Statoil was the highest bidder on 6 licenses in Brazil's 11th licensing round, the first licensing round in the country since December 2008. With the new licenses, Statoil has strengthened its position in the Espirito Santo basin.

The award in Brazil's 11th licensing round reflects Statoil's extensive application and ambition of long-term growth in Brazil. Out of the six licenses awarded in Espirito Santo, Statoil is the operator for four and partner in two of the licenses.

"We are very pleased with the outcome," says Tim Dodson, executive vice president for Exploration in Statoil.

 "The award of the blocks in the Espirito Santo basin is in line with Statoil's exploration strategy to build on core positions in prolific and proven basins."

Statoil's application for exploration licenses in the basin is based on established and new geological play models.

"The new positions underscore our ambition to grow in Brazil, which we see as a region for long-term growth.

"Access to new quality acreage is an essential prerequisite for further value creation through exploration activities and for increasing Statoil's international production level from key clusters such as Brazil," says Thore E. Kristiansen, senior vice president South America and president for Statoil Brazil.

In December 2012 Statoil acquired a 25% participating interest from Vale SA in BM-ES-22A in the Espirito Santo Basin. Petrobras is the operator with 75%.

The farm-in is pending Brazil National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuel (ANP) approval. BM-ES-22A is adjacent to the BM-ES-32 license where Statoil is partner and which holds the Indra discovery.

"These new licenses in the Espirito Santo basin give us a significant acreage position in a proven hydrocarbon basin. They have the potential to provide large-scale additional resources close to our existing discoveries, which with success will result in Statoil building a new core position," says Dodson. 

Statoil operates the Peregrino field in Brazil, which came on stream in April 2011, and Statoil is currently the largest international operator in the country. Statoil is also operator of some of the world's largest oil and gas discoveries over the last couple of years and has a strong safety and environmental record.

The 11th bidding round on 14 May was conducted by the ANP. The concession agreements from the 11th licensing round are scheduled to be signed in August 2013.

In the 11th licensing round in Brazil Statoil has been awarded:

Six exploration licenses in the Espirito Santo basin, of which four as operator and two as partner.

The licenses are located in the deepwater sector of the Espirito Santo basin, close to the licenses BM

ES-32 and BM-ES-22A which are operated by Petrobras and in which Statoil is already a partner.

The blocks have an exploration phase of seven years, divided in to two periods of five years and two

years, and the total well commitment for the six licenses is 10 wells.

Consortium:

ES-M-596: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.* (50%), Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda. (50%)

ES-M-598: Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda.* (40%), Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (40%), Queiroz Galvão Exploração e Produção S.A. (20%)

ES-M-669: Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.* (40%), Total E&P do Brasil Ltda. (25%), Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda. (35%)

ES-M-671: Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda.* (35%), Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (40%), Total E&P do Brasil Ltda. (25%)

ES-M-673: Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda.* (40%), Queiroz Galvão Exploração e Produção S.A. (20%), Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (40%)

ES-M-743: Statoil Brasil Óleo e Gás Ltda.* (35%), Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (40%), Total E&P do Brasil Ltda. (25%)

In the construction of a subsea project, one challenge is the long delivery time of large steel forgings used for key components. This is mainly due to compliance with oil companies’ individual requirements. DNV is now inviting the subsea industry to jointly obtain synergies by developing a best-practice approach. The aim is to reduce delivery time and production costs and improve material quality, thus reducing the risk throughout the supply chain.

Due to quality concerns, the end users of subsea systems are stipulating company-specific requirements for subsea forgings, such as those used for X-mas trees. “This has made the stocking of prefabricated forgings and thereby shorter lead times difficult for the vendor industry. The typical delivery time can be in excess of seven months, and has a high potential for being shortened,” says Bjørn Søgård, business development manager at DNV’s Well, Pipelines and Subsea Section.

“One pre-requisite for shortening the lead times and effective project execution is the timely availability of forgings that meet all likely end users’ quality requirements. A unified set of requirements across the industry would be a solution with a synergetic effect, make procurement easier and help reduce quality challenges,” he points out.

On this basis, and in response to requests from key stakeholders in the subsea industry, DNV has now established a Forging-material Joint Industry Project (JIP). It will run for 14 months and include valuable contributions from major oil companies, subsea contractors and manufacturers of steel forgings. In addition, DNV will contribute the advice of its own pool of subject-matter experts. The conclusions will be presented in a Recommended Practice available to the industry.

