Lower prices weigh on results at Shell, next share buyback tranche launched
Lower oil, gas and LNG prices put a crimp in Shell’s first-half results, but improved production helped the energy major keep delivering strong cash flow figures.
oil and gas
Offshore Europe 2019 represents ‘bounce back’ says new director
The new boss overseeing Offshore Europe has vowed to “beat the drum” for North Sea oil production amid a rising focus on climate change efforts.
Renewables beating oil and gas on female employment globally, report finds
Renewable energy is outstripping oil and gas in terms of the percentage of females working in the sector, according to a new report.
Jersey hails ‘most significant event since inception’ with new North Sea blocks
Jersey Oil and Gas (JOG) has added 100million barrels to its North Sea portfolio thanks to new acreage awarded by the Oil and Gas Authority.
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.
North Sea’s 2018 decom costs £400m lower than expected
North Sea decommissioning costs were £400million lower than expected in 2018, according to a new report from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA).
Premier says new North Sea well imminent, keeps chipping away at debt
UK-headquartered Premier Oil said today that drilling of the Tolmount East appraisal well would start “imminently” in the southern North Sea.
£4m up for grabs for Scottish decommissioning projects
Funding worth £4 million is up for grabs in a fresh attempt to boost Scotland’s share of North Sea decommissioning work.
Draft plans for IR35 contractor changes raise concern for North Sea talent pool
Concern has been raised over the cost to businesses and the potential shrinking of the North Sea workforce over plans to change contractor pay rules.
‘You get used to working in an all-male environment’: Graduate hopes to encourage others to follow in her footsteps
A 21-year-old who was the only woman in her class is hoping to inspire others to consider a career in construction.
Man writes novel during oil career break after battling cancer
A north-east man has written a novel after facing the twin travails of a cancer battle and losing his job in the oil and gas downturn.
EnQuest to cut a quarter of jobs at Shetland oil terminal
Oil firm EnQuest said today that about 80 employees would lose their jobs at a major terminal in Shetland by the end of 2019.
Former soldier to address mental health ‘burnouts’ in Aberdeen’s oil industry
A former soldier is putting on an event this week to help address high levels of mental health “burnouts” in Aberdeen’s oil and gas industry.
Oil and gas workers to vote on industrial action
Oil and gas workers at a plant in Aberdeenshire will be balloted over strike action, Unite has announced.
Union boss Molloy ‘astonished’ by Sparrows’ OCA exit plan
A trade union boss said he was “astonished” by Sparrows Group’s decision to exit the UK representative body for offshore oil and gas contractors.
Youngsters go hands on with robots, circuit boards and egg-protecting machines at science event
Teams of youngsters have programmed robots, filtered water and built egg-protecting devices in a series of science challenges.
Expertise can still mean big business for travel firms
Go back a few decades and the way we arranged our holidays or business trips was fairly routine.
Jail was steal at £600K to preserve Blue Toon heritage
Peterhead Prison has been a landmark in the town for more than 130 years. The mammoth, granite structure decorated by razor wire would be, to some, a building only pictured in a Victorian horror film.
Oil rig forced to make U-turn by Greenpeace ship
Mark Lammey
Small business growth weaker in Aberdeen than rest of the UK
Fewer business are being created in Aberdeen than any other city in the UK, a new report has revealed.
Fairfield Decom reports interest from global markets weeks after formation
The managing director of a new Aberdeenshire-based decommissioning business has said he has already received interest from south-east Asia in the weeks-old venture.
Energy transition progress ‘inextricably linked’ to diversity drive, OGUK chief says
The UK oil sector’s quest to improve diversity and inclusion among the workforce will not be forgotten about as the energy transition debate gathers steam, an industry chief said yesterday.
‘I agree’ with climate protestors, Shell North Sea boss says
A Shell North Sea boss has said he “agrees” with many of the climate campaigners who took to the streets of the UK’s major cities in April.
Oil boss says industry must ‘avoid annihilation’ as climate change debate heats up
The oil and gas sector needs to “avoid annihilation” in the climate change debate and stop apologising for its products, an industry veteran said yesterday.
Supply chain needs ‘much higher margins’, OGA chief says
A UK oil industry chief said yesterday that margins needed to be “much higher” for oilfield service companies if they are to carry on operating at current levels.
Neptune boss urges Aberdeen to drive ‘collective action’ on climate change
The executive chairman of Neptune Energy has urged Aberdeen’s energy sector to drive “collective action” on climate change.
Mega-projects increasing UK’s ‘significance’ for Equinor
Mega-projects in the North Sea are pushing the UK higher up Equinor’s list of priorities, according to bosses at the Norwegian energy giant.
Hurricane hails first oil from flagship field west of Shetland
Exploration and production firm Hurricane Energy said today that it had achieved first oil from its flagship Lancaster field, west of Shetland.
Shell wants to splash out 125bn dollars on shareholders
Oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell has revealed plans to hand over 125 billion dollars (£98 billion) to shareholders over five years.
Delek’s Ithaca snaps up Chevron North Sea assets for £1.6bn
Aberdeen-headquartered Ithaca Energy said yesterday that it would snap up US oil giant Chevron’s central North Sea business in a £1.6 billion deal.
BP’s AGM: Pope Francis, cigarettes, elephants and caribou
Pope Francis, cigarettes, elephants and caribou all figured in the arguments as investors ramped up environmental pressure on energy giant BP at its first annual general meeting (AGM) in Aberdeen yesterday.
North-east MP Colin Clark accuses Ed Davey of ‘putting North Sea jobs at risk’
A push towards divesting MP pension pots away from oil and gas has been strongly criticised by a north-east MP.