Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK) back issues from April 2007:
Fuel poverty hits 3m households
Apr 02, 2007 ... More than 1.7million new households have been plunged into fuelpoverty in the past two years as utility bills soar. According to a report commissioned by the Energy EfficiencyPartnership for Homes (EEPH), at the moment nearly 3millionhouseholds spend more than 10% of their income ...
Sorting finances needn't be taxing
Apr 02, 2007; ... This week sees the end of the tax year and, for many people, thiswill mean the annual exercise of juggling finances to make the mostof the various allowances and exemptions available. Tax matters can be complicated at times so I have summarised someof the areas I am asked about ...
Mortgage and assurance policy
Apr 02, 2007 ... - I have a level term assurance policy that will pay outpounds100,000 on my death, which I took out to cover my mortgage. Ihave recently increased the mortgage to pounds150,000. Can I increasemy existing policy to match this? - J.K., Aberdeen. - Glyn Clarke, of Bates Investment ...
Over-50s fear for children's pensions
Apr 02, 2007 ... More than half of over-50s think it will be more difficult fortheir children to build up a pension, according to a recent report. New research from Scottish Widows indicated babyboomers believedthemselves to be the lucky generation in terms of accruing retirementsavings. Just ...
Challenge of adding to children's savings
Apr 02, 2007 ... Fewer than a fifth of single parents are able to make regularpayments into a child's saving account compared to almost half of allcouples, it has been claimed. Research found 17% of lone parents made regular contributions to achild trust fund or other savings account in the last ...
Employers must get tax paperwork in order
Apr 02, 2007; ... With the end of the current tax year fast approaching, now is thetime for employers to prepare for the year-end reporting imposed uponthem by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Special rules apply to employers making payments to theiremployees in addition to their normal wages or ...
Budget will result in more people seeking lower rates
Apr 02, 2007 ... The big financial news recently has been the Budget. Although there wasn't that much in it that directly affectedmortgages, the overall effect of tax changes does influence how muchwe all have to spend and therefore how affordable our mortgage is. The headlines all seemed to ...
Millions fail to prepare for rainy day
Apr 02, 2007 ... Millions of Britons are failing to put aside enough money to coverthemselves in the case of a financial emergency or unforeseen cost,according to new research. The Birmingham Midshires study indicated that around 80% of peoplebelieved they would face difficulties supporting their ...
New move will force refund of 'unfair' loan-protection fee
Apr 02, 2007 ... Insurers will be forced to offer "fair" refunds to consumers whocancel payment protection insurance (PPI) under a deal announced bythe City regulator. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has reached agreement withrepresentatives of the controversial PPI market which will mean ...
Charities braced for fall in income following tax cut As the dust settles on the chancellor's little red case and the implications of the Budget are fully digested, Derek Buchan, senior manager of private client services at Deloitte in Aberdeen, looks at the impact of the reduction in the basic rate of income tax
Apr 02, 2007 ... As the dust settles on the chancellor's little red case and theimplications of the Budget are fully digested, Derek Buchan, seniormanager of private client services at Deloitte in Aberdeen, looks atthe impact of the reduction in the basic rate of income tax While many people will ...
Insurers ignoring speeding fines
Apr 02, 2007 ... Speeding offences are now so common a number of insurers areignoring them as an underwriting tool, according to motor insurancecomparison website Gocompare.com The growing number of speed cameras coupled with authorities'determination to prosecute even minor speeding incidents has ...
Late opening
Apr 02, 2007 ... Barclays Bank at 163/165 Union Street, Aberdeen, is staying opentill 7pm tonight ...
Trying to calm the waves of change, canute style
Apr 02, 2007 ... This week, I am legging it to Lochaber, resplendent in a KingCanute costume, to be installed on a throne on the shores of LochLinnhe where I can holler "whoa, wait, think about it" at the wavesbefore a tsunami of change comes crashing through Fort William andsweeps it all ...
