Oil companies demanded tax breaks in UK Budget, despite their eye-watering profit levels – OCI/Plaform analysis. UPDATED with the Budget announcement
North Sea
Crude Oil Casualties Mount
Everywhere you look there is carnage in the oil industry as the reality of low oil prices begins to bite. From North America, to the North Sea and the Arctic, the low crude oil price is reshaping the size, shape and prospects of the industry.
Ghost of Brent Spar Haunts Shell
Twenty years ago the oil giant Shell was embroiled in two separate controversies, which still haunt the company to this day.
Gas Leak was “Impossible” Workers Told
First the good news. Over the weekend the French oil giant Total confirmed that the flare that had been burning on its abandoned Elgin rig in the North Sea had “extinguished itself.” The flare was causing real concern in case it ignited the escaping gas. With the flare out, Total has said it could begin … Read More
Chevron Safety Inspections Could be Compromised
Late last week, the British government gave the goahead for the American oil company, Chevron to start drilling a deepwater exploratory well as part of its Lagavulin project in the waters north of the Shetland Islands. In a highly controversial move, it is the first time the new British Coalition government has granted permission for … Read More
Shell Enters British CCS Race
Twelve years ago the oil giant Shell announced it had established a fifth core business – called Shell International Renewables or SIR- which was designed to exploit the growing renewable market. Over a decade later, the oil company has beat a humiliating retreat out of the main renewable market. In March this year Shell came … Read More
“So its heads I win, tails you lose”
The oil companies are beginning to look like the banks. During the good years, they cream off ridiculous profits with huge bonuses paid to senior management and directors. And in the bad times they get out of the begging bowl to ask for more money from the government.
The Second North Sea Oil Boom
Happy Environment Day, story number three. The record oil price could cause a second oil boom in the North Sea. The popular view is that the UK’s share of the North Sea is in decline, with energy reserves diminishing rapidly about 35 years after the oilfields were first exploited. However, there is a growing body … Read More
Greater Scots Control of Oil “Makes Sense”
So the political row over North Sea oil continues. The concept of Scotland having more say over its oil and gas assets makes “common sense”, according to Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, responding to the “hands off” warning from Westminster (see yesterday’s blog). Mr Salmond said: “You have to glance across the North Sea to … Read More
Shell and Exxon Sell UK Assets
Shell and Exxon’s UK subsidiary Esso have put up their selected assets in the UK North Sea for sale, following depletion in reserves, high costs and obsolete facilities. The companies have also entered into exclusive negotiations with UK oil company Fairfield Energy Ltd. to unload their Dunlin fields interests. Royal Dutch Shell reportedly stated that … Read More