Yell Group (LON:YELL) has acquired Znode, an Ohio based privately owned ecommerce specialist, for US$18 million in cash. Yell will also settle Znode’s existing debt of US$1.2 million. Znode will be incorporated into Yell Group as part of its new consumer division, Yell Connect. Its technology will serve as Yell’s ecommerce platform, which Yell called an important element of its new strategy to connect small businesses with consumers on a local level. “The Znode team and their innovative technology provide Yell with a platform for our digital business and enable us to provide ecommerce solutions to small businesses, connecting them more efficiently with their local consumers,” said chief executive of Yell Group Mike Pocock. Gold Oil (LON:GOO) has extended the planned marine 3D seismic survey over Block Z34 offshore Peru, which will now cover more than 800 square kilometres (sq km). The company is hoping that the results of the survey will attract a farm-in partner to help it fund the development of the project. Depending on the results of the seismic interpretation, further seismic may be required to completely evaluate this block. Earlier this month, Gold Oil hired BGP Geoexplorer to conduct the 3D survey. “The extended survey is designed to enhance the attractiveness of the block to potential farm in candidates and will also accelerate the full evaluation and commercialisation of this very promising and prospective acreage,” said chief executive of Gold Oil Richard Mew. Beleaguered care home provider Southern Cross Healthcare (LON:SCHE) announced today that the landlords of all of its 752 care homes have decided to leave the group. Back in June, the company announced an agreement with its landlords and lenders to undertake a four month restructuring programme. However, it appears that the restructuring is now set to become a closure. “We anticipate that the period of uncertainty which we have been experiencing will now draw to a close. We regret the loss of value which shareholders have experienced,” said chairman of Southern Cross Christopher Fisher. Max Petroleum (LON:MXP) announced today that the ZMA-ET1 appraisal well in its Zhana Makat field in Kazakhstan has flowed at the best test rate of all wells that have so far been drilled on the field. Initial testing at the well showed an equivalent flow rate of 1,200 barrels of oil per day (bopd) over a five hour flow period, the Kazakhstan operating oil firm said today. Max expects the ZMA-ET1 well to produce at a stabilised rate between 500 and 1,000 bopd when it is brought on line later this week. Solo Oil (LON:SOLO) has completed the first part of its acquisition of a 38.1 percent direct working interest in the Ausable oil and gas field and surrounding properties in Ontario from Reef Resources (CVE:REE). The purchase of the first tranche of assets has now been completed by the conversion of Solo’s existing C$1.65 million participating loan, the payment of C$200,000 a further payment of C$650,000 at completion. Reef now has to secure C$1.5 million from a third party for Solo to pay a further C$1.5 million against agreed work plans to acquire a further 14.3 percent interest. This would take Solo’s total stake in the project to the planned 3.8.1 percent level. “The process we outlined in the Heads of Agreement in May is being completed smoothly and we hope to announce the results of the testing of the Ausable No.5 well shortly,” said executive director of Solo Oil Neil Ritson. Shares in Kea Petroleum (LON:KEA) slid 32 percent this morning after the company announced disappointing results from both the Wingrove-2 and Hoadleys-1 wells. The initial flow test programme at the Wingrove-2 well onshore New Zealand will be terminated next week. This decision came after testing showed that the well would not produce commercial oil flow rates from the target Urenui sands. Kea has also announced this morning that it will terminate the Hoadleys-1 exploration well in the Surat basin of Australia after the target Precipice sands were found to be water bearing with no oil shows.

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