Marine & Offshore – OUR GREAT MINDS

The Last Breath: Commercial Diving Accident Turned Miracle

Tina Olivero — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:37:50 +0000

Today at the Energy NL Conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, attendees heard from one of the most remarkable figures in offshore energy and commercial diving: Chris Lemons.

If you don’t know his story, it’s worth your time.

In September 2012, while working as a saturation diver nearly 300 feet beneath the North Sea, Chris experienced a catastrophic failure that should have been fatal. A dynamic positioning failure aboard the support vessel caused his umbilical lifeline—the connection supplying oxygen, heat, communications, and power—to snap. Instantly, he was alone in complete darkness on the seabed with only a few minutes of emergency breathing gas remaining.

What happened next continues to puzzle medical experts.

After his emergency supply ran out, Chris remained stranded on the ocean floor for approximately 30 minutes before being recovered by fellow divers Dave Yuasa and Duncan Allcock. Against all expectations, he survived—and remarkably suffered no lasting neurological damage.

The incident became the subject of the acclaimed 2019 documentary Last Breath, which used actual dive footage, real communications recordings, and interviews with the crew involved. The documentary captivated audiences worldwide because it wasn’t a dramatization—it was a real-life account of teamwork, courage, offshore professionalism, and survival against impossible odds.

Last Breath

The story was so extraordinary that it was later adapted into the 2025 feature film Last Breath, starring Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allcock, Simu Liu as Dave Yuasa, and Finn Cole as Chris Lemons.

But beyond the Hollywood adaptation, Chris’s story resonates deeply with those who work in offshore energy. It is a powerful reminder of the risks faced by workers every day, the critical importance of safety systems, and the extraordinary professionalism of the people who operate in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Hearing Chris speak today wasn’t just hearing a survival story. It was hearing firsthand about resilience, preparation, teamwork, and the thin line between disaster and recovery in offshore operations.

Some stories are hard to believe.

This one actually happened.

Bay Du Nord – Business Opportunities Abound

Tina Olivero — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:01:52 +0000

Bay du Nord is a series of offshore oil discoveries located in the Flemish Pass Basin, approximately 475 kilometres northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, in water depths ranging from 621 to 1,200 metres. It is being developed by Equinor Canada Ltd. (operator, 65% interest in the Bay du Nord field) and BP Canada Energy Group ULC (35%), and will be Canada’s first deepwater oil project.

Discovered in 2013, the project encompasses five offshore fields: Bay du Nord, Cambriol, Cappahayden, Harpoon, and Baccalieu. The initial development phase focuses on Bay du Nord and Cambriol, which together hold estimated recoverable resources of 429 million barrels of oil — Bay du Nord contributing 237 million barrels and Cambriol contributing 192 million barrels. At peak production, the facility will process approximately 160,000 barrels of oil per day, with a potential debottlenecked capacity of up to 175,000 barrels per day.

The production installation will be a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel — a ship-shaped facility with a disconnectable turret, designed to process, store, and offload crude oil to shuttle tankers. The FPSO will carry approximately 1.2 million barrels of oil storage capacity. It will be ice-strengthened and engineered for year-round operations in the sub-Arctic conditions of the Flemish Pass.

The Money: What the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Stands to Gain

According to Equinor’s Benefits Plan filed with the C-NLOER, the initial phase of the project is expected to deliver the following to Newfoundland and Labrador:

The deal surpasses what was negotiated in 2018. It is the first life-of-field benefits agreement ever signed for an offshore oil and gas project in the province — commitments that run for the entirety of the project’s productive life, not just the construction years.

The Benefits Agreement: What Was Locked In

The March 3, 2026, Benefits Agreement is historic in its scope and detail. Key commitments include:

• 95% in-province fabrication of all subsea components.
• Apprenticeship employment targets — first ever in an NL offshore agreement: minimum 10% of skilled

trades hours in development, 15% during operations.

• Provincial equity option — giving the Government of NL a share in the project’s future growth.
• First-consideration provisions for NL residents (employment) and NL businesses (procurement) —

cascading contractually to all Tier 1 contractors and subcontractors.

• Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) in the St. John’s area staffed by Equinor and FPSO contractor personnel for the life of the project.

• 1.9 million person-hours of professional services work to be performed in the province.

The Regulatory Process: The Development Plan

On May 5, 2026, Equinor submitted its formal Development Plan Application (DPA) to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER). The C-NLOER board will determine whether the development is in the public interest. The application will ultimately be reviewed and approved by the federal Natural Resources Minister and the provincial Energy Minister. The public will have a formal opportunity to provide input before those decisions are made.

C-NLOER staff had already completed significant preparatory work before the application was received — including pre-engagement technical sessions, subsurface workshops, and early assessment of Equinor’s geoscience and engineering models.

The environmental question has already been settled by the 2022 federal EA, backed by 137 legally binding conditions enforced by the C-NLOER for the life of the project. The Benefits Agreement is a separate provincial process and is not subject to the C-NLOER public review.

The Concept: How Bay du Nord Will Work

Equinor evaluated six possible development concepts — FPSO, Gravity Based Structure (GBS), Tension-Leg Platform (TLP), semi-submersible, spar with storage, and spar without storage — and selected the FPSO as the only technically and economically feasible option. The deciding factors: water depths up to 1,200 metres, 475 km from shore, the need to disconnect in the event of icebergs or extreme weather, and the requirement for on-board crude storage and shuttle tanker offloading.

The Business Opportunity: A Province-Wide Supply Chain

Bay du Nord represents the largest supply chain opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador since Hebron, and its local content commitments go further than any previous offshore project. Here is a breakdown of opportunities by sector.

Subsea and Structural Fabrication

The commitment to fabricate 95% of subsea components in Newfoundland and Labrador is the most direct mandate for the provincial fabrication sector. Equinor has conducted facility tours across the province to assess local capacity. Named facilities in Equinor’s Benefits Plan:

Additional local fabricators listed in Equinor’s plan include: Acuren Group, Ameil Constructors, Atlantic Hydraulic & Machine, Bursey Manufacturing, C&W Offshore, Compass Limited, Green Infrastructure Partners Atlantic, and RothLockston.

Drilling and Well Services

Approximately 3.4 million person-hours of drilling and completions work will be performed in NL. Services required include (but are not limited to):

• Directional drilling, logging-while-drilling (LWD), measurement-while-drilling (MWD), mudlogging

• Cementing, wireline, coring, liner hanger services, completions equipment

• Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) supply and tubular management

• Helicopter passenger and Search and Rescue (SAR) services

• Offshore supply vessels (OSV), standby vessels (SBV)

• Supply base services, customs and freight forwarding, fuel

• Waste management, weather forecasting, ice reconnaissance

• Medical services, accommodation, and telecommunications

20 Years of Operations: Sustained Work

Once production begins in 2031, Bay du Nord enters a 20-year operations phase. Estimated operations employment:

Research, Development and Innovation — $275 Million

Equinor has a 20-year track record of funding NL research, and will expand its St. John’s R&D centre for the project. Technology themes directly relevant to local companies:

• Additive manufacturing and 3D printing

• Automated and autonomous inspection systems (IMR technologies, ROV/AUV)

• Digital twins and lifecycle simulators

• Robotics and drones for offshore use

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Environmental monitoring technologies

• Ice management engineering and harsh environment research

• Remote operations and integrated operations support

• Advanced maritime and ocean technologies

Companies already funded by Equinor in NL include C-CORE, Kraken Robotics, Rutter, Fugro, the National Research Council, and others. Equinor is a member of ERINL and actively participates in Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.

How to Participate: The Procurement Process

For businesses seeking to work on Bay du Nord, the standard procurement process is:

• 1. Expression of Interest (EOI) — Equinor and Tier 1 contractors publish EOIs for upcoming contracts and procurement forecasts on project-specific websites.

• 2. Pre-qualification — Suppliers demonstrate relevant capability, safety records, and compliance with the Accord Acts.

• 3. Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluation — Evaluated on best value: Canada-NL benefits alongside commerciality, delivery, schedule, quality, and HSE.

• 4. Contract award — Awards are publicly communicated for transparency.

All major bid submissions require completion of a local content questionnaire identifying how the bidder will support NL and Canadian suppliers, including technology transfer, training, alliances, and joint ventures. Non-provincial suppliers are encouraged to establish operations in the province and form joint ventures with local companies.

Equinor’s procurement and contract management function is based in St. John’s. BW Offshore has already opened a St. John’s office. The Subsea Integration Alliance is also required to maintain an in-province presence.

Monitor: Energy NL, TechNL, Econext, the NL Board of Trade, Equinor’s project website, and contractor websites for upcoming procurement opportunities.

Labour Capacity: Can the Province Deliver?

An independent labour capacity assessment (Stantec Consulting Ltd., 2025) commissioned by Equinor concluded that Newfoundland and Labrador has the necessary labour force, professional expertise, and fabrication infrastructure to support the construction and operation of Bay du Nord. PEGNL currently represents more than 5,000 members with 631 registered firms — 40% based in the province.

The assessment identified areas where the province will need to grow capacity, including certain hard-to-recruit drilling and marine positions: drillers, toolpushers, OIMs, marine electricians, hydraulic technicians, and offshore crane operators with Stage 3 certification. Equinor says it is well-positioned to respond through workforce development and the transfer of global experience.

For businesses assessing whether to build or expand capacity, major onshore fabrication begins in 2027. Drilling commences ~2029. Operations begin in 2031. The timeline offers meaningful lead time for workforce and capability development now.

The Bottom Line

Bay du Nord is not just Newfoundland and Labrador’s next offshore project — it is the province’s most structurally significant economic opportunity since Hibernia. A $14 billion capital investment. $44 billion in projected provincial GDP. Up to $6.4 billion in direct government revenue. Thirty-one million person-hours of work. A new floating dry dock. A $275 million innovation and training investment. And a life-of-field commitment that runs not just for the construction years, but for two decades of production.

For the province’s fabricators, engineers, tradespeople, logistics operators, marine services companies, technology firms, and post-secondary institutions — the window is open, and the clock is running toward 2027’s Final Investment Decision. The companies that engage now, build relationships with Equinor and the Tier 1 contractors, pre-qualify early, and position themselves in the supply chain will be best placed to capture that work.

It’s a good deal. It’s a good day, and the sun is shining, offshore Newfoundland!

From Oil to Opportunity: How Newfoundland and Labrador Can Lead the Next Energy Era

Tina Olivero — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:25:51 +0000

For decades, Newfoundland and Labrador has been defined by energy. Not in theory, but in practice. Offshore oil built industries, created jobs, and positioned the province as a serious contributor to Canada’s economic strength. It proved something important—that this place is capable of executing large-scale, complex, high-value projects on the global stage.

But what is happening now is not the end of that story. It is the beginning of a more powerful one.

Because the conversation around energy is changing, and with it comes a decision point. Some regions will retreat, scale back, and slowly fade from relevance. Others will recognize the shift for what it is—not a threat, but an expansion of opportunity. Newfoundland and Labrador is uniquely positioned to be in the second group.

The mistake many make is thinking in terms of replacement. Oil versus renewables. Old versus new. As if one must disappear for the other to succeed. That thinking is small, and it misses the real opportunity entirely. The future of energy is not about abandoning what works. It is about building on it, extending it, and integrating it into something more advanced, more resilient, and more strategic.

This province already has what most places are still trying to build. It has deep-water access, proven offshore expertise, a workforce that understands complex industrial environments, and a track record of delivering under extreme conditions. Those are not relics of the past. They are assets for the future.

The next era of energy will not be defined by a single source. It will be defined by systems. Oil, hydro, wind, hydrogen, and emerging technologies will not operate in isolation. They will operate together, feeding into broader energy networks that demand reliability, scale, and adaptability. Newfoundland and Labrador has the potential to become a place where that integration happens in a real, functional way.

Offshore oil remains a critical part of that equation. Not just economically, but strategically. The world is not moving away from oil overnight, no matter how strong the narrative suggests. Demand remains high, and jurisdictions that can produce responsibly, efficiently, and at scale will continue to play a central role. Newfoundland and Labrador has already demonstrated that capability. The opportunity now is to leverage that foundation to support what comes next.

Hydroelectric power is one of the province’s most powerful advantages, and one that is often underappreciated. It provides stable, large-scale, low-emission energy that can support not just local needs, but industrial expansion. In a world where energy-intensive industries are looking for reliable and cleaner power sources, that becomes a competitive edge. It allows Newfoundland and Labrador to attract operations that require significant energy input, including data centers, processing facilities, and advanced manufacturing.

Wind energy is also emerging as a major opportunity, particularly in offshore environments where conditions are among the strongest in North America. But the real value is not just in generating electricity. It is in what that electricity can enable. One of the most talked-about opportunities is hydrogen production, where excess or dedicated renewable energy can be used to produce fuel that is transportable, scalable, and increasingly in demand globally. If developed strategically, this could position the province not just as an energy producer, but as an energy exporter in new forms.

What ties all of this together is infrastructure and vision. Without coordination, these opportunities remain separate. With the right approach, they become a system. Offshore platforms, transmission capacity, ports, processing facilities, and export channels can be aligned to support multiple energy streams rather than a single one. That is where the real shift happens—from industry to ecosystem.

There is also a significant opportunity in what happens beyond extraction and generation. Too often, value leaves at the point of export. Resources are shipped out, processed elsewhere, and sold back at a premium. The next energy era will reward regions that move further up the value chain. That means refining, processing, manufacturing, and developing technologies locally. It means creating not just energy, but products, systems, and expertise that can be sold to the world.

This is where business opportunity expands rapidly.

Companies that understand fabrication, engineering, logistics, and industrial systems can transition into new energy projects without starting from zero. The same capabilities used to build offshore platforms can be adapted to build wind infrastructure. The same supply chains that support oil operations can support hydrogen development. The same workforce can be retrained, upgraded, and expanded to meet new demands.

This is not a reinvention. It is an evolution.

There is also a global context that cannot be ignored. Energy security is becoming one of the defining issues of our time. Nations are looking for stable, reliable partners who can supply energy in multiple forms. Canada has the advantage of political stability, natural resources, and geographic positioning. Newfoundland and Labrador strengthens that advantage through its Atlantic access and proximity to international shipping routes. That creates an opening to become not just a regional player, but a contributor to global energy systems.

At the same time, this transition will require leadership that is willing to think long-term. The greatest risk is not in moving forward. It is in hesitating, in trying to preserve the past without building the future. The jurisdictions that succeed will be the ones that recognize that energy is not static. It evolves. And those who evolve with it do not lose relevance. They expand it.

For entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, this moment matters. The shift toward integrated energy systems will create demand across multiple sectors at once. Construction, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, technology, and training will all be part of the growth. The question is not whether opportunity exists. It is where and how to position within it.

What makes Newfoundland and Labrador different is that it does not need to start from scratch. It already has credibility in energy. It already understands scale. It already knows how to operate in difficult environments. Those strengths, combined with emerging opportunities in renewables and energy innovation, create a rare alignment. This is how regions move from relevance to leadership. Not by abandoning what built them, but by using it as a foundation for what comes next.

The next energy era will not belong to those who choose one path over another. It will belong to those who can connect them. Those who can build systems instead of silos. Those who can see beyond the immediate debate and recognize the long-term shift.

Newfoundland and Labrador has that opportunity now. Not to step away from energy, but to step into a larger version of it. And for those paying attention, this is not just a provincial story. It is a blueprint for what comes next.

Bull Arm: Canada’s $200M Move That Could Reshape the Economy

Tina Olivero — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:46:34 +0000

Canada’s $200 million investment in a floating dry dock at Bull Arm is not just a marine infrastructure project. It is a signal that the country is entering a new phase of industrial thinking—one where self-reliance, strategic positioning, and economic control are no longer optional. They are necessary.

What is being built in Newfoundland and Labrador is not simply a place to repair ships. It is the foundation of a new economic engine. And for those who understand how these moments work, it represents something far more important than the project itself. It represents timing.

For years, Canada has operated with a critical limitation. Some of its largest naval and coast guard vessels could not be fully serviced within its own borders. That meant reliance on foreign facilities, delayed maintenance, exported capital, and a quiet but significant vulnerability in national capability. This dry dock closes that gap. But more importantly, it opens something else.

It opens an ecosystem.

Because the infrastructure of this scale never stands alone. It attracts. It pulls. It builds layers around it. And those layers are where the real opportunity lives.

Bull Arm is not an accidental choice. It is a location with industrial memory. It was trusted once to build one of the most complex offshore structures in Canadian history—the Hibernia platform. That matters because industrial ecosystems tend to return to places where capability has already been proven. What is happening now is not the creation of something entirely new. It is the reactivation of something powerful that was already there, waiting for the right moment.

This project positions Newfoundland and Labrador as a serious player in Canada’s marine future. Not symbolically, but functionally. Ships will come here because they have to. And when ships come, business follows.

The first layer of opportunity is obvious, but still significant. Construction, fabrication, engineering, and trades will all see immediate demand. Steel will be needed. Systems will be built. Equipment will be installed. Contracts will be issued. For companies already operating in these spaces, this is a chance to scale. For those outside, it is a reason to enter.

But that is only the beginning.

The deeper opportunity lies in what happens after the dock is built. Ships do not arrive once. They return. Maintenance is not an event. It is a cycle. Inspection, repair, upgrade, refit—these are recurring needs. That means recurring revenue. And recurring revenue is where real businesses are built.

Around this cycle, an entire support structure begins to form. Supply chains expand. Warehousing becomes necessary. Transportation routes increase. Specialized services emerge. What was once a single facility becomes a hub.

At that point, the opportunity stops being about the dock and starts being about positioning.

Below is a clear breakdown of where those opportunities are likely to concentrate:

What becomes clear when you step back is that this is not a single-industry opportunity. It is a multi-industry convergence point.

There is also a technological layer that many will underestimate. Modern vessels are no longer just mechanical systems. They are integrated platforms of data, sensors, and advanced engineering. Maintenance is becoming predictive rather than reactive. Efficiency is driven by analytics. Downtime is managed through software as much as through labour. This creates a space for innovation. Companies that can bring technology into marine operations will not just support the industry. They will help redefine it.

At the same time, the human element cannot be ignored. Projects like this reshape labour markets. They create demand not just for workers, but for trained workers. That opens the door for institutions to expand, for new training programs to emerge, and for Newfoundland and Labrador to position itself as a center of excellence in marine skills. When a region becomes known not just for the work it does, but for the talent it produces, it begins to sustain itself differently.

There is also a broader strategic layer that sits behind all of this. Canada’s presence in the North Atlantic and Arctic is becoming more important. Shipping routes are evolving. Global tensions are shifting. Sovereignty is no longer an abstract concept. It is tied directly to capability. A dry dock that can service large vessels quickly and domestically strengthens that capability. And when something becomes strategically important, it tends to attract continued attention, funding, and long-term policy support.

That stability matters to business. Because businesses do not just grow on opportunity, they grow on predictable demand. And this project creates exactly that.

It is also worth considering what this means beyond Canada. The infrastructure of this scale does not stay invisible. If it proves efficient, reliable, and competitive, it will begin to attract attention from outside the country. Allied nations, commercial fleets, and Arctic operators may all eventually see value in using a facility like this. That is how a regional asset becomes an international one. And when that happens, the surrounding ecosystem expands again. This is why the most important question is not whether this is a good project. It clearly is. The more important question is who sees it for what it really is. Because some will see a government announcement, others will see the early stages of a long-term industrial shift. And a small number will recognize it as a platform—something to build on, position within, and grow alongside.

Those are the ones who move early. Those are the ones who align themselves before the ecosystem becomes crowded. Those are the ones who understand that real opportunity rarely announces itself loudly. It appears quietly, inside projects like this, waiting for people who know how to recognize it.

The floating dry dock at Bull Arm may be remembered as a solution to a national problem. But it has the potential to become something much larger than that. It has the potential to anchor a new chapter of economic growth for Newfoundland and Labrador, one that is not dependent on a single resource but built on capability, service, and strategic relevance.

And for those paying attention, that is where the real opportunity begins.

Bay du Nord: A $21 Billion Opportunity for Industry and Local Business Growth

Tina Olivero — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:26:13 +0000

By moving the Bay du Nord offshore oil project forward with Equinor and bp, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has unlocked one of the biggest economic developments in Canada’s energy history — and it’s set to create long-term business opportunities for firms across the supply chain.

A Turning Point for Newfoundland & Labrador’s Offshore Sector

With the recent signing of the Bay du Nord benefits agreement between the province, Equinor, and bp, Newfoundland and Labrador has returned in force to the offshore oil business after a multi-year pause. This agreement lays the foundation for:

A massive investment approaching $21 billion in the region’s economy (inclusive of first-phase capital and long-term operational spend).
Up to 31 million person-hours of work over roughly 25 years across construction, fabrication, professional services, and operations.
Fabrication of at least 95 % of subsea components in Newfoundland and Labrador, ensuring local industry involvement.
A new floating dry dock at Bull Arm — a facility that will anchor long-term fabrication, ship repair, and maintenance work well beyond this project.

This isn’t a fleeting boom-bust project — it’s a strategic economic engine with decades of opportunities for industry partners.

What This Means for Local Companies & Industry Suppliers

Bay du Nord’s scale and design intentionally maximize work in the province through targeted contracting and procurement strategies:

1. Fabrication & Construction Contracts

The agreement commits to fabricating the vast majority of subsea infrastructure — including risers, manifolds, jumpers, and tiebacks — locally. That translates to major contracts for:

Local fabrication shops and yards
Steel and materials suppliers
Welding, machining, and heavy-lift contractors
Marine logistics and transport companies

Already, expressions of interest have been issued for key construction packages, including topsides components — providing an early signal to Newfoundland & Labrador fabricators and contractors that work is imminent.

2. The Bull Arm Floating Dry Dock: A New Industrial Hub

One of the most exciting business prospects is the planned floating dry dock at Bull Arm Fabrication Site. Supported by a dedicated $200 million fabrication fund, this dry dock will:

Serve offshore build and maintenance needs
Open long-term work in vessel repair and refurbishment
Position Bull Arm as a regional maritime services centre

This is more than a single piece of infrastructure — it’s a platform for sustained business growth in marine engineering, heavy fabrication, ship support services, and defence sector contracts.

3. Professional Services & Skilled Labour

Beyond physical components, Bay du Nord drives substantial demand for specialized services and human capital:

Engineering, procurement, and project management
Legal, HR, and compliance consulting
Offshore support and logistics planning
Apprenticeship and skilled-trades placements (with targets for apprentice participation in construction and operations)

Local firms with expertise in these areas should begin positioning now — early involvement even in the planning stages can build long-lasting industry relationships.

4. Research, Innovation & Technology Development

The agreement also includes significant R&D investment, aimed at enhancing local capabilities in subsea engineering, marine technologies, additive manufacturing, AI, robotics, and autonomous systems. This means opportunities for:

Technology firms and startups
Universities and research institutions
Engineering innovation hubs

This boosts Newfoundland and Labrador’s profile as a centre of excellence for offshore technology — not just a production site.

Strategic Long-Term Economic Benefits for the Region

Bay du Nord isn’t just about jobs and fabrication — it’s about transformational economic impact:

Thousands of skilled trades jobs throughout the project’s lifespan.
Up to $6.4 billion in direct government revenue from royalties and taxes in the first phase, supporting broader economic growth.
An attractive climate for future offshore exploration and follow-on projects.
Enhanced industrial capacity that can spin off into related sectors, including defence, offshore wind, subsea tech, and shipbuilding.

This puts the province in a position not just to build Bay du Nord, but to build industries around Bay du Nord.

For companies in marine construction, fabrication, professional services, and technology, the Bay du Nord project represents a once-in-a-generation business opportunity. Contracts spanning decades will flow not only from project construction and operations but from the broader industrial infrastructure and capabilities being created in Newfoundland and Labrador.

If your business is ready to serve in offshore fabrication, engineering, R&D, or professional support, now is the time to position yourself — because the Bay du Nord era has officially begun.

Sources

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – News Release on Bay du Nord Benefits Agreement (March 2026)

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Additional Project Update (March 2026)

Government of Canada – Natural Resources Canada: Bay du Nord Agreement Advances Responsible Energy Development

World Oil – Bay du Nord Offshore Project Advances with New Benefits Agreement

Newfound News – Agreement Reached to Advance Bay du Nord Offshore Project

#BayDuNord #NewfoundlandAndLabrador #OffshoreOil #EnergyIndustry #Fabrication #BullArm #OilAndGas #CanadianEnergy #EconomicDevelopment #SkilledTrades #MarineIndustry #SupplyChain #ProjectManagement #EnergyInvestment

Powering a Net-Zero Future: Green Volt’s Visionary Offshore Wind Project

Tina Olivero — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:43:49 +0000

In a bold stride toward a sustainable energy future, Aker Solutions has entrusted ABB with a pivotal front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Green Volt floating offshore wind project. Positioned 80 kilometers off the coast of Peterhead in northeast Scotland, this 560 MW project spearheaded by Vårgrønn and Flotation Energy is set to redefine the renewable energy landscape.

A Visionary Leap for Offshore Wind

Green Volt aspires to be Europe’s first commercial-scale floating wind farm. When it becomes fully operational in 2029, the project is projected to supply 1.5 TWh of clean power annually—enough to energize approximately 555,000 homes each year. This monumental endeavor aligns seamlessly with the UK’s net-zero commitment by 2050 and Scotland’s accelerated target of 2045.

“This collaboration will not only propel us closer to a renewable future but will also strengthen Europe’s offshore wind value chain,” noted Henrik Inadomi, Executive Vice President for New Energies at Aker Solutions. “The partnership underscores our commitment to delivering scalable, profitable solutions that make a tangible difference.”

ABB’s High-Tech Contributions

As part of the FEED Phase 1, ABB will join forces with Aker Solutions to craft the project’s comprehensive electrical infrastructure. From system design to high-voltage equipment, ABB’s scope extends across automation and telecommunications systems for both offshore platforms and onshore substations. Advanced power and energy management systems will play a key role in seamlessly integrating the renewable energy output into the grid.

“We are thrilled to collaborate on a project that is pivotal to achieving the UK’s offshore wind ambitions,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. “Our technologies will not only optimize Green Volt’s operations but also support the UK’s 60 GW offshore wind capacity target.”

Offshore Wind’s Rising Impact

Wind energy currently powers nearly 30% of the UK’s electricity grid, with an impressive daily record of 21.8 GW achieved last year. The Green Volt project’s innovative design will further bolster these numbers, sustaining momentum toward the nation’s renewable energy goals.

ABB’s credentials in the sector are formidable, with active roles in seven UK offshore wind projects totaling 9 GW of capacity. Their advanced automation and digital solutions help minimize costs, maximize energy production, and ensure reliable power integration—a blueprint for scalable success.

Bolstering Local Economies

Green Volt’s development under Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leasing round promises not only environmental benefits but also economic growth. The project will strengthen the supply chain for floating offshore wind technology across Scotland and the UK, creating new jobs and fostering regional expertise.

Green Volt is more than an engineering marvel; it represents a transformative shift in how the UK approaches renewable energy. With strong partnerships and cutting-edge technology, it sets a precedent for future floating offshore wind projects worldwide, paving the way for a cleaner, greener planet.

Sources:
Aker Solutions
ABB

Energy Titans Unite: Shell and Equinor Form the UK’s Largest Independent Oil and Gas Company

Tina Olivero — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 19:04:37 +0000

In a transformative move that could redefine the future of UK energy, Shell U.K. Limited and Equinor UK Ltd are joining forces to create the country’s largest independent oil and gas company. This landmark collaboration between two global energy giants aims to bolster domestic energy production, extend the life of critical North Sea resources, and secure the UK’s energy supply amid global uncertainties.

With equal ownership of 50% each, this joint venture (JV) will combine the expertise and assets of Shell and Equinor, ushering in a new era of energy innovation. By streamlining operations and focusing on strategic investments, the new entity will play a pivotal role in navigating the challenges of a maturing North Sea basin.

Why This Joint Venture Matters

The North Sea has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s energy landscape. However, with its resources naturally declining, maintaining production levels has become increasingly challenging. By uniting their portfolios, Shell and Equinor intend to harness advanced technologies, reduce operational costs, and maximize the economic recovery of remaining resources.

Equinor’s Philippe Mathieu highlighted the significance of this alliance, stating, “Equinor has been a reliable energy partner to the UK for over 40 years. This transaction strengthens our near-term cash flow and combines our expertise with Shell’s competitive assets. Together, we’re ensuring the UK’s energy supply remains secure.”

Shell’s Zoë Yujnovich echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the JV’s role in balancing energy transition goals with immediate energy demands. “Domestically produced oil and gas will remain essential for the UK’s energy system. This partnership with Equinor helps sustain that vision while contributing to a secure and balanced energy future,” she said.

A Strategic Base in Aberdeen

Headquartered in Aberdeen, often called the heart of the UK’s energy industry, the JV will oversee a diverse portfolio of vital oil and gas assets. Key assets from Equinor include stakes in Mariner, Rosebank, and Buzzard, while Shell contributes interests in Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, Nelson, Pierce, Jackdaw, Victory, Clair, and Schiehallion.

Additionally, the JV will manage exploration licenses, paving the way for potential new discoveries. This strategic consolidation ensures that existing fields and platforms receive the investments needed to prolong their operational lifespan, sustaining jobs and economic growth in the region.

Driving Sustainability in a Maturing Basin

The joint venture isn’t just about maximizing production—it’s about creating a long-term, sustainable energy future. By pooling their resources, Shell and Equinor aim to innovate in both traditional oil and gas production and emerging clean energy solutions.

This approach aligns with the broader goals of the UK’s energy transition strategy, which seeks to reduce reliance on imports while advancing decarbonization efforts. While the North Sea basin faces natural decline, this partnership exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can turn challenges into opportunities.

What’s Next?

The deal is expected to close by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Once finalized, the new company will set a benchmark for collaboration in the energy sector, balancing economic, environmental, and societal priorities.

A New Chapter for UK Energy

As the world grapples with energy security and the need for sustainable solutions, the Shell-Equinor joint venture stands out as a beacon of possibility. By combining decades of expertise and resources, this partnership is poised to deliver immediate benefits while paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

In a rapidly evolving energy landscape, such initiatives highlight the power of collaboration in meeting today’s challenges and preparing for tomorrow’s needs.

Sources:
Equinor
Shell

The World’s Largest Shipping Giant Pioneers a Green Revolution: MSC’s Decarbonization Journey

Tina Olivero — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 18:38:11 +0000

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), now the world’s largest container shipping company, is navigating a critical challenge that goes beyond transporting goods and expanding fleets. While MSC has grown into a global shipping giant, with operations spanning 155 countries and a fleet of 850 vessels, its focus has shifted toward environmental sustainability. As the shipping industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, MSC is leading the charge with innovative strategies to decarbonize its operations.

A Giant with Green Ambitions

MSC’s rise in the global shipping arena began in 1970 when Captain Gianluigi Aponte purchased his first cargo ship, the MV Patricia. What started as a single vessel has evolved into a shipping empire, overtaking Maersk in 2022 to become the largest container shipping company in the world. MSC’s vast network now includes container ships, cruise ships, ferry services, and port terminal infrastructure.

However, with great size comes great responsibility. As one of the world’s most significant shipping operators, MSC is a major contributor to global shipping emissions. In response, MSC has actively pursued a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to tackle emissions across both its container fleet and cruise ships, while investing in alternative fuel technologies to meet global climate targets.

The Path to Carbon Reduction

MSC is implementing a variety of measures to reduce its carbon emissions, focusing primarily on upgrading its fleet with more energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels.

One of MSC’s key strategies is the adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional fuel. LNG-powered vessels produce fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional fuel, and MSC is steadily increasing the number of LNG-powered ships in its fleet. MSC is also exploring the potential of bio-LNG, produced from renewable sources, which could further reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

Beyond LNG, MSC has launched the MSC Biofuel Solution, an internal program that allows clients to offset their carbon emissions. By replacing conventional fossil fuels with biofuels, MSC calculates CO2 savings and passes those benefits onto its customers, providing them with a pathway to meet their own sustainability goals. This initiative positions MSC as both an environmentally conscious operator and a partner in their clients’ green strategies.

Innovation on the High Seas

Looking toward the future, MSC’s efforts extend beyond biofuels and LNG. The company is actively researching hydrogen fuel cells, a promising technology for zero-emission shipping. The MSC World Europa, one of MSC’s newest cruise ships, is pioneering the use of fuel cells onboard, a significant step toward more sustainable cruise operations.

MSC is also experimenting with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from its engines. The company continues to invest in next-generation LNG engines that address methane slip, a common issue with LNG fuel. Additionally, MSC is preparing to integrate liquid hydrogen into future vessel designs to take another leap toward decarbonization.

On the cargo side, MSC is exploring the potential of ammonia as a future fuel source. The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lloyd’s Register and MAN Energy Solutions to design ammonia dual-fuel container ships, reaffirming MSC’s commitment to developing zero-carbon propulsion technologies.

Global Collaboration for Decarbonization

MSC’s decarbonization efforts are supported by its participation in several industry-wide initiatives. The company is an active member of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD), contributing to pilots and trials for lower-emissions fuels. It also collaborates with the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative and the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel, underlining MSC’s focus on collective progress within the maritime industry.

At the UN’s COP 28 climate conference, MSC joined Maersk, CMA CGM, and other major shipping companies in issuing a joint declaration calling for regulatory action to accelerate the green transition. This includes establishing an end date for fossil fuel-only vessels and implementing effective carbon pricing mechanisms to make green fuels more competitive during the transition.

Balancing Growth with Sustainability

Despite MSC’s ambitious decarbonization goals, the company’s rapid growth raises important questions about balancing expansion with sustainability. MSC currently has the largest orderbook of energy-efficient container ships, with 134 vessels on order. These new ships are designed to reduce emissions, but the scale of MSC’s operations presents a challenge: Can the emissions savings from these newer ships offset the impact of the growing fleet?

To address this, MSC collaborates with organizations like Climate TRACE, which provides transparent emissions data. By embracing data transparency and continuing to innovate, MSC aims to lead the industry not only in size but also in sustainability.

Future Powered by Green Shipping

As the global shipping industry grapples with the dual challenges of economic uncertainty and environmental responsibility, MSC’s proactive efforts to reduce its carbon emissions set an important example. Through investments in alternative fuels, cutting-edge technologies, and global collaborations, MSC is charting a course toward a greener future for shipping.

The path to decarbonization is long and complex, but with leaders like MSC pioneering the way, the shipping industry may yet achieve its climate goals and redefine the future of global trade.

Written by Tina Olivero for TheOGM.com

Sources: MSC.com

Newdock Acquired by Indigenous Partnership: Membertou, Qalipu First Nations, and Horizon Naval Engineering

Tina Olivero — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:57:07 +0000

Newdock (St. John’s Dockyard Ltd.), a cornerstone of St. John’s Harbour for over 140 years, is set to be acquired by an Indigenous-led partnership between Membertou First Nation, Qalipu First Nation, and Horizon Naval Engineering. The transaction, which is expected to close in early October, marks a historic step for Indigenous economic investment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This acquisition promises to generate long-term prosperity and create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous communities in Newfoundland, Labrador, and Nova Scotia. It stands as one of the most significant First Nations business ventures in the region’s history.

The investment will benefit both Membertou and Qalipu First Nations by providing immediate returns that will fund social and cultural initiatives while fostering sustainable economic development. As part of this vision, the partnership plans to support the growing blue economy by offering training and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.

“For generations, the Mi’kmaq have contributed to the marine and fishery industries, and today we proudly announce our ownership of Newdock in St. John’s,” said Chief Terry Paul of Membertou First Nation. “This acquisition builds on our tradition of hard work and creates new opportunities for both Newdock employees and our communities.”

Chief Jenny Brake of Qalipu First Nation echoed this sentiment: “The purchase of Newdock is a momentous occasion for Indigenous ownership. It instills pride for future generations, linking our traditional boat-building heritage with modern economic drivers in the marine sector.”

Sean Leet, President of Horizon Naval Engineering, expressed his enthusiasm: “Partnering with Indigenous communities in this acquisition is a significant milestone. Horizon has long championed Indigenous inclusion in the marine sector, and we are proud to support Newdock’s continued success, especially as we expand into offshore and renewable energy sectors.”

The acquisition was made possible with financing from the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), which specializes in providing capital planning advice and access to long-term loans at preferable interest rates to First Nation governments.

This is the first business acquisition for Qalipu First Nation through their development arm, Qalipu Holdings. Meanwhile, Membertou First Nation brings extensive experience, having previously made waves with their historic 50% acquisition of Clearwater Seafoods in 2021, one of the largest investments by an Indigenous group in Canada’s fisheries.

The partnership has also signed a management agreement with Miawpukek Horizon Maritime, which will oversee the business integration and strategic planning efforts. Miawpukek First Nation has secured an option to invest in Newdock, ensuring their community has representation in this transformative venture.

The acquisition coincides with Mi’kmaq History Month, reinforcing the deep cultural significance of this partnership. The partners extend their gratitude to Newdock’s previous ownership, management, and staff for their professionalism and hard work, as they look forward to building on Newdock’s longstanding legacy.

_____________________________

About Newdock
Founded in 1884, Newdock (St. John’s Dockyard Ltd.) has provided world-class ship repair and refit services to a wide range of marine vessels, playing a vital role in the marine industry in eastern Canada.

About Membertou First Nation
Membertou First Nation, located on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is a thriving Mi’kmaq community focused on economic development. Through the Membertou Development Corporation, the community operates 13 corporate businesses, including major partnerships like Clearwater Seafoods, North America’s largest integrated seafood company.

About Qalipu First Nation
Qalipu First Nation is part of the Mi’kmaq Nation, whose territory spans from Maine to Newfoundland, known as Mi’kma’ki. Focused on advancing its people, Qalipu engages in various sectors, including the environment, health, education, tourism, small business, and economic development.

About Horizon Naval Engineering
Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Horizon Naval Engineering boasts extensive experience in global maritime operations. The company is committed to safety, innovation, and fostering partnerships with First Nations to create prosperous business opportunities.

For more information, please contact:
Kelsea MacNeil, Membertou Development Corporation – 902-578-4858
Kellie Clark, Qalipu First Nation – 709-634-8035
Laura Barron, Horizon Maritime – 709-689-0076

Source and Images:
membertou.ca

Offshore Wind Contracts Are Vital for Our Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Tina Olivero — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 19:18:42 +0000

By Tina Olivero, Reporter, The OGM

Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore industry has long been a key player in the global energy landscape, and now, the winds of change are blowing in favor of a new era. The Port of Argentia has secured a landmark contract to support the US offshore wind market, setting the stage for Newfoundland to play a significant role in the rapidly growing offshore wind sector.

Positioning the province of Newfoundland and Labrador for contracts with the United States in offshore wind is a strategic move and it’s the right way to go. Here’s why:

1. Expanding Economic Opportunities

Securing contracts to support the US offshore wind industry opens up a vast array of economic opportunities for Newfoundland. The newly announced partnership between the Port of Argentia and Scan Global Logistics to store and transport 220 offshore wind turbine blades to the US is a major step forward. With global energy demand shifting toward renewables, wind energy contracts will create jobs, attract investment, and boost local economies.

2. Global Leadership in Renewable Energy

The Port of Argentia has already proven itself as North America’s first monopile marshaling port. By continuing to attract contracts like the US wind turbine blade project, Newfoundland positions itself as a leader in renewable energy infrastructure. This reputation for innovation and readiness to tackle global renewable energy challenges will pave the way for future international partnerships.

3. Strategic Geographic Location

Newfoundland’s proximity to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States gives it a strategic advantage for servicing the growing offshore wind market. With easy access to the world’s largest offshore wind development region, the Port of Argentia is perfectly situated to serve as a critical marshaling and logistics hub for wind energy projects in the US.

4. Diversifying the Energy Mix

Historically, Newfoundland has been heavily reliant on oil and gas. However, securing offshore and on-land wind contracts offers an opportunity to diversify the province’s energy mix. Offshore wind is a clean and sustainable energy source that aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, and by participating in this market, Newfoundland is taking a forward-thinking approach to energy security.

5. Creating Long-Term Employment

Offshore wind projects require a skilled workforce across various sectors, including logistics, transportation, engineering, and construction. By developing wind energy infrastructure, Newfoundland can generate long-term employment for its residents. This will not only stabilize local communities but also ensure that the province has the expertise necessary to compete in the global renewable energy market.

6. Reducing Carbon Emissions

Collaborating with the US offshore wind sector is an environmentally responsible decision that will contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, Newfoundland’s involvement in offshore wind projects can help drive down the reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.

7. Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

The Port of Argentia has already demonstrated its capacity to handle large-scale offshore energy projects. The existing infrastructure, including secure storage and marshaling facilities, can be easily adapted to accommodate offshore wind components like turbine blades, creating minimal need for additional investment while maximizing economic benefits.

8. Building a Robust Supply Chain

Newfoundland’s involvement in US offshore wind projects will also strengthen the local supply chain. By engaging local businesses in construction, transportation, and logistics, the province can foster growth in sectors that will benefit from increased activity related to wind energy contracts, promoting further economic development.

9. Positioning for Future Renewable Contracts

The global shift toward renewable energy is accelerating, and countries worldwide are looking for reliable partners in wind, solar, and other clean energy sectors. Newfoundland’s success in the offshore wind market could serve as a blueprint for securing future contracts in other renewable energy areas, positioning the province as a go-to region for global energy innovation.

10. Enhancing Newfoundland’s Global Presence

The Port of Argentia’s new contract with the US offshore wind industry enhances Newfoundland’s presence on the global stage. By successfully executing this agreement, Newfoundland sends a clear message to the world that it is ready and capable of leading in renewable energy projects. This increased visibility will likely result in more opportunities for international partnerships and further economic growth.

The province recently announced the opening of an office in Boston Mass, USA, to capitalize on the wind energy business is another good move. As the world moves toward a renewable energy future, Newfoundland and Labrador are uniquely positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

As the wind blows, so too do the opportunities for a sustainable new energy future!

Norway’s Oil and Gas Venture: Billions at Stake as Future Production Hangs in the Balance

Tina Olivero — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:57:47 +0000

The Norwegian Continental Shelf’s untapped potential could define the country’s economic future—but only if the government invests in exploration now.

Norway stands at a critical crossroads. According to a new report by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, the country’s oil and gas resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) could fuel high levels of production, export, and societal value creation well into the future. But this promising scenario won’t simply unfold on its own; it hinges on a proactive approach to exploration and investment.

The Directorate’s projections highlight a stark choice: with aggressive exploration and investment, Norway could continue to reap vast economic benefits, potentially amounting to nearly the size of the entire government pension fund. However, a lack of action could see the country forfeit this opportunity, surrendering trillions in potential revenue.

The Future of Norway’s Oil and Gas: Three Scenarios to 2050

The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has modeled three potential scenarios for oil and gas production up to 2050. Each scenario points to a decline in output, but the rate of decline will vary significantly depending on how Norway manages its resources. These scenarios are not just academic exercises—they represent three very different futures for Norway’s economy.

“The scenarios reveal stark differences in future value creation and government revenues from the petroleum sector,” explains Kjersti Dahle, Director of Technology, Analysis, and Coexistence at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate. “Our calculations show a difference in net cash flow of about NOK 15 trillion between the high and low scenarios.”

This staggering gap—equivalent to nearly the entire government pension fund—underscores the critical importance of maintaining production levels. But achieving this will require a commitment to exploration and investment, especially as production is projected to decline after 2025.

Why Exploration is Key to Norway’s Economic Future

Exploration is not just a side activity; it’s the linchpin of Norway’s oil and gas future. The Directorate’s analysis of the past 20 years reveals that exploration on the NCS has been extremely profitable, with discoveries generating over NOK 2000 billion in net present value—more than three times the cost of exploration. This immense value creation is not just about economic gain; it represents jobs, infrastructure, and the financial backbone of Norway’s social programs.

“Norway and the NCS are still in a prime position to remain a competitive producer of oil and gas for many years to come,” Dahle says. “We have substantial remaining resources, low emissions, well-developed infrastructure, low operating costs, and stable framework conditions.”

To leverage these advantages, Norway must focus on exploring both near existing infrastructure and in more frontier areas. Advances in technology, improved data coverage, and innovative exploration methods are opening new opportunities that could uncover more profitable discoveries in the years ahead.

The High Stakes of Inaction: A Rapid Decline Without Investment

Despite the Directorate’s optimistic outlook on Norway’s resource potential, the path forward is fraught with challenges. A failure to invest in exploration and field development could result in a rapid dismantling of the petroleum industry, with severe consequences for the broader economy.

“This is why we need to ramp up exploration and investment in fields, discoveries, and infrastructure moving forward,” Dahle emphasizes. “Without these efforts, the decline in production will accelerate, and the country risks losing out on substantial revenue and economic stability.”

The Directorate’s projections align with the broader goals of the Paris Agreement, highlighting the delicate balance between sustaining economic growth and meeting climate commitments. Norway’s low-emission profile and ongoing technological innovation provide a unique opportunity to continue production responsibly while contributing to global energy needs.

The Bottom Line: Norway’s Choice Will Define Its Future

As Norway stands on the precipice of major economic decisions, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The difference between a future of high-value creation and one of missed opportunities could come down to the country’s willingness to invest in its oil and gas sector today. The vast resources of the NCS are more than just a financial asset—they represent Norway’s ability to maintain its high standard of living, support its pension fund, and secure its place as a leader in responsible energy production.

In the coming years, the choices made by policymakers and industry leaders will define Norway’s path. Will the country seize this moment and invest in its future, or will it let billions slip away?

Source:
Norwegian Offshore Directorate

Cenovus Reaches Significant Milestone with Completion of Concrete Gravity Structure for West White Rose Project

Tina Olivero — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:20:11 +0000

Cenovus Energy recently celebrated a significant milestone with the completion of major construction on the Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) for the West White Rose project. The CGS, constructed in a purpose-built graving dock at Argentia, has reached its final height of 145.2 meters after the last concrete pour. This achievement marks a crucial step forward in the development of the project, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of the entire team.

A Concrete Achievement

The skyline in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, looks a little different these days. More than 8 million liters of concrete were poured, equivalent to filling three Olympic-sized swimming pools. This extensive process allowed the CGS conical slip form operation to gain an impressive 92.35 meters in height. Slip forming is a method used for tall structures, involving continuously moving formwork that ensures the concrete is poured seamlessly, creating a strong and leak-free structure.

Mike Rudofsky, Senior Manager of the CGS Project at Cenovus Energy, expressed his satisfaction with this accomplishment, highlighting the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “COVID-19 shut us down in 2020 just days before we were supposed to start the conical slip. We had to rebuild our teams and try to pick up that momentum again. It’s been a long journey, but the way we came together demonstrates our company values in action. We had success because we did it together and focused on doing it right,” Rudofsky said.

The Next Steps

The team will begin the interior mechanical outfitting, including the installation of decks and various mechanical components necessary to prepare the structure for its eventual tow offshore in 2025.

The CGS, once complete, will support the topsides of the drilling platform in the White Rose field. Risers will extend from the topsides down to the center of the CGS, integrating with the subsea infrastructure.

Nicole Breau, CGS Site Health and Safety Lead at Cenovus emphasized the complexity and precision required for this project. “It’s a deceptively simple looking structure, but it’s very complex. Concrete and rebar are integrated seamlessly to create the structure, but what’s incredible is that someone’s hand touched every piece of rebar and every load of concrete. Everyone involved is really proud of the safety record and of the high quality of the job done,” Breau said.

A Collaborative Effort

The completion of the CGS is a testament to the collaborative effort and resilience of the Cenovus team. The project’s success so far reflects the company’s commitment to quality, safety, and teamwork. As the project moves into the next phase, the focus will remain on completing the interior outfitting and preparing the structure for its critical role in the White Rose field.

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of the West White Rose project and other exciting developments at Cenovus Energy.

Source & Images:

Cenovus

Port of Argentia

Offshore Wind: Understanding Negative vs. Contract for Difference Bidding, between Germany & Netherlands

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:13:37 +0000

Germany and the Netherlands have recently announced the results of their latest offshore wind auctions, collectively awarding a total capacity of 6.5 GW. This significant development marks a positive step for Europe’s energy transition. However, both countries utilized negative bidding in their auction designs, a choice that poses additional challenges for offshore wind developers and potentially impacts the wider wind energy supply chain and electricity consumers across Europe.

The Auction Breakdown

In these recent auctions, Germany awarded 2.5 GW and the Netherlands 4 GW of new offshore wind projects. To contextualize, the European Union currently has 19 GW of offshore wind capacity in operation.

Negative bidding, the mechanism used in both countries, requires wind farm developers to bid the amount they are willing to pay for the right to build a wind farm. The higher the bid, the more likely they are to win. Conversely, many other European countries use Contract for Difference (CfD) auctions, where developers bid the amount of revenue they need, and the lowest bid wins.

In a negative bidding auction, the developer’s revenue is determined by the wholesale market price of electricity. In a CfD auction, the revenue is based on the bid amount, with developers paying the difference to the government if market prices exceed the agreed strike price.

Financial Implications

Negative bidding adds direct costs to offshore wind development. These costs must be passed on, either to the wind energy supply chain—which is still recovering from recent disruptions and cost increases—or to electricity consumers through higher prices.

Auction Results

Germany

TotalEnergies will pay €1.958 billion to develop the N-11.2 site with a capacity of around 1.5 GW (€1.3 million per MW).
EnBW will pay €1.065 billion to develop the 1 GW N12.3 site (€1.1 million per MW).

Netherlands

SSE Renewables and the Dutch state pension fund APG and ABP will pay €40 million to develop the 2 GW IJmuiden Ver Alpha site (€20,000 per MW).
Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners will pay €800 million to develop the 2 GW IJmuiden Ver Beta site (€400,000 per MW).

Previous auctions in both countries also employed negative bidding. The Netherlands previously capped bids at €70,000 per MW, but this cap has since increased. Germany does not impose a cap. Winners of the previous German auction, BP and TotalEnergies, are paying €12.6 billion to develop 7 GW, equating to €1.8 million per MW.

Financing Challenges

Negative bidding often results in higher financing costs compared to CfD auctions, which offer fixed revenues, making banks more comfortable providing debt finance. Projects awarded through negative bidding, with their variable revenue dependent on market prices, need to rely more on expensive equity finance, although this can be mitigated through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with off-takers.

“Negative bidding increases the costs of offshore wind, costs that must be passed on to consumers and the wind energy supply chain. It may provide short-term gains for finance ministries but represents a long-term cost for society,” says WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson.

Non-Price Criteria

The Dutch auction included extensive non-price criteria. The Alpha site, focused on biodiversity protection, while the Beta site emphasized system integration. Vattenfall and CIP, for instance, committed to building a 1 GW electrolyzer facility in Rotterdam, powered by renewable electricity from the Beta site. Additionally, the Alpha wind farm will feature artificial reefs on over 75% of its turbines to support marine biodiversity.

“The Dutch auction demonstrates the European wind industry’s commitment to ecology and system integration. We are building new wind farms while creating lasting value for Europe’s environment and energy system,” adds Giles Dickson.

In contrast, the German auction used only price criteria.

Allocation of Funds

In Germany, 90% of the funds raised from negative bidding will be used to reduce grid levies, with the remaining 10% supporting maritime biodiversity and sustainable fishing practices. However, there is a call for the German government to allocate some of these funds to strengthening the offshore wind supply chain and expanding port capacity.

The approach to offshore wind auctions in Germany and the Netherlands highlights significant differences in financing models and their broader implications. While negative bidding can offer immediate fiscal benefits, the long-term costs to the wind energy supply chain and consumers warrant careful consideration and strategic planning.

Source: WindEurope

About WindEurope

WindEurope represents the wind industry, actively promoting wind energy across Europe with over 500 members spanning the entire value chain, including turbine manufacturers, component suppliers, power utilities, wind farm developers, financial institutions, research institutes, and national wind energy associations.

Global Offshore Wind is on the Rise: Business Opportunities for the World

Tina Olivero — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:14:31 +0000

By Tina Olivero for TheOGM.com

The global offshore wind industry has experienced a remarkable surge, with capacity growing by 21% since 2023, rising from 61.5 GW to 75 GW. This impressive growth trajectory is set to continue, with the industry projected to reach 277GW by the end of 2030, according to RenewableUK. This rapid expansion not only highlights the potential of offshore wind energy but also presents significant business opportunities worldwide.

The Power of Offshore Wind

The additional 13.5GW of capacity added in the past year alone represents enough electricity to power approximately 14 million homes in the UK year-round. The countries leading this charge are China and the UK, with operational capacities of 36.7GW and 14.7GW, respectively. Other significant contributors include Germany (8.3GW), the Netherlands (3.7GW), and Denmark (2.7GW).

The global pipeline for offshore wind projects, encompassing those that are operational, under construction, consented, in planning, or at an early stage of development, has also seen a substantial increase. It grew to 1,231GW from 1,228GW, with 1,500 projects underway across 41 countries. Although the upward trend is slightly less than in previous years, this is due to developers refining their portfolios and improving leasing methods and consenting projects globally.

Business Opportunities Abound

The offshore wind sector’s robust growth presents numerous business opportunities across various segments of the industry. Here are some key areas ripe for investment and development:

Project Development and Construction: With a vast number of projects in the pipeline, there is a significant demand for companies specializing in the development and construction of offshore wind farms. This includes everything from initial site surveys to final installation and commissioning.
Supply Chain and Manufacturing: The need for turbines, blades, foundations, and other components is escalating. Companies involved in manufacturing these parts stand to benefit immensely from the expanding market.
Technology and Innovation: Innovations in turbine design, floating platforms, and energy storage solutions are critical to enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Investment in R&D can lead to breakthroughs that will drive the industry forward.
Operations and Maintenance: As more offshore wind farms become operational, the demand for services to maintain and optimize these assets will grow. Companies offering maintenance, repair, and operational optimization services will find ample opportunities.
Grid Integration and Infrastructure: The integration of offshore wind energy into national grids requires significant upgrades and enhancements to existing infrastructure. There is a need for advanced grid management solutions and new transmission lines to support this influx of renewable energy.

Top 10 Wind Energy Regions in the World

As the offshore wind industry continues to expand, certain regions are emerging as global leaders. Here are the top 10 wind energy regions in the world based on their current and projected capacities:

China: Leading the charge with a project pipeline of 227GW, China remains the dominant force in the offshore wind sector.
United Kingdom: With 96GW spread across 122 projects, the UK continues to be a global leader in offshore wind energy.
United States: The US has a robust pipeline of 94GW, reflecting its commitment to expanding its offshore wind capabilities.
Sweden: With a pipeline of 68 GW, Sweden is making significant strides in offshore wind development.
Brazil: Brazil’s 61GW pipeline underscores its growing role in the global offshore wind market.
Germany: As one of the early adopters, Germany has an operational capacity of 8.3 GW and continues to expand its offshore wind infrastructure.
Netherlands: The Netherlands, with 3.7 GW, is leveraging its extensive coastal areas to boost offshore wind capacity.
Denmark: Denmark, a pioneer in wind energy, maintains a strong position with 2.7 GW of operational capacity.
France: France is actively developing its offshore wind sector, aiming to become a key player in Europe.
Taiwan: Taiwan is rapidly expanding its offshore wind capabilities, with several large projects in the pipeline.

Summary of Top 10 Offshore Wind Projects

Offshore wind farms are gaining momentum globally as countries seek clean energy solutions. Recent advancements in technology have made offshore wind farms more attractive by lowering costs and boosting energy output. Europe has been a leader in offshore wind, with countries like the UK, Germany, and Denmark pioneering the industry. However, other regions are catching up fast. Here is a summary of the top 10 offshore wind farms in the world:

Walney Wind Farm
- Capacity: 659 MW
- Location: Cumbria, UK
- Commission Date: September 2018
- Details: Features 87 turbines; jointly owned by Ørsted and Danish pension funds PFA and PKA.
London Array Wind Farm
- Capacity: 630 MW
- Location: Thames Estuary, UK
- Commission Date: April 2013
- Details: Located 20 km off the Kent coast with 175 turbines.
Gemini Wind Farm
- Capacity: 600 MW
- Location: Netherlands
- Commission Date: 2017
- Details: Consists of 150 Siemens turbines; developed by Northland Power.
Beatrice Wind Farm
- Capacity: 588 MW
- Location: Scotland, UK
- Commission Date: 2018
- Details: Joint venture involving SSE Renewables, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Red Rock Power.
Gode Wind Farm
- Capacity: 582 MW
- Location: North Sea, Germany
- Commission Date: June 2017
- Details: Developed in three phases with Siemens 6 MW turbines.
Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm
- Capacity: 576 MW
- Location: Wales, UK
- Commission Date: June 2015
- Details: Features 160 Siemens turbines; owned by multiple stakeholders including RWE Npower.
Race Bank Wind Farm
- Capacity: 573 MW
- Location: England, UK
- Commission Date: February 2018
- Details: Features 91 Siemens turbines; owned by Ørsted and other investors.
Greater Gabbard Wind Farm
- Capacity: 504 MW
- Location: England, UK
- Commission Date: 2012
- Details: Located near the North Sea, developed by Airtricity and Fluor.
Horns Rev 3
- Capacity: 406.7 MW
- Location: Denmark
- Commission Date: 2019
- Details: Developed by Vattenfall, located in the North Sea with 49 MHI Vestas turbines.
Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm
- Capacity: 402 MW
- Location: England, UK
- Commission Date: October 2017
- Details: Features 67 Siemens turbines; originally developed by Warwick Energy Limited.

Dan McGrail, CEO of RenewableUK, remarked on the industry’s achievements, stating, “It’s great to see we’ve reached a landmark 75GW of offshore wind operational worldwide, with the UK maintaining its place as a global leader in an intensely competitive international market.” This sentiment reflects the broader optimism within the industry and underscores the competitive nature of the global offshore wind market.

The offshore wind industry is on an unprecedented growth trajectory, offering vast business opportunities across development, supply chain, technology, operations, and infrastructure. As countries around the world continue to invest in and prioritize renewable energy, offshore wind is set to play a pivotal role in meeting global energy demands sustainably. The top wind energy regions are leading the charge, but the entire world stands to benefit from the continued expansion and innovation within this dynamic sector.

ExxonMobil’s Commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador: A Future of Energy and Innovation

Tina Olivero — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 16:01:41 +0000

By Tina Olivero, The OGM

A New Perspective on Newfoundland and Labrador

Kerry Moreland, President of ExxonMobil Canada, shared her vision and optimism for the future of Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy sector during a recent Energy NL conference. As a newcomer to the region, having moved from Houston, Moreland expressed her fascination with the bustling harbor and the community’s deep connection to the energy industry.

Kerry Moreland, President of ExxonMobil Canada

A Legacy of Investment and Opportunity

ExxonMobil Canada has been a cornerstone in the region for over 50 years. Moreland emphasized the company’sconsistent approach to building a strong operational foundation, focusing on safety, reliability, and environmental performance. She noted, “Our industry has a unique opportunity to make a real difference for communities and families, and the people working in this industry understand their impact deeply.”

Current Projects and Future Plans

The Hebron and Hibernia projects stand as testaments to ExxonMobil’s long-term commitment. The company has been investing significantly in these projects and related exploration activities. Highlighting recent achievements, Moreland said, “Our team executed the longest turnaround to date for Hebron, completed ahead of schedule and without any injuries.”

Moreland also shed light on the ongoing development and future potential of these projects. The Hibernia project, initially expected to have an 18-20-year lifespan, has surpassed expectations and continues to benefit the province well beyond its original timeline. The Hebron team has also completed a rig recertification and upgrade project, logging extensive work hours to enhance reliability and capabilities.

Innovative Exploration and Technological Advancement

ExxonMobil is not just maintaining its current operations but also investing in the future. The company undertakes significant 4D-seismic campaigns to enhance production at Hebron and Hibernia. “This data helps us understand where we drill in the future and how we best design the wells to access the maximum resource,” Moreland explained.

Moreover, the company’s exploration efforts in the Orphan Basin with the Persephone will underscore its commitment to pushing boundaries. The well, located offshore in ultra-deepwater, represents a significant technological and economic challenge, as Persephone is in about 3,000 meters of water.

The well will be drilled in an area of the seabed called the Orphan Basin, which is north of the Flemish Pass Basin, where Equinor is considering developing the country’s first deepwater oil production operation, called Bay du Nord. Moreland acknowledged the complexity of such projects, stating, “Finding a way to make such an opportunity financially viable requires creativity, talent, and technological advancements.”

Building a Sustainable Future

ExxonMobil Canada’s investment extends beyond oil and gas. The company is heavily involved in the local research and development ecosystem, partnering with post-secondary institutions and organizations like Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador (ERINL). Moreland highlighted their focus on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing, as well as their steadfast support for STEM programs.

“We are excited to be a part of the innovation and R&D ecosystem. It allows us to both contribute to and gain new insights from this valuable community and increase the pool of trained personnel in key emerging industries,” Moreland said.

Community Engagement and Industry Collaboration

Moreland emphasized the importance of community and collaboration. She highlighted the indirect benefits of the industry’s support for local charities. “The support for charities is an indirect benefit from our industry, which contributes so richly to the province,” she noted.

In her remarks, Moreland called for continued cooperation among all stakeholders, including employees, contractors, co-venturers, Energy NL members, and government entities. “It is essential that our team, our co-venturers, Energy NL and its members, and the provincial and federal governments work together to create the right environment to attract investment.”

About the Author: Tina Olivero is a prominent writer for TheOGM.com, bringing insightful coverage of the energy industry’s impact on communities and the environment.

Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Unveils 2024 Cohort to Propel New York’s Offshore Wind Potential

Tina Olivero — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:49:03 +0000

Today marks a significant milestone for New York’s offshore wind industry as the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub announces its 2024 cohort. Six pioneering companies have been selected from a competitive pool of 78 applicants, each bringing unique and innovative solutions poised to advance the United States offshore wind capabilities.

A Visionary Initiative

Launched in January 2023, the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Equinor, in partnership with the Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and the National Offshore Wind R&D Consortium (NOWRDC), with support from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). This initiative aims to position New York as a leader in offshore wind technology, fostering a robust and sustainable energy future.

Meet the 2024 Accelerator Cohort

The six companies selected for the 2024 Offshore Wind Innovation Hub Accelerator Cohort are:

Boxkite Software (Bristol, UK): Specializing in rapid, bankable-level accuracy energy yield assessments to evaluate site feasibility and design.
Claviate (Aarhus, DK): Utilizing AI-powered visual data platforms to enhance transparency and optimize construction management processes.
Indeximate (Hinckley, UK): Offering fiber optic sensing solutions for predictive maintenance of subsea power cables through remote integrity profiling.
Pliant Energy Systems (Brooklyn, US): Developing autonomous underwater vehicles with robotic propulsion technology for advanced seafloor surveying.
Sensatek (Daytona Beach, US): Innovating structural health monitoring of turbine blades using video imaging where every pixel acts as a vibration sensor.
Triton Anchor (Boston, US): Creating low-cost, modular foundation installation systems suitable for any mooring configuration, installed silently.

A Rigorous Selection Process

The evaluation process, involving thorough technical interviews and public presentations, took place on May 15th in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The selected companies will embark on a six-month mentoring and business development program, providing them with strategic partnership opportunities with major offshore wind developers and suppliers. The program’s goal is to facilitate the commercialization of these innovations, enabling the companies to overcome adoption barriers and scale their solutions within New York and beyond.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Reamonn Soto, Founder & CEO of Sensatek Propulsion Technology, Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of this accelerator. “We believe the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub will be instrumental in commercializing our technology, offering invaluable market insights and facilitating key stakeholder relationships.”

Joanne Colls, Co-founder of Boxkite, highlighted the benefits of the local presence and mentorship provided by the program. “This accelerator will be pivotal in understanding customer needs within the US offshore wind sector and navigating the business cultural and regulatory differences between the UK and the US.”

Support from Key Stakeholders

Molly Morris, President of Equinor Renewables Americas, emphasized the transformative potential of the cohort. “These companies, with the support of the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub, will bring groundbreaking solutions to the offshore wind industry.”

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris lauded the innovative spirit of the selected companies, underscoring their role in advancing New York’s offshore wind industry and climate goals.

Tone Søndergaard, Director of the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub at Urban Future Lab, expressed excitement about the potential impact of the new cohort. “We look forward to supporting these companies as they bring novel technology to Brooklyn and the broader industry.”

A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth

The Offshore Wind Innovation Hub, based in Brooklyn, aims to drive an inclusive supply chain and accelerate the green economy. With NYCEDC’s involvement, the Hub provides extensive piloting and innovation opportunities throughout New York City. The Urban Future Lab and NYU Tandon School of Engineering bring a wealth of startup support experience and a vast network of ecosystem partners to help innovators scale up and commercialize their climate solutions.

Looking Ahead

Melissa Román Burch, COO of NYCEDC, acknowledged the program’s success in harnessing entrepreneurial power to grow New York City’s offshore wind industry. “The Hub supports early-stage climate companies with industry-specific partnerships and mentorship, integral to growing the green economy.”

Lyndie Hice-Dunton, Executive Director at NOWRDC, emphasized the significance of the cohort’s innovative technologies in propelling offshore wind development from concept to market-ready solutions.

Linda Ng Boyle, Vice Dean for Research at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, highlighted the collaborative potential of academia, government, and private industry in making New York City a hub for offshore wind.

For more information about the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub and its programs, visit Offshore Wind NYC.

About the Offshore Wind Innovation Hub

The Offshore Wind Innovation Hub catalyzes startups to unleash the potential of offshore wind in New York. By leveraging our hub in New York City, we aim to grow the US offshore wind industry through entrepreneurial support and fostering connections among innovators, local partners, investors, and the industry. Our commitment to diversity and equity will advance an inclusive supply chain and accelerate New York’s green economy.

About Empire Wind

Empire Wind is a major offshore wind project located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island, with a capacity of over 2 GW, enough to power more than a million New York homes. For more details, visit Empire Wind.

About Equinor

Equinor is a leading international energy company and one of the largest offshore wind developers globally, with significant projects in the United States, including Empire Wind and Atlas Wind. Learn more at Equinor.

About NOWRDC

The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium is a public-private partnership focused on advancing offshore wind technology in the US through high-impact research and cost-effective development. More information is available at NOWRDC.

About NYCEDC

New York City Economic Development Corporation is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. Discover more at NYCEDC.

About Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon

The Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon School of Engineering supports best-in-class climate tech startups focused on clean energy and sustainable urban infrastructure. Visit Urban Future Lab for more information.

Unleashing the Potential of Newfoundland and Labrador: A Vision for the Future

Tina Olivero — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:12:42 +0000

By Tina Olivero

At the recent Energy NL 2024 conference, Premier Andrew Furey delivered a powerful address, highlighting the transformative energy landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador. His speech underscored the province’s pivotal role in the global energy sector and its ambitious vision for the future. Premier Furey noted the palpable excitement within the province and beyond, as Newfoundland and Labrador continue to sharpen their edge in the energy market.

Reflecting on the province’s 75th anniversary as part of Canada, Premier Furey recalled the challenges faced in 1949: widespread poverty, inadequate health care, and economic instability. Yet, he emphasized that “boldness” is a part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s DNA. The decision to join Canada was driven by a vision of a brighter future—a vision that, 75 years later, is becoming a reality.

Central to this transformation is the energy sector. Newfoundland and Labrador are not merely participating in the global transition to a net-zero economy; they are leading it. As the world moves from hydrocarbons to renewable energy, the province continues to supply essential oil and gas resources. A recent discovery off the coast boasts a carbon footprint of just 8 kg per barrel, in stark contrast to the oilsands’ 80 kg per barrel. This positions Newfoundland and Labrador as a producer of superior, environmentally conscious oil.

The province’s offshore oil, free from pipeline constraints, has a lower carbon footprint and can be easily transported worldwide. This ensures Newfoundland and Labrador’s relevance in the oil and gas industry for decades, balancing immediate energy needs with long-term environmental goals. Premier Furey highlighted the monumental potential in carbon capture, with offshore wells capable of storing over a gigaton of CO2—enough to offset the carbon output of all Canadian provinces and territories combined for over a decade.

Seventy-five years ago, few could have imagined Newfoundland and Labrador leading a renewable energy revolution. Today, the province is on the brink of harnessing wind energy to produce green hydrogen, a global game-changer. Premier Furey emphasized the significant strides towards sustainability, turning the province’s notorious wind into a key asset. Once under a ban on wind energy development, Newfoundland and Labrador now hosts multiple multi-billion-dollar projects.

In 2022, a “joint declaration of intent” between Canada and Germany marked the beginning of Newfoundland and Labrador’s journey in exporting hydrogen. With large-scale projects underway, the province is poised to deliver clean, true green hydrogen to international partners such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Participation in the World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition has fostered relationships and heightened international interest in the province’s potential.

This year’s Energy NL conference welcomed delegations from Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. Their presence reflects the efforts of the provincial government and Energy NL to create new opportunities. Renowned for their hospitality, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians extend this generosity to sharing transformative energy initiatives with the world.

Looking ahead to the next 75 years, Premier Furey highlighted the untapped potential of the province’s hydroelectric resources in Labrador. He addressed the historical oversights of the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project deal with Quebec, which expires in 2041. With Quebec facing an energy deficit and Newfoundland and Labrador a surplus, the province is well-positioned to renegotiate terms that fully realize its potential.

Newfoundland and Labrador are set to become North America’s energy capital, encompassing oil, critical minerals, renewables, and hydroelectric capacity. This moment is crucial for harnessing and optimizing these resources for the future.

Premier Furey’s address transcended polarized views, embodying the progressive, socially responsible, and fiscally prudent spirit that defines Newfoundlanders, Labradorians, and Canadians. In an era of political extremism, he advocated for balanced, constructive measures that unify rather than divide. He emphasized that the province’s greatest strengths lie in its bonds—fighting for, not against, and pushing towards, not away.

This ethos of cooperation and resilience is what Canada needs now more than ever. By protecting, promoting, and celebrating this spirit, Newfoundland and Labrador can achieve once-unimaginable goals and dream even bigger. The province’s edge has never been sharper, its energy unstoppable, and its dreams on the brink of realization.

As Premier Furey concluded, “God guard thee Newfoundland and Labrador.” His words resonated with the audience, encapsulating the spirit and potential of this remarkable province.

Largest Offshore Wind Tender in Dutch History

Tina Olivero — Tue, 28 May 2024 14:53:14 +0000

In a landmark move that underscores the Netherlands’ commitment to renewable energy, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has received a flurry of applications to build wind farms on the Alpha and Beta sites within the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone, located in the tempestuous waters of the North Sea.

These applications mark a significant stride in the nation’s quest to bolster its offshore wind capacity, potentially adding a staggering 4 gigawatts (GW) of power to the grid.

This prospective addition is no small feat. The projected output from these sites alone stands to render 14% of the Netherlands’ current electricity consumption more sustainable.

For perspective, this initiative almost doubles the nation’s existing offshore wind capacity of 4.7 GW. Such an ambitious expansion not only dwarfs the previous record tender of 1.5 GW for the Hollandse Kust West but also cements this endeavor as the largest offshore wind tender in Dutch history.

As the curtain falls on the application period, the rigorous process of assessment begins. The RVO, in collaboration with two expert committees, will meticulously evaluate each submission against a suite of qualitative criteria. These include the expertise of the developers, the sustainability and recyclability of the wind farm components, and the innovative solutions proposed to enhance the projects’ overall impact.

Minister for Climate and Energy, Rob Jetten, expressed his optimism amidst the sector’s prevailing challenges, including rising costs and interest rates. “I am pleased that despite these developments, several parties have shown interest in building these wind farms. These wind farms contribute to achieving our climate goals and energy independence,” Jetten remarked, highlighting the projects’ pivotal role in the nation’s energy strategy.

The Alpha and Beta sites are not just about harnessing the wind; they are a testament to the Netherlands’ forward-thinking approach to environmental stewardship and energy integration.

Special criteria for site Alpha focus on enhancing the North Sea ecosystem. Proposals are expected to demonstrate how the wind farm can bolster underwater biodiversity and restore marine habitats.

Meanwhile, site Beta’s criteria emphasize the integration of generated electricity into the national grid, including the potential for hydrogen production—a nod to the evolving dynamics of energy storage and utilization.

As anticipation builds, the winners of these coveted permits will be announced in June 2024. The selected developers will then embark on a journey to transform these visions into reality, with the wind farms anticipated to commence power supply by 2029 or 2030.

Looking ahead, the RVO is also gearing up for the tender of a third site, Gamma, in 2025, promising an additional 2 GW of capacity.

In an era where climate goals and energy independence are paramount, the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone stands as a beacon of hope and progress. It reflects the Netherlands’ unwavering commitment to a sustainable future, harnessing the power of the winds to drive the nation towards a greener tomorrow.

SOURCE & IMAGES:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Netherlands

Tina Olivero is a Global Energy Journalist and author renowned for her in-depth energy reporting. She writes extensively on energy supply and service, global energy projects, energy collaboration and partnerships, climate change, ecological challenges, and innovative solutions for a sustainable new energy future.

To tell your story reach out: tina@theogm.com

SLB OneSubsea Lands Major Contract for Equinor’s North Sea Troll Project

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 May 2024 14:49:34 +0000

In a groundbreaking development for the energy sector, SLB’s OneSubsea joint venture has secured a substantial contract from Equinor to advance the Troll Phase 3, Stage 2 project in the North Sea. This significant win underscores SLB OneSubsea’s pivotal role in shaping the future of subsea production systems on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

Accelerating Production with Innovative Solutions

The awarded contract is a testament to the strong, ongoing partnership between SLB and Equinor. Leveraging a long-term agreement, OneSubsea will implement its cutting-edge, configurable solutions to enhance the efficiency and output of the Troll Phase 3 project. The primary goal is to expedite the extraction of approximately 55 billion standard cubic meters of gas from the reservoir, a substantial boost to Norway’s energy production capabilities.

Mads Hjelmeland, CEO of SLB OneSubsea, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We deeply appreciate our long-standing relationship with Equinor, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration on the Troll field. This frame agreement is and has been an important conduit for joint value creation, supporting the transparency, teamwork, and collaborative solutions necessary to unlock maximum value from our NCS projects together.”

Enhancing the North Sea’s Energy Infrastructure

Located in the northern reaches of the North Sea, the Troll field is a cornerstone of Norway’s offshore energy production. The Phase 3, Stage 2 project involves an 8-well operation connected to the Troll A Condeep platform. This latest venture under the collaborative frame agreement signed in 2017, further solidifies SLB OneSubsea’s reputation as a trusted partner for Equinor.

The expanded scope of this project is ambitious and comprehensive. It includes the deployment of nine standard NCS2017+ vertical trees, wellheads, tubing hangers, subsea control modules, compact bridge modules with wet gas flow meters, two 4-slot templates, topside controls integration, and two umbilicals. These components are integral to the successful execution of the subsea tieback, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

Pioneering Technology and Sustainable Energy

SLB OneSubsea is at the forefront of technological innovation in the subsea sector. By focusing on standardized production systems compliant with NCS2017+, the company is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also paving the way for more sustainable energy practices. This approach aligns with the broader industry trend toward decarbonizing operations and maximizing resource utilization.

The Troll Phase 3 project is expected to play a critical role in Norway’s energy strategy, contributing significantly to the country’s gas output and energy security. The use of advanced subsea technology will ensure that the extraction process is both efficient and environmentally responsible.

A Commitment to Global Energy Innovation

SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology leader committed to driving energy innovation and sustainability. Operating in over 100 countries with a diverse workforce, SLB is dedicated to innovating in the oil and gas sector, delivering digital solutions at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing new energy systems that facilitate the energy transition.

OneSubsea, a joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7, exemplifies this commitment. With headquarters in Oslo and Houston and a team of 10,000 employees worldwide, OneSubsea is revolutionizing the subsea era through digital and technological advancements that optimize production and minimize environmental impact.

The Future of Subsea Solutions

The contract for the Troll Phase 3, Stage 2 project is more than just a business deal; it represents a leap forward in subsea engineering and energy production. As SLB OneSubsea continues to innovate and collaborate with industry giants like Equinor, the potential for future advancements in the energy sector is boundless.

This project highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and technological innovation in addressing the world’s growing energy needs. With SLB OneSubsea at the helm, the future of subsea production looks promising, efficient, and sustainable.

Sources:
slb.com
onesubsea.slb.com
equinor.com

Saipem Dominates the Global Oil and Gas Sector with Record $19 Billion Contract Wins

Tina Olivero — Tue, 14 May 2024 14:39:35 +0000

In a groundbreaking year for the oil and gas industry, Saipem has emerged as the top global contractor, securing an astonishing $19 billion in contracts. According to GlobalData Energy, the industry witnessed 1,142 contracts in the first quarter alone, with Saipem leading the charge in both value and volume.

Saipem’s Unprecedented Success in Oil and Gas Contracts

Between Q2 2023 and Q1 2024, Saipem clinched the top spot by contract value, particularly shining in the Middle East, where the majority of its lucrative deals originated. ADNOC and Saudi Aramco, key players in the region, awarded substantial contracts worth $27.26 billion and $24.14 billion, respectively. Saipem’s impressive haul was split across various sectors, with $8.43 billion from the upstream sector and $11.05 billion from midstream.

Despite a two-year ban from Brazil for government work due to a 2011 gas pipeline contract investigation, Saipem’s momentum remained unhampered. Recently, it won a $1.5 billion contract in Guyana to supply ExxonMobil with a subsea production facility for its Whiptail ultra-deepwater field. Although Saudi Aramco suspended oil drilling contracts with Saipem to stabilize oil production, the company reassured that these changes would not significantly impact its 2024 targets.

The Saipem 7000 crane vessel

HD Hyundai: A Close Second with $16.6 Billion in Contracts

HD Hyundai, encompassing subsidiaries such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo, secured a close second place, amassing $16.6 billion in midstream contracts over the year. The company topped Q1 2024 with $4.79 billion in deals for LPG, VLGC, LNG carriers, product tankers, and FSRUs. Notably, HD Hyundai partnered with Wood for the topside design of the Trion oil project in the Gulf of Mexico and teamed up with the Scottish Government to explore floating offshore wind projects.

Maire Tecnimont: Leading the Downstream Sector

Italian-headquartered Maire Tecnimont secured approximately $14 billion in contracts, dominating the downstream sector with $5.18 billion. The Middle East accounted for three-quarters of its total contracts. A notable deal was a $1.1 billion EPCC contract from Algeria’s Sonatrach for a linear alkyl benzene plant, secured through its subsidiary Tecnimont.

Technip Energies: Making Waves in the Middle East

With nearly $12 billion in contracts, Technip Energies’ portfolio was heavily focused on the Middle East. Significant contracts included an estimated $1 billion deal with TotalEnergies for the Marsa LNG bunkering and export terminal project in Oman and a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract from Harbour Energy for the Viking carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. Additionally, Technip Energies was part of a $4 billion Teesside net-zero initiative.

Technip’s Deep Blue pipelay vessel

Larsen & Toubro: A Strong Contender from India

Indian multinational Larsen & Toubro secured around $10 billion in contracts, with a significant focus on the Middle East. Key projects included a $1.3 billion contract from QatarEnergy for a riser platform at the offshore Al-Shaheen field and multiple contracts for pipelines and gas compressor modules from various clients, including ONGC in India.

Samsung Heavy Industries: A Global Player

Samsung Heavy Industries garnered about $10 billion in contracts, with the Middle East and North America as its primary regions. A standout deal was a $3.44 billion contract for 15 LNG carriers from an unnamed Middle Eastern shipowner, slated for delivery by October 2028.

Hyundai E&C: Middle Eastern Focus

Hyundai Engineering & Construction secured over $7 billion, entirely from Middle Eastern contracts. The first quarter of the year alone brought in $5 billion, showcasing the company’s strong regional presence.

Tecnicas Reunidas: Strong Performance in the Middle East

Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas brought in nearly all of its $6 billion in contracts from the Middle East. Notably, the company, in a joint venture with Sinopec Engineering Group, secured two major contracts worth $3.3 billion from Saudi Aramco for the Riyas Natural Gas Liquids fractionation facility.

Hanwha Corp: Diverse Global Reach

South Korea’s Hanwha Corp saw a balanced spread in its $5 billion contract portfolio, with Oceania contributing over half. A significant $1.84 billion contract for eight LNG carriers in Oceania highlighted its global capabilities.

TechnipFMC: A South American Stronghold

Rounding out the top ten, TechnipFMC secured $5 billion in contracts, with South America being its most active region. Major deals included a $1 billion contract from Petrobras for the Mero 3 High-Pressure Separation project and a substantial contract from BP for the Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the Gulf of Mexico.

The past year has been monumental for the global oil and gas industry, with Saipem and its competitors setting new benchmarks in contract acquisitions. As the industry continues to evolve, these leading contractors are poised to shape the future of energy with innovative and strategic projects worldwide.

Sources:
www.saipem.com
www.energyvoice.com

Dive Deep into the Future: Newfoundland’s Ocean Technology Sector Gets a $467K Boost

Tina Olivero — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:59:18 +0000

In an ambitious move to strengthen its ocean technology sector, the Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced a significant $467,500 investment in SubC Imaging, a Clarenville-based pioneer in underwater imaging solutions. The funding is set to revolutionize how we inspect our underwater world, combining advanced technology with efficient, cost-effective operations.

Multi-Camera Innovation Sets Sail

SubC Imaging, a company renowned for its comprehensive imaging solutions globally, is on the brink of a breakthrough with its latest project. This innovative venture involves developing a multi-channel inspection system equipped with up to six cameras. These cameras are designed for ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicles) integration, aiming to enhance situational awareness dramatically. The heart of this innovation lies in the software capable of synthesizing data from multiple sources into a unified system. This integration will not only streamline operations but also catapult the capabilities of end-to-end inspections and surveys.

Lighting Up the Deep: Cameras, Lights, Lasers, and More

The ocean’s depths are a realm of perpetual darkness, and SubC’s new system promises to cast light in these shadowy depths. The plan includes an assembly of cameras, lights, lasers, and a cloud-based infrastructure—all orchestrated by bespoke software. This holistic approach ensures that every inspection and survey is not just thorough but also seamlessly connected, from the ocean floor to the cloud.

A Game-Changer for the Offshore Energy Sector

Regular inspections of subsea equipment are a critical necessity in the offshore energy industry, often involving an array of specialized personnel and varied inspection methods. SubC’s technology revolutionizes this process, offering a more cost-effective and efficient method to monitor and inspect underwater assets. This technology not only promises to reduce operational costs but also enhances the safety and reliability of these critical inspections.

From Humble Beginnings to High-Tech

Starting in a home office in 2010, SubC Imaging has shown remarkable growth, now boasting over 20 dedicated employees. The recent investment by the Provincial Government, drawn from the Innovation and Business Development Fund, matches SubC’s own investment, bringing the total project cost to $935,000. This funding initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster Newfoundland and Labrador’s capabilities across various energy sectors, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth.

Government and Industry Leaders Weigh In

The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting, “SubC has shown time and again it can compete in the global marketplace while creating valuable tech-based jobs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is pleased to support ocean technology companies such as SubC by providing them with the tools needed to compete in an increasingly globalized market.”

Echoing this sentiment, Chad Collett, CEO of SubC Imaging, emphasized the strategic nature of this investment. “Investing in the development of new inspection and survey systems will enable us to enter the market faster and achieve a greater impact than we could otherwise,” said Collett. He added that the robust support for ocean tech makes Newfoundland and Labrador an ideal hub for advancing ocean technology.

A Bright Future Below the Waves

This strategic investment not only highlights the potential of SubC Imaging’s innovative technologies but also underscores the importance of nurturing industries that leverage the unique geographic and economic strengths of Newfoundland and Labrador. As SubC Imaging prepares to deploy its cutting-edge systems, the future looks promising for the ocean technology sector, promising significant advances in how we explore and protect our underwater frontiers.

Sources:
Innovation and Business Development Fund
SubC Imaging

Greek Steel Meets Norwegian Innovation in Historic Wind Energy Alliance

Tina Olivero — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:25:14 +0000

In a bold stride towards a sustainable future, Greece’s Lykomitros Steel SA and Norway’s Moreld Ocean Wind AS have sealed a groundbreaking partnership, poised to turbocharge Europe’s floating offshore wind sector. This union, forged under the azure skies of Athens on April 15, 2024, during a high-profile Norwegian Offshore Wind event, marks a significant leap in the quest for renewable energy solutions.

A Strategic Alliance for a Greener Tomorrow

Amid the historic backdrop of Athens, industry leaders Wolfgang Wandl, CEO of Moreld Ocean Wind, and Christos Lykomitros, CEO of Lykomitros Steel, penned a Memorandum of Understanding that sets the stage for an energized, collaborative push into Europe’s burgeoning offshore wind market.

Moreld Ocean Wind, a trailblazer in independent floating wind technology, and Lykomitros Steel, a titan in global steel fabrication with ambitions sky-high as their towering turbines, are coming together in a spectacular display of technological and industrial synergy. “After reviewing cutting-edge fabrication facilities across Europe, Lykomitros stood out with their promising solutions,” Wandl noted, expressing enthusiasm over the integration of state-of-the-art robotic welding technology and a stellar track record in project delivery.

Forging Ahead with Innovation and Expertise

The partnership benefits from strategic facilitation by the Norwegian Offshore Wind (NOW) and financial injections from the EEA Grants, demonstrating a powerful example of how targeted support can bridge gaps between nations and industries. The collaboration was hailed by Arvid Nesse, CEO of NOW, who emphasized the significance of such alliances in strengthening local supply chains and fostering a pan-European competitive edge.

Christos Lykomitros voiced his vision for the partnership, “We hope to carve out a significant niche in the offshore floating market. With Moreld’s cutting-edge technology at our side, we’re poised for prominence in the renewable energy sphere.”

The Impact on Local and European Markets

This Greek-Norwegian venture is more than a business deal; it’s a strategic alignment that could redefine supply chain dynamics within the renewable sector across Europe. By pooling their resources, expertise, and technology, Moreld Ocean Wind and Lykomitros Steel are set to enhance local industry capabilities and contribute to the broader goal of energy sustainability.

The MOU is also a testament to the productive international collaborations that are essential in the global race against climate change. Such partnerships not only accelerate technological advancements but also foster economic growth through job creation and infrastructure development in the renewable sector.

What This Means for the Future of Energy

The implications of this partnership extend far beyond the immediate economic benefits. By advancing floating offshore wind technology, Moreld Ocean Wind and Lykomitros Steel are contributing to a crucial shift in how nations approach energy production and consumption. Floating wind farms represent a pivotal innovation in harnessing wind power in deep waters where traditional fixed-bottom turbines are not feasible, thus opening up vast new areas for clean energy generation.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Horizon

As this partnership kicks off its first European projects, the industry watches closely. The success of Moreld Ocean Wind and Lykomitros Steel could serve as a blueprint for future collaborations across borders, combining diverse expertise to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.

The journey of transforming wind into a cornerstone of global energy strategies is fraught with challenges, but with robust partnerships and innovative approaches, the path to a cleaner, more sustainable future becomes clearer.

Are you inspired by this revolutionary approach to sustainable energy? Stay connected with us and follow the journey of Moreld Ocean Wind and Lykomitros Steel as they set new standards in the renewable energy landscape.

Contact: For further information, please reach out to Arne Vatnøy, Communication Manager at Norwegian Offshore Wind, via av@norwegianoffshorewind.no

Explore Moreld Ocean Wind: Get in touch with Asbjørn Wathne at asbjorn.wathne@moreldoceanwind.com

Source: offshore-wind.no

Breaking News: Port of Argentia Embarks on Green Energy Expansion

Tina Olivero — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:48:40 +0000

In a decisive move towards expanding its maritime capabilities, the Port of Argentia has received a significant nod of approval from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) for its Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project. This groundbreaking decision comes after a meticulous review process, culminating in the agency’s determination that an impact assessment is not necessary for this transformative initiative.

The IAAC’s rationale behind this decision, as outlined in their statement, underscores the project’s minimal footprint and its location within a brownfield setting. They expressed confidence that any potential adverse effects falling under federal jurisdiction would be effectively managed through existing legislative frameworks and robust mitigation measures detailed by the project proponent.

This milestone announcement follows closely on the heels of the January 19, 2024 declaration by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to release the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project from further environmental assessment, albeit with specific conditions.

Scott Penney, the Port’s CEO, exuded enthusiasm over the IAAC’s decision, describing it as a resounding endorsement of the Port’s responsible approach to expansion. “These decisions,” Penney remarked, “underscore the strategic importance of our location and our pivotal role in advancing the global energy transition.”

The Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project, a harbinger of economic growth and sustainability, is poised to double the Port’s quayside capacity by adding three berths with water depths of 12.5 meters. Additionally, it will see the creation of 10 hectares of dock and quayside laydown areas—crucial infrastructure enhancements that will support burgeoning import/export demands.

A key highlight of this expansion is the Port’s commitment to cutting-edge port electrification technologies aimed at decarbonization. This forward-looking approach positions Cooper Cove as a linchpin in the green energy corridor, fostering sustainable practices within the maritime industry.

In tandem with the Port’s ambitious expansion plans, the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project is anticipated to generate substantial employment opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador. With an estimated 670 person-years of employment, including 315 direct positions, the project signals a robust economic boost for the region.

Moreover, the capital investment earmarked for this initiative exceeds $4 billion, underscoring the Port of Argentia’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic development through ventures like the Argentia Renewables wind-hydrogen project, monopile marshaling yard, and potential offshore spool base.

The infusion of capital over the projected 6–8-year timeline is poised to create approximately 11,000 person-years of employment—an unparalleled opportunity for local communities to thrive and actively contribute to the region’s economic resurgence.

Argentia’s steadfast commitment to the global energy transition is further exemplified by its involvement in US offshore wind projects and its equity stake in the Argentia Renewables Project—a visionary partnership with Pattern Energy to establish a 300-MW wind energy to green hydrogen project on port lands.

As the Port of Argentia embarks on this transformative journey, it is actively seeking qualified bidders through its RFQ process, slated to close on April 19, 2024. This call for bids presents an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders to join forces with the Port in driving forward the green energy agenda.

The Port of Argentia’s strategic vision, underpinned by sustainability and innovation, underscores its pivotal role in shaping the future of maritime transportation. With its expanded capabilities and unwavering commitment to green energy solutions, the Port stands poised to become a beacon of excellence in the global maritime landscape—a testament to Newfoundland and Labrador’s unwavering resolve in navigating towards a greener, more prosperous tomorrow.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Ray Greene
ManagerBusiness Development & Marketing
Port of Argentia
Phone: 709-227-5502, ext. 209
Email: r.greene@portofargentia.ca
Website: www.portofargentia.ca

Transforming the Seas: How NAVTOR Leads the Smart Shipping Revolution

Tina Olivero — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 14:03:10 +0000

In the vast expanse of the maritime industry, where compliance, performance, profitability, and sustainability stand as towering challenges, one company has emerged as the harbinger of transformation. NAVTOR, under the stewardship of its Founder and CEO, Tor Svanes, has embarked on a journey to reshape the world of shipping. In a recent development that sent ripples across the maritime domain, NAVTOR merged with Voyager Worldwide, solidifying its position as the global leader in e-navigation and smart shipping technology.

Leading the way – NAVTOR solutions empowering smarter, greener, more profitable operations

The strategic merger between NAVTOR and Voyager Worldwide, a conglomerate steeped in maritime history spanning over two centuries, was a move that caught many off guard. With this union, NAVTOR, previously renowned for its digital innovations, propelled itself into a league of its own. Tor Svanes reflects on the magnitude of this transformative step, emphasizing that it signifies not the culmination but the commencement of NAVTOR’s endeavors.

Scaling up was imperative for NAVTOR to realize its vision of leading the charge in smart shipping innovation. The merger with Voyager Worldwide provided the necessary impetus, augmenting NAVTOR’s resources and customer base substantially. Svanes underscores the significance of this integration, citing the influx of talented developers and an expanded global footprint as catalysts for accelerating innovation and enhancing service delivery.

At the core of NAVTOR’s strategy lies the creation of a cohesive digital ecosystem, where products and services seamlessly interact to harness the power of data. This interconnected framework facilitates automation, enhances safety, optimizes performance, and yields both commercial and environmental dividends for shipping companies worldwide. Svanes highlights NAVTOR’s Digital Logbooks as a prime example of this transformative approach, ushering vessel operations into the digital age and unlocking new realms of efficiency and sustainability.

Looking ahead, NAVTOR’s ambitions soar higher with initiatives like the Green AI for Sustainable Shipping (GASS) project. Collaborating with industry partners and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, NAVTOR aims to pioneer data-driven decarbonization, empowering vessels to achieve optimal fuel consumption in real time. Svanes envisions this endeavor as a game-changer, poised to revolutionize energy efficiency and environmental stewardship across the maritime landscape.

The ripple effects of NAVTOR’s innovations extend far beyond individual vessels, promising sweeping transformations for the entire shipping industry. By harnessing the collective power of data integration and intelligent decision-making, NAVTOR stands poised to chart a course toward a more sustainable future for maritime operations worldwide. As Tor Svanes affirms, this is merely the beginning of a voyage fueled by innovation, determination, and a steadfast commitment to shaping the maritime landscape of tomorrow.

Source: www.navtor.com

Mammoet’s Massive Crane Overcomes Challenges in Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Project

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:04:27 +0000

As wind turbines evolve to generate more renewable energy, their components become larger and heavier, demanding upgrades in equipment for installation and maintenance. Learn how Mammoet, in collaboration with GustoMSC and Cadeler, tackled the replacement of leg cranes on offshore wind farm installation vessels to support next-gen turbines.

The Challenge of Crane Replacements for Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore wind farms play a crucial role in the renewable energy landscape, and as technology advances, the demand for larger and more efficient turbines grows. However, installing and maintaining these next-generation turbines require specialized equipment capable of handling heavier and bulkier components.

Mammoet’s Unique Solution with Electric Leg Cranes

Mammoet, a leader in heavy lifting and transport solutions, undertook the task of replacing leg cranes on two offshore wind farm installation jack-up vessels, Wind Orca and Wind Osprey. Collaborating with GustoMSC and Cadeler, Mammoet deployed fully electric leg cranes with a remarkable lifting capacity of 1,600t, specifically designed for next-gen turbines exceeding 14MW in capacity.

The Role of Mammoet’s Colossal PTC210-DS Crane

The success of the project hinged on Mammoet’s PTC210-DS crane, renowned for its colossal size and versatility. Despite its massive dimensions, this crane boasts a small footprint, making it ideal for operations in confined spaces. Its ability to operate in luffing jib mode and 360-degree slewing ensured maximum working area, crucial for complex projects like this.

Optimizing Safety and Efficiency in Project Execution

Safety and efficiency were paramount throughout the project. Mammoet’s decision to construct the PTC210-DS crane in its own yard allowed for simultaneous servicing of both vessels, optimizing the schedule and minimizing risks. Rigorous safety assessments, including soil surveys and load tests, ensured a secure working environment despite the challenging conditions.

Overcoming Height and Space Constraints

Managing space and height constraints posed significant challenges during the crane replacement. Mammoet’s engineers had to navigate the bustling quay while lifting components to a height of 73 meters above the ground. Jacking up the vessels was necessary to mitigate collision risks and ensure smooth operations, requiring meticulous planning and execution.

A Testament to Collaboration and Innovation

The successful collaboration between Mammoet, GustoMSC, and Cadeler exemplifies the spirit of innovation and partnership driving the renewable energy industry forward. As work on Wind Orca and Wind Osprey continues, Mammoet’s contribution stands as a testament to its commitment to delivering smarter, safer, and stronger solutions to complex challenges.

In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy, companies like Mammoet play a pivotal role in enabling the deployment of next-generation technologies. Through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, Mammoet continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

Sources: www.mammoet.com

Petrogas Contemplates Bold Move: Takeover of Spirit Energy Hub for UK Gas Venture

Tina Olivero — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:49:35 +0000

In the ever-evolving landscape of energy ventures, Petrogas, with its sights set on UK North Sea gas projects, is contemplating a strategic maneuver that could reshape the industry. The Oman-owned operator is eyeing not just one but two ambitious endeavors that promise to redefine the region’s energy trajectory. Among these plans is the audacious consideration of acquiring an aging Spirit Energy hub, a move that could inject new life into the sector.

At the forefront of Petrogas’s deliberations is the Abbey development, slated for a final investment decision later this year, followed closely by the Birgitta project, expected to receive the green light in early 2025. Matt Gulland, the project manager, recently took the stage at the prestigious OEUK share fair in Aberdeen to unveil the company’s groundbreaking vision.

Originally conceived as a tieback to Harbour Energy’s Tolmount hub, the Abbey project has taken a compelling turn. Petrogas now sets its sights on the York asset currently under the stewardship of Spirit Energy. Mr. Gulland revealed, “We’re now looking at an alternative platform of the York facilities, which potentially we could take over from Spirit as they cease production next year.” This audacious move could breathe a third lease on life into York, presenting an intriguing prospect for all stakeholders involved.

Economic viability stands as the linchpin driving Petrogas’s decisions. With plans for a three-well project in the Southern North Sea, the company gears up for a pilot commitment well drilling scheduled for August this year, with the first gas anticipated to flow by 2027. The Abbey project boasts audited proven and probable reserves, signaling a substantial contribution to the UK’s energy portfolio.

Yet, the complexities of such an endeavor cannot be understated. Opting for the York facilities entails rerouting production to the Dimlington terminal, adding layers of intricacy to the project design. Discussions with site operators Perenco and Centrica underscore the meticulous planning underway to navigate these challenges seamlessly.

Meanwhile, Petrogas sets its sights further afield with the Birgitta project, poised to make waves in the Central North Sea. Facing a choice between BP’s ETAP platform or Repsol’s Montrose-Arbroath hub, the company engages in deliberations that could shape the project’s trajectory for years to come. With discussions ongoing, Petrogas remains tight-lipped about its resource estimates, keeping industry observers on the edge of their seats.

The Geological Society of London’s previous estimates hint at the vast potential awaiting exploration. A two-well development could unlock significant reserves of gas and condensate, painting a promising picture for the region’s energy future.

As Petrogas navigates these uncharted waters, the industry watches with bated breath. The prospect of revitalizing aging assets and charting new courses in energy exploration underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. In a world hungry for reliable energy sources, Petrogas emerges as a beacon of hope, leading the charge toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

Source: www.energyvoice.com

Seafaring Transformation: Chief Mi’sel Joe Joins World Energy GH2 and Horizon Maritime

Tina Olivero — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:50:42 +0000

Embracing Wisdom and Experience

World Energy GH2 and Horizon Maritime are thrilled to announce the appointment of Chief Mi’sel Joe, a respected Indigenous leader, as their Strategic Advisor and Director. Chief Joe brings a wealth of experience and insights, having retired earlier this year as the administrative chief of Miawpukek First Nation, and continues to serve as Saqamaw (traditional chief).

Chief Mi’sel Joe

A Transformative Partnership

Chief Joe will assume the role of Director on the board of Horizon Maritime and will join World Energy GH2’s senior leadership team. His primary focus will be to support Indigenous, government, and community relations for Project Nujio’qonik, a crucial undertaking for both companies.

Sean Leet, Managing Director & CEO of World Energy GH2 and Board Chair at Horizon Maritime, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Chief Joe. Leet mentioned, “As the journey developing our diverse marine industry business together reaches a transformative moment, all who are involved with Project Nujio’qonik will also benefit greatly from Chief Joe’s wisdom and experience.”

A Vision for Economic Reconciliation

Chief Mi’sel Joe expressed pride in the marine business created in collaboration with the companies and emphasized his passion for truth and reconciliation, particularly economic reconciliation for Mi’kmaq people in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is eager to contribute to the growth of these Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies and play a pivotal role in steering Project Nujio’qonik toward success.

Building Economic Bridges

John Risley, Partner and Director in Horizon Maritime and World Energy GH2, highlighted the long-standing friendship and collaboration with Chief Joe. Risley mentioned, “I am so pleased to be witnessing the economic transformation of the Miawpukek First Nation that began under Chief Joe’s leadership and look forward to his further involvement in our companies.”

Forward-Looking Collaboration

Chief Mi’sel Joe officially starts his role with World Energy GH2 and Horizon Maritime on Feb. 26, 2024. His extensive knowledge and dedication to economic reconciliation will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the ongoing projects and the overall growth of the companies.

Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

World Energy GH2 and Horizon Maritime underscore their commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 92. By welcoming Chief Joe, they aim to strengthen their ties with Indigenous communities and contribute to the broader goal of fostering understanding and collaboration.

Sources:
World Energy GH2
Horizon Maritime

Insights from the Offshore Wind Conference: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Tina Olivero — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:45:08 +0000

In a dynamic showcase of the offshore wind industry’s trajectory, the Scottish Renewables annual Offshore Wind Conference in Glasgow proved to be a pivotal event. The conference, spanning two days, delved deep into critical aspects of the offshore wind sector, including consenting processes, financial frameworks, and policy landscapes. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the key takeaways from this influential gathering:

1. The AR6 Budget and Project Volume
Industry experts highlighted a resurgence in the offshore wind sector following setbacks from previous rounds. Discussions primarily revolved around the upcoming Allocation Round 6 (AR6) and the budget allocated for offshore wind projects. Stakeholders emphasized the need for a substantial budget to accommodate the backlog from AR5 and to support the surge of projects anticipated in the near future.

2. Port Infrastructure Challenges
The conference shed light on the pressing need for investments in port infrastructure to facilitate the growth of the offshore wind industry. Stakeholders emphasized the significance of initiatives such as the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) in mobilizing capital and bolstering the sector’s supply chain.

3. Community Engagement and Social License
A key highlight was the emphasis on community engagement and the demonstration of tangible benefits to local communities. Stakeholders stressed the importance of securing social licenses for offshore wind projects through meaningful community engagement and transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms.

4. Transmission Infrastructure and Grid Connectivity
Discussions centered around the crucial role of transmission infrastructure in enabling grid connections for offshore wind projects. Stakeholders underscored the need for a holistic approach to network design and advocated for reforms to streamline planning processes and ensure the resilience of the electricity grid.

5. Collaboration for Success
Speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in driving the offshore wind sector forward. From coordinated data sharing to strategic planning, collaboration emerged as a cornerstone for maximizing efficiencies and unlocking opportunities within the industry.

The Offshore Wind Conference in Glasgow served as a platform for robust discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the offshore wind sector. From navigating consenting processes to addressing infrastructure needs and fostering community engagement, stakeholders showcased a shared commitment to driving sustainable growth in this vital industry. As the offshore wind sector continues to evolve, collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships will be paramount in realizing its full potential and delivering clean, renewable energy solutions for the future.

Breaking News: Argentia Marine Terminal Expansion Gets Green Light from Government

Tina Olivero — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 15:06:02 +0000

In a groundbreaking move, the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has given the Port of Argentia’s Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project the nod, releasing it from further environmental assessment with conditions. This pivotal decision was announced by Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, setting the stage for a transformative development in the region.

A Swift Decision: Government Signals Confidence

Port CEO Scott Penney expressed gratitude to Minister Davis and his department for the rapid advancement of this crucial project. The decision, made with unprecedented speed, stands as a resounding endorsement of the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project’s viability, its adherence to development milestones, and its forward momentum. This green light from the Provincial Government serves as a powerful signal to the Federal Government that the project is not just promising but is ready to make waves in the industry.

Conditions for Progress: A Clear Path Forward

While celebrating the release from environmental assessment, the government has laid down conditions to ensure responsible development. The Port is required to demonstrate its commitment to the promises made in its submission, develop a project-specific waste management plan, and submit a report confirming the fulfillment of these conditions. These measures ensure that growth occurs responsibly, with environmental considerations at the forefront.

Premier’s Pledge: Funding Boosts the Dream

This positive news follows Premier Dr. Andrew Furey’s recent announcement of $15.1 million in support under the Innovation and Business Development Fund (IBDF). The fund, designed to enhance Newfoundland’s oil and gas supply and service capabilities, has been expanded to include renewable energy. This financial boost not only underscores the government’s commitment to the project but also signals a broader vision for sustainable development in the region.

Federal Backing: A Testament to National Importance

Last year, the Port received a significant financial commitment from the Federal Government, securing $38 million under the National Trade Corridor Fund administered by Transport Canada. This substantial support reflects the project’s recognition as a vital component in the national trade network, further cementing its importance in the broader economic landscape.

Unlocking Potential: What the Expansion Means for Argentia and Newfoundland

With escalating demands for berthing space and burgeoning import/export opportunities, the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project is poised to double the quayside capacity at the Port. The addition of three berths at water depths of 12.5 meters and the creation of 10 hectares of adjacent laydown space will not only address current needs but also position Argentia as a key player in future maritime activities.

The development will feature cutting-edge port electrification innovations, highlighting a commitment to sustainability and decarbonization. As the project unfolds, it is expected to act as a catalyst for job creation, economic growth, and technological advancement in the region.

The release of the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project from further environmental assessment is a watershed moment for Argentia and Newfoundland. The government’s backing, coupled with substantial financial support, sets the stage for a transformative chapter in the region’s maritime history. As the project moves forward, it promises to not only boost local economies but also shape the future of sustainable and responsible development in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Port of Argentia is on the brink of a new era, and the entire nation is watching with anticipation.

Norway’s Bold Move: Pioneering Deep Sea Mining for a Green Tomorrow

Tina Olivero — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:22:04 +0000

Deep sea mining, the extraction of valuable minerals and resources from the ocean floor, has captured the world’s attention as countries seek sustainable solutions to fuel the green economy. In a historic decision, Norway has emerged as a frontrunner by formally agreeing to explore an expansive 108,000 square miles of Arctic seabed, positioning itself to become the first country in the world to embrace this groundbreaking industry. Despite concerns from environmental groups, the move reflects Norway’s commitment to unlocking the vast resources crucial for the green transition.

Deep sea mining involves the extraction of minerals such as copper, cobalt, zinc, and gold from the ocean floor. The vast expanses of the world’s oceans, largely unexplored by humans, contain valuable resources essential for technologies supporting the green economy, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicle batteries. As countries look to secure these resources, the emergence of deep sea mining has become a global phenomenon.

The Global Landscape: Areas Embracing Deep Sea Mining

Norway’s decision aligns with a broader global movement towards deep sea mining. As countries strive to meet the demands of a growing green economy, areas such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and now the Arctic seabed between Norway and Greenland have become focal points for exploration. The potential for vast mineral reserves beneath the ocean floor has spurred nations to position themselves at the forefront of this emerging industry.

Driving the Green Transition: Proponents’ Perspective

Advocates for deep sea mining argue that extracting resources from the ocean floor can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. They contend that this method could come with a lower environmental cost compared to terrestrial mining, making it an attractive option for countries committed to sustainable development. Norway’s focus on sustainability and responsibility in its exploration underscores the industry’s potential as a driving force for positive environmental change.

The Urgency for a Green Economy: Scientific Insights

While proponents highlight the benefits, scientists express caution, emphasizing the limited understanding of the world’s oceans. The deep ocean in the targeted region is home to diverse marine species, many undiscovered by humans. Despite concerns about potential impacts on ecosystems already affected by pollution and climate change, the Norwegian government maintains that extraction will only proceed if done sustainably and responsibly.

International Perspectives: Caution and Calls for Pause

As Norway forges ahead, other countries, including the United Kingdom, urge caution, with some supporting a moratorium on deep sea mining. Open letters from European politicians and over 800 scientists worldwide emphasize the risks to marine life and the potential acceleration of climate change. The debate intensifies as the International Seabed Authority, responsible for regulating seabed extraction, aims to finalize rules on mining in international waters next year.

Setting High Environmental Standards: Norwegian Assurance

Norwegian politicians, including Baard Ludvig Thorheim, highlight the country’s commitment to setting high environmental standards for deep sea mining. While acknowledging concerns, they believe it could become the international standard for this activity. The assurance resonates with the wider environmental community, ensuring that deep sea mining is conducted responsibly.

A Step-by-Step Approach: Future Challenges and Considerations

Despite the landmark decision, the timeline for the emergence of a deep sea mining industry in Norway remains uncertain. Exploration may commence in a matter of months, but parliament approval for mining licenses and subsequent extraction will require additional votes. Questions linger about the commercial viability of mining in the Arctic, with challenges posed by the difficulty of extracting minerals and the potential delay in contributing to the green economic transition.

Norway’s groundbreaking decision to embrace deep sea mining is a bold step towards securing the resources essential for a sustainable and green future. While environmental concerns persist, the commitment to high standards and responsible practices reflects the nation’s dedication to leading the way in this frontier. As the debate unfolds on the global stage, Norway’s pioneering move may well shape the future of deep sea mining, paving the way for a new era of resource exploration and environmental responsibility.

Wood to Power Europe’s Green Revolution with Massive Offshore Wind Connection Project

Tina Olivero — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:35:02 +0000

Wood, the global consulting and engineering powerhouse, has secured a pivotal contract from Dragados Offshore. The mission? To engineer and champion regulatory support for three colossal 2GW converter stations, set to act as the lifeblood for one of the world’s largest offshore wind-to-grid connection projects. Picture this: three offshore high voltage direct current platforms, each boasting the dimensions of a European football pitch, towering 65 meters above the German North Sea. The result? A powerhouse solution that will electrify the lives of approximately four million people in Germany.

