Regional Reports News

Intervention halts Elgin gas leak

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:40:00 GMT

Total’s well intervention operation has stopped the G4 well gas leak at the Elgin complex in the UK central North Sea.

Marathon takes helm at Vilje in North Sea

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:29:00 GMT

Statoil (OSE:STL;NYSE:STO) has agreed to transfer operatorship of the Vilje field in the Norwegian North Sea to Marathon Oil Norge.

Norway assesses prospects for southern offshore regions

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:45:00 GMT

A specialist Norwegian team is preparing an environmental report on the North Sea and Skagerrak area off southern Norway.

Israeli companies join to make tender for offshore Cyprus acreage

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:30:00 GMT

Delek Group says its subsidiary companies plan to participate in a consortium applying for acreage under Cyprus’ upcoming offshore bid round.

ROC signs further Bohai Bay PSC

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:14:00 GMT

China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) has signed a production sharing contract with Roc Oil (Bohai) for block 09/05 in Bohai Bay.

Action imminent to stem Elgin gas leak in North Sea

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:40:00 GMT

Total says its preparations for a well intervention on the leaking Elgin G4 gas well in the central North Sea are nearing completion.

Helicopter ditches in North Sea – no fatalities reported

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:19:00 GMT

A helicopter supporting offshore activity in the North Sea crashed earlier today.

Partners outline timeframe for Johan Sverdrup development in North Sea

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:37:00 GMT

The licensees in the Johan Sverdrup discovery in the Norwegian North Sea plan to select a development concept in late 2013 and start production in 4Q 2018, according to co-operator Statoil.

Barryroe study indicates positive reservoir development

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Providence Resources has updated its Barryroe oil discovery technical assessment.

PEMEX outlines procurement needs at OTC

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:58:00 GMT

Since 2004, the loss of 1.5 MMb/d from its super-giant Cantarell field has prompted PEMEX E&P to look again at its portfolio of undrilled prospects in the shallow waters of Campeche.

Medoilgas gains extra time to evaluate Ombrina Mare

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:13:00 GMT

Medoilgas Italia has won a three-year extension until May 2015 for an exploration permit offshore eastern Italy.

UK oil and gas sector in good health, survey claims

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:49:00 GMT

Gross revenue generated from the UK oil and gas sector rose 28% last year to $2.8 billion, according to a report by industry association Oil & Gas UK.

Abstract submission deadline for Offshore West Africa extended

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:34:00 GMT

The deadline to submit an abstract for consideration as a presentation at Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition is extended to May 22.

BSEE Director outlines path forward at OTC

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:22:00 GMT

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director James A. Watson delivered remarks in early May at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

New exploration permits issued for offshore Australia

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:37:00 GMT

Australia has awarded 12 new offshore exploration permits off Western Australia and Victoria, and expects to see $303 million in area investments in the next three years.

Korea looks for foreign investors

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

While the Offshore Technology Conference was under way at Reliant Center on Monday, a number of organizations joined forces at a forum in the Westin Galleria Hotel to discuss investment opportunities in Korea.

Total secures Uruguay deep offshore block

Mon, 07 May 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Total has been awarded an exploration license for block 14 offshore Uruguay, following a second bid round staged by state-owned company ANCAP.

Statoil, Rosneft agree far Russian north joint venture

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:45:00 GMT

Rosneft and Statoil have agreed to jointly explore offshore fields in the Russian sectors of the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Total cleared for kill operation on leaking North Sea gas well

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:51:00 GMT

The UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has granted environmental permits to Total for a dynamic kill operation on the leaking Elgin well in the central North Sea.

CNR backs into Cote d’Ivoire block

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:19:00 GMT

Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) has taken a 36% interest in block 514 off Cote d’Ivoire.

OTC 2012 reaches record number of attendees

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:16:00 GMT

Offshore energy industry experts from around the world came together April 30 – May 3 for the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference at Reliant Park in Houston.

OTC 2012: Dow releases advanced subsea flow assurance insulation system

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:55:00 GMT

Dow Oil & Gas has launched the NEPTUNE advanced subsea flow assurance insulation system, a technology specifically engineered to withstand the increasingly harsh conditions associated with subsea oil production.

