OGV Energy Magazine Issue 87 - Marine & Lifting

MARINE & LIFTING

Since its founding in 1972, JW Automarine has established itself as the leading manufacturer and supplier of PVC and PU products, specialising in marine underwater airbags and technical solutions for salvage and deployment operations.

Recognised as the original innovator in the field, JWA pioneered the Water Weight Load Test Bag market, with its signature Yellow Bags establishing a global industry standard.

A WORD FROM OUR EDITOR

Welcome to the December issue of ‘OGV Energy Magazine’ where we explore the theme of Marine & Lifting A big thank you to our front cover partner Brimmond, who give us an insight into the bumper year their Marine Crane division have had in 2024 on pages 4 and 5.

We are delighted to showcase other contributions in this months issue from Interocean, Ocean Installer, Unique Group, Motiv and much more. The rest of this month’s magazine as always provides you with a review of the Energy sector in the North Sea, Europe, Middle East and the USA along with articles from Brodies LLP and Leyton. Updated industry analysis and project updates from Westwood Global Energy Group, the EIC and Renewables UK.

We hope you enjoy this final issue of 2024!

Marine Crane division boosts Brimmond’s bumper year

Marine crane specialists, Brimmond have established an enviable reputation for providing a reliable range of services on marine cranes including: inspection, repair, maintenance, refurbishment and testing services across multiple sectors.

A number of high-value contract wins across their marine cranes division have contributed to another bumper year for the North-east Scotland based engineering firm.

Headed up by Paul Dingwall, Brimmond’s marine crane division has generated over £3 million in revenue since April.

Key contract wins

• A 5-year service contract with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) for crane servicing and engineering support on the Royal Research Ship (RRS), Sir David Attenborough. The company’s largest service contract to date sees Brimmond become the main hydraulic contractor for refit periods, working across the ship’s Rosyth and Harwich bases.

• A long-term six-figure rental of the company’s largest marine crane to assist with the P&A decommissioning campaign of the Thistle Alpha.

Buy or rent – tailored solutions

The firm stocks a number of heavy-duty marine cranes which are immediately available for rent or purchase, reducing the lead times and significant CAPEX expenditure associated with purchase.

Paul Dingwall, Technical Sales Manager said “We have maintained a varied range of sizes of marine crane models over the last couple of years, from 8 tonne-meter (txm) up to 175txm for our stock. These have all now been successfully sold or out on rental, and are operating on client assets.”

UK’s largest rental fleet

Following a £750K investment, Brimmond boasts one of the largest rental fleets of highcapacity marine cranes in the UK and is the exclusive UK and Ireland provider and servicer of global market leader, HEILA Marine Cranes.

Following many years of collaboration with HEILA, this official partnership allows Brimmond to offer an exceptional level of service to clients, as well as a greater range of products and enhanced delivery options.

The company stocks a fleet of reliable, custom-built marine cranes which can be used across a wide range of applications including:

• Tug, workboat, research, and naval vessels

• Offshore and windfarm platforms and vessels

• Fishing boats and fish farm (aquaculture) vessel cranes

• Offshore construction vessels, supply vessels, pipe laying tower cranes

• ROV (LARS) & dive equipment deployment

All Brimmond cranes are installed and maintained by their team of skilled technicians. The company boasts two fully equipped service vans, enabling their technicians to carry out servicing, maintenance and inspections throughout the UK and Ireland.

UK’s longest reach marine knuckle boom crane

Having identified that deck coverage on vessels is integral to supporting clients’ marine and aquaculture projects, Brimmond invested in two top-quality marine cranes with 6 extensions and an impressive 27 metres outreach. As a result, they are able to offer the longest reach marine knuckle boom cranes available for hire in the UK.

One of the Effer 175000-4S cranes is currently on its way to Australia, where it will be used for the handling of pipeline bundles as part of a decommissioning campaign. Brimmond’s experienced staff will also be utilised during the operations periods, with someone spending Christmas in Australia!

Largest crane to date

Refurbishment

With over 7 decades of experience, Brimmond's fully-qualified team of engineers and technicians have a proven track record in looking after marine cranes around the globe. Brimmond have both the industry knowledge and engineering ingenuity to refurbish and enhance marine cranes, while maintaining their classification, certification and OEM requirements.

A full strip down repair is the most costeffective alternative to purchasing a brandnew replacement. Brimmond’s experienced team accurately assess and explain the level of refurbishment the client’s budget would allow.

Earlier in the year Brimmond secured an order for its largest crane to date, a 650 tonne-meter (txm) Heila Active Heave Compensated (AHC) Offshore Subsea Lifting Crane.

This impressive high-specification model is currently in production at the HEILA factory in Italy, but Brimmond are happy to announce that an identical crane is being manufactured for stock, and is due to be completed early 2025.

The Brimmond team are highly skilled in modifying stock crane packages to suit client specific requirements, leveraging their range of world-leading rental and stock marine cranes, supported by their skilled technicians for installation and maintenance.

In recent years Brimmond has worked closely with the naval services, refurbishing 7 of their marine cranes to date, safeguarding repaired equipment to operate reliably, safely and back to ‘as new’ condition with an increased lifespan.

Decom

Brimmond has a proven track-record in providing temporary lifting solutions to support wellhead decommissioning operations, reducing the reliance on platform cranes, and enhancing safety and efficiency. The firm stocks a number of high-capacity marine cranes which are immediately available for rental, reducing the lead times and CAPEX expenditure associated with purchase.

Managing Director of Brimmond, Tom Murdoch, said: “Whilst we anticipated growth for the company over the past financial year, the extent of that growth has far exceeded our expectations. Our marine cranes division has made a substantial contribution to that success over the past year. Our order book is looking extremely healthy for 2025, with plans well underway to expand our stock range, as well as our rental and refurbishment service offerings.

“I am extremely grateful to our incredible team for their hard work and commitment to the high standards for which we are renowned, and very much looking forward to our continued success in 2025!”

Editorial newsdesk@ogvenergy.co.uk

+44 (0) 1224 084 114

Advertising office@ogvenergy.co.uk

+44 (0) 1224 084 114

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COMMUNITY news

KR Group reaffirms commitment to excellence with ISO, EN 1090 and FASET standards

Northeast steel, sheet metal and cladding specialist, KR Group, is celebrating successful recertification of its UKAS ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 standards, as well as EN 1090 and FASET accreditations. This achievement underlines the company’s unwavering commitment to the highest level of service and operational efficiency for its valued clients.

KR Group, based in Aberdeenshire, went through a rigorous independent audit of their processes and systems to ensure compliance with international standards across health and safety, environmental and quality.

Kenny Robertson, Managing Director at KR Group said: “Our recertification across these standards speaks to the dedication and professionalism of our entire workforce. Crucially, it reinforces the trust our clients place in us to deliver projects with the utmost care for quality, safety and the environment." 

Kent Announces New Framework with BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership

Kent is pleased to announce a new strategic framework with the BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership, a global leader in floating offshore wind farm development, after successfully securing a contract to support its portfolio of floating wind projects in the UK.

This new framework marks the culmination of over a year of engagement between Kent and the Partnership, following a highly competitive tender process. Kent’s wide-ranging expertise will be instrumental in delivering essential engineering and consultancy services throughout the development phases of the projects. 

Interocean secures four-year extension with Vattenfal

Specialist provider of offshore support services, Interocean Marine Services (Interocean) has been awarded a four-year extension to its frame agreement with multinational power company, Vattenfall.

Strengthening the existing relationship, the new contract will see Interocean introduce its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) inspection services to support Below Water Balance of Plant (BOP) for the Thanet, Kentish Flats, and Kentish Flats Extension wind farms, alongside the Aberdeen and Ormonde offshore wind farms it already supports 

Genny Hire Ltd Announced as Finalist for Prestigious AMPS Member Company of the Year Award 2024

Kintore-based power solutions specialist, Genny Hire Ltd, is thrilled to announce its selection as a finalist in the highly coveted AMPS Member Company of the Year award. This recognition, presented by the Association of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Power Systems and ancillary equipment (AMPS), highlights Genny Hire’s excellence and innovation within the power solutions industry.

As a family-run business, Genny Hire has consistently delivered tailored, reliable, and industry-leading power solutions across diverse sectors, including Oil & Gas, Maritime, Renewables, Agriculture, and Events. Its commitment to exceptional service, technical expertise, and adaptability has positioned the company as a trusted name in temporary power solutions. 

Ithaca Energy highlights UK oil and gas growth opportunities

UK-focused oil and gas firm Ithaca Energy has seen its shares surge around 10% as investors signalled approval for a growth plan that is expected to support generous payouts to shareholders

The rise came after Ithaca told the stock market it would pay a special dividend of $200 million (£160m) with other distributions in the pipeline.

Executive chairman Yaniv Friedman said Ithaca directors were confident that the company would be able to pay out $500m in total in the current year without straining its finances.

He said Ithaca had put itself on track to grow earnings and generate lots of cash from its portfolio of North Sea assets, which it has expanded since the windfall tax was introduced in 2022. 

Well-Safe Solutions announces new North Sea contracts worth $25m, including options for additional $25

International energy transition specialists WellSafe Solutions have been awarded two new contracts totalling $25m USD for approximately 170 days of firm work, using the Well-Safe Protector jack-up and Well-Safe Defender semisubmersible.

The scopes comprise of well decommissioning activity in the UK Continental Shelf for Spirit Energy and an additional global operator.

Both include options for a further combined duration of up to 140 days in 2025 and 2026 – worth up to $25m in addition to the firm $25m backlog.

Spirit Energy have selected the Well-Safe Protector to decommission five wells on the York platform, located in Block 47/03a of the Southern North Sea, over 97 days. 

Accelerating business growth through tailored commercial management solutions, OCI leverages its global network and specialist expertise to optimise the performance of large corporates and governments.

Sourcing / Logistics / Flexible financing models

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Atlas Professionals is a leading international recruitment company, that connects professional staff with the energy, renewable and marine industries. With over 40 years of experience, Atlas delivers from boardroom to site, land to sea, hardware to software, in local, global and emerging markets, the knowledge required to solve complex staffing challenges, through a team of multi discipline experts.

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Romeo Alpha International Ltd specializes in providing top-tier training, management, and consultancy services for the fabric maintenance and coatings industries. We offer accredited training programs in blasting, painting, and coatings, along with bespoke solutions tailored to your needs.

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Glacier Energy has grown both organically and through strategic acquisitions to become a leading international provider of specialist products, services and engineered solutions for renewable and conventional energy markets.

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Trusted insurance broker for over 135,000 UK SMEs. = We’re the SME insurance specialists within Marsh, one of the founding businesses in Marsh McLennan (MMC) - a global leader in insurance broking and risk management with a 150-year heritage. This means we’re big enough to keep you safe, but small enough to care. With local experts across the UK ready to help you get the right insurance.

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North Sea Energy Review UK

By Tsvetana Paraskova

The Autumn Budget and its repercussions on the offshore industry dominated headlines in the UK North Sea energy sector over the past weeks.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves presented her budget at the end of October, confirming that the Energy Profits Levy rises by 3 percentage points to 38 percent, and is extended to 31 March 2030. The new measures also removed the Energy Profits Levy’s Investment Allowance, and also reduced the rate of the Decarbonisation Investment Allowance to 66 percent to maintain its cash value following the Energy Profits Levy rate increase. The measures took effect from 1 November 2024.

The government plans to publish a consultation in early 2025 on how it will respond to price shocks once the Energy Profits Levy ends.

“I can confirm today that we will increase the rate of the levy to 38%, which will now expire in March 2030 and we will remove the 29% investment allowance,” Chancellor Reeves said.

“To ensure the oil and gas industry can protect jobs and support our energy security we will maintain the 100% first year allowances and the decarbonisation allowances too,” she added.

OEUK, the leading trade body for the UK offshore energy sector, responded to the Autumn Budget, saying that while the government will increase and extend the energy profits levy on oil and gas production to a headline rate of 78 percent and remove the associated investment allowance, the 100 percent first-year capital allowance and the decarbonisation allowance will be retained.

According to OEUK, there is a different path which generates more economic value and enables a homegrown transition towards the country’s climate goals by anchoring the sector’s world class supply chain and supporting over 200,000 UK-wide jobs.

