Buzzard keeps beating output expectations, says operator
Canadian energy group Nexen said yesterday the Buzzard field it operates in the outer Moray Firth was consistently exceeding expectations for production.
Oil & Gas
Rising oil prices pump up profits to £3m an hour for energy giants
Oil giants BP and Shell were the toast of shareholders yesterday but faced anger from motorists after pumping profits of more than £3million an hour.
‘Super sector’ performing
Investors who think that putting their money into any oil stock is a certain winner could be in for a surprise; there have been some fortunes to be made, but there have also been disappointments.
One bright spark not affected by the panic at the pumps
THE rest of the country may be in the grip of a road fuel crisis - but one Easter Ross man does not have to panic-buy at the pumps.
Scots motorists see petrol price break £5-a-gallon barrier
The average price of petrol in Scotland has broken the £5-a-gallon mark for the first time as a result of the strike action at Grangemouth, according to a price-comparison expert.
Oil refinery chief jeered by striking workers on trip to Grangemouth
The founder of Ineos was jeered by striking workers yesterday as he visited the Grangemouth oil refinery on the second day of a bitter dispute over pensions.
Stable makes £2.5m profit in first full year
THE boss of Aberdeen-based oilfield products company Stable Services yesterday said it was continuing with its aggressive growth strategy, including more overseas expansion.
Fuel stocks hold up in face of shortages
THERE were no reports of any significant fuel shortage problems in the Highlands and Islands yesterday.
Crisis tops leaders’ agenda
First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to hold their first face-to-face talks today since the SNP seized power at Holyrood nearly a year ago.
OAPs’ group backs action by workers over pension
A LEADING pensioners' group last night came out in support of Grangemouth's striking workers, comparing them to the pioneering British protesters who campaigned for a universal state pension more than 100 years ago.
Fuel tanker brings vital supplies to north-east
A tanker loaded with fuel docked in Aberdeen early this morning to deliver vital supplies to keep the north-east moving while Scotland's only oil refinery sits idle.
Champion pours £120,000 into acid plant
SPECIALITY chemical company Champion Technologies has invested £120,000 in a new acid blending plant and acetic acid bulk-storage facility at its European headquarters in Aberdeen.
Meeting hardens workers’ resolve
HUNDREDS of angry and defiant workers gathered at the Grangemouth oil refinery yesterday as they prepared to go on strike.
Refinery strike hits North Sea platform production
Thousands of offshore workers will begin shutting down production on 30 North Sea oil platforms today after last night's closure of Scotland's only refinery because of a strike by 1,200 staff.
North Sea win for Aker unit in Aberdeen
Aker Solutions in Aberdeen has been awarded a three-year North Sea contract by Fairfield Energy which will create about 100 posts, most of them new recruits.
Wood Group to join prestigious FTSE 100 index
ABERDEEN energy-services company Wood Group is to be elevated to the prestigious FTSE 100 index.
Filling stations implement fuel rationing as dispute takes effect
There was widespread rationing of fuel at filling stations across the north-east yesterday as forecourts tried to eke out their supplies.
Panicking Scots rush for fuel pumps as strike looms
Motorists across Scotland ignored pleas not to panic-buy fuel yesterday as offshore operators warned the closure of the country's only oil refinery would cost the economy £50million a day.
Petroleum graduates attracting top dollar
With energy prices soaring and oil-company ranks thinning through retirement, petroleum-engineering graduates have become a hot commodity in the US.
Fairfield gives Sparrows a lift
CRANEAGE company Sparrows Offshore has secured a two-year contract with Fairfield Energy covering operations in the newly acquired UK North Sea Dunlin field.
State ups its stake in energy giant
THE Norwegian government is increasing its ownership of StatoilHydro from 62.5% to 67% - at a cost of about $4billion.
Amec Canadian and Asia wins
AMEC has won a $100million contract with Syncrude Canada to begin early project development for the company's Mildred Lake and Aurora operations in northern Alberta.
NPD reports double duster
THE Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has reported that the exploration well drilled by ConocoPhillips Skandinavia on block 2/4 of the Norwegian sector of the North Sea failed to encounter hydrocarbons.
Perry Slingsby scores
Perry Slingsby Systems (PSS) has secured a contract with DOF Subsea to supply 10 new-generation Triton XLX ROV (remotely operated vehicle) systems - five in 2009, the rest in 2010. This order brings the number of PSS systems contracted by DOF in the last 30 months to 21.
Sakhalin ship seized by pirates
"THE crew of the multipurpose tug boat, Svitser Korsakov, signalled the seizure from the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia, at 1.17pm, on February 1," sources at Sakhalin port authorities told Interfax.