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Crude oil

Gulf oil, natural gas platforms shut in production as Tropical Storm Don targets Texas

Several oil and natural gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico began shutting in production and evacuating platforms on Thursday as Tropical Storm Don moves toward the lower Texas coast. Overall, the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 29% of US oil production and 13% of natural gas, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

US groups API, NPRA praise House passage of bill seeking Keystone XL Pipeline decision

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) each issued statements of support after the US House of Representatives passed the North American-Made Energy Act, which seeks to speed up the permitting process for the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline.

PGI Energy inks deal to trade Saudi Aramco crude

PGI Energy has entered into a one-year allocation agreement with its limited joint venture partner Intertorco Europe S.A. as the exclusive trading desk for 6 million bbl/month of Saudi light crude oil from Saudi Aramco.

Hess signs three-year contracts to explore Iraq

Energy giant Hess has signed production sharing contracts (PSCs) with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq for the country’s Dinarta and Shakrok exploration blocks.

Calumet to buy Wisconsin refinery from Murphy Oil for around $475mn

Murphy Oil has agreed to sell its 34,300 bpd refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, for $214 million plus the value of hydrocarbon inventory to refiner Calumet Specialty Products. The hydrocarbon inventory will be valued based on market prices at closing, the company said. The inventory was valued at approximately $260 million as of June 30.

Statoil to supply ethane for NOVA Canada cracker

NOVA Chemicals has signed a memorandum of understanding with Statoil to secure a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale basin. Financial terms were not disclosed.

ExxonMobil marine affiliate to build two crude oil tankers for US West Coast use

Exxon Mobil’s US marine affiliate, SeaRiver Maritime, signed a letter of intent with Aker Philadelphia Shipyard to build two US flag crude oil tankers in partnership with shipbuilding technology firm Samsung Heavy Industries.

Chevron forms technology alliance with NASA to improve oil, natgas recovery

Chevron and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have formed an alliance to develop a range of technologies to improve the production and recovery of oil and natural gas resources, the groups said on Monday.

US petroleum demand increased in June - API data

Total US petroleum deliveries in June were up on both a year-on-year and month-on-month basis, according to information released Friday from the American Petroleum Institute (API). Moreover, deliveries were up 1.9% for the first six months of 2011 over the same period in 2010.

Norway bomb blast targeted oil ministry - reports

The bombing that rocked Oslo, Norway, on Friday appeared to target the nation’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, according to local media reports. The explosion blew out the windows of a large government office building and damaged several others, including one that holds the prime minister’s office, according to the Washington Post.