OTC 2012: GE unveils interchangeable BOP ‘stacking’ system

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:43:00 GMT

GE (NYSE: GE) has introduced a new BOP stack with an interchangeable lower marine rise package (LMRP) and lower stack frames.

OTC 2012: Offshore innovators inducted into Hall of Fame

Wed, 02 May 2012 18:07:00 GMT

Jon Hermstad, Tor Inge Tjelta, and Tom Guttormsen have been inducted into the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) OTC Hall of Fame.

OTC 2012: InterMoor presents Inter-M Pulse North Sea trial findings

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:33:00 GMT

Alan Duncan, managing director of InterMoor UK, presented findings from a recent Inter-M Pulse field trial in the North Sea at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Statoil ekes out more production offshore Norway

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:19:00 GMT

Statoil has lifted average oil and gas recovery from its operated Norwegian fields to 50%, up from 49% in 2011.

OTC 2012: Baker Hughes introduces rigless intervention system

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Baker Hughes has unveiled the Mastiff rigless intervention system (RIS) at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Majority think gas could replace oil as US principal energy source

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:54:00 GMT

Unconventional gas production in the United States could cause gas to replace oil as America’s primary energy source, according to a poll at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Tata Steel wins Keathley Canyon linepipe order

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:14:00 GMT

Tata Steel has won its second major steel linepipe contract in recent weeks for a deepwater project in the US Gulf of Mexico.

OTC 2012: GE addresses dual-gradient drilling, blind shear ram improvements

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:38:00 GMT

GE (NYSE: GE) is showcasing its new MaxLift 1800 pump system at the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Subsea 7 engineer recognized by ASME

Wed, 02 May 2012 14:25:00 GMT

Grégory Toguyeni, senior welding and materials engineer at Subsea 7, has received a commendation for his paper “Mechanically Lined Pipe: Installation by reel-lay” in the Best Mechanical Engineering Paper Award at the Offshore Technology Conference.

Worldwide deepwater capex

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:03:00 GMT

Petrobras' dominance of deepwater capex is set to accelerate, reaching 26% of the global total in 2016, according to a report by Infield Systems.

OTC 2012: Halliburton introduces new fixed cutter drill bits

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:13:00 GMT

At the Offshore Technology Conference, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) introduced the MegaForce advanced fixed cutter drill bits.

Countries jostle for investment as deepwater gas play builds

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:35:00 GMT

The eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a rival to Russia and Azerbaijan as a future source of gas for Europe.

OTC 2012: Subsea 7 delivers innovative riser buoy support for Petrobras project

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:02:00 GMT

Subsea 7 is engineering a new concept riser configuration for the Guara-Lula NE field development in the deepwater Santos basin.

OTC 2012: Ultra deep drilling in ultra-deepwater possible

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:25:00 GMT

An Offshore Technology Conference session on designing of the world’s deepest offshore well has featured a discussion of the challenges to drilling into the Earth’s mantle to take a 500 m (1,640 ft) sample.

OTC 2012: Baker Hughes releases latest reservoir modeling software

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:17:00 GMT

Baker Hughes has unveiled JewelSuite 2012, the latest version of the reservoir modeling software at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Empirica launches new logging technologies

Tue, 01 May 2012 16:23:00 GMT

Empirica has introduced Dual Flame Ionised Detection (Dual FID) technology and Live Logging at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: EnerMech announces $65-million investment for US expansion

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:26:00 GMT

EnerMech announced plans to invest more than $65 million (£40 million) to launch a major expansion in the US at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Lloyd’s Register acquires WEST Engineering

Tue, 01 May 2012 13:46:00 GMT

Lloyd’s Register announced its acquisition of WEST Engineering Services at the Offshore Technology Conference on Monday.

OTC 2012: Proserv unveils innovative well abandonment tool

Tue, 01 May 2012 13:35:00 GMT

Proserv has launched a next generation subsea cutting tool that provides complete well severance and reduces in-well operational time by up to 50% at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Emerson receives Lloyd’s Register’s Marine Type Approval for Fisher valves, digital valve controllers

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:39:00 GMT

Emerson Process Management’s complete line of Fisher valves and FIELDVUE digital valve controllers has received the Lloyd’s Register’s Marine Type Approval for process control applications within the offshore oil and gas production industry.

