Kencana Petroleum’s first drilling unit KM-1 is about to set sail for its first drilling assignment with Petronas Carigali.
The tender assist drilling barge has started rigging down and will leave Kencana’s Lumut yard later this week for East Malaysian waters.
The rig is the first Malaysian-flagged drilling unit to be built, named and operated by a Malaysian entity, Kencana’s chief executive Mokhzani Mahathir said.
Kencana bought out Singapore-listed Mermaid Drilling’s 75% stake in the rig when the opportunity arose six months ago, Mokhzani said.
The rig construction is underpinned by a long-term charter with Petronas Carigali.
The fixed five-year term charter comes with options for an extension of up to another five years.
KM-1 will commence its charter in Erb West field and is expected to remain in East Malaysian waters for at least one year.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Monday, 30 August 2010
Kelantan saman Petronas berhubung royalti minyak
Kerajaan negeri Kelantan, dengan ketuai oleh Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat, telah memfailkan saman terhadap syarikat minyak negara, Petronas, untuk menuntut royalti minyak yang tidak dibayar sejak 2004.
Saman terhadap Petronas itu meliputi dakwaan melanggar perjanjian kontrak dan juga turut membabitkan isu perlembagaan.
Nik Aziz yang diiringi oleh timbalannya, Datuk Ahmad Yaakob dan exco kanan kerajaan negeri, Datuk Husam Musa dan Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, menyaksikan saman itu difailkan di Mahkamah Tinggi Dagang Kuala Lumpur pagi ini. Turut hadir ialah bendahari PAS, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramlli.
Peguam kanan Tommy Thomas mewakili kerajaan Kelantan.
Notis sepanjang 47 halaman itu antara lainnya menuntut:
1. Pelaksanaan spesifik perjanjian petroleum Kelantan.
2. Siasatan dijalankan ke atas Petronas untuk membuat pendedahan penuh berhubung fakta berkaitan bayaran tunai yang perlu dibayar kepada Kelantan.
3. Perintah supaya semua tunggakan bayaran tunai dilunaskan dalam tempoh sebulan daripada perintah mahkamah.
4. Gantirugi beserta kos dan faedah ke atas jumlah yang diperintahkan dibayar.
5. Relief lain dan juga kebebasan untuk memohon.
Anggota polis bertindak mengawal keadaan di kawasan komplek mahkamah sejak awal pagi ini.
Pertikaian berlarutan
Isu royalti minyak yang berlanjutan selama ini, timbul semula sewaktu kempen pilihan raya kecil DUN Manek Urai tahun lalu.
Ini diikuti dengan tindakan kerajaan pusat pula menyiarkan beberapa dalam akhbar berbahasa Melayu, menyatakan bahawa Kelantan tidak layak menerima royalti minyak kerana ia telah menerima "wang ehsan" sebanyak RM20 juta.
Hujah berkenaan bagaimanapun disangkal oleh bekas naib presiden Umno dan juga bekas pengerusi Petronas Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang menyifatkannya sebagai "menghina kebijaksanaan" rakyat Kelantan.
Saman pemula hari ini merupakan rentetan daripada tindakan kerajaan pimpinan PAS Kelantan pada Mac lalu melantik Tengku Razaleigh sebagai wakil perunding negeri itu untuk menuntut royalti minyak daripada kerajaan pusat.
Kelantan didakwa berhak menerima bayaran royalti minyak antara RM850 juta hingga RM1bilion untuk pengeluaran di pelantar minyak yang terletak sejauh 170 kilometer dari perairan Kelantan.
Husam sebelum ini berkata bayaran tersebut perlu dibuat mengikut Akta Petroleum 1974 yang membolehkan negeri menerima royalti minyak sebanyak lima peratus daripada hasil perolehan petroleum. - MalaysiaKini
Saman terhadap Petronas itu meliputi dakwaan melanggar perjanjian kontrak dan juga turut membabitkan isu perlembagaan.
Nik Aziz yang diiringi oleh timbalannya, Datuk Ahmad Yaakob dan exco kanan kerajaan negeri, Datuk Husam Musa dan Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, menyaksikan saman itu difailkan di Mahkamah Tinggi Dagang Kuala Lumpur pagi ini. Turut hadir ialah bendahari PAS, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramlli.
Peguam kanan Tommy Thomas mewakili kerajaan Kelantan.
Notis sepanjang 47 halaman itu antara lainnya menuntut:
1. Pelaksanaan spesifik perjanjian petroleum Kelantan.
2. Siasatan dijalankan ke atas Petronas untuk membuat pendedahan penuh berhubung fakta berkaitan bayaran tunai yang perlu dibayar kepada Kelantan.
3. Perintah supaya semua tunggakan bayaran tunai dilunaskan dalam tempoh sebulan daripada perintah mahkamah.
4. Gantirugi beserta kos dan faedah ke atas jumlah yang diperintahkan dibayar.
5. Relief lain dan juga kebebasan untuk memohon.
Anggota polis bertindak mengawal keadaan di kawasan komplek mahkamah sejak awal pagi ini.
Pertikaian berlarutan
Isu royalti minyak yang berlanjutan selama ini, timbul semula sewaktu kempen pilihan raya kecil DUN Manek Urai tahun lalu.
Ini diikuti dengan tindakan kerajaan pusat pula menyiarkan beberapa dalam akhbar berbahasa Melayu, menyatakan bahawa Kelantan tidak layak menerima royalti minyak kerana ia telah menerima "wang ehsan" sebanyak RM20 juta.
Hujah berkenaan bagaimanapun disangkal oleh bekas naib presiden Umno dan juga bekas pengerusi Petronas Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang menyifatkannya sebagai "menghina kebijaksanaan" rakyat Kelantan.
Saman pemula hari ini merupakan rentetan daripada tindakan kerajaan pimpinan PAS Kelantan pada Mac lalu melantik Tengku Razaleigh sebagai wakil perunding negeri itu untuk menuntut royalti minyak daripada kerajaan pusat.
Kelantan didakwa berhak menerima bayaran royalti minyak antara RM850 juta hingga RM1bilion untuk pengeluaran di pelantar minyak yang terletak sejauh 170 kilometer dari perairan Kelantan.
Husam sebelum ini berkata bayaran tersebut perlu dibuat mengikut Akta Petroleum 1974 yang membolehkan negeri menerima royalti minyak sebanyak lima peratus daripada hasil perolehan petroleum. - MalaysiaKini
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Shell reopens shut flow stations in Niger Delta
Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Friday it has reopened its Otumara and Escravos flow stations, which were shut down early this week following a protest by some women in Ugburodo, a company spokesman said in a statement.
Spokesman Tony Okonedo said the women ended their occupation of the flow stations on Thursday after successful dialogue among stakeholders including government and community representatives.
Shell said it was forced to shut down the flow stations in the southern Delta state on Tuesday when the women disrupted production in a protest aimed at calling the government's attention to the lack of development in their community.
Okonedo, who told Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday that dialogue was being employed to end the action by the women, added that both flow stations and a third at Saghara which were affected by the protest have returned to production. He didn't provide the volume of production that was affected by the stoppage, adding "We do not give daily production updates."
Shell is the biggest oil and gas producer in Nigeria.
Last week, a group of Ugburodo women blocked access to a Chevron Corp. (CVX 74.93, +1.60, +2.18%) natural-gas pipeline to protest the poor living conditions of people in the community. The women explained that they wanted Chevron to clean up the environment and supply them with electricity.
Between 2006 and 2009, armed militants and other groups attacked oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, where nearly all of Nigeria's oil is produced, and cut the country's oil exports by around one million barrels a day, according to government officials.
An amnesty granted by late President Umaru Yar'Adua to militants in the region has stemmed violence in the region and oil production has increased to more than two million barrels a day.
Spokesman Tony Okonedo said the women ended their occupation of the flow stations on Thursday after successful dialogue among stakeholders including government and community representatives.
Shell said it was forced to shut down the flow stations in the southern Delta state on Tuesday when the women disrupted production in a protest aimed at calling the government's attention to the lack of development in their community.
Okonedo, who told Dow Jones Newswires on Tuesday that dialogue was being employed to end the action by the women, added that both flow stations and a third at Saghara which were affected by the protest have returned to production. He didn't provide the volume of production that was affected by the stoppage, adding "We do not give daily production updates."
Shell is the biggest oil and gas producer in Nigeria.
Last week, a group of Ugburodo women blocked access to a Chevron Corp. (CVX 74.93, +1.60, +2.18%) natural-gas pipeline to protest the poor living conditions of people in the community. The women explained that they wanted Chevron to clean up the environment and supply them with electricity.
Between 2006 and 2009, armed militants and other groups attacked oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, where nearly all of Nigeria's oil is produced, and cut the country's oil exports by around one million barrels a day, according to government officials.
An amnesty granted by late President Umaru Yar'Adua to militants in the region has stemmed violence in the region and oil production has increased to more than two million barrels a day.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Technip to Take Stake in Petronas Subsidiary
Technip has agreed with MISC and MHB, subsidiaries of PETRONAS to establish a long-term strategic collaboration.
The areas of collaboration would initially involve working jointly on onshore and offshore projects, designing and building offshore
platforms, exchanging expertise and developing technology.
To cement this collaboration, Technip, as a strategic investor, would take a minority stake in MHB representing between 8 and 9.9% on its proposed listing during the second part of this year.
Technip and MHB's subsidiary MMHE have worked together previously and are currently co-contractors for Petronas' onshore and offshore facilities in Asia.
For Technip, this investment and collaboration would further expand its portfolio of activities and services, in line with its strategic
goals. This would also extend Technip's local content and reinforce its position in the fast growing Asia Pacific region.
The areas of collaboration would initially involve working jointly on onshore and offshore projects, designing and building offshore
platforms, exchanging expertise and developing technology.
To cement this collaboration, Technip, as a strategic investor, would take a minority stake in MHB representing between 8 and 9.9% on its proposed listing during the second part of this year.
Technip and MHB's subsidiary MMHE have worked together previously and are currently co-contractors for Petronas' onshore and offshore facilities in Asia.
For Technip, this investment and collaboration would further expand its portfolio of activities and services, in line with its strategic
goals. This would also extend Technip's local content and reinforce its position in the fast growing Asia Pacific region.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
SOGT: Pemimpin politik, industri anggap kepentingan Sabah diketepikan
Petronas Carigali bertindak tidak adil kepada Sabah jika betul ia memenganugerahkan projek mega bernilai RM1 bilion untuk membina Terminal Minyak dan Gas (SOGT) di Kimanis kepada sebuah syarikat Sarawak.
Ahli politik dan industri berkata tindakan itu seolah-olah membelakangkan kepentingan kontraktor tempatan dan penduduk Sabah secara keseluruhannya yang berharap untuk turut meraih manfaat daripada projek yang dibuat di atas tanah mereka sendiri.
