Noble Energy Inc., Houston, is beginning 2016 with a capital program of $1.5 billion, about 50% lower compared with that of 2015 pro-forma for the Rosetta Resources Inc. merger. Source: News

Unocal East China Sea Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron Corp., has started natural gas production from the first stage of the Chuandongbei project in southwest China. Source: News

Chris Cox has been named head of exploration and production for Centrica PLC. Cox has worked for BG Group, Chevron Corp., and Amerada Hess in North Sea operating roles. Source: News

Light, sweet crude prices rose by more than $1/bbl on the New York market Jan. 26 to settle above $31/bbl in a volatile week for oil prices while traders and analysts awaited release of the weekly government crude oil and product inventory, which showed a smaller-than-expected gain in crude. Source: News

Carrier Energy Partners, Sugar Land, Tex., has acquired certain US Sugarloaf shale assets in the Eagle Ford area in South Texas from Sydney-based AWE Ltd. for $190 million in cash. Source: News

Royal Dutch Shell PLC has entered discussions with China’s Shandong Hengyuan Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (SHP), Shandong, regarding the possible sale of subsidiary Shell Overseas Holdings Ltd.’s (SOHL) majority interest in Shell Refining Co. (FOM) Bhd.’s (SRC) 125,000-b/d refinery in Port Dickson, Malaysia. Source: News

China National Offshore Oil Corp. Ltd. started oil production at Kenli 10-4 field in southern Bohai Bay. Current production from six wells totals 6,540 b/d, and CNOOC expects output to rise to 9,600 b/d later this year. Source: News

Total SA has acquired a 70% interest in the leading fuel retailer of the Dominican Republic from Putney Capital Management, which retains 30%. Terms weren’t disclosed. Source: News