The visionary undertaking is a joint venture between Dragados Offshore, Spain, and Siemens Energy. Wood’s President of Oil, Gas & Power Projects, John Day, remarks, “Building on our strong engineering heritage and long-standing relationship with Dragados Offshore, we are delighted to be partnering with them on this world-leading project, helping to deliver one of the largest offshore wind-to-grid connections.” This is more than just an engineering feat; it’s a pivotal step towards an integrated energy system, a linchpin in achieving the world’s net-zero ambitions.

At the heart of this colossal project are three offshore HVDC platforms that will not only dominate the seascape but also harvest and convert a staggering 2GW of power generated from offshore wind farms. These mammoth structures, standing tall at 65 meters above sea level, will seamlessly integrate this renewable energy into Germany’s power grid. As a result, the electricity generated will meet the needs of around four million German citizens, marking a substantial contribution to the nation’s sustainable energy objectives.

Jeroen Poppe, VP of Global Business Development of Dragados Offshore, articulates the significance of Wood’s involvement, stating, “We are glad to welcome Wood as our engineering partner on these hallmark projects that will shape Europe’s energy transition.” This collaboration is not just about constructing infrastructure; it’s about sculpting the future of Europe’s energy landscape.

The enormity of the task at hand is not lost on Wood, as John Day highlights the critical role of an integrated energy system in achieving both energy security and global net-zero goals. “Our technical expertise will ensure successful project delivery as we design and deliver future renewable energy systems.” The emphasis here is not just on meeting current energy needs but on pioneering a blueprint for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

The geographical scope of this ambitious venture extends across borders, with Wood’s experts in the UK, India, and Spain joining forces to leverage the company’s offshore energy expertise. Their collective goal? To engineer and design the infrastructure required for a low-carbon future. It’s not just about the tangible structures rising from the sea but the intangible impact reverberating through global energy discussions.

As the world collectively rallies behind green initiatives, the Wood-Dragados Offshore collaboration takes center stage as a beacon of innovation. This venture is not merely a project; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when engineering prowess meets a commitment to sustainability.

The global energy landscape is at a crossroads, and projects of this magnitude serve as a powerful reminder that the solutions to our most pressing challenges are within reach. Wood, with its rich engineering legacy, stands at the forefront of this transition, ushering in an era where renewable energy isn’t just a buzzword but a tangible force that can power nations.

The Wood-Dragados Offshore collaboration represents a milestone in the journey toward a sustainable future. As these offshore HVDC platforms rise from the sea, they signal not just a connection to the power grid but a connection to a future where energy is clean, abundant, and accessible to all.

Sources:

Wood
Dragados Offshore
Siemens Energy

Premier Furey Unveils $15 Million Boost for Port of Argentia: A Bold Step Towards a Sustainable Future

Tina Olivero — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 16:19:57 +0000

In a groundbreaking announcement, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, revealed a visionary investment exceeding $15 million to propel the Port of Argentia’s Multi-Tenant Docking Infrastructure Project into uncharted waters. This strategic move is poised to unleash a wave of opportunities in the offshore and renewable energy sectors, marking a significant leap toward sustained economic vitality.

Embarking on a multi-year venture, the Port of Argentia will transform the landscape of Cooper Cove in Argentia Harbor, birthing a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose, ice-free marine support and service base.

This ambitious development unfolds in two dynamic components. The first, a marine base, promises to be a nexus of innovation, while the second, a roll-on-roll-off ramp, is tailored to cater to the energy industry’s burgeoning needs and other forward-thinking industrial clients.

The Provincial Government’s resounding support isn’t just a monetary infusion; it’s a strategic alliance that amplifies private and Federal Government investments in infrastructure. This injection of $15,180,000 will serve as a catalyst, leveraging an additional $72 million from a synergistic blend of the applicant, industry stakeholders, and the Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridor Program.

Underpinning this strategic initiative is the Innovation and Business Development Fund, established in September 2018 with the aim of elevating Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas supply and service capabilities. In a nod to the surging renewable energy sector, the program guidelines have been agilely updated to encompass the realm of renewables. For those seeking a deep dive into the Innovation and Business Development Fund program, the department’s website offers comprehensive details. This $60 million, multi-year program emanated from the White Rose Extension benefits agreement, signifying a commitment to progress and evolution.

In the words of Premier Andrew Furey, “Our support for this project facilitates supply chain cooperation between our government, Port of Argentia, local suppliers, and operators. This project will lead to an expansion in local supply, export, and diversification opportunities, create long-term jobs, and attract investment into the province in both the oil and gas and renewables industry.”

Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, Honourable Andrew Parsons, echoes this sentiment, noting, “This project will provide direct economic benefits to communities adjacent to the port.”

Scott Penney, CEO of the Port of Argentia, underscores the global impact of this investment, stating, “This significant investment of $15.18 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador sends a clear signal to investors globally that the Port of Argentia is a critical element within the province’s export/import supply chain. Investment in the Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion Project will ensure our province and the Port of Argentia maximize its full potential through existing and emerging sectors.”

Genny Picco, Board Chair of the Port of Argentia, applauds the pivotal role played by the Innovation and Business Development Fund, emphasizing, “I congratulate our entire organization on securing this critical funding from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The IBDF funding continues to demonstrate that the Port of Argentia plays a vital role in the global energy transition. This investment in port infrastructure will enable us to support the unprecedented growth that is planned in the next five to 10 years and beyond.”

Charlene Johnson, CEO of Energy NL, reflects on the Port’s stellar growth and the provincial government’s unwavering support, stating, “The recent growth of the Port of Argentia has been remarkable, and I congratulate the entire organization for their foresight and ambition. With the support provided by the provincial government, the Port of Argentia will be able to continue its growth, and for decades to come be a leader in our diversified energy supply chain.”

As Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary, proudly affirms, “The Port of Argentia is bustling with activity, and it is a significant driver of the economy for the province. With this investment, our government continues to support growth and development to further expand the Port’s role in our offshore and renewable energy industry. As the MHA, I am proud of the Port’s accomplishments.”

Premier Furey’s announcement marks a transformative milestone in the journey towards a sustainable and vibrant future for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Port of Argentia, with its ambitious expansion plans, is poised to become a global player, attracting investment, creating jobs, and serving as a beacon of progress in the ever-evolving landscape of energy and industry. As the province charts this course, the eyes of the world are on Argentia, where innovation and opportunity converge, setting the stage for a new era of economic prosperity.

Sources:
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development – Newfoundland and Labrador
Port of Argentia
Energy NL

Marine geologist makes unique discovery at famed Galapagos Islands using revolutionary ocean mapping technologies

Tina Olivero — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:47:24 +0000

Dr. John Jamieson at Memorial University recently led an international team of researchers on a scientific expedition to the Galapagos Islands, where they discovered – and named – a new hydrothermal vent field, “Tortugas.”

credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute

It has been said that we know more about the moon than the deep sea, and one purpose of Dr. Jamieson’s expedition was to change that. His team deployed cutting-edge mapping technology in this species rich part of the ocean and found a hydrothermal vent ecosystem teeming with life.

Among the discoveries were fifteen species previously unknown to the region, including a monoplacophoran mollusk. Monoplacophorans are so rare they were thought to have been extinct for 380 million years, until the 1950s. Their primitive anatomy is considered important in understanding the evolutionary history of animals. The team also found a Pacific white ray nursery, that is only the second documented in the world.

New tech yields new insights

The expedition’s mapping technologies integrated two groundbreaking sonar technologies (named M3 and InSAS). Kraken Robotics, a Mount Pearl-based underwater technology company, initially developed the InSAS technology for defense and offshore commercial uses.

Generally speaking, at considerable depths, ship sonar technologies can only create maps with a resolution, at best, of 15-20 meters. Dr. Jamieson’s setup provided a resolution of 3 centimeters. As a result, the expedition has shed new light on our understanding of hydrothermal vent ecosystems. “It’s like returning to the moon after fifty years but with the latest technology of the 21st century,” he says.

Rare expedition for a Canadian marine scientist

It is rare for a Canadian-based scientist to lead an international expedition like this one, on account of Canada’s fleet capacity. This expedition happened aboard a scientific vessel of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which “aims to catalyze the discoveries necessary to understand our ocean, sustain life, and ensure the health of our planet.”

Hydrothermal vents are prime locations for deep sea mining

Hydrothermal vents, like the one discovered by Dr. Jamieson, eject metal-rich fluids into the ocean. Because of the high concentrations of valuable metals in these deposits, including copper, zinc, gold, and silver, hydrothermal vents are being targeted as sites for deep-sea mining.

Source and Images: Schmidt Ocean Institute

Sailing into the Future: Norway Greenlights Five Cutting-Edge Offshore Wind Test Turbines

Tina Olivero — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:51:54 +0000

In a groundbreaking move for the global floating wind industry, Norway has just given the green light for five new offshore wind test turbines at the Marine Energy Test Centre (METCentre). This decision marks a pivotal moment not just for the industry but for Norway itself, propelling the nation into the forefront of floating wind technology development.

A Giant Leap for Floating Wind Technology

With the approval of these test concessions, the CEO of METCentre and Norwegian Offshore Wind, Arvid Nesse, expressed the significance of this expansion in test activities. Nesse declared, “This is a big day for the global floating wind industry and a big day for Norway. With this important expansion of our test activities, we will take big leaps in the development of floating technology and bring down costs in this industry.”

Currently, two test turbines are braving the waters off the Norwegian coast. The Zefyros, the world’s first floating turbine installed in 2009 and developed by Equinor, now operates under the ownership of Unitech Offshore. Joining it is the TetraSpar Demonstrator, developed in 2021 by Stiesdal Offshore with collaborative efforts from Shell, RWE, and TEPCO Renewable Power.

Norwegian Ambition Sets Sail

The METCentre is gearing up for the future with plans to develop new infrastructure, set to be operational by 2026. The facility aims to test a total of seven turbines in the challenging conditions of the rough North Sea, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in floating wind technology.

Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland emphasized the government’s commitment to offshore wind investment. He stated, “An important part of our government’s offshore wind investment is to facilitate technology development and competence building, which, among other things, is important for bringing costs down. The METCentre is already doing an important job of testing the technology both for power production itself and for the environment, and with this expansion, they can test even more technologies.”

High Demand and Global Interest

The METCentre’s announcement has not only stirred local enthusiasm but has also captured the attention of the global energy sector. Most of the testing slots for the new turbines are already booked, with a burgeoning waiting list of cutting-edge technologies eager to be put to the ultimate test in the challenging North Sea conditions.

Arvid Nesse proudly asserted Norway’s leadership in testing and developing new technologies, stating, “We are world-leading within testing and developing new technologies in Norway. Many new concepts are very exciting, and full-scale testing is instrumental in building a strong supply chain for future large-scale commercial floating projects.”

As the wind of change blows through the Norwegian waters, it seems the nation is not just harnessing wind energy but also steering the course of the global floating wind industry into uncharted and exciting territories. The green light for these five offshore wind test turbines signals a new era of innovation and progress, where the future of sustainable energy lies on the horizon.

MOU Positive Step in Renewable Energy Development

Tina Olivero — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:39:10 +0000

December 6, 2023

The governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding with respect to offshore wind development within inland bays making the province the principal beneficiary and regulatory lead for such projects. Energy NL welcomes the MOU as a positive action for renewable energy development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The Memorandum of Understanding between the provincial and federal governments is a positive step forward for the renewable energy industry of Newfoundland and Labrador. With the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as the regulatory lead, Energy NL is optimistic local content and involvement of the Newfoundland and Labrador supply and service sector will be a priority for any future development in these inland areas. Today is a day we must build upon as we prepare for offshore wind development.” said Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO.

Newfoundland and Labrador has significant wind energy potential both offshore and onshore, with a number of companies engaged in onshore wind development projects. As Energy NL members prepare for their engagement in both the onshore and offshore wind sectors, this MOU provides clarity as to who will regulate the inland bays for offshore wind development.

“As the committee established to formulate a regional assessment for offshore wind projects continues its process, much work remains, including expanding the focus area for offshore wind development proposed by the committee which Energy NL believes is far too narrow in scope. As we work to address that issue for areas beyond inland bays, I look forward to working with Premier Furey and the provincial government on the Newfoundland and Labrador regulated areas and creating a prosperous offshore wind industry.”

Energy NL represents approximately 500 member organizations worldwide that are involved in the energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters to carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions, and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.

Orbital Marine Power & Eauclaire Tidal partner to unlock Canadian tidal stream opportunity

Tina Olivero — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 15:50:20 +0000

5 December 2023

Orbital Marine Power, the renewable energy company focused on the development and global deployment of its pioneering floating tidal stream turbine technology, has been named Eauclaire Tidal’s technology partner at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE).

The agreement covers one 2.4MW O2X machine to be deployed on the FORCE facility in the fast flowing waters of the Minas Passage.

Andrew Scott, CEO at Orbital, said “We are pleased to take these first steps towards working with Eauclaire Tidal on Orbital’s first international project opportunity. FORCE is a world-class facility and, if a clear regulatory and long-term licensing process can be established, the tidal stream resource represents a significant opportunity to decarbonize the Nova Scotia energy system and provide clean, predictable power more widely.

Orbital’s floating tidal stream technology has been confirmed as the device that can be deployed, subject to the required regulatory approvals, following a license transfer and technology change by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NRR), signed earlier this year. The final timing of deployment will be confirmed after a Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) assessment process has been completed, this was recently initiated with the submission of a project Request for Review.

Jane Lowrie at Eauclaire said, “FORCE is a world-class facility and the tidal stream resource in the Bay of Fundy represents a significant opportunity to decarbonize the Nova Scotia energy system. The O2 floating tidal stream turbine is the ideal technology to deploy as we work together to fulfill FORCE’s potential to be a net export of clean power to Nova Scotian households and businesses.”

The company’s first O2 machine is deployed in the waters off Orkney in Scotland, and it has been exporting electricity as the world’s most powerful tidal turbine to the UK grid since July 2021. It completed operational financing in 2022 and is expected to offset around 2,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and power 1,700 homes while creating and sustaining high-value jobs within the local economy over the course of its operational life.

Lindsay Bennett at FORCE said, “It’s exciting to see Orbital seeking to deploy in Nova Scotia waters and find another partner to help cut emissions and fight the impacts of climate change. We look forward to working with the O2 team on their first North American project and supporting their successful deployment.”

About Orbital Marine Power Ltd.

Orbital Marine Power (Orbital) is a visionary, Scotland-based, renewable energy company focused on the development and global application of its pioneering floating turbine stream technology.

The culmination of over 15 years of refinement has resulted in the world’s most powerful and advanced tidal stream turbine, the O2, which has been exporting low-carbon electricity to the UK grid since July 2021. The O2 is a 2MW+ product capable of being deployed in multi-unit arrays to provide utility-scale, clean energy with almost zero visual impact.

Orbital’s innovative approach de-risks the commercial extraction of low-carbon energy from fast-flowing currents by offering low manufacturing and installation costs. As well as the ability to carry out inexpensive and quick servicing on all major turbine components through a proprietary structural configuration.

Orbital has an established portfolio of further multi-MW tidal stream projects, focused initially within UK waters, built on a global pipeline of multi-GW opportunities.

More information about Orbital can be found here: www.orbitalmarine.com

About FORCE

FORCE is Canada’s lead facility for tidal stream energy research and demonstration, located in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. Since 2009, FORCE has built the electrical infrastructure to allow devices to deliver power to the provincial grid, and in partnership with many organizations, conducted and published research, monitoring, and risk assessment to better understand the marine environment and the role tidal energy can play in Canada’s energy future.

More at www.fundyforce.ca

About Eauclaire

Eauclaire is a Canadian tidal power developer, with over a decade of dedication and experience in this power generation endeavor. Comprised of several seasoned energy professionals, who believe strongly in the capacity of reliable and predictable power generation from the forces in our coastal resources, Eauclaire remains committed to near-term, commercial deployments of proven Orbital technologies in its target Berth locations here and abroad.

DNV Launches Joint Industry Project to Advance Offshore Wind Concrete Floaters Standards

Tina Olivero — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:41:58 +0000

1 December 2023

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has taken a significant step forward in reshaping the offshore wind industry with the launch of a new Joint Industry Project called Concrete FLOW which will optimize requirements for concrete floaters (floating or semisubmersible structures, generally moored to the seabed, used as foundations upon which equipment can be mounted), specifically tailored for floating offshore wind farms.

At the kick-off meeting 14 key partners committed to redefining global standards for the production of concrete floaters in the offshore wind industry. The collaborative results are earmarked for incorporation into future DNV service documents.

By uniting key industry players, Concrete FLOW aims to drive innovation and shape the future of floating offshore wind energy. “This initiative symbolizes a collaborative effort to set new standards and challenge existing ones, laying the groundwork for the future of floating wind,” said Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, Executive Vice President for Renewables Certification at DNV. “We have engaged with 30 companies to discuss this initiative, and Concrete FLOW reflects a core aspect of our strategy: aiming to leverage collective expertise to drive impactful change in the renewable energy sector. Ultimately, the whole energy industry stands to benefit from projects that introduce sustainable solutions to support the global energy transition.”

Concrete floaters pose special challenges, particularly related to topics such as leak proofness, which govern the design of the floater. Balancing controlled cracking of concrete structures to maintain floatability and ensure long-term durability is crucial. DNV sees concrete floaters as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to steel floaters, particularly for larger turbine sizes.

Refinements to design provisions should enhance material efficiency while maintaining the historically robust performance of offshore concrete structures. Notably, Concrete FLOW is the first-ever JIP dedicated to concrete floaters for floating offshore wind, underlining its global relevance and impact on the renewable energy sector. Its primary objective is to enhance standard requirements, customizing them for industrial production to enable serial production; the goal is to significantly reduce costs and streamline the manufacturing process.

“While the DNV-ST-0119 standard includes design provisions for concrete floaters, some requirements draw from oil & gas experience and others from bottom fixed wind farms; they need refinement and optimization to be used specifically for floating offshore wind developments”, explained Stefan Baars Renewables Certification Head of Section for Concrete Structures & Geotechnics at DNV. “The project will select hot topics to investigate as work packages, so as to update and refine the concrete design provisions in DNV-ST-0119.” The team anticipates conducting activities over a period of 1.5 to 2 years, gathering additional support offers to solidify the JIP’s scope and impact.

The project encompasses concrete structures, geotechnics, and floating technologies and welcomes additional partners interested in contributing to this pivotal innovation for the future of offshore wind technology.

About DNV

DNV is an independent expert in risk management and assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions.

Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline , or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence.   

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies. 

In the energy industry 

DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world’s leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system. 

Learn more at www.dnv.com

Suncor Energy Successfully Restarts Terra Nova FPSO, Revitalizing Newfoundland and Labrador’s Oil Production

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:38:30 +0000

November 27, 2023

In a momentous turn of events for Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil industry, Suncor Energy proudly announces the triumphant restart of oil production from the Terra Nova Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. Following extensive repair work conducted in northwestern Spain in 2021, aimed at extending the FPSO’s operational life until 2031, this milestone marks a significant chapter in the region’s economic resurgence.

The Terra Nova FPSO, a crucial component of the oil field situated approximately 350 km southeast of St. John’s, underwent substantial repairs in a port in northwestern Spain in 2021. These repairs, under the careful supervision of Suncor Energy, were part of a strategic initiative to enhance the vessel’s integrity and extend its lifespan to 2031. After years of meticulous repair procedures, the Terra Nova FPSO is once again operational, contributing to the region’s economic revitalization.

Suncor Energy, the majority owner of the Terra Nova project, removed the FPSO from its 2023 projections in April, sparking anticipation regarding the timeline for its return to production. The recent announcement brings clarity to the situation, emphasizing Suncor’s unwavering commitment to safety and operational excellence in restarting this crucial offshore project.

Rich Kruger, Suncor President, and Chief Executive Officer, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts and support from provincial and federal governments. “Focusing on safety and operational integrity, we have brought this key offshore project online, providing additional cash flow for our shareholders as well as many benefits to the Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian economies,” he stated.

The Terra Nova FPSO’s return to operations is a notable event, considering its hiatus since 2019. The comprehensive repair work conducted in Spain aimed not only to address operational issues but also to position the FPSO for an extended period of productivity, aligning with the energy industry’s commitment to sustainable resource development.

The Terra Nova Partners, comprising Suncor with a 48% stake, Cenovus with 34%, and Murphy Oil Corporation with 18%, highlight the collaborative approach to offshore oil operations. The successful restart of the FPSO is expected to contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and the ongoing development of Canada’s energy sector.

Historical Context of the Terra Nova Oil Field

Discovered in 1984, the Terra Nova oil field was the second to be developed on the Grand Banks offshore Newfoundland. Production from the field began in 2002, utilizing the Terra Nova Floating, Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. This marked the first development in North America to use FPSO technology in a harsh weather environment featuring sea ice and icebergs.

In 2021, Suncor and the Terra Nova joint venture owners finalized an agreement to move forward with the Asset Life Extension Project, expected to extend production life by approximately 10 years. The project holds the potential to provide numerous benefits to the economies of both Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada, including taxes, royalties, and employment opportunities.

The Terra Nova FPSO, one of the largest ever built, spans 292.2 meters in length and 45.5 meters in width—roughly the size of three football fields laid end to end. From keel to helideck, it stands more than 18 stories high, with a storage capacity of 960,000 barrels of oil and the ability to accommodate up to 120 people while in production.

Designed for extreme weather conditions and the challenging environment it operates in, the Terra Nova FPSO is a double-hulled, ice-reinforced vessel equipped with five thrusters and a global dynamic positioning system. This automated system allows the vessel to maintain its heading, reducing the impact of waves by changing to more favorable headings in high winds and storms.

As the Terra Nova FPSO once again becomes a vital player in Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil production, the region anticipates positive impacts on its economy and the broader Canadian energy landscape. The revitalization of this offshore project serves as a testament to the resilience and commitment of the energy industry, further solidifying its role in the sustainable development of Canada’s valuable natural resources.

Source and Pictures: Suncor

First offshore wind data sets available in Diskos

Tina Olivero — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:41:29 +0000

13/11/2023

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has collected and prepared the first data sets for offshore wind on the Norwegian shelf.

Data from the subsurface surveys in the first phase of Sørlige Nordsjø II (Southern North Sea II) are now ready for download from Diskos.

This includes surveys NPD22100 and NPD23100. Each survey contains seven types of data, in addition to interpretation reports.

2D Ultra-High-Resolution (UHR) multi-channel seismic
Bottom penetrating sonar
Multi-beam echo sounder (bathymetry)
Back-scatter data
MBES water column data
Magnetometer data
Side-seeking sonar (SSS) data

The Government has great ambitions for developing offshore wind on the Norwegian continental shelf. Norway’s ambition is to award acreage for 30,000 megawatts (MW) of energy generation by 2040.

The first areas were opened in 2020

The first areas were opened for renewable offshore energy production on the Norwegian shelf in 2020. Since then, the authorities have worked to establish the regulatory framework in close cooperation with businesses, industry, and others that use the ocean. 2023 saw the first announcement of project areas for offshore wind at Utsira Nord and Sørlige Nordsjø II, and the authorities plan to award acreage during the first quarter of 2024.

In the spring of 2022, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) tasked the NPD with planning and implementing a tender process for conducting pilot surveys in Sørlige Nordsjø II and at Utsira Nord, with potential start-up in 2022.

The first phase of the survey in Sørlige Nordsjø II (eastern part) was started in the autumn of 2022 and completed in 2023.

The survey on Utsira Nord was commenced in the summer of 2023. To date, the northern area has been completed, while the southern area is nearing completion. Work has just gotten underway on the central area. According to the plan, the Utsira Nord survey will be completed in the spring of 2024.

Some data will be made available later

Magnetometer data and MBES water column data will only be made available after a license is awarded. This data will then be available for the party that will be developing the area. Players will also have access to the complete version of the interpretation report.

Players who want to access the collected data, NPD22100 (NPDid 10679) and NPD23100 (NPDid 10620) can access the Diskos Public Portal.

Technical or practical questions linked to Diskos and downloading data can be directed to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate at factweb@npd.no or to the contact persons referenced at diskos.no

DNV concludes Phase 1 of Joint Industry Project to optimize design of Floating Substations

Tina Olivero — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:05:06 +0000

07 November 2023

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, has successfully concluded Phase 1 of its joint industry project (JIP) aimed at establishing offshore substation standards for the growing floating wind sector. The collaborative industry effort has brought together 38 participating companies (including transmission operators, developers, component suppliers, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation contractors, and yards) to tackle the distinctive challenges associated with floating offshore substations.

Claus Christensen, Senior Chief Specialist at Ørsted and JIP Chairman explained: “Standards are important in emerging industries as they encourage innovation and competition while ensuring safety and reliability. It has been very valuable to work alongside 38 leading companies covering all scopes and disciplines in this project, and we look forward to floating substations being integrated into DNV-ST-0145. As the industry gains real project experience from designing and building floating substations, lessons learned need to be incorporated into the standard”.

Floating offshore wind capacity is projected to exceed 260 GW by 2050, as per DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) research. Offshore substations play a crucial role in the scaling of floating offshore wind, serving as hubs to connect multiple wind turbines and transmit renewable energy to markets. Designing and implementing these substations present distinct challenges, including the need for high-voltage dynamic cables and electrical equipment that can withstand the movements of floating structures. With a focus on closing gaps in existing technology and standards applicable to floating substations, the JIP will help the wind industry meet its potential and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the global energy system.

“DNV, in collaboration with industry partners, had previously developed the widely used standard DNV-ST-0145 for offshore substations, primarily focusing on bottom-fixed installations. During the past ten years, this standard has played a crucial role, serving as a foundation for certifying electrical offshore substations. Through our predictive ETO research models, we recognized the growing trend toward floating wind. DNV initiated this joint industry project to develop standards specifically applicable to floating substations”, said Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, Executive Vice President of Renewables Certification and Energy Systems at DNV.

The JIP’s Phase 1 primary outcomes include affirming the feasibility of floating offshore substations (FOSS) and export cables, identifying technology gaps requiring attention, and highlighting the maturity of AC solutions compared to DC. The project also carried out a feasibility analysis for generic floater types and dynamic export cable concepts. Emphasizing a robust design process for optimized integrated floating substations, DNV plans to incorporate the JIP’s findings in the next update of DNV-ST-0145 for floating substations and of DNV-ST-0359 for dynamic cables, both scheduled for 2024.

“The JIP contributed to a joint understanding of the challenges in floating offshore substations, which are key components for the evolving renewable energy landscape”, added the JIP project manager, Kristin Berg, Senior Principal Consultant, Energy Systems at DNV. “Our call for partners garnered significant interest, meeting the objective of establishing a joint understanding of best industry practice and technical requirements. Collaboration among industry experts is always instrumental in technology and standards development, and this will ultimately be beneficial for the whole renewables sector, as we facilitate the scaling of floating offshore wind projects.”

DNV is now initiating Phase 2 of this JIP, where Phase 1 participants and new participants will be invited to join. Phase 2 will build on Phase 1 deliverables and input received from the contributors.

About DNV

In the energy industry 

Learn more at www.dnv.com

Setting Sail For Success – Holyrood, Newfoundland’s Ocean Excellence Voyage

Tina Olivero — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:58:33 +0000

Nestled around the breathtaking harbourfront of Holyrood, Newfoundland, approximately 2,500 fortunate residents call this pristine haven home. Here, where homes and businesses coexist harmoniously, life is defined by one word – purity. Clean air, untainted water, and an overall commitment to a wholesome lifestyle are the hallmarks of this coastal community.

For visitors, Holyrood encapsulates the quintessential essence of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its coastal charm, the rugged allure of its rocks, and the picturesque waterfront vistas create an inviting destination that beckons exploration. Whether it’s embarking on a scenic hike, savoring a traditional Sunday dinner at the local diner, or indulging in the delectable “Flakey” pastries from the renowned Station Diner Bakery, the town offers an authentic Newfoundland experience.

But Holyrood doesn’t stop there. During the summer months, this idyllic town transforms into an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. World-class sailing, invigorating hiking trails, exhilarating biking routes, thrilling quad adventures, mesmerizing scuba diving opportunities – the possibilities are as boundless as the Atlantic horizon. In Holyrood, every day is an invitation to embrace the extraordinary.

THE LAUNCH

A burgeoning hub of innovation and development is capturing the attention of premier businesses and world-renowned scientists.

“The Launch,” is the Marine Institute’s latest ocean innovation center, a bastion of discovery and leadership, cultivating a collaborative and all-encompassing space for Canada’s ocean stakeholders. Ocean enthusiasts gather here to actualize the cutting-edge technology essential for the preservation of ocean health and the bolstering of ocean economic prosperity.

Situated right at the doorstep of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, The Launch’s strategic location positions it as the epicenter for catalyzing Canadian and Arctic Ocean research – a pioneering initiative, demonstrating that if it works here, it will work anywhere.

At the helm of this remarkable venture is Kelley Santos, the Director of THE LAUNCH. In her own words, she affirms, “This facility is more than a mere space; it’s a living lab, providing a platform to train in real-time, amid real-world conditions. Here, industry stakeholders have an unprecedented opportunity to rigorously test and fine-tune their operations in advance, harnessing the immense capabilities of our world-class, multi-purpose facility.”

Kelley Santos, the Director of THE LAUNCH

As you step into The Launch, you embark on a journey where innovation, collaboration, and progress seamlessly converge. This state-of-the-art hub has ignited a beacon of hope for those dedicated to the ocean’s well-being and its intertwining with economic prosperity, offering an inspiring vision of the future that is within reach.

With Kelley Santos guiding the ship, The Launch promises to be a transformative force in ocean exploration, offering a platform that elevates the possibilities for marine research and sustainable economic growth.

FUTURE VISION SERIES

The Town of Holyrood recently played host to an innovative event that is set to shape its future in a remarkable way. The “Future Vision Series” was a gathering of entrepreneurs, each contributing their ideas and creativity to foster a vision for the town that is both unique and promising. This event was not only unique but also fun and incredibly thought-provoking.

The event was a showcase of the power of collective brainstorming, drawing together individuals from various backgrounds and businesses, all with a shared interest in the prosperity of Holyrood. The discussions that took place during this event brought together unique vantage points from all the company owners who attended. These entrepreneurs opened up the doors to the many opportunities that are currently unfolding in Holyrood, as well as the countless possibilities that lie ahead.

One of the highlights of the event was the introductions, where attendees got to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. This exercise not only helped in breaking the ice but also revealed the impressive depth of talent and innovative thinking present in Holyrood. As the introductions continued, it became increasingly evident that Holyrood was a town filled with remarkable potential, just waiting to be unlocked.

The Future Vision Series encouraged a proactive approach to addressing the town’s challenges and seizing its opportunities. It became a platform for entrepreneurs to brainstorm ideas, solutions, and strategies to enhance the town’s overall well-being. From revitalizing local businesses to fostering economic growth, the participants’ ideas covered a wide spectrum of possibilities. There was a shared sense of commitment to seeing Holyrood thrive.

The Future Vision Series in Holyrood exemplified the power of collaboration and creative thinking. This event was more than just a gathering; it was a catalyst for change and progress in the town.

As the entrepreneurs left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and an expanded network of like-minded individuals, the future of Holyrood appears brighter than ever. This dynamic exchange of ideas and visions has set the stage for a new era of growth and prosperity in this vibrant and forward-thinking town. Holyrood’s journey towards its future has just begun, and it promises to be a remarkable one.

Revolutionizing Offshore Energy: Next-Generation Platforms Pave the Way for a Green Energy Future

Tina Olivero — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 15:00:28 +0000

The offshore landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, no longer solely dominated by oil and gas but also embracing offshore wind, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and green hydrogen production. As we look ahead to 2043, we can expect even more remarkable changes as the pace of transformation continues to accelerate.

Next-generation offshore platforms are leading the charge, pushing the boundaries of innovation to harness renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. In this visionary article, we delve into the exciting world of offshore energy’s next chapter, exploring the incredible potential of these platforms and their role in driving the green energy revolution.

Our coastal shelves, once adorned with only oil and gas platforms are now pickled with wind turbines, and are on the brink of a profound transformation. A transformation that promises the emergence of offshore green hydrogen production, groundbreaking CCS reinjection projects, and yes, the next wave of oil and gas infrastructure.

But this is just the beginning. The horizon holds the promise of wind and tidal renewable resources gaining prominence, and on the horizon, the advent of subsea mining projects, driven by the ever-growing materials demands of the energy transition.

In essence, a bustling offshore economy is flourishing, and each visionary project and groundbreaking technology seeks its foothold in this promising landscape. While some of these ventures may take a buoyant path with floating infrastructure, the demand for solid ground in the form of fixed-base platforms remains substantial.

The topsides of these platforms are poised for a remarkable transformation, one far more diverse and adaptable than we have ever seen. In fact, these structures will undergo changes over time, adapting to the evolving needs of our dynamic industry.

Today we see platforms emerging that offer game-changing solutions to meet the world’s energy demands and work to combat climate change at the same time. These offshore platforms will reshape the industry, driving sustainability and efficiency to unprecedented levels.

The Foundation of Innovation: Advanced Engineering and Design

Next-generation offshore platforms are architectural marvels. Their designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. Innovative engineering, advanced materials, and sustainable design principles are at the heart of these platforms. They’re built to withstand the harshest conditions while minimizing their environmental impact. Next-generation offshore platforms are designed to tap into a trifecta of renewable energy sources: wind, waves, and solar power. By doing so, they are turning the tide in favor of clean energy production and helping reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Harnessing Wind, Solar, and Wave energy offshore

These platforms will harness renewable energy sources, such as wind, wave, and solar power. This not only reduces the carbon footprint of offshore energy production but also opens up new avenues for clean, sustainable energy generation. These platforms are turning the tide in favor of renewable energy.

Next-gen offshore platforms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These platforms can analyze data in real time, optimizing energy production, maintenance schedules, and safety protocols. This integration of technology takes offshore energy to a whole new level.

Sustainability is a top priority for next-generation offshore platforms. They’re designed to minimize environmental impact and reduce the carbon footprint of offshore energy production. By prioritizing sustainability, these platforms play a crucial role in preserving marine ecosystems and mitigating the effects of climate change. Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the offshore green energy revolution. Next-gen platforms are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint, ensuring minimal disruption to marine ecosystems, and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

Aquaterra Energy Responding To The New Offshore Landscape

Aquaterra Energy stands as a pioneering force, poised to reshape the offshore industry from seabed to surface. This innovative company has swiftly become a leader in offshore products, systems, and projects worldwide.

Aquaterra Energy’s team of highly skilled engineers and analysts is dedicated to crafting tailor-made solutions for their clients by fostering a sustainable, eco-friendly future and actively supporting decarbonization efforts. Whether it’s creating autonomous power systems for offshore platforms, modular structures for versatile project applications, or advanced subsea solutions, Aquaterra Energy’s innovative approach ensures that its clients are equipped to thrive in the evolving offshore landscape. www.aquaterraenergy.com.

The Quest For Sustainable Energy

As the world’s energy demands continue to rise, future-proofing energy production is paramount. Next-generation offshore platforms offer an efficient and reliable solution, reducing energy costs and risks while ensuring a stable supply for the future.

In the quest for a more sustainable and efficient future, the offshore energy sector is taking a giant leap forward. Next-generation offshore platforms are not only revolutionizing energy production but also opening doors to exciting business opportunities.

With advanced engineering, sustainable design, renewable energy integration, and cutting-edge technology, the offshore energy industry is at the forefront of innovation. As these platforms continue to evolve, they promise a cleaner, more sustainable, and prosperous future for us all. The future is now, and it’s an exciting one. It’s time to embrace the offshore energy revolution. The green energy revolution is upon us, and it is taking center stage in offshore energy. Next-generation platforms, with their innovative engineering, renewable energy integration, and advanced technology, are at the forefront of this transformation. As these platforms continue to evolve, they hold the promise of a cleaner, more sustainable, and prosperous future.

Source: AquaterraEnergy.com

DNV & Oceans of Energy: De-Risk Offshore Solar Technologies & Drive Global Energy Transition

Tina Olivero — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:36:18 +0000

9 October 2023

DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, and Oceans of Energy, a leading Netherlands-based company that has specialized since 2016 in offshore solar technology, services, operations, and ecological and energy systems research, have joined forces to accelerate the deployment and scaling of offshore solar technologies.

DNV has handed over a Statement of Conformity for the Basis of Design of their offshore solar solution to Oceans of Energy, marking a significant milestone in the development of their technology.

The Statement of Conformity verifies that the design methodology complies with the comprehensive set of requirements and guidelines provided by DNV’s Recommended Practice for the design, development, operation, and decommissioning of floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems – DNV-RP-0584, the world’s first of its kind, published in 2021.

With ambitions to reach 150 MW-scale offshore solar farm systems by 2028, Oceans of Energy sought independent confirmation of their technology and system design, and contracted DNV to first deliver the aforementioned Statement of Conformity, and, in a later phase, conduct a prototype verification of their second-generation offshore solar farm design for rough North Sea conditions, as implemented in the current pilots.

The North Sea Two location is operational at 400 kW and set to expand to 1 MW in the coming year. The future holds even greater ambitions with North Sea Three projected to reach a multiple MW system size, and subsequent projects expected to reach tens of MW.

“This verification is of global relevance, as the deployment and scaling of offshore solar technologies are essential to meet climate challenges worldwide”, said Ditlev Engel, CEO of Energy Systems at DNV. “Our partnership will not only drive offshore solar for the energy transition in Europe, particularly in the North Sea region but also serve as a model for implementation globally.”

Ditlev Engel, CEO DNV GL – Energy

DNV’s Statement of Conformity confirms that Oceans of Energy’s basis of design complies with the requirements of DNV-RP-0584 for certain operational limits, thus providing crucial risk reduction for North Sea Two and forthcoming solar farms within offshore wind farms. This independent confirmation of their technology and system design basis enables Oceans of Energy to scale in a safe and reliable way.

“Oceans of Energy is proud to be a pioneer. Not only with our worldwide unique four years of offshore operational experience and our first commercial projects incl.at the Crosswind “Hollandse Kust Noord” wind farm, but also in driving a larger stakeholder agenda that will benefit the whole offshore energy industry. Integrating offshore solar in offshore wind projects can result in up to five times more energy generated per km2 of sea space per year and can be integrated into the offshore wind farm electrical infrastructure. Together with DNV, we are applying best practices to have future large-scale projects certified, which will enable the investments associated with scaling our new energy generation sector” commented Allard van Hoeken, CEO of Oceans of Energy.

Verification and certification are crucial in attracting the necessary investments for scaling up: as the first offshore solar basis of design to receive a Statement of Conformity in the EU, Oceans of Energy’s system showcases the feasibility of key aspects of solar technologies at rough environmental conditions, like in the North Sea, and sets the stage for future advancements.

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to being a trusted voice in transitioning industries and governments to a deeply decarbonized, sustainable energy system,” added Prajeev Rasiah, executive vice president and Regional Director for Northern Europe, Energy Systems at DNV. “By providing independent confirmation of Oceans of Energy’s design basis, we are enabling them to scale in a safe and reliable way, contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.”

With its immense potential for energy production, the North Sea is destined to become Europe’s power plant, and this project plays a role in realizing the region’s ambitious targets set in the Esbjerg and Ostend Declaration. Furthermore, it aligns with the Netherlands’ commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 55% by 2030, as announced by Minister of Climate and Energy, Rob Jetten. The Dutch government has recognized the importance of offshore solar, with the announced ambition to have 3 GW installed by 2030 equivalent in scale to 3000 football fields.

Canadian Marine Careers Foundation: Promotes the Exciting World of Marine Opportunities

Tina Olivero — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 14:30:59 +0000

August 30th, 2023

The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF) announced the release of its comprehensive set of educational materials designed to ignite curiosity and inspire career seekers to dive into the diverse opportunities within the marine sector. Developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and educators, this first-of-its-kind package of unbranded materials is visually appealing, interactive, and available in both English and French.

Targeting middle and high school students, as well as second-career seekers, the educational materials aim to raise awareness about Canada’s vibrant marine sector and showcase the multitude of rewarding career paths it offers. By providing a glimpse into the world of marine careers, the CMCF is addressing current and projected labor shortages and demonstrating how individual aspirations align with the industry’s future. Through these materials, the CMCF aims to engage and inspire the next generation of marine professionals, contributing to the sustained growth and development of Canada’s marine sector.

“Our new educational materials outreach package represents a significant milestone in our mission to create awareness and attract a diverse cohort of individuals who are passionate about marine careers. This is something that we’ve identified as a major need for stakeholders across the country,” said Julia Fields, Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation.

The creation of this package was generously sponsored by the Chamber of Marine Commerce. Their support has made a significant impact on the CMCF’s ability to provide valuable educational resources for the continued promotion of marine careers.

The neutral package of content has been specifically designed for use by public and private organizations, educators, guidance counselors, and CMCF members across Canada. The materials include:

Personas

These engaging representations depict diverse individuals in various ship and shore roles within the marine sector. Each persona was designed to showcase one of the career motivators that young people identified as most important in last year’s National Youth Survey: advanced technology, career progression, environmental sustainability, work/life balance, adventure, and fulfilling work.

Digital Infographic: This visual overview of a port presents a comprehensive snapshot of the marine community, featuring vessels, land-side operations, and detailed information about each persona and their unique career paths. The infographic is hosted on a new resource page that includes links to the CMCF’s new marine careers job board, the “Why Marine” quiz, and an animated video, offering viewers a holistic understanding of the marine sector.

Poster

This eye-catching poster serves as a summary of marine careers. Perfect for display in schools and offices, this resource visually encapsulates the opportunities available in the marine industry. A QR code leads to more information, including a short career quiz, making it an engaging and interactive tool.

Animated Video

This short, illustrated video offers an engaging exploration of the marine industry and the endless possibilities it holds. This video serves as an excellent introduction for students, employees, and career seekers alike, igniting their interest in the marine sector.

Brochures

The CMCF has designed 3 new brochures (about the marine sector as a whole; shoreside careers; and seafaring careers) as informative take-home materials to empower students and career seekers with the knowledge they need to pursue their marine ambitions. Each brochure provides actionable information to kickstart any marine career journey and outlines programs, training pathways, and career options. Each brochure includes a QR code that leads to further information, ensuring easy access to additional resources.

The “Why Marine” Quiz

This interactive quiz adds an element of fun while educating classes or groups about the marine industry.

These educational materials are one vital component of the CMCF’s strategic initiatives aimed at fostering workforce excellence and providing valuable decision-making data within the marine sector. In addition, the Foundation is actively developing various other resources to support this mission, including the Imagine Marine portal, its Live Your Best Career video series, and continuous educational outreach efforts.

About Canadian Marine Careers Foundation

The Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF) was established in 2019 to bring together private sector employers, unions, educational institutions, and key public sector partners with maritime responsibilities, to jointly promote careers in Canada’s marine sector. Through its Imagine Marine campaign, the CMCF is reaching out to raise awareness of Canadian vessel and shore-based job opportunities in the marine sector for young people, second-career seekers, new citizens and equity-deserving groups.

Cargill & BAR Technologies’ WindWings sets sail, chartering new lower-carbon path for maritime industry

Tina Olivero — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:55:20 +0000

21^s August 2023

Cargill and BAR Technologies’ groundbreaking WindWings innovation sets sail on open waters, testing new technology that will bring cutting-edge wind propulsion to commercial shipping for the first time.

Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean, chartered by Cargill, is the first vessel to be retrofitted with two WindWings, which are large wing sails measuring up to 45 meters in height that can be fitted to the deck of bulk cargo ships to harness the power of the wind. Manufactured by industrialization partner Yara Marine Technologies, they are expected to generate average fuel savings of up to 30 percent on newly built vessels, which could be even higher if used in combination with alternative fuels. The installation of the wings took place at the COSCO shipyard in China and the Pyxis Ocean is now on the water, conducting her maiden voyage.

“The maritime industry is on a journey to decarbonize—it’s not an easy one, but it is an exciting one,” said Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean transportation business. “At Cargill, we have a responsibility to pioneer decarbonizing solutions across all our supply chains to meet our customer’s needs and the needs of the planet. A technology like WindWings doesn’t come without risk, and as an industry leader – in partnership with visionary shipowner MC Shipping – we are not afraid to invest, take those risks and be transparent with our learnings to help our partners in the maritime transition to a more sustainable future.”

The installation demonstrates a step-change in attitudes towards technologies that can enable an energy transition for existing vessels. The maritime industry faces a huge challenge to reduce average CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and is working towards 50% by 2050. The WindWings project, which is co-funded by the European Union as part of the CHEK Horizon 2020 initiative, can help the industry meet those targets by offering a retrofit solution that is capable of decarbonizing existing vessels, which is particularly relevant given that 55 percent of the world’s bulker fleet are up to nine years in age.

“If international shipping is to achieve its ambition of reducing CO2 emissions, then innovation must come to the fore. Wind is a near marginal cost-free fuel and the opportunity for reducing emissions, alongside significant efficiency gains in vessel operating costs, is substantial. Today is the culmination of years of pioneering research, where we’ve invested in our unique wind sail technology and sought out a skilled manufacturing partner in Yara Marine Technologies, in order to provide vessel owners and operators with an opportunity to realize these efficiencies,” said John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies.

The performance of the sails will be closely monitored over the coming months to further improve their design, operation, and performance, with the aim that the Pyxis Ocean will be used to inform the scale-up and adoption across not only Cargill’s fleet but the industry. BAR Technologies is already planning to build hundreds of wings over the next four years and is also researching new builds with differing hydrodynamic forms.

More about the WindWings Project

The WindWing project is part of a project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 955286
By harnessing the power of wind, WindWings can help vessel owners meet new CII rules. As wind power is not only zero emissions but is also non-depleting and hugely predictable, it offers significant efficiency gains in vessel operating costs.
On an average global route, WindWings can save 1.5 tonnes of fuel per WindWing per day – with the possibility of saving more on trans-ocean routes. This can translate into vessel owners saving heavy fuel oil (HFO) at c$800 per tonne, which will become even more important when saving against future fuels which will undoubtedly cost a lot more.
Cargill Ocean Transportation is a leading freight-trading organization that charters around 650 vessels worldwide at any one time. Founded in 1956 in Geneva, we benefit from the rich heritage and expert capabilities of Cargill’s global operations in food, agriculture and commodities trading.

About Cargill

Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, they connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. They combine 156 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, they are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture.

For more information, visit Cargill.com and their News Center.

About BAR Technologies

With an impressive heritage, having originally spun out from the former British, America’s Cup Team, BAR Tech provides a wide range of design and engineering consultancy services with a focus on 4 key sectors; Workboats and Commercial Vessels, Shipping, Special Projects and Leisure Marine and Yachts.

BAR Technologies offers a cohesive team of the world’s lead naval architects and optimization specialists; fluid dynamists; mechanical, structural and composite engineers; and control strategy and system specialists; They offer data and simulation engineers with access to the latest commercial knowledge, using bespoke in-house design tools.

For more details please visit: https://www.bartechnologies.uk/

The 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge kicks off, four days dedicated to alternative energy sources

Tina Olivero — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:35:18 +0000

July 05, 2023

The 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge has officially started. Organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco, it has been establishing itself as a big meeting for alternative energy sources, honoring a long tradition. “Monaco has always been a mecca for yachting since 1904 when the Principality organized the first powerboat meetings”, as YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri recalls.

Supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Credit Suisse, BMW and SBM Offshore, the event has attracted the attention of important shipyards such as Oceanco, Ferretti Group, Monaco Marine, Sanlorenzo, Lürssen and Palumbo SY Refit.

“We’re here with 46 teams, plenty of students but also companies. This is the biggest innovation of this year. There’s a strong relation between the yachting industry and universities. Because students from universities come with all the passion and the wish of creating new solutions but the industry is also presenting the need of yacht owners that want to have something which is affordable and reliable. Here it is possible to discover much innovation around hydrogen propulsion, battery storage and solar panels. All of these in different categories: energy class, solar class and open sea class”, explains the President of the International Jury, Jeremie Laguarrigue.

For four days, 25 nations, 31 universities and some 50 teams in total, nearly 500 international students will be competing on the sea in a range of contests. A grand Parade, sea trials, speed records (for all three classes: Solar, Energy and Open Sea), a fleet race, a 16 nautical mile race around marks or following the Monaco-Ventimiglia-Monaco route, endurance, maneuverability and slalom contests – all highlights that make up the program.

“We named our boat the ‘Beau Soleil’ boat, which means beautiful sun and it took us 6 months for the design of the project and 3 months of actually building and manufacturing. We’ve been doing this since late January. It’s solar powered and it has got two motors and four hydrofoils”, said the Southern Solar team from Lafayette, Louisiana, USA.

“We’re very excited and happy to be here, as we get the opportunity to compete against these many teams coming from every part of the world”, added the Sea Shakti crew, coming from India with their boat Yali showing a hydrogen fuel cell, a lithium battery and also an own-made electric propulsion system.

“As in previous times, we maintained the multi-hybrid propulsion with our battery plus our hydrogen tanks and solar panels. This year we implemented also the ‘Adas’ technology so with the help of our stereovision camera we can recognize objects in the sea and permit the autonomous drive system”, said the UniBoat team from Bologna, Italy.

The first-ever YCM E-Boat Rally, launched by the Yacht Club de Monaco in collaboration with Aqua Superpower, will lead the way for this 10th edition. The challenge was to attract a record number of electric boat builders to demonstrate the potential of one of the solutions for the future of pleasure boats on a rally from Monaco to Ventimiglia and back (21 nautical miles).

“Monaco was the first to recognize the potential of electric propulsion technology and its ability to transform the yachting industry. Aqua is supporting the Yacht Club de Monaco in its efforts to advance this vision, working with all electric boat brands to create the infrastructure that makes electric boating instantly possible. This is further demonstrated during the Energy Challenge by Aqua’s installation of the world’s first E-Dock, which will provide dedicated charging for participants in the first-ever E-Boat Rally taking place between Monaco and Ventimiglia in Italy”, said Luisa Bonello, Co-founder of Aqua SuperPower.

Orca AI teams up with Marubeni to expand global reach of its pioneering technology

Tina Olivero — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 15:07:04 +0000

04 July 2023

Tel Aviv-based maritime technology company has inked a key partnership agreement with Japan’s Marubeni Corporation for sales of its AI-powered situational awareness platform.

Orca AI, the leading situational awareness solution provider for the commercial shipping industry, announced that it has entered into a worldwide distribution deal with Marubeni, one of Japan’s biggest import and export companies and a comprehensive provider of ship services.

The Japanese conglomerate will also install the Orca AI platform on its vessels, providing use-case insights that the Israeli company can leverage to further enhance the technology.

Commenting on the deal with Orca AI, Yasutomo Miyake, General Manager, Ship Project Dept. of Marubeni, said: “In line with our commitment to ‘creating value through innovative solutions for our customers and for the world’, we trust that the partnership with Orca AI contributes to the achievement of the SDGs for the entire shipping industry. We appreciate the enthusiasm of the Orca AI team and look forward to productive cooperation on this next-generation platform that promises to significantly enhance navigational decision-making.”

Yarden Gross, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Orca AI said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Marubeni as an innovation-driven conglomerate whose operations span the entire shipping value chain. Our system benefits stakeholders such as Marubeni by automating watchkeeping, helping to reduce seafarers’ workload while lowering the risk of collisions at sea.

As well as supporting existing operations, AI and computer vision technologies are also expected to become an enabler of autonomous fleet operations in the coming years.”

Orca AI’s SeaPod™ lookout unit acts as a fully automatic digital watchkeeper, powered by high-sensitivity computer vision and deep-learning algorithms that detect, track, and classify nearby targets that could potentially pose a risk to the vessel. It helps to enhance situational awareness for bridge crews during challenging navigational scenarios such as congested waterways and low-visibility conditions.

Orca AI’s technology, which is operational 24/7, prioritizes risks at sea and presents them via a user-friendly interface onboard. The platform provides real-time monitoring capabilities to the fleet operations teams and actionable insights to improve safety, operations efficiency and performance.

To date, Orca AI has accumulated more than 20 million nautical miles worth of marine visual data from its customers, including NYK, Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), and Maran Group.

Gross adds that Orca AI’s automated watchkeeping capabilities can be particularly helpful for Japanese ship owners and operators in view of the ongoing shortage of skilled seafarers amid a fast-aging population and the reluctance of younger generations to pursue demanding careers at sea.

This is not the first time that Orca AI has worked together with an industry-leading Japanese partner. In 2022, Orca AI and NYK Group completed a successful autonomous voyage trial in congested waters off Japan’s east coast through the Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ships (DFFAS) consortium, which includes 30 Japanese firms.

About Orca AI:

Founded in 2018, Orca AI is the creator of the world’s first-of-its-kind automated situational awareness platform to maximize voyage safety and operational efficiency for ships and fleets.

Powered by maritime purpose-built AI and computer vision technologies, the Orca AI platform empowers crew to make data-driven decisions in congested waters and in low visibility conditions. Additionally, it allows fleet managers and operators to have a better understanding of their fleets’ performance and identify unsafe or risky and inefficient behaviors easily.

In 2022, Orca AI empowered the world’s first commercial autonomous voyage in partnership with Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ships (DFFAS) and The Nippon Foundation.

Orca AI’s solution is already utilized by leading shipping companies worldwide, including SeaSpan, NYK, and MSC.

For more information visit https://www.orca-ai.io/

About Marubeni Corporation

Marubeni Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries use their broad business networks, both within Japan and overseas, to conduct importing and exporting (including third-country trading), as well as domestic business, encompassing a diverse range of business activities across wide-ranging fields including lifestyle, IT solutions, food, agri-business, forest products, chemicals, metals & mineral resources, energy, power, infrastructure project, aerospace & ship, finance, leasing & real estate business, construction, industrial machinery & mobility, next generation business development and next generation corporate development. Additionally, the Marubeni Group offers a variety of services, makes internal and external investments, and is involved in resource development throughout all of the above industries.

For more information visit https://www.marubeni.com/en/

Promoting Newfoundland and Labrador’s Ocean Economy

Tina Olivero — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:16:33 +0000

June 15, 2023

The Provincial Government is pleased to welcome a delegation of industry stakeholders to the province this week for an immersive experience of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean industry.

“With a growing clean energy sector and a strategic location in the North Atlantic on a crossroads to international shipping lanes, Newfoundland and Labrador is well-positioned to be a leader in the ocean industry. The blue economy is blooming all across Canada, and it is important to showcase our industry’s immense potential for investment and partnerships to both national and international stakeholders,” said Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

Hosted in partnership with OceansAdvance, the two-day event welcomes over 30 industry leaders and seasoned professionals from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, the United States and other parts of Canada for site tours, meetings and networking opportunities in St. John’s and Holyrood last June 15 and 16.

“OceansAdvance is excited to welcome this group of delegates from several international markets to our province. Organized with support from key provincial industry players, namely Marine Institute, Memorial University, NRC and C-Core, this two-day event will afford local companies, research and academic institutions, and government agencies the opportunity to meet with a wide array of global innovators to discuss sales, partnerships, and collaboration in the oceans sector. We look forward to providing our guests with an unprecedented opportunity to experience the impressive oceans community that makes Newfoundland and Labrador a global leader in ocean technology.” said Cathy Hogan, Executive Director of OceansAdvance.

The event begins with the Ocean Technology Speaker Series, featuring presentations from:

· Dr. David Murrin, Director General, National Research Council Ocean Coastal River Engineering;

· Enrico Nake, Senior Trade Officer, Embassy of Canada – Berlin, Germany ;

· Neale Ryan, Senior Program Manager, Land and Maritime Transport, Innovate UK; and

· Wayne Murphy, Co-Founder and Partner, HATCH.

Delegates received tours of the National Research Council facilities, C-Core, The Launch and Marine Institute.

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a thriving ecosystem of innovation and exploration. From deep-sea robotics and underwater mapping to renewable energy solutions and sustainable aquaculture practices, this thriving sector is revolutionizing the understanding of the oceans and opening up new avenues for economic growth and environmental stewardship in our province.

This event provided first-hand insights into this cutting-edge industry on an international scale, following the Provincial Government’s recent participation at the H₂O Home to Overseas conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia earlier last week.

Oil & Gas: The Foundation Of The Canadian Economy

Tina Olivero — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:00:38 +0000

At the recent EnergyNL Conference in St. John’s, the room was buzzing with excitement about the oil and gas industry rebounding after Covid19, and the opportunities that are emerging in the new energy sector.

Lisa Baiton, President & CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), took the stage at the conference and began her address by highlighting the global energy crisis, illustrating its impact on energy worldwide. Lisa said, “The year 2022 will be remembered for its global energy disruption. The energy crisis in Europe, with shortages of natural gas and oil, is very far from over and continues to pose geopolitical and economic threats. And, it has spread across the globe… it’s not just Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought the global energy security and affordability crisis to the doorsteps of Canadians. The world is undergoing a historical transformation that will impact every country and virtually every society in existence today. This global shift is at the scale of the industrial revolution and is ushering a new era, redefining global trading relationships and geopolitics.”

Lisa’s message resonated deeply, as we have all felt the cumulative effects of this energy disruption, with rising costs affecting our everyday lives; from groceries to home heating to supply chain shortages. The world, Lisa explains, “is undergoing a transformative shift of historical proportions. This shift is comparable to the industrial revolution and redefines global trading relationships and geopolitics.”

At the heart of these fast-paced changes lies the resource that moves the world….energy.

CANADA: Poised to be a stabilizing force for the energy crisis

Lisa conveyed, “The oil and gas industry has been the foundation of the Canadian economy. The upstream oil and gas sector contributed over $197 billion to Canada’s real GDP in 2021 and an average of $12 billion per year in revenue to governments from 2019 to 2021. The sector employs 450,000 Canadians in high-skilled and high-paying jobs. And, these employees come from all regions of Canada. Ours is a truly national industry. The industry is a long-term partner in Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the past 25 years, royalties from offshore production have reached more than $25 billion. Investment into the Province totals over $53 billion over that same period. These contributions to the provincial economy support thousands of jobs and help fund infrastructure, healthcare, schools, roads, and critical social programs.”

Recognizing the demand for oil and the urgency to supply oil to address the energy crisis, Lisa emphasizes that Canada has a unique opportunity to stabilize global energy security while lowering global emissions. The Newfoundland offshore energy industry is an opportunity waiting to happen. With direct access via the province’s oceans, it bypasses the market access challenges faced by other regions in Canada. Furthermore, its geographical proximity to Europe positions it as a secure and trusted supplier of energy to address the ongoing energy security crisis.

Addressing climate concerns, Lisa acknowledges the industry’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in clean technology. Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore industry already produces some of the lowest-emitting barrels of oil in the world. Lisa points out, “Canada’s oil and gas producers view climate change as a serious issue that requires innovation and investment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our industry is a significant investor in clean technology and we are one of the largest spenders on environmental protection – precisely because we understand the scale of this challenge.”

The oil and gas industry in Canada has been focusing on lowering emissions for years and Canadian producers have been an important part of Canada’s global leadership in emissions-reducing innovations and technologies, Lisa points to the solution, “Game-changing technologies and investments will enable Canada’s oil and gas producers to continue reducing emissions. We will require a creative – whole-of-Canada – approach to ensure that our oil and gas sector remains competitive.”

Lisa stresses to Industry that, credible forecasts show oil and gas remaining a significant part of the global energy mix for decades to come, “With investment returning to the offshore industry globally, Newfoundland and Labrador has a golden opportunity within reach. it will require a collective effort from industry and all levels of government to reimagine the province’s potential and seize this moment for the benefit of its people, all Canadians, and global partners seeking a secure and responsible energy supply.”

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador stands on the precipice of greatness, ready to unleash its full energy potential. The combination of oil, gas, and wind will all be elements of the new energy mix that will lead us to a sustainable new energy future. The global investment community is watching closely as Newfoundland and Labrador cements its place as a global energy powerhouse, thereby securing its role as a catalyst for global energy security, economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship.

ABB estimates UK offshore wind power capacity must increase by 265% to meet 2030 goal

Tina Olivero — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 14:38:49 +0000

JUNE 12, 2023

To meet UK government targets to grow offshore wind power capacity from 13.7 GW to 50 GW by 2030 – a 265 percent increase – global technology firm ABB estimates that a further 24 wind farms with an average of 1.5 GW capacity need to become operational during the next seven years.

If achieved, the UK’s electricity supply from offshore wind will jump from 18 percent to 62 percent, delivering renewable energy to every UK household, approximately 29.98 million homes, with a surplus available to export and power a further 37 million homes in neighboring countries. Offshore wind currently powers 15.28 million UK homes annually.

To mark Global Wind Day 2023 on June 15, ABB – which has over 40 years of experience in the offshore wind sector and is the largest supplier of electrical components to the wind industry around the world – is highlighting the measures needed to achieve the 265 percent capacity increase.

“In order to reach the UK’s ambitious targets, we must collectively find ways to bring down the cost of developing new wind farms, speed up the planning and permitting processes, secure the supply chain and deliver network infrastructure upgrades to support the massive growth in power flows and connections to the grid,” said Per-Erik Holsten, Head of ABB Energy Industries for Northern Europe. “If we get this right, we could help the UK resolve the current energy pricing crisis and significantly grow the UK’s export capability, all the while delivering a cleaner form of electricity to industry and consumers.”

ABB is actively involved in seven key offshore projects across the UK. Collectively they represent 9 GW of offshore wind power capacity and include the world’s largest wind farm at Dogger Bank, located more than 130 km off the northeast coast of England.

ABB’s technology and engineering solutions act as a central gateway that unlocks the offshore wind process, allowing the electricity generated by wind turbines to flow through to the national grid and into peoples’ homes. The company’s automation and electrification solutions drive down the cost of wind operations, optimize production and minimize energy losses as well as ensure safe, reliable integration of power to the grid.

Electricity generated from wind currently accounts for almost a third (32.4 percent) of the UK’s total electricity generation, having outpaced gas for the first time ever during the first quarter of this year. As one of the most cost-effective sources of energy, it is presently more than 50 percent cheaper than electricity produced from gas. Furthermore, by 2030, the UK’s offshore wind sector is set to support more than 66,000 additional jobs.

At the end of March, the UK Government announced a net zero plan called Powering Up Britain. This series of policy pledges include accelerating the deployment of offshore wind in order to boost the country’s energy security, reduce household bills, and maintain a world-leading position in achieving net zero. It also features £160 million in funding to kick start the infrastructure investment needed to deliver the increase in floating offshore wind farms.

ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies, and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, and leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in the process, hybrid and maritime industries improve the performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. go.abb/processautomation

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering knowledge and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered, and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

‘Biggest and best’ Nor-Shipping kicks off in Oslo and Lillestrøm

Tina Olivero — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 13:53:06 +0000

05 June 2023

June 5th kicked off the official opening of Nor-Shipping 2023, with a high-profile event at Oslo City Hall, a special bell-ringing ceremony at the Oslo stock exchange, a UN Global Compact high-level meeting, and a range of other partner and networking activities. Nor-Shipping’s main exhibition, gathering almost 1000 international exhibitors and tens of thousands of delegates, kicked off in Lillestrøm, with organizers believed this was “the biggest and best Nor-Shipping week ever.”

A world of opportunity

Sidsel Norvik, Nor-Shipping’s Director, comments: “I’d like to take this chance to welcome the entire world of maritime and ocean industries to Norway. This is the 29^th Nor-Shipping and I’ve never known such a sense of excitement as our business gets the chance to re-engage, experience the very latest innovations and developments, share knowledge, access new opportunities and, last but not least, have fun!

“With this Nor-Shipping focusing on enabling and supporting profitable #PartnerShips, this is the ideal arena to come together and work together, towards a successful, sustainable future. I believe we truly have something for everyone with ocean business ambitions. The atmosphere, the excitement, is already electric – it’s going to be a week to remember.”

Leading the way

The highlights awaiting delegates and participants are myriad. With John F. Kerry, arguably the world’s most high-profile international diplomat, just confirmed for tomorrow’s Ocean Leadership Conference – joining speakers including Dr. Andrew Forrest of Fortescue Metals Group, Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz, and IMO’s Kitack Lim, amongst others – the big names are out in force. A who’s who of industry and thought leaders will also appear throughout the week in the always anticipated Blue Talks.

2023’s program also boasts the first-ever Nor-Shipping Offshore Wind and Offshore Aquaculture Conferences, making the most of opportunities in these rapidly developing segments, as well as the Second Maritime Hydrogen Conference and the Fourth International Autonomy Summit. The newly launched Ocean Campus initiative is also on hand at the exhibition to help bridge the gap between tomorrow’s talent, employers and leading educational institutions.

Your people, your future

Finally, the attraction of the week’s ‘social side’ cannot be underestimated, with the Nor-Shipping BBQ and Closing Party lining up alongside a huge array of partner events and the ever-popular AfterWork@AkerBrygge city center Oslo hotspot.

“This is a people industry,” Norvik adds, “so the ability to meet and showcase products and services face-to-face, and then enjoy some entertainment, good food and refreshments can be the glue that bonds profitable new #PartnerShips together. This is your opportunity to shine. Welcome to Nor-Shipping!”

Delegates and participants should take note that all travel in Oslo’s Zone 1, including from Gardermoen with VY trains, is included with the main Nor-Shipping ticket. The ticket should be downloaded to your phone prior to boarding and arrival to ensure smoother travel and exhibition access.

Equinor’s Energy Transition Plan is Launched While Market Cap Declined. What does this mean for Bay du Nord?

Tina Olivero — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 12:50:18 +0000

Equinor, an oil and gas powerhouse is a Norwegian energy company that rivals a world-class operation driving the new energy transition around the globe. Their purpose is to turn natural resources into energy for people and progress for society meeting world energy demand and energy security.

Market Cap Decline of -30.16 % in One Year

Equinor ASA has a market cap or net worth of $80.33 billion as of June 2, 2023. Its market cap has decreased by -30.16% in one year, which may be one factor in explaining the company’s recent decision to further investigate the financial viability of mega-project Bay du Nord, Offshore Newfoundland.

Market capitalization, or market cap, is one measurement of Equinor’s company size. The market capitalization, commonly called a market cap, is the total market value of a company’s outstanding shares and is commonly used to measure how much a company is worth. It’s interesting to note that the Norwegian State is the largest shareholder with 67%, managed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, ensuring maximum benefits are returned to the people of Norway.

Equinor is also listed on the Oslo and New York stock exchanges, ensuring broad international ownership.

Equinor Market Cap

Distribution of Equinor Shareholders

Factors Contributing to the Bay du Nord Delay

Equinor’s market cap decline, the rising costs of goods and supplies, increased global inflation, and global cost increases based on supply chain challenges, could naturally add up to set in motion a course of correction in the financial management of assets, development timelines, and the re-evaluation of global projects for Equninor. This coupled with the company’s commitment to half their operated greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to 2015 levels, with 90% of the cuts coming from absolute reductions, demonstrates their firm commitment to reducing emissions within their current portfolio.

This cumulative big picture of the financial and environmental considerations of the company would most likely lead to delays in projects currently on the board for development. At the recent EnergyNl conference in St. John’s Newfoundland, Equinor leader, Tore Løseth, country manager for Equinor Canada, spoke to a room full of industry players, business owners, workers, and stakeholders, many of whom stand to gain enormous business growth benefits from the Bay du Nord project. Tore was in the uncomfortable position of having to deliver the disheartening news that the predicted $16 billion Bay du Nord project will be delayed.

Tore Løseth said, “Bay du Nord is one of the biggest subsea development that Equinor will ever undertake both in size and investment. It’s important to make the best financial decisions at the right time to enable a successful investment. This past year, the project has seen a significant cost increase in many aspects of development. This is largely driven by increased global inflation and cost growth in the supply industry nationally and internationally. This is a trend we are seeing across our portfolio. Bay du Nord teams will now spend the next couple of years evaluating all the opportunities to make a stronger project. To do this we will work closely with our suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to improve project competitiveness while ensuring a development that provides significant benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Bay du Nord delayed, re-evaluating financial viability

Bay du Nord Delayed:
What does that mean for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and its people?

The Bay du Nord project (BdN) consists of several oil discoveries in the Flemish Pass basin, some 500 km northeast of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The first discovery was made by Equinor in 2013, followed by additional discoveries in 2014, 2016, and 2020. Bay du Nord is a mammoth project with huge opportunities for jobs, supply base, technology transfer, business growth, supply chain infrastructure, revenue, royalties, and the building of a $16 Billion energy infrastructure in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Proposed Bay du Nord FPSO (Floating Production Storage & Offloading Vessel)

Bay du Nord – Locater Map – Offshore Newfoundland

Despite Delays Bay du Nord: Remains an exciting project on the horizon

Tore Løseth looks to the future, “In spite of this postponement I’d like to share the exciting paths Bay du Nord will take in advancing by providing energy security with low carbon emissions. The project remains an important part of Equinor and our partner BP’s long-term development portfolio. I feel confident that even with this delay, I can illustrate what will make Bay du Nord important in the decades to come. At Bay du Nord we are living an innovation mindset focused on long-term value creation that will break new ground in a smarter and technologically advanced way. This is also the philosophy of how we optimize our oil and gas assets to reach a net-zero future. Last year Equinor published our Energy Transition Plan, a concrete plan focused on developing new energy and new industries, creating value for local communities, and how we plan to meet net zero by 2050.”

Newfoundland: Key Energy Hub for World Energy Demand

Given the world is in an energy crisis and demand for energy is incredibly high in places like Europe Newfoundland is strategically aligned to deliver energy worldwide. Given that Newfoundland’s offshore industry is established, and geopolitically stable and its proximity to markets for renewables and non-renewables is unprecedented, Newfoundland’s energy industry is globally poised to be in very high demand. It’s predicted that wind and hydrogen could put Newfoundland on the map as the world’s leader in Hydrogen. Think about that.

The energy transition is key to the new energy mix that will lead us to a sustainable net-zero future. Eqninor’s Energy Transition Plan outlines the company’s goals and strategies for transitioning to a low-carbon future. Bay du Nord will be evaluated and restructured to ensure it delivers low-carbon fuel within the critical framework of the Net Zero plan.

Here is a summary of the key points of Equinor’s Energy Transition Plan:

Goals

Equinor aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The company plans to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2019 levels.
Equinor plans to increase its renewable energy capacity to 12-16 GW by 2030.

Strategies

Equinor plans to invest in renewable energy, such as offshore wind and hydrogen.
The company will continue to produce oil and gas but with a focus on reducing emissions and increasing efficiency.
Equinor will use digitalization and artificial intelligence to optimize its operations and reduce emissions.
The company will work with partners and stakeholders to accelerate the energy transition.

Initiatives

Equinor plans to develop a large-scale offshore wind farm in the North Sea, which will have a capacity of up to 4.5 GW.
The company will invest in hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage.
Equinor will continue to explore oil and gas but with a focus on reducing emissions and increasing efficiency.
The company will use digitalization and artificial intelligence to optimize its operations and reduce emissions.

Equinor’s Energy Transition Plan outlines the company’s commitment to transitioning to a low-carbon future. By investing in renewable energy, such as offshore wind and hydrogen, and reducing emissions from its oil and gas operations, Equinor aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The company’s use of digitalization and artificial intelligence will help optimize its operations and reduce emissions. Equinor’s plan is an important step towards a more sustainable energy future.

energy-transition-plan-2022-equinor Download

Flagship Festival for floating wind attracts more than 20 nations to Norway

Tina Olivero — Tue, 23 May 2023 15:05:12 +0000

May 19, 2023

Norway gathers the global floating offshore wind industry May 24-25 in the west coast city of Haugesund. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will participate to discuss the energy situation in Europe.

While Norway´s first floating offshore wind park Utsira Nord is on auction, the country hosts an international meeting place dedicated to floating offshore wind technology and development.

Floating Wind Days aims to be a festival and a fresh breeze amongst traditional energy conferences. Delegations are coming in from the US, Japan and South Korea, as well as the main European markets. Japan will have the biggest delegation, following the recent signing of an MOU between Japan Wind Power Association and Norwegian Offshore Wind – the latter being the organizer behind Floating Wind Days.

Recently, Norway was ranked as number two in 4C Offshore´s analysis of the most interesting markets for floating wind in the world. The UK was on top of the list.

“Our ambition is that Norway will become world-leading within the floating offshore wind industry. With our assets, we believe that it´s possible to build on our already strong position”, says Arvid Nesse, manager of Norwegian Offshore Wind.

Norway is home to the first floating turbine in the world, still being tested outside the coast of Haugesund. In 2021, this turbine got company when TetraSpar was installed at the METCentre test site. During Floating Wind Days, all participants will take a boat trip out to see the two turbines.

Among the top international speakers are David Hochschild, Chair of California Energy Commission, Gabriel Davies, head of Floating Wind in Ørsted, Shigeru Yasu from the Japan Wind Power Association and UK Offshore Wind Champion Timothy Pick. The program includes more than a hundred speakers.

“With our position in this industry, we think it is natural that Norway is the host country for discussions on how to move floating offshore wind forward”, says Nesse.

Italy, France, the US, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Ireland, Spain and Portugal are the markets featured at Floating Wind Days, and visitors from 20 countries are coming.

Revolutionizing marine conservation: AXA Climate, Howden & Blue finance partner to protect marine ecosystems

Tina Olivero — Tue, 02 May 2023 13:30:43 +0000

April 26th, 2023

The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters is a serious threat to marine ecosystems around the world. To secure the development and resilience of vulnerable marine ecosystems, Blue Finance has joined forces with AXA Climate and Howden to leverage cutting-edge insurance models and risk management expertise. This partnership aims to promote a regenerative approach to marine ecosystem protection.

Protecting vulnerable ecosystems

Blue Finance is a social enterprise with the goal of bridging the marine conservation financing gap and promoting financially self-sustainable marine protected areas (MPAs) that positively impact marine biodiversity and local communities. With over 20,000 designated MPAs worldwide, Blue Finance is developing a blended finance facility for MPAs with the main support of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, starting with a collective of 10 MPAs.

However, in marine protected areas (MPAs) such as those Blue Finance is focused on in Belize and the Philippines, cyclonic risks can threaten the financial stability and sustainability of these activities and set back restoration and protection efforts by years. To address this challenge, Blue Finance has asked AXA Climate to design coverage for the protection of two MPA regions, with the first year’s premiums to be financed by Howden as a sign of their support for the mechanism:

The Marine Reserve of the Turneffe Atoll (Belize), represents 132,000 hectares of coral reefs teeming with rich biodiversity, such as manatees, sharks, groupers, and crocodiles, as well as employing over 1,000 fishers.
The MPA network of North Oriental Mindoro (Philippines), encompassing 5,200 hectares of vibrant coral reefs supports a hotspot of biodiversity and provides livelihoods for over 12,000 fishers.

Parametric insurance is an innovative solution to growing climate risks.

AXA Climate has proposed a parametric insurance model that operates based on meteorological information provided by government agencies. The model triggers compensation within a few days of a cyclone passing within a 50-km radius, enabling Blue Finance to immediately regenerate a weakened marine environment (cleaning up debris, taking care of damaged corals, etc.), repair MPAs equipment (ship, guard posts, etc.), and reimburse operating losses (ecotourism, artisanal aquaculture, etc.).

To design this innovative coverage, AXA Climate conducted a risk analysis based on the loss history of the two MPAs and satellite data from suppliers. For instance, the model would have provided compensation of $62,500 in 2015 for damages incurred during Cyclone Melor in the Philippines.

“Cyclones pose a particularly devastating threat to both humans and nature and can radically disrupt marine ecosystems,” says Antoine Denoix, CEO of AXA Climate. “At AXA Climate, we are committed to finding solutions to enhance the resilience and regeneration of natural ecosystems through pioneering parametric insurance mechanisms. Today, we provide financial compensation within a few days to support the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems in the aftermath of natural disasters. This approach revolutionizes the way we care for and protect nature while also supporting local stakeholders and is our vision of impact insurance.”

“Bringing together the financial world and the conservation world requires innovative and collaborative thinking. You need to ensure high-quality project design, reduce risk during execution and at the same time maintain a sustainable conservation strategy that remains rooted in science and communities. Working with experienced partners such as AXA Climate allowed us to find this balance. “, adds Nicolas Pascal, CEO of Blue Finance.

David Howden, Chief Executive Officer of Howden Group added: “We are proud to partner with Blue Finance and AXA Climate on this project as part of our broader focus on supporting vulnerable communities, such as those in the Philippines and Belize, as they tackle the disproportionate consequences of climate change. This is another fantastic example of the way in which parametric insurance can be used to deliver innovative cover in areas with low insurance penetration. My hope is that other corporate partners are encouraged to support projects such as this as we work towards a more sustainable future.”

About AXA Climate

AXA Climate is an AXA Group entity committed to addressing climate and environmental adaptation challenges. Its purpose? Reducing our negative impact on the planet is not enough. AXA Climate is driven by the collective challenge to engage in the regeneration of our companies. To that end, AXA Climate offers over 40 hours of digital training content on climate change challenges to major companies, which are eager to support their employees in the evolution of their professions. Additionally, it provides consulting services to a variety of sectors such as agri-food, industrial, financial, and public, to help them adapt to climate change and to promote positive interactions between planet Earth and their activities. AXA Climate also uses the best of satellite imagery, to provide within hours financial support to businesses and vulnerable people when they suffer from climate-related disasters.

To know more visit – www.climate.axa

About Blue finance

Blue Finance is a social enterprise that develops solutions for the effective management and sustainable financing of Marine Protected Areas. They have forged strong partnerships with Governments and more than 30 international conservation partners and financial institutions to cover and address all the needs of MPAs. Blue Finance works closely with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF) and the Global Eba Fund-IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in the Philippines.

To know more visit – www.bluefinance.org

About Howden Group Holdings

Howden Group Holdings is a leading international insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, it comprises Howden Broking and underwriting business DUAL.

Howden Group Holdings’ businesses operate in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 14,500 people and handling $30bn of premium on behalf of clients.

For more information, please visit www.howdengroupholdings.com

ABB supplies complete electrical system for new Petrobras vessel

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:05:05 +0000

April 27, 2023

ABB has won a large order from Sembcorp Marine Ltd, a global provider of innovative engineering solutions to the offshore, marine and energy industries with headquarters in Singapore, to deliver the complete electrical system automation for a floating production storage and offloading facility for Brazilian oil and gas producer Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

The P-82 FPSO will be one of the largest vessels to be deployed in the Búzios field, an ultra-deepwater oil and gas field covering an area of 853 square kilometers in the Santos Basin, around 180 kilometers off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

ABB is supplying both the topside and hullside electrical systems for P-82, providing seamless project integration. The topside systems will be installed in an ABB eHouse solution – a prefabricated, modular substation that reduces costs, risk exposure and on-site work because all components are wired, tested and commissioned before shipment to the yard.

Once operational, the facility – which receives fluids from a subsea reservoir before separating them into crude oil, natural gas and water within topside facilities onboard – will have the capacity to produce 225,000 barrels of oil per day and process 12 million cubic meters of gas per day.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Sembcorp Marine to deliver this integrated solutions order,” said Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries. “We have a proven record in electrical and automation solutions for FPSOs both in Brazil and worldwide. This project aligns with our own commitment to reduce the emissions footprint of existing hydrocarbon infrastructures as we balance the needs of the energy transition with rising consumption demands, especially in developing economies.”

Petrobras plans to deploy 18 FPSO vessels offshore Brazil in the next four years – making up nearly half of all global FPSOs. These new-generation vessels, of which P-82 is one of the first, will be characterized by high production capabilities and emission-reduction solutions, such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Collectively, these vessels are expected to have a production capacity of approximately 2.8 million barrels per day.

A report by ABB in 2022 revealed how the implementation of electrification, automation and digital technologies that enable a move to minimally crewed operations in FPSOs could reduce carbon emissions by up to 320,000 tons per site per annum – the equivalent of taking up to 160,000 passenger cars off the road. 

The global FPSO market was valued at $12 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach $20 billion in 2027, according to a report by The Insight Partners in November 2022.

ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, and leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in the process, hybrid and maritime industries improve the performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

go.abb/processautomation

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

The strategy to boost offshore wind energy in the U.S. will require more than $3.5 billion of investment in wind turbines

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 May 2023 15:42:04 +0000

20 April 2023

The U.S. government has set a target of 30 GW of offshore wind energy production by 2030, which would require the installation of approximately 2,100 new wind turbines and the employment of nearly 49,000 employees over the next seven years.

Sarens, as a major player in offshore wind projects around the world, offers public and private institutions involved in the implementation of new wind farms its experience and its fleet of cranes and barges to accelerate this energy transition and ensure that it is carried out with the highest quality and safety standards.

The recently announced strategy set by the US government to halve the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by boosting offshore wind energy will require an investment of more than $3.5 billion in the installation of 2,100 new wind turbines, according to data from the “Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind in the United States” report prepared by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

According to this report, reaching the 30 GW of offshore wind energy forecast will require a significant logistical effort involving nearly 49,000 employees over the next seven years, and the use of 58 crew transfer vessels, between 4 and 6 wind turbine installation vessels, 11 service operation vessels, between 4 and 8 transport vessels or 4 to 6 heavy lift vessels among others. Therefore, Sarens, the world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, offers to all public and private institutions involved in this energy transition its worldwide experience in wind farm installation all over the world, as well as its fleet of cranes and barges, so that the implementation of the new infrastructures and turbines is carried out according to the highest quality and safety standards.

Sarens currently owns eight barges specializing in the transport of monopiles and foundation bases for offshore wind projects around the world, including single, twin barge and modular units, making this company one of the major references in its sector, with a presence in a multitude of wind projects around the world.

If this challenge to reach 30 GW production, enough to supply renewable energy to more than 10 million homes, will require a major effort, the government’s strategy to reach 110 GW produced by offshore wind energy in 2050 will further increase the logistical challenges in the USA. Even more so considering the additional boost to the floating offshore mode, in whose development Sarens is also a reference partner, which should reach 15GW by 2035.

Currently, there are already two projects in the USA close to start-up -Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind- in addition to seven that should be operational by 2025 -Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, The Carolinas, California and Oregon-. In addition, ten other projects currently under review by the Department of the Interior could add 22 GW to the grid.

Sarens owns extensive international experience in the assembly and maintenance of wind farms. It is participating in installations in France such as Saint-Nazaire, Provence Grand Large or more recently, in the lifting and transport work for the foundation bases of the new offshore wind farm in Saint Brieuc, off the Brittany coast, where it has been able to transport loads of more than 1,150 tons.

About Sarens

Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world’s largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today’s heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.

With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 4,543 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors.

https://www.sarens.com/

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels & The Cruise Division of MSC Group Complete First LNG Bunkering Operation in Marseille for MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa

Tina Olivero — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:20:34 +0000

April 26, 2023

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and the Cruise Division of MSC Group have successfully completed the first Liquefied Natural Gas bunkering operation at the Port of Marseille Fos, Southern France, for MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa.

MSC World Europa, which was delivered in October 2022 by Chantiers de l’Atlantique at the Saint Nazaire shipyard in France, is 333 meters long and the best-performing large cruise ship operating in the world in terms of CO2eq emissions per passenger.

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ chartered LNG bunker barge, the Gas Vitality, refuelled the MSC Cruises vessel via a ship-to-ship transfer of 2 500 m3 of LNG at the port on April 22nd, while guest operations continued as normal. The successful execution of these simultaneous operations (SIMOPs) underscores TotalEnergies’ Marine Fuels’ ability to safely deliver commercial LNG bunkering operations.

The operation marks the start of the previously announced LNG bunker supply contract between TotalEnergies and the Cruise Division of MSC Group in March 2021, as the companies drive forward their respective decarbonization plans. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels will supply approximately 45,000 tons per year of LNG to MSC Cruises’ vessels at Marseille.

“We are excited to support the Cruise Division of MSC Group in their decarbonization journey and to help the Port of Marseille Fos become an LNG bunker hub for the Mediterranean region,” said Philippe Charleux – Senior Vice President of Lubricants and Specialties, TotalEnergies. “This operation also expands our LNG bunkering capabilities to the cruise ship segment, demonstrating our ability to serve a broader range of shipping clients, as the industry strives to reduce emissions. In line with TotalEnergies’ Climate ambition, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with our industry partners to develop and scale up new, lower-carbon and ultimately, zero-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.”

Patrick Pourbaix, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in France, said: “This first LNG bunkering operation in Marseille is an important milestone for our company as we welcome MSC World Europa for her first summer season in the Mediterranean. Featuring a range of unprecedented innovations in terms of environmental and marine technologies MSC World Europa represents a major step forward on our journey towards meeting our target of net-zero emissions by 2050. LNG is not only the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale, but also a transitional fuel as we look ahead to source and use synthetic LNG or other alternative non-carbon fuels as soon as they become available at scale.”

Marine LNG sharply reduces emissions from ships and significantly improves air quality, in particular when at berth for the benefit of port cities and communities in coastal areas. The use of marine LNG, therefore, impacts positively not only the city where LNG bunkering will take place, Marseille. It also paves the way forward for all ports in the Mediterranean to meet the new International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations taking effect in 2025, as part of its new Emission Control Area (ECA) designation. Used as a marine fuel, LNG helps to cut: sulfur emissions and fine particle emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85% and Greenhouse gas emissions by around 20%.

TotalEnergies supports the growing role of LNG in shipping’s energy transition. TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has actively invested in LNG bunkering infrastructure, critical to support its shipping customers’ decarbonization ambitions through the uptake of LNG as a marine fuel. The Company currently charters two 18,600-m³ LNG bunker vessels: the Gas Agility, at the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands; and the Gas Vitality, at the Port of Marseille-Fos, France.

Since the start of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, Gas Agility and Gas Vitality have performed over a hundred LNG bunkering operations. Notably, both vessels have conducted world-premier, large-scale operations across these bunker hubs with high levels of performance and safety records.

TotalEnergies, the world’s third largest LNG player

TotalEnergies is the world’s third largest LNG player with a market share of around 12% and a global portfolio of about 50 Mt/y thanks to its interests in liquefaction plants in all geographies. The Company benefits from an integrated position across the LNG value chain, including production, transportation, access to nearly 20 Mt/y of regasification capacity in Europe, trading, and LNG bunkering. TotalEnergies’ ambition is to increase the share of natural gas in its sales mix by close to 50% by 2030, to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate methane emissions associated with the gas value chain, and to work with local partners to promote the transition from coal to natural gas.

About TotalEnergies Marine Fuels

With over three decades of market experience, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels is TotalEnergies’ dedicated business unit in charge of worldwide bunkering activities. A long-term partner to the global shipping industry, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels serves more than 200 shipping customers across over 130 ports in Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. Its headquarters is located in Singapore, with two satellite offices in Paris and Geneva.

In order to help its shipping customers adopt the cleanest available marine fuels today, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has made key commitments to supply marine LNG, bioLNG and biofuels at strategic bunker hubs. As part of its ongoing work in various maritime coalitions and cross-industry R&D initiatives, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels is also helping to shape the production of decarbonized future fuels for shipping.

MSC World Europa’s environmental technologies

MSC World Europa is the world’s first contemporary cruise ship to feature brand new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology powered by LNG. The ship includes a 150-kilowatt SOFC demonstrator that uses LNG to produce electricity and heat on board in a highly efficient way by means of an electrochemical reaction.

MSC World Europa is equipped with shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port, as well as with an advanced wastewater treatment system (AWTS) that meets the world’s highest regulatory requirements, including the so-called Baltic standard. It treats all wastewater produced onboard to close to tap water standards. The ship also includes a ballast water treatment system that prevents the introduction of invasive species in the marine environment through ballast water discharges, in full compliance with IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.

The vessel has an entire team of crew dedicated to implementing the strict waste management protocols which separate all wastes into seven distinct types, for example, glass, plastic, aluminum and paper, with specialized equipment to crush or bundle these waste types in the ship’s waste management facility.

In addition, MSC World Europa features an underwater radiated noise management system to minimize disturbance to marine life and a comprehensive range of onboard energy-efficient equipment to optimize engine use and hotel energy needs to reduce emissions further. It is also fitted with enhanced automatic data collection systems for remote energy monitoring and advanced analysis, allowing real-time shoreside support to optimize operational efficiency onboard.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

About the Cruise Division of MSC Group

The Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has two distinct brands within its structure – contemporary and luxury brands.

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand, is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Its fleet comprises 21 modern vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels and is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about contemporary brand’s itineraries and experience on board its ships please see here.

Meanwhile, the luxury brand, Explora Journeys, is set to start operating in 2023 with a fleet with the latest and most advanced environmental and maritime technologies available. The first of which will have a gross tonnage of 63,900 GT and feature 461 of the largest suites at sea, all with oceanfront terraces. These luxury ships will introduce to the luxury segment a broad range of new guest experiences and other activities as well as generous ratios of public spaces, in addition to showcasing highly innovative designs. For further information about Explora Journeys please see here.

MSC has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide.

Tina Olivero: Publisher of The OGM, Built An Energy Legacy

Tina Olivero — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:07:09 +0000

The people, the players, the projects, the visions, the solutions, and the greatest minds on earth. We built islands in the sea. We created an industry where there was none before. Join us in a celebratory photo journey of the life and times of the oil and gas industry over the last 33 years. Way to go people!

At the age of 27, with no money, no resources, and no support, in a tiny back room, in my home on Signal Hill, St. John’s Newfoundland, I started The Oil and Gas Magazine.

At the time we named the first magazine Atlantic Canada Oil Works. The vision came in 1991 as news began to rise about the possibility of our oil and gas industry. Hibernia was the conversation of the day. It was the promise of a new era, new jobs, and welcomed opportunities.

With the fish moratorium looming it was the brightest spot we had in terms of our economic prosperity. Knowing little of publishing, oil, gas, or advertising sales, I found a way amongst a sea of nay-sayers. Every conversation supported the next.

Those who aligned with the vision progressed with us. With the support of local business people like David Rudofsky, Robinson-Blackmore Printing and Publishing, Dave Keating, and Kim Todd, May of 1992 saw the first magazine published. That was six years before we had any oil produced in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was indeed a visionary foresight.

Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources 1812 – 1984. Source: NOIA

1943: First Atlantic Canadian offshore well drilled off PEI
1960: First seismic program offshore NS, near Sable Island (Mobil Oil)
1966: The first two Grand Banks wells drilled offshore NL (Amoco Canada)
1967: First NS offshore well drilled (Mobil Oil)
1971: Sable E-48 Discovery well offshore NS (Mobil Oil)
1972: Thebaud gas field discovered offshore NS
1973: Cohasset Field discovered offshore NS (Mobil Canada)
1973–75: Bjarni H-81 SD well (‘73); Gudrid H-55 SD well (’74); Snorri J-90 SD well (’75) offshore Labrador (Eastcan et al)
1977: NOIA (Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association) established
1978: Hopedale E-33 SD well offshore Labrador (Chevron Standard)
1979: Hibernia P-15 Discovery well, Grand Banks offshore NL (Chevron Canada Resources)
1979: Venture D-23 Discovery well offshore NS
1980-1984 – Hibernia Field delineated and appraised
1981 North Bjarni F-06 SD well offshore Labrador (Petro-Canada) and the Hebron I-13 Discovery well, Grand Banks, offshore NL (Mobil Oil
1982 Storm sinks Ocean Ranger drilling platform, Grand Banks offshore NL; 84 lives lost
1983 South Venture, Glenelg and Alma fields discovered south of Sable Island, offshore NS
1984 Terra Nova K-08 Discovery well, offshore NL, finds Terra Nova Field (Petro- Canada et al)

The OGM – The first landmark edition

Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources 1985 – 1992. Source: NOIA

1985 Atlantic Accord signed by GC and GNL, covering joint management of offshore resources and revenue sharing; regulator C-NLOPB established.
Hibernia Development and Benefits Plans filed with C-NLOPB
Hibernia declared a significant discovery
Terra Nova declared a significant discovery
White Rose N-22 Discovery well, Grand Banks, offshore NL (Husky Oil)
1986 C-NLOPB approves the Hibernia Development Plan through Decision 86.01
Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord signed
Panuke Field discovered offshore Nova Scotia (Shell)
1987 Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts enacted
1988 Hibernia project partners form Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) to construct Hibernia facilities
White Rose E-09, Grand Banks offshore NL (Husky Oil et al) finds commercial quantities of oil
Canada-Nova Scotia Atlantic Accord Implementation Acts enacted
1989 Lasmo Nova Scotia and GNS joint venture to develop the Cohasset and Panuke Fields
1990 Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NSOPB) established
Hibernia Milestones include: Hibernia declared a Commercial Discovery by C-NLOPB; C-NLOPB issues a 25-year production license to the Hibernia consortium; Hibernia Agreement signed by GC, GNL, and consortium of 4 oil companies
Cohasset Project Development Employment and Industrial Benefits Plans approved by C-NSOPB
1991 The birth of The Oil and Gas Magazine
Cohasset Project (Lasmo Nova Scotia) issued first production licences
Balmoral M-32 Exploration well discovers oil
1992 Gulf Canada Resources withdraws from Hibernia development; project retrenched
Cohasset-Panuke Field produces first oil
Continuation Agreement signed by Hibernia partners
Dry-dock construction of Hibernia’s Gravity Base Structure (GBS) begins

NOIA

The Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association was in its infancy. An idea sparked in 1977 by Rob Stong and other oil and gas enthusiasts, NOIA grew to be a united resource that supported oil and gas development in the region. In 1992, Christine Fagan was the President of NOIA and Ruth Graham was the Executive Director. Two very strong visionary women led us into a time of prosperity and we are thankful!

A devastating blow to the oil and gas industry happened when Hibernia’s partner, Gulf pulled out of the project leaving a gaping hole in the consortium of partners. Things were not looking good. The first project touted to be the savior of the province was now in trouble again.

The government and business community lobbied the local and national decision-makers leading to a decision to have the Federal Government of Canada be the temporary final partner. This was the foresight and dedication it took to build the industry. John Crosbie and others in the business community traveled to Ottawa to meet with Jake Epp who was the Minister of Energy for Canada at the time. They worked it out, Hiberina was a go.

The sparking of Hibernia brought with it ideas of other on-land oil developments, on the west coast of Newfoundland. The Hunt-PanCanadian Port au Port #1 well was drilled on the west coast, in the Spring of 1995.

Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 1993 – 1998.
Source: NOIA (EnergyNL)

1993 Hibernia Project shares relinquished by Gulf Canada Resources (25%) undertaken by Murphy Oil (6.5%), Mobil (5%), Chevron (5%) and the Canadian government (8.5%); project proceeds
1994 Generic royalty regime for petroleum developments onshore NL announced
Port au Port 1 Exploration well, West Coast NL (Hunt Oil and PanCanadian Petroleum)
1995 Sable Offshore Energy Project (SOEP) and Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline (M&NP) formed
Terra Nova development announced (Petro-Canada et al)
1996 A-36 Exploration well onshore West Coast NL (Hunt Oil and PanCanadian Petroleum)
Hebron – Ben Nevis and other offshore NL properties acquired by Chevron Canada Resources
SOEP royalty framework established
Generic royalty regime announced for future petroleum developments offshore NL
Norsk Hydro signs strategic alliance agreement with Petro-Canada, acquiring a 15% share in Terra Nova and 5% share in Hibernia
1997 Big Spring #1 Exploration well in Hare Bay, West Coast NL (Delpet Resources)
Hibernia milestones: Topsides Module and GBS mated; platform towed out and fixed at the permanent site on Grand Banks;
West Bonne Bay C-23 Discovery well, Grand Banks offshore Newfoundland (Amoco Canada)
SOEP milestones: royalty framework announced [01]; Joint Public Review Panel recommends approval; environmental and DP approvals by NEB and C-NSOPB
1998 SOEP milestones: construction begins; Irving Oil signs a 15-year purchase contract for SOEP gas; first Venture production well; Goldboro Gas Plant construction begins; first Thebauld production well

Searching for oil on land and offshore – May 1996

With the onset of Hibernia, Atlantic Canada became a global topic of conversation. A new frontier that had resources believed to equal that of the North Sea. Technology and innovation supported the advancement of oil and gas developments. Highly respected people and organizations like the Cambridge Energy Research Association, headed by Daniel Yergin, led industry-leading conversations that paved the way to our success.

Six years after the Hibernia project was signed it geared up for oil production. A technological feat of great minds, this island in the sea was a construction phenomenon of global proportion. The project attracted expertise from the UK, Norway, and Texas.

There were people from all over the world, transferring knowledge and technology to develop the projects. Terra Nova’s development plan began simultaneously. It was an exciting time of progress for Atlantic Canada.

Hibernia, gearing up for production – June 1996

IT TAKES A TRIBE

Creating an oil and gas industry offshore took an echelon of visionaries and progressive pioneers. Oil companies, major contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers came together to build an industry. As the oil and gas industry grew, the natural course of expansion took place and local companies traveled to global conferences and exhibitions promoting our region as well as exporting their products and services.

Veteran industry leaders are seen here in the photo below: Colin Dyer, Clyde Woodward, Dr. Rex Gibbons (who was the Minister of Natural Resources at the time), and industry leader Fred Murrin. Each person is instrumental in the development of the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Conferences & Exhibitions of 1996 and 1997

FIRST THERE WAS HIBERNIA – TERRA NOVA WAS NEXT

Building on Hibernia’s first oil success in 1998, the Terra Nova project came on stream. Taking a different production approach, the consortium members opted for a Floating Production Storage Offloading Vessel (FPSO). It was the first time such an oil and gas solution had operated in Newfoundland’s offshore.

The Offshore Boom – September 1998

The birth of the Terra Nova Project – March 1999

The OGM June/July 1999

The OGM August/September 1999

Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 2000 – 2003. Source: NOIA

2000 SOEP Fractionation Plant at Point Tupper opened Hebron M-04 Delineation well, Grand Banks offshore NL (Chevron et al)
Terra Nova FPSO vessel arrives at Bull Arm, NL for topsides installation and vessel commissioning

The OGM March 2000

The OGM April/May 2000

The OGM June 2000

The OGM October 2000

The OGM December 2000

2001 Deep Panuke project (PanCanadian Petroleum), offshore Nova Scotia, announced White Rose milestones: C-NLOPB approves Development Application (Husky Oil Operations).

McCully (Corridor Resources) milestones – #2 well reaches total depth; flow testing completed.

D-48 drilling begins at Point Tupper Lateral (M&NP) ready to deliver natural gas

Terra Nova milestones: FPSO departs Bull Arm for sea trials; first well drilled into Far East Block

The OGM March 2001

The OGM April 2001

The OGM June 2001

The OGM August 2001

The OGM October 2001

HIBERNIA, TERRA NOVA, AND WHITE ROSE

2002 Captain Cook #1, West Coast NL (Vulcan Minerals) drilling begins Terra Nova produces first oil McCully D-48 (Corridor Resources) drilling completed White Rose.

Husky Energy sanctions project; Marystown fabrication facilities acquired for White Rose topsides fabrication.

Annapolis G-24 deepwater well offshore NS (Marathon Oil) strikes gas Deep Panuke public review undertaken jointly by C-NSOPB and NEB M&NP Phase IV expansion receives regulatory approval

2003 Study assessing risk from iceberg scour on Labrador Shelf released by C-CORE EnCana requests suspension of timelines on the Deep Panuke Project Hibernia oil production increased from 180,000 bpd to 220,000 bpd.

Bull Arm, NL leased for topsides fabrication.

NEWDOCK (St. John’s) undertakes subsea manifold fabrication Marine CNG Centre of Excellence at Memorial University announced (EnerSea Canada).

Orphan Basin offshore NL draws over $670 million in exploration commitments First gas from Alma field, SOEP Tier II.

The OGM May 2003

Working offshore on the Hibernia platform meant having to adhere to the conditions of the dangerous Atlantic Ocean. Mighty waves, foggy conditions, and icebergs were offshore considerations that required great consideration and care as new safety regimes were put in place to keep people safe. With projects of this magnitude, there is always a risk of loss of life. Given the sinking of the exploratory drilling rig the Ocean Ranger in previous years, the operators and major contractors took the time to consider safety at every turn. Safety was number one!

The year 2000 saw the dream of Terra Nova come to fruition. With Hibernia well underway and billions of dollars spent on construction, the economic climate was picking up and prosperity started to trickle into the homes of the local people, in the form of jobs, companies, and to the province in the form of royalties.

1999 spudded the first online experiences for content. People began to harness the possibilities of the internet. At the time, they called it the “super highway”. This new technology was opening up to the world wide web. For the first time, we would no longer be bound by geography. This was a life-transforming time for people and businesses. Information became more readily available. Progress would speed up as a result.

The first decade of the oil and gas industry in Atlantic Canada saw many milestones offshore Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Oil and gas projects quickly became the foundation of the economy and offered the people of the region an entirely new level of hope. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia were showing promise of oil and gas and the early 70s and 80s drilling operations.

Exploration and Drilling Timeline for Atlantic Canada Offshore Resources – 2004 – 2016.
Source: NOIA (EnergyNL)

2004 White Rose milestones: FPSO SeaRose hull completed in South Korea; SeaRose arrives Marystown, NL for topsides installation and vessel commissioning.
5-year moratorium on duty for temporary importation of mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) announced by NRCan.
Bear Head LNG terminal (Anadarko Petroleum) construction begins.

The OGM February/March 2004

The OGM April/May 2004

2005 Hebron – Ben Nevis development JOA announced by Chevron Canada and partners (ExxonMobil, Petro-Canada and Norsk Hydro).

Rowan Gorilla VI, the first jack-up used offshore NL, spuds well in South Whale Basin (Husky Energy).

White Rose milestones: SeaRose hookup and commissioning completed, departs Marystown, NL [07].

SeaRose arrives at White Rose Field, offshore NL.

first oil Construction begins at the Canaport LNG terminal in Saint John, NB.

The OGM January 2005

The OGM February/ March 2005

The OGM April/May 2005

The OGM June /July 2005

The OGM August/September 2005

The OGM October/ November 2005

2006 Deep Panuke Offshore Strategic Energy Agreement (OSEA) signed by EnCana and GNS Orphan Basin first exploration drilling begins (Chevron) West Bonne Bay SDL delineation drilling confirms hydrocarbon (Norsk Hydro, Husky Energy)

The OGM March 2006

The OGM April/May 2006

The OGM June/July 2006

The OGM August/September 2006

The OGM October/November 2006

2007 First gas at McCully (Corridor Resources)

GNL and Hebron Consortium sign MOU regarding the development of field GNL releases Energy Plan, introduces Energy Corporation – Nalcor Energy.

Deep Panuke receives governmental approval and project sanction White Rose milestone: Formal agreement between GNL and Husky Energy for the White Rose expansion project.

The OGM March-May 2007

The OGM June-August 2007

The OGM September-November 2007

The OGM 100th Special Edition 2007

2008 Rig sharing agreement announced between StatoilHydro, Husky Energy & Petro-Canada Formal agreement between GNL and Hebron partners for the development of Hebron field.

The OGM Spring Edition 2008

The OGM Summer Edition 2008

The OGM Fall Edition 2008

The OGM Winter Edition 2008

2009 NL offshore projects reach 1 billion barrels produced

Cougar Helicopter Flight 491 ditches in Atlantic Ocean offshore NL; 17 lives lost, one survivor.

An offshore Inquiry was established to recommend improvements to safety for helicopter transport.

StatoilHydro announces discovery in Flemish Pass, on Mizzen Prospect.

Nalcor Energy acquires 67 percent working interest in three permits at Parsons Pond.

The OGM 2009

2010 Hibernia Southern Extension approved by C-NLOPB GNL announces Lower Churchill project deal reached.

GNL finalizes its third offshore equity deal, this time for 10 percent of Hibernia Southern Extension development approved by C-NLOPB.

ConocoPhillips completes drilling of its first exploration well on the NL side of the Laurentian Basin

Chevron Canada wraps up drilling its second deepwater exploration well in the Orphan Basin.

Commissioner of the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry releases report on the crash of Flight 491

Legacy Fund established to award scholarships to post-secondary students GNL announces Lower Churchill project deal reached with GNS

THE WORLD BECOMES ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS

The OGM Spring 2010

The OGM Summer 2010

The OGM Winter 2010

HEBRON IS THE NEXT MEGA-PROJECT

2011 TSB releases investigation report into the crash of Flight 491

Hebron partners submit development plan application to the C-NLOPB

First oil flows from Hibernia Southern Extension

Statoil spuds its second deepwater well, Mizzen F-09, in the Flemish Pass

Hebron Public Review Commission holds public hearings on the Hebron project

The OGM Spring 2011

The OGM Fall 2011

2012 Hebron Public Review Commission issues 64 recommendations in a report approving the oilfield development.

Hebron project receives regulatory green light from C-NLOPB.

Province reaches $150-million settlement with Hebron partners for out-of-province fabrication of drilling equipment set, one of three modules to be built in NL under the 2008 Hebron agreement.

$7.5-billion Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project is officially sanctioned.

$14-billion Hebron oilfield development receives project sanction from partners led by ExxonMobil.

The OGM Fall 2012

The OGM Winter 2012

2013 C-NLOPB increases oil reserve estimates for Terra Nova oilfield from 419 to 506 million barrels.

First steel cut for Hebron topsides modules. South White Rose subsea tieback (33 million barrels of oil) receives regulatory approval for gas injection.

Construction of Hebron GBS reaches 27.5 meters in height in August.

Statoil Canada estimates 300-600 million barrels of light crude discovered at Bay du Nord prospect in the Flemish Pass.

Husky Energy announces it will develop White Rose Extension Project using a wellhead platform. Platform’s concrete base will be built at Argentia.

Husky begins construction of a new graving dock at Argentia where the wellhead platform will be built for the White Rose Extension Project.

Stena Carron drillship finishes drilling the Margaree A-49 exploration well for Chevron in Orphan Basin in November; the well was spudded in March.

October 2013: Paint hall extension and other major facility upgrades completed in Marystown for the Hebron project.

The OGM Spring 2013

The OGM Summer 2013

The OGM Fall 2013

The OGM Winter 2013

2014 C-NLOPB issues Western Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area Strategic Environmental Assessment Update report May 5.

Light intervention vessel Skandi Inspector completes a 40-day program in July to improve hydrocarbon recovery in three Terra Nova wells – a first-time use of LIV technology in the NL Offshore.

180,000-tonne Hebron GBS is towed three kilometers from Bull Arm drydock to a deepwater construction site in Trinity Bay on July 22.

Subsea production equipment was installed for South White Rose, the second satellite development at the White Rose oilfield.

C-NLOPB issues Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment final report August 5.

C-NLOPB releases the White Rose Extension Project public review report on September 29.

The provincial government appoints a five-member independent panel on October 10 to review hydraulic fracturing in Western Newfoundland.

Seismic data acquisition in the NL Offshore reaches a 30-year high with a collection of 36,973 line kilometers of 2D data. As well, 3,187 square kilometers of 3D data were acquired.

In December, C-NLOPB announces the largest bid received for a single offshore parcel in the NL Offshore – $559 million in work commitments from ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Suncor Energy for EL 1135 in the Flemish Pass.

C-NLOPB increases its reserve estimate for the Hibernia oil field by 249 million barrels to 1.644 billion barrels; the previous reserve estimate was 1.395 billion barrels.

Husky Energy announces a one-year delay on December 17 in project sanction for White Rose Extension Project.

Husky will identify cost efficiencies with the proposed wellhead platform to develop West White Rose and also consider a subsea development option.

World oil prices drop by 50 percent in the last half of year, the steepest price decline since the 2008 financial crisis.

Drill rig West Hercules spuds first well (Bay de Verde F-67) November 4 in Statoil Canada’s 18-month drilling program to appraise the Bay du Nord discovery in the Flemish Pass.

Rig Henry Goodrich spuds its last well (Aster C-93A in southern Flemish Pass) on December 19 in the NL Offshore for Husky Energy.

Hebron’s structural fabrication of the lower and intermediate decks continued. In total, 4 decks will comprise the DSM structure. Multi-discipline outfitting of the DSM began in the 2nd quarter of 2014.

2014-2015: Derrick Equipment Set – fabrication for the Hebron Project and HebronUtilities/Process Module fabrication took place from 2014 – 2016.

The OGM Spring 2014

The OGM Summer 2014

The OGM Fall 2014

The OGM Winter 2014

2015 The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board authorized a Shell Canada Ltd. drilling plan in the Shelburne Basin.

Results of a seismic study of 11 parcels of land up for bids in November 2015, offshore Newfoundland show the potential for up to 12 billion barrels of oil, with a market value of up to $600 billion.

Oil companies committed to spending more than $1.2 billion on exploration in a frontier area of Newfoundland offshore. This round of bids marked the biggest-ever combined amount of revenue for exploration in the region. There were 11 parcels of land totaling 2.5 million hectares around the Flemish Pass basin. Bids were submitted and accepted for seven of the land parcels.

The OGM Spring 2015

The OGM Summer 2015

The OGM Fall 2015

The OGM Winter 2015

2016 Hook-up and commissioning of the Hebron project. Scheduled for production in 2017.

As years passed and projects progressed we experienced challenges with Covid 19 and Climate change.
With these challenges came many new solutions, a new attitude about development, and a welcome consciousness for the planet.

As soon as Covid hit, the silver lining of the global pandemic also emerged. While the world was falling apart at the seams, some people were sewing it back together again with random acts of kindness and unprecedented care for our animals and the planet.

Tragedy united us.
The level of care for others rose to incredible levels.
People began to open their hearts and share more.
Priorities came to the surface, and contribution was at the top of the list.
Appreciation for the simple things and gratitude were at an all-time high.
Texts and emails of encouragement and cheerful words of hope and better days were prevalent.
People volunteered in record numbers.
Some people donated to charities, food banks, and other non-profits. Everyone dug in and gave a hand.
Businesses looked to find new ways to support staff, communities, and the world at large.

