Category Archives: Life Extension

The UK offshore safety regulator has said its initial inquiries into the structural problems at the Thistle platform that led to the sudden evacuation of all 115 workers on board on Monday appear to be specific to that facility.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) said on Wednesday that EnQuest is helping its inspectors with its inquiries.

Lines of inquiry are being identified, an HSE spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The spokesperson added that while HSE does not comment about ongoing investigations: We will encourage EnQuest to provide information if any important safety matters arise that should to be shared, but at present the issues appear to be specific to the Thistle platform.

Yesterday an official with the RMT union called on EnQuest and the North Sea industry to be as open as possible in sharing details about what has happened.

We keep hearing from the industry about the need for learnings, sharing and openness," said Jake Molloy, RMT regional organiser in Aberdeen.

"Well, there are a number of jacket-based platforms in the North Sea are of this advanced age.

If there are learnings to be gained from what happened on Monday, lets hear about them and share them with the operators who have those older platforms."

EnQuest "proactively downmanned" Thistle, in Block 211/18, in what it called a "precautionary move" on Monday.

This followed an inspection of a support element on a redundant subsea storage tank.

Direct oil export was installed on Thistle in 2008 and the crude oil storage tank system, known as COST, was taken out of service.

The platform has been known to workers for years by its nickname "The Black Pig".

Located 200 kilometres north-east of Sumburgh, in the Shetlands, the development was the farthest north the offshore oil and gas industry had ventured by the time it started production in 1978.

Production hit a peak of 125,000 barrels per day in 1982.

When Thistle and the Deveron field were acquired by DNO 20 years later, production averaged 5500 barrels per day, and was declining.

Output is now understood to be less than 4000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

EnQuest said in its 2019 half-year results that Thistle has seen high levels of production and water injection efficiency, without giving specific production numbers.

The 60-slot platform was installed in 160-metre water depths then a record for fixed platforms. The then record-setting 30,600-tonne jacket with four main legs supports 36 modules arranged on three deck levels.

Five years ago, EnQuest launched a 300 million ($470 million) rejuvenation effort, dubbed Thistle LLX (late life extension).

The project was aimed at recovering an additional 35 million barrels of oil from the Thistle and Deveron fields.

Thistle changed hands again in 2004, to Lundin Petroleum, and then, following the demerging of the Swedish independents UK assets in 2010, EnQuest took over as operator.

Some 28 of the 36 modules comprise the production, utilities, drilling systems and facilities. The remaining eight, situated on the south-east end of the installation, contain living quarters, offices, the central control room, the helideck and workshops.

Fluids from the Thistle and Deveron reservoirs exported to the Brent Pipeline System.

Oil is also imported from the Dons field via an eight pipeline and the combined oil production is exported from Thistle platform via 16-inch export pipeline through the Brent Pipeline System to the EnQuest-operated Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland.

The original gas compression system has been decommissioned and gas separated from the oil is now flared.

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HSE: Thistle issues 'appear specific to platform' - Upstream Online

The companys latest drilling program has yielded broad, shallow high-grade intersections that demonstrate the potential for material project life extension.

s () managing director Nic Earner has been appointed to the Board of Minerals Ltd () as a non-executive director.

Earners nomination is in accordance with Alkanes rights under the subscription agreement and underwriting agreement with Genesis Minerals dated August 2, 2019.

Alkane is Genesis largest shareholder, currently holding 15% of the issued capital.

The investment in Genesis remains consistent with Alkanes strategic objective to grow its gold business, both organically through its Tomingley Gold Operations in NSW and through investment in junior Australian gold companies with projects that meet Alkanes investment criteria.

Earner is a chemical engineer with 25 years experience in technical and operational optimisation and managementand has held a number of executive roles in mining and processing.

Last month the company obtained further strong results from regional drilling south of the Tomingley Gold Operations (TGO) in NSW.

The company received further high-grade results from an ongoing 60,000-metre resource definition drilling program on San Antonia and Roswell prospects about 3-4 kilometres south of TGO.

Assays from the second 5,000 metres of this program returned up to 9 metres at 2.33 g/t from 24 metres and 44 metres at 2.76 g/t from 45 metres, including 3 metres at 16.6 g.t from 57 metres at San Antonio.

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Alkane Resources" managing director appointed to Genesis Minerals Board of Directors - Proactive Investors Australia

*Correction appended

Karlee Steele was diagnosed with an aggressive type of melanoma in 2015. Within weeks of the skin cancer forming, it spread to the lymph nodes under her right arm and looked like it might be deadly.

Doctors in Austin initially "said to me, 'OK, well, here's what you got. Here's what's going on,'" Steele said. "'You're probably not going to lose your hair.' But, I was like, 'I don't give a damn about losing my hair. Are you kidding me? I give a damn about losing my life.'"

Steele went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she would undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Before treatment, the tumor located near her right shoulder doubled in size every 10 days. While there, she also got involved with a clinical trial for an immunotherapy drug created by Jim Allison, who leads the immunotherapy program at MD Anderson. He receives funding for his research from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, a state organization that has become an international leader in the field in less than a decade since its creation.

After MD Anderson's aggressive treatment and Allison's drug, Steele has been cancer free for four and a half years, she said.

Next month, Texas voters decide on Proposition 6, a $3 billion bond for CPRIT to continue funding grants and other cancer research initiatives. It would be an extension of the institute's existing $3 billion bond, which voters approved in 2007. That money is expected to run out in 2021.

In the years since opening in 2009, the institute which was plagued during its first few years by a scandal involving mismanagement and poor oversight of spending helped create over 100,000 jobs in the state, invested in 1,500 research initiatives and kick-started 132 clinical drug trials, the organization says. On top of that, the institute has a special focus on cancer prevention in contrast to the federal government, which primarily focuses on research for treating the disease. This focus on prevention, such as grant-funded cancer screenings, is credited by experts with helping lower the state's cancer mortality rate by 8% between 2011 and 2016.

"So, advance (CPRIT) 12 years" the cancer research advancements could be even more revolutionary, Steele said. "If we're not contributing to this $3 billion now, what happens to Texas' (efforts)? We're so large, and we're on the forefront that it's almost like you can't not fund it."

Former State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, saw how radically cancer can change someone's life. In less than two years, he lost his wife and both parents to three different forms of the disease that 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with in their lifetimes.

So when it came time to consider extending funding for CPRIT, it wasn't even a question for him to spearhead the efforts.

"I may not have been touched (by cancer) a whole lot prior to that time, but I certainly had a full dose in 2012 and 2013," said Zerwas, who left his seat three weeks ago for a job at the University of Texas System. "The everyday person, if they haven't been touched yet by it, somehow in their circle of family and friends will be touched by it."

There are more than 100 different types of cancer, each requiring unique treatments.

Brought to MD Anderson from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York in 2012 in part by a $10 million grant from CPRIT, Allison would go on to win the 2018 Nobel prize for physiology and medicine. He won the award for creating a drug that enhances the immune system's ability to fight cancer on its own. It was the same treatment that saved Steele's life.

Allison said the CPRIT funding meant he no longer had to worry about battling for highly competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health.

"Having lived in Texas for a long time and turned to Texas Legislature over these decades, I was surprised that they would pass such a thing, to be honest," Allison said. The stability CPRIT brought also made progressing his work much easier. Federal grants "are fiercely competitive, so it just makes it very difficult to to take on a project that would take more than the cycle of a grant, which is usually three years or something. That really keeps you from taking the long view on" research.

However, in a state that prides itself on having a balanced budget, taking on billions in debt through bonds isn't something that usually attracts a lot of support from Texas Republicans, Zerwas acknowledged. He said CPRIT 12 years ago represented the state's desire to take bold steps in promoting business, science and technology.

The resolution that created CPRIT's latest bond request passed unanimously in the Senate and sailed through the House 132-14 with two present, not voting. Its few critics primarily expressed concerns over the mismanagement and improper spending scandal that dogged the agency in 2013, leading to the resignations of several executives. One of them was also indicted but later acquitted.

"While well-intentioned, CPRIT has not been a good steward of taxpayer dollars and cancer research is not a core function of government," the hardline conservative group Empower Texans wrote in its voter guide for the constitutional election.

But Zerwas said changes to the executive team of CPRIT, including hiring CEO Wayne Roberts, have resulted in better management and improved vetting of grant proposals since the scandal.

"When you're dealing with the size of these grants and distributions and it being public money and in fact money that you're issuing debt, you can't be too careful about that," Zerwas said. "They went through that, and they've emerged even stronger."

Medical research can be a lucrative area that leads many research institutes to be self-sufficient, but Zerwas, an anesthesiologist, said CPRIT's focus on doing base-level research, which is necessary but often not as profitable, means it needs occasional state support to stay on the leading edge.

Roberts said the agency, if Proposition 6 passes, is looking at spending the next 10 years expanding its areas of focus, including looking into childhood cancers, which are rare, making drugs for them incredibly expensive to research and produce, as well as Texas-focused issues, like the state's high incidence of liver cancer.

"If we don't get it, we run out of money," Roberts said. But he added: "If we're fortunate enough to be reauthorized on November the 5th, we will be taking a very deep dive at this point in time and delving into those and other opportunities."

CPRIT itself, as a state agency, cannot advocate during the upcoming election. Roberts said he worried about low turnout being something that could kill the proposition, but a recent poll suggests widespread support for the ballot measure, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said it is working to promote grassroots efforts in support of CPRIT, too.

"The first 10 years was it was a jumpstart," Zerwas said. "It demonstrated that if we invest money and we bring the brightest minds to the state of Texas and we immerse them in the culture that we have in terms of treatment of cancer ... we're going to make some discoveries, and we're going to find some cures and treatments for some of these very elusive diseases out there."

Disclosure: MD Anderson Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the surname of Wayne Roberts.

Read related Tribune coverage

Continued here:

Texas voters could give cancer research organization $3 billion in November - The Texas Tribune

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LozengesOther

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Human UseVeterinary

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Table Of Content:1. Introduction2. Research Methodology3. Report Summary4. Oral Probitoics Market Overview-Introduction-Drivers-Restraints-Industry Trends-Porter& Five Forces Analysis-SWOT Analysis5. Oral Probitoics Market Review, By Product Lozenges, Other6. Oral Probitoics Market Summary, By Application Human Use, Veterinary7. Oral Probitoics Market Outline, By Region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa8. Competitive Overview9. Company Profiles: NatureWise, Now Foods, DS Healthcare, Higher Nature, NutriPreme, Candidabiotix, Hyperbiotics, Jarrow Formulas, Life Extension, Natren, UltraCruz, Aqua Flora10. Appendix

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The FTSE 100 had a steady day on Wednesday as traders tried to take stock of a whirlwind week in Westminster as Brexit creaks ever closer.

The leading London index closed the day up 48.25 points at 7,260.74 staying above the opening level for the majority of the day.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson getting agreement in principle for his Brexit deal from MPs, but not the fast turnaround he desired, markets appeared to agree that an October 31 deadline is looking far from likely.

David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said: The possibility of a no-deal Brexit seems to have been greatly reduced, which is music to dealers ears. While there remains a lack of clarity in relation to Brexit, stock markets are likely to meander.

Things havent gone exactly according to plan for Prime Minister Johnson, but the fact that he managed to strike a deal with the EU, and get support for it, suggests that things are heading in the right direction.

Elsewhere in Europe, France and Germany had a less impressive session with the Paris Cac 40 flat and the Frankfurt Dax up 0.34%.

The pound movement against the dollar, which has veered wildly in recent days, ticked up 0.17% to 1.2889 dollars. Against the euro it was up 0.2% at 1.159 euros.

In company news, Mike Ashleys Sports Direct had a double header day.

The firm announced a new auditor in RSM after coming within a whisker of having an auditor appointed by the Government after the Big Four refused to work for Mr Ashleys business.

Sports Direct also used the stock market announcement system to allege that Goals Soccer Centres did not properly consider a possible takeover by the retailer. Shares in Sports Direct closed down 0.8p at 319.2p.

Just Eat investors continued to voice their opposition to a 4.9 billion hostile approach from investment vehicle Prosus.

Aberdeen Standard Investments, which has a 5.2% stake in Just Eat, said to even consider any offer the suitors must increase their offer by at least 20%.

But despite protestations, shares closed up 11.66p at 743.66p suggesting a new bid is to be expected.

Elsewhere, the American investor which pushed the Saatchi brothers out of the advertising company which bore their name has taken a near-700 million stake in Rolls-Royce, as the company struggles with its plane engines.

Harris Associates revealed on Wednesday it had built up a 5% share of the firm, sending shares up 1.8p to 726.6p.

Pub group Fuller, Smith & Turner agreed a 40 million deal to buy Cotswold Inns & Hotels.

Fullers said it has taken control of the hotel-focused business which consists of seven freehold country inns, eight freehold cottages and two leasehold bars in Birmingham. Shares closed down 25p at 1,010p.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were M&G up 11.35p to 214p; Evraz up 12.8p at 393p; Standard Life Aberdeen up 8.1p at 299.6p; CRH up 66p at 2,782p; and Prudential up 33.5p at 1,437p.

The biggest fallers were Royal Bank Scotland down 7p at 233.7p; Hiscox down 44p at 1,480p; London Stock Exchange Group down 198p at 6,936p; Barratt Developments down 16.2p at 652.6p; and Berkeley Group down 104p at 4,437p.

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Brexit extension chatter soothes the stock market - AOL Travel UK

Among the new modernization priorities that have become cross functional teams, the top priority listed by top Army leadership was the long range precision fires work.

The Army has become, by its own admission, overly reliant on a permissive air environment and the blessings that unfold with close air support, Air Force long-range strike and golden hour capable casualty evacuation.

Those decades of uncontested airspace that previous generations of soldiers enjoyed can no longer be counted upon.

And its not just in the close fight that air is challenged. Advanced, interlocking networks of air defense strung along the borders and beyond by near-peer competitors such as Russia and China mean that at times the joint force can be hamstrung in even gaining access, leaving the Army far from the fight.

To get after that problem set, Brig. Gen. John Rafferty has his team looking at everything from increasing range and accuracy of the tried-and-true base of the artillery 155mm to a new Precision Strike Missile and hypersonic that will put the Army back in the strategic fires game for the first time in a long time.

Rafferty spoke recently with Army Times about those developments and what is headed to fires formations in the coming years.

First, the newly promoted brigadier general had to tip his hat to a combination of efforts in both structure, new organizations such as the CFTs and Army Futures Command, and focused centers that are finding new ways to solve the distance and accuracy problems of expanding how the fires community contributes to the maneuver fight.

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Shortly before an interview with Army Times, Rafferty had just been briefed by the Readiness and Analysis Center at AFC at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. They provided a lethality analysis of near peer threats in fires. While he couldnt disclose details of the briefing for obvious reasons, he did say that the renewed efforts on tactical, operational and strategic fires are meeting previously identified gaps.

Conclusions? Were in the right place and (Artificial Intelligence) and sensor investment could improve that, he said.

Rafferty said that developments by adversaries to negate U.S. advantages have meant the development of coastal defense, long range air defense and extremely long range artillery.

The U.S. solution has multiple answers.

Strategic fires include the Armys Space and Missile Commands Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Strategic Long Range Cannon.

And while putting steel on target is one method, the future will likely combine the kinetic with cyber and electronic warfare to both disable enemy systems and combine to create windows of opportunity for the kinetic strike and maneuver.

Over the past year, Rafferty said, the joint forces science and technology community has been working with commercial industry and NASA on some specific tech challenges. The Armys Science Board has deemed what theyre trying to do in the hypersonic arena as entirely feasible. Tests coming soon at White Sands will try to get through an early technology gate.

