Western Gom

BOEMRE Calls for Public Input on Proposed 2012-2017 Gulf of Mexico Lease Sales

Information to be Used to Prioritize Areas, Avoid Potential Conflicts NEW ORLEANS – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) today announced it is seeking information and nominations from all interested parties regarding proposed oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico Western and Central Planning Areas for the 2012-2017 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Natural Gas Leasing Program. BOEMRE will analyze information received in response to this Call for Information and Nominations (Call), which will primarily identify and evaluate areas with potential for oil and gas development, as well as determine possible environmental effects and potential conflicts in the Call area.  This is in addition to the information collected through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. Comments will be used to develop lease terms and conditions to ensure safe offshore operations. Comments will also be used to assess potential conflicts between offshore oil and gas exploration and development operations and state coastal management programs, and to develop proposed actions and alternatives in the NEPA review process.    “This early planning and consultation step, in addition to the NEPA-related reviews we are conducting, will ensure that all interests and concerns are communicated to us and are appropriately considered in decisions regarding the leasing process

Western GOM Lease Sale Attracts Bids of $337 Million

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that its Western Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, held today in New Orleans, attracted $337,688,341 in high bids and included 20 companies submitting 241 bids on 191 tracts comprising over a million acres offshore Texas.   The sum of all bids received totaled $712,725,998. This announcement is consistent with steps President Obama announced in May 2011 to expand domestic oil and gas production

MMS Study of Loop Current in Eastern GOM

A study released by the Minerals Management Service examines the circulation in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and sheds new light on the behavior of the Loop Current (LC) and Loop Current Eddies (LCEs), the relation between the upper- and lower-layer currents, and the variability of water mass characteristics in deepwater. When the LC and the LCE are present in the Gulf near oil and gas activities, operators may have to curtail or amend their operations due to the strength of the current

Editor's Note

Despite seemingly best efforts by world leaders, it appears that the wild gyrations ,which are the hallmark of the oil industry, will never truly be tamed. For proof, simply check out the Offshore Market report on page 32, which touts the “lingering $30+” barrel of oil. Between the writing of that piece and this one (about a week), OPEC leaders had met, decided to boost production seven percent and sent oil prices screaming down below the $25 level

Unocal Replaces 101 Percent of Production

Unocal Corporation replaced 101 percent of its worldwide crude oil and natural gas production (excluding sales and price-related revisions) during 1998 with new proved reserves as the company focused on adding value and re-energizing its domestic U.S. exploration program. "In the U.S., our Spirit Energy 76 unit recorded more than 30 discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico shelf and onshore area and added 65 MMBOE in proved reserves through discoveries and extensions, improved recovery and purchases

Unocal Replaces 101 Percent of Production

Unocal Corporation replaced 101 percent of its worldwide crude oil and natural gas production (excluding sales and price-related revisions) during 1998 with new proved reserves as the company focused on adding value and re-energizing its domestic U.S. exploration program. "In the U.S., our Spirit Energy 76 unit recorded more than 30 discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico shelf and onshore area and added 65 MMBOE in proved reserves through discoveries and extensions, improved recovery and purchases

OSI Signs Agreement for Shuttle Tanker

Ocean Shipholdings, Inc. (OSI) has signed an agreement with ConocoPhillips and Samsung Heavy Industries. This agreement grants OSI the rights to the GoMAX 550 shuttle tanker design for transporting crude oil from the deep-water Gulf of Mexico directly to U.S. refineries. The diesel-electric powered, dynamically positioned 80,000 dwt double-hulled tanker design will have a capacity of 550,000 barrels of oil which can be loaded from various floating systems including Floating Production Storage

Magnum Hunter Reports 2001 Drilling Results

Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc. announced year-to-date 2001 exploration and development drilling results. The company has participated in 28 new wells with a 100 percent success rate. Six of the successful new wells were exploration, three in the shallow water shelf area of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and three onshore. The remaining 22 new wells drilled were onshore development locations. The 22 new development wells are located in Texas, southeastern New Mexico, and southern Oklahoma.

Rig Count Continues to Climb

According to a June 21 report from DailyMarkets.com, in its weekly release, Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported a rise in the U.S. rig count, reflecting intensified drilling activity in Texas. This was partly offset by the growing oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the ensuing drilling ban in the region that reduced activity. Rigs operating in the state of Texas climbed to their highest level in 16 months

BOEMRE Approves 15th Deepwater Well

For those of you keeping track, today the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) approved a drilling permit for the fifteenth deepwater well to comply with rigorous new safety standards implemented in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and resulting oil spill. This includes satisfying the requirement to demonstrate the capacity to contain a subsea blowout. The approved permit is for BHP Billiton Petroleum (GOM) Inc