Businesses are operating in tough economic times, with budgets being significantly cut during the current industry downturn.
Unfortunately, when lowering costs is a key priority, learning and development budgets have historically been one of the first areas to take the hit, yet projects still need to be completed and delivered on time and to the highest possible standard.
Jee Ltd, a leading independent multi-discipline subsea engineering and training firm, recognises this and believes that, since unpredictable market conditions inevitably lead to cuts, flexible training options are essential to support continued learning.
Jenny Matthew, Head of Courses at Jee Ltd said: “Despite the current climate, it should be remembered that investing in training and staff development is essential to ensure immediate and long-term business objectives are met, such as greater efficiencies in project delivery, as well as supporting professional career development.”
To help mitigate the issue of companies slashing training budgets, Jee has developed and applied a significant price promotion for its public and online subsea engineering training.
Ms. Matthew continued: “We understand and sympathize that in tough market conditions training budgets are under strain, so to help alleviate this pressure, the team at Jee is consistently searching for flexible approaches to ensure investment in training and staff development continues to be a viable priority for our customers.
“Through the development of adaptable blended learning programs, and by offering up to 50% off public and online courses until the end of this month, we hope to encourage oil and gas companies to continue investing in the development of their people. This in turn will help to meet immediate or long-term objectives, and emphasise a company’s intention to nurture growth and create an environment where staff feel invested in and valued. “
Jee believes that developing staff and their capabilities helps to form a cohesiveness within a company that will strengthen the resilience required to overcome this downturn. Continuous learning and development is beneficial to the individual being trained, the company he or she works for, and the industry as a whole.
Training and people development should be a key part of a company’s overall strategy and rather than cutting deeply into training budgets, alternative cost-saving solutions should be considered.
“Businesses should see this downturn as an opportunity to look at the bigger business picture, take advantage of cost-effective training solutions and the much needed ‘time to learn’ while the market has slowed. Ensuring that staff are at the top of their game to meet the needs and demands of a challenging market.” concluded Ms Matthew.
Jee has been training the global oil and gas industry for more than 20 years, with all tutors also practising engineers, thus boasting a wealth of up-to-date experience in the subsea industry. The company’s portfolio of courses have become the benchmark for excellence in the industry, having built up a portfolio of 24 subsea engineering courses offered worldwide to assist in the standardisation of engineering knowledge across the global industry.
Offer details are as follows:
Strainstall selected to provide offshore monitoring system for Bluewater’s turret mooring systems contract for the Kaombo deep water Project
Strainstall to deliver its market-leading Chain Tension Monitoring System (CTMS), providing customers with confidence during challenging operations
Two CTMS to be installed on two FPSOs for the Total E&P Angola Block 32 Kaombo Project off the coast of Angola, West Africa
Strainstall, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, has secured a significant contract with Bluewater Energy Services (Bluewater), a leading offshore company specialising in Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and Single Point Mooring (SPM) systems, for the provision of its innovative Chain Tension Monitoring System.
The integrity of FPSO moorings is a known issue industry-wide that has been highlighted due to a number of recent mooring chain failures. Identification of these failures, as they occur, is of critical importance for maintaining safety onboard. Strainstall’s CTMS provides a cost-effective solution that warns users immediately in the event of anchor loads exceeding pre-determined limits, delivering a simple system on which operators can rely.
Bluewater selected Strainstall’s superior monitoring solution to ensure the integrity of the turret mooring systems on two FPSO vessels in the Kaombo deep water oil field. The CTMS systems will provide increased operational efficiency and cost reduction through the delivery of a long-term monitoring system that incorporates fully sealed, bespoke sensors lasting over 20 years - significantly longer than any comparable offering.
“Strainstall’s CTMS system was selected as it suited Bluewater’s requirements for a simple and easy to install solution to monitor the integrity of the mooring chains for the two Kaombo FPSO's” explained Evert Han Huernink, project manager at Bluewater Energy Services BV.
Strainstall’s reputation in providing customers with confidence during challenging projects, through the delivery of innovative monitoring solutions for the offshore environment, ensured its success.
