Energy Prices: Things need to be put into perspective
With widely-reported rising gas and electricity prices for consumers, kicking the “Big Six” energy providers has become something of a national sport.
Opinion
2013 in review: Government must play role in creating stable energy environment
While the independence referendum may have created uncertainty in other sectors, it appears to have had no material impact on the UK oil and gas industry – yet, writes Rod Hutchison.
Energy Prices: Government needs to act to reduce bills
In recent years, the wholesale costs of energy have increased and this has become an even greater problem than ever.
Optimism and realism in a year of extremes
This has been a year of extremes, writes Les Linklater
Songa clears £260million refinance hurdle
Offshore drilling firm Songa says it has secured the conditions needed to go ahead with its $400million refinancing deal.
Marathon’s North Sea departure announcement was “disrespectful”
This is the time when the big US oil corporations publish their plans for the year ahead; and of course one is looking for a mention of North Sea investment.
What new tax rules will mean for offshore workers
A draft of the proposed changes to the NI regulations show that if you are a UKCS worker, as well as a mariner then being a UKCS worker will trump the mariner rules, warns tax expert Alex Arthur
Decommissioning needs collaboration between industry and Government
Decommissioning the North Sea will be one of the largest and most challenging infrastructure projects of the next few decades, writes shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex.
Autumn Statement: Chancellor’s announcements will have immediate impact on oil sector
There were a couple of announcements in the chancellor’s Autumn Statement that will have an almost immediate effect on the oil industry.
Healthcheck: It’s the Great Pretender
As Christmas 2013 rapidly approaches we need to consider the excesses that often accompany this time of year.
Independence debate yet to engage energy leaders
With discussion and debate around Scotland's fiscal and constitutional future heating up, EY recently launched the latest report in its Grasping the Thistle series.
Old King Coal’s resurrection
It may come as a surprise to you but the fastest growing part of our energy industry in the UK at the present time is coal and not renewables.
Reflections on improving November
Apart from Bonfire Night, I used to find November a rather depressing month - when the nights grew longer, the days became colder, the leaves fell from the trees and yet another year seemed to suddenly be racing to its end.
Law now: West Africa’s issues of corruption and transparency
For many years, the oil and gas industry in West Africa has been tainted by its association with corruption, a problem that has been particularly manifest in the region’s largest hydrocarbon producing economies, including Nigeria, Angola and Ghana.
Industry fails young students spectacularly
Like many of you, I have become accustomed to the Friday of Offshore Europe being given over at least in part to subject senior academy pupils to a bit of concentrated oil and gas propaganda.
China offers an environmental reality check
A few days in China acts as a great corrective to all assumptions about energy policy and priorities, both domestically and globally.
The sorry state of UK energy research funding
If you’re in the energy sector and you’re not interested in innovation then you’re probably in the wrong job.
What does independence white paper mean for oil and gas industry?
Any division of the UK EEZ could therefore depend at least as much on political issues as legal ones, and the potential for the North Sea boundary to be ‘traded off’ as part of a wider negotiation on the division of UK assets and liabilities.
Industry must find new solutions to protect talent pool
The energy industry within the United Kingdom is in rude health.
Finding homegrown talent is key for Middle East oil industry
Nurturing domestic talent is an imperative for the Middle-east and from today’s conference sessions, it was evident that it is also a driver for regional governments who are focused on creating new jobs particularly in the technical sector to pursue a vision of optimising oil production and meeting their energy sustainability policies.
Industry prepares for ‘post-easy oil’ challenge
According to industry leaders from Taqa, BP, ADMA-OPCO and KNOC, the days of “easy” oil are over.
Wood Review: Analysis – Sir Ian pulls no punches
Sir Ian Wood’s interim report on the future of the UK North Sea really is a damning indictment of both the industry itself and government.
New look Adipec a draw for North Sea firms
A large contingent of British companies was to be found at ADIPEC, largely under the aegis of EIC, but the Scottish pavilion – organised by Scottish Development International and along the hall from team GB, beside the US pavilion – was surprisingly small by comparison.
Energy sector faces new health and safety ERRA
Section 69 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (“ERRA”) is a key step forward in the Coalition government’s agenda to cut red tape and reduce the regulatory burden on UK businesses, however the failure of the Act to recognise the rigorous offshore safety regime could have significant implications for businesses operating in the highly regulated energy sector.
How NOCs have changed the oil and gas industry
Dana Petroleum group CEO Marcus Richards sees a major structural shift underway in the global oil and gas industry. This is a personal perspective and one that he shared very recently at a packed Chatham House seminar