In this week's edition of the Corporate Week in Brief podcast, Tom Ellacott explains why he was impressed by BP's Q2 results, while Greig Aitken adds some further thoughts on BP's recently-announced US$10.5 billion acquisition in US unconventionals.

Andrew Harwood, Angus Rodger and Dan Toleman from Wood Mackenzie's Asia Pacific upstream research team discuss the past, present and future of project execution in Australia. As oil and gas companies look to invest again in growth, will they learn from their past mistakes?

Middle East and North Africa – In Brief for July 2018 Analysts from Woodmac's Middle East and North Africa team discuss two of the topics from July's MENA upstream in brief report – gas in Morocco and oil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Everything is accelerating in the Permian Basin including terminal decline rates for oil wells. The impact on well level economics is relatively insignificant, but what if using historical norms leads to some fairly inaccurate forecasting assumptions. Ryan Duman and Robert Clarke discuss our latest "Permian Risk" insight. To learn more and receive complimentary access to the insight click here: http://bit.ly/2KWp7PC

Tom Ellacott and Roy Martin share out views on BP biggest deal since 1999.

The Sub-Saharan Africa upstream research team discuss some of the key news stories over the past month. In this podcast, Gail Anderson, Tunji Alli and Lennert Koch discuss FID in Nigeria and the Majors entering into Mauritania.

We just completed a research trip to Port of Spain and Point Lisas where we met with operators, service companies, and stakeholders active in Trinidad's energy landscape. Tune in to our podcast to hear our take on some of the key trends in the country.

Nathan Nemeth and Stephen Kallir from the Canadian Upstream team discuss diluent in western Canada and why it is so important for both unconventional and oil sands producers.

After a prolonged downturn, deepwater E&P has seen consistent cost reductions (through simpler, faster, better delivered projects)and is attracting a growing share of global capital expenditure.

Luke looks ahead to the Majors' Q2 results calls later is week. Bumper earnings on the back of higher crude prices and robust refining margins will grab the headlines. But investors will want to know what companies plan to do with the windfall - pay down debt, increase distributions, or invest?