“This win is an excellent development in Strainstall’s on-going relationship with Bluewater for the provision of load monitoring solutions.” explained Simon Everett, managing director of Strainstall. “We’re extremely pleased with the opportunity to deliver our advanced mooring monitoring system, which has been proven on a number of Total’s offshore platforms previously.”
The ability of the CTMS to interface directly with on-board monitoring and control systems was significant in its selection, providing a simple and easy to use solution for this CTMS application. The system will provide real-time data to operators, giving an accurate indication of mooring loads to ensure they are not overloaded and stay within safe limits.
With previous experience on numerous applications world-wide, including Moho Nord field off the West coast of Africa, CTMS is proven to ensure safe operations in the harshest of environments.
Delmar Systems, a world leader in mooring and subsea operations, has created a new R&D team dedicated to developing innovative mooring and subsea technology. Delmar has a long history of designing specialized equipment and tools to improve safety and efficiency in the offshore oil and gas industry, including the Delmar subsea connector, chain chaser stoppers, synthetic rope handling equipment, the OMNI-Max® anchor, and the recent Delmar Quick Release. Customized software, such as the recently developed Del-3DM used for 3D simulation of rig moves and other installation activities, is also within the scope of the new group. “We already have several new and exciting development projects underway to address the needs of temporary and permanent moorings in key market areas around the globe,” said John Shelton, Delmar’s Engineering Manager.
Establishment of the R&D team will allow Delmar Systems to address our customer and market technology needs in the mooring and subsea fields with a full-time dedicated and focused effort.
Headquartered in Broussard, LA with technical services based in Houston, TX, Delmar System, Inc. has provided mooring and subsea installation services for over 47 years to every oil and gas region around the globe, with offices strategically located to serve the offshore industry in the world’s most challenging offshore environments.
Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) has announced a reorganization of the company's operating regions and key leadership changes.
"Today's announcement marks the formation of our operational leadership team and a reorganization that will position Apache for continued success. These changes represent a significant step toward streamlining our operations in a way that will greatly enhance our ability to maximize recovery and minimize costs. This new structure will enable us to allocate resources and personnel expediently as industry conditions dictate. In addition, we have consolidated our technical expertise into centers of excellence, which will support each operating region and strengthen our ability to share best practices around the globe," said John J. Christmann, IV, Apache's chief executive officer and president.
Streamlined organization
Following a series of acquisitions and divestitures over the last five years, Apache has completed a strategic repositioning of its portfolio that emphasizes the growth potential of its North American business and the strong free-cash-flow-generation of its Egypt and North Sea assets. To realign organizational resources with the company's updated portfolio, Apache is implementing a more integrated, super-region structure that will reduce redundancy and increase operational efficiency.
The new organization includes three super regions. In North America, the company is merging resources into two super regions: the Permian Region and the Houston Region. Apache's Egypt Region, North Sea Region and Gulf of Mexico Region will form the International and Offshore Region.
The newly formed Houston Region will consolidate operational activities for the Eagle Ford, Anadarko Basin, Texas Panhandle and Canadian properties into one region. The Canadian properties will continue to be operated out of the existing Calgary, Alberta, office. The Permian Region will continue to include the Midland Basin and the Central Basin Platform operated out of Midland, Texas, with the Delaware Basin receiving separate and individualized management in San Antonio, Texas, to realize the exceptional potential of these unconventional assets.
The Houston Region reorganization includes closing Apache's regional office in Tulsa, Okla., and relocating a number of Tulsa employees. This will consolidate employee expertise in a single office location to foster increased collaboration and technology transfer among asset teams.
Other organizational optimization is also underway consistent with the high-graded portfolio. By the end of 2015, Apache will reposition its overall cost structure to establish itself as a strong and efficient competitor. The company will provide an update on its plans and progress on its second-quarter earnings call.
Key leadership changes
Apache is realigning its senior operational leadership to support the organizational structure described above. The following key changes are effective immediately but will include a transition period through the end of July.
Timothy J. Sullivan has been appointed to the newly created role of senior vice president – Operations Support based in Houston. In this role, he will support the CEO in operational strategy, capital allocation, market intelligence and marketing.
