Oil & Gas UK members come out in force to support Aberdeen Maritime Museum redevelopment

A major redevelopment of Aberdeen Maritime Museum’s Energy Exploration galleries is to go ahead after Oil & Gas UK members raised the minimum £360,000 required for the project.

Out of the ordinary: Mastering the mundane at Gray's Postgraduate Degree Show

Postgraduate students at Gray's School of Art have been hard at work over the summer months preparing for the Masters Degree Show exhibition which launches tonight (Friday 3 September).

Cammach Group Reports Contract Successes

Contract wins worth around £1.5 million have just been announced by Cammach Group, the specialist refrigeration and HVAC company.

AMOR GROUP WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS BUSINESS AWARDS

Recognition for £28million deal which created business technology solutions provider

EXPRO CONFIRMS ACQUISITION OF LEADING ASIA BUSINESS

Expro announces today that it has completed the acquisition of the Production Testers International business (“PTI”) from Production Testers International HK Ltd and Production Testers International Ltd.

‘The X Factor Live Tour’ returns to AECC

After entertaining over 28,000 fans at six sell out shows earlier this year, ‘The X Factor Live Tour’ is confirmed to return to Aberdeen in 2011.

MANSELL SECURES HUNTING ENERGY SERVICES CONTRACT ON BACK OF SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PROJECT

The Aberdeen office of leading construction company Mansell has continued to build on its recent success by securing a contract worth £11.5million on the back of another recently completed project for the same client.

First Minister To Address Aberdeen Asset Management International Investment Conference

First Minister Alex Salmond MSP will address the Aberdeen Asset Management International Investment Conference in Aberdeen tomorrow (Friday 3 September).

STATEMENT: Councillor Scott Cassie

Following discussions with Aberdeen City Council Leader John Stewart, Councillor Scott Cassie has agreed that it would be appropriate for him to stand down from the council committees and working groups in which he is involved, pending the outcome of court proceedings.

Grampian Fasteners gives Ellon cartie championship a welcome boost

The Ellon Pedal Car Championship will be held on Sunday the 5th of September and with less than a fortnight to go, the community event being organised by local helicopter pilot - Simon Hailey - has gained some much needed support. Leading North East fastener distributor, Grampian Fasteners, has not only lent its support to the organisation of the event, but the company has also entered a team to participate in the race.

Princess Royal visits new developments in research, training and support on Aberdeen’s Foresterhill health campus

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will spend today (Wednesday 1 September) finding out how exciting new developments at Foresterhill are positioning north-east Scotland at the forefront of pioneering health research, innovative clinical training of health professionals, and the increasing support given to carers of all ages.

How are you developing your leaders, and your leadership, in these turbulent and changing times?

The Aberdeen City & Shire Meridian course helps senior leaders build the self awareness and confidence to meet the needs of their leadership roles.

BP to Sell Malaysian Ethylene and Polyethylene Interests to Petronas

BP today announced that it has agreed to sell its interests in ethylene and polyethylene production in Malaysia to PETRONAS.

Congestion charges and electric cars among topics to be examined at international transport conference

Measures to reduce congestion and encourage the public to make more environmentally conscious transport choices are to be explored at a conference in Aberdeen later this year.

Minister to see how pioneering project equips graduates for the job market

Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, will visit the University of Aberdeen today (Tuesday August 31) to see a pioneering project which aims to broaden the University experience for students and make graduates more employable.

Kirkhill Primary's Pupil Council is to host a Networking Lunch

Beach Ballroom on Wednesday 29 September from 11.30 - 2.00pm.

YELLOW JERSEYS FOR 2009 FIRST MONSTER CHALLENGE WINNERS

Winners of the 2009 First Monster Challenge, The Great Glen Grunters, have been presented with Tour de France style yellow jerseys by organisers, FirstGroup, the UK’s largest transport operator.

Accountants Head For The Hills To Raise Funds For Friends of Roxburghe House

The sponsorship money is sure to be added up accurately when 16 staff at accountancy practice Hall Morrice hand over their donations.

FMS appoints MD

Jamie Tosh (35) has succeeded George Begg as managing director of Forfar-based FMS Construction.

