Westwood Energy Newsletter – Edition 5

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. Shell Shelves Aphrodite Gas Development Offshore Trinidad And Tobago Following Commercial Dispute

Shell’s Aphrodite gas field offshore Trinidad and Tobago has reportedly been put on hold after negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC) over gas sales terms failed to reach an agreement. Shell previously made a positive final investment decision (FID) on the development in 2025 and planned to bring forward production of approximately 100 mmcfd of natural gas. However, the operator has reportedly deferred the project’s progression and released the jack-up drilling rig contracted to drill the field’s production wells. Shell confirmed that it has released the initial rig slot for Aphrodite while discussions with NGC continue and the company evaluates the overall integrated project schedule. The decision represents a setback for Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to arrest declining domestic gas production, which has constrained feedgas availability for the country’s petrochemical sector and the Atlantic Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export complex, in which Shell holds a 45% stake. The country is also seeking to supplement domestic production through planned cross-border gas developments with Venezuela, where Shell and BP have secured licences to advance projects intended to deliver Venezuelan gas to Trinidad and Tobago for processing and export, supporting Atlantic LNG feedgas requirements over the coming decade.

2. Jan De Nul Group Commences Installation of Protective Rock Layer on CO₂ Pipeline at Northern Endurance CCS Project

Jan De Nul Group has announced the commencement of the installation of a protective rock layer on top of the CO₂ pipeline being installed as part of the Northern Endurance carbon capture and storage (CCS) project offshore the UK. Jan De Nul stated that, working as a subcontractor to Saipem, this is the first time it has contributed to a CCS project that will transport CO₂ from industrial areas to permanent storage beneath the North Sea.

3. West Capella Commences Permai-1 Drilling Campaign in PTTEP’s Block H Offshore Malaysia

Industry sources reported that the PTTEP-operated Permai field in Block H offshore Sabah, Malaysia, has entered the next phase of its development drilling campaign following the arrival of the West Capella drillship at the Permai-1 well location on 19 August 2026 after completing operations at the Bemban-1 well. The drilling programme forms part of Phase 1B of the Block H development, which encompasses the deepwater gas fields of Alum, Bemban and Permai and is intended to expand existing production infrastructure in the block. Gas from the Phase 1B development is planned to provide additional feedstock to Petronas’ floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, PFLNG Dua, which has been receiving production from the Rotan and Buluh fields since 2021.

4. Equinor, Aker BP, Vår Energi Establish Strategic Exploration Collaboration for Offshore Norway

Equinor, Aker BP and Vår Energi have established a strategic exploration collaboration to pursue some of the largest remaining opportunities on the Norwegian continental shelf. The aim is to increase the chances of major discoveries that can support new standalone field developments and long-term value creation. The companies have agreed to combine expertise, data, technology and exploration capacity to pursue selected high impact exploration opportunities. Over the next four to five years, the companies plan to mature and test a portfolio of approximately 20–25 exploration opportunities, with an ambition to drill around five high impact exploration wells annually.

5. Details of Recent Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2 Deal Confirmed

Transocean has confirmed the details for the recently announced contract for its ultra deepwater (UDW) drillship Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2 (10,000′) with ONGC for work off India. The agreement consists of two years of firm operations, starting in 1Q 2027, with two years of fixed price options. The work contributes approximately US$300 million in contract value, inclusive of additional services and mobilisation fees. The rig is currently stacked in Las Palmas.

6. Further Extension Awarded to Blackford Dolphin

Dolphin Drilling has received another extension to its contract for DW semisub Blackford Dolphin (6,000′) for it to continue its drilling campaign for Oil India Limited until at least 15th October 2026. The extension will enable completion of drilling, testing and abandonment work at locations East of India, under the same terms and scope of work as the existing contract. The rig has been working for Oil India since November 2024.

7. TotalEnergies Secures Walney Wind Power Agreement

TotalEnergies has entered into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Offshore Partners Walney (OPW) for electricity generated from its 24.8% stake in the Walney 1 and 2 wind farms, located offshore England, UK. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will purchase Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin-backed power from OPW’s share of output at the 367MW wind farm until 2030.

8. Victoria Opens First Offshore Wind Auction

The Request for Proposal process has commenced for Victoria’s inaugural 2GW offshore wind capacity allocation in Australia. The Victorian Government has invited developers to submit bids for contracts, with proposals to be evaluated on value for money, project deliverability and benefits for local industry and communities. The bidding period will remain open until August 2027, with contract awards anticipated in 2028.

9. Baltica 2 Completes Monopile Installation Campaign

All 111 monopiles have been installed at the Baltica 2 wind farm, located offshore Poland, comprising 107 turbine foundations and four for offshore substations. Van Oord completed the work on schedule, concluding a key offshore construction phase. Installation has been carried out by heavy-lift vessel Svanen and wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Aeolus. The monopiles measure up to 100m in length and weigh approximately 1,900t each. Installation of secondary steel structures, offshore substations and export cables is progressing. The project, jointly developed by Orsted and PGE, is targeting full commercial operation by the end of 2027.

10. Sif Completes Foundation Deliveries for Baltyk 2 and 3

Sif has finalised deliveries of all 100 monopile foundations for the Baltyk 2 and 3 wind farms, located offshore Poland, The Dutch manufacturer also supplied 100 transition pieces for the project. Construction activities in the Polish Baltic Sea are progressing, with Heerema Marine Contractors’ Thialf semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) undertaking monopile installation works. The wind farms are expected to begin generating electricity in 2027, with full commercial operations scheduled for 2028.

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