Poll finds 64% of UK public concerned about blackouts (17 June 2013)
A poll by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on UK energy policy has found that 64% of the public is concerned about possible blackouts, and that 93% are worried about higher electricity and gas bills. The poll of over 2,000 members of the public also found that 51% of people think the Government should support the construction of more renewable energy sources.
read more...
UK to review North Sea activities (17 June 2013)
For the first time in more than 20 years, the UK government is launching a review of the country's offshore oil and gas industry to ensure that the sector maintains momentum at a time of economic stagnation. The interim conclusions from the review will be published in the Autumn and the final report and recommendations in early 2014.
read more...
Centrica teams up with Cuadrilla to develop UK shale (13 June 2013)
Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, has taken a 25% stake in the Bowland shale exploration licence area from operator Cuadrilla Resources and its Australian partner AJ Lucas. Cuadrilla and AJ Lucas will each sell part of their stakes in the licence to Centrica as part of the £40 million ($63 million) deal.
read more...
Oil & Gas UK Health and Safety Report confirms improving trends in offshore safety (13 June 2013)
Oil & Gas UK’s annual Health & Safety report published June 13 shows that while several major incidents had to be addressed in the period covered by this report, non-fatal, over-three day, and combined fatal and major injury rates have all been in steady decline and cases of non-compliance with verification are at an all-time low.
read more...
TAQA completes acquisition of BP's North Sea assets (07 June 2013)
Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (TAQA) has completed the acquisition of BP's UK North Sea oil and gas assets giving the Abu Dhabi-based energy company control of the Harding field. The acquisition is expected to add 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) of production, Taqa said in a statement.
read more...
Estimates for UK shale gas reserves increase significantly (04 June 2013)
UK onshore oil and gas developer IGas said on June 3 that estimates of shale gas in its license areas in northwest England have been estimated at up to 170 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). The company's licences cover an area of 300 sq. miles across Cheshire. It had previously estimated it had about nine TcF of shale gas.
read more...
UK weapons manufacturer fined £200,000 following explosion (04 June 2013)
Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) plc has been ordered to pay more than £280,000 in fines and costs for failing to control explosive materials at a site in Berkshire. An explosion took place on 3 August 2010 at the firm's premises in Aldermaston and the ensuing fire quickly spread and seriously damaged the building, Reading Crown Court was told.
read more...
National Skills Academy Process Industries launches new leadership course (04 June 2013)
The National Skills Academy Process Industries has launched its fourth course –
Leading in the Process Industries (LIPI). This course has been developed by the UK skills specialist to provide new supervisors in the process sector with the leadership competencies they need to move up from team member to team leader.
read more...
UK transport company calls Environment Agency oil leak fines unjust (03 June 2013)
Transport company Westram faces a £23,000 fine and court costs of £5,300 after pleading guilty to four pollution offences. But the company says it was the victim of a criminal offence, which led to Diesel from its Scunthorpe site polluting a nearby river. The company says the oil leak was caused during a break-in at the site, with the perpetrators attempting to steal fuel.
read more...
Survey shows North Sea recruitment situation remains difficult (30 May 2013)
An industry wide survey of North Sea Oil companies found that 70% are struggling to recruit quality candidates, and the recruitment crisis is set to get worse. The quarterly industry survey, released by Oilandgaspeople.com found that the UK industry will need to recruit and train 125,000 new staff in the next 10 years if they are to fill the gap as workers retire.
read more...