Illegal Fishing in EU Waters: NGO Alliance Formed
To combat illegal fishing in the European Union (EU), Oceans 5 announces the formation of a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a grant of over $1 million per year for three years. A sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Oceans 5 is an international funders’ collaborative that works to improve global ocean health by controlling overfishing and establishing marine reserves. At a time when ocean conservation is more important than ever, Oceans 5 collaborates with NGOs and their partners to protect oceans worldwide and recently attended the launch event
Saipem to Resume Operations for Black Sea Pipeline
Italian oil contractor Saipem said on Friday it would restart work on an offshore pipeline in the Black Sea after South Stream Transport BV lifted a suspension of the works. Saipem had bagged contracts worth 2.4 billion euros last year mainly to build the first line of the South Stream pipeline from Russia to Bulgaria, but had to suspend work when the project was shelved in the face of objections from the European Union. Saipem is 43 percent owned by oil major Eni. (Reporting by Francesca Landini)
Rosneft Expands Deal with North Atlantic Drilling
contracts, which is in line with the timetable agreed earlier this year," Alf Ragnar Lovdal, North Atlantic Drilling's chief executive officer said a statement. Rosneft plans to start drilling an exploration well jointly with ExxonMobil in Kara Sea next month. The United States and the European Union have imposed a number of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies, including Rosneft, in attempt to spot violence in eastern Ukraine where pro-Moscow rebels are fighting against the government forces. On Tuesday, European diplomats said ambassadors from the 28-member European Union
New European Regs on Ship Recycling
The new European Regulation on ship recycling (Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013) was published on December 10, 2013 in the Official Journal of the European Union and it will enter into force on December 30, 2013. In view of the international importance of the new Regulation GMS followed very closely and contributed advice towards its development. It is paramount that the implementation of the new Regulation by the European Commission in the next two years will be guided by realism and a clear understanding of the dynamics of the industry, and not by the impractical, not thought-out, and irrational campaigns
French Minister Proposes Semi-public Firms Run Hydropower Plants
French Energy Minister Segolene Royal suggested creating semi-public companies to run hydropower stations after a former minister criticized a plan to open up the sector to competition, under pressure from the European Union. Many utilities and big electricity consumers have expressed an interest in France's hydroelectric sector, which is dominated by former state monopoly EDF, given that the cost of building dams has mostly been recouped. Delphine Batho, a former energy minister who was dismissed by President Francois Hollande last July, criticised on Monday what she said was a secret plan to
Europe’s Deepest Glider Under Development
;s first ultra-deep-sea robot glider. This glider will be capable of sampling the ocean autonomously at depths of 5000m, and maybe more in the future, for up to three months at a time. This project, which includes the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), has won 8 million Euro of funding from the European Union’s Horizon2020 programme to develop and test this innovative new technology. The capability of this new glider to reach at least 75% of the ocean will open up new possibilities for science and industry. These include monitoring submarine biodiversity and conducting environmental impact
EU Clears Portuguese Ocean Energy Tech Scheme
European Union regulators gave the green light on Thursday to a Portuguese ocean energy technology scheme aimed at boosting the bloc's renewable energy goals, saying it was in line with EU state aid rules. The plan, with a target of 50 megawatts of installed capacity, will initially test floating offshore wind turbines in real operating conditions. Portuguese authorities will offer a feed-in tariff for 25 years to offset the higher costs of the new technology. "The project would further EU energy and environmental objectives without unduly distorting competition in the single market,"
Damanaki to Lead Nature Conservancy's Global Oceans Program
Maria Damanaki, former European Union Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, will join the Nature Conservancy (TNC) as Global Managing Director for Oceans. With over 30 years of public service in Europe, Damanaki most recently served as EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Under her leadership, the Commission was able to bring fish populations back to healthier levels – from as few as five sustainable stocks in 2010 to up to 27 today – which could lead to 30 percent more jobs and EUR 1.8 billion in additional revenue by 2020. She also introduced and
Saipem: No Changes to South Stream Work Suspension
