Updated: HSE stats reveal 235 dangerous occurrences in UK North Sea last year
New figures published by the UK’s safety regulator have revealed there were 235 dangerous occurrences in the North Sea last year.
UK
US threatens sanctions after Gibraltar court releases Iranian tanker
The U.S. is gravely disappointed with the U.K. after a Gibraltar court allowed the release of an Iranian tanker suspected of hauling oil to Syria, and threatened sanctions against ports, banks and anyone else who does business with the ship or its crew, two administration officials said.
Bilfinger praises ‘strong demand’ for offshore business
German industrial services giant Bilfinger saw “strong demand” for its offshore services in the UK and Norway in the first half of the year.
Exxon considering sale of UK North Sea assets – report
ExxonMobil is considering a sale of its North Sea assets as it focusses on US shale production, according to a news report.
Iran says it expects tanker held by UK to be released soon
Iran expects an oil tanker seized by the U.K. in the Strait of Gibraltar in July will be released soon, the semi-official Fars News agency reported Tuesday, a move that could help to ease concerns about the safety of shipping routes in the Middle East.
London finds no easy answers after once-in-a-decade blackout
When two U.K. power plants shut down almost simultaneously in London’s first major blackout for a decade, it triggered a storm of questions about how to avoid another failure.
Erosion threatens UK gas terminal with collapse into North Sea
On the evening of Dec. 5, 2013, the U.K. east coast was battered by the worst storm surge in 60 years as the North Sea rose more than 2 meters (6.6 feet) above normal.
Maersk Drilling wins three-well UK contract with Perenco
Maersk Drilling has announced the award of a three-well contract in the UK North Sea with Perenco.
Former Unaoil executive pleads guilty in Serious Fraud Office bribery case
A former Unaoil executive has pleaded guilty to five offences of conspiracy to give corrupt payments amid a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation.
Schlumberger appoints former North Sea boss as new chief executive
Oilfield services giant Schlumberger has appointed a former North Sea boss as its new chief executive.
Noble rig gets extension with Total in UK
Drilling rig operator Noble has given an update on its fleet, including two new contract extensions in the UK and Middle East.
North Sea’s 2018 decom costs £400m lower than expected
North Sea decommissioning costs were £400million lower than expected in 2018, according to a new report from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
UK market sending out ‘strong economic signals’ for more gas storage
Two years after the U.K.’s largest natural gas storage site slipped into retirement, demand for new places to keep the fuel is ratcheting up.
Iran’s leader vows response to British ‘piracy’
Iran's top leader has said his country will retaliate over the seizure of an Iranian tanker by British authorities.
Chancellor to halt plans for overhaul of UK energy industry
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is blocking a set of government proposals to overhaul the U.K. energy industry because of the potential spending implications for a new prime minister, people familiar with the matter said.
UK in talks with US to boost protection for Gulf shipping over Iran threat
The U.K. is in talks with the U.S. and other allies about beefing up their military presence in the Persian Gulf to deal with the rising threat to shipping posed by Iran.
OGA launches 32nd licensing round in bid for exploration bounce back
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has launched the UK’s 32nd offshore licensing round as the industry seeks to restore exploration activity.
Petrogas seeking new Aberdeen base ahead of Total deal
French oil giant Total announced yesterday that it would sell off a package of North Sea assets to Petrogas and HitecVision in a deal worth more than £510 million.
UK marines seize oil tanker, causing diplomatic row with Iran
British special forces seized a supertanker off Gibraltar carrying Iranian oil to Syria in violation of European and U.S. sanctions against the war-torn country.
Hypothermia, falls and electrocution – figures lay bare Scotland’s windfarm injuries
Hypothermia, falls from height and electrocution are among the injuries caused to Scotland’s windfarm workers over the last five years, according to new figures.
Focus on assets has been ‘vital’ in North Sea’s improved performance, says OGA
The focus of industry and the OGA on asset stewardship has played a vital role in the turnaround of performance across the UKCS.
UK could adopt Norwegian tax system to incentivise exploration
One of the big challenges facing the UKCS is the need to increase the amount of exploration activity – the eight exploration wells drilled in 2018 represented the lowest level of activity since 1965, although there have been some notable recent successes such as the massive Glengorm gas discovery announced by Total in January and the technical success rate over recent years has averaged more than 50%.
Equinor UK North Sea boss to become top advisor to CEO
Equinor’s UK boss is preparing to become the top advisor to the Norwegian energy giant’s chief executive.
Lifjellet ‘could be one to watch’ for UK campaign says Equinor
Equinor has said its Lifjellet prospect in the Central North Sea could be the “one to watch” from its UK exploration campaign.
How Norway’s rain and snow will soon be powering UK homes with Green energy
Water flowing from mountains to fjords in Norway will soon be helping power British homes, as the world's longest "interconnector" hooks up the two countries' grids.