ExxonMobil

Brazil’s large offshore discoveries and domestic demand for oil and gas are a combination that holds potential for explorers to make money on high-priced blocks. A series of offshore auctions offering more attractive properties at more reasonable terms have attracted aggressive bidding.

With presidential elections looming and energy reforms at a critical juncture, the two Latin American energy powers awarded a bevy of blocks to a who’s who of international oil companies.

The US supermajor continues to evolve its global strategy by pulling out of once-promising Russian partnerships and adding to its offshore Guyana oil drilling bounty.

Many operators are taking a full-life-cycle approach to preparing for decommissioning—a shift borne of necessity amid cost and regulatory constraints.

In November, ExxonMobil signed a commitment with several companies aimed at reducing methane emissions. That agreement built off earlier efforts the company had announced to enhance voluntary methane reduction.

The Irving, Texas-based supermajor plans to cash in on its expanded foothold in the Permian Basin, aided by a big reduction in the US corporate tax rate.

ExxonMobil will lead the construction and operation of all future natural gas liquefaction and related facilities and assume midstream operations in Mozambique’s Area 4. Eni will continue to lead the Coral floating LNG project and all upstream operations.

Advancements in extended-reach drilling continue from the ExxonMobil-operated Sakhalin-1 project. The latest “super complex” horizontal well stretches 15,000 m, which partner Rosneft says is a “world record.”

The Stanford University and Environmental Defense Fund launched a challenge for mobile methane leak monitoring technology. ExxonMobil will serve as a technical adviser.

Emerging technologies from medical science and the aerospace industry could have a disruptive impact on oil and gas operations. A panel of scientists looked into these technologies and discussed their potential role in the industry.