North Sea News


Fabricom works Cygnus with AVEVA

Feb 05, 2016

Fabricom Offshore Services has been contracted for brownfield modification work on GDF Suez's recently installed Cygnus installation in the southern North Sea. As part of the work, it will use AVEVA's LFM Server and AVEVA Laser Model Interface…

Subsea Expo: ABB out to impress

Feb 04, 2016

It's day two of Subsea Expo. Despite the down turn, there's still some good news, including new technology coming to the market.  OE, official media sponsor of the show, being held in Aberdeen this week, spoke to ABB's John Guthrie, Regional Sales Manager…

Subsea Expo: Small pools clock ticking

Feb 04, 2016

Unlocking small pools of oil and gas on the UK Continental Shelf could open up £20 billion capital investment – but the clock is ticking, Subsea Expo heard. Studies have shown there are some 210 so-called small pools in the UK North Sea…

Subsea Expo: Toughest year yet

Feb 03, 2016

2015 was a wake-up call and 2016 is probably going to be our most challenging year, this morning’s Subsea Expo was warned. Subsea UK CEO Neil Gordon. Image from Subsea UK Twitter. And the future isn’t looking much easier…

Subsea 7 wins North Sea frame agreement

Feb 03, 2016

Subsea 7 has won a three-year frame agreement, with four one-year options, for six North Sea clients: Chevron North Sea, Dana Petroleum (E&P), Hess Denmark, Nexen Petroleum UK, Talisman Sinopec Energy UK and TAQA Bratani. Under the frame agreement…

Subsea Expo: the view from io

Feb 03, 2016

It's new engineering consultancy io's first year at Subsea Expo. We spoke to the firm's COO Mark Dixon about the show and the wider industry.  What brings you to Subsea Expo? In our first year of business as io, the oil price has…

Subsea Expo: Umbilicals expansion in Glasgow

Feb 03, 2016

Surface to seabed specialist, Seanamic Group, is expanding its global umbilicals business with a new Umbilical International facility in Glasgow, the frim revealed at Subsea Expo in Aberdeen. Image from Seanamic Group…

Scottish government pledges £24 million industry support

Feb 02, 2016

The Scottish government has pledged £24.5 million in support for the North Sea oil and gas industry in Scotland.  The funding, unveiled by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, comprising £12.5 million to help oil and gas firms research and…

Is North Sea efficiency that bad?

Feb 02, 2016

Falling production efficiency has become a thorn in the side of the UK North Sea oil and gas industry. Is the industry getting to grips with its efficiency issues and, some ask, is it really that bad? Elaine Maslin reports. According…

Finding meaning in standardization and replication

Feb 01, 2016

To create meaningful cost reduction – or value creation – the industry will need to be more aligned in its understanding of what exactly terms like standardization and fit-for-purpose mean. Meg Chesshyre reports. The…

Premier shares return to market

Feb 01, 2016

UK-based independent explorer Premier Oil's share value surged 100% this morning after trading recommenced following a two-week suspension. On 13 January 2016, Premier announced that it had agreed to acquire the whole of E.ON's UK North…

Subsea Expo: demand high despite downturn

Feb 01, 2016

With only two days to go, Subsea Expo 2016 is set to attract its highest-ever numbers, despite the UK oil and gas industry facing the toughest period in its history. Organizer Subsea UK, is gearing up to welcome over 6000 delegates to Europe’s largest…

Decommissioning boom to be driven by UK

Feb 01, 2016

The oil price collapse has been bad news for nearly every company involved in the industry, but one group that could actually benefit from it are specialist decommissioning companies. For these companies, there is an opportunity to be…

Every barrel (now) matters

Feb 01, 2016

A relentless focus is required to maintain and optimize production on often aging North Sea assets. Elaine Maslin reports. Wintershall’s Brage platform. Photos from Wintershall.  Optimizing…

Breaking ground on Butch

Feb 01, 2016

Open water coiled tubing drilling has been used offshore Norway in an industry first. Elaine Maslin found out more. Island Offshore’s Island Constructor. Images from Centrica Norge Coiled tubing drilling (CTD) isn’t a new concept…

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