The Oil and Gas Journal articles from February 1997

The Oil and Gas Journal archives from February 1997

Uncertainties over Iraq's political regime have returned, giving oil prices a boost at a time when they have been otherwise trickling down. (futures close up on Jan 29, 1997)(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... Uncertainties over Iraq's political regime have returned, giving oil prices a boost at a time when they have been otherwise trickling down. Media reports at OGJ presstime suggested a power struggle within the family of President Saddam...

Oil prices in 1996 were too low in real terms - even though the price of oil reached one of its highest nominal levels, says the Arab Oil Institute.(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... Oil prices in 1996 were too low in real terms--even though the price of oil reached one of its highest nominal levels, says Arab Oil Institute. The Paris-based institute says OPEC's "basket" price averaged about $20/bbl in 1996 but notes...

Iraq and Jordan signed an agreement Jan. 20 calling for Iraq to supply oil to Jordan in 1997 in return for Jordanian goods and services, Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reports. (Jan 20, 1997)(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... Iraq and Jordan signed an agreement Jan. 20 calling for Iraq to supply oil to Jordan in 1997 in return for Jordanian goods and services, Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) reports. In the latest renewal of a trade, first established at the...

After more than 20 years of government control, Philippines President Fidel Ramos ordered total deregulation of the country's oil industry effective Feb. 8. (1997)(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... After more than 20 years of government control, Philippines President Fidel Ramos ordered total deregulation of the country's oil industry effective Feb. 8. Move ends a policy of state subsidies to the oil sector 1 month ahead of the original...

China has established a third national oil company, the China National Star Petroleum Corp. (Cnspc).(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... China has established a third national oil company, the China National Star Petroleum Corp. (Cnspc). Cnspc will commercialize the activities of China's oil bureau and research institutes under the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources...

The first totally gas-phase polypropylene production complex in China is planned at Yanshan, near Beijing.(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... The first totally gas-phase polypropylene production complex in China is planned at Yanshan, near Beijing. Sinopec, Technip, and Amoco have signed contracts to build the 200,000-metric ton/year unit, the largest single-train polypropylene...

As oil spilled from a Russian tanker continues to spread in Japanese waters, another spill has occurred - this time off New Caledonia. (Jan 2, 1997, spill from tanker Nakhodka; Jan 23 spill from tanker Konemu)(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... As oil spilled from a Russian tanker continues to spread in Japanese waters, another spill has occurred--this time off New Caledonia. The tanker Nakhodka broke apart Jan. 2, spilling its cargo of heavy fuel oil (OGJ, Jan. 13, 1997,...

Mexico, stepping up its E&P efforts, is opening more of its oil and gas sector to foreign participation. (Petroleos Mexicanos drilling contract with Transocean)(OGJ Newsletter)
February 3, 1997... Mexico, stepping up its E&P efforts, is opening more of its oil and gas sector to foreign participation. State-owned Pemex has let a three-well turnkey Gulf of Campeche drilling contract to Houston's Transocean. The $124 million program...

A corporate welfare crusade. (petroleum industry depletion allowance is correctly kept out of current efforts to reform corporate welfare)(Editorial)
February 3, 1997... When politicians and interest groups joust with "corporate welfare," oil and gas producers should snap to attention. In the wrong hands, some of the producing industry's business peculiarities can be made to look suspicious. The touchy...

U.S. gas/electric megamergers may slow as new policies tested. (includes related article)
February 3, 1997... Giant "one-stop" energy providers have mushroomed as U.S. deregulation of the electric power business rapidly unfolds. The so-called "BTU convergence," spawned by electric power deregulation dogging the heels of earlier gas industry...

EIA: change still driving U.S. gas markets. (US Energy Information Administration report)
February 3, 1997... The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports a number of states have begun to offer unbundled natural gas services to residential consumers. It said Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, California and others are experimenting with pilot...

Canada supplies U.S. record 2.8 tcf of gas in 1995.(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Canada continues to expand its role in supplying natural gas to the U.S., delivering a record 2.8 tcf in 1995. The U,S. Energy Information Administration reported net U.S. imports from Canada represented 13% of U.S. natural gas consumption...

