Offshore articles from June 2007

Offshore archives from June 2007

Active rig fleet, May 2007.(GLOBAL DATA)
June 1, 2007... Active rig fleet, May 2007 Floaters Jackups US GoM 39 (0) 86 (-1) Mex GoM 4 (-1) 31 (0) North Sea 40 (0) 35 (0) East Atlantic 4 (+1) 0 (0) L. America ...

GoM drilling permits issued.(GLOBAL DATA)
June 1, 2007... GoM drilling permits issued Oct. 50 Nov. 53 Dec. 66 Jan. 53 Feb. 68 Mar. 64 Apr. 61 Source: US Minerals Management Service Note: Table made from bar graph.

Gulf of Mexico day rates.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)
June 1, 2007... Gulf of Mexico day rates Month/Year Minimum Average Maximum Drillship May 2006 $182,000 $233,650 $289,900 June 2006 $182,000 $234,139 $289,900 July 2006 $182,000 ...

This month, Infield Systems looks at the trend of West African Subsea Wells coming onstream over a 10-year period (2001 to 2011).(GLOBAL DATA)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... This month, Infield Systems looks at the trend of West African Subsea Wells coming onstream over a 10-year period (2001 to 2011). Unsurprisingly, Angola dominates the early picture with 74% of subsea wells onstream in 2001. This was due to the...

Colombia is putting 13 blocks up for bid this year in areas ranging from the transition zone to deepwater.(Americas)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Colombia is putting 13 blocks up for bid this year in areas ranging from the transition zone to deepwater. The blocks, located in the Uraba, Sinu, and Guajira basins, average 290,000 hectares (716,603 acres) in size. Data packages were...

Petrobras has found gas with well 6-ESS-168 in the Espirito Santo basin.(Americas)
June 1, 2007... Petrobras has found gas with well 6-ESS-168 in the Espirito Santo basin. Drilling was ongoing as of mid-May, but the well had reached sandstone reservoirs at that time at a depth of 3,378 m (11,083 ft), encountering a 130-m (426.5-ft) gas...

Other interesting news from Petrobras is its recent reaffirmation of a partnership being forged with Venezuelan national oil company.(Americas)
June 1, 2007... Other interesting news from Petrobras is its recent reaffirmation of a partnership being forged with Venezuelan national oil company Petr61eos de Venezuela. According to Petrobras, there is no threat that the negotiations kicked off nearly...

PetroChina Co. Ltd. hit oil in mid-May in the shallow-water Jidong Nanpu field in Bohai Bay.(Asia-Pacific)
June 1, 2007... PetroChina Co. Ltd. hit oil in mid-May in the shallow-water Jidong Nanpu field in Bohai Bay. The field holds an estimated at 1,020 million metric tons of oil. The field has four oil-bearing geological structures, PetroChina says,...

PT Pertamina plans to invest $1 billion to increase Indonesia's oil production by 53% (70,640 b/d) and gas output by 70% (792 MMcf/d) by the end of 2009.(Asia-Pacific)
June 1, 2007... PT Pertamina plans to invest $1 billion to increase Indonesia's oil production by 53% (70,640 b/d) and gas output by 70% (792 MMcf/d) by the end of 2009. The investment is to go toward developing 170 existing wells, drilling new prospects, and...

In early 2Q, Total made two oil discoveries in the northern area of the Moho-Bilondo permit.(Africa)
June 1, 2007... In early 2Q, Total made two oil discoveries in the northern area of the Moho-Bilondo permit, 80 km (50 mi) offshore Republic of the Congo in 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of water. The Moho Nord Marine-1 discovery well was drilled to a TD of 2,645 m...

A few weeks after the Total discovery, Sonangol and BP Exploration (Angola) Ltd. found oil with the ultra deepwater Miranda discovery in block 31 offshore Angola.(Africa)
June 1, 2007... A few weeks after the Total discovery, Sonangol and BP Exploration (Angola) Ltd. found oil with the ultra deepwater Miranda discovery in block 31 offshore Angola. Miranda is the 13th discovery BP has drilled in block 31. The well is 11 km (6.8...

