ENSCO Rig Damaged in Blowout
ENSCO International Incorporated and Forest Oil Corporation reported that one of ENSCO's jackup rigs sustained extensive damage while operating in the Gulf of Mexico. ENSCO 51 was on location in Eugene Island Block 273 drilling a development well over a platform (the ``A'' platform) for its customer, Forest, the operator of the block. Eugene Island Block 273 is located approximately 75 miles offshore. Shortly after midnight on Thursday, March 1, approximately fifteen hours after running and cementing a third casing string at approximately 1650 feet, an annular flow was detected. The volume of the gas discharge continued to increase. All personnel were safely evacuated from the rig. Offshore supply vessels equipped with water cannons were dispatched and began to deluge the platform.
Coalition Seeks to Block Alaska Oil, Gas Permit
A coalition of Native tribal governments, commercial fisherman and environmentalists has filed an administrative appeal to block a wastewater discharge permit for oil and gas operators in southern Alaska's Cook Inlet, Reuters reported. The appeal, filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenges a general permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency that allows established oil and gas production facilities to discharge wastes directly into the inlet's marine waters. The new permit, scheduled to go into effect on July 2, covers 16 offshore oil and gas platforms and three onshore facilities in Cook Inlet, said Dianne Soderlund, communications coordinator for EPA's Alaska oil and gas section.
Forest to Acquire Houston Exploration in $1.5b Deal
Forest Oil Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding stock of The Houston Exploration Company in a stock and cash transaction totaling approximately $1.5 billion plus the assumption of net debt estimated to be $100 million at December 31, 2006. Forest Oil worked with JANA Partners LLC (JANA), the holder of 14.7% of the outstanding shares of Houston Ex, with the result that JANA on Sunday agreed to vote in favor of the transaction. JANA has also agreed not to propose any extraordinary transactions with Forest or to seek to influence the management or control of Forest for a year following the close of the transaction. The transaction positions Forest as one of the top independent onshore North American exploration and production companies.
ENSCO Jackup Rig Damaged in Gas Blowout, Fire
ENSCO International Incorporated and Forest Oil Corporation reported that one of ENSCO’s jackup rigs sustained extensive damage while operating in the Gulf of Mexico. ENSCO 51 was on location in Eugene Island Block 273 drilling a development well over a platform (the “A” platform) for its customer, Forest, the operator of the block. Eugene Island Block 273 is located approximately 75 miles offshore. Shortly after midnight on Thursday, March 1, approximately 15 hours after running and cementing a third casing string at approximately 1,650 ft., an annular flow was detected. The volume of the gas discharge continued to increase. All personnel were safely evacuated from the rig. Offshore supply vessels equipped with water cannons were dispatched and began to deluge the platform.
