The new Category A EBS undergoes rigorous testing trials
The new category A emergency breathing system (EBS) for offshore workforce has passed its cold water trials, Step Change is Safety reported.
Features
Ewing: Independence will elevate Scotland from the boot to the renewables’ driver seat
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today said independence would elevate Scotland from the boot to the driver’s seat in the renewable industry.
Xcite Energy becomes Wood Review first
Xcite Energy has become one of the first firms to get into the spirit of the Wood Review by pushing for the development of the area around its Bentley Field. Sir Ian Wood wants a new regulator to be given additional powers to ensure that all licence holders act in a way that is consistent with maximising UK recovery. That includes increased collaboration between companies, particularly around access to infrastructure, and improved data sharing.
New lifejacket offers a “step change in safety”
A new offshore lifejacket which doubles up as a small liferaft has been unveiled in America.
Information – the undervalued safety asset
Through my studies of disaster inquiries such as Piper Alpha, Texas City, and Macondo, it’s become clear that an organisation's information is equally as valuable as its tangible assets. Whereas poor IM can ripple throughout an organisation, causing it to haemorrhage intelligence through conflicting and contradictory data, effective IM can tie together an organisation’s knowledge in one authoritative set, helping to mitigate risks and enabling greater organisational safety.
New RGC centre aims to bridge the talent gap
Robert Gordon's College is looking to strengthen its profile as the key supplier of the region's "intellectual capital" as it readies to give its STEM facilities a well needed revamp.
Problems facing the oil and gas industry under ‘Yes’ vote
A leading university academic last night outlined the difficulties the oil and gas industry would face should Scotland become independent. Professor Alex Kemp, of Aberdeen University, an expert on oil economics, told an audience of more than 200 people that it would require an “extensive transitional period” to address the issues.
CAA: Overweight oilmen get reprieve
Overweight oil and gas workers have been told they will no longer be banned from flying offshore and lose their jobs.
CAA: Deadline changes a ‘safety success story’
Regulators have backed down in a row over the introduction of new helicopter safety rules – and pledged that no offshore workers will lose their jobs for being overweight.
OTC 2014: Jeremy Cresswell’s Energy Eye – Day Three
Helicopter travel and safety do not tend to be given a lot of airtime in Houston during the Offshore Technology Conference, giving prevalence to straight-talking business and hard cash - except for this year.
North Sea taxes not likely to rise in independent Scotland claims Chief Treasury Secretary
Chief Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander has admitted that North Sea taxes are already 'pretty high' and not likely to rise if Scotland becomes independent.
Industry leaders say safety is the real ‘winner’ in CAA rethink
New measures to improve helicopter safety for oil and gas workers have been brought forward. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says emergency breathing systems will now be compulsory 15 months earlier than originally planned. Helicopter operators will have to have the equipment in place from January 1, 2015 rather than April 1, 2016.
‘Majority of CAA report about prevention not survivability’
Energy Voice attended a workforce engagement day aimed at examining the implications of the Civil Aviation Authority’s report. Director of safety and airspace Mark Swan and co-chairman of the Helicopter Safety Steering Group(HSSG) Alan Chesterman were on hand to address the workforce.
Service companies set to follow Wood Group PSN’s lead for rate cuts
Oil services companies in Aberdeen are set to follow the lead of Wood Group PSN, which announced plans to slash rates it pays to contractors 10% in an effort to cut spiralling costs.
OTC 2014: Bristow on track to implement CAA measures
A top boss at Bristow, one of the North Sea’s big three helicopter operators, says the company has no issue with accepting and adopting the raft of measures that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) plans to implement from next month.
OTC 2014: Aberdeen could lose out on oil HQ to Newcastle
Aberdeen could lose the new oil regulator being set up in the wake of the Wood Review to Newcastle if Scotland votes for independence.
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Wood Review-interesting times ahead for industry lawyers
In many respects, however, the fiscal changes discussed are the most straightforward to implement. More challenging may prove to be the legal and regulatory innovations that the Review proposes.
North Sea industry resigned to CAA’s helicopter June 1 deadline for imposing safety diktats
The safety review of UK North Sea commercial helicopter operations by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Norway CAA, started in October last year and from which emerged a stack of actions and recommendations, has certainly shaken the offshore industry . . . workers and companies alike.
RMT leader slams CAA’s dictatorial approach to workforce
Despite the many improvements that the 61 measures variously recommended or commanded by the CAA, many offshore workers are both angry and worried about the implications for their jobs.
Fergus Ewing ‘It’s time to address poor North Sea stewardship’
Scottish offshore excellence will once again be showcased on the world stage at this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, which I also have the pleasure of attending as Energy Minister for the third year.
Banff Academy students call for a common language on oil jobs
In our special Young Energy edition of Energy published in March, we reviewed a selection of oil industry recruitment presentations made by schools that took part in a competition run by the Society for Petroleum Engineers and International Coiled Tubing Association.
North Sea workforce 3D body scanning project gathers pace at Robert Gordon
A groundbreaking research project to measure offshore workers' body size and shape with 3D scanners in Aberdeen has assumed a dramatic relevance as a result of the Civil Aviation Authority's diktats regarding North Sea helicopters.
CHC bridges engineering skills gap with new apprentice scheme
The industry must start providing solutions to bridge the much talked about ‘skills gap’, according to a helicopter boss. CHC regional director for the West North Sea, Mark Abbey, spoke of curbing the divide as the firm welcomed its first batch of aspiring apprentices to Aberdeen
MSP calls for OPEC to move HQ to Aberdeen after independence
International oil body Opec should move its headquarters to Aberdeen if Scotland becomes independent, it was claimed yesterday.