While Scotland is windy, not everything blows our way
The past decade has been a tough one for Scotland’s offshore wind sector.
Insights
Big Oil: Time for a spin-off?
With Covid-19 continuing to impact the profitability of the supermajors, Ano Kuhanathan, sector advisor at trade credit insurer, Euler Hermes, argues that now is the time for the supermajors/Big Oil to start spinning off their renewables divisions.
Capturing a golden opportunity for Scotland
Since 1980, Peterhead Power Station, in the North East of Scotland, has played an essential role in keeping the lights on across the country. This has rarely been more evident than over the last year, with our critical workers ensuring the station continues to provide the energy needed throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Pinsent Masons: Floating offshore wind presents diversification opportunities
As the UK and other countries seek to seize the potential in Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW), the nascent technology offers diversification opportunities for the oil and gas industry and the supply chain.
OGUK report underlines need for ‘vital support’, says 30,000 job losses remains ‘reasonable estimate’
Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) has warned that the UK’s energy transition is at risk of stalling unless the industry receives “vital support” from government.
Golden rules for virus protection offshore
In the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the risks of working in what was already one of the most hostile environments on Earth. But, with the first anniversary of the outbreak not long in our collective rear-view mirrors, offshore workers in the North Sea are facing a twin threat: emerging new variants of the virus and increasing Covid-fatigue and complacency.
Who wants North Sea CCS, and why?
The idea of an energy transition itself is not new. We have been experiencing it for decades already in the search for reliable, affordable, and less-polluting sources of energy. However, the need to get to net-zero quickly in response to a growing climate emergency is taking us all through uncharted territory.
IR35: What next for the PSC ‘one-man company’?
For many years in the North East of Scotland, the personal service company (PSC), otherwise referred to as a one-man company, has become a fairly standard way to provide services, particularly in the oil and gas sector, due to a mixture of employment law and tax law.
UK oil and gas industry – Has the ‘cultural milk’ gone sour?
Much of my career has been in the oil and gas sector of the UKCS and I’ve felt extremely privileged to have worked with some amazing leaders over the years and some equally outstanding engineers, scientists, HR professionals.
Mintra: 365 days of WFH – and a seismic shift in thinking
On this day exactly one year ago, Mintra asked our staff to pack up their desks and make their home space their new office space. We knew that the Covid-19 stay at home order would be coming – it was only a matter of time – and that we needed to act swiftly to keep our team both safe and operational, even before governments made working from home mandatory for non-key workers.
Financing developments driving growth of renewables
Like so many other parts of the economy, Scotland’s renewable and alternative energy sector has not avoided the impact of the global pandemic. The recent UK Budget set out a variety of key climate and environment measures that, alongside other political and market developments, may re-energise the sector following the recent difficulties.
Protests ignite in Senegal
Protests continued in Senegal on March 8 as a leading opposition politician faced charges of sexual assault.
Addressing the Great Crew Change for oil and gas
The skills deficit in energy is a source of concern that has increased rapidly for employers. With global authorities cementing their commitment to reaching net zero targets by 2050 at the latest, the pressure is on for energy companies to deliver against substantial sustainability targets. But a dearth of trained resources has the potential to hinder this growth.
IWD 2021: Constructing a successful future
Despite an increased focus in recent years, the energy industry has consistently struggled to attract more women.
BP making permanent shift to flexible working, report says
BP has informed thousands of staff members they will not return to the office full-time when the pandemic lifts, a news report said.
Why gas flaring should be in the spotlight at COP26
At COP21 in Paris in 2015, 11 countries made gas flaring a stated commitment to their Paris Nationally Determined Commitments (NDCs). Disappointingly, five years on, flaring has increased for these 11 countries, by 6% to 60 billion cubic metres per year.
International Women’s Day: Covid-19 could undo oil and gas gender diversity progress
The oil and gas industry needs to be careful that Covid-19 doesn’t undo the large strides that have been made to address gender imbalances in recent years.
Energy industry: From boys’ club to equality and fairness
International Women's Day, taking place today (8th March), grew out of a 1908 women's march for better labour laws to become an event recognised by the United Nations. To celebrate, Energy Voice spoke with Simone Pizzolato, Forum Energy Technologies' commercial manager, about the changes in the energy industry in the past two decades.
What is the point of technology if no one uses it?
A sustainable future is closely linked to creating and adopting innovative technologies. These new products, services and ways of working may solve many of the challenges we face as individuals and as a society. However, to unlock the power of innovation, these technologies must be adopted and deployed. How we produce and consume energy is a critical element of a sustainable future.
The danger of doing nothing
International Women’s Day is a great chance to celebrate my mother, wife, sister, daughter and all the women that have made a difference in my life. But for reasons I hope will become clear, I’m starting with a story about my Dad.
CMS: Doing the right thing
It has become something of a cliché that the Millennial and Gen Z generations are more environmentally conscious and values-driven than their predecessors in the workplace. The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2020 showed that there is still truth in that cliché, and despite the financial hardship and anxiety of the last 12 months, younger workers remain focused on larger societal issues and the need to drive positive change in their communities and around the world. This is seen as presenting a challenge to the sector in terms of attracting new recruits.
‘Capable trainees are most important asset’
A UK Modern Apprenticeship typically lasts four years. To put that in context, a standard honours degree in Scotland demands a four-year commitment; in England it’s three.
Outdated model holds energy ambition back
In 1992, the UK’s energy system was a very different place.
How investment in renewable power generation will strengthen Caribbean and Latin American economies
Over the last year, labour markets in Latin America and the Caribbean have faced an unprecedented unemployment problem.
Firm at centre of north-east Brazilian Covid scare speaks out
The testing, inspection and certification firm at the centre of the north-east Brazilian Covid scare has spoken out about the unfolding health crisis.