CNOOC Ltd began production at its 100%-owned Kenli 3-2 oilfields, the company announced on 12 May 2014. The Kenli 3-2 oilfields, located in the southern Bohai Sea at an average water depth of 20m, consists of Kenli 3-2, Bozhong 34-6/7…
UK-based independent EnQuest says it has made a discovery in the North Sea and agreed a field development project with Malaysia’s Petronas. Drilling on the North Sea Avalon prospect confirmed a discovery. EnQuest said preliminary analysis…
In early April, Rosneft and ExxonMobil began aerial gravity-magnetic surveys over offshore blocks in the Yuzhno-Chukotsky licence area in the eastern Russian Arctic to establish the subsurface structure of the field. As part of a framework agreement…
UK-based Africa and Celtic Sea-focused explorer Fastnet Oil & Gas has farmed out a 9.375% interest in the Foum Assaka license, offshore Morocco, to SK Innovation, the energy and chemicals affiliate of SK Group, South Korea's third largest conglomerate…
Octanex N.L. announced that OMV New Zealand Ltd. has completed the planned 2D seismic survey, named Mohua, in the Taranaki basin off New Zealand. OMV has confirmed the survey vessel, Aquila Explorer, commenced acquisition of the Mohua survey on 19 April…
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the US Department of Commerce, announced yesterday the start of the 2014 hydrographic survey season. New data collected will increase coastal environmental intelligence around the country…
Dubai-based rig and platform builder Lamprell has set an official Guinness World Record for the heaviest load moved by self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs) as part of the Golden Eagle platform project (pictured). Lamprell’s contract was for a production…
Noble Energy Inc. announced that it will propose the election of the company’s President and COO, David L. Stover as a director at its 22 April 2014 organizational meeting, and that it intends to appoint Stover as CEO in October 2014. This decision follows current Chairman and CEO…
Two of the major deepwater developments that have started production so far in the Gulf of Mexico belong to Shell and BP. Sarah Parker Musarra examines the technology behind two mammoth projects: Mars B and Na Kika. In Greek and Polynesian mythology…
The Prelude FLNG subsea architecture, supported by traditional mudmats. image source: Shell. Mobile foundation technology could offer an economic solution to some stranded offshore hydrocarbon reserves…
Dragon Oil says drilling on the Cheleken Contract Area in Turkmenistan has been delayed and will be weighted towards H2 this year, with a total 14-16 wells due to be drilled. The Cheleken Contract Area covers about 950sq km and comprises two offshore oil and gas fields…
A 6th generation DP semisubmersible, Pemex's Centenario GR is capable of drilling in 3000m water depth. More than 85% of the rigs working offshore Mexico are classed by ABS. image source: Grupo R After 75 years of monopoly…
Aker Solutions’ former well intervention services business, which was acquired by private equity fund EQT VI in January this year, has been restructured and will operate under two brands from 22 Apr 2014: Altus Intervention and Qinterra Technologies…
Statoil has signed an agreement to farm down a 15% interest in WRG Angola Block 39 Ltd. offshore Angola in the Kwanza pre-salt basin. WRG is a 50/50 joint venture comprising White Rose Energy Ventures and Genel Energy plc. Statoil is operator of the block…
Infield analyst Edward Richardson examines whether the newbuild rig market is heading for deeper waters. History shows us that when oil prices are high operators seek to expedite the development of existing reserves and prove up additional resources…