Fox Business snubbed wealthy climate activist Tom Steyer in its selection of questions for the Republican presidential debate Jan. 14. Source: News
BHI: US drilling rig count falls to 650, down 14 units
A week after beginning the year with its largest decline in months, the US drilling rig count dropped 14 units to 650 during the week ended Jan. 15, according to data from Baker Hughes Inc. Source: News
NPD urges companies to keep long-term perspective
Despite low oil prices, the director general of the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate is urging companies to keep a long-term perspective. Source: News
Rosneft, BP to restructure German refining JV
Russia’s OJSC Rosneft has entered a deal with BP PLC to dissolve their Ruhr Oel GMBH (ROG) joint venture as part of a plan by the companies to restructure their refining and petrochemical businesses in Germany. Source: News
API establishes program to certify quality systems auditors
API Global, the American Petroleum Institute’s Global Industry Services department, established a new and comprehensive Auditor Certification Program. It will be the first such program to be developed by industry experts, the national oil and gas trade association said. Source: News
Analyst sees ‘rising threat’ to Libyan oil
Attacks on energy facilities on Libya’s coast indicate a “severe and rising threat” and raise prospects for further disruptions to oil supply, warns a risk analyst at JLT Specialty, London. Source: News
YPF, American Energy Partners agree to Vaca Muerta JV
YPF SA and American Energy Partners LP have signed a joint venture agreement to explore and develop unconventional oil and natural gas from Argentina’s Vaca Muerta formation providing that financing can be arranged. Source: News
BHP Billiton to write down $7.2 billion in US onshore assets
BHP Billiton Ltd. expects to book a pretax impairment charge of $7.2 billion, or $4.9 billion post-tax, against the carrying value of its onshore US assets, which will total $16 billion after the move. Source: News
MARKET WATCH: Crude oil prices gain, US natural gas drops
US light, sweet crude oil prices for February delivery gained modestly on the New York market Jan. 14, closing at above $31/bbl while Brent prices on the London market closed just above $31/bbl within days of both benchmarks briefly dipping under $30/bbl. Source: News
FTC issues final amendments to ethanol-gasoline blends labeling rule
The US Federal Trade Commission adopted rating, certification, and labeling requirements for certain ethanol-gasoline blends as it issued final amendments to its automotive fuel ratings, certification, and posting rule. Source: News