Thomas E. Voytovich will assume the role of executive vice president – International and Offshore Region and Exploration and Production Technology. In addition to his current management of Apache's operations in Egypt, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Voytovich will also oversee the Exploration and Production Technology and Engineering Technology service teams. Voytovich will remain in Apache's Houston headquarters.
James L. House has been named to the newly created position of senior region vice president – Houston Region and will be based in Apache's Houston headquarters. Grady L. Ables will assume the role of region vice president – Canada Region and president, Apache Canada, and report up through the Houston Region. Ables will be based in Apache's Calgary, Alberta, office.
Faron J. Thibodeaux will continue to oversee the company's operations in the Midland Basin and Central Basin Platform as the senior region vice president – Permian Region based in Apache's Midland, Texas, office.
Steven J. Keenan will oversee the North American Unconventional Resources Technology team, Unconventional Resources New Ventures team and the company's operations in the Delaware Basin as the senior region vice president – Delaware Basin. Keenan will remain in Apache's San Antonio, Texas, office.
Cory L. Loegering will assume the role of region vice president – UK Region and managing director, Apache North Sea, following House's relocation to Houston. Loegering will be based in Apache's Aberdeen, Scotland, office and continue to report to Voytovich. Thomas M. Maher will continue to oversee the company's operations in Egypt as the region vice president – Egypt Region and General Manager, Apache Egypt, from Apache's Cairo, Egypt, office.
Impact to operational reporting
The organizational changes and realignment of Apache's operating areas will not impact the reporting of production in the company's quarterly supplement. The company will continue to report production as Permian (Midland Basin, Central Basin Platform, Delaware Basin), Central (Anadarko Basin, Texas Panhandle), Gulf Coast (Eagle Ford), Canada, Gulf of Mexico, Egypt and the North Sea.
International oil and gas skills organization, OPITO, is making Nigeria safer for oil and gas workers with the accreditation of a second training company.
Cegelec Oil and Gas, based in Ogere, Nigeria, has secured approval from OPITO to deliver mechanical, electrical and instrument training to standards recognized by the oil and gas industry globally.
A unique, not-for-profit organization, OPITO is wholly owned by the oil and gas industry and responsible for ensuring it has a safe, skilled and competent workforce. The organization develops the highest training standards to improve offshore safety. With operations centers in Aberdeen, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Houston, OPITO delivers standards, qualifications and workforce development frameworks used by employers in 42 countries worldwide.
Cegelec Oil and Gas has been initially approved to deliver Mechanical, Electrical and Instrument and Control Level 2 training and expects to conduct additional OPITO-approved courses going forward. The training provider is currently in the process of seeking OPITO accreditation for Process Operations training for production trainees.
OPITO group chief executive officer David Doig said: “This approval marks another move forward for OPITO in the drive towards common safety standards in the industry around the world. “Following the accreditation of the first OPITO approved training centre in Nigeria in [YEAR] there has been an increasing awareness of the value in ensuring the competency of the offshore workforce and dramatically improving safety levels.”
“Africa’s proven oil reserves have grown by nearly 120 percent in the past 30 years and it’s estimated that at least another 100 billion barrels are yet to be discovered. If the continent’s oil producing countries are expected to meet these targets, they need a highly skilled and safe workforce.”
As the skills and standards body for oil and gas globally, OPITO has a vital role to play in ensuring the safety of the industry’s workforce all over the world.
Earlier this year, OPITO announced the launch of a global framework for vocational qualifications. The oil and gas skills body has developed global technical standards and a qualifications framework which will meet current and future skills demands and improve competence in the operations and maintenance activities associated with the extraction of hydrocarbons.
Mr. Doig added: “In a short space of time, we designed appropriate, industry-specific, valued nationally and globally recognized training that will result in a safe and competent workforce. “Whether a school leaver in Nigeria or an existing offshore worker in Kuala Lumpur, individuals will now be able to gain qualifications in processing hydrocarbons, electrical and mechanical maintenance and instrumentation and controls which will be recognized by oil and gas companies worldwide.
Specialist Software Helps Manage and Secure Process Critical Software Assets
Asset Guardian Solutions Ltd (AGSL), which specializes in protecting companies’ process critical software assets, announced that it has received a contract from McDermott Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (McDermott).
