North Sea News


Welltec, Shell sign technology collaboration deal

May 22, 2015

Danish intervention specialist Welltec has entered into a technology collaboration framework agreement with Shell Global Solutions International, an affiliate of Shell, to improve existing or develop new technologies for global application in the energy industry…

Union to hold strike ballot

May 22, 2015

UK trade union GMB has agreed to hold a strike ballot after talks over a dispute over changes to terms for UK offshore workers stalled. The GMB is taking action of what it describes as unilateral changes to working conditions for workers…

DONG hits 3000MW offshore wind capacity

May 22, 2015

DONG Energy reached a new milestone having installed 3000MW of offshore wind capacity - around half of it in the UK. The total output - achieved today with the installation of turbine number 76 at the Borkum Riffgrund 1 Offshore Wind…

Hunt on for offshore CO2 storage sites

May 22, 2015

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has selected a consortium led by Aberdeen-based consultancy Pale Blue Dot Energy to deliver a project to identify offshore CO2 storage sites. Specifically, it is looking to progress sites deep under…

BG Group, Prosafe agree contract changes

May 22, 2015

Floating accommodation provider Prosafe and BG Group have agreed to re-phase the Safe Bristolia accommodation support vessel's 2015 work program at the Everest platform.  The move will see the unit spend less time in 2015 at the UK North Sea Everest platform…

Suncor gets North Sea nod

May 21, 2015

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) granted Suncor Energy a drilling permit for the wildcat well 25/10-13 S in the central North Sea. Well 25/10-13 S, located in production license 571, will be drilled from Dolphin Drilling's Borgland Dolphin semisubmersible…

Jee, Amec win Chevron EOR

May 21, 2015

Subsea engineering and training firm Jee has been awarded a contract from Amec Foster Wheeler for the front-end engineering design (FEED) of a jacket rigid polymer injection riser package (including J-tubes) as part of an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) field development for Chevron…

Inefficiency greatest cost culprit

May 21, 2015

Inefficiency has been a key culprit in the increase in North Sea operating costs, executives at an exploration and development conference were told in Aberdeen. McKinsey's Dan Cole told the 2015 DEVEX Conference that at least a third…

Statoil: Gudrun could have been fatal

May 20, 2015

Statoil launched its own investigation following a condensate leak on the Gudrun platform in February 2015 and found it to be of the highest degree of seriousness that could have been fatal. Gudrun…

Shell seeks Draugen extension

May 20, 2015

Norwegian authorities granted Shell Norske permission to operate the Draugen field for a short period beyond its expected lifetime. But, the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) was not able to give consent for Shell to use the Draugen facilities beyond 2024…

Dry Snømus well for Talisman

May 20, 2015

Talisman Energy's Snømus exploration well in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea has been classified as dry.   The 15/12-24 S Snømus well - the first exploration well on production license 672 - was drilled in 86m water depth using…

North Sea drilled with 45in bit

May 15, 2015

The North Sea operation of a global independent energy company has just completed a contract and was the first to use what is believed to be the world’s largest oilfield drilling bit. Varel Oil & Gas Dill Bits was commissioned by Hess Corp…

Awilco selects RCP control system

May 15, 2015

A leading control and instrumentation firm has been awarded a six-figure contract to supply control systems to Awilco Drilling’s (AWDR) semi-submersible drilling unit, the WilPhoenix.  The Aberdeen-based RCP control system upgrade on…

Alma, Galia start up nears, Kraken on track

May 15, 2015

North Sea operator EnQuest says its North Sea projects - Alma/Galia and Kraken are both on track, with the first due to start up mid-2015 and the second in 2017. The firm is currently preparing to start pulling in risers on the EnQuest Producer floating production…

North Sea, post Budget, post election

May 15, 2015

Innovation, ingenuity and perseverance must take centre stage in the current oil and gas environment, attendees at a breakfast in Aberdeen heard this week. The event, jointly hosted by RBS and Scottish accountancy and business advisory firm…

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