Technology solutions company, Rosenxt Group, has acquired K.U.M Umwelt- und Meerestechnik Kiel GmbH (K.U.M), strengthening its position in the growing subsea technology market and expands its portfolio with specialised solutions for deep-sea monitoring and data acquisition.
K.U.M boasts a vast portfolio of customised subsea monitoring systems, ocean-bottom seismometers, seabed instrument carriers, and other advanced deep-sea solutions. The company has more than 400 offshore expeditions and a broad customer base across 40 countries. Now, as part of Rosenxt Group, K.U.M will gain access to a broader international market and be able to scale its subsea solutions more rapidly.
Through the acquisition, Rosenxt will significantly expand its presence in the specialised subsea domain: K.U.M brings more than 20 years of experience in developing complete subsea systems. The acquisition supports Rosenxt’s strategy on integrating sensing, robotics, digitalisation, materials technology and deep environmental expertise to develop robust solutions that create value across subsea, offshore and upstream applications.
Hermann Rosen, Chairman of the Board at Rosenxt, said, “The integration of K.U.M is a consistent contribution to our responsibility to shape the future of critical infrastructure in a resilient and technologically excellent way. K.U.M brings decades of subsea engineering expertise and precise data acquisition to the table – a strong addition to our group. We think in the long term – beyond market cycles – and are laying the foundations today for the solutions of tomorrow. Rosenxt is staying true to its course and sending a clear signal about its ambitious development in the subsea market.”
CEO of K.U.M, Onno Bliss, commented, “Joining the Rosenxt Group enables K.U.M to further scale our subsea data acquisition and instrumentation solutions and benefit from the group’s broader technology ecosystem. Our shared values – innovation, precision, integrity – make this partnership an excellent fit.”
Equinor has been granted approval by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate to drill a new exploration well in the Norwegian part of the North Sea, strengthening ongoing activity in one of the country’s mature offshore areas.
The permit relates to the 34/8-A-37 H wildcat well within production licence 120, a licence originally awarded on 23 August 1985 and currently valid through to 2034. Equinor operates the licence with a 53.2% interest. The remaining stakes are held by Petoro, which owns 30%, ConocoPhillips Skandinavia with 9.1%, and Repsol Norge with 7.7%.
Drilling of the well is planned to take place from the Visund field, with operations expected to commence in January 2026. The Visund field is situated in the northern North Sea, northeast of the Gullfaks field, in waters measuring around 335 m in depth.
Discovered in 1986, Visund moved into the development phase following approval of its plan for development and operation in 1996. First oil was achieved three years later, in 1999, and the field has remained an active production hub since then.
The development comprises the Visund A platform, a semi-submersible installation that combines accommodation, drilling and processing functions. This surface infrastructure is supported by a subsea production facility located in the northern part of the field, enabling continued operations in the area.
Equinor has awarded a new set of long-term framework agreements to seven supplier companies, with a combined value of about NOK 100 billion, reinforcing the foundation for safe, efficient and competitive operations across its offshore installations and onshore plants.
In total, twelve framework agreements have been signed covering maintenance and modification services. These contracts will take effect in the first half of 2026 and run for five years, with options to extend by a further three and two years. Together, they represent an estimated annual value of around NOK 10 billion and are expected to generate long-term stability and significant knock-on benefits for the Norwegian supplier industry nationwide.
“The Norwegian continental shelf will remain the backbone for Equinor for a long time. Our ambition is to maintain a high production level and predictable energy deliveries to Europe towards 2035. At the same time, the shelf is entering a mature phase that will require new solutions. To succeed, we must, together with the supplier industry, find new ways of working that strengthen our competitiveness. These agreements facilitate long-term collaboration and continuous improvement on core tasks at Equinor’s offshore installations and onshore facilities in Norway,” said Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for the Norwegian continental shelf at Equinor.
“These are strategically important agreements, and collectively among the largest Equinor has awarded. The agreements will ensure long-term activity and value creation across Norway, with job creation estimated at around 4,000 man-years at the suppliers. The goal is close, long-term, and predictable cooperation that strengthens the culture for safety and security and our shared competitiveness. Together, we will work safer and smarter, and scale up the use of new technology,” added Jannicke Nilsson, chief procurement officer at Equinor.
The framework agreements support Equinor’s objective of sustaining production of around 1.2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day on the Norwegian continental shelf, broadly in line with 2020 levels, through to 2035. To achieve this, the company plans annual investments of approximately NOK 60–70 billion in increased recovery and new field developments. This includes drilling about 250 exploration wells and around 600 wells aimed at improving recovery, carrying out roughly 300 well interventions each year, and executing close to 2,500 modification projects.
