EU must maximise renewables as competition hots up
EUROPE has no choice; it must lessen dependence on fossil fuels and other non-renewables-based power generation, according to the president of the European Wind Energy Association.
Oil & Gas
Capacity to triple despite recession
World wind-based power-generation capacity will nearly triple in the next five years despite the current global economic downturn, according to the Global Wind Energy Council.
Back to the Wild West?
ACCORDING to some, a cowboy is a noble creature: "a hired man, especially in the western United States, who tends cattle and performs many of his duties on horseback".
Drilling down into IHT can provide relief to industry in uncertain times
In the current business climate, it is more important than ever to maximise shareholder value, and with many businesses looking to cut costs and save money, reviewing tax policies and making sure the business is structured to ensure that all available tax reliefs are maximised for the shareholders is vital.
Ruling gives clarity on offshore leave
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has reversed the Aberdeen employment tribunal's decision relating to the holiday entitlement of offshore workers.
Meil sees sound future, yet 2010 could be tough
Graham Meil occupies a corner office at Acergy's splendid new campus at Aberdeen's Surf City. For anyone not familiar with Europe's Energy Capital, this does not mean a view of the North Sea; rather the vista is rural as this complex is located several miles inland at Westhill, a dormitory community.
Multi-disciplinary petroleum degree
IT IS some time since Energy flagged up a degree programme overseas. However, a new Batchelor's programme at the University of Houston caught our eye. It starts in the autumn and is said to complement UH's other energy-related degree courses.
Fast-tracking – the smart way up
Fast-track programmes for smart graduates are fairly commonplace in the upstream side of the oil&gas industry, both within the supply chain and among the operators. Indeed, such programmes are a necessity as, despite its image, this sector acts like a magnet to high-calibre engineers, geologists and other relevant disciplines.
Grounds for a biodiesel solution
MIGHT coffee grounds one day become a cheap, abundant and environmentally-friendly source of biodiesel fuel for powering cars and trucks? Researchers in the American state of Nevada think it could.
Youngsters getting connected with energy
There is a budding generation of potential energy industry recruits out there if we, as adults, manage to push the right buttons and capture their enthusiasm.
East Kilbride lab programme to embrace carbon capture
TUV NEL is to manage a new multimillion-pound, three-year, UK Government-funded programme for mostly petroleum-related flow metrology.
Malaria in Africa – a curse
With Africa assuming even greater importance to the oil&gas industry, including new ventures in areas such as Uganda and offshore Ghana, malaria is a significant hazard for those working there.
$2.6billion drilling win for Vantage
High-value long-term contracts are still being awarded despite the impact of the credit crunch on the oil&gas sector. That Vantage Drilling of Houston has just bagged contracts worth $2.56billion is testament to this.
Year ahead may yet spring a surprise
A year ago, UK North Sea drilling was going great guns with exploration and appraisal drilling, and it pretty much stayed that way for 2008, which turned out to be the busiest since 1997. During the first quarter, 20 wells and eight sidetracks were started.
Magnetic deal
ELECTROMAGNETIC Geoservices (EMGS) of Norway has signed a global frame agreement with Shell for the provision of electromagnetic (EM) services for the next year, with optional extensions for two additional years. Most of the EM services will centre around EMGS's 3D capabilities.
Grenland wins FMC contract
IN NORWAY, Grenland Group has picked up a contract worth about $5.4million from FMC Technologies for the construction of Troll B gas-injection subsea structures.
Aker has work-over solution for Kristin field
AKER Solutions has been awarded a £34.7million contract by StatoilHydro for the delivery of a complete work-over system for subsea trees at the challenging Kristin field in the Norwegian Sea.
Premature renewables
SAUDI petroleum minister Ali al-Naimi has warned that a "premature shift" to renewable energy sources could jeopardise investment in the oil sector and significantly slow global economic recovery.
Mind play in play at ballroom party
STAFF of oil and gas firms which use the Thistle Aberdeen Altens Hotel were among the guests at a cocktail party and buffet to celebrate its new-look ballroom.
Nothing Ventured, nothing gained
THE Norway-based venture capital group, Energy Ventures, hosted a party in the Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen, to showcase 10 upstream technology companies it has invested in and to flag up its presence in the city.
StatoilHydro hammered over platform lifeboat deficiencies
STATOILHYDRO is in the firing line at Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), which found a number of regulatory violations in its investigation of lifeboat incidents on the Veslefrikk B and Kristin platforms in December, 2008, and January, 2009. An order will now be served on the company.
Pemex makes ‘significant’ new find and gets its jack-ups
PEMEX has made a significant natural gas and condensates discovery in the Mexican sector of the Gulf of Mexico with its wildcat well, Tsimin-1.
Total to run new seismic sweep over Laggan and Tormore
A new seismic acquisition campaign is planned in 2009 over Laggan and Tormore, according to a paper presented at the 7th Petroleum Geology Conference in London.
Partners to build £1billion windfarm
NORWEGIAN outfits StatoilHydro and Statkraft have joined forces to develop the 315-megawatt Sheringham Shoal offshore windfarm off the coast of Norfolk in the UK.
CCS win for Det Norske Veritas
DET Norske Veritas (DNV) has been chosen by the European Commission to facilitate a process to shorten the time from policy-making to industry implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS).