The Oil Man: Oil price, Sound Energy, Independent
12th December 2016 14:00
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WTI $51.50 +66c, Brent $54.33 +44c, Diff -$2.83 -22c, NG $3.75 +5c
The fact that the prices above, being the Friday night close, are out of date by well over two dollars indicates that the meeting in Vienna on Saturday between OPEC and Non-OPEC countries was deemed to be a success.
As I write, WTI is $54.09 and Brent is $56.77, indicating that, for the moment at least, the benefit of the doubt is being given.
There will be things that hit that confidence even before we know how much quotas are being adhered to - a bad monthly report here, a poor inventory number there - but, for the time being, the Saudis telling customers to expect supply cuts to start in January will have to do.
The rig count is another dose of data that we will watch carefully, although it is a given that the number will rise along with the oil price. Friday's number was slightly out of kilter post-Thanksgiving, but oil rigs up 21 to 498 is a portent of things to come.
On a totally different note, the possible appointment as Secretary of State of Rex Tillerson has horrified the international community but confirmed the type of Government to expect; an (albeit modest) drain of the swamp maybe, as the new broom sweeps its way in…
Sound Energy
has announced that Sidi Moktar has received regulatory approval and transfer of the 75% operated interest is complete.
Sound has issued 43 million shares to and Maghreb Petroleum and will share 50% with PetroMaroc any sold over 50p. Various lock-ins are attached and dealings start in these shares on 16 December.
Independent Oil & Gas
has announced that it has submitted the draft field development plan (FDP) for the Blythe gas field in the southern North Sea.
No further appraisal is needed here and, whilst it is subject to completion of development funding, it is a key milestone and a core of the eventual hub system.
First gas is expected from here second-half 2018 and the company is in exclusive talks with "well known" parties for distribution of said gas.
David DuBois Morrison
I couldn't finish my round-up of World Oil Week without paying tribute to David Morrison, former chairman of Wood Mackenzie, who received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Oil & Gas Awards dinner.
It was great to be sat very close to the great man and be able to chat and share reminiscences.
I was fortunate enough to spend some valuable time with him and John Ogden in the offices of the North Sea service many years ago and the award is a highly appropriate one to a man of dedication and perfectionism, along with a dry sense of humour.
And finally…
England subsided in the cricket, which was a shame, as there are real grounds for optimism there - except, of course, when you meet India on this sort of form at home.
In the Prem a few things are changing - all except Chelsea winning (one-nil v. the Baggies) and likewise the Gooners (three-one against the Potters).
Elsewhere was a bit mixed, with Spurs run ending by losing one-nil at Old Trafford and the Noisy Neighbours going down by four-two at the Foxes. With the HubCap Stealers dropping two points against the happy Hammers, things are changing a little bit.
In today's Champions League draw, the Gooners must have wept, win the group and get Bayern Munich, whilst the Foxes get Sevilla and the Noisy Neighbours have Monaco.
The boxing at the weekend presented some great bouts on a good card. AJ was magnificent, but the Chisora v. Whyte battle was immense and very difficult to call.
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