Søgård explains that the core goal for all participants is to improve the quality, cost and delivery times of forgings for the subsea industry. “A unified approach will also help limit the risk of failure during fabrication, subsea installation and operation. The outcome will not only benefit the manufacturers and sub-suppliers, but also improve the end-customers’ way of specifying their requirements regarding mechanical loads, interfaces with other materials, environmental issues, cathodic protection, cyclic loading, etc,” he concludes.

The adoption of a unified material standard with a consistent methodology to manage all steps in the supply chain processes will help ensure consistently high and repeatable quality across the industry and geographical regions and build confidence into the final product. The JIP will be run with participation from the industry based in both Houston, USA and Oslo, Norway.

Gov. Bobby Jindal and Wolverine Terminals LLC General Manager Terry Wilson has announced the company will make a $30 million capital investment to establish a crude oil terminal and blending operation on a 15-acre Mississippi River site in St. James Parish. Wolverine will create 20 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of $62,000, plus benefits. LED estimates the project will result in 18 new indirect jobs for a total of 38 new jobs. In addition, the project will create an estimated 100 construction jobs.

Gov. Jindal said, "This project is more great news for St. James Parish and our entire state. Wolverine Terminals joins a long list of companies that recognize Louisiana as the best state in the country for a top-notch workforce, an unmatched energy infrastructure and an outstanding business climate. We're proud to welcome Wolverine Terminals and its investment partners to our state as they help us continue our tremendous economic momentum by creating great new jobs and opportunities for our people."

The Wolverine Terminals project is supported by the following energy investment companies: Gulfport Energy Corp. of Oklahoma City and Wexford Capital LP of Greenwich, Conn. The project will entail rail and dock facility improvements along with storage tank construction that will enable the company to receive crude oil shipments by rail from Canadian and U.S. locations and to ship blended oil products via barge to domestic customers.

"We look forward to working in concert with the state and parish in creating jobs for the area," Wilson said.

LED began discussions with Wolverine Terminals about the potential project in December 2012. To secure the project, the state offered the company participation in Louisiana's Quality Jobs Program. Construction will begin in the third quarter of 2013 and be completed by the end of the second quarter in 2014. Hiring will be completed as the company initiates commercial operations at the Paulina site in the second quarter of 2014. With five storage-and-blending tanks, Wolverine will provide a total capacity of 425,000 barrels of crude oil at its St. James Parish facility.

"We are pleased to welcome Wolverine Terminals LLC to our Parish," St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel said. "The decision to choose St. James Parish for this project is not a surprise, as our resources such as the Mississippi River have proven to be a major attraction for Louisiana development. Although Wolverine Terminals will receive our full support during the planning, construction, and operating phases, the community's best interest will remain our top priority. We look forward to the opportunities this project will bring as well as a long and prosperous partnership."

For business inquiries about the Wolverine Terminals project, contact Terry Wilson at 225.394.0562 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions about operations or Glen Perry at 403.930.6437 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions about commercial opportunities.

Megan Bel has joined the staff of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) as Senior Director, Government & Political Affairs. She comes to NOIA from the Office of Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) where she served as Legislative Director since 2008. She also recently served as Deputy Director of the Republican Study Committee.

“Megan is a great addition to the NOIA staff and its members. Her Hill and legislative experience is unparalleled. In addition, her long time association with the Gulf of Mexico and the offshore energy industry will serve the members of NOIA well. I am excited to have her aboard,” said NOIA President Randall Luthi.

Bel staffed Congressman Scalise’s House Energy and Commerce Committee work from 2009-2013 and his House Natural Resources Committee work in 2008.  She also advised the Congressman in his roles on the Gulf Coast Caucus, Western Caucus, House Energy Action Team and the Natural Gas Caucus.  During and after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Bel led briefings for congressional staff and assisted House Republican leadership with messaging on the harmful effects of post spill regulations, permitting delays and the deepwater drilling moratorium.  In 2008 Bel was a field director and policy advisor on the Scalise for Congress Congressional Campaign.