“Today we heard the Chancellor recognise the role of the oil and gas sector to support high quality jobs and strengthen the UK’s energy security. We welcome that and the meetings and dialogue which have taken place between industry and the new government,” commented David Whitehouse, CEO at Offshore Energies UK.

“However, with an increase in tax despite commodity prices at recent lows, there is no hiding that this is a difficult day for the sector,” Whitehouse noted.

“Oil and gas companies, our world class supply chain and our highly skilled people will support the energy transition. We will not be successful without them.”

OEUK welcomed the fact that the government will consult in early 2025 on how the oil and gas tax regime can encourage investment and respond to changes in the price of oil.

“With industry and government working in partnership we can protect the North Sea as a national economic asset. It can and should serve as an engine to realise UK economic growth and climate goals,” OEUK’s Whitehouse said.

A week before the Autumn Budget was unveiled, Wood Mackenzie analysts said in a report that up to £10 billion of North Sea oil and gas pre-tax value could be unlocked from existing assets if the UK government was to implement a fiscal system that encourages investment – and restores trust with the industry.

“Operators are fatigued by an ever changing and overly onerous tax burden and are accordingly adjusting the risked value associated with investing in the UK,” said Fraser McKay, Senior Vice President, Upstream Research at Wood Mackenzie.

One of these operators, Deltic Energy, said in a strategic update ahead of the budget publication:

UK NORTH SEA REVIEW SPONSORED BY

Creator: Leon Neal Copyright: 2024 Getty Images

“For the last decade, Deltic has invested in its UK portfolio and achieved material exploration success despite the well-publicised political and fiscal headwinds that have hampered the UK's oil and gas industry in recent years.”

“It is clear that, while this situation persists, the UK is not the ideal place in which to invest in new oil and gas exploration or appraisal opportunities,” the company added.

“Therefore, the Board has carefully considered the best way to leverage the Company's international experience and expertise to create value for shareholders going forward.”

OEUK’s 2024 Decommissioning Insight has detailed the scale of the challenge facing the North Sea energy industry.

UK North Sea operators need to plug 200 abandoned North Sea oil and gas wells a year to stay on top of targets but multiple changes to the tax regime are causing continuing economic and fiscal uncertainty and have damaged activity levels, the industry body warned.

The Insight report shows that stable government policy can keep the decommissioning industry in the UK and prevent multimillion pound decommissioning contracts being won by European rivals, OEUK said.

The 2024 UKCS Stewardship Survey launched on 1 November 2024 and will close on 28 February 2025, the regulator said.

This survey aims to gather vital information to support the industry.

More than 60 operators will supply data across 10 categories which will provide a depth and breadth of information that will underpin regulatory and business decisions throughout the year to come, the NSTA noted.

The 10 topics in the annual Stewardship Survey are – Licensing, Exploration & Appraisal, Reserves & Resources, Activity, Decommissioning, Production Efficiency, Technology, Supply Chain, Wells, and GHG Emissions.

“The NSTA is engaged in one of the most important transitions in the UK as we all come to terms with what a net zero world requires. The prize if we get this transition right is huge but the stakes for communities and individuals if we don’t are high,”

The North Sea Transition Authority welcomed in October its new Chair, Liz Ditchburn, who commenced her role on 22 October 2024, following her predecessor Tim Eggar’s term of over five years coming to an end. Ditchburn will head the NSTA Board, which is responsible for regulating and influencing the UK’s oil, gas, offshore hydrogen and carbon storage industries.

Liz Ditchburn Chair - The North Sea Transition Authority

“The NSTA is engaged in one of the most important transitions in the UK as we all come to terms with what a net zero world requires. The prize if we get this transition right is huge but the stakes for communities and individuals if we don’t are high,” Ditchburn said.

Separately, the NSTA published its UK Oil and Gas Reserves and Resources report, which showed that its estimate for proven and probable UK oil and gas reserves was 3.3 billion boe at the end of 2023. This is 0.2 billion lower than at the end of 2022 and is due to production of around 424 mmboe in 2023 not being fully offset by additions following Field Development Plan approvals or additional reserves for producing fields.

Contingent resource – discovered undeveloped resources – stands at 6.1 billion boe, with much of this resource in mature developed areas and under consideration for development, the NSTA said.

The information received is thoroughly checked for consistency and accuracy before being finalised by April of next year. It is then used by the NSTA to drive stewardship meetings, inform annual industry projections, and guide asset stewardship activities.

The NSTA also uses the information gathered in the survey to inform documents such as the Emissions Monitoring Report, Production Efficiency Report, and Unit Operating Cost Report.

In company and resources news, Deltic Energy Plc said at the end of October that drilling operations at the Selene prospect in the UK Southern North Sea confirmed the presence of gas in the discovery. The Shell-operated 48/8b-3Z well reached its total depth of 3,540 metres TVDSS on 17 October 2024 and proved a 160 metre thick section of Leman Sandstone. The top of the Leman Sandstone was encountered approximately 70 metres deep to prognosis with elevated mud gas readings, confirming the presence of gas, observed throughout the reservoir interval and into the underlying Carboniferous basement.

Initial indications point towards the presence of high-quality dry gas, typical of production from adjacent fields, Deltic Energy said, adding that the reservoir quality appears to be better than expected.

Based on the results of the well and the data collected, Deltic believes that the joint venture partners should be well placed to progress towards field development planning and a final investment decision on a future development without requiring a further appraisal well.

In addition to Selene, Deltic will re-evaluate the Endymion prospect, located on the north-eastern corner of the block, which is another low-risk Leman Sandstone opportunity that could be tied into any future Selene development. 

Europe Energy Review

By Tsvetana Paraskova

Expanded UK sanctions on Russia’s energy exports, proposed reforms in the UK Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation rounds, and the North Sea’s prospects of becoming northwest Europe’s clean energy and power link hub featured in Europe’s energy sector in the past month.

Oil & Gas

The UK slapped sanctions on additional oil tankers, LNG carriers, and companies believed to be involved with Russia’s dark fleet of ships exporting its oil and gas.

The UK imposed in the middle of October the largest package of sanctions to date against Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet of oil tankers: 18 more shadow fleet ships will be barred from UK ports and unable to access British maritime services, bringing the total number of oil tankers sanctioned to 43.

The UK is also sanctioning 4 more LNG tankers and Russian gas company Rusgazdobycha JSC. The UK government continues to ratchet up pressure on the Russian gas industry.

“The UK is leading the charge against Putin’s desperate and dangerous attempts to cling on to his energy revenues, with his shadow fleet placing coastlines across Europe and the world in jeopardy,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said.

Low-Carbon Energy

The UK government is looking to implement amendments to the CfDs scheme ahead of Allocation Round 7. The proposed changes include ensuring that repowered onshore wind projects that meet the eligibility criteria can bid into the CfD from AR7, as well as phased CfDs for floating offshore wind (FLOW): to extend the phased CfD policy currently available for fixed-based offshore wind (OFW) projects to FLOW projects.

The UK plans to introduce amendments in future allocation rounds beyond AR7, including in hybrid metering, facilitating coordinated infrastructure, and indexation to inflation.

The government will consult on any changes for future rounds ahead of each round where appropriate, it said.

RenewableUK welcomed the planned reforms, with RenewableUK’s Head of Strategic Communications Nathan Bennett saying “We welcome the reforms to the Contracts for Difference auctions which secure investment in new clean energy projects outlined by Government. There are proposals here, which will start from next year onwards, which are undoubtedly in the interest of billpayers and energy security, including enabling repowered onshore wind projects to bid in to future auctions.”

“However, we also need to see reforms which will bring forward the next round of test and development projects as soon as possible,” Bennett added.

“These projects should be used to encourage the development of UK supply chains in floating wind, enabling us to scale up and deliver floating wind faster in the coming years.”

In another policy move, the UK and Scottish governments launched a consultation on proposed changes that will make the system for considering large energy projects in Scotland more efficient, while also ensuring that affected communities can have their say on proposals at the right time in the process.

The planning process for new clean energy infrastructure in Scotland will be improved under the proposals to reform outdated legislation that can delay new projects.

Currently, it can take up to 4 years to approve large electricity infrastructure projects in Scotland, such as power lines and onshore wind farms, under UK legislation that has been in place since 1989.

By updating the process and making vital updates to the energy consents system in Scotland, the UK and Scottish governments aim to support the rollout of new clean energy projects while giving communities early and meaningful opportunities to be heard.

“Together with the Scottish Government, we are modernising outdated bureaucratic processes to make sure Scotland is firmly open for business as we build the UK’s clean energy future,” Energy Minister Michael Shanks said.

RenewableUK called on the UK government to set an industrial strategy for the offshore wind sector to maximise the industrial benefits and employment opportunities which can be created by attracting billions of pounds in private investment.

“We set out an Industrial Growth Plan for offshore wind earlier this year, identifying specific areas within the supply chain in which the UK can secure new investment and be globally competitive, such as cables, blades and floating platforms,” RenewableUK's Head of Supply Chain, Ajai Ahluwalia, said.

“A focus on these areas could unlock £25 billion in economic activity by 2035, predominantly in our coastal communities which have struggled to secure investment in recent decades.”

A coalition of 19 leading European energy associations and transmission system operators has issued a joint letter to the European and UK Governments, calling for more efficient electricity arrangements between the European Internal Energy Market (IEM) and the GB market to unlock investment in offshore generation and grid infrastructure in the North Seas.

RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) plan to launch in January the so-called Energy Skills Passport—a new scheme to help workers across the UK’s energy mix, including oil and gas, to find new roles in offshore wind, supported by the UK and Scottish Governments.

Ireland’s government has approved the terms and conditions of Ireland’s second offshore wind auction. The "Tonn Nua" auction site will be located off Ireland’s south coast and will be the country’s second offshore renewable energy (ORE) auction to take place under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). The auction bidding process is expected to take place in early 2025 and the project will procure 900 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, making a sizable contribution to Ireland’s wider climate and renewable electricity targets. It will also save 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year after its construction.

At their annual meeting in Denmark, energy ministers of the 9 North Seas countries reaffirmed their ambition to transform the North Seas into “Europe’s green power plant.”

The ministers identified key areas of collaboration, including competitiveness of Europe’s offshore wind supply chain and the need to reinvent offshore wind financing.

Eurelectric, the federation of the European electricity industry, signed in October a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Hydropower Association (IHA), to collaborate in defending hydropower’s crucial role in the energy transition and advocating for policy support to maximise its flexibility and pumped storage potential.

In company news, bp has completed its acquisition of the remaining 50.03-percent interest it does not already own in Lightsource bp, one of the world’s leading developers and operators of utility-scale solar and battery storage assets. With the completion of the transaction, Lightsource bp expands bp’s presence globally in the onshore renewable energy industry, with a 62 GW development pipeline and operations in 19 markets.

Måde, near Esbjerg. This is European Energy’s first venture into large-scale hydrogen production using renewable energy.

The Måde facility is now operational with the first electrolyser supplied by the Danish company Stiesdal, and two others expected in the coming months. When all three electrolysers are operating, the plant will have a total capacity of 12 MW and an expected annual production of 1,500 metric tonnes of hydrogen, European Energy said.

The company has signed an agreement with Centrica Energy under which Centrica Energy will manage power production from co-located wind turbines, designating excess power production to green hydrogen production.

“We want to be one of the leading producers of green hydrogen in Germany and are very pleased that we can count on EU funding for this project, which is important for us,”

“This deal creates an engine for onshore renewable power development at bp – combining wind, solar and batteries to generate the energy flows our traders need to optimise value and the electrons our customers want,” said William Lin, bp’s executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy.

Helge-Jürgen Beil Vice

President

Hydrogen

at Statkraft in Germany.

RWE took an important step toward developing 100 MW of green hydrogen production at Eemshaven, the Netherlands, after the German energy company secured the necessary construction and environmental permits to build an electrolyser near the Magnum Power Station. If built, the electrolyser will contribute to the onshore energy system integration plans associated with the 795 MW OranjeWind offshore wind project in the Dutch North Sea, which RWE is realising together with its joint venture partner TotalEnergies.