Bendahari Agung Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO), sebuh komponen Barisan Nasional, Datuk Marcus Mojigoh berkata, beliau tahu ada beberapa syarikat yang cuba melobi untuk mendapatkan kontrak yang lumayan itu.
“Saya tidak tahu butiran mereka tetapi malanglah jika mereka tidak berjaya mendapat kontrak itu.
“Dan terus terang saya katakan, ramai pihak tidak akan senang dengan keadaan ini,” kata Ahli Parlimen ini dan menambah yang beliau tidak terkejut dengan keputusan itu.
Ini katanya, selagi syarikat yang diberi kontrak itu dapat melakukan kerja mereka dengan baik dan adil membahagikan projek kecil-kecilan kepada syarikat tempatan Sabah, ia lebih baik daripada terus diketepikan.
“Saya mesti akui bahawa Sabah masih belum ada kepakaran yang cukup luas dalam industri minyak dan gas jika dibandingkan dengan Sarawak yang sudah lama dan berpengalaman dalam bidang ini,” katanya.
Kata beliau yang tidak senang pasti akan mempersoalkan makna integrasi, perpaduan dan konsep 1 Malaysia yang diuar-uarkan pemimpin di peringkat persekutuan tetapi apabila tiba kepada soal kemewahan, Sabah terus dipinggirkan.
Namun sebagai pemimpin dalam BN, beliau akur dengan keputusan kerajaan itu.
“Jika kerajaan nampak tiada kontraktor dari Sabah yang layak untuk menerajuinya, maka itu adalah haknya.
“Namun, saya minta Petronas agar berlaku adil dengan dengan memberi keutamaan kepada kontraktor Sabah ketika mengagih projek kecil-kecilan,” katanya.
Bagi Presiden Pekilang-pekilang Sabah (FSM) Datuk Wong Khen Thau, kerajaan berlaku tidak tidak adil sekali lagi kepada Sabah kerana banyak-banyak pakar yang ada kenapa kontrak itu tidak diberi kepada usahawan berkebolehan Sabah?
Keputusan itu katanya, adalah preregotif Petronas sebagai pemaju projek mega itu, tetapi mempersoalkan kenapa pilih orang Sarawak dan meminta kerajaan telus ketika memberikan kontrak serta memberi sebab kenapa kontraktor Sabah tidak diberi keutamaan.
Katanya, bagaimana mahu melahirkan rakyat yang mempunyai pendapatan tinggi jika anak Sabah selalu diketepikan setiap kali ada projek mega ini.
Majoriti penduduk Sabah miskin dan hidup di bawah paras kemiskinan, katanya.
“Projek ini sudah terlepas ke tangan orang luar dan harapan untuk penduduknya menambahkan sedikit pendapatan berkecai,” katanya menambah FSM ada lebih 200 ahli di mana ada yang terbabit dalam industri minyak dan gas.
“Ahli saya ada yang terbabit dalam industri ini dan belum tentu mereka ada harapan untuk mendapatkan secubit kek yang besar ini,” katanya.
Apabila beroperasi pada 2013, SOGT di Kimanis akan muncul sebagai bandar petroleum tertunggul seperti Miri dan Bintulu di Sarawak serta Kerteh, Terengganu.
Melalui dua terminal di Kimanis dan Sipitang dengan keluasan kira-kira 800 hektar, industri minyak dan gas di Sabah akan berkembang dengan pesat.
Hasil minyak dan gas menyumbang 8.2 peratus terhadap Keluaran Dalam Negeri Kasar (KDNK) Sabah pada tahun lalu.
Bagi eksport petroleum mentah pula, ia menyumbang sebanyak 37.4 peratus atau RM13.9 bilion tahun lalu pendapatan negeri ini.
Ahli politik dan industri berkata tindakan itu seolah-olah membelakangkan kepentingan kontraktor tempatan dan penduduk Sabah secara keseluruhannya yang berharap untuk turut meraih manfaat daripada projek yang dibuat di atas tanah mereka sendiri.
Bendahari Agung Pertubuhan Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO), sebuh komponen Barisan Nasional, Datuk Marcus Mojigoh berkata, beliau tahu ada beberapa syarikat yang cuba melobi untuk mendapatkan kontrak yang lumayan itu.
“Saya tidak tahu butiran mereka tetapi malanglah jika mereka tidak berjaya mendapat kontrak itu.
“Dan terus terang saya katakan, ramai pihak tidak akan senang dengan keadaan ini,” kata Ahli Parlimen ini dan menambah yang beliau tidak terkejut dengan keputusan itu.
Ini katanya, selagi syarikat yang diberi kontrak itu dapat melakukan kerja mereka dengan baik dan adil membahagikan projek kecil-kecilan kepada syarikat tempatan Sabah, ia lebih baik daripada terus diketepikan.
“Saya mesti akui bahawa Sabah masih belum ada kepakaran yang cukup luas dalam industri minyak dan gas jika dibandingkan dengan Sarawak yang sudah lama dan berpengalaman dalam bidang ini,” katanya.
Kata beliau yang tidak senang pasti akan mempersoalkan makna integrasi, perpaduan dan konsep 1 Malaysia yang diuar-uarkan pemimpin di peringkat persekutuan tetapi apabila tiba kepada soal kemewahan, Sabah terus dipinggirkan.
Namun sebagai pemimpin dalam BN, beliau akur dengan keputusan kerajaan itu.
“Jika kerajaan nampak tiada kontraktor dari Sabah yang layak untuk menerajuinya, maka itu adalah haknya.
“Namun, saya minta Petronas agar berlaku adil dengan dengan memberi keutamaan kepada kontraktor Sabah ketika mengagih projek kecil-kecilan,” katanya.
Bagi Presiden Pekilang-pekilang Sabah (FSM) Datuk Wong Khen Thau, kerajaan berlaku tidak tidak adil sekali lagi kepada Sabah kerana banyak-banyak pakar yang ada kenapa kontrak itu tidak diberi kepada usahawan berkebolehan Sabah?
Keputusan itu katanya, adalah preregotif Petronas sebagai pemaju projek mega itu, tetapi mempersoalkan kenapa pilih orang Sarawak dan meminta kerajaan telus ketika memberikan kontrak serta memberi sebab kenapa kontraktor Sabah tidak diberi keutamaan.
Katanya, bagaimana mahu melahirkan rakyat yang mempunyai pendapatan tinggi jika anak Sabah selalu diketepikan setiap kali ada projek mega ini.
Majoriti penduduk Sabah miskin dan hidup di bawah paras kemiskinan, katanya.
“Projek ini sudah terlepas ke tangan orang luar dan harapan untuk penduduknya menambahkan sedikit pendapatan berkecai,” katanya menambah FSM ada lebih 200 ahli di mana ada yang terbabit dalam industri minyak dan gas.
“Ahli saya ada yang terbabit dalam industri ini dan belum tentu mereka ada harapan untuk mendapatkan secubit kek yang besar ini,” katanya.
Apabila beroperasi pada 2013, SOGT di Kimanis akan muncul sebagai bandar petroleum tertunggul seperti Miri dan Bintulu di Sarawak serta Kerteh, Terengganu.
Melalui dua terminal di Kimanis dan Sipitang dengan keluasan kira-kira 800 hektar, industri minyak dan gas di Sabah akan berkembang dengan pesat.
Hasil minyak dan gas menyumbang 8.2 peratus terhadap Keluaran Dalam Negeri Kasar (KDNK) Sabah pada tahun lalu.
Bagi eksport petroleum mentah pula, ia menyumbang sebanyak 37.4 peratus atau RM13.9 bilion tahun lalu pendapatan negeri ini.
Royalti: Kelantan dijangka fail saman Petronas 30 Ogos
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tuntutan Royalti Petroleum Negeri Kelantan, Datuk Husam Musa berkata, kerajaan negeri dijangka memfailkan saman terhadap Petronas kerana pecah kontrak pada 30 Ogos ini di sebuah mahkamah di Kuala Lumpur.
“Esok writ tuntutan saman itu akan dibawa kepada mesyuarat Exco kerajaan negeri untuk mendapat kelulusan.
”Dan sekiranya mendapat kelulusan, saman itu akan difailkan terhadap Petronas pada 30 Ogos ini. Seorang peguam terkenal Thomy Thomas akan memfail bagi pihak kerajaan negeri,” katanya tanpa memberitahu mahkamah mana di Kuala Lumpur.
Menurutnya saman tersebut pada peringkat awal dijangka difail pada 31 Ogos dengan kira semangat kemerdekaan.
Bagaimanapun, kata beliau tarikh tersebut merupakan hari cuti, maka tarikh 30 Ogos lebih sesuai dengan semangat kemerdekaan sekarang.
Kata beliau kes saman terbabit berbeza dengan apa yang dilakukan kerajaan PAS Terengganu pada 2000, memandangkan ada afidavit bertulis daripada bekas pengerusi Petronas, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang sanggup menjadi saksi utama.
”Biar pun kes tuntutan royalti dibawa ke mahkamah namun perundingan masih terbuka bagi menyelesaikan isu tersebut.
”Dengan mengambil semangat Ramadan sekarang adalah peluang terbaik bagi pihak terbabit untuk membayar royalti kepada Kelantan,” ujarnya yang juga Exco Kerajaan Negeri.
Kerajaan Kelantan menuntut royalti minyak kepada Petronas dan kerajaan pusat berdasar kepada Akta Kemajuan Petroleum 1974 setelah carigali minyak dilakukan di kawasan perairannya.
Ditanya surat Menteri Besar, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat kepada Perdana Menteri, katanya Datuk Seri Najib Razak mungkin sibuk untuk menjawab surat penjelasan mengenai royalti petroleum.
“Esok writ tuntutan saman itu akan dibawa kepada mesyuarat Exco kerajaan negeri untuk mendapat kelulusan.
”Dan sekiranya mendapat kelulusan, saman itu akan difailkan terhadap Petronas pada 30 Ogos ini. Seorang peguam terkenal Thomy Thomas akan memfail bagi pihak kerajaan negeri,” katanya tanpa memberitahu mahkamah mana di Kuala Lumpur.
Menurutnya saman tersebut pada peringkat awal dijangka difail pada 31 Ogos dengan kira semangat kemerdekaan.
Bagaimanapun, kata beliau tarikh tersebut merupakan hari cuti, maka tarikh 30 Ogos lebih sesuai dengan semangat kemerdekaan sekarang.
Kata beliau kes saman terbabit berbeza dengan apa yang dilakukan kerajaan PAS Terengganu pada 2000, memandangkan ada afidavit bertulis daripada bekas pengerusi Petronas, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah yang sanggup menjadi saksi utama.
”Biar pun kes tuntutan royalti dibawa ke mahkamah namun perundingan masih terbuka bagi menyelesaikan isu tersebut.
”Dengan mengambil semangat Ramadan sekarang adalah peluang terbaik bagi pihak terbabit untuk membayar royalti kepada Kelantan,” ujarnya yang juga Exco Kerajaan Negeri.
Kerajaan Kelantan menuntut royalti minyak kepada Petronas dan kerajaan pusat berdasar kepada Akta Kemajuan Petroleum 1974 setelah carigali minyak dilakukan di kawasan perairannya.
Ditanya surat Menteri Besar, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat kepada Perdana Menteri, katanya Datuk Seri Najib Razak mungkin sibuk untuk menjawab surat penjelasan mengenai royalti petroleum.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Decision Whether Kelantan Will Sue Petronas Over Royalty Issue Wednesday
The decision whether the state government would sue Petronas over the petroleum royalty claimed by the Kelantan government will be known Wednesday after the State Executive Council meeting.
Chairman of the State Committee on Economic Planing, Finance and Welfare Datuk Husam Musa said the lawyers appointed to handle the matter would first have a discussion on the claim at the meeting.
"If everything goes smoothly, the file on the suit would be registered in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 30, one day before the nation celebrates Independence Day.
"The discussion tomorrow is to enable the lawyers to make clarifications and discuss the draft of the summons writ that would be filed later," he told reporters, here Tuesday.
The Kelantan State Legislative Assembly sitting in March unanimously passed the motion to give the mandate to the state government to take any action, including court action, to claim the petroleum royalty as stated in the Petroleum Development Act 1975.
The Kelantan state government did not recognise the channelling of the compassionate payment and had instead demanded more than RM1 billion in royalty for the petroleum produced from the waters off the state over the past few years.
The demand was made before the by-election for the Manek Urai state seat in July last year based on the agreement under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
The federal government, however, only agreed to pay the compassionate payment of RM25 million which was paid out to the people of Kelantan in May.
-- BERNAMA
Chairman of the State Committee on Economic Planing, Finance and Welfare Datuk Husam Musa said the lawyers appointed to handle the matter would first have a discussion on the claim at the meeting.
"If everything goes smoothly, the file on the suit would be registered in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 30, one day before the nation celebrates Independence Day.
"The discussion tomorrow is to enable the lawyers to make clarifications and discuss the draft of the summons writ that would be filed later," he told reporters, here Tuesday.
The Kelantan State Legislative Assembly sitting in March unanimously passed the motion to give the mandate to the state government to take any action, including court action, to claim the petroleum royalty as stated in the Petroleum Development Act 1975.
The Kelantan state government did not recognise the channelling of the compassionate payment and had instead demanded more than RM1 billion in royalty for the petroleum produced from the waters off the state over the past few years.
The demand was made before the by-election for the Manek Urai state seat in July last year based on the agreement under the Petroleum Development Act 1974.
The federal government, however, only agreed to pay the compassionate payment of RM25 million which was paid out to the people of Kelantan in May.
-- BERNAMA
Petronas to cut methanol runs in Sep on pipeline repairs
Petronas will likely reduce operating rates at its 1.7 million mt/year methanol plant at Labuan to 50-80% in September, from 80-90% currently, while performing repairs on the pipelines that supply the plant with natural gas from the offshore Kikeh field, a source close to the company said Monday.
The methanol plant was shut July 17 following a cut in the supply of natural gas, which forced the company to declare a force majeure on methanol shipments on July 19. The plant was restarted in the last week of July and the force majeure lifted on August 10. But plant runs have been unstable since the restart, said the source.
During the September shutdown, the company will shut a few pipelines at a time, but will -- if necessary -- perform maintenance on close to all of the 20-30 pipelines from the offshore Kikeh field, the source said.
While the company hopes to operate the plant at reduced runs during the shutdown, there is a possibility that the plant will have to be shut during the repairs, the source added.
Asian methanol prices have been on the rise since problems surfaced at the Labuan plant. Methanol CFR Southeast Asia closed at $262.50/mt on August 20, up 4.4% from $251.50/mt on July 19, while methanol CFR China jumped 13.7% to $270.50/mt over the same period.
The company also has an older 660,000 mt/year methanol plant at Labuan, which has been idled since July 2009 due to a water shortage.
The methanol plant was shut July 17 following a cut in the supply of natural gas, which forced the company to declare a force majeure on methanol shipments on July 19. The plant was restarted in the last week of July and the force majeure lifted on August 10. But plant runs have been unstable since the restart, said the source.
During the September shutdown, the company will shut a few pipelines at a time, but will -- if necessary -- perform maintenance on close to all of the 20-30 pipelines from the offshore Kikeh field, the source said.
While the company hopes to operate the plant at reduced runs during the shutdown, there is a possibility that the plant will have to be shut during the repairs, the source added.
Asian methanol prices have been on the rise since problems surfaced at the Labuan plant. Methanol CFR Southeast Asia closed at $262.50/mt on August 20, up 4.4% from $251.50/mt on July 19, while methanol CFR China jumped 13.7% to $270.50/mt over the same period.
The company also has an older 660,000 mt/year methanol plant at Labuan, which has been idled since July 2009 due to a water shortage.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Petronas & Shell appoint Halliburton to develop Iraq's Majnoon field
Halliburton Co. has been awarded a letter of intent to develop the Majnoon field in Southern Iraq for Shell Iraq Petroleum Development BV.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the letter, the Houston-based oilfield services company will serve as project manager for the development, and work with Nabors Drilling and Iraq Drilling Co.
Shell holds a 45 percent stake in the field, while Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) holds 30 percent and the Iraqi state holds 25 percent of the participating interests in all licenses.
At full capacity, the field is expected to produce 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, according to Halliburton (NYSE: HAL).
The deal awaits final approval by Iraqi authorities.
Read more: Halliburton tapped to develop Majnoon field in Iraq - Houston Business Journal
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Under the terms of the letter, the Houston-based oilfield services company will serve as project manager for the development, and work with Nabors Drilling and Iraq Drilling Co.
Shell holds a 45 percent stake in the field, while Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) holds 30 percent and the Iraqi state holds 25 percent of the participating interests in all licenses.
At full capacity, the field is expected to produce 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, according to Halliburton (NYSE: HAL).
The deal awaits final approval by Iraqi authorities.
Read more: Halliburton tapped to develop Majnoon field in Iraq - Houston Business Journal
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Soros favored gold, may have sold Petrobras in Q2
Billionaire investor George Soros in the second quarter stuck with his big bet on gold but may have sold his holdings in Petroleo Brasileiro SA .
In a quarterly securities filing Monday, Soros Fund Management reported owning substantially fewer U.S. listed stocks than three months earlier. The fund listed $5.1 billion of equities as of June 30, down 42 percent from $8.8 billion at the end of March.
The fund firm said it owned 5.24 million shares of the SPDR Gold Trust worth $638 million as of June 30. Though down slightly from the fund's 5.59 million shares owned at the end of the first quarter, that was the fund's biggest holding by dollar value.
With the sale of so many other holdings, the Gold ETF constituted almost 13 percent of the firm's total equities, up from 7 percent at the end of the first quarter.
There was no sign in the filing of Soros's largest holding from the first quarter, Brazilian oil giant Petrobras. The fund owned almost 15 million shares as of March 31.
Other first quarter top holdings including energy producers Hess Corp and Suncor Energy and telecommunications giant Verizon Communications were slashed. At the end of the second quarter he had $1.5 million worth of Hess, down from $302.5 million, $13.6 million of Suncor, down from $285.3 million and $395,000 worth of Verizon, down from $175.1 million.
Soros does not typically explain his quarter-to-quarter moves. A spokesman for the firm declined to comment.
Money managers can leave stocks out of their quarterly reports or seek confidential treatment if they are actively trading in the shares.
The disappearance of Petrobras from the Soros filing comes as the state-owned oil producer has wrestled with a huge capital raising plan that also includes buying rights to billions of barrels of offshore oil from the government. In June, the company delayed the planned share sale and oil swap from July until September.
Money managers like Soros are required to file form 13-F within 45 days after the end of each quarter. The forms include only U.S.-listed equity securities and related derivatives. Bonds, other securities and short positions are typically not disclosed.
In a quarterly securities filing Monday, Soros Fund Management reported owning substantially fewer U.S. listed stocks than three months earlier. The fund listed $5.1 billion of equities as of June 30, down 42 percent from $8.8 billion at the end of March.
The fund firm said it owned 5.24 million shares of the SPDR Gold Trust worth $638 million as of June 30. Though down slightly from the fund's 5.59 million shares owned at the end of the first quarter, that was the fund's biggest holding by dollar value.
With the sale of so many other holdings, the Gold ETF constituted almost 13 percent of the firm's total equities, up from 7 percent at the end of the first quarter.
There was no sign in the filing of Soros's largest holding from the first quarter, Brazilian oil giant Petrobras. The fund owned almost 15 million shares as of March 31.
Other first quarter top holdings including energy producers Hess Corp and Suncor Energy and telecommunications giant Verizon Communications were slashed. At the end of the second quarter he had $1.5 million worth of Hess, down from $302.5 million, $13.6 million of Suncor, down from $285.3 million and $395,000 worth of Verizon, down from $175.1 million.
Soros does not typically explain his quarter-to-quarter moves. A spokesman for the firm declined to comment.
Money managers can leave stocks out of their quarterly reports or seek confidential treatment if they are actively trading in the shares.
The disappearance of Petrobras from the Soros filing comes as the state-owned oil producer has wrestled with a huge capital raising plan that also includes buying rights to billions of barrels of offshore oil from the government. In June, the company delayed the planned share sale and oil swap from July until September.
Money managers like Soros are required to file form 13-F within 45 days after the end of each quarter. The forms include only U.S.-listed equity securities and related derivatives. Bonds, other securities and short positions are typically not disclosed.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Up To The State Government To Ensure Gas Stays In Sabah
It is up to the state government to ensure that its resources stay in Sabah and no gas is transported to Sarawak through the Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline project, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
Dompok reiterated that under former prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership, the federal government had agreed that the pipeline project be continued with Sabah given priority if the State required the resource.
"There is a guarantee that no gas will be channeled to Bintulu through the pipeline if there is a need for gas in Sabah. Abdullah said this assurance came from Petronas itself," he said when launching the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Zone C Convention here, Sunday.
Recently, Luyang State Assemblywoman Melanie Chia had said the state government should not have agreed to or allowed Petronas to siphon the natural gas from offshore of Sabah to Bintulu in the first place, if it was really serious about developing the local oil and gas industries.
For the same token, Petronas should not have even thought of such a plan let alone pushed for it despite strong objection from the people of Sabah, added Chia.