Earlier in her career, Bel was Legislative Assistant and Press Secretary for Congressman Richard Baker (R-LA) (2006-2008) and a policy analyst in the office of Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco (2004-2006). 
 
Bel earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

Buccaneer Energy Limited (ASX:BCC) advises that the Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation Commission ("AOGCC") has inspected and certified the Endeavour jack-up rig for operations within Alaskan state waters, this was the final certification required for the Endeavour to be able to commence drilling operations.

The Cosmo # 1 well spud at approximately midday EST on 13 May 2013 (Sydney) and is currently at 600' drilling ahead.

The Company will provide weekly drilling updates commencing on Tuesday 21 May 2013.

The Cosmopolitan Project ("Cosmo") is located in 80' feet of water approximately 30 miles to the north west of Homer. Cosmo is jointly owned with privately owned Fort Worth, Texas based BlueCrest Energy II, LP ("BlueCrest") owning a 75% working interest and Buccaneer a 25% working interest, with Buccaneer as the Operator for the project.

Cosmo # 1 Well Plan

The Cosmo # 1 well is a vertical well that has a targeted Total Vertical Depth of 8,000' ("TVD"), the well is anticipated to take approximately 45 days to drill and test.

Surface casing will be set at 800' after which the well will be drilled to the top of the Tyonek Formation ("Tyonek") at 2,000' where casing will again be set. The first gas Tyonek gas zone should be intersected at approximately 2,150' with multiple gas zones anticipated intersected to 6,000'.

Casing will be set at approximately 6,000' before drilling through the proven oil bearing Starichkof and Hemlock Formations, and will reached the target depth of 8,000' after drilling the prospective West Foreland Formation. The current plan is to take oil cores to augment the reservoir data to further optimize the future oil plan of development. At this stage it is not planned to flow test the oil formations.

On completion of drilling and logging operations the well will be plugged back to the bottom of the Tyonek gas formation. Gas zones within the Tyonek Formation that are identified as potentially commercial through drilling and logging will then be perforated and flow tested. If successfully tested the well will be temporary abandoned as a future gas producer.

Historical Technical Appraisal and Drilling

The Cosmopolitan oil accumulation was initially discovered by Pennzoil by exploration drilling in 1967.

- Oil reservoirs are the Oligocene Lower Tyonek (Starichkof sands);

- Reservoirs are non-marine sandstones with 750' of vertical oil column;

- Oil gravity is 24-27 degrees API; and

- Pioneer estimated OOIP at 360 MMBO;

An offset well (Starichkof State Unit #1) was drilled by Pennzoil in 1967 to the northeast of the discovery well:

- Well was low on the structure and wet in the oil zones;

- Several cores in the shallower Tyonek Formation revealed excellent rock properties with porosities >20% and permeability of 100 - 1000 md;

- Conventional core was taken in the Lower Tyonek Starichkof Formation with average porosity >14% and average permeability > 36 md; and

- Gas cut mud was tested from Tyonek intervals suggesting possible gas higher on structure.

The accumulation was tested again by Arco in 2001:

- Hansen #1 well was drilled from onshore with long reach and found oil in the Starichkof and Hemlock sands;

- 2 Drill Stem Tests ("DST") in the Starichkof sands tested at 200-300 BOPD; and

- Follow up DST's in 2002 found Hemlock sands oil which tested at 300 BOPD and a subsequent Starichkof test of 125 BOPD.

The accumulation was tested again by ConocoPhillips who acquired Arco assets in 2003:

- Hansen #1A was sidetracked out of the original Hansen #1 with a long reach well drilled from onshore;

- DST in the Starichkof/Hemlock intervals tested at rates up to 1000 BOPD; and

- Extended production test stabilized at 550 BOPD.

Pioneer acquired a 40 square mile 3D survey covering the structure in 2005 and obtained a 100% ownership position in 2007

Additional drilling occurred by Pioneer in 2010:

- Hansen #1A-L1 was drilled as a long lateral out of the #1A sidetrack;

- The #1A-L1 is a horizontal well drilled within the Starichkof interval;

- An extended production test was conducted after drilling and stimulation (frac); and

- Results were a cumulative 33,504 BO produced with no water at 250 BOPD + 1 MMcfg/day additional to the Hansen #1A extended production test of 550 BOPD.

