Tackling millions of acres of ocean waters that make up the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is no mean feat and will only turn more challenging if not addressed in an optimised manner.
The United States Department of the Interior (DoI) is hence proactively initiating structural realignments so that resource leasing is done in an environmentally responsible manner. A clear administrative structure in place will eliminate regulatory friction while upholding safety standards.
In a significant consolidation move of its offshore regulatory agencies for enhanced oversight across the OCS, the DoI has announced the unification of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) into a single Bureau -- the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA).
This move will simplify supervision of activities in the OCS due to effective administration from streamlined governance as MMA begins to operate as part of the DoI.
MMA was formerly known as Minerals Management Service (MMS), whose operations were split across the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). While at BOEM MMS administered offshore energy and minerals leasing, resource evaluation and environmental review, at BSEE it was responsible for overseeing operational safety, environmental enforcement, resource conservation and regulatory compliance.
When independently operating, a lot of complications hampered the operations of both Bureau. There were unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative systems that were only obstructing the DoI's capacity for strategic deployment, and could simply be done without. Reunification of BOEM and BSEE into a single Bureau will reduce overhead, enhance the deployment of subject matter expertise across the entire mission area and deliver stronger safety outcomes for the workers and communities who depend on safe and responsible OCS operations. It will allow DoI a holistic approach in addressing safety and environmental concerns throughout the OCS for all leasing, exploration, development, production and decommissioning processes, which will improve leadership decision-making.
The MMA will cover all aspects of DoI's offshore energy and mineral resource management and conservation, safety oversight, environmental enforcement and related activities on the OCS. The position will be spearheaded by a Director under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary – Land and Minerals Management (AS-LMM).
A North Sea operator improved the reliability of its offshore production operations after deploying a new electric submersible pump (ESP) system supported by Halliburton’s Summit ESP service and digital monitoring technologies
The deployment addressed challenges with the operator’s previous ESP supplier, including missed delivery timelines, limited equipment availability, mechanical failures and high intervention costs. The operator also required a reliable solution that could be installed on an active production platform using hydraulic workover (HWO) unit operations.
According to a Halliburton case study, the operator needed an ESP system that could be delivered quickly, installed without disruption and supported through continuous monitoring and optimisation.
Addressing offshore ESP reliability challenges
The operator’s previous ESP systems had experienced limited stock availability and extended delivery times, while mechanical failures had contributed to operational challenges.
Installation also presented specific risks. Capillary chemical injection lines had been damaged during previous installation activities, creating concerns about the long-term performance of the ESP system.
In addition, offshore cybersecurity requirements added complexity to the deployment of digital monitoring and remote optimisation capabilities.
To address these challenges, Summit ESP, a Halliburton service, worked with the customer to conduct a detailed factory assessment of each ESP component.
The team designed a custom protector flange to safeguard the capillary line. The component was manufactured locally in Emmen, the Netherlands.
ESP system delivered ahead of schedule
Early delivery of the ESP system enabled comprehensive fit-up testing with HWO tools before offshore installation. This helped verify compatibility and prepare the equipment for deployment on the production platform.
Halliburton’s global field service team subsequently installed the system, removed the failed equipment and commissioned the replacement ESP system.
The installation achieved 100% KPI compliance, while the Intelevate® platform, powered by the Summit Knowledge® digital ecosystem, provided real-time data, health checks and optimisation recommendations from the start of operations.
The system was delivered one month ahead of schedule, while the deployment recorded zero non-productive time (NPT).
The Intelevate platform also provided 24 hours of daily real-time monitoring and optimisation.
Digital monitoring supports offshore operations
The deployment marked the first use of Halliburton’s Intelevate digital platform in the North Sea, according to the Halliburton case study.
The platform provided continuous visibility into the ESP system and supported 24/7 optimisation from day one.
The early arrival of the ESP system also allowed additional pre-checks and in-country fit-up testing before offshore installation. This confirmed compatibility with the HWO equipment and helped eliminate risks associated with non-productive time and minimise deferred production.
