National Commission News

Lithuanian liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal operator, AB Klaipedos Nafta (KN) has started a yearly procedure, i.e. allocation of LNG terminal capacities for the new gas year.Capacities are allocated in advance, before the end of the gas year, according to the usual practice in the natural gas markets.The Company performs the allocation of capacities according to the publicly announced Regulations for Use of Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal, which were verified and approved by the National Commission for Energy Control and Prices and the Board of the Company.During the allocation procedure of the LNG terminal capacities the LNG…

Honduras is hosting a workshop on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulation setting out preventive security measures in case of threats to ships and port facilities – the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.The event in Puerto Cortez, Honduras (23-27 July) comes as a follow-up to a 2017 exercise in which the country’s specific technical assistance needs were identified.Designated authority and port facility security officers are improving their knowledge and understanding of how to implement the relevant provisions in the ISPS Code and SOLAS Chapter XI-2.Participants are also reviewing the practical guidance contained in the “Guide to maritime security and the ISPS Code”…

The conditions at the shipbreaking yards in Pakistan are extremely dire, says the annual report by NGO Shipbreaking Platform. As in India and Bangladesh, the yards in Gadani operate directly on the beach without any impermeable and drained working areas protecti ng the sea and sand from pollution. As there is no infrastructure to deal with hazardous wastes in Gadani, dangerous and polluti ng substances such as asbestos, PCBs and residue oils are simply dumped behind the shipbreaking area. Workers’ health and safety are blatantly ignored in Gadani, and trade unions, such as the Industriall-affiliated Pakistan National Trade Union Federati on (NTUF), have voiced strong concerns related to systematic breaches of basic labour rights.

A former member of the 9-11 Commission recently wrote in The Hill that an “often overlooked” benefit of the Jones Act is its role in homeland security and border protection. Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton and former state attorney general and homeland security expert from the Commission, said he finds border security the Jones Act’s “most vital benefit” in addition to its economic benefits of supporting more than 500,000 American jobs and the nearly $100 billion it fuels into the U.S. economy every year. The complete article written by Mr. As homeland security and border control remain a top priority among presidential candidates, one important provider of that security is often overlooked—the principal role the domestic maritime industry plays in securing America’s borders.

The 2015 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), to be held May 4–7 at NRG Park, will kick off on Sunday, May 3 in Houston with the Annual OTC Dinner to honor the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Achievement Awards, this year recognizing Elmer (Bud) Danenberger III for individual achievement, the Petrobras pre-salt development for corporate achievement, and Ray R. Ayers with the Heritage Award. Th eOTC Distinguished Achievement Award for Individuals will honor Elmer (Bud) Danenberger III for his contributions to offshore safety and environmental protection.

Venice, Italy has overturned a ban on cruise ships over 96,000 gross tonnage from sailing through the city’s Giudecca channel and passing St. Mark’s Square. Venice's regional court of appeal (Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale) threw out the limit imposed in November 2014 for large cruise ships over 96,000 gross tons (which roughly equates to 2,260 passengers) to sail to the city's main cruise terminal. The ban also limits the number of ships of 40,000 tons or more to five per day. Over the summer, celebrities like Michael Douglas and Cate Blanchett rallied in support of the ban citing the destruction and potential for flooding of the historic landmarks.

State-controlled Exportadora de Sal SA de CV of Mexico ("ESSA"), one of the world’s largest salt exporters with a 10-million-ton annual production, has strengthened its commitment to the continued protection of its operating environment with the signing of a recent contract in China for a new ship-type. This move forms part of ESSA’s on-going programme to upgrade and modernise its fleet, in step with recent advances in environmental technology and in line with economic imperatives. ESSA’s export facility is situated in one of Mexico's most ecologically-sensitive national reserves. The Guerrero Negro region is located within The Great Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaino…

Although OSHA Stakeholders have voted to extend the final deadline in four different meetings, the deadline has not been officially extended by US Government agency OSHA as of yet, say the experts at Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB). Consequently crane operators need to be certified by November to be in compliance with OSHA Rules. As specified in the ruling (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1427) non-governmental and non-military employers must ensure that equipment covered by 29CFR Subpart CC (machinery with load limits of 2,000 pounds or more) is only operated by an individual who is qualified or certified to operator the equipment in accordance with the final rule before November 10, 2014.

It has been over three years since the tragic accident occurred aboard the Deepwater Horizon on April 20, 2010. The industry and the relevant federal agencies have done much to put in place improved safeguards to prevent such an accident – which left 11 dead and 17 injured – from happening again. Congress, on the other hand, has done little to intervene to force new requirements on either the federal government or industry. Meanwhile, energy-related work in the Gulf of Mexico is rapidly increasing and forecasts are that it will remain busy for the next few years.

Andrew Altendorf is the CEO and majority owner of Acme Environmental Inc. Acme’s history spans almost 50 years and the firm is recognized as a pioneer in the manufacture of oil spill containment booms and other oil spill recovery items. A U.S. Coast Guard classified OSRO, Acme and Altendorf support numerous customers in Oklahoma and the Midwest with their emergency response. He has been the President of the Spill Control Association of America since November of 2010. Prior to taking the reins as President, he served on the SCAA Board of Directors for 5 years.

The National Energy Board (NEB or the Board) released filing requirements today for future applications to drill in the Canadian Arctic Offshore. The Filing Requirements, a companion document to The Past is Always Present, Review of Offshore Drilling in the Canadian Arctic, Preparing for the Future, follows several months of extensive consultation carried out across the North during the NEB’s Arctic Review. During the Arctic Review, many Northern residents stated that if drilling is to be authorized in the unique Arctic environment, it must be done right. The root cause of most offshore accidents is the lack of a broadly shared safety culture. In other words, people don’t do what they are supposed to do.

More than a decade ago, deepwater oil production in the Gulf of Mexico surpassed shallow water output for the first time ever. These days, rigs are found hundreds of miles offshore. Companies need to get equipment, employees, fuel and mud to those sites economically and usually on a tight schedule. Gulf marine companies are trying to meet those requirements by increasing the speed, size and energy efficiency of their vessels--though not necessarily all at once. Shane Guidry, Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Gulf International Marine…

The dictionary defines “complacency” as tranquil pleasure or self-satisfaction, especially when uncritical or unwarranted. Groups are prone to complacency when events occur as expected over an extended period of time. They let their guard down, assuming that events will continue to turn out as they have in the recent past. It is one of the most important jobs of leaders and managers to prevent their groups from falling into a culture of complacency. Otherwise, the group will be set up for failure, perhaps catastrophic.

It has been more than 16 months since the Deepwater Horizon incident on April 20, 2010 which resulted in the deaths of 11 and injuries to 17 men working on the platform and the discharge of approximately five million barrels of oil. The well was finally capped on July 15, 2010 yet the Joint Coast Guard and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Investigation final report (Joint Investigation) has not been completed and released to the public. In addition, Congress continues to wait until the final results are released to make its own assessment of what legislation should ultimately be enacted and the complex litigation will be with us for years.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich delivered remarks June 22 at the 5th annual World National Oil Companies Congress in London. The World National Oil Companies Congress brings together senior executives from national oil companies and government leaders from around the world to discuss global energy issues. Director Bromwich is attending this year's meeting to further the bureau’s efforts to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation with regulatory counterparts around the globe, especially in light of the recommendations of the National Commission on the Deepwater…

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich announced today that the bureau will begin to use multiple-person inspection teams for offshore oil and gas inspections. This internal process improvement will improve oversight and help ensure that offshore operations proceed safely and responsibly. The new process will allow teams to inspect multiple operations simultaneously and thoroughly, and enhance the quality of inspections on larger facilities. “We are bolstering our inspection program with additional resources and new approaches,” said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. In addition to on-the-job training…

As the International Oil Spill Conference kicks off in Portland, Ore. today, co-sponsors the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that they have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase their coordination and collaboration to ensure the environmentally sound offshore energy development. “BOEMRE and NOAA have enjoyed a long and productive relationship, but there is room for improvement.

President Barack Obama today announced his request for $358.4 million to fund the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) in fiscal year 2012. This represents a $119.3 million, or 50 percent, increase above the 2010 enacted level, after adjusting for funding transferred to the Office of the Secretary as part of the ongoing reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service (MMS). The budget is designed to implement critical organizational and regulatory reforms in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, so that domestic offshore energy resources are developed in a safe and responsible manner.

•    Frances G. •    Terry D. •    Cherry A. The bipartisan Commission, established through an Executive Order, is tasked with providing recommendations on how we can prevent – and mitigate the impact of – any future spills that result from offshore drilling. The Council is co-chaired by former two-term Florida Governor and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly. Frances G. Frances Beinecke is currently the President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit corporation that works to advance environmental policy in the United States and across the world. Ms. Beinecke has worked at NRDC for 35 years, serving as executive director, associate director and deputy executive director.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Deputy Secretary of the Interior David J. Hayes, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) Director Michael R. Bromwich will testify before the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. EDT.  They will discuss the Department’s response to the spill, the ongoing comprehensive reform of the offshore oil and gas regulatory framework and environmental recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. Where: Washington Marriott Wardman Park, 2660 Woodley Park Rd. N.W., Washington D.C. Webcast: The hearing will be webcast live at http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling has posted the video of its October 13 meeting. At the meeting, the Commissioners deliberated publicly regarding preliminary findings on: (1) the History and Future or Offshore Drilling; and (2) Regulatory Oversight. (10/20/10). Find the video here: http://www.oilspillcommission.gov/meeting-4/meeting-details (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

“On May 22, 2010, President Barack Obama announced the creation of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling: an independent, nonpartisan entity, directed to provide a thorough analysis and impartial judgment. The President charged the Commission to determine the causes of the disaster, and to improve the country’s ability to respond to spills, and to recommend reforms to make offshore energy production safer. And the President said we were to follow the facts wherever they led. This report is the result of an intense six-month effort to fulfill the President’s charge. “From the outset, the Commissioners…

The January 11, 2011 report from the non-partisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling confirmed the Jones Act did not prevent foreign vessels from assisting with the clean-up effort during the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year. “Deep Water: The Gulf Oil Disaster and the Future of Offshore Drilling” was prepared by the independent entity at the request of President Barack Obama. “While decision makers did decline to purchase some foreign equipment for operational reasons ‒ for example, Dutch vessels that would have taken weeks to outfit and sail to the region, and a Taiwanese super-skimmer that was expensive and highly inefficient in the Gulf ‒ they did not reject foreign ships because of Jones Act restrictions…