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National scientific academies criticize Macondo well procedures
Numerous technical and operation breakdowns that contributed to the Macondo well accident and subsequent crude oil spill in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico suggest there was no suitable approach for managing the inherent risks, uncertainties, and dangers associated with deepwater drilling, a National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council joint committee said in an interim report on Nov. 17.
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Macondo actions did not sacrifice safety to save money, panel told
Decisions made in the hours before the Macondo deepwater well blew out on Apr. 20 apparently did not subordinate safety to save money, the chief investigator of US President Barack Obama's independent oil spill commission said as the panel, which is investigating the accident and subsequent oil spill, began a 2-day hearing on Nov. 8.
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Macondo partners parry payment claims from BP for oil spill
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Mitsui Oil Exploration (Moeco), co-owners with BP PLC in the Macondo oil well, have not changed their views on payment of costs for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year.
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Interior IG traces deepwater ban peer review misunderstanding
The administration of US President Barack Obama incorrectly implied that a late-May recommendation for a deepwater drilling moratorium following the Macondo well accident and oil spill went through a scientific peer review, an investigation by the US Department of the Interior's inspector general's office found.
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Watching Government: Pennsylvania showdown
In one of the more dramatic lame-duck moves after the Nov. 2 elections in the US, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVest) approved a $172,682 loan and an $11.6 million grant on Nov. 9 so that Pennsylvania American Water Co. could build a 12-mile water line to residents of 18 private properties in Susquehanna County who say their drinking water has been damaged by natural gas drilling operations.
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API, NOIA hope BOEMRE studies don't jeopardize 2011 leasing
The American Petroleum Institute and National Ocean Industries Association separately expressed concern that supplementary environmental impact statements (SEISs) the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement announced on Nov. 10 could lead to Gulf of Mexico lease sales currently scheduled for 2011 being canceled.
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Tullow looking to expand production off Ghana after Jubilee
Tullow Oil PLC outlined its plans to boost oil and natural gas production off Ghana once the West African nation initiates oil production by bringing Jubilee field on stream by yearend, the company said in an interim management statement posted on its web site on Nov. 10.
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OPEC: Global oil demand rising, with marked upswing in Asia
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries forecasts continued growth in global oil demand over the next 20 years, while acknowledging the potential impact of environmental policies on the energy market.
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Ecopetrol, six firms partner in Colombian pipeline project
Colombia's Ecopetrol is joining with six other firms to build and operate a 450,000 b/d oil pipeline system that will transport crude from Araguaney, in the Casanare Department of central Colombia, to the Covenas Export Terminal on the Caribbean Sea.
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Watching The World: FARC down, Colombia up
Colombia's oil and gas industry is increasing its output these days and for many reasons, not least a decline in the power of the Colombian rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
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ExxonMobil rig attacked in Nigeria; production shut in
ExxonMobil Corp.'s Nigerian subsidiary confirmed a claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that it attacked a company oil rig in the region and abducted eight oil workers, shutting in 45,000 b/d of natural gas liquids and condensate production.
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OPEC raises outlook for global oil consumption in 2010-11