Equinor also intends to mature and develop more than 75 subsea projects that can be tied back to existing infrastructure, while continuing efforts to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% by 2030 compared with 2015 levels. Alongside maintaining stable and reliable energy supplies to Europe, the company will invest heavily in maintenance and upgrades to enhance safety, ensure high operational regularity, and reduce climate and environmental impacts.
The agreements span seven suppliers in total, including three companies that are new entrants to Equinor’s maintenance and modification portfolio.
Aker Solutions has been awarded multiple five-year frame agreements with Equinor for maintenance and modification services in the Norwegian Continental Shelf and onshore Norway.
Installations will be formally assigned after the contracts have been signed. The intended scope of work involves maintenance and modification services for offshore assets including Johan Sverdrup, Troll, Kristin, Åsgard, Heidrun, Njord, Grane, Kvitebjørn and Valemon.
Additionally, Aker will provide its services for the Øygarden onshore plants.
Chief Executive Officer of Aker Solutions, Kjetel Digre, said, “Under the current frame agreement, we are boosting productivity, cutting costs and shortening project lead times by fundamentally changing how we work. This is the start of a larger transformation, as Aker Solutions intends to build on this progress and aims to take our collaboration with Equinor to the next level.
“We have set ambitious goals and are proud to offer the capabilities of a highly competent and experienced workforce with an adaptive mindset. This contract award is a strong testament to the quality and consistency of the services that our teams have delivered over many years.”
The five-year agreement provides Equinor with the flexibility to extend the contract for two periods of three and two years.
Halliburton has introduced the HyperSteer MX directional drill bit, the industry’s first shankless, matrix-body directional bit designed to enhance durability while delivering superior directional control.
Engineered for demanding conditions, the bit enables longer drilling intervals with fewer trips, while withstanding erosion and abrasion in high-flow, abrasive environments.
The launch represents a significant advancement in drilling technology. By integrating the accurate steering capability associated with HyperSteer directional drill bits with the strength of a matrix body, the new design allows operators to drill for extended periods in harsh formations. This supports efforts to reduce overall well time while maintaining high levels of directional performance.
According to Amr Hassan, vice president, Drill Bits and Services at Halliburton, the HyperSteer MX directional drill bits leverage advanced matrix materials to combat erosion and abrasion, prolong bit life in abrasive, high-flow settings, and enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
The bit offers precise directional control across vertical, curve, and lateral sections, helping operators optimize drilling performance while reducing well construction time and costs. By enabling longer runs, the design cuts down on trips, lowers the risk of unplanned events, and preserves directional accuracy even in the most challenging environments.
HyperSteer MX directional drill bits further expand the HyperSteer portfolio and underscore Halliburton’s continued focus on developing engineered solutions that enhance asset value.
Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has been awarded a new contract in Europe for two of its Large-class self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels (SESVs), according to World Oil.
The agreement spans 985 days and will see the vessels continue to support offshore operations across the region.
The contract increases GMS’s total contracted backlog to US$540mn, reflecting continued demand for its specialised fleet and offshore support services.
The company operates a total of 13 SESVs, which are capable of platform refurbishment, well intervention, offshore wind support, installation, and decommissioning work.
GMS’s vessels operate across the Middle East, Europe, West Africa, and North America, providing flexible support for both oil and gas and renewable energy projects. The SESVs’ self-propelled and self-elevating capabilities allow them to mobilise efficiently, work in challenging offshore conditions, and perform a wide range of complex tasks for operators in multiple sectors.
The new European contract underscores the strategic importance of GMS’s fleet in supporting long-term offshore operations and highlights opportunities for growth in regions where demand for specialised vessels remains high.
With a special emphasis on production optimisation, Var Energi is advancing a portfolio of early-phase initiatives that include 10 development projects this year.
This initiative covers around 30 high quality projects to attain high value barrels with a production capacity of between 350,000-400,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) by 2030 and beyond.
Alongside sanctioning increased oil recovery (IOR) projects and the first phase of Balder Next, the company is looking at a busy line-up of projects ranging from the Previously Produced Fields in the Greater Ekofisk Area (PPF) and Eldfisk North Extension to Mikkel Flow Conditioning Unit (FCU) and Johan Castberg Isflak. Earlier this year, it has also reached final investment decisions (FID) on Balder Phase VI, Fram Sor, Gudrun Low Pressure Project and Snorre Gas Export.