Ørsted has signed a partnership agreement with Brookfield, its institutional partners, and its listed affiliate Brookfield Renewable, who will acquire 12.45-percent minority stakes in four of Ørsted’s operational UK offshore wind farms: Hornsea 1, Hornsea 2, Walney Extension, and Burbo Bank Extension. These wind farms have a combined total capacity of around 3.5 GW.

UK energy storage project developer Apatura has secured planning permission to build and operate a 100-MW capacity Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Tealing near the city of Dundee on Scotland’s east coast.

The Tealing site is the fifth battery storage project that Apatura has received planning consent for in the last 12 months as it pursues its goal to deliver grid-scale battery storage that supports renewable energy generation in Scotland.

Denmark-based European Energy has inaugurated its first green hydrogen facility in

Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer, will focus its investments and organisation on fewer countries to build scale and strengthen competitiveness and value creation. The firm will prioritise investments in Norwegian hydropower, and growth in solar, wind, and battery storage in the Nordics, Europe, and South America.

Meanwhile, Statkraft has received support from the EU Innovation Fund for its plans to build a hydrogen production site in Emden, Lower Saxony, in Germany. The company was selected to negotiate a grant decision for a subsidy of up to 107 million euros for its project consisting of a 200-MW electrolysis plant and a 50-MW heat pump system.

“We want to be one of the leading producers of green hydrogen in Germany and are very pleased that we can count on EU funding for this project, which is important for us,” said Helge-Jürgen Beil, Vice President Hydrogen at Statkraft in Germany. 

Energy USA

The US presidential election was the biggest event in America and the world in November, and will shape the future of the US oil and gas industry and climate commitments for the next four years.

Trump Wins Presidential Election

Former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump beat Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, to claim a second term in office at the White House.

Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” policies for the oil and gas sector will likely be welcomed by the US industry, which has criticised many of President Joe Biden’s climate and regulatory policies over the past four years.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued a statement as early as Trump’s victory was confirmed.

API President and CEO Mike Sommers said “We congratulate President Trump on his election victory. Energy was on the ballot, and voters sent a clear signal that they want choices, not mandates, and an all-of-the-above approach that harnesses our nation’s resources and builds on the successes of his first term.”

Sommers added, “We look forward to working with the incoming administration and leaders in both parties to advance bipartisan solutions that unleash American energy as a driver of economic prosperity, environmental progress and stability around the world.”

Energy Workforce and Technology Council (EWTC), the US national trade association for the energy technology and services sector, also congratulated President-Elect Trump.

“EWTC appreciates President Trump’s commitment to energy production in the United States and we look forward to working together with him and his administration on removing barriers to access federal leasing both onshore and offshore, sensible environmental regulations, ending the LNG pause, and quickly passing legislation that will reform and expedite the permitting process in our country,” said Energy Workforce President Tim Tarpley.

“These actions will allow our sector to meet the growing energy demand our country will face in the coming years.”

The other Energy Workforce President, Molly Determan, added, “We look forward to working with the new administration to support policies that strengthen the energy industry, drive economic growth, and ensure energy security. By fostering collaboration between government and industry, we can continue advancing innovation and creating opportunities that benefit all Americans.”

The US President and the US Energy Policy

Before the election, various analysts expressed their views on the future of the US energy sector in case Harris or Trump wins.

Wood Mackenzie said that the election would be “a fork in the road” for the sector as it would have important consequences for the US energy industry.

A Trump White House or Republicancontrolled Congress could favour the bill of the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (EPRA) which the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced in July, WoodMac’s analysts reckon.

This legislation aims to accelerate development of domestic energy infrastructure by streamlining the federal permitting process. It includes fossil fuel projects as well as renewable energy, transmission and grid reliability.

The Biden Administration’s pause on export permits for new LNG projects would end immediately with Trump in the White House, WoodMac says. Moreover, permitting at both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has slowed under Biden, is likely to speed up.

Trump is also expected to repeal the finalised GHG emissions standards for existing coal generation as well as for new gas plants.

“Under his watch, the EPA could even challenge the decades-old “Endangerment Finding” that requires it to regulate carbon emissions in the first place,” Wood Mackenzie’s analysts wrote.

The new Trump administration would also probably roll back or weaken the fees on excess methane emissions under the Methane Emissions Reduction Plan.

In terms of US oil and gas production, the US shale oil industry is unlikely to be significantly impacted by the election outcome, an analysis by Rystad Energy showed a month before the vote.

It is uncertain that Trump could directly influence and boost US shale output above its current trajectory, according to Rystad Energy.

“Shale production has proven to be incredibly resilient, and we expect it to continue to play a major role in the global energy landscape for years to come. At the end of the day, the industry is driven by market fundamentals, not by politics,” Bernstein added.

“Shale production has proven to be incredibly resilient, and we expect it to continue to play a major role in the global energy landscape for years to come..."

Despite all the rhetoric, the US tight oil sector is expected to continue its steady growth, driven more by market forces and company strategy than by government policy, according to the independent research and energy intelligence company.

Matthew Bernstein Senior Analyst, Upstream Research at Rystad Energy

“The industry’s focus on profitability and shareholder returns, rather than chasing production growth, means that operators are unlikely to be influenced by promises of support or potential regulations from either candidate,” wrote Matthew Bernstein, Senior Analyst, Upstream Research at Rystad Energy.

M&A Activity Slumps

The pace of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the US oil and gas sector has started to slow after a year of heightened consolidation and announcements of mega deals, Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR) said in its Q3 M&A report.

The third quarter of 2024 saw $12 billion in announced deals, the lowest quarterly total since the first quarter of 2023. The drop in M&A value was largely attributable to a pause in public company consolidation as well as fewer deals in the Permian Basin, according to data compiled by Enverus.

The most notable shift in the third quarter was the lack of consolidation between publicly traded E&Ps, the first time that has happened in any quarter since 2022. That’s because the industry is now left with significantly fewer targets to pursue, following the $188 billion in public company consolidation since the start of 2023, with 11 public deals over $2 billion.

“While corporate M&A has slowed, the industry is not done consolidating. If you look out a few years from now, there are going to be fewer companies operating in the main U.S. shale plays,” said Andrew Dittmar, principal analyst at EIR.

But the road ahead could be more difficult for M&A deals, he reckons.

“Buyers may need to offer higher premiums than the average 15% paid to selling companies so far to tempt some of these remaining companies into a deal. However, that needs to be balanced against not overpaying and still striking a deal that also makes sense for the acquirer,” Dittmar added.

In a separate report, Enverus Intelligence Research also says that natural gas has emerged as the premier choice for grid stability amid rising power demand and coal retirements in the US.

“Natural gas-fired generation is becoming more attractive to investors because of its critical role in balancing the grid amid increased load growth expectations, accelerated coal retirements and higher levels of intermittent generation,” said EIR analyst Corianna Mah.

“Our top three markets — SPP, WECC and ERCOT — score high marks for expected load expansion because of power-hungry data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and oil and gas electrification in their territories. ERCOT and SPP also benefit from lower feedstock costs thanks to natural gas production in their regions, while WECC’s forward power price curve is strong enough to offset its higher gas costs,” Mah added. 

MIDDLE EAST Energy Review

By Tsvetana Paraskova

Amid continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the OPEC+ group delayed their planned oil production increase, the Saudi state oil giant reported solid third-quarter results in line with expectations, and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company ADNOC reaffirmed its bet on AI to boost the energy sector.

OPEC+ Delays Output Hike

OPEC+, the alliance of OPEC and several nonOPEC producers led by Russia, decided in early November to postpone the previously planned start of the easing of the current oil production cuts from December 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

The eight OPEC+ producers Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, which previously announced additional voluntary cuts in April and November 2023, have agreed to extend the cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for one month until the end of December 2024, OPEC said on 3 November, without giving reasons for the decision.

The countries, as usual, also pledged to strive to conform to their quotas.

The oil market reacted to the delay of the easing of the cuts with a jump in prices on the following day. However, the price action has been relatively muted from the point of view of fundamentals as analysts and market participants continue to expect an oversupply on the global oil market next year.

“While the delay until January does not change fundamentals significantly, it does potentially leave the market having to rethink the strategy of OPEC+,” ING’s commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a note following the decision.

“This delayed supply increase means that maybe the group are more willing to support prices than many believe. However, our balance continues to show that the market will be in surplus through 2025 unless OPEC+ continues with cuts through next year,” the strategists noted.

Saudi Aramco Profits Down, Dividend Steady

The world’s largest oil company by production and market value, Saudi Aramco, reported in early November a 15.4% drop in its thirdquarter net income—to $27.564 billion, down from $32.583 billion for the same period of last year.

The earnings slightly beat analyst consensus estimates, while Aramco itself, which is also the world’s top crude oil exporter, said that its income was in line with analyst projections.

Net income declined on the back of lower oil prices compared to a year earlier and weakening refining margins, the Saudi state oil giant said.

Despite the drop in profits, Aramco maintained its $31.1 billion dividend for the third quarter, nearly all of which goes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Aramco continued its dividend policy to distribute huge payouts to its shareholders, the biggest of which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which holds a direct stake of nearly 81.5%. Via the sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia also indirectly holds 16% of Aramco.

For the third quarter, the oil giant declared a base dividend of $20.3 billion, as well as the sixth distribution of performance-linked dividends of $10.8 billion. This brings the total declared dividends for the third quarter to $31.1 billion.

“As we focus on strategic growth opportunities and capturing value through integration and diversification, we intend to maintain our positive momentum and cement our position as a leading global energy and petrochemicals player,” Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO Amin Nasser said, commenting on the Q3 results.

Aramco CEO Sees Reality Gaps in the Energy Transition

Nasser said at an industry event in October that the energy transition “progress is far slower, far less equitable, and far more complicated than many expected.”

“Three reality gaps stand out in particular,” Nasser said in a speech at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW).

First, there is the fact that key sectors of oil use differ significantly. The only major one where a practical energy alternative is currently available is light duty vehicles, according to Nasser.

EV progress has no bearing on the other 75 percent of global oil demand. Massive segments like heavy transportation and petrochemicals have few economically viable alternatives to oil and gas, the executive added.

The other gap is in the geographical distribution of oil demand.

While oil consumption in developed economies has more or less plateaued, “the Global South is likely to see significant growth in oil demand for a long time as national economies grow and living standards rise. Just as developed countries enjoyed for decades,” Nasser said.

Third, forecasts of oil demand also differ, according to Aramco’s CEO.

“Most analysts agree that even when the growth in global oil demand stops at some point, no abrupt drop in overall demand is anticipated. And that stage is likely to be followed by a long plateau,” he noted.

“So, rather than an energy transition, we are really talking about energy addition, where just the growth is mostly met by alternatives, instead of replacing conventional energy in any meaningful way.”

Deals and Growth

In company news, consulting and engineering firm Wood has secured a significant engineering services contract for Aramco’s Southern and Northern Areas gas increments project in Saudi Arabia. The project will support the country’s goal of increasing natural gas production.

Wood will deliver project management consultancy (PMC) services, including PreFEED and FEED engineering for gas facilities in Eastern Saudi Arabia including large-scale onshore gas production and processing facilities. The scope also includes EPC contracting support for future phases.

In the United Arab Emirates, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, called on the energy industry to lead the world to the next phase of sustainable socioeconomic growth.

The energy industry can capitalize on the opportunities of the three global megatrends – the rise of emerging markets, growth of artificial intelligence (AI), and energy system transformation, Al Jaber, who is also UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced

Technology, told delegates at ADIPEC in his keynote address.

“We stand at the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility, defined by three megatrends: first, the rise of the global south and emerging markets. Second, the transformation of energy systems, and third, the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence. These three megatrends present mega opportunities that demand mega solutions,” Al Jaber said.

“As AI expands, it will rely on a massive scale up of data centers for its huge and fast- growing computational needs. Over the next 6 years, data centers will more than double, requiring at least 150GW of installed capacity by 2030 and double that again by 2040,” the official added.

Wellpro Group & Omega Well Intervention provide a complete Thru Tubing, Inflatable Packer & Well Intervention portfolio including operational design, project management, service, rental & sales.

