September 22nd, 2018

USGS EVALUATES GAS HYDRATES DISTRIBUTION ON THE US ATLANTIC MARGIN

September 22, 2018

Data acquired by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the U.S. Atlantic Margin in August 2018 reveal new information about the distribution of gas hydrates in the sector stretching from the upper continental slope to deep water areas offshore New Jersey to North Carolina. The Mid-Atlantic Resource Imaging Experiment (MATRIX), which was jointly sponsored by the USGS Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP), the Methane Hydrates R&D Program at the Department of Energy, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, acquired more than 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 statute miles) of marine seismic data that image gas hydrate features and other geologic structures below the seafloor. Gas hydrate forms naturally in seafloor sediments when methane and water combine at moderate pressures and relatively low temperatures. Gas hydrate deposits resemble ice, and they concentrate enormous amounts of methane in the global oceans and in permafrost areas. On the U.S. Atlantic Margin, BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) had previously identified potential deep water gas hydrate accumulations that guided planning for MATRIX. In fact, the sediments of deep marine continental margins host nearly 99 percent of the world’s gas hydrate. The MATRIX data capture images 1 to 3 km (about 3,300 to 9,800 ft) below the seafloor and provide new information about the distribution of a key seismic indicator linked to the presence of gas hydrate. The data also reveal shallow gas deposits and structural features beneath some of the hundreds of seafloor methane seeps discovered along the Atlantic Margin since 2011. Images include submarine landslide deposits, shallow faults, and sedimentary markers considered important in interpreting the history of the Atlantic Ocean basin to inform assessment of geologic hazards along the eastern seaboard. The USGS Gas Hydrates Project focuses on the energy resource potential of gas hydrates, the interaction between hydrates and the environment, and connections between gas hydrates and geohazards like submarine landslides. MATRIX produced data that will, for years to come, facilitate studies in all of these areas and support broader analyses of the margin’s hazards, stratigraphy, and deep structure by the USGS, other agencies, and the academic community. (Source and image: USGS - Launch of expendable sonobuoy from USGS survey ship)

NOBLE ACQUIRES NEWBUILD JACKUP TO BE NAMED JOHNNY WHITSTINE

September 21, 2018

Noble Corporation announced the purchase of a new Gusto MSC CJ46 design jackup rig from the PaxOcean Group in connection with a concurrently awarded drilling...

Read More+

FRAMATOME TO DELIVER ACCIDENT TOLERANT NUCLEAR FUEL TO ANO

September 21, 2018

Framatome signed a contract with Entergy to deliver and insert lead use fuel rods that utilize chromium-coated rods into Unit 1 at Arkansas Nuclear One...

Read More+

WEST HERCULES TO DRILL TWO WELLS IN THE BARENTS SEA

September 21, 2018

Seadrill Norway Operations Limited has been awarded a contract for drilling two exploration wells for Equinor in the Barents Sea by use of the West Hercules...

Read More+

EXXONMOBIL JOINS OIL AND GAS CLIMATE INITIATIVE (OGCI)

September 21, 2018

ExxonMobil will join the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), a voluntary initiative representing 13 of the world’s largest oil and gas producers working...

Read More+

GERMANY: IBERDROLA STARTS WORK ON BALTIC EAGLE OFFSHORE WIND FARM

September 20, 2018

Spanish Iberdrola has begun the geotechnical phase for the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm, which will have a capacity of 476 MW, representing the start...

Read More+

NOVATEK FINDS NEW DEPOSITS AT UTRENNEYE FIELD

September 20, 2018

PAO Novatek announced that upon drilling and testing of well #294 at the Utrenneye field, two new hydrocarbon deposits were discovered and commercial viability...

Read More+

KEPPEL TO MARKET LNG SOLUTIONS WITH GTT TECHNOLOGY

September 20, 2018

Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has signed a Technical Assistance and License Agreement (TALA) with Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) that...

Read More+

CNOOC COMMENCES PRODUCTION FROM PENGLAI 19.3 OILFIELD

September 19, 2018

CNOOC Limited announced the Penglai 19-3 oilfield 1/3/8/9 comprehensive adjustment project has commenced production. Penglai 19-3 oilfield 1/3/8/9 comprehensive...

Read More+

WEST AQUARIUS AWARDED CONTRACT OFFSHORE CANADA

September 19, 2018

Seadrill Partners LLC has secured a one well contract with multiple options with ExxonMobil Canada, Ltd., for the West Aquarius in Canada. Backlog for...

Read More+

KOSMOS ENERGY COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF DEEP GULF ENERGY

September 19, 2018

Kosmos Energy based in Dalles, TX, announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Deep Gulf Energy (DGE)1, a leading deepwater company...

Read More+

NORTH DAKOTA SETS NEW OIL PRODUCTION RECORDS

September 19, 2018

According to the Minot Daily News, the Department of Mineral Resources reported that North Dakota’s oilfields pumped 39,350,346 barrels of oil in July....

Read More+

CHENIERE AND VITOL SIGN 15-YEAR LNG AGREEMENT

September 18, 2018

Cheniere Energy announced that its subsidiary Cheniere Marketing, has entered into a liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Vitol...

Read More+