The pandemic paved the way for millions of people to find beauty in the toughest of places.

BUSINESSES PIVOT

During Covid 19, the business world changed dramatically. Some companies went out of business entirely while others adapted to the challenges at hand. People found new ways to connect and conduct business on Zoom and other online platforms. It was a natural course of correction that took the world from our old ways into the new online, globally connected world, ultimately setting us up powerfully for the future to come.

The online world boomed.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Fossil fuels proved to be a less favorable option for energy because of their environmental impact. Climate change was real and the world had to respond. The OGM mobilized to respond as well, quickly becoming a paperless publication and a culture that planted trees rather than cutting them down for paper. Why would we use paper, when everything was now digital?

This era launched The OGM flipbook edition that ultimately allowed the publication to have a global readership of energy readers reaching all areas of energy development. It was a time of transition, growth, and globalization.

For the energy industry, what was readily apparent, was that there was no single solution to climate change, and the most effective approach will likely involve a combination of different strategies, called the new “energy mix”.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is widely considered to be the most important step we can take to address climate change. This is achieved through a variety of measures, including:

Increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry.
Planting trees and other vegetation, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Implementing carbon pricing systems, such as a carbon tax or cap-and-trade program, can incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Investing in research and development of new technologies that can help to reduce emissions, such as carbon capture and storage, and advanced nuclear power.
Promoting sustainable land use practices, such as reforestation, conservation, and sustainable agriculture, can help to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.
Encouraging individuals and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption, using public transportation or electric vehicles, and supporting environmentally-friendly products.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES SUPPORTING CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION

There are many technologies that help address some of the environmental challenges facing the planet. Some examples include:

New innovation with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Energy storage technologies such as batteries and pumped hydro storage can help balance intermittent renewable energy sources and make it easier to integrate them into the grid.
Electric vehicles can help reduce transportation-related emissions, particularly if they are powered by renewable energy sources.
Carbon capture and storage technologies can help capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial sources, helping to reduce their impact on the environment.
Sustainable agriculture practices, such as regenerative farming and permaculture, can help to reduce the environmental impact of food production.
Water treatment and reuse technologies can help to reduce the amount of water consumed and mitigate the impact of water pollution.
Recycling and waste management technologies can help to reduce the amount of waste generated and increase the efficiency of resource use.

The OGM, now OUR GREAT MINDS, repositioned the brand to provide the world’s leaders in climate change innovation with a platform and a voice to make a difference.

New advances in the oil and gas industry allowed us to be more climate-conscious. New energy modalities brought in sustainable energy solutions. The world changed rapidly to accommodate the climate change battle. Stringent climate change goals were set around the globe. As a result, a tidal wave of new energy innovation emerged and much more is on the horizon. These are unprecedented times, with unparalleled opportunities!

What will the next 30 years look like for TheOGM.com?

Only time will tell. But what we can say for sure is that the new innovation, new processes, and new commitment to the planet, is a sustainable mindset and commitment that we will be publishing and sharing with the world. We are embracing new energy modalities, technology, AI, and all the tools of the future that will make this world a better place for all of us. Just because we can’t tangibly see or know the future, doesn’t mean it’s a scary place to go. Quite the contrary, erase all the bad news, focus on what’s possible, see the opportunities, build sustainably, and HAVE FUN. That’s what’s going to make all the difference.

As we unleash the solutions that create a sustainable planet for our kids, we inspire all others to do the same.

Join us in the transition to renewable energy. We will help you tell your story and we’ll share your solutions with the world.

Over and out,
Tina Olivero
Tina@TheOGM.com

Proposing to study 20 areas for offshore wind

Tina Olivero — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:45:17 +0000

25/04/2023

A broadly composed group in the Directorate has identified 20 areas on the Norwegian shelf that could be technically suitable for offshore wind, and where there are relatively few conflicts of interest.

The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has provided technical contributions in this process, which has been spearheaded by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).

“We have 50 years of experience with coexistence at sea, which has been useful in the effort to identify these areas. In addition to this, we know the shelf and understand seabed conditions – this is important expertise as we assess whether areas are suitable for offshore wind,” says Kjersti Dahle, Director of Technology, Analyses and Coexistence.

Among other things, the NPD has contributed data and knowledge about petroleum resources, CO₂ storage complexes and the subsurface.

“For us, it’s crucial that no potential petroleum and CO₂ assets are lost as a result of developing offshore wind. Moving forward, it will be important to conduct a good, detailed mapping of the resource potential in the proposed areas, with the best possible data available,” Dahle points out.

“Some of the areas are challenging as regards petroleum; others seem to be of little consequence.”

Kjersti Dahle, Director of Technology, Analyses and Coexistence. Photo: Linn Smerud/NPD

Early planning and good dialogue between the industries is a prerequisite for achieving good coexistence with other industries.

In addition to the NVE and NPD, the Directorate of Fisheries, the Norwegian Environment Agency, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency have participated in the effort to prepare the proposal. The Petroleum Safety Authority has acted as an observer, and several other agencies have contributed facts.

Assembling the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm

Tina Olivero — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:20:59 +0000

24 April 2023

Floating offshore wind will be key to delivering cost-effective renewable energy to consumers. Equinor is leading the way in developing this technology with Hywind Tampen, the largest floating wind farm to date. A smooth production line was needed from component load-in to turbine assembly, but deep foundations meant that lift capacity was needed far from the quay edge.

To reduce the CO₂ emissions of its offshore operations, energy major Equinor planned to construct the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm. This project would be a significant step forward for the energy transition on its own – taken together, Hywind Tampen and Equinor’s earlier Hywind Scotland pilot project will generate around half of the world’s floating wind power.

The market is still developing, and although various component designs, installation techniques and deployment methods are being considered and prototyped, none have been commercialized at full scale. Floating foundations were required for this project as the water depth and seabed geology in the Tampen area made it impossible to install conventional fixed-bottom turbines.

A critical challenge was the work involved in assembling the entire 8.6 MW turbines – including tower sections, nacelles and blades – onto huge 107m spar buoys that lie mainly underwater. This needed to be performed in the controlled environment of a port – where the whole system could be kept as static as possible – before the completed turbines were towed out to their installation site.

With such huge floating foundations, this port required an exceptionally large draft – ruling out jack-up vessels, which would be too short to assemble the turbine sections. Also, though conditions at Gulen Industrial Harbor were calm, using crane vessels would increase the complexity of assembly engineering, which would then require a transfer between two floating objects. This could, in turn, delay the integration phase and lengthen the offshore installation campaign, increasing project costs.

A spacer barge between the quay and the spar foundation was needed to ensure adequate clearance between the base of the foundation and the seabed. Turbine components would therefore need to be lifted over the quay edge, over the spacer barge, then onto the foundations themselves: a distance of around 143m.

Following its experience during the deployment of the world’s first floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland (also operated by Equinor), Mammoet was engaged to undertake turbine assembly and associated port handling work. Martin Tieman, Project Manager for Mammoet, explains:

“We recognized that we would need a crane with a huge outreach to make the required lifts. The majority of land-based cranes in any fleet would not be able to achieve a 143m distance at these weights, but we knew that if it could be done the project would benefit significantly. This would create a smooth production line from marshalling yard to turbine assembly to commissioning – all at the same location – optimizing the use of offshore assets.

This led us to look at the use of our PTC 200-DS crane, which is proving to be in high demand for big offshore wind projects such as the Greater Changhua development in Taiwan and the Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland.

With the port confirming the quayside would be able to provide the required ground bearing pressures, we were able to put together a plan that would deliver a comprehensive package of port handling and assembly of all eleven turbines of Equinor’s development.”

In addition to the draft of the port, weather conditions also posed a challenge. Although large ring cranes are built to withstand strong gusts, components such as these – with a large surface area designed specifically to catch the wind – are another matter.

To counteract this, the PTC 200-DS was modified to ensure precise control of components even when winds were strong – meaning that there would be fewer potential stoppages due to the weather and the turbines could be completed sooner.

These modifications allowed the crane to work with third-party blade yoke and tugger winch systems, which orient the load under the hook without the need for taglines operated by hand. This prevents damage to relatively delicate turbine blades and increases levels of safety on site.

Besides lifting, strong port handling capabilities were required to receive tower pieces, nacelles and blades from vessels and store them so they could be retrieved quickly, maximizing utilization. Mammoet managed this scope, assuring the main lifting asset was in use for as much time as possible.

Alongside the PTC 200-DS, 24 axle lines of SPMT and a range of smaller cranes were used to handle the movement of components; as well as an LR1750 crane to assist the PTC during lifts that required rotation of components. This further helped to keep idle time as low as possible for all assets, minimizing handling maneuvers overall.

Tieman concludes:

“Having worked on numerous large-scale offshore wind projects, we understand how important the logistics between port delivery and installation are to maintaining the schedule. Our specialist team has successfully executed this scope for some of the biggest offshore wind projects in the world, giving us the experience to maximize utilization of key assets and so deliver the highest levels of project cost-efficiency.”

Hywind Tampen offshore wind park will start producing power during the third quarter of 2022.

Mammoet

Mammoet helps clients with Smarter, Safer and Stronger solutions to any heavy lifting or transport challenge. They aim to develop long-term relationships in order to understand their businesses and challenges best, so we can realize the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. They have a unique global network and an unparalleled fleet of equipment. Through deep and longstanding engineering expertise and the highest quality and safety standards in execution, they bring an intelligent and flexible approach to projects across a wide breadth of industry sectors. Clients trust them to help them achieve feats that were once considered impossible, and they have often broken records in doing so.

For more information, visit www.mammoet.com

Potentia and Greengate Close Financing for Paintearth Wind

Tina Olivero — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:10:57 +0000

April 18, 2023

Potentia Renewables Inc. and Greengate Power Corporation are pleased to announce the close of financing for their Paintearth Wind project currently under construction in Alberta, Canada. The project is owned 75 percent by Potentia and 25 percent by Greengate. The Paintearth Wind project is part of Potentia’s portfolio of almost one gigawatt of new renewable energy projects operating or in construction in Western Canada. It is the third wind energy project successfully developed in partnership with Greengate.

KfW IPEX-Bank, together with Canadian Fédération des Caisses Desjardins du Québec, will provide the project with C$250 million in construction and operational financing. Paintearth Wind will have an installed capacity of 190 MW using 38 wind turbines from Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The project is located 40 kilometers southeast of the Town of Stettler.

“We are pleased to announce the long-term financing for the Paintearth Wind project, which has a 15-year renewable power purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. This project will support the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy system. We thank our development partners, Greengate, and our investors for their support and look forward to delivering energy from this project to the Alberta grid in 2024,” said Ben Greenhouse, Potentia’s CEO.

“It has been a pleasure working with Potentia on this important project. Our long-time partnership with them has been very successful, with Paintearth Wind now being the third wind energy project successfully developed together. With construction underway and financing now in place, we’re excited for Paintearth Wind to soon begin producing clean electricity,” said Dan Balaban, Greengate’s CEO.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as legal counsel to Potentia and Greengate during the transaction, with Blakes, Cassels and Graydon, LLP acting on behalf of the lenders.

About Potentia Renewables

Potentia Renewables Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Sustainable Capital, is a fully integrated developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy assets. Potentia benefits from strong financial support from its shareholder for acquisitions and large project initiatives. With an investor committed to our long-term success and the significance, combined with the industry experience of our team, Potentia has become a leading renewable energy provider and is ideally positioned for continued substantial growth.

For more information, visit www.potentiarenewables.com.

About Power Sustainable Capital

Power Sustainable Capital is a global multi-platform alternative asset manager with a long-term investment approach focused on sustainable strategies. It has offices in Montréal, Toronto, Shanghai, Beijing and New Jersey. Power Sustainable is comprised of three platforms: the Pacific platform invests in the China equity markets, seeking high-quality, sustainable business models with a fundamentals-based, research-driven investment process; the Energy Infrastructure platform invests in the development, construction and operations of renewable energy infrastructure assets in North America; and private equity investments in Lion Electric and Lumenpulse. The company leverages its investment capabilities and those of its partners to build projects of significance that benefit the planet, assure steady growth, and create long-term value. Power Sustainable is a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada.

For more information, visit www.powersustainable.com.

About Greengate Power Corporation

Greengate is a privately held renewable energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, with a proven track record of developing precedent-setting renewables projects in Canada. Since 2007, Greengate has successfully developed close to 1.5 GW of operating or in-construction renewable energy projects, including Canada’s largest wind and solar energy projects. Altogether, these projects represent over $2 billion of investment and are expected to produce enough clean electricity to power more than 500,000 homes. Greengate is focused on the development of renewables and next-generation net-zero projects in Alberta and beyond, as it aims to continue playing a leading role in the global energy transition.

For more information, please visit www.greengatepower.com.

RIDEOUT LEGACY: Leaders in innovation, industrial supply and equipment

Tina Olivero — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Rideout family’s impact on the industrial supply and equipment industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is immeasurable. From their early beginnings to their current success, the Rideout has been an example of adaptability, dedication, and commitment to their customers and family business.

The Rideout family has left an indelible mark on the industrial supply and equipment industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Their family legacy has helped to transform the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and they have set an example for others to follow.

Their ability to adapt to changing times, their commitment to their customers, and their dedication to their family business have made the Rideout family a true Newfoundland and Labrador success story.

The Early Years – Roland H. Rideout

Roland H. Rideout was born on Pilley’s Island, Notre Dame Bay, and moved to St. John’s in 1945. Roland Rideout had previously worked with the United States Air Force in Gander before moving to St. John’s. He started a small motor repair shop in 1950 located at the corner of Cochrane and Water Street where Sir Humphrey Gilbert exists now. He later moved to Williams Lane (Now Dicks Deck area) and then to the storefront on water street west in 1956.

Much of his business throughout this period came from the Marine and fish processing industry where he developed a strong reputation as an expert repair center for motors, generators, and related apparatus. Roland Rideout quickly gained a reputation as an expert repair center for motors, generators, and related equipment.

Roland and his wife Lillian had 8 children and 3 became involved in the family business.

Ray Rideout

Ray started working full-time with Rideout Electric Ltd on Water Street in 1963 after completing his business degree at Memorial University. He supervised the electrical contracting and motor winding business and oversaw the company’s natural expansion into power tools, abrasives, cutting tools, and related products. From there, Ray recognized a gap in the market to focus on small and large-scale woodworking machinery and equipment and Rideout Tool & Machine wasn’t long to establish itself as a key supplier of woodworking products in Newfoundland.

Ray became President of the company as his father scaled back actively in the business and oversaw all operations, staff and sales functions for the majority of his career. He also played a key role in establishing the company as a major supplier for the offshore industry in the years to come.

Ray’s dedication and expertise helped Rideout Tool & Machine become a one-stop shop for all types of industrial and commercial tools and equipment.

Another family member who made significant contributions to the company’s growth is Harry Rideout. Harry had studied Electronics Technology at Ryerson Tech before working at ITT at their relay station at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Harry Rideout

After spending two years doing Engineering courses at MUN, he accepted a technician position with Transport Canada’s regional office in Moncton.

In 1966, Harry joined Rideout Tool as the external sales and business development manager, where he developed the metalworking, compressed air portion and technical test and measurement products divisions of the business. Harry’s knowledge and expertise were essential in driving the company’s success in these areas.

Today Harry remains well-known within the province for his technical knowledge and is active in supporting and developing the business in these areas.

Chris Rideout

The youngest of the Rideout brothers to get involved with the family business is Chris who joined the company in 1975. Chris had an education in Business Administration and worked as a Sales Representative out of St. John’s. He played a significant role in the company’s expansion, which included opening and managing a new branch in Corner Brook in 1980 to serve the west coast of Newfoundland.

Chris managed the Corner Brook branch until he moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1986 to manage the company’s new Dartmouth branch and third location. Thanks to his efforts, Rideout Tool & Machine was able to expand its reach and become a major industrial player serving the Atlantic provinces.

New Locations

Rideout Tool & Machine has grown and evolved, becoming a leader in the supply of industrial and commercial tools and equipment in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and beyond.

Kenmount Road Location –

Over the years, Rideout Tool has achieved several major milestones. One of the most significant was the opening of its current location on Kenmount Road in 1972. At the time of the move, this location was considered the outskirts of St. John’s city limits but is now a major thoroughfare for incoming and outgoing traffic. The opening ceremony was attended by Henri Richard, the famed Pocket Rocket of the Montreal Canadiens, who was the spokesperson for Skil Power Tools at the time. This event marked a turning point for the company, as it allowed Rideout Tool to offer a wider range of products and services to its customers with a much larger physical footprint and showroom.

Cornerbrook –

In 1980, Rideout Tool opened its Corner Brook branch, which allowed the company to expand its reach even further. This new location provided customers in western Newfoundland with access to the same high-quality products and services as those in St. John’s.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia –

The company continued to grow, and in 1986, Rideout Tool & Machine opened its Nova Scotia branch. This new location was a significant milestone, as it allowed Rideout Tool to tap into new markets and customers in the Maritimes.

The new locations and growth of the company also coincide with the company rebranding itself from its origins as Rideout Electric to the broader scope of Rideout Tool & Supply as it was known in the 70s and 80s to become Rideout Tool & Machine as it is known today.

In 2005, Rideout Tool opened its new building on Akerley Blvd. in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This new location was much larger than the previous one, allowing the company to expand its inventory and services even further.

The company continues to grow and evolve to this day with increasing footprints and building expansions and upgrades.

Business Expansion

As the business continued to grow, Rideout Tool went on to attend major trade shows to develop business relationships with other manufacturers of tools, machinery, and related industrial maintenance products. With an expansive product offering of power and hand tools, industrial consumables, chemical products, wood and metalworking machinery, air compressors and related accessories, test and measurement products, environmental control products, a full line of fasteners products and so much more, Rideout Tool & Machine is well-diversified to meet the demands of the local economy.

Oil & Gas Industry

In the early 90s, it was clear Newfoundland & Labrador was set to become a major player in the oil & gas industry. Ray Rideout took the initiative to travel to Aberdeen to meet with successful distributors serving their local markets to learn the types of products they were selling to better meet the needs of the offshore industry to come. Ray took this knowledge home and quickly established new relationships to broaden the company’s product offering even further. Harry also attended many of the trade events such as the OTC, and CMTS centered around the Oil & Gas industry.

This forward-thinking expansion has set Rideout Tool & Machine up to become a major Newfoundland industrial supplier to the Hibernia platform during the construction phase of the project and has remained a long-term supply partner since then and to this day. This marked the beginning of the company’s involvement in the oil and gas industry and has given the company the experience to be able to serve all large-scale projects within the Atlantic provinces.

Rideout Tool & Machine remains to this day large enough to manage projects of this magnitude but is still very adaptable to the individual needs of our customers.

ISO Milestone

In dealing with large-scale projects, Rideout Tool & Machine was encouraged to develop and maintain a quality program. In 1998, Rideout Tool achieved ISO certification, becoming one of the first industrial companies in the province to do so. This certification recognized the company’s commitment to quality and customer service and helped it stand out in a highly competitive market.

Rideout Tool Today

Chris Rideout, the president, and brother of Ray and Harry manage the Dartmouth location, while Janet Rideout, Ray’s daughter, is the Vice President of Operations, and Harry’s son Craig Rideout is the Vice President of Sales.

These days, Ray and Harry no longer work full-time but provide support for sales, technical support, and assistance in special projects.

Rideout Tool has three locations, with the head office located in St. John’s and branches in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The company has a total of 46 full-time staff and is managed by the third generation of the Rideout family.

Rideout Tool & Machine will be celebrating its 75^th year in business in 2024 and is a successful 3^rd generation Newfoundland owned and operated company.

The Rideout Community Legacy

The legacy of the Rideout family is significant, not only because of the success of the company they built but also because of their contributions to the local community.

The family has been involved in many charitable and community-based initiatives over the years. They have supported organizations such as the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society, as well as countless community and school sports groups among others.

Thank You For A Lifetime Commitment

Rideout Tool and Machine continues to be a leader in the industrial supply and equipment industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and beyond. The company offers a wide range of products and services to meet the needs of its customers, including power tools, metal and woodworking machinery, compressed air equipment and much more. In addition, Rideout Tool provides repair and maintenance services for many of the products it sells.

As Rideout Tool continues to grow and evolve, the company remains committed to its core values of quality, customer service, and family values. With a strong foundation built over more than seven decades, Rideout Tool is poised to continue its success and remain a leader in the industry for many years to come.

The Rideout family business has a rich history and a legacy that has been built on hard work, determination, and commitment to excellence. Their vision, dedication, and passion have helped the local Newfoundland communities that it serves and will be remembered for years to come.

The Rideout family’s story is a true testament to the spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

CONSCIOUS COMPANY: Chevron voluntarily relinquishes offshore permits on Canada’s west coast to preserve wildlife area

Tina Olivero — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:42:41 +0000

Chevron Canada Limited is voluntarily relinquishing 19 offshore oil and gas permits on Canada’s west coast within the Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area and the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area.

The four reefs in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound are thought to be over 9,000 years old. They are the first discovered living examples of glass sponge reefs, thought to be extinct worldwide, that existed during the Jurassic period. Live glass sponge reefs are unique to Pacific coastal waters.

Glass sponge reefs have intrinsic, ecological and economic value. They provide a link between benthic and pelagic environments and play an important role in marine carbon and nitrogen processing.

These sponges are exceptionally fragile, with skeletons made of silica, or glass. Sponges are easily broken on impact and increased suspended sediments can permanently smother or inhibit the filtration process. The ocean conditions necessary to allow such large reefs to develop are rare, and the fragility of the reefs makes them vulnerable to damage from human activity.

Each sponge may live for over 200 years, and the slow growth and vulnerability of the sponges suggest that recovery from damage may take tens to several hundreds of years. If the skeletons of dead sponges are buried or destroyed, new sponges cannot grow to add stability to the reef.

Chevron is continually assessing its portfolio and has been in communication with Natural Resources Canada since 2020 on the opportunity to contribute to the Government of Canada’s international marine conservation targets,” said Christopher Mazerolle, president of Chevron Canada. “We have been safely and responsibly developing Canada’s onshore and offshore oil and gas resources for 85 years, and remain committed to providing the affordable, ever-cleaner energy Canada needs.”

The relinquished 19 offshore oil and gas permits are an estimated 5,700 square kilometers that overlap portions of federal marine-protected areas offshore British Columbia. The relinquishment of these permits ensures that the Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area and the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area (MPA) continue to fully count towards the Government of Canada’s international marine conservation targets.

About Chevron Canada:

For 85 years, Chevron Canada has been responsibly developing Canada’s energy resources. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world.

Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Chevron Canada has interests in oil sands projects and shale gas acreage in Alberta as well as exploration, development and production projects offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Chevron Canada takes great pride in providing the affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy needed to improve lives and power the world forward. We aim to grow our traditional oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow new lower-carbon businesses in renewable fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, offsets and other emerging technologies.

More information about Chevron Canada is available at canada.chevron.com.

SOURCE & IMAGES: Chevron Canada Limited, Government of Canada

Chevron & Angelicoussis Group Announce Ammonia Carrier Joint Study Agreement

Tina Olivero — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:50:41 +0000

April 13, 2023

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiary Chevron Shipping Company LLC, and the Angelicoussis Group, through its Energy Transition division, Green Ships, announced a Joint Study Agreement to explore how tankers can be used to transport ammonia, a potential lower carbon marine fuel. The initial study will evaluate the ammonia transportation market, existing infrastructure, the safety aspects of ammonia, potential next-generation vessel requirements and a preliminary system to transport ammonia between the U.S. Gulf Coast and Europe. Future opportunities will focus on additional global markets.

Ammonia is a carrier of hydrogen and is believed to have the potential to lower the carbon intensity of the marine industry. Through the JSA, the Angelicoussis Group and Chevron aim to advance ammonia’s technical and commercial feasibility at scale, particularly as an export for petrochemicals, power, and mobility markets.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the Angelicoussis Group on this study, help advance lower carbon energy at scale and progress marine transportation of ammonia,” said Mark Ross, President of Chevron Shipping Company. “I’m proud of the collaboration between Chevron Shipping, Chevron New Energies and the Angelicoussis Group and look forward to driving progress toward our energy transition goals.”

“Global value chain solutions are critical for growing the hydrogen market, and we believe shipping will play a crucial role. Chevron is leveraging its international functional marine expertise and collaborating with the Angelicoussis Group to pursue the delivery of lower carbon proof points to the market,” said Austin Knight, Vice President, Hydrogen, Chevron New Energies.

“Through collaborating with Chevron Shipping Company on this study, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to prepare our industries for the transition towards lower carbon operations,” said Maria Angelicoussis, CEO of the Angelicoussis Group. “Combining our many years of experience in seaborne transport of liquid and gaseous energy sources with Chevron’s vast experience in the energy business provides a solid basis for this endeavor.”

“Ammonia has potential as a hydrogen vector and is considered one of the alternative fuel options to decarbonize shipping. We believe this study will contribute towards identifying the technical, operational and commercial challenges of carrying ammonia at scale and using it as a fuel in a safe and sustainable way,” said Stelios Troulis, Green Ships and Energy Transition Director for the Angelicoussis Group.

Chevron and the Angelicoussis Group have a longstanding relationship dating back to 2000. Since then, the partnership has grown from conventional vessels to include multiple LNG carriers, as well as joint work on energy transition initiatives. The teaming of Chevron Shipping, Chevron New Energies and the Angelicoussis Group on this study supports and accelerates both organizations’ ambitions to become leading, global clean energy providers by focusing on all aspects of the hydrogen supply chain.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our traditional oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow new lower-carbon businesses in renewable fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, offsets and other emerging technologies.

About the Angelicoussis Group

The Angelicoussis Group was founded in 1947 and provides world-class shipping services across the LNG, tanker and dry bulk markets. The Group is a privately held family business and is headed by Maria I. Angelicoussis who became CEO in 2021. Angelicoussis Group is headquartered in Athens, Greece and has over 8,000 professionals across the globe (onboard and onshore). Angelicoussis Group established Green Ships in 2022 to lead all energy transition engagements with its partners, customers, and other stakeholders across a broad range of value chains pertaining to its shipping activities.

More information about the Angelicoussis Group is available at www.angelicoussisgroup.com.

CRP Subsea Provides Pipeline Protection to an Innovative Jettyless LNG Transfer System

Tina Olivero — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:20:54 +0000

April 12, 2023

CRP Subsea, an AIS company, has successfully delivered a contract awarded by ECOnnect Energy, providing Dynamic Bend Stiffeners for their IQuay™ jettyless LNG transfer system.

The innovative jettyless transfer system IQuay™ F-Class from ECOnnect Energy will be used to continuously transfer LNG gas from an offshore LNG production facility to a permanently moored floating storage unit (FSU), replacing the need for a fixed jetty. CRP Subsea’s Dynamic Bend Stiffeners will protect the flexible pipes to and from the IQuay™ system, providing additional stiffness and preventing them from overbending at the termination points. This will allow for increased operational uptime even in inclement weather.

Ben Stubbens, Sales Team Manager at CRP Subsea states: “This award is recognition of our technical expertise and unrivalled track record of providing Bend Stiffeners to the oil & gas industry for over 40 years. It’s a testament to our commitment to delivering reliable customized solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers. We are honored to have the opportunity to work with such an innovative forward-thinking company and look forward to building a strong and long-lasting relationship.”

Produced at CRP Subsea’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the North of England, the Bend Stiffeners have now been delivered, to be installed when the IQuay™ F-Class is deployed later this year.

The IQuay™ leverages the traditional marine infrastructure and existing LNG transfer operations, as it is optimized to be scalable as well as compatible with a wide range of Floating Storage Units (FSUs) and Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs). The jettyless scope accelerates consumer access to natural gas in a cost-effective and agile manner. A Bend Stiffener is a bend-limiting device used to protect flexible pipelines, umbilical, or cables. It does this in three ways; (1) They ensure the flexible pipe does not bend beyond the manufacturer’s desired minimum bend radius (MBR) during the life of the project, in such a way as to optimize the fatigue performance of the flexible pipe. (2) They provide a suitable load path from the flexible pipe to the fixed structure. (3) Bend stiffeners reduce point loading at the termination point. We have an extensive track record in the supply of bend stiffeners, with zero failures.

CRP Subsea, an AIS Company

Using advanced material technology, CRP Subsea provides high-integrity solutions for the harshest and most demanding offshore environments. CRP Subsea specializes in the development and production of polymer and syntactic foam-based buoyancy and protection products for the offshore renewables and oil & gas industries. CRP Subsea, an AIS company, has been providing innovative solutions to the industry for over 40 years.

www.crpsubsea.com

ECOnnect Energy is an independent Norwegian technology company assisting the energy and maritime markets with the jettyless IQuay™ transfer terminal. The IQuay™ solutions feature a game-changing floating jettyless system for the loading, discharge and bunkering of LNG, ammonia, hydrogen and CO2 for storing carbon without the need for invasive, time- and cost-intensive fixed marine infrastructures. With proprietary infrastructure solutions, ECOnnect Energy is committed to accelerating the uptake of clean energy globally.

www.econnectenergy.com

Yara & Enbridge to Develop & Construct Low-Carbon Blue Ammonia Project at Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center

Tina Olivero — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:31:51 +0000

March 31, 2023

Yara Clean Ammonia, a Yara International ASA company, and Enbridge Inc. are pleased to announce the signing of a letter of intent to jointly develop and construct a world scale low-carbon blue ammonia production facility as equal partners. The proposed facility, which includes autothermal reforming with carbon capture, will be located at the Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center near Corpus Christi, Texas.

Once operational, the production facility will be capable of supplying low-carbon ammonia to meet growing global demand, with an expected capacity of 1.2–1.4 million tons per annum. Approximately 95 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated from the production process is anticipated to be captured and transported to nearby permanent geologic storage. If confirmed through the Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) phase and approved, total project investment is expected in the range of US$2.6–US$2.9 billion, with production start-up in 2027/2028.

Enbridge and Yara will utilize their complementary strengths to develop and execute the project. Yara’s industry-leading experience in ammonia development, production, operations and distribution, combined with Enbridge’s large-scale infrastructure development expertise and world-class EIEC deep water docks and export platform, will be critical to advancing the project from development through to commercial operation. In addition, Yara, the world’s largest ammonia distributor, is expected to contract full offtake from the facility, which further enhances the strategic value and commercial viability of the project.

Enbridge’s Texas Eastern Transmission Pipeline is expected to provide the transportation service for feed gas that will be used for the production process, and Enbridge, along with Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, is advancing a nearby CO₂ sequestration hub which is a potential destination for the project’s captured CO₂.

The construction of any facilities will be subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

“We are excited to partner with Yara and collaborate on this clean energy project, especially given their expertise in global ammonia projects, operations and distribution,” said Colin Gruending, Enbridge Executive Vice President and President of Liquids Pipelines. “EIEC is well positioned to become the most sustainable export terminal in North America through low-carbon fuel production, carbon capture and solar self-power.”

“Yara is pleased to be joining Enbridge in developing this significant clean ammonia project. As presented at our Capital Markets Day, we are working systematically to develop project opportunities in the U.S. and this project will significantly contribute to our strategy of decarbonizing agriculture as well as serving new clean ammonia segments such as shipping fuel, power production and ammonia as a hydrogen carrier,” said Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, President of Yara Clean Ammonia.

About Yara Clean Ammonia

Yara Clean Ammonia is uniquely positioned to enable the hydrogen economy in a market expected to grow substantially over the next decades. We aim to significantly strengthening our leading global position as the world’s largest ammonia distributor, unlocking the green and blue value chains, and driving the development of clean ammonia globally.

Building on Yara’s leading experience within global ammonia production, logistics and trade, Yara Clean Ammonia works towards capturing growth opportunities in low-emission fuel for shipping and power, carbon-free food production and ammonia for industrial applications.

Yara Clean Ammonia operates the largest global ammonia network with 15 ships and access to 18 ammonia terminals and multiple ammonia production and consumption sites across the world, through Yara International. Yara Clean Ammonia’s revenues and EBITDA for 2022 were USD 4,428 million and USD 249 million respectively. Yara Clean Ammonia is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.

www.yaracleanammonia.com

About Yara

Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara’s ambition is focused on growing a nature-positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders, and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain.

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy-intensive industries.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry’s only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,500 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2022, Yara reported revenues of USD 24.1 billion.

www.yara.com

About Enbridge Inc.

At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil or renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We’re investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage. We’re committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy we deliver, and to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Enbridge’s common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the Toronto (TSX) and New York (NYSE) stock exchanges.

To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com.

Mammoet Awarded Two US Offshore Wind Contracts

Tina Olivero — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:26:54 +0000

March 27, 2023

Mammoet, the leader in engineered heavy lift and transport services, has secured contracts for two large offshore wind projects in the United States, both of which begin in 2023. Together, the two contracts cover a range of port scopes, including the load-in, load-out, handling and temporary storage of XXL monopiles, plus the pre-assembly of turbines in a US marshalling port.

Mammoet’s vast experience in offshore wind, presence in the USA, and long track record in supplying specialized equipment as well as tailor-made solutions have proven decisive to confirm these awards. With more than 30 years of experience working in the United States, these will further strengthen our experience in the US Offshore Wind Market.

“Offshore wind in the United States has been a long time coming. Our Mammoet colleagues have been executing these projects globally for some time, so this is an exciting opportunity to leverage the combination of our technical experience with our local market experience,” said Rick Bohne, Jr., Director of Sales & Marketing for Mammoet in the USA & Mexico.

Mammoet has a long-standing history and presence in the US market. With more than 30 years of experience in the United States and over a dozen local branches, Mammoet employs approximately 800 US employees. As a leader in our industry, our goal is to invest further and develop assets to enable the energy transition.

Mammoet’s recent experience in the offshore wind sector includes the load-in, load-out and transport of jacket structures for Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland, and component handling, storage, transport and crane lifting to assemble Hywind Tampen; the world’s largest floating wind farm. Furthermore, Mammoet is contracted to supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the staging and assembly of turbine components for Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the United Kingdom. Lastly, Mammoet is also contracted to supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the offloading, staging and installation of turbine components in France.

Mammoet handling offshore wind components.

Mammoet

Mammoet helps clients with Smarter, Safer and Stronger solutions to any heavy lifting or transport challenge. We aim to develop long-term relationships in order to understand their businesses and challenges best, so we can realize the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. We have a unique global network and an unparalleled fleet of equipment. Through deep and longstanding engineering expertise and the highest quality and safety standards in execution, we bring an intelligent and flexible approach to projects across a wide breadth of industry sectors. Clients trust us to help them achieve feats that were once considered impossible, and we have often broken records in doing so.

For more information, visit www.mammoet.com

Energy NL Reacts to Budget 2023 – Welcomes Support for Energy Sector

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 13:26:47 +0000

March 23, 2023

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released its budget and Energy NL welcomes a number of the initiatives, including reinstatement of the offshore seismic program, support for the renewable sector, continuation of the Offshore Exploration Initiative, and assessment of natural gas opportunities. The energy sector continues to be an economic driver, responsible for approximately 20% of provincial GDP and an approximately $100 million contribution to the Future Fund.

“Overall, I see Budget 2023 as positive for the energy sector. The return of the offshore seismic program is important to our industry. Seismic data is used to help determine where exploration should occur and has the best chance of being successful. Moreover, it is used to attract investment into the offshore through the land sale process. Seismic will also play an important role as we look for possible locations to store carbon. Early research indicates our offshore has the potential to store all of Canada’s carbon emissions and seismic data can help us find the pathway to carbon storage and net zero.” said Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO

There is an allocation of over $500,000 for the renewable sector, including increasing capacity for environmental assessment and regulatory oversight. Energy NL is pleased to see investment in the environmental assessment process to ensure appropriate protection and progress, not a delayed process. As well, increased resources to develop an efficient and robust regulatory approach are welcomed. Initiatives such as the green technology tax credit and Low Carbon Economy Fund may also help Energy NL members lower their carbon footprint and Energy NL looks forward to learning more about these initiatives and how its members can benefit.

“Continuation of the Offshore Exploration Initiative is important as we have seen the program stimulate important offshore activity, including exploration for this year. The almost $5 million to assess natural gas in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin is also a positive step to help open another energy play for Newfoundland and Labrador. We continue to make significant progress in our energy sector and I look forward to working with Energy NL members and the provincial government to ensure industry growth and success.” said Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO

Energy NL represents approximately 500 member organizations worldwide that are involved in the energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.

TRADES NL: Industry Works to Ensure Bay du Nord Project Stays Local

Tina Olivero — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Trades NL is launching a Build Right Here campaign to ensure the mega-work opportunities are afforded to the local trades workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador from the Bay du Nord FPSO project.

The Bay du Nord FPSO will be located 500 km NE of St. John’s at water depths of 650 – 1170 meters and recoverable oil has been projected to be over 1 billion barrels. The developer of the project, Equinor, has determined that a floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) will be used to extract the oil.

Upramp of work for Equinor’s massive deepwater project is commencing, and the first oil is expected in about five years’ time. Construction is expected in 2024 once a benefits agreement is fully in place with the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Bay du Nord Locator Map – Offshore Newfoundland

Local Newfoundland and Labradorians are bound by the Atlantic Accord which governs the workflow of projects to be executed locally with local people. It’s a right, a necessity and an important piece of project success.

According to Equinor they, “Strongly support building local capacity and will prioritize goods and services from suppliers within the Province wherever possible. Consistent with the Accord Acts, Equinor will adopt a contracting and procurement strategy that gives first consideration to services provided from within the Province and to goods manufactured in the Province, where those services and goods are competitive in terms of fair market price, quality and delivery.” Equinor’s contracts and procurement office is located in St. John’s, to coordinate and manage the project’s procurement-related activities in the region.

Darin King, Director of Trades NL says, “We have the capacity and world-class workforce to Build Right Here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Trades NL is heavily advocating to ensure that our government and Equinor maximize the Bay du Nord opportunity to its full potential.

This project has the potential to create a significant amount of work for the people in the province, however, there are key components of the project that must be constructed in the province for that to happen.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Construction of Process and Utility Modules;
Matting of Constructed Modules;
Commissioning and Startup;
Tow-out of the FPSO, as well as a;
Community Benefits Agreement.

Trades NL has built upon a 30-year legacy with an increasingly experienced, high-caliber, highly trained and safe workforce to construct Bay du Nord. Darin King believes that everything, except the hull can, and should, be built in Newfoundland & Labrador. Equinor’s website states, “Equinor strongly supports building local capacity. Equinor expects successful bidders for contracts awarded for the Bay du Nord project to work together with Equinor and the local labor force in order to optimize participation from the local marketplace in the project development.”

Darin King explains his concerns for the project, “We’ve had projects happen in the past where the work was done elsewhere unnecessarily. Our goal is to ensure that we garnish the work that we are qualified to execute. We have thirty years of exemplary offshore experience in the trades sector and these mega-projects are now at a point where our expertise and competence are being executed all over the world. Our goal is to ensure that any transfer of technology continues to grow in the region and that we use our current expertise and resources to ensure Bay du Nord has a world-class safety protocol and workforce.”

GET INVOLVED!

Please engage with your local MHA and other government officials – to ensure they are aware that in order for this project to reach its full potential and return profits to communities throughout our province, they must continue to advocate for work to be constructed within our province, by our local workers.

Be professional, respectful and deliver a strong message.

Premier Andrew Furey: (709) 729-3570, premier@gov.nl.ca

Hon. Andrew Parsons: (709) 729-2920, andrewparsons@gov.nl.ca

List of MHAs and their contact details: assembly.nl.ca/members

Japan and Norway Stepping up Offshore Wind Collaboration

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:32:14 +0000

March 14, 2023

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to get the business going between offshore wind companies. Both the Norwegian supply chain and developers are interested in the emerging Japanese market. Especially within floating projects, the potential for contracts is large.

From our experience with bottom fixed, we know that those who are early in the market will end up being leading. Therefore, it is important for Norway and Japan to collaborate at an early stage on the development of floating offshore wind, says Arvid Nesse, manager of Norwegian Offshore Wind.

Per now, this Norwegian organization represents close to 370 companies, whereas Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA) has 559 companies and corporations.

Japan has 190 MW of offshore wind power now and has set a target to develop 10 GW by 2030 and 30-45 GW by 2040. 344 MW of 4 projects (including 1 floating project) is under construction. The winner of the 1.7 GW round 1 auction has been decided, 1.8 GW of Round 2 is currently in the bidding process, and a further 16 projects are in the pipeline now

Both of our organizations have the broadest offshore wind industry representation in our two countries. We have always had very good relations with Japan, and with this MOU we are committing to an even closer and more targeted collaboration, comments Nesse.

Several Norwegian companies are in Japan this week for the Wind Expo in Tokyo. In May, a delegation from Japan is expected to the international flagship event for the floating wind industry, Floating Wind Days in Haugesund, opened by the Norwegian prime minister.

Subsea Data Systems Completes First-Ever SMART Repeater Sensor System Prototype

Tina Olivero — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 19:36:09 +0000

March 13, 2023

Subsea Data Systems, Inc., a partnership between Samara/Data and Ocean Specialists, Inc., is pleased to announce the completion of the first-ever SMART Cable sensor system prototype. A Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research program provided the necessary funds to catalyze the rapid development of a fully operational prototype system. SMART Cables include sensor-enabled repeaters that will be incorporated into future trans-oceanic internet cables. The Subsea Data Systems sensor unit has been reporting continuous seismic, pressure, and temperature data to NSF’s SAGE data repository since July 2022.

“The investment from the NSF’s SBIR program enabled our efforts to develop the world’s first SMART sensor prototype system. It represents a major first step in SMART Cable development, which is even more essential with upcoming SMART Cable projects including the CAM system in Portugal. NSF’s investment in Subsea Data Systems allowed us to jumpstart this hardware development. We’re particularly pleased with the productive collaboration with Silicon Audio Seismic in this endeavor. This latest achievement strengthens our ability to bring SMART hardware, software, and data management solutions to the commercial marketplace,” said Steve Lentz, Chief Technology Officer of Subsea Data Systems.

SMART Cables is an innovative real-time deep ocean monitoring technology that will facilitate fundamental improvements in Tsunami Early Warning (TEW), Earthquake Early Warning (EEW), global climate monitoring and telecommunications resiliency. The innovation is to tightly integrate sensors into the amplifiers (“repeaters”) used to boost signals in the optical fibers. The research-grade package includes a 3-axis accelerometer, absolute pressure gauge, and temperature sensor, integrated with data acquisition circuits with suitable dynamic range and precision, a common communications module, an interface suitable for fiber optic cable spans up to 120 km in length, software and firmware necessary to support the data path, an isolated power source, and precision timing. The Subsea Data Systems SMART sensor design is modular, allowing different sensors, adaptation to different repeater housings, or use as a standalone unit.

The development and deployment of SMART Cables will enhance scientific understanding of Earth’s oceans, seafloor, and subsurface via a fundamentally new approach to long-term subsea sensor network deployments. SMART Cables will provide essential new data to reduce disaster risk and improve global climate understanding, thereby reducing societal and environmental vulnerabilities to these long- and short-term threats.

About Subsea Data Systems

Subsea Data Systems provides the full spectrum of SMART Cable hardware, software, and data management solutions for a broad customer base of telecommunications providers, U.S. federal agencies, and international groups designing and building SMART Cable projects. Our team melds domain-specific expertise in submarine fiber optic network development and deployment, the federal government and academic research and development, and scientific and technical subject matter.

Email info@subseadatasystems.com for more details.

Port of Argentia Secures Second Major Contract in Energy Transition

Tina Olivero — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:29:30 +0000

March 14, 2023

The Port of Argentia in Newfoundland and Labrador has secured its second major contract to support the US offshore wind industry, marking a significant opportunity for the region to capitalize on its strategic niche as North America’s first monopile marshalling port.

The port will serve as a critical staging ground for heavy transport vessels arriving at the site with offshore wind monopiles. The monopiles will be transported to a bonded storage marshalling yard on the former US naval air station runways in the Argentia Northside Industrial Area by self-propelled modular transporters. The Port’s infrastructure investments of over $10 million in upgrading infrastructure and creating additional laydown lands adjacent to docking facilities will allow the site to handle future oversized transport and storage projects in the renewable energy and other industrial sectors.

This development highlights the increasing demand for renewable energy infrastructure and provides a positive outlook for economic growth in the Placentia region and the entire province. With over 600 meters of docking facilities and up to 11 meters of draft, the port is well-positioned to become a major player in the renewable energy space.

Port CEO Scott Penney states that “working in collaboration with our global partners in the renewable energy space, the Port secured its second major contract to offload and marshal offshore wind monopiles for eventual installation at project fields off the East Coast of the US.”

Scott Penney – Port of Argentia CEO

Board Chair Wayne Power also comments that “Argentia has been active in pursuing opportunities in the renewable energy space, and these contracts endorse our key features and strategic location as we earn the confidence of global players and successfully execute major projects.”

This news comes at a time of increasing focus on renewable energy and the need for a sustainable future. The US government recently announced plans to develop 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, creating an enormous opportunity for companies involved in the sector. The Port of Argentia’s unique location and infrastructure put it in an ideal position to support the growth of the offshore wind industry in North America.

The Port of Argentia’s success also highlights the importance of investing in renewable energy infrastructure. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the demand for clean energy sources will only continue to grow. Renewable energy infrastructure projects like this one create jobs and boost economic growth, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.

In addition to the economic benefits, the Port’s expansion will also support the growth of renewable energy production, which has numerous environmental benefits. Offshore wind turbines produce clean, renewable energy with no greenhouse gas emissions, making them a critical component in the fight against climate change.

Monopiles on Berms

The Port of Argentia’s success is a prime example of how investing in renewable energy infrastructure can create jobs, support economic growth, and help protect the planet. As the world continues to shift towards a more sustainable future, opportunities like this will become increasingly important. The Port of Argentia’s strategic location and investment in infrastructure provides an exciting opportunity for the region to become a major player in the offshore wind industry and support the US energy transition.

Sea-Breeze Tech: World Class 100MW Offshore Wind Project Happening in Nova Scotia

Tina Olivero — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is a prime location for offshore wind development, thanks to its abundant wind resources and proximity to major population centers. One of the most promising new offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia is the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project, which is being developed by Brezo Energy.

The Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project is a floating offshore wind project that uses sea-breeze technology to capture wind energy in the waters off the coast of Nova Scotia. The project is currently in the development phase, with Brezo Energy conducting tests to ensure that the technology is viable and effective.

The project has a capacity of 100 MW and is designed to provide clean, renewable energy to the people of Nova Scotia. By harnessing the power of the wind in the ocean, the project has the potential to significantly reduce the province’s reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation, while also creating new jobs and economic opportunities in the local community.

One of the unique aspects of the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project is its use of floating turbines. Unlike traditional fixed-bottom turbines, which are anchored to the ocean floor, the turbines in this project float on the surface of the water. This has several advantages, including the ability to place the turbines in deeper waters where wind speeds are higher, and the ability to easily move the turbines if necessary.

The floating turbines in the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project are equipped with advanced sensors and control systems that allow them to automatically adjust their position and orientation in response to changing wind and wave conditions. This ensures maximum efficiency and safety and helps to minimize the impact of the turbines on the surrounding environment.

10 interesting game-changing aspects of the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project:

Sea-Breeze Technology: The project utilizes sea-breeze technology, which is a new and innovative way to capture wind energy in offshore environments. This technology allows for the use of floating turbines, which can be placed in deeper waters where wind speeds are higher.
Floating Turbines: Unlike traditional fixed-bottom turbines, the turbines in the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project float on the surface of the water. This allows for more efficient energy production and easier maintenance.
Capacity: The project has a capacity of 100 MW, which is enough to power thousands of homes and businesses in Nova Scotia.
Location: The project is located off the coast of Nova Scotia, which is known for its strong and consistent wind resources.
Renewable Energy: The project will generate clean, renewable energy that will reduce Nova Scotia’s reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the fight against climate change.
Job Creation: The development, construction, and operation of the project are expected to create new jobs and economic opportunities in Nova Scotia.
Advanced Sensors and Control Systems: The floating turbines in the project are equipped with advanced sensors and control systems that allow them to automatically adjust their position and orientation in response to changing wind and wave conditions. This ensures maximum efficiency and safety.
Sustainable Development: Brezo Energy is committed to working closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the project is successful and sustainable.
Environmental Benefits: The project could have important environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing the impact on marine ecosystems.
Innovation: The use of sea-breeze technology and floating turbines is a game-changing innovation in the offshore wind industry, with the potential to make offshore wind power more affordable and accessible in a wider range of locations.

While the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project is still in the development phase, it has already generated a lot of excitement and interest in the offshore wind industry. The project represents a major step forward in the development of sea-breeze technology, which has the potential to make offshore wind power more affordable and accessible in a wider range of locations.

In addition to its potential as a source of clean, renewable energy, the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project could also have important environmental benefits. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation, the project could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. It could also have a positive impact on marine ecosystems by reducing the need for oil and gas drilling in sensitive ocean habitats.

The development of the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project is also expected to create new jobs and economic opportunities in the local community. As the project moves into the construction and operational phases, it is likely to generate demand for skilled workers in areas such as engineering, construction, and maintenance.

While there are still challenges to overcome in the development of the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project, Brezo Energy is committed to working closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the project is successful and sustainable. The company is investing heavily in research and development to refine the technology and make it more affordable and is working closely with regulators and other stakeholders to ensure that the project is compatible with local environmental and social needs.

Overall, the Sea-Breeze Tech Offshore Wind Project represents an exciting new development in the field of offshore wind power. By using floating turbines and advanced sensors and control systems, the project has the potential to transform the way we think about renewable energy and make offshore wind power a more viable option for countries around the world. With its abundant wind resources and supportive regulatory environment, Nova Scotia is poised to play a leading role in the development of this exciting new technology.

Sea-Breeze Tech Demonstration Project

Source and Credit: sea-breeze.ca

Westcon Shipyard: Setting the Standard for Excellence in Shipbuilding

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

When it comes to shipbuilding, few shipyards in the world can match the level of quality, efficiency, and innovation that Westcon Shipyard brings to the table. Founded in 1993, Westcon has grown to become one of the most respected and revered shipyards in the world, known for its dedication to excellence and its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. From its state-of-the-art facilities to its highly skilled workforce, there are numerous reasons why Westcon is considered one of the most amazing shipyards on earth.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

One of the key reasons why Westcon Shipyard is so impressive is its world-class facilities. The shipyard is located in the Norwegian town of Ølen and boasts a massive drydock measuring 140 meters in length, 22 meters in width, and 8.5 meters in depth. This impressive facility allows Westcon to handle a wide range of ships, from small fishing vessels to large ocean-going cargo ships.

In addition to its drydock, Westcon also has a modern workshop that is equipped with the latest technology and equipment. This allows the shipyard to carry out repairs and upgrades with a high degree of precision and efficiency, which is critical when dealing with complex vessels that require specialized skills and knowledge.

Highly Skilled Workforce

Another factor that sets Westcon Shipyard apart from its competitors is the quality of its workforce. The shipyard employs over 300 skilled professionals, including engineers, welders, electricians, and other specialized technicians. Many of these workers have years of experience in the shipbuilding industry, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their work.

At Westcon, the workforce is not just skilled, but also highly motivated and committed to delivering exceptional results. The shipyard has a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration, with employees working closely together to ensure that projects are completed on time and to the highest standards.

Commitment to Innovation

Westcon Shipyard is also known for its commitment to innovation. The shipyard is constantly looking for ways to improve its processes and techniques, and it invests heavily in research and development. For example, the shipyard has developed a specialized coating system that improves the efficiency of ships by reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.

In addition to its own research and development, Westcon also works closely with leading shipbuilders and other industry experts to stay at the forefront of shipbuilding technology. This allows the shipyard to offer its customers the latest and most advanced solutions, ensuring that its vessels are equipped with the best possible technology.

Unwavering Commitment to Customer Satisfaction

Perhaps the most important factor that makes Westcon Shipyard one of the most amazing shipyards on earth is its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The shipyard takes a customer-centric approach to its work, focusing on delivering the best possible service and results to its clients. Whether it is a minor repair or a major overhaul, Westcon always puts the needs and requirements of its customers first.

This commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in the shipyard’s many long-term partnerships with leading shipping companies and other organizations. These partnerships are built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to excellence, and they are a testament to the quality of the work that Westcon delivers.

Westcon Shipyard is undoubtedly one of the most amazing shipyards on earth. From its state-of-the-art facilities to its highly skilled workforce, its commitment to innovation, and its unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, the shipyard sets the standard for excellence in shipbuilding. Whether you are a shipping company in need of repairs or upgrades, or a shipbuilder looking for a partner who can deliver the best possible results, Westcon Shipyard is the place to turn. With a proven track record of success and a reputation for excellence that is unmatched in the industry, Westcon Shipyard is truly a remarkable and impressive organization.

What makes Westcon Shipyard so unique is the way that it combines cutting-edge technology and advanced techniques with a deep commitment to quality, reliability, and customer service. This is a rare combination in the world of shipbuilding, and it is one that has helped Westcon to stand out and earn the respect and admiration of its peers and customers.

Looking ahead, it is clear that Westcon Shipyard will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the shipbuilding industry. With its focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, the shipyard is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the market and to continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in shipbuilding.

Whether you are a shipowner, a shipbuilder, or simply an admirer of the art and science of shipbuilding, Westcon Shipyard is a name that you should know. With its impressive facilities, talented workforce, and unwavering commitment to excellence, it is no wonder that Westcon is considered one of the most amazing shipyards on earth.

WESTCON SHIPYARD FACILITIES

RENEWABLE ENERGY – ONSHORE WIND TURBINES

In addition to its shipbuilding activities, Westcon has also been involved in the renewable energy sector, particularly in the production of wind turbines. In 2021, the shipyard announced plans to establish a new production facility for wind turbines at Dommersnes, a site located on the west coast of Norway.

The new facility will focus on the series production of onshore wind turbines, which are used to generate electricity from wind power. The turbines produced at the Dommersnes facility will have a capacity of between 2.5 and 5 megawatts and will be designed to meet the needs of the Norwegian and European markets.

Westcon’s decision to expand into wind turbine production is part of its broader strategy to diversify its business and capitalize on new opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The shipyard has already been involved in the construction of offshore wind turbines, and its experience in shipbuilding and heavy industry makes it well-suited to the production of wind turbines.

The new wind turbine facility at Dommersnes is expected to create around 100 new jobs and will be a significant source of economic activity in the region. It is also expected to help to drive the growth of the renewable energy sector in Norway, which has been identified as a key priority by the government.

Westcon’s decision to expand into wind turbine production is a reflection of the company’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to adapt to changing market conditions. By embracing new opportunities in the renewable energy sector, Westcon is well-positioned to continue to be a leader in the shipbuilding industry and contribute to the growth of the Norwegian economy.

SOURCE AND PICTURES
westcon.no

Appointment With Royalty For ABB’s Offshore Wind Electrification Solutions

Tina Olivero — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:23:38 +0000

MARCH 2, 2023

An ABB delegation joined Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and the UK’s Secretary of State for New Energy and Net Zero, Grant Shapps MP, at an energy transition summit on Wednesday 1 March in London. The one-day event, attended by 500 energy business leaders and government officials from Norway and the UK, strengthened collaborations between the two countries to achieve net zero by 2050.

The event emphasized the significance of policy frameworks, investments, advancement in digitalization and artificial intelligence and cross-border cooperation between the United Kingdom and Norway. It also sought to address the challenges and solutions to reduce emissions intensity in the production of offshore oil and gas through electrification and offshore wind power.

With over 40 years of experience as a technology leader in power generation, management and control of offshore wind, ABB was invited to present how the electrification of offshore facilities and the integration of renewables can help accelerate the energy transition.

“It was an honor to be able to demonstrate to this summit how ABB’s electrification, automation and digitalization technologies are playing a key role in electrifying offshore assets with renewables, integrating offshore wind into the energy mix to help reduce industrial CO2 emissions,” said Asmund Maland, Senior Vice President Subsea and Offshore Power at ABB Energy Industries. “Such technology also enhances safety, drives productivity, ensures reliability and increases efficiency for offshore energy producers.”

The environmental benefits of offshore wind extend beyond boosting the amount of clean energy in the overall mix. For example, at Hywind Tampen in the Norwegian North Sea – the world’s first floating wind farm to power oil and gas platforms – offshore wind generation is being used to decarbonize hydrocarbon projects. Supplying renewable electricity to oil and gas fields reduces the emissions per barrel of the oil produced. ABB’s scope of work on the project includes an automation solution that controls the power generation from the wind farm so it can be connected to the oil and gas operations.

The UK is committed to becoming a clean energy superpower by the end of this decade. In December 2022, the government signed an agreement on offshore renewable energy cooperation with the EU and North Sea countries. The collaboration of the development of offshore renewable energy and grid infrastructure will support the UK’s target to increase offshore wind fivefold to 50 GW by 2030.

“For both the UK and Norway, enhancing our energy security and independence is an absolute priority – moving away from volatile international markets in fossil fuels and towards greater use of alternative energy sources,” said Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for New Energy and Net Zero. “Today’s extension of the historic partnership between our two nations – will do just that, boosting our use of the latest green technologies to ensure the security of supply, and increasing cooperation on the latest innovations and developments that will maintain our positions as world leaders in this field.”

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, and marine offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

go.abb/processautomation

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.

www.abb.com

Boskalis Acquires Multidisciplinary Offshore Wind Farm Project Moray West

Tina Olivero — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:40:25 +0000

28 February 2023

Boskalis has secured a multidisciplinary role in the development of the Moray West offshore wind farm in Scotland. On behalf of its client, Boskalis will carry out a large number of activities contributing to the development of this renewable energy project in the coming 12 months. The sizable contract was awarded by Ocean Winds, the 50:50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE dedicated to offshore wind energy.

The Moray West offshore wind farm is located off the east coast of Scotland in the Moray Firth. The 882 MW wind farm will have the capacity to power up to 640,000 homes in the United Kingdom. The development consists of 60 offshore wind turbines and two substations, all fixed on monopile foundations. Based on the large turbine size (14.7 megawatts) and water depth (up to 54 meters), extremely large XXL monopiles weighing up to 2,000 tons each will be required for this development.

Boskalis has been able to offer a broad range of its capabilities in this project and already carried out offshore geophysical site surveys that also included surveys for the identification of unexploded ordnance.

In the coming months, Boskalis will transport a large number of the monopiles from the Far East to discharge at the port of Invergordon, near the project site. These monopiles – eight per voyage – will be transported on the heavy transport vessel White Marlin.

Prior to the installation of the foundations, Boskalis will carry out the seabed preparation activities by installing a layer of rock that will act as a filter and scour protection for the monopiles.

Subsequently, Boskalis will deploy its DP crane vessel Bokalift 2 for the installation campaign. With its 4,000-ton crane, the Bokalift 2 will install the monopiles using its new upending hinge and motion-compensated pile gripper. Furthermore, in addition to a very large impact hammer, Boskalis will also deploy a vibro-hammer on this project. As a part of its campaign, Boskalis will also install two substations with their respective transition pieces.

Boskalis’ strategy is aimed at leveraging on key macroeconomic factors which drive worldwide demand in our markets: expansion of the global economy, increase in energy consumption, global population growth and the challenges that go hand in hand with climate change. This project is related to the development of generating renewable energy due to climate change and increasing energy consumption.

Boskalis is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors. The company provides creative and innovative all-round solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal and delta regions of the world. With core activities such as coastal defense, riverbank protection and land reclamation Boskalis is able to provide adaptive and mitigating solutions to combat the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels, as well as delivering solutions for the increasing need for space in coastal and delta regions across the world. The company facilitates the development of offshore energy infrastructure, including renewable wind energy. Boskalis is furthermore active in the construction and maintenance of ports, waterways, access channels and civil infrastructure, thus helping to facilitate trade flows and regional socio-economic development. In addition, Boskalis is a global marine salvage expert and has a strategic partnership in terminal services (Smit Lamnalco). With a versatile fleet of more than 500 vessels and floating equipment and approximately 10,000 employees, including associates, Boskalis is creating new horizons around the world.

www.boskalis.com

TERRA NOVA: Returns Home to Newfoundland Offshore

Tina Olivero — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Suncor Energy’s Terra Nova Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel is expected to resume oil production off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in the second quarter of 2023 after completing repairs on its subsea production system.

Terra Nova Project Locator Map

The Terra Nova oil field, located about 350 kilometers southeast of St. John’s, had been producing oil since 2002 until it was forced to shut down in December 2019 due to a crack in the FPSO’s hull. After the hull was repaired, Suncor announced in September 2020 that it was suspending operations at the oil field to conduct a review of the project’s economics and seek financial support from the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

Following the review, Suncor said in April 2021 that it had reached a framework agreement with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and its partners in the Terra Nova project to extend the life of the oil field. The agreement would involve a $500-million investment from the province, which would own an 8.5% stake in the project, and a commitment from Suncor and its partners to extend the life of the oil field by about a decade.

As part of the agreement, Suncor also committed to repairing the subsea production system, which had been a major source of issues for the Terra Nova project. The subsea production system comprises a series of pipes and equipment on the ocean floor that collects oil from the wells and transports it to the FPSO for processing and storage.

The FPSO has a storage capacity of about 960,000 barrels of oil and can produce up to 100,000 barrels per day. Its return to production is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Newfoundland and Labrador, including jobs, royalties, and tax revenues.

The Terra Nova project is owned by a consortium if companies. Suncor, Cenovus, and Murphy Oil, control 100% of the project with the following increased ownership positions: Suncor – 48% (previously approximately 38%); Cenovus – 34% (previously 13%); and Murphy Oil – 18% (previously approximately 10%).

The project has faced several challenges over the years, including declining production, higher costs, and a drop in oil prices. In 2019, the project’s partners said they needed to find ways to reduce costs and increase production in order to extend the life of the oil field.

The repair of the subsea production system is seen as a major milestone for the Terra Nova project, as it is expected to improve production and reduce costs. The repair work involved replacing several components of the system, including flowlines, umbilicals, and control systems, and was carried out by Subsea 7, a global engineering and construction company.

Suncor said in a statement that the repair work was completed in June 2022 and that the FPSO was expected to return to the oil field in the second quarter of 2023 to resume production. The company said it would take about six months to ramp up production to full capacity.

The return of the Terra Nova FPSO is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in oil prices. The province has been seeking to diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on oil and gas revenues, but the Terra Nova project is still seen as an important source of income and jobs.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government said in a statement that it was pleased with the agreement reached with Suncor and its partners and that it would continue to work with them to ensure the success of the project.

“The extension of the life of the Terra Nova oil field is a critical investment in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry and in our province’s economic future,” said Premier Andrew Furey. “It will provide significant benefits for our people, including jobs, revenue, and opportunities for local companies. We look forward to working with Suncor and its partners to ensure that the project is successful and that it benefits all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

The Terra Nova project is just one of many oil and gas projects in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore waters, which have been a key source of income and jobs for the province for several decades. The province is home to several large oil fields, including Hibernia, Hebron, and White Rose, as well as several other smaller fields.

However, the future of the province’s offshore oil and gas industry is uncertain, as the world shifts towards renewable energy and countries take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Many companies are also facing pressure from investors and activists to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and invest more in cleaner sources of energy.

Despite these challenges, Suncor and its partners in the Terra Nova project are optimistic about the future of the oil field and the province’s offshore industry. They say that the project’s extension will provide a much-needed boost to the industry and help to secure jobs and economic benefits for the province for many years to come.

The repair and return of Suncor’s Terra Nova FPSO vessel to the oil field off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is a significant development for the province’s offshore oil and gas industry. The repair of the subsea production system is a major milestone for the Terra Nova project, and its return to production is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the province, including jobs, royalties, and tax revenues. While the future of the province’s offshore industry is uncertain, the extension of the Terra Nova project is a welcome development for the province and its people, and a sign that there is still life in the offshore oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

BOURQUE INDUSTRIAL: Atlantic Canadian Company Succeeds With “Out of The Box” Creativity

Tina Olivero — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Bourque Industrial Ltd. is a Canadian company that provides industrial services to clients across various industries. The company offers a range of services, including fabrication and welding, maintenance and repair, mechanical installation, project management, and more.

In the late 1960s, the four brothers (Paul, Ken, David, and Mike) bought the company from their father. Later the companies name was changed to Bourque Industrial Ltd to better reflect the services that the company provided beyond just welding. As time passed and personal interest changed, Paul remained with his 2 sons John and Andrew to run the company. After Andrews retirement and Paul’s later retirement John became the sole owner of the Bourque Industrial

Building a Bourque Legacy

Bourque Industrial has since grown to become a respected name in the industry, with a reputation for delivering high-quality work on time and on budget. Based in New Brunswick, Canada, Bourque serves clients across North America. President, John Bourque has extensive experience in the industrial sector and is known for his hands-on approach to project management. He is committed to providing clients with the best possible service and has built a strong team of professionals who share his vision and values. Under his leadership, Bourque Industrial has grown significantly and is expected to continue to expand in the coming years.

John Bourque takes a leadership approach to the business with innovative and creative fabrication solutions. This has broadened the scope of Bourque Industrial’s services as they offer clients custom metal fabrication in materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloy and aluminum for a variety of projects in North America.

Bourque Industrial’s customers represent some of the largest firms in power generation, petroleum refining, process equipment, marine, renewables, and structural steel. Bourque says, “Renewables are a fast-growing sector. From on and offshore wind to various Hydrogen opportunities as well as various ocean and tidal technologies, the future looks very exciting.”

John Bourque is responsible for making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of the company, as well as representing the company to industry, the media, and the public. Bourque Industrial’s strategic vision and goals span far and wide. John explains, “As a fabrication company with a wide range of clients, we work to ensure our clients are served at the highest level. Our customers are partners not just clients. As such we strive to foster those relationships every day. Every employee is encouraged to build on these relationships at every level. We do not win if our customers do not win.”

With extensive experience in the fabrication industry John Bourque strategically developed projects with a seed of creativity, Bourque says, “Over our 76 years there is no doubt we have worked on some interesting projects. It’s difficult to point to any one given our wide range of sectors. I think the ones that I find most interesting are those that challenge our thinking of how to best meet our customer’s requirements. The more “out of the box” thinking and collaboration, the more interesting they are.”

Bourque’s 23,000 sq ft indoor fabrication facility, located in Saint John, New Brunswick, houses our ever-growing list of specialized tools and equipment to handle all the custom fabrication needs to keep pace with a rapidly growing industry.

Bourque describes his leadership style as, “the ability to put the right people in the right roles and give them the tools and support. To challenge traditional thinking and empower people to make decisions that enhance the values of the organization and learn from their experiences.”

Self Extracting/Retracting Gangway

From Custom Fabrication services to maintenance and repair services for manufactures to creating specialized equipment and parts for their clients unique needs, Bourque Industrial continues to expand it’s knowledge base and evolve with every project competed.

Overall, Bourque Industrial is known for delivering high-quality work on time and on budget, making them a trusted partner for clients looking for industrial services.

Source & Images:
BourqueIndustrial.com

ROV Training Partnership Advances Industry Skills Agenda

Tina Olivero — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 16:47:00 +0000

20th February 2023

Subsea resourcing specialist DRIFT Offshore, which provides people and expert support services for projects internationally, has struck a partnership agreement to deliver technical training on Seatronics’ industry-leading VALOR ROV system.

The collaboration with subsea technology provider Seatronics, a brand in Acteon’s Data and Robotics division, will serve to sustain a pool of skilled and competent pilots and demonstrates DRIFT Offshore’s training capabilities within its wider service offering.

The VALOR ROV technology is among the most up-to-date on the subsea market, bridging the gap between Observation Class and Work Class ROVs by using a network-based operating system and advanced sensor control.

Kyle Pitman, Founder and Director at DRIFT Offshore, says: “Our partnership with Seatronics gives us a new opportunity to show how our quality training services can support the industry and pilots in achieving their goals.

“The deployment of the latest technology by competent individuals is key to delivering safe and successful projects, increasing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.

“It is an integrated option for service providers, who can source the VALOR ROV from Seatronics and fully qualified operating personnel from DRIFT Offshore, and a welcome means for pilots to augment their skill set.

“For DRIFT Offshore it will create a pipeline of pilots trained on the VALOR ROV, broadening our personnel offering which already extends across a wide range of equipment and sectors.

“We are delighted to be working with Seatronics, which has an exceptional reputation in the subsea electronics market, to move the industry’s skills agenda forward in this way.”

DRIFT Offshore is to lead the training courses in both the UK and the USA, utilizing the VALOR ROV and Seatronics test tanks.

Derek Donaldson – Seatronics Group Managing Director said: “Seatronics are delighted to enter into this partnership with DRIFT Offshore. The VALOR ROV offers the market a cutting-edge solution that positively disrupts the observation class market. It is imperative that the operators are fully trained on the system so that they can utilize the built-in technology to its full potential to ensure that they optimize the pilot experience. DRIFT Offshore offers a range of advanced training courses and VALOR fits well into their portfolio.”

Kyle Pitman adds: “The partnership strengthens the holistic approach DRIFT Offshore takes to creating the skills the subsea industry needs, and reflects our progressive approach. By working with individuals – from those starting out to the most experienced personnel – to map out their careers, we ensure they have a plan in place to equip them with the skills and hands-on experience they will need for the future.”

About DRIFT Offshore

DRIFT Offshore provides people and expert support services for safe and successful project execution. It offers the complete package: competent personnel, quality training, technical expertise, crewing and management services, and strategic resource planning.

DRIFT Offshore people are proven in solving complex problems and keeping operations on track.

DRIFT Offshore is a subsea resourcing alternative based on a unique combination of fresh thinking and years of front-line global experience.

www.driftoffshore.com

About Seatronics

Seatronics, a brand in Acteon’s Data and Robotics Division is the industry’s leading technology specialist in subsea electronics. Seatronics provides marine electronic equipment to the global subsea market via rental/hire and purchase options.

Seatronics are trusted by its clients to provide innovative technologies and to develop bespoke solutions utilizing our vast experience of subsea electronics, integrating and packaging equipment to meet varying subsea challenges.

Their latest development, the VALOR, is the most powerful observation ROV available.

In addition to equipment rental and sales, Seatronics offers a number of trusted services including manufacturing subsea connector and cable assemblies, asset management and state-of-the-art calibration facilities.

www.acteon.com

NEWFOUNDLAND: The Net Zero Project & Electrification Possibilities Offshore

Tina Olivero — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 13:20:03 +0000

The Net Zero Project is a collaboration within the energy and environmental industries to drive economic growth, diversification, investment, and awareness through the lens of sustainability and the pursuit of net zero in Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy sector.

The Net Zero Project supports the development of clean growth strategies and projects in priority areas of Canada’s net zero journey as they relate to its offshore energy industry: carbon capture, utilization, and storage; electrification and renewable energy; and hydrogen.

The Net Zero initiative includes a range of activities, such as:

Developing a roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador by 2050.
Establishing a network of organizations committed to the transition to a net-zero economy.
Conducting research and analysis to identify opportunities for reducing emissions and developing new technologies.
Providing training and support to businesses and organizations to help them reduce their carbon footprint.

THE NET ZERO ELECTRIFICATION FEASIBILITY STUDY

Aker Solutions is a market leader in both offshore greenfield and offshore brownfield electrification of oil
and gas facilities through studies and projects in Norway, Scotland, Gulf of Mexico, Australia and Brazil.
Aker has taken the learnings from these activities and applied them to potential developments offshore
Newfoundland and Labrador.

Offshore platforms typically generate electricity by burning fossil fuels to run onboard gas turbines and/or
diesel-powered generating units. An alternative is to supply offshore installations with electricity from the
mainland using a power cable transmission system.

There are many benefits to utilizing power from the shore including reduced CO2 emissions, increased efficiency due to increased uptime of power system, increased safety due to reduction in possible sources of ignition and reduced planned maintenance and lower operating costs.

Power can be connected from shore via alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). For distances longer than 150 km, high voltage direct current (HVDC) has historically been used. The power transmission losses of the entire string do however always need to be considered from an overall perspective.

Power from shore is widely used offshore Norway where sixteen fields constituting 45% of the countries’ oil and gas production will be connected to the shore by 2023 by both HVDC and AC cables. Similar to
Newfoundland and Labrador, Norway’s electrical grid is predominantly powered by low GHG emitting
hydroelectric power. This project aims to apply lessons learned from the Norwegian power from shore
experience to future developments in the more challenging offshore environment of Newfoundland and
Labrador.

Offshore developments in Norway are typically in 100-400m water depth, and generally within 150km of
shore, whereas the potential development areas identified in this scope are in iceberg-prone locations more than 400km offshore and in water depths greater than 1200m. This water depth leads to floating solutions that have to be readily able to disconnect in the event of a potential iceberg impact. The only FPSO currently powered from shore in Norway is the permanently moored circular Goliat FPSO located in 400m of water and 100km offshore, in an area that is not prone to icebergs.

POWER FROM SHORE SCENARIOS

Two potential greenfield power from shore development scenarios have been identified; a development in the West Orphan Basin with a point of interconnection (POI) at the Soldiers Pond station, and a potential development in the Labrador Sea with a POI at the Muskrat Falls generating station (See Figure 3-1: Potential Power From Shore Development Areas).

Aker’s analysis indicates that electrifying new floating developments in these locations is challenging but feasible. These developments would be amongst the furthest from shore and deepest water electrification projects carried out to date.

The most appropriate technology for these locations is low-frequency AC distribution with subsea transformers acting as distribution points to the FPSO. The diagrams below are a representation of the preferred LFAC approaches.

LFAC power from Shore Transmission System for 2xFPSOs

Representation of an LFAC power from shore transmission system for 4xFPSOs

The development of this initiative points toward the use of a Low-Frequency AC transmission and distribution system. This transmission technology will require less onboard space, reduced weight, and offer more flexibility in the electrical system design of the FPSO because major equipment, such as a gas compressor, can utilize the incoming 20Hz power and smaller converters and transformers can feed the remaining equipment as necessary.

This will lead to reductions in regular maintenance, and increases in system uptime as the system does not require the maintenance or downtime associated with main power generation by onboard rotating machines.

This system would require an onshore connection to the power grid and equipment to step down the voltage between 132kV and 145kV for subsea transmission. It also requires a subsea cable connected to a subsea transformer for distribution to multiple FPSOs, and to step down the power from the transmission voltage to 50-66kV, for use on each FPSO. It would also require dynamic cables from the sea bed to the FPSO, and will require the use of an electrical swivel if a ship-shaped FPSO concept is selected.

To review the full report click here

Shell Starts Production at Vito in US Gulf of Mexico

Tina Olivero — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:51:09 +0000

16 February 2023

Shell Offshore Inc., a subsidiary of Shell plc, announced that production has started at the Shell-operated Vito floating production facility in the US Gulf of Mexico. With an estimated peak production of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, Vito is the company’s first deep-water platform in the GoM to employ a simplified, cost-efficient host design.

“Vito is an excellent example of how we are approaching our projects to meet the energy demands of today and tomorrow while remaining resilient as we work toward achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” said Zoe Yujnovich, Shell’s Upstream Director, adding, “Building on more than 40 years of deep-water expertise, projects like Vito enable us to generate greater value from the GoM, where our production has amongst the lowest greenhouse gas intensity in the world for producing oil.”

The Vito development is owned by Shell Offshore Inc. (63.11% operator) and Equinor (36.89%). In 2015, the original host design was rescoped and simplified, resulting in a reduction of approximately 80% in CO₂ emissions over the lifetime of the facility as well as a cost reduction of more than 70% from the original host concept.

Vito also serves as the design standard for our Whale project that will feature a 99% replication of the Vito hull and 80% of Vito’s topsides.

Shell’s Powering Progress strategy to thrive through the energy transition includes increasing investment in lower-carbon energy solutions while continuing to pursue the most energy-efficient and highest-return Upstream investments.

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, Hapag-Lloyd & Jurong Port Universal Terminal Kick-start First Biofuel Bunker Term Delivery

Tina Olivero — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000

8 February 2023

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has successfully completed its first refueling of a Hapag-Lloyd container vessel in Singapore with sustainable, UCOME-based, marine biofuel.

This inaugural bunker operation marks the start of a term supply agreement between the two companies, which commits TotalEnergies to provide VLSFO blended with 24% second-generation, waste-based and ISCC-certified UCOME to Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet. Based on a well-to-wake assessment, this B24 biofuel blend will reduce approximately 20% of Greenhouse Gas emissions compared with conventional fuel oil.

As part of this milestone operation, Hapag-Lloyd’s 15,000 TEU container vessel, Afif, took on 2,000 MT of biofuel on 20th January 2023. The ship-to-ship biofuel transfer was made possible with the services rendered by Jurong Port Universal Terminal Pte Ltd. JPUT also took on 100 percent UCOME bio-component into their storage tanks for the first time, which further underscores the significance of this operation.

Jan Christensen, Senior Director, Global Fuel Purchasing of Hapag-Lloyd, said: “We are very pleased with the cooperation with TotalEnergies for the supply of biofuel in Singapore. This is another early step for Hapag-Lloyd on our decarbonization journey. In combination with other green fuels, biofuel will play an important role in a carbon-free environment by 2045. Consistent supply of biofuel in Singapore will allow us to offer sustainable transportation solutions to our customers, thereby supporting them in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Louise Tricoire, Vice President of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, said: “We are excited to support Hapag-Lloyd’s decarbonization strategy with the development of this new supply chain for marine biofuels. It underlines both companies’ long-term collaboration to explore and develop initiatives that promote the introduction of clean, low-carbon alternative fuels. Importantly, this biofuel bunker term contract also ushers a new chapter for TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, as we build on our operational expertise gained from multiple biofuel bunker trials we have done in 2022, to provide a scalable solution of this lower-carbon marine fuel.”

Loh Wei, Chief Executive Officer of Jurong Port Universal Terminal, said: “JPUT is excited to work with TotalEnergies Marine Fuels as our first customer for the bulk storage and delivery of biofuel bunkers in Singapore. As the largest independent petroleum storage terminal in Asia, JPUT has been working on several new initiatives for low-carbon fuels for the last two years. We are glad to be able to bring this UCOME initiative to the market in record time, thanks to the close collaboration with TotalEnergies. With this and other new initiatives focused on carbon reduction, clean fuels and sustainability, JPUT is well-positioned to be a leading clean and sustainable future fuels storage provider, reinforcing Singapore’s status as the world’s leading bunkering hub.”

About Hapag-Lloyd

With a fleet of 252 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 1.8 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. The Company has around 14,500 employees and more than 400 offices in 137 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 3.0 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 123 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the leading operators in the Transatlantic, Middle East, Latin America and Intra-America trades.

https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/home.html

About Jurong Port Universal Terminal Pte Ltd (JPUT)

Jurong Port Universal Terminal (JPUT) offers 2.33 million cubic meters of petroleum storage capacity and has been providing integrated business solutions to our customers since operations in January 2008. JPUT’s services are available 24/7 and to date, JPUT has served more than 70,000 vessels and delivered over 400 million tons of oil products. At JPUT, customers enjoy significant cost savings and faster turnaround time as we strive to provide safe, reliable and efficient services. JPUT is the preferred one-stop provider of safe, reliable and efficient services for our customers’ storage, blending and distribution needs.

https://www.jpuniversal.com.sg/

About TotalEnergies Marine Fuels

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

THE OGM & TINA OLIVERO – Recognized by Peers For Publishing Legacy & 30+ Years in Energy Industry

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:35:25 +0000

It really is one of the greatest feelings in the world to be acknowledged by your peers….which is exactly what happened today at the @EnergyNL breakfast awards. I can’t believe I’ve been in the energy business for 32 years now…it truly has been an honour. And I’m not going anywhere yet, we may have flatlined during Covid19, reduced to zero….but even so, in many regards I feel like I’m just getting started.

The good news is… The OGM is the OFFICIAL magazine for Canada’s top 4 Hydrogen & Renewable conferences this year!!! Boom – how to make a come back.

Bring on the energy – mind, body, spirit, community, industry.. It’s all about energy. Energy to matter, matter to energy…it’s all right here in our hands to create a sustainable new energy future…and the only way we are going to do that is to be ENERGIZED ourselves. Energy is an inside game. You generate energy and the world flows from there.

Way to go to all the people who got awards today because there’s nothing harder than surviving and thriving 30+ years in business in Newfoundland. It takes being a WARRIOR, a super strong conviction…and a willness to take on yourself and all the tough challenges and turn them into opportunities and contributions.
May the next 30 years of energy be even more exciting as we see new eVOL planes in our skies, new AI systems taking care of all the mundane jobs, a globalization of our economies and an entirely new techonolgically advanced society.

I’m so proud to now be an elder. I’ll be 60 this year….and every wrinkle has a story of hardship transformed to grace and contribution to others. In my view…that’s the best we really have.
If you have a legacy story to tell in TheOGM.com I want to hear from you because any company over 30 years old, deserves a world of recognition and I’d love to tell your story.

Over and out!
Tina Olivero

Oval Gear Flow Meters For The Oil & Gas Industry

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:06:57 +0000

February 7, 2023

Titan Enterprises supplies high-performance Oval Gear flow meters for oil and gas related processes where flow measurement is fundamental in upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the Oil and Gas industry.

High-Pressure Oval Gear Flowmeters

For the successful transportation and refining of crude oils, a whole raft of additives is required. These vary from simple surfactants to complex blended scales and corrosion inhibitors. The chemical additives are injected in small quantities at high pressure and are critical to the whole refining process. Consequently, careful monitoring of their addition to any process is essential. Petrochemical additive injection fluids vary in both viscosity and density, and any flowmeter installed into a plant should be able to cope with a wide range of physical and chemical properties. Titan’s Oval Gear range of flowmeters, with standard models in 316 stainless steel, aluminum, and PEEK materials, have pressure ratings from 50 bar to 700 bar, with options to 950 bar. These flow devices offer excellent chemical resistance whilst maintaining high performance and 0.1% repeatability. Titan’s in-house pressure testing facility enables certification of its own meters for high-pressure operation. For OEM-specific applications, alternative features are available including high-pressure options up to 950 bar and designs that can be pressure tested in-house up to 1200 bar.

Flow Measurement of High Viscosity Fluids

High-viscosity liquids, such as thick oils, bitumen and tar require devices that are precision engineered to provide highly accurate flow measurement. Almost immune from the effects of varying liquid viscosity, density and temperature, the measurement accuracy of Titans’ Oval Gear (OG) flowmeters improves as liquid viscosity increases, from a nominal 1% to around 0.1% of flow rate at higher viscosities. Titan’s standard OG models provide high accuracy up to 1000 cSt, the efficiency of the meter improving with increased viscosity. At higher viscosities above 1000 cSt for specific OEM applications, specially profiled gears can be supplied.

Flow Monitoring in an Explosive Atmosphere

Titan Enterprises offers special options for its Oval Gear flow meters to ensure safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as those encountered in the petrochemical industry. Titan’s Oval Gear range of meters includes ATEX-compliant IP65/NEMA 4 protection models, and devices that offer intrinsically safe options to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. As well as being constructed from durable materials, a fully certified NAMUR Proximity Switch can be installed into the Oval Gear flow meters. The NAMUR Proximity Switch is an intrinsically safe sensor specially designed for use in hazardous location areas that have explosive gas, dust, or fibers present, enabling the OG series flow meters to deliver highly accurate flow measurements in explosive atmospheres.

https://flowmeters.co.uk/oval-gear-flow-meters/

BiSN Awarded Key North Sea Contract

Tina Olivero — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:46:53 +0000

January 26, 2023

BiSN, a leading supplier of downhole sealing solutions and technology to the global oil and gas industry, announced that it has been awarded a key contract by a major oil and gas operator in the North Sea.

The contract requires BiSN to use its proprietary Wel-lok™ alloy barrier technology to safely and efficiently plug and abandon oil and gas wells in the North Sea.

Environmentally friendly, permanent well-barrier & gas-tight seal technology

BiSN signed a three-year contract, which features two one-year extensions, to provide this operator with Wel-lok™ alloy plugs for its ongoing offshore UK P&A campaign in the North Sea. The technology is a cost-effective and environmentally-driven solution that provides a permanent well-barrier and gas-tight seal in single and multiple annuli.

The scope of work includes providing BiSN Wel-lok™ alloy plug barrier technology, which ensures a permanent plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells so that they are securely and reliably sealed, vastly reducing corporate liability and potential environmental impact. BiSN’s industry-leading alloy plugs are a superior solution compared with conventional technology that uses cement, elastomers, resin, or others as sealing elements that deteriorate over time, particularly in harsh environments.

“We are pleased and very excited that BiSN has been awarded this major contract. This is another step forward in the execution of our company mission to provide unique barrier solutions that protect the earth’s natural resources”, said Paul Carragher, Founder and CEO of BiSN. “Our strategic objectives, which include providing our novel technology and best-in-class services, focus on working collaboratively with our customers to support and exceed their well-abandonment objectives.”

“This award recognizes BiSN’s differentiating technology and capabilities to deliver a permanent well barrier in challenging offshore oil and gas wells,” said Mark Nicol, BiSN Regional Business Development Manager – UK, Europe & Africa. “We look forward to collaborating with this operator and all associated stakeholders to successfully complete this project.”

Successful performance in the North Sea

BiSN has been actively supporting customers operating in the UK and Norwegian North Sea since 2017. Its largest-ever operation utilizing Wel-lok™ alloy plug barrier technology in the region featured a 30-well campaign carried out on Valhall field on behalf of AkerBP, which was completed in 2021. The technology is now used on 30 wells on the Valhall field, providing safer, permanent well plugging.

About BiSN

Founded in 2010, BiSN’s unique Performance Barrier Technologies allow operators to solve unwanted downhole flow issues once and for all – sealing across the life of the well with confidence to assure uptime, improve production, extend well life, protect the environment and ultimately abandon safely.

BiSN provides specialist downhole sealing solutions and services with its patented Wel-lok™ sealing technology to the global oil and gas industry. BiSN supports its customers from its headquarters in Warrington, England, operations facilities in Houston-Texas and Calgary-Alberta, and its growing network of sales and support offices in Aberdeen-Scotland, Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates, and Perth-Western Australia.

Trillion Energy Commences SASB 3D Seismic Reprocessing Project

Tina Olivero — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:07:53 +0000

Jan. 31, 2023

Trillion Energy International Inc. Trillion is pleased to announce the commencement of its 3D seismic reprocessing project for SASB.

The existing 3D seismic data covers 223 km2 and includes the SASB block. This old 3D seismic shot by WesternGeco in 2004 is good quality and was processed in 2004 with pre-stack time migration. Since 2004, vast improvements in seismic data processing algorithms have occurred. As SASB has very complex geology, reprocessing with advanced pre-stack depth migration and incorporating time-depth data from wells drilled since the old PSTM model was created will create a superior model.

Uses of the new PSDM seismic velocity model will include:

Obtain a more detailed and accurate mapping of individual gas reservoir units, provide better imaging of the gas trapping faults and superior structural maps;
Further, identify and define stratigraphic exploration gas prospects (to which there are many on SASB), but which have never been drilled;
Mapping the deeper Cretaceous Akveren Formation “CAF”, which has never been explored, but which contains tantalizing deeper anomalies based on the old PSTM model. Onshore proximate to SASB, there are many oil and gas seeps originating and contained within the Cretaceous sediments. The data reprocessing is scheduled to commence in early March 2023 and is anticipated to take five to six months to complete.

Arthur Halleran CEO of Trillion stated: “Reprocessing the 3D seismic data using modern cutting-edge technology will increase our understanding of the gas potential at SASB and is the first step to making significant new discoveries. The cost of reprocessing is infinitesimal compared to a new 3D shoot of this size. The reprocessing will allow the mapping of extensions to existing structurally trapped gas pools, discover new gas pools and improve the resolution of the stratigraphic exploration prospects. I am excited about what we will also see in the deeper Cretaceous age formations, where onshore oil and gas seeps have been found 20 to 30 km from SASB.”

About the Company

Trillion is an oil and gas-producing company with multiple assets throughout Turkiye and Bulgaria. The Company is 49% owner of the SASB natural gas field, one of the Black Sea’s first and largest-scale natural gas development projects; a 19.6% (except three wells with 9.8%) interest in the Cendere oil field; and in Bulgaria, the Vranino 1-11 block, a prospective unconventional natural gas property.

More information may be found on www.sedar.com and our website.

Interview with Ståle Hansen, CEO of Skuld – Nor-Shipping Thought Leader

Tina Olivero — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000

31 January 2023

With 126 years of industry experience behind it, Skuld, a world-leading marine insurer, should have “seen it all”. However, global health crises, geopolitical unrest and the need for industry transformation are ushering in a new age, with new challenges. Here Ståle Hansen, Skuld CEO, discusses the need for calm heads, and ever-closer collaboration, to ensure the industry stays on course.

“It was a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire,” admits Ståle Hansen, CEO at Skuld for eight of his twenty years at the Oslo-headquartered insurance giant.

“The pandemic, and all the claims associated with it, was starting to ease, shipping patterns were returning to near normal, and then the war in Ukraine started. As we all know, that ushered in the human tragedy of inconceivable proportions, and a wave of necessary sanctions that quickly dispelled any sense of ‘business as usual’.

“It’s been a busy, and challenging, few years.

”Almost overnight, Hansen states, Skuld, which had a leading position with Russian shipowners, had to terminate long-standing relationships, while the impact on Skuld’s existing members was, in some cases, even more drastic.

A matter of trust

“Suddenly we had members with vessels locked into Ukraine ports,” he explains. “The assets and cargoes are one thing, but the crews, and ensuring their safety, is another – that quickly becomes top priority.”

As such, the past year has seen specialist Skuld teams leveraging their industry expertise, networks and close relationships with other insurers to repatriate crews and release vessels, continually working to deliver on their company purpose statement (“Protecting Ocean Industries”) in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.

“There have been numerous, very complex situations,” Hansen notes. “Each vessel has multiple insurers, covering, for example, P&I, hull and machinery, war insurance, and the cargo, so that demands reliable, open and committed collaboration. And of course, if vessels are trapped for too long then the owners can claim a total constructive loss, which can lead to the insurers becoming shipowners.”

He smiles: “So, there’s a lot at stake. But we’re not exactly new to this. We know what we’re doing and make sure that all our stakeholders, from customers to the other insurance partners we work with, can rely on us.

“That trust is fundamentally important, and not just to our success, but to our values as a business.

“That is who we are, we are Skuld.”

Collective strength

And this is the essence of Hansen’s philosophy during the conversation.

He’s here to discuss Skuld’s decision to renew its role of ‘Leading Partner’ at Nor-Shipping 2023 (taking place 6-9 June in Oslo and Lillestrøm) but quickly segues to the event’s main theme this year, which is #PartnerShip.

“That is a very interesting choice,” he comments, “and it couldn’t be more timely. It’s one thing that it chimes with the way we work as a business, but, from a wider perspective, it’s how we NEED to work as an industry. You can see that in the issues we’ve just mentioned – global pandemics and conflicts – but it’s also intrinsically important to the challenges, and opportunities, we face in terms of sustainable development.

“No one can tackle such a changing, unpredictable landscape alone. We all need partners.”As Hansen implies, Skuld already has them.

Deep ties

The partnership is at the core of Skuld’s business model.

The marine insurer, which employs around 300 people in 11 locations worldwide (including Japan, after a new office opening last year), operates as a mutual insurance association providing risk pooling, claims services, loss prevention and overall representation for its members. Those same members, which essentially own the business, elect a board and committee, which then appoint the executive management team, including Hansen.

“So, we’re not just a service provider,” the CEO explains, “we’re their business, or rather we are them. We work closely to understand one another and tailor our products to their evolving business needs. In fact, I think you could say we work even closer now, given the challenges we’ve faced. Some relationships get forced apart by difficulty, but I’m pleased to report the opposite in our case. Loyalty has never been higher.”

Interestingly, this way of working extends to interaction with other insurers. Skuld is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs, an organization of 13 ‘competitors’ that, together, provide liability cover for around 90% of global ocean-going tonnage.

“We share, that’s the cornerstone of the group,” Hansen says, adding: “And that means everything from knowledge to large loss exposures. Our aim is to keep this essential industry thriving, and we realize that is more important than individual competition. There’s a ‘greater good’ here – the future of shipping.”

Solving the puzzle

The subject of the future brings us to the environment.

Hansen is keen to point out that marine insurers have a vital role to play in shipping’s voyage towards a zero-carbon horizon, working with other stakeholders to ensure new solutions are adopted in safe, timely and successful manners while sharing their decades of operational, business and risk expertise.“We’re just one piece of the puzzle,” he notes, “but every piece must come together on a transition of this scale.”

Skuld is working within its industry associations – including the P&I Clubs and the Nordic Cefor group – but also individually as part of broader shipping initiatives. Amongst these are its commitments to the ‘Getting to Zero 2030 Coalition’ (which aims to launch commercially viable zero-emission, deep sea vessels by 2030) and its insurance of the One Ocean Expedition, currently carrying out scientific analysis of the oceans.

In early 2022 it also became the first insurance firm to sign up for the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMC).

Reaching the goals

“We’re on board as a learning and advisory partner,” Hansen says of Skuld’s role as a ‘Mission Ambassador’.

He adds: “The core of this initiative, focused on maritime decarbonization, sees major shipowners (many of which are our customers) working with energy providers, technology suppliers and other ocean stakeholders in a partnership that stretches right across, and beyond, the shipping value chain. It’s a powerful example of exactly the kind of collaboration required if we’re to reach our ambitious and necessary, global environmental goals.”

Skuld, Hansen says, was the first insurer onboard and is contributing by assessing the risks that can arise from new technology, but also the potential benefits from a loss perspective.

“People are often too quick to focus on the challenges rather than the opportunities of decarbonizing shipping,” he comments. “We see the potential for the journey towards zero carbon emissions, with, for example, less pollution and oil spills. With the right approach, there can be reductions in insurance claims and financial incentives to adopt zero-emission technology. That’s going to be beneficial for everyone.

“We’re delighted to be on board with this.” As Hansen is for Nor-Shipping.

Putting people first

“You know it’s funny,” he says. “During the pandemic, I think we worked closer than ever with our members. Without the time needed for traveling, and with the ease of conducting quick, digital meetings, we saw their faces more frequently and collaborated really well.

“But you know what, we missed them!

”Despite the fact that the need for distancing brought everyone ‘closer’ in some ways, Hansen admits it was a “poor substitute” for the “natural connections” that are fostered by physical, face-to-face meetings.

“That’s why large-scale exhibitions and conferences are still so vital,” he states, “and especially Nor-Shipping where you have top decision-makers, from right across the global ocean and shipping value chains in one place. It creates the ideal stage for sharing and learning from one another, not to mention building valuable new relationships.

“And that, of course, is key when it comes to business growth.”But despite the challenges we all face and the need for partnership to solve them, Hansen is keen to finish on one point that, now more than ever, can be easy to overlook.

“It’s also fun!” he smiles, mentioning his role (on the drums) in the ‘Nor-Shipping Band’ in 2022. “This is a people industry, and we can, unfortunately, lose sight of the social, enjoyable side sometimes when we’re so focused on pressing issues. Nor-Shipping is the ideal place to remind ourselves of that.

“I’m looking forward to partnering on some parties when it comes to June too – I think that’s something we all deserve!”

www.nor-shipping.com

Bluefield Geoservices Expands Team Following Contract Wins

Tina Olivero — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:24:36 +0000

January 23, 2023

Bluefield Geoservices has added three more professionals to the firm’s engineering and operations team following several recent contracts wins in the United States and Europe. The new Bluefield employees—Lev Belskiy as a geotechnical engineer and Jonathan Bell and Dariusz Nowak as geotechnical technicians — bring a diverse wealth of offshore geotechnics experience to the subsea geotechnical services provider and will play instrumental roles in the company’s planned expansion on both sides of the Atlantic in 2023.

The announcement comes after a busy 2022 for Bluefield when the company made a series of significant capital investments to further strengthen the firm’s footing in the United States and Europe, which included the establishment of a comprehensive inventory of geo survey equipment based out of the company’s Newport, Rhode Island location. In addition to several proprietary systems, the current portfolio of rapidly deployable equipment includes but is not limited to a 100kN ROSON Cone Penetration Test (CPT) system; a high-powered electric Vibrocore; a Fielax Thermal Testing unit; a ROVcone CPT system; and a Piston Core.

“We are delighted to welcome Dariuz, Lev, and Jonathan to the Bluefield team during a very exciting phase of our long-term growth strategy,” said Jim Edmunds, Managing Director. “Since Bluefield was formed in 2018 with the intention of bringing new proprietary seabed investigation technologies to market, we have witnessed unprecedented demand for high-quality geotechnical data collection services from offshore developers around the world. Our mission to meet this demand and deliver exceptional quality data quicker and more cost-effectively than the competition not only relies on our ability to provide clients with access to the latest tools but also a team of technical subject matter experts with proven experience in executing complex subsea projects that achieve meaningful operational efficiencies.”

“When we set out to disrupt the offshore geotechnical investigation services industry, we understood the ongoing challenge of matching the right tools with the right personnel,” added Jim. “Attracting talents like Dariusz, Lev, and Jonathan, while forging an important strategic alliance with partners like Aratellus, is about creating an unrivaled professional ecosystem that is willing to challenge the status quo in order to establish a new gold standard for premium subsea data services.”

About Bluefield Geoservices

Bluefield Geoservices is a geotechnical services consultancy that develops and deploys the latest seabed geotechnology to service both the site investigation and offshore construction industries of the renewable energy, oil and gas, and subsea mining sectors. The group’s key disciplines include geotechnical survey and site investigation, geotechnical engineering, contracting and consultancy, seabed mineral survey and mining systems, and subsea engineering.

www.bluefieldgeo.com

Boskalis Takes on Its Hundredth Offshore Windfarm Project

Tina Olivero — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 13:20:57 +0000

16 January 2023

Boskalis has acquired the contract to construct a large offshore wind farm off the United States coastline. The Boskalis project scope includes the transportation and installation of the wind turbine foundations and power cables for which two crane vessels, and several transports and cable-laying vessels will be deployed. The contract marks a special milestone for Boskalis as this is the 100th offshore wind farm project that Boskalis has worked on over the past decade.

The award of this project follows a busy year for Boskalis in the offshore wind market. The crane vessels Bokalift 1 and 2, as well as the fall pipe vessel Seahorse were active on various projects in Taiwan, and with the survey fleet site investigation campaigns were carried out for numerous offshore wind projects in the United States and Europe, where Boskalis was also active with its cable-laying vessels.

Peter Berdowski, CEO of Boskalis: “We are proud to have reached the milestone of our 100th offshore wind farm with the award of this wonderful project. It illustrates the leading role we have established in the offshore wind market over the past decade. In those ten years, we were involved in the realization of almost half of all offshore wind farms worldwide, excluding the Chinese market. With our combination of hydraulic engineering and offshore activities, we are making a unique contribution to the global energy transition.”

Boskalis is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors. The company provides creative and innovative all-around solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal and delta regions of the world. With core activities such as coastal defense, riverbank protection and land reclamation Boskalis is able to provide adaptive and mitigating solutions to combat the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels, as well as delivering solutions for the increasing need for space in coastal and delta regions across the world. The company facilitates the development of offshore energy infrastructure, including renewable wind energy. Boskalis is furthermore active in the construction and maintenance of ports, waterways, access channels and civil infrastructure, thus helping to facilitate trade flows and regional socio-economic development. In addition, Boskalis is a global marine salvage expert and has a strategic partnership in terminal services (Smit Lamnalco). With a versatile fleet of more than 500 vessels and floating equipment and approximately 10,000 employees, including associates, Boskalis is creating new horizons around the world.

Hitachi Energy Awarded Major Orders to Integrate Two Large Offshore Wind Farms with Poland’s Power Grid

Tina Olivero — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:23:20 +0000

January 9, 2023

Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, announced it has won two major orders from Equinor and Polenergia to provide an AC grid connection and power quality solution for their jointly owned MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III offshore wind farms, with a combined generating capacity of 1,440 megawatts in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea.

Hitachi Energy will provide each of the two wind farms with an offshore grid connection that will receive the power from the wind turbines and transfer it to shore, a mainland grid connection that will transmit the power into the national transmission system, and a STATCOM power quality solution to ensure that power flows reliably and stably at optimal capacity and at all times, despite the often high variability of wind power.

MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk III are pending a final investment decision in 2024, and are scheduled to deliver their first power in 2027. It will be one of the first offshore wind farms in Poland and part of the country’s ambitious program to develop its offshore wind potential and increase the use of renewables in its electricity mix, which historically is dominated by coal. The government aims to have around 11 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity either operational or under development by 2027¹.

Hitachi Energy was selected in a competitive procurement process on the strength of its front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies and optimized solutions, its long track record of project execution excellence, and its close working relationships over many decades with Equinor and PSE (Poland’s transmission system operator) and, most recently, Polenergia.

“Integrating large-scale renewable energy sources with the power grid is a key enabler of the energy transition and a field in which we have been a pioneer for decades,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “Our grid connection technologies feature in offshore wind farms worldwide, and our power quality solutions resolve bottlenecks and keep the voltage stable and the energy flowing in power systems globally.”

These project awards further underscore Hitachi Energy’s position as a global leader in the offshore wind market and the partner of choice for wind farm developers, combining solid experience with grid technologies to help make the world’s energy system more sustainable, flexible and secure by enabling new solutions and business models to be deployed at scale and with speed.

The company has been continuously developing its portfolio to better serve this market with the recent launch of its Grid-eXpand™ range of modular and prefabricated grid connection solutions that make it faster, simpler, and more efficient to connect offshore wind farms to mainland grids, and with its complete portfolio of STATCOMs and E-STATCOMs for all power ranges, ensuring grid stability and power quality at all times.

The announcement follows a recent global agreement between Hitachi Energy and Equinor to collaborate on high-voltage transmission systems (AC and DC) to connect Equinor offshore wind farms and production facilities to mainland power grids worldwide.

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry, and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition toward a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible, and secure whilst balancing social, environmental, and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and an unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology), and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries, and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for the fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide.

For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

AVANGRID Statement on Federal Environmental Review of New England Wind Offshore Project

Tina Olivero — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:39:36 +0000

December 21, 2022

AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, released the following statement regarding the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on AVANGRID’s New England Wind Offshore project, consisting of the 1232 Megawatt Commonwealth Wind and 804 MW Park City Wind projects.

“AVANGRID is grateful to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for its comprehensive environmental review of New England Wind – which represents more than 2000 Megawatts of clean, affordable power through the Commonwealth Wind and Park City Wind projects. In total, the projects will power over one million households, and reduce emissions by nearly four million tons – equivalent to taking more than 770,000 cars off the road annually. AVANGRID welcomes the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued by BOEM and is pleased that the BOEM has identified the environmental impacts and benefits of the project in a clear and consistent manner, which marks a pivotal step toward bringing these projects to the New England region. The release of the DEIS is yet another milestone marking the strong forward momentum of the projects, and as New England confronts both the energy and climate crisis, we recognize the urgent need to continue moving through the federal permitting process and bring this critical power to the grid to help the region meet its collective, ambitious clean energy and climate goals.

“As a leading sustainable energy company strongly committed to the U.S. energy transition, we are heartened by the clear forward momentum behind the projects, and remain focused on delivering these urgent solutions to Massachusetts and Connecticut, creating thousands of jobs, and accelerating the nation’s transition to a better, brighter clean energy future.”

About AVANGRID:

AVANGRID, Inc. aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021 and 2022 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2022, AVANGRID ranked second within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute.

For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

About Iberdrola:

Iberdrola is one of the world’s biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low-carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks, and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden, and Poland, among others.

With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

N’GENIUS Solution on Horizon for Oil, Gas, and LNG Industry

Tina Olivero — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:21:05 +0000

An innovative range of high-strength austenitic stainless steel has been developed that will revolutionize the design and construction of onshore and offshore facilities in the oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.

The global demand for LNG is projected to reach 700 million tonnes per year by 2040 fuelling the need for greater LNG infrastructure including import-receiving and export terminals, FLNG vessels, and LNG carriers. Since these facilities are being designed with larger capacities and operating under increasingly more challenging conditions, advanced materials technology is required to maximize performance, reduce carbon emissions and optimize through-life costs. Fortunately, a N’GENIUS solution is on the horizon.

Patent-protected in 30 countries around the world, the N’GENIUS Series is a complete ‘family’ of high-strength austenitic stainless steels possessing major improvements compared to 300 Series stainless steels, and a highly economical alternative to various nickel alloys.

As with conventional austenitic stainless steels, the N’GENIUS Series has excellent ductility and toughness at sub-zero and cryogenic temperatures. But exceptionally higher strength and vastly superior corrosion resistance make this new family an entirely different proposition.

Its unique combination of design characteristics provides key engineering advantages for the onshore and offshore industries.

LNG piping systems, engineered products, fabricated products, and equipment can be developed and manufactured with reduced wall thicknesses, offering the potential to make products and equipment lighter and smaller, significantly reducing topside weight and helping facilities overcome space and height restrictions. Any space savings would also improve accessibility regarding servicing and maintenance, repairs, upgrading, or replacement work on products and equipment in the future.

In particular, large facilities with extremely heavy topsides including floating production storage offloading (FPSO) vessels, FLNGs, and upstream fixed platforms, would greatly benefit from the design and construction advantages that the N’GENIUS Series can provide. This includes the potential to reduce the overall construction time and costs, as well as benefitting from easier handling and lower associated transportation costs.

Dr. C.V. Roscoe, the inventor of the N’GENIUS Series, said:

“Some of these larger facilities can have topsides weighing more than 50,000 metric tonnes, which has a major impact on the design and construction cost of oil, gas, and LNG projects.

“The N’GENIUS Series has an infinite range of Alloy types, variants, and grades and is perfectly suited for all the different material specifications, scopes of work, and products including piping systems, pumps, valves, modules, vessels, and tanks. Therefore, the potential to optimize the weight and space of all these components, and in turn reduce costs, could be invaluable. It really is the total system material.”

The weight-saving benefits provided by the N’GENIUS Series are achieved from superior wrought mechanical strength properties. For example, the minimum yield and tensile strength of the N’GENIUS 304LM4N and N’GENIUS 316LM4N grades are typically 2.5 and 1.5 times higher respectively compared to the minimum strength values of conventional 304L and 316L. This enables the N’GENIUS Series to have significantly higher allowable design stresses than conventional austenitic stainless steels.

Similarly, the higher minimum Pitting Resistance Equivalent (PRE) values for N’GENIUS 304LM4N and N’GENIUS 316LM4N grades compared to those for 304L and 316L produce significant improvements in the localized corrosion and general corrosion resistance. This enables products and equipment to last longer, facilities to be designed for longer service life, and projects made more sustainable and cost-effective.

Furthermore, the extensive range of alloy types, variants, and grades that form the ‘family’ of grades in the N’GENIUS Series makes it suitable for all products, in all service conditions, and in the harshest process media environments.

The N’GENIUS Series will also help accelerate the wider implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Inevitably, the addition of onboard CCS for upstream fixed platforms, FLNGs, and FPSOs means additional topside weight, volume, and space. So a reduction in the weight and size of onboard CCS systems, as could be achieved with N’GENIUS, would make this green technology become more feasible and play a fundamental role in driving down carbon emissions.

The N’GENIUS Series can be manufactured in both wrought and cast forms, in an extensive range of products for the oil, gas, and LNG industries. These include pipe, tube, fittings, flanges for piping systems, modules, heat exchangers, umbilicals, and line pipe for risers, flowlines, pipelines, and manifolds. N’GENIUS technology can also be applied to engineering products including pumps and valves, fabricated products such as vessels and tanks, and specialist products including casing and tubing for Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG).

A N’GENIUS technology with total system capability, truly living up to its name.

The N’GENIUS Series is available to be produced under license by premier manufacturers of stainless steel products.

End clients, engineers, and manufacturers interested in discovering more about the N’GENIUS Series can visit www.ngeniusmaterials.com or its sister company United Pipelines (www.unitedpipelines.com).

About N’GENIUS Materials Technology

N’GENIUS Materials Technology, based in Cheshire, England in the United Kingdom, is a materials technology company, specializing in the invention of next-generation stainless steels. The N’GENIUS Series™ possesses a unique combination of high mechanical strength along with superior resistance to corrosion. These properties provide engineers with superior engineering design characteristics to optimize the development of major projects throughout the world. The N’GENIUS Series™ of high-strength austenitic stainless steels is the complete reinvention of austenitic stainless steels, designed specifically to out-perform, supersede, replace or supplement many of the conventional 300 Series grades and the existing grades that are currently available for selection in the API Specification 5LC for CRA line pipe and DNV-ST-F101 standard for submarine pipelines systems along with the CRA Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) currently available for selection in the API Specification 5CT for Casing and Tubing.

For more information visit www.ngeniusmaterials.com.

BCG & ABS Combine Expertise to Support Marine & Offshore Decarbonization

Tina Olivero — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:21:47 +0000

Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consultancy, and leading advisor on decarbonization to the maritime industry, and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a global leader in providing classification services for marine and offshore companies and assets, have signed a memorandum of understanding to join their technical and consulting expertise in the maritime and offshore industries, providing joint support to clients’ decarbonization journeys.

ABS has deep knowledge of and experience in the marine and offshore industries, as well as extensive insight into the dynamic sector’s regulatory landscape and a global network of sustainability centers.

