News

OGUK responds to the OGA’s Thematic review report

Commenting on the publication of the Oil and Gas Authority's 'Thematic Review into Industry Compliance with Regulatory Obligations', which stresses the key role of licence management in maximising economic recovery, OGUK Operations Director Katy Heidenreich said: “Thematic reviews are an established method of performance improvement which has [...]

By Lucy Gordon Oct 29, 2020

OGUK report offers first insight into impact of pandemic on offshore jobs

The number of workers on offshore oil and gas installations decreased by around 4,000 as the UK went into lockdown in March this year, official figures published by industry body OGUK confirm today. Average weekly personnel on board decreased from around 11,000 on the 8 March to just over 7,000 one month later, with drilling and engineering construction [...]

By bormes Oct 27, 2020

Digital Decommissioning Conference aims for international connectivity

Decommissioning takes on a new global dimension as OGUK launches its first ever virtual conference to provide delegates with a dynamic, international and interactive online experience. Taking place from November 24-25, the event goes beyond the confines of traditional conferences to provide a digital platform with potentially global reach enabling [...]

By Lucy Gordon Oct 20, 2020

OGUK comments on the merger of Chrysaor with Premier Oil

Following the news of the merger of Chrysaor with Premier Oil today, OGUK’s chief executive Deirdre Michie, said: “Chrysaor and Premier Oil are great stewards, contributors and champions of this industry so this investment is encouraging news for the UK Continental Shelf.  "With companies increasingly looking to see how they can work together [...]

By Dionne Abolghassem Oct 6, 2020

Energy revolution must go hand in hand with skills and supply chain evolution

The leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wind power plan today as a positive shot to the arm for its struggling supply chain. The plan will include £160 million of funding made available to upgrade ports and infrastructure in critical energy communities including Teesside [...]

By Natalie Coupar Oct 6, 2020

Industry urges campaign groups to meaningfully engage with sector

The leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has today repeated calls to campaign groups to meaningfully engage with the sector to ensure a fair and positive transition for energy communities. The call comes after a report by published Friends of the Earth Scotland, Greenpeace and Platform failed to note the progress [...]

By Natalie Coupar Sep 29, 2020

Hydrogen project adds to growing buzz around industry’s essential expertise

Exciting news that Aberdeen has been selected as the home for the world’s first offshore floating hydrogen facility to produce hydrogen from wind power confirms the benefits of the oil and gas industry’s expertise, sector leaders said today. The leading representative body for the sector OGUK today welcomed news that developer Environmental Resources [...]

By Natalie Coupar Sep 28, 2020

Experts gather to support SMEs in OGUK Tendering webinar

OGUK’s commitment to ensuring the recovery of the UK’s hard-pressed oil and gas supply chain continues with a webinar aimed at providing small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with top tips for successful tendering. Taking place online on Wednesday 30 September, the free event aims to help SMEs wishing to improve how they bid to supply goods or services [...]

By Lucy Gordon Sep 28, 2020

Job support scheme provides certainty but focus on green recovery must continue

The leading representative for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has today initially welcomed the winter economy plans announced by the Chancellor, noting it will seek further information on the details of the proposals in the coming days. Plans announced by the Chancellor today include wage top-ups targeted at small and medium businesses [...]

By Natalie Coupar Sep 24, 2020

Nominations opportunity to highlight true North Sea spirit

The leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has hailed the grit and resilience of the thousands of people working for the critical sector as it opened nominations for its annual awards. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, key workers both on and offshore continued to safely operate installations around the UK Continental [...]

By Natalie Coupar Sep 22, 2020

OGUK Industry Insights webinar inspires next generation on route to net zero

More than 200 people joined OGUK’s Industry Insights webinar for young professionals today (Thursday, September 17) to hear how the sector is working to advance new technologies on the route to net zero.  The free event, sponsored by Halliburton, centred around the skills required for the future in reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in [...]

By Dionne Abolghassem Sep 17, 2020

OGUK’s response to Climate Assembly UK report

OGUK has welcomed the final report released by Climate Assembly UK today (Thursday, September 10), which states that the country’s path to net zero must be underpinned by education, choice, fairness and political consensus. OGUK is already discussing a transformational North Sea Transition Deal with the UK Government, which will also set out how [...]

By Dionne Abolghassem Sep 10, 2020

OGUK responds to UK’s 32nd Offshore Licensing Round Awards announced by OGA

Commenting on the OGA’s announcement of the award offers in the 32nd Licensing Round Katy Heidenreich, OGUK’s supply chain and operations director said: “At a time when companies face huge pressures it is encouraging that our basin continues to demonstrate its attractiveness to a wide range of companies. This is a crucial element in unlocking [...]

