Subsea engineer hails “resilience” in its 20th year
An Aberdeen engineering firm has hailed its “resilient position” as it reaches its 20th year in the subsea oil and gas industry.
Bank of England told North Sea “demise” is wrong
The Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney has been advised that “tales of the North Sea’s demise are wrong” - although the oil and gas sector faces tough challenges in the wake of low prices.
21 jobs lost at CIE
An Aberdeen oil and gas engineering firm has gone into administration with the immediate loss of 21 jobs.
Rigs stack up off Invergordon
As many as a dozen drilling rigs are expected to spend the winter stacked in the Cromarty Firth as the depressed oil price continues to limit North Sea activity.
TV skipper serves up offshore
Peterhead fishing skipper Jimmy Buchan is toasting a successful trip after three days on a North Sea accommodation rig showcasing some of his catch.
Wood Group expands petrochemicals work with Sabic
Wood Group has been awarded a new contract by petrochemical manufacturer Sabic to provide engineering design services the firm's Teesside complex in Wilton.
Stranded rig refloating operation making “steady progress”
More than 200 people are involved in plans to refloat an oil rig grounded on the Western Isles which the head of the operation said is making “steady progress”. The Transocean Winner rig was blown ashore in severe weather conditions on the western side of the Isle of Lewis last week when it detached from its tug en-route from Norway to Malta. The rig is believed to have leaked 50,000 litres of fuel, most of which is thought to have evaporated, but no trace of pollution has been found since a low level was spotted on the day the rig grounded, Monday August 8. Salvage teams plan to transfer the remaining 137 metric tonnes of diesel fuel - a light and non-persistent oil with lower environmental risks than heavy black crude oil - in the intact tanks to tanks above the waterline. Hugh Shaw, the secretary of state’s representative for maritime, salvage and intervention, who is overseeing the operation, said: ’Work is ongoing and we are making steady progress, this is due to the response from all involved. “We fully appreciate the support that we have been getting from the local community and its leaders, as well as all those who live and work on the island.” The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the salvage teams on board are continuing to examine possible refloation and fuel transfer options. A helicopter has made three trips to transfer additional salvage equipment to those on board the rig, which grounded at Dalmore beach near Carloway. An MCA spokeswoman said: “So far, it is estimated that over 200 people are responding to the incident from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Transocean, Smit Salvage and Briggs Environmental. “The 300m exclusion zone covering the sea and the exclusion zone covering the air (temporary) remains in place - any aircraft pilot or drone operator not involved in the operation that breaches that zone will be prosecuted.” Mr Shaw and Transocean staff are expected to give an update on the salvage plans at a public meeting in Carloway on Thursday evening.
RBS’ Ross McEwan: “Oil and gas will be fine”
Ross McEwan is accustomed to making the headlines, but not always for the right reasons.
Energy Ball 2016 now just six weeks away
As summer holidays come to an end, now is the time to start thinking about the north-east’s biggest and best events.
Transocean to scrap another North Sea rig
Another North Sea rig owned by Transocean has been set for the scrap heap with the loss of up to 90 jobs
Burness Paull sees Aberdeen reinvention
Scottish law firm Burness Paull saw its profits decline as the “shock” of the Brexit vote affected business.
Call for clarity over impact of apprenticeship levy on oil and gas firms
Oil and gas skills body Opito has called for clarity over the impact the £3billion Apprenticeship Levy on the industry after the UK government set out how the controversial tax will work in England.
Mitsubishi takes tools to Scotland
The cutting tools division of a major Japanese industrial conglomerate has become a member of an advanced manufacturing research group in Scotland.
RGU data project to unleash billions in savings for oil and gas operators
Robert Gordon University (RGU) has teamed up with researchers on a £400,000 data project which could save billions for oil and gas operators.
Premier Oil set to unveil debt pile rescue deal
North Sea explorer Premier Oil is expected to reveal details of a deal with its lenders over its $2.6billion (£2billion) debt pile later this week.
Transocean under fire over safety record
The owner of the stranded oil rig on the Isle of Lewis is facing calls for investigation after a report revealed a string of leaks and breaches of health and safety in the North Sea by other rigs owned by Transocean.
Simmons Private Equity snaps up Imes from administrators
A company backed by Aberdeen’s Simmons Private Equity has snapped up a firm led by well-known business man, Melfort Campbell, from administrators.
Bob Ruddiman: New energy secretary has “impossibly wide remit”
His new title – secretary of state for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – is “challenging” but Greg Clark, the new "energy secretary" to all intents and purposes, arrived in Aberdeen this week for his first "meet and greet" with industry and civic leaders.
Greg Clark: Putting oil and gas at the heart of UK’s industrial strategy
The UK’s new energy secretary pledged to put the North Sea oil and gas sector “at the heart of the UK’s industrial strategy” as he ruled out intervening in an ongoing industrial dispute.
Rovop adds to collection of ministerial visits – and hails $4m of new business
Aberdeen-based remotely operated vehicle (ROV) service provider Rovop has announced over $4million (£3million) of contract wins spanning the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and Europe. The company, which was visited by Greg Clark during his first visit to Aberdeen in his role as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, has been awarded several new contracts across the oil and gas and offshore wind sectors. The contracts are with several new clients across a number of sectors and include construction support, cable lay and protection, survey and inspection repair and maintenance (IRM).
OGA boss welcomes energy secretary pledge on full powers
The boss of the Oil and gas Authority (OGA) yesterday welcomed a commitment by the new energy secretary to hand the watchdog its full executive powers within weeks. Under proposals set out in Sir Ian Wood’s review of the sector, the UK government set out that the OGA would become an autonomous government company this year following the passing of the necessary legislation. Andy Samuel, OGA chief executive, said the transition from executive agency to a government company in October “formalises our position as a strong and effective authority with a full suite of regulatory powers”.
Finding fresh cash theme of next OGUK oil and gas seminar
A seminar to look at how the cash-strapped oil and gas industry can find fresh finance will take place in Aberdeen later this month.
Sengs still sees North Sea opportunities
Independent engineering firm Sengs has won North Sea contracts worth up to £500,000 with clients who remained unnamed.
Aberdeen hotels book second month of increased demand
Aberdeen’s hotels enjoyed a second month in a row of rising occupancy levels, albeit demand was still below the pre-oil price crash peak, new figures have shown.
Kirk warns Westminster over climate change
A leading member of the Kirk has urged Westminster “not to turn away” from a commitment to tackle climate change.