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…
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…
Africa focused explorer Bowleven's Etinde Exploitation Authorisation (EA) has been formally signed by the President of Cameroon, paving the way for the firm to develop the Etinde area. The EA gives Bowleven and its partners, which will include SNH…
The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) conducted tests to validate and subsequently approved Mitsubishi Electric’s compact wind lidar as complying with European wind measurement standards. The lidar (portmanteau of “light”…
The Mariner development concept. Images from Statoil. The Mariner heavy oil field took 40 years, 12 oil companies, five seismic surveys, and 18 exploration/appraisal wells to get to where it is today…
The Rambiz 3000 carrying Wintershall’s L6-B mono-tower platform. Image from Scaldis. Belgian and Dutch contractors have taken minimal facilities to the next level by installing a mono-tower platform and its foundations together…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Former SSE utility boss Ian Marchant has joined tidal energy firm Nova Innovation as its chairman. Marchant was chief executive of SSE, a large UK-based utility company, for 10 years, before standing down in 2013. Earlier this year…
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has received a letter of award (LOA) from Abu Ahabi Marine Operating Compnay for a US$1.94 billion order for the second package of the Nasr Full Field Development Project. Under the LOA, HHI would undertake engineering…
Business is good in the oilfield, and as increased production and steady commodity prices contribute an influx of cash, operators are reinvesting in themselves, expanding their share buyback programs. Management usually says that…
Subsea inspection, repair and maintenance and light construction firm Harkand has won Nexen Petroleum UK’s 2014 ROVSV inspection services work along with a longer term frame agreement. The inspection scope covers the Buzzard, Scott, Telford…