Aberdeen-based standby vessel operator Atlantic Offshore Rescue has commissioned what will be the UK’s most powerful emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV).

The Ocean Troll – which recently completed a long term charter with Statoil – has undergone a £2million conversion and overhaul at MMS in Hull to become a UK Class A ERRV with tanker assist and firefighting capabilities. Its home port will be Aberdeen and it will become Atlantic Offshore Rescue’s principal relief vessel supporting the fleet in the North Sea.

The vessel transferred from Atlantic’s Norwegian operation is part of a £300million fleet investment programme undertaken over the last three years by the Atlantic Offshore Group and is the start of the renewal of its UK Fleet . In recent months, orders have been placed by Atlantic Offshore Rescue for two high-specification  TAV/ERRVs with one due to join the fleet in January 2014 and the other scheduled for completion in 2015.

Atlantic Offshore Rescue has been in operation since 1995. It manages a fleet currently sitting at 13 ERRVs (emergency response and rescue vessels) and four PSVs (platform supply vessels) out of Aberdeen.

It is part of the Atlantic Offshore Group which is based in Norway.  Atlantic Offshore Rescue Ltd employs 350 people (approximately 330 seamen and 20 office-based staff) and provides multi-role offshore and emergency rescue and response vessels for many of the oil majors operating in the North Sea.

The three new ERRVs will secure employment for 90 seamen between them.

The 78metre Ocean Troll is equipped with rescue craft including two Daughter Craft and two Fast Response Craft (FRCs). It is compliant with Norwegian legislation and can carry 300 survivors. With firefighting capabilities of 4x1800cum/hour, it has Bollard Pull of 150 tonnes and BHP 12560.

John Bryce, managing director of Atlantic Offshore Rescue, said: “We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible rescue and recovery service in the event of any offshore emergency and will continue to invest in our fleet and employees to continue to strengthen our service.

“The last year has seen us sign new agreements with a number of major operators we have worked with for several years as well as securing business with others on the back of the reputation built by our personnel and fleet.’’

Atlantic Offshore Group currently operates a fleet of twenty four ERRVs (emergency response and rescue vessels) and PSVs (platform supply vessels), and manages further PSVs on behalf of a third parties.

The group’s aim is to continue to expand its capabilities within both the Norwegian and British sector of the North Sea and to be able to provide cross-border solutions reflecting the needs of its clients for both ERRVs & PSVs.

FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) announces that it has received a subsea equipment order from ExxonMobil Corporation (ExxonMobil) for its Julia development.

The Julia field is located in the Gulf of Mexico Walker Ridge area in approximately 7,000 feet (2,100 meter) water depth. FMC Technologies' scope of supply includes six subsea trees, a manifold and associated tie-in equipment.

"FMC Technologies is pleased to provide ExxonMobil with subsea systems for this offshore project," said Tore Halvorsen , FMC Technologies' Senior Vice President, Subsea Technologies. "We look forward to supporting ExxonMobil as they overcome the technological challenges of this ultra deepwater development."

Songa Offshore SE (OSE: SONG) has appointed Bjørnar Iversen as new CEO of Songa Offshore SE, effective as of June 1st. Iversen will relocate to Limassol and take up the position only weeks after he joined the company as president of Songa Rig AS.

Sometimes you are simply lucky enough to find gold in your own pocket. After a long search process and assessment of numerous candidates, we increasingly realised that we already had the ideal candidate within our own company. Bjørnar understands the industry after 17 years with Odfjell Drilling; he has extensive international and operational management experience and, importantly, a unique knowledge of the Category D project. My key task as interim CEO was to steer the company through a few critical short-term challenges and find a permanent successor. I am happy to now step down, knowing that both tasks have been successfully accomplished, says interim CEO and chairman of the board, Jens A Wilhelmsen.

Before signing with Songa in February this year, Bjørnar Iversen held a number of senior management positions and been member of the executive leadership team at Odfjell Drilling AS for the last 12 years. His latest position was President and CEO of Odfjell Galvao Ltda in Brazil. During his 17 year's tenure at Odfjell Drilling, he has been executive vice president for Corporate Business Development, Odfjell Drilling Technology and Odfjell Well Services.

Iversen holds a Master of Science in Business (siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Business and Economics (NHH), and various management courses from Harvard Business School.