U.S. gas production to meet '97 demand. (US Energy Information Administration forecast)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported that U.S. natural gas production capacity is expected to meet normal demand this year. EIA said surplus monthly capacity will be higher in December 1997 than it was in December 1995....

Deepwater finds boost U.S. associated gas. (discoveries of large deepwater offshore oil deposits with associated gas deposits)(includes related article on deepwater tension-leg platform planned for Gulf of Mexico)
February 3, 1997... Large, deepwater oil discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico the past decade have nearly doubled the contribution associated gas makes to total U.S. gas reserves, according to a Natural Gas Supply Association analysis of U.S. Energy Information...

Shell targets electric power for unused gas. (Royal Dutch-Shell Group of Cos. considering gas-fired electricity generation projects)
February 3, 1997... Royal Dutch/Shell Group is studying prospects for a strategic move into electricity generation projects around the world as a way of cashing in on sizable unused gas discoveries. Royal Dutch/Shell Chairman Cor Herkstroter said his company...

New data show British Gas vulnerability. (data revealing high profit margins for transportation business of British Gas PLC)(Column)
February 3, 1997... Financial data available for the first time show the gas transportation business of British Gas plc is much more profitable than similar operations in other large gas companies worldwide. But the company is not making enough money to cut...

Statoil building drillship, shuttle tankers. (drillship with multipurpose shuttle tanker and production ship design)
February 3, 1997... Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS (Statoil) has issued a letter of intent to Smedvig AS, Stavanger, for use of a drillship version of Statoil's multipurpose shuttle tanker (MST)/production ship design. Statoil is building a fleet of...

Royalty debate heats. (controversy over petroleum industry payments of oil production royalties)(Column)
February 3, 1997... The U.S. Minerals Management Servicers proposed hale to ensure that it gets full and fair royalties from oil producers has fired up the underpayment controversy again. The rule would reduce the government's reliance on prices posted by oil...

Egypt offers six exploration blocks for bid. (Egyptian General Petroleum Corp.; oil and gas exploration)
February 3, 1997... Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. (EGPC) has disclosed details of six offshore and onshore blocks in Egypt to be offered for bidding under the country's first bid round of 1997. Companies have until Sept. 30 to bid for the blocks, labeled A...

Engen unit signs major E&P deal with Gabon.(Energy Africa awarded exploration and production contract)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Energy Africa, exploration and production unit of Johannesburg's Engen Ltd., has clinched a deal with Gabon's government to take a slice of the state interest in 28 exploration and production projects. Under the agreements, the...

U.K. study to target offshore blast risk.(AEA Technology PLC of offshore oil and gas installation accidents)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... AEA Technology plc, Didcot, U.K., is planning a joint industry project to study options for reducing risk of explosions on offshore off and gas installations. The plan follows an announcement last year by U.K. Health & Safety Executive...

Japan Energy Corp.(to close down Funakawa oil refinery in March 1997)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Japan Energy Corp. (JEC) plans to close down its Funakawa oil refinery in Akita Prefecture at the end of March. Its closure will be the first for Japan's refining industry, which is undergoing restructuring. Plant opened in 1939. Peak...

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.(to develop two offshore gas fields and link them by pipeline to Dubai)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Aba Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) is developing two major offshore fields to supply gas through a pipeline to Dubai, undercutting an offer by Iran. Adnoc will invest about $800 million to develop Umm Shaif and Abu al-Bukhush fields and link...

Triton Energy Ltd.(pays fourth quarter 1996 charge to pay for Argentine operation)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Triton Energy Ltd., Dallas, took a noncash, after-tax charge against fourth quarter 1996 results of about $38 million, representing all costs associated with its Argentine operation the past 12 years. Triton said its acreage portfolio, while...