Dundee storm through as Gray leads the way
Apr 02, 2007 ... Winger Dougie Gray snapped up a hat-trick of tries as Dundee HSFPstrounced Biggar 62-10 in the National Cup quarter-finals at Mayfield. The Taysiders also broke through via Mike Kerr, Mark Jenkinson, JJvan der Esch, Lindsay Graham, Neil Dymock, Alan Hay and ...
North sides find it tough on road
Apr 02, 2007 ... Northern hopefuls from National League 2 both came a cropper onthe road on Saturday against promotion seeking sides in the division. Caithness travelled to Annan and according to coach Colin Sangstergave a good account of themselves, but still lost 28-6, handing thehome side ...
Forrest dismissal sparks Ellon win
Apr 02, 2007 ... Ellon 25 Musselburgh 18 ELLON completed their home league programme in Premiership 3 when, despite being reduced to 14 men after only 10 minutes, they out comfortable winners against promoted Musselburgh, who scraped alate losing bonus point. The sending-off of centre ...
Stornaway take top honours in the cup
Apr 02, 2007 ... Stornaway 20 Orkney 3 STORNAWAY emerged as worthy winners of a highly entertaining BrinCup final at Invergordon on Saturday. Leading Orkney 8-3 after a closely contested first half, the westcoast side pulled away to run out 20-3 winners. Stornaway's three tries ...
Gordonians close in on the 700 points mark
Apr 02, 2007 ... Gordonians kept their run going at Moray in Caledonia League 2(North), running out 41-10 winners to leap 12 points ahead of second-placed RAF Kinloss and with one game to play can take their pointstotal beyond 700 in their title winning year. Aberdeen Wanderers kept up the ...
Today
Apr 02, 2007 ... Soccer: Barclays Premiership, Aston Villa v Everton - SkySports 2 7.30pm. CRICKET: World Cup Super Eight from Antigua, Bangladesh v ...
Invasor has classic touch
Apr 02, 2007 ... William Hill makes Invasor the 3-1 favourite to land back-to-backBreeders' Cup Classics later in the year after his thrilling successover Premium Tap in the 6million Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained five-year-old reeled in his rivaldown the home ...
Master Mariners are summoned
Apr 02, 2007 ... Master mariners in the north and north-east, unite. That is the message from the Aberdeen "outport" of the HonourableCompany of Master Mariners (HCMM). It's a London livery company based on Wellington, a ship mooredpermanently at the Victoria Embankment. Capt Jim ...
Castlegate's selection
Apr 02, 2007 ... Kelso: 2.20 NOIR ET VERT (nap), 2.50 Young Albert, 3.20 AnnibaleCaro (nb), 3.50 High Expectations, 4.20 Wally Wonder, 4.50 BafanaBoy, 5.20 Kiora Bay SOUTHWELL: 2.30 Geoffdaw, ...
Fort line up talks aimed at solving their pitch problem
Apr 02, 2007; ... Premier Division champions Fort William will meet Highland Councilthis week to discuss the spending of pounds75,000 on their troubledAn Aird ground, which has finally staged its first home game of theseason. Club president Richard Gall said: "It's a huge relief to getplaying at ...
- oil&gas -
Apr 02, 2007 ... April April 2-3: 2nd China Offshore Summit 2007, Beijing, China.Organiser: Global Leaders Institute - e-mailalex.gu@globaleaders.com. URL: www.globaleaders.com/en/2007/cos.asp April 3-5: The 4th China International Offshore Oil & GasExhibition (CIOOE), Beijing, China ....
Optimus a growing force
Apr 02, 2007 ... The perception in the industry is that Optimus is just one or twoguys working on their own - which it was for several years - when weare now an experienced multi-discipline team of 20 Optimus (Aberdeen) founder Ian Bell OPTIMUS (Aberdeen) Ltd has gone from strength to strength ...
Ascent stake a second solar investment for hydro
Apr 02, 2007 ... Hydro of Norway is putting up 9.2million to take a 23% stake inAscent Solar Technologies, the attraction being that the Americancompany has developed a super thin and flexible solar-celltechnology. Ascent Solar's solar cells are extremely thin. The active layerthat converts ...