KNIGHT PROPERTY GROUP HELP RAISE £160K AT PRINCE’S TRUST TENTH ANNUAL CLAY PIGEON SHOOT

Aberdeen-based Knight Property Group joined over 350 sporting enthusiasts, leading business figures and celebrities to help raise £160,000 for The Prince’s Trust at the charity’s tenth annual Clay Pigeon Shoot.

NEW HEAD OF CORPORATE BANKING FOR HSBC IN SCOTLAND

HSBC today unveiled Doug Baikie as its new Head of Corporate Banking for Scotland.

Student Property Awards Opens Doors Says Former Winner

As a Dundee University student is named as the recipient of a major award by a leading property industry organisation, the prize’s first ever winner has been reflecting on what the win meant for her and her career.

LONG STANDING NORWEGIAN CONNECTION IS IMPORTANT TO NORTH EAST BUSINESS

Scotland’s links with Scandinavia, and Norway in particular, date back many hundreds of years and the Norse connection has influenced us in many different ways in language and culture.

QUARTET OF ABERDEIN CONSIDINE STAFF ATTAIN FINANCIAL SECTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Leading Aberdeen-based law firm Aberdein Considine & Company has announced that four members of its staff have achieved new industry qualifications ahead of schedule.

Ritson Smith continues growth of Corporate Finance business with senior appointment

Aberdeen headquartered Ritson Smith, chartered accountants and business advisers, have announced the appointment of Jacqui Taylor as an assistant director within Corporate Finance with effect from 18rd August 2010

Subsea 7 Provides New Offices for JDRF Scotland Team

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is delighted to announce that Subsea 7, one of the world’s leading subsea engineering and construction companies, has recently given JDRF’s expanding Scotland fundraising team a new home within one of its Aberdeen worksites.

TECHNIP RAISES £30,000 IN SUCCESSFUL CYCLE FOR CORNERSTONE

A SHATTERED but jubilant ‘Team Technip’ cycled back into Westhill on Friday, August 20th, their efforts reflected in the fantastic £30,000 raised for leading Scottish charity Cornerstone.

$4MILLION ACHIEVEMENT FOR EQUIPMENT SALES TEAM

The Equipment Sales team at leading international oilfield services company Expro is pleased to announce it has sold a burner boom system to an oil and gas operator for more than $2.4million and achieved further sales worth more than $2million.

BP Deploying Advanced Unmanned Water Quality Monitoring Vehicles in Gulf of Mexico

THEODORE, AL - As part of its long term monitoring and research program in the Gulf of Mexico, BP is deploying a new technology that will enable nearly constant monitoring by two satellite-controlled, unmanned vehicles.

Technology…the biggest distraction in the workplace?

Businesses are being warned to ensure they have guidelines in place for misuse of technology in the workplace after reports that people are spending more than half the day using technology.

G Casino Charity Press Release

On September 22nd G Casino's will begin a challenge that will see individual employees from each casino cycle across the UK.

Shell and Cosan sign joint venture

A US$12-billion joint venture between Shell International Petroleum Company Limited (Shell) and Cosan S.A. (Cosan) moved closer to reality today when the two companies signed binding agreements.

New Sales Manager Affirms Red Spider’s commitment to Norway

Red Spider Technology AS, the remote open close technology specialists serving the international oil & gas industry, reinforces its commitment to Norway with the appointment of Oddvar Dalane as sales manager Scandinavia.

G Casino News

On September 22nd G Casino's will begin a challenge that will see individual employees from each casino cycle across the UK.

Senergy Appoints High-Profile Managing Director to drive company’s growth in Norway

Global diversified energy services company Senergy today announces the appointment of a high-profile oil and gas industry figure to head up its expanding Norway operation which is expected to double in size over the next two years.

Senergy announces second drilling project with Noreco

Senergy, a global specialist in diversified energy services, is set to commence work on a second exploration well in Norway for Norwegian Energy Company ASA (Noreco). The company has also been contracted to support Noreco’s exploration activities in Denmark.

Take the Eco-Driving Challenge!

The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre North East will be attending the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Open Doors Day on Friday 27th August.

Thainstone Exchange To Host Return Visit of Country Music Star

Country music fans will be beating a path to Thainstone Exchange later this year when the venue plays host to one of Ireland’s most popular stars.

Cooking with Oil & Gas - Support CLAN

This is a cookbook with a difference. There are 14 starters, 14 mains and 14 desserts including sticky toffee pudding!

