Oil And Gas Major News

Shell Sues Greenpeace for Boarding Penguins FPSO While in Transit

Shell is suing Greenpeace for $2.1 million in damages after the environmental group's activists boarded the company's oil production vessel in transit at sea this year, according to Greenpeace and a document seen by Reuters.The British oil and gas major filed the claim in London's High Court. Greenpeace activists boarded the vessel in January near the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of northern Africa to protest oil drilling and traveled on it as far as Norway.In an email to Reuters…

ExxonMobil Makes Two Oil Discoveries Offshore Guyana. Liza Unity FPSO on Track for First Oil in 1Q

Oil and gas major ExxonMobil on Wednesday announced two new oil discoveries offshore Guyana, at Fangtooth and Lau Lau wells, adding to previous recoverable resource estimate of 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels.The Fangtooth-1 well, drilled with the Stena DrillMAX drillship, encountered approximately 164 feet (50 meters) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was drilled in 6,030 feet (1,838 meters) of water and is located approximately 11 miles (18 kilometers) northwest of the Liza field. The Lau Lau-1 well, drilled by the Noble Don Taylor drillship, hit around 315 feet (96 meters) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone reservoirs.

Chevron, Hokkaido Gas Ink LNG Supply Deal

U.S. oil and gas major Chevron has signed a deal with Japan's Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. for the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Chevron’s global LNG portfolio to Japan's Hokkaido area.Under the agreement, Chevron will supply Hokkaido Gas with about a half million tons of LNG over a period of five years starting April 2022.“We are delighted to design and execute a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with our new partner Hokkaido Gas that will bring Chevron LNG directly to Hokkaido, a key growth area.

Total to Supply LNG to MSC Cruises' Ships in Marseille

French oil and gas major Total has struck a deal with cruise line MSC Cruises to supply around 45,000 tons per year of LNG to MSC Cruises’ upcoming LNG-powered cruise ships to make calls in the port of Marseille (France).According to the statement on Thursday, MSC Cruises’ LNG-powered vessels will be amongst the most technologically advanced cruise ships in the world, bringing a range of environmental innovations to the market, including a 50-kilowatt, LNG-powered solid oxide…

Total Ships First Carbon-Neutral LNG Cargo to CNOOC

French oil and gas major Total said Thursday it had delivered its first shipment of carbon-neutral liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).Total explained that the carbon footprint of the LNG shipment was offset with VCS (Verified Carbon Standards) emissions certificates financing two projects.The two projects are Hebei Guyuan Wind Power Project, which aims to reduce emissions from coal-based power generation in northern China, and Kariba REDD+ Forest Protection Project…

Nexans to Deliver Cables for Giant Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland

French industrial cable supplier Nexans has been awarded a contract by SSE Renewables to deliver cables for the recently sanctioned 1,075 megawatt (MW) Seagreen offshore wind farm project.The contract calls for Nexans to design, manufacture and install the high voltage (HV) onshore and offshore export cables.Construction on the 1,075 megawatt (MW) project, which is located 27km off the coast of Angus, will start next year. When completed in 2022/23, Seagreen 1 will be Scotland's largest wind farm.Nexans' factory in Charleston, South Carolina, will supply the three 65 km offshore export cables.

Equinor Acquires 50% Stake in Polish OWP

The Norwegian oil and gas major Equinor ASA said it has completed the purchase of a 50% stake in the Baltyk I offshore wind project (OWP) in Poland from Polenergia.The Bałtyk 1 offshore location license allows for a development of a wind farm with a capacity up to 1560MW. Equinor will own up to 780MW.Norwegian company now has an interest in all three Bałtyk offshore wind development projects (MFW Bałtyk III, MFW Bałtyk II i MFW Bałtyk I.).The acquisition of Baltyk I strengthens our presence in the Baltic Sea area. With interest in all three - Baltyk I, II and III projects, we have the opportunity to build scale and value in what we see as an important energy region…

EMGS Wins BP Survey Off Senegal

Norwegian geophysical services company Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has been awarded a contract by UK oil and gas major BP for work off the coast of Senegal and Mauritania.EMGS said in a in Oslo Exchange filing that the contract is worth around $6 million. The survey work is expected to start in the first quarter of 2020.CEO of EMGS, Bjørn Petter Lindhom, said, “EMGS is delighted to return to Africa and for the opportunity to work for BP and partners on their high-profile acreage in Mauritania and Senegal.""This contract extends our already healthy backlog and puts us in a good position to secure additional work in the prolific MSGBC Basin and in West Africa…

