Most popular articles of the week, September 22 – 28, 2014

Decommissioning North Sea platforms to cost $66.3 B

Decommissioning North Sea oil and gas facilities is projected to cost £40.6 billion ($66.3 billion) over the next 25 years in the North Sea, Oil & Gas UK says.

Transocean scores contracts for drilling rig trio

Offshore drilling contractor Transocean Ltd has secured new rig contracts worth roughly $115 million.

World’s first FLNG unit moving forward

Malaysia’s Petronas this week started the lifting of the first topside module for its floating liquefied natural gas (PFLNG1) facility at the Quayside of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard in Okpo, South Korea.

Cosco bags flotel order

An unnamed Singaporean company has ordered an offshore accommodation unit from the China-based COSCO (Qidong) Offshore.

Report: Exxon, Rosneft to stop Kara Sea drilling on October 10

ExxonMobil and Rosneft are still drilling at the University-1 well in the Kara Sea, off the Russian northern coast, contrary to the reports that the operations have been halted due to the U.S. sanctions imposed against Russia.

New Board Director for Saipem

The Board of Directors of Italy’s Saipem has appointed as Director Francesco Gattei replacing Fabrizio Barbieri, who resigned in August.

Newly named ‘Maersk Voyager’ drillship awaiting first job

Maersk Drilling’s fourth ultra deepwater drillship was named Thursday morning in a ceremony held at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) shipyard in Geoje-Si, South Korea.

Sanctions freeze ExxonMobil’s Arctic drilling operations

ExxonMobil has confirmed it will stop its drilling operations in the Kara Sea, offshore Russia, to comply with the sanctions imposed against Russia by the U.S. Treasury Department.