The United States leads the world in crude oil production and continues to set new records. The US produced an average 12.2 million barrels of crude oil per day in April. That marked the first time monthly oil production surpassed 12 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “We are in the midst of a transformational energy era with America leading the world in oil and gas production,” Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in a July 16 tweet. American ingenuity sparked the shale oil revolution, as U.S.
Dale
Shearwater completes survey over Shell’s Pensacola prospect
Shell, in conjunction with non-operated partner Cluff Natural Resources, has completed a 3D seismic survey extending to approximately 420 km2 over the Pensacola prospect on Licence P2252 in the Southern North Sea, offshore the UK. The survey, conducted by Shearwater GeoServices using the Polar Express, was completed on time and with no adverse incidents on 21 August, Cluff Natural Resources said. Under the farm-in agreement, Shell are paying 100% of costs of the seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation work programme until the end of 2020 or until a well investment decision is made.
ConocoPhillips files environmental plan for Barossa field development
ConocoPhillips and its joint partners SK E&S Australia and Santos have submitted an environment plan to NOPSEMA to develop the Barossa Gas Field, located 300km northwest of Darwin. The development includes bringing gas and condensate from subsea wells to a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility via a network of subsea flowlines and risers. Initial processing would occur on the FPSO to separate the gas, water, and condensate. The condensate would be transferred from the FPSO to specialised tankers for export.
Gorgon starts up massive CO2 injection system on Barrow Island
Chevron Australia and the Gorgon Joint Venture participants have announced the safe start-up and operation of the carbon dioxide injection system at the Chevron-led Gorgon natural gas facility on Barrow Island, off the northwest coast of Western Australia. Chevron Australia managing director Al Williams said: “We are pleased to reach the first milestone of safely starting the operation of the Gorgon carbon dioxide injection system, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas mitigation projects ever undertaken by industry.
Beach submits plan to drill exploration well in the Otway
Lattice Energy, which is wholly owned by Beach Energy, has submitted an environment plan to drill a single exploration well in the Otway Basin, located approximately 32km off Victoria’s south west coast. The environment plan is under assessment with NOPSEMA and proposes that the Artisan-1 be drilled by the Ocean Onyx semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling rig. The Ocean Onyx is a conventionally moored, non-self-propelled, column-stabilised semi-submersible owned and operated by Diamond Offshore. The proposed Artisan-1 well location is at a water depth of approximately 71m.
AGS sets OBN production records in the North Sea
Norwegian ocean bottom node seismic company AGS has announced a number of seismic production records during an Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) seismic program. AGS said that this season’s Utsira multi-client ocean-bottom node (OBN) program, in conjunction with TGS, began on Saturday, July 3 and delivered a new company record marine source count in a single day. The crew achieved recording more than 50,000 marine sources in what was one milestone of a record seven-day acquisition window in all areas of the OBN program in the North Sea.
Australia launches largest offshore acreage release since 2000
Australia has released 64 areas for offshore oil and gas exploration in the 2019 Offshore Petroleum Acreage Release, representing the largest rollout of acreage in 19 years. Bidding will be open until 5 March 2020 with over 120,000km² released for a single round of work program bidding. Australia Minister for Resources Matt Canavan said the latest release was the first under a new streamlined system designed to deliver an annual investment cycle that “simplifies bidding, offers greater transparency and responds faster to the market demand”.
More gas will be needed to offset State’s renewable energy splurge, says Blue Energy
Queensland and NT explorer Blue Energy has weighed into Australia’s power struggle, saying the company believes the “misguided headlong rush” into renewable energy’s role in the national power grid will both stimulate gas exploration and spike energy prices in the country. In it’s June quarter activities report released recently, Blue Energy managing director John Phillips commented that despite the May federal election providing continuity of Government, the States still hold the balance of power when it comes to energy source, supply and distribution.
Oil and gas industry gives thumbs up to red tape reform
Australia’s oil and gas industry has welcomed the announcement that the Productivity Commission would undertake a comprehensive fact-based review of regulation in the resources sector to identify best practice reforms for Australia. APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville congratulated the Australian Government and Resources Minister Matt Canavan for launching the 12-month review to highlight unnecessary green and red tape. “This process is an important opportunity to develop and encourage regulatory reform as part of long-term policy approach for Australia’s resources sector, which is a key driver for the nation’s economic prosperity,” Mr McConville said.
Woodside energy stimulus for WA mining
Woodside has entered into a long-term gas sale and purchase agreement with Worsley Alumina Joint Venture for the supply of approximately 40 PJ of pipeline gas. The gas is being supplied to the joint venture from Woodside’s portfolio of domestic gas facilities, including the North West Shelf, Pluto and Wheatstone. Worsley Alumina Joint Venture is held by South32 (86%), Japan Alumina Associates (10%) and Sojitz (4%). Woodside Executive Vice President Marketing Trading & Shipping, Reinhardt Matisons welcomed the agreement to supply gas to the Worsley Alumina integrated mining and refining complex in Western Australia’s south west.