Ronaldo, the drilling target in which Norway's Noreco has just acquired a stake is thought to contain up to 50 to 100 m boe according to a pre-drill estimate published today.

London-listed Soco International has reported a new hydrocarbon find drilling offshore Vietnam.

Noreco has struck a deal to participate in a forthcoming exploration on the Ronaldo prospect due to be drilled offshore Norway next year.

Greenpeace activists claim to have boarded a rig operating for British-based Cairn Energy offshore Greenland in an attempt to stop exploration drilling.

City commentator Evolution Securities has repeated speculation that the UK Cladhan discovery which is undergoing further appraisal could contain between 100 and 200 mbbl of oil.

London-listed Chariot Oil and Gas has promised to pursue an “aggressive” exploration schedule offshore Namibia.

Drilling has kicked off on the Viola North prospect in the UK North Sea Valiant Petroleum has revealed.

Further drilling on the UK Cladhan discovery has confirmed a major find after initial appraisal results.

Statoil has received a green light to drill an exploration well in the North Sea with Ocean Vanguard.

Drilling on a new exploration well offshore Tunisia in the Mediterranean Sea close to Italy has hit a target reservoir with indications of hydrocarbons.

British-based Premier Oil has outlined a raft of new exploration drilling in the North Sea and elsewhere which will target up to 300 m bbl of reserves.

Germany's Wintershall has declared a new UK North Sea find on the Blakeney prospect which it says holds  between 60 and 100 m, bbl of oil in place.

New oil and gas has been discovered offshore Norway in the Zidane prospect which has successfully drilled.

Falklands explorer Rockhopper exploration is preparing to test the Sea Lion oil discovery in the South Atlantic.

Irish explorer San Leon Energy has completed the acquisition of 3D seismic data over the Slyne Basin offshore Ireland.

London-listed Regal Petroleum says it has spudded its latest exploration well in Romania in its 100% operated Barlad concession area in the country's northeast.

Rockhopper Exploration said that the Ernest exploration well in off the Falkland Islands was a dry hole.

Ocean Vanguard will drill a well for Total E&P Norge after Petroleum Safety Authority Norway gave its consent.

Statoil reports of a discovery on the Brynhild discovery, and is considering a tie-back to the Gudrun field.

British-based Premier Oil is disappointed with the well on the Oates prospect, but the company still believes in the UK Central North Sea's potential.

Shell has received consent to carry out exploration drilling on Ormen Lange with West Navigator.

Interoil reports that the company discovered oil in two new wells, and that it plans to put at least one well into production.

Drilling has commenced on the UK North Sea Kraken appraisal well which will further test the North Sea block 9/2b discovery.

Kurdistan explorer Gulf Keystone has increased the production rate from its Shaikan 1 discovery after carrying out a new well test.

London-listed Circle Oil said it has successfully tested its Al Amir ST2 well onshore Egypt in the NW Gemsa concession area.

Transocean's JW McLean semi-submersible has arrived on location in the UK Northern North Sea to begin work on sidetracking a well on the Cladhan oil discovery.

Vaalco Energy said the Southeast Etame  1 offshore Gabon in which British-based Tullow Oil has a minor stake – has  encountered a further five metres (16 ft) of pay.

Transocean Winner has been given a green light to drill a new well for Lundin Norway in the North Sea.