RMT leader says helicopter decision sends out ‘negative signal’
Mick Cash, general secretary of offshore union RMT, said the refusal to hold an inquiry sends out a “negative signal” to offshore workers.
Insights
Bristow launches new scholarship programme
The commercial helicopter sector continues to throw open its doors to new recruits and apprentices to the oil and gas industry. Energy Graduate takes a look at one company which is helping lead the way.
Carol Vorderman: Counting on life and technology to change
From an early career aspiration to be a pilot, to studying engineering, then on to a high-flying career in the spotlight, Carol Vorderman shares with Yvie Burnett an insight into her career path
Opinion: Preparing the next generation for the workplace
The energy industries and in particular oil and gas have presented a rich employment market for graduates in recent years, reflecting the vibrancy of the industry in the UKCS and the war for talent.
UK government rejects call for public inquiry into helicopter safety
The UK Government has rejected calls from MPs for a public inquiry into helicopter safety in the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Opinion: Sitting out the rate cuts
A major operator’s recent contractor rate cuts announcement has been heralded as the start of an industry-wide phenomenon and the news has hit the headlines, particularly in Aberdeen, where industry is understandably sensitive to the ups and downs of the oil and gas market.
New helicopter association launched
A new body has been launched to try to ensure that no more North Sea workers are killed in helicopter crashes.
Opinion: What’s the energy impact of the Didcot fire?
The fire at Didcot B Power Station on Sunday (19 October) has taken half the station’s 1360 MW capacity offline for the foreseeable future as damage is assessed and then repaired. But what does this mean for the market?
Bob Keiller: The case for a cashless society
If I could make one change that would reap potential benefits, it would be to eliminate cash from society. Sounds radical and almost certainly impractical, but let me try and explain.
Opinion: $80 Oil – what’s the price of our core values?
“People are our most valuable asset”. People, people, people. You could be forgiven for thinking your CEO meant you. Oil prices are now down, not least as China’s growth has slowed. Did your CEO actually mean the people of China are his most valuable asset? Corporate values are under pressure. Brent crude is now trading nearer $80 than the $100 we have got used to. What is the risk of core values now being decommissioned?
Opinion: MP Owen Paterson on climate change in his own words
This week I stated that UK energy policy is a slave to flawed climate action. Our present course to meet the 2050 EU carbon emission targets will result in both a failure to meet the targets and the failure to keep the lights on. And that we need to release the energy industry, scientists, researchers, policy makers and business from the straightjacket of a consensus zealously guarded by a “green blob”.
Opinion: Don’t write-off the North Sea quite yet
It is perhaps the trait of an eternal optimist to focus on one piece of good news during bad times, but that is exactly what the North Sea needs to do right now.
Helicopter pilot calls for emergency crews at Aberdeen Airport
A helicopter pilot called for emergency crews to Aberdeen International Airport this morning after coming into difficulty.
Loren Steffy: Former BP exec, still haunted by Macondo, calls for industry wide safety changes
Kevin Lacy is still haunted by the Deepwater Horizon disaster -- by the lives lost, the families devastated and the environment despoiled. He describes the images of the giant, burning rig as looking like “something from Pearl Harbor.”
Opinion: Contractor rates and oil prices
So Shell is wielding the axe, chopping 15% off UK North Sea direct contractor rates.
Young recruits shown how to hone ‘soft skills’ in the energy sector
Young oil and gas workers have been invited to an industry first event which will focus on ‘soft skills’ which could help them succeed. Skills including networking, communication and presentation skills will be discussed by members of three of the oil and gas industry’s professional societies.
Oil expert Alex Kemp gives his verdict on the latest North Sea news
Oil and gas expert Alex Kemp said BP's announcement about Kinnoull was a much-needed boost for the North Sea industry.
Emergency crews requested as helicopter lands at Aberdeen Airport
Fire crews were called to Aberdeen Airport this morning as a helicopter made an emergency landing.
Opinion: Time is the healer
I am not so sure that companies in the UK continental shelf are biding time but the market has stalled for a number of reasons.
Opinion: What was that you said? Oil Galore?
In the run up to the referendum there were wild stories and reports in circulation about vast untapped and undiscovered oil reserves lurking in the depths of Scotland's seas.
Opinion: Is shale gas the answer to Europe’s energy independence?
When Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine in a disagreement over unpaid energy bills in the winter of 2009, many countries in eastern Europe were plunged into freezing cold. At the time, 80% of Europe’s gas flowed from Russia through Ukraine and the supply interruption left Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania and others without their primary source of heating. While Moscow and Kiev played a blame game for the crisis, people had to find an alternative solution and went back to wood burning fires to keep warm.
Centre looks to target the next generation of engineers
The next generation of scientists and engineers could be encouraged and nurtured at a new centre in Aberdeen. Technology company 3M has opened a Customer Engagement Centre (CEC) in Altens which has been created to help develop innovative ideas across the oil and gas sector.
Video: The industry’s size and shape
Travel offshore will be business as usual, according to Step Change and Safety's Les Linklater.
Opito Skills Week . . . get on board now!
National Oil & Gas Skills Week is just a few weeks off and one is given to understand that this initiative by Opito is not receiving the kind of support that had been expected.
Opinion: Tearing down illusions, or is it delusions?
I was in Hamburg recently for the biggest wind power trade show in Europe with 33,000 people attending and 1,500 companies exhibiting.