Reassess vessel and cable sourcing as decommissioning and renewables shift

What happened

Allseas began the 2026 lift season by removing a 17,200‑ton North Cormorant topside in a single‑lift operation and shipping it to Shetland for dismantling. The work followed a four‑month offshore preparation campaign and is part of a TAQA program that will remove more than 120,000 tonnes across multiple platforms. Watch whether the same vessel availability and port windows are needed for the next lifts, since this drives short‑term specialist capacity demand

Why the category manager should care

Treat this as an active demand stream for heavy‑lift, transport, and recycling services that will recur across the TAQA program and nearby projects

Key facts

• 17,200‑ton single‑lift topsides removal
• Part of TAQA program removing more than 120,000 tonnes
• Four‑month offshore preparation campaign before lift

What happened

The EIA updated its short‑term outlook showing U.S. natural gas production tracking higher, with growth concentrated in the Permian and Haynesville basins. The forecast links that growth to oil‑directed drilling economics, which keeps demand for drilling crews, midstream handling, and logistics elevated. Procurement should watch for persistent demand pressure on service rates and spare‑parts supply chains in these basins

Why the category manager should care

Expect steady demand for drilling, completion, and logistics services in Permian/Haynesville; this is not a transient signal tied to a single month

Key facts

• Forecasted increase in U.S. marketed natural gas production, concentrated in Permian and Hayn
• First‑half production above prior year levels supporting continued drilling activity
• Permian growth driven by oil‑directed drilling economics

What happened

Encomara’s Squid floating wind connection system reached TRL7/8 after full‑scale inshore trials and has product design assessment and AiP precedents, signaling commercial readiness. The device combines mooring and power‑cable connection into one subsea interface designed to let turbines be pre‑moored and then rapidly connected, which can shorten on‑site time. Procurement should verify manufacturing capacity and interoperability with planned turbine hulls and cable suppliers

Why the category manager should care

Treat Squid as a new vendor pathway for floating connection scopes but validate manufacturing lead times, spares, and interface engineering before awarding critical path work

Key facts

• Reached Technology Readiness Level 7/8 after full‑scale inshore trials
• Has prior Approval in Principle and Product Design Assessment certification steps
• Design allows pre‑installation of moorings and cables for rapid turbine connection