
Apache Corp and Total SA announced they had made a major oil discovery in a closely watched area off the coast of South America’s Suriname, sending Apache’s shares surging nearly 27%.

Rockhopper Exploration PLC on Tuesday said it has signed a milestone farm-in deal at the Sea Lion project in the Falkland Islands. Rockhopper shares were 30% higher in early trade in London at a price of 19.44 pence each. Premier was 13% higher at 114.62p.

In an apparent slip of the tongue, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile.

Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem SA has agreed to a 2.7 billion reais (US$ 667 million) settlement with federal and state authorities in the northeastern state of Alagoas to cover damage caused by a salt mining project there.

The socio-economic impact of oil and gas development in the Falkland Islands has been the subject of a Government report. This is in anticipation of significant economic activity that will be generated by the potential development of the Sea Lion oilfield as well as planned capital projects.

Argentine president Alberto Fernandez asked the state-managed oil company YPF to roll back a 5% increase on fuels scheduled to become effective, January first, and which would have a major impact on inflation and food prices.

The Argentine government made official the appointment of Daniel Filmus as head of the Malvinas, Antarctica and South Atlantic Secretary, which depends on the ministry of foreign affairs and worship.

Australian authorities said on Friday that they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense bushfires surrounding Sydney, the country's largest city. Firefighters battling the blazes for weeks received a reprieve of slightly cooler, damper conditions over Christmas, but the respite is not expected to last long.

Saudi ARAMCO said on Wednesday a new agreement between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait paves the way for the resumption of oil production in the Neutral (partitioned) Zone shared by the two countries.

OPEC Wednesday announced that oil pumping in Venezuela in November reached 697.000 bpd. But one country's increase in production may not have a positive impact in the near future in view of OPEC's decision to curb output in an attempt to keep inventories at a level that holds profit margins attractive.