North Sea News


Greater Stella remains on track

Oct 06, 2016

Ithaca Energy is edging closing towards first oil from the Greater Stella Area Development in the UK North Sea.  First oil, from the FPF-1 floating production unit, is scheduled for next month, as planned.  The unit set sail from Poland in August and was safely towed to location…

Video: Aker debuts Lean Semi concept

Oct 05, 2016

Aker Solutions has introduced a new lighter weight and faster to deliver semisubmersible platform that will help producers unlock more marginal oil and gas fields in harsh environments across the globe. Lean Semi…

OAA 2017 - entries open

Oct 04, 2016

Following its launch during last month’s Intelligent Energy event, entries have now opened for the 2017 Offshore Achievement Awards. Hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section, with the support of principal sponsor TAQA and media partner OE…

OGA powers now in place

Oct 03, 2016

The UK's new regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), has now been established as an independent government company by the UK government. The move formalizes the transfer of the Secretary of State’s regulatory powers in respect of oil and gas to the OGA…

Aker BP takes over stakes from Tullow

Oct 03, 2016

Aker BP has agreed to acquire interests in eight licenses from Tullow Norge, including 15% in the Centrica-operated Oda (previously known as Butch) discovery in PL 405 on the Norwegian North Sea. Aker BP - a new company formed from the…

Updated: BP's Clair shut in after leak

Oct 03, 2016

BP is estimating that 95 tonne, equivalent to nearly 700 bbl, has been spilled into the North Sea as a result of a leak at the UK giant's Clair platform.  'Both direct observation from surveillance flights and oil spill modelling continue…

The third dimension

Oct 01, 2016

How offshore assets are visualized has taken a leap forward with photographic technology that helps to create point clouds. Elaine Maslin reports. Turning photos into point clouds. Images from Return to Scene…

Building the ultimate machine

Oct 01, 2016

The Gullfaks subsea multiphase compression project made waves last year, becoming the first of its kind. In June, four people  involved in the project won the Underwater Technology Foundation’s Subsea Award at the Underwater Technology Conference…

Day of the drones

Oct 01, 2016

In a short period of time, drones have shot to popularity as a tool for offshore oil and gas facility inspection. Elaine Maslin profiles the technology and its providers. Flying high. Image from Sky-Futures…

Aker BP deal completed

Sep 30, 2016

Norwegian firm Det norske and BP's Norwegian business are set to cease to be from today, after a deal which will see the two firms combines is scheduled to complete. The two companies are to become Aker BP under the move. Aker BP will…

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…

MDL delivers 110-tonne tensioner

Sep 29, 2016

Scottish back deck machinery firm Maritime Developments (MDL) has introduced a new 110-tonne, four-track pipelay tensioner to its MDL Offshore Service business. MDL says it's the only system of its capacity readily available to take on projects worldwide…

Wood Group beefs up data analytics space

Sep 29, 2016

Wood Group has established a new data analytics centre of excellence at its office in Galway, Ireland. The centre, which is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland, broadens Wood Group’s capabilities in advanced data analytics to support the oil & gas…

Drilling starts on Culzean

Sep 29, 2016

Denmark's Maersk Oil has started drilling on the first production well for the Culzean high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) development in the UK North Sea. Drilling started at 6pm on 28 September using Danish drilling firm Maersk Oil's Maersk Highlander jackup…

Current News

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