Book now for event highlight, now called Energy Snow Ball
The north-east’s biggest and most exciting events celebrating the region’s energy sector has been refreshed for 2017, in a new location and with added dazzle.
OTC 2017 numbers subdued
More than 64,700 attendees gathered at the annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston last week, a lower number than the 68,000 in 2016.
UK coal still subsidy king, report finds
The coal sector benefits from £356million in subsidies a year in the UK despite the Government’s pledge to phase out use of the highly-polluting fossil fuel, a report suggests.
EnerQuip to double down on Houston business
EnerQuip of Aberdeen is six months into its first year of a new business division which is predicted to drive significant growth for the firm.
#Oil17: New World Order: no complacency allowed
The results of the Energy Voice sector survey #Oil17: New World Order unveiled in Houston yesterday highlighted that there is no room for complacency in the industry is it recovers from the downturn.
Energy Voice OTC panel debate: living with “lower forever”
The global oil and gas industry will need to adjust to “lower forever” hydrocarbon prices, an audience at the third annual Energy Voice OTC panel debate breakfast heard in Houston yesterday.
Tech firm to Uberise offshore logistics
A Scottish technology company has unveiled further developments of a system designed to bring disruptive use of technology like that of Uber and AirBnB to the offshore oil and gas logistics sector.
1 May is now “Jeremy Cresswell day” in Houston
The editor of the Press and Journal's leading monthly publication Energy, was handed the honour of having 1 May being named "Jeremy Cresswell day" in Houston.
Presserve wins £1.5million corrosion contract
An offshore corrosion specialist has won a £1.5million contract in Norway creating seven jobs.
Future of oil revealed with #Oil17 New World Order
Confidence in oil price recovery is still fragile, but almost half of respondents to the Energy Voice sector survey #Oil17: New World Order see investment in new technology as key to the future of the industry.
Wood Group picks £2.2bn integration leader
Wood Group has appointed a US-based executive to lead the integration of its £2.2billion mega-merger with Amec Foster Wheeler.
Balmoral unveils “industry firsts” at OTC
Balmoral Group has hailed an “industry first” as its subsea test centre carved deep into Aberdeen’s granite terrain nears completion. A second pressure vessel - thought to be the largest in Europe - will be installed at the Balmoral Subsea Test Centre this summer. Supported by bespoke software, the test centre offers Balmoral and external clients the ability to monitor procedures from anywhere in the world. When complete the facility will offer close to 20 test vessels in total. A smaller tank measuring 6ft x 23ft was installed in February, while the larger pressure test vessel which is nearing completion will measure 8ft x 29.5ft. Jim Milne, chairman and managing director of Balmoral said: “These new additions complement the wide range of test vessels that were previously available for third party use. “The facility offers a comprehensive range of hydrostatic and mechanical test procedures supported by bespoke software that allows remote monitoring from anywhere in the world, an industry ‘first’.” In another industry first, the firm has installed an elastomer manufacturing facility to produce 46ft polyurethane bend stiffeners that are used to add support to flexible pipes, umbilicals and cables. Balmoral has developed polyurethane using only ‘safe’ polymers that avoid the use of highly toxic materials, Balmoral’s technical team addressed the health and safety aspects of the industry by qualifying only ‘safe’ polymers that avoid the use of highly toxic materials and accredited by Bureau Veritas. Fraser Milne, projects and engineering director at Balmoral Offshore Engineering, said: “Our new manufacturing facility will increase production capacity to meet market demands for this product. “Balmoral products are put to the test in some of the toughest conditions in the industry. With much of our SURF-related products carrying BV certification to API standards, and a global track record that is second to none, clients can rest assured they are receiving not only the best product solution on the market but also the best possible technical advice available.” Jim Milne said it was great to bring news of the company’s multi-million pound investment to OTC: “While the industry is consolidating for the future we have taken the opportunity to invest in our people and our technology. “We are always seeking to maintain our competitive advantage in the market place and our commitment to technological improvement goes a long way towards that.”
Get out of Houston, urges business man
An Aberdonian business man living and working in Houston has urged visitors to OTC to get out of their comfort zone.
OGUK attends OTC for first time in five years
The UK’s main trade body for the oil and gas industry is attending OTC in Houston for the first time in five years.
Rovop director to head up US operations
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) service provider based in Aberdeen has bolstered its US team after winning a raft of contracts worth around $19million (£15million) including a two-year deal with a Houston-based global company. Rovop has appointed Euan Tait as president of the company’s US operations, while Katarina Tehlirian takes up the post of VP business development. Both will be based at the company’s Houston hub with Mr Tait taking over from Wayne Betts who is moving across to establish Rovop’ s operations in Brazil. Mr Tait is a member of Rovop’s board and will continue his role as commercial director while heading up the US operations with the support of general manager, Neil Francis, in the western region Ms Tehlirian, who joins the company from Subsea 7, has extensive business development experience in the US subsea sector and has previously worked with DOF Subsea and Canyon Offshore. Steven Gray, chief executive at Rovop, said: “This is a great start to Q2 in 2017. The growth in our US team strongly positions Rovop for further growth in the region while the substantial new long-term contracts we’ve won demonstrates that, in a challenging market, our industry is changing and becoming more efficient, using technology and new working practices to lower cost and risk. “As such, Rovop anticipates a record year in 2017 because our service and equipment is aligned with the future needs of the industry. While prolonged oil and gas market downturn is still hurting our industry, we believe there is much to look forward to.” Rovop’s latest contract wins include a two-year deal with a Houston-based global oil & gas engineering company and a five-year contract with a European power cable installer. The firm has also secured a three-year contract with Centrica E&P to provide ROV services to the UK based oil & gas operator. The agreement will see Rovop support Centrica across multiple work scopes including drill support, decommissioning, and inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM). In addition, Rovop is preparing to execute innovative platform-based asset life extension work for a UK operator to help boost hydrocarbon recovery.
Algy Cluff gives four good reasons to invest in the UKCS
A UK oil and gas pioneer has said that the exploitation of so-called small pools could herald a “North Sea phase two".
Achiltibuie welcomes one of first community-owned turbines in the Highlands
A remote Highland community has welcomed the benefits of blades turning on a new £1.8million wind turbine project.
Industry welcomes watchdog’s collaboration tool
A tool developed with industry to help North Sea oil and gas companies meet new, legal requirements for collaboration has been launched by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
Chairman Langlands hails £620m sale of Exova as ‘good outcome’
Testing group Exova has agreed to be snapped up Element Materials Technology Group for £620.3million.
First Marine and Interocean launch moorings collaboration
A mooring specialist company owned by oil tycoon Ian Suttie has struck an alliance with Interocean Marine Services after it acquired £5million of offshore equipment.
Decipher lands North Sea Orlando deal
North Sea start-up Decipher Energy has confirmed a deal to buy up North Sea assets out of administration.
Bourbon Dolphin remembered 10 years after disaster
A marine disaster which caused the greatest loss of life in the North Sea since Piper Alpha has been remembered ten years after the Bourbon Dolphin capsised with the loss of eight lives.
PhD wins £90,000 support for microfluidics “lab on a chip” start-up
A University of Aberdeen graduate who has turned his PhD into a business idea has been awarded a prestigious Enterprise Fellowship by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
NOV set to cut dozens of jobs in Angus
Oil services giant National Oilwell Varco (NOV) is cutting dozens of jobs in Montrose, in what has been described as a “massive blow” for the area.
Premier Oil forging ahead with North Sea Tolmount project
Premier Oil is pressing ahead with work on its £435million Tolmount project in the South North Sea