State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah had stated that Petronas would only agree to let Sabah keep a portion of the gas channeled to the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis, if it was able to substantially build up its infrastructure and manpower to support the oil and gas industry in Sabah.
Chia urged Tan, who is also a Gerakan vice-president, to convince his party president cum Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to convince the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to instruct Petronas to stop the Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline project.
"If the state government can ensure all the gas resources are utilized in Sabah, then there is no need to channel them to Bintulu," Dompok said.
-- BERNAMA
Dompok reiterated that under former prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership, the federal government had agreed that the pipeline project be continued with Sabah given priority if the State required the resource.
"There is a guarantee that no gas will be channeled to Bintulu through the pipeline if there is a need for gas in Sabah. Abdullah said this assurance came from Petronas itself," he said when launching the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Zone C Convention here, Sunday.
Recently, Luyang State Assemblywoman Melanie Chia had said the state government should not have agreed to or allowed Petronas to siphon the natural gas from offshore of Sabah to Bintulu in the first place, if it was really serious about developing the local oil and gas industries.
For the same token, Petronas should not have even thought of such a plan let alone pushed for it despite strong objection from the people of Sabah, added Chia.
State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah had stated that Petronas would only agree to let Sabah keep a portion of the gas channeled to the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) in Kimanis, if it was able to substantially build up its infrastructure and manpower to support the oil and gas industry in Sabah.
Chia urged Tan, who is also a Gerakan vice-president, to convince his party president cum Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to convince the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to instruct Petronas to stop the Kimanis-Bintulu gas pipeline project.
"If the state government can ensure all the gas resources are utilized in Sabah, then there is no need to channel them to Bintulu," Dompok said.
-- BERNAMA
Shell says sabotage on Nigeria pipelines increased
Royal Dutch Shell said on Sunday that sabotage of its crude oil pipelines in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta had increased in recent weeks, but was silent on whether there had been any impact on output.
Shell's Nigerian SPDC joint venture said it had recorded three incidents this month of suspected thieves drilling holes or using hacksaws to pierce pipelines in the Cawthorne Channel leading to its Bonny export terminal, and siphon off oil.
"In the latest incident, the investigating team discovered three hacksaw cuts on the Cawthorne Channel-Bonny pipeline. We have informed the relevant authorities of the incidents," said Babs Omotowa, Shell's Africa vice president, health and safety.
A Shell spokesman said he could not immediately comment on any production impact, but that the firm was working to repair the Cawthorne Channel pipeline.
Shell said it had set up containment booms to prevent crude oil spreading further into the environment in the Niger Delta, a vast network of mangrove creeks that make up one of the world's largest wetlands.
Remote, poor communities in the Niger Delta have suffered decades of pollution from spills that have been left to fester, damaging the air, soil and water.
The U.S. government's all-out fight to contain the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a marked contrast to the situation in the Niger Delta, leading campaigners to ask why Shell and other international oil firms in Nigeria are not paying more compensation.
But oil firms say most of the recent pollution in the Niger Delta is caused by militant attacks and by thieves tapping into pipelines, compounded by security problems that have at times made it difficult for engineers to reach the affected sites.
"Last year, 98 percent of the oil spilled from SPDC operations was caused by sabotage. It is our policy to clean up spills regardless of the cause," Omotowa said.
"While we continue to contain and recover oil spilled from the Cawthorne Channel-Bonny pipeline and other facilities, our task is made more difficult if people insist on carrying out sabotage attacks and causing spills."
Shell says it paid $4 million in compensation last year related to oil spills in Nigeria. - Reuters
Shell's Nigerian SPDC joint venture said it had recorded three incidents this month of suspected thieves drilling holes or using hacksaws to pierce pipelines in the Cawthorne Channel leading to its Bonny export terminal, and siphon off oil.
"In the latest incident, the investigating team discovered three hacksaw cuts on the Cawthorne Channel-Bonny pipeline. We have informed the relevant authorities of the incidents," said Babs Omotowa, Shell's Africa vice president, health and safety.
A Shell spokesman said he could not immediately comment on any production impact, but that the firm was working to repair the Cawthorne Channel pipeline.
Shell said it had set up containment booms to prevent crude oil spreading further into the environment in the Niger Delta, a vast network of mangrove creeks that make up one of the world's largest wetlands.
Remote, poor communities in the Niger Delta have suffered decades of pollution from spills that have been left to fester, damaging the air, soil and water.
The U.S. government's all-out fight to contain the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a marked contrast to the situation in the Niger Delta, leading campaigners to ask why Shell and other international oil firms in Nigeria are not paying more compensation.
But oil firms say most of the recent pollution in the Niger Delta is caused by militant attacks and by thieves tapping into pipelines, compounded by security problems that have at times made it difficult for engineers to reach the affected sites.
"Last year, 98 percent of the oil spilled from SPDC operations was caused by sabotage. It is our policy to clean up spills regardless of the cause," Omotowa said.
"While we continue to contain and recover oil spilled from the Cawthorne Channel-Bonny pipeline and other facilities, our task is made more difficult if people insist on carrying out sabotage attacks and causing spills."
Shell says it paid $4 million in compensation last year related to oil spills in Nigeria. - Reuters
Sunday, 15 August 2010
OPEC ups 2010 world oil demand growth to 1.2 percent
The Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Friday revised upwards its world oil demand growth estimate for 2010 to 1.2 percent but urged caution in predicting future trends.
"Given stabilised oil demand in the US, the world oil demand growth forecast is revised up by 0.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to show growth of 1.05 million bpd or 1.2 percent," the cartel said in its monthly report.
Total demand for 2010 was now expected to reach 85.5 million bpd, up from 84.46 million bpd in 2009.
The cartel warned however that a slower economy in the second half of the year, caused by a phasing out of fiscal stimulus, would likely affect demand.
"Looking to the second half, the pace of economic growth is projected to slow, not only in OECD (developed countries) but also across most emerging and developing markets, indicating that oil demand growth will remain moderate.
"There is need to be cautious about forecasting oil demand for the remainder of 2010," the report said.
"Moreover, other factors such as government policies could impact the growth in demand," it added, citing plans by China to meet environmental targets by the end of the year which could cut into oil demand in the country, the world's second largest consumer after the United States.
"For the whole year, oil demand growth is expected at around 1.0 million bpd, lower than the pre-recession annual average of around 1.7 million bpd," OPEC noted.
"Next year, the situation is not expected to be much different," it added.
World oil demand growth for 2011 was likely to remain around 1.0 million bpd as forecast in OPEC's previous report -- "a level of growth that appears more realistic going forward, given the large uncertainties."
Claims that oil demand could soon again reach pre-recession levels "appear to be exaggerated," it added.
Oil demand in OECD countries grew in the second quarter of the year for the first time since 2007, according to the OPEC report.
In 2010 and 2011, however, growth will likely come from non-OECD countries such as China and India, as well as the Middle East and Latin America, it said.
The United States will remain a "wild card" next year, the cartel warned, noting that "any further delay in the country?s economic recovery will of course lead to a downward revision in total world oil demand." - AP
"Given stabilised oil demand in the US, the world oil demand growth forecast is revised up by 0.1 million barrels per day (bpd) to show growth of 1.05 million bpd or 1.2 percent," the cartel said in its monthly report.
Total demand for 2010 was now expected to reach 85.5 million bpd, up from 84.46 million bpd in 2009.
The cartel warned however that a slower economy in the second half of the year, caused by a phasing out of fiscal stimulus, would likely affect demand.
"Looking to the second half, the pace of economic growth is projected to slow, not only in OECD (developed countries) but also across most emerging and developing markets, indicating that oil demand growth will remain moderate.
"There is need to be cautious about forecasting oil demand for the remainder of 2010," the report said.
"Moreover, other factors such as government policies could impact the growth in demand," it added, citing plans by China to meet environmental targets by the end of the year which could cut into oil demand in the country, the world's second largest consumer after the United States.
"For the whole year, oil demand growth is expected at around 1.0 million bpd, lower than the pre-recession annual average of around 1.7 million bpd," OPEC noted.
"Next year, the situation is not expected to be much different," it added.
World oil demand growth for 2011 was likely to remain around 1.0 million bpd as forecast in OPEC's previous report -- "a level of growth that appears more realistic going forward, given the large uncertainties."
Claims that oil demand could soon again reach pre-recession levels "appear to be exaggerated," it added.
Oil demand in OECD countries grew in the second quarter of the year for the first time since 2007, according to the OPEC report.
In 2010 and 2011, however, growth will likely come from non-OECD countries such as China and India, as well as the Middle East and Latin America, it said.
The United States will remain a "wild card" next year, the cartel warned, noting that "any further delay in the country?s economic recovery will of course lead to a downward revision in total world oil demand." - AP
Petra Energy wins Petronas contract
Petra Energy Bhd, through its wholly owned unit Petra Resources Sdn Bhd, has been awarded three work orders worth RM26.4mil by Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.
In a statement, Petra Energy said the orders were for the provision of hook-up and commissioning work of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) offshore facilities in Sabah and Sarawak waters.
It said they were for the Betty Revisit 4 Project, ERB West Development Project and SKO Pipeline Rejuvenation Project.
The job had commenced on April 8, July 1 and July 22, respectively for varying term periods. — Bernama
In a statement, Petra Energy said the orders were for the provision of hook-up and commissioning work of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) offshore facilities in Sabah and Sarawak waters.
It said they were for the Betty Revisit 4 Project, ERB West Development Project and SKO Pipeline Rejuvenation Project.
The job had commenced on April 8, July 1 and July 22, respectively for varying term periods. — Bernama
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Malaysia O&G firms may win RM15b jobs
Malaysia's oil and gas service providers are expected to secure at least RM10 billion-RM15 billion worth of jobs in the next 18 months, said ECMLibra Investment Research.
It said the oil and gas service industry looked promising and vibrant given the line-up of jobs ahead which were expected to be completed between 2013 and 2015.
"The jobs are related to enhanced oil recovery projects, deepwater, onshore downstream and also marginal fields.
"Petronas has already clearly indicated that it was time to step up investments at home given the declining local production and we believe redevelopment projects like Tapis will be the first to go ahead," ECMLibra said in its research note today.
The research house added that the Tapis would likely take off soon followed by deepwater projects and then the front-end engineering and design jobs..
"That said, we believe the major fabrication jobs for the central processing platform, topsides, jackets, well head replacement and pipeline replacement will be out as well soon after," said the research house.
The projects are valued in excess of US$1 billion and Malaysian Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings (MMHE) Bhd, Kencana and Sime Engineering should be in the running as fabricators," it added.
Similar to Tapis, SapuraCrest could be bidding for installation works and Wah Seong could pitch for coating jobs.
