Energy & Oil

• Friday, February 11th 2011 - 20:06 UTC

  Falklands’ Rockhopper latest well strikes quality reservoir and samples of live oil

  

  A well drilled by Rockhopper Exploration off the Falkland Islands struck a good quality reservoir that bodes well for further development in the area announced the UK explorer in a release.

• Thursday, February 10th 2011 - 10:53 UTC

  Chile prepares for energy rationing; insufficient rainfall caused by La Niña

  

  The strongest La Niña weather cycle in 35 years has reduced rainfall by up to 46% in some areas of Chile. The dry season began last March and is expected to continue through May.

• Thursday, February 10th 2011 - 02:58 UTC

  Wind farms programmed to supply 25% of Uruguay electricity grid

  

  Uruguay intends to develop as many wind farms as its electricity grid can support, effectively diversifying its energy supply beyond hydropower and fossil fuels. At present, the country is in the process of installing 500MW of wind power projects.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2011 - 21:17 UTC

  Ensco becomes the world’s second largest off-shore drilling company

  

  UK based oil drilling services company Ensco PLC said Monday it has agreed to buy US rival Pride International Inc. in a 7.3 billion US dollars cash and stock deal that will create the world's second largest off-shore drilling company.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2011 - 05:08 UTC

  Petrobras third largest oil company on market capitalization

  

  Based on market capitalization Brazilian government managed oil and gas company Petrobras ranked third worldwide according to the prestigious PFC Energy 50 list of the world's biggest energy companies.

• Friday, February 4th 2011 - 21:11 UTC

  Massive blackout in Brazil exposes vulnerability of energy infrastructure

  

  A widespread blackout hit at eight states in Brazil's northeast Friday exposing energy infrastructure vulnerabilities of the nation that will host an Olympics and a World Cup.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 23:02 UTC

  Falklands’ “Ocean Guardian” oil rig operational capabilities upgraded

  

  Oilfield equipment specialist Titan Torque Services has secured a six-figure contract to provide support services for exploration work off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. The company signed a one-year deal with well management company AGR Petroleum Services to provide torquing facilities in support drilling rig “Ocean Guardian” operations.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:47 UTC

  Major scientific feat: reactor turns solar energy into storable hydrocarbon fuel

  

  Researchers have unveiled a prototype reactor which mimics plant life, turning the Sun’s energy to make hydrocarbon fuel, according to an article published in the latest edition of Science.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 18:06 UTC

  In spite of 100 years of production, Venezuela claims world’s largest proven oil reserves

  

  Venezuela holds 297 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, most of it in tar sands but sufficient to be ahead of Saudi Arabia considered by world experts the number one country in reserves.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 14:27 UTC

  Brazilian oil output reaches 2.18 million bpd in December; 9% above a year ago

  

  Brazil’s production of oil and natural gas in December 2010 surpassed the previous one-month record, according to a release from the ANP regulatory agency. December 2010 oil output of 2.18 million barrels per day represents a 4.4% increase over November and was 9.1% higher than in December 2009.