A network for commercial divers about commercial diving.

by Amanda DeBard

President Obama says his energy plan will make the nation independent from foreign oil, but he’s also cheerleading for policies that analysts agree could tax domestic oil and gas companies out of the production business.

The president wants to increase federal spending on renewable energy by about $150 billion, including creating a “smart” electricity grid that would move renewable energy to anywhere in the nation. His goal: to eliminate oil imports from the Middle East and Venezuela by 2020.

But experts doubt that renewable resources can grow fast enough to replace all that oil – about 21 million barrels a day – especially if Mr. Obama succeeds in erasing federal subsidies for drilling in the U.S. Read the rest of this entry »

by Perry Williams

LONDON — International contractors competing for work with state energy giant Saudi Aramco are starting to envisage a less rosy future. Following five years of fevered project activity in both exploration and refining, Aramco has in the past six months embarked on a strategy of delaying schemes because of faltering global demand. Now a shift in Aramco’s contracting strategy threatens to cloud the picture further.

The company’s latest five-year business plan, for the period 2010-14, stipulates that the majority of construction work for megaprojects should be given to international firms that partner with local contractors. Read the rest of this entry »

SAO PAULO — After three and a half days of negotiations, Petrobras and the National Oilworkers Federation (FUP) reached an agreement yesterday to suspend the labor strike which was started on Monday (03/23).

The other unions, Sindipetro Rio Grande do Sul, Litoral Paulista, São José dos Campos, Rio de Janeiro, Alagoas/Sergipe and Pará/Amazonas/Maranhão/Amapá announced they will not recommend their members accept the proposal during the general meetings they will hold through Sunday (03/29), although they acknowledge progress has been made on the negotiation table. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Mr. Offshore,

why can’t i get a job? I email my resume to every dive company in the country and never here back.  I’m screwed if i dont work soon.

- needing work, Arizona

Right now, not many divers can get work.  And those who are fortunate to have a hitch know that they are lucky to be where they are.

For the few jobs that open up, you have to be ready.

Take a look at how you are applying for a job.  First, are you wasting your time and theirs by applying for jobs that you don’t qualify for?  During the slow times, you might have to take a number and get in line for one of the few jobs that pop up where you meet the minimum certification level.  Secondly, do you supply all your updated certificates and diplomas when you send in your resume?  If your certs are not up to date, they are going to pass right by you and go on to the next person who has everything in order — current certs, an up-to-date dive physical, and relevant endorsements.  Companies are not willing to payor wait for you to get your certs up to speed if they have 10 other applicants ready to go.

How are you contacting the companies and agencies?  Some companies will not accept resumes by fax or email — if you don’t follow their instructions, your resume goes straight to the trash.  Many large companies have their own resume collecting computer system that requires you to go to their web site and enter your information manually.  This is normal for larger companies, such as Oceaneering, Subsea 7, Helix, and Bourbon.

Smaller companies can be easier to deal with.  They are more personable and have to manually handle your email or fax.  It’s OK to give the smaller operators a call every once in a while to see how things are developing.  Just don’t waste their time; they’ve got too many other things that are much more critical to them than discussing your your incredibly mundane work history.

While I am at it: don’t think that fabricated claims on your resume will help you, either.  The smaller operators are savvy enough to recognize bullshit when they see it.  Also, they are not typically willing to give you a break and hire you just because you sound friendly on the phone.

When talking to a possible employer, get to the point and, most of all, be honest about what you want with them.  They have already spoken to dozens — if not hundreds — of your mates who have all given them the same tap dance before.  If they need you, they will call you.

If you have only been in the industry for a year or two, I wish you luck.  Tenders are a dime a dozen and you are fighting an uphill battle.

Remember:  if they need you, they will call you.

Good luck and stay safe.

Mr. O

Russia signalled its determination to win the race for the Arctic’s mineral wealth yesterday by announcing plans to establish military bases along its northern coastline.

A new national security strategy includes plans to create army units in Russia’s Arctic region to “guarantee military security in different military-political situations.” Read the rest of this entry »

By Mike Lyons

The first full week of spring produced a typical late March weather pattern across south Florida: mostly sunny, mild and breezy. But it won’t be long before the heat and humidity of summer returns, marking the beginning of the rainy season (usually around May 20) and the start of the hurricane season (June 1).

There is already a lot of talk about the upcoming hurricane season. Joe Bastardi, Expert Senior Forecaster at AccuWeather, thinks the tropics will be active again. Bastardi’s early forecast calls for 13 storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Read the rest of this entry »

MINNEAPOLIS — The former finance chief of a Texas company controlled by Nasser Kazeminy, a close friend of former Sen. Norm Coleman, said in a deposition last week that Kazeminy ordered $100,000 in fees be paid to a Minneapolis insurance agency where Coleman’s wife was employed.

B.J. Thomas, who was chief financial officer of Deep Marine Technology Inc., said that $75,000 of that sum was paid to Hays Companies even though he saw no evidence of Deep Marine receiving any consulting services from Hays. Read the rest of this entry »

RIO DE JANEIRO — The Norwegian oil company StatoilHydro is now planning to invest some US$5 -$10 billion in Brazil over the next 5-10 years with a focus on deepwater heavy oil fields. “Brazil is one of the most important areas in the world for StatoilHydro outside Norway,” company head of the South Atlantic region, Thore Kristiansen, told reporters in Rio de Janeiro at a press conference after presenting at the 15th Latin Oil Week.

StatoilHydro intends to invest some US$13.5bn in 2009 worldwide, with part of that going to Brazilian operations. “The company is very well funded. We recently raised US$3.5bn in the financial markets,” he added. Read the rest of this entry »

The plunging crude prices have begun to play out in favour of Western oil companies in one regard, giving them leverage with oil-rich countries that only months ago had no reason to compromise. Countries like Venezuela, Libya and Russia have kept a tight grip on their vast oil reserves in recent years as crude prices soared above $100 per barrel, translating into big revenues. Much of that money, rather than going back into the oil industry, was spent on unrelated political and social programs.

At $50 per barrel, these countries are far more constrained and can’t adequately fund some oil and gas projects. Read the rest of this entry »

NEW YORK — At their annual analyst meeting today in New York last week ConocoPhillips’ senior leadership team outlined the compny’s strategic objectives and operating plans for 2009, and explained how the company will maximize the value of its asset portfolio in a challenging economic and political environment. 

“While we have adjusted to the near-term environment, we have not altered our long-term view. ConocoPhillips is a self-sustaining and competitive international, integrated energy company with a high-quality asset base, strong operating expertise and substantial financial capabilities,” said Jim Mulva, chairman and chief executive officer. “We responded aggressively to the current industry operating environment by adjusting our operational plans and capital program, implementing cost reductions and enhancing our focus on maintaining our balance sheet strength and flexibility. Read the rest of this entry »