PETROFAC INTRODUCES NEW NEBOSH-ACCREDITED INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE IN OIL & GAS OPERATIONAL SAFETY

Petrofac, the international oil & gas facilities service provider, announces that its Training Services business has been accredited to deliver the new NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil & Gas Operational Safety course and is the sole accredited provider of this course in Scotland.

BP Reports Nearly $400 Million in Claims Payments as Program Transitions to GCCF

HOUSTON - BP, which has transitioned its individual and business claims program to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), said today it made claim payments of nearly $400 million during the 16 weeks it managed claims related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

EUROPEAN DEMAND FOR EXPRO’S MARKET-LEADING SUBSEA SAFETY SYSTEMS

Leading international oilfield service company Expro announces today that it has secured 10 subsea contracts in its Europe CIS region for work in 2010 and 2011.

Steven represents Scotland in Japan

Junior Chamber International’s (JCI Aberdeen) Vice President Steven Wilson has won a place at the elite World General Assembly to represent the 72 delegates from the JCI European Academy who gathered recently in Gothenburg, Sweden from 22 countries. He will carry out this role during the World Congress in Osaka, Japan in November.

AECC hosts Energy Ball for Third Consecutive Year

The in-house teams at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) again ensured the smooth running and successful delivery of the Press & Journal Energy Ball on Saturday 21st August 2010.

Aberdeen Man runs 100 miles in an inspiring challenge for Cancer Charity

An Aberdeen man has completed the gruelling challenge of running 100 miles in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Aberdeen Airport has a new Managing Director - and he is ready for a challenge.

Derek Provan has recently been appointed into the top job, after a meteoric rise within BAA, from fire-fighter to Managing Director in just 12 years.

SME Top 300 Success for Scotland’s Workplace Experts

Scotland’s leading workplace design firm has underscored its impressive growth during the economic downturn by climbing more than 100 places on a prestigious business list.

Multi million pound contracts secured by Craig International Supplies

Craig International Supplies (CIS), a division of global shipping and energy services firm Craig Group, has secured contract renewals estimated to be worth £35 million over the next five years.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP increases profitability

SCOTTISH regional law firm Ledingham Chalmers has reported a modest increase in net profits, as it confirms steady financial results for another financial year, despite the continuing impact of economic uncertainty across UK business.

Riverview Drive to close during resurfacing work

Riverview Drive will be closed between its junctions with Todlaw Walk and Netherview Avenue for up to a week from Monday [23 August] while resurfacing work is carried out.

PetroChallenge is back with a bang

AN INNOVATIVE educational event based on simulating the oil and gas industry returns to the school calendar and its back bigger and better than ever before.

CSL Team Up with Transition Extreme for Envirowalk 2010

Local charity and social enterprise, Transition Extreme is holding its second annual environmental clean up walk thanks to sponsorship from project management and engineering company, CSL.

A major forthcoming food tourism event is the TanaLonga taking place in Glen Tanar on Sunday, 26 September.

Full details are at www.discoverroyaldeeside.com/TanaLonga/ Tickets are now on sale. Please promote this event to your visitors and feel free to forward this e mail on. Tickets are expected to sell fast and the event will be popular to both locals and visitors.

Innovative solutions on show for Expro at ONS, Stavanger

Leading international oilfield service company Expro will be demonstrating its investment in new technologies at this year’s Offshore Northern Seas (ONS), Stavanger (24-27 August 2010).

Knight Frank markets new units for let at Balmacassie Industrial Estate, Ellon

Aberdeen, UK – Knight Frank has been appointed by Lawrence Milne, a local painting and decorating business, to market new industrial units at Balmacassie Industrial Estate, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeen Business Women up for Scottish Awards

Five North East business women are in the running for an award at The Association of Scottish Business Women (ASB) awards ceremony to be hosted at Elphinstone Hall in Aberdeen on Friday 27th August 2010.

Aberdeen Airport appoints a new Managing Director

BAA has this morning announced the appointment of a new Managing Director for Aberdeen Airport.

Aberdeen architecture students help realise Dehli dreams

Students are frequently castigated for enjoying overly long and unproductive holidays. However, a group of altruistic students from Aberdeen’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment are set to defy this stereotype, as they head off to India this summer to design a school for a charity.

New park and ride site plans approved

Plans for a new park and ride site in the north-west of Aberdeen have been backed by councillors.

