ISIS and kidnapping updates

The Sunni forces known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria started a campaign to take over the significant Beiji oil refinery, 130 miles north of Baghdad, yesterday.

As of this morning the more recent reports have ISIS claiming control of 75% of the large grounds of this facility.

"Insurgents are also thought to have kidnapped at least 100 foreign workers across the country during their week-long offensive," The UK's Daily Mail reported.

While the Iraqi government is claiming otherwise, an official speaking from "inside the refinery" reportedly said the militants had broken in.

"Now they are in control of the production units, administration building and four watch towers," he reportedly said. "This is 75% of the refinery."

A worker from the state-owned North Oil company reportedly said staff had fled the refinery, which shut down yesterday and there were casualties among the security personnel there.

In other Iraqi security news, the Indian government believes 40 Indian construction workers were kidnapped near the city of Mosul, ISIS captured last week.

Turkish media is also claiming 15 Turks were among 60 foreign construction workers kidnapped near the northern oil city of Kirkuk.

There is also a claim on twitter this morning that ISIS forces are in the eastern part of Baghdad.

It's not over: Voelte

With the Nexus Energy takeover proposal not winning over key shareholders, Seven Group Holdings CEO and former Woodside chief Don Voelte has hinted that other oil and gas assets are being considered.

"Nexus doesn't end our oil and gas operating-arm business proposition," Voelte told the Australian Financial Review.

"We said we're going to build an oil and gas arm. We gave it a good shot at Nexus and we're working on other things as well as that. It all doesn't fall apart just because we were not successful to this point."

He reportedly said he was working on another set of assets for a potential move into oil and gas.

"It might not be with Nexus, but it will be potentially with somebody," Voelte enigmatically told the newspaper.

Seven, Nexus's biggest creditor, may still end up acquiring the company's assets.

"The administrator will have his process, and we have no idea which way it all goes now," Voelte reportedly said.

Statoil redundancy wave

Norway's Stavanger Aftenblad has reported that Statoil could cut between 1100 to 1400 jobs over the next two years.

The publication claimed Statoil employees had never before been notified of such a major change in staffing with the planning behind it lasting 18 months so far.

"Extensive work has long been in the process of cutting costs, but so far little has been known when it comes to the details and the ultimate consequences for the employees," the publication commented according to a web-based translator.

There are reportedly "25 various restructuring projects" underway as part of the cost-saving plans.