Offshore articles from November 2007

Offshore archives from November 2007

DOT providing new opportunities for technology exchange: growing industry demand brings change to flagship deepwater conference.(COMMENT)(Deep Offshore Technology Conference)
November 1, 2007... At the closing session of the Deep Offshore Technology Conference (DOT) in Stavanger last month, John Westwood of Douglas-Westwood, gave his forecast for deepwater spending in the future. "The deepwater business is undergoing a period of...

Active rig fleet, October 2007.(GLOBAL DATA)
November 1, 2007... Active rig fleet, October 2007 Floaters Jackups US GoM 37(-2) 80(-4) Mex GoM 6(+4) 33(+2) North Sea 40(0) 36(+1) East Atlantic 1(+1) 0(0) L. America ...

GoM drilling permits issued.(GLOBAL DATA)
November 1, 2007... GoM drilling permits issued Drilling permits Mar. 64 Apr. 61 May 78 June 55 July 50 Aug. 41 Sept. 35 Note: Table made from line graph. Source: US Minerals management...

Gulf of Mexico day rates.(GLOBAL DATA)(Statistical table)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Gulf of Mexico day rates Month/Year Minimum Average Maximum Drillship Oct 2006 $190,900 $244,677 $301,700 Nov 2006 $190,900 $244,700 $301,700 Dec 2006 $190,900 $244,273 $301,700 Jan 2007 ...

LNG spending to reach $25.4 billion by 2011.(GLOBAL DATA)(liquefied natural gas)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The LNG market is set to see dramatic growth with annual expenditure forecast to reach $25.4 billion by 2011. Global capex on LNG facilities for 2007-2011 is expected to total over $110 billion--a growth of 197% relative to the previous five...

Suriname and Guyana have resolved a long-simmering maritime boundary.(Americas)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Suriname and Guyana have resolved a long-simmering maritime boundary dispute that will open 19,700 sq mi (51,023 sq km) of coastal waters for exploration. Under terms of a tribunal's ruling, announced Sept. 20, Guyana was granted...

Earlier in the month, Petrobras shared its own good news, announcing that it had found oil in the Xerelete field in the southern portion of the Campos basin.(Americas)
November 1, 2007... Earlier in the month, Petrobras shared its own good news, announcing that it had found oil in the Xerelete field in the southern portion of the Campos basin. The new field is partially in the old BC-2 block and partially in block BM-C-14,...

Reliance Industries Ltd. continues its winning streak offshore India with another deepwater hit off the east coast.(Asia-Pacific)
November 1, 2007... Reliance Industries Ltd. continues its winning streak offshore India with another deepwater hit off the east coast. The Dhirubhai-36 discovery well hit oil in block KGDWN-98/1 (KG-D4) in the Krishna basin. This is the first oil discovery in...

Swiber Holdings has made some recent announcements.(Asia-Pacific)
November 1, 2007... Swiber Holdings has made some recent announcements that indicate it is strengthening its position in Asia. In late September, the company entered into broad cooperation agreements with two Vietnamese companies, PetroVietnam Construction...

Colombia awards offshore blocks.(GLOBAL E&P)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Colombia pre-qualified 11 companies for its Caribbean exploration round, which included 13 blocks. Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos held a closing ceremony on Sept. 18, 2007, to mark the award of nine of the 13...

Angola is putting more blocks up for bid.(Africa)
November 1, 2007... Angola is putting more blocks up for bid. Sonangol E.E took its show on the road with presentations for its recently announced 2007-2008 E&P Licensing Round, enlisting IHS Inc. to facilitate the process. Road shows were scheduled for...

The Republic of Guinea is getting into the oil and gas game via a partnership with Hyperdynamics Corp.(Africa)
November 1, 2007... The Republic of Guinea is getting into the oil and gas game via a partnership with Hyperdynamics Corp. In a move to promote offshore development, the Republic of Guinea Chief of State Lansana Conte sent a delegation including the secretary...

Offshore Namibia, meanwhile, Tullow Oil Plc. ran into disappointing results with the Kudu-8 appraisal well.(Africa)
November 1, 2007... Offshore Namibia, meanwhile, Tullow Oil Plc. ran into disappointing results with the Kudu-8 appraisal well. The well tested the potential for additional reserves within the Greater Kudu field, but failed to produce commercial flow rates. ...

In late September, Toreador Resources Corp. disclosed the preliminary development plan for the second phase of the South Akcakoca sub-basin (SASB) natural gas project in the Black Sea offshore Turkey.(Europe)
November 1, 2007... In late September, Toreador Resources Corp. disclosed the preliminary development plan for the second phase of the South Akcakoca sub-basin (SASB) natural gas project in the Black Sea offshore Turkey. Toreador has a 36.75% interest in the SASB...

In early October, Renaissance Services signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between its subsidiary, Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd. and Gentas Ltd.(Middle East)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... In early October, Renaissance Services signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between its subsidiary, Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd. and Gentas Ltd., a joint venture of the Al Shoaibi Group and the Saudi Trading & Research Co., both in Al...

The pipeline that is to connect Spain and the Balearic Islands is moving forward.(Mediterranean)
November 1, 2007... The pipeline that is to connect Spain and the Balearic Islands is moving forward. In late September, Enagas contracted a joint venture of Saipem and Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas for gas line installations across the Mediterranean Sea....

Thailand is investing in the Mediterranean Sea.(Mediterranean)(Production Public Co. Ltd. )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Thailand is investing in the Mediterranean Sea. In late September, PTT Exploration and Production Public Co. Ltd. and its joint venture partners signed concession agreements for two Egyptian exploration block--one onshore and one...

In early August, Dragon Oil reported that its development well A/121 in the Caspian Sea had flowed more than 2,900 b/d of oil from the Djeitun (LAM) structure.(Caspian Sea)
November 1, 2007... In early August, Dragon Oil reported that its development well A/121 in the Caspian Sea had flowed more than 2,900 b/d of oil from the Djeitun (LAM) structure. With the completion of well A/121, Dragon has completed live wells this year,...

In late August, the 12,700-metric-ton (13,999-ton) topsides for the latest phase of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field development in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea sailed out of Baku.(Caspian Sea)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... In late August, the 12,700-metric-ton (13,999-ton) topsides for the latest phase of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field development in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea sailed out of Baku. The AMEC-Tekfen-Azfen joint venture completed...

In mid-September, Azerbaijan State Oil Co. SOCAR contracted McDermott Caspian Contractors to install an offshore gas pipeline for the Bahar field in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea.(Caspian Sea)
November 1, 2007... In mid-September, Azerbaijan State Oil Co. SOCAR contracted McDermott Caspian Contractors to install an offshore gas pipeline for the Bahar field in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea. McDermott will construct 66.5 km (41.3 nil) of 20-in....

Cavendish building up steam.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
November 1, 2007... RWE Dea expects to add two more wells to its Cavendish gas field development, which came on stream in the UK southern North Sea in July. This is also the German company's first operated project in the UK sector. According to managing...

Troll gas expansion ruled out.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
November 1, 2007... Norway's government has vetoed proposals to increase gas production from the Troll field, citing concerns over the impact on oil extraction. Operator StatoilHydro has reacted by withdrawing from another project to increase the country's gas...

Independents join forces.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
November 1, 2007... Pertra and DNO have agreed to merge, forming Norway's second largest indigenous operator after StatoilHydro. The new organization, to be known as Det Norske Oljeselskap ASA, will operate 17 licenses in the Norwegian sector, and plans to drill...

NAM puts fields up for sale.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)
November 1, 2007... The Shell/ExxonMobil joint venture ShellExpro has been slimming down its UK North Sea operations, putting numerous tail-end fields up for sale. Now NAM, their counterpart in the Netherlands, has been doing the same, offering licenses containing...

Ireland tables Porcupine acreage.(OFFSHORE EUROPE)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Ireland's government is opening more deepwater blocks in its western waters for exploration. The area on offer comprises around 63,500 sq km (24,517 sq mi) in the Porcupine basin. Minister Eamon Ryan also announced a new profit resource tax...

Drilling under way on Perdido.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Drilling is under way on the Shell-operated Perdido development in the Alaminos Canyon area. The semisubmserible drilling rig Noble Clyde Boudreaux is on site pre-drilling 20 wells. Shell will complete the wells once the Perdido spar is...

Well results.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Eni has drilled the last appraisal well on its Longhorn discovery in Mississippi Canyon block 502. The well, drilled in 740 m (2,442 ft) water depth to 4,228 m (13,951 ft) TD, encountered 127 m (419 ft) of net pay in multiple sands, the company...

Bois d'Arc Energy Inc. has hit pay with two exploration wells on the shelf.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... Bois d'Arc Energy Inc. has hit pay with two exploration wells on the shelf. Well No. 8ST1 in Ship Shoal block 93 tested the Walleye prospect. The well was drilled to 12,786 ft (3,897 m) TVD and encountered 389 ft (88 m) of net pay in 11...

McMoran Exploration Co. has completed a successful production test on the Flatrock discovery on OCS 310 at South Marsh Island block 212.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... McMoran Exploration Co. has completed a successful production test on the Flatrock discovery on OCS 310 at South Marsh Island block 212. The test indicated 71 MMcf/d of natural gas and 739 h/d of condensate on 37/64th choke with flowing tubing...

Contracts.(GULF OF MEXICO)(ATP Oil & Gas Corp. contracted with Mustang Engineering)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ATP Oil & Gas Corp. has contracted Mustang Engineering to provide detailed engineering and procurement support for the topsides production facilities for the Telemark Hub drilling/production facility. Also called Mirage, the hub will be in...

Petrobras America has awarded FMC Technologies a $200-million contract to supply subsea systems for the Cascade and Chinook development project in the Walker Ridge area.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... Petrobras America has awarded FMC Technologies a $200-million contract to supply subsea systems for the Cascade and Chinook development project in the Walker Ridge area. The Petrobras America has awarded FMC Technologies a $200-million contract...

Petrobras also has awarded Aker Kvaerner a $65-million contract to supply subsea power cables and control umbilicals for the Cascade and Chinook project.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... Petrobras also has awarded Aker Kvaerner a $65-million contract to supply subsea power cables and control umbilicals for the Cascade and Chinook project. Aker Kvaerner is to supply 230,000 fl (70 kin) of high-voltage power cables and static and...

First production.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... BHP Billiton has first oil from a single well in the Genghis Khan field in Green Canyon block 652. Drilling is under way on a second well, to be followed by two additional wells. One will test Green Canyon block 608. Genghis Khan comprises...

StatoilHydro has first gas from its first operated deepwater field in the GoM--Q in Mississippi Canyon block 961.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... StatoilHydro has first gas from its first operated deepwater field in the GoM--Q in Mississippi Canyon block 961. The field is tied back to the Anadarko-operated Independence Hub facility. StatoilHydro has a 50% working interest in Q....

EPL has opened up the taps on its Cap Rock discovery in South Timbalier block 41.(GULF OF MEXICO)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... EPL has opened up the taps on its Cap Rock discovery in South Timbalier block 41. The well is producing approximately 1.900 b/d of oil and 18 MMcf/d of gas. EPL operates the well with a 60% interest. W&T Offshore holds the remaining 40%. ...

Lease sale draws ultra deepwater interest.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... Approximately 40% of the tracts receiving bids in Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 205 are in ultra deepwater--greater than 5,249 ft (1,600 m) water depth. The lease sale attracted $2,904,321,011 in high bids, the second highest in US...

Shell, Frontier to build deepwater/arctic drillship.(GULF OF MEXICO)
November 1, 2007... Shell EP Offshore Ventures Ltd. and Frontier Drillships Ltd. have signed a joint venture agreement to build a new drillship concept for deepwater and arctic environments. Called "Bully" rig, it will be capable of drilling with surface BOPs...

Umbilicals in the news.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2007... Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has ordered from Nexans 30 [euro] million ($42 million) in umbilicals for the Mexilhao gas field in the Santos basin, off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo. The contract calls for two types of umbilical...

Flowline installation.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2007... Hydro has awarded Allseas a NOK 200-million ($37-million) contract to install two 16-in. (40.6-cm) flowlines for the Southern Field Development Project. Installation is scheduled for 2Q 2009 in 900 m (2,953 ft) water depth. Hydro is the...

World AUV market forecast to exceed 900.(SUBSEA/SURFACE SYSTEMS)(autonomous underwater vehicles )
November 1, 2007... More than 900 autonomous underwater vehicles (AU+Vs) will be required at a cost of $1.8 billion over the next decade is the forecast from Douglas-Westwood Ltd. Of that total requirement, more than 400 have been built to date, according to The...

Keppel opens China yard.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)
November 1, 2007... Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. opened the Keppel Nantong Shipyard Co. Ltd. in Nantong, Jiangsu province, China, on Aug. 2. The ceremony was marked by the sale of two 45-metric-ton (49.6-ton) azimuth stern drive tugboats to Arabian Gulf...

New JV to build jackups.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(UMW Oil & Gas joint venture with Standard Drilling Ear East Pie. Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... In June, UMW Oil & Gas and Norway's Standard Drilling Ear East Pie. Ltd. formed a 51:49 joint venture to build two jackup rigs for the Southeast Asian market. The company unveiled the Naga 2 jackup at the 11th Asian Oil, Gas and...

Heavy-lift vessels for BigLift.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(BigLift Shipping contract with Laursen & Toubro )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... In late 2Q 2007, BigLift Shipping contracted the Laursen & Toubro shipyard in Hazira, India, for two newbuild multipurpose, heavy-lift 1A Finnish ice-class vessels. Delivery is set for end-2009 to early 2010, and will bring the company's fleet...

Havila to build PSV.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(platform supply vessel)(Havila Shipping ASA )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Norway's Havila Shipping ASA entered into a mid-year contract with Solstrand Verft for a newbuild platform supply vessel (PSV). The DP-2 vessel has a length of 80.4 m (284 ft) and a breadth of 17.6 m (58 ft). Havila Shipping developed...

Rigdon marine expands PSV fleet.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(platform supply vessels )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Rigdon Marine Corp. has reached two milestones in its Rigdon 4000 Class PSV construction program with the First and Ten, delivered in late July 2007, and the Double Eagle, which entered service in late September. The remaining eight Rigdon...

Keppel secures work across the board.(VESSELS, RIGS, UPGRADES)(Keppel EELS Ltd. contract with Seadrill Management AS.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... In early July, Keppel EELS Ltd. delivered a KFELS B Class design jackup drilling rig to Seadrill Management AS. The rig, named West Prospero, was the second KEELS B Class rig delivered to Seadrill. The first rig, West Ceres, was delivered...

T-3 Energy designs double ram subsea BOP.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
November 1, 2007... T-3 Energy Services Inc. has designed and manufactured the T-3 Diamond series model 6012 subsea double ram blowout preventer fitted with subsea compact tandem booster bonnets and casing shear bonnets. The prototype has completed evaluations and...

Roxar launches subsurface modeling solution.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(next generation structural modeling solution)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Roxar has launched its next generation structural modeling solution, which includes an intuitive user interface, new fault and horizon modeling tools, and improved 3D and integrated simulation gridding. The company says that the suite of...

Red Spider launches intelligent downhole flow control product.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
November 1, 2007... Red Spider Technology has a new intelligent downhole flow control product named electronic remote equalization device (eRED). The downhole intervention tool is designed to maximize production and recovery rates in that it can be opened and...

BJ updates Dyna-Coil injection systems.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)
November 1, 2007... BJ Services has released a new line of DynaCoil capillary injection systems. The artificial lift technology uses small diameter capillary strings through well tubing to feed specialty chemicals, water, and solvents to aid production. The...

Hybrid membrane technology improves drilling efficiency.(DRILLING & PRODUCTION)(Total Separation Solutions)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Total Separation Solutions (TSS) has specified DuPont Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) media for filters used to clean oil field completion fluids. TSS, whose investors include Shell Technology Ventures, provides products and equipment for...

SEG addresses shortage of scientists.(GEOSCIENCES)
November 1, 2007... At its 2007 annual meeting in September, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists took steps to draw more students into geoscience careers. For starters, the SEG Foundation began a campaign to raise $15 million for its Advancing Geophysics...

Survey action.(GEOSCIENCES)(SeaBird Exploration Ltd. contract with Oil and National Gas Corporation of India )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... SeaBird Exploration Ltd. (BVI) has received a letter of award from Oil and National Gas Corporation of India for a 13,500 line km (8,389 mi) long-offset 2D survey outside the west coast of India. The contract is valued at $20 million and is...

Wavefield Inseis ASA has signed contracts with BP and OMV for separate seismic surveys.(GEOSCIENCES)
November 1, 2007... Wavefield Inseis ASA has signed contracts with BP and OMV for separate seismic surveys. The BP work will be off the Shetland Islands and the OMV job is in New Zealand. For BP, Wavefield Inseis has a 4D marine survey in UK continental shelf...

Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA has contracted to survey for hydrocarbon content offshore Libya using seabed logging technology.(GEOSCIENCES)
November 1, 2007... Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA has contracted to survey for hydrocarbon content offshore Libya using seabed logging technology. Expected to start before yearend, the $6-million project has options that could add $10 million if exercised. ...

Seaway extending global reach with rapid transmit heavy-lift vessel.(MARINE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION)(Seaway Heavy Lifting)
November 1, 2007... North Sea platform construction has tailed off over recent years, causing Seaway Heavy Lifting to shift its focus. Currently, it is more active in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India, but in 2010, it aims to go global. The vehicle...

A lifecycle approach to long-term viability: maintenance, operations must be part of original planning, engineering.(MARINE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION)
November 1, 2007... Four barrels or so had spilled from a corroded pipeline pumping oil from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Not all that much to get worried about, really. But from that little acorn sprouted--or should we say spurted--the largest spill ever on Alaska's...

Creating competitive advantage with strategic procurement, supply chain management: center-led system saves time, money.(MARINE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION)
November 1, 2007... Procurement's role in engineering and construction is changing. Procurement is evolving into a far more strategic discipline, driven primarily by a greater awareness of the financial implications of executing the function well. Almost...

Unconventional installation successful: High Island GoM project required two-piece jacket.(MARINE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION)
November 1, 2007... Installation of an unconventional, two-piece jacket at the High Island A-589 A platform was carried out by J. Ray McDermott's DB-50 in July 2007 for Bluewater Industries. High Island A-589 A is in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 nautical mi (148...

Oil province emerging close to Vietnam/Indonesia median line.(ASIA-PACIFIC)
November 1, 2007... Vietnam is on the verge of producing its first oil from the Nam Con Son basin. London-based Premier Oil is looking to develop two faulted structures discovered recently in the south of the basin, which could yield up to 80 MMbbl. All previous...

Breaking new ground: innovative environmental compliance at Gorgon.(ASIA-PACIFIC)
November 1, 2007... Like other large capital projects, the Gorgon project off Western Australia is contending with an overheated global construction market. The front-end engineering and design (FEED) work on the multi-billion-dollar Gorgon project has been...

Drilling, production on the rise: Australia's Northern Territory pursuing big plans.(ASIA-PACIFIC)
November 1, 2007... Even though rig availability remains tight and rig day rates are increasing, oil and gas prospecting off Australia's Northern Territory continues unabated, with every well drilled last year encountering hydrocarbons at one or more levels. ...

FPSO/FSO business going strong: MODEC's Yamada sees promising future.(ASIA-PACIFIC)(Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Co. Ltd. Inc)(Floating Production Storage and Offloading)
November 1, 2007... Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Co. Ltd. Inc. (MODEC) expects to build one-third of its FPSOs and FSOs as newbuilds, despite a very challenging environment and amidst rising costs at shipyards. Kenji Yamada, president and CEO of...

Global: Deep Offshore Technology[TM] International: Houston, Texas/George R. Brown Convention Center/February 12-14, 2008.(Preliminary Program)
November 1, 2007... DOT 2008 Advisory Board Majid Al-Sharif Helix Energy Solutions Group Eldon Ball PennWell Corporation Steve Bledsoe MCS Bill Boyle Subsea 7 Derek Disney KBR Energy & Chemicals Richard D'S0uza ...

Asia-Pacific seismic activity at full speed: exploration pace remains active across a large region.(GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS)
November 1, 2007... Seismic activity in the Asia-Pacific region shows work under way in every part of the geographic spread, from the Sea of Okhotsk off eastern Russia to the north all the way south to the tip of New Zealand. Australia Hess Exploration...

New direction in piggable wye technology: from hand sketch to unique solution.(DRILLING & COMPLETION)
November 1, 2007... Piggable wyes have been used extensively in deepwater oil and gas pipeline operations to allow cleaning and inspection pigs and intelligent pigs access through main lines and the laterals that tie into them. Being able to run these...

Global field development shows strength across production schemes.(CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION)
November 1, 2007... The global surge in energy demand, with accompanying offshore technology development, continues to support operators' challenging field development schemes worldwide. Results from ODS-Petrodata's 2007 global field development survey...

2007 Global field development survey.
November 1, 2007... 2007 Global field development survey Floating Fixed Operator platform count platform count Tree count ANGOLA BP ...

Extending design life, improving integrity of flexible pipe.(CONSTRUCTION & INSTALLATION)
November 1, 2007... As exploration moves into ever deeper and more complex fields, the need for flexible pipe increases. Given that the use of flexible pipe is relatively recent and the analysis is therefore fairly limited, its integrity has largely been monitored...

Innovation enhances deepwater flexible pipe life: managing riser friction damage, corrosion cuts repair costs.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)
November 1, 2007... As flexible pipe applications move into deepwater and ultra deepwater, attention is focused on enhancing service life, particularly with respect to corrosion and wearing. In Brazil s offshore Campos basin, Petrobras and Wellstream International...

Reduce transfer risk with the Frog.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)(Frog transfer capsule)(Reflex Marine)
November 1, 2007... Reflex Marine helos operators reduce risks and minimize downtime with the Frog personnel transfer capsule. Reflex Marine designed the Frog transfer capsule to minimize the risks involved in crane assisted personnel transfers. Those risks...

New offshore service vessel adds value.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)(platform support vessels)
November 1, 2007... Rigdon Marine Corp. was the first to design platform support vessels (PSVs) with diesel electric propulsion and dynamic positioning class II station-keeping capability. Because diesel electric propulsion uses generators and electric motors...

Seacor Holdings has service package in GoM by air, sea.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)(Gulf of Mexico)
November 1, 2007... Seacor Holdings owns and operates a diverse group of industry leading companies in the marine transportation and support industry. Two of its largest subsidiaries, Seacor Marine and Era Helicopters, are pioneering new technologies in offshore...

Crowley serves most challenging environments.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)
November 1, 2007... Crowley Maritime Corp.'s energy and marine services group provides transportation, logistics, and project management services in some of the most challenging environments in the world. Recently, Crowley was selected by Sakhalin Energy and...

New Bell helicopter in the GoM.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISCTICS)
November 1, 2007... Evergreen International Aviation Inc. serves offshore oil and gas industry customers in the Gulf of Mexico from bases in Louisiana and Texas. Both contract and scheduled crew changes use medium class twin-engine helicopters as well as smaller...

Industry needs guidance to comply with helicopter regulations.(TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS)
November 1, 2007... Regulations for helicopter refueling systems offshore are evolving constantly. Keeping abreast of the changes is a priority for Helifuel, according to managing director Oddvar Ostensvik. Helifuel supplies a full range of maritime helicopter...

New tools and technology for the offshore industry: azimuthing thruster with tilted shaft improves net thrust.(EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING)(Flowserve Pleuger)(WFSD-type thruster )
November 1, 2007... Operating in diverse and extreme off shore conditions requires structures to be dynamically positioned and to have their own propulsive power. Several of the new semi-submersible technological innovations will be dynamically positioned by the...

Stable Services.(People)
November 1, 2007... Stable Services has appointed Jack Nedrum as business development director. Nedrum will be based in Stavanger, Norway, and responsible for building Stable Services' business in Scandinavia.

Technip.(People)
November 1, 2007... Technip has appointed Bernard di Tullio as president and COO. Di Tullio will be responsible for Technip's worldwide operations for all of its business segments.

International Marine Contractors Association.(People)
November 1, 2007... Mike Arnold, MD of Hallin Marine UK, has been elected to the International Marine Contractors Association 's (IMCA) remote systems & ROV division management committee. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Occidental Petroleum.(People)
November 1, 2007... Occidental Petroleum 's VP of government relations, Robert M. McGee, has retired. McGee, who served the company for 34 years, will be replaced by Ian M. Davis.

Apache Corp.(People)
November 1, 2007... Apache Corp. has promoted Kregg Olson to senior VP of corporate reservoir engineering.

Pride International Inc.(People)
November 1, 2007... Pride International Inc. has appointed Robert G. Phillips to its board of directors.

AGR Group.(People)
November 1, 2007... AGR Group has appointed Jostein Wasland as CFO, effective Jan. 2008. Wasland currently serves as finance controller at NCC Construction AS.