New hotel plans for Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Aberdeen city councillors have reaffirmed their commitment to Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre – and have agreed to investigate new ways of creating a four-star hotel at the venue.

Space Solutions and Boroughmuir RFC Announce New Sponsorship

Scotland’s leading workplace design firm as agreed a deal to become an official sponsor of one of Edinburgh’s top amateur rugby clubs.

Former Angus Director to take up interim role at Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Council has announced the appointment of a former Director at Angus Council as its interim Director of Education, Learning and Leisure.

Chemicals Specialist Announces Record Growth

Aubin, a leading independent supplier of specialist chemicals to the oil & gas industry, has reported major year-on-year growth, recording a rise in turnover of more than 30% to £4.3million for 2009/10 (year end July).

B974 Strachan - Fettercairn road has been voted 8th best driving road

The B974 Strachan-Fettercairn road has been voted the 8th best driving road in the UK in a survey of over 3,000 motorists and motorcycle riders.

BP Readies for Transfer to Gulf Coast Claims Facility as Claim Payouts Top $368 Million

HOUSTON - BP's claims team, which has paid $368 million to individuals and businesses, is in the final stages of preparing to transfer responsibility for individual and business claims related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) on August 23.

BP Exploration awards Welltec exclusive Well Tractor contract

Welltec is proud to announce the recent award of an exclusive contract with North Sea Operator BP Exploration for the provision of Well Tractor Services in the UK.

Hundreds of Highland pupils to explore energy challenges

The energy challenges we face now and in the future will be explored by hundreds of school pupils from across the Highlands next week.

Myth of a ‘heroic’ Hitler whose First World War experience led him to power dispelled by new book

Previously unpublished photo of Adolf Hitler available

Retirement Age Outrage for Businesses

The retirement age will be abolished next year, forcing businesses to keep ageing employees indefinitely. Although a review of the retirement age was expected, the sudden announcement has shocked the business community.

SCOTLAND'S TOP THREE SEASIDE TOWNS WITH THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE ARE ALL IN ABERDEENSHIRE

The Bank of Scotland Seaside Town Review tracks where living standards are highest in Scotland by ranking local performance across key indicators of the labour market, the housing market, the environment, education and health. Twenty eight coastal towns in Scotland have been included in this survey

Aiken Group Makes Key Appointments

Aberdeen-based Aiken Group has just announced the addition of four key members of staff to the growing team.

EXPRO ANNOUNCES CHARLES WOODBURN AS NEW CEO

Leading international oilfield service company Expro today announces it has appointed Charles Woodburn as Chief Executive Officer.

GLOBAL NETWORK SECURES PIPE BIN DEAL FOR OEG OFFSHORE

Aberdeen-based oil services group OEG Offshore (OEG) has won a £290,000 ($450,000 USD) deal with Texan drilling rig components manufacturer National Oilwell Varco (NOV).

Figures released by Aberdeen City Council based on statistics supplied by Aberdeen Solicitors’ Property Centre Limited relating to the Aberdeen housing market area (AHMA) for the second quarter of 2010 have just been released. The key changes disclosed are:-

Last chance to sign up for oil and gas technology challenge workshop

- major funding opportunity available -

Oil and gas technology inventors interested in tackling the challenge of produced fluids management are urged to attend a special workshop in Aberdeen on Wednesday August 18th.

BP Products and OSHA Settle 270 Citations at Texas City

BP Products North America Inc. (BP) and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have reached a settlement to resolve 270 of the 709 citations that OSHA issued to BP at its Texas City Refinery in October 2009.

Aberdeen-based Survival Craft wins lifeboat upgrade contracts worth £5 million

Aberdeen-headquartered Survival Craft Inspectorate Ltd (Survival Craft) has won offshore contracts potentially worth a total of £5 million to supply new lifeboats that meet key health and safety upgrade requirements.

RBG CHIEF TO ADDRESS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN ABERDEEN

THE chief executive of RBG Limited, Dave Workman, will be the guest speaker at the third seminar of 2010 hosted by the Young Professionals in Oil and Gas (YPOG) on Thursday August 26.

Award-winning arts luminary appointed Head of Gray's School of Art

Professor Paul Harris, a British Academy and Scottish BAFTA award-winning photographer and film-maker, has been appointed as the new Head of Robert Gordon University's Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen.

