Esgian Week 10 Report: Additional Backlog Secured
Esgian reports that offshore drilling contractors secured additional backlog in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Egypt, Nigeria, and Brazil and operators confirmed new discoveries in Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire, and China in its Week 10 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.ContractsDiamond Offshore has executed a two-year contract extension with a subsidiary of bp in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the 12,000-ft drillship Ocean BlackHornet.Shelf Drilling’s 250-ft jackup Rig 141 has secured a two-year…
Krewsky Named President of TAI Engineers
S&B announced updates to the management team of TAI Engineers, which include the promotion of Captain William Krewsky, PE (USCG Retired), to President and Krishna (Kris) Karri to Senior Vice President Operations and Chief Engineer. Krewsky succeeds Anil Raj, PE, TAI’s Founder and President, who will remain in an executive advisory role with TAI.Captain Krewsky, a 38-year marine-industry veteran, most recently served as Vice President of Government Programs for TAI. Prior to joining TAI…
Jadestone Energy Targets End of Month Production Restart for Montara Venture FPSO
Jadestone Energy, an Asia Pacific-focused oil and gas company, has taken a step toward restarting production from its Montara Project offshore Australia.The company shut down production from the Montara Venture FPSO last year, first, to allow for repairs on a tank that leaked oil back in June through a 30-millimeter crack, and then after discovering a defect in water ballast tank 4S.On January 18, 2023, Jadestone said that DNV's independent review of Jadestone's remediation plans and operational readiness for the Montara Venture FPSO had been completed and submitted to NOPSEMA, that Australian offshore safety regulator, as required by the General Direction issued to the company in September 2022.
Dropsafe Expands Helideck Perimeter Safety Net Range
After last year's launch of the Helideck Perimeter Safety Net range designed to protect offshore workers and equipment from falling, offshore safety equipment maker Dropsafe has expanded its offering. "Dropsafe now offers two different versions of the Net, ensuring that all facilities can access a tailored safety solution according to their budget, location, and facility requirements," the company said Wednesday.Mike Rice, Dropsafe Commercial Director, commented: “From harsh offshore environments to hospitals…
Nippon Foundation, DeepStar Launch Joint Decarbonization R&D Program
The Nippon Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the offshore technology development consortium DeepStar to establish a joint research and development program focused on decarbonization in offshore oil and gas, with a focus on renewable energy and the environment.The initial program budget is up to $10 million through 2026, and the overall plan is to develop technologies for commercialization.“I am very pleased that we have been able to conclude this new memorandum of understanding,” said Mr. Sasakawa.
BW Offshore Orders VIKING Lifeboats for Australia-bound FPSO
Offshore safety equipment provider VIKING has said it has won a contract with FPSO supplier BW Offshore to deliver has selected VIKING Norsafe free-fall lifeboats, daughter craft, and davits for a large FPSO project which will operate off northern Australia.While VIKING did not share the exact name of the FPSO project, this is most likely the Barossa FPSO BW Offshore is building for deployment at Santos' Barossa project.The safety equipment provider said that the primary means of evacuation from the FPSO will be three VIKING Norsafe GES-50 Mk.
Noble Corp. Sends Force Majeure Notice to Shell over Drillship Damaged in Storm
Offshore drilling contractor Noble Corporation has sent a force majeure notice to its client Shell over the Noble Globetrotter II drillship contract after the rig was damaged earlier this week in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in severe weather during Hurricane Ida. The 2013-built ultra-deepwater drillship has a contract with Shell lasting until early September 2023 at a flexible day rate of at least $275,000.U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday that the drillship, located 80 nautical miles south, southeast of Grand Isle, La., in the Gulf of Mexico, had sustained damage and that a plan was being developed to bring the vessel into port for repairs.Around 140 crew members were on board when the storm hit, Reuters reported earlier this week, citing USCG petty officer Carlos Galarza said.Noble Corp.
