-British engineering and project management firm AMEC entered into a definitive agreement to buy Foster Wheeler for approximately $3.3 billion. The acquisition will expand AMEC’s presence in key growth regions. It was first announced last month.
-There is speculation that Australian oil and gas firm Nexus Energy could be a takeover target for Shell. Nexus has an interest in an oil field adjacent to the Prelude field, where Shell will operate its revolutionary floating LNG.
-The recent trend of crude-by-rail incidents continued as a Norfolk Southern Corp. train carrying Canadian heavy crude derailed and crashed into an industrial building in western Pennsylvania on Thursday. Up to 4,000 gallons of oil were spilled. Fortunately, there was no fire and no injuries were reported.
-Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), who helms the House Natural Resources Committee, announced his retirement Thursday. Hastings’ departure could open the door for Texas Republican Louie Gohmert to take the committee gavel. Louisiana’s Mary Landrieu was picked by her Senate Democrat peers on Tuesday to lead the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
-Diamond Offshore named Halliburton executive Marc Edwards as its new president and CEO, effective March 3. Edwards will replace 30-year Diamond veteran Lawrence Dickerson, who announced his retirement in September.