OTC 2012: Balmoral unveils deepest-ever drill riser buoyancy

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:09:00 GMT

Balmoral Offshore Engineering has introduced two additions to its drill riser buoyancy portfolio at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: Predictive risk system can connect policy and field practice

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:16:00 GMT

Petrotechnics has unveiled Proscient, its new operational performance and predictive risk software at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: GE features insight management system

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:03:00 GMT

GE Energy’s (NYSE: GE) Power Conversion business is previewing its new insight management system, a decision-making aid and capital asset management product at OTC.

OTC 2012: Halliburton introduces low ECD drilling, completion package

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:49:00 GMT

Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) has introduced a package of low equivalent circulating density (ECD) technologies at the Offshore Technology Conference.

Centrica completes $1.7-billion Norwegian asset acquisitions from Statoil, ConocoPhillips

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:55:00 GMT

Centrica plc has completed the $1.5-billion (£936-million) agreement with Statoil Petroleum AS to acquire a package of producing and development oil and gas assets in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

OTC 2012: Subsea 7 to increase engineering numbers

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:27:00 GMT

Subsea 7 will use its presence at the Offshore Technology Conference to help increase the number of engineers it employs across the globe.

OTC 2012: TE features thin-wall technology, subsea communication solutions

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:16:00 GMT

TE Connectivity (TE) is featuring its latest developments in subsea communication solutions and undersea cable systems this week at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: 3M reinforced tape protects pipe integrity

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:02:00 GMT

3M will introduce Scotch High Strength Filament Tape 890HD at this year’s OTC.

OTC 2012: CorDEX to unveil next generation corrosion monitoring device

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:42:00 GMT

CorDEX Instruments will be launching its next generation corrosion monitoring device, which streamlines readings gathered in the field and enables users to monitor integrity levels at specific points on an asset or pipeline, at the Offshore Technology Conference.

OTC 2012: GL Noble Denton to conduct Snapshot Polls during show

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:36:00 GMT

GL Noble Denton will again use the Offshore Technology Conference as a polling place to learn what event attendees think about specific industry issues.

OTC 2012: Dyneema moorings designed for deepwater production

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:08:00 GMT

DSM Dyneema has developed a permanent deepwater production facility mooring rope in conjunction with Lankhorst Ropes and will introduce it at OTC 2012.

OTC 2012: Magnetic bearings, new compression concept coming from Dresser-Rand

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:04:00 GMT

Dresser-Rand will emphasize efficiency and customization of its rotating equipment at OTC this year.

OTC 2012: DrillAssist by AETI to get introduction at show

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:13:00 GMT

American Electric Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:AETI) is using the 2012 Offshore Technology Conference to introduce its new M&I DrillAssist Drilling Control System.

OTC 2012: Petrobras, FMC subsea separation system increases reservoir pressure, production

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:53:00 GMT

Petrobras and FMC Technologies have received the OTC Spotlight Award for the Marlim subsea oil-water separation system.

OTC 2012: Wison Offshore & Marine to present on China’s emerging industry role

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:49:00 GMT

Shanghai-based Wison Offshore & Marine Ltd. will present on the “Emerging Role of China in the Offshore Industry,” at the Topical Breakfast session on Tuesday, May 1.

Salamander seeks cash for offshore Thailand projects

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:46:00 GMT

Salamander Energy intends to raise $201 million via a share issues.

OTC 2012: Baker Hughes rotary sidewall coring service helps maximize hydrocarbon recovery

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:41:00 GMT

Baker Hughes has been recognized by the OTC Spotlight Awards committee for MaxCOR, its large-diameter rotary sidewall coring service.

Husky progressing Atlantic Canada expansion projects

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:35:00 GMT

Husky Energy has provided an update on its E&P activities offshore eastern Canada.

OTC 2012: Reelwell downhole isolation system provides double barrier element

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:29:00 GMT

Reelwell AS has been recognized by the OTC Spotlight Award committee for the Reelwell downhole isolation system.