Subsea compression could save packet at ormen lange
Apr 02, 2007 ... The partners in Norway's Ormen Lange project are to plough some400million into a subsea compression station for the huge gas fielddevelopment. Success will mean a halving of costs compared with the traditionalapproach where compression facilities are located on a ...
Emerald field a jewel for atp?
Apr 02, 2007 ... There is Stateside speculation that US independent ATP Oil & Gasis preparing to redevelop the former UK North Sea Emerald field (nownamed Cheviot) located in blocks 2/10 and 2/15 in the East ShetlandBasin. The field was originally developed on a shoestring by MSR ...
Russian legislation out to restrict foreign investment
Apr 02, 2007 ... Colleagues in our Moscow office have brought me up to date withthe latest proposals in Vladimir Putin's campaign to re-establishstate control of strategic areas of the Russian economy, includingoil&gas resources, and on the proposed changes to subsoil laws. In 2005, President Putin ...
Rocksource awards emgs seabed logging contract
Apr 02, 2007 ... A Substantial slice of the Norwegian Continental Shelf is to besurveyed this summer using EM (electromagnetic) technology offered byElectroMagnetic GeoServices (emgs). Client Rocksource says this will enable a large number ofprospects to be tested and that results from the campaign ...
Hydrocarbon mapping - the prize is simply enormous
Apr 02, 2007 ... The Aberdeen-based Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) hasissued a new call for proposals that challenges researchers to thinkbeyond current limits and propose projects that will significantlychange the industry's ability to "see" hydrocarbon reserves. With the increased focus on ...
Bureaucratic pressure risks itie
Apr 02, 2007 ... That both Dick Winchester and I have chosen to comment in thisissue on the latest crisis to envelop Scotland's bold and still youngpounds450million ITI (Intermediary Technology Institute) adventure isa measure of how seriously we view the situation. THAT both Dick Winchester and I ...
Hamstrung by bureaucratic bungling?
Apr 02, 2007; ... A Bold pounds15million Intermediary Technology Institute forEnergy (ITIE) renewables technologies project designed to ensureScotland takes the lead in floating wind turbine and wave powergeneration hybrids has been knocked back by its parent ITI Scotlandboard. Energy can disclose ...
Iti main board blocked orangutan
Apr 02, 2007 ... The Iti Scotland board has been taken to task at least once beforebecause of its failure to see the value of an ITIE project proposal. Late last year, ITIE had sought approval for development of anautonomous tower climbing system for wind turbine maintenance. The design ...
Pregnancy no career barrier
Apr 02, 2007; ... It Might come as a surprise to many in the male-dominated energyindustry, but being pregnant or a new mother does not prevent womenfrom working and developing their career. With one of the finalists in the most recent UKOOA Pearl Awardsfor overall excellence being a female drilling ...
UK marine bill a good idea - but now the debate begins
Apr 02, 2007 ... Everyone is in favour of the marine bill which is currently beingconsulted on by the UK Government, working closely with the ScottishExecutive. In favour, that is, in principle. The detail is unlikelyto attract such unanimity. How could anyone be against the principle? The ...
Easy-over luquette for breakfast bash
Apr 02, 2007 ... A Laconic character familiar to the North Sea oil&gas community isgiving a breakfast speech next month just ahead of the 2007 OffshoreTechnology Conference in Houston. Gary Luquette, who used to be Chevron's Aberdeen-based NW Europeboss, will be speaking at the annual ...
We have the power - well almost
Apr 02, 2007 ... E.on and Lunar Energy are planning to develop a tidal stream powerproject of up to 8MW (eight megawatts) in the sea off the UK westcoast, based on a device under development by Rotech Engineering inAberdeen. However, the partners are keeping exactly where under wraps ....
Scotland 'could plug UK energy gap' 100%
Apr 02, 2007 ... Britain faces an "energy gap" where demand outstrips supply by31.5% at peak by 2020, according to Kieron Brennan, energy andutilities MD at IT/business services group LogicaCMG. Moreover, Scotland could be transformed from being a net exporterof electricity to an importer, he ...