The contract requires AGSL to provide its Asset Guardian software management toolset to protect and manage the software installed on the process control systems that McDermott uses to operate several of the company’s pipelay vessels.
Asset Guardian Solutions has already installed Asset Guardian software on McDermott's pipelay vessel North Ocean 105. The software helps to protect and manage the process control systems that McDermott uses to operate the vessel.
Asset Guardian has been installed on the McDermott pipelay vessel North Ocean 105. Following this initial installation, configuration and testing period, Asset Guardian will be installed on the Construction Support Vessel 108 and North Ocean 102.
Streamlining Management of Change
A key factor in McDermott’s decision to purchase Asset Guardian is its ability to streamline the management processes associated with making changes to the configurations of process software and to make certain that effective version control is in place. It also ensures that backups of new and modified software are securely stored and easy to access from any location. This minimizes downtime caused by process system software failure.
Quality training holds key to maximizing return on investment
Quality training is an essential part of the implementation process. It gives users the confidence and the skills to use the Asset Guardian toolset effectively, maximizing return on the company’s investment. AGSL is providing comprehensive classroom-based training and online training through the Asset Guardian computer-based training (CBT) program.
“The contract awarded by McDermott is especially meaningful. It demonstrates the confidence that they – and the industry - have in our ability to provide a reliable, field-proven method of protecting the process control software used to operate essential assets,” said Sam Mackay, Chief Executive Officer of Asset Guardian Solutions Ltd. “We look forward to working with them to help ensure that their pipelay vessels operate at optimum levels, without disruption.”
Field-proven performance
Since 2004, AGSL has been supplying the process control industry with the Asset Guardian toolset. Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited, Woodside Energy, GDF Suez, Inpex, Dolphin Drilling, Stena Drilling, BP, and nuclear energy provider EDF Energy are among those using Asset Guardian to protect and enhance management of their critical process control software assets.
NorSea Group (UK) Limited has established a new executive team to lead the company’s growing activity across Scotland. Walter Robertson has been appointed Managing Director while Mike Munro becomes the company’s first Operations Director.
Caption: Walter Robertson, left, and Mike Munro
Walter has 30 years’ experience in the logistics sector and was appointed MD following an extensive period of consultancy with the company. Prior to that, he had a 28 year career with the ASCO Group at Managing Director level. From 1998 to 2006, as MD of Enviroco Ltd, he oversaw the establishment and running of the company which was set up as a joint venture to provide environmentally focused waste management solutions to the UK Oil and Gas industry.
As Operations Director, Mike will be responsible for all operational activity at NorSea Group (UK)’s logistics bases at Aberdeen, Montrose, Peterhead and Scrabster harbours. He has a wealth of marine and logistics experience at senior level on projects in the UK and overseas. Prior to joining NorSea Group he spent seven years with Peterson (United Kingdom) Limited, as Divisional Operations Manager based in Aberdeen but spent a lot of time developing the company’s overseas business in the international market. Having spent 23 years with Total E&P, Mike spent eight years in the Middle-east with Qatar Petroleum before returning to Aberdeen.
The company will make further announcements about additional appointments to the executive team within the next few weeks.
“Despite the current market conditions, we are excited about the opportunities for growth and development that are being presented to NorSea Group (UK),” said Walter. “We are principally known as an offshore logistics and base services company, supporting the Oil & Gas and renewables sectors however, we are expanding our areas of activity with a strong focus on the “small piece” decommissioning market. We have already secured a major decommissioning contract, which is being serviced through our deep-water support base at Smith Quay in Peterhead, this being a first for North-East Scotland. We are actively tendering for other opportunities in this growing sector of the market.”
Mike said: “I’m looking forward to working with Walter to develop NorSea Group’s decommissioning activity. From our four principal bases we are well placed to support projects right around the north and east coasts from the area West of Shetland right through the Northern and Central North Sea.”
NorSea Group (UK) was established as the UK wing of its Norwegian parent company NorSea Group in 2013 when it opened its first office in Aberdeen. Since then there has been significant growth in the company’s business activity in the UK. In addition to establishing a presence in Aberdeen, NorSea Group acquired Danbor Ltd. the leading Danish offshore logistics company and their UK assets are now incorporated into NorSea Group (UK).
