Houston Exploration

Interest in Offshore Exploration in Greenland Growing

Several of the world's largest oil companies hope to tap into possible offshore oil and gas reserves as Greenland opened a new round of concessions for exploration licenses in the fragile Arctic region. Eyes of an oil-thirsty world have turned to the shores of the semiautonomous Danish territory amid rising fuel prices, Mideast instability and concerns over future supplies. The Greenland government hopes to make big gains from any reserves found in its icy waters, but environmentalists say oil exploration there could damage a sensitive region already under threat by global warming. The names of companies attending the meeting and what conditions the Greenland government would put forth for exploration in the Disko Bay- the area being opened for the current round of concessions- remained undisclosed. Oil exploration off west Greenland started in the 1970s but stopped after five failed drilling attempts. Activities resumed in 2001 off Nuuk, the Greenland capital. Canadian company EnCana last year became the first company to win a license for offshore oil and gas exploration off Nuuk.In 2008, Calgary, Alberta-based EnCana is expected to start drilling in areas believed to have reserves ranging from 400 million to 1.2 billion barrels of oil. (Source: Houston Chronicle)

OTC Announces New Board Members

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) board of directors elected the 2004-2005 chairman and vice-chairman during this year’s event that took place 5-8 May at Reliant Center at Reliant Park in Houston. Members of the OTC Board are appointed to four-year terms by their respective society or organization. The OTC Board includes 13 representatives, 11 from OTC’s sponsoring organizations and two from OTC’s endorsing organizations

MMS Names Mineral Revenues Stewardship Award Winners

Timely payment of royalties and accurate reporting have earned four energy companies the Mineral Revenues Stewardship Award, the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced today. The oil and gas industry places a high value on the award. “We are recognizing these companies for their exceptional performance in production reporting and timely payment of royalties to the Federal Government,” MMS Director Johnnie Burton said

Technip Wins Important GofM Subsea Contract

Technip awarded Murphy Exploration & Production Co. contract for development of Dalmatian Field in Gulf of Mexico. The lump-sum contract is for work at a water depth ranging from 530 to 1,800 meters on a field  jointly owned by Murphy and Ecopetrol America Inc., comprised of the De Soto Canyon Blocks 4, 47, 48 and 91. The project consists of a subsea tie-back to an existing Gulf of Mexico platform. The contract covers: project management, engineering

BP Disaster Strands Billions of Barrels of Crude

According to a May 13 report from Bloomberg, a regulatory crackdown on offshore oil drilling after the fatal rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico will delay development of U.S. deposits with billions of barrels of crude and may spawn industry job cuts. BP Plc, ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Cobalt International Energy Inc. and Plains Exploration & Production Co. are among explorers with projects on hold in the Gulf or coastal California after the April 20 explosion prompted federal

Finalists Named for DOI’s 2006 Safety Awards for Excellence (SAFE)

Fifteen offshore energy companies have been named national finalists for the Department of the Interior’s 2006 Safety Awards for Excellence (SAFE) competition. Sponsored by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the SAFE awards are presented annually to Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas operators and contractors who achieve excellence in safety and pollution prevention. Established in 1983, the SAFE Awards recognize and honor companies making concerted efforts to train and motivate

Congress Approves Additional Funding for Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project

The U.S. Congress has passed and sent to President Bush legislation providing $33.8 million in federal funding to continue a five-year, $511 million project to widen and deepen the Houston Ship Channel in order to accommodate larger ships, reduce shipping costs and improve Channel safety. "Congressman Tom DeLay's strong support for the Port of Houston Authority has been invaluable in making sure this crucial funding will be available to continue the Houston Ship Channel project

Aker Drilling Confirms Rig Contract with Aker Exploration

Aker Exploration AS has confirmed a contract for the company's drilling unit, which is scheduled to be operational in October 2008. This is an important contract featuring exciting exploration assignments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, says Aker Drilling President and CEO Geir Atle Sjøberg. Aker Drilling's sixth-generation, semi-submersible Aker H-6e unit is tailor-made for Norwegian conditions. We will cover the customer's needs for exploration wells anywhere on the Shelf

Galveston’s Simulator Provides Training Opportunities

Marine industry operations will grow and develop with highly trained workers as a result of the expansion and upgrade of the Full Mission Ship Simulator operated by the Texas Maritime Academy. The improvements were made possible by a $250,000 grant to Texas A&M University at Galveston by Houston Endowment Inc., a philanthropy endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Jones. Mike Kemp, vice president and CEO of the campus, said this funding will significantly assist the university in complying with

Petronas Gets O&G Exploration Licenses

The government on March 6 awarded two petroleum exploration licenses to Malaysian Oil and gas exploration company Petronas over two blocks located in Sindh. According to the agreement, the company will start exploration activities in these blocks for $11.5 million. The agreement was signed by Secretary Petroleum Ahmed Waqar, DG Petroleum Concession Muhammad Naeem Malik and Country Director Petronas Muhammad Johari on behalf of their organizations. (Source: PakTribune.com)