In Bloom judges visit Dyce

The efforts of the Dyce community to make the area blooming lovely will be assessed by Britain in Bloom judges tomorrow [Thursday, 12 August].

Take Advice To See How Refits Can Be Less Taxing

Companies are being urged to move quick to take advantage of little known new tax changes that can allow them to give their premises a much needed facelift and help drive forward growth.

Indigo Technologies Secures £107k New Business

Indigo Technologies (Indigo), an Aberdeen-based information technology specialist, has secured a raft of new contract wins estimated to be worth in excess of £100k from companies in the shipping, finance and oil and gas sectors.

How the birth of the railway won wars, to be explored at event

How the birth of the railways shaped how wars were fought and won, will be the subject of a public event in London next month.

Cabinet Secretary Views University's Campus Development

Mike Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, will see at first hand the beginning of enabling works for Robert Gordon University's £170 million development of its Garthdee campus today (11th August 2010).

MINI RAFFLE SET TO DRIVE FORWARD BEFRIEND A CHILD FUNDRAISING EFFORT

Tickets have gone on-sale for a North-east childrens’ charity’s raffle – which will see one lucky winner pick up the keys to a brand new car.

M a r k e t B u l l e t i n MONDAY 9 AUGUST 2010

This weekly Briefing Note aims to pick out some of the key financial and economic issues touched on in the press over

recent days and from time to time includes the views of some of our independent fund managers.

Shanghai calling: Oriental adventure awaits Westhill student

A surveying student at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has won a unique opportunity to study at a University in China for three weeks over the summer break.

EXTREME

EXTREME is led by Aberdeen City Council's Arts Education Team in partnership with The National Theatre of Scotland and Transition Extreme Sports Ltd.

On his bike

One of the most unusual sights at the Banchory Show wasn’t to be found amongst the animals, farm machinery or even the craft section.

New exhibit puts gallery in a Spin

A stunning piece of artwork created by one of the world’s leading glass artists will go on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery next week.

Pitmedden Road to close for repairs

The C55c Pitmedden Road will be closed between its junctions with Dyce Drive and the U58c Caskieben road for up to a week from Wednesday while emergency carriageway repairs are made.

University launches new construction dispute resolution qualification

The Department of Law at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, is launching a new qualification as part of its highly successful online LLM/MSc Construction Law and Arbitration course.

PETROFAC AWARDED WATER INJECTION PROJECT WITH KUWAIT OIL COMPANY

Petrofac, the international oil & gas facilities service provider, announces that it has been awarded a KD123 million (approximately US$430 million) contract by Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for the engineering, procurement and construction of effluent water and central sea water injection facilities.

STUDENTS SKY-DIVE FOR MAGGIES

Three students from Robert Gordon University hope to raise around £3,000 for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres by attempting a Sky-Dive.

SUBSEA 7 ANNOUNCES $100M NORTH SEA CONTRACT

Subsea 7 Inc (OSE Symbol: SUB), one of the world's leading subsea engineering and construction companies, announced today that it has been awarded a contract in the UK sector of the North Sea valued in excess of US $100 million.

OFFSHORE SOLUTIONS WINS GDF SUEZ ‘GRAND PRIX DE L’INNOVATION’ AWARD

Offshore Solutions B.V. (OSBV), market leader in the invention, development, manufacture and safe operation of the industry’s most advanced marine access systems, is celebrating another significant achievement in the operation of the Offshore Access System (OAS*).

BP names Mike Utsler its representative to Unified Area Command in New Orleans; Suttles returning to COO role in Houston

NEW ORLEANS - BP announced today the appointment of Mike Utsler as BP's lead representative in the Unified Area Command (UAC) here and as chief operating officer for the BP Gulf Coast Restoration Organization.

SUPPORTERS GET THE BALL ROLLING FOR LOCAL KIDS

Northsound’s Cash for Kids charity has got the ball rolling on its latest campaign – collecting sports balls for local disadvantaged youngsters.

GETABOUT GO FULL STEAM AHEAD WITH NEW RAIL GUIDE

A NEW guide designed to put rail services in the North-east right on track has been now officially been launched.

REAPIT PROVIDES TOP BUSINESS SERVICES FOR TOP BUSINESSES!

Reapit, a leading provider of sales and lettings software, is continuing to support more and more businesses in Scotland, concentrating on providing expert software for estate and lettings agents during the tough market conditions.