LatAmOil - Latin America Oil & Gas

AES sells minority stakes in Panamanian, Dominican assets to Grupo Linda and subsidiary

US-based AES plans to expand its partnership with Grupo Linda, a company based in the Dominican Republic, through the sale of minority stakes in its Dominican and Panamanian assets.

Guyana’s first Payara crude to be loaded in November, S&P reports

Guyana’s first Payara Gold crude is on schedule to be loaded in November, a program obtained by S&P Global Commodity Insights revealed. Production is expected to commence by the end of the year, following the launch of the project’s FPSO vessel.

ExxonMobil, Hess exit Kaieteur block offshore Guyana

ExxonMobil Guyana is withdrawing from the group formed to explore Kaieteur, a deepwater block located off the coast of Guyana. It will cede its 35% stake to two of its partners, Ratio Petroleum of Israel and Cataleya Energy of Canada.

New Fortress Energy’s final Altamira FLNG rig arrives in Mexico

New Fortress Energy’s Pioneer II liquefaction rig has arrived in Mexico’s Altamira, where it will begin serving as the company’s first floating liquefied natural gas project.

Brazil’s natural gas output down in August

Brazil's natural-gas production fell in August by 4%, month on month, although it was 5.6% higher than in August 2022, according to ANP, the country’s oil-and-gas regulator.

Brazilian industry struggling with fall of Bolivian gas supplies

Bolivia's falling gas reserves and reduced exports have prompted concerns for Brazil’s industrial players and the government. Consequently, Brazil has initiated a tender to procure gas from a third party to balance the system.

LatAmOil: Port of Spain, Caracas sign accord on Dragon gas project

Brazil’s Petrobras seeks financing from Chinese banks for deepwater oil projects

In another sign of growing ties between Brazil's energy major and China, Petrobras is in talks with Chinese banks to secure financing for its expansion into deepwater oil projects and to help guarantee its suppliers can keep pace.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim acquires stake in Zama offshore crude field

US-based oil-and-gas company Talos Energy has concluded the sale of its 49.9% stake in Talos Mexico to Zamajal, a subsidiary of Carlos Slim’s Grupo Carso, which operates the large Zama offshore crude-oil field.

Mexico’s Pemex mulls charging Cuba for crude-oil deliveries

Struggling with its own financial woes, Pemex, Mexico's state-owned energy major, is mulling charging Cuba for the oil it sends to the beleaguered island. Mexico is keen to ensure such an action does not breach US sanctions, however.

Petrobras awards US Constellation $392mn offshore rig contract

Brazilian energy major Petrobras has awarded a $392mn contract for offshore drilling contractor Constellation's semi-submersible drilling rig called Alpha Star. Operations are to begin after the release of the rig from its contract with 3R Petroleum.

Mexico’s diesel prices set to increase after Russia’s oil-products exports ban

Diesel retail prices in Mexico have reached their highest point this year and are set to increase in October due to lower supply after Russia halted exports of diesel and gasoline.

More crude oil exploration and green ambitions not contradictory, Brazilian minister says

Brazil's energy minister, Alexandre Silveira, insists there is "no contradiction" between his country’s plans to increase oil and gas exploration and its ambition to lead the world in transitioning to green energy.

ANP planning to auction off more than 960 onshore, offshore blocks on December 13

Brazil’s ANP is gearing up to offer more than 960 onshore and offshore blocks to potential investors in mid-December.

Equinor submits development plan for Raia Manta and Raia Pintada gas fields to ANP

Norway’s Equinor has submitted a development plan for two natural gas fields in BM-C-33, an ultra-deepwater block in the Campos basin, to Brazil’s ANP.

ExxonMobil assures compliance with audit following recent controversy

ExxonMobil Guyana has issued a statement confirming its full co-operation with a government audit following concerns about the company’s expenses. This comes after $214mn in disputed expenses was identified in an audit.

Brazil’s diesel market hit by uncertainty as Russia halts oil products exports

Brazil’s diesel importers are being hit by uncertainty after Russia suspended exports of diesel and gasoline as it tries to stabilise domestic fuel prices and reduce supply shortages, Platts reported on September 22.

Brazil’s ethanol sales at the pump up in August, continue recovery trend

With drivers in Brazil turning to a more stable, domestic fuel, sales of hydrous ethanol at gas stations increased by nearly 11% in August, year on year. Biofuel consumption recovered in all of Brazil’s five main regions.

Equinor submits plans to develop gas fields in Brazil's Campos Basin

Norwegian oil-and-gas company Equinor, in collaboration with Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Petrobras, has submitted declarations of commerciality and development plans for two gas fields within the BM-C-33 concession in the Campos Basin.

Petroperu reports fire at New Talara refinery’s FCC unit

Peru’s national oil company, Petroperu, reported that a fire broke out at the fluidised catalytic cracking unit of the New Talara refinery. In a September 22 statement, Petroperu described the fire as minor.

Mexico’s gasoline imports hit a 17-month low in July

Mexico’s gasoline imports fell in July, year on year, and hit a 17-month low, according to the ministry of energy. Pemex, the state-owned energy major, was the main buyer of gasoline entering the country.

Guyana welcomes bids to market crude oil from three FPSOs

Hoping to strengthen its foothold in the global oil market, Guyana has invited companies to submit bids to market the country’s share of profit oil from three FPSOs working the Stabroek Block.

NGC provides for Shell to send part of its gas production from Manatee to domestic market

Shell (UK) has agreed to deliver a portion of future output from Manatee, an offshore natural gas field, to Trinidad and Tobago’s domestic market.

Mexico closes in on inauguration of first floating LNG facility

Mexico’s first floating LNG (FLNG) terminal is set to move one step closer to beginning commercial operations, with the final key infrastructure piece needed for the plant to start production slated to leave from a Texas shipyard this week.

Guyana VP says oil-blocks auction will proceed despite Venezuelan opposition

Guyana Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed that the ongoing auction for 14 offshore oil blocks will proceed as planned despite Venezuelan opposition to the bidding process.