Oceanology 2010 - GOSS exhibit for the 4th time 21.12.2009
March 9th 2010 sees the start of the 3 day exhibition that GOSS will again be attending.

Oceanology International is the world’s premier meeting place for the marine science and ocean technology community.

Oceanology is attended by a global community of engineers, scientists, legislators, policy makers and management professionals with responsibility across all of the ocean science and marine technology spectrum.

Oceanology International hosts over 500 suppliers of products and services from around the world and is attended by over 6600 attendees from 89 different countries.

We will be at stand L505 and look forward to meeting you if you are attending the show.

Rhyl Flats turbines turning out power 09.12.2009
RHYL Flats Offshore Wind Farm has been officially opened and will be up and running by the end of the month.


The 25-turbine site, five miles off the North Wales coast, is the biggest renewable energy power station in Wales and will produce enough electricity to power 61,000 homes.


The site was opened by Peter Hain Secretary of State for Wales and Jürgen Grossmann, chief executive officer of German-based firm RWE Inology which owns the site's operator npower renewables.


RWE has been running the North Hoyle offshore wind farm since 2004 and is planning to build the 250-turbine Gwynt y Môr site to be built eight miles off the coast.


Mr Hain said: "I would like to congratulate RWE npower renewables on the completion of Rhyl Flats, so far the largest offshore wind farm in Wales.


“RWE npower renewables is the biggest developer and operator of renewable projects in Wales, setting an excellent example in the way it uses natural resources. In doing so, RWE makes an important contribution to climate protection and creates numerous jobs in the energy production industry.”


Paul Cowling, Managing Director of RWE npower renewables, said: “It took just 15 months from the installation of the first monopile foundation, to the trial operation of Rhyl Flats. This is a major achievement involving hundreds of people from within and outside the company.


“I am confident that with such an experienced and motivated team we will achieve RWE´s ambitious renewable energy growth targets.”


A judicial review into the decision to give Gwynt y Môr the go-ahead was dropped by protesters earlier this year after they were told the chances of overturning the decision by Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, had little chance of success.


Offshore construction on the site is expected to begin in 2011 and once completed could produce enough electricity every year to power around 500,000 homes

Dec 9 2009

Neptune secures a new round of international contracts 30.11.2009
Neptune Marine Services Ltd has been awarded a new round of international contracts for some of the oil and gas industry’s leading operators.

Spanning all of the world’s major geographic regions, the contracts include:

• A combined services project off the West Australian coast for global exploration and production company, Apache Energy. • Various pipeline stabilisation and free span rectification projects including that for the Pipeline Replacement Project 2 being carried out by Leighton International for India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. • A range of inspection and maintenance support services on Australia’s North West Shelf including a five-year program of inspection services for a leading FPSO operator. • Design and manufacture of specialist subsea equipment for some of the oil and gas industry’s major multinationals. • Extended fabrication scope on the Pelamis Wave Power Eon Project in the UK that generates electricity from wave energy.

Neptune’s Managing Director and CEO, Christian Lange, said the new round of work, valued at more than $20 million, was indicative of the improving domestic and international oilfield service environment.

30/11/09

Saipem wins a new €1 billion offshore contract 26.11.2009
Saipem has been awarded a contract for the supply and operation of a FPSO vessel (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) worth approximately 1 billion euro.

The contract, awarded by Eni, encompasses the conversion of a wholly owned oil tanker into a FPSO vessel, for which Saipem will provide the installation and the operation management. The FPSO vessel will have a storage capacity of 700,000 barrels and a production capacity of 12,000 barrels of oil per day. Production activities will start in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The contract, lasting 20 years, is divided in two phases. For the first 8 years, the FPSO will be employed for the exploitation of the Aquila field. The Aquila field is located off the Italian coast in the Adriatic Sea, approximately 50 kilometres Northeast of Brindisi, in a water depth of 815 meters. During the remaining contractual length, the FPSO vessel will be employed for the development of fields to be designated by the Client.

