Maersk Drilling and Aker BP collaborated by signing a $10.9m well-secured contract, in order to extent the harsh environment jack up rig, Maersk Integrator. In order to achieve that, the jack-up first needs intense upgrades, as to be turned into a hybrid rig for low emission drilling.
Oslo-based environmental NGO Bellona and NGO Nature and Youth are going out hard against the plans of German oil and gas player Wintershall DEA for exploration drilling at Trænarevet, outside Lofoten, in the Norwegian Sea.
Although global offshore exploration activity has been flat year-to-date, the number of wells drilled in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) could challenge all-time high levels by the end of the year, says energy research firm Rystad Energy.
The Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez announced that Yavuz, the Turkish drillship, was planned to start drilling for oil and gas, on Monday 7 or Tuesday 8 October in the southwest of Cyprus, an announcement that would further intensify the friction between the countries.
On Sunday, Greek Prime Minister urged the US to take place in the tensions between Greece and Cyprus concerning drilling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Cyprus and Turkey are locked in a dispute over offshore rights.
The International Group of P&I Clubs issued a circular providing an update on the US sanctions on the government of Venezuela and Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA). On 5 August 2019, the US increased its sanctions programme against Venezuela, with the Executive Order 13884.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) conducted a ferry emergency exercise (FEREX) at the Regional Ferry Terminal (RFT) at Harbourfront, to trial the competency of about 250 personnel from 10 government agencies, three ferry operators and Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd in response to ferry mishaps.
Two Turkish drill ships are continuing operations in the eastern Mediterranean, while another ship is expected to join them this month, said Energy Minister Fatih Donmez, amid an ongoing dispute between Turkey and Cyprus.
The contention on the applicability of the Cabotage Act (2003) to Drilling Rigs appears not to be close to a final resolution, particularly on the question of whether a Drilling Rig can be construed as a vessel within the definition in the Cabotage Act, according to Nigerian firm Banwo & Ighodalo (B&I).
In light of Turkey’s continuation of illegal drilling activities and a few days after the second Turkish drill ship arrived off Cyprus, the European Council announced some preliminary sanctions against Turkey. Among others. the Council decided to suspend negotiations on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement.
