Germany has given the green light for drilling as much as 13 billion cubic meters (Bbcm) of natural gas at a protected marine site in the North Sea in a controversial step to bolster energy security.
Equinor and Shell have unveiled Adura as the name of their new incorporated joint venture, set to become the UK North Sea’s largest independent oil and gas producer, the companies said on Thursday.
The major five-year contract, worth approximately $203 million (£150 million) is effective from 1st July 2025. The scope encompasses ASCO’s full suite of integrated logistics services, including quayside operations, warehousing, materials management, marine gas oil, environmental services, aviation, customs, freight forwarding and ships agency.
Baker Hughes has a history of successful integrated P&A projects, as well as its innovative portfolio of Mature Assets Solutions with a proven track record of increasing efficiency, accelerating timelines and reducing total operating costs. Through this integrated P&A program, Baker Hughes will plug and abandon wells and provide project management services on behalf of Equinor.
Aker Solutions has successfully installed an autonomous drone system on Aker BP’s Edvard Grieg platform in the North Sea, enabling frequent, remote inspections from shore.
the Edvard Grieg platform, offshore North Sea
The company recently completed the first offshore beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operation, piloted from its onshore control center in Stavanger. The inspection flight was carried out using an installed drone on Aker BP’s Edvard Grieg platform.
OKEA ASA and its partners in production license 055 have made a discovery that is estimated to hold 300,000 to 2.8 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent along the eastern flank of the already producing Brage field on Norway’s side of the North Sea.
Two appraisal wells drilled by Equinor ASA in the North Sea about 20 kilometers (12.43 miles) east of the Troll A platform have shown a suitable reservoir for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage.
Perenco CEO Armel Simondin said, “This test has met our expectations, both in terms of technical execution and the quality of data gathered. These insights are instrumental as we move to the next phase of developing the Poseidon Project. The successful test highlights the role our industry can play in the UK’s decarbonization efforts. The Perenco CCS team and our joint venture partners are now fully focused on interpreting the results and converting new insights into an evidence-based development plan for Project Poseidon”.
According to the operator, Tyra II will ensure continued production of natural gas with 30% less CO2 emissions than before the shutdown and will contribute to energy security and independence in Denmark and Europe through the export pipelines to Nybro and Den Helder.
Plans to shut down a vital terminal in the North Sea have sparked a bitter legal row over claims it will damage the UK’s oil and gas production.