Westwood Energy Newsletter – Edition 6

Curated offshore energy news from our DailyLogix desk.

Ten offshore energy stories every fortnight tracking the latest moves across the supply chain – from rigs and production to subsea, marine and renewables.

1. SLB OneSubsea Awarded Umbilicals Contract for West Hub Tails Project Offshore Angola

OneSubsea announced it has been awarded a contract by Azule Energy to supply control umbilicals for the West Hub Tails Project offshore Angola. The scope will support the transfer of production from the Sangos, Ochigufu, Mpungi and Vandumbu fields from the ageing N’Goma floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to the recently installed Agogo FPSO as N’Goma nears the end of its design life. OneSubsea will design and deliver the additional umbilicals required for the transition, supporting production continuity, extending field life and reducing emissions intensity through the use of the newer Agogo facility.

2. EnQuest and CB&I Commence P&A Activities at the Greater Kittiwake Area in UK North Sea

EnQuest announced, in its 1H 2026 results, that plug and abandonment (P&A) activities have commenced at the Greater Kittiwake Area (GKA) in the UK North Sea as part of the asset’s end-of-life decommissioning programme. A Hydraulic Workover Unit (HWU) has been installed on the Kittiwake platform. Work has started on the first of eight platform wells scheduled for P&A. EnQuest and CB&I are executing the campaign while production continues. It is expected to extend into 2027, marking a key milestone in the field’s transition toward final cessation of operations and decommissioning.

3. BP Commences Production from the El-Fayoum Field Offshore Egypt

Industry sources have reported that BP has commenced production from the El-Fayoum field offshore Egypt, two years ahead of schedule. Reports stated that the new development in the West Nile Delta includes the Fayoum North-4 well, which is delivering approximately 80 mmcfd of gas to Egypt’s domestic market. The field is reportedly producing through existing infrastructure.

4. Shelf Drilling Fortress Heads Back to Work in UK North Sea

ADES jackup Shelf Drilling Fortress (400′-IC) has departed Invergordon and is mobilising to the UK North Sea to begin a new drilling campaign for NEO NEXT+. The rig has been idle since January 2026 following the completion of work for Hibiscus at the Teal West field. Its new two-well contract is expected to keep the unit occupied into early 2028, with options potentially extending operations through 2029. The rig is expected to arrive at the Elgin B location on 4 September.

5. SOCAR, CNOOC Sign MoU on Cooperation

SOCAR, the state-owned oil company of Azerbaijan, and China’s CNOOC have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that envisages implementing joint upstream projects in Azerbaijan and other countries, as well as the expansion of cooperation in the oil and gas sector in the areas of technical services, supply of equipment and technologies, engineering, operations, and technical support. During the 1 September 2026 meeting between the parties, the representatives reviewed opportunities for cooperation in offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production; investment opportunities in oil refining and petrochemicals; cooperation opportunities in international trade; the application of new technologies; and enhancing operational efficiency.

6. ModuSpec to Inspect Several Stranded Newbuilds

ModuSpec has secured multiple projects valued at around $400,000 to support clients with the assessment of stranded newbuilds in Asia. The rig assurance specialist shared that it will inspect several semisubs and drillships in China and Singapore, respectively. ModuSpec noted the units are being considered for potential deployment in Northern Europe and off West Africa as the deepwater floater segment continues to tighten. Each of the stranded newbuilds is partially complete and will require reactivation, recertification and recommissioning to ensure they are operationally ready and compliant. ModuSpec will undertake detailed assessments of the preservation status of critical rig equipment, certification requirements and compliance with regulations applicable to the intended area of operations. One unnamed client has also requested independent verification of capex requirements to support its evaluation.

7. Taiwan Outlines Floating Offshore Wind Demonstration Programme

Taiwan’s Energy Administration has launched a floating offshore wind demonstration programme, targeting the selection of two projects, with a possible third, through a competitive process expected to conclude in 3Q 2027. Each project is planned at 100 to 200 MW, creating a total programme capacity of 200 MW to 600 MW. Evaluation criteria comprise technical capability (45 points), financial capability (40 points) and sustainability collaboration (15 points), with a minimum qualifying score of 70 out of 100. Draft selection rules and a renewable energy feed-in tariff are due in 4Q 2026. Industry participants have indicated that a tariff above TWD 10/kWh (US$0.32/kWh) may be required to support project viability.

8. ABS and Japan Blue Energy Sign Mou for Brazilian Floating Wind Pilot

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Japan Blue Energy (JB Energy) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake strategic studies for the Aura Sul Wind pilot floating wind project, located offshore Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The 18 MW pilot project is planned with a single wind turbine installed on JB Energy’s Raijin Float, a prestressed concrete semi-submersible floating foundation. Under the MoU, ABS will assess emissions reduction opportunities for the Port of Rio Grande and develop a preliminary decommissioning strategy, covering platform removal, transport, dismantling, port logistics, environmental considerations, and recycling and reuse options.

9. McDermott Secures Subsea Contract for Eni’s Cronos Gas Field Development Offshore Cyprus

McDermott announced it has been awarded a substantial subsea contract for the Eni-operated Cronos gas field offshore Cyprus. Under the contract, McDermott will provide project management, engineering, procurement and installation support for the development of the gas field, with execution led by the company’s Subsea and Floating Facilities team and supported by resources in Houston, Perth, London and Kuala Lumpur, alongside its marine construction fleet. The award, valued between US$500 million and US$750 million, will utilise the company’s deepwater construction vessel Amazon and reflects McDermott’s integrated subsea engineering, procurement, construction and installation capabilities. Although McDermott did not provide details of the projects’ work scope, sources have indicated that it is likely to involve the subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF) and gas export pipeline (GEP) package.

10. Heerema Completes Foundation Installation Campaign for MFW Baltyk 2 and 3

Heerema Marine Contractors has completed the offshore foundation installation campaign for the MFW Baltyk 2 and MFW Baltyk 3 wind farms, located offshore Poland, ahead of schedule. The company installed 100 monopiles turbine foundations, 100 transition pieces and two offshore substation jackets foundations during a four-month campaign using the semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) Thialf. Heerema is scheduled to return to the wind farm sites to install the MFW Baltyk 2 offshore substation topside in winter 2026, followed by the MFW Baltyk 3 offshore substation topside in summer 2027.

Prefer your news on LinkedIn? You can subscribe to Westwood Energy News on our LinkedIn Newsletter page here.

This newsletter features a sample of news from DailyLogix, sourced from Westwood’s SubseaLogix, PlatformLogix, RigLogix, WindLogix and MarineLogix market intelligence solutions. For comprehensive daily offshore energy news delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to one of our solutions today.

All Editions