BHI: US rig count up 5 to 511

The overall US drilling rig count gained 5 units to 511 rigs working during the week ended Sept. 23, according to Baker Hughes Inc. data. Three gas-directed and 2 oil-directed units began operations. Source: News


BPTT investment in Trinidad and Tobago could be under threat, executive says

BP Trinidad & Tobago’s (BPTT) Pres. Norman Christie has warned the Trinidad and Tobago government that BPTT’s $5-billion investment could be under threat if it does not provide clarity on where future natural gas supplies will go and the prices they will attract. Source: News


Maersk splits oil, transport businesses

A.P. Moller-Maersk AS, Copenhagen, is separating its transportation and oil businesses and starting a 2-year strategic review of the latter. Source: News


PDVSA plans Orinoco drilling, output hike

State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA says it has let contracts for the drilling of 480 wells in a programed aimed at raising production in Venezuela’s Orinoco heavy oil belt by 250,000 b/d. Source: News


MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent crude oil prices gain for second day

Light, sweet oil prices on the New York market and Brent prices on the London market both rose for a second consecutive day Sept. 22 while US natural gas futures prices fell after the government reported a storage increase. Source: News