated with ageing oil and gas platforms and pipelines more keenly felt or better understood than off the UK, writes Rob Watts.

Staff shortage could worsen at HSE as more inspectors retire

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:46:01 GMT

The UK offshore safety regulator is in the midst of a staffing shortage which, if not halted, could leave its quota of inspectors down by about a quarter, writes Rob Watts.

Union remains concerned for safety of staff

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:56 GMT

Many men and women on the frontline of the UK’s oil and gas industry continue to face unnecessary safety risks because they are not properly engaged in health and safety matters, a trade union official says.

Workers say NRB still in play

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:49 GMT

Two experienced UK offshore workers — both of whom wanted to remain anonymous — insist that cultures of fear do exist on many North Sea installations that prevent safety concerns being raised, writes Rob Watts.

The legacy of Osprag

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:43 GMT

The UK offshore industry moved swiftly after the 2010 Macondo blowout to form the pan-industry Oil Spill Response Advisory Group (Osprag) as a focal point to review the country’s oil spill prevention and response measures.

Battling to stop a new Montara

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:37 GMT

Australia is the Oceania region’s leading oil and gas producer, ahead of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and each country is putting regulatory frameworks in place to avoid another Montara incident.

Nopsema takes reins in Australian offshore

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:32 GMT

The chief executive of Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety & Environmental Management Authority (Nopsema) would welcome changes to legislation and regulations to allow the regulator to share more information and enhance transparency in the country’s offshore industry.

Setting an industry standard

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:29 GMT

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea plan to increase their offshore petroleum operations and are tailoring safety regulations to suit an expected boost in offshore activity.

Timor-Leste regulator a quick learner with landmark operations under way

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:24 GMT

Timor-Leste has had a dedicated national petroleum regulator since the country’s independence, and the agency has learned a lot in quick time.

Waking up to fatigue as an issue

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:20 GMT

Almost omnipresent and notoriously difficult to diagnose, fatigue presents an ongoing challenge to safety for all involved in the oil and gas sector, from workers on the ground to the higher levels.

Penglai 19-3 sparks reform

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:14 GMT

The oil spill from Conoco�Phillips’ Penglai 19-3 oilfield in Bohai Bay off northern China last June triggered regulatory changes and prompted the country’s largest offshore safety campaign.

Vigilance key for the future

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:07 GMT

India’s Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) is becoming increasingly vigilant about safety related to the country’s offshore drilling and production platforms.

Petrobras pushing for prevention

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:45:01 GMT

BRAZILIAN oil giant Petrobras has always insisted that it is more important to invest in offshore safety through preventative measures than it is to deal with the aftermath of an accident, and over the past few years the company has been pouring in money to modernise old platforms and to train its professionals accordingly.

Echoes of Frade still heard

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:55 GMT

THE recent oil spill from the Chevron-operated Frade development in the Campos basin has exposed how fragile Brazil still is when it comes to offshore drilling safety, writes Fabio Palmigiani.

Strict standards affecting output

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:51 GMT

Tougher safety standards have had an impact on Brazil’s Petrobras over the past two years, as unscheduled stoppages have been cited as a key factor behind the company’s failure to meet annual production targets, along with technical problems on reservoirs.

New agency on menu for safety in Nova Scotia

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:41 GMT

Nova Scotia legislators want to see the Canadian province create an independent offshore safety board in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of of the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter crash of 2009.

Emergency response gets set for take-off

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:36 GMT

Emergency response helicopters for Canada’s Atlantic region will be able to be in the air within 20 minutes’ notice once construction of a new hangar in Newfoundland is complete, writes Tonya Zelinsky.

Arctic now open for business

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:32 GMT

The Canadian Arctic offshore is now open for business, after an extensive review of safety drilling requirements came to a close in December.

International standards with different approach

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:28 GMT

MAJOR differences of approach to safety and security in Africa compared to other parts of the world are not instantly discernible, since worthy careers are built on the ability to enforce universal standards.

Taking a local approach to resisting piracy

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:24 GMT

The capability of companies to resist piracy and militant threats inevitably requires falling back on national armed forces, since West African regimes do not like armed private security aboard units in their respective Exclusive Economic Zones, despite legal limits to their jurisdiction over the high seas, writes Barry Morgan.

Sanctions pose a threat to Iran’s good standing

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:19 GMT

IRAN’S offshore safety record was in the spotlight late last year because of a seemingly freak accident that left six divers dead.

IMIST building a safer path

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:16 GMT

MORE and more oil and gas workers around the world are being given access to basic safety training due to an international programme that has its origins in the UK.

