Unimin Corp. has opened its newest proppant distribution terminal in Lubbock, TX to serve hydraulic fracturing operations in the North Permian basin and northern sections of the Cline shale.

As the balance of power in the oil industry shifts from large international oil companies (IOCs) to national oil companies (NOCs), business models for players throughout the industry are shifting in response.

Knowledge Reservoir, a global energy consulting company, has been acquired by RPS Group plc (RPS).

Complementary to its strategy to develop deep water solutions and grow its operations in North America, Clariant Oil Services has agreed to acquire certain Gulf of Mexico assets from Ecolab Inc.

The Independent Producers Association of America (IPAA) has launched a new educational campaign, Energy Tax Facts. This campaign and website (http://energytaxfacts.com) will explain the often complicated tax provisions and policies that apply to American independent producers.

A recent University of Texas poll asked respondents what they thought about a variety of energy issues, not the least of which was hydraulic fracturing. Interestingly, the poll actually shows how anti-energy activists are losing in their misinformation campaign against responsible shale development.

GE (NYSE: GE) and Lufkin Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: LUFK) announced a joint agreement whereby GE will acquire Lufkin Industries Inc., a provider of artificial lift technologies for the oil and gas industry and a manufacturer of industrial gears, for approximately $3.3 billion.

Jan Kees van Gaalen will become executive vice president and CFO of Dresser-Rand, effective May 1, 2013, Dresser-Rand Group Inc. (NYSE: DRC) announced Wednesday.

International subsea equipment solutions specialist, Ashtead Technology, has sold its North American instruments business.