Petra Perdana could also see respite from these fields given their new fleet of deepwater capable vessels.
"With the line-up of jobs ahead, we see 2011 as vibrant for the industry. We maintain our overweight stance on the sector with top picks as SapuraCrest, Wah Seong and Dayang," said ECMLibra.
It added the upcoming listing of MMHE could also be the catalyst for announcement of new jobs in the industry. -- Bernama
It said the oil and gas service industry looked promising and vibrant given the line-up of jobs ahead which were expected to be completed between 2013 and 2015.
"The jobs are related to enhanced oil recovery projects, deepwater, onshore downstream and also marginal fields.
"Petronas has already clearly indicated that it was time to step up investments at home given the declining local production and we believe redevelopment projects like Tapis will be the first to go ahead," ECMLibra said in its research note today.
The research house added that the Tapis would likely take off soon followed by deepwater projects and then the front-end engineering and design jobs..
"That said, we believe the major fabrication jobs for the central processing platform, topsides, jackets, well head replacement and pipeline replacement will be out as well soon after," said the research house.
The projects are valued in excess of US$1 billion and Malaysian Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings (MMHE) Bhd, Kencana and Sime Engineering should be in the running as fabricators," it added.
Similar to Tapis, SapuraCrest could be bidding for installation works and Wah Seong could pitch for coating jobs.
Petra Perdana could also see respite from these fields given their new fleet of deepwater capable vessels.
"With the line-up of jobs ahead, we see 2011 as vibrant for the industry. We maintain our overweight stance on the sector with top picks as SapuraCrest, Wah Seong and Dayang," said ECMLibra.
It added the upcoming listing of MMHE could also be the catalyst for announcement of new jobs in the industry. -- Bernama
Friday, 13 August 2010
Nord Stream reaches Russian landfall
Installation of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea is making good progress, with the first of the two lines reaching the landfall point on the Russian shore.
Saipem’s pipelay vessel Castoro Sei, moored 1 km (0.6 mi) from the coast, pulled the pipeline string ashore, and will tackle the second string next week. Construction continues of the 1.5-km (0.9-mi) onshore stretch of the pipeline, along with work on the landfall facilities.
The offshore program involves welding together 12-m (39-ft) long pipes each weighing around 24 metric tons (26.4 tons) into double joints to form a pipeline string, which is pulled ashore by means of an onshore anchored winch and a 121-mm (4.7-in.) diameter pull-in wire.
The pipeline string is laid in a trench, which will be backfilled up to the initial seabed level. This is to protect the pipeline from external impacts, including ice, currents, and waves. To safeguard the excavation and limit the spread of sediment, a temporary causeway has been erected on both sides of the pipeline route in the landfall surf zone.
Portovaya Bay near Vyborg is the starting point of the Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea. Here the line will be connected to Russia’s gas transportation system via the new onshore Gryazovets-Vyborg trunkline. Gas will be transmitted into Nord Stream from the Portovaya compressor station, 3 km (1.9 mi) inland. Gazprom is building both this and the onshore trunkline.
Before arriving in Portovaya Bay, Castoro Sei had laid around 230 km (143 mi) of the pipeline in the waters off Sweden and Finland. Once it has completed the current shore pull and laying of 7.5 km (4.6 mi) of pipe in Russian waters, the vessel will return for further duty in Finnish waters, with Allseas’ Solitaire taking over pipelay in Russian waters.
The Castoro Sei completed the shore pull at the German landfall on July 16.
Saipem’s pipelay vessel Castoro Sei, moored 1 km (0.6 mi) from the coast, pulled the pipeline string ashore, and will tackle the second string next week. Construction continues of the 1.5-km (0.9-mi) onshore stretch of the pipeline, along with work on the landfall facilities.
The offshore program involves welding together 12-m (39-ft) long pipes each weighing around 24 metric tons (26.4 tons) into double joints to form a pipeline string, which is pulled ashore by means of an onshore anchored winch and a 121-mm (4.7-in.) diameter pull-in wire.
The pipeline string is laid in a trench, which will be backfilled up to the initial seabed level. This is to protect the pipeline from external impacts, including ice, currents, and waves. To safeguard the excavation and limit the spread of sediment, a temporary causeway has been erected on both sides of the pipeline route in the landfall surf zone.
Portovaya Bay near Vyborg is the starting point of the Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea. Here the line will be connected to Russia’s gas transportation system via the new onshore Gryazovets-Vyborg trunkline. Gas will be transmitted into Nord Stream from the Portovaya compressor station, 3 km (1.9 mi) inland. Gazprom is building both this and the onshore trunkline.
Before arriving in Portovaya Bay, Castoro Sei had laid around 230 km (143 mi) of the pipeline in the waters off Sweden and Finland. Once it has completed the current shore pull and laying of 7.5 km (4.6 mi) of pipe in Russian waters, the vessel will return for further duty in Finnish waters, with Allseas’ Solitaire taking over pipelay in Russian waters.
The Castoro Sei completed the shore pull at the German landfall on July 16.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Sejarah Puasa Ramadhan
Puasa adalah suatu ibadah yang telah lama dilakukan oleh manusia sebelum Islam. Hal ini diingatkan di dalam ayat 183 surah Al-Baqarah maksudnya:
"Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, telah diwajibkan ke atas kamu puasa seperti mana diwajibkan ke atas mereka sebelum kamu, mudah-mudahan kamu bertaqwa."
Al-Qurtubi di dalam tafsirnya "Al-JamiÕ li Akhamul Quran" menjelaskan bahawa Allah telah memfardukan atas umat Musa dan Isa Alaihissalam berpuasa di bulan Ramadhan, tetapi kemudiannya mereka mengubah dengan menambah sepuluh hari lagi sebagai membayar nazar pendita yang telah sembuh daripada sakit maka jadilah puasa orang-orang nasrani empat puluh hari.
Kesukaran berpuasa Ramadhan di musim panas akhirnya mereka memindanya pula ke musim sejuk. Manakala pendita yang lain pula bernazar jika dia sembuh dari sakit mulutnya beliau akan menambah sepuluh hari lagi hinggalah puasa mereka menjadi lima puluh hari.
Diriwayatkan daripada Imam Mujahid bahawa Allah telah memfardukan puasa ke atas setiap umat. Pendapat ini dikuatkan lagi dengan kata-kata Rashid Ridha bahwa "puasa ini pernah dilakukan oleh orang-orang Arab sebelum Islam". Diriwayatkan daripada 'Aisyah r.a. bahawa orang-orang Quraisy berpuasa pada hari 'Asyura.
Setelah Nabi berhijrah ke Madinah, Nabi s.a.w. mendapati orang-orang Yahudi berpuasa pada hari Asyura, maka nabi turut berpuasa beserta dengan sahabat-sahabat lain.
Pada akhir Sya'ban tahun yang kedua Hijrah Allah menurunkan ayat-ayat yang mewajibkan puasa 183,184,185 dari surah Al-Baqarah. Setelah puasa Ramadhan difardukan, Rasulullah s.a.w. bersabda tentang puasa Asyura yang dilakukan sebelum itu yang bermaksud:
"Barang siapa yang ingin berpuasa pada hari "Syura" maka puasalah dan barang siapa yang hendak berbuka maka berbukalah".
Rasulullah s.a.w. berpuasa Ramadhan selama hidupnya sebanyak sembilan kali. Lapan kali dengan dua puluh sembilan hari dan sekali sahaja puasa penuh tiga puluh hari. Mengikut riwayat yang lain sebanyak dua kali puasa penuh tiga puluh hari.
Menurut pendapat yang masyhur di kalangan Umat Islam bahawa puasa itu diwajibkan atas segala pemeluk agama. Bangsa Mesir yang menyembah berhala berpusa, bangsa Yunani memastikan setiap lelaki dan perempuan mereka berpuasa demikian juga dengan bangsa Romawi dan orang-orang Hindu terus menerus berpuasa sehingga kini.
Ada dinyatakan di dalam kitab taurat bahawa puasa difardukan ke atas orang-orang Yahudi pada hari yang ke sepuluh di bulan yang ke tujuh iaitu yang dinamakan hari 'Asyura. Mereka berpuasa siang dan malam.
Puasa yang termasyur bagi orang-orang Nasrani pula ialah puasa sebelum "Iedil Fishi" iaitu hari memperingati bangunannya Al-Masih dari kubur.
Itulah di antara puasa yang dilakukan sebelum Islam iaitu puasa yang dipraktikkan oleh Nabi Musa dan Nabi Isa a.s. dan para Hawari tetapi ianya dipinda dan ditambah oleh ketua-ketua gereja dengan berpuasa yang lain dan dalam bentuknya yang lain, ada yang berpuasa daripada memakan daging, telor, ikan, susu dan sebagainya.
Semua situasi di atas adalah jauh bezanya dengan puasa yang difardukan ke atas umat Muhammad s.a.w. Puasa yang dilakukan bukan kerana memperingati sesuatu peristiwa atau berpantang daripada satu-satu jenis makanan dan bukan pula kerana nazar yang tidak disyariatkan. Tetapi puasa pula disyariatkan oleh Allah dengan tujuan melatih hambaNya supaya bertakwa kepadanya sepertimana yang disebut di dalam firmanNya maksudnya:
"Mudah-mudahan kamu bertakwa."
Inilah natijah yang ingin dilahirkan oleh puasa yang telah disyariatkan dan Allah menyatakan di dalam sebuah hadis Qudsi maksudnya: "Setiap amalan Bani Adam itu adalah untuknya melainkan puasa ia adalah untukKu dan Akulah yang akan membalasnya".
(sumber dari http://baheis.islam.gov.my/)
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
As oil spill ends, unemployment becomes new threat for Gulf
BP and federal officials say that the bid to permanently close the runaway well that sent 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico is nearing an end. But an economist called to testify before Congress last week suggests that the Gulf's economic woes might now be accelerating.
Local workers not only face a wave of unemployment as BP winds down some parts of its operations in coming weeks, but intermittent fishing closures and the six-month moratorium on deep water drilling could create challenges in the months ahead.
Since oil started spewing in late April, BP has become one of the region’s largest employers. At the peak of the crisis, the company employed 48,000 workers and contracted 6,000 vessels. But the Vessels of Opportunity program, which used shrimp and oyster boats and crews in the relief effort, is being pared back.
More important is the moratorium, says Joseph Mason, a finance professor at Louisiana State University.
The combined economies of four coastal states affected by the moratorium in particular — Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi — are “widely expected to fall off a cliff when BP exits,” says Mr. Mason. In his testimony to the Senate Small Business Committee last week, Mason said the area is poised to lose $2.1 billion in economic activity, which translates to a loss of over 8,000 jobs and nearly $500 million in wages.
