Think tank condemns wind out of hand
Wind energy "can only play a negligible role in plugging Britain's looming energy gap", according to the UK's Centre for Policy Studies.
Hydrogen corridor for north-east?
A "hydrogen corridor" is being planned by the Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association for the road between Aberdeen and Peterhead. It would complement the Energetica economic development project that is in the early stages of being rolled out in the Scottish north-east.
OpenHydro notches up grid first at EMEC
OPENHYDRO has become the first tidal energy company to complete the connection of a tidal turbine to the UK national grid and commence electricity generation. Its 250kW Open-Centre Turbine, which is installed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) off Orkney, started generating to the grid on May 26.
Mini-crystals may be solar revolution
A GROUP of Australian and Chinese researchers have made a ground-breaking discovery that could revolutionise the capture of solar energy.
Europe celebrates the power of wind
On June 15, the second ever European Wind Day will take place. More than 20 countries are participating and more than 100 events are being organised across the continent.
New FPAL service – the evolution
THE next few months herald an exciting time for FPAL. Members have been advised through other communication channels that the FPAL system, which has provided the backbone of oil & gas supplier selection, is set for an upgrading process, including a new look and feel.
Triton in hand, Scot out to build empire
Martin Anderson is in a hurry, or at least one could be forgiven for thinking he is. For sure, Triton Group's CEO is a man with a mission - to take the famous Perry Slingsby brand and really make something of it.
What nonsense about world oil supplies
As I write this, Brent crude is trading at about $130 per barrel. The price has doubled over the last year and quadrupled over the last three.
A kingdom of opportunity
Located in of one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and spurred on by increasing global oil demand, record commodity prices and the demands of a rapidly growing population, Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented programme of economic development.
Sustainable energy degree from Nottingham
ELECTRICAL Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems (B.Eng/M.Eng) is a new programme that starts autumn 2008 at the University of Nottingham. While it may be too late to apply for the 2008 diet, this new programme may be worth considering for a 2009 start.
Offshore renewables courses on offer at Cranfield
THINK of Cranfield and many of us might think of an MBA; somehow that's what this UK institution is best known for, even if that might not be the case.
Make a smart career choice – get yourself into energy
It's milk-run time, with thousands of graduates about to come on to the marketplace, with many doubtless looking for careers that have fat salaries attached.
U is for underground
UNDERGROUND mine - a mine where coal is produced by tunneling into the Earth to the coal bed, which is then mined with underground mining equipment such as cutting machines and continuous, long-wall and short-wall mining machines. Underground mines are classified according to the type of opening used to reach the coal - that is, drift (level tunnel), slope (inclined tunnel) or shaft (vertical tunnel).
Solar sailing across the universe
SPACECRAFT could one day traverse the universe using an electric solar wind sail developed at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Developed two years ago, it is apparently fast becoming a reality.
Biofuels may not be as friendly as you think
BIOFUELS based on ethanol, vegetable oil and other renewable sources are increasingly popular with Government and environmentalists as a way to reduce fossil fuel dependence and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Academy invites young people to energise their future
Hundreds of pupils from schools across Aberdeen City and Shire are being given the chance to explore the world of oil & gas at an innovative, interactive careers event to be staged at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Riebar builds geotechnical position and reinforces fleet
NORWAY'S Rieber Shipping has, through a private placement, acquired 40% of the shares in Bluestone Offshore, a Singapore-based company specialising in deepwater geotechnical analysis. This is a strategic deal designed to reinforce Riebar's position in this increasingly important services sub-set.
Britain and Norway to work with Canadians on Arctic patrol armada
BMT Fleet Technology has won the contract to carry out the definition, engineering, logistics and management support contract for the Canadian Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship project.
Life of an expatriate won’t suit everyone
The innovative and progressive nature of the global energy industry inevitably means that companies have to send employees to work all over the world.
UKCS exploration and appraisal activity now running way ahead of 2007
THE increase in UK E & A (exploration and appraisal) activity continues; 32 well starts so far in 2008, and 18 sidetracks. Of these, 22 are exploratory and 10 appraisal. This represents an increase of 85% over the same period in 2007; 63% increase for exploration and 150% for appraisal. Fifteen rigs are currently active, and May starts include Valiant's 9/22-3 (Globe/Roebuck), IOC's 15/13a-9 (Hood), Oilexco's 16/21b-34 (Delta), Nexen's 19/4-2 (Full Moon), Maersk's 22/25a-9 (Culzean) and RWE's 49/2a-6 (Topaz). BG's Jackdaw 30/2a-7 and ConocoPhillips' Jasmine/North Terrace 30/6-7 appraisals are now more than seven months into their respective programmes, the last named on its third sidetrack.
Saipem picks up two new contracts
SAIPEM has picked up two new offshore contracts in Egypt and Angola totalling $600million. The Egypt work is with Burullus Gas, covering the subsea development of the Sequoia field, which straddles both the Rosetta and West Delta Deep Marine Concessions offshore the Nile River Delta about 130km north-east of Alexandria. The contract encompasses the engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) of the subsea development system of the Sequoia fieldand of a new 22in gas-export pipeline.
Teesside engineering group acquires Aberdeen oilfield services firm
ABERDEEN-BASED oil & gas industry services company Project Design & Management Services has been acquired by Wilton Engineering Services of Teesside.
UK P/E player backing Norwegian well tool firm
PRIVATE equity fund Epi-V is investing £4.5million in what it claims is the only "independent" supplier of advanced well intervention tools to the global oil industry in return for a "significant" slice of the firm.
2008 will see biggest ADIPEC show ever
IN APRIL, the Press and Journal and Munro's Travel Group of Aberdeen launched their first Middle East oil&gas conference and exhibition initiative, and we are pleased to report that this is attracting considerable interest.
Eni prepares mighty investment in Goliat
ITALIAN energy major Eni expects that it will cost at least $5billion to develop its Norwegian Barents Sea Goliat field, based on first oil around 2012.