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Canadian holding company MCW Energy Group demonstrated its initial oil sands extraction plant at Asphalt Ridge, near Vernal, Utah, to a group of investors, MCW shareholders, and local and state officials during a ribbon-cutting event. MCW’s guests were given a tour (far right photo) of the new plant while it was operating, and each person was provided with a vial of the day’s first oil production, along with a sample of the processed, clean sand. Among the many MCW and Utah state dignitaries present (above photo) were Val Hale (left) director of the Utah Energy Development Department, Aleksandr Blyumkin (center), chairman of MCW Energy Group, and Utah state Sen. Kevin van Tassell (right). “The extraction of oil from Utah’s oil sands unlocks millions of barrels of oil that will further supplement the energy needs of America,” said MCW’s CEO, Dr. Jerry Bailey. Several items remain to be finished before the plant begins regular production, including a process optimization assessment; analysis of sand and air samples to confirm environmental compliance; and completion of safety documents.
Saudi Aramco has opened a 60,000-ft2 upstream research center at 16300 Park Row on the west side of Houston. The facility will focus on production management, drilling, reservoir engineering, geology, geophysics, and advances related to subsurface sensing and control. The new center is part of Saudi Aramco’s increased commitment to R&D, which includes tripling R&D staffing and increasing funding five-fold.
Cameron has selected AUMA as a technology partner in developing the LEDEEN line of electrtic actuation offerings. The partnership will help Cameron complete its valve automation actuation product portfolio, providing package solutions, including LEDEEN electric, electrohydraulic, pneumatic, hydraulic, direct gas, gas-over-oil, subsea, and compact actuators.
Callon Petroleum Company closed its previously announced acquisition of 6,230 gross (3,862 net) surface acres and associated production in Midland, Andrews, Martin and Ector counties, Texas. Including estimated purchase price adjustments, total net consideration paid for the acquisition was approximately $205 million. The properties historically have been developed with vertical wells, although horizontal activity has recently increased. Two horizontal Wolfcamp B wells have been drilled since June 2014 with one, the Casselman 8-1H, flowing back and another, the Bohannon 24-2H, in the process of completion. In addition, the Casselman 40-4H, a horizontal Lower Spraberry well, was drilling at press time.
Sulzer has completed its acquisition of Advanced Separation Company (ASCOM) and ProLabNL. ASCOM’s portfolio covers gas, liquids and solids separation and treatment. ProLabNL offers flow loops that simulate oilfield conditions under differing pressure conditions for conventional and subsea technology qualification programs.
D&L Oil Tools has completed a $4.9-million expansion at its manufacturing site in Tulsa. In addition to the expansion, a $2.9-million investment was made in D&L’s current facility with the purchase of the Okuma Multus B750-W 4000. The machine includes heavy duty motors and dual spindles, so that parts can be completed from raw material. “We now have the capacity to make, and ship, a product in the same day, and that’s what our customers need,” said Dan Eslicker, V.P. of Operations.
Miller Environmental Services, a Texas-based industrial cleaning and environmental services company, is partnering with Trinity Hunt Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm. Trinity Hunt will recapitalize Miller Environmental and position the company for continued growth in the Gulf Coast area.
3M has opened the doors of its Customer Engagement Center (CEC) in Altens, Aberdeen for the oil and gas sector. “We will offer visitors to the center the opportunity to learn more about our wide reaching technologies but also the chance to interact with them,” said 3M digital marketing executive Kirstie Heneghan.
OneSubsea, a Cameron and Schlumberger company, has been awarded a subsea production systems contract totaling more than $290 million for the Lakach deepwater project offshore Mexico. This is the first deepwater subsea field to be developed by Pemex. The scope of supply for the seven well system includes subsea production equipment and tooling. OneSubsea will also provide installation and commissioning services. Deliveries are expected to begin in June 2016.
Midstream company Targa Resources Corp. has bought out Atlas Pipeline Partners LP and Atlas Energy LP for $5.87 billion. Atlas Resources owns an interest in over 12,000 producing natural gas and oil wells across North America, with 1.4 Tcf of net proved developed reserves. Atlas Pipeline owns and operates 14 gas processing plants with 1.5 Bcf/d of processing capacity and approximately 10,600 mi of pipeline, and also owns 20% in the Chevron-operated West Texas LPG Pipeline. The move expands Targa’s reach into the Eagle Ford, Mississippi Lime, and SCOOP plays.
Petrofac’s Offshore Projects & Operations business unit has been selected to provide engineering and construction support worth for the Chevron-operated Captain, Alba, and Erskine platforms in the North Sea. Petrofac has also been awarded a major contract in Iraq to provide general construction management services to BP Iraq on the Rumaila field near Basra.
ARM Midstream will build a crude oil gathering system in North Dakota that will serve the Bakken shale and Three Forks formation. The system will gather crude oil from points in McKenzie County and transport to interconnections with both downstream pipelines and rail takeaway facilities. ARM will hold an open season to gauge market interest.
Wood Group Mustang has been awarded the pre-FEED contract by Statoil for the proposed Snorre C TLP on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Work is being conducted by Wood Group Mustang and Wood Group Kenny, and follows their completion of the project’s feasibility phase in 2013. In addition, Wood Group Mustang is working on the Ivar Aasen topsides for Det Norske, also on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
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