Associates First Capital Corp.(makes bid to acquire Texaco Inc.'s credit card services unit)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Associates First Capital Corp. (AFCC), Dallas, requested federal approval to acquire Texaco Inc.'s credit card services unit, including more than $700 million in receivables and 9 million accounts. Sale is to be completed in first quarter 1997....

Conoco (U.K.) Ltd.(acquires Marathon Oil U.K. Ltd. interests in North Sea gas fields)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Conoco (U.K.) Ltd. increased its interests in U.K. North Sea Vulcan and South Valiant gas fields by buying the interests of Marathon Oil U.K. Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. Addition of Marathon's 12.5% stake in each field takes operator Conoco's...

Oneok Resources Co.( to acquire PSEC Inc. and PSPC Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Oneok Resources Co., a unit of Oneok Inc., Tulsa, plans to acquire 100% of the stock of privately held PSEC Inc. (Potts Stephenson Exploration Co.), Oklahoma City, as well as PSPC Ltd., managing general partner and operator of Sycamore gas...

MMS.(Mineral Management Service issues ruling restricting hydrogen sulfide releases from offshore platforms)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... MMS issued a final rule revising its requirements for preventing hydrogen sulfide releases from offshore platforms. Rule also sets requirements for detecting and monitoring hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide releases and protecting personnel....

Norway's.(Statoil A/S awards flowline contract to Stolt Comex Seaway SA)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS (Statoil) let a $23 million contract to Stolt Comex Seaway SA, Aberdeen, to lay flowlines in Aasgard and Gullfaks fields in the Norwegian Sea and Norwegian North Sea, respectively. Work will include...

Esso Norge AS.(awards production vessel modification contract to UIE Scotland Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Esso Norge AS let contract to UIE Scotland Ltd., Glasgow, for modifications to Balder field production vessel built by Smedvig AS, Stavanger. Esso bought the vessel to develop Balder on Norwegian North Sea Block 25/10. Vessel will enter drydock...

Uganda.(awards oil and gas exploration contract to Heritage Oil and Gas Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Uganda awarded exploration rights to U.K.'s Heritage Oil and Gas Cg. Ltd. covering oil prospects in the Semlike basin and southern Lake Albert region in western Uganda. The 4-year agreement comes in the wake of two aborted contracts Uganda...

Oman.(awards oil exploration and production agreement with to Nimr Petroleum Co.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Oman signed an exploration and production agreement with Saudi Nimr Petroleum Cg. for Oman's Zone 3 concession. Contract requires Nimr to spend about $50.5 million on E&P the next 8 years.

Syrian Petroleum Co.(signs oil exploration and production contract with MOL Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Syrian Petroleum Co. and the Syrian government signed an exploration, development, and production license with Hungary's state oil company MOL. In 1997, MOL will start exploring an 1,850-sq mile block in Syria at Palmyra East, 30 miles...

Pennzoil Exploration and Production Co.(finds oil in Gulf of Mexico)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Pennzoil Exploration & Production Co.found oil in the Gulf of Mexico with 1 Garden Banks 161 wildcat, reported Enterprise Oil plc, London. Enterprise said the well was drilled to 18,000 ft TD and cut more than 220 ft of pay in three intervals....

Berry Petroleum Co.(to pay $3.2 bil in oil spill damages to California and U.S. government)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Berry Petroleum Co., Taft, Calif., agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle with California and the U.S. government for civil damages and penalties arising from a December 1993 oil release at McGrath Lake in Ventura County, Calif. As part of the...

Portugal's.(Valorisacao a Tratamento de Residuos Solidos de Area Metropolitana de Lisboa (Norte) S.A. awards waste-to-energy plant contract to Foster Wheeler Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Portugal's Valorisacao a Tratamento de Residuos Solidos de Area Metropolitana de Lisboa (Norte) SA, Lisbon, let contract to units of Foster Wheeler Corp., Clinton, N.J., to build one of the largest waste-to-energy plants in the world. Plant...