Crowley Maritime Corporation's petroleum services group is entering the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market by acquiring Carib Energy LLC.  Florida-based Carib Energy, founded in 2011, was the first company to receive a small scale, 25-year, LNG export license from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for LNG transportation from the U.S. into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries.

While Crowley’s overall strategic focus on the LNG market will span several of its diversified business lines and leverage its storied history and success in the marine, project management, energy and transportation fields, Carib Energy provides an induction into the emerging energy market from which the company can grow its concentration on LNG transportation.

A Crowley LNG services group has been formed within Crowley’s petroleum services business unit. It is being headed up by Vice President of Business Development Matt Jackson, who reports to Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. This team will marshal Crowley’s extensive resources to serve the LNG market through LNG vessel design and construction; transportation; product sales and distribution, and full-scale, project management solutions.

“Crowley has a myriad of business lines, each with overlapping expertise perfectly positioned to develop a strong footprint in the LNG market,” said Tom Crowley, company chairman and CEO. “Whether it’s designing the next LNG bulk transport vessel, transporting ISO tanks via Crowley’s regularly scheduled liner service, arranging special carriage via our global logistics network or providing project solutions for LNG discovery and extraction; Crowley has the service portfolio to provide turnkey solutions within the LNG space.”

The acquisition of Carib Energy, which becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Crowley Petroleum Services, now provides Crowley an immediate book of business for the supply, transportation, and distribution of LNG via 10,000 gallon ISO tanks.  While Carib Energy has a pending DOE application to supply LNG transportation services into non-FTA countries, its current licensing allows them, and now Crowley, to supply cost-efficient, environmentally friendly LNG from the U.S. to both commercial and industrial customers within the Caribbean and Central and South America – all countries where LNG is an attractive commodity thanks to its low price point in the face of growing power supply costs.  Carib Energy is also cementing its involvement in future LNG fuel bunkering for ships transiting between the U.S. and Caribbean markets.

“The Carib Energy acquisition is an exciting opportunity for Crowley to utilize a combination of its core competencies including marine solutions, logistics planning and execution and associated technical and project management capabilities in an area that is by all measures growing rapidly both within the U.S. and abroad,” said Grune. “We look forward to playing a pivotal role with both new and existing customers as they strive to provide safe and reliable LNG distribution assets and services.”

As part of the Carib Energy acquisition, Greg Buffington (shown), the company’s president, will join Crowley as vice president of Carib Energy, reporting to Jackson. Buffington will continue to develop and expand the company’s Caribbean and Central America opportunities for small-scale LNG applications.  His experience is deeply rooted within the international propane gas industry where he spent 31 years in varying capacities. He was the founder of EFG Industries, an international supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) equipment, engineering and plant construction.

“We are very pleased to welcome Greg to the Crowley family,” said Jackson.  “He shares our understanding of the exponential business potential for LNG as well as our corporate values. He knows our ‘One Crowley, One Team’ approach will allow us to leverage a multitude of experience towards a common goal of success within this vastly untapped energy market.”

LNG facts from the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG): LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is natural gas that is cooled to -260° Fahrenheit until it becomes a liquid and then stored at essentially atmospheric pressure. Converting natural gas to LNG, a process that reduces its volume by about 600 times allows it to be transported. Once delivered to its destination, the LNG is warmed back into its original gaseous state so that it can be used just like existing natural gas supplies. When returned to its gaseous state, LNG is used across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors for purposes as diverse as heating and cooling homes, cooking, generating electricity and manufacturing paper, metal, glass and other materials. LNG is not stored under pressure and it is not explosive. LNG vapors (methane) mixed with air are not explosive in an unconfined environment. When exposed to the environment, LNG rapidly evaporates, leaving no residue on water or soil.

MacGregor's new simulation platform enables customers to access realistic information relating to complex interactions so that better decisions can be made and skills can be attained long before risk becomes a factor

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has introduced C-HOW,a simulation platform that allows customers to run particular equipment through various simulated conditions and operations. "The C-HOW software is extremely flexible," says Frode Grøvan, Sales and Marketing Director for MacGregor Advanced Load Handling. "Simulation detail can be varied depending on the level of functionality required: C-HOW is modular and scalable, so modules can be added or removed as requirements change. Furthermore, its use is not limited to MacGregor equipment; it can be tailored for products from other manufacturers installed on our customers' vessels."

