Anders Opedal (photo) is appointed executive vice president and takes on a new position as chief operating officer (COO) in the corporate executive committee (CEC) on 1 April.

Opedal will be responsible the corporate improvement programs and for driving operational efficiency across Statoil's business areas.

"I am pleased to announce that Anders assumes this new position in the CEC. He will be a driving force in our effort to further improve the safety and efficiency of our operations. I really look forward to his contribution to develop a highly profitable, competitive and resilient Statoil," says president and CEO Eldar Sætre.

Anders Opedal comes from the position as senior vice president of projects in Statoil's Technology, Projects and Drilling business area, where since 2010 he has been responsible for Statoil's approximately NOK 300 billion project portfolio. Previously he has held a range of positions in drilling and well, procurement and projects. Anders Opedal joined Statoil in 1997 as a petroleum engineer in the Statfjord operations.

"We must prepare for challenging times ahead. Uncertainty and volatility will remain a key part of our business environment. Against this backdrop, I have decided to establish a COO role to drive our corporate-wide efforts to strengthen safe and efficient operations across Statoil. The current line accountability for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of our assets remains unchanged," says Sætre.

Over the last few years Statoil has continuously improved its safety performance, and the serious incident frequency (SIF) for 2014 was at an all-time low. Statoil started to address the cost and efficiency challenge of the industry well ahead of the downturn in the oil price seen over the last few months.

The staffs and services project, strong prioritization of spending levels, organizational efficiency projects in the line (OE), and last but not least the Statoil technical efficiency program (STEP), are examples of how Statoil have been addressing this fundamental challenge of efficiency and competitiveness.

"The COO will play a key role in the further development of Statoil. I want Anders to lead the process of reviewing the corporate operating model with emphasis on simplification and efficiency," says Sætre.

Anders has an MBA from Heriot-Watt University and an engineering degree from NTH. He lives in Sandnes, Norway.

Frontier International, specialists in international oil and gas resourcing, has opened its first office in India.

An integral part of its global growth strategy, Frontier's new premises signifies further international expansion for the company and will support its increased activity in Asia and the Middle East. The Gurgaon-based operation will be led by local manager, Arjun Bhakhri, (photo) who brings with him over 10 years' oil and gas recruitment experience within India and the Middle East, with a history of working with both operators and tier 1 contractors.

Commenting on the new office, Mr Bhakhri said: "I am delighted to be a part of Frontier's increased international expansion. The company continues to grow in strength across India and the Middle East, working with some of these areas' most significant oil and gas companies, and I look forward to being a part of this continued success."

Paul Radcliffe, Frontier International's managing director explains the importance of the company's permanent Indian presence: "As a company, Frontier has a long pedigree of working with clients in Asia and the Middle East. Our investment in this office is a succinct illustration of our commitment to ensuring we continue to provide the very best service in oil and gas recruitment to our clients in these areas.

"The combination of Frontier's global footprint and local knowledge fuses our expertise and understanding of regional requirements with unrivalled access to international talent and skill."

In business since 1999, Frontier International was established by oil industry engineers Mark Clarke and Paul Radcliffe in response to industry requirement for expertise-driven management of specialist well design and drilling engineering. Quickly identifying a gap in the market, they moved to grow Frontier in answer to the lack of technical expertise in the staff recruitment and contractor recruitment/management sectors.

Frontier holds a substantial number of global contracts with the major oil and gas operators and service companies. International client demand in recent years has led the company to successfully expand in several key regions, with wholly owned subsidiaries covering East Africa and the Caribbean, as well as the Gurgaon-based subsidiary which serves both India and the Middle East.

Jordan Westmoreland brings extensive industry expertise to identify and meet customers' marine scientific equipment needs.

Okeanus Science and Technology, LLC (Okeanus) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jordan Westmoreland to Operations Manager. Westmoreland, an employee of Okeanus since its inception in 2013, will oversee day to day operations, as well as maintenance and mobilization efforts of the company's fleet of marine scientific rental equipment.

Leveraging his wealth of hydrographic survey and oceanographic research experience, Westmoreland will be responsible for assessing customer and project specifications to develop specialized equipment packages and solutions that best suit each customer's needs.

"I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge in the oceanographic research industry to further help Okeanus grow its business relationships," Westmoreland said. "By providing customers with the best options to facilitate their data requirements, we will become known as a partner rather than just a supplier."

"Jordan's experience in the fields of hydrographic survey and oceanographic research have given him vast knowledge about every type of project," added Benton LeBlanc, Vice President and General Manager of Okeanus. "He truly understands our customers' needs, and has the unique ability to custom-build solutions to solve their most complicated problems."

Inaugural meeting brings class and industry together to improve technical standards 
for offshore equipment safety.

As part of its mission to serve the public interest as well as the needs of members and clients by promoting offshore safety and security, ABS, the leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, recently convened the inaugural meeting of the ABS Offshore Equipment Advisory Committee.

A group of technical advisors gathered on Wednesday, 4 March 2015, at the ABS Energy Corridor office to exchange information for Rule development and enhancement of classification services for offshore equipment. One of the primary focuses of the Committee is to gather information from offshore experts to guide changes and additions to publications such as the ABS Guide for the Classification of Drilling Systems.

"The ABS Offshore Equipment Committee plays an important role in bringing together key stakeholders to provide critical expertise to improve standards for equipment safety," says ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. "ABS will continue to work with industry, academia and government to develop a robust offshore safety regime that safeguards assets, the environment and most importantly people."

Recognized as a technology leader, ABS is the class society of choice for next-generation units operating in remote and challenging environments and drilling deep, high-temperature, high-pressure wells. ABS classed the first mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) in 1958 and continues to be the classification leader for the high-specification units that will support the energy needs of future generations.

UTEC Survey, an Acteon company, has announced award of a 3-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Technip, North America.

The award confirms a three-year extension to its current North America MSA with Technip, an agreement which encompasses a full range of survey services including, but not limited to, pre-lay and as-built surveys, pipeline and flexible installation support, acoustic and laser spool-piece metrologies and shore based dimensional control services.

UTEC has held Technip's North America MSA for projects operated out of Houston since 2008 and the latest announcement is viewed as an important development in the relationship between the two companies.
Commenting on the news, UTEC's Americas Regional Manager, Dave Ross, said: "UTEC continues to grow its reputation in both North America and overseas, and this award further underlines the company's position as a market leader."

UTEC CEO Martin O'Carroll added: "We are pleased to reinforce our long-term relationship with Technip by providing global capabilities, key core values and teams of highly skilled and motivated people who safely deliver high quality services to a growing number of key clients all over the world."

Fugro's continued expansion in Africa was marked with the recent establishment of Fugro Ghana Limited in Accra. This new base provides access to Fugro's comprehensive range of services and will support the promising market for oil and gas projects for its clients in the processes of exploration, construction and field development in Ghana.

Demonstrating its commitment to the Ghanaian market, as well as the implementation of the Local Content legislation, Fugro has established a partnership with Lima Oil Services Ltd in Accra. The partnership also ensures that Fugro is ready to comply when the Local Content Policy is extended to other market sectors, including mining, energy and infrastructure, as expected.

Kelvin Abdallah, Director of Fugro Ghana Limited stated, "I am proud to be part of the process of integrating Fugro's experience and knowledge into the Ghanaian community. Our country is full of opportunities and the group's extensive expertise and state-of-the-art technology mean we are best placed to maximise them.

"Our plans include extensive training programmes which will benefit from close coordination with Fugro Academy, the initiative that facilitates staff training and development across the Fugro Group," he continued. "I am confident that with such support, Ghanaian resources can meet the requirements of the international oil and gas industry."

On 12th February 2015, the new JV company was presented at the Ghana Petroleum Commission.

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE: HLX) announces that effective May 11, 2015, Cliff Chamblee will retire after 36 years in the offshore services business and will resign as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Also effective May 11, 2015, Scotty Sparks will be promoted to the position of Executive Vice President – Operations. Scotty has 25 years of industry experience and has been with Helix since 2001. He currently holds the office of Vice President – Commercial and Strategic Development, and has also served in various positions within Helix's robotics subsidiary, including as Senior Vice President, during his tenure at Helix. Prior to that Scotty held various positions within the industry, including Operations Manager at Global Marine Systems.

Owen Kratz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helix, stated, "Cliff has proven to be an invaluable asset to Helix in all of the roles that he has had in his 14 years with the company, including the last four years as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Cliff has through the years demonstrated operational excellence, leadership and unparalleled drive, and we wish him well. I am also pleased to announce Scotty's promotion to the position of Executive Vice President – Operations. In his new role, Scotty's responsibilities will include operational and commercial responsibility for all of Helix's business units, and I am confident that he will bring his operational knowledge, commercial acumen, and leadership skills to the position.

Suretank, the world's leading provider of engineered solutions to the offshore oil and gas industry, has announced that it is has acquired a majority ownership stake in Louisiana based manufacturer AmGulf Fabrication, LLC. The company will be rebranded as Suretank USA with immediate effect.

Having acquired a minority shareholding in 2013, Suretank has developed a strong working relationship with AmGulf offering its full range of DNV 2.7-1 certified offshore tanks and cargo carrying units (CCU's) from the company's state of the art facility in Houma, Louisiana.

John Fitzgerald, Suretank CEO, said: "In pursuing our long-term strategy to build local in markets worldwide we are continuously looking for companies that help us to achieve this goal.

"The US is a significant growth market for Suretank and having in-market manufacturing and equipment deployment is extremely important to maintaining customer service excellence."

"We are confident that we have found the right company with AmGulf Fabrication and we are excited about the prospects that taking our investment in this business to the next level will bring. Furthermore we intend developing and building additional specialist products in the USA such as wire-line, well intervention and pumping systems," John continued.

AmGulf Fabrication was established in 2012 by Messrs Lawrence Detiveaux and Jason Underwood.

Commenting on the investment Mr Lawrence Detiveaux, Chairman at Suretank USA, said: "This is a great opportunity for the business, our employees and our customer base. The company was set up on the business principles of Suretank so we are already closely aligned with Suretank's business ethos. We have established a strong reputation for delivering high quality products and custom engineering solutions and the business continues to go from strength to strength. We are excited that Suretank recognises the potential we have to offer them in the US market and are looking forward to the future."

Going forward Mr Jason Underwood takes up the role of Managing Director, Suretank USA and will be responsible for the day to day operations of the business reporting directly to John Fitzgerald.

Suretank is a global leader in the supply of tanks and CCUs (Cargo Carrying Units) to the offshore oil and gas industry. The company has design and manufacturing facilities in Ireland, Brazil, China, the Netherlands, Poland, Thailand, UK and USA as well as sales offices in Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Norway.

imorph, the Aberdeen-based specialist training and change management provider, has launched Gloe, an innovative training program based at tackling the issues behind the growing problem of obesity facing the nation - and the offshore industry.

It is a sensitive issue, which regularly hits the headlines. The Step Change HSSG (Helicopter Safety Steering Group) recognizes that whilst this issue is not exclusive to the offshore industry, the sector does have a duty to ensure it sets workers up to succeed in the offshore environment, with health and well-being as crucial factors.

It is clear that whilst operators are aware of this issue and do work to ensure that nutrition programs based on low calorie and low fat eating are available offshore, statistics and recent news suggest that - as with most weight reducing measures – these measures just aren't working.

Addressing the full spectrum of challenges associated with changes to diet and lifestyle, Gloe aims to improve both the health and consequent work output of offshore personnel - whatever their size - by creating a sustainable health programme, developed by imorph's behavioural change experts, in conjunction with nutrition consultant Dr Chris Fenn.

Caroline Hughes, director at imorph (photo), is enthusiastic about the fundamental changes the course can bring to the industry and beyond: "Gloe is a really exciting development for the oil and gas industry, as it's the first course truly aimed at creating a more energised, more productive and generally healthier workforce, which brings almost immediate health and cost benefits to the companies who undertake the training.