Kolskaya puts competence under spotlight in Russia

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:11 GMT

The recent sinking of the jack-up Kolskaya and safety concerns over the Priraz platform have raised doubts about the ability of Russia’s state controlled companies to successfully explore and develop the country’s vast offshore regions.

Euro and Iran on crude see-saw

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:14:35 GMT

Oil prices see-sawed this week, continuing the trend on Wednesday after the US reported a drop in its inventories of refined products.

Obama swears by shale future

Andrew Hobbs — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:07:03 GMT

US President Barack Obama has dedicated his administration to the further development of shale and other forms of natural gas in future.

Spain banks on Saudi promise

Andrew Hobbs — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:39:44 GMT

Saudi Arabia has promised Spain that it will make up for supplies of oil its loses as a result of EU sanctions on Iran and at the same price, Spain's foreign minister said on Monday.

EU readies Iran oil imports ban

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:15:31 GMT

European Union governments are expected to agree on Monday to new economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, including plans to phase in an oil embargo.

Carrier Hormuz visit incident free

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:56:20 GMT

Threats from Iran over US use of the Strait of Hormuz rang hollow over the weekend as a US aircraft carrier sailed through the strategic waterway and into the Gulf on Sunday.

South Sudan to unveil pipeline plan

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:57:01 GMT

South Sudan will announce plans for an oil export pipeline through East Africa next week, a priority for the new nation because its crude is "no longer safe" in Sudan, a government spokesman said on Saturday.

China urges restraint in Sudan dispute

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:24:05 GMT

China, the biggest investor in oilfields in the new nation of South Sudan, called for "calm and restraint" as a transit fee dispute threatened to cut off crude exports from the African producer.

Four more deep-water units to be chartered

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:40:09 GMT

Petrobras will charter another four extra deep-water drilling rigs to add to its already massive offshore fleet after completing negotiations with several offshore drilling contractors, writes Fabio Palmigiani.

Delays to tender for charters

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:39:56 GMT

Petrobras has delayed the date for bid submissions in two separate tenders that call for the chartering of multiple vessels to help the development push in the Campos and Santos basins.

Marlim Leste rig bids in

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:39:46 GMT

Petrobras has just received bids responding to a formal market inquiry for the charter of a special rig destined for underbalanced drilling to be used in the Marlim Leste field in the Campos basin.

Blowout leaves jack-up wrecked and ablaze

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:37:32 GMT

An apparent blowout left a jack-up drilling rig working for US �supermajor Chevron ablaze offshore Nigeria this week.

Riches on agenda as West heads to Burma

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:35:45 GMT

The centre of oil exploration and production excitement in 2012 might not be Iraqi Kurdistan or Libya after all, but Burma.

Watching Cuba open its doors

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:35:27 GMT

With the newly-arrived Saipem semi-submersible rig Scarabeo 9 preparing to spud a Repsol-operated wildcat in Cuba’s high-risk frontier sector in the Gulf of Mexico, Havana is inviting more companies to its waters, writes Tom Darin Liskey.

Asians hit out at US sanctions against Iran

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:35:17 GMT

US efforts to cripple Iran’s oil exports have encountered growing opposition from Iran’s main Asian customers, which either object to US law being applied internationally or seek waivers from Washington.

US reinstates diplomatic ties with Burma as players eye oil and gas acreage

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:35:04 GMT

The US has reinstated full diplomatic relations with Burma after the new civilian government took a major step in its pledged campaign of political and economic reforms, releasing many of its most prominent political prisoners

Jonathan cools fuel price row

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:57 GMT

NIGERIAN President Goodluck Jonathan secured a respite from social turmoil last weekend by partially compromising on proposed fuel price increases that sparked protests and skirmishes with security forces already reeling from terror threats and sectarian clashes.

Webb encouraged by UK’s first Fiscal Forum talks

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:43 GMT

A senior UK oil industry representative described talks this week with government officials on the country’s offshore tax regime as encouraging, writes Rob Watts.

Donohue backs Keystone XL

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:29 GMT

US Chamber of Commerce chief executive Thomas Donohue has urged energy regulators to commit to a domestic resource plan and approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project, writes Blake Wright.

Chevron facing frac ban at Novi Pazar

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:17 GMT

Bulgaria will change an explor�ation permit held by Chevron to ban the use of hydraulic fracturing at the Novi Pazar shale gas prospect, writes Bill Lehane.

Eni expecting approval soon for Jangkrik

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:33:57 GMT

Italy’s Eni is expected to receive approval from Indonesia soon on a fast-track development of the Jangkrik discovery in the Makassar Strait.

