BP started relief well drilling operations again from the Development Driller III, following the successful installation of a lockdown sleeve to secure the Macondo 252 (MC252) well’s casing hanger. The rig is drilling toward the MC252 well intercept point, currently about 50 feet below. Relief well operations will consist of drilling and ranging runs that will guide the rig’s drill bit to intercept the original well’s annulus. Following the intercept, heavy drilling mud and cement will be pumped into the annular space to complete the isolation of the MC252 well.

Contango Oil & Gas reported that its current net production rate is 105 MMcfed. The company’s FY 2011 capital expenditure budget has been set at $60 million to drill up to four wildcat exploration wells in the Gulf of Mexico, pending permit approvals by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement.

Chevron Corp. has been granted approval by the Liberian government to acquire a 70% interest and operatorship in three deepwater blocks offshore Liberia. The blocks, LB-11, LB-12, and LB-14, cover a combined area of 3,700 square miles. Under the agreement, Chevron’s Liberian subsidiary will conduct a three-year exploratory program that is expected to begin in ...

McMoRan Exploration updated the status of its shallow water Gulf of Mexico wells. The Blueberry Hill #9 ST 1, located on Louisiana SL 340 in 10 feet of water, commenced drilling on April 26 and has been drilled to TVD 23,500 feet.  Logs indicate sands with high resistivity levels below 23,100 feet, which may be the beginning of a hydrocarbon bearing interval. The well has a proposed TVD of 24,000 feet.  McMoRan and Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) are partners.  Meanwhile, the company’s Davy Jones offset appraisal well in South Marsh Island 234 is currently drilling below 10,800 feet towards a PTD of 29,950 feet.  Other working interest owners in Davy Jones include PXP, Energy XXI, Nippon Oil Exploration USA, Ltd., W.A. "Tex" Moncrief, Jr., and a private investor.   Lastly, the Blackbeard East ultra-deep exploration is currently drilling below 17,700 feet. The well, which is located in 80 feet of water in South Timbalier 144, has a PTD of 29,950 feet and will target Middle and Deep Miocene objectives. Other working interest owners in Blackbeard East include: PXP, Energy XII, W.A. "Tex" Moncrief, Jr. and a private investor.

Saratoga Resources, Inc. announced the promotion of Brian Daigle to ...

Crimson Exploration, Inc. announced that Carl Isaac has been appointed Senior Vice President of Operations.

Saratoga Resources, Inc. has entered into a 20-year seismic licensing agreement with Seismic Exchange, Inc. for 42.88 blocks of 3-D seismic data, located in the state waters of Louisiana.