Restoring ESP performance offshore
The replacement ESP system met production targets and restored reliability to the operator’s offshore operations.
Continuous support through the Intelevate platform helped maintain operational efficiency through real-time monitoring and optimisation.
The customer acknowledged the service quality, with the deployment representing a milestone in the operator’s offshore ESP operations.
Engineers Australia, the country’s national body for engineering, is organising a site visit to an Oceaneering subsea engineering facility that will explore asset integrity management and other key industry issues.
Operating from its Jandakot facility in Western Australia, Oceaneering develops and delivers innovative technologies that support the inspection, maintenance, repair and integrity management of critical subsea infrastructure for the offshore energy industry.
“Explore the future of subsea engineering and offshore technology with Oceaneering,” an Engineers Australia statement noted.
The visit is scheduled to take place on 23 September 2026.
The statement highlighted the “exclusive industrial visit” to Oceaneering Australia, “a global leader in subsea engineering, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology, asset integrity management and offshore engineering solutions.”
Hosted by the Engineers Australia Mechanical College, the visit will offer a glimpse into the engineering challenges associated with operating and maintaining subsea assets in some of the world's most demanding environments.
The statement added that participants will develop an understanding of the complexity of subsea pipeline inspection and repair activities, including the influence of deepwater conditions, corrosion, accessibility, operational risks and stringent safety requirements.
“The visit will also provide valuable exposure to the role of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other advanced submersible technologies used for subsea inspection, intervention, and repair, highlighting how these systems enable engineers to safely perform complex offshore operations that would otherwise be impossible for human divers.”
Sarawak-based oil and gas services firm United Asiapac Energy Bhd is looking to further expand its well intervention services business in East Malaysia following its debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, reported Bernama.
The company’s shares opened flat at 35 sen, with 2.78 million shares changing hands during the early trading session. By 5pm, the stock had closed 11.4% lower at 31 sen, with 40.8 million shares traded.
Speaking after the company’s listing ceremony, executive director and chief corporate officer Ng Her Yinn said the initial public offering (IPO) would provide an opportunity to broaden United Asiapac Energy’s reach beyond its existing markets and strengthen its presence across Malaysia.
“Our plan is to continue growing our presence in Sabah and Sarawak. At the same time, our presence and the work that we deliver are not limited there.
“We already have a presence across Malaysia and this (IPO) will allow us to further expand our business, while also contributing to the development of Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.
The listing ceremony was attended by United Asiapac Energy managing director Ahmad Fadzuli Ali, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah and TERAJU chief executive officer Junady Nawawi.
Ng said the company has a competitive advantage in providing its services despite the prevailing geopolitical situation.
The company specialises in well intervention services and has an established presence across Malaysia. Its IPO is expected to support further business expansion as it seeks to strengthen its operations and contribute to the development of Sabah and Sarawak, according to Bernama.
Baker Hughes has been chosen to provide gas compression systems for the Cloud Connector Pipeline project in Louisiana, as well as a modular liquefaction solution including cold boxes to support the expansion of the Plaquemines LNG facility.
Together, the pipeline and liquefaction awards demonstrate the critical role of integrated natural gas infrastructure in expanding LNG supply and enhancing energy security for global markets, the company said in a statement.
The pipeline award, which includes 13 gas compression systems driven by Frame 5/2E gas turbines, represents one of the largest deployments for LNG feed gas transportation in the US.
It will enable reliable transportation of feed gas through the Cloud Connector Pipeline to Venture Global LNG’s Plaquemines facility.
Baker Hughes will also provide four liquefaction blocks, comprising a total of eight modules, to support additional production capacity at the Plaquemines LNG facility.
"US natural gas is helping to deliver the energy continuity required for industries, communities and economies to thrive, grow and innovate,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes.
