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

Wednesday, 9 August 2017

Kurdistan E&Ps have been paid for May shipments

Kurdistan E&Ps have been paid for May shipments. The Tawke partners have confirmed receipt of USD39.6 million. The amounts will be shared pro-rata by DNO (55%) and Genel (25% WI) and comprises USD33.2 million towards May deliveries and USD6.4 million towards past receivables. The Taq Taq partners have received USD12.2 million and will be shared pro-rata by Genel (44% WI) and Addax (36% WI). The payment comprises USD11.1 million towards May deliveries and USD1.2 million towards past receivables....

Tuesday, 8 August 2017

SNE North is Sirius

Cairn has completed the SNE-1 North exploration well (Sirius prospect), located c.15km north of the original SNE-1 discovery. The well reach TD 2,837m and was completed ahead of schedule. A 24m gross hydrocarbon column was encountered across three intervals with 11m net condensate and gas pay in the primary objective and 4m net oil pay in the secondary objective. A full set of oil, condensates and gas samples were recovered to surface from the...

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...