(Argus) Brazilian and Guyanese medium sweet grades have replaced Russian Urals in Europe and are unlikely to face competition from other crude producing Latin American countries, according to Gustavo Hooper, head of trading and shipping at Brazilian independent Prio. "After the changes with the Russia and Ukrainian war, China lost a bit of the market... Continue Reading →
Milei Suspends Plan to Privatize Argentina State Oil Company YPF
(Bloomberg) -- The privatization of state-run oil company YPF SA is no longer included in sweeping reforms that President Javier Milei is trying to get approved by Argentina’s congress, according to a summary of the legislation circulated by the government Monday. The so-called omnibus bill, currently up for debate in the lower house, was changed... Continue Reading →
Molecular Energies begins drilling exploration well near Paraguay near prolific Argentine oil field
(WO) – Molecular Energies confirmed that the Tapir x-1 exploration well at the Pirity Concession in the Chaco, Paraguay, has been spudded. Target depth is approximately 3,800 m with an estimated drilling time of 45 days. The prospect and the adjacent complex of prospects being drilled are covered by good quality 3D seismic data from... Continue Reading →
Brand New Jacket and Topside Set Sail to Fenix Gas Project Off Argentina
(OE) Italian engineering firm Rosetti Marino has completed the construction of jacket and topside for the Fenix wellhead platform, which are now en route to Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina. Rosetti Marino built Fenix platform’s topside and jacket for TotalEnergies’ Fenix gas development project as part of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract... Continue Reading →
What to Watch in ’24: Global Exploration Outlook
Industry continues chasing big oil, key gas targets also on the radar (OE) Global exploration drilling is set for a boost in 2024 – we have line of sight on over 200 wells targeting over 30 bnboe of resource (unrisked). Several gas hotspots are on the industry agenda, whilst the strong appetite for oil exploration... Continue Reading →
Tecpetrol aims to produce 100,000 b/d from Vaca Muerta
(OGJ) Argentina’s Tecpetrol plans to produce 100,000 b/d of crude oil through Vaca Muerta projects Puesto Parada and Los Toldos II, said Ricardo Markous, chief executive officer. The company—which revolutionized the gas market in Argentina with the Fortín de Piedra field in Vaca Muerta where it has invested about $3.5 billion and produces a peak... Continue Reading →
Argentina’s Milei declares energy sector emergency, sets stage for price hikes
(Reuters) - Argentina's new libertarian President Javier Milei announced a power sector "emergency" on Monday, saying his government would tighten control over the country's local gas and electricity regulators, and seek to allow long-controlled prices to rise. The outsider economist, who rode to power pledging to take a 'chainsaw' to state spending, has long targeted... Continue Reading →
South America’s Offshore Oil Boom Will Challenge OPEC’s Dominance
(OP) In Guyana’s territorial waters, after Exxon’s swathe of world-class petroleum discoveries, gigantic ships called floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels are sucking crude oil from reservoirs up to four miles below the Earth’s surface. Since then, it has been estimated the former British colony of just over 800,000 possesses at least 11 billion barrels of recoverable... Continue Reading →
Argentina’s Milei taps new YPF chief in one of first major decisions
(Reuters) - Argentina's President-elect Javier Milei selected a senior energy executive to lead state oil company YPF on Wednesday, his spokesperson announced, in one of the leader's first major economic decisions after his triumph at the polls last weekend. Horacio Marin heads exploration and production for Tecpetrol, which runs the Fortin de Piedra oil and... Continue Reading →
Argentina will not face $16.1 billion YPF judgment in US while it appeals
(Reuters) - Argentina persuaded a U.S. judge not to enforce a $16.1 billion judgment arising from the government's 2012 seizure of majority control in oil company YPF (YPFD.BA) while the cash-strapped country appeals the judgment. In a decision on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan agreed to suspend enforcement until Dec. 5 without requiring Argentina... Continue Reading →