“Baker Hughes is proud to work alongside our partners at Venture Global as they expand Plaquemines LNG, providing the critical energy infrastructure needed to meet growing global long-term global energy demand.”
The liquefaction solution provided by Baker Hughes for the Plaquemines expansion follows a similar scope recently awarded for the CP2 project.
Each liquefaction block is based on two electric-motor driven, single mixed-refrigerant (SMR) liquefaction modules and associated compression trains featuring Baker Hughes' advanced centrifugal compressor technology, as well as cold boxes, air coolers and integrated control systems.
The Cloud Connector award is the second order of Frame 5/2E gas turbine-driven centrifugal compressor packages for Venture Global’s feed gas pipeline, expanding the fleet to 23 Frame 5/2E-driven gas compression systems for the Plaquemines LNG facility.
The award further strengthens Baker Hughes’ strategic relationship with Venture Global, supporting more than 100 MTPA of existing and planned LNG production capacity, and reinforces Baker Hughes’ role as a leading industrialised energy provider across the natural gas value chain.
“Baker Hughes has been a trusted partner across our LNG developments, both at our LNG facilities and across our pipeline infrastructure,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global.
“As we advance the expansion of Plaquemines LNG, this collaboration not only supports our expansion plans, but also helps ensure we deliver the reliable feed gas transportation necessary to realise our mission of supplying secure LNG to global markets.”
Halliburton has secured a bundled well construction and completions contract from Eni for the Cronos ultra-deepwater development in Block 6 of the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone
The award strengthens Halliburton’s offshore portfolio in the Eastern Mediterranean and expands its role in the region’s strategic natural gas development.
Under the contract, Halliburton will provide integrated drilling, well construction, automation and completions services for exploration and development wells. The bundled scope is designed to reduce operational interfaces, improve execution certainty and support efficient delivery across the multi-year ultra-deepwater development.
The Cronos award builds on Halliburton’s longstanding relationship with Eni and reflects the company’s ability to deliver integrated offshore solutions for complex deepwater developments. It also strengthens Halliburton’s position in the Eastern Mediterranean, an emerging offshore gas region. The company expects its integrated delivery model to support future development as operators prioritise efficiency, performance and long-term value.
Jean-Marc Lopez, senior vice president, Europe, Eurasia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, Halliburton
The scope includes drilling fluids, directional drilling, LOGIX automation and remote operations, cementing, surface well testing and coiled tubing. Halliburton will support the campaign through its established infrastructure and regional capabilities in Cyprus, providing logistical advantages and supporting reliable execution throughout the programme.
The Cronos project provides a platform for future deepwater development in the Eastern Mediterranean. Halliburton expects to apply its integrated delivery model to additional offshore campaigns as operators seek greater efficiency, reliable performance and long-term value in increasingly complex offshore environments.
Software company Aize has acquired Samp, a French industrial AI company, in a move to unite their respective technologies, teams and visions to create a comprehensive approach to industrial asset information.
The combination will address industrial assets across their full lifecycle, from greenfield facilities to decades-old brownfield assets.
Samp has developed Shared Reality, an AI-powered platform that transforms reality-capture data, such as laser scans, into structured asset information and connects the physical identity of the field with engineering information such as tags, drawings and P&IDs.
Samp’s technology is already being used across more than 500 industrial facilities, with a strong focus on energy and water. Aize is used by leading companies across the energy sector, including bp, ExxonMobil, SBM Offshore, Aker BP, and Aker Solutions, to bring engineering, operational and asset information together in one digital environment.
Jarle Skrebergene, CEO of Aize, said, “What convinced us about Samp was not only the technology, but the team, their commercial momentum and how closely their vision aligns with ours. Together, we can connect engineering intent, operational information and what actually exists in the field, creating a uniquely powerful foundation for industrial companies to understand and work their assets throughout their lifecycle.”