26th November 2009

Technip awarded subsea contract in Gulf of Mexico 10.11.2009
Technip has been awarded a lump sum contract by ENI US Operating for the Appaloosa development project in the Gulf of Mexico. This project consists of the tie-back of the Appaloosa well located in Mississippi Canyon, 145 nautical miles (268 kilometers) offshore Mobile, Alabama at a water depth of approximately 2,825 feet (860 meters), to the Corral platform.

The contract covers: • Project Management and surveys, • Engineering, fabrication and installation of a 21-mile long (34-kilometer) production flowline(1), a riser(2) and subsea equipment, • Installation of free issued umbilical(3) and flying leads, • Pre-commissioning and dewatering of the flowline.

Technip’s operating center in Houston, Texas will execute this contract. The flowline and riser will be welded at the Group’s spoolbase located in Mobile. Offshore installation is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009 using the Deep Blue, Technip’s deepwater pipelay vessel. Extensive saturation diving work will be executed using the Skandi Achiever, one of the Group’s diving support vessels, and umbilical installation using the Deep Pioneer, one of Technip’s deepwater construction vessel. Technip’s scope of work is expected to be completed by 15th April 2010.

Eni starts production of the Longhorn gas field in GoM 04.11.2009
Eni has started production from its Longhorn gas field located in the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Canyon Blocks 502/546, 60 miles off the Louisiana coast.

Eni operates the Longhorn field with a 75% working interest, while Nexen holds the remaining 25%. The field will initially produce gas at a rate of approximately 200 million standard cubic feet of gas per day from four subsea wells in water depth of 2,500 feet which are connected to the Eni-operated Corral platform, previously known as Crystal.

The platform is a conventional jacket structure located in MC Block 365 about 20 miles northwest of the field in 620 feet of water depth. It has been fitted with a newly built production and compression facility with a processing capacity of 250 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and 6,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Longhorn project achieved its first production in just over 3 years from the initial exploration discovery made in July 2006, and was completed in less than 2 years from the sanction.

In addition to the Longhorn field, the Corral platform is being outfitted to increase liquids production capacity up to 12,000 barrels per day to accommodate the future tie-in of the Appaloosa oil field (Eni 100%), now under development with production anticipated to start in 2010.

In the USA, Eni owns lease interests in 376 blocks in the Gulf of Mexico and is among the leading producers with a daily net production capacity in excess of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent (60% operated). Eni is also present in Alaska, where it owns interests in 172 leases between offshore and the North Slope and is currently advancing with the development of the operated Nikaitchuq project.

The largest contract ever to Technip Norge 26.10.2009
Technip has been awarded by Eni Norge AS an engineering, procurement,construction and installation contract, worth approximately €200 million, for the Goliat field development. Goliat will be the first Norwegian oil producing field north of the Arctic Circle in the Barents Sea. The field is located approximately 85 km northwest of the city of Hammerfest on the Norwegian coast.

The lump sum contract includes supply and installation of the infield pipeline systems, including flexible risers(2), clad production flowlines(3) complete with direct heating systems, water and gas injection flowlines. The contract also comprises the installation of the Company provided subsea production system, including umbilicals(4), templates and riser bases.

Technip was selected by Eni Norge after an in-depth evaluation of the technical and commercial aspects of the contract.

Goliat is the first major Subsea contract awarded to Technip by ENI Norge. It will be executed by the Group’s operating center in Oslo, Norway. Offshore installation is scheduled to be carried out over three construction seasons from 2011 to 2013.

Centrica speeds up wind-park plans to qualify for subsidies 21.10.2009
Centrica is accelerating plans to build two giant offshore wind parks in the North Sea to allow it to qualify for extra subsidies that could be worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

The two projects at Race Bank and Docking Shoal, off the Norfolk coast, are expected to cost about £1.5 billion each to build. But if Centrica, owner of British Gas, places an order for the turbines before March 31, it will clinch an extra 33 per cent in government subsidies for up to 25 years — transforming the economics of the projects.

