Good, Bad, Cuba, China

Things are looking good for the rig count in the US, up 18 which is a good sign, and also there are 2 shiny new drillships out.

However, things are a bit different elsewhere particularly for Jack ups, with Northern offshore cold stacking the Energy Exerter. I've always thought that Northern Offshore have struggled a bit since they bought those rigs from Maersk, victims of bad timing maybe, as they lost a few contracts just as the oil price died.

Although I can't claim much in the way of prescience, an interesting article in Rigzone appeared talking about the political fight that's going to kick off around Cuba's oil field. My guess is that the American government will cave in and compete with their own drilling programme there, but that the Florida state won't be too happy about it. Things could get pretty interesting, especially if there are substantial amounts of oil there.

Finally, The Chinese are spending money on oil comapnies - nothing unusual there, but it is odd, as they are buying YPF , the Argentinian Oil Company. They don't have much in the way of reserves. Again, this is purely speculation on my part, but it gives China a convenient power block beside some of the major oilfields, and they will be able to make some political capital out of the reasonably strong ties between Brazil and Argentina. Plus, they'll probably be able to make some money purely by virtue of having stacks of useful equipment right beside Brazil's new sub-salt layer.

As usual, below are my available jobs. If you're interested in applying for any of the positions, please email me at mb.oilblog@googlemail.com with a copy of your CV. If you fit the bill, I'll get back to you, but we get a lot of applicants, so please don't be offended if I don't get back in touch straight away. Jobs today are:

- Marine Engineer - PSV - North Sea - Bergen B and Star information experience. STCW95 - at least 2nd Engineer
- Process Engineers - Residential - London/South East UK.
- Subsea Engineers - New Semis/Drillships - Brazil- Barge Master - Day rate - accomodation barge - South East Asia and Angola.

Brazil, Cuba and unfounded rumours

More news from Cuba here, reflecting the need for Americans to do something about it, whether they help the Cubans or drill themselves, some effort will need to be made soon.

I also noticed America are lending a significant pile of cash to the Brazilians link here. I reckon there are 2 reasons for this - first of all to get their hands on some of the oil once it comes back, but also to try and put one over on China, who have been pouring money to Brazil as well. Good Economist articlehere.

I heard an interesting story today, which I am not sure if it is true or not, concerning Transocean. The rumour mill says that they bought GSF purely for a patent on a double derrick rig which was in dispute between the 2 companies, and they had already intended to cut back on their Jack up operations, to focus on deepwater drilling. This isn't actually that groundbreaking, Ensco, and various other companies are doing the same.
The knock on effect for Transocean is that they are turning down work for Jack ups at good day rates (rumour says one operator had offered them $150k per day for one of the GSF Jack ups!), and are stacking rigs instead.

It's their company, so of course they can do what they like, but there are plenty of unhappy employees at Transocean at the moment, most of them ex-GSF.

As usual, below are my available jobs. If you're interested in applying for any of the positions, please email me at mb.oilblog@googlemail.com with a copy of your CV. If you fit the bill, I'll get back to you, but we get a lot of applicants, so please don't be offended if I don't get back in touch straight away.
Jobs today are:

- Driller, Toolpusher, Maintenance Supervisor, Mechanic, Electrician - Workover Offshore -India. - Still looking for people.
- Process Engineers - Residential - London/South East UK.
- Subsea Engineers - New Semis/Drillships - Brazil
- Barge Master - Day rate - accomodation barge - South East Asia and Angola.

Please feel free to apply. I am in particular keen on Indian nationals for my workover roles, so please do pass my details on.