Industry News

Ukraine announces massive licensing rounds in 2019

Ukraine has outlined terms for a series of oil and gas licensing rounds with acreage of nearly 25,000 km2. At this moment, 35 onshore and 1 offshore blocks have been officially opened for transparent competitive bidding.

Shell starts production at Appomattox in the GOM

Royal Dutch Shell announced that production has started at Appomattox floating production system months ahead of schedule, opening a new frontier in the deep-water U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Guyana investigating offshore leases controlled by Exxon, Tullow

Guyana’s anti-corruption agency is investigating how exploration rights were awarded in the world’s biggest new deepwater oil region, including those now controlled by Exxon Mobil and Tullow Oil.

Yamal LNG spot volumes on the rise, adding to oversupply

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) available for spot purchase from Russia’s Yamal plant is climbing as companies with long-term contracts take their time to ramp up purchases, industry sources said, adding to oversupply in the global market.

Uniper tests interest in its German LNG import project, seeks partner

Germany’s Uniper started to test the interest of gas companies in using its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Germany and said it was also seeking a partner in the company operating the terminal.

Israel's Oil Refineries says MTBE supplies halted

Israel’s Oil Refineries (ORL) said its supply of MTBE, a needed fuel additive has been halted and it was searching for alternative sources.

KBR awarded FEED for Sonatrach/ Cepsa JV project

HOUSTON – KBR, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a contract by Sonatrach and Cepsa to provide Basic Engineering Design (BED) and Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the Rhoude el Krouf Field (RKF) redevelopment in Algeria.

Texas environmentalists plan lawsuit against Valero for pollution

Three Texas environmental groups notified Valero Energy Corp of plans to file a lawsuit under the U.S. Clean Air Act for pollution at the company’s Port Arthur, Texas, refinery, the organizations said.

NCS West Africa Limited announces Nigeria launch

The new business entity NCS West Africa Limited (NCS WA) is the Nigeria affiliate of Nautical Control Solutions, LP, (Fueltrax), and is located in Victoria Island, Lagos and Onne, Port Harcourt.

Norwegian production figures show decrease in condensate

Preliminary production figures for April 2019 show an average daily production of 1,729,000 bbl of oil, NGL and condensate, which is a decrease of 24,000 bpd compared to March.

Aramco enters U.S. shale gas business with Sempra LNG deal

Saudi Aramco agreed to a buy a stake in Sempra Energy’s Texas LNG export terminal, giving the world’s biggest oil exporter a foothold in the fast-growing global gas trade.

TGS and Schlumberger announce strategic collaboration in GOM

TGS and Schlumberger announced a strategic collaboration for multiclient ocean-bottom node projects in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

Novatek and TechnipFMC sign EPC contract for LNG plant

Russia’s largest private gas producer Novatek said that its joint venture Arctic LNG 2 and TechnipFMC have agreed construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.

Persian Gulf deemed risky for oil tankers

Not since 2005 have the world’s insurers considered shipping in the Persian Gulf so dangerous for oil tankers.

National Grid Halts New Gas Service Until Williams Pipeline Approved

National Grid said it will not process new applications for natural gas service in its New York City and Long Island service areas until Williams' Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline receives the permits it needs to proceed.

EPA Announces $2.6 Billion in Availability for Water Improvement Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of $2.6 billion in new funds to assist states, tribes and territories with improving drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the country.