Monday, September 7, 2026

Vermilion Energy Closes $1.4 Billion Acquisition

Vermilion Energy Inc. (ticker: VET) closed the acquisition of Spartan Energy Corp. for a total consideration of $1.40 billion, comprised of $1.23 billion in Vermilion shares plus the assumption of approximately $175 million in debt. Vermilion acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spartan on the basis of 0.1476 of a Vermilion share for each Spartan common

U.S. Rig Count Heads Up to 1,059

Baker Hughes released its weekly rig count today. The total U.S. number of rigs went up 13, ending the week of May 25, 2018 at 1,059. A year ago at this time there were 881 U.S. rigs at work. Texas has the most rigs by far at 534. Oklahoma is the closest competitor at 140 rigs. Last year the two

The U.S. Sanctions Venezuela

On May 21, 2018 the United States president signed an executive order prohibiting certain transactions with the government of Venezuela. The order restricts transactions involving debt owed to the Venezuelan government. According to law firm Akin Gump, the new prohibitions target three categories of transactions: The purchase of any debt owed to the government of Venezuela, including accounts receivable Any debt owed to the

Iran’s Short-Lived Oil and Gas Boom

Iran’s energy sector will feel the repercussions of renewed sanctions Iran has the world’s fourth-largest proved crude oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, but production in the country has been suppressed by international sanctions and underinvestment. Although some sanctions targeting the energy industry were temporarily lifted, and oil production reached ~3.8 MMBOPD in 2017, growth has remained

OECD Inventories Lowest in Three Years: IEA

Inventory declines have brought prices to three-year highs The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its monthly Oil Market Report today, outlining the group’s analysis of the overall oil market. In March 2018, OECD stocks declined by 27 million barrels to 2,819 million barrels – 214 million barrels below year-ago levels. This is the lowest level in three years, the IEA

API Names New President and CEO

Mike Sommers will be the new president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, following an election this afternoon by API’s board. Sommers brings two decades of political experience to API, including his current role as president and CEO of the American Investment Council. Sommers will succeed Jack Gerard, who said earlier this year that he will step down this

First 2-Million-Barrel Supertanker Arrives at Enterprise Products Partners Terminal

From Bloomberg Crude oil shipment would be biggest ever from the port Offshore terminal LOOP recently began exporting cargoes A 2 million barrel-carrying supertanker arrived for the first time at a jetty in Texas City as surging U.S. oil output drives up incentives to export. The Nave Quasar, a Very Large Crude Carrier, signaled from the jetty at the Gulf

ConocoPhillips Produces 1,224 MBOEPD, Nets $0.9 Billion

ConocoPhillips Company (ticker: COP) reported first quarter 2018 earnings of $0.9 billion, or $0.75 per share. This compares to first quarter 2017 earnings of $0.6 billion, or $0.47 per share. First quarter production, excluding Libya, was 1,224 MBOEPD. Production from Libya was 45 MBOEPD. Conoco said that it grew year-over-year production in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Delaware by 20%.

Shell Expects its Deepwater GOM Project Vito will Break Even at Sub-$35 Oil

Royal Dutch Shell’s (ticker: RDS.A) Shell Offshore Inc. finalized its investment decision for the deep-water development, Vito, located in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The company said it estimates a forward-looking, breakeven price to be less than $35 per barrel. Vito will be Shell’s 11th deep-water host in the Gulf of Mexico and it is currently scheduled to begin producing

Elk Petroleum’s Grieve CO2 Project Starts Production

Elk Petroleum Limited (ticker: ELK) has commenced production on its Grieve CO2 EOR Project. The company said it expects initial gross oil production of 1,100-1,200 BOPD. CEO Brad Lingo commented, “I’m exceedingly pleased to announce the start-up of oil production from the Grieve CO2 EOR project. Reaching this point has been the result of the commitment and dedication of the

Crescent Point Energy Grows USA Operations

Crescent Point Energy Corp. (ticker: CPG) said its Q1 2018 production and cash flow from its U.S. assets have grown year-over-year by approximately 60% and 175%, respectively. Additionally, the company said its land position in the east shale Duvernay light oil resource play now totals over 355,000 net acres ($315/acre), or 555 net sections. “Our U.S. assets continue to grow

Canada Needs Higher Takeaway Capacity and Lower Oil Price Differential

Canada is hurting for takeaway capacity—the industry needs pipelines to take its oil and gas production to market, or more locomotive hauling capacity—or both. Cenovus Energy Inc. (ticker: CVE) said it has reduced production rates due to pipeline constraints and a lower price for Canada’s oil. Cenovus is storing excess barrels in its reservoirs due to wider than normal light-heavy