Offshore SeisNews ©

••• 16.12.09  Geo-Seas - providing online access to marine geological and geophysical data sets.
Geo-Seas (www.geo-seas.eu) is an EU FP7 project, implementing an e-infrastructure of 26 marine geological and geophysical data centres, located in 17 European maritime countries.
Users will be able to identify, locate and access harmonised marine geological and geophysical data sets and derived data products held by the data centres through a single common data portal. Geo-Seas will expand the existing SeaDataNet marine and ocean data management infrastructure (www.seadatanet.org).
Geological and geophysical data comprise analytical data and derived data products from seabed sediment samples, boreholes, borehole samples,geophysical surveys (seismic, gravity, magnetic) of the seabed and sub-seabed, cone penetration tests, and sidescan sonar surveys.
Geo-Seas data, data products and services can be used by the following sectors: environmental research and monitoring; academic research; government; national and regional agencies; dredging; marine hydrocarbons; beach nourishment; land reclamation; sustainable energy; civil engineering (pipelines, offshore construction, aggregates); communications (submarine cables); shipping; fisheries; tourism; and health.
New data products and services will be developed following consultations on user requirements.
An online user survey is being run by Geo-Seas from mid December 2009 to end January 2010 to learn more about requirements and preferences of users.
Geo-Seas invites potential users to go to the Geo-Seas portal (www.geo-seas.eu) and to participate in the online questionnaire.
Source: Geonews

••• 15.12.09  More pain before gain for vessels and rigs.
Aberdeen and London-based Offshore Shipbrokers has suggested that there is more pain to come for North Sea vessel operators before any market pick-up can be detected early next year.
In its latest North Sea rig and vessel market analysis, the broker says there are signs that the market rates for support vessels may have bottomed out and it notes that some owners are choosing to lay up vessels rather than run them at a loss.
Vessel day rates in November "..Gave very little for owners to be optimistic about with rates showing no improvement at all from last month's levels," the broker notes. "On the plus side however, rates did not drop any further and it looks like they may now finally have found the bottom."
Platform supply vessels are fixing regularly at rates of between GBP 2,000 and GBP 3,000 a day, while anchor handling tug support. Others are opting to put boats in lay-up: Ten North Sea vessels have been laid up already and more heading the same way, Offshore Shipbrokers' November market report says.
Conversely rig rates are indicating an improving market for the drilling sector, Offshore Shipbrokers suggests, and November indicated "some signs of hope."
There were a "healthy number" of rig fixtures concluded in November for drilling start-ups in 2010 and 2011, the latest report from the broker says.
And it adds: "It would seem that rig dayrates have now fallen to a level where they are nonce again becoming attractive to operators. For the latest round of rig fixtures we have seen standard jack-ups fetching between US 90,000 - 115,000, heavy duty jack-ups fetching US 140,000 - US 180,000 and standard semi-subs now fixing at around US 250,000 - US 285,000."
Nevertheless there are 12 North Sea units still idle and uncommitted, while potentially, another six are due back off contract in the next couple of months.
Turning to prospects for 2010, Offshore Shipbrokers says predicting next year's vessel market will be difficult, yet adds: "..The common belief currently is that the first half of the year will bring more pain with low rates and poor utilisation but the second half of the year see[ing] the beginning of the recovery."
And it adds: "Recent rig fixtures will certainly have reinforced this belief and it would seem some markets outwith the North Sea are still very buoyant, Brazil in particular with Petrobras fixing 13 vessels this month for commencement early next year."
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 14.12.09  Lukoil and Statoil win bid on the West Qurna 2 field in Iraq.
Around 40 companies are prequalified for participation in Iraq's second licensing round 11 and 12 December in Baghdad. On the licensing round's second day Lukoil and Statoil secured the winning bid on the gigantic West Qurna 2 field.
A total of four bids were delivered for the West Qurna 2 field in the southern part of Iraq. Lukoil and Statoil, with Lukoil as lead bidder, proved to be the most competitive consortia. 10 oil fields were included in this licensing round. Based on thorough analysis and an optimised development plan for the field, Lukoil and Statoil were able to bid a production plateau of 1.8 million barrels per day and a remuneration fee of 1.15 dollars per barrel.
"We are proud to win together with Lukoil in this strong competition and look forward to work with Iraq to increase their production, to the benefit of both the Iraqi people and the companies. We have worked with Iraqi authorities for more than five years, doing joint field studies and training of Iraqi personnel, and consider this an important milestone. Our focus now is to establish the organisation needed to develop this project in a responsible and safe manner," says Torgeir Kydland, senior vice president for Eurasia, Middle East and Asia in Statoil.
The security situation in Iraq is still demanding. There has been improvement over the last couple of years, but an increased number of incidents in the run up to the Iraqi election in March 2010 should be expected.
Security for personnel will always be main priority. The security situation has been evaluated thoroughly and adequate security measures to be able to handle the situation are prepared.
Lukoil and Statoil are bidding on West Qurna 2 with shares of 85% and 15% respectively. The consortium will be joined by an Iraqi state partner with 25% interest, bringing Lukoil and Statoil shares to 63.75% and 11.25% respectively.
Source: Scandoil

••• 14.12.09  SeaBird - Helicopter incident on Kondor Explorer.
SeaBird Exploration Limited informs that an oncoming helicopter to the Kondor Explorer made a controlled emergency landing on water 11 Dec at about 1210 hours CET a few hundred meters away from the vessel on the Agbami field offshore Nigeria. The helicopter had 16 crewmembers onboard scheduled to go onboard Kondor Explorer and two helicopter pilots. No persons were injured and all 18 persons from the helicopter were safely picked up from the sea by rescue boats.
Source: SeaBird

YouTube - Bristow Puma helicopter right after ditching in the sea near Nigeria

••• 14.12.09  Eidesvik enters a JV.
Eidesvik Shipping has entered into a joint venture with Exploration Investment Resources II AS, a group company in the CGGVeritas group.
Eidesvik holds 51 per cent of the shares whilst EIR II holds 49 per cent of the shares in the joint venture which is organised through Eidesvik Seismic Vessels.
All existing legal rights and liabilities in connection with the BN 285 and BN 286 which are under construction at Ulstein Verft will remain in Eidesvik Seismic Vessels AS, including building contract, Time Charter and all financial agreements. Eidesvik will still act as maritime manager for the vessels.
The parties have agreed on an amendment to the existing time charter, which gives EIR II 4 options of 5 year each to have the two vessels on charter after the 12 year fixed period.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 11.12.09  Crewsafe for fleet of 30 vessels.
Bhagwan Marine with clients including Apache Energy, BHP Billiton, Chevron, Fugro, INPEX, Neptune Marine Services and Woodside Petroleum has confirmed it will roll-out Mobilarm Crewsafe across its fleet of oil and gas marine vessels following successful installations in November 2009.
As a company publicly committed to the safety of the crew aboard its workboats servicing the South East Asian oil and gas sectors, Bhagwan Marine is leading the way installing Crewsafe - the innovative wireless safety system designed to reduce the risk of injury or death through man overboard - on three vessels including their newest vessel the multi-purpose utility Catamaran, the 'LAURI - J'.
The premium version of Crewsafe, which includes complete crew management systems was installed aboard the 'LAURI - J' and configured for 18 Crewsafe tags supporting six crew and up to ten clients.
The 'LAURI - J' has arrived at the Onslow oil and gas supply base on the Western Australian North West Shelf on contract to industry leader Chevron.
Bhagwan Marine's Managing Director, Loui Kannikoski said the company's policy is prevention and safety first.
"If you happen to save one person then the company's objectives are achieved.
"I've worked in the commercial Marine industry since 1974 and have experienced first-hand that prevention is the key to ensuring your crew are safe.
"Following the successful trials I can see Crewsafe will offer all our crew an extra level of safety which will help to save lives," Mr Kannikoski said.
Mobilarm Crewsafe is a wireless safety network, which provides a new level of marine employee safety and security through crew location monitoring and by automatically initiating a network-wide alert to all personnel within seconds of an incident occurring.
It enables marine employers to remove significant identified risks from the work place and reduce the likelihood of related fatalities.
Crewsafe is an active crew monitoring and reporting system, which immediately detects emergency events such as man overboard, providing a GPS waypoint, range and bearing in order to facilitate a quick, effective rescue of the person in the water.
It also offers additional security and communication functionality, such as crew location monitoring, covert alarm capability, crew paging, First Aid training, and rescue asset and safety equipment management. Future versions of the product are planned to incorporate bio-metric monitoring and gas detection.
Bhagwan Marine's 'Samson Explorer', which has had a pre-installation survey completed, is ear-marked for the next install and commission of Crewsafe within the Bhagwan fleet.
The company has also selected the Mobilarm V100 Digital PLB for use across the organisation to increase safety in crew transfer and operations on the vessels.
Source: Maritime & Energy

••• 10.12.09  Seismic Charter Agreement with TGS expanded.
Reference is made to the notice published by Polarcus Limited on 19 October 2009 regarding the update on the conditional Letter of Intent with TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for the charter of the 12 streamer 3D seismic vessel Polarcus Nadia.
Polarcus Limited (OAX: PLCS) announced today that further to the referenced notification, TGS has increased the size of the confirmed initial charter from 2,000 square kilometers to 5,000 square kilometers and that the Parties have now executed the corresponding Seismic Charter Agreement.
Polarcus Nadia is expected to arrive on the first prospect, Offshore Liberia, in early January.
Source: Polarcus

••• 10.12.09  Otto Energy to Acquire 3D Seismic in SC55 Offshore Philippines.
Phillippines Otto Energy will be commencing a 3D seismic data acquisition program in SC55. The Company plans to acquire 590 sq.km of 3D data in the southwest part of SC55. The program is designed to mature the Hawkeye structure and several other key leads in the license area. The seismic vessel is scheduled to arrive in the survey area on December 14, 2009.
SC55 covers 9,000 sq.km in the southwest Palawan Basin, Philippines. It is located on a regional oil and gas fairway that extends from the productive Borneo offshore region in the southwest to the offshore Philippines production assets northwest of Palawan.
Otto has an 85% working interest in SC55 and is the operator. The seismic program will satisfy Otto's commitments under its work program for the current subphase of exploration of this block.
Source: Otto Energy Ltd.

••• 09.12.09  Fugro completes shallow hazards survey in Chukchi.
Fugro GeoServices has successfully completed the fieldwork portion of a shallow hazards survey in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea for Shell Exploration and Production. Data processing is currently underway, with the first set of interpretation and reporting deliverables scheduled for month’s end. Additional follow-on work is expected to continue into the new year.
Noting the importance of cleared sites for the company’s 2010 exploration plans, Shell’s Alaska Exploration Operations Coordinator stated, "The 2009 season has been extremely successful and positions us well for 2010 and beyond".
Fugro accomplished the surveys over a period of two months. Acquisition involved specialized equipment customized for the arctic environment and to meet Alaska outer continental shelf permitting requirements, as published by the federal Minerals Management Service agency.
Source: Scandoil

••• 09.12.09  Salazar Conditionally OKs Shell's Exploration Plan in Chukchi Sea.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Department's Minerals Management Service (MMS) has approved, with conditions, Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc.'s Exploration Plan to drill three exploratory, information-gathering wells in the Chukchi Sea.
"A key component of reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil is the environmentally-responsible exploration and development of America's renewable and conventional resources," said Salazar. "By approving this Exploration Plan, we are taking a cautious but deliberate step toward developing additional information on the Chukchi Sea."
In 2008, Shell's subsidiary paid $2.1 billion for leases during Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193. The 2008 sale was included in the previous Administration's 2007-2012 Five-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program to cover leasing for oil and gas in the Outer Continental Shelf for that five-year period. The Exploration Plan now approved allows Shell to drill up to three exploration wells during the July-October open water drilling season.
Shell proposes activities using one drill ship, one ice management vessel, an ice class anchor handling vessel, and oil spill response vessels. The closest proposed drill site is more than 60 miles to shore and approximately 80 miles from Wainwright, Alaska.
"Our approval of Shell's plan is conditioned on close monitoring of Shell's activities to ensure that they are conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner," added Salazar. "These wells will allow the Department to develop additional information and to evaluate the feasibility of future development in the Chukchi Sea.
The 2007-2012 OCS plan is currently undergoing review in response to a U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit order which required additional environmental analysis. The Secretary's decision on the remaining plan is forthcoming.
Source: Rigzone

••• 08.12.09  Searcher Seismic and Seabird Exploration announce the completion of the Acheron 2D non-exclusive seismic program.
Searcher Seismic Pty Ltd in conjunction with its project partner Seabird Exploration is pleased to announce that the ACHERON Non-Exclusive 2D Seismic Survey (“ACHERON 2D Survey”) was completed on the 28th of November, 2009.
The Acheron 2D seismic survey acquired a total 2,678km of 2D long-offset seismic data immediately to the west of the Bernier Ridge which lies in the southwest of the highly prospective Carnarvon Basin. The survey covers a vast amount of unexplored open acreage which is proposed to be opened for bidding in the 2010 Federal acreage release round, as well has part of existing permit WA-385-P.
The M/V Aquila Explorer commenced acquisition on the 5th of November and Operations Manager Alan Hopping commented that "excellent weather and project planning had meant that both technical and operational downtime had been severely reduced", he continued to praise the vessel’s management and crew for their "efficient and timely acquisition whilst preserving the quality of the seismic".
Data will be processed at PGS in Perth, Western Australia and the full suite of deliverables are scheduled to be available from April 2010.
Source: Searcher Seismic

••• 08.12.09  Geotechnical vessel for Bluestone.
Following the announcement of Bluestone Offshore’s new shareholding structure, the company has released information about a new addition to the geotechnical vessel fleet.
Maya is a newly-built MT6016 multipurpose supply and support vessel that is 93.6m in length with a 19.7m beam, a 7m x 7m moonpool, 1,020m2 deck space and accommodation for 66.
Geotechnical equipment and drilling rig previously installed on Bluestone's Topaz is currently being transferred to Maya and the new vessel’s first confirmed contract is for a scientific expedition at the Australian Great Barrier Reef starting January 2010.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 07.12.09  50 years with nuclear powered icebreakers.
On December 3rd 1959, the world’s first nuclear powered civilian vessel was officially taken into operation. Lenin was the first of nine nuclear icebreakers designed for navigation in the Arctic out of Murmansk. Today Lenin is a museum of Russia’s nuclear fleet.
Equipped with originally three nuclear reactors, the icebreaker Lenin was launched from the shipyard in Leningrad in 1957. After two years of testing, Lenin was put into ordinary icebreaker operations by the end of 1959. She was then looked upon as a truly piece of master engineering.
Lenin was transferred to Murmansk and got its own pier and onshore wooden house in the northern part of the city, then known as base 92. Still, all maintains and repair works were done at the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk near Arkhangelsk.
Later, the base in Murmansk was extended and renamed RTP Atomflot and all repair work and maintains of Lenin and the follow-up fleet of nuclear powered icebreakers were carried out there.
Although, Lenin was the world’s first nuclear powered surface vessel, she was not the first time nuclear power was used at sea. Both the United States with its Nautilus and the Soviet Union with its Leninski Komsomol had experience with nuclear powered military submarines.
But still, use of nuclear power at sea was not without problems. Many small problems with the reactors cooling system arose the first years. In 1966, after Lenin has sailed six journeys in the Arctic, the icebreaker was taken out of operation for necessary maintains. Leakages were discovered and when the uranium fuel rods were to be replaced it was discovered that several of them had expanded and were partly destroyed.
The fuel rods that could be taken out of the partly damaged reactor were transferred to the old service vessel Lepse, the rest – some 60 percent – were left in the reactor core which later was cut out and in 1967 dumped in the Kara Sea east of Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. Lenin’s reactor still rest on the seabed. The highly radioactive fuel rods that were taken out are still inside one of the storage rooms onboard Lepse, placed in a dry-dock at Atomflot in Murmansk waiting for safe decommissioning.
Lenin was then taken to Severodvinsk were she got two new reactors installed during a two-and-a-half year reconstruction period. The first of the new reactors was started in April 1970, at the 100 year’s anniversary of Vladimir Lenin’s birth. The second was started on the 1st of May the same year. Lenin then sailed without any reported accidents until she was officially taken out of operation in 1989. The Soviet Union’s second nuclear powered icebreaker, Arktika, was taken into operation in 1975. Arktika was the first ever surface vessel to sail to break the ice and sail all the way to the North Pole in August 1977. In all nine nuclear powered icebreakers are so far built. The latest is 50-years anniversary, put into operation two years ago. In addition, a nuclear powered container vessel, the Sevmorput, was taken into operation in 1988, but the vessel has spent most of its lifetime in port. All of Russia’s nuclear powered icebreakers are based in Murmansk.
Since 1989 the nuclear powered icebreakers have also been used for tourist purposes carrying passengers to the North Pole.
Today, it is Rosatomflot that operates Russia’s fleet of nuclear powered icebreakers.
Three other countries have also sailed nuclear powered civilian vessels. The United States had its cargo liner Savannah, Germany had its cargo and passenger ship Otto Hahn and Japan had its NS Mutsu.
As BarentsObserver reported earlier this year, Russia is now planning to build a new generation of nuclear powered icebreakers for operations in the Arctic. Construction of the first vessel will start in 2010 and be ready for its first voyage in 2015. The new icebreakers will be equipped with a new type of nuclear reactor than used in today’s Arktika-class icebreakers.
BarentsObserver reported in June that 17 billion rubles are allocated from Russia’s federal budget to the development of the third generation nuclear powered icebreakers to operate from Murmansk. It will be a double-hull icebreaker capable of moving in both rivers and seas.
While the new icebreakers still only exists on paper, you can visit the 50 year old Lenin. It is permanently laid up in the central passenger harbour in Murmansk and works as a museum of the nuclear icebreaker fleet.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 04.12.09  PGS sells onshore division.
American Geokinetics Inc has acquired Norwegian PGS' onshore division, including their multiclient library business, at a total value of USD 210 million.
The payment will be in cash and stock, of which approximately USD 184 million will be paid in cash. The final purchase price is subject to certain post-closing adjustments, PGS writes in a press release.
It's expected that the transaction will be closed in the first quarter of 2010.
The combination of Geokinetics and the onshore business of PGS will create the second largest onshore seismic acquisition company in the world in terms of crew count, and the largest based in the Western Hemisphere.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 04.12.09  WesternGeco Kicks Off E-Octopus VII Survey in Central GOM.
WesternGeco commenced the acquisition of the E-Octopus VII survey in November. Located in the Walker Ridge and Keathley Canyon areas of the US central Gulf of Mexico, the multiclient survey covers approximately 300 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks.
E-Octopus VII targets the high profile Lower Tertiary trend in a challenging subsalt imaging area of the Walker Ridge. The survey integrates previously acquired E-Octopus IV and E-Octopus VI phases to further expand the wide-azimuth coverage of the WesternGeco data library.
The latest seismic data processing techniques will be applied to the survey, including 3D GSMP generalized surface multiple prediction and anisotropic Reverse Time Migration (RTM). Both techniques are enhanced by the Q-Marine point-receiver marine seismic acquisition system.
The E-Octopus multiclient wide-azimuth program in the Gulf of Mexico commenced in July of 2006. With the addition of E-Octopus VII, WesternGeco will have acquired over 3,100 OCS blocks of high-quality Q-Marine wide-azimuth data in the Gulf of Mexico.
The E-Octopus project is a member of the WesternGeco family of multiclient E-surveys that utilize advanced acquisition and processing technologies. The WesternGeco suite of advanced geophysical applications includes electromagnetic services and the Q-Technology point-receiver high-fidelity seismic acquisition-to-inversion platform.
Source: Schlumberger

••• 03.12.09  Polarcus to Acquire 3D Seismic Offshore Cameroon.
Reference is made to the notice published by Polarcus Limited on October 29, 2009, regarding the receipt of a Letter of Award from a leading independent oil company for 3D seismic acquisition project offshore West Africa.
Polarcus announced that further to the referenced notification, the necessary governmental approvals and consent from Petronas Carigali have been secured for the award and a service contract executed with the client, Noble Energy Cameroon Limited.
The 1,500km2 3D seismic acquisition project, offshore Cameroon, will be acquired by Polarcus Naila, the Company's second 12 streamer 3D seismic vessel. The project will commence in Q1 2010 and is expected to run for forty-five days.
Source: Polarcus Ltd.

••• 03.12.09  BOS Initiates Merger Process With Global Tender Barges ASA.
Bergen Oilfield Services AS has initiated a process towards the board of directors of the OSE listed company Global Tender Barges ASA and Proposed a merger between the two companies.
Bergen Oilfield Services AS is a Norwegian marine geophysical company. The company owns three seismic vessels and manages the whole value chain from vessel ownership and management, data acquisition to data processing.
BOS has initiated process towards, GBT with the purpose of establishing a platform that will benefit both companies and their shareholders. BOS has engaged Arctic Securities as financial advisor and Weirsholm as legal advisor in this process.
Funds managed by Sector Omega ASA is largest owner of BOS, with 78% of shares and is also the largest owner in GTB with and ownership interest of 33%.
Source: BOS

••• 02.12.09  Chariot Oil & Gas Kicks Off Additional Seismic Offshore Namibia.
Namibia Chariot Oil & Gas noted that a second 3D seismic acquisition program has commenced in the Northern blocks, 1811 A&B offshore Namibia. This program will cover 600 sq.km, focusing on an area of specific interest over the previously identified Zamba prospect. The work is being undertaken by CGG Veritas.
The program is expected to be completed by the end of December and processing and interpretation will commence immediately after completion. This activity complements the previously acquired 900 sq.km which will be available for review in the dataroom which is opening in the first quarter of 2010.
Paul Welch, CEO commented, "This final seismic programme will conclude a comprehensive acquisition campaign undertaken across all our Namibian acreage and is of particular interest as it is being shot over a target defined from an earlier 2D seismic program. We look forward to the results of the interpretation and will be reporting on these in due course."
Source: Rigzone

••• 02.12.09  A NOK 44 million contract to deliver a complete handling system for an oceanographic research vessel, including the ODIM CTCU deepwater technology, has been awarded to ODIM.
This order has been placed by China’s Wuchang Shipyard, with the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) as the ultimate user. Delivery is scheduled for December 2010.
In addition to the ODIM Compact CTCU cable traction control unit, with a lifting capacity of 20 tonnes, the delivery embraces deck equipment, overboard systems and associated control systems.
The company has more than 20 years of experience as a supplier of complete deck equipment and overboard systems for all types of research vessels worldwide. The ODIM Compact CTCU is a smaller version of the technology, which can be utilised as part of a complete oceanographic research system. This order represents the third of these compact units to be delivered by ODIM to the oceanographic market.
a“The Norwegian sales team has worked purposefully with this customer over a long period in close cooperation with the ODIM sales force in Asia,” says Jan Kjrstad, sales manager of the Oceanographic business area in Norway, in a comment on the new order.
“It’s very gratifying that we’ve won a contract from Wuchang Shipyard for the IOCAS, and it’s not least strategically important for us to reinforce our position in this segment,” says Sit Kok Lee, Vice President, Sales & Marketing Asia.
Source: ODIM

••• 01.12.09  AuDAX Resources selects PGS for Tunisia 3D seismic contract.
AuDAX Resources says that PGS (Petroleum Geo Services) is the successful bidder to provide Seismic Services for the 3D Seismic acquisition in the Kerkouane permit offshore Tunisia. The successful tender was based on the technical merits and commercial evaluation of the four seismic acquisition contractors approved by ETAP (Enterprise Tunisienne D’Activites Petrolieres) in Tunis.
AuDAX expects to acquire the 3D survey over a number of leads and prospects, including the Sambuca prospect and the Dougga field in the first quarter of 2010. PGS will be applying its unique but proven Geostreamer Dual Sensor technology for the first time in Tunisia. The survey will cover approximately 620 sqkm full fold subsurface area. PGS will not earn any interest in the permits from this programme.
Paul Fink, AuDAX Technical Director commented that the dual sensor Geostreamer incorporates the latest in technology and would accurately image both shallow and deep reservoir targets in an area where large hydrocarbon resource potential could not previously be interpreted, due to poor seismic imaging on both conventional 2D and 3D data.
Source: Scandoil

••• 01.12.09  More vessels laid up on both sides of the Atlantic.
Nor-Ocean Offshore reports that availability in the spot market in the North Sea has been reduced the last few days due to bad weather delaying ongoing operations as well as quite a few new fixtures.
"PSVs have been fixed in the region GBP 3,000-6,000. However, there are still plenty available tonnage both in Aberdeen and Norway. The latest disclosed AHTS fixture was Maersk Logger at approximately Nkr50.000."
Nor-Ocean Offshore said laying up of vessels continues, and the latest companies to take vessels out of service is Danish owner Esvagt which has laid up four standby vessels in the North Sea, and Italian owner Augusta Offshore which is taking one older PSV and one AHTS which were trading in the Mediterranean out of service.
"In total around 150 AHTS and PSVs are now laid up, of which seven are in the North Sea," said the broker. "By comparison in the Gulf of Mexico 99 vessels have been laid up, with an average age of more than 25 years, which could imply vessels being naturally phased out."
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 30.11.09  PGS Announces 100% Solid Streamers.
As Ramform Challenger sailed from the yard equipped with 12 new GeoStreamers, the transition to solid technology is complete. PGS has announced that its marine fleet is officially 100% fluid free.
The entire equipment park of operational marine sensor streamer sections now utilize solid gel fill, reducing environmental risk and removing any oil spill hazard from damaged streamer sections.
PGS started rolling out gel filled solid sections in 2004. Today the company employs around 11,000 solid 75 meter streamer sections on its marine fleet and in spare. These include the GeoStreamer dual sensor streamers.
"We started phasing out fluid filled sections in 2004 and have focussed on operational performance. Today’s product is superb and this is an important milestone," concludes Rune Eng, President PGS Marine.
Source: PGS

••• 26.11.09  Double naming ceremony for Polarcus vessels.
The naming ceremony of the seismic survey vessels Polarcus Nadia and Polarcus Naila took place at Drydocks World Dubai on November 24th. The newbuilds were built for the account of Polarcus.
Polarcus Nadia and Polarcus Naila are the first two vessels to be named, and are due to be delivered in late 2009 and early 2010, respectively. Both will be fitted with a 3D seismic system and 12 streamer winches.
Polarcus Nadia is due to commence operating in December this year on its first assignment with TGS for a 2,000 square kms long-offset 3D survey.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 25.11.09  Double Award Win for BOS from Statoil, Offshore Mozambique & Tanzania.
BOS confirm the award of two large frontier 3D surveys offshore Mozambique and Tanzania.
"The award from Statoil is yet a strong confirmation of the excellence of BOS and our services after a fantastic operational year for BOS and the resent growth of new customers in our order book, this double award from Statoil reflects our strong reputation of excellent geophysical services". "We are extremely pleased to see this year end and next year start with all vessels in sound operation. This proves the strength of our global reach and our capabilities", - commented Jan S Sovik, VP Marketing and Sales in BOS.
The surveys will be acquired by the 3D vessel BOS Arctic following a program in West Africa.
Source: BOS

••• 20.11.09  BP, ConocoPhillips Reduce 2010 Spending Plans in Alaska.
BP and ConocoPhillips have reduced their capital spending and developmental budgets for Alaska in 2010 because of higher costs to produce mature fields, disappointing exploratory results and the state's new tax regime, the companies said.
London-based BP's 2010 capital spending will be $850 million, or down 15% from more than $1 billion this year, John Minge, president of BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. said Wednesday during a conference. One-third of next year's budget will be spent on infrastructure renewal, one-third in drilling and one-third in growth projects, he added. BP's Alaska budget includes projects such as the development of heavy oil and the Liberty prospect in the Beaufort Sea.
Minge said Alaska's new tax system, which was enacted in 2007 and increases rates on companies when oil prices rise, makes the state relatively unattractive for investment in new developments.
ConocoPhillips, the third-largest U.S. oil company by market value, is also cutting spending next year. The Houston-based company plans no exploration wells in 2010 after disappointing results from past explorations, said Charlie Rowton, a company's spokesman. The company is changing its focus to offshore exploration in the Chukchi Sea, where it expects to start drilling in 2012, he added.
BP and ConocoPhillips are owners, along with Exxon Mobil Corp., of Prudhoe Bay, the largest oilfield in the U.S. BP is the field's operator.
Source: Rigzone/Dow Jones Newswires

••• 20.11.09  Shtokman, a natural gas field in Russia's Arctic waters that is one of the world's largest gas deposits, will start producing two years later than OAO Gazprom's planned launch date, according to one of the partners in the megaproject.
Jean-Jacques Mosconi, head of strategy at French oil company Total SA, said the first gas from Shtokman would begin flowing into export pipelines in 2015, with liquefied natural gas production starting up a year later.
The reason for the delay is the "numerous technical issues" Shtokman presented, he said. Gazprom's original timetable, which envisaged the development coming on stream in 2013, was "impossible," he added.
The hold-up reflects the escalating costs, vast logistical challenges and uncertain outlook for gas now facing the Shtokman partners - Gazprom, Total and Statoil ASA of Norway. Spot gas prices have slumped as recession demolished demand and new supplies swamped the market from new LNG projects and the shale gas fields of North America.
Total's chief executive, Christophe de Margerie, said last month that Shtokman won't be profitable with gas prices at their current level. He said a final investment decision on Shtokman will be made at the end of 2010 months later than originally flagged.
Shtokman would not be the first megaproject Gazprom has delayed. Last summer, it said it was postponing the launch of Bovanenkovo, a huge field in the northern Yamal Peninsula, by a year to 2012.
The delays are important because Bovanenkovo and Shtokman are key to Gazprom's growth ambitions. The company wants to increase its market share in Europe from 25% now to a third by 2020. But its mature Siberian fields are in decline, and it needs to develop its reserves fast to avoid steep falls in output.
Located under the iceberg-strewn Arctic waters of the Barents Sea, Shtokman has reserves of 3.8 trillion cubic meters, enough to meet the world's demand for gas for more than a year.
Gazprom initially said it would develop the field on its own, but later tapped Total and Statoil to help. The three formed Shtokman Development AG. to carry out the first phase of the project. Gazprom owns 51%, Total 25% and Statoil 24%. The Russian company retains ownership of all the gas Shtokman will produce.
Under plans for the first stage, Shtokman was supposed to start producing pipeline gas for Europe in 2013, with production of liquefied natural gas for export to the U.S. beginning the following year. In total, the first phase would produce 23.7 billion cubic meters of gas a year just under 5% of the Europe's current consumption.
But Gazprom warned recently that the steep fall-off in gas demand in Europe could prompt it to review Shtokman's timetable.
The first phase of Shtokman will use a huge floating production unit connected to several subsea wells. The gas will be pumped ashore through a 550-kilometer pipeline to a terminal at Teriberka, where an LNG liquefaction plant will be built. The production unit will be moored on a turret that can be moved up and down to avoid the Barents Sea's biggest threat stray icebergs.
Source: Rigzone/The Wall Street Journal

••• 19.11.09  Geosounder completes Canada work.
Survey group DOF Subsea has completed a well site clearance survey offshore Newfoundland in the Laurentian Basin using the Geosounder vessel which is now heading back to Norway.
The Gesounder was working for DOF Subsea Canada and deployed multi-beam bathymetry and magnetometer equipment mounted on an ROV for the assignment for an undisclosed client.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 19.11.09  EMGS signs Gulf of Mexico agreement with Rocksource.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has entered into a data-licensing agreement with Rocksource, in which Rocksource pre-committed to license newly acquired Clearplay Test EM data over a number of prospects in the Gulf of Mexico.
This agreement will generate fourth quarter revenues in excess of USD 2.5 million. EMGS and Rocksource are evaluating additional prospects to extend the program, including additional new acquisition as well as late sales of existing data library.
This new program to de-risk prospects in the Gulf of Mexico is an extension of the pre-existing relationships between FOCUS Exploration, Rocksource and EMGS.
Source: EMGS

••• 19.11.09  STX Finland to construct Polar Supply and Research Vessel.
STX Finland Oy and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs have signed a contract for construction of a Polar Supply and Research Vessel. The ship with a value of approximately EUR 116 million will bring some 600 man-years of work. The ship will be built in the Rauma shipyard and it will be delivered in spring 2012.
The ship will function as a multi-purpose vessel, serving, among other things, as a supply vessel, research vessel, icebreaker, expedition vessel, as well as a passenger ship. The ice-strengthened vessel will be approximately 134 metres long and it will have accommodation for a crew of 45 and some 100 researchers or passengers.
The Polar Supply and Research Vessel will be used to carry scientists and research equipment for the South African National Antarctic Programme in the sea area between South Africa, the Antarctic islands and the Antarctica. The ship can spend several months out at sea and it also acts as a mobile laboratory. Scientists can also conduct various marine research onboard the ship. The ship is classified for carrying passengers. Furthermore, the vessel keeps continuous record of weather data for meteorological institutions around the world. The vessel has a shelter and landing area for two Puma class helicopters and it will feature laboratories, a gym, a library, and a small hospital.
Source: STX Europe

••• 19.11.09  Bond bags Maersk flights.
Maersk Oil in the UK North Sea has selected Bond Offshore Helicopters to provide crew change services over the next five years in a deal worth over GBP 60 million.
Bond has been selected to provide the crew change services for the Janice, Gryphon and Dumbarton production platforms in the UK North Sea and will be using newly introduced Eurocopter EC225 helicopters for the flights.
Bond's deal is valid for five years with options for a further three years, and the contract will involve the creation of 15 new jobs at its Aberdeen airport base at Dyce, where the total number of employees will rise to 220.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 18.11.09  More gas condensate at Shtokman field.
Gazprom and the governmental commission for natural resources says the Shtokman field’s C1 deposit holds 53,3 million tons of gas condensate.
The estimated gas condensate reserves is enlarged by 71 percent compared with earlier estimates, reports Gazprom at its website. The increased estimates come after a new geological model of the reserves and a new data survey of that model.
From before it is known that C1 holds 3,8 trillion cubic meters of gas.
On Friday, the Shtokman Development AG participated at a meeting with Gazprom’s vice-president of the bord, Aleksandr Ananenkov, and other divisions of Gazprom where they discussed the realization of the Shtokman field regarding optimization of the technology to be used in the first phase. In particular, the questions related to transportation and storage of gas condensate was discussed, according to Gazprom.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 17.11.09  Fugro acquires major 3D seismic project offshore Alaska.
Fugro-Geoteam has entered into an agreement with Statoil USA E&P, Inc. for the acquisition and QC processing of 2400 square kilometres of 3D marine seismic programme around Statoil’s leases in the Chukchi Sea. The project is valued at approximately USD 26 million (EUR 17 million), with an estimated duration up to three months. The survey is planned to take place from approximately early August into October 2010.
In consideration of the challenging conditions of the Chukchi Sea, combined with the limited acquisition window, Fugro-Geoteam and Statoil have agreed to utilise one of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced, ‘C-class’ vessels. The large and modern C-Class vessels have a DNV ICE classification as well as the proven capability to tow an exceptionally high streamer count. The combination of which, will provide the capability to optimise production during the limited window.
Source: Rigzone

••• 17.11.09  PGS upgrades seismic ships in anticipation of better market.
Despite the depressed state of the seismic market, Norway’s Petroleum-Geo Services is reportedly spending money upgrading the equipment on four of its vessels in anticipation of an upturn in demand.
PGS is also scheduled to take delivery of the newbuild PGS Apollo from Spain’s Factorias Vulcano yard during the first quarter of next year.
However, construction of a sister vessel PGS Artemis has been delayed partly due to a bankruptcy process at the Juliana yard in Spain.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 17.11.09  OHM Secures CSEM Survey in Offshore Equatorial Guinea.
OHM has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bureau of Geophysical Prospecting in China (BGP) to provide marine CSEM survey design, acquisition and processing services to BGP. BGP has awarded the first survey to OHM within the framework of this new agreement for the acquisition of marine CSEM data offshore Equatorial Guinea, with a contract value of approximately $2.5 million. The CSEM survey is anticipated to start in late November, 2009.
Richard Cooper, CEO of OHM commented, "We are delighted that BGP, one of the world’s largest geophysical contractors, has chosen OHM as their supplier of choice for our WISE integrated CSEM products and services. We look forward to working with BGP on this first joint survey and developing a strong and long-lasting partnership to the benefit of all."
Source: Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc

••• 16.11.09  Karoon Gas acquires Santos Basin 3D seismic.
A new 3D seismic acquisition to cover Karoon Gas Australia’s Santos Basin Blocks will commence in January 2010.
Karoon has contracted the WesternGeco Servicos de Sismica Ltd vessel, the Western Patriot, to undertake the new Wide Azimuth 3D seismic acquisition.
The objective of this acquisition is to provide uniform, high-quality Wide Azimuth 3D seismic coverage over the 730 sq kms Santos Blocks. The Wide Azimuth seismic acquisition is designed to image beneath and around salt structures allowing better prospect definition.
Karoon holds a 100% equity interest in all five Santos Basin Blocks.
Source: Scandoil

••• 16.11.09  Hyperdynamics has provided an update on the progress of its recently announced 9,000-kilometer 2D seismic survey that is under way offshore Republic of Guinea.
To date, 1,200 kilometers of seismic has been acquired. The data is being partially processed onboard Bergen Oilfield Services' seismic vessel BOS Arctic, and processing will be completed at Bergen's center in Oslo, Norway. The technical staff of Hyperdynamics is reviewing all stacked sections each day as they are transmitted from Bergen. The survey, which began October 29, 2009, is expected to be finished on schedule in mid-January, 2010.
"The quality of the data we are getting from our survey is excellent," said Ray Leonard, Hyperdynamics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "It is proving very helpful to us as we prepare to select the 36% acreage portion approximately 28,800 square kilometers that we plan to retain." Hyperdynamics agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Guinea signed in September that Hyperdynamics would retain a 36% acreage position selected by Hyperdynamics and relinquish the remainder.
Source: Hyperdynamics Corp.

••• 13.11.09  Tender for Teriberka work camp for Shtokman.
Shtokman Development AG has announced a tender for the construction of the work camp at Teriberka near Murmansk which will be the site for the new LNG plant to serve the giant Barents Sea gas field development.
The tender is for installation, rent and operation of a "pioneer camp" catering for at least 200 people in Teriberka, and which needs to be operational by May next year.
Russian and foreign firms with relevant experience are invited to express their interest in the tender for the work.
The tender is a huge logistical challenge and requires a camp to be constructed in a virtually uninhabited region, with facilities for at least 200, and with the capacity for expansion to cater for another 500 people.
Power generation, water, sewage treatment, telecommunication and all other utilities necessary to operate the camp safely are outlined in the tender.
Expressions of interest have to be submitted by 20 November, which is the deadline for filing a request for a pre-qualification document, and a pre-qualification dossier has to be returned to Shtokman AG by 21 December.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 12.11.09  Shell stakes out in French Guyana.
Shell has steamed into French Guyana on South America's northern coastline to obtain new deepwater acreage after a deal with an affiliate of British-based Tullow Oil.
Shell has acquired an interest in 32,000 sq. km of offshore acreage with water depths between 2,000 and 3,000 m (6,500 – 9,800 ft) in the Guyana Maritime Permit area, following an agreement with Tullow's Hardman Petroleum France SAS to acquire a 33% stake in the area, which is 150 km (93 miles) offshore.
A 3D seismic research programme covering 3,000 sq. km of the acreage is already underway and subject to approval by French authorities, the deal includes the right for Shell to acquire a further 12% stake in the licence area later.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 11.11.09  New record for Norway's oil fortune.
The return on the Norwegian Government Pension Fund - Global, popularly known as the Oil Fund, reached record levels in this year's third quarter. The fund grew with 13,5 percent.
The strong upturn in markets in the second quarter continued in the third quarter, leading to a return of 529 billion kroner so far this year, says Yngve Slyngstad, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), in a press release.
The fund is now worth a total of NOK 2,549 billion, and performed better than the market on a general level.
The fund's third-quarter return was 1.5 percentage points higher than the return on the benchmark portfolio, the National Bank of Norway reports in a press release.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 11.11.09  CGGVeritas saw revenue slump 31% in the third quarter this year to US $731 m and net income hit $12 m.
The company reported third quarter group revenue at $731 m, down 31% from $1.062 Bn last year, and net income down 93% to $12 m from $162 m this time last year.
Marine capacity adjustments: The Fohn and the Orion 3D vessels were decommissioned this quarter. Following contract completion, another 2D vessel will be de-rigged in the fourth quarter 2009. Three additional 2D vessels are scheduled for decommissioning in 2010.
Sercel: Revenue was down 35% in $ and 30% in ˆ from a record third quarter last year with an increased contribution from marine with sales of two SeaRay OBC systems and one Nautilus for acoustic positioning and streamer control. Internal sales represented 21% of revenue.
CGGVeritas Chairman & CEO, Robert Brunck commented, "As expected, the positive contribution of higher margin 2008 backlog coming to an end, led to a more difficult quarter. Nevertheless, we delivered solid free cash flow thanks to strong and disciplined actions across the company".
Source: Geonews

••• 10.11.09  SeaBird has been awarded a 2D contract for a survey off East Coast India for approximately 3,000 line kilometers with an option for the client to extend the survey.
The recently reactivated vessel Osprey Explorer will be deployed for this survey commencing December 2009 following a periodical survey in Singapore. This contract has a value including mobilization and demobilization of about USD 2.4 million for the firm portion.
The Hawk Explorer recently redelivered from her term charter with Fugro and presently undergoing a periodical survey in Denmark, will substitute for the previously announced Gulf of Mexico time charter contract intended for Osprey Explorer, thus saving considerable mobilization costs and improving the net earnings combined for these two vessels.
Source: Seabird Exploration

••• 10.11.09  Seismic vessel ships with new beds.
Seismic ship M/V Hugin Explorer operated by Seabird Exploration is now working with new accommodation on board offshore Angola thanks to the swift delivery of a specially-equipped cabin by an Aberdeen-based accommodation provider which rapidly responded and delivered an order within 10 days.
Seabird's seismic ship was fitted with the A60-rated cabin converted to provide eight-man sleeping quarters supplied by HB Rentals in Aberdeen after a GBP 160,000 contract.
" Following initial contact in the Middle East, the specialist outfitting and installation team at our Aberdeen hub, where we have a fleet of some 400 cabins, carried out the bespoke fitting work needed by Seabird and readied the cabin for shipping," explained HB's managing director George Emslie.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 09.11.09  Production is resumed at the Snohvit plant outside Hammerfest in northern Norway after a three-month planned shutdown for upgrading and maintenance.
The extensive refurbishment and modification of the Hammerfest LNG facility on Melkoya is intended to make the gas processing and liquefaction plant more robust and to ensure that it can maintain a high level of production in the future.
The plant ran at virtually full capacity from February until the shutdown began in August, and the project has aimed to safeguard that high level of performance.
Replacing and modifying a number of heat exchangers and other systems will also make the facility more robust against production interruptions.
Among the big jobs carried out was the replacement of 15 heat exchangers, which form the core of the liquefaction process for the Snohvit gas.
"We replaced two of seven seawater exchangers, which have caused problems with leaks, as early as last autumn," says operations vice president Knut Henrik Dalland.
During this year’s shutdown, a further four of these units were swapped for a more robust type. The seventh could be replaced during the planned turnaround in 2010.
"With pre- and post-shutdown activities, more than 600,000 hours have been worked in connection with this turnaround," reports Dalland.
"That means the operation at Hammerfest LNG has been as big as all the turnarounds on the Norwegian continental shelf put together."
A total of 1,550 people were engaged at the plant during the shutdown. All work included in the original plans was done, and the facility was restarted as planned.
Hammerfest LNG is expected to be capable of operating at full capacity after the turnaround, and this will be verified by a performance test at the end of the year.
Source: Maritime & Energy

••• 06.11.09  Seismic vessels scrapped but others to be upgraded.
As reported in an earlier update CGGVeritas has scrapped three of its old seismic vessels this year, such is the current state of the market.
However, as broker Seabrokers also reported recently, on a more positive note, Norway’s Petroleum-Geo Services (PGS) is spending money upgrading the equipment in four of its vessels in anticipation of an upturn in demand.
PGS is also scheduled to take delivery of the newbuild PGS Apollo from Spain’s Factorias Vulcano yard during the first quarter of next year.
However, construction of a sister vessel PGS Artemis has been delayed partly due to a bankruptcy process at the Juliana yard in Spain.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 06.11.09  CCB goes north.
CCB is positioning itself for future activity in the Barents Sea and the Russian Shtokman field by acquiring 50 percent of Vardo Barents Base.
Vardo Barents Base disposes 2.000 acres of Svartnes harbor in Vardo, and is Norway's most northern dock - and thereby the closest dock to the Shtokman development.
In a press release CCB writes that Svartnes harbor is ice free year round, and has free capacity in addition to being close to large and flat areas which will be cost effective to build upon.
- Vardo, with its strategic position and large space, is a well suited place for temporary storage of large gas pipes that will be installed from the Shtokman field to onshore Russia, and CCB has positioned itself for this kind of activity. If we succeed, this mean more activity in Vadso, says marketing manager of CCB, Knut M. Landro, in a press release.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 05.11.09  Seabrokers reports that CGGVeritas has sold three of its vessels for demolition this year. Due to decreased demand it has disposed of the 3D vessels Harmattan, Fohn, Orion.
Said Seabrokers: "Other seismic companies have stacked vessels pending an upturn in the market which in common with other sectors of the offshore market is expected to recover next year on the back of rising oil prices."
However, as Seabrokers also noted, the arrival of new, ultra modern tonnage will no doubt make life difficult for older seismic vessels.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 05.11.09  In Havana Wednesday Cuban and Russian officials signed four international economic association contracts for hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation in discoveries that might be made north of the central and western part of the country.
These documents were signed by Nikolai Bunich, director of the oil company Zarubezeneft, and Fidel Rivero, director of the Cuban Petroleum Union, in the presence of Basic Industries Minister Yadira Garcia and Ivan S. Materov, vice minister for industry and trade of the Russian Federation.
The initial investigation work and subsequent drilling and exploration will be carried out in four blocks located in northern Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Villa Clara, and Matanzas, and both sides agreed to begin as soon as possible, once the timetable has been defined.
In statements to the press, Yadira Garcia described the contracts as being "very important, because they allow us to continue investigating our oil areas, this time with a very qualified company like Zarubezeneft, from Russia."
The minster stated that Cuban crude oil "is characterized by being heavy, but in the areas where work will be done we have a better outlook in terms of its quality and that of the associated gas, considering the use we give it in Cuba for electricity generation."
She noted that seven foreign oil firms are working in the island in crude oil exploration and extraction on land and offshore.
Sources from the Basic Industries Ministry commented that they include Petro Vietnam, Petrobras (from Brazil), and PDVSA (from Venezuela).
The contracts were signed in the Russian Federation's pavilion at the 27th International Fair of Havana, in Exopcuba, where Vice Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment Orlando Hernandez and Ivan S. Materov reiterated their interest in strengthening and diversifying trade ties between the two countries.
Source: BBC Monitoring

••• 05.11.09  PrimeGen announced that its wholly owned Russian subsidiary OOO Verkhne Michayu Group ("Verkhne") has been awarded the Layevozhskoye oil and gas exploration license in the Baltic Basin in Western Russia.
The vast majority of the area of the Baltic basin is under license or under application by numerous domestic and international companies. This award therefore gives PrimeGen access to a highly desirable region, during a period of considerable competition. The concession totaling 2065.32 km2 is located in the Baltic Basin western Russia including portions of license blocks 36, 45, 46, 73 and 74.
The License is valid for up to 10 years and covers a work program which includes geological studies, seismic acquisition and a one well drilling obligation. If a discovery is made the term extends to 25 years with an additional 25 years, if required.
The primary reason for applying for this license is the high potential of the Paleozoic shales that could lead to a commercial shale gas development similar to the Barnett Shale in the United States. In addition, PrimeGen believes that while testing the shale gas potential of the area there are conventional oil targets above and below the shale intervals further reducing the risk of exploration.
Robert Charlton, CEO of PrimeGen commented, "We are excited to expand our portfolio in Russia into the underexplored Baltic Basin. There is a potentially significant unconventional gas play in the Paleozoic shales that we believe will unlock an overlooked high potential play in the wider region. We also believe there is significant potential that has been overlooked in several conventional targets on the license."
In the initial exploration phase, an environmental study is planned to be carried out. Taking account of 2D material already available, a 3D seismic test is then to be conducted across an area 500 square kilometers in size. In addition, an exploration well is to be drilled once the seismic testing has been completed.
Source: PrimeGen Energy Corp.

