Offshore articles from November 2006

Offshore archives from November 2006

What's new offshore Africa?(COMMENT)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... This month's special report looks at activity offshore West Africa--it's huge potential, rapid development, and evolving changes. As Jeremy Beckman, Editor, Europe, points out, Nigeria needs widespread oilfield investment to reach its...

Petrobras' plans for the GoM.(COMMENT)(Petrobras America Inc., Gulf of Mexico)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... In September, Petrobras indicated that it was investing $12.1 billion in the US during the period 2007-2011 in "consolidating its position as one of the leading players in the ultra deepwaters of the Gulf of Mexico, benefiting from its...

Plan now to attend DOT.(COMMENT)
November 1, 2006... The 18th Annual Deep Offshore Technology International Conference & Exhibition offers a line-up of innovative technology solutions and lessons learned to promote exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in deep and ultra...

All electric subsea tree.(COMMENT)(Total E&P)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The production scheme chosen by Total E&P Nederland BV and its partners to develop the K5F North Sea gas field consists of two subsea production installations. What's different about them is that the installations will feature all-electric...

Active rig fleet, October 2006.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Active rig fleet, October 2006 Floaters Jackups US GoM 38 (0) 98 (-1) Mex GoM 6 (0) 30 (+1) North Sea 41 (-1) 32 (-1) East Atlantic 3 (0) 2 (0) L....

GoM drilling permits issued.(GLOBAL DATA)
November 1, 2006... GoM drilling permits issued Mar. 71 Apr. 62 May 63 June 83 July 67 Aug. 68 Sept. 55 Source: US Minerals Management Service Note: Table made from bar graph.

Gulf of Mexico day rates.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)
November 1, 2006... Gulf of Mexico day rates Month/Year Minimum Average Maximum Drillship Oct 2005 $165,000 $209,680 $289,900 Nov 2005 $165,000 $211,321 $289,900 Dec 2005 $182,000 ...

Deep, ultra deepwater capex spending predicted.(GLOBAL DATA)
November 1, 2006... This month infield Systems Ltd. looks at deep (500-1,499 msw) and ultra deepwater ([greater than or equal to] 1,500 msw) development drilling activities and production technologies. The production technologies covered include platforms, subsea...

North America.(GLOBAL E&P)(oil well drilling started by Petsec Energy Ltd.)(petroleum exploration by Mariner Energy Inc.)(oil well drilling by Shell Canada Ltd.'s)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Gulf of Mexico. The first in a two-to-three well drilling program on Mobile Bay leases 950, 951, and 873 has been started by Petsec Energy Ltd. The Mobile Bay 951 #1 is in 20 m of water about 160 km east of New Orleans and has a proposed TD of...

Africa.(GLOBAL E&P)
November 1, 2006... Angola. The Girassol FPSO is scheduled to receive four processing modules built by Eiffel in southern France under contract to Ponticelli for Total. Heerema has the contract to transport and to lift the modules onto the FPSO. Congo. Congo...

Asia-Pacific.(GLOBAL E&P)(briefs)
November 1, 2006... Malaysia. Petrofac Malaysia has begun production from the Cendor field in block PM304 offshore Malaysia. In a first for the area, Petrofac is using the first mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) in Malaysian waters connected to a spread...

Caspian Sea.(GLOBAL E&P)(North Caspian petroleum project)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Initial development of Kashagan field and other Kazakh sector Caspian Sea projects will cost about $15 billion, according to Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni. Agip KCO was established to develop the North Caspian project following the signing of a 40-year...

North Sea.(Endeavour International Corp., Apache Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Endeavour International Corp. has agreed in principle with Apache Corp. to participate in two North Sea exploratory wells to be drilled by Apache in 4Q06. The farm-in would call for Endeavour to provide Apache the second slot of its two-well...

Langeled makes UK connection.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Langeled, the new world's longest subsea pipeline, began shipping first supplies of Norwegian gas to the UK mainland last month. The southern section of the 1,166-km line connects the system's intersection point--Statoil's Sleipner complex in...

Basalt well stops short.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Statoil ASA)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Statoil has called a halt to its latest exploration effort offshore the Faroe Islands. Well 6104/21-1 was plugged and abandoned 200 m short of the targeted subsurface depth of 4,400 m, due to technical difficulties. The well, drilled by the...

