Companies in the news

LLOG Exploration delivered first production from its Crown and Anchor fields in the Gulf of Mexico, during second-quarter 2018. This represents a major achievement for Aberdeen-based Enpro Subsea, as it is the first of multiple deployments of the firm’s flow access module (FAM) technology, to fast-track subsea tie-backs. This is part of Enpro’s engineering and procurement contract to deliver and install 12 FAMs in total, the remainder of which will be installed across multiple 10k and 15k LLOG fields in the Gulf of Mexico throughout 2018. 

Petrofac Limited has signed an agreement to sell 49% of its operations in Mexico, including the Santuario and Magallanes blocks, and Arenque offshore field, to Perenco International Limited. The transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Competition Commission of Mexico, which is expected in fourth-quarter 2018. Under terms of the agreement, Perenco will pay an initial cash consideration of $200 million, with $30 million payable upon signing and $170 million payable upon completion. This final amount is subject to adjustment based on achievement of the milestones indicated and will be capped at $274 million.

Superior Silica Sands LLC, a subsidiary of Emerge Energy Services LP, has signed an agreement with a third-party logistics provider, Torq Energy Logistics Ltd., to open a new frac sand terminal in Buick, British Columbia. Including this new terminal, Emerge Energy will have four strategically-located Western Canadian terminals and 12 total active terminals across North America.

Xedia Process Solutions (XPS) has been acquired by Blackbuck Resources, LLC (BBR), a newly formed water solutions firm focused on the Permian basin. Based in Houston, BBR will be led primarily by the prior XPS management team and supported by an equity commitment from Cresta Energy Capital. The newly formed company will provide E&P companies with water treatment, transfer, storage, and disposal products and services.

The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) has completed the sale of its 29% equity investment in National Petroleum Services (NPS) to National Energy Services Reunited Corporation. APICORP’s original investment in NPS was made in 2014 as part of a consortium of regional investors, which acquired 90% of the business. The investment formed a key part of APICORP’s strategy to diversify its investment portfolio into the oil and gas services sector, and reflected its commitment to support Arab energy companies that have the potential for growth and value creation.

Global equipment and integrated engineering services company, Sparrows Group, has been granted commercial registration to operate in Saudi Arabia. The commercial registration allows Sparrows Saudi Arabia LLC, a newly established entity in Dammam, to deliver services related to the extraction of oil and gas, and associated support activities. This step is a key requirement in the “In Kingdom Total Value Add” (IKTVA) program, which supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Alba Mineral Resources said that Angus Energy, the operator of the Brockham oil project, has received planning approval from the Surrey County Council for retention of the BR-X4 well, the regularization of the BR-X4Z sidetrack, and the appraisal of BR-X4Z at Brockham oil field, in the Weald basin, onshore the UK.

Nexen, a CNOOC Limited Company, said that the Buzzard Phase II (BPII) project has received full sanction from its partners (Suncor Energy UK Limited, Chrysaor Limited, Dyas EOG Limited and Oranje-Nassau Energie Resources Limited), and the field development plan has been approved by the UK Oil and Gas Authority. This allows the project to move into the execution stage. Located about 59 mi northeast of Aberdeen, in approximately 315 ft of water, the Nexen-operated Buzzard platform is the largest UK North Sea oil discovery in the past two decades. First oil is expected during first-quarter 2021.

Project engineering and technical services firm, Wood, has been awarded a new contract by Woodside to support the execution of concept definition for the proposed Scarborough upstream, gas field development, offshore Western Australia. Concept-definition-level engineering, associated with the floating production unit, subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines, flow assurance and overall system integration of the upstream development, will be delivered in Houston and Perth, Australia.

Hunting PLC has launched its TEK-HUB to attract new companies and develop technological partnerships. The facility is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where partners will have access to a regional center of excellence, which boasts a 13,552-ft² office and workshop, as well as a review team made up of key individuals, who have technical, business and industry knowledge. This is in parallel with Oil and Gas UK’s Vision 2035, highlighting the importance of collaboration between companies, to drive new technologies and ensure that the industry remains successful.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has awarded contracts worth $1.6 billion for the world’s largest continuous 3D onshore and offshore seismic survey, covering an area up to 20,463 mi², as the company continues to identify and unlock new opportunities, and maximize value from its hydrocarbon resources. The new seismic survey will cover an area of up to 11,583 mi² offshore and 8,880 mi² onshore. The contract has been awarded by ADNOC to BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC).

Henderson Rigs & Equipment has entered into a contract for a major drilling rig refurbishment with Energy Drilling Company. The contract includes the purchase and upgrading of a 2,000-hp drilling rig; an A/C top drive; three 1,600-hp x 7,500-psi mud pumps; a walking system; a 30-ft box-on-box substructure; and a 1-million-lb derrick. It will be the first major rig refurbishment completed at the company’s new service center and rig yard in Houston. In addition, a new service center in Odessa, Texas, has been opened to expand service capabilities.