Union Fenosa Gas Exploracion y Produccion SAU, Soc. de Hidrocarburos de Euskadi SA, and Oil & Gas Skills SA have completed a 232 sq km 3D seismic survey in the Rioja area of northern Spain.

HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA, Rio de Janeiro, said its Wingat-1 well on Block 2212 in the Walvis basin offshore Namibia found noncommercial amounts of oil and is being plugged.

Alaska’s state government proposed that a new study of potential crude oil resources beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s coastal plain be conducted before the Obama administration decides whether to designate more of the refuge as wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.

Tethys Petroleum Ltd. has signed a protocol of intent with the Uzbek state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz for exploratory work on the Bayterek block in the North Ustyurt basin in northern Uzbekistan.

US Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced legislation to ensure states that normally receive half of federal onshore oil and gas royalties under the Mineral Leasing Act actually receive the money.

The US Bureau of Land Management’s Rock Springs, Wyo., field office began a 30-day public scoping period on May 6 before it prepares an environmental assessment of Devon Energy Production Co. LP’s proposal to develop up to 20 new oil and gas wells within the Horseshoe basin unit.

Brazil’s 11th bidding round for onshore and offshore exploration rights, its first in 5 years, auctioned 142 blocks and drew bids totaling a record $1.4 billion.

Statoil has farmed into BP PLC’s four permits in the South Australian sector of the Great Australian Bight to earn a 30% interest overall.

TAG Oil Ltd., Vancouver, BC, said its Ngapaeruru-1 exploratory well on PEP 38349 in New Zealand’s East Coast basin had excellent mud gas shows at 1,140-1,295 m and that preliminary gas ratio analysis indicates a predominantly wet gas/oil signature.

Sinopec Group’s Addax Petroleum Cameroon Ltd. unit has let a contract to Atwood Oceanics Inc. for the Atwood Aurora jack up to drill offshore Cameroon.