(Ecopetrol, 31.Jul.2019) — Ecopetrol S.A. announced formation of a joint venture with Occidental Petroleum Corporation to develop 97,000 net acres of Occidental’s Midland Basin properties in the Permian Basin. The JV enables Ecopetrol to book ~160 MMboe of proved undeveloped reserves at transaction closing and provides access to one of […]
Category: Latin America and the Caribbean
Enel Signs With Angloamerican In Chile
(Enel, 30.Jul.2019) — Enel, through its Chilean subsidiary Enel GeneraciĂłn Chile, and global mining company AngloAmerican signed an agreement whereby Enel’s Chilean subsidiary will supply up to 3 TWh of renewable energy per year to AngloAmerican over a 10-year period, meeting the needs of the mining company’s operations in the […]
Venezuelan Exiles Honing Day-After Action Plan
(Argus, 30.Jul.2019) — Venezuela´s fledgling opposition government is putting the final touches on a strategic package of economic measures designed to allow time for a future administration to adopt sweeping structural reforms. The emergency measures, contained in an omnibus legislative bill now before the exile government´s special attorney general and […]
Moody’s Confirms Ecopetrol Investment Grade Rating
(Ecopetrol, 30.Jul.2019) — Ecopetrol S.A. announces that the rating agency Moody’s has kept the Company’s long-term international rating at Baa3, with stable outlook. In its report, Moody’s highlighted the Company’s strength as a leading firm in Colombia, its operating performance and capital efficiency, as well as the stable cash generation […]
Guyana Find Progresses Amid Political Tensions
(Forbes, David Blackmon, 29.Jul.2019) — Nothing is ever easy or simple in the world of international offshore oil and gas development. That axiom is proving to be true for the most prolific offshore oil discovery in recent years off the coast of the tiny South American nation of Guyana. Political […]
Qatar Petroleum Enters Blocks In Guyana
(Qatar Petroleum, 29.Jul.2019) — Qatar Petroleum has entered into an agreement with Total for a share of exploration and production rights in two blocks offshore Guyana in Latin America. Under the agreement, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals by the government of Guyana, Qatar Petroleum will hold 40% of […]
Argentina Gas Output At Highest Point In 11 years
(Energy Analytics Institute, Aaron Simonsky, 29.Jul.2019) — Production of crude oil and natural gas in Argentina continues to rise, aided by growth in unconventional volumes from the Vaca Muerta formation. Highlights: — Gas production in June 2019 rose 5.8% compared to June 2018; reaches highest point since September 2008 — […]
Petrobras Closes BR’s Public Offering For $9.6 Billion
(Petrobras, 29.Jul.2019) — Petrobras announces the closing, on this date, of the secondary public offering of 393,187,500 common shares issued by Petrobras Distribuidora S.A (“BR”) and held by Petrobras (“Shares” and “Offer”), in the total amount of R$ 9,633,093,750.00. The value of the Offer already includes the full exercise of […]
Amerisur Reports Completion Of Sol-1 Well
(Amerisur, 29.Jul.2019) — Amerisur Resources Plc announced completion of testing operations at the Sol-1 exploration well in Colombia. CPO-5 (WI 30%): Sol-1 Exploration Well Update Testing operations on the Sol-1 exploration well are complete. As previously announced, the well was drilled to a final depth of 9,986ft. Following initial analysis, […]
India Boosts Imports Of Venezuelan Oil
(Argus, 29.Jul.2019) — India’s imports of Venezuelan crude jumped by 25pc year on year in June and by 37pc from May, reflecting the limited reach of US sanctions on the South American nation. Imports from Venezuela rose to 303,000 b/d last month from 221,000 b/d in May and 243,000 b/d […]
Petropiar JV starts blending
(Reuters, 29.Jul.2019, Words: 316) — Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA said on Monday the Petropiar extra-heavy crude upgrader, part-owned by U.S. oil company Chevron Corp, had begun operations as a blending facility. The facility, which used to produce upgraded crude destined mainly for the U.S. market, is expected to produce […]
Odebrecht Inks Post-‘Car Wash’ Deal With Petrobras
(Reuters, Marta Nogueira and Gram Slattery, 29.Jul.2019) — Brazil’s Petrobras has signed a two-year contract to lease a drilling rig from Ocyan, formerly known as Odebrecht Oleo e Gas, an executive told Reuters, in the first deal between the firms since a corruption scandal erupted five years ago. Petroleo Brasileiro […]
Guyana To Sell Share Of Oil Every 8 To 10 Days
(Guyana Standard, 29.Jul.2019) — Head of the Energy Department, Dr Mark Bynoe, disclosed today that Guyana’s share of the oil from the Stabroek Block will be sold every eight to 10 days via Free On Board (FOB). With FOB, the buyer would be responsible for purchasing and delivering it on […]
