2014 saw the submarine fiber optics market surge to its highest demand for new cable since 2007 and the second highest since the early years of the 21st Century, before the market collapsed in late 2001.

This is the conclusion of the 2015 edition of TSC's Radar Screen Report (RSR), which analyzes the demand for submarine fiber optic cable based on new contract awards.

For the previous five years, the Radar Screen Report identified steady demand, rather than the traditional boom and bust pattern that had been a staple of the market since its inception. This steady-growth period was caused by various pressures pushing the market up, while similarly strong pressures pushed it down, keeping it to a steady middle ground. The result was an annual demand between 40,000 and 50,000 route-kilometers between the years 2009 and 2013 – far from a complete bust but not high enough for the industry to thrive.

Last year's Radar Screen Report noted slight changes in the landscape, particularly in the availability of financing, and correctly forecast the probability of breaking out from this steady-as-she-goes pattern to reach the highest levels of demand since the last boom in 2007-2008. The surge was even greater than forecast, with demand in 2014 approximately 100% higher than the average full-year totals during the previous five years.

RSR projections indicate the market is not likely to maintain this same momentum in 2015 as the surge took several large-scale systems out of the development pipeline. But the shifting dynamics and still-sizable number of cable projects in the pipeline are positive indications that the market is healthy, and in the near term will maintain the potential to thrive.

NYC-based PIRA Energy Group reports that the midcontinent crude stock build continued. In the U.S., this past week saw the largest stock build of the year. In Japan, crude stocks drew sharply. Specifically, PIRA's analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

Midcontinent Crude Stock Build Continues
The crude price plunge continued in January, with WTI falling to an average of $47.20. U.S. crude stocks rose 30 million barrels in January — 10 million in Cushing, 10 million on the Gulf Coast, and the rest mainly divided between the West Coast and other (non-Cushing) PADD II. The large crude builds will continue in February and likely into March and April, as well. As Gulf Coast tanks fill, and Cushing stocks reach 80-90 percent of operating capacity, stock builds will be pushed further upstream — to West Texas, Patoka, the Rockies and Western Canada.

U.S. Largest Build of the Year
This past week U.S. commercial oil inventories increased, driving the year-on-year stock surplus. The huge build was roughly equally divided between crude and products. Since the first week of the year, overall U.S. inventories are up 27 million barrels; product stocks are down 4 million barrels while crude oil inventories are up 31 million barrels (1.1 MMB/D). Some 55 million barrels of the year-on-year surplus is in crude oil. The bulk of the product surplus is in "other" products, but distillate inventories are now 21 million barrels (18%) over last year while gasoline is just 6 million barrels higher (0.4%).

Sharp Crude Stock Draw in Japan; Finished Products Slightly Lower
Crude runs eased fractionally on the week and crude imports dropped sharply producing a crude stock draw of 5.8 MMBbls. Finished product stocks were modestly lower. Indicative refining margins remain strong, while the expected rotation out of middle distillate cracks and into gasoline appears to be slowly taking shape.

The End of the "Saudi Put"?
The "Greenspan Put" referred to a market belief that the U.S. Federal Reserve would take action to put a floor on equity prices, thereby taking away downside risk and encouraging over-investment. In a sense, there has been a similar market belief in a "Saudi Put," which would take away downside oil price risk. With that "put" at least temporarily eliminated, the risk premium applied to oil investments is likely to be higher in the future, even as prices recover, potentially slowing the volume recovery from high capital cost projects.

Freight Market Outlook
Saudi Arabia continues to supply more crude oil than the market needs, and it is pricing aggressively, especially to Asia, to defend its market share while Iraqi production continues to grow as its government desperately seeks more revenue. For tanker operators this translates into more tanker demand for floating storage in the short term and from higher OPEC output and global crude trade as non-OPEC producers slash their capital expenses to adjust to the new low price environment.

Spot European Olefin Margins Plunge
Cracking economics in Europe plunged for all major feedstocks as their prices rallied amidst stable steam cracker product prices. Spot propane margins fell nearly 20% to 25¢/lb ethylene, but became the most profitable feedstock. Butane margins swooned 25% week-on-week to just 23¢ while naphtha cracking margins fell a remarkable 35% to just 18¢/gal. Persistent strength in naphtha has pulled regional LPG prices higher. This week's changes place spot European olefin manufacturing economics some distance behind those in Asia and North America.

