The Supermajors are scaling up, are you?
In the noughties and 10s, wildcat exploration, the fierce frontline of the E&P sector, was characterised by small ambitious pioneers, testing new plays in large basins, with the large caps…
Oil & Gas
Mexico – what’s happening
One of the best ways to learn how an industry is doing is to talk to people when you are actually around. That’s what happened to me in February, when…
New oil in an old field
Whilst attending a webinar the other day, Andrew Latham from WoodMac presented an overview of the largest discoveries of 2025. The number one discovery, with an estimated volume of 2…
Improving the signal-to-noise ratio in Venezuela’s oil and gas industry revival
One of the dominant themes in the petroleum industry in 2026 remains Venezuela and the rapid evolution of the country’s investment landscape. The year began with significant political changes and…
The American small independent operator – A unique blend of geology and entrepreneurship
This year, I went to the NAPE Exhibition in Houston for the first time. NAPE stands for North American Prospect Expo, and has served as a platform for American operators…
The mood music of the E&P geoscience job market
When I was doing an internship at NAM (Shell/Exxon joint venture) in the Netherlands in 2003, an experienced geologist took me aside and said, “Henk, be aware, China is coming,…
“It is quite a risk hiring you”
Yes, some people will break out of the shackles of their former role and flourish in a completely different career. But let’s not forget that for others, there is a…
Keep that well
Equinor made a discovery in the North Sea recently, but that is not the biggest piece of news. What is interesting about the Omega Sør Alfa discovery (34/4-19S) is its…
A round-up of key development projects across Europe – a subsurface summary
Production in the North Sea and in most oil and gas-producing countries in continental Europe is largely in decline. The upstream investment landscape in Europe is challenged by a combination…
The frontier well that hit the jackpot in Iraq – at a critical moment in time
As widely reported by media today, ZhenHua Oil – under the local subsidiary name Qurnain Petroleum Limited – has discovered what it claims to be an oil field of more…
Applying Canadian oil industry technology abroad
Alvopetro Energy is one of the many Calgary-based Canadian energy companies involved in international exploration and production. Like most of those companies, Alvopetro is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.…
Eni’s success in the Kutei Basin continues
Eni announced a major gas discovery at the Geliga-1 wildcat in the Ganal block, offshore Indonesia’s Kutei Basin in April 2026. The well, approximately 70km offshore, is estimated to contain…