NorSea has a long term agreement with Scrabster Harbour Trust, a 15-year lease at South Quay in Montrose and in Q3 2014 made a major move into Peterhead by taking operatorship of Smith Quay and Embankment at Peterhead on a 10-year agreement. This is phase 1 of a 3 phase development that will see expansion onto Merchants Quay and provide 400m of deep-water quayside berthing supported by over 50,000m2 of quayside laydown area.
In 2014, the company also moved to new premises at NorSea Group House in Altens, providing the company with its own 4,000m2 warehouse, 15,000m2 concreted yard and 800m2 of office space.
Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) has announced that, as mutually agreed with the company, Esa Ikaheimonen is stepping down as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. Mr. Ikaheimonen has also resigned his company-appointed position as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Transocean Partners LLC, a subsidiary of Transocean. Additionally, the company announced that Mr. Mark Mey has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 28, 2015.
"Esa brought a fresh and unique perspective to Transocean when he joined the company almost three years ago and he has contributed materially to the company's capital structure, fleet rationalization and cost management initiatives," said Jeremy Thigpen, Transocean's President and Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of all of Transocean, I thank Esa for his service and wish him great success in his future endeavors."
Thigpen continued: "I have known Mark for a number of years, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to finally work with him. Mark brings extensive industry and leadership experience to the CFO role, and he will be a great addition to the Transocean team."
Mr. Mey most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Atwood Oceanics ("Atwood"). Including his almost five years at Atwood, he has over 28 years of experience in the energy and financial services industries in both the United States and South Africa. Prior to Atwood, Mr. Mey was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a Director of Scorpion Offshore Ltd. He also held positions of increasing responsibility during his 12 years with offshore driller Noble Corporation, including Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Mey earned an Advanced Diploma in Accounting and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He is a Chartered Accountant and attended the Harvard Business School Executive Advanced Management Program.
CSA and EEH have teamed to expand their capabilities in Qatar.
Energy & Environment Holding (EEH), an independent consulting firm specializing in energy, environment, privatization, and sustainable development based in Doha, Qatar, and CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a firm specializing in services related to environmental impacts from offshore oil and gas and construction activities worldwide, have announced the formation of their new joint venture CSA Ocean Sciences (Doha) LLC. The board of directors for the joint venture is chaired by HE Sheikh Jabor bin Yusef bin Jassim al-Thani, principal holder of EEH, and includes members Roudi Baroudi, Chief Executive Officer of EEH and Robert Mulcahy, Chief Operating Officer of CSA.
The new relationship combines the core capabilities of CSA and EEH to provide a comprehensive suite of environmental services in the Gulf region, including environmental impact assessments, risk assessments for offshore oil and gas activities, support for large marine infrastructure projects, biological impact assessments, and regulatory compliance permitting and monitoring.
EEH is a Doha-based strategic advisory consultancy that provides studies and market analyses related to environmental policies and programs with a focus on sustainable energy projects, environmental programs, deregulation, privatization, security and other issues related to energy projects in both the Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean. Since 2007, EEH has positioned itself to be a leader in energy and environmental affairs in the Gulf region while supporting numerous efforts to promote business growth within Qatar.
CSA has successfully conducted over 45 environmental programs off the coast of Qatar since 1994 with verified long-term results, including oil and gas environmental compliance projects and mitigation programs using methodologies approved by the Qatari Ministry of Environment. Notably, CSA was contracted to conduct a Benthic Ecological Survey and develop a Coral Management, Relocation, and Monitoring Plan (CoMRMP) for the Barzan Project. Subsequently, CSA modified the CoMRMP in 2014 to address the needs of the Flow Assurance Project off Ras Laffan City, Qatar. Currently, CSA is monitoring corals, benthic colonization, fish assemblages, coral recruitment, water quality parameters, and urchin populations at both the Barzan and FAP site.
Mr. Baroudi of EEH stated, “We look forward to joining forces with CSA to build the leading environmental services firm in the GCC region. EEH is dedicated to quality and sustainability of the natural environment, which will only be reinforced with the assistance of CSA.”