U.S. Fuel Ethanol Exports Grow Sharply
The U.S. shipped over 810 million gallons of fuel ethanol in 2014, up 34% from 603 million gallons in 2013 and second only to 1.2 billion in 2011. This represented 5.7% of total U.S. supply.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap - which alerts readers to PIRA's current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.

With oil prices having fallen more than 50% in less than six months, the OPEC group's reluctance to cut production in order to stabilize prices reflects the threat being posed by production rises from non-OPEC countries, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Matthew Jurecky, GlobalData's Head of Oil & Gas Research and Consulting, states that over 70% of the 12.7 million barrels of oil per day (mmbd) incremental production between 2008 and 2013 came from non-OPEC countries, led by the US, Russia and China.

However, the fall in prices is now slowing production growth among the least efficient producers with the highest development costs, while the market dominance of the most efficient producers with the lowest development costs, predominantly OPEC members, is being reinstated.

Jurecky comments: "Any production cut from OPEC would be motivated by politics rather than economic conditions and would mean voluntarily ceding further market share to less efficient producers.

"While OPEC countries make up only four of the 17 countries that have seen the most dramatic production declines, they represent over 30% of the overall production fall. OPEC is facing diminishing influence on the overall crude space and encountering new competitors, including some former customers, in previously secure markets."

The US, for example, encouraged by its rapid production growth and lucrative international market, is on course to reverse an oil export ban dating back to 1975, which effectively protected OPEC's markets. Similarly, while Africa used to be the source of over 2 mmbd of crude imports into the US, it now exports only 150,000 barrels per day to the country, with the rest going to Asia.

Jurecky continues: "There are game-changers ready to fuel the next wave of reserve additions and production growth, but in terms of low oil prices, exploration activity will cool. The tight oil floodgates that were opened in the US will be contained internationally for the time being, while ultra-deepwater and harsh environment exploration will be delayed.

"However, other world-class opportunities will be dictated by political interests. For example, inviting greater foreign participation in Mexico's oil industry will further challenge the status quo of export markets, as there remains significant easy oil opportunity in this country, even with low crude prices."

Comments provided by Matthew Jurecky, GlobalData’s Head of Oil & Gas Research and Consulting.

In their January Oil Monthly Report, the IEA noted "A price recovery – barring any major disruption – may not be imminent, but signs are mounting that the tide will turn" and their demand growth forecast of 900,000 bbl/d for 2015 was maintained. They are not alone, the EIA expects global consumption to grow by 1.0 million bbl/d in both 2015 & 2016, and some forecasts suggest U.S. gasoline demand may, in 2015, grow by the most since the 1970s as falling prices boost consumption.

Oil prices are presently being held down by oversupply – but for how long? Production from wells declines naturally at some 9% p.a., and even with costly intervention at perhaps 5% p.a. With global demand at some 92 million bbl/d, this suggests a requirement to replace in excess of 4.5 million bbl/d of production in 2015 and more in 2016, etc., but where will the new oil come from? The IEA has suggested the U.S. oil production may grow by 0.5 million bbl/d in 2015 but could start to peak as early as 2016.

Investment in production is already being hard hit. Around 400,000 low output stripper wells each pump less than 10 bbl/d, but in total produce three-quarters of a million bbl/d and are prime candidates. At the other end of the scale, BHP Billiton for example has said it would cut back on its planned $4bn spending on its US shale assets. Projects underway worldwide will of course add production and OPEC probably already has near 2.5 million bbl/d of spare capacity. So overall, we may reach a point of balance in 2015-16 and then see undersupply of oil and rising prices. Furthermore, we must not forget there is always potential for supply disruption, OPEC has at times lost some 2 million bbl/d, non-OPEC producers near 1.2 million.

The bottom line is that unless we keep adding production, surplus capacity will be quickly eroded. The next oil price surge is already being set up.

John Westwood, Douglas-Westwood London
+44 203 4799 505 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.douglas-westwood.com

NYC-based PIRA Energy Group believes that Saudi Arabian production is likely increasing. In the U.S., another record U.S. crude and total commercial stock level reported. In Japan, crude runs near seasonal maximums and product demands are better. Specifically, PIRA's analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

Saudi Arabian Production Is Likely Increasing
In discussions with Saudi customers and after reviewing recent U.S. refiner earnings calls, it is becoming clear that production from Saudi Arabia is rising. Saudi production had been averaging around 9.7 MMB/D since last June but PIRA would now guess likely additional demand has pushed output to just under, if not above, 10 MMB/D.

