Petrobras boss latest added to Offshore Europe speaker line up
The boss of Brazil's oil and gas giant Petrobras will join an august panel of speakers at the annual Offshore Europe event in September.
Agile SMEs help large firms deal with the challenges in the North Sea
A study of transactions demonstrating collaboration between Scottish SMEs and large organisations over the last four years revealed 347 deals exceeding £4billion, new data has revealed.
Best year for foreign investment in north-east as offshore rebounds
A record number of projects backed by foreign investors last year has revealed a change in fortunes for the north east, a new report has found.
Sentinel Marine says ‘ahoy’ to latest ERRV, creates 24 new jobs
Aberdeen-headquartered Sentinel Marine has taken delivery of a new emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV) which will see 24 new jobs being created within its North Sea operation.
Frontrow scales heights with new acquisition
An acquisitive Aberdeen oil and gas group which is building a portfolio of cost-cutting technology and services has added another venture it its fold.
NKT Victoria ports in Aberdeen ahead of £1.1billion Caithness-Moray pipelaying
A newly-launched NKT cable laying vessel docked in Aberdeen Harbour ahead if its maiden project to install two subsea power cables connecting Caithness to Moray.
Cairn shares surge on Senegal well “connectivity”
Cairn Energy shares rose after revealing an appraisal well offshore Senegal confirmed “good connectivity” to another site drilled by the firm. The Edinburgh-based exploration and production firm said the results meant it was now on track to submit a development plan for the field to the Senegal government next year.
EnerMech wins first cranes contract in Malaysia
Engineering services specialist EnerMech has won its first contract to provide crane personnel in Malaysia.
North Sea’s i3 unveils $50million IPO plan
Bosses of former oil and gas company Ithaca Energy revealed plans to raise $50million (£38.6million) in a flotation on AIM.
Book now for event highlight, now called Energy Snow Ball
The north-east’s biggest and most exciting events celebrating the region’s energy sector has been refreshed for 2017, in a new location and with added dazzle.
OTC 2017 numbers subdued
More than 64,700 attendees gathered at the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston last week, a lower number than the 68,000 in 2016.
UK coal still subsidy king, report finds
The coal sector benefits from £356million in subsidies a year in the UK despite the Government’s pledge to phase out use of the highly-polluting fossil fuel, a report suggests.
EnerQuip to double down on Houston business
EnerQuip of Aberdeen is six months into its first year of a new business division which is predicted to drive significant growth for the firm.
#Oil17: New World Order: no complacency allowed
The results of the Energy Voice sector survey #Oil17: New World Order unveiled in Houston yesterday highlighted that there is no room for complacency in the industry is it recovers from the downturn.
Energy Voice OTC panel debate: living with “lower forever”
The global oil and gas industry will need to adjust to “lower forever” hydrocarbon prices, an audience at the third annual Energy Voice OTC panel debate breakfast heard in Houston yesterday.
Tech firm to Uberise offshore logistics
A Scottish technology company has unveiled further developments of a system designed to bring disruptive use of technology like that of Uber and AirBnB to the offshore oil and gas logistics sector.
1 May is now “Jeremy Cresswell day” in Houston
The editor of the Press and Journal's leading monthly publication Energy, was handed the honour of having 1 May being named "Jeremy Cresswell day" in Houston.
Presserve wins £1.5million corrosion contract
An offshore corrosion specialist has won a £1.5million contract in Norway creating seven jobs.
Future of oil revealed with #Oil17 New World Order
Confidence in oil price recovery is still fragile, but almost half of respondents to the Energy Voice sector survey #Oil17: New World Order see investment in new technology as key to the future of the industry.
Wood Group picks £2.2bn integration leader
Wood Group has appointed a US-based executive to lead the integration of its £2.2billion mega-merger with Amec Foster Wheeler.
