Semi runs aground during storm in Scotland

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the grounding of the Transocean Winner semisubmersible on a beach in western Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Source: News


API aims latest campaign to reform or repeal RFS directly at voters

The American Petroleum Institute launched a fresh advocacy campaign aimed at reforming or repealing the federal Renewable Fuels Standard. “Our campaign will focus on how higher ethanol mandates can hurt consumers, potentially raise costs, and possibly void automobile warranties,” API Downstream Group Director Frank Macchiarola said. Source: News


Statoil submits PDO for Utgard discovery in North Sea

Statoil ASA and its partners have submitted to Norwegian and UK authorities the plan for development and operation (PDO) and the field development plan (FDP) for the Utgard gas and condensate discovery in the North Sea. Source: News


Backers submit signatures for Colorado oil, gas initiatives

Backers of two initiatives that would limit oil and gas activity in Colorado submitted signatures to Secretary of State Wayne W. Williams’s office to place the measures before voters in the state’s Nov. 8 elections. The office has until Sept. 7 to certify whether the measures made the ballot. Source: News


Inter Pipeline to buy olefinic NGL business

Inter Pipeline Ltd., Calgary, has agreed to buy the olefinic offgas extraction and fractionation business in Canada of Williams and Williams Partners, Tulsa, for $1.35 billion (Can.) and proposes to expand into propane dehydrogenation (PDH). Source: News


MARKET WATCH: NYMEX, Brent crude prices rally on September informal OPEC talks

Crude oil prices jumped by more than $1/bbl on both New York and London markets Aug. 8 after Qatar’s Energy Minister Mohammed bin Saleh al Sada, president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, said the cartel will hold informal talks in September. Source: News


BSEE: Even low levels of combustible gas threaten offshore copters

Mounting evidence suggests exposure to low levels of methane and other combustible gases can be catastrophic for helicopters traveling to and from offshore platforms, warned an official with the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Source: News


Jarrott joins Baker Donelson’s energy group

Colleen Jarrott has joined Baker Donelson as of counsel in the firm’s New Orleans office, where she concentrates on civil litigation and regulatory matters concerning oil and gas law in Louisiana. Source: News