CEO and Co-Founder of Samp, Laurent Bourgouin, commented, “Samp was founded around a simple conviction: for existing industrial facilities, the field is the ultimate source of truth. Shared Reality bridges the gap between physical reality and the technical information companies rely on every day. Together with Aize, we can connect engineering, operations and field reality across the entire asset lifecycle.”
L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore (LTEH Offshore) has won a major offshore contract from the Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for the Additional Development of Ratna–I (ADR I) and NLM-14 project on India’s west coast.
Under the project, LTEH Offshore will undertake engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) activities covering three new well-head platforms and one riser platform. The scope also includes several sections of subsea pipelines and cables, along with brownfield modifications to existing offshore facilities.
The development is intended to increase production and contribute to the continued expansion of ONGC’s offshore assets in the region.
LTEH Offshore delivers integrated EPCIC services to the offshore oil and gas sector, backed by in-house engineering expertise, advanced fabrication facilities and a dedicated marine vessel fleet. Its capabilities span both shallow-water and deep-water developments across international markets.
With more than four decades of offshore project experience, the company has delivered projects covering fixed platforms, subsea pipelines and structures, brownfield modifications and decommissioning.
Commenting on the order win, Parthasarathi Chatterjee, Senior Vice President & Head – L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore, said: “The ADR-I and NLM-14 developments are significant additions to India's offshore energy infrastructure and demonstrate the continued investment in enhancing production from established offshore assets. These projects combine new offshore facilities with brownfield modifications in existing operating fields, calling for careful planning, engineering integration and precise execution. Drawing on our extensive offshore EPCIC experience, we look forward to delivering these developments safely and efficiently, while supporting ONGC’s long-term production objectives.”
The International Well Control Forum (IWCF) has endorsed an Introduction to Well Decommissioning online module from the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA).
The Quality Assured endorsement follows an independent review under the IWCF Quality Assured framework.
The Introduction to Well Decommissioning module forms part of CODA Academy, CODA’s initiative focused on building knowledge and capability across the decommissioning industry.
The online module, launched earlier this year, was developed to provide an accessible introduction to well decommissioning for professionals who may be new to the discipline, as well as those looking to broaden their understanding of the well decommissioning lifecycle.
The IWCF review assessed the module against applicable Quality Assured standards.
The technical review also found the module suitable in complexity and presentation for its intended introductory audience, highlighting its logical structure, use of varied digital learning elements and learner-focused design.
It also recognised the quality assurance processes established by CODA, including subject matter expert verification, independent technical review, pilot testing, governance sign-off, learner feedback, annual review and version control.
CODA’s CEO Francis Norman said the endorsement reflected the collaborative effort behind the module’s development.
“A course like this relies on the knowledge and experience of the people involved in developing it,” he said.
Course content was developed in collaboration with Chris Wilson of Labrador, a subject matter expert who also delivers the material as part of CODA’s in-person Introduction to Well Decommissioning course, while Perth-based organisations Sentient and Of Note Designs supported the development of the eLearning platform and web environment respectively.
“The CODA team, Chris, Sentient and Of Note Designs each brought their own expertise to the project, and that collaboration has been a big part of getting the course to where it is today,” added Norman.
“Having that work independently reviewed and receiving IWCF Quality Assured endorsement is a great outcome for everyone involved.”
Early design decisions and robust qualification of subsea connectors can fundamentally impact the long-term integrity of subsea pipelines, warns Lloyd’s Register (LR), in a new study for the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil).
The report “Integrity of Connectors in Pipelines and Subsea Systems” provides an updated basis of experience for assessing the integrity of welded and mechanical connectors in pipelines and subsea facilities, highlighting how the right choices early in the design phase are crucial for safe and responsible operations throughout the entire service life.
Pipelines and subsea facilities are critical components of offshore energy production, connecting fields to processing and export infrastructure while operating in some of the world's most demanding environments. Ensuring their structural integrity throughout decades of service remains a key challenge for operators and regulators alike. The integrity of connectors in pipelines and subsea systems is critical for the safe and continuous operation of offshore infrastructure. Common failure modes for subsea connectors include leakage, material failure, mechanical failure, and corrosion, with leakage identified as the most frequent failure mode.