"It's not just about weight loss, and it's definitely not a lecture. It's about practical adjustments to existing routines, and in an industry so driven by routine, those changes are almost impossible to sustain without the knowledge and behavioural change support Gloe offers."

With 25 years' experience, Chris Fenn understands the benefits nutrition and habit can have upon a work force: "Obesity is linked with well-known health risks, and can significantly reduce quality of life and work. It can result in the psychological challenges of depression, stress and self-consciousness – all of which can affect interpersonal relationships, performance and attendance at work.

"At this crucial time for the oil and gas industry, a healthy work force performing at its optimum level is one of its greatest assets."

Aker Solutions presents five strategic objectives after splitting in two in September last year tobetter position all parts of the business and meet the needs of customers.

The company, which met with investors in London, will build on its strengths in key subsea and field design markets as it seeks to:

Be the preferred partner, with an unparalleled level of safety and performance
Capture growth in offshore deepwater, subsea and harsh environment markets
Maintain and expand a global presence through disciplined, organic growth
Further develop portfolio with a diversity of customers, regions and strong contract mix
Deliver operational excellence, realize synergies, strengthen cost control and capital discipline

"The split allows us to reduce complexity, build on synergies and bring down costs, which makes us much better equipped to respond to the needs of customers in the 22 countries where we operate," said Chief Executive Officer Luis Araujo. "Our focus now is on creating value for our clients and shareholders through the right technology development, quality in execution, cost control and by applying the full force of our engineering skills at the conceptual stage of a project to find the most effective solutions."

Aker Solutions yesterday won a contract from Statoil to deliver a concept study for future phases of the North Sea Johan Sverdrup development, Norway's largest oil find in three decades. While Norway is the company's single largest regional market, Aker Solutions is this year set to get 60 percent of its revenue outside its home market amid an expansion in key offshore oil and gas markets in Africa, Brazil and Asia Pacific. That share is growing from 50 percent last year and about 40 percent the year before.

Aker Solutions had a near-record order backlog of NOK 48 billion kroner in 2014 after winning major contracts including a NOK 14 billion order from Total at the Kaombo field in Angola, one of the world's largest subsea developments, and a more than USD 300 million contract from Petrobras in Brazil to deliver subsea manifolds.

The company's subsea, umbilicals, engineering and maintenance, modifications and operations (MMO) areas were spun off in September 2014 to create a new business under the Aker Solutions name.

"We're ideally placed to excel in key subsea, deepwater and field design markets through our considerable local content, strong client relationships, leading technology and unique engineering," said Araujo. "We're taking on current market challenges from a position of strength, with a robust order backlog and a sharp eye on our operational and financial performance.''

Aker Solutions has intensified its focus on operational excellence and cost control through improvement agendas within the company and externally with customers. New cost-savings programs in all business segments and corporate functions are well underway. These include a goal for the engineering business to reduce engineering and procurement services costs 30 percent by the end of 2017. The MMO area is also on track to lower the cost of modifications 30 percent by the end of 2016. The subsea segment has set a target to improve operational efficiency 15 percent annually. This was achieved in 2013 and 2014.

Outlook
Uncertainty has increased for oil-services providers as oil companies scale back spending amid concern over capital and the slump in oil prices since last summer. This is particularly affecting the Norwegian MMO market and the company anticipates a continued slowdown in this area over the next one to two years. Major projects such as the Johan Sverdrup development will help offset some of the decline.

Aker Solutions expects to grow with its key markets over the medium term and at least maintain market share in its core businesses. Margins are expected to remain robust in Engineering and gradually recover in MMO. Aker Solutions targets peer-group margins over time for Subsea.

"Longer term, we are optimistic," said Araujo. "Our leading technology, engineering and project management skills put us in a prime position to benefit from a shift toward more complex offshore resources. Few companies are better placed in the global deepwater and subsea segments, which are among the fastest-growing offshore oil and gas markets in recent years."

Oceaneering International, Inc. (NYSE: OII) announced that Steven A. Webster (photo) has been appointed to serve on its Board of Directors, effective today.

