Offshore articles from August 2008

Offshore archives from August 2008

North Sea day rates.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2008... North Sea day rates Month/Year Minimum Average Maximum Drillship July 2007 $257,000 $257,000 $257,000 Aug 2007 $257,000 $257,000 $257,000 Sept 2007 $257,000 ...

GoM drilling permits issued.(GLOBAL DATA)
August 1, 2008... GoM drilling permits issued Dec. 31 Jan. 53 Feb. 56 Mar. 49 Apr. 47 May 68 June 47 Source: US Minerals Management Service Note: Table made from bar graph.

Active rig fleet, July 2008.
August 1, 2008... Floaters Jackups US GoM 36 (+1) 76 (0) Mex GoM 4 (0) 34 (0) North Sea 40 (+1) 32 (0) East Atlantic 1 (0)...

The regional government council of the Autonomous Region of the Southern Atlantic (RAAS) has approved Infinity Energy Resources Inc.'s offshore Nicaraguan exploration and development contracts.(Latin America)
August 1, 2008... The regional government council of the Autonomous Region of the Southern Atlantic (RAAS) has approved Infinity Energy Resources Inc.'s offshore Nicaraguan exploration and development contracts. The contracts now go to national government in...

BP Norge has consent from the Petroleum Safety Authority in Norway to use the Hod platform facilities until May 2015, beyond the original expected design life.(North Sea/Europe)
August 1, 2008... BP Norge has consent from the Petroleum Safety Authority in Norway to use the Hod platform facilities until May 2015, beyond the original expected design life. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BP is preparing a revised production strategy for...

Petroceltic Elsa has been granted nine exclusive exploration permits in the central Adriatic Sea offshore Italy.(North Sea/Europe)
August 1, 2008... Petroceltic Elsa has been granted nine exclusive exploration permits in the central Adriatic Sea offshore Italy. Included in the awards to Petroceltic are permits d492 and d493, which were subject to a competitive external bid. These...

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has announced its 20th licensing round.(North Sea/Europe)
August 1, 2008... The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has announced its 20th licensing round. The government will include 79 blocks/parts of blocks in the 20th round, with 51 in the Norwegian Sea and 28 in the Barents Sea. The application...

StatoilHydro has confirmed the existence of gas in the Ververis prospect in the Barents Sea.(Barents Sea)
August 1, 2008... StatoilHydro has confirmed the existence of gas in the Ververis prospect in the Barents Sea. The Polar Pioneer struck gas in the prospect while drilling exploration well 7226/2-1. The main purpose of the well was to confirm hydrocarbons in...

Addax Petroleum Corp. has achieved 200 MMbbl of oil production from OML123, offshore Nigeria.(Africa)
August 1, 2008... Addax Petroleum Corp. has achieved 200 MMbbl of oil production from OML123, offshore Nigeria. "I am extremely proud of this recent accomplishment, given Addax Petroleum acquired OML123 in 1998 with a fraction of the reserves we have there...

The jackup Hercules 156 has spudded the Iris Charlie Marin-1 (ICM-1) exploration well in the Iris Matin PSC offshore Gabon, according to Sterling Energy.(Africa)
August 1, 2008... The jackup Hercules 156 has spudded the Iris Charlie Marin-1 (ICM-1) exploration well in the Iris Matin PSC offshore Gabon, according to Sterling Energy. The ICM-1 will target the Charlie prospect, estimated to contain reserves of 20-40...

The East Belumut/Chermingat fields in PM 323 and the Puteri field in PM 318 recently started production, says Newfield Exploration Co.(Asia)
August 1, 2008... The East Belumut/Chermingat fields in PM 323 and the Puteri field in PM 318 recently started production, says Newfield Exploration Co. Both fields are offshore Malaysia. In conjunction with the start-up of production from these fields,...

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) dominated bidding on 45 of the 57 blocks offered under the seventh round of India's New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP).(Asia)
August 1, 2008... Oil & Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC) dominated bidding on 45 of the 57 blocks offered under the seventh round of India's New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP). Bids closed at the end of June. It will take about two months to evaluate the bids...