Afren Plc. and partner Amni International Petroleum Development Co. received approval for the Okoro Setu field development plan from the Nigerian government.(Africa)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Afren Plc. and partner Amni International Petroleum Development Co. received approval for the Okoro Setu field development plan from the Nigerian government in early April. The approved plan includes development drilling of up to six...

PA Resources has begun regular production from the platform.(Mediterranean)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... PA Resources has begun regular production from the platform on the Didon field offshore Tunisia. The company has finalized the tests of the platform and production has reached approximately 20,000 b/d oil. A temporary tanker anchored...

ONGC Videsh Ltd. and partner IPR Red Sea Inc.(Middle East)
June 1, 2007... ONGC Videsh Ltd. and partner IPR Red Sea Inc. discovered a new oilfield with well North Ramadan-1A in the North Ramadan concession in the Gulf of Suez offshore Egypt. The North Ramadan concession is 290 sq km (112 sq mi) in size. The...

Investments are changing hands in the Gulf of Suez.(Middle East)
June 1, 2007... Investments are changing hands in the Gulf of Suez. Dana Petroleum Plc. subsidiary Dana Petroleum (E&P) Ltd. has signed an agreement with Devon Energy Corp. to acquire Devon's entire upstream petroleum business interests in Egypt. Devon's...

Petroceltic International Plc. subsidiary Petroceltic Elsa Srl. has been awarded seven new permit applications in the Central Adriatic offshore.(Europe)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Petroceltic International Plc. subsidiary Petroceltic Elsa Srl. has been awarded seven new permit applications in the Central Adriatic offshore. The company will operate the seven exclusive exploration permits with 100% working interest. The...

Turkmenistan has reportedly invited Chevron Corp. to participate in exploring and developing the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea.(Central Europe/Caspian)
June 1, 2007... Turkmenistan has reportedly invited Chevron Corp. to participate in exploring and developing the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan lacks the necessary technology to develop the offshore fields and is interested in developing a...

Poland, Denmark plot gas link.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
June 1, 2007... Poland and Denmark have agreed to implement the Baltic Pipe project, connecting the two countries with a proposed Scandinavian gas grid. The main parties involved are Polish Oil and Gas Co (PGNiG) and Energinet.dk, both in charge of their...

UK may extend frontier licensing.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Britain's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering opening new areas west of Scotland to exploration and production. It is conducting a strategic environmental assessment for this region (SEA 7), which would extend from the Mull of...

Talisman taps into Tweedsmuir.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Talisman Energy UK)(Scottish and Southern Energy PLC)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Production has started at Tweedsmuir, one of the UK's larger-scale new subsea projects. The field was discovered in 1983, but lay fallow until new operator Talisman Energy resumed appraisal drilling in 2002. A year later, the company also...

Statfjord gas link in place.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
June 1, 2007... Saipem's laybarge Castoro Sei has completed the new Tampen Link pipeline taking gas from the Statfjord field to the UK North Sea. The 23-km (14.3-mi), 32-in. (81-cm) line ties into the Flags trunkline system that extends from Shells' Brent...

Dominion sells assets to Eni for $4.76 billion.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Dominion Exploration and Production)(Eni Petroleum Co. Inc. )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Dominion Exploration & Production Inc. has agreed to sell its offshore operations to Eni Petroleum Co. Inc. for $4.76 billion. The sale of the offshore E&P assets to Eni is expected to close by early July, subject to customary closing...

Active hurricane season predicted.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season (official start was June 1) is predicted to be much more active than the average season according to a forecast by Colorado State University (CSU). US landfall probabilities are higher than the averages as...

Newfield exchanging assets for rig time.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... Bill Schneider, vice president international, Newfield Exploration, says the company's critical strategy in today's environment is exchanging assets for rig time. "We don't have enough acreage in deepwater to secure a rig for a long-term...

Shelf discoveries.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Medco Energi Internasional)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... MedcoEnergi US Llc. (MEUS) has drilled two shallow-water gas discoveries. The first discovery, well No. 1 in Brazos block 437, encountered 17 m (55 ft) of net gas pay from multiple zones, according to the company. The well is in federal waters...

Superior Energy Services Marine Division's M/V Dixie Endeavor is one of two 250-class liftboats working in the Gulf of Mexico.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... Superior Energy Services Marine Division's M/V Dixie Endeavor is one of two 250-class liftboats working in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel is pictured completing a topside hookup in 126 ft (38 m) of water in the South Padre Island area. ...