BP vows to stayLast week, BP's Mike Utsler stepped into the new role of chief operating officer for the BP Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, which will coordinate response efforts related to the spill across all five coastal states.
Yet there are signs that BP is pulling back resources – money that served as vital income to area residents who lost money through seafood closures and the federal moratorium on deep water drilling.
Vessels of Opportunity currently has 1,501 vessels on the water. But they became less essential in mid-July, when a new container cap stopped the flow of oil. said Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for BP exploration and production.
“Some of those activities are no longer underway,” he said. “Clearly things have changed. We don’t have recoverable oil going on right now.”
The company also reduced its work personnel by 18,000, replacing some workers with beach-cleaning machines that Mr. Suttles said “are much more efficient.”
'Guaranteed money'The diminished need for the Vessels program is likely to affect local shrimpers like Tommy Thibodeaux of Chauvin, La., who says BP pays him $10,000 plus groceries and fuel so he and his three-person crew can skim and burn oil in stints lasting more than two weeks.
“This is guaranteed money. It’s not gambling. We’re taken care of, I guess,” he says.
Despite those benefits, Mr. Thibodeaux says that once the situation is stabilized, he says, he intends to return to shrimping.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has helped by reopening in late July 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters – one-third of the overall waters previously considered hazardous for fishing.
Yet greatest threat to local employment remains the six-month drilling suspension that is due to end Nov. 30. Michael Bromwich, the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the Minerals Management Service) said Tuesday that the moratorium may end sooner if Gulf operators are willing to commit to new standards, many of which are costly.
“It's everybody's hope that we will feel comfortable enough that the moratorium can be lifted significantly in advance of Nov. 30,” he told reporters last week in advance of an eight-city listening tour.
The longer the waters are closed, the more difficulty the region will have in rebounding, Mason says. He says federal regulators should be conducting immediate inspections that could allow some oil rigs to continue drilling “to preserve as much economic growth as possible rather than throw away the whole industry.”
Local workers not only face a wave of unemployment as BP winds down some parts of its operations in coming weeks, but intermittent fishing closures and the six-month moratorium on deep water drilling could create challenges in the months ahead.
Since oil started spewing in late April, BP has become one of the region’s largest employers. At the peak of the crisis, the company employed 48,000 workers and contracted 6,000 vessels. But the Vessels of Opportunity program, which used shrimp and oyster boats and crews in the relief effort, is being pared back.
More important is the moratorium, says Joseph Mason, a finance professor at Louisiana State University.
The combined economies of four coastal states affected by the moratorium in particular — Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi — are “widely expected to fall off a cliff when BP exits,” says Mr. Mason. In his testimony to the Senate Small Business Committee last week, Mason said the area is poised to lose $2.1 billion in economic activity, which translates to a loss of over 8,000 jobs and nearly $500 million in wages.
BP vows to stayLast week, BP's Mike Utsler stepped into the new role of chief operating officer for the BP Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, which will coordinate response efforts related to the spill across all five coastal states.
Yet there are signs that BP is pulling back resources – money that served as vital income to area residents who lost money through seafood closures and the federal moratorium on deep water drilling.
Vessels of Opportunity currently has 1,501 vessels on the water. But they became less essential in mid-July, when a new container cap stopped the flow of oil. said Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for BP exploration and production.
“Some of those activities are no longer underway,” he said. “Clearly things have changed. We don’t have recoverable oil going on right now.”
The company also reduced its work personnel by 18,000, replacing some workers with beach-cleaning machines that Mr. Suttles said “are much more efficient.”
'Guaranteed money'The diminished need for the Vessels program is likely to affect local shrimpers like Tommy Thibodeaux of Chauvin, La., who says BP pays him $10,000 plus groceries and fuel so he and his three-person crew can skim and burn oil in stints lasting more than two weeks.
“This is guaranteed money. It’s not gambling. We’re taken care of, I guess,” he says.
Despite those benefits, Mr. Thibodeaux says that once the situation is stabilized, he says, he intends to return to shrimping.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has helped by reopening in late July 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters – one-third of the overall waters previously considered hazardous for fishing.
Yet greatest threat to local employment remains the six-month drilling suspension that is due to end Nov. 30. Michael Bromwich, the director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the Minerals Management Service) said Tuesday that the moratorium may end sooner if Gulf operators are willing to commit to new standards, many of which are costly.
“It's everybody's hope that we will feel comfortable enough that the moratorium can be lifted significantly in advance of Nov. 30,” he told reporters last week in advance of an eight-city listening tour.
The longer the waters are closed, the more difficulty the region will have in rebounding, Mason says. He says federal regulators should be conducting immediate inspections that could allow some oil rigs to continue drilling “to preserve as much economic growth as possible rather than throw away the whole industry.”
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
BP Says Cement Plug Is Solidly in Place
BP says the cement sealing the busted oil well in the Gulf of Mexico has hardened as crews prepare for the final phase of drilling a relief well.
The oil giant said Sunday that pressure tests on the cement plug poured down the throat of the blown-out well show the seal is solidly in place.
That means BP engineers can begin drilling the final 100 feet of a relief well meant to permanently seal the blowout.
Crews will carefully drill about 30 feet at a time, and BP says it will likely be next weekend before the two wells meet. BP didn't make it clear Sunday if workers had begun drilling.
Engineers will use the relief well for a ''bottom kill,'' pumping more mud and cement into the busted well in what is expected to completely seal the well for good. - AP
The oil giant said Sunday that pressure tests on the cement plug poured down the throat of the blown-out well show the seal is solidly in place.
That means BP engineers can begin drilling the final 100 feet of a relief well meant to permanently seal the blowout.
Crews will carefully drill about 30 feet at a time, and BP says it will likely be next weekend before the two wells meet. BP didn't make it clear Sunday if workers had begun drilling.
Engineers will use the relief well for a ''bottom kill,'' pumping more mud and cement into the busted well in what is expected to completely seal the well for good. - AP
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Transocean calls off Akpo search
Transocean spokesman Guy Cantwell said that the search and rescue operation was called off yesterday afternoon. He did not give further details.
The missing man, Ben Okakpu, 30, who worked for contractor Atlantic Mediterranean Oilfield Service Company (Amosco), was one of three crew involved in Saturday's accident at the Akpo field, off Nigeria.
The other two workers, who have not been named, were Transocean employees.
According to a summary incident report into the accident seen by Upstream the port aft crane boom and cab, together with the three men, went overboard during tests.
Upstream understands that the crane boom snapped during load test recertification. Okakpu is believed to have been supervising the tests.
The accident report, compiled by Transocean's Lagos office, said that three fast rescue craft and three standby vessels were deployed to search for the missing, while a remotely-operated vehicle carried out a subsea sweep. A search and rescue helicopter was also mustered.
One of the fast rescue craft recovered two of the missing men, both of whom sustained serious injuries. It is understood that one of the men was taken by air ambulance to South Africa for treatment.
According to the Transocean incident report, one of the rescued men had suffered head injuries, as well as possible broken legs and hips. The report said he was "barely conscious" when pulled from the water.
The other man was suffering chest pains. Sources have told Upstream the man is being treated in a Port Harcourt hospital. His condition is understood to be in a "serious but stable" condition.
The Okakpu family met with officials form Transocean's Nigerian unit yesterday.
The drilling giant was unable to confirm whether the search's suspension would lead to Okakpu being declared dead, saying the matter lay with the Nigerian authorities.
The search was carried out by Transocean, Total, Amosco and the Nigerian navy.
A Transocean official in Lagos confirmed in an email that an Amosco representative was taken to the drillship on Sunday, 1 August to observe the search effort.
The Jack Ryan has been carrying out development drilling at Akpo, in OML 130, for French giant Total. Output from a portion of the field was shut in immediately after the incident, but has since resumed.
Cantwell said Transocean does not yet have a clear picture of the damage to the drillship, nor is it in a position to say how long the unit will be out of action or how long repairs will take.
Akpo, in OML 130, came on stream in March last year and currently produces up to 185,000 barrels per day of oil equivalent.
Akpo holds proven and probable reserves estimated at about 620 million barrels of 50 degrees API condensate and more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas.
The high pressure-high temperature field, discovered in 2000, lies in water depths ranging between 1200 and 1400 metres, about 200 kilometres off the Nigerian coast.
The Akpo development involves 44 wells - 22 producers, 20 water injectors and two gas injectors. Eighteen wells are still to be drilled.
The Jack Ryan started operations for Total in June last year under a four-year contract with a dayrate of $425,000, according to Transocean figures.
Total operates OML 130, which also hosts the Egina field, with a 24% stake. Its partners are Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Brazil's Petrobras and Nigerian outfit Sapetro. - Upstream Online
The missing man, Ben Okakpu, 30, who worked for contractor Atlantic Mediterranean Oilfield Service Company (Amosco), was one of three crew involved in Saturday's accident at the Akpo field, off Nigeria.
The other two workers, who have not been named, were Transocean employees.
According to a summary incident report into the accident seen by Upstream the port aft crane boom and cab, together with the three men, went overboard during tests.
Upstream understands that the crane boom snapped during load test recertification. Okakpu is believed to have been supervising the tests.
The accident report, compiled by Transocean's Lagos office, said that three fast rescue craft and three standby vessels were deployed to search for the missing, while a remotely-operated vehicle carried out a subsea sweep. A search and rescue helicopter was also mustered.
One of the fast rescue craft recovered two of the missing men, both of whom sustained serious injuries. It is understood that one of the men was taken by air ambulance to South Africa for treatment.
According to the Transocean incident report, one of the rescued men had suffered head injuries, as well as possible broken legs and hips. The report said he was "barely conscious" when pulled from the water.
The other man was suffering chest pains. Sources have told Upstream the man is being treated in a Port Harcourt hospital. His condition is understood to be in a "serious but stable" condition.
The Okakpu family met with officials form Transocean's Nigerian unit yesterday.
The drilling giant was unable to confirm whether the search's suspension would lead to Okakpu being declared dead, saying the matter lay with the Nigerian authorities.
The search was carried out by Transocean, Total, Amosco and the Nigerian navy.
A Transocean official in Lagos confirmed in an email that an Amosco representative was taken to the drillship on Sunday, 1 August to observe the search effort.
The Jack Ryan has been carrying out development drilling at Akpo, in OML 130, for French giant Total. Output from a portion of the field was shut in immediately after the incident, but has since resumed.
Cantwell said Transocean does not yet have a clear picture of the damage to the drillship, nor is it in a position to say how long the unit will be out of action or how long repairs will take.
Akpo, in OML 130, came on stream in March last year and currently produces up to 185,000 barrels per day of oil equivalent.
Akpo holds proven and probable reserves estimated at about 620 million barrels of 50 degrees API condensate and more than 1 trillion cubic feet of gas.
