Shale fires up US steel
The US shale-gas revolution, which has revitalised chemicals companies and is rebalancing North American energy supplies is also attracting a wave of investment in new steel plant.
Removing claim sleight of hand
US corporation Peabody Energy, the biggest private-sector coal company in the world, has removed the claim that it is "the global leader in clean energy solutions" from its home page due to pressure from environmentalists.
Santa Osborne’s dubious energy prezzies
Heavens, up to 30 new gas-fired power stations, life extensions for two of the current nuclear power station fleet and the laying of early foundations for the forthcoming UK shale gas push.
Falkland Islands oil & gas adventure . . . the latest Atlantic Frontier hotspot
The most remote part of the Atlantic Frontier, the Falkland Islands, apparently has to potential to become a major new player in the quest for new oil and gas resources.
There’s a big buzz about the province as BP invests
As the UK Atlantic Frontier - aka West of Shetland - comes of age, so exploration and development momentum builds. There is a buzz about the province as the pace quickens and more discoveries graduate to the development category.
Providence is out in front with newly-licensed acreage
There has been a tendency for years to write off Ireland as a serious player on the North West Europe Continental Shelf (NWECS).
Business leader warns FIG to get its priorities right
As the latest exploration campaign winds down and preparations for the Austral Christmas begin, at least one leading light in the Falkland Islands business community is pacing the floor.
Petrel spots 1bn barrels target west of Ireland
While it is Providence Resources that leads the field offshore Ireland, on November 12 it was tiny Petrel Resources that grabbed stock market attention with its prediction of a 1billion barrels prospect to the west of Ireland.
Questing for Atlantic Frontier prizes
In this issue we're majoring on the Atlantic Frontier, or rather just three parts of it . . . UK West of Shetland, the Irish sector and, several thousand miles to the south, the Falkland Islands.
A boss under siege . . . Lutz Bertling of Eurocopter
Lutz Bertling, CEO of Eurocopter, has a massive problem. One of his most faithful customers has decided to order 10 Sikorsky S92 aircraft with options for 15 more replacements for its current fleet of EC225 "Super Puma" machines, some of which are grounded because of two North Sea ditchings this year.
Algal biofuels challenge could turn out to be unsustainable
Scaling up the production of biofuels made from algae to meet at least 5% (about 39billion litres) of US transportation fuel needs would place unsustainable demands on energy, water, and nutrients, warns the US's National Research Council.
Corporate culture . . . the key driver of competence & safety
The offshore industry's workforce wants and needs common global standards to improve safety and competency. And there is a critical, widespread need for companies to develop the kind of corporate cultures necessary to make credible headway with these critical issues.
Subsea 7 bags $800m Martin Linge SURF contract
Contracting major Subsea 7 has been awarded a subsea, umbilical, riser, and flowline (SURF) contract valued at some $800million by Total for the development of the gasfield Martin Linge (formerly Hild) located 180km west of Bergen in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, block 30/7.
Seadrill wins $1bn-plus long-term contract
Seadrill has secured a five-year contract worth $1.18billion with Husky for the new-build harsh environment semi-submersible rig West Mira.
Statoil pursues IOR offshore Brazil
Norway's Statoil has completed its first multi-lateral well offshore Brazil as part of its increased oil recovery (IOR) campaign in the Peregrino field located on Campos Basin block BM-C-7.
West of Shetland to deliver for OMV
Austrian oil, gas and power firm OMV has said it is to spend "billions" in the North Sea as it looks to balance and grow its production portfolio.
Atlantic Frontier . . . a key long-term play for Dana Petroleum
Dana has long held a considerable position on the UK Atlantic Frontier; however, perhaps only now is the company in a position to realise value from that position, which has just been further reinforced with acreage awarded by DECC in the 27th UK Offshore Licensing Round.
Critical that oil companies allow local businesses a piece of the action – FIDC
For its part, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation didn't have any oil and gas content in its business plan of a year ago.
Cameron and Schlumberger team up to form a mighty subsea force
Cameron and Schlumberger have established OneSubsea, a joint venture to manufacture and develop products, systems, and services for the subsea oil and gas market.
Rust possibly holds the answer to inexpensive hydrogen production
Storage is one of the biggest challenges to a sustainable energy future, especially for wind and solar. In the latter's case, how can solar energy be stored so that it can be available any time, day or night, when the sun shining or not?
Titanium Explorer to kick off in US Gulf
Vantage Drilling's new super-drillship Titanium Explorer is starting its career working for Petrobras in the US Gulf of Mexico, rather than offshore Brazil.
BP’s WoS North Uist wildcat grinds on
The super-drillship Stena Carron continues to grind away at the South Uist deepwater (1,300m) exploration well.
Orkney firm wins lease agreement for tidal array
The Crown Estate has awarded leases for three marine energy sites - including a new test centre.
Songa Mercur arrives in Cuban waters while Scarabeo 9 leaves
Russian explorationist, Zarubezhneft, is making final preparations for its $126million exploration campaign offshore Cuba using the semi-submersible rig Songa Mercur.
Modec bags ninth FPSO job for Petrobras
Petrobras has issued a letter of intent to Modec and the Schahin Group for the supply, charter, and operation of a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Lula-Iracema area of block BM-S-11 offshore Brazil.