With the discovery of deepwater pre-salt reservoirs offshore Brazil, national operator Petrobras began complex drilling operations to uncork the massive hydrocarbon reserves under these salt layers, which acted as seals, preventing the oil and gas from escaping…
Gas has been found in great quantities offshore East Africa. What will be the challenges around getting it to shore? Alex Hunt takes a look. The East African coastline. Image from the GRID-Arendal Continental Shelf Programme…
A three phase asset management strategy could help counter costs, says ABB’s Will Leonard. In mid-December, the price of oil fell further after the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast weaker demand in 2015. Brent crude fell to around US$60 a barrel…
With oil prices depressed, Greg Hale argues that automation could make a much needed difference in the offshore industry. The scenario is set and it is time for everything to play out: automation can come to the rescue of the offshore oil and gas industry…
Laser scanning with real-time results using offshore-approved tablets is coming, say Carl Bennett and Stewart Buchanan. Linking together data from multiple surveys to create whole platform virtual model Images from Wood Group ODL…
Outland Technology (Outland) has come out with a new underwater HD Camera, model UWC-625. The UWC-625 comes standard with an XSK-5-BCL, allowing it to run on all existing Outland cables still out in the field, and can transmits HD 1080P over standard Outland coax cable…
Ekofisk is an iconic field, but its uniqueness gives operator ConocoPhillips some specific challenges around subsidence. Elaine Maslin reports. The Ekofisk Complex. Photo from ConocoPhillips Norge…
Golder Associates’ Ken Been explains the best approach to geotechnical engineering and pipeline construction when facing scours and pits in the Arctic ice. Fig. 1: Ice scouring. Over the coming decades…
President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 budget request for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is US$204.7 million, providing robust support that will enable BSEE to keep pace with industry activity and the technology developments…
A number of organizations have been looking at ways to reduce energy use and emissions offshore. Sintef has been working on a waste heat recovery project, focusing on gas compressors, with research involving operators and equipment vendors…
Sending electricity to offshore installations from onshore has been proven on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, but cost is a factor. Elaine Maslin reports. Total’s Martin Linge development. Image from Siemens…
Inpex Norge awarded First Geo a contract to provide exploration services on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). A geomodel. From First Geo. Under the contract, First Geo will provide…
James Onifade discusses how the first managed pressure drilling operation for an African operator accurately detected and circulated a small influx out of the well, without having to shut it in or threatening the safety of the rig crew. The…
Wärtsilä’s 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel (DF) engines will be integrated into three large new escort tugs, with a customized gas storage and supply system, contracted by Norwegian operator Østensjø Rederi. The equipment is expected…
US$75-80 barrel oil price will be the new norm, industry commentators predicted Tuesday morning. But how long it will take to get there is the greatest uncertainty. Elaine Maslin reports. Uncertainty around how long oil prices will remain around US$50/bbl and…