Pgs signs long-term deal with Japanese ministry
Apr 02, 2007 ... Norwegian geoscience company PGS has signed up to a heads ofagreement with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) for a long-term co-operation agreement which will include the213millioin sale and flag change of the 3D seismic vessel, RamformVictory, and the ...
Aberdeen company powers ahead
Apr 02, 2007 ... Oceanteam Power & Umbilical of Aberdeen has secured a 25million-plus euros contract with power company E.ON for the installation ofthe submarine cabling for the Robin Rigg windfarm on the SolwayFirth. The 60-turbine farm straddles the border between Scotland andEngland and will, ...
BP invests heavily in madrid and Bangalore solar plant expansions
Apr 02, 2007 ... Bp Solar is mounting a two-pronged attack on the fast expandingphotovoltaics market through expansion of its Madrid and Bangaloremanufacturing plant in India. Both will handle so called mega-cells.Under phase 1 of the Madrid expansion, BP Solar is aiming to boostannual cell capacity from ...
Melrose resources an early client
Apr 02, 2007 ... Optimus has been involved with Melrose Resources since 2000 andassisted in the early pre-engineering development of Galata onshorefacilities in Bulgaria. Optimus provided consultancy support during detail design andconstruction, providing commissioning and ongoing operations ...
Maersk getting into its stride
Apr 02, 2007 ... More than 18 months have flown since AP Moller-Maersk purchasedthe bulk of Kerr-McGee's UK North Sea business for 2.95million. Ithas been a hectic period as Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited settlesinto its stride under the leadership of managing director MichaelEngell-Jensen. He ...
Energy gets taken to task
Apr 02, 2007 ... Energy has been taken to task for alleged inaccurate reporting onriots at an oil work camp in Kazakhstan. We are accused ofsensationalism and inaccuracies by Dave McBain, who works in upstreamoil&gas. However, McBain does acknowledge that there have been problems inKazakhstan, ...
All-energy countdown
Apr 02, 2007 ... Take conference sessions on every form of renewable energy source,mix liberally with a major exhibition reflecting activity in thisrapidly expanding industry and add in networking opportunitiesaplenty and you have the recipe for All-Energy '07, the UK's largestrenewable energy exhibition ...
Ten years at amec - and it seems like no time at all
Apr 02, 2007 ... When Amec published its results for 2006, it is likely that mosthard-pressed business-pages journalists did not read past theheadline numbers - group revenues, profits, that sort of thing. Those who had the luxury of time might have discovered the hugecontribution made by the ...
Kenya peddles exploration opportunities
Apr 02, 2007 ... Kenya is keen to play down the setback of the Woodside-ledconsortium dumping its initial offshore exploration programmefollowing the failure of its first deepwater probe, and is reportedto be actively marketing opportunities. However, National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) faces ...
Airtricity gets green light for dalswinton windfarm
Apr 02, 2007 ... Work began a few days ago on Airtricity's third windfarm inScotland, a 30MW windfarm near Dalswinton, 17km north-west ofDumfries. On completion, the project will generate green electricityfor about 18,000 homes. Contracts totalling close to pounds30millionhave just been signed by ...
Innovation constipation
Apr 02, 2007 ... The revelations regarding ITI Energy and the constant interferencein its operations by the ITI Scotland board is bad news. That said,there have been persistent rumours regarding this relationship for along time and suspicion remains that ITI Energy's first CEO, TonyAmor, left, at least ...
Renewables a chance Scotland must not squander
Apr 02, 2007; ... The head of a leading UK wind projects developer has warned thatScotland must grab the opportunity presented by its incrediblenatural competitive advantage to become the "renewable energy heartof Europe". Speaking at the 2007 Scottish Renewables Forum conference inGlasgow, Amec's ...
'It's time to sort out bird issues and power-line problems'
Apr 02, 2007 ... Hodkinson waded into the attack over the delays and confusionssurrounding export of electricity from the controversial 650-megawatt Lewis windfarm project proposed by Amec and partner BritishEnergy. He opened by stating that the joint venture had followed the bookon this ...