Chilean Navy Investigating Patagonian Island Oil Spill
(Reuters, 27.Jul.2019) — Chile is investigating a 40,000-liter diesel oil spill on an island on the far southern coast of Chilean Patagonia, the navy said on Saturday. Mining company CAP reported on Saturday that the spill occurred at its onshore terminal on Guarello Island, about 150 miles north of the […]
Bombing Halts Pumping On Transandino Pipeline
(Reuters, 26.Jul.2019) — Colombia’s state-run oil company Ecopetrol said on Friday it halted pumping on the Transandino pipeline after a bombing in southwestern Narino province. The attack did not produce a crude spill, the company said in a statement, but did dent the pipeline. It is the fourteenth attack this […]
Trump Govt Split Over Chevron’s Venezuela License
(Reuters, Timothy Gardner, 26.Jul.2019) — The Trump administration is split over whether to renew a license this week for energy company Chevron Corp’s operations in Venezuela, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo supporting a renewal and others opposing it, three sources with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday. At […]
Petrobras Reports 3.8% Rise In 2Q:19 Oil, Gas Output
(Reuters, 26.Jul.2019) — Brazil’s state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA said on Friday total second-quarter oil and gas production was 2.633 million barrels per day of oil equivalent, up 3.8% from the previous quarter. Petrobras said in a securities filing the rise was driven by the ramp up of pre-salt […]
Chevron To Keep Drilling In Venezuela Despite Sanctions
(Reuters, 26.Jul.2019) — The administration of United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that it has renewed Chevron Corp’s licence to drill for oil and gas in Venezuela despite sanctions, signalling that it sees value in having the US oil producer operate in a country on the verge of […]
Petrobras Reports Modest Output Growth
(Reuters, Ana Mano and Gram Slattery, 26.Jul.2019) — Brazilian state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA posted a modest production boost in the second quarter, but failed to live up to market expectations, sending shares down over 2% in morning trade. In an early Friday securities filing, Petrobras, as the firm […]
Petrobras Expects Final Offers For Liquigás By Aug. 7
(Reuters, Gabriel Araujo, 25.Jul.2019) — Brazil’s state-run oil company PetrĂłleo Brasileiro SA expects to privatize natural gas distribution unit Liquigás next month as part of a broader divestment program, Chief Executive Roberto Castello Branco said on Thursday. Final binding offers for Liquigás are due by Aug. 7, Castello Branco told […]
YPF Advances LNG Exports With Excelerate’s Assistance
(Excelerate, 25.Jul.2019) — YPF announced that a preliminary agreement was reached with Excelerate Energy L.P. (Excelerate) for the charter of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, which will export LNG produced from the TANGO FLNG unit, located in BahĂa Blanca, to the global natural gas market. Both parties will be […]
Chevron In Crosshairs As Trump Exerts Maximum Pressure On Maduro
(Bloomberg, Kevin Crowley, Lucia Kassai and Kevin Cirilli, 25.Jul.2019) — Pressure is mounting on U.S. President Donald Trump to end Chevron Corp.’s 100-year presence in Venezuela as he seeks to exert maximum pressure on the embattled regime of Nicolas Maduro. Trump will announce his decision on whether to grant the U.S. […]
Petrobras Receives Over $100mn Via Recovered Assets
(Reuters, 25.Jul.2019) — Brazilian state-run Petrobras this week received 425 million reais ($112 million) as a result of leniency deals and recovered assets from parties involved in the country’s sprawling “Car Wash” corruption investigation, the oil firm said on Thursday. With the funds, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the firm is […]
Karoon Eyes Output Boost After Grabbing Field
(Reuters, Marta Nogueira, 25.Jul.2019) — Karoon Energy Ltd aims to boost production by more than 60% at an oilfield it is purchasing from Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the independent Australian firm dramatically expands its operations in Brazil, an executive said on Thursday. Petrobras, as the Brazilian state-run oil firm is […]
CITGO Foundation Holds Symposium On Venezuelan Health Crisis
(Citgo, 25.Jul.2019) — The SimĂłn BolĂvar Foundation, the 501(c)(3) non-profit, private foundation of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, held an educational and networking event last night for the Houston community regarding the public health situation in Venezuela. The event featured keynote addresses from two public health experts: Dr. Marino J. Gonzalez R. […]