Those efforts could result in a full-fledged Army program before 2023, he said.

He couldnt speak to specific ranges, due to security concerns, but said that hypersonics are looking at ranges in the thousands of kilometers, while the strategic cannon is in the hundreds of kilometers range.

Operational-level fires is focused on the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM.

The existing Army Tactical Missile System has its limits. It has been in service since the 1980s. While its been upgraded several times and will continue to be upgraded under a service life extension program to keep it in the inventory for another decade, it is seeing the horizon of its usefulness.

And theres the range. The ATACMS pushes out to about 300km. Which was fine under past conditions but cant keep up with current competition.

The PrSM will push its range out past 500km now that the United States no longer has to restrain its systems to under that range due to the break of the INF Treaty.

The PrSM will be cheaper to produce than the ATACMs and provide two missiles per pod where now its only one per pod with the ATACMs, Rafferty said.

That helps logistics, the number of launchers needed for certain mission sets and flexibility for commanders on how to load out their force. They expect initial fielding of some of those systems by 2023, with another add-on technology spiral two years later that will add in ways to hit precision emitting targets and operate more effectively in maritime environments and more contested areas.

Tests later this year will establish which companies will continue to the end of the competition. The next wave of development will push the missiles range past the 650km range, he said.

Were committed to the shape and size and keeping two per pod, Rafferty said. But we have to be a little bit patient with the technology.

Thats, in part, because the pre-existing INF treaty didnt just limit fielding but also limited investment in research and development for improving those systems, especially long range propulsion.

Down at the tactical level, where most soldiers get to hear things go boom, is work on Extended Range Cannon Artillery. The ERCA program is putting a lot of changes to both the self-propelled howitzer system and the round it uses.

The big project is one thats been moving along for more than a year now, thats Paladin Integration Management. The PIM program is modernizing the self-propelled howitzer with a robust chassis, safety improvements, electrical system improvements, an auto-loader and longer cannon for longer ranges.

Rafferty announced that shift earlier this year. The cannon will push from a 39 caliber to a 58 caliber length, extending the barrel from 20 feet to 30 feet. Cannon calibers are also a function of length, unlike with rifle caliber barrels.

And the Paladin now has a sliding block breech, like what the tanks use. That means it can withstand more powerful charges in its round and a higher rate of fire without breaking.

Essentially, its an indestructible type of breech, Rafferty said.

But whats inside that breech is what makes the impact.

The 155mm round is undergoing changes it likely hasnt seen in decades. New propellants, precision guidance kits and other technologies are pushing the round out to the 70km range in testing, thats more than double the standard limit of about 30km.

Rafferty said the team expects the first battalions worth of the new system fully fielded by 2023.

But, there are hurdles. Pushing the limits of physics comes with its own set of challenges.

Theyre having to do more gun hardening work to help the systems withstand the increased pressures and stresses.

Even precision guidance brings novel obstacles to overcome. For example, by firing such long ranges, the 155mm rounds are reaching altitudes they had not previously reached.

That means that their guidance kits mush bear the temperature changes and also move through thinner air, which changes the calculus by which theyre set to hit their targets.

And new propellants are pushing muzzle velocities and chamber pressures to numbers that theyve not had to operate before.

Were on the margin of what cannon artillery can do but were going forward with those margins, he said.

And all of these tech changes are having their own ripple effects as far reaching as how the Army fights.

We view fires as essential to (multi-domain operations), Rafferty said. It absolutely changes whats possible for the Army to do and what fires can do to enable that.

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The team that is transforming Army fires leads the service's priorities - ArmyTimes.com

National 4-H week was Oct. 6-12, and the Lake County 4-H group was honored to have National 4-H Week recognized by the Lake County Commissioners on Oct. 8.

Since its inception over 100 years ago, 4-H has become the largest youth development organization in the nation. The mission of Florida 4-H is the UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible, productive citizens. The mission is accomplished by creating safe and inclusive learning environments, involving caring adults, and utilizing the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and the nationwide land grant university system.

