End in sight to crisis as Russia pledges to restore gas supplies
An end to the gas supply crisis in Europe appeared to be close last night after Russia vowed to restore full services once observers are in place to check flows through Ukraine.
Oil & Gas
Russia closes taps on gas to Europe
Russia shut off all gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine yesterday, leaving tens of thousands of people in more than a dozen countries without heat during a winter cold snap.
Faroe to take part in Norway drill campaign
FAROE Petroleum, the Aberdeen-based oil and gas company, said yesterday it was planning to participate in three near-term wells in Norwegian waters, in each of which the company has a 10% interest.
‘Business as usual’ as buyer for North Sea firm is sought
Ernst and Young was appointed yesterday as administrator for oil and gas company Oilexco North Sea (ONS).
Marine renewables sector ‘coming of age’
ABERDEEN-BASED Subocean revealed yesterday that it had landed renewable-energy contracts worth more than £100million in 2008.
Moray Firth field set for mid-March start-up, says operator
Ithaca Energy said yesterday it had completed the installation of the Jacky oil field platform and associated pipelines in the inner Moray Firth.
North Sea gas find gives Faroe a welcome lift
Faroe Petroleum saw its shares jump more than 40% at one stage yesterday after investors welcomed a second potentially large gas discovery in the Breagh area of the southern North Sea.
Gas row leads to threat of danger reactor reopening
One of the world's most dangerous nuclear power plants, mothballed after international protests, may be reopened because of the Russian gas row, it emerged yesterday.
Natural hydrogen production discovery
SCIENTISTS from Aberdeen University have discovered a natural and renewable way of producing hydrogen to generate electricity.
Latest buy strengthens Triton’s presence in North American market
Aberdeenshire company Triton Group said yesterday it had completed its ninth acquisition since its formation in 2007.
Russia gas supply row escalates
Russia raised the stakes in its gas dispute with Ukraine last night - risking serious reductions in supplies to European Union countries.
£3m expansion plan for Granite City business
Aberdeen company Rubberatkins has announced a £3million expansion plan for 2009.
Crunch could set off farm-in surge
2009 is likely to be a year of consolidation in the oil&gas industry in response to the economic downturn. As Alec Carstairs writes opposite, last summer, the sector seemed to be faring well, with the oil price peaking at record highs of above $147 a barrel in July before crashing.
European Commission’s renewable dreams
Last month, the member states of the European Union (EU) and European Parliament approved - in a fanfare of publicity - a climate and energy package proposed by the European Commission (EC). It has been popularly described as the 20/20/20 package - to establish a 20% share for renewable energy and to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2020.
For oil & gas supply chain, it’s good to talk
COMMUNICATION breakdown is commonplace. However, better communication is something the oil&gas supply chain is working hard to achieve.
Does anyone have a clue what’s going on?
As I talk to more and more people, the reality is beginning to sink in that a full-blown recession is upon us and highly likely to add to the indigestion we are expecting to impose upon our bodies as we enjoy the excesses of Christmas.
Sharpening supply-chain focus
When the North Sea offshore industry starts to refocus on supply-chain management, those down that chain understandably start to get nervous.
Bristow’s Burman remains bullish
Bristow Helicopters has been around forever in the North Sea. Indeed, the group's Europe division is by far the largest of five geographic units. With a turnover of about $800million, it accounts for 70% of group revenues and more than 70% of profits.
Strathclyde graduate going places with iicorr
Jamie Dempster is business manager at iicorr's integrity consultancy in Aberdeen. He was hired six years ago straight from Strathclyde University - first interview, first job.
New name with reinforced purpose
Engineering and science - are they winning back the interest of young people? Anecdotal evidence suggests that this might actually be happening.
Teacher escapes the blackboard jungle – to learn
GORDON Schools technology teacher Graeme Mitchell escaped from the classroom for a few precious days in December to submerge himself in the world of subsea engineering and well operations with Helix in Aberdeen.
Strategic six-pack is 2009 opener
SO WHAT lies ahead for 2009? ITF's members have set six themed technology challenges for the year ahead and each will involve the facilitator staging a theme day in order to develop focus prior to issuing calls for project proposals.
HETS patch for casing repair – ISO qualification
External casing patches are as well known in the industry as a method of repair and recovery as they are for their weaknesses with their tensile and compression loads and longevity of the elastomer seals.
MIMS – membrane inlet mass spectrometry-based water monitoring system
THE objective of this project, which was kicked off in September, 2008, is to build and field test a novel oil-in-water monitor based on miniature mass spectrometry technology.
Combating the January blues
After the festive period, it's easy to slip into the January blues, and spring may seem a long way off. Over Christmas, we may have been rather inactive, eaten too much, including offshore, and spent too much money (excluding offshore).