In the final part of our 2014 round-up we take a look at the final few months of the year.
In September, Professor Alex Kemp from the University of Aberdeen, predicted 99 new North Sea oil discoveries over the next 30 years.
Mr Kemp used detailed financial modelling to set out “commercially viable” projects for the industry following the Wood Review.
After giving his views on Scottish Independence Sir Ian Wood warned voters were being misled by inflated oil forecasts.
US company Apache insisted it had no plans to quit the UK North Sea – despite suggestions the company’s British operation could be split off from North American interests, after an “evaluation” of international assets.
In October fire crews were called to Aberdeen Airport after a helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing.
GDF Suez was linked to takeover talks with Talisman Energy which was finally bought over by Spanish firm Repsol in December.
Shell followed in the footsteps of a number of other oil companies by announcing it would also be cutting contractor rates by 10%. In December, WGPSN would again announce further contractor rate cuts as well as a pay freeze on salaries from January.
A major oil discovery was made by GDF Suez and BP in the North Sea. The new exploration well, located in block 30/1c, was flow tested at a maximum rate of 5,350 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
The discovery, dubbed ‘Vorlich’ by BP and ‘Marconi’ by GDF Suez, was described as a landmark find according to regional president of BP North Sea Trevor Garlick.
In November, Energy Voice launched a new platform called The Journey, its first interviewee was the outgoing chief executive of Oil and Gas UK Malcolm Webb.
He sat down with Editor Rita Brown to discuss his impressive career at the industry body’s offices in Aberdeen. In December, Wood Group’s Robin Watson spoke about his new role as chief operating officer of WGPSN.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander was in Aberdeen as Andy Samuel was announced as the chief executive of the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA). The MP spoke to Energy Voice and said he did not foresee any further devolved power for Holyrood regarding the oil and gas industry.
In December the Autumn Statement was announced by Chancellor George Osborne in London followed by a visit from Danny Alexander in Aberdeen. Malcolm Webb sat down and quizzed him on what the changes meant and how the government was going to work in tripartite way with the industry and OGA.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond argued that Westminster had in fact ‘got it wrong’ in their approach to the oil industry.
Aberdeen City Council chiefs revealed plans for a North Sea oil summit on the back of falling oil prices. Council leader Jenny Laing instructed chief executive Angela Scott to invite government officials, trade unions and industry bodies together to save jobs in Scotland’s oil capital.
You can also take a look back at part one and two of our 2014 Industry milestones.
What do you think were the industry’s defining moments of 2014? Send us your views on Twitter @energyvoicenews or email info@energyvoice.com
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