Freeport-McMoRan completes acquisition of Apache deepwater GoM interests

Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas (FM O&G) has completed the acquisition of certain of Apache Corporation’s interests in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM).

Following the exercise of preferential purchase rights by other working interest owners in the Lucius project, FM O&G acquired for $919 million, 51.2% of Apache' s 11.7% working interest in the Lucius oil development project, 100% of Apache' s 12.5% working interest in the Heidelberg oil development project and several exploration leases. Following closing and the interim redetermination of equity ownership by the co-owners in the Lucius field, FM O&G owns an approximate 25.1% working interest in Lucius.

The deepwater GoM acquisition was funded with proceeds from the sale of FM O&G’s Eagle Ford shale assets, which closed on June 20.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By ExportGeneral Corporation and services, UK, online.

Odfjell Drilling to take delivery of new ultra-deepwater rig in Q4

The naming ceremony for Odfjell Drilling' s new ultra-deepwater drilling unit, Deepsea Aberdeen, was held on June 25, the company has reported.

Mrs Karen Jones, representing BP, the lady sponsor of the new ultra-deepwater unit, bestowed good luck for the rig and its crew.

The sea trials will roll out from July-August. Odfjell Drilling is expected to take delivery of Deepsea Aberdeen in October/November. From Okpo in South Korea, Deepsea Aberdeen will sail to Singapore and Mauritius, Cape Town and Las Palmas before the rig’s first long trip finally ends West of Shetland to start up drilling operations for BP in first-quarter 2015.

Deepsea Aberdeen is a sixth generation ultra-deepwater and harsh environment semisubmersible of enhanced GVA 7500 design. The semisubmersible will perform drilling operations West of Shetland under a seven-year contract with BP.

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By ExportGeneral Corporation and services, UK, online.

Tenaris to supply gas pipeline Rota 3 for Brazilian Pre-Salt

The 2014-2018 Petrobras Business Plan foresees the allocation of $10 billion in the oil and gas sector, including projects related to pipelines for gas transportation from the Pre-Salt area, such as Rota 3. Last week Tenaris was awarded the supply in this important project and will provide, starting in the first half of 2015, 373 km of welded pipes.

The scope of the project foresees 22-in. pipes for the onshore section between Maricá and Itaboraí, 24-in. pipes in the shallow offshore stretch, and 20-in. pipes in the stretch located in water depths varying from 1,500 to 2,300 m.

The pipes will be produced in the most advanced Tenaris production line in Brazil, the result of an investment of $180 million. The new U-O forming presses produce pipes of greater thicknesses and higher steel grades, capable of withstanding the hostile environments in the exploration of ultra-deep waters, which include high pressures and the transportation of hydro carbonates in sour environments and high levels of corrosion.

Expected to be in operation by 2016/17, Rota 3 will link the areas of Franco (SP) and Maricá (RJ), assuring the increase of oil production from the Pre-salt layer, and guaranteeing the transportation of natural gas extracted from the Pre-Salt to Comperj (RJ Petrochemical Complex) in Itaboraí - a project in which Confab Equipamentos and Tenaris in Brazil participated with the supply of furnaces, towers and pipes. The gas pipeline will have the capacity to transport 21 million cubic meters of gas per day.

"The Rota 3 project represents an important step in the development of the oil and gas sector in Brazil, especially with regards to Pre-Salt challenges. Tenaris has been preparing to be part of this project for a long time. We constantly invest in the innovation of our processes and in the diversification of our products, searching for excellence and for the technological leadership that our customers, such as Petrobras, demand to meet these challenges,” says Tenaris' s President in Brazil, Renato Catallini. "We also count on Usiminas as our strategic partner in Brazil, which will supply part of the X65 sour service steel, developed in partnership with Petrobras, reinforcing our commitment to local content and demonstrating the solidity and strength of our industrial value chain for the country’s offshore energy sector".

Providing useful resources, articles and writings on crude oil, other petroleum products, energy and gas. By ExportGeneral Corporation and services, UK, online.