Russian conglomerate Sibur Holding PJSC, Moscow, has commissioned the second-phase expansion of its Vyngapurovsky gas processing plant (GPP) in northern Russia’s Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Region as part of an agreement to boost capacity for handling associated petroleum gas (APG) supplies it receives from OAO NK RussNeft’s Western Siberian production fields. Source: News
BHI: US rig count records 30th loss of past 32 weeks
The overall US drilling rig count declined by double digits during the week ended Apr. 1 for the 11th time in 13 weeks to begin the year. Source: News
Construction begins on Johan Sverdrup living quarters platform
Statoil ASA said construction has begun on the living quarters platform for the Johan Sverdrup development project. Source: News
Statoil extends drilling services contracts at 17 installations
Statoil ASA extended by 2 years the drilling services contracts it has with three contractors at 17 fixed installations on the Norwegian continental shelf. Source: News
New Zealand refinery enters planned maintenance
New Zealand Refining Co. Ltd. (Refining NZ), the country’s sole refiner, has started the shutdown of selected units at its 107,000-b/d Marsden Point refinery at Northland in preparation for its previously announced April turnaround. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: NYMEX oil price for May holds fairly steady awaiting rig count
Light, sweet crude oil prices for May delivery edged up 2¢ to stay above $38/bbl on Mar. 31 awaiting release of the weekly rig count on Apr. 1 from Baker Hughes Inc., and prices dropped in early Apr. 1 trading on news reports of Saudi comments about the proposed production freeze by some producers. […]
Maersk Oil to close Houston office, trim Chissonga group
Maersk Oil, a wholly owned subsidiary of AP Moller-Maersk AS of Copenhagen, reported that it will cut about 100 staff positions, reflecting the closure of its Houston office and reduction of its Luanda team. Source: News
API: Regulatory onslaught may keep producers out of methane program
An eruption of proposed US Environmental Protection Agency regulations in the last year could create such substantial compliance costs for oil and gas producers that many would not be able to participate in EPA’s voluntary Methane Challenge Program, two American Petroleum Institute officials warned. Source: News
Tallgrass to add interest in Rockies Express pipeline
Rockies Express Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tallgrass Development LP, has agreed to acquire the 25% interest in the Rockies Express Pipeline LLC belonging to Sempra US Gas & Power, a unit of Sempra Energy, for $440 million in cash. Source: News
Seven Generations Energy commissions Alberta gas plant
Seven Generations Energy Ltd., Calgary, has completed construction and commissioning of the Cutbank gas processing plant at its Kakwa River project in northwest Alberta. Source: News