The fact that the design of offshore oil and gas platforms has remained largely unchanged for the past 40 years indicates the oil and gas industry’s slow progress in adopting not only new technology, but new design and business models. Industry…
While oil and gas markets remain uncertain and quite volatile, the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) has managed to reverse a 14-year production decline. However, if new projects are not approved past 2018, all the hard work could be undone, warned Adam Davey…
One of the most anticipated exploration wells in Europe this year was the multi-billion barrel potential Arctic Korpfjell prospect in the Barents Sea. While the probe, completed late September, didn't prove commercial volumes, the region…
CHC Helicopters has marked the inaugural flight of its new Airbus H175 super-medium aircraft to the Ocean Patriot semisubmersible drilling rig in the North Sea. The aircraft, which can carry up to 16 passengers, will be the first of three in the CHC fleet and is working for operator Shell…
Falklands-focused explorer Rockhopper Exploration says a funding package for the Sea Lion development is progressing, with the UK's export credit agency and contractors potentially set to step in with cash. Rockhopper says the Premier…
BP has begun evacuating personnel from the Gulf of Mexico, as Category 5 Hurricane Irma churns in the Atlantic Ocean, making its way towards Florida. The projected path for Hurricane Irma. Image from the US National Weather Service…
The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy received a record response for the Awards in Predefined Areas (APA) 2017 round, with a total of 39 companies submitting applications for new acreage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). Map…
The Energy Industries Council (EIC) has launched its newest business development tool, EICAssetMap, at Offshore Europe 2017. According to the EIC, EICAssetMap is the only O&M database to map all major UK energy assets across all sectors…
Jan De Nul Group has completed the installation and burial of the export cables for DONG Energy’s Race Bank Wind Farm in the UK. Image from DONG. Jan De Nul successfully installed…
ADES International Holding, the London-listed company providing offshore and onshore oil and gas drilling and production services in the Middle East and Africa through its subsidiaries, announces the appointment of Ahmed El-Khatib as chief financial officer (CFO) with immediate effect…
CNOOC has signed a production sharing contract (PSC) with South Korea's SK Innovation for Block 17/08 in the South China Sea. Block 17/08 is in the Pearl River Mouth basin, covering a total area of 466sq km with a water depth of 100-130m…
Subsea 7 has signed a letter of intent with Royal IHC in the Netherlands for the construction of a new US$300 million reel-lay vessel and associated pipe lay equipment for delivery in early 2020. A firm contract is expected to be awarded before the end of 2017…
In recent weeks, I’ve been asked several times whether we are seeing ‘green shoots’ emerging in the UK oil and gas industry and the truth is that we are seeing what could be described as a mixed picture. On one hand, cautious optimism…
Tata Steel has announced a near £2 million program of investments at its 20in high frequency induction (HFI) pipe mill in Hartlepool, UK, to offer a new generation of higher strength offshore construction grades. The company’s investment…
In a sustained low oil price environment, operators are facing increased pressure to reduce costs and minimise risk when making a final investment decision (FID) on a project, resulting in many capital intensive offshore developments being shelved…