New Zealand refiner commits to efficiency upgrades, emissions cuts

New Zealand Refining Co. Ltd. (Refining NZ), the country’s sole refiner, has entered an agreement with New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to further reduce the carbon footprint of its 107,000-b/d Marsden Point refinery at Northland, 160 km north of Auckland. Source: News

Carrizo to add 15,000 net acres in Eagle Ford

Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. has agreed to acquire 15,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford shale of South Texas from an affiliate of fellow Houston firm Sanchez Energy Corp. for $181 million in cash. Source: News

Statoil cancels rig contract for the Stena Don

Statoil ASA has cancelled a contract with Stena Drilling Ltd. for the Stena Don semisubmersible. The cancellation will take effect after plugging activity on Troll field has been completed in November. Source: News

MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent crude oil prices drop on OPEC concerns

Light, sweet crude oil prices dropped on the New York market Oct. 24 as did Brent crude oil prices on the London market on growing concerns about whether the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will be able to reach agreement on a proposed production cut. Source: News

Casas takes CFO role at Clayton Williams

Jaime R. Casas joined Clayton Williams Energy Inc., Midland, Tex., as senior vice-president and chief financial officer on Oct. 1. Source: News

NuStar to buy Corpus Christi storage assets

NuStar Energy LP has agreed to purchase crude oil and refined product storage assets in the Port of Corpus Christi, Tex., from Martin Midstream Partners LP for $93 million. The deal is expected to close by yearend. Source: News