Cullen News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District is working to delay upriver progression of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico by augmenting the sill initially constructed in July 2023.Construction is underway to increase the existing underwater sill from a depth of -55 feet to a depth of -30 feet. A 620-foot-wide navigation lane will be kept to a depth of -55 feet to ensure deep-draft shipping continues along the nation’s busiest inland waterway.USACE initially constructed…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is kicking off a five-year, $25 million "mega-study" with the goal to help guide effective and practical management of the Lower Mississippi River.The Corps said the the study will help it to identify recommendations for the comprehensive management of the region across multiple purposes, including hurricane and storm damage reduction, flood risk management, structure and nonstructural flood control, floodplain management strategies, navigation…

Australia's plan to control domestic natural gas prices, which producers say will deter the development of new supply, is expected to boost the prospects for proposed LNG import terminals but potentially defeat the government's aim to cut energy bills.Parliament is set to pass legislation on Thursday to cap gas prices at A$12 per gigajoule (GJ) for a year and then require a "reasonable price" for domestic sales after the cap expires.Industry players say the plan, which surprised producers…

HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division announced several promotions “designed to optimize its shipyard operations and accelerate execution”.“We have been on an aggressive journey to transform the way we run our business. Accomplishing this transformation while running our complex business is not a simple task,” said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding. “Our Navy customer expects us to deliver ships on time and on budget so they can meet the evolving demands of the global security environment.

The investment outlook for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has improved this year but project go-aheads will not match the bonanza of 2019, as the fight against climate change clouds the prospects for gas demand growth longer term.Renewed optimism as the industry emerges from the pandemic, rapidly rebounding oil and gas prices and a better economic outlook is building confidence in short and long term LNG demand in Asia and spurring companies to look at new LNG projects, most of which were shelved last year when prices slumped.However, they need to take into account the ever tighter carbon emissio

The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC)has made available $2.6 million for a group of projects aiming to advance technological innovation that will drive down costs of offshore wind development in the U.S.The Consortium, established by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2018, this week announced Round One awards in the Offshore Wind Solicitation 1.0 for offshore wind technology…

Japan could lose its position as the world’s top LNG importer to China as early as 2022, said a new report by consultancy group Wood Mackenzie.By then, LNG imports in Japan are expected to decline 12 per cent to 72.8 million tonnes per annum (mmtpa) compared to 2018, while China’s import volume rises 37.5 per cent to 74.1 mmtpa.The consultancy firm said that despite losing this leadership position, Japanese buyers will continue to take a lead in contracting innovation with developments such as hybrid deals, coal indexation, joint procurement and carbon neutral cargoes.As several long-term contracts wind down from the early 2020s and with gas and power market liberalisation underway…

Reliable performance was a prime prerequisite for the new transporter recently built for the Gitga’at First Nation community located in a remote region of northwest British Columbia.That’s one of the main reasons why Volvo Penta diesels were specified for the new boat.The new 55-ft. aluminum transporter, built in the Adrenalin Marine shipyard in Delta, British Columbia, is powered by a pair of Volvo Penta 13-liter 700 hp diesels. The engines were supplied by Surrey-based Cullen Diesel Power Ltd…

FPT North America announced an exclusive partnership with marine distributor Motor-Services Hugo Stamp, Inc. (MSHS), an FPT distributor partner since 2005. FPT awarded MSHS the North American territory, which includes all of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. As Master FPT Marine Propulsion Distributor for North America, customers will have direct access to FPT products, factory-trained engineers, and customer support from MSHS offices in Florida, Louisiana, Maine and Seattle, as well as a coast-to-coast dealer network. MSHS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., specializes in marine diesel engine products and services.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. delivered the M/V CAPT. RICKY TORRES (Hull 194) on October 11, 2016, and the M/V CULLEN PASENTINE (Hull 195) on December 28, 2016; the 64th and the 65th 90’ Inland Towboat to Florida Marine Transporters, LLC of Mandeville, LA., continuing FMT’s ongoing new build program. It was in early 2015, when Florida Marine Transporters, LLC signed an additional towboat, bringing the total to sixty-five (65) vessels contracted over the last 10 years. Five of the most recent 90’ inland towboat deliveries to Florida Marine occurred over the past twelve months. The M/V CAPT. RICKY TORRES and the M/V CULLEN PASENTINE were constructed at Eastern’s Allanton Facility from a design furnished by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Boston, MA.

Mary Cullen has been appointed vice president of nuclear propulsion at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division. Cullen will assume her new role on November 14 following a transition into the job with the help of Barry Fletcher, who will retire from the position after 37 years of shipbuilding service. “Throughout his tenure, Barry has made significant contributions to the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, earning him the respect of many and the ultimate responsibility of serving as our company’s ‘head nuke…

Monitoring efforts along the Pacific Coast of the U.S. and Canada have detected the presence of small amounts of radioactivity from the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident 100 miles (150 km) due west of Eureka, California. Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) found the trace amounts of telltale radioactive compounds as part of their ongoing monitoring of natural and human sources of radioactivity in the ocean. In the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami off Japan, the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant released cesium-134 and other radioactive elements into the ocean at unprecedented levels. Since then, the radioactive plume has traveled west across the Pacific, propelled largely by ocean currents and being diluted along the way.