“CSA is pleased to have EEH as a partner,” added Mr. Mulcahy. “We are very excited to be able to provide not only CSA’s core service offerings, but to also expand our services and capabilities in concert with EEH. EEH’s focus on sustainable energy development supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to provide a balance between sustainable development and the protection of Qatar’s unique and diverse natural environment. We are proud to be working with an organization such as EEH and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.
Blue Ocean Marine & Offshore Solutions (BOMOS) has announced their new strategy to focus much stronger on cost reductions as shipping and offshore companies continue their fight for survival in the challenging market conditions.
“Current financial realities are calling for some tough decisions and there is an increasing demand to improve operating margins. There is no single solution to radically change the cost structure of shipping and offshore companies. Instead, these companies will reach their goals with a combination of several actions. And labor costs is one of them,” says CEO Cristina Garcia and Paal Utvik, one of the investors behind BOMOS.
Established January 2014, BOMOS obtained its license to operate as a crew provider the same year in November and its staff is well qualified within a wide scope of shipping activities, ranging from offshore rigs and support vessels , chemical and product tankers, to VLCC´s, gas, container and bulk carriers.
Lower seafarer prices: the option is out there
Labor is a major cost for a shipping company’s P&L. BOMOS says that many shipowners are reducing their own permanent crew and opting for more cost effective qualified crewing vendors to supply trained temporary crew during this very tight period. The increased competition between the independent crewing suppliers benefits the owners in the end.
“The current global economic situation is having a clear and significant impact on global shipping operations. Some manning agreements no longer fit. Shipowners need budgets that work for them and are ready to look for cheaper options. That option, negotiating lower seafarer prices, is out there,” says Utvik.
Lowering cost by analyzing every step of the supply chain
Throughout the process of reducing costs and downsizing, shipowners need to ensure that their crews remain safe and productive, which means focusing on people and maintaining the same level of skills and quality.
“There are solutions out there. Shipowners can cut costs and improve quality and operations by using a crew provider that has much stronger cost culture from the ground up. In doing so, they shift the administrative burden and free key personnel to focus on core operations,” maintains Garcia.
BOMOS combines over 80 years of in-house seafaring consultancy experience and supplies first class manning services, and, according to Garcia, BOMOS is all about crewing.
“We provide our clients access to well-trained, ocean-going personnel. We understand this industry, from recruitment, training, deployment, and repatriation, to accounts payable, payroll, port agency services and coordination with seafarers’ unions,” she says.
Ready to talk
“The benefit of being the new kid on the block is that we can think new and innovative from the very beginning. We are ready to assist the industry with the right personnel and become a valued sparring partner to help them achieve their budgetary and operational goals. We are ready to talk, do busines and help shipping companies weather the storm, emerge successfully and continue to operate in the years to come,” said Utvik.
AnTech Ltd has held a day of celebration to recognise successes throughout the company. Last week, over 50 staff and guests gathered to celebrate over 115 years of long service, international patents and internal departmental achievements at the company’s head office in Exeter.
AnTech’s in-house team organised and designed awards to commemorate individuals that have helped bring the company to its success.
The event celebrated 11 loyal and dedicated employees who have all reached milestones within the company, beginning at five years’ service and with the longest serving member of the team achieving 17 years’ service. Certificates were also awarded to the engineers whose work on the AcrobatTM Gyro has been internationally patented.
Special guest and MasterChef finalist Pete Hewitt was in attendance and helped mark the occasion by cooking a specially created dinner.
Toni Miszewski, Managing Director, AnTech said: “We are incredibly proud to have such an established team at AnTech, their loyalty is a fundamental factor in the company’s continued success. We are lucky enough in this area to have access to an impressive, local talent pool and I feel it’s important that employers can foster it.”
“A number of those celebrating long service awards initially joined AnTech as student placements, who returned to us on a full time basis after graduation – which we believe is testament to the support and opportunities within the company.”
AnTech also has been shortlisted as a national finalist in the Technology Innovation of the Year Award category at this years’ UK Private Business Awards, which celebrates the best of UK private businesses and their contribution to the UK economy.
The company is proud of its committed workforce and look forward to other team members achieving long-service status. For more pictures and a round-up of social media from the day, visit AnTech’s social media channels.