Another Record U.S. Crude & Total Commercial Stock Level Reported
The equation driving the U.S. crude balance is as simple as it is powerful: the 1.4 MMB/D year-on-year increase in domestic crude supply has only been met by a 0.3 MMB/D decline in imports, and the combined increase in crude runs plus exports is not nearly enough to prevent large stock builds in crude from continuing, especially this year versus last. Total commercial stocks built last week to a new record high. However, with a similar build last year, the year-over-year surplus inched up only about 0.1 million barrels.

Japan Crude Runs Near Seasonal Maximums, Product Demands Better
Crude runs rose fractionally, but crude imports rebounded and stocks built. Finished product stocks drew with a pickup in gasoil, gasoline, and kerosene demands. The indicative refining margin remained strong.

U.S. NGLs Stronger Last Week
A large decline in U.S. propane stocks propelled April Mont Belvieu futures over 8% higher to just under 60¢/gal, the highest price for C3 since December 4th. Propane's price relative to WTI rallied to over 45%, the strongest yet this year. April butane was 6% stronger week-on-week despite a disappointing decline in other NGLs stocks as reported by the DOE on Wednesday.

Ethanol Output Increases
U.S. ethanol production rebounded to 961 MB/D the week ending February 6, regaining around half of the sharp loss that occurred in the previous week. The production of ethanol-blended gasoline fell sharply.

Asia-Pacific Oil Market Forecast
Crude stock builds continue at a reduced pace and will give way to product stock builds. Global demand growth, year-on-year, is beginning to look better. The macroeconomic environment in Asia shows no large-scale deterioration in performance that would put our 5.3% Asian GDP growth assumption for 2015 at risk.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap - which alerts readers to PIRA's current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.

As China's onshore oilfields mature, its three state-owned oil companies (CNOOC, CNPC and Sinopec) are looking to develop the country's sizeable unconventional and deepwater reserves. Whilst more technically challenging to develop than historical oil & gas plays in northern China, these fields provide a chance to revive stagnant oil output as well as boost China's considerable gas potential. China holds the largest combined shale oil and gas reserves in the world, weighing in at 244 billion barrels of oil equivalent (EIA, 2013). In addition, 2014 saw the $6.5 billion deepwater Liwan-3 natural gas field, located in the South China Sea, brought online. This was China's first deepwater development and signals the start of a series of deepwater oil and gas projects over the coming years.

While these signs will be encouraging for China's NOCs, it is likely greater measures will be required to secure China's long term domestic hydrocarbon production. For both deepwater and shale plays, the expertise of IOCs will be crucial for effective development. Saudi Aramco has recognised this in recent years and has signed deals with several IOCs to explore and develop shale resources in southern Saudi Arabia. With respect to Capex-intensive deepwater projects, the financial clout of IOCs has been utilised by various West African NOCs. A major barrier to IOC involvement in China exists in the form of the current production sharing contract (PSC) structure. Currently PSCs in China are particularly demanding on participating foreign oil companies, with the non-state share of produced hydrocarbons subject to a series of reductions and taxes. These include the recovery of the NOC's exploration and development costs as well as corporation tax and special oil levy. The special oil levy varies with the price of oil, with 20% taken when spot prices are in the $55-$60 range and increasing to 40% when prices are above $75. At the time of writing, the Brent crude benchmark stands at $58.52, suggesting sustained low oil prices in 2015 and beyond could represent an opportunity for IOCs and independents to invest in Chinese assets whilst the special oil levy is at its lowest.

Matt Cook, Douglas-Westwood London
+44 1795 594735 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.douglas-westwood.com

NYC-based PIRA Energy Group believes that low oil prices and cheap money will lead to stronger global economic growth and much stronger oil demand. In the U.S., the stock surplus widened again. In Japan, crude runs rose fractionally on the week and crude imports rose to produce a crude stock build. Specifically, PIRA's analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

World Oil Market Forecast
Low oil prices and cheap money will lead to stronger global economic growth and much stronger oil demand than conventional wisdom would suggest. Nevertheless, for the next six months, oil supply will continue to overwhelm demand, in part because of rapid growth in Iraqi production as its government desperately seeks more revenue. Already wide contango will further widen as crude oil stocks in the three major OECD markets fill to the brim and floating stocks keep on increasing.

