Big Oil and King Coal at COP26
Cut it whichever way you like, little genuine forward progress was made at COP26, in my opinion. At best the outcomes are fragile.
opinion
The conversation we’re not having…
A short time ago, I was at an event in Brussels, talking about the role of natural gas. And there was a gentleman there who didn’t want to engage with our industry at all. At one point he asked me if I was ashamed of my work and said that talking about the future of gas was just our industry looking for a lifeline. He is just one person who sees gas as a problematic energy source. Sadly, he is one of many.
Jeremy Cresswell: Tweet Boris Johnson to kill Cambo? I think not
I’ve just received a round-robin email from Greenpeace calling on Brits to tweet Boris and kill off North Sea oil & gas right now.
Brian Wilson: Serious decisions await on future of Scottish energy sector
With COP26 in Glasgow two months away, one might think Scottish political eyes would be turning towards the issues it will discuss, even if that means parking some other preoccupations for the time being. Not so.
As campaigners we are urging policymakers to sit down with workers to shape policy together
“It's been a bad time for me I must admit, a horrendous time.” That’s how Tony*, a former drilling maintenance supervisor from Dundee, describes the impact this year has had on him as an offshore worker.
Why the ‘friendless’ oil industry needs to reframe the debate for exploration and production
Reframing the debate: why we should be talking about how to improve exploration and production
‘Over-selling’ hydrogen in Aberdeen?
Recent press coverage of BP’s partnership with Aberdeen, where BP will become the planning and technical adviser on the “net zero vision” for Aberdeen 2045, together with the AREG chairwomen’s EV article on 'A hydrogen future on the horizon’, raised concerns in my mind relating to over-selling hydrogen.
Embrace hydrogen to achieve net zero
Large-scale hydrogen storage can enable the rise of renewables while bringing benefits to local authorities, transport companies and electricity suppliers.
Covid caution may be helping reduce risks
There is a saying: “To err is human.” We make mistakes and this can lead to difficulties, even disaster.
How does the future of the North Sea fit with Scotland’s Net Zero target?
The Scottish Government have declared a climate emergency and have a Net Zero target by 2045. How does this fit with a country that has a significant oil and gas industry?
Natural selection in energy transition
While the shift from hydrocarbons to renewables is far from smooth, investment opportunities in the generation, service and utility markets are proliferating as the sector landscape evolves.
UK lacking a tech grip
Ever heard of the International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Programme? Possibly not. It doesn’t exactly hit the headlines.
Renewables generating a slave labour market
We’ve been here before, at least in the context of the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Opinion: Remembering Piper Alpha
As an apprentice at Dounreay back in July 1988, I remember very clearly travelling the 22 miles from Thurso across the far north east corner of Scotland to Wick, to look out to sea.
Opinion: Kemp – Mergers and asset transactions on the rise in oil and gas sector
Over the last year or so there has been increased activity in mergers and asset transactions in the oil and gas sector. This certainly includes the UK Continental Shelf. With respect to asset transactions, in the immediate aftermath of the oil price collapse, there was little activity. Both potential sellers and buyers had to assess the effects of the price fall on the value of assets. Cost reductions and valuation of their effects were a priority. Also, there was great uncertainty regarding future price behaviour which made agreement valuations more difficult.
Opinion: Biomaths – why burning wood pellets doesn’t pay
The UK is finally moving beyond burning coal to generate electricity. Many in government and industry have held up biomass as its natural, renewable replacement. Billed as low-carbon and easy to burn using existing technologies, it’s an apparently ideal solution and in the UK, it’s riding a wave of subsidies. But it’s time to shed some light on the dubious evidence that lends biomass its status as a renewable energy source.
Stay in the know with Energy Voice’s Friday Five
Catch-up on all the week’s top news with Energy Voice’s Friday Five. Scroll through our gallery to see the latest breaking news sector analysis.
Opinion: How can the government reboot the capacity market?
On February 14 Toshiba announced that it was no longer willing to take construction risk on the Moorside nuclear plants. This puts thousands of new nuclear jobs in the rural Cumbrian constituency at risk -anything but a Valentine's Day gift.
Opinion: It’s time to get excited about the North Sea again
Recent M&A activity as well as ongoing discussions within the UK North Sea Oil and Gas industry is shaking many traditionalists. The renewed interest from smaller operators in growing their presence in the region and the arrival of private equity businesses as the new owners of exploration and production companies will mean leaner operations, with shrinking workforces an inevitability.
Opinion: Supermajors showing recovery – but future hinges on $60 oil
It’s that time of the year again when the likes of BP and Shell report their annual results. With BP and Shell alone representing roughly 20% of all the dividends paid in the FTSE100, the results of both companies are normally eagerly awaited.
Opinion: Improving power quality to meet future energy needs
Future airline and ships will be powered by data, but many more will be powered by electricity. The electric car has made its flashy debut and hit the road; the solar-powered electric plane recently completed its round-the-world trip.
Opinion: Could a lithium shortage de-rail the electric car boom?
We've gone electric, and there's no going back at this point. Lithium is our new fuel, but like fossil fuels, the reserves we're currently tapping into are finite—and that's what investors can take to the bank.
Opinion: The risk of tainted funds
If you suspect a business counterparty is implicated in bribery and corruption what should you do? How do you protect your business from being tainted by the actions of your counterparty? Are your assets at risk?
Opinion: Navigating the black expanse of $30 oil
Where do efficiency savings and productivity gains come from when the obvious wastage is eliminated? When the headcount requires no more than a couple hands and a foot? That’s the question facing many of us now as the black expanse of $30 oil spreads out before us.
Les Linklater: Four by four
It’s hard to believe that four years ago, I stepped into the role here at Step Change in Safety. Like my New Year’s resolutions, my hopes and the reality didn’t always align. Since day one, there have been many successes and Step Change’s strategic priorities have evolved. But, sadly, there have been tragic and stark reminders of just how much is still to be done.