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FREE job posting on Aspireenergycareers.com!
Jan 6, 2010
Since launching at the beginning of June 2009, Aspireenergycareers has attracted numerous recruiters and suitably qualified candidates with a rapidly developing candidate base. Due to an increase in our candidate database and global demand for oil, gas and energy jobs, Aspireenergycareers.com - one of the World’s leading Oil, Gas & Energy job boards has decided to offer 3 months worth of FREE job postings which commences on 4th January 2010. Daniel Hayden - Marketing Manager says, "All candidates on our database are suitably qualified and relevant to the Oil, Gas & Energy industry which means there is no wastage in your recruitment advertising and there is definitely a greater chance of finding the perfect professional or candidate with Aspireenergycareers.com." Visit www.aspireenergycareers.com to register and start your FREE job postings today. Please note that this offer is available to old and new clients. Daniel Hayden Marketing Manager Aspireenergycareers.com more info...

World Oil Prices Rise Second Day in a Row
Apr 21, 2010
Oil prices on the main global commodities exchanges were growing on Wednesday morning for the second day in a row as oil stock forecasts in the US fell. According Golos Rossii, May WTI futures in electronic trading at the New York Mercantile Exchange had risen to $0.43 at 7:20 Moscow time hitting $84.28 per barrel. Meanwhile, the price of a July delivery of Brents blend on the London exchange grew $0.56 to $83.36 per barrel. The day before, WTI May futures rose $2 on the NYMEX to $83.45 per barrel. Specialists say traders were reacting to a weaker dollar. more info...

OPEC Oil Income Doubles in Q1 2010
Apr 21, 2010
According to OPEC’s official report, the cartel earned $187 billion from crude exports in the first three months of 2010, or almost double the figure for the same period last year.Over one-fourth of this sum fell to Saudi Arabia. Iran and the UAE took second and third places respectively, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. These countries are followed by Nigeria and Kuwait, Iran News reports. more info...

Oceaneering appoints senior VP
Apr 21, 2010
Oceaneering International Inc. has appointed Knut Eriksen as senior VP, Subsea Products. Effective April 19, Eriksen assumed worldwide P&L responsibility for Oceaneering’s Subsea Products group, which includes Oceaneering Multiflex and Oceaneering Intervention Engineering. Eriksen has over thirty years in the oil and gas industry, most recently with Natco Group Inc., where he served as senior VP, Global Execution. He has held management positions in engineering, operations, and business development at Aker Kvaerner Inc. and Aker Maritime ASA. more info...

Lukoil complete drilling of first exploration well in block CI-401 offshore Cote d' Ivoire
Apr 21, 2010
LUKOIL Overseas (100% subsidiary of LUKOIL) has completed the drilling of the first exploration well in the Orca structure of the block CI-401 in the Gulf of Guinea offshore the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. The size of the block CI-401 is 929 square km. The Orca-1X-bis well has penetrated the targeted objectives and discovered thin sandstone reservoirs. The well more then 4,000 m deep from the sea level was drilled at the water depth of about 1,900 m to the south of the Bassama port. Deepwater Pathfinder, a dynamically positioned 5th generation deepwater drillship, drilled the well. During the course of the well construction, oil samples were taken from the Campanian and Turonian sandstones. The data obtained in the course of drilling significantly expanded the available information about the structure of the western part of the Tano Basin and confirmed the availability of an active petroleum system in this area, which is highly promising from the point of view of discovering hydrocarbon fields. The PSA for the CI-101 and CI-401 blocks were signed in September 2005 between the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Vanco and state PETROCI Holding. The exploration period is 5.5 years and provides for seismic surveys and drilling of one exploration well in each block. LUKOIL joined the project in 2007. The share of LUKOIL is 56.66%, Vanco (operator) - 28.34%, PETROCI - 15%. 3D seismic survey was previously performed in the blocks in the volume of over 3,000 square km. Currently the location of the first exploration well in the CI-101 block is being defined; with the well planned to be drilled in 2011. more info...

Alternative hydraulic workover system gets patent
Apr 21, 2010
Cudd Energy Services has been awarded a patent for its alternative solution to traditional derrick-based workover/drilling systems, called Rack Jack. The system can be used onshore and on offshore platform and jackup rigs. Rack Jack provides a hydraulic workover (HWO) unit the ability to vertically rack multiple stands (dual joints) of pipe in an integrated set-back area of the work basket, Cudd explains. Yielding trip speeds up to 1,500 ft/hr (457 m), this racking capability, the company says, reduces trip time and increases efficiencies compared to conventional HWO units. Cudd says the launch of this new drilling system is part of the company’s expansion of the CES Hydraulic Workover service line into the drilling and completions market. more info...