TransMontaigne Transportation Services Inc.(acquires Mobil Oil Corp.'s East Chicago, IN, petroleum products tank farm)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... TransMontaigne Transportation Services Inc., Fayetteville, Ark., acquired Mobil Oil Corp.'s East Chicago, ind., products tank farm and storage complex with about 1.2 million bbl storage capacity. Company will open a new petroleum products truck...

Repsol, Pluspetrol eye Latin America accord.(Repsol Petroleo S.A. subsidiary Astra Compania Argentina de Petroleo S.A. acquires 45% share of Pluspetrol Energy S.A. to develop Latin American gas resources)
February 3, 1997... Spain's Repsol SA and Argentina's Pluspetrol Energy SA have agreed to form an alliance to build an integrated gas business in Latin America. Under the deal Repsol's Astra affiliate in Argentina will take a 45% shareholding in Pluspetrol...

Borealis expands polypropylene interests.(acquires 50% of North Sea Petrochemicals NV from Montell Polyolefins)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Borealis AS, Copenhagen, has acquired from Montell Polyolefins, Amsterdam, its 50% share in North Sea Petrochemicals NV (NSP), a Belgian polypropylene joint venture of the two firms. NSP has capacity to produce 250,000 metric tons/year of...

Canadian industry indicators up in 1996.(oil industry statistics)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... All upstream indicators were up for Canada's oil industry in 1996, the result of higher oil and gas prices. Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (Caodc) reported a 70% rig utilization rate in 1996, up from 62% in 1995. ...

Trinidad and Tobago enjoying exploration boom. (gas exploration)(Focus: Exploration)
February 3, 1997... Spurred by important offshore discoveries of natural gas made since 1994, Trinidad and Tobago is experiencing a major surge in exploration. Most of this activity is aimed at finding new gas deposits off the northern and southeastern coasts of...

Rocky Mountain federal lands pose widespread access issues. (oil and gas companies lobby to gain access to Rocky Mountain areas for exploration purposes)(Focus: Exploration)
February 3, 1997... Oil groups are continuing to battle for access to explore on federal lands in the Rocky Mountain states. A major lockup of land occurred last September, when President Bill Clinton issued an executive order establishing the 1.7 million acre...

What do recent N. Sea unit cost changes mean? (methods in calculating discovery costs; North Sea)(Focus: Exploration)
February 3, 1997... Recent innovations have raised off productivity and cut expenses, especially offshore. But how much have unit costs been reduced? Estimates of "finding cost per barrel of off equivalent" have become popular, but they make no sense. They are...

Model predicts drill pipe fatigue in horizontal wells.
February 3, 1997... A computer model helps predict the endurance limit of drill pipe used in medium and short radius horizontal wells. Drill pipe fatigue, and subsequent failure, can be a major problem when drill pipe is rotated in short radius build sections...

Czech crude-oil terminal is in operation.
February 3, 1997... A major 4.8 million bbl crude-oil terminal near the city of Kralupy had Vltavou, Czech Republic, began operations in August 1995. The major objective of building the terminal was to cover oil-supply shortfalls with Czech oil-storage...

Refiners match Rvp reduction measures to operating problems. (reduction of gasoline vapor pressure)
February 3, 1997... Reductions in gasoline vapor pressure specifications have created operational challenges for many refiners. Removal of butanes from gasoline blendstocks has become more critical to meeting product vapor pressure requirements. Some...

Ener-Tech Tool Co., LLC. (name changed to DHI Tool Co. LLC)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Ener-Tech Tool CO., LLC, Denver Colo., has changed it name to DHI Tool Co., LLC. The sale, distribution, and installation of the downhole injection tool (the DHI Tool) is DHI Tool Co., LLC's primary business activity. The DHI Tool allows...

Hoffman Engineering. (Curt Steichen named vice president of sales and marketing)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Hoffman Engineering, Anoka, Minn., has named Curt Steichen vice president of sales and marketing. He will be responsible for sales, marketing, and product development of industrial enclosure solutions. Steichen was formerly director of...

