Pioneer Natural Resources Co. will increase its rig count for horizontal drilling in the northern part of its Midland basin Spraberry-Wolfcamp play to 17 from 12 after an acquisition from Devon Energy Corp. and in response to its “improving outlook for oil prices.” Source: News

Faroe Petroleum Norge AS has encountered 39 m of gross gas, oil-bearing reservoir (18 m and 21 m, respectively) in its Brasse well (31/7-1) in license PL740 in the Norwegian North Sea. Spudded in May, the well has been drilled to a total depth of 2,780 m. Source: News

ExxonMobil Corp. and BHP Billiton Ltd. are considering selling some depleting oil and natural gas fields in Australia, including Kingfish oil field in Bass Strait. Source: News

Discovery Midstream Holdings LLC, partners in which are former executives of Wildcat Midstream Partners LLC, have formed a partnership with Old Ironsides Energy LLC seeking midstream infrastructure acquisitions and opportunities for greenfield development in North America. Source: News

US light, sweet crude oil prices declined for a fifth consecutive trading session June 15, settling just above $48/bbl on market participants’ jitters over a June 23 British referendum on whether to exit the European Union. Source: News

Western US governors called for closer federal cooperation with state and local governments under the Endangered Species Act. “Given the impact ESA listing decisions have on vital state interests, states should be provided the opportunity to be full partners in administering and implementing the ESA,” they said in a policy statement issued as their 2016 […]