BCG offers strategic perspective, change management, and transition design that provide a unique, end-to-end proposition to capture future benefits in the marine and offshore value chain.

Peter Jameson, Partner and Global Lead for Climate and Sustainability in BCG’s Infrastructure, Transport, and Cities practice, said: “High uncertainty around regulation, technology, and new markets requires every player across the maritime value chain to work together. Taking a bold leadership position, even with uncertainty, will create an advantage for first movers, and sustainable business for followers.”

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President, and CEO said: “We are excited to be bringing two global and industry-recognized brands together to help the maritime industry, governments, charterers, suppliers, shipyards, and shipowners deal with the challenges and opportunities of decarbonization. ABS is built to play in the sweet spot of safety, technology, and regulations while BCG is built to play in the sweet spot of strategy, transformation, and change management. Bringing these capabilities together will provide a unique offering to help the industry safely unlock value, manage risks and take advantage of opportunities over the life cycle of the clean energy transition in a changing world. Success is a team sport and together ABS and BCG will make a difference.”

The new joint proposition will help clients achieve their net-zero goals, supporting asset owners in their efforts to explore feasible options for operational and technical improvement, advise on carbon capture technologies, and the uptake of alternative and low-carbon fuels, among other consultative services that support carbon reduction strategies.

The BCG/ABS offer is also aimed at those looking to tap into the opportunities afforded by the transition to net zero. This would include all businesses that feed into the low-carbon value chain for offshore industries, including renewable energy producers, low-carbon fleet development, and subsea storage, among others.

About ABS

ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance, and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.

PGNiG Upstream Norway Submits Development Plan for Verdande Field

Tina Olivero — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 13:50:00 +0000

The Norwegian subsidiary of PKN ORLEN, together with its license partners, has submitted a plan for the development and operation of the Verdande field in the Norwegian Sea. Production start is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The Verdande field is an oil and gas field with estimated recoverable reserves of 36.3 million barrels of oil equivalent. According to the plan for development and operation (PDO) submitted to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum, drilling is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024, and production will launch a year later. The field will be developed with three wells connected to the infrastructure of the nearby Norne field. This will not only speed up the development process and reduce investment costs but will have a favorable environmental effect thanks to an increase in energy efficiency per unit of hydrocarbons produced in the facility.

The start of the development of the field is dependent upon the approval of the PDO by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

PGNiG Upstream Norway’s (PUN) partners in the Verdande field are Equinor Energy -operator, Petoro, Vår Energi, and Aker BP. PUN’s share is 0.8%. PUN’s working interest in the Verdande field results from exploration drilling in an AkerBP-operated PL127C license in 2020 where PUN is a partner. Drilling proved a connection to the nearby Cape Vulture accumulation that in a neighboring license. It was decided to jointly develop both discoveries as a single field.

The Verdande field is located in the vicinity of PUN’s other assets, including the already-producing Skarv and AErfugl fields and the Shrek and Alve Nord fields which are prepared for development.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Announces New Project in Newfoundland & Labrador

Tina Olivero — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:34:27 +0000

Alongside project partners, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced a new $5 million Adaptive Learning Technology Project – The Future of Marine Fatigue Risk Mitigation, led by Training Works, a Newfoundland and Labrador-based EdTech company. This project is creating a comprehensive tool for fatigue risk mitigation in marine organizations by leveraging combined advancements in biometrics, environmental data, and microlearning.

The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL announced a provincial contribution of $335,000 towards the project. With a total project value of close to $5 million, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $1.9 million in funding, with the balance from other project partners. In the Adaptive Learning Technology project, Training Works will work with partners Compusult Ltd., Altera Infrastructure, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador to develop a commercially viable fatigue risk mitigation learning technology which can be scaled across marine industries. The resulting technology will link biometric and environmental data to identify fatigue markers and provide individualized corrective action(s) and risk mitigation techniques through Training Works’ adaptive learning platform, Skilltinuous.

Through Training Works flagship educational technology Skilltinuous, the project will give marine workers the tools to recognize, understand and anticipate fatigue while providing moments of need microlearning to help mitigate the risk associated with fatigue – a critical advancement in a sector where irregular schedules, challenging operating conditions and operations across multiple time zones impact the level of worker fatigue and its associated risks. This comprehensive fatigue risk mitigation educational technology will equip marine organizations and their workers with a new tool that can stand alone or run alongside existing organizational fatigue management systems, to support human performance and help to create healthier, safer, and more productive work environments.

The Adaptive Learning Technology project will create and maintain 22 full-time jobs throughout its duration with the potential for more than 100 indirect jobs as a result. The first market for commercialization will focus on offshore workers within Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s membership. The project team will explore marine connections to create new opportunities to bring the solution to customers within the Canadian marine marketplace.

Quotes

“Supporting innovative companies such as Training Works helps to grow and diversify Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech ecosystem while advancing our innovation economy. The leading-edge technology created through this project will help to improve worker safety and productivity. We support collaboration, research and development, and commercialization of new digital ocean technologies that further position our province as a world leader in this sector.” said Honorable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology.

“With support from Canada’s Ocean Cluster, the project partners will develop a comprehensive program aimed at improving seafarers’ safety. We are pleased to support this project and to help those working on our seas return home safely,” said Honourable François-Philippe, Champagne Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry.

“Fatigue at sea is a problem that spans all marine industries, and the impacts can be potentially catastrophic. With support from the Ocean Cluster, the project partners are working on a technological solution to help identify and mitigate fatigue and provide corrective actions, which will improve safety, reduce accidents and save lives. We’re proud to support this project for the positive impact it will have on workers.” said Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East.

“The Adaptive Microlearning Technology team is developing cutting-edge technology to make working on the ocean safer and more efficient for workers. As we help build the workforce of the future these are important tools in both traditional and emerging ocean industries,” said Kendra Macdonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.

“Fatigue and its associated risks is something widely acknowledged not just in the marine industry but across all industries. Our goal is to enhance our Skilltinuous platform to identify fatigue markers in seafarers using biometric and environmental data, assess the risk fatigue will pose, and through targeted personalized microlearning, introduce effective countermeasures at the earliest possible point to mitigate the risk. This is a groundbreaking project that will have wide-ranging benefits for worker safety in the marine industry.” said Tamara Vatcher, CEO of Training Works.

Joint Release by Beharry Group, CaribbeanXL & XL Global Group

Tina Olivero — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:23:31 +0000

The Beharry Group, through its subsidiary Beharry Energy Holdings, is proud to announce its partnership with the UK-headquartered XL Global Group and Atlantic XL out of Newfoundland Canada.

XL Global Group comprises a number of companies with diverse yet complementary expertise. Drawing from a wide range of technological disciplines, the organization specializes in the provision of integrated solutions for safety systems and process control, data management, telecommunications, business-critical IT, electrical services, and lift production for commercial vehicles, buildings, and the mobility sector.

Quote from Colin Laird, CEO, of XL Global Group: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with the Beharry Group. The XL Group of companies has decades of experience across all industries, as well as setting up local offices around the world, with a keen interest in building local capabilities in the regions we work. We have been visiting Guyana for several years, watching the rapid growth of this country unfold, and are excited to have our partnership finalized this week with the Beharry Group. With our industry knowledge and Beharry’s wealth of business and local experience, there are many great opportunities to come for our partnership.”

Anand Beharry, Chairman of the Beharry Group, said on behalf of his board:

“We are immensely proud of this partnership as it positions us to be able to offer a wide range of solutions to industry across Guyana and the Caribbean in a tech space not yet fully served in our region.

“We would like to thank and acknowledge Caron Hawco Group out of Newfoundland Canada for identifying the synergies between us and getting us together, and the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) for being the platform that got us on the road to this partnership.”

About XL Global Group

Based in the UK, XL Global Group comprises ten companies with diverse yet complementary expertise. Drawing from a wide range of technological disciplines, the organization specializes in the provision of integrated solutions for oil & gas, energy, LNG, decommissioning, food handling, defense, offshore, safety systems, process control, data management, telecommunications, healthcare, business-critical IT, commercial vehicle, mobility, and building lifts. Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, with operations throughout the UK and in St. John’s, Canada, XL Global Group operates globally across Europe, South America, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

www.xlg.co.uk

GE Selects Mammoet to Supply Onshore Heavy Lifting & Transport for Dogger Bank Wind Farm

Tina Olivero — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 15:00:01 +0000

GE Renewable Energy announced that it has selected Mammoet UK, based in Thornaby Teesside, to supply onshore heavy lifting and transport for the staging and assembly of turbine components for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn.

Mammoet will employ multiple lifting and transport crews for simultaneous operations to support with the loading of equipment and tower assembly in the marshaling harbor, a key piece in constructing the project. The team will utilize cranes and self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) axles at Able Seaton Port, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm marshaling harbor.

GE will start preparing the marshaling harbor and receiving components at the end of 2022.

Nathan Fahey, GE Project Director for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said, “We are delighted to announce that we have selected Mammoet UK as our cranes and logistics supplier for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The cranes and associated equipment the company will provide and operate for us will be essential to the smooth operation of our marshaling harbor on Teesside, where 277 sets of blades, nacelles, and towers of our Haliade-X wind turbines will be erected and transit over the course of the project. We believe Mammoet has the right expertise and equipment to be an excellent partner for us.”

Darren Adams, Mammoet’s Group Commercial Officer, said, “Mammoet is delighted to work in close partnership with GE to help build the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The project is a large step towards a net-zero future, delivering a boost for the local economy and wider 2030 and 2050 emissions targets. By utilizing Mammoet’s strong presence in the UK, headquartered from Teesside, backed up by its network of international engineering hubs, we will enable the delivery of clean, cost-efficient energy to around six million homes.”

Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “We’re delighted to see another company from the north-east of England winning valuable contracts in our supply chain and playing a significant role in the construction of the world’s largest offshore wind farm. We look forward to working with GE and Mammoet on achieving this exciting milestone at Able Seaton.”

GE Renewable Energy announced in May 2021 that it had finalized all supply contracts for the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, due to become the largest offshore wind farm in the world upon completion.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located over 130 km off the north-east coast of England and each phase will be able to produce 6TWh of renewable electricity, totaling 18TWh annually when complete in 2026 – equivalent to powering approximately the equivalent of six million UK homes each year or around 5% of the UK’s electricity demand. Due to its size and scale, the site is being built in three consecutive phases: Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B, and Dogger Bank C.

Mammoet UK’s headquarters in Teesside sits on a six-acre site located just 12 miles from the project and employs over 180 full-time employees. The facility consists of offices, storage, workshop space, and testing areas. Mammoet has also established an academy on the site, where it plans to train additional crews as part of the resourcing plan. This local presence is critical to the success of the project.

“This contract represents not just a win for Mammoet and renewable energy investment but for the people of Teesside,” said UK Managing Director, Mark Sadler. “Securing the project means even greater potential investment and business growth that will expand our existing pool of highly skilled labor with renewables expertise in the region. We have a great opportunity to support GE Renewables and other businesses building the UK’s fast-growing offshore wind energy market.”

About GE Renewable Energy

GE Renewable Energy, an integral part of the GE Vernova portfolio of energy businesses, is a $16 billion business that combines one of the broadest portfolios in the renewable energy industry to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers demanding reliable and affordable green power. Combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings, GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400+ gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90 percent of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions. With nearly 40,000 employees present in more than 80 countries, GE Renewable Energy creates value for customers seeking to power the world with affordable, reliable, and sustainable green electrons.

GE Vernova, a dynamic accelerator comprised of our Power, Renewable Energy, Digital, and Energy Financial Services businesses, focused on supporting customers’ transformations during the global energy transition.

Follow them at www.ge.com/renewableenergy, on www.linkedin.com/company/gerenewableenergy, or on twitter.com/GErenewables

About Mammoet

Mammoet helps clients with Smarter, Safer, and Stronger solutions to any heavy lifting or transport challenge. We aim to develop long-term relationships in order to understand their businesses and challenges best, so we can realize the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. We have a unique global network and an unparalleled fleet of equipment. Through deep and longstanding engineering expertise and the highest quality and safety standards in execution, we bring an intelligent and flexible approach to projects across a wide breadth of industry sectors. Clients trust us to help them achieve feats that were once considered impossible, and we have often broken records in doing so.

About Dogger Bank Wind Farm:

The 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2026. 
It is being built in three 1.2GW phases: Dogger Bank A, B, and C. 
The project is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%), and Vårgrønn (20%).  
SSE Renewables is a lead operator for the development and construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Equinor will be a lead operator of the wind farm on completion for its expected operational life of around 35 years. 
Financial Close on Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B was reached in November 2020, with Financial Close for Dogger Bank C reached in December 2021. Taken in aggregate, reaching Financial Close on all three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm is the largest offshore wind project financing to date globally. 
Consent for Dogger Bank Wind Farm was granted in 2015. 
Each of the three phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm secured 15-year CfD contracts for 1.2GW of low carbon power production in the UK’s third CfD Allocation Round, announced in September 2019. 
In May 2021, Dogger Bank Wind Farm took another major step forward after passing a required delivery milestone under the UK’s Contracts for Difference scheme for low-carbon power.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located in the North Sea, with each phase more than 130km from the Yorkshire Coast.
Onshore construction began in 2020 and is currently underway for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B, while offshore construction on Dogger Bank C began in Spring 2022. The first power is expected in the Summer of 2023 and Summer of 2024 for Dogger Bank A and B, respectively, with commercial operations to follow around 6 months later.
Onshore cable installation civil works for Dogger Bank C started in Q1 2022, with the construction of the onshore converter station to commence later this year. Offshore export cable installation will commence in Q1 2024 with offshore platform installation to commence in Q2 2024.
Foundation installation on Dogger Bank C will commence in Q3 2024 while turbine installation will commence in Q2 2025. The first power is anticipated in Q3 2025 and the full power is in Q1 2026.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is fully committed to supporting the UK offshore wind supply chain. To date, we estimate more than 2,000 UK roles have been created or supported in relation to the construction and operation of the wind farm.
470 jobs are expected to be recruited by GE Renewable Energy across the northeast of England in support of the delivery and operation of all three phases of the project. These will be made up of around 300 skilled roles for turbine installation and commissioning activities and 170 servicing roles at Port of Tyne under GE’s five-year Service and Warranty Agreements for Dogger Bank phases A, B, and C once operational. 
At least a further 30 roles will be hired by Equinor as operators of the wind farm, based at the Port of Tyne or offshore.
170 new full-time UK-based jobs will be created by North Star Renewables in crewing and shore-based roles for the operation of the service fleet for Dogger Bank Wind Farm.
Up to 100 peak construction jobs will be created by Jones Bros. Civil Engineering, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors, on the installation of onshore cable infrastructure for Dogger Bank A and B. 
Dogger Bank A and B have confirmed GE’s Haliade-X 13MW as the turbine powering the first two phases of the project. As the first order for the Haliade-X 13MW, installation at Dogger Bank A will be the first time the turbine is installed in the world.
The installation of GE’s upscaled Haliade-X 14MW turbine at Dogger Bank C will be the first time the 14MW turbine is installed in the world.
One rotation of the Haliade-X turbine blades can power one UK home for more than two days.
The wind turbines will be installed on monopile foundations. 
Dogger Bank will be the first High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connected wind farm in the UK. Due to its distance from shore, it introduces new transmission systems to the UK, paving the way for other large offshore wind farms.
Around 10,000 people, including world leaders, have signed their names on a Dogger Bank turbine as a symbol of their support for climate action. The names will appear on one of the first turbines to be installed on the wind farm in 2023.

For more information about Dogger Bank Wind Farm visit www.doggerbank.com 

Provincial Government Congratulates Hibernia on 25th Anniversary of First Oil

Tina Olivero — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:55:13 +0000

The Provincial Government congratulates Hibernia and its partners, including the Hibernia Management and Development Company and its lead owner ExxonMobil Canada, on the 25th anniversary of the first oil.

The total royalties received to date by the province, including the Hibernia Southern Extension, are approximately $14.8 billion. As of September 30, 2022, the project was employing nearly 1,200 highly skilled professionals in a variety of professions, and it continues to support the economy through service contracts and sub-contract employment.

Hibernia’s influence on the province extends past its economic contributions, including through research and development at Memorial, investment in the arts at the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, and support for the province’s natural history at the Hibernia Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South.

Located 315 kilometers from St. John’s, Hibernia is an offshore production platform situated at the Hibernia oil field, within the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. The platform was towed to the Hibernia oil field and positioned on the ocean floor in June 1997. It began producing oil on November 17, 1997, making it Newfoundland and Labrador’s first offshore production platform. As of August 2022, the project has produced more than 1.2 million barrels of oil from the field, with almost 580 million barrels remaining proven and possible reserves.

The Hibernia field was first discovered in 1979 and was expected to have a life of 20 years, but through extended-reach drilling, geological and reservoir modeling technology, and daily maintenance and operations of the equipment, the project life of the project has been extended beyond 2040.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas industry – with low emissions per barrel compared to the international average and our strong environmental, social, and governance structure – will play a role as the world transitions to a lower carbon economy.

“The oil and gas industry not only fuels our people and economy but also builds the bridge to new energy sustainable solutions. Hibernia Management and Development Company, along with all of the companies and people involved in the Hibernia project, should be commended for their hard work and congratulated for their commitment to responsible development. We look forward to their continued success and continued participation in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore.” said Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As the pioneer development of a new frontier, this project helped build an industry and a workforce – one that can keep up with emerging technologies, changing fields, and major projects. Congratulations to Hibernia and its project partners, including the Hibernia southern extension co-venturers, Chevron, Suncor, Equinor, Murphy Oil, Canada Hibernia Holding Company, and Nalcor Oil and Gas on this significant milestone,” said Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology.

Chevron & MOL to Study CO2 Shipping From Singapore to Australia

Tina Olivero — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:36:44 +0000

Chevron Corporation, through its Chevron New Energies International Pte. Ltd. (Chevron) subsidiary, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the signing of a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) on the feasibility of transporting liquified carbon dioxide (CO₂) from Singapore to permanent storage locations offshore Australia.

Under the JSA, Chevron and MOL will explore the technical and commercial feasibility of initially transporting up to 2.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of liquified CO₂ by 2030.

The JSA will complement work to be advanced by a recently announced consortium to explore solutions for large-scale carbon capture, transport, and permanent storage of CO₂ from Singapore. Through its part in three joint ventures, Chevron was also recently granted an interest in three greenhouse gas assessment permits offshore Australia.

“Developing safe and reliable CO₂transportation services is a crucial step in developing large-scale Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) solutions. We are pleased to partner with MOL to explore commercially-ready solutions to focus on realizing this goal,” said Mark Ross, president of Chevron Shipping Company.

“We expect this agreement with MOL to advance the technical and commercial foundations for a regional approach to CCUS, which could provide progress toward the region’s net-zero ambitions. No single entity has all the solutions, but genuine collaboration can help us unlock opportunities as we advance our shared goal of a lower carbon future,” said Chris Powers, vice president, of CCUS, Chevron New Energies.

“As a developer and a provider of social infrastructure service in addition to traditional shipping, MOL is honored and excited to have an opportunity to collaborate with Chevron for opening up CCUS solutions in the Asia Pacific region. We hope to expand our collaboration to wider areas of solutions for decarbonization including CCUS and renewable energies globally,” said Yasuchika Noma, Executive Officer of MOL.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and growing lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines.

More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About MOL

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines is a global leading shipping company operating about 800 ships across the world, headquartered in Japan. MOL develops various social infrastructure businesses centering on ocean shipping, technologies, and services to meet ever-changing social needs including environmental protection. MOL fleet includes dry cargo ships, liquefied natural gas carriers, Ro-Ro car carrier ships, oil tankers, etc. In addition to the traditional shipping businesses, MOL offers social infrastructure businesses such as real estate, terminal and logistics, offshore wind power, and associated businesses. With one of the largest merchant fleets, and 130-plus years of history, experience, and technology, MOL group aims to be a strong and resilient corporate group that provides new value to all stakeholders.

For more information about Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd, please visit https://www.mol.co.jp/en/index.html.

XL Global Group Marks 30th Anniversary With Further Expansion Plans

Tina Olivero — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:29:27 +0000

One of Scotland’s leading providers of engineering solutions to the industry is celebrating its 30^th anniversary by further growing its global presence.

XL Global Group is a multi-disciplinary company providing integrated process, instrumentation, and control solutions. It serves markets including oil and gas, power and utilities, offshore renewables, manufacturing, distilleries, education, healthcare, food and beverage, and the military. The company comprises 11 divisions offering comprehensive engineering solutions to a diverse range of sectors.

Headquartered in Aberdeen, the group is poised to sign a partnership agreement that will see it expand into Latin America for the first time. Already, XL Global Group operates from locations in the Middle East, Canada, the UK, and Ireland.

Colin Laird, CEO of XL Global Group, said: “There is not a more fitting way to mark our 30^th anniversary than by fulfilling another of our strategic goals – establishing a presence in Latin America. We are also in the process of negotiating a multi-million-pound investment that will accelerate the next phase of our business plan, through both acquisitions and organic growth.”

In 1992, after a number of years at the sharp end, working with specialist equipment for the military, Colin drew on his experience in connecting multi-faceted industrial processes to form Excel Industrial Systems – initially focusing on the oil and gas sector. It became XL Group in 2000 and XL Global Group in 2016 as it encompassed other divisions. The Group has grown by delivering highly specialized expertise and the ability to provide complementary services from a diverse skill base within the organization.

XL Group today includes a range of software, IT, equipment supply, manufacturing, fabrication, electrical engineering, and calibration service businesses serving a global client base. Its portfolio of solutions ranges from metering and data management (Aquidata xl) to safety and process control systems (Automation xl), and from industrial fabrication and logistics lifting solutions (Access xl) to specialist vehicle access solutions (Mobility xl).

“We will continue to have a deep connection with the oil and gas industry,” added Colin. “However, we are moving from upstream to embrace downstream as well. So rather like from ‘farm to fork’, we are now working from wellhead to fuel cap.

“We are also applying our expertise to emerging energy and renewables markets such as hydrogen, wind, and solar. Similarly, we are already using our skill sets to deliver efficiency savings and productivity benefits to clients in healthcare, logistics, pharmaceuticals, water, manufacturing, and aviation.”

The strategy behind XL Global Group was inspired by the geology of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This world heritage site in County Antrim features approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. “Individually each column is strong, but they are much stronger together,” said Colin. “The interoperability of the divisions within our group is what creates our unique proposition. We can leverage the expertise of one, several, or all divisions to provide tailored, turnkey solutions to our clients.”

Colin cites longevity of service among his employees as a key factor in the group’s success. “The first guy I hired is semi-retired now but still active within the business, 30 years later. Many others have been with me for 25 years or more. It has become a cliché to say that employees are the key reason for success within a business, but in our case, it is demonstrably true.

“I am merely the conductor of an orchestra comprised of extremely talented musicians. I chose the sheet music but it’s ultimately down to them to perform it.”

About XL Global Group

www.xlg.co.uk

Kraken Signs $8 Million Contract with Global Energy Company

Tina Olivero — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:18:16 +0000

Kraken Robotics Inc., Canada’s Ocean Company, announces that it has signed an R&D contract with a global energy company that will provide $8 million of cash funding to Kraken’s Brazilian subsidiary over a 3-year period. Under this project, Kraken will continue the development of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning software, and subsea autonomy solutions to intelligently analyze sensor data and learn how to respond to highly dynamic environments in the offshore oil and gas, wind, hydrographic, science, and defense industries. Due to customer confidentiality, further details cannot be released at this time.

ABOUT KRAKEN ROBOTICS INC.

Kraken Robotics Inc. is a marine technology company dedicated to the production and sale of software-centric sensors, subsea batteries, and underwater robotic systems. The company is headquartered in Newfoundland with offices in Canada, U.S., Germany, Denmark, and Brazil. In July 2021, Kraken acquired PanGeo Subsea, a leading services company specializing in high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging solutions for the sub-seabed used to mitigate risk in offshore installations. PanGeo with offices in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kraken. Kraken is ranked as a Top 100 marine technology company by Marine Technology Reporter.

www.krakenrobotics.com

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/krakenrobotics
Twitter www.twitter.com/krakenrobotics
Facebook www.facebook.com/krakenroboticsinc
YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMyaMQnneTeIr71HYgrT2A
Instagram www.instagram.com/krakenrobotics

SINTEF to Participate in United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt

Tina Olivero — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:58:03 +0000

SINTEF will participate in this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt. The organization will be represented by Executive Vice President for Sustainability, Nils Røkke, and several other scientists from research areas such as CO2 capture and storage (CCS), offshore wind power, hydrogen, climate change adaptation, digitalization, and biodiversity.

The recent Emissions Gap Report 2022 by the United Nations Environment Programme shows that updated national pledges since COP26 – held in 2021 in Glasgow, UK – make a negligible difference to predicted 2030 emissions and that we are far from the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C.

“It’s time to take action. The climate and nature crisis continues at full speed, even if the world is focused on local disasters. This is not going to solve itself. This is the world’s largest problem, and the general population, much more than the politicians and the decision-makers, is beginning to comprehend the enormity of the crisis,” said Røkke.

The importance of sharing open research

The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and representatives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recently published the “Breakthrough Agenda” report. The report’s message is that closer international collaboration is crucial for achieving a successful energy transition on nature’s terms. The report emphasizes greenhouse gas emission reductions in five sectors: power, road transport, steel, hydrogen, and agriculture. These five sectors are responsible for 60 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“SINTEF has the expertise and open research we want to share. During COP, we will present topics such as “CO₂ DataShare”, which is an open portal that collects quality-assured data from CO₂ storage projects. This is data that is useful and freely available to anyone who is interested in CO₂ storage,” said Røkke.

Røkke added, “The time is overdue to invest in future-oriented solutions to this crisis, where energy is at the center. These are investments in our collective community, and are more important than acting solely for profit; the risk of “business as usual” is too imminent. Additionally, this is not the time to cut core investments in science and development. This is Code Red for our planet.”

Energy systems with low emissions in Europe and Africa

Senior Research Scientist at SINTEF Ingeborg Graabak researches energy models that can contribute to phasing in more renewable resources in the energy system. She leads a larger EU project called OpenEntrance, which is developing a platform with both models and data for analyzing how to achieve an energy system with extremely low emissions in Europe.

“We’re currently working to transfer the results of this collaboration project to a number of African countries, with the aim of developing knowledge in these countries on sustainable energy systems as well as providing open access to our research results,” said Graabak.

SINTEF will host an open event on this topic during COP.

OrbitMI Translates Transparency Talk Into Action with Nautilus Labs Tie-Up

Tina Olivero — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:46:30 +0000

Data-sharing is the shape of things to come and the shipping industry cannot reach its net zero decarbonization goal without greater transparency and collaboration among software suppliers, according to a panel discussion at the recent SHIPPINGInsight conference in the US.

But it was OrbitMI, a New York-based supplier of SaaS (software as a service) vessel management systems, that really grabbed the attention of the audience by announcing at the event a strategic partnership with peer player Nautilus Labs to show it is putting these lofty ideals into practice.

The industry shift towards increasingly digitalized systems is driving the trend towards an API economy in which operational and other data is streamed from multiple sources to a unified user interface to enable vessel efficiencies in areas such as voyage routing and fuel consumption.

This represents a departure from the ‘black box’ culture of siloed data systems functioning independently of each other, which has prevented shipping companies from harnessing the potential of big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to improve their operations.

Breaking down barriers

OrbitMI is seeking to break down barriers to data-sharing in the maritime software business by forging innovative partnerships with like-minded players to boost value creation for clients, according to chief executive Ali Riaz.

The company has laid down a clear marker in this regard with the progressive alliance with leading maritime technology firm Nautilus Labs which proved a big talking point at the conference in Stamford, Connecticut where transparency was high on the agenda.

Under the partnership, Nautilus Labs will be able to leverage Orbit Reporter, a browser-based tool for sharing noon, cargo, event, and other reports with third parties, combined with high-frequency sensor data, and apply machine learning to provide voyage and performance optimization services.

This is intended to deliver “a comprehensive solution to manage data integrations, operational processes, and optimizations for improved commercial and environmental outcomes”, according to a joint statement from both companies.

“The winds of digital change are blowing in shipping and we all need to move in a different direction to fully realize the commercial and environmental benefits of digitalization. Stakeholders across the industry must work together to reach the common goal of decarbonization,” says Riaz, who introduced the OrbitMI-hosted panel entitled ‘Delivering on the demand for transparency.

“API-based data-sharing is being widely used to lift productivity and boost sustainability in many other industries and transparency has to become the new norm in shipping.”

Expanding partnerships

Riaz says the partnership with Nautilus Labs “demonstrates how transparency and collaboration can have an immediate impact to accelerate decarbonization of shipping” by making available vital operational data to optimize vessel performance and thereby reduce emissions.

In a study entitled ‘A Changed World, research firm Thetius states that “digital tools can play a strong role in the immediate future of the industry’s decarbonization journey”, citing evidence of fleet-wide fuel savings of up to 20% simply from changes in operational behavior on the bridge.

The latest tie-up widens OrbitMI’s existing sphere of partnerships as it backs up its bold philosophy by taking action to promote cross-supplier collaboration. It also has alliances with weather data provider DTN, which has resulted in the enhancement of its software offering with the advanced Orbit Weather+ solution, as well as with vendors Kongsberg Digital and SEDNA.

OrbitMI is also among several players supporting the SET Maritime software evaluation toolkit that is designed to help the industry make informed purchasing decisions by assessing the multiple digital solutions available in areas like chartering and navigation based on defined criteria.

Riaz believes “there needs to be a shift away from silo thinking” as the functionality of different software needs to be integrated for effective streaming and processing of aggregated data that can then be used for optimal decision-making to drive operational efficiencies.

Data-sharing opportunities

UK-based consultancy Critical Future has estimated that sharing data could unlock as much as $237 billion in economic value for the shipping industry over the next seven years by increasing net revenue for shipowners through savings in areas like fuel consumption.

The broad make-up of the conference panel, which included representatives from agricultural charterer Cargill, Carnival Cruise Lines, classification society ABS and DTN, certainly indicated there is an industry consensus for a shift towards greater transparency.

But as panelist Carleen Walker, chief evolution officer of conference organizer SHIPPINGInsight, observed after the event: “Interestingly, while folks are willing to acknowledge the need for collaboration, they are still holding their cards close to their vests.”

Research & Innovation Projects Advance NL’s Offshore Emissions Reduction Efforts

Tina Olivero — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:08:04 +0000

Companies and organizations researching ways to reduce offshore greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions presented the results of their work today at an event hosted by Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador (ERI).

Natural Resources Canada supported the projects through the Emissions Reduction Fund, Offshore Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Program, which ERI managed.

The 18 projects ranged from feasibility studies to technology development, adaptation, demonstration, and field trials. The projects studied carbon capture and storage; emissions monitoring; the feasibility of using renewable energy sources to support offshore operations; aspects of offshore drilling, production, and marine transportation; and examined the use of technology and other methods to optimize energy efficiencies in power generation.

Eleven projects advanced their respective technologies from concept to implementation, and several are ready for commercialization. Other companies that participated in the program plan to further develop and commercialize their technologies. The feasibility studies developed through the ERF Offshore RD&D Program will help inform the industry’s future emissions reduction efforts.

The program included 76 collaborators in Canada and seven internationally, between small technology and engineering companies, offshore operators, universities, and research and industry associations.

“Reducing emissions from our offshore oil and gas sector is a key step towards achieving our climate goals and building a prosperous low-carbon economy. That is why the federal government has supported the research, development, deployment, and scaling of clean technologies through initiatives like the ERF. I am pleased to see the many innovative solutions advanced by Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador and their partners”, said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.

“The Emissions Reduction Fund Offshore RD&D Program has been a step change in supporting emissions reduction work in Newfoundland and Labrador. The response, the broad range of projects, and their results nicely complement and contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce emissions offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. ERI is quite pleased with the way this work has catalyzed a significant increase in collaboration, focus, and capacity in the field of offshore emissions reduction in Canada”, said Dave Finn, CEO, of Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador.

About Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador

Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador (ERI) advances research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) and innovation projects in the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on health, safety, and the environment. ERI is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit organization whose members include Chevron Canada Resources, Equinor Canada, ExxonMobil Canada, Cenovus, Oil, and Gas Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Suncor Energy, and Woodside Energy. www.erinl.ca

Principle Power to Advance FEED for Wind-to-Hydrogen Dolphyn Project

Tina Olivero — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:12:51 +0000

Principle Power has been contracted by ERM to advance the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a Wind-to-Hydrogen Dolphyn 10 MW demonstrator project off the coast of Aberdeen. The contract was signed after ERM Dolphyn was awarded £8.62m of funding from the UK Government, via the Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 Competition.

ERM Dolphyn (Deepwater Offshore Local Production of HYdrogeN) has developed a concept design to produce large-scale green hydrogen from floating offshore wind. The ERM Dolphyn concept employs a modular design integrating electrolysis and a wind turbine on a moored floating semi-submersible platform based upon the proven WindFloat® technology by Principle Power to produce hydrogen from seawater, using wind power as the energy source. ERM and Principle Power have been collaborating on the development of decentralized hydrogen production opportunities since 2019.

“It is now established that to meet net-zero ambitions in the UK and all around the world, hydrogen from offshore floating wind needs to be a significant component in any viable long-term solution for heat, electricity generation, and transport. The ERM Dolphyn project, a first-of-a-kind, is an innovative integrated system combining all the technologies required to bring the latest floating wind and hydrogen production technologies together to enable offshore wind resources to contribute toward hydrogen production at scale. Principle Power has been instrumental in this process, and we’re delighted to extend our collaboration”, said David Caine, Partner at ERM.

The 10 MW demonstrator project is a key step in proving the Dolphyn concept prior to commercial-scale deployment. The demonstrator project is targeting operations in late 2025. Commercial scale projects (300MW+) are under development and expected for operation pre-2030, followed by large-scale (GW) deployment post-2030. When fully deployed, at an expected 4 GW total capacity, ERM Dolphyn has the potential to supply energy to heat more than 1.5 million homes with no carbon emissions, thus avoiding the release of millions of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.

100 000 new jobs by 2050

ERM Dolphyn is a core project for the UK’s Hydrogen coast strategy, and it is expected to help generate >10.000 new jobs by 2030 and more than 100.000 by 2050. Many of these jobs will rely on the world-class skills and knowledge found in the offshore renewables and Oil and Gas sectors. This massive opportunity is not without challenges: the rapid scaling up of floating offshore wind to meet both governments’ and markets’ energy transformation goals requires an equally massive investment in the entire supply chain. A healthy supply chain, engaged early on, is essential to having a holistic view of each project’s challenges and achieving the desired cost reductions that will bring floating offshore wind LCoE in line with other forms of energy generation.

“We are pleased to continue our years-long collaboration with ERM on the Dolphyn project, and we are eager to further develop partnerships across the entire supply chain supporting floating offshore wind applications to support and accelerate growth in the UK and globally. Moving to FEED on the Dolphyn project is a significant milestone towards our collective carbon-free future“, said Gregory-Campbell Smith, Senior Business Developer Manager, Europe at Principle Power.

On the other hand, getting to the utility-scale requires advancements in modularization and industrialization, for which Principle Power is leveraging its 15 years of experience and lessons learned in pre-commercial projects such as WindFloat Atlantic (25 MW, Portugal) and KOWL (50 MW, UK) to streamline everything from design concept to manufacturing to installation and load-out.

About ERM Dolphyn

The award-winning Dolphyn technology is a first-of-its-kind technology, which combines electrolysis, desalination, and low-carbon hydrogen production on a floating wind platform. It has been developed by ERM, the world’s leading sustainability consultancy, with significant support from the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. The intention is to harness its full potential by working with energy developers and investors at multiple locations globally.

The hydrogen produced by Dolphyn is returned to shore via pipeline, where it can be used for power generation, transport, industrial use, and heating. At the point of use, hydrogen produced from Dolphyn is zero carbon. The North Sea and the Celtic Sea are viewed as significant areas of opportunity for Dolphyn, and the business plan aims to make the most of these – working together with energy developers to produce affordable hydrogen at a scale that will materially impact our shared net zero ambitions.

Visit erm.com

About Principle Power

Principle Power is a leading global technology and services provider for the floating offshore wind energy market. The WindFloat®, the company’s globally patented and proven floating platform technology, enables offshore wind turbines to be sited in any water depth or seabed condition, unlocking offshore wind potential worldwide and allowing projects to harvest the best wind resources. Principle Power acts as a trusted partner to developers, independent power producers, utilities, and EPCs, supporting its customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects. With 105 MW of cumulative capacity in operation or under advanced development and a multi-GW commercial pipeline globally, Principle Power is the market leader in floating offshore wind technology.

Visit principlepower.com

T. Parker Host Launches Avondale Global Gateway

Tina Olivero — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:20:31 +0000

T. Parker Host (Host) announced the grand opening of the former Avondale Shipyards as Avondale Global Gateway. The former shipyard has been transformed during the past four years since its acquisition into a global logistics hub for intermodal commerce.

Situated on the Mississippi River, Avondale Global Gateway combines river, road, and rail connections with ample storage and laydown space in a strategic location. Accommodating ships, barges, rail, and trucks, the site offers immediate access to regional and interstate highway systems and is positioned at the interchange of six Class I railroads, creating a capability to distribute cargo in all directions. Space is plentiful at Avondale, with almost 300 acres for development directly ashore and 1.5 million square feet of convertible warehouse or manufacturing space, including indoor and outdoor Foreign Trade Zone storage.

“I am proud to be part of the Host team that took on the herculean task of transforming the former shipyard upon our acquisition in 2018,” Adam Anderson, chairman & CEO of T. Parker Host, said. “We have taken a site with great bones and repurposed it into a working, world-class multi-modal terminal with fully operating docks, working buildings, and rail access at the site for the first time in half a century. Renaming the site to Avondale Global Gateway better represents what Avondale is now and will become as we continue our efforts.”

Since beginning cargo operations in 2020, Host has moved well over a million tons of breakbulk, bulk, and project cargo across the docks and now has 300 employees on-site to support this continued growth with the expectation of hiring another 50 employees before the end of the year. Host has invested over $100 million in the redevelopment of the site and up to $1 billion in capital investments is expected by Host and current and future tenants, according to a recent economic impact study released by Dr. Stephen Barnes, director of the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center. The master plan is expected to create a total economic impact of $32 billion in output and increase Louisiana payrolls by $8.6 billion by 2027.

“We felt the responsibility of bringing this site back into commerce in a way that pays tribute to its pasts and its connection to this community. The next phase of our redevelopment is to bring on anchor tenants that add value to Avondale,” said Anderson. “Now that we are open and fully capable of handling cargo with our cranes, docks, and transportation connections we are looking to the future and how we can add value to the region in the form of jobs and economic development.”

Avondale has a long history as one of the state’s top economic drivers and at one point was home to the largest employer in the State of Louisiana. Before the 2018 acquisition by Host and Hilco Redevelopment Partners (Hilco), the site had fallen into disrepair with no docks, no rail connections, and dilapidated buildings. Host worked through the challenges of record high water on the Mississippi River, which restricted work on all waterfront properties, and the COVID-19 pandemic transforming the idle site into a global economic gateway.

About T. Parker Host and Avondale Global Gateway

T. Parker Host is a total solutions provider for the maritime industry, specializing in agency services, terminal operations, stevedoring, and marine assets. Founded in 1923 and guided by its Core Principles, the company has developed a strong reputation in the maritime community for its expertise, transparency, and high standards of service. The entire HOST team focuses on customer needs while adding value to every operation. In 2018, HOST acquired the former Avondale Shipyard located at mile 108 of the Mississippi River. Learn more at www.tparkerhost.com.

PanGeo Subsea Completes Acoustic Corer Survey for ONE-Dyas Off the Dutch Coast

Tina Olivero — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:12:11 +0000

Kraken Robotics Inc. is pleased to announce that its PanGeo Subsea subsidiary has completed an Acoustic Coring campaign for ONE-Dyas in the North Sea. This is PanGeo’s second Acoustic Corer (AC) survey at ONE-Dyas’s GEMS development, supporting the foundation engineering of the N05-A gas platforms.

The campaign took place during the summer aboard the M/V Dina Star. PanGeo was the prime contractor for the project. The scope of work was to acquire an acoustic core at each of the 6 legs of the platform foundation, and an additional core centered on the wellhead.

PanGeo high-resolution data will identify geohazards such as buried boulders of 0.3 meters in diameter and larger to 40 meters below the seabed. PanGeo also correlated the acoustic data to pre-existing geotechnical data and extrapolated the geotechnical properties across the entire foundation footprint. PanGeo’s geoscientists will now assess the collected AC data to identify buried boulders that could cause pin-pile refusals and prevent additional costs and installation delays.

“We are very pleased to continue supporting ONE-Dyas on its GEMS region project,” says PanGeo’s CEO Moya Cahill. “Through technology enhancements, we have accelerated the Acoustic Corer data acquisition rate, reducing vessel time and delivering a more cost-effective and carbon attractive solution to the industry. The AC solution continues to build momentum with its next campaign this fall in the neighboring waters of the Baltic.”

About GEMS

ONE-Dyas aims to deliver the first natural gas to Dutch and German households by the end of 2024. The N05-A project is part of the GEMS area, an area approximately 20 to 100 kilometers north of the Ems estuary in which ONE-Dyas is currently actively exploring other gas fields in the North Sea.

ABOUT KRAKEN ROBOTICS INC.

www.krakenrobotics.com
www.pangeosubsea.com

Thunder Cranes Launches Middle East & Africa

Tina Olivero — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 14:04:25 +0000

Thunder Cranes is pleased to announce it has launched operations in the Middle East and Africa. The offshore crane company had previously operated with a base in Dubai from 2009 to 2019 – now reopened – and in addition, has just launched a new base of operations in Luanda to serve Angola and western Africa.

Dinesh Arumugam, CEO of Thunder Cranes, said, “As a market-leading provider of offshore rental cranes, Thunder Cranes is committed to helping customers in the Middle East and Africa with cost-effective and efficient lifting solutions to support offshore projects.”

Arumugam continued, “The market outlook going into 2023 is excellent around these regions, and furthermore, we know that once given the opportunity to support offshore projects in new markets, clients will find Thunder Cranes invaluable from a performance and efficiency perspective.”

Since 1995, Thunder Cranes has been supplying its proprietary brand of API-compliant, portable-modular cranes which were developed in the USA. Today, Thunder Cranes is headquartered in Malaysia and operates globally, with bases in the UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Angola.

Many of the older platforms are not equipped with sufficient crane capacity or coverage to support current projects, thus the need for temporary cranes that can be installed when required. Safe, efficient, and cost-effective, the portable-modular crane has become essential equipment used to facilitate a diverse range of offshore projects in good intervention, P&A, construction, crane changeouts, and decommissioning.

In line with its vision to become a global leader in offshore lifting solutions, Thunder Cranes has focused on customer satisfaction through reliable, safe performance – a strategy that has resulted in consistently winning long-term service contracts with oil and gas companies in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and Dubai, as well as securing projects in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Angola.

In 2022 Thunder Cranes was awarded another long-term contract with an oil major in Thailand. Dinesh Arumugam said, “Thailand has been a core market for Thunder Cranes, and since our first contract there in 2007, we have worked regularly with Chevron, PTTEP, and Mubadala. This latest award is a testament to our consistent performance and excellent safety record. We also recently secured a project in Angola to support crane changeout activities and in the next 6 months we will be bidding on contracts in several more countries including the UAE, Brunei, Qatar, Turkmenistan, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.”

www.thundercranes.com

Weathernews Launches New Service Supporting ‘Greener Shipping & Sea Logistics’

Tina Olivero — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:38:01 +0000

Weathernews Inc (WNI), the world’s leading weather intelligence company, has upgraded its OSR-e (Optimum Ship Routeing) and PMS-e (Performance Monitoring Service) sea-planning tools as part of its Total Fleet Management Service concept to support customers manage their emissions goals.

Both OSR-e and PSM-e update Weathernews’ existing OSR and PMS services incorporating additional Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and CO2 environmental content in the embedded ship performance models. The strategy is to help fleet operators establish seamless emissions target management and reporting.

Ready to support customers today and tomorrow

“The shipping industry is in the process of a major transition. At a time of both economic and political uncertainty, and with environmental regulations bound to become increasingly strict in the future, there are many moving parts to consider. Having an effective PDCA [plan, do check, and analyze] cycle in place is paramount to ensure continuous improvement and smarter operations. Our new service is designed to empower clients with best-in-class tools and highly granular data to achieve their own green agenda,” said Global Sales Leader Keemoon Kwon.

The service’s overall value proposition is supporting customers’ work towards decarbonization and managing both CII rating and CO2 targets.

“Combining our system with risk communications while enjoying the value provided from our legacy OSR and PMS services gives customers a cost-effective, one-stop service solution to enable optimized PDCA,” Kwon added.

Simplified cloud-based solution

OSR-e and PMS-e have been migrated into a single, cloud-based system making the platform simple to access and use.

“The system provides superior monitoring, providing the best real-time voyage routing matching customers’ business priorities while sending timely alerts when a vessel or vessels drift off their target CII rating or planned CO2 emissions,” Kwon said.

Leveraging Weathernews’ highly accurate weather, route, and voyage data, and cutting-edge technology, the platform is backed up by meteorologists, risk communications experts, and Voyage Planners on the ground in the company’s global operations centers.

“All our teams in Weathernews Voyage Planning group are very excited with the new servicesolution launch, to support our customers’ needs to optimize the voyage optimization process. We look forward to addressing a joint challenge with our valued customers to achieve the best yield of commercial interest, while maintaining their vessels’ targeted CII rating or other CO2 reduction goals, and eventually helping to decarbonize the industry,” Kwon said.

Tested and proven in the field

The new service has been tested by key shipping clients, including international open-hatch bulker operator Saga Welco AS.

“Optimizing fleet performance while enhancing safety, efficiency and environmental responsiveness is key to ensuring successful and profitable operations. Weathernews’ new solution is a user-friendly and empowering solution that will be a core part of our operational optimization efforts going forward,” confirmed Saga Welco Vessel Performance Manager Helge Røttingen.

Proactively engaging customers

Weathernews is gearing up to present its new service to existing European clients at two Green Forums in Athens and Elsinore next month, designed to be part of an ongoing collaborative arena. The plan is also to roll out promotions that provide added-value benefits to existing customers in the region.

“The forums will be primarily informative and educative occasions on our updated services while addressing the CII framework, how to improve vessel ratings, and, not least, why forecast accuracy is so important, among other challenges. Key elements will be open discussion and panel debates on the challenges customers are facing. Harvesting useful feedback on their concerns and wishes means we can refine and fine-tune our solutions on an ongoing basis to add as much value as possible. Nobody can decarbonize in isolation; we all need to make the right choices together,” Kwon concluded.

About Weathernews

Weathernews Inc. (Head Office: Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi; CEO: Chihito Kusabiraki) was founded in 1986 and is one of the largest weather information companies in the world. We started as a service supporting safe maritime operations aimed at shipping companies, and we now provide weather information services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to clients across 44 different markets in a total of 50 countries around the world. With our guiding motto of “wanting to help people in times of crisis,” we continue to take on new challenges with an innovative approach, such as developing our own original radar to pick up torrential rainstorms and sudden strong winds, launching weather satellites to capture views of sea ice in the Arctic Sea, and making use of AI technology to achieve high- accuracy weather forecast.

Wood Awarded Two Offshore Energy Contract Extensions in Brazil

Tina Olivero — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:05:06 +0000

Wood, the global consulting and engineering company, has been awarded two significant offshore contract extensions in Brazil. They include the provision of operations services for Trident Energy and maintenance solutions for Equinor.

In July, Wood and Trident Energy signed an agreement to perform production and deck operation services onboard platforms P08, P65, PCE1, and PPM1. This contract is a one-year extension of the existing agreement that began in 2020, and the continuation of a long-term relationship between both companies. In support of Trident’s mature field development, Wood has also been awarded Engineering and Modification projects for the same assets.

The Equinor contract is the fourth one-year extension awarded to the team, with the contract initially secured in 2015 as a four-year commitment with options to extend. Wood’s team, now consisting of approximately 640 people mobilized on large maintenance and technical upgrade campaign, will continue to provide maintenance solutions to optimize the Peregrino assets. This contract extension builds on a long-term and global relationship with Equinor across its operations in the United Kingdom, Norway, and Brazil.

Hugues Corrignan, Wood’s Country Manager for Brazil, said: “We are committed to continuously improving the performance of our client’s assets and proud to contribute to their long-term successful operations in Brazil.

“These contracts reinforce the trust our clients have in Wood’s capabilities to deliver maintenance, engineering, and modification projects throughout the life of their assets. With 20 years of experience in the region, our team in Brazil has unparalleled expertise in mature field development and a proven history of working together with asset operators to secure energy safely and responsibly.”

Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects, and operations solutions in 60 countries, employing around 35,000 people. www.woodplc.com

Viking Polaris Delivered

Tina Olivero — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:08:00 +0000

We are proud to announce that VARD has delivered Viking Polaris, the second of two ice-strengthened expedition vessels from VARD to Viking.

Built at Vard Søviknes in Ålesund, Norway, Viking Polaris represents an excellent and innovative way to explore the world’s most remote destinations and is specifically geared for adventure cruises in polar destinations.

The vessel has a length of 205 meters and a beam of 23,5 meters, especially designed and developed for comfortable expeditions in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. The vessel hosts 378 guests in 189 staterooms.

“Together with her sister, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris is an amazing and unique ship that represents innovation and development of the cruise segment for both Viking and VARD,” says General Manager for Business Unit Cruise at VARD, Attilio Dapelo.

“Both vessels are over 200 meters long and the largest vessels built by VARD so far and once again confirm VARD’s capabilities to build excellent vessels at the highest standards of cruise ships. I am grateful to everyone involved in the project for being dedicated to their tasks and to the commitment to deliver Viking Polaris on time and with high-quality levels. A special thanks to Viking for the trust and for the excellent, fruitful, and continuous cooperation all along the designing and building process.”

Viking Polaris is an ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 vessel with a longer hull, straight bow, and state-of-the-art fin stabilizers to provide the calmest possible journeys in remote regions. The u-tank stabilizers will significantly decrease rolling when the ship is stationary. The hull is built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. Vard Tulcea has also partly outfitted the ship.

“We are proud to deliver the second ice-strengthened expedition vessel to Viking,” says yard director at Vard Søviknes, Arnt Inge Gjerde.

“The vessel is fantastic, and with a very high standard. Considering the sistership effect, and that we brought the synergies from the first vessel, we are very satisfied with the result. Viking Polaris is equipped with the latest technology and automation systems, all commissioned and tested by VARD in very close cooperation with Viking. Our in-house competence in innovative design and technology, executed at our yards through all the steps in the process, is a huge strength which is supported by our owner Fincantieri.”

VARD signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) for the two cruise vessels with Viking in April 2018. The contracts for the vessels became effective in July 2018.

Viking Polaris was delivered from Vard Søviknes on 27 September 2022. The float-out ceremony took place in Vard Tulcea in July 2021. The vessel arrived at Vard Søviknes in Norway on 22nd January 2022 for further outfitting, testing, and finalization.

Her sister, Viking Octantis, was delivered from Vard Søviknes 22nd of December 2021.

About VARD

VARD’s long shipbuilding traditions, cutting-edge innovation, and technology coupled with its global operations and track record in constructing complex and highly customized vessels have earned it recognition from industry players and enabled it to build strong relationships with its customers.

The majority shareholder of VARD is Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of FINCANTIERI S.p.A. Headquartered in Trieste, Italy. FINCANTIERI is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, a global leader in cruise ship design, and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, the Group today has a production network of 18 shipyards operating in four continents and over 20,000 employees. www.vard.com

Independent Resource Assessments Reveal Oil and Gas Potential Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to Grow

Tina Olivero — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 14:26:50 +0000

Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2022 Independent Oil and Gas Resource Assessments released show a potential of 50.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent (P50 unrisked volumes) in the Eastern and the South Eastern Newfoundland Regions.

The two resource assessments for 2022 are based on new data covering parcels on offer by the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) in the Orphan basin and the southern Salar basin. Four of the parcels in the Orphan basin and all 10 of the parcels in the southern Salar basin are newly posted acreage.

The basin models for both resource assessments completed by Beicip-Franlab show high oil and gas potential in a large number of structural and stratigraphic layers.

The resource assessment within the Orphan basin area demonstrates a potential for an active petroleum system with four main plays sourced from various source rocks.

This is the C-NLOPB’s second license round for the southern Salar basin off the southeastern coast of Newfoundland. The southern Salar basin model shows an active petroleum system with potential reservoirs in at least four stratigraphic layers. While the region is within an unexplored and undrilled basin, the high-quality seismic data indicate the potential existence of significant oil and gas resources in this basin.

In collaboration with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Department of Industry, Energy and Technology), OilCo has engaged Beicip-Franlab to conduct independent resource assessments for offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in advance of the closing of scheduled license rounds. Nine resource assessments have been conducted in offshore Newfoundland and Labrador since 2015.

Established in 2019 by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador from Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas, OilCo focuses on attracting new investments to the oil and gas industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and maximizing returns through equity investments—positioning this province as a globally-preferred location for development.

To learn more about the 2022 Independent Oil and Gas Resource Assessments and to view the 2022 reports, click here or visit OilCoNL.com and view Licensing Rounds. https://oilconl.com/licensing-rounds/2022-eastern-and-south-eastern-newfoundland-regions/

Seals From Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Improve Service Life of Offshore Wind Turbines

Tina Olivero — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:47:24 +0000

The European Union aims to expand the capacity for wind power generated at sea to at least 60 gigawatts by 2030. With its sealing solutions for the foundation structures, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies helps ensure that new wind turbines reach a service life of at least 30 years or more despite the rough conditions at sea.

The highest wind velocity ever measured in the German North Sea was 191 km/h (119 mph). While wind turbines erected in the ocean are shut down even at considerably lower wind speeds, the structures still have to withstand the enormous force of a hurricane, no matter what – and this is throughout their entire service life. The foundation that anchors the towers in the seabed plays an important role in this. In the shallow waters predominant in the North and Baltic Seas, it is usually constructed by means of so-called “monopiles”. These are steel piles driven into the seabed until only the upper ends are above the water surface. The tower, which even for a 10-megawatt turbine can reach a height of 150 meters (493 ft) to the rotor hub, is usually not mounted directly on the piles but supported by a connecting piece, a flange. This flange is attached with several dozen bolts that become inaccessible for any maintenance once the tower is installed. To prevent the screw connections from corroding in the harsh environment at sea, they have to be protected against the ingress of moisture. Today, seals from Freudenberg Sealing Technologies are already handling this crucial task in more than 800 offshore wind turbines.

The most important function is performed by a ring seal at the top of the pile: It encloses the interior part of the linking piece that supports the screw connection. In modern installations, this flange seal with the abbreviation MP-TP (monopile transition piece) can reach a diameter of eight to ten meters. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has also offered this seal in a double version in recent years. The main advantage of the double-row design is the resulting redundancy, as Freudenberg expert Manuel Hille explains: “If minor damage occurs at one of the two seals during the transport or installation, the function is still ensured. In addition, this makes it possible to optimally combine different designs and materials with each other.” However, the specific design is almost exclusively customer-specific in order to make optimum use of the available assembly space. Freudenberg also offers an already established standard product upon request.

In a conventional design, a gap remains between the lower end of the connecting piece and the pile. One or two ring seals interspersed with air chambers designed as elastic breakwaters ensure that no seawater can enter. On the other hand, if the gap is filled with cement, a ring seal can keep the cement in the desired position during the curing and later protect it against damage from saltwater. Maintenance platforms, which are often positioned above the water surface inside the monopile, can additionally be protected against the ingress of gases with a specially designed seal. These kinds of gases may form due to biological seawater processes in the pile.

Designed for long life

There has been a sharp increase in the expected service life of components used for sea-based wind turbines in recent years. While 25 years were initially considered a good lifespan, this standard has now risen to up to 35 years. Such a long operating life can’t be ensured by means of bench tests. This is why Freudenberg is using an adapted Arrhenius algorithm to extrapolate the results of six-week intensive stress tests. This quite familiar procedure, named after the Swedish chemist and Nobel laureate Svante August Arrhenius, has been consistently refined by Freudenberg experts in recent years. They significantly improved the service life model by coupling chemical and physical effects with the structural mechanical behavior of the material.

“80 percent of all currently projected marine wind farms are based on monopile technology,” estimates Marcel Schreiner, who oversees sales in the energy sector at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “This is an important growth market for us.” In the expert’s view, the trend towards ever larger systems – nominal capacities of 20 megawatts are under discussion for 2030 – also speaks in favor of paying particular attention to the service life when selecting components.

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies will also be showcasing the MP-TP seals at its booth B6.531 at the WindEnergy 2022 trade fair in Hamburg (Germany). In addition, other products such as Seventomatic S95 for oil-lubricated main shaft bearings, piston accumulators for pitch control of wind turbines, and seals for electrolyzers will be on display. At the same booth, Klüber Lubrication and Freudenberg Performance Materials will also present their latest products and developments specifically for the wind energy industry.

About Freudenberg Sealing Technologies

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is a longstanding technology expert and market leader for sophisticated and novel applications in sealing technology and electric mobility solutions worldwide. With its unique materials and technology expertise, the company is a proven supplier for demanding products and applications, as well as a development and service partner to customers in the automotive industries and in general industries. In 2021, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies generated sales of about 2.2 billion euros and employed approximately 13,500 people. More information at www.fst.com.

The company is part of the global Freudenberg Group which has four business areas: Seals and Vibration Control Technology, Nonwovens and Filtration, Household Products as well as Specialties and Others. In 2021 the Group generated sales of more than 10 billion euros and employed more than 50,000 associates in around 60 countries. More information is available at www.freudenberg.com.

Port of Argentia & Torrent Capital Establish Joint Venture focused on Port Infrastructure & Related Business Opportunities

Tina Olivero — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 13:11:00 +0000

Port of Argentia Inc. (Port of Argentia) and Torrent Capital Ltd., (Torrent Capital) are pleased to announce the establishment of a joint venture company, Argentia Capital Inc. (ACI). The new joint venture company will be focused on the construction of port infrastructure, the provision of services, and equity ownership in businesses that support aquaculture, renewable energy, and oil and gas sectors, as well as other port developments.

The Port of Argentia located in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland is in the middle of a remarkable transformation to become a hub for innovation across multiple sustainable industries. Over the next five years, the Port is expected to host new investment from renewable energy companies proposing to establish facilities to produce wind energy, hydrogen, and ammonia, as well as staging for offshore wind farm construction projects throughout North America. Other promising areas for growth include the requirement for subsea pipe fabrication, container service expansion, aquaculture support services, and facilities for critical mineral processing.

“Our joint venture with the Port will provide significant growth and value creation for shareholders, the local community, and the wider region of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Wade Dawe, President of Torrent Capital. The Port of Argentia is the host site for North America’s first and only monopile marshaling yard for US offshore wind projects, the location for Pattern Energy’s Placentia Bay Hydrogen Hub, and the construction site for the West White Rose Wellhead Platform. These multi-year projects have the potential to drive long-term value for ACI from multiple revenue streams.

“We are excited to be announcing our partnership with Torrent Capital”, said Wayne Power, Chairperson of Port of Argentia. “Torrent Capital is led by an accomplished team with extensive finance, legal, marketing, and government relations expertise. The company’s experience in structuring a wide range of financial transactions makes it an ideal partner for the Port. Together, we will create long-term opportunities through the provision of high-quality infrastructure.”

Dawe and Power are also announcing the following members of the ACI Board of Directors: Businessperson and former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Dwight Ball, Port of Argentia Chief Executive Officer Scott Penney, Torrent Director Carl Sheppard, and Dawe as President & CEO of Torrent Capital.

“Port of Argentia is in the enviable position of being able to offer tenants both ocean access and available land mass for the establishment of large-scale development projects,” said Dwight Ball. “With the Port of Argentia as a designated hub for sustainability, billions could be invested in new industries, employing thousands of workers over the next several years. Economic impacts from investments at the Port will be significant, not only for the Placentia area but for the entire province.”

“The Port of Argentia is on the verge of leading the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in renewable energy development, as well as in the important transition to fuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The joint venture will strengthen our ability to build much-needed infrastructure at the port and accelerate investments across multiple supply chains. ACI will be targeting infrastructure investments which are attractive to new tenants setting up operations at the Port,” said Port of Argentia’s CEO Scott Penney.

About Port of Argentia Inc.

Port of Argentia Inc. (operating as Port of Argentia) is a non-share capital company and owner of the marine terminal and adjacent property at Argentia. Argentia is a heavy industrial seaport located on the southeastern portion of the Island of Newfoundland, in Placentia Bay. Formerly the site of a U.S. Naval Base, Argentia is being redeveloped with a diverse group of port users and tenants involved in marine transportation, manufacturing, renewable energy, construction, offshore oil, mining, and other sectors. With a strategic location near the main shipping lanes between North America and Europe, Argentia offers well-maintained infrastructure and a highly skilled local workforce.

About Torrent Capital Ltd.

Torrent Capital Ltd. is a publicly traded investment issuer that invests in the securities of private and publicly traded companies. The Company invests in companies that are due to experience accelerated growth or are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. Torrent offers investors the potential to earn above-market returns while providing transparency, daily liquidity, and a modest fee profile compared to competing investment products. Currently, the Company is actively researching investment opportunities in the clean technology sector.

Vårgrønn and Flotation Energy to Jointly Bid in INTOG Leasing Round

Tina Olivero — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:12:00 +0000

Vårgrønn and Flotation Energy have formed an offshore wind partnership aimed at decarbonizing the oil and gas industry in Scotland.

Vårgrønn, a Norwegian full cycle offshore wind company owned by Plenitude (Eni) and HitecVision, and Flotation Energy, an Edinburgh-based floating wind specialist, plan to generate renewable energy from offshore wind farms to enable the electrification and decarbonization of offshore oil and gas installations in the North Sea.

Any excess power will be made available to benefit UK consumers, the companies said.

The partners will apply for leases in Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) round.

The INTOG leasing round is expected to make a significant contribution to Scotland’s net-zero target, and The North Sea Transition Deal’s goal to reduce offshore emissions by a minimum of 50 percent by 2030.

The partners said they will leverage the oil and gas expertise of Vårgrønn’s shareholders to deliver innovative solutions and promote supply chain development in Scotland.

”Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn combine their unique experience from offshore wind development,” Olav Hetland, CEO of Vårgrønn, said.

”Vårgrønn provides Norwegian offshore competence, offshore wind experience, financial expertise, and strength to the consortium, also leveraging on our shareholders Eni and HitecVision. Flotation Energy has an established local position in Scotland, entrepreneurial drive, and experience from developing Kincardine the largest operational floating wind farm in the world. We look forward to a very successful partnership for this nationally important project.”

Launched back in August, the INTOG leasing round allows developers to apply for the rights to build small-scale innovative offshore wind projects of less than 100 MW, as well as larger projects which will provide green electricity to oil and gas infrastructure to reduce their carbon emissions.  

Awards will be determined on a mixture of price bid and quality and will be split into two pots – one for smaller-scale innovation projects, and one for projects linked to oil and gas infrastructure.  

Depending on the volume and quality of submissions, it is envisaged that applicants will be notified of the leasing results by the end of March 2023. Exclusivity agreements will then be finalized.

”Decarbonising UK Oil and Gas platforms is an urgent priority,” Lord Nicol Stephen, CEO & Co-founder of Flotation Energy, said.

”Flotation Energy initiated early development work in 2020. We are determined to push forward so that our floating wind projects are delivering renewable energy to the oil and gas sector by the mid-2020s. As well as tackling climate change, these projects will lead to billions of pounds of investment and thousands of skilled jobs – securing Scotland’s leadership in floating offshore wind. We are excited to team up with Vårgrønn in establishing a strong offshore wind bid for the INTOG round.”

OWM Announces Expansion & New Framework with Leading Operator

Tina Olivero — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 13:18:11 +0000

Leading water management and risk prevention specialist Offshore Water Management Ltd (OWM) has announced its continued growth with the expansion of its in-house Technical Supply service following a new supply framework with a leading operator and a new appointment.

OWM, which is in its 15th year of operation, is committed to providing an industry-leading Technical Supply offering as part of its widely recognized portfolio of services. The company’s new supply framework reinforces its presence in the offshore energy sector as OWM oversees the specialist water-treatment and chemical requirements of the Brae Assets. Q3 of 2022 will also see the water management experts support two leading UKCS operators with offshore water management projects.

Driving the growth of the Technical Supply division is the newly appointed Technical Supply Coordinator, Matt Cowie. Having initially joined OWM in 2018, Matt provides a wealth of specialist insight and a continued commitment to sourcing the most effective technical requirement solutions for OWM’s customers. OWM will provide first-fit solutions to unique requirements, particularly in pumps, valves, water production, pipework, and fittings from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.

Speaking on his appointment, Matt said “This is an exciting time for OWM, and I am delighted to be taking on the position of Technical Supply Coordinator.

“Having previously worked in OWM’s Sampling Department, I bring a wealth of knowledge about the specialist nature of the requirements and challenges our clients encounter every day. I look forward to strengthening the first-class, full-cycle service that our clients expect and receive.”

In addition to the success of its new business stream, OWM has been awarded the industry-leading accreditation for a Quality Management System, Lloyds ISO 9001. This achievement is a testament to OWM’s continued commitment to providing safe and efficient services which go above and beyond the industry standard.

Neill Crone, General Manager at OWM, commented “We are delighted with the continued success of our newly focussed Technical Supply service and the timing of our certification now being with Lloyds is perfect given the growing volumes we are seeing in Q3.

“Quality, safety, and efficiency are of great importance to all of us at OWM so our dedicated team goes above and beyond to provide our clients with over 15 years of technical knowledge combined with working relationships with an extensive network of globally recognized suppliers and manufacturers such as Hatenboer-Water and Watts-Socla.”

ABOUT OWM Ltd

OWM (Offshore Water Management Ltd) is a specialist technical consultancy, that has been delivering solutions, products, and services for the provision of safe drinking water to the offshore and marine industry globally for 15 years. OWM’s commitment to the industry is that all offshore and maritime personnel are drinking safe and high-quality water and ensure low-risk, efficient, effective, and optimized drinking water systems. Our holistic approach means OWM is uniquely placed to support and manage all aspects of water systems throughout the chain of custody; supply, storage, treatment, and end use regardless of complexity and location.

For more information visit: www.owmgroup.com

NAVTOR & Danelec Partner to Unlock Big Data Value

Tina Olivero — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:54:15 +0000

NAVTOR has teamed up with Danelec in a partnership that will help shipowners and operators translate onboard data into business value, unlocking enhanced commercial and operational decision-making.

The agreement will bring together the wealth of data collected by Danelec’s advanced internet-of-things (IoT) vessel infrastructure with NAVTOR’s NavFleet performance management and optimization platform. This combined collection and analytics solution will, the partners explain, allow users to empower new standards of sustainability, compliance, and cost-efficient operations.

Simply powerful

“Danelec, through its decades of expertise with VDR (Voyage Data Recorder), Ship Performance Monitoring (via Kyma), and ECDIS technology, is a world leader in collecting a comprehensive range of critical vessel operational data,” comments Arild Risholm Sæther, CBDO NavFleet, NAVTOR. “On the other hand, we at NAVTOR have built our reputation delivering digital innovations that make shipping simpler, safer, smarter, and more efficient for our customers. NavFleet is the epitome of that.

“Bringing Danelec and NAVTOR’s specialisms together allows NavFleet to turn a wealth of real-time data into better operational understanding and business performance. Suddenly teams onshore and vessels are working as one, with full operational insight and awareness, and the ability to constantly manage, refine and optimize performance. It puts management firmly in control of their worldwide fleets, empowered by high-quality, validated data and the analytical tools to really utilize it. Administration duties are also slashed, with automated reporting, and compliance is simplified. We see this as nothing short of a game-changer.”

Automating excellence

Danelec’s data collection and connectivity modules, installed on over 10,000 vessels worldwide, collect real-time data ranging from ship AIS to radar, main alarm systems, engine and propellor performance, speed logs, anemometers, and much more. Its agnostic IoT infrastructure can interface with any sensor-data source. NavFleet, meanwhile, will use that data to help on-shore teams continually monitor and optimize performance – refining operations, troubleshooting, and benchmarking across entire fleets.

In addition, the collected data is auto-populated into reporting forms slashing administration, eradicating human error, and making compliance easy and robust, with high-frequency data collection. NAVTOR also applies an industry-unique process of dual layer validation for data, with machine validation followed by human validation, with engineers checking for reporting errors or instrument calibration issues.

“Decisions are only ever as good as the data they’re based on,” Sæther adds, “and we want to ensure our customers have the market’s most reliable information at their disposal, for optimal competitive advantage.”

Shared values and vision

Speaking of the decision to partner with NAVTOR, Christian Kock, Chief Commercial Officer at Danelec, comments: “We have focused on creating the industry’s leading highly flexible, low-cost onboard data acquisition and 2-way IoT communications and cloud-based infrastructure. That is our specialism. We, therefore, look to collaborate with external experts to help our customers take the next step – unlocking the value of auto-logged data and releasing operational benefits, on board or on shore, for decarbonization, maintenance, fuel savings, and many other purposes. NAVTOR seems like the ideal choice in that respect.

“We look forward both to working together, and to seeing the benefits our customers can realize from this partnership.”

About NAVTOR

NAVTOR is the world’s leading supplier of ENCs and e-Navigation innovations (with products and services on over 8000 vessels) and a pioneer in advanced vessel performance monitoring and optimization solutions. The Norwegian-headquartered firm has a network of nine office locations, more than 20 international distributors, and customers from over 60 different countries. www.navtor.com

About Danelec

Danelec simplifies data capture for ship owners, enabling them to future-proof their fleet and compete effectively in tomorrow’s data-dependent, net-zero economy. The company develops technologies to optimize the safety, cost, and performance of marine operations as a leading manufacturer of Voyage Data Recorders (VDR), Ship Performance Monitoring (Kyma), and provider of IoT infrastructure and ship performance monitoring solutions, with products installed on more than 10,000 vessels worldwide.

Danelec is committed to providing the most effective products and services that help customers meet changing regulations and to operate more efficiently through the application of data collected on board and accessed in the cloud.

With offices in Denmark, Norway, Greece, Germany, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, and China as well as over 600 factory-trained personnel in more than 50 countries worldwide, Danelec has a truly global presence ensuring reliable, cost-efficient, and fast service and support to our customers anywhere. www.danelec.com

Global Maritime Services Launches Marine Advisory for the FSRU & LNG Sector

Tina Olivero — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:45:08 +0000

Global Maritime Services Ltd. (GMS) has announced the launch of its new Marine Department, a marine advisory service for the offshore oil and gas sector. Customers can take advantage of GMS’s expertise to secure their Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRUs) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Sector ventures.

The Search for Smart Gas Solutions

There is a scramble to secure reliable gas supplies across Europe ahead of the winter. The European Commission’s RePowerEU initiative recommends the diversification of gas supplies from other international partners in case of a disruption of Russian gas supplies in the near future. Energy providers are keen to find natural gas solutions that can swiftly fulfill the demand for power generation. This is where FSRUs come into the picture, as they are a customizable, accelerated Liquified Natural Gas import solution. Building conventional shore-based LNG import terminals can take years, whereas FSRUs are fully operational within months. Compared to onshore LNG terminals, FSRUs also require relatively low investment to start operations. Ultimately, FSRUs provide new entrants into the LNG import market with a fast-track solution to cater to their energy needs.

GMS Director, Capt. Igor Tončić, remarked “This is truly a challenging time to be involved in the regasification and LNG import domain. Due to the regional energy supply insecurity, there is an increase in requests for floating storage and regasification units, new and converted, and each energy solution comes with its own unique set of advantages and challenges. Our team is ready to provide advisory services at every stage of the client’s floating technology project. We can advise various stakeholders during the start-up, commission, and operational phases of a floating terminal from the marine, safety, and cargo-handling point of view”

Decades of LNG Experience

Founded in 2008, GMS and its experienced Marine Team will now provide tailor-fit advisory services to clients exclusively engaged in floating technology projects for the FSRU/LNG sector. GMS’s principal experts bring with them more than 30 years of practical knowledge of LNG carriers and FSRU vessels – including extensive onboard experience.

“Not one FSRU project is like another and the pathway to a successful FSRU project involves a complex mix of factors–from satisfying regulatory requirements for swift approvals to identifying risks in the commissioning or start-up phases. We recognize the daunting tasks all stakeholders in an FSRU project may face and we are ready to provide both technical support and personnel to ensure a thriving maritime venture.”, said Tončić.

GMS’s Marine Advisory Team can also provide support for a wide range of inspections – from the management system and environmental system audits, assistance with port-state control inspections, vetting and tanker management, and self-assessment inspections, to navigation, safety, cargo, and mooring equipment audits. The ten-person team includes a Marine Regulatory advisor with keen insight into the latest regulations and legislation affecting the maritime sector.

Bright Future Ahead

The rapidly evolving floating gas technology favors stakeholders focused on accessing more efficient and readily available gas supply options beyond conventional pipeline gas. Tončić, along with his team, aims to make a notable contribution to their client’s business excellence by using his team’s comprehensive experience in the Regas and LNG/FSRU domain. He believes this approach will encourage the development of sustainable and efficient maritime projects.

About Global Maritime Services Limited

Founded in 2008, Global Maritime Services Limited (GMS) is a service provider for the LNG/FSRU industry. The team’s expertise includes LNG Transport & FSRU Import terminals, Marine Operations and Assurance, Vessel Operation Management, Optimisation, Maritime R&D, and conducting Compatibility Studies (LNG Vessels and new FSRU projects). Specializing in Marine Advisory and End User advising on EU/UK and other funded maritime projects, the team consists of Captains/Master Mariners, as well as legal, regulations, accounting, and technical personnel to provide comprehensive support to maritime ventures.

For more information, visit: https://www.globalmaritimeservices.com/

A Green Maritime Future: It’s Time to Talk Thorium

Tina Olivero — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 13:04:00 +0000

Has the industry been blinkered in its search for alternative fuels capable of enabling a deep sea zero emissions revolution? Is there a proven, ‘silver bullet solution’ waiting to be explored, right now? Robert McDonald, Principal Engineer, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), says it’s time to shine the spotlight on the unique potential of Thorium and Small Modular Reactors.

Have you heard about Thorium? This abundant, naturally occurring metal is a clean, efficient fuel with extraordinary energy density. In fact, one ton of it produces the same energy as 3.5million tons of coal. Its byproducts are significantly safer than Uranium (Plutonium is not produced under fission) and, with shorter half-lives, degrade far faster. It does not need to be enriched and is not challenging to access. It is also a completely zero-emission fuel.

So, why isn’t it being considered as an alternative fuel to power shipping towards a zero-emission horizon?

“Well, now it is… and that’s hugely exciting,” retorts Robert McDonald, a process expert in nuclear power at Norway’s IFE.

He’s referring to the bold vessel concept released by Ulstein in April this year – the aptly named ULSTEIN THOR, the world’s first Thorium-powered ship.

This 149m 3R (Replenishment, Research, and Rescue) design features a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (MSR), which works by dissolving Thorium into liquid salt, causing a chain reaction that produces steam to drive a turbine, creating huge amounts of clean electricity. Battery-operated vessels could then plug into this ‘floating power station’ and recharge anywhere in the world, effectively transferring maritime’s short-sea battery revolution to deep sea operations.

It is, McDonald says, “a fantastic idea” with what he deems to be “possibly one of if not the, most feasible alternative future fuels for maritime”.

He adds: “This is a conversation we need to have. Industry, and society, need to talk about Thorium.”

Small is beautiful

McDonald’s has been working with nuclear power since 1985 and with IFE for the last eight years. The Norwegian organization is a frontrunner in international energy research, with over 650 expert employees. Operating as a not-for-profit, IFE is funded through a combination of government grants and commercial contracts, working to support industry, society, and a broad range of stakeholders in the investigation and development of more energy-efficient processes, renewable energy solutions, future-orientated energy systems, and much more.

McDonald’s focus is on assisting researchers, developing scenarios, running simulations, and generally utilizing his huge practical experience to help unlock new innovation and understanding. For the last few years, Small Modular Reactors – of the same sort Ulstein aims to deploy in its new shipping ‘superhero’, THOR – have been a key area of interest.

“A Small Modular Reactor is a nuclear reactor with a power output of 10-300 MWe,” he explains. “They are efficient, easy to install – typically built in factories with the last 10% assembled on site – easily scalable, safe (with very few moving parts and almost zero maintenance) and, unlike other renewables, only require a very small footprint.

“At the moment there are over 70 small and micro designs under development, with typical uses for applications such as district heating, desalination, general electricity generation, and hydrogen production. Considering them for the maritime industry is a new idea… and one that’s very relevant. They could prove to be an essential piece of the zero-emission puzzle for a huge number of applications. In a way, they’re perfectly suited.”

Unique benefits

This suitability relates to much more than the lack of GHG emissions. McDonald explains that, in the case of Thorium MSRs, they almost never need to be refueled – with the salt removed from the reactor only every 3 to 7 years (dependent on its specifications). This would mean no bunkering, no regular stops, and operational windows that could be tailored to fit the task, rather than a vessel’s fuel tank capacity. For fishing trawlers, cruise ships, container carriers, or replenishment vessels such as THOR, a new world of opportunity would swing right open.

Waste is minimal and, in the case of MSRs, the old salt is simply reprocessed to remove the byproducts (primarily Uranium 235) which can then be used as new reactor fuel.“It’s incredibly efficient,” McDonald notes. “And although there’s no Thorium reactors up and running today it is a proven technology, with the earliest examples operating back in the 1950s and 1960s. However, that also means, unlike Uranium, there’s currently no supply chain. But as Thorium is around three times more abundant in the Earth’s crust than Uranium – and there’s a lot here in Norway – it’s simply a matter of starting up the mining process.

“Every new energy source has to start somewhere. The barriers to utilizing Thorium are certainly not insurmountable.”

Maritime momentum

IFE and Ulstein aren’t alone in their interest in Thorium and MSRs in the maritime context. Seaborg from Denmark is developing a floating power barge that could support grids, complement other renewables, and be used for both sea- and land-based industry. IFE has also been approached by a trawler firm keen to investigate the potential of the reactors to charge its shrimp-fishing fleet, while offshore energy producers are apparently eager to look into ways MSRs could be utilized to satisfy the power needs of their remote operations.

“I’ll tell you what,” McDonald concludes. “Up until this year, it seemed like MSRs and Thorium were areas of niche interest, whereas now the momentum is really growing. Here at IFE, we’ll aim to do everything we can to support industry and society in finding the best way forward to harness the huge potential of Thorium.

“The arrival of the THOR concept has really supercharged interest and, in my opinion, this is just the start.

“Expect to hear a lot more about Thorium in the near future.”

Goltens Worldwide: Landmark Distribution Deal for Emsys Maritime’s CEMS

Tina Olivero — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:27:02 +0000

Global service provider Goltens Worldwide has been appointed by UK-based maritime technology specialist Emsys Maritime Ltd as an authorized sales, installation, commissioning, and after-sales service partner for its Emsys-iS Marine Emissions Monitor and Emsys-PM Smoke Density Monitor products. The agreement applies globally except for South Korea.

“In order to satisfy increasing interest from customers, we have been looking for a technically sound, physically robust CEMS solution that reliably and accurately reports on emissions under the harshest marine conditions. Given its technical capabilities and ease of installation and operation, we are confident in making Emsys’ proven and scalable solution available to our clients worldwide,” said Goltens’ Chief Operating Officer, Roy Strand.

“Goltens is the ideal partner, with an excellent reputation as a service provider. Their global footprint allows us to offer installation, commissioning, and after-sales service in major ports around the world, while their experience in advising customers regarding environmental solutions and retrofitting those solutions is top-notch,” said Emsys Managing Director, Simon Brown.

Compact and flexible

The Emsys-iS system has become the market-leading emissions monitoring package for reporting methane slips and total emissions. Designed to provide the industry with a smaller, more flexible analyzer, it can be applied on a wide variety of vessels, both those fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and those without emissions control equipment installed.

The Emsys-PM system additionally provides a simple, low-cost sensor that captures both smoke density and particulate matter (PM) measurements to give a complete emissions picture. Both products are ideal where space is tight and measurement needs to be fast across multiple stacks with a single instrument.

Accurate and reliable

Emsys’ Analytics V1.0 environmental reporting package integrates directly into the vessel providing the most accurate reporting of all measured pollutants/greenhouse gases (GHG) on a per-voyage or timeframe basis. With the off-ship transmission and remote diagnostics, it provides a one-stop, high-reliability emissions monitoring solution. Typically monitored GHG include CO2, CH4, and N2O, with traditional pollutants including NOx, SO2, CO, NH3, smoke density, and PM available as standard.

Whether reporting emissions for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) purposes or for regulatory compliance, Emysys’ US- and EU-patented technology is fully Type Approved by ABS, DNV, and the Korean Register of Shipping, and certified by Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas in multiple applications. Its products are currently installed on more than 200 vessels with a significant order book in the new build and retrofit markets. The company’s broad customer base includes leading merchant shipping, cruise, shipyard, and offshore operators.

About Goltens

Goltens is truly global, providing comprehensive engine services, in-place machining solutions, energy control solutions, and environmental compliance retrofits from 26 locations in 14 countries across the globe, serving more than 3,700 clients each year. https://www.goltens.com/

About Emsys Maritime

Emsys Maritime was founded to supply the maritime industry with the best possible smart measurement tools to help it achieve its long-term ‘green’ goals. The company’s platforms are unique patented technology that carries the highest level of Type Approval accreditation and are suitable for every maritime application. Its highly-skilled team and award-winning solutions have made it a recognized maritime industry supplier with some of the biggest names in shipping on its installation reference list. https://emsys-maritime.com/

StormGeo: Expands with Bunker Procurement Optimization

Tina Olivero — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 13:59:50 +0000

Alfa Laval has signed an agreement to acquire BunkerMetric, a Scandinavian software company that develops advanced decision support tools for the marine bunker segment. The company will be merged into StormGeo, a global leader in weather intelligence software and decision support services, now part of Alfa Laval. The acquisition will enhance the StormGeo offering in route advisory and voyage optimization services for the shipping industry.

Cost-saving bunker analytics

Headquartered in Denmark, BunkerMetric helps ship operators and bunker procurement departments find the best bunker procurement plan and improve voyage margins. Using sophisticated algorithms, the company’s procurement optimization tool uncovers bunkering strategies and market insights that let shipping companies improve their bottom line.

“The acquisition of BunkerMetric will further strengthen the StormGeo suite of software products and services,” says Soeren Andersen, CEO of StormGeo. “BunkerMetric’s advanced procurement optimization tool is a welcomed addition to our route advisory services, giving shipping customers timely data for choosing the best bunkering options. It will help optimize scheduling, fuel, and voyage performance.”

“We are excited to become part of StormGeo and the Alfa Laval family,” says Christian Plum, CEO of BunkerMetric, who helped found the innovative start-up in 2018. “Combining BunkerMetric’s state-of-the-art optimization algorithms and data platforms with StormGeo’s cutting-edge data science will mean valuable synergies for existing and future customers.”

Enhanced route advisory services

BunkerMetric’s procurement optimization tool will become a subscription service within StormGeo’s existing s-Suite. It will support well-considered decisions when purchasing bunkers, such as selecting ports, volumes, and fuel grades for bunkering. Global shipping companies can use it to minimize costs while taking relevant operational, commercial, and environmental factors into account.

“By leveraging BunkerMetric’s deep expertise and proven optimization tool, StormGeo customers will be able to streamline their operations,” says Andersen. “As well as reducing their bunker procurement costs, they will gain significant fuel savings through optimized real-time decision-making.”

Plum adds, “Like StormGeo, BunkerMetric is committed to digitalization and decarbonization. We look forward to joining forces in a way that shrinks both customer expenses and carbon footprint.”

This is Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval is a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling, and is active in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water, offering its expertise, products, and service to a wide range of industries in some 100 countries. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets.

Alfa Laval’s innovative technologies are dedicated to purifying, refining, and reusing materials, promoting more responsible use of natural resources. They contribute to improved energy efficiency and heat recovery, better water treatment, and reduced emissions. Thereby, Alfa Laval is not only accelerating success for its customers, but also for people and the planet. Making the world better, every day. Alfa Laval has 17,900 employees. Annual sales in 2021 were SEK 40.9 billion (approx. EUR 4 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

www.alfalaval.com

ExxonMobil Makes Two More Discoveries Offshore Guyana

Tina Olivero — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:24:29 +0000

ExxonMobil has made two new discoveries offshore Guyana to the southeast of the Liza and Payara developments in the Stabroek block. The discoveries at Seabob and Kiru-Kiru are the sixth and seventh in Guyana this year, with the total number of discoveries in Guyana at more than 25.

The Seabob-1 well encountered approximately 131 feet (40 meters) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled in 4,660 feet (1,421 meters) of water by the Stena Carron drill ship. The Kiru-Kiru-1 well encountered approximately 98 feet (30 meters) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled by the Stena DrillMAX in 5,760 feet (1,756 meters) of water. Drilling operations at Kiru-Kiru are ongoing.

“ExxonMobil and its partners continue to accelerate exploration, development, and production activities for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the people of Guyana,” said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. “The resources we are investing in and discovering offshore Guyana will provide safe, secure energy for global markets for decades to come.”

The company’s 2022 investment plans include further exploration drilling and resource development in Guyana, where it is already increasing production at an accelerated, industry-leading pace. Two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating offshore Guyana — Liza Destiny and Liza Unity — have exceeded their initial combined production target of 340,000 barrels of oil per day.

A third project, Payara, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day. Construction on its production vessel, the Prosperity FPSO, is approximately five months ahead of schedule with start-up likely before year-end 2023. The fourth project, Yellowtail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the ONE GUYANA FPSO comes online in 2025.

Guyana’s Stabroek block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometers). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45% interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25% interest.

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, one of the largest publicly traded international energy and petrochemical companies, creates solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs.

The corporation’s primary businesses – Upstream, Product Solutions, and Low Carbon Solutions – provide products that enable modern life, including energy, chemicals, lubricants, and lower-emissions technologies. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading portfolio of resources and is one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies in the world. To learn more, visit exxonmobil.com and the Energy Factor.

CRP Subsea Awarded Major Contract to Provide Cable Protection

Tina Olivero — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 18:00:21 +0000

CRP Subsea was awarded a contract by Seaway 7, the renewables business unit of Subsea 7, to provide 140 NjordGuard cable protection systems and bellmouths for Changfang and Xidao (CFXD) offshore wind farms located off the west coast of Taiwan. The cable protection systems and bellmouths will protect the inter-array and export power cables for 62 wind turbines and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) conduit cables, from fatigue damage due to the significant wave and current forces in the region.

Andy Smith, Global CPS Manager at CRP Subsea states: “We are delighted CRP Subsea was awarded a major contract to supply NjordGuard cable protection systems for Seaway 7. By collaborating with our customers and understanding their technical requirements, we can support them and create ease of business by enhancing their projects.”

Production of the 140 NjordGuard systems and bellmouths will take place in CRP Subsea’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the North West of England. Project engineering works will commence immediately, with project commissioning split into two phases scheduled for completion in 2022 and 2023.

NjordGuard is an integrated cable protection system designed and developed to protect offshore wind farm power cables in wind turbine generators and offshore substation platforms. Easily assembled on a vessel to allow speedy installation, the system’s highly abrasion resistant API 17L certified Uraduct® material enables it to travel over the seabed without damage, extending cable life. Most importantly, it facilitates easier installation, reuse, and removal without diver and ROV intervention, optimizing efficiency and maximizing safety.

The Changfang and Xidao offshore wind farms comprise 62 turbines installed on jacket foundations, with a combined capacity of 589MW. The two wind farms located 11 to 25 kilometers off the west coast of Taiwan, will provide clean energy to nearly 1.75 million homes in Taiwan for the next 20 years.

CRP Subsea

Using advanced material technology, CRP Subsea provides high integrity solutions for the harshest and most demanding offshore environments. CRP Subsea specializes in the development and production of polymer and syntactic foam-based buoyancy and protection products for the offshore renewables and oil & gas industries. CRP Subsea has provided innovative solutions to the industry for over 40 years. www.crpsubsea.com

Newfoundland and Labrador: Rebounding Into The New Energy Revolution

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is quickly becoming a global leader in renewable energy. Boasting an abundance of natural resources the province is home to some of the most innovative and exciting projects in the world.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a hotbed of activity serving the new energy revolution. The energy transition to clean fuels and renewables makes the province a powerful solution for meeting global demand and responsible oil.

Newfoundland and Labrador provide a secure, strategically located, prosperous location for energy companies who want to invest and work in the region.

Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology outlines his views on energy and the highly lucrative opportunities for the future ahead.

The OGM: Many people blame oil and gas for the climate crisis, what are your thoughts on this?

Andrew Parsons: The Province understands the importance of the Newfoundland and Labrador oil and gas sector in the energy transition. With our low emissions per barrel compared to the international average and our strong environmental, social, and governance structure – Newfoundland and Labrador can be a part of the solution in helping meet global demand for responsible oil while the world transitions to a lower-carbon economy.

The OGM: What’s the province’s plan for a new energy mix?

Andrew Parsons: Newfoundland and Labrador are fortunate to have an abundance of renewable energy resources. Currently, over 80 percent of our electricity is generated from renewable energy resources, which will increase to 98 percent with the in-service of Muskrat Falls, and decommissioning of the Holyrood Thermal Generating Station. The province developed a renewable energy plan late last year with input from residents, industry, and stakeholders. The five-year, “Maximizing Our Renewable Future” plan has a vision of reducing the province’s fossil fuel use, and delivering affordable and reliable renewable energy to the people of the province and beyond while developing and using its renewable energy resources in a manner that ensures environmental protection, meaningful Indigenous engagement, job creation, and industry growth. This plan is available on IET’s website.

The OGM: What do you think are the feasible solutions for Carbon capture and storage?

Andrew Parsons: With our existing infrastructure and highly trained workforce, Newfoundland and Labrador are very well positioned to take advantage of the economic opportunity presented by carbon capture and storage. Our world-class offshore carbon (CO2) storage prospectivity spans 1.8 million km2, with the potential for much more. The province’s extensive database of seismic data will play a role in the identification of these reservoirs.

The OGM: What’s the economic opportunity in clean-tech innovation?

Andrew Parsons: The clean technology sector will play a vital role in the economic recovery of Newfoundland and Labrador. Clean technology innovation will contribute to job creation, economic diversification, and a sustainable economy. It will drive economic development, playing an increasingly important role in the development of many of our resource sectors such as oil and gas, mining, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, and oceans. This diversity uniquely positions our province to research and develop clean tech solutions for our traditional industries, and sell these solutions to the world.

The OGM: Where will oil and gas play a role in energy 10 years from now – 20 years from now.

Andrew Parsons: Well-known and respected sources of energy-market analysis, such as the International Energy Agency and the United States Energy Information Administration, forecast that oil and natural gas could meet approximately 50% of total global energy supply and consumption over the next 10 to 20 years in recent long term scenario outlooks. Even in some of the more stringent pathways forecasted, to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, oil and natural gas still represent around 30% of the world’s energy supply and consumption mix by 2040. With the restart of the West White Rose, Terra Nova coming back online this year, and the recent approval of Bay du Nord, the province’s offshore will play a key role in helping the province meet global demand for environmentally responsible and geopolitically secure sources of oil.

The OGM: What’s the best-case scenario for responsible development while mitigating climate impact?

Andrew Parsons: Newfoundland and Labrador have a strong environmental, social, and governance structure, matched with our low emissions per barrel compared to the international average we continue to show our commitment to net-zero by 2050 while managing a just green transition.

Source and Image: www.gov.nl.ca

Aquatec Invests in Canadian Expansion

Tina Olivero — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:21:25 +0000

British through-water communications and subsea integrity specialist Aquatec expanded its operations to Canada. They established a presence at COVE, the Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Now also trading from Nova Scotia under its new Canadian registered denomination—Aquatec Subsea Inc.— the award-winning company is investing in its North American expansion and taking strategic actions to consolidate its operations. Aquatec, which also conducts its commercial activities in Canada through its official representative ROMOR has recently joined renowned local trade associations and business hubs, such as Canada’s Ocean Supercluster.

Shortly after a successful trade mission, which included a scheduled UK Innovate Edge networking program, presented at the H2O Conference & Exhibition, and a live demonstration of its Sediment SolvedTM division’s capabilities at COVE’s Demo Day, Aquatec announced its decision to make high-tech ocean technology hub COVE its official Canadian office space.

The Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, provides Aquatec with direct access to its modern harbor-side facilities but, most importantly, the opportunity to synergize the firm’s 32- year know-how with a community of over 300 other ocean-related companies.

Andy Smerdon, Managing Director of Aquatec, has said: “After a very productive beginning of 2022, where Aquatec’s potential was recognized consecutively in the UK with Global Underwater Hub’s Best Small Company accolade, and in the US, with Offshore Technology Conference’s Spotlight on Technology, as well as ASME’s Albert Woelfel Best Mechanical Engineering Achievement awards, we decided to push on forward our subsea solutions in the Canadian market. We have an excellent relationship with our local representative ROMOR, and after evaluating COVE’s outstanding offering, investing in Nova Scotia was our next logical step.”

“We are proud to welcome Aquatec to the COVE community. COVE provides a great location for international ocean technology companies to grow in a climate supportive of innovation. Their tenancy at our Nova Scotia facility further strengthens the Canadian workforce and ocean ecosystem to support the growth of the blue economy.” – said Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE.

About Aquatec

Aquatec designs instruments, technology, services, and custom underwater measurement, monitoring, and communication solutions. The company serves all subsea-related industries, including oceanographic, environmental, and offshore energy.

ABB’s Subsea Technology Recognized by Independent Research

Tina Olivero — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 13:38:15 +0000

Leading the way in subsea automation with its underwater control systems and electrification services, ABB received Frost & Sullivan’s 2022 Best Practices Award for Global Oil and Gas Automation Technology Innovation Leadership.

ABB was commended for the development and commercialization of its subsea power conversion and distribution system. Its technology gives oil and gas companies access to a reliable subsea energy supply of up to 100 megawatts of power over distances up to 600 kilometers into the sea and 3,000 meters of water depth with little maintenance required despite operating at intense pressures and in extreme conditions.

María Agustina de Sarriera, Frost & Sullivan oil and gas analyst, said, “ABB’s visionary and highly innovative solutions are technology advanced within the industry. The company achieved transformational growth in the automation segment via its subsea technologies. It invested in research, design, and development over many years in collaboration with Chevron, Equinor, and Total Energies to develop this innovative power technology subsea system – investing about $100 million over the years.”

Brandon Spencer, president of ABB Energy Industries, commented, “The convergence of automation and electrification is key to reducing carbon emissions in the oil and gas sector. By powering pumps and compressors on the seabed, close to the reservoir, our technology can significantly reduce energy consumption as well as decrease carbon emissions by using power from shore. It has taken years and the dedication of around 200 scientists and engineers from ABB and our partners to make this a reality, and it is fantastic that Frost & Sullivan has recognized our collective achievement and leading technology through this award.”

Assessed by Frost & Sullivan’s global team of Growth Pipeline experts, the Best Practices Award identifies and assesses companies that consistently develop growth strategies based on a visionary understanding of the future and how to effectively address new challenges and opportunities.

Frost & Sullivan also congratulated ABB on securing the $120 million project with Chevron Australia and Aker Solutions to engage in power provision from shore and subsea out to the Jansz-Io field.

The company’s approach to optimizing operational efficiency was also commended, with special mention made of its capital projects and execution methodology – Adaptive Execution™. With digitalization and collaboration at its core, Adaptive Execution was developed to drive greenfield project efficiency. By integrating expert teams, innovative technologies, agile processes, collaborative knowledge, and proven methodologies, it can deliver automation-related CAPEX savings between 15 percent and 40 percent, reduce start-up work hours by up to 40 percent, and compress schedules by up to 40 percent.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies that have developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

ABB is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation, and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

ABB’s Process Automation business is a leader in automation, electrification, and digitalization for the process and hybrid industries. We serve our customers with a broad portfolio of products, systems, and end-to-end solutions, including our # 1 distributed control system, software, and lifecycle services, industry-specific products as well as measurement and analytics, marine, and turbocharging offerings. As the global #2 in the market, we build on our deep domain expertise, diverse team, and global footprint, and are dedicated to helping our customers increase competitiveness, improve their return on investment, and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations. go.abb/processautomation

Hempel Launches New Fast-Drying CUI Coating

Tina Olivero — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 12:58:30 +0000

Leading coatings supplier Hempel launched Hempaprime CUI 275, a new coating to combat corrosion under insulation. With extremely short overcoating intervals and wide temperature resistance, Hempaprime CUI 275 is designed to increase productivity and improve corrosion protection at energy generation and oil & gas facilities.

Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a major challenge for equipment operators in the process industries. In the US alone, repair and downtime caused by CUI are estimated to cost the industry around USD 300 billion per year.

CUI occurs when insulated pipework and other equipment are exposed to high temperatures and temperature fluctuations. As the corrosion is hidden beneath insulation, it is difficult to detect and can cause extensive damage before it is spotted. As a result, repair work can be expensive, requiring long periods of plant shutdown. This is a significant problem in downstream oil & gas refineries, where CUI accounts for approximately 10 percent of the maintenance budget.

A leading supplier to the process industries for over 50 years, Hempel offers a broad range of proven coatings for high heat and insulated environments. Hempaprime CUI 275 is the latest addition to its portfolio – and offers a number of benefits to asset owners and applicators.

During tests, Hempaprime CUI 275 has shown significantly higher crack resistance at high temperatures than traditional epoxy phenolic coatings, which reduces the risk of cracking and premature failure during service. It is also extremely fast-drying, which increases applicator productivity.

Zechariah Lim, Product Manager (CUI, high heat and insulation) at Hempel, comments: “Insulated pipework and equipment can be exposed to temperature fluctuations and harsh wet/dry cycling, which makes specifying for CUI service challenging. Hempaprime CUI 275 is suitable for use in a wide range of temperatures from cryogenic up to 275°C and has excellent crack resistance under cycling. This makes specification simpler and ensures more reliable performance in service.”

He continues: “Importantly, Hempaprime CUI 275 also has a very short overcoating interval – just 90 minutes at 20°C. As a result, applicators can coat more sections in one shift, increasing productivity in fabrication situations and reducing the time needed to re-insulate equipment during maintenance work. This can lead to significant cost savings for customers.”

Hempaprime CUI 275 meets the ISO 19277: 2018 standard for categories CUI-1, CUI-2, CUI-3, and all cryogenic equivalents.

Hempaprime CUI 275 was launched in June. It is available globally as a standard part of Hempel’s coating portfolio for the process industries, including oil & gas and power generation.

Hempaprime CUI 275 at a glance

A fast-drying, alkylamine-cured epoxy paint, Hempaprime CUI 275 provides long-lasting barrier protection in severely corrosive environments, high temperatures, and wet conditions beneath thermal insulation.

Short overcoating interval (90 minutes at 20°C (68°F) increases productivity during application
Wide temperature resistance from cryogenic up to 275°C (527°F) simplifies specification
Pre-qualified to ISO 19277: 2018 for categories CUI-1, CUI-2, CUI-3, and all cryogenic equivalents
Excellent crack resistance compared to traditional epoxy phenolic coatings
Wide application temperature range, down to -10°C (14°F), reduces heating costs during in-shop application and extends the maintenance season in cold climates
Can be applied on hot surfaces up to 204°C (399°F) to minimize disruption and shutdown during maintenance

About Hempel

As a world-leading supplier of trusted coating solutions, Hempel is a global company with strong values, working with customers in the decorative, marine, infrastructure, and energy industries. Hempel factories, R&D centers, and stock points are established in every region.

Across the globe, Hempel’s paints and coatings can be found in almost every country in the world. They protect and beautify buildings, infrastructure, and other assets, and play an essential role in our customers’ businesses. They help minimize maintenance costs, improve aesthetics and increase energy efficiency.

At Hempel, our purpose is to shape a brighter future with sustainable coating solutions. We firmly believe that we will succeed as a business only if we place sustainability at our heart. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also strengthen our competitive position, make ourselves more resilient and reduce our risk.

Hempel was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1915. It is proudly owned by the Hempel Foundation, which ensures a solid economic base for the Hempel Group and supports cultural, social, humanitarian, and scientific purposes around the world. www.hempel.com

Boskalis Vessels Switch to Green Shore Power Facility in Rotterdam

Tina Olivero — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and Eneco are going to construct shore-based power facilities in the Waalhaven, Rotterdam (the Netherlands) so that moored Boskalis vessels can run on green electricity instead of fossil fuels.

The shore-based power installation will be built on the Boskalis site in Waalhaven, Rotterdam. There are two berths on the quay at this location, which are both frequently used. Vessels come to the Boskalis Waalhaven location for maintenance and to be mobilized for offshore projects.

The intended completion date of the green shore power installation is 1 June 2023, and it will supply 2 GWh of green electricity per year. This will reduce CO2 emissions by 1.6 kilotons per year. With this project, Boskalis is demonstrating ‘green leadership’, which is good for the port, the climate, and for local residents.

Shore power is an important part of the energy transition and this project fits in with the joint shore power strategy of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the City of Rotterdam, and with Eneco’s One Planet strategy, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2035. At present, moored vessels often run on generators to provide the necessary power on board thereby creating emissions. Green shore power offers the opportunity to reduce these emissions by up to 90% by providing vessels with a clean source of energy and switching off generators also helps to reduce noise.

After the shore power, electricity installation on the Rozenburg peninsula, and the Hoek van Holland ferry terminal in Rotterdam, the Boskalis location in the Waalhaven will be the third quayside electricity installation for seagoing vessels in the Port of Rotterdam.

Eneco and the Port of Rotterdam Authority are implementing this project through the Joint Venture Rotterdam Shore Power. They own the shore power installation and offer the green shore power ‘as a service. Boskalis is realizing the grid connection under its own management. Eneco is supplying the green power to Boskalis, which comes from Dutch Eneco wind & solar sources. The project is co-financed by the City of Rotterdam and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure, and maritime services sectors. The company provides creative and innovative all-round solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal, and delta regions of the world. With core activities such as coastal defense, riverbank protection, and land reclamation Boskalis is able to provide adaptive and mitigating solutions to combat the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels, as well as deliver solutions for the increasing need for space in coastal and delta regions across the world. The company facilitates the development of offshore energy infrastructure, including renewable wind energy. Boskalis is furthermore active in the construction and maintenance of ports, waterways, access channels, and civil infrastructure, thus helping to facilitate trade flows and regional socio-economic development. In addition, Boskalis is a global marine salvage expert and has a number of strategic partnerships in harbor towage and terminal services (Keppel Smit Towage and Smit Lamnalco). With a versatile fleet of over 600 vessels and floating equipment and more than 10,000 employees, including associates, Boskalis is creating new horizons around the world.

Offshore Newfoundland: Clean Energy Security for the World

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:51:05 +0000

The hunt is on all over the world for clean, reliable, oil and gas that will ensure global energy security. That puts offshore Newfoundland as one of the top offshore regions in the world with a well-established oil industry that is stable, secure, and reliable. This coupled with Newfoundland’s light crude oil puts the region at the top of the list for exploration and production worldwide.

At the recent EnergyNL conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland was a buzz, as the project plays rolled out at the same time that European governments called out for domestic exploration and production to reduce reliance on Russian oil.

This coupled with the rising price of fossil fuels is triggering a significant spike in the production costs of renewables, thereby putting numerous projects and green investments at risk. The riskier green plays become the more attractive oil and gas remains. Fossil fuels are used extensively throughout the value chains of solar, wind, and electric vehicles. Supply chains are very much fossil fuel dominated. It’s safe to say that the smartest thing we can do with oil and gas is to bring in renewables.

Jim Keating, CEO of OilCo, spoke at the EnergyNL conference with more optimism than we’ve seen from industry leaders in thirty years. Keating summed up the smorgasbord of lucrative offshore opportunities like this, “Here at home, it has mostly been good news. We experienced the release of Bay du Nord from an environmental review. We have the 2022 call for bids in November. We see more 3D seismic being acquired in the deepwater areas with pre-funding from multiple investors. We see the commencement of two exploration programs – one by Equinor and the other by Exxon who brought along new entrant Qatar Energy. More plans are being made for more exploration in 2023 by BP, BHP, and possibly Exxon. And now to top it off, the Well Head Platform Project will be restarted for West White Rose. Everything is beginning to get back to plan just like we knew it would!”

CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

Jim Keating predicts an exciting time for license rounds this November, suggesting an enormous prospect will be revealed. He elaborated to the EnergyNL audience, “OilCo has identified more than 20 prospects offshore Newfoundland, with oil reserves close to one billion barrels or more. Roughly half of those prospects are in existing licenses yet to be drilled while the balance remains in Crown lands waiting for upcoming license rounds. I would be very happy to see our deepwater opportunities mentioned in the same breath as the leading oil countries and there are a dozen investor companies with plans to drill here. You may have heard me speak a few years ago about another enormous prospect called Cape Freels, which should be drilled next summer by BP. The scale of these fields, together with clean energy technologies and the advantages of deepwater developments, means that we have what the world wants – very competitive costs and lower-carbon emissions; and, a good place to do business in free markets where the investor takes the risk on their investment decision.”

It is predicted that we will see another four to six exploration wells in the next two years offshore Newfoundland and drilling timeframes should be faster and more efficient. The next five years of offshore activity could equal that of the last thirty years. As we transition to a new energy future, Offshore Newfoundland has exciting times ahead.

C02 STORAGE

The oil industry is not only committed to lower emissions operations, but they also have the discretionary funds to advance oil and gas production in cleaner and greener ways. With new innovations and technology coming toward us like a tidal wave, we have only just begun to see the innumerable applications that are keenly focused on lowering emissions and storing carbon.

Offshore Newfoundland oil plays also have immense potential for CO2 storage within the permeable aquifers and depleted reservoirs. Jim Keating said, “OilCo is planning to put out an RFP requesting vendors work with us to begin to quantify the CO2 storage potential the offshore. Through the Net Zero Project, we are having a Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) forum on September 28th in St. John’s at the Genesis Center where we will share some results from such a study. Newfoundland and Labrador have an important role to play in the transition to a lower-carbon economy.”

With $billions of opportunity, exploration, production, and contracts the next five years offshore Newfoundland is a hotbed of activity. The potential for secure, clean oil and gas in the region, is globally unprecedented. This coupled with new oil plays, new gas coming on stream and new oil finds, makes Newfoundland’s offshore look like the next North Sea.

Echandia Deepens Strategic Partnership with Toshiba

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Echandia, a leading developer of energy solutions for maritime electrification, has entered into an agreement to deepen its collaboration with Toshiba. The partnership agreement will focus on the development of fuel-cell technology combined with batteries to accelerate the electrification of the maritime sector.

Echandia and Toshiba have a long history of strategic collaboration. Historically, Echandia has built its successful Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO) based battery systems based on the Toshiba rechargeable LTO battery cell SCiB^TM. During the years of collaborating, Echandia has grown to be a global leader in maritime electrification.

As demand for electrification of deep-sea and larger vessels builds up, heavy-duty and durable fuel-cell solutions are becoming an increasingly important part of the solution to decarbonize maritime transportation.

The objective of the partnership between Toshiba and Echandia is to develop the market for maritime fuel cell solutions, focused on extreme heavy-duty applications. The fundamental strength of all of Echandia’s solutions is safety, durability, and superior lifetime. The same qualities will permeate our fuel cell offering. With this partnership, we see the possibility to increase the lifespan of a typical fuel cell by at least 200 percent.

Mr. Magnus Eriksson, CEO Echandia comments:

Echandia is proud to announce this partnership with Toshiba, a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology. We have a long history of working successfully together, and I am excited to strengthen the relationship further. Toshiba will be an invaluable partner in terms of developing our fuel cell systems, says Magnus Eriksson, CEO of Echandia.

Mr. Shigehiro Kawahara, Vice President, Energy Aggregation Div, Toshiba ESS comments:

Since Toshiba ESS began working on fuel cell systems in the 1960s, we have been advancing the development of hydrogen-related technologies. Striving toward the realization of a hydrogen society, we aim to provide high-value-added hydrogen solutions by integrating related technologies such as renewable energy-derived hydrogen energy. By expanding our business through this collaboration, we will help make a carbon-neutral society a reality, says Shigehiro Kawahara, Vice President of the Energy Aggregation Div.

About Echandia

Echandia is a world leader in the development of advanced battery and fuel-cell systems for maritime and industrial applications. Echandia’s solutions are designed to meet the highest quality and lifetime requirements and endure the toughest demands and operational profiles. Echandia is based in Stockholm, Sweden. For more information, please visit: www.echandiagroup.com

About Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation is a leading supplier of integrated energy solutions. With its long experience and expertise in a wide range of power generating and transmitting systems and energy management technology, the company delivers innovative, reliable, and efficient energy solutions across the globe. Split off from Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) in October 2017. For more information, please visit www.global.toshiba/ww/company/energy.html

Aker Solutions & Aker BP Secure New, Future-Oriented Offices

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Aker BP and Aker Solutions have signed a long-term agreement with the owner and real estate developer Hinna Park Utvikling (HPU) for modern and energy-efficient office buildings in Stavanger from 2024/to 2025.

The new office complex will be located seaside near the leaning tower in Jåttåvågen. The total construction cost is NOK 2 billion.

