12 October 2026

Australia confirms 2 skilled visa pathways that grant permanent residency directly

Downunder Voices Newsroom

Australia outlined two skilled visa options that provide immediate permanent residency upon approval and allow holders to live and work anywhere.

About this report

This article contains independently written commentary and community perspective from Downunder Voices.

Join our community

Follow Downunder Voices

Join thousands of readers following news and community stories from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Follow on Facebook Submit your story

The US is preparing a second offshore oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, offering about 1. 05m acres, despite the programme’s first auction attracting no bids earlier this year. The country’s Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) has issued a proposed notice of sale for the so-called Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 2, or BBC2, covering …

Splash247Original

Transocean books new Shell work and firms up $1bn Equinor deal

Trade & Logistics

12 October 2026

Transocean books new Shell work and firms up $1bn Equinor deal

Swiss-based offshore drilling giant Transocean has won new work for one of its semisubs and secured formal approval for its $1bn deal with Equinor, announced earlier this year. Shell’s Norwegian arm awarded a two-well contract to the Transocean Norge semisub rig, built in 2015. The estimated 120 days of work is expected to begin as a …

Splash247Original

Shell joins Equinor in $9.8bn Canadian offshore project

World

12 October 2026

Shell joins Equinor in $9.8bn Canadian offshore project

Supermajor Shell has agreed to acquire a 30% interest in Equinor’s Bay du Nord project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador as the partners push the development towards a final investment decision targeted for early 2027. Equinor will retain a 70% interest and remain the project operator, which is currently completing front-end engineering and design work. Bay …

Splash247Original