Oil and Gas UK welcomes publication of draft Brexit deal
Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) has welcomed the long-awaited publication of the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement.
Energy Voice
Cairn hits dust with Ekland well in North Sea
Scottish oil firm Cairn Energy said today that its first operated exploration well in the UK North Sea had come up dry.
Azinor strikes oil at Agar-Plantain
Private-equity backed Azinor Catalyst said today that it had discovered oil at the Agar-Plantain well in the North Sea.
Marine jobs potential after ‘shock of North Sea oil exploration’
Keeping old oil and gas platforms in place could be a “triple win” for the North Sea, creating a fresh wave of employment, according to a conservationist group.
North-east academic highlights ‘real crisis’ in Scottish entrepreneurship
A “real crisis” exists in Scottish entrepreneurial education, the head of a north-east business school said yesterday.
Exploration fears persist despite ‘encouraging’ UK licensing round
The UK oil industry’s regulator said today that it was “encouraged” by the response to the latest North Sea frontier licensing round.
Swedes hope to get troubled Dounreay floating wind project ‘back on track’
The Swedish developers of a floating wind project planned off the Scottish coast said they still hope to get it “back on track”.
Hurricane’s Lancaster field FPSO undergoing repairs in Spain
Hurricane Energy said today that the FPSO for its flagship North Sea project is undergoing repairs in Spain.
SSE and NPower merger to be delayed into 2019
The proposed merger between utility giants SSE and NPower is to be delayed into the middle of 2019, according to SSE's chief executive.
JBS adds international clout
Peterhead-based energy service firm JBS Group is building on its recent purple patch with two senior appointments. JBS Group, founded as a boat-builder in Peterhead about 45 years ago, managed to double its turnover to just under £6 million for the year to April 30, 2018. To read more on Energy Voice, click here.
Taqa ‘nears completion’ of North Sea life extension plans
Taqa revealed plans to extend the life of its northern North Sea assets are “nearing completion” as it reported its financial results.
North Sea player Tailwind completes EOG UK acquisition
Tailwind Energy has wrapped up the acquisition of the UK business of Houston-headquartered oil and gas firm EOG Resources.
North-east with highest amount of failing businesses in Scotland
More businesses failed in the north-east than any other part of Scotland last year.
‘Amazon of oil and gas’ moves to Aberdeen
London-based Deepstream Tech has opened up a new office in Aberdeen amid growing North Sea demand.
Zeal for production eclipses efforts to beef up North Sea reserves, new report says
UK North Sea operators’ zeal for production eclipsed efforts to add new reserves to the basin’s hydrocarbons basket last year, a new report said.
OCA and trade union talks to continue
Crunch talks between the Offshore Contractors’ Association (OCA) and North Sea trade unions will continue later this month after yesterday’s meeting brought no resolution.
Peterhead CCS project ‘not ruled out’ by Shell decom plans
Shell’s plans to decommission a North Sea pipeline have not derailed a major clean energy scheme in Peterhead, organisers have insisted. The energy giant yesterday submitted plans to the UK government to shut down the Goldeneye field, which lies 81 miles north-east of Aberdeen. To read more on Energy Voice, click here.
GMB members vote for industrial action over pay
The GMB trade union confirmed yesterday that “most” of its North Sea members had voted for industrial action.
Serica Energy in fourth Bruce and Keith acquisition
Oil firm Serica Energy has announced a second deal in two days for stakes in the Bruce and Keith fields in the UK North Sea.
Aberdeen oilfield services firms could miss out over Iran sanctions
Smaller oilfield services firms in Aberdeen could miss out on work in Iran due to newly-imposed US sanctions, an analyst said yesterday.
New platform for rise of North Sea freelancers, disguised employees to ‘disappear’
A freelance contractor has said it is “right” the disguised employee model will “disappear” from the North Sea, thanks to incoming legislation.
Premier Oil boss vows to rethink childcare at Kingswells
An Aberdeenshire-based oil boss has vowed to look again at childcare for staff members at Kingswells after being challenged at a panel discussion.
North Sea getting to grips with decommissioning work
The UK is now “on the road” with decommissioning, and as such costs are slowly but surely becoming more certain, according to the new chief executive of Decom North Sea.
Serica meets conditions for sanctions waiver, buys BHP’s stakes in North Sea duo
Oil firm Serica Energy took another step towards completing a series of UK North Sea acquisitions today.
Shell’s North Sea business a ‘source of inspiration’, Brexit not a threat, CFO says
Shell’s chief financial officer said today that the firm’s UK North Sea division was a “source of inspiration” for the rest of the group.
Oil firm Tenaris to move into Marischal Square
Oil and gas supply company Tenaris is the latest business to take space at the Marischal Square development in Aberdeen.
Oil sector to ‘feel the heat’ over changes to contractor pay rules, says tax expert
The oil and gas sector is bracing for the “extensive impact” of changes to off-payroll working rules announced in the chancellor’s budget, according to a tax expert.
Result expected on OCA strike action vote
The result is expected later today on a union ballot for North Sea strike action. Workers are hoping for a 4% increase in basic pay from companies who are members of the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA). Offshore union Unite’s ballot on industrial action closes today. >> Read more on Energy Voice here <<
Apache to fast track first oil from North Sea field, Q3 profits soar
Apache Corporation has confirmed plans to achieve first oil from the Garten field during the current quarter.
Survivex acquired by private-equity backed group
A north-east offshore survival training company has been acquired by a private-equity backed rival.
‘Lack of evidence’ means no criminal prosecution over Super Puma crash
Investigators have said no one will face criminal prosecution over a fatal helicopter crash off Norway two years ago due to a “lack of evidence”.
One of ‘strongest-ever quarters’ for Shell as 2nd share buyback tranche launched
Shell’s boss said today that the energy major had pulled off one of its “strongest-ever quarters”.