(OE) The first hybrid Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), which uses batteries and diesel for propulsion, has started operating for Equinor in Brazil. With the battery bank installed, the PSV is able to operate with hybrid propulsion, switching between the use of electricity and diesel. This is expected to reduce emissions by up to 40% during... Continue Reading →
Will 2024 be the Year of AHTS Recovery?
Jesper Skjong, Contributor (OE) As 2023 is drawing to a close we would once again invite the readers of Offshore Engineer Magazine to gaze into our crystal ball to see what 2024 might have in store for the offshore support vessel industry. Before diving straight into our forward-looking sentiments however, it is important to address some... Continue Reading →
Norwegian PGS reflags whole fleet of owned vessels to Norway
(OET) Norwegian seismic company PGS has reflagged the entire fleet of owned vessels to Norway, a move said to have the global geopolitical situation as a driving factor. The reflagging of the Ramform Tethys on December 5 marked the completion of the initiative to bring the entire PGS fleet of owned vessels under the Norwegian flag.... Continue Reading →
Aker Capital Takes Larger Stake in Solstad Offshore
Aker Capital AS has acquired 8,240,000 shares in Solstad Offshore ASA, at an average price of NOK 48.45 per share. Following the transaction, Aker Capital holds 27,089,493 shares in the company, corresponding to an ownership interest of approximately 32.9%.Aker Capital AS is 100% owned by Aker ASA and represented on the board of the company by Frank Ove Reite.... Continue Reading →
Japan’s Kansai Comes Onboard Norwegian Floating Offshore Wind Project
Japanese utility, the Kansai Electric Power Company (Kansai), has joined the Source Galileo, Odfjell Oceanwind, and Vår Energi partnership which is developing a floating offshore wind project at the Goliat platform outside Hammerfest in Norway. Located approximately 95 kilometres from Hammerfest at a depth of 3-400 metres, the GoliatVIND floating offshore wind project could add... Continue Reading →
Politicians Waking up to Higher-cost Offshore Wind Power, Equinor Says
(Reuters) Recent decisions in the United States and Britain to accept higher prices for offshore wind developments are a welcome sign that authorities are adjusting to higher costs in the industry, Equinor's head or renewables said on Tuesday. "I believe that politics and markets will adjust, and that is also necessary in order to keep... Continue Reading →
Shearwater, Petrobras Team Up to ‘Reshape’ Seismic Exploration
(OE) Brazilian oil company Petrobras and Norwegian marine seismic services firm Shearwater have entered into a collaborative technology agreement aiming to reshape seismic exploration and field developments. This multi-year strategic partnership is set to evolve the seismic industry to new levels of performance, Shearwater said Wednesday. Central to this endeavor is Shearwater’s marine vibrator, with... Continue Reading →
Can Oil Ever Be Green? Norway Turns to Wind-Powered Drilling – Long read
(Bloomberg) — On a platform 140 kilometers (87 miles) off the coast of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon held two power cables connected to scale models: the first was a wind turbine, the second an oil rig. Behind him, the world’s biggest floating offshore wind farm was just visible on the horizon, an engineering marvel that... Continue Reading →
BP seeks partnerships to navigate renewables storm
(Reuters) - BP (BP.L) is seeking partners for offshore wind projects in Japan and may invest in hydrogen technology companies to tackle inflation and equipment bottlenecks that have battered the renewables sector. The oil major plans to expand in low carbon energy in the coming decades as it seeks a long-term business model that can survive the... Continue Reading →
Seven Groups Apply for Norway’s Offshore Wind Tender
(Reuters) Seven groups of energy companies have sought pre-qualification for Norway's first commercial offshore wind farm tender, the government said on Wednesday, while several others dropped out of the race as soaring costs dampened interest. The tender offers the opportunity to build bottom-fixed wind turbines in the North Sea with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts,... Continue Reading →