BSEE Investigating Fatal Incident on GoM Platform
The U.S. offshore safety regulator BSEE has formed a panel to investigate a fatal incident that happened earlier this month at a Fieldwood Energy-operated oil platform, in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Louisiana.As previously reported, an offshore worker died on Saturday, May 15, in an incident that, according to Fieldwood, happened during a non-emergency casing pressure test on a shut-in well, at Eugene Island Block 158, Platform #14.The platform sits around 125 miles southwest of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico.Now…
Tech Files: Offshore Safety Systems & Equipment
Safety of workers,structures, equipment and the environment are paramount in any offshore energy project. In the March/April print edition, Offshore Engineer took a look inside some notable newcomers.Wearable tech to boost drill floor safetyHaloGuard – Credit: TransoceanOffshore drilling contractor Transocean has recently deployed what it said was the offshore drilling industry’s first safety system that integrates a wearable locating device with drill floor equipment and machine stoppage controls.The system…
Op/Ed: Candidates Should Not Ignore Offshore Safety Advances
The American Gulf of Mexico is home to impressive industry and even more incredible beauty. Every day, fishermen, conservationists, tour guides, canal and port dredgers, offshore oil and gas workers and countless others go to work in and around the Gulf of Mexico. What links them together is a passion to safely do their jobs in a way that strengthens the Gulf Coast’s natural resources.When candidates and elected officials advocate for “no more drilling, including offshore,” they…
Op/Ed: What Good Boats Can Do
Stay in your lane. Ignoring such wisdom can result in catastrophe if you’re drag racing and lead to general unpleasantness on bowling league nights. This same guidance in other circumstances, for example, can be toxic. It can inhibit innovation and, at the worst possible moment, prevent the sensible use of available resources to improve a bad situation.In satisfying the demands of the offshore energy sector, the U.S. maritime industry has developed incredibly versatile tools.
OP/ED: A Measured Response
The Offshore Sector's Support of National Interests in Times of Crisis.Desperate Times Call for Diverse ResourcesIn 2017, North America was assaulted by significant weather events resulting in cascading humanitarian crises. Despite the substantial response from the U.S. maritime industry, a misconception arose that insufficient U.S. assets were available to support critical response activities in affected regions; in particular, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Public…
OMSA Names Fuhrmann to Regulatory Affairs Post
The Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) announced the resignation of long-time Vice President, Richard Wells. Subsequently, OMSA announced the association will be hiring Chad Fuhrmann as Director of Regulatory Affairs in June.OMSA President, Aaron Smith said, “We are sorry to see Richard go, he has loyally served OMSA and the offshore industry for more than 10 years. We wish he and his wife, Joan, the best as they move to the next stage of their lives.”Chairman of the OMSA Board of Directors…
NOSAC to USCG: Allow Domestic OSVs in Disaster Recovery
Last week, the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC) overwhelmingly approved recommendations that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) remove the hinderances that prevented U.S. energy-industry vessels, from assisting Puerto Rico with recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria.The offshore energy industry is serviced by highly specialized vessels. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs) have large open decks to carry cargo to offshore rigs. OSVs typically also have massive internal tanks to carry and pump water, drilling mud, or fuel to offshore facilities.
ESVAGT Steps-up Offshore Presence
The provider of offshore safety and support at sea ESVAGT aims straight for the dynamic market for service operation vessels (SOV) with the newbuilding ‘Esvagt Dana’.When the ‘Esvagt Dana’ entered into contract with Vattenfall on the Horns Rev III wind farm in the middle of February, it was on an atypically short SOV contract, said a press release from the Denmark-based company.All of ESVAGT’s other SOVs that currently service the offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the Baltic are built for long-term contracts for a specific task in a fixed area."The ‘Esvagt Dana’ is a pattern breaker and the choice of SOV vessels available for short contracts is very limited", said Ib Hansen, Head of Commercial at ESVAGT.