More than 800 Australian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are on their way home after taking part in RIMPAC, the world’s largest naval exercise, which concluded in Hawaii today. Australia sent the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship HMAS Success and Submarine HMAS Sheean, a rifle company from 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment and three Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft to the exercise to conduct military training with defense forces from 21 other Pacific Rim nations.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) says it is playing a key role in the world’s largest maritime exercise taking place in and around the islands of Hawaii. Hosted by the United States Pacific Fleet, Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2014 (RIMPAC 14) will see 23 nations, 48 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel – with approximately 970 ADF members from all three Services – taking part. The Australian Contingent Commander, Rear Admiral Simon Cullen, said RIMPAC provides the ADF with the chance to operate alongside regional neighbours. “As economic and strategic weight shifts to the Asia-Pacific, it will be increasingly important for Pacific Rim nations to work together to continue to promote security and prosperity,” RADM Cullen said.

Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. Hosted by U.S.

U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs informs that 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and altogether 25,000 personnel from 23 nations, will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, 2014 in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Two nations, Brunei and the People's Republic of China, will participate in RIMPAC for the first time in 2014. Also new at RIMPAC this year are two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and PLA (N) Peace Ark. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

Risk management experts from around the world will gather in Aberdeen on March 5 for a conference that will set the agenda for dealing with the issue and impact of human risk in the oil and gas industry. The keynote address will be delivered by Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, who chaired the public enquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster. The outcomes of the enquiry have transformed HSE operational procedures in the North Sea and the offshore oil and gas industry worldwide. Also included in the impressive line up of speakers is David Pritchard, co-chair of the Presidential Technical Commission for the Deepwater Horizon study group (U.S.) – this being the first time a key investigator in the Macondo disaster has publicly addressed the industry in a conference/public setting.

The Navy League of the United States mourns the death of its past national president, Capt. Daniel B. Branch Jr., USN retired. He died on Oct. 21, 2013, of complications from mesothelioma cancer at the age of 75. Memorial services will be held Thursday Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, 7520 South Boulder Road, Boulder, Colo. Burial services will be held at a future date at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Dan was born in Greenbelt, Md., in 1937, and graduated in 1959 from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Halliburton Pleads Guilty to Destruction of Evidence in Connection with Deepwater Horizon Disaster and Is Sentenced to Statutory Maximum Fine; Former Halliburton Manager Is Charged. Halliburton Energy Services Inc. (Halliburton) pleaded guilty today to destroying evidence pertaining to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster and was sentenced to the statutory maximum fine, the Justice Department announced. In addition, a criminal information was filed today charging a former Halliburton manager, Anthony Badalamenti, 61, of Katy, Texas, with one count of destruction of evidence.

A new research report from Transport Intelligence (Ti) has suggested that due to a wave of new investment, the scope and structure of oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) has broadened extensively over the past decade, creating an array of opportunities for logistics service providers. This is, in part, due to the emergence of substantial E&P activity in new locations which acts to drive up logistics spend. Ti’s new report, Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Logistics 2013, identifies double-digit growth in the E&P logistics spend in Russia, Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific for 2012. In Europe and the USA the market grew by 8% and 8.5% respectively.

Halliburton Energy Services Inc. has agreed to plead guilty to destroying evidence in connection with the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the Department of Justice announced today. A criminal information charging Halliburton with one count of destruction of evidence was filed today in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Halliburton has signed a cooperation and guilty plea agreement with the government in which Halliburton has agreed to plead guilty and admit its criminal conduct. As part of the plea agreement, Halliburton has further agreed, subject to the court’s approval, to pay the maximum-available statutory fine, to be subject to three years of probation and to continue its cooperation in the government’s ongoing criminal investigation.

DNV is urging the global oil and gas industry to strengthen its focus on safety risk analysis and be better prepared for incidents ahead of the Piper 25 conference. The organization will present two papers at the conference, which is a special three day event taking place at the AECC in Aberdeen from June 18-20 and will be chaired by Oil & Gas UK chief executive, Malcolm Webb. It is aimed at bringing together people from across the oil and gas industry to reflect on the lessons learnt from the tragedy of 25 years, review how far offshore safety has evolved since and to reinforce industry commitment to continuous improvement. A high turnout is expected to attend the commemorative event.

Oil and gas industry skills body OPITO has commissioned a new study which aims to identify the skills and competence gaps in offshore supervisors and how this impacts on the prevention of major safety incidents. Researchers at Robert Gordon University are undertaking in-depth interviews with current, former and retired offshore installation managers (OIMs) with extensive experience of working in the UK Continental Shelf to gain their insights into the influence of managerial commitment to safety in the offshore industry. The announcement follows last week's comments by industry leaders at the Oil and Gas U.K. breakfast that the shortage of experienced staff is potentially jeopardizing the North Sea’s world-leading safety standards as the sector prepares for its biggest boom for 30 years.