Ulstein Introduces New Subsea Vessel for Offshore Energy Market
Norwegian shipbuilder and ship designer Ulstein has developed a new subsea vessel - ULSTEIN SX232 â designed to service the offshore wind market for floating and fixed installations as well as offshore oil and gas industry.Designed for walk-to-work operations in the offshore energy market, the ULSTEIN SX232 features an optimizes hull based on the ULSTEIN TWIN X-STERN design.The vessel is equipped with smart power and propulsion system developed to minimize energy consumption during DP operations and an integrated energy recovery system utilizing all the waste heat in the machinery systemsâŠ
Green(er) Rigs Put Stena Drilling at Forefront of O&G Decarb Push
As the offshore oil and gas industry transitions to more sustainable practices, drilling rig operators are faced with demands to implement greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement measures as part of their workload. Being the owner of the first ever drillship that secured DNVâs Abate(P) notation, Scotland-based offshore drilling contractor Stena Drilling discusses everything the company is doing to make its drill-ships âgreenerâ.The first step to reducing its carbon footprint for StenaâŠ
Saudi Arabia Unveils Oil Platform-Inspired Adventure Tourism Rig
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has launched the masterplan for THE RIG â a world-first adventure tourism destination to be built on an offshore platform in the Arabian Gulf.The vision for THE RIG project is to redefine the sea sports and leisure experience while celebrating the legacy of Saudi Arabia's rich oil and gas heritage.The project will be developed by PIFâs subsidiary the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), under its CEO Raed N.
New Fortress Energy Takes Delivery of Energos Celsius FSRU
Seatrium has delivered a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Energos Celsius to New Fortress Energy (NFE), one of the worldâs leading LNG project developers.Energos Celsius is owned by Energos Infrastructure, a global marine infrastructure platform backed by Apollo funds and NFE, and the vessel is on long-term charter to NFE in Brazil.The FSRU was completed on time and within budget, and has departed the Seatrium shipyard for Brazil.It will subsequently be deployed at NFEâs completed LNG terminal in Barcarena in Brazilâs Pará state.The FSRU Energos Celsius will have a nominal regas
US Gulf of Mexico oil Auction is Largest Since 2015
A Biden administration auction of Gulf of Mexico drilling rights raised $382 million on Wednesday as oil companies claimed offshore acreage for what is set to be the last time until 2025.The auction total was the highest of any federal offshore oil and gas lease sale since 2015, according to a Reuters tally.Shell, Hess, Anadarko, BP, Chevron, Repsol and Equinor were among the 26 companies that participated in the sale.Anadarko had the auction's highest bid of more than $25 million for a block in the deepwater Mississippi Canyon area, according to an online broadcast of the sale by the U.S.
Yinson Aims to Curb FPSO Emissions with Carbon Capture
Yinson is aiming to leverage advanced carbon capture technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its FPSO operations.The company announced its Yinson Production Offshore Pte Ltd arm has made a strategic investment in Ionada, developer of innovative carbon capture technology.According to Yinson, Ionada's technology has potential to support the offshore oil and gas industry's transition to low-carbon operations. Furthermore, the technology presents new business opportunitiesâŠ
CAPP Says Canadaâs Emissions Cap will be Production Cap
Canadaâs Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, introduced Canadaâs draft framework to cap pollution from the oil and gas sector on December 7. The aim is to reduce emissions and remain competitive in a shifting global market. âNo sector of the economy should be allowed to emit unlimited pollution, not when we are all driving toward the same goal of net zero by 2050 to ward off the worst impacts of the climate crisis,â said the ministers in a statement.
COP28: US Cracking Down on Methane from Oil and Gas
The Biden administration on Saturday unveiled final rules aimed at cracking down on US oil and gas industry releases of methane, part of a global plan to rein in emissions that contribute to climate change.The rules, two years in the making, were announced by US officials at the United Nations COP28 climate change conference in Dubai. The US and other nations attending the summit are expected to detail how they will achieve a 150-country pledge made two years ago to slash methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.Methane tends to leak into the atmosphere undetected from drill sitesâŠ
COP28 Puts Spotlight on Methane Pledges
Delegates at this year's U.N. COP28 climate summit are anxious to boost the world's climate change agenda with concrete plans for clamping down on the second-most prominent greenhouse gas â methane.While more than 150 countries have promised since 2021 to slash their methane emissions 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 under the U.S.- and EU-led Global Methane Pledge, few have detailed how they will achieve this.What is needed now is to turn those pledges into urgent action â with financialâŠ
Equinorâs Economic Boost to Local Industry Increases
A new report shows that deliveries to exploration, operation and modification of Equinor-operated fields and onshore plants in Norway exceeded 93 billion NOK in 2022, an increase of approximately 13% from the previous year.The report was presented at Equinorâs autumn conference by the companyâs executive vice president for Exploration and Production Norway (EPN), Kjetil Hove, together with the five trade unions in Equinor: Industri Energi, SAFE, the Norwegian union of managers and executives (Lederne), NITO and Tekna.âOur activities create substantial national and local ripple effects.
Seaqualize Executes Offshore Transfer Lifts on Vineyard Wind 1
Dutch heave compensation specialist Seaqualize executed the worldâs first offshore transfer lifts of wind turbine components from a heaving supply vessel.The companyâs newly developed offshore lifting device, the Heave Chief 1100, is being deployed by DEME Offshore US to instal the first turbines at Vineyard Wind together with the feeder barge solution developed by DEME Offshore US, with partners Barge Master, Foss Maritime and Seaqualize, and the operators and equipment fromâŠ
US Appeals Court Orders Gulf Lease Auction Within 37 Days
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday ordered that a postponed federal auction of drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico be held within 37 days, a setback for environmentalists seeking expanded protections for the endangered Rice's whale.According to court papers, the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit dismissed an effort by four green groups to block an expansion of the sale ordered by a lower court judge in September.The judges said the groups lacked standing to challenge the September decision.