The first phase of the Balder Next project will see the debottlenecking at Jotun FPSO for a boost to production capacity and drilling of new production wells. This will be followed by the decommissioning of the Balder floating production unit (FPU) and development of additional wells.
Nick Walker, CEO of Var Energi, said, "Sanctioning 10 projects this year, up from eight targeted at the start of the year, shows the pace at which we are delivering. We are moving from resources to reserves faster, creating significant value for our shareholders and underpinning our ability to sustain production at 350,000-400,000 boepd towards 2030 and beyond. We have delivered transformational growth this year, the company is de-risked and we have never been in a stronger position. Adding these projects with low-risk, high-returns and short pay-back time, we are strengthening the outlook for delivering long term value."
Backed by strong economics that promises a return of more than 30% and breakeven price of around US$30 per barrel In total, Var Energi's projects are designed to add significant proved plus probable (2P) reserves of around 160 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe).
Italian oilfield services provider Saipem has confirmed that Aker BP has exercised a further option to extend the contract for the semi-submersible drilling rig Scarabeo 8, keeping the unit on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) for an additional year, now through to 2028.
This marks the third consecutive extension of the agreement since the original charter was signed in March 2022, reflecting sustained drilling activity and operational collaboration between the two companies.
The extension is valued at US$157mn, covering the rig hire dayrate but excluding fuel and supplementary services, and is subject to approval by Aker BP’s board, expected in January 2026. Saipem and Aker BP have also included a contractual clause enabling future options for further extensions, signalling their intention to maintain the partnership beyond 2028 if market conditions and operational requirements align.
Scarabeo 8 is a sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling unit engineered for demanding offshore environments such as the North Sea and Barents Sea, capable of year-round operations under stringent regulatory standards. The rig is equipped with advanced dynamic positioning (DP3) and mooring systems and holds a DNV winterised basic classification, allowing it to operate in harsh weather conditions while aiming for “zero pollution” and “zero discharge” performance. It can support drilling to significant depths and accommodate large crews, making it suitable for complex exploration and well construction projects in deep and shallow waters.
The original contract, awarded in March 2022, had a three-year firm period worth approximately US$325mn and included options for two further one-year extensions. Since then, Aker BP has exercised those options annually, with the latest move extending the contract into 2028 after previous extensions for 2026 and 2027.
Operationally, Scarabeo 8 has been involved in key activities on the ncs under Aker BP’s drilling programme. Last year, it set a new record for the longest exploration well drilled by Aker BP in Norway, reaching a total depth of 8,513 m, underscoring the rig’s performance and capability in frontier exploration drilling.
The latest extension not only highlights Saipem’s ongoing role in supporting hydrocarbon exploration and production in one of the world’s most challenging offshore environments but also indicates broader confidence in continued offshore oil and gas activity in norway amid evolving energy markets.
Earlier this month Subsea7 was awarded a sizeable contract by Ithaca Energy for work in the UKCS.
The contract outlines the provision of off-station decommissioning services for the Alba Floating Storage Unit and Greater Stella field FPF-1 production facility, located 230km east of Aberdeen.
The scope includes the flushing of the subsea pipelines, provision of diver support vessel services, and seabed clearance.
Project management and engineering will commence immediately, with offshore activities penned to begin from Q2 2026.
Hani El Kurd, Senior Vice President of UK and Global Inspection, Repair and Maintenance for Subsea7, said, “This award provides an excellent opportunity to further demonstrate the extent of our three decades of full-field proven decommissioning expertise and our capability in delivering complex, safe and effective solutions.
“Subsea7 is proud of its longstanding relationship with Ithaca Energy, which began in 2008, and looks forward to collaborating closely throughout this project to combine our expertise and ensure its successful delivery.”
Vår Energi (OSE: VAR, the Company) has confirmed an oil discovery at the Goliat North exploration well, situated close to the Vår Energi-operated Goliat field in the Barents Sea.
The exploration well, located five kilometres north of the Goliat field, encountered hydrocarbons in the Realgrunnen and Kobbe formations. Estimated gross recoverable resources encountered are up to 5 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe).
The Goliat North well is an integral part of the Goliat Ridge appraisal drilling programme. Vår Energi and partner Equinor will drill a total of four wells in the Goliat Ridge, with the Zagato side track currently ongoing. Following completion of the appraisal programme, the Company will assess the entire potential of Goliat Ridge utilizing the extensive data acquisition combined with the newly acquired 3D seismic data.
