Tension as North Sea firms grapple with IR35 rules
Tensions over new tax changes to offshore contractors arose yesterday as Cnooc International became one of the first North Sea firms to roll out its new off-payroll working rules.
CNOOC
Maersk Drilling rig lands extension on North Sea field
Chinese firm Cnooc has taken up an option for a Maersk rig to drill an additional infill well on its huge Buzzard field in the UK North Sea.
CNOOC signs up to Gabon work
China’s CNOOC Ltd has signed up to explore two blocks in Gabon, the 11th contract signed since the country brought in its new hydrocarbon code.
Energy consultancy fortifies Aberdeen well management team
An Aberdeen-based energy consultancy has strengthened its well management team following a number of major contract wins for the firm.
Senegal launches licence round
Senegal has launched its licence round the Africa Oil Week conference in South Africa, although it faces criticism from one company for offering a disputed block.
Industry body says ‘much more to be done’ to prevent oil and gas leaks
An industry body will warn there is “much more to be done” to prevent major leaks in the North Sea at an Aberdeen conference later.
Production resumed at Buzzard field after second shutdown in a month
The UK’s largest-producing oil field has once again been restarted after it was shut down for the second time in a month.
Exploration disappointment for Cnooc west of Shetland
Chinese firm Cnooc has confirmed that its Howick exploration well located west of Shetland was a duster.
Buzzard oil field shut down 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”.
New Aberdeen conference to spotlight North Sea health and safety
A new conference has been announced which will focus on the most pressing health and safety issues in the North Sea.
Monthly update on North Sea exploration: Three UK wells active
At the end of September there were three active exploration wells and four appraisal wells being drilled in the UK, according to Westwood Global Energy. Two E&A wells were spudded and three were completed during September.
Buzzard oil field shut down for repairs
The North Sea’s largest-producing oil field has been shut down after a defect was found during an inspection.
Uganda’s export dream on thin ice
Preparations for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) have ground to a halt in Uganda following the termination of Tullow Oil’s farm-out talks.
Exploration wells and FIDs beckon for UKCS
The UK upstream oil and gas sector will be a hive of activity over the coming years, two global energy consultancies have said.
Uganda deal falls apart for Tullow, pushes FID back
A $900 million (£740m) deal, under which Tullow Oil was to sell a major stake in its Ugandan projects to Total and CNOOC, has been scrapped as a result of wranglings with the government.
Total, Cnooc go with Babcock for North Sea flights
Babcock Offshore said today that it had won two new contracts for helicopter crew change operations out of its Aberdeen base.
Total kicks off Glendronach appraisal in West of Shetland
Total has started drilling an appraisal well at its Glendronach discovery in the West of Shetland.
OGUK announces Safety Awards finalists
The finalists have been revealed for an awards ceremony celebrating companies and people who have made an outstanding contribution to offshore health and safety.
Stake in major North Sea discovery to be put up for sale
A sizeable stake in one of the UK North Sea’s largest gas discoveries in years will come on the market once a major acquisition goes through later this year.
North Sea stakes change hands in £600m Energean acquisition of Edison E&P
Energean’s £600 million acquisition of Italian firm Edison E&P has handed the company stakes in a number of UK North Sea assets, including a major discovery.
Cnooc’s UK business posts £1bn pre-tax profit
A recovering oil price drove a boost to profits for Cnooc’s operations in the UK and Ireland in 2018.
$1bn to be saved by collaborating, Maersk Drilling boss says
A top boss at Maersk Drilling estimates the North Sea industry could save around $1 billion a year if it makes further in-roads on collaboration.
Production restored at three North Sea platforms following pipeline repairs
Production has been restored at three North Sea platforms which were shut down due to pipeline repairs.
Earnings dip for KCA Deutag amid ‘very competitive’ markets
Aberdeen-based drilling contractor KCA Deutag has reported a dip in earnings amid heavy competition in the land drilling and offshore markets.
Cnooc extends North Sea platform deal with KCA Deutag
Drilling and engineering contractor KCA Deutag has been handed an extension to its contract with CNOOC Petroleum Europe in the UK North Sea.