Mr. Webster is a director and Chairman of Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. and Basic Energy Services, Inc. and serves as a director on the boards of other energy-related companies. He is also Co-Managing Partner and Co-CEO of Avista Capital Partners LP, a private equity firm, in charge of energy investments. Throughout his 40-year business career, Mr. Webster has been active in the energy industry, notably in the exploration and production and service sectors.

Mr. Webster has a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Management and an honorary Doctorate degree in Management from Purdue University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar.

Mr. Webster is joining Oceaneering's Board following the decision by Jerold J. DesRoche to retire from the Board, effective at Oceaneering's next Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May 2015.

McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) ("McDermott") announced on Tuesday that it has been awarded a sizeable manifold and subsea safety isolation valve module fabrication contract by FMC Technologies for the Jangkrik fields located offshore Kalimantan, Indonesia. The contract was included in McDermott's fourth quarter backlog and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2016.

McDermott's Indonesian fabrication facility has broad experience delivering customized and high-quality subsea solutions.

"Our demonstrated track record in the delivery of customized, high-quality subsea solutions from our Indonesian fabrication facility on Batam Island, including the Gorgon subsea structures fabrication project and the Ichthys engineering, procurement, construction and installation project, positions us strategically to support FMC Technologies in fabricating the Jangkrik Complex subsea infrastructure," said McDermott's Hugh Cuthbertson, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific. "McDermott is also pleased to continue its longstanding commitment to providing in-country value to Indonesia through its delivery of projects from its Batam Island facility to the Indonesian energy industry."

This is the first time that FMC Technologies has awarded work to McDermott's Asia Pacific region. The scope of the project includes fabrication of approximately 3,200 tons of subsea manifolds and subsea safety isolation valve modules to be installed in water depths ranging from approximately 329 feet to 1,640 feet. Fabrication commenced in February 2015 at McDermott's Batam Island facility in Indonesia, which will also be responsible for factory acceptance testing ("FAT") / extended FAT and system integration testing.

"The McDermott team worked closely with FMC Technologies to determine execution strategies that meet their requirements and ensure high quality and on-schedule delivery," explained Cuthbertson.

The Jangkrik Complex is operated by Eni and comprises two main fields – Jangkrik Main, located approximately 44 miles from the coast in the Muara Bakau permit area, along the Makassar Strait, and Jangkrik Northeast, approximately 16 miles from Jangkrik Main.

ASCO announces the award of a contract by BP Exploration and Production to provide a range of integrated oilfield services to support its UK North Sea operations.

The comprehensive contract, which is worth in excess of £100 million, covers a variety of activities including: supply-base operations; warehouse operations; the provision of waste management and local freight forwarding services.

The 5 year contract with options will bring all ASCO's service lines together to provide a strong, cohesive delivery model focused on the provision of value and service excellence.

Craig Lennox, CEO – Europe at ASCO said: 'We are pleased to be building on a client relationship that spans more than 20 years. Maintaining this strong and successful connection with BP is a great achievement and we look forward to safely and efficiently delivering on this key contract.'

Danos executives recently announced the formation of a Project Management Group (PMG) to provide a single point-of-contact for customers with large-scale projects involving multiple services lines.

The PMG will streamline critical project communication as well as ensure complete project integration across Danos' core service lines – production workforce, construction, fabrication, coatings, instrumentation and electrical, environmental services, scaffolding, and shorebase and logistics management.

Danos President and CEO Hank Danos said, "The addition of the PMG enables us to provide expert help for every phase of our customers' projects: from pre-job planning to quality and project controls and subcontractor management to project reporting."

Sophisticated planning and scheduling software and detailed client reports will provide customers with single-source accountability for project planning, management, communication and execution. While 2015 marks the official launch of Danos' PMG, the company's team of project management experts has years of experience successfully managing critical projects across the globe for Chevron, DSME, McDermott, Shell, Flour, BP, ExxonMobil, CBI, AkerSolutions, URS and Exterran.

"The PMG is just one more way Danos continues to respond to customer requests for world-class energy solutions by offering a more complete package to meet their project needs," Danos said.

