US company snaps up Optima for ‘at least £40m’
Aberdeen-based oil and gas service firm Optima Solutions has been sold to US company Tetra Technologies for at least £40million.
Markets
Rowan Norway on way to Bentley, MKII
The jack-up rig Rowan Norway, contracted out to oil and gas explorer Xcite Energy, is once again on the move.
Faroe Petroleum and Xcite shares both fall
London's leading shares index struggled to make significant progress today as fears over growth in China and the rumbling eurozone debt crisis troubled investors.
RWE takes stake in Norwegian licence
RWE Dea is to take 10% equity in one of Wintershall's North Sea production licences on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Footsie lifted by relief after Greek debt move
Further encouraging signs from the US economy and relief at a successful Greek bond swap gave investors a strong end to the week.
Footsie gains as hopes rise over Greek deal
Renewed hopes that Greece will close a deal with private bondholders to ease its debt burden powered world markets to sizeable gains today.
CNR would like to do more
Oil and gas firm Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) said today it saw record global activity in 2011 but its UK business suffered after last year's Budget.
Rowan Norway waits in Banff for weather window
Aberdeen explorer Xcite Energy was waiting for a weather window yesterday after the rig due to drill on its Bentley oil field was diverted to waters off Macduff and Banff. The unusual visitor arrived over the weekend after weather in the North Sea meant it could not get out to the heavy-oil field. The Rowan Norway had left Dundee, where it underwent modifications, last Thursday. Bentley, where the rig is due to drill an extended well test, is 100 miles east of Shetland.
FTSE 100 up amid fresh hopes for Greece
London's leading shares index regained some composure today amid renewed optimism over Greece's crucial debt deal and resilient jobs figures from the US.
Dudley picks up £540,000 bonus
The boss of BP was awarded a bonus worth more than half a million pounds for 2011 yesterday despite a turbulent year in which a landmark deal to explore the Arctic sea collapse and production fell.
Footsie suffers near 2% fall on economic worries
Weaker than expected economic growth in Brazil fuelled global recession fears today and sparked a near 2% fall on the FTSE 100 Index.
BP shares climb after ‘disaster deal’
BP shares rose yesterday after its £4.97billion deal with 110,000 businesses and individuals over the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster.
US factory woes knock 36 points off the Footsie
Mixed economic data in the US and fears over Chinese growth rattled investors and weighed on the London market today.
Banks boost fails to stop Footsie decline
An upbeat note from Goldman Sachs boosted the banking sector today and helped limit losses for London's leading shares index.
Positive eurozone news lifts world markets
Encouraging signs that a scheme to pump nearly £500billion into the banking sector is helping to ease the eurozone debt crisis drove a rally in world markets today.
BP and Weir Group shares among fallers but Xcite up
Monetary chief Ben Bernanke doused market euphoria over the pace of the US recovery today by warning over the impact of rising oil prices.
Iona raising cash for North Sea projects
North Sea focused Iona Energy said it was hoping to raise up to £131million through a share offering and bank lending.
Dragon passes on Bowleven
Middle East energy firm Dragon Oil said yesterday it would not make a takeover offer for Scottish explorer Bowleven.
Shares rise for Plexus Holdings but Cairn and Nautical fall
Mixed economic data from the US added to fears over high oil prices and left world markets struggling to make headway today.
Parkmead completes buy-in on Dana-operated blocks
Oil and gas firm Parkmead said yesterday it had completed a deal for interests in four North Sea gas blocks.
Boss fails to win backing to delist firm
Engineering firm Cosalt will remain publicly listed after chairman David Ross's proposal to take it private was narrowly defeated yesterday.
BP share boost fails to stop FTSE 100 decline
HSBC was among the biggest losers in the FTSE 100 Index today after its £13.8billion profits haul failed to impress investors.
Amec and Wood Group shares rise but SSE fall
Lloyds was the biggest faller on London's leading shares index today after it suffered £3.5billion losses and warned of further problems ahead.
Hess deal boosts Dana’s stake in North Sea field
North Sea oil firm Dana Petroleum has added to its share of the Bittern field after a multimillion-pound deal with Hess.
Milder weather hits profits at Centrica’s domestic arm
Energy giant Centrica said yesterday mild weather led to a 30% fall in operating profits at its residential arm, Scottish Gas and British Gas, to £522million during 2011.