Saudi Arabia - joining the dots

A series of blog entries exploring Saudi Arabia's role in the oil markets with a brief look at the history of the royal family and politics that dictate and influence the Kingdom's oil policy

Monday, 7 August 2017

Kosmos extends position in Mauritania

Kosmos noted in its Q2 results that it had farmed in to a 15% non-operated interest in Block C-18 Mauritania. The farm-in extends Kosmos' postion in this recently proflific play which contains the Tortue gas discovery to the south. Tullow Oil holds 90% WI (State 10%) and will reduce its interest to 75% post transaction, whilst retaining operatorship. The block is deepwater (over 2,300m depth) and has recently completed a 600km2 3D seismic ca...

Monday, 31 July 2017

Mozambique LNG moves one step closer to FID

On 31st July, Anadarko finalised two agreements with the Mozambique government (the marine concessions) which pave the way for FID of the LNG project. The agreements would allow Anadarko as operator to progress with the design, building and operation of the marine facilities for the project and could see FID in 2018. The next step is to begin with resettlement plans, the completion of which would allow construction to commence. Separately,...

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Brasse continues to grow

Faroe has successfully completed the Brasse sidetrack appraisal well 31/7-2A. Very high quality reservoir sands were encountered and the well penetrated an 18m oil and a 4m gas column. Recoverable resource estimates have been increased to 56-92 mmboe (from 43-80 mmboe). The sidetrack was drilled to a total depth of 2,275m. It is located 1km to the west of the appraisal well (31/7-2) and 2.4km to the south of the main discovery well (31/7-1)....

Tuesday, 18 July 2017

Centrica and Bayerngas combine forces

On 17th July 2017, Centrica and SWM/Bayerngas announced that they had reached agreement to combine their E&P businesses. The respective E&P businesses will be vended into a newly incorporated JV with Centrica holding 69% and SWM holding the remainder 31% in the JV. Key assets in the combined business include Kvitebjorn, Stratfjord and Ivar Assen in Norway, Cygnus in UK and Hejre in Denmark. Source: Centrica investor presentation The...

Monday, 17 July 2017

Turkey-Genel gas update

In 2013, Turkey established Turkish Energy Company (“TEC”) as a vehicle to enter into partnerships with IOCs for dealings in Kurdistan. TEC was a state-backed entity and an offshoot of Turkish Petroleum International Company (“TPIC”). Earlier this year TEC was placed under BOTAS, the state-owned oil and gas pipelines and trading company, with gas coming back to one of the top items on the agenda of the Turkish government. It is now commanding attention at the highest levels of government, driven by a strong will to secure Kurdish gas to strengthen...

Saturday, 8 July 2017

Kurdistan independence referendum

At the beginning of June, President Barzani announced that the KRG will hold a referendum for independence from Federal Iraq on 25th September 2017. Given the strong nationalistic sentiment, continued calls for independence for many years and bipartisan support, the referendum is highly likely to have a "yes" outcome. The KDP, led by ‎Barzani, and is the largest party will use the renewed call to consolidate popular support as it seeks to sideline the other parties. ‎Barzani will also see this as his opportunity to get his name in the history...

Monday, 3 July 2017

Brasse flow test shows promising results

Brasse was discovered in June 2016 and following a side-track, recoverable resources were estimated at 43 – 80mmboe. On 3rd July, a little after a year the original discovery was made, Faroe has reported successful flow testing achieving a maximum rate of 6,187mboepd. An upcoming side-track is planned, following which the resource estimates may be updated. An extensive data acquisition programme was undertaken including a Drill Stem Test, logging,...