U.S. and European oil and gas majors are back to doing business in Libya, a decade after pulling out as civil war engulfed one of the top oil producers and the biggest oil resource holder in Africa. Amid a relatively calm security situation this year, Libya launched its first bid round for oil and gas exploration in 18 years. The previous such bid round was held in 2007, four years before the toppling of Muammar Ghaddafi in 2011, which led to a protracted civil war in the country with various factions a ...

Core Insights - Petrobras has awarded contracts worth 1.8 billion reais ($328 million) to Halliburton and Schlumberger for well services at the Buzios pre-salt field, aimed at intelligent hydraulic completion for up to 18 development wells between 2026 and 2028 [1][7] Group 1: Strategic Importance - The contracts signify a strategic win for Halliburton and Schlumberger, enhancing their presence in Brazil's growing oil and gas sector [2] - Halliburton is experiencing steady growth in Latin America, while Schlumberger is leveraging its technological advantages to secure global contracts [2] Group 2: Market Demand and Financial Impact - The rising demand for well completion services in Brazil is driven by expanding exploration and production in pre-salt fields, which is expected to boost earnings for Halliburton and Schlumberger [3] - The contracts are anticipated to provide timely revenue support amid volatile oil prices and the cyclical nature of oilfield services [3] Group 3: Operational Developments - Petrobras has achieved record production of 900,000 barrels per day at the Buzios field, with plans to increase capacity through additional floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units [4] - A total of six FPSOs are currently operational, with a seventh expected by year-end and four more scheduled to begin production by the time the contracts take effect [4] Group 4: Challenges and Future Outlook - While the contracts present growth potential, executing them will involve technical and environmental challenges, as well as compliance with Brazil's regulatory framework [6] - The agreements highlight the significance of the Buzios field in meeting Brazil's production goals and the role of leading service companies in maximizing its potential [6]