Oil Service Contracts - New Incentive Schemes to Promote Drilling Efficiency

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Regulating the Arctic Gold Rush: Recommended Regulatory Reforms to Protect Alaska’s Arctic Environment From Offshore Oil Drilling Pollution

Since 2008, major oil and gas operators have invested billions attempting to drill Arctic Alaska\u27s Outer Continental Shelf. However, offshore drilling in the extreme Arctic is fraught with infrastructural, technological and environmental challenges that could result in enormous damages if an accident ever occurred. While offshore drilling operations would significantly benefit both the state of Alaska and the United States, it is imperative that the United States\u27 offshore regulatory regime adequately protects the Arctic Alaskan environment and innocent third parties. This Note examines the shortcomings of the United States\u27 current offshore drilling regulatory regime and proposes a four-part scheme that properly incentivizes operators to drill safely and adequately compensates damaged parties. The United States should revise its regulatory regime by: (1) significantly increasing the liability cap; (2) increasing an operator\u27s financial responsibility requirement in the form of mandatory third-party insurance; (3) establishing a risk-based premium fund; and (4) creating a supplementary fund from firms that extract hydrocarbons in excess of a specific threshold level

Anticipating impacts of financial assurance requirements for offshore decommissioning : a decision model for the oil industry

Orientador: Saul B. SuslickTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de GeocienciasDoutorad

Joint stewardship of the Barents Sea: Russian and Norwegian policy expectations for preventing offshore oil spills

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016As Arctic environmental conditions fluctuate, ongoing economic-related agreements established for the Barents Region continue to support and attract Norwegian and Russian oil-producing expeditions within the shared maritime zone. Increased industrial activity throughout the Circumpolar North heightens the need to understand the factors that influence policies responsible for protecting the environment – in particular, preventive measures. Agency theory provides the framework for an analysis of various dynamics that influence the Norwegian and Russian governments (principals) as they develop and enforce rules that regulate petroleum industries (agents). The research question asks about differences between the prevention policies of the two nations even though both acknowledge a very similar need to protect the Barents. Since the regulatory and governance structures cannot fully explain the differences between the two countries’ prevention policies, the hypothesis presents an argument that the strategic goals of Norway and Russia in the global political economy provide sufficient conditions for policy divergence. This research presents case studies of economic and environmental factors that influence how Russia and Norway develop energy-related prevention policies in the Barents Sea. The findings suggest that differing strategic goals between the two countries influence their oil spill prevention policies. Russia’s oil spill prevention policy enables it to maintain high production levels that it can leverage to further its geopolitical aims. Norway’s more cautious prevention policies promote domestic economic stability. In a progressively interdependent world, this study contributes insight into contemporary international relations regarding aspects of partnerships, energy economics, and geostrategic policy

International Profiles of Health Care Systems

Compares the healthcare systems of Australia, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States, including spending, use of health information technology, and coverage

Robust Strategies For Rig Procurement

Scarcity of rigs on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) has led to a number of interesting changes in the procurement of such units and in the relationship between oil companies and rig contractors. Small oil companies have joined forces to establish a rig consortium, examples can be seen of changes to risk sharing between oil companies and rig contractors, vertical integration has taken place with oil companies owning rigs and rig contractors applying for and securing production licences, and joint ventures are being discussed between oil companies and drilling contractors. The paper describes and analyses these trends from the perspective of an optimum procurement strategy for an oil company. Trade-offs in rig procurement are analysed. Robust provision of rig capacity is required to satisfy drilling commitments to governments and to drill time-critical production and injection wells. These requirements need to be offset against the temporary drop in accounting returns and credit ratings which might result from a potential oversupply or mismatch of rig capacity with a consequent decline in rates.acceptedVersio

“Asset Partner” Service model – Challenges and Opportunities for service industry. - A case from Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS)

