Contractor News
Oil & Gas UK Comment on HSE Offshore Safety Statistics
Oil & Gas UK's health, safety and employment issues director Robert Paterson comments on the HSE's offshore safety statistics for 2009/2010.
24/08/2010
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Reflex Marine Sees Demand Grow Globally for TORO Crew Transfer Capsule
Recognised experts in marine personnel transfer, Reflex Marine, meets global demand for its TORO crew transfer capsule selling 30 across offshore Asia-Pacific, Europe, North and West Africa, Australia and America.
18/08/2010
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HMRC Issues Phone Call Scam Warning
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) warn taxpayers to be vigilant following reports that thieves are making phone calls pretending to be the taxman. Fraudsters inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, and ask for their bank card details over the phone.
12/08/2010
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Major Oil and Gas Event to be Held in Invergordon, Scotland
Key figures from the UK's oil sector will converge on Invergordon in Scotland next month to discuss ways to strengthen the industry's links between Aberdeen and the Highlands. The two-day networking and awareness event organised by leading energy and engineering organisation North Scotland Industries Group and will be held on June 8 and 9.
24/05/2010
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Grounded Helicopters Lead to Focus on Marine Alternatives
Expert in marine personnel transfer Reflex Marine experience a significant upturn in activity following the grounding of several helicopter flights to North Sea oil and gas platforms in the wake of the Iceland volcano. The continuing disruption to aviation services in Europe is having a major impact on offshore operators.
20/04/2010
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Reflex Marine Takes a Fresh Look at Evacuation and Emergency Preparedness
Reflex Marine, a global specialist in the safe transfer of personnel by crane, believes that recent changes in the energy industry suggests that the time could now be right for operators to reconsider their emergency evacuation options. New equipment and improved practices could provide greater flexibility in dealing with a wide range of threatening scenarios.
19/04/2010
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Stamp Duty Holiday for First Time Buyers
Once again the Bank of England has held the base rate at 0.5%. Looking back at last months budget there was some very good news for first time buyers as a stamp duty holiday was put in place for purchases below £250,000.
13/04/2010
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New Tax Penalties Begin to Bite from 1 April
Changes to align powers, deterrents and safeguards in the tax system will be introduced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) from 1 April. Changes cover the following three key areas.
31/03/2010
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Is It Time For a Re-Mortgage?
With the Bank of England again keeping the base rate at 0.5% this lunchtime, many contractors whose mortgage is on a lenders Standard Variable Rate (SVR) could find themselves in a position where switching to a fixed rate would be a better option than staying on their lenders SVR.
04/03/2010
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Offshore Industry Advisory Committee (OIAC) Workforce Involvement Group (WIG)
Two more worker involvement events to be run by the Offshore Industry Advisory Committee (OIAC) Workforce Involvement Group (WIG) Following the success of events held last year in Aberdeen and Norwich another couple of similar events are being run in March 2010.
02/03/2010
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The Business Inspector Gets Boost from HMRC
A new TV series - "The Business Inspector" - has been sponsored by the U.K.'s HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The programme will raise awareness among small businesses that they need to keep good records. The Business Inspector is a four-part series that will be broadcast weekly on Five at 8pm from 10 March 2010.
18/02/2010
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Oil & Gas UK: Business confidence improves in the UK oil and gas industry, but overall picture remains fragile
The Oil & Gas UK Index published today shows that business confidence appears to be returning to the UK oil and gas industry. The overall industry index rose by 6 points to 56 in the final quarter of last year from 50 in the previous quarter, suggesting that the sector, hit by low oil and gas prices and the freeze on access to capital in the earlier part of 2009, is emerging from the recession with more optimism than at any other point in the past 12 months.
10/02/2010
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Personal Locator Beacons
Oil & Gas UK confirm that personal locator beacons will be progressively reintroduced on North Sea helicopter flights from Monday, 8 February 2010. Reintroduction will take place on 3 consecutive weekends, with the Aberdeen hub being the first to receive the equipment on Monday, 8 February, followed by the Southern North Sea helicopter hubs and Scatsa in Shetland.
