Where do efficiency savings and productivity gains come from when the obvious wastage is eliminated? When the headcount requires no more than a couple hands and a foot? That’s the question facing many of us now as the black expanse of $30 oil spreads out before us.
The UK’s pension population’s love affair with pensions tax relief started when the Finance Act 1921 introduced tax relief for contributions to occupational pensions. Now, 95 years later, are we about to see the end of the traditional way in which tax relief is given on pension contributions?
It is interesting the way that the meaning of certain words change with time, and ‘retirement’ is certainly a word that evokes a very different meaning nowadays to what it did 40 years ago. David Gibson, consultant, Mattioli Woods plc.
Scottish Cycling is delighted to announce a new sponsorship with leading Scottish commercial law firm Burness Paull. The firm has been named Official Legal Advisor to Scotland’s National Governing Body for cycling and title sponsor of the Scottish team competing in the UK’s premier Track series. Seven riders from Scottish Cycling’s Performance Development programme and four of Scottish Cycling’s Future Stars will be riding alongside stars such as Laura Trott, Geraint Thomas and Katie Archibald in Round 4 of the leading track cycling series under the new team title of Scotland Burness Paull.
Imagine the scene, a blanket of fresh snow on the ground as you walk up to your child’s house, safe in the knowledge you have got this year’s gift for the grandkids in the bag – it’s a winner.
The SkyTech 2016 UAS conference & exhibition has announced its speaker line-up for January’s event.
Helen Dickson, a corporate transactional lawyer with Burness Paull, explains how the offshore contracting industry is being hit by a perfect storm of lower margins, higher risk and squeezed staff numbers.
More young people should be encouraged to pursue apprenticeships as an attractive, viable career path, an industry leader has said. Fraser Rowberry, who heads up BT’s local network business Openreach in Scotland, said any view of apprenticeships being considered a fallback option to university couldn’t be further from the truth.
Full service media and communications company, AVC Media has completed a major project providing video and animation services for world leading project management, engineering and construction company, Technip.
The BP operated Schiehallion field first produced oil in the 90s and was estimated to contain more than 2 billion barrels of oil. In 2011, BP and its partners sanctioned the Quad 204 project which, by replacing the existing FPSO, renewing subsea infrastructure and drilling more wells, made it possible to extend the field life to 2036 or beyond, and produce a further 400mm bbl.
Energy Voice in association with Finnies the Jeweller is giving members of the public the chance to win a Breitling Superocean 42 ; all you have to do is register for free.
Robin Clarkson and Rona Jamieson of legal firm Burness Paull LLP discuss the challenges and complexities of decommissioning - and the need to take advice at the earliest possible stage to avoid potentially significant pitfalls.
Two companies are leading the way as they look at production efficiency challenges and how they can be overcome in the North Sea oil and gas industry. In a new whitepaper, both EnQuest and Wintershall explain how they are also working on future considerations and development plans within the UKCS.
For oil and gas companies, ensuring staff are able to travel to vital projects is a necessary but expensive operation that every business wishes could be made simpler and cost less. Staff at Wings Travel Management’s Aberdeen office have undertaken an extensive course to help their clients become more efficient in deploying personnel around the globe. The five-strong team of travel specialists is among the first “energy champions” to graduate from the Wings Energy Academy, a unique 12-month educational programme, launched last year by the global oil and gas travel company. Split into four phases, the year-long programme focussed on four different roles in the industry – roughneck, derrick-hand, driller and rig manager. In addition to providing an overall view of industry, the course covered topics such as types of drilling platforms, rotational schedules and what life is like for a rig worker. The final stage required students to study one of their oil and gas clients in detail and identify ways in which Wings could enhance its travel management services to support the client’s business more efficiently.
CSR and Energy
The decision to expand a company’s remit and move into an unknown sector can often be problematic. But for DH Marine those initial steps 10 years ago paid off after the privately-owned company won its first major oil and gas work and then subsequent contract with BP at its Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT). The Shetland-based firm started off with just a few members of staff based in Lerwick on the Shetland Islands at the turn of the millennium.
With so much to take in at this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), one can forget that Houston is an exciting city with many things happening beyond the walls of the NRG Arena. While attending OTC you definitely want to connect with industry leaders, but don’t forget to explore what the Houston market can offer your company. The Greenspoint District is ready to help you explore your options.
Lloyd’s Register Energy has formed a strategic alliance with MaxGrip. The move will see the development of a new risk-based inspection (RBI) software module called ‘strEAM+RBI’. The collaboration leverages Lloyd’s Register Energy’s market leading integrity engineering and RBI experience with MaxGrip’s expertise in software development and its strEAM+ framework. It offers a unique software solution that directly embeds into an enterprise’s asset management application, including IBM Maximo, SAP and INFOR EAM. Andy Scott, VP asset integrity services Americas, Lloyd’s Register Energy, said: “Companies operating in asset intensive industries are seeking ways to balance long term decisions with day to day operational challenges.
Statoil's Gunnar Breivik sounds confident as he makes the firm statement. But more than being confident, the managing director for Statoil Production UK is comfortable with the commitment. And rightly so. As the North Sea celebrates its 50th year, a fresh new generation of explorers has emerged eager to carry the torch for innovation. Statoil is at the forefront of the pack. Statoil has historically dominated the E&P scene on the North Sea's Norwegian divide. But the Norwegian giant is now looking to balance its board.
The head of oil and gas for professional services firm EY said the Chancellor's announcement could prove to be a "turning point" for exploration and production in the North Sea. In an interview with Energy Voice, Derek Leith said the initial steps taken may receive a mixed review from the industry. Further announcements are expected tomorrow, in Aberdeen, by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.
“You can do everything else you need to do as a women - have a family, have kids and still do very, very well in the industry.” Julya Bonkat made her transition into the oil and gas industry after studying to become a computer engineer. The 34-year-old has always had an interest in maths and physics and she wants to see more women with the same passion consider science-based careers.
“I realised that if I chose geology over chemistry, my lab wouldn't just be a chemistry room. With geology my lab could be the world.” Hannah Mary Goodlad had always shown a talent for science when she was in school and following the encouragement of her teachers, she decided to study chemistry at university. But in the crux of her studies she eventually discovered her true passion - geology.