The high pressure-high temperature field, discovered in 2000, lies in water depths ranging between 1200 and 1400 metres, about 200 kilometres off the Nigerian coast.
The Akpo development involves 44 wells - 22 producers, 20 water injectors and two gas injectors. Eighteen wells are still to be drilled.
The Jack Ryan started operations for Total in June last year under a four-year contract with a dayrate of $425,000, according to Transocean figures.
Total operates OML 130, which also hosts the Egina field, with a 24% stake. Its partners are Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Brazil's Petrobras and Nigerian outfit Sapetro. - Upstream Online
Friday, 6 August 2010
Shell falls into the red on stockholding losses
Shell Refining Co (Federation of Malaya) Bhd posted a net loss of RM46.8mil in its second quarter ended June 30 against a net profit of RM220.9mil in the previous corresponding period due to stockholding losses.
“This financial result is mainly attributed to stockholding losses with lower crude and product prices, although refining margins remain satisfactory.
“Stockholding losses after tax for the period under review were recorded at RM32mil compared with stockholding gains of RM162mil a year earlier,” said the company in a statement accompanying its filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
Stockholding is the feedstock of mainly crude oil stored for processing at refinery.
Meanwhile, Shell Refining revenue for the period under review increased to RM2.71bil from RM2.31bil last year.
Cumulatively, the company’s was still in the black with RM6.2mil net profit for the first six months of this year compared with RM325.8mil of net profit in the previous corresponding period.
Going forward, Shell Refining said it would build a new 6,000 tonnes per day diesel processing unit at its Port Dickson refinery.
“The new unit will allow the company to vary its feedstock options, increase diesel production and improve refining margins,” it said.
However, the capacity of the refinery remains unchanged at 156,000 barrels per day.
Shell Refining also declared an interim dividend of 20 sen per share of RM1 each, less 25% of Malaysian income tax for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2010, payable on Sept 30 to shareholders registered in either the record of depositors or the register of members at the close of business on Sept 8.
The company has processed 8.9 million barrels of crude oil and sold nine million barrels of products during the quarter.
It is also sustaining zero lost time injury (LTI), resulting in more than 11 million hours worked without LTI since May 21, 2001.
Shell Refining was formed in 1960 and it currently has 49% public participation and is 51% held by Shell Overseas Holding Ltd. - The Star
“This financial result is mainly attributed to stockholding losses with lower crude and product prices, although refining margins remain satisfactory.
“Stockholding losses after tax for the period under review were recorded at RM32mil compared with stockholding gains of RM162mil a year earlier,” said the company in a statement accompanying its filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
Stockholding is the feedstock of mainly crude oil stored for processing at refinery.
Meanwhile, Shell Refining revenue for the period under review increased to RM2.71bil from RM2.31bil last year.
Cumulatively, the company’s was still in the black with RM6.2mil net profit for the first six months of this year compared with RM325.8mil of net profit in the previous corresponding period.
Going forward, Shell Refining said it would build a new 6,000 tonnes per day diesel processing unit at its Port Dickson refinery.
“The new unit will allow the company to vary its feedstock options, increase diesel production and improve refining margins,” it said.
However, the capacity of the refinery remains unchanged at 156,000 barrels per day.
Shell Refining also declared an interim dividend of 20 sen per share of RM1 each, less 25% of Malaysian income tax for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2010, payable on Sept 30 to shareholders registered in either the record of depositors or the register of members at the close of business on Sept 8.
The company has processed 8.9 million barrels of crude oil and sold nine million barrels of products during the quarter.
It is also sustaining zero lost time injury (LTI), resulting in more than 11 million hours worked without LTI since May 21, 2001.
Shell Refining was formed in 1960 and it currently has 49% public participation and is 51% held by Shell Overseas Holding Ltd. - The Star
Transocean profit hit by BP spill
Offshore drilling firm Transocean has seen quarterly profits drop due to legal costs and reduced income after the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
It lost its rig in the April blowout, which also resulted in a reduction in drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, where Transocean had 14 other deepwater rigs.
Second-quarter net profit fell to $715m (£450m) from $806m a year earlier.
The profit includes $267m resulting from insurance recoveries associated with the loss of Deepwater Horizon.
That has helped towards costs of $69m associated with the well blow-out, and another $18m of expenses in other legal costs.
Leaving these items aside, Transocean earned $535m in the quarter.
Shares in Transocean and in Anadarko Petroleum, two firms which may face legal liabilities related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, rallied on Wednesday.
That came after the US government said almost three-quarters of the oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico has been cleaned up or broken down and that efforts to cap the ruptured well showed promise.
Transocean is the world's largest offshore drilling contractor with a fleet of 139 mobile offshore drilling units. - BBC News
It lost its rig in the April blowout, which also resulted in a reduction in drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, where Transocean had 14 other deepwater rigs.
Second-quarter net profit fell to $715m (£450m) from $806m a year earlier.
The profit includes $267m resulting from insurance recoveries associated with the loss of Deepwater Horizon.
That has helped towards costs of $69m associated with the well blow-out, and another $18m of expenses in other legal costs.
Leaving these items aside, Transocean earned $535m in the quarter.
Shares in Transocean and in Anadarko Petroleum, two firms which may face legal liabilities related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, rallied on Wednesday.
That came after the US government said almost three-quarters of the oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico has been cleaned up or broken down and that efforts to cap the ruptured well showed promise.
Transocean is the world's largest offshore drilling contractor with a fleet of 139 mobile offshore drilling units. - BBC News
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Ecuador pledges no oil drilling in Amazon reserve
Ecuador has agreed to refrain from drilling for oil in a pristine Amazon rainforest reserve in return for up to $3.6bn (£2.26bn) in payments from rich countries.
Under a pioneering agreement signed with the United Nations, the oilfields under the Yasuni reserve will remain untapped for at least a decade.
The money is about half of what Ecuador would make by selling the oil.
The Yasuni reserve is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth.
Measuring 10,000 square km, it supports a huge variety of wildlife, incuding uniques species of birds, moneys and amphibians.
The reserve is also home to indigenous tribes, who have welcomed the deal to protect their territory from oil development.
Oil is Ecuador's biggest export, but environmental groups say the industry has caused huge damage in the Amazon region.
New paradigm?
The agreement sets up a trust fund which will be administered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy and the US have expressed interest in contributing.
The oilfields beneath Yasuni hold an estimated 846 million barrels of crude, 20% of Ecuador's reserves.
The Ecuadorean government says keeping the oil in the ground will prevent more than 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere.
"This is Ecuador's contribution towards combating climate change," Ecuador's heritage minister, Maria Espinoza, said.
Rebeca Grynspan of the UNDP described the initiative as "innovative, audacious and important for the whole planet"
She said the UNDP was interested in replicating it in other countries, possibly including Guatemala, Vietnam and Nigeria. - BBC News
Under a pioneering agreement signed with the United Nations, the oilfields under the Yasuni reserve will remain untapped for at least a decade.
The money is about half of what Ecuador would make by selling the oil.
The Yasuni reserve is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth.
Measuring 10,000 square km, it supports a huge variety of wildlife, incuding uniques species of birds, moneys and amphibians.
The reserve is also home to indigenous tribes, who have welcomed the deal to protect their territory from oil development.
Oil is Ecuador's biggest export, but environmental groups say the industry has caused huge damage in the Amazon region.
New paradigm?
The agreement sets up a trust fund which will be administered by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy and the US have expressed interest in contributing.
The oilfields beneath Yasuni hold an estimated 846 million barrels of crude, 20% of Ecuador's reserves.
The Ecuadorean government says keeping the oil in the ground will prevent more than 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere.
"This is Ecuador's contribution towards combating climate change," Ecuador's heritage minister, Maria Espinoza, said.
Rebeca Grynspan of the UNDP described the initiative as "innovative, audacious and important for the whole planet"
She said the UNDP was interested in replicating it in other countries, possibly including Guatemala, Vietnam and Nigeria. - BBC News
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Saipem fleet additions nearing completion
Saipem’s new drillship Saipem 12000 is undergoing sea trials offshore Angola prior to starting operations for Total. The vessel was delivered recently by fabricator Samsung Heavy Industries.
Also on Saipem’s books, Drydocks World Graha Shipyard (Indonesia) is putting the final touches to the new Perro Negro 8 jackup. Post-completion later this month, the rig will be transported to the Mediterranean for sea trials ahead of a program for Eni in October.
Due to a fire in June in one of the aft columns of the Scarabeo 8, the rig will now be delivered towards year-end. Following transport to Norway and sea trials, it should start its first assignment in spring 2011.
Elsewhere, Saipem expects Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard to conclude mechanical completion this month on the Scarabeo 9. However, owing to a heavy vessel workload at the yard, discussions are under way which could lead to the rig being switched to an alternative yard to complete its commissioning. Either way, the rig should still be ready to begin operations at end-March 2011.
Saipem’s new multi-purpose construction vessel FDS2 definitely will be completed next spring. The schedule for the new pipelay vessel CastorOne, however, may have to be stretched beyond 3Q 2011.
Following handover, in both cases, Saipem plans a comprehensive range of operational tests on these “highly sophisticated prototypical vessels”, lasting three months for the FDS2 and six months for the CastorOne. Saipem’s aims are to ensure that all systems function safely and efficiently, and to help the crews become familiar with the vessels’ capabilities.
As for market prospects, the company expects offshore drilling programs in the second half of this year to be impacted by the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore construction, it adds, remains relatively weak, although there are strong levels of activity in project pre-sanctioning work, which bodes well for prospects next year.
Source : Offshoremag
Also on Saipem’s books, Drydocks World Graha Shipyard (Indonesia) is putting the final touches to the new Perro Negro 8 jackup. Post-completion later this month, the rig will be transported to the Mediterranean for sea trials ahead of a program for Eni in October.
Due to a fire in June in one of the aft columns of the Scarabeo 8, the rig will now be delivered towards year-end. Following transport to Norway and sea trials, it should start its first assignment in spring 2011.
Elsewhere, Saipem expects Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard to conclude mechanical completion this month on the Scarabeo 9. However, owing to a heavy vessel workload at the yard, discussions are under way which could lead to the rig being switched to an alternative yard to complete its commissioning. Either way, the rig should still be ready to begin operations at end-March 2011.
Saipem’s new multi-purpose construction vessel FDS2 definitely will be completed next spring. The schedule for the new pipelay vessel CastorOne, however, may have to be stretched beyond 3Q 2011.
Following handover, in both cases, Saipem plans a comprehensive range of operational tests on these “highly sophisticated prototypical vessels”, lasting three months for the FDS2 and six months for the CastorOne. Saipem’s aims are to ensure that all systems function safely and efficiently, and to help the crews become familiar with the vessels’ capabilities.
