Search results

While the Jubilee field is being fast-tracked to first oil next year, approval of the development plan has been proceeding rather more slowly

Petroceltic raises $40m; Roc brings Argentines into Angola

Companies say the gloomiest prognoses for the Libyan industry, recorded in the last issue of African Energy, may not be realised, but several face testing decisions in the coming months, writes John Hamilton. StatoilHydro and BG Group, whose commitment to further exploration in Libya has been questioned in the current environment of restricted budgets and the authorities’ hard negotiating stance

Houston-based hopeful Hyperdynamics Corporation has announced plans to replace its president and chief executive Kent Watts when his contract expires on 1 July, and hire a replacement “with international oil and gas experience”. Watts will continue as chairman of the board.

Key gas player Apache Corporation has reported two Jurassic oil and gas field discoveries in the Faghur Basin play, in the extreme south-west of the Western Desert producing complex, and a first discovery in the North Tarek concession along the Mediterranean coast

The uncertainties of oil exploration in Libya, and the delays that accompany every major deal and decision have been emphasised by the ongoing saga over one of the great success stories of the EPSA-4 process.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Total find; NIGERIA: Bonga contract for Weltek; DR CONGO: EnerGulf contracts Chinese for Lotshi seismic; NIGERIA: Russians to supply pipes for Total; SUDAN: Indians to quit Block 5B; TANZANIA: Mafia drilling feels the heat; UGANDA: Block 2 success

Faced with declining production but steady interest, Gabon plans a new licensing round next year, and hopes to stir interest in the ultra-deep, writes Thalia Griffiths. Gabon is drawing up a new hydrocarbons code and acquiring new geophysical data ahead of a tenth licensing round as part of a process of attracting new explorers into the country. CGGVeritas is

Ghana’s new government has withdrawn two draft petroleum bills from parliament for “wider consultation” with stakeholders

While many IOCs complain that disappointments with the drill bit, as well as the growing demands of government, are discouraging them in what seemed a global-scale business opportunity, Algeria’s state company Sonatrach has announced a find that will give heart to its efforts to become a significant

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation has replaced six group executive directors (GEDs) in a reshuffle ahead of planned restructuring spearheaded by Petroleum Resources Minister Rilwanu Lukman. The new appointments follow the naming of Mohamed Sanusi Barkindo as NNPC group managing director in January to replace Alhaji Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua (AE 155/24).

HERITAGE: Oman sale frees up cash; TOWER RESOURCES: Uganda drilling, share placing

US indie Vanco Energy Company, Russia’s Lukoil, the government and Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) have signed a new petroleum agreement covering the Cape Three Points Deepwater block in the Tano Basin (AE 145/13).

Ambitious Gulf-based minnow Kuwait Energy Company (KEC) has said that newly discovered oil fields in Egypt will help it boost production capacity to 15,000 boe/d this year.

Already strongly represented by its services companies, Beijing hasn’t given up hope of taking a major operating position in the Libyan upstream, even though National Oil Corporation (NOC) has rejected China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)’s offer for Canada’s Verenex Energy Inc (AE 159/18).