Founded in 1992, AnTech operates across two divisions, providing innovative product technologies, directional coiled tubing drilling services and specialist training for the global upstream oil and gas industry both in onshore and offshore environments. Headquartered in Exeter, AnTech has doubled in size, in terms of personnel and space and is the only company in the world solely dedicated to Coiled Tubing Drilling.
The Board of Directors of DNV GL Group has appointed Remi Eriksen as the company’s new Group President & CEO. He is succeeding Henrik O. Madsen, who is retiring on 1 August.
Since October 2014, the Board of Directors has undertaken an extensive executive search and selection process to find and appoint the new DNV GL Group President & CEO, due to the planned retirement of the current Group President & CEO Henrik O. Madsen. Candidates from many countries, both inside and outside of the organization, and both men and women, have been reviewed.
Leif-Arne Langøy, Chairman of the Board of DNV GL Group says; “On behalf of the Board, I am very pleased to announce that Remi Eriksen has accepted the position as DNV GL’s new Group President & CEO. Eriksen has a solid track-record in leading positions within the company for two decades. He has gained extensive international experience in the oil & gas, maritime, and renewable energy industries, and has led our operations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. His success in these positions led him to his current role as DNV GL Group Chief Operating Officer. In addition to his strong performance in managing the integration of DNV and GL, Eriksen has deep knowledge of our core markets and key industry technologies. Not least, he has displayed an acknowledged ability to foresee industry challenges and drive responsive solutions.”
“I am also glad that after a thorough executive search and selection process, the best candidate is found among our own people. This will ensure the continuity of the company’s values, culture and strategic direction. I really look forward to working with Remi Eriksen in the next phase of DNV GL’s development,” says Langøy.
Remi Eriksen says, “I am very humble and thankful for the opportunity to lead this company I have worked for the past 22 years.”
“We now see challenging market developments in both the maritime and oil & gas industries. DNV GL will not remain unaffected, but I have strong confidence in our ability to constantly improve and develop our services. Even in tough markets, there will be a need for expert advice and services that can help improve efficiency, qualify new cost-effective technologies, and that can help drive standardization of specifications and work processes – just to mention a few examples. In the energy sector and the business assurance market, I expect positive development in the next few years,” says Eriksen.
“I believe the future will be characterized by a very complex and fast-changing world and a period of slower global growth. However, the world economy is still on track to more than double in size over the next 40 years. I see a future where trusted independent parties are increasingly needed to enable safe and responsible business performance and sustainable value chains. In this context, DNV GL’s innovation capabilities, as well as our role as a standard setter and driver of joint industry collaborations, will be an increasingly relevant strength. It will be important for me that we continue our investments in people, R&D and innovation to develop new thinking, insights and solutions to the benefit of our customers and society,” Eriksen explains.
“As Henrik O. Madsen is retiring after more than 30 years of service with us, the last 9 years as Group President & CEO, I want to sincerely thank him for his commitment and extraordinary achievements in heading the company towards the world-leading positions we are in today,” says Chairman Langøy.
McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) has announced it has been awarded an offshore contract by Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) for the engineering, procurement, construction, installation (EPCI) and pre-commissioning of the Ayatsil-C replacement jacket and associated deck installation.
The value of the large brownfield award will be included in McDermott’s second quarter 2015 backlog.
McDermott completed the Ayatsil-B eight-leg jacket and deck from its Altamira fabrication yard in 2014. (Photo: Business Wire)
“This is the fourth contract McDermott has received for the Ayatsil field and follows the successful delivery of the Ayatsil-B drilling platform in 2014 and installation of the Ayatsil-A offshore jacket, deck and piles earlier this year,” said Scott Munro, McDermott’s Vice President for Americas, Europe and Africa. “Our integrated EPCI approach allows McDermott to provide PEMEX with a faster delivery schedule and lower-cost solution that will be locally-built and executed to our global industry-recognized quality and safety standards.”
McDermott expects to use its in-house engineering and procurement experts, Altamira fabrication yard located in Mexico, Intermac 600 transportation and launch barge and heavy-lift Derrick Barge 50 vessel to complete the installation of all structures. The total weight of the facilities is approximately 14,800 tons. Completion is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016.
