Shell Brent decom ‘compromise’ possible, says Germany
Germany’s environment ministry has said a “compromise” on Shell’s Brent decommissioning plans may be possible but leaving any oil remains is “not acceptable”.
North Sea
Buzzard oil field shutdown again as repairs ‘compromised’
The North Sea's largest-producing oil field has been shut down for the second time in a month after a pipework repair was found to be “compromised”.
Residual liability rule could be ‘key part’ of Shell’s Brent debate
A rule placing liability on operators for any post-decommissioning incidents could be a “key part” of the Shell Brent debate, according to a petroleum economist.
Ineos reopens Forties pipeline after lightning strike
A lightning strike in Aberdeenshire caused the temporary shutdown of a major North Sea pipeline today.
‘Anger and dismay’ as Aker Solutions plans to cut nearly 100 Aberdeen jobs
Energy services firm Aker Solutions has announced plans to cut nearly 100 jobs in Aberdeen.
Shell’s Brent decom plans are ‘litmus test’ for Ospar – German government
Germany has said a special meeting on Shell’s Brent decommissioning plans will be the “litmus test” for a convention to protect Europe’s marine environment.
ICR Integrity boss Bayliss quits company to ‘pursue new opportunities’
The boss of Aberdeen-headquartered ICR Integrity has quit the firm to “pursue” other opportunities it was revealed last night.
Delek seeking funds from commodity traders to complete Chevron North Sea acquisition
A unit of Delek Group Ltd. is seeking alternative means of financing to complete its $2 billion acquisition of some of Chevron Corp.’s North Sea oil and gas assets after initial funding arrangements hit stumbling blocks, according to people familiar with the matter.
PwC appoints new UK energy lead
Multinational professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has announced a new energy sector lead for the UK.
‘Commercial pressures’ drive loss for Babcock’s UK offshore businesses
Helicopter operator Babcock has said “continued commercial pressures” saw its UK offshore oil and gas business swing to a loss last year.
‘Serious questions’ raised after fires occur on separate North Sea platforms
A union boss has said “the eye is being taken off the ball” after a pair of fires took place in one day on separate North Sea platforms.
Premier Oil ‘delighted’ with commercial discovery at Tolmount East well
The boss of Premier Oil has said he is "delighted" with a commercial discovery at the firm's Tolmount East well in the Southern North Sea.
Research to ‘determine effect’ of North Sea assets ramps up amid climate protests
A new research project looking to determine the effect of oil and gas and renewable energy structures in the North Sea has been kicked into high gear amid growing tensions between energy supermajors and climate groups.
Cairn Energy comes up dry at Chimera wildcat well
Scottish operator Cairn Energy has announced that its wildcat well Chimera has come up dry.
Shell handed safety notice over refuge area on North Sea platform
Shell has been dealt with a safety notice after failing to properly ensure workers would be protected during an emergency on a North Sea platform.
Two workers airlifted from EnQuest’s Heather Alpha following fire
Two North Sea workers were airlifted to hospital after a fire involving oil broke out on Enquest’s Heather Alpha platform.
Aberdeen firm Safe Influx aim for safer North Sea with well blowout technology
One of the most serious safety issues associated with North Sea drilling could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a new technology created and developed in Aberdeen.
Marking 30 years of the RMT ‘Oilc’ offshore union branch
A series of accidents and fatal events in the North Sea were catalysts for the formation of the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee (Oilc) 30 years ago.
Updated: Greenpeace leave ‘toxic waste’ graffiti as they quit Shell’s Brent Bravo
Climate activist group Greenpeace has halted its protest action at a Shell North Sea field, leaving a graffiti slogan on the Brent Bravo platform.
Westhill start-up looks to double workforce thanks to decom work
An Aberdeenshire start-up has said it will look to double its current workforce thanks to an increase in decommissioning work.
Production resumes at Buzzard oil field
Production has been resumed at the largest-producing oil field in the UK following a shut down.
Protestors will remain on Shell’s Brent platforms ‘as long as needed’ – Greenpeace
Greenpeace said last night that protestors would occupy two North Sea oil platforms for “as long as needed” to get their message across.
Worker injured after fire breaks out on North Sea platform
A worker has been flown to hospital after a fire broke out on a North Sea platform.
‘Risk to people’ if concrete structures removed on Shell’s Brent field
An academic has asked whether removing concrete structures within Shell’s Brent platform legs is the right thing to do as such an operation would include risk to life.
Parkmead delivers field development plan for Platypus North Sea gas project
Energy firm Parkmead Group has announced that it has delivered its field development plan and environmental statement for the Platypus gas project in the Southern North Sea.