U.S. Stock Surplus Widens Again
Compared to last year, U.S. commercial oil inventories are now 125 million barrels, or 12%, higher, as this past week's inventory increase contrasted with last year's decrease for the same week. Crude stocks increased strongly this past week while products drew. So far in January the overall inventory increase has been the largest since 2009.

Japan Crude Runs Near Seasonal Maximums, Product Demands Slightly Better
Crude runs rose fractionally on the week and crude imports rose to produce a crude stock build. Finished product stocks fell with a strong draw on kerosene and lesser draws for gasoil and gasoline. Indicative refining margins remain strong.

Limited Oil Consumption Gains in Northeast Power Sector Despite Low Oil Prices
Despite colder-than-normal January weather, the Northeast of the United States is not seeing much in the way of substitution of oil for natural gas. In fact, oil consumption will be substantially below year-ago levels despite roughly comparable weather.

Can Global Oil Demand Really Grow 1.5 MMB/D in 2015?
PIRA's outlook for global oil demand growth in 2015 may seem quite bullish when compared with the actual growth of 0.7 MMB/D in 2014, but several factors make our forecast very reasonable, with potential upside. Moderately faster world GDP growth should push up demand growth by 130 MB/D, and the 50% decline in prices should add an additional 780 MB/D of demand growth, even using relatively modest price elasticity assumptions and accounting for the significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

Expiration of March WTI Contract of Increasing Importance
The expiration of the March WTI crude oil contract, along with the rolling of various commodity indices and ETFs, has the making of an interesting period of price dynamics over the next several weeks, because of the huge open interest in the contract. The March WTI contract will last trade February 20th, with various commodity indices and ETFs undergoing contract roll schedules in the first part of February (fifth to the 10th business day, or Feb. 6th-11th). This could contribute to a decline in flat price, given that the balance of power would seem to be in favor of the shorts because of the mechanical and widely known nature of the ETF and passive index rolls.

Floating Storage Expected to Play Key Role in Crude Containment
Over the next several months, the cost of storage and, in turn, the magnitude of the market contango will be a crucial factor in determining how low the spot price must go. With less expensive onshore storage expected to fill, floating storage is likely to be the market balancing step. The marginal costs of storing crude on VLCCs and Suezmax tonnage are expected to be the critical factors in setting the level of contango in the crude market. So key questions for the oil and tanker sectors are how much tonnage is available for placement into offshore storage and what will it cost?

European LPG Rises with Stronger Naphtha
Regional naphtha rallied to the highest levels of the year as high cracker runs, increased gasoline blending, and arbitrage cargoes to Asia have pulled NWE stocks down significantly. Cash butane barge lots rallied 16% to $398/MT on stronger naphtha and as Shell's Pernis refinery restarted an alkylation unit, which has helped clean up C4 length in the region. Large propane cargoes followed suit, gaining 4% last week.

U.S. Ethanol Prices Decline to Lowest Values in Almost a Decade
During the first half of January prices fell to the lowest level in almost 10 years, inventories built, and margins fell to the worst level in two years. Economics improved during the last half of the month.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap - which alerts readers to PIRA's current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.

With Mexican oil open to private investment for the first time, the country's initial bidding round is expected to remain competitive despite low oil prices, delays and a number of uncertainties, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The company's latest report* states that the first bid round, which began on 11 December 2014 by offering 14 shallow-water exploration blocks, is currently scheduled to offer additional areas, including unconventional and deepwater opportunities, in the first half of 2015.

Adrian Lara, GlobalData's Senior Upstream Analyst for the Americas, states that no indication has been given of the expected levels of biddable profit oil in the shallow-water Production Sharing Contract (PSC). Furthermore, full details of the other contract models are yet to be released.

Lara comments: "With the international crude oil price having dropped from nearly $110 per barrel (bbl) in the first half of 2014 to its current price of below $50 per bbl, the government has already been forced to deviate from its original schedule.
"In the past week, the government has admitted that it may need to further delay high-cost areas, such as unconventionals. On top of this, the new schedule appears ambitious for a regulatory agency organizing its first ever licensing round."

Despite these delays, Will Scargill, GlobalData's Upstream Fiscal Analyst, notes that the lower oil price should not significantly affect the competitiveness of bidding on the shallow-water exploration blocks, as the adjustment of royalties to prevailing prices and profit shares to profitability mean that it should remain possible for investors to achieve attractive rates of return.

Scargill explains: "Comparison of the regime with that applicable to shallow-water areas in the US Gulf of Mexico at oil prices of $60 to $80 per bbl suggests that bids offering the government an initial 20% share of profit oil may be competitive. When discovered fields are offered, the government take is likely to be higher due to the lower risk.

