Firm has designs on new premises
THE MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Mike Rumbles, was among the guests at an open day staged by expanding oil service firm NOV Elmar UK at its base at Westhill, near Aberdeen.
Oil & Gas
Hawaii all the way at barbecue
GRASS skirts, garlands and gaudy gear were the order of the day at a Hawaiian-theme barbecue staged by oil&gas consultancy Xodus for its staff at HQ in Aberdeen.
The not-so-hidden cost of lost knowledge
I have happily hosted many a lunch with senior executives from many industries and, not surprisingly, the conversation at some stage moves to people. And one of the concerns often expressed is about the potentially catastrophic effects of highly talented people having too much responsibility too soon.
Insurgency in Nigeria – and elsewhere
In late-June, 2008, gunmen from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) used powerboats to speed across more than 100km of open sea to attack Shell's giant Bonga oil production vessel off Nigeria.
The customer is always right
It's interesting, isn't it, that, as much as we tend to disapprove of supermarkets - tut-tutting when we read about their profits, shaking our heads at the allegations of how they treat their suppliers and despairing at how they put local shops out of business - we still can't quite bring ourselves to stop using them?
It’s selfishness and greed that rule – OK
JUST when some of the world's oil and gas hotspots were threatening to go up in flames a couple of weeks ago, lo and behold, the price of oil started to fall. Whatever the attractions of high prices to oil companies, the rest of us should breathe a small sigh of relief.
Time for ‘forensic management’
Year in, year out, time and again I have listened to North Sea leaders saying that safety is getting better and that skills issues really are being tackled. While listening politely, the sceptic in me says, "Ye-e-e-s, but watch what happens to such pledges if commodity prices head for the basement or, more particularly, sink in the quick sand of middle management".
Icelandic project steams ahead
StatoilHydro has joined an initiative that aims to tap ultra-deep geothermal energy sources in Iceland with a view to generating huge quantities of electricity sustainability. Success could deliver a tenfold increase in the amount of energy harvested from existing wells.
US embarks on fourth Arctic data collecting season using ships
WASHINGTON is sending an icebreaker into the Arctic to collect scientific data about the continental shelf and oceanic basins of its ice-bound seas. The US Coastguard cutter, Healy, has already embarked on the first of two cruises ordered by the US Extended Continental Shelf Task Force.
Seventh super-semi brings Ensco order book to $3.1bn
ENSCO International has placed yet another contract for an Ensco 8500 class ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling unit - the seventh in the series. The $560million order has been placed on spec with Keppel FELS in Singapore, with delivery expected during H2 2012.
Is rig rate resistance hotting up?
Rig day-rates may be about to peak as drilling contractors hit resistance from increasingly wary oil companies.
Mould-breaking shared emergency response centre now coming of age
When Petrofac established its shared emergency response and crisis management business in Aberdeen during 2005, locating the facility downstairs from the Maritime Coastguard Agency at Blaikies Quay, the company was, in a sense, pushing at an open door, yet at the same time, it wasn't.
Norway launches major carbon capture research programme
Norway has committed to pouring more than £30million (NOK 300million) into a scientific research and development programme with the aim of generating more cost-effective technology for carbon capture.
Oil service companies celebrate as ONS chalks up another success
Scottish oil service companies were celebrating another successful international show yesterday as Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) in Norway drew to a close.
Expro growing Norway presence
UK-BASED international oilfield service company Expro has more than 14 years' experience of operating in the Norwegian sector.
Kvitebjorn contract extended
NORWAY is a busy market for the local subsidiary of Aberdeen-based Abbot Group.
Balmoral seeing upturn in elastomers
ABERDEEN-BASED Balmoral Group is a specialist polymer engineering firm with extensive experience of the Norwegian market.
Northern has rigs for all regions
NORTHERN Offshore, which was listed on the Norwegian stock exchange less than 12 months ago, believes it is well placed to win drilling work in the UK and Norwegian sectors.
Heavy-duty demand for Hydro kit
HYDRO Group has reported increasing demand for its heavy-duty electrical connectors in the Norwegian market.
Craig on fact-finding mission at ONS
CRAIG International Supplies could open a base in Norway, the managing director of parent Craig Group said at ONS
Ferguson Norge expects strong results this year
Ferguson Norge, part of Aberdeenshire-based Ferguson Group, has reported record levels of business in 2007, with a strong performance predicted for 2008.
Venture boss reports bumper year so far
Venture Production said yesterday it had achieved a record financial performance in the six months to June 30 thanks to higher production and strong oil and gas prices.
Hunting lining up bolt-on buys for energy service arm
Hunting said yesterday its Hunting Energy Services division was planning acquisitions of complementary businesses as demand for products and technical expertise continued to outpace industry supply.
Private equity still active player in energy sector
A SIGNIFICANT shift in the credit and equity markets is increasingly becoming an issue affecting certain elements of the Norwegian oil and gas markets.
Aker buyout accelerating Qserv business in Norwegian sector
A north-east oil service company has started a major push into Norway, it emerged yesterday.