Located in the Bay of Campeche, the Ayatsil field is the largest discovery for PEMEX to date. Pemex has said it plans to develop Ayatsil field with as many as four platforms and adjacent Tekel heavy oil field with one platform, all tied to a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel. It plans to drill 43 wells in the project. Water depths in the area are approximately 375-405 feet.
The International Well Control Forum (IWCF), the independent organization that sets international well control standards, has appointed David Conroy as its first Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
Based at the organization’s UK headquarters, Mr. Conroy will be developing this new role to lead changes to the technical aspects of IWCF’s services, including exam quality, program development, curriculum and training.
Mr. Conroy has 20 years’ experience in the international oil and gas industry. He will join IWCF in July from Schlumberger where he has held a variety of positions for over 10 years’, latterly serving as Drilling & Drilling Engineering Director of Curriculum in Dubai.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Conroy said: “During these challenging times within the oil and gas industry, I am very much looking forward to working within IWCF. I anticipate that we will continue to make significant changes in what we teach within the well control curricula, including rotary and intervention, as we continue to adopt and implement the recommendations from OGP.
“In tomorrow’s world, I believe we should be more globally adaptive, seeking new learning environments in teaching to assure increased competency. My passion is to further assist adults in actively developing their required skill levels for progressive career development, which is so crucial to the industry. Finally, assisting IWCF to update the tools we use to assess personnel competencies at all levels will be a critical function for me in this new role.”
Mr. Conroy holds a PhD in Geology from The Queen’s University of Belfast, which initially led him to roles in geological surveying. Since joining the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, he has worked in a variety of positions in Norway, Oman and Houston.
IWCF has recently invested in new facilities at its headquarters in Montrose, UK to improve training for well control assessors and instructors who address drilling operations and well intervention activities. The organization is actively recruiting for new members, anyone who is interested in having a say in well control safety should click here for more information.
Maersk Drilling is live on IFS Applications and will continue the rollout and further development of advanced maintenance planning functionality in collaboration with IFS
IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that Maersk Drilling has signed an agreement for the development of new advanced maintenance planning functionality. The agreement includes additional licenses worth approximately $1.8 million US.
In October 2012, IFS announced that Maersk Drilling signed an agreement for the deployment of IFS Applications as its ERP system.
With Maersk Drilling’s ERP implementation going into the roll-out phase, Maersk Drilling and IFS have agreed to extend the companies’ collaboration—both in the ongoing ERP roll-out program and as partners developing new advanced maintenance planning functionality.
“We are seeking ways to increase efficiency, improve quality and reduce operational cost,” Maersk Drilling CIO, Jesper K Hansen said. “And with IFS Applications, we are set to use ERP as one of the enablers striving for operational excellence.”
IFS Scandinavia CEO Glenn Arnesen said, “There is no doubt that the partnership with Maersk Drilling has improved IFS’s position in the oil and gas service market. We are very pleased to enhance our partnership to support Maersk Drilling with their plans going forward.”
The IFS solution purchased by Maersk Drilling in 2012 includes components for financials, project management, supply chain management and maintenance.
Paragon Offshore plc ("Paragon") (NYSE: PGN) announces that Alejandra Veltmann has joined the company as Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer reporting to Steven A. Manz, Paragon's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Veltmann will be responsible for overseeing corporate accounting and financial reporting.
"We are excited that Alejandra has elected to join Paragon," said Mr. Manz. "Her depth and breadth of experience across the oil service industry will strengthen our finance team, and her leadership will enhance our ongoing commitment to transparent financial reporting and maintaining our cost efficient operations."
Ms. Veltmann's most recent role was Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Geokinetics, an independent international land and shallow water geophysical services firm. Prior to this, she founded an international financial consulting practice for clients in the oil and gas services industry. She also held various positions at Grey Wolf Drilling and Precision Drilling and has consulted in the role of Chief Financial Officer for a number of entrepreneurial companies. Ms. Veltmann has worked as a senior manager for KPMG LLP and began her career with Arthur Anderson LLP in 1992. She is a certified public accountant and holds a BBA degree in Accounting from The University of New Mexico.
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