“This is a great and important milestone for Aker BP and Aker Solutions. Through the agreement with HPU, we secure long-term, modern, and future-oriented offices for the good of the Aker companies in Stavanger. It also reflects our intention to continue with a high activity level for many years to come,” said Marius Gjære, SVP Project Resources and location manager for Aker Solutions in Stavanger.

“The new office complex is tailor-made for flexibility and collaboration. The future offices will support our ambition to be at the forefront in the transformation of the oil and gas industry and will among other things include an integrated operation center for remote operations of our offshore fields,” said Ine Dolve, SVP Operations and Field Development, and Manager of Aker BP’s Stavanger office.

The development project has been named “Valhall” and will consist of two six-story buildings with a total of 71,000 square meters. Aker BP and Aker Solutions have signed separate long-term leases for a total of 48,000 square meters, split into two buildings. There will also be an area available for third-party tenants in the office complex.

The new buildings will accommodate extensive digital collaboration and efficient execution of activities onshore and offshore. The buildings will be located in close proximity to public transportation, including buses and trains.

HPU owns the property and will be the responsible developer in cooperation with the main contractor HENT. Construction start is scheduled for September, provided public approvals.

The first phase of the development project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, while the remaining office space will be ready before the summer of 2025.

The parties have signed a lease agreement with a duration of 10 years for the main part of the office complex. In addition, Aker BP has signed an extended lease agreement for 15 years for a specially designed collaboration center in one of the buildings.

During the coming 10 years, HPU is planning to transform Jåttåvågen into a central residential and business area for the region, with 1,500 housing units and 6,000 office places that will be developed together with restaurants, parks, public services, and swimming areas.

With this agreement, Aker BP and Aker Solutions will play a central role in the development of the area.

Facts

Hinna Park Utvikling (HPU) owns the ground where Aker BP and Aker Solutions’ new office buildings will be located
HPU is owned by Stavanger utvikling KF, Entra, Camar Eiendom and OBOS
Aker BP and Aker Solutions will lease a total of 48,000 square meters divided into two separate buildings that are a part of the “Valhall” office complex. They will have separate leasing agreements
The project will be developed as buildings for the future with a high focus on the environment, quality, and sustainable solutions, including energy class A and Breeam-Nor Excellent environmental certification. In addition, “Valhall” will be built according to the WELL Building Standard
The buildings will be located on either side of the new bus road that is planned through the area

Aker Solutions delivers integrated solutions, products, and services to the global energy industry. We enable low-carbon oil and gas production and develop renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. By combining innovative digital solutions and predictable project execution we accelerate the transition to sustainable energy production. Aker Solutions employs approximately 15,000 people in more than 20 countries.

Visit akersolutions.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

GE Power Conversion and Partners Achieve Milestones

Tina Olivero — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +0000

GE Power Conversion is marking the success of two innovation projects aimed at reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions.

GE is helping to make progress towards net zero operations for ship and port operators through cleaner power systems and digital energy management. At sea and on land, its electric microgrid systems can host the integration of new energy sources and smarter digital and control technologies as they develop.

GE’s projects, part of the UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, benefitted from partners’ vessel and port applications to accelerate solutions based on ‘real-world’ scenarios.

Power and energy specialists GE have been working on the integration of multi-megawatt (MW) solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems into a large ship architecture with partners Ceres, Lloyd’s Register, and MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd.

The team’s efforts resulted in a major milestone – a collaborative design for up to 10MW onboard solid oxide fuel cell power installations. At this scale, systems are able to provide electric power for large ships and replace conventional diesel generating sets. The system has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 47%, and significantly improve air quality and noise pollution when ships are in port. SOFC has the benefit of being able to operate on different types of new, cleaner fuels, a benefit as ship operators look to accommodate the transition to future fuels.

GE has also been working on reducing emissions at ports by helping to manage power and energy more efficiently. With project partners, PD Ports Ltd, Connected Places Catapult, and Teesside University, GE’s cloud-based, the integrated digital concept aim to improve situational awareness of energy supply and demand. Benefitting from PD Ports’ data has enabled the team to create operational scenarios to carry out testing using an emulated digital twin platform. Digital energy management is part of GE Power Conversion’s range of Port Electrification solutions.

GE Power Conversion’s Managing Director in the UK, Andy Cooper, said: “Industry is investing in ‘clean ship’ and ‘clean port’ technology readiness, but it’s really important we work with customers on their operational needs if the path to net-zero is to be viable. Congratulations to the teams on making impressive progress towards potential commercialization”.

About Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition

GE’s projects with its partners have been part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) launched in March 2021, funded by the UK government Department for Transport, and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. As part of the CMDC, the Department allocated more than £23 million to 55 projects supported by 208 organizations from across the UK.

The CMDC was announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan to position the UK at the forefront of clean maritime technologies and reduce emissions from the sector. The CMDC is supporting the research, design, and development of zero-emission vessel and infrastructure solutions to enable clean technologies to commercialize and accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime sector. The program is funding projects from across the entire UK, including in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as from the South West to the North East of England. We are proud to be part of a competition that supports UK innovators to achieve Net-Zero.

About GE Power Conversion

GE Power Conversion applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electric transformation of the world’s energy infrastructure. Designing and delivering advanced motor, drive, and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future, it serves specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry, and all related services. https://www.gepowerconversion.com/

About GE

GE drives the world forward by tackling its biggest challenges. By combining world-class engineering with software and analytics, GE helps the world work more efficiently, reliably, and safely. For more than 125 years, GE has invented the future of the industry, and today it leads to new paradigms in additive manufacturing, materials science, and data analytics. GE people are global, diverse, and dedicated, operating with the highest integrity and passion to fulfill GE’s mission and deliver for our customers. www.ge.com

WEST WHITE ROSE IS A GO: Offshore Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Tue, 31 May 2022 13:41:36 +0000

$Billions of contracts and infrastructure development will commence offshore Newfoundland with the: West White Rose project restarting, Bay du Nord project progressing, new opportunities with land sale plays, and the Terra Nova refurbishment and commencement. It’s very exciting times. Talk about a rebound our of a very dark time. Newfoundland is poised for great opportunities ahead.

Suncor announced the West White Rose re-start whereby Suncor has increased its ownership in the White Rose asset. In exchange for a cash payment of approximately $50 million from Cenovus to Suncor and in accordance with the conditional agreement announced on September 8, 2021, Suncor’s interest in the White Rose asset increases from 27.5% to 40.0% and in the West White Rose project from 26.1% to 38.6%.

The decision to restart the West White Rose project is the result of a robust project evaluation which included the impact of a finalized agreement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on a competitive royalty framework for the project. This amended royalty structure provides safeguards to the project’s economics in periods of low commodity prices. “We have a responsibility to the oil and gas industry, to our province and our people to plan for the future. As we advance efforts to achieve net zero by 2050 and plan for a transition, we will foster an environment that supports our economy by embracing renewable energy while maximizing our low-carbon oil and gas advantage,” said Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“This project is expected to extend the production life of the White Rose field, securing long-term value for shareholders and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Shelley Powell, Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production, and In Situ. “The decision to restart the West White Rose project and increase our interest underscores Suncor’s confidence in East Coast Canada’s energy future, the importance of our offshore business within our integrated model and the positive role of Canadian oil and gas from a global energy security and ESG perspective.”

Suncor will assume capital commitments on the 12.5% additional interest on a go-forward basis only. No significant capital spend is expected before 2023.

The West White Rose Project joint venture owners are Cenovus (operator), Suncor and Nalcor. The province’s royalty share is improved in a higher commodity price environment. In addition, the province will receive a $200 million Royalty Abandonment credit as well as $100 million to establish a Green Transition Fund. Further details of the fund will be released in the coming weeks.

The revised fiscal agreement de-risks new capital investment by the WWRP proponents and provides safeguards to the project’s economics in periods of low commodity prices. WWRP is expected to generate almost $20 billion in gross domestic product and over $7 billion in labour income for the province over the 14-year life of the project. It will create approximately 250 permanent platform jobs, as well as create or maintain up to 1,500 more direct and indirect jobs.

Employment will begin to ramp up at the Argentia site immediately and increase through 2023. The proponents also commit to work with the province and other third parties on advancing natural gas development. In October 2013, Cenovus (formerly Husky) announced plans to develop WWRP via a fixed wellhead platform to tie back to the existing SeaRose FPSO. The project was released from Federal Environmental Assessment in September 2013.

Originally sanctioned in 2017, major construction work on WWRP was suspended in March 2020 and a project review was announced in September of that year. As a result of this agreement, and the efforts of the Cenovus and its partners, the project has been re-started.

On April 6, 2022, the Bay du Nord Development Project was released from the Government of Canada’s environmental assessment process. The Bay du Nord project will play a key role in helping the province meet global demand for responsible, lower carbon oil while supporting our government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050. It is also critical to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, and will provide significant employment and economic activity.

On September 25, 2020, the Federal Government announced $320 million in funding to be administered by the Province to support direct and indirect employment in the Newfoundland and Labrador oil and gas sector and activities that generate environmental and co-benefits. This Oil and Gas Industry Recovery Assistance Fund provided $41.5 million in funding (50 per cent of total costs) to maintain near-term jobs and protect the option of re-starting WWRP.

In May 2020, the Provincial Government committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Newfoundland and Labrador fully supports protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero by 2050.

“Other parts of the world will continue to produce oil – and our oil and gas is a responsible choice. Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes and supports both the significant opportunities renewable energy presents in terms of economic development and environmental progress as well as the important role that oil and gas will continue to play for the foreseeable future,” said Honourable, Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

French Fleet Support Service: Considering Solutions to Increase Preparedness of French Navy

Tina Olivero — Mon, 30 May 2022 11:20:40 +0000

The UK´s Royal Navy has already used ECOsubsea´s services in Southampton, Plymouth, and Portsmouth through a testing period in 2021 with encouraging results.

In a technical seminar between the Royal Navy and the French Navy, ECOsubsea´s solutions have been introduced to the French Navy, based on the positive results arising from the UK.

On the French Navy side, the opportunity came to experiment ECOsubsea’s hull-cleaning robot on the Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier, which has an adapted hull profile and was available in early 2022. The Fleet Support Service ordered the Naval Group to clean the PACDG with the Ecosubsea robot.

To do so, a control and measurement plan has been discussed with the authorities of the naval base, in order to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, in particular the absence of discharges into the sea. Naval Group conducted the clean-up and environmental validation study. “This experiment demonstrated the absence of environmental impact, as well as a highly positive effect on the vessel’s performance”, says Captain (Armament) Jean-Marc Quenez from the SSF, “Based on the experimentation’s outcome, systematization of the periodic use of such a robot to keep the hulls clean is under consideration”.

ECOsubsea´s CEO, Tor Østervold indicates that “it has been great to collaborate with the French Navy and Naval Group on increasing the Naval fleet’s preparedness while decreasing dramatically the air and sea’s environmental impact. It is encouraging to see that the French Navy is not only protecting its nation and allies but also showing leadership in protecting the environment.”

Naval Group technical experts in charge of this first cleaning operation in Toulon, Eudes Peronneaud and Philippe Ventos, say that ”this successful experimental action opens an effective way to deal with coatings exposed to hot waters during long periods of navigation between dry-dock and regain vessel speed and consumption performances”

Odfjell Technology Secures Wellbore Cleanup Equipment & Services Contract

Tina Olivero — Thu, 26 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Odfjell Technology, offshore operations, well services technology, and engineering solutions supplier, has been awarded a three–year contract with Petronas through its local agent, Time Marine Services, to provide all required tools, chemicals, and services for the company’s wellbore cleanup operations in East Malaysia.

The agreement, awarded by Petronas subsidiary Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd, follows Odfjell Technology’s successful delivery of similar services to other operators offshore Malaysia.

Paul Toner, Vice President of MEAA Well Services at Odfjell Technology, said: “We are delighted with the confidence Petronas Malaysia has shown in us through this contract award. We are committed to delivering strong operational and QHSE performance while being commercially attractive, which underpins our strategy to be the number one provider of wellbore cleanup operations in Malaysia.”

Odfjell Technology offers the most robust range of wellbore tools on the market, covering the full spectrum of wellbore cleanup requirements. The company has over 15 years of experience in the provision of wellbore cleanup services around the world, maintaining the highest level of efficiency, reliability, and safety. Its areas of core competence also cover on-demand design and engineering solutions to meet all types of specialized tooling requirements.

About Odfjell Technology

Odfjell Technology is a leading well services player with a Norwegian heritage and a global outlook. An international well services provider offering everyday excellence and future-focused technologies, the company’s advanced technological innovations, processes, and people deliver wells safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

To find out more about Odfjell Technology’s full range of good services including its expertise and state-of-the-art wellbore cleanup product range, please visit https://www.odfjelltechnology.com/what-we-do/well-services/

Wärtsilä Completes Delivery of 15 LPG Fuel Supply Systems

Tina Olivero — Thu, 26 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The technology group Wärtsilä has successfully completed delivery of its LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS) to 15 Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) vessels owned and operated by BW LPG. The Oslo-listed company is a world leader in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipping and has the world’s largest fleet of VLGC vessels.

BW LPG ordered the first four of these 15 systems in 2018, immediately following Wärtsilä’s full-scale testing of a full-sized 2-stroke marine engine operating with LPG fuel. This was the world’s first such testing protocol, and the performance attained was seen as exceeding expectations. Orders for a further 11 systems were placed in 2020.

The Wärtsilä LFSS is a key enabler for the use of LPG as an environmentally sustainable marine fuel. It meets IMO emission limits without the need for exhaust scrubber systems. Compared to heavy fuel oil (HFO), LPG reduces sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 97 percent, nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions by approximately 20 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 24 percent, and particulate matter emissions by 90 percent.

“The successful introduction of the LFSS is a testament to Wärtsilä’s commitment to working towards the decarbonization of shipping We were very quick to adopt this system in support of our own decarbonization ambitions, and we have enjoyed collaborating with them in this important and groundbreaking project,” commented Pontus Berg, Executive Vice President, Technical and Operation, at BW LPG.

“It has been a pleasure cooperating with BW LPG in the introduction of the LFSS to 15 of their vessels. We fully support their ambitions towards enhancing the sustainability of their operations, and are proud to bring the widespread use of LPG fuel closer to reality, thanks to the Wärtsilä LFSS,” says Walter Reggente, Vice President, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

In the retrofitting of these 15 vessels, Wärtsilä has had system integrator responsibilities. This has involved not only the installation of the LFSS but also the required ship design modifications. The Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System is available as a stand-alone solution, or as an integrated element within the LPG cargo handling system.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer, and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through a focus on lifecycle, innovation, and digitalization.

Wärtsilä Marine Systems in brief:

Wärtsilä Marine Systems supports customers with high-quality products and lifecycle services related to the gas value chain, exhaust treatment, shaft line, underwater repair, and electrical integrations. We are committed to providing the latest and most efficient solutions, in line with Wärtsilä’s vision for a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities, and our planet. www.wartsila.com/marine

Wärtsilä in brief:

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasize innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,000 professionals in more than 200 locations in 68 countries shapes the decarbonization transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2021, Wärtsilä’s net sales totaled EUR 4.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.wartsila.com

New Tool to Forecast Carbon Intensity of Vessel Operations

Tina Olivero — Tue, 24 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

As shipowners rush to comply with Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) requirements, misguided decisions on “low friction” hull coatings can have far-reaching consequences.

Jotun has created a tool to calculate the CII of individual vessels and project the expected development in CII ratings based on different antifouling coatings. The digital tool will display options in a way that customers can easily visualize.

Alongside the new tool, Jotun has published a paper that dispels the notion of “low friction” coatings that can improve vessel EEXI purely through theoretical calculations and adjustments. The findings are supported by vessel performance data analyzed using the ISO 19030 standard.

The paper highlights that IMO guidelines clearly state that the effect of “low friction coatings” cannot be measured, calculated, or certified in isolation. In the case of a sea trial, achieving low hull roughness requires the right surface preparation and skilled application, and not purely on a choice of coating.

Should the vessel end up with an antifouling that claims “low friction” but is not effective in protecting the hull against biofouling, loss in vessel speed, increased fuel consumption, and commercial consequences of poor CII ratings will be costly for the shipowner. Even as shipowners see EEXI compliance as the most pressing need, decisions taken now on hull coatings can significantly affect CII ratings for the next few years.

Hull coatings can make a difference between a B- and an E- rating on the vessel’s CII.

Tan Keng Khoon, Global Category Manager for Hull Performance, explains ” We have built a digital tool to project, for individual vessels, the expected increase over time in carbon emissions for different antifouling coatings, against progressively tightening bands of CII ratings.” Taking a 388K dwt bulk carrier with a momentary A-rated efficiency on leaving drydock, the choice of antifouling for that dry docking will lead to very different scenarios (Figure 1). On a market average antifouling, the vessel’s CII rating shows an annual deterioration, falling short of its required CII by the end of the 4th year.

A premium antifouling keeps the vessel within regulatory expectations, while an ultra-premium antifouling with proactive cleaning delivers the best CII rating – much stricter requirements by the 5th year being the reason for the change from A- to B-rating.

Fig.1: Carbon intensity factor over a 5-year drydocking period for different hull protection solutions

The projection is supported by evidence from 3 sister vessels with consistent operational profiles. Performance data analyzed using the ISO 19030 standard for measuring hull & propeller performance and compared with fuel consumption records confirms the drastic change in CII ratings over time due to the use of lower quality antifoulings (Figure 2). Biofouling growth adds significant frictional resistance to hulls, thus burning more fuel and releasing more carbon dioxide.

Fig.2: Carbon Intensity correlation of 3 different sister vessels using available hull performance data

Effective hull coatings must be part of improvement measures

In Figure 1, the improvements from the dry docking effect of cleaning, blasting, and recoating the hull alone are insufficient to get an improvement beyond the D rating band. The vessel needs significant retrofits and further optimizations to improve its efficiency to an A rating. These can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in an equipment upgrade, or opportunity costs in reduced cargo load. With a lower quality, average antifouling, this newly-gained A-rated efficiency is only momentary. As biofouling catches hold, it deteriorates to a C by the end of the 3rd year, D by the 4th, and E by the 5th. A poor decision on antifoulings practically negates the CII improvements expected from major investments in other aspects of vessel efficiency.

Shipowners, managers, and consultants need to realize that all else being equal, a vessel’s CII will increase over time due to biofouling pressure. The graph in Figure 1 are upwards curves, and not flat, horizontal lines. Effective hull coatings are a requisite measure of any efficiency improvement plan, even more so when major investments will be put into retrofitting and upgrades.

Seadrill Renews Speedcast Connectivity Partnership

Tina Olivero — Thu, 12 May 2022 11:45:35 +0000

Speedcast, leading communications, and IT services provider announced that the company has been selected by Seadrill to continue providing services for its global fleet via a three-year contract. Under the terms of the agreement, Speedcast will deliver the latest connectivity solutions to best serve Seadrill’s deepwater drilling fleet in operation across the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, the North Sea, and African Coast regions. Seadrill is a global drilling contractor operating drillships, jack-ups, and semi-submersible assets for shallow and deepwater oil and gas projects.

As part of the renewal, Speedcast will ensure ongoing connectivity across the fleet via the provision of customized, fully managed networking solutions, incorporating VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite technology, as well as onboard network support for equipment. The solution also includes LTE services for specific regions of the global fleet.

Beyond corporate connectivity, Speedcast will also continue delivery of crew Wi-Fi via its LAUNCH Internet offering. Seadrill has relied on Speedcast’s crew welfare solutions for more than five years aboard its global fleet, and this contract renewal solidifies ongoing technology evolution benefitting its crews.

Seadrill’s commitment to partnering with an industry leader in advanced technology and innovation allows for its future growth, as well as continued collaboration via Speedcast’s consultative approach.“We’re honored to have Seadrill’s continued commitment with Speedcast as we build upon our partnership spanning more than 10 years,” said Richard Elson, Executive Vice President – Energy at Speedcast. “We thrive on providing turnkey connectivity solutions for our customers, utilizing a specific blend of technologies to ensure we best meet their operational needs. In this very competitive industry landscape, this renewal speaks to our ability to execute on that, while also upholding the long-term trust of valued partners such as Seadrill.”

“Speedcast has historically brought a consultative approach in partnering with us on our fleet connectivity needs,” said Greg McGavin, Vice President – Supply Chain at Seadrill. “Because of this, along with the delivery of high-quality service and support for our assets and teams across the globe, we had no hesitation when it came to the decision of renewing this contract. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Speedcast team and the advanced technologies they offer to fully equip our fleet.”

“To ensure we’re providing technologies that maximize the success of our fleet operations, we continuously evaluate our IT portfolio and services at Seadrill,” said Jennifer Hohman, Chief Information Officer & VP at Seadrill. “We understand the critical role that connectivity solutions play in an effective and efficient drilling campaign, and Speedcast is a trusted partner to deliver on these requirements.”

About Speedcast

Speedcast is a leading communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications services to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. The company leverages its global network platform to provide fully connected systems that harness technologies and applications to transform what remote operations can achieve. With the world’s most comprehensive network, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com.

Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services: Deploying FUELTRAX

Tina Olivero — Fri, 06 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services (RVOS) has chosen to outfit its entire fleet of vessels with the FUELTRAX Electronic Fuel Management System (EFMS) to ensure accurate fuel usage transparency and emissions tracking.

RVOS is a joint venture company between Rawabi Holding, a diversified conglomerate of Saudi Arabia, and Vallianz Holdings Limited of Singapore. It provides offshore support vessels and integrated offshore marine solutions to support the global energy industry.

RVOS is initially outfitting nearly half of its fleet with the EFMS after a rigorous trial of the system that concluded in late 2021. Installations have been completed in Indonesia, Singapore, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.

The FUELTRAX EFMS is the industry’s leading and only patented fuel management solution. It measures direct fuel consumption and transfers on board, enabling vessel operators to reduce operational and fuel costs. Its unparalleled accuracy and stability are achieved by taking direct measurements using Coriolis smart meters to measure mass flow rather than volume. The system consistently measures fuel quality and transmits that data to the FUELTRAX operations center for real-time monitoring.

RVOS’ choice of the EFMS is a proactive step in addressing the push toward aggressive digitization requirements for vessel owners, charterers, and operators.

“There is no doubt that digitization in the upstream/offshore arena is here to stay,” said Ahmed Al-Qadeeb, Vice President, Oilfield Services Division for Rawabi Holding Group.

“With that in mind, we wanted to be sure that we partnered with a company that could provide a best-in-class system with the highest accuracy.”

“The impressive quality and stability of the FUELTRAX EFMS and first-rate response from their support team in Houston made it clear that this was the solution that would meet the high standards of sustained performance set for the RVOS fleet,” said Al-Qadeeb.

Once the trial concluded, RVOS began deploying the EFMS systems. Eight vessels are now fully outfitted, with 14 more in progress, part of a fleet that is quickly growing to more than 50 vessels.

“RVOS is leading the way with their very proactive approach in recognizing and acting on the increasing demand for compliance, efficiency, and accuracy in vessel fuel transparency,” said John Donovan, Vice President of Operations for FUELTRAX. “They are first movers in the Arabian Gulf region, setting a standard for fleet-wide digitization that others will soon follow.”

About FUELTRAX

FUELTRAX® is the leading smart fuel management system, compatible with any vessel, engine, or fuel, reducing onboard fuel consumption costs and emissions and setting the standard for secure, compliant, and optimized vessel performance. It delivers over 99% system uptime globally and is the only system accepted universally by all major oil companies. FUELTRAX is a patented product of Nautical Control Solutions, LP. FUELTRAX® and FUELNET™ are marks of Nautical Control Solutions, LP.

Source and Image: www.fueltrax.com

New Turbine Technology: Regenerates Energy from Waste Cooling Water

Tina Olivero — Tue, 03 May 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The new submerged turbine technology developed by Framo AS will enable offshore operators to reduce their carbon footprint, cut CO2 taxes, and make way for increased gas exports.

On offshore installations, huge volumes of seawater are lifted from sea level to deck level for use as a cooling medium for onboard operations. The used seawater is then dumped back to sea level from a great height, meaning that substantial quantities of energy are left unexploited.

In order to enable offshore operators to harness this untapped energy source, Framo has designed a new submerged turbine for installation in the overboard water dump water line that can generate electric power as the wastewater flows from deck level to sea level.

The Framo Submerged Turbine is based on the design of the Framo SE pump, a technology known for its robustness and reliability that has served as the preferred seawater lift pump for many offshore operators around the world over the past four decades.

Installed in the same way as the Framo SE pump, the Framo Submerged Turbine can be fitted in dedicated caissons, or a caisson-free version is available for installation in guide funnels. The turbine is suitable for both new projects and for retrofitting existing facilities regardless of whether Framo Seawater lift pumps or pumps from another supplier are already in use.

Tests demonstrate that the Framo Submerged Turbine can regenerate around 20 to 30 percent of the energy used to lift the water from sea level to deck level. Generated power from the turbine technology will contribute to the total power supply on the offshore facility and reduce gas fuel consumption for power generation onboard. This in turn will cut emissions and reduce the CO2 tax burden. It will also contribute to better earnings potential via increased gas exports since the solution will liberate gas that would usually be utilized for energy production on board to be sold instead.

The technology will deliver the greatest positive effect on offshore installations that require large amounts of cooling water and on offshore installations located in areas with higher water temperatures.

“Stricter global environmental requirements have led to an increasing interest in this technology among offshore operators.” It is an ingeniously simple way to save money and improve their sustainability.” says Sigve Gjerstad, Director of Offshore Pumping Systems.

“We have had this solution on the drawing board for ten years, but operators in the offshore market have not been ready to use it until now. However, the response to this technology just a few weeks after we launched the prototype has been huge. Several stakeholders who see opportunities for saving both money and the environment by using the technology are already expressing their interest.” Gjerstad confirms.

Framo AS is a pump manufacturer based on the west coast of Norway. The company has three factories and a large service facility in Norway. Framo was established in 1938 and is now a worldwide organization with offices in eight different countries on three different continents. The company has approximately 1,350 employees and is a leading manufacturer of pumping systems for the tanker market and the offshore industry. In addition, Framo manufactures offshore windmill suction anchors and solutions for fish farming. Framo AS is a part of the Alfa Laval Group and the Bergen area is the head office regarding marine pumping systems. Visit: www.framo.com for more information.

GE Power Conversion to Supply the Electrical Module for an FPSO Vessel

Tina Olivero — Mon, 02 May 2022 11:40:51 +0000

GE Power Conversion was chosen by Saipem, the multinational oilfield services company, to develop the Electrical Module for Petrobras’ Floating Production Storage Offloading vessel (FPSO), coded P-79, which will be used for the production of oil and gas extraction. The module will be fabricated in Asia and delivered in 2023 to the integration shipyard in South Korea. The FPSO is scheduled to commence operations in the Búzios field within the Santos Basin in 2025. The field location, off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, is considered the largest deep-water oilfield in the world.

The collaboration between GE Power Conversion and the Italian contractor Saipem to deliver the Electrical Module includes medium-voltage and low-voltage switchboards and motor control centers and high-power transformers for the P-79 vessel with a high degree of local content. The Electrical Module to be provided by GE Power Conversion is considered the heart of the platform as it provides all the distributed energy to power the entire FPSO, in addition to housing equipment that controls the vessel. The Electrical Module can be compared in size to a three or four-story building, weighing approximately 2,000 tons, 25 meters high, 22 meters wide, and 33 meters long.

“GE Power Conversion has previously delivered Electrical Modules to six of Petrobras’ owned and operated FPSOs operating in the pre-salt area including P-75 and P-77 in the Búzios field, with similar scope of supply to what will be provided for the P-79 FPSO. GE’s proven track record in demonstrating technical expertise for the demanding operating profile of the FPSO has been a key success factor in securing this important contract,” said André Ribeiro, Commercial Leader for the marine sector for GE Power Conversion in Latin America.

GE Power Conversion in Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is responsible for Project Management, Engineering, and Manufacturing of the electrical equipment for the Electrical Module which, in turn, will be assembled by Wasco Shipyard, Indonesia, and then placed on the FPSO at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (DSME) Shipyard in South Korea. After the equipment has been assembled, installed, and commissioned, the FPSO will sail from South Asia to the Brazilian coast.“A truly global effort, highlighting GE’s commitment to its customers and its ability to produce equipment within Brazil, with a high level of local content and meeting all the requirements of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) for offshore installations” said Carlos Adriao Guimaraes, Sales Director for GE Power Conversion in Latin America.

About GE Power Conversion

About GE

Kongsberg Digital Signs Agreement with Another Oil Major

Tina Olivero — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

After the successful delivery of Kongsberg Digitals digital twin solution Kognitwin® on two assets, one of the world’s largest energy corporations is now expanding their contract, adding four more assets.

“We are very pleased with the expansion of our contract with this energy major and is a strong show of confidence in our ability to deliver value at scale. The expansion of four more assets demonstrates the power and potential of Kognitwin to transform the oil and gas sector. This industry is constantly seeking new ways to make its operations more efficient, safer, and more sustainable. In the race towards NetZero, our digital twin will be an important contributor”, says Hege Skryseth, President of Kongsberg Digital.

Kognitwin® is Kongsberg Digital’s digital twin Software-as-a-Service platform that enables operators to integrate and contextualize data from their IT and OT systems and enable advanced process and flow simulation to drive higher degrees of asset performance and collaboration. Kognitwin enables a wide range of energy facilities to derive value from data to reimagine how we work in the heavy asset industry.

The new contract comes after a successful implementation of two assets in 2021. With four further assets now in development, Skryseth looks forward to further close collaboration.

“Kognitwin supports the wide-scale digital transformation of the energy industry with a focus on shaping the future of work for a better tomorrow. The addition of four more assets will increase the benefits in efficiency and scale sustainability in their operations”, Skryseth adds.

Shane McArdle, SVP of Digital Energy in Kongsberg Digital, says that there is a shift within the energy industry regarding digitalization, the use of data, and digital twins.

“We see that the energy industry is shifting from a nice-to-have to a must-have when it comes to the need and use of a digital twin. Decisions need to be anchored in a source of truth and transparency, and for the industry, a large part of that truth is driven by data and access to data. Real-time insights continue to be a challenge in the industry, highlighting the need for digital twin solutions that provide strong data foundations, help build industry data standards, and reimage the way we work.” McArdle says.

KONGSBERG DIGITAL

Kongsberg Digital is a provider of next-generation software and digital solutions to customers within maritime, oil and gas, renewables, and utilities. The company consists of more than 700 software experts with leading competence within the internet of things, smart data, artificial intelligence, maritime simulation, automation, and autonomous operations.

Follow on: www.kongsberg.com/digital and LinkedIn

Boskalis Retrofits Selected Offshore Vessels

Tina Olivero — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Boskalis will convert numerous vessels within its Offshore Energy division into hybrid vessels through the retrofitting of Energy Storage Systems, or ‘power packs’. The conversions, which entail a sizable capital investment, will reduce the vessels’ fuel consumption and associated carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by an average of up to twenty percent. The systems also provide a power supply and energy storage facility while the vessels are docked and contribute to quieter and more efficient operations offshore.

The modifications, which will be completed over the next two years, will be carried out on the versatile crane vessels Bokalift 1 and Bokalift 2, two construction support vessels, and two diving support vessels, all of which have dynamic position DP2 capabilities.

Boskalis already employs a range of technologies onboard its vessels, including special dashboards to enhance efficient fuel usage and the use of biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. Within Boskalis’ fleet of trailing suction hopper dredgers, these measures have contributed to a twenty percent reduction in the vessels’ carbon intensity since 2011.

Boskalis is committed to reducing its emissions in the near term using currently available technologies and to becoming climate neutral across its global operations by 2050.

Reductions in emissions are, in part, dictated by the readiness and global availability of suitable alternatives to fossil fuels within the maritime industry. For this reason, as a member of a consortium, Boskalis is participating in a comprehensive, multi-year research program to accelerate the use of methanol as an alternative fuel within the sector. We continue to collaborate with our industry peers, knowledge institutions, and other partners to develop the expertise and technology necessary for the industry to reach climate neutrality.

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. is a leading global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure, and maritime services sectors. The company provides creative and innovative all-around solutions to infrastructural challenges in the maritime, coastal, and delta regions of the world. With core activities such as coastal defense, riverbank protection, and land reclamation Boskalis is able to provide adaptive and mitigating solutions to combat the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels, as well as deliver solutions for the increasing need for space in coastal and delta regions across the world. The company facilitates the development of offshore energy infrastructure, including renewable wind energy. Boskalis is furthermore active in the construction and maintenance of ports, waterways, access channels, and civil infrastructure, thus helping to facilitate trade flows and regional socio-economic development. In addition, Boskalis is a global marine salvage expert and has a number of strategic partnerships in harbor towage and terminal services (Keppel Smit Towage and Smit Lamnalco). With a versatile fleet of over 600 vessels and floating equipment and more than 10,000 employees, including associates, Boskalis is creating new horizons around the world.

XL Global Group Strengthens Business Development Team

Tina Olivero — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Graeme Simpson is promoted to the position after three years with the engineering conglomerate’s sales operation. In his new role, he is responsible for the UK business development team and is the focal point for developing XL Global Group partner brands, including a number of key robotics, power distribution, and automation systems providers.

Colin Laird, CEO of XL Global Group said: “Over the past three years, Graeme has consistently demonstrated that he has all the right attributes to progress. Our clients benefit from working with Graeme because he genuinely listens to them and understands their business. It is only by working in this way that we can provide them with solutions that add real value and a measurable return on investment.”

While Graeme will work across all elements of XL Global Group, his initial task is to expand its customer base in the manufacturing and food and beverage sectors. This activity will focus on the Automation XL division but will also include projects for Access XL and Aquidata XL.

Graeme said: “Our goal never changes; it is to provide clients with an attractive return on investment. Consultation and working in partnership always add to our ongoing proposition and service. The demand for efficient, safe, reliable, smart, and automated processes continues to expand, presenting an exciting opportunity to grow the business. Providing clients with solutions that improve their bottom line will generate repeat business as well as bring us, new customers.”

The appointment comes as XL Global Group prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. The company was founded as Excel Industrial Systems in 1992 by Colin Laird and has grown to encompass 10 divisions offering comprehensive engineering solutions to a diverse range of sectors.

“We have had a really good start to the year and as a team has taken some time to look in more depth at our product and service offering, target markets, and types of business we can assist,” added Graeme. “The better we get at showcasing our diverse capabilities, the more important we become to our clients.”

Graeme has worked in business development within the industrial electronics and controls industry for the past decade, specializing in the manufacturing and food and drink sectors. Originally from Fife, he lives in Glasgow with his wife and two sons. A fan and former player of rugby, he also enjoys golf and cycling.

About XL Global Group

Bay du Nord Environmental Assessment Approval

Tina Olivero — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 12:42:34 +0000

The Government of Canada approved the environmental assessment of the Bay du Nord development project as recommended by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in August 2021. Energy NL, Newfoundland’s energy industry association, is pleased to see a rigorous and scientific process was followed and looks forward to the opportunities this project offers for its members and the country.

“Approval of the environmental assessment for Bay du Nord is a significant milestone welcomed by Energy NL members, the energy sector, and our province in general. Bay du Nord is a generational energy development that will provide significant economic benefits while being the lowest carbon intensity oil project in Canada. We look forward to continued cooperation between all stakeholders as we move toward project sanction,” said Energy NL Chair, James Parmiter.

The Bay du Nord project will include industry-leading innovations in not just production, but also environmental mitigations and employee safety. The Bay du Nord project stands to set the international standard for future offshore development projects which places Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada as global leaders during the energy evolution. It would be the lowest carbon intensity oil project in Canada, with an emission intensity of fewer than 8 kilograms per barrel – half of the international average of 16.1 kilograms per barrel. As Canada and other leading jurisdictions move toward net-zero emissions and renewable energy sources, there will remain a global demand for oil. The Bay du Nord project can help meet that demand while applying leading international standards of ESG and safety and achieving below global averages for emissions. In August 2021, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada concluded that the Bay du Nord development project with appropriate mitigations “…is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects….”

“The Bay du Nord project is a critical part of our pathway to achieving a net-zero energy sector while providing significant jobs and economic benefits. Energy produced in Canada – especially the low carbon oil found offshore Newfoundland and Labrador – with our leading ESG and safety standards should be used to meet global demand and lead the energy mix. We have seen broad support for this project from Energy NL members and supporters including, First Nations, not-for-profits, municipalities, and businesses, all of whom look forward to the significant benefits and opportunities this project will provide.”
• Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson

According to an economic impact study commissioned by Energy NL, the Bay du Nord project is expected to provide over $97 billion in GDP contribution across the country over the life of the project and 13,800 jobs annually, including $82 billion in GDP contribution and over 8,900 jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the life of the project, Ontario will see $7.2 billion worth of GDP and annually over 2,200 jobs, while Quebec would experience a $2.6 billion GDP increase supporting over 900 annual jobs. Alberta will see a $3.1 billion GDP increase and almost 700 annual jobs and the GDP in the rest of Atlantic Canada will grow $1.8 billion with over 700 annual jobs.

Across Canada, $31 billion in employment income induced by the Bay du Nord project will create an estimated $22.6 billion in annual household spending on products and services such as groceries, vehicle purchases, utilities, recreation, and entertainment. Governments across the country will generate an estimated $24.5 billion, with $2.8 billion of this tax revenue going to provincial and local governments outside Newfoundland and Labrador. The Government of Canada can expect to receive $10.7 billion in tax revenue.

“I would like to thank Premier Andrew Furey for his commitment to the Bay du Nord project and our energy industry. His leadership has been instrumental in getting to where we are today, and I commend his unwavering support. Minister Seamus O’Regan has shown extraordinary dedication to the project and our industry and he has worked diligently to highlight the value and importance of Bay du Nord in Ottawa; I sincerely thank him, Minister Gudie Hutchings, and their caucus colleagues for those efforts. As well, I would also like to thank Minister Andrew Parsons who has been steadfast in his support for Bay du Nord and our industry. The next steps for this project are sanctioning by the proponent Equinor, and Energy NL members look forward to that occurring as soon as possible. Equinor is a global leader in responsible resource development and Energy NL members are greatly anticipating working with them to enhance that reputation through the Bay du Nord project.”
• Energy NL CEO, Charlene Johnson

The Bay du Nord project consists of several oil discoveries in the Flemish pass basin, some 500 km northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The first discovery was made by Equinor in 2013, followed by additional discoveries in 2015, 2016, and 2020. The Bay du Nord discovery is at a water depth of approximately 1,170 meters while the new discoveries are at approximately 650 meters water depth. Cenovus Energy is Equinor’s partner in the Bay du Nord discoveries. BP is Equinor’s partner in the Cappahayden and Cambriol Central discoveries. Energy NL represents approximately 460 member organizations worldwide that are involved in the Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health, and safety equipment and training, engineering solutions, and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.

Kraken: Successfully Completes Robotics as a Service Contract

Tina Olivero — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Kraken Robotics Inc., Canada’s Ocean Company™, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed a Robotics as a Service (RaaS) contract with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), for testing of Kraken’s ultra-high-resolution survey equipment. This $0.5 million contract was funded under the government of Canada’s Innovative Solutions Canada program, and the testing department for this service offering was the RCN’s Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic (FDU-A) based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The RCN has a mandate to develop and maintain an advanced sonar imaging and data storage capability for all three coasts, and to deploy this capability to national and international areas of interest.

Augmenting the RCN’s Current Capabilities

This contract provided the RCN FDU-A access to cutting-edge technology and high-resolution seabed data. With Kraken deploying its KATFISH towed SAS sonar system as well as integrating a Kraken Light Weight SAS (LW-SAS) onboard an RCN-owned Hydroid REMUS 100 Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), Kraken’s RaaS service demonstrated that FDU-A’s existing capabilities can be augmented by using service-based offerings of cutting-edge technology with significantly better data, at a much lower cost, and leveraging continuously improving capabilities.

Throughout the course of the contract, Kraken’s team successfully demonstrated that the range, area coverage rates, and resolution of Kraken’s KATFISH and LW-SAS systems met or exceeded target specifications. Furthermore, the Kraken and FDU-A teams worked closely on the integration of the payload, demonstrating that the LW-SAS can be installed and removed from vehicles in the field. Finally, the FDU-A team was trained on using Kraken’s cloud-based post-mission analysis tools for interrogating data following mission completion, and for conducting change detection.

Commenting on the successful completion of this contract, Karl Kenny, Kraken President, and CEO noted, “Kraken is excited to be once again working closely with our own RCN as an ‘Early Adopter’ to augment existing RCN Route Survey capabilities with a service offering based on the latest SAS technology available. The experience of working side by side with our FDU operators provided invaluable feedback to our engineers and technicians, and the RCN’s evaluation will serve as an excellent reference for a global offering, in particular to other NATO allies. Furthermore, the RCN’s objective comparison of the data from our RaaS offering against legacy sonar data provided demonstrative evidence of the superior image resolution and accuracy of Kraken survey data.”

Quote by Lieutenant Commander Neville Lockyer, Commanding Officer of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic), “Our members are fully trained in Naval Mine Countermeasures and seabed searches, and are always excited to be able to test and evaluate innovative Canadian technology. We want our teams to have their hands on the best equipment available in order to safely and effectively complete the mission. Based on the performance of Kraken’s equipment during this evaluation, what we tested was the best equipment available.”

Quote by Commander Roland Leyte, Director of Diving Safety (D DIVS), “By embracing the ISC TS program, the RCN is able to test and trial high-tech, advanced, state of the art equipment to determine its viability and future employability in various areas of warfare. Partnering with Kraken Robotics to utilize Robotics as a Service allowed the RCN’s Seabed Intervention Systems department, as the end-users, to employ a superior SAS system on an already in-service UUV, the REMUS 100, to achieve a much higher definition resolution image. The trial and the partnership were very successful in integrating the SAS with the REMUS 100, and in demonstrating that increased resolution tremendously improved object identification and change detection.”

Benefits to the Navies

Kraken believes its RaaS offering can provide significant benefits to other navies around the world. With Kraken RaaS, navies can access cutting-edge technology “as needed”, without concern for equipment obsolescence, life cycle costs, or operator skill fade. As it relates specifically to the RCN, Kraken RaaS offers many advantages:

Both RCN operating bases, MARLANT (Maritime Forces Atlantic) and MARPAC (Maritime Forces Pacific) are mandated to maintain Q-routes (safe passage lanes along the coasts and into designated harbors, of Canadian waters) on an annual basis. These surveys take a significant amount of time with current RCN technology due to the image quality and speed of current towed bodies. Kraken’s technology would greatly enhance the image quality and reduce survey time significantly due to the advance in state-of-the-art technology.
Kraken’s technology can be deployed to assist the RCN in mapping areas of interest ahead of regular exercises and operations, with the image quality required to enable change detection and optimize revisit rates. This has the potential to provide the RCN with a competitive edge for detecting bottom objects in complex seabeds.
Kraken’s technology and service application can augment route survey activities while simultaneously supporting nearshore hydrographic mapping and charting requirements on an annual basis with a high-definition resolution, freeing up valuable Navy assets for other mission-critical functions.

About Kraken Robotics Inc.

Kraken Robotics Inc. is a marine technology company dedicated to the production and sale of software-centric sensors, subsea batteries and thrusters, and underwater robotic systems. The company is headquartered in Newfoundland with offices in Canada, U.S., Germany, Denmark, and Brazil. In July 2021, Kraken acquired PanGeo Subsea, a leading services company specializing in high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging solutions for the sub-seabed. PanGeo with offices in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kraken. Kraken is ranked as a Top 100 marine technology company by Marine Technology Reporter.

Energy NL: 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

Tina Olivero — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

The Government of Canada released the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan on March 29, 2022, which included emission reduction targets for the oil and gas sector and support for renewable energy. Energy NL looks forward to learning more about and contributing to the plan through the upcoming consultation process.

“I was extremely pleased that lower carbon oil was referenced by the Prime Minister during his
announcement of the plan and that lower carbon oil is also referenced within the plan. While there is
a consultation to come with the industry, I believe that was a signal that the oil offshore Newfoundland
and Labrador will have a role to play as our oil is a lower carbon product that should be used to
help meet global demand. When combined with our potential for wind, hydrogen, and carbon
capture, utilization, and storage, Newfoundland and Labrador will be at the forefront of the energy
evolution.”

• Energy NL CEO, Charlene Johnson

The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its
emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The plan includes a projected contribution from the oil and gas sector of emission reductions to
31 percent below 2005 levels in 2030 or 42 percent below 2019 levels. The 2030 Emissions
The reduction plan also includes developing a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategy,
funding to support achieving the broad emission reductions targets, and supporting renewable
energies such as electricity.

“While there have been preliminary discussions and there is work to come, I am pleased to see
recognition of our valuable low carbon resource. Getting to net-zero does not mean zero oil or gas,
at least not for the foreseeable future. There is going to be a varied energy mix at play globally and
oil and gas will play a leading role. No doubt the federal government plan is ambitious, but so are
our members and I believe we will be a valuable contributor to the global energy mix.”
• Energy NL CEO, Charlene Johnson

Energy NL represents approximately 460 member organizations worldwide involved in the
Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and service
sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply vessels and
helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health and safety equipment and
training, and engineering solutions and fabricators, to law firms and human resource agencies.

Steerprop Helped Futureproof Alfons Hakans’ ASD Tug Artemis

Sam Johnsson — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Back in 2019, the technical department at Alfons Hakans noticed a need to modernize and upgrade the propulsion control system on its Azimuth Stern Drive tug Artemis. It was no longer possible to get spare parts for its original control system; and although it was still reliable, for safety reasons the company decided to look for reasonable solutions for a full-scale upgrade.

“We noticed pretty quickly that it made sense to renew all parts related to the control of the propulsion units,” says technical manager Tuomas Raumanen. “Basically, everything between the master’s hands and propulsion units had to be replaced, including things like control levers, cables, computer units, and feedback sensors.”

Alfons Hakans began to look for suppliers, and Steerprop, located near Hakans’ headquarters, promptly gave a quotation. Raumanen notes that Hakans particularly appreciated the ease of communication and rapid responses, and this, topped with fast delivery and a reasonable price, made Steerprop an obvious choice.

Minimal downtime

The final order was confirmed at the end of 2020. First, Steerprop paid a few visits to get to know Artemis and its operations. During these visits, a timetable was set to ensure the downtime of the tug was kept to a minimum.

To decrease the amount of downtime, Hakans’ own workers and subcontractors started preliminary works, such as installing new cables and manufacturing foundations for electric cabinets, whilst the tug was still operating normally. Meanwhile, Steerprop was building the entire control system at their workshop.

“This way the installation time onboard would be as short as possible,” Raumanen says.

The installation began at the end of August. First, the old control system was dismantled, and the team ensured that all necessary cables had been installed. Next, all-electric cabinets related to the new system were installed, which was an easy process thanks to all the preliminary work.

Connecting the new cables to different units was the most time-consuming part, and it was completed on schedule. After seven days of work, it was time to run a test. During the sea trials, the adjusting of the final parameters was easily done as it had been considered already when planning the software.

Increased reliability

From the beginning of the installation to final approval from Alfons Hakans, installing the new control system took nine days in total.

“After sea trials and final adjustments, our masters and chief engineers were satisfied and also surprised how well the whole process went,” Raumanen says. “Of course, it takes a while before masters and others get used to the new type of control levers, but that’s common when changes are made to older vessels.”

The biggest advantages in comparison to the old system are, in Raumanen’s view, that all adjustments are very easy to make, and the new system is significantly more reliable. The information the system provides about the status of the propulsion units is also much easier to understand.

In total, Raumanen estimates the upgrade to add 10 to 15 years to the lifecycle of the vessel.

“All in all, we’ve been satisfied with the new control system and will continue our good relationship with Steerprop in the future,” he notes.

Remote service diagnostics streamline maintenance

From Steerprop’s point of view, the co-operation with Alfons Hakans went extremely well. Technical Sales Manager Esa Peltomaa tells that Steerprop designers were in frequent contact with the personnel on board to ensure that the new system fitted existing spaces and locations as well as fulfilled the wishes of end-users.

Steerprop delivered a control system modified to existing propulsion, as well as a bridge control system with control levers, control panels, and relevant touch screens. Like Raumanen, Peltomaa says that the new system is more user-friendly than the old one, and it also conveys detailed information that makes service operations, changing settings, and calibrations easy and reliable.

Steerprop was also able to make customizations based on the customer’s wishes. For example, bridge control panels were customized to fit existing cabinets, and touch screen views, control panel buttons, and indications fit existing vessel functionalities and desired functions.

“By modernizing the system, Steerprop also provided a capability for remote service diagnostics, which gives Steerprop’s service department the ability to diagnose faults and status of the system remotely,” Peltomaa explains. “This makes better service assistance possible by diagnosing possible faults even before the first service engineer’s visit on board.”

Essentially, the vessel has now been future-proofed. For example, should Alfons Hakans want to replace existing units with Steerprop’s azimuth propulsors, the existing control systems can be fully utilized with minimal changes to further improve cost-effectiveness.

“Steerprop guarantees the serviceability for our products for decades by using and selecting components that are not becoming obsolete as well as designing the system well enough that future upgrades are possible with minimal work,” Peltomaa concludes.

Steerprop

Steerprop is a leading designer and manufacturer of azimuth propulsion systems for the most demanding applications and toughest conditions. Since its founding in Finland in 2000, the company has delivered fit-for-purpose units for hundreds of vessels, including every third icebreaker in operation around the world. Steerprop’s unrivaled arctic experience and fit-for-purpose solutions are a testament to the company’s commitment to continuous development, steadfast dedication to meeting the customers’ needs, and an unwavering resolve to perform.

Aker Solutions Appoints Trine Svalestad

Tina Olivero — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Aker Solutions has appointed Trine Svalestad to the new position of senior vice president for sustainability. The company sees significant increase in demand for its solutions powering the ongoing energy transition.

Aker Solutions is a leading supplier to international oil and gas projects with multiple solutions to reduce carbon emissions. The company is also rapidly increasing its deliveries to renewable energy production.

Svalestad has experience in a range of management positions in Equinor, including leading compliance and governance processes and heading the digitalization of the large Johan Sverdrup offshore field development. She is a Norwegian national with a Master of Law from the University of Bergen, Norway.

“Aker Solutions has not just set high targets for how it will reduce its own environmental footprint. The company has also established specific annual plans for how it will implement improvements for its own operations and enable customers to meet their global climate objectives. I am very keen to take a key role in this transition. I am looking forward to collaborating with all parts of the organization in delivering results, and in developing new business opportunities,” said Svalestad.

Svalestad will start in her new position on May 1, reporting to Marianne Hagen, executive vice president and head of sustainability, HSSE, and communications.

“The urgency for climate action has never been higher and we are committed to being a driving force for the energy transition. By 2030, low-carbon solutions and renewables will make up two-thirds of our revenue, becoming the largest part of our business. I am welcoming Trine to our team to work on reducing both our own, and our customers’ emissions, and at the same time contributing to develop our renewables offering. Trine will take on the responsibility for the full scope of the sustainability agenda,” said Hagen.

The international energy markets are brimming with plans for development of new energy facilities. For the coming years, Aker Solutions forecasts a significant increase in its activities as a key supplier, and this includes a 20 percent growth already in 2022.

“Throughout 2022, we plan to recruit more than 2,000 new experts on our team. Even before this campaign has really begun, we have been approached by many of the industry’s best talents within a wide range of disciplines. We see that our central role in the acceleration of the global energy shift is highly motivating for skilled people across all countries, cultures and age groups,” said Hagen.

Ashtead Technology Completes First Significant Subsea Monitoring Project

Tina Olivero — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +0000

International subsea equipment rental and solutions specialist Ashtead Technology has successfully completed its first significant subsea monitoring project using Hydromea’s LUMA™ high-speed through-water wireless optical modems since signing their global rental partnership last year.

The project saw Ashtead Technology provide its Autonomous Structure Monitoring Systems, which were each integrated with LUMA™ optical modems, to complete an underwater installation monitoring work scope for subsea and offshore wind contractor, Havfram, in the Norwegian North Sea.

The work scope included the provision of ten Autonomous Structure Monitoring Systems, two for each suction anchor template, and an additional four Autonomous Structure Monitoring Systems, which were used to monitor the installation of a range of subsea structures. The Structure Monitoring Systems were configured for autonomous independent operation, communicating data to one of the installation ROVs. Ashtead Technology utilized LUMA™ optical modems to enhance the accuracy of the data collected, ensuring maximum performance of the system.

LUMA™ products are the smallest, lightest, lowest power-consuming subsea optical modems available that provide high-speed and high-bandwidth wireless communication at depths of up to 6,000 meters with remarkably low latency, even in the murky waters of the North Sea.

Ashtead Technology has rolled out the use of LUMA™ technology in all of its offshore energy global construction and O&M projects and it has become one of the key differentiators of the company’s subsea monitoring and positioning systems.

Ross MacLeod, Ashtead Technology’s Technical Director, added: “When completing subsea installation projects, it is vital that the information provided is accurate, reliable, and delivered in real-time. This reduces the risk of damage to the structure during installation and ensures it is installed within specification. “We have been using LUMA™ modems on construction projects over the past three years and we have been very pleased with the functionality and ease of integration of the devices into our existing systems. The technology used within the LUMA™ modems is cutting edge and advances subsea data communication significantly whilst helping to reduce project complexity, risk and cost.”

About Ashtead Technology:

Ashtead Technology is a leading provider of equipment rental solutions, advanced underwater technologies, and support services to the global offshore energy sector.

Through three service lines – Survey & Robotics, Mechanical Solutions, and Asset Integrity – Ashtead Technology supports the installation, IMR (inspection, maintenance & repair), and decommissioning of offshore energy infrastructure from its service centers located in key offshore energy hubs throughout the world.

New Energy NL: Advocating for Energy Supply & Service Sector

Tina Olivero — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:46:13 +0000

The supply and service sector of the Newfoundland and Labrador energy industry took a bold step forward as Noia announced changes to its vision, mandate, and name. This action reflects our member’s activities and was informed by an extensive consultation process with its membership.

Joined by CEO Charlene Johnson, and Harry Pride, a founding member of the association and
honourary member, Chair James Parmiter announced that Noia would now be known as Energy
NL. Energy NL will represent members of the energy supply and service community as the
Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector moves to take advantage of its abundant and world-leading energy resources, support technology transfer, and engage in the international market
opportunities.

“Our members have been living the energy evolution and this change has been considered for a
number of years. In 2021, we engaged a consultant to formally gather member feedback regarding
our mandate and vision. The process included 189 members and resulted in substantial, thoughtful,
and definitive feedback It was made clear to our board that the association must expand our
mandate to engage in other energy sectors. In fact, over 90% of those who participated felt that
Noia should diversify. It was also clear members did not want us to abandon offshore oil and gas as
our members agreed it will play a key role in Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy future. Global
demand for energy dictates that renewables and non-renewables must co-exist and be developed
responsibly and that is where Energy NL must deliver. We remain committed to our effective
research-based advocacy and market development activities,” said James Parmiter, Chair of the Energy NL Board of Directors.

Energy NL will represent members involved in the energy supply and service sector, such as
offshore oil and gas, hydro, wind, solar, and hydrogen. While the association has been involved in
sustainable and renewable energy discussions in the last number of years, the change announced
today formally establishes the association’s commitment to the broader Newfoundland and
Labrador energy sector. Numerous Energy NL members are already involved in the renewable and
sustainable energy sectors and recently the association partnered with eco next and OilCo to begin
the Net Zero Project. Preliminary discussions have taken place with Fortis Inc. and NL Hydro to
identify potential opportunities for Energy NL members. Further, Energy NL today announced the
hiring of Robin Kieley for a new role within the association, Manager of Sustainable Energy
Initiatives.

“We believe in a balanced approach to energy production and look forward to advocating for a
sustainable energy future and the exceptional contribution Energy NL members can make to that
important objective. I believe our new vision, mandate, and name will allow us to offer more for our
members, which was our goal from the outset. A major step forward was taken last year when we
collaborated with eco next and OilCo to establish the Net Zero Project to map a path to net-zero.
Supporting such initiatives, today I was pleased to announce that Energy NL has hired a Manager of
Sustainable Energy Initiatives, Robin Kieley, who will support our members to further engage in the
local, national, and international energy sector,” said Charlene Johnson, Energy NL CEO.

The vision statement for Energy NL commits the association to a sustainable and prosperous lower
carbon energy industry while its mandate is to facilitate member participation in the energy industry
through advocating for local sustainable energy development, seeking local and global opportunities,
and creating connections to advance the industry.

The Energy NL logo includes a recognition of the history of the association with the colors orange
and blue within the ‘N.’ The blue leads the evolution and represents a historic ocean connection, as
well as the potential for the province’s vast hydro resources and hydrogen opportunities. The ‘L’
looks to the future, an evolution that includes green energy and technology. The new website of
the association is www.energynl.ca though a temporary site of www.energynl.org will be used for a
few days. Social media platform handles are @WeAreEnergyNL.

Energy NL represents approximately 460 member organizations worldwide that are involved in
the Newfoundland and Labrador energy sector. Members are active in all areas of the supply and
service sector and include a diverse representation of businesses that range from offshore supply
vessels and helicopters, carbon reduction and sustainable technologies, health, and safety equipment
and training, engineering solutions, and fabricators to law firms and human resource agencies.
Further information about Energy NL, including the video used at the announcement today and the
new vision, mandate, and logo can be found here.

Alfa Laval: ThinkTop Pulse Seat, cleans drain valves

Valery Ayupov — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:21:08 +0000

ThinkTop is raising the bar on water savings yet again. The new pulse seat clean feature does for drain valves what the burst seat clean did in 2019 for mixproof valves. While burst seat clean reduces CIP liquid for mixproof valves by up to 90%, the pulse seat clean cuts drain valve CIP liquid consumption by up to 95%.

More savings, more uptime

Imagine the savings made possible by using this standard automated valve-position feature, triggered by a rising programmable logic controller (PLC) signal and controlled by the Alfa Laval ThinkTop V50 and V70 sensing and control units.

“The ThinkTop pulse seat clean brings unheard-of savings in CIP liquid to process plant owners and operators compared to conventional PLC timer-controlled seat cleaning,” says René Stietz, Product Portfolio Manager, Valves and Automation, Alfa Laval. “Alfa Laval is the first and only valve automation solutions provider to deliver significant savings in CIP liquid for drain valves.”

Faster, more effective pulse cleaning

Short bursts, or pulses, drive the valve cleaning process, activating the valve when shear forces peak. Each position-based pulse takes less than a second, preventing pressure shocks in the system. The pulse creates high turbulent flow as the liquid passes through the narrow gap between the valve house and valve seat, effectively removing all residuals for spotless drain valves.

100% cleaning validation of drain valves

The pulse seat clean makes control and validation of valve cleaning cycles easy. The valve position is not controlled by the PLC timer but by the Alfa Laval ThinkTop. Besides reducing the volume of CIP liquid used, programming the sensor to open and close the seat quickly ensures faster, more rigorous cleaning and hygiene than timer-controlled cleaning. The ThinkTop also verifies that valve cleaning has been completed.

Intended for use with single-seat valves or butterfly valves used as drain valves, pulse seat clean is a standard feature of ThinkTop V50 and V70 sensing and control units with one solenoid valve. Regardless of actuator mode, the drain valve may be configured as a normally open or normally closed shutoff or changeover valve. The pulse seat clean simplifies valve commissioning, prevents pressure shocks, and reduces CIP liquid and time.

To learn more, visit www.alfalaval.com/ThinkTop

This is Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval is active in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water, offering its expertise, products, and service to a wide range of industries in some 100 countries. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress – always going the extra mile to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets.

Alfa Laval has 16,700 employees. Annual sales in 2020 were SEK 41.5 billion (approx. EUR 4 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq OMX.

www.alfalaval.com

Steerprop expands it’s subsidiary in to North America

Valery Ayupov — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 13:20:49 +0000

The investment, which also includes building substantial warehouse facilities in addition to proprietary 24/7 sales and maintenance services, aims specifically at covering the needs and requirements of North American customers with local, comprehensive know-how and expertise.

“Our local presence in North America allows us to ensure the high standard customer experience which Steerprop is known for. Serving customers with our resolve to perform, starting from the design phase, up to maintenance of the vessel, guarantees a fit-for-purpose solution that the customer needs and deserves,” says Steerprop’s CEO Mr. Riku-Pekka Hägg.

Steerprop is committed to providing uncompromised service throughout the running-up period of Steerprop North America’s subsidiary’s operations. To ensure this, experienced service specialist Southern Thrusters LLC, based in Houma, Louisiana, was chosen as Steerprop’s subcontracting service partner in the United States and Mexico. This co-operation has been up-and-running since January 2022.

During the running-up period, original Steerprop spare parts will continue to be provided by the company’s warehouse in Finland without any disruption. In 2022, as Steerprop begins its operation in North America, the company ensures even more flexible availability for spare parts.

Steerprop Ltd.:

Steerprop is a leading designer and manufacturer of azimuth propulsion systems for the most demanding applications and toughest conditions. Since its founding in Finland in 2000, the company has delivered fit-for-purpose units for hundreds of vessels, including every third icebreaker in operation around the world. Steerprop’s unrivaled arctic experience and fit-for-purpose solutions are a testament to the company’s commitment to continuous development, steadfast dedication to meet the customers’ needs, and an unwavering resolve to perform.

www.steerprop.com

Lundin Energy and Delmar Systems have success with RAR Plus™

Tina Olivero — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 09:21:43 +0000

Unmooring a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) from eight mooring lines in less than two hours is quite an achievement; especially, when comparing conventional unmooring times that take up to twelve to eighteen hours in ideal weather. In January 2022, this is what Lundin Energy Norway AS experienced using Delmar Systems’ RAR Plus™ Releasable Mooring System on the Deepsea Stavanger.

This semisubmersible offshore drilling unit is one of the largest active MODU in the North Sea, and Lundin’s actual drilling location was fairly close to the Norwegian coast with area characterised by bad weather conditions. In the words of Sigmund Andre Hertzberg, Senior Marine Supervisor at Lundin Energy Norway AS: “In close consultation with Odfjell, we therefore decided to deploy an anchor system consisting of anchors, chain and fibre rope, in combination with the RAR Plus™ Releasable Mooring System (RMS).”

Lundin was already convinced of the exceptional features of the RAR Plus™ System as they saw its advantages during a drilling campaign in the Barents Sea. Nonetheless, the quick release with a ‘single touch of a button’ to unmoor the Deepsea Stavanger in marginal weather conditions exceeded the operator’s wildest expectations. The operational efficiencies of the RAR Plus™ Releasable Mooring System allowed Lundin to save substantial time, money, and reduce their NOx and CO2 footprint by having no vessels onsite when unmooring. Sigmund Andre Hertzberg has nothing but praise when talking about the fast and successful unmooring of the semi-submersible Deepsea Stavanger.

Cost reductions

One of the primary advantages of deploying the efficient RAR Plus™ is that it removes the need for traditional anchor handling vessels during unmooring operations. Once a rig has completed drilling and is ready to move on, it is simply a matter of releasing the rig from the mooring lines at the ‘touch of a button’. In the case of the Deepsea Stavanger drilling project, Lundin Energy had anticipated that deploying anchor handling vessels to disconnect all the mooring lines would require a 12-hour operation, which in turn would result in the company requiring an 18-hour weather window. Moreover, the maximum permitted wave height would have been 3.5 metres HS, or the operation would have to be postponed. Sigmund Andre Hertzberg continued: “All-in all, we predicted a 12 to 18-hour disconnection operation for all the mooring lines with three vessels. Given the weather probability plot at the chosen disconnection time and our decision to deploy RAR Plus™, the result was a time saving of at least fourteen days. In precisely 1 hour and 50 minutes, the Deepsea Stavanger was ready for immediate departure from the well location, without assistance from a single anchor handling vessel. Incredible, but true. For Lundin Energy, the time-saving achieved also meant no further rig hire, an overall reduction of the environmental footprint of the operation and on top of that, no need to pay daily rates for the anchor handling vessels. All we needed were a couple of boats to recover the mooring system, consisting of between 1000 and 1500 metres of round chain, 800 to 1200 metres of fibre rope and an 18t STEVPRIS MK6 anchor for each mooring line.”

Unmooring operation of the Deepsea Stavanger (photo: Dunlin Energy)

Acoustic and mechanical release

So what exactly is the nature of the RAR Plus™ Releasable Mooring System (RMS) of Delmar Systems? Jørund Havnerås, Managing Director at Delmar Systems AS, explained: “The RAR Plus™ is unique in that it allows immediate MODU transit following release of the mooring line using the RAR Plus™, from their secured position in the trigger sleeves against the rig’s fairlead. Delmar Systems introduced this new generation technology to the market in 2018. The RAR Plus™ is an enhanced version of the original RAR which had acquired more than 35 years’ documented use in MO DU ice avoidance operations. The most important new development is the addition of an independent mechanical backup release feature, which ensures the ability to still release the moorings in the unlikely event that the remote acoustic transmission fails to actuate the RAR. The backup mechanical release bypasses the acoustic, electronic and hydraulic systems in the RAR Plus™, and can be actuated from the trigger sleeve, thereby guaranteeing 100% redundancy within the system.”

The innovative RAR Plus™ also has a significantly increased minimum break load (MBL) of 907 tonnes, certified by DNVGL and ABS. As a result, with its robust shell and locking mechanism, the device is not the limiting MBL component, even in systems that include modern R5 high-strength components in their mooring line.

High-quality project

Lundin’s senior marine supervisor looked back with satisfaction, on a high-quality project off the Norwegian coast and the successful deployment of RAR Plus™. He was also delighted with the cooperation with the people from Delmar Systems. In Hertzberg’s own words: “Lundin Energy and Delmar Systems have already been working together for a number of years. Disconnecting the Deepsea Stavanger was the perfect opportunity to consider all the benefits of Delmar’s releasable mooring system, from a range of different perspectives, and to deepen our understanding of various components of the RAR Plus™ system. Although we faced a number of challenges during the preparation and execution phases of the project, we still maintained very open and honest dialogue, throughout. Lundin Energy and Delmar Systems have no secrets from each other, and that in itself is an essential precondition for successfully completing a complex project of this kind.”

Part of Delmar Releasable Mooring System on deck of AHTS.
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Integrity builds Trust

“Achieving this significant milestone without a safety incident or failure to release highlights the talented nature of our workforce and the unique dependability of the RAR Plus™,” concluded Jørund Havnerås of Delmar Systems. “Completing an operation involving an eight-line mooring spread in under two hours represents substantial cost savings in rig and vessel time, for Lundin. We appreciate Lundin’s trust in deploying the RAR Plus™ on this valuable operation.”

SOURCE & PHOTOS – DELMAR, DUNLIN ENERGY

Hydrogen is a major focus at Nor-Shipping 2022 conference

Tina Olivero — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 13:16:29 +0000

Leading global stakeholders in the hydrogen value chain will gather at Nor-Shipping 2022 for a conference dedicated to assessing, demystifying and enabling developments within the maritime field. Organised by Ocean Hyway Cluster, a specialist Norwegian trade body, The Maritime Hydrogen Conference will discuss collaboration, infrastructure demands and technology in an effort to share knowledge and support progress. The conference takes place on 6 April in Nor-Shipping’s Blue Economy Hall in Lillestrøm, Norway.

Big picture insights

“This conference is about working together to unlock collective industry benefits,” comments Maria Brandsøy, Business Opportunity Manager, Ocean Hyway Cluster. “Hydrogen has huge potential for maritime, but it can be challenging to see the ‘big picture’ and determine the optimal path forwards. We need to look at many different areas in parallel, working in partnerships across the industry, and beyond, to innovate, mitigate risk and develop the necessary technology and infrastructure.

“No one can do this in isolation. That’s why initiatives like this are so crucial – providing access to unique insights from pioneering people and companies, building networks and helping deliver answers to the big future fuel questions. We’re thrilled to have so many leading names involved and are looking forward to some interesting, exciting and truly valuable discussions at Nor-Shipping 2022.”

Industry leaders

The conference is split into three main sessions looking at partnership-based models, infrastructure (from both a shipowner and energy supplier perspective) and an analysis of internal combustion engines versus fuel cells. The programme runs from 11.30, with an informal drinks and networking session rounding the day off between 16.00 and 17.00.

Speakers and panelists include Knut Nyborg, CEO, Aker Clean Hydrogen, Torben Norgaard, Head of Energy and Fuels, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Christian Berg, Director Bunkering Market, Yara Clean Ammonia, Maria Bos, CEO, Plug, Gitte Gaard Talmo, CEO, Eidesvik, Jørgen Kopperstad, VP Maritime Opportunities, Saga Pure, Ronny Haufe, CEO, CCB Energy Holding, and many more.

Nerendra Pal, Director of Hydrogen Technology at San Francisco based Hornblower, will also be among the keynote speakers, sharing his experience in designing and building Sea Change, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell ferry.

Driving progress

“This is a unique conference that fits perfectly with the aim of showcasing sustainable ocean business development,” comments Sidsel Norvik, Nor-Shipping Director. “The fact we can now run this physically, and safely, with no restrictions on numbers or social distancing requirements, will provide a perfect arena for stakeholders to meet and form the relationships that will be crucial in driving the progress we need to see for a sustainable future. I’m sure the atmosphere and energy here, and throughout Nor-Shipping, is going to be truly inspiring.”

Nor-Shipping 2022 runs from 4-7 April. Highlights include 22,000 sq. m of exhibition halls in Lillestrøm, the Ocean Leadership Conference, Blue Talks, technical seminars, the International Ship Autonomy and Sustainability Summit, a broad spectrum of partner events, and a lively industry social scene in Oslo, based around the After Work at Aker Brygge in the city centre.

Tickets for The Maritime Hydrogen Conference are available here

For full details of the Nor-Shipping activity programme please see www.nor-shipping.com

For further details please contact:

A practical approach to cost management without gutting your supply chain.

Patrick Long — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:22:40 +0000

Controlling costs is critical for any energy company. Firms may spend to grow through acquisition, new business development, gain market share, or invest in new opportunities. However, as a business activity also decreases following this period of growth, what happens to the variable costs? If companies have planned strategically, their variable costs fall directly proportional to their activities. If, on the other hand, they have invested without careful execution of the growth strategy, they may be stuck with higher variable costs despite the lower activity.

This asymmetrical relationship can be found through comparisons of selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) and cost of goods sold (COGS) to a comparison of sales. If the decrease in SG&A and COGS is not proportional to the decrease in sales, then it’s worth investigating to uncover the costs in the supply chain. According to the CPA Journal, costs will typically be sticky if adjusting capacity downward in response to a decrease in sales is more challenging. Let’s examine this statement in the context of hydrocarbon supply chain management a bit more.

Adding Capacity: A Supply Chain Dilemma

Firms add capacity during periods of growth for many reasons. According to one Morningstar analyst, “Consolidation makes sense — economies of scale will enable firms to lower supply costs; less fragmentation will ensure more efficient response to price signals and inventory constraints.” This line of thinking was held during the early phase of the pandemic by Devon Energy and WPX Energy. They announced a merger in late 2020 to build a dominant position in the Delaware Basin so neither had to slog through the demand uncertainty on their own. A larger economy of scale combined with a rationalization of activity helped to control initial costs.

Companies add capacity to expand their networks to reach new markets or capture greater margins. In the case of PBF Energy, the company looked to broaden its reach of selling finished goods beyond just its West Coast Torrance Refinery. In February 2020, it completed its acquisition of the West Coast Martinez Refinery, which added to the existing capacity in Southern California. The economics can be quite favorable to add value by delivering the finished product to locations closer to customers. By enhancing an existing network, options were now available to optimize cheaper feedstocks from overseas. The acquisition also brought with it additional deepwater marine facilities, product distribution terminals, and product storage facilities. The expansion offered more optionality to marketers with increased production, logistics, and storage.

Businesses also add capacity because of the specialized logistics that may be required to move a particular product. Crude refiners and specialty chemical manufacturers share this burden. Railroads aren’t going to provide free railcars that are specialized for hauling the products. So, if a shipper is high-volume, then they must decide whether to lease or purchase their fleet. Most downstream companies with substantial volume operate fleets of railcars. Though the railroads own some cars, the pendulum has swung to companies owning and leasing fleets of their own. The typical railcar lease is seven years. The typical ownership timeline is approximately 30 years. These are major capital outlays to support a supply chain strategy.

Managing The Supply Chain

In the case of supply chain management, it seems that expansion and control over your supply chain and logistics go counter to strategic cost management. As presented in the examples above, that can indeed be the case. In each of the examples, management teams weighed the pros and cons of contracts vs. leasing vs. owning. In the end, control of the inventory and movement of the products won out over cost management. The reason this occurred is the overall importance at the time that refiners placed on having complete control over their shipments of cheap crude domestically.

That’s not to say, though, that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. It’s possible to have strategic cost management if you recognize the vision and strategic imperative behind certain costs. Before you act on expansion, it’s important to evaluate the processes that the company will be taking on. For example, when Calumet Superior built a $10 million rail facility across the street from its refinery, it suddenly entered rail and railcar management.

According to the refinery manager, the movement of crude was “never intended to be a major part of operations.” Ask yourself: do you have the core competency and skills needed to perform the necessary functions in both the short- and medium-term? Is this a competency that your company wants to develop and grow over time? Will it continue to be a competitive advantage? Or is the expansion opportunistic and fleeting and will it need to contract when the market activity reduces? Such was the case with Philadelphia Energy Solutions, which had to pay $30 million quarterly to North Yard Logistics even if the refinery was receiving little to no crude based on the terms of a deal.

The best protection against lumpy, long-term costs that burden a company is visibility and transparency. Implementing a digital strategy allows for the total cost to serve customers to be calculated and evaluated continuously. Digital transformation doesn’t mean having one single enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that replaces all the best of breed logistical solutions. Instead, focus on the interfacing of the logistical systems into a central hub where the costs can be analyzed and compared against the sales. Chances are that the commercial deals and transactions may be missing some of the costs to serve customers. Simply put, logistics can make or break the trade.

On The Offensive: Strategic Cost Management

It’s important to be strategic in the analysis of the supply chain and not purely defensive. In the end, controlling costs isn’t about gutting your supply chain and disposing of assets at the first sign of a downturn in activity. Rather, it’s a continuous insight into the true embedded costs and constant discussion as to how to manage those costs through different commercial terms. It’s about developing critical insight into the underlying factors that drive your supply chain and setting up the business processes to maximize the investment. It can also be the foundation for asset-backed trading and increased commercial sophistication.

By maintaining clear insight into the supply chain network and the true cost to serve, management can focus on maximizing profit. The implementation of optimization software is critical to model and create a digital twin of the supply chain. The optimization software ingests the inputs from logistical systems, trading systems, and operations. It will solve for objective functions like maximizing profit or minimizing costs. Armed with these results, management can now gain insight into their customers and better forecast demand. They can tweak the model to ensure that the supply chain is used most efficiently over time. A strong management team will pick up on signals and patterns in the data by watching the forecasted demand and analyzing where they take the product for the best netback price. Additionally, recognizing where the competitive advantage may be lost or market share conceded in a particular geography, a management team can recognize when it needs to sell down the capacity appropriately.

About The Expert

Patrick Long is a Director in Opportune LLP’s Process & Technology practice. Patrick has over 20 years of experience in providing clients with energy trading and risk management, packaged software implementation, trading and risk processes, and business process automation. Patrick focuses his time on studying supply chain issues and implementing digital twins. He helps transform capabilities from non-existent to best-of-breed solutions. His current focus for clients is making sense of inventory and the supply chain to address management questions. He enjoys thinking of ways to thwart irrational human behavior and its effects on optimization. Before Opportune, Patrick worked in the energy consulting trading and risk systems practice at Accenture where he managed project teams through the entire process of software selection to the successful implementation of trading and risk management systems for energy trading entities.

Steerprop strengthens its organization in Asia

Valery Ayupov — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 05:55:52 +0000

Steerprop has strengthened its presence in China and Southeast Asia by appointing two seasoned propulsion and vessel engineering experts, Ayhwa Ngoh as Regional Sales Manager in Singapore and Robbie Wang as General Manager, Sales in China.

Robbie Wang has graduated from Wuhan University of Technology, majoring in Marine Power system, and he started in the marine business as a design engineer at Jiangnan Shipbuilding Co Ltd.

“I joined Rolls-Royce Marine China in 2001, where I held different manager positions in sales, contract management and service sales”, Robbie Wang says. “As a marine insider, I pay close attention to sustainable solutions as well as to the latest technologies, and in these senses Steerprop is one of the leading propulsion manufacturing companies in the world.”

Ayhwa Ngoh has worked with various marine projects for 17 years, and he has experience from both technical and commercial projects on local and global levels. He is stationed in Singapore but will represent Steerprop in the whole of Southeast Asia. Before joining Steerprop, he worked as Regional Sales manager / Naval Architect for Wärtsilä Ship Design in Southeast Asia, Middle East and Taiwan.

“The work involved identifying future trends and to give customers solutions to technical issues as well as to develop new business opportunities”, Ayhwa says. “This new job is truly inspiring, since Steerprop offers tailormade propulsion systems for even the most demanding conditions.”

Robbie and Ayhwa will report to Juho Rekola, Director Sales and Project Management at Steerprop. He is convinced that they perfectly fit the aim to broaden Steerprop’s market in China and Southeast Asia.

“They both have a solid knowledge of marine propulsion solutions and a “resolve to perform attitude”, and now we are able to serve our customers better worldwide”, Rekola says. “These appointments strengthen our presence in the region and make it possible to serve our customers better, starting from the concept and construction phases, up to the operation and maintenance of vessels.”

Steerprop Ltd.

Steerprop is a leading designer and manufacturer of azimuth propulsion systems for the most demanding applications and toughest conditions. Since the founding in Finland in 2000, the company has delivered fit-for-purpose units for hundreds of vessels, including every third icebreaker in operation around the world. Steerprop’s unrivaled arctic experience and fit-for-purpose solutions are a testament to the company’s commitment to continuous development, steadfast dedication to meet the customers’ needs and an unwavering resolve to perform.

www.steerprop.com

Placentia Bay Region: Meca of Opportunity

Tina Olivero — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 17:40:03 +0000

Despite the challenges of the last few years, the people of Placentia and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador forged forward with hope and determination.

The recent Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase (PBIS) took place at the Star hall in Placentia and focused on the positive projects to come. The conference outlined what was possible and what opportunities are on the horizon. The annual conference MC’d by Claudette Pittman, Chair of PBIS, took the region by storm as leaders and visionaries shared their plans in overcoming challenges and moving into the next phase of projects and developments for the region. Keen Payroll was one of the many exhibitors along with Integrated Logistics, North Atlantic, SDP, Eimskip and CBDC Avalon West, to name a few. A wide range of delegates from all across Canada attended.

After a long drawn out process with Covid-19, this gathering was a welcome change and an opportunity for everyone to get ‘back on deck.’

Deputy Premier, Minister Siobhan Coady opened up sessions with positive outlooks and the way forward. In the first session business leaders profiled their sentiments on the plans for a prosperous future and included; Keith Pearson from the Town of Placentia, Charlene Johnson, CEO of NOIA, Corey Parsons, Director of Business Development and External Affairs from Trades NL.

Participants had a creative Speed Networking session allowing them to meet key individuals quickly and easily. An innovative way to get to know attendees and speakers alike. Companies shared their new projects, innovations, product and services in the exhibition.

The Port of Argentia is one of the most strategically positioned for global import-export, energy, minerals, tech, and other commodities. Its geographic position and sea lane proximity make it a meca-region to house marine-related industry sectors is second-to-none. Those from the Argentia region gave an overview of the many projects taking place at the Port of Argentia.

Speakers included Scott Penney, CEO, Port of Argentia, Alex Troake, Business Development Manager of TMSI, and Tara Laing, Director of Corporate Communications for Marine Atlantic.

Providing an in-depth understanding of the aquaculture opportunities in the province were Mark Lane, past Executive Director of Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association, Carey Bonnell of Ocean Choice International.

What’s very clear is the aquaculture industry in the province is in its infancy and there are enormous opportunities to come with on-land and at-sea aquaculture innovation.

Mark Lane, Past Executive Director, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association

Addressing industry and innovation a powerful team of speakers showcased the power of forward-thinking and laid the foundation for the tech industry that is about to happen in the province.

Kieran Hanley the Executive Director of econext spoke about accelerating cleantech growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Paul Preston, CEO of techNL also paved the way for a tech-centered future as a possibility for lifting the island out of geographic restrictions and creating a foundation for being globally competitive.

LNG Newfoundland: Plans for the future

Perhaps one of the most exciting projects on the horizon is LNG offshore Newfoundland. This coupled with Qatar Gas having a 40 percent equity investment offshore, and the local commitment by LNG Newfoundland to bring Natural Gas to market are very powerful signs of things to come.

Leo Power, LNG Newfoundland and Labrador

The new LNG project happening offshore Newfoundland is focused on permitting and developing LNG infrastructure needed to monetize significant stranded natural gas in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, offshore Newfoundland. LNG Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s opportunity to provide clean natural gas to growing markets in Europe. Once operational, the natural gas will produce some of the cleanest LNG in the world.The project will create enormous business opportunities and jobs while reducing impacts of climate change and air pollution globally. The Project requires a centralized offshore gas hub, a pipeline, and natural gas liquefaction facilities, and an export terminal at Grassy Point, Placentia Bay, NL. For more details on this project: www.lng-nl.com

Key Note speaker Andrew Parsons, Minister of the Department of Industry, Energy & Technology gave the final address. Forever the consummate supporter of the provinces people and companies Minister Parsons gave an optimistic outlook of things to come. Given all that the province has gone through and overcome, we have exciting times ahead.

It is predicted that when the oil and gas industry comes back on stream, the next 25 years will bring $100 Billion + in royalties and revenue from the offshore oil and gas industry. It is forecasted that the number of oil and gas jobs in the province will DOUBLE to approximately 56,000 people in that same time frame. All of that activity plus new oil finds to come, mean that wages and consumer sending will more than DOUBLE, and 15,000 new housing units will come into play by 2045 is predicted.

In order to build that prosperous energy future, we need to drill more and focus on project ownership. It has to be a Canadian mindset and mandate as well as a provincial one. The smartest politicians will see that possibility and will invest in the time needed to make it happen. Petroleum is the biggest game that Canada has in its resource nest egg and utilizing fossil fuels to bring in renewable energy, is the way to advance and prosper simultaneously!

ATTEND NEXT YEAR – SAVE THE DATE

October 25th and 26th 2022
PlacentiaChamber.ca

DNV: OCEAN’S FORECAST REPORT TO 2050

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 11:15:36 +0000

The exponential growth of offshore wind power will be the main driver of a nine-fold increase in demand for ocean space by the middle of the century, according to DNV’s Ocean’s Future to 2050 report.

The report forecasts that by midcentury, offshore wind will require ocean space which is the equivalent to the landmass of Italy. The growth will be particularly pronounced in regions with long coastlines and presently have low penetration of offshore wind.

Demand for ocean space is set to grow 50-fold in the Indian Subcontinent and 30-fold in North America.

The rise of wind will be pivotal to the transformation of the Blue Economy. Currently, 80 percent of capital expenditure in the Blue Economy is invested in the offshore oil and gas sector, but by 2050 that number will have dropped to 25 percent. By then, offshore wind will receive the largest investments, accounting for half of all capital expenditure.

The decreasing prominence of oil and gas will be largely responsible for capex inflows into the Blue Economy being less in 2050 than today, whilst operating expenditure will increase below GDP growth.

The Blue Economy will be more focused on Asia with Greater China set to account for more than a quarter of capex by 2050 as it builds out its offshore wind capacity and marine aquaculture.

The Blue Economy is entering a period of sectoral and geographic diversification,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV. “Currently, the regions which benefit most from the ocean in economic terms are those with access to oil and gas fields off their coastlines. But as the world decarbonizes and the need for renewable energy grows, countries not able to be part of the age of fossil fuel can be part of the age of wind.”

The growing economic strength of Asia and the energy transition will also impact the maritime sector. After years of faster-than-GDP growth, seaborne trade will only grow 35% to 2050, while global GDP almost doubles.

Bulk will remain the largest segment in the merchant fleet, despite reduced demand for coal transportation. Tankers will be overtaken by container vessels as the second largest segment, even if demand for gas tankers remains robust.

COVID 19 will have no long-term impact on cruise industry and berth capacity will triple by 2050.

Aquaculture production will more than double by the middle of the century, approaching the level of wild catch. But seafood (inland and marine) will account for only 9% of global protein demand in 2050.

Total sustainable annual catch is forecast to be 95 million metric tonnes by mid-century, exceeding the maximum yield of marine capture fisheries and stressing the need for optimal fisheries management.

Ocean’s Future to 2050 is a holistic forecast of the Blue Economy and covers areas as diverse as food, energy, shipping, tourism, desalination, ocean health and spatial planning.

REPORT SUMMARY & LINKS

1. Offshore wind will overtake the oil and gas sector to receive the largest investments in the Blue Economy
Offshore wind will grow from a small base to account for 50% of ocean capital expenditure (capex) in 2050. Over the same timeframe, the oil and gas industry will shrink from 80% of total capex to just 25%. By 2050, offshore wind will provide about as much energy as offshore oil, the production of which will shrink 51% compared with 2019 levels. Capex in the Blue Economy will reduce from USD 517 billion in 2018 to USD 461 billion in 2050. Operational expenditure (opex) will grow more slowly than global GDP.
Read more about the Blue Economy

2. The Blue Economy will be dominated by Asia. Greater China will establish itself as the global powerhouse of the Blue Economy and its leading investor by 2050. Europe will maintain a strong position, growing from 11% to 14% of capex in the next three decades.
Read more about the Blue Economy

3. There will be a 9-fold increase in demand for ocean space for aquaculture and energy production
Offshore wind will require 82% of the total occupied area by 2050. Growth in demand for ocean area from aquaculture and energy production in the Indian Subcontinent, is set to increase 50-fold. In North America, and the Middle East and North Africa spatial requirements will grow 30-fold.
Read more about Spatial competition

4. The energy transition and increasing purchasing power of Asia will alter outlook for shipping. After years of faster-than-GDP growth, seaborne trade will only grow 35% to 2050, while global GDP almost doubles. This is due to increased consumption in Asia combined with the decline of coal and oil transport. The merchant fleet sees bulk remaining the largest segment in tonnage, even as the coal trade declines, while tankers are overtaken by container vessels as the second largest segment. Gas carriers will outpace oil product tankers. New special vessel segments will emerge to serve the offshore wind industry. Special vessels will grow 31% in tonnage and 53% in value to 2050. COVID 19 will have no long-term impact on cruise industry and berth capacity will triple by 2050.
Read more about Ocean Energy

5. Aquaculture production to match capture fisheries by 2050. Aquaculture production will more than double by the middle of the century, approaching the level of wild catch. But seafood (inland and marine) account for only 9% of global protein demand in 2050. We forecast total annual catch to be 95 Mt by mid-century, exceeding the maximum sustainable yield of marine capture fisheries and stressing the need for optimal fisheries management.
Read more about Food and Aquaculture

About DNV

DNV is the independent expert in risk management and assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions.

Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence.

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilseen: Nor-Shipping 2022 Thought Leader Interview

Tina Olivero — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 12:09:02 +0000

The true fuel of the future

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime said, “Everybody wants to cool the planet down, but not everyone is prepared to pay for it.” Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen isn’t the kind of man to get angry. The DNV Maritime chief speaks in considered tones with a natural, easy warmth. He radiates a calm authority highly befitting of someone charged with heading the world’s leading classification society. So, he’s certainly not angry, or even agitated, when addressing the issue of decarbonization, but it’s fair to say he’s a little frustrated. “We’re nowhere near reaching the ambitions laid out in the Paris Agreement and, in the aftermath of the IPCC report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) no one can deny the scale of the challenge ahead,” he says. “If we are to stand any chance of addressing the issue we must all change. And I’m not talking about shipping here, not in isolation at least, I’m talking about everyone – a structural, behavioural, fundamental, societal change. If we work together on this we can succeed. Stand alone.. and, well, that’s that.”

Transition time

Ørbeck-Nilssen has stated his case in previous media outings.As an industry he believes we should embrace today’s available technologies as we investigate tomorrow’s green shipping solutions. LNG, for example, can cut emissions by as much as 15-25% and, as such, is a valuable transitional fuel. “It’s not perfect,” he notes, “but perfect should not be the enemy of good. Let’s get going!” He doesn’t like the term ‘race to zero’, as it implies winners and losers, instead believing we should work together (a recurrent theme) to investigate solutions and share knowledge as we plot a collective path forwards. And, in concrete terms on future fuels, Ørbeck-Nilssen sees ammonia and methanol as very viable deep-sea alternatives, but only if they’re sustainably sourced. “A failure to ensure that,” he notes, “negates the benefits. We need green fuels and for that we need help.” And it’s here where the conversation turns to show his true vision.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO Maritime

Challenging convention

The frustration, if it can called that, seems in part to derive from the ‘outsider’ perspective that shipping has to do more.It does of course, but, as he points out, as the enabler for global trade, its 2-3% contribution to global CO2 emissions means it is only one small piece of the puzzle. And it can’t transform the whole picture alone.We need universal buy-in and support – something he illustrates with the case of consumer behaviour:“ Think about the early movers who are putting increased CAPEX on the table to fund vessels with alternative fuels (currently about 25% of newbuild tonnage). To do this they need the support of their shareholders, the backing of banks, and the commitment from charterers and cargo owners to utilize these ships.“ But because of the costs involved they need higher rates. So, a cargo owner has to pay this and that will most likely drive up the cost of the end product. Will consumers that have grown accustomed to hunting for bargains online – racing to the bottom in terms of cost – pay inflated prices for products they know have been transported sustainably? Are we, all of us, prepared to pay more to avert global warming?”The answer of course should be an emphatic ‘yes’, but, in an age of disposable consumerism, is it… really? And here lies Ørbeck-Nilssen’s point.We all have a vital role to play in this transition. Everyone – from shipowner, to politician, to banker, to businessperson, to scientist, to consumer – has to contribute if we are to change. And that’s especially true on fuels.

Supporting change

Ørbeck-Nilssen says huge technological leaps forward have been made in what he sees as a “maritime renaissance” with digital innovations and new onboard systems driving enhanced efficiency. But the development in fuels, and chiefly infrastructure and supply, are lagging behind. “Think of ammonia as an example,” he says. “The technology to facilitate meaningful deep-sea adoption will probably come online in the next three to five years, and that’s great news. But if we don’t have fuel (and by that I mean sustainable fuel) in the right places, in the right quantity, at the right prices to make sense in a competitive shipping market, then this clean fuel will not fulfil its potential.“ So, we need collaboration from policymakers, energy suppliers, the broader transport sector (which must also transform), and other industries across the board to make it happen. “This is a difficult undertaking, but it’s essential to get the foundations in place or we can’t build towards the future we want to see.”

Accessing expertise

Despite mentioning a handful of alternative fuels by name, Ørbeck-Nilssen is careful not to identify any as maritime ‘silver bullets’. Flexibility and fuel ready solutions are crucial for owners, he opines, as we work towards the right sustainable energy mix, which will be different for different segments and operations. The key is knowing what is available, what fits vessel profiles, and what developments are on the horizon. No one investing today (and there are around 1,000 ships a year expected to be built per annum to 2030) wants to be saddled with stranded assets tomorrow. Here he refers to DNVs vast array of expert reports – such as the recently published Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) and Maritime Forecast to 2050 – as valuable resources for diverse industry stakeholders. “As an organization we’re keen to engage with people facing difficult choices – to help facilitate and investigate the optimal solutions for a carbon neutral future,” he stresses. “And that’s where I see our main role, bringing people together – across disciplines, across sectors – as a kind of collaboration platform, or hub. In a sense that’s what we do day-to-day for maritime now; linking yards, owners, manufacturers, authorities and regulators to ensure quality, safety and progress. Thanks to the nature of DNV, which also has a firm footprint in other industries, such as renewables and oil and gas, we can help enable knowledge sharing and innovation across industry boundaries. That’s a real boon.“We are here to support and accelerate the transition. So, my message is, please, engage with us on this.”

Next stop Nor-Shipping

Ørbeck-Nilssen has Nor-Shipping 2022, taking place 10-13 January, in his crosshairs as a key engagement platform. It’s arenas such as this, he notes, that offer up the meeting places that sow the seeds of collaboration. And, after 18 months glued to our screens, we need that more than ever. “It’s difficult to just ‘bump in’ to someone on a Teams meeting,” he smiles. “Put it this way… you know who you know and you reach out to them. But, you don’t know who you don’t know. Now, imagine all that knowledge, all those perspectives, and all the opportunities you might be missing out on. So, how do you connect with the unknown? “Well, an event like Nor-Shipping – walking the corridors, attending the stands, listening to discussions and conferences, and socialising. Inspiration and innovation can come from unexpected places,” he adds, “and, given what’s ahead, we need to open up to those possibilities. That’s why I think arenas like this are so vital to our industry. They are where the world comes together.”Something, he reiterates in conclusion (but not frustration) we must do. “Collaboration is the true fuel of the future,” he smiles. “Zero emissions, efficient, limitless in supply, and completely free – it’s maybe the only thing that will get us all to our carbon neutral destination.“I look forward to taking that journey, together.”

Source(s) and Image(s): Nor-Shipping

Tina Olivero: New E-World Sales & Marketing Systems for Industrial Companies

Tina Olivero — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 04:20:00 +0000

The pandemic transformed how we stay connected. It changed how we share ideas and opportunities. People had to get creative, and they had to do it fast.

The result was a whole new E-World that ultimately will make us more versatile, globalized, and resilient.

When people stopped flying planes and the world pretty much shut down, people had to implement new business models for marketing, sales, hiring, investor relations, PR, supply/vendors and processes, partnerships, and more.

This new E-world means harnessing zoom and teams platforms and ensuring online meetings are connected and professional even if you were meeting from your bedroom.

While we now start to get back to a ‘new normal’ and travel becomes more available, the power of E-business will forever play a role in how we expand and grow from here forward.

See it as an opportunity rather than a problem.

Six E-Sales Opportunities To Grow Your Company In The New Digital World

If you want to sell a product or position your company for an important bid, how are you going to accomplish your goals in Covid times?

When we are working from home, using zoom, or dealing with outside distractions, how can we succeed? Those are the challenges of the day. It is a new challenge, to find ways to keep ourselves and our clients connected, online.

Believe it or not, with creativity and engagement, we can have an effective E-Work environment that can out-perform old sales models.

Think about it, less travel, more meetings, less cost, more communication. It adds up. Business is nothing more than a network of conversations. People who organize meetings effectively, stack meetings, and create an E-Flow work environment will win the game of the E-work world.
Building great relationships that create trust and rapport is still the foundation of any relationship. Having clients get to know, like, and trust you is key; so, the rules have not changed. Building rapport still means a professional appearance online and an appropriate zoom background. It means good communication, understanding your client, finding common ground, discovering needs, sharing experiences, matching mannerisms and speech, future pacing, and finding solutions.
Quickly adapting to this new E-World means recreating the outside world inside the computer world. It means finding new ways to connect and get personal with relationships so that there is a strong foundation of trust established online.
Computer advances and algorithms have taken over the laborious job of research and client acquisition. Business development costs came down, workflows became more efficient, and sales grow from there.
The E-world will expedite globalization, and before we know it, doing business anywhere in the world at any time will be an affordable proposition. Global commerce is emerging, and the opportunities are truly endless.
We must look into the future and see where nations will unite in common goals. Languages will merge, and borders and boundaries will fall away. Free markets will be the foundation of the global playing field of business as we grow exponentially with E-Business automation and processes.

PAAS – PUBLISHING AS A SERVICE

As publishers of a global energy magazine, The OGM served clients around the globe ensuring suppliers and energy companies got their message to the right market.

Publisher Tina Olivero says, “During the pandemic it became apparent that tradeshows and flying to meetings was not an option for us or our clients. E-meetings became the norm and suddenly, the world got much smaller. Client contact became easier, faster, and automated. Computer advances and algorithms took over the laborious job of research and client acquisition. Business development costs came down, workflows became more efficient, and sales took off for us. That would not have happened, except for the pandemic. Long story short, there’s a silver lining in everything, when we are willing to embrace the challenges, we then reap the rewards.”

PaaS is a client solution that searches out potential clients, matches content with buyer and seller and creates an automated lead generation system. Where traditional advertising could be hit and miss at times, PaaS connects those interested, with those selling and the computer algorithm does all the work of bringing them together. As a result, expanding into new markets is now affordable. Finding your exact right client is now easier. All of this is because of the new E-Work environment and computer AI.

Visionary Tina Olivero says, “The E-world will expedite globalization and before we know it, doing business anywhere in the world at any time, will be an affordable proposition. Global commerce is emerging, and the opportunities are truly endless.”

WHAT INDUSTRY SAYS

Ryan Burrowes, CEO of Warehouse Transport Group and head of Canada/Guyna operations said, “As a CEO of a growing logistics and investment company, I was in dire need of new digital technology to take my business online. We needed a marketing and sales enhancement solution and a way to scale. I found everything and more with Tina and TheOGM Agency team. Having lived all over the world, Tina is a visionary who sees things from a global perspective.

Our operations have a foothold in Guyana, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. So Tina and her team are a perfect fit for us. The OGM’s new digital business development solutions are strategic and sustainable for the new world order where everyone is doing business on Zoom.

The OGM digital tools come with algorithms and automation that provide us with a flow of never-ending, high-level opportunities to quote on new work. Not just any work but leads with key decision-makers for our business. That is invaluable. The OGM is a platform with new digital tools that we all need in a business in this day and age. This new digital game is entirely different and capitalizing on that makes for really exciting times. Tina and her team have gone over and above our contractual agreement and, honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s the people we want to work with. Already, I consider her a part of our family, for now, and for the future.”

Ryan Burrowes CEO, Warehouse Transport Group Canada-Guyana – WarehouseTransport.ca

New digital processes make things easier. Early adapters will create long-term sustainable companies.

PICK THE RIGHT PARTNERS

There are many companies out there that are trying to adapt online. For energy companies choosing the right partners who have extensive experience in the energy industry is key.

Tina Olivero says, “The most important part of outreach and communication right now is content. You have to partner with key marketing and sales people who speak “energy”. Otherwise you are trying to bring your clients into your world, with someone who does not understand your business and most importantly, doesn’t understand what your clients need. That’s a one way ticket to no success.

Aligining with The OGM as 30-year publishers of energy content, coupled with our digital media agency, makes The OGM a premium choice. When you have that level of business competence, communication is easy. Adapting with new digital processes and creating automations has to be routed in powerful words, which create powerful actions, which create powerful results. It’s that simple. These are truly incredible times. Reach out and lets what we can create.

www.TheOGM.com

About the Author Tina Olivero

Tina Olivero is a conscious entrepreneur, managing a publishing company – TheOGM.com, a digital media firm – DigitalCollateral.ca and a new Sales Engine company – TheOGM.ca. She has 30 years in the marketing and sales business in the energy sector. She is committed to energy and sustainable development with her Our Great Minds. This innovative magazine shares the great minds and collective intelligence that are combating climate change and eradicating carbon emissions.

ECOsubsea Strengthens long-term partnership with AZkoNobel

Tina Olivero — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 06:00:28 +0000

ECOsubsea, the sustainable robotic end-to-end biofouling solution welcomes the announcement of an innovative hull management tool “intertrac Hullcare” from leading marine coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel. AkzoNobel has identified the need to further support the maritime industry’s carbon neural roadmap and the huge opportunity that can be achieved with sustainable and well-planned but flexible hull maintenance.

ECOsubsea CEO Tor Østervold states, “Our decade long collaboration with AkzoNobel gives their customers the ability to plan maintenance with the peace of mind of sustainable collection and disposal of hull biofouling.”

A clean hull will glide through the water when a vessel is underway a lot more smoothly than one with fouling which will increase friction and therefore require more engine power to meet desired speeds. The use of high-performance coatings, big data analytics and the ECOsubsea system allows owners to meet and exceed industry standards, providing customers a full sustainability solution in every step of the value chain.

“ECOsubsea’s system works by having a robotic cleaning system, move over a ship’s hull, gently removing the fouling off the hull without damaging the vessel’s hull coating, and then capturing the debris for processing and safe disposal ashore. This is an important factor to keep this service available in ports that are increasingly concerned with their local water quality.” added Østervold.

ECOsubsea CEO, Tor Østervold

About ECOsubsea

ECOsubsea was formed in 2008 by the brothers Tor and Klaus Østervold to develop a prototype hull cleaning technology that could safely and efficiently remove hull fouling without leaving any fouling in the water. Tor Østervold won the Nor-Shipping Young Entrepreneur Award in 2013 from the leading trade show Nor-Shipping and the company won the WWL Orcelle Award later that year.

Further, the company has received a string of accolades for its environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient solutions, including: the Green Ship Technology Award, the Global Freight Award and the Seatrade Award. The company has been developing its technology in the UK port of Southampton winning contracts from leading ship owners. The Southampton based system has accumulated more than 4000 hours of service. It now has systems in different locations around the world.

The ECOsubsea system consists of a sophisticated and reliable remotely operated vehicle that moves along the ship hull. It’s unique cleaning system ensures the removal of hull fouling without damaging the hull coating. The system removes over 97% of all the fouling detritus which is then safely pumped ashore and can be used as biofuel.

About hull cleaning

A clean freshly painted new hull straight out of a newbuilding yard is the most efficient hull and allows the vessel to operate at peak efficiency, with the least amount of fuel consumed and with minimum emissions. However, over time all hulls, regardless of coatings, will see a deterioration of their effect as slime, barnacles and other aquatic species attach themselves leading to increase in drag and friction thus increasing engine power and fuel consumption to achieve a vessel’s desired speed.

Often vessels have hulls recoated during drydocks to reinstate performance level close to optimum. Owners are advised to inspect and clean hulls regularly between drydocks, with many charter parties including a clean hull clause. However, due to the environmental risks, port authorities and coastal states are banning or deterring hull cleaning methods without capture thus allowing the fouling and coating residues to be released into the ambient water.

Source(s) and Image(s): ECOsubsea

CRP Subsea’s Bend Stiffener prolongs the Fatigue life of a power cable

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:34:03 +0000

CRP Subsea and Hellenic Cables have completed dynamic cable testing at the University of Exeter, as part of the EU-funded MaRINET2 research programme. The results show that when tested with a CRP Subsea Bend Stiffener (protecting it against overbending) the power cable survived 3.7 times as many cycles and was on average 72.5% stiffer than the power cable alone. These results highlight the importance of a Bend Stiffener’s presence to extend
the fatigue life of the system to be used in future Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) applications.

CRP Subsea and Hellenic Cables collaborated to jointly apply for the MaRINET2 programme, as both companies are looking to increase the lifespan of dynamic subsea cables. The testing at the University of Exeter used a dynamic cable designed and manufactured by Hellenic Cables and a Bend Stiffener designed and manufactured by CRP Subsea. The power cable (only) and power cable with Bend Stiffener were individually tested to compare both performance and fatigue.

John Duggan, Principal Design Engineer at CRP Subsea, states, “These results are encouraging but expected and explain why the use of a CRP Subsea Bend Stiffener in such a system is critical. The CRP Subsea Bend Stiffener material has undergone an extensive and rigorous material qualification. This along with the comprehensive design methodology, manufacturing, and quality systems have been fully reviewed and approved by Lloyds Register. Our Bend Stiffener is designed to maintain a cable or flexible pipe above a given minimum bend radius in a dynamic application. This, in turn, increases the life of the product by protecting it against damage and fatigue, which can result due to over bending. It is imperative that we use our 25+ years’ experience of supplying Bend Stiffeners to all the major oil and gas manufacturers, without any failures in service, to support dynamic cable protection for FOW.”

The study is related to one of the key challenges for Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) developers, which is to ensure the long-term integrity of the dynamic cable, connecting the floating platform to the Offshore Sub-Station. Whilst dynamic cable assemblies are recognised as a key technical risk, the sector is not at a commercial scale yet, this funded research and development support is required to demonstrate and enhance dynamic cable solutions for FOW.

George Georgallis, Head of R&D and Cable Engineering for Hellenic Cables commented, “At Hellenic Cables we are always looking forward in collaborating with industrial and academic partners involved in the offshore industry to promote and validate innovative concepts. The positive outcome of the fatigue test of a dynamic power cable coupled with a bend stiffener at the Exeter DMaC facility is very encouraging.”

Professor Lars Johanning, Project Lead at the University of Exeter, explains, “Floating offshore wind power will be a vital component in achieving global Net Zero targets. It will also have a profound effect on the economy in Europe and globally, creating new jobs in the supply chain and providing a key component for the post-pandemic green recovery. We are extremely excited working with innovative companies in the development of subsystems for the floating offshore industry.”

The University of Exeter performed two tests. Firstly, the performance characterisation tests that involved bending the cable to a 3.7° angle at the headstock whilst holding a constant force of 40 kN, 60 kN and 80 kN at the tailstock at a 10s cycle period. Secondly, the fatigue testing involved bending the cable to 4° whilst holding a constant force of 80 kN. The cycle period was steadily decreased from 10s to 1s (to minimise overall test duration). The test plan was identical between the power cable (only) and the power cable with bend stiffener combination (including the change in cycle period).

Bend Stiffeners are used to protect cables and flexible pipelines from over bending at the termination point. Manufactured from an elastomeric material, the Bend Stiffener is suited to the constant wave and current-induced motion of dynamic installations and can also be used for static applications. The conical shape of the Bend Stiffener provides a gradual increase in the overall stiffness between the flexible pipe, umbilical or cable, and the termination in order to prevent over bending at the termination point.

CRP Subsea (formerly Trelleborg Offshore UK) 

Using advanced material technology, CRP Subsea provides high integrity solutions for the harshest and most demanding offshore environments. CRP Subsea specialises in the development and production of polymer and syntactic foam-based buoyancy and protection products for the offshore renewables and oil & gas industries. CRP Subsea has been providing innovative solutions to the industry for over 40 years. www.crpsubsea.com

Source(s) and Image(s): Subsea

Nor-Shipping 2022: Blue Economy focus- NORWEP and offshore wind

Tina Olivero — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:45:37 +0000

Jon Dugstad, the principal renewables Director at Norwegian Energy Partners (NORWEP) comments, “There’s a good reason we’ve chosen this as our first Nor-Shipping. It’s a question of…Jon Dugstad pauses, like a comedian about to deliver his punchline: … timing.” Although he’s smiling, Dugstad, is deadly serious.

Now, he believes, is a key moment in the development of the offshore wind industry, and Norway, with its unique strength in both maritime operations and offshore energy production, is perfectly positioned to both add value to projects and client businesses, as well as accelerate its own clean energy transition.

Dugstad adds, “If you look at plans in the EU, where the goal is increasing offshore wind production capacity from around 12 GW today to 300 GW by 2050, and beyond, including the UK, US and Asia, we see that this is probably the renewable sector with the clearest growth ambitions. Solar obviously has a role to play, as does onshore wind and hydropower, amongst others, but with the expected real, exponential growth and the Norwegian offshore and maritime expertise, offshore wind is a hugely exciting opportunity for our partners (NORWEP’s members)… and, indeed, for the maritime industry as a whole.”

Generating value

In analysis released this year, NORWEP forecast that annual revenues from offshore wind could reach EURO 10 billion for Norwegian suppliers by 2030. Dugstad himself believes that a turnover of around EURO 8-10 billion by that point is not just feasible, but realistic.

“The potential for a national base of expertise that encompasses everything from specialised shipyards, to sea state and weather monitoring, digital O&M solutions, offshore equipment suppliers, shipowners, smart management systems, advanced vessels, heavy lifting, installation expertise – the list really does go on – is huge,” Dugstad argues. “The Norwegian supply chain is in a unique position to support industry development. And, when arguably the biggest challenge the sector faces is managing the expected pace of growth, it needs our help.”

For Dugstad, and his campaigning organisation, their own challenge lies in creating awareness, building international networks and relationships, and positioning Norwegian suppliers (and developers, such as Equinor) as natural partners.He admits other nations, such as Holland and Denmark, have a head start in terms of recognition, but only because Norway, with a population of just under 5.5million, has traditionally put such an emphasis on oil exploration, rather than wind development, on its continental shelf. “But, as I said,” he stresses, “that also leads to an advantage. We now have so much knowledge, so much operational experience, that is easily transferrable. It’s up to us to get that message out there and facilitate dialogue. There’s real value our partners can add here… so let’s get to work.”

Global gathering

Nor-Shipping 2022, taking place from 10-13 January in Oslo and nearby Lillestrøm, will be an ideal opportunity to do just that, Dugstad opines. NORWEP is hosting its own pavilion in the Blue Economy Hall – which focuses on showcasing and enabling sustainable ocean business success – so participating companies can access the eyes, ears and intelligence of the 50,000 international decision makers expected to attend ‘Your Arena for Ocean Solutions’.

“The entire maritime industry is gathering in one place for the first time in a long time,” he comments, “and especially those with an interest in marine operations and specialised vessels that serve offshore assets. It’s a hugely relevant arena for us and we expect some very valuable meetings between our partners, project developers, and other industry suppliers we can collaborate with. The world is coming to Norway, rather than Norway having to go out to the world, and that really is too good an opportunity to miss.”

