Drilling News


OIL India, UH ink technology MoU

Oct 06, 2016

Oil India Ltd. (OIL) and the University of Houston (UH) have entered into an agreement to collaborate on technologies required to maximize recovery from aging oilfields in India.  The duo will cooperate in the fields of improved oil recovery and enhanced oil recovery…

BHP hits at Caicos in GoM

Oct 05, 2016

BHP Billiton discovered oil at its Caicos exploration well in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, and revealed plans to drill at a nearby well in November. Map of Central GoM, including Caicos, Shenzi North…

Allspeeds develops ROV cut loop cutter

Oct 03, 2016

Hydraulic cutters and systems provider Allspeeds, the designers and manufacturers of Webtool, has developed a compact remotely operated vehicle (ROV) cut loop cutter for emergency activation of a blowout preventer (BOP). The Webtool cut loop…

Well controlled

Oct 01, 2016

Desktop whiteboards, iPads and even 3D printed models are being used to help train today’s well control engineers. Elaine Maslin sets out the detail. From the comfort of your iPad. Photo from Learn to Drill…

Preparing for pre-salt

Oct 01, 2016

Jerry Lee speaks with Seadrill to discover how the firm prepared for drilling operations on the giant Libra field offshore Brazil. RGH (riser gas handling system) riser joint in the moonpool during running…

Songa sheds staff as strike bites

Sep 30, 2016

A strike by workers in the Norwegian sector has led to a number of rigs in the basin having to halt operations and staff being put on temporary dismissal.  Songa Offshore says three of its four newbuild Cat D rigs are out of operation and on force majeure rate…

Premier drops Bagpuss heavy oil field

Sep 30, 2016

UK independent Premier Oil is resigning as operator on the UK North Sea Bagpuss joint venture effective at the end of this year.  Premier will also sell its 40.1% interest to newly formed firm, Aberdeen-based Reach Halibut, subject to approval by the joint venture partners…

Skipper well turns up heavy oil

Sep 30, 2016

Initial results from the Skipper appraisal well in the UK North Sea have shown oil 'significantly' heavier than expected, but in sands with higher permeability than thought. Operator and 100% owner Independent Oil and Gas says it will now review its development strategy for the field…

Lundin proves up Alta resource

Sep 30, 2016

Swedish headquartered oil firm Lundin says its Barents Sea Alta discovery contains up to 125-400 MMboe gross contingent resources after completing its latest appraisal well. The estimate, inline with pre-drilling estimates, comes after…

NOPSEMA asks for further Bight details

Sep 28, 2016

BP is facing more setbacks for its Great Australian Bight drilling program, following a further request from Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) for information on the environment plan…

Looking toward the bright side

Sep 27, 2016

Quest Offshore, recently acquired by Wood Mackenzie in August, outlines the highlights of the global deepwater drilling market, region by region. Melissa Sustaita sets out the details. Top…

Quadrant in Roc-2 appraisal discovery

Sep 23, 2016

Quadrant Energy confirmed a gas condensate discovery at the Roc-2 appraisal well offshore Western Australia, according to partner Carnarvon Petroleum. Roc-2 is in WA-437-P exploration permit in the North West Shelf of Australia, where…

Gazprom finds new Sea of Okhotsk field

Sep 22, 2016

Russia's Gazprom has made a discovery on the Kirinsky block in the Sea of Okhotsk.  The firm was drilling an exploration and appraisal well on the Yuzhno-Lunskaya structure within the Sakhalin III project. As a result, a substantial gas and condensate inflow was reported…

Baltim boosted to 1 Tcf off Egypt

Sep 22, 2016

The Baltim South West field offshore Egypt has the potential to hold 1 Tcf of gas in place, according to Eni. Image from Eni. The Italian giant, along with 50:50 partner BP, upgraded…

Shell comes up empty at Cheshire

Sep 21, 2016

Shell Canada is moving on to its next prospect in the Shelburne basin, offshore Nova Scotia, after failing to find commercial hydrocarbons at its first exploration well in the program. Map of the Shelburne basin exploration project…

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