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Michael Smith News

21 Feb 2023

Fire-damaged Freeport LNG Receives Approval for Partial Restart

(File photo: Freeport LNG)

Freeport LNG, the second largest U.S. liquefied natural gas exporter, said on Tuesday it had received regulatory approval to restart commercial operations at its Texas processing plant.The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the partial restart of two liquefaction trains, two tanks, and one loop and dock each, a filing showed on Tuesday. Restart of a third train, along with a tank, a loop, and a dock, would require additional permission."The second LNG berth and third LNG storage tank are expected to return to service in May," Freeport said.The closely-held U.S.

21 Apr 2022

Rising Calls for U.S. LNG Revive Stalled Export Projects, but at Higher Costs

New Fortress Energy earlier las year bought two jack-up rigs from Maersk Drilling to use them for non-drilling purposes as part of its planned Fast LNG project. NFE is also thinking of using similar floating infrastructure for its Fast LNG Project - Image for illustration only - Credit Maersk Drilling

Soaring demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) as buyers steer clear of Russian fuel is putting some long-stalled U.S. export projects back on track. But rising costs for materials and labor threaten to snarl these plants once again.Two developers with projects sidelined due to the U.S.-China trade war – Energy Transfer with its Lake Charles LNG and Tellurian Inc with its Driftwood LNG – have begun talks with construction provider Bechtel Group over costs, according to a…

04 Sep 2019

Freeport Ships First LNG Commissioning Cargo

Texas-based LNG terminal operator Freeport LNG Development announced that it has shipped the first LNG commissioning cargo for Train 1 from its liquefaction facility located on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas.Approximately 150,000 cubic meters of LNG were loaded aboard the LNG Jurojin, which departed from the Freeport LNG terminal on September 3."This first cargo loading is another significant step that gets us one step closer towards our start of commercial operations which is anticipated later this month," said Michael Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Freeport LNG."We are very pleased that it took less than 45 days to load our first cargo since gas was first introduced to our liquefaction facilities…

21 Feb 2018

Huntington Ingalls Industries Announces Leadership Changes

Michael Smith (Photo: HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries announced changes to its senior leadership team. Michael Smith, executive vice president, strategy and development, is moving to HII’s Technical Solutions division, where he will serve as president of the SN3 business and report to Michael Lempke, president of the Nuclear & Environmental group, effective immediately. Scott Stabler, executive vice president, internal audit, is moving into a new role as HII’s executive vice president and chief transformation officer, reporting to Mike Petters, HII’s president and CEO.

17 Jun 2015

Holland America Line Promotes Mosslinger as VP

Holland America Line has promoted Gerald Mosslinger to vice president, food and beverage, as part of the renamed Guest Experience and Product Development Department that was formerly the Marine Hotel Operations Department. The cruise line made the departmental name change to better reflect the department’s core objectives and primary focus. As vice president, food and beverage, Mosslinger will oversee all of the culinary and dining service operations as well as manage all beverage operations for the Holland America Line fleet, including revenue activities, product innovation and service. He will report to Michael Smith, senior vice president…

16 May 2015

Freeport LNG Was Not Advised Against Inviting Chinese Investors

The head of Freeport LNG on Friday said that the U.S. Department of Energy did not advise against inviting Chinese investment in the company's Texas export plant, backing down from contradictory claims made on Thursday. Michael Smith, the chief executive of privately-owned Freeport LNG, which is building a plant to export liquefied natural gas to Asia from 2018, said he misspoke on Thursday when during an interview with Reuters he said the DOE had warned Freeport against Chinese investment in the project for political reasons. The DOE "in no way" advised Freeport LNG on what customers, or sources of foreign investment, it should choose, Smith said. "I regret having inaccurately described the DOE as having advised us as such," he said.

14 May 2015

US DOE Discouraged Direct China Investment in US LNG Export

The U.S. Department of Energy discouraged U.S. liquefied natural gas exporters from allowing direct Chinese investment in their projects for fear of political backlash, according to Michael Smith, chief executive at Freeport LNG which is building a plant to export U.S. overseas.     (Reporting By Edward McAllister)

01 Sep 2014

RIMPAC Exercise Puts LCS Through Paces

It was the middle of May, and the littoral combat ship Independence was operating out of San Diego, testing components of the mine warfare mission package. The mission is one that, except for several extended overhaul periods, has consumed much of the ship’s operating time since the class-leading vessel was commissioned in January 2010. Word then came down from the highest levels of US Navy leadership — Independence was going to Pearl Harbor to take part in the world’s largest naval exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The event, held every two years, was only weeks away from beginning. To get there on time, the LCS would have to rapidly switch gears — offloading the mine equipment…

21 Apr 2014

Holland American Line Launches 'Dive-in At The Terrace Grill’

Holland America Line is enhancing the Terrace Grill on its 15 premium ships and rebranding the popular lunch spot as “Dive-In at the Terrace Grill.” The outdoor bistro-style grill area by the ships’ Lido pool will feature new signature burgers, hot dogs and fries. The first ships to open the new gourmet grill were ms Eurodam, ms Amsterdam and ms Maasdam. The remaining ships in the fleet will be opening Dive-In at the Terrace Grill throughout summer 2014. The areas will be decorated with new Dive-In signage and décor. “We’re always listening to our guests and travel partners for ideas to evolve the dining experience on our ships with new concepts…

28 Jan 2014

Today in U.S. Naval History: January 28

USS Cook (U.S. Navy photo)

Today in U.S. 1778 - Second New Providence Expedition raised the flag with thirteen stripes over Fort Nassau. 1960 - Navy demonstrates value of moon communication relay, used in fleet broadcasts. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

28 Jan 2011

This Day in U.S. Naval History – January 28

1778 - Second New Providence Expedition raised the flag with thirteen stripes over Fort Nassau. 1960 - Navy demonstrates value of moon communication relay, used in fleet broadcasts. 1962 - USS Cook (APD-130) rescues 25 survivors from after section of Panamanian tanker, SS Stanvac Sumatra, which broke in two in the South China Sea 1986 - Space shuttle Challenger explodes killing CDR Michael Smith, USN, and 6 other astronauts (Source: Navy News Service)

27 Jan 2010

This Day in Naval History – Jan. 28

1778 - Second New Providence Expedition raised the flag with thirteen stripes over Fort Nassau. 1960 - Navy demonstrates value of moon communication relay, used in fleet broadcasts. 1962 - USS Cook (APD-130) rescues 25 survivors from after section of Panamanian tanker, SS Stanvac Sumatra, which broke in two in the South China Sea 1986 - Space shuttle Challenger explodes killing CDR Michael Smith, USN, and 6 other astronauts (Source: Navy News Service)

28 Jan 2009

This Day in Naval History – Jan. 28

1778 - Second New Providence Expedition raised the flag with thirteen stripes over Fort Nassau. 1960 - Navy demonstrates value of moon communication relay, used in fleet broadcasts. 1962 - USS Cook (APD-130) rescues 25 survivors from after section of Panamanian tanker, SS Stanvac Sumatra, which broke in two in the South China Sea 1986 - Space shuttle Challenger explodes killing CDR Michael Smith, USN, and 6 other astronauts (Source: Navy News Service)

12 Aug 2003

Technip USA Announces Contract Award for the Freeport LNG Terminal

Freeport LNG Development, L.P. and Technip USA Corporation, a subsidiary of Technip have signed a contract for the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) leading to the finalization of the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract for its LNG receiving terminal to be located on Quintana Island near Freeport, Texas. The FEED is expected to be completed by the end of December with the EPC phase of the project beginning in the first quarter of 2004. Michael Smith, CEO of Freeport LNG Development, L.P., said, "Technip has considerable experience in LNG facility design and this contract continues the relationship established with Technip during their assistance in the preparation of the FERC filing documents for our terminal.

24 Nov 2003

Vessels: Tall Stacks Draws 800,000 to Queen City

Every four years the excursion vessel segment of the commercial marine industry stages one of the largest festivals in the United States, yet except for the vessels that participate in it, little is known about this event. It overshadows the Workboat Show but receives little attention in the marine press. From an attendance standpoint, if this event were the World Series of Baseball, the Workboat Show would be T-ball for five-year olds. The event is called Tall Stacks and is held on the Ohio River every four year in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 2003 event was the fifth such Tall Stacks event and was attended by over 800,000 people during a five-day period in mid-October.

02 Aug 2002

Major Oil Price Rise Forecast

The world is drawing down its oil reserves at an unprecedented rate and even assuming no growth in demand it is likely that that by 2010 oil supply will be constrained by global production capacity and oil will permanently cease to be abundant. Supply and demand will be forced to balance - but at a price. Then, like during the oil shocks of the 1970’s, prices could double and treble within two or three years as the world changes from oil abundance to oil scarcity. The world is facing a future of major oil price increases which will occur sooner than many people believe. These are amongst the conclusions of The World Oil Supply Report, an important new study published today by energy analysts Douglas-Westwood.

03 Oct 2002

Oil Price Rises to Impact Transport Sector

The long-term growth in the transport sector will shortly become unsustainable due to oil price increases forecast to occur in the next few years. These are amongst the conclusions of an important report by energy analysts Douglas-Westwood. Oil price rises due to concerns over a possible war in the Middle East are, according to the report authors, nothing compared to what is ultimately in prospect. The World Oil Supply Report states that global oil reserves are being drawn down at an unprecedented rate and even assuming no growth in demand it is likely that that by 2010 oil supply will begin to be constrained by global production capacity and oil will permanently cease to be abundant. Supply and demand will be forced to balance – but at a price.