Deloitte: Survey shows raised optimism among oil executives

A recovery in the oil and gas industry may have already begun or will begin next year, according to more than half (59%) of the oil and gas professionals surveyed recently by Deloitte. This would mean that the industry downturn—now 2 years old—may be drawing to a close, the survey suggests. Source: News

Shell drills dry hole offshore Nova Scotia

Shell Canada Ltd. has advised partner Suncor Energy Inc. that drilling of the first exploration well on the Shelburne basin 250 km offshore Halifax, NS, has been completed and is noncommercial. Source: News

Dirok field development advances in India

Hindustan Oil Exploration Co., Chennai, has advanced development of Dirok natural gas field in the Assam Arakan basin south of Digboi, India, by letting a $30 million contract to Expro for a modular gas processing plant. Source: News

EIA: US crude inventories fall 6.2 million bbl

US commercial crude oil inventories, excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, fell 6.2 million bbl during the week ended Sept. 16 compared with the previous week’s average, according to the US Energy Information Administration’s Petroleum Status Report. Source: News

MARKET WATCH: NYMEX crude oil prices gain pending inventory

The light, sweet crude oil contract for October delivery gained slightly on the New York market Sept. 20 to hold above $43/bbl while natural gas prices jumped on US futures and spot markets. Source: News