The MMS will enforce the following recommendations for drilling during the 2007 hurricane season.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... The MMS will enforce the following recommendations for drilling during the 2007 hurricane season: Recommended Practice 95J, Gulf of Mexico Jackup Operations for Hurricane Season--Interim Recommendations, First Edition (API RP 95J), effective...

Deepwater growth continues.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... The MMS has released its latest deepwater report, which contains research on industry activity, supporting continued growth in deepwater. "There's solid evidence in both leasing and exploration activities to confirm the oil and gas...

Proposed final five-year OCS leasing program.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... The MMS has proposed a final five-year (2007 to 2012) plan for oil and gas leasing on the OCS. The plan has been filed with the president and Congress, and is eligible for approval after 60 days. The program proposes 21 lease sales in eight...

Allocation amounts for Gulf Coast assistance program released.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Coastal Impact Assistance Program)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The MMS has announced Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CLAP) allocation amounts available to eligible states for 2007 and 2008. The eligible OCS producing states include Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The CIAP...

MinDOC3 construction under way.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Durward International)(TexBASS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Construction is under way on the hull and topsides of MinDOC3, slated for the ATP-operated Mirage field in Mississippi Canyon blocks 941/942 and Atwater Valley block 63. Gulf Marine Fabricators is building the hull. The MinDOC3 design...

Shell E&P contracts Yokogawa as sole-source provider.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... Shell E&P has contracted Yokogawa Corp. of America as the sole-source provider of monitoring and control systems for five years in the Gulf of Mexico. Yokogawa will deliver systems to enhance all of Shell's platforms and rigs in the GoM,...

Fjord used to "store" subsea template.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In a novel approach, subsea templates destined for Statoil's Tyrihans project are being stored temporarily on the bed of the Asen Fjord in Norway. The crane vessel Uglen shuttled the templates from the port of Trondheim to the fjord and lowered...

Subsea fiber-optic sensor development planned.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2007... An agreement to develop a subsea fiber-optic sensor deployment method is in place between SensorTran and Ocean Design Inc. They will work to install optical sensing fiber through a variety of subsea connectors for the first time. In particular,...

UK continental shelf R&D hot spot.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)(research and development )(Survey)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Some 57% of multinational oil and gas companies conduct research and development activities on the UK continental shelf, according to the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce in a study sponsored by Deloitte. The survey investigated...

Peregrino field pipelines contracted.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2007... Partners Hydro and Anadarko have awarded an EPIC contract to Subsea 7 for pipelines on the Peregrino field offshore Brazil, subject to approval by local authorities. The pipeline will be manufactured in Broil for installation in 4Q 2009....

Lithium-ion batteries power FMC subsea controls.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
June 1, 2007... FMC Technologies and Saft are working to demonstrate the advantages of using rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries to power electrically operated subsea control valves. The first prototype, with six Li-ion battery modules, is in Statoil's...

Aker Yards has busy 1Q.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Aker Oilfield Services)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... In late 1Q, Aker Yards contracted with Aker Oilfield Services to build four large well intervention/construction vessels. The contract also contains an option for another two vessels. The vessels are of the Aker OSCV 06 WI design type...

ASL adds to its order book.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(ASL Marine Holdings Ltd.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Singapore-based ASL Marine Holdings Ltd. has won $108 million worth of contracts to build six offshore support service boats and a heavy lift pipelay vessel. ASL says the six support vessels are for repeat customers in Europe, while the...

SembCorp gets jackup order.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
June 1, 2007... In March, Norway's Awilco Offshore ASA exercised an option with SembCorp Marine's PPL yard in Singapore to build a $149-million Baker Marine Pacific Class jackup. The new rig, WilConfidence, will have 114 m (375 ft) working depth capability and...

Craig group launches PSV.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(platform supply vessel)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Craig Group's North Star Shipping division launched its biggest platform supply vessel (PSV) to date in April. Spain's Astillerios Balenciaga SA built the Grampian Talisman PSV, which was designed by IMT. The vessel measures 78.2 m...