Players run rule over six blocks on Sudan table

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:28:34 GMT

More than 40 companies attended a briefing in Sudan this week on an acreage offering covering six blocks.

Fear of threat to agreement

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:28:20 GMT

Reports of the confiscation of South Sudan’s oil by the northern Sudan government threaten the region’s prospects for peace and the negotiation of a new oil deal, according to Global Witness.

New deals in South for players

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:28:12 GMT

Chinese, Malaysian and Indian players have signed new contracts with South Sudan to replace those originally signed with the northern regime in Khartoum, writes Barry Morgan.

Bakken buoys up figures

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:24:50 GMT

PetroBakken Energy reported average production of more than 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in December, a 23% jump from the third quarter of 2011.

Momentum stalls with disappointing rights sale

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:24:36 GMT

The momentum gained by the Canadian province of Alberta last year for petroleum and natural gas rights sales faltered during the first sale of the year with only C$63 million (US$62 million) raised, writes Tonya Zelinsky.

Government unveils exploration blocks

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:24:17 GMT

The Australian government has shortlisted about 30 offshore oil and gas exploration blocks for likely inclusion in its 2012 acreage release planned for May.

Pedec’s pipeline tender

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:24:00 GMT

Iran’s Petroleum Development & Engineering Company (Pedec) has issued a prequalification tender for a 30-inch pipeline and pumping stations to carry light crude from west of the Karun river to the onshore facilities of the Kharg island export terminal.

Talisman’s PNG plea

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:23:52 GMT

Talisman Energy is seeking a partner in Papua New Guinea to help develop the gas reserves it is building up.

Wen defends Iran oil trade

Andrew Hobbs — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:12:57 GMT

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao defended his country's extensive oil trade with Iran against Western sanctions pressure in comments published on Thursday, and yet also warned Tehran against any effort to acquire nuclear weapons.

Venezuela joins Argentina for Orinoco

Andrew Hobbs — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:10:33 GMT

Venezuela and Argentina will form a joint venture to invest $2.2 billion in an Orinoco Belt oil project hoped to produce 100,000 barrels per day, Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Wednesday.

Argentina BG gas payout overturned

Andrew Hobbs — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:36:23 GMT

A US appeals court decision has overturned a ruling that Argentina pay $185.3 million to BG Group over a gas price freeze the company said had hurt its investment in a gas distributor.

Sverdrup 'in the house' at Statoil

Steve Marshall — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:15:59 GMT

The exact naming of the giant Avaldsnes-Aldous discovery off Norway has been an underlying bone of contention for respective operators Lundin Petroleum and Statoil, each of which is vying for operatorship of the find.

US urges South Korea cut Iran

Andrew Hobbs — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:39:34 GMT

A senior US official urged South Korea and other countries to reduce purchases of crude oil from Iran in line with a US-led drive to sanction Tehran for its nuclear programme.

Rethink Keystone after Iran: Harper

Andrew Hobbs — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:17:03 GMT

Iran's threat to block the main oil shipping route out of the Gulf points to why the United States should approve the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Monday.

Nigeria launches subsidy investigation

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:15:06 GMT

Nigeria has launched an investigation into its fuel subsidy scheme as talks between union leaders and the government collapsed on the weekend.

China seeks greater Saudi engagement

Andrew Hobbs — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:22:48 GMT

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao used a weekend visit to Saudi Arabia to call for greater engagement between the two countries against a backdrop of growing tension over Iran.

North confiscates South Sudan oil

Josh Lewis — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:12:33 GMT

Sudan said it has started confiscating some oil exports from South Sudan it believes it is owed to meet unpaid transit fees but will not shut down a pipeline carrying the southern state's oil.

Oman to ensure stable supply to South Korea

Josh Lewis — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:23:08 GMT

South Korea and Oman have agreed to cooperate to ensure stable oil and gas supply to Seoul while the country seeks a waiver of toughened US sanctions on Iran and weighs up options, including reducing crude imports from Tehran.

Petronas to continue in South Sudan

Josh Lewis — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:29:25 GMT

Malaysia’s state-run oil company Petronas has signed a transition agreement with the government of the Republic of South Sudan to allow it to continue operations on blocks previously awarded by the Republic of Sudan.

Nigerian strike 'to be put on hold'

Steve Marshall — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:21:28 GMT

Nigerian unions will suspend strikes on Saturday and Sunday and reopen airports so that their leaders can travel from around the country to Abuja for negotiations with the government on fuel subsidies, a union official was reported as saying.