Worldwide mobile offshore drilling rig utilization dropped to 73% from 87% during last year, the lowest utilization level in 30 years, Clarksons Research Services Ltd. of London reported in its Offshore Drilling Rig Monthly. Source: News
Woodside lets Greater Western Flank subsea contract
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. has let a $180-million contract to FMC Technologies for the design, manufacture, and supply of subsea production systems for the Greater Western Flank Phase 2 (GWF-2) project on the North West Shelf offshore Western Australia. Source: News
Shell, BG shareholders both approve merger
The shareholders of both Royal Dutch Shell PLC and BG Group PLC have both approved the proposed merger of the two companies, and the deal is set to close on Feb. 15, some 10 months after it was first reported. Source: News
Total lets contract for Antwerp refining operations
France’s Total SA has let a long-term contract to Praxair Inc., Danbury, Conn., to supply industrial gases to its refining and petrochemical platform in Antwerp, Belgium. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent crude oil prices gain on Russia-OPEC talk speculation
Light, sweet crude oil prices settled above $32/bbl on the New York market Jan. 27 while Brent crude prices settled above $33/bbl. Analysts attributed the price support to speculation that some major producers might consider cutting oil output. Source: News
BHP Billiton: Trinidad and Tobago deep water could contain top-tier prospect
The deep water offshore Trinidad and Tobago represents the possibility of a “Tier 1” prospect for BHP Billiton Petroleum (BHPB), David Rainey, president of exploration, told delegates early last week at the annual Trinidad & Tobago Energy Conference hosted by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain. Source: News
API: US December petroleum demand highest in 5 years
Total US petroleum deliveries, a measure of consumer demand, averaged 19.7 million b/d in December, a 1.1% increase over December 2014, according to the American Petroleum Institute’s latest Monthly Statistical Report. The level reached was the highest December total in 5 years. Source: News
New COGCC rules aim to increase community roles in oil, gas plans
The Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission issued new rules aimed at enhancing local communities’ participation in locating and planning for future oil and gas operations. The rules require operators to notify local governments earlier when activity will be adjacent to communities, call for additional mitigation measures and best management practices there, and encourage sharing […]
Kosmos finds gas with Guembeul-1 offshore Senegal
Kosmos Energy Ltd.’s first attempt to delineate the Greater Tortue area offshore Senegal encountered 101 m of net natural gas pay in two reservoirs in the northern part of the St. Louis Offshore Profond license area, the company said. Source: News
Contract let for hook-up services for Ichthys LNG project
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. has let a contract to Perth-based engineering firm Clough Ltd. for hook-up services on the Ichthys LNG project’s central processing facility (CPF) offshore Western Australia. Source: News