OTC 2012: OTC provides grant to Offshore Energy Center

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:53:00 GMT

The Offshore Energy Center (OEC) recently received a grant from the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) to fund the Mobile Oilfield Learning Unit (MOLU) visits to five Houston area schools during the Offshore Technology Conference, April 30–May 4.

OTC 2012: Tesco’s directional liner drilling system offers operational efficiencies

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Tesco Corp. has won an OTC Spotlight Award for its patented liner drilling system.

Gas flow diverted from leaking Elgin well

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:06:00 GMT

Total says it has made further progress in stopping the gas leak from the Elgin platform G4 well in the UK central North Sea.

OTC 2012: Schlumberger recognized for gauges, rotary steerable system

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:03:00 GMT

Schlumberger has received the OTC Spotlight Award for its signature quartz gauges and the PowerDrive Archer high build rate rotary steerable system.

OGX declares offshore Brazil oil field commercial

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:59:00 GMT

OGX Petróleo e Gás Participações S.A. (OGX) (Bovespa: OGXP3; OTC: OGXPY.PK) has presented a Declaration of Commerciality for the Waikiki accumulation in the shallow water Campos basin to Brazil’s National Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels Agency (ANP).

OTC 2012: FCI flow meter can be calibrated on location

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:47:00 GMT

The VeriCal In-Situ Calibration Verification System now is available in Fluid Components International’s ST100 Series Thermal Mass Flow Meter, and will be demonstrated at OTC 2012.

Russia agrees far north, Black Sea partnership

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:38:00 GMT

Rosneft and Eni have signed an Integrated Cooperation Agreement to jointly explore fields in the Russian sectors of the Black and Barents Seas.

New administration could revive programs offshore Italy

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:34:00 GMT

Petroceltic (PCI LN) hopes to resume work on its Elsa field offshore eastern Italy’s Abruzzo region.

OTC 2012: ShawCor develops largest deepwater test chamber for end-to-end thermal insulation systems

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:29:00 GMT

ShawCor Ltd. has won the OTC Spotlight Award for its simulated service vessel.

OTC 2012: Dockwise designs largest-ever semisubmersible

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Dockwise has received the OTC Spotlight Award for the Dockwise Vanguard, the largest semisubmersible vessel ever built.

OTC 2012: ClampOn develops non-intrusive subsea monitor

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:46:00 GMT

ClampOn has won an OTC Spotlight Award for its subsea corrosion-erosion monitor.

OTC 2012: Dow Corning to feature new deepwater insulation

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:42:00 GMT

Subsea thermal insulation for deepwater immersion will be featured by Dow Corning Corp. at OTC this year.

Slight pickup in offshore UK drilling

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Eleven exploration and appraisal wells were spudded offshore the UK during 1Q 2012, according to Deloitte.

Statoil teams with Hess in deepwater offshore Ghana

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:41:00 GMT

Statoil (OSE:STL, NYSE:STO) has farmed into a deepwater license operated by Hess (HES:NYSE) offshore Ghana.

Dahan farm-in triggers fresh activity offshore Ras Al Khaimah

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:24:00 GMT

DNO International has signed an amended agreement to the offshore Saleh concession with the government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Gas, and Dahan Petroleum.

OTC 2012: FMC’s Pazflor subsea separation system manages four reservoirs

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:24:00 GMT

FMC Technologies has been recognized by the OTC Spotlight Awards committee for the Pazflor subsea separation system.

Consternation over European safety plan

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:07:00 GMT

Industry association Oil & Gas UK and various UK trade unions have voiced concerns over the European Union’s proposed regulation of offshore oil and gas safety.

OTC 2012: Flow meter demonstrations scheduled by McCrometer

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:55:00 GMT

McCrometer is bringing its flow meter technology measurement solutions to the upcoming OTC.

OTC 2012: Honeywell to exhibit safety and pressure sensors

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:31:00 GMT

Honeywell (NYSE:HON) will show a range of sensors and switches designed to enhance productivity and safety in a variety of oil and gas exploration and drilling applications at the upcoming OTC.

