Operator Maersk Oil is to use a new standalone installation to develop the ultra-high-pressure, high-temperature (uHP/HT) Culzean gas field in the central North Sea about 145 miles east of Aberdeen. The field, one of the largest gas discoveries of recent years in the UK North Sea…
Houston-based Hercules Offshore has signed a five-year drilling contract with Maersk Oil North Sea UK for a newbuild jackup rig to be owned and operated by Hercules Offshore. The new Friede & Goldman JU-2000E design jackup will be built…
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) board of directors has elected John T. Rynd as chair of NOIA and Cindy B. Taylor as vice chair of NOIA for the upcoming 2014-2015 term. Rynd and Taylor assumed their positions at the NOIA Annual Meeting…
Recent Gulf of Mexico well control incidents have US regulators calling for better safety in shallow water. By Audrey Leon Representatives from the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), US Bureau of Lands and Minerals Management…
OMV New Zealand Ltd. awarded DOF Subsea Group a contract for subsea installation services to the Maari Field, Raroa FPSO offshore Taranaki, New Zealand. The project, worth approximately NOK 150 million, will be executed from DOF Subsea’s…
Drilling on a relief well at South Timbalier 220 in the US Gulf of Mexico began Sunday, August 4, using the Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced. On July 23, Walter Oil and Gas Corp…
The US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) approved Walter Oil & Gas Corp.’s permit application to drill a relief well at South Timbalier 220 in the US Gulf of Mexico, using the Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig. The well is expected to be drilled on Thursday…
Keppel FELS has delivered its first KFELS Super A Class jackup rig to Discovery Offshore for use in the North Sea. Named Discovery Triumph, the first KFELS Super A Class jackup was delivered 46 days ahead of schedule and with a perfect safety record…
Hercules Offshore, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of eleven inland barge rigs, which includes three active rigs, eight cold stacked rigs, and related assets ('Inland Asset Package') for cash proceeds of approximately $45 million…
The global rig market is strong, with high utilization, high day rates, and nearly 200 offshore drilling rigs under construction. Drilling contractors are changing their fleet makeup, modernizing, streamlining, and concentrating on market sectors…
Hercules Offshore Inc. acquired the offshore drilling rig Ben Avon from a subsidiary of KCA Deutag for US$55 million in cash, the company announced on 21 February 2013. Ben Avon Jackup Rig (Image: KCA Deutag)The Ben Avon is a LeTourneau Class…
Total has confirmed that gas continues to leak from its Elgin well head platform in the UK North Sea as of 29 March 2012, four days after the incident occurred. In a statement, Total said the site is currently stable and that a gas cloud in the area is heading away from Elgin facilities…
Claus Feyling has assumed the role of president of Cayman Islands-based Hercules International Holdings following the retirement of Don Rodney. Feyling previously served as Hercules Offshore’s VP, international business development.
Offshore rig and vessel repair continues to produce attractive returns for yards that are well placed strategically and geographically. OE checks out the latest developments at two players – one in Bahrain, the other in Gibraltar – still relatively…
firmsHouston-based Deep Down is acquiring offshore industry syntactic foam flotation products and insulation materials provider Cuming. Total price for the acquisition including the assumption of certain liabilities is $50 million.The newly…