FMC Technologies, Inc. announced that it was recognised at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) with the presentation of two Spotlight on New Technology Awards. The awards, which honour innovative technologies that significantly impact offshore exploration and production, are in recognition of FMC Technologies' subsea boosting system developed in cooperation with Sulzer Pumps Ltd. and FMC Technologies' Condition and Performance Monitoring (CPM) system.

  Offshore Installation Services (OIS), an Acteon company, has named Mike Earlam as president. Based in the company’s Aberdeen office, Mike will be responsible for driving the development and growth of OIS and will play a key role in exploiting opportunities to work together with other Acteon companies. 

 MacArtney Benelux is pleased to announce the addition of a modern and fully equipped pressure tank facility to the company's workshop in Rotterdam, NL.

 BP has been successful in its bid for four deepwater exploration blocks offshore Nova Scotia. 

 Phil Kirk, chief executive of independent oil and gas exploration and production company Chrysaor Limited, is to join the Board of the UK oil and gas industry’s leading trade association, Oil & Gas UK.

Malcolm Webb, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive, said: “Oil & Gas UK is fortunate to have individuals of the highest calibre on its Board of Directors. Our aim is to maximise the recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources, promote the long term sustainable future of our industry’s supply chain and raise awareness of this great British industry, the UK’s largest industrial investor. It is therefore of great benefit to us that experienced senior executives such as Phil Kirk are willing to volunteer for this extra commitment to the sector.

 New MacArtney offices host industry knowledge sharing events

In March 2013, in the wake of the recent opening of new MacArtney Inc. offices on the Western US Seaboard - MacArtney Pacific Northwest and West Coast Operations will be opening the doors to a couple of ambitious 'Lunch and Learn' knowledge sharing and networking events.

 Total announces it has entered into exclusive negotiations with a consortium comprising Snam, EDF and GIC*  that has submitted a firm offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Transport et Infrastructures Gaz France (TIGF). The offer values the company at €2.4 billion.

 With effect from February 1 Stork Technical Services has appointed Pim Oomens as member of the Board of Management. He will become Chief Financial Officer with effect from March 1. Pim Oomens is the successor to Hans Turkesteen, who will leave the Stork group on March 31. Hans Turkesteen has been CFO of the holding company Stork B.V. since August 1, 2008, and the past year he has also been the CFO of the division Stork Technical Services. The Board of Management further consists of Doug Meikle (CEO) and Dave Workman (COO).

 Shell relaunched Shell Technology Center Houston, which has undergone extensive modernization and expansion to become one of the largest industrial technology centers in the world.

 VideoRay LLC is pleased to announce the selection of Paco Santana as the Director of Business Development.  Mr. Santana’s responsibilities will include developing and leading the VideoRay Business Development team in sourcing, managing, and implementing new business opportunities, especially in the Military, Law Enforcement, and Offshore Oil & Gas markets.

  We have been informed by the UK and Algerian governments that the Algerian army is attempting to take control of the In Amenas site.

  BP confirms that the major security incident at the In Amenas joint venture site in Algeria is continuing. The situation on site remains unresolved and fragile. Armed groups still occupy the site and hold a number of site personnel. 

 Total announced that it had signed an agreement with Kulob Petroleum, a subsidiary of Tethys Petroleum, to farm into the Bokhtar PSC Area in Tajikistan with a 33.335% interest. Under the agreement, signed jointly with state-owned CNODC (a subsidiary of CNPC) of China, Total and CNODC will each hold a 33.335% interest in the PSC, while Kulob will retain a 33.33% stake. The agreement is subject to the approval of the Tajikistan government.

  NCS Survey, an Acteon company, is continuing its targeted expansion programme with the opening of a second office block at its headquarters in Aberdeen, UK, and new offices in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Stavanger, Norway.

  GLOBAL subsea and energy sector imaging systems specialist Bowtech Products Ltd today confirms it is investing more than £3million in the development of its new headquarters, as it is unveiled as the first occupant of Aberdeen's major new international business park, ABZ.