Madalena Ventures' (CVE:MVN) shares are on the rise again today after investors and analysts weighed up the implications of news that Chevron (NYSE:CVX) and YPF have increased their investment commitments in the Vaca Muerta oil shale oil reservoir, where Madalena has interests in two blocks

A potential partner paying £10mln upfront to find out more about the project could be considered to be a positive step forward, according to Oriel Securities analyst Peter Griffith.

North Sea developer Xcite Energy (LON:XEL, CVE:XEL) will strengthen its already solid financial position with the sale of technical well data from the company’s Bentley Field for £10mln (US$15mln). Once the binding agreement with the unnamed buyer is completed the cash will be added to £20.4mln the group had on the balance sheet at the end of March.

Talisman Energy (TSE:TLM) (NYSE:TLM) said Wednesday it swung to a first quarter loss, hurt by lower benchmark oil prices and production as the company works to unlock more value and refocus its operations. 

Madalena Ventures (CVE:MVN) impressed analysts at Casimir Capital today, resulting in a sharp boost in the company's share price target on the back of "strong validation" of its Argentina assets and massive upside potential, as it released a resource report uncovering an estimated 34.8 billion oil equilvaent barrels of petroleum initially in place.