"For deepwater areas later in the round, the government is expected to offer royalty and tax licenses, reflecting the high costs and risks associated with this type of exploration and development. Although the full details of this contract model have not yet been disclosed, it is expected to use a similar adjustment mechanism for the biddable additional royalty to that used in the PSC."

*Mexico Upstream Fiscal and Regulatory Report

As the second largest oil producer in Africa, Angola is heavily dependent on the oil sector, making it vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. In addition, drilling costs offshore Angola are very high, and DW forecasts a resultant drop in deepwater completions in Angola in 2016. Despite this set-back, Angola's deep and ultra-deep projects are key to driving offshore production during a period of reduced spending and retrenchment. We do not expect to see projects that are past FID being cancelled and many projects have been under construction for a number of years and will start up in the coming three years. The recent start-up of Eni's West Hub and Total's CLOV projects form the basis of our positive short-term forecast: DW expects Angola to meet its 2015 target production of 2 million barrels of oil per day.

As cuts to expenditure are announced, operators like BP and Total are looking to core assets in Angola as a focal point for spending over the next three years. Importantly, Total launched the development of the Kaombo ultra-deep project in April 2014, bringing online a potential 230,000 barrels of oil per day following start-up in two years' time. Chevron, ExxonMobil and Eni also have major deepwater oil projects in Angola, collectively adding a peak capacity of nearly 1 million barrels per day. These are all due to start production before 2018. DW forecasts a dip of 2.3% in offshore oil production in 2016, before recovering to 2.2 million barrels of oil per day in 2021.

The downturn offers exploration opportunities for larger oil companies, with potential for expansion in Angola as smaller companies apply for farm-in partners and Sonangol aims to sustain investment. Eni have staked their claim, securing a three year extension for exploration work near their Angolan assets. Repsol has also displaced an exploratory vessel from the Canary Islands for a venture offshore Angola.

A focus on core assets, and even the expansion of assets in Angola has been the message from several major oil companies at the start of 2015, safeguarding Angola through a period of oil price turbulence.

Celia Hayes, Douglas-Westwood London
+44 1795 594747 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.douglas-westwood.com

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) has announced a $35 billion capital and exploratory investment program for 2015. Included in the 2015 program are $4 billion of planned expenditures by affiliates, which do not require cash outlays by Chevron. The 2015 budget is 13% lower than total investments for 2014.

"We continue to execute against a consistent set of business strategies which are focused on creating long-term value for our shareholders. Although commodity prices have fallen recently, we believe long-term market fundamentals remain attractive," said Chairman and CEO John Watson. "Our investment priorities are ensuring safe, reliable operations and progressing our queue of projects under construction. Once on-line, these new projects are expected to measurably increase our production and cash generation," he said.

"We will continue to monitor and be responsive to market conditions, and to actively pursue cost reductions throughout our supply chain in order to lower overall outlays. We anticipate growing flexibility in our spend as projects under construction are completed and as supplier contracts are renewed. We are testing our short-cycle investments, particularly base business and unconventional assets, at current prices and are selecting only the most attractive opportunities to move forward," Watson continued.

Highlights of the Capital and Exploratory Spending Program:

Chevron 2015 Planned Capital & Exploratory Expenditures in $billions
International Upstream 23.4
Total Upstream 31.6
U.S. Downstream 2.0
International Downstream 0.8
Total Downstream 2.8
Other 0.6
TOTAL (Including Chevron's Share of Expenditures by Affiliated Companies) 35.0
Expenditures by Affiliated Companies (4.0)
Cash Expenditures by Chevron Consolidated Companies 31.0

For Upstream, approximately $12 billion of planned upstream capital spending is directed at existing base producing assets, which includes shale and tight resource investments (~$3.5 billion). Roughly $14 billion is related to the construction of major capital projects already underway, primarily LNG (~$8.5 billion) and deepwater developments (~$3.5 billion). Global exploration funding accounts for approximately $3 billion.

Roughly 75 percent of affiliate expenditures are associated with investments by Tengizchevroil LLP in Kazakhstan and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (CPChem) in the United States.

The recent oil price downturn is expected to have a significant impact on the global land rig market in 2015, as operators announce planned cuts to expenditure. Following a 24% rise over the 2010-2014 period, the number of active drilling rigs is expected to fall 12% in 2015.

