Minister bullish on outlook for renewable energy in Scotland
Scotland's Minster for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, insists that real momentum is gathering within the renewables/sustainable energy sector north of the border.
Oil & Gas
Subocean Group pumping £16million into renewables
Aberdeen-based subsea construction company Subocean Group has invested almost £16million in cable-laying equipment and the refit and mobilisation of a chartered cable-laying barge to meet growing demand from offshore wind developers.
Tidal energy – problem solved?
Typing "tidal turbine" into the world's favourite search engine generates 500,000 hits in less than a quarter of a second and throws up a range of devices, some developed and proven, many no more than speculative artist's impressions.
Getting to grips with marine renewables challenge
ScottishPower is among the leading renewables protagonists in the UK, with an ambitious investment programme - primarily in on and offshore wind. But the group is also ploughing money into marine renewables in the hope that wave and tide will make a viable contribution to Britain's long-term electricity requirements.
Wind turbines to produce millions of tonnes of business
A massive market that should soak up the capacity of several UK offshore fabrication yards and create thousands of long-term jobs in the manufacture of offshore wind-turbine substructures is there for the taking.
Middle East deals give Petrofac ‘high revenue visibility’
Petrofac, the international oil and gas facility service provider, said yesterday it had made a good start to 2009 and was confident the year would be another one of strong growth.
Subsea 7 to shed 85 jobs to cope with slump
A total of 85 jobs are to be axed across the UK operations of engineering and construction company Subsea 7, which employs around 1,000 people at Westhill, near Aberdeen.
Sovereign considers further disposals
Aberdeen-based Sovereign Oilfield Group said yesterday it was considering further disposals following deals unveiled earlier this week.
Osborne vows to fix tax regime for UK oil and gas sector
A Conservative government would fix the tax regime for the UK oil and gas industry for the lifetime of the remaining reserves in the North Sea.
Venture’s focus on proving reserves
Venture Production said yesterday that 2009 had started positively with good progress across all areas of its business: production, field development and drilling.
Global headwinds batter profits at energy group
Taqa, the Abu Dhabi national energy company, reported a first-quarter slump in profits yesterday as it was hit by lower oil and gas prices and weaker foreign-exchange rates.
Energy business helps AMEC to start year well
AMEC, which provides consultancy, engineering, and project-management services to the world's energy, power and process industries, said yesterday that trading for the year to date was in line with expectations.
Expro names the men to lead next stage of its development
Chief executive Graeme Coutts has moved up to become executive chairman of international oilfield service company Expro.
Encouraging performance by Wellstream Holdings
WELLSTREAM Holdings, the Newcastle-headquartered manufacturer of flexible pipes for the oil and gas industry, said yesterday that its performance for the year to date had been good.
Devex delegates in pursuit of ‘ultimate recovery’
AROUND 300 delegates attended the opening sessions of the oil and gas industry's annual Devex event in Aberdeen yesterday.
Houston one day, Rio de Janeiro the next
Houston one day, Rio de Janeiro the next -- the managing director of Aberdeen firm Cresent leads a hectic life travelling the world on business.
KCA Deutag stalwart Maurice White retires
A STALWART of the north-east oil and gas industry has retired after 31 years at drilling contractor KCA Deutag, the firm confirmed yesterday.
ESS lands lucrative deal with Technip
STAFF at ESS Support Services Worldwide, the Aberdeen-based catering and facility-management subsidiary of international foodservice firm Compass Group, are celebrating winning a lucrative contract.
Short-termism warning for UK oil industry
Scotland's energy minister, Jim Mather, will warn today of the dangers of short-sighted decision-making in the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Global role for Davies at Subsea 7
SUBSEA 7 has a new UK vice-president following a management reshuffle, with Steph McNeill taking over the role from Robin Davies.
AMEC wins new BG deal in North Sea
AMEC, the international engineering and project-management company, has been awarded a two-year contract extension in the North Sea.
Sovereign announces double sale
A troubled Aberdeen-based oilfield service company yesterday announced the sale of two operations to raise £5.45million.
£1.8m boost for Petrel oil projects in Iraq
OIL explorer Petrel Resources said yesterday it had raised more than £1.8million through the placing of shares with three long-standing institutional shareholders.
Oil firms line up for compensation
Dozens of oil companies are said to be in a strong position to seek compensation from the Venezuelan government after it seized control of operations in the country.
Oil and gas show shrugs off swine flu effect
Organisers of the world's most important oil and gas show are delighted at the success of this year's event, despite the impact of the economic downturn and swine flu.