£125,000 boost for university library
FIRST Minister Alex Salmond yesterday threw his weight behind a major investment by an energy company into Aberdeen University's landmark new library.
Oil & Gas
Householders braced as gas prices rise
Fears over fresh rises in energy bills for long-suffering households grew yesterday after wholesale gas prices for next winter set a new record.
West of Shetland area key zone for new oil – report
The key role an area west of Shetland plays in Britain's oil and gas sector has been highlighted in a new report from energy consultant Hannon Westwood.
Spanish lorry drivers in fuel price strike
TENS of thousands of Spanish lorry drivers began an indefinite fuel price protest strike yesterday that could bring the country to a standstill. It immediately led to lengthy queues at many service stations across the country by drivers worried they would be left without petrol.
Gleaner targets sales of £130m in current year
Gleaner Oils, the Elgin-based fuel distributor and filling-station operator, said yesterday it was heading for a 25%-plus increase in annual turnover this year.
Worries over effects of Shell tanker drivers’ strike
A THREATENED strike by nearly 1,000 tanker drivers supplying Shell forecourts could cause another fuel panic and send prices soaring further, north-east politicians warned last night.
Energy major makes new find in Alwyn area of North Sea
French oil and gas company Total said yesterday it had made a new gas and condensate discovery in the Alwyn area of the North Sea.
Industry plaudit for Shell power ‘pioneer’
MECHANICAL engineer Ken Innes, the Aberdeen-based head of rotating equipment for Shell Exploration and Production in Europe, has won a Royal Academy of Engineering silver medal for his outstanding contribution with a commercial benefit to British engineering.
OpenHydro notches up grid first at EMEC
OPENHYDRO has become the first tidal energy company to complete the connection of a tidal turbine to the UK national grid and commence electricity generation. Its 250kW Open-Centre Turbine, which is installed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) off Orkney, started generating to the grid on May 26.
Mini-crystals may be solar revolution
A GROUP of Australian and Chinese researchers have made a ground-breaking discovery that could revolutionise the capture of solar energy.
Europe celebrates the power of wind
On June 15, the second ever European Wind Day will take place. More than 20 countries are participating and more than 100 events are being organised across the continent.
Buyout opens door of acquisition opportunity
VARIOUS opinions were at play within Technip's boardroom and among senior management. At the end of the day, what was best for the Perry Slingsby business determined the outcome.
Rebuilding ‘jobbing shop’s’ order book
THE years 2002-03 had been truly dreadful for a lot of companies, and particularly Perry Slingsby.
Creating new group is not about penance
For Triton, it boils down to acquiring highly specialist businesses that have been set up by smart people but which may nonetheless be struggling to make headway, perhaps because of solid management skills.
New FPAL service – the evolution
THE next few months herald an exciting time for FPAL. Members have been advised through other communication channels that the FPAL system, which has provided the backbone of oil & gas supplier selection, is set for an upgrading process, including a new look and feel.
Triton in hand, Scot out to build empire
Martin Anderson is in a hurry, or at least one could be forgiven for thinking he is. For sure, Triton Group's CEO is a man with a mission - to take the famous Perry Slingsby brand and really make something of it.
What nonsense about world oil supplies
As I write this, Brent crude is trading at about $130 per barrel. The price has doubled over the last year and quadrupled over the last three.
A kingdom of opportunity
Located in of one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and spurred on by increasing global oil demand, record commodity prices and the demands of a rapidly growing population, Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented programme of economic development.
Sustainable energy degree from Nottingham
ELECTRICAL Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems (B.Eng/M.Eng) is a new programme that starts autumn 2008 at the University of Nottingham. While it may be too late to apply for the 2008 diet, this new programme may be worth considering for a 2009 start.
Offshore renewables courses on offer at Cranfield
THINK of Cranfield and many of us might think of an MBA; somehow that's what this UK institution is best known for, even if that might not be the case.
Make a smart career choice – get yourself into energy
It's milk-run time, with thousands of graduates about to come on to the marketplace, with many doubtless looking for careers that have fat salaries attached.
U is for underground
UNDERGROUND mine - a mine where coal is produced by tunneling into the Earth to the coal bed, which is then mined with underground mining equipment such as cutting machines and continuous, long-wall and short-wall mining machines. Underground mines are classified according to the type of opening used to reach the coal - that is, drift (level tunnel), slope (inclined tunnel) or shaft (vertical tunnel).
Solar sailing across the universe
SPACECRAFT could one day traverse the universe using an electric solar wind sail developed at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Developed two years ago, it is apparently fast becoming a reality.
Biofuels may not be as friendly as you think
BIOFUELS based on ethanol, vegetable oil and other renewable sources are increasingly popular with Government and environmentalists as a way to reduce fossil fuel dependence and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Academy invites young people to energise their future
Hundreds of pupils from schools across Aberdeen City and Shire are being given the chance to explore the world of oil & gas at an innovative, interactive careers event to be staged at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.