The Offshore Energy Research Association of Nova Scotia and National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperative research of petroleum resource potential. The MOU envisions studies comparing recently collected seismic and geochemical data to improve characterization of common geological elements of the Scotian and Moroccan conjugate margins. […]

Questerre Energy said it will challenge “last-minute restrictions on oil and gas activities and hydraulic fracturing” in regulations implementing 2016 petroleum legislation in Quebec. In a press release, the company welcomed implementation of the Petroleum Resources Act, saying modernization of Quebec hydrocarbon law is essential to Utica shale development in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Source: […]

Willie Chiang will become chief executive officer of Plains All American Pipeline LP and Plains GP Holdings when Greg Armstrong, chairman and CEO, retires on Oct. 1. Source: News

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Houston, agreed to acquire substantially all of the South Texas assets of Harvest Oil & Gas Corp. in a cash and stock deal worth $191 million. Source: News

ConocoPhillips will recover from Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) the $2 billion awarded by an arbitral tribunal constituted under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), plus interest, following a settlement agreement. Source: News

Eric M. Hambly has been named executive vice-president, onshore, of Murphy Oil Corp. He has been senior vice-president, US onshore, of wholly owned subsidiary Murphy Exploration & Production Co. (Murphy E&P). Source: News

ExxonMobil Namibia (PEL44) Ltd. has agreed to acquire a 30% interest in petroleum exploration license 44 (PEL44) in the Walvis basin offshore Namibia from Azinam Ltd., according to the farmor. Water depths in the 5,722-sq-km block range from less than 300 m to more than 2,500 m. The deal is subject to government approval and […]

Light, sweet crude oil for September delivery rose modestly on the New York market Aug. 20 to settle above $66/bbl while market participants anticipate a loss of Iranian crude exports after unilateral US sanctions are implemented. Brent crude oil for October also rose modestly, settling above $72/bbl in London Aug. 20. Source: News

With this year’s midterm elections less than 3 months away, races for US Senate seats have heated up. A pretty good contest is under way in North Dakota, where Republican Kevin Cramer, the state’s lone House member, is trying to unseat Democrat Heidi Heitkamp. Source: News

The region-wide Gulf of Mexico lease sale, held Aug. 15 in New Orleans by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, generated $178.1 in apparent high bids for 144 tracts. There were 14,622 tracts on offer in the gulf’s federal waters. Source: News