By Lucy Gordon Sep 3, 2020

Government licensing review is opportunity to shine a light on changing industry

The leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has embraced a UK government review into future licensing rounds as an opportunity to shine a light on how the sector is changing to support the country’s climate ambitions while still ensuring it contributes to the UK’s ongoing security of energy supply. Speaking in [...]

By Natalie Coupar Sep 3, 2020

Roadmap 2035 on course despite industry challenges

Over eight actions identified by the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry as essential if it is to realise a successful future in a lower carbon future have already been delivered, with a further 20 underway, despite the pressures heaped on the sector by the coronavirus pandemic. Progress against an ambitious industry roadmap was confirmed by representative [...]

By Dionne Abolghassem Sep 2, 2020

Major new report sets baseline to push greater progress in digitalisation

Findings from the first survey of digitalisation in the oil and gas industry reveal there’s a strong appetite to ensure technology is matured to improve the sector’s connectivity, efficiency and sustainability but highlight the need to promote collaborative working if these transformational changes are to become a reality. With support from Deloitte, [...]

By Lucy Gordon Sep 1, 2020

OGUK welcomes trio to Board with industry focus on recovery efforts

  The leading representative body for the UK oil and gas industry, OGUK, has appointed three major business leaders to its board as the sector sharpens its focus on recovery.   As UK Managing Director of gas-focused exploration and production company, Neptune Energy, Alexandra Thomas represents one of the leading independents [...]

By Lucy Gordon Aug 26, 2020

Supply Chain focus boosted as OGUK creates new integrated directorate

The leading representative body for the UK offshore oil and gas industry is driving its supply chain agenda forward by appointing Katy Heidenreich, director responsible for leading its supply chain and operations activities. Currently spearheading OGUK’s Recovery Group’s work with industry, Government and regulators to stimulate investment in [...]

By Lucy Gordon Aug 25, 2020

OGUK response to OGA’s Decommissioning Cost Estimate report

Commenting on the OGA’s Decommissioning Cost Estimate report published today (Wednesday, August 19), Joe Leask, decommissioning manager at OGUK, said: “The OGA’s report on decommissioning cost trends for the UK industry shows the challenges we face. "While significant progress has been made over the years, new ways of working will be critical [...]

By Dionne Abolghassem Aug 19, 2020

OGUK webinar to highlight progress on sector’s road to recovery

OGUK’s drive to ensure the UK oil and gas sector is taking collective action to stimulate its own recovery comes under focus in a free webinar featuring leading industry figures on Thursday 27 August. Since April 2020, members of OGUK’s Recovery Group have been working across the industry to help shape the sector’s recovery as it looks beyond [...]

By Lucy Gordon Aug 18, 2020

Drive for renewables sees AREG membership grow

Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG) has grown its membership over the past 12 months, with sign-ups coming from leading companies within the renewables sector, renowned industry bodies and energy companies who are placing an increased focus on clean energy. Among the 40 new sign-ups are Montrose Port Authority, a leading service hub for the North [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 22, 2020

Archer wins two-year contract extension in the UK North Sea

Archer has secured a two-year contract extension with a major North Sea operator for the provision of platform drilling operations and maintenance services on seven UK North Sea installations. The extension will commence 1 November 2020 in direct continuation of the current contract. Over the next two years Archer will continue to deliver platform [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 22, 2020

Costain supports hydrogen feasibility project Smart infrastructure solutions company Costain, in collaboration with UK gas networks, has produced a feasibility study that will contribute to the ongoing assessments of the ability to use the existing UK gas transmission and distribution networks to transport hydrogen. The project is the first to [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 21, 2020

Petrofac first to secure OPITO renewables standard approval

Energy industry training provider, Petrofac, has become the first company globally to be approved by OPITO to deliver its ‘Emergency Coordinator for Renewable Energy (Wind Sector)’ course. The move comes after energy industry skills body OPITO announced the launch of a new suite of safety and technical training standards, and qualifications, [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 14, 2020

Neptune Energy adopts Halliburton cloud applications for drilling and wells

Neptune Energy is to adopt Halliburton’s DecisionSpace 365 well construction suite of cloud applications to consolidate all global drilling and wells activities, improve efficiency and reduce non-productive time. The three-year agreement – part of Neptune’s digital subsurface programme – will create a platform for Neptune’s digital well [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 13, 2020

Xodus supports Massachusetts offshore wind consultation

Xodus Group and BW Research Partnership will conduct a research project to assess the local and regional supply chain in support of the growing offshore wind industry in and around Massachusetts, USA. Working on behalf of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Xodus and BW Research, in coordination with Greentree Consulting and the Massachusetts [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 12, 2020

Apollo celebrates centenary green project

Apollo Offshore Engineering has hit a milestone in its renewable energy timeline, securing an award for the 100th project issued by Bombora. Project 100 is in support of Bombora’s innovative megawatt-scale wave energy conversion device, mWave. Bombora had previously developed a fixed bottom seabed solution with Apollo’s assistance, nearly 500 [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 12, 2020

