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Oil patch insider: BP makes big offshore oil iscovery,
AK reg reform orders; Nukes to moon
Kay Cashman Petroleum News
On Aug. 4, BP said it has made an oil discovery at the Bumerangue prospect in the deepwater offshore Brazil. According to a Reuters report it's a major discovery for the British company following its strategic shift away from renewable energy to refocus on fossil fuels.
BP drilled exploration well 1-BP-13-SPS at the Bumerangue block, located in the Santos Basin, 218 nautical miles from Rio de Janeiro, in a water depth of 2.7 miles. The well was drilled to a total depth of 3.6 miles.
The well penetrated an estimated 0.32 miles of gross hydrocarbon column in high-quality pre-salt carbonate reservoir with a large aerial extent.
"Brazil is an important country for BP, and our ambition is to explore the potential of establishing a material and advantaged production hub in the country," Gordon Birrell, BP's production and operations chief, told Reuters.
"Although we cannot extrapolate as it is too early, and each well and each reservoir is different, we believe the data ... provides support that the potential scale for this 100% BP discovery could be a game changer," Birrell told Reuters.
Results from the rig site analysis indicate elevated levels of carbon dioxide. BP will now begin laboratory analysis to further characterize the reservoir and fluids discovered, which will provide additional insight into the potential of the Bumerangue block. Further appraisal activities are planned to be undertaken, subject to regulatory approval, the company said.
Gov. issues two admin orders On Aug. 4, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced the signing of two new Administrative Orders designed to ensure Alaska's government operates more efficiently, transparently and effectively while creating a regulatory environment that supports growth, investment, and job creation.
The first order establishes a Government Efficiency Review, requiring the Office of Management and Budget to lead an annual review of all executive branch agencies. The review will identify cost savings, streamline operations, modernize processes, and ensure every public dollar is spent wisely. Initial areas of focus will include grants to non-state entities and accounts payable. Agencies will also be required to use technology and artificial intelligence to improve transparency and accountability in how public money is spent.
"Alaskans expect their government to deliver essential services in the most efficient and responsible way possible," Dunleavy said.
The second order launches a comprehensive Regulatory Reform Initiative, replacing previous regulatory directives with a new framework to reduce unnecessary burdens on Alaskans and businesses. The order requires state agencies to review and streamline existing regulations, guidance documents, and materials incorporated by reference. Agencies must reduce regulatory requirements by 15% by the end of 2026 and 25% by the end of 2027.
Key elements of the order include the following:
*Streamlining permitting processes across the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Department of Fish and Game.
*Establishing clear permitting timelines with automatic approval if deadlines are missed.
*Posting all agency guidance documents on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
*Compiling a State Unified Regulatory Plan each year to ensure consistency and transparency across agencies.
"Alaska must compete on the world stage," Dunleavy said. "This order eliminates unnecessary red tape, modernizes permitting, and promotes accountability -- while maintaining strong protections for our people and environment."
Both orders take effect immediately and apply to all executive branch agencies, boards, commissions, and public corporations.
Fly nukes to the moon On Aug. 5 the Washington Examiner reported the following:
'FLY NUKES TO THE MOON': The Trump administration confirmed today that it plans to fast-track a nuclear reactor to the moon to beat out China in the race to build settlements on the lunar surface and power missions to Mars.
The details: Transportation Secretary and Interim NASA administrator Sean Duffy revealed that the administration is looking to power U.S. lunar operations with both solar and nuclear power. The nuclear fission reactor is expected to have an output of 100 kilowatts, roughly the same amount of energy used by a 2,000 square foot home every three and a half days.
"We're not talking about massive technology," Duffy said in the Washington Examiner's report. "We're not launching this live...but again, energy is important. And if we're going to be able to sustain life on the moon to then go to Mars, this technology is critically important."
The administration is seeking proposals for the reactors within 60 days and plans to award two companies with contracts within six months. It is aiming to launch the reactor by 2030, around when China is hoping to put men on the moon.
--Oil Patch Insider is compiled by Kay Cashman
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