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Vol. 229 No. 7 |
Schlumberger announced the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights in the upstream oil and gas industry for the BabelFish production-integration software from ISS Group Ltd., Australia. BabelFish is a framework that enables integration of diverse data from multiple production-operation systems, field equipment and management applications. Data is logically grouped and graphically displayed to mirror an organization’s real-time operational environment.
CGGVeritas’ manufacturing subsidiary Sercel has acquired Metrolog, a privately held company. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, and established in 1987, Metrolog is a provider of high-pressure, high-temperature gauges and other downhole instruments to the oil and gas industry. The company’s 2007 revenue was about $11 million.
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National Oilwell Varco has opened its new Technical College and Training Center for the Rig Solutions division. In addition to the new center in Houston, a location has been established in Kristiansand, Norway, and another is planned for Singapore. Along with large, flexible classrooms, the centers house simulation areas to allow more realistic environmental training. Troubleshooting techniques and equipment are being added to the simulation model to improve the experience.
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thaThe three-year technology development cooperation agreement between StatoilHydro ASA and Weatherford has been extended to a Joint Industry Project (JIP) that includes Shell, Total and Woodside Energy Ltd. The JIP agreements cover development of new optical-based in-well sensing and subsea communication systems to extend the life of oil and gas fields. The primary goal is to provide reservoir, wellbore and subsea data to shore through a fully integrated optical subsea communications network, as well as on the development of in-well optical sensing systems.
Helix Energy Solutions Group has begun construction on a new spoolbase facility and service complex to support its Gulf of Mexico operations. The facility will be constructed on the La Quinta Channel in Ingleside, Texas, near Corpus Christi. When completed in mid-2009, the 120-acre base will consist of a 200-ft by 300-ft slip with a 32-ft depth for accommodating large offshore vessels, a one-mile-long pipe stalking line, as well as a warehouse and associated fabrication buildings.
Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Energy has sold its wholly owned exploration and production subsidiary Pearl Energy Ltd. to Mubadala Development Co. Under the terms of the transaction, 100% of the shares in Pearl have been transferred to the Mubadala group for a debt-free adjusted value of about $833.3 million. Singapore-headquartered Pearl holds participating interest in 21 contract areas in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Caledus, the Aberdeen-based well construction technology business, announced that it has opened a new office in Houston, Texas. Furthermore, the company has agreed to a $1 million deal with Eni to fund the development of an 11¾-in. × 133/8-in. version of its SlimWell technology, which slims down the well profile while maintaining well integrity and intervention ability. The version will be the largest product in the SlimWell range.
The Minerals Management Service’s Gulf of Mexico Region approved development plans for the Cascade-Chinook oil and gas project in the Walker Ridge area of the Gulf of Mexico, about 165 mi offshore Louisiana in 8,200 ft of water. Operated by Petrobras, these projects will involve the first use in the Gulf of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility. An FPSO is a floating facility that has the capability to process oil and natural gas, store the crude oil in tanks located in the facility’s hull and offload it to shuttle tankers for transport to shore. Any natural gas processed will be transported to shore by pipeline. Petrobras’ FPSO will be equipped with a disconnectable turret. The facility is designed to disconnect from the turret and move off location in the event of a hurricane or other severe storm.
VetcoGray, a GE Oil & Gas business, has signed a five-year agreement to supply subsea equipment and support services for the Gorgon Project. This includes subsea development of the Greater Gorgon gas fields, 130 km off the northwest coast of Western Australia in water depths of 200-1,300 m. The fields will be linked to a three-train, 15-million-tpy LNG facility, with provision for domestic gas production on Barrow Island. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. of Perth is 50% owner and operator of the Gorgon Project in a joint venture with the Australian subsidiaries of ExxonMobil and Shell.
Petrofac has opened a new training center in Houston to be operated by its training arm, Petrofac Training. The center holds a critical incident management training simulator, equipped with IT and audio-visual capabilities to recreate emergency scenarios to train managers and teams. A range of courses is available.
Oilfield service company Expro has built a network of global Centres of Excellence at each of the company’s main bases, including Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia, Brazil, Louisiana and Aberdeen. This network supports the learning and development training in well flow management for both existing and new employees. The Aberdeen center is at the heart of the network and acts as the flagship to the regional satellite locations.
ITS, a supplier of oilfield products and services, announced the 100% acquisition of the Trinidad-based oilfield equipment rental and service business Trinpet-ITS Ltd. Trinpet employs 50 people and operates from a 20,000-sq-ft manufacturing and service facility at Galeota Point, Trinidad. The company provides drilling and fishing tool rental services, supported by manufacturing and repair capabilities, as well as valve installation and maintenance services.
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