HST Orders Fourth Damen Fast Crew Supplier

High Speed Transfers (HST), a recent new entry into the crew transfer sector, has placed its fourth order for a Damen next-generation Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2710, to be named HST Euan.The order for is the result of a long-term contract won from a client operating out of Belgium.The FCS 2710 has replaced the Damen's FCS 2610, retaining the twin, axe bow hull design but being both one meter longer and higher. The all-new interior allows it to carry twice the number of passengers (26) as its predecessor and enables it to deliver more flexibility…

Chevron in LNG Supply Deal with GS Caltex

American multinational energy corporation Chevron signed a new sales and purchase agreement with South Korean oil refiner GS Caltex Corporation for the delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to South Korea.As a joint venture between Chevron and GS Energy, GS Caltex has signed a long-term agreement and will begin receiving LNG in October 2019, said a press release from the U.S. oil and gas major.Chevron’s President of Global Gas, Hugh Connett stated the agreement is another indication of the significance of the long-standing relationship between Chevron and GS Caltex.“We’re proud of our partnership with GS Caltex and we welcome this opportunity to build on that relationship by supplying LNG to South Korea’s growing market…

First LNG Cargo Exported from Ichthys

French oil and gas major Total said on Tuesday that the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Australia's Ichthys LNG project has been exported following the production start-up at the end of July.Ichthys LNG, with reserves of more than 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent offshore Western Australia, including around 500 million barrels of condensate, is operated by Japan's Inpex Corp with a 62.2 percent stake.Total is a major partner in the project with a 30 percent stake.(Reporting by Bate Felix, Editing by Sarah White)

Eni Wins Offshore Mozambique Block

Italian oil and gas major Eni has signed in Maputo the contract for the exclusive exploration and development rights of the offshore block A5-A, in the deep waters of the Northern Zambezi Basin, approximately 1,500 km to the north east of the capital Maputo.With this acquisition, Eni further strengthens its presence in Mozambique, a country that has a strategic relevance for the company, said a press release from the company.The block was awarded to Eni as a result of the participation to the 5th competitive Licensing Round launched by the Republic of Mozambique. It extends over an area of 5,133 square km, at water depths between 300 and 1…

Total Buys out Chevron Denmark

French oil and gas major Total has agreed to take all of Chevron’s share capital in the Danish Underground Consortium (DUC), which will increase its stake in the project and expand its North Sea presence."Total has agreed to purchase from Chevron all the share capital of Chevron Denmark Inc. which holds a 12% interest in the Danish Underground Consortium (DUC), a 12% interest in Licence 8/06, and a 7.5% interest in the Tyra West pipeline. The transaction remains subject to approval of partners and the relevant authorities," said a press release from the company.The acquisition will increase Total’s operated share of DUC from 31.2% to 43.2%…

Equinor Acquires Energy Trader Danske Commodities

Norwegian oil and gas major Equinor, formerly Statoil, is acquiring the Danish energy trading company, Danske Commodities for EUR 400 million (USD 470 mln). "Equinor has reached agreement to buy 100% of the shares in Danish energy trading company Danske Commodities (DC) for EUR 400 million, with smaller contingent payments depending on DC’s performance over the next couple of years," said a press release from the company. This acquisition – of one of Europe’s largest short-term electricity traders – supports Equinor’s development towards becoming a broad energy company. DC is also active in short-term gas trading and provides energy market services. DC was founded in 2004 and is based in Aarhus, Denmark, with 284 employees.

EU Mergers and Acquisitions

The following are mergers under review by the European Commission that could be of interest to the global maritime and energy communities. -- Austrian company Borealis, Canada's Nova Chemicals and French oil and gas major Total to set up a joint venture (notified Feb. -- British turnaround specialist Melrose Industries to acquire British engineering company GKN (notified Feb. -- German steel company ELG Haniel and and Spanish peer Iberinox 88 SA to set up a joint venture (notified Feb.