BMT Group Ltd, a leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, has agreed to purchase Navegação e Controle Indústria e Comércio Ltda (NavCon), a leading Brazilian specialist in monitoring systems for the offshore oil and gas industry. The company's name has officially changed to BMT NavCon Ltda.

BMT Scientific Marine Services Ltda was previously a minority stakeholder in NavCon. This new agreement fully integrates NavCon into the BMT group of companies.

NavCon was founded in 1998 and is strategically located in the technological site of São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. The company specializes in data acquisition and motion monitoring systems, navigation and heading reference systems, and GNSS receivers for offshore, air, land and space applications.

Tom Johnson, President of BMT Scientific Marine Services, commented: "I am delighted that NavCon has now been fully incorporated into the BMT family of companies as BMT NavCon. We have been working with them for the last couple of years. We have seen them continue to grow and utilize their knowledge and capabilities in the Brazil oil and gas market. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate."

Francisco Nozolino de Azevedo, General Manager of NavCon, added: "NavCon welcomes this agreement with BMT Group. BMT has proven with their worldwide presence and the multiple industries they support that they are a unique and diverse company. Their support will help us continue to expand and further develop our product and service offerings not only for our local customers, but also for the international oil and gas market."

Statoil (U.K.) Limited has on behalf of the Mariner co-venturers awarded the contracts for supply base and warehousing services for the Mariner field to Asco UK Limited.

Asco is an international oilfield support services company, headquartered in Aberdeen. The supply base and warehousing facility for Mariner will be operated by Asco from Peterhead, north of Aberdeen.

The scopes awarded encompass the provision of supply base services, including personnel, local transportation, marine gas oil, quayside services and a nearby warehousing facility.

Asco will perform the services for the Mariner field under two five year contracts, anticipated to start during Q1 2016. The contracts also include 2 x 2 year extension options.

Peterhead offshore supply base, owned and operated by ASCO (Photo: ASCO)

"We are pleased with the interest we received in the market for this tendering process. We received competitive bids from several highly qualified companies," says managing director for Statoil Production UK, Gunnar Breivik.

"Production on Mariner requires a high level of drilling activity and the field is reliant on a seamless and cost efficient logistics chain. Asco is a well-established player and their supply base in Peterhead is a proven, high-performing logistics hub. We are looking forward to working closely with Asco to tackle industry challenges and optimize the supply and warehousing services that we depend on for successful operations on Mariner," Breivik says.

The Statoil operated Mariner field, located approximately 150 kilometers east of the Shetland Isles, is currently under development and production is scheduled to start in 2017.

The development concept includes a production, drilling and quarters (PDQ) platform based on a steel jacket and a floating storage unit (FSU). Drilling will be carried out from the PDQ drilling rig, with a jack-up rig assisting for the initial years.

In the period when both the PDQ and the jack-up are drilling Mariner wells, the field will require at least five sailings a week from the Peterhead supply base.

Statoil is the operator of the Mariner field with 65.11% equity. Co-venturers are JX Nippon Exploration and Production (U.K.) Limited (28.89%) and Dyas Mariner Ltd. (6%).

Facts:
• The Mariner Field is located on the East Shetland Platform of the UK North Sea, approximately 150 kilometers east of the Shetland Isles.
•
• The Mariner heavy oil field consists of two shallow reservoir sections – the deeper, Maureen Formation at 1492 meters and the shallower Heimdal reservoir at 1227 meters.
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• The development of the Mariner field will contribute more than 250 million barrels reserves with average plateau production of around 55,000 barrels per day.
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• The field will provide a long-term cash-flow over a 30-year field life. Production is expected to commence in 2017.
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• The concept chosen includes a production, drilling and quarters (PDQ) platform based on a steel jacket, with a floating storage unit (FSU). Drilling will be carried out from the PDQ drilling rig, with a jack-up rig assisting for the initial years.
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• The Mariner field development entails a gross investment of more than USD 7 billion.
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• Following the final investment decision in December 2012, Statoil in 2013 established an office an Aberdeen.
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Statoil's new UKCS operations center is currently under construction on the Prime Four business park at Kingswells west of Aberdeen.