MARKET WATCH: NYMEX oil price slumps on China manufacturing slowdown

The crude oil contract for November delivery dropped $1.88/bbl on the New York market Sept. 23 on reports of sluggish manufacturing statistics from China, a major oil consumer, and analysts said those reports contributed to volatility across commodity markets. Source: News


NPD submits assessment of Gullfaks PDO

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has submitted its assessment of Statoil ASA’s amended plan for development and operation (PDO) for Gullfaks field—involving Shetland-Lista Phase 1—in the Norwegian North Sea to Norway’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Source: News


Pay more attention to public perceptions of fracing, speaker urges

Public impressions of unconventional oil and gas production in general and hydraulic fracturing in particular suggest more work needs to be done to give people actual information that will help them make intelligent decisions, a speaker at a Sept. 22 RTI International event suggested. Source: News


Neste advances reconfiguration of Finnish refinery

Neste Corp. has let a contract to Neste Jacobs Oy to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services related to the reconfiguration of its 3 million-tonne/year Naantali refinery in Finland. Source: News


Total to cut 2016 capital budget by $3 billion

Total SA plans to reduce its capital expenditures to $20-21 billion in 2016 from $23-24 billion in 2015 and a peak of $28 billion in 2013. The French multinational firm says it then will return to a “sustainable level” of $17-19 billion in 2017 and beyond. Source: News


Wexpro, Piceance Energy form drilling JV for gas development

Wexpro Co., a subsidiary of Questar Corp., Salt Lake City, has entered into a joint venture with Laramie Energy II LLC subsidiary Piceance Energy LLC to develop natural gas-producing assets in western Colorado’s Piceance basin. Source: News