UK lifts offshore flight embargo
Apr 21, 2010
Helicopter flights to and from UK offshore oil and gas installations resumed this morning across much of the UK shelf, according to industry association Oil & Gas UK. However, helicopter operators continue to monitor weather reports concerning the path of volcanic ash clouds from Iceland. They will revise their flight plans and re-suspend operations if atmospheric conditions take a turn for the worse. Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said: “The safety of the industry’s offshore workforce and helicopter crews must come first and we will fly only when the helicopter operators say that it is safe to do so. However, this is a changing situation and should helicopters not be able to fly, we need to find alternative ways to bring workers home and send new crews offshore to replace them.” One course of action involves using vessels to transfer personnel offshore and back. At Oil & Gas UK’s request, Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has lifted restrictions on the number of passengers that can be transported on board cargo vessels. Under normal circumstances, a maximum of 12 persons would be allowed as passengers on a cargo vessel, whatever the vessel’s capacity. But due to the exceptional circumstances, the agency has agreed to grant an exemption to this rule. Transfers from offshore installations will be done in accordance with HSE guidance to ensure the safety of all on board. Risk assessments will be performed in all cases where appropriate. Oil & Gas UK says it is monitoring progress in boat transfer and liaising with its member companies to facilitate sharing of boats by operators if required. A workgroup has also been formed to address situations where an offshore installation cannot transfer crews by boat. more info...

Obama Administration sends eighth bill to BP
Nov 22, 2010
The Obama Administration has sent an eighth bill for $25.4 million to BP and other named responsible parties for response and recovery operations relating to the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. To date, the Administration has sent these eight bills to BP and other responsible parties (Transocean, MOEX, and Andarko) for oil removal costs, of which the first six have been reimbursed in full by BP. Responsible parties are financially liable for all costs associated with oil removal, including efforts to stop the leak at its source, reduce the spread of oil, protect the shoreline and mitigate damage to the public health or welfare. To provide full transparency of the ongoing efforts and to ensure that the American public is not held accountable for the costs of response activities, the Federal Government bills responsible parties regularly for costs approved by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator to support Federal, State, and local removal efforts and ensure the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund is reimbursed on an ongoing basis. This is the eighth bill the Administration has sent to date. The first seven bills have been paid in full by BP, totaling $581 million. This invoice is based on specific Federal Government expenses that are subject to billing at this time, including expenses associated with the response of over two dozen Federal entities and agencies from four States, in accordance with the Federal On-Scene Coordinator request for assistance process. Federal response activities not subject to billing at this time, including future activities, will be billed to the responsible parties through subsequent invoices. In addition, these bills do not include any other costs for which BP and the other responsible parties are liable to any other party. The United States Coast Guard is responsible for administering the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to ensure rapid response to oil spills, to compensate individuals and communities harmed by oil spills, and to ensure that the costs of response and cleanup are borne by the responsible parties. more info...

Shell, Gazprom to Deepen Russian Ties, Develop Internationally
Nov 29, 2010
• • • • • Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, and Peter Voser, Chief Executive Officer of Shell, signed a protocol on strategic global cooperation. This agreement establishes basic guidelines for the companies' broader collaboration. Amongst the opportunities the companies will consider are: • Further development of bilateral cooperation in exploration and production of hydrocarbons in western Siberia and the far east of Russia • Cooperation in the downstream oil products business in Russia and Europe, as well as Gazprom participation in Shell upstream projects outside of Russia. "This agreement is a vivid example of the mutually beneficial development of strategic partnership between the world's largest energy companies. Ahead of us, we have new large-scale projects and growing joint presence in new markets," said Alexey Miller. "This underscores the strong partnership our companies have built in recent years," said Mr. Voser. "Russia is an important area for new energy development for Shell and I expect it will play a big role in meeting the world’s growing demand for oil and gas in the years ahead." Shell and Gazprom will set up joint working groups to further develop these opportunities. more info...

BP Strikes Gas in Egypt's West Nile Delta
Nov 30, 2010
BP Egypt has made a significant gas discovery in the Deepwater West Nile Delta area. The Hodoa discovery is located in the West Mediterranean Deepwater, Nile Delta concession, some 80 km northwest of Alexandria. The WMDW-7 well was drilled to a depth of 6350 meters and is the first Oligocene Deep Water discovery in the West Nile Delta area. Further appraisal is underway. BP operates and holds 80% of the West Mediterranean Deepwater concession with RWE Dea holding the remaining 20%. Hodoa was drilled by the Pride North America semisub rig, in a water depth of 1077 meters. Mike Daly, BP's Executive Vice President of Exploration said, "The Hodoa discovery further demonstrates the great potential of the deep reservoirs in the Nile Delta." Hesham Mekawi, President and General Manager of BP Egypt, commented, "Hodoa is an important discovery which builds upon BP's previous successes in the West Nile Delta. This discovery further reinforces the leadership role played by BP in Egypt and its ongoing commitment towards the development of Egypt's future gas business. more info...

