Premier Oil boss says North Sea is still not “economically viable”
The boss of UK independent oil producer Premier Oil said he does not see a viable long-term future for the North Sea - unless collaboration goes to a whole new level.
Offshore Europe
Industry should follow aviation’s commercial lead, says GE
The oil and gas sector should take a tab out of the aviation sector’s commercial playbook, according GE Oil & Gas’ Neil Saunders.
AMEC: Industry should trust service providers
The boss of a major oil and gas services firm has said operators could cut the cost of their North Sea projects in half if they embraced calls for standardisation.
OE15: Operators should compete for acreage, not innovation
Operators should compete for acreage not innovation to beat a slumped price, the chief executive of Denholm said.
Offshore Europe 2015: Sky Futures – new industry regulation for North Sea drones in 2016
A new regulatory standard for drones operating in the North Sea is set to be in place early next year.
Offshore Europe 2015: GE Oil & Gas and Statoil strike deal
Wellhead equipment built in Montrose will be used worldwide by Statoil after it awarded GE Oil & Gas a four-year framework agreement with the option of two, two-year extensions.
Offshore Europe 2015: Parker Hannifin doing great box office
One of the more unusual attractions at this year's Offshore Europe is a vintage Ministry of Technology mobile cinema that Parker Hannifin has managed to procure for the event.
Offshore Europe 2015: New programme inspires next generation of engineers
Engineers who embarked on their career only a few years ago have been inspiring the next generation of industry leaders at this year's Offshore Europe, in the first programme of its kind at the event. School children from academies including St Machar in Aberdeen and the secondary school in Montrose were invited along to speak and hear from oil and gas professionals about their careers in the sector. Energy Voice spoke to two pupils, 17-year-old Alexander Smith and 16-year-old Courtney Thomson, who are both looking to pave their way into the industry.
Offshore Europe 2015: OGA’s Samuel calls on North Sea operators to listen to the supply chain
The oil and gas regulator has called on North Sea operators to listen to the supply chain if the industry wants to really improve collaboration and cut costs.
Offshore Europe 2015: Can you help create 10 new products in 10 days?
A Scottish technology company that develops some of the most high-tech fabrics in the North Sea is challenging visitors to Offshore Europe to help it create 10 new products in 10 days.
Offshore Europe 2015: WorleyParsons and Wilton sign MOU to pursue UK brownfield projects
WorleyParsons and Wilton Engineering Services, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), that lays the foundation for the two companies to collaborate on brownfield oil and gas engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects in the UK.
OGA: The UK North Sea’s silent Johan Sverdrups
The prize of the UKCS is too big to throw anything less than the industry’s all at, according to the Oil and Gas Authority’s Gunther Newcombe.
Offshore Europe 2015: Shocking exploration performance poses UKCS threat
Exploration drilling in UK waters has collapsed and shows no sign of recovery either now or in the near future. This is dangerous because the dramatic slowdown of recent years will lead to a development famine in around five years time, Offshore Europe delegates have been warned. And, far more oil & gas is being extracted from the North Sea than is being found.
Offshore Europe 2015: SUT invests £50,000 funding in next generation
The Society of Underwater Technology (SUT) has pledged further educational funding of up to £50,000 over the next year in a bid to sustain a high level of skills across the industry. Around 276 beneficiaries have benefited already from the Educational Support Fund (ESF) with awards totalling £750,000.
Offshore Europe 2015: North Sea industry must not “waste a crisis”
The North Sea oil and gas industry was warned not to “waste a crisis” as consultants urged firms to adopt cost cutting measures. Risk management from DNV GL expects that the region’s oul and gas industry won’t be “trending positive” again until 2017, while demand for rigs won’t do so until 2018. Nevertheless, DNV GL’s Liv Hovam, director of divisional Europe and Africa, oil & gas, underlined a number of projects the consultancy firm has been undertaking which can save tens of millions of costs for firms in the North Sea -a basin which has experienced the highest cost inflation in the world in recent years.
Offshore Europe 2015: Proserv chief calls on North Sea to stop over-engineering
The industry's built-in desire to deliver over-engineered solutions has to end if the North Sea is to enjoy a long and profitable future, a leading industry figure has claimed.
Offshore Europe 2015: IADC says drilling industry must become “high reliability” sector
The chief executive of the International association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) said the drilling industry must become a "high reliability sector". Steve Colville said drilling in a number of regions was currently "uneconomic" and needed some "substantial readjustments" in its cost base as a result. Speaking at Offshore Europe at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) Colville said other industries including aviation and nuclear could provide many learnings for the sector.
Offshore Europe 2015: We must listen to next generation
It’s not just about saving room for the next generation. It’s about the industry starting to listen to them, according to EY chairman Steve Varley. The financial leader said the next generation should be a greater part of the solution rather than kept at arms’ length during the downturn. “We have got a problem and we can frame it in such a way that we entice them to come up with a solution to that problem,” he said.
Offshore Europe 2015: Varel deploys world’s largest oil drill bit
The North Sea operation of a global independent energy company has just completed a contract and was the first to use what is believed to be the world’s largest oilfield drilling bit.
Offshore Europe 2015: Master Flo builds its 100,000th choke valve
Valve specialist Master Flo reached a major milestone this month when it manufactured its 100,000th choke valve.
Infographic: OGUK’s Economic Report by the figures
Oil and gas firms in the UK are on track to cut £2billion from their cost bases as the industry grapples with low global commodity prices, new research has revealed.
Offshore Europe 2015: The industry’s £2billion of savings isn’t without regrets
The industry’s £2billion of savings isn’t without regrets, according to Oil & Gas UK’s Mike Tholen. Speaking at Offshore Europe, the economic director acknowledged that savings were also reflection of mass overspend. “I suspect that we should have some regrets that we didn’t evolve earlier, “ he said.
Offshore Europe 2015: ITF’s new drill string camera project could be a master blaster
A drill string camera that can carry out jet blasting during visual inspections could help operators cut rig time in half, according to its inventors.
Video: Industry cuts £2billion in costs and 65,000 jobs as sector navigates $50 oil
Oil and gas firms in the UK are on track to cut £2billion from their cost bases as the industry grapples with low global commodity prices, new research has revealed.
Offshore Europe 2015: Video – Training integrates psychological impact for first time
A new form of well control training is set to be rolled out by Seadrill after being successfully piloted. The enhanced training was developed by Maersk Training under the guidance of the International Well Control Forum (IWCF). Energy Voice spoke to Dave Conroy, chief technical officer with IWCF about the pilot scheme.