4-H serves youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state reaching nearly six million participants in the United States. In 4-H youth gain life skills by completing record/project books. Youth participate in areas such as health, science, animal science, horticulture, environmental education, and civic engagement. Youth are reached through programs such as school enrichment, community/after school clubs, and 4-H camps.

In Lake County 4-H, over 5,600 youth were reached last year through school enrichment. School enrichment programs include the 4-H/Tropicana Speaking Contest. This program is a partnership between Lake County 4-H, Tropicana and the Lake County School Board. Youth in the program learn how to write and deliver a speech in the classroom with winners moving onto the school competition and winners at the school level move onto the county competition which is held at the Lake County Extension Office. The winning youth at the county competition earn a full scholarship to 4-H camp. Other school enrichment programs include Embryology, Water Conservation and Bees are the Buzz. Youth involved in school enrichment programs develop communication skills, environmental awareness, and scientific procedures.

The community and after school clubs are the foundation of the 4-H program. Each 4-H club has two screened organizational leaders who manage the club. In Lake County 4-H there are over 450 youth members who participated in a community or after school club. Youth in the club setting participate in a variety of project areas, participate in community service projects, complete demonstrations, and participate in the Lake County Fair through livestock projects or exhibits. Youth involved in a community club develop skills such as problem solving, keeping records, setting goals, cooperation, communication, empathy, responsibility and so much more.

The 4-H camping program supplements the county 4-H program. Campers can participate in outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, archery, boating and swimming. Campers are also able to participate in arts and crafts, recreational games, and campfires. 4-H campers are provided the opportunity to improve themselves through mastery, independence, generosity, and belonging. Through participation in the camping program, campers can think about what they have learned and apply it to real-life situations. The program provides youth with a sense of resiliency and purpose to make improvements in their lives and well as the lives of others. Youth involved in the camping program develop independence, decision making, sharing, teamwork, personal safety, and social skills.

Every aspect of the 4-H program develops youth into contributing, productive members of society. If you are interested in supporting the 4-H program, visit your local Tractor Supply Saturday and Sunday. Tractor Supply has an official partnership with the National 4-H Council and helps fund 4-H project supplies. Lake County 4-H clubs will be represented at Tractor Supply to increase programmatic funds.

Dallas Daniels is the 4-H agent for the Uf/IFAS Lake County Extension. Email hendersond@ufl.edu.

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From the Extension: Visit Tractor Supply this weekend to support 4-H - Daily Commercial

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Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Bradley Beal extension is good for just about everyone in the Washington Wizards organization. Its good for Ted Leonsis, its good for Tommy Sheppard, its good for Bradley Beal, its good for his teammates, and its good for Wizards fans.

Its good for pretty much everyone except all the thirsty fanbases that were photoshopping Bradley Beal into their teams jersey because theres just no way he would want to stay in Washington.

Well, he does.

Its a great time to be a Wizards fan, as we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. The 26-year-old All-Star shooting guard fresh off the franchises first-ever 25-point, five-assist, five-rebound season isnt going anywhere. At least not for now.

This is Beals team now. Theres no question about that. Beal sets an outstanding example as a leader both on and off of the court. It is one of the great things about having him at the helm for this rebuild.

He gets his money, and the team gets the All-NBA caliber leader they need. Its a win-win for everyone.

But, like most things in life, the Beal extension will affect everyone differently. Some will benefit more than others. So lets take a look at which of Beals teammates will benefit most from his extension. Who is happiest to see the shooting guard stick around?

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3 Washington Wizards that benefit most from Bradley Beal extension - Wiz of Awes

Tern Alpha (file image courtesy TAQA)

By The Maritime Executive 2019-10-15 15:56:04

On Monday, a fire broke out at TAQA's Tern Alpha platform, located about 90 nm to the northeast of the Shetland Islands in the UK North Sea. One worker was injured and medevaced by helicopter to Lerwick for treatment.

According to local media, a small fire started on Tern Alpha on Monday afternoon. The platform shut down temporarily and the fire was quickly extinguished. One worker suffered an arm injury due to the fire, prompting a medevac request to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. An HM Coastguard helicopter out of Sumburgh flew to Tern Alpha to carry the injured worker to shore.