Developed by AIQ with SLB as part of ENERGYai, ADNOC’s artificial intelligence and digital technology strategy, AR360 uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to improve reservoir management and optimize field development planning.

“We stand at the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility, defined by three megatrends: first, the rise of the global south and emerging markets. Second, the transformation of energy systems, and third, the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence.

Separately, ADNOC announced in October the completion of its acquisition of OCI Global’s 50 percent + 1 shareholding in Fertiglobe plc, the world’s largest seaborne exporter of urea and ammonia combined. ADNOC thus increased its share in Fertiglobe to 86.2 percent. The remaining 13.8 percent is free float on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

Al Jaber UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology

The acquisition represents another significant milestone in ADNOC’s ambitious chemicals growth strategy, the expansion of its lowcarbon fuels business, and supports its goal to become a top five global chemicals player, the Abu Dhabi company said.

ADNOC has also said that it had deployed AIQ’s Advanced Reservoir 360 (AR360) solution on more than 30 reservoirs across ADNOC’s upstream operations, following the solution’s successful initial deployment in early 2024 on two ADNOC reservoirs at Bab and Umm Shaif fields.

“Building on decades of investment in innovation and technology, we will continue to accelerate the deployment of AI solutions from the control room to the boardroom as we responsibly meet the growing global energy demand,” said Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, ADNOC Upstream Executive Director.

ADNOC has also awarded a contract to BGP Inc., a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), worth up to $490 million, to expand the scope of the world’s largest combined three-dimensional (3D) onshore and offshore seismic survey currently underway in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The contract will focus on identifying additional oil and gas resources in ADNOC’s producing onshore fields.

Furthermore, ADNOC announced at ADIPEC the signing of the first long-term sales and purchase Agreement (SPA) for the lowercarbon Ruwais liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which is currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. The 15-year agreement for 1 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) was signed with SEFE Marketing and Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., a subsidiary of Germany’s SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH. The LNG will primarily be sourced from the Ruwais LNG project, with deliveries expected to start in 2028 upon commencement of its commercial operations. 

RCP-EDR

ELECTRONIC DRILLING RECORDER

The RCP EDR is designed to give operators a clear, unambiguous overview of critical drilling and mud data processes. The system has been developed by RCP to greatly improve how information is presented using the latest industrial technologies and user-friendly interfaces

The RCP EDR offers a quick and cost-effective solution for clients considering a new installation or a partial upgrade to their existing drilling instrumentation systems Our highly experienced engineers and software developers allows us to tailor each new system to meet your exact needs meaning that you do not pay for functionality you will never use

The RCP EDR utilizes a variety of sensing technologies to monitor the drilling processes, (typically: Level, Pressure, Height, Temperature and Flow). Sensor output signals are received by the distributed I/O racks and are then processed by the EDR.

Processed information is then transmitted through network communication modules to each of the user interfaces including remotely networked PC’s and local HMI’s System and operator interface communications may utilize either: Fibre-Optic, Profinet, Profibus or Industrial Ethernet connection

BRENT OIL PRICES OVER THE

YEARS

1 YEAR AGO

1 Year Ago - $77.05

Oil prices fell to six-month lows, as investors worried about sluggish energy demand in the United States and China while output from the U.S remained near record highs. Oil prices had fallen almost 10% since OPEC and allies announced a combined 2.2 million barrels per day in voluntary output cuts for the first quarter of the following year, with market leaders suggesting OPEC would not follow through with their output cuts.

5 YEARS AGO

5 Years Ago - $68.04

Greenpeace were banned from carrying out climate protests on North Sea oil rigs after the oil giant Shell won a Scottish court order. A judge in Edinburgh granted Shell an interim interdict, similar to an injunction, banning Greenpeace from occupying four of its rigs in the Brent field 85 miles north-east of Shetland, after its activists boarded two decommissioned rigs a few months prior.

10 YEARS AGO

10 Years Ago - $61.09

Oil prices continued to drop and reached a new five-year low due to predictions that oversupply would keep building into the new year after OPEC decided not to cut output. There was real concern for countries who were particularly dependent on revenues from the sale of crude oil, as the profits made continued to fall.

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It is renowned for excellence in the provision of services that unlock opportunities for its members, helping the supply chain to win business across the globe.

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HAIL AND GHASHA SOUR GAS FIELD CARBON CAPTURE PROJECT

Linde Engineering has signed agreement with NEXTCHEM to deliver its carbon capture technology, HISORP® CC, to the project. Linde will provide its carbon capture technology along with essential core units, collaborating closely with NEXTCHEM, a subsidiary of the MAIRE Group. The project is expected to capture 1.5 mtpa of CO2 from the facility and store underground.

BUKIT PANJANGJENGGOLO FIELD DEVELOPMENT

Award of the FEED is expected to begin in Q1 2025. The development will include an unmanned wellhead platform will a six well slot and the installation of an 18 inch, 28 km pipeline connecting the new platform to an existing platform.

EK-BALAM FIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) has approved the E&P program and budget for 2025. The approved budget includes $789 million designated for the field. Production at Ek-Balam is expected to reach 80,000 barrels of crude oil and 20 million cubic feet of gas per day.

SEPIA OIL FIELD (PHASE 2 – P85 FPSO)

Baker Hughes has signed a deal with Petrobras to provide 77km of flexible pipe systems to be deployed in the Búzios, Mero, Berbigão, Sururu and Sépia fields. The contract also specifies the provision of risers and flowlines for hydrocarbon production, along with associated gas and water injection.

MOPANE-1X OIL DISCOVERY

STORJO GAS DISCOVERY

The operator has commenced drilling of the third well on the field. This follows the release of the results from the second well drilled on the field which highlighted promising reservoir characteristics. Well test flows conducted reached the maximum allowable limits.

BONGA NORTH TRANCHE 1

KASKIDA OIL FIELD

The operator has successfully drilled an E&A well on Storjo East and Kaneljo. The well has proved an additional 8-12 MMboe of gas. Consideration is being given for the Storjo discovery to developed as a tie-back to the Skarv field.

KAMINHO FIELD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Baker Hughes has been awarded a contract by Saipem to supply compressors for the project's FPSO. The company has announced that the electricaldriven Integrated Compressor Line (ICL) and BCL compressor were selected for their ability to reduce emissions, eliminate routine flaring, and reinject associated gas back into the reservoir for storage.

JAPEX, Idetmisu Kosan and HEPCO has signed a contract with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) for engineering design work for the project. The scope of the work will include basic engineering design for a CO2 separation and capture, CO2 transport and storage, as well as an assessment of the carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential at the planned storage site.

The final investment decision for the project is expected to be made before the end of 2024 following approval from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. It is understood that the award of the SURF and Subsea contracts are set to be awarded imminently.

ERREGULLA DEEP-1 GAS DISCOVERY

Strike Energy announced that it has completed the flow testing program for ED-1 recording stabilised flow rates of 53 MMcf/d. The production test confirmed that ED-1 has high reservoir and flowing pressures, a high degree of permeability, no sand or formation water production and lower CO2 and impurities compared to the West Errengulla gas field. The operator is expected to take FID on the development of the field soon.

LB OneSubsea, a joint venture between SLB, Aker Solutions and Subsea7, has won a contract to supply a subsea boosting system to the project. The work will involve a high-pressure subsea pump system with an integrated power and control umbilical, along with associated topside equipment.

AFINA OIL & GAS DISCOVERY

The company has announced the contracting of the Deepsea Bollsta rig from Northern Ocean Limited (NOL) to lead the appraisal of the Afina-1x well commencing in October 2024. Springfield plans to drill an appraisal well on the project during Q4 2024, with full development drilling potentially commencing by mid-2025.

Marine and Lifting Set To Thrive as Offshore Oil and Gas Rebounds

Marine and lifting services providers and operations are set to benefit from increased offshore activity in the energy sector as deepwater investment and drilling rises, demand for natural gas continues to be strong, and operators plan offshore wind developments.

By Tsvetana Paraskova

Offshore and Subsea Investment Rising

Rystad Energy has estimated that total offshore investments will reach nearly $250 billion in 2025, amid a shift in global oil and gas industry dynamics from US shale to international offshore.

US tight oil investments are expected to decline by about 10 percent in 2024 compared to last year, Espen Erlingsen, Head of Upstream Research at Rystad Energy, wrote in a report in August.

As a result, US production is only forecast to grow by around 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year and next – the lowest level of growth for the sector since the Covid-19 pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021.

At the same time, investments in the offshore sector are rising and are expected to grow by around 5 percent both this year and next, Erlingsen added.

The offshore sector will most likely be the source that will drive the growth in oil production for the rest of this decade, according to Rystad Energy.

Offshore, the deepwater sector in particular, was heavily affected by the growth of US tight oil in the last decade. Total upstream offshore investments fell from $340 billion in 2014 to $140 billion in 2021.

But after 2021, upstream offshore investments have been rising again, thanks to the combination of high oil prices, improved economics for offshore projects, and lower tight oil growth, Rystad Energy said.

The subsea market, which includes players involved in production and processing systems such as subsea umbilical risers and flowlines (SURF), trees, wellheads, manifolds and other components, is poised to experience a significant influx of capital, Rystad Energy analysts noted in a separate report in August.

Driven by rising operator expenditure on equipment and installation services, Rystad Energy projects a 10-percent annual compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2027, with total spending anticipated to exceed $42 billion by the end of this period.

Investment activity has been particularly robust in the South American and European regions, where major projects are making significant progress and attracting new investment.

Brazil remains a key investment destination due to its vast pre-salt reserves, driving strong demand for subsea equipment and SURF. In Europe, Norway is experiencing a resurgence in activity, fuelled by favourable market conditions and technological advancements such as Subsea Hydraulic Power Unit which is cost-efficient and replaces 100 tons of deck equipment, and SWIFT™, a remotely operated tubing hanger tool which enables umbilicalless operations, reducing the need for heavy topside equipment, Rystad Energy said.

“Looking ahead, we anticipate steady growth in the subsea sector, fueled by advancements in deepwater exploration and carbon capture and storage (CCS). This recovery highlights the industry’s resilience and suggests a promising trajectory of consistent progress,” said Sanwari Mahajan, Analyst, Supply Chain Research, at Rystad Energy.

Currently, well intervention could provide hydrocarbon production at a cost of less than £12 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe), a very attractive option at today’s oil and gas prices, the authority said.

The report found that well interventions increased in the Northern North Sea (NNS) to 102 wells in 2023 from 82 in 2022. There was an increase West of Shetland (WoS) where nine wells benefited from intervention work in 2023 up from two in 2022. However, Central North Sea (CNS), Southern North Sea (SNS), and the East Irish Sea (EIS) saw a decrease in activity.

Separately, the report also showed that industry only achieved 70 percent of planned well decommissioning activities last year as operators continued to defer work. The NSTA has recently opened investigations into missed deadlines as part of its approach to boosting compliance and tackling the backlog of wells awaiting plugging and abandonment.

“As with well interventions, well decommissioning should provide a sustainable and lucrative source of income for the supply chain,” the NSTA said.

Supply Chain for Offshore Wind

Offshore drilling and project developments will be the growth engine of the oil and gas industry going forward, SLB’s chief executive officer Olivier Le Peuch said on the earnings call for SLB’s third-quarter results in October.

in an August report. Subsequently, Namibia could become a provider of significant new demand and future demand potential for deepwater drilling rigs.

The executive expects total offshore final investment decisions (FID) to approach $100 billion this year. SLB also projects that this rate of $100 billion FID for offshore will remain at that level or higher for the next two or three years. As a result, the cumulative 2023-2026 offshore FID will exceed $500 billion, Le Peuch said.

“And that's a sign that this project will execute beyond '25, beyond '26, and will be a growth engine for the industry going forward,” SLB’s top executive added.

Services Demand Hotspots

New exploration hotpots have emerged in recent years and they are expected to drive an increase in demand for offshore equipment and services providers. One of these is Namibia in southwest Africa, where the Orange Basin has become an exciting new oil province, Westwood Global Energy Group said

“The market for deepwater rigs in this new province since 2022 has been increasing off the back of giant new discoveries. Despite no rigs currently working offshore, Westwood expects to see a few begin new programmes in the coming months, while the long-term outlook is very promising,” Teresa Wilkie, Director of RigLogix at Westwood, wrote.

