Total to add additional capacity at Libra

Total SA plans to bring its Mero 1 floating production, storage, and offloading unit onstream in 2021 on Libra block offshore Brazil in the Santos basin. The FPSO will have 150,000 bo/d of production capacity, and Total plans to drill 17 wells in the northwestern part of the block. Source: News

Senators seek inclusion of CCS credit in yearend tax package

Four members asked leaders of the full US Senate and the Finance Committee to include a carbon capture and storage credit in a yearend tax extenders package. “Federal investment in CCS technologies is a critical component of our national energy and emissions reduction policies and has the potential to be an economic boon for US […]

ACE New Orleans District issues permit to Bayou Bridge Pipeline

The US Army Corps of Engineers’ New Orleans District issued a permit to Bayou Bridge Pipeline LLC to construct a 162-mile underground extension of an existing crude oil pipeline from Lake Charles, La., to the St. James marine terminal hub. Source: News

Statoil adds interest in Brazil’s Roncador field

Statoil ASA is tripling its offshore production in Brazil, adding 25% interest in Roncador field. The operator has said it will attempt to increase the field’s recovery by 5% using its improved oil-recovery expertise. The increase would bring Roncador’s recoverable volumes to more than 1,500 million boe. Source: News

ExxonMobil, BHP end Bass Strait gas marketing venture

Bass Strait partners ExxonMobil Corp. and BHP Billiton have agreed to abandon their gas marketing joint venture for Bass Strait production after 50 years of operation. Pressure for the break-up has come from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) amid concerns about east coast gas supply and increasing prices. Source: News

Wintershall’s Maria field starts oil production a year ahead of schedule

Wintershall Holdings GMBH and its partners brought Maria oil and natural gas field on stream offshore Norway, starting production a year ahead of schedule. Anticipated peak production is more than 100,000 boe/d. Maria is 20 km east of Kristin field and 45 km south of Heidrun field. Source: News

MARKET WATCH: NYMEX crude ends week at $57.30/bbl

Oil prices rose modestly on the New York market Dec. 15 and continued mildly higher in early Dec. 18 trading on a slight decline in the number of US drilling rigs working. The US rig count fell by 1 unit to 930 rigs for the week ended Dec. 15, Baker Hughes reported in its weekly […]