VIKING Sees Growth After Norsafe Acquisition
After two years of slightly declining revenue, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S is seeing growth once more, said the global market leader in maritime and offshore safety.In 2018, VIKING acquired the Norwegian manufacturer of lifeboats Norsafe AS. Adjusting for the costs of integrating this business and the impact on revenue in the last quarter of the year, the results show growth in both revenue and earnings.“We were able to deliver growth in activities and earnings in the original VIKING business, and we expect that the picture will remain the same for both areas of business in 2019," says CEO Henrik Uhd Christensen.Norsafe’s lifeboat…
Rebuilding Confidence in Reactivated DP Assets
The offshore energy sector, like any industry, is constantly subject to market cycles. Challenging conditions may lower demand, resulting in a significant number of resources such as offshore support vessels (OSVs) and drillships being deactivated for potentially extended periods. Over time, however, cycles reverse and demand increases for these same assets.Operators reduced expenditures on offshore exploration and production activities, with a subsequent lower demand for these offshore assets, many of which were ultimately deactivated and laid-up (or “stacked”) for extended periods.
API Enhances Offshore Safety Standard
The American Petroleum Institute (API) released its newest valve standard as part of the industry’s continuous efforts to improve operational safety and environmental protection.According to a release from the agency, the “Specification 6A” governs the design and operations of the critical safety valves at wells used in the offshore and onshore oil and gas industry. The latest edition includes new automatic closure requirements, to ensure additional protection for workers and the environment in loss of power and emergency situations.Among the other improvements now included in the 21st edition of Specification 6A - Wellhead and Tree Equipment - are rigorous new requirements for modern technologies…
NOSAC Meeting Highlights
Representatives from the Coast Guard, offshore oil and gas industries, recognized organizations and numerous industry associations attended the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee semi-annual public meeting in Houston, Texas Sept 11, 2018.Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, attended the meeting and discussed with the Committee the new Coast Guard commandant’s strategic vision for the service as well as the reorganization within the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance to put an increased emphasis on Third Party Organization oversight.During the meeting, the Committee heard presentations and discussions on the progress of a variety of issues, including reports and recommendations stemming from the Subcommittees’ deliberations.
Bristow Commences New Contract in Barents Sea
Bristow Norway AS is commencing a previously announced five-year contract today (September 1, 2018), from its Hammerfest base. Bristow will provide helicopter offshore crew change services and search and rescue (SAR) services to support Eni Norway and Equinor."We are very proud of the recognition we have received in securing this work in the Barents Sea," said Area Manager Norway Heidi Wulff Heimark. "This confirms that the work our employees do every day brings results. The contract is an important part of our efforts to become the leading operator of offshore helicopters in Norway and globally."Bristow Norway has delivered helicopter services for Eni Norway and Equinor operations in the Barents Sea for the last nine years and is well established in Hammerfest.
Stena Drilling Streamlines Safety Equipment with VIKING
U.K.-based offshore drilling company Stena Drilling has placed a significant part of its safety equipment and servicing management under a VIKING Offshore Safety Agreement.In early 2018, an extensive review done by VIKING Life-Saving Equipment for its long-time customer revealed the potential for major cost and administration savings in placing much of the company’s safety equipment sourcing and administration under a VIKING Offshore Safety Agreement (OSA), Stena Drilling welcomed the input and signed up.
DNV GL Develops Offshore Safety Guidance for Greek Regulator
DNV GL said it has completed a workscope with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under funding provided by the EU, to develop guidance for the Greek offshore safety competent authority, Hellenic Ηydrocarbons Resources Management (HHRM), under Greek law 4409/2016 which enacts EU directive (2013/30/EE) on offshore safety. The offshore major hazards guidance was presented to several international and domestic companies and the ministry of environment and energy in Athens, on March 1, 2018. HHRM, as the competent authority, is responsible for the regulation of offshore hydrocarbon operations with regards to major hazards and is responsible for developing the relevant legislative framework for Greece.
What Hurricanes Teach Us About Energy Security
After a few years of relative calm, the 2017 hurricane season wreaked havoc in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, causing widespread damage and human suffering, and exposing the vulnerabilities and strengths of American energy security. As the flood waters from Hurricane Harvey receded and Gulf coast residents embarked on the arduous road to recovery, the offshore energy industry took stock and counted its losses and blessings. Offshore energy facilities faired remarkably well compared to onshore energy facilities, many of which suffered catastrophic damage from flood waters.