••• 05.11.09  Spectrum has signed an agreement with OMNIS, the state agency responsible for upstream activities in Madagascar, to reprocess 6000 line kilometers of seismic data.
The surveys include data offshore the west, south, and east coasts, and are located over the Morondava and Majunga basins, the Cap Sainte-Marie and Ile Sainte-Marie (St. Mary's Island) respectively.
Under the agreement, Spectrum will produce new datasets for open licensing blocks offshore the south and east coasts, and the west coast where a long line ties both awarded and open blocks.
Spectrum's EVP of Multi-Client services, Charles Harmer commented, "Previous interpretation of these surveys suggests encouraging prospectivity for the occurrence of hydrocarbons. We believe that reprocessing this data with Spectrum's specialist seismic processing and imaging techniques will improve the quality and definition of the vintage data, particularly in less understood areas such as Cap St. Marie basin and Ile St. Marie." The reprocessed datasets will be made available through Spectrum's Multi Client library when the reprocessing is completed in Q1, 2010.
Source: Spectrum ASA

••• 03.11.09  StatoilHydro ASA is changing its name to Statoil ASA and simultaneously adopting its new visual identity.
The group is taking the opportunity to clarify its future ambitions and strategy. Chief executive Helge Lund will be leading a global town hall meeting on Monday, November 2, which can be followed simultaneously by all employees from Beijing to Calgary.
The group's almost 30,000 employees will be giving the new vision and identity a content through various activities in the time to come.
The new visual identity is based on a constellation of stars seen against the Nordic heavens, which has been refined to a guiding star as Statoil's new symbol.
This star represents the group's history, pioneering spirit and ambition to be a leader in efforts to find better solutions for meeting growing energy requirements in a responsible way. Its configuration as a three-dimensional object is motivated by Statoil's strong technological history and strategy.
Tests show that the star evokes a wide range of associations, from innovation and dynamism to drill bits and wind turbines. This fits well with the group's business today and tomorrow. The color chosen for the new logotype is magenta, which can clearly be seen in the Nordic evening sky. It will also help to give Statoil a distinctive identity and visibility in the global market.
All parts of the group will use the new identity with the exception of its service station network, which retains its existing Statoil logotype.
This reflects a view that this part of the business competes well on its own terms, with its separate requirements and target audiences.
Source: Statoil ASA

••• 30.10.09  Polarcus Tapped for 3D Seismic Acquisition Off West Africa.
Polarcus has received a Letter of Award from a leading independent oil company for a two month 3D seismic acquisition project offshore West Africa.
The project is provisionally allocated to Polarcus Naila, the Company's second 12 streamer 3D seismic vessel, for acquisition commencing in Q1 2010.
"This is an important award that starts to establish backlog for our second 3D seismic vessel," commented Rolf Ronningen, CEO Polarcus. "We are very pleased to have been entrusted with this work and we look forward to demonstrating our capabilities through a successful project delivery." The award is contingent upon final governmental approval and the execution of a service contract.
Source: Polarcus

••• 28.10.09  CGGVeritas is confident that acquisition of the recently announced PEMEX Gulf of Mexico survey with the advanced Sercel Nautilus-Sentinel steered solid streamers will provide a new benchmark for safer operations, quieter data and better crew efficiency.
With one system already in production on the Symphony, CGGVeritas will make the next full-scale deployment of the advanced Sercel Nautilus-Sentinel steered solid streamers on the largest marine survey ever awarded.
The Alize will shortly be starting the acquisition of a 75,000 sq km 3D survey for PEMEX in the Gulf of Mexico, using twelve Sentinel solid streamers equipped with Nautilus streamer control devices. Two of the Alize's companion vessels, the Symphony and the Endeavour, have already been breaking industry production records, and the Alize is now expected to surpass them. This will be partly due to the ease of deployment of solid streamers and the fact that, with a 12 x 8km x 100m streamer configuration, the Alize will be towing the largest areal receiver array in the industry.
Sercel's Nautilus is the unique 3-in-1 automatic steering, positioning and depth control device, purpose-designed for Sentinel streamers. The combination of Sentinel and Nautilus provides the most advanced steered streamer available today.
The Alize has always been a capable vessel and a full upgrade in 2008 extended her competitive advantage. With 16-streamer capacity, the latest vintage of solid Sentinel streamers and the addition of Nautilus, the Alize is poised to deploy the world’s largest spread of steered streamers.
Combined with the reputation CGGVeritas has gained for service, data quality, safety and efficiency, this puts the vessel in an excellent position to set a new standard with the PEMEX project.
Nautilus-steered Sentinel streamers offer many HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) advantages. Nautilus is powered by the streamer and so requires no battery changes. This eliminates the need to handle and store lithium batteries and reduces workboat trips, making the system inherently safer.
The streamer has the largest tensile strength in the industry and is resilient to damage in-water and during deployment. Its solid fill means that it is preferred for use in sensitive environments such as the Arctic where, this year alone, Sentinel has seen service several times.
The Sentinel streamer, thanks to its solid design, is recognized in the industry as the quietest streamer at all frequencies and depths, particularly in marginal weather conditions.
Nautilus enhances the industry-leading low-noise performance of Sentinel, even under steering. Tests have shown that the overall noise levels do not vary with steering force, and are lower than those from conventional birds and acoustic devices.
Nautilus has an advanced fully-braced acoustic network which improves positioning accuracy compared with conventional tail-mid-head networks.
Each advanced Nautilus unit communicates with the devices on adjacent streamers, decoding and interpreting ranges in real time, and adjusting their steering automatically to maintain separation and position, without waiting for feedback from the vessel. This provides automatic spread regularization and allows efficient 3D recording, as holes in the coverage caused by 'trousering' are eliminated, reducing dramatically the need for infill shooting. The depth of the streamers is also automatically controlled.
The large wings of Nautilus are designed to provide higher steering force than is currently available, allowing faster spread regularization and better feather control. This powerful steering mechanism can also position the cables in any predetermined feather pattern for maximum 4D repeatability.
The Nautilus steering fins are coupled to in-line nodes in the Sentinel streamer, so can be easily mounted and handled using existing streamer deployment systems. Streamer deployment and recovery is simplified using Nautilus, as the streamers can be fanned out to prevent tangles.
Efficiency is also improved on line changes as the streamers can be steered out of turns faster.
Data quality is the most important aspect of acquisition. Sentinel streamers are proven to deliver low-noise high-quality data, especially in sub-salt areas. The PEMEX survey will include an area of wide-azimuth (WAZ) acquisition, a technique in which CGGVeritas has unrivalled experience and expertise. WAZ surveys have shown outstanding imaging results in this area, especially when processed using the true 3D algorithms and the unique TTI RTM of CGGVeritas. These are an important part of the new geovation seismic processing software.
Source: CGGVeritas

••• 28.10.09  PGS saw revenue sliced by a fifth and net income fall by almost two thirds in the third quarter this year.
Revenue fell to US $416.4 m from $534.3 m in the third quarter last year – a 22% fall, while net income attributable to shareholders was down to $47.7 m from $124.4 m last year – a 61% fall.
For the nine months ending September, PGS reported revenue at $1.181.7 Bn, down 18% from $1.455.9 Bn in the same period last year, and net income was down 62% to $143 m in the same nine month period, from $378 m in 2008.
Chief executive Jon Erik Reinhardsen said the company had concentrated on cash flow during the past year, resulting in a 30% cut in debt.
"Vessel and streamer bookings have increased every month since April 2009 and the dollar value of the order book has stabilised.," he stated. "There continues to be risks related to market outlook, not least the levels of over-capacity in the industry, but a combination of industry leading efficiency and technology leave us well positioned."
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 27.10.09  TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company reports third Wide Azimuth (WAZ) 3D survey in the Constitution series of projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
This newest survey, Justice, adds more than 7,800 square kilometers of WAZ coverage to the TGS portfolio. The project is a northeast expansion of the existing and contiguous Freedom and Liberty projects. Justice will cover portions of the hydrocarbon rich areas of Mississippi Canyon, Viosca Knoll, and De Soto Canyon.
TGS has contracted WesternGeco to perform the seismic acquisition for this survey and the project is planned to commence late in December 2009.
Acquisition of the data will incorporate two streamer vessels and two source vessels with a total of 20 streamers and 4 sources deployed and synchronized on the project. TGS will perform all data processing on the Justice survey and the final deliverables will include a wide range of depth imaged products.
Contrary to the Freedom and Liberty projects which were done under a cooperation agreement with WesternGeco, TGS will be the sole owner of the Justice survey.
"The clients’ support of our existing Wide Azimuth programs and their willingness to pre-fund the adjacent areas has allowed us to again expand these efforts," commented Stein Ove Isaksen, VP of North and South America for TGS. "We look forward to the challenge of imaging this geologically complex and important producing region of the Gulf."
Upon completion of Justice, TGS will have more than 27,000 square kilometers of WAZ 3D available for licensing covering the most productive oil producing area of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The Justice WAZ 3D project is being completed with customer funding.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 26.10.09  Schlumberger has provided a global overview of its WesternGeco's services, for the third quarter 2009.
Third-quarter revenue of $463 million decreased 17% sequentially and 48% year-on-year. Pretax operating income of $61 million decreased 37% sequentially and 83% year-on-year.
Sequentially, Multiclient revenue decreased mostly on reduced sales in North America and the North Sea. Marine revenue fell primarily as the result of weaker pricing and the completion of two large contracts. Land revenue was also lower due to project delays in the Middle East and Africa. Data Processing revenue was flat versus the previous quarter.
Pretax operating margin fell 421 bps sequentially to 13.1% primarily as a result of the lower Multiclient sales and Land project delays.
During the quarter, the WesternGeco Magellan left the shipyard in Spain on its maiden voyage to begin operations. The 12-streamer vessel is the world's second seismic X-Bow design to sail, following the WesternGeco Columbus earlier in 2009. The new design provides improved transit speeds, lower power consumption, reduced emissions and lower levels of pitching and vibration for a friendlier work environment.
WesternGeco recently completed the first ever wide-azimuth survey in Angolan waters ahead of schedule and within budget. The vessels Western Trident, Geco Diamond, Gilavar performed the survey and their crews and shore-side management were commended by BP for their professional approach, timely delivery of service, excellent data quality and outstanding performance.
Following the feasibility study completed for Apache on the Forties field in the UK North Sea, WesternGeco was awarded a 4D Q-Marine* seismic survey on the field. The contract includes data processing of the new survey as well as the reprocessing of several other existing datasets and is the first Q-Marine award by Apache.
In response to significant customer interest, WesternGeco began acquisition of multiclient surveys E-Octopus VIII and E-Octopus IX in early September. Located in the highly prospective Alaminos Canyon, Keathley Canyon and East Breaks areas of the US Gulf of Mexico, the surveys cover more than 450 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks and target some of the most challenging subsalt imaging areas of the OCS.
Operations commenced on a land 4D baseline survey for Chevron Australia during the quarter. The survey is a mixture of onshore and transition zone work within a Class A nature reserve on Barrow Island. The results of this and future surveys will be used to monitor the underground injection of carbon dioxide from gas produced from the Gorgon field and injected into a formation more than 2,000 m beneath Barrow Island.
In seismic data processing, the proven results generated by WesternGeco 3D GSMP* Generalized Surface Multiple Prediction and Reverse Time Migration (RTM) workflows resulted in the award of three significant contracts in North America during the quarter.
WesternGeco Electromagnetics completed a multiclient project in the Potiguar Basin, offshore Brazil. The project comprised integrated interpretation of 2D prestack depth-migrated seismic data, Petromod* petroleum systems modeling, and analysis of satellite oil-seep information to generate prospects. An accumulated total of approximately 1,300 sq km of Controlled Source Electromagnetics (CSEM) data were then acquired over these prospects and inverted to create resistivity datasets. The resulting geophysical datasets have been integrated into a Petrel database to be offered as part of a multiclient package.
WesternGeco Electromagnetics was awarded a contract to conduct the first CSEM survey in the Turkish sector of the Black Sea. The survey, to be acquired by Toisa Vigilant, is the largest volume of CSEM work tendered and awarded in the industry to date.
Source: Schlumberger

••• 21.10.09  SeaBird - Successful completion of OBN surveys on Green Canyon Atlantis field in Gulf of Mexico.
SeaBird Exploration announced that the previously reported Ocean Bottom Node (OBN) survey for BP Exploration & Production Inc. has been successfully completed by the SBX vessels Hugin Explorer and Kondor Explorer in the Gulf of Mexico. The proprietary survey represented the second stage (T1) of a time lapse program on the BP-operated Atlantis field.
The survey required 500 nodes to be deployed and the removable sensors then positioned in the seabed accurately using ROV support from the Hugin Explorer across a steep escarpment at depths ranging from 1300 to 2200 meters water depth. Operations started end July. The Kondor Explorer was used as the source vessel for the program. As the shooting program progressed, the Hugin Explorer was able to recover completed nodes and QC the data onboard simultaneously with the ongoing shooting program. The shooting program was completed on 19th September and all nodes were successfully recovered onboard Hugin Explorer by September 21. Onboard QC of all data was then carried out. A total of 494 nodes were good for data acquisition purposes, six were found bad.
The Hugin Explorer and the Kondor Explorer are now in mobilization phase from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for transit to Nigeria to carry out the previously announced Agbami field survey for Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, an affiliate of Chevron Nigeria Limited. Operations are expected to commence mid November after arrival and inward clearance of both vessels. An additional 250 Case Abyss deepwater nodes will be loaded onboard enroute to Nigeria.
CEO Tim Isden commented, "We are extremely pleased that the operation of our OBN division has proved to be what we had expected, especially after the late completion on our first survey in Angola. We have learnt a great deal from both these operations, and we now feel confident that the physical problems are behind us and that the quality of data acquired in both Angola and Gulf of Mexico will prove to be a key factor in the further development of OBN 4 component reservoir imaging contracts. We are also pleased to report that data owned by SeaBird from a proprietary test carried out in Gulf of Mexico prior to commencement of the BP Exploration & Production Inc. survey has now been licensed and sold to oil companies on a non-exclusive basis. Furthermore there is high interest in this SeaBird technology evidenced by the volume of enquiries supported by the subsequent Invitations To Tender requests now being received."
Source: SeaBird

••• 20.10.09  BGP has been awarded three seismic survey projects by Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia with the total value over $300 million.
S53, a 3D TZ project, will commence in October 2009 and is expected to last approximately two years. The prospect is covered by shoals and shallow water, and crosses MANIFA oilfield and several urban districts.
S63, a 2D land project, will commence in November 2009 and is expected to last approximately four years. The prospect is located in the desert. S64, a 2D TZ project, will commence in October 2009 and is expected to last approximately 15 months. The prospect consists of water with a depth of 1700 meters, shallow water, shoals, islands and desert.
With more than 40 years experience and expertise in land and TZ operation, and a history of successful cooperation with Saudi Aramco, BGP has the capability to fully meet the demands of the client in these complex and challenging projects.
Source: BGP

••• 20.10.09  Update on the Conditional Letter of Intent signed with TGS-NOPEC for the Charter of Polarcus Nadia.
Reference is made to the notice published 01 September 2009 on the Norwegian OTC trading support system regarding the signature of a conditional Letter of Intent with TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA (TGS) for the charter of the 12 streamer 3D seismic vessel Polarcus Nadia for approximately 3 months commencing in December 2009.
Polarcus Limited announced that further to the referenced notification, TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA has advised the Company that the first phase of this planned program, comprising 2,000 square kilometres of long offset 3D, is now confirmed.
The Right of First Refusal for TGS to extend the charter thereafter in two 6 month increments under pre-agreed commercial terms remains in full force and effect.
TGS has further requested that the charter of Polarcus Nadia should commence as soon as the vessel is ready for operations in December 2009, subject to execution of a Seismic Charter Agreement.
Source: Polarcus

••• 20.10.09  Shtokman FID on hold.
A final investment decision on the Shtokman development appears to have been postponed until next year according to reports from Russia.
Alexei Miller, Gazprom chief executive is reported to have indicated that the final investment decision on the project will be made in March 2010, three months later than originally planned – and not by the end of this year as many were expecting.
According to one Russian source, this is the fourth time the decision has been postponed since early 2008 when Shtokman Development AG was established in Switzerland with Total and StatoilHydro to managed the Barents Sea development.
"The project is at the stage when a final investment decision will be taken. We figure that this final decision will be made in first half-year 2010," Miller was quoted as saying by Eurasia Oil and Gas magazine on its website, citing remarks made by the Gazprom chief at the First International Economic Forum which took place in Murmansk last Thursday, 15 October.
At the same forum last week, Yuri Komarov, chief executive of Shtokman Development AG told delegates Shtokman was "proceeding according to plan."
Recently Total's chief executive Christophe de Margerie said at the World Gas Conference in Buenos Aires in Argentina that Shtokman was not economic to develop at current world gas prices. But of course the world gas price will change in the next five years as the Shtokman project moves forward to a planned first gas date in 2013.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 19.10.09  TGS Expands Regional 3D Coverage Offshore Liberia.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) confirmed the start up of its next phase of regional multi-client 3D seismic acquisition in offshore Liberia. The new two-thousand square kilometer 3D program expands the existing 9,000 square kilometers of 3D coverage that TGS initiated in late 2008. The latest Liberia phase will be recorded with long offset acquisition and will incorporate state of the art Prestack Time and PreStack Depth data processing.
TGS expects preliminary data to be available in the third quarter of 2010.
Offshore Liberia has received significant interest in recent months due to the excitement generated by new oil discoveries in both the Gulf of Guinea and Sierra Leone.
"It is exciting to have data in a trend that has recently produced significant oil discoveries in Offshore Africa," commented Kim Abdallah, TGS' VP of New Ventures in Africa and the Middle East. "Our coverage of this emerging oil play will now be more than 14,000 kilometers of multi-client 2D data and 11,000 square kilometers of 3D data." The program is heavily prefunded.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 19.10.09  Wartsila Opens New Service Center in Russia.
Wartsila has opened a Service Centre in Murmansk, Russia to serve the rapidly growing number of vessels in northern waters. The Service Centre demonstrates Wartsila's commitment to expand in line with the increasing marine activity in the Barents Sea region. To emphasize the importance of co-operation, Wartsila's CEO and President, Ole Johansson and the Governor of the Murmansk Oblast region of Russia, Dmitry Vladimirovich Dmitrienko, jointly signed a document of goodwill.
Being the only year-round ice-free port in north western Russia, Murmansk is rapidly being developed as a major transport hub. It is also the operational centre for the development of the vast Shtokman gas condensates field. The port is home to more than 20 maritime companies, and is attracting an increasing number of international companies to the region.
"Local presence and availability are of utmost importance in assuring efficient customer support. The new Service Centre in Murmansk is a further step in our strategy to continuously develop our unique worldwide service network," said Christoph Vitzthum, Group Vice President, Wartsila Services.
The Wartsila Murmansk Service Centre provides a full range of sales and support services for all local marine and offshore customers. The service capacity will enable Wartsila to offer more efficient and fully focused support to the growing fleet of merchant vessels, offshore vessels, offshore platforms, and offshore facilities in the region.
The Murmansk Service Centre covers an area of 280 m2 and includes both workshops and offices. The Service Centre offers overhauling of main and auxiliary marine engines, as well as maintenance and repairs of ancillary equipment, pipework, electrical equipment, ship automation systems, and other equipment.
The Murmansk service workshop is being staffed initially with 15 employees, but this number is expected to increase in the near future. The majority of employees are being hired locally. They will be trained both at the Wartsila Land & Sea Academy in Finland, and on site according to Wartsila’s global standards.
Source: Wartsila Corp.

••• 16.10.09  Murmansk declared Arctic gas capital.
Gazprom will make Murmansk the base for its expansion into the Arctic, company CEO Aleksei Miller highlighted at the Murmansk Economic Forum. -Murmansk is very important, he underlined.
The forum, which opened in downtown Murmansk yesterday has "the conquering of the Arctic" as its slogan and puts prime focus on the development of the huge Shtokman gas field, located about 600 km off the Barents Sea coast.
-Shtokman is strategically important for all of Russia, Mr. Miller said in his presentation at the forum.
The Shtokman field was also the key component in the new cooperation agreement between Gazprom and Murmansk Oblast signed today. That agreement includes cooperation guidelines for the Shtokman development process, including for the laying of pipelines, construction of the LNG terminal and other facilities. Aleksey Miller after the signing ceremony stressed that Gazprom will build roads and develop infrastructure, establish staff training programmes and seek to take maximum advantage of the regional industrial supply potential. He also stressed that the company will spend significant sums on social projects in the region.
The Shtokman field will also result in the gasification of the region, and thus open up for new industrial establishments, Miller said. International cooperationIn the forum session, Miller stressed that Shtokman is a Russian project and that the partnership with foreign companies Total and StatoilHydro will expire after the first field development phase. At the same time, he praised the cooperation model of the project, saying that it should be used also in other offshore projects in Russia.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 15.10.09  WesternGeco Acquires Octopus Surveys Spanning 450 GOM Blocks.
WesternGeco began acquisition of the E-Octopus VIII and E-Octopus IX surveys in September. Located in the highly prospective Alaminos Canyon, Keathley Canyon, and East Breaks areas of the US Gulf of Mexico, the surveys cover more than 450 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks.
E-Octopus VIII and IX target the most challenging subsalt imaging areas of the OCS. WesternGeco will apply the latest seismic data processing techniques to these surveys, including Generalized Surface Multiple Prediction (GSMP*) and anisotropic Reverse Time Migration (RTM), which are both enhanced by the quality of Q-Marine* seismic acquisition.
"These new E-Octopus programs will provide value through improved imaging, resulting in reduced drilling risk," said Thomas Scoulios, North America Region Manager, WesternGeco. "WesternGeco has executed nine multiclient wide-azimuth surveys to date, and client interest continues to be very high."
The E-Octopus multiclient wide-azimuth program in the Gulf of Mexico commenced in July 2006. With the addition of E-Octopus VIII and IX, the WesternGeco data library of high-quality Q-Marine data in the Gulf of Mexico will exceed 2000 OCS blocks.
Source: WesternGeco

••• 14.10.09  DOF bags inspection contract for Blue Stream Pipelines.
DOF ASA's subsidiary DOF Subsea Norway has been awarded a pipeline inspection contract by Blue Stream Pipeline Company BV to execute two external pipeline inspection campaigns of the Blue Stream Pipelines located in the Black Sea. The work will be carried out onboard the company's vessel Geosund and will utilise its Ultra Heavy Duty Schilling work ROV.
The project will be split into two stages, the first of which will commence during the first quarter of 2010 and will last for approximately 1-2 months. The second stage will be completed during 2012.
DOF Subsea Norway's General Manager, Duncan MacPherson, said, "This is a strategic win for our team and allows us to demonstrate our project delivery capability to a new client on an exciting project in a challenging geographic location."
Source: Scandoil

••• 14.10.09  Tierra, StatoilHydro Team Up for Seismic Technology Project.
StatoilHydro and Tierra Geophysical announced have signed a contract for joint development of seismic imaging software technology. The seismic imaging software is expected to improve StatoilHydro’s ability to assess exploration and production targets in areas of complex geology.
Dave Diller, president of Tierra, commented, "We are very pleased to be partnering with StatoilHydro on this project. StatoilHydro is one of the most technically adept companies in the world in geophysics, with broad expertise and experience. StatoilHydro aggressively pursues research, but they also enhance their internal projects by watching outside their company for new technology. Tierra has spent years optimizing our finite difference propagators, and combining that with StatoilHydro's imaging expertise and experience is an ideal marriage of complimentary skills and technologies. Today people may think of Tierra as 'The Forward Modeling Company,' but the same underlying technology has other uses in seismic imaging, which this project will leverage."
Rolf Helland, project manager in the StatoilHydro Exploration research program, commented, "The development of these tools in collaboration with Tierra Geophysical is an important component in our strategic effort to increase our capability to determine improved, reliable images in complex geological settings with large velocity variations. One of the key criteria in such projects is fast imaging turnaround time and this will be achieved using the finite difference core from Tierra. Tierra will be commercializing the software that is developed during the project. The first results from the project, a highly optimized reverse time migration (RTM), are available as both a software product and as services in the third quarter of this year."
Source: Rigzone

••• 13.10.09  New checks ordered on helicopter gearboxes.
BBC News has reported that Sikorsky has ordered checks on gearboxes on S92 aircraft operating as search and rescue units in the North Sea. The order comes after cracks were found in the gearboxes of some S92s, the BBC reported today.
Both Bristow and CHC which operate S92s providing crew change flights and search and rescue services on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have indicated they would comply with the new request. The MCA operates four S92s, based on Shetland and the Isle of Lewis.
Each gearbox will have to be checked after 10 hours flying time.
The order comes after S92s were given a safety clearance following a fatal crash offshore Canada in March.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 13.10.09  Fugro Signs Master Services Agreement with CNOOC Australia.
Fugro Survey Pty Ltd with head office in Perth, Australia, signed a Master Services Agreement with CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) Australia E&P Pty Ltd for the supply of site surveys, rig positioning and ROV services. The agreement follows on from the strong relationship Fugro have with China, developed over the last 25 years of operations by the China Offshore Fugro Geosolutions Joint venture.
The first work under this agreement took place in the Timor Sea using Fugro's dedicated survey vessel Southern Supporter for a number of site surveys.
Source: Fugro

••• 13.10.09  Shtokman: Not economic for now.
Total's chief executive Christophe de Margerie has suggested that even the giant Shtokman gas and condensate field is uneconomic at current world gas prices.
While Total, StatoilHydro and Russian partner Gazprom are still finalising project costs, based on a subsea installation exporting back to a new gas processing facility onshore at Teriberka near Murmansk, de Margerie, speaking at the World Gas conferences in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires said it is "definitely" not economic at $3/m Btu, he said, to Petroleum Economist magazine reported on its website.
However the Total chief made it clear that the development of the field would not be dependent on today's gas price, since the project will take five years to develop.
A final investment decision on Shtokman is due by the end of this year, and first gas from the field is targeted for 2013 with first LNG production from the field due to flow a year later.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 12.10.09  UK's Subsea Cos Could Unlock Russian Arctic Shelf's Potential.
The Northern waters of Russia promise to be the next global energy frontier and Subsea UK is making sure that British subsea oil and gas companies can capitalize on the opportunities.
The industry body has joined forces with Scottish Development International, UKT&I and Gazprom Vniigaz to hold an exhibition and workshop in Moscow and Murmansk from October 13-17 to ensure that UK subsea expertise is in prime position for securing lucrative collaborative projects.
"The unrivalled experience and expertise of the UK's subsea supply chain could hold the key to unlocking the potential in the Russian Arctic shelf," said Subsea UK chief executive, Alistair Birnie. "The technical challenges, lack of infrastructure and labour shortages in the region provide major opportunities for UK companies to work alongside Russian partners."
The trade mission will see half a dozen subsea companies showcase their skills and technologies with an exhibition, meetings and presentations over two days followed by a visit to SevTEK in Murmansk.
During Northern Russia's major oil and gas exhibition, Mr Birnie will present on why the UK subsea sector is ideally placed to assist Russian organisations overcome the challenges of producing oil and gas from the waters of Northern Russia.
"Through collaboration with the Russian government and industry, we can help build the necessary capability and capacity to deliver projects that are at the frontier of subsea field development," added Mr Birnie. "Our success of collaboration within the UK and other oil and gas provinces around the world is demonstrated by our instrumental involvement in so many major global developments and this proven track-record stands us in good stead for capitalizing on the multi-billion market in the Russian Arctic shelf."
At the heart of the opportunities in this area is the giant Shtokman gas field. Located at a depth of over 300 meters and nearly 600 kilometers from the mainland, this field is estimated to hold about 1% of total global gas reserves. Investment in Shtokman alone is estimated at USD 50 billion with investment decisions scheduled for 2010.
"The timing is absolutely right for making in-roads into Russia and Subsea UK will be promoting the UK's ground-breaking capability throughout the supply chain including field development engineering, pre-construction survey, fabrication, instrumentation, subsea electro-hydraulic controls, pipelines and umbilicals, mooring and connection systems, ROV technologies and subsea well intervention.
"Murmansk will play a critical role in the development of this field and become the centre of onshore production. The region has infrastructure developments totalling USD 8 billion planned which will transform this region of Russia, making it a hotspot for our member companies."
Phil Stirling, international business executive with SDI, commented, "This event represents a prime opportunity to showcase their capabilities and experience to the Russian market. It is one of the most promising oil and gas markets for Scottish companies and presents an enormous opportunity as the harsh conditions of the Barents Sea suit the companies' capabilities. We feel this level of mutually beneficial co-operation between Scottish and Russian companies is the key to the success."
Subsea UK is a self-sustaining industry body that champions the UK subsea industry at home and abroad. With over 200 members, it represents the entire subsea supply chain in the country which employs 40,000 people and generates sales of GBP 5 billion.
Source: Rigzone

••• 12.10.09  Peak oil before 2020.
A report on the depletion of conventional oil resources by a UK based research group says the peak could come before 2020 or 2030.
The UK Energy Research Centre says "Despite large uncertainties in the available data, sufficient information is available to allow the status and risk of global oil depletion to be adequately assessed."
And it warns in its new report: "A peak in conventional oil production before 2030 appears likely and there is a significant risk of a peak before 2020. Given the lead times required to both develop substitute fuels and improve energy efficiency, this risk needs to be given serious consideration."
Although the research centre notes there are commentators forecasting a near-term peak in global oil production with potentially serious economic impacts, others are arguing production will be sufficient to meeting rising oil demand well into the 21st century.
But the centre also says in its new report, which has examined more than 500 studies, analysed industry databases, and compared global supply forecasts, that there is enough evidence to "..Bring some clarity to the debate."
It points out: "The rate of decline of production is accelerating. More than two thirds of existing capacity may need to be replaced by 2030 solely to prevent production from falling."
And it continues: "While large resources of conventional oil may be available, these are unlikely to be accessed quickly and may make little difference to the timing of the global peak."
The research centre was set up in 2002 to bring together government, academics, and industry, and comprises some of the leading universities in the UK.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 12.10.09  J. Ray Completes Yuri Korchagin Installation in Caspian Sea.
J. Ray McDermott's Caspian subsidiary has successfully and safely completed installation of offshore facilities at the Yuri Korchagin field for Lukoil.
The Yuri Korchagin field is the first of the North Caspian fields in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea to be developed by Lukoil and brought commercially on-stream. The field development requires a number of major offshore facilities including an ice-resistant fixed processing platform (LSP-1) and adjacent living quarters (LSP-2) joined together by a 243-foot bridge. Oil from LSP-1 will be delivered to the marine transportation complex which consists of a Floating Storage Offloading system (FSO) and Single Point Mooring (SPM) via a 36 mile 12-inch oil pipeline.
Within the contractual scope of work, J. Ray performed the transportation and installation of 14 foundation piles for LSP-1, transportation and installation of the SPM substructure weighing 1,005 tons, including five foundation piles, and the SPM deck, in addition to hook-up of the SPM deck to the substructure.
Additional work included engineering, procurement, fabrication, transportation and installation of tie-in spools connecting LSP-1 and the SPM to the 36-mile sub-sea pipeline as well as hydrostatic leak testing and flushing of the entire pipeline system. The pipeline was laid by J. Ray under a separate contract with Lukoil in 2008; the company also successfully performed transportation and installation of the FSO, its connection to the SPM system and testing.
"We completed the installation scope of work offshore in a month and a half, and without a single lost time incident," said Dan Houser, J. Ray McDermott's Vice President and General Manager, Europe and Central Asia. "We are very pleased to continue to provide services to Lukoil for the Yuri Korchagin development, strengthening our cooperation as well as our presence within the promising and dynamically growing Russian offshore market."
Fabrication of the installation aids was performed by the company's fabrication base at Baku Deepwater Jacket Factory named after Heydar Aliyev, a subsidiary of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), J. Ray McDermott's long-term business partner in the Caspian. For the offshore installation work, J. Ray utilized six vessels provided by the Caspian Marine Services, Ltd., as per their agreement with another SOCAR's subsidiary, Caspian Sea Oil Fleet.
Source: Rigzone

••• 09.10.09  Oil exploration on hold.
The Norwegian government says it will not open the Lofoten and Vesteraalen areas in Northern Norway for oil and gas exploration in the next four years.
This means the newly elected government will not make a decision on the controversial area in its current parliamentary period.
However, in its statement, the government says it will continue data gathering from the coastal areas in the region.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 09.10.09  Santos to Access Full Scope of Paradigm's Seismic Solutions.
Paradigm has signed a multi-year enterprise contract with Australia-based Santos Limited. The contract will provide Santos essentially unlimited access to the full scope of Paradigm seismic interpretation and reservoir characterization products.
"After a detailed technical evaluation, we selected Paradigm technology for the functionality of their interpretation and characterization applications," said Trevor Brown, Santos Vice President Exploration. "At Santos, we place a strong emphasis on integrated workflows and data management, backed up by functionally rich applications."
The Paradigm seismic interpretation solution provides geoscientists multi-2D and -3D tools for creating seamless interpretation and analyzing seismic data. This improves interpretation time and greatly assists geoscientists in identifying potential exploration prospects and drilling targets. Paradigm reservoir characterization applications enable the integration of the interpreted model with reservoir properties obtained from well logs and core data so that engineers are better able to determine potential reserves and fluid flow behavior.
"Santos truly has technology at its core and believes in using cutting-edge science to generate real value" said David Betty, Paradigm executive vice president for Asia Pacific. "At Paradigm we share this vision and look forward to helping Santos meet its evolving business needs throughout the coming years."
Source: Paradigm

••• 09.10.09  BOS HQ on the move in Bergen.
Bergen Oilfield Services AS is moving to larger premises in Bergen. The new location will double the available space and provide a much more efficient working environment to accommodate the spectacular growth of BOS and the recent reorganization which has seen the integration of SOM (Stad Offshore Management) into the BOS family. The office occupies an excellent dockside location, with a fine golf course nearby and most importantly room for future expansion.
Source: BOS

••• 08.10.09  Total signs agreement with KazMunaiGas to develop the Khvalynskoye field.
Total announces the signature of a Heads of Agreement (HOA) establishing the principles of a partnership with KazMunaiGas (KMG) for the development of the Khvalynskoye field, located offshore in the Caspian Sea on the border between Kazakhstan and Russia.
Khvalynskoye is a conventional gas condensate field located in water depths of 25 metres which will be developed by Lukoil (50%, operator). The gas produced from this field will be transported to Russia.
Under the terms of the HOA, Total and GdF-Suez will acquire a participation of 25% (Total 17%, GdF-Suez 8%) from the initial 50% stake held by KMG.
"This agreement provides the opportunity for Total to further strengthen its ties with KazMunaiGaz, with whom the Group is already a partner on the Kashagan project in Kazakhstan," stated Yves-Louis Darricarrere, President Exploration and Production. "Total will bring to the Khvalynskoye’s partners the company’s know-how in developing offshore projects in order to successfully develop the field."
Source: Scandoil

••• 08.10.09  Fast track survey data from a seismic survey over the Spanish Point licence area off the west coast of Ireland has indicated "good structural continuity" which will simplify any future field development.
Improved imaging of both the Spanish Point gas discovery originally made with the 35/8-2 well in the Porcupine Basin 200 km (125 miles) off the west coast of Ireland and of the nearby Burren oil discovery has been achieved with the first data from the seismic survey.
Licence operator Providence Resources also said that data from the 320 sq. km 3D survey which was acquired this summer also indicates excellent sub-surface resolution to below the reservoir level, "... and confirm the potential for further reservoir above that tested by the 35/8-2 discovery well within the existing hydrocarbon bearing block."
On the 35/8-1 Burren oil discovery, Providence said the new data has provided a significant improvement on the previous imaging of the find, allowing the licence partners to more fully assess its commercial potential.
Burren has previously been tested and flowed with high quality 34 degree API oil from thin Cretaceous reservoir sands, with a 121 m (400 ft) gross hydrocarbon interval.
Providence chief executive Tony O'Reilly was clearly pleased with the initial outcomes from the survey, which he said has exceeded expectations, particularly on Spanish Point.
"Whilst more work needs to be done to fully evaluate these 3D seismic data, the initial results substantially enhance our overall views on Spanish Point," O'Reilly stated.
"Of particular significance is the identification of additional potential reservoir up-dip from the discovery well - this indicates significant resource upside in terms of gas in place. We are also very encouraged by the data over the Burren oil discovery."
Providence operates the Frontier Exploration Licence 2/04 with 56% equity, partnered by Chrysaor E&P Ireland Limited with 30% and Sosina Exploration Limited which holds 14%.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 07.10.09  Northern Petroleum, Shell Proceed with Seismic Program Off Sicily.
West Sicily Thrust BeltNorthern Petroleum, together with Shell Italia E&P S.p.A. , will acquire a 3D seismic survey in their joint exploration area offshore Sicily. Shell will fund the prospect defining programme in the joint venture held thrust belt offshore of western Sicily. The joint venture currently covers six offshore licenses G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP covering a total area of 4350 sq. km in which a 2300 km 2D seismic survey was recorded earlier this year.
Under the terms of the farm-out agreement, Shell hold 55% in G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP and G.R19.NP; and 70% in G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP. Northern will continue as the operator during the seismic phase and Shell will assume operatorship for the drilling phase.
Commenting on the program Derek Musgrove, Managing Director, Northern, said, "This progresses one of the most exciting areas for exploration and material growth for Northern as well as significantly increased expenditure. Shell brings to this venture experience of exploration and production in the southern Italy part of the same Apennine-Mahgrebian Thrust Belt where the major oil fields of Val d'Agri and Tempa Rossa have been developed. The venture can also call upon their international major project and offshore expertise. If drilling is successful it could open up a whole new Western European and North African hydrocarbon province."
Source: Rigzone

••• 06.10.09  Sovcomflot acquires PSV Pacific Endurance.
Russian tanker owner Sovcomflot has taken its first step into the offshore market by acquiring Swire Pacific’s 2006 built PSV Pacific Endurance (3,642 dwt).
Seabrokers reports that the Russian owner already owns a small tug fleet via its joint venture with Rosnefteflot but is now said to be planning further diversification into the offshore sector with the purchase of more PSVs and possibly tugs.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 05.10.09  SeaBird Exploration has signed a new firm contract and several letters of Intent and Letters of Awards.
A Firm contract for Munin Explorer to operate in Mexico as a source vessel commencing December 2009. Duration including mobilization and demobilization is expected to be two months. Contract value is in the region of USD 2.8 million. Negotiations are ongoing for an interim contract for the period between arrival Gulf of Mexico in October and commencement of the Mexico work.
Letter of Award for Northern Explorer starting October 2009 for 1,000 km 2D in North Java followed by a Letter of Award for 13,200 km 2D in Indonesia for a consortium of oil companies. This second Indonesia contract carries contingent options for the work to be expanded to 20,612 km 2D. Duration of these two contracts is expected to be 5-7 months and combined values are in the region of USD 10-15 million.
A Letter of Award for Aquila Explorer starting October 2009 in Indonesia and then mobilizing to Australia for a Firm contract 3,800 km 2D survey in Western Australia prior to commencing a previously reported firm contract of 4,500 km 2D in Bremer Basin, Southwestern Australia, due to commence December 2009. Following completion in Bremer Basin, Aquila Explorer has received a Letter of Intent for a further 2,200 km 2D in Australia, occupying the vessel until end February 2010. Combined values of these four contracts are currently in the region of USD 5.0-7.5 million.
The combined value of the firm work listed above is estimated to be in the range of about USD 20 million and provides our 2D fleet with employment for the next 4-6 months.
CEO Tim Isden comments "We are very pleased to see that the volume of 2D bids and tenders has steadily increased over the last months, but more importantly that awards are now being made after the slow progress through the spring and summer of 2009".
Source: SeaBird

••• 04.10.09  Providence Shoots New 2D Seismic Offshore Nigeria.
Aje Field, Offshore NigeriaProvidence Resources has announced the successful acquisition of a new 2D seismic survey over its Oil Mining Lease 113 (OML 113) in the Benin Embayment, offshore Nigeria.
This new 2D survey was acquired by Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) using the vessel M.V Falcon Explorer and extended over a total line length of c. 130 kilometers.
OML113 contains the Aje Field, which is operated by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, with Chevron Nigeria Deepwater H Limited acting as Technical Advisor to the Operator.
The other partners in OML113 are Vitol Exploration Nigeria Limited, Energy Equity Resources Aje Limited and PR Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.
Source: Providence Resources

••• 02.10.09  Spectrum has completed a series of computer facility upgrades at its regional data processing and imaging center in Houston, Texas that will increase capacity by 50%.
The technology upgrades applied over the past 6 months will prepare Spectrum's largest computing facility for a scheduled increase in Multi-Client processing projects from Q4 2009 onwards, and help fulfill increased international demand for pre-stack depth and time imaging services on behalf of oil company clients.
Technology upgrades included increasing the CPU units in the Houston processing clusters by 50% and adding two new master servers. Other new equipment included a new 32 core Sun M5000 server with an additional 120Tb of high-specification Onstor primary disc storage. The processing centre infrastructure has also been enhanced with additional electrical and air conditioning support to maintain optimum operating conditions.
Source: Spectrum

••• 02.10.09  Seabed Worker completes offshore gravity monitoring survey for StatoilHydro.
Seabed AS in Norway has successfully completed a contract to supply ROV and vessel services to Fugro Survey AS for the 2009 offshore gravity monitoring and subsidence surveys on the Troll, Sleipner, Midgard and Ormen Lange fields. The survey was conducted from Seabed's new vessel, Seabed Worker, and the end client was StatoilHydro.
Completion of the work involved taking 513 gravity measurements on pre-installed benchmarks using the ROV Deep Ocean Gravimeter (ROVDOG) instrument package.
During the 28 day campaign the system performed 272 dives with over 500 hours in the water while accumulating only 0.4 per cent downtime.
The combination of the vessel's Voith Scheider propulsion system and ODIM LARS active heave compensated launch and recovery system contributed to the success of these operations in sea conditions of up to 4m significant wave heights, where both minimising time between measurements and care in handling of the ROVDOG contributed to the quality of data acquired.
"The survey was a great success because the pilots all took the job seriously, they listened carefully to our requirements, and then they worked diligently to meet those requirements. They were willing to collaborate with us to obtain high quality measurements," said Mark Zumberge, Research Geophysicist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Scripps team leader onboard Seabed Worker.
Source: Seabed

••• 02.10.09  Black Marlin Energy commences second Seychelles seismic survey.
Black Marlin Energy Limited (BMEL), a subsidiary of East African Exploration Limited (EAX) and partners Avana Petroleum, have commenced their second seismic survey on their acreage in the Seychelles using Seabird Exploration’s vessel Geomariner.
The original 3,650km 2D survey, acquired in 2007 using an 8,000m cable, identified an extensive and deep sedimentary section between and around the granitic islands. The granitic features are linked to those that underpin the massive Bombay High field and flank the prolific Cambay basin on the west coast of the Indian subcontinent.
The new 1,100km 2D survey is designed to better image the potential reservoirs in the numerous tilted fault blocks to better delineate the leads mapped in the southern third of tranche A. It will complete the group’s seismic commitment under the first exploration period of the Petroleum Agreement (PA). The 15,000km2 PA acreage was awarded in November 2008 after the group reviewed 43,000km2 and selected optimal locations for more detailed study.
The survey area includes some very large structures in both shallow and deep water targets and is close to the wells drilled by Amoco in 1980/81. The wells had significant oil shows which correlate well to the tar balls occasionally found on Seychelles beaches suggesting an active, indigenous hydrocarbon system.
Jeff Hume, CEO of Black Marlin Energy, said: "We are very pleased to be moving forward with our work programme in the Seychelles and have been fortunate to be able to take advantage of the presence of Geomariner in the Seychelles at a very competitive price. We continue to believe that the Seychelles has excellent commercial oil potential and this concentrated programme, on one of the most prospective and interesting areas in our acreage, is designed to help us indentify firm drilling targets for the next phase of exploration."
Further seismic, beyond the work programme commitment, is planned for the remainder of tranche A and tranches B and C in 2010. Drilling is planned for the period early 2011 to 2012.
Recent independent evaluation of BMEL assets in the Seychelles indicates potential original oil in place (OOIP) of over 1 billion barrels.
Source: BMEL

••• 01.10.09  Karoon-Conoco JV Takes Bigger Bite of Browse Basin.
After exercising an option to add two more wells on the drilling contract with Sedco Forex International Inc., Karoon Gas and its joint venture partner ConocoPhillips, will drill at least four wells in the current Browse basin exploration program. Operator ConocoPhillips is drilling the wells using the Transocean Legend semisub.
A contract for a new 3D seismic survey to cover more than 2000 sq km over the greater Poseidon area, has now been tendered and awarded to CGGVeritas and will be started in early October and completed during the same period as the continuing drilling program.
Source: Rigzone

••• 01.10.09  Hyperdynamics to Commence 2D Seismic Survey Off Guinea.
Hyperdynamics has signed a contract with Bergen Oilfield Services AS of Norway to conduct a 9,000 kilometer 2-D marine seismic survey on portions of its oil and gas concession offshore Republic of Guinea. The survey is expected to get under way by the end of October.
"This survey will help us make a final determination of which portions of our 31,000-square mile concession area we want to maintain for future exploration," said Ray Leonard, Hyperdynamics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Under a new September Memorandum of Understanding that reaffirms the validity of our Production Sharing Contract, we are required to relinquish 64% of the acreage by December 31, 2009. This new data will enable us to choose the best acreage to retain from this vast area, and it will also help us high-grade our better prospects so we can choose the areas where we want to shoot a more limited 3-D survey next year."
"The raw field records or the Brute Stacks from the 'new' 2009 2-D seismic survey will be delivered by BOS in almost real time as it is acquired," according to James Spear, Hyperdynamics' Vice President of Exploration and Development. "The processing of this data will be done onboard one of BOS's modern seismic vessels, as each line segment or sequence is acquired offshore Guinea. The BOS vessel is equipped with modern-day, state-of-the-art, Sercel recording instrumentation along with Sentinel Solid streamers. The contractor's vessel is prepared to continue on 3-D acquisition on short notice."
The cost of the project is estimated to be $10 million. Hyperdynamics plans to fund the survey using proceeds from a farm-in arrangement it expects to complete with another oil and gas producer during the fourth quarter and/or with proceeds from a potential capital raise. The company will make an upfront payment of $500,000. In addition, as a guarantee to Bergen Oilfield Services (BOS), Hyperdynamics will allow seismic work to begin ahead of the farm-out and/or financing period. Hyperdynamics will issue the seismic contractor 2.5 million restricted common shares, or approximately 4.4% of outstanding shares. The deposit shares would serve as collateral for a mobilization payment of $1,100,000, and for three subsequent payments due as the data is processed and delivered to our office in southwest Houston (Sugar Land, Texas).
Source: Hyperdynamics Corp.