04/02/2010
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Self Certified Mortgages a No No for Contractors
Bank of England once again held the base rate at 0.50%. This was widely expected by analysts as the Bank, The Treasury and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) try to speed up the economic recovery. Back in October last year the FSA announced plans to ban self-certification mortgages in an attempt to ensure that all borrowers prove their ability to repay in advance.
04/02/2010
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Helicopter Safety Awareness Courses Aim to Answer Workers' Concerns
Helicopter companies operating in the North Sea are due to deliver a series of educational courses this year to oil industry workers which aim to provide answers to concerns, educate on all aspects of offshore flight including safety procedures, and give the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes and meet key personnel such as pilots and engineers.
03/02/2010
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Health and Safety Executive Publish Underlying Causes of Offshore Incidents
The Offshore Safety Division of the Health and Safety Executive publishes report on underlying causes of offshore incidents:
fatalities, major injuries and major dangerous occurrences.
25/01/2010
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Legislation to Give Britain's 1.3 Million Agency Workers Important New Rights Laid before U.K. Parliament
Legislation to give Britain's 1.3 million agency workers important new rights was laid before Parliament today. As agreed in 2008 by the TUC and CBI, the changes will give agency workers the right to the same pay, holidays and other basic working conditions as directly recruited staff after 12 weeks in a given job.
21/01/2010
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Oil & Gas UK: Statement on the Phased Reintroduction of Personal Locator Beacons by the UK Offshore Oil and Gas Industry
Manufacturing delays, caused not least by the extreme weather conditions of the past few weeks, have meant that the phased reintroduction of the new personal locator beacons (PLBs) for use by the UK offshore oil and gas industry, will now take place early next month.
19/01/2010
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Are Lending Conditions Relaxing for Contractors?
No surprises from the Bank of England this lunchtime, as once again the base rate was kept at 0.50%. This follows closely on the heels of the pre-budget report where it was announced that the temporary stamp duty holiday, which increased the threshold from £125,000 to £175,000, would finish as planned at the end of the year.
21/12/2009
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£4.5m For More Training in the Engineering Construction Sector
A £4.5 million increase in Government funding for apprenticeships and trainees in the engineering construction sector will mean that opportunities for young people to train for skilled jobs could double to 1,200 by 2011, Secretary of State for Business, Lord Mandelson said today.
01/12/2009
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Helicopter Task Group Update - Briefing on S-92 Helicopter Fleet
Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the S-92 helicopter, issues letter to all helicopter operators concerning some occurrences of cracking which had been detected in one of the four feet which mount the S-92 Main Gearbox (MGB) to the aircraft. Helicopter operators and the Helicopter Task Group have now understandably received a number of questions from passengers concerning this matter. See Q&A briefing.
13/10/2009
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New Safety Training Centre in Aberdeen
SVITZER, the provider of Safety & Support Services within the marine industry and RESQ, the Norwegian provider of safety and crisis management training, announces joint agreement to establish a safety training centre in Aberdeen, Scotland. The new Safety Training Centre will provide a comprehensive range of internationally certified water survival, fire fighting, rescue, medical and crisis management training courses to the oil & gas and offshore wind turbine industry throughout the North Sea.
10/09/2009
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New Helicopter Surveillance System Boosts Offshore Flight Safety
Oil & Gas UK and NATS Services Ltd launch new helicopter surveillance system for the North Sea; the first in the world for offshore operations. The new system enables air traffic controllers to see helicopters on their radar screens at Aberdeen Airport at a far greater range from the shore than has previously been possible using solely shore-based radars.
07/09/2009
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Changes Planned After Fatal Accident
Inquiries by StatoilHydro and the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) into a death on Oseberg B on 7 May form a good basis for further efforts to make scaffolding work in the oil industry safer. Immediately after the 7 May incident, the group implemented a time-out on all its platforms and a review of working at a height, with the focus on the necessary safety precautions.
