The FPSO for Ithaca Energy’s Athena oil field development in the UK central North Sea is in the final phase of conversion at Dubai Dry Dock World.

Oceanic Marine Contractors (OMC) has taken delivery of the new offshore construction vessel Oceanic 5000.

North Drilling Company’s offshore rig Sahar 1 has entered Iranian waters and is currently moored at Kish Island.

Accommodation specialist HB Rentals has been awarded three contracts in the UAE, following the opening of its first Middle East base in the region last year.

Topaz Energy and Marine, a subsidiary of Renaissance Services, has secured a $380 million financing initiative, led by Standard Chartered Bank and DVB Bank.

National Drilling Company (NDC) of Abu Dhabi has exercised options with fabricator Lamprell for two jackups, both of which will be built in Hamriyah.

Following the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico and the subsequent new regulations in both the US and international arenas, the oil and gas industry has responded with a full spectrum of new equipment and capabilities for handling offshore spills or blowouts. A number of new well control/well containment groups have been formed, and they have been busy advancing their plans, technologies and services for the consideration of offshore operators and developers. Some of the key groups are described below.

The marine division of Renaissance Services has acquired the Caspian Provider, an advanced platform supply vessel (PSV), to join the company’s fleet on a four-year contract in Azerbaijan with a value in excess of Rial 15.4 million ($40 million).

Saudi Aramco has contracted Saipem for the charter of the jackup Perro Negro 7 for a drilling program offshore Saudi Arabia.