South Africa fund looks to buy Sasol assets to end losses
South Africa’s state-owned Central Energy Fund is considering buying assets that have been put on the block by fuel and chemical maker Sasol as it seeks to restore itself to profitability.
Insights
Further postponement pushes All-Energy to November
Scotland’s largest renewable energy and decarbonisation conference will now take place on November 4-5 following a further postponement.
Sonatrach plans gradual resumption
Sonatrach workers will return to work in compliance with directives set out by the public authorities, the company said, attempting to quash rumours that this would occur on May 31.
China’s Q2 2020 oil demand shows signs of recovery
According to the latest analysis by Wood Mackenzie, China’s oil demand will recover to 13 million barrels per day (b/d) in Q2 2020, a 16.3% jump compared to Q1 this year.
Green climate technology key to Covid-19 pandemic recovery plans
In the wake of the historic global economic shutdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, governments are unleashing trillions of dollars in a bid to create jobs and spur economic recovery. The scale of this stimulus is unprecedented, in some cases amounting to more than 10% of countries’ gross domestic product. At the same time, an overwhelming number of economists, finance ministers, and business leaders are saying that much of that money needs to help—and certainly not hinder—our ability to cut emissions.
Beware hydrogen bias
I recently provided Energy Voice with a couple of articles comparing Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV). The superior energy efficiency of the BEV was demonstrated supporting the reason why Volkswagen has stopped development of their passenger FCEV. There is much speculation in the automotive press that Mercedes are about to do the same.
Contracting firms poised to lay off furloughed workers, union boss says
A union boss has claimed a “host” of North Sea contracting firms are poised to lay off furloughed workers as the cost of maintaining the scheme mounts.
Gaming industry provides Covid-19 solution for wind farm operations firm
A firm responsible for the site operations of several Highland and Grampian wind farms has revealed it used technology from the gaming industry to keep turbines spinning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
North Sea workers handed Covid-19 quarantine exemption by Westminster
Oil and gas workers have been handed a Covid-19 quarantine exemption by the UK Home Office as the sector looks to bounce back from one of the most difficult periods in its history.
JGC positive on Middle Eastern contracts
Japan’s JGC remains positive about receiving the go ahead for work in Qatar, Iraq, Oman and Mozambique.
North Sea oil workers could get exemption from UK arrivals quarantine rules
Passengers arriving in the U.K. will be forced into quarantine for two weeks and face fines of 1,000 pounds ($1,217) if they break the rules, under measures set to be announced on Friday.
Rain eats into Orca’s Q1 sales
Gas sales by Orca Exploration in Tanzania fell in the first quarter as higher than normal rainfall boosted hydropower generation.
Ex-oil worker hopes novel approach to finding employment will pay off
When Laura Ripley was suddenly made redundant from her job in the oil and gas industry, she took matters into her own hands.
Warhammer owner becomes as valuable as parent of British Gas and Spirit Energy
The company that owns the Warhammer tabletop game has become as valuable as the owner of Britain’s largest energy supplier.
OGUK working with government on guidance to ease oil and gas lockdown
Trade body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) said it is “continuing to work with the government” on sector-specific guidance for easing the lockdown in the industry.
Offshore helicopter chiefs lobby Westminster and Washington as firms fight to ‘survive’ downturn
Industry chiefs are fighting in Westminster and Capitol Hill to support global helicopter firms that operate in the UK North Sea, warning some “will probably not survive”.
The long and winding road to recovery
In a recent article I described the mechanisms which drive the market structures of backwardation and contango, which explained how and why the market got into negative territory, with a steep contango forward curve. But having got there, how does that same understanding of market behaviour help us form a view of where we go from here?
Call to resurrect Scottish Government oil jobs taskforce as thousands face redundancy
A call has been made to resurrect a Scottish Government programme to protect oil and gas jobs as thousands of workers face redundancy.
SSE argues to defer ‘unprecedented’ £500m Covid-19 bill
SSE has argued for the deferment of a £500 million industry bill caused by a lack of energy demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Clair Ridge and Aasta Hansteen worker building mental health platform for oil industry
An oil worker who helped oversee construction of BP’s Clair Ridge and Equinor’s giant Aasta Hansteen installation is now building up a new mental health platform for the industry.
Aberdeen rig inspection firm launches offshore audit to help prevent spread of Covid-19
Rig inspection firm Aberdeen Drilling Consultants (ADC) has launched a resilience audit to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 on North Sea installations.
Carbon tax needed to provide CCS business case
DNV GL recently produced a position paper Heading For Hydrogen. It is the findings of a survey of more than 1,000 senior oil and gas professionals covering safety, infrastructure, CCS and policy.
I’m proud to be a mentor
Like many things in life, the more you put in, the more you get back, and that’s very much the case when it comes to mentoring.
NNPC tapped to shore up Nigeria’s virus fight
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will provide the funds for expatriate Nigerians to be brought home.
As Covid-19 hits electric vehicles, some thrive, others die
Electric vehicles generally don’t coast; they are designed either to accelerate or brake at any given time. The electric vehicle market is much the same.