13/07/2009
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Federal Appellate Court Issues Significant Ruling in Contractor on the Battlefield Case
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in its ruling on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in Carmichael vs. KBR that the Political Question Doctrine bars the plaintiff's suit alleging KBR is responsible for civil liability related to its activities as a contractor to the U.S. military under the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program ("LOGCAP") contract.
06/07/2009
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Protests at Lindsey Oil Refinery In Jobs Row
Total make statement to workers who walked out in a dispute over jobs saying it is "actively encouraging" talks between contractors and the unions. The news came as contract workers gathered outside the Lindsey Refinery, in North Lincolnshire, England.
23/06/2009
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Has The Market Bottomed Out? Sat Singh, Business Development Director at Contractor Mortgages Made Easy Comments
Base rate held at 0.5% in line with expectations, as the UK government look to establish if their quantitative easing strategy is working. However, the question on everyone's lips is: has the housing market bottomed out?
04/06/2009
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Grangemouth Jobs Safeguard
The £7.6 million grant awarded to INEOS to upgrade its Grangemouth refinery and petrochemical complex will help safeguard more than 500 high value jobs and keep the country's oil supply flowing, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.
02/06/2009
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Man Dies After Work Accident on Oseberg B
Man dies after accidental fall on Oseberg B platform operated by StatoilHydro in the North Sea. This incident occurred around 09.00, 7 May, and the victim received medical attention on the spot before being flown to the Haukeland University Hospital by the search and rescue helicopter stationed at the Oseberg field centre.
07/05/2009
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Body of Missing Oil Worker Found
Body of man missing from Beryl Alpha Platform off Shetland found following an air and sea search. A remotely operated submersible located the body below the platform during the search.
29/04/2009
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Missing Person on Beryl Alpha Platform in North Sea
Search launched for oil worker reported missing around 3am today on Beryl Alpha offshore platform in the North Sea. Aberdeen Coastguard was informed following a muster station on the platform.
28/04/2009
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HM Treasury: UK Budget Report 2009
The full 2009 Budget Report published on 22 April 2009.
22/04/2009
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Inspection and Modification of Super Puma Helicopters Underway
Programme of inspection and modification of two models of Super Puma helicopter subject to recommendations by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) now underway following the release over the weekend of an Airworthiness Directive by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Alert Service Bulletin issued by the manufacturers Eurocopter.
19/04/2009
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Base Rate: The Only Way Is Up?
The Bank of England keep interest rates at 0.5% while it assesses the impact of its moves to revive the economy through quantitative easing. Expectations that the interest rate will remain at 0.5% follow a series of optimistic signs that the economy may have begun to emerge from the sharpest phase of the recession.
15/04/2009
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UK Oil and Gas Industry Responds to AAIB Recommendations
Responding to concerns raised in the media, following the publication of the AAIB initial report on their investigation into the North Sea helicopter accident off Peterhead, Chris Allen, health and safety director with Oil & Gas UK comments.
13/04/2009
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Industry Creates Task Group in Response to Fatal Helicopter Accident
Oil & Gas UK, the representative body for the UK's offshore oil and gas industry, establishes task group to address cross-industry issues arising from last week's tragic helicopter crash off the north-east coast of Scotland. The Helicopter Accident Issues Task Group is formed of senior industry managers, primarily representatives of the companies directly involved in the fatal accident as well as some members of Oil & Gas UK's Board or Council.
08/04/2009
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Helicopter Incident Results in North Sea Tragedy
Bond Super Puma helicopter which crashed 40 miles east of Aberdeen has claimed the lives of all 16 people on board. Whilst eight bodies have been recovered from the crash area, the remaining eight on board are yet to be found. It appears that the helicopter which was returning from the BP operated Miller platform suffered a catastrophic failure which led to the helicopter hitting the water at a time when conditions were said to be calm and sunny. It is understood a Mayday message was issued from the helicopter before it hit the water.
03/04/2009
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What Insurances Do I Need When Working as a Professional Contractor or Consultant?
It can be difficult to understand what insurances you need, and with so many options out there choosing the right policy for you can be a difficult task. So, what exactly do you need as a professional contractor?