Independent to start gas flow in Moldova. (Redeco Ltd., L.L.C.)
February 3, 1997... A small independent operator hopes to start gas production this year in the eastern European republic of Moldova, which imports all oil and gas, mainly from Russia. Redeco Ltd. LLC, Oklahoma City, is seeking commercial customers in the...

Hardman Resources obtains pact for exploration off Mauritania.
February 3, 1997... Exploration may be returning to Mauritania for the first time since 1992-93, when major oil companies withdrew due to hostilities with Western Sahara. Hardman Resources NL, West Perth, Australia, obtained a 24,645 sq km offshore petroleum...

Guy Feneyrou. (named president and chief executive officer of Elf Exploration Inc., Houston, Texas)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Guy Feneyrou has been elected president and chief executive officer of Elf Exploration Inc., Houston. Feneyrou was formerly managing director of Elf Aquitaine, Ecuador. He succeeds Jean-Paul Giraudet, who has retired. Jean-Luc Vermeulen has...

Robert B. Bradberry. (selected as president and chief operating officer of Trans Montaigne Product Services Inc.; includes additional personnel news)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Robert W. Bradberry has been named president and chief operating officer of TransMontaigne Product Services Inc., formerly known as Continental Ozark Inc., Denver. Larry F. Clynch has been named president and chief operating officer of...

Howard Karren. (becomes chief executive officer, Chaparral Resources Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 1997... Howard Karren has been named chief executive officer of Chaparral Resources, Inc., Denver. He will continue as chairman of the board. Paul V. Hoovler, formerly chief executive officer, will remain as a director and as president on an interim...

Higher U.S. natural gas prices are spurring onshore drilling. (Tulsa Unit Drilling Co. has 19 of 24 drilling rigs under contract in Feb 1997)(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Higher U.S. natural gas prices are spurring onshore drilling. Tulsa's Unit Drilling Co. has 19 of its 24-rig fleet under contract, representing a 90% increase from yearend 1995. It has not had 19 rigs active since January 1986. ...

Increased revenues from higher oil and gas prices and production were major factors in boosting 1996 petroleum company earnings. (1996 financial reports)(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Increased revenues from higher oil and gas prices and production were major factors in boosting 1996 petroleum company earnings. Texaco reported net income of $2 billion for 1996 and fourth quarter net income of $509 million, the tenth time...

Nova Gas Transmission is advancing previously disclosed plans for new load-retention service rates in a filing with Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board.(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Nova Gas Transmission is advancing previously disclosed plans for new load-retention service rates in a filing with Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board (OGJ, Dec. 23, 1996, Newsletter). Nova seeks expedited consideration and approval of...

Convergence in gas and electric markets is growing between the U.S. and U.K. (Eastern Electricity PLC contract with Enron Capital and Trade Resources)(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Convergence in gas and electric markets is growing between the U.S. and U.K. U.K. electric utility Eastern Electricity agreed to take power from a new combined-cycle gas plant planned at Sutton Bridge, near Spalding, England, to be built...

What's in the cards for Asian oil demand in coming years? (forecast of Asian refinery capacity and petroleum demand for years 1997-2000)(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... What's in the cards for Asian oil demand in coming years? Will it remain strong, accommodating planned increases in regional refining capacity, or tail off, leaving excess plant capacity by 1999? London's Clarkson Research Studies says the...

The number of tankers being used for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) is expected to increase in 1997. (Drewry Shipping Consultants forecast)(OGJ Newsletter)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... The number of tankers being used for floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) is expected to increase in 1997. Drewry Shipping Consultants, London, said more aging supertankers will likely be converted to FPSO use instead of...

Pena needs an update. (Sec of Energy nominee Federico Pena needs better understanding of current state of US petroleum imports)(Editorial)
February 10, 1997... Congressional statements by cabinet nominees tend to be forgettable. The oil and gas industry nevertheless should remember what Federico Pena told the Senate energy committee Jan. 30 in the matter of his nomination as Secretary of Energy (see...

