Scarlett Johansson Buys $2.2 Million Hampton Bay Mansion

Scarlett Johansson has bought a custom-built, 3,500-square foot shingled house in Amangansett, according to Zillow real estate blog.

The estate sits on 1.4 acres of land and shares a boundary with the Peconic Land Trust and Napeague State Park allowing for plenty of private acreage.

The four-bedroom, open floor plan space includes decks that expand the living space outside, along with a master suite featuring its own private balcony and fireplace. There are also three additional guest rooms each with their own balcony.

Last year the Her star sold her Hollywood Versailles Tower condo for $470,000.

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Gazprom to launch commercial gas production from Kirinskoye field in 2014

The Gazprom headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Alexander Khoroshavin, Governor of the Sakhalin Region.

The meeting noted a significant amount of Gazprom's investments in the Sakhalin Region –the Company's capital investment in the Region exceeded RUB 250 billion over five years (between 2009 and 2013). The funds were mainly allocated to the following strategic projects of Gazprom: the construction of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas transmission system (GTS), pre-development of the Kirinskoye gas and condensate field (Sakhalin III) and construction of a gas pipeline from the onshore processing facility of the Kirinskoye field to the Sakhalin main compressor station of the Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok GTS. This year the capital investments will make up RUB 10 billion. The Kirinskoye field pre-development will continue, including the drilling of production wells. In 2014 Gazprom is going to launch commercial gas production from the Kirinskoye field.

Alexey Miller and Alexander Khoroshavin addressed the issues of gas supply to the Sakhalin Region. Between 2008 and 2013 the Company channeled over RUB 3 billion for these purposes. In particular, a General Scheme for Gas Supply to and Gasification of the Region was elaborated, three inter-settlement gas pipelines were built connecting the Dalneye gas distribution station (GDS) and the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk CHPP-1, the Dalneye GDS and the Novo-Alexandrovsk settlement as well as the Novo-Alexandrovsk gas distribution point (GDP), the Klyuchi population center and the Sanatornoye population center. The Region's Government, in its turn, fulfilled its obligations to prepare the consumers for gas supplies. As a result, the gasification level of the Sakhalin Region (taking into consideration the consumers, who received thermal energy from gas-powered TPPs) increased by 24.5 per cent to 33.6 per cent.

In 2014 the Company will carry on the construction of the gas branch and the Nogliki GDS, as well as the inter-settlement gas pipelines connecting the Nogliki GDS with the Nogliki GDP and the Nogliki GDS with the Nysh settlement.

The meeting addressed the plans to create an NGV fuel market in the Sakhalin Region. It was noted that in 2014 Gazprom would build a CNG filling station in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the first one in the region.

The parties touched upon the issues related to Gazprom's participation in social projects in the region. It was highlighted that the Company was running the Gazprom for Children project in the Sakhalin Region. Besides, in April 2013 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk saw the inauguration of an ice palace constructed with Gazprom's assistance.

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Real Estate Round-Up: Christina Ricci Lists; Robert Pattinson Sells; Jim Parsons Buys (and Lists)

Robert Pattinson's home was purchased by Jim Parsons.

Christina Ricci has listed her Los Feliz bungalow for $1.65 million, according to real estate blog Trulia. The actress purchased the 1,891-square-foot home in December of 2005 for $1.505 million. Located behind a gated driveway, the two-bedroom home -- featuring open-plan common areas, a covered patio and swimming pool -- was built in 1957.  Aileen Comora of The Agency holds the listing.

Robert Pattinson successfully sold his Los Feliz spread for $6.37 million. The actor purchased 1922 home, designed by Stile O. Clements (of the El Capitan Theater) in September of 2011 for $6.275 million and famously lived in the three-bedroom mansion with Kristen Stewart. David Gray of Partners Trust Beverly Hills represented Pattinson in the sale and Ronald Shore of Keller Williams Coastal Properties was the buyer’s agent.

