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Crude oil

American Petroleum Institute CEO disappointed by US shale gas committee findings

American Petroleum Institute (API) chief executive Jack Gerard welcomed an acknowledgement from the US government subcommittee on shale gas of the economic and energy security benefits of natural gas development, but said the specific recommendations were disappointing and confusing.

El Paso Corp. to spin off E&P business in 2011

Natural gas company El Paso Corp. said Thursday that it had taken important steps related to the planned spinoff of its E&P business before year-end 2011. On Thursday, El Paso filed its initial Form 10 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. This filing provides information about the spinoff and provides a detailed look at all aspects of the E&P business.

W&T closes deal for Shell offshore field in US Gulf, nearby gas processing plant

W&T closes deal for US Shell offshore fields, gas processing plant W&T Offshore has closed its acquisition of Shell’s 64.3% interest in the Fairway Field along with a 64.3% interest in the associated Yellowhammer gas processing plant, with an effective date of September 1, 2010.

Hestya Energy to buy German refinery, related assets from ConocoPhillips

Hestya Energy B.V. has signed an agreement to purchase the Wilhelmshaven oil refinery, tank farm and marine terminal in Germany from an affiliate of ConocoPhillips. Hestya will then restart the refinery, which has been mothballed for about two years.

US shale plays spark Q2 increase in oil, gas deals

Ongoing interest in shale acreage, deals for midstream assets and increased investments from foreign buyers in the US oil and gas industry helped drive US oil and gas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) value to $39 billion in the second quarter of 2011, according to a quarterly report from accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

IEA cuts 2011 oil demand outlook on soft economy

The International Energy Agency (IEA) opted Wednesday to lower its 2011 forecast for oil demand growth, citing high energy prices and lower-than-expected economic growth. The agency cut its demand forecast for the year by 60,000 bpd to 89.5 million bpd.

Chevron starts deepwater drilling project in Nigeria

Pacific Drilling S.A. announced that its ultra-deepwater drillship the Pacific Bora commenced operations at the Agbami Field in Nigeria on August 10. The rig is contracted for three years to a wholly-owned Chevron subsidiary.

Foster Wheeler starts second phase of Colombia refinery modernization

Foster Wheeler has begun the second phase of its existing contract with Ecopetrol S.A. for a refinery modernization project at Barrancabermeja (PMRB) in Colombia.

Air Products to supply hydrogen for Shell Deer Park refinery in Texas

Air Products announced a long-term agreement with Shell Oil to supply a significant portion of the hydrogen requirements at Shell's refinery in Deer Park, Texas. The hydrogen supply will commence in mid-2013, the company said.

LUKOIL awards Baker Hughes engineering contract for Iraq drilling project

LUKOIL has awarded Baker Hughes a two-year contract to provide full drilling and completion services for 23 wells in the West Qurna field in southeast Iraq, 31 miles west of Basra. Under the terms of the contract, Baker Hughes will provide engineering and project management for the turnkey drilling and completions scope of the project.