The North American market, which is particularly susceptible to fluctuations in commodity prices, is expected to see the largest impact, with the active drilling rig fleet forecast to decline by 29%. Notably, Apache Corporation has announced plans to cut spending on its North American assets by 26 percent in 2015.

In comparison, the impact of the oil price downturn on the international market is expected to be less severe. OPEC's decision in November 2014 not to cut production indicates that drilling activity in the key Gulf producing states, and subsequently demand for land rigs, is unlikely to be affected in the near-term by the low oil price environment. In contrast, Russia's economy is heavily reliant on oil exports, and the recent economic sanctions imposed are expected to contribute to a further decline in drilling activity in 2015, causing the number of active drilling rigs to stagnate. In Latin America, the oil price downturn has placed increased financial pressure on Brazil's Petrobras. Venezuela has a high breakeven price and has also been significantly impacted. Douglas-Westwood is forecasting a decline of 4% in the Latin American active rig fleet in 2015.

Post-2015, the outlook for the market is more positive, with the global active rig fleet forecast to increase by 20% over the next five years as drilling activity increases, reaching just under 6,100 units in 2019. However, there remains uncertainty within the market, and demand for high HP rigs is likely to be affected if high Capex unconventional projects become uneconomic.

Katy Smith, Douglas-Westwood London
+44 1795 594745 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.douglas-westwood.com

the past 12 years, Quest Offshore's consulting division has been commissioned by leading energy companies, industrial conglomerates, tier one OEMs, the finance industry and other members of the supply chain as well as industry lobby groups to provide expertise in assessing the current and future market conditions of a variety of offshore oil and gas related industries.They have successfully assisted their clients in understanding the complex dynamics of the global oil and gas production and exploration market, and have provided expert analyses allowing them to make optimal strategic decisions in reaching their short and long-term goals.

Despite the negative implications of and uncertainties around today's lower oil price environment, Quest believes that significant opportunities exist for companies willing to make immediate long-term strategic decisions. As with any significant structural shift in a large industry, the recent outlook changes will create inefficient market situations that well-positioned and opportunistic companies will be able to seize. Quest expects that as oil prices begin to stabilize, merger and acquisition activity will increase. Suppliers to project development activities will undergo significant restructuring, reshuffling the dynamics of most offshore oilfield service markets. Companies who take advantage of these opportunities will be well positioned for the next growth cycle.

Quest's consultancy practice works with clients to provide comprehensive data-driven advice and analytics. Using our market expertise and in-depth analysis, Quest can assist in planning for and reaching your business development goals. Through Quest's strategic advisory services, sector specialists work with you to identify profitable opportunities to maximize your company's current market position as well as identify valuable targets to expand your offerings. Markets in which we have extensive relevant experience include:

Market Due Diligence
* * Mergers & Acquisitions
* * Initial Public Offerings
* * Debt Transactions
* * Litigation Support

Offshore Market Positioning
* * Barriers to Entry
* * Competitor Analysis
* * Cost Analysis
* * Supply Chain Analytics

Re-organization/Efficiency
* * Market Assessments
* * Cost Analysis and Reductions
* * Growth Opportunities
* * Market Modeling

New research from DNV GL has highlighted that senior oil and gas executives are split over how to tackle the year ahead. Those who are most confident about reaching their profit targets plan to take a long-term approach to riding cost management, while those pessimistic about hitting their profit targets are more likely to take short-term cost-cutting measures.

A Balancing Act is our fifth annual benchmark study on the outlook for the industry, providing a valuable snapshot of industry confidence, priorities and concerns for the year ahead. It draws on a survey of more than 360 senior oil and gas professionals during the week of 19 January 2015, in addition to in-depth interviews with industry experts.

The report also highlights other important expectations for 2015. These include new approaches to cost control and R&D spending, and shifting trends in the industry's shortage of skilled professionals.

Download your complimentary copy of A Balancing Act:

Aberdeen head-quartered Ashtead Technology has announced a 23% rise in turnover and almost 40% increase in profits for the year ended April 2014. The subsea technology company, which specializes in the sale and rental of subsea equipment and associated services, has seen turnover increase from £22.2 million in 2013 to £27.4 million.

In the 12 months to April 2014, the company made its biggest ever annual investment in rental equipment with capital expenditure in the year rising from £9million in 2013 to over £10million, underpinning the goal of supplying customers with the latest technology from a market leading equipment rental fleet.

Operating profits increased by almost 40% to £13.6milion from £9.7million in 2013.