Shell, TotalEnergies, Galp Energia, and Rhino Resources have recently contracted rigs to drill offshore Namibia, Westwood’s RigLogix service showed.

Well Intervention A Huge Opportunity for UK Supply Chain

In legacy production provinces such as the UK North Sea, there is a huge opportunity to access resources in a more timely, clean, and cost-effective way, and support the UK’s supply chain, the 2024 Wells Insight Report by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) revealed in September.

The offshore equipment and services providers will have another large new market in the coming years: offshore wind, analysts say.

The offshore energy supply chain is also diversifying into offshore wind as companies traditionally focused on the oil and gas (O&G) sector have existing synergies between what they offer and what offshore wind projects require, Westwood said in a report in September.

Diversified and O&G supply chain companies have seen their market share of the offshore wind supply chain grow in recent years, compared to firms strictly focused on offshore wind, according to Westwood.

The consultancy expects that total offshore wind EPCI CAPEX will be 45 percent higher than offshore EPCI CAPEX on oil and gas, which includes subsea equipment and platforms, over the next five years.

“Even though offshore wind opportunities for the supply chain may have recently slowed down, there is still a much larger amount available over the coming years in comparison to the offshore O&G sector,” wrote Bahzad Ayoub, Senior Analyst – Offshore Wind at Westwood.

In addition, supply chain companies working in the O&G sector can play a key role in helping the floating wind market grow, particularly companies that are already working on floating platforms, according to Westwood. 

Geotechnical

Adapting to New Tides:

The Evolving Maritime Landscape

With the offshore energy landscape continuously evolving, it is critical that operators remain at the forefront of changing regulatory practices.

To ensure these codes of practice and industrial standards are adhered to within the maritime sector, marine warranty services are a critical component in ensuring projects are delivered safely and efficiently.

From quayside to subsea, Interocean Marine Services (Interocean) provides specialist services to the global offshore energy industry. Founded in 2007, Interocean leverages the advanced expertise of its team of mariners, naval architects and engineers to support oil majors, drilling contractors, wind farm operators and Tier 1 Renewable firms. With offices in the UK, Canada, Norway and the Middle East, Interocean’s diverse team provides the local knowledge required to ensure complete regulatory compliance anywhere in the world.

An evolving regulatory landscape

In July 2024, DNV announced new rules governing the classification of ships and offshore structures. Increasing support for decarbonisation technology and providing inoperation class notations, the new guidelines are set to provide more operational clarity when they are enforced in January 2025.

The new class notations cover gas fuelled hydrogen, onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS), stability pontoons in heavy lift operations, and boil-off gas (BOG). New qualifiers will be introduced for additional fire safety for vessels transporting electrical vehicles, the transport of live fish, and a notation for hatchcoverless container ships which enables vessels to reduce investment in fire detection and fighting if there is no intention to transport combustible materials. New service notations will also be introduced for floating spaceports.

The maritime industry has seen significant advancement in recent years as service offerings and technology have evolved. Innovation has played a key role in helping companies like Interocean remain at the forefront of the sector, but the importance of regulations cannot be underestimated. Recently announced as one of the first companies to receive ABS and DNV approval for Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM) by use of drones on Mobile Offshore Units, Interocean is committed to driving safety and compliance from quayside to subsea.

Clyde Built, Warranty Assured

Headquartered in Glasgow, the world’s shipbuilding hub, Interocean’s foundations are backed by hundreds of years of maritime history. The term ‘Clyde Built’ is synonymous with quality and expertise, reflecting the centuries of industry advancement that have taken place since the city first made its mark on the shipbuilding industry in the 19th century. Following in the footsteps of the prestigious maritime companies that came before it, Interocean is committed to supplying the same world class services Glasgow’s maritime industry is hailed for.

Interocean has an extensive track record in delivering complex projects including mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) relocations, high value cargo transportation, mooring installation, and walk-to-work solutions. For almost 20 years, Interocean has ensured that the interests of the insurance underwriters are represented and met while supporting and representing the interests of clients around the world.

Complementing its marine warranty and in-house survey and subsea services, Interocean provides bespoke solutions.

Recently, Interocean has provided 24/7 vessel vetting and assurance to support a client’s worldwide fleet and spot hire plus vessel operations. Leveraging the expertise of its expert mariners, including a thorough understanding of Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems, the team provides round-theclock support for vessel vetting. Utilising its technical expertise, the team also supports return-to-work processes, where an on-hire vessel may have experienced a technical issue during operations.

By reviewing the vessel’s Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Activity Specific Operating Guidelines (ASOG), and any other technical information, Interocean is able to advise on the best, and safest, procedure for the vessel to be operational again.

Interocean covers a full scope of maritime operations across the UK, Canada, Norway and the UAE, its global team delivers comprehensive project solutions, handling everything from planning, design, and installation to operational maintenance and decommissioning. 

From Training to Protection: Complete Safety Solutions

—

At Dräger we pride ourselves in going above and beyond for our customers, to make life just that little bit easier. Whether you’re looking to hire state-of-the-art lifesaving equipment, need service and maintenance on your current kit (on or offshore) or would like academy training by our approved trainers, we’ve got you covered.

Our Services Include:

● Onshore / Offshore Servicing

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● Rental Equipment

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● Accredited Training Provider

Lifting and Mooring in the Marine Sector:

An Interview with Karl Dale, VP for Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions at Unique Group

Unique Group’s Lifting and Mooring division is expanding its footprint in the marine and offshore sectors, with key focus on providing advanced, safe, and efficient solutions. Recently, Karl Dale stepped into the role of Vice President for Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions. In this interview, he offers a look at his background, his vision for the division, and the trends shaping the industry.

Could you share a bit about your background and how it has led you to this role?

My background is rooted in the maritime and offshore sectors, giving me a thorough understanding of both operational and technical aspects of the industry. I started my career at sea in 2008, gaining hands-on experience with the industry’s technical and operational demands. Over time, I moved into heavy moorings and aids to navigation, a specialized area where I developed valuable expertise.

Later, I transitioned to shore-based roles, ultimately becoming General Manager of Moorings & Aids to Navigation at a leading marine services company. This role involved managing projects to ensure safe, efficient solutions for ports, vessels, and offshore renewables. It’s been a natural progression to now lead the Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions division at Unique Group, where I’m focused on driving safety, innovation, and operational efficiency.

As you take on this new role, what are your key priorities and vision for the division?

My main priority is integrating our key service lines—Buoyancy & Water Weights®, Lifting & Mooring, and Mass Flow Excavation for cable services—into a unified line under Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions (LLMS). By consolidating these services, we aim to deliver a cohesive, comprehensive offering that enhances our ability to meet client needs effectively.

This integration isn’t just about operational efficiency; it’s also about positioning ourselves for growth in current and new markets. As we expand, it’s crucial to uphold operational excellence, optimising processes, improving timelines, and ensuring safety. Our ultimate goal is to reduce costs, boost efficiency, and enhance client satisfaction.

What industry trends are shaping the landscape right now, and how is Unique Group positioning itself to address these?

Key trends today include sustainability, technological innovation, and heightened safety standards. Renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, is driving demand for advanced lifting and mooring technologies that are efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. Unique Group is committed to advancing these technologies to support this shift.

Another significant trend is digitalisation and automation. Smart lifting systems and realtime monitoring are enabling safer, more precise operations. We’re investing heavily in these areas, ensuring our solutions help clients reduce downtime, enhance safety, and optimise operational efficiency.

With advancements in automation and digitalisation, how do you see these technologies reshaping lifting and mooring operations in the marine sector?

Keeping up with evolving safety regulations while maintaining efficiency is a growing challenge. The marine industry is dynamic, and the addition of automation, digitalisation, and smart technologies adds complexity.

Unique Group is addressing these challenges by integrating AI, data analytics, and smart tech into our products, which improves decisionmaking, and safety. Embracing digitalisation has allowed us to enhance both safety and operational efficiency, reducing the risks tied to complex lifting and mooring operations.

Are there particular markets or regions that you see as key growth areas for Unique Group’s Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions?

The Middle East, particularly for oil and gas, is a key market. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are heavily investing in offshore exploration, driving demand for load, lifting, and mooring solutions.

Globally, offshore wind is booming in regions like the U.K., Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as in emerging markets like South Korea and the U.S. Offshore wind presents new opportunities for our division as countries increasingly focus on renewable energy infrastructure. Unique Group is wellpositioned to support these markets with innovative, efficient solutions tailored to renewable energy needs.

With a strategic approach to safety, innovation, and efficiency, Karl Dale is leading Unique Group’s Load, Lifting & Mooring Solutions division towards new heights, meeting the demands of a changing industry. 

Exceeding Expectations,

By Challenging

Convention.

Empowering organisations to access high-quality operational support without compromise. By challenging conventional approaches, we deliver cost-effective solutions that maintain the highest standards, ensuring excellence and efficiency for every client.

Where we work

Specialists in supporting high hazard operations

• Marine Technical Services

• Hazardous Area Technical Services

• Hazardous Area Equipment

Ocean Installers people and culture: A recipe for success

At the heart of every successful company are its people, and Ocean Installer is no exception. The complexity of offshore projects, high safety standards, and global operations all rely on one essential factor: motivated, skilled, and trusted people, championing and contributing to an organisation they believe in.

Celebrating the Energy Industry

Ocean Installer is proud to have won the prestigious People and Culture Award at the 2024 OEUK Awards last week [28th November]. An event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements and contributions from organisations within the UK energy industry. This recognition highlights the company’s dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive culture; congratulations to the other finalists within the category.

As Ocean Installers workforce grows alongside its offshore operations, the focus on nurturing a culture of trust, innovation, psychological safety, and collaboration remains key.

• We are incredibly proud of this achievement, as it reflects the dedication and passion of every team member,” said Gregor Scott, Managing Director of Ocean Installer. He adds:

• People and culture are central to everything we do, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.”

Ocean Installer believes that by putting people first, the possibilities for innovation, flawless project execution, and growth are endless.

• At Ocean Installer, we believe that when people work for an organisation they believe in—one that aligns with their values and where they feel trusted and valued—this is where we thrive and are truly creative, said Amie Shewan, HR Manager.

A positive workplace culture built on CARE

Ocean Installers rapid growth has been accompanied by a focus on preserving its cultural identity. At the core of this culture are the four CARE values, Collaborative, Adaptable, Reliable and Energetic, which guides every aspect of the Company, from the way they recruit and onboard new employees, to employee engagement, leadership and workplace dynamics. By listening to employees and fostering an environment of trust, support and openness, Ocean Installer creates a positive culture where employees feel supported and confident in their work.

- We are proud of what we’ve achieved together, and this award reflects everyone’s contribution to building the culture that we share today. We value our employees, their contributions and a great culture, and this will continue to be at the top of our agenda, Amie says.

People and culture at the forefront

Winning the OEUK People and Culture Award is just the beginning. Ocean Installer remains committed to prioritising people and culture as it continues to grow.

• We will continue to invest in our workforce, create an adaptive work environment, and engage with employees to drive our ongoing success, Gregor Scott. 

Motive Certification & Inspection

Trusted LOLER and NDT Services

• Keeping lifting equipment safe and compliant

• All NDT methods certified to ABS and DNV

• Proactive risk management via scheduled servicing

Motive Certification & Inspection offer a comprehensive range of LOLER inspection and NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) Services, ensuring equipment is fully compliant and in optimal condition, protecting asset integrity.

With a combined experience spanning decades, the Motive team of Certified Inspectors have earned an exceptional reputation across the industry for providing high-quality, professional services, ensuring client equipment is expertly maintained.

All statutory thorough assessments are delivered in accordance with relevant legislative standards including Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).

Adhering to DNV and ABS guidelines, and ISO standards, all Motive multi-disciplined Rope Access Technicians are qualified to PCN or SNT and possess IRATA Rope Access Certification.