An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way, and production was expected to resume Tuesday. TAQA told media that the worker has already been discharged from the hospital.

The Tern platform was built by Shell in the late 1980s, and it handles production from its own reservoir and from the nearby Hudson, Kestrel, Cladhan and Falcon fields. It was operated under a joint Shell / Exxon license until 2008, when it was sold to Abu Dhabi state oil company TAQA.Tern and the nearby Eider, North Cormorant, South Cormorant, Kestrel and Pelican fields were in decline, and Shell offered them to TAQA as a package for about $680 million. At the time of sale, the fields produced a combined 25-40,000 bpd, down from a peak of 200,000 bpd in the early 1990s.

TAQA has been investing in both plug-and-abandonment work and life extension measures for its North Sea holdings, including a conversion of the aging Eider production platform to a "utility" support role. Today, the firm's entire European portfolio produces about 40,000 bpd.

Fire breaks out on Heather Alpha

In a separate incident Monday, a fire broke out on EnQuest's Heather Alpha platform, a 1978-built installation about 25 nm south of Tern Alpha. The fire was quickly put out, EnQuest told media, but two workers were injured and had to be evacuated. Both have already been discharged from the hospital.

Last March, several gas detectors were triggered on Heather Alpha after a release from a flare system which was extinguished during operation. Gas detectors picked up the leak, triggering an immediate automated shutdown.The UK Health and Safety Executive determined that the incident exposed 131 workers on Healther Alpha to the risk of a fire or explosion.

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One Injured in Fire on Tern Alpha Platform - The Maritime Executive

A grandmother has been left with a leaking roof and a half-built extension - after paying a builder almost 13,000 to create a room fit for her dying friend

Sandra Robinson says she spent her life savings and her funeral pot to provide 56-year-old pal Andy Hey with an en-suite bathroom and balcony at her Glan Conwy home.

But she says she's been left with water flowing through her unfinished roof, damaging her kitchen and disrupting the electrics, and a builder who is no longer answering her calls.

The 79-year-old formersecretary said she was now unable to sleep because of the "nightmare" but help is at hand after her plight went viral on socialmedia.

A fundraising page received 800 in hours and several horrified local tradesman have volunteered to repair and finish the work for free.

Mrs Robinson said all she wanted was an en-suite bathroom to make life a little easier for former cancer sufferer and live transplantee Andy, whom she cares for. She also wanted a small balcony so Andy could enjoy some fresh air as he is largely housebound.

She said in August she employed a building firm who she had found recommendations for online.

But she's been left with a half-finished extension covered by tarpaulin.

Mrs Robinson, who helped bring up her two grandchildren following her daughter's death to cancer at the age of 28, said: "All my money has gone, as has my daughter's and Andy, whom I'm caring for. He used money inherited from his mother so I feel just awful."

"The builder quoted me at first 10,000 then it became 11,000, and then I had to use my own funeral pot to find almost another 2,000 to get to the stage it has got to."

She says she was then asked for another 1,000 but the bank refused because she was overdrawn.

Since Mrs Robinson couldn't withdraw the extra money, her builder hasn't come back to complete the job and she said he is no longer returning her calls.

"It's a nightmare of the worst kind, I can't sleep as I'm constantly worried," she added.

However after calling a local bricklayer David Spencer to review the situation there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Mr Spencer was so horrified by what he saw, he took photographs and posted them on social media telling people what had happened.

Within hours he was contacted by scaffolders, plumbers and plasterers and others from the building trade - all offering their services for free. He also launched a fundraising page which raised 800 for Mrs Robinson in just hours.

He said: "I couldn't believe the state the housewas in. I felt so sorry for her and I wanted to help.

"When I put the post on Facebook my phone started going mad with people wanting to help and we are determined to sort this in as SOS rescue kind of way."

He added: "But this goes to show you shouldn't pay in advance for a job like this."

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Gran paid 13k for an extension and her home was left like this - Daily Post