US Postpones Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Auction Due to Litigation
The Biden administration on Thursday postponed a Nov. 8 sale of offshore drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico pending the outcome of a lawsuit over oil and gas development and federal protection of an endangered species of whale.The move comes after a U.S. appeals court on Oct. 26 temporarily paused a lower court order requiring the Interior Department's U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to expand the auction, which was originally scheduled to be held in September.Oral arguments are scheduled for Nov.
U.S. Appeals Court Blocks Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Sale Expansion, Pending Appeal
A U.S. appeals court on Thursday temporarily paused a federal judge's order last month that had required the Biden administration to expand a planned offshore oil and gas auction in the Gulf of Mexico by 6 million acres (2.4 million hectares).The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit stayed the September decision pending an appeal, according to a court document. Oral arguments are scheduled for Nov. 13 in New Orleans.The order was the latest in a legal fight over offshore drilling and federal protection of an endangered species of whale.
Converted OSV Enters Service in the UK as an Underwater Surveillance Ship
A converted offshore support vessel has taken on a new life as a dedicated underwater surveillance ship for the U.K.'s Royal Navy.Christened during a ceremony in London on October 10, RFA Proteus will be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a launchpad for remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) and a home to a suite of specialist capabilities similar to those found in the offshore oil and gas industry.The ship, built in 2017 as a subsea construction vessel named Topaz Tangaroa, was acquired by the U.K.
Hornblower Announces Leadership Promotions
Hornblower Group on Monday announced the promotions of several key members of its leadership team.âThese changes within the leadership team represent a significant milestone for Hornblower Group as we forge ahead in working toward our companyâs ambitions goals,â said Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer for Hornblower Group. âI have full confidence that this group, with their impressive backgrounds and extensive industry knowledge, will significantly contribute to supporting our company's overall business strategy and lead us toward a successful future.
Strategic Marine Teams Up with Caterpillar to Slash Emissions
Caterpillar Marine announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-headquartered shipbuilder Strategic Marine to support emissions-reduction goals for future vessel designs.âOur collaboration with Strategic Marine brings together immense expertise that allows Caterpillar Marine to innovate and support the ongoing energy transition. This is an exciting challenge to tackle, but most importantly it fosters our industry's goal to reach lower-carbon operations,â said Brad Johnson, vice president and general manager, Caterpillar Marine.
U.S. Judge Orders Expansion of Gulf of Mexico Oil Lease Auction
A federal judge in Louisiana has ordered an expansion of next week's sale of oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico, saying the Biden administration must include additional acreage, according to a court ruling issued late on Thursday.The oil and gas industry, which had sued the administration, welcomed the decision to restore 6 million acres to the auction after the Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management earlier reduced the area available for lease in an effort to protect an endangered whale.U.S.
Oil Companies Sue Over Lease Changes Made to Protect Whales
An oil and gas industry trade group, the state of Louisiana and Chevron on Thursday sued the Biden administration over its decision to withdraw acreage from an upcoming oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico to protect an endangered whale.The suit is the latest dispute between the oil and gas industry and the administration of President Joe Biden over leasing federal lands and waters for energy development.Biden paused federal drilling auctions shortly after taking office in 2021 as part of his climate change agendaâŠ
NOIA Unhappy About Rice Whale Protection Recommendations
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito has said that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issue of a Notice to Lessees (NTL) with recommended restrictions on ongoing industry activities within the expanded Rice's Whale habitat area imposes âunwarranted restrictions on U.S. energy production at a time of continued inflation with prices rising at the pump for consumers.âWith likely fewer than 100 individuals remaining, Rice's whales are one of the most endangered whales in the world.
Solstad Offshore Wraps $580M Sale of PSV Fleet to Tidewater, Exiting the Business
Norwegian offshore vessel operator Solstad Offshore has officially exited the platform supply vessel business.Namely, the company on Wednesday completed the sale of its PSV fleet to the U.S. offshore vessel firm Tidewater for approximately $580 million. The transaction, first announced in March, was completed Wednesday, with all 37 platform supply vessels, primarily used for transporting essential supplies and equipment to offshore oil and gas platforms and drilling rigs, successfully delivered to TidewaterâŠ
Sale of 37 PSVs to Tidewater: Solstad Offshore's Exit from PSV Sector Imminent
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has revealed the expected completion date for its previously agreed sale of 37 platform supply vessels to the U.S. offshore vessel firm Tidewater.Solstad Offshore in March said it would sell 37 PSVs to Tidewater in a move that will mark Solstad Offshore's exit from the platform supply vessel sector.In a statement on Wednesday, Solstad Offshore said the transaction was scheduled to be completed in "week 27." Given that we're currently in week 26 of 2023âŠ
AD Ports and Crystal Offshore Sign Deal to Set Up Offshore Rig and Vessel Repair Base in Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port
Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has signed a 25 years agreement with Singapore-based Crystal Offshore a logistics solution provider to the marine & offshore Industry to build an offshore rig and vessel repair base in Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port.Under the agreement, a 20,000 square meter plot of land and an associated quay wall in Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port will be allocated for Crystal Offshore to construct a base, featuring office facilities and fabrication workshops to provide advanced repairs and refits to jack-up rigs as well as marine and offshore vessels.Saif Al MazroueiâŠ