Shell Alaska News

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s petroleum distribution group in Alaska says it has been recognized by Shell Oil Products US as the 2013 Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) wholesaler of the year. As Shell’s sole wholesale distributor in Alaska, Crowley faces unique challenges including remote locations, harsh environments, a diverse product and customer base, limited supply options and large fluctuations in seasonal demand. The company currently services 17 Shell-branded retail stations, three of which are owned and operated by Crowley.

Both of Shell's offshore drill rigs used during last year's oil exploration season to be transported to Asian shipyards for inspection and repair. The decision suggests the Kulluk and the Noble Discoverer -- Shell's only drilling rigs for the Arctic -- need major work and calls into further question whether Shell will be able to resume drilling in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas this year. Two federal investigations are under way into Shell's Alaska operations, reports the 'Anchorage Daily News'. With both of its Arctic rigs in need of repair, Shell hasn't made any decision on drilling this year. It must have two rigs at the ready, with one serving as a backup to drill a relief well in case of a blowout.

Royal Dutch Shell (“Shell”) is engaged in a multi-year drilling programme to explore for new oil & gas resources in high-potential blocks in offshore Alaska. Important progress has been made with this program, with two drill ships, more than twenty support vessels, an approved capping stack, and other redundant oil spill response equipment already in position. Shell continues to demonstrate the strength and extent of its Arctic preparations. Over the last several days, Shell has successfully completed a series of tests of the first-ever Arctic Containment System. However, during a final test, the containment dome aboard the Arctic Challenger barge was damaged. It is clear that some days will be required to repair and fully assess dome readiness.

Krill Systems, which provides Vessel Fuel Measurement and Monitoring Systems (VFMMS), reports success in the installation and sea trial of Krill VFMMS systems on-board three support vessels operating as part of the Shell Alaska Arctic offshore drilling project. The VFMMS systems were installed in Seattle at the beginning of July, after which the vessels immediately departed for Alaska waters. Two Shell-chartered drilling ships, Kulluk and Noble Discoverer, are heading to Dutch Harbor in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain having departed Seattle on June 27…

The Kulluk and Noble Discoverer set sail for the Arctic today from Vigor Industrial’s Seattle shipyard, following completion of extensive environmental and safety upgrades by its commercial ship repair subsidiary, Vigor Marine. The Kulluk, an ice-classed semi-submersible drill rig measuring 266’ x 230’, arrived at Vigor’s Seattle yard in July, 2011. Following the work done by Vigor Marine teams, it will operate with zero discharge in the Beaufort and Chuckchi Seas. Everything down to the sink water will be captured and stored.

Vigor Marine, a Vigor Industrial subsidiary, recently completed work on Barge Klamath, converting the vessel from a petroleum tank barge to an OSVR measuring 350’ x 76’ x 22’. The barge is owned by Crowley and leased to Shell as part of its comprehensive Alaskan oil spill response fleet in the Beaufort and Chuckchi seas. “Vigor’s extensive expertise in ice classing vessels for arctic waters, combined with the geographic proximity of their facilities, has made them a strong partner for Shell’s planned offshore operations in Alaska,” said Curtis Smith, spokesman for Shell Alaska.

Director Watson Visits Arctic Drilling Rigs for First-Hand Look at Safety Equipment, Meets with Alaska Native Community Leaders, Shell Officials; Today holding media conference call to discuss visit and BSEE inspection and oversight activities. As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to safe and responsible offshore energy exploration and development, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Jim Watson today visited the two drilling rigs that Shell has proposed using for exploration activities in the arctic this summer.