VAM USA expanded its Houston-based Connection Technology Center to 90,000 sq ft, doubling its R&D capacity. The facility conducts harsh-environment testing of premium connections for shale applications and deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Wartsila has been contracted by China Oilfield Services to supply designs for six new ships, two platform supply vessels, and four anchor-handling tug supply vessels for the South China Sea and Bohai Bay.
Sales and marketing support company Wellton Energy has opened a new office in Norwich, UK, to serve the small and medium enterprise sector of the oil & gas industry.
The UK has approved Dana Petroleum’s US$1.6 billion Western Isles project, which seeks to develop the Harris and Barra oil fields. The nine-well northern North Sea development is expected to produce 40,000b/d in 2015. Both fields hold an estimated 45 million barrels.
BP has pulled out of Yacheng gas field in the South China Sea, selling its 34.3% stake to KUFPEC, a subsidiary of KPC, for US$308 million. Pending approval by CNOOC, the deal is expected to close 2H 2013.
Bill Gates will speak at CERAWeek 2013. Gates will open the first night of a two-night special session entitled ‘Energy: The Next Thirty Years’ on Thursday, 7 March.
BG Group has elevated Chris Finlayson to chief executive officer. He came to BG in 2010 after spending 33 years with Royal Dutch Shell. Finlayson replaces Sir Frank Chapman, who has served as CEO of the BG Group since 2000.
Clay Williams has been named president and chief operating officer of National Oilwell Varco. Williams has served as the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since March 2005. Jeremy Thigpen has been assigned to fill Williams’ former position.
David E Roberts Jr has resigned as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Marathon Oil. The company has not yet named a replacement.
BP has named Lamar McKay chief executive of upstream. He will lead the exploration, and developments and production divisions with the upstream strategy and integration team. McKay has spent 32 years with BP. Since 2009, he served as chairman and president of BP America…
Viking SeaTech Survey has chosen Matthew Gordon as its general manager. He will be responsible for the new Survey international business unit.
Stefan Nerpin has been named DNV’s new group VP of communications & external relations. Nerpin will report to CEO Henrik O Madsen. Rune Torhaug is promoted to MD of DNV Research & Innovation. Torhaug has worked in leadership roles at DNV Energy, DNV Maritime and DNV Business Assurance.
Stuart Gilligan has been appointed marine field sales engineer by Outreach, a supplier of marine canes, davits and rescue cranes. Gilligan will focus on the UK marine and offshore sectors, and be responsible for field sales of the Palfinger range of marine cranes…
Singapore’s Kreuz Subsea took possession of a new Saab Seaeye Panther XT Plus ROV displayed at OSEA 2012. Saab Seaeye boosted the ROV’s power management, offering 50% more power and reduced its size, requiring less deck space. Its 10 thrusters allow operation in currents greater than four knots…
US-based NAMJet recently provided a propulsion solution for Norwegian shipbuilder Westplast AS’s new seismic survey vessel WP950. The vessel is powered by twin 15in TraktorJet TJ 381 water jets, which can propel the vessel to 28 knots and provide 6393lb of bollard pull…