Petroleum

Occidental Petroleum Corp. said it replaced 100% of 1999worldwide oil and gas production on an equivalent barrel basis.Over the past five years, Occidental has replaced an average 171%of production. Occidental also said it lowered its finding anddevelopment costs by 65% since 1997, to $3.03 per barrel in 1999.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America came outstrongly against a tax proposal presented earlier this week byDemocratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley that would do awaywith several loopholes currently benefiting oil and gas producers.

The Independent Petroleum Association of America came outstrongly against a proposal presented earlier this week byDemocratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley that would do awaywith several tax loopholes currently benefiting oil and gasproducers.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. and EOG Resources Inc. said theyexchanged certain oil and gas assets to enhance each company’sfocus on exploration and production and achieve cost savingsthrough operational synergies. Occidental received producingproperties and exploration acreage in its expanding Californiaasset base, as well as producing properties in the western Gulf ofMexico near existing operations. The exchange increased EOGResources’ gas production and reserves in East Texas, where italready has a significant presence, and will add to its drillingportfolio in the Oklahoma panhandle.

Members of the National Petroleum Council (NPC) overwhelminglyapproved a report last week by its natural gas committeeforecasting a 32% increase in gas demand over the next decade, andsaying the nation could get that gas for 40 to 50 cents less ifproducers are allowed to access currently restricted areas.

Members of the National Petroleum Council (NPC) overwhelminglyapproved a report yesterday by its natural gas committeeforecasting a 32% increase in gas demand over the next decade.Titled “Meeting the Challenges of the Nation’s Growing Natural GasDemand,” the study will be used as a platform for member companiesto lobby for increased access to protected producing areas, morecomprehensive research and development projects and increasedfunding.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. has purchased from Chevron deepexploration rights on 19,834 acres of land adjacent to its ElkHills holdings. Called the Buena Vista field, the Kern County, CA,property is seen by Oxy and some other producers as having hugepotential oil and gas reserves. Terms of the transaction were notdisclosed.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. has purchased from Chevron deepexploration rights on 19,834 acres of land adjacent to its ElkHills holdings. Called the Buena Vista field, the Kern County, CA,property is seen by Oxy and some other producers as having hugepotential oil and gas reserves. Terms of the transaction were notdisclosed.

Jerry D. Jordan, president of Ohio-based Jordan Energy Inc., waselected chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association ofAmerica (IPAA) during the association’s 70th annual meeting inDallas Nov. 6. He succeeds George Yates, 1997-1999 IPAA chairmanand president, Harvey E. Yates Co., Roswell, NM.