Leigh Creek Energy’s (LCK) said its syngas resource at Leigh Creek has received reserve certification, unlocking South Australia’s largest gas reserve for commercial use. LCK announced that it had received a PRMS certificate of 1,153PJ (petajoule) 2P syngas reserves, making Leigh Creek’s commercial deposit in the far north of SA ‘larger than reserves currently located within the Cooper Basin’.
Feature Articles


North America expected to add 265 mtpa of LNG liquefaction capacity in 2023
North America will be the major contributor to the growth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction capacity between 2019 and 2023, accounting for around 72% of the total global capacity from planned and announced projects, according to data and analytics company, GlobalData. The company’s report: ‘H1 2019 Global Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook for LNG Liquefaction Terminals -- US Continues to Dominate Global Liquefaction Market with Staggering Capacity Additions' reveals that around 366 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG liquefaction capacity is expected to be added during the outlook period (2019–2023), from planned and announced projects globally.

CGG GeoSoftware supports geoscience training with renewal of HampsonRussell software donation to Portugal’s CERENA/IST University
GeoSoftware, part of CGG’s Geoscience Division, has renewed the donation of its HampsonRussell seismic reservoir characterization software to CERENA/Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) University in Lisbon, Portugal. CERENA, a research center of IST, supports IST’s MSc course in Petroleum Engineering with teaching and research in areas relating to oil and gas exploration and production, including the characterization of petroleum reservoirs. CGG’s software technology is already an integral part of the Petroleum Engineering MSc course and related research programs.

‘Limited risk to oil majors’ investments from energy transition in medium term’
Major oil and gas companies are increasingly highlighting the alignment of their corporate strategies with climate change goals. They are also pursuing major production growth projects, but the value risk to these investments from the energy transition is limited, according to data and analytics company GlobalData. The company’s latest analysis shows that planned and announced projects from the six supermajors of ExxonMobil, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Total and Eni are expected to contribute over 5 million barrels per day (mmbd) of gross oil production by 2025.

A Geological Field Guide to Kalgoorlie and Surrounds is launched
The geological field guide to the Kalgoorlie region, produced by Earth Science Western Australia (ESWA), John Bunting and Peter Muhling, was officially launched on Tuesday the 19th of March at the Australian Resources Research Centre, Kensington. This guide is the third produced by this group, with others to Perth and surrounds and the capes region of the Southwest. This launch event was well attended with guests including; field guide contributors, members of ESWA’s Board, sponsors of ESWA, representatives of various educational authorities, teachers and interested parties.

Sercel Extends Boundaries of Well Exploration with SigmaWave, its First DAS Seismic Solution
Sercel has announced the launch of its first distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) seismic solution: SigmaWave. Designed in partnership with Fotech Solutions, SigmaWave is the first integrated distributed acoustic solution designed exclusively for borehole seismic applications and reinforces Sercel’s advanced range of downhole seismic acquisition systems. SigmaWave is fully integrated with Sercel’s existing downhole seismic tools and enables continuous, real-time seismic measurements along the entire length of a fiber optic cable. Whether by retrievable or permanent deployment, it is now possible to visualize and monitor the well in real time and instantly generate SEG-Y files.

‘New reality could unlock £200bn of future UK business opportunities’
A sustained focus on cost and efficiencies with ongoing uncertainty in commodity markets marks the “new reality” for the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, according to a flagship report into industry performance published recently. Oil & Gas UK’s (OGUK) Business Outlook 2019 finds continued uncertainty in commodity markets is reinforcing investor caution, with forecasts indicating a conservative outlook for prices. Against this backdrop, exploration and production companies remain focused on cost whilst striving for further business and operational improvements.

‘Production revival and development potential makes Eagle Ford shale a winner’
During 2018, Eagle Ford re-emerged as one of the lucrative destinations for oil and gas companies, according to data and analytics company, GlobalData. The company’s latest market analysis report reveals that the shale play has reverted a production decline and leading operators continue to increase the scale of their operations. There are still some sections within the Eagle Ford shale play which are underdeveloped, especially in the northern part comprising the Burleson and Brazos counties and some companies are also assessing the overlying Austin Chalk formation.

Santos awards drilling support contract to MMA Offshore
Marine service provider MMA Offshore has been awarded a contract by Santos to support its 2019 drilling campaign. The contract is for the provision of three vessels to support the drilling campaign, including two anchor handling tug supply vessels and a platform supply vessel. The scope of services includes rig tows to and from field, infield rig moves and platform supply duties in support of the Noble Tom Prosser rig, operating offshore Australia. The contract started in February and is expected to run for at least six months.

Technical problems curtails Norway oil production
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NDP) has revealed that oil production during February this year was below expectations as a result of technical problems on some fields. The NDP said that preliminary production figures for February indicated an average daily production of 1,745,000 barrels of oil, NGL and condensate. This represented a decrease of 75,000 barrels per day in comparison to January. Total gas sales were 10.2 billion Sm3 (GSm3), a decrease of 0.9 GSm3 from the previous month. During February the average daily liquids production figures were 1,388,000 barrels of oil, 328,000 barrels of NGL, and 30,000 barrels of condensate.