Total to supply LNG for CMA CGM's Future Boxships

Total to supply 300,000 T of LNG a year for 10 years. Total will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to CMA CGM to fuel the container shipping group's future very large vessels, the French companies said on Monday. CMA CGM had said last month it would use LNG to power the nine extra-large vessels it has on order, a first such move in a shipping industry grappling with how to comply with tougher rules on emissions. Under the 10-year agreement, oil and gas major Total will supply around 300,000 tonnes of LNG per year to CMA CGM, starting in 2020, the companies said in a statement. Financial terms were not disclosed. CMA CGM's future container ships, to be among the largest ever built, are due to be delivered from 2020.

Total CEO Not Worried over Possible Norway Fund Capital Exit

The possible exit of Norway's sovereign wealth fund from the capital of French oil and gas major Total will take place over time and is thus unlikely to hurt Total's stock price, Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne said on Friday. "I can tell you that, obviously, the managers of the fund who we know very well...are not going to sell in a manner that would lead to a stock-price collapse," Pouyanne told shareholders during an annual gathering in Paris. Acccording to Thomson Reuters data, Norges Bank Investment Management - owns around 1.6 perent of Total's capital.

Atlantic Gas Swings Keep LNG Traders Guessing

MILAN, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Atlantic natural gas markets are seeing some of the biggest price swings in years as volatile European trade, freezing U.S. weather and Brazilian demand leave tankers torn over where to sail. The region's gas markets, each taking turns as top payer before being outbid again, have boosted consumption of shipped liquefied natural gas (LNG), triggering multiple diversions as vessels chase the best price. Two weeks ago Europe became the world's premium gas market after a year-long demand slump in Asia, thrusting Atlantic trade into the spotlight. A mix of Dutch production caps, supply outages and technical trading has driven European gas prices towards fresh multi-month highs as Asian prices show only meager gains, widening premiums.

Italy's ENI Appoints Descalzi As CEO

The board of Italian oil and gas major ENI has appointed Claudio Descalzi to replace Paolo Scaroni as chief executive, the company said in a statement late on Friday. Veteran ENI executive Descalzi was proposed as CEO of the state-controlled group by the Italian government in April. For the time being Descalzi will also remain head of ENI's Exploration & Production Division, the company said. (Reporting by Valentina Za; Editing by Toby Chopra)

L27/38-Powered Vessels to Operate for BP and Topaz Marine

MAN Diesel & Turbo’s medium-speed propulsion packages have gained another foothold in Middle Eastern offshore operations. After successfully completed seatrials, Abu Dhabi-based Adyard has earlier delivered the ‘Topaz Dignity’ – which is now followed by the ‘Topaz Triumph’ AHTS. Topaz Energy and Marine, a subsidiary of Oman-based Renaissance Services SAOG and a regional leader in providing offshore support vessels and engineering services, has passed yet another milestone in its 35-year history by building two Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessels.

MAN Propulsion Package Powers Two New AHTS

Abu Dhabi-based Adyard has delivered two AHTS vessels equipped with MAN L27/38 propulsion packages. The two Topaz Energy & Marine 67-metre (80-ton bollard pull) vessels are ready for anchor handling tug supply services and the transportation of dry and liquid cargo to and from pipe-laying barges, drilling platforms and production platforms for offshore operations. The Topaz Dignity will operate on behalf of BP, the oil and gas major, on a long-term-contract basis in the Caspian Sea – whilst Topaz Triumph may remain in the Middle East and be operated by Topaz Marine MENA.

Topaz Expands Caspian Presence

Topaz Energy and Marine, an offshore support vessel owner with primary operations in the Middle East and Caspian, announced that it has secured new multi-year charters in the Russian Filanovsky project for nine of its offshore support vessels amounting to approximately $20 million. The vessels have been deployed to offshore contractor Saipem and will support the development of the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Northern Caspian Sea. The vessels will provide anchor-handling and tug services as well as transport of supplies and personnel.

Sir Frank Chapman Appointed Golar's Chairman

Golar LNG Limited announced that with effect from September 19, 2014, Sir Frank Joseph Chapman has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company and will act as the Company's Chairman. Sir Frank Chapman has worked 40 years in the oil and gas industry culminating in a twelve-year period as Chief Executive of BG Group plc. Under Sir Frank's leadership, BG Group grew from the modest UK-based Exploration and Production interests of the old British Gas into an international integrated oil and gas major. Operating profits grew from some $50 million in 1996 to more than $8 billion in 2012. Sir Frank is currently a non-executive director of Rolls-Royce plc and chairman of their safety and ethics committee.