Under fire, exploration drilling fights for its corner
Exploration is not quite the dirty word it was in 2020-21, but appetite remains muted and highly selective.
Argentina
Argentina heads to vote as energy industry watches offshore
“As political and policy volatility becomes a feature of the operating landscape, even private companies with a high risk appetite could be facing binding constraints when seeking to invest in Vaca Muerta and offshore plays,” the analyst said.
Facing Argentine politics, Molecular makes plan to sell out
Molecular said Argentina is “economically and politically volatile and unstable and has degraded materially” since it invested.
Petronas signs historic unconventional deal in Abu Dhabi
Petronas has signed a concession for the first unconventional oil concession in the Middle East, during a high-level visit.
TotalEnergies approves $700m Fenix gas project off Argentina
TotalEnergies and its partners have has approved the final investment decision (FID) for the Fenix gas development, around 37 miles off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina.
Petronas signs LNG export feasibility study with Argentina
Argentina is taking preliminary steps to tap its potential for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) with Malaysia’s Petronas, President Alberto Fernandez announced Thursday.
Galileo aims to bring LNG to the masses
Developing LNG projects is traditionally seen as a big-ticket item, reserved for the few. Costs are high and equipment specialised, making the resource out of reach for most smaller scale operators – despite the advantages it offers.
Operators to retain whip hand in dayrate negotiations, Westwood projects
Westwood Global Energy Group expects rig demand to increase around the world but with no rapid increase in dayrates.
Archer takes $14m write down in Argentina
Oilfield services group Archer reported a strong final quarter of 2021, but will scrap 15 rigs in Argentina amid an ongoing ‘challenging’ environment.
Harbour Energy faces Argentina sanctions over Falklands oil project
Harbour Energy is facing sanctions from Argentina over an oil and gas project in contested waters off the Falklands.
Miner BHP deepens plans to exit coal operations
BHP Group says it’s getting rid of thermal coal mines to help prepare for a lower-emissions future, yet the company’s still counting on fossil fuels to drive its business for another decade.
Weatherford scoops $15m deal in Argentina
Weatherford has won a two-year, $15m contract with a major independent operator in Argentina.
Archer wins £155m land drilling deal in Argentina
Archer has won a £155 million land drilling contract with Argentina's YPF.
The FCPA on the rise: bribes, booms and bonuses
The US’ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is the benchmark for anti-corruption efforts around the world but the ways in which it is being used are changing, as various countries work on their own efforts.
Equinor expands YPF pact for offshore exploration in Argentina
Equinor and YPF have signed an agreement to jointly explore the CAN 100 offshore block, located in the North Argentinian Basin.
Argentina-focused Vista raises $107m in share offering
Vista Oil & Gas has raised US$107 million in a primary public share offering aimed at funding shale drilling work in Argentina, where it has set ambitious targets.
‘Virtual pipeline’ delivers its first LNG in US
A business which has pioneered technology for producing LNG without the need for pipelines has delivered its first shipment in the US.
ExxonMobil authorises Argentina expansion in ‘Dead Cow’ shale
ExxonMobil is moving forward with a major effort to develop at least 90 wells in Argentina's onshore shale.
Shale gas drives Argentina’s LNG export ambitions
The commissioning of Exmar’s Tango floating LNG (FLNG) vessel on June 6 marked the first stage in Argentina’s emergence as a global gas exporter.
Equinor wins seven exploration blocks offshore Argentina
Norwegian energy giant Equinor has added seven offshore exploration blocks to its portfolio after presenting winning bids in the first Offshore licensing round in Argentina.
Equinor commits $77m to Argentine solar project
Energy giant Equinor said today that it had bought 50% of a planned Argentine solar farm capable of powering 80,000 homes.
Echo Energy starts drilling well in Argentina
London-headquartered Echo Energy has started drilling a third exploration well in a back-to-back campaign of four wells in Argentina.
Echo says new well strengthens case for developing Argentine field
South-America-focused Echo Energy said today that its new well in Argentina had strengthened the commercial case for a field development.
Qatar buys into Exxon’s Argentine shale plays
Qatar Petroleum will become a 30% equity holder in two ExxonMobil affiliates which hold shale assets onshore Argentina.
Echo starts drilling second well in Argentina
Echo Energy has started drilling the second of four exploration wells on the Laguna de Los Capones asset in Argentina