Shutdown Systems News

OCIMF and CDI release new information paper Linked Ship/Shore Emergency Shutdown Systems for Oil and Chemical Transfers. The information paper, jointly released by CDI and OCIMF on April 21 recommends an Emergency Shutdown (ESD) connection that will link ship and terminal ESD systems, so that manual activation by the terminal or ship will stop cargo transfer operations. “Linked ship/shore ESD systems have been a standard safety feature of LNG transfer operations for many years,” said OCIMF Director Captain Andrew Cassels.

A range of telemetry products that support robust, long-distance wireless communications in challenging, large scale environments such as those found in oil and gas, agriculture, water systems, forestry and public infrastructures are outlined in the SignalFire Wireless Telemetry Product Catalog. Addressing different remote sensing requirements, the SignalFire Wireless Telemetry Product Catalog offers solutions that provide wireless communications and power to sensors with 4-20 mA, 1-5V, Modbus, Hart, Digital IO and other analog and digital interfaces. Remote shutdown systems, a field monitor that provides in-field access to any gateway data without a computer as well as digital interface cards…

Despite its unquestionable allure, LNG as a fuel carries with it as many risks as it does answers to the problems it promises to solve. As industry and OEM’s work to remove any doubt, the collaborative effort outpaces the slow-moving regulatory machine. Even as Lloyds Register predicts that LNG will reach a maximum 11% share of marine propulsion solutions in 2030, it also says that segments with higher proportion of small ships will see the highest LNG uptake. And, at the same time, says the global classification society in its recent paper entitled, Global Marine Fuel Trends 2030, the marine fuel mix for bulk, containers and tankers…

You say you don’t work on an LNG ship? You should care nevertheless. Just ten years ago, LNG Import terminals were being built and/or contemplated throughout the United States. Then, it was widely expected that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports would account for a large percent of the energy consumption in the US. Fast forward 10 years and we find that industry has made a complete 180 degree turn around. Instead of the US being one of the world’s greatest importers of LNG, it is more than likely that the United States will one way be one of the major exporters of this frigid liquid.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced today a 45-day extension to the public comment period for the proposed rule on offshore oil and natural gas production safety systems. Comments will now be accepted through Dec. 5, 2013. The proposed rule will revise 30 CFR 250 subpart H, Oil and Gas Production Safety Systems, to address recent technological advances. This section of the regulations has not had a major revision since it was first published in 1988. During that period, industry’s use of subsea trees (the assembly mounted on a well head used to control the flow of oil and gas) and other technologies have evolved or become more prevalent offshore.

Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany has selected Metso DNA for the Integrated Alarm, Monitoring and Control System (IAMCS) to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's new generation of cruise ships referred to as Project Sunshine. The contract is for three vessels of 167.000 GRT with a capacity for 4180 passengers in double occupancy. The vessels will be of the latest design with high focus on energy saving and sustainable environmental solutions, both important subjects for Royal Caribbean.

As part of President Obama’s commitment to promoting safe and responsible offshore oil and gas development, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director James Watson today announced another key step to strengthen both human safety and environmental protection on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The proposed rule, which will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, implements best practices and updates regulations regarding production safety systems and equipment used to collect and treat oil and gas from offshore production facilities.

Trelleborg makes acquisition within the marine docking and mooring solutions business sector. Trelleborg has, through its business area Trelleborg Offshore & Construction, signed an agreement and finalized the acquisition of Sea Systems Technology Ltd. (“SeaTechnik”), which is a market-leading company predominantly specialized in the development of software and manufacture of emergency shutdown systems and other communications systems used when carriers transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) berth at terminals. In addition to developing software and manufacturing emergency shutdown and other communication systems for the safe handling of LNG in connection with carrier berthing…

Trelleborg Marine Systems, part of Trelleborg business area Offshore and Construction, has announced the acquisition of Sea Systems Technology Ltd. (SeaTechnik), a firm engaged in the design and manufacture of systems for safeguarding the transfer of LNG between liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and shore terminals. In addition to developing, manufacturing and supporting systems for the safe handling of LNG, SeaTechnik has a growing share of products and solutions that monitor and can actively manage the operating performance of ships…

A energy production technology services company Proserv has bolstered its rapidly-evolving global footprint and specialist integrated services after acquiring major US company Total Instrumentation & Controls (TIC). The acquisition of Houston-based TIC, which specializes in advanced process and control systems equipment and has a second manufacturing facility in Lafayette (LA), also significantly increases Proserv’s talent pool by more than 300 people to over 1600 with the entire American-based workforce joining forces with the company under the Proserv mantle.

In addition to its own extensive line of ultra-compact marine and industrial diesel gen-sets, Next Generation Power serves as one of the original Phasor Marine master distributors for the Southeastern US. Next Gen offers Phasor Marine 5-99 kW models that meet EPA Tier 3 and Tier 4 regulations, including newly-introduced ignition protection certified units. Phasor Marine models employ fuel-efficient Kubota and John Deere diesel engines, world-known for their quality and dependability.

One of a vessel owner's largest expenses is, of course, the powering of vessels. The initial purchase, continuing maintenance and repair, qualified personnel and, unfortunately, downtime, make engine expense a primary concern in the allocation of capital. For the most part, instrumentation to reduce this expense has fallen into two categories. The first being inexpensive, simple, yet effective alarm and/or shutdown systems geared towards preventing catastrophic failure. The second category is that of more expensive, complex integrated systems that perform these functions as well as providing numerous additional functions such as displays and data collection. A new breed of electronics hitting the market is designed to fill this void. Perennial Monitoring Systems, Inc. of Baton Rouge, La.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USCG specifying which agency will be responsible for certain aspects of oil and natural gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The MOU identifies 27 areas of responsibilities for both agencies. For example, MMS will be responsible for most drilling and production matters, pipeline operations, emergency shutdown systems, inspection and testing of production and drilling equipment, decommissioning platforms, and investigating oil pollution related to provisions in the OCS Lands Act.