Nelson Silva has been appointed senior consultant by Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras), where he will coordinate its strategic review process and help in the “redesign” of its management structure, the Brazilian state-owned firm reported on June 6. Source: News

Prolonged LNG oversupply in the face of slowing Asian demand will be the biggest factor affecting the industry in 2016. Continuing low oil prices will also affect the LNG industry in expected ways (delays and cancellations in export projects) and unexpected ways (takeovers between major players in an already consolidated industry). Source: News

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Bear Head and Jordan Cove decisions highlight the difficulties LNG applicants face when dealing with FERC’s and the Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy’s (DOE/FE) discretionary authority under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Source: News

Selective extraction of asphaltenes (SELEX-Asp) technology-a solvent-based physical separation process capable of selectively removing asphaltenes as dry granulates in heavy crude oils and petroleum residue-has emerged as an alternative treatment option that could deliver cleaner, higher-quality feedstock immediately usable across multiple processing units. Source: News

A Union Pacific freight train derailed in Oregon on June 3, overturning 14 tank cars carrying Bakken crude oil and forcing Wasco County authorities to evacuate a nearby town in the upper Columbia River Gorge. Source: News

While this price rebound may appear illogical, a rally often occurs after prices have fallen sharply during the first leg of a bear market. Unsurprisingly, then, after the rebound ran its course, WTI prices continued to fall to a 1-day low of $27/bbl in mid-February 2016. Source: News

Statoil ASA has awarded a $72-million contract to Rosenberg WorleyParsons AS for fabrication of three bridges and two flare towers for platform construction for the Johan Sverdrup development offshore Norway in the North Sea. Source: News

Hybrid fracturing used in combination with secondary fracturing boosted stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and conductivity in a pilot on Dagang-field vertical oil wells in China’s Bohai basin. Source: News