Afren provides update on Okwok-9 appraisal well
Nov 30, 2010
Afren plc provides the following update post completion of the Okwok-9 appraisal well, drilled at the Okwok field offshore south east Nigeria. Highlights • Well results in line with pre-drill expectations and consistent with Afren's subsurface model • Okwok-9 encountered a total of 35 ft of net oil pay in the D2 reservoir sands • Tested 31° API oil at sustained rates • Commercial viability established; development options under consideration include stand-alone or satellite tie back to the Ebok production facilities Background The Okwok-9 appraisal well was spudded on 25 August 2010, and reached a total measured depth of 8,083 ft. The well was completed over a 35 ft interval of good quality D2 reservoir (average porosity 30%) and flowed 31° API crude oil. The well was flowed for 48 hours and shut in for a 54 hour build-up. The final build-up pressure was equal to the initial reservoir pressure, indicating no depletion. The 48 hour flow test was designed to establish a connected reservoir volume, and also to quantify reservoir permeability and heterogeneity. Post completion update Analysis has been undertaken of the log and test data acquired from the Okwok-9 well, and together with the seismic data, indicates that the primary objective of establishing the minimum economic field size in order to commercially develop the Okwok field, estimated by management at 25 million barrels, has been met. Furthermore, information obtained from the well is consistent with, and supports, Afren's subsurface model for the field. The results suggest that well productivity under a development completion scenario from a horizontal well would be consistent with production rates typically expected in the area of between 2,000 bopd to 4,000 bopd per well. Work is now focused on defining the next steps in the ongoing evaluation of the field, and in particular working up conceptual development solutions that may include stand-alone options and also development as a satellite to the nearby Ebok field. Osman Shahenshah, Chief Executive of Afren, commented, 'The Okwok-9 appraisal well has successfully achieved its pre drill objectives. With commercial viability of the Okwok development now established, we are considering development options, including either a stand-alone development or tie back to Ebok production facilities.' Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental, commented, 'The Okwok-9 appraisal well has met our pre-drill expectations. With First Oil on Ebok fast approaching, the Oriental-Afren partnership is on its way to developing a major production hub in the Ebok/Okwok/OML 115 area.' more info...

CAMAC Energy reports gas discovery in China
Nov 30, 2010
CAMAC Energy Inc. reports the positive results from the ZJS-02 well that was successfully drilled to a total depth of 1784 meters. Mud logs during drilling confirmed the presence of gas in several intervals ranging in depth from 1471 to 1742 meters. The electric logs and cores obtained during the drilling are currently being evaluated by third party contractors to allow full assessment of the size of this discovery. 'We are very pleased with the progress of our work program and are now one step closer to fully appraising the commercial potential of the Zijinshan Gas Asset,' said Chief Executive Officer Byron Dunn. 'The next step is to spud well ZJS-03, which will be our first well in the larger, upthrown section of the play. The Zijinshan Gas Asset is surrounded by producing fields, and we are optimistic about our prospects there.' The Company's Zijinshan Gas Asset covers an area of 175,000 acres in the Ordos Basin in Shanxi Province, the second largest petroleum-bearing basin in China. It is in close proximity to major infrastructure, including the West-East Gas Pipeline and the Ordos-Beijing Pipeline. CAMAC Energy owns 100% of the foreign contract interest in the Zijinshan production sharing contract in partnership with PetroChina CBM Co. more info...

Tullow schedules first oil from the Jubilee field in Ghana next month
Nov 30, 2010
Tullow Oil, Anadarko Petroleum, Kosmos Energy, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Sabre Oil and Gas and E.O. Group say that First Oil from the Jubilee field, offshore Ghana, is scheduled for 15 December 2010. This historic event will be celebrated at a ceremony hosted by His Excellency John Atta Mills, President of Ghana. It will be broadcast live on Ghana TV and can be followed on Tullow's Ghana website. The Jubilee field was discovered in June 2007 and First Oil will mark the culmination of 3˝ years of intensive work by the Government of Ghana and the Jubilee partners. In preparation, oil was produced to the FPSO yesterday and is being used to commission processing systems and facilities ahead of First Oil. Immediately after First Oil, the field will be capable of flowing up to 55,000 barrels of oil per day but as new wells are completed over a three to six month period, production will increase to 120,000 barrels per day. The Jubilee partners are: Tullow Oil plc (34.70%), Anadarko Peroleum Corp (23.49%), Kosmos Energy (23.49%), GNPC (13.75%), Sabre Oil and Gas (2.81%), E.O. Group (1.75%). more info...