President Obama announces permanent Arctic Ocean drilling ban
President Barack Obama has imposed a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in most US-owned waters in the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic
Greenpeace launches lawsuit over Barents Sea licences
Greenpeace said it has filed a lawsuit against the Norwegian government's decision to hand out drilling licences covering a large area of the Barents Sea.
New Arctic Gazprom field casts doubt on output freeze plans, report says
The oil branch of Russian energy giant Gazprom will start producing from its newest Arctic field in the next few weeks, a news report said, casting doubt of efforts to agree a global output freeze.
Norwegian government reaffirms ban on oil and gas exploration off Arctic Islands
Norway's government has reaffirmed a ban on oil and gas exploration off scenic Arctic islands.
Eni’s troubles off Norway risk fueling fight against Arctic oil
A series of mishaps at the world’s northernmost producing oil field shows Norway’s plan to boost its flagging production by tapping the Arctic Ocean may not be so easy.
Shell donates Arctic permits to Canadian federal government
Shell has donated its Arctic energy exploration permits to the Nature Conservancy of Canada following its controversial exit from the region last year.
Shell, Iona Energy relinquish hundreds of Arctic leases
Documents have revealed a number of companies have given up on leases in the Arctic Ocean less than a year after oil major Shell revealed it would be ending its exploration in the region.
Shell pulls out of all but one Arctic lease
Oil major Shell has reportedly given up on all but one of its offshore leases in the Chukchi Sea, less than a year after it ditched Arctic drilling plans.
Arctic data acquisition help operators assess risks in Far North region
A three-year period of metocean and ice data acquisition has begun as part of the Barents Sea Metocean and Ice Network Project.
EV Insights: Hollywood’s campaign against climate change
Hollywood actors, politicians and artists joined force this month to pen a letter to the new director of the British Museum.
Nobel Peace Laureates: Save the Arctic, Save the Climate
In a powerful call for international action on climate change, a group of Nobel Peace Prize laureates recently sent a letter to the Heads of State who comprise the Arctic Council, urging them to protect our climate and the Arctic from oil and gas exploration.
Video: Greenpeace protesters make blocking effort against OMV
Environmental pressure group Greenpeace has launched a protest against drilling being carried out by OMV in the Barents Sea.
Russia’s Deputy PM won’t rule out oil production cut
Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich does not rule out that Russia's oil production may decline if oil prices keep low on the global market.
Arctic oil dreams get $7billion Norway lifeline amid slump
Norway’s Arctic ambitions just got a $7 billion boost from Statoil.
EV Insights: Shell’s battle for the Arctic
This year oil major Shell launched its bid to return to Arctic waters.
EV Insights: Energy Voice’s top columns from 2015
Throughout the holiday season Energy Voice will be taking a look back at some of our most read columns from 2015.
Shell terminates Polar Pioneer contract
Shell has terminated its contract for the harsh environment semisubmersible Polar Pioneer.
EV Insights: Shell’s top stories of 2015
This year marked some significant milestones for oil giant Shell.
Companies throw hats into ring for Norwegian licences
Norway's 23rd licensing round has attracted 26 companies keen to explore in the Barents Sea.
Plan for Norway’s Zidane field set for next summer
A plan for developing Norway's Zidane natural gas field could be presented in the second or third quarter of 2016, with the early parts of summer being the most likely time frame, Austria's OMV has indicated.
Statoil exits from Alaska
Energy giant Statoil is to exit Alaska following recent exploration results in neighbouring leases.
US Government launches new curbs on Arctic exploration
The US government has launched new curbs on oil and gas exploration in Arctic waters. The move comes after oil major Shell announced it was pulling out of its drilling activity in the region. The US Interior department said as well as cancelling two potential Arctic offshore lease sales and would not extend current leases.
Norway warns explorers ‘skimming cream’ may cost them oil blocks
Norway, western Europe’s biggest oil and gas producer, warned companies that failing to extract less profitable barrels could weaken their chances of getting exploration blocks in a new area of the Arctic Barents Sea.
Shell drill vessels make return from Arctic waters
Oil major Shell said two drill vessels it had been using before it pulled out of its Arctic operation have safely departed from Alaska. The Noble Discoverer is on its way to Washington State along with the Polar Pioneer after both received a Coast Guard inspection and refuel. Shell said the next destinations for both vessels have not yet been decided upon.
Shell Arctic drilling comes to an end, but rig could still be housed in Seattle port
Oil major Shell could still house some of its fleet in Seattle’s port despite pulling out of plans for exploratory drilling in Alaska. The company said last month it would no longer be pursuing Arctic drilling for the foreseeable future after disappointing results from an initial well. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the ruling by deputy hearing examiner Anne Wantanable to clear the way for the possibility of Shell using Terminal 5 for the Polar Pioneer was disappointing. Wantanabe said the attempt by the city’s department of planning and development to require a new land-use permit relied on “inaccurate” characterisations of the work to be done.