From the Editor: The Road to AberdeenAug 22, 2005 The organisers promise us one of the most “influential, vibrant, and significant events in the petroleum industry calendar”, and we’re not doubting that OE 2005 (the new moniker for Offshore Europe) will be just that. This year’s theme is “Managing Mature Production: A Global Challenge”, which, considering the price of oil and renewed North Sea activity, makes it a particularly timely event. But this is not surprising, Offshore Europe has always been right on target.
A Year on the Job – An Interview with Thorhild WidveyAug 22, 2005 As one of the most recent additions to the current government, Thorhild Widvey has left her mark on the job of Minister of Petroleum and Energy. We checked in to sum up her first year in office, and to talk about the future of the Energy sector in Norway.
Prosperity for All – An Interview with Malcolm WicksAug 22, 2005 As Minister of State for Energy, Malcolm Wicks is primarily responsible for secure, sustainable and affordable energy for the UK. Mr. Wicks was first elected to Parliament in 1992, and from 2003 was the Minister of State for Pensions. Since becoming Minister of State for Energy last May, Mr. Wicks has been very busy with what could be called the beginning of a new era in the North Sea oil and gas industry, especially in regard to British-Norwegian co-operation. We were fortunate indeed to have the opportunity to ask Mr. Wicks a few questions.
Pipelines Mean DevelopmentAug 22, 2005 Technip Offshore Norge (TONOR) has through the last decade played a dominant role in development of subsea oil and gas fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). TONOR is located in the Oslo area (Strand) with a workforce around 190 persons. In addition, the company’s spoolbase for welding and load out of rigid pipelines in Orkanger employs around 70 to 80 when in full operation.
Mechanized Rig Technology Increases Safety, EfficiencyAug 22, 2005 The industry trend toward mechanized drilling systems began almost two decades ago, and is still going strong. Tremendous advancements have been made and new technologies are continuously being developed. The goal? An increase in safety for rig floor personnel and improvements in overall operational efficiency.
By Egill Abrahamsen.
Internet: A Million Cell PhonesAug 22, 2005 You may have noticed that, from time to time, I tend to stretch the term ”Internet” rather wide, when I pick my subjects for the column. When the column started, back in 1998, the Internet was still more or less in its infancy. Cell phones were used to make calls and send text messages. Moving images were viewed on the television screen.
