Offshore | Common News Update

Oct182020 by adminNo Comments

Unmanned boats and drones could repair offshore wind farms and clean up the sea

Technology

Autonomous drones and unmanned boats could be used to maintain the UK's offshore wind farms in the next five years, experts have told Sky News.A team of scientists from the University of Bristol and French-based engineering and science firm Thales are testing technology that will eventually remove the need for humans to carry out the dangerous role. The process involves AI (artificial intelligence) boats carrying autonomous drones out to wind turbines at sea, before they take off and land on turbine blades and carry out repairs.Tom Richardson, from the University of Bristol who is leading the team, said: "The number of turbines we have is almost growing exponentially. Image: A drone is pictured being tested "There's a large number out...

Oct172018 by adminNo Comments

Italy’s Eni to try to repeat huge offshore Mozambique discovery

Business

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Rome-based Eni, which earlier this decade led the discovery of an estimated 85 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in Mozambique, on Wednesday signed an accord in Maputo that will allow it to begin exploration work in a previously unexplored area in the country's deep waters. The contract involves rights for exclusive exploration and development of the offshore block A5-A which are deep waters of the Zambezi basin. In bidding, Eni was named as operator and awarded a 59.5 percent stake, South Africa's Sasol received a 25.5 percent and the Mozambique government held onto the rest, Eni said Wednesday. It is a "completely unexplored zone" with water depth ranging from 984 feet to nearly 6,000 feet, Eni said. The Mozambique National Petroleum Institute added that Energy ministr...

Aug162018 by adminNo Comments

Good results from U.S. offshore auction, but expectations low

Business

Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Results from a U.S. auction for drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico showed companies are willing to spend again, but expectations were low, experts said. An auction Wednesday for rights to drill into the U.S. waters of the Gulf of Mexico secured $ 178.1 million in high bids from 29 different companies. That's an increase of 43 percent from the last lease sale in March. William Turner, a research analyst at consultant group Wood Mackenzie, said less acreage was on the auction block and the industry didn't get an incentive from lower royalty rates like they wanted so expectations were low. "However, with an increase in competitive bids and dollar amount from the last round, companies demonstrated their continued confidence in the region," he said in a research note emaile...

Jun192018 by adminNo Comments

India embarks on offshore wind energy effort

Business

June 19 (UPI) -- The completion of studies for the offshore wind energy potential in India expands the sector in a greening economy, the government said Tuesday. Norwegian energy advisory group DNV GL announced Tuesday it completed a study, co-funded by the European Union and an offshore wind energy group in India, examining the offshore wind energy potential for two coastal states. "It is the beginning of India's journey from onshore to offshore -- A dream comes true," India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy stated. India under its commitments for the Paris climate agreement targeted 175 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2022, with about 35 percent of that coming from wind energy. India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its trade deficit hit $ 16.3 bill...

Jun62018 by adminNo Comments

Exxon, Equinor complete partnership offshore Brazil

Business

June 6 (UPI) -- Development of oil basins off the coast of Brazil remains a core focus, Norwegian energy company Equinor said after selling off interests to Exxon Mobil. Equinor, formerly known as Statoil, completed a transaction with Exxon that puts the latter in an equity partnership at the BM-S-8 block off the coast of Brazil with a 36.5 percent stake. The block is within the Carcara oil field, which has an estimated 2 billion barrels of reserves. "Carcará is a world-class asset and has strengthened our position in Brazil, one of Equinor's core areas due to its large resource base and excellent fit with our technology and capabilities," Anders Opedal, the country manager for Equinor, said in a statement. Brazil ranks second behind Venezuela in terms of proven oil reserves in So...