Underwater noise is recognized as an adverse environmental stress and must be addressed in environmental impact assessments (EIAs). Companies have stepped forward with 3D acoustic modeling and measurement systems as countries develop…
Galp Energia will plug and abandon its Tao-1 exploration well in the Tarfaya block offshore Morocco after encountering unfavorable reservoir quality in the Trident objective, partner Tangiers Petroleum announced on 4 August 2014. The…
China National Petroleum (CNPC) and Cupapetroleo (CUPET) signed a framework agreement to increase crude output and production sharing and a cooperation agreement on drilling services in Havana, Cuba on 22 July. Under the agreements, CNPC…
A July 2014 poll revealed that if the US produced more oil and natural gas, it would greatly benefit job creation, increase government revenue and strengthen national security. API and Harris Interactive Poll According to a recent…
Centrica Energy has started drilling on the Pegasus West well 43/13b-7 on P1724 in the UKCS. The well is being drilled with the Noble Julie Robertson jackup rig in 95ft water depthabout 7km WSW of the 43/13b-6Z Pegasus North discovery well…
Norway’s Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) received an agreement worth US$4.3 million for multi-client data offshore the Faroe Island. The agreement includes both late sales of the existing multi-client dataset, the Brugdan-Rosebank…
Rosneft and North Atlantic Drilling Ltd. (NADL) executed multiple long-term offshore drilling contracts at the end of July, just before the newest round of European Union (EU) and US-issued sanctions were enacted. Rosneft committed to six offshore drilling units until 2022…
Norway's Dolphin Geophysical has taken delivery of 7-Oceans, the first of three new-build seismic guard vessels. The naming ceremony of the 7-Oceans took place in Maaskant Shipyard, Stellendam, South Holland, on 25 July 2014. The 370tonne ship is 35m x 9m and is flagged in Panama…
Portugal-based Galp Energia’s recent drilling campaign at the Tao-1 exploration well in the Tarfaya block off Morocco was unsuccessful, partner Tangiers Petroleum announced 28 July 2014. Australian-based Tangiers Petroleum, which holds 25% interest in the Tarfaya block…
DONG Energy released a video showing the installation of the Hejre jacket that occurred on 23 May 2014. DONG Energy has installed the jacket for the Hejre platform in the Danish sector of the North Sea, 292km north west of Esbjerg…
A second production well on Nexen Petroleum's Blackbird field in the UK North Sea has reached 7000bbl/d under a constrained production test, according to partner Atlantic Petroleum. The well, 20/02a-B3, was constrained by surface equipment…
The Cygnus Alpha wellhead platform during installation offshore. Photo from GDF Suez E&P. A new impetus to explore the UK North Sea could help to unlock some of the basins’ underexplored plays…
Cooper Energy Ltd. announced that the Elliston-2 oil development located in PPL 249 on the western flank of Cooper basin in South Australia, spudded and of 22 July, the rig was drilling a 12 ¼ in. hole at 162m. Elliston-2, a vertical well located 250m south-southwest of Elliston-1…
Atwood Oceanic’s Atwood Achiever drillship, nearing completion at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering’s yard in Korea. Photo from Atwood Oceanics. Exploration offshore Ireland has yet…
Total E&P UK’s HPHT Elgin Franklin complex. Image from Total E&P UK. High-pressure, high-temperature developments are on the increase in the UK North Sea…