••• 01.10.09  Rock Solid Images has been awarded a rock physics and seismic inversion project offshore Guyana by CGX Resources Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of CGX Energy Inc.
CGX's Vice President of Exploration, Warren Workman, said, "The conventional processing of our 3D program, the first shot offshore Guyana, is nearing completion. We are very encouraged by the time and depth images and our initial interpretation. To complement this analysis, CGX has engaged Rock Solid Images to determine the reservoir properties (lithology and porosity) and conditions (pore fluid) from the seismic data for our identified targets. In similar geologic settings, Rock Solid Images' rock physics and seismic inversion experience has been effective in achieving these goals. We are looking forward to utilizing Rock Solid Images’ knowledge of rock property-driven seismic signatures to reduce our risk in this underexplored, but highly prospective basin."
Rock Solid Images' Senior Vice-President, Gareth Taylor, said, "We are very excited to have been given the opportunity by CGX Resources to apply our rock physics and seismic inversion workflows on this high-profile project offshore Guyana. Following the completion of several successful projects in the middle and upper Cretaceous formations of West Africa, we are confident that this knowledge will be applicable to understanding the virtually identical stratigraphic succession that exists in the Guyana-Suriname basin."
Source: Scandoil

••• 30.09.09  First two X BOW seismic vessels at work in Gulf of Mexico.
Ulstein Group in Norway reports that the first two seismic vessels with the ULSTEIN X-BOW, WG Columbus and WG Magellan, are now working together in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessels are of the ULSTEIN SX124 design.
WG Columbus, hull number 1657, was delivered in March, while WG Magellan, hull number 1658, was delivered 29 July. Both vessels were built at Barreras in Vigo, Spain. Due to strikes in the Vigo area earlier this year, WG Magellan was completed at Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
WesternGeco has four ULSTEIN SX124 vessels under construction, two at Barreras and two at Drydocks World, Dubai. These vessels are planned for delivery in 2009 and the first half of 2010.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 30.09.09  Israel survey work won.
Noble Energy has selected Aberdeen-based DOF Subsea UK to provide offshore survey services for a new field development offshore Israel.
DOF has been chosen to provide hydrographic, geophysical surveying and geotechnical investigation work for Noble for the Tamar and Dalit developments and will use its Geosund vessel for the work, and its own autonomous underwater vehicle and an independent geotechnical survey spread.
Project work is due to commence in the fourth quarter this year lasting for about 60 days and the total value of the deal is put at US $5.5m.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 29.09.09  TGS Acquisition on the Freedom Wide Azimuth Project Completed.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) announces that the Freedom Wide Azimuth (WAZ) 3D seismic project in the Gulf of Mexico now has been fully acquired in cooperation with WesternGeco.
The Freedom project was first announced in December of 2007 with the formation of the cooperation agreement between TGS and WesternGeco. Acquisition of the survey began in January of 2008 and was completed on September 19, 2009. Fast track data products are being delivered to customers who have licensed the data. Additional imaging work will continue on the Freedom WAZ project throughout 2010.
Through customer interest and funding, the Freedom WAZ project grew from the original outline of 15,000 square kilometers to the final project outline which totals over 16,600 square kilometers in the Mississippi Canyon and Atwater Valley areas of the deepwater central Gulf of Mexico.
The WesternGeco WAZ crew is now acquiring the TGS Liberty WAZ project under an extension of the Cooperation Agreement between TGS and WesternGeco. Liberty is a sister project to Freedom WAZ and extends the contiguous Wide Azimuth data coverage by an additional 3,000 square kilometers on the southwest side of Freedom.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 29.09.09  Seismic explorer Polarcus IPO takes off.
Polarcus Limited has announced on the Oslo Stock Exchange that it successfully completed its Initial Public Offering and that its board on Sunday resolved to issue 161,388,889 new shares at a price of NOK 4.50.
In addition 24,208,111 shares were allotted under the over-allotment facility granted by the company to brokers ABG Sundal Collier Norge ASA and SEB Enskilda AS.
Polarcus is a pure play marine geophysical company, specialising in high-end towed streamer data acquisition.
Polarcus is launching an ultra-modern fleet of initially 4 advanced seismic vessels designed by Norway's Ulstein Design AS incorporating the innovative ULSTEIN X-BOW® hull, with the first vessels becoming operational in 2009.
The company announced that its IPO was "significantly oversubscribed" and gross proceeds from the offering totalled NOK 726.25m ($124m). Chairman of the Board, Peter Rigg, commented: "we are delighted to have completed such a successful offering," adding that the IPO had taken off despite choppy financial markets.
"Financial market conditions have been difficult for many months, however our offering of a fleet of modern vessels with unique environmental credentials operated by a proven management team has clearly proved attractive to investors," he said.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 28.09.09  3D Seismic Acquisition Commences Offshore Guyane.
Northern announces that seismic operations have commenced on the Guyane Maritime licence in which Northpet Investments Limited has a 2.5% interest (subject to Government of France approval). The Guyane Maritime licence is operated by Tullow Oil. Northern holds 50% of the equity in Northpet.
The Guyane Maritime licence covers some 35,200 square kilometres of the prospective area offshore French Guyane in water depths ranging from 200m to 3000m. Interpretation of existing seismic and well data indicates the presence of several large structural and stratigraphic prospects with potential to contain significant hydrocarbon volumes. To date, the exploration effort has focussed on structural prospects located on the Guyane continental shelf. However, the results of more recent geological work have identified the presence of stratigraphic prospects developed along the shelf edge and slope. These features are similar in age and form to the oil discoveries such as the Jubilee Field made by Tullow on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, offshore Ghana.
The 2009 3D seismic programme will acquire data across an area covering approximately 2500 square kilometres. The seismic acquisition should be complete before year end 2009. Thereafter this data will be processed and interpreted with the intent of high grading the prospect inventory and completing the work programme on the block within the current licence period.
Commenting on the development, Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern Petroleum Plc said "Investment in French Guyane is consistent with Northern’s strategy to focus its resources in countries with low geopolitical risk. Through its holding in Northpet, Northern has a modest financial exposure to an exploration play that offers significant exploration potential analogous to the recent discoveries made by Tullow offshore Ghana. Tullow’s recent success and experience in these plays will make a significant contribution to mitigate the exploration risks. Northern looks forward to working with Tullow on the next stage in this exciting project."
Source: Northern Petroleum Plc

••• 25.09.09  Naming ceremony held for Normand Subsea.
Solstad and Subsea 7 have held the official naming ceremony for Normand Subsea, a newbuild ROV support vessel, one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind.
Owned and built by Solstad and chartered by Subsea 7, the vessel was officially named at Stavanger Harbour in Norway on 17 September.
Normand Subsea, which will be delivered to Subsea 7 later this year, is a state-of-the-art dynamically positioned life of field vessel, specifically designed for inspection, repair and maintenance work.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 24.09.09  The Canadian government has taken delivery of two remote-controlled submarines that will be used to document its territorial claims in the Arctic.
"Canada is the first country in the world to use this type of technology" to map the Arctic, John Weston, a member of parliament, said at a ceremony in Vancouver Tuesday marking the delivery.
The unmanned submersibles built by Submarine Engineering of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, will operate under the Arctic ice to gather data on the outer limits of Canada's continental shelf.
Delineating the continental shelf in the Arctic is important because it would help Canada establish its rights under international law to natural resources in the Arctic ocean beyond the 200 nautical mile limit.
Ottawa has until 2013 to present its case under the U.N. convention on the law of the sea.
The Arctic is an immense, potentially energy-rich region that could become more accessible in an age of global warming. That has made it the object of rivalry between the five states that border it - the U.S., Russia, Norway, Canada and Denmark.
Source: Dow Jones Newswires

••• 24.09.09  Bristow Group Purchases 3 New Helicopters.
Bristow Group has purchased three new AW139 medium twin engine helicopters and options for additional AW139 purchases from AgustaWestland. These purchases will be funded from currently available capital.
The AW139, which will be an additional model type for the Bristow fleet, is a new generation medium twin-engine helicopter and meets FAA and JAA FAR/JAR Part 29 requirements.
William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are adding the AW139 to our fleet as a result of discussions with a number of customers who will require this aircraft model in several of our global markets over the next few years. Taking delivery late in 2009 and in early 2010 gives us sufficient time to have this new model type in our fleet to meet the demand for future requirements."
Source: Bristow Group Inc.

••• 23.09.09  Fugro Agrees to Acquire Submec Business.
Fugro has entered into an agreement to buy the business and assets of Submec Pty Ltd, a privately owned business engaged in subsea engineering and ROV tooling services, subject to completion of due diligence and contract.
Submec is a leading provider of subsea engineering and remote intervention tooling services to the offshore oil and gas industry throughout Australasia and has worked closely with Fugro on a number of projects.
Submec employees 10 people and is based in Perth, Australia. All management and staff will remain with the Company as Fugro plans to expand and integrate Submec services with its other subsea business line activities in the region.
Fugro expects the transaction to be completed around end September.
Source: Fugro

••• 21.09.09  Russia will look to Norway’s experience in attracting foreign investment in offshore exploration, says Natural Resources Minister Yury Trutnev.
Russia will discuss relaxing laws regulating foreign participation in offshore energy projects to attract investment from abroad, Trutnev told Reuters on Saturday. - We will look into this issue first of all in relation to offshore exploration. We believe that state regulation creates many obstacles for exploration.
Trutnev said Russia will look at Norway's experience in attracting foreign investment in offshore exploration, saying the government and not state-controlled firms should have a say in who gets access to Russia's resources. As in Norway, the state will maintain overall control of the industry but it is interested in foreign firms as co-investors which could bring new technology to Russia.
Russia should use offshore projects to develop other industries, the minister said: - We can use this God's gift to develop machine building, pipe production and other industries, producing everything that we are importing today.
The government could help to create consortiums with foreign participation, he noted. Russia would offer more attractive energy fields at upcoming auctions and seek to group licenses into larger blocks to create better conditions for building infrastructure, he added.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 21.09.09  World's largest wind farm in Denmark.
On September 17th, DONG Energy opened the world's largest offshore wind farm, Horns Rev 2.
When Horns Rev 2 was inaugurated today, it is now officially the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The wind farm is located in the North Sea 30km off the coast of western Jutland.
The 91 turbines, which have a total production capacity of 209 megawatt, will be able to supply power equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 200,000 households.
This is the end of 18 months of construction work at Horns Rev. All people involved in the project and invited guests can follow the ceremony on a big screen in Musikhuset (concert hall) in Esbjerg.
Horns Rev 2 is a grand construction masterpiece where many sub-elements have to form a synthesis. Horns Rev 2 is somewhat of a challenge because this wind farm is built furthest offshore compared to any other wind farm in the world, and on top of that it is located in the North Sea – waters which earlier in the Danish history have been known to swallow up many good men. That is why safety is such an important part of the project. The construction period goes from May 2008 to November 2009.
More than 600 people are involved in the project in Esbjerg, and more than 25 different vessels have been hired for the construction period. DONG Energy is the owner and coordinates the complete construction process with seven different sub-suppliers.
The water depth is 9-17 metres and the average wind speed is just below 10 m/s. The average wave height is 1.5 metres – ie 3 metres from bottom to top.
Source: Maritime & Energy

••• 18.09.09  GC Rieber Shipping has entered into an agreement with Sea4 to acquire Sea4's subsidiaries Sea4 I Shipping Ltd. and Sea 4 II Shipping Ltd.
The acquisition implies a total investment of approximately NOK 800 million.
Sven Rong, CEO in GC Rieber Shipping, comments: "This acquisition gives us ownership of two advanced and modern Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) vessels currently under construction. The acquisition also constitutes a part of our fleet renewal process - and the price level shall give us a competitive edge."
Sea4 I Shipping Ltd. and Sea 4 II Shipping Ltd have contracted two IMR subsea vessels of Skipsteknisk ST-254L CD design. The vessels are currently being built at Freire Shipyard (Spain) and expected delivery dates for the vessels are in the second half 2010 and in the first half 2011 respectively.
Both vessels have a length of 110.6m and beam of 20m. Each vessel is fitted with a 150t offshore AHC crane, 120 persons accommodation and 1000m2 deck space. Environmental topics have been emphasized in the design, through class notation "Clean Design", and will be built to IMO SPS 2008 rules.
GC Rieber Shipping has a communicated strategy of expanding in the value chain within the oil service market and has already established a strong position in the subsea market through its subsidiary Technocean. While the new vessels are multifunctional vessels, one option is to utilize the vessels to add high quality capacity to Technocean.
GC Rieber Shipping has a strong financial capacity with solid liquidity, low gearing and long contract coverage on several of the group's vessels. The acquisition of the Sea4 vessels will be funded through a combination of equity and debt financing.
Source: GC Rieber Shipping

••• 18.09.09  Schlumberger will open a international research center in Brazil.
Schlumberger signing a joint cooperation agreement with the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) to build a key international research center on the university’s campus. The agreement marks the first research and geosciences center to be located at UFRJ Technology Park.
The Schlumberger Brazil Research and Geosciences Center (BRGC) will focus on research and development activities in the deep-water pre-salt environment, with emphasis on the development of geosciences software for the exploration and production sector; new technologies to meet reservoir challenges in pre-salt environments; and the creation of a geophysical processing and interpretation Center of Excellence covering time-lapse seismic and combined electromagnetic and seismic measurements.
"Schlumberger has a history of fostering long-standing relationships with universities in Brazil in order to hire and train professionals in the local industry," said Ana Zambelli, Schlumberger Brazil operations general manager. "This contract not only marks a milestone for our history in the country, but also our commitment to continue contributing to the development of the local oil and gas industry and its future." Antoine Track, manager of the new center, commented, "Building the center on the university campus is critical for fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and for the development of technological solutions for local industry challenges."
Brazil was selected as the site for the center due to the availability of highly skilled professionals from many recognized universities, the broad availability of high-tech suppliers and the challenging technological needs of pre-salt reservoirs. Cesar Jaime, president of Schlumberger Latin America explained that, "while we are hiring locally to meet the immediate staffing needs of the center, a proportion of the new hires will be sent to other Schlumberger research centers worldwide to gain valuable experience in similar environments. They will later be brought back to the country to strengthen our local scientific workforce."
Source: Schlumberger

••• 17.09.09  Russia Seeks Foreign Energy Partners for Arctic Projects.
Russia wants foreign companies to help develop vast offshore hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic and is preparing economic incentives to stimulate exploration in the region, the country's deputy resources minister, Sergey Donskoi, said Wednesday.
"To work under difficult conditions in the Arctic sea, there is a need for modern technology and financial resources from private companies, including foreign ones," Donskoi said on the ministry's Web site. Control of projects should stay with Russian companies, he said.
Work in the Arctic is so far limited to Russia's two state-controlled energy firms OAO Gazprom and OAO Rosneft.
The ministry has put forward a number of proposals to stimulate work exploration in the region, including lower credit rates from domestic lenders. Gazprom, the world's biggest producer of natural gas, is working with France's Total S.A. and Norway's StatoilHydro ASA to develop the massive offshore Shtokman gas condensate field in the Barents Sea.
Source: Rigzone

••• 17.09.09  APA 2009: Continued strong interest for mature areas on the Norwegian shelf.
At the expiry of the deadline for the awards in predefined areas (APA) 2009 on the Norwegian continental shelf, the Norwegian Petroleum and Energy has received applications from 44 companies. The Ministry aims to award new production licenses in APA 2009 during the beginning of the year 2009/2010.
There has been considerable interest in the APA system in recent years, which has resulted in many new licenses. Much of the APA site is for the time allocated. In spite of this, it has also in the APA 2009 has attracted great interest from companies on the Norwegian continental shelf.
This shows that the mature areas on the Norwegian shelf is still interesting. Through the APA scheme has many new companies have been given the chance to look at areas that have been available for exploration for several years.
"It is positive that companies are looking with new eyes in the mature areas on the Norwegian continental shelf, which can be attributed to the great diversity on the shelf", - Oil and Energy Minister Terje Riis-Johansen.
The purpose of the APA system is to encourage exploration activity in mature areas where in most cases expects to make smaller discoveries that can not justify an independent development. It is therefore good resource to discover and exploit these resources before existing infrastructure in relation to other fields shut down.
Source: Scandoil

••• 17.09.09  TGS Executes Agreement for Deepwater Liberia Shoot.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) announced that it has signed an agreement with the National Oil Company of Liberia to acquire 15,000 kilometers of long-offset regional 2D seismic, gravity, and magnetic data over the ultra-deep waters located offshore Liberia. This new multi-client survey is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009, given sufficient industry interest. Offshore Liberia has attracted significant industry attention due to recently announced discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea.
"TGS has been acquiring data along this margin since 2000 and is pleased to expand our data coverage in Liberia. It has been extremely rewarding to see the value being generated from our activities for both the local region and the oil and gas industry in general over this extended period," said David Hicks, VP of Africa, Middle East and Far East for TGS.
The Liberia Ultra-Deep Program will extend existing TGS multi-client data out to 4000 meters of water. NOCAL is expected to announce a licensing round following the acquisition and processing of the data.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 16.09.09  Norway election paves way for Lofoten exploration.
The Norwegian Oil Industry Association - umbrella body for the oil and gas supply companies - has greeted the re-election of the Norwegian Labour-led government of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg as being a crucial step closer to the opening up of the protected offshore Lofoten and Vesteralen regions to oil and gas exploration.
"The election is a clear message that the Socialist Left Party and the Liberals have not been joined by the voters on a 'No' to the petroleum activity off Lofoten and Vesteralen," said Per Terje Vold, director of the Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF).
The oil industry has long been licking its chops at getting access to the visually wonderous and pristine region off the Lofoten islands - and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has been helping to build the intellectual case for tapping a region believed to contain 2 billion barrels of oil with a succession of seismic surveys and studies of what evironmental impact oil production might have.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 15.09.09  StatoilHydro's head in Russia has indicated that his company is looking for new investment opportunities there beyond the Shtokman gas and condensate development.
Speaking to a investment conference in Moscow, Bengt Lie Hansen told reporters: "Regarding new business opportunities in Russia, we are primarily focusing on the offshore Arctic areas," the StatoilHydro was quoted as saying at the Reuters-organised energy event.
That aim included the Yamal Peninsula region, Lie Hansen indicated, and he underlined the suitability of the investment climate in Russia, saying conditions there were "acceptable."
And he also reiterated the aim of finalising the investment decision on the Shtokman development in the first quarter next year.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 14.09.09  Spectrum inks DGH reprocessing deal for Andaman Islands.
Spectrum has signed an agreement with India's Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) to reprocess up to 10,100 line km 2D of their seismic data offshore the Andaman Islands frontier on the East Coast of India, and to license the results to third parties.
The new agreement follows the Indian government's launch of the NELP VIII Licensing Round that comprises 8 blocks offshore Andaman Islands. Many of the lines proposed by Spectrum for reprocessing cross this frontier area.
Announcement follows the completion of Spectrum's highly successful reprocessing of 12,000kms seismic data offshore West Coast of India in 2007.
David Rowlands, CEO of Spectrum commented: "Our previous West Coast reprocessing project demonstrated that our combination of bespoke software and proprietary seismic reprocessing techniques can offer dramatic improvements in data quality, particularly in sub basalt imaging."
David continued, "With this second project in India in conjunction with the DGH, Spectrum is continuing its commitment to the promotion of exploration in the Indian sub continent."
NELP-VIII was announced on April 9th and bids will close on October 12th 2009.
Source: Spectrum

••• 11.09.09  Norwegian oil production continues to fall.
Norway's oil output dropped to a preliminary 1.91 million barrels a day in the month of August on average, down from a total production level of 2.07 million in July, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate said in a statement on Friday.
Output of natural gas liquids (NGL) and condensate moved up higher to 350,000 barrels a day compared with 283,000 the previous month, the NPD announcement said.
The NPD numbers painted a gloomier picture for Norway as western Europe's largest gas producer.
Latest statistics showed that August gas production fall to 7.4 billion standard cubic metres - down from 8.1 billion the previous month.
The latest numbers come against a backdrop of sagging production on the Norwegian continental shelf, as majors strive to replenish with new finds the mature fields.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 11.09.09  Petrobras reports new accumulation in the Pre-salt proves high productivity.
Petrobras says that the formation test at well 1-SPS-55 (1-BRSA-594), in block BM-S-9, in deep Santos Basin waters, informally known as Guara, has been completed and has proved the very high productivity of the oil-bearing reservoirs in the pre-salt layer in this area.
Based on the data obtained thus far, it is possible to estimate in Guara a recoverable volume of oil in the range of 1,1 to 2 billion barrels of light oil and natural gas.
Flows in the order of 7,000 barrels per day were observed during the test, limited to testing device capacity. This well’s initial production is expected to be some 50,000 barrels of oil per day.
With the result of this formation test, the Guara area will be prioritized to receive the production system which is currently up for bid for the Santos Basin pre-salt.
The tested well, 1-SPS-55 (1-BRSA-594), informally known as Guara, is located in an assessment area in block BM-S-9, at a depth of 2141 meters from the waterline, some 310 km off the coast of the State of Sao Paulo and 55 km southeast of well 1-RJS- 628A (1-BRSA-369A), known as Tupi.
The Consortium, formed by Petrobras (45% - Operator), BG Group (30%), and Repsol (25%), will give continuity to the activities and investments that are required to assess the fields discovered in this area pursuant to the Assessment Plan approved by the NPA. A new well is foreseen to start being drilled in this Assessment Area late this year.
Source: Scandoil

••• 10.09.09  OYO Geospace bags new seismic contracts.
OYO Geospace has recently received several orders totaling more than $18 million. The company expects these product deliveries to occur throughout the remaining months of calendar year 2009.
"We have been very busy the last few weeks responding to numerous customer inquiries and closing deals which have been in the works for several months. These new orders span a variety of seismic products, including geophone and hydrophone sensors, cables, GSR units, and borehole products," said Gary D. Owens, OYO Geospace's Chairman, President and CEO.
"We are particularly pleased about two new orders for the GSR system, our new wireless data acquisition system. One of the orders is from a new customer, and the other order is to an existing oil company customer, doubling their GSR channel count.
"Separately, we recently announced the receipt of an order for a 3,000 channel GSR system. We have now delivered that system and the customer expects to begin deployment of these GSR channels in the coming weeks. In addition, we were recently requested by two potentially new customers to demonstrate our highly-efficient GSR system, and we expect to provide these demonstrations in the next 60 days. Customer interest in the GSR system has been outstanding.
"As a result of these new product orders, our backlog has increased substantially in recent weeks. However, we expect that a majority of these orders will be delivered to customers during the fourth quarter of calendar year 2009 (the first quarter of our fiscal year 2010). In this regard, we continue to believe that our near term operating results will be challenged. Nevertheless, we are pleased with this flurry of activity."
Source: Scandoil

••• 10.09.09  GC Reiber unit cancels newbuild.
Suil Na Mara Offshore Review reports that Polar Marine I Pte Ltd, a JV company controlled by GC Rieber (51 per cent) and Otto Marine (49 per cent) has cancelled yard number 7037 at PT Batamec Shipyard.
The unit was a multi-purpose MT6009 and was part of a four vessel order the JV placed at the yard in May 2008.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 09.09.09  Bergen Oilfield Services (BOS) begins new Adriatic 3D Survey.
BOS Angler recently commenced acquisition of frontier 3D Survey in Adriatic for Cairn Energy.
The survey is approximately 400 km2 of high density 3D seismic over Cairn's Joni-5 permit in Southern Albania and the permit encompasses 2,512 km2. Water depths range from the coastline up to 1,000 meters.
BOS Angler is a "Geophysical Toolbox vessel" and for this survey is configured for high density 3D acquisition with 6 streamers. Additionally much attention has been given to environmental controls to complement the Angler's solid streamer advantage maintaining the strong BOS commitment to QHSE.
Source: BOS

••• 09.09.09  CGGVeritas pockets $464m gig from Pemex.
CGGVeritas has won a $464m contract from Mexican state oil monopoly Pemex to look for crude in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Pemex said in a statement.
Pemex, which is pushing to stop falling output as well as reducing reserves, announced that the geophysical survey company would provide more than 46,000 square miles (75,000 square km) of 3D images over five years.
"This work will improve the precision in finding oil wealth in the deep Gulf of Mexico," Pemex said in a press release.
Oil production in Mexico has declined by almost 25% since 2004, in the wake of production from the mature Cantarell field having plunged.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 09.09.09  Marlink connects Polarcus vessels.
Global satellite communications provider Marlink has recently signed a three year contract with Dubai-based marine geophysical company Polarcus.
The new agreement is for the provision of Marlink's Sealink C-band VSAT services onboard four innovative 3D seismic vessels which are currently being built at Dubai Drydocks World in the United Arab Emirates.
Customized to meet specific requirements of the new Polarcus vessels, the Sealink VSAT system includes dual C-band antennas with automatic switchover and dedicated duplex bandwidth through a single channel per carrier satellite link.
The bandwidth is 256 kbps, burstable up to 2 MB. The system also includes several LAN Networks onboard, 8 simultaneous voice lines and access to a highly advanced prepaid platform to provide crew with low cost voice calls.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 08.09.09  New Fugro survey vessel starts operations in South East Asia.
Fugro Survey has launched its multirole survey vessel, MV Fugro Gemini for a wide range of surveys like shallow and deepwater geophysical analogue and multi-channel seismic site survey, pipeline and cable route survey, swathe bathymetry survey and AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) survey, serving the oil and gas industry, the cable sector and government agency clients in South East Asia.
The MV Fugro Gemini, measuring 49.3m length overall and 18.2m width, has been fitted with state-of-the-art Fugro Starfix navigation and positioning equipment, and high frequency digital seismic acquisition and processing equipment. Furthermore it contains sub-bottom profilers, an EM300 multi beam and single beam echo sounders, side-scan sonars, HiPAP500, magnetometer, vibro and gravity coring systems and off-line processing stations, enabling the integration of all survey activities from data collection to final onboard reporting.
The MV Fugro Gemini has also been fitted with a Hugin 1000 AUV rated to 3000m operating depth. The launch and recovery container is permanently mobilised on the vessel.
With deployment of the all-round MV Fugro Gemini better operational efficiency can be realised.
Source: Fugro

••• 08.09.09  StatoilHydro have found oil and gas at their Nona prospect in the Norwegian Sea.
Premilinary results show that the discovery holds between 13 and 31 million barrels of oil and one to two billion Sm3 natural gas.
The Nona discovery further confirms the good results achieved by infrastructure-led exploration on the Halten Bank, says Sivert Jorgenvag, StatoilHydro's head of infrastructure-led exploration on the Halten Bank, in a press release.
He thinks that it will be possible to make other discoveries in the area, too. Well 6407/2-5 S, located ten kilometers southeast of the Asgard field, was drilled to a vertical depth of 3.289 meters below the surface.
Extensive data collection was carried out, and the discovery will now be evaluated for tie in development.
"Ocean Vanguard" drilled the well, and will now head for license 442 in the North Sea to drill another exploration well.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 07.09.09  Fugro Discovery upgraded.
As part of Fugro’s ongoing policy to modernise its fleet of seabed survey vessels, the ex-Norwegian coast guard vessel, Tromso, which was acquired early in 2007, has recently been upgraded.
Built in 1997, the vessel was renamed Fugro Discovery and entered commercial service later that year. It rapidly gained a reputation as being a stable survey platform, delivering excellent data with well integrated marine and survey crews ensuring extremely efficient operations.
Immediately after the vessel was acquired it was converted into a geophysical survey vessel.
Already designed to meet high standards of safety and of the environment it was fitted with Fugro’s high precision DGPS satellite positioning systems, Starfix HP and Starfix Spot; HiPAP 500 USBL; EM710 Multibeam Echo Sounder; Edgetech 4200 Side Scan Sonar (3000m tow cable) and hull mounted sub-bottom pinger/profiler. It was also equipped with Fugro’s FOCUS-2 remotely operated towed vehicles and used to carry out external acoustic pipeline inspection surveys in the North Sea.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 07.09.09  PGS reports new level in dispute with Spanish yard.
Petroleum Geo-Services said on Friday that its dispute over its attempt to cancel a newbuild with the shipbuilding yard in Spain has now moved to a higher level.
In a statement on Friday, PGS made reference to earlier announcements regarding the vessels under construction at the Factorias Vulcano shipyard in Spain.
PGS announced on August 25, that its subsidiary Arrow Seismic Invest III Ltd had terminated the shipbuilding contract for New Build number 533. "Arrow has today received a formal notice of "commencement of arbitration" from the yard, disputing Arrow's right to terminate the shipbuilding contract for New Build number 533," PGS said.
PGS said that the shipbuilding contract was governed by Norwegian law.
The parties would, according to the contract, meet for arbitration in Norway.
"Arrow strongly believes that its termination is rightful, and will pursue its claim for refund of the installed amounts," PGS said.
Following the notice of "commencement of arbitration", Arrow could not expect to receive payments under the refund guarantees until the arbitration was resolved, PGS added.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 04.09.09  Fugro Awarded Chevron Indonesia Contract.
PT. Fugro Indonesia (PTFI) has been awarded a contract to supply Site Survey and Positioning Services to Chevron Indonesia in support of its oil and gas exploration and production facilities, offshore East Kalimantan.
The contract starts immediately on a call out basis and will cover Chevron's requirement for accurate offshore positioning of their barges, anchor vessels and drilling rigs. In addition to these services, hydrographic and geophysical surveys will be provided as required prior to drilling or pipe lay operations.
In support of this contract and other regional developments, Fugro has set-up an administration office and technical workshop facility in Balikpapan. This contract presents a significant opportunity to showcase to the major oil and gas players the depth of Fugro's resources and commitment to excellence.
As exploration and field development activity in the region is expected to increase over the next few years, Fugro will be well placed to service the needs of clients requiring high end solutions to the unique and challenging environmental conditions that prevail in the Mahakam Delta area and the deep water Makassar Strait.
Source: Fugro

••• 03.09.09  The first PX105 PSV under construction in China for Bourbon Offshore Norway, Bourbon Front, was launched 28 August.
"These ships are so efficient that it’s almost impossible to make them any better," claimed Bourbon Offshore Norway newbuilding and project manager Bjorn Bergsnes.
Four vessels are under construction at Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Ningbo, China.
"The ships will be the most advanced supply vessels ever designed and built due to the state-of-the-art cargo solution onboard," claimed Ulstein Design's project manager Inge Sleipnes.
"The ships are designed in compliance with Bourbon Offshore Norway’s demanding specifications. Conventional supply vessels have dedicated tanks, meaning they can hold only a few types of cargo. This requires plenty of space and is an enormous waste of resources. We use MACS tanks, which can hold both dry and liquid bulk. While conventional supply ships typically carry six or seven types of cargo, our ships can carry 21 different products at once. The ships can carry a much wider range of products, which means greater flexibility," said Mr Bergsnes.
"The ships have eight MACS tanks onboard, four of which are low flashpoint tanks – meaning that they can carry flammable goods. The vessels also have 12 conventional tanks. All of the tanks have separate pumps which allow them to be unloaded independently of each other through their respective piping system. This makes unloading safer and more efficient," Mr Bergsnes explained.
"In firefighting, the ships are equipped with FiFi class I, with fire monitors placed rearmost on the stern. With this placement, we improve safety for the ship and crew and provide a better overview for fire-fighting operations," Mr Sleipnes said.
"We should also mention the exhaust system on our ships. We use Mecmar’s wet exhaust system whereby the exhaust is released through the hull sides just above the waterline. This also frees up space in the ship’s accommodations where conventional exhaust pipes would otherwise be fitted. This way the ship runs more quietly and provides a 360-degree view from any point on the bridge. Without exhaust pipes in the accommodation, with super-quiet side thrusters, ULSTEIN X-BOW and carefully planned interiors, these vessels will provide maximal comfort for the crew," said Mr Bergsnes.
"Service and maintenance conditions dockside are also improved because of less noise in the engine room, as the harbour generator is situated in a separate compartment in the engine room," Mr Sleipnes explained.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 03.09.09  BP makes "giant" oil find in U.S. Gulf.
BP has made a giant oil discovery at its Tiber prospect in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
The well, located in Keathley Canyon Block 102 approximately 250 miles (400 km) southeast of Houston, is in 4,132 feet (1,259 m) of water. The Tiber well was drilled by Transocean semisubmersible Deepwater Horizon to a total depth of approximately 35,055 feet (10,685 m), making it one of the deepest wells ever drilled by the oil and gas industry, BP said.
The well found oil in multiple Lower Tertiary reservoirs. Appraisal will be required to determine the size and commerciality of the discovery.
"Tiber represents BP's second material discovery in the emerging Lower Tertiary play in the Gulf of Mexico, following our earlier Kaskida discovery," said Andy Inglis, chief executive, exploration and production. "These material discoveries together with our industry leading acreage position support the continuing growth of our deepwater Gulf of Mexico business into the second half of the next decade."
Tiber is operated by BP, with a 62 per cent working interest with co-owners Petrobras and ConocoPhillips.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 02.09.09  TGS Signs Letter of Intent for 3D Vessel.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA announced that it has signed a conditional Letter of Intent with Polarcus Limited to utilize their first released vessel, the 12 streamer Polarcus Nadia. The charter will begin in December, 2009 and last for approximately 3 months with options for TGS to extend the charter in two 6 month increments under fixed commercial terms.
The vessel design incorporates many new and innovative features ranging from the distinctive ULSTEIN X-BOW® hull to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, designed to maximize operational performance and minimize emissions. The sophisticated double hull design also incorporates a range of advanced safety features including a DP 2 dynamic positioning system.
"We are excited, looking forward to work with this new, promising vessel provider when expanding our Multi-Client data library further" Robert Hobbs, TGS Chief Executive Officer, commented.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 02.09.09  Norway cuts arctic barrel count.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has cut by 20 percent its best estimate of how much oil and gas lies in the budding near-arctic oil province of the southern Barents Sea, it was revealed Tuesday.
In its Resource Report 2009, the NPD also trimmed by 12 percent the reserves it expects oil companies to find in future, admitting in its Barents-focused reporting that the numbers could yet vary wildly.
"Unfortunately, many of the new finds (in the Western Barents) are small and signficantly less than that which was assumed before drilling started," the report’s authors wrote.
They said the NPD had "reduced expecations of large, future finds" in the southern part of the Eastern Barents.
The good news was that more prospects than expected have been uncovered by state-sponsored surveys and increased oil-company exploration since 2006.
But uncertainty reined for the Barents, once-touted as a major oil province in waiting, a conviction given strength by the latest U.S. Geological Survey appraisals of the Arctic that had lifted the reserve count by nearly 10 percent in recent years.
"After 43 years of exploration and 40 years with production, how much of the proven reserves can be produced profitably and how large the undiscovered resources are is still uncertain," the NPD report said.
Producible reserves offshore Norway, including in the Norwegian Sea and North Sea are said to be between 10 billion cubic metres and 17 Bcm of oil equivalents.
The lower Barents reserve count comes despite the confirmation of new exploration models by discoveries among the 18 wildcat wells drilled.
The news will come as a blow to an oil industry keen to grow large developments such as Snohvit and Goliat. Both StatoilHydro at the former and Eni at the latter have expressed hopes that satellite discoveries would further bolster their developments in remote, sparsely populated northern Norway.
Source: Scandoil

••• 02.09.09  CGGVeritas has expanded its open processing & imaging center in Aberdeen, UK. The center has been comprehensively upgraded to facilitate and support the significant advances in the seismic imaging technology and services it provides. This commitment is a direct response to the increasing complexity of the technical challenges faced by the region’s explorers and producers.
Technology expansions within the center include a significant investment in enhanced compute power and data throughput resources. The center also has a new purpose-built client data room, complete with an industry-leading graphics computation center that provides advanced viewing of large 3D seismic volumes.
To complement the processing & imaging capabilities, the center upgrade also strengthens Hampson-Russell, our reservoir services department, with enhanced resources to best address the seismic industry's growing challenges and demands.
The CGGVeritas Aberdeen center offers the full range of processing services, including 3D and 4D processing of both towed streamer and OBC datasets. Onsite depth imaging experts draw on a wide variety of techniques, including Controlled Beam Migration and Reverse Time Migration using TTI models, to solve even the most complex challenges. The center's location encourages close technical partnerships with clients and allows interpreter input at regular intervals throughout the seismic processing process.
Part of CGGVeritas worldwide network of imaging centers, the Aberdeen location receives seamless technical and resource support, when required, from Europe's largest processing & imaging center the CGGVeritas center in Crawley, UK.
Source: CGGVeritas

••• 01.09.09  Total to invest NOK 8 bn in Norway.
Total plans to invest NOK 8 billion next year to keep their position as a big company on the Norwegian shelf.
Martin Tiffen, managing director for Total in Norway, tells Bloomberg that a significant share of these investments will be made at Ekofisk. - We have a big, big position in Norway that will remain a big, big position, says Tiffen.
Total olds stakes in 35 producing fields in Norway, and therefore reckons that the company's production evolution will be pretty much parallel to the general evolution of the Norwegian shelf.
- Because we're in most of the producing fields in Norway, our production evolution will be very similar to that of the country, says Tiffen - We'll probably hold at current levels a while longer, Tiffen adds.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 01.09.09  Petroleum base on Barents Sea coast.
Norwegian engineering major Aker Solutions considers the establishment of a base in northern Norway, which is to help the company get deals in Russia and the Barents Sea.
-We have to get established in northern Norway to serve the customers in the north, company CEO Simen Lieungh told.
That new base will see the light if Aker Solutions wins a major contract in the Goliat oil field project in the Barents Sea, a project now under preparations by operator ENI, the company leader added.
However, the engineering company has Arctic plans far beyond the Goliat project. Company representatives have shown major interest in the whole region, and have organized several meetings with regional leaders, companies and expertise.
The Russian Shtokman field is likely to be the project currently of biggest interest to Aker Solutions. The Shtokman Development AG has recently announced a number of key tenders to the project, one of the biggest offshore gas fields in the world.
Kirkenes, the Norwegian town near the border to Russia, could be a possible site for a new Arctic supply base. In a meeting with local companies in Kirkenes, Aker Solutions’ sub-sea team is reported to have positively assessed conditions and facilities in the area.
As BarentsObserver has reported, Shtokman Development AG is in the process of selecting locations and contractors for the Shtokman supply base. Sites on the Norwegian side of the border could possibly meet requirements and provide parts of the supply functions.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 01.09.09  Russian Oil Group to Expand Cooperation with Vietnam.
Russian oil and gas group Zarubezhneft will expand cooperation with the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) and other Vietnamese partners, a Zarubezhneft executive has said.
Zarubezhneft general director Nikolai Brunich made the statement at a meeting with Vietnamese Party politburo member Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on August 29 during his current working visit to Vietnam.
Brunich said that Zarubezhneft always attached importance to cooperation with Vietnamese partners, committing to effectively implementing projects on oil and gas exploration and production in cooperation with PetroVietnam.
In order to prepare human resources to expand cooperative projects with PetroVietnam, Zarubezhneft will grant scholarships to Vietnamese students to study in Russia, the group leader said.
Truong Tan Sang, standing member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, spoke highly of cooperation and new agreements between the two oil and gas groups in Vietnam, Russia and the third countries.
The Vietnamese Party official said the Vietnamese Party and State had supported and created the most favourable conditions for businesses from the two countries, particularly PetroVietnam and Zarubezhneft, to boost cooperation and develop their respective potential for long-term benefits of the two peoples.
Source: Rigzone

••• 28.08.09  Electromagnetic Geoservices has been awarded a contract from Total to provide 3D EM data acquisition and processing services in relation to the Frigg field in the North Sea.
The survey will be conducted in September using the purpose-built 3D EM vessel BOA Thalassa.
Frigg was the world's largest and deepest offshore gas field when it was discovered in 1971. Field production ended in October 2004, and the decommissioning activity is expected to be finalised soon.
The license is operated by Total.
"The objective of the EM work programme is to develop a better understanding of the reservoir as of today," EMGS said.
The Clearplay Evaluate 3D EM data will be acquired in an area of 100 km2 and in water depths of approximately 100 meters using densely sampled, wide-azimuth 3D EM grids.
Source: EMGS

••• 26.08.09  PGS to complete Honduras seismic work by year-end.
Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) is due to complete hydrocarbons seismic studies in the Caribbean offshore Honduras by year-end, the Honduran Natural Resources and Environment Minister Valerio Gutierrez told BNamericas.
The work aims to help determine the quantity and quality of the country's oil and gas reserves. The program covers 3,500 square kilometers (1,351 sq miles) and entails collecting 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles) of new seismic data and reprocessing 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles) of existing information.
Gutierrez also announced that a review of consultancy work on new hydrocarbons legislation has been completed, and that the "socialization" process has begun.
The initiative covers block areas, contract terms, canons and company and government shares. The seismic and legislative work is being carried out in the lead up to a possible hydrocarbons E&P round.
Companies that participated at an event earlier this year in Houston to showcase Honduras' Tela offshore basin included ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, Repsol YPF, BP, Teikoku Oil and Japex.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 26.08.09  TGS Announces a New 3D Multi-Client Survey in the North Viking Graben.
TGS announces the third 3D Multi-Client survey acquired and marketed in partnership with PGS in 2009, called the NVG09 3D survey.
This new project covers a 640 square kilometer area in the North Viking Graben area and the majority of the survey lies in Norwegian waters. The dataset is acquired by the PGS Atlantic Explorer and utilizes the PGS Geostreamer Technology.
The NVG09 3D survey is supported by client funding and the processed data will be completed and delivered in mid February 2010.
Source: TGS

••• 25.08.09  PGS terminates another Spanish vessel contract.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA today informed Factorias Vulcano that its subsidiary Arrow Seismic Invest III Ltd. has exercised its right to terminate the shipbuilding contract for New Build No. 533.
PGS has called for the refund of EUR39 million (US$55.6 million) with the addition of interest, as specified in the shipbuilding contract. Most of the requested funds are covered by bank guarantees. GS will be exposed to an impairment charge relating to this vessel of approximately US$50 to US$60 million.
Arrow Seismic Invest II Ltd. had previously terminated the shipbuilding contract for New Build No. 532 and that the shipyard has disputed the termination. Arrow Seismic Invest II Ltd has received a formal writ of summons from the yard, disputing Arrow's right to terminate the contract and claiming damages for incorrect termination.
PGS said in a statement that the company strongly believes that the terminations are rightful, and will pursue its claims for refund of the installed amounts.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 21.08.09  Polarcus increases its financial flexibility.
Polarcus Limited has announced today that it has entered into a transaction that will reduce the overall capital needs and consequently increase the Group's financial flexibility. Polarcus will sell two of the Group's six vessel owning companies and receive an option to repurchase them for a price equal to the cost incurred of completing each vessel. Polarcus will therefore maintain the ambition of being a 6 vessel company, but reduce its short term capital requirements.
The two vessel owning companies involved in the transaction are Polarcus 4, owning the rights to Polarcus Selma, and Polarcus 6, owning the rights to Polarcus Alima.
The transaction will significantly reduce the capital needs of the Polarcus Group going forward. The board of directors and the management of Polarcus are confident that by this action the Group will be able to raise the remaining equity and debt capital required, estimated at US$170 million, to complete the four remaining vessels and meet working capital needs.
Polarcus is actively pursuing a number of alternatives in respect of the remaining financing requirements.
Rolf Ronningen, CEO of Polarcus, commenting on the transaction said: "We are very pleased with the transaction and the contribution made by our founding shareholders as it will significantly reduce the financing risk of Polarcus. The fact that Polarcus gets an option to repurchase the vessels at cost means Polarcus will have an alternative to get a 6 vessel fleet without the short term capital requirements for the two vessels involved.
Additionally, the transaction will have limited impact on the total cost of these vessels for Polarcus if we choose to exercise the option".
Polarcus 4 and Polarcus 6 will be sold to Zickerman Holding Limited and Zickerman Group Limited (together ZL), the founders of Polarcus Limited, for the sum of US$1 each. ZL will complete the maritime work on Polarcus Selma and Polarcus Alima and include all fixed equipment that is required in order to qualify each vessel as a fully prepared seismic vessel.
Polarcus Limited will receive an option from ZL to repurchase each of Polarcus Selma and Polarcus Alima at a price equal to the total cost of completing each vessel for ZL. The options will be valid until delivery of each vessel and subsequently will be replaced with a right of first refusal to purchase each of the vessels.
Polarcus has already invested US$46 million in the two vessels which would be considered sunk costs if Polarcus does not exercise the options.
Polarcus Limited will continue to supervise the ongoing construction of the vessels and liaise with the suppliers of equipment related to the vessels. Polarcus has received pre-approval for the sale of Polarcus 4 and Polarcus 6 from lead suppliers and the vessel constructor. Both sales are made on an arm's length basis at terms which the Board believes reflect current market conditions.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 20.08.09  SeaSCAN acquires shallow draft seismic source vessel.
Shallow water seismic source provider SeaSCAN has completed the purchase of M/V SeaSCAN Speculator, a purpose-built vessel designed to operate marine seismic source air gun arrays in water depth as shallow as 1.5 meters (4.9 ft).
The vessel is constructed of aluminum, with dual jet propulsion, including two integrated Price A300 air compressors. Using a custom launch and recovery A-frame capable of lifting 7,000 pounds, the vessel can support a variety of SeaSCAN source arrays and specially designed ultra-shallow water seismic source arrays.
"We are responding to the requests we have had from our customers to provide a turnkey, all inclusive shooting package to acquire seismic data in ultra-shallow water," stated Harold Barber, president and founder of SeaSCAN.
After modifying SeaSCAN Speculator to better accommodate the company's arrays, the vessel was mobilized for its first contract. It will be shooting offshore Trinidad in less than two meters (6.5 feet) of water.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 19.08.09  CGGVeritas signs Western Australia R&D agreement.
CGGVeritas has signed a research and development agreement with the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance, a prominent oil and gas research alliance within the Asia-Pacific region.
CGGVeritas signed the agreement with the three partners that form the Alliance: the University of Western Australia, CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), and Curtin University of Technology, on 6 August in Perth, Australia.
The agreement defines a framework to support the rapid identification of opportunities for research, development, consultancy, education and commercial application of advanced geophysical technologies in the search for, and optimum exploitation of, energy resources. The framework provides formal guidelines for planning, agreeing and executing individual R&D projects once they have been identified.
As the first geophysical company to sign this kind of partnership with the WA:ERA, CGGVeritas will act as a focal point for exploring new topics for collaborative geophysical R&D projects.
The agreement will be of mutual benefit to all parties by maximizing the success of these projects in addressing regional E&P challenges, extending their scope, and adding value to a wider field of application.
At the signing ceremony, Thierry Le Roux, President & COO of CGGVeritas, said, "We are very pleased to partner with this unique alliance. We have a long operating history here in Western Australia as well as in the wider Asia-Pacific region, and it is one of our strongest growth areas. Our R&D commitment in the region needs to mirror this trend. We believe our investment in this agreement will pay significant dividends by enriching both our global and local research to ensure, along with our alliance partners, that we can best meet the needs of the industry today and well into the future."
Source: Scandoil