The Morskaya-1 exploration well in the Lagansky block, northern Caspian Sea, has encountered a major oil accumulation in the Aptian and Neocomian sandstone reservoirs, according to Lundin Petroleum.(Caspian Sea)
August 1, 2008... The Morskaya-1 exploration well in the Lagansky block, northern Caspian Sea, has encountered a major oil accumulation in the Aptian and Neocomian sandstone reservoirs, according to Lundin Petroleum. Minor amounts of gas were encountered in the...

Australian Worldwide Exploration Ltd. (AWE) has finalized its Tui reserves review and has increased the initial proven and probable (2P) oil reserves to 50.1 MMbbl from 47 MMbbl.(Australia)
August 1, 2008... Australian Worldwide Exploration Ltd. (AWE) has finalized its Tui reserves review and has increased the initial proven and probable (2P) oil reserves to 50.1 MMbbl from 47 MMbbl. Total field production to June 30, 2008, was predicted to be...

Ekofisk faces major overhaul.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
August 1, 2008... ConocoPhillips Norge is considering further expansion of its production facilities in the Greater Ekofisk Area of the North Sea. The company has invited bids for a two-year program of front-end engineering design. The scope includes new...

Aquaterra Energy has completed a @2 million project to install an extra well slot on the 40 year-old Hewett 48/20A platform in the UK southern Gas Basin.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Aquaterra Energy has completed a @2 million project to install an extra well slot on the 40 year-old Hewett 48/20A platform in the UK southern Gas Basin. The program included structural modifications to the...

Discoveries cannot offset rig shortage.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... BG Group has made its second find as an operator on the Norwegian shelf, discovering gas and oil with a well on the Jordbaer prospect in North Sea license PL 3735, drilled by the semisub Bredford Dolphin. The company also partnered Oilexco in...

Dutch newcomers eye developments.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
August 1, 2008... A series of transactions should boost project activity in the Dutch sector. Canada's Cirrus Energy looks set to acquire Wintershall and Petro-Canada's interests in the K10 Bravo oil field in the K10a license. The field lies beneath the K10-B...

Faroes, Ireland up license stakes.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Faroe Islands Fishery and Natural Resources Ministry has launched the country's third offshore licensing round. Acreage offered lies to the east, south, and southwest of the islands covering an area of just over 38,400 sq km. Bids are due...

New projects may arrest Denmark's decline.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Production of oil from Denmark's North Sea fields dropped 9% last year to 18.1 MMcm, according to the latest review from the Danish Energy Agency. Remaining reserves fell to 214 MMcm, although the country should stay self-sufficient in oil...

Ursa/Princess life extension under way.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Shell is injecting water into the Ursa and Princess reservoirs. This is expected to extend the life of the fields by 10 years, says Shell. The process, known as waterflood, is planned to continue for the next 30 years. Waterflood is a...

Production begins at Neptune.(GULF OF MEXICO)
August 1, 2008... BHP Billiton has first production from the Neptune field in Green Canyon block 613. Drilled by Transocean in 1995, Neptune was the first discovery in the Western Atwater Foldbelt. The Neptune platform, moored in 4,250 ft (1,300 m) of water,...

MMS report identifies subsea processing hazards.(GULF OF MEXICO)
August 1, 2008... With the advent of subsea processing technology in deepwater, a new report by the MMS identifies available technologies and associated potential environmental hazards. The report addresses four types of subsea processing technologies...

Perdido lands in Texas.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Shell-operated Perdido truss spar has arrived in Ingleside, Texas, onboard Dockwise's semisubmersible, Mighty Servant 1. The 20,956-ton (19,011-metric ton) hull, built by Technip in Pori, Finland, was delivered on June 27. Kiewit...

ATP to develop Clipper.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... ATP Oil & Gas Corp. has acquired a 55% working interest in Green Canyon blocks 299 and 300, collectively known as "Clipper," with wells in 3,400 ft (1,036 m) of water. The company plans to complete one existing well, and sidetrack and...

Transocean scores contract record.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Eni has contracted Transocean's Deepwater Pathfinder for five years at $650,000 per day--the highest floater day rate ever. The contract begins in March 2010 following completion of the rig's existing contract commitments. Eni will use the rig...

