As OE takes a look back on the year that was 2016, our website's most popular stories pretty much tell everything you need to know. It has been a depressing year for the industry with too many job cut announcements, rigs and vessel stacked (or sold)…
Swiss multinational commodity trading group Glencore has confirmed it is in the final stages of negotiations over buying a 19.5% stake in state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft. The acquisition would be as part of a consortium with the…
Aker BP's Ivar Aasen project has won approval to start production in early December from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), the agency announced today (24 October). Illustration of Ivar Aasen…
Mexico’s Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is looking to turn its financial structure around in 2017 by placing, repurchasing, and exchanging bonds. Image from Pemex. Yesterday (3 October)…
Development costs to first oil for the Sea Lion project off the Falklands have been reduced to US$1.5 billion with more savings possible, according to partner Rockhopper exploration. The UK-based independent also says the 2C, or proved plus probable reserves…
Transocean's Transocean Winner semisubmersible drilling rig, which ran aground on a Scottish Island more than two weeks ago, is now under tow to safer waters. The rig was refloated from Dalmore Bay, on west coast of the Isle of Lewis…
Noble Energy has been named the successor operator of the Thunder Hawk production facility, according to the company’s Q2 2016 report. Scant on details, Noble did confirm that the deal is expected to become effective within Q3 2016, subject to regulatory approval…
Nearly 400 members of Unite and RMT unions working for Wood Group across eight Shell oil and gas platforms in the North Sea have gone on strike today. The strike is the first in 28 years and is over a dispute over 30% pay cuts and changes to allowances…
Chevron North Sea has appointed Greta Lydecker as managing director of Chevron Upstream Europe, based in Aberdeen, starting today. Lydecker succeeds Craig May, who was recently appointed to the role of vice president, Upstream Capability…
While outages in Canada and Nigeria have helped a rally in oil prices, the outlook for 2017 isn't looking favorable as new projects come online, says Douglas Westwood. Matt Cook, who has authored the firm's World Drilling and Production…
Triangle Energy entered into a deal with AWE Ltd. for 57.5% stake in the Cliff Head oil field, in the offshore Perth Basin, Western Australia. The Cliff Head oil field is located 10km off the coast of Western Australia at a water depth of 15-20m…
Atlantic Petroleum entered into a US$1.1 million (DKK 7 million) sale and purchase agreement with Bridge Petroleum for its 25% interest in the Orlando development, offshore the UK. The deal also includes a deferred consideration in the…
Colin Welsh Good news at last! In recent months, I have endeavored to counter some of the gloom that has pervaded the oil business for the last eight quarters by highlighting fundamentals such…
Oil major BP has bought a 16% stake in the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) Culzean development project in the North Sea, doubling its stake to 32%. BP has acquired the stake from JX Nippon. Maersk Oil North Sea operates the US$4…
UK-based procurement services firm Craig International has launched, at OTC, a new platform to help oil and gas companies offload surplus stock and buy other products and equipment they need at competitive prices. Craig Collaboration…