Energy news for August 19, 2026
August 19, 2026 · 11 stories
11 stories from across upstream and markets. The day led with DNO sells Côte d'Ivoire business to Panoro Energy for $86.5 million.
Markets
DNO sells Côte d'Ivoire business to Panoro Energy for $86.5 million
DNO is exiting Côte d'Ivoire for $86.5 million in cash and shares, citing a 24 percent annualized return since entering the country in 2022.
Power
Amazon raises Louisiana data center investment to $18 billion
Amazon boosts its planned northwest Louisiana data center investment to $18 billion, adding a third Shreveport campus with STACK Infrastructure.
Midstream & LNG
Targa signs 20-year Permian gas deals with ExxonMobil, adds three plants
Targa Resources signed 20-year gathering and processing agreements with ExxonMobil covering the Permian Delaware and Midland basins through 2046.
Upstream
Permian well laterals grew 77% over the decade as super-long wells take hold
Average lateral length in the Permian rose from 6,149 feet in 2015 to 10,867 feet in 2025, and super-laterals over 15,000 feet made up 15% of new wells.
Policy
DOE issues emergency order to keep Wagner Unit 4 running in Maryland
Energy Secretary Chris Wright invoked Federal Power Act emergency authority to let PJM run Wagner Unit 4 past its limit through November 17, 2026.
Upstream
Equinor buys into Namibia's Orange Basin in Chevron farm-in
Equinor is taking a 17.4% stake in a Chevron-operated Orange Basin license, its first entry into Namibia, with testing planned for 2026.
Markets
Equinor buys back 415,000 shares for NOK 159 million
The oil and gas company purchased shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange on 14 August 2026, part of a buyback program that runs through January 2027.
Upstream
Aker BP acquires stakes in two Norwegian Continental Shelf discoveries
Aker BP will take over Apache's stake in the Losgann/Froskelår discovery and return as operator to ConocoPhillips's Slagugle area in Norway.
Markets
Equinor buys back 415,000 shares for NOK 158.8 million
The August 14 Oslo Stock Exchange purchase brings Equinor's employee-incentive buy-back program to 3.4 million shares since February.
Upstream
Santos books $355 million first-half profit as Pikka, Barossa begin production
Santos reported first-half net profit of $355 million and a $377 million interim dividend as its Pikka and Barossa projects moved into production.
Upstream
Dale Vince urges Burnham to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank
Ecotricity founder Dale Vince says Britain should take a pragmatic approach to North Sea drilling, reversing his opposition to new projects.
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