Although MacGregor has only just introduced C-HOW to the market, customers are already expressing serious interest. At a basic level, C-HOW can be used as an interactive calculation tool, while at the other end of the scale it can be incorporated in immersive training hardware, such as in the advanced crane simulator that MacGregor built at Kristiansand in Norway.

"Simulation can help at every stage of a newbuilding project, from concept studies and layout plans to training, operational planning and, later on in its life, modifications and upgrades," adds Mr Grøvan. "It is all about getting access to realistic information relating to complex interactions so that better decisions can be made and skills can be attained long before risk becomes a factor.

"Our customers can also use C-HOW in discussions with their own clients; demonstrating aspects such as increased availability, contingency planning, calculation and presentation tools, control options, flexible and immersive training, 'black-box' analysis and much more."MacGregor's simulation products and services can be modified, together with the physical system, all the way to the end of their useful working life. "This way, your investment never becomes obsolete and it always performs in the best way possible, even under changing commercial and operational circumstances. We use simulation technology to help design your product, why not use the same tools to test, train and plan for its future use?"

Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC) announces a contract award by Pemex to its Mexican joint venture valued at approximately $90 million.

The contract comprises the engineering, fabrication and installation of an 8km pipeline, related risers, two slug catchers¹ and two cantilever structures for the Line 67 Project in the Bay of Campeche. This is the second contract awarded to the joint venture.

Project management and engineering will be handled from the joint venture’s offices in Ciudad del Carmen and Houston. Offshore operations are due to commence in the third quarter 2013, with pipelay activities being conducted in the fourth quarter 2013 with Seven Borealis.

Ian Cobban, Subsea 7´s Vice President Gulf of Mexico, said “Subsea 7 Mexico is pleased to be awarded its second contract in Mexico. We look forward to delivering the project in a safe and timely manner, and in so doing, strengthening our relationship with Pemex.”

¹ a slug catcher is a storage vessel used to separate oil, water and gases and regulate flow within a pipeline

UTEC has announced the appointment of Ian Pownall as the General Manager of UTEC Survey JLT, based in Dubai, UAE.

The responsibilities of this role include development and delivery of the UTEC brand and business model in the Middle East region.

Ian, who was formerly with Corrintec in the UK and Unique Maritime Group in the UAE, brings a wealth of IMR experience to UTEC Survey JLT.

Commenting on his appointment, Ian said: “I am delighted to be joining UTEC at an exciting and busy time and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges which my new role will present.”

UTEC CEO Martin O’Carroll added: “UTEC is continually looking to add strength to our team through the addition of experienced managers, such as Ian. We feel Ian’s addition to the team reflects the success we are achieving globally.”

Cal Dive International, Inc. (NYSE:DVR) announced today that it has been awarded two additional contracts from Pemex Exploración y Producción that are expected to generate combined total revenues of approximately $188 million.

The first contract is for the procurement, installation and commissioning of 47 kilometers of 20 inch subsea pipeline and associated tie-ins to an existing platform. This contract is expected to generate revenues of approximately $129 million and will utilize two of the Company’s vessels as well as a third party vessel. The offshore construction is expected to commence in the third quarter 2013 with a portion of the work expected to be performed during the first quarter 2014.

The second contract is for the procurement, installation and commissioning of nine kilometers of two medium diameter subsea pipelines and associated tie-ins to existing platforms. This contract is expected to generate revenues of approximately $59 million and will utilize a third party vessel and a Company dive support vessel. The offshore construction for this contract is expected to commence in the fourth quarter 2013 and is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter 2014. On a combined basis, approximately 50% - 60% of the contracts are expected to be performed during 2013.

Quinn Hébert, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cal Dive, stated, “With the $63 million Pemex contract we announced in March, total contract awards with Pemex this year currently stand at $250 million. These awards increase our total Company backlog to over $400 million, our highest level in five years. We believe these awards demonstrate Pemex’s confidence in Cal Dive as a reliable contractor. These recent contract awards not only secure work for the second half of 2013, but also provide significant visibility for the first half of 2014 when our domestic business is historically slow due to the winter work season. Also, we continue to bid for additional work in Mexico that would mostly benefit our 2014 results.”