Delivered via Motion Kinetic, inspection reports include:

• Thorough Examination

• Crane Checklists

• NDT (MPI, LPI, UT, ECI & PAUT)

• Photographic Reports

• Visual Inspection

• Load Testing

LOLER Services:

• SI2307 LOLER Inspections

• Wire Rope Management & MRT Inspections

• Rope Access Services

• Load Testing including ROV and Dive Systems

• Crane Inspection

Critical NDT Inspection methods:

• Eddy Current Testing (ET)

• Liquid Penetrant (Dye) Testing (PT)

• Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

• UltrasonicThickness Measurements (Hull Gauging) (UTM)

• Phased-Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT)

Servicing a diverse range of industries, work predominately focuses on crane inspections and vertical pipe lay towers, where safety and performance are paramount.

With extensive experience of various crane types including overhead, tower, and offshore cranes, and a deep understanding of the challenges associated with pipe lay towers, the Motive team deliver thorough inspections ensuring structural integrity and operational efficiency - helping vessels and operators stay compliant with industry regulations.

Taking a proactive approach with periodic NDT inspections helps identify and address any fatigue in structures early, reducing costs and avoiding the risk of equipment failures or shutdown.

In addition to NDT work scopes, the multi disciplined rope access team can assist with torque checks on structures, bolting, and lifting gear inspection.

What Motive offer:

• Expert assessment from Certified Inspectors

• Multi-sector - all lifting equipment and accessories covered

• Scheduled services - never worry about missing an inspection

• Peace of mind - equipment stays safe, reliable, and legally compliant

• Regular maintenance and servicing help extend equipment lifespans

• Detailed inspection reporting and recommendations delivers valuable insights into asset condition

• Dedicated inspection software for powerful tracking and easy access to records 24/7

• Proactive equipment maintenance scheduling - no more downtime due to out-of-service equipment

Beyond Inspection

Beyond inspection, Motive works closely with clients to implement proactive risk mitigation via regular servicing and maintenance that can be scheduled around operational planning, ensuring equipment stays running efficiently and safely.

Motive Certification & Inspection is an IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) Full Member (Operator) company and is a full member of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), committed to the highest standards of safety across all rope access and working at height practices.

On track with its ambitious target to double inspection services business by 2025, the implementation of a Technical Team covering Wire Ropes, Lifting & Testing, Rope Access, NDT, Hose Integrity Management, and Umbilical Testing, delivers unique advantages for clients, enabling time-critical, complex work scopes to be fulfilled by a single team of experts. 

The Health and Safety landscape for Carbon Capture and Storage

Malcolm Gunnyeon, partner and health and safety expert, Brodies LLP

With the launch of the UK's carbon capture, usage and storage vision, progress being made on the Acorn project, and the announcement earlier this year that contractors have been selected for the East Coast Cluster project, the CCS market in the UK is picking up pace. The idea of operational CCS projects will (reasonably) soon become a reality.

As we move from the theory to practice of CCS, one of the key questions for the energy industry is how the health and safety aspects of CCS operations will be regulated. Will it be an extension of the existing, very familiar regime, or will new regulations be brought in to address the specific risks associated with CCS operations?

Given its relative infancy, the answer to that question will change as the CCS industry matures and the HSE and Government adapt their approach. For the moment, the regulatory regime that will apply to CCS operations is exactly the same as currently applies for all other offshore (and onshore) activities.

There are undoubtedly risks associated with the capture, transportation and storage of carbon dioxide, and it is already listed as a hazardous substance under the COSHH Regulations. In higher concentrations it can

cause confusion, dizziness and a loss of consciousness, and in confined spaces it can displace oxygen resulting in asphyxiation. So, it is a direct risk to human health, but it can also cause symptoms which themselves are a known cause of workplace accidents.

The risks of leaks during transportation, whether by pipeline, road or rail, and longterm storage will need to be addressed. Even a minor leak could have catastrophic consequences if it affected the driver of a tanker transporting CO2. These risks will be particularly acute onshore, where there will be a greater risk of other road users, or nearby residential and industrial areas being affected.

Similarly, the initial transfer of the gas into storage facilities will present particular risks. At that point the CO2 will be at very high pressures, where the HSE recognises

that it has major accident hazard potential. The HSE's current guidance makes it clear that further research is needed in order to understand (i) how CO2 behaves when released and how it disperses (presumably in both air and water), (ii) safe separation distances between pipelines or storage facilities, and other residential, commercial or industrial areas, and (iii) the appropriate design and construction standards for pipelines.

That need for further research and our very early stage in the life of CCS means that the existing suite of UK Health and Safety regulations have not been amended to specifically address carbon dioxide or CCS operations. CO2 is not (yet) listed as a dangerous substance under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations, or as a dangerous fluid in terms of the Pipeline Safety Regulations. The Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations will only apply if extended oil recovery is being undertaken alongside CCS operations.

However, even without specific regulations being introduced in the future, there are still very significant health and safety duties incumbent on those constructing, and in due course operating, CCS projects. The overarching duties under Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of employees and those who might be affected, will apply to CCS operations as much as any other.

The good news for those in the energy supply chain looking to transition into the CCS market is that the well-established, robust procedures already in place for ensuring the safety of those working with hydrocarbons offshore, will likely be more than sufficient to meet any new duties which come to apply as the CCS industry, and the regime to regulate the safety of it, matures.

Want to know more?

Brodies LLP is a UK top 50, and leading Scottish, law firm with offices across Scotland, the UK and internationally. For more useful insight and details of our energy expertise visit brodies.com

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Advancements in Marine and Lifting Sectors: Driving Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability in the Energy Industry

hese innovations are driven by the need to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy sources and address the challenges associated with offshore installations.

One area of innovation that is transforming the marine energy industry is the development of advanced lifting systems and equipment. Companies in this sector are investing heavily in research and development to create efficient and precise lifting solutions that can handle heavy loads while minimising risks to personnel and the environment. These lifting systems are specifically designed for the installation and maintenance of marine energy devices, such as tidal and wave energy converters. To ensure the proper deployment of these devices and their ability to withstand harsh marine conditions, specialised lifting and positioning techniques are required. The use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is being explored as a means to facilitate underwater operations. These innovative lifting techniques help reduce human intervention in dangerous environments and enable more efficient and accurate lifting tasks. By leveraging the capabilities of ROVs and AUVs, lifting companies can minimise risks and enhance the overall efficiency of marine energy device deployment and maintenance. Furthermore, advancements in robotics and automation play a crucial role in improving the speed and accuracy of lifting operations while reducing human error. Companies are implementing cuttingedge technology to enhance the capabilities of their lifting equipment. For instance, robotics and automation are being used

Innovation in the marine and lifting sectors within the energy industry is focused on developing new technologies, techniques, and equipment to enhance operations' efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

to automate various tasks involved in the lifting process, including load monitoring, positioning, and manoeuvring. This not only improves efficiency but also ensures safety and reliability in lifting operations.

In addition to lifting equipment, innovation has also revolutionised the marine sector through the development of advanced vessels and technology. One key example is the introduction of dynamically positioned (DP) vessels, which have significantly improved offshore operations. These vessels are equipped with advanced sensors, computer systems, and algorithms that enable precise positioning and manoeuvrability. This technological advancement has had a transformative impact on the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms and oil rigs. DP vessels have enhanced stability and reliability in harsh offshore conditions, making them instrumental in the growth of the marine energy industry. Another example of innovation in the marine sector is the constant development of specialised vessels for offshore wind turbine installation. Jack-up vessels, in particular, have been specifically designed to transport and install large wind turbine components in deep waters. These vessels are equipped with retractable legs that can be lowered to the seabed, providing stability during the installation process. Some jack-up vessels even feature self-elevating platforms that can operate in challenging marine environments. This innovation has enabled efficient and precise wind turbine installation, further driving the growth of renewable energy.

Beyond equipment and technology, innovation is also driving improvements in data analytics and digitalisation in the marine energy industry. Companies are harnessing the power of big data and artificial intelligence to optimise operations, reduce downtime, and enhance the performance of marine assets. Real-time monitoring systems, predictive maintenance algorithms, and advanced analytics are being developed to detect and prevent issues before they lead to equipment failure. By leveraging data analytics and digitalisation, companies are able to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of their marine energy operations. The innovations aim to increase efficiency, safety, and sustainability, driving the growth of the industry. By leveraging their expertise in lifting and handling heavy loads in challenging marine environments, these sectors are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the energy industry and furthering the transition to a more sustainable future.

The United Kingdom is leading advancements in the marine and lifting sectors within the energy industry, bringing economic benefits while also reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. The UK government supports these advancements through funding programs, grants, and collaborations with industry and academic organisations. Initiatives such as the Marine Energy Research and Development Accelerator (MERADA) program and collaborations like the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult drive innovation and research in marine and lifting technologies, aiming for more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.

To support these efforts, companies engaged in pioneering projects can explore the potential benefits of additional funding schemes such as HMRC’s R&D Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme provides financial incentives for companies investing in research and development activities. Leyton, a renowned innovation funding leader, offers expert guidance and support to help firms secure financial backing for their research and development initiatives. Leveraging Leyton’s extensive experience ensures that companies can confidently apply for R&D funding, maximising the rewards for their innovative endeavours. 

Mariusz Kucharek PhD Senior Technical Consultant - R&D Tax Incentives, Leyton UK

Offshore wind Your partner in the energy transition

Optimizing the performance of your offshore wind assets to generate and transmit clean power efficiently and sustainably.

Ocean Winds installs final Moray West turbine

The 60th and final Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD wind turbine has been successfully installed on Ocean Winds’ 882MW Moray West project in Scotland.

Supplied with “Power Boost” each turbine can generate up to 14.7MW output, making them the largest offshore commercial turbines in Europe.

The wind farm is nearing the end of the construction phase and will become fully operational during 2025 in line with the originally projected commercial operations date.

When Moray West comes online, Ocean Winds will be the largest offshore wind operator in Scotland.

The Moray West project, under the stewardship of Ocean Winds, has been remarkable in achieving this milestone in line with the project programme, delivering against a very rigorous timeline and the varied challenges of extreme weather, grid connection and supply chain constraints.

The pre-assembly activity of the 60 turbines has been managed by Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy’s wind business, who also

manufactured all the 180 blades for the project at their facility in Hull, UK.

The Hull site has recruited more than 600 people in the last 12 months, and now employs around 1,300 people.

Siemens Gamesa has been marshalling all turbine components at Port of Nigg from where the Cadeler heavy lift vessel “Wind Orca” undertook the installation.

Its technicians on land and on board the vessel have overseen each installation and are in the process of commissioning each turbine, Ocean Winds revealed.

Following installation of all primary project components across foundations, the offshore and onshore substations, array and export cables and now the wind turbines – the project continues its commissioning and testing phase before full acceptance of the project in 2025.

Pete Geddes, project director of Moray West, said: “What a journey– and what a result.

“Subsea surveys, boulder clearance, bomb disposal, scour protection, monopiles, vibrohammers, transition pieces, cables, onshore and offshore substations – and finally, the deployment of the world’s largest capacity offshore wind turbine to date.

“Moray West really has ‘set the bar high’ in terms of both technological innovation, and rock-solid project execution.

“More important than ever, the project has been delivered on time, on budget, and with the highest level of quality.

“Delivered by the best team in the business –congratulations to every person in Moray West – you can feel very proud of this tremendous milestone.”

Adam Morrison, Ocean Winds UK country manager, added: “This is a fantastic milestone to mark the installation of all the wind turbines for Moray West.

“The project has some way to go before it is fully commissioned, nevertheless this landmark demonstrates Ocean Winds’ commitment to successful delivery through our fantastic professional and safe teams.

“With two more projects in development in the United Kingdom and Moray East already operating, we are proud to be leaders in the United Kingdom’s energy transition.

“Over more than a decade developing our projects in the Moray Firth region we have been key drivers in developing the supply chain, creating and support varied jobs in Scotland and the wider UK.

“I am really pleased that our collaboration with Siemens Gamesa has reached this milestone on this state-of-the-art offshore wind project.

“It is a great example of what Ocean Winds is delivering for the UK, Scotland and the region. We don’t want to stop here.

“Pipeline continuity is essential to the success of the energy transition in the north-east of Scotland and we need the support of both governments to ensure we can move promptly on to our next major project in the region, Caledonia.” 

ScottishPower seals £1BN offshore wind turbine deal with Siemens Gamesa

• ScottishPower awards turbine contract, worth more than £1 billion, for its East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm just weeks after renewables auction success.

