Norway awards 56 licenses to 36 companies in APA 2015

Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has awarded 56 production licenses to 36 companies on the Norwegian continental shelf as part of its Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2015. Source: News

Deals by Concho Resources target Delaware basin

Concho Resources Inc., Midland, Tex., has separately made three deals—an agreed upon acquisition, a completed acreage exchange, and an agreed upon sale—in an effort to improve its position in the southern Delaware basin. Source: News

Mubadala Petroleum, PEMEX sign MOU for Mexican energy development

Mubadala Petroleum, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Co., and Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) have signed an memorandum of understanding to “provide the basis for discussions between the two companies and their affiliates about potential opportunities in Mexico’s energy sector.” Source: News

Chevron to sell more Gorgon LNG to China

Chevron Australia, operator of the Gorgon-Jansz LNG development off Western Australia, has signed a preliminary agreement with ENN LNG Trading Co. of China to supply LNG from the project beginning in 2018. Source: News

MARKET WATCH: Brent crude oil hovers under $29/bbl

The March contract for Brent crude oil on London’s ICE exchange dropped 39¢ to settle at $28.55/bbl on Jan. 18 after having dipped to a trading session low of $27.67/bbl. Analysts said the day’s low was Brent’s lowest price in nearly 13 years. Source: News

One killed, one injured in blast at Long Lake oil sands project

CNOOC Ltd.’s Canadian unit said investigations continue into the cause of an explosion at the 50,000-b/d Long Lake oil sands project in Fort McMurray, Alta. The oil processing plant remains closed indefinitely after the Jan. 15 blast killed one worker and injured another. Source: News

Tap Oil settles dispute for Manora oil field in Thailand

Tap Oil Ltd., Perth, has reached an agreement with Mubadala Petroleum, the operator of Manora oil field offshore Thailand, regarding settlement of the final capital costs of the field’s development facilities. Source: News

Ballard named IOGP executive director

Gordon Ballard has been appointed executive director of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP). He succeeds Michael Engell-Jensen, who is retiring after 5 years. Source: News

Shell exits Bab sour gas reservoirs development project

Royal Dutch Shell PLC reported it has decided to exit the joint development of the Bab sour gas reservoirs with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in Abu Dhabi, and to stop further joint work on the project. Source: News