SCDI calls on Chevron chief’s energy expertise
THE Scots-born vice-chairman of US oil and gas group Chevron, Peter Robertson, will be keynote speaker at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry's annual lecture in January.
Faroe gains new licences in North Sea
Results from the UK's 25th offshore licensing round emerged yesterday, with announcements by a number of the successful companies.
Aberdeen firm’s owners cash in by £10m from takeover
The owners of Aberdeen firm Containental Offshore have benefited to the tune of more than £10million after the acquisition of the business by investors led by London-based private equity firms Lansdowne Capital and Claver Capital.
Shutdown to prove costly for Venture
VENTURE Production said yesterday that before last week's shutdown of its operated Kittiwake platform it had expected this year's average production to be around 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
Partnership to bid for offshore windfarms
Utilities ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall have agreed a partnership to make joint bids in the third round of offshore wind power development in the UK.
Ithaca completes Beatrice deal
CANADIAN oil and gas operator Ithaca Energy said yesterday it had completed the £10million leasing of the Beatrice oil field and Nigg oil terminal from Talisman Energy and had taken over operatorship.
Forties operator aims to grow UKCS output and reserves
Oil and gas operator Apache North Sea says it intends to be active in acquiring and exploring new acreage and pursuing new development opportunities.
Endeavour to play part in North Sea campaign
NORTH Sea focused oil and gas operator Endeavour International said yesterday it would participate in two strategic wells in the fourth quarter of this year.
BG upbeat on prospects for future output
Oil and gas operator BG Group said yesterday it had delivered another excellent result in the third quarter of 2008, and its outlook remained strong.
Oil firm needs funds for African projects
SCOTTISH oil and gas explorer Bowleven said yesterday it needed more cash to progress exploration and development programmes in west Africa.
The ‘culinary disaster recovery expert’
When the young Stuart MacBride decided he wanted to own a yacht, little did he know his future would involve plenty of work at sea, but none of it on a floating palace with his family name stencilled on the stern.
Hurricane season hits production at Forties operator Apache
OIL and gas operator Apache has forecast its 2008 production will fall about 3% on last year because of hurricane disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico to an average 540,000-545,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
Profits fall at Aker Solutions amid rig delays and rising costs
Norwegian oil and gas engineering and construction group Aker Solutions said yesterday that rising costs and rig delays hit its third-quarter profits.
Quarterly profits soar at US oil major
Oil major ConocoPhillips has reported third-quarter net income of £3.05billion compared with £2.16billion a year earlier, while revenue was £41.17billion against £27.12billion a year ago.
Baker’s near-term view clouded by uncertainty
OILFIELD technology company Baker Hughes said yesterday its long-term outlook remained favourable, but the near-term forecast had become less certain.
Analyst upbeat on North Sea gas find
ONE of the companies analysing the results of UK North Sea exploration drilling has said a successful test on the East Breagh gas find could accelerate a major new development.
Oil minnow unfazed by recent dip in price of crude
Nautical Petroleum, which focuses on the development of heavy-oil assets in the UK and Europe, said yesterday it was not too concerned about falling oil prices, although heavy oil was typically more expensive to produce than conventional resources.
Aggreko powers ahead after profit hopes upgraded
Aggreko saw its shares rise strongly yesterday after it said its annual performance would exceed market expectations and pre-tax earnings would be at least 50% higher than last year.
Plexus headcount boosted by sales and profit growth
Aberdeen-based oil and gas engineering business Plexus Holdings said yesterday that success had enabled it to increase its workforce in the past year by 25% to 74.
UK leads in low-carbon investment
THE UK is the European hotbed of investment and innovation in low-carbon technologies, attracting 41% of the total venture-capital and private-equity investment in low-carbon small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU, according to a new report.
Investor 3i predicts a new ‘dash for gas’
Private-equity investor 3i believes an increase in gas-fired power is the only way to prevent a shortfall in generation capacity within the next decade.
Positive outlook boosts shares in Scots engineer
Shares in Scottish engineer Weir Group jumped yesterday after it lifted its full-year profit forecast.
ESP arm opens base in Bogota
WOOD Group ESP, part of Aberdeen-based international energy service company John Wood Group, has opened a new service facility in Bogota, Colombia to overhaul, assemble and test electric submersible pumps (ESPs).
Venture adds to North Sea assets
Venture Production said yesterday it was to acquire additional interests in the Cygnus, Kepler, Copernicus and Humphrey gas discoveries plus interests in three exploration blocks.
Wellhead expert Caledus sets up Middle East beachhead
Caledus, the Aberdeen-headquartered oil and gas well-technology company, has said it is entering the Middle East market by setting up an office and manufacturing base in Dubai.