Victoria Oil & Gas secures interest in Cameroon’s Matanda block

Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG) has increased its Logbaba natural gas production operations, adding 75% interest in the adjacent 1,235-sq km Matanda block in Cameroon. North Matanda field is estimated to hold in-place reserves of 1.8 tcf of gas and 136 million bbl of condensate, the company said. Source: News


Kosmos Energy updates Jubilee field operations

Kosmos Energy Ltd., Dallas, reported that it was informed by Tullow Oil PLC, operator of the Jubilee unit offshore Ghana, of a change to operating procedures on the Jubilee field floating production, storage, and offloading vessel. Oil production and natural gas exports from the area are continuing as normal, however. Source: News


OMV focuses on ‘highly profitable barrels’

OMV AG will deemphasize growth of oil and gas production under a new strategy that safeguards cash flow, focuses a restructured downstream oil business on utilization efficiency, and restructures downstream gas operations. Source: News


MARKET WATCH: NYMEX crude oil climbs back above $30/bbl

Light, sweet crude oil prices for March delivery gained more than $1/bbl on the New York market to settle above $30/bbl after Iran Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh called a production freeze pact struck by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela, and Russia a “first step” toward stabilizing the market. Source: News


PHMSA releases preliminary report on Plains line failure in California

External corrosion under the insulation caused the May 15, 2015, rupture of a Plains All American crude oil pipeline in California, the US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said in a preliminary report from its ongoing investigation of the incident. Source: News


Phillips 66 Partners to buy interest in Sweeny NGL fractionator

Phillips 66 Partners LP has agreed to acquire 25% controlling interest in Phillips 66 Sweeny Frac LLC, owner of the newly constructed Sweeny Fractionator One and Clemens Caverns storage facility, from Phillips 66 Co. for $236 million. The deal is expected to close in early March. Source: News


Hirshberg, Fox take new executive roles at ConocoPhillips

Al Hirshberg has been named ConocoPhillips executive vice-president, production, drilling, and projects. He currently serves as executive vice-president, technology, and projects. Matt Fox has been named executive vice-president, strategy, exploration, and technology. He’s currently executive vice-president, exploration and production. Source: News