••• 19.08.09  EMGS awarded 3D EM survey offshore Greenland.
Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) has been awarded a contract worth about US$4 million by the Cairn Energy group through its subsidiary Capricorn and its joint venture partner Nunaoil, to perform a 3-D electromagnetic (EM) survey in the Disko West area offshore Greenland.
The survey is due to start around 25 August and will be performed using the newly launched, purpose-built 3-D EM vessel BOA Galatea. The vessel is currently completing a survey worth about US$1 million for a customer in Norway.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 14.08.09  Searcher Seismic, CGGVeritas complete Foxhound survey.
Searcher Seismic Pty Ltd. and CGGVeritas have completed the Foxhound non-exclusive 3-D seismic survey in the Carnarvon Basin offshore Australia. The Foxhound 3D survey covers six active exploration permits and one area of vacant acreage in the Northern Carnarvon Basin.
The newly commissioned M/V Geowave Voyager completed 3,454 sq km (1,336 sq miles) of acquisition on schedule, utilizing 10 streamers. There were no major health, safety or environmental issues during the acquisition. Foxhound was the vessel's first project.
Operations Manager Alan Hopping commented, "It is a tribute to the quality of the vessel and crew that this survey was completed to the highest safety standards."
Searcher Seismic Director Odd Larsen further added, "The completion of the Foxhound 3-D Survey will provide the industry with an excellent opportunity to further evaluate the under explored potential of the Northern Carnarvon Basin."
Data is now being processed at the CGGVeritas facility in Perth, Western Australia. The first deliverables are expected by the end of August 2009. A fast-track cube is scheduled for delivery in October, with the final processed cube scheduled for completion in February 2010.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 14.08.09  Niko Resources plans seismic surveys off Indonesia.
Calgary-based independent Niko Resources has acquired interests in several deepwater blocks offshore Indonesia. The company is now planning seismic surveys for its new acquisitions.
According to Niko, the deepwater areas offshore Indonesia remain essentially unexplored. Each block has sea-bottom oil and gas seeps and large structural features. Several have direct indications of hydrocarbons. There is a single-well commitment for each block, which will follow seismic acquisition and interpretation.
Niko's planned seismic program for each block includes 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of 2-D seismic data for Bone Bay, 1,200 sq km of 3-D seismic data for Cendrawasih, 1,062 km (660 miles) of 2-D and 3,150 sq km (1,216 sq miles) of 3-D for Kofiau, 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of 2-D for Kumawa 3,500 km (2,174 miles) of 2-D for Seram, 4,400 km (2,734 miles) of 2-D for South Matindok, 284 km (177 miles) of 2-D and 2,700 sq km (1,042 sq miles) of 3-D for Southeast Ganal and 371 km (231 miles) of 2-D and 702 sq km (271 sq miles) of 3-D for West Sageri.
The company arranged for a major international seismic contractor to shoot a 3-D spec survey in both the Southeast Ganal and West Sageri blocks. This survey began in July. Additional 2-D seismic surveys will be acquired in these blocks. A contract for these surveys is expected to be signed in September 2009 with acquisition to commence prior to the end of 2009.
The 2-D vessel will also conduct new seismic surveys in the Bone Bay, South Matindok, Kofiau and Seram blocks. In the Kofiau Block, both a 2-D and a 3-D seismic program are planned, with acquisition of the 3-D is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 12.08.09  CGGVeritas inaugurates Saudi Arabia Technology Center.
CGGVeritas says that ARGAS, one of its joint ventures with TAQA in the Middle East, has opened a Technology Center in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The new facility is an open center designed to serve the oil and gas community in the Kingdom with a suite of state-of-the-art capabilities and resources.
This unique center offers a focal point for both local oil and gas players and researchers from the Earth Sciences Department of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals to benefit from: co-operation with R&D experts to address specific geophysical challenges, high-end processing & imaging technologies, including a visualization center, access to world-class training from CGGVeritas University.
Robert Brunck, Chairman and CEO of CGGVeritas, said, "Our investment in this Technology Center is a significant milestone in our long and productive 40-year partnership with TAQA in the Kingdom through our ARGAS joint venture. Our ambition is to locally apply and advance the sophisticated processing algorithms we develop globally in order to unmask the embedded value of the seismic data we have been acquiring here for so many years. CGGVeritas will continue to stand by the side of ARGAS to serve Saudi Aramco and their partners in a continuous drive to improve the understanding of reservoirs in Saudi Arabia."
Source: Scandoil

••• 06.08.09  Fugro Awarded Nautilus Minerals Contract.
Fugro has been awarded a significant contract by Nautilus Minerals Inc. to provide exploration services for Nautilus' 2009 programs in Papua New Guinea (''PNG'') and the Solomon Islands. The DP2 ROV support vessel Fugro Solstice will be used to expand Nautilus' Seafloor Massive Sulphide (''SMS'') prospect inventory within its 100% owned Bismarck, Woodlark and Solomon Islands exploration licenses.
The contract with Fugro is for 124 days of services, mobilising from Singapore on approximately August 10, 2009 with options to extend this initial period by up to 98 days.
Source: Fugro

••• 05.08.09  Statoil warns it needs more stability for Shtokman.
Norway's StatoilHydro says that it requires more stability in Russia before the company invests in the massive Shtokman gas project in the remote Barents Sea - whose first stage alone will demand investments of $22 bn from Gazprom and partners Total and Statoil.
Statoil's CEO Helge Lund told Norwegian business newspaper DN that problems experienced by other Scandinavian groups investing in Russia, including telecoms group Telenor as well as Sweden's Ikea, had given Statoil pause for thought - as well as the calculation that oil prices would need to be above $70 to make the project profitable.
Only the first stage of Shtokman - which has reserves of around 3.8 trillion cubic metres and is one of the biggest gasfields in the world - will cost Statoil investments of NOK 25 bn ($4.1 bn) in investments, Lund said.
"We work in an long term industry and stable framework conditions are essential when we invest so much capital for so many decades of time," Lund told DN.
"This applies also in Russia. I am not in a position to comment on Telenor case, but the stability of the framework is crucial," Lund added in his comments to the paper.
According to estimates, oil prices need to remain above $ 70 barrel for the Shtokman field to be profitable for StatoilHydro.
Lund said however that he believed the current oil price of around $73 was speculation-based, more driven by expectations of higher growth and greater demand in line with the improvement in the global economy and growing demand in developing countries, than fundamental factors.
".... we must be prepared for periods of low prices, " he told DN.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 28.07.09  Spanish Point survey done.
Seismic surveying over the Spanish Point gas and condensate prospect off the west coast of Ireland has been completed by Providence Resources.
Providence hired WesternGeco to carry out data processing after the survey, involving the acquisition of 300 sq. km of 3D data, which was carried out by the BOS Angler survey ship.
The work was carried out over Frontier Exploration Licence 2/04 where Providence is operator with 56%, partnered by Chrysaor E&P Ireland with 30% and Sosina Exploration which holds 14%.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 24.07.09  Spectrum starts acquisition of Big Wave - Phase 2 survey in Gulf of Mexico.
On 23rd July, the GGS-Atlantic commenced the acquisition of Spectrum's Big Wave Phase 2 multi client seismic survey in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Phase 2 of Spectrum's Big Wave multi client programme is a total of 14,000km long offset, high quality seismic data and includes a 2,000km well tie survey to the east of the main study area. This new survey compliments the previously acquired data sets and will expand Spectrum's coverage in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to over 52,000km.
Spectrum's seismic vessel GGS-Atlantic will be fully utilised acquiring Phase 2 until December 2009. The data processing will be undertaken at Spectrum's state of the art computer centre in Houston with a sequence including both pre stack time and pre stack depth migration.
An additional pre-funder has been secured for Phase 2, making it 5 major oil companies to date that have signed up ensuring it is close to being fully prefunded.
Source: Spectrum

••• 24.07.09  Sakhalin delivers 200th export oil cargo.
Russia-based Sakhalin Energy has said that the Sakhalin Island, a Prisco-owned tanker on long-term charter to the company, will deliver some 100,000 tonnes of oil from the company's offshore facilities in the Sea of Okhotsk to a refinery in South Korea. The company has said that this is its 200th oil cargo export.
Sakhalin Energy has been producing oil offshore since 1999. Production from Molikpaq, the offshore oil platform, was initially carried out on a seasonal basis during the ice-free period.
The company has said that the year-round production began in December 2008 following completion of the offshore and onshore oil infrastructure. Exports are now handled from a purpose-built port at Prigorodnoye. A second oil platform, Piltun-Astokhskoye-B, came on stream the same month. Following first gas from the Lun-A platform and the commissioning of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in February 2009, oil exports have risen due to the addition of gas condensate. The new oil blend, Vityaz, has now been successfully sold into the Asia-Pacific market for 10 years.
Since commercial oil production began, Sakhalin Energy has exported over 126 million barrels of Vityaz to Asia-Pacific customers. With its low sulfur content and high levels of light and medium-light hydrocarbon fractions, this crude is used to produce petrol, kerosene, diesel and as a feedstock for the petrochemical industry.
Ian Craig, CEO of Sakhalin Energy, said: "Our 200th oil cargo is clear evidence of Sakhalin's emerging role as a key energy hub for the Asia-Pacific region. The increasing frequency of oil cargo shipments will also be matched and then exceeded by the frequency of LNG shipments as we build up to plateau in the second half of 2009."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 23.07.09  COSL to build Skipsteknisk-designed seismic ships.
China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) has commissioned the Chinese shipyard Shanghai Shipyard to build a 3D deepwater seismic vessel.
The vessel COSL720 will be a 12-streamer vessel powered by with diesel-electric machinery. The 3D seismic vessel will be classed by China Classification Society.
The COSL 720 is based on a Skipsteknisk ST-327L CD design. The vessel will have a length of 107m and a beam of 24m. The accommodation is arranged for 75 persons.
The vessel's diesel-electric propulsion system will have four diesel generators producing a total of 18,000kW. The vessel has twin propeller arrangement each run by a 4,500kW AC frequency controlled electric motor.
For Skipsteknisk this is a very important contract. It is the first design contract the company has won from a Chinese company and the first ST-vessel to be built in China.
Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the first half of 2011.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 22.07.09  Gazprom May Delay Shtokman Project.
Russian gas firm OAO Gazprom may delay development of the giant Shtokman gas condensate field depending on market conditions, the company has said in a eurobond memorandum.
Under Gazprom's original plan, it would produce 23.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year starting 2013 from the first development phase of the field and up to 7.5 million metric tons of liquified natural gas, or LNG, a year starting in 2014.
"This timeline may be revised accordingly to reflect natural gas market conditions," the company said in the eurobond memorandum seen by Dow Jones Newswires Tuesday.
Gazprom has seen its European exports fall by up to one third this year, due to lower demand amid an economic recession and high gas prices.
Gazprom is developing the Shtokman field located under harsh conditions in the Barents Sea together with France's Total SA and Norway's StatoilHydro, which hold 25% and 24% in the project, respectively.
Peak production at the Shtokman project may reach 95 billion cubic meters a year, Gazprom said.
Source: Rigzone/Dow Jones Newswires

••• 20.07.09  Fugro Chance surveys damaged platform in Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore survey company Fugro Chance Inc. recently completed detailed survey work on a damaged platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Marine Construction Survey Division of Fugro Chance was responsible for the precise mapping of a platform jacket in around 380 feet (115.8 m) of water. The platform's deck had been damaged during a storm, with the platform jacket being inclined in excess of ten degrees from its vertical position.
Precise mapping of the platform jacket from sea level to seabed, and detailed mapping of the debris field on the seabed was derived using a Multibeam Echosounder (MBE) system. This was accomplished in conjunction with Fugro's proprietary Fine Track L200 Integrated Navigation System. Post processing of the MBE data was performed using Fugro's proprietary suite of Starfix processing applications.
Imminent rig arrival on location and an unfavorable weather forecast dictated that Fugro Chance mobilize personnel and the equipment spread to the dock within 24 hours of notification. The vessel departed dock after a mobilization period of only 18 hours.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 20.07.09  Gearbox particle found before fatal flight.
Just days before a helicopter crashed into the North Sea killing all 16 on board chips detected in part of the aircraft's gearbox had been found which pointed to a potential gearbox failure which was later blamed as the major cause of the accident.
Further investigation by the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch into the loss of the Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma G-REDL on 1 April this year which was returning to Aberdeen from the BP Miller platform indicates that a problem was found on the gearbox but the cause was not correctly diagnosed at the time.
Days before the crash on 25 March, part of the helicopter's HUMS – helicopter usage monitoring system - detected a chip on one of the three epicyclic module magnetic chip detector plugs while the helicopter was in flight. The plugs are installed to detect any parts of the helicopter gearbox breaking off.
When the helicopter returned to Aberdeen that day the epicyclic magnetic plug was removed and visually examined, the AAIB reported, but no evidence of any chips was reported to have been found.
Because the aircraft was already due for a 25 hour check, the helicopter operator, Bond Offshore, decided to carry it out earlier, and the aircraft maintenance manual called for examination of magnetic chip detector plugs When the epicyclic module plug was taken out and re-examined, a particle was found, the AAIB says.
And the Board is still investigating the clarity of the information available to the aircraft operator and the manufacturer which informed decisions taken after this discovery.
"Had a different diagnosis of the chip type been made on 25 March, it is possible that the MRG (main rotor gearbox) would have been removed from service for further investigation," the AAIB states.
"...However, the outcome was that the MRG [main rotor gearbox] remained in service," the latest AAIB report into the accident continues. "It was concluded, at that time, that the particle was of a type that did not require further investigation of the epicyclic module."
Also, the oil system in the helicopter's main rotor gearbox was drained, and no other contamination was found after the oil was filtered and the filters examined.
"As a result of the discovery of this particle, a daily inspection of the epicyclic gearbox magnetic chip detector was initiated by the operator and the HUMS data was downloaded and analysed each time the helicopter returned to its base at Aberdeen for the following 25 flying hours," stated the AAIB. "This concluded on the 31 March, the day before the accident and, as no further abnormalities were identified during this period, this served to reinforce the view that a correct diagnosis of the chip had been made."
Accordingly the AAIB has recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency and Eurocopter change procedures for the service manuals for EC225LP and AS332L2 type helicopters, "..to ensure that correct identification of the type of magnetic particles found within the oil system of the power transmission system is maximised."
The AAIB states: "As it appears that the process of assessing the relevance of a magnetic chip may, in this case, have led to an inappropriate diagnosis, consideration should be given to introducing appropriate methods of information exchange between an operator and the manufacturer to facilitate the accurate determination of a chip type".
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 20.07.09  EMGS launches second purpose-built 3D EM vessel.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has launched its second purpose-built EM survey vessel in order to enhance hydrocarbon exploration across the world. The new vessel, the BOA Galatea, was built by Bergen Group Fosen and is leased from the owner BOA Offshore on a long-term charter.
As previously communicated, EMGS's core vessel fleet will consist of the two purpose-built 3D EM vessels BOA Thalassa and BOA Galatea.
Each vessel has the capacity to carry 200 receivers and offers two high power source systems, making these the most productive and fficient vessels available in the industry.
Roar Bekker, EMGS chief executive officer, commented: "We have experienced a breakthrough for our 3D surveying services over the last year, and our new vessels are especially designed for this purpose. EM data resulting from 3D acquisition provides superior data quality and can be more easily integrated into the exploration and production workflow, and interpreted alongside other subsurface information. We therefore believe that our purpose-built 3D EM vessel fleet will provide an improved basis for industry adoption of EMGS's technology."
The vessels' features include sheltered deck and work spaces, advanced on-board processing system, helicopter deck, hospital ward, conference facilities and modern workstations with broadband connection. Surveying efficiency and flexibility is increased by the vessels' high speed, large fuel volume, extensive storage capacity, efficient fuel consumption and extended weather window.
Source: EMGS

••• 17.07.09  Shtokman shipping tie-up.
South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a new shipbuilding agreement with a Russian partner also operating in the shipping sector which will form the basis for building LNG carriers for the Shtokman project and other Arctic gas developments.
"The main purpose of this agreement is to establish a cooperation which will include the mutual developing of shipbuilding projects, equipments and the designing of vessels," the two companies said in a jointly released statement.
Hyundai has linked up with Russia's United Industrial Corporation – OPK – to form the cooperation agreement which allows HHI to support construction of new shipbuilding facilities, shipyard management, and the construction of specific ship-types – described in the statement as "gas locomotives".
OPK, has several assets with a total value of US $13 Bn, including two shipyards, Severnaya Verf and Baltiysky Zavod, plus a design bureau, called Iceberg.
"OPK intends to modernize its shipbuilding assets and construct a modern shipbuilding complex with dry dock on large-capacity vessels, platforms and the production of offshore equipment," the company said, adding "OPK is also taking part in several shipbuilding programs, favouring Arctic shelf development".
Clearly signalling its aims on the Shtokman project, the company adds: "OPK anticipates it will build new LNG carriers and other vessels for Gazprom in support of the Shtokman gas field development, which will come on stream in 2013/2014".
And the Russian company points out that it is already taking part in several shipbuilding programs related to Arctic shelf development.
Yan Yanovsky, managing director of OPK signed the deal with BT Ahn, executive vice president of Hyundai Heavy Industries.
OPK's other interests throughout the Russian economy include mining, media and property, as well as shipbuilding.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 15.07.09  Polarcus seismic fleet takes shape.
Drydocks World has laid the keel for the final vessel in the new Polarcus six-vessel seismic fleet, and has delivered the first vessel in the series. Ordered 14 months ago, the fleet will consist of a combination of 3D and multipurpose 3D/source vessels.
The first vessel, Polarcus Nadia, has been designed to be environmentally friendly and technologically sophisticated, and is capable of towing up to 12 streamers. The vessel design incorporates a number of innovations, ranging from the distinctive Ulstein X-Bow hull to the selective catalytic reduction system, which is designed to maximize operational performance and minimize emissions.
The new vessel's name commemorates its place as the first in the series. Nadia means "beginning' or "first" in Arabic. Polarcus Nadia will enter service in October.
The final keel is for the Polarcus Alima, which is being built to Ulstein's SX134 design. As with the other Polarcus vessels, Polarcus Alima is designed for operations anywhere around the globe, including the environmentally sensitive and challenging polar regions. The entire Polarcus fleet is scheduled to be operational in 2010.
Polarcus describes itself as a pure play marine geophysical company with a pioneering environmental agenda, specializing in high-end towed streamer data acquisition from pole to pole. Launched in 2008, the company intends to operate worldwide providing towed marine contract acquisition services.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 14.07.09  The Russian government is ready to significantly cut red tape for investors in oil and gas projects on the Russian Arctic shelf.
The facilitated procedures will not reduce focus on environmental standards, government officials maintain.
The Russian government has approved new legislation which is intended to boost oil and gas investments in the country’s Arctic shelf. The current numerous permissions required to engage in the offshore projects will be abolished and replaced by extended license agreements, newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reports.
Currently, companies engaging at the shelf have to get separate permissions for each different operation. That significantly hampers project efficiency, given the fact that it takes at least 3-4 months to get the respective permissions.
Now, extended license agreement will reduce the bureaucratic burden for the oil and gas companies. That will help speed up field development and make the offshore resources more attractive for investors, the Ministry of Natural Resources argues.
At the same time, the new procedures will not lower focus on environmental security, the ministry maintains.
Over the last five years, the Russian Nature Control Agency (Rosprirodnadzor) has issued a total of 116 various permissions to offshore field developers, RG.ru reports. That number will get a boost as Gazprom and the Shtokman Development AG start the actual development of the Shtokman field in the Barents Sea.
It can not be excluded that the facilitated legislation could come now as the Shtokman developers move closer to the implementation phase of their grand project.
Russia has offshore fields in operation outside Sakhalin in the Far East and in the Caspian Sea. The Shtokman field and the Prirazlomnoe field in the Barents and Pechora Seas will be the country’s first Arctic offshore field in production.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 12.07.09  Helicopter crash in the Caspian Sea.
MI-8 helicopter, which belongs to "AZAL" crashed above the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Searching works are holding now, First Deputy Chief of "AZAL" Sabir Ilyasov told Trend Capital.
According to him, there were three crew members and three passengers on board. Four of them are saved, search of others continues.
Source: Trend Capital

••• 12.07.09  Economic worries hit oil price.
Concerns that the global economic recovery may not be recovering as quickly as first thought, have stopped the oil price in its tracks, says Mark McCue is a divisional director of Brewin Dolphin Ltd in Aberdeen.
"Having slumped to under US$50 a barrel earlier in the year it had risen above US$70 as optimism of a swift economic recovery embraced investors. But that optimism appears to be short-lived and the price has fallen back to early June levels," he said.
"It is a far cry from the dizzy heights the price of oil reached this time last summer, when it peaked at US$147 a barrel as emerging nations such as China looked to push ahead with their expansion plans. But the severity of the global economic crisis put many of the plans on the back burner, triggering a slump in demand."
"In a week when several oil stocks announce trading updates, including Premier Oil and Tullow Oil, most of the eyes will be on Chevron. Its interim statement on Friday will give investors an indication of how the past year’s price volatility has impacted its balance sheets in the short-term."
"In the long-term, the oil bulls remain unperturbed," he concluded. "They believe that the oil price will be well supported by the big trends, such as rising energy use across emerging markets and natural declines in existing oil production."
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 10.07.09  CGGVeritas Provides Vessel Utilization Update for 2Q 2009.
CGGVeritas provides its vessel utilization and its fleet allocation updates for the second quarter of 2009.
The following vessel utilization rates for the second quarter 2009 do not take into account the Harmattan, a 3D vessel which was decommissioned during the quarter as part of the company's marine capacity adjustment program.
The vessel availability rate was 89%, including a 5% impact related to standby between contracts. This compares to a 93% availability rate in the first quarter 2009 and a 86% rate in the second quarter 2008.
The vessel production rate was 88%. This compares to a 89% production rate in the first quarter 2009 and a 80% rate in the second quarter 2008. During the second quarter of 2009, CGGVeritas' 3D vessels were allocated 75% to contract and 25% to multi-client programs, a decrease in multi-client investment in 2009, as planned.
Source: CGGVeritas

••• 09.07.09  SeaBird seismic fleet utilization in Q2.
Vessel utilization is defined as the percentage of the full quarter where the vessel is in paid work either in the form of acquisition, mobilization, demobilization, steaming, standby or other. The vessel utilization for the 9 seismic vessels operated by SeaBird Exploration for the 2nd Quarter is 80%, up from 62% in the 1st Quarter 2009.
Geo Mariner had a utilization for Q2 of 50% after completing her last contract and lying idle in East Africa during June.
Hawk Explorer and Harrier Explorer have continued on their long term time charters to Fugro (to end November 2009) and PGS (to 4th Quarter 2011) with utilization for Q2 of 95% and 100% respectively.
Osprey Explorer and Northern Explorer continued to acquire data on the East Coast of India for April and May, both vessels successfully completing 100% of the contractual 82,000 kilometers in early June. The two vessels then demobilized and steamed to Singapore with utilization for Q2 of 80% and 81% respectively. Osprey Explorer is now preparing for a long term lay-up and the overall fleet manning has been reduced correspondingly.
Aquila Explorer continued her Far East surveys with utilisation for Q2 of 95%.
Munin Explorer completed her survey in Mozambique and mobilized to East Coast India to commence a further survey with utilisation for Q2 of 89%.
The Hugin Explorer has completed her first full scale Ocean Bottom Node seismic survey on the Dalia field for Total in Angola. She has since demobilized for Total and mobilized to GOM for the Green Canyon field survey for BP E&P Inc starting on site late July after commissioning and tests. Utilisation for Q2 was 86%.
The Kondor Explorer after being idle in GOM has in Q2 commenced mobilization and commissioning in preparation to join the Hugin Explorer on the Green Canyon survey as a shooting vessel. Utilisation for Q2 was 33%.
Source: SeaBird

••• 09.07.09  ION has initiated the next phase of its ArcticSPAN seismic data program.
Recognizing the hydrocarbon potential of the Arctic region, which the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates could contain nearly 25% of the world's undiscovered oil and gas resources, several of the world's largest energy companies have agreed to underwrite a new, basin-scale imaging project to study the deep crustal architecture offshore Greenland. Acquisition of this phase of the ArcticSPAN program will be undertaken by the Octio Group, a subsidiary of Norway's GC Rieber Shipping, utilizing ION's Intelligent Acquisition streamer technologies.
Ken Williamson, Senior Vice President of ION's Integrated Seismic Solutions group, commented, "ION has been actively acquiring seismic data in the Arctic since 2006 when we acquired the initial phase of our ArcticSPAN regional program offshore Alaska and northern Canada. Based on our success with this program, several of our BasinSPAN customers asked us to undertake a deep crustal study in a region offshore Greenland that is largely unexplored and potentially prospective. Given the harsh operating conditions in this area and the short weather window for acquisition, we needed to design a highly customized seismic program that allows operations to proceed in a highly efficient manner and with the utmost environmental sensitivity."
Bjarte Fageras, CEO of the Octio Group, added, "The GC Rieber Shipping Group has a long history of building and operating special-purpose vessels in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. While a seismic program in this area poses a unique set of challenges, I am confident that we will be able to acquire the data in a highly productive and environmentally aware manner to meet the demanding criteria set forth by ION and its program underwriters. For this project, ION's streamer portfolio was the only suitable technology solution. We purchased DigiSTREAMER due to its unique continuous recording capability and environmentally friendly, low-noise solid cable that enables operations in a wider weather window. We'll also be deploying DigiFIN, DigiBIRD, and the Orca command and control system to actively steer around and beneath any ice we encounter."
Acquisition for this phase of ArcticSPAN is expected to be conducted during an extended seasonal window with operations beginning in July 2009 and ending by October 2009.
BasinSPANs are deeply imaged seismic data programs acquired and imaged using the most advanced technology available. SPANs allow geoscientists to trace the basin-scale history of entire petroleum systems to determine where source rocks are most prevalent, where sediment fairways are located, and where the most promising migration paths from source to reservoir exist. SPANs are customized to image deep within the geologic section, cover an entire petroleum province, and overlay with areas of heightened structural or stratigraphic interest. Nearly 20,000 km of seismic data currently exist within the ArcticSPAN library. This season's Greenland program is expected to add an additional 6,500 km of data that will be imaged by ION's GX Technology subsidiary using the most advanced processing techniques available.
Source: ION Geophysical Corp.

••• 08.07.09  TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company has kicked off its 2009 data acquisition season offshore Greenland.
This season marks the 10th consecutive year of new data acquisition by TGS in Greenland. As in past years, the multifaceted acquisition campaign in 2009 will consist of seismic, aeromagnetic, and gravity data.
The first phase of data acquisition has already commenced and will result in more than 41,000 kilometers (25,476 miles) of aeromagnetic and gravity data being collected in the Ungava, Labrador region. This data will be processed by TGS and made available to participating companies late in 2009. TGS will soon commence the acquisition of 9,600 kilometers (5,965 miles) of 2D seismic data off the west coast of Greenland in Baffin Bay. This new survey will infill previous TGS 2D programs to provide a continuous regional grid of data in the area.
The seismic program has been designed to assist in the evaluation of the Baffin Bay area prior to a major bid round recently announced by the Greenland authorities close in the spring of 2010.
"TGS continues to strongly believe in the hydrocarbon potential of Greenland." said Robert Hobbs, CEO of TGS. "Since 1999, our customers have supported TGS' focused and multi-year approach to provide the industry with the data necessary to evaluate this attractive frontier environment." TGS owns the most complete and modern geoscientific data base in offshore Greenland, and upon completion of the 2009 season, TGS' library will include approximately 90,000 kilometers (55,923 miles) of 2D seismic data and 300,000 kilometers (186,411 miles) of aeromagnetic and gravity data in this area.
The TGS 2009 Greenland campaign is supported by industry pre-funding.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 08.07.09  Kongsberg and WFS to develop world's first AUV through-ice location and communication system.
Kongsberg Maritime, the leading marine and offshore technology company behind the sophisticated HUGIN and REMUS (Hydroid) Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) has joined forces with Scottish communication technology company, WFS, to develop a unique wireless system for locating and communicating with AUVs in ice conditions.
Called TILACSys (Through Ice Location and Communication System), the project has received investment from the UK's Technology Strategy Board and the Research Council of Norway, and will run for 24 months with the objective to deliver a demonstrator system that will be the first of its kind in the world.
The use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is growing across the globe, due to their excellent mobility and flexibility, and capability of delivering high quality and high resolution data from the underwater environment. In Polar Regions AUVs offer the added advantage of being able to explore beneath the ice, but today, sub-ice AUV operations are seldom carried out because of the risk of losing the vehicle.
The TILACSys through ice communications system will enable a surface vessel, a helicopter or an unmanned aerial vehicle to locate and communicate with the AUV below the ice. The system is seen as a key component for reducing risk during under ice AUV operations, which have the potential to increase human knowledge about topography, oceanography, marine life and marine systems in arctic areas.
Source: Scandoil

••• 08.07.09  Troubled Scan Geo suffers another indignity.
Financially distressed Norwegian seismic explorer Scan Geophysical ASA has announced that it has just received a notice of delisting of the group from the Oslo stock exchange of its shares as well as a delisting of its convertible bonds.
Scan Geophysical said it received the notice of the intended delisting July 3.
"Due to the liquidation proceedings that the company is undergoing, Oslo Bors is of the opinion that the company no onger will be able to comply with its continuing obligations as a listed company, and that the company and the onvertible bonds are not suitable for listing," Scan said.
"The company acknowledges this and accepts the delisting of the company's shares from trading on Oslo Axess and the delisting of the company's convertible bonds from trading on Oslo Bors accordingly," it added.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 07.07.09  COSL to Commission Building of Deepwater Geophysical, Survey Vessels.
China Oilfield Services Ltd. hosted a signing ceremony for agreements to commission building of a deepwater 12-streamer geophysical vessel COSL720 and a deepwater survey vessel COSL708 on July 3, 2009 in Beijing.
COSL720 is a 12-streamer dual-detector giant geophysical vessel powered by both diesel and electricity capable of navigating in unrestricted waters. It will be mainly used for collection of 3D seismic data in deepwater. COSL708 is an electricity-powered deep-water exploration vessel capable of navigating in unrestricted waters. It will be mainly used in geological surveying for ocean-bound engineering projects.
These two vessels constitute parts of the integrated supporting facilities in the Company's deepwater key-technology initiatives.
COSL720 is to be built by Shanghai Shipyard Co., Ltd. and will be rated by China Classification Society upon completion. COSL708 is to be built by CSSC Guangzhou Shipbuilding Company Ltd. and will be rated by both China Classification Society and Det Norske Veritas upon completion. COSL720 is scheduled to be delivered in April 2011. COSL708 is scheduled to be delivered in March 2011.
Completion of these two vessels will see COSL's deepwater service capabilities significantly enhanced, and the vessels will complete COSL's deepwater service chain.
Source: COSL

••• 06.07.09  Providence begins Spanish Point 3-D survey.
Providence Resources Plc has commenced vessel mobilization operations for the Spanish Point 3-D seismic survey offshore Ireland. The survey program will cover approximately 116 square miles (300 sq km), primarily over the Jurassic Spanish Point gas condensate discovery and is expected to take up to 60 days.
The survey acquisition contract was awarded to Bergen Oilfield Services AS and the survey will be acquired using the recently refitted BOS Angler 3-D seismic survey vessel.
Providence operates the Spanish Point license, FEL 2/04, with 56 percent interest. Its partners are Chrysaor E&P Ireland with 30 percent interest and Sosina Exploration with 14 percent interest. The budgeted costs of this survey will be borne by Chrysaor, as part of the farm-out agreement made on August 12, 2008.
The original 35/8-2 Spanish Point discovery well flowed at 1,000 b/d of oil and 5 MMcf/d of gas from one of four logged hydrocarbon-bearing intervals. Third party modeling of the well data has suggested that an optimally placed and stimulated development well could flow at higher rates from all hydrocarbon-bearing intervals.
The partners consider that the acquisition of a 3-D seismic survey over Spanish Point is vital in order to further enhance the detailed understanding of the reservoir, as well as to optimize potential future well placement. The survey has also been designed to accommodate future time lapse 3-D seismic surveying, which has been demonstrated to be particularly effective in monitoring fluid movement during field production.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 03.07.09  Norway looks again for energy in Arctic waters.
Seismic survey vessel Ocean Explorer has begun acquisition of seismic data north of Senja on Troms II - close to the hyper sensitive areas that have been ring-fenced by environental lobbyists - the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate announced in a a statement.
The NPD said there was little fishery activity in the area and the survey activity was proceeding as planned.
Acquisition of seismic data in Vesteralen started days ago, and was also going as planned so far.
The NPD said it commissioned the acquisition of seismic data on behalf of the Storting (the Norwegian Parliament).
The Norwegian oil industry, facing depleting oil resources, has been pushing hard for exploration and development of the sensitive arctic areas. In August the NPD announced it completed a 3D seismic survey of the Troms II area north of the Lofoten Islands. The islands must, vow environmentals, never be subjected to oil and gas drilling and exploration.
The NPD, in its latest statement, said the research project is designed to study the response of seismic surveys on fish. The project aims to obtain new knowledge about the startle response and how long it takes for fishery activity to normalise after seismic data acquisition.
The project is being carried out by the Institute of Marine Research on behalf of the NPD and has a total cost framework of NOK 25m.
Norway's Storting has directed the NPD to survey the geology in Nordland VII and Troms II to map potential oil and gas deposits.
The results of the survey will be incorporated in the material which will form the basis for the Storting's revisted mulling about the comprehensive management plan for the Barents Sea and the waters off Lofoten in 2010.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 03.07.09  ARKex to perform gravity gradiometry survey off Greenland.
Geohphysical services company ARKeX has been awarded a contract to perform the first ever marine BlueQube gravity gradiometry survey off the western coast of Greenland. The survey is for the Cairn Energy group and its joint venture partner Nunaoil.
The BlueQube gravity gradiometry survey will cover 5,000 square kilometers (1,931 sq miles) of Blocks 1 and 3, Sigguk and Eqqua, that Cairn was awarded in the Disko West Licensing Round. The survey is due to start in July 2009 and will include gravity gradiometry, magnetic and bathymetry measurements.
Cairn is aiming to use the data gathered to assess the petroleum geology of the area and lessen the risks of exploring in frontier areas offshore Greenland. Cairn has an 87.5 percent interests in the blocks, with the remaining 12.5 percent held by Nunaoil.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 03.07.09  Keppel delivers ice-class rescue vessel to LUKOIL.
Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine), the specialised shipbuilding arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has delivered a multi-purpose rescue vessel to LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft (LUKOIL).
Over the last four years, LUKOIL has entrusted Keppel Singmarine with specialised shipbuilding projects such as Asia’s first icebreakers, two ice-class AHTS and Floating Storage and Offloading vessel which is being completed by sister yard Caspian Shipyard Company in the Caspian Sea.
Jointly designed by Marine Technology Development (MTD), the ship design and development arm of Keppel O&M and its consultants, Robert Allan, Kogalym is the fifth vessel Keppel Singmarine has delivered to LUKOIL since 2003.
Mr Victor Velikov, Deputy General-Director of LUKOIL said, "Heavy-duty support vessels such as Kogalym are highly valuable in ensuring smooth offshore operations all year round in the unique weather conditions of the Caspian Sea."
"Keppel Singmarine has demonstrated its strong capabilities and commitment once again, with the timely delivery of another fine vessel. The company has proven itself over the years as a reliable partner to LUKOIL, and we are pleased that the rest of our vessels being constructed by them are progressing well."
The 60-tonne bollard pull vessel will be deployed in the Caspian Sea region to perform supply duties and rescue operations in temperatures as low as -20°C and ice thickness of up to 70cm.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 02.07.09  The most sophisticated vessel in the seismic industry, the 22-streamer Ramform Sterling was named at the yard in Tomrefjord, Norway.
The new vessel, a sister ship of Ramform Sovereign is 16 meters longer than the previous class Ramforms. It has significantly higher acquisition and transit speed, 25 percent longer endurance, and 60 percent higher production capacity compared to the previous Ramform class. The Ramform Sterling is the most powerful seismic ship in the world, with a power plant supplying 30 000 horsepower.
The vessel class features many new innovations; including the world's first roll compensated helideck, steerable sources, dual workboat capacity and unique gear handling systems. The range of technologies employed is the new benchmark for 3D, 4D and wide azimuth acquisition - in terms of productivity, efficiency, safety and data quality.
Jon Erik Reinhardsen, President and CEO of PGS states in a comment: "This on-time delivery is an important milestone to PGS, as we are combining the most sophisticated technology in the business, with the newest vessel in the industry. Ramform Sterling is adding another of the world's most cost effective vessels to our fleet, giving PGS a clear competitive edge in the market."
Ramform Sterling has a capacity of 22 streamers at 8 km length. The 400 tons of highly sensitive electronic equipment deployed over an area equivalent to 830 soccer pitches. The power station on Ramform Sterling generates up to 30 000 horsepower. When collecting seismic data, the Ramform Sterling generates around 160 tons of thrust, equivalent to two Boeing 747 aircraft at takeoff. Ramform Sterling contains 53 cabins, all with separate bathrooms.
Rune Eng, Group President Marine, states: "We are very excited at the prospect of getting another Ramform S-Class into operations. There has been enormous interest amongst our client base for the vessel, and despite the general slowdown in the seismic market we register that interest for the high productivity, efficiency and safety of the Ramforms. Ramform Sterling already has several good projects lined up throughout the year. We expect to set more industry records for operational efficiency. Once again, this is a fantastic addition to the fleet."
Source: PGS

••• 02.07.09  Spectrum Provides Seismic Data of Eastern GOM Ahead of Lease Sales.
On June 9, in Washington, a resolution was passed before a Senate committee to approve the opening of the eastern Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas exploration. The provision was part of a broader energy bill passed in the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee which will end the drilling ban across most of the eastern Gulf waters and allow leasing outside a 45 mile buffer zone maintained off most of Florida's coast. This provision follows last year's announcement by Congress to end a quarter century old ban that prevented energy development along 85% of the nation's Outer Continental Shelf extending from New England to the Pacific Northwest.
This latest provision follows the Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf(OCS) Oil and Gas leasing program (2010-2015) published by the US Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service (MMS) in January 2009. This draft program proposed a number of options for lease sales in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2010, 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Spectrum has acquired and processed (some in partnership with TGS) 38,000 km of modern seismic data in the eastern Gulf of Mexico which allows oil companies to evaluate the prospectivity of this region ahead of the proposed lease sales. The data was acquired in two phases between 2006 and 2008 as part of Spectrum's "Big Wave" seismic program. Spectrum will soon re-commence acquisition in the next phase of Big Wave which is a further 12,000km of high quality, long offset seismic data. The acquisition of Big Wave Phase 2 will commence in July and is scheduled for completion in November. The survey has received excellent support and sponsorship from a number of major oil companies.
An analysis of Big Wave Phase 1 data along and outboard the Florida Escarpment, has revealed a number of possible hydrocarbon accumulations both on the platform area and in the deeper waters. The data was processed at Spectrum's Houston regional data processing and imaging center with a sequence which includes both Kirchhoff and Wave Equation pre stack depth migration (PSDM). This technique, together with display of the data in the depth domain gives geoscientists an excellent understanding of the geology in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The recent announcements are a positive step forward in allowing oil companies to fully explore the highly prospective Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Source: Spectrum

••• 01.07.09  PGS completes processing of MEO's Artemis 3-D survey.
Petroleum Geo-Services Australia Pty Ltd (PGS) has completed the processing of MEO Australia Ltd.'s 97-square-mile (250-sq-km) Artemis 3-D seismic survey in WA-360-P in the Carnarvon Basin offshore Western Australia.
The survey was acquired in March of 2009 using PGS seismic vessel Orient Explorer to help delineate the northern extent of the Artemis prospect identified on MEO's existing 2007 3-D seismic survey, in preparation for the drilling of an exploration well, currently scheduled for 2010.
Interpretation of the Artemis 3-D seismic survey is a component of de-risking the Artemis prospect ahead of the drilling commitment.
MEO launched a formal farm-out process in late April to attract a partner to fund the drilling of the exploration well. The company has advised prospective parties that indicative farm-in offers are due by July 31, 2009.
MEO subsidiary North West Shelf Exploration Pty Ltd. operates WA-360-P with 70 percent interest. Partners are Cue Energy Resources Ltd. (ASX: CUE) and Gascorp Australia Pty Ltd., each with 15 percent interest.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 30.06.09  TGS Announces a New 3D Multi-Client Survey in the Barents Sea.
TGS has commenced acquisition of a new Multi-Client 3D survey in the Barents Sea with the M/V Geo Barents. The survey covers a 4,300 square kilometer area over the Hoop Fault Complex. Seismic data and electromagnetic data in the TGS library have been the basis for defining the survey coverage. The survey, the largest 3D survey conducted by TGS on the Norwegian continental shelf, covers not only open blocks expected to be offered in later tender rounds, but also acreage awarded in the recent Norwegian 20th Round.
"Interpretation work that TGS has completed utilizing its existing library, suggests that favorable conditions are present for the occurrence of hydrocarbons in the project area", said Kjell Trommestad, Vice President and General Director of Europe/Russia for TGS. "Participating oil companies will benefit from the efforts we put into the planning and design of this survey as they work towards the next major licensing rounds in Norway."
The Hoop 3D has substantial client prefunding.
Source: TGS

••• 30.06.09  Dunquin survey to start.
Offshore site survey work is due to start shortly on the potentially huge Dunquin gas and condensate prospect prior to drilling off the West coast of Ireland.
In an operational update today Providence Resources said site survey work "will commence shortly", without giving any specific details.
The work is to be carried out on behalf of itself and its co-venturers and is to assess the site for the possible drilling of an exploration well.
Providence is partnered by ExxonMobil and Sosina Exploration on the Dunquin area in the Porcupine Basin off the Irish west coast. Dunquin contains two prospects – North and South – which have both been estimated to contain multi-Tcf gas deposits.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 29.06.09  SCAN Geophysical ASA (SCAN) has previously announced its focus and need for financial restructuring.
The company has over some period been working with such financial restructuring of the company, but has not succeeded to find acceptable solutions with all stakeholders to secure a robust basis for further operation.
Therefore the Board of Directors of SCAN has decided to file a petition for bankruptcy which will be handed over to the city courthouse in Oslo as soon as possible.
Source: SCAN Geophysical ASA

••• 29.06.09  Shell, Sovcomflot Ink LNG Shipping Agreements for Offshore Russia, Arctic.
Open Joint Stock Company Sovcomflot and Shell International Trading & Shipping Company Limited (Shell) signed a General Cooperation Agreement. The documents were signed by Mr Sergey Frank, CEO of the Sovcomflot Group of Companies, and Jan Kopernicki, Shell’s Vice President for Shipping.
The General Cooperation Agreement covers cooperation between the two companies in potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping projects in Russia, including on the Arctic offshore. The Agreement provides for broadening of cooperation in future Sakhalin II project development, development of joint shipping solutions for natural gas fields on Yamal Peninsula, further improvement of LNG shipping technologies, including in difficult ice conditions, and development of floating storage and regasification units for gasification in remote regions of Russia.
According to Sergey Frank, Sovcomflot CEO, "The signed agreement allows to combine Shell’s profound experience in the production and the transportation of liquefied natural gas with Sovcomflot’s knowledge and technical potential in delivering cargos by sea in harsh ice conditions of the Arctic and Far-Eastern seas. This long-term international project is aimed at working out highly effective and ecologically safe transportation and logistical solutions for Russia’s future oil and gas projects implemented in the offshore fields of the Arctic".
Speaking at the event, Kopernicki said, "Shell and Sovcomflot have for some time worked together on LNG seafarer training and through the development of the Sakhalin II project. The signing of these agreements builds on this and allows us to share our respective skills in LNG and Arctic shipping to support future Russian LNG projects".
Alongside General Cooperation Agreement, the companies signed time-charter agreements for Sovcomflot’s Aframax type oil tankers to ship Shell’s crude from North West Europe and the Mediterranean.
Source: Rigzone

••• 26.06.09  NPD's Seismic Acquisition Activity to Commence June 29.
Acquisition of 3D seismic data will start in Vesteralen (Nordland VII) with the vessel Geo Pacific. The acquisition activities in Troms II, to be carried out by the Ocean Explorer, will be delayed by a couple of days.
The plan calls for the seismic data acquisition activities to conclude on August 9.
In order to make these surveys possible, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has entered into buy-out agreements with about 100 fishers in the relevant areas.
The agreement entails that the fishers will be compensated for refraining from fishing when this could impede the seismic acquisition activities. The fishers can still fish when the seismic survey vessels are not in their particular fishing areas.
An extensive, cutting-edge research project will be carried out in connection with the acquisition of seismic data in Vesteralen.
The objective of this pioneer project is to study the startle effect of seismic surveys on a number of important commercial fish species. This is the largest project of its kind, and is unique in a global context.
In addition to learning more about how different species of fish react to the seismic shock waves, researchers will study how long it takes for fishing to normalize after seismic data acquisition is completed.
The studies of the startle effect will be linked to acoustic measurements. Five fishing vessels have been hired to carry out test fishing before, during and after the seismic survey activity.
The research vessel Hakon Mosby will also take part in the project, which is being carried out by the Institute of Marine Research, with financing from the budget allocated by the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) for the NPD's seismic acquisition activity.
The research project will be carried out in the northern part of the seismic survey area in Vesteralen (Nordland VII). Test fishing started as early as June 17, 12 days before commencement of the seismic acquisition activity.
This project is being followed with great interest, both by the fishery industry, fisher organizations and the petroleum industry. The project can provide useful new information, and it is extremely important that the project is completed.
The authorities' acquisition of seismic data in this particular area in Vesteralen furnishes a unique opportunity to obtain interesting new knowledge that is highly sought-after. A prerequisite for carrying out the research project is that the planned seismic surveys in Vesteralen can proceed as planned.
Last autumn, the Stortinget allocated NOK 200 million to the NPD's data acquisition activities in the summer of 2009. NOK 25 million of this amount will be used for the research project, while the buy-out scheme for fishers is estimated to cost about NOK 13 - 15 million.
The Storting is the principal for the NPD's seismic data acquisition. When the Storting in 2006 considered the comprehensive management plan for the Barents Sea and the waters off Lofoten, it also resolved that the NPD should carry out a geological survey of Nordland VII and Troms II, with a view towards potential petroleum deposits.
Information from the NPD's surveys will form part of the factual basis when the comprehensive management plan is reconsidered in 2010.
This summer's seismic data acquisition activity will complete the NPD's surveys in this area. The Storting has allocated a total of of NOK 410 million for this work.
Source: Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

