Drilling & production

West Africa is one of the leading areas in the world for deepwater offshore exploration, with Nigeria and Angola the largest producers in the region.

Total E&P Philippines B.V. announces the signature of a Farm out Agreement with Mitra Energy (Philippines SC-56) Limited, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to acquire a 75% interest in the offshore Block SC56, located in the Sulu Sea.

ConocoPhillips has sold its share in NaryanMarNefteGaz to Lukoil as part of its divestment programme.

Bechtel has taken delivery of the first steel prefabricated modules for its Queensland Curtis Island LNG project.

Instinct Energy, an energy company focusing on unconventional gas opportunities in southern Africa, is to start drilling initial CBM wells in the Huab basin in northwest Namibia. The company plans to reveal the results at the Unconventional Gas Aberdeen 2012 conference.

A year on from the initial announcement, Robin Cohen, Deloitte LLP, UK, outlines the UK Electricity Market Reform and its potential impacts on coal-fired power generation.

Barry Baxter reports on the debate over mine nationalisation in South Africa.

Woodside Petroleum has reported half-year profits of US$ 812 million as a result of the Pluto LNG start up, higher commodity prices and greater revenue from the Vincent North West Shelf Oil.

The first liquefied gas terminal in the Netherlands has contracted STAHL CraneSystems to supply LNG wire rope hoists for transporting its LNG pumps.

Cuadrilla resources is planning to drill a horizontal exploration well at its Anna’s Road site in order to examine the shale rock formation and how much viable gas can be extracted.

The two companies have signed an Mou for the future development and commercialization of the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) Block located in the Tano Basin of Ghana.

Total is to sell Inpex Corp a 9.99% share in Block 14 offshore Angola.

Demand in Australia and New Zealand for experienced engineers from the UK will remain high in 2013, and for the next five years, despite conflicting reports that the mining and natural resources boom in Australia is slowing down.

Coal mining in the UK has received a boost after planning permission was granted for the extraction of coal in Northumberland. Mining operations are now expected to begin next year.

Chevron Corp. is to exchange its oil and gas holdings in the Browse basin for Shell’s holdings in the Carnarvon Basin.