Targa Terminals LLC, a subsidiary of Targa Resources Corp., Houston, has let a contract to KP Engineering LP (KPE), Tyler, Tex., to provide services related to construction of a previously proposed 35,000-b/d crude oil and condensate splitter at its Channelview, Tex., terminal on the Houston Ship Channel (HSC). Source: News

Range Resources Corp., Ft. Worth, has agreed to acquire Memorial Resource Development Corp. (MRD), Houston, in an all-stock deal valued at $4.4 billion, including the assumption of MRD’s net debt of $1.1 billion as of Mar. 31. Source: News

The Inpex Corp.-operated Ichthys LNG project has reached another milestone with completion of the prelaying of the 77-km chain and mooring system near Ichthys gas-condensate field in the Browse basin offshore Western Australia. Source: News

New York Atty. Gen. Eric T. Schneiderman (D) asked the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate whether Constitution Pipeline’s construction along portions of its right-of-way in the Empire State violated federal law, regulations, and authorizations. Source: News

Statoil Holding Netherlands BV, a wholly owned unit of Statoil ASA, has agreed to take 50% interest in two licenses in the Thrace region of the European northwestern portion of Turkey from Calgary-based Valeura Energy Inc. Source: News

Light, sweet crude prices dropped moderately on the New York market May 13, holding above $46/bbl after a volatile week. Meanwhile, analysts appeared somewhat optimistic about the possibility of $50/bbl oil later this year. Source: News

The US-European energy relationship has moved from multibillion-dollar projects crossing several countries’ borders to smaller, focused efforts that separate governmental and private sector functions, speakers suggested at a May 5 Atlantic Council discussion. Source: News

AWE Ltd., Sydney, has rejected an unsolicited $421-million (Aus.) takeover proposal from global private equity group Lone Star Fund. AWE directors labelled the 80¢ (Aus.)/share bid “opportunistic,” adding that it was “indicative, conditional, and nonbinding.” Source: News

Under pressure typical of the politics of energy and climate, the US Environmental Protection Agency soon will declare air transportation unhealthy. It should not also act as though air travel is too cheap. Source: News

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Gateway program has accredited Lone Star College’s Oil & Gas Drilling Floorhand-Roustabout Certification. Lone Star is the first community college in the US to earn this accreditation. Source: News