Drawing on industry data, LR maps common fault mechanisms and performance trends, concluding that decisions taken at the design stage have a direct impact on failure risk throughout an asset’s life. Operators need to ensure that connector design and qualification processes are sufficiently robust for such critical components.
Comprehensive qualification provides confidence in the integrity of the connector throughout service life, while early involvement of the original equipment manufacturer can support life extension by validating key design assumptions and performance limits.
The report makes the following recommendations to enhance the integrity and reliability of subsea connectors:
• Collaboration with manufacturers: Engage with connector manufacturers to leverage their expertise in identifying potential failure modes and developing mitigation strategies. Manufacturers can provide valuable insights into the design, qualification, and maintenance of connectors.
• Regular inspections: Establish a robust inspection regime, in collaboration with manufacturers, that includes regular visual inspections, cathodic protection surveys, and postinstallation testing to detect and address potential issues early.
• Life extension assessments: Conduct life extension assessments for connectors approaching the end of their design life. This should include evaluating the condition of the connector, the loads it has been subjected to, and its compatibility with the transported fluids. Particular attention should be made towards components which are a single point of failure for the connector.
Sean Murray, Global Technical Authority – Pipelines and Subsea at Lloyd's Register, said, “Subsea systems are expected to perform safely and reliably for many years in challenging operating conditions. The choices made during design have a lasting impact on their integrity and long-term performance.
“This project consolidates industry experience, operational data, and failure insights to support improved risk-based decision-making across the lifecycle of subsea assets. It highlights that, while subsea connectors generally demonstrate high reliability, their performance is strongly dependent on robust design, manufacturing quality, installation control, and rigorous qualification.
“By better understanding how different connector solutions perform in service, operators can make more informed decisions that enhance safety, reduce risk and improve through-life reliability of these critical components.”
Steffen Andreasen, principal engineer at Havtil, added, “Sharing experience and knowledge across the industry is key to reducing risk and improving structural safety. This study highlights how the integrity of subsea connectors depends on robust design, qualification, and integrity management, which together are essential for maintaining safe and reliable operations throughout the lifetime of subsea infrastructure.”
The inaugural Offshore Network D&A 2026 Awards, in partnership with CODA, will shine the spotlight on the projects, technologies and individuals helping to shape the future of decommissioning across Australia and the wider region.
With decommissioning activity continuing to develop across the region, the awards provide an opportunity to recognise the people and organisations finding new ways to improve efficiency, safety, sustainability and value throughout the lifecycle of offshore assets.
The award categories for 2026 include:
A judging panel full of industry leaders will decide who will where the crowns at this year’s ceremony, which will take place at the Crown Perth, 6100 Australia, on November 12th, 2026.
Guests will be treated to an evening of networking, entertainment, a three course meal, and the chance to raise a glass with the best in the industry.
Tickets to attend are available on the website.
Baker Hughes has won a significant award from bp to provide offshore stimulation services across the company’s UK North Sea operations.
Under the agreement, Baker Hughes will deploy a vessel-based stimulation solution, complete with its StimFORCE modular stimulation package to support well completions and production enhancement activities. The solution is designed to enhance operational reliability, minimise non-productive time and optimise recovery.
Executive Vice President of Oilfield Services & Equipment at Baker Hughes, Amerino Gatti, said, “By combining our vessel-based stimulation expertise, advanced intervention technologies and production optimisation capabilities, we are well positioned to help bp enhance reservoir performance, increase operational flexibility and unlock additional value from both new and mature fields across its North Sea portfolio.”
The dedicated vessel solution provides both schedule and operational flexibility, enabling stimulation activities to be executed efficiently.
Baker Hughes has a long-standing presence in the UK, helping operators optimise reservoir performance across the well lifecycle.
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