Nor-Shipping’s Blue Talks – sharing ocean insights

Building understanding

Alongside the pavilion, NORWEP will also be inviting offshore wind developers to discuss the challenges they face and the services, technology and expertise they require to tackle them. “I think that’s another area where we can contribute,” the NORWEP executive muses, “by creating a forum for knowledge sharing and building understanding between the various stakeholders needed for success in this arena. That way we can help our partners determine how best they can support the industry, while the developers get the expertise they need for success.”

He concludes where he began, on a matter of timing, “With COP26 on the agenda and the need to build a renewable energy base fit to realise our climate ambitions – and build it now – we have to realise the enormous offshore wind potential we have in front of us. Together, I believe we can do just that.”So, as he’s already said, let’s get to work.”

See you at Nor-Shipping… www.nor-shipping.com www.norwep.com

Source(s) and Image(s): Nor-Shipping, Norwep

Carbon Direct invests $24.5M for stake in Calix’s LEILAC business

Tina Olivero — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 19:33:29 +0000

Multi-award-winning Australian technology company Calix Limited is pleased to announce global decarbonization investor Carbon Direct Capital Management has invested €15m ($24.5M) for a 6.98% equity stake in Calix subsidiary, the LEILAC Group, which is dedicated to the commercialization and ongoing development of Calix’s LEILAC CO2 capture technology.

In addition, as part of the transaction, Calix has entered into a licence agreement with the LEILAC Group under which it will retain 30% of royalties earned by the LEILAC Group from the deployment of the technology, regardless of Calix’s equity stake in the LEILAC Group. The LEILAC Group will operate autonomously, with its management team and a Board composed mostly of Calix directors, with one appointee nominated by Carbon Direct. The LEILAC Group, comprising Calix (Europe) Ltd (UK) and its subsidiaries, is the exclusive licensee of Calix’s Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement (LEILAC) CO2 capture technology.

LEILAC technology was successfully piloted at 25K tonnes per annum scale at HeidelbergCement’s plant in Lixhe, Belgium, and is being scaled up to 100K tonnes per annum scale in the “LEILAC-2” project for a HeidelbergCement plant in Hannover, Germany. Further commercial pilot plants for lime production are under development with Tarmac, the UK division of CRH, and AdBri in Australia, among others. US-based Carbon Direct’s investment arm, Carbon Direct Capital Management, makes direct investments into leading carbon removal and utilization technology companies.

The firm also operates a scientific advisory business, which advise leading corporations on how to fulfil their carbon removal and utilization commitments. Carbon Direct’s advisory work spans 28 countries and includes clients such as Microsoft and Shopify. Pottinger acted as a financial and strategic advisor to Calix on this transaction, and Hamilton Locke acted as a legal advisor.

Carbon Direct investment to accelerate LEILAC technology uptake

Along with existing capital already invested in the LEILAC Group, Carbon Direct’s investment will be used by the LEILAC Group to accelerate and continue the de-risk deployment of the LEILAC technology, both technically and commercially. Technically, additional resources will be deployed in engineering and research to speed optimization. Commercially, new resourcing in business development, especially project development and CO2 use or sequestration, will be deployed to help develop complete project solutions for customers.

A new CEO will be appointed to run the business as a stand-alone entity. The investment marks the conclusion of work led by Pottinger to accelerate commercialization of the LEILAC technology and identify the optimal financial and strategic partner(s) to support this the business’ critical next phase of development.

Calix Limited CEO Phil Hodgson said the deal represented a critical milestone in Calix’s stated strategy of seeking equity “farm-ins”, after initial development undertaken by Calix, to accelerate and deploy its underlying platform technology into each line of business, with Calix remaining head licensor. He said the investment by Carbon Direct will help accelerate the development and deployment of the Calix Technology for cement and lime decarbonization.

Mr. Phil Hodgson Commented, “As each of these businesses become independent commercial entities, they will remain joined at the hip, technically with Calix, which will continue to support the development of the core intellectual property. Over time, growing royalty income from these companies will also support the development of new applications of the IP and associated technologies.”

Mr. Hodgson continued to add that the investment by Carbon Direct will help accelerate the development and deployment of the Calix Technology for cement and lime decarbonization, by saying, “The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report was unequivocal in saying that to reach the stated 2030 goals on climate change, CO2 emissions have to be reduced. LEILAC Technology is an option that is being deployed now to meet this urgent need. Carbon Direct coming on board is a strong vote of confidence in Calix’s LEILAC decarbonizing technology, following on from endorsements and partnerships with industry leaders such as Heidelberg Cement, Cemex, Lhoist and Solvay. The investment will assist us in accelerating the deployment of the technology into the carbon capture and storage landscape, with additional resources covering technology research and development, CO2 logistics, use and storage, and whole-of-project expertise, while our technology gains more exposure in global markets outside of Europe. The deal also represents our first material portfolio transaction in our stated strategy to farm-in equity to deploy our technology commercially. This strategy adds speed and focus at a critical time in the technology commercialization journey, and leaves the head company to focus on what it does best – supporting our technology and developing the next global, disruptive applications.”

Pottinger Executive Chairman Nigel Lake added: “Great engineering and technology alone are not enough: to have a transformational impact on an entire global industry takes a dedicated and well-resourced business. The investment by Carbon Direct marks a critical inflection point for both Calix and the LEILAC Group as decarbonization of the construction sector begins in earnest.”

Carbon capture is needed to reach the UN climate goals

Global decarbonization efforts are accelerating. For example, in June 2019, the UK Government became the first major economy to commit to net-zero CO2 by 2050 and is heavily supporting decarbonization efforts through funding under the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. In 2021, the European Union unveiled a plan to slash its carbon emissions by 55% before 2030 and impose border tariffs on countries, including Australia, that do not have some form of the carbon price. Cement production is the world’s single biggest industrial cause of carbon pollution, responsible for up to 8% of global emissions, producing more than 4 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. Cement is the primary ingredient in concrete, the second most used material in the world after water. Meanwhile, the global production volume of lime was approximately 330 million tonnes in 2020, with myriad applications beyond cement including the manufacture of aluminum, asphalt, copper, glass, gold, lithium, plasterboard, silver, solar-grade silica, steel, table salt and toothpaste. Lime is also used in agriculture and for water and sewage treatment.

Carbon Direct founder and CEO Jonathan Goldberg said Carbon Direct invested in companies that could deliver both commercially viable solutions and solve big climate problems. Mr. Goldberg Commented. “We are very impressed by the technical and commercial rigour of the LEILAC team, and plant partners are outspoken in their excitement about LEILAC. We are delighted to support Phil, Calix, and the LEILAC Group as they seek to scale LEILAC into cement and lime plants around the world. Both Carbon Direct’s investment team and its scientific advisory team, which now includes 46 globally renowned CO2 scientists and project managers, are available to assist the LEILAC Group on subjects including capital markets, regulations, commercial development, and technical development. Our entire firm is dedicated to helping technologies such as LEILAC to scale.”

Making 1 tonne of lime or cement clinker produces approximately 1 tonne of CO2LEILAC’s Breakthrough carbon capture technology

Between 50 to 60% of cement CO2 emissions derive from the process of heating or “calcination” of limestone, the chemical reaction that converts limestone (CaCO3) into lime (CaO) and CO2. These emissions are therefore unavoidable and a low-cost capture solution is essential. The patented LEILAC kiln design separates CO2 emissions arising during lime and cement production without significant energy penalty. The LEILAC kiln is being developed to use a variety of input fuels and is also easily electrified, enabling complete decarbonization of production by switching to renewable energy. LEILAC technology was successfully piloted at 25ktpa scale at HeidelbergCement’s Lixhe Cement plant in Belgium and is being scaled up to 100kTpa scale in the “LEILAC-2” project for a HeidelbergCement plant in Hannover, Germany. LEILAC-2 is targeted to be in production by late 2023 / early 2024 and is being funded by €34m from the EU Horizon 2020 scheme through a combination of cash and in-kind contributions from industrial partners. In addition to HeidelbergCement, industrial partners helping in developing the technology include Cemex, Tarmac, Cimpor, Lhoist, Engie and Solvay. Six commercial-scale cement and four commercial-scale lime follow-on projects are being developed with several interested parties, with two projects now moving into more detailed planning under previously announced heads of agreement with CRH’s UK subsidiary Tarmac and Adbri in Australia.

About Carbon Direct LLC

Carbon Direct provides both scientific advisory services and investment capital to the carbon removal & utilization ecosystem. Our advisory business works for clients to fulfill their carbon removal & utilization commitments. Carbon Direct’s team of world-renowned carbon scientists has a nuanced understanding of the true risks and opportunities of emerging and mature carbon removal & utilization technologies. Our investment business makes direct investments into leading carbon removal & utilization companies. Carbon Direct was founded in 2019 by Jonathan Goldberg and has offices in New York City. To learn more, visit www.carbon-direct.com

About Calix

Calix is a team of dedicated people developing a unique, patented technology to provide industrial solutions that address global sustainability challenges. The core technology is being used to develop more environmentally friendly solutions for sustainable processing, advanced batteries, crop protection, aquaculture, wastewater and carbon reduction. Calix develops its technology via a global network of research and development collaborations, including governments, research institutes and universities, some of the world’s largest companies, and a growing customer base and distributor network for its commercialized products and processed. Because there’s only one Earth – Mars is for Quitters.

Source(s) and Image(s): Calix Limited, Carbon Direct LLC, LEILAC Group

Remembering Lee Shinkle: “Have lots of Legendary Parties.”

Tina Olivero — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Many hearts will miss Lee. We remember him fondly at NOIA events, trade shows, and of course an odd legendary party. During the latter part of his life, I’d pop in for a visit in his beautiful little sunroom at home, with his plants around him and he’d give me his best thoughts and guidance as to how I might move forward with my business.

That was Lee. He always told you what he thought and he’d be confident and determined that he could influence things in his very own positive way. He had a good soul. Lee cared about people. He cared about our oil industry and he sure as heck cared about Newfoundland and Labrador. Lee also cared so much about wife Martha and his family. We always knew where Martha was, all about her studies and all about his love for his family.

Lee Shinkle was the grandfather of the oil and gas industry. He spent the last forty years supporting, encouraging, planning, and envisioning the birth of the offshore oil and gas sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.

At NOIA, the Newfoundland Oil Industry Association, Lee was a NOIA member, a treasurer, a board member, and president for NOIA. That showed his enormous dedication and commitment to the industry. Lee has done more for this province, and for NOIA, than just about anyone I know. A passionate voice with an innate compass to understand “what’s possible”, Lee executed some of the smartest, most strategic, growth initiatives in the offshore.

Not near enough credit has been given to Lee for his teaching, mentorship, and dedication and how that has shaped this province and it’s prosperity. However, in February of 2019, Lee was given the highest honor of all. The honor of his peers, with the Noia Outstanding Contribution Award. Lee shared his speech with a group of about 400 NOIA members. Lee delivered a heartwarming and insightful story; a story that would make you laugh, make you cry, and most of all, inspire you to carry on to Act 2. Given the drilling programs ahead and the Gas potential in the region, who knows, we might just be the next North Sea in Act 2.

I thought I’d share Lee’s speech with you as it was one of the best I’ve heard in 30 years in the industry:

“Thank you all for this award. Peer recognition is the best recognition of all. Thank you to NOIA as well for organizing and triumphing recognition of people in all stages of their careers.

I was told I could talk for as long as I wanted… but, I’ve been on your side of this podium for many years, so I’ll stick to a few highlights of what has been a very wild ride, and I’ll hold some details for a book I’m thinking of writing. I’ll finish with a resume of everything I have learned in the last 40 years.

I finished college in 1972 with a BA in History and English. Having no prospects and nothing to do my Uncle, Andrew Crosbie, suggested he would hire me at Crosbie Insurance and send Martha and I to London to learn about Marine and Aviation insurance. After a precise, in-depth and critical analysis of the question our decision was “why not”?

We returned to St. John’s in 1975, with our first daughter Malindi, and I was immediately attracted to the oil industry. In particular, I was captivated by what all that expensive offshore exploration activity could mean for the insurance business.

In 1978 I was sent to Calgary to set up Crosbie Insurance West and chase Arctic oil exploration insurance business, Dome Petroleum, Panarctic Oil and others. A year after that, in 1979, the Petroleum Incentive Program (PIP) started which was a generous Federal Government scheme to promote Canadian companies exploring for petroleum in harsh environments.

That same year, Dick Spellacy approached my Uncle about leasing foreign supply vessels, Canadianizing them and then leasing them to an offshore explorer. All that was needed was a customer. Dick came to Calgary, we approached Mobil Oil together, and lo and behold we signed the first vessel charter. I can assure you, a legendary party ensued, and it would become the perfect kick-off to the next maniacal five years.

Martha and I and our first three children returned home in 1980 and immediately got into the offshore marine insurance business. It wasn’t long before Jan Furst from Nordco came calling looking for volunteers to help revitalize NOIA and to create a growth strategy.

I agreed to become the Secretary-Treasurer, and in my first full year, our financial report showed income of $3,500 and expenses of $2,500 leaving a surplus of $1,000 to start NOIA’s sovereign wealth fund. Too bad the Government wasn’t following NOIA’s wise example!

The following three years were filled with excitement and promise. The malt whiskey flowed, and tonnages of smoked salmon were ordered. Local investment manager Tom Foran recently told me that at that time the power of our exploration drilling program could literally move Mobil Oil’s stock price. People would line up at Tom’s office in the morning to give him money to buy Mobil options hoping to make their fortunes!

This financial frenzy, which led to a lot of heartbreak, should have been warning enough that the bloom might be coming off the rose. However, when the Ocean Ranger sank in February 1982, the dangers of the industry we were involved in really came into sharp focus.

Not long after, things began to fall apart for the industry. The weather and ice issues manifested, the PIP program ran out, the Federal and Provincial governments went to war over jurisdiction of the resource, and the oil price collapsed. Exploration evaporated, companies closed, trained employees left, and there were plenty of people crying doom and gloom.

But a steady group of dedicated enthusiasts continued to believe in the future of the industry. I am proud to be numbered amongst them. We believed we needed to keep the momentum going, to keep lobbying politicians, and to keep encouraging the owner companies and Tier 1 contractors.

Year after year, we would trek off to OTC and Offshore Europe waving the flag and repeating our mantra “Soon… we’ll be there soon”. We could also see that the Americans and Europeans were attracting a lot of attention to their regions with their conferences. So, with essentially no industry to speak of, we had the confidence to start a Conference of our own. And people came!

Suffice it to say; the true believers were a pretty cocky bunch. We believed we were “so smart” about what was to come. A group of about 10 of us had a Breakfast Club. There are a few here today; Rob Strong, Fraser Edison, Pat Stamp.

We would meet most Friday’s for breakfast and to exchange gossip but the main event was once a year, near Christmas, we would have a prediction contest as to what would happen in the coming year in the industry, with the prize being the ceremonial beer mug but more importantly bragging rights. There were usually ten categories and the person who got the highest tally, as agreed at the following year’s lunch, got to keep the mug for a year.

Clearly, this was serious stuff! Given that these guys should have had the best sources of information, you would think it would take 7 or 8 right answers to win the beer mug.

Not a chance. The whole business of predicting what will happen in the offshore, even one year out, is so uncertain that our winner would be lucky to get 2 or 21/2 out of 10.

By the late 1980’s I personally was having a crisis of belief in the future. So I retrained as a stockbroker and got a job on Bay Street in Toronto. Proudly announcing this to Martha, she smiled and responded that she hoped I would be happy there and able to send home lots of money since she wasn’t leaving Newfoundland. There was no point arguing… she told me I’d just have to try harder here.

Regardless of my scepticism, progress was being made. The Federal Government won the ownership battle, decided to share jurisdiction with the Province, and ultimately the Atlantic Accord was signed.
The negotiations continued with the Hibernia ownership consortium, and the Federal Government continued to sweeten the pot with inducements. And the one thing that was is, and forever will be out of our control, the oil price, looked to be recovering.

Fortune favoured the true believers, the Hibernia development deal was signed, and the first construction contracts were awarded. More legendary parties ensued, and the malt whiskey and smoked salmon returned.

So, the time was obviously right to once again get fully committed to the offshore. Local entrepreneur Harold Wareham had convinced me to leave the insurance business and head up a contract R&D company called Instrumar. As part of the deal, Steve Henley and I got Harold to back us in an offshore supply company called AMI Offshore. We then artfully convinced my brother Matt to leave his secure government job to chase oil riches with us. So the smart guys were ready to rake it in. But just two weeks after Matt left his job, Gulf pulled out of the Hibernia consortium. Our only client was now on hiatus. The cheque book had left the Province! Smart guys zero, oil industry carries on as usual.

We all know the story of how the project got put back together. The group of us true believers were front and centre whipping up industrial support across the country and tormenting anyone who would listen about the importance of making it happen.

So, Hibernia finally did happen. We started to make some money on the construction project.
At AMI we listened to others about where the future might take us. In particular, Wes Abel, Mobil’s local lead, clearly stated to the industry that the real success would come to those companies that learned that the real economic opportunity was in operations and maintenance. Better a dollar a day forever than $100 once in a while. Our focus shifted to operations.

I took on the challenge of leading AOC Canada, a joint venture of Aberdeen based AOC and Toronto based Bracknell, set up to pursue the initial Hibernia operations and maintenance contract. A hard battle was fought, but we were victorious in the end. Hurray more legendary parties!

After the award, I asked Bill Fanning, who was with Hibernia at the time, what our secret sauce was, thinking there must have been something really special about what we did that enabled us to win. Bill told me the competitors were both pretty much the same, but we tried harder!

Gradually, over the next decade, the local supply sector evolved into what you see today. Lots of mergers and acquisitions, but pretty much the same folks chasing the same contracts as the additional projects got built and the market expanded.

Crosbie Group bought into AMI and eventually bought the whole company. But to be honest, the real long term success for our family didn’t arrive until the early 1990s when Crosbie Group founded a joint venture with Salamis out of Aberdeen to provide maintenance and deck services. We gained an equity foothold in business we could manage for ourselves, here at home.

Crosbie Salamis was our chance to realize the dream we had been chasing since the mid-1970s when Andrew Crosbie had the vision to get us all worked up about the possibilities that the offshore industry offered the people of this province. The dream that we were going to be more than strictly the local labour, that we were going to be ongoing contributors to the industry and that we could translate our business success into giving back to our communities. For me, Crosbie Salamis is a leading beacon of the dream that we were all sold at the very beginning.

What started out initially as an experiment in skills and technology transfer has grown into one of the province’s largest locally owned and operated companies in the industry. We eventually bought out our partner Salamis in a friendly transaction, and now we have completed the circle by partnering up in Guyana in the hopes of being, for our partner in Guyana, what Salamis was to us.

I’ve been reflecting a lot since learning of this award a few weeks ago. Looking back, through all the ups and downs, we have collectively built an industry with four producing projects, with major expansions and asset life extensions and cash flow expected for the next 25 years. We have a new project in the hopper moving towards sanction. We have the largest combined exploration drilling commitment we have ever seen. We have many new global companies chasing our subsea oil wealth. We are better at managing risks than we have ever been. And our local supply community is knowledgeable, passionate, and poised to take its place on the world stage.

It sounds to me like Act 1 is over. Act 2 is starting with the next wave of exploration, and it will be up to all of you to bring it to fruition for the benefit of this wonderful place we call home. Look around this room, and you see the next wave of leaders and believers. It’s particularly gratifying that two of my own children, Malindi Shinkle and Jessica Banfield, both of whom are here today at the Exxon table, went straight from college into long term, challenging careers in our industry.

I have enjoyed this wild ride enormously, but let me be crystal clear. For me, none of it would have been possible without the love, support, and the outright refusal to move to Toronto 30 years ago, of my wife Martha, and our children Malindi, Geoffrey, Jessica, and David. Thank you to all of you, from the bottom of my heart.

With that, I will finish up by passing on a few short pearls of wisdom that I have learned during Act 1, and that I hope you carry with you into Act 2:

Firstly: there’s no one in charge.

Secondly: no one knows what is going to happen next which is why it’s so exciting.

Thirdly: you have to keep trying harder.

And lastly: you have to make sure to have lots of legendary parties!

Good luck, and thank you.”

__________________________________________________

Lee was intrumental in Act 1. He’s is watching over us now. He’ll be a champoin for us in Heaven. Let’s make him proud and bring in the next generation of oil and gas along with renewables and tech. There’s nothing stopping us now…it’s time for Act 2.

We could never say it enough… but thank you LEE SHINKLE for all you have done.

Innovation centre stage in Nor-Shipping’s Blue Economy Hall

Tina Olivero — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 13:33:37 +0000

The future of sustainable maritime activity will be under the spotlight at Nor-Shipping 2022, taking place 10-13 January. With increasing industry and regulatory focus on decarbonisation, emerging energy solutions and accessing the ocean’s resources responsibly, the dedicated Blue Economy Hall is shaping up to be a crucial arena. In particular, new technology, players and partnerships are key to progress, ensuring the hall’s Start-up Lounge is “a must visit”. The Mayflower, a unique autonomous, solar- and AI-powered research vessel, is the latest name to confirm participation.

Critical mission

“The Blue Economy Hall centres on showcasing and enabling innovations, organizations and talent capable of unlocking sustainable ocean success. It will draw players together from all spectrums of ocean business, and far beyond, to approach the challenges and opportunities we face in new ways, with new solutions. The Mayflower is the epitome of that ambition,” explains Nor-Shipping Director Sidsel Norvik.

The vessel is the brainchild of marine research non-profit ProMare, with support from IBM and a global consortium of partners. It spends long durations at sea (Spring 2022 will see it crossing the Atlantic) gathering critical ocean data while making its own decisions regarding route and mission optimisation. The Mayflower will join other exhibitors, including Miros Mocean, Fresh Water Norway, Young Yeon, and others in the Start-up Lounge, while also contributing to the Blue Talks programme of knowledge sharing presentations, debates and discussions.

Unleashing opportunity

Norvik further states, “We have concentrated on building an immersive, innovative and dynamic space, where exhibitors and delegates can freely interact and make discoveries capable of changing their perspectives on our shared ocean space. If we work in silos we are sometimes blinkered to developments capable of unleashing both potential and profit. The Blue Economy Hall, and Nor-Shipping as a whole, is focused on bringing the industry together, face-to-face, to share insights and unlock opportunity. Set against the context of the last 18 months, allied to the challenge ahead of us, we believe that mission is more important than ever.”

Nor-Shipping Director Sidsel Norvik

Industry support

The Blue Economy Hall will feature exhibitors including NCE Maritime Cleantech, Sterling PBES, Ahlsell, eSEA, ENOVA and many more. It is supported by Marine insurer Gard and international law firm Wikborg Rein as Main Blue Economy Partners, with Norwegian Energy Partners, CAVOTEC and Telenor Maritime taking the roles of Partners. The Blue Talks, moderated by respected maritime expert Craig Eason, have been developed in consultation with a committee including segment leaders such as Equinor, Maersk, ABN AMRO, World Ocean Council, NTNU and Aker Offshore Wind, amongst others. In addition to the Blue Economy Hall, Nor-Shipping 2022 will feature five further themed halls across a total of 22,500 sq ft of space at the Norges Varemesse facility in Lillestrøm, Norway. Almost 900 exhibiting companies are expected, from around 50 countries, showcasing their capabilities to an anticipated 50,000 participants. A range of activities, including the After Work at Aker Brygge networking and socialising programme, will take place around Oslo. The theme of Nor-Shipping 2022 is taking positive #ACTION within the ocean space.

Source(s) and Image(s): Nor-Shipping

Hydrogen Manifesto Introduced at the Smarter E Europe Restart 2021

Tina Olivero — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 19:52:54 +0000

ees Europe is pointing the way for green hydrogen as the basis for a sustainable circular economy. Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in the climate-friendly energy mix of the future. The Green Hydrogen Manifesto, which was presented today as part of The smarter E Europe Restart 2021 at Messe München, provides valuable insights and inspiration on how to promote the use of this energy source. With this manifesto, the initiators Hydrogen Europe, German Hydrogen and Fuel-Cell Association DWV, European Electrolyzer & Fuel Cell Forum EFCF and The smarter E Europe aim to send a clear signal in favor of decarbonization and a sustainable circular economy.

Whether it’s the Fit for 55 package in Europe or the forming of a new government in Germany: A new foundation is being laid – also for the energy market of the future. Green hydrogen is a key element for a climate-neutral economic system. As a main feature of a sustainable energy supply, green hydrogen enables intelligent networks across the energy, heating and transportation sectors. Under the heading “The Green Hydrogen Manifesto”, the manifesto aims to help drive the advancement of green hydrogen in Europe.

“Against the backdrop of the current realignment in politics, our manifesto aims to encourage decision-makers to factor in green hydrogen – whether in the energy sector or the economic sector. Because hydrogen that is produced from renewable sources is not only important for the energy transition. More importantly, it also provides huge opportunities for the economy of the European Union,” says Werner Diwald, Chair of the German Hydrogen and Fuel-Cell Association DWV.

Europe as a model for the introduction of green hydrogen. Along with the German DWV, authors of the manifesto include Hydrogen Europe as the European umbrella organization for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, the European Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell forum EFCF and The Smarter E Europe, the innovation hub for new energy solutions. The manifesto is aimed at policy makers in the European Union as well as national governments and politicians.

“We want to show policy makers how important green hydrogen is for a circular economy and decarbonization, and motivate them to take action. In the future, Europe must lead the way in introducing this energy source while also ensuring and enhancing prosperity and prospects. That is our responsibility for the future and for climate protection,” commented Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe.

The manifesto defines how Europe can live up to its leadership role by laying out twelve demands, including a guiding framework and targeted incentives as well as measures to ramp up production volumes and reduce costs. The first demand is: The CO2 content of energy carriers should serve as the new currency for energy systems. Other specific recommendations include, for example, the certification of hydrogen as a global commodity, the appointment of a dedicated EU Hydrogen Special Envoy in charge of driving forward the EU Hydrogen Strategy and partnerships with third countries, and a legal framework at the EU level for the regulation of hydrogen networks.

Presenting to international trade visitors

This manifesto was presented at the Green Hydrogen Forum, part of the innovation hub The smarter E Europe Restart 2021, which is still taking place in Munich until October 8. Oliver Bucheli, President of the European Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Forums comments, “With its focus area Green Hydrogen Forum & Expo, ees Europe Restart 2021 was the perfect setting to present our manifesto to an international expert audience and win over supporters. Green hydrogen will only be able to establish itself on the market with active support from the economy, science and policy makers. Europe has the means to be a worldwide leader in this industry.”

Shortly after its publication, as many as 54 companies and organizations have signed the Green Hydrogen Manifesto as a sign of their support. Some of the first to sign include SAIPEM S.p.A., Forschungszentrum Juelich, Haldor Topsoe AS, the German Federal Association for Combined Heat and Power (B.KWK), ITM Power, Paul Wurth GmbH and Deutsche Kreditbank AG , among others. The large number of signatures demonstrates the importance of the demands to policy makers. Markus Elsässer, CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH states, “We are pleased that we are able to draw attention to an extremely relevant energy issue with the Green Hydrogen Forum and the Green Hydrogen Manifesto.”

The smarter E Europe

The smarter E is the innovation hub for events and topics that drive the new energy world. Renewable energy, decentralization and digitalization are bringing lasting changes to the energy world. This development demands cross-sector, intelligently integrated concepts and solutions for the efficient generation, storage, distribution and use of energy, so that we can ensure a secure and sustainable energy supply around the clock in the future. Under the motto “Creating the new energy world”, The smarter E Europe unites four exhibitions and conferences that take an in-depth look at these topics. In doing so, it is now Europe’s largest platform for the energy industry.

Intersolar Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry, has been dedicated to solar energy for 30 years and has established itself as the industry’s most important meeting point. The exhibition focuses on the areas of photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies and solar power plants.

ees Europe, the continent’s largest and most international exhibition for batteries and energy storage systems, will take place for the seventh time in 2021, presenting the entire value-added chain of innovative battery and energy storage technologies.

Power2Drive Europe, the international exhibition for charging infrastructure and e-mobility, focuses on solutions and technologies for clean transportation.

EM-Power Europe is the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions. It focuses on the efficient distribution and use of electricity and heat generated from renewable sources of energy, smart energy management, and sector coupling in buildings and districts. Other key topics are smart grids and microgrids, grid infrastructure, energy services, and operator models.

The German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association e.V. (DWV)

The German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association e.V. (DWV) as an interest group has been working since 1996 to promote the rapid market introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier and of fuel cell technology. The association aims to promote the development of the hydrogen economy as a component of a sustainable energy supply in order to ensure the efficient achievement of climate targets while at the same time maintaining security of supply and Germany as an industrial location.

Hydrogen produced with renewable energies will play a decisive role in this. The association’s activities will focus on implementing and optimizing the necessary market, technological and regulatory framework for the hydrogen economy in the areas of plant engineering, generation, transport infrastructure and application technologies. To solve these challenges globally, DWV is also committed to international sustainable cooperation. Our 400 personal members and over 140 member institutions and companies represent more than 1.5 million jobs nationwide; the association thus represents a significant part of the German economy.

EFCF

EFCF AG organises the European Electrolyser and Fuel Cell Forum – world’s leading scientific and technical conference in the field of electrolysers, fuel cells and hydrogen since 1994 in Lucerne Switzerland. The forum accommodates more than 500 experts, building bridges between science, engineering and industry.

Hydrogen Europe

Hydrogen Europe is the European association representing the interest of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry and its stakeholders and promoting hydrogen as an enabler of a zero-emission society. With more than 300 companies and 27 national associations as members, our association encompasses the entire value chain of the European Hydrogen and fuel cell ecosystem collaborating with the European Commission in the Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

Source(s) and Image(s): © Solar Promotion GmbH

Image: Olivier Bucheli (President, European Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Forum EFCF), Werner Diwald (Chairman of the Board, German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association DMV), Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (CEO, Hydrogen Europe) and Markus Elsässer (CEO, Solar Promotion GmbH) (from left to right).

Sea Sentinels in yards push for green recycling compliance by vessel owners

Tina Olivero — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 12:38:20 +0000

Yards worldwide are rising to the challenge of sustainable ship recycling in response to stringent new EU regulations but third-party supervision is still needed to ensure compliance with these rules and eliminate reputational risk for the shipowner, according to recycling consultancy Sea Sentinels.

Environmental, social and governance principles are now seen as vital to a vessel owner’s equity story as the maritime and offshore industries face mounting pressure from clients, investors, financiers and the public to ensure vessels are recycled in a safe, green and responsible manner.

These industries must also relate to a plethora of regulations that have emerged in recent years to stamp out scandalous scrapping practices – including the use of child labour and release of hazardous materials – that have led to serious accidents involving fatalities at unregulated yards.

Regulatory complexity

The IMO’s 2009 Hong Kong Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships was preceded by various rules issued under the aegis of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Basel. More recently, there has been the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR) and Basel Ban.

The latter regulations require EU-flagged vessels to be recycled at one of the current 41 yards on a list of approved recycling facilities worldwide and Sea Sentinels is now offering its services at yards in Norway, Belgium, Spain and other European countries included on the list.

Its chief executive Rakesh Bhargava says though that simply selecting an approved yard is actually not sufficient for owners to achieve compliance due to regulatory complexity, and on-site supervision is needed to enforce the requirements – mirroring a shipbuilding project in reverse.

Bhargava explains, “Enforcement still remains a major challenge today. As an independent provider, Sea Sentinels addresses the core problem that is ‘on-the-ground’ enforcement and compliance so that best practice is observed. We strongly believe that having a full-time independent, experienced and strong site presence is a key contributor to safe and environmentally friendly recycling operations in compliance with both regulations and owner policies. Our teams like to get their hands dirty and believe in active engagement at the worker level.”

CEO of Sea Sentinels, Rakesh Bhargava

Zero incidents

Sea Sentinels boasts a track record of zero incidents from sustainable recycling projects for international owners on both ships and offshore rigs at yards in major scrapping locations including Turkey, China (now closed) and India as it expands its supervision activities in Europe.

The Singapore-based company, with offices and representations in Norway, Malaysia, China, Japan, Indonesia, India and Turkey, provides comprehensive services for ships and offshore units based on three main business pillars – sustainable recycling, inventory of hazardous materials and its maintenance (IHM) and lay-up services.

As part of its consultancy role, the company performs benchmarking and audits for selection of an appropriate ship recycling facility as Bhargava says, “there is not much awareness or domain knowledge among most owners for carrying out due diligence towards yard selection”.

During the recycling process, Sea Sentinels deploys a specialist supervision team on site to monitor activity so HSE requirements are fulfilled and provide continuous reporting – such as documenting hazardous waste disposal – so that final certification can be gained to secure regulatory compliance.

ESG risk

Bhargava added, “Given the regulatory requirements, this is a complicated and exhaustive process that simply cannot be left to chance if owners want to demonstrate their credibility to stakeholders and minimize their ESG risk exposure. Nobody wants untoward incidents that will jeopardise the environment as well as the lives and safety of workers. These also generate negative publicity for all stakeholders, be it the owners, yards or certifying bodies. Corporate social responsibility is the watchword.”

Lately, courts in Europe have held that shipping companies can be held liable for incidents on their ships during recycling even after the vessels have been sold. While European yards typically offer lower scrap prices than their South Asian counterparts due to higher operating costs, Bhargava believes carrying out recycling sustainably with expert enforcement will benefit business in the long run given heightened green awareness in the market.

Source(s) and Image(s): Sea Sentinels

Photographer: Oliver Sved/123RF

VARD secures new contracts

Tina Olivero — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 11:11:34 +0000

VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, is delighted to announce contracts of the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operations Vessels (CSOVs) with options for two additional vessels, and the sales and conversion of one Platform Supply Vessel to be converted to a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for Norwind Offshore in Ålesund, Norway. The contracts for the firm three vessels have an indicative total value of NOK 1.4 billion.

The two newbuildings are of VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. The CSOVs are tailor-made for world-wide services and maintenance operations at offshore wind farms. The first vessel will be outfitted and delivered from VARD in Norway in 2Q 2023, with the hull to be built at Vard Braila in Romania. The second vessel will be built and delivered by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, scheduled for delivery in 3Q 2024. The third vessel is a conversion and sales of one of VARD’s Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) that will be converted to a Service Operation Vessel (SOV). The vessel has been in operation in Asia and Australia and will now sail to Vard Brattvaag in Norway for an extensive conversion and outfitting. The vessel will be delivered to Norwind Offshore in 2Q 2022.

Repeating customers in a new company

Norwind Offshore is a newly established ship owning company that will offer specialized vessels designed for advanced maritime operations in the development and service of the offshore wind sector. The owners of Norwind Offshore have a long history in the offshore and maritime industry. Over several decades, VARD and the owners of the new company have developed a strong relationship through the building of a broad range of advanced offshore and specialized vessels.

Fredrik Mordal Hessen, General Manager for the Offshore and Specialized business area in VARD, says, “I would like to congratulate Norwind Offshore’s owners with the new company, and wish the team welcome back as a customer of VARD. To have local shipowners is vital for the innovation power of the complete maritime cluster at the north-west coast of Norway. As such these are particular important contracts for the entire maritime cluster in this region. We are looking forward to continuing the great cooperation, and to contribute to developing the maritime industry for the future together with our many good customers and partners.”

Fredrik Mordal Hessen

Svein Leon Aure, CEO in Norwind Offshore also commented, “Norwind Offshore is exited and looking forward to take delivery off several high-quality vessels from VARD in the years to come. We are pleased to continue our long relationship and together contribute to further position the maritime cluster towards the renewable energy market.”

VARD 4 19

The VARD 4 19 design is a highly versatile platform for sustainable offshore windfarm support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and superior operability. The 85-metre vessels have a beam of 19.5 meters and will be equipped with a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, a height-adjustable boat landing system, and will be prepared for battery solutions. The CSOVs will have an accommodation for 87 persons on board, with an option to increase to 120 persons.VARD’s specialized high technology subsidiaries will be involved with major deliveries onboard, and in the shipbuilding process of the vessels.

SeaQ Integrated Bridge

The newbuildings will have Vard Electro’s SeaQ Integrated Bridge System installed, – a bridge solution with an intuitive user interface designed with the operator in focus. Organized to achieve a clean and efficient workspace, the bridge emphasizes ease of operation, safety, and ergonomics.For control and monitoring of the vessels’ systems and overview of emissions, the newbuilding’s will be equipped with Vard Electro’s SeaQ Integrated Alarm System (IAS), Power Management System (PMS), and Energy Management System (EMS).

PSV to be converted to a SOV

The Platform Supply Vessel is of VARD 1 08 design with a length of 81 meters and a beam of 18 meters. The vessel will be converted to a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) outfitted for offshore wind farm operations.

About VARD

VARD is one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels. Headquartered in Norway and with approximately 8,200 employees, VARD operates shipbuilding facilities in Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam. Through its specialized subsidiaries, VARD develops power and automation systems, deck handling equipment, and vessel accommodation solutions, and provides design and engineering services to the global maritime industry.VARD’s long shipbuilding traditions, cutting-edge innovation and technology coupled with its global operations and track record in constructing complex and highly customized vessels have earned it recognition from industry players and enabled it to build strong relationships with its customers.The majority shareholder of VARD is Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of FINCANTIERI S.p.A. Headquartered in Trieste, Italy. FINCANTIERI is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, and a global leader in cruise ship design and reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, the Group today has a production network of 18 shipyards operating in four continents and over 20,000 employees.

Source(s) and Image(s): VARD

Burrowes Family: Form Guyana Partnerships To Support The Oil Boom

Tina Olivero — Sun, 10 Oct 2021 22:20:47 +0000

What country can you visit, that is light years ahead of everyone else when it comes to diversity and inclusion?

What’s the only country in South America where the official language is English?

Where’s the only country in South America that is discovering oil at an unprecedented rate setting in on a trajectory to be one of the richest nations on earth?

That’s right…. It’s Guyana.

A Majestic Guyana Tropical Sunset

GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA

Guyana, has for centuries, been rich with diversity, inclusion, cultures, races, and religions. The 7 different ethnic groups that make up the region live harmoniously. They celebrate their differing languages, beliefs, and vantage points. It’s a celebration of differences that brings everyone together.

The “Land of Many Waters” is where the word Guyana came from. Waterfalls abound and set the stage for some of the most beautiful rainforest landscapes on earth. It’s no coincidence that Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice River are the names of three large rivers and are also the names of the three Guyana counties. Guyana is a world of water in all its various forms. Surprisingly, in Guyana you will find the mammoth Kaieteur Falls; the largest single-drop waterfall in the world.

Guyana the Land of the Waterfalls

With 80% of the country covered in rainforests, Guyana is an ecotourist’s dream come true. It’s the place for explorers to look for unknown species and for travelers to have untold adventures.
Bordering on Venezuela, oil and gas were bound to happen for Guyana.

Currently, Venezuela holds the world’s record for proven oil reserves. Surpassing Saudi Arabia and Canada means mega-potential. Guyana has an open-for-business policy and will most likely follow its global energy sister, Venezuela in terms of oil payout. We’re predicting a similar oil boom.

Guyana – Neighbour to the country with the largest oil reserves in the world: Venezuela

Based on Guyana’s geographic proximity to Venezuela, its oil exploration discoveries to date, and the government encouraging economic prosperity climate makes the region a solid bet. It makes this region one of the hottest places in the world to partner, invest, and work.

Unprecedented oil history is making waves in Guyana as we speak. ExxonMobil is discovering offshore oil at unprecedented rates. To date, 20 oil discoveries have been announced and the most recent project was just announced at the Guyana offshore Stabroek Block in September of 2021. And we’ve only just begun.
With coastal plains in the north, mountains in the highlands covered in rainforests, and dusty savannah plateaus in the south, Guyana gas it all. It is an entrepreneur’s dream.

20 oil discoveries to date making Guyana one of the top places in the world to invest, partner and build an oil and gas related business.

THE BURROWES FAMILY IN CANADA AND GUYANA

With a long rich history of family members in Guyana and Canada, Ryan Burrowes, CEO of Warehouse Transport Group (WTG), is the bridge between the two regions. No stranger to global opportunities, Ryan’s $multimillion logistics company has an intuitive compass for what’s to come.

Ryan Burrowes, CEO Warehouse Transport Group Guyana. Operations spanning from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia & Guyana.

Ryan’s family from Guyana. Father Peter Burrowes and Mother Cheryl Burrowes (Formerly Cheryl Fredericks)

“My parents were both born in Guyana and came to Canada in the mid-’70s. My father, Peter, is an environmental engineer who started his career with the Guyana Bauxite company and now 48 years later, specializes in wastewater engineering and sustainability, an underdeveloped service in Guyana at the moment. My mother, Cheryl, has a music management business and both she and my sister have taught music in Guyana and are active in the Guyanese community in Toronto. My brother Andrew also works in the IT side of the business. Its a family affair.” said Ryan.

Bridging regions and building new opportunities has been a lifestyle and a passion for the Burrowes family. It makes perfect sense that they have a family-run freight forwarding and logistics company. “We are a family business. We think about family and community as a way of life. Moving between regions is what we do. With technology and transportation where it is today, the world is our home,” said Ryan.

THE GUYANA LEGACY

Ryan’s family lineage is rooted strongly in Guyana. “My great grandfather, Sydney Abdool, started the family in the insurance business more than 100 years ago and we are fortunate enough to have our WTG offices alongside Abdool & Abdool Insurance in Georgetown,” said Ryan.

My grandfather Eddie Fredericks was an icon in the community. He was a legal visionary with a passion for international relations. Eddie was instrumental in the sugar industry, and while CEO of Shell and Consul General for the Netherlands, he also oversaw the earlier drilling days, for oil by Shell, in Guyana. I think he would be happy that I am carrying on this lineage. My other grandfather, Thomas Burrowes worked at the Guyana Tobacco Company for over 45 years, retiring as Managing Director before migrating to Canada. Canada and Guyana have always felt line one and the same,” said Ryan.

A tropical paradise: fruit display of guava, star fruit, pineapple, and dragon fruit at the Guyanese farmers market.

THE WORLD IS OUR HOME

As the world digitalizes and globalizes, barriers dissolve and opportunities emerge. With vision and insight, Ryan envisions the future of Guyana and has great expectations.

“Our dream is to build a bridge between Guyana and Canada so that the people who want to do business in both regions can take advantage of that opportunity. Not only will we be moving freight for our clients between the two regions, but we will be forming partnerships and joint ventures to develop stronger infrastructure in the region. Right now, the opportunities are unprecedented. We will be looking for companies to partner with who have the same commitment to family values, community, and business as we do. We are visionaries for Canada and Guyana and are in it for the long game. Since our family motto has always been to help those in need, we are deeply committed to giving back to the Guyanese community,” Ryan explained.

Guyana: A hotbed for energy and tourism

“I am very fortunate to have been exposed to a strong Guyanese heritage from birth. I remember back in my school days, on the last day of school before summer break, most of my friends were going to Florida for vacation and I always received puzzled looks when I said I was going to Guyana. I thought I was different. I didn’t realize it at the time that those family trips were the foundation of my future. I spent summers in Guyana with my grandparents and our relatives and they handed down the Guyanese culture to me. Now its my blended culture,” Ryan recalls.

The beneifit of being a citizen of both Guyana and Canada gives Ryan’s company an extra advantage, “I am extremely proud to be a dual citizen of two amazing countries that have shaped my character and destiny. I formed WTG Guyana Inc, a Guyanese company, to identify where our services can be helpful to the Guyanese economy and share the remarkable links between the two countries. Canada, especially the East coast, has many similarities to Guyana with a long history of trade between Newfoundland and Guyana.”

“When I visited recently, I was completely blown away by the excitement shown towards myself and our company. I realized that the opportunity for Canadians to showcase their oil and gas products and skills in Guyana is enormous. For example, one of our primary initiatives with our partners in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is to develop the construction and infrastructure needs in Guyana. That’s a really exciting project and will be the foundation for many more to come,” said Ryan.

Bill Organ, Nova Scotia operations manager and director of logistics says, “We are serving clients from Newfoundland to Guyana and every place in between. We see the connection between Newfoundland and Guyana as something very special. There’s a synergy between the two offshore oil regions. We see similar people, similar offshore oil plays, and both are growing industry sectors. It is a very exciting time. Newfoundland has a 30-year history in oil, whereas Guyana has just begun. We see strategic partnerships between the two regions as a primary area of focus.”

Ryan Burrowes and wife Veronica Burrowes of Warehouse Transport Group Guyana

Ryan Burrowes’ best friend and wife, Veronica Burrowes, is the head of financial operations at WTG – Warehouse Transport Group. Veronica says, “We plan to build a much‐needed infrastructure that will support the advancing energy sector in Guyana. We will be looking for partners that will allow for the transference of technology, the ability to transfer skills and transfer much‐needed infrastructure to the region. We are focusing on building a solid foundation of local partnerships that ensures the people of Guyana are the primary benefactors of their oil resource. We will be going beyond the country’s requirements for local content and partnerships and will ensure that the people of Guyana benefit from all of our endeavours.”

DO YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS IN CANADA AND GUYANA?

Ryan concludes, “Our goal is a long-term vision where everyone wins. We encourage companies who want to do business in Guyana to come and meet with us. We encourage Guyanese companies who want strong partners from abroad, to let us know what they want to accomplish. We’ll be the bridge that builds a sustainable new energy nation.”

For more information on doing business in Guyana please reach out to Ryan Burrowes and his team at www.warehousetransport.ca

DOWNLOAD: WTG-GUYANA CANADA CONNECTION solutions below.

WTG-GUYANA-BROCHURE Download

Shipping: New Fuel Performance Rating

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 17:39:06 +0000

In June 2021, the IMO adopted a new fuel performance rating system to help meet greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets from shipping.

Starting in 2023, the environmental performance of ships will be evaluated on their annual average fuel consumption (carbon intensity index) on a five-rank scale from A to E. Penalties will be imposed based poor performance and vessels not reaching the required standards run the risk of being banned from international trade.

Instant performance insight

This stricter framework makes fuel-efficiency measures even more urgent for shipowners and operators. Accordingly, WNI has upgraded its CIM service with a new function that provides real-time monitoring of CO2 emissions for each voyage. The service calculates a ship’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) based on CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and distance travelled, giving owners and operators an instant snapshot of environmental performance.

Ease of integration

Since CIM was launched, WNI has been collecting emissions and fuel consumption data for each ship entered, sending the accumulated data from the cloud to the owner/operator via APIs following every voyage. Using APIs makes it simple to integrate with client-side management systems.

Accelerating digital technology

Third-party endorsement by ClassNK validates the authenticity of CIM operational data and the sophisticated calculation method. Shipping companies can therefore use the service will full confidence both for internal data management and public announcements/reporting. This is only the fifth such endorsement under ClassNK’s new Innovation Endorsement platform endorsing digital solutions designed to improve safety, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Through-the-line offering

CIM is the first of four new digital solutions comprising WNI’s Environmental Navigation Support Services platform. The second, the Navigation RISK Assessment and Routeing (NAR) service, which contributes to marine environment protection by preventing grounding accidents, is already live to be followed from 2022 with a Voyage Planning Protection (VPP) service providing compensation for economic losses, and a Marine Carbon Blocking (MCB) service design to put a value on CO2 emission reductions. These combined services will help stakeholders throughout the maritime transport value chain improve the safety, economic efficiency and footprint not only of ships and crew but also cargo.

Reinforcing OSR

WNI also plans to upgrade its Optimal Ship Routeing (OSR) service to allow the selection of optimal routes and speeds emphasizing reduced CO2 emissions from the start of each voyage. In addition to real-time monitoring, OSR will also enable visualization of actual emission reductions and eventually provide emissions target management support through both OSR and CIM. WNI is also working on recording both actual emissions and reductions using blockchain technology in preparation for digital ship certification in the future.

About WNI

WNI was founded in 1986 and is one of the largest weather information companies in the world. We started as a service supporting safe maritime operations aimed at shipping companies, and we now provide weather information services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to clients across 44 different markets in a total of 50 countries around the world. With our guiding motto of “wanting to help people in times of crisis,” we continue to take on new challenges with an innovative approach, such as developing our own original radar to pick up torrential rainstorms and sudden strong winds, launching weather satellites to capture views of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, and making use of AI technology to achieve high-accuracy weather predictions.

Source(s) and Image(s): Weathernews

Offshore energy sector gets boost from supercluster project

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 17:05:41 +0000

A newly announced $3.4-million GeoScan project will help “de-risk” Atlantic Canada’s offshore wind and energy sectors by improving the technology for installations on glacial seabeds.

The GeoScan project, announced recently by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster – a St. John’s-based network of businesses and researchers tasked with generating new technologies – will use wider 3-D acoustic scans to provide the offshore sector with more information to guide decisions. The technology provides a 3-D volumetric interpretation of sub-seabed geology with enhanced resolution and increased competitiveness for the global offshore renewable energy sector.

The project is being led by Newfoundland and Labrador marine imaging company, PanGeo Subsea, with a British Columbia-based partner, Cellula Robotics. Memorial University’s Marine Institute will also be involved.The Ocean Supercluster is providing $2 million in funding to the project, with the rest coming from industry partners.

PanGeo CEO Moya Cahill says the technology will allow her company to satisfy the global market demand for offshore wind farms, but also helps the oil and gas industry. “What’s driving our growth today is certainly offshore wind, but it can similarly be applied to the oil and gas sector as well as to marine construction,” she said a CBC article. The future is so promising. It’s so exciting for PanGeo. This is the type of support that we need to leverage our ability to innovate on a global scale,” Cahill commented.

Ocean Supercluster said the GeoScan Project will create highly skilled, full-time positions and placements at both PanGeo Subsea and Cellula through the development and implementation of the project.

Source(s) and Image(s): Atlantica Energy

Oil majors to restart stalled offshore projects

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 16:52:53 +0000

Suncor Energy Inc. and Cenovus Energy Inc., two of Canada’s largest oil companies, have announced plans to restart stalled offshore oil projects and boost job prospects in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Calgary-based oil majors announced agreements to restructure both the Terra Nova FPSO and West White Rose projects off the province’s coast. The agreements, supported by $205 million in funding from the provincial government, mean work will restart on the Terra Nova project this fall and the companies will evaluate the feasibility of restarting work on West White Rose by the middle of 2022.

Suncor said in a news release the agreement is expected to extend production life at Terra Nova by approximately 10 years, providing an additional 70 million barrels of oil. The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel has not produced oil since late 2019. Most of the more than 1,000 jobs linked to the oilfield have been lost.

Suncor president and CEO Mark Little said in the news release the Terra Nova life extension provides “strong economic returns and will provide long-term value for investors.”

The project is expected to return to operations in 2022 and will continue operating until 2033.
Suncor will increase its ownership stake in the project to 48 per cent from 38 per cent, the release states. Cenovus will increase its stake to 34 per cent from 13 per cent and El Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy Oil Corp. will boost its ownership to 18 per cent from 10 per cent.

The concentrated ownership structure will lead to four international oil companies – Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp., Norway’s Equinor SA and Mosbacher Operating LLC – exiting the project.

Suncor is also boosting its ownership interest in the West White Rose project to 40 per cent from 27.5 per cent in exchange for a cash payment from Cenovus, which is reducing its stake to 60 per cent from 72.5 per cent.

The FPSO will undergo maintenance work at the Bull Arm Fabrication site in Trinity Bay, N.L. starting in September prior to sailing to dry dock in Spain later this year, according to the news release. Since beginning production in January 2002, the Terra Nova has produced 425 million barrels of oil.

The two agreements are cause for celebration in the Atlantic province’s struggling offshore oil industry and for a province which had been expected to face the slowest economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source(s) and Image(s): Suncor Energy Inc., Cenovus Energy Inc, Atlantica Center for Energy

Wood Awarded Contract for Humber Zero Project

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 14:19:41 +0000

Wood, the global consulting and engineering company, has been appointed as the integration project management contractor for Humber Zero, one of the leading industrial decarbonization projects in the UK.

As the most carbon-intensive industrial cluster in the UK, the Humber emits 12.4 million tonnes a year. Humber Zero, a partnership between the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery and Vitol’s VPI Immingham power plant, is a hybrid carbon capture and storage and hydrogen project.

It could decarbonise the Immingham industrial complex by capturing up to 8m/tCO2 per annum for transportation and storage in nearby offshore storage locations. The project has benefitted from UK Research and Innovation support.

The decarbonization roadmap developed for Humber Zero envisages that Immingham will become a carbon capture and hydrogen hub, providing cost effective decarbonized energy supply and storage opportunities to both industry and National Grid.

As part of the scope of work, a multidisciplinary team from across Wood will facilitate the development and integration of the designs across the FEED packages including interface management, safety studies, licensor selection and scoping of future services. In addition, Wood will support VPI Immingham and Phillips 66 through the subsequent FEED delivery and EPC contractor tendering process. This award builds on the feasibility and pre-FEED studies carried out by Wood to support the development of the Humber Zero project

Giuseppe Zuccaro, President of Process & Chemicals at Wood, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside VPI Immingham and Phillips 66 on the Humber Zero project. Wood is focused on driving the global energy transition and a milestone project of this kind could create a model for industrial decarbonisation around the world, as well as helping the UK to meet its goal of reaching net-zero by 2050.”

Carbon capture and storage is one of the components of the 10-point plan for the Government’s Green Industrial Revolution, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in November 2020, and is critical to the UK achieving its legislated goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Jonathan Briggs, Humber Zero project director, comments, “We are pleased to appoint Wood on this important contract. It is the next major step in this exciting project, which benefits from UKRI support, and which is set to become the UK’s gateway carbon capture project.”

The Government has set a target to remove 10-million tonnes of the UK’s annual CO2 emissions by 2030, a figure equivalent to all industrial emissions from the Humber region. Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world’s most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people.

Source(s) and photo(s): Wood, the global consulting and engineering company

Cenovus announces Atlantic assets restructuring plan

Tina Olivero — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:15:57 +0000

Cenovus Energy Inc. has entered into agreements with its partners in the Atlantic region to restructure its working interests in the Terra Nova and White Rose projects, providing improved economics for the company’s regional portfolio.

These agreements will increase Cenovus’s working interest in Terra Nova and, if a decision is taken to restart West White Rose, reduce the company’s working interest in the White Rose field.

Cenovus’s working interest in Terra Nova will be 34%, up from 13%. The company will receive $78 million from the exiting partners as a contribution towards future Terra Nova asset retirement obligations. The Terra Nova asset life extension project will proceed, extending the life of the field to 2033.

Production is expected to resume before the end of 2022, with gross production expected to reach approximately 29,000 barrels per day in 2023. Including funding from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the net to Cenovus outlay to restart Terra Nova is expected to be approximately $60 million to first oil.

“Sanctioning the Terra Nova asset life extension provides a superior value proposition for our shareholders compared with the alternative of abandoning and decommissioning the project. While we are still evaluating whether to proceed with West White Rose, the capital risk in our portfolio will be reduced if we decide to move forward,” said Alex Pourbaix, Cenovus President & Chief Executive Officer.

Cenovus and Suncor, as part of the restructuring, have entered into an agreement whereby Cenovus will decrease its working interest in the White Rose field and satellite extensions while Suncor will take a larger stake, contingent upon approval of the West White Rose project restarting. Cenovus would reduce its stake in the original field to 60% from 72.5% and to 56.375% from 68.875% in the satellite extensions. Cenovus and its partners continue to evaluate their options on the West White Rose Project, with a decision to be made by mid-2022.

Cenovus continues to progress swiftly towards its $10 billion net debt target, which it expects to achieve later this year. At that point the company expects to begin allocating some of its free funds flow toward enhancing shareholder returns.

Cenovus Energy Inc.

Cenovus Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans.

Source(s) and Image(s): Cenovus Energy and Suncor Energy

CRP Subsea launches new Motion Stabiliser

Tina Olivero — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 02:40:49 +0000

CRP Subsea is launching its new Motion Stabiliser technology, specifically designed to
protect cables, umbilicals and flowlines from motion instability and damage from
uncontrolled movement. Engineered to mitigate instability in both axial and lateral
directions, the unique Motion Stabiliser design includes customisable fins that anchor into
the seabed increasing overall resistance.

The Motion Stabiliser incorporates CRP Subsea’s established Uraduct® and Tri-strakes®
materials and designs. It is supplied in two lightweight halves, which are banded together
during pipe lay deployment operations, removing the need for a secondary installation
vessel. Fins placed along the length of the stabiliser, are custom-designed for varied soil
conditions, ensuring they effectively embed into the seabed and create the required
resistance per metre of the system. In tests this proved to give significantly increased
resistance compared to cables, umbilicals and flowlines without stabilizers.
Louvain-Walters, continues: “The Motion Stabilizer complements our existing range of
subsea ancillary protection technology. It is manufactured from CRP Subsea’s highly
abrasion resistant API 17L certified and REACH compliant Uraduct® material, which has an
enviable track record of over 30 years. The Motion Stabilisers are highly resilient and will
survive considerable seabed abrasion and over boarding chutes or S-Lay operations.”

Motion Stabilisers

Subsea cables, umbilicals and flowlines laid on the seabed without trenching commonly suffer from motion instability. This can be externally induced by current flow, internally induced by thermal variations or slugging, can be due to bathymetric features (seabed geometry) or the laid characteristics of the flowline. This motion instability can sometimes be referred to as on-bottom stability, axial walking or lateral sliding. Irrespective of the phenomenon causing the motion instability, the system should be controlled in its movement, remaining in its laid location where desired or allowed to move where needed throughout life, mitigating the risk of damage or undue stresses to cables, umbilicals or flowlines.

The Motion Stabiliser technology has been engineered to protect subsea cables, umbilicals and flowlines by mitigating instability in both axial and lateral directions. The unique Motion Stabiliser design includes self-burying helical fins of varied pitch along the length of the stabiliser, that anchor into the seabed increasing overall resistance by over three times. The fins are custom designed for the varied soil conditions, to ensure they effectively embed into the seabed and create the required resistance per meter of the system.

Motion Stabilisers use established Uraduct® and Tri-strakes® materials and designs, supplied in two lightweight halves, which are quickly and easily banded together in minimal time during pipe lay deployment operations, without the need for a secondary vessel. The Motion Stabiliser is resilient and will survive considerable seabed abrasion and overboarding chutes or S-Lay operations.

Motion Stabilisers are manufactured from CRP Subsea’s highly abrasion resistant API 17L certified Uraduct® material, with an enviable track record of over 30 years, used in a variety of locations and environments.

Motion Stabiliser powered by Mimir Digital Intelligence

The Motion Stabiliser can be customised to be powered by Mimir Digital Intelligence, providing you with continuous monitoring and recording of cable, umbilical and flowline motion data. This includes a built-in Digital Intelligence electronic module, encompassing a state-of-the-art multi-sensor array, providing an effective solution for continual monitoring without the need for additional stand-alone monitoring devices.

CRP Subsea (formerly Trelleborg Offshore UK)

Using advanced material technology, CRP Subsea provides high integrity solutions for
the harshest and most demanding offshore environments. CRP Subsea specialises in the
development and production of polymer and syntactic foam-based buoyancy and
protection products for the offshore renewables and oil & gas industries. CRP Subsea
has been providing innovative solutions to the industry for over 40
years.

Source and Photo: CRP Subsea

IMServ Partners with Bluewater: Ambitious Plans For Growth

Tina Olivero — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 16:20:31 +0000

IMServ, a UK pioneer in smart metering technology and data for the industrial, commercial, and domestic electricity sectors, has partnered with energy transition leader private equity firm Bluewater through a successful acquisition from respected international energy company Schneider Electric. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.

“We are delighted to have acquired what is already a market-leading company in IMServ. The company has been at the cutting edge of metering technology for twenty years and the team members are genuine pioneers in the sector. Steve and his skilled management team are hungry for growth; they take a hands-on approach in the business and are supported by an experienced and knowledgeable 500-strong workforce. We’re really looking forward to working closely with IMServ and enabling its next stage of growth,” said Thomas Sikorski, Co-Founder of Bluewater.

IMServ is a leading provider of electricity metering services (both installation and management of smart and advanced meters), data services(smart and advanced meters data analysis and management) and visualization services. At the business’ core is a range of specialist electricity metering technologies, along with highly accurate energy data collection services. This is presented to suppliers and end-users in a seamless, intuitive online data management analysis and reporting platform.

IMServ is now one of the UK’s largest independent energy data management providers, and is enabling the decentralisation of power generation and digitalisation of the electricity market.

Steve Brown, Managing Director of IMServ, said, “Bluewater is the perfect partner for IMServ. Their energy transition expertise and financial strength will allow us to take advantage of the huge growth potential arising from energy transition. In addition, with capital to deploy, we are now looking at several acquisition options to drive our expansion in the UK and other European markets.”

Its technology today is managing more than 25% of all the electricity that goes through the National Grid. The company has gone from strength to strength as smart meters have become a fundamental platform to deliver data that helps reduce carbon emissions.

IMServ will continue to be led by Managing Director Steve Brown, allowing the company to transition seamlessly and to continue offering best-in-class service to customers (including energy suppliers and end-users), employees, and other stakeholders.

Steve and the IMServ leadership team were attracted to Bluewater’s deep sector knowledge, supportive financial and business mindset, and the private equity firm’s drive to embrace the energy transition. Bluewater’s tried and tested approach to enabling rapid growth is a perfect fit with IMServ’s own ambitious growth strategy, which has responded to government mandated demand for smart metering and more efficient management of energy use.

The IMServ strategy sees significant growth opportunities in several areas in the UK and internationally: the expanding data settlement market to support the needs of the flexible energy transition; organic growth through increased uptake of smart meters in the commercial and domestic electricity markets; and potential mergers and acquisitions nationally and overseas, with announcements of this kind expected within the next six months.

Steven Brown, Managing Director of IMServ

About IMServ

IMServ is one of the UK’s leading Energy Data Collection and Meter Operations service providers and is an award-winning pioneer of metering and data collection services for the electricity, gas, and water sectors. IMServ is headquartered in Milton Keynes, UK, and has expanding operations in the Netherlands.

Through the government-mandated smart meter rollout IMServ is playing a central role in the energy transition, making energy usage more efficient while helping to cut emissions.

In 2019, IMServ became the first non-domestic metering business to become a user of DCC services in the Other User (OU) role for smart meters.

About Bluewater

Bluewater is a specialist international private equity firm focused on the middle-market energy sector. Their experienced investment and operating professionals drive value creation as they manage $2.5billion of investment across a portfolio of 22 companies. Today, Bluewater has a prime focus on projects or technologies that contribute to the energy transition agenda and works to a diversified investment strategy based on the principles of sustainability and close working partnerships with best-in-class management teams. Bluewater has a strong focus on ESG and is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

Source and photos: Bluewater & IMServ

Paradigm’s Dry-Flo – Secures Two Important Project Wins

Tina Olivero — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:20:17 +0000

Paradigm Group, headquartered in Groot-Ammers, The Netherlands, was recently awarded two significant Master Service Agreements with two leading offshore Operators. The new contracts involve projects to be carried out in West Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.

Paradigm will perform fire deluge inspection, verification and dry testing services using Paradigm Dry-Flo® digital technology. DryFlo® was chosen for its waterless solution, enabling the operators to meet fire safety and environmental regulatory compliance while limiting long-term corrosion effects.

Daniel McCormick, Director of Fire Services at Paradigm Group, commented, “The awarding of these new contracts in West Africa and the Mediterranean recognized Paradigm Dry-Flo® digital technology as a cost-effective, sustainable and innovative alternative solution to traditional wet testing methods. We are glad to support the environment and regulatory compliance, while saving operators the additional cost of wastewater containment, treatment and disposal.’’

Daniel McCormick also stated, “Paradigm is proud of its cross-industry innovative technology and value-added services that enable waterless fire suppression system testing in an intelligent, clean, sustainable and reliable manner.”

Paradigm Group was established in Groot-Ammers, The Netherlands, in 2009, to develop and commercialize new technologies and innovations for the upstream Oil & Gas Industry. With a broad width of market participation, Paradigm Group consists of four specializations:
1. Drilling Optimization
2. Production Efficiency
3. Well Intervention
4. Fire Protection

Each area of expertise boasts unique technologies supported by strong Intellectual Property positions. Even in this challenging business climate, an aggressive R&D effort continues and including joint development partnerships with major oil and gas operators.

Source and Photo: Paradigm Dry-Flo

NOIA CONFERENCE: Major Gas Announcement Offshore Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 12:09:42 +0000

Themed Resilient & ReEnergized, the Noia Oil & Gas Conference 2021 took place at the St. John’s Convention Centre with a focus on the future, clean technology, and the benefits of local content practices for communities with resource development projects.

“Excitement and optimism could be felt on the conference floor today as the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry joined together for the first time in this way in almost two years. Noia members and conference delegates are excited for recent announcements about projects such as the Terra Nova FPSO restarting. There are good things beginning to happen again and the industry is excited to get back to work and back to where we were just under two years ago. Today was a great day to look at the challenges we have overcome and what our future may look like. I look forward to a deep dive tomorrow on how we can reach our potential,” said Charlene Johnson, Noia CEO.

The first day of conference included an address from Premier Andrew Furey who focused on the important impact the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry will have for the future and the innovation required.

ExxonMobil Canada

ExxonMobil Canada president Lazaro Cosma reaffirmed the commitment of his company to working offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.

CNOOC

CNOOC International area manager Todd Hartlaub updated delegates on their recent exploration campaign conducted during a pandemic.

Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Corporation

Jim Keating, Acting CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Corporation outlined the importance of our offshore resources.

A discussion on local content also highlighted the approach of BHP in helping the supply community participate in major projects.

LNG – GAS PROJECT ANNOUNCED

While oil has been the primary driver of the region, gas has been waiting in the wings as a valuable clean energy commodity to be developed. The NOIA conference was the place where the announcement of that historic project became a reality.

It’s been known for many years that the gas potential offshore Newfoundland was a possiblity. It took incredible minds and visions to bring the development plan to a reality.

LNG Newfoundland and Labrador, proposed a natural gas development project that starts with the central gas export hub, in the centre of the existing production fields in the Jeanne D’Arc basin.

The gas supply is currently expected to be produced as a by-product of current oil production in the region and is being underutilized. Here lies the opportunity.

Discussions at NOIA focused on lowering carbon emissions in the offshore and a potential LNG project was presented to delegates with LNG Newfoundland and Labrdor. To review the proposed project, take a look at this video or the one provided above. It is nothing short of Impressive and a project whose time has come.

Chris Sublicki

Keynote luncheon speaker Chris Sublicki highlighted the ESG values of Canadian energy and its importance in meeting global demand. His ideas and ability to look at the big picture and put things into perspective were not only acurate but inspiring. To hear more from Chris, check him out here.

The following day at the NOIA conference included discussions on collaboration in the new normal, as well as market opportunities and operational diversification. Noia members shared their personal experiences of working together during the pandemic and the successes achieved through cooperation. Another area of discussion was how best to leverage the considerable skills and experience of members in new markets.

Suncor Energy and Cenovus Energy

Suncor Energy and Cenovus Energy provided updates on their activities in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore, including Suncor’s recent announcement about moving ahead with the Terra Nova asset life extension program. Another sign of positive things to come.

Equinor Canada

Torstein Hole, President of Equinor Canada, spoke to their plans for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore, including the highly anticipated Bay du Nord project and plans for a related exploration program in 2022. This is good news for the province as expected oil finds will bring about a much needed flurry of economic prosperity.

Bethany Downer

The keynote lunch address on the second day of the conference was a dynamic event delivered by Newfoundland and Labrador’s Bethany Downer, Chief Communications Officer, Hubble Space and Director of Communications, STAR HARBOUR. Bethany discussed ways the oil and gas industry can leverage the space sector’s experience for sustainability and future prosperity.

Provincial Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Andrew Parsons

Provincial Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Andrew Parsons spoke during the final session and reaffirmed the province’s commitment to reenergizing and advancing Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil & gas industry and announced $1M in funding for Noia and econext for a net zero project in the offshore oil and gas industry. As well, Memorial University President Dr. Vianne Timmons spoke to delegates about the role the university will play in the province’s economic recovery.

Shave For the Brave

The Noia Oil & Gas Conference 2021 concluded with the NL Energy Shave which saw members of the offshore oil and gas industry raise over $265,000 for Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC), a national charity based in Newfoundland and Labrador that supports young adults living with cancer. Leading the NL Energy Shave, Mark Collett, COO of Crosbie, raised the largest amount in the history of YACC by shaving his head for this important cause. The conference supporth through NL Energy Shave provided incredible support. Find out more at Shave for the Brave.

Noia CEO, Charlene Johnson said, “After a difficult almost two years, the Noia Oil & Gas Conference 2021 was an important event that brought the industry back together to reenergize for the future. During the last two days we heard promising updates from offshore operators and those involved in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry supply and service sector. Information provided by operators about opportunities with the Terra Nova asset life extension project, exploration plans, and approaches to working with the supply and service sector was welcomed by delegates and all industry members. An ongoing theme at this year’s conference was collaboration and leveraging our experience to regain momentum and reach our full potential. I sincerely thank everyone, from our speakers and delegates to sponsors and volunteers, for working with us to make the Noia Oil & Gas Conference 2021 an overwhelming success.”

SPECIAL THANKS to NOIA and the staff – for all their work on this super conference!

Source and Pictures: NOIA, LNG Newfoundland and Labrador

Enbridge Acquires North America’s Premier Crude Export Facility

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 10:02:37 +0000

Enbridge Inc. on Sept. 7, 2021, announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement with EnCap Flatrock Midstream to acquire Moda Midstream Operating, LLC (Moda) for U.S. $3.0 billion in cash, subject to closing adjustments. The acquisition will significantly advance the Company’s U.S. Gulf Coast export strategy and connectivity to low-cost and long-lived reserves in the Permian and Eagle Ford basins. The Company values the transaction at approximately 8x projected forward EBITDA, and upon closing is expected to be immediately accretive to Enbridge’s financial outlook.

“We’re very excited about acquiring North America’s premium, very large crude carrier (VLCC) capable, crude export terminal,” commented Al Monaco, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enbridge. “Over the last several years we’ve been building a strong position in the U.S. Gulf Coast through both natural gas and crude infrastructure. Our strategy is driven by the important role that low cost, sustainable North America energy supply will play in meeting growing global demand. With close proximity to world-class Permian reserves, and with cost effective and efficient export infrastructure, our new Enbridge Ingleside terminal will be critical to capitalizing on North America’s energy advantage.

“This blue-chip platform aligns very well with our long-standing shareholder value proposition; strong commercial underpinnings that generate highly transparent and low risk cash flows, establishing a new platform for low capital intensity growth, and an attractive financial return, all while retaining a strong balance sheet and financing flexibility.

“This investment is also a prime example of how we’re focused on being a differentiated service provider to our customers by lowering emissions across our systems. In line with that objective, we expect to develop solar power capacity at the terminal site, which will ensure it’s the most sustainable export facility in North America and support our company-wide goal of net zero by 2050,” said Monaco.

Central to the transaction, Enbridge will acquire a 100 percent operating interest in the Ingleside Energy Center (to be renamed the Enbridge Ingleside Energy Center (EIEC)), located near Corpus Christi, Texas – North America’s largest crude export terminal, which loaded 25 percent of all U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports in 2020. This state-of-the-art terminal, built in 2018, comprises 15.6 million barrels of storage and 1.5 million barrels per day of export capacity.

EIEC’s highly advantaged outer harbor location, with direct connection to low-cost, long-lived supply, combined with VLCC capability and rapid loading rates, position it as one of the most competitive export facilities globally. EIEC is underpinned by 925 thousand barrels per day of long term take-or-pay vessel loading contracts and 15.3 million barrels of long-term storage contracts providing visibility to future cash flows. Its direct connection to globally competitive Permian and Eagle Ford basins will assure the sustainability of cash flows for many years to come.

Enbridge will also acquire a 20 percent interest in the 670-thousand-barrel per day Cactus II Pipeline, a 100 percent operating interest in the 300-thousand-barrel per day Viola pipeline, and a 100 percent operating interest in the 350-thousand-barrel Taft Terminal. Together with EIEC, these pipeline and storage assets provide a fully integrated light crude export platform.

The acquired assets are expected to be immediately and strongly accretive to distributable cash flow per share and earnings per share. In addition, ongoing EBITDA generation supports the Company’s dividend growth outlook and growing base of free cash flow, further strengthening its sector leading financial flexibility and preserving its $5-6 billion of annual self-funded investable financing capacity beginning in 2022. The transaction will be initially funded with existing liquidity and the Company anticipates that 2022 Debt to EBITDA will be at the lower end of its target range.

This investment also provides Enbridge with further organic growth potential supporting the Company’s post-2023 growth outlook. EIEC permitted expansions of existing storage capacity to 21 million barrels and export capacity to 1.9 million barrels per day, provide opportunity to capitalize on increasing volumes and visibility to near-term low capital intensity growth. In addition, Enbridge will hold a 50 percent interest in a brownfield St. James deep-water crude and refined products terminal development opportunity, which provides longer term growth potential.

EIEC has been recently constructed to industry-leading environmental standards designed to minimize its carbon emissions footprint. Enbridge expects to further lower facility emissions through the application of up to 60 MW of solar power capabilities, leveraging over 500 acres of available land included within the terminal. This renewable investment is expected to well exceed EIEC’s power requirements, allowing excess generation capacity to be contracted to local industrial and refining facilities while driving a robust return. Longer term, there is the potential to develop additional low carbon energy infrastructure within the facility, including renewable fuels and carbon capture terminaling.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Moda’s Ingleside Management and key Moda marine terminal personnel will remain in place following closing of the transaction, ensuring continuity of operations and ongoing development activities.

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc. is a leading North American energy infrastructure company. We safely and reliably deliver the energy people need and want to fuel quality of life. Our core businesses include Liquids Pipelines, which transports approximately 25 percent of the crude oil produced in North America; Gas Transmission and Midstream, which transports approximately 20 percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S.; Gas Distribution and Storage, which serves approximately 3.8 million retail customers in Ontario and Quebec; and Renewable Power Generation, which generates approximately 1,766 MW of net renewable power in North America and Europe. The Company’s common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.

Source(s) and Image(s): Endbridge Inc.

Fugro and DIMAR: Collaborative Seep Studies in the Caribbean Sea

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 08:19:59 +0000

The Colombian Maritime Authority, DIMAR has selected Fugro to perform a joint environmental and exploration seep study in the Caribbean Sea.

The project began in late August, building on the success of a similar effort with DIMAR in 2019, and is scheduled to complete in November. As with the previous collaboration, this year’s work will involve the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of seabed sediment samples and heat flow measurements to help assess the region’s resource potential.

Fugro will also provide classroom- and vessel-based training to DIMAR personnel before and during offshore operations, continuing the knowledge exchange that began in 2019. Fieldwork for the project will be conducted from DIMAR’s ARC Roncador multipurpose hydrographic vessel using specialised Fugro equipment, including a state-of-the-art shipboard analytical laboratory.

The ability to perform preliminary geochemical analyses at sea enables rapid identification of high-potential coring locations, significantly streamlining the overall project schedule.

New to the 2021 scope of work, Fugro and DIMAR will examine a set of decommissioned well sites using a specialised camera system. This work will help DIMAR understand the environmental conditions at these locations to determine whether any mitigating steps may be required now or during future decommissioning activities.

“We are pleased to continue partnering with DIMAR on their seep studies in the Caribbean Sea,” said Dr Jim Gharib, Fugro’s Global Manager for Seep Hunting and Geochemical Exploration.

“Not only will our Geo-data programme with DIMAR help Colombia unlock insights about their offshore energy assets, it will ultimately help the country develop these resources in a safe and efficient-way, minimizing environmental impacts throughout the project life cycle.”

Source and Photo: Fugro and DIMAR

Aker Solutions: Delivers 5000-ton module for epic Johan Sverdrup riser platform

Tina Olivero — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:40:10 +0000

Aker Solutions has been one of the biggest suppliers to the development of Johan Sverdrup. The company has, among other things, delivered front-end engineering and design (FEED) to both phases of the project, four out of five jackets, the living quarters platform and hook-up and integration services, as well as the large module that is being delivered from Aker Solutions’ yard in Stord, Norway.

The module is on barge at Stord and will be towed to the Johan Sverdrup field and lifted on board the riser platform by the heavy-lift vessel Sleipnir. This operation is expected to take two days.

“For Aker Solutions, the module as of now represents the last large, physical delivery to Johan Sverdrup. We are proud to be one of the key contributors to this gigantic field development project. Johan Sverdrup has provided enormous ripple effects for the entire industry and will produce large values for the society for decades to come,” said Kjetel Digre, chief executive officer of Aker Solutions.

“Johan Sverdrup has been a successful project from beginning to end and is an excellent example of successful deliveries that have been both on time and to the specified quality. This is particularly impressive considering the pandemic that we have had during the project’s most hectic phase, with a strict infection control regime and periodically lack of manpower. As for the other Johan Sverdrup deliveries, we have had a very good cooperation with the client Equinor and key subcontractors,” said Sturla Magnus, executive vice president and head of Aker Solutions’ topside and facilities business.

The 5000-ton module consists of 11 sections. Engineering and procurement were carried out by Aker Solutions’ locations in Stavanger, Bergen, Fornebu, Mumbai and London. Fabrication was carried out by Aker Solutions’ partners in Poland, as well as at the yards in Stord and Egersund. Assembly, completion, and commissioning were carried out at the Stord yard.

Aker Solutions delivers integrated solutions, products and services to the global energy industry. We enable low-carbon oil and gas production and develop renewable solutions to meet future energy needs. By combining innovative digital solutions and predictable project execution we accelerate the transition to sustainable energy production. Aker Solutions employs approximately 14,000 people in more than 20 countries.

SOURCE & IMAGES: Aker Solutions

Guyana IS BOOMING! ExxonMobil Finds More Oil

Tina Olivero — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:19:25 +0000

U.S. oil major ExxonMobil has made yet another oil discovery at the mega-Stabroek offshore block in Guyana. This adds to the unprecedented discovery of nine billion barrels of oil equivalent in the region.

ExxonMobil is firmly established in Guyana, operating an office in Georgetown, with numerous ongoing exploration and development operations offshore. ExxonMobil Guyana has made 18 discoveries since May 2015 and begun production in December 2019 from the Liza Phase 1 development.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks offshore Guyana.

This new discovery is located approximately 4 miles southeast of the Uaru-1 discovery that was announced in January 2020 and approximately 3 miles west of the Yellowtail field. Whiptail-1 is being drilled in 5,889 feet (1,795 meters) of water by Stena Drilling’s Stena DrillMAX drillship.

“This discovery increases our confidence in the resource size and quality in the southeast area of the Stabroek Block and could form the basis for a future development as we continue to evaluate the best sequence of development opportunities within the block,” said Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil.

Guyana currently has one oil production unit, the Liza Destiny FPSO at Exxon’s Stabroek Block, which has been in production since December 2019. It produces around 120,000 barrels of oil per day. Additional FPSOs are planned to be deployed in the coming years to develop the discovered oil reserves. ExxonMobil predicts at least six projects online by 2027 and sees potential for up to 10 projects.

Liza Phase 1 Project – Description

The Liza Phase 1 development is approximately 190 kilometers offshore in water depths of 1,500– 1,900 meters.
The project includes a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, Liza Destiny; designed to produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, with storage capacity of up to 1.6 million barrels.
There are four drill centers with 17 wells in total; eight oil producing wells, six water injection wells, and three gas reinjection wells.

Liza Phase 2 Project – Description

The development involves a second floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO), Liza Unity; designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day.
The development is similar to that of Liza phase 1 but with a total of six drill centers with approximately 30 wells, including 15 oil producing wells, nine water injection wells and six gas injection wells. Liza Phase 2 startup is expected in mid-2022.

The next development planned for the startup is the Liza Phase 2, which is on target for early 2022. It will be developed using the SBM Offshore supplied Liza Unity FPSO which is sailing from Singapore to Guyana in 2021. The Unity has a production capacity of approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

Exxon further said that the hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel, destined for the Payara development in the same block, is complete, and topsides construction activities are ongoing in Singapore with a startup target of 2024.

The first Payara development well was spudded in June 2021, and the offshore SURF installation will begin in 3Q 2021.

Payara Project – Description

The Payara development plan includes a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, named Prosperity; it is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day.
The development is similar to that of Liza phase 1 and 2, Payara will have up to 45 wells, including production wells, water injection wells and gas injection wells.
Startup is expected in 2024.

Yellowtail – The Forth Discovery

The fourth discovery expected to be developed is the Yellowtail, with an anticipated startup in 2025. The project will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, which are located about 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of the Liza developments, and potentially adjacent resources.

ExxonMobil and its key contractors have spent approximately US$388 million with more than 800 local companies since 2015.

Exxon operates the Stabroek block with 45% interest. U.S. firm Hess holds 30% interest and China’s CNOOC holds 25% percent interest.

FPSO: Proven Methodology for Guyana

According to Jim McCaul, head of IMA/WER and an expert on Floating Production Systems for more than three decades, “Guyana Has a Huge Appetite for FPSOs,” summarizing:

The Stabroek Block, which covers 26,800 sq km containing multiple prospects and plays.
There are 20+ discoveries to date with 9 billion boe estimated recoverable resources.
Up to 10 VLCC-size FPSOs are expected to be required for full field development.
There is one FPSO now in service, Liza Destiny with 120,000 b/d oil production capacity.
There are two FPSOs on order; Liza Unity and Prosperity, each with 220,000 b/d oil production capacity.
Procurement for a fourth FPSO with 220,000 to 250,000 b/d oil production capacity is being negotiated.
There are plans for three to six more large capacity FPSOs to be contracted for Stabroek Block within this decade.

IMA/WER’s floating production report has up-to-date details and contracting status for more than 200 floater projects in the planning stage. Around 55% of these envisage use of an FPSO. Another 10% will require a production semi. The rest are LNG and floating storage projects.

The report also has details for 44 production or storage floaters on order, more than 300 floating production units in service and 44 production floaters available for redeployment contracts.

SUMMARY: Discoveries in the Stabroek Block

The Liza discovery was announced in May 2015. Liza-1 well was the first significant oil find offshore Guyana. It encountered more than 295 feet (90 meters) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. It was safely drilled to 17,825 feet (5,433 meters) in 5,719 feet (1,743 meters) of water.
The Payara discovery was announced in January 2017. Payara is ExxonMobil’s second oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Payara- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering more than 95 feet (29 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. It was safely drilled to 18,080 feet (5,512 meters) in 6,660 feet (2,030 meters) of water.
The Snoek discovery was announced in March 2017. Snoek is ExxonMobil’s third oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Snoek- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering 82 feet (25 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was safely drilled to 16,978 feet (5,175 meters) in 5,128 feet (1,563 meters) of water.
The Liza Deep discovery was announced in January 2017. An appraisal well, Liza-3, identified an additional high quality, deeper reservoir directly below the Liza field, which is estimated to contain between 100-150 million oil equivalent barrels.
The Turbot discovery was announced in October 2017. Turbot is ExxonMobil’s fifth oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Turbot- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering 75 feet (23 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 18,445 feet (5,622 meters) in 5,912 feet (1,802 meters) of water.
The Ranger discovery was announced in January 2018. Ranger is ExxonMobil’s sixth oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Ranger- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 230 feet (70 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing carbonate reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 21,161 feet (6,450 meters) depth in 8,973 feet (2,735 meters) of water. This discovery demonstrated our ultra deepwater and carbonate exploration capabilities and it proved a new play concept for the Stabroek Block.
The Pacora discovery was announced in February 2018. Pacora is ExxonMobil’s seventh oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Pacora- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 65 feet (20 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 18,363 feet (5,597 meters) depth in 6,781 feet (2,067 meters) of water.
The Longtail discovery was announced in June 2018. Longtail is ExxonMobil’s eighth oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Longtail- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 256 feet (78 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 18,057 feet (5,504 meters) depth in 6,365 feet (1,940 meters) of water.
The Hammerhead discovery was announced in Aug 2018. Hammerhead is ExxonMobil’s ninth oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Hammerhead- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 197 feet (60 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 13,862 feet (4,225 meters) depth in 3,773 feet (1,150 meters) of water.
The Pluma discovery was announced in December 2018. Pluma is ExxonMobil’s 10th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Pluma- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 121 feet (37 meters) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone reservoir. Pluma-1 reached a depth of 16,447 feet (5,013 meters) in 3,340 feet (1,018 meters) of water.
The Tilapia discovery was announced in February 2019. Tilapia is ExxonMobil’s 11th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Tilapia- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 305 feet (93 meters) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled to a depth of 18,786 feet (5,726 meters) in 5,850 feet (1,783 meters) of water.
The Haimara discovery was announced in February 2019. Haimara is ExxonMobil’s 12th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Haimara- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 207 feet (63 meters) of high-quality, gas-condensate bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was drilled to a depth of 18,289 feet (5,575 meters) in 4,590 feet (1,399 meters) of water.
The Yellowtail discovery was announced in April 2019. Yellowtail is ExxonMobil’s 13th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Yellowtail- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 292 feet (89 meters) of high-quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled to a depth of 18,445 feet (5,622 meters) in 6,046 feet (1,843 meters) of water.
The Tripletail discovery was announced in September 2019. Tripletail is ExxonMobil’s 14th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Tripletail- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 108 feet (33 meters) of a high-quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6,572 feet (2,003 meters) of water.
The Mako discovery was announced in December 2019. Mako is ExxonMobil’s 15th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Mako- 1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 164 feet (50 meters) of a high-quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 5,315 feet (1,620 meters) of water.
The Uaru discovery was announced in January 2020. Uaru is ExxonMobil’s 16th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Uaru-1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 94 feet (29 meters) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6,342 feet (1,933 meters) of water.
The Yellowtail-2 well encountered 69 feet (21 meters) of net pay in a newly identified, high quality oil bearing reservoirs among the original Yellowtail-1 discovery intervals. This is ExxonMobil’s 17th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block.
The Redtail discovery was announced in September 2020. Redtail is ExxonMobil’s 18th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Redtail-1 well encountered approximately 232 feet (70 meters) of high-quality oil bearing sandstone and was drilled in 6,164 feet (1,878 meters) of water.
The gross recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block is now estimated to be more than eight billion oil equivalent barrels, including Liza and other successful exploration wells on Payara, Liza deep, Snoek, Turbot, Ranger, Pacora, Longtail, Hammerhead, Pluma, Tilapia, Haimara, Yellowtail, Tripletail and Mako.

SOURCE & IMAGES: ExxonMobil, NOIA, OE Digital

Gas Exporting Countries Forum & OPEC: Address Sustainable Development

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:44:31 +0000

08 September 2021

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the global platform of the leading gas producing countries, on Monday joined OPEC, non-OPEC, and a plethora of other international energy organisations to present a unified front on the advancement of natural gas as part of a balanced energy solution to achieve sustainable development goals.

The OPEC-hosted Ministerial Roundtable on Energy, Climate and Sustainable Development, where more than a dozen ministers were flanked by intergovernmental organisations such as GECF, APPO, AEC, AFREC, ARDA, IEF, and OAPEC, termed the gathering as coming at a “profound time in the momentum of the global climate effort”.

Addressing more than 100 delegates, HE Yury Sentyurin, Secretary General of the GECF, said that the 18-member consortium is fully committed to develop actions towards clean energy transitions in a balanced manner.

“As the largest energy organisations in the world, the onus is on us to address climate change in a balanced manner – an approach that enables us to deal with the climate threats whilst at the same time considers the immense requirement of nations to ensure their economic development and social progress,” said HE Sentyurin.

“The gas industry is embracing technology options that can further promote decarbonisation potential of natural gas, including carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration options and production of blue hydrogen and ammonia.”

He highlighted the steps taken by the GECF in recent years to support its Member Countries in the area of climate change, such as the GECF Environmental Knowledge and Solutions framework and the establishment of the GECF Gas Research Institute.

According to him, the decarbonisation efforts of the GECF Member Countries are already underway, mainly through critical projects implemented by national oil and gas companies, for example, projects to capture and store CO₂ in Qatar, Algeria and Norway.

In addition, two GECF Members Qatar and Nigeria, have recently updated their NDCs to enhance their commitments to reduce emissions, whilst countries such as Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UAE have launched initiatives to foster hydrogen development. Russia, in particular, has announced a strategy to obtain an export capacity of as much as 2 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2035.

During the meeting, the GECF proposed a series of recommendations in order that the hydrocarbon industry can speak on international climate forums in unison:

A multi-dimension approach should be the way forward to deal with the climate challenge in which the oil and gas industries form the bedrock of the solution

Carbon border taxes will impact oil and gas exporters and industrial consumers. A cooperative framework would be ideal rather than the antagonising approach

Climate solution pathways should be balanced along the multiple vectors impacted by energy, such as economics and social vectors

Decarbonisation technologies should include oil and gas decarbonisation technologies.

“We shouldn’t write off hydrocarbons due to their abundance, affordability and impressive contribution to improving energy access and economic conditions. According to the latest projections by GECF Global Gas Outlook 2050, natural gas and oil will provide more than 50% of global energy demand by 2050.

“Thus, they will continue to be responsible for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development for decades to come. Specifically, natural gas is one of the global enablers for reducing emissions uninterruptedly and steadfastly by replacing carbon-intensive fuels and backing up intermittent renewables,” concluded HE Sentyurin.

Several ministers and senior officials from GECF Member Countries also spoke at the event, including HE Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Energy and Mines, Algeria and Chairman of the Council of Minister of APPO, HE Tareck El Aissami, People’s Minister of Petroleum, Venezuela, HE Dr Amir Hossein Zamaninia, EB Member, Iran, HE Dr Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Angola and President of the OPEC Conference, HE Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mozrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE, and HE Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy, Azerbaijan.

About Gas Exporting Countries Forum:

Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is an international governmental organisation currently comprising of 18 Member Countries – Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Angola, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Malaysia, Norway, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates, which together represent 70% of the proven gas reserves, 44% of its marketed production, 52% of pipeline, and 51% of LNG exports across the globe. It is headquartered in Doha, Qatar.

Being a foremost energy association, officially established in 2008, the GECF has recorded notable milestones in its evolution and remains committed to supporting its Member Countries in the pursuit of global energy security and meeting the world’s growing energy demand, while proving to be reliable suppliers of natural gas – a prominent contributor in the global pursuit towards net-zero emissions energy systems and attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Forum provides granular, scientifically-driven insights into the state of natural gas based on a diverse variety of instruments and deliverables, such as the Gas Research Institute, the Global Gas Model – now with elements of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Global Gas Outlook 2050, Annual Short-Term Gas Market Report, Monthly Gas Market Report, Special Envoys on Data and Statistics, Data Exchange Mechanism, the Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Gas Market Reviews, and Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Statistical Bulletins.

GECF increasingly engages with UN subsidiaries UNFCCC, UNECE, UNESCO, as well as G20, ASEAN, BRICS, EEC, OPEC, OAPEC, APPO, IEF, IEA, IRENA, OLADE, IGU, other peers and regional entities, and maintains strategic multifaceted dialogue amongst natural gas producers and consumers.

SOURCE & IMAGES: www.gecf.org

Suncor Energy: Expected To Increase Ownership In White Rose, Offshore Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:47:34 +0000

Suncor Energy announced, September 8, 2021, it has entered into a conditional agreement to increase its interest in the White Rose asset subject to a restart decision on the West White Rose project.

As part of the conditional agreement, Cenovus, the operator, will complete a restart evaluation for the West White Rose project by mid 2022.

Should the project economics be robust enough to lead to a restart decision.
Suncor has agreed to increase its interest in the White Rose offshore field by 12.5% (from 27.5% to approximately 40%) in exchange for a cash payment by Cenovus to Suncor.

Suncor would assume capital commitments on the 12.5% additional interest on a go-forward basis only.

No significant capital spend is expected before 2023 and both companies will work together to increase the efficiency of this asset.

The White Rose asset joint venture owners are Cenovus (operator) and Suncor.

The West White Rose Project joint venture owners are Cenovus (operator), Suncor and Nalcor.

ABOUT WHITE ROSE

Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, is home to the White Rose oil field, about 350 kilometres east of St. John’s.

On the eastern edge of the White Rose field are the North Amethyst, West White Rose and South White Rose extensions. All producing fields use the SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The West White Rose Project is being developed using a fixed wellhead platform.

In September 2020, a review of the West White Rose Project was announced. This followed the suspension of major construction activities in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision to reprioritize capital investment following the global economic downturn.

In the Flemish Pass Basin, Cenovus and and its partner have made discoveries at Mizzen, Harpoon, Bay du Nord and Baccalieu.

SOURCE AND IMAGES: Cenovus & Suncor

Suncor Energy confident in East Coast Canada energy future: moves forward with Terra Nova Asset Life Extension

Tina Olivero — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:01:56 +0000

Suncor today announced that the co-owners of the Terra Nova Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility and associated Terra Nova Field (“Terra Nova”) have finalized the agreement to restructure the project ownership and move forward with the Asset Life Extension Project.

Suncor, Cenovus and Murphy Oil, now control 100% of the project with the following increased ownership positions:
Suncor – 48% (previously approximately 38%);
Cenovus – 34% (previously 13%);
and Murphy Oil – 18% (previously approximately 10%).

The agreement also includes the previously disclosed royalty and financial support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador including up to $205 million, on a matching contribution basis, to support local onshore and offshore work related to the Asset Life Extension Project.

The Asset Life Extension Project is expected to extend production life by approximately 10 years, providing an additional 70 million barrels of resource for the partnership and providing many benefits to the Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian economies in the form of taxes, royalties and employment.

The FPSO will undergo maintenance work at the Bull Arm Fabrication site starting early September prior to sailing to dry dock in Ferrol, Spain later this year with a safe return to operations anticipated before the end of 2022.

“The decision to move forward with the Terra Nova project is a concrete example of Suncor’s commitment to invest in projects that have strong economic returns and will provide long-term value for investors. This agreement also provides certainty for the 1,000 plus local direct and indirect jobs that support the project,” said Mark Little, Suncor president and chief executive officer. “We appreciate the deep collaboration and support from the provincial and federal governments, which has been crucial to helping us reach this important milestone.”

Steerprop to Deliver Azimuth Propulsors to Ramparts Tugboats

Donato Agostinelli — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 23:57:38 +0000

UZMAR Shipyards in Turkey is one of the world’s top-notch tugboat builders with a very good reputation worldwide. The company has now chosen Steerprop to deliver six SP 20 WD azimuth propulsion units for a series of three Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAmparts 2300_UZM tugs being built.

The contract for the six SP 20 WD azimuth propulsion units, delivering 1,610 kW of power each, was signed in April 2021 and will be delivered in Q3 2021.

“The Robert Allan designed RAmparts 2300_UZM tugs with 50+ ton of Bollard Pull are very efficient and agile tugs, providing a lot of performance in a compact package”, says Donato Agostinelli, Sales Manager at Steerprop. “Since the tugs will be operating in challenging conditions and performing very different tasks throughout their life, the propulsion units must be efficient and reliable under all circumstances. For these reasons, the units also come with our Condition Monitoring system as standard.”

Steerprop delivers six SP 20 WD azimuth propulsion units to a series of three compact but very efficient RAmparts 2300_UZM ship assist tugboats being built by Turkish shipbuilder UZMAR, that has maximum efficiency in the performance of ship-handling duties for tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships in particular.

The SP 20 WD is a ducted azimuth propulsor with a power of 1,610 kW, equipped with a very precise and energy-efficient electrical steering and lubrication system.

Electrical steering

To increase the achieved BP and to improve the maneuverability of the tugboat, the azimuth propulsors have an electrical steering that enables more efficient use of the main engine’s power compared to hydraulic steering.

“The agile electrical steering system in our Z-drive azimuth propulsion increases overall performance and reduces the running costs of the vessels”, says Agostinelli. “The electrical system can also be upgraded with a battery pack to enhance performance even further, while at the same time lowering the environmental footprint of the system.”

The propulsors’ robust and accurate electric steering gears also offer a constant steering speed, which is essential when performing sensitive tasks like escorting tankers.

“Since the steering uses power only when actively turning, it is very energy-efficient”, Agostinelli says. “In addition, the electrical steering also produces significantly less noise than hydraulic steering systems and requires little service due to its mechanically simple construction.”

Re-entry in the segment

The RAmparts tug classification is the most popular and widely used tug type in the world, thanks to its very flexible design that allows to accommodate different configurations and applications.

“We identified a clear customer need and saw that we could make the necessary changes to our base design in the short time we had at hand”, Agostinelli says. “We think this is a great reference to make a re-entry in a segment that is not new to us, but in which we have not been present for a while.”

Unmanned Platform Delivered to Hod Field From Aker Solutions’ Yard

Tina Olivero — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 21:41:52 +0000

Hod B has been an important project that was initiated only hours after the temporary changes to the tax system for the oil and gas industry received a broad majority in the Storting in June last year. The project prefabrication started at the yard in Verdal just hours after the agreement was made and has meant a lot to activity and jobs.

The project is the second project delivered by Aker BP’s alliance for delivery of fixed platforms. The customer Aker BP and the main suppliers Aker Solutions and ABB have worked in a joint organization, thereby reducing a lot of time and costs compared to a traditional model where the customer and supplier have separate roles and responsibilities.

The Hod development has utilized the experience from the wellhead platform for the Valhall Flank West project, which was delivered in the summer of 2019. Valhall Flank West was the first wellhead platform delivered through the alliance. Upon delivery, this platform set a new standard for how complete a facility can be before installation on the field. Hod B, which is an approximate copy of Valhall Flank West, has given us opportunities to optimize our implementation model through reuse of personnel, facilities, and equipment. It has been delivered at considerably lower cost compared to Valhall Flank West.

“I am proud to state that in close cooperation with the alliance partners, we have reached all milestones and project objectives. Today, just 14 months after the first steel plates were cut, the topside is ready for transport to the field exactly as agreed. Together, we have developed new solutions and implemented a number of improvements for safety, productivity and reduced cost level in the project. This further increases our competitiveness, and makes us even more attractive to future clients,” said Sturla Magnus, executive vice president and head of Aker Solutions’ topside and facilities business.

The Alliance delivery includes design, procurement, fabrication, preparation for sea transport, as well as hook-up and assistance for completion on the field. The 2,000-metric-tons topside will be installed on the steel jacket delivered from Aker Solutions’ yard in June. The delivery has been executed without serious harm to people or the environment.

Upon signing on June 9, 2020, the contract had a value for Aker Solutions of just under NOK 1 billion. At its peak, around 550 people from Aker Solutions, the alliance and subcontractors have worked on the project. In addition, more than 50 of our apprentices have completed much of their vocational training on the Hod project.

“Through projects like Hod, we create value for ourselves, partners, alliance partners, owners, and Norwegian society. We also contribute to maintaining a world-leading supplier industry. It makes me particularly proud that through the Hod project Aker BP has contributed to the vocational training of 50 apprentices. The apprentices and the industry have a competence that is necessary for the Green Deal. I am impressed with the alliance team for another solid delivery. You demonstrate that the alliance model is the key to delivering profitable projects in a demanding market going forward,” said Karl Johnny Hersvik, chief executive officer of Aker BP.

SUSTAINABLE SUPERSTARS: Research projects underway to reduce NL offshore emissions

Tina Olivero — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:58:36 +0000

Sixteen research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects are receiving a total of $24.4 million to investigate how to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas operations.

Projects are studying carbon capture, energy efficiencies, transportation and renewable energy. The projects cover the operational areas of; offshore drilling, production and transportation and are examining the use of technology to optimize energy efficiencies in power generation, flaring, piping integrity and renewable energy.

These emission reduction solutions will support; offshore operations, carbon capture and storage, and emissions monitoring.

Natural Resources Canada is funding the projects through the offshore RD&D component of its Emissions Reduction Fund. The fund is administered and monitored by the Petroleum Research Newfoundland and Labrador (PRNL), who are the leading facilitators of research, technology development and innovation for Canada’s offshore.

Half of the projects involve developing new technology or determining how to adapt existing equipment or technology to reduce emissions from offshore facilities. Other projects will develop feasibility assessments, proofs of concept, and studies to fill knowledge gaps for Newfoundland and Labrador in emissions reduction.

Atlantic Towing Limited (NL, NB)

Project Title: Novel Battery Hybrid Retrofit of a Multi-Purpose Platform Supply Vessel through the Integration of Spinning Reserve and All-Electric Transit Capabilities on a SMART Ship AI Platform
Funding Amount: $4,943,761
This demonstration project is a first-in-kind integration of multiple battery technologies and will integrate spinning reserve and all-electric transit on a multi-functional offshore supply vessel to reduce GHG emissions in the offshore NL oil and gas sector.
Battery technology has emerged as a successful method to enable carbon-free, all-electric, operation of smaller ferries in various countries, including Canada, where transits are short and power demand is low. Battery technology using a battery-hybrid drive train has also been used on offshore supply vessels in the North Sea under different operating power demands and operating environments than in offshore NL.
This novel project aims to combine these technologies together under a single power management system, while also enabling future clean energy technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells, to easily integrate into the system in the future. https://www.atlantictowing.com

Cnergreen Corp. (AB)

Project Title: Reducing GHG Emissions Offshore Using Novel Nanoparticle-based Foam Technology
Funding Amount: $917,600
Cnergreen will develop its patent-pending, nanoparticle-stabilized foam technology “CnerFoam” to reduce GHG emissions and provide CO2 storage opportunities for the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore industry.
CnerFoam increases the reservoir’s ability to store more gas, reducing gas processing and energy requirements, thereby reducing GHG emissions.
Memorial University of Newfoundland will perform a series of laboratory experiments and reservoir simulations to formulate and investigate CnerFoam’s performance in offshore conditions to improve gas storage in the reservoir. The project also includes building an injection skid to proceed with a field trial. www.cnergreen.ca

Design by Analysis Engineering Inc. (NL)

Project Title: LUMENATE Wellbore Operations Monitoring System
Funding Amount: $1,903,370
This project involves developing and demonstrating a novel downhole pressure monitoring system that provides measurements during the various phases of offshore drilling. Offshore oil and gas drilling operators will have the real-time information about downhole conditions needed to optimize wellbore operations, remove uncertainty, and reduce the time required to construct and work over wells. This reduces the time required to drill a well and therefore the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity associated with each well.

DuXion Motors Inc. (NL)

Project Title: Express Hybrid Electric Retrofit Solution for Offshore Vessels
Funding Amount: $1,992,300
A factor preventing the offshore marine industry from making significant strides towards a large-scale shift to renewable energy is the large number of diesel vessels currently operating that cannot be easily retrofitted with a hybrid-electric system without incurring significant cost through downtime
DuXion will develop the world’s first 400kW hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system that can be retrofitted to inservice offshore vessels without the need for costly dry docking or significant drive shaft modification, offering Canadian and global vessels a greener propulsion system with significant emissions reductions.
This project will cover an in-depth investigation of design challenges at scale, manufacturing optimization, prototyping and testing, and will deliver a physical prototype that can be used in a demonstrator. https://www.duxion.com

ExxonMobil Canada Properties (NL, ON)

Project Title: Flare Reduction Technology Feasibility Study
Funding Amount: $2,000,000
This study will assess the flare gas stream chemistry and feasibility of installing equipment on the Hibernia platform to support proprietary technology, currently being demonstrated onshore, to reduce flaring. Experimental lab research will be conducted to determine if the proprietary reactor technology configuration can validate a reduction in Hibernia’s flare gas emissions. The study will also consider the spacing limitations associated with the existing offshore facility, equipment design and sizing to ensure viability and applicability of the technology for the installation. Researching innovative options for equipment sizing on Hibernia could lead to the development of technology, that if deemed successful, could lead to a reduction in GHG emissions as less gas is flared. https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/Locations/Canada/ExxonMobil-in-Canada

Growler Energy (NL)

Project Title: Investigation of Offshore Electrification
Funding Amount: $1,532,376
This project assessment will help close the knowledge gap to the barriers that currently exist in electrifying the offshore industry with renewable energy, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from offshore operations.
The project will take a strategic risk-based approach and provide a framework to understand the risks and opportunities associated with using renewable energy sources for offshore power generation. The project will look at how to integrate the renewable energy and offshore oil and gas industries and will deliver a Newfoundland and Labrador-specific Offshore Renewable Energy Electrification roadmap.
https://www.growlerenergy.ca

Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (NL)

Project Title: Hibernia Digital Twin – Power Generation System Digital Prototype
Funding Amount: $1,881,376
The purpose of this project is to build a prototype digital twin of Hibernia’s power generation system to be able to simulate and optimize energy usage on the platform. The ability to simulate various power saving scenarios on the Hibernia platform will enable better line of sight into GHG emission reduction opportunities. Power systems account for a significant amount of an offshore facility’s GHG emissions.
The digital twin will provide the ability to simulate adjustments to electrical loads and optimize power usage to reduce GHG emissions. In addition, a digital twin of the generators themselves will also help optimize the combustion process of the generators in the field. https://www.hibernia.ca

Proponent: Husky Energy, a part of the Cenovus group of companies (NL)

Project Title: Flare Gas Optimization
Amount of ERF funding: $440,713
The SeaRose FPSO (floating, production, storage and offloading vessel) includes open flare and cargo blanketing equipment as part of its primary safety systems. The proposed study will examine the feasibility of employing new processes and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the FPSO that would modernize the existing design capabilities.
The study will examine modification options to reduce venting and flaring from the facility from several sources, including flash gas compression, cargo tank blanketing gas and background flaring. This study will determine the technical and commercial feasibility of these options to recommend a path forward on GHG reduction. www.Cenovus.com

Proponent: Husky Energy, a part of the Cenovus group of companies (NL)

Project Title: Main Power Generation Optimization
Amount of ERF funding: $470,954
The power generation system for the SeaRose FPSO (floating, production storage and offloading vessel) comprises three dual fuel turbine driven generators, which provide power to the process and utility equipment. The SeaRose currently runs three of the main power generators with a partial load. This study will identify the necessary modifications to increase the energy efficiency of the SeaRose power generation system with a target of reliably operating with two main power generators.
This could result in a significant reduction in associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by removing the requirement to run the third main power generator. The study will determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the options and provide a recommendation on the path forward to achieve a GHG reduction.
www.Cenovus.com

Intecsea, a division of Worley (NL)

Project Title: Evaluation of Floating Wind Technology
Funding Amount: $1,346,103
Electrification of offshore oil and gas production facilities eliminates or reduces the requirement for local power generation via turbine generators under normal operation.
This project examines the suitability of potential offshore floating wind concepts in the NL offshore, using wind energy to supply power to offshore facilities, reducing the need for fuel powered turbine generators, and thereby decreasing GHG emissions from power generation.
The study looks at the full-field approach, from suitability of design to construction to operations and maintenance of offshore wind technology. https://www.worley.com

M.A. Procense Inc. (NL)

Project Title: Developing Compact Capture Technology for Removal of CO2
Funding Amount: $1,380,393
This project will build a prototype of an advanced and compact system to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the exhaust gas of power generation systems including gas turbines and steam generation systems. The proposed system addresses the weight and space restriction challenges of offshore installations.
The protype will use an integrated system to separate solid carbon dioxide from the exhaust of power generation systems. The separated CO2 by the proposed system can be further pressurized and made ready for storage.

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Science, Dr. Michael Katz (NL)

Project Title: Separation First Technology – Development and Demonstration of Porous Materials for the Reduction of CO2 in Offshore Oil Production
Funding Amount: $655,900
This proof-of-concept project aims to explore the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to sequester carbon dioxide from offshore oil and gas exhaust streams that can be subsequently stored or converted to other products.
MOFs are a porous material that can be designed at the atomic level for different applications and can be tuned by changing the size, shape and surface chemistry to make CO2 separation more efficient. Having developed and pilot tested a potential MOF porous material, this project will focus on developing a small-scale filtration system to separate carbon dioxide from a simulated exhaust stream, which will be capable of being scaled up to real-world offshore applications.
www.mun.ca/science

SOURCES & PHOTOS:
Natural Resources Canada, PRNL, Atlantic Towing

Oceana Canada calls to Put Wild Fish First in Developing a Blue Economy Strategy

Tina Olivero — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:38:34 +0000

On the eve of World Oceans Day, new polling¹ released today from Oceana Canada finds that an overwhelming majority of Canadians care deeply about healthy oceans and protecting wild fish populations: 97 per cent say it is important that the Canadian government work to rebuild fish populations to healthy levels, and 95 per cent of all Canadians — 99 per cent of Atlantic Canadians — say it is an important part of our post-pandemic economic recovery.

Canada has not kept pace with progressive fishing nations in correcting the historic mistake of overfishing by allowing fish populations to rebuild, thus creating healthier ecosystems, more jobs, food and income, and opportunities to practice cultural traditions. However, right now, there is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix this. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is asking for input before June 15, 2021, to help shape its Blue Economy Strategy that aims to make the oceans healthy and prosperous as part of Canada’s plan to ‘build back better’ from the economic and social havoc wreaked by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the face of the global pandemic and environmental threats from climate change, plastic pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction, the need to protect and restore our oceans has never been more urgent. However, most of the historically bountiful wild fish populations we have relied on for food, jobs, income, culture and recreation have been collapsed for decades or are declining due to overfishing and mismanagement. Only a quarter of Canada’s fisheries are healthy.

“The original foundation of Canada’s ‘blue economy’ has always been our most plentiful and naturally renewing resource: wild fish – which today support the largest job, income and revenue-generating sector within Canada’s ocean-based economy,” said Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. “Rebuilding fish to healthy, abundant levels must be central to any blue economy strategy, for our oceans and for all the people that rely on them.”