ESP application first.(SUBSEA SYSTEMS)(electric submersible pump)
August 1, 2008... The first installation and start-up of an electric submersible pump to produce heavy oil has occurred in the Siri field offshore Brazil. Centrilift began the two-year test of the system, which includes a 1,000 hp motor and new pump stage to...

In a BP-sponsored trial, SeeByte set an autonomous underwater vehicle pipeline inspection world record run of 10 km (6.2 mi) along a Talisman oil line in Water Sound, St. Margaret's Hope area, Orkney.(SUBSEA SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: In a BP-sponsored trial, SeeByte set an autonomous underwater vehicle pipeline inspection world record run of 10 km (6.2 mi) along a Talisman oil line in Water Sound, St. Margaret's Hope area, Orkney. The...

TSMarine, Woodside mark intervention firsts.(SUBSEA SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Operating from its Perth facility, TSMarine working for Woodside Energy Ltd. using the well intervention vessel Havila Harmony reports successful deployment, installation, and tests on seven subsea trees plus wireline interventions on all seven...

Ormen Lange, Vega monitoring on order.(SUBSEA SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Bjorge has a letter of intent with FMC Technologies to supply Naxys condition and leak monitoring systems for the new subsea production installation for Ormen Lange and Vega fields. CEO of Bjorge, Stig Feyling, reports that Bjorge...

Dockwise takes delivery of MV Treasure.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After successful completion of the submerging test and sea trials, MV Treasure, the fourth vessel out of a series of six, now joins the Dockwise Transport fleet. The heavy transport vessel is designed to move...

Stena drillship launched.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Stena Drilling Ltd. has named its second drillship the Stena Carton, in ceremonies at Samsung Heavy Industries' shipyard in Geoje, South Korea. Stena Carron is a dual-mast, ultra deepwater, dynamically positioned drillship capable of...

Two contracts secured for Deep Driller 2.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Aban Offshore Ltd. has received letters of intent to deploy the jackup Deep Driller 2 offshore Malaysia for two separate programs. The first, a three-well program with revenue of $17 million, has an estimated duration of 90 days in direct...

Ezra's EOC delivery of FPSO on schedule.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... EOC Ltd. is on schedule to take delivery of its first FPSO. Originally an Aframax tanker before its conversion at Keppel Shipyard, the 140,589 dwt Lewek Arunothai can export 175 MMcf/d (4.96 MMcm/d) of natural gas, ranking it amongst the...

StatoilHydro, Woodside to share rig for GoM exploration.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... StatoilHydro and Woodside Petroleum have agreed to share the newly christened Maersk Developer to drill exploration wells in the Gulf of Mexico from 4Q 2008 through to 2011. The two companies have a three-year, 50/50 agreement to charter...

Transocean leases newbuild drillship for Petrobras.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Transocean Inc. has agreed with Petrobras and Mitsui to acquire a newbuild ultra deepwater drillship under a capital lease contract. Also, Petrobras has signed a 10-year drilling contract for the rig with Transocean. The agreement has an option...

Scorpion orders newbuild deepwater semisubmersible.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Scorpion Offshore Ltd. has contracted Keppel FELS Ltd. to construct a deepwater semisubmersible at Keppel's shipyard in Singapore. Construction is expected to span 42 months with delivery in 4Q 2011 at cost of $700 million, including...

Nigerian Agip contracts Bumi Armada for FPSO.(VESSELS & SURFACE SYSTEMS)
August 1, 2008... Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd. (NAE), a subsidiary of Eni SpA, has awarded Bumi Armada Berhad a five-year, fixed-time FPSO contract, with a five-year extension period. The charter is for the lease and operation of a 1 MMbbl storage capacity...

Multiple application reinjection system.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2008... Shell UK Ltd. has installed the first of three subsea MARS (Multiple Application Reinjection System) interfaces on its Bittern field in the North Sea. The system has been described as a "USB port for wellheads" and is being adopted by Shell as...

Deploying density imaging system.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2008... PathFinder Energy Services iFinder density imaging system, which produces borehole images of bulk density, photoelectric index, and ultrasonic, standoff, has been tested and deployed. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The primary measurement of...

