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.
Markets
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.
North Sea ‘still a tax target’
An oil and gas industry analyst yesterday said the industry could still be a taxation target for the chancellor.
European offshore rig count down
European offshore rig counts fell in January to 37, compared to 54 in the same month last year and 42 in December, according to Baker Hughes' monthly data.
Footsie down slightly amid worries for Greece
The FTSE 100 Index slid 1.9 points to 5,890.3 today as uncertainty over the outcome of talks between Greece and its creditors saw traders ditch riskier stocks and move to more defensive investments
Surge in value of Cosalt shares
Cosalt shares more than doubled in value yesterday in a twist which could put a questionmark over chairman David Ross's chances of taking the engineering firm private.
Market comment: Earnings better than rival Shell’s for first time in a year
BP narrowly exceeded earnings expectations in the fourth quarter of 2011, with a 14% rise in adjusted net profits to £4.8billion, compared with £3.5billion for the corresponding three months in 2010.
Energy giant ‘on right path’
BP is on the right path, chief executive Bob Dudley said yesterday when he announced the global oil giant's annual results.
BP earmarks £1.7billion for North Sea
Oil giant BP will spend £1.7billion on North Sea projects in 2012, the most in a decade, it said yesterday.
Share options
Nautical Petroleum said yesterday it had granted 632,500 share options to its directors including 150,000 to chief executive Stephen Jenkins.
Xcite renegotiates Bentley drilling contract
Aberdeen-based oil explorer Xcite Energy said today it had made changes to a drilling contract with British American Offshore for work at the Bentley field.
Petrofac and BG lead FTSE fallers
London's leading shares index exploded into life today after US jobs figures smashed expectations and boosted recovery hopes for the world's largest economy.
Shell signs up for Greenland seismic
Energy giant Shell has launched plans to carry out seismic survey work offshore Greenland as interest increases in the region.