“For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Canada can be a leader with a regenerative blue economy strategy that is the envy of the world, but only if it prioritizes our oceans’ most renewable resource. Without wild fish, there is no blue economy,” said Laughren. “We urge the many Canadians who care so passionately about this issue to join us and call on the government to deliver on its promise to rebuild Canada’s once world-class fisheries, which we have systematically depleted over the past century, for the sake of all those who rely on it today and as a moral obligation to future generations,” said Laughren.

“The good news is that the government already knows what to do,” added Laughren, “It needs to fulfill its mandate commitments to ensure healthy fisheries, using an ecosystem-based approach that prioritizes the long-term health of the ocean. Specifically, this includes implementing strong Fisheries Act regulations that require quality rebuilding plans with timelines and targets for rebuilding.”

Oceana Canada is asking Canadians to call on the government this World Oceans Day to step up to protect our oceans and our economy by signing its petition before the government’s Blue Economy Strategy submission deadline of June 15, 2021.

Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. We work with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and the federal government to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada’s oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits and protect our future.

SAM ALLEN: Launches ENAIMCO subsea asset integrity management services in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Tina Olivero — Wed, 05 May 2021 14:08:48 +0000

Asset Integrity Management (AIM) is the process of inspecting, measuring, monitoring, testing, maintaining and remediating operations throughout the life of an energy project from design through decommissioning.

With peak performance and optimization of assets as a key foundation for energy success, asset integrity management will be one of the most sought after services in the energy sector in the years to come. The global, asset integrity management market, is estimated to be at least 24 Billion USD by 2025. The energy industry dominates this market.

Sam Allen, Founder of ENAIMCO’s says, “With over 30 years of experience in the offshore industry, working with world-class engineers we are poised for great global gains. The mission is to provide a world-class subsea asset integrity management service with a focus on digital technology and the energy transition. ENIAMCO will achieve the vision by combining expertise from the province of Newfoundland’s oil and gas industry with expertise from the province’s rapidly growing tech sector to build a powerful capability that can be utilized by the energy industry globally. The paradigm shift that is taking place in the overall value of offshore asset integrity management (through cheaper, more accessible, more understandable data) will drive significant demand for asset integrity management products.”

Allen’s vision includes providing high-value jobs and contributing to the province’s energy and technology sector in the post-COVID digital world. They anticipate hiring between 10 and 15 new team members within the first six months of operations and ENAIMCO will grow to a company of 60+ people within the first five years.

Allen explains the corporate strategy, “The asset integrity management service is comprised of a series of ten discrete modules. These ten modules come together to form a full-service product: Asset Integrity Management as a Service (AIMaaS). Through this full-service offering, clients will be able to interrogate their cloud-based digital twin using their phone or laptop from anywhere in the world. They will always know and understand the health and the life expectancy of their subsea assets. They will be able to view a vast array of data and information through a contextualised interface with data recovery times measured in seconds.”

Market for ENAIMCO’s AIMaaS Products

AIMaaS products will be of great value to the Newfoundland offshore energy sector by enabling the life extension of all of the existing fields, the larger market is global and ranges across the full spectrum of offshore energy production.

The oil and gas industry is looking for solutions to reduce costs and extend the life of assets. At the same time, oil and gas companies have been shedding technical jobs (and competency) in response to both the extended industry turn down and COVID-19, thus driving the need to outsource asset integrity management services. Hence the need for ENAIMCO.

Additionally, the offshore wind energy market is expanding rapidly. The wind sector has always been extremely focused on cost and AIMaaS products will be as applicable to offshore wind energy production as they will be to oil and gas.

New Hire: Stephen Lane, Senior Analysis Engineer, ENAIMCO, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Collaboration

ENAIMCO has entered into agreements with Newfoundland and Labrador companies GRi Simulations Inc. and ICI Innovations Limited to develop its digital twin technology. They are also collaborating with Kraken Robotics (data acquisition); Rutter (data acquisition); Frontier Subsea (engineering) and Pennecon (renewables and hydro). They expect to be adding several more local companies to this list in the coming months. They will act as a hub for Newfoundland and Labradorian companies, enabling their access to the subsea asset integrity market and their entry into the offshore wind energy market.

Strategic Advantage in a post COVID-19 Digital World

A positive spin-off of the COVID-19 pandemic is the realization that work can be performed from anywhere in the world. ENAIMCO located in downtown St. John’s is also virtually located in the energy corridor of Houston; the Seaport district of Boston; in Oslo’s “Silicon Valley” and on St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA.

Allen says, “We believe Newfoundland and Labrador is ideally situated to establish a centre of excellence for asset integrity management. The convergence of cloud technology and asset integrity management services ensures the storage of data in a remote location, with proper back-up, and allows operators to access this information from anywhere in the world.”

The Province’s Gateway to the Renewables Industry

ENAIMCO’s AIMaaS products represent a strategic global market entry opportunity in the ever-growing renewables sector. Their ability to provide an end-to-end asset integrity management subscription service to routinely inspect, continually analyze and provide predictive analytics to allow cost-effective management of subsea wind farm assets will bring considerable value.

First Mover Advantage

Allen explains the need to act now, “As digital asset integrity management is an emerging industry with a growing market share, there is a unique opportunity to enter the market early and establish a world-leading position – however, first-mover advantage is critical and the time to enter the industry and establish a presence with our world-class resource base is now.”

New Hire: Patrick Cochrane, Senior Analysis Engineer, ENAIMCO, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Generated Environmental Benefits

Allen says, “This initiative will help fast forward the trend toward autonomous surface vessels (ASV) and asset resident AUVs. As ASVs use a fraction of the fuel used by traditional survey vessels, there will be an associated reduction in GHG emissions. By using data-driven insights to foresee data-driven problems before they happen, our service will significantly reduce the total number of vessel intervention days required over the life of the field. We estimate that our AIMaaS service will result in a net reduction of OPEX offshore vessel days of 30%.”

ENAIMCO’s Commitment to Success

ENAIMCO is led by an experienced leadership team with a strong record of delivery in the province. They are employing strong, like-minded individuals and we are all committed to establishing a world-leading subsea asset integrity management long-distance and headquartered in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Enaimco team is hopeful that they will be successful with their application for funding from the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry Relief Fund as this will provide the first-mover advantage that is needed. Allen says, “We look forward to making Newfoundland a centre of excellence in the digital energy sector and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and members of your team and answer any questions you may have.”

Chevron & Honeywell: World’s First Commercial ISOALKY Ionic Liquids Alkylation Unit

Tina Olivero — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:48:51 +0000

Chevron Corporation and Honeywell have announced the commissioning and start-up of the world’s first commercial-scale ISOALKY process unit that utilizes ionic liquids to produce alkylate. The ISOALKY™ technology represents a major innovation in alkylation technology.

First used in Chevron’s Salt Lake City refinery, the ISOALKY™ technology is designed to meet the refining industry’s needs for a cost-effective alternative to conventional liquid acid systems that offers process safety advantages. Using a non-aqueous liquid salt, or ionic liquid, the revolutionary new catalytic process is handled with standard personal protective equipment and produces a valuable high-octane blending component that helps lower the environmental impact of gasoline. Pioneered by Chevron U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron, and licensed to Honeywell UOP, the technology is offered to the entire industry under the ISOALKY™ brand name.

“The ISOALKY™ plant is an exciting achievement for Chevron and the Salt Lake Refinery, and it’s poised to be a game changer for the refining industry,” said Mike Coyle, president of Chevron Manufacturing. “We are proud of the talent and teamwork demonstrated by our people and Honeywell UOP to bring this project to fruition.”

“ISOALKY is a groundbreaking new technology for refiners, and a lower-risk and economical solution compared to conventional liquid acid technologies that produce alkylate,” said Bryan Glover, president and CEO of Honeywell UOP. “Ionic liquids have strong acid properties that enable them to produce alkylate without the volatility of conventional acids, allowing for simpler handling procedures. Together with Chevron, Honeywell UOP has commercialized a solution that meets the rising global demand for cleaner-burning fuels at a lower cost while simplifying complex handling requirements.”

ISOALKY™ technology can be used in new refineries as well as in existing facilities undergoing capital expansion or retrofit applications. ISOALKY™ technology has wider and improved feed flexibility relative to conventional alkylation technologies. Ionic liquids are regenerated on-site, eliminating the need for road or marine transportation for offsite regeneration and polymer byproduct handling. More information about ISOALKY™ technology can be found here.

Honeywell UOP (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. Honeywell UOP is part of Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions (www.honeywellprocess.com), a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries.

About Chevron

Chevron U.S.A. Inc. is a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, Chevron Corporation is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemicals and additives; generates power; and develops and deploys technologies that enhance business value in every aspect of the company’s operations. Chevron is based in San Ramon, CA. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Their technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Tina Olivero: Learning From Norway

Tina Olivero — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:15:59 +0000

One thousand years ago, the Norwegian Vikings ventured into the unforgiving mighty Atlantic Ocean to find new lands. As fate would have it, they discovered the Great Northern Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland. With a similar coastline, fishing, hunting and gathering, the Vikings must have felt very much at home in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today, we can see the remnants of the timber-sod homes made by the Vikings, nestled into the shores of Lance-aux-Meadows, Newfoundland.

Time and time again throughout history, it seems we have connected with Norway. They have been our oceanic counterparts and colleagues, and we have learned from each other for centuries.

Norway: A world leader in the life and work

Live-ability is a cultural discourse. It means, to live in harmony in your environment with a sense of purpose of work and contribution. It is also the ability to have financial stability, a high level of connection to nature and the people around you.

While we all have different definitions of what makes a perfect place to live, you cannot argue with the fact that for decades now, Norway has gotten full marks across the board in terms of health care, quality of work and life, and the happiness factor. How did they get there?

Thriving means approaching resources from a unified position of strength

It is said that our suffering often becomes our greatest teacher and so it was for Norway. During the second world war, Norway was brought to its knees. A decimated country they were forced to re-imagine a new way of life.

Through a national visionary plan, the Norwegians found the silver lining from the war. This resulted in a unified state which has proven to be spectacularly beneficial to the Norwegian way of life.

From war, the Norwegians learned quickly, that surviving was not enough. Thriving meant approaching resources from a position of strength. As a result, Norway built state-directed processes and protocols that not only made the country one of the most successful offshore oil and gas regions on earth, they are also the largest cultivator and exporter of Salmon in the world and have a multitude of other booming industry sectors emphasizing marine and coastal community success.

Norway has a code of social behaviour that emphasizes living with modesty, the collective in mind, and with social equality. One person is no better than the other and they define national success by everyone succeeding. The Norwegians clearly understand that a rising tide lifts all boats.

Norway’s Oil Discovery & The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate

In 1969 oil was discovered on the Norwegian continental shelf. Quickly Norway aligned themselves with policy, management and procedures that would ensure the entire country benefitted from the resource which ultimately led to the extreme wealth and prosperity they have today. This contrasts with Canada’s free-market approach where the market determines the pace and scope of development of our resources. Norway’s model has proven to be far more successful.

In 2012 the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate was formed to create the greatest possible value from oil and gas for Norway’s people. The Government Pension Fund was established for surplus oil revenues which is now the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund.

Before Covid-19 hit, 2019 saw Norway’s $1.1 trillion wealth fund have the greatest increase in value in a single year in the fund’s history. The Government Pension Fund in 2019, returned a whopping $34,000 for each person in Norway. Today the overall value of the fund is equivalent to over $200,000 for every person in the country. That’s the power of taking control of their natural resources.

The Government Pension Fund currently holds stakes in over 9000 companies globally making Norway a global shareholder of 1.5% of all listed stocks on the planet. With a focus on Apple and Microsoft stocks, the fund also diversified with investments in bonds and real estate. Those investments are paying off.

Norway’s success formula: A resource-focused mindset

Norway’s resource-focused mindset and peak performance commitment have produced; a booming industry, jobs, research, and logistics. If they can do it, so can we.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel, but rather learn from Norway and adopt the Norwegian state-focused mindset to the province. If we did, it could mean a booming economy and a sustainable future. It could mean business thriving. It could mean a growing and contributing population. It could be the place where our youth would want to stay and raise their families. It could mean the opportunity for young Newfoundlanders and Labradorean’s to make their way back home from other places around the globe.

There is no reason why Canada and indeed Newfoundland and Labrador cannot follow Norway’s lead. We have just about every comparable resource that Norway has.

Newfoundland and Labrador provide a unique, majestic, once-in-a-lifetime coastal experience, with varied cultural assets. The scenery here is unprecedented. You can take pictures of an iceberg in April and be swimming with whales in July. It is truly remarkable.

Norway and Newfoundland have similar geographic and industrial opportunities, yet Norway prospers while Newfoundland and Labrador have consistently walked the poverty line. That is a sad reality whereby the stark contrast should no longer be acceptable.

Where does Newfoundland and Labrador fare in the ‘Livability’ equation today?

How about Canada?

While we may think we are modern, liberal and ahead of the game here in Canada, according to the “Human Development Report,” Canada is not even in the top ten best countries in the world to live.

Newfoundland and Labrador is being controlled by a complicated federal system that is believed to be free and democratic. The reality is, there is nothing democratic or free about poverty.

Rather than being state-owned and prosperous like Norway, we are at the mercy of policy whims and changing central governments. Sadly, this province is left without a steadfast, focused, unified, national plan that works.

A large part of Norway’s success can be attributed to its unitary government system. Effective decision making has promoted coordinated state action at the right times with the right organizational model.

In 1972, the visionary Norwegian government founded Statoil ASA, an integrated petroleum company, which by 2012 provided dividends from government shares worth $2.4-billion.

Today, Equinor is the global energy company which spun out of Statoil ASA. Equinor energizes 170 million people every day with operations in over 30 countries. This energy company specializes in oil and gas, renewables, carbon capture and hydrogen and is the foundation for Norway’s energy success.

The structure of the country’s oil and gas assets include three foundational considerations:

Peak performance in financial profitability
Peak performance in Exploration and production
Peak performance in oil and gas distribution channels

The foundation of Norway’s petroleum industry success is grounded on these three pillars working in unison. This strategic model allows for an abundance of Norwegian shareholder revenues, royalties, taxes, a booming supply sector, development of harbour bases, coastal development and this, in turn, ignites other sectors such as aquaculture and tourism in Norway’s coastal communities.

Failure is not an option for Norway. As a result of maximizing natural resources, building coastal communities and with all levels of resource development supported, there are no loopholes for failure. There are no opposing governments or wasted time in blame and opposing views. They simply get on with it.

By all accounts, this is the way forward for Newfoundland and Labrador. If we had majority ownership in our oil and gas projects and were in control of development and energy distribution, we would align with the vision of our Norwegian counterparts. Why not? They have already proven it to be successful.

Strategic positioning with global proximity

Like Norway, Newfoundland and Labrador has the opportunity to be a world-class leader in, not only oil and gas but also renewable energy, the fishery, aquaculture, tourism and a cross-section of leading digital technologies. We are suppliers of everything from; oil to European markets, to Nickel for Elon Musk’s new vehicles, not to mention Verafin has proven that we are world-class, cybersecurity experts.

We do have it all in Newfoundland and Labrador. Making it come to fruition is a matter of developing our resource-rich province to its full potential.

Imagine if our coastal ports, harbours, and outlets were developed like Norway. We could transform sleeping communities into strategic shipping ports and supply bases that supporting oil and gas operations and other marine industries. We are strategically situated amid global shipping lanes and we must tap into powerful and obvious opportunities. Imagine what we are currently losing out on, because of unclear, timid and unambitious policy leadership.

Imagine great fishing ports from our rich past such as Fermeuse Harbour being tapped once again to service new industries plus revitalized fishing efforts. Such obvious provincial assets must become world-class destinations because of their obvious strategic proximity to offshore fields, global shipping lanes and established fishing interests. Why is it not our very top priority to promote developments to create lasting competitive advantages for our province?

Envision the future: With supply bases and ports like the Fermeuse Offshore Base.
This is the opportunity for Newfoundland’s coastal communities.

The Norwegian model would have seen the development of a unique port such as Fermeuse Harbour decades ago. Indeed, they have developed over a dozen Fermeuse Harbours since the 1960s. Their forethought has provided urban/rural balance and the most cost-effective and flexible industrial marine supply bases on the planet. These farsighted approaches have supported their amazing industrial growth and it is why they are currently per capita the richest nation on earth.

Extraordinary Oil Plays

If Hibernia has taught us anything, it is that our offshore projects are bigger, more profitable and more successful than originally thought. And that has happened time and time again with our offshore projects including Terra Nova, White Rose and Hebron.

So, the question beckons, what are we waiting for? It’s not risky to invest in our resources. Rather it lacks vision and intelligence, not to.

Norway has a comparatively similar hotbed of offshore oil plays, similar ocean water temperatures, similar fish stocks, fishing grounds and fish populations, similar petroleum formations, and similar seismic revealing massive oil potential at sea. Therefore, not taking a chance on being the primary investor in our oil projects, given what history has shown us, is counterproductive and leaves us at the mercy of constant oil price swings and haphazard outside investment.

Over the last thirty years, the current model of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil development has proven to be marginally effective.

Are we going to settle for ‘marginal’?

Norway’s majority oil shares in their offshore projects put them in direct control of operations, profits, environmental approvals, tax benefits, jobs and the overall, long-term success of the nation. It is a model that’s been so successful that they have the largest trust fund in the world at well over a $TRILLION.

With this trust fund as a foundation, Norway will most likely succeed at anything and just about everything they do. Everything from RENEWABLE energy, global investing and local country developments is what they have to look forward to. In Norway, doing anything less would be considered short-sighted and a losing proposition for the collective.

Norway as a country with 5 million people has been visionary with its natural resources. As a result, they are living with security, debt-free, and they now have a steady diet of opportunities to succeed. They are grounded in equality, appreciation and the simple things in life.

Newfoundland and Labrador have been in such a mindset of ‘lack’ that we would take a short-term job in exchange for our future. This goes for the individual as well as our local businesses. We have so much to lose that we are paralyzed. Rather than recognize and confront these realities we blame the last group in political power. This is getting so predictable and so old. What’s worse, it’s costing us our prosperity, security and our happiness day-to-day.

Canada’s free market is not free if we are in extreme debt!

We use the reasoning that Canada has to come to the table to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy resources are developed. Indeed, Canada does. And indeed, Canada should. If Canada can’t see the bridge from oil and gas to new energy then that short-sightedness is a reason for everyone to demand the future we deserve.

It is time for the visionaries and the action-takers to come to the table with a National development strategy that reaps the rewards of our natural resources for all Canadians. We do not drop fossil fuels for a low carbon economy, to later find out that new energy is not the perfect answer we had hoped. The way forward is to develop our resources, meet global energy demand and ensure that we have the revenues needed to address climate change with the highest level of action.

Like Norway, we can care for the environment and as we transition to a new energy mix. Oil and gas are the bridge to new energy. Anything less will create havoc for our future. Norway who is successful in oil and gas production and emission control has shown us that it’s not one or the other, it’s both. Norway has a massive oil and gas windfall and has prudent financial profit structures in play. This has secured its future.

This is a call to all Canadians. Much like the devastating impact of war on Norway, Covid-19 has brought us to our knees as a nation. Norway has shown us what is possible when it comes to rebuilding a country with precision and vision. We can learn from them and use this opportunity to build unity and collaboration in our government.

It’s a new year and a new start. We can use this time for restructuring and hope. We can use this time to build a nation that is powerful and sustainable; one fit to leave to our children and oil and gas is the foundation for all of that.

ABB’s new analytics and AI software helps producers optimize operations in demanding market conditions

Tina Olivero — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 15:32:24 +0000

The ABB Ability™ Genix Industrial Analytics and AI Suite is a scalable advanced analytics platform with pre-built, easy-to-use applications and services. It collects, contextualizes and converts operational, engineering and information technology data into actionable insights that help industries improve operations, optimize asset management and streamline business processes safely and sustainably.

Analyst studies suggest that industrial companies typically are able to use only 20 percent¹ of the data generated, which severely limits their ability to apply data analytics meaningfully. ABB’s new solution operates as a digital data convergence point where streams of information from diverse sources across the plant and enterprise are put into context through a unified analytics model. Application of artificial intelligence on this data produces meaningful insights for prediction and optimization that improve business performance.

With the new EtherNet/IP interface, ABB’s Universal Motor Controllers not only benefit from one more way of communication, but flexible mounting in- and outside drawers enables maximum uptime as well.

“We believe that the place to start a data analytics journey in the process, energy and hybrid industries is by building on the existing digital technology – the automation that controls the production processes,” said Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB Industrial Automation. “We see a huge opportunity for our customers to use their data from operations better, by combining it with engineering and information technology data for multi-dimensional decision making. This new approach will help our customers make literally billions of better decisions.”

ABB Ability™ Genix is composed of a data analytics platform and applications, supplemented by ABB services, that help customers decide which assets, processes and risk profiles can be improved, and assists customers in designing and applying those analytics. Featuring a library of applications, customers can subscribe to a variety of analytics on demand, as business needs dictate, speeding up the traditional process of requesting and scheduling support from suppliers.

Scalable from plant to enterprise, ABB Ability™ Genix supports a variety of deployments including cloud, hybrid and on-premise. ABB Ability™ Genix leverages Microsoft Azure for integrated cloud connectivity and services through ABB’s strategic partnership with Microsoft.

“The ABB Ability™ Genix Suite brings unique value by unlocking the combined power of diverse data, domain knowledge, technology and AI,” said Rajesh Ramachandran, Chief Digital Officer for ABB Industrial Automation. “ABB Ability™ Genix helps asset-intensive producers with complex processes to make timely and accurate decisions through deep analytics and optimization across the plant and enterprise.

“We have designed this modular and flexible suite so that customers at different stages in their digitalization journey can adopt ABB Ability™ Genix to accelerate business outcomes while protecting existing investments.”

A key component of ABB Ability™ Genix is the ABB Ability™ Edgenius Operations Data Manager that connects, collects, and analyzes operational technology data at the point of production. ABB Ability™ Edgenius uses data generated by operational technology such as DCS and devices to produce analytics that improve production processes and asset utilization. ABB Ability™ Edgenius can be deployed on its own, or integrated with ABB Ability™ Genix so that operational data is combined with other data for strategic business analytics.

“There is great value in data generated by automation that controls real-time production,” said Bernhard Eschermann, Chief Technology Officer for ABB Industrial Automation. “With ABB Ability™ Edgenius, we can pull data from these real-time control systems and make it available to predict issues and prescribe actions that help us use assets better and fine-tune production processes.”

Further details can be found online:

ABB Ability™ Genix

ABB Ability™ Edgenius

ABB Industrial Automation ABB’s Industrial Automation business offers a broad range of products, systems, and solutions for customers in the process and hybrid industries. These include industry-specific services, as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. ABB’s Industrial Automation business is #2 in the market globally. With deep domain knowledge, experience and expertise, ABB Industrial Automation helps customers increase their competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

Business Leaders Call for Federal Investment in Offshore Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 12:37:31 +0000

Community and business leaders, as well as supporters throughout Canada, are united to send a clear message to the Government of Canada that action is needed to attract investment in the offshore oil and gas industry and help thousands of Canadians get back to work. Upwards of 100 leaders have spoken out about what the offshore means to them and their organization.

PREDICTED DEVASTATING LOSS

Over the next 10 years, the estimated loss to the province due to deferment and loss of oil and gas exploration and development projects could be substantial:

$11 billion in provincial revenues impacting programs, infrastructure, education and health care throughout communities in Newfoundland and Labrador;
$59 billion of total provincial GDP;
90,000 person-years of employment, resulting in significantly lower consumer spending in retail, restaurants, real estate, and other services; and
The province’s best opportunity to be an international clean growth leader and oceans technology hub.

LOW CARBON ECONOMY

The world is moving towards a low carbon economy. Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry represents one of the lowest carbon per barrel footprints in the world. Greenhouse gas emissions can be further reduced by making immediate investments in the development of lower carbon fossil fuels. Reducing global emissions by providing the world with Newfoundland and Labrador oil to help supply increasing global energy demand is a valuable contribution to the fight against climate change.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry fully supports protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions and working with governments to meet provincial, national, and international emissions reduction targets.

Through its commitment to lower carbon and clean technology, the offshore oil and gas industry will be a catalyst for clean growth innovation. The technologies developed will also accelerate the diversification of the province’s economy.

The Newfoundland and Labrador approach mirrors that of Norway, a global environmental leader, which has steadily increased oil and gas production since 2012 due to its government’s policy of stimulating exploration and development while simultaneously taking significant actions to move to a low carbon economy and developing new clean technologies that are being exported worldwide. Newfoundland and Labrador can lead Canada’s energy future and make Canada a global clean growth leader like Norway.

The importance of the oil industry to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador cannot be overstated with an estimated 30 per cent of GDP, 13 per cent of labour compensation and 10 per cent of employment (over the 2010 to 2017 period). As of March 31, 2020 there were 6,390 people directly employed on NL offshore oil and gas development projects while thousands more were employed in supporting industries.

All Canadians are encouraged to join in this call for support for the offshore. To ask your Member of Parliament, and members of the federal cabinet, to support the offshore oil and gas industry, please visit: www.energycitizens.ca/noia.

ABB teams up with Yinson on offshore oil and gas project in Brazil

Tina Olivero — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 12:33:18 +0000

ABB has signed an agreement with energy solutions provider Yinson for electrical, control and telecommunication equipment and services onboard the FPSO Anna Nery bound for the Marlim 2 oil field in Campos Basin, Brazil. Yinson secured the contract to convert the 2002 Crude Oil Tanker leading operations and maintenance of the FPSO. The vessel is planned to operate on the field for 25 years.

Leveraging its ABB Ability™ System 800xA control system with Select Input/Output (IO), ABB will take responsibility for integration engineering in the project, integrating all the production modules onboard the vessel into a combined Integrated Safety and Control System (ICSS).

Yinson’s Chief Executive Officer Offshore Production, Flemming Grønnegaard added: “We are committed to deliver this FPSO in a lean, efficient, timely manner, and we believe that ABB’s technology solutions and experience on numerous other projects of this nature will enable us to achieve this. Marlim 2 is an important project for Yinson, and given ABB’s global experience and expertise, we have confidence in ABB as partners for FPSO Anna Nery.”

This is one of several offshore projects where ABB will utilize its Select IO for more efficient project execution. Select IO is an ethernet based, single-channel input output system, where field signals are digitally marshaled in smart junction boxes. Utilizing ABB’s xStream engineering approach alongside digital marshaling, Select IO will reduce project time by allowing the project team to decouple the hardware and software tasks and fully standardize the cabinet design. Cabinets can then be installed and terminated at a much earlier phase during construction. ABB will perform all software engineering in a cloud-based system bringing the hardware and software application together at a later stage utilizing Select IO digital marshaling. This seamless integration will improve interface for topside production, safety systems, marine systems, telecom packages, surveillance equipment and the electrical systems.

Brandon Spencer, managing director of ABB Energy Industries said: “We have a strong heritage in delivering Electrical, Control and Telecommunication packages for FPSOs both in Brazil and worldwide from our global lead centers in Singapore and Norway. In deploying ABB Ability™ System 800xA on this FPSO, we can help Yinson streamline project execution and their operations. This will enhance overall equipment effectiveness, in turn providing key data insights that will help make real time decisions on performance.”

The collaboration between the two companies will span the globe, with regional ABB teams working with Yinson in Asia and on site in Brazil, whilst drawing on the company’s global offshore expertise from its team based in Norway.

ABB has a strong track record in delivering digital solutions for FPSOs, working previously on several other FPSO projects including Maersk Peregrino, The Goliat and Armada Olombendo FPSO.

ABB Industrial Automation ABB’s Industrial Automation business offers a broad range of products, systems, and solutions for customers in the process and hybrid industries. These include industry-specific integrated automation, electrification and digital solutions, control technologies, software, and lifecycle services, as well as measurement and analytics, marine and turbocharging offerings. ABB’s Industrial Automation business is #2 in the market globally. With deep domain knowledge, experience and expertise, ABB Industrial Automation helps customers increase their competitiveness, improve their return on investment and run safe, smart, and sustainable operations.

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

Husky Energy Cuts 2020 Capital Spending to $1.7 Billion

Tina Olivero — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 13:22:17 +0000

Husky Energy is significantly reducing capital expenditures and shutting in negative cash margin production as further measures to strengthen its business given market conditions caused by COVID-19.

“We have taken immediate action to preserve our balance sheet and core business in this commodity price environment,” said CEO Rob Peabody. “Our focus remains on health and safety, and on increasing Husky’s resilience.

“As the market rebalances supply with demand over a very short period in North America, negative cash margins before operating costs are occurring. Reducing production minimizes our negative cash margin exposure.”

Husky has important advantages in the current economic environment, including: a strong balance sheet, an Integrated Corridor that includes a sizeable midstream and downstream segment, and Offshore operations underpinned by long-term gas contracts in the Asia Pacific region.

Husky’s plan includes:

Continuing to advance process and occupational safety performance
Reducing and deferring all discretionary capital spending
Liquidity improvements
Reducing production and refinery throughput to address near-term negative cash margins until supply and demand is rebalanced

Additional $700 Million in Capital Reductions

Husky previously announced 2020 spending reductions of $1 billion, including $900 million in capital expenditures and $100 million in cost-saving measures.

2020 capital guidance is further revised as follows:

Production and Throughput Reductions

Husky continues to safely shut-in production across its Integrated Corridor business, where appropriate. To date, Integrated Corridor production has been reduced by more than 80,000 barrels per day (bbls/day), most of which is heavy oil, with the ability to reduce even further while preserving the option to quickly ramp back up should pricing conditions allow.

Integrated Corridor production is being aligned with upgrading and refining requirements as throughput is adjusted and optimized in line with changing market conditions. As a result, updated 2020 production and throughput guidance will not be provided at this time. Current U.S. refinery throughput has been reduced by around 95,000 bbls/day, or approximately 40% below maximum capacity.

INCREASED LIQUIDITY

Husky continues to prioritize its balance sheet, supported by significant liquidity. As of the end of the first quarter, the Company had approximately $4.7 billion of liquidity, comprised of $1.3 billion in cash and $3.4 billion in available credit facilities.

Since the end of the first quarter, Husky has increased its liquidity with the recent addition of a $500 million term loan, increasing total liquidity towards $5.2 billion. The term loan proceeds have been used to repay syndicate drawings advanced to repay the maturing 5.0% notes on March 12, 2020.

The Company has no long-term debt maturities until 2022.

OPERATIONS AND PROJECT UPDATES

Husky Lloydminster Upgrader

A planned turnaround scheduled to begin in April 2020 has been deferred to late Q3 2020, given the current safety and public health risks inherent in mobilizing and maintaining a large construction workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintenance work at the Upgrader will proceed where necessary and safe to do so, and operations and throughput will be modified in accordance with maintenance requirements.

A project at the Upgrader to increase diesel production from 6,000 bbls/day to nearly 10,000 bbls/day has also been deferred to late Q3 2020.

Superior Refinery

Rebuild construction at the Superior Refinery in Wisconsin has been suspended due to the safety and public health risks inherent in maintaining a large construction workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. A schedule for resumption will be determined in due course. Rebuild costs are expected to be substantially covered by property damage insurance.

Lloydminster Thermal Projects

Lloydminster thermal bitumen production, including the Tucker Thermal Project, has been reduced due to anticipated production backlogs in Western Canada as North American refinery throughputs adjust to the dramatic stall in product consumption.

These types of projects have the flexibility to be safely ramped down to minimum rates and then quickly ramped back up once pricing conditions improve.

Commissioning activities are being completed at the 10,000-barrel-per-day Spruce Lake Central thermal project, with enhanced health and safety protocols in place. Startup will be dependent on improved pricing conditions.

Construction of the 10,000 barrel-per-day Spruce Lake North thermal project, originally scheduled for completion around the end of 2020, has been suspended, and additional Lloyd projects to be delivered beyond 2020 have been deferred.

Sunrise Energy Project

A major turnaround that was scheduled to start at Sunrise in April has been deferred due to public health and safety considerations related to COVID-19. Other maintenance work at Sunrise will proceed where necessary and safe to do so, with operations and production modified in accordance with maintenance requirements.

Husky operates Sunrise and its partner operates the jointly-owned BP-Husky Toledo Refinery near Toledo, Ohio.

Western Canada Production

Western Canada oil and gas production is being reduced or shut in. No further capital expenditures are planned in 2020.

Atlantic Region

Major construction activities related to the West White Rose Project have been suspended due to COVID-19.

Production at the main White Rose field continues, with enhanced workforce control measures designed to ensure safe operations on the SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Husky has a 72.5% working interest in the White Rose field and a 68.8% working interest in the satellite extensions, including West White Rose.

The planned drydock for the Terra Nova FPSO vessel is being reviewed by the operator and alternative options are being considered to complete maintenance work and asset-life extension activities. Husky has a 13% working interest in the Terra Nova oil field.

Asia Pacific Region

Production at the Liwan Gas Project offshore China has returned to full rates following an extended Chinese New Year break related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Husky has a 49% working interest in the Liwan 3-1 and Liuhua 34-2 fields.

The Liuhua 29-1 field at Liwan is advancing towards first production by the end of 2020. Husky holds a 75% working interest in the field, which once fully ramped up will add approximately 9,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to its fixed-price Asia Pacific production.

The BD Project in the Madura Strait offshore Indonesia has returned to full rates following planned maintenance in the first quarter. Husky has a 40% working interest in the project.

Canadian Retail & Commercial Fuels Business

Due to the current market environment, Husky has suspended the strategic review of its Canadian retail and commercial fuels business, which consists of more than 500 stations, travel centres, cardlock operations and bulk distribution facilities.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Husky is responding to the evolving COVID-19 situation, with safety and health protection plans in place that incorporate medical advice for all its sites. Our priority is the health and safety of our workforce, their families and the community.

We have taken steps to protect our employees and contractors, whether working in the office or in the field. This includes closely following the advice and direction of health authorities and governments, as well as our medical experts.

Those who can work from home are, and we’ve implemented precautionary measures at our field locations. These vary depending on the requirements of the site, however all locations:

Restrict non-essential personnel and visitors
Ensure allowed visitors complete a health check
Undergo more frequent and deeper cleaning of common areas and common touch points
Stagger breaks and lunch times to reduce the number of people in an area at one time
Add more hand washing and sanitization stations
Practice social distancing of 2-3 metres and good hygiene

We have taken additional steps at projects where there were larger construction or maintenance crews on-site, including suspending major construction activities at the West White Rose Project, suspending construction activities at the Superior Refinery rebuild and deferring a turnaround at the Lloydminster Upgrader.

Husky Suppliers

Individuals approved to work on specific sites are not allowed on-site if they have flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days. They must also complete Husky’s COVID-19 health declaration.
Read Husky’s Suppliers update (pdf)

Health Declaration

To gain access to a Husky facility in Canada, individuals must complete Husky’s COVID-19 health declaration.

myHusky Retail Stations

myHusky has expanded hygiene and cleaning practices, including increased frequency of cleaning of common, high-contact areas such as countertops, door handles, tables and menus in restaurants, fueling nozzles and pin pads on pumps and in stores. Retailers and their staff have increased cleaning and sanitizing in washrooms and showers. Read more (myHusky.ca)

SUPERCLUSTER: The Ocean Economy Boost

Tina Olivero — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 07:29:00 +0000

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has a goal of growing the ocean industry in all it’s various forms in Eastern Canada, availing of the 3 $Trillion opportunity that Canada’s ocean and coastline provide. The Ocean Supercluster is expected to create over 3,000 jobs and contribute more than $14 billion to Canada’s economy over 10 years.

The Ocean Supercluster has goal of collaborating with, supporting, and elevating, game-changing innovation projects that will be technologically advanced in terms of ocean related products and services. These innovations will be for sale locally and to the world.

A major key to success of the OSC is the pipeline of project opportunities. There is on-going focus of the management team on identifying potential collaborators and helping organizations develop and mature project ideas to meet the requirements of the OSC. Most recently the Ocean Supercluster announced a primary initiate called the Ocean Startup Project.

The Ocean Startup Project

The Ocean Supercluster, which is one of the federal government’s five superclusters introduced under the Innovation Superclusters Initiative, is rolling out a new program to support ocean technology start-ups.

The Ocean Startup Project aims to increase industrial use of marine technologies and grow the ocean industries workforce by helping businesses hire employees.

The program will identify academic prospects with high potential for commercialization, showcase industry issues and develop solutions with global market potential, and award grants.

The Ocean Supercluster, which focuses on industries like marine renewable energy, fisheries, aquaculture, oil and gas, defence, shipbuilding, and transportation, has partnered with six Atlantic Canadian incubators, accelerators and support organizations for this project: Creative Destruction Lab, Genesis, Innovacorp, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, PEI BioAlliance and Springboard Atlantic.

This project represents a total investment of up to $6.8 million, including over $4.4 million from the federal government ($3.9 million from the Innovation Superclusters Initiative and $535,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and $2.4 million in contributions from Atlantic provincial governments and the six project partners.

Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Ocean Supercluster

Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Ocean Supercluster, said , “The Ocean Startup Project represents an unprecedented collaboration and investment to grow more ocean companies in Atlantic Canada. This is an incredibly important part of building capacity, expanding our capabilities, and setting ourselves up for success as we embark on what we know will become a $3 trillion global ocean opportunity by 2030.”

NOIA AGM: NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICIALS

Tina Olivero — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:57:44 +0000

NOIA members gathered today at the Annual General Meeting 2020 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. New directors were voted in and will serve a two-year term of a voluntary contribution to NOIA and it’ members.

Highlights of the meeting included the highest level of drilling in history, with upwards of 100 exploratory wells to be drilled over the coming decade with high prospects for new oil finds. Advocacy for speedy regulatory processes, supply chain opportunity improvement, and other NOIA support services were also highlighted. Financially NOIA remains profitable and robust as an organization and pledges to support members of the oil and gas industry in new and creative ways.

Noia Conference 2020 is earlier in June than previous years, taking place from June 1-4, 2020, where a conference and exhibition is expected to be one of the best.

Karen Winsor, new NOIA Chair

New NOIA Chair, Karen Winsor, addressed the NOIA members saying, “During the course of the coming year I commit to ensuring value to NOIA members through leadership during difficult times. We will push for policies that allow us to be global leaders…. I believe we are on the cusp of something that is truly amazing.”

Noia welcomed new members to its Board of Directors and thanked outgoing members for their service.

Karen Winsor, Atlantic XL, began her one-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors. James Parmiter, Cahill Group, was acclaimed as Vice-Chair and Christian Somerton, Pennecon, was acclaimed as Treasurer.
Fourteen candidates stood for election for the five vacant positions of Director who serve a two-year term. The successful candidates are:
• Jennifer Haley, Aker Solutions;
• Sheldon Lace, Atlantic Towing;
• Gregory Stacey, KCA Deutag Drilling Canada;
• Denis Mahoney, McInnes Cooper; and,
• Heather Beresford, TechnipFMC.
During the Annual General Meeting, Noia also acknowledged the following outgoing board members for their dedicated service:
Past Chair – Liam O’Shea, Atlantic Offshore Medical Services; Vice-Chair – Karen Winsor, Atlantic XL; and,
Chair – Mark Collett, Crosbie Group.
Directors:
• David Billiard, Aker Solutions;
• Hank Williams, Cougar Helicopters;
• Christian Somerton, Pennecon;
• Ian Arbuckle of RothLochston; and,
• Jason Muise, TechnipFMC.

Changing Waste For Good: In Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:03:31 +0000

When most people think about Newfoundland’s offshore oil and gas industry, they likely focus on exciting ventures into exploration, capital investment or production volumes. Drill mud and other industrial wastes aren’t usually top of mind; they don’t seem to capture as much imagination.

Unless you work for Terrapure Environmental, in which case the opposite is true.

Terrapure has been managing offshore oil and gas waste in Newfoundland for more than 20 years. And as the industry continues to grow, the topic is only getting more interesting, more complex and more meaningful.

First to introduce on-island drill mud management

When Terrapure started to serve Newfoundland’s offshore oil and gas industry, the common practice was to collect waste and transport it to the mainland. There was no on-island infrastructure to handle drill mud, a by-product of oil and gas drilling, which is a significant waste stream.

It did not take long to realize shipping waste was not sustainable, efficient or cost effective. So Terrapure invested in finding a new, on-island solution.

The company started by treating drill mud with chemically aided centrifugation, using chemicals and gravity to break down the mud into oil, solids and water. But Terrapure realized that the oil content in the remaining solids was still high enough to require post treatment, so it expanded the process by adding a bioremediation operation.

The two-step process worked, but the team continued to refine the process.

Today, the company combines a proprietary emulsion-breaking process called “Terrabreak” with thermal desorption for a more efficient and effective result. In essence, what starts as waste drill mud becomes reusable water, reusable oil and ash (which is used as landfill cover). Terrapure is the only company to use this process and eliminate customer waste liability in a matter of days, as opposed to other methods, which take years. Terrapure’s unique approach speaks to the volume of expertise the company has developed over the years.

Acquiring to expand

In Newfoundland, Terrapure has the only site permitted to receive small format and bulk hazardous waste from oil and gas customers. It is also the only company to have a permit to receive Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)- contaminated waste, as well as trained personnel to survey contaminated pipes on offshore platforms.

But being the only one to offer something isn’t enough, especially when there are more needs to be met. To expand its service offerings, Terrapure acquired Envirosystems Inc., which added a deep expertise in industrial services, the full scope of industrial cleaning equipment (e.g. vacuum trucks and vacuum tankers), and a specialized pier for faster turnaround times.

For offshore oil and gas customers, Terrapure can now offload the contents of vessel tanks, clean the tanks quickly and process the waste – all on island. For even more convenient service, Terrapure modified its vacuum trucks to be acoustically compliant with St. John’s bylaws, which allows it to operate 24/7 in the port in downtown St. John’s.

Looking ahead

Just because Terrapure handles the vast majority of the island’s offshore oil and gas waste management needs does not mean it’s time to rest on laurels. Terrapure is continuing to improve its services and expand its expertise.

What can the industry expect? Three things.

First, Terrapure is working on projects to process even more industrial waste on the island.

Second, it wants to reduce manned entries into vessel tanks through automated cleaning. Every time someone enters a vessel tank, it is a risk, and Terrapure is actively looking to reduce the frequency of those risks.

Finally, the company is ramping up efforts to live its brand promise of Changing Waste for Good. For example, Terrapure started diverting oil- contaminated plastic debris from landfill and sending it to be reused to manufacture composite deck boards. For customers, this focus means they can expect solutions that reduce waste, improve operational efficiency and recover value from waste streams.

As the only company that can manage all oil and gas waste streams in Newfoundland, Terrapure is proud to be a part of this industry. Industrial waste might never make it into dinner conversations, but rest assured that it’s being handled locally, effectively and sustainably.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: PRINT VERSION OF THIS STORY

OIL TANKER SIMULATOR: Donated by Teekay to MI

Tina Olivero — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 14:42:24 +0000

The Centre for Marine Simulation at the Marine Institute received a welcome gift from Teekay (Atlantic) Management ULC. Teekay donated a ship bridge simulator providing a generous contribution to support the students of the Marine Institute.

The offshore industry was gathered at the Marine Institute to celebrate the momentous event and included industry stakeholders and special guests from Teekay’s Stavanger office in Norway. This generous $multi-million ships bridge simulator provides 360 visuals and a ‘near-life’ representation of conditions at sea. Marine students will learn to navigate weather, tidal, iceberg and wave conditions that may impact vessel performance giving them a distinct advantage navigating treacherous waters.

Paul White and Rick Cave, of Teekay Atlantic Management, proudly donate
the ship’s bridge simulator at the Centre for Marine Simulation, St. John’s, Newfoundland

Captain Chris Hearn, Director for the Centre for Marine Simulations says, “The technology represents the bridge of the ship and provides competency assurance for Teekay fleets operating on the grand banks. The control systems, the monitors, the displays, the visual system and the advanced physics engine of modelling captures the look and feel of the reality of these ships and the equipment on board. It’s an important resource to the growth, the longevity of our offshore industry and the supply of highly skilled personnel to safely and efficiently operate these shuttle tankers.”

Paul White, Teekay’s Managing Director in the St. John’s office has a long history with shuttle tanker operations. He was on the first-ever vessel to offload Hibernia oil on Christmas eve, decades ago. Paul was proud of this moment at the Marine Institute, “This project means the world to us. We have been a part of the four projects currently working offshore and it’s going to elevate the mariner experience of students here. This means a competent, safe and highly trained workforce for Teekay when we need them.”

Maria Halfyard, Manager of Applied Research and Industrial Projects,
Centre for Marine Simulation, Fisheries and Marine Institute, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Local students and students from around the world will be attracted to Marine Institute’s Centre for Marine Simulation as it provides a world-class level of competence for oil tanker operations, ship manoeuvring, bridge management, and water navigation. Furthermore, simulators at MI can simulate any ship in any environment. That means students gain competence and safety confidence at sea, not only offshore Newfoundland but in the Arctic in some of the other most hazardous regions in the world.

A truly great day!

________________________________________________________

This story is brought to you by The OGM: Our Great Minds

DROPPED OBJECTS THREATEN SAFE OFFSHORE DECOMMISSIONING – DROPSAFE

Tina Olivero — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 09:27:26 +0000

OCTOBER 9TH, 2019 – OFFSHORE & SAFETY:

The offshore Oil & Gas sector urgently needs a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the risks of Dropped Objects (Drops) are mitigated effectively prior to and during decommissioning. If mismanaged, Drops may result in safety risks for personnel, elevated operational costs, and environmental and reputational damage.

This is according to Dropsafe, the global leader in Drops prevention, serving sectors including Oil & Gas, Offshore Wind, Mining, Marine and Power Generation. Dropsafe highlights that offshore Drops risks may have been exacerbated due to the prolonged periods rigs spend idle at sea or ‘stacked’ prior to decommissioning activity.

The scale of decommissioning work required in key markets such as the North Sea presents both a significant challenge and opportunity for businesses in the offshore sector. There are 600 oil & gas platforms in the North Sea, of which 470 are scheduled to be decommissioned over the next 30 years. 50% of the assets decommissioned up to 2040 in that region will be from the U.K., adding up to over 470,000 tonnes of infrastructure which must be cost-effectively and safely removed.

Humidity, saltwater and adverse weather all cause significant corrosion, which can lead to fixtures and equipment on offshore platforms becoming loose or otherwise compromised. During the labour-intensive dismantling of these platform, the structure is subjected to vibrations, impacts and jolting as the heavy components are taken apart.

Personnel and equipment on site are therefore exposed to an increased risk of Drops incidents – in the form of both ‘dynamic’ Drops such as tools and equipment, and ‘static’ Drops such as light fittings.

Dropsafe has identified 5 key risk areas that decommissioning contractors must target to tackle Drops effectively:

The increased number of cranes and heavy lifting equipment used on site means that personnel are exposed to greater Drops risk. This must be tackled by thorough planning and safety training.
Many platforms awaiting decommissioning sit idle for extended periods of time with minimal maintenance – sometimes for a number of years. Deterioration of connectors and support structures multiplies the Drops risk considerably. Use of robust prevention systems such as the Dropsafe Net is essential to mitigate resulting ‘static’ Drops.
Asset owners that take a ‘quick fix’ approach to Drops mitigation with the adoption of low-cost, short-term prevention systems may expose themselves to long-term repair and replacement costs, particularly if a decision is made to postpone decommissioning activity. To mitigate this financial risk, solutions should be adopted that are guaranteed to last for an extended period under warranty.
Amid high levels of scrutiny on environmentally-sound decommissioning, Drops threaten company reputation and potential legal consequences. Offshore assets often shelter delicate marine ecosystems, which harbour rare species of fish, plant and bird. Preventing broken pieces of the structure or equipment from dropping into the sea and causing environmental damage is essential to mitigating long-term damage to industry standing.
Decommissioning can involve multiple personnel working at height. It is imperative that all members of decommissioning teams are equipped with appropriate Drops prevention products. For example, the Dropsafe Pouch is designed to secure tools and other small items while personnel work.

Mike Rice, Managing Director of Dropsafe, says: “The benefits of robust Drops prevention are clear. The decommissioning industry has worked hard to improve its reputation, but decades of progress could be lost if companies are seen to be unsafe employers and unresponsive to environmental concerns.”

“Continuing proactive and thorough Drops prevention throughout the entire lifetime of the rig, from construction to cold stacking to decommissioning, makes financial sense. The efficiency benefits to be gained from this are significant, because a full range of Dropped Object prevention solutions can be installed together – meaning reduced logistical costs.”

Dropsafe will be attending the Offshore Energy conference in Amsterdam on 8-9th October 2019, exhibiting at stand 10.017.

About Dropsafe:

Dropsafe is the global leader in Dropped Object prevention.

We provide the solutions that companies need to mitigate the risks Dropped Objects pose to their people, equipment, finances and reputation; increasing awareness and addressing these risks to make workplace environments safer.

Dropsafe’s technologies have been adopted worldwide by more than 300 leading businesses across sectors including Oil & Gas, Mining, Marine and Power Generation. Designed and manufactured in-house, our solutions are independently tested and certified to meet the highest quality and performance standards.

Working directly with industry professionals, and responding to site-specific requirements, Dropsafe is actively defining best practice for Dropped Object mitigation as awareness of this threat continues to grow.

To find out more, please visit: www.dropsafe.com

OIL DISCOVERY OPPORTUNITY IS SPECTACULAR: Carson-Bonnition and Salar basins.

Tina Olivero — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:40:19 +0000

The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, released the 2019 oil and gas resource assessment results which identify an additional 3 billion barrels of oil and 5.8 trillion cubic feet of gas potential offshore Newfoundland.

In total, there is a combined resource potential of 52.2 billion barrels of oil and 199.6 trillion cubic feet of gas in just nine per cent of the province’s offshore. The assessment was conducted by Beicip-Franlab, a leading independent company in doing resource assessments globally. This puts Newfoundland offshore oil and gas potential on par with areas like the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Middle East, however, exploration and discoveries must take place for those resources to materialize.

“Beicip-Franlab has carried out detailed interpretations of past and new data, well and seismic, in the Carson-Bonnition-Salar basins. The data integration approach applied was designed to rigorously assess uncertainty and risk, which allowed the generation of various probable alternative resource evaluation scenarios, confirming significant hydrocarbon potential in the area,” said Jean Burrus, CEO, Beicip-Franlab.

Beicip-Franlab has carried out detailed interpretations of past and new data, well and seismic, in the Carson-Bonnition-Salar basins.

Jim Keating, Executive Vice President, Offshore Development, Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas says, “We are applying rigorous exploration best practices and technical innovation to ensure we ultimately evaluate every area of our offshore for oil and gas resource potential. In addition to the 2D seismic collected over the area, we invested with Fugro in acquiring a high-resolution multibeam survey that identified a number of seep like features coming from the ocean floor. Subsequent coring of these anomalies confirmed hydrocarbon presence which is an important insight in this frontier basin due to the limited number of wells and no discoveries to date in the area.”

The government is taking a systematic, scientific approach to understand the province’s oil and gas resource potential. By leading the collection of new data in the early stages of the exploration cycle and providing extensive information about the offshore oil and gas resource potential, new areas for industry exploration and future resource development opportunities are being opened offshore.

The oil and gas industry plays an important role in the growth and development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy. Since 1997, the oil and gas industry has accounted for approximately 25 per cent of cumulative provincial GDP and as of June 2019 over 8,900 people were directly employed in construction and operations.

2019 South Eastern Newfoundland Region NL19-CFB01

Located 400 kilometres east-southeast of St. John’s, the 2019 license round will occur over the NL19-CFB01 sector. The sector lies in the central northern portion of the southeastern Newfoundland jurisdiction and includes the Carson-Bonnition and Salar basins.

On April 3, 2019, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) announced the Call for Bids NL19-CFB01. The block definition includes nine parcels of land and a total of 2,270,472 hectares. These nine parcels are the focus of the 2019 Independent Resource Assessment.

Seven (7) wells were used for the study. Each well contains a set of petrophysical logs, stratigraphic markers, and geochemical reports:
• Bonnition H-32
• Cormorant N-83
• Murre G-67
• Osprey H-84
• Skua E-41
• Spoonbill C-30
• St George J-55
2D seismic surveys (regional, 10x10km and 5x5km grids) interpreted by Nalcor and
covering an area of 58,000 km² within the Carson, Bonnition, Salar basins area (From
2014-2017, Nalcor invested TGS/PGS broadband long offset multiclient Southeast Grand
Banks Seismic Project).
A set of fifteen (15) horizons were interpreted in the 2D surveys and 14 associated
isopach maps:
• Seabed, 0 My
• C34, Top Eocene, 34 Ma
• C45, Top Mid Eocene, 45 Ma
• C54, Top Paleocene/Base Eocene
• C65, Top Cretaceous, 65 Ma
• K100, Top Albian, 100 Ma
• K114, Top Mid Aptian, 114 Ma
• K140, Top Berriasian, 140 Ma
• J145, Top Tithonian, 145 Ma
• J151, Top Kimmeridgian , 151 Ma
• J165, Top Bathonian, 165 Ma
• J185, Top Pleinsbachian, 175 Ma
• J195, Top Hettangian, 195 Ma
• T201, Top Triassic, 201 Ma
• Base Mesozoic, 251 Ma
Fault sets picked for structural evolution and 3D modelling.
The 2019 Carson, Bonnition and Salar basins Resource Assessment study area shares its northern boundary with the 2018 NL03-EN-01A sector. Nalcor and Beicip-Franlab
extended the main structural trends, seismic horizons, and paleogeographic
interpretation from the Flemish Pass Basin and eastern Jeanne d’Arc Basin to the Carson,
Bonnition and Salar basins to ensure regional consistency

Water depths range from 100 metres on the shelf to 3,500 metres in the southeastern deepwater region of the sector.

Interested parties have until 12:00 p.m. NST on November 6th, 2019 to submit bids for the parcels offered in Call for Bids NL19-CFB01. Further detailed information pertaining to this Call for Bids can be found at www.cnlopb.ca/exploration/issuance/#bids-active.

The Beicip-Franlab petroleum system resource assessment of the Carson, Bonnition and Salar basins area demonstrates a potential petroleum system with seven potential reservoirs sourced by regionally known source rocks. The timing of burial with respect to traps formation enables hydrocarbons (HC) to be trapped and sealed regionally through rotated Jurassic blocks and associated structural traps, as well as stratigraphic traps in the Early Cretaceous and Paleogene. Several geological scenarios have been tested, all being calibrated on well data and seismic features. They show the likelihood of an efficient petroleum system in the Carson-Salar basin area.

Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources for Newfoundland and Labrador says, “The purpose of embarking on this annual independent resource assessment is to broaden our understanding of the under-explored frontier basins and add to our geotechnical knowledge of the area. The resource potential in our offshore is incredible. We have over 650 leads and prospects identified to date, eight new entrants in the past three years, and $4 billion in recent exploration work commitments. We will continue to position the province as an internationally preferred location for oil and gas exploration and development – one that values safety and environmental responsibility and maximizes benefits to the people of the province.”

As part of previous resource assessments, Beicip-Franlab built on its extensive experience in the Newfoundland offshore area, especially within the Flemish and Orphan areas.

SOURCE: Nalcor, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, CNLOPB

Ocean Legacy Foundation Takes Charge of Plastic Pollution Crisis

Tina Olivero — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 11:24:34 +0000

The Ocean Legacy Foundation, a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2014 with the goal to end ocean plastic waste, announced today the launch of E.P.I.C – a plastic pollution emergency response program, which incorporates a four pillar hands-on approach: Education, Policy, Infrastructure and Cleanup to catalyze worldwide action around plastic pollution-free lands and oceans.

The E.P.I.C. program targets ecologically sensitive locations and communities that have a plastic pollution crisis, as well as inadequate management capacity for solid waste and plastic pollution. The program assists with the restoration of natural ecosystems for improved human and wildlife health, as well as develops long-term plastic collection, processing infrastructure and policy to mitigate oceanic plastic pollution sources.

“The Ocean Legacy Foundation is committed to supporting global citizens and communities ready to engage in plastic management strategies and pragmatic action to achieve plastic free lands and oceans. We look forward to working with community members in need of plastic management solutions with this holistic approach to end plastic waste,” Said Chloé Dubois, Co-founder and President, Ocean Legacy Foundation

The Ocean Legacy Foundation works with communities that are in a plastic pollution crisis through an Emergency Management System (EMS) that incorporates mitigation, prevention, response, and recovery measures. The EMS takes a systematic approach towards hazard assessments and strategic planning to minimize the impact of risks to marine life, property and the environment. This system provides the foundation for coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain and improve the capability and capacity to mitigate, prepare and plan for, respond to and recover from threatened or actual plastic disasters. The EMS is supported by the four E.P.I.C. pillars:

Pillar 1: Education – The Education pillar provides essential knowledge and skill training opportunities for community members, while providing solutions for a plastic free environment.
Pillar 2: Policy – The Policy pillar supports communities in advocating for best practice plastic management strategies to help reduce plastic waste and pollution in your community.
Pillar 3: Infrastructure – The Infrastructure pillar develops recycling systems and technological solutions for your community to create a plastic circular economy.
Pillar 4: Cleanups – The Cleanup pillar is action-based engagement that removes plastic pollution from the environment to create a cleaner and safer place for your community.

The resulting benefits for the E.P.I.C. program include:

Community capacity and employment opportunities;
Cleaner and safer ocean and shoreline environments;
Landfill waste reduction;
Technological innovation;
Increased public awareness and engagement.

This initiative is receiving an annual fund from Nestle Waters Global for international operations over the next 5 years, but is looking for additional sponsorship to further its impact.

If your community is in a plastic pollution crisis or if you know of a community that requires assistance with plastic management, please visit https://epic.oceanlegacy.ca and apply through the digital portal. Applications are now being accepted.

Learn More:

The Ocean Legacy Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization that develops and implements plastic pollution emergency response programs and innovative marine debris solutions™ worldwide. The Foundation is led by co-founder Chloé Dubois and is supported by a board of directors, technical advisory committee, government leaders and hundreds of volunteers worldwide. The Foundation combines sustainable technologies with education and skills training to convert plastic waste and plastic pollution into economic value while providing local communities with the tools they need to prevent plastic pollution and protect their local environment. Since 2014, Ocean Legacy has become world leaders in innovative methods in remote plastic pollution removal, pragmatic policy development and processing infrastructure; cleaning in five different countries while engaging hundreds of thousands of individuals in plastic pollution awareness and education. https://oceanlegacy.ca/

PLACENTIA AREA: MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY

Tina Olivero — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 16:50:52 +0000

Not everyone can say that they had an intimate encounter with over $10 Billion worth of industrial opportunities in one week, but the people who attended the Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase last week sure can!

The Placentia Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference and trade show event was MC’d by Ray Greene who facilitated the success of the Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase (PBIS 2019) which took place September 17-19 at Unity Parc Arena. I have to say, in 28 years of tradeshows and conferences around the globe, the quality of business leads here was one of the best!

Premier Dwight Ball opened the conference and trade show which paved the way for a long list of projects and opportunities to come. Among the highlights was a Business Excellence Awards dinner celebrating the accomplishments of local companies, and the grand prize draw at the exhibition was a trip for two to Toronto to see “Come From Away” with accommodation and flights provided. This tied perfectly into the final luncheon speech given by former Mayor of Appleton recounting the events of his life since Come From Away became a global phenomenon. AMAZING!

Gerry Sullivan, Director, Operations & Marketing – Aqua Sol Enterprises Inc.

This intimate trade show and conference ensured that contacts were personal, projects were prosperous and networking happened at it’s highest possible level. The organizers of the Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase were creative with their approach making sure that speakers were super engaging and projects profiled were world-class and quite frankly, mind-blowing.

Chamber President, Karen Maher, stated, “We were pleased to welcome all participants to PBIS 2019, with its theme, Capture the Momentum. We are at a turning point in our region. We see the potential for the Placentia Bay area as being limitless, and this event certainly fuelled the momentum we are building in oil and gas, aquaculture, mining, tourism, entrepreneurialism, and research and development.”

Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada

WHO’S WHO

Placentia Chamber of Commerce – Karen Maher, President
Office of the Premier – Dwight Ball – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Port of Argentia – Chris Newhook, Ray Greene & Marion King
West White Rose – Sandy Nairn – VP Project Delivery
NOIA – Newfoundland Oil Industry Association – Charlene Johnson, CEO
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster – Kendra McDonald, CEO
Trades NL – Cory Parsons, Mgr. Communications & External Affairs
TMSI – Commercial Marine Cargo – Yvon Dufour
SDP Partnership – Executing WWR – Michel Girard
Fortis Inc – Nora Duke, Exec. VP Corporate Services & Chief HRO
Government of Canada – Senator Fabian Manning
Greig NL Seafarms – Salmon hatchery – Perry Power, HR Mgr.
Canada Fluorspar NL Inc. – Catherine Rowsell, HR Mgr.
Aqua Sol Constructors – Gerry Sullivan – Director of Operations & Marketing
AS Works – Dr Armin Strobel
CNA – Dr. Mike Long – Chair Office of Applied Research & Innovation
Argentia Gold: Marijuana Facility – Steve McNeill

Perry Power, Human Resources Manager at Greig NL Seafarms Ltd.

SENATOR FABIAN MANNING

Senator Fabian Manning addressed the attendees of PBIS in an early morning breakfast session. This man should have his own comedy show. He’s quite a character. Listen to Fabian’s 19-minute talk about life growing up in Newfoundland and his life in politics. It is HILARIOUS! Enjoy!

Senator Fabian Manning. He will make you laugh and cry!

After the show, attendees were drunk with opportunity because when you add up the dollar value of the projects happening in and around Placentia, Argentia, and Marystown, over the next few years it is positively overflowing! There is over $10 billion in opportunities in sectors from; the West White Rose project, salmon aquaculture, container shipping, Fluorspar mining and more.

Oil and gas takeaways include the West White Rose project update, the oil opportunities ahead and the generous wisdom of Sandy Nairn, VP of project delivery for Husky Energy West White Rose project.

West White Rose Project – Schematic Rendering Source: Husky Energy

OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD

Husky Energy was gracious enough to give participants of the Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase a guided coach tour of the West White Rose Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS) being constructed at the Port of Argentia. It’s a world-class project and will be a massive contribution to our offshore energy sector and province for decades to come. In the coming weeks, there will be 800 employees working on-site and at peak times that number will increase to 2000.

This soon-to-be island in the ocean will also create prosperity in the form of royalties, revenues, jobs, and contracts. Expenditures of $3 Billion in construction and production combined equal a total expenditure of an estimated $5.2 billion. Find your procurement opportunities here!

West White Rose Concrete Gravity Structure presently
being constructed at the Port of Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada

OIL OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD

Right behind the West White Rose project, for offshore Newfoundland is Equinor’s Bay du Nord project equalling over $14 Billion in estimated expenditures.

In recent years, Equinor’s drilling discoveries in the Flemish Pass Basin also include the Bay de Verde and Baccalieu prospects in the Bay du Nord area. Both of which add to the resource base for potential development at the Bay du Nord discovery area. As with most projects we see offshore, the initial discovery leads into other fields and extensions in the same area.

Over the next 25 years, the province will receive a whopping $100 Billion + in royalties and revenue from the offshore oil and gas industry. Impressive! And the number of oil and gas jobs in the province will DOUBLE to approximately 56,000 people in that same time frame.

All of that activity plus new oil finds to come, mean that wages and consumer sending will more than DOUBLE and 15,000 new housing units will come into play by 2045.

From a visionary perspective, if the province were majority shareholders in our oil projects, we would be all set. We could rival that of the North Sea and other regions that have the largest investment portfolios on the planet, as a result of oil and gas. Think Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Norway. That’s the potential we have.

In order to actualize on that future, we need to drill more and focus on project ownership. It has to be a Canadian mindset and mandate as well as a provincial one. The smartest politicians will see that possibility and will invest in the time needed to make it happen. Petroleum is the biggest game that Canada has in its resource nest egg and utilizing fossil fuels to bring in renewable energy, is the way to advance and prosper simultaneously!

The West White Rose CGS with three quadrant slip forms completed.

WWR PROJECT UPDATE

The WWR project is a high-tech, world-class mega-project and it is designed to endure severe offshore Newfoundland weather and water conditions. Its lifetime will span decades in the Atlantic Ocean, 160 meters offshore.

The concrete gravity structure (CGS) has people building it at the Argentia site, working 24/7 around the clock, in all weather conditions to meet timelines and targets.

To date, the concrete for the CGS has been poured in three of the four quadrants and the final quadrant will be finished before the end of the year, putting it ahead of schedule.

With 6 million man-hours already completed on the project, the results are a testament to the healthy foundation that workers on-site bring to the project each day.

You only need to get up-close and personal with this project to realize it is a phenomenal feat. Taking in its magnitude and beauty you realize this soon-to-be island in the sea is created by some of the greatest minds on earth.

SANDY NAIRN – VP PROJECT DELIVERY FOR WWR

Sandy is the most likeable guy. I think it’s because he’s got such a wholistic healthy view of the world and what it takes to succeed within it.

Sandy Nairn
VP Project Delivery for West White Rose

Starting his career in architecture Sandy realized the lucrative opportunities in the North Sea oil business and he promptly switched his profession thereafter.

Sandy’s work acumen and performance philosophies grew out of his time spent at the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company (CB&I) where he moved up the ranks by emulating work ethic and performance within that company. CB&I was a large engineering, procurement, and construction company with its administrative headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. CB&I employs more than 32,000 people worldwide. Sandy said, “The Superintendents gave us the toughest jobs upfront and by the time you finish working in all of the various levels at CB&I, you learned to work as hard as any manager or CEO.”

Perhaps that’s the key to all successful companies, is ensuring leadership at the level of each individual with the same highly focused work ethic and a laser-sharp commitment to results.

“The longest I’ve been in one place is four years because we have a saying in the industry that the project you worked on last was great, the project you are on now is good, but the project you are going to, is the best of all. So with that philosophy in mind, I was always excited to move onto different projects around the globe in places like Australia, London, and Qatar,” Sandy stated.

“The highlight of my career was moving to Qatar with the oil company Shell, where we developed the Pearl GTL project which had 55,000 people on site. I’m from a little town in Scotland with 15,000 people so when you are responsible for managing a village of 55,000 people, its sort of unbelievable, Sandy explained. “We built a village to house the workforce long before we started working on the project. That village had everything from cricket pitches, basketball courts, corner cafes, ATMs, to Barbour shops and more. We spend $2 billion before the project started to build that village. It was an exciting time.”

VP PROJECT DELIVERY: WWR

Sandy Nairn is currently the VP of project delivery for the Husky Energy West White Rose project in Argentia, Newfoundland. His lifetime of knowledge and project management overflows as he talks about the West White Rose initiative and how a ‘wholistic’ view IS THE KEY to the success of the project.

As the esteemed speaker of the Placentia Bay Industrial Showcase Luncheon, Sandy had a lot of wisdom to share with participants about work teams and peak performance, “A healthy environment is a wholistic endeavour. Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ), is all about ‘healthy’ relationships. It’s about our healthy relationship with contractors, our healthy relationship with ourselves, our healthy relationship with each other, and our healthy relationship with our community. People are goal-oriented and they want to feel they belong to a team. Once they feel they belong to the team and the vision, then everyone is equal and everyone has an important part to play on that team, just like sports.”

Sandy explains further, “If you get the ‘HEALTH’ right you create the foundation for everything else and the environment is then conducive to success. Once that’s established safety and the environment happen naturally and become a byproduct of wholistic healthy work culture.”

“We’ve spent our focus on creating a healthy environment on the WWR project. Every morning before we start work we talk about the tasks of the day but we also take things to a new level by having our team participate in things like morning aerobics and stretching. We believe that fit and athletic bodies are healthy and therefore increases performance on-site,” Sandy says. “Our wholistic model has contributed to a 10-24% increase in performance compared to other projects in the region, even with the same workforce. That is the benefit of ‘health’ being the foundation of all other operations.”

“Our philosophy is ‘ONE TEAM’. We all work together as one unit and we don’t subscribe to segregation in any way. We provide a healthy environment for our team to work within and we also empower our workforce to make the project successful. Ultimately it is up to them. We ensure that our safety results come from a very well-thought-out, wholistic plan of health and inclusion and we ensure everything else works from there,” Sandy explains.

Sandy explains his thoughts on the West White Rose workforce, “I have to say that the Newfoundland workforce is world-class. The people here are fully engaged and open to talking about conditions and the environment. The biggest asset we have is that the workforce is so engaged and committed. I’m excited about working here for the next three years to see out the term of the project. I am very keen about projects so that’s my passion and focus.”

When Sandy’s mother asked him what he thought of Newfoundland he said, “I told her that I may well have moved to the village next store in Scotland. They have the same sense of humour and the same sense of lifestyle. Coming here today and speaking here at the symposium, we have ladies from the community coming together and cooking for the community just like they did at this luncheon. Our little aunties would be serving tea and coffee.”

Sandy smiles and remembers, “It feels like home!”

SOURCES & PICTURES: Husky Energy, Placentia Chamber of Commerce, NOIA, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

BHP’s Exploration Manager Talks NL Drilling Play

Tina Olivero — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 11:42:41 +0000

BHP was first introduced to the world as silver, lead and zinc producer in Broken Hill, Australia. That was way back in 1885.

BHP grew to become a powerful and well-established entity and in 2001 a merger between Global Natural Resources company and Billiton (a South African mining company) formed BHP Billiton which was headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. Operations include; mining, metals and petroleum in its portfolio and global expansion was their mandate.

In recent years, BHP’s aggressive oil and gas focus brought them to Eastern Canada. Exploration Director Mike Faust is at the helm. Mike is an ambitious guy. Driven and goal-oriented, he doesn’t mince words. He’s got one mission and that is to explore global oil and gas regions of the world and develop their petroleum resources.

The OGM had the opportunity to interview Mike Faust and get an inside look at BHP’s exploration plans for offshore Newfoundland.

BHP Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation is proposing to conduct an exploration drilling project within offshore exploration licences in the Orphan Basin, located 325 kilometres northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador in the Atlantic Ocean. As proposed, the BHP Canada Exploration Drilling Project would allow the proponent, over a nine-year period, to determine the presence, nature, and quantities of the potential hydrocarbon resource in exploration licences 1157 and 1158.

The OGM:
How did you get involved in petroleum exploration plays?

MIKE:
I grew up in Iowa, USA and did a bachelors in Geology at the University of Iowa and then went on to do a masters in Geophysics at the University of Oklahoma. I worked in exploration at Conoco Phillips for 6 years in the Gulf of Mexico, South East Asia, South America, and West Africa. I ended up jumping ship to BHP in early 2010 and since 2012 I’ve been supervising and managing different exploration projects primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago. Now in my current role with BHP, I look after exploration licences around the world.

The OGM:
How does BHP choose one region over another when deciding to invest and explore?

Mike:
We are constantly looking at new areas to explore. The geology has to be there, so we’re looking for world-class source rock, big reservoir systems and big traps at a very high level. Having those 3 factors line up, are what we feel make it a good place to have exploration potential.

We also consider how risky the country is for entry. We assess the state of the industry in that region. So there are a whole host of things to consider but naturally, the geology has to be the driver behind the area. The geology indicates Newfoundland as a high priority for BHP.

The OGM:
What factors put offshore Newfoundland ahead of other exploration regions?

Mike:
Newfoundland ticks all those boxes. A lot of times you are forced to weigh one option against one another, but there were no real drawbacks offshore Newfoundland. What’s already been found is huge. There is a proven system of operations offshore. The fiscal terms were good. Canada is a great place to do business. So I think the synergy of all those things came together and were big factors for us in coming here.

We came in eyes wide open, we’ve been studying the area for a couple of years. We know that the operating environment offshore is challenging. We knew the regulatory process is quite long. We considered all the variables. Now we are focused on ensuring we meet all the exploration requirements and standards as we go ahead.

The OGM:
Do you have any ideas about what might shorten the regulatory process?

Mike:
That’s always a hot topic. We’ve learned from the government that they are working on speeding things up. We are going to proceed with what we know are the rules now and we understand that as legislation changes, we will simply adhere to them.

The OGM:
The BHP exploration licenses EL1157, EL1158 how did you pick those plays offshore Newfoundland?

Mike:
Nalcor’s work has been instrumental. The seismic work done by the province has supported our decision to explore here. We realized that the Orphan Basin was under-explored and we think there’s a lot of opportunities there.

The OGM:
What is your development timeline and what can vendors be doing right now to prepare for opportunities with BHP?

Mike:
Right now we are seeking regulatory approval for drilling. That can take a couple of years. We also need to secure a rig. That is a big one. Contracting a rig and having some certainty around when we are getting our permits is key. Those two things have to come together. We are eager to move things forward. We like the opportunity and we want to get after it!

We will be opening up an office in the next few months, so we’ll have people on the ground in St. John’s. We will be issuing expressions of interests when we have work coming up.

The OGM:
What do you have to say to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?

Mike:
I’d really like people to know that we are excited to be here! We are committed to being transparent and listening to the community. We recognize that we aren’t going to come up here and do all the talking. We are looking for partnership and inclusion.

As we look to consult with indigenous groups, community stakeholders and suppliers, we will want to hear feedback. We want to make sure that operations are transparent, fair, and everyone has a right to bid on the contracts that we award.

We are very excited about working alongside a world-class industry that’s already here. We realize it’s well established and we are the new kids on the block. We can learn an awful lot from you.

BHP – PROJECT PROTOCOL – Links

BHP CANADA EXPLORATION DRILLING PROJECT (2019-2028) Environmental Assessment Project Description

Guidelines for the preparation of an environmental impact statement pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 – For the BHP Canada Exploration Drilling Project BHP Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation

SOURCE: BHP, C-NLOPB

Federal government announces funding for offshore program, research

Tina Olivero — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 19:41:23 +0000

Sept. 6, 2019

Canada has the world’s longest coastline and is surrounded by three oceans and the health of our oceans matters to all of us. The Government of Canada is dedicated to protecting our oceans and waterways and to keeping them clean, secure and productive for the benefit of all Canadians, now and into the future. We understand the importance of protecting the marine ecosystems that are home to an abundance of ocean life, support more than 350,000 jobs and sustain hundreds of coastal and Indigenous communities. We also recognize that scientific research is fundamental to evidence-based decision-making when planning and carrying out marine conservation efforts.

Under Canada’s historic $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, we are making meaningful investments in scientific research to help protect our coasts and waterways from the impacts of potential oil spills while supporting the collection of baseline data to identify changes in coastal environments.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $5.5 million in six research initiatives at Memorial University of Newfoundland to help improve protocols and decision-making that will minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills. In addition, more than $1.8 million is being invested in 10 marine environmental data collection initiatives led by seven partner organizations in Placentia Bay. Together, these investments will support the employment of approximately 67 individuals by project partners.

“Scientific research is at the heart of the evidence-based decision-making we need to plan and carry out our important marine conservation work. The Multi-Partner Research Initiative and Coastal Environmental Baseline Program are bringing together the best researchers from across Canada and around the world to help protect and restore ocean ecosystems for this generation and as we face new challenges with a changing climate, while working in partnership with coastal communities” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Multi-Partner Research Initiative

The Memorial University of Newfoundland projects will focus on a range of techniques and technologies to aid in oil spill response in Canada. These projects are funded under the $45 million Multi-Partner Research Initiative, which aims to ensure we have access to the best scientific information and methods available to respond to oil spills in Canadian waters by supporting collaborative research among oil spill experts both in Canada and worldwide.

These efforts will improve our knowledge of how oil spills behave, how to contain them, clean them up and minimize their environmental impacts.

“The MPRI program presents an exceptional opportunity to boost our research, train our students, expand our partnerships and grow our impacts in Canada and worldwide. Through these projects, we believe that our research will not only advance oil spill knowledge and response technologies but also provide important scientific evidence to support oil spill policy- and decision-making. The outcomes will also help our industry and government in achieving sustainable development goals and transitioning to a clean economy,” said Dr. Bing Chen, Director of Northern Persistent Organic Pollution Control Lab and Professor in Civil Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Coastal Environmental Baseline Program

The seven organizations receiving funding include: the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Association, University of Manitoba, Humber Arm Environmental Association, Northeast Avalon Atlantic Coastal Action Program, Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador, Fish Food and Allied Workers Union, and Memorial University of Newfoundland.

These research initiatives are part of the $50.8 million Coastal Environmental Baseline Program, which involves close partnership between Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists, Indigenous and coastal communities, nongovernmental organizations, academia and other research partners. Participating groups are gathering wide-ranging scientific data that will help characterize Canada’s coastal environment.

“Today’s announcement is great news for coastal communities all around Newfoundland and Labrador. We’re pleased to join forces with our project partners through the Coastal Environmental Baseline Program and Multi-Partner Research Initiative. These vital partnerships will improve our scientific knowledge, advance our oil spill response measures, and develop new technologies. Together, they will help keep our oceans safe and clean for all those who depend on them now, and in to the future,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South — Mount Pearl

Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan

Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made by the Government of Canada to ensure our coasts are healthier, safer and better protected.

The Multi-Partner Research Initiative is improving collaboration with oil response experts around the world, advancing oil spill research in Canada, and will help minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills.

The Coastal Environmental Baseline Program, part of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, is helping to collect wide-ranging scientific data in six marine ecosystems with high vessel traffic and coastline development.

OFFSHORE SUCCESS: Can It Be Found In The Voices Of Stakeholders?

Tina Olivero — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 19:24:46 +0000

In the last 18 months, we have seen a shower of unfortunate events take place in the oil and gas industry Offshore Newfoundland; The dispute over Bill C69, four oil spills and now the fishing industry is upset about potential disruption in important fishing zones.

One has to wonder, why is this happening now when the oil industry has had a virtually flawless environmental record for the last 28 years?

History has shown us that when all hell breaks loose it’s usually because a better solution is requesting to come in. Perhaps it’s time for a plan that is inclusive of all stakeholders and has the big picture in mind.

The problem may be that we don’t really know who’s at the helm of decision making when it comes to our marine resources. Is it the C-NLOPB, Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Prime Minister, Provincial Minister of Natural Resources, The Atlantic Accord, The United Nations, Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s), The FFAW, SEA ….. you get the picture!

TOO MANY COOKS
Newfoundland and Labrador has world-class resources that require world-class solutions. But who is our resource master and where is our master plan?

Petroleum and the fishing industry are mainstays of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. We succeed when both work in unison. One cannot dominate over the other. Pitting industries against each other is futile. It never works. The solutions come from leadership at the helm, ensuring that all industries thrive. That’s very simple to say BUT it’s not easy to do!

NORWAY HAS ANSWERS
Norway has successfully developed its marine industries harmoniously. As a result, they are now one of the wealthiest and most successful regions of the world. Offshore Newfoundland could follow suit. Why re-invent the wheel when we have a sister country with similar resources and infrastructure? Here is a Typology of Stakeholders and Guidelines for Engagement in Transdisciplinary, Participatory Processes in Norway. It is a guide we can learn from, adapt and implement offshore Newfoundland. Take a look!

THE CEAA COMMITTEE
The CEAA has enlisted key representatives from Atlantic Canada to be committee members overseeing the environmental assessment process offshore Newfoundland/NovaScotia.

Minister McKenna announced the appointment of Garth Bangay and Wes Foote as co-chairs of the Committee to carry out the regional assessment of Offshore Oil Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gerald Anderson, Keith Storey and Maureen Murphy Rustad have been appointed as committee members.

Are these the individuals who ultimately determine if a Call for Nominations and Call for Land Sales are permitted in a protected fishing area? We aren’t quite sure as C-NLOPB and Canadian Governments of Natural Resources play a part as well.

THE MEETING OF THE MINDS
On Sept 5 2019, the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources, hosted a meeting to discuss the protection of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore environment. The meeting took place in St. John’s with representatives from the provincial Department of Natural Resources, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) and Natural Resources Canada.

Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources

Minister Siobhan Coady said, “Our discussion was focused on reviewing the processes we currently have in place to prevent an oil spill from occurring. Protecting our offshore environment and the safety of our offshore workers are fundamental principles to everything we do. We will continue this vital dialogue and expect better of operators.” During the meeting, a detailed overview of environmental performance was provided to both governments by the C-NLOPB.

THE CANADA-NEWFOUNDLAND OFFSHORE PETROLEUM BOARD
The C-NLOPB has been requested to report back to federal and provincial representatives on a number of issues discussed during the event. Further meetings will be held to advance action items arising from the discussion. It will be interesting to find out if exploration licencing on fishing grounds was on the agenda to be resolved.

According to the C-NLOPB’s recent news release, the Call for Nominations are meant to assist in selecting parcels to be included in subsequent 2020 Call for Bids. They are not actual Calls for Bids. Here’s how it works:

TIMELINE
Nominations took place – September 2019
Call for Bids close – November 2020
Licence awarded – Early 2021

This is pending board approval and ratification by the federal and provincial governments.

In a news release September 5, 2019, the C-NLOPB said it has encouraged and engaged in efforts to promote successful communication and co-operation between the fishing and oil and gas sectors, recognizing both are economic cornerstones of Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Canada.

So where did things go off track when it comes to protected fishing areas in the Northeast Newfoundland Slope?

SEA
C-NLOPB takes direction from multistakeholder groups. The Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) had input into the decision to include The Eastern Newfoundland Sector NL04-EN which is the primary region of concern. Detailed information on the 2014 report produced by Amec is located online at the C-NLOPB website and can be found here.

The C-NLOPB’s SEA report came out in 2014. The Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure was created three years later, in 2017. Could this be the issue?

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF)
WWF issued a recent press release, “The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) recent Call for Nominations in the Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure infringes on a marine refuge counting towards Canada’s marine protection targets.”

This map shows the overlap in the protected area (green) and the proposed nominated area (grey). Source: WWF

While Canada adopted minimum standards for marine protected areas, including the prohibition of all oil and gas activities, these standards do not apply to marine refuges, which are protected under the Fisheries Act.

WWF-Canada is calling for minimum standards for all sites considered “protected” in order to effectively protect marine biodiversity, including both marine protected areas and marine refuges.

The Government of Canada has said that if oil and gas leases are awarded within parts of their protected areas then they will stop counting them towards international protected area targets.

Parts of the Northeast Newfoundland Slope Closure, a site which fish harvesters voluntarily agreed to stop fishing in to protect important fish habitat, has had oil and gas leases awarded within it since its creation in 2017. That means that while the area remains off-limits to fishermen, it is open for oil and gas development.

The Northeast Newfoundland Slope

Created in December 2017, the marine refuge is about 46,800 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of Denmark.
The refuge was created to protect slow-growing, fragile cold-water corals and sponges, which form important structures that provide essential habitat for young fish.
Bottom-contact fisheries were banned in the refuge to protect the corals and sponges.

WWF-Canada has called for increased regulatory oversight of the oil and gas industry, including improvements to financial and liability rules, risk assessment procedures, drilling and well-control rules as well as improved spill response capacity. It has asked that marine refuges be excluded from development by the oil and gas industry.

Sigrid Kuehnemund, WWF-Canada’s vice president of ocean conservation, says: “We ask that the C-NLOPB remove all marine refuges from any future nomination processes in order to safeguard these important ocean habitats.”

Sigrid Kuehnemund, WWF-Canada’s vice president of ocean conservation. Photo: CBC

FFAW
Keith Sullivan, President of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW) expresses concerns, “It’s not hard to understand why people who make their living fishing are concerned with the recent Call for Land Nominations. The land parcel that is going to be made available for oil companies to bid on is directly over some of the best fishing grounds in Newfoundland and Labrador. That will negatively impact our fishery in many ways.”

Keith Sullivan, President of FFAW, has in-depth experience in fisheries management, research, labour negotiations and public policy creation. He is a director on several fishing industry boards advocating on behalf of workers. He is a supporter of working people and strives to improve the lives of all members of our communities. Photo: FFAW

Keith Sullivan says, “Not only are we concerned about our fishery but once installations are in place there’s also the issue of 5-10 mile exclusion zones around the platforms and FPSO’s which eliminates lucrative real estate on the best fishing grounds for harvesters.”

PROACTIVE
The primary goal is to find ways for marine-related industries to not only coexist but to thrive offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Successful considerations may include:

Ocean industries are inclusive of each other and therefore differing sectors require a transparent structure of governance for fisheries, petroleum, shipping, marine defence & security, marine transportation, and other related ocean industries.
New energy is also on the horizon. Offshore wind turbines are next. Are we ready?
Communication is open and transparent between all stakeholders. Technology is most likely the solution for shared governance.
Understand the full scope of the environmental impact from other places in the world who have had disruptions such as oil spills. For example, nearly $1 billion has been invested in scientific research covering the Deepwater Horizon accident and its consequences at the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative.
Ensuring protected areas are uninterrupted by all marine industries. If they are interrupted, shut down not only the companies involved but all operations in that area until it’s rectified.
Extensive research on ocean life and industry impact. Proceed with research and science!
When environmental safety is as important as personal safety, we will have won.
Treat our offshore resource management just like a business. While all managers of the resource have input and recommendations, ultimately someone has to make a decision with the big picture in mind. ONE entity has to be fully informed and fully responsible for the final say.
Stop blaming and start participating. Get educated. Get involved and get every voice at the table. We all have a responsibility to act and collaborate…and therefore we are all stakeholders in our own success.

______________________________________________________________________________

This article was written and produced by Tina Olivero. If you would like your story told, content generated, or advertorials produced please contact: TinaOlivero@TheOGM.com

How to Reduce Risk While Implementing a New Technology.

Tina Olivero — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 13:27:46 +0000

Any operations start-up has a degree of risk associated with the first time it is done at the rig site. Whether it be the first time the crew has ever been together to do a reasonably routine operation or the first time the operation has been attempted by a cohesive team which has been together for multiple campaigns. There is usually a high degree of visibility and attention paid to the first operation and many eyes on the task can ensure the attention of all involved, but similarly adds pressure to the team executing operations. If you are considering doing something new to optimize operations here are some of the lessons we have learned:

Early contact with the rig is very important – Normally we perform a rig survey and try to make sure we do this around crew change day. This allows us to present the technology to both rig crews and allow them to give thoughts or questions about how this is all going to work. Many of our operational and technical improvements come from sharing what we do with experienced drilling people. A fresh pair of eyes may highlight a risk that hadn’t previously been addressed.
HAZID/HAZOP/DWOP/Pre-Section Meetings – Every node and interface in the operation should be assessed. How the equipment and people fit into the rig is critical for a successful operation. Some of our equipment is not familiar to the crew and may not have been considered in the rig safety case. Any equipment critical to well control should be thoroughly assessed from an equipment design perspective and pressure relief settings agreed in advance. Ultimately the driller will be responsible and should be aware.
Contingency Planning – What do we do if something fails? How will that impact our process? We spend time creating a decision matrix to highlight what the reaction should be for any possible failure of equipment and the specific remedial action for anticipated failure nodes identified in a FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects Criticality Analysis).
Critical Design Testing – If we have a specific part or item which has been identified in the pre- planning as being affected by the operations to a point of failure then additional 3rd party testing may be required. For example, we had an item whose integrity needed to be confirmed if it were to be exposed to 15,000psi differential pressure. Specifically, in the case of an evacuated drill string which is below the rotary table during a well control event. In this instance additional 3rd party witnessed pressure testing was carried out on the item to reduce the risk of failure.
Coaching – New technologies usually need additional assistance during the startup/initial implementation. Additional supervision at the rig site and additional personnel in the Operators office help to coach rig site and shore-based supervisors through getting involved in critical path meetings. Also, should the situation change then supervisors and technical experts are on hand to give expert advice at short notice during critical phases of the operation.
After action review and lessons learned – After the operation, there are always things we say we can do better the next time. Whether an opportunity to optimize parts of the process, equipment which could have worked a little better, it is critical to capture these opportunities for improvement and ensure that they are used to help things go better next time. For most people the first time is usually good, lots of focus on the plan. As we repeat a process, we should get better, but usually we get worse first. This is a typical learning curve and we see it on most of our operations, but if we learn the lessons and optimize where we can we can usually streamline, get faster and better at what we do without any compromise to safety or taking shortcuts.

Adrilltech have spent the last 10 years implementing continuous circulation technologies for 15 different operators on many different rigs, this is a quick summary of our lessons learned, can you share more?

OceanVision Project Commences With Kraken Robotics

Tina Olivero — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 20:26:55 +0000

September 9, 2019

Kraken Robotics Inc. is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Kraken Robotic Systems Inc., has launched the initial phase of its OceanVision™ project. Commencing in late September, Kraken will deploy its sensors and unmanned underwater platforms to conduct ultra-high definition seabed imaging and mapping on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and other areas of Atlantic Canada.

OceanVision™ is a three-year, $20 million project focused on the development of new marine technologies and products to enable an underwater data acquisition and analytics as a service business. OceanVision™ enables the acceleration of Kraken’s strategy from sensors and system sales to becoming an integrated provider of Robotics as a Service (RaaS) and Data as a Service (DaaS).

Karl Kenny, Kraken’s President and CEO said, “We are pleased to reach this major milestone and officially launch our OceanVision™ project. OceanVision™ will result in an end-to-end digitalization solution offering advanced sensors, robots and data analytics as a turnkey service for imaging and mapping of the seafloor as well as seabed assets and infrastructure. Today, high fidelity data is an absolute requirement for coherent input to machine learning algorithms – otherwise it’s garbage in, garbage out. We are uniquely positioned in the underwater industry as Kraken will build, own and operate the sensor-laden drones; Kraken (and partners) will run the missions; and Kraken (and partners) will analyze the data for our customers.”

“We expect recurring revenues from RaaS/DaaS to become a significant part of our future revenue mix and strategic growth. Rapid subsea data acquisition and analytics will make it possible to significantly reduce the cost of obtaining high quality data allowing end-users to make more informed operational decisions in near real-time. The new technologies and services that Kraken will develop within the scope of the OceanVision™ project are currently not available in a tightly integrated offering in the marine industry.”

OceanVision™ will enable Kraken to further new technology and product development and fine-tune recurring revenue business models. While near-term focus of the project will be the Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) segments for offshore energy (oil & gas and wind), OceanVision™ will also address the requirements of other stakeholders in the fisheries, aquaculture, ocean science and underwater defense industries.

With reference to IRM in the offshore oil and gas sector, market analysts Westwood Global Energy Group, have stated that the stabilization of oil prices is spurring a new wave of offshore investments. Westwood expects a significant volume of IMR activity to return to the market, with vessel related IMR activity expenditures forecast to be over US$21 billion over 2019-2023. This represents a 25% growth compared to the 2014-2018 period.

The challenges with oil and gas assets have many similarities with those of offshore wind. Windfarm installation and maintenance can be dangerous and costly and requires constant inspections and upkeep to maintain efficiency and maximize productivity. Markets estimate that the offshore wind market is expected to grow from an estimated US$27 billion in 2017 to over US$ 55 billion by 2022, registering a CAGR of over 15%. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for clean energy in order to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment by generating electricity through renewable resources. Today the United States has one offshore wind farm consisting of five turbines, compared to over 4,500 grid-connected offshore wind turbines across 11 European countries.

Kraken Issues Options to Employees

Kraken also announces that its Board of Directors has approved the issuance of 2,755,000 stock options to company employees. These options have a three-year term, with vesting in three equal instalments consisting of the date of grant and on the one and two-year anniversaries of the initial grant. The exercise price on the options is $0.53.

About Kraken Robotics Inc.

Kraken Robotics Inc. (TSX.V:PNG) (OTCQB: KRKNF) is a marine technology company dedicated to the production and sale of software-centric sensors, underwater robotic systems and data analytics as a service. The company is headquartered in St. John’s, Newfoundland with offices in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; Toronto, Ontario; Bremen and Rostock Germany; and Boston, Massachusetts. Kraken is ranked as a Top 100 marine technology company by Marine Technology Reporter.

For more information, please visit www.krakenrobotics.com, www.krakenrobotik.de, www.krakenpower.de. Find Kraken on social media on Twitter (@krakenrobotics), Facebook (@krakenroboticsinc) and LinkedIn.

Nexans Wins Umbilical Contract For Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project

Tina Olivero — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:57:05 +0000

McDermott Marine Construction Limited has awarded a contract to Nexans for the supply of approximately 100 km subsea umbilicals and accessories for the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim natural gas project offshore Mauritania and Senegal.

Under the terms of the contract, Nexans will provide management, procurement, engineering, manufacturing and testing activities for the umbilicals and ancillary hardware.

Halden-fabrikken produserer umbilicals og høyspente sjøkabler for verdensmarkedet. C/S Nexans Skagerrak laster her Skagerrak 4 kabelen.The Halden plant produces umbulicals and high voltage subsea cables for the world market. C/S Nexans Skagerrak is loading the Skagerrak 4 cable.

The electrical cables and fibre optics will be manufactured at Nexans Norway plant in Rognan and the umbilicals will be developed, manufactured and tested at Nexans Norway specialized plant in Halden. The delivery will take place in 2021.

Vincent Dessale, Senior Executive Vice President for Subsea and Land Systems at Nexans said: “The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim contract is of strategic importance to Nexans in maintaining a market position in the West African region as well as being a part of a new, ultra-deepwater gas development. It highlights our continuous drive to develop competitive solutions for complex field developments.”

About Nexans

Nexans brings energy to life through an extensive range of advanced cabling systems, solutions and innovative services.

For over 120 years, Nexans has been providing customers with cutting-edge cabling infrastructure for power and data transmission. Today, beyond cables, the Group advises customers and designs solutions and services that maximize performance and efficiency of their projects in four main business areas: Building & Territories (including utilities, emobility), High Voltage & Projects (covering offshore wind farms, submarine interconnections, land high voltage), Telecom & Data (covering data transmission, telecom networks, hyperscale data centers, LAN), and Industry & Solutions (including renewables, transportation, Oil & Gas, automation, and others).

Corporate Social Responsibility is a guiding principle of Nexans’ business activities and internal practices. In 2013 Nexans became the first cable provider to create a Foundation supporting sustainable initiatives bringing access to energy to disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Group’s commitment to developing ethical, sustainable and high-quality cables also drives its active involvement within leading industry associations, including Europacable, the NEMA, ICF or CIGRE to mention a few.

Nexans employs nearly 27,000 people with industrial footprint in 34 countries and commercial activities worldwide. In 2018, the Group generated 6.5 billion euros in sales.

ASCO Collaborating with Equinor on Retail Materials Management Model

Tina Olivero — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:27:49 +0000

Aberdeen-headquartered logistics and materials management company, ASCO, has recently completed a collaboration with multinational energy company, Equinor, providing a unique digital solution to the energy industry transforming materials management practice.

The co-developed digital solution, ‘iLMS Track and Trace’, will facilitate a move away from the traditional energy supply chain model adopting a modern retail model providing full end-to-end track and trace capabilities for operations, maintenance, production. The new model will allow for real-time material visibility, control and process efficiency in a data and system driven process environment.

ASCO, working in collaboration with Equinor on a six-sigma approach, completely enhanced the business and process architecture for materials management both onshore and offshore, adopting the value adding principles from retail while meeting the specific needs of the energy industry to create a safer, leaner, better, and faster way of working.

Allan Scott, Innovations Director, ASCO

The iLMS solution is integrated with Equinor’s ERP system and enhances their business by providing far greater functionality, usability, control and simplicity using bar codes and handheld tablets. Matflo is a DAI-owned logistics automation software which is used extensively throughout the retail industry. DAI works with leading brands including ASOS, Tesco, Coca-Cola, Sainsbury’s and Adidas and have been strategic partners of ASCO since 2012 in the development of ASCO’s integrated logistics management system (iLMS) built on Matflo.

With offshore deployment due to commence next month (September 2019), ASCO Group Innovation Director, Allan Scott, commented: “ASCO’s collaboration with Equinor is the result of a joint vision to transform materials management. The warehouse deployment has brought improvements beyond our expectations, one major process has improved from 15 minutes to 30 seconds. Training the staff to use the full system was completed in one day. The ability to control and manage materials in real time brings a wealth of benefits. The offshore deployment will be transformative to how we currently think, plan and manage materials offshore.”

About ASCO:

ASCO is the leading materials management and logistics company for the global energy industry. Headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, ASCO operates from over 70 locations worldwide and employs c.1,500 people. As the essential partner for global energy materials and logistics management, ASCO works with the world’s largest oil and gas operators to deliver safety and service excellence. Digitalisation and modernisation are at the heart of operations at ASCO. The Group’s innovative processes and systems means the company is at the forefront of driving supply chain efficiency. ASCO offers an integrated service which includes end-to-end solutions spanning supply base management, materials and warehouse management, waste management, decommissioning, transport and logistics, training, personnel provision, fuel services and marine management. It combines this with specialist technical and advisory services across marine, materials, inventory and lifting operations, and world-class technology via its proprietary integrated Logistics Management System (iLMS), to meet the needs of oil operators across the world. ASCO is owned by DH Equity Partners and ASCO Management. To find out more, visit: www.ascoworld.com

About Equinor:

Equinor is a broad energy company developing oil, gas, wind and solar energy in more than 30 countries worldwide. The largest operator in Norway, one of the world’s largest offshore operators, and a growing force in renewables. Driven by our Nordic urge to explore beyond the horizon and dedication to safety, equality and sustainability.

New Harsh Environment Research Facility

Tina Olivero — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 12:13:04 +0000

Memorial University is establishing a new Harsh Environment Research Facility (HERF) to strengthen the region’s infrastructure and expertise in technologies operating in harsh environments, such as the ocean, energy, shipping, and aerospace sectors.

The HERF will be a new world-class R&D facility for large-scale testing, research and development that is vital to the Canadian economy and environment. It will include a multi-purpose facility to simulate harsh conditions with icebergs and sea ice, high winds, waves, sea water spray, fog, and other harsh climatic conditions such as freezing rain storms. The facility will have strategic importance to industrial research locally, nationally and globally with its capacity to simulate both fresh and salt-water conditions, which will be unique in the world.

“Over the past number of years, Memorial University has built an international reputation for its research capacity, expertise and collaborative work in harsh environments. This new facility will help Memorial and its partners pursue important leading-edge research in this field, develop solutions to real world challenges and help drive innovation and growth in our region’s ocean industries,” said Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East

Memorial University will work with other post-secondary institutions and industry partners to address engineering challenges in three core areas – icing of marine vessels and other structures such as overhead power lines, aircraft and wind turbines; ice-structure interactions including ice management and safety and; advanced material coatings and engineered surfaces.

“At Memorial, we take pride in creating exciting teaching and learning environments for students and researchers alike, while simultaneously achieving an important goal of having a positive, practical impact on industry. This includes better ways to operate in harsh offshore environments. So I thank the Federal and Provincial Governments and Husky Energy for this critical investment into the establishment of this facility. Memorial is proud to work with these partners to lead innovative breakthroughs in cold ocean and harsh environment research,” said Dr. Gary Kachanoski, President and Vice-chancellor, Memorial University

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $2.4 million and the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is providing a non-repayable contribution of $2.7 million. Husky Energy is investing $1 million.

“Our top priority is to reduce risk to our people and the environment. Having access to the Harsh Environment Research Facility and being able to collaborate with experts in the field will give us more opportunities to test systems and structures in conditions specific to our region. Consistent with our commitment to continual improvement, the more we learn about the environment in which we operate, the better we can optimize our logistics and asset deployment, providing for more timely and effective interventions,” said Trevor Pritchard Senior Vice President Atlantic, Husky Energy

“Our government is proud to invest in research and innovation through this new world-class facility which will build industry-relevant Research and Development capacity in the area of ocean technology. Support for innovation and technology delivers on our government’s commitments in The Way Forward’s Business Innovation Agenda to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. These investments develop highly skilled jobs, to sustain local market growth and to further develop the economy,” said Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Sarah Stoodley, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, along with Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, made the announcement today.

Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is growing the innovation economy by working to sustain strategic clusters, and enhance the development and reach of business accelerators and incubators. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the blue economy to Atlantic Canada. Through the Ocean Supercluster, we are working with our partners to harness emerging technologies to strengthen Canada’s ocean industries. That is why we are pleased to invest in this world-class initiative, which will be an asset for the Ocean Supercluster, and will enable Memorial University to pursue key research to help grow the oceans sector,” said Honourable Navdeep, Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

Support for innovation and technology delivers on commitments in The Way Forward’s Business Innovation Agenda to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified economy and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

TRITON KNOLL SELECTS SEACAT SERVICES FOR OFFSHORE VESSEL SUPPORT

Tina Olivero — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 15:57:48 +0000

Class-leading offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services has signed a long-term deal to support the construction phase of Triton Knoll offshore wind farm.

The contract, which includes options for further vessel charters, will initially see two Seacat Services OESVs – one 26-metre and one 24-metre catamaran – operating out of Triton Knoll’s new Grimsby construction base, providing specialist crew transfer and logistical support at the 90-turbine, 857MW project off the UK’s East Coast.

With offshore construction set to commence in Q1 2020, the first of the two vessels will begin preparation works at the project this winter, with the second set to join her in April 2020. Both are set to remain on the project until the end of 2021.

Triton Knoll will be the next major offshore wind construction project to enter UK waters when the first components are installed next year, and has already made significant progress during the installation of the onshore electrical system. Once fully operational, Triton Knoll will be capable of generating enough renewable energy for the equivalent of over 800,000 typical UK households.

Throughout construction, the wind farm project continues to support the ongoing development of the domestic supply chain, and recently launched a local recruitment drive for long term operations technicians on the project. The contract with Isle of Wight-based Seacat Services extends a relationship that has already seen the project owner and vessel operator work together at Galloper Offshore Wind Farm.

Seacat Services’ entire fleet of fourteen state-of-the-art OESVs has been built in the UK, with two further catamarans currently under construction at the Diverse Marine shipyard in Cowes.

Matthias Reiker, Finance Director for Triton Knoll, said: “We’re delighted to bring Seacat Services into the Triton Knoll team, further strengthening our project presence in Grimsby and reinforcing our commitment to the UK’s offshore supply chain.”

“It is vital that the construction of the project is conducted as efficiently as possible while meeting our highest safety standards. In light of this, Seacat Services has proved a natural fit as a vessel provider and we look forward to progressing our state-of-the-art project with them.”

The deal reaffirms the expertise of Seacat Services in managing complex logistical charters for large-scale offshore wind construction projects. For the duration of the contract, the pair of Seacat Services vessels will be operating out of the Port of Grimsby and will work in conjunction with the on-site Service Operation Vessel (SOV) as part of a shift-based approach that will keep them available on a 24-hour basis at the height of construction activity.

Ian Baylis, Managing Director of Seacat Services said: “During the time-sensitive offshore wind construction phase, the importance of a finely-honed approach to vessel management cannot be understated. It not only ensures maximum ‘time-on-turbine’ for project technicians to keep the project on track but can also create wider operational efficiencies that have an impact across the board.”

“Having worked out of Grimsby previously, we’re looking forward to returning later this year and getting the project underway.”

Ian Baylis, Managing Director, Seacat Services, and Matthias Reiker, Finance Director, Triton Knoll. Credit Triton Knoll

Energy Generation

It is estimated that the average annual generation expected at the site could be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of an expected minimum of 800,000 average UK households.

Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal is derived using wind speeds monitored in the local area and correlated with long term reference data. The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent figure may change as further data are gathered.

Equivalent homes supplied is based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4100 kWh. This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics and household figures from the UK National Statistics Authority.

About Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm

Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm is owned by innogy, J-Power and Kansai Electric Power, with innogy managing the construction as well as the long-term operation and maintenance works on behalf of its project partners.

Triton Knoll is a state-of-the-art, 857MW offshore wind farm, consisting of 90 of the world’s most powerful turbines, and representing a significant investment in new UK energy infrastructure. Located 32km off the Lincolnshire coast, Triton Knoll is the largest offshore wind farm currently in construction by majority shareholder innogy and, once fully operational, will be capable generating renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over 800,000 typical UK households.
For more details please visit www.tritonknoll.co.uk

About Seacat Services

Seacat Services is the class leading offshore energy support vessel operator, located in Cowes, UK. With a current fleet of fourteen boats that conform to the highest operational and safety standards, the company operates internationally and works directly with developers, utilities, manufacturers and support services businesses to provide fast and efficient offshore personnel and equipment transfers.
For more details please visit – www.seacatservices.co.uk

Rever: Whole Fleet Deployment and Successful Completion of North Sea Projects

Tina Olivero — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 13:25:09 +0000

Rever Offshore, a leading subsea services provider to the oil and gas industry, continues its success in the North Sea, announcing the deployment of all four of the company’s vessels since the start of April, 2019.

The Rever fleet, which includes the saturation dive support vessels Rever Topaz, Rever Sapphire and Rever Polaris along with the heavy construction support vessel Normand Clipper, was fully employed for several key clients on projects within the UK sector of the North Sea.

The Rever Polaris, which has recently completed an eight-week dry dock, and the Normand Clipper, have been working simultaneously on a large subsea decommissioning scope recovering flexible flowlines and various subsea structures. Prior to this, the Normand Clipper was configured in construction mode where she successfully completed a multiple flexible flowline installation project.

The Rever Topaz has been working on saturation diving IRM scopes and has now commenced a long term commitment in the southern sector of the North Sea. The Rever Sapphire, having also focused on IRM scopes including sat diving and has now changed mode on to ROV survey and inspection works.

Barry Macleod, Rever CEO, said: “I am delighted to see our Rever Offshore fleet all fully operational again across all the service lines we provide; IRM, construction and decommissioning. We have exceeded expectations around vessel utilisation for the early part of the season and the market outlook is strengthening and showing positive signs of continued recovery which is encouraging, not just for Rever but for the wider industry too”.

About Rever Offshore

Rever Offshore is a leading provider of subsea installation and IRM services to the offshore oil and gas industry. The company is headquartered in Aberdeen and offers an integrated service portfolio to a diversified client and contract base; including project management, engineering, procurement and subsea intervention services to construct, maintain and extend the life of subsea oil field. www.reveroffshore.com

Photo Caption: Rever dive support vessel, Rever Sapphire

GlobalData: “Petrobras to lead global deployment of planned and announced FPSOs to 2025.”

Tina Olivero — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 11:30:00 +0000

A total of 20 planned and announced floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) are expected to be deployed offshore Brazil between 2019 and 2025, the highest among countries globally, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The company’s report: ‘Q3 2019 Global FPSO Industry Outlook – Brazil Continues to Lead Upcoming FPSOs Growth’ reveals that Brazil will also lead globally on crude production capacity through upcoming FPSOs with 2,430 thousand barrels per day (mbd) during the outlook period.

Among the 20 upcoming FPSOs to be deployed in Brazil by 2025, 11 are planned with identified development plans while nine are early-stage announced FPSOs that are undergoing conceptual studies and are expected to be approved for development. Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras), the state-owned company of Brazil, will operate 13 out of these 20 FPSOs.

Soorya Tejomoortula, Oil & Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In Brazil, the Mero (Libra Noroeste) field is expected to have the highest deployment of four upcoming FPSOs by 2025; Marlim and Lula Oeste are the additional key offshore fields in the country with two FPSO deployments each during the outlook period.”

GlobalData identifies Angola as the second highest country globally with five upcoming FPSOs by 2025. All the upcoming FPSOs in the country are announced FPSOs. Sonangol P&P and Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Ltd lead the deployments in the country with two FPSOs each.

Nigeria follows Angola with the deployment of four FPSOs, of which three are announced and one is planned. Yinson Holdings Bhd is the operator of the planned FPSO, Abigail-Joseph.

Brazil, Angola, and Nigeria are expected to contribute around 62% of global crude production capacity through FPSOs by 2025.

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, technology, energy, financial and professional services sectors.

Kvaerner to recycle Statfjord A four decades after delivering the platform

Tina Olivero — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:06:58 +0000

Kvaerner has been awarded a contract from Allseas for dismantling and recycling of the topside at Equinor’s Statfjord A platform in the the North Sea. The Statfjord A facility was originally built at Kvaerner’s specialised facility at Stord, Norway. 42 years after the tow-out to the field, it is now clear that the platform will return to Stord to finalise its life cycle. The ambition is to maximise recycle more than 98 percent of the materials for new purposes.

The platform consists of concrete gravity based structure standing on the seabed and carrying the approximately 48 000 tonnes topside. Both the concrete substructure and the topside were delivered by Kvaerner in the 1970’s. Statfjord A has contributed to major parts of Norway’s oil and gas production since the start at 24 November 1979. The platform was the initial installation at the Statfjord field, which has been Norway’s most producing oil field.

Equinor has selected Allseas to perform all engineering, preparation, removal and disposal work for the topside of the Statfjord A platform. This also include the marine operations, including to lift the topsides off the concrete gravity based substructure and transport it to shore on the world’s largest lifting vessel, Pioneering Spirit. When arriving outside Kvaerner’s facility at Stord at the west coast of Norway, the topside will be transferred to the barge Iron Lady before load-in to the disposal site. Kvaerner’s scope of work includes to prepare the quays, assist during load-in and perform the dismantling of the topside.

The decommissioning site is located next to Kvaerner’s facility for construction of new platforms. This creates synergies for HSSE focus, and for cost-effective execution of projects.

“Statfjord A has for decades created values and employment. This value creation and employment effects continue when we now start the process which will enable reuse of many thousands of tonnes of key materials for future purposes. We are excited to be involved in recycling of the largest structure to be removed from the Norwegian continental shelf so far. This new scope is a further boost to the activity at the state-of-the-art facility Kvaerner has at Stord for decommissioning of offshore installations”, says Karl-Petter Løken, President & CEO for Kvaerner.