••• 26.06.09  Statoil ups research strength.
StatoilHydro says it is strengthening co-operation and signing long-term agreements with major research and educational establishments in Norway - and announced the largest single agreement worth nearly NOK 20m which will spread over five years.
Margaret Ovrum, StatoilHydro's executive vice president for Technology & New Energy, signed a research agreement with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (NTNU). The NTNU is one of eight research institutions in the Akademia research programme.
"With these agreements the group wishes to encourage innovation and research-based education in strategically important areas of expertise in the field of energy," said Ovrum.
Statoil says the Akademia agreements strengthen its long-standing collaboration with Norwegian education institutions. Among other things, it is part of the group's focus on science studies to secure necessary future recruitment for society and StatoilHydro. The Akademia agreements are covered by the group's research budget.
The largest single agreement, worth nearly NOK 20m over five years, was concluded with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim (NTNU) on Wednesday.
The NTNU is a key supplier of research and future employees of StatoilHydro. The NTNU's new virtual reality room, which StatoilHydro has supported, will improve the quality of petroleum education in line with industry needs.
Students will be able to practise interdisciplinary collaboration there, gathering and processing real-time data and training in collaborative work practices between sea and land, across geographical and organisational boundaries.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 25.06.09  Wide-azimuth surveys benefit from RIL’s 4D technology.
Reservoir Imaging Ltd (RIL), the 4D seismic software services consultancy based in Edinburgh, Scotland has been working on the planning and QC of wide-azimuth surveys, the emerging marine seismic data acquisition technique being employed to image complex geologies such as the subsalt of the Gulf of Mexico.
RIL is drawing on its established expertise in ensuring the accuracy of 4D repeat seismic reservoir monitoring surveys to provide optimal positioning and QC for the large towed streamer spreads being deployed in wide-azimuth surveys. In particular, wide azimuth surveys have source lines shot multiple times by source vessels: these have to be accurately plotted in the same way as the repeat lines in a 4D seismic survey. A further challenge is the need for feather-matching, a process which ensures that the varying degrees of ocean turbulence affecting the seismic recording cables on each line recorded can be accurately accounted for in the seismic data acquired.
Last year RIL launched its Osprey suite of QC technologies for 4D survey positioning accuracy and repeatability, which has been adapted and enhanced to deal with the complexities of wide-azimuth acquisition. RIL personnel in the field perform the data quality control with all outputs loaded into a GIS database. The QC system incorporates mapping, repeatability, coverage, and documentation. Results are made available via a Web-based GIS server which enables all the stakeholders to be involved in the decision-making process regarding the survey’s progress.
Keith Watt, managing director, RIL, said: ‘It was always apparent that wide-azimuth surveys presented many of the same positioning and QC issues we have been dealing with for major oil companies in their 4D survey projects. We are delighted that BP is the first client to apply the new technology and services on a live project.’
About RIL : RIL, headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2005 by a team of experienced geoscientists to serve the global market for 4D marine seismic surveys. The company specializes in providing design, planning, and acquisition QC to ensure that each survey in a 3D time-lapse (or 4D) seismic project can be repeated as accurately possible. Only if all the survey parameters are observed can companies track the performance of oil and gas reservoirs by comparing images of the subsurface recorded over time during production. RIL has a growing client list with projects in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and South East Asia.
Source: Reservoir Imaging

••• 25.06.09  BGP Crew 8652 announced the completion of the S-52 TZ seismic acquisition contract for Saudi Aramco, which is composed of BERRY 3D survey and MANIFA 2D survey.
In the 27 months since the commencement of the S52 seismic survey in December 2006, more than 2300 km2 of 3D seismic data and 1000 kilometers of 2D data were acquired.
The largest TZ project in the geophysical industry, the acquisition used three seismic sources: dynamite, vibroseis and airguns. The work area, located near ABUALI Island, was extremely complex. It included desert, gobi, farmland, cities, industrial areas, oilfields and highways. Shallow water areas consisted of lakes and beaches.
The effort of all members of Crew 8652, along with the support of BGP headquarters and other overseas branches, enabled them to overcome many difficulties during the operation. The crew reached more than six million man-hours without an LTI. Outstanding performance in difficult terrain as well as a commitment to client satisfaction guaranteed BGP's success in this operation.
Source: BGP

••• 24.06.09  Ireland's Providence Resources has kicked off a new seismic survey over its Spanish Point gas and condensate discovery area off the west coast of Ireland.
The 3D survey covering 300 sq. km is expected to take up to 60 days to complete over the Jurassic gas and condensate discovery, Providence indicated today, with the operation being carried out by Bergen Oilfield Services using the BOS Angler survey ship.
Costs incurred for the survey will be borne by licence partner Chrysaor E&P Ireland as part of a farm-in agreement with Providence which sees Chrysaor acquire a 30% stake in the Frontier Exploration Licence 2/04 covering the Spanish Point area.
Providence operates the 2/04 area with 56% and Sosina Exploration holds the remaining 14% licence stake.
Spanish Point was discovered with the 35/8-2 well which flowed at 1,000 b/d of oil and 5 Mmccf/d of gas during testing across four hydrocarbon-bearing intervals.
Providence said the new survey is aimed at improving reservoir understanding and to inform future well placement decisions.
The field lies in water depths between 300 and 400 m (984 -1,312 ft) about 200 km (125 miles offshore, and was considered to be uneconomic at the time. Nearby lies the Burren oil discovery, found with the 35/8-1 well, which is southwest of Spanish Point, which was drilled by Phillips in 1978 and flowed at 700 b/d of 34° API oil.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 24.06.09  Schlumberger makes more job cuts.
Oilfield services company Schlumberger has let more workers from its North American division go in the face of decreasing drilling activity and weak demand.
In a statement sent to EnergyCurrent, Schlumberger said, "Falling investment in oil and gas exploration and production has led to decreased drilling activity worldwide resulting in less demand for oilfield services. In this environment, Schlumberger last week reduced the size of our workforce at certain centers in North America to match the lower activity. Roughly 100 positions were eliminated."
Schlumberger began laying off around 1,000 employees from its North American workforce in January. In March, Schlumberger Chairman and CEO Andrew Gould announced that further job cuts were expected.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 24.06.09  Shareholding change in seismic group PGS.
Swiss bank UBS has informed Oslo Bors that it has increased its shareholding in Norwegian listed seismic exploration group Petroleum Geo-Services. UBS bought the shares on June 17 and now has over 10 million of PGS's issued share capital.
"UBS AG would like to inform you that they have exceeded the reportable threshold of 5% of the share capital and of the voting rights in Petroleum Geo-Services ASA," UBS said in its statement.
UBS said that on June 17 it had made a new purchase of PGS shares.
As a result, UBS now holds just over 10.29 million PGS shares, representing 5.2% of the PGS share capital.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 23.06.09  ION files lawsuit against WesternGeco.
ION Geophysical Corp. has filed a lawsuit against Schlumberger subsidiary WesternGeco L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The lawsuit alleges that WesternGeco's Q-Marine system, components and technology infringe ION's U.S. Patent No. 6,525,992 ('992 patent) related to steering devices and control systems for marine seismic streamers.
The lawsuit also alleges that WesternGeco misappropriated ION's proprietary technology by using ION's technology in its patents and products, tortiously interfered with ION's customer contracts, and breached a confidentiality agreement between the parties. ION is asking the court to enjoin WesternGeco from making, selling, or using its Q-Marine system and components and any other infringing products, as well as for monetary damages. According to ION, the lawsuit was filed after attempts to negotiate a licensing arrangement with WesternGeco were unsuccessful and WesternGeco filed a preemptive lawsuit against ION, claiming that ION infringed several patents that were issued to WesternGeco after ION's '992 patent was issued. In response to the lawsuit filed by WesternGeco, ION has asked the court to declare that the WesternGeco patents are not infringed and are invalid.
ION is also asserting that the lawsuit against it by WesternGeco is an illegal attempt to restrict competition in the market for marine seismic surveys performed using laterally steerable streamers. ION believes that the claims brought by WesternGeco are without merit and intends to defend the claims against it vigorously. ION's '992 patent was filed in 1995 and issued in 2003.
ION CEO Bob Peebler commented, "We would always prefer to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation, but we are committed to protecting and enforcing our extensive patent and intellectual property portfolio and in this case WesternGeco left us with no other choice.
"As for the claims brought by WesternGeco, we strongly believe that none of our products infringe their patents and that we can provide customers with access to all of our products and technology without being in conflict with any validly issued patents of other parties, including those of WesternGeco. We believe that WesternGeco's attempt to control the market through threats against our customers and legal action against ION is a validation of the success and promise of ION's product line. I would encourage any customer with concerns about the claims brought against ION to contact their ION sales representative to learn more information."
A representative from Schlumberger said it was not the company's practice to comment on any matter subject to legal process.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 22.06.09  Possible offshore strike.
Around 200 offshore workers on Norwegian installations could walk out in strike starting midnight Wednesday if a mediation process over wages is not successful.
That is according to Upstreamonline, who quotes the union Industri Energi.
The strike would affect two large production platforms, Heidrun and Gullfaks B, in addition to three drilling rigs "West Phoenix", "Transocean Searcher" and "Songa Trym", according to Industri Energi.
According to Industri Energi's spokesman Arild Theimann, the strike will not affect oil and gas production in the short term, but could have a long term effect due to delayed drilling.
A mediation process will start Monday, as negotiations between the union and the Norwegian Shipowner's Association broke down, Upstream writes.
- Industri Energi is weary and tired of the fact that some of the companies have misused the system for guaranteed individual increments to be identical to increments on the wage matrix. The effect is that some positions are now being paid the equivalent of the minimum wage, the union states.
Most of the personnel affected are in the catering units.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 19.06.09  SCAN Geophysical commences 3D seismic operations in South America.
SCAN Geophysical ASA (SCAN) announced that the company has signed a Letter of Intent for a 3D seismic operation in the South American region utilizing SCAN’s multi-purpose 3D vessel, the M/V SCAN STIGANDI.
The 3D work includes operations with a second SCAN seismic vessel that, during the course of the survey, will be mobilized as a dedicated source vessel to obtain 3D seismic coverage beneath fixed obstructions located within the program area. Duration of the project is estimated at 3.5 months, of which utilization of the source vessel and its transits is approximately one month. The project also includes data processing and interpretation services. SCAN will receive payments as data is delivered and no later than end of February 2010.
"SCAN is pleased to be acquiring this program with our newest and most technologically advanced vessel which features state-of-the-art onboard equipment, solid streamer technology and advanced onboard data processing," said Kjell Karlsson, vice president of marketing and sales for SCAN in Oslo. "This work represents challenges that fit SCAN’s current fleet capabilities and we are looking forward to acquiring other seismic work in the region," he added.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 19.06.09  Polarcus achieves recruitment milestone.
Seismic company Polarcus has successfully achieved an important recruitment milestone of 100 employees, ahead of schedule, including experienced maritime and seismic crew required to operate its first 12-streamer seismic vessel, which is due to be launched this autumn.
Paul Hanna, SVP Human Resources, commenting on the milestone achievement said: "By offering a first rate compensation and benefits package, together with the opportunity to be a part of an exciting and dynamic team, we have been able to attract an extremely talented and multi cultural workforce of industry professionals."
"The Polarcus story has clearly struck a positive chord throughout the industry resulting in a high level of enquiries and applications."
"This is a fantastic achievement" commented Rolf Ronningen, CEO Polarcus "and clearly demonstrates that we will be ready as planned for our first operations. In particular, the calibre of the maritime and seismic crew recruited will help us ensure that we meet the high targets we have set ourselves for both service delivery and environmental performance."
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 18.06.09  Woodside Wins APPEA Environment Award for Scott Reef Activity.
The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association's 2008 Environment Award, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and awarded at 2009 APPEA Conference in Darwin, was won by Woodside for its pioneering research into the effects of offshore drilling activity on the marine environment at Scott Reef, 430km north of Broome.
Appraisal drilling on the Torosa-6 well at Scott Reef left a very small footprint, restricted to just the small legs of the jackup rig, through the innovative use of AGR Drilling Service's Riserless Mud Recovery system (RMR) to recover all cuttings from the well. This was the first environmental application for the RMR in the Australian market.
This research has demonstrated that the effects of oil and gas appraisal activity on the surrounding environment, even in sensitive areas, are much lower with quicker recovery rates than previously thought.
APPEA chief executive Belinda Robinson said that Woodside's extensive environmental research and monitoring before, during and after its Browse Joint Ventures showed oil and gas activities can continue without detriment to the environment.
Tom Hasler, Executive Vice President at AGR Drilling, commented, "This is an important example of how AGR's innovative RMR system can be used by Operators to minimize the environmental impact of offshore drilling."
Source: Rigzone

••• 18.06.09  SeaBird agrees postponed payments to banks.
SeaBird Exploration Limited has agreed with a bank consortium with BN bank as agent to postpone a major part of remaining installments due from now until the end of 2009 under a new repayment plan.
The total postponed amount of US$14.1 million will be repaid as a balloon together with the last installment due on the various loans as follows: US$2.6 million in Q4 2011, US$6.3 million in Q2 2012 and US$5.2 million in Q3 2012.
The outstanding balances on four different loans totaling US$60.5 million have a 1st and 2nd priority mortgage with a cross collateral on the three 2D seismic vessels: Aquila Explorer, Osprey Explorer, Harrier Explorer.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 18.06.09  Petrobras Approves First Offshore Heavy Oil Development.
Brazil state-controlled oil company Petrobras has approved the development project for its Siri field in the Campos Basin, the Estado news agency reported Wednesday.
The field will be the first in the world to produce extra heavy oil from an offshore site, the report said.
Siri field, off the coast of southeast Brazil, has been in production tests since the end of March. The plan now is to contract production equipment in 2011.
Speaking at the Brazil Offshore 2009 conference at Macae in Rio de Janeiro State, Siri project coordinator Andre Moco said the plan approved by the company involves installing two drilling platforms connected to a floating production, storage and offloading vessel, or FPSO.
The FPSO will have 100,000 barrels a day capacity and is scheduled to start operating between 2015 and 2016.
The project's costs and timetable will be evaluated by the Petrobras board in September, the report said.
Siri has recoverable reserves of 270 million barrels of heavy oil, at around 12.3 degrees on the American Petroleum Institute's rating scale, which need special extraction and processing technology.
In tests, Siri is producing 10,000 barrels a day.
Moco said development of the project will serve as a test for Brazil's sub-salt deposits, given Siri is similar to the giant reserves in the Santos Basin, also off southeast Brazil.
However, Siri doesn't have any salt presence.
According to Moco, Petrobras is working on technology to raise the recovery factor of the field, which has nearly 3 billion barrels of oil in place, of which 10% are recoverable.
"I think we can reach a recovery factor of 12%," Moco said after presenting the project at the conference.
Source: Rigzone

••• 17.06.09  Vega Oil acquires 2D seismic data offshore Sicily.
Cygam has acquired a state of the art 2D marine seismic survey around and across the C.R148.VG permit operated by Cygam's wholly owned subsidiary, Vega Oil S.p.A. (Vega). Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), a Norwegian geophysical company providing a broad range of seismic services, recently completed a non-exclusive 900 kilometers survey using new dual sensor "GeoStreamer" technology on behalf of Cygam and other industry partners.
Cygam committed to purchase a minimum of 200 kilometers of the entire program in order to better evaluate a large structure, named Aretusa and located in the central part of the permit, which has already been mapped with existing older-vintage seismic data. Cygam also intends to determine if there is a potential correlation with the Mila field, located some 45 kilometers to the north-west. The Mila field production tested the Triassic Taormina formation at 3,000 barrels of oil per day.
Vega has a 100% working interest in the C.R148.VG exploration permit, located offshore south-eastern Sicily in water depths of approximately 100 meters. Other companies active in the Mediterranean Basin have given Cygam some preliminary expressions of interest to participate in this permit on a joint venture basis.
Following processing and interpretation of this new seismic data, Vega plans to acquire a 3D seismic survey of approximately 100 square kilometers to further investigate the Aretusa structure and establish the exact drilling location for the proposed exploratory well.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 17.06.09  ExxonMobil: History of Groningen Field Provides Valuable Lessons.
Groningen FieldThe 50th anniversary of the development of the Groningen field, Europe's largest natural gas field and one of the greatest energy discoveries in history, provides valuable lessons in teamwork, technology and long-term thinking required to meet the current energy challenge, Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation, said today.
"Since the first days of its discovery a half century ago, the Groningen field has been an extraordinary proving ground for the technical skill, innovative ideas and inspiring vision that have helped shape the energy industry as we know it today," Tillerson said at a conference in Groningen attended by industry and government representatives.
Tillerson said new ideas will be required to meet the dual energy challenge facing the world today how to meet increasing energy demand required for economic growth and improved living standards while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"We must apply the lesson of long-term thinking, long-term discipline, and long-term commitment," said Tillerson. "Every sector of society needs to be part of meeting the world's energy challenges from consumers and businesses to governments around the world.”
Tillerson said explorers were disappointed when they discovered natural gas, and not oil, at Groningen in the late 1950s. Others thought the field shouldn't be developed because of the dominance of coal as a fuel source and the potential for nuclear energy development.
However, the government of the Netherlands put in place stable policies that encouraged investment and innovation while supporting open markets and free trade that enabled the development of the massive resource at Groningen.
"Such long-term commitment from government will be critical to the future to encourage investment in enormous, long-term, capital-intensive and complex projects to bring new energy supplies to market," said Tillerson.
"With sound and sensible policies, we can expand and diversify the world’s energy supplies, unlock promising new technologies and meet the challenges of providing more energy while protecting the environment."
The Groningen field, which exceeded 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, was discovered in May 1959 with the Slochteren-1 well, drilled by a 50-50 joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil, known as Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij or NAM.
Today NAM produces approximately 75 percent of the Netherlands' gas production, of which 75 percent is from the Groningen field.
Source: ExxonMobil

••• 17.06.09  Alliance Opens Up New O&G Markets for Helideck Certification Agency.
A Scottish company that inspects and certifies helicopter landing areas has forged an alliance that will see it enter the Australian and southeast Asia offshore markets for the first time. The Aberdeen-based Helideck Certification Agency (HCA) has struck an agreement with Queensland-based Flight Safety that will see its international expertise deployed across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The HCA has sub-contracted Flight Safety to undertake inspection and certification work in the region to standards formulated for the North Sea oil and gas industry. "This is a very significant move for us as there is an enormous market opportunity in the region and we aim to work with Flight Safety to capitalize upon that," said HCA General Manager Alan Veale.
"The formal standards set for the safe and effective use of helidecks in North Sea operations are acknowledged to be the best and most stringent in the world and we’ll be working to those compliancy levels in this new arrangement."
Flight Safety Managing Director Colin Weir said, "The benefits to the oil and gas industry in Australasia are enormous as the arrangement will see us ‘import’ expertise gained in the North Sea. The HCA is commonly recognised as the world leader in its field.
"This new offering to our offshore energy market has the potential to realise tangible commercial and insurance benefits for operators."
The HCA is headquartered in Aberdeen and has a staff of 12. It also has offices in Norwich and Stavanger, Norway.
It is responsible for the inspection and certification of all helidecks on oil-related offshore vessels and installations operating in UK and Norwegian waters over 700 in total but also works for customers elsewhere in Europe as well as in Asia and South America. It also has an international portfolio of clients in the large yacht sector.
Flight Safety is an aviation safety audit and risk management company. It has developed an associate business, Flight Safety Helideck Certification, that will work under the auspices of the HCA.
Flight Safety Helideck Certification will be conducting inspections to the UK Civil Aviation Authority's CAP 437 standards, with approvals issued in Aberdeen and sanctioned by the UK CAA. The HCA is a company established in the UK on behalf of, and equally owned by, helicopter operators CHC Scotia and Bristow.
Source: Rigzone

••• 15.06.09  Chariot starts seismic run.
Chariot Oil and Gas has started work on a new seismic acquisition programme offshore Namibia through a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Surveying over block 2714A commenced with Chariot's subsidiary Engima Oil and Gas which is carrying out the 1,500 sq. km 3D acquisition programme funded 50% by Petrobras after a farm-in agreement.
CGGVeritas is undertaking the survey on behalf of Enigma and the work is expected to take up to three months.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 15.06.09  Coast Guard Transports 4 from Downed Helicopter in GOM.
The Coast Guard transported four passengers from an oil platform after their helicopter went down in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 57 miles south of Dauphin Island, Ala., Thursday, June 11, 2009.
The Coast Guard received a call from Rotorcraft Inc. at approximately 6:15 p.m., Thursday, reporting that the Bell Helicopter 206L-1 carrying four passengers had to make an emergency landing in the water due to mechanical failures.
Several Good Samaritans assisted the four passengers to the Main Pass 265 platform, and the offshore supply vessel Lafayette placed the downed helicopter in tow.
The Coast Guard launched a MH-65C rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station New Orleans to transport the uninjured passengers to West Jefferson Hospital in New Orleans as a precautionary measure.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation.
Source: Rigzone

••• 11.06.09  Murmanskaya returned to owner.
Aban Offshore subsidiary Sinvest has re-delivered Russian jackup Murmanskaya to its owner Arktikmorneftegazrazvedka (Arktik) following early termination of its bareboat charter.
Murmanskaya is a CDB Corall design jackup, built at the Vyborg Shipyard in 1991.
The rig had been on a three-year bareboat contract with Sinvest since 2006. The agreement was originally between Arktik and Sinvest-owned Beta Drilling. Premium Drilling, another subsidiary, also managed the rig.
Murmanskaya had been warm stacked since 2008.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 11.06.09  New-build ship cancellations to continue: experts.
The recession is not over and the numbers of cancelled new-build ships could reach over 30 percent, a conference of ship finance in Oslo heard on Wednesday.
"Some believe the financial crisis is over. Well, let me tell you it is not," Nordea Bank’s shipping and oil services boss Carl Steen told the Tradewinds Oslo Shipping Forum.
His grim, financier’s take on the finance shortage comes from the world’s fourth largest "shipping bank".
"I’m not sure (classification society’s are) doing too much business lately," he said. As for bail-outs: he said he couldn’t see national government’s spending the public trust on global shipping for much longer.
Steen’s remarks for the market were preceded by those of Norway’s State Secretary for Trade, Rikke Lind. Her "modest" forecast of 30 percent new-build cancellations would probably prove low, Steen said, his remarks drying the mouths of speechless brokers accustomed to studying Norway’s offshore fleet, the world’s second largest.
Steen said the banks were still reeling from their exposure to bad loans in the United States, and stimulus-era interest rates were so low, that the bank’s raw material of customer deposits were increasingly being put into bonds. The trend means global lending is down 40 percent, and the slump hit has even hit oil-rich Oslo, “capital of world shipping finance” and the German banks that dominate global shipping.
"What’s going to happen? It can be very nasty," Steen said, hinting of "Big Time" cancellations of new-builds, "Simply because there’s not finance available."
He and other presenters lightened the gloom by saying equity financing was on the rise. One speaker predicted the next "few weeks" would "several" shipping company share issues.
"For completely new projects, finance is particularly challenging," said Seadrill financier and Ship Finance Management chief exec Lars Solbakken. With $13 billion in long-term work with oil companies in place, the Seadrill bond is “particularly attractive” right now. Yields on the note have reached over 15 percent.
Clarkson Research Services chief exec, Martin Stopford, warned the new-build projects of some other companies have no milestone payment guarantees, and were now causing problems. He cautioned some company backlogs contained up to 40 percent of projects that might not be financed.
While talking ships, generally, Stopford said there was "nothing new" in the current "shipping recession" now underway. Shipping cycles of the same magnitude can be traced back as far as the 18th century or as recently as the early 1970s: crisis has followed unprecedented order booms or long periods of "too few newbuilds".
"But many have thrived on shipping recessions," Stopford said, adding, "And they continue to thrive."
Source: Scandoil

••• 10.06.09  CGGVeritas completes 2D survey offshore Jamaica.
CGGVeritas has completed a multi-client long-offset 2D survey offshore Jamaica. The survey was conducted in cooperation with the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) to complement the second official offshore Jamaica licensing round, expected to be announced by the PCJ in early 2010.
The new 6,118 kilometer (3,801 mile) survey was acquired by the CGGVeritas vessel Discoverer 2 deploying a 9,450 meters (31,003 ft) long streamer and a 3,980 cubic-inch point source in conditions ranging from very shallow water over the Pedro Bank area to deep water with strong currents.
The survey will be processed and made available to the international oil and gas industry well in advance of the licensing round application deadline. An additional 2,594 kilometers (1,612 miles) of 2D multi-client data, covering licensed blocks 9, 13 and 14 and tying the two exploration wells in the Pedro Bank area, have also been acquired for availability to the industry ahead of the licensing round.
The objective of the long-offset survey is to delineate the tectonic setting and prospectivity of the North and South Nicaragua Rise area offshore Jamaica as well as its relation to the more well known area of the Walton Basin (Pedro Bank area). The survey covers large, essentially uncharted and unexplored deepwater areas south of Jamaica and is tied to existing seismic data and exploration wells.
CGGVeritas Executive Vice President of the Latin America region Luc Schlumberger said, "We expect the results of this survey to be instrumental in understanding the prospectivity of the deep offshore areas south of Jamaica and make a significant contribution to preparations for the upcoming licensing round. Initial data screening has revealed the presence of large basins and thick sections of Cretaceous and possibly Jurassic strata on the Southern Nicaragua rise. This insight will certainly lead to new and exciting exploration opportunities for Jamaica and the industry in the years to come."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 09.06.09  CGGVeritas expands Cluster survey in Santos Basin.
CGGVeritas has extended its multi-client Cluster survey in the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil. A new 16,000-square kilometer (6,177 sq mile) high-quality Cluster Extension is now being acquired, in six swaths, over open acreage to the south of the original survey. Acquisition of all six swaths is expected to be complete by March 2010.
According to CGGVeritas, the Cluster Extension has already attracted numerous exploration and production companies wanting to be involved early in the area.
The original 23,000 square kilometer (8,880 sq mile) survey led to the discoveries of Tupi, Jupiter and Carioca in the Santos Basin. The data was reprocessed in 2008 using the latest technology, including Reverse Time Migration PSDM, enhancing the image of the subsalt reservoir beneath the salt.
Swaths three and four, the first to be acquired, are expected to be complete, with Fast-Track PSTM, and available to the industry in late summer 2009. Final deliverables offered for the Cluster Extension include Fast-Track PSTM after each swath, Controlled Beam Migration PSDM, Kirchhoff PSDM and Reverse Time Migration PSDM.
Luc Schlumberger, executive vice president, Latin America region for CGGVeritas, said, "The launch of our Cluster Extension comes in response to the current, intense industry interest in the Santos Basin offshore Brazil, and in anticipation of the next big pre-salt discovery. The Tupi, Jupiter, and Carioca discoveries found within our unique Cluster survey have heightened attraction to the area and to both our Cluster and Cluster Extension surveys. This initiative indicates our commitment to continue providing seismic data of the highest quality, using the latest imaging technologies. Through this, CGGVeritas can ensure our clients have the best tools at their disposal to increase their chances of finding the next major discovery such as Tupi."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 09.06.09  Turkish government approves Black Sea exploration.
The government of Turkey has approved an agreement between ExxonMobil Corporation affiliate ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Turkey B.V. and the Turkish national oil company Turkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortakligi (TPAO) to explore two deepwater blocks in the Black Sea.
ExxonMobil and TPAO signed the agreement in November 2008 to jointly explore deepwater prospects in the Samsun Block, which measures approximately 2 million acres (8,500 sq km) and the eastern portion of 3921 Block, which measures approximately 5 million acres (21,000 sq km). Water depths reach around 6,500 feet (2,000 m).
ExxonMobil will be the operator and will earn a 50 percent interest in both offshore blocks. TPAO and ExxonMobil intend to collaborate and utilize the skills and operational abilities of both companies during all phases of the block evaluation and potential development.
"We wish to thank the Turkish government for this approval and with it we look forward to exploring with TPAO the hydrocarbon potential of these deepwater Black Sea blocks," said Russ Bellis, Exploration Director, ExxonMobil International Limited. "We are bringing our global deepwater experience to this prospective unexplored area."
TPAO President and CEO Mehmet Uysal said, "TPAO and ExxonMobil will be working closely together to assess the potential of these blocks. I believe that we will find commercial quantities of oil and gas."
In December 2008, ExxonMobil announced that it had further expanded its presence in the Black Sea by signing an agreement with Petrom to explore deepwater portions of the Neptun Block offshore Romania. ExxonMobil affiliates are currently exploring for hydrocarbons in deepwater areas offshore Angola, Brazil, Canada, Greenland, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Nigeria, The Philippines and the United States, among others.
Source: Rigzone

••• 08.06.09  UK O&G Industry to Bring Back Personal Locator Beacons for Offshore Flights.
The UK offshore oil and gas industry is planning to reintroduce the use of personal locator beacons or PLBs on offshore helicopter flights from July. Personal beacons, which are carried by the passengers on helicopter flights offshore, were withdrawn from service in March following the ditching of an offshore helicopter in the UK sector in February when it was found that interference from these had caused the "smart" long-range rescue beacons on the aircraft and life rafts to shut down.
Representatives from Oil & Gas UK, helicopter operators, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the HSE met on Tuesday (Jun. 2) to agree a joint course of action that should lead to personal beacons being re-introduced from next month.
Bob Keiller of PSN and chairman of the UK Oil and Gas Helicopter Task Group, set up to address helicopter safety issues in the aftermath of the fatal North Sea helicopter accident on April 1, said: "Search and rescue operations rely on the powerful long-range rescue beacons to home in on accident sites. We were therefore concerned to learn that the weaker personal beacons, with a more limited signal range, had the ability to switch these off.
"Following an instruction from the CAA to the helicopter operators to stop carrying the personal beacons in "standby" mode in case they were accidentally activated and interfered with aircraft safety systems, the industry withdrew the personal beacons until a technical solution could be found. We have been giving this our urgent attention.
"An essential step in the way forward is the early removal of the "smart" shut-down technology from the aircraft beacons so that they cannot be accidentally shut down," he said. "CAA has made it clear that this should now be done and so we expect this to happen during the course of the coming weeks."
At the same time, all models of personal locator beacons used offshore in the UK will be tested by the manufacturers in accordance with CAA guidance to demonstrate that they are unlikely to switch on accidentally (for example, if dropped or knocked in transit).
Once a model has passed these tests, the results will be given to the helicopter operators who will in turn make a case to CAA for reintroducing the personal beacon back onto the helicopters. Additional checks will be made at heliports and on oil and gas installations to check that no personal beacons have been activated accidentally by passengers before they board the aircraft.
There will be a further meeting at the end of June between the CAA, helicopter operators and representatives from Oil & Gas UK to review the progress of these plans and to agree the final details for the reintroduction of the personal beacons.
Source: Rigzone

••• 05.06.09  Ship of the year: Far Samson.
Farstad Shipping's workhorse Far Samson has been appointed "Ship of the Year" by Offshore Support Journal. The vessel supply vessel is the most powerful ever built.
The vessel has demonstrated a continous bollard pull of 423 tonnes using all available power, and more than 377 tonnes using only the main propulsion system. The vessel can dig trenches at more than 1,000 meters depth, and perform ultra deep water subsea installation work.
The award will be presented next Thursday on the Nor-Shipping Conference in Lillestrom outside Oslo, Norway. The award will be presented to Farstad Shipping, designer Rolls-Royce Marine and shipyard STX Europe.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 04.06.09  PGS sells Geo Atlantic to GC Rieber Shipping.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA announced that its subsidiary Arrow Seimic Invest I Ltd. has entered into an agreement to sell the seismic vessel Geo Atlantic to GC Rieber Shipping for USD 58 million in cash. The sale is a part of the previously announced plans for asset sales, which are targeting proceeds of USD 200 million in 2009.
Jon Erik Reinhardsen, President and CEO of PGS, commented: "The purpose of the sale is to reduce debt and strengthen our balance sheet."
The asset sale will result in an accounting loss in Q2 2009, estimated at approximately USD 45-50 million. The proceeds will be used to repay debt, primarily the Arrow facilities which were established to finance Geo Atlantic and Arrow's two first new builds in Spain (New build 532 and 533).
Source: PGS

••• 04.06.09  Total Taps CGGVeritas for Major 4D Inversion Project Off Angola.
CGGVeritas has been awarded a major seismic reservoir characterization project by Total E&P Angola and their partners. The award is for the inversion of 4D seismic data covering the Dalia, Rosa, Girassol and Jasmine fields offshore Angola.
Hampson-Russell Software & Services, a CGGVeritas company, will undertake the inversion work, with a substantial amount drawing on the local expertise of our CGGVeritas Luanda processing & imaging center. The project will use the Hampson-Russell proprietary global 4D elastic inversion product, StratiSI 4D.
Philippe Doyen, Vice President, R&D, Hampson-Russell Services, said, "Having proved this technology in the North Sea, this is an important opportunity to apply it in West Africa. With the increasing number of 4D vintages available over producing fields, global 4D inversion is better constrained and yields results that are more readily interpretable in terms of production effects. In particular, it can provide quantitative estimates of reservoir properties, such as fluid saturation, with more certainty and capture the movement of fluids and changes in pressure with greater accuracy."
Lionel Lhommet, Executive Vice President, EAME region, said, "This award is significant, both in recognizing the technical leadership of Hampson-Russell Software & Services and our long-term commitment to our clients and partners in Angola. Since the opening of the Luanda processing & imaging center in 2000 we have made a strong commitment to expand our local expertise and infrastructure to provide our high-end 3D and 4D processing, advanced imaging and reservoir characterization in-country. This award complements perfectly the contracts we already have in Angola for advanced imaging (TTI RTM), and is central to helping our clients and their partners maximize the potential of their fields."
Source: Rigzone

••• 03.06.09  Eidesvik Offshore postpones seismic vessels.
Eidesvik Offshore has postponed delivery of two seismic vessels, the company announced in a statement on Tuesday, at the request of ship charterer CGGVeritas.
Eidesvik said that it and Ulstein Verft had agreed to postponed delivery of the two seismic vessels that are under construction.
The first vessel, which was set for delivery in March 2010, will be delivered in June 2010.
The second vessel, which was set for delivery in June 2010, will be delivered in September 2011.
"Due to the current situation in the seimic market the charterer CGGVeritas has wanted this postponement," Eidesvik Offshore added.
No further information was available, but seismic explorers have been reporting touch trading conditions of late.
In May Norwegian Petroleum Geo-Services reported Q1 profits ahead of forecast, but still cut its 2009 full year guildance, saying that there was lower market activity in a nmber of areas.
PGS' CEO Jon Reinhardsen said he saw the market turning weaker towards the second half of the year.
Norwegian listed rival TGS-NOPEC said the first quarter had been "extremely challenging" for sales of geoscientific library data.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 02.06.09  Australia's Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson has announced the release of 31 new offshore petroleum exploration areas and two special areas in Commonwealth waters.
Speaking at the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association's New Frontiers conference in Darwin, Minister Ferguson said there is nothing more important to the industry and Australia's future wealth than keeping the exploration sector strong and building project development opportunities.
Ferguson said, "We must not forget that the long-term outlook for oil and gas is one of enormous demand growth. Investment in exploration and production must continue through the present economic downturn."
The 2009 release areas are located across five basins off the Northern Territory, Western Australian, South Australian and Victorian coastlines.
The release also includes two special release areas that are known to contain hydrocarbons. These special areas are located over the Turtle and Barnett discoveries offshore Western Australia and Northern Territory. Six of the 2009 release areas have been selected as Designated Frontier Areas.
As announced in the budget, the government will extend the Designated Frontier Areas incentive in the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) by one year. This incentive allows an immediate 150 per cent uplift on PRRT deductions for exploration expenditure incurred in designated offshore frontier areas.
The six Designated Frontier Areas include three large deepwater areas on the northern Exmouth Plateau offshore from Western Australia. The Exmouth Plateau is the deepwater frontier of the Carnarvon Basin, Australia's premier hydrocarbon province containing major gas fields such as Jansz and Scarborough. Three out of six deepwater exploration wells drilled in the area in 2008 resulted in significant gas discoveries.
The other three Designated Frontier Areas are in the central Great Australian Bight off South Australia, which is a new frontier with no nearby permits currently held.
Bids for 18 of the new areas and the two special release areas close on Dec. 3, 2009, with bids for the remaining 13 areas closing on April 29, 2010. All bids are assessed under the work program bidding system and will be awarded for an initial term of six years.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 01.06.09  FAR, Shell begin CSEM program offshore Senegal.
First Australian Resources has commenced a controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) data acquisition and geophysical evaluation program over part of its Senegal offshore license area, which is comprised of the Sangomar Offshore, Rufisque Offshore and Sangomar Deep Offshore Blocks.
The acquisition phase will be conducted using BOA electromagnetic survey vessel MV Boa Thalassa, which is under a long-term contract to EMGS. The CSEM acquisition phase, which is being funded by Shell, is expected to take approximately two weeks, and will then be followed by processing, interpretation and integration of results.
The objective of the program is designed to enable shell to determine whether or not to exercise an option to acquire a 70 percent interest in the license area and enter the second renewal period, which includes a well commitment.
FAR said it has already identified a number of prospects in the license area with its partner Petrosen.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 01.06.09  U.S. Coast Guard medevacs crew members after explosion.
The Coast Guard medevaced two crew members from an offshore supply vessel around 15 miles (24 km) south of Atchafalaya Bay, La., on Thursday, May 28. The crew members' conditions are unknown.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a call from an offshore facility in the area at 8:12 a.m., reporting that two crew members aboard Heather Lynn Inc. offshore supply vessel Capt. Rayne were suffering from burns after an explosion aboard the vessel, and requested a medevac.
Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans launched an MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew, and successfully lifted the crew members into the helicopter for transport to Baton Rouge General Hospital in Baton Rouge, La.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
Heather Lynn Inc. is a boat rental company based in Morgan City, La.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 29.05.09  CGG supports Tsunami research.
CGGVeritas has just completed a geological survey to help inform academic research into the prediction of tsunami off the coast of Sumatra.
Survey vessel Geowave Champion took part in the operation in the Indian Ocean, as part of a project called TIDES – Tsunami Investigation Deep Evaluation Seismic – which was backed by a number of research groups including the Indonesian government.
As part of the research, the CGGVeritas ship towed a Sercel Sentinel streamer measuring 15 km (9.3 miles) long – one of the longest ever deployed by a seismic ship CGG says – to obtain subsurface data at depths of 50 km (31 miles) below the seabed.
"The ultimate goal of the project is to improve the ability to predict the magnitude and location of earthquakes through advancing the understanding of the mechanics of tsunami generation," CGG said. "This will be accomplished through building a clearer picture of the lithospheric plate boundaries as well as the distribution and geometry of faulting and sea floor displacement."
A major subsea earthquake about 150 km (93 miles) off the western coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia on Sunday 26 December 2004 created a huge tsunami or tidal wave, devastated 11 countries bordering the Indian Ocean coast including Sumatra when it ran inshore, killing 300,000. It was the largest earthquake in the region in 40 years.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 29.05.09  Bristow acquires 42.5% of Brazil's largest Helicopter Services Company.
Bristow Group has acquired 42.5% of Lider Aviacao Holding S.A. 'Lider', Brazil's largest provider of helicopter and executive aviation services.
Founded in 1958, Lider operates the largest helicopter fleet in Brazil, with 46 helicopters serving the oil and gas industry, representing approximately 50% of the oil and gas market in Brazil. Its helicopter operation is the most profitable business segment and has been growing revenues at a compounded annual rate of over 22% in the past three years.
Lider's fleet has 46 helicopters and 29 charter aircraft. At December 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,480 employees.
Source: Scandoil

••• 28.05.09  SCAN completes Peruvian survey for Gold Oil.
SCAN Geophysical ASA has completed the acquisition of 1,251 miles (2,013 km) of 2-D data over Block Z34 offshore northern Peru for Gold Oil Plc using seismic vessel M/V SCAN Stigandi. SCAN is now expected to deliver processed data of the 72 acquired lines in approximately two weeks.
Gold Oil said the first initial assessment of some of the data is encouraging as it can be concluded that the presence of sedimentary sections that correlate with the same producing layers containing crude oil reserves in the neighboring Z2B block.
Block Z34 covers 1,434 square miles (3,713 sq km) and is bordered to the east by Petrotech Peruana-operated Block Z2B, which is producing both oil and gas. Gold Oil said that Block Z34 has potential for typical deepwater turbidities, which normally have high porosities and permeabilities. Four priority areas for exploration programs in the block have been identified. Three areas are based on the feasibility to extend and project, towards the west, the merits of the major oil fields in the Talara Basin. A fourth exploratory area is based on the symmetry of the trapping models of the present fields.
Gold Oil Operations Director Thomas Tidow said, "The new seismic, the first on Block Z34 completes the first step to explore the potential of this large asset. We will now immediately start with the processing and interpretation of the acquired data."
In addition, Gold Oil has entered into non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) with a private junior oil and gas exploration company incorporated in Peru. The partner's management has experience in the hydrocarbons sector, and the LOIs set out the terms on which it intends to farm in to both Block Z34 and Block XXI onshore Peru. The deal is conditional upon the partner securing additional funds within 45 days to carry out its obligations on the blocks.
Source: Gold Oil Plc

••• 27.05.09  Gastem to proceed with Magdalen survey.
Montreal-based independent oil and gas company Gastem is proceeding with the exploration program on the Magdalen Islands property by undertaking a 100 sq km (39 sq mile) gravity survey on and near the Magdalen Islands. The gravity program will be undertaken by Excel Geophysics and is due to commence at the end of May 2009.
The Magdalen Islands permit, acquired in mid-2008, is situated in the Magdalen Basin in the lower section of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Basin hosts several extensive salt dome structures (salt domes), comparable to those observed in the Gulf of Mexico, and Gastem states that is regarded as a highly prospective zone for conventional natural gas exploration in Eastern Canada.
The gravity data acquired by the survey will complement the existing geophysical database for the Islands, as well as more accurately identify a favorable area for the continuation of the proposed exploration program.
Since last summer, Gastem has completed an in-depth review and study of the Basin. Geophysical work was under the responsibility of John Boyd of Boyd Petrosearch in collaboration with an international company for the data processing. The primary goal was to evaluate the geological, geophysical and geochemical work previously completed in the Magdalen Basin and to estimate the natural gas potential of the Magdalen Islands.
For this study, Gastem acquired and reprocessed 143 km (88.8 miles) of seismic data shot over the Magdalen Islands from the 1970s and 2002. "Our review has confirmed that the natural gas potential in the Basin and specifically the Magdalen Islands appears to be excellent," stated Raymond Savoie, Chairman and CEO of Gastem.
"As we move forward with the important Utica Shale drill program in the St. Lawrence Lowlands with Canbriam Energy this summer, the Magdalen Islands Project is shaping up to be a high impact area for Gastem's development."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 27.05.09  OHM to conduct North Sea CSEM survey with WISE technology.
OHM Ltd., a member of the Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping Group, will conduct a controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) survey in the UK sector of the North Sea, representing the first full commercial use of OHM's WISE technology.
WISE (well integration with seismic and electromagnetics) uses available seismic and well data to underpin CSEM survey design enabling CSEM technology to be applied in technically challenging areas.
The survey, on behalf of the Nautical Petroleum-led group, which includes Canamens Energy and Celtic Oil, is to assist in the appraisal of the Kraken Discovery in northern North Sea Block 9/2b. The survey follows-on from a successful pilot project undertaken by OHM on Kraken for the joint venture earlier this year. CSEM data acquired by OHM on the pilot project was integrated with the client's existing well and seismic data using OHM's WISE workflows and determined that the resistive body associated with the discovery in well 9/2-1 extended significantly North and South of the well.
The appraisal survey will now map the lateral extent of the discovery and help distinguish between competing geological hypotheses, which in turn will guide further appraisal drilling. The contract value is in excess of US$1 million and the CSEM survey will be conducted by OHM's dedicated vessel OHM Leader in June 2009 with initial results expected in July 2009.
OHM Group President Richard Cooper stated, "We are delighted that Nautical Petroleum and their partners have again chosen OHM for this important project. This type of CSEM survey using WISE technology, which is unique to the OHM Group, is particularly appropriate for appraisal projects and helps industry exploit the combined strengths of CSEM, surface seismic and well data."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 26.05.09  BOS Atlantic celebrates 1st year of seismic operation.
Bergen Oilfield Services (BOS) congratulated the hard working crew of the BOS Atlantic who have just acquired a superb 227 km of high quality 2D in one single day using a 10 km streamer down under in the Great Australian Bight.
What a way to celebrate a birthday, with the BOS Atlantic recording a very successful first year of operation which started last summer in the North Sea and is now breaking records on the other side of the world.
Source: BOS

