The US drilling rig count is down 3 units to 1,079 rigs working for the shortened holiday week ended Nov. 21, according to Baker Hughes data. However, the count is up 156 units from the 923 rigs working this time a year ago. Source: News

BHP Billiton Ltd. and BHP Billiton PLC have changed names. Source: News

Woodside Petroleum Ltd., Perth, has signed a long-term gas sale and purchase agreement with petrochemical company Perdaman Chemicals & Fertilisers Pty. Ltd., a subsidiary of multinational Perdaman Group, for the supply of gas for 20 years. Source: News

The government of Alberta is increasing its financial incentives for investment in petrochemical development based on oil and gas produced in the province. It is expanding its March commitment of as much as $1 billion (Can.) in royalty credits and loan guarantees to attract petrochemical investment and expand infrastructure for petrochemical feedstocks. Source: News

Perth-based Elixir Petroleum Ltd. has a risked best estimate recoverable coal seam gas prospective resource of 7.6 tcf in its wholly owned Nomgom IX prospect in southern Mongolia according to global independent petroleum reserves and resources auditor ERC Equipoise Pte. Ltd. Source: News

Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has made his final decision to block CK Asset Holdings Ltd.’s proposed $13-billion acquisition of Sydney-based gas pipeline operator APA Group, saying it would be contrary to the national interest. Source: News

The US Pipeline & Hazardous Safety Administration issued a final rule amending federal safety regulations for plastic pipelines that transport natural and other gases. The final rule’s updates aim to improve safety, allow for expanded use of plastic pipes, and allow or require the use of certain materials or practices, the agency said. Source: […]

Light, sweet crude oil prices dropped more than $3.70 Nov. 20 on the New York market while Brent crude oil prices in London fell more than $4 the same day. US President Donald Trump issued a statement Nov. 20 vowing to continue backing Saudi Arabia even though investigators concluded that Saudi agents killed US resident […]

Lonestar Resources US Inc., Fort Worth, said it has identified 26 drilling locations in the Late Cretaceous Lower Eagle Ford formation on acreage it acquired in Sugarkane field from Sabine Oil & Gas Corp., Houston, and an affiliate and Alerion Gas AXA LLC. Lonestar paid $38.7 million for 3,084 gross (2,706 net) acres in the […]

Karl Johnson, vice-president of operations of PetroNeft Resources PLC, Dublin, was named interim chief executive officer after Dennis Francis announced his retirement from the position. Francis was a founder of the company, which has oil-producing and development interests in the Tomsk Oblast of Russia, in 2004. Source: News