As for market prospects, the company expects offshore drilling programs in the second half of this year to be impacted by the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore construction, it adds, remains relatively weak, although there are strong levels of activity in project pre-sanctioning work, which bodes well for prospects next year.
Source : Offshoremag
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Langgar undang jalan raya: kakitangan Shell boleh dibuang kerja
Kakitangan Shell berdepan risiko dibuang kerja jika mereka melanggar satu daripada empat undang-undang jalan raya, termasuk menggunakan telefon bimbit ketika memandu.
Pengerusi Shell Malaysia Anuar Taib berkata empat undang-undang tersebut ialah tidak memakai tali pinggang atau topi keledar, memandu melebihi had laju yang dibenarkan, menggunakan telefon bimbit ketika memandu serta memandu ketika mabuk.
“Sebagai majikan yang bertanggungjawab, Shell berhasrat mencapai kadar sifar kemalangan lalu lintas berkaitan kerja dengan memfokus kepada perlakuan dan syarat-syarat mudah,” katanya ketika berucap pada Kejohanan Lalu Lintas Shell peringkat negeri Sarawak di sini.
Menteri Muda Pelancongan Sarawak Datuk Talib Zulpilip, yang mewakili Menteri Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Komunikasi Sarawak Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong, menutup kejohanan itu.
Anuar berkata mudah bagi Shell menguatkuasakan peraturan itu dalam operasinya kerana kakitangan syarikat tersebut telahpun menandatangani satu ikrar untuk mematuhi kesemua syarat berkenaan semasa mereka diambil bekerja.
Beliau berkata kejohanan yang diadakan setiap tahun itu merupakan salah satu cara Shell berkongsi aspirasi keselamatan jalan raya dan objektifnya dengan orang awam, terutama generasi muda.
Anuar berkata lebih sejuta pelajar sekolah mendapat faedah daripada program tersebut di seluruh negara sejak ia diperkenalkan pada 1957.
“Bagi tahun ini, lebih 3,000 pelajar sekolah mengambil bahagian,” katanya. — Bernama
Pengerusi Shell Malaysia Anuar Taib berkata empat undang-undang tersebut ialah tidak memakai tali pinggang atau topi keledar, memandu melebihi had laju yang dibenarkan, menggunakan telefon bimbit ketika memandu serta memandu ketika mabuk.
“Sebagai majikan yang bertanggungjawab, Shell berhasrat mencapai kadar sifar kemalangan lalu lintas berkaitan kerja dengan memfokus kepada perlakuan dan syarat-syarat mudah,” katanya ketika berucap pada Kejohanan Lalu Lintas Shell peringkat negeri Sarawak di sini.
Menteri Muda Pelancongan Sarawak Datuk Talib Zulpilip, yang mewakili Menteri Pembangunan Infrastruktur dan Komunikasi Sarawak Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong, menutup kejohanan itu.
Anuar berkata mudah bagi Shell menguatkuasakan peraturan itu dalam operasinya kerana kakitangan syarikat tersebut telahpun menandatangani satu ikrar untuk mematuhi kesemua syarat berkenaan semasa mereka diambil bekerja.
Beliau berkata kejohanan yang diadakan setiap tahun itu merupakan salah satu cara Shell berkongsi aspirasi keselamatan jalan raya dan objektifnya dengan orang awam, terutama generasi muda.
Anuar berkata lebih sejuta pelajar sekolah mendapat faedah daripada program tersebut di seluruh negara sejak ia diperkenalkan pada 1957.
“Bagi tahun ini, lebih 3,000 pelajar sekolah mengambil bahagian,” katanya. — Bernama
BP accused of overusing oil dispersant
The government's point man on the Gulf oil spill is rejecting assertions that federal officials allowed BP too much leeway to use chemical dispersants.
Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Sunday that federal regulators did not ignore environmental guidelines. He says some field commanders had authority to allow more dispersants to be used on a case-by-case basis.
Congressional investigators say the Coast Guard routinely approved BP requests to break up the oil. That's despite a federal directive to use the dispersant rarely.
Long-term effects of the dispersants on sea life are unknown.
Allen says the effort to begin permanently plugging up the blown-out well could begin as early as Monday.
Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Sunday that federal regulators did not ignore environmental guidelines. He says some field commanders had authority to allow more dispersants to be used on a case-by-case basis.
Congressional investigators say the Coast Guard routinely approved BP requests to break up the oil. That's despite a federal directive to use the dispersant rarely.
Long-term effects of the dispersants on sea life are unknown.
Allen says the effort to begin permanently plugging up the blown-out well could begin as early as Monday.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Engineers prepare to seal ruptured BP oil well
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) – Engineers Saturday readied a plan to permanently seal a damaged Gulf of Mexico well, despite delays to the process caused by debris left behind by a recent tropical storm.
As the work continued, incoming BP boss Bob Dudley vowed that the oil giant would not abandon residents affected by the spill after the well is finally sealed.
BP hopes to drown the well in an operation dubbed a "static kill," in which mud and cement will be injected down into the ruptured wellhead via a cap installed on July 15.
Dudley on Friday said the operation had been pushed back a day, saying "we are hopeful by Tuesday the static kill will have been performed."
The US pointman on the crisis, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, said Friday the delay was needed to allow engineers to clear debris from the damaged wellhead caused by Tropical Storm Bonnie, which briefly halted spill operations.
But BP senior vice president Kent Wells said the company was confident the static kill would proceed successfully.
A cap in place for two weeks has shown no sign of leaks, "giving us more confidence that this well has integrity," which is a positive sign for the operation, Wells said at a technical briefing Friday.
Wells said BP hopes the static kill will be able to overcome the flow of oil, but that a second sealing method -- via an intercept through a relief well -- would go ahead afterwards regardless.
BP said the relief well is likely to intersect the existing well deep below the gulf floor within eight to 10 days, allowing the second sealing process -- a bottom kill -- by the end of August.
Making his first trip to the region since being named to replace outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward, Dudley said Friday the firm's focus would shift to long-term recovery for the region now that spill is being contained.
"We've had some good news on the oil... but that doesn't mean we're done," Dudley told reporters in Mississippi, one of the five states hit by the massive oil spill.
"We'll be here for years," he said, as BP announced a 100-million-dollar charitable fund to aid unemployed rig workers who are experiencing economic hardship due to the US government's ongoing moratorium on deepwater drilling.
Dudley will take over as BP's chief executive on October 1, when Hayward, who was widely criticized for his handling of the crisis, hands over the reins.
With the focus now moving towards mitigating the long-term impact of the worst-ever US oil spill, Dudley said there would be signs that the operation was changing.
Miles of protective boom will be withdrawn from coastlines, and fewer clean-up crews in hazmat suits would be seen on beaches as oil stopped washing ashore.
"So you'll probably see that kind of a pullback. But commitment, absolutely no pullback," he pledged.
Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser told CNN meanwhile that it was "absolutely" no time for any kind of pullback.
"The oil is out there," Nungesser insisted, lamenting how BP was trying to remove clean-up materials such as absorbent boom from his area, saying that he had his parish sheriff pull over 12 trucks carrying boom from leaving the area.
It remains unknown just how much oil has spilled into the Gulf since the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank in April, killing 11 workers. Best estimates put the amount at between three to 5.3 million barrels.
Allen said a team of experts was carrying out an "oil budget" to calculate how much was released, how much was captured and how much has evaporated, adding he hoped the report would be released in the coming days.
As the work continued, incoming BP boss Bob Dudley vowed that the oil giant would not abandon residents affected by the spill after the well is finally sealed.
BP hopes to drown the well in an operation dubbed a "static kill," in which mud and cement will be injected down into the ruptured wellhead via a cap installed on July 15.
Dudley on Friday said the operation had been pushed back a day, saying "we are hopeful by Tuesday the static kill will have been performed."
The US pointman on the crisis, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, said Friday the delay was needed to allow engineers to clear debris from the damaged wellhead caused by Tropical Storm Bonnie, which briefly halted spill operations.
But BP senior vice president Kent Wells said the company was confident the static kill would proceed successfully.
A cap in place for two weeks has shown no sign of leaks, "giving us more confidence that this well has integrity," which is a positive sign for the operation, Wells said at a technical briefing Friday.
Wells said BP hopes the static kill will be able to overcome the flow of oil, but that a second sealing method -- via an intercept through a relief well -- would go ahead afterwards regardless.
BP said the relief well is likely to intersect the existing well deep below the gulf floor within eight to 10 days, allowing the second sealing process -- a bottom kill -- by the end of August.
Making his first trip to the region since being named to replace outgoing BP CEO Tony Hayward, Dudley said Friday the firm's focus would shift to long-term recovery for the region now that spill is being contained.
"We've had some good news on the oil... but that doesn't mean we're done," Dudley told reporters in Mississippi, one of the five states hit by the massive oil spill.
"We'll be here for years," he said, as BP announced a 100-million-dollar charitable fund to aid unemployed rig workers who are experiencing economic hardship due to the US government's ongoing moratorium on deepwater drilling.
Dudley will take over as BP's chief executive on October 1, when Hayward, who was widely criticized for his handling of the crisis, hands over the reins.
With the focus now moving towards mitigating the long-term impact of the worst-ever US oil spill, Dudley said there would be signs that the operation was changing.
Miles of protective boom will be withdrawn from coastlines, and fewer clean-up crews in hazmat suits would be seen on beaches as oil stopped washing ashore.
"So you'll probably see that kind of a pullback. But commitment, absolutely no pullback," he pledged.
Plaquemines Parish president Billy Nungesser told CNN meanwhile that it was "absolutely" no time for any kind of pullback.
"The oil is out there," Nungesser insisted, lamenting how BP was trying to remove clean-up materials such as absorbent boom from his area, saying that he had his parish sheriff pull over 12 trucks carrying boom from leaving the area.
It remains unknown just how much oil has spilled into the Gulf since the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank in April, killing 11 workers. Best estimates put the amount at between three to 5.3 million barrels.
Allen said a team of experts was carrying out an "oil budget" to calculate how much was released, how much was captured and how much has evaporated, adding he hoped the report would be released in the coming days.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Shell Malaysia secures 14-year lease with Westports
Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd has signed a long-term sub-lease agreement with Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd at Port Klang for storing, supplying and distributing petroleum products.
The 14-year agreement will enable Shell to operate and manage liquid bulk cargo at Westports Liquid Bulk Terminal (LBT). Products that would be stored initially will be diesel and petrol.
Source : The Star
The 14-year agreement will enable Shell to operate and manage liquid bulk cargo at Westports Liquid Bulk Terminal (LBT). Products that would be stored initially will be diesel and petrol.
Source : The Star
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