Balmoral unveils “industry firsts” at OTC
Balmoral Group has hailed an “industry first” as its subsea test centre carved deep into Aberdeen’s granite terrain nears completion. A second pressure vessel - thought to be the largest in Europe - will be installed at the Balmoral Subsea Test Centre this summer. Supported by bespoke software, the test centre offers Balmoral and external clients the ability to monitor procedures from anywhere in the world. When complete the facility will offer close to 20 test vessels in total. A smaller tank measuring 6ft x 23ft was installed in February, while the larger pressure test vessel which is nearing completion will measure 8ft x 29.5ft. Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral said: “These new additions complement the wide range of test vessels that were previously available for third party use. “The facility offers a comprehensive range of hydrostatic and mechanical test procedures supported by bespoke software that allows remote monitoring from anywhere in the world, an industry ‘first’.” In another industry first, the firm has installed an elastomer manufacturing facility to produce 46ft polyurethane bend stiffeners that are used to add support to flexible pipes, umbilicals and cables. Balmoral has developed polyurethane using only ‘safe’ polymers that avoid the use of highly toxic materials, Balmoral’s technical team addressed the health and safety aspects of the industry by qualifying only ‘safe’ polymers that avoid the use of highly toxic materials and accredited by Bureau Veritas. Fraser Milne, projects and engineering director at Balmoral Offshore Engineering, said: “Our new manufacturing facility will increase production capacity to meet market demands for this product. “Balmoral products are put to the test in some of the toughest conditions in the industry. With much of our SURF-related products carrying BV certification to API standards, and a global track record that is second to none, clients can rest assured they are receiving not only the best product solution on the market but also the best possible technical advice available.” Jim Milne said it was great to bring news of the company’s multi-million pound investment to OTC: “While the industry is consolidating for the future we have taken the opportunity to invest in our people and our technology. “We are always seeking to maintain our competitive advantage in the market place and our commitment to technological improvement goes a long way towards that.”
Get out of Houston, urges business man
An Aberdonian business man living and working in Houston has urged visitors to OTC to get out of their comfort zone.
OGUK attends OTC for first time in five years
The UK’s main trade body for the oil and gas industry is attending OTC in Houston for the first time in five years.
Rovop director to head up US operations
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) service provider based in Aberdeen has bolstered its US team after winning a raft of contracts worth around $19million (£15million) including a two-year deal with a Houston-based global company. Rovop has appointed Euan Tait as president of the company’s US operations, while Katarina Tehlirian takes up the post of VP business development. Both will be based at the company’s Houston hub with Mr Tait taking over from Wayne Betts who is moving across to establish Rovop’ s operations in Brazil. Mr Tait is a member of Rovop’s board and will continue his role as commercial director while heading up the US operations with the support of general manager, Neil Francis, in the western region Ms Tehlirian, who joins the company from Subsea 7, has extensive business development experience in the US subsea sector and has previously worked with DOF Subsea and Canyon Offshore. Steven Gray, chief executive at Rovop, said: “This is a great start to Q2 in 2017. The growth in our US team strongly positions Rovop for further growth in the region while the substantial new long-term contracts we’ve won demonstrates that, in a challenging market, our industry is changing and becoming more efficient, using technology and new working practices to lower cost and risk. “As such, Rovop anticipates a record year in 2017 because our service and equipment is aligned with the future needs of the industry. While prolonged oil and gas market downturn is still hurting our industry, we believe there is much to look forward to.” Rovop’s latest contract wins include a two-year deal with a Houston-based global oil & gas engineering company and a five-year contract with a European power cable installer. The firm has also secured a three-year contract with Centrica E&P to provide ROV services to the UK based oil & gas operator. The agreement will see Rovop support Centrica across multiple work scopes including drill support, decommissioning, and inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM). In addition, Rovop is preparing to execute innovative platform-based asset life extension work for a UK operator to help boost hydrocarbon recovery.
Algy Cluff gives four good reasons to invest in the UKCS
A UK oil and gas pioneer has said that the exploitation of so-called small pools could herald a “North Sea phase two".