••• 25.05.09  Black Sea beginning for ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil has moved into previously uncharted territory with its first foray into the Black Sea. After partnering with Turkish national company Turkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortakligi, ExxonMobil has started gathering seismic data over 30,000 sq. km over two deepwater blocks in the Black Sea with water depths up to 2,000 m (6,560 ft) which are held in a 50% partnership with the Turkish group.
Later this year the oil major is also due to start acquiring more Black Sea data offshore Romania on the Neptun block operated by Romania's Petrom.
A team of geo-scientists is being assembled by ExxonMobil at its UK headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, which will examine the 2D and 3D data acquired in the two exploration programmes.
ExxonMobil has signalled its belief that the Black Sea has what it calls "significant potential" for oil and gas but points out that is based only on modelling of the geology of the region.
"We need to acquire more seismic data and find good spots to drill exploration wells to see if these models are correct. This is what we are getting ready to do now and we'll be looking to expand our interests in the region over time," a company spokesman stated.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 25.05.09  Aker Solutions running for Shtokman FPU.
Aker Solutions are among the companies now trying to secure the contract for a floating production unit at the Russian Shtokman field.
Aker Solutions are participating in a consortium with SBM Offshore and Technip, trying to secure the EPC contract for a floating production unit at the Shtokman field. They are competing against a consortium made up by Samsung Heavy Industries and Saipem, Norwegian newspaper DN.no reports.
The EPC contract will be awarded later this year, and is worth around 1 billion US dollars.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 22.05.09  A North Sea Super Puma helicopter was forced to return back to Aberdeen after its emergency flotation devices deployed in mid-air.
The AS 332L Super Puma operated by CHC was on its way to the Nexen-operated Buzzard field when the incident took place and 12 passengers and two crew were on board at the time. The aircraft landed safely back in Aberdeen.
A CHC spokesman in Aberdeen told: "The aircraft was on a routine crew change flight and the flotation devices attached for buoyancy in case the aircraft lands up in the water deployed for some reason while they were flying."
He said the Super Puma crew took the decision to return to Aberdeen rather than continue on to the Buzzard complex to rectify the problem.
The CHC spokesman pointed out that although it was a Super Puma aircraft involved, it was an L-type version, different to the L2 and EC225 Super Pumas involved in two incident in the UK North Sea which occurred earlier this year.
In a statement after the incident a CHC spokesperson said the floatation devices activated as the aircraft was approaching the Buzzard field, and they confirmed that the Super Puma landed safely back in Aberdeen.
"The cause of the deployment is now being investigated and the aircraft will be subject to rigorous checks before being returned to service," the statement added.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 22.05.09  Ibama authorizes 4-D seismic work in Campos Basin.
Brazil's environmental authority Ibama has authorized federal energy company Petrobras to carry out 4-D seismic work at offshore Campos Basin production concessions Albacora, Espadarte, Marlim and Barracuda/Caratinga, according to BNamericas.
Ibama also cleared Queiroz Galvao to conduct drilling in offshore block BM J-2 in the Jequitinhonha Basin. Queiroz's license expires on Sep. 30, 2010, the government agency said in a statement.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 21.05.09  Russia and Norway are boosting co-operation including on oil and gas developments - which could lead directly to more contracts for the oil and gas supply industry - following a key meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Moscow.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, after seeing Norwegian counterpart Jens Stoltenberg, was bullish on Russian-Norwegian co-operation.
"There is serious progress, serious achievements and good perspectives," Putin said.
For both leaders, high on the agenda was the development of Arctic energy projects and cross-border cooperation, the Russian government said in a press release issued after the meeting.
Putin identified energy as being one of the key elements in Russian-Norwegian strategic relations - and he highlighted the importance of the massive Shtokman gas project which is being developed in the remote Barents Sea.
The Shtokman gas field - projected to cost $30 bn - will in its first phase produce a total of 23.7 billion cubic metres of gas annually.
Putin said that transport, arctic technology, including the construction of drilling platforms and ice-protected vessels, were potential areas for co-operation.
Russia's Union of Producers is worried about the large volume of orders going abroad for topsides equipment for the two semi-submersible rigs which are being built for the Shtokman project, according to recent Russian reports.
Norways Prime Minster Stoltenberg said the Shtokman project was a very important project. "Both (sides) want increased Norwegian participation in oil and gas," he told a press conference. "We have got the opportunitiy to participate in the development of this project and for that we are very happy, Stoltenberg said.
He said that the improved relations could lead to more concrete projects for Norway's oil and gas companies and the supply sector. "They would like increased pariticipation in several fields, co-operation in several areas of energy. It could mean orders for oil companies StatoilHydro, but also for the supply industry, such as Aker Solutions," Norwegian press agency NTB reported Stoltenberg as saying.
" We would welcome this, and be happy for the new boost in Norwegian-Russian energy co-operation, " he added.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 20.05.09  Strike Ended in PGS.
Petroleum Geo-Services and the union Parat have come to a joint agreement on the salary adjustments and overall employment agreement, and the strike in PGS has ended. The parties agree that a continuation and step up of the conflict will jeopardize both parties' interests. Normal operations will be resumed on May 19.
Parat and PGS will cooperate closely to handle the challenging market situation for the seismic industry going forward. The total cost frame of the agreement is an increase as for the rest of PGS of 2 percent. In addition, the employees have had terms for travel adjusted on long stopovers between flights.
Parat and PGS further agree to include in the tariff agreement the same text as in the general agreement between NHO and YS to secure hired-in employees regulated terms and conditions, according to existing practice in PGS.
Source: PGS

••• 20.05.09  Russia Offers to Coordinate with Norway on Arctic Exploration.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday that Russia and Norway must coordinate their stances on exploring the Arctic region.
"The development of the region as a whole depends on how we form a coordinated position on exploring the gas fields on the Arctic shelf," Medvedev said at a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in his residence outside Moscow.
"I think this is one of the most important areas of our cooperation," the president was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.
Stoltenberg, for his part, said the two countries had shared interests in the sphere of natural gas and should work together to boost their market share in Europe.
Disputes over the Arctic sovereignty have been heated up in recent years, reflecting the Arctic countries' intense desire to claim resources in the polar region, which is believed to contain as much as a quarter of the world's undiscovered oil and gas.
Source: Rigzone

••• 19.05.09  GC Rieber Shipping - Octio Group enters into contract with GXT, a subsidiary of ION Geophysical Corparation.
GC Rieber Shipping's subsidiary Octio Group has entered into a four months contract with the oil service company GX Technology (GXT) for the 2D vessel Geo Explorer. The contract with GXT is in direct continuation from the existing agreement which commenced in March 2009 and runs through October 2009.
Octio Group is currently using the Geo Explorer to carry out a multi-client survey offshore India for GXT. From June 2009 the Geo Explorer will be moved to the North Atlantic area, where the vessel will be used for acquisition of approximately 7,000 Km of 2D seismic data, whereafter GXT has various options to extend the agreement.
Source: GC Rieber Shipping

••• 18.05.09  SCAN record revenues, but sees pressure on contracts.
Norwegian seismic explorer SCAN Geophysical posted record high first quarter revenues as well as strong gains in profit, but it cautioned stockholders that it was facing what it called an "unresolved financial situation" as well as difficult markets ahead.
Revenues came in at NOK 300m ($46m) comopared with NOK 163m last year, a performance at record levels.
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) was NOK 116 million, against just NOK 5m last year.
Net profit came in at NOK 52.3m against NOK 1.9m previously.
SCAN said revenues were at a record high due to good production from all three vessels. But choppy waters lay ahead, the group warned.
"The seismic surveys conducted in the first quarter are mainly based on contracts entered into in 2008 when rates were higher," the group said.
"At present SCAN is facing a more challenging market," it added.
"There is high uncertainly related to the contract situation going forward as all vessels are currently on contracts that are expected to be completed during the second quarter 2009."
SCAN also said that rates were expected to be on a "substantially lower" level than previous contracts.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 15.05.09  EMGS gets US$12 million contract in Canada.
Norway-based Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has been awarded a contract by an unnamed exploration and production operator to provide 3D electromagnetic (EM) data acquisition services offshore Newfoundland, Canada.
The contract is expected to generate minimum revenues of US$12 million in the second and third quarters of 2009. The 3D EM data will be acquired by Siem Offshore PSV MV Siem Mollie.
EMGS Acting CEO Roar Bekker commented, "We value our long-term relationship with this supermajor, and we are proud that EMGS has been asked to continue the work we started in this area in 2006. The customer has become one of the world's leading users of 3D EM and is applying our technology as an integrated part of its frontier exploration program and workflow, thereby reducing risk in a challenging exploration environment."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 15.05.09  CGGVeritas hit by 26% fall in first quarter net income.
French seismic group CGGVeritas - which earlier this year finished buying Norwegian sector rival Wavefield to expand its fleet - has suffered a 26% fall in Q1 net income and is cutting costs and capacity after market conditions worsened.
CGGVertias is one of the global heavyweights in the seismic market and his been hit by oil and gas companies delaying their spending.
CGG said it was planning to remove five vessels from its fleet, but did not indicate if any of the recently-acquired Norwegian ships would be part of the cull.
Shares of the group, which said visibility was very low for the remainder of the year for its market, reacted immediately to the news, falling more than 6%.
CGGVeritas' Q1 net income dived to $71m from $95m the previous year, while revenue came to $851m, off from $87m.
CGG reported financial charges of $34m that weighed down on net profits.
"Since visibility remains particularly low for the rest of the year, we are implementing cost savings and adjusting capacity to strengthen our ability to deliver optimal performance and focus on our priority of a healthy net free cash flow in 2009," CEO Robert Brunck said in a statement.
The French group said that falling demand as well as customers postponing spending decisions had undermined the group's order backlog, which now stood at $1.4bn.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 14.05.09  Australia extends incentive for offshore exploration.
The Australian government will extend for one year the incentive for businesses to undertake offshore petroleum exploration. The incentive provides a 150 percent upfront deduction for exploration expenditure in prescribed remote locations, known as designated offshore frontier areas (DFAs).
The incentive reduces the cost of petroleum exploration in Australia's remote offshore areas, stimulating exploration activity and increasing the likelihood of discovering a new oil province. DFAs are identified each year as part of the government's annual release of offshore petroleum exploration areas to the petroleum industry. The incentive has applied to each annual release of these areas since 2004. The one-year extension will enable this incentive to apply to the 2009 annual offshore acreage release, which will be announced in June.
The tax incentive will be assessed in light of the final report of the Australia's Future Tax System Review and the Energy White Paper, which are both scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.
The revenue impact is nil in the first two years and a small cost in the third and fourth years of the forward estimates period. There will be an ongoing small cost to revenue, as an exploration permit has a maximum life of 16 years.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 14.05.09  BP Resumes Crew-Change Flights with Bond Helicopters.
Super Puma HelicopterOil giant BP will resume offshore crew-change flights with aircraft operated by Bond Helicopters next week for the first time since the fatal Super Puma crash in which 16 men died, it was revealed yesterday.
The oil company's decision to end its five-week suspension of Bond flights on Monday follows the completion of a review of all aspects of the helicopter company's operations.
The fatal crash on 1 April, 14 miles off the Buchan coast, was the second helicopter accident in the North Sea involving a Bond helicopter this year. In an earlier incident, on 18 February, an advanced version of the Super Puma crashed in the sea, but all on board were rescued.
Joanne McDonald, a spokeswoman for BP, said: "The review essentially established that Bond have comprehensive systems in place for the management of helicopter maintenance and operations."
A spokesman for Bond Offshore Helicopters said: "The review focused on management systems in four areas operations, aircraft engineering and maintenance, quality, and safety management systems and standards."
Source: Rigzone

••• 14.05.09  EMGS restructures company, makes layoffs.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) is taking measures to restructure the company and reduce its workforce. EMGS said the measures are designed to reduce costs, focus resources in key areas and improve the company's financial performance.
The vessel fleet will be temporarily reduced from three to two vessels, and the company will be scaled accordingly. The actions will result in 29 temporary layoffs, 28 redundancies and four consultancy contracts being terminated.
Roar Bekker, EMGS acting chief executive officer, said, "Although we have been successful in our efforts to reduce operating costs in late 2008 and early 2009, we must now further reduce our operating expenses to match the current demand environment. Today's reduction in workforce is a difficult decision as we realize the hardship this will impose on affected employees.
"However, we believe that the plan announced today is necessary and the right course of action to streamline our operations into a more efficient and commercially oriented business.
These actions will secure a sustainable financial position short-term, whilst enabling the company to respond to increased demand in a profitable manner."
EMGS anticipates that the measures will result in annual reductions in operating expenses of approximately US$8 million to US$10 million.
As a part of the restructuring, EMGS said it plans to further rationalize its product development efforts to focus on existing products, and is working with its customers on potential new programs.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 13.05.09  New PGS/TGS MultiClient Rocks the Cradle of North Sea Production.
PGS and TGS announce a new high density MultiClient 3D survey in Quad 211 in the East Shetland Basin (ESB) of the UK Northern North Sea. The ESB09 3D survey is highly prefunded and represents a joint investment for PGS and TGS for the North Sea summer season.
Quad 211 is home to many of the best known production fields in the North Sea, including Brent, Ninian, Hutton and Cormorant. The new 3D survey is expected to offer a significant improvement in understanding of the geology of the area and uncover additional hydrocarbon accumulations.
ESB09 will employ the most modern HD3D technology. The Ramform Viking commenced mobilization in late-April, with 16 streamers at 50 meter separation. The survey is being acquired and operated by PGS. PGS and TGS will cooperate in marketing the data.
"We expect to unveil new perspectives on the prospectivity of this historically prolific area," said Per Arild Reksnes, President Marine EAME. "Previous knowledge of Quad 211 is piecemeal and includes a number of older surveys. This single, contiguous high density dataset will offer a clearer image of the entire play."
"After a few years without new multi-client 3D projects on UK sector, I am very pleased that we now are back in this business segment, and that the partner is PGS on this particular investment. The ESB09 survey is located in the core area of the UK Northern North Sea and the purpose is to image and throw light on additional exploration potential across open and held acreage in the region" said Kjell Trommestad, VP and General Manager EU/RU for TGS.
Source: TGS

••• 13.05.09  PGS Q1 profits beats forecast but cuts '09 target.
Petroleum Geo-Services posted Q1 EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of $94.3m, down from $237.7m the previous year - but ahead of market expectations.
But the Oslo-listed group added that its markets would weaken and it cut its full year 2009 guidance. It also said there would be capital expenditure of $350m - down from $400m - and that it was looking to sell assets.
The EBIT performance bettered analyst predictions of around the $80m mark.
PGS said its earnings were strong and despite lower market activity in a number of areas, adjusted EBITDA was $201.9 million, down only 13% from the same period last year.
"This reflects strong operational performance, which drove Marine contract revenues to a new record of $319.3 million," the company said.
"The strong quarterly results are primarily driven by excellent operational performance. The competitive advantages of our modern, state-of-the-art and cost efficient fleet put us in a good position to generate healthy cash flows even as the market turns weaker towards the second half of the year," said CEO Jon Erik Reinhardsen.
PGS added that it had reduced its EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) goal for 2009 by $100m to a range of between $700m to $800m.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 13.05.09  TGS Renaissance Seismic Program Grows with 2009 Acquisition Plan.
The seventh season of the TGS Renaissance 2D seismic program in partnership with Fugro AS has commenced. This regional grid of long offset and long record seismic data has been expanding since 2003 and is located in the North Sea, the Mid-Norway and the Barents Seas.
The 2009 seismic acquisition plan includes 40,000 kilometers of data that will be located in all three of the survey areas. A minimum of five seismic vessels will be used to acquire the survey and the processed data will be available to industry at the end of 2009. Upon completion of the 2009 acquisition plan, the TGS data library will contain a total of approximately 220, 000 kilometers of regional Renaissance data.
"We are very pleased with the progress and industry acceptance of the Renaissance Program," said Kjell Trommestad, VP and General Manager, EU/RU for TGS. Kjell continued, "The program was designed to enhance the subsurface image deeper in the earth and has proven valuable to our customer's exploration efforts. The continued interest and support of these underwriters has allowed the program to grow each year and we are already working on plans for the 2010 season."
Source: TGS

••• 12.05.09  New ROV/survey vessel for Volstad Shipping.
Norway’s Volstad Shipping will shortly take delivery a new ROV/survey vessel which is nearing completion at Baatbygg in Norway.
The 85.30m long vessel, built to Skipsteknisk design, the ST253, is equipped for ROV operations, subsea installation work, geo-technical surveys, and light construction.
Seabrokers reports that the design is diesel-electric, has a helideck for Sikorsky S-92, 70 tonne offshore crane, work ROV, DP and accommodation for 62 persons.
The vessel is charter free and will be available end June/early July.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 11.05.09  More seismic explorers pick up signs of recovery.
Norwegian seismic explorers are picking up more signs on their headphones of their market reviving with more appetite for their services in particular coming from the super majors, according to the latest group to report its first quarter results.
SeaBird Exploration admitted that the short term market outlook remained "weak" but that there were some hopeful signs emerging of a turnaround in demand in their sector. "Although market outlook in the short term is weak within 2D, shallow water 3D and source, there have been some signs of an increased tender activity over the last few weeks for the second half of 2009," the Norwegian-listed group said.
"The super majors have now committed to the use of our ocean bottom nodes technology, securing backlog well into 2010, and proving the potential of this technology," SeaBird added. Its remarks follow hard on the heels of TGS-NOPEC, which on Thursday reported Q1 results which were down - but higher than analysts had forecast and the group also said business appeared to be picking up.
"We are certainly seeing increased sales activity in recent weeks and we continue to remain optimistic about the longer term fudamentals for our sector," TGS's CEO Hank Hamilton said on Thursday.
SeaBird, meanwhile, on Friday reported Q1 revenues of $46.5m - up from $39.4m for the first quarter last year.
There was a net loss, however, of $15m which was higher than the $8m net loss a year ago.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 11.05.09  New Zealand to fund seismic survey program.
The New Zealand Government will fund a NZD 20 million (US$11.9 million) seismic survey program to encourage oil and gas exploration New Zealand.
The money will be allocated over the next three years to the seismic data acquisition program run by Crown Minerals, which is responsible for the administration and promotion of New Zealand oil and gas.
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said, "This work will increase data acquisition and processing of marine seismic surveys of the earth's subsurface geology."
"At this time of uncertainty in international financial markets, as well as the fall in oil prices, it is important for the government to maintain interest in New Zealand."
The government hopes that funding the seismic program will generate more exploration in New Zealand's waters. The NZD 20 million (US$11.9 million) is expected to be enough to give an initial indication of the prospectivity of some of the country's frontier basins and give the oil and gas industry useful data to work with.
The funding meets a pre-election promise by the National Party. Since the party came into office in November 2008, NZD 3.45 million (US$2.05 million) has been reallocated for seismic work.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 11.05.09  SBX - Contract for Munin Explorer.
SeaBird Exploration Limited has entered into a contract with Fugro Data Services for a 2D survey offshore India with a duration of 3-4 weeks excluding mobilization and demobilization.
The Munin Explorer is now mobilizing following completion of her survey in Mozambique and will commence acquisition mid May 2009.
Source: SeaBird

••• 08.05.09  TGS-Nopec: survey sales rising again.
Survey outfit TGS-Nopec said that despite lower returns in the first quarter of 2009, oil company company exploration activity is up noticably from the doldrums that made negative first quarter results an industry trend.
"We are clearly seeing increased sales activity in recent weeks and we continue to remain optimistic about the longer term fundamentals for our sector," said company boss Hank Hamilton.
He called "challenging" a first quarter that brought down net income by 50 percent to $13.2 million. Revenues, too, were down: 33 percent to $70.8 million.
But the company could hearten shareholders with news the oil companies had contributed to 17 percent more revenue from the funding of future surveys. And TGS’s backlog stood at $132 million on at the end of March, eight percent above the level of a year ago.
Yet despite "the pipeline of sizeable sales opportunities steadily increasing", block awards in Norway’s 20th licensing round and growing revenue from pre-paid oil company surveys, TGS said it foresees less revenue that the highs witnessed in 2008, with some spending cuts now being contemplated.
Source: Scandoil

••• 08.05.09  World's biggest rig set to start drilling.
Aker Exploration says it is on course with drilling preparations for the first three wells to be drilled with its newbuild super rig Aker Barents, which has been tailor made for assignments on the Noregian continental shelf - where deep waters and a very tough environment presents the major challenge.
Aker Barents, which has been called the world's biggest and most advanced rig, is expected to be delivered by the end of June 2009. Drilling is seen starting in the second quarter.
Aker Barents and her sister Aker Spitsbergen are built to operate in harsh waters such as the remote Barents Sea. The rigs can accommodate 140 people in single cabins, and can operate down to 3,000 metres while using dynamic positioning - and drill down to a depth of 10,000 meters in the seabed.
The rigs are self propelled and have a curising speed of eight knots.
Aker Exploration says the first three wells are in the planning phase, namely PL 469 where GdF Suez is the operator. The well in PL 469 is a commitment well which is estimated to spud in Spring this year.
The other two wells are in PL 321 and PL 460 where Det norske oljeselskap is the operator.
Aker Exploration CEO Bard Johansen says his group is looking forward to starting to explore for oil and gas with the world's most advanced exploration rig.
Aker Exploration says it's entered into all major third party contracts for exploration services.
The company has agreed to pay NOK 123m to Aker Drilling for installation of third party equipment on Aker Barents.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 07.05.09  Det Norske bags 20% stake in Barents Sea license.
Det norske oljeselskap has been awarded a 20 percent stake in license 533 (blocks 7219/12 and 7220/10) at Loppa Vest in the Barents Sea. Det norske submitted only two applications in the 20th licensing round.
Det norske's CEO, Erik Haugane, said, "We have been awarded a share in one of the two licenses we applied for in the Barents Sea, and we consider this an exciting license. From our point of view, this area is the most interesting of what was offered in the 20th licensing round, as there are strong seismic indications of hydrocarbons. We also hoped for a share in the neighboring license 532, preferably as operator. A larger share would have been important to strengthen our Harstad office."
Erik Haugane notices that Statoil and the Norwegian authorities through Petoro, are awarded 70 percent of the license (license 532) that Det norske had hoped to participate in.
"This is not necessarily the best way to increase activity and stimulate competition in the North. We will uphold our commitment to develop education, research and industry in Northern Norway, but our opportunities now are smaller, as we did not become operator and were awarded only a small share".
Source: Scandoil

••• 06.05.09  Flu treatment kits issued.
Workers on North Sea oil platforms are being issued with treatment kids as a precautionary measure against an outbreak of swine flu on an installation.
The Guardian newspaper revealed that the oil industry has started to distribute the treatment kits which include antiviral drugs, to prepare workers for any outbreak.
At the same time a close relative of a British person who has caught swine flu has been flown home from an un-named North Sea installation, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile Aberdeen-based medical group Abermed has already issued some basic health advice to try and prevent any outbreak.
In statement Dr Alison Carroll, medical director for the oil and gas industry at Abermed pointed out workers should wash hands thoroughly, use a paper handerkerchief when coughing or sneezing, and then dispose of it, and clean hands surfaces thoroughly. Also contact should be avoided with people who are unwell, the organisation said.
Dr Carroll said swine flu is “extremely rare,” and is usually only found among people who have direct contact with pigs.
"The virus can be transmitted by air – by coughing and sneezing or by touching something with flu viruses on it then touching your mouth or nose. However, the viruses cannot be passed by eating pork or pork products," she stated.
Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, with fever, coughing, and aching limbs.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 06.05.09  SCAN Geophysical signs contract with Gold Oil Peru for 2,000 Km seismic acquisition using M/V SCAN STIGANDI.
SCAN Geophysical announced that the company successfully has signed a contract with Gold Oil Peru SAC for its multi-purpose 3D/2D vessel M/V SCAN STIGANDI to acquire 2,000 km of 2D data for Gold Oil over block Z-34 offshore northern Peru.
As per previous announcement, a Letter of Intent (LOI) was received on April 20, 2009 and acquisition of the program currently is in progress with 50% completed to-date.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 05.05.09  Strike in Petroleum Geo-Services.
Petroleum Geo-Services and the Seismic Union Parat, the union organizing approximately 15% of the company's marine seismic crew, have not been able to come to agreement regarding the employment agreement for 2009 within the deadline, midnight Oslo time on May 4th.
As a result, Parat has taken members out in a strike. The strike will affect the members of Parat involved in the rigging of the vessels Sterling and Apollo from May 5th, and will gradually be stepped up to include Parat members on other vessels until June 10th.
PGS has implemented a zero percent increase for its top management, and an average two percent increase for all other personnel. The same two percent increase has been offered to the members of Parat. The claimed increase in salary and benefits from Parat is estimated to represent a 10.8 percent increase from the 2008 level.
Source: PGS

••• 05.05.09  EMGS says revenue boost from 20th round.
Norwegian listed survey explorer Electromagnetic Geoservices says that based on the new production licenses awarded to its customers in the 20th Licensing Round on the Norwegian continental shelf, it expects to realise "uplift revenues" of more than $10m from the Barents Sea multi-client 3D EM campaign in 2008.
The Oslo-listed group said the uplift revenues were subject to final approval by EMGS's customers.
It is expected that the revenues will be recognised in the second quarter of 2009, the group said in a statement.
EMGS Acting CEO Roar Bekker said his group saw significant potential for additional sales from new customers that have been awarded licenses.
"Our multi-client library covers all the Barents Sea acreage in the licensing round, and the 3D EM data reveals valuable information related to the prospectivity of the license areas," he said.
"This means operators can target their exploration resources more effectively."
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 01.05.09  PEMEX implements emergency plan to avoid swine flu.
Mexican state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) said that there are no cases of workers infected with swine flu on its offshore platforms and facilities. However, PEMEX has initiated its Plan for Health Emergencies in Sonda de Campeche and is implementing all medical recommendations of Mexico's federal government to avoid an outbreak among PEMEX employees.
Personnel from the Medical Services subdivision of PEMEX have been conducting a revision of all PEMEX workers returning to land from working on offshore installations. They are also keeping an eye on workers on the platforms, ready to transfer workers to medical facilities upon any discovery of flu or other respiratory symptoms.
Only workers who have passed a medical review at Pemex Exploracion y Produccion (PEP) marine terminals or heliports are being allowed access to offshore platforms. Workers are being examined at the Ciudad del Carmen y Dos Bocas heliports and the Laguna Azul marine terminal.
Workers who present symptoms of illness will not be permitted to travel to the platforms, but instead placed under observation for three days to see if they are infected.
Sanitary measures for the handling of food and water destined for PEMEX offshore facilities has also been implemented.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 01.05.09  North Sea extension study.
Aberdeen-based multi-service group Senergy has been selected by the UK government to carry out a new strategic study on the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Senergy's three-year research will look at ways of extending the production life of the UK North Sea under the GBP1.8 m contract, on behalf of the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
"This is a key piece of work in terms of prolonging the life of the UK North Sea and we’re delighted that Senergy has been given the opportunity to fulfil such a strategic role," said Dave Reed, oil and gas managing director at Senergy.
The work follows up on a commitment made by Energy Minister Mike O'Brien last December when he visited an offshore installation, and promised to instigate studies to counter the economic challenges faced by the UK North Sea industry.
"We have held similar study contracts with the government in the past but this project has extra significance given the popular belief that we are at a critical point in terms of deciding which direction the North Sea industry now needs to take to ensure its long term future," said Reed.
Senergy will be drawing on the skills of a number of its technical disciplines to compile the report which will look at the challenges faced by the sector, and the opportunities which now exist.
Maximising hydrocarbon recovery will be a key part of the research, using what Senergy calls “proper stewardship” of producing fields and research will also focus on technology deployment for new developments.
Further regional studies are expected to be awarded to look at unexplored areas, and discoveries that are currently too challenging to develop.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 01.05.09  Spectrum restarts 2-D survey offshore India for Reliance.
Spectrum has recommenced seismic data acquisition off the east coast of India on behalf of Reliance Industries Ltd. Spectrum 2-D seismic vessel GGS Atlantic will complete 2,734 miles (4,400 km) of the 2-D program in blocks MNV-D4 and NEC-D9.
The Reliance program commenced in the first half of 2008, but was suspended due to the onset of the monsoon season. Later in 2008, GGS Atlantic acquired data off the west coast of India on behalf of GX Technology. Spectrum expects to complete the Reliance survey before the beginning of this year's monsoon season.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 30.04.09  Shtokman power plant and offshore geotechnical and seabed survey tenders.
Shtokman Development Company has reportedly issued a tender for the construction of a power plant at Teriberka near Murmansk in northern Russia which is also the location for the proposed LNG plant for the project and a tender for a contract for offshore geotechnical and seabed survey along the route of the Trunklines from Shotkman field (550 km offshore Murmansk, water depth 350 m) to shore (Teriberka area – Kola Peninsula) using CPT (Cone Penetration Test) equipment. The work will be done for the Integrated Development of the Shtokman Gas-Condensate Field. Phase 1 located in the Barents Sea.
Read more - Company "Shtokman Development AG" hereby announces a public invitation to tender

••• 30.04.09  GeoStar, NVIDIA Unveil New Seismic Software in China.
NVIDIA Corporation and GeoStar, a leading Chinese geophysical services provider, unveiled a new hardware and software solution that will transform seismic computation for oil and gas companies in China.
Leveraging the processing power of NVIDIA® Tesla(TM) GPUs, GeoStar's seismic software suite dramatically accelerates the performance of complex seismic data. Now, the computation of large datasets generated by searching the earth for oil deposits, can be achieved in smaller, more power efficient GPU based systems as compared to CPU-only based clusters.
"We are dealing with large prestack time migration datasets, which typically take more than 30 hours to run on a cluster of 66 CPUs," said Liu Qin, general manager of GeoStar. "Just a single Tesla C1060 GPU delivers roughly the same computing power, which means we can get orders of magnitude performance increases as we add more GPUs, while dramatically saving power and cost. Tesla GPUs are truly a revolutionary solution for oil and gas exploration."
The Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has spent recent months testing NVIDIA Tesla GPUs with GeoStar's solution. In a computation of prestack time migration data covering 740 square kilometers, 24 Tesla GPUs completed the processing more than 600 times(i) faster than a traditional cluster with 66 CPUs, a result which CAS researchers believe can be improved through additional tuning.
Based on NVIDIA's massively parallel CUDA architecture, NVIDIA Tesla GPU Computing solutions are transforming a broad selection of industries but their impact has been profound in the oil and gas space. As computational needs increase, the power consumption required to run and cool servers in datacenters have become a major portion of operational expenses. Tesla GPU-based clusters enable much higher performance than CPU-only clusters, meaning oil and gas companies can now deploy smaller, more computationally dense clusters that use less energy and still meet the ever increasing demand of applications such as seismic processing.
Source: Rigzone

••• 30.04.09  COSL Successfully Deploys Atlantis System in South China Sea.
China Oilfield Services Limited ("COSL"), the leading integrated oilfield services provider in the offshore China market, announced that a full scale trial of its "Atlantis" Artificial Seabed System (the "Atlantis System") had been successfully completed on April 27, 2009 on the Chinese Continental Shelf, in the South China Sea.
The Atlantis System is a patented technology owned by Atlantis Deepwater Orient Limited ("ADOL"), a joint venture between COSL and the Norwegian company Atlantis Deepwater Technology Holding AS. The Atlantis System was deployed under the semisubmersible drilling rig, Nanhai V, owned and operated by COSL. The successful completion of this trial confirms that COSL is in possession of the technical capability to perform deep water drilling, using its semisubmersible drilling rigs that deploy the Atlantis deepwater technology.
The concept of the Atlantis System is to use a buoy positioned at a depth of about 250-400 meters below surface where the wellhead and blowout preventer will be located. The buoy is anchored to the seabed by means of a tieback casing which is connected to the wellhead located on the seabed. The system is then used with semisubmersible drilling rigs, allowing the semisubmersibles to operate in deeper waters.
This technology has proven to be safe and cost effective and can be used in development drilling and production units.
Source: COSL

••• 30.04.09  Fugro Award Canadian UNCLOS Mapping Project.
Fugro Jacques GeoSurveys Inc., with its head office in St. John’s, Newfoundland, has been awarded a C$7 million contract for the acquisition of marine 2D multichannel seismic and bathymetric data in the Labrador Sea, offshore Eastern Canada, in support of Canada’s programme to define the outer limits of its extended continental shelf under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The work is being contracted by the Canadian Government for the Canadian UNCLOS Project Partners lead by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, with the mapping component jointly managed by Natural Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Survey work presently planned extends over the Labrador Sea, within water depths ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 metres. Approximately 4,500 line kilometers of seismic and bathymetric data will be collected during the summer of 2009.
The data set will be used to substantiate Canada’s submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
Source: Geonews

••• 29.04.09  ION Geophysical Completes Seismic Program Offshore Brazil.
ION has completed the first phase of its BrasilSPAN(TM) seismic data program and delivered the processed data, seismic images, and an integrated interpretation. BrasilSPAN is the first comprehensive, pre-salt geophysical study of Brazil's prolific offshore hydrocarbon basins in which several multi-billion barrel discoveries have been announced in recent years.
Ken Williamson, Senior Vice President of ION's Integrated Seismic Solutions group, commented, "BrasilSPAN provides our E&P clients with a pioneering regional framework in which to objectively identify exploration opportunities in highly prospective regions along the continental margins of the southern Atlantic Ocean. The data showcases excellent imaging of Brazil's pre-salt sedimentary sequence, crustal architecture, and the ocean-continent transition."
BrasilSPAN is comprised of 12,000 km of seismic data that images the entire crustal section in Brazil's Santos, Campos and Espirito Santos hydrocarbon basins. ION worked closely with regional experts to design the survey and tie the acquired seismic data lines to critical wells in the basins of interest. The program was acquired with long offsets, long listen times and imaged with proprietary reverse time migration (RTM) technology from ION's GX Technology (GXT) seismic imaging subsidiary to provide improved resolution in the pre-salt and salt flanks. BrasilSPAN was planned in partnership with ION's AfricaSPAN(TM) customers in order to address questions of great interest to global exploration teams, including how the 'conjugate ties' between West Africa and Brazil affect the exploration potential along the continental margins on both sides of the present-day Atlantic Ocean.
The regional, conjugate, and interpretative studies that are part of the BrasilSPAN program will assist in providing an understanding of the mechanism for the break-up of the continents, help develop and de-risk exploration play concepts, and provide a framework to characterize the hydrocarbon potential along the offshore margins of both West Africa and Brazil.
Source: ION Geophysical Corp.

••• 29.04.09  SCAN Geophysical – ZAO Large has appealed the Oslo Tingrett (Oslo City Court) court ruling.
Reference is made to press release as of 24 March 2009 where SCAN Geophysical ASA informed that Oslo Tingrett had ruled in SCAN’s favour in a court case where ZAO Large had filed a claim against SCAN alleging wrongful arrest of their seismic vessel in Singapore and Sri Lanka. According to the court ruling ZAO Large was to carry SCAN’s legal costs.
The ruling was subject to an appeal period of thirty days, whereby SCAN has received an appeal from ZAO Large.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 28.04.09  Prepare pandemic plans, oil industry hears.
Norwegian oil companies have been instructed to ready their "pandemic plans" for personnel going offshore or arriving from overseas missions, it was understood Monday.
Surgical masks are to be donned by helicopter pilots fetching suspected swine flu pasients from oil their rigs and platforms. The aircraft are not to carry anyone by the flu-struck. Ill-looking offshore crew are to be isolated and given a mask, ditto the nurses and doctors looking after them.
The precautionary "mobilization" in Norway is in-line with actions being taken by other countries, including those where swine-flu - a combination of bird, pig and human viruses - has already spread.
"Oil nation" Canada and others have already started screening and isolating those travelling home from Mexico, as with oilfield experts.
In the case of a global pandemic involving the flu strain, Norwegian planning envisions minimal travel to offshore installations, the Norwegian Oil Industry Association said in a special communique.
"It is the (oil company's) responsibility to establish an internal control system" using guidelines set out by the World Health Organization. The WHO warns swine flu is at Phase 3 of five stages before an uncontrolled global pandemic of the disease is upon us.
"Colleagues that share a cabin with a patient and have slept in the same place … or spent four hours or more in the same room as the pasient up to and including a day before the illnesses breakout" are also to be treated with either oseltamivir, an anti-viral medicine, or anti-biotics, according to the Association’s instructions.
Offshore installations are being told to have a cure of 10 tablets on hand for at least 25 percent of the people onboard an oil platform or rig.
Source: Scandoil

••• 28.04.09  Schlumberger sees income slide.
Oilfield service giant Schlumberger saw a slide 4.6% in first quarter revenue to US $6 Bn from $6.29 Bn last year.
Income from continuing operations before charges and credits was down 25%, the French-US group said, to $938 m and down 28% year on year.
Net income was down to $938.461 m in the first quarter, from $1.338 Bn last year, Schlumberger reported.
Oilfield services income was down 13% to $5.44 Bn and the Western Geco seismic survey division was down 8% to $551 m.
Andrew Gould, Schlumberger chief executive, blamed the fall in oilfield service revenue on a “precipitous drop” in the gas drilling rig count in North America, plus lower activity in Russia as well as a fall of local currencies against the US dollar.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 27.04.09  EMGS, Fugro form alliance.
Electromagnetic (EM) imaging company Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has entered into a global cooperation agreement with geotechnical, survey and geoscience company Fugro N.V. The agreement is in effect through 2011.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fugro will gain full access to EMGS's marine EM methods for hydrocarbon exploration and production, and EMGS will gain access to Fugro's worldwide marketing network and marine operating expertise. Both companies have also entered into a non-exclusive worldwide multi-client cooperation agreement, as well as a non-exclusive global technology licensing agreement.
As part of the agreement, Fugro has provided a NOK 150 million (US$22.8 million) secured convertible loan bearing interest at seven percent p.a. to EMGS. The loan can at any time be converted into common shares in EMGS at the conversion price of NOK 5.75 (US$0.87) until the maturity date on Jan. 2, 2012.
Roar Bekker, EMGS acting CEO, commented, "We are delighted to team up with Fugro's extensive marine geosciences expertise and global presence. The combination of EMGS's industry-leading EM technology and Fugro's position brings to the market a solution that we are confident will enhance industry adoption of our EM technology."
Steve Thomson, Fugro's Director General of Geophysical Services, said, "Fugro is very pleased to gain access to EMGS's unique marine EM methods for hydrocarbon exploration and production. This complements Fugro's EM airborne and ground EM offerings. EMGS pioneered the industry and remains the undisputed market leader. Through our cooperation with EMGS we are providing our global client base with a key emerging geophysical technology."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 27.04.09  CGG Veritas Wraps Up Seismic Survey in NZ's Unexplored Reinga Basin.
The CGG Veritas seismic vessel MV Pacific Titan has completed a 2D seismic survey to assess the oil and gas potential of the unexplored Reinga Basin. The Reinga Basin lies northwest of the northern tip of the North Island and is geologically contiguous with the oil and gas producing Taranaki Basin.
The survey gathered just over 5,000 km of high quality 2D seismic data of which 1,500 km will be purchased by the Crown and made freely available to explorers with the remainder available on a non exclusive basis by seismic services company CGG Veritas.
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said earlier in March "This is the first seismic survey since the government decided to reverse the previous administration's decision to stop data acquisition."
Mr Brownlee said that while current information suggests geology similar to the Taranaki Basin but previously available seismic data was insufficient for Crown Minerals to attract explorer interest.
The new seismic shows many possible leads including sedimentary drapes over basement highs with adjacent deep grabens and stratigraphic pinch outs. A thorough interpretation of the data by New Zealand’s GNS Science will precede a blocks offer opening in late 2009.
Crown Minerals awarded CGG Veritas a brief two-month long (from early March to early May) Petroleum Prospecting Permit 51527 which covers a very large area of 160,000 sq km to enable the MV Pacific Titan to carry out the survey.
Crown Minerals currently has blocks offers open over the adjacent Northland Basin and the Raukumara Basin on the East Coast. These blocks offers are presently scheduled to be closed early in 2010.
Source: Rigzone

••• 24.04.09  Apache cuts workforce by six percent.
Oil and gas company Apache Corporation will cut its workforce by six percent, around 200 jobs worldwide. Apache Director of Public Affairs Bill Mintz said the reduction would be "substantially completed" this week.
Echoing a company statement, Mintz said that lower commodity prices meant lower cash flow and capital budgets and the company had reduced its employee ranks to reflect current activity levels.
Apache has not released details of which sectors of its business will see the job cuts. Apache has interests worldwide, including North America, Egypt, Australia and the North Sea.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 24.04.09  Polar Prince extended by Techocean.
GC Rieber Shipping has extended a charter agreement for Polar Prince with Technocean.
GC Rieber Shipping said the contract has been extended from June 2009 until July 2011, with an option for further extension of up to one year.
From August 2009, Technocean will use Polar Prince for subsea operations, including cablelaying, related to offshore windfarms in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands. Polar Prince is currently on a charter to Technocean, which supplies IMR services for Total Offshore Congo.
From August 2009, Technocean will use Polar Prince for subsea operations for the company Subocean, which specializes in subsea services in connection with installation of offshore wind farms.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 23.04.09  The chief executive of geoservices company PGS ASA said Wednesday he's bullish on the long-term future of the oil industry despite the current challenge of lower oil prices.
In the company's annual report, PGS' CEO Jon Erik Reinhardsen said future demand for oil means there will be great demand for his company's services.
"We are searching for oil in increasingly more complex areas...The age of easy oil is over. We strongly believe this will continue to grow the demand for...seismic (data)" he said. He added that there's strong growth in less cyclical, seismic data gathering which aims, through regularly repeated surveys, to raise output at existing fields.
"Our advanced fleet is uniquely positioned to compete and harvest good margins from these markets in years go come," he said.
In the near term however, Reinhardsen said low oil prices have led to fewer bids from PGS' customers. "This, combined with added streamer capacity coming to the market will put pressure on margins, in particular towards the fourth quarter."
Offshore seismic data is gathered by ships with long trails behind them, called streamers which reflect acoustic signals from the seabed.
But he said the company is well positioned to meet this market given its competitive services and long-term financing position, and expects to come out of a tough period strengthened relative to competitors.
Source: Rigzone/Dow Jones Newswires

••• 23.04.09  Seventy percent of Super Pumas flying.
Up to 70% of the Super Puma helicopter fleet serving the North Sea should be back up and flying again French aircraft manufacturer Eurocopter has said.
Responding to a second statement from the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch into the 1 April BP Miller crash and a later safety recommendation issued on 17 April plus an Airworthiness Directive issued the same day, Eurocopter says current maintenance and check procedures – provided they are correctly applied – are fully satisfactory and will assure the safety of Super Puma flights.
An alert service bulletin issued by Eurocopter to comply with a third AAIB safety recommendation related to Super Pumas is already being implemented, the aircraft manufacturer says. This was done to limit the workload on operators related to Super Puma main gearbox intervention, Eurocopter said.
As a result, "..about 70 % of the Super Puma AS332 L2 fleet in the North Sea will fly again by April the 23rd," Eurocopter has stated. And the rest are already back up and flying, the company says.
Eurocopter has declined to make any comments about the ongoing investigation by the AAIB into the 1 April crash, although a preliminary report from the AAIB said a catastrophic main gearbox failure was initially thought to be the cause.
Eurocopter maintains that the Super Pumas is one of the safest all-weather aircraft around, with 3.7 million man-hours of service worldwide for the Super Puma family of aircraft, and it points out that the AS332 L2 version is in use with 20 operators in 15 countries.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 22.04.09  EMGS secures 3D EM multi-client contract in eastern GoM.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA has signed a multi-client data-licensing contract with a major international exploration and production operator for Clearplay 3D electromagnetic (EM) data from the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The transaction is worth approximately USD 5.8 million, and it is expected that the majority of revenues will be recognised in the second quarter of 2009.
Carl Hutchins, EMGS president multi-client group, said, "The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most substantial exploration areas in the world, yet the eastern part of this region remains significantly underexplored. Our Clearplay 3D EM technology addresses some of the complex technical challenges to reduce exploration risks and accelerate development in this exciting frontier region.
"We believe that the market potential for EMGS in this region is promising, as we see growing interest in our multi-client 3D EM data."
Source: EMGS

••• 21.04.09  SCAN Geophysical receives LOI from Gold Oil Peru for 2,000 Km seismic acquisition using M/V SCAN STIGANDI.
SCAN Geophysical ASA announced that the company has received confirmation and a Letter of Intent (LOI) from Gold Oil Peru SAC for its multipurpose 3D/2D vessel M/V SCAN STIGANDI to acquire 2,000 km of 2D data for Gold Oil over block Z-34 offshore northern Peru. Mobilization of the project is set for late April 2009 and after completion of current contract offshore Ecuador.
SCAN’s new multi-purpose seismic vessel, the M/V SCAN STIGANDI will be acquiring the program. "SCAN is pleased to further strengthen its position in Latin America. We are also pleased to be acquiring this program with our newest and most technologically advanced vessel" said Stephane Touche, Senior Vice President.
Gold Oil’s Chairman, Mark Pritchard commented "We are delighted to be working with SCAN on this exiting project".
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 21.04.09  The Norwegian Continental Shelf grows.
The Norwegian Continental Shelf, NCS, was expanded with an additional 235.000 square kilometres yesterday. That's almost as big as Great Britain.
The added acreage is the same size as Denmark five and a half times, and includes the "Banana Hole" between Norway and Jan Mayen in the Norwegian Sea, the Loop Hole, bordering Russia in the Barents Sea, and the Western Nansen Basin north of the Svalbard archipelago.
"This establishes a clear division of responsibility and creates predictable conditions for activities in the High North. It confirms that Norway has substantial rights and responsibilities in maritime areas of some 235 000 square kilometres. The recommendation is therefore of historic significance for Norway", says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store in a press release.
Typically, the continental shelf is defined as 200 nautical miles from the coastline, but many countries, like Norway, have continental shelves that extend further to sea than this. These states can submit documentation for this to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, and this is the institution that has issued the recomentadtion on Norway's new borders. "The recommendations provide a basis on which Norway can establish the limits of its continental shelf in the High North. This is a precondition for future resource management, creates a firmer basis for investments and is an effective implementation in the High North of the legal order for the oceans set out in the Law of the Sea Convention", the Foreign Minister says.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 20.04.09  EMGS set for Shell shoot off Senegal.
Norway’s Electromagnetic Geoservices is primed to start a 3D electromagnetic sweep off Senegal after winning the $4 million deal from Shell.
The shoot will be carried out using the new, purpose-built electromagnetic vessel BOA Thalassa and will start immediately after completing surveys in the Norwegian Sea. The survey covers parts of a licence area where a number of hydrocarbon drilling prospects have been identified by the operator First Australian Resources.
The objective of the electromagnetic exploration programme is to enable Shell to determine whether to acquire a 70% interest in the license and subsequently enter into a well commitment.
Source: EMGS

••• 20.04.09  SCAN Geophysical ASA has signed a Heads of Agreement with ABG Shipyard Ltd, where the parties have jointly agreed to novate the shipbuilding contract for all three vessels.
The agreement will be substituted by a final agreement by 30 April 2009 which will release both parties from all rights and obligations and any claims and liabilities under the shipbuilding contract.
SCAN will offer to provide full technical assistance to complete the vessel. The cost of such technical assistance and other ancilliary expenses will be borne by the novated company at its discretion.
The agreement includes sale of complete seismic equipment for one vessel and an additional generator set and will secure SCAN minimum proceeds of USD 22 million for this equipment. The transaction will result in a loss of NOK 77 million compared to the book value of the equipment as reported per 31 December 2008.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 20.04.09  Super Puma choppers to be temporarily grounded in the UK.
Oil and gas companies operating off the coast of the UK are temporarily refraining from flying the two models of Super Puma helicopter subject to the latest recommendation issued by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). UK Oil and Gas said this will apply to all passenger flights over the weekend.
The AAIB recommended that Eurocopter, with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), develop and implement an inspection of the internal components of the main rotor gearbox epicyclic module for all AS332L2 and EC225LP model helicopters as a matter of urgency to ensure the continued airworthiness of the main rotor gearbox.
The AS332L2 was the model of Super Puma that crashed on April 1 killing all 16 people aboard. Twenty-five helicopters in the UK offshore fleet will be affected.
This inspection is in addition to an earlier EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive, and the AAIB said it should be made mandatory with immediate effect by an additional EASA directive. Representatives from the oil and gas companies together with helicopter operators Bond, Bristow and CHC Scotia will meet on Sunday afternoon to determine what further action needs to be taken in light of the implications of further details expected to emerge from the European Aviation Safety Agency over the weekend.
AAIB's examination of the wreckage from the April 1 crash had identified that the accident occurred following a catastrophic failure of the main rotor gearbox within the epicyclic module, leading to main rotor detachment. The sequence of failure is now better understood, but further work is required to determine the initiating event.
The work continues as the final failure of the gearbox involved metal debris being shot through the meshing gears and bearings, absorbing energy from the engines and the rotor assembly, leading to the gearbox bursting. This has resulted in a large amount of secondary damage to all gearbox components, potentially masking the initial failure.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 17.04.09  PGS has completed the Merluza survey in Santos Basin nearly two weeks ahead of schedule despite serious currents, voracious barnacles and large swell.
Ramform Valiant started the survey in mid December 2008, taking just 80 days to acquire almost 2000 sq km of data, with 10 x 8km streamers.
The survey was challenging, with strong currents combining with the long streamers to cause a high amount of infill. Obstructions included up to three rigs within the survey area, not to mention pipe laying and diving operations to contend with. These challenges and typical Santos Basin conditions, large swell and high barnacle growth, proved no match for the PGS crews, who delivered an excellent HSE performance and kept downtime well under control.
This is the Ramform Valiant's third MultiClient survey during her latest campaign in Brazil, which commenced in September 2008. She is expected to remain in the region well into the South Atlantic winter. Funding for MultiClient surveys in Brazil remains strong, and the performance of the Ramform Valiant has been a cornerstone of the continued success of this part of PGS’ business.
Magne Reiersgard, PGS President Marine NSA commented, "Ramform Valiant has once again delivered the very high standards we have come to expect in Brazil. These surveys further strengthen the PGS MultiClient library portfolio in the region."
Source: PGS