Why energy futures markets merit support amid latest controversy. (analysis of relationship between speculators and petroleum futures prices)(includes related article)
February 10, 1997... On Oct. 18, 1996, U.S. Energy Sec. Hazel O'Leary met with the senior executives of major oil companies to talk about the price of heating oil. Ten days later, the Wall Street Journal reported that--in the midst of a traditional discussion...

PG&E to buy Valero's natural gas unit. (Pacific Gas and Electric Corp., Valero Energy Corp.)
February 10, 1997... In the newest marriage of electric utility and natural gas company partners inspired by electricity deregulation and converging energy markets, giant California utility Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. has offered to acquire Valero Energy Corp.'s...

BP to supply gas to Germany, Statoil to Ireland. (BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd. contract with Rughgas AG, Statoil A/S contract with Bord Gais Eireann)
February 10, 1997... Two new gas contracts, involving supply of U.K. gas to Germany via Belgium and Norwegian gas to Ireland via the U.K., show the growing integration of Europe's gas distribution grids. Both contracts support economics of northern European...

Pena's promises. (Sec of Energy nominee Federico Pena)(Column)
February 10, 1997... Energy Secretary nominee Federico Pena breezed through a recent 4-hr confirmation hearing and is expected to be approved by the Senate energy committee and confirmed by the full Senate. Pena's ordeal before the senators was typically...

Margin hike ahead for Europe's refiners.(European petroleum refining capacity in 1997-1998)(Column)
February 10, 1997... At this time of year, companies roll out their annual results. Although the numbers change from year to year, there are some things about the results of integrated oil and companies that can be virtually guaranteed. There will usually...

Statoil lets contract for giant gas semi.(Statoil's contract with Kvaerner AS for gas production semisubmersible)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS (Statoil) has let contract to Kvaerner AS, Oslo, to build the world's largest gas production semisubmersible. Kvaerner said the contract ranks as the biggest offshore development contract ever...

Papua New Guinea project approved.(Chevron Niugini Proprietary Ltd.'s contract for oil field development in Papua New Guinea)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Chevron Nuigini Pty. Ltd. has received government approval for Papua New Guinea's second export-oriented oil field development. Construction on the $440 million (Australian) Gobe oil field project is expected to begin immediately, with...

China Petrochemical International Co.(contract with Foster Wheeler Pyropower Inc. for fluidized-bed boilers)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... China Petrochemical International Co. (Sinopec) let a $23.7 million contract to Foster Wheeler Pyropower Inc., a Foster Wheeler Corp. unit, to supply two circulating fluidized-bed boilers as part of a $1.25 billion refinery expansion in China....

Mobil Corp.(contract with Newport News Shipbuilding for double-hulled tanker)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Mobil Corp. will purchase the first newbuild double-hulled tanker to be built in a U.S. shipyard that meets U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) requirements. 0PA 90 requires all ships carrying petroleum products in U.S. waters to have...

Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.(to explore oil wells in Gulf of Mexico in partnership with Texaco Exploration & Production Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Statoil Exploration (US) Inc. will become a 35% working interest partner in Texaco Exploration & Production Inc.'s Fuji project in the Gulf of Mexico (OGJ, Mar. 18, 1996, p. 34). Two delineation wells are planned in 1997. Statoil will...

Marathon Oil Co.(purchases Chevron U.S.A. Inc.'s oil and gas fields in Fremont County, WY)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Marathon Oil Co. bought Chevron U.S.A. Inc.'s Steamboat Butte and Pilot Butte fields in Fremont County, Wyo. Properties produce 940 b/d of oil and 700 Mcfd of gas from 34 wells and complement Marathon's properties in Wyoming, which include...

Chevron Corp.(to develop Nigerian oil fields in partnership with Elf Aquitaine SA and Mobil Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Chevron Corp., Elf Aquitaine SA, and Mobil Corp. units expect to start production in about eight Nigerian oil fields this year, including Amenam, Andobite/Ogon, Ewan, Gbokoda, Dibi, and Opola. Companies all exceeded projections last year...