• Huge boost for UK manufacturing, with blades for the 64 turbines to be manufactured in Siemens Gamesa’s Hull factory, which provides 1,300 local jobs.

• The £4 billion windfarm will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of almost 1 million homes.

The turbine blades for ScottishPower’s £4 billion East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm will be built in Hull after the green energy company formalised a turbine supply agreement with Siemens Gamesa worth more than £1 billion.

The agreement will see Siemens Gamesa supply 64 of its flagship SG 14-236 DD* offshore wind turbines, which have a rotor diameter of 236 metres – almost as tall as the observation deck at the Shard – for ScottishPower’s third offshore wind project in the southern North Sea.

Situated almost 33km off the Suffolk coat, East Anglia TWO will have the capacity to generate up to 960MW of green electricity –enough to power the equivalent of almost one million homes.

The 115 metres-long blades will be manufactured at Siemens Gamesa’s offshore wind blade factory in Hull, which now employs around 1,300 people after recruiting more than 600 new employees over the last 12 months.

The contract award comes just after ScottishPower announced it is doubling its investment in the UK – from £12 billion to £24 billion – between 2024 and 2028.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower will fire up our industrial heartlands and break down barriers to growth in our hard-working towns and cities.

“It will strengthen our national security – protecting our children and grandchildren from the climate crisis, and impact this will have on their future prosperity.

“By acting decisively and early, the UK has an opportunity to lead the world in the industries of the future – working in partnership with businesses like ScottishPower and Siemens Energy – creating real energy security, cutting energy bills and building jobs and supply chains in the UK.

“But we can’t move alone – and at COP I will lead efforts to protect Britain from climate change by also working with other countries to

accelerate the global clean transition to tackle the causes at its root.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s growing renewables sector and will power our clean energy future – supporting skilled jobs and green growth in Hull and beyond.

“Offshore wind is the backbone of our clean power 2030 mission; every new turbine in our waters helps us boost energy security, protect consumers, and tackle the climate crisis.

“We are making the UK a clean energy superpower, backing industry to build cleaner, global supply chains, and to drive investment into our country.”

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “Today is tangible proof of the importance of Britain’s Clean Power Mission – our East Anglia projects are delivering UK jobs, UK supply chain contracts and UK green energy.

“Getting more projects like East Anglia TWO off the blocks quicker will turbo-boost the UK’s supply chain, giving companies like Siemens Gamesa the confidence to invest in facilities like this blade factory in Hull.

“Britain’s clean power targets are achievable but demanding. We’ve doubled our investment and are ready to play our part with Government as it gets barriers out the way to build more projects like this, alongside the electricity networks needed to ferry green, homegrown power across the country.”

Siemens Gamesa is the fully owned wind business of Siemens Energy with more than 6,000 employees in the UK. Darren Davidson, UK and Ireland Vice President for Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa said: “The UK is the first leading industrial country to simultaneously phase out coal power and be a leader in offshore wind. If we’re to achieve our net zero targets, it’s mission critical this momentum is maintained. As well as delivering the blades to power the UK’s energy transition, our factory in Hull is acting as a catalyst for economic growth and green jobs across the region.”

East Anglia TWO’s success in the new UK Government’s Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 (AR6) in September 2024 comes 14 years after the seabed rights for the windfarm were awarded by the last Labour government under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and when Ed Miliband was previously Energy Secretary.

Getting projects like East Anglia TWO through the system quicker was a key takeaway at the UK Government’s recent International Investment Summit, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the country needs to “rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment” for clean energy projects. 

www.infinity-partnership.com

Infinity Partnership: Your Partner in Business

Infinity Partnership is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary accountancy and business advisory practice, with a proactive approach to customer service.

Infinity has been a five-time winner at the British Accountancy Awards and has been a three-time finalist at the Scottish Accountancy Awards in recent times.

Exceed leads transfer of wells expertise to clean energy with Centrica win

• Appointed by Centrica Energy Storage as Tier One partner in potential redevelopment of Rough gas field

• Creates 30+ Exceed positions

• Well Management of design, procurement and construction of 16 hydrogen-ready new wells

Well and reservoir management specialist, Exceed, has announced its role in the initial stages of a world leading clean energy project, which could result in the creation of more than 30 jobs at the Aberdeen-headquartered company.

With the knowledge and experience to develop hydrogen-ready wells, the company has been selected by Centrica Energy Storage (CES+) as a Tier One partner, alongside Wood, for the front end works specific to the redevelopment of the UKCS Rough field.

As RougH2, the UK’s largest proven gas storage facility may provide hydrogen ready facilities that could allow storage of up to 260 billion cubic feet of gas. This would be pivotal in ensuring the security of the UK’s energy supply and the facility could ultimately create approximately 4,000 jobs, whilst lowering energy costs.

Exceed’s workscope will include the provision of integrated multi-discipline subsurface engineering, field redevelopment planning and delivery, and well project management of the design. The FEED contract award to Exceed follows the successful completion a Rough Redevelopment engineering pre-FEED phase, and a recent eight-month integrated CCS preFEED transition engineering study in support of the Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) cluster, owned by Centrica Energy Storage and Spirit Energy.

Ian Mills, Exceed Managing Director, comments: “Without question, RougH2 is critical to the success of UK’s energy transition. This contract makes clear the necessity for, and transferability of, well and reservoir management capabilities throughout that journey, and we take pride in our involvement in this landmark project.” 

deliver the Subsea Production System (SPS) and flexible risers and umbilical equipment packages.

TotalEnergies announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the GranMorgu project, located around 150 km off the coast of Suriname

oilfield services company Saipem has secured a key engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract for the subsea development of the GranMorgu project, offshore Suriname.

The contract, worth $1.9bn, was awarded by TotalEnergies EP Suriname, a subsidiary of project operator TotalEnergies.

The scope of work includes the engineering, procurement, supply, construction, installation, and pre-commissioning of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) package at water depths between 100m and 1,100m.

It will include 100km of 10inch to 12inch subsea production flowlines, 90km of 8inch to 12inch water and gas injection lines, and the T&I of flexible risers, umbilicals and associated structures.

The company plans to deploy S-Lay and J-Lay vessels for the work.

GranMorgu is located in Block 58, around 150 km off the coast of Suriname. TotalEnergies announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the offshore project in October 2024. Saipem will carry out the project works in cooperation with TechnipFMC, which will

The scope of TechnipFMC deliveries includes Subsea 2.0 tree systems, manifolds, connectors, and topside control equipment along with umbilicals, flexible jumpers, and flexible risers.

TechnipFMC Subsea president Jonathan Landes said: “We are very pleased to receive this integrated EPCI award for the GranMorgu project. We are bringing our new frontier experience and differentiated technology— including Subsea 2.0—while leveraging the complementary capabilities of our vessel ecosystem.”

Meanwhile, a joint venture of SBM Offshore and Technip Energies will build and install the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for GranMorgu project.

The FPSO vessel will be connected to the subsea infrastructure to enable production.

GranMorgu is expected to produce first oil in 2028. 

Italian

Interocean

secures

four-year extension with Vattenfall

Specialist provider of offshore support services, Interocean Marine Services (Interocean) has been awarded a four-year extension to its frame agreement with multinational power company, Vattenfall.

Strengthening the existing relationship, the new contract will see Interocean introduce its remotely operated vehicle (ROV) inspection services to support Below Water Balance of Plant (BOP) for the Thanet, Kentish Flats, and Kentish Flats Extension wind farms, alongside the Aberdeen and Ormonde offshore wind farms it already supports.

Commenting on the contract extension, Interocean Chief Commercial Officer, Alex Clark said: “We are immensely proud to have secured this four-year extension to our frame agreement with Vattenfall. Following five years of successful partnership, this contract expansion is a testament to the high standards our team of inspection, survey and maintenance experts continually deliver.”

From design and analysis to installation and hook-up, Interocean delivers comprehensive solutions to the offshore wind sector. Its fleet of advanced ROV and UAV technologies are piloted by fully qualified personnel with demonstrable experience in operating additions such as manipulator arms, NDT probes, and cameras. Additionally, the maritime specialist is one of the first companies to receive ABS and DNV approval for Ultrasonic Thickness Measurements (UTM) by use of UAV’s and other remote techniques. 

Seaway7 awarded offshore wind contract in UK

Subsea7 today announced the award to Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 Group, of a substantial1 contract by ScottishPower Renewables for the transport and installation of the inter-array cables of the East Anglia

TWO offshore wind project.

ScottishPower Renewables £4 billion East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm will be located around 33 kilometres from the east coast of England in the Southern North Sea. Successful in the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round in September 2024, it will contribute up to 960 MW of clean, green energy – enough to power the equivalent of almost one million homes.

Oil and gas sector contract wins for security specialist

Security and surveillance technology company, Synectics, has won two contracts, totalling £2.3m, for oil and gas projects in Qatar and Brazil.

The contract in Qatar, which is worth approximately £1.8m, will see Sheffield-headquartered Synectics supply North Oil Company (NOC), which is responsible for 45% of the country’s oil production, with its security camera station technology.

NOC is preparing to increase production at the offshore Ruya Project, as part of the expansion of the Al-Shaheen field, Qatar’s largest oil field.

The COEX camera stations will be supplied in two phases, expected to occur in 2025 and 2026.

The camera stations will be deployed for the surveillance of critical locations on the offshore platforms and to monitor operational activities to ensure the safety and security of NOC’s employees and assets.

Separately, Synectics has been selected to provide its specialist security and surveillance solutions for a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in Brazil with a contract value of approximately £500,000.

The solution will be integral to the vessel’s security operations and overall situational awareness, ensuring compliance with rigorous offshore safety and performance requirements. 

It is one of three consented offshore wind farm developments that, together with the operational East Anglia ONE, will form the East Anglia Hub, which will ultimately deliver 4,000 MW of renewable energy generation capacity. Seaway7’s scope of work for East Anglia TWO includes the engineering, supply and installation of the 64 inter-array cables. Execution of the scope will be led from Seaway7’s Aberdeen office in the UK, with offshore activities scheduled to commence in 2027.

Stuart Fitzgerald, CEO Seaway7, said: “This award builds upon our leading position in the UK and represents a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable target. With this project we also look forward to continuing our relationship with ScottishPower Renewables on our second East Anglia Hub project together, with East Anglia THREE currently in execution.”

Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables’ CEO said: “It’s great to confirm so much of our supply chain for East Anglia TWO on the back of achieving our CfD and we look forward to building on the positive working relationship we already have with Seaway7 on East Anglia THREE.

“Getting our EA TWO supply chain in place through confirmed contracts like this means we’re ready to hit the ground – and water! – running and bring another gigawatt of clean, green energy to life, making a real difference for people, places and planet for decades to come.” 

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SAFE, SMART & EFFICIENT

The complete package for well decommissioning

Well-Safe Solutions provides a ground-breaking approach to the safe and cost-efficient decommissioning of on and offshore wells. We offer a specialist well abandonment service that allows operators to meet the challenges and regulatory imperatives around decommissioning, while significantly reducing costs.

Decom Engineering ends 2024 on a high with £2

million contract wins

Decom Engineering (Decom) is set to finish 2024 on a high with the completion of several key contracts in the UK North Sea, Gulf of Mexico and South America worth an estimated £2 million.

The UK-based company has cemented its reputation as the leading provider of decommissioning subsea cutting and asset recovery services showcasing its ability to deliver innovative solutions for complex offshore projects.

In the UK North Sea, Decom recently completed a significant conductor removal campaign, further solidifying its capability to deliver safe and efficient decommissioning solutions. The success of this operation highlights Decom’s expertise in addressing technical challenges across diverse offshore environments.

Offshore Western Australia, Decom is set to deploy its custom-built Tracksaw to complete linear cuts in areas of limited access and remove excess webbing to allow the safe recovery of a disconnectable turret mooring on an offshore field.

Additionally, Decom is preparing to complete another project in Australia which will involve deploying its patented Chopsaws to deliver fast and consistent cutting of mooring chains on the seabed.

Decom is also scheduled to complete a challenging project in Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, performing 850 cuts on an 8” multi-layer flexible flowline over a 30-day window.

