Unite the Union warns up to 1,500 workers on North Sea platforms may choose to strike in a dispute over pay; AP Møller-Maersk signs US$685M agreement with privately held investment firm AP Møller Holding to divest Maersk Supply Service
Labour union Unite has warned of a "tsunami" of industrial unrest that could shutter dozens of North Sea oil and gas platforms. The prospective action includes electrical, production and mechanical technicians in addition to deck crew, scaffolders, crane operators, pipefitters, platers and riggers working for Bilfinger UK, Stork Construction, Petrofac Facilities Management, Wood Group UK Ltd and Sparrows Offshore.
The results of an industrial action ballot at Worley Services on Harbour Energy platforms involving around 50 workers is due on 24 March. In all, Unite estimates about 1,500 offshore workers might opt to strike if their demands are not met.
Labour strikes due from 29 March to 7 June across BP’s North Sea platforms were called off after nearly 50 workers reached a deal securing an extra three weeks paid leave on BP assets. Labour union Unite the Union said deal is equivalent to a 10% rise in pay.
Unite members, who include crane operatives, crane maintainers, lifting personnel and deck crew, are employed by engineering firm Sparrows Offshore to work on BP’s Andrew, Clair, Clair Ridge, ETAP, Glen Lyon and Mungo installations.
AP Møller–Mærsk intends to divest OSV owner Maersk Supply Service under a US$685M agreement with privately held investment firm AP Møller Holding.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval expected in Q2 2023. Until then, Mærsk Supply Service will continue to operate as a subsidiary of AP Møller–Mærsk.
AP Møller–Mærsk chief financial officer Patrick Jany said the company intends to focus fully on integrated logistics.
Mærsk Supply Service has a fleet of 36 offshore vessels, supported by 1,300 crew and 300 onshore personnel. The company will continue trading under the same name, using the Mærsk seven-pointed star logo as part of its brand.
The Japanese offshore market will see a rejig after JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp reached an agreement to acquire the nation’s sole offshore contractor Japan Drilling Co (JDC). JDC – with its fleet of five jack-ups, a semi-submersible and a sole drillship – will become a consolidated subsidiary of JX.
The acquisition is intended to improve JX’s competitiveness in the emerging carbon storage business. Drilling wells to inject and store CO2 underground is a crucial technological component of the carbon storage value chain, and acquiring JDC strengthens JX and its parent, ENEOS Group’s offering.
In contracts news, Dolphin Drilling announced Blackford Dolphin has signed a new deal with Peak Petroleum Industries Nigeria to keep the semi-submersible engaged for a minimum of 120 days, potentially rising to 485 days, in direct continuation of its current 12-month drilling contract with General Hydrocarbons Ltd which was due to begin earlier this month. The Peak Petroleum contract has an effective day rate of US$325,000, including the mobilisation fee, for the minimum firm period.
Eni announced a new discovery offshore Mexico this week. Located in the Sureste Basin, Yatzil-1 EXP is the eighth successful well drilled by Eni in the basin where the oil major owns holds the rights in eight exploration and production blocks. The company estimates the new finding may contain around 200M barrels of oil in place.
The hydrocarbons business of Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured multiple offshore packages from an unnamed overseas client, the company said via an exchange filing. Details regarding the client and the project location were not shared but L&T called it a major deal ranging between ₹5,000 crore to ₹7,000 crore (US$604M~US$846M). The scope of work for L&T Energy Hydrocarbon comprises engineering, procurement, construction and installation of offshore structures and upgrading existing facilities.
Saipem will welcome its new jack-up, Perro Negro 12 ahead of its charter to Saudi Aramco.
Built by Singapore’s CIMC Raffles shipyard and named in late February, Perro Negro 12 is capable of operating in a water depth of 91 m and can drill to a depth of 9,150 m. The rig will complete its upgrading works in the Middle East before commencing drilling and workover operations for Aramco.
Noble Innovator jack-up will also see maintenance works being undertaken by Scottish contractor Semco Maritime. The rig is currently berthed at Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and is due to be redeployed to the North Sea where it will undertake decommissioning work for BP.
Upon the rig’s arrival in Aberdeen for a special periodical survey, Semco Maritime was contracted to provide a range of support services, including project management, hull rebranding, quayside support, scaffolding and supply of blue-collar personnel.
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