The UK business of CNOOC-owned Nexen Petroleum is planning two high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) exploration wells in the North Sea, with at least one in 2017, and assessing a phase 2 of its massive Buzzard development. Presenting…
Lundin Petroleum terminated a US$265 million deal with M3nergy Investment for the sale of the Bertam floating production and storage offloading (FPSO) vessel after the Malaysian company failed to secure the required financing. The deal…
Rystad Energy’s new report claims that there is hope in the oilfield service industry despite the current downturn, with an expected US$30 billion growth to be seen in the next two years. Closed and abandoned service markets as well as…
Bristow Helicopters gave the passengers on its last scheduled flight to and from CNR International's Murchison platform in the North Sea a special fly-past viewing to mark the occasion. These pictures, by Bristow pilot Captain Jonathan Binnie…
Malaysian independent exploration firm Hibiscus Petroleum is set to become a UK North Sea operator after receiving regulatory and shareholder approval for its acquisition of a 50% stake in the Anasuria cluster. It will be the firm's first producing asset…
Anglo-Australian multinational mining, metals and petroleum company BHP Billiton plans to have a capital expenditure of US$1.5 billion in 2016 for its offshore projects, and to remain focused on high-return infill drilling opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico and Western Australia…
Designer mud is helping Total tap pressure depleted HPHT reservoirs in the UK North Sea. Elaine Maslin takes a look. The West Franklin well head platform installation last year. Photos from Total…
CNR International selected a consortium of AF Gruppen subsidiary AF Decom Offshore UK and Heerema Marine Contractors to remove and dispose of one of the largest platforms in the UK North Sea (pictured). Under a letter of intent, Heerema-AF Consortium's contract will cover engineering…
UK-based exploration and production firm Ithaca Energy has agreed to buy non-operated stakes in three producing fields from Sumitomo Corporation. The deal, worth about US$170 million, will see Ithaca take a further 20% interest in the Shell-operated central North Sea Cook field…
Deepwater drilling is no longer just about exploration. Lars Eirik Nocolaisen looks at market sentiment and potential reality. Reporting season 1Q 2014 saw deepwater drillers’ reporting numbers in-line with expectations, but still stock prices have plummeted…
One of the largest platforms in the North Sea has ceased production today, as its operator prepares to decommission the field. The 254m-high, from seabed to flare-tip, Murchison platform is in Block 211/19, in the East Shetland basin…
Partners on the shut-in Norwegian Njord field are considering options for the area’s future, including a potential new floating production vessel or platform. The floating steel Njord A platform, operated by Statoil, was shut-in during July…
UK oil and gas exploration firm EnQuest is to become a North African player after farming in to fields in the Gulf of Gabes offshore Tunisia. The move involves EnQuest taking a 70% stake and operatorship of the Didon and Zarat fields from Swedish oil and gas company PA Resources…
Sinopec strikes $1.5B deal for Talisman UK JVTalisman Energy has completed its joint venture transaction with Sinopec subsidiary Addax Petroleum UK Limited (APUK) following receipt of government and regulatory approval, the company announced on 17 December 2012…
The overhaul of the reservoir model of the giant Forties oilfield – from data management to full field simulation – is described here by operator Apache North Sea’s Jeffery Pyle and Schlumberger’s Gordy Shanor.Production from the Forties field began in 1975…