Karoon Gas

Karoon Gas has placed itself in a trading halt pending an update to the market on its drilling operations in the Browse Basin.

The company expects to make its announcement on February 3 and is set to resume by February 4.

Geodynamics

Geothermal exploration company Geodynamics has received a research and development tax incentive refund from the Australian government for $8.5 million.

Under the scheme, companies making less than $20 million in turnover are entitled to a cash refund of 45c per dollar spent on eligible R&D in Australia.

The company's claim covers operations in the Cooper Basin enhanced geothermal systems project where the 1 megawatt Habanero pilot plant was commissioned during the 2013 financial year.

Statoil

Production has resumed at the Statfjord C platform after it was closed down due to an oil leak.

According to Statoil's report of the incident, 32 cubic metres of oil leaked into the sea during the incident.

An investigation is underway by Statoil and the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway.

WHL Energy

WHL has requested a trading halt pending an announcement on its Seychelles acreage.

The company's securities will return to the market on February 4 or when an earlier announcement is made.

OMV New Zealand

OMV New Zealand has completed drilling operations at its Matuku-1 exploration well in the Taranaki Basin with disappointing results.

The well encountered sandstones in the primary and secondary targets but did not identify the presence of commercial hydrocarbons.

Logging and drilling data acquired from the well will be used to update geological models of the permit area.

"Although it is disappointing that we didn't discover a new major oil field, this is the nature of oil and gas exploration," OMV NZ managing director Peter Zeilinger said.

"The probability of making a new discovery is typically well below 50%.

"To be a successful explorer requires a long-term commitment and a willingness to continuously re-evaluate your geological model based on new information becoming available."

Austin Exploration

Austin Exploration has requested a trading halt on the ASX pending an announcement on a capital raising project.

The company's securities are expected to go back into trading on Wednesday or upon the announcement being made.

Oilex

Oilex is on track to maintain its spud date for the Cambay-77H site between February 22 and March 9.

All 149 packages for the building of the LR-4 rig have been delivered and unloaded onsite.