Express Energy Services has introduced a newly developed, integrated work station for offshore plug and abandonment (P&A) and decommissioning operations along with new mechanical cutting tool technologies. The system is currently operational in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Energy Industries Council (EIC), a trade association for UK companies that supply goods and services to the energy industries worldwide, has appointed The Right Honourable the Lord Howell of Guildford as president. Lord Howell is a senior member of the House of Lords, and has held ministerial positions for Energy, Transport and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in two Conservative Governments.

Gulfstream Services Inc. (GSI), an oilfield rental company providing high pressure equipment for the international oil and gas industry, has named Billy Marcel as manager of global operations – decommissioning services division.

Unimin Corp. has opened its newest proppant distribution terminal in Lubbock, TX to serve hydraulic fracturing operations in the North Permian basin and northern sections of the Cline shale.

As the balance of power in the oil industry shifts from large international oil companies (IOCs) to national oil companies (NOCs), business models for players throughout the industry are shifting in response.

Knowledge Reservoir, a global energy consulting company, has been acquired by RPS Group plc (RPS).

Complementary to its strategy to develop deep water solutions and grow its operations in North America, Clariant Oil Services has agreed to acquire certain Gulf of Mexico assets from Ecolab Inc.

The Independent Producers Association of America (IPAA) has launched a new educational campaign, Energy Tax Facts. This campaign and website (http://energytaxfacts.com) will explain the often complicated tax provisions and policies that apply to American independent producers.

A recent University of Texas poll asked respondents what they thought about a variety of energy issues, not the least of which was hydraulic fracturing. Interestingly, the poll actually shows how anti-energy activists are losing in their misinformation campaign against responsible shale development.