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House passes bill in response to accident, spill in gulf
The US House of Representatives, by a vote of 209-193, passed legislation in response to the Apr. 20 well blowout, rig accident, and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Senate Democrats move spill bill debate beyond Labor Day
US Senate consideration of a broad energy bill that includes offshore oil-spill provisions will not take place until after Labor Day, Democratic leaders announced on Aug. 3. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) blamed Republicans, who immediately responded that the bill was temporarily shelved because it could not attract enough support from key Democrats.
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Watching Government: Utah's historic agreement
To Bill Barrett Corp. (BBC), a July 29 agreement that let the US Bureau of Land Management issue a final environmental impact statement a day later for the proposed West Tavaputs natural gas project means the Denver independent can move ahead on one of its primary eastern Utah holdings.
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BP reports static kill working on Macondo well in Gulf of Mexico
The Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 4 was in a static condition, meaning the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud offset the reservoir pressure—the desired outcome of the static kill procedure that started Aug. 3.
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Scientists conclude spilled Macondo oil biodegrading quickly
Early observations and preliminary research results show most of the oil spilled from the Macondo well is biodegrading quickly, but more research and analysis is needed to determine long-term effects on marine life, a federal science report said.
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Mitsui still declines to pay share of Macondo cleanup costs
Mitsui & Co. Ltd. Executive Vice-Pres. and Chief Financial Officer Junichi Matsumoto, reiterating earlier statements by company officials, said his firm has yet to pay any part of a $480 million bill it received from BP PLC for costs related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Watching The World: Here comes Morocco's sun
The oil and gas industry may be interested to learn that Morocco is getting into solar power.
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BP sells Colombian unit to Ecopetrol, Talisman
BP PLC agreed to sell its wholly owned BP Exploration Co. (Colombia) Ltd. (BPXC) for $1.9 billion to a consortium of Talisman Energy Inc. and Colombia's Ecopetrol SA.
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China rejects IEA's claims about energy consumption
China has rejected an assessment by the International Energy Agency that it had overtaken the US to become the world's top energy consumer.
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EU ministers impose more sanctions on Iran
European Union foreign ministers adopted extra sanctions on Iran, in particular targeting investment in the country's oil and gas industries, as well as curtailing its refining and natural gas capabilities.
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API reports continued sluggish gasoline demand in first half
US gasoline demand during this year's first half fell 0.6% year-to-year to an average 8.88 million b/d, reflecting an ongoing sluggish US economic recovery, the American Petroleum Institute said.
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USGS report spurs Noble, IPC to step up gas developments off Israel
Noble Energy Inc., spurred by a recent US Geological Survey report concerning oil and natural gas reserves off Israel, has contracted the Pride North America rig from Pride International for one firm well and seven optional wells from March-April 2011.
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Senator proposes extending RCAC concept to the Arctic
US Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alas.) proposed extending the Regional Citizens Advisory Council concept to the Arctic as an alternative to continued legal challenges of offshore oil and gas activities in northern Alaska.
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Westmont buys into Marcellus-Chattanooga oil, natural gas play
Westmont Resources Inc. has completed an agreement to acquire 92 wells in Tennessee's Chattanooga shale region, currently operated by AG Oil & Gas, a division of Domestic Energy Corp. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