Applus RTD, a global leader in the provision of integrity technology services, has unveiled its most sophisticated ultrasonic 3D inspection technology to date – the latest addition to its revolutionary NDT3D technology range.

The RTD IWEX (Inverse Wave Field Extrapolation) is an emerging Non Destructive Testing (NDT) technique that allows detailed inspection and mapping of defects within critical pieces of pipework.

The system increases the probability of detection of defects within welds, as well as more accurately detailing the size, position and characterization of faults. It has the potential to save operators millions of dollars by reducing the number of welds being rejected in new construction pipelines both onshore and offshore.

Rienk de Vries, technical director at Applus RTD, said: “RTD IWEX provides users with a reconstructed image of the inspected object, giving a clearer insight into the scale and nature of any existing defects than is currently possible.

“By utilizing this technology more accurate results in relation to the size and position of the defect can be gained throughout the inspection process.”

The product has been designed to tackle a number of known client issues during processes such as pipeline construction and strain-based pipeline designs and can be utilized during operations for the oil and gas and renewables sectors.

Mr de Vries added: “We are committed to a program of technological research and development aimed at delivering new techniques that maximize the effectiveness and value of our services.

“Ensuring the integrity of the infrastructure being used in the global energy industry is critical to the success of E&P activity and it is of paramount importance to Applus RTD that we not only contribute to improved standards, but set the bar within the ultrasonic NDT arena.

The RTD IWEX is the product of six years of research and development and has already been validated by several oil majors.

Cargotec's MacGregor has received EUR 37 million order from Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. to deliver four 250-ton active heave-compensated (AHC) subsea cranes for four multi-purpose supply vessels (MPSV). The cranes will be delivered between fourth quarter 2014 and third quarter 2015. The order is booked in the second quarter 2013 order intake.

"MPSVs are specialized vessels that are principally used to support complex deepwater subsea construction, installation, maintenance, repair and other sophisticated operations," says Frode Grøvan, Sales and Marketing Director for MacGregor Advanced Load Handling.  "We are pleased  that Hornbeck Offshore opted MacGregor's advanced 250-ton AHC subsea cranes with operational capability at depths of 3700m suitable for ultra-deepwater operations.

Petrobras will double in size by 2020. The statement was made by the Company's CEO, Maria das Graças Silva Foster, during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), in Houston (USA). The CEO presented the lecture "The Future of Energy in Brazil: the role of Petrobras", during the panel called "Global Energy Outlook - Shaping the Future!", with more than 250 attendees.

The CEO highlighted that production in Brazil, which was 2.2 million barrels of oil equivalent (oil and natural gas) per day in 2012, will reach 5.7 million in 2020. And the pre-salt will be largely responsible for this increase. "We (Petrobras) have made 53 discoveries in Brazil during the last 14 months. In the pre-salt alone there were 15 discoveries", she emphasized. "Petrobras' reserves have the potential to double in size and reach 31.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the coming years," she added. For her, there is no doubt that the results are due to the Company's investments, which have increased at a rate of 21.5% per year since 2000 and reached US$ 42.9 billion in 2012.

Investments in Research and Development during the period were also significant and important in achieving the goals: over the last twelve years, investments in this area have grown 18.3% per year, and in 2012 they reached US$ 1.1 billion. Petrobras' investment plan for the 2013-2017 period amount to US$ 236.7 billion.

Graça Foster also highlighted the Brazilian market's growing demand, which has been well above the world average. Between 2000 and 2012, the demand for gasoline in Brazil increased by 73%, compared to 17% globally. In the same period, the demand for diesel in Brazil rose 52%, compared to 31% globally. "And when comparing aviation kerosene it is even more impressive: while demand in Brazil increased 58%, it decreased 3% globally", the CEO said.

The CEO also noted that the Company's investments, together with the local content valuation policy, encouraged foreign shipyards to go to Brazil and become technological partners of the shipyards that are being implemented in the country. Some of them include partners from Japan, China and Korea.

Also taking part in the panel was Angolan Oil Minister, José de Vasconcelos, Canadian Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, David Ramsey, and Pemex's Director of Exploration and Production, Carlos Morales-Gil. The panel was mediated by Gamal Hassan, the person responsible for OTC's schedule.