. Saipem said on Dec. 4 that the project's "marine spread activities", which include pipe-laying operations, were suspended. This was just days after Russia abandoned the South Stream project, which was to supply gas to southern Europe without crossing Ukraine, citing European Union objections. It instead proposed an undersea pipeline to Turkey. (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak
Oil Volatility Index Jumps as US Crude Plunges
level since March 2. U.S. crude futures closed the session down $2.29, or 4.8 percent, at $45.14 a barrel, having earlier hit a two-month low at $44.87. Resurgent output from across the world and uncertainty around the global economy after Britain's unexpected vote to exit the European Union have weighed on oil. In the United States, the market is flooded with excess refined product, painting a grim picture for demand. In addition to fundamental concerns, oil's technical support level around $45.80 was also breached on Thursday afternoon, traders said. (Reporting
EU Adriatic and Ionian Strategy Targets Blue Growth
economy, the preservation of the marine environment, stronger transport and energy links and increased tourism. The Strategy will also provide a valuable opportunity for non EU-countries to work alongside EU members, in particular contributing to the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union. This is the first EU 'macro-regional strategy' with such a large proportion of non-EU countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia) cooperating with EU members (Croatia, Greece, Italy and Slovenia). The Strategy mainly revolves around the opportunities of the maritime
Shell Commited To Russia Expansion Despite Sanctions
plant with Russian partner Gazprom, he said at a meeting at Putin's residence. "We, of course, will pledge all the necessary administrative guidance and support," Putin said in response in a meeting that was later broadcast on national television. The United States and European Union have imposed targeted sanctions against a list of Russian and Ukrainian individuals and firms in retaliation for Moscow's annexation of Crimea last month. EU and U.S. diplomats have indicated that they may consider wider sanctions against whole sectors of the Russian economy if Russian
US, Canada, EU, Sign Atlantic Ocean Research Accord
on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation" concerns research into the workings of the Atlantic Ocean and its interaction with the Arctic. The alliance will build on existing bilateral cooperation agreements and projects with the aim of developing and advancing a shared vision for the Atlantic. For the European Union, the Statement was signed by European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki. For the United States the Statement was signed by Dr Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary of State
AXYS Deploys First WindSentinel in Europe
resource assessment and also refine the wind estimate for this location. Since deployment in late July, the WindSentinel platform has experienced winds exceeding 20m/s as well as 8m waves, and has operated with over 98% data availability. The Demowfloat project is receiving funding from the European Union’s Seventh Program for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 296050. It aims at demonstrating the Windfloat (floating Offshore wind turbine prototype) technology and gathers 13 entities of six different countries. “We are very pleased to
ABB's Part in Great Mediterranean Gas Project
pipeline to double transmission capacity to 16 billion cubic meters a year. Built at a cost of $1.2 billion, the pipeline is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Mediterranean region in recent years. It was classed a TEN-E (trans-European energy networks) priority project by the European Union for the interconnection and interoperability of electricity and gas networks within Europe and neighboring regions. The heart of the Medgaz pipeline is the compressor station and receiving terminal. That is where the gas is compressed from 45 to 200 bar and injected into the pipeline for transport
Scottish Government Approves EOWDC Project
, offshore wind supply chain companies and future investment including manufacturing. This is anticipated to further add to Aberdeen City and Shire's existing energy credentials including the skills and infrastructure required to build a 21st century energy industry for generations to come. The European Union has awarded the EOWDC a grant of up to €40million under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) for the development of the project which was awarded demonstrator site status by The Crown Estate in 2010. www.technip.com www.vattenfall.com www.aberdeenrenewables.com
ABB Wins $140 Mln Order for HVDC Station
million AC subsea cable system order for connecting the Danish Kriegers Flak wind farm in 2015. The interconnector will have a capacity of 400 megawatts (MW), equivalent to the energy requirement of more than 400,000 households. This critical infrastructure development is co-financed by the European Union and will mark a step toward European renewable energy targets. In addition to allowing the integration of more renewable energy into the grid, the interconnector project will provide enhanced power security and offer additional opportunities for energy trading. “ABB has an unparalleled
