Monthly Archives: April 2010

US oil rig count climbs to 1,476 in April 2010

Posted on by
Reply
News Extract from OGJ editors, dated Apr 9, 2010
HOUSTON, Apr. 9 — The number of rotary rigs working in the US continued to climb this week with 1,476 units drilling, 11 more than the previous week and up from 1,005 during the comparable period a year ago, reported Baker Hughes Inc.

Land operations accounted for 1,407 rigs, up 8 from a week ago. Activity in inland waters was unchanged at 15 rigs drilling. US offshore gained 3 rigs to reach 54 total in US waters, including the gain of 3 rigs to 53 units working in the Gulf of Mexico.

Of the US rigs working, 959 were drilling for natural gas, 10 more than the previous week. The number drilling for oil increased by 3 to 505. There were 12 rotary rigs unclassified. Horizontal drilling increased by 14 rigs to 749. Directional drilling increased by 3 units to 225.

Texas had the biggest increase among major producing states, up by 5 rigs to 628 working. New Mexico was up 4 rigs to 50 working. Up 2 rigs each were Louisiana and Pennsylvania with respective counts of 220 and 78. Alaska, California, and North Dakota were all up 1 rig, reaching 10, 30, and 95, respectively. Arkansas, West Virginia, and Wyoming were all unchanged at 41, 22, and 37 rigs working, respectively. Colorado’s rig could was 51, down 1 rig from a week ago. Oklahoma showed the biggest loss this week, down 3 units to 116 drilling.

Canada’s rotary rig count fell again this week, down 25 units this week to 126, up from 83 in the same period in 2009.

Production Operator Trainees Oil and Gas Jobs Vacancy in Nigeria by 15 April 2010

Posted on by
15

Jobs in Nigeria Graduate Trainee Vacancies 2010
Total Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) is a leading Oil and Gas exploration and production Company and a subsidiary of the Total Group. The company is in a growth phase, and as part of its expansion activities, welcomes applications from suitably qualified Nigerians for its Oil & Gas Production Operations Training Scheme facilitated by a training company. During the training programme participants will be on a Training Contract and on successful completion of the training programme would be considered for the usual recruitment process leading to employment in TEPNG.

Production Operator Trainees
Job description :
Successful applications will be enrolled into TEPNG’s Oil & Gas Production Training Scheme. Candidates who successfully complete the training programme will be considered for the usual recruitment process in TEPNG.
Upon employment, the ideal candidate will be responsible for effective and efficient operation and monitoring of production process equipment associated with TEPNG’s onshore or offshore production facilities. Specifically, the job holder will:
• Safely operate (or supervise the operation) and monitor all production process equipment associated with TEPNG oil and gas production, pipe lines, utility and safety systems to achieve set production and or operational targets.

• Carry out first level maintenance on instrumentation, pumps and other production equipment.
• Ensure that all relevant production data is accurately recorded and reported daily.
• Advise the Chief Operator of any potentially hazardous situations in order to ensure the earliest possible return to completely safe working conditions.
• Ensure that all installations and work sites are kept safe and that a safe and secure working environment exists at all times with particular regard to the permit to work procedures.
• Ensure that all installations and work sites are kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Maintain full awareness of emergency procedures so as to be capable of immediately assuring the appropriate responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• To carry out any other duties assigned to him that are within his capabilities and for which he has received appropriate training.
• During, facility commissioning perios, assist the commissioning team in preparing commissioning operating tests and equipment performance checks, as well as preparing the start-up phase
Required skills :

Education :
The ideal candidate must be a motivated self-starter who possesses the following qualifications and attributes:

OND or HND (or their equivalents) in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical or Petroleum Engineering from accredited higher institutions
Class of degree of at least Upper Credit

2008/2009 graduate who has not participated in TEPNG’s recruitment process within the last 24 months

Experience :

  • The position does not require any experience. However, Oil & Gas bias may be an added advantage.

Skills :

  • High numeracy skills
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills

More Details
Contract : permanent position
Branch : Exploration Production
Location : Nigeria – Port Harcourt
Interviews will take place in : Port Harcourt
Starting date : As soon as possible
Salary : According to profile and experience
Detail Information visit our website at www.careers.total.com and application forms which must be completed online. No paper applications will be accepted.