OTC 2012: New booster module, compressor manufacture top Atlas Copco list

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:27:00 GMT

Atlas Copco will be introducing its new Hurricane M-41 booster module in its OTC booth this year.

OTC 2012: Halliburton’s autonomous inflow control device improves production efficiency

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:14:00 GMT

Halliburton has won an OTC Spotlight Award for its EquiFlow autonomous inflow control device.

OTC 2012: Baker Hughes downhole communication system integrates intervention, logging operations

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:10:00 GMT

Baker Hughes has been recognized by OTC Spotlight Awards committee for the TeleCoil downhole communication system.

OTC 2012: Versabar subsea grappling device increases diver safety

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:05:00 GMT

Versabar has received the OTC Spotlight Award for the Claw, a subsea grappling device.

OTC 2012: Bosch Rexroth, Allseas develop new heavy-lift vessel

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:24:00 GMT

Highlights for Bosch Rexroth at OTC 2012 will cover a range of technologies, including work on a special vessel to lift offshore platforms in one piece, standardizing of components adapted for deep sea applications, and new surface technology for large hydraulic cylinders.

OTC 2012: Subsea 7 to highlight construction advances

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:01:00 GMT

Subsea 7 will showcase a range of new developments at the upcoming OTC.

OTC 2012: WorleyParsons/INTECSEA will bring technical briefs to OTC booth

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:54:00 GMT

WorleyParsons and INTECSEA will bring a comprehensive, full-service offshore facility design capability to OTC again this year.

OTC 2012: ABS to feature OSVs, new ISO standard

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:47:00 GMT

ABS will offer a variety of technical papers at this year’s OTC on topics ranging from FLNGs and ISO standards to jackups, offshore vessels, and steel catenary risers.

Relief well under way at leaking Elgin gas complex

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:22:00 GMT

Total says work on the two solutions to halt the gas leak on the Elgin platform’s G4 well in the central North Sea is progressing as planned.

Woodside lining up wells off South Korea, northwest Australia

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Woodside Energy plans to start drilling the Jujak-1 exploration well offshore South Korea before mid-year.

TAQA set to operate North Sea Cladhan project

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:19:00 GMT

TAQA Bratani has agreed to acquire a 13.5% interest in the North Cladhan area of the UK northern North Sea from Sterling Resources (UK).

DECC approves Elgin leak relief well drilling

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Britain’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has authorized Total to drill a relief well to stem the gas leak from the Elgin wellhead platform in the North Sea.

Hyperdynamics seeks to farm-out interest in offshore Guinea concession

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:52:00 GMT

Hyperdynamics Corp. (NYSE:HDY) is looking to sell part of its 77% interest in a 25,000-sq km (9,653-sq mi) exploration concession offshore Guinea, West Africa.

New World farms into Danish license

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:10:00 GMT

New World Oil and Gas has completed a farm-out agreement concerning license 1/08 offshore/onshore southern Denmark.

Antrim eyes small spar for Fyne oil field in the North Sea

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:30:00 GMT

Antrim Energy is set to re-gain operatorship from Premier Oil of the Fyne license in the UK central North Sea.

Emanuelle backs into shallow-water Israeli license

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Emanuelle Energy, a subsidiary of Israel Land Development - Energy, intends to exercise an option to participate in the shallow water 388/Samuel license offshore Israel.

Nord Stream pipeline to undergo temporary shutdown

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:56:00 GMT

The Nord Stream gas pipeline project in the Baltic Sea is entering an intensive period of activity.

Azimuth signs Namibia offshore farm-in agreement

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:51:00 GMT

Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas has signed a farm-out agreement with Bermuda-based Azimuth for three licenses offshore Namibia.

WorleyParsons, Fluor to manage Hebron topsides construction

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:41:00 GMT

ExxonMobil Canada Properties has contracted WorleyParsons for the topsides on the Hebron project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dragon inviting tenders for Turkmen offshore rigs, platforms

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:04:00 GMT

Oil Production from the Cheleken Contract Area in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea averaged 70,600 b/d in the first quarter of 2012, according to operator Dragon Oil.