The US rig count during the week ended Sept. 22 declined for the sixth time in 8 weeks, again anchored by a drop in oil-directed rigs. Source: News
Political tensions in Venezuela place Petrojam refinery revamp on hold
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that the planned expansion and overhaul of the Petrojam Ltd. joint venture’s 36,000-b/d hydroskimming refinery in Kingston has been placed on hold because of the continued political unrest in Venezuela. Source: News
API, other groups want new NAFTA to retain crucial ISDS provision
Leaders from the American Petroleum Institute and six trade associations from other US industries strongly expressed a desire to see the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provision in the current North American Free Trade Agreement retained—and possibly enhanced—in any successor. Source: News
Phillips 66 Partners to buy Phillips 66’s Bakken Pipeline stake, Merey Sweeny
Phillips 66 Partners LP has agreed to acquire Phillips 66’s 25% interest in each of Dakota Access LLC and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Co. LLC as well as 100% interest in Merey Sweeny LP. Source: News
Gazprom Neft starts production from Russia’s Otdelnoye oil field
Gazprom Neft PJSC said it has brought Otdelnoye field in Russia into commercial production, with two wells producing a total of 170 tonnes/day of oil. Source: News
Statoil achieves carbon dioxide reduction targets
Statoil ASA says it has achieved targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the Norwegian Continental Shelf and is seeking additional efficiencies. Source: News
Higher federal court’s appeal dismissal in BLM fracing suit is mixed
A federal appeals court in Denver dismissed six environmental organizations’ appeal of a district court’s decision invalidating the US Bureau of Land Management’s regulation of hydraulic fracturing at oil and gas operations on onshore public lands. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent hold steady pending OPEC-Russia discussions
The light, sweet crude oil contract for November delivery dropped slightly but settled above $50/bbl on Sept. 21 pending a Sept. 22 meeting in Vienna during which representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and Russia were expected to discuss production levels. Source: News
IPAA, other groups sue FWS over American burying beetle delay
The Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Stewards of Liberty, and Osage Producers Association have sued the US Fish and Wildlife Service over the agency’s alleged failure to issue a required 12-month finding on a petition to remove the American burying beetle from the endangered species list. Source: News
SDX launches Morocco drilling campaign, updates Egypt operations
SDX Energy Inc. seeks to increase its Moroccan gas sales volumes by as much as 50% and its reserves by more than 100% with its nine-well drilling campaign in the Sebou, Gharb Centre, and Lall Mimouna permits. Source: News