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Vol. 229 No. 5 |
IHS Inc. announced the acquisition of Prime Publications Ltd., which owns 50% of Lloyd’s Register-Fairplay Ltd. This makes IHS a 50-50 joint venture partner in Lloyd’s Register-Fairplay, a source of global maritime information. Lloyd’s Register, a separate entity, continues to own the remaining 50%. The cost of the acquisition was about £38 million ($75.5 million US).
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Cameron will provide a subsea BOP stack, subsea controls, drilling riser and choke manifold for Songa Offshore, the third order that Cameron has received
for its new EVO BOP stack. The order includes the EVO BOP with EVO-Loc, EVOCon wellhead connector and bi-directional ram as part of several rig modifications for the mid-water semi-submersible Deepsea Trym. Songa will acquire the rig from Odjfell Rig Ltd. after its current contract with
Hydro runs out in 2009.
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BP and Rice University announced a long-term agreement to create a consortium that will advance technical learning and development in BP’s global E&P business. The consortium, led by Rice, has developed a five-year plan that will invest in research, and develop training techniques enhancing the transfer of knowledge and technical skills among BP employees worldwide. In addition to Rice, the consortium will include Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technologies in Houston and Heriot-Watt University, Imperial College and the University of Manchester in the UK.
Downhole swellable elastomer specialist Swellfix is expanding its operations in all continents, while significantly investing in new facilities and people at its Aberdeen headquarters. The company has opened new offices in South America and the Middle East, and appointed new managers and vice presidents to serve in Africa, the Americas and the Middle East.
EDG Overseas Inc. announced the opening of its office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company participated as a Diamond Sponsor at the 2007 Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Golf and Tennis Charity Event held last fall in Vung Tau, Vietnam.
Houston-based IDM Group will build a 1,600-hp AC QuickSilver drilling system for Union Drilling, Inc. The unit is slated for operations principally in Pennsylvania targeting the Marcellus Shale Formation. The system is the latest in IDM’s quick-moving drilling rigs. Available in ratings of 1,000, 1,200 and 1,600 hp, the QuickSilver is designed to rig down, then rig up on a new location within 100 miles, in less than 48 hours. Elevated components are raised with hydraulic cylinders without the use of cranes.
New York private equity investment firm Castle Harlan Inc. signed a definitive agreement to purchase Anchor Drilling Fluids USA Inc. for about $250 million. Anchor is a portfolio company of American Capital Strategies, Ltd. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the company has over 20 operating facilities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Its operations focus on regions with complex onshore drilling environments requiring proprietary drilling fluid blends and customized engineering services.
2H Offshore, an Acteon company, has opened a regional base in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to meet deepwater engineering demand in the Asia-Pacific region. The riser-engineering specialist has offices in Houston, Rio de Janeiro and London, and is also developing a business in Luanda, Angola.
Modec will provide engineering, procurement, construction, mobilization and operations for an FPSO for Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), including topsides processing equipment, hull and marine system. Sofec will provide the spread mooring. The plan is to convert the VLCC FSO Bateau. The vessel will be capable of processing 350 MMcfd of gas and 35,000 bopd, and have a storage capacity of about 700,000 bbl. The FPSO is planned to arrive in Brazil in 2009 and will be installed in 1,300 m of water about 160 km from Rio de Janeiro city. It’s the fifth vessel Modec will provide and operate in Brazil, and the first FPSO that will process more gas than oil.
Mustang Engineering PTY Ltd., an Australian subsidiary of John Wood Group PLC, signed a memorandum of understanding with AMOG Consulting to jointly undertake business development and project implementation of FPSO, FSO and other floating facilities. AMOG is an Australia-based engineering consultancy with offices in Perth, Melbourne and Houston, offering specialized skills and solutions for mooring, turret, flexible riser and hull design.
Aberdeen-based Caledyne has opened a new office in Houston, Texas. Heading the new office is Steve Jackson, who has over 18 years of experience in the oil and gas sector.
Tulsa Winch Group, an operating company within the Material Handling platform of Dover Corp.’s Industrial Products segment, has acquired Canadian-based Lantec Winch & Gear, Inc. Lantec, based in Langley, British Columbia, manufactures hydraulic winches, hoists and gear reducers, serving the oil and gas, infrastructure and marine markets.
Devon Energy Corp. has agreed to sell its oil and gas business in Côte d’Ivoire to Afren plc for $205 million. The assets include Devon’s interests in offshore producing block Cl-11, undeveloped offshore block Cl-01, and the onshore Lion gas processing plant.
Houston-based Valerus Compression Services announced the acquisition of Alabama-based Power Equipment Services, a provider of compressor packaging, service, maintenance and overhaul facilities located in the Black Warrior Basin.
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