The CEO of Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd. has denied that his company's deal with Texas-based Noble Energy is politically motivated, MercoPress reported Aug. 9, citing The Daily Telegraph. Neither Noble Energy nor the U.S. State Department have commented on the politicization of the deal, but Noble has said that the deal is consistent with its strategy.

Japan's Nippon Steel Corp. is in final negotiations with the government of Mozambique to acquire development rights to a Mozambican coal mine, Japan Times reported Aug. 8. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano will likely visit Mozambique in the upcoming months as part of Tokyo's support for Japanese overseas coal mining development.

South Sudan hopes to resume oil production in September after reaching an interim agreement with Sudan on oil export fees Aug. 4, but it may take a year to return to full production, South Sudan's lead negotiator said Aug. 7, Reuters reported. Production would begin at approximately 150,000 barrels per day and likely increase to around 190,000 bpd within three to four months, the negotiator said.