Shell

Australia’s BHP Billiton and the recently acquired Anadarko Petroleum submitted the largest dollar totals of high bids in US Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 253.

The subsea tieback is expected to start up in 2021. This is Shell’s second major development on a tieback in the US Gulf of Mexico, following Kaikias’ startup in May.

Shell is continuing its exploration of blockchain with yet another investment in the technology, this time investing in LO3, a startup using a modified version of the Ethereum blockchain to make it easier for individuals to buy and sell locally produced energy.

Moving their directional drillers into their Houston real-time remote operations centers has improved drilling efficiency for two of the top shale producers.

In its first 50 years, LNG has become the world’s fastest-growing gas supply source and is now part of an upheaval in the global energy market. Today, the sector stands at a crossroads, and the industry must adopt new thinking to address current and future needs of buyers, sellers, and consumers.

Bravo is the second of four platforms to be decommissioned and removed from the Brent field, following Brent Delta in 2017. The field has produced approximately 3 billion boe since 1976.

First cargo from the world’s largest floating LNG project comes in the midst of low LNG prices sparked by a global supply boost. Prelude is expected to produce 3.6 mtpa for Shell.

The new well control rule is evidence that memories of the Macondo blowout remain a powerful force for caution. Despite the rhetoric on both sides of this hot-button issue suggesting big changes, the final changes were incremental.

Malaysia’s Petronas, Shell Malaysia, and Thailand’s PTTEP are now in the midst of full-scale digital adoption. The companies are beginning to see results, but none is counting on a “big bang” in development of the technology soon.

Appomattox begins production below cost and ahead of schedule in another optimistic sign of the offshore sector’s rebound.