Landmark launches E&P software.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2008... Landmark has launched R5000, a software release including upgrades to more than 70 systems spanning all disciplines within the E&P lifecycle. The launch offers oil and gas operators levels of integration, the ability to customize workflows, and...

Jackup rig kits.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2008... LeTourneau Technologies Offshore Products is responding to high market demand for completed jackup rigs that often require more than a two-year lead time through the development of the rig kit and license packages. This component packaging...

Seismic, electromagnetic combination tested.(GEOSCIENCES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... MultiField Geophysics has completed successful field tests of ocean bottom cable technology that combines seismic with electromaguetic sensors. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The tests, over Peon offshore Norway, involved deploying a series...

WISE JIP under way.(GEOSCIENCES)(Well Integration with Seismic and Electromagnetics)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A three-year joint industry project into "Well Integration with Seismic and Electromagnetics" (WISE) is under way, reports Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping Plc and Rock Solid Images. WISE aims to develop new ways to integrate seismic,...

Ireland seismic work expands.(GEOSCIENCES)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Surveys over licenses 4/05 and 5/05 offshore Ireland at the Old Head of Kinsale and Schull gas fields have begun. The 2D seismic is being done by the Irish Marine Institute using the Celtic Explorer. The IMI is a national agency charged...

Technical developments.(GEOSCIENCES)
August 1, 2008... ION Geophysical Corp. and Fugro Geoteam have combined to roll out three technological advancements from ION's Intelligent Acquisition product line onto Fugro's seismic vessel fleet. Fugro used ION's first DigiSTREAMER solid streamer...

Rig capacity may constrain planned surge in UK E&A wells: well funding another factor as costs rise.(NORTH SEA)
August 1, 2008... Last year, drilling activity on the UK continental shelf reached a high not seen since just prior to the oil price crash in 1998. At present, there are 16 rigs engaged in exploration and appraisal (E&A) activity across the UKCS, the highest...

Investors closing in on heavy oil in UK sector for north: drilling techniques could increase yield from complex fields.(NORTH SEA)
August 1, 2008... Heavy oil suddenly is hot property in the UK North Sea. Interest is keenest in Quadrant 9 blocks in the far north, where a hub could soon emerge serving four long-neglected fields. According to Britain's Department for Business, Enterprise...

Marathon joins ranks of Norwegian production operators.(NORTH SEA)
August 1, 2008... Marathon took its production capability to a new level in June when the Alvheim field came onstream in the Norwegian North Sea. When plateau output is reached towards year-end, Alvheim will be producing close to 120,000 b/d of oil. ...

Subsea compression under review to safeguard Asgard flow assurance.(NORTH SEA)
August 1, 2008... A compressor test program under way in western Norway could lead to application of the world's first subsea compression system. The qualification program, which is being conducted at StatoilHydro's K-lab facility, involves new compressor...

USGS set to upgrade arctic oil, gas reserves.(ARCTIC)
August 1, 2008... Interest in the hydrocarbon potential of the arctic has been high ever since the US Geological Survey (USGS) issued its World Energy Assessment 2000. This suggested that 24% of the world's undiscovered resources, equivalent to 190 Bbbl of oil...

New study assesses E&P options in US outer continental shelf ice-covered waters.(ARCTIC)(Report)
August 1, 2008... In January 2008, IMV Projects Atlantic (IMVPA) completed a study for the US Minerals Management Service (MMS) rifled "Arctic Offshore Technology Assessment of Exploration and Production Option for Cold Regions of the US Outer Continental...

Oooguruk project offshore Alaska: from field development concept to execution.(ARCTIC)
August 1, 2008... The Oooguruk project is in the near-shore of Alaska's Beaufort Sea and consists of a 6-acre gravel drill site approximately 5 mi (8 km) offshore in 4.5 ft (1.4 m) of water. The site is connected to an onshore facility by a towline system...

ONS 2008: energy for one world.(ONS PREVIEW)
August 1, 2008... Global insights about innovations in the offshore energy business will be presented at ONS 2008, Aug. 26-29, in Stavanger, Norway. Held every two years and taking place for the 18th time, this leading European meeting offers high-level...

