Troubled Shell lost its way a decade ago
Oh dear, more lousy financials from Shell, writes energy editor Jeremy Cresswell
Opinion
Oil firms must protect themselves for move into emerging markets
As companies involved in oil exploration, renewables, manufacturing and other industries expand their horizons internationally into countries with rapidly-expanding economies, it is more important than ever to ensure that valuable intellectual property is not put at risk.
Oil and gas industry must not ignore the IT Factor
IT is essential to the operations of multi-national organisations in towering office blocks, entrepreneurial boffins in underground labs and on board oil and gas industry vessels in remote locations.
Scotland can lead the way in renewables drive
From the £15million Scottish Innovative Foundation Technologies Fund to support pioneering substructures, to the installation of the world’s largest offshore wind turbine at Methil, our offshore wind sector has many successes to celebrate from the last year.
Jeremy Cresswell’s Energy Week: Watch our new podcast here
The Press and Journal's energy editor, Jeremy Cresswell, picks out his highlights of the last seven days worth of news and events in the oil and gas world.
Employee-owned model reaping benefits for Accord
A positive working culture is embedded within the company and we make every effort to treat employees in the way they would be treated if they owned the company, which they will one day.
Industry now facing up to the dismal facts
At last the penny has dropped with Oil and Gas UK regarding the real state of the North Sea.
Beatrice: Modest yet grand old North Sea lady
Energy editor Jeremy Cresswell pays tribute to one of the North Sea's most remarkable survivors as Ithaca prepares to call time on the historic Beatrice field.
More must be done to address renewables skills gap
The energy sector is facing a possible skills crisis in the next decade due to the prospect of losing up to 80% of its workforce, mainly due to retirement. writes Sarah Johnson. Companies have to become aware of this fact and start acting now to ensure, that in ten years’ time, there are adequately-skilled people to step in.
Are immigration changes the solution to energy sector’s skills shortage?
It’s no secret that the oil and gas sector has a shortage of engineering professionals and graduates in the UK. Contributing to this problem is the fact that many school children post the age of 16 do not chose to study the maths and sciences which are required in order to progress into an engineering career.
Don’t squander the gains
Unite's giant inflatable rat mascot didn’t show at the heliports, but the ill-informed leaflets they were obliged to hand out to offshore workers boarding helicopters smelled unmistakably of the real thing: a cack-handed recruitment stunt intended to piggy-back genuinely held anxieties, writes Ronnie McDonald
Oil price certainty should provide 2014 E&P boost
A degree of certainty with regard to oil prices over the next year should help exploration and production companies in reaching decisions regarding capital investment while the service sector looks set to record further growth.
Healthcheck: Energy supplement – no excuses in fight for fitness
When the bells rang out a few days ago we wished one another a Guid New Year.
2014 – critical to take long-term UKCS view
I do not want to start 2014 on a pessimistic note but I believe it is a good time to take a longer term view of what is happening on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement – good news for oil and gas?
The Coalition Government's "new approach to tax policy making" promised an era in which the tax policy process would be seen as a competitive advantage of the UK.
Let’s make the offshore industry shine in 2014
Much like the industry itself, the last 12 months were a time of great change and positive momentum for Opito, writes group CEO David Doig.
2014 likely to witness growing terror threat with a little optimism for energy industry
The energy sector has faced terrorism for years, but the threat is likely to grow over the coming 12 months.
Economic growth will be spur for mergers and acquisitions
With a new year comes new hope for a return to economic growth in Europe, which may help to provide a much needed spur to the long awaited recovery in the mergers & acquisitions (M&A) market across the continent.
Breaking Boundaries: Why women belong in energy
It is no news that the times of “easy oil” in the North Sea are well and truly over.
A strange letter from Mr Anonymous
Anon letters have always been given short shrift by me; however, I've just made an exception, writes energy editor Jeremy Cresswell
2014 – just another year?
Like most people I try hard to be optimistic at the start of a new year, writes Dick Winchester. Invariably though, my optimism lasts about a week, sometimes two weeks but rarely survives beyond the end of January.
Playing the strategically vital export card
Over the past few months, I have been carrying out a review of Scottish exporting on behalf of the Scotland Office and I hope that its conclusions can be brought together early in this new year, writes Brian Wilson
Pool resources and share risks of oil and gas across a bigger population
Having lived and worked in Aberdeen and Shetland, I have been able to see the oil and gas sector develop at close hand, writes Scots Secretary Alistair Carmichael
Energy Prices: Independent Scotland would tackle the issue better
It is an absolute scandal that people are still living in fuel poverty in a country as energy rich as Scotland.
Energy Prices: Consumers should consider a switch
With winter price rises, followed by the UK Government reducing some of the levies on household energy bills, many consumers will be feeling confused about what all this means, and more importantly how it will affect what they are paying.