Brazilian companies are moving into Africa amid a government drive to build closer economic ties with the continent. A year ago Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, exported its first overseas coal shipment from Mozambique.
Working on experience gained from the relocation of thousands of tons of equipment from Aberdeen to the Falkland Islands for the round of exploratory drilling started in 2010 has helped a Scottish company launch a software program set to revolutionize the oil and gas industry.
The Falkland Islands government has granted a one year extension for Rockhopper Exploration’s production licences PL023 and PL024. The licences, in which Rockhopper has a 40% interest, have been extended until November 2013, with no requirement for the operator to perform further work on the licences in that time.
Hedge funds have been quietly building up stakes in the oil explorers operating off the Falkland Islands betting that companies will ignore the threats made by Argentina to disrupt the activity, according to a Reuters’ piece published this week.
Planning ahead for the next three years Falkland Islands Desire Petroleum announced on Wednesday changes to its Production Licences following approval received from Executive Council.
Australia’s Petrel Energy is getting involved in Uruguay after taking a stake in a private US player which also gives it a presence in Spain. The Sydney-based explorer said its 25% stake in Schuepach Energy International (SEI) gives the company a shot at unearthing “company-making” large scale oil and gas discoveries.
The Brazilian Foreign ministry revealed in a brief release that during October discussions between Mercosur and the European Union representatives both sides “confirmed their commitment to advance negotiations to achieve a wide ranging, balanced and ambitious agreement”.
Wall Street stock and options markets will be closed on Monday and possibly Tuesday, the exchange operator said, going back on a plan that would have kept electronic trading going on Monday.
Fernando Haddad of Brazil’s ruling Workers Party, a protégé of ex-president Lula da Silva, won Sao Paulo’s mayoral runoff election, according to official results. With 92% of ballots counted, Haddad had secured 56% to defeat his opposition rival and former presidential candidate Jose Serra of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party who received 43.9%.
Chilean President Sebastian Piñera says the decision by many Chileans not to vote in Sunday's local elections is a warning sign that should be heeded. The polls, the first to be held since voting was made voluntary, were marked by an abstention of 60%.