EAGE touches range of technologies.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
August 1, 2008... The European Association of Geoseientists and Engineers (EAGE) held its annual convention and exhibition recently in Rome and Offshore was there. The following are excerpts from several of the presentations and papers given at the meeting. ...

Depth imaging beneath a seismic obscured area.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
August 1, 2008... To image beneath a seismic obscured area (SOA) on the Eldfisk field, ConocoPhillips and partners applied depth imaging using OBC data with converted waves. The challenge came from overburden effects mostly in the Miocene. Laterally...

Seismic has little effect on fish, says DNV study: some restrictions set to avoid scare during spawn.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
August 1, 2008... Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has prepared a report that concludes seismic activities on the Norwegian continental shelf have little effect on fish. Several Norwegian fishery and oil organizations asked DNV to compile a report based on more than 20...

2008 MWD/LWD services directory.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... New hardware and new technology continue to improve the global measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools. Technology providers describe their new entries below. APS Technology APS Technology provides...

2008 MWD/LWD services directory.(Part 1)(Directory)(Table)
August 1, 2008... 2008 MWD/LWD Services Director Service line(s) Tool OD, in. Length, ft Directional APS Technology (Rental Division) Paul Seeton--15415 International Plaza Drive, Suite #150, Houston, TX 77032, (281)...

2008 MWD/LWD services directory.(Part 2)(Directory)(Table)
August 1, 2008... Service line(s) Downlink mud Downlink e-line Directional APS Technology (Rental Division) Paul Seeton--15415 International Plaza Drive, Suite #150, Houston, TX 77032, (281) 847-3700, pseaton@aps-tech.com ...

Hurricane preparedness: the latest guidelines, lessons learned.(FIELD DEVELOPMENT)
August 1, 2008... A number of API's recommended practices are being revised based on what was learned in the 2004.2005 hurricane seasons as well as recent design and operational experience. An article, "Response to hurricanes--significant, diverse, widespread,"...

Depressurization, injection measures could sustain Troll beyond 2030.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... In June, StatoilHydro filed a new plan for development and operation (PDO) of the giant Troll field in the Norwegian North Sea. The NOK 10-billion ($2-billion) scheme has the twin aims of increasing oil recovery and maintaining gas production....

Ambitious independent seeking growth via the drillbit.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Det norske oljeselskap, the product of last year's merger between Pertra and DNO's Norwegian assets, now has 45 licenses, a busy drilling schedule, and the rig capacity to drill a large number of operated wells. It is the second largest...

DP offloading vessel ready for sea trials.(NORWAY)(HiLoad DP)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Construction of Remora's HiLoad DP mobile offshore loading unit is nearing completion at the Aibel yard in Haugesund, western Norway. Remora expects to take delivery of the unit shortly, followed by a series of sea trials in readiness for a...

JIP seeking improved health checks for remote pipelines.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Monitoring the condition of pipelines is increasingly important for oil companies and regulatory authorities. As oil and gas production pushes into deeper water and more remote and environmentally sensitive areas, the need to ensure pipeline...

Sensors monitor subsea component performance, pipeline deviations.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Bjorge's Naxys technology for subsea leak detection and condition monitoring is finding acceptance in the Norwegian sector. Development of this technology started around 10 years ago, according to managing director, Cato Bjelland. Naxys is...

OBC acquisition technique tests in deepwater off Angola.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Seabed Geophysical is conducting a large 3D, 4C seismic data acquisition survey for Total in Angola, using its Cable-less SEismic (CASE) ocean-bottom technology. The $25-million assignment in waters up to 1,300 m (4,265 ft) deep should showcase...

Merged instrumentation group expands deepwater, arctic R&D.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Last year's merger of Roxar and CorrOcean created a new organization with a large and broad instrumentation portfolio. The products and services are targeted particularly at production optimization, from the reservoir, through the well and...

