Oil

Chevron, PDVSA Seek 15-Year Extension for Joint Ventures, Eye Crude Production Boost

PDVSA and Chevron have expanded operations since late last year under a special U.S. license, allowing Venezuela to resume crude exports to what was its largest market, the United States. But more investment is needed to reach production levels seen before oil sanctions were first imposed in 2019.

Former BP CEO Looney Loses $40 Million in Compensation Amid Board Misconduct Claims

BP cut over $40 million in remuneration from former CEO Bernard Looney after the British oil giant concluded he had knowingly misled the board over personal relationships with colleagues.

Howard Energy Partners Completes $800 Million in 2023 Growth Projects, Achieves Record Volumes

(P&GJ) — Howard Energy Partners completed $800 million in 2023 growth projects, including new pipelines and facilities in key U.S. oil and gas basins, along with storage and logistics for renewable diesel on the Texas Gulf Coast.

EACOP Welcomes First 62 Miles of Line Pipe for Crude Pipeline

(P&GJ) — The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has announced the arrival of the first shipment of 100 km (62 miles) of line pipe at the port of Dar es Salaam, signaling the initiation of the main construction phase for this cross-border pipeline project.

WoodMac: M&A Deals in Permian Basin Exceed $100 Billion in 2023

The value of U.S. oil and gas mergers and acquisitions in the Permian basin this year has reached a record of more than $100 billion after several multibillion-dollar deals, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a news release on Tuesday.

Niger Set to Begin Oil Exports Through Benin Pipeline in January

Niger expects to export its first barrels of crude oil through a new Niger-Benin pipeline in January, the country's military leader Abdourahamane Tiani said on state television.

Oil Extends Gains on U.S. Strategic Reserve Purchase

Oil prices inched higher on Monday, extending gains for a second session as U.S. efforts to replenish strategic reserves provided some support, although concerns of crude oversupply and softer fuel demand growth next year lingered.

Occidental Petroleum to Acquire Permian Oil, Gas Producer CrownRock for $12 Billion

Occidental Petroleum said on Monday it would buy Permian basin-focused energy producer CrownRock in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $12 billion including debt, expanding its presence in the largest U.S. oilfield.

Sources: Endeavor Energy Explores Sale for as Much as $30 Billion

Endeavor Energy Partners is exploring a sale that could value the largest privately-held oil and gas producer in the Permian basin of the United States at between $25 billion and $30 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

U.S. Looks to Buy Additional 3 Million Barrels of Oil for Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday said it wants to buy up to 3 million barrels of crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for delivery in March 2024, as it takes advantage of lower prices to start to replenish the stockpile.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Stalled as Canada Regulator Rejects Variance Request

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) on Tuesday denied a request from the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project for a variance on a section of oil pipeline under construction in British Columbia, a decision that could delay the 590,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) expansion.

U.S. Coast Guard Finds Sheen Near Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday it found a light sheen west of an area in the Gulf of Mexico where it was leading the clean-up of a million-gallon (liters) oil spill for nearly three weeks but could not confirm if the sheen was from that spill.

NGL Energy Partners Launches Open Season for 550-Mile Grand Mesa Crude Pipeline

(P&GJ) — Grand Mesa provides takeaway capacity for crude oil producers in the Denver-Julesburg Basin. It originates in Weld County, Colorado, and extends approximately 550 miles southeast to NGL Crude Cushing’s storage terminal at Cushing, Oklahoma.

Shell Shortlists CNOOC and Vitol for Singapore Assets Sale

Shell has shortlisted at least four companies including state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and top global energy trader Vitol as bidders for its Singapore refinery assets, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

FTC Issues Second Information Request on Exxon's $60 Billion Takeover of Pioneer

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has sent shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources and Exxon Mobil a second request for more information on their $60 billion takeover deal, Pioneer said on Tuesday.

Republican States Challenge EPA's Pipeline Veto Power Expansion in Federal Lawsuit

A group of 11 Republican-led states and energy industry groups have challenged a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that bolsters state and tribal veto power over pipelines and other major infrastructure projects that might pollute rivers and streams.

Venezuela's Oil Exports Remain Almost Unchanged, Middlemen Seek Deals

Venezuela's oil exports remained almost unchanged in November at 651,000 barrels per day (bpd) even as an easing of U.S. sanctions is now allowing sales to trading houses, according to shipping and tanker tracking data.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Faces Further Delays, Posing Financial Challenges for Canadian Oil Producers

Canadian oil producers are bracing for further potential delays to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) that could cost them millions of dollars in lost revenues in coming months after they ramped up production ready to fill the expanded line, meant to unlock access to Asia.

Record U.S. Oil Output Challenges Saudi Mastery

U.S. crude oil production set a record for the second month running in September, highlighting the challenge to Saudi Arabia and its OPEC+ partners as they cut their own production to boost prices.

U.S. Buys 2.73 Million Barrels of Oil for Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Energy Department said on Thursday it has finalized contracts to purchase 2.73 million barrels of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Petroecuador Exceeds 400,000 bpd Crude Oil Output; Addresses Oil Spill in Shushufindi River

Ecuador's state oil company Petroecuador said Sunday that crude oil output surpassed 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the first time since January 2021.

Revenues of Russia's Top Oil and Gas Producers Fall 41% in First 9 Months of 2023

The revenues of Russia's largest oil and natural gas producers dropped by 41% in the first nine months of the year, the central bank said in its financial stability review, as export volumes and prices declined.

U.S. Speeds Up Return of Oil to Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Department of Energy has sped up the return of 4 million barrels of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve from a previous exchange of crude to energy companies as it seeks to replenish the stockpile after a record drawdown last year.

Michigan Regulators Approve Enbridge Great Lakes Tunnel for Oil Pipeline

Michigan regulators on Friday approved Canadian pipeline company Enbridge's application to build a tunnel under the Great Lakes to house its aging Line 5 oil pipeline, a major step forward for the $750 million project.

Mountain Valley Pipeline Owner Equitrans Considering Asset Sale

While there is no certainty that the company would decide to proceed with the sale, it would likely attract interest if it were to launch a sale process in early 2024, coinciding with the expected completion of the Mountain Valley pipeline.

Sentinel Midstream, Exxon Form JV to Connect Oil Terminals in Louisiana

Pipeline operator Sentinel Midstream said on Friday it has formed a joint venture (JV) with Exxon Mobil to provide pipeline connectivity between crude oil terminals in Louisiana.

Global News December 2023

Latest industry developments from around the world!

Drones Used to Improve Safety of Pipelines

(P&GJ) — There’s no way around it — infrastructure inspection is as risky and dangerous as it is vital. For the past few years, companies have begun experimenting with unmanned aerial systems (known as UAS, or drones) to help improve worker safety, among other benefits.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium Resumes Oil Loadings at Black Sea Terminal

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), a main export route for Kazakhstan's crude oil, said on Thursday it has resumed oil loadings at its Black Sea terminal which had been suspended due to storms, disrupting exports since last Friday.

Riposte Capital Pushes for Board Overhaul at Energy Producer SilverBow

One of SilverBow Resources Inc.'s largest investors is pushing the U.S. oil and gas producer to revamp its board to address governance concerns and boost its lagging performance, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters on Thursday.