The UK Government has opened the country's 28th offshore oil and gas exploration licensing round, amid concerns about a slow-down in the basin. Wood Mackenzie’s annual review of UK upstream oil and gas said capital investment continued to increase…
Despite record levels of UKCS investment during 2013, the year proved to be disappointing both in terms of exploration and appraisal drilling activity and to a lesser extent the acquisition and divestments market. UKCS Drilling Levels 32…
A project milestone was achieved yesterday with the final heavy lift on Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd's Golden Eagle development platform living quarters module, currently under construction on Sembmarine SLP's Lowestoft yard, UK. The single…
Norway’s government has offered a record 48 companies stakes in 65 new production licenses in its 2013 Awards in Predefined Areas (APA 2013) licensing round. The move sets a record, both in the number of production licenses offered and the number of companies involved…
Chinese oil firm CNOOC says it is planning to invest RMB 105 billion (US$17.35 billion) to 120 billion ($19.82 billion) on projects during 2014. Nexen Inc, bought by CNOOC in early 2013, will account for about 19% of the spending. Overall…
Cairn Energy has outlined a nine-well exploration program for 2014, with a strong focus on the Atlantic margin. Four of the five Atlantic margin wells will be operated by Cairn, including the JM-I exploration well, in the Juby Maritime III block…
Kleven has signed a contract with Olympic Shipping for a new build MT 6021 design IMR vessel (pictured). The contract value is around US$64.7 million, and the vessel will be delivered from Kleven Verft in March 2015. The Marin Teknikk…
Statoil is working to secure a well drilled from its Snorre A platform in the North Sea, after drilling fluid was lost during operations on Saturday night.Drilling fluid is used to maintain pressure in a well during drilling. Statoil…
The longest pig run was performed along the Nord Stream pipeline between Germany and Russia last year. Elaine Maslin found out more. At 1224km (759mi.) long, the Nord Stream’s twin offshore pipeline gas transportation sys- tem from Russia to Germany…
In an age of increasingly hard-to-tap resources and high demand, operators are continually searching for reliable, cost-effective ways to extend production and improve recovery in mature or damaged wells. A cased hole whipstock system that…
Wintershall is to begin evaluating development options for the Skarfjell discovery, after a second appraisal well on the field exceeded expectations. Options could includea tie back to the Gjøa platform, or another facility, or as a standalone development…
Oil major Shell is planning to breath new life into its oldest North Sea floating production unit after acquiring new 4D seismic data last year. According to a partner on one of the fields produced by the Anasuria floating production…
GDF Suez E&P Norge AS awarded the subsea operation support services contract to IKM Ocean Design. The contract involves operational management, administration and execution support of Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) for the Gjøa sealines system…
Chevron North Sea Ltd. will proceed with its high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) Alder field development in the North Sea after receiving regulatory approval. Discovered in 1975, Chevron says new technology has helped to unlock the central North Sea field…
Drydocks World (DDW) has signed an agreement with Drill One Capital to build what it is describing as the largest jackup ever built. The Dubai Expo 2020 NS jackup rig will be the first Gusto MSC CJ 80 design rig to be built. It has been designed to be operated in harsh environments…