Latest news with #discoveries
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Curiosity: Nasa rover finds unusual coral-like rocks on Mars
Ever since Nasa's Curiosity rover first landed on Mars, it has made a number of amazing the past thirteen years, the robot has captured everything from sunrays on the red planet to rare sulphur it's latest find is just as at the US space agency have revealed that Curiosity has snapped a picture of unusual coral-shaped rocks, thought to be billions of years old. What did experts find on Mars? Last month, a camera on the end of Curiosity's robotic arm snapped the picture of the wind-eroded rock, shaped like a piece of was taken on the 4,608th Martian day of the robot's mission. Nicknamed "Paposo" by Nasa's rover science team, the rock was about 2 inches (5 centimetres) from the camera when it was to the US space agency, Curiosity has found many small features like this one, which formed billions of years ago when water still existed on carried dissolved minerals into rock cracks and later dried, which left the hardened minerals time, wind on Mars has slowly worn away the surrounding rock, producing unique shapes. What is Nasa's Curiosity rover? Curiosity landed on Mars on 6 August rover has been exploring the surface of Mars since arriving, and has made some pretty cool discoveries - even taking the first selfie on Mars!The robot's mission is to search for evidence of life and to learn more about the can take pictures, collect samples and study the surface of the planet - and then beam the information back to scientists on Earth.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oxy Oman reveals 10 new hydrocarbon finds in 2024
MUSCAT: Oxy Oman, a wholly owned subsidiary of the US-based independent oil and gas firm Occidental, announced a haul of 10 new oil and gas discoveries across its expansive portfolio of eight upstream hydrocarbon concessions in the Sultanate of Oman in 2024. Notable among them was a first-ever oil discovery, along with a significant gas find, in Block 62 in central Oman. The Maradi Huraymah East and Baqiyah discoveries are expected to 'open up other oil potential in the block,' the Ministry of Energy and Minerals noted in its 2024 Annual Report on the country's energy landscape. Oxy has equity interests in Blocks 9, 27, 30, 65, 62, and 51 in north Oman, and Blocks 53 and 72 in central Oman. Commenting on the US company's sizable presence in the Sultanate, the Ministry stated: 'Oxy Oman has been operating in the Sultanate for more than 40 years, where it has steadily increased production and reserves and is honored to partner with the Government of Oman. Today, Oxy Oman is the largest independent oil producer operating in the country, covering more than 6 million gross acres. Oxy Oman's major operations are located in northern Oman, primarily in the Safah and Wadi Latham fields in Block 9, Khamilah Field in Block 27, Maradi Huraymah gas field in Block 62, and in south-central Oman in Block 53 at Mukhaizna Field.' In addition to the 10 discoveries made in 2024, Oxy completed processing of 2,107 km² of 3D seismic in Block 51 and began a reprocessing programme for 8,155 km² of 3D seismic in Blocks 9, 27, and 53. The company also reported record gross production, supported by a new Initial Production (IP) programme, in Blocks 9, 27, and 65. Leveraging its decades-long global expertise in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using carbon dioxide (CO₂), the company launched its first CO₂ injection trial in the Safah Field in northern Oman. The pilot project aims to determine the feasibility of CO₂ flooding as an EOR technique following water flooding. Another significant highlight of 2024 was Oxy's success in leveraging its carbon management expertise to advance low-carbon initiatives designed to sustainably enhance its business and achieve net-zero targets. A year earlier, in 2023, the company had launched a pilot project using CO₂ for EOR in Block 9. This initiative followed a thorough evaluation of mature waterflooding assets, identifying favorable conditions for CO₂-based EOR, the report stated. Importantly, Oxy Oman has been utilizing its global expertise in EOR and Direct Air Capture technology to lead the carbon capture and EOR scope of the Oman Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Steering Committee, spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Additionally, the company is exploring technologies to decarbonise heavy oil development, including CO₂ point source capture and renewable energy plants. Furthermore, as part of its long-term strategy to reduce methane and CO₂ emissions, Oxy is implementing projects that measure and quantify methane leaks, including LDAR and stack testing at all sites. The company stated it is committed to eliminating routine flaring by 2027, having already achieved an 80% reduction from the baseline. Moreover, in a bid to decarbonise its oilfield operations, Oxy Oman has signed an agreement with OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) to explore the development of a solar project to supply emissions-free energy for its operations in Blocks 9 and 27, with a potential expansion to Block 65. 'Oxy Oman is committed to Oman's net-zero targets and aims to facilitate effective collaboration between key stakeholders across the government and the energy industry, and supports the effective implementation of CCUS in Oman,' the Ministry's report added.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt unveils 3 oil, natural gas discoveries in Western Desert, Gulf of Suez
Arab Finance: Khalda Petroleum Co (KPC), Balaeim Petroleum Co (PETROBEL), and Gulf of Suez Petroleum Co (GUPCO) achieved three new oil and natural gas discoveries in their concessions in the Western Desert and the Gulf of Suez, according to a statement. On May 11 th, KPC unveiled a new discovery at South NUT-1 in the Western Desert, with electric logging confirming natural gas indications in the Safa sandstone layer within the paleozoic formation. The estimated reserves before drilling stood at nearly 12.5 million barrels of oil equivalent. Meanwhile, the pressure measurements are underway, and the well is set to be tested and evaluated soon. With an investment of around $10 million, a development plan will be implemented, including the installation of a 10-inch, 23-kilometer production pipeline. Furthermore, the company plans to drill several wells to enhance its natural gas production, with an expected daily production capacity of 30 million cubic feet of gas. On May 8 th, PETROBEL unveiled a new discovery by testing and evaluating the West Ferran-2 appraisal well in the Gulf of Suez, perforating 27 meters in the Asl sandstone. The recovery rate reached 2,660 barrels of oil per day, while the added reserves from the well are being assessed. On May 1 st, GUPCO achieved a new discovery by testing and evaluating the GS327-A15 exploratory well, perforating 38 feet in the Kareem sandstone. The recovery was 720 barrels of oil per day, and the added reserves are being evaluated. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Future science meets ancient China: diving into the unknown with award-winning scientists
Future science meets ancient China: diving into the unknown with award-winning scientists To mark the 10th anniversary of the Future Science Prize, the Post looks at the scientists who earned this coveted award and their groundbreaking discoveries.
