Aker Exploration increase share in North Sea blocks
2008.04.17 -
Company News
Aker Exploration has acquired an additional 30% interest in PL 460 which covers parts of Blocks 25/1, 25/2 and 24/3 in the northern part of the North Sea, from StatoilHydro. Aker Exploration was awarded a 30% interest in this license in the APA 2007 awards announced in February 2008 and this transaction increases the company’s total interest in the license to 60%. The license operator is Det norske oljeselskap ASA , with a 40% interest. The license partners have already committed to drilling an exploration well within a two year period.
The transaction is contingent upon approval by the Norwegian authorities.
Aker Exploration, which has available financing of approximately NOK 6 billion, has entered into a long-term drilling agreement with Aker Drilling for deployment of the sixth-generation semi-submersible platform Aker Barents. Aker Exploration is aggressively targeting new oil and gas resources through license applications and swapping drilling capacity for license stakes. The company is conducting comprehensive electromagnetic Seabed Logging (SBL) and seismic surveys to select optimal drilling sites for discovering subsea hydrocarbon resources. The company was listed on Oslo Axess in December 2007.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA ('PGS' or the Company) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Applied Geophysical Services, Inc. (AGS) for a price of USD 51 million, subject to certain adjustments for changes in working capital. PGS estimates an enterprise value for AGS of approximately USD 46 million. AGS is based in Houston, Texas and specializes in providing advanced depth imaging services. The transaction is expected to close during the course of this week.
Total announces the acquisition of a 40% interest in three exploration permits northeast of Ichthys on the Australian Browse Basin jointly with Inpex (60%, operator). These interests were held by ConocoPhillips. This acquisition is subject to the approval of the Australian authorities.
Rowan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RDC) announced today that it has entered into contracts with Keppel AmFELS, Inc. for the construction of four Super 116E class jack-ups. The rigs will be built at AmFELS' Brownsville, Texas shipyard, with delivery scheduled at approximately four-month intervals beginning in the second quarter of 2010.
Gaz de France has acquired a 45% stake in the Alam El Shawish West licence in Egypt from Vegas Oil & Gas.
Trico Marine Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMA) ("Trico") and Active Subsea ASA (NOTC: ASUB) ("Active Subsea") today announced that Trico intends to make a voluntary offer for all outstanding shares, options and warrants of Active Subsea.
