There’s now a bit of a buzz about the place
EXPLORATION and appraisal drilling on the UKCS continues to show a marked recovery, with nine spuds reported during August alone - the Central North Sea currently leading the way.
Oil & Gas
SeaGen sets record for tidal generation
SEAGEN, a tidal device developed by Marine Current Turbines, has passed a significant milestone by generating its two-millionth unit of electricity to the energy grid in Northern Ireland. Said to be the world's first and only commercial-scale tidal-stream energy turbine, the 1.2MW device is located in Strangford Lough.
Ultra-efficient solar in pipeline
EINDHOVEN University of Technology (TU/) researchers are keen to develop solar cells with an efficiency of more than 65% by utilising nanotechnologies.
Decom juggernaut gathering momentum
DECOMMISSIONING has been on the North Sea agenda for at least two decades, with a modest number of platforms removed to date, but with many more to go. But, momentum is now building to the point that the CEO of recently-formed Decommissioning UK says there will be a spate of fields abandoned in the middle of the current decade.
ABB opens Indian turbines factory
SWISS-SWEDISH engineering giant ABB has inaugurated a global wind-power generator factory at Vadodara in India.
Zidane-1 find for Rwe-Dea
RWE Dea Norge has encountered hydrocarbons with its Zidane-1 exploration well in the Norwegian Sea (licence PL435, block 6507/7), north-west of the Heidrun field.
In wake of Macondo Pemex hesitates
MEXICAN state operator Pemex has called a temporary halt to its ultra-deepwater Gulf of Mexico wildcat exploration well, Maximino-1.
A perfect day for golf
GETTING a hole in one was the dream for guests attending Rigmar Services Limited's first annual golf outing at Peterculter Golf Club last week.
P&J Energy clan has a ball
NEARLY 1,000 people attended the third annual Press and Journal Energy Ball at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Gulf of Mexico disaster well safe as failed valve hauled to surface
The ruptured well that pumped almost 5million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico has been secured and no longer constitutes a threat, it has been confirmed.
Hydro Group powers up with £500,000 investment
HYDRO Group has spent £500,000 on new equipment for its recently-opened £4.2million headquarters at Aberdeen Science and Energy Park.
Mozambique oil strike for Anadarko
ANADARKO has apparently made an oil discovery offshore Mozambique with an exploration well drilled into the Ironclad Prospect, which is located on the same block as the recent Windjammer gas discovery. It was in February that the US independent made a gas discovery with its Windjammer probe. Early estimates place reserves in the 4-10trillion cu ft range.
China to make mini reactors
A MINI nuclear reactor developed in the US by Hyperion Power Generation is to be jointly manufactured, marketed and sold through a joint venture being forged with Alternate Energy Holdings.
Total gets moving on Clov work
FRENCH energy major Total has the green light to press ahead with its Clov project on block 17 offshore Angola, with main contracts awarded and partner approvals secured. Clov is the fourth block 17 development hub Girassol, Dalia and Pazflor. It will be similarly developed using subsea infrastructure tied back to a floating production and storage unit (FPSO).
Bugs could hold key to conversion
AS THE Deepwater Horizon blowout has shown, naturally occurring bugs have dealt with much of the oil spill with almost ruthless efficiency - arguably far better than the clean-up effort by humans.
£200million Norwegian contract for Bristow
STATOIL has awarded Bristow Norway a 10-year contract worth some £200million for three helicopters to fly from Flesland heliport, in Bergen, from 2012.
‘Intelligent dummy’ plugs gap in market
INNOVATIVE technology designed to simplify the commissioning of oil and gas wells has been launched in Aberdeen after well-completion technology developer PTC responded to a plea from the industry.
Hertel performs, delivers and improves in Aberdeen
HERTEL may be a new name in Aberdeen, but the Dutch group has been trading for 115 years and employs more than 12,000 dedicated personnel working across the world who are an expert group of professional project managers, engineers and technicians who take pride in long-standing and well established relationships with their international customers.
Sonomatic breaks new ground with ROV-deployed subsea inspection system
Ultrasonic inspection specialist Sonomatic has introduced a new subsea inspection tool which, the company says, can be deployed entirely by ROV.
Deepwater Horizon disaster displays disturbing echoes of stricken Piper A
The Macondo well blowout and perceived damage to the Gulf of Mexico marine and Louisiana coastal environments has dominated many headlines for months; that and the huge cost to BP and whether the company would survive the disaster intact.
Time and tide won’t wait for Scotland
On the face of it, it has been a great few weeks for the tidal-energy industry. Firstly, we had the announcement by Atlantic Resources regarding the build of its one-megawatt prototype, which is on its way to be tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.
The everlasting economics of corruption
I HAVE worked in the oil&gas industry for about 25 years. Before that, I spent years on the economics staff of Aberdeen University, specialising in energy economics.
Time to put Crown Estate in its place
"There is no organisation in the world like The Crown Estate", according to its own website. And who could disagree?
Whither the oil&gas supply chain?
I have not long picked my way through the report, Scottish Offshore Wind: Creating an Industry, commissioned by Scottish Renewables with the Industrial Power Association. It paints four scenarios for Scottish offshore wind - from a vigorous offshore wind industry, supported by a robust supply chain that involves the oil&gas capability, to failure to capitalise on the opportunity, with all that implies.
Divesting in downstream frees capital for upstream investment
Given today's dynamic economic environment, companies need to continually assess their capital needs as well as potential sources of capital. Therefore, a strong capital agenda needs to be at the heart of all boardroom and management decisions.