Chevron Call To Chart Venezuela Sanctions
(Argus, 25.Jul.2019) — A US government decision over Chevron’s expiring license to work in Venezuela is the first test of its willingness to ease sanctions that have so far failed to bring about regime change. Under oil sanctions imposed on 28 January, the US Treasury gave Chevron and a clutch […]
Petrobras CEO Says Liquigás To Be Privatized in August
(Reuters, 25.Jul.2019) — Roberto Castello Branco, chief executive of state oil company PetrĂłleo Brasileiro SA, said during an event on Thursday that Liquigás is the next unit that the Brazilian oil major intends to divest. After selling 33.75% of fuel distribution subsidiary Petrobras Distribuidora SA through a share offering this […]
Vista Oil & Gas Prices Public Offering With NYSE Listing
(Vista, 25.Jul.2019) — Vista Oil & Gas, S.A.B. de C.V. announced today the pricing of the underwritten public offering of the Company’s Series A shares as part of the global primary offering of 10,000,000 Series A shares. The global offering consisted of an international offering in the United States and […]
Petrobras Reports On BR Shares Purchase Option
(Petrobras, 25.Jul.2019) — Petrobras, pursuant to article 24 of CVM Instruction 400 of December 29, 2003, as amended, reports that today the over allotment option (“Greenshoe Option”) was fully exercised under the secondary public offering of shares issued by Petrobras Distribuidora SA (“BR”) and held by Petrobras. With the exercise […]
Petrobras Starts Phase For Sale Of Bahia Fields
(Petrobras, 25.Jul.2019) — Petrobras, following up on the release dated 07/08/2019, announces the beginning of the non-binding phase related to the sale of all its stakes in four onshore fields, located in Bahia, jointly known as Tucano Sul Cluster. Parties qualified for this phase will receive instructions on the divestment […]
Petrobras Receives R$425mn For Leniency Agreements
(Petrobras, 25.Jul.2019) — Petrobras received this week R$425 million as a result of leniency agreements and repatriations carried out by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. Thus, the total amount of funds returned to the company as a result of cooperation, leniency agreements and repatriation exceeds R$ 4 billion. Such return involves: […]
Venezuela Opposition Divided Over ‘Oil-For-Food’ Program
(Reuters, Luc Cohen, 25.Jul.2019) — A proposal to modify U.S. oil sanctions on Venezuela to allow crude exports to be bartered for food has divided the country’s opposition between those who say the move would stave off famine and those who predict President Nicolas Maduro would abuse it. Henri Falcon, […]
T&T’s Lake Asphalt In Overdrive To Diversify
(T&T Newsday, Carla Bridglal, 25.Jul.2019) — For years the board and management of Lake Asphalt TT Ltd knew the company needed to diversify its product offerings. The company started making incremental changes to its strategy, attempting a shift from its primary business, selling the bitumen from Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery. (Bitumen […]
Wintershall Dea And ConocoPhillips Team Up In The Prolific Neuquén Basin
(Wintershall, 25.Jul.2019) — ConocoPhillips is a new partner in the Aguada Federal and Bandurria Norte blocks with Wintershall Dea. The two companies will advance the development of the significant Vaca Muerta shale resources in the blocks. Wintershall Dea is pleased to announce that it has signed a Sales and Purchase […]
Core Laboratories Sets Earnings Call Schedule
(Core Laboratories, 24.Jul.2019) — Core Laboratories N.V. scheduled a conference call to discuss Core’s second quarter 2019 earnings announcement. The call will begin at 7:30 a.m. CDT / 2:30 p.m. CEST on Thursday, 25 July 2019. To listen to the call, please go to Core’s website at www.corelab.com. ***
Weatherford Awarded Contract With Colombia, South America Operator
(Weatherford, 24.Jul.2019) — Weatherford International plc announced a contract win with a Colombia, South America operator to migrate seven LOWIS® sites (3,000 wells) to the Company’s ForeSite® Production Optimization software platform. Under the newly signed contract, the Company will provide all maintenance and services for the software platform for five […]
Petrobras Signs $1.5bn Deals To Sale Shallow Water Assets
(Petrobras, 24.Jul.2019) — Petrobras announces that today it signed two contracts for the sale of upstream assets in shallow waters in Campos and Santos Basins, in the total amount of US$ 1.5 billion (about R$ 5.7 billion). The transactions refer to: (i) the sale of 100% of its interest in […]
Petrobras Informs CARF’s Decision Related To CIDE
(Petrobras, 24.Jul.2019) — Petrobras said the Administrative Board of Tax Appeals (CARF) issued today an unfavorable decision on an administrative tax proceeding which deals with the collection of CIDE – Import tax regarding remittances abroad for the payment of charter contracts in the calendar year of 2010, in the approximate […]