DPS wins generic FPSO process module bid.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
June 1, 2007... Nortechs FPSO Pte. Ltd. has awarded process system integrator DPS (Bristol) Ltd. a contract to design and supply the process module for the East Fortune generic FPSO. Nortechs plans to build three FPSOs that will be ready for production...

Keppel FELS delivers rigs, takes orders for Ensco.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
June 1, 2007... In late 1Q, Keppel FELS Ltd. delivered the Ensco 108, its ninth jackup rig for Ensco International Inc. Delivery was made on schedule, within bud get, and with zero lost time incidents, Keppel says. The Ensco 108 was built to Keppel's...

Norway's Prosafe Production Pte. Ltd. is working on three FPSO projects.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
June 1, 2007... Norway's Prosafe Production Pte. Ltd. is working on three FPSO projects. In the first two months of 2007, the company christened two FPSOs, which will be converted at Singapore's Keppel Shipyard starting in July of this year. One of the...

MMHE holds naming ceremony for Kikeh FPSO.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering)(Floating Production, Storage and Offloading )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering (MMHE) Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of MISC Bhd., completed construction of its first deepwater FPSO at its yard in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia, in 1Q 2007. Converted from a very large crude cartier, the...

Edison Chouest expands fleet.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
June 1, 2007... Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) plans to build several new AHTSs and more than a dozen 85-m (280-ft) PSVs at its affiliated shipyards in the US. The vessels are scheduled to join the ECO domestic fleet within the next three years. The new...

New JV for UAE.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(joint venture)(United Arab Emirates )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... KS Energy Services Ltd. is leading a new joint venture in the United Arab Emirates to build a $148-million Friede & Goldman Super M2 design jackup rig. KS Energy is taking a 50% majority stake in the new partnership. Saudi private equity...

Sakhalin Island ERD well breaks record.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... Exxon Mobil Corp. subsidiary Exxon Neftegas Ltd. applied Baker Hughes Inteq's AutoTrak rotary steerable system to achieve a record extended reach drilling (ERD) well on the Sakhalin-1 project. ExxonMobil reported that the Z-11 well was the...

Aluminum pneumatic actuators.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... Apollo Valve distributors has developed a new pneumatic actuator with an extruded aluminum body and a twin rack-and-pinion design that the company says delivers constant torque output over >500,000 cycles. The actuators are matched to the...

Baker Hughes, JLC Technologies sign agreement.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... Baker Hughes Drilling Fluids has signed a license agreement with JLC Technologies, LLC. of Tyler, Texas, concerning technology for produced water management and other fluid treatment applications for the oil and gas industry worldwide. ...

Aluminum could extend drilling reach.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Aquatic Co.)(Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Works)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... A Russian consortium wants to promote lightweight aluminum drill pipes to facilitate extended reach drilling in remote regions. Moscow-based Aquatic Co. and the Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Works have supplied aluminum drilling risers for...

Hydro secures directional drilling services.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... In early May, Hydro issued framework agreements to three companies for advanced well steering services and equipment. The contracts, with a total value of around $116.45 million, relate mainly to the Brage, Grane, Oseberg, and Troll field...

Subsurface control valve aids abandonment.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... Halliburton's subsurface control valve III (SSC III) allows up to a million pounds of drill string to hang off it in order to secure the rig and evacuate personnel when the threat of a hurricane arises, the company says. The subsurface...

Aeromagnetic survey begins in Mekong Delta.(GEOSCIENCES)
June 1, 2007... TGS-Nopec Geophysical Co. ASA has begun acquiring 46,000 sq km (17,761 sq mi) of non-exclusive aeromagnetic survey data in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. A second exploration phase is scheduled to include aerogravity data. "The Mekong Delta has...

Wavefield adds to North Sea backlog.(GEOSCIENCES)(Wavefield Inseis)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Wavefield Inseis has added $45 million in 2007 North Sea work to its schedule. The contracts involve the 3D Geowave Master, 2D Malene Ostervold, and 3D Akademic Nemchinov and include 3D and 2D projects in the UK and Norwegian sectors from May...

Record seafloor core recovered.(GEOSCIENCES)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has spent $5 million in engineering, ship modification, and equipment construction to enable it to collect record-length seabed cores. The resulting system is expected to extract 45-m (150-ft) long...

