If one thing is certain, it’s that oil prices fall, rise, and then fall again and that the dynamics driving prices are complex and will change faster than we might expect. Image from UTC Twitter…
Materials development is pushing the boundaries of how things are currently done in oil and gas. Elaine Maslin looks at some of the research underway, including ‘smart’ materials that could potentially heal themselves, and additive manufacturing…
Elaine Maslin and Audrey Leon look at how digitalization stands to make a big splash in the offshore industry. Embracing a digital vision. Image from DNV GL. Often when digitalization is mentioned…
The eNovus. Photo from Oceaneering. Permanently stationed underwater vehicles are almost a reality – in Norway, at least. Elaine Maslin reports. Statoil is working with Oceaneering…
Facilities transport records have been broken and broken again by Dutch marine contractor Boskalis’ Dockwise business. Elaine Maslin reports. Statoil’s Aasta Hansteen spar being loaded onto the Dockwise Vanguard in South Korea…
Johan Sverdrup is the largest ongoing project in the North Sea. Elaine Maslin looks at Statoil’s progress, cost reduction and technology use on the development. How it will look: Johan Svedrup…
Ocean floor mapping is being completely re-thought, with the help of drones, swarms of underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles. Elaine Maslin reports. Team Tao’s BEM concept. Images from SMD…
Lundin believes the future is in the north. Elaine Maslin reports on the firm’s plans for the Alta Gohta development. An artist’s impression: Alta Gohta. Image from Lundin. Norway’s far north…
Elaine Maslin dives deeper into the all-electric subsea equation. The K5F-3 subsea all-electric Xmas tree from OneSubsea.Photo from TEP NL (Total E&P Netherlands). All-electric subsea installations have been on the agenda for years…
The awe inspired during the early days of the North Sea industry was back and in full force for the world’s heaviest offshore lift. Elaine Maslin reports. Pioneering Spirit, closing in on Brent Delta…
It took Norwegian fairy tale character Trestakk a few times to win her prince. Likewise, her oilfield namesake had to be put back on the shelf a few times before it could make the development grade. Elaine Maslin reports. Trestakk subsurface layout…
Team Argonauts has won French super-major Total's robot challenge Argos (Autonomous Robot for Gas and Oil Sites). The third and final round of the challenge, held in Lacq, France, saw five teams pitch their robotic creations against a string of tasks on a mock-platform site…
Offshore enhanced oil recovery pilots in the North Sea are paving the way towards helping to get more heavy oil out of the ground. Elaine Maslin reports. Biopolymer containers on Heidrun’s deck…
Northeast England has a heritage when it comes to the shipping and offshore industries. Elaine Maslin reports on how JDR and GE Wellstream are keeping the tradition alive. The carcass line at GE Wellstream…
Yards are actively building capacity for onshore removals as North Sea decommissioning starts to pick up pace. Elaine Maslin reports. Taking aim at Yme: Pioneering Spirit. Photo from Allseas…