Bakken operators told to cut flaring or face crude caps

North Dakota, the second-largest U.S. oil-producing state amid booming output from shale, plans to punish crude explorers that fail to curtail the burning of natural gas as waste.

Energy companies that don’t curb so-called gas flaring will face limits on the amount of oil they can pump from the Bakken shale formation, the North Dakota Industrial Commission said in a statement today, July 1.

North Dakota is cracking down on flaring that increases air pollution and also casts a glow in the night sky that can be seen miles away from remote well sites. Oil companies routinely burn off gas that emerges along with crude from wells when local pipelines or demand are insufficient to absorb the fuel.

North Dakota’s daily crude output surpassed 1 MMbbl in April for the first time in history, making the state a bigger oil supplier than OPEC members Ecuador or Qatar. In the U.S., Texas is the only state that pumps more crude than North Dakota, according to the Energy Department.

The industrial commission wants a 26% reduction in gas flaring statewide by the fourth quarter of this year and another 23% by the first quarter of 2015, according to the statement. The commission is comprised of Governor Jack Dalrymple, Attorney General Stenehjem Wayne and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Mega Billion Corporation BLCO seller, Nigeria, online.

Fugro strengthens Africa presence with Geofor buy

Fugro has completed the acquisition of the Geofor Group based in Libreville (Gabon), Douala (Cameroon), Pointe Noire (Republic of Congo) and São Tomé City (São Tomé) to strengthen its presence in the Central Africa region and the French speaking African countries. In addition to its longer established offices, Geofor has significant working experience in Niger, Chad and Equatorial Guinea.

Geofor is an onshore/nearshore geotechnical company, which delivers drilling services and has highly specialized engineers and geologists in the fields of geotechnical consulting, hydrology, and land survey.

The company was established in 1989 and has over 25 years of experience working in most countries in Africa. The client base includes major oil and gas companies and key mining clients. In addition, Geofor is active in infrastructure and water supply projects.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Mega Billion Corporation BLCO seller, Nigeria, online.

Chesapeake completes spin-off of oilfield services business

Chesapeake Energy Corporation has completed the spin-off of its oilfield services business, previously conducted through Chesapeake Oilfield Operating, L.L.C., into a stand-alone, publicly traded company called Seventy Seven Energy Inc. (SSE)

SSE provides a range of wellsite services and equipment to U.S. land-based exploration and production customers operating in unconventional resource plays. Its services include drilling, hydraulic fracturing, oilfield rentals, rig relocation and water transport and disposal, and its operations are geographically diversified across many of the most active oil and natural gas plays in the onshore U.S.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Mega Billion Corporation BLCO seller, Nigeria, online.

KCA Deutag awarded rig contract by Brunei Shell Petroleum

KCA Deutag has secured a contract with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) for the construction and operation of a new build land rig in Brunei.

The design and fabrication of the rig will be undertaken by Bentec, KCA Deutag' s manufacturer of drilling rigs and equipment.

KCA Deutag already operates one 1,500hp rig in Brunei (the T-201), which has been Shell’s land rig of the year for four of the last six years.

Andy Hendry, President of KCA Deutag Land division, said, “This new rig for BSP is very high profile within Brunei, allowing exploration and development of deeper horizons.  Given the desire for best in class drilling efficiency and safety, we are extremely excited to be partnering with BSP on this project and continuing to deliver world-class performance.  This is a very significant land drilling contract for KCA Deutag and I am especially proud of the many employees and functional teams that contributed to its award. Drilling is expected to commence in late 2015.”

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By Mega Billion Corporation BLCO seller, Nigeria, online.