Centrica is engaged in a race against time to secure financing and planning consent for the schemes, which will be located up to 27 kilometres offshore and will have a combined generating capacity of as much as 1.1 gigawatts — enough to power 700,000 homes. “It makes a huge difference,” a spokesman said. “We don’t know whether or not we will get the full consents in time, but it may be do-able.”

In a drive to kick-start faltering investment in offshore wind energy, due partly to the recession, the Government announced in April a temporary boost in the renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) awarded to offshore wind generators from 1.5 to 2 per megawatt hour. The move was designed to help meet the Government’s ambitious target of generating 40 per cent of UK energy from renewable sources, such as wind, by 2020.

Related Links
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Take from the dirty and give to the clean to help wind power
At the time, just three offshore windfarm projects were expected to benefit from the decision. They comprised another, smaller Centrica-backed wind farm called Lincs; London Array, a joint venture involving E.ON; and the Gwynt y Mor project off the Welsh coast led by RWE Energy.

Centrica had not been expected to order turbines for Docking Shoal or the nearby Race Bank until 2011 or later.

Nick Hyslop, director at RBC Capital Markets, said there was a huge financial incentive: “It is hard to put an exact figure on how much this is worth because it all depends on future power prices, but it is a very significant amount of money; we are talking hundreds of millions of pounds.”

A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said that a decision on consent for both wind parks would be made in due course, but gave no further detail.

The Times

Providence shoots new 2D seismic offshore Nigeria 05.10.2009
Providence Resources reports 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 ('YFP'), with Chevron Nigeria Deepwater H Limited ('Chevron') acting as Technical Advisor to the Operator. The other partners in OML113 are Vitol Exploration Nigeria Limited ('Vitol'), Energy Equity Resources Aje Limited ('EER') and PR Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited ('Providence').
5th October 2009

Sonardyne Training Course Dates 2009 10.09.2009
Following spaces available on the Plymouth, UK training courses for 2009.


Week 40 29th Sept to 02nd Oct Fusion USBL 4 spaces available
Week 43 20th to 22nd October Dimona LUSBL 5 spaces available
Week 45 03rd to 05th November Fusion USBL 2 spaces available
Week 46 10th to 13th November Fusion LBL 6 spaces available
Week 47 17th to 19th November Dimona LUSBL 5 spaces available
Week 49 01st to 04th December Fusion LBL 6 spaces available
Week 50 08th to 10th December Fusion USBL 5 spaces available

These places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

For further details see below:
http://www.sonardyne.com/Support/Training/index.html

Minimum Industry Safety Training 26.10.2009
Overview: An introduction to the MIST programme:


In 2007 the industry workforce via the “Boots on for Safety” campaign identified basic safety knowledge and awareness as a key concern throughout the UK offshore oil and gas industry. A Step Change in Safety Leadership Workgroup was formed to improve safety performance by applying best practice training at a consistent level across industry in safety critical areas.


The outcome has been the development and implementation of a Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) Standard to be applied by all across the UK offshore oil and gas sector – supporting industry’s target that by the end of 2010 the UK offshore workforce will have completed the MIST programme.

The new MIST Standard covers nine basic safety elements:

Introduction to the Hazardous Offshore Environment
Working Safely (including Safety Observations Systems)

Risk Assessment
Permit to Work (also called Control of Work)
Platform Integrity
Manual Handling
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Working at Height
Mechanical Lifting

*Important Note: It is for employers, in conjunction with the relevant duty holder of the installation concerned, to determine which programme is most appropriate to their employees. Any doubt regarding the prior experience of employees should indicate that they should successfully complete the new entrant course (either at an approved external establishment or as an in-house approved programme). A basic rule of thumb is that from April 1st 2009, anyone requiring a BOSIET, or has a BOSIET but hasn't yet been offshore, is advised to successfully attend a 2-day 'New Entrant' course or approved in-house alternative.