Horrendous inflation saps the North Sea
Apr 02, 2007 ... Last month, UKOOA published its annual Activity Survey for 2006,which also includes forecasts of UKCS oil and gas production,expenditure and other variables for the period to 2010. It's a very interesting document and I have made considerable useof it in a current piece of work I ...
Today, tomorrow, together
Apr 02, 2007 ... March saw FPAL celebrating its 10th anniversary in style atAberdeen University's Elphinstone Hall. The event, which proved to bea huge success, was held in collaboration with Gray's School of Art -The Robert Gordon University, which held an exhibition of speciallycommissioned paintings ...
Swedish PhD presents a compelling peak oil picture
Apr 02, 2007; ... A University of Uppsala PhD thesis presents tantalising evidencethat Peak Oil is within sight, not several decades away, with supplybarely capable of pacing rising demand. In his study, Giant Oil Fields - The Highway to Oil, FredrikRobelius points out that there has been a series ...
Directional drilling via coiled tubing a success
Apr 02, 2007 ... Trials with coiled tubing-based directional drilling are beingpioneered in directional wells in Colorado and New Mexico. Speaking at the Intervention & Coiled Tubing Association's (ICoTA)2007 Coiled Tubing and Well Intervention conference at Woodlands,Texas, Tony Pink, drilling ...
Stand-off between Nigg yard owners damaging site's future
Apr 02, 2007 ... The fabrication yard at Nigg was established by Brown and Root inthe early-1970s to build steel jackets and other equipment for theNorth Sea oil&gas boom. It was only expected to operate for a decade or so, but actuallylasted for about 30 years. During that time, it was a very ...
Former fab yard lacks what it takes to be rigs service base
Apr 02, 2007 ... "THE Nigg yard does not have sufficient deep water, except at thetanker jetty for the Talisman oil terminal, which is not suitable forIRM work," says Mackay. "Sufficient deep water could be provided, but at considerableexpense. Why do that, however, given the investment at ...
Beware of Fife energy park - its blandishments may prove serious threat
Apr 02, 2007 ... Mackay is clear that there should be open discussion about theplans for Nigg and, in particular, from where the necessaryinvestment funds will come. "An investment of pounds25-30million is clearly outwith the portauthority's capabilities, which suggests that most of the ...
UK call centres holding their own
Apr 02, 2007 ... Work being switched to India is having little effect on callcentres in the UK, which will provide more than 1million jobs by theend of the year, according to a new report. The industry grew by 6%last year, mainly because of expansion by firms that already havecentres based in this ...
Company is ready to go global
Apr 02, 2007 ... New technology developments are boosting growth at BrinkerTechnology, with the company yesterday reporting it was on target toachieve pounds1.6million turnover this financial year. The company is also to increase its 14-strong workforce with theappointment of project engineers, ...
Subsea players join forces
Apr 02, 2007 ... Oceanteam Power & Umbilical said yesterday that it had signed afive-year agreement with ABB Power Technologies for an integratedsupply and installation service to the growing subsea market. The deal will see the companies combine capabilities for high-voltage submarine power ...
Joint bid to aid employee buyouts
Apr 02, 2007 ... Two funds have joined forces to invest an additionalpounds4million in employee buyouts across the UK. Baxi Partnership Trust, set up 24 years ago, provides funding tohelp businesses become employee-owned. It has now won investmentbacking from the 103-year-old Joseph Rowntree ...
Coastal energy drawing analysts' attention
Apr 02, 2007 ... Shares in oil and gas group Coastal Energy have had a volatile runsince listing on AIM in 2005, partly due to the fact that shares aretightly held, with a free float of around 30%. But the group, which has onshore and offshore operations inThailand, is beginning to draw analysts' ...
Mortgage payers and businesses braced for rate decision
Apr 02, 2007 ... Businesses and homeowners are braced for a possible rise inborrowing costs when the Bank of England reveals its decision oninterest rates on Thursday. Opinion is split over the likely outcome of the monetary policycommittee (MPC) decision. But economists agree that the cost ...