I/O, RXT extend agreement.(GEOSCIENCES)(Input/Output Inc.)(Reservoir Exploration Technology ASA)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Reservoir Exploration Technology ASA and Input/Output Inc. have extended RXT's exclusive right to purchase I/O's VectorSeis Ocean ocean bottom cable seismic system. The agreement runs through 2011. RXT is committed to purchasing $160...

The Gulf of Mexico shelf: still a cash flow machine: majors out, independents in.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Cover story)
June 1, 2007... Production continues to decline on the Gulf of Mexico shelf, but the cash keeps on flowing. Some refer to it as easy money, quick cash, money in your pocket. Shelf operators call it "cash flow." The GoM shelf is well known as a region...

Responses to hurricanes significant, diverse, widespread: vulnerabilities, disruptions underscore need for changes.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... The effects of hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita on the oil and natural gas industry were significant, diverse, and widespread. These hurricanes produced metocean conditions that exceeded design criteria at many locations, leading to...

Somber outlook at Pemex: increased spending unlikely to arrest production decline.(GULF OF MEXICO)
June 1, 2007... Declining output from the supergiant Cantarell oil field in Campeche Bay is pulling down Mexico's crude oil production and oil exports, causing deteriorating results overall at national oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). ...

Trinidad remains critical to US energy supply.(SPECIAL REPORT)
June 1, 2007... With the discovery and development of its prolific gas reserves, Trinidad and Tobago has grown into a significant player in the international hydrocarbons arena. This is particularly the case in terms of LNG exports to the US. Proximity to an...

Internal plastic-coated tubing on Coulomb yields 15% increase in daily production.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
June 1, 2007... Shell has applied internal plastic coating to the bore of the production tubing for the Coulomb well, providing a more uniform surface thereby lowering the frictional pressure drop in the tubing and contributing to higher production rates from...

Stimulation vessel market demands upgrades, modifications.(PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... Since last year, there has been a major shift in the stimulation vessel market. All of the companies that own vessels have aging fleets that need replacing, and new markets demand different capabilities that place newbuilds/modifications high...

2007 World survey of stimulation vessels: worldwide offshore marine vessels capable of self-propulsion.(PRODUCTION)(Survey)
June 1, 2007... 2007 World survey of stimulation vessels Region of operation Gulf of North West Photo # Mexico Sea Africa ...

Mobile stimulation pumping system opens remote areas.(PRODUCTION)
June 1, 2007... A new modular, mobile stimulation pumping system provides the capabilities of a traditional, dedicated frac pumping vessel on skid units and can be shipped and reconstructed on a platform supply vessel (PSV), barge, or offshore rig. The...

HIPPS protects subsea production in HP/HT conditions.(SUBSEA)
June 1, 2007... The subsea production system for the high pressure/high temperature (HP/ HT) Kristin field was developed to accommodate its shut-in wellhead pressure of 740 bar (74 MPa) and flowing temperature of 157[degrees] C (315[degrees] F). This required...

Subsea compression: a future option for efficient oil and gas field developments: pilot test proposed to qualify system for Ormen Lange.(SUBSEA)
June 1, 2007... The main Ormen Lange gas field reservoir drive is pressure depletion. Estimated recoverable reserves are based on the future compression facilities for pressure boosting upstream from the onshore plant as reservoir pressure declines. The...

Hurricane lessons bring new rules, floating system designs: change, innovation create hybrid offshore structures.(CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION)
June 1, 2007... Offshore development designs and design criteria are moving targets marked by regular innovation and change. Innovation can take the shape of a vessel design, and change can result from weather extremes. Both of these are at play in...

Bourbon expands global fleet in bid to dominate support vessel sector.(CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION)(Bourbon Offshore)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... High day rates in the North Sea and contract renewals off West Africa helped Bourbon Offshore turn in a strong performance last year, with revenues up 36% to over 376 million [euro] ($507 million). In 2006, the rapidly expanding support...

Shell steers virtual sources for salt, subsalt imaging: new application can reduce drilling risk, improve well targeting.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
June 1, 2007... Using walk-away or 3D vertical seismic profile (VSP) data to create virtual sources (VS) in salt is a new, useful tool for imaging and assessing drilling hazards in salt and immediately below the base of salt. The new virtual source...

