http://news.rigzone.comThe latest upstream oil and gas news from around the world.Copyright 2012 Rigzone.com Inc. All rights reserved.http://www.rigzone.com/images/logo_rigz_131x20.gifhttp://www.rigzone.com/news/13120http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114888&rss=trueOEG Offshore has appointed a new group finance director to lead the company's finances in the UK and overseas.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114887&rss=truePetrobras said it has discovered a new accumulation of oil and natural gas in a remote region of the Amazon rainforest.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114886&rss=trueThe American Petroleum Institute is setting the record straight on Congressman Ed Markey's claim that oil from the Keystone XL pipeline will be exported.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114885&rss=trueThe Labor Department's reports that US unemployment rate dropped to 8.3% and that jobs increased by 243,000 in Jan. was bullish for the energy complex.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114883&rss=trueXodus Group has appointed its first executive chairman to drive its strategy of aggressive international growth.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114882&rss=trueSearcher Seismic Pty Ltd announced that the Mariner 2D Seismic Project has commenced. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114881&rss=trueNorth Star Shipping has been awarded a major new contract with Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114880&rss=trueSBM Offshore has been awarded a contract by the Ichthys LNG Project for the engineering, procurement, fabrication and supply of a Turret and Mooring system. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114879&rss=trueMurphy Oil Corporation announced executive promotions, effective February 1, 2012.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114878&rss=trueXcite has negotiated an amendment to its rig contract with British American Offshore Limited, a subsidiary of Rowan Companies Inc. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114877&rss=trueExxonMobil's decision to leave its U.S. natural-gas output untouched may push some smaller producers out of the business, force consolidation in the industry and make the co. an even more powerful force in the oilpatch. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114876&rss=trueOilsands Quest has entered into a purchase and sale agreement with an unrelated third-party entity to sell its non-core Eagles Nest asset.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114875&rss=truePresident announced the spudding of its second well, DP-1001, at the Dos Puntitas field on its Puesto Guardian concession, Argentina. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114874&rss=trueImperial Oil Ltd. said the $2B expansion of its big Cold Lake oil-sands operation will add more than 40,000 barrels of commercial bitumen production a day.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114872&rss=trueLundin Petroleum announced that drilling of the appraisal well 16/2-11 on the Johan Sverdrup PL501 discovery has commenced.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114871&rss=true"In 2011 Rosneft progressed to a new stage in its development and produced record volumes of oil. The Company's profit figures also reached an absolute historical high," said Eduard Khudainatov.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114855&rss=trueSir William Castell has decided not to stand for re-election at the company's next AGM in April.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114854&rss=trueKea Petroleum plc announced the selection of Drillforce's Rig 1 for a 2 + 1 (optional) well program. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114853&rss=trueHarvest Natural Resources, Inc. announced that the Al Ghubar North-1 (AGN-1) exploration well onshore Oman will be plugged and abandoned with gas shows.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=114851&rss=trueGulf Keystone announced that all required documentation has been executed and all necessary Govt approvals obtained for the transfer of the Company's right, title and interest for no consideration in the Hassi Ba Hamou (HBH) Permit.Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT