International Association Of Drilling Contractors News

A group comprising five offshore energy industry associations has called for the UK Government to exempt all offshore energy sector workers from the 14-day quarantine restrictions introduced on June 8.The group that calls itself the global Offshore Industry Group, comprises  International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), International Association of Oil…

Harvey Gulf International Marine’s parent, HGIM Corp., has announced the appointment of a new Board of Directors to serve following the company’s emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings.The seven member Board includes two current members remaining on the Board and five new members, each with expertise in individual areas particularly suited to support the company’s operation and development and collectively, creating a leadership platform that will enable Harvey Gulf to adjust and thrive in an ever-changing market. Shane Guidry. Mr. Guidry remains the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for HGIM Corp. Mr. Guidry is the third generation in his family to lead Harvey Gulf. Mr.

On the U.S. Gulf Coast, two well-regarded maritime education providers are expanding to meet growing local demand, while satisfying local employers with quality graduates. The sense of ‘community’ that they project is both real, and intentional. Less than 350 miles apart, the ports of Houston and New Orleans handle all manners of marine commerce and cargoes, employ tens of thousands on the waterfront and collectively service an increasingly large percentage of the nation’s domestic and international marine traffic. As both ports deepen their channels and grow their facilities, the need for qualified mariners, dock workers and marine professionals has become more acute.

When the Arctic Council’s Task Force on Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Prevention (TFOPP) met recently in Ottawa, it says it took important steps towards developing the Action Plan for oil pollution prevention mandated by Ministers in Kiruna. The Task Force is focused particularly on potential safety measures to prevent oil pollution from maritime and petroleum activities. The Arctic Council’s Task Force on Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Prevention (TFOPP) held its third meeting in Ottawa on 12-13 June, 2014. Co-chaired by Russia and Norway, the Task Force is responsible for developing an “Arctic Council Action Plan for Oil Pollution Prevention” and related cooperative arrangements…

On June 20, a diverse coalition of 58 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of leading business, maritime and labor organizations signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) urging that the committee mark up and approve S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform, science-based national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens.

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), North Sea Chapter once again recognized the very best in safety performance at its annual Safety Awards Ceremony held in Aberdeen. Julian Hall of Ensco, North Sea Chapter Chairman, said that it was important to recognize the contributions of individuals, teams and companies to the continuing safety of the industry. “It has not been an easy year, with safety dominated by understandable concerns regarding helicpter reliability.

On March 13, a diverse coalition of 59 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of business, maritime and labor interests signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee leadership, Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), thanking them for cosponsoring S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges, and urging swift Committee consideration and approval. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), has 23 bipartisan co-sponsors, nearly one-quarter of the Senate.

The most thorough analysis of the North Sea oil and gas skills landscape ever undertaken will commence next week with nine of the U.K.’s leading energy, business and skills organizations involved. The major study is the first to examine in depth exactly how many people and what skills are needed in order to address the critical shortage in the industry both now and in the future. Senior representatives from more than 1,000 operators, contractors and organizations throughout the…

Environmental Drilling Solutions (EDS), a provider of drilling waste management, solids control and backyard management solutions to the oil and gas industry, announced two senior-level additions to its management team: John Meckert as chief executive officer (CEO) and John Marty III as business development manager. Meckert joins EDS with 23 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, primarily in oilfield services and drilling. He has spent most of his career at various divisions of Nabors Industries, the world’s largest land driller.

Employers are hiring in coastal Louisiana, especially as offshore drilling picks up in the Gulf of Mexico. Companies are concerned about finding enough skilled workers in a locally tight labor market. For mariners, a variety of training programs at different levels and costs are offered in south Louisiana. For those businesses without the significant wherewithal and training resources of a Kirby Corporation, for example, there are other viable options for training. Fletcher Technical Community College: The college’s Louisiana Marine and Petroleum Institute or LaMPI was founded in the late 1970s to provide local maritime training. The institute provides Coast Guard-approved courses to about 2,200 mariners a year now. Fletcher and LaMPI are located in Houma on the Louisiana Gulf.

‘Addressing the Challenges of New Frontiers’ is the topical theme for the International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Annual Seminar being held in Singapore November 6-7, 2013. The program for the 18th seminar in the annual series is now online at imca-int.com/events/imca-annual-seminar.aspx, and registration is open. Open to members and non-members alike, the seminar features keynote addresses, presentations, workshops and discussions on diving including key developments and advances in diving equipment and operations; marine and subsea operations including DP operations; marine operations, technology and equipment; offshore surveying in remote and harsh environments; ROV and AUV resources and developments in technology.

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has recognized Mike Hoyle, one of GL Noble Denton's leading technical authorities for offshore oil and gas structures, for his contribution to new ISO Standards for the site-specific assessment of mobile offshore units. The IDAC Committee presented its Exemplary Service Award to Mr Hoyle in recognition of his role as leader of a dedicated International Standards Organization work group. The group developed the ISO 19905-1 and ISO 19905-2 standards for assessing the safe operation of mobile offshore units. Mr Hoyle led a large team of international mobile offshore structure specialists, representing rig-owners, class societies, oil companies, marine surveyors, consultants and regulators.

Greene’s Energy Group (GEG), a  provider of integrated testing, rentals and specialty services, has named Gene Garber as Chief Integration Officer, announced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bob Vilyus. Based in Lafayette, La., Garber, who also maintains his position as Senior Vice President, will now also be responsible for the development and integration of operational programs, strategies and associated projects to achieve strategic business goals and operational objectives. Additionally…

NOIA and IADC see broad, far reaching negative Impacts from EPA suspension of BP from US Government offshore contracts. The national trade associations, the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) consider that banning BP from bidding in future offshore lease sales could have a hugely negative ripple effect on drilling contractors and the rest of the offshore industry as well as the Gulf region, and even the Federal government. The offshore oil and gas industry, which is based almost entirely in the Gulf of Mexico, supported over 200,000 American jobs in 2010 and contributed nearly $80 billion in revenues to the Federal government from 2001-2010.

Greene's Energy Group Names Boutwell Manager, Technology and Business Development -Rental & Products. Greene’s Energy Group (GEG), a provider of integrated testing, rentals and specialty services, has named Doyle Boutwell as Manager, Technology and Business Development – Rental & Products, announced Frank Mathews, President – Rental & Products. Based in Houston, Boutwell will be responsible for the management of strategic and ongoing product development, emerging technologies and related business integration. Additionally, he will assist various business units with project management.

Caribbean nations will come together for the first time to specifically address emergency response protocols for offshore deepwater drilling activities. Open Forum’s inaugural conference: 'One Caribbean – One Responseon' will be held September 13, 2012, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. “The Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico are inextricably linked by the continuous flow of ocean currents and eddy streams. A deepwater event in any one of these regions becomes everyone’s challenge,” said Open Forum founder Lee Hunt, former President of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. The goal of the forum is to improve the integration of emerging deep-water drilling with regional regulatory and industry response capabilities.

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) say they are gravely concerned with the Interim Policy Document issued this week by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). By affirming that BSEE inspectors can issue Incidents of Noncompliance (INCs) to drilling contractors as well as oil companies, this unprecedented policy demonstrates a significant deviation from the global paradigm of holding operators ultimately responsible for accidents at the well site. “Drilling activity is strong around the world, with significant rig demand in areas like Brazil, West Africa and Asia Pacific. “BSEE’s guidance is inconsistent with the industry model and creates a whole new area of ambiguity,” said Brian Petty, IADC executive vice president – government affairs.

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) joined with the American Petroleum Institute (API), the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), and the U.S. With House passage last week of an alternative five year leasing plan for offshore access, and the last remaining days with Congress in session before the expiration of the 60 day congressional review period under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, we are encouraged by bipartisan support for legislation that would facilitate offshore access to new areas.

Every year the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) produces an annual report of safety statistics (covering fatalities and injuries) supplied by members. “Safety statistics are a useful insight into the performance of a company and industry sector in the areas of health, safety and environment,” explains Hugh Williams, Chief Executive of IMCA. We publish the figures to record the safety performance of IMCA contractor members each year and to enable them to benchmark their performance.

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Michael R. Bromwich delivered remarks today during the International Association of Drilling Contractors’ Drilling and Production Keynote Breakfast here. Director Bromwich discussed ongoing regulatory reform efforts and highlighted plans to strengthen the bureau’s enforcement tools and processes. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to be here with you today to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. It is great to be back in Austin and to be back at the Barton Creek Resort. History has an odd way of repeating itself, and our lives present us with strange coincidences  The first time I came to Barton Creek was almost exactly ten years ago.

Wild Well Control, a Superior Energy Services company, has named Kerry Girlinghouse Vice President of Well Control Engineering. Girlinghouse has been with Wild Well Control since 2004. In his most recent position he served as a Senior Technical Advisor within the engineering division. Based in Houston, Girlinghouse will lead the engineering division, increasing his role in global well control and prevention and response services. “Kerry has been an integral part of the success of Wild Well Control and the engineering services division.

According to a May 13 report from Bloomberg, a regulatory crackdown on offshore oil drilling after the fatal rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico will delay development of U.S. deposits with billions of barrels of crude and may spawn industry job cuts. BP Plc, ConocoPhillips, Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Cobalt International Energy Inc. and Plains Exploration & Production Co. are among explorers with projects on hold in the Gulf or coastal California after the April 20 explosion prompted federal and state officials to halt new drilling. An estimated 7,500 jobs on offshore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico may be lost if the ban on new well permits continues through July 1, Lee Hunt, President of the International Association of Drilling Contractors in Houston, told Bloomberg.

International associations representing a wide variety of ocean industries will meet together in the first “Roundtable of Ocean Industry Association Leaders,” which is being held as part of the Sustainable Ocean Summit in Belfast, 16-17 June 2009. Confirmed Roundtable participants include directors and senior managers of: Oil and Gas Producers Association (OGP), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), International Association of Dredging Contractors (IADC), International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), International Energy Agency: Ocean Energy Systems (IEA:OES), with additional association participants anticipated.