An array of world leaders, policy makers and energy officials gathered in Abu Dhabi last month to debate the response to global climate change and to rehash the failures, and promise, of last December’s UN Summit in Copenhagen. Delegates gather…
In a development that could have far-reaching implications for oil & gas operators in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, researchers last month released the findings of a two-year study that could help scientists better predict the behavior of the region’s powerful loop current and its eddies…
Two very different reactions were apparent in the latest Schlumberger Business Consulting’s annual benchmark survey of oil and gas engineer recruitment, unveiled in Paris at the energy sector management consultant’s human resources summit for energy leaders from some 60 companies…
Drilling has long led the industry when it comes to technology, leaving completions with a need to catch up. During the IADC's Completions Conference – the first one the International Drilling Contractors Association has organized devoted solely…
Having launched its Fluor Offshore Solutions arm in 2008, Fluor has been busy situating itself to win subsea work when the offshore oil & gas market starts its uptick. The firm most recently announced an alliance with China's Offshore Oil Engineering…
It's been a year since FMC Technologies acquired a 45% stake in Schilling Robotics for $116 million, with an option to take full ownership of the ROV specialist by 2013. Russell McCulley talks to Schilling Robotics founder Tyler Schilling and…
The promised wind farm work bonanza continues to generate excitement among offshore contractors keen to supplement today's patchy oil & gas orders.Heerema Fabrication Group's Hartlepool yard in the UK landed a contract to fabricate and load…
Each new year brings with it a new round of industry prognostication. So what does 2010 hold in store for offshore? A lot of hand-wringing, for one thing, reports Russell McCulley.--As Gary Adams, US oil & gas leader for Deloitte, put it recently…
Integrators charged with building chemical injection skids for medium-pressure applications face some formidable obstacles. Two of the chief obstacles concern critical fluid system components: medium-pressure instrument ball valves and reliable end connections for use with SAF 2507 tubing…
Technip and Schlumberger have signed a global co-operation agreement jointly to develop subsea integrity and surveillance solutions for flexible pipes used in deep offshore oil and gas production.The new agreement extends a collaboration between the companies that began in 1998…
Why has the inhospitable West of Shetland region consistently bucked the trend of enhanced conservatism felt throughout the wider offshore market? And what is driving this activity? Infield Systems' Luke Davis, Gregory Brown and Dr Roger Knight…
The marine seismic industry chalked off 2009 as a year to forget, but Andrew McBarnet suggests that 2010 won't be a whole lot better.Making predictions is a mug's game. We all know it, but we all do it. And if you're in a business like marine seismic…
Its boosters say radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which is gaining wider acceptance in retail and other industries, offers cost-effective and convenient applications for oil & gas companies, particularly in tracking assets. So why has the industry been slow to adopt RFID…
Elastomer seals and their wear can tell the offshore equipment maintenance engineer a lot about how well equipment is operating and provide early warning of potential problems. By visually examining the seals as part of a preventative maintenance schedule…
Each major North Sea platform has in the region of 4000 valves ranging from safety relief valves and emergency shutdown valves through control valves and general isolation valves. Meg Chesshyre talks to specialist valve maintenance company Severn…