(OGJ) Equinor in April will begin drilling the Argerich-1 exploration well in the CAN 100 block in the North Argentinian basin, offshore Argentina. The well will be drilled 315 km from the port of Mar del Plata by the Valaris DS-17 drillship in 1,527 m water depth. It will be the first to be drilled... Continue Reading →
MODEC sets out to fortify FPSO business while embracing decarbonization and new opportunities
(OET) With the current energy ecosystem in mind, Japan’s FPSO operator MODEC has unveiled its new, mid-term business plan, covering the period from 2024 to 2026, which spotlights the Japanese player’s intention to further strengthen the profitability of its core FPSO business, strategically invest funds to decarbonize its FPSO units, develop new opportunities, and bolster... Continue Reading →
Venezuela threatens “forceful” response to ExxonMobil’s Guyanese drilling plans
(Bloomberg) – Venezuela said it would respond in a “forceful” way to Exxon Mobil Corp.’s plans to drill in the disputed Essequibo region off the coast of Guyana. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said that Exxon’s plan to drill exploration wells in the region will be met with a “proportional, forceful and rightful response,” according to a... Continue Reading →
Venezuelan oil production to swiftly decline under renewed U.S. sanctions
(Bloomberg) – Venezuelan oil production at a four-year high is expected to decline quickly if the US follows through on threats to reinstate sanctions on the nation. The Biden administration on Tuesday said sanctions relief to Venezuela’s oil and gas sector will be allowed to expire on April 18, unless the government holds free and... Continue Reading →
Brazil, Guyana replace Urals in Europe
(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 →
Petronas seeks fiscal incentives to develop Suriname gas project
(Reuters) - Suriname should boost incentives for energy companies looking to develop oil and gas discoveries, said Zamri Baseri, head of Malaysia's Petronas (PETRA.UL) in the South American country. Baseri did not specify the incentives his company is looking for, but lower royalties and taxes, or commercial incentives often hasten investment decisions by energy companies.... Continue Reading →
ABB to Deliver Electrical System for ExxonMobil’s Errea Wittu FPSO
(OE) Singapore’s Offshore Frontier Solution – a joint venture between MODEC and Toyo Engineering Corporation – has awarded ABB a contract to deliver a complete electrical system and associated digital solutions for Errea Wittu floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Errea Wittu FPSO will be operated approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Guyana... Continue Reading →
Report: Capex shifting to international markets
(OM) A major capex shift from North America to international markets has been ongoing since early 2023, according to Evercore ISI’s latest Offshore Rig Market Snapshot. This trend has been concurrent with low natural gas prices in the US, which has prompted a number of rigs to out into international markets. Combined with attractive offshore... 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 →
Jumbo Offshore awarded mooring pre-installation contract by MODEC for the FPSO Errea Wittu
Jumbo Offshore Installation Contractors B.V. (“Jumbo Offshore”) has been awarded a contract by MODEC Guyana Inc. (“MODEC”) for the pre-installation of the mooring spread of the FPSO Errea Wittu, which will be located offshore Guyana. The FPSO “Errea Wittu”, the name of which means ”abundance”, will have the capacity to store 2 million barrels of... Continue Reading →