Petrobras Signs Shallow Water Deals For $1.5bn
(Petrobras, 24.Jul.2019) — Petrobras signed two contracts for the sale of upstream assets in shallow waters in Campos and Santos Basins, in the total amount of US$ 1.5 billion (about R$ 5.7 billion). The transactions refer to: (i) the sale of 100% of its interest in the Pampo and Enchova […]
Atacama Bio Launches Algae Astaxanthin
(Atacama Bio, July 24, 2019) — Today, Iquique, Chile-based Atacama Bio Natural Products announced the introduction of NatAxtin™ branded natural astaxanthin available as biomass, oleoresin oil and powder for use in food, to the North American dietary supplement marketplace. Atacama Bio has manufactured natural Astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis globally […]
Core Lab Reports 2Q:19 Results
(Core Laboratories, 24.Jul.2019) — Core Laboratories N.V. reported that continuing operations resulted in second quarter 2019 revenue of $169,000,000. Second quarter 2019 revenue was impacted by a mid-quarter divestment of a non-strategic business in Asia Pacific and a softer than expected North American services market. Core’s operating income was $28,000,000 […]
Guaido Says To Protect Chevron Assets In Venezuela
(Reuters, Luc Cohen) — Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Tuesday he would seek to protect Chevron Corp’s assets in the country if the United States does not renew a license allowing the company to operate despite sanctions on the OPEC nation’s oil sector. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, […]
Big Splash for Deep Blue in Brazil
(TechnipFMC, 23.Jul.2019) — The Deep Blue is making a big splash in Brazil. TechnipFMC’s flagship deepwater pipelay and construction vessel is embarking on a major subsea project laying pipeline on the Peregrino Phase 2 Project in the Campos Basin offshore Brazil. Deep Blue will install rigid and flexible pipelines as […]
Petrobras Informs CARF’s Charter Contracts Decision
(Petrobras, 23.Jul.2019) — Petrobras reports that the Administrative Board of Tax Appeals (CARF) issued today an unfavorable decision on an administrative tax proceeding in the amount of about R$ 5.22 billion, which deals with the collection of PIS/COFINS – Import tax regarding remittances abroad for the payment of charter contracts […]
Petrobras Approves Debentures Public Offering
(Petrobras, 23.Jul.2019) — Petrobras, in compliance with the provisions of Instruction no. 358 of January 3, 2002, issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (“CVM”), hereby informs that the Board of Directors, in a meeting held today, approved the 7th (seventh) issuance of simple, non-convertible unsecured debentures (“Debentures”), […]
Petrobras Prices Offering Of Petrobras Distribuidora (BR)
(Petrobras, 23.Jul.2019) — Petrobras announced today the pricing of the secondary public offering of shares of Petrobras Distribuidora S.A. Petrobras’s Board of Directors approved today the sale of 349,500,000sharesin BR Distribuidora, including 58,250,000 additional shares as part of Petrobras’s option to increase the base offer by 20%. The offer priced […]
Petrotrin Lies Will End Keith Rowley’s Reign As PM
(T&T Newsday, Yvonne Webb, 23.Jul.2019) — President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget is predicting that the many lies told about the closure of Petrotrin would mark the end of the reign of Prime Minister Dr Rowley’s administration. Just as the “campaign of lies and deceit” […]
Venezuela’s Oil Output Collapse: IHS Markit
(Ford Tanner, 23.Jul.2019) — Venezuela’s political crisis remains in stalemate. Escalating oil-sector sanctions imposed by the United States have contributed to massive declines in crude oil production, but the collapse of Venezuela’s petroleum industry has not resulted in a political shift. President Nicolás Maduro appears to maintain full control of […]
BP And Bunge To Create Bioenergy Company
(Bunge, 22.Jul.2019) — Bunge Limited announced an agreement with BP plc to form a 50:50 joint venture that will create a leading bioenergy company (the “joint venture”) in Brazil, one of the world’s largest fast-growing markets for biofuels. Bunge will receive cash proceeds of $775 million in the transaction, comprising […]
Constellation Reports New Contract Awards In Brazil
(Constellation, 22.Jul.2019) — Constellation Oil Services Holding S.A. announced three of the Company’s ultra-deepwater (UDW) rigs, Alpha Star, Gold Star, and Lone Star, have been awarded new firm contracts with Petrobras S.A. for two years. The drilling activities will be performed offshore of Brazil and operations under each contract is […]