Add Energy’s Canadian office secures business wins

The Calgary office of Add Energy’s asset integrity and management (AIM) division has secured almost US$2.9 million worth of new business contracts within six months of launching. The team, based in Suncor Energy’s building in downtown Calgary, has announced new contracts with three oil and gas companies to deliver inventory management optimization [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 9, 2020

Proserv and Synaptec sign strategic alliance agreement

Controls technology company Proserv Controls has penned a strategic alliance with power system monitoring leader Synaptec to develop a cutting-edge integrated holistic cable monitoring system, which will reduce downtime, improve safety and lower operating costs at offshore wind farms. The partnership aims to move both companies forward in several [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 8, 2020

Fraser Well Management secures new well operatorship contract

UK-based independent Bridge Petroleum has appointed well engineering and project management specialist Fraser Well Management (FWM) to operate the suspended appraisal well in the Galapagos field in the northern North Sea. FWM launched its new turnkey well operatorship division earlier this year, providing end-to-end well operator support for the [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 8, 2020

EnQuest and ORE Catapult join AFBE-UK Scotland AFBE-UK Scotland, a social enterprise which promotes diversity and inclusion, has announced that EnQuest and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult have signed up as new corporate partners. Aberdeen-based AFBE-UK Scotland encourages all young people, particularly those of black and minority [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 7, 2020

On-the-rig simulator helps Wellesley reduce exploration risks

Drilling a well on a simulator before the real project in the Norwegian North Sea begins has proved so successful for oil and gas exploration company, Wellesley Petroleum, it is now looking to roll out the initiative across other well projects. Wellesley commissioned a mobile ‘On-the-Rig’ (OTR) drilling simulator, which is designed and manufactured [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 6, 2020

Neptune Energy appoints Pierre Girard as Director of New Energy

Neptune Energy has announced the appointment of Pierre Girard to the newly created role of Director of New Energy. The company announced the formation of a New Energy team in August to scale partnerships and investments in low carbon technologies, particularly hydrogen, CCS and electrification. Pierre is currently Director of Commercial and Joint [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 6, 2020

DEKRA merges UK Process Safety and Organisational Reliability businesses

DEKRA has announced the merger of its UK process safety consulting, testing, and advisory firm Chilworth Technology Ltd (trading as DEKRA Process Safety) with its UK behavioural change consultancy DEKRA Organisational Reliability, to form DEKRA Organisational and Process Safety (DO&PS) from 1 October 2020. The new organisation is now a one-stop [...]

By Andrew Dykes Oct 2, 2020

Drilling Systems COO appointed as IWCF UK Branch Chair

Drilling Systems’ Clive Battisby has been announced as the new UK Branch Chair of the International Well Control Forum (IWCF). Clive previously held the position of Vice Chair from 2017 and has worked to serve the interests of the global oilfield community. After an election process amongst the UK Branch members, he was elected to serve as Chair for [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 30, 2020

Salus Technical joins OGUK membership

Process safety consultancy firm, Salus Technical, is pleased to announce its membership of Oil & Gas UK (OGUK). Westhill-based Salus Technical works with customers to help them understand and manage the risks of major accidents within their operations and continually improve the safety of the industry. The company offers three complementary services: [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 30, 2020

Archer secures a four-year contract extension with Apache

Oil service company Archer has secured a four-year contract extension with Apache Corporation for the provision of platform drilling operations and maintenance services on Beryl Alpha and Bravo, Forties Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta in the UK North Sea. Based on current and expected future activity, including additional services through its engineering, [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 25, 2020

Mintra announces NOK 1.3 billion listing on Oslo Stock Exchange

Aberdeen and Norway-based Mintra has announced its listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange, at a price of NOK 1.3 billion. Mintra provides workforce management systems and online training courses for safety critical industries worldwide. It has seen a surge in demand for virtual and online delivery of courses and training management support during global [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 25, 2020

Strathclyde backs NSRI commercialisation tool

The University of Strathclyde has endorsed a methodology developed by NSRI (National Subsea Research Institute) to accelerate the commercialisation of technology in support of the green recovery. NSRI, which works with underwater technology companies and academia to collaborate on bringing forward new technology, has developed a way of measuring [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 24, 2020

Neptune Energy commences subsea construction on Seagull project

Neptune Energy and its joint venture partners BP and JAPEX have announced the beginning of the subsea construction phase of the Seagull tie-back project. TechnipFMC, working under the Neptune Energy Alliance Agreement, has deployed the Apache II pipelay vessel to start the pipe-in-pipe installation, laying approximately 5km of pipe connecting the [...]

By Andrew Dykes Sep 23, 2020