Business news for Fri, 21 Dec 2007 & with words london+oil. 5 news.

LONDON–Oil held near $91 a barrel Friday as falling inventories in top fuel consumer the United States at the height of winter demand countered concern about its economy.

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- OMX is acquiring Nord Pool ASA's clearing and consulting operations and international derivatives products for 2.3 billion Norwegian kroner ($412 million) to establish a business unit for international energy derivatives headquartered in Oslo. The exchange will trade carbon dioxide emissions and may be expanded for trading and clearing in commodity derivatives such as gas, oil and freight derivatives. OMX said the deal will add to earnings in 2008.

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Linn Energy said it's going to acquire certain oil and gas properties located primarily in the Mid-Continent from Lamamco Drilling Company for a contract price of $552 million. The deal will add proved reserves of over 50 million barrels of oil equivalent, increase production by more than 4,000 barrels a day and generate over $75 million in 2008 EBITDA.

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Dana Petroleum said that oil has been discovered at the Kerloch structure in in the U.K. Northern North Sea. This is the first well in Dana's 21 well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, which is scheduled to include 20 further wells in 2008. Dana will be drilling 3 wells simultaneously during January.

LONDON -- Oil prices rose today because of supply concerns following a report that U.S. crude oil stocks fell for the fifth straight week. Prices were also supported by forecasts that OPEC oil shipments were falling.