NW Hutton on the way out.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(North West Hutton)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... BP aims to start dismantling its redundant North West Hutton platform some time in 2008. Heerema was appointed main contractor for removal of the 20,000-ton topside and 17,500-ton jacket, together constituting one of the most complex...

Record response to Norway round.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
November 1, 2006... Norway's latest Awards in Predefined Areas licensing round drew applications from 43 oil companies, almost 50% up on last year's tally. When nominations closed at the end of September, the total solicited acreage was 61,452 sq km, making this...

Galley diverted to Tartan.(Talisman Energy Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Talisman Energy has confirmed it will redevelop Galley in UK block 15/23a, switching its production to the nearby Tartan platform via newly installed subsea facilities. Both fields were originally developed by Texaco, in Galley's case using the...

Spotlight on Lower Tertiary play.(GULF OF MEXICO)(oil fields exploration)
November 1, 2006... The Lower Tertiary region in the Gulf of Mexico may hold the largest discovery in North America since Arco (now BP) hit pay on the 9.6-Bbbl Prudhoe Bay oil field on Alaska's North Slope in 1968. This trend in the GoM, which stretches from...

Shenzi pipeline.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... The Shenzi oil export pipeline will originate at the BHP Billiton-operated Shenzi field in Green Canyon block 653 in 4,300 ft of water, approximately 120 mi off the coast of Louisiana. The 83-mi, 20-in. diameter pipeline will have the capacity...

Atlantia Offshore has completed integration of the 8,400-ton topside and 10,000-ton hull of its DeepDraft semi for the Independence Hub development.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Atlantia Offshore has completed integration of the 8,400-ton topside and 10,000-ton hull of its DeepDraft semi for the Independence Hub development. The operation was carried out quayside at the Kiewit Offshore Services facility in Ingleside,...

Devon adds rig for deepwater trend.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Devon Energy Corp., Seadrill Offshore AS )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Devon Energy and partners have drilled four discoveries in the Lower Tertiary trend: Jack, Cascade, Kaskida, and St. Malo. The company has built up a portfolio in the area comprising 19 additional prospects, six of which it operates, and 16...

M&A.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Energy Partners Ltd. and and Stone Energy Corp. terminate their merger agreement)
November 1, 2006... Energy Partners Ltd. (EPL) and Stone Energy Corp. have agreed to terminate their June 22, 2006 merger agreement, on the heels of an acquisition offer by Woodside subsidiary, ATS Inc. However, it appears EPL is not interested in joining up with...

Statoil sets concert record to celebrate Troll anniversary.(SUBSEA
November 1, 2006... Singer Katie Melua set a new world record when she performed at the bottom of one of the concrete shafts on the Troll A platform on Oct. 2. The concert venue 303 m below sea level qualified for "the world's deepest underwater concert performed...

Seabed gas processing study begins.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2006... The Western Australia Energy Research Alliance has targeted seabed gas processing as its first research project. The target of the three-year project is to prove the feasibility of a subsea dehydration system. This is the first phase of a...

Goosander subsea tie-back delivered.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Petrofac Brownfield has delivered the subsea tieback from the Goosander field to the Venture Production-owned Kittiwake installation. The Goosander project includes a single production well tied back to the Kittiwake platform through a bundled...

Superior offshore international enters the deepwater small diameter tieback market with construction of a new vessel.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Merwede Shipyards)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Superior Offshore International enters the deepwater small diameter tieback market with construction of a new vessel. The company has awarded Netherlands-based Merwede Shipyards a contract for a newbuild 430-ft by 72-ft DP-3 subsea construction...

Floating production.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
November 1, 2006... A significant number of floating production contracts and arrangements have been settled recently. Keppel, Prosafe, Petrojarl Production AS, Ezra Holdings, and BW Offshore, all entered into various types of FPSO agreements. Keppel clinched...

Rig construction.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(ENSCO Inc.'s agreement with Keppel EELS)(Standard Drilling ASA contracts with Labroy Offshore Ltd.)(Pan-United Marine's contract with Frontier Drilling Pte Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... ENSCO has entered into an agreement with Keppel EELS to construct a semisubmersible rig to be named ENSCO 8502. The total project cost is expected to be approximately $385 million. Delivery is anticipated in late 4Q09. The semi is the...

Aker Kvaerner to build Gjoa semi.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Aker Kvaerner ASA's deal with Statoil ASA)
November 1, 2006... Statoil and Aker Kvaerner have signed a memorandum of understanding for the contract for the semisubmersible platform to be located at the Gjoa field offshore Norway. A final contract is expected to be signed in October, with an estimated...

Weatherford to install expandable screens.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Weatherford International Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Weatherford International Ltd. has received a two year, multimillion-dollar contract from Petro-Canada. The contract is for four 5 1/2in. expandable sand screen (ESS) completions in open-hole applications for oil producing wells. The initial...

Baker oil tools installs intelligent well systems in the GoM.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Gulf of Mexico)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Baker Oil Tools recently installed the first two Intelligent Well Systems (IWS) in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The installations set two new milestones for IWS: deepest water installation over 8,000 ft (2438m) of water and the longest single...

SPC spuds Vietnam well.(Singapore Petroleum Company Private Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Singapore Petroleum Co., Ltd., together with its partners in blocks 102 and 106, has spudded the Thai Binh-1X exploration well on the Thai Binh prospect in block 102, Song Hong Basin offshore northern Vietnam. SPC's prospective area is about 50...

EVTN will supply an offshore deck water drainage system and the Voraxial 2000 separator on the Sedco 702.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Enviro Voraxial Technology Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Enviro Voraxial Technology, Inc. will supply the Transocean semi submersible rig Sedco 702 with an offshore deck water drainage system that will feature EVTN's proprietary Voraxial 2000 separator. The Sedco 702 will utilize this system to...

Contango drills exploration discovery at its Dutch Prospect.(Contango Oil and Gas Co.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Contango Oil & Gas Company drills an exploration discovery at its Dutch prospect ("Eugene Island 10") located offshore Louisiana and operated by Contango Operators, Inc. ("COI"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. A production liner...

PGS contracts additional seismic vessel.(GEOSCIENCES)(Aker Yards, Petroleum Geo-Services ASA)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Petroleum Geo-Services ASA has exercised its option with Aker Yards to build Ramform 8 seismic vessel for delivery in 2Q09. The 3D seismic acquisition vessel will be able to tow 22 streamers and technology improvements will increase...

Arrow, Western Geco agree on newbuild vessel.(GEOSCIENCES)
November 1, 2006... Arrow Seismic ASA has signed a non-binding LOI with Western Geco for a multistreamer seismic newbuild vessel to be delivered in November 2008. The LOI includes an agreement to enter into a five-year charter for the vessel, including insea...

Trinidad leasing schedule slips.(GEOSCIENCES)
November 1, 2006... Trinidad & Tobago's energy ministry has extended its deadline to submit offers for the current hydrocarbons bid round. The deadline for the onshore, near shore, and shallow-marine blocks slipped to Oct. 31 from Aug. 28. Winners are scheduled to...

Fugro-Jason releases Jason Geoscience Workbench 7.2.(GEOSCIENCES)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Fugro-Jason has released a new version of Jason Geoscience Workbench (JGW). This release--Version 7.2--helps produce a single, consistent model of the earth for use across the E&P spectrum of activities. It includes 3D seismic inversion,...

Fugro metocean contract with India.(GEOSCIENCES)(Fugro Survey A/S)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A contract for metocean monitoring off both the east and west coasts of India was awarded to Fugro Survey (India) PL and Fugro GEOS by Reliance Industries Lid. The contract covers meteorological and current profile measurements from rigs...

Addax petroleum proves its model.(GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: WEST AFRICA)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... Addax Petroleum is the largest independent oil producer in Nigeria and has increased its crude oil production from an average of 8,800 b/d in 1998 to an average of 80,000 b/d during the first half of 2006. Addax Petroleum has driven its...

Okro/Setu form launch pad for Afren in Nigeria.(GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: WEST AFRICA)
November 1, 2006... Nigeria needs widespread oilfield investment to reach its output target of 4.5 MMb/d by 2012. At the same time, the government wants to scale back its spending commitments. Under the existing joint venture arrangement, NNPC takes an automatic...

ExxonMobil's meets deepwater Nigeria development schedule: production exceeds 200,000 b/d of oil.(GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: WEST AFRICA)
November 1, 2006... With the flow of first oil from its third drilling center, ExxonMobil's Erha/Erha North development offshore Nigeria in water depths up to 1,750 m entered a new phase. As of September, oil production was exceeding 200,000 b/d and injecting 225...

Full-scale data comparison for the Red Hawk cell spar in Hurricane Rita and loop current Ulysses.(DOT Technical Preview)
November 1, 2006... The 18th Annual Deep Offshore Technology International Conference & Exhibition offers a line-up of innovative technology solutions and lessons learned to promote exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in deep and ultra...

Lessons learned from the design and installation of suction piles in West Africa.(DOT Technical Preview)
November 1, 2006... The second paper highlighted from the floaters/construction track reviews Typical suction pile designs based on recent deepwater projects in West Africa, Emphasizing geotechnical analyses and critical installation-related aspects. Design...

Subsea processing--challenges and opportunities.(DOT Technical Preview)
November 1, 2006... The subsea/flow assurance track includes this comparative risk analysis and Review of subsea processing technologies. Recommendations for technology Improvements and qualification and testing required to make this technology Ready for future...

Deepwater remote welding technology for pipeline repair and hot-tapping.(DOT Technical Preview)
November 1, 2006... The second paper highlighted from the Subsea/flow assurance track addresses flowline and pipelines. Remotely operated dry hyperbaric welding technology has been further developed in recent years and is now becoming the basis for offshore...

ADC study: multi-purpose vessels-evaluation of the demand for intervention vessels on deepwater fields offshore Angola.(DOT Technical Preview)
November 1, 2006... Rapid evolution in the development of Offshore deepwater fields has encouraged Sonangol and operators of the Angolan Deepwater blocks to carry out this MPV study, which is highlighted from the well construction/risk track. Following the...

Southeastern Falkland Islands seen as highly prospective: reserves potential of 200 MMboe-plus.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... A second wave of exploration is heading for the Falkland Islands. Five different joint ventures with licenses around the islands are looking toward the next phase of drilling. One option being considered is the formation of a drilling...

Downsized drillship allows operations in wider depth range.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... In deepwater environments, large and expensive 5th generation drillships are being used for exploration and development wells, completion activities, and intervention and work-over operations. A high percentage of these rigs can also be adapted...

Meeting the challenges of a deepwater wildcat off northern Brazil: people, processes, technology make the difference.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... BP's Algodoal-1 was a 5,650-m exploration well drilled in late 2004 in 776 m of water approximately 200 mi off the northern coast of Brazil with the drillship Jack Ryan. The project set records as the deepest well ever drilled off the north...

Riserless mud system solves North Sea drilling problem: Total E&P exploration well applies new technology.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... A new riserless drilling technology that the users say recovers and reuses drilling fluid, improves hole stability, well control, saves time and money, and eliminates discharges into the sea has been used in a commercial operation in the North...

Sixth-generation rigs designed for wide-ranging operating environments.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... Aker Kvaerner has moved back into the front line of drilling rig design with the launch of the H-6 concept. This sixth-generation design has been specifically developed for operation in the most extreme conditions, whether ultra deepwaters or...

Optimizing cement systems for specific well conditions: reducing remedial and intervention costs.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2006... Sustained casing pressure (SCP) is a challenge faced by the oil and gas industry during the life cycle of a well. From the cementing point of view, the SCP could be caused by inadequate drilling fluid displacement and/or the failure of cement...

Petrobras reveals long-term strategy for Gulf of Mexico: plans to deploy first FPSO in the region.(SPECIAL REPORT)(dialogue with Renato Tadeu Bertani of Petrobras America Inc.)(Interview)
November 1, 2006... In September 2006, Petrobras indicated that it was investing 14% or $12.1 billion of its worldwide budget in the US for the period 2007-2011. The company said "it is consolidating its position as one of the leading players in the ultra...

Drilling into the lower Tertiary: new trend renews optimism for Gulf of Mexico.(PRODUCTION)
November 1, 2006... Data from the last few years would seem to suggest that the Gulf of Mexico is maturing as a production area, with a yo-yo slowdown in production growth from highs of 50% to flat in 2004 and a decline in 2005. Production growth is expected to...

New subsea technology focuses processing at the wellhead: reduces well stimulation costs by 60%.(PRODUCTION)(Multiple Application Re-injection System)
November 1, 2006... MARS (Multiple Application Re-injection System) began as a low-risk method for subsea retrofit of a multiphase pump. It is being adopted as a standard interface by several operators on new and existing wells, both subsea and topside, offering...

Steel grade saves weight on cylindrical FPSO mooring system: high tensile chain selected for harsh North Sea application.(PRODUCTION)(Sevan Marine)
November 1, 2006... A North Sea operator is developing a small oilfield with a cylindrical FPSO, the Sevan Marine-designed SSE For this first-time application in European waters, the operator/contractor team opted for a permanent mooring system in a line...

Slanted column structures minimize vortex included motions: Tests demonstrate advantages of configuration.(PRODUCTION)(International Design, Engineering and Analysis Services (I.D.E.A.S.) Inc)
November 1, 2006... The Gulf of Mexico is unique because very high nonstorm related currents extending hundreds of feet below the sea surface often cause Vortex Induced Motions (VIM) and disrupt operations. These currents, known as loop currents, are a concern for...

Hull selection considerations for floating production system: Ring and DryCenterwell spars introduced.(PRODUCTION)(FloaTEC, LLC)
November 1, 2006... Selection of a floating hull type can depend on a number of factors. For instance, the primary reasons operators select a Dry Tree Unit (DTU) are for well intervention and riser response. Well intervention costs can represent 40-50% of opex....

Electrically operated subsea production system targets deepwater, long step-out reliability: system chosen for K5F North Sea gas development.(Total E&P )
November 1, 2006... The production scheme chosen by Total E&P Nederland BV and its partners to develop the K5F North Sea gas field consists of two subsea production installations. The news is that those installations will feature all-electric subsea Christmas...

Floating, subsea production increase as fixed installations decline.(CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION)
November 1, 2006... Operators worldwide currently are installing, or planning to install, greater numbers of floating platforms and subsea projects than in previous years. On the other hand, the number of fixed platform installations is declining. With...

2006 global field development survey.(Survey)
November 1, 2006... 2006 Global field development survey Floating Platform Tree platform count count count ANGOLA Cabina Gulf Oil...

Fiber ropes deemed viable for deepwater applications: spectra fiber stronger than steel of equal weight.(CONSTRUCTIONS & INSTALLATIONS)(wire rope systems)
November 1, 2006... As oil fields continue to be discovered in deeper waters, it has become increasingly important to find an effective method for deploying subsea hardware at greater water depths. Conventional wire rope winch systems are quickly reaching...

Understanding pipeline buckling in deepwater applications: finite element model predicts local conditions.(PIPELINE & TRANSPORTATION)
November 1, 2006... With ultra deepwater pipelines being considered for water depths of nearly 3,000 m, pipe collapse, in many instances, will govern design. For example, bending loads imposed on the pipeline near the seabed (sagbend region) during installation...

Audacia asset for summer 2007 launch: bow-side firing line for latest Allseas vessel.(PIPELINE & TRANSPORTATION)
November 1, 2006... Construction work on Allseas' latest deepwater pipelay vessel, Audacia, is making good progress. Following planned sea trials in the southern North Sea next spring, the vessel should be ready for the 2007 summer season, with three potential...

Helix Express to address international market, large diameter pipelines: vessel can reel 18 mi of 10-in. pipe.(PIPELINE & TRANSPORTATION)(Helix Energy Solution)
November 1, 2006... Helix Energy Solution's latest capital asset project, pipelay vessel Express, was scheduled to have completed the company's first pipeline installation commitment in the North Sea by this issue's publication date. Helix acquired the vessel...

The North Falkland basin: a new lease on life: CSEM survey seeks to define accumulations.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
November 1, 2006... The British Geological Survey (BGS) estimates that the North Falkland basin may be the second richest source rock in the world with, perhaps, as much as 100 Bbbl of oil, much of which is thought to be still trapped beneath the regional seal. In...

Explosion-proof hot water pressure washers tackle offshore jobs.(POWER SYSTEMS)(Sioux Corp.)(Company overview)
November 1, 2006... Sioux Corp. manufactures a full line of application-specific, all-electric pressure washers, steam cleaners, and combination units that can be used on offshore drilling rigs, FPSO units, and production platforms, fixed or afloat. Sioux's...

Power applications grow with offshore market.(POWER SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2006... As the offshore vessel, rig, and platform demand grows, so too does the demand on power suppliers to keep pace with gensets for auxiliary and emergency power, automation and safety systems, cables, switchgear, and related services for lifecycle...

Fuel cell technology moving offshore.(Power systems, automation roundup)
November 1, 2006... A full-scale demonstrator of an auxiliary power plant based on fuel cells is planned for 2008 by north European partners of the DNV-led FellowSHIP research project. FellowSHIP is a three-year project whose objective is to develop and test...

Aggreko supplies auxiliary power to Yombo field FPSO.(Power systems, automation roundup)(FPSO Conkouati)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Aggreko Plc will provide an 8-MW/4.16-kV standby power package on board the FPSO Conkouati, currently operating in the Yombo field off Congo. The 8-MW power package will provide facility power to the FPSO while its steam turbines undergo...

Wartsila supplies power system for MPF 1000.(Power systems, automation roundup)(MPF Corp. Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... MPF Corp. Ltd. awarded a contract of more than $63.2 million to Wartsila for delivery of a total power system for a multi-purpose floater, the MPF 1000 offshore drilling vessel. The vessel is planned to be completed and delivered from Dragados...

Total to digitally automate Akpo FPSO.(Power systems, automation roundup)(Emerson Process Management Inc., TOTAL S.A.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Emerson Process Management will serve as the main automation contractor for Total's Akpo FPSO offshore Nigeria. The Akpo field is 200 km off the coast of Nigeria in water depths of 1,100 to 1,700 m. The Akpo FPSO is 310 m long and 61 m...

Grant Prideco's TurboTorque saves time, cuts costs.(New tools and technology)
November 1, 2006... Grant Prideco has introduced TurboTorque rotary-shouldered connections, a new solution for harsh drilling environments. It is designed specifically to deliver superior performance in deepwater, ultra-deep, extended reach, HP/HT, and horizontal...

Tahiti project pushes riser monitoring to a new level.(New tools and technology)(2H Offshore Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A comprehensive riser and flowline monitoring (RFM) contract was awarded to 2H Offshore Inc., an Acteon company, for Chevron's Tahiti project. The REM system design life requirement of 10 years is an industry first, and all the subsea sensors,...

Panasonic introduces next generation Toughbook rugged computers.(New tools and technology)(Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Panasonic CF-19, Panasonic CF-30)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. has introduced two new rugged Panasonic Toughbook computers: The CF-19 convertible tablet PC, and the flagship CF-30 clamshell notebook. The Toughbooks come equipped with Intel Core Duo processors,...

Superior liftboat selected for 30-in. pull in Trinidad.(New tools and technology)(Superior Energy Services Inc., Michels Directional Crossings, BP Trinidad and Tobago L.L.C.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Superior Energy Services' Marine Division has been contracted by Michels Directional Crossings and BP Trinidad to provide a liftboat for the BP NOEL Project in Trinidad. The Superior Valor, 160-ft liftboat, will run the string necessary to...

Duffy and McGovern Accommodation Services (DMAS).(appoints Darren Bohn)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Duffy and McGovern Accommodation Services (DMAS) have appointed a new operations and technical support leader for its base in Singapore. Darren Bohn, will provide round-the-clock support to DMAS' expanding customer base in the region and is...

Trelleborg Offshore.(appoints Reith Still )(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Trelleborg Offshore has appointed Reith Still to the position of business manager, West Africa. Still was instrumental in the creation and development of the West Africa Action Group (WAAG) in 1997 and has actively aided companies to develop...

Poseidon Maritime Ltd (PML).(People)(Graeme Reid appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Poseidon Maritime Ltd (PML), the global provider of engineering, marine, and safety consultancy services, has appointed Graeme Reid as operations and commercial manager, and John Ramsey as health and safety manager. Reid will oversee the...

Martin R. Ferron has succeeded Owen E. Kratz as CEO of Helix Energy Solutions.(People)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Martin R. Ferron has succeeded Owen E. Kratz as CEO of Helix Energy Solutions. Kratz will continue with the company in the role of executive chairman of the board. Ferron has been with Helix Energy Solutions since 1997. He became president in...

V.People.(People)
November 1, 2006... Vince Pizzoni has been appointed managing director of V.People, which is expanding into the North Sea for it's new energy operation, V.People Energy. Pizzoni will be leading V.People Energy as it seeks to build a client base in the North Sea.

Red Spider Technology.(People)(Willie Morrison appointed)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Red Spider Technology has opened an office in the Middle East and appointed Willie Morrison as regional manager. Morrison will be responsible for establishing and running the company's regional office in Jebel Ali. He will be promoting Red...