North Sea News


Boosting recovery

Jul 01, 2016

Former BP and Shell geologist Mike Shepherd says the North Sea demonstrates top in class oil recovery factors compared to the rest of the world, but could do better. BP’s Magnus platform.Photo from BP…

Skipper well to start mid-late July

Jun 30, 2016

UK-based explorer Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) expects to take Transocean's Sedco 704 semisubmersible drilling rig on contract and start drilling an appraisal well on the Skipper oil discovery in the second half of July 2016.   Skipper…

Statoil suspends Bideford Dolphin contract

Jun 27, 2016

Statoil is suspending the use of another vessels this week, this time with Dolphin Drilling’s Bideford Dolphin mobile drilling facility. Dolphin Drilling, a subsidiary of Fred. Olsen Energy, received notice of suspension from Statoil for the rig…

McDermott inks Pemex Abkatún EPCI

Jun 27, 2016

Houston-based McDermott International will deliver the engineering, procurement, construction & installation (EPCI) work for Mexico’s Pemex Abkatún-A2 platform, which was involved in a deadly accident last year, in a US$454 million deal. McDermott…

Brexit: Economic downturn greatest concern

Jun 27, 2016

The decision by 52% of the voters in the EU referendum last week to vote to leave the EU has had far-reaching impact across the globe. The oil and gas sector, bruised from nearly two years of low oil prices, is bracing itself for the fall out…

Mariner FSU sets sail for UK

Jun 27, 2016

A floating storage unit built to serve the Mariner heavy oil field in the UK North Sea has set sail from its yard in Korea. The Mariner B vessel was built at the Samsung yard in South Korea. Before reaching the North Sea the FSU will sail some 15…

LUX secures industry funding

Jun 24, 2016

Aberdeen-based oil and gas technology firm LUX Assure has secured a £2.4 million second round investment, which will allow the company to accelerate strategic growth, internationalization plans, and further key technology developments. The funding was provided by Chevron Technology Ventures…

DONG invests in Borkum wind farm

Jun 24, 2016

DONG Energy has decided to build the German offshore wind farm Borkum Riffgrund 2, which is expected to be fully commissioned in 1H 2019. With this decision, DONG Energy will reach 6.7GW of installed offshore wind capacity, exceeding the 2020 target of 6…

Brexit is on - reaction

Jun 24, 2016

The British public has spoken - as have the oil, money and stock markets. With a narrow margin, the leave campaign in the UK's referendum to stay in or leave the EU won by 52% to 48%, ending the UK's 43-long membership in the EU. Shares on the FTSE 250 index dropped 11…

UKCS at 50: Cost reduction could lead to investment

Jun 24, 2016

If cost reduction in the industry goes far enough, it could start to unlock new projects, with net positive effect for the industry, the industry’s leading economist said last night (23 June) in Aberdeen.  But, both Professor Alex Kemp…

Nordic Energy wants to wind up

Jun 23, 2016

UK-based small cap player Nordic has Energy has announced it is looking to wind up the company. The firm has instructed accountants Turpin Barker Armstrong to lead the insolvency proceedings.   The Company listed on the ISDX Growth…

Fugro inks three North Sea gigs

Jun 21, 2016

Fugro has secured three contracts using the company’s Q1400 trenching system, to be deployed in the North Sea over the next 12 months. Image of the Q1400 trenching system, from Fugro. At…

UPDATED: FPF1 sailaway by end of month

Jun 21, 2016

Sailaway on Ithaca Energy's FPF1 floating production facility to the Greater Stella Area development in the UK North Sea is expected by the end of this month, according to contractor Petrofac. After a series of setbacks on the FPF1 modification project at the Remontowa Shipyard in Gdansk…

IOG doubles reserves on Blythe deal

Jun 21, 2016

UK-based Independent Oil and Gas (IOG) has completed its acquisition of the 50% of the Blythe discovery it didn't already own, doubling its reserves. IOG has gained 100% of the discovery by acquiring 50% in a license covering Blocks 48/22b and 48/23a in the Southern North Sea…

Statoil suspends use of Songa Delta

Jun 21, 2016

Norwegian oil major Statoil is suspending its contract for use of the Songa Delta semisubmersible drilling rig after completion of its current drilling operation. The unit is currently drilling the Slemmestad well in the Norwegian North Sea…

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