Oil and Gas Jobs Nigeria Jobs as Production Operator Trainees Application Deadline is 15th April 2010

Iran plan to privatise oil and gas sector 2010 onwards

Posted on by
Reply

Iran plans to privatise its oil refining, petrochemicals and oilfield services sectors but it may have problems finding buyers. Under the threat of stiffer sanctions over its nuclear programme, the second-largest OPEC oil producer is seeking to accelerate the sale of state assets to help balance the government’s books and revitalise its troubled economy.

Now, even some parts of Iran’s previously sacrosanct petroleum industry could be up for sale in a reversal of the country’s previous policy of strict nationalisation of oil and gas assets

“The work on ceding [ownership of] oil companies has begun and based on plans, all petrochemical units and refineries will be ceded, including service, drilling and support companies,” the Iranian oil minister Massoud Mirkazemi said on Saturday, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.

A senior Iranian privatisation official said this month Tehran was aiming to raise about US$12.5 billion (Dh45.91bn) by selling more than 500 state firms to private-sector investors in the coming year, Reuters reported.

But the long-running standoff over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions has led the US to exert increasing pressure on its allies to shun commercial dealings with Iran.

Tehran may therefore have difficulty finding buyers willing to risk a spat with the US.

Another problem is that the refining and petrochemicals industries face tough times due to the slow pace of global economic recovery.

Already thin petroleum refining margins, which contracted sharply last year as the downturn sapped demand for fuels, will shrink even further this year, the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie predicts.

“Refinery over-expansion from the previous up cycle will be felt while the industry adjusts to shifts in market demand,” the international consulting and publishing firm Hart Energy said in a recent issue of its Global Refining and Fuels Report.

Click here for Full Article Source

US gas reserves to reach 250 tcf 2009 onwards

Posted on by
Reply

OGJ Washington Editor

WASHINGTON, DC, Apr. 8 — Known US natural gas reserves likely increased for an 11th consecutive year at the end of 2009 to 250 tcf, their highest level in 35 years, the American Gas Association said on Apr. 6. Increased production from shale, tight sands, and other unconventional sources contributed to supply optimism, it added.

“Natural gas supply in this country remains bullish,” AGA Pres. David N. Parker said. “Production is also up, underpinned by the recent development of secure, domestic gas resources in deep water offshore, as well as unconventional gas in the Lower 48 states.”

AGA believes supply and production levels will hold stead for the foreseeable future “unless significant policy decision restrict access to potential resources,” he added.

The report, “Preliminary Findings Concerning 2009 Natural Gas Reserves,” identified BP America Inc. as the year’s largest US producer, representing less than 5% of the national total. It said that other leading domestic gas producers ranged from ExxonMobil Corp. to large independent producers such as Chesapeake Energy Corp., Devon Energy Corp., Anadarko Petroleum Corp., and EOG Resources Inc.

“In fact, thousands of other large, midsize, and small producers provided the bulk of domestic gas to local distribution companies last year,” Parker said.

Striking Rich in Oil and Gas Industry as Employees ONLY !

Posted on by
Reply

Based on 7000 responses from oil and gas industry survey conducted by the Hays, the world’s leading recruiting experts, oil and gas professionals are well paid compared to many other industries.

The Oil & Gas Global Salary Guide is based on some 7,000 responses and presents the average salaries of oil and gas professionals working across more than 30 countries and 20 discipline areas.

Undoubtedly oil and gas professionals are a valuable commodity regardless of the global financial crisis. Matt Underhill, Managing Director of Hays Oil & Gas, explains: “With an average permanent staff salary of more than US $75,000 equivalent globally, those in this industry are earning a premium compared to most other industries. Professionals in the industry are well paid, highly skilled and highly mobile,” continues Underhill.

The input from more than 7,000 professionals provides in depth analysis of the industry as it stands today and is undoubtedly a unique offering in the world of oil and gas. “When Hays requested oil and gas job search’s assistance with the survey, it was with a great deal of excitement that we accepted the challenge,” said Duncan Freer, Managing Director of Oil and Gas Job Search.

Highlights of survey results:

• Average permanent salary is $75,000

• Average contract salary for local professionals is $95,000 and $168,000 for imported professionals

• Those working within subsea/pipelines are the big winners, earning on average $109,000 per annum

• Two thirds of employers surveyed intend to award salary increases in the next 12 months