02/04/2009
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Super Puma Helicopter Crashes Into North Sea Off Aberdeen
A search is underway for passengers aboard a Bond operated Super Puma helicopter which has crashed into the North Sea 35 miles east of Aberdeen in Scotland. It is understood that there are 16 people on board. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the incident took place just before 1400h today.
01/04/2009
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Shaw Opens New Office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Shaw Group opens an office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to support its increasing activity throughout the Middle East. Shaw has numerous projects currently underway in the region.
30/03/2009
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Shaw Expands UK Operations to Support European Power Market
Shaw Group expands its operations in the United Kingdom by establishing a Power Group office in Milton Keynes. This expansion will support the Power Group's European clients and their interest in providing new baseload electricity-generating capacity.
20/03/2009
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Wood Group Strengthens its Presence in Abu Dhabi
John Wood Group strengthens its operation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with move into a new office and the consolidation of the Abu Dhabi operations of IMV Projects ("IMV") with Mustang. The Group's world-leading subsea and pipeline engineering company, J P Kenny also operates in Abu Dhabi and will collaborate on key opportunities with the new Mustang organisation in Abu Dhabi.
05/03/2009
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Help For Agency Workers High on the Agenda
Help for agency workers is high on the agenda for the second meeting of the Fair Employment Enforcement Board. The Board brings together businesses, unions and the government to monitor and direct efforts to protect vulnerable workers, including a £1m campaign to raise awareness of agency workers' rights.
26/02/2009
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Total Signs Partnership Agreement with French Ministry of Defense
Total signs partnership agreement with French Ministry of Defense to place civilian and military personnel leaving the armed forces with the Group.
25/02/2009
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Eighteen Rescued after Helicopter Ditches in North Sea
All eighteen survivors now back onshore following their rescue from liferafts after a Bond operated Super Puma helicopter ditched into the North Sea. Three were airlifted by helicopter from a heliraft and flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, whilst the remaining fifteen were rescued by a support vessel and taken back to Aberdeen harbour.
19/02/2009
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Helicopter Ditches in North Sea East of Aberdeen
Eighteen people are rescued from two liferafts after a helicopter believed to be operated by Bond Offshore Helicopters ditched into the North Sea 120 miles east of Aberdeen. The Super Puma is said to have been en route to the ETAP/Galaxy installations. The incident occurred shortly before 1900 GMT. Two in field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth were sent to the scene.
18/02/2009
BP Adding to North Sea Workforce
BP says the company will be adding about 50 additional posts to its 850 offshore staff in the UK North Sea as new shift patterns come into play.
04/02/2009
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Power Station Workers Walk Out
Contract workers at Longannet Power Station have walked off shift after a meeting today in support of contract workers in England who say that other companies are selecting Spanish and Italian staff above UK-based staff.
29/01/2009
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ConocoPhillips Review Staffing
A spokeswoman for ConocoPhillips in Aberdeen confirms staffing needs will be reviewed against budgets within each business unit. She said it was too early to comment on the outcome of this process.
29/01/2009
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Eighty Posts to be Lost at Schlumberger
Schlumberger confirms that 80 posts will be lost in the UK, most of the posts in the north-east of Scotland, as a result of reduced activity in the oilfield services sector.
27/01/2009
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Wood Group to Cut Contractor Pay Rates
Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) has said more than 1000 North Sea contractors will see their pay rates cut by an average of 10% as lower crude prices impact oil companies.
23/01/2009
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StatoilHydro Shut Down Production on Kristin
Production on Kristin field in the Norwegian Sea now shut down and platform staff being temporarily reduced until the lifeboat systems have been tested and found to be functional. Defect discovered in the release mechanisms of the new lifeboat type installed on the Kristin platform.
08/01/2009
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New Setup for A.P. Moller - Maersk Headquarters
A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S is reorganising its headquarters into two distinct units – a Corporate Centre and service functions. New setup means change to a number of activities and some will not continue. This will impact the number of employees in Group headquarters where 830 positions will be reduced by around 100. Of the remaining staff around 250 will be employed in the Corporate Centre and 480 in service functions.
07/01/2009
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