New research published by DNV GL indicates a boost in investment for technologies that help the industry adapt to a lower-carbon future. According to the report, 57% of senior oil and gas professionals say their companies are planning to increase investment in renewables, up from 44% in 2020.

While large offshore discoveries at Brulpadda and Luiperd offer South Africa the chance to develop significant gas resources, there is no clear route to commercialization for operators in the area, according to GlobalData. Development of the country's gas resources face competition from established imports flowing from Mozambique, among other things.

The budget includes $450 million to fund a two-rig program in the Bakken, where the company expects to drill approximately 55 gross operated wells and to bring online approximately 45 wells in 2021. It will also spend $450 million to drill 12-15 exploration and appraisal wells on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The contract, which is set to begin in Q3 2021, will cover the Deepsea Stavanger's use on one firm well plus an option for up to eight additional wells. Odfjell said in a statement that the firm contract scope has an estimated value of approximate $11-14 million.

The goal of the campaign was to assess seabed conditions prior to the emplacement of a drilling rig at three proposed locations together with reconnaissance survey work at two additional platforms and along a number of proposed cable/pipeline routes.

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced that it will grant Equinor eight production licenses in the North Sea and nine licenses in the Norwegian Sea. Equinor will act as operator for 10 of those licenses.

The award covers four licenses in the Norwegian North Sea and two licenses in the Norwegian Sea. All the licenses are located close to existing infrastructure in areas where Neptune already has a presence. The company was awarded operatorship in three licenses. 

The Winterfell well, located in Green Block Canyon 944, well encountered approximately 85 ft of net oil pay in two intervals. Kosmos said in a statement that it will work on an appraisal plan and development options. It also plans to drill the Zora ILX well in the Gulf of Mexico later in the year.

The Maersk Valiant and Maersk Developer will each perform work on Total's exploration and appraisal project in Suriname’s Block 58. Both rigs will be employed for an estimated combined total duration of 500 days, and the total value the contracts is approximately $100 million.

The latest discovery, at the Keskesi East-1 exploration well in Block 58, follows previous discoveries at Maka Central, Sapakara West, and Kwaskwasi announced last year. Upon completion of operations at the well, the Noble Sam Croft drillship will be released as planned.