••• 17.04.09  STX cracks icebreaker contracts for Kashagan field.
STX Europe - the former Aker Yards - has won contracts for building of three icebreaker tugs worth NOK 750m ($112m) for JSC Circle Marine Invest.
The Norwegian listed group - the biggest shipbuilder in Europe - said in a statement that the client's subsidiary company, Caspian Offshore Construction in Kazakhstan, will operate the vessels in the Kashagan field of the northern Caspian Sea.
The vessels will be delivered in 2010 and 2011, and the total value of the three contracts amounts to about NOK 750m, STX added.
"With Caspian Offshore Construction being a new customer to STX Europe, these contracts are of strategic importance to usk," said Roy Reite, President for STX Europe's business area Offshore & Specialised Vessels.
"The Caspian Sea is of great interest to STX Europe, especially the Northern part where our ice breaking expertise is required," he added.
The vessels are designed by the STX Europe subsidiary Aker Arctic, and have a length of 65 meters and a beam of 16.4 meters.
The vessels will have the Ice class notification 1A* Super, according to Finnish-Swedish Ice classification rules - and be equipped and designed for other operations like fire fighting, rescue operation and towing in shallow waters.
The Caspian icebreaker tugs are based on the first Aker Arctic DAS (TM) icebreakers, having operated for more than 10 years in the Kashagan oil development.
"They are also showing the good synergies between Aker Arctic and STX Europe", said Mikko Niini, President of Aker Arctic Technology Inc.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 16.04.09  TGS has commenced acquisition on a new 3,500-kilometer multi-client 2D seismic survey in offshore Benin.
The Benin 2D program is an extension of the 10,000 kilometers of TGS 2D that was recently acquired offshore Ghana. This 2D project is designed to help further define the extent of the petroleum system in the ultra-deep waters of Benin.
"The offshore Benin project adds to TGS' extensive coverage in the Gulf of Guinea and continues to clarify the regional geologic picture in this important and developing area of offshore West Africa," said David Hicks, VP of Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific for TGS.
The MV Northern Genesis is acquiring the data.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 16.04.09  UKCS offshore exploration activity down 78 per cent.
Offshore activity in the oil and gas sector are continuing to fall - the latest industry figures released by Deloitte show that exploration operations within the UK Continental Shelf have decreased significantly in the last 12 months.
Deloitte’s North West Europe Review, which summarises drilling and licensing in the region and as is produced by its Petroleum Services Group (PSG), reports that while the same number of appraisal wells were spudded in the UK during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the year before, the number of exploration wells has fallen 78 per cent.
A total of 18 exploration and appraisal wells were spudded – a 41 per cent decrease in drilling activity on the same period last year. Of those, the majority (44 per cent) of wells were located in the Central North Sea, with a further 28 per cent in the Southern North Sea, 17 per cent in the Moray Firth and 11 per cent in the Northern North Sea.
Derek Henderson, Senior Partner for Deloitte in Aberdeen said: "The decrease in activity in the UKCS can be wholly attributed to the sharp drop in exploration drilling as oil and gas companies reassess their priorities in light of the difficult economic conditions. Cash continues to be a priority as credit conditions remain extremely tough for organisations in the UK, despite the recent base rate cuts."
"The evidence so far is that these have had little impact on the cost or the availability of new credit generally which is constraining activity levels throughout the industry supply chain. Access to the equity markets is also restricted."
"The UKCS is also being adversely affected by the oil price. Although this has experienced levels of stability during the last quarter, not seen over the last two years, it is 55 per cent lower than the oil price last March."
Deloitte’s Review also summarises licensing and deals, oil price fluctuations and corporate or asset acquisitions carried out so far this year. Robyn Fowler of Deloitte’s Petroleum Services Group said: "The current economic conditions have prompted an increase in the level of corporate deal activity, as those companies in a strong cash position look to acquire vulnerable assets, helping ensure a stronger position in time for the economic recovery. In the first three months of 2009, five corporate deals, which involve companies with assets in North West Europe and other parts of the world, were announced. This compares with one announcement in the first and last quarters of 2008 respectively."
"Further to these, four deals involving UK-focused companies of UK subsidiaries were announced in the first quarter, reflecting an overall increase in the number of corporate deals, while asset acquisitions have remained at a stable level with six new deals announced in the first quarter compared to seven in the first and last quarters of 2008, respectively. Centrica has been particularly active, acquiring interests in three gas fields during the first three months of 2009."
Looking ahead, it is hoped that the challenges currently facing exploration and appraisal activities in the UKCS can be minimised by steps being taken by the industry and Government.
"Investment, a supportive tax regime and stimulation of development capital are vital to trigger a rise in exploration and drilling and ensure the long term security of the UK energy supply," added Mr Henderson.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 15.04.09  SCAN Geophysical receives LOI from Petrobras for 2,500 Km of 2D seismic acquisition using M/V GEO SEARCHER.
SCAN Geophysical ASA announced that the company has received confirmation and a Letter of Intent from Petrobras Middle East B.V. for its dedicated 2D vessel M/V GEO SEARCHER to acquire approximately 2,500 km of 2D data for Petrobras in the Caribbean region, with mobilization set for early May 2009.
The GEO SEARCHER will acquire 120 fold hi-density 2D data. This modern 2D seismic vessel is equipped to handle ultra long streamers for high-end 2D applications including longoffset and large source configurations for 2D surveys worldwide.
A SCAN spokesperson said the company is especially pleased to make this announcement because it marks the second contract opportunity to provide services to an important and major client such as Petrobras. SCAN also expressed confidence that the vessel and crew will carry out this survey in the same professional manner as it did in the previous project for Petrobras in the southern North Sea last year, with completion as scheduled.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 15.04.09  CGGVeritas provides update on vessel utilisation.
CGGVeritas has provided an update on its vessel utilization and its fleet allocation for the first quarter of 2009.
The company said vessel availability rate was 93 per cent. This compares to a 91 per cent availability rate sequentially and a 92 per cent rate in the first quarter 2008.
Vessel production rate was 89 per cent. This compares to an 89 per cent production rate sequentially and a 90 per cent rate in the first quarter 2008.
Said the company: "During the first quarter of 2009, our 3D vessels were allocated 82 per cent to contract and 18 per cent to multi-client programmes, a decrease in multi-client investment in 2009, as planned."
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 14.04.09  AAIB: Failure of main rotor gearbox led to chopper crash.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the UK Department for Transport has determined that the crash of a Bond Offshore helicopter in the North Sea that killed 16 people earlier this month occurred following a catastrophic failure of the main rotor gearbox. The failure resulted in the detachment of the main rotor head from the helicopter, rapidly followed by the main rotor blade striking the pylon and tail boom, which became severed from the fuselage.
The AAIB said that it is apparent that there was also a rupture in the right hand (No. 2) engine casing, in the plane of the second stage power turbine. The group currently believes this to be a secondary feature, but investigations are continuing in order to understand completely the accident sequence.
Aberdeen Coastguard was informed just before 2:00 p.m. local time on April 1 of a ditched Eurocopter AS 332L Mk 2 Super Puma helicopter about 14 miles (23 km) northeast off the coast of Scotland. The aircraft was en route from BP's Miller platform to Aberdeen, Scotland, with 16 people aboard, 14 passengers and two crew members.
According to the AAIB, an eyewitness, working on a supply vessel around two miles (3.2 km) from the accident site, heard the helicopter and saw it descend rapidly before it hit the surface of the sea. Immediately after impact he saw the four main rotor blades, still connected at their hub, strike the water. Around this time, he also heard two bangs close together.
Based on its initial findings, the AAIB has made three safety recommendations. First, it recommended that Eurocopter issue an alert service bulletin to require all operators of AS 332 L2 helicopters to implement a regime of additional inspections and enhanced monitoring to ensure the continued airworthiness of the main rotor gearbox epicyclic module.
Second, the group recommended that the European Aviation Safety Agency evaluate the efficacy of the Eurocopter program of additional inspections and enhanced monitoring and, when satisfied, make the Eurocopter alert service bulletin mandatory by issuing an airworthiness directive.
Finally, the AAIB recommended that Eurocopter improve the gearbox monitoring and warning systems on the AS 332 L2 helicopter so as to identify degradation and provide adequate alerts.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 10.04.09  CGG boosts StatoilHydro images.
StatoilHydro has awarded seismic contractor CGG Veritas a multi-year data processing deal which will allow it to continue dedicating its Stavanger centre exclusively for the Norwegian operator.
CGG said the Stavanger processing will continue to provide in-house data processing and imaging services for StatoilHydro under the new contract.
High-end seismic processing and imaging technology services will be provided by CGG at the Stavanger site, including including 4D time lapse data and advanced sub-surface imaging. Work will continue there following on from a previous contract awarded in 2006.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 10.04.09  TGS expects 33% revenue fall.
Offshore seismic contractor TGS is forecasting a 33% fall in its revenue for the first quarter this year due to lower than expected sales as oil companies review their own finances.
Net revenue for the first quarter is now expected to be around US $71m, TGS stated today in a trading update, which if correct will be 33% lower than reported revenue for the first quarter last year.
Revenue in the first quarter has been lower than management expected due to weaker late sales for all geographical regions, TGS said.
And the ongoing industry downturn is partly to blame, the company said, stating: "During January and February sales activity was particularly slow as many oil companies were continuing to revise budgets and spending plans in an uncertain economic climate."
While negotiations on some big seismic contracts are still underway, those deals have not yet been closed, TGS indicated. Also the company said it was hit by the delay in announcing block awards for Norway's 20th Licensing Round, which did not happen in the first quarter as expected, but instead slipped into the second quarter.
"These awards typically trigger uplift payments from certain clients as well as new seismic purchases from others. TGS expects the 20th round award announcements to have a significant positive impact on its late sales," the company stated.
While cash flow in the first quarter was described as "excellent", with cash held at the end of March at $226 m, compared with a figure of $148 m in March 2008, TGS went on to predict annual net revenue for 2009 at between $530 and $470 m, as it originally stated in February.
TGS is due to announce its full earnings for the first quarter 2009 on 7 May.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 08.04.09  SeaBird Exploration has signed two contracts following awards for the 2D Seismic vessel Munin Explorer and the 2D/3D shallow water vessel Geo Mariner in East Africa.
Munin Explorer has commenced operations offshore Mozambique after mobilizing from South Africa, the vessel will shoot 2D seismic for approximately 4-6weeks.
The Geo Mariner will mobilize this week from Dubai after planned drydocking and class maintenance since mid February.
The vessel is expected to arrive location off Mozambique end April 2009, where she will perform 2D shallow water seismic for an expected period of about two months.
Source: SeaBird

••• 07.04.09  First Sakhalin-2 LNG Shipment Reaches Japan.
A tanker carrying about 67,000 tons of liquefied natural gas docked Monday at an LNG receiving terminal in Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture, marking the arrival of the first shipment of LNG from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project.
Tokyo Gas Co. and Tokyo Electric Power Co., which jointly operate the LNG storage facility southeast of Tokyo, will share in shipments equally, with the gas company supplying the LNG as town gas and the electricity firm using it as fuel for its thermal power plants.
With Russia's LNG project, Tokyo is hoping to reduce its energy dependence on the Middle East while Moscow is aiming to boost natural gas sales in the Asia-Pacific region in addition to Europe.
Some 60 percent of LNG output from the Sakhalin-2 project is earmarked for export to Japan and the remainder will go to South Korea and the United States.
LNG from Sakhalin is estimated to account for about 7 percent of Japan's annual natural gas imports.
LNG from Sakhalin is an attractive source of energy for Japan as it takes only three days at the earliest for the shipments to arrive in Tokyo's metropolitan area, compared with those from Southeast Asia or the Middle East regions that take more than a week to arrive.
"There are large potential reserves (of LNG) in Sakhalin. We can expect our transactions will expand in the future," a Tokyo Gas official said.
In addition to Tokyo Gas and Tokyo Electric Power, utility firms in the Tohoku, Chubu and Kyushu regions as well as four key regional gas companies also have contracts with the Sakhalin-2 project for LNG purchases.
Source: Rigzone

••• 06.04.09  EMGS begins Norwegian Sea EM surveys
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has been awarded contracts by two exploration and production companies to conduct electromagnetic (EM) surveys in the Norwegian Sea.
The surveys will start immediately and will be carried out using the new purpose-built EM vessel Boa Thalassa. EMGS expects that the work will be completed this month.
The first of two EM vessels built for Boa Offshore AS, Boa Thalassa was delivered in December 2008 from Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder in Rissa, Norway, with the second vessel, Boa Galatea, scheduled for delivery in May 2009 from the same shipyard. The vessels' features include sheltered deck and work spaces, a cinema, a helicopter deck, a hospital ward, conference facilities, a gym and modern workstations with broadband connection. EMGS has contracted both vessels to long-term charters.
Source: EMGS

••• 06.04.09  MEO's Artemis 3-D survey complete.
PGS Australia Pty Ltd. has completed MEO Australia Ltd.'s 97-square-mile (250-sq-km) 3-D seismic in WA-360-P in the Carnarvon Basin offshore Western Australia.
PGS performed the survey using seismic vessel MV Orient Explorer. All trailing gear was recovered by noon local time on March 31. Processing of the survey is scheduled to take up to 90 days.
MEO expects to receive the completed survey in house by the end of June, ready to integrate with its existing 3-D survey.
The survey is designed to provide 3-D coverage over the extension of the Artemis prospect identified on MEO's existing 2007/2008 3-D seismic survey, in preparation for planned drilling of an exploration well in 2010. A formal farm-out process is scheduled to commence during the second quarter of this year to secure funding for the proposed well.
MEO operates WA-360-P with 70 percent interest through its subsidiary North West Shelf Exploration Pty Ltd. Partners in the license are Cue Energy Resources Ltd. and Gascorp Australia Pty Ltd., each with 15 percent interest.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 31.03.09  North Sea market tightening says broker.
The North Sea market has begun to tighten slightly following the slump in the first part of the year, says broker Braemar Seascope Offshore in its latest report on the market.
"The traditional seasonal dip in requirements combined with repercussions of the credit crunch had impacted on the market leaving many vessels idle," said the company. "However, recent days have seen something of a pick-up in the amount of work and subsequently rates have also begun to increase."
Availability has tightened somewhat since the period when the number of prompt AHTS vessels reached into the 20s and prompt PSVs were in double figures.
The current situation sees the number of idle AHTS vessels in single figures and only a handful of PSVs available. Average daily rates for February were affected by the significant amount of available tonnage.
Average day rates were sitting at GBP16,500 for large AHTS vessels and GBP8,500 for medium AHTS vessels. The figures for PSVs came in at GBP11,000 for large vessels and GBP8,000 for medium PSVs, the broker reported, noting that the figures reflect what has been generally a tough time for owners.
However, a number of vessels have since been fixed to other markets including India, Brazil and West Africa. This combined with an increasing amount of North Sea work has led to more market activity.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 31.03.09  PGS: update on new builds in Spain.
Reference is made to earlier announcements regarding the vessels under construction at the Factorias Vulcano shipyard in Spain. Petroleum Geo-Services ASA announced, on March 23, 2009, that its subsidiary Arrow Seismic Invest II Ltd. had terminated the shipbuilding contract for New Build number 532.
Arrow has today received a formal notice of "commencement of arbitration" from the yard, disputing Arrow's right to terminate the shipbuilding contract for New Build number 532.
The shipbuilding contract is governed by Norwegian law. The parties will, according to the contract, meet for arbitration in Norway.
Arrow strongly believes that its termination is rightful, and will pursue its claim for refund of the installed amounts. The yard previously announced that the hull for vessel 532 would be delivered to a different company at a later stage, and hence would not be able to deliver according to the contract cancellation date of March 31 2009.
Following the notice of "commencement of arbitration", Arrow cannot expect to receive payments under the refund guarantees until the arbitration is resolved. As previously communicated, the cancellation of vessel 532 is expected to result in an impairment charge of up to USD 50 million, recorded in the first quarter results.
Source: PGS

••• 31.03.09  EMGS signs global frame agreement with Shell.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) today signed a global frame agreement with Shell Exploration and Production B.V. for the provision of electromagnetic (EM) services for the next year, with optional extensions for two additional years.
Roar Bekker, EMGS chief executive officer, commented: "Shell is one of the most experienced users of EM technology, having completed more than 50 surveys since its first use of our technology in 2004. We are delighted to enter into this frame agreement which further underlines Shell's confidence in EMGS's technology."
The majority of the EM services performed for Shell will focus on EMGS's unique 3D capabilities. These provide superior data quality which can be more easily integrated into the exploration and production workflow, and interpreted alongside other subsurface information.
Source: EMGS

••• 30.03.09  The first Russian LNG cargo for delivery to Japan has been successfully loaded from the Sakhalin II LNG plant into the Energy Frontier LNG carrier.
The Energy Frontier left the Prigorodnoye port on 29 March for the Sodegaura terminal in Tokyo Bay, with a cargo of some 145 thousand cubic metres of LNG intended for two of the Company's foundation customers - Tokyo Gas and Tokyo Electric.
The LNG was loaded through the 805-metre long jetty at the Prigorodnoye port, which was purpose built for the year-round export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil.
"This is a key milestone, the culmination of many years of effort by the Russian federation, the Sakhalin Oblast, our shareholders and the thousands of Company and contractor staff who made it all possible," said Sakhalin Energy's CEO Ian Craig. "Russia has marked its entry into the Asia Pacific LNG market and Japan has a new long term energy partner."
With the start of LNG production and off-loading and year-round oil deliveries, which began in December 2008, a new major Asian energy source is now on stream. Today Sakhalin LNG is produced at train 1 with train 2 scheduled to come on stream later this year. This year and 2010 will see a gradual ramp-up to full production capacity. The newly built Sakhalin II infrastructure includes three offshore platforms, an onshore processing facility, 300 km of offshore pipelines and 1,600 kilometres of onshore pipelines, an oil export facility and the LNG plant.
Practically all of the 9.6 million tonnes of annual production capacity of the LNG trains 1 and 2 has already been committed in long-term contracts to supply customers in Japan, Korea and other markets. Sakhalin LNG is the first Russian gas supplied to these regions and the establishment of the new export route confirms the country's status of a global energy power.
With the start of LNG production from Sakhalin II, Shell now has interests in LNG operations in six countries, covering both the Atlantic and Pacific basins. The Sakhalin II LNG plant has been designed using Shell's innovative liquefaction technology taking maximum advantage of the outside ambient temperature, resulting in high efficiency and low CO2 emissions. Sakhalin II increases Shell's global LNG production capacity by almost 17% and reinforces our leadership position in LNG among international oil companies. In addition, the access we have to LNG volumes from Sakhalin II enhances our global LNG marketing capability.
Source: Shell

••• 27.03.09  Veolia Adds Viking Poseidon to Fleet of Deepwater Marine Vessels.
Veolia ES Industrial Services announced the addition of the Viking Poseidon to its fleet of deepwater marine vessels. The vessel was delivered to Galveston Bay in February and has completed its first job in the Gulf of Mexico. The Poseidon's design technology and equipment will allow for greater deepwater capabilities at a time when customers are calling for such services.
Mr. Michel Gourvennec, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Environmental Services North America, stated, "The Poseidon clearly complements the capabilities of our expanding Marine Services division. As the market for deepwater capabilities, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, continues to grow, the Poseidon becomes a strategic asset that will put Veolia at the forefront of the marine services industry. We are happy to add her to our fleet."
The Poseidon is the largest Ulstein X-Bow vessel in the world. It was built by Ulstein Verft for Eidesvik Offshore in Norway during 2008. It is a 130-meter-long, 25-meter wide vessel with a deck area of 1720-square meters. The Poseidon has a maximum speed of 14 knots and can accommodate a crew of up to 106. Its advanced features, which will allow it to deploy heavier loads and operate further offshore, include two work class ROVs with launch and recovery systems (LARS), an HMC-250T active heave compensated knuckle boom crane and a 15-ton electrohydraulic deck crane with folding boom. The ship is also equipped with two moon pools and a helideck.
Veolia ES Industrial Services' Marine Services Group includes a fleet of dive support vessels, undersea remote operated vehicles and highly qualified diver-technicians.
Source: Veolia ES Industrial Services

••• 26.03.09  Shtokman gas field project costs not subject to review - CEO.
Development costs for the Shtokman gas condensate field in the Barents Sea will not be reevaluated for the time being, the company's chief executive said on Wednesday. "So far we are not reviewing the estimated costs but we agree that the market situation is good," Yury Komarov said. "The crisis is helping us secure good prices and promoting competition, and we are seeing a good trend."
The Shtokman project to develop the Arctic gas field, with estimated reserves of 3.8 trillion cubic meters, is designed to supply the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Germany currently being built under the Baltic Sea. The Shtokman project cost is estimated at $30 billion.
Gazprom has a 51% stake in the project, while France's Total and Norway's StatoilHydro have 25% and 24%, respectively.
The first pipeline gas supplies from the Shtokman deposit will begin in late 2013 and liquefied gas supplies in 2014. The project's first phase is expected to produce a total of 23.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.
Source: RIA Novosti

••• 25.03.09  Oslo Tingrett (Oslo City Court) has ruled in SCAN's favour.
Since 2005 SCAN has claimed property rights to certain seismic equipment on board ZAO Large's seismic vessel, whereby the vessel was arrested by SCAN in Singapore in 2005 and in Sri Lanka in 2006. This arrest was subsequently lifted against a bank guarantee of USD 2.25 million in favour of SCAN.
ZAO Large later filed a claim of up to USD 2.7 million against SCAN in Oslo Tingrett alleging wrongful arrest in Singapore and Sri Lanka.
Now the Oslo Tingrett has ruled in SCAN's favour, including that ZAO Large shall carry SCAN's legal costs. This ruling is subject to an appeal period of thirty days.
SCAN will continue its legal action against ZAO Large in Sri Lanka.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 24.03.09  Sikorsky flying high again.
All Sikorsky S-92 helicopters on the Norwegian Continental Shelf were grounded this weekend, but will be back in the sky by Monday afternoon.
The investigation following the accident outside Newfoundland a couple of weeks ago concluded that the reason for the accident was a technical failure. According to Norwegian newspaper Sunnmorsposten, an engine part related to the gear box had to be replaced. The maintenance is now under way, and according to Norwegian newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, operators Norsk Helikopter and CHC Helikopterservice report that their S-92s will be back in transit Monday afternoon.
- Sikorsky issued a notice in January that a part keeping the jacket for the filter in the gear box in place had to be replaced in the next year. We have now been told that his will have to be done as soon as possible, and fiver of our six Sikorsky S-92s will stay on the ground until we have replaced these parts, says CEO Tor Villard in CHC Helikopterservice.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 24.03.09  MEO Acquires More Than 50% of Artemis Seismic in Carnarvon Basin.
MEO Australia has advised that approximately 50.97% of the 250 km2 3D seismic in WA-360-P (MEO: 70%, Operator), offshore Western Australia in the Carnarvon Basin has been acquired since acquisition commenced on Mar. 10.
The survey was interrupted on Mar. 11 when a water quality issue required the MV Orient Explorer to return to Dampier for remedial action. Acquisition re-commenced on Mar. 16 and is expected to be completed in approximately one week.
The survey is designed to provide 3D coverage over the extension of the Artemis prospect identified on MEO's existing 2007/08 3D seismic survey, in preparation for planned drilling of Artemis-1 in 2010. A formal farm-out process is scheduled to commence during 2Q'09.
Source: Rigzone

••• 23.03.09  Coast Guard ends search for Western Monarch crew member.
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a crew member who went missing from a work boat in the Gulf of Mexico, 30 miles (48 km) south of the Southwest Pass.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call from a crew member aboard the WesternGeco seismic research vessel Western Monarch at around 9:30 a.m. on March 17, stating that a crew member was missing after a work boat with four people aboard capsized while transferring personnel working with two 295-foot (90-m) WesternGeco research vessels, Western Monarch and Western Neptune.
Three people were immediately rescued by the Western Monarch.
The U.S. Coast Guard searched around 800 square miles (2,072 sq km) of the Gulf of Mexico. Assets searching included four HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopters, two patrol boats, a utility boat, an HU-144A Ocean Sentry plane and an HU-25 Falcon jet, along with respective crews.
The two WesternGeco vessels were working on the Freedom Wide Azimuth project in the Mississippi Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. The project was scheduled for completion in August 2009. The project was being conducted by TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. in conjunction with WesternGeco.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 23.03.09  PGS: update on new builds in Spain.
Reference is made to previous announcements regarding the vessels under construction at the Factorias Vulcano shipyard in Spain.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA and its subsidiary Arrow Seismic Invest II Ltd. having informed WesternGeco that there was a right to cancel the shipbuilding contract for New Build number 532 have received a formal notification by WesternGeco that the company on that basis has canceled the charter party and all other related agreements for New Build number 532. As a consequence, Arrow has formally notified the yard that it cancels the contract for New Build 532, and has called upon the refund of EUR 39 million with the addition of interest, as set out in the shipbuilding contract. As previously communicated, the cancellation of vessel 532 is expected to result in an impairment charge of up to USD 50 million, recorded in the first quarter results.
Source: PGS

••• 23.03.09  TSB discovers broken stud in helicopter wreckage.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada have found a broken main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting stud in the wreckage of the Cougar Helicopter Sikorsky S92A that crashed off St. Johns, Newfoundland, on March 12, killing 17 people.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. issued an Alert Services Bulletin (ASB) on Jan. 28, 2009, indicating that the main gearbox filter bowl assembly mounting titanium studs should be replaced with steel mounting studs. This one-time modification was to be accomplished within the next 1,250 flight hours or within one year of the issue date of the ASB, whichever occurred first.
In light of the discovery, the Federal Aviation Administration will issue an emergency Airworthiness Directive stipulating that all operators of Sikorsky S92-A helicopters worldwide must install the improved studs before conducting any other flights.
The helicopter crashed offshore Newfoundland while transporting workers to the White Rose and Hibernia oil fields. Seventeen of the 18 people aboard were killed, with all bodies recovered earlier this week. The survivor, Robert Decker, remains in serious condition at the Health Sciences Centre in St. Johns.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 20.03.09  ODIM has been awarded the "Innovator of the Year 2008" accolade – a business award for the northwestern area of Norway.
The award was officially announced earlier this week at an event held in Alesund, Norway.
ODIM CEO Jogeir Romestrand received the prize from jury member and Industrial Manager, Idar Ulstein.
Among the most recent innovations from ODIM is the ODIM SMART AHTS concept, noted jury leader Malfrid Linde.
ODIM was selected from five strong finalists that have been presented in detail in Sunnmorsposten newspaper during the last few weeks.
The readers of the newspaper nominated the candidates for the award.
Source: ODIM

••• 19.03.09  U.S. Coast Guard searches for Western Monarch crew member.
The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing the search for a Western Monarch crew member who went missing after the work boat he was aboard capsized in the Gulf of Mexico on March 17, 30 miles (48.3 km) south of the South Pass.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call from a crew member aboard the WesternGeco seismic research vessel Western Monarch, at around 9:30 a.m on March 17, stating that a crew member was missing after the work boat with four people aboard capsized while transferring personnel working with two 295-foot (90-m) WesternGeco research vessels, the Western Monarch and Western Neptune.
Three people were immediately rescued by the Western Monarch.
The U.S. Coast Guard has searched around 100 square miles (259 sq km) of the Gulf of Mexico. Assets searching include patrol boat Coast Guard Cutter Pelican and an HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.
The two vessels were working on the Freedom Wide Azimuth project in the Mississippi Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. The project was scheduled for completion in August 2009. The project was being conducted by TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. in conjunction with WesternGeco.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 19.03.09  Northern Petroleum Wraps Up Seismic Survey in 6 West Sicily Licenses.
Northern Petroleum (UK) Limited completed its 2D seismic operations on Mar. 16 in six West Sicily offshore thrust belt licenses G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP. Seismic acquisition commenced on Feb. 13 and 2463 kms of data have been acquired in these licenses using the vessel BOS Angler contracted from Bergen Oilfield Services.
This seismic acquisition in the West Sicily licenses was the first part of the work program being funded by Shell Italia E&P S.p.A under the farm-in arrangement announced in December 2008. The aim of the survey was to obtain a better definition of the substantial leads identified in the previous seismic campaign.
The vessel has now commenced operations on Northern's wholly owned permit C.R147.NP off Pantelleria Island in the Sicily channel. The planned 500 kms 2D seismic survey in this area is again aimed to improve delineation of several large prospects, each with potential for over 200mbls recoverable oil reserves. The survey is expected to finish later this month.
Source: Northern Petroleum Plc

••• 19.03.09  Reservoir Exploration gears up for capital injection.
Seismic group Reservoir Exploration Technology (RXT) says it is presenting at a coming shareholders meeting a proposal to re-capitalise the company with a NOK 256m ($37.9m) capital injection.
Norwegian-listed Reservoir also said there would be "a repair issue" of NOK 51.2m.
RXT said it has signed a term sheet with Lime Rock Partners - a US private equity firm focusing on the energy sector - for an investment of up to $15m divided between new share capital and a convertible bond loan.
RXT said it has also received firm commitments from other existing shareholders, including UK-based hedge fund Cheyne Capital Management, to participate in the share capital increase and the convertible bond loan with up to $18.89 million.
"In total $33.89m is committed," Reservoir said.
Both the share capital increase and the convertible bond loan require approval of the general meeting by a 2/3rds majority and RXT said that today it would call for an extraordinary general meeting to approve the capitalisation.
The main part of the re-capitalisation will be carried out through a private placement offered to an investors' consortium composed by DnB NOR Markets.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 18.03.09  Swire Pacific Offshore orders seismic vessel.
Swire Pacific Offshore has confirmed that it signed a shipbuilding contract towards the end of last year with Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine) to design, construct and build a new seismic survey vessel.
Construction is scheduled to commence in May 2009 and delivery is planned for the second half of 2010.
Said the company: "Swire Pacific Offshore has done extensive planning for this new build and will be providing the vessel's basic design and major equipment."
Built to a length of 68m, the vessel will be capable of towing multiple streamers, built to Ice Class and delivered with a helideck. She will be capable of performing 2D and 3D surveys. "This new vessel is a welcome addition to Swire Pacific Offshore's seismic survey vessel fleet and will greatly assist its renewal and modernization programme. The vessel has secured a long term contract with a leading seismic company," said the Swire.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 17.03.09  Deep Sea reaches settlement with SCAN.
Deep Sea Supply says it has settled a financial claim with fellow Oslo-listed group SCAN Geophysical, a move which follows SCAN's recent troubles refinancing itself.
Deep Sea said the new deal followed the contract it hammered out with SCAN back in June 2, 2006, in which SCAN acquired three of former's shipbuilding contracts with ABG Shipyard in India.
Deep Sea Supply said on Monday that it had a claim on outstanding payments of $12.4m.
The claim was to be settled upon delivery of the three vessels, it added.
"The parties have entered into a settlement agreement whereby SCAN shall pay $1 m to DESS (Deep Sea Supply)," the company said.
SCAN has in recent months had troubles on its books.
In December SCAN said it had hit a snag over moves to refinance itslef. It said the problem concerned its recently-announced Letter of Intent with PFS Shipping for the sale and lease-back of three newbuilds.
As part of the deal there was to be a subscribed private placement of NOK 117.65m, subject to a final sale and lease-back agreement with Singapore's PFS by December 12.
The Norwegian group said it and PFS had not succeeded in reaching a final sale and lease back deal by that date and the subscribed share issued had not been completed.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 16.03.09  TGS Expands 3D Survey in DeSoto Canyon through Cooperation Agreement.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA announced the formation of a cooperation agreement with Petroleum Geo-Services ASA to combine the previously announced and ongoing TGS Hernando 3D survey and the PGS Discovery Desoto Canyon MC3D survey into one large, seamless, 3D multi-client project in the Desoto Canyon in the Central and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Planning areas.
This joint survey, named Hernando will cover a 365 OCS block area (8,500 square kilometers). More than 225 equivalent blocks have already been recorded by the two companies using one 3D vessel each and a subset of this data is currently available as a fast-track product for use in the March 2009 OCS Lease Sale.
"This joint survey offered by TGS and PGS, and funded by oil companies, allows the application of leading-edge technology from both companies to provide the best image of complex geology in an area of significant interest to our customers in the Gulf of Mexico", said Robert Hobbs, COO of TGS.
Final data from the full survey is expected to be available to clients by the end of 2009.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 16.03.09  17 dead in Newfoundland helicopter crash.
Canadian authorities have stopped looking for the 16 passengers missing after a helicopter crash offshore Newfoundland on Mar. 12. Authorities declared that there was little chance of finding survivors after so much time had passed. At a news conference, Major Denis McGuire said, "The likelihood of finding survivors is no longer there."
The Cougar Helicopters' Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, Cougar 911, carrying 18 people from St. Johns, Newfoundland, to offshore oil installations Hibernia and SeaRose, made an emergency landing into the Atlantic Ocean at around 9:40 a.m. local time. The helicopter itself sank soon after hitting the water.
One body has been recovered. One person, Robert Decker, was recovered and transported to the St. Johns Health Science Center, where he is in critical condition with hypothermia and broken bones. Two life rafts were spotted in the area, but were empty when found.
The bodies of the 16 others aboard the helicopter have not been found yet.
According to Halifax Rescue Co-ordination Centre spokesperson Jeri Grychowski, the helicopter was taking workers to the Hibernia platform, which stands in the Hibernia field, jointly owned by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Petro-Canada, Canada Hibernia Holding Corp., Murphy Oil and StatoilHydro, and the SeaRose FPSO in the White Rose field. The SeaRose is 350 kilometers (217 miles) offshore and is operated by Husky Energy.
Four Cormorant helicopters, two Hercules aircraft from Nova Scotia, search and rescue aircraft Arcturus and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel were dispatched to the area and searched for survivors.
Canada's Transportation Safety Board will now begin the search for the sunken helicopter.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 13.03.09  Canadian Helicopter with 18 Down in Atlantic.
A Canadian helicopter with 18 people aboard crashed into the Atlantic Ocean Thursday morning during an oil platform shuttle off eastern Newfoundland.
Canadian Forces Lt. David Bowen told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. a distress signal was received in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 7:48 a.m. from the craft before it went down in heavy winds.
The military, coast guard and civilian ships responded along with a Hercules aircraft and four Cormorant helicopters, he said.
First responders said two people were spotted in a life raft but there was no sign of the helicopter, the CBC said.
The downed craft is owned by Cougar Helicopters, which is contracted to shuttle oil workers from offshore platforms in the Hibernia oil fields, some 200 miles east of Newfoundland, the report said.
Source: United Press International

••• 12.03.09  Production is rising.
Operators on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) produced in total 22, 4 million standard cubic meters oil equivalents (Sm3) in January. That is 0,7 million Sm3 more than the same month in 2008.
A small increase in production is showed in the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's (NPD) production numbers for January 2009. The production reached a total of 2, 108 barrels oil, around 266.000 barrels natural gas liquids and 87.000 barrels condensate per day in January 2009.
The gas production had the most increase, up 1,1 million Sm3 from last year's January production. One reason could be a production start-up at Kvitebjorn, Yttergryta and Rev in January. Preliminary production numbers for February show that the production increase continues. NPD's numbers portray an oil production of 2, 161 million barrels of oil per day. January production for oil is 2, 108 million barrels per day.
Source: Oilinfo

••• 11.03.09  PGS to begin Artemis 3D survey for MEO Australia.
MEO Australia has received all necessary regulatory approvals and is ready for Petroleum GeoServices (PGS) subsidiary PGS Australia Pty Ltd. to begin the Artemis 3D survey, an acquisition of around 250 square kilometers (96.5 sq miles) of 3D seismic in WA-360-P, offshore Western Australia in the Carnarvon Basin.
PGS will begin the acquisition with seismic vessel Orient Explorer on or about March 11. The acquisition will take around 20 days, while the final processed 3D survey is contracted to be available within 90 days of completion.
The 3D survey is expected to cost approximately US$3.4 million including processing. MEO is paying 90 percent of the cost in consideration for extending its drill/drop option for WA-360-P to Dec. 31. MEO's working interest in WA-360-P increases to 70 percent by contributing 90 percent of the cost of the Artemis 3D survey.
The survey is designed to map the extension of the Artemis Prospect being matured for drilling in 2010. This prospect was identified on the 250 square kilometer (96.5 sq mile) MEO 3D survey acquired in 2007/2008. MEO believes that this prospect may represent an extension of the Wheatstone gas field on WA-253-P into WA-360-P. The Artemis 3D survey will include a tie-line to the Wheatstone 3D survey to enable these surveys to be readily merged.
WA-360-P is close to the five-train North West Shelf Gas Project as well as both the Pluto liquefied natural gas (LNG) project currently under construction and the proposed Wheatstone LNG project under consideration. The latter have both indicated there is room for third party gas, indicating that any gas discovered in WA-360-P is likely to have a ready path to market. The WA-360-P permit is on trend with the Iago, Wheatstone, Pluto and Xena gas discoveries which remained masked until relatively recently due to complex seismic depth conversion issues caused by dramatic water depth changes, severe channeling in the sea floor and shallow, high velocity carbonates extending partly across the permit. These same geophysical complexities apply to WA-360-P and may be masking the Artemis prospect.
MEO has previously indicated that it will seek a farm-in partner during the second quarter of 2009 to fund the drilling of a well in 2010. MEO is the operator of WA-360-P with a 70 percent interest, via its wholly owned subsidiary North West Shelf Exploration. Cue Energy Resources and Gascorp Australia each have 15 percent interests.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 11.03.09  SeaBird has received a letter of intent for a 2D survey in Mozambique of around 3,000 line km.
The total gross contract value is estimated to be in the range of USD 3 million. The survey will be acquired with the Munin Explorer and will commence early April after mobilisation.
Source: SeaBird

••• 10.03.09  GXT signs data processing agreement with Polarcus.
ION Geophysical Corp. subsidiary GX Technology has signed an agreement with new marine seismic company Polarcus for the provision of seismic data processing services.
The agreement includes on board quality control, on board processing and land-based data processing services. GXT will provide hardware, software and geophysicists to support a seismic project's entire imaging life cycle, from vessel to onshore data processing.
Nick Bernitsas, senior vice president of ION's GXT Imaging Solutions division, said, "Many marine seismic contracts tendered by oil and gas companies specify that both acquisition and data processing services be delivered within a single contract structure. The arrangement that we agreed to will allow GXT to quality control and, where required, to pre-process all seismic data acquired on-board the Polarcus vessels and to be the exclusive 'behind-the-boat' processing partner for advanced imaging services specified in full-scope contract awards. This is GXT's first arrangement of this type."
Dubai-based Polarcus plans to launch six towed-streamer vessels, with the first launching in the third quarter of 2009. The vessels are designed by Ulstein Design, incorporating the Ulstein X-Bow hull and are under construction at Drydocks World in Dubai.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 09.03.09  CGGVeritas has announced it will acquire two 2D seismic surveys offshore Gabon.
CGGVeritas will acquire two 2D seismic surveys offshore Gabon. The surveys will focus on Gabon's deepwater pre-salt region and provide data to complement the 10th Gabonese Licensing Round, which will take place between June and December 2010.
The two surveys will be located in the north and south of Gabon's under-explored deepwater blocks. In the north, Zone Nord, CGGVeritas will acquire a 2,200 kilometer (1,367 mile) grid specifically designed to highlight Tertiary and Cretaceous plays. In the south, Zone Sud, a 7,400 kilometer (4,598-mile) very long-offset survey will provide the imaging beneath the Aptian salt to help identify potential traps.
The Zone Sud survey is part of a three-phase program designed by CGGVeritas to provide a full understanding of the region in a timely and cost-effective way. First, basin-wide depth modeling will be undertaken using existing data and a CGGVeritas test line. During the second phase a comprehensive gravity gradiometry survey will provide detail on the salt architecture. This information will be used to constrain PSDM models. The third phase is the acquisition of a targeted 2D grid. The potential for further acquisition, including 3D, will be assessed after completion of the three-phase program.
Chief Geologist CGGVeritas EAME region, Steve Toothill, believes "The complexity of the salt bodies in the South Gabon Basin would warrant 3D seismic coverage. However, to shoot a 3D survey over the whole area of more than 50,000 sq km (19,305 sq miles) would take too long and be prohibitively expensive. A well planned 2D survey, specifically designed to target below the salt, will be sufficient to delineate structures. This will allow oil companies to evaluate the area, make their bids and then follow up with high-specification 3D surveys, such as wide-azimuth, to provide better illumination below the salt."
Earlier this year the Direction Generale des Hydrocarbures (DGH) selected CGGVeritas to assess the hydrocarbon opportunities in Gabon's deepwater, assist with the upcoming Licence Round and work programs, and conduct a targeted seismic program. Jim Gulland, Business Development Manager, CGGVeritas EAME Data Library, believes "There is a lot of older seismic offshore Gabon, but it all targets the post-salt. Because of the complexity of imaging the sub-salt, new techniques, such as the approach we are offering, are needed to specifically identify and illuminate these plays."
Source: CGGVeritas

••• 09.03.09  PGS: update on new builds in Spain.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA and its subsidiaries Arrow Seismic Invest II Ltd. and Arrow Seismic Invest III Ltd. (together 'Arrow'), has received formal notification by Factorias Vulcano that the yard intends to deliver hull number 532 under the shipbuilding contract specified for hull number 533. In the notice the yard states that this is done to be able to deliver a vessel (532) under the shipbuilding contract for hull number 533 prior to the cancellation date of 29 July 2009.
Arrow will now take this new information into consideration and have informed WesternGeco of the situation. Further information will be given to the market at a later stage.
Arrow has made all contractual payments to the yard for New builds 532 and 533, except the final installments due on delivery (EUR 36 million per vessel, which would be matched by a similar amount by WesternGeco at the time of delivery.) If a shipbuilding contract is cancelled due to late anticipated delivery by the yard, Arrow will be entitled to repayment from the yard of all installments made on the vessel, which amounts to EUR 39 million, of which EUR 32 million is secured by on-demand refund guarantees.
Source: PGS

••• 09.03.09  Fugro posts 19.5% revenue rise.
Offshore service group Fugro posted a 19.5% revenue increase last year to ˆ2.145.5 Bn from ˆ1.892 Bn in 2007.
And its net result (profit) rose by 31.1% to ˆ283.4 m in 2008, up from ˆ216.2 m in 2007.
Noting that last year's market conditions were very good, Fugro said however that uncertainty increased in the last quarter in the light of the worldwide recession.
But going forward, it says indications are that its client base, 75% of which is derived from oil and gas operations, is still prepared to invest despite the fall in the oil price.
"According to external reports published at the end of 2008, it is expected that the investment budgets of international companies that are important to Fugro will drop by 6% compared to 2008, to around US $300 Bn," Fugro noted.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 06.03.09  Symphony sings with new industry record.
The CGGVeritas seismic vessel Symphony achieved a new industry record for 3D seismic production efficiency by acquiring 2,490 square kilometers (961 sq miles) of data during the month of January.
Towing 12 Sentinel solid streamers, the high-capacity 3D vessel broke the record while conducting a survey for Santos, an Australian-based exploration and production company, offshore east India.
Cameron Astill, executive vice president, APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, commented: "The Symphony achieved a tremendous performance that exceeded client expectations. The deployment of Sentinel, the industry's most robust low-noise streamers, ensured that we provided our clients with the best in data quality to complement the speed and efficiency of acquisition."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 06.03.09  Acquisition has Resumed on the TGS Freedom Wide Azimuth Project.
TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company announced that it, in conjunction with co-operation partner WesternGeco, has resumed data acquisition on the Freedom Wide Azimuth multi-client project in the Mississippi Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico utilizing a higher capacity operation that includes two recording vessels, each towing 10 streamers.
Covering approximately 15,000 square kilometers, Freedom is the one of the largest wide azimuth programs in the world. Data acquisition originally commenced in January of 2008, but had been temporarily interrupted since October of 2008. Located in a highly prolific area in the Gulf of Mexico, the well-funded project is currently 50% complete, and field operations are on schedule for completion in August 2009. TGS has delivered preliminary products to participating oil companies.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 06.03.09  Industry sees oil prices picking up: RXT.
Norwegian seismic group Reservoir Exploration Technology says it thinks there are "strong" long term oil price fundamentals.
The Oslo-listed group said in a presentation that non-OECD demand remained healthy and that China and India were the main drivers for demand.
On the less positive side, the economic slowdown had reduced growth forecasts," RXT said.
But spare production capacity in the oil and gas industry was limited.
Oil cartel OPEC, additionally, was "unable and unwilling" to boost production significantly.
Also, production cuts had commenced.
"The industry expects oil prices to pick up," RXT said. There was underlying demand which would remain strong. There was also a strained geo-political situation, globally.
Reservoir Exploration said it would be challenging to replace declining oil production.
Looking at itself, RXT said it was mounting an agressive restructuring to counter mistakes made which had seen profits fall, opportunities missed, the recent departure of its CEO, and the share price plunge.
But a short term loan from shareholders would lead to a substantial equity offering which would stabilise the company, RXT said.
It said it has a strong history, major clients, and a $450m order backlog in the production seismic market.
"Tendering activity in 2009 suggests the market will continue to grow with a focus on maximising production from existing fields," RXT said.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 06.03.09  Seismic search in Reinga Basin begins.
CGGVeritas has begun survey work with its seismic vessel Pacific Titan to assess the oil and gas potential of the Reinga Basin.
The Reinga Basin is located some 300 kilometers (186 miles) north west of Northland and has the potential to produce commercial quantities of oil and gas.
"This is the first seismic data survey since the government decided to reverse the previous administration's decision to stop data acquisition," said Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee.
While current information suggests geology similar to the Taranaki Basin, the current seismic data is insufficient for Crown Minerals to attract explorer interest.
"This survey will gather 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) of data on an exclusive basis for the Crown and another 4000 kilometers (2,485 miles) that will be made available to explorers on a non-exclusive basis by the acquisition company," said Brownlee.
The acquisition is likely to take 30 to 40 days.
The Pacific Titan has been used in previous data acquisition, the offshore East Coast survey in 2005 and the Great South Basin in 2006.
The oil and gas sector is New Zealand's third largest export earner. It is forecast to generate up to NZ$300 million (US$150.8 million) in revenue to the Crown over the next 12 months as new fields such as Maari and Kupe come on stream.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 05.03.09  SCAN Awarded Seismic Program Offshore Chile.
SCAN Geophysical ASA today announced that the company has been awarded a Letter of Intent (LOI) from Direccion Nacional de Fronteras y Limites del Estado (DIFROL), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for a 2D study in he vicinity of the oceanic islands, offshore Chile.
SCAN's dedicated 2D vessel, the M/V Geo Searcher using an 8,000m solid streamer system combined with a 4,200 cu. ins. source will be acquiring the approximate 1.5 month project, scheduled to commence early March and ending before May of 2009.
"On behalf of SCAN, we are extremely pleased to undertake such an important seismic project for the Chilean Government," said Kjell Karlsson, vice president marketing and sales of SCAN. "Having done similar specialized seismic projects in the past with our vessel Geo Searcher, we expect to achieve quality results with good productivity," he emphasized.
Source: SCAN Geophysical