About Kvaerner:

Kvaerner is a leading provider of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, and delivers offshore installations and onshore installations around the world. Kværner ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Kvaerner”), is an international contractor and preferred partner for oil and gas operators and other engineering and fabrication contractors. Kvaerner and its approximately 2 700 HSSE-focused and experienced employees are recognised for delivering some of the world’s most amazing and demanding projects.

In 2018, Kvaerner’s Field Development segment had consolidated annual revenues of NOK 7.3 billion and the company reported an order backlog at 31 December 2018 of NOK 10.6 billion. Kvaerner is publicly listed with the ticker “KVAER” at the Oslo Stock Exchange. For further information, please visit www.kvaerner.com.

World Marine Offshore Plugs in to Barefleet For Integrated CTV Monitoring

Tina Olivero — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:40:39 +0000

Innovative offshore logistics operator, World Marine Offshore (WMO), have implemented BareFLEET, Reygar’s advanced remote monitoring system, on their crew transfer vessel (CTV) World Mistral. This installation is the first in WMO’s rollout of BareFLEET, which will soon deliver comprehensive health and performance monitoring across the firm’s diverse fleet of CTVs.

Leading vessel businesses across the offshore wind support sector are investing in a number of monitoring systems as part of a best practice approach to vessel operations. However, a lack of interoperability between these disparate systems continues to present a significant challenge for vessel operators. It is becoming increasingly clear that this data must be pulled into one place and interfaced smoothly to generate a clear picture of vessel performance and health from which to inform operational and commercial decisions.

As well as BareFLEET’s standard package of advanced engine, navigation and motion monitoring, World Mistral’s version of BareFLEET interfaces with several 3rd party systems already installed to the vessel. This includes the soft bow hydraulic system, fin stabilizer ride control system, active ballast system, and genset, bow thruster, and shore power systems. By consolidating the data from these existing systems, BareFLEET will act as a black box tool that provides a single platform for complete insight into WMO’s CTV vessel performance data.

Chris Huxley-Reynard, Engineering Director of Reygar, said: “As part of WMO’s commitment to finding cost efficient and effective solutions to their client’s operational challenges, they have requested a highly comprehensive system of vessel monitoring. By plugging in BareFLEET, the operations team will be able to optimize the vessel’s performance and schedule maintenance before faults become critical – therefore maintaining a high level of safety and availability for their clients.

“BareFLEET’s digital DPR function will also support the firm’s emphasis on maintaining trust and transparency within client relationships.”

Via the digital DPR, WMO will be able to supply comprehensive reports to their clients on a daily basis, showing crew onboard, technician pax and equipment transfers, fuel bunkering, weather observations and safety checks and drills.

Jesper Mortensen, Head of Technical at WMO, said: “It’s WMO’s ambition to be the most innovative fleet in the industry, and Reygar’s ability to adapt BareFLEET to our specific combination of vessel systems means that we have complete awareness of the health and performance of the vessel.

“Our high-performance CTVs include SWATH, high-speed, and hybrid vessels, and encompass a range of unique designs and onboard systems intended to provide our clients with the right vessel to suit their needs – and the versatility of the BareFLEET platform will ensure that we have the most comprehensive understanding of a fleet of any CTV operator in the industry.”

About Reygar

Established in 2012, Reygar provides fully integrated remote monitoring and fleet reporting systems to the marine industry.

BareFLEET is a pioneering fleet monitoring platform that offers an unparalleled level of insight into all aspects of fleet performance and health. Developed to help maximise the operational effectiveness of fleets, BareFLEET automatically gathers a comprehensive set of engine, navigational, vibration, motion and health data, including fuel efficiency, CO2 emissions, vertical heave motion, tower impact and push-on force, plus indications of motion sickness

Offshore NL: Life on Hebron

Tina Olivero — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 14:59:38 +0000

ExxonMobil has released a video showing what it is like to live and work on one of the world’s largest offshore platforms, Hebron, located off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Hebron project started production in November 2017. At its peak, the project will produce up to 150,000 barrels of oil per day.

Discovered in 1980, the Hebron field is estimated to contain more than 700 million barrels of recoverable resources. The Hebron platform consists of a stand-alone gravity-based structure(GBS). The GBS consists of a reinforced concrete structure designed to withstand sea ice, icebergs and meteorological and oceanographic conditions. The platform supports an integrated topsides deck that includes living quarters and drilling and production facilities. The platform has storage capacity of 1.2 million barrels of oil.

The Hebron oil field is located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, which is 350 kilometres southeast of St. John’s. The project started production in November 2017. At its peak, the project will produce up to 150,000 barrels of oil per day.

Hebron is operated by ExxonMobil affiliate, ExxonMobil Canada Properties, which holds 35.5 percent equity in the project. Chevron Canada holds 29.6 percent interest, Suncor Energy holds 21 percent, Statoil Canada has nine percent and Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas Inc. has 4.9 percent.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency – Co-Chairs and Committee

Tina Olivero — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:47:07 +0000

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has enlisted key representatives from Atlantic Canada to be committee members overseeing the environmental assessment process offshore Newfoundland/NovaScotia. Minister McKenna announced the appointment of Garth Bangay and Wes Foote as co-chairs of the Committee to carry out the regional assessment of Offshore Oil Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador. Gerald Anderson, Keith Storey and Maureen Murphy Rustad have been appointed as committee members.

Garth Bangay

Mr. Bangay is now an environmental consultant in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Toronto and has over 40 years of experience in bridging science with successful policy outcomes on such diverse subject areas as Great Lakes water quality, acid rain and persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic. He has also been directly responsible for projects such as the successful raising of the oil-laden barge, the Irving Whale from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the clean-up of the Sydney Tar Ponds. He has during his career managed Environment Canada’s national water research institutes and the department’s diverse programs in the Atlantic Region. He has also effectively led Canada’s participation in a number of International initiatives including the first ever seven nation Circumpolar Agreement to protect the Arctic environment. This agreement also set a precedent for the engagement of northern Indigenous peoples. He co-championed the development and implementation of the Nova Scotia Sustainable Communities program, which involved 37 agencies and four levels of government and won the Institute of Public Administration of Canada’s Silver Medal for “Innovation in Horizontal Management in Government.”

Wes Foote

Mr. Foote is the former Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Petroleum Development with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Wes is an engineering professional consultant with over 30 years of experience in diverse engineering roles. In his ADM role with the provincial government, he was responsible for leading a team that provided technical expertise to allow the government to make informed decisions related to offshore and onshore oil and gas developments in the province as well as marketing the oil and gas potential/ prospectivity. Wes was recently appointed, by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board as a Board member.

Gerald Anderson

Mr. Anderson is well known throughout Newfoundland and across Canada for his work with Indigenous Peoples in the education sector. Born in L’Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Gerald is of Inuit ancestry and a beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement. He held the Vice President position (Indigenous) with the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and is currently working a five day per month assignment as Director of Development and Engagement with the Marine Institute of Memorial University. He is also a Board member of Polar Knowledge Canada and an Ambassador with the Arctic Inspiration Prize. In 2014, Mr. Anderson was awarded an Indspire Award, described as the “highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own achievers.” He joined the Fisheries and Marine Institute in 1987 and has worked for over 27 years in various roles with Indigenous groups in Newfoundland, Nunavut, and Nunavik, primarily focused on establishing fisheries and marine education and training programs. Mr. Anderson helped develop Fisheries Development Training plans for Nunavut, Nunatsiavut, Innu Nation, Federation of Newfoundland Indians, and the Labrador Métis Nation. He worked closely with the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River to develop and deliver long-term fisheries and marine training program

Maureen Murphy Rustad

Ms. Murphy Rustad is the Managing Director of One Ocean, the liaison organization established in 2002, by and for the fishing and petroleum industries of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was born and raised in St. John’s and is the youngest of nine children. After completing her studies in Newfoundland and Ontario, she worked in London, England for two years in public relations before moving to France to continue her studies at the Université de Pau. She worked in France for several years but her interest in marine affairs drew her back to Canada to complete a Master’s degree in Marine Management. She worked as a consultant for Fisheries and Oceans Canada before joining One Ocean at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2003 as a Research Analyst. Ms. Murphy Rustad was the Manager of Operations for One Ocean before her appointment as Managing Director in 2010.

Keith Storey

Mr. Storey received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom (1966), a Master of Arts from Simon Fraser (1969) and a Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario (1977). He taught Geography at Memorial University from 1971 to 2009. He currently holds the position of Honorary Research Professor in Geography and serves as the Director of The Population Project, a research program funded through the Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development at Memorial University. In recent years, much of his work has been in the oil and gas, mining, hydro and construction sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador, northern and western Canada, Western Australia and the Gulf of Mexico.

Source: CEAA & CNLOPB

Offshore Drilling: Mud Slops Solution in Newfoundland!

Tina Olivero — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:36:28 +0000

What are Mud Slops?

Mud slop is the drilling waste produced from offshore oil exploration and production. Dealing with mud slops is one of the challenges of the oil and gas industry as this waste is not environmentally friendly. So what do we do with it?

“Mud slops,” by definition, are a mixture of spent drilling mud, recovered hydrocarbons, drill cuttings and flowback water in a complex and stable emulsion. This waste stream cannot be sold or easily disposed of and therefore has to be eliminated in the best way possible. Mud slops have historically been stored in pits or tanks without sustainable disposal solutions.

In the past, mud slops were a disruptive waste that had to be transported, stored, and transshipped, which ultimately was not a cheap or sustainable solution. The real solution for mud slops is to break the complex emulsion and recover re-useable hydrocarbons, minimize the solids generated for disposal, and treat the water using effective technology to eliminate environmental liabilities.

Mud slops processed off-island is more expensive so having a facility in Newfoundland makes good business sense. Design, construction, and commissioning of Pardy’s mud slops facility, provides an option for mud slops disposal right here in Donovans, Newfoundland. They are excited about the new facility. Steve Moores, General Manager at Pardy’s Waste Management, says, “We have constructed and commissioned a new mud slops processing facility to service the offshore oil producers and their suppliers. With the knowledge of our processing team led by Steve Wiseman, and the vision of our owner, Derek Pardy, we have been able to create a really innovative solution that the industry needs to manage waste generated from exploration and development. Pardy’s has successfully treated and disposed of 7.5 Million litres of mud slops so far. Our mud processing trials began back in October of 2018 and included the research of flow rates, chemical mixology, employee training, and competency, along with third-party sampling and analysis to support the project. As of late October 2018, we were averaging 120,000 to 140,000 liters of mud slops a day for a total process throughput of 7,562,566 liters.”

The Pardy’s mud slops facility is in a heated storage tank farm and allows for continuous operations, without shutting down for adverse weather conditions while maintaining operational control. The trial project generated 1,743,025 liters of recoverable oil and was sold as IFO (Industrial Fuel Oil). One major advantage of the facility is that it’s close to the activity, operates 24/7/365, and does not require the intermediate bulk storage of waste, which by many standards is a preferred option of waste management because it eliminates the liability associated with storage. It’s quite simple: waste in, treated water, recovered hydrocarbons and minimal secondary waste out.

Steve Wiseman says, “The process of mud slops phase separation allows us to totally separate the phases of emulsion and minimizes waste volume. We don’t add binding agents or sawdust to dry out our solids. Our goal is waste reduction. Conventionally, mud slops were mixed with sawdust to make them dry and sent off the island…. our business is based on finding solutions, not transferring them to someone else’s backyard!”

The current Pardy’s facility employs 65+ people, with seasoned oil and gas industry technical experience in excess of 85 combined years in waste processing to support the energy industry of the province.

Facts about Pardy’s Waste Management and Industrial Services Ltd.

Pardy’s Waste Management and Industrial Services Ltd. is owned and led by Derek Pardy. Derek is an accomplished businessperson who has never been afraid to take on complex problems, tight timelines, or big projects. Pardy’s has been in the industrial cleaning, waste processing, high-pressure service, and vacuum truck rental business since 1982. Our combined years of experience and diversity of human resources make us a premium service provider with the ability to use our equipment, people, and the broad resource base of suppliers and subcontractors to solve complex problems for our customers.

Pardy’s has constantly evolved and grown to provide a full suite of waste management services for their customers. Their current focus is ensuring that the oil and gas industry has sustainable solutions for industrial cleaning, bulk storage, and waste management.

ADVERTORIAL: WWW.Pardyswaste.com

Game Changer! The Underwater World: Distributing Electricity from the Ocean Floor

Tina Olivero — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 13:24:24 +0000

People who aren’t courageous enough to change the future, should not interrupt those who are doing it. This is certainly true when it comes to the oil and gas industry that is creating a sustainable energy future and serving world energy demand.

We live in a knowledge-based economy, a place where innovation and digitalization are taking over every aspect of life on earth. It’s a playground for inventors, visionaries and energy pioneers.

These are exciting times because we are creating energy solutions that were not even a dream, let alone a reality, just ten short years ago. It’s a new and sustainable underwater world! Here’s what’s about to come…

TRUE PIONEERS IMAGINE WHAT “CAN BE”

Having visited the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, I had the privilege of meeting with and interviewing some of the greatest minds of our time, pioneering souls who are changing the oil and gas landscape with everything from unmanned rigs, to electrical substations supporting oil and gas production, on the seafloor. Extremely impressive was the work of ABB on subsea power and automation systems that expand oil and gas operations capacity, extend the lifespan of an oil field and reduce costs for oil and gas fields.

They call it ‘subsea to market’, where the future of oil and gas is in the processing plant under water. In other words, production, separation and storage of oil and gas happen sight unseen, below the surface. It’s mind-boggling.

THE SUBSEA FACTORY

Distributing electricity in water is almost unthinkable, yet it has been done in such a way that it will revolutionize the way we work and live. Seven years in the making, ABB has turned a vision into reality. Svein Vatland, Vice President Subsea Technology Program, has made it his life’s work to enable a power distribution station to work on the bottom of the sea. He says, “This technology allows operators to move into deeper waters and enable a cost efficient way of developing these fields, at depths of up to 3000 meters.”

Subsea oil and gas exploration is done in an extremely harsh environment. New technology that goes beyond today’s current capabilities is required. The target of a five-year Joint Industry Project (JIP) being led by ABB and the Norwegian oil company Equinor, was to develop the technology required to seamlessly power tomorrow’s underwater facilities. Together with their partners, ABB and partners have invested over $100 million dollars to develop this new-age energy generating system. Imagine over 100 MW of power distributed on the ocean floor supporting oil and gas production. That is the future. A future that has subsea facilities operating on the ocean floor providing electricity to the drilling process, directly at the point of seafloor operations. A future that means smaller FPSO’s, subsea tieback efficiency, a self-monitoring and self-testing system with more efficient oil and gas production overall.

Beginning in late 2013, ABB has been developing electrical equipment that can reliably provide power (equivalent to what is needed to power a small city) subsea at depths down to 3,000 meters over distances up to 600 km, and then distribute the power to multiple users.

ABB has become a leading supplier of electrification solutions that operate with little to no maintenance in a highly corrosive ocean environment. The solution they have engineered is appropriately called the Subsea Power Station, and it reminds you of something out of a sci-fi movie, except it’s not on another planet; it’s under the sea.

What does it take to build a power station at sea? You only have to think about the diverse range of challenges for a power station submerged in water. Imagine a fully functional underwater facility transmitting 100 MW of power up to 600 kilometers away from the shore, at depths of 3000 meters, on the ocean floor. It’s the pie in the sky dream that has become a reality!

The brilliant minds of ABB had to engineer solutions that addressed challenges like:

Building a safe system that works underwater
Underwater control systems
Overcoming water/electricity challenges
Mechanical considerations
The possibility of leaks and breaks
Underwater extreme pressures
Tides and water temperatures
Water depths
Component maintenance
Operating efficiencies
and so much more.

The ABB team did not waver from the task; they pioneered with a solutions mindset, and that’s what brings dreams into reality.

THE GAME CHANGER

It takes a tribe to build new power systems on the ocean floor. Seven years of planning, designing, and testing has been the work of the ABB subsea team, to get this right. And it’s finally here.

From the initial ABB subsea installation in the 1970s to a full subsea station utilized for oil and gas production, it is an uncustomary truth that has arrived right on time.

This work is similar to sending a satellite up in space. Both work in conditions that once the technology is installed, fixing anything is very difficult. This ABB system, will be free of people working and servicing it. It will be fully automated. The premise is safety and efficiency whereby oil platform workers will be relocated to shore-based control rooms reducing risk at sea.

Underwater oil production seems like a pipedream for the wild minds of fools, but it’s actually steeped in very sound energy generation and oil production principles. Underwater operations:

increase safety
greatly reduces operational costs
reduce the energy needed to recover oil
reduce or eliminates marine pollution
simplify decommissioning
boost oil production with increased flow rates
provide services closer to the reservoir
minimize capital and operating expenditures
improve oil and gas recovery rates
create the environment to explore longer, deeper and in colder fields
provide a predictive model of operations for peak, reliable performance

While the technical challenges of this initiative have been beyond imaginable, the payoff will be huge for oil companies of the future. Svein Vatland, Vice President of Subsea Technology Program at ABB, and his team have had the privilege of creating the unthinkable and making it real. This project is the bridge to a new energy future. It’s sustainable, and it’s a dream come true.

Where will these subsea factories be placed around the world? Svein Vatland says, “We are now analyzing where our systems will be best utilized. This is a global game and we are looking at all the various deep water sites around the world that this system will support.”

The ultimate goal is to have a self-controlled, fully autonomous system that has no human interaction at all. That’s the future to come…

It’s clear, subsea factories will change the way we live and work. It’s the possibility of underwater distribution of energy that’s not unsightly to our landscapes, but instead silently and efficiently tucked away on the seafloor creating the energy we need on the surface of the earth. Given that our planet is 70% submerged under water, the new energy producing ‘water world’ is a game changer for us all.

SOURCE AND PICTURES: ABB, EQUINOR

Continuous “Hands Off” Insulation Resistance Testing of Critical Motors

Tina Olivero — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 13:22:56 +0000

For decades, offshore oil and gas personnel have performed insulation resistance tests with handheld megohmmeters to prevent motor and generator failures that lead to costly unplanned shutdowns, production interruptions and rewinding repairs.

However, these tests only provide a “snapshot” of motor or generator health. In a matter of only a few days, windings and cables that are exposed to salt air, moisture, chemicals, contaminants or vibration can become compromised and fail at startup.

Portable megohmmeters also require electrical technicians to manually disconnect the equipment cables and connect the test leads on potentially energized or damaged equipment to perform the manual testing.

These tests expose technicians to potential arc flashes when they access the cabinet. In the United States non-fatal arc flash incidents occur approximately 5 to 10 times per day, with fatalities at the rate of approximately one per day.

With so much at risk, offshore platform operators are recognizing the value of continuous megohm testing and monitoring of insulation resistance that initiates the moment the motor or generator is off and continues until it is re-started again.

Armed with this information, maintenance personnel can take corrective actions ahead of time to avoid a failure that would interrupt production. By doing so, they can save oil and gas producers hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost production and repair fees for expensive rewinding as well.

Furthermore, permanently installed automatic testing devices allow for “hands-off” monitoring without having to access cabinets – keeping technicians out of harm’s way.

Motor Protection on Offshore Platforms

Offshore platforms rely heavily on their main generators and a variety of motors, though the number and type vary depending on the size of the platform and rate of production.

On a deepwater or ultra-deepwater platform, several hundred motors may be installed, with 5-10 categorized as critical or significant (high cost motors that are not easily replaced). On exceptionally large platforms, up to 30 critical motors might be involved.

These motors, which can range from 460 volts up to 13,200 volts, are found in crude oil export pumps, circulating water (saltwater, utility, fresh) pumps, fire pumps, cement pumps, gas compressors and fans.

Medium voltage generators in the main power plant, as well as low-voltage standby generators that back up the main generators and power lifesaving equipment are also critical to the operation of the platforms.

Unfortunately, this equipment is subjected to ice, moisture, changing temperatures and dense salt-fog. The salt-fog is one of the worst problems because the salt, combined with the moisture, can cause severe damage to the electrical insulation inside the critical motors and generators.

“The offshore environment is probably one of the harshest environments for electric motors and generators,” says Donna Lee Hodgson, P.E. and Senior Electrical Engineer for Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc. Hodgson currently designs deepwater facilities for projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

“I have seen motors come into the shop that have salt encrusted on the interior of the stator windings,” says Hodgson.

Sand is also prevalent on deepwater platforms given the constant sandblasting and re- coating of carbon steel structures. “Basically, the sand that you are blasting at the carbon steel structures around the equipment tends to get into the motors and generators too,” says Hodgson. The sand breaks down the insulation coatings on the windings which leads to premature failures.

The environment is so corrosive that Hodgson typically specifies enclosed or weather- protected motors.

In addition, most offshore oil operations engage in a time-based preventative maintenance (PM) programs. As part of the program, insulation resistance tests are typically scheduled on a semi-annual or annual basis. Typically, insulation resistance tests are also conducted at the start of annual overhauls or planned outages, to identify any motors that need repairs.

According to Hodgson, critical motors on the deepwater platforms are tested to determine the equipment’s Polarization Index (PI). The PI is used to determine the fitness of a motor or generator and is derived by calculating the insulation resistance of the windings using a portable megohmmeter.

The test begins with a reading of insulation resistance recorded at one minute, then a second test reading is taken for 10 minutes. The ratio of the two measurements provides the PI, which should be above 2.0.

Still, despite these types of tests, motors and generators can become compromised within only a few days in the corrosive, dirty environment and fail at startup. When this occurs, costs quickly mount for “rewind” repairs or replacing the motor or generator while production comes to a halt.

“Failures can be really expensive. Rewinds can cost tens of thousands of dollars, up to a couple hundred thousand depending on the type of motor or generator,” says Hodgson.

“And it is not just the cost of the repair,” she adds. “It is also the cost of the labor to get the motor or generator prepped and ready for shipment, the cost for the boat to bring it to and from the platform, and road transport. Those costs can also run in the tens of thousands of dollars.”

To avoid these costs, electrical engineers are turning to a continuous monitoring device, the Meg-Alert. Hodgson says she first heard about the automatic insulation resistance testing device through some of her colleagues.

The Meg-Alert unit is permanently installed inside the high voltage compartment of the MCC or switchgear and directly connects to the motor or generator windings. The unit senses when the motor or generator is offline and then performs a continuous dielectric test on the winding insulation until the equipment is re-started.

By testing continuously, it reduces the need for manual PI testing since the insulation resistance readings are averaged over a longer period of time to determine the true” leakage current” level of the insulation.

The unit functions by applying a non-destructive, current limited, DC test voltage to the phase windings and then safely measures any leakage current through the insulation back to ground. The system uses DC voltage levels of 500, 1000, 2,500 or 5,000 volts that meet the IEEE, ABS, ANSI/NETA and ASTM International standards for proper insulation resistance testing voltage based on the operating voltage of the equipment.

The test does not cause any deterioration of the insulation and includes current limiting technology that protects personnel.

The Meg-Alert device can also be installed to disable the start circuit to prevent the motor or generator from being operated if the insulation resistance level is unsafe for operation.

It is for this purpose that Hodgson installs the device on the generators on the deepwater platforms.

“The Meg-Alert is wired to the start circuit so when you hit the ‘start button’ you get an automatic insulation resistance test and if it doesn’t stay above a certain setpoint, it will not start the generator,” explains Hodgson.

“What that does is take human error out of the equation. No one has to remember to use a megohmmeter before starting up the generator – the test is automatic and the equipment will not start if it’s not safe to use,” says Hodgson.

Hands-Off Monitoring

The continuous monitoring system also allows for a “hands-off” approach that does not require service technicians to access control cabinets to perform a manual insulation resistance test.

Instead, an analog meter outside on the control cabinet door shows the insulation resistance megohm readings in real time. The meter also indicates good, fair and poor insulation levels through a simple “green, yellow, red” color scheme. When predetermined insulation resistance set point levels are reached, indicator lights will turn on to signal an alarm condition and automatic notifications can be sent out to the monitoring network.

“With the Meg-Alert, personnel do not have to open junction boxes and connect a megohmmeter to the motor or generator. They can just look at the meter and alarm lights on the panel,” says Hodgson.

Continuous monitoring also indicates if the heaters used to maintain thermal temperatures and prevent condensation from forming on the stator coils and cables are working properly.

If these heaters fail to operate properly or the circuit breaker is tripped, maintenance personnel may not be aware of it until the motor or generator fails on startup. Although these heaters are checked regularly, this can leave critical motors and generators unprotected for weeks or even months.

Preventing Arc Flashes

According to Hodgson, safety is another major driver behind the decision to install the Meg-Alert devices.

Arc flashes are an undesired electric discharge that travels through the air between conductors or from a conductor to a ground. The flash is immediate and can product temperatures four times that of the surface of the sun. The intense heat also causes a sudden expansion of air, which results in a blast wave that can throw workers across rooms and knocked them off ladders.

Arc flash injuries include third degree burns, blindness, hearing loss, nerve damage, and cardiac arrest and even death.

Among the potential causes of an arc flash listed by NFPA 70E includes “improper use of test equipment.”

Although de-energizing equipment before testing and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended, the best solution is to eliminate the need to access the control cabinets at all to perform insulation resistance tests.

“Two hazards we would be concerned about on a platform are electrocution and arc flash,” says Hodgson. “Given that generators on platforms are located within feet of the load, this is even more of a concern because of the high short circuit currents.”

Extending Life of Equipment

According to Hodgson, the information generated over time by the devices can also be used to extend the life of critical motors and generators.

Because it provides continuous recorded test readings, the Meg-Alert indicates the approximate remaining life by capturing insulation readings over time.

“We send the readings to our data historian, so we can review insulation resistance trends,” explains Hodgson. “It helps us understand if a generator consistently has low insulation resistance readings or if it fluctuates up and down and we can attribute it to changing weather conditions. It may also help us determine if the issue is dirty windings or deteriorating insulation.”

The information can also be used to pinpoint the time to ideally schedule the motor or generator for reconditioning. This feature alone can save an offshore operation thousands of dollars in repair fees because reconditioning is 40-50% less expensive than rewinding.

“For critical and significant motors and generators, we want use the data to try and predict failures before they happen and to prolong the life of the equipment as much as possible,” says Hodgson.

Let the Games Begin: Drilling Offshore Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 11:51:20 +0000

ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS COMMENCE

And we are off to the races! April 17, 2019, marked the first series of environmental approvals that signal the green light for further exploration and discovery offshore Newfoundland. That is extremely good news. Having been thoroughly assessed and deemed ‘fit’ to proceed, it is clear that these two recent approvals signify that oil exploration and production are not likely to cause adverse environmental effects offshore Newfoundland.

Many people fret about the time it takes for environmental assessments to take place, but they are a crucial component of the process of oil and gas exploration. They ensure that an oil project is safe and sound before proceeding. Consultations with the public, Indigenous Peoples, scientific evidence and a full assessment of greenhouse gas emissions all take place before a project proceeds.

42 WELLS TO BE DRILLED

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, said, “All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know how important offshore oil and gas is for the future of our province. These exploration projects provide excellent opportunities for jobs while providing operators with critical information regarding the potential of their offshore plays. The Government continues its commitment to protecting the environment while growing the economy, creating secure jobs for our country’s middle class.”

These environmental approvals are significant because it means the operators responsible for finding oil will be drilling a combined 42 wells offshore over the next ten years. Given that the finding ratio of exploration wells to oil recovery is approximately 1 in 7, the probability of discovering oil is exceptionally high from these two drilling scenarios. Could we double our oil and gas industry with these two initiatives?

Bets are on yes!

APPROVAL #1

Equinor Canada Ltd. (Equinor) is proposing to conduct an exploration drilling project within offshore exploration licenses located in the Flemish Pass Basin, a minimum of 460 kilometers east of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project would take place between 2019 and 2027, during which Equinor could drill up to 24 offshore wells (up to six per exploration licence) to determine the presence, nature, and quantities of the potential hydrocarbon resource in exploration licences 1139, 1140, 1141, and 1142

APPROVAL #2

ExxonMobil Canada Ltd. (ExxonMobil) is proposing to conduct an exploration drilling project within offshore exploration licences located in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin and the Flemish Pass Basin, a minimum of 265 kilometres east of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The proposed Eastern Newfoundland Offshore Exploration Drilling Project would take place between 2019 and 2029, during which ExxonMobil could to drill up to 18 offshore wells (up to six per exploration licence) to determine the presence, nature, and quantities of the potential hydrocarbon resource in exploration licences 1134, 1135 and 1137.

Both projects are subject to approximately 90 legally-binding conditions the proponents must fulfill. These conditions will reduce or eliminate the potential effects of the projects on the environment. For example, the proponents will be required to mitigate and monitor potential effects on marine habitat, including those related to the treatment of waste discharges, reduce supply vessel speed when marine mammals are observed nearby, verify underwater noise levels, and conduct a survey to identify and avoid corals or sponges at each well site.

Clearly, these new exploration wells hold the opportunity for oil suppliers and contractors over the next five to seven years!

Source: NALCOR, NOIA

SEAEXPLORER: Autonomous Underwater Sensing Platform

Tina Olivero — Thu, 23 May 2019 16:20:02 +0000

The SEAEXPLORER underwater glider is an autonomous sensing platform with very high endurance for both coastal and offshore marine environments: the glider is driven by buoyancy changes (no propeller) for low energy consumption and weeks to months of autonomous missions without the need for a surface vessel. The SEAEXPLORER is an effective profiling tool for water column observation.

Along the saw-tooth like navigation profile the glider collects different physical and biochemical parameters through its attached sensors.

The glider is regularly monitored by the onshore-based pilot each time it surfaces, to remotely download data and update the mission.

Key Benefits

Large scale surveys (weeks to months of endurance without a surface vessel)
Continuous, “in situ” & multi-parameter measurement
Dissolved chemical compound sensing
Near real time data transmission & mission management
Autonomous & very cost effective survey
No environmental footprint / low HSE risk

Offer

ALSEAMAR provides turnkey services from data acquisition to delivery of full data analysis & reports using its powerful autonomous SEA EXPLORER underwater gliders.

The ALSEAMAR offer includes:

Mobilization of SEA EXPLORER gliders
- Mission planning
- Glider preparation & testing
- Glider deployment
Glider survey
- 24/7 Piloting during the mission
- Real-time data provision and processing
- Daily reporting
Demobilization of SEA EXPLORER gliders
- Glider recovery
Analysis & Report processing
- Quality control
- Post mission Processing
- Data analysis
- Delivery of data and final report

Piloting services: for SEAEXPLORER glider owners, ALSEAMAR proposes piloting services with its experienced team of pilots supporting 24/7 mission management during glider surveys.

Collected data

Salinity, Temperature, Pressure
Dissolved oxygen
Chlorophyll
Turbidity
CDOM
Hydrocarbons
Methane
Acoustic recordings

https://ourgreatminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/VIDEO-SEA.mp4

ROMOR is Canada’s exclusive distributor of ALSEAMAR’s Glider
For more information speak with Darrin Verge: WWW.romor.ca

Titanic Survey Expedition Begins

Tina Olivero — Wed, 22 May 2019 18:35:05 +0000

The Havila Harmony, a DP2, 93 meter long, multi-purpose support vessel, operated by Reach SubSea, will serve as the topside support vessel for citizen explorers, researchers, content experts, and crew throughout the 2019 Titanic Survey Expedition. The monumental survey led by OceanGate Expeditions, is a rare opportunity that combines exploration travel with scientific research to give private citizens, known as mission specialists, a chance to work alongside a team of experts to document and digitally preserve the historic maritime site.

“The Havila Harmony is a state-of-the-art vessel operated by an experienced team with extensive knowledge in offshore and subsea operations,” commented Stockton Rush, OceanGate CEO and Founder. “Not only is the vessel ideally suited to serve the scientific and operational objectives of the mission, but it will also play a critical role in our ability to deliver an exceptional experience to our mission specialists, researchers and expedition crew.” Reach Subsea has a long history of providing quality solutions for deep-sea research and the offshore oil industry.

The Norwegian company operates a fleet of 13 vessels specializing in providing world-class engineering and state of the art remotely operated underwater vessels. “Reach Subsea is pleased to support the 2019 Titanic Survey Expedition. We believe that our global experience in multi-purpose vessel operations, subsea exploration, and survey will compliment this exciting project. As in all projects we undertake; Reach Subsea strives to be the best partner by performing above expectations in safety, efficiency, and quality of service.” Said Jostein Alendal, CEO Reach Subsea.

The Havila Harmony is scheduled to depart from St. John’s, Newfoundland in June 2019 and steam nearly 380 nautical miles offshore to the wreck site of the RMS Titanic where it will serve as the topside support ship for the first manned mission to the historic site since 2005. The vessel will house over 35 mission specialists, researchers, scientists and expedition crew throughout the six-week survey and is complete with private living quarters for all mission specialists as well as various common areas for collaboration, presentations, and mission prep. The 2019 Titanic Survey Expedition is the first in a multi-year scientific and technological survey to collect images, video, laser scans, and sonar data which will be used to create a virtual 3D model of the site and provide an objective basis to assess the rate of decay over time and digitally preserve its submerged history.

ABOUT OCEANGATE

OceanGate Expeditions is a company of undersea explorers, scientists, and filmmakers who are dedicated to manned exploration of the underwater world. Not satisfied with scratching the surface of the ocean near the shoreline, OceanGate Expeditions uses manned submersibles to create expeditions at depths far deeper than can be reached with SCUBA. The organization conducts undersea expeditions to explore and document the 95% of the seafloor that man has rarely visited, including iconic shipwrecks, hydrothermal vents, deep-sea canyons, and extreme biological events around the world. These expeditions, to depths approaching 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), provide rare opportunities for citizen explorers to observe the mysteries of the deep sea and expand our understanding of our home, earth, the blue planet.

Visit www.titanicsurveyexpedition.com.

ABOUT REACH SUBSEA

Reach Subsea is a provider of IMR, ROV, Survey, Construction Support and Decommissioning Services. Established in 2008, their comprehensive knowledge of subsea operations has earned them a reputation as a respected and knowledgeable Norwegian operator, providing world-class engineering and state of the art remotely-operated underwater vessels, ROV, to a variety of industries in a flexible and highly competitive way.

Visit www.reachsubsea.no.

Horizon Arctic: Harsh Environment Vessel

Tina Olivero — Tue, 14 May 2019 19:12:55 +0000

Horizon Maritime is pleased to announce that the intake of the former Bourbon Arctic has been finalized. Now sailing under the name Horizon Arctic, the vessel is one of the most technically versatile multi-function offshore support vessels in the world.

“The Horizon Arctic takes its place alongside Horizon Maritime’s growing fleet of harsh environment vessels, and we are delighted that this state of the art ship is available to help our customers face the challenge of operating in the North Sea, the Barents Sea and beyond,” said Sean Leet, CEO of the Horizon Maritime companies.

Built at the Vard Brattvaag shipyard in 2016, the Horizon Arctic boasts a roster of exceptional features:

– Up to 307 tonnes of bollard pull and class-leading winch capabilities

– Environmentally-friendly Clean Design class notation

– Low resistance hull shape and fuel efficient diesel electric/hybrid propulsion system

– High ice class hull for arctic conditions

– 24 meter beam designed for stability and flexible deck use

– Outstanding operational stability as evidenced by completion of more than 180 days of Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations in the harsh Barents Sea in 2018

– Special Purpose Ship (SPS) notation and large, high standard accommodations for 60 persons

The acquisition of the Horizon Arctic also marks the launch of the newly incorporated Norwegian branch, Horizon Maritime Offshore AS, headquartered in Aalesund, Norway. The new venture is led by General Manager, Borge Nakken, an industry veteran and former Chief Operating Officer of Farstad Shipping. Nakken stated, “The Horizon Arctic has a demonstrated track-record of providing incomparable value. The vessel has been on term contract since delivery and maintains an outstanding performance record; most notably an exemplary safety and environmental result.”

Nakken is supported by Senior Technical Advisor, Kaare Jostein Larsen, an experienced maritime technical expert who has worked with Horizon Maritime since 2016.

The Horizon Arctic was recently dry docked at the Westcon shipyard in Floro, Norway where the vessel was painted in Horizon Maritime colours and officially renamed. The vessel immediately returned to work and has a full schedule for the foreseeable future.

About Horizon Maritime: Horizon Maritime is originally a Canadian company with deep experience in harsh environment marine and offshore operations. With locations across Canada, the company has also expanded internationally to help solve the unique challenges of the global ocean community in harsh environment regions. Built on a foundation of exceptional people and modern equipment, Horizon Maritime brings innovative solutions and provides industry leading marine services to its customers

Houston downpour turns into OTC twist of fate

Tina Olivero — Sat, 11 May 2019 16:23:47 +0000

Sitting in Houston’s 5:00 pm traffic in a torrential downpour, through the bus window I noticed a man carrying a piece of cardboard to cover himself. His goal seemed to be to find temporary shelter from the furious rainstorm under the manic Houston highway system.

My heart melted as I wondered who he was.

Who was his family?
Did he have food?
Was he mentally unwell?
What happened to him?

I never found out because he may as well have been on the moon and me on the bus headed in the opposite direction.

The whole scene struck me, and I was hit in the heart with the question, are we doing enough?

ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?

I was restless on the Bus. The rain kept pelting down, and I was a ways away from my hotel. Rather than wait on the traffic and pelting rain to clear, which could have been another hour, I decided to get off at the very first stop and take shelter there. It was the Hotel Derek by the Houston Galleria area, and it was the perfect place of refuge from the manic weather conditions.

A bunch of other people had the same idea. We all piled into the hotel and saddled up to the bar for a drink and some grub. We got to know each other grumbling about the bus and how we weren’t going to stay on it for another minute, let alone another hour!

As serendipity would have it, God if you will, I was fortunate enough to sit next to two great guys from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, who had also been at the Offshore Technology Conference that as I was attending.

Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped (CCABH)

The coincidence of our meeting was the instant answer to my question, are we doing enough? Well, these guys are.

Exhibiting at the Offshore Technology Conference, Chris Oldham and Paul Martin sell oil and gas supplies to industry and in doing so their organization, in turn, supports services to more than 500 persons with disabilities. Wow!

Working for the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped (CCABH) these guys get to work in a culture that supports the vision, rehabilitation, and employment services to persons with disabilities living in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. At the same time, they manufacture a wide variety of high-quality hooks, hangers, and innovative CAB products for oil and gas customers worldwide. These are the true heroes of our time!

It’s perfect. The supply base for the oil and gas industry is one of the largest in the world. Creating companies and organizations that support inclusion, diversity, people with special abilities, and those with disadvantages, is just about as perfect as it gets.

I thought about all the purchasing that happens in the oil and gas industry worldwide, and I imagined a world where companies got preference on bids if they supported the less fortunate. I wondered would this model eliminate the epidemic of homelessness in North America and could it help the man who stole my heart under the bridge an hour ago.

We can all learn from CAB products. We can all do good and be an incredible contribution to our people in creative ways. I’m inspired to follow suit!

A huge downpour turned into a twist of fate. Was our meeting coincidence or perfect timing? I’m not sure but my father passed away four years ago, and one of his great sayings was, “this is all a part of life’s rich pattern.” I have it tattoed on my arm now. Thanks, CAB, I think I know a little bit better now, what my dad meant.

To learn more about CAB visit them at www.cabproducts.com

SOURCE AND IMAGES: CAB

ABB: THE NEW UNDERWATER WORLD

Tina Olivero — Sat, 11 May 2019 14:24:03 +0000

We live in a knowledge-based economy; A place where innovation and digitalization are taking over every aspect of life on earth. It’s a playground for inventors, visionaries and energy pioneers.

These are exciting times because we are creating energy solutions that were not even a dream let alone a reality, just ten short years ago. It’s a new and sustainable underwater world! Here’s what’s about to come…

ABB Subsea Factory

TRUE PIONEERS IMAGINE WHAT “CAN BE”

Having visited the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, I had the privilege of meeting with and interviewing some of the greatest minds of our time; Pioneering souls who are changing the oil and gas landscape with everything from unmanned rigs, to electrical substations supporting oil and gas production, on the seafloor. Extremely impressive was the work of ABB on subsea power and automation systems that expand oil and gas operations capacity, extend the lifespan of an oil field and reduce costs for oil and gas fields.

They call is subsea to market, where the future of oil and gas is in the entire processing plant under water. In other words, production, separation and storage of oil and gas happens sight unseen, below the surface. It’s mind-boggling.

Check out the subsea power distribution station video:

THE SUBSEA FACTORY

Distributing electricity in water is almost unthinkable, yet it has been done in such a way that it will revolutionize the way we work and live. Seven years in the making, ABB, has turned a vision into reality. Svein Vatland, Vice President Subsea Technology Program has made it his life’s work to enable a power distribution station to work on the bottom of the sea. He says, “This technology allows operators to move into deeper waters and enable a cost efficient way of developing these fields, at depths of up to 3000 meters.”

Subsea oil and gas exploration is done in an extremely harsh environment. New technology that goes beyond today’s current capabilities is required. The target of a five-year Joint Industry Project (JIP) being led by ABB and the Norwegian oil company Equinor, was to develop the technology required to seamlessly power tomorrow’s underwater facilities. Together with their partners, ABB and partners have investment of over $100 million dollars to develop this new-age energy generating system. Imagine over 100 MW of power distributed on the ocean floor supporting oil and gas production. That is the future. A future that has subsea facilities operating on the ocean floor providing electricity to the drilling process, directly at the point of seafloor operations. A future that means smaller FPSO’s, subsea tieback efficiency, a self monitoring and self testing system with more efficient oil and gas production overall.

Beginning in late-2013, ABB has been developing electrical equipment that can reliably provide power, (equivalent to what is needed to power a small city), subsea at depths down to 3,000 meters over distances up to 600 km, and then to distribute the power to multiple users.

Svein Vatland, Vice President of Subsea Technology Program at ABB

ABB has become a leading supplier of electrification solutions that operate with little to no maintenance in a highly corrosive ocean environment. Their solution they have engineered is appropriately called the Subsea Power Station and it reminds you of something out of a sci-fi movie, except it’s not on another planet, it’s under the sea.

What does it take to build a power station at sea? You only have to think about the diverse range of challenges that a power station submerged in water has. Imagine a fully functional underwater facility transmitting 100 MW of power up to 600 km’s away from the shore, at depths of 3000 meters, on the ocean floor. It’s the pie in the sky dream that has become a reality!

The brilliant minds of ABB had to engineer solutions that addressed challenges like:
Building a safe system that works underwater
Underwater control systems
Overcoming water/electricity challenges
Mechanical considerations
The possibility of leaks and breaks
Underwater extreme pressures
Tides and water temperatures
Water depths
Component maintenance
Operating efficiencies
and so much more.

The ABB team did not waver from the task, they pioneered with a solutions mindset, and that’s what brings dreams into reality.

ABB technology built to distribute electricity on the ocean floor.

THE GAME CHANGER

It takes a tribe to build new power systems on the ocean floor. Seven years of planning, poking, prodding, and testing has been the work of the ABB subsea team, to get this right. And it’s finally here.

From the initial ABB subsea installation in the 1970s to a full subsea station utilized for oil and gas production, it is an uncustomary truth that has arrived right on time.

Underwater oil production seems like a pipedream for the wild minds of fools but it’s actually steeped in very sound energy generation and oil production principals. Underwater operations;
increase safety
greatly reduces operational costs
reduces the energy needed to recover oil
reduces or eliminates marine pollution
simplifies decommissioning
boosts oil production with increased flow rates
provides services closer to the reservoir
minimizes capital and operating expenditures
improves oil and gas recovery rates
creates the environment to explore longer, deeper and in colder fields
provides a predictive model of operations for peak, reliable performance

ABB Drive being submerged underwater

While the technical challenges of this initiative have been beyond imaginable, the payoff will be huge for oil companies of the future. Svein Vatland, Vice President of Subsea Technology Program at ABB and his team have had the privilege of creating the unthinkable and making it real. This project is the bridge to a new energy future. It’s sustainable, and it’s a dream come true.

Where will these subsea factories be placed around the world? Svein Vatland says, “We are now analizing where our systems will be best utilized. This is a global game and we are looking at all the the various deep water sites around the world that this system will support.”

The ultimate goal is to have a self controlled, fully autonomous system that has no human interaction at all. That’s the future to come…

SOURCE AND PICTURES: ABB, EQUINOR

BHP: Rig Required To Drill Orphan Basin

Tina Olivero — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:42:51 +0000

BHP Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation (BHP) plans to undertake a drilling program in the Orphan Basin Region, offshore eastern Newfoundland and Labrador (Exploration licenses EL1157 and EL1158).

It is anticipated that the initial campaign will consist of two wells, approximately twelve months apart. Subject to regulatory approval, drilling activity is anticipated to begin between July 2021 and July 2022. Accordingly, BHP seeks Expressions of Interests from interested contractors who can demonstrate the capability to deliver the following goods and services.

BHP: The Company

Steve Pastor, BHP President Operations Petroleum said the successful bids offshore Newfoundland are an exciting opportunity for BHP to explore for world-class conventional oil assets as an early mover in this prospective region. He envisions, “This frontier opportunity has large oil resource potential which we identified through our Global Petroleum Endowment Study in 2016 and is in a low-risk country, with competitive fiscal terms. This opportunity delivers on our exploration focus in conventional petroleum and will leverage our global deep-water development and operational expertise.”

Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board announced that BHP has been successful in its bids to acquire a 100% participating interest in, and operatorship of, two exploration licences for blocks 8 and 12 in the offshore Orphan Basin in Eastern Canada. BHP’s aggregate bid amount of US$625 million covers the drilling and seismic work required by the exploration work programs under the licence agreements over the six-year term. BHP’s minimum commitment under the licence agreements is for US$157 million.

BHP’s initial planned capital expenditure on the exploration work programs for blocks 8 and 12 is US$140 million up to FY2021, and is within BHP’s current exploration budget.

WHO IS BHP?

BHP is a world-leading resources company. BHP extracts and processes minerals and oil and gas, with more than 62,000 employees and contractors, primarily in Australia and the Americas. BHP products are sold worldwide, with sales and marketing led through Singapore and Houston, United States.

BHP global headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia with offices around the globe and have now expanded into Eastern Canada as an offshore exploration investor.

BHP operates under a Dual Listed Company structure with two parent companies (BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc) operated as if they were a single economic entity, referred to as BHP.

BHP PETROLEUM UNIT

BHP Petroleum unit comprises conventional and unconventional oil and gas operations,
and includes exploration, development and production activities.

BHP has a high-quality resource base concentrated in the United States and Australia.
Core production operations consist of conventional assets located in the US Gulf of Mexico,
Australia and Trinidad and Tobago and unconventional Onshore US assets.

BHP produces crude oil and condensate, gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) that are
sold on the international spot market or delivered domestically under contracts
with varying terms, depending on the location of the asset.

RIG REQUIRED:
Goods and Service Description: Provision of Mobile Drilling Unit (Rig)

Provision of harsh environment dynamically positioned mobile drilling unit (Rig) to operate offshore Newfoundland in the Orphan Basin. Drilling two (2) exploration wells of approximately 100 days duration separated by a non-operational period of approximately 12 months.

Minimum Requirements and Capabilities for Scope of Work

Minimum capabilities of the rig are as follows:

Currently holding/ability to obtain a Canadian Certificate of Fitness (CoF) for year-round operations.
Pre-existing or commitment to establish adequately staffed Canada based office for the duration of the campaign (including planning).
Harsh environment capable of operating offshore Newfoundland.
Safety case meeting IADC guidelines.
In class. No special or periodic surveys planned within the contract period or 6 months thereafter.
DP3 Dynamic positioning system.
Water depth capability 2500 m (~ 8500 ft)
Drilling Depth capability 8000 m (~ 25000 ft)
Ability to accommodate 130 POB.
Helideck rated for Rated for S92, S61-N, EH101 and Super Puma, compliant with CAP 437
Hookload of 6700 Kn (~ 1500 klbs)
Minimum of 3 x 51701 kPa (7500 psi) rated mud pumps
Liquid weighted mud 800 m3 (5000 bbls) minimum
5,000 tons minimum variable deck load
Sufficient deck space to accommodate cuttings dryer package and centrifuge simultaneously
Commitment to local employment and use of local suppliers that are properly qualified for any upcoming work

EOI Submission Requirements

The contractor shall provide the equipment, personnel, ground base support, and any and all provisions necessary to efficiently provide goods or perform services for the duration of the campaigns. Interested and qualified contractors shall provide the following submission details.

Contractors full company profile along with incorporation documentation.
Information respecting the Contractor’s qualification as a Canadian and/or as a Newfoundland and Labrador corporation in respect of benefits commitments as noted below.
Brief corporate resume of the goods and services that you can provide from the listing above which should include the following:a. Proposed organization structure, including names of managers and key personnel who would be providing the service including phone, e-mail and experience with the relevant scope.b. Include references from past and/or existing clients who have contracted you to provide materials and/or services that you are proposing to provide. You shall include the name of the client, year of the duration of the services, description of services, the value of the services/goods and contact details.c. Identify any joint venture, agency or subcontract arrangements and give the identity of the proposed subcontracting party.d. Audited financial statements for the past three (3) calendar years (2016, 2017, and 2018). Such information will be kept confidential by BHP and will be used for the sole purpose of the EOI evaluation process.e. Listing of litigation or arbitration resulting from contracts completed or ongoing under its execution over the last five (5) years.f. Summary of experience with Benefits Plans under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board processes.
g. Summary of experience with the environmental assessment processes under Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 2012 and Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board processes.

Submission details of suitably qualified contractors that can provide, meet or exceed the requirements stated above are to be sent to Mark Dahlin, Category Management Specialist at mark.dahlin@bhp.com, by 9:00am CDT of the 16th of May 2019.

General Requirements

Contractors must be qualified to conduct the work outlined in the Scope of Work and must be able to demonstrate previous experience and the delivery of such services. In addition, contractors will be required to register in BHP’s Global Contracting Management System to receive and participate in an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) and the successful contractor must comply with the terms and conditions which will be included in the RFP or Purchase Order.

Benefits Commitment

BHP is committed to providing processes and procedures to ensure businesses, manufacturers, consultants, contractors and service companies in Canada, and in particular in Newfoundland and Labrador, are given “full and fair opportunity to participate on a competitive basis” to provide good and services to the project, consistent with the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and with Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Exploration Benefits Plan Guidelines, where applicable.

Contractors of BHP must comply with the requirements of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, and Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Exploration Benefits Plan Guidelines, as applicable in the Scope of Work, in providing residents of Newfoundland and Labrador first consideration in the provision of employment and training opportunities ,that are consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and in the selection of subcontractors whenever possible in connection with supplying goods and services as listed in this Scope of Work. BHP’s Exploration Benefits Plan is subject to regulatory approval.

Health, Environment & Safety

BHP is committed to providing a safe, healthy and environmentally sound workplace for its employees, contractors, subcontractors and the communities in which we operate. Contractors must have a Health, Environmental, Safety (HES) and quality management system which meets, at a minimum, the requirements of BHP. BHP’s HSE requirements and procedures can be found at the following link: https://www.bhp.com/info/supplying-to-bhp.

Interested Contractors may be considered in an RFP process, which is subject to BHP receiving final regulatory and management approval to proceed. For this reason, the request for this EOI is subject to change or cancellation at any time. Under no circumstance is BHP under any obligation to proceed with an RFP or to award any contract with respect to this request for EOI or a RFP. All expenses incurred by the Contractor relating to this request for EOI shall be the Contractor’s sole responsibility.

SOURCE: NOIA, BHP

GEOLOG: H2S mapping in reservoirs

Tina Olivero — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:52:54 +0000

Geolog helps clients make quantified, informed, substantial improvements in their drilling efficiency, hydrocarbon detection and reservoir characterization. To constantly build a leading edge service company that attracts, develops and retains exceptional people. To respect and improve the highest safety and environmental standards whilst actively participating in the development and know-how of the countries in which we operate.

GEOLOG was founded in Italy in 1982 to provide mud logging services to AGIP on geothermal, oil and gas wells. From its early years, GEOLOG´s strong technological and R&D culture led to the development of a number of innovative solutions and highly technological patents in the mud logging arena. The Italian crisis of 1994, during which the company moved abroad, opening bases in Tunisia, Congo and Venezuela, servicing AGIP’s international operations, acted as a catalyst for the company’s international expansion. Current management acquired the company in 2001 and has been able to develop its innovative solutions and technological patents into commercial products and services, thereby significantly growing the customer base across not only international oil companies but also across national oil companies worldwide. Whilst retaining its R&D

Over thirty-five years of field experience and production facilities in Milan, Italy, in 2016 the company reorganized its corporate structure under GEOLOG Surface Logging DMCC, based in Dubai, UAE. Under current management, GEOLOG has consistently grown organically by delivering value, expanding its operations from its established footholds in Europe, North and West Africa and Central America and by opening new bases in the Middle and Far East, South America, the North Sea, USA and Australasia. Today, GEOLOG remains privately owned and has grown to become one of the largest international independent surface companies in the world offering a full spectrum of services from Surface Logging to Drilling Solutions, as well as Laboratory studies and R&D partnerships.

GEOLOG’s experience covers over 8,000 wells globally and includes national and international oil companies across multiple continents. Our services are in demand with traditional oil & gas operators and extend to small and large integrated service providers. Our services have been performed both onshore and offshore for:
• Exploration Wells
• Development Wells
• Geothermal Wells
• Unconventional Reservoirs
• Extended Reach Drilling
• Narrow Mud Weight Windows
• Underbalanced-Managed Pressure Drilling

H2S MAPPING

Acid gas contamination of hydrocarbon resources is a growing issue, an increasing number of new discoveries being affected by the presence of non-hydrocarbon gases. Although today very sour hydrocarbons may be economically produced, the cost involved can heavily affect profitability. H2S is one of the most frequent contaminant gasses occurring in reservoirs, and its distribution mapping can greatly help in optimising completion and, more importantly, in reducing development costs.

Detection of H2S is no easy task: as an acid gas it readily dissolves in alkaline water-based mud but, it is also removed by scavengers purposely added to any type of mud to prevent the uncontrolled release of H2S at surface. Inorganic scavengers (zinc and iron complexes), have a long history of use and will easily release H2S captured in the well after acid treatment, these are now replaced by organic scavengers, such as triazine, which have an irreversible reaction with H2S. Existing methods of detecting H2S as free gas, and via acid decomposition of sulfides formed with inorganic scavengers, will not work with organic scavengers and as such, detection of H2S distribution along the well profile is becoming increasingly problematic.

A new method based on detecting H2S within the pore structure of cuttings has been successfully tested and applied. The concept behind this method is that gases contained within the rock’s pore network are not fully released from cuttings at the surface and that a residual part of them can be freed and detected if the cuttings are ground in a sealed vessel, destroying the rock and pores. The methodology is quite simple: cuttings are placed in a sealed container and ground to a defined size. The gas released by pore destruction and trapped within the container is swept from the container by a carrier gas and introduced into a micro GC with TCD detector for analysis. Analytical GC turnaround time is 90 seconds and the full process (sample preparation, grinding and GC analysis) takes 15 minutes when performed at the well site. The permeability of the cuttings samples plays a key role in the preservation of H2S within the cuttings, however, acquired experience shows that only in the case of very high permeability rocks is gas is not preserved at all. To validate the results, natural hydrocarbon gas (C1-C5) analysis is performed in a similar way, the presence of this natural gas confirming the existence of pores with residual gas and further validating the reliability of H2S mapping. The measured abundance of H2S can be considered as a relative indication, obviously affected by permeability values, however, these data can be usefully used to map H2S occurrence in the reservoir.

TINA OLIVERO: Petroleum is the bridge to new energy

Tina Olivero — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:23:27 +0000

The consideration of oil and gas as a valuable commodity has many angles of debate.

Some believe oil and gas will be the primary source of energy for another 50 years and nothing will be more effective at meeting world oil demand.

Others believe we should eliminate oil and gas for other cleaner sustainable fuel sources. Some think that the smartest thing we can do with oil and gas is use it to bridge us to a new energy future.

DIFFERING OPINIONS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE MAKING

The thing about differing perspectives is that they all have merit, and rather than wasting time, fighting over disagreements, how about coming together and merging commonalities in the interest of a solid plan to move forward?

What if we turned concerns into opportunities. Use opposition as a path to solutions. Create differences as a place to build new structures of unity. Sound a little too altruistic?

Merging perspectives will most probably be the fastest, most economical way to create a new energy sustainable world. Think about it. The path to solving climate change. The highest level of good for a sustainable new energy future. The place where globalization happens on a new energy scale. That’s a conversation worth having.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY BABY

It’s the oil and gas industry that has catapulted us into the industrial era and modernized our world. The industrial era gave way to the new digital economy we live in today. All come with progress and a price.

It’s easy to see that with every advance of humankind, there is an opposing negative impact as well. While cars are one of our most significant advances, people still die in car accidents every day, and the environmental impact of vehicles is unprecedented. But we don’t stop driving our cars; we progress and mitigate risk. That’s also true of the oil and gas industry. We don’t stop oil and gas production; we continue while we mitigate risks and utilize it to bring in new energy like wind, solar, geothermal and more.

Oil and gas are the foundation of our world. It’s the most sought-after commodity on the planet because it is in everything we have and do. From the phone in your hand to the gas in your car, to the clothes on your back. The petroleum industry saturates everything.

OIL COMPANIES WILL BRING IN NEW ENERGY

As an energy nation, our focus has to be on a safe environment and people. The oil and gas industry in Canada is already extremely good at that. Canadian oil companies and their subcontractors are among the top environmental and safety stewards in the world. That is a fact.

What’s troubling about oil industry rhetoric is that it’s most often out of context, over-reactive and irresponsible. For example, we have insurance to protect us from car accidents. We need to have that same level of knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of the oil and gas industry and its operations and limitations. Otherwise, we are working against ourselves, trying to eliminate that which sustains us and our current way of life.

Canada’s the world’s 3rd largest producer of oil. Because of oil and gas, we have enjoyed prosperous economic conditions and oil and gas has been the foundation of Canada’s economy.

What happens to our entire economic system if we take that down? Have we thought it all through? The world won’t work without oil and gas. Canada won’t work without oil and gas.

You only have to look at the last 32 months in Canada to see the results of the oil price collapse. 40,000 + job layoffs meant a socioeconomic impact that was unprecedented and staggering.

People need purpose and focus in life, and the oil and gas industry, directly and indirectly, has been a strong foundation for many Canadians. We don’t want to lose that foundation and end up with extreme socioeconomic impacts that affect each of us right here at home. Impacts like cuts in education, health, and other social programs. Socioeconomic impacts like a rise in addiction, spousal abuse, suicide, and mental illness, all of which we have seen on the rise in the last year or so across Canada, especially in oil and gas regions.

What’s Canada worth without oil?

How can we even think about getting to new energy without oil? The reality is, there is no new energy without the support of oil and gas.

Wind turbines are made of petroleum products. Trucks used to transport and erect a wind turbine use gas. The wind can’t blow 24-7, so you need another energy substitute when the wind doesn’t blow. That can be a petroleum fuel. Get the picture?

When Bob Dylan said, “The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,” he was right. New energy is where we need to go, and lo and behold, it’s oil and gas that is going to get us there.

Like it or not, life’s comforts always come with some setbacks. Sometimes environmental and in extreme cases, just like car accidents, sadly the loss of life.
Environmental accidents and loss of life will also occur in new energy regimes as well. Let’s drop the finger pointing and be pro-active with an all-inclusive new energy mix. One that unites differing perspectives and solves the challenges of the day.

Now that’s what I call a conscious sustainable mindset!

Lonita Judge: Supports & Elevates Women at WISTA

Tina Olivero — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:54:32 +0000

Lonita Judge, Director of Safety and Compliance at Horizon Maritime Services Limited, has been appointed Regional Vice President, Atlantic of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Canada).

Judge is committed to helping WISTA Canada revive its presence in Atlantic Canada. “I am excited to take on this opportunity to unite women, and their supporters, in Atlantic Canada’s maritime industry,” says Judge. “A renewed presence in the region will benefit women, by providing networking, professional development, and knowledge opportunities.”

Judge’s progressive career has included stops at Sempra, Ocean Rig, Remote Access Technology, Secunda Marine, J. Ray McDermott Canada, and Halterm Container Terminal, before landing at Horizon Maritime in 2017.

Judge’s commitment to advancing a safety culture will now extend beyond her role at Horizon Maritime. “Lonita has been a profound contributor to the improved quality and safety outcomes of marine industries for the past twenty years,” stated Steve Widmeyer, Chief Operating Officer of Horizon Maritime. “I am confident that her leadership will make a notable impact on diversity and inclusion of women in our industry.”

WISTA Canada hopes to provide and improve opportunities for its members in the region. WISTA Canada President, Vanessa Rochester, adds “I am thrilled that Lonita is taking the lead in developing the Atlantic Region. I am always inspired and impressed by the sense of community and the depth of professionalism demonstrated by my WISTA sisters here in Canada and around the world”

WISTA Canada encourages more women to get involved – locally, nationally, and at international conferences. It’s first meeting in the Atlantic region will be hosted on International Women’s Day (March 8th) in Halifax Regional Municipality. To learn more, contact Lonita by e-mail lonita.judge@horizonmaritime.com.

About WISTA: WISTA promotes diversity in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors, empowering women to lead through their unique perspective and competencies, with the conviction that gender diversity is key in providing a sustainable future for the shipping industry internationally. Formed in 1974, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) is a global organisation connecting female executives and decision makers around the world. WISTA International serves as a connector for its network of more than 3,000 female professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry. Please visit our website at https://wistainternational.com.

About Horizon Maritime Services Ltd: Horizon Maritime is a Canadian company with deep experience in harsh environment marine and offshore operations. With locations across Canada and operations abroad, Horizon Maritime helps to solve the unique challenges of Canadian waters and the global ocean community. Built on a foundation of exceptional people and modern equipment, Horizon Maritime brings innovative solutions and provides industry-leading marine services to our customers.

THE DRILLING RACE IS ON: Will we find oil?

Tina Olivero — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:27:31 +0000

One major discovery, that’s all it will take to set Newfoundland Offshore on fire! According to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, there are six drilling project summaries submitted by five operators offshore Newfoundland. That translates a possible 80 + proposed drilling programs for the lucrative region.

Drilling exploration will take place in the Orphan Basin by BP, in the Jeanne D’Arc Basin by Husky Energy, in the Flemish Pass Basin by Nexen and also by Equinor, and in the Carsin Basin and Flemish Pass Basin by Exxon Mobil.

Given Newfoundland’s drilling success ratio of one in five (some say one in ten), the probability is high that we will have a major discovery in the coming years. This would then be the catalyst for other finds and the possibility of Offshore Newfoundland taking off as the North Sea has.

Many conditions and variables need to happen in order for the stars to align and discoveries to be made; however, the probability is high, the right players are all at the drill bit and the conditions are perfect for a drilling bonanza that just might make Offshore Newfoundland one of the top places in the world to invest and develop. Get ready!

We are in lucrative times. Could the oil and gas industry, offshore Newfoundland, double in the next ten years?

WHAT IF NEWFOUNDLAND WAS MORE LIKE NORWAY

In Norway, state-owned oil projects often have upwards of 60% ownership in their oil and gas projects. This model of investment in the energy industry has served them well. Norway is now sitting pretty with the largest nest egg in the world; A sovereign wealth fund with over US$1 trillion in assets, including 1.3% of global stocks and shares. In May 2018 Norway’s fund was worth about $195,000 per Norwegian citizen. It also holds portfolios of real estate and fixed-income investments. Newfoundland should do precisely that.

The trillion-dollar Government Pension Fund that Norway has created, pushes for more transparency and focuses on doing the right thing. It shuns individual companies and entire sectors like tobacco peddlers, and nuclear weapons makers because it’s the right thing to do. They operate from a higher good. They can afford to. That is a smart oil and gas strategy and societal formula. One we can all aspire to!

Newfoundland, through Nalcor Energy, has marginal ownership in producing oil projects, ranging from 4.9% to 10% equity shares. This model promotes jobs and short-term needs but loses on the long term investment growth and security model, that Norway has been so successful in achieving.

Oil and gas production in the Norwegian Continental Shelf comes from 107 identified fields with 85 fields currently in production. Comparatively, Offshore Newfoundland has four oil-producing fields. It’s time to catch up!

This year and the next Newfoundland will have upwards of six aggressive drilling players offshore, with an estimated 80+ wells to be drilled. Not only is our drilling/find ratio high, at one in five wells, but we also have unprecedented exploration happening like never before. One significant find and we are on a fast track to future projects and the same opportunities as that of the North Sea.

But before we go any further, we need to be oil asset owners and managers. Canada should be smart enough to realize that oil and gas is the catalyst to new energy both from a monetary and infrastructure perspective.

Clearly, the smartest thing we can do with oil and gas is own our projects and use oil and gas to build new sustainable energy infrastructure. Oil and gas is the foundation of new energy coming on stream and given world demand it’s not going to be one energy source or the other; it’s going to be an energy mix of resources for the next 40-50 years. Those are the facts.

It’s time for Canada to invest in our offshore projects and create investment successes like that of Norway. Why not? We have a proven infrastructure, the perfect investment climate, and unprecedented world-class opportunity offshore Newfoundland.

If Canada doesn’t get the perspective right when it comes to oil and gas, perhaps it would be right for Newfoundland to join Norway. In a time of globalization, aligning with the world’s energy giant and masterful investment strategist just might be the ultimate solution for our kids here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Having said all that, it looks like the next 2 to 5 years will see the most prolific growth in the industry to date, offshore Newfoundland.

I often wonder what would happen if Newfoundland left Canada and joined Norway. I imagine a different future. Aligning with the Norwegian model of developing our oil and gas, fishery and tourism sectors would allow Newfoundland to flourish as Norway has.

That idea would entirely change Newfoundland history!
It’s a thought!

Source: CEAA, NOIA, CNLOPB

Large Diameter Flex-Hone Optimizes Performance

Tina Olivero — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 18:00:26 +0000

Brush Research Manufacturing (BRM) has a long history of solving difficult finishing problems with brushing technology.

As a full line manufacturer of honing tools, abrasive nylon brushes, deburring brushes, automotive brushes, power brushes, twisted-in-wire brushes and the Flex-Hone® Tool, they stand ready to assist clients in finding the best solution for finishing needs.

BRM can help with finishing and deburring. The Flex-Hone® tool, also known as ball hones or the ball cylinder hone, is great for deburring, edge blending and surface finishing, while the tube brushes and other twisted-in-wire brushes are the perfect solutions for cleaning soot and carbon deposits from pipes and other metal components.

BRM: Large Diameter Flex-Hone

APPLICATION IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

In the oil and gas industry things break down. Industry challenges include: failing to perform ongoing maintenance on equipment can have severe consequences including reducing equipment service life, causing unplanned shutdowns and degrading performance. Ongoing maintenance is required to remove rust, corrosion and other accumulated material from the inside diameter (ID) of valves, pumps, piping, diesel engines, motors, natural gas compressors, flow meters and other large bore equipment. Often, this maintenance work is performed in the field under harsh conditions.

Large diameter Flex-Hone tools are the ideal solution because they can be run with virtually any rotating spindle, are self-centring, self-aligning to the bore and self-compensating for wear.

The Flex-Hone tool is a resilient, flexible honing tool with a soft cutting action that provides a superior surface finish with a non-direction or crosshatched pattern. Whether it’s deburring a hole or blending an edge, removing corrosion or machining marks, using the tool results in increased product performance and longer product life. The Flex-Hone is designed for a variety of automotive, hydraulic, pneumatic and industrial applications in standard sizes as large as 36.”

Tina Olivero, “What if Newfoundland was more like Norway?”

Tina Olivero — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 22:08:46 +0000

^{Publiher’s Commentary – By Tina Olivero}

^{In Norway, state-owned oil projects often have upwards of 60% ownership in their oil and gas projects. This model of investment in the energy industry has served them well. Norway is now sitting pretty with the largest nest egg in the world; A sovereign wealth fund with over US$1 trillion in assets, including 1.3% of global stocks and shares. In May 2018 Norway’s fund was worth about $195,000 per Norwegian citizen. It also holds portfolios of real estate and fixed-income investments. Newfoundland should do precisely that.}

^{The trillion-dollar Government Pension Fund that Norway has created, pushes for more transparency and focuses on doing the right thing. It shuns individual companies and entire sectors like tobacco peddlers, and nuclear weapons makers because it’s the right thing to do. They operate from a higher good. They can afford to. That is a smart oil and gas strategy and societal formula. One we can all aspire to!}

^{Newfoundland, through Nalcor Energy, has marginal ownership in producing oil projects, ranging from 4.9% to 10% equity shares. This model promotes jobs and short-term needs but loses on the long term investment growth and security model, that Norway has been so successful in achieving.}

^{Oil and gas production in the Norwegian Continental Shelf comes from 107 identified fields with 85 fields currently in production. Comparatively, Offshore Newfoundland has four oil-producing fields. It’s time to catch up!}

^{This year and the next Newfoundland will have upwards of six aggressive drilling players offshore, with an estimated 80+ wells to be drilled. Not only is our drilling/find ratio high, at one in five wells, but we also have unprecedented exploration happening like never before. One significant find and we are on a fast track to future projects and the same opportunities as that of the North Sea.}

^{But before we go any further, we need to be oil asset owners and managers. Canada should be smart enough to realize that oil and gas is the catalyst to new energy both from a monetary and infrastructure perspective.}

^{Clearly, the smartest thing we can do with oil and gas is own our projects and use oil and gas to build new sustainable energy infrastructure. Oil and gas is the foundation of new energy coming on stream and given world demand it’s not going to be one energy source or the other; it’s going to be an energy mix of resources for the next 40-50 years. Those are the facts.}

^{It’s time for Canada to invest in our offshore projects and create investment successes like that of Norway. Why not? We have a proven infrastructure, the perfect investment climate, and unprecedented world-class opportunity offshore Newfoundland.}

^{If Canada doesn’t get the perspective right when it comes to oil and gas, perhaps it would be right for Newfoundland to join Norway. In a time of globalization, aligning with the world’s energy giant and masterful investment strategist just might be the ultimate solution for our kids here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Having said all that, it looks like the next 2 to 5 years will see the most prolific growth in the industry to date, offshore Newfoundland.}

^{I often wonder what would happen if Newfoundland left Canada and joined Norway. I imagine a different future. Aligning with the Norwegian model of developing our oil and gas, fishery and tourism sectors would allow Newfoundland to flourish as Norway’s has.}

^{That idea would entirely change Newfoundland history.}

White Rose Field Re-Starts!

Tina Olivero — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 13:31:30 +0000

Husky is preparing to move ahead with remediation and production restart activities at the White Rose Field, offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Husky Energy plan to recover the flowline connector and plug the flowline at the South White Rose Extension has been accepted by the C-NLOPB and other federal agencies, who were engaged by the C-NLOPB for their expertise. The C-NLOPB has now issued an Operational Authorization to carry out this activity. This work is a priority for Husky and the regulator and is important to restoring integrity to the SWRX flowline area and reducing the potential for environmental impact. Husky Energy intends to carry out these activities at the earliest opportunity.

Husky Energy has worked closely with the C-NLOPB and regulatory agencies including Canadian Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service to complete detailed planning, and are confident the necessary equipment, expertise and mitigations are in place to carry out the work safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. These include design, fabrication and testing of plugs to mechanically seal the ends of the flowline, development of a recovery process and procedure, risk assessments, tabletop exercises, and development of a wildlife response plan.

A project-specific spill response plan has been designed to ensure that we can manage any potential volume of residual oil.

The plan incorporates mitigations including:

Pre-deployment of spill response equipment
On-site representation and direction from spill response contractor Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC)
Aerial surveillance
Work with potential environmental impact restricted to daylight hours
Wildlife observation plan includes “hold” points in the event of marine mammals or large numbers of seabirds in the immediate area
Dedicated wildlife observers on two vessels

In addition, all Husky-contracted vessels supporting the response are equipped with Rutter’s Sigma 6 spill detector radar.

The recovery and plugging operation is weather sensitive and will require a 48-hour window with specific requirements around sea states and visibility. These conditions may take some time to present, and we don’t have an immediate weather window for this work.

Leak testing of Central Drill Centre

Husky Energy has worked diligently with certifying authority to ensure the SeaRose FPSO and associated equipment is ready to safely operate the Central Drill Centre (CDC). They have been in constant communication with the C-NLOPB with our progress and they are satisfied with the plans and approach.

The Central Drill Centre (CDC) is isolated from other production flowlines and drill centres at the White Rose field. The flowlines have been displaced with seawater and flowline integrity proven by leak testing. These results have been verified with our certifying authority, DNV-GL, and shared with the C-NLOPB. The restart sequence will begin with hot-oiling which involves taking hydrocarbons from on board the SeaRose and circulating them through the CDC flowlines to warm up the lines. This procedure has been verified by Husky’s certifying authority.

Once flowlines reach the required temperature, Husky will bring the first production well online. This well will take several days to ramp up and stabilize at normal flow rates. Additional wells will be brought online in a planned sequence.

In support of this activity, inspections were previously completed and verified on the SeaRose hull, topsides and mooring system. They have completed additional risk assessments, reviewed start-up procedures, updated our adverse weather guidelines and completed a Pre-Start Up Safety Review (PSSR).

Husky is committed to taking the time to bring the field on safely and in accordance with our values of operating safely and protecting the environment.

SOURCE & GRAPHICS: Husky Energy

EXPOSE INVISIBLE DANGERS

Tina Olivero — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 22:19:33 +0000

One of the most critical elements of workplace safety is not the obvious visible safety concerns but the unseen hazards — things like oxygen deficiency, explosive atmospheres, and toxic gasses.

Gas detectors provide a reliable, highly responsive way to assess and monitor oxygen, flammability, and toxicity levels. When equipped with the necessary site-specific sensors the presence of gases can be quickly identified, ultimately keeping your workers safe during routine work duties, confined space entry or rescue operations. Gas detectors should support; continuous readings of gas hazards, fully visible and audible alarms, tracking capabilities, wireless connectivity to an attendant, supervisor or a central office, complete with full data logging and recording. Wireless monitoring capabilities can be integrated with your risk management, predictive analytics forecasting, and facility monitoring systems for centralized real-time data access and alarm warnings.

GAS DETECTION AND DIGITALIZATION

Gas detection is now state-of-the-art. Digitalization has allowed for a total safety solution for hazardous environments, protecting the lives of workers wherever they’re at risk. Gas detection also turns safety into a strategic advantage – by reducing costs, increasing operational uptime, and driving productivity. Advances in technology have allowed for head-to-toe personal protective equipment; fixed and portable gas detectors, as well as software, sensors, and other connected technologies for real-time safety monitoring, analytics, and safety administration.

Real-time Alerts in the palm of your hand

Today’s technology has advanced so much that alerts for an SOS, man down, trips or falls, gas detection and missed check in with GPS locators is all available and systems are so efficient they alert offsite and onsite first responders through 24/7 real-time communication and monitoring systems. EnviroMed has a suite of solutions for oil and gas companies, fire safety organizations, and other industrial sectors that have gas event or lone worker considerations. That makes things a lot safer, and safety managers can sleep at night knowing that risks have been mitigated and people will go home safe every day.

GAS DETECTION CONSIDERATIONS

Ensuring unseen hazards are identified and mitigated is the goal of making gas detectors one of the primary foundations of best safety practices on the worksite.

Have you identified places where potential gas leaks may happen?
Do you know when and how a lack of Oxygen will affect your safety?
Do explosion hazard zones exist at your worksite?
Are there areas where toxic gas accumulations can occur?
Has your workplace been assessed to ensure all the unseen hazards are mitigated?
Are you equipped with qualified professionals to identify hazards that ensure you have the right equipment on hand to guarantee everyone will go home safe at the end of the day?
These are the questions of the industrial world today.

OIL AND GAS APPLICATIONS

Acid production
Confined space entry
Data-logging/industrial hygiene – workplace exposures
Emission testing
Fixed point
Hydrocarbon production
Inert gas blanketing
PPM hydrocarbon leak detection
Shutdown and turnaround
Speciality chemical production
Valve and flange checkpoints

TYPICAL GAS HAZARDS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Acetone
Acetylene
Ammonia
Benzene
Bromine
Carbon monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
Chloride
Chlorine
Chlorine dioxide
Chloromethane
Ethylene
Ethylene oxide
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen sulphide
Methylene
Methyl ethyl ketone
Nitric acid
Nitrogen Dioxide
Phosphine
Propane
Propylene
Sulphur dioxide
Sulphuric acid
Toluene
Volatile organic compounds
Xylene
Combustible Gases
Oxygen deficiency/enrichment

Invisible Gases are a part of the oil and gas industry – EnivroMed’s job is to manage and Eliminate those risks!

Invisible dangers present themselves in unsuspecting places which is why EnviroMed Detection Services of Paradise, Newfoundland has spent the last three decades developing safety systems for invisible dangers at work. Lee Parmiter, CEO of EnviroMed says, “We supply gas detectors because they support the unseen risks on the job. Harsh and rigorous conditions on job sites can affect gas detection and sensors, so we promote a method of bump testing confirmed with regular calibrations and a qualified team that ensures safety is always number one.”

Part of having a reliable gas detection solution for your company is working with qualified professionals in gas detection. Tony Fowler, Field Service Technician CTech with EnviroMed Detection Services says, “When it comes to fixed gas detection systems, they are meant to operate and detect gases 24/7 and to give people peace of mind that they are working in a safe environment. Most of these systems operate so seamlessly that people tend to forget they are even there and sometimes overlook the essential maintenance aspect. As with regular smoke detectors in your home, you may see lights on it, but you should test it and/or replace it on a set schedule to ensure it works when you most need it too. The same goes for fixed gas detection systems in the workplace. You want to know it is protecting you and will work when you need it too and that involves having the required service and maintenance completed as recommended by the manufacturer. Nearly all gas detection systems today are recommended, required, or legislated to be assessed a minimum of every 6 to 12 months.”

EnviroMed will assess work settings, test for gas detector inaccuracies and ensure systems are in place and working at optimal levels. Greg Bourden, PTech Service Technician with EnviroMed, says, “Bump Testing – It is a simple test that could save a life! The safest course of action is to expose the sensors to a concentration of target gas that is capable of initiating a low alarm condition before each day’s use. Even a manual Bump Test is very simple and takes only a few seconds to accomplish. Just apply a known concentration of calibration gas that is capable of activating the audible and visual alarms. The only thing worse than a portable safety gas detector that doesn’t work is a portable safety gas detector that you DON’T KNOW doesn’t work!”

Lee says, “There are so many different ways that harmful gasses can contaminate the air or displace Oxygen on a job site or work setting. This makes gas detection a primary ‘safety first’ consideration in any safety plan as lives are at stake from this Invisible Danger! The cost of not having the right gas detection equipment and not ensuring it’s operating properly could lead to the loss of life, injured workers and a company reputation disaster. Not being prepared is not an option and industry stakeholders have responded and mandated gas detection throughout most industrial work settings.”

Greg Bourden, PTech Service Technician with EnviroMed – bump testing.

Lee says, “We are committed to working with our clients to keep their safety record perfect. We offer a highly qualified team that can assess, monitor, advise, bump test, calibrate and commission so that alarm and controls equipment monitoring the unseen dangers of workplace settings are fully equipped, operational and working successfully. It’s quite simple, we take care of the invisible dangers, and you keep your people safe!”

To Learn more about the 10 Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings to Bookmark Click Here

___________________________________________________________________________

GAS DETECTOR SPECIAL OF THE MONTH

DOWNLOAD THIS PDF FOR THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL
Now, for a limited time, the Honeywell BW™ Clip4 is available at the exceptionally low list price of $595.00 CAD. Take advantage of this offer until March 15, 2019.

ENVIROMED DETECTION SERVICES

EnviroMed Detection Services, 145 McNamara Drive Paradise, NL A1L 0A7 CANADA
Call us now: (Tel) 709-368-9000 | (Toll Free) 1-800-561-0043 | (Fax) 709-368-1256
For more information go to: EnviroMed.ca and to place requests please contact Brenda: br@enviromed.ca

SOURCE & GRAPHICS: EnviroMed, Honeywell

Podcast: Oil Spills, Oil Challenges, Oil Solutions

Tina Olivero — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 04:01:12 +0000

Publishers Commentary: By Tina Olivero

PODCAST
LISTEN TO THE FULL COMMENTARY HERE! Simply press this link and press play.

The solution to climate change is not eliminating cars and the solution to oil spills is not eliminating oil production or pipelines.

Oil is the foundation of our world. It’s the most sought-after commodity on the planet because it is in everything we have and do. From the phone in your hand to the gas in your car, the petroleum industry saturates everything.

So to say that oil spills are bad, oil companies are greedy, and that’s why oil spills happen in Canada, is just wrong.

What’s true is that oil is a necessary foundation of our lifestyles just as cars are and we need to be continually improving with our resources. There will be times when accidents happen. It’s more about what we do with those accidents, rather than believing that they should never happen at all.

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

As an energy nation, our focus has to be in a safe environment and people and to mitigate risk and reduce accidents where ever possible. The oil and gas industry in Canada is already extremely good at that. Canadian oil companies and their subcontractors are among the top environmental and safety Stewarts in the world. That is a fact.

What’s troubling about oil industry rhetoric is that it’s most often out of context, over-reactive and irresponsible. For example, we accept that we are going to have cars and a certain number of accidents in cars. We even have insurance to protect us from that reality. We also need that same level of knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of the oil and gas industry and its operations and limitations. Otherwise, we are merely working against ourselves, trying to eliminate that which sustains us and our current way of life.

Canada’s the world’s 3rd largest producer of oil. Because of oil and gas, we have enjoyed prosperous economic conditions and it is the foundation of Canada’s economy. What happens to our entire economic system if we take that down? Have we thought it all through? The world won’t work without oil and gas. Canada won’t work without oil and gas.

You only have to look at the last 24 months in Canada to see the results of the oil price collapse. 40,000 + job layoffs meant a socioeconomic impact that was unprecedented and staggering. People need purpose and focus in life and the oil and gas industry, directly and indirectly, has been a strong foundation for many Canadians in this light.

We don’t want to lose that foundation and end up with extreme socioeconomic impacts that affect each of us right here at home. Impacts like a rise in addiction, spousal abuse, suicide, and mental illness, all of which we have seen on the rise in the last year or so across Canada especially in oil and gas regions.

A WORLD WITHOUT OIL

Many of the protestors of pipelines across Canada haven’t thought it fully through. What’s Canada worth without oil? How does oil and gas support our healthcare, our infrastructure, our progress? How can we even think about getting to new energy without oil? The reality is, there is no new energy without the support of oil and gas.

THE NEW ENERGY MIX

When Bob Dylan said, “The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,” he was right. New energy is where we need to go, and low and behold, its oil and gas that is going to get us there.

OIL AND GAS IS THE BRIDGE TO NEW ENERGY

Let’s talk about the reality of oil and gas and how the smartest thing we can do with it, is to use it to bridge us to new energy models that will provide a sustainable future. And as we build that future, we’ll need to supply world oil demand and simultaneously bring in solutions like solar, wind and other forms of energy into the mix with petroleum products.

Are we always going to do it perfectly? No. Are we constantly improving? Yes. Is oil and gas production always safe and incident free? No.

The goal is not perfection the goal is to be as safe as possible and mitigate risk where ever possible. Will there be oil spills? Yes. Like it or not, life’s comforts always come with some setbacks. Sometimes environmental and in extreme cases, just like car accidents, sadly the loss of life.

We are human; we make mistakes. Oil spills will occur under oil demand and oil and gas production. Oil education needs to be understood at an entirely different level because what we see in the mainstream finger-pointing media about oil spills, is neither accurate nor helpful.

OIL SPILLS WILL HAPPEN

Given that oil is our number one commodity on the planet we need to calculate into the production equation that oil spills will happen. From there, our next consideration is how to prevent a spill from reaching the shore, reduce its impact on marine life, and speed up the degradation of any unrecovered oil. All of that can prove even more difficult if the weather conditions are hazardous at the time of the spill.

Offshore Newfoundland conditions are often the harshest and most extreme in the world. And yet we build islands in the sea and progress at a level of ‘genius’ in spite of all of that. To do so requires recognition and a standing ovation in my view, not a finger pointing blame game that sounds something like, ”money hungry oil companies don’t care.” Nothing could be further than the truth.

HUSKY ENERGY OIL SPILL

If there’s a car accident in extreme weather, we don’t poo poo all over the car driver and the accident itself. We have compassion and understanding and try to mitigate that risk in the future. That’s the responsible thing to do. And that’s what we also need to do when it comes to oil spills in our own backyard. In the most recent oil spill which happened offshore Newfoundland in November of this year, conditions were extreme, and it’s a learning opportunity for us all.

Husky Energy does not in any way want to dismiss or downplay the significance of the oil spill. Any spill is a concern to the company, and they have done their best to ensure that such things don’t happen in their operations again.

Husky Energy takes full responsibility for the oil spill and has put appropriate measures in place to try and ensure they don’t happen again. Trevor Pritchard is the Senior Vice President of Husky Energy for the Atlantic region. He is responsible for overseeing operations and explains the recent oil spill that took place 350 kilometres offshore from the SeaRose FPSO, The spill caused 250,000 litres of crude to spill into the sea marking it as the largest offshore oil spill in eastern Canada. The root cause of the incident happened with the FPSO Flowline connectors. “Currently Husky doesn’t know if the flowline connector failed as designed or failed at below operating conditions. We are continuing to develop a plan to recover the flowline connector and have it analyzed.”

Detailed Overview Map of Oil Spill Response

OIL SPILL RESPONSE

Husky Energy reported, “As soon as oil was observed by our standby vessel, we activated our Oil Spill Response Plan and deployed tracker buoys from the supply vessel and the SeaRose FPSO. The incident happened while warm crude from the SeaRose was being circulated through the subsea network to warm up the flowlines before restarting production.”

Husky Energy has remorse and is building improvement models to correct this in the future, “We are deeply sorry for the incident and are committed to learning from it and putting measures in place to ensure it does not happen again. We have identified, and are already taking steps to address, areas for process improvement especially around the areas of:

Troubleshooting; Non-standard or infrequent conditions; and Adverse weather and challenging conditions.

We are working on improving how we identify and manage non-standard or infrequent operating conditions.

We are also revising our Adverse Weather Policy to add more formality around the process of restarting production.

We have implemented enhanced oversight on critical activities to raise the awareness of potential risks and to provide team back up.”

Flow Line Connector in question

OIL IS NATURALLY OCCURRING AT SEA

As much as one half of the oil that enters coastal environments comes from natural seeps of oil and natural gas, so the question to ask is if oil seeps are naturally occurring why do we worry so much about oil spills?

The answer to that lies in the amount of oil, in and the nature of oil and the rate of oil spilt, which will then either disintegrate naturally or create harm to the environment.

Oil seeps are often found in places where oil and gas extraction takes place as well. As a result, many surface slicks caused by seeps are often wrongfully attributed to oil releases from oil and gas platforms. Not in the case of the recent Husky Energy spill, however, we need to keep an eye on that and consider it when drilling offshore.

Oil seeps tend to happen in clusters around the world in places like California and the Gulf of Mexico but are still relatively unstudied when it comes to their impact and importance in the overall ecosystem. Organisms and wildlife around these regions adapt to the seeps and can even feed off of them.

In locations where oil seeps are found, oil flows slowly up through cracks in the seabed. Lighter oil compounds that escape into the ocean will rise to the surface and evaporate or become they are taken off by ocean currents. Heavier oils rest on the seafloor and collect over hundreds or thousands of years.

Oil seeps from the ocean floor can be a source of nutrition in deep-sea areas where light is scarce, and unique species needs oil as a source of food. It’s important to note though that the material flowing from seeps is often heavily biodegraded by microbial action and can be handled by the ocean’s ecosystem. It’s non-intrusive and non-disruptive.

In contrast, the production of oil resulting in an oil spill often results in high-volume oil sheens in places that have never experienced significant exposure to oil and the ecosystem will find it intrusive and damages will occur.

This illustration shows the route traveled by oil leaving the subseafloor reservoir as it travels through the water column to the surface and ultimately sinks and falls out in a plume shape onto the seafloor where it remains in the sediment. (llustration by Jack Cook, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

SEAROSE OIL: ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE IMPACT

If this were a car accident we’d say, he was lucky and walked away from the accident with a few scrapes and bruises. That’s also the case with this oil spill, overall the environmental impact of the SeaRose oil spill was minimal and could have been a lot worse.

Pritchard and the Husky team takes this situation very seriously, “Any amount of oil is of concern to us, and we will investigate fully to understand how this happened and to put measures in place to prevent a recurrence. We are conducting our own investigation into the incident, and are cooperating fully with the C-NLOPB in its investigation. We are working with the C-NLOPB, our certifying authority, and federal agencies including the Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Wildlife Service and Environment and Climate Change Canada to ensure that appropriate oversight and mitigations are identified and in place prior to starting the recovery and plugging process.”

Pritchard says, “Concerning impact on wildlife, we observed 18 oiled seabirds. Of six recovered and brought to St. John’s for treatment, two murres have been successfully released back into the wild. During the response, we conducted on water an aerial surveillance for affected wildlife and worked closely with the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and other federal agencies to develop and conduct searches. A total of 26 search grids were completed, each 9km x 9km in size.”

OIL SPILL

The oil that was released offshore Newfoundland is considered medium weight, which is lighter than water and would have migrated to the surface quickly. A certain amount of it would have evaporated, reducing the volume of oil on the sea surface.

Given the wind and sea states at the time, waves would have broken up the oil on the surface into small drops which would have dispersed into the water column. No oil sheens have been observed since November 18, 2018, and there’s a reason for that. With the extreme weather conditions that occurred and 8.4-meter waves thrashing around, the oil on the surface was allowed to dissipate rapidly.

In this case, one could say that oil and water did mix and thankfully the results of this oil spill were minimal all things considered.

What the oil and gas industry really needs is for the public to be educated about the industry and its positive impact on our nation. We need to applaud the work of progress and ensure that when accidents like oil spills do happen, we learn from them and move forward.

Canadians need to work together to collaboratively elevate this nation. Oil and gas is the foundation for our future and it is the gateway to a new energy sustainable future.

Robert Richey: Oil price, on the way up!

Tina Olivero — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 21:19:07 +0000

By Tina Olivero – The OGM –

Robert Glenn Richey, Jr., Ph.D. is a Harbert Eminent Scholar in Supply Chain Management. Having followed international oil and gas distribution for two decades, he branched out to teach supply chain management, distribution, and import-export on six continents including the oil and gas-rich regions in the Middle East, North Africa, South America, the Gulf of Mexico, and Scandinavia.

Interviewing Richey has been an interesting mission for The OGM as Richey answers some of today’s pressing questions about the price of oil. He predicts an oil price upturn and here’s why!

“Over the last four weeks of November, while oil prices and energy stocks have plunged, at the same time, insider buying in energy companies jumped. That’s a great indicator that oil prices have hit bottom and are on the way up. OPEC cuts and the increased consumption of energy over the holiday season will only push the price of oil higher.”

What are the current oil price factors?

Richey’s wholistic oil perspective describes what he believes are the top oil price factors. He says, “At the highest level, the primary factor impacting oil price, is, of course, supply and demand and market sentiment. Market sentiment relates to both investor sentiment and consumer sentiment. Supply and Demand are dynamically complex and heavily influenced by sentiment and government intervention. But I would summarize it this way:

World economic growth and oil demand
Seasonal usage
Supply Disruption. For example a supply chain inefficiency such as a trucking crisis, natural disaster, hurricane, or man-made disasters like Iraq
Industry-based production agreements for supply management (OPEC)
Interventionism in free markets (Canada and perhaps the USA)

Globally, what’s happening with oil price?

OPEC

OPEC has a heavy hand in determining global prices since they still account for 60% of the petroleum traded internationally. Despite two years of attempts to control costs and lower breakeven points, the major OPEC players need cash. We tend to think of these economies as being similar to our own, but that isn’t the case. When the monarchy stops paying for things, the people get upset and soon the King is out of a job. Salman has a number of internal issues (as well as a significant international issue) to manage, and he still funds his government largely through oil and gas. He even uses Oil and Gas revenue to import sand to the dessert for construction purposes! He needs to be heavily in the black. When financial analysts report the Saudi breakeven price, always expect that price to ignore much of the country’s future (and perhaps hidden) domestic policy.

OPEC likes to float policy and price changes to the media to test the water for where production might land. It seems that once again, consumers and the media were caught off guard, but I don’t believe the sky is falling. Short-term estimates suggest Brent around 72-75$ in early 2019 and WTI around $65-$68(USD).

Derek Leith at EY suggests a 2019 price near $70. US shale producers are pencilling in $55-$60-a-barrel prices for their 2019 budgets. Deloitte thinks the Saudis will back off the 500000 bbl reduction.

RUSSIA

Russia is a different story as Putin sees O&G (largely gas) as an opportunity to expand his influence and recent events show how serious he is about that expansion, especially towards the EU.

QATAR

Qatar has declared to leave the OPEC group. This is a small hit for the collective in terms of revenue, but a big blemish when it comes to keeping the group cohesive. As the power players construct more policy in isolation, expect smaller economies with healthier corporations and lower breakeven points to create turmoil.

IRAN

Iran is an unknown variable. Pending relationship problems with the West, who knows what will happen here!

USA

US production is stepping back from the “drill baby drill” 2017 run towards $54/bbl. President Trump pushed heavily for increased production but seems to be stepping back from that original move. It may be that his team recognizes the impact oil company success has on our North American economies. Lower gas prices help manufacturing, transportation, and the customer at the pump, but the profitability of O&G companies impacts the nation’s economic status. Since the Trump administration views the economy as its main calling, expect O&G companies to be provided the opportunity to improve top-line revenue. This is also related to Canada’s direct call for reduced production.

ALBERTA, CANADA

Alberta has increasingly become a cornerstone of the new North American oil and gas economy. The region has contributed substantially to our increasing oil and gas independence. OPEC production cuts will only make this region more important, and production from the region stands to reduce some of the price volatility in North America if the market is allowed to adjust. I fully understand the concerns Suncor Energy Inc., Husky Energy Inc., and Imperial Oil have with future government-mandated production cuts in Alberta and Canada. That type of move is more traditional to state-owned companies, resources, and nations that don’t subscribe to free market-based economies.

When you are encouraged by the market to increase capacity, and then you are told by your government that you will not be using that capacity – business strategy breaks down, and oil prices climb.

Rather than cut production, perhaps the Canadian government should push companies like Cenovus and CNR to become more efficient making them more price competitive and extending that savings to the local customer.

OFFSHORE NEWFOUNDLAND CANADA

If the Hibernia type mega oil field is what industry expects, it could be a huge economic gain for Canada similar to the deep water success of Norway in terms of production and innovation.

However, if the government insists on manipulating the market, don’t expect exploration bids to continue at a lucrative pace. Exploration is one of the most expensive parts of the oil and gas business and in a world where fracking is cheap, interventionism could have a negative impact on the future of the Canadian natural resource exploration and expansion.

What is the ideal oil price for global economic prosperity and why?

That’s a great question, and the answer is a balance. Truthfully, if anyone could pinpoint the answer to this question, he or she would be one of the most important people in the world right now. Ten out of the last eleven US recessions have been correlated with economic downturns preceded by oil price hikes. Major price fluctuations interfere with consumer’s spending and business strategies. We need stability, and that is why our countries have pushed for energy independence, but complexities in global supply make oil prices volatile and difficult to predict.

What’s going to happen with new energy plays?

We should all be looking for new sources of energy and have goals of improving environmental conditions and our general quality of life. However, I honestly believe we aren’t there yet. For alternative sources to make a real impact, there will have to be a Schumpeterian shock.

While our politicians and green parties fight the environmental fight, the consumer keeps on trucking via oil and gas. This is why the projections continue to show growth well into the middle of the 21st century. Unless the customer is forced to change, oil and gas consumption will continue to grow.

Consumer behaviour experts seem to think that providing premier parking spots for electric cars and minor tax advantages for solar will dramatically change behaviour. I’m here to tell you, that is like trying to melt the Columbia Ice-field with a hairdryer.

My research shows that even the most environmentally oriented customer will “morally disengage” from alternative forms when they incur new costs. Liberal-leaning college students like electric cars for environmental reasons, but as a group refuses to spend more on alternative transport. They don’t even want to spend more on recycled commodities (e.g., paper). Only extreme changes in policy and major world events will change this behaviour.

Consider the fact that 17 countries have now proposed some form of ban on non-electric vehicle sales with start dates from 2020 to 2050, yet the worldwide consumption projections continue to grow.

For environmental adjustment to take place, it must be global. For instance, in Alabama, we ship dirty coal to Colombia in exchange for clean burning coal. It is a 4-hour flight to Colombia from here, so that’s not doing a lot to help the environment of the Americas, but it does comply with our national environmental policy. It isn’t a solution that works. Again, we aren’t there yet. Nevertheless, emission reduction is a major environmental issue and political platform, so expect the electric and alternative options to become more of an issue past 2050.

What’s the long-term vision for oil price and production?

If you watch the nightly news, you might expect that we will all be driving electric cars soon. That isn’t what the US energy information administration is forecasting. They report that the 2747 billion light vehicle miles recorded in 2016 will reach 3302 billion miles by 2050. The growth trend is steady. Only domestic shipping shows a 1% mileage decrease heading towards 2050, which I find highly unlikely as we continue to UBERize urban freight delivery. We are probably trading modes of transportation and consuming more oil and gas in the process.

The long-term vision is efficiency, innovation, and exploration of alternative sources. The reality is that fossil fuels remain highly sought after and will continue to be one of our most important resources.

OGM INTERVIEW

This interview with Robert Richey is brought to you by The OGM.
Robert Glenn RICHEY, Jr., Ph.D.
Harbert Eminent Scholar in Supply Chain Management
Harbert College of Business @ Auburn University
446 Lowder Hall: 405 West Magnolia Ave., Auburn, AL 36849
Text/Mobile: 205-310-5973

Total inaugurates the Kaombo project in Angola

Tina Olivero — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:50:10 +0000

The Kaombo project

Located 260 kilometers off the coast of Luanda, on Block 32, in water depth of around 2,000 meters, Kaombo is the biggest offshore development in Angola.

The first FPSO, Kaombo Norte, came on stream in July 2018, with a production capacity of 115,000 bopd. The start-up of the second FPSO of similar capacity, Kaombo Sul, is expected next year. The overall production will reach an estimated 230,000 bopd at peak and the associated gas will be exported to the Angola LNG plant.

A total of 59 wells will be connected to the two FPSOs, both of which are converted Very Large Crude Carriers, through one of the world’s largest subsea networks. Together, they will develop the resources of six different fields (Gengibre, Gindungo, Caril, Canela, Mostarda and Louro) over an area of 800 square kilometers in the central and southern part of the block.

Total operates Block 32 with a 30% participating interest, along with Sonangol P&P (30%), Sonangol Sinopec International 32 Limited (20%), Esso Exploration & Production Angola (Overseas) Limited (15%) and Galp Energia Overseas Block 32 B.V. (5%).

Total in Angola

Present in Angola since 1953, Total is the country’s leading oil operator. Total’s production averaged 229,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2017 from Blocks 17, 14 and 0, as well as Angola LNG.

In addition to the Kaombo project on Block 32, Total also operates Block 17 (with a 40% interest) where investment decisions were taken on the Zinia 2, CLOV 2 and Dalia 3 projects. Press Release

Sonangol is the concessionaire for Block 17. The other partners are affiliates of Equinor (23.33%), Exxon Mobil (20%) and BP (16.67%).

Block 17 covers nearly 4,000 km2 located from 150 to 270 kilometers off the coast of Angola. This acreage has become the stage for a unique industrial adventure, with developments that have set global benchmarks for the industry. Total operates four FPSOs on Block 17: Girassol, Dalia, Pazflor and CLOV.

Total is also a partner in Blocks 14 (20%), 14K (36.75%) and 0 (10%), as well as Angola LNG (13.6%).

Last May, the Group signed a risk service agreement with Sonangol for the deepwater Block 48 exploration license, which Total will operate.

On that same occasion, both companies also signed a framework agreement to create a joint venture to develop a network of service stations in Angola, including petroleum product logistics and supply.

Angolan State Minister for Economic and Social Development, Manuel Nunes Junior, the Chairman and CEO of Total, Patrick Pouyanné, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sonangol, Carlos Saturnino, inaugurated the Kaombo project.

CEO of Total, Patrick Pouyanne and Angolan President Joao Lourenço.

The Angolan State Minister for Economic and Social Development, Manuel Nunes Junior, the Chairman and CEO of Total, Patrick Pouyanné, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sonangol, Carlos Saturnino, inaugurated the Kaombo project, located deep offshore on Block 32, 260 kilometers off the coast of Luanda.

“As Angola’s principal oil partner, Total is proud to inaugurate such a major deep offshore project as Kaombo, which started up production in July and marked a new milestone of our history in the country,” stated Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of Total. “I would like to recognize the leadership shown by the Angolan President, João Lourenço, and the joint efforts of the authorities, Sonangol and the industry to enhance contractual framework, which is an essential step towards developing new projects. The sanction of these new projects today demonstrates Total’s ongoing commitment to Angola and to the continued development of oil and gas resources in the country.”

Country Progress with Total

Total also announced the continuation of its development program in the country, following on from the launch of the Zinia 2 project in May. The Group, along with its partners, has notably taken two investment decisions on Block 17, located deep offshore 150 kilometers off the coast of Angola, to develop satellite fields that will be tied back to existing infrastructures and will quickly bring additional production.

– The CLOV phase 2 project, which requires the drilling of 7 additional wells, with first oil expected in 2020 and a production plateau of 40,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).

– The Dalia phase 3 project, which requires the drilling of 6 additional wells, with first oil expected in 2021 and a production plateau of 30,000 bopd.

Zinia 2, CLOV 2 and Dalia 3 will develop 150 million barrels of additional resources to maintain the Block 17 production plateau above 400,000 bopd until 2023, and further extend the profitability of this prolific block, with over 2.6 billion barrels already produced.

Protecting Tank Farms from Corrosion: 3 Most Important Considerations

Tina Olivero — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 11:00:02 +0000

THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES SOLUTIONS FOR:
Going beyond barrier coatings
Addressing CUI
Speeding up turnaround time
Boosting the bottom line

With asset utilization critical and community and regulatory pressure always looming, it is essential that tank farm owners proactively prevent any loss of containment with reliable, cost-effective corrosion protection. This is crucial since atmospheric corrosion is one of the main culprits of tank leaks, containment loss, and early replacement.

As oil depots and terminals are often comprised of ample pipeline through which to draw product, it is also vital to address corrosion under insulation (CUI), which can cause serious problems including forced shutdowns, lost production, etc. CUI, which involves the corrosion of vessels or pipe beneath insulation due to water penetration, is insidious because it can remain undetected until leaks occur or the insulation is removed for inspection. Consequently, dealing with CUI and inspecting for it are very costly.

Fortunately, by addressing a few important considerations regarding corrosion, tank farm owners can stop corrosion and CUI for years to dramatically extend tank and pipe service life. In doing so, they can also improve safety, reduce downtime, and expedite maintenance turnaround.

Go Beyond Barrier Coatings

Tank farm corrosion protection typically involves applying polymer paints and rubber type coatings. Such methods create a physical barrier to keep corrosion promoters such as water and oxygen away from steel substrates. However, this only works until the paint is scratched, chipped, or breached and corrosion promoters enter the gap between the substrate and coating. When this occurs the coating can act like a greenhouse – trapping water, oxygen and other corrosion promoters – which allows the corrosion to spread.

Instead, as a better alternative, a growing number of the world’s largest petrochemical companies with tank farms are finding success with an innovative approach toward stopping corrosion.

To extend the service life of tank farm assets, including those already experiencing atmospheric corrosion, owners and facility managers are turning to a new category of tough, Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramics (CBPCs) that can stop the corrosion, ease application, and reduce production downtime even in very wet, humid conditions.

One example of this is EonCoat, a spray applied inorganic coating from the Raleigh, North Carolina-based company of the same name.

In contrast to traditional polymer coatings that sit on top of the substrate, the EonCoat corrosion resistant CBPC coating bonds through a chemical reaction with the substrate. The surface of steel is passivated as an alloy layer is formed. This makes it impossible for corrosion promoters like oxygen and humidity to get behind the coating the way they can with ordinary paints.

Although traditional polymer coatings mechanically bond to substrates that have been extensively prepared, if gouged, moisture and oxygen will migrate under the coating’s film from all sides of the gouge.

By contrast, the same damage to the ceramic coated substrate will not spread corrosion because the carbon steel’s surface has been chemically transformed into an alloy of stable oxides. Once the steel’s surface is stable (the way noble metals like gold and silver are stable) it will no longer react with the environment and therefore cannot corrode.

Visible in scanning electron microscope photography, EonCoat does not leave a gap between the steel and the coating because the bond is chemical rather than mechanical. Since there is no gap, even if moisture was to get through to the steel due to a gouge, there is nowhere for the moisture to travel. This effectively stops atmospheric corrosion on carbon steel assets.

Address the “Silent Killer” CUI

Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is the root cause of many of the global petrochemical industry’s most serious problems including forced shutdowns, lost production, early repair and replacement, as well as safety and environmental consequences that can cost millions of dollars per incident.

“CUI is the silent killer,” explains Merrick Alpert, President of EonCoat. “The insulation creates a terrarium on the steel in which corrosion is guaranteed to occur if traditional coatings are used. And the insulation then hides the corrosion from being detected until it’s too late.”

Pipe is particularly susceptible to mechanical damage from shipping, installation, or facility operation that may breach traditional coatings and accelerate CUI.

Because of the risk of CUI, a dedicated team is often required to inspect vessels or extensive piping on a virtually continuous basis. However, removing pipe insulation and spot-checking that portion of pipe does not eliminate the risk of CUI along the entire pipe network at the tank farm.

As an alternative that helps to curtail this costly inspection and maintenance cycle, a CBPC coating like EonCoat provides a corrosion barrier that is covered by a ceramic layer that further resists corrosion, water, impact, abrasion, chemicals, fire and high temperatures.

In this way, the ceramic layer provides a tough outer coating that dramatically reduces mechanical damage and any potential breach of the coating.

The CBPC coating’s chemical bond further ensures that even if moisture were to get through to the steel due to a gouge, it would travel no farther than the boundaries of the gouge. This quality effectively prevents the hidden spread of corrosion, which is arguably the most insidious aspect of CUI.

Faster Turnaround Time

One of the greatest benefits of the CBPC coating, however, is the rapid return to service that minimizes facility downtime. The time saved on an anti-corrosion coating project with the ceramic coating comes from less surface preparation, the elimination of the intermediate coat and expedited curing time.

With a typical corrosion coating, near white metal blast cleaning (NACE 2 / SSPC-SP 10) is required to prepare the surface. But with the ceramic coating, only a NACE 3 / SSPC-SP 6 commercial blast is typically necessary.

Furthermore, with traditional coatings, extensive surface preparation is required and done a little at a time to avoid surface oxidation, commonly known as ‘flash rust’, which then requires re-blasting.

However, with the CBPC coating, the flash rust is no issue. There is no need to ‘hold the blast’. The reason for this unique CBPC characteristic is due to the presence of iron in the rust, which helps to create the magnesium iron phosphate alloy layer. It is this alloy layer that allows CBPCs to so effectively protect carbon steel from corrosion.

For traditional ‘three-part system’ coatings utilizing polyurethanes or epoxies, the cure time may also be days or weeks before the next coat can be applied, depending on the product.

In contrast, a corrosion resistant coating for carbon steel utilizing the ceramic coating in a single coat requires almost no curing time. Return to service for tank farms can be achieved in as little as one hour, which can potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars per day in reduced facility downtime.

Boosting the Bottom Line

For petrochemical tank farms with massive carbon steel structures, corrosion and CUI have been a costly, perennial problem.

Now, however, by proactively using best in class anti-corrosion products like CBPC coatings, facility managers will be able to deter corrosion and CUI for decades, reduce downtime, and postpone tank and pipe replacement, all of which will significantly help the bottom line.

Visit www.eoncoat.com

Lloyd’s Register: How will predictive analytics transform oil and gas?

Tina Olivero — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 13:13:23 +0000

57 of the world’s 100 largest oil and gas firms are using, or have plans to use predictive analytics.
How will predictive analytics transform oil and gas?
Are we ready?

A new industry report produced by Lloyd’s Register (LR) – reveals the pace, development and adoption of predictive analytics in the oil and gas sector. The report brings in to focus how different companies are using predictive analytics and to what extent companies are transforming their own technology and data capabilities to predict a better performing and sustainable future between operators, service providers and technology makers.

Industry executives and other experts interviewed for this report have identified several fields of predictive and other advanced analytics application – and the industries where they are being used – that hold potential for oil and gas. The report indicates adoption is a reality now.

Key findings of Lloyds predictive analytics report :

• 57 of the world’s 100 largest oil and gas firms are using, or have plans to use predictive analytics.

Proving return on investment (ROI) to management may take time, but is feasible Companies using predictive analytics in unconventional wells have often been able to tie its use to demonstrable gains in improved drilling accuracy, efficiency or cost savings. Doing the same for predictive use in maintenance and safety is less straightforward when avoidance of incidents or downtime are the main benefits. Efficiencies from these can be quantified, however, and 2–3 more years of running and validating algorithms and accumulating databased evidence should help many firