Western Gulf
BOEMRE: Proposed Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale
More Than 20 Million Acres to be Offered for Exploration and Development in Western Gulf Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich today announced that BOEMRE will hold the first oil and natural gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico since the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. Consistent with steps President Obama announced in May 2011 to expand domestic oil and gas production safely and responsibly, the proposed Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 218 is scheduled to be held in New Orleans on December 14, 2011. The sale will include all available unleased areas in the Western Gulf Planning Area offshore Texas. “This sale is an important step toward a secure energy future that includes safe, environmentally-sound development of our domestic energy resources,” Secretary Salazar said. “Since Deepwater Horizon, we have strengthened oversight at every stage of the oil and gas development process, including deepwater drilling safety, subsea blowout containment, and spill response capability. Exploration and development of our Western Gulf’s vital energy resources will continue to help power our nation and drive our economy.” “BOEMRE has taken aggressive steps to renew our commitment to the responsible stewardship of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf,” said Director Bromwich
Western GOM Lease Sale Attracts Bids of $337 Million
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced that its Western Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, held today in New Orleans, attracted $337,688,341 in high bids and included 20 companies submitting 241 bids on 191 tracts comprising over a million acres offshore Texas. The sum of all bids received totaled $712,725,998. This announcement is consistent with steps President Obama announced in May 2011 to expand domestic oil and gas production
Major Offshore Tracts to be Opened
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced a major federal initiative to boost oil and natural gas production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska. The program could produce 10 billion barrels of oil and 45 trillion cubic feet of natural gas over 40 years, generating almost $170 billion. “The Outer Continental Shelf is a vital source of domestic oil and natural gas for America
Offshore Energy Lease Sale Announced by US Administration
Obama Administration announces 20-million acre oil & gas lease sale offshore Texas As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to expand safe and responsible domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau announce that BOEM will offer more than 20 million acres offshore Texas for oil and gas exploration and development in a lease sale that will include all available unleased
MMS Publishes Final Regulations for Bonus Bids
The Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) published a final rule regarding the use of electronic funds transfer (EFT) by oil and natural gas companies bidding on Outer Continental Shelf federal leases. The final rule provides additional administrative flexibility to allow the agency to require EFT payment methods when appropriate. The rule will save time and money for the oil and natural gas industry and the Federal government.
Gulf Companies Brace for Hurricane Dean
Oil and natural gas producers were evacuating offshore workers and shutting small amounts of production over the weekend as they watched powerful Hurricane Dean storm across the Caribbean Sea toward an entry into the Gulf next week. Forecasts and computer models point Dean away from the paths taken by 2005's devastating hurricanes Katrina and Rita through offshore oil production areas and onshore refining centers.
Houston Exploration and El Paso Announce Joint Offshore Exploration Drilling Program
The Houston Exploration Company and El Paso Production Company, a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation, announced that they have executed a letter of intent to conduct an exploration drilling joint venture in the Gulf of Mexico. Under the terms of the agreement, El Paso will contribute up to $50 million for land, seismic and drilling expenditures and pay 100 percent of the dry hole costs to earn 50 percent of Houston Exploration's working interest in up to six specified exploration wells to be
Salazar Announces Western Gulf Lease Sale
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the next federal oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico will occur in New Orleans on August 18, 2010. The Secretary made the Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 215 announcement during a tour of Superior Energy Services. The available blocks in Sale 215 are located from 9 to about 250 miles offshore in water depths of 16 to more than 10,975 feet (5 to 3,346 meters)
EPA Banning of BP Contracts: NOIA & IADC Comment
NOIA and IADC see broad, far reaching negative Impacts from EPA suspension of BP from US Government offshore contracts. The national trade associations, the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) consider that banning BP from bidding in future offshore lease sales could have a hugely negative ripple effect on drilling contractors and the rest of the offshore industry as well as the Gulf region
WesternGeco Awarded Contract
ExxonMobil Exploration has awarded WesternGeco a multiproject Q-Marine contract to cover three ExxonMobil assets in West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico, and the North Sea. Q is the WesternGeco proprietary suite of advanced seismic technologies for enhanced reservoir location, description, and management. The surveys will be conducted by the Geco Topaz and the Western Neptune, two of the four WesternGeco Q-Technology vessels
Megan Bel Joins National Ocean Industries Association Staff
Megan Bel joined the staff of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) as Senior Director, Government and Political Affairs. She comes to NOIA from the Office of Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) where she served as Legislative Director since 2008
Obama Admin. Announce 21 Million Acre Oil and Gas Lease Sale
August Auction to offer all Unleased Acreage in Western Gulf of Mexico As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals
Bangladesh Shipyard Lays Down River Passenger Ship Keels
Western Marine is building two 750-passenger vessels, the first passenger ships of this capacity by a local Bangladeshi shipbuilder. The keel-laying for the ships which will be operated by BIWTC on the inland route of Dhaka to Barisal was celebrated in the shipyard located in Patiya.
Obama Administration Offers Over 20 Million Acres
Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale Yields $133.8 Million in High Bids on Over 652,520 Acres, Only Latest in a Series of Recent Major Offshore Oil and Gas Sales. As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand safe and responsible domestic energy
BOEM Seeks Comments on Environmental Review
Public Hearings Scheduled to provide opportunities for public input. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has completed a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), providing updated environmental and socioeconomic analysis to support two proposed lease sales in the Gulf
Leisure Craft Warned to Keep Clear of Piracy Hotspots
European Union Naval Force Commander reminds yacht & leisure craft owners piracy still a danger in Gulf of Aden & Indian Ocean. Rear Admiral Potts who is the operation commander of the European Union’s counter piracy mission (EU NAVFOR) off the coast of Somalia reminds the
Obama Administration: More Than 20 Million Acres Offshore Texas for Bid
November Sale Will Offer All Available Unleased Areas in the Western Gulf of Mexico As part of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P
BOEM: 38 Million-Acre Oil &Gas Lease Sale in the Central GOM
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau announced that BOEM will offer 38 million acres in the Central Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas exploration and development. Thesale will build on two major Gulf of Mexico lease sales in
Iran Submarine Returns to Persian Gulf After Refit
Russian-built 'Kilo-class' diesel-electric submarine repaired by Iranian engineers after original builders declined the work. Iran has returned a Russian-built Project 877 class (NATO Kilo) diesel-electric submarine to the waters of the Persian Gulf following a refit, IRNA news agency reports
Russian Icebreaker Order for Baltic Shipyard
Atomflot awards a US$ 1.15-billion contract for a nuclear-powered icebreaker to Russia's Baltic Shipyard. The ship is designed for operations in the western Arctic and shallow water areas of the Yenisei River and the Gulf of Ob. The icebreaker is to be ready for operation by Atomflot by late
Mexican Gulf Energy Lease Sales – BOEM Issues Environment Analysis
BOEM's 'Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)' will aid decision-making on Gulf of Mexico oil & gas lease sales The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
Alaska Alternative Planning for Tankships – USCG Criteria Compliance
American P&I Club advises the US Coast Guard (USCG) will require compliance with new Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) for certain vessels operating in Western Alaska. Last year the Alaska Marine Exchange published proposals for new Alternative Planning Criteri which have now been finalized
Russian Ammunition Ship Did Dock in Syria Say Rights Group
A Russian cargo ship that Western officials say was heavily laden with weapons for the government of Syria docked at the Syrian port of Tartus, a rights group claims According to Reuters, Washington condemned the reported weapons delivery.
Chinese Mega Ports Increased in Number in 2011
There were 26 ports in China handling over 100-million tons each by end of year 2011 The number of such ports was 22 in 2010, and 12 in 2006. Among the 26 100-million-ton handling capacity ports, 17 are costal and nine are inland, said a statistical bulletin
IMO Anti-piracy Code – South Africa Signs Up
Known as 'The Djibouti Code of Conduct' the IMO treaty binds signatories to co-operate in the suppression of maritime piracy The Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden (Djibouti Code of Conduct) has been