••• 05.03.09  Seismic vessel due for June delivery.
What is said to be the world’s largest seismic vessel, PGS Ramform Hull 710, recently arrivied at Tomreford in Norway for completion at STX Europe’s Langsten shipyard. Broker Seabrokers said the hull was built at Tulcea, Romania and will be fitted out in Norway, with delivery scheduled for June. Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 04.03.09  CGGVeritas meets financial objectives.
CGGVeritas reported group revenue rose 18 percent to US$3.85 billion in 2008, while group operating income rose 19 percent to US$800 million. Net income increased 47 percent to US$503 million.
For the fourth quarter of 2008, group revenue was up 19 percent to US$41.041 billion. Group operating income was up six percent to US$199 million and net income was US$164 million, up 69 percent. Operating income included a nonrecurring charge of US$34 million, related to unrealized losses on investment in OHM.
CGGVeritas Chairman and CEO Robert Brunck said, "I am very please to report that in 2008, despite a more challenging market during the last part of the year, we were able to achieve record performance, meet all our financial objectives, further grow the company through the acquisition of Wavefield and strengthen our position."
Brunck said the company's E&P spending would be reduced around 10 to 15 percent in 2009, and predicted a soft market for seismic, with low visibility, particularly in the second half of the year. However, he felt that there was a longer term need to increase reserve replacement rates and the efficiency of reservoir management.
CGGVeritas intends to strengthen its technology leadership with a focus on research and development and its expertise in wide azimuth, high resolution capabilities.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 02.03.09  PGS' Falcon Explorer arrives in Honduras.
Norwegian firm Petroleum Geo-Services' vessel Falcon Explorerhas arrived in Honduras to carry out hydrocarbons seismic studies in the Caribbean
In December, Honduras' natural resources and environment department, Serna, and PGS signed the seismic studies contract to help determine the quantity and quality of the country's oil and gas reserves.
The work will cover 3,500 square kilometers (1,351 sq miles) and entails collecting 10,000 kilometers (6,213 miles) of new seismic data and reprocessing 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles) of existing information.
Results are to be ready in September, local press quoted PGS executives as saying.
Hydrocarbons E&P in the country gained impetus after a border dispute with Nicaragua was resolved in 2007. Japan's Japex Geoscience Institute has helped Serna organize early hydrocarbons exploration efforts, which have focused on the Tela offshore basin.
Companies that have expressed interest in Honduran hydrocarbons E&P include ExxonMobil, BP, Total, Chevron, Repsol YPF, Murphy Oil and Noble Energy.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 27.02.09  Tunisian offshore seismic done.
Circle Oil has completed a 2D seismic survey over its acreage in the Mahdia permit area offshore Tunisia which has been carried out by PGS.
London-listed Circle said a total of 500 km (312 miles) of infill full fold 2D data has been obtained over the Mahdia area off the north Tunisian coast which was covers a total of 3,780 sq. km and which was originally explored by Shell and Total resulting in the discovery of several commercial oil fields previously.
Circle holds 70% in the permit area with the rest held by Tethys Oil and Mining. The newly obtained data will be sent for processing prior to interpretation and integration with existing data. Together Circle and Tethys are due to drill at least one commitment well in the area by 2012.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 27.02.09  GC Rieber to earn $20M crewing Sakhalin.
Norway based GC Rieber Shipping has put 90 million kroner ($13 million) on a couble of crew boats to operate off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East.
The boats’ conversion by June 2009 will help them work five-year contracts worth 145 million kroner ($21 million) in the Sea of Okhotsk for the Sakhalin Energy Investment Company.
The plan is understood to include the two boats in a 50/50 joint venture by which GC Rieber already operates the ice-breaker Polar Pevek in the Sakhalin area.
Source: Scandoil

••• 27.02.09  Seismic explorer RXT posts major Q4 loss.
Norwegian seismic group Reservoir Exploration Technology is losing its CEO. The group posted a big increase in Q4 losses, but it said it was slashing costs and a bridging loan would stabilise the company.
The Oslo-listed group posted a net loss of $68m, ballooning out the $1.5m loss for the same period in the preceeding year.
That loss exceeded group revenues of $29.6m - itself down from $35.98m the previous year.
Reservoir admitted it had posted "weak results" and said that it had been hit by later payments from some clients than earlier expected and a delayed startup for its RXT4 and RXT5 units.
The company said it would require certain waivers from RXT lenders, subject to raising $30m in new equity. In December the company said it had gotten Oslo Bors approval for its prospectus on its offering to raise $20m in shares and $40m in new bonds.
The company said CEO Michael Scott was steping down and a search for a new CEO was continuing. Board Chairman Willian McCall will temporarily act as the CEO.
Reservoir announced a series of impairment charges include $10m related to decommissioning of its RXT1 early in January and its RXT3 in mid 2009. There was also a $5.9m write-down of electromagnetic investments and a $10m unrealised forex expense in Q4.
The group said it had posted "consistenly poor financial results" and optimistic forecasting which had been punished by the market with its share price falling from NOK 79 to just NOK 2 a share.
It added that it had an insufficient balance sheet and that operational efficiency was "less than hoped."
Reservoir said it would concentrate on making its $450m backlog with blue chip clients profitable. It would also focus on cost reduction and improve operational efficiency and keep capital expeidnture to an absolute mininum.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 26.02.09  GeoStreamer Cracks the Weather Window.
PGS completed a MultiClient 2D GeoStreamer survey in the Southern North Sea. Despite the climate and the weather, data quality is first class and bodes well for future winter acquisition using this technology.
Deep below the surface, GeoStreamer records crystal clear data, unperturbed by winter waves. No survey shows this better than the recent MultiClient 2D survey MNSG2009. Recorded in the middle of a typical North Sea winter, the results are extraordinary. At 15+ meters depth, the recording cable is undisturbed by the weather and the signal to noise ratio is first class. Could this mark the end of time-sharing in a crowded summer seismic season?
"Once again, we see that GeoStreamer produces excellent results in circumstances that would render conventional streamer operations unfeasible," says Guillaume Cambois, Senior Advisor in PGS Data Procession & Technology. "The acquisition quality is fantastic and we look forward to seeing the fully processed data."
Source: PGS

••• 26.02.09  Helicopter Hit by Gunfire in Nigerian Oil Delta.
A helicopter travelling between oil facilities in Nigeria operated by Italy's Agip was hit by gunfire on Wednesday, wounding one passenger, but the aircraft landed safely.
The Sikorsky 76 was flying between the Ogbainbiri and Tebidaba oil flow stations operated by Agip when it was hit, according to Lieutenant-Colonel Nkana Efik, commander of the military taskforce in the southern state of Bayelsa.
Efik said the helicopter appeared to have been hit by a single shot. It was not clear who fired it.
"One passenger was wounded but the aircraft safely returned to its base in Port Harcourt," Aerocontractors, the company operating the helicopter, said in a statement.
"The injured party is now receiving hospital treatment and the helicopter is undergoing appropriate checks from Aero's maintenance team," it said, adding that further flights to the area had been suspended while the authorities investigated.
The Niger Delta, a network of mangrove creeks which is home to Africa's biggest oil and gas industry, has been plagued by pipeline bombings and the kidnapping of oil workers. Attacks on helicopters are not unprecedented but are comparatively rare.
The Tebidaba flow station and its pipelines, which ship crude oil to the Brass River export terminal, have been attacked several times over the past few years.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the region's main militant group, warned this month of attacks on Italian firms including Agip because of what it said was an Italian offer to supply two attack boats to the military.
Italy said it had offered cooperation and assistance to the Nigerian government in fighting drug trafficking and crime but that there had been no specific offer of military vessels. Nigerian security forces repelled an attack by gunmen on Agip's Twon Brass oil terminal, also in Bayelsa, on Saturday night. Oil production at the facility was not affected.
Source: Rigzone/AFX News Limited

••• 26.02.09  Gazprom confirms deadlines for shelf projects.
Gazprom’s board of directors in meeting underlined that the Prirazlomnoe field will be in production from 2011 and the Shtokman field from 2013. The company board also highlighted the need for the government’s support to the shelf projects.
The board of directors headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov in the meeting requested the company management to continue preparations for the launch of the Prirazlomnoe field in 2011 and the Shtokman field in 2013. The Kirinskoe field in the Russian far east is then to be launched in 2014.
The meeting delegates also requested the company management keep up contact with the federal government in order to secure state support to shelf projects, as well as to prepare an action plan on shelf specialist training and organizational facilitation of the activities, a press release from Gazprom reads.
Gazprom today has 13 offshore licenses on the Russian shelf. Russia’s hydrocarbon shelf resources are estimated to 90,4 billion tons of oil equivalents, of which about 70 percent are located in the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea and the Pechora Sea.
Source: BarentsObserver

••• 25.02.09  Crash Survivor tells of "Impact" Before Helicopter Ditched in Sea.
An oil-rig worker on the helicopter that ditched in the North Sea last Wednesday said he felt the aircraft "impact with something" moments before it went down.
Finlay McGregor, one of the 18 people to survive the incident, said the aircraft jolted as if it had been "rear-ended by a truck" seconds before it was due to land on an oil platform 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
However, the welder, who is the first to describe the potential disaster in detail, was unable to explain what could have caused the bump.
McGregor, 56, was speaking as specialists from the Air Accident Investigation Bureau continued an inquiry into why the Super Puma helicopter was forced to ditch, just 1,600ft from the Etap platform in the Scottish sector of the North Sea, on Wednesday evening.
Experts are recovering the aircraft and have brought onshore the life rafts used by the crew and passengers, all of whom survived their ordeal. Rescuers have said that the chopper's tail boom was missing, although it is not clear if the part broke off before or during the ditching.
McGregor, who was yesterday recovering at his home in Tain, Easter Ross, spelled out how the flight, delayed by fog, approached Etap. "I was sitting at the door seat," he told his local newspaper. "I could see the platform as we were coming in to land. I could see the glow of it through the fog because of the lights. We started descending. There was an impact with something. I have no idea what it was. The next thing I realized was that we were in the water.
"At the impact, I thought, 'Oh my God, it's the end.' But then I realized that the helicopter wasn't sinking any more and the training came to me. Everyone was helping each other out and we got into the life rafts."
In another interview, McGregor told the BBC: "It was if something had fallen off, or we'd hit something. It felt like being rear-ended by a truck." The welder also said passengers were sitting in cold water up to their knees before they got out of the helicopter. When they did, and found themselves bobbing up and down in their life rafts, several were sick.
The ditching was watched by workers on the Etap platform. The helicopter stayed afloat, although it has since been recovered after turning upside down in the swell.
Investigators are expected to interview all the survivors, witnesses and the aircraft's pilot, Michael Tweedie, who was praised for his skill in bringing the helicopter down on water without any casualties.
McGregor, who works for Transocean on the Galaxy1 platform, the stop after Etap, has spent more than 20 years on rigs. He was not even supposed to be on the flight.
Platform owners BP and other bodies are expected to review safety offshore procedures after the incident, which was the first to take place following a major revamp of emergency systems two years ago.
McGregor praised rescuers as being "unbelievable" although the survivors spent around an hour "freezing" in their life rafts waiting for help. He said: "It seemed like forever, waiting for rescue, and even when we did hear the helicopters, it took a while for them to find us because of the fog." No one was available for comment from Bond, the firm that operated the helicopter.
Source: "Scotland on Sunday"

••• 25.02.09  Shtokman Devt Taps Consortium for Phase 1 FPU Design.
Shtokman Development AG has awarded a consortium comprising Aker Solutions, Technip France and SBM Offshore a contract for the Concept Definition and Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for the Floating Production Unit (FPU) for the Integrated Development of the Shtokman Gas & Condensate Field Phase I project. The contract value is euro 25 million (around $32 million).
The scope of work includes design, FPU concept definition, FEED design for the hull, turret & mooring system and topsides. The work will be performed by an integrated team involving the three partners of the Consortium, with Aker Solutions as leader. The consortium is committed to take any opportunity to increase the Russian content and transfer its technology as per the guide line given by SDAG.
The consortium will also tender for the full an Engineering, Procurement Supply Construction and Commissioning (EPSCC) contract in 2010. The work will start immediately and be carried out over the next 12 months.
"We are very pleased to be part of the initial phases of the development of the world's largest offshore gas field. Equally important for us is the establishment of the partnership with Technip and SBM. We build on each others' expertise and capabilities and are able to take on more assignments than what we could do alone," said Simen Lieungh, President & CEO in Aker Solutions.
Source: Aker Solutions

••• 24.02.09  Bond helicopter recovered.
The wreckage of the Bond helicopter which ditched near the BP ETAP platform last week was recovered and brought into Aberdeen harbour at the weekend with reports saying the tail boom of the aircraft was missing.
Pictures of the recovered Super Puma aircraft were shown by the BBC and a crash survivor told BBC Scotland of the helicopter receiving an impact shortly before it was due to land on the ETAP helipad, forcing the machine to ditch.
The main aircraft fuselage is now on its way to the AAIB headquarters in Farnborough in Hampshire, while an AAIB spokeswoman confirmed operations were still underway to recover the tail boom.
Described as a text book rescue, all 18 on board the flight were safely recovered after the incident last Wednesday evening.
It will now be down to the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch to determine the cause of the crash.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 24.02.09  FOGL Collects Seismic Data Offshore Falkland Islands.
Falkland Oil and Gas Ltd. focused on its extensive license areas to the South and East of the Falkland Islands, announced the successful completion of the site survey program.
The MV Fugro Meridian conducted site surveys in four areas that were jointly selected by the operator BHP Billiton and FOGL. The vessel, which is operated by Fugro Surveys Limited, acquired high resolution 2D seismic data in order to assess drilling hazards in the top few hundred meters of sediment below the sea bed. Bathymetric and sea bed imaging surveys were conducted to generate a detailed picture of the sea floor. The data can then be used to assess sea bed stability, locate sites for rig anchors and provide a picture of potential sea bed habitats. In addition numerous gravity cores and grab samples of the sea bed were recovered to calibrate the sea bed imaging and provide accurate data on sea bed composition and local fauna for inclusion in the environmental impact assessment. The surveys were completed last week.
The British Antarctic Survey vessel, the James Clark Ross, was contracted to deploy wave and current meters. Data from these instruments will be used in the environmental assessment and in the design specifications for rig mooring and riser design. This deployment was completed in December but the monitoring is ongoing.
A geotechnical boring program was also undertaken, by the MV Fugro Saltire, to establish the composition and physical properties of the top 200 metres of sediment below the seabed. Information derived from this survey will be used to assist in the detailed conductor and casing design of the wells.
The Company will now utilize the data acquired in the surveys to undertake detailed well designs which will then form part of the regulatory approval. The site survey data will also be utilized in the environmental impact assessment that will be submitted to the Falkland Islands' Government in the coming months.
Tim Bushell, Chief Executive of FOGL, said, "I am pleased that the site survey has been successfully completed on time and in budget and this completes the final phase of offshore activities prior to drilling."
Source: FOGL

••• 23.02.09  Geolog Dmitrij Nalivkin charter cancelled.
WGP Seismic has exercised its right to terminate the charter of the seismic survey vessel Geolog Dmitrij Nalivkin with immediate effect.
This is a reluctant decision that has been forced upon the company by the collapse in the market for the high quality, cost effective 2D marine seismic data acquisition services that have built the reputation of WGP Seismic over the past four years.
John Duncan, Managing Director of the WGP Group said: "By taking this swift action now we can insure that we remain a strong, viable and debt free company with skill sets well placed to take advantage of the upturn in the energy sector that must follow what will be a difficult period for everyone in the industry".
Source: WGP

••• 20.02.09  Major delay for PGS Spanish newbuilds.
Seismic explorer Petroleum Geo-Services has added to the list of Norwegian groups disappointing the market in the fourth quarter, the Olso-listed group posting a $26.7m operating loss which swung from the previous year's $76.5m profit.
Analysts had expected an operating loss around the $15m mark.
Group revenues were $461.1m, however, a 24% gain on the $372.5m total the previous year.
PGS said the earnings result had been hit by a $21.4m foreign currency loss and a write down of shares available for sale and associated companies of $16.4m.
Financials aside, PGS reported major trouble with its Spanish newbuilds programme.
These - with the exception of the PGS Apollo (NB 534) - were now "significantly delayed" with a risk of delays beyond the prevailing termination dates.
Looking at NB 532 and NB 533, PGS said that client WesternGeco was entitled to terminate the charter if they were not delivered within 120 days of November 30, 2008 and March 31 this year, respectively.
PGS Arrow had a corresponding termination right towards the yard, PGS added.
"PGS's key priority is to reduce capex and future capital commitments on the Spanish new-build programme," the company added.
PGS said it was deferring equipment capex on PGS Artemis (NB 535) due to yard delays and would consider using existing equipment from its 6 streamer fleet when delivered.
This would reduce 2009 capex by more than $50m.
Looking further ahead at its markets, PGS said that it had a healthy order book now above $1bn and had robust long-term financing in place. The group, it said, was "well positioned" to meet a challenging market.
The seismic explorer reported another strong North Sea season in the fourth quarter and said that six vessels had been committed to the region in 2009.
Elsewhere on its newbuild programme, there was some good news with the Ramform Sterling reportedly on schedule for delivery by the end of June this year.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 20.02.09  Offshore helicopter crashes, all rescued.
All 18 people aboard a commuting North Sea helicopter that crashed just short of its platform host were rescued late Wednesday after emergency resources converged quickly.
A Super Puma reportedly ditched 'in a controlled fashion" at around 6:30 p.m. just before reaching BP’s ETAP field installation 240 kilometres east of Aberdeen. The helicopter’s own buoyancy rescue equipment deployed, and 16 passengers and two crew did not have to wait long before being plucked from the water by helicopter and a large, dedicated rescue ship on patrol.
A Bond Offshore Helicopters — which is understood to also be the company that lost the aircraft — is said to have plucked the other three from frigid waters.
"The rescue services and systems we had worked well," a BP spokesperson said, adding, "We’ll have to wait and see what lessons there are to learn from this."
He confirmed 15 were aboard the Caledonian Victory rescue ship and three aboard the ETAP platform awaiting transit back to Aberdeen. They were all early to start their workdays the following day.
The Caledonian Victory is equipped with two life rafts onboard and they were understood to be used to lift the stunned passengers and crew out of the drink.
Earlier this decade, BP imposed a system of patrolling rescue and supply ships called Jigsaw that ensured the capacity for large-scale emergency operations were always at hand. The plan was criticized at the time for being to rigid and potentially expensive, although its merits now seem apparent.
Source: Scandoil

••• 19.02.09  SeaBird begins seismic survey offshore Peru.
SeaBird Exploration has begun the acquisition of 2-D seismic in Block Z-38 offshore Peru with seismic vessel M/V Aquila Explorer. The survey will record 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) of seismic data in the permit and is expected to be completed in March.
SeaBird was contracted by Vietnam American Exploration Co. and Karoon Gas Australia. Vietnam American Exploration is the operator of Block Z-38 with an 80 percent interest, while Karoon holds the remaining 20 percent.
Block Z-38 is in the Tumbes Basin offshore Peru. The Talara Basin, south of Tumbes, with similar geography, has produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil. Karoon stated that Block Z-38 is "highly prospective for hydrocarbons, with each of the main prospects having a prospective resource in the range of 100 to 200 million barrels."
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 18.02.09  TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company begins acquisition of a new 9,550 kilometer multi-client 2D survey offshore West Sumatra, Indonesia.
The new Sumatra survey is designed to complement the existing Northwest Sumatra and Sunda seismic, bathymetric and coring data acquired as part of the expansive TGS IndoDeep program. The IndoDeep program, previously referred to as Indonesia Frontier Basin, was acquired and interpreted from 2006 to 2008. It includes 34,000 kilometres of 2D seismic, 400,000 kilometres of multi-beam bathymetric data and 1,200 cores samples covering approximately 1 million square kilometers of Indonesia's deep-water basins. This integrated dataset continues generating significant industry interest.
The initial interpretation of the Northwest Sumatra and Sunda IndoDeep programs has indicated that all the elements of a potential petroleum system are present in the new survey area. Supported by industry funding, the new project includes both long offset 2D seismic and gravity data acquired by the MV Mezen.
"When TGS initiated the IndoDeep program in 2006 the company was confident it would help rewrite the geology of Indonesia" said Rod Starr, General Manager – Asia Pacific for TGS. He continued, "This new Seismic program offshore Sumatra was identified by the IndoDeep program and we are excited to include additional data in the area in order to clarify the hydrocarbon potential."
TGS plans to continue its expansion of the IndoDeep program, as well as grow its reach across Asia Pacific with all its products and services. "Our offering of high quality multi-client seismic data with the latest seismic processing technology in the region is under constant development", stated Starr. "We will also introduce new offerings including geologic, interpretation, and well data services", stated Starr.
Source: TGS-NOPEC

••• 17.02.09  Prestigious award to the crew of BOS Arctic.
BOS Arctic, one of Bergen Oilfield Services’ owner operated vessels, has been awarded the prestigious TGS safety award for 2008.
TGS-Nopec initiated the Annual HSE award two years ago, to raise HSE awareness and encourage and promote the importance of a strong safety culture on board of survey vessels working on its behalf.
Mr. Peter Seidel Health, Safety and Environment Manger of TGS-NOPEC said "Although the vessel BOS Arctic has been working on the Hernando survey for only a few months the crew has demonstrated a commitment to safety during mobilization phase and also during production. The crew has regularly used toolbox meeting, stop cards along with drills and HSE meeting to manage HSE task without incidents. Additionally the crew has offered unsolicited updates to the Remedial Action Plan on regular basis as a demonstration of their commitment towards ongoing improvement".
Mr. Seidel added by saying "The commitment towards HSE from the management was also evident at the startup meetings held in 2008".
Mr. Karstein Rod CEO and founder of Bergen Oilfield Services congratulates all those involved with BOS Arctic’s current assignment by saying "I am proud on behalf of BOS and our close partner Stad Offshore Management (SOM ) to see that the HSE culture and work done by the vessel and our organisation has been awarded this prestigious recognition by our valuable client TGS".
Source: BOS

••• 16.02.09  Northern Petroleum starts Sicilian seismic survey.
Northern Petroleum Plc's wholly owned subsidiary, Northern Petroleum (UK) Ltd., commenced 2-D seismic operations in its six West Sicily thrust belt licenses and one offshore the island of Pantelleria in the Channel of Sicily.
The licenses in which the study is taking place are G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP, G.R22.NP and C.R147.NP, which is the permit off the coast of Pantelleria.
A total of more than 1,554 miles (2,500 km) of seismic data will be acquired in the licenses, with over 1,243 miles (2000 km) covering the West Sicily thrust belt and approximately 311 miles (500 km) in C.R147.NP. The survey is expected to last about six weeks.
The seismic acquisition in the West Sicily licenses is part of the work program to being funded by Shell Italia as part of the farm-in arrangement. The aim of the survey is to obtain a better definition of the leads identified in the previous seismic campaign.
A contract for the acquisition program has been signed with Bergen Oilfield Services and the data is being acquired using the vessel BOS Angler.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 16.02.09  SeaBird awarded Agbami field node survey by Chevron.
SeaBird Exploration Limited and Sonar Limited have executed a letter of commitment with Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, an affiliate of Chevron Nigeria Limited and operator of the Agbami field, for the pre-survey design and subsequent acquisition of a large scale ocean bottom node seismic program of the Agbami field off Nigeria.
The program currently is scheduled to mobilize immediately upon completion of the previously announced contract for BP on the Atlantis field in the deepwater U.S. Gulf of Mexico and will be conducted with the survey vessel Hugin Explorer, the source vessel Konder Explorer and the proprietary CASE Abyss 4C autonomous seismic recording system technology.
The contract has an expected duration of between six and nine months and is expected to yield revenues including mobilization and demobilization in excess of our previously published guidance rates for OBN surveys Hugin Explorer and source vessels Kondor Explorer.
Pre-survey geophysical modeling, final terms, approvals and execution of contract are expected to be complete by second quarter 2009.
Source: SeaBird

••• 13.02.09  EMGS loss larger, fleet trimmed.
Norway-based survey outfit EMGS has posted a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 of $23 million, a widening of 30 percent as the company was compelled to shrink its active fleet to three vessels with a new-build awaiting delivery.
Company shares sank 14.9 percent on the news.
The result came on quarterly revenues of $15.6 million, or just less than half the business reported a year ago.
The company said it was "carefully optimistic" about the future in light of equally careful oil company spending. Company leaders have long admitted the difficulty of gaining acceptance for its high-tech hydrocarbon-finding kit.
The 50 percent strength of its contracted fleet in the fourth quarter was about the same as in the same span in 2007, and the apparenet lack of headway is forcing a review of other uses for the company's electro magnetic detection software.
The technology itself was under attack in a London courtroom, and Schlumberger won a court ruling banning the use of three patents in U.K. waters. EMGS patents appear safe elsewhere, however, and the company has been able to cut investments by half to $24 million in-line with cost-cutting well underway.
Adding injury, the company has also announced that its chief executive Terje Eidesmo was undergoing a full hip replacement and would be out of action for three months. The chief operating officer will takeover in the interim.
Source: Scandoil

••• 13.02.09  TGS-NOPEC strong Q4 beats market expectations.
Norwegian seismic explorer TGS-NOPEC said that according to oil industry consensus views, 2009 capital expenditure estimates for the E&P sector will be down 10% to 20%.
But TGS also unveiled fourth quarter profits better than the market was expecting and said it was cautiously optimistic about the long term - projecting its 2009 revenues of $470-$530m against $582.4m that were posted for 2008.
Oslo-listed TGS posted Q4 operating of $80m from $88m a year ago, but that was ahead of forecasts for $73m, according to news agencies.
Also providing a positive surprise was net revenue for Q4 came in at $172m against market expectations of $158m. "We are pleased to have fulfilled every aspect of our guidance for 2008", said CEO Hank Hamilton.
"The current economic recession, credit crisis, and low oil price environment are creating significant near-term challenges for our industry," Hamilton said.
"Nonetheless, we remain optimistic about the longer term fundamentals for the energy sector."
TGS said that its strong backlog, solid financial position, and highly flexible business model positioned it take advantage of new opportunities in this cycle.
TGS said that it still viewed long term fundamentals in the market with optimism.
It added that it had a "cautious but opportunistic" approach to new investment.
Looking ahead, TGS said it expected multi client investments for 2009 of $230-$270m.
Source: Offshore Media Group

••• 12.02.09  Australian NOPSA Alerts Offshore Operators to Implement Cyclone Response Procedure.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) has issued a safety alert to warn offshore operators of the need for an appropriate Cyclone Response Procedure.
The safety alert was prompted by a recent incident in which a construction vessel was unable to avoid a cyclone because its operator failed to put in place preparations to retrieve anchors and evacuate from its location in a timely manner.
The vessel weathered the storm until its final anchor parted, at which point the vessel was able to make way under its own limited capability to a safe location. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, although had the cyclone intensified, the outcome could have been more serious. Some of the key lessons drawn from this incident include the need to consider location specific cyclone scenarios within the Cyclone Response Procedure including:
Designated safe mooring areas.
Escape route/sail away restrictions.
Responses for cyclones and tropical lows approaching from various directions incorporating consideration of worst case forecast predictions. Helicopter availability.
Key construction activities and their required evacuation preparation times.
CEO of NOPSA, John Clegg said that the incident demonstrated the need for adequate cyclone response planning to cover a wide range of scenarios. "Preparation and planning are the keys. In this case, the operator's Cyclone Response Procedure failed to identify and address the risk of topical lows rapidly developing into cyclones and there had not been a sufficient level of cyclone drills and exercises."
The incident is currently the subject of an investigation by NOPSA occupational health and safety inspectors.
Source: NOPSA

••• 12.02.09  Gazprom May Delay Projects, Shtokman on Track.
Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom may delay some projects in response to weaker demand for gas and a tougher financial climate but will decide on whether to proceed with the giant Shtokman gas field early next year.
Chief Financial Officer Andrey Kruglov told a press conference on Tuesday that the company was still deciding on its plans for the year.
"We have also been prioritising projects in our investment program...and this will allow us to see which projects will be financed and which projects are going ahead," he said, speaking through an interpreter.
However, key projects will go ahead as planned, including developments in the Yamal peninsula and the Shtokman field, one of the largest gas fields in the world, which Gazprom is developing with France's Total and Norway's StatoilHydro.
"The investment decision will be made in the first quarter of 2010," Alexander Medvedev, deputy Chief Executive, said of Shtokman.
Shtokman is scheduled to start producing gas for export by pipeline in 2013 and as liquefied natural gas in 2014, according to a company presentation.
A spokesman said the project remained on track.
Medvedev added that, unusually for an oil and gas project, the Shtokman partners would incur considerable costs in advance of the decision on whether to proceed.
Usually the final investment decision is the point at which companies start to incur high costs.
A spokesman added that the state-controlled company would continue paying dividends, in line with its policy, despite some fears these could be cut due to lower oil and gas prices.
Gazprom management was in London to give a presentation to analysts, prompting, traders said, the resurgence of persistent rumours that the world's largest gas producer may make a takeover bid for the UK's largest gas retailer, Centrica.
"We are not in talks with either the shareholders or the management of Centrica," Medvedev said.
Source: AFX News Limited

••• 11.02.09  Bristow Helicopters to Transport Central North Sea Workers.
Bristow Helicopters has secured a new North Sea contract. The Company will provide helicopter support for CNR International (UK) Ltd, flying workers to and from the Tiffany platform, situated in the Central North Sea, 150 miles north east of Aberdeen, commencing tomorrow (February 10, 2009).
The contract will run for three years, with two further one-year options, using Bristow's fleet of new, high technology EC225 helicopters.
This work is returning to Bristow which previously held the contract until 2004.
The contract is the latest in a raft of positive developments for Bristow. Last year the company invested more than GBP70 million in a fleet of new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters based in Scatsta, Shetland, and also announced the establishment of a Bristow training academy at the company's new European Headquarters which is currently under construction less than a mile away from the present base in Forties Road, Dyce, Aberdeen. This project is due to be completed this summer.
Source: Rigzone

••• 10.02.09  Sakhalin II project to start LNG exports to Japan in March.
The Sakhalin II oil and gas project in Russia will start exports of liquefied natural gas produced off the Russian Far East island to Japan in March, a senior official of Russian state-run energy giant Gazprom said Friday.
Vice President Alexander Medvedev told Japanese journalists that the Sakhalin II project will begin LNG production on Feb. 18.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is expected to attend the opening ceremony, to be held on that day.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro has already received an invitation for the ceremony and is considering his attendance, according to the Gazprom official. If he does go, the two leaders are expected to hold talks.
He said the launch of LNG production at Sakhalin II will benefit both Japan and Russia and therefore enhance the bilateral relationship.
As the pipeline system of the project does not cross other countries, the project poses no risks in terms of the supply of gas, he said.
The LNG plant in the Sakhalin II project has an annual output capacity of 9.6 million tons of LNG, the world's biggest.
Of the total, Japanese companies, including Tokyo Electric Power Co. , plan to buy some 5 million tons. Japan expects the new source of LNG to reduce its energy dependence on the Middle East.
International major oil firm Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Japanese trading houses Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corp. launched the Sakhalin II project in 1994, but it was suspended by the Russian government in 2006.
In 2007, Gazprom acquired a majority stake for 7,450 billion dollars. The LNG plant is Russia's first.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 09.02.09  MacGREGOR delivers platforms for Polarcus seismic vessels.
Helsinki-based maritime engineering firm MacGREGOR has delivered observation platforms to the first two of six seismic vessels under construction for Polarcus at the Drydocks World shipyard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The platforms located at mooring-deck are mainly used in mooring operations. They are destined for use onboard the owner's two Ulstein design type SX124 vessels, Polarcus Nadia and Polarcus Naila. The vessels are planned to enter service by the end of this year.
Polarcus Nadia and Polarcus Naila are 3-D seismic vessels capable of towing up to 12 streamers. They will each feature two MacGREGOR hydraulically-operated platforms designed and manufactured to the shape of the surrounding shell plating and delivered with pre-assembled coating and ready tested in the workshop. In open position, the platforms are supported by preventer stays and designed to carry a load of 1,100 pounds (500 kg).
MacGREGOR's scope of supply per ship-set includes two ready painted and pre-assembled doors with coaming; two hydraulic power units with components; two electric starter boards, control panels and components; and operating and maintenance manuals.
Source: Polarcus

••• 09.02.09  NPD finds North Sea seismic activity within reason.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has analyzed all seismic data acquisitions in the area 60 to 62 degrees north from the period of 1998 to 2007 to determine the degree of potential overlapping seismic surveys in the same area, and why the overlap has occurred.
The acquisition of seismic data on the Norwegian shelf has received more and more attention in recent years, in part due to the increased activity in the petroleum sector. From a fishery perspective, there is a perception of a higher level of conflict between fishing boats and seismic acquisition vessels. It has been claimed that seismic data is acquired repeatedly within the same area. According to the fishermen, this relates particularly to the northern part of the North Sea, in the area 60 to 62 degrees north.
Because the region is considered a mature area, there have been few 2-D seismic acquisitions during the period, while there have been many 3-D surveys; a total of 49 over ten years. These are mainly connected to the large field areas of Tampen, Oseberg and Troll, where there have been several seismic acquisitions in the same areas.
The NPD cannot see that there is a basis for saying that seismic data has been acquired repeatedly and in overlapping areas in the sense that this is supposedly unnecessary or could be done more efficiently. Repeated data acquisition over the same field is often done for the purpose of monitoring the reservoir, 4-D seismic, to achieve the best possible recovery. This is the case, for example, on Troll Vest and over the Gullfaks field, which has the most coinciding seismic areas.
Other reasons for coinciding seismic acquisition areas can include new geological problems and new technology.
The licensees have operated the fields for several years, and the NPD said they have good knowledge about the existing seismic data. Therefore, they have no interest in acquiring new seismic data unless it is deemed necessary.
One reason that the fishermen may experience conflicts in these areas is that the areas that are proposed for seismic surveys are larger than the actual acquisition areas. The NPD has begun work to get the companies to apply for more realistic areas and to provide better information about planned surveys.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 06.02.09  Common Data Access awards contract to Schlumberger.
Common Data Access (CDA) says that through a competitive tendering process, it has awarded Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS) the contract for building and operating its new Seismic DataStorea centralised, state-of-the-art repository for seismic data gathered from the UK continental shelf (UKCS).
Common Data Access (CDA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oil & Gas UK, provides data management services to the UK oil and gas industry. Access to the new services offered by the Seismic DataStore will not be limited to CDA member companies but will be available to a wider community of seismic data users. The DataStore will allow users to rapidly access seismic data, improve data quality and drive cost efficiencies.
Malcolm Fleming, CDA's chief executive, said: "In the current economic environment of scarcity of credit, UK oil and gas explorers must use their resources in the most efficient way possible. The Seismic DataStore will help them do this because users will be able to download quality-assured seismic data in days or hours compared to the current performance of weeks or even months. This will significantly increase the productivity of expert resources."
Gordon Ballard, chairman of Schlumberger UK, said: "Dramatically reducing the time and cost of retrieving seismic data will not only allow quicker and better prospect development; the quality and completeness of the data will, over time, improve companies chances of exploration success."
Mr Ballard continued, "The Seismic DataStore will also allow faster response times to licence rounds and asset purchase opportunities, all of which contribute to maximising the recovery of the UKs oil and gas, while enabling the preservation of a significant element of the scientific heritage of the UKCS."
Source: Scandoil

••• 06.02.09  MEO adjusts plans for two Western Australia permits.
MEO Australia Ltd.'s application has been approved for a variation in the secondary work programs in relation to the WA-359-P and WA-360-P exploration permits in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia.
The WA-359-P work program has been varied such that the exploration well has been transferred from the fifth permit year to the sixth, which spans from Feb. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2011. From now until the beginning of the sixth year, MEO will work on geotechnical studies.
As for the WA-360-P work program, the fourth permit year has been suspended as of Jan. 31, 2009 and extended by 12 months to Jan. 31, 2010 to allow time to acquire, process and interpret additional 3-D seismic to further define the Artemis prospect. Upon the completion of the seismic interpretation work, the company will then perform geotechnical studies for one year, before drilling an exploration well in 2011 into 2012.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 05.02.09  Shtokman under threat from extreme weather.
The massive Shtokman gas field development could be impacted by global warming which will create more extreme weather patterns in the Barents Sea and other Arctic Oceans, according to a new study from the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Change in Norway.
Experts at the centre say that as the sea ice retreats more developments will take place in this kind of extreme weather.
Researchers at the Bjerknes Centre gave out their gloomy findings in a new report.
Researchers at the centre said in their report that oil and gas or shipping as well as fisheries would be vulnerable to extremes caused by polar lows and arctic fronts.
Analyst Erik Kolstad said that there would be less ice and more storms, for example, in the eastern Barents Sea where Russian gas monopoly Gazprom plans to develop the giant Shtokman gas field with partners StatoilHydro and France's Total.
Gazprom says production at Shtokman will start in 2013.
Shtokman's phase one is targetting going into production in 2013 with output of 11 billion cubic metres per year.
Gazprom controls 51% of the Shtokman Development Company, while Norway's StatoilHydro is on 24% and Total holds a 25% investment of the gas field.
Source: Barents Observer

••• 04.02.09  Fourth Cyclone Brews Off West Australian Oil Region.
A tropical low has formed on the remote west Australian coast on Tuesday and may develop into the region's fourth cyclone later in the week, the Bureau of Meteorology said, potentially threatening some offshore oil and gas fields.
A tropical low has formed about 400 km northeast of Broome at 3 p.m. local time and may turn into a cyclone later on Thursday as it moves west away from the coast, the bureau said.
MEO Australia Ltd, exploring in the Timor Sea off Australia's north, said it had begun to evacuate a drill-rig at the Zeus-1 well in the Carnarvon Basin.
The region is home to some of Australia's largest oil and gas projects, among them the onshore North West Shelf liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant and several offshore production sites.
Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc also have iron ore operations in the area.
A cyclone would be the season's fourth, following Tropical Cyclones Dominic, Billy and Anika.
Dominic, the third cyclone of the season which occurred just last week, forced the shut-in of nearly 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil production about 45 percent of the country's total daily output.
Source: AFX News Limited

••• 04.02.09  Shell stops using S76 helicopters following crash.
Shell has voluntarily stopped using a fleet of Sikorsky S76 C++ helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico following a helicopter crash in early January.
The helicopters are operated by Lafayette, La.-based contractor PHI, Inc. On Jan.4, a Sikorsky S76 helicopter heading from Amelia, La. to a Shell platform on South Timbalier Block 300 in the Gulf of Mexico crashed, killing eight people aboard.
The company is using a combination of other aircraft and marine vessels for its offshore logistics in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, including crew changes. Shell would not speculate on when the S76 helicopters would return to service.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board but no conclusive theory on the cause of the crash has been announced yet.
A PHI spokesperson said the company had no comment on the matter.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 04.02.09  Lukoil's Arctic Fleet Welcomes New Multi-Purpose Ice-Breaker Vessel.
Lukoil announced that the ceremony of consecration of the "Varandey" multi-purpose ice-breaker took place in Murmansk today. The vessel was built by Keppel Singmarine (Singapore) under the contract with Lukoil. The ship is to operate at the Varandey Oil Export Terminal in the Barents Sea.
The vessel is to be on continuous watch at the Stationary Ice-Resistant Sea Export Moor (SIRSEM), the Varandey Terminal, to ensure safe ice conditions during the loading of tankers.
The vessel is 100 meters long and about 22 meters wide. Its draught is 10.6 meters; the deadweight of the ship is 4,643 tons. The vessel speed is 15 knots. The ice-breaker can move as fast as 3 knots in level ice as thick as 1.7 meters. There are 22 members of the crew onboard.
The value of the ice-breaker building contract is US $102 million.
The home port of the vessel is Kaliningrad.
Earlier on, the "Toboy" auxiliary ice-breaking tug, also built at Keppel Singmarine shipyards in Singapore under Lukoil's order, started to facilitate tanker loading at SIRSEM, the Varandey Terminal.
The vessel is 82 meters long and 18.5 meters wide. Its draught is 9.3 meters. The deadweight of the ship is 1,930 tons. Its speed is 15 knots. The tug, operated by 19 members of the crew, can negotiate 1.5-meter-thick ice with the speed of 2-3 knots. Kaliningrad is the home port of the vessel.
The value of the tug building contract is US $72 million.
Lukoil’s own fleet is intended to ensure continuous year-round export of oil produced by the Company in the North of Timano-Pechora Oil and Gas Province.
Source: Lukoil

••• 03.02.09  CGGVeritas closes its mandatory offer for all Wavefield shares.
CGGVeritas has announced the closing of its mandatory offer for the 38,903,024 shares of Wavefield Inseis (representing 30.1% of the share capital) that it did not own, as well as the 2,892,875 shares that might be created following the exercise of the existing stock options. CGGVeritas will hold, upon settlement of the offer, more than 97% of the share capital and the voting rights of Wavefield.
In accordance with applicable laws and regulations and as set forth in section 2.17 of the offer document relating to the Offer, considering CGGVeritas owns more than 90% of the shares of Wavefield, CGGVeritas intends to launch a compulsory acquisition (Squeeze-Out) of the remaining shares of Wavefield.
Source: Scandoil

••• 02.02.09  Japanese government may fund offshore exploration.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry intends to spend the next 10 years exploring some 62,000 square meters of its seabed in search of oil and natural gas.
The Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, an advisory panel to the economy, trade and industry minister, agreed at a subcommittee meeting Thursday to include the exploration plan into a program on marine energy and mineral resource development that the ministry is drawing up.
While Japan's home waters are believed to be poor in natural resources, the plan's focus is on certain areas in the country's exclusive economic zone at a depth of less than 2,000 meters. A survey vessel belonging to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy will begin data-gathering operations. Once enough data has been collected, the ministry will start test drilling, probably in fiscal 2010 or later, the program says.
The panel also agreed that in fiscal 2012, Japan will begin experimental drilling in its waters to extract methane hydrates, or "burning ice," which is trapped in deep-sea sediments and contains methane.
Source: EnergyCurrent

••• 30.01.09  PGS issues statement about Arrow newbuilds.
Following speculation in the market, PGS says it has found it appropriate to clarify certain facts relating to termination rights in the contracts governing the building of its newbuilds 532 and 533 at Factorias Vulcano in Spain.
The company said it wanted to clarify certain facts relating to termination rights in the contracts governing the newbuilds and the contracts governing the charter parties between Arrow and WesternGeco.
Said PGS: "After amendments made during 2008, the shipbuilding contacts with the yard sets out delivery times of 30th November 2008 and 31st March 2009 for newbuilds 532 and 533 respectively."
"According to the same shipbuilding contracts Arrow is entitled to terminate the shipbuilding contract if the relevant vessel is not delivered within 120 days of the said delivery date. While the vessels are delayed and there is risk of further delay, Arrow does not have a basis for termination as of today."
PGS had earlier informed the market that the shipbuilding contacts with the yard and the contracts governing the charter parties with WesternGeco are designed to be back to back.
If either newbuild 532 or 533 are delayed with more than 120 days, Arrow will have to notify WesternGeco that Arrow has a right to terminate the shipbuilding contract with the yard.
WesternGeco may then decide to terminate the charter party and any related agreements with Arrow or they may instruct Arrow not to terminate the shipbuilding contract.
Only if WesternGeco in such a situation decides to terminate the charter party and any related agreements may Arrow choose to terminate the relevant shipbuilding contract.
For newbuilds 532 and 533, Arrow has made all contractual payments to the yard, except the final installments (Euros 36 million per vessel) due on delivery.
If either of the newbuilds 532 and 533 are more than 120 days delayed and both WesternGeco and Arrow should decide to terminate the contracts related to that relevant vessel, Arrow would be entitled to repayment from the yard of all installments made on such vessel, which amounts to EUR 39 million per vessel, of which Euros 32 million is secured by on-demand refund guarantees.
Source: Offshore Shipping Online

••• 29.01.09  Providence Taps BOS for Spanish Point 3D Seismic Survey Offshore Ireland.
Providence has awarded the Spanish Point 3D seismic survey acquisition contract to Bergen Oilfield Services AS. This 3D seismic survey program, which is expected to commence in Q2/3 2009, will cover a c.300 square kilometer area primarily over the Jurassic Spanish Point gas condensate discovery. The survey will be acquired using the recently refitted BOS Angler 3D seismic survey vessel.
Providence (56%) operates the Spanish Point license (FEL 2/04) on behalf of its partners Chrysaor E&P Ireland (30%) and Sosina Exploration (14%). The budgeted costs of this survey will be borne 100 percent by Chrysaor as part of the farm-out agreement announced on August 12, 2008.
The original 35/8-2 Spanish Point discovery well flowed c.1,000 BOPD and c. 5 MMSCFGPD from one of four logged hydrocarbon bearing intervals. Third party modeling of these well data has suggested that an optimally placed and stimulated development well could flow at significantly higher rates from all hydrocarbon bearing intervals.
The partners consider that the acquisition of a 3D seismic survey over Spanish Point is vital in order to further enhance the detailed understanding of the reservoir, as well as to optimize potential future well placement. The survey has also been designed to accommodate future time lapse 3D seismic surveying, which has been demonstrated to be particularly effective in monitoring fluid movement during field production.
Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Providence, said, "We are pleased to advise shareholders of material progress on our Spanish Point Project with the awarding of this major 3D seismic s