STORY: Park City Real Estate Hits New Peaks 

The lucky buyer of the Pattinson home, which has been owned by Tim Curry, Noah Wyle and cinematographer Robert Richardson, was actor Jim Parsons, of CBS’s The Big Bang Theory.

Parsons and his art director partner Todd Spiewak, in turn put their Los Feliz hillside home on the market for $1.85 million, reports Trulia. The remodeled home, with three bedrooms and just over 2,800-square-feet of living space, is located just a few blocks from their newly purchased upgrade.

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Murphy Oil makes new executive appointments

Murphy Oil Corp. (NYSE:MUR) has made a series of executive appointments, all effective immediately. Walter K. Compton has been promoted to executive vice president and general counsel. Kelli M. Hammock has been promoted to senior vice president of administration. John W. Dumas has been promoted to vice president of corporate insurance. Allan J. Misner has been promoted to vice president of internal audit. K. Todd Montgomery has been elected vice president of corporate planning and services, replacing Tom Mireles who has been promoted within Murphy Exploration & Production Co.

Compton joined the company’s law department in 1988 and was promoted to manager of law and corporate secretary in 1996. He was named vice president of law in 2009. In 2011, he was promoted to senior vice president and took on the role of general counsel. 

Hammock joined Murphy in 1993 as an associate accountant and subsequently received various promotions within the controller's department. In 2004, she was promoted to manager of purchasing and services in the administration department. Hammock was named general manager of administration in 2006 and was promoted to vice president of administration in 2009.

Dumas joined the company in 1988 as manager of corporate insurance. He was promoted to director of corporate insurance in 2005.

Misner joined Murphy in 2007 with over 22 years of experience in internal auditing. He is a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, and certified information systems auditor.

Montgomery joined Murphy earlier this year and will oversee all corporate strategic planning, procurement, corporate reserves, and oil and gas marketing. He comes to Murphy with 25 years of experience from another major oil company. His experience includes global production and reservoir engineering, with management experience in development and strategic planning.  

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Harrison Ford's Son Willard Lists Kim Sing Theatre for $4.5 Million

Willard Ford is selling the Kim Sing Theatre space that he has owned since 1999. Ford, the son of Harrison Ford, is one of the pioneers of downtown’s Chinatown renaissance and is listing  the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space for $4.5 million.

The former vaudeville house and movie theater was built in 1926 and redesigned by Ford, working in conjunction with XTen Architects. Changes to the site including cutting out the middle of the building to make an internal courtyard, and creating a three-tiered floor where it once sloped for theater seating. The original cinema marquee is intact.

STORY: The Woman Who Rules L.A.'s Most Precious Midday Real Estate

Over the 15 years that has Ford occupied the building, he has used it as a residence, a furniture and fashion showroom, and an event space.

"We have done launch events for BMW, Nike as well as corporate events for the Grammys, Pepsi and Star Wars in this place. It's great for all of that," he says. Flagship, Ford's sales and marketing agency for design, apparel and brands, will most likely relocate to downtown's Fashion District, he adds.

STORY: New Line Cinema to Move to Warner Bros. Lot

David Kean of Teles Properties holds the listing and says that the unique Chinatown property will most likely go to an owner/user. "This is the perfect place for someone in entertainment; either an actor who wants a downtown base or a musician who could have a full recording studio here."

A recent uptick in Chinatown development, including large-scale residential projects such as Forrest City Development's $95 million Blossom Plaza, will add 250 rental units and 20,000 square feet of retail and residential space.

"A myriad of new hip shops, galleries and restaurants are starting to make their mark on the Chinatown historic streetscape," says Kean. "The first domino has fallen; more construction and growth is certain to follow."

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Consol Energy natural gas production up 44 percent in 2013

Consol Energy announced it produced an increase of 1.63 trillion cubic feet of gas equivalent (Tcfe) of reserves to reach 5.731 Tcfe by the end of 2013, up 44 percent year-over-year.

Consol Energy said it invested $679.7 million in extensions and discoveries in 2013. The company claims its drill bit finding and development cost of $0.42 per million cubic feet of gas equivalent (Mcfe) is one of the lowest in the industry. This is the fifth year Consol reported drill bit finding and development costs were lower than $0.50 per Mcfe.

