North Sea News


MMO Njord job for Aker Solutions

Apr 04, 2016

Aker Solutions' maintenance, modifications and operations (MMO) business in Norway will be the subcontractor of Kværner to provide engineering services for upgrading the semisubmersible platform at the Statoil-operated Njord A oilfield. The…

Taqa extends North Sea Wood Group contract

Apr 04, 2016

Wood Group has been awarded a two-year contract extending its service provision for TAQA in the North Sea. Under the contract, which has the option of three, one year extensions, Wood Group PSN will continue to deliver engineering, construction…

UKCS tax cuts, on reflection not so great

Apr 01, 2016

Mid-March, the UK Government made a headline grabbing announcement – taxes would be halved for the ailing North Sea industry.  Chancellor George Osborne said he would cut a supplementary charge on operators (a tax in addition to corporation tax) from 20% to 10%…

Boskalis nets Johan Sverdrup transport contract

Apr 01, 2016

Dutch offshore contractor Boskalis has been awarded a contract by Samsung Heavy Industries for the transportation of the three topside modules of the riser platform and the topside of the processing platform for the Johan Sverdrup project offshore Norway…

Welding to West of Shetland

Apr 01, 2016

The North Sea is facing some tough challenges. Elaine Maslin spoke with Brenda Wyllie, who aims to confront those challenges as part of the industry’s new regulator, as well as chairman of the DEVEX conference. Brenda…

PDA on the drillfloor

Apr 01, 2016

The lack of automation in the oil and gas industry is a puzzle to Brian Evans from Curtin University, Australia. Elaine Maslin learned how he hopes to redress the situation. Professor Brian Evans…

Keeping a stiff upper lip

Apr 01, 2016

There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the North Sea as operators battle to make operating costs profitable. Yet, it’s not all bad on the UKCS. Meg Chesshyre reports. The Culzean facilities. Image from KBR…

Let’s get predictable

Apr 01, 2016

If topsides asset integrity management is a bane, imagine looking after subsea assets. Elaine Maslin reports on the challenges associated with keeping up with both older equipment and newer, more complex equipment. A subsea field layout…

Non-intrusive surveillance

Apr 01, 2016

Expro is currently collecting real-time data to support production optimization from brownfield wells using a non-intrusive wellhead surveillance technology. John McKay, Expro, explains.  ActiveSONAR…

Statoil starts Johan Sverdrup ULQ construction

Mar 31, 2016

Construction on the utility and living quarters on Norway's largest industrial project - the Johan Sverdrup development in the North Sea - has been marked by an apprentice at engineering firm Kvaerner and the country's minister for petroleum…

Atlantic Petroleum gets LOG lifeline

Mar 28, 2016

Atlantic Petroleum entered into heads of terms with London Oil and Gas (LOG) to inject about US$11.4 million of funds and assets into Atlantic by 24 June 2016. “Atlantic Petroleum's Orlando & Kells assets are expected to have a high value when the market conditions improve…

Premier Oil to spud Bagpuss

Mar 22, 2016

Premier Oil anticipates to spud the Bagpuss well on 7 July, located in the UKCS Block 13/24c on the Halibut Horst, in the UK North Sea, according to partner North Sea Energy. An option has been exercised for the Ocean Valiant semisubmersible rig to drill the well…

Fugro inks Dana Western Isles gig

Mar 22, 2016

Dana Petroleum awarded Fugro to supply ROV drilling support services on board the Ocean Guardian MODU at the Dana-operated Western Isles developments in the northern North Sea. Operating one of its fleet of FCV 600 ROVs, specifically designed for North Sea drill support activities…

Prosafe in Talisman Monstrose start up

Mar 18, 2016

Prosafe’s Safe Boreas harsh environment accommodation vessel has commenced an eight-month contract with Talisman Sinopec Energy in the North Sea. The US$60 million contract comes with options. The Safe Boreas commenced operations…

Siem wins North Sea, Auz gigs

Mar 18, 2016

Siem Offshore has been awarded two contracts for operation in the North Sea, and off Australia. Image of the MV Siem Marlin, from Siem. Contractors GmbH (SOC), a wholly owned…

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