Decom Engineering managing director, Sean Conway, said: “Offshore Australia has become an increasingly important market for our cutting technologies and the diversity of these projects underlines the flexibility our Chopsaws can offer a range of clients.

“We have worked with each client over many months to devise tailored solutions which addresses their unique technical and logistical challenges. The relationships we have built up with major operators in the region gives us confidence that Australia will continue to be a strategic region which will support our growth in 2025 and beyond.”

In the Gulf of Mexico, Decom is preparing for a 40-day campaign on a major Tension Leg Platform. The C1-24 Chopsaw will be deployed to severe 24” tendon sections on the platform decommissioning project, overcoming complex challenges such as tension and internal structures.

The company is also optimising its Chopsaw tool range with the development of a lightweight variant (C1-16UL). This bespoke tool will be deployed during a 45-day campaign in the Shenandoah Field, cutting studless mooring chains in less than 10 minutes and incorporating a linked retention system to secure severed sections.

In South America, Decom is gearing up for a 10-month project to cut multiple 120mm link mooring chains on an offshore installation. A specially designed C1-16 Chopsaw has been developed to meet project demands, allowing chain cutting without blade changes or tool recovery.

Sean Conway added: “It is encouraging to finish 2024 so strongly. The diversity of the projects we have lined up for 2025 is a testament to the innovative approach that is central to how we work with clients.

“These upcoming contracts in the UK North Sea, Australia, North America and South America, alongside our growing portfolio of work completed offshore Africa and Gulf of Thailand, provide a solid foundation for our continued growth. We will support that with ongoing investment in R&D to expand our technology and drive revenues.” 

Right tool, right place database aims to make decommissioning cheaper and easier

• New database sheds light on subsea well and tree infrastructure

• Four operators provide data on more than 400 wells as part of collaborative pilot project

• Legacy data collated and ready for the next generation

A groundbreaking online database which will provide vital well insights to make subsea well decommissioning more cost-efficient and provide supply chain opportunities has been launched.

The Tree and Wellhead Information for Subsea Tooling (TWIST) database provides access to sought-after data on the makeup of well infrastructure, helping companies plan their decommissioning projects better and quickly locate potentially hard-to-find tools.

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has developed the pilot version using data on 423 wells provided by operators bp, CNR International, Harbour Energy and TAQA, with input from the Well Decommissioning Steering Group (WDSG), part of the Wells Task Force.

Wellhead and “Christmas tree” systems come in different shapes, sizes and ratings depending on when and why they were made, and by whom. Specific tools are needed to

decommission this equipment – there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Operators are legally required to fully decommission and seal their wells after ceasing production from them. In some cases, progress has been slowed as companies struggle with a lack of technical information about well architecture and the availability and accessibility of tools.

Delaying well decommissioning activity weakens the industry’s reputation for responsible and environmentallysound practice. It also deprives suppliers of the revenues needed to invest in skills and resources with confidence.

TWIST, launched today at the Offshore Decommissioning Conference in St Andrews, looks to address this by displaying verified subsea data, including the location, ownership, age and status of wells, and the type of wellhead and/or “Christmas tree” installed. A “Christmas tree” is a system which controls the flow of fluids from the well.

To make tooling easier to find, it also lists the equipment maker and manufacturer lineage, which can otherwise be extremely challenging to obtain or determine due to past mergers and acquisitions.

Operators can use this information to find the tools they need and identify other operators with wells built using the same type of kit. They can then consider teaming up to plug and abandon multiple wells as part of a single campaign, an efficient approach which saves time and money.

TWIST also helps operators and suppliers work out whether tools they already own can be used for future decommissioning projects, which could prevent valuable pieces of kit being scrapped. They can potentially save time and money by retaining and maintaining these tools, instead of making new ones. Equally, suppliers can develop new technologies – with more confidence – if the data shows there is a gap in the market.

Oil and gas decommissioning cost to near £25billion, research finds

The cost of decommissioning oil and gas structures in the North Sea is likely to hit £24.6billion up to 2033, industry experts have predicted.

Offshore Energies UK’s latest Decommissioning report, to be published today, highlights costs have shot up by almost 20% in comparison to last year’s forecast.

The trade body suggests around £2.3billion is likely to have been spent during 2024, up from £1.7billion in 2023 and £1.6billion in 2022.

OEUK warns, The Times reports, uncertainty over the fiscal outlook had slowed activity but that there was not yet any evidence of companies prematurely ending production in the UK completely.

Ricky Thomson, the OEUK decommissioning manager, called for a supportive fiscal regime to give production companies time to properly plan out decommissioning work and to maximise the contracts on offer for UK support companies.

He said: “Decommissioning in general we see as an opportunity, and so does industry.

“This is about the amount of knowledge that can be gained by the last 50-plus years of work, of innovation, of new technologies, used within the North Sea.

“In order to decommission an asset, you basically have to learn absolutely every last bit of knowledge [about] that asset for the last 50 years.”

STATS & ANALYTICS

PROVIDED BY

Offshore Field Development Update

Offshore O&G-related EPC contract award value year-to-date is estimated at US$44.9bn (excluding letters of intent), with an additional US$13bn of EPC contract awards still anticipated for the remainder of 2024. During the period under review, TechnipFMC announced the integrated engineering, procurement, construction and installation (iEPCI) contract award for TotalEnergies’ GranMorgu development offshore Suriname, following the project’s final investment decision (FID) announced on 01 October 2024. TechnipFMC’s contract was valued at over US$1bn and includes subsea 2.0® tree systems, manifolds, connectors and topside control equipment. Saipem also confirmed a US$1.9bn contract award for the same project, which includes EPCI for ~100km of subsea production flowlines and 90km of water and gas injection lines. Furthermore, SBM Offshore, in partnership with Technip Energies, will be responsible for the project’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit.

Offshore Norway, Vår Energi and field partner Kistos Energy announced FID for its Balder Phase V development. The US$690mn project will consist of six new infill wells through the use of spare template slots available on subsea infrastructure on the Balder field. Drilling will start in 1H 2025, with initial production expected by 4Q 2025. In the US GoM, OneSubsea announced a contract award from BP for a subsea boosting system as part of the Kaskida project and offshore Brazil, Baker Hughes was awarded a contract to supply Petrobras with 77km of flexible pipe systems to be deployed in Brazil’s pre-salt fields.

Westwood anticipates an additional 51 subsea tree unit awards in the final weeks of 2024, driven by projects such as Shell’s Bonga North (Nigeria), the Northern Endurance partnership’s CCS project in the UK North Sea and Eni’s Coral North development offshore Mozambique. EPC work scope for an additional four FPS units (three newbuilds and one upgrade) and 12 fixed platform units driven by ADNOC’s Umm Shaif and PTTEP’s Lang Lebah projects are still anticipated before the end of 2024.

Offshore Drilling Rig Update

The global committed jackup count increased by 1 to 411 units in October. Marketed available and cold-stacked jackup counts now stand at 34 and 55 respectively, with marketed committed utilisation and total utilisation at 92% and 82%, respectively. During the month, a total of seven new contracts were awarded, amounting to 7,677 days (21 rig years) of backlog added. The Valaris 247 has been awarded a one-well, 60-day contract by EOG Resources for drilling of the Beehive-1 exploration well.

The global committed semisubmersible count stayed at 65, with 11 available and 12 cold-stacked rigs remaining in the fleet. During the month, marketed committed and total utilisation remained at 85% and 74% respectively. Woodside Energy has exercised its options for additional work with the Transocean Endurance offshore Australia. The rig will drill six wells from December 2025 through August 2026 at a dayrate of $390,000.

Finally, the global drillship count dropped to 79 units during the month, leaving 11 marketed rigs available plus 13 cold-stacked units. Marketed utilisation and total utilisation dropped to 88% and 77% respectively. Three fixtures were recorded in October, of which 91% of awarded days are for drilling activities in US GoM by the Deepwater Invictus and Deepwater Conqueror at an estimated dayrate of $530,000.

Offshore Wind Update

Since the last update, no new turbine contracts have been awarded globally (excluding Mainland China). With regards to business activity, Doosan Enerbility has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Equinor and Siemens Gamesa to work with them on the 750MW Firefly floating wind farm, located offshore South Korea. Under the MoU, Siemens Gamesa's 15MW turbines will be used at the wind farm and Doosan's wind power plant in Chongwon, South Korea, will supply and assemble the nacelles for these turbines.

Dominating headlines was news that the South Korean government has launched its power auction which aims to procure 1.5GW of offshore wind capacity. 1GW of this is reserved for fixed bottom wind farms and the remaining 500MW is for floating projects. A pre-defined ceiling price of KRW176.565/MWh (US$127.04/MWh) has been set for both fixed and floating wind projects. Bids will be assessed via a two-stage process. The first stage will be based on non-price criteria, and the second stage includes a price competition based on an evaluation of price attributes.

Finally, the Gulf of Maine offshore wind lease auction in the US concluded with a total of four out the eight floating wind areas on offer being awarded. The winning bidders were Invenergy and Avangrid, with each company being awarded the lease rights to two sites. The combined bid price for all four awarded sites was just under US$22mn. 

Westwood Global Energy Group are specialist providers of detailed market intelligence for the offshore energy sector, covering; offshore rigs, production facilities, subsea equipment, subsea services, offshore marine and offshore renewables and power.

www.westwoodenergy.com

Energaïa Forum 11-12 December

Montpellier, France

World Future Energy Summit 14-16 Jan 2025

ADNEC, Abu Dhabi

MEOS Manama 4-6 February 2025

Manama, Bahrain

E-world energy & water 11-13 February 2025

Essen, Germany

India Energy Week 2025 11-14 February 2025

Yashobhoomi, Delhi

KEY – The Energy Transition Expo

5-7 March 2025

Rimini Exhibition Centre, Italy

Future of Utilities

19-20 March 2025

SugarFactory, Amsterdam

Focusing on marine crew change travel improves mental health

A 2023 International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) whitepaper called Changing minds: saving lives at sea highlighted key wellbeing themes including the standardisation of mental health care, the importance of mental health being a priority issue for leadership and going beyond minimum care provision. The latter highlights a less obvious but crucial part of working at sea: crew change travel.

People-focused travel

Extending wellbeing and duty of care initiatives across the millions of miles travelled for crew rotations every year can contribute to improved mental health. It requires a comprehensive strategy to ensure that those responsible for organising crew changes can access a broader range of flight options, so they may better align itineraries with individual crew member needs & their often emotional state during their travel to or from their vessel.

Further, offering benefits like priority airport boarding ensures that crew can enjoy a more comfortable and less stressful travel experience on the way to work, and back home again. Facilitating easy contact with expert support and ensuring fast issue resolution in case of deviations from the plan are also essential to support employees en route.

Another important aspect of crew change travel wellbeing is safety, so companies with crew traveling to or from regions with political or social unrest may choose to provide personal tracking solutions, emergency support and critical communication services.

company like ATPI can make it easier to access the solutions needed, and start improving the wellbeing of crew on their commute.

Additional costs incurred when e.g., offering direct flights, priority boarding and tracking beacons can be offset against savings a travel management partner can achieve, as well as against wider operating expenses. The IADC whitepaper states that there is a ‘correlation between accidents at work and peoples’ state of mind’, going on to say that ‘A lack of sleep due to stress or anxiety can lead to concentration lapses and potential accidents - putting the lives of the individual concerned and those nearby at risk’.

A crew member well rested when arriving for their rotation will surely be in a better position to work safer and more effectively. Further advantages of focusing on wellbeing for crew change travel can include lower recruitment and training costs, as being looked after even during travel to work and home again can contribute to an employee’s overall job satisfaction, and their likelihood to return for the next rotation.

Travel management companies

It can be challenging to organise and sustain such a focus on wellbeing and safety outside of the workplace as the expertise and knowledge required may not be readily available. However, partnering with a specialist travel management

Ultimately, choosing the right travel management company can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of professionals. ATPI staff work relentlessly to ensure that the individual seafarer’s state-of-mind and ability to work is always considered, while also ensuring that operational and financial aspects are fully accommodated. 

If you would like to find out how ATPI can help streamline your travel management, email: atpienergytravel@atpi.com