OPEC – Page 115 – Oil & Gas 360

British Columbia Seeking Investment in its LNG Opportunities but Costs, Russia Raise Concern

June 2, 2014

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being touted as the next major movement in the energy industry. Supermajors like Chevron (ticker: CVX), ExxonMobil (ticker: XOM) and Shell (ticker: RDS.B) are investing billions to build up LNG networks while scaling back on more conventional opportunities. The catalyst for such a movement lies overseas in the energy-starved markets of Asia and Europe. In

Mexico’s Oil Industry Update: Will Privatization Reverse Downward Trends?

April 10, 2014

Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, is Mexico’s sole producer of crude oil, natural gas and refined products. The company provides Mexico with one-third of government income and was the ninth largest oil producer in the world in 2012. The oil and gas industry in Mexico has been nationalized since 1938, but production has declined every year since 2004 (24% overall). However,

The Price(s) of Operating in the Oil & Gas Business

January 28, 2014

Commodity prices are influenced by several factors, including short-term catalysts and long term stimulus. Supply and demand often dictates short term prices, while factors such as future demand expectations and production decisions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) can affect prices over the longer term. Supply and demand in the world oil markets are balanced through responses

Debate over Crude Export Ban is Gaining Steam – Changes, Are they a’Coming?

January 21, 2014

Decades ago, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was THE lifeline to the United States’ thirst for oil. Now, record production, horizontal drilling, advanced seismic and completion technologies, and increased spending rates have the U.S. primed to become the world’s top oil producer. Out of 62 companies for which we have gathered data on capital expenditures and estimates,

Natural Gas – Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

January 17, 2014

Natural gas has come a long way since the Chinese first transported it in 500 B.C. through bamboo shoots to boil sea water, and make drinkable. Nowadays, natural gas is the world’s fastest growing fossil fuel, with global consumption expected to jump from 113.0 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in 2010 to 185.0 Tcf in 2040. The United States, already believed

2013 in Review: Horizontal Drilling & Increased Efficiency Paces Historic Year for the United States

December 31, 2013

2013 is winding to a close, and the United States oil and gas industry will cement the year as one of the most productive in history. In October, the Energy Information Association predicted the U.S. will surpass Russia as the world’s top energy producer by year-end. America’s oil boom will continue through 2016, while its abundant supply of natural gas

Egypt Increases Attention on Oil & Gas Sector by Auctioning 22 Concessions

December 30, 2013

On December 30, 2013, Egypt’s state-owned petroleum corporation and natural gas holding company announced an internal auction for 22 concessions intended for oil and gas exploration. The concessions, located in the Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Nile Delta and western desert, all must be in accordance with Egypt’s production sharing agreements. According to the EIA, Egypt is Africa’s second largest dry

OPEC Maintains 30 MMBOPD Output Goal for 2014 Despite Global Surplus and Record U.S. Production

December 23, 2013

Oil ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced the group’s target output for 2014 will remain unchanged at 30 MMBOPD. Ministers of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait made the announcement following a meeting between the exporters on December 22, 2013. “The market is in fear of a shortage of oil,” said Ali al-Naimi, the oil minister

Harvest Natural Resources Announces Agreement to Sell Venezuelan Properties

December 16, 2013

Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., (ticker: HNR) headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an independent energy company with primary assets in Venezuela, exploration assets in Indonesia, West Africa and China. On December 16, 2013, Harvest Natural Resources confirmed it had closed the first phase of a two-phase process to sell its assets in Venezuela and received $125 million ($122 million net), as

Trust, Yet Verify: Long-Term Oil Markets Not Expected to be affected by Iran Pact

November 26, 2013

On November 24, 2013, the United States and Iran reached a diplomatic accord in hopes of soothing tensions existing since the Carter administration. As part of the deal, Iran agreed to freeze its entire nuclear program in exchange for the U.S. to ease its trade restrictions. Relations between Iran and other nations have opened up since Dr. Hassan Rouhani took

Pioneer Natural Resources Sells Alaska Subsidiary for $550 Million, Shifts Focus to Core Wolfcamp Assets

October 25, 2013

Pioneer Natural Resources Company (ticker: PXD) is a large independent oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with operations in the United States. Pioneer is one of the most active drillers in Texas’ Spraberry/Wolfcamp oil field in the Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas. Its natural gas operations focus on the

Petrobras Announces Production Sharing Contract with Four Companies, Prepares to Develop Libra Basin

October 23, 2013

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., or Petrobras (ticker: PBR), is the state-run oil company of Brazil and has operations in 24 countries across five continents. It is the largest producer in South America and participates in E&P, refining, trade, transportation, petrochemicals, oil distribution, electricity, biofuels, and sources of renewable energy. PBR celebrated its 60th anniversary on October 3, 2013. On October 21,

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