• Hayaat Group invests in E. Africa exploration firm – The Hayaat Group, a private investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi with a diverse business portfolio, has acquired a 10 per cent share of East Africa-focused explorer Swala Energy for US$3 million.
• OMV buys into offshore Gabon fields – OMV has signed binding farm-in agreements with London-listed independent exploration firm Ophir Energy offshore Gabon in West Africa.
• Petrofac signs local capacity-building MoU in Nigeria.
• BRAZIL: US$2.2 million fund establish for ethanol production
• BG Group brings cheer to Tanzania gas future – Tanzania moves a step closer to realising its liquefied natural gas export potential following the conclusion of a successful drilling campaign by one of the biggest oil and gas operators in the country
• Brazil: Sugar exports fall in November due to fire in Santos port.
• Kenya: Kenya grappling with a sugar deficit.
• Diesel price spike to hurt Brazilian ethanol, says Unica.

• Deep Down receives orders totaling $4.2 million.
• ISS Australia expands services with acquisition of marine survey specialists Christy & Griffin.
• DOF Subsea Group awarded contracts – Total value USD 800 million
• ITF launches JIP in Australia to tackle subsea pipeline operational challenges.

• Lanka in Talks to Take Back Oil Tanks Leased to India.
• Sri Lanka eyes first gas in 2017-18 as talks with Cairn get under way.
• Sri Lanka Oil and Gas Markets Outlook to 2025.
• Pakistan has expressed its interest in oil and gas exploration in the seas of Sri Lanka. At present Cairn Lanka, a subsidiary of Cairn India, is engaged in oil exploration work in the Mannar basin at the moment.

• S.Korea’s Nov Iranian oil imports up, but still meet sanctions waiver target.
• Indonesia’s Pertamina, South Korea’s SK to conduct study on asphalt refinery.
• Eni signs mid-term agreement for the sale of LNG to Japan and South Korea.
• South Korea’s STX Corp to sell a stake in affiliate STX Energy to Japan’s Orix Corp.

• Samsung to build $770m Malaysia gas facility – Samsung Engineering has signed a contract in Malaysia for a large-scale gas terminal worth about US$770 million.
• Singapore Imports of Base Oil from USA comprises 21% of its total imports during October 2013.
• Bright Stock Singapore Base Oil FOB price increase by USD 5 PMT in December 2013 as compared to previous month price.
• Base Oil Exports of Thailand comprises 61% to Singapore of its total exports during the period Jan 2013 – October 2013.

• Zhejiang Shell Chemical Industry & Petroleum Co. Ltd, ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co.Ltd, imported the most Base oil into China.
• Technip and COOEC form joint venture to address the booming deepwater market in China.
• Far East Energy announces extension of exploration period for Shouyang Block area B and increased gas production.
• Dana Petroleum secures US$1.5 billion credit facility to finance growth.
• Pipes from Khartsyzsk Pipe are used for the Central Asia-China gas pipeline.

• SN 70 CFR India price remained status quo as compared to previous month price.
• SN 500 FOB USA current price reported at USD 940 – 955 PMT in December 2013.
• BS 150 CFR India price decreased by USD 5 PMT in December 2013 as compared to previous month price.
• CFR Base Oil India current prices reported in the range of USD 935? 950 PMT in December 2013.
• DNV GL Oil & Gas gets new MENA and India director.
• BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. announces acquisition of additional Permian Basin interests and properties for approximately $282 million.
• Technip and BP extend their successful purified terephthalic acid alliance.
• Quantum awarded $3.2 million in additional natural gas storage and fuel system agreements for diesel to natural gas conversion program.

• Pakistan has expressed its interest in oil and gas exploration in the seas of Sri Lanka. At present Cairn Lanka, a subsidiary of Cairn India, is engaged in oil exploration work in the Mannar basin at the moment.
• Pakistan Petroleum Expects Record Profit This Year on Gas.
• OMV to boost Pakistan gas production in 2014.
• Annual growth of 12% in sugar sector observed.
• Pakistan Declines in the price of sugar due to increase in cane production.

• North Sea’s Orca field begins gas production – RWE Dea UK has announced start of production from the Southern North Sea gas field Orca. The operator is GDF Suez E&P Nederland B.V., with RWE Dea as partner.
• Fastnet and SK in Morocco offshore farm-out – UK-headquartered independent explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas has entered into a farm-out agreement with South Korean company SK Innovation for an offshore Morocco concession area.
• GDF Suez wins 5 Southern North Sea licenses – The UK has awarded five further Southern North Sea licenses to GDF Suez Exploration and Production (E&P) UK as part of its 27th offshore oil and gas licensing round.
• Europe’s refineries are in need o f a quick fix.
• Base Oil Group I prices in Europe are showing signs of weakening due to end of year account and enough inventories.
• Bright Stock FOB Europe Base Oil price remained steady in December 2013 as compared to previous month price.

• Shell Canada & Caterpillar sign agreement exploring LNG fuelling options for mining trucks.
• Wood Group Mustang Canada awarded topsides detailed engineering for White Rose Extension Project wellhead platform.
• Statoil awarded Greenland licence.
• Progress Energy Canada and Pacific NorthWest LNG welcome second LNG investment.
• Talisman Energy and Ecopetrol Declare Commerciality of the Akacias Field in Colombia
• Gran Tierra Energy announces initial well results in Colombia and production update.
• Scientists to unveil groundbreaking analysis on production potential Of Monterey Shale
• FortisBC receives approval for adjustments to natural gas and propane rates