Opinion: ‘As the dust settles, sector gauges the lay of the land’
The waiting is over. Scotland has voted ‘No’ to independence.
Opinion
Opinion: ‘The time for implementing the Wood Review is now’
The oil and gas industry is a fundamental part of the Scottish and UK economy, a fact only highlighted through the referendum campaign. It is therefore important that the governments work together to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Wood Review to minimise uncertainty and create an environment for maximising the recovery of oil and gas in the North Sea, for the long term benefit of the UK and communities in which these businesses operate. The industry must also continue to focus on cross-sector efforts to bring escalating costs under control to protect and enhance the long term prospects of the industry and thereby the Scottish and UK economies as a whole.
Scottish Independence: “No” vote and Salmond resignation herald big changes
REVISED 14.00 FURTHER REVISED 17.40 TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SALMOND RESIGNATION
Scottish Independence: Energy Voice editor’s comment
Growing up in California, politics was something we discussed openly as a family around the dinner table, and I can still clearly recall the overwhelming sense of pride I had when I cast my first ever ballot as a registered voter.
Les Linklater: Do you remember September 1, 2014?
For most, the day came and went; that same Monday morning feeling, discussions about the weekend, goodbyes before going offshore again. But for a few, the day had been at the top of minds for months.
Opinion: BP – Grammar more valuable than oil?
The Supreme Court in Texas may soon decide whether a “missing comma” will give BP access to Transocean’s’ $750m insurance in relation to Macondo. The Macondo blowout and the explosion that followed killed 11 workers and set off the worst offshore oil spill in US history.
Scottish independence: Energy experts outline reasons for Yes
There are many reasons why it is a categorical imperative for Scots to vote yes on 18 September.
Opinion: Alex Kemp – The potential recovery of oil and gas
This article sets out to add further clarity to the subject of the ultimate potential recovery of oil and gas from the UK Continental Shelf.
Opinion: Potential on the Clyde
It’s a story of Machiavellian political intrigue with oil companies, Scottish lochs, nuclear submarines and a government at war with the socialist industrial heartlands of its country. Chic Brodie, an SNP back bencher first broke the seemingly preposterous story that, in the mid 1980’s, the Tory government of Margret Thatcher intervened at the highest levels and stopped BP exploring for oil in the Clyde estuary for “national security” issues.
Opinion: ‘No half pregnant contracts’
“We do we have a contract, don’t we?” The industry has been so hectic recently some have been overlooking basic document management. Now there is a little belt-tightening going on and contract termination and liability questions are being raised. When all was full speed ahead some didn’t seem to worry about the contract. Friends don’t need contracts do they?
Opinion: Westminster must not be allowed to fail national energy security
It has been widely reported that in the near future, and possibly even this winter, the UK faces the possibility of blackouts due to electricity shortages.
Opinion: Unconventional hydrocarbons in the North Sea?
The Scottish Sun had a double-page spread entitled “£600bn – that’s a fracking fortune”. This is based on a report by a pressure group called N-56 which claims that 21-42 billion barrels of oil equivalent could be extracted from unconventional hydrocarbon deposits in the North sea using fracking technology. The claimed tax take is £3-600 billion. It is an attractive idea – enough for one Sun journalist to switch his vote from No to Yes. Sadly, it is largely nonsense.
Opinion: Teachers should fulfil work experience to help bridge industry skills gap
A teacher’s influence over their school pupils within a classroom environment can determine the career path of a young person one way or another. Teachers are ultimately our mentors who can lead us to aspire to be doctors, lawyers, or even astronauts.
Energy and the independence debate
Sir Ian Wood did not, I am sure, particularly want to get involved in the independence referendum debate. Eventually, he was driven to do so by the gross misrepresentation of a subject he knows better than almost anyone.
Cross-cultural competence – the global success factor
The Scottish Energy sector is undoubtedly an international affair. Multinational companies are the mainstay of the oil and gas industry and skilled workers from all over the world make up the vital personnel needed to keep the revenue flowing.
Cleaning up after a UKCS deepwater oil spill
Professor Ursula Witte discusses the University of Aberdeen's research into oil-eating bacteria that could help clean up oil spills in North Sea waters
Further Western sanctions unlikely to directly target Russian energy
While the Russian energy sector has felt the impact of Western sanctions, the risk of major restrictions being placed directly on the sector remains relatively low.
Loren Steffy: Why former exec says billions aren’t enough in Yukos case
For Bruce Misamore, $2.5billion just isn’t enough. Not after waiting a decade for justice. Not after his former boss was wrongly imprisoned in Siberia and 50,000 of his company’s former shareholders have yet to be made whole.
Opinion: The answer to that Question has to be . . .
For 35 of the past 40 years I've been in the energy industry I've lived in Scotland and have watched Aberdeen and the north-east grow and prosper on the back of oil and gas.
Video: Jeremy Cresswell tests new EBS
Over the past several weeks, thousands of offshore workers have been put through short courses to get familiar with the new Category A compliant Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority following its inquiry into North Sea helicopter safety.
Opinion: Bob Keiller – Take your time and save your life
We’ve all seen horrific photos of people going around, through or under barriers at railway crossings and just making it across the track before a train comes thundering through. They are extreme examples of how we all take risks to save a few precious minutes.
Reading UK North Sea runes
It's evident that the UK oil and gas market is going through adjustment following a period of substantial investment growth.
ONS: Opinion – The North Sea needs its neighbours
It’s only natural to become caught up in your own affairs and put national interests first. But, we must endeavour to keep a European perspective and also an international perspective. This year’s ONS shows we’re not adverse to global workforce sharing. Many delegates are men and women who are already working or becoming fully-fledged energy ex-pats in the likes of Houston, Singapore, Dubai or Perth. I’d like to see the same adventurous spirit closer to home.
ONS: Opinion – ‘Norway, an independent’s ripe frontier’
Norway presents a unique opportunity to the independent explorer due to its very favourable tax credit system, to help with exploration costs, and the sheer scale of the under-explored continental shelf.
Opinion: Why are employees the first to go?
The workflow in most businesses, including energy, is subject to seasonal fluctuations. But layoffs and pay cuts should always be the last resort for employers when they need to cut costs.