MIST for Individuals:

The Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) programme is relevant to every member of the offshore UK oil and gas industry workforce.


For workers new to the industry:

A 2 day OPITO Approved training course is available at locations throughout the UK, covering all nine basic safety elements. Click here to find an approved Training Provider near you. Alternatively, your employer may have OPITO approval to offer MIST training 'in house'.

For experienced offshore workers:

A quick and efficient OPITO Approved e-learning tool will guide you through the nine basic safety elements and fill identified knowledge gaps (subject to a refresher every four years).


Benefits to you – be confident that:

Your co-workers share a standardised level of safety training and awareness
Your industry is committed to making the UK the safest place to work in the worldwide oil and gas industry
You minimise duplicate and repetitive safety training

The MIST programme is an essential part of your offshore training and development and many industry employers already have their MIST implementation plans in place. Speak to your supervisor or HR department to find out more.


MIST for Employers:

There are different methods of training available to employers depending upon preferences and requirements.

For workers new to the industry:

There are 2 possible routes for training new entrants:

1. Training at an OPITO Approved Training Provider:

A 2 day course is available from approved training organisations (Click here for a list of approved providers) and the cost of the training will vary according to the provider selected, how many places you wish to book etc. All approved training providers will include the cost of registering the delegate onto the Vantage Central Register database on satisfactory completion of the course and will provide you with course joining instructions and certificates of attendance.

2. Training your own staff:

Employers can deliver an approved 2 day dedicated course, or combine the MIST content within their own induction training. Approval must be sought prior to delivery of this training. Employers can also obtain approval to provide MIST to employees as part of an on-going in-house training programme e.g. where you already have an induction course that covers most or all of the nine areas listed. There are free training resources available to help you deliver this training and approval is free of charge for employers that do not provide the training commercially to third parties (a Vantage registration fee of £21.00 per delegate registration does apply). Employers must have access to suitably trained and qualified staff to deliver the training.

Approval must be applied for by completing an application form and submitting details of the training to be delivered prior to a site audit. All the necessary documentation can be downloaded here:

MIST Standard
Guide to OPITO Approval for Employing Company
Application Form for Employing Company for MIST
Desktop Audit Approval - Guidance Matrix for Employing Company

MIST training material for use in the 2-day 'New Entrant to the Industry' training classes is now available (free of charge). For more information contact Lisa GeddesThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For experienced offshore workers:

An on-line (E-learning) programme is available to effectively assess the current level of knowledge possessed by staff and identify any knowledge gaps. This programme will then provide tailored learning to address these knowledge gaps and follow this with a re-assessment.

To gain access to this programme, employers will need to purchase a user licence for each delegate at £65.40 each. Delegates can access the programme via the internet at any location where there is a registered invigilator. Companies may appoint invigilators (subject to conditions) to supervise delegates.

Equipment Hire 26.10.2009
Meridian Surveyor Gyro for hire

The Meridian Surveyor boasts a wide range of interfaces to enable use on any marine vessel. The unit utilises a DTG gyro element
which provides exceptional performance with an accuracy unmatched by even the latest fibre optic designs. Unlike conventional
spinning mass gyrocompasses, the Meridian Surveyor uses a dry tuned element (DTG) that removes the need for routine maintenance thereby significantly reducing cost of ownership.
Hence the Meridian Surveyor provides reliable, maintenance free operation with a MTBF in excess of 45,000 hours.
Calibration is likely to be the only required expenditure during this period unlike the large element replacement costs associated with most gyrocompasses.
The remarkably stable heading can be maintained for turn rates in excess of 200° per second making the system ideal for use on fast survey craft and in river/harbour
environments.
The Meridian Surveyor gyrocompass is backed by the largest global support network of any manufacturer, TSS has
complete repair, test and calibration
facilities in the UK and USA, aided by factory-trained service engineers on every continent.

Available at competitive rates