Oil

U.S. Purchases 2.1 Million Barrels for Strategic Reserve, Below 2022 Average Price

The U.S. bought 2.1 million barrels of crude oil, the Energy Department said on Tuesday, to help replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) after the largest sale in history last year.

BP Short-Lists Three Internal Candidates for CEO

BP's board has short-listed interim CEO Murray Auchincloss and two senior female executives as internal candidates to replace Bernard Looney as chief executive, three company and industry sources told Reuters.

Looking Back at the Biggest Pipeline Stories of 2023

(P&GJ) – In this final issue of P&GJ for 2023, the staff – with more than a little help from our readers – takes a look back at the sometimes chaotic year in midstream that was 2023.

China's Sinochem Buys Rare Venezuelan Oil Cargo After U.S. Suspends Sanctions

China's Sinochem Corp. has bought a million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil for arrival in December, a rare purchase as the state oil and chemicals group capitalizes on Washington's suspension of sanctions on the South American producer.

Imperial Oil Forecasts 2024 Production Surge Amidst Pipeline Expansion

The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors expects companies to drill 8% more wells in 2024 to take advantage of greater access to pipelines.

EIA: U.S. Shale Output Expected to Fall in January

U.S. oil output from top shale-producing regions is set to decline in January for the third consecutive month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its monthly Drilling Productivity Report on Monday.

Venezuela's PDVSA, Spain's Repsol Agree to Revive Oil Joint Venture

Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA and joint venture partner Repsol on Monday signed an agreement amending the original terms of a project in the country, aiming to revive its crude and gas output.

Russia Eyes Additional Oil Export Cuts of About 50,000 bpd in December

Russia said on Sunday it would deepen oil export cuts in December by potentially 50,000 barrels per day or more, earlier than promised, as the world's biggest exporters try to support the global oil price.

Crude Stocks at Top U.S. Storage Hub Rebuild After Nearing Tank Bottoms

Oil inventories at the top U.S. storage hub rebounded last month after nearing operational lows, thanks to improved pricing at the hub that pulled in barrels from Texas' Permian basin and higher Canadian crude flows, analysts said.

BP Restarts Pipeline After Gasoline Spill in Washington State

The pipeline was restarted following repairs, integrity testing, and regulatory approval of the restart plan, the source said. The company has been cleaning up the spill since Sunday with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local officials.

Elon Musk Calls for Balanced Perspective on Oil and Gas, Urges Caution in Criticism

It is important to reduce carbon emissions to preserve the planet. Still, oil and natural gas should not be demonized in the medium term, Elon Musk, the founder of electric car maker Tesla, said on Saturday.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Warns of 2-Year Delay Over Regulatory Setback

Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain Corp. asked the country's energy regulator on Thursday to reverse a decision rejecting proposed construction changes on its oil pipeline expansion, warning of a possibly "catastrophic" two-year delay and billions of dollars in losses.

Canadian Natural Resources Projects Uptick in Production in 2024

Canadian Natural Resources said on Thursday it expects production to increase in 2024, as the energy producer bets on demand amid tight supplies.

Pembina Pipeline Acquires Enbridge's Interests in Alliance Pipeline, Aux Sable for $3.1 Billion

(P&GJ) — Enbridge Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its 50% interest in Alliance Pipeline and its 42.7% interest in Aux Sable to Pembina Pipeline Corp. for a purchase price of $3.1 billion, including non-recourse debt at Alliance of approximately $0.3 billion.

Chevron, PDVSA Seek 15-Year Extension for Joint Ventures, Eye Crude Production Boost

PDVSA and Chevron have expanded operations since late last year under a special U.S. license, allowing Venezuela to resume crude exports to what was its largest market, the United States. But more investment is needed to reach production levels seen before oil sanctions were first imposed in 2019.

Former BP CEO Looney Loses $40 Million in Compensation Amid Board Misconduct Claims

BP cut over $40 million in remuneration from former CEO Bernard Looney after the British oil giant concluded he had knowingly misled the board over personal relationships with colleagues.

Howard Energy Partners Completes $800 Million in 2023 Growth Projects, Achieves Record Volumes

(P&GJ) — Howard Energy Partners completed $800 million in 2023 growth projects, including new pipelines and facilities in key U.S. oil and gas basins, along with storage and logistics for renewable diesel on the Texas Gulf Coast.

EACOP Welcomes First 62 Miles of Line Pipe for Crude Pipeline

(P&GJ) — The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has announced the arrival of the first shipment of 100 km (62 miles) of line pipe at the port of Dar es Salaam, signaling the initiation of the main construction phase for this cross-border pipeline project.

WoodMac: M&A Deals in Permian Basin Exceed $100 Billion in 2023

The value of U.S. oil and gas mergers and acquisitions in the Permian basin this year has reached a record of more than $100 billion after several multibillion-dollar deals, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said in a news release on Tuesday.

Niger Set to Begin Oil Exports Through Benin Pipeline in January

Niger expects to export its first barrels of crude oil through a new Niger-Benin pipeline in January, the country's military leader Abdourahamane Tiani said on state television.

Oil Extends Gains on U.S. Strategic Reserve Purchase

Oil prices inched higher on Monday, extending gains for a second session as U.S. efforts to replenish strategic reserves provided some support, although concerns of crude oversupply and softer fuel demand growth next year lingered.

Occidental Petroleum to Acquire Permian Oil, Gas Producer CrownRock for $12 Billion

Occidental Petroleum said on Monday it would buy Permian basin-focused energy producer CrownRock in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $12 billion including debt, expanding its presence in the largest U.S. oilfield.

Sources: Endeavor Energy Explores Sale for as Much as $30 Billion

Endeavor Energy Partners is exploring a sale that could value the largest privately-held oil and gas producer in the Permian basin of the United States at between $25 billion and $30 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

U.S. Looks to Buy Additional 3 Million Barrels of Oil for Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday said it wants to buy up to 3 million barrels of crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) for delivery in March 2024, as it takes advantage of lower prices to start to replenish the stockpile.

Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Stalled as Canada Regulator Rejects Variance Request

The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) on Tuesday denied a request from the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project for a variance on a section of oil pipeline under construction in British Columbia, a decision that could delay the 590,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) expansion.

U.S. Coast Guard Finds Sheen Near Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Coast Guard said on Wednesday it found a light sheen west of an area in the Gulf of Mexico where it was leading the clean-up of a million-gallon (liters) oil spill for nearly three weeks but could not confirm if the sheen was from that spill.

NGL Energy Partners Launches Open Season for 550-Mile Grand Mesa Crude Pipeline

(P&GJ) — Grand Mesa provides takeaway capacity for crude oil producers in the Denver-Julesburg Basin. It originates in Weld County, Colorado, and extends approximately 550 miles southeast to NGL Crude Cushing’s storage terminal at Cushing, Oklahoma.

Shell Shortlists CNOOC and Vitol for Singapore Assets Sale

Shell has shortlisted at least four companies including state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and top global energy trader Vitol as bidders for its Singapore refinery assets, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

FTC Issues Second Information Request on Exxon's $60 Billion Takeover of Pioneer

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has sent shale oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources and Exxon Mobil a second request for more information on their $60 billion takeover deal, Pioneer said on Tuesday.

Republican States Challenge EPA's Pipeline Veto Power Expansion in Federal Lawsuit

A group of 11 Republican-led states and energy industry groups have challenged a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that bolsters state and tribal veto power over pipelines and other major infrastructure projects that might pollute rivers and streams.