The company now employs 95 people in Aberdeen, London, Houston and Singapore with agents in Abu Dhabi, Perth (Australia) and Stavanger.

Commenting on the results Allan Pirie, chief executive officer of Ashtead Technology said: "These results reflect our achievements in retaining customers and attracting new business whilst positioning the company for continued sustainable growth across all our global bases.

"Considerable capital investment in our rental fleet, coupled with investment in our people and processes, has underpinned revenue and profit growth.

"Recognizing that our customers demand more than a quality equipment rental service, the development of our increased range of added-value services has enabled us to meet and exceed expectation and we are confident of building on these results as we continue to secure new business, particularly through the increasing demand for integrated equipment package support."

Ashtead Technology's service based growth strategy has recently resulted in the launch of the Ashtead Academy offering customers a range of training and a move into equipment sales reinforced by securing sales representation agreements with leading manufacturers such as Seabotix and ECA.

A globally recognized market leader in the rental of specialist subsea technology, Ashtead is committed to further improving and growing its range of value-added services which now include the supply of offshore personnel, equipment sales, asset management, calibration, custom engineering and training.

These accounts are for Amazon Group, trading as Ashtead Technology, which encompasses all global operations and the results from Ashtead Technology Limited which comprises the UK, Norway and Middle-east only.

NYC-based PIRA Energy Group reports that the outlook for 2014 global oil demand growth was revised down significantly. In the U.S., stocks built this past week for the seventh consecutive week of inventory builds that have uncharacteristically occurred in the middle of the winter. In Japan, crude stocks draw, but finished products build. Specifically, PIRA's analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

Why Was 2014 Oil Demand Growth So Weak?
The outlook for 2014 global oil demand growth was revised down significantly over the course of the year. Some of the deterioration in the outlook since January 2014 can be attributed to slower economic growth, but the 0.5 MMB/D over-prediction of demand growth from June 2014 cannot. The lion's share of the discrepancy occurred in Japan (0.2 MMB/D) and the U.S. (0.2 MMB/D) – the demand forecast for the developing world was almost perfect. The source of the forecast errors in Japan and the U.S. appear to be for a number of reasons unrelated to longer term trends.

Another New High in U.S. Commercial Stocks
Stocks built this past week for the seventh consecutive week of inventory builds that have uncharacteristically occurred in the middle of the winter. Inventories are at all time highs and are now 119 million barrels, or 11.4% higher than last year. Crude stocks had the largest weekly build in over ten years and are now 13.3% higher than last year. Product inventories are 9.4% higher than last year but the bulk of that is outside the four major products.

Japanese Crude Stocks Draw, but Finished Products Build
Crude runs rose fractionally on the week and crude imports declined sufficiently to produce a crude stock draw. Finished product stocks built, with all the major products other than kerosene showing an increase, but nothing dramatic. Demands on gasoline and gasoil were modestly higher, but stocks built for both due to a rise in yields. The kerosene draw rate throttled back on the week as yield rose and demand was slightly softer. Indicative refining margins remain strong.

Prompt Demand Sends Asian LPG Flying
The action this week was in the Asian LPG markets. Prices roared higher on stronger prompt demand, particularly out of Japan, and thin immediate availability. Cash propane prices ripped $100/MT higher for cargoes arriving 2nd half February to the highest levels this year. Butane prices also rose in illiquid cash markets to be called at a $30 premium to C3. Saudi CP futures gained, with current bets on a $25 improvement in February CPs. However, steep backwardation in the CP and propane FEI curves hints that the prompt strength in Asian LPG markets may not persist for too much longer.

Ethanol Prices Fall
The week ending January 16, U.S. ethanol prices tumbled to their lowest values since June 2005. Stocks were the highest and manufacturing margins were the poorest since January 2013.

Ethanol inventories Rise to Two-year High
U.S. ethanol production rose to 979 MB/D last week, up slightly from 978 MB/D during the preceding week. Inventories built by 158 thousand barrels to 20.4 million barrels, the highest in nearly two years.

Death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Unlikely to Alter Oil Policy
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died January 23. Crown Prince Salman has assumed the throne, and Prince Muqrin was named the new Crown Prince. Furthermore, the succession plan now appears to include a younger generation. PIRA believes the change in leadership is unlikely to alter Saudi Arabia's current oil policy of letting the market dictating prices and protecting market share.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap - which alerts readers to PIRA's current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.