The oil and gas (O&G) industry is facing numerous challenges, including fluctuating oil prices, increasing regulatory pressures, and a growing demand for cleaner energy sources. To remain competitive and maximize value creation, companies must adopt customized and flexible approaches to their offshore operations and think of new solutions to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Examining the concept and implications of an Asset Partner reveals various opportunities and challenges for both operator- and service companies. In recent years, operational partnerships have emerged as a strategic solution for companies aiming to optimize their operations, minimize risks, and enhance their competitive edge. The Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) presents a unique operating environment, combining harsh climatic conditions, advanced technologies, and stringent safety and environmental standards. Operating in this challenging environment requires specialized knowledge, strong regulatory compliance, and a commitment to sustainable practices. By forming alliances with third-party service providers, O&G companies can leverage external expertise, share risks, and pool resources to achieve common objectives. While partnerships offer several benefits, there are also notable challenges in the collaboration between operator companies and oil service companies on the NCS. This thesis will examine various perspectives, including those of operator companies that typically manage their assets independently, as well as the viewpoints of oil service companies, trade unions, and governmental authorities. The thesis aims to investigate the following research questions: 1. What are the benefits and challenges of implementing an "Asset Partner" model in the Oil and Gas (O&G) industry, and how can it be used to increase competitiveness in the market? 2. How do regulations and authorities, such as the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) impact the implementation and success of the "Asset Partner" model in the O&G industry? 3. How does the "Asset Partner" model compare to traditional contractor and partnership models such as Technical Service Provider (TSP) model. 4. What are the specific business models and strategies that can be used to effectively implement the "Asset Partner" model in the O&G industry? A case study was conducted, involving data collection through interviews with professionals representing various roles in the industry. These included individuals from operator companies, oil service companies, trade unions, and government or regulatory authorities. The insights gathered from their responses have served as the base for addressing the research questions. The study reveals the complications and aspects related to the Asset Partner model. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and potential future implications of this model from the perspectives of operator companies, trade unions, oil service companies, and governmental authorities. It reveals that the Asset Partner model in the O&G industry offers the potential of significant benefits, including increased efficiency, cost savings, and access to specialized resources I terms of competence and capacity. However, challenges such as the loss of control over critical activities and potential erosion of core competencies must be carefully managed. The green transition and technological advancements can also have an impact in the future of the Asset Partner model in the future, emphasizing the need for regulatory adjustments for its sustainable implementation and alignment with environmental goals. To effectively implement the Asset Partner model, clear contractual agreements, open communication, performance monitoring, risk management, and competence development are essential. The research suggests a need for further research and collaboration among stakeholders to develop best practices, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks for the successful operation of the Asset Partner model in the O&G industry

Benefits of VTOL aircraft in offshore petroleum logistics support

The mission suitability and potential economic benefits of advanced VTOL aircraft were investigated for logistics support of petroleum operations in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Concepts such as the tilt rotor and lift/cruise fan are promising for future operations beyond 150 miles offshore, where their high cruise efficiency provides savings in trip time, fuel consumption, and capital investment. Depending upon mission requirements, the aircraft operating costs are reduced by as much as 20 percent to 50 percent from those of current helicopters

Managing Local Content Policies in the Extractive Industries

Developing countries and National oil companies (NOCS) states with maturing mineral sectors, particularly extractive industries have placed a renewed emphasis on increased local content participation by international oil companies (IOCs) in recent years. Host nations and NOCs are emphasizing that the desire for an increased contribution to the local economy and society and a strategic intent to pursue local content go beyond philanthropy, and are beginning to expand their perspectives and mind-sets regarding how local content policy in the extractive industries can be managed. The paper begins with the introduction and review of literature, local content policy in Nigeria, local content policy objectives, local content Development model, challenges of managing local content policy in the extractive industries, managing local content policy impact in the extractive industry, outcome to be achieved through managing local content policy, government’s efforts and Recommendations were drown. Key words: Managing, Local Contents, Policies, Extractive, Industry