Calls to stop windfall tax in wake of Trump trade war
AGCC calls for the UK to end the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas, but environmental group Uplift criticises industry "profiteering".
Oil & Gas
Equinor slashes renewables, doubles down on hydrocarbons in focus on returns
Equinor’s dramatic renewable cuts and increased focus on oil and gas mirrors moves across the energy sector. The Norwegian major is prioritising shareholder returns over energy transition spending.
The LNG curse: a political blessing in disguise?
A looming glut of LNG will loosen global energy markets in the next few years. Might this ease UK energy bills in time for the next general election?
Grangemouth workers face first wave of redundancy as refinery set to close
The first wave of redundancies has been announced to workers at Grangemouth as Petroineos closes down Scotland's only oil refinery.
Aberdeen wins on even a fraction of the floating offshore wind prize
Martin Suttie, chairman of First Tech Group, says the floating offshore wind challenge is 'like putting the Eiffel Tower in the North Sea with a sail'
Aberdeen’s Well-Safe Solutions secures contract extension with Eni
Aberdeen-headquartered well decommissioning specialist Well-Safe Solutions has secured a contract extension with Italian oil major Eni (IT: ENI).
NGOs win critical seabed minerals skirmish with Norwegian government
A year ago, Norway became the first country to back deep sea mineral prospecting in its waters, with a government plan to launch an exploration licenses bidding round this year (2025).
Scotland’s Mocean Energy targets Australia and US for expansion
Scottish wave energy developer Mocean Energy is targeting international expansion in Australia and the US as it looks to secure its first commercial orders in 2025.
UK gas policies could lead to increased emissions from imports, report finds
Reduced North Sea investment as a result of UK government policy could lead to millions of tonnes of additional CO2 emissions from imports, according to a report.
Australian trio progress UK North Sea projects despite ‘challenging environment’
Hartshead Resources, Finder Energy and Triangle Energy are pushing ahead despite fiscal challenges leading to the cancellation of some projects.
Penguins kicks off production with Shell’s first new manned vessel in 30 years
London-listed supermajor Shell (LON: SHEL) has re-started production at its Penguins field with a brand new vessel sharing the same name.
Starmer faces rising MP backlash over support for Rosebank
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from MPs over plans to potentially support the controversial North Sea Rosebank oil development.
Steel and chemical producers warn UK industry minister against ‘deindustrialisation’
Industry warns energy costs in the UK are among the highest in Europe, Asia, or the US due to net zero policies
Aberdeen’s Centurion confirms $100m acquisition ‘firepower’ fund
Aberdeen-based Centurion Group revealed it has $100 million (£81m) to spend on continuing its acquisition streak this year after a consortium of lenders boosted its credit facilities.
Shell continues Brent decom but no update on legs
Shell (LON: SHEL) has offered up a multi-million-pound tender to remove the upper jacket of its Brent Alpha platform and “debris” from the nearby Delta asset.
Serica seeks sanctions waiver extension from trade war Trump
North Sea independent Serica Energy (AIM: SQZ) has applied to extend a license exempting it from potential United States sanctions on its stake in the Rhum field.
1,900 Stork UK workers now at Altrad as deal completes
French industrial giant Altrad as completed a deal to buy Aberdeen-based Stork UK which means 1,900 workers now have new employers.
Stability vital for subsea sector to build momentum in 2025
The UK’s subsea sector is looking to regain stability and momentum in 2025 after several shaky years.
Voltalis pledges £1bn after Ofgem demand response reform
An arcane Ofgem decision is bearing fruit. The regulator’s move to carve out space for demand-side response in the UK market has triggered a significant £1 billion investment from French energy technology company Voltalis.
Baker Hughes profits up on back of gas infrastructure orders
American oilfield services firm Baker Hughes (NYSE:BKR) has beaten analyst profit estimates with an 8% increase in revenue and a 36% jump in adjusted net income in its full year results.
Equinor diversifies offshore helicopter fleet with five Leonardo AW189s
Norwegian oil and gas firm Equinor has awarded Tromsø-based Lufttransport RW a contract to operate five Leonardo AW189 helicopters for offshore flights.
North Sea industry urgently needs clarity after Rosebank and Jackdaw ruling
Edinburgh’s court of session decision this week will allow continuing development of North Sea oil and gas fields pending supplementary environmental impact assessments of downstream emissions.
Harbour’s Brodgar North first UK well completed in 2025
Well Slot is a monthly feature where Westwood’s Stephen Coomber looks at drilling activity and rig moves in UK and Norwegian waters.
North Star completes Dogger Bank deal with fourth vessel
Fleet operator North Star has named and handed over the fourth and final service operations vessel (SOV) in its deal with the developers of the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.
HSE warns of explosion risk at Culzean over maintenance practices
TotalEnergies (XPAR: TTE) failed to implement maintenance practices at its Culzean platform, creating a risk of fire and explosion, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).