Petrobras’ P-55 Floating Production Unit (FPU), the largest and the first of this kind entirely built in Brazil, is on its way to the Roncador field, Campos basin, where it will be installed in a water depth of 1,790m. The column-stabilized semisubmersible has a capacity of 180…
“The safe transfer of personnel is a key challenge in the offshore environment,” says Reflex Marine founder & CEO Phillip Strong. The company organized a 3-hour seminar on crane transfer safety at EnerMech in Aberdeen prior to the start of SPE Offshore Europe 2013…
The US Coast Guard updated decades old regulations regarding offshore cranes and inspection practices. Anthresia McWashington takes a look at the changes to come. The US Coast Guard (USCG) recently proposed revisions to the design, certification…
More needs to be done to develop Russian subsea production capabilities in order to develop hydrocarbon resources in Russia’s arctic seas, SPE Arctic & Extreme heard in Moscow yesterday. According Gazprom, there is an estimated 21-46Billion tons of oil and 36…
The international hunt for resources in the arctic is unlikely to lead to confrontation, but it is possible, the SPE Arctic and Extreme Environments conference heard in Moscow today. Former British diplomat in Russia, Sir Anthony Brenton…
According to the US National Weather Service, lightning strikes occur worldwide as often as 100 times per second. Not only are lightning strikes more frequent than many people realize, but they are highly unpredictable and can cause great damage…
The Canadian province of British Columbia released a comprehensive study assessing current marine-spill preparedness and response capabilities on 10 October 2013. The study also outlines necessary improvements to achieve a world-class system to ensure B…
Developing economies continue to be a core feature of global exploration efforts. Dr Peter Davis looks at managing political, societal and ethical risks in such regions. As Dick Cheney once observed, “the good Lord didn’t see fit to put…
The imperative for a holistic United States maritime strategy has never been greater. The National Strategy for the Marine Transportation System was published in July 2008, by the previous administration. The White House, the Congress, and…
Life-saving equipment firm Viking has bought a major stake in IT startup Saatsea. The firm, which will be renamed Viking Saatsea, provides cloud-based onboard training and competence management systems to industry. It was set up…
Trelleborg Offshore and Construction has been awarded United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval for its deluge and sprinkler system, Elastopipe, which grants it certified for use within the United States. Doug Marti, Market Development Manager within Trelleborg Offshore and Construction…
A combined force of European and Norwegian civil aviation authorities is to carry out a review of North Sea helicopter operations. The joint review will involve the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Norwegian CAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)…
Russia’s State Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (SMRCC) has ordered two new rescue and salvage icebreakers for patrols in offshore oil-and-gas fields.The vessels are under construction at Nordic Yards GmbH in Germany and will be fitted with equipment for oil-spill response…
Petrobras President Maria das Graças Silva Foster announced at public hearing in the Brazilian Senate that the company plans to invest R$4 billion in 2013 and R$21.2 billion between 2013-2017 in information technology and telecommunications…
Closing remarks by Malcolm Webb, SPE Offshore Europe conference chairman: As we draw towards the conclusion of SPE Offshore Europe 2013 and head home to think about all we have heard, the technology showcase that has been presented to us and the contacts we have made or renewed…