The US Department of the Interior will complete restructuring of its federal offshore resources management with the division of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement into two separate agencies on Oct. 1.

Heartburn over an inspector general’s report at the US Environmental Protection Agency underscores determination of a rogue agency to regulate.

Russia’s OAO Novatek said it increased its equity interest in the Yamal LNG project to 100% from 51% by exercising call options through wholly owned subsidiary Novatek North West.

Clontarf Energy PLC sees potential for increased activity in Bolivia, where the company or its affiliates own interests in Monteagudo oil and gas field and El Dorado gas-condensate field in the Chaco basin.

Crude oil futures prices were up slightly at the close of markets on Sept. 29, but petroleum products and natural gas prices continued to retreat.

US crude oil and natural gas drilling rig activity this week fell slightly, losing 1 unit to reach a total of 1,990 rigs working. This week’s count is up by 331 units from the comparable period a year ago, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.

BG Group signed a heads of agreement agreeing to provide LNG in India on a long-term basis to Gujarat State Petroleum Corp. (GSPC). Terms of the HOA call for as much as 2.5 million tonnes/year for a 20-year period starting as early as 2014. The LNG volumes will be sourced from BG Group’s global assets.

Apache Energy has finally committed to development of the Balnaves oil field offshore Western Australia.