MarkWest Energy Partners LP agreed to invest $650,000 to reduce flaring events at its Javelina gas processing plant in Corpus Christi, Tex., as part of a settlement of charges it violated the federal Clean Air Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced.

Murphy Oil Corp. has completed the spinoff of its US downstream subsidiary, Murphy USA Inc., into an independent and separately traded company.

Policy in the US for LNG exports remains a work in progress.

Oil Search (PNG) Ltd. has drilled its Kidukidu-1 exploratory well in the Gulf of Papua offshore Papua New Guinea to a total depth of 2,697 m and was preparing to pull out of the hole to run logs.

Shares of federal oil, gas, and mineral revenue withheld from several western states in fiscal 2013 because of budget sequestration will be available for distribution to them in fiscal 2014, the US Office of Natural Resources Revenue said.

The US drilling rig count remained unchanged at 1,776 rotary rigs working during the week ended Aug. 30, Baker Hughes Inc. reported.

Oil prices remained elevated again Aug. 29, and continued their upward climb on developing news that western military action in Syria remained a strong possibility.

The US Trade and Development Agency has awarded a $1 million grant to Indonesian oil company PT Pertamina to fund a feasibility study to modernize the country’s existing refineries.