Energy Cranes launches innovative rapid-erecting offshore rental crane.(Cranes, Hoists, and Winches)
June 1, 2007... Energy Cranes Llc's manufacturing division in Houston recently delivered the first of a new generation of purpose-designed ECR 1200-R fast-erecting offshore cranes to its rental division located at Abbeville, Louisiana. The move represents a...

Fiber rope logs excellent record in ultra-deepwater lifting operations: handling system size, weight reduced.(Cranes, Hoists, and Winches)
June 1, 2007... Traditionally, steel wire rope has been used as lift line in offshore lifting operations. But wire rope lifting lines have limitations, particularly in deepwater, due primarily to their weight. Use of lighter, high-strength synthetic fiber...

Wichita Clutch puts the brakes on drilling downtime.(Cranes, Hoists, and Winches)
June 1, 2007... Providing high-tension control on winches can be both costly and time consuming. While conventional brake equipment has application limitations, Wichita Clutch, the heavy duty clutch and brake division of Altra Industrial Motion, has introduced...

New all-electric crane designed for floating rigs in harsh environments: tests under way in Norway.(Cranes, Hoists, and Winches)(Company overview)
June 1, 2007... National Oilwell Varco (NOV) is developing the company's latest all-electric king post cranes with AC variable-frequency drive. The cranes currently are in final assembly and testing in Molde, Norway. Recognized around the world as a...

Fourteen companies win technology kudos at OTC.(offshore technology conference)
June 1, 2007... For the fourth year running, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has recognized individual companies for their innovative technologies with the Spotlight on New Technology award. The 14 winners were honored at the Spotlight on New...

New tools and technology for the offshore industry: new remote monitoring tool commissioned for integrity management.(EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING)
June 1, 2007... With the threat of an active hurricane season and the anniversaries of hurricanes Katrina and Rita approaching, offshore operators and owners have a new tool available to help protect, monitor, and restore equipment damaged by violent storms....

Fugro GEOS meets Thunder Horse challenge.(EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Fugro GEOS Inc. has been contracted to provide real-time, full water column current measurements for BP's Gulf of Mexico Thunder Horse production, drilling, and quarters (PDQ) semisubmersible. The PDQ semi is the largest production drilling...

Industry Technology Facilitator.(People)
June 1, 2007... David Liddle is the new production and facilities technology manager for Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF). He was formerly chairman of the Aberdeen branch of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT).

Deepwater Specialists Inc.(People)
June 1, 2007... Deepwater Specialists Inc. (DSI), part of the Wood Group, has promoted Trey Lambert to executive VR Lambert's new responsibilities include overall business development and overseeing operations. Lambert has been with DSI for over five years,...

Superior Offshore International.(People)(appointment of Tony Rother )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Superior Offshore International has appointed Tony Rother as Quality Assurance/ Quality Control, general manager. Rother's responsibilities include developing and defining standards and procedures for all of Superior Offshore International's...

ABS.(People)(American Bureau of Shipping)(appointment of Stephen Auger )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Classification society ABS has named Taiwan country manager Stephen Auger as regional VR Middle East and transferred him to the society's regional administrative headquarters in Doha, Qatar, replacing ABS veteran Roger Shimmin who will be...

RBG Ltd.(People)(appointment of Ed Stainke )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... RBG Ltd. has named Ed Stainke as business unit manager of its fabrication facility in Invergordon, Ross-shire. Stainke is responsible for managing all aspects of business operations in Invergordon. Stainke has over 30 years' experience in the...

Hafslund ASA.(People)(appointments)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Hafslund ASA has appointed Gunnar Gjortz group senior VR, treasury. Gjortz previously was CFO of Lovenskiold Vaekero AS. He is a board member of the listed Itera Consulting Group ASA and Heidenreich Holding AS. Gjortz received his BA from the...

Grenland Group.(People)(appointment of Live Haukvik Aker)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Grenland Group has appointed Live Haukvik Aker as CFO. Aker will succeed Magnar Brekka, who will be executive VP for the company's fabrication division. Aker joins Grenland Group from her position as CFO of Tandberg Data. Aker holds a master's...