NYC-based PIRA Energy Group reports that federal activity to regulate fracking has picked up in December and so far in 2015. In the U.S., record weekly commercial stocks were reported. In Japan, crude runs eased and crude stocks built. Specifically, PIRA's analysis of the oil market fundamentals has revealed the following:

Fracking Policy Monitor
Though slowed by the desire to avoid contentious issues ahead of November elections, federal activity to regulate fracking has picked up in December and so far in 2015. The Obama Administration announced the next steps to implement its Methane Strategy, seeking to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by 40-45% from 2012 levels by 2025. On the state level, induced seismicity continues to be an emerging issue. Ballot measures in the November election seeking to ban fracking had mixed results across Ohio and California, but notably passed in Denton, Texas.

Record Weekly Commercial U.S. Stocks Reported
Total commercial stocks built last week to the highest weekly total ever reported. With a sharp decline in crude runs, crude stocks built, the four major refined products built, and all other oils drew. With a total commercial stock draw this week last year of 10.3 million barrels (-7.7 crude, +5.0 four major refined products, -7.6 all other oils), the year-over-year commercial stock excess ballooned out 20.5 million barrels to 112.6 million barrels, or 10.8%.

Japanese Crude Stocks Build, as Crude Runs Ease, while Finished Product Stocks Draw
Crude runs eased fractionally on the week and crude imports remained sufficiently high to build stocks. Finished product stocks drew, largely on lower naphtha and jet-kero stocks. Gasoline demand was modestly lower and stocks built slightly. There was a minor draw on gasoil stocks, as demand rebounded from low levels and incremental exports rose. Kerosene demand was higher and stocks resumed drawing. Indicative refining margins remain relatively strong.

A Snapshot of the Positions on NYMEX Crude Oil Options Provides Insight
A snapshot on NYMEX WTI option exposure provides insight as to market protection levels, time coverage, and market depth. The option open interest on WTI, traded on the NYMEX, as of January 13th was 1.81 million "call" contracts (the option to buy crude oil at a specific strike price), and 1.47 million put contracts covering delivery from February 2015 through December 2022. Some 92% of total put contracts outstanding are in 2015, while 2016 accounts for only 7%.This is consistent with hedging positions of shale crude producers.

Low Oil Prices Are Bringing Down Global Inflation, Creating Room for Policy Easing
Headline inflation rates have come down sharply in developed economies because of low oil prices. Emerging world inflation has also broadly decelerated. The global low-inflation environment has created room for policy easing in key economies, most notably in the euro area. But the expected announcement of quantitative easing by the European Central Bank next week has also created unanticipated volatility in the foreign exchange market this week.

Ethane Cracker Margins Suffer
Inexpensive propane prices relative to ethane continue to make C3 the most economical petrochemical cracker feedstock in the United States. At $0.43 per lb ethylene produced, C3 remains just over 10¢/lb better than ethane, per PIRA calculations. Butane's cracking margin, which was nearly equivalent with propane over the last few weeks, fell. Strong ethane prices relative to LPG, should they persist, complicate plans for the construction of at least six world scale ethane crackers on the USGC by 2020.

Ethanol Prices Decline Again
U.S. ethanol prices stumbled to a six-year low the week ending January 9, following petroleum values rather than corn costs. The weakest demand in about a year and the highest inventories in about 22 months also put downward pressure on prices.

Ethanol Stockpiles Jump to the Highest Level in Two Years
U.S. ethanol Inventories built by nearly 1.4 million barrel the week ending January 9, reaching 20.2 million barrels for the first time since February 2013. This was the largest week-on-week gain ever reported.

Fuel Price Subsidies: Crude Price Weakness Accelerating Moves to Market Pricing
Since PIRA's August 2014 update on fuel prices and subsidies, oil prices have collapsed, from an August average of $102/Bbl to below $50/Bbl. Several governments have taken advantage of the weak price environment and removed subsidies for major petroleum products, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and India. In most cases, the move away from a fixed (and previously subsidized) price coincided with a retail price cut, reducing the risk of political backlash. However, these policy changes will affect just 5% of global gasoline and diesel demand in 2015. Most oil importers now price major petroleum products at or near market levels, while the majority of subsidies remain in large oil-exporting countries, where price hikes do not appear imminent for political reasons.

The information above is part of PIRA Energy Group's weekly Energy Market Recap - which alerts readers to PIRA's current analysis of energy markets around the world as well as the key economic and political factors driving those markets.