Including the latest discovery, the Goliat Ridge is estimated to contain gross discovered resources of 39 to 108 mmboe, with additional prospective resources taking the total gross potential to up to 200 mmboe. A tie-back of the Goliat Ridge discoveries to the nearby Goliat FPSO is being planned.
The partners in the licence are Vår Energi (operator, 65%) and Equinor (35%).
Frequent delays across offshore energy and infrastructure projects are putting the UK’s underwater supply chain at risk, according to new findings from Global Underwater Hub (GUH), the national trade and industry development body for the sector.
In its Business Survey 2025, almost all respondents (96%) reported that activity in oil and gas, offshore wind and defence is progressing too slowly, while 81% believe developments are failing to move at the pace the country requires.
The report, titled ‘Minding the Gap’, warns that continued slow project delivery may push companies to relocate overseas, with 82% of the sector saying current UK supply-chain capacity does not match demand. Alongside capturing industry sentiment, the annual survey provides insight into market size, growth opportunities and business confidence.
Neil Gordon, GUH CEO, said, “For much of the last year I have warned of the risk of ‘minding the gap’, where oil and gas projects slow and renewables projects are delayed, creating a vacuum of inactivity that threatens the UK’s world-leading underwater supply chain. Our latest business survey shows this is already playing out and, increasingly, there is a real possibility this gap will be filled by fast-moving international projects, drawing away our assets, facilities and skilled personnel. If this is to happen, then a return to the UK will be incredibly unlikely, even when our own projects eventually begin.”
Despite these concerns, the study highlights a modest increase in the size of the UK underwater market, rising from approximately US$11.5bn in 2024 to US$11.75bn in 2025. This growth is driven largely by new project construction across various global markets, reflected in rising export activity. Exports now account for 43% of all revenue generated by UK underwater supply-chain companies, underscoring the sector’s strong international reputation while also presenting a risk of long-term talent and investment drift.
Gordon noted, “Our research shows that companies increasingly view greater prospects internationally than domestically, with shorter timelines, supportive government policy and greater volume. A sea-based supply chain is, by nature, highly mobile and, unless things improve in the UK, then it seems inevitable that companies will consider not just exporting to other regions but relocating there.”
Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the report urges swift action to safeguard the UK’s underwater supply chain and identifies four priorities: accelerating domestic project delivery, improving policy certainty and support, strengthening the skills pipeline and promoting strategic diversification. Together, these recommendations aim to close the energy transition gap, improve supply-chain utilisation and build long-term resilience.
Gordon added, “The UK has a supply chain with the capability and capacity to lead, but confidence in project timelines and policy support is eroding. Major industrial projects take years to mobilise, and we risk repeating past declines that cannot be reversed overnight. This is a pivotal moment. We need a coordinated industrial strategy, targeted investment and a sustainable skills pipeline to keep the UK at the forefront of underwater innovation. Stakeholders must act now to align policy, project flow and investment with the supply chain’s readiness and ambition. The opportunity is clear, but so is the risk.”
With an aim to expand its engineering and procurement services to support operations and decommissioning in the North East, Tattva Group has announced a UK£2mn investment in Project Development International (PDi).
This will support not only the advancement of PDi’s offerings in subsea engineering and decommissioning but also enhance its wider engineering services in topsides. This allows the company to serve the nation at an apt time, as it navigates policy uncertainty and supply chain volatilities.
Welcoming the move as 'a vote of confidence' for PDi, the company's new CEO, Girish Kabra, said, “Tattva Group’s commitment to PDi — especially amid current policy uncertainty from the UK Government and pressures facing the supply chain – is welcomed, to boost workforce confidence and support the collective regional effort to retain skills in the North Sea.”
“This strategic capital injection of UK£2mn empowers us to expand and elevate our engineering and procurement services, with a sharpened focus on supporting late-life asset management and decommissioning activities. We’re committed to delivering even more flexible and value-added solutions, addressing the evolving needs of the UK energy sector and solidifying PDi’s position as a key partner in the North Sea’s future. This investment means greater capacity, deeper expertise, and a more robust offering to help all our clients and customers navigate their operational and decommissioning challenges efficiently and effectively.”
Explaining the copmpany's strategy behind the move, TR Narayanaswamy, Group Chairman of Tattva, said, “We see a gap in the market where operators are seeking more flexibility and value-added service offerings...With its refreshed management team and focus, PDi is uniquely positioned to meet that need and deliver long term value to clients.”
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