Exploration ///
ExxonMobil has said it will increase its exploration acreage in Namibia with the addition of approximately 28,000 km2 (7 million net acres) following the signing of an agreement with the government of Namibia and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) for blocks 1710 and 1810, and farm-in agreements with NAMCOR for blocks 1711 and 1811A.
Eni has signed an exploration and production sharing agreement covering Block A offshore Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the relevant joint operating agreement.
Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 181 into law. Governor Polis’ signature follows the measure’s passage through the Colorado legislature on April 3, 2019.
Michele Cowart, World Oil
CGG’s GeoSoftware, part of its Geoscience Division, has launched Jason 10.0, HampsonRussell 10.4 and PowerLog 10.0.
As the offshore sector of the global E&P industry shows signs of finally turning the corner, the strong pace of technical innovation is continuing.
UK-based crew transfer specialist High Speed Transfers (HST) has announced that its second vessel of Damen’s new FCS 2710 class will be contracted by Shell to support its exploration program in the Black Sea commencing March 2019.
Nigeria will get a large oil and gas investment from Shell Petroleum Development Company in the amount of about $15 billion, according to the Lagos-based newspaper ThisDay, citing managing director of the unit, Nosa Okunbor.
Norway's Labor Party holds steadfast against oil exploration in Arctic's Lofoten islands
As part of Pope Francis' campaign to counter climate change, the Vatican has extended a second invitation to major oil companies to participate in a discussion about their company's roles in generating and reducing pollution.
Colorado’s legislature passed a sweeping overhaul of the state’s oil and natural gas laws, giving local governments more power to regulate drilling in one of the nation’s top crude-producing regions.
PJSC LUKOIL, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and JSC NC KazMunayGas have concluded a contract for the exploration and development of hydrocarbons on the Zhenis block in the Kazakh Sector of the Caspian Sea.
The Petroleum Safety Authority of Norway has given Equinor Energy consent to drill exploration well 16/5-7 in production license 502 in the North Sea.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has received the Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) for the Solveig oil discovery in the North Sea.
Vedanta Limited has notified the Management Committee, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of an Oil Discovery in the second exploratory well H2, located in the block KG-OSN-2009/3, Krishna-Godavari basin, East Coast of India.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed agreements, awarding the exploration rights for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 to a consortium of two Indian oil companies, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
Emily Querubin, World Oil
Gulf Quest LLC, a Gulf Energy Information and Quest Offshore JV, is hosting this year’s 16th annual Marine, Construction & Engineering Deepwater Development (MCEDD) conference on April 2–4, at London’s Novotel London West hotel. Once again, attendees can expect to hear about the latest advances in the engineering, development and production of oil and gas in deepwater and ultra-deepwater fields around the globe.
Michele Cowart, World Oil
Equinor has, together with its partners Petoro, ExxonMobil and Total, proven gas and condensate in the Norwegian Sea Ragnfrid North (6406/2-9 S) exploration well, located ~12.43 mi (20 km) south of the Kristin platform in the Norwegian Sea.
Siccar Point Energy has commenced its 2019 drilling campaign with the spudding of an exploration well at the Blackrock prospect.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed an agreement, awarding the exploration rights for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 4 to Japan’s INPEX Corporation.
Eni announces a new gas discovery under evaluation in the Nour exploration prospect located in the Nour North Sinai Concession, in the Eastern Egyptian Mediterranean, about 50 km north of the Sinai peninsula.