Industry Developments

M&A activity in the US shale sector continues to gather pace. We reiterate that consolidation will continue in 2012, especially in liquids-rich plays. This is likely to keep valuations... 2012-01-06

M&A activity in the US shale sector continues to gather pace. We anticipate that consolidation will continue in 2012, especially in oil-rich plays. Meanwhile, national oil companies... 2012-01-04

Venezuela has claimed an early victory in its legal battle with Exxon after the ICC ruled the country owes the US oil major just under US$1bn for assets seized during the Chavez government's... 2012-01-04

Total's deal with Chesapeake and EnerVest marks a new record for Utica acreage valuations. It is also further evidence of the rapid consolidation in the US shale oil business, with... 2012-01-03

A declaration of commerciality at the Petrobras-operated Guara field has been issued to Brazil's National Petroleum Agency (ANP). The prospect illustrates the enormous reserves and... 2011-12-30

BMI View: The possible capacity expansion and pipeline extension of the Seaway pipeline suggests that a reversal of flows was only a first step towards realising Enbridge and Enterprise... 2011-12-22

Regulators have approved two key upstream projects in Alaska in a clear sign that the Obama administration is endeavouring to kick-start upstream activity in the region. However, BMI... 2011-12-20

BMI View:The recently announced loan to Costa Rica from China for an oil refinery project reinforces our view that the Asian economy will become an increasingly important economic... 2011-12-19

Healthy interest in the first post-Deepwater Horizon lease sale is a very positive signal that operations in the Gulf are returning to normal. BP's strong presence in the round is also... 2011-12-16

Frac Tech's shale expertise makes it highly attractive to national oil companies looking to accelerate their own unconventional oil and gas programmes. Moreover, the cash injection... 2011-12-15