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.
Westwood Energy News - Edition 3 - 30th July 2026
What is moving in field development?
1. Eni Sanctions its Cronos Field Offshore Cyprus
Eni announced that it has taken a final investment decision for its Cronos field offshore Cyprus. Eni stated that the field is expected to commence production in 2028, reaching a plateau of 500mmcfd of gas. The gas will be transported and processed at existing facilities in Zohr, Egypt, before being transferred to the Damietta LNG plant for liquefaction and export to international markets as LNG. China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) has reportedly been awarded the contract for the project’s floating control unit, while Baker Hughes has emerged as the frontrunner to supply the subsea production system for the development.
2. Saipem Secures EPC and Transport and Installation Workscope at Eni’s Baleine Phase 3 Development Offshore Ivory Coast
Saipem announced that it has been awarded a contract by Eni for the Baleine Phase 3 development offshore Ivory Coast, located in water depths of up to 1,300m. Under the Baleine Phase 3 scope, Saipem will undertake the engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation of approximately 50km of rigid pipelines and associated subsea structures, together with the transportation and installation of flexible risers, flexible jumpers, subsea production systems, a 3km flexible gas export flowline and 22km of subsea umbilicals. The project is expected to be executed over approximately three years and will utilise the construction vessels FDS and Shen Da.
3. OceanSTAR Cuts First Steel on Sepat FPSO Set to Be Installed Offshore Malaysia
An industry source has reported that OceanStar Elite Group has cut the first steel for the newbuild floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit that is set to be installed at the Petronas-operated Sepat field offshore Malaysia. The unit is reportedly being engineered for a 20-year operational lifespan, with specifications tailored to the South China Sea’s demanding sea states, climate and hydrological conditions. It will have a minimum liquid production capacity of 30kbpd and storage capacity exceeding 450,000 barrels. Construction of the unit is scheduled to take 21 months.
Where is offshore drilling picking up?
4. Four Mexican Jackups Resuming Operations with Pemex
Grupo Mexico has confirmed that two Perforadora Mexico jackups Zacatecas (300′-IC) and Chihuahua (300′-IC) resumed operations with Pemex offshore Mexico following suspensions that began in December 2024. In addition, jackups Campeche (400′-IC) and Tabasco (400′-IC) are expected to be reactivated in August 2026.
5. ONGC Begins First Deepwater Well in Mahanadi Basin
ONGC has spudded the MN-DW18-1-H-D well, marking its first deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. The well is being drilled by Vantage Drilling UDW drillship Platinum Explorer (10,000′), which recently started a three-year campaign for ONGC offshore India. The well is the first in the rig’s current programme and forms part of ONGC’s effort to evaluate India’s deepwater and ultra-deepwater resource potential. Located about 23 nautical miles from the Konark discovery, the prospect follows ONGC’s recent Utkal and Konark discoveries in the region.
6. Israel Opens Fifth Offshore Licensing Round, Targets New Explorers
Israel has launched its fifth offshore licensing round, offering five exploration zones, A, B, C, F and J, covering approximately 7,100 square kilometres. The government is targeting new entrants to its upstream sector, with bids assessed in part on exploration drilling commitments and plans to advance offshore resource development. Participants must pay a $50,000 entry fee, with bids due by 11 November 2026. Successful bidders are expected to be notified in December 2026 or early January 2027, while contract execution is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The licences include drill-or-drop decision points after three and five years, highlighting the financial and operational commitments required from operators.
What is happening in offshore wind?
7. L&T and Hitachi Energy Secure Tennet HVDC Framework Programme
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in partnership with Hitachi Energy, has entered a framework cooperation agreement with TenneT covering six projects and future opportunities under the utility’s 2GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) programme. The consortium will continue work on IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1, while starting Nederwiek 3 in the Netherlands and LanWin 5 in Germany. The four projects will provide a combined transmission capacity of 8GW at 525kV, linking North Sea renewable generation to onshore grids. L&T will deliver offshore converter platforms, while Hitachi Energy will supply HVDC technology.
8. Morgan Tender Relaunched for New Offshore Wind Developer
The Crown Estate has initiated a new tender for the Morgan wind site located offshore England, UK. This follows the withdrawal of developers EnBW and JERA Nex bp. The streamlined process is intended to maintain project momentum, with a new developer expected to be selected by the end of 2026. The project has already secured a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the generation asset and is awaiting a decision on transmission consent, expected in September 2026. Bids will determine a Site Exclusivity Fee, payable over a 20-year period from lease commencement.
Where are vessel installation works?
9. Van Oord Completes Scour Protection at Hollandse Kust West VI
Van Oord has completed rock installation works at the Hollandse Kust West Site VI wind farm, located offshore the Netherlands. Using the vessels Bravenes and Nordnes, the contractor installed 300,000t of rock to protect turbine foundations and critical cable infrastructure, including infield cables. The campaign, which began in September 2025, also delivered eco-rock berms designed to enhance marine habitats. The project, developed by Ecowende, has already supplied first power to the Dutch grid and is scheduled to become fully operational by the end of 2026.
10. Thor Wind Farm Reaches Halfway Milestone in Turbine Installation
The Thor wind farm, located offshore Denmark, has reached the halfway point in turbine installation, with 36 of 72 units now installed. Each Siemens Gamesa turbine has a capacity of up to 15MW, with structures rising around 148m and blades measuring 115m. Installation is being executed from Esbjerg using the Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) Brave Tern. Completion of turbine installation is scheduled by end-2026, with commissioning targeted for 2027.
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