Canadian Occidental Ltd.(explores oil wells in Yemen)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Canadian Occidental Ltd., Calgary, drilled three high-productivity delineation wells on Yemen's Masila block. Wells, in the southeast corner of the block, were tied into production facilities and have combined output of 24,000 b/d.

Elf Exploration U.K. plc.(explores oil field in UK North Sea)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Elf Exploration U.K. plc started oil production from Iona field on U.K. North Sea Block 15/17. First oil flowed on Jan. 30 at a rate of 4,400 b/d. Iona, formerly known as South Piper, was developed with extended-reach wells drilled from Elf's...

Elf Petroleum Norge AS.(contract with AMEC Process & Energy AS for technical support in servicing oil fields in Norwegian North Sea)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Elf Petroleum Norge AS let a $24 million contract to AMEC Process & Energy AS, Stavanger, for technical support in Frigg, Heimdal, and Froey fields in the Norwegian North Sea. The 3-year contract, with potential for two 2-year extensions,...

Enron Corp.(to sell natural gas processing plant in Bushton, KS, and Hugoton, KS, basin assets to KN Energy Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Enron Corp. signed a letter of intent to sell its Bushton natural gas processing plant and Hugoton basin gathering assets in Kansas to KN Energy Inc. Both are Houston companies. The Bushton plant processes about 825 MMcfd and produces about 1.2...

M.W. Kellogg Co.(purchases 40% of Paragon Engineering Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... M.W. Kellogg Co., Houston, acquired a 40% interest in Paragon Engineering Services Inc., Houston. Purchase enables Dresser to expand an alliance with Paragon, as well as continue its diversification into upstream oil and gas markets....

Total SA.(signs contract with Unocal Corp. to explore gas field in Andaman Sea)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Total SA and Unocal Corp. signed a production-sharing contract for a large area where Total found gas in the Andaman Sea off Myanmar. Deal covers Block M8, which is close to M5 and M6 blocks, where Yadana gas field is being developed. Interests...

Phillips Petroleum Peru Ltd.(signs contract with Perupetro SA to explore oil fields along Peru's border with Brazil)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Phillips Petroleum Peru Ltd. signed a 7-year exploration contract with state-owned Perupetro SA to explore the 3.1-million acre Block 82 near the Ucayali basin along Peru's border with Brazil (see map, OGJ, Nov. 18, 1996, p. 18). Operator...

Elf Aquitaine.(signs oil field exploration contract with Syrian Petroleum Co.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Elf Aquitaine secured a new exploration and production-sharing agreement with Syria and state firm Syrian Petroleum Co. Interests are operator Elf Hydrocarbures Syria 40% and Sumitomo Petroleum Development Ltd. of Japan and Malaysia's Petronas...

Bahrain's.(Ministry of Water & Electricity signs contract with group led by ABB Power Generation Ltd. for gas-fired power station and desalination plant on Muharraq Island, Persian Gulf)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Bahrain's Ministry of Water & Electricity let a $458 million turnkey contract to a group led by ABB Power Generation Ltd., Baden, Switzerland, to build a gas-fired power station and desalination plant at Hidd on Muharraq Island in the Persian...

NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.(reports natural gas delivery volumes in 1996)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd., Calgary, delivered record natural gas volumes for the eighth consecutive year. Company shipped about 4.4 tcf of gas in 1996, up 4% from 1995. NOVA also broke daily delivery volume records on Dec. 28, 1996, shipping...

Canada's.(Northern Pipeline Agency approves Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd.'s gas pipeline expansion project)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Canada's Northern Pipeline Agency approved a design by Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd., Calgary, for its planned $167 million eastern leg pipeline expansion project, involving 70.5 miles of 42-in. pipeline. Gas delivered through Foothills' eastern...

Peace Pipe Line Ltd.(to build gas pipe line in Alberta, Canada)(Brief Article)
February 10, 1997... Peace Pipe Line Ltd., Calgary, plans to begin construction of a 149-km, 323-mm pipeline between LaGlace and Valleyview, Alta. Pipeline, slated for completion by mid-February, was approved last month by Alberta's Energy and Utilities Board....