"Much of the increase in reserves, through the category extensions and discoveries, was due to the company's highly successful Marcellus Shale program," Consol Energy said in a statement. "As of December 31, 2013, the Marcellus Shale consisted of 3,373 Bcfe of proved reserves."

Consol Energy said it will invest $1.5 billion in natural gas production in 2014 to meet its growth target of 30 percent and produce between 215 and 235 Bcfe. The company plans to focus these investments in Marcellus and Utica shale projects.

More information on the Marcellus shale and gas shale market can be found on PennEnergy's research area.

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BNSF approves $5 B capital commitment program

BNSF Railway Co. (BNSF) has approved a new single-year record capital commitment plan of $5 billion for 2014, a $1 billion increase over its 2013 capital spend.

The largest component of the capital plan is spending $2.3 billion on BNSF’s core network and related assets. BNSF also plans to spend $1.6 billion on locomotive, freight car, and other equipment acquisitions. In addition, the program includes about $200 million for continued installation of positive train control (PTC) and $900 million for terminal, line, and intermodal expansion and efficiency projects.

BNSF handled more than 50% of the volume increases for the rail industry in 2013. The growth was led by an 8% increase in domestic intermodal units, an 11% increase in industrial product volumes led by crude-by-rail traffic, a 3% increase in coal volumes, and a fourth-quarter surge in agricultural products. This growth is on top of a 2012 BNSF total volume base of more than 9.6 million units. Much of the capacity expansion in the 2014 capital plan is for infrastructure investment on BNSF’s Northern Corridor to put the company in position to meet all customer service expectations, including Amtrak.

BNSF’s expansion and efficiency projects will be primarily focused on line capacity improvements to accommodate growth in agricultural products, intermodal, automotive, and industrial products volumes related to crude oil production, and other terminal improvements to enhance productivity and velocity. More than $900 million of the capital plan is for expansion and maintenance in the Northern Corridor.

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Continental Resources announces 2013 record proved oil and gas reserves

Continental Resources, Inc. (NYSE: CLR) (the "Company") today announced record proved reserves and production for 2013, as well as key fourth-quarter 2013 cost metrics and capital expenditures.

"Our teams delivered another excellent year, achieving production and capital expenditure guidance as promised," said Harold G. Hamm, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We accomplished our key 2013 goals across the board – to generate top-tier organic oil production growth; to improve efficiency while reducing drilling and completion costs; and to delineate the lower benches of the Bakken and southern portions of the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province, or SCOOP.

"In spite of abnormal winter weather in December and January that delayed some completions and deliveries, we still achieved our 2013 targets, and our annual guidance is intact for strong growth in 2014, with production increasing in a range of 26% to 32%," Mr. Hamm said.

Proved Reserves Increase 38% Year over Year
The Company reported proved reserves of 1.08 billion barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) at December 31, 2013, an increase of 299 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe) or 38% compared with year-end 2012.[1] Year-end 2013 proved reserves were 87% operated by the Company, 37% proved developed producing (PDP), and 68% crude oil. Continental has grown its proved reserves at a compound annual growth rate of 47% per year since year-end 2008.

In 2013, Continental's PDP reserves for the first time exceeded 400 MMBoe. PDP reserves increased 31% from year-end 2012 to 405 MMBoe at December 31, 2013. The Company had 2,330 gross (1,302 net) proved undeveloped (PUD) locations at year-end 2013. The Bakken accounted for 84% of PUD locations at year end.

Continental's year-end 2013 proved reserves had a net present value discounted at 10% (PV-10) of $20.2 billion, a 52% increase over the PV-10 of $13.3 billion for year-end 2012 proved reserves.

The strong increase in 2013 proved reserves reflected significant production growth in the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. Continental pioneered development of the upper Three Forks in 2008, and in the past year has led in the exploration of the lower benches of the Three Forks, in addition to leading the way with pilot down-space testing across the basin. The Bakken accounted for 741 MMBoe of Continental's 2013 proved reserves, with a PV-10 value of $14.5 billion.

Continental's 2013 proved reserves were also augmented by accelerated production in the SCOOP, an oil- and liquids-rich play in Oklahoma. SCOOP accounted for 215 MMBoe of 2013 proved reserves, a 241% increase over proved reserves of 63 MMBoe at year-end 2012. The PV-10 value of the Company's SCOOP proved reserves was $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2013.

"We ramped up our SCOOP rig count early in 2013 and delivered strong results in a capital-efficient manner within our budget for the year," said W. F. "Rick" Bott, President and Chief Operating Officer.

Continental holds the dominant leasehold positions in the Bakken and SCOOP, with 1.2 million net acres in the Bakken and 403,000 net acres in SCOOP as of December 31, 2013. The Company also has the industry's most active drilling program in each play.

Production Grows 39% Year-Over-Year Within Capital Budget
Estimated total production was 49.6 MMBoe for 2013, an increase of 39% compared to 2012. Crude oil accounted for 71% of total production, or 35.0 MMBo, in 2013. Estimated natural gas production for the year was 87.7 billion cubic feet.

Capital expenditures excluding acquisitions for 2013 were just under the budget of $3.6 billion, which included $3.1 billion for drilling and completion operations. Acquisition capital expenditures were $270 million for 2013.

Fourth Quarter Production and Expenses
The Company announced production of 13.3 MMBoe for the fourth quarter of 2013, a year-over-year increase of 35% compared with the fourth quarter of 2012. Fourth quarter 2013 average production was 144,250 Boe per day, representing a 2% increase over the third quarter of 2013. The Company reached a new production milestone of 150,000 Boe per day during November, prior to experiencing winter weather delays. Continental has recently regained the 150,000 Boe per day production level.

"We had a great 2013," Mr. Bott said. "Weather affected the fourth quarter, but the timing of production gains also reflects our continued shift to large, multi-well drilling pads. This is a key driver of future efficiency gains and production growth.

"Such strong execution continues to underpin our confidence in achieving Continental's five-year plan to triple production and proved reserves," he said.

Continental began 2014 with an inventory of more than 100 gross wells that have been drilled, but are not yet producing, almost all of which are associated with multi-well pads.

Fourth quarter 2013 oil differential (discount to WTI crude and inclusive of all transportation) is expected to be approximately $13 per barrel, about twice as high as the average for the first nine months of the year. Full-year 2013 differential is expected to be approximately $8.25 per barrel, compared with annual guidance range of $6 to $8 per barrel.

Lower volumes due to winter weather delays and the Company's mix of wells in the fourth quarter of 2013 also impacted production expense per Boe and depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) per Boe. Production expense for the fourth quarter of 2013 is expected to be approximately $0.90 above the third quarter 2013 level of $5.17 per Boe. DD&A for the fourth quarter of 2013 is expected to be approximately $1.50 above the third quarter 2013 level of $18.87 per Boe. For 2013 as a whole, the Company expects both production expense per Boe and DD&A per Boe to be within annual guidance.

The Company reaffirmed its 2014 guidance as announced in its third quarter earnings release on November 6, 2013.

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings Announcement and Conference Call
Continental plans to announce fourth quarter and full-year 2013 earnings on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, following the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The company plans to host a conference call to discuss earnings results on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT). Those wishing to listen to the conference call may do so via the Company's website at www.CLR.com or by phone:
Time and date: 11 a.m. ET, Thursday, February 27, 2014
Dial in: 800 708 4539
Intl. dial in: 847 619 6396
Pass code: 36590660

A replay of the call will be available for 30 days on the Company's website or by dialing:
Replay number: 888 843 7419
Intl. replay 630 652 3042
Pass code: 36590660

Continental plans to publish a fourth quarter and full-year 2013 summary presentation to its website at www.CLR.com prior to the start of its earnings conference call on February 27, 2014.

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