Weir ups offer for Ludowici
Scottish engineer Weir Group has matched a rival's takeover offer for an Australian mining-equipment firm in an intensifying bidding war for the company.
Markets
Gain for Royal Bank stocks spurs Footsie on
Banks led London's leading shares index higher today after Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) said trading improved in its core businesses despite total losses of £2billion.
Centrica’s upstream business on target for 70million barrels of oil equivalent annually
Centrica's upstream business is on target to hit 70million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) annual production by the end of 2013 after a three-month spending spree, the firm's UK upstream boss said today.
Centrica buys Total’s central North Sea stakes
UK operator Centrica said today it had bought stakes in seven North Sea fields from French rival Total for £246million.
Wood Group and EnQuest shares among risers but BP fall
Bullish results from housebuilder Galliford Try and recruitment firm Hays helped the FTSE 250 Index outshine its top-tier partner today.
Weatherford hit by errors
Shares in Weatherford International plunged nearly 14% yesterday as it struggled to put major accounting errors behind it.
Xcite shares jump in early trading after update on Bentley field
Shares in heavy-oil explorer Xcite Energy spiked yesterday after it said its Bentley field could contain 116million barrels of proved and probable reserves.
Weir Group Footsie’s biggest riser but Shell stocks fall
Rising oil prices and optimism that Greece will be saved from a calamitous default helped drive London's leading shares index closer to the 6,000 mark today.
Smaller firms facing buyouts
Junior oil and gas firms could become acquisition targets for their larger rivals this year as tightening credit markets take their toll, according to Ernst & Young (EY).
Rival trumps Weir offer for Ludowici
Scottish engineer Weir Group faces a bidding war for an Australian mining equipment firm after a Danish rival upped its offer.
Brent crude dips as investors take profits
Brent oil prices fell yesterday as investors booked profits after gaining for four straight days.
Bowleven shares race ahead on takeover talk
Middle East energy firm Dragon Oil said today it was mulling a takeover offer for Scottish explorer Bowleven.
Weir Group among biggest risers but Melrose Resources down
Further signs of recovery in the US and renewed hopes of a bail-out for Greece helped boost world markets today.
Petrofac adds subsea capabilities
International oil and gas facility service provider Petrofac said yesterday it had bought a subsea pipeline and engineering business.
Nexen to drill in North Sea
Nexen said yesterday it had an exploration programme planned for 2012 in the UK North Sea.
The Footsie falls despite good news in US
More positive signs from the US failed to lift London's leading shares index today as fears over the eurozone and a credit agency warning to banks rattled investors.
Shell and BP shares among fallers, Wood Group rise
Weak economic growth across the eurozone and reports suggesting Greece may not receive all of its bailout funds saw London's leading shares index dip into the red today.
North Sea output to fall again
North Sea crude oil output from has been predicted to fall in March for a third month this year due to maintenance work and natural declines.
FTSE struggles to make progress
London's leading shares index struggled to make progress yesterday after weaker-than-expected retail sales in the US overshadowed an upbeat bond auction in debt-laden Italy.
Xcite and Parkmead shares up but Faroe among fallers
The London market closed above the 5,900 mark for the first time in more than six months today after a report from the OECD raised hopes the global recovery had reached a positive turning point and a historic vote in Greece eased fears in the eurozone.
Total set to be North Sea’s second largest producer
Total will become the second largest producer in the UK North Sea, overtaking Shell as it ramps up major projects over the next two years, its UK boss said yesterday.
Operator to spend £15billion this year
Oil major Total said yesterday it was increasing its global capital spending to £15billion in 2012, up from £12.9billion last year.
Xcite shares among risers
World markets slid today after an agreement on crucial austerity measures in Greece fell apart.
BG Group, Amec and Petrofac shares among biggest risers
London's leading shares index crept higher today after Greece took an important step towards avoiding a default and the Bank of England said it would pump £50billion into the economy.
Amec and Parkmead shares up but Weir Group among fallers
Nerves about whether Greece will stave off default weighed on London's leading shares index today.