Murmansk fabrication yard strengthens position for Shtokman bids.(NORWAY)
August 1, 2008... Reinertsen's offshore division in Trondheim, on Norway's midwestern coast, has capitalized on growing offshore activity in the Norwegian Sea over the last 15-20 years. It has built a strong track record in the design and manufacture of topside...

Bennex.(Norwegian company profiles)
August 1, 2008... Bennex supplies special components, systems, and services to the international subsea sector and general ocean research activities. Its services include provision of control and distribution systems, seismic systems, and aquaculture camera...

Frank Mohn Flatoy.(Norwegian company profiles)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Frank Mohn Flatoy is the oil and gas division of the Frank Mohn Group. The company's submerged diesel hydraulic firewater concept is a containerized solution which has been in operation for decades. Other products are the electric SE Pump for...

IOS Offshore.(Norwegian company profiles)
August 1, 2008... IOS Offshore is a distributor of mooting equipment and related services to the offshore oil and gas industry. In partnership with leading manufacturers within this sector, the company provides rental or sale solutions adapted to individual...

Karmsund Maritime Offshore Supply.(Norwegian company profiles)
August 1, 2008... Karmsund Maritime Offshore Supply is the inventor of the KaMOS gasket for leakage tests of flanged connections. These are used by BP, Shell UK, and ConocoPhillips in North Sea platforms to shorten shutdown times for repairs. Other users are...

Master Marine.(Norwegian company profiles)
August 1, 2008... Master Marine is an offshore service company specializing in transport and offshore installation of heavy structures for the oil and gas industry. The company has secured two new jackup construction vessels from Labroy Offshore, with options...

Remora.(Norwegian company profiles)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Remora's first oil loading vessel, the HiLoad DR will be ready for operation this summer. The HiLoad technology features a "suction cup"-based attachment system which uses hydrostatic water pressure to attach itself to any vessel. The main...

Sevan Marine.(Norwegian company profiles)
August 1, 2008... Sevan Marine builds, owns, and operates floating units for offshore applications. It has developed a cylinder-shaped platform suitable for all offshore environments. It is at present contracted for two applications: floating production and...

VingCard Marine.(Norwegian company profiles)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... VingCard Marine provides safety and security solutions for access control and evacuation management. The company, a leading supplier for cruise ships and passenger ferries, also has developed solutions for the offshore sector. Its services...

IRO on growth path as offshore horizons expand.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... Membership of IRO, the association of Dutch suppliers to the oil and gas industry, now exceeds 340 companies, with 26 applicants joining over the past 12 months. More importantly, major players such as Heerema and Dockwise, Dutch utility...

Compact drillship design brings benefits in stability, deck space, power performance.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... Offshore design and construction companies IHC Merwede and Huisman have expanded their cooperation in pipelay solutions--the latest products being Subsea 7's Seven Oceans and Seven Seas--towards new generation drilling vessels. The design...

Bluestream expands North Sea DSV fleet.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... Diving/subsea services group Bluestream is set to unveil its second diving support vessel. The newly built Toisa Paladin recently arrived in Amsterdam following sailaway from the Kleven shipyard in Norway. Once in port, final preparations...

Vessel designer SOS expanding horizons under Ulstein.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... Norway's Ulstein Group has acquired a majority interest in offshore vessel designer Sea of Solutions (SOS). The Vlaardingen-based company has been re-named Ulstein Sea of Solutions, but its main focus will remain on drillships and heavy...

Fiber rope proves durability in deepwater deployment tests.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... High performance polyethylene fiber from DSM Dyneema could ease the strains on deep-sea equipment installations. Rope samples from Dyneema fiber have performed strongly in various subsea structure deployment studies. TMT Technologies in...

Digitized platform overview ensures compliance with North Sea legislation.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... Dutch North Sea operators are struggling to manage paperwork at reasonable cost. Under Dutch mining laws they must maintain "as-built" drawings of their platforms, including all structural or equipment changes. Some of the older...

Converted transport vessels can accommodate rigs, FPSO modules.(NETHERLANDS)
August 1, 2008... In June, the Fairstar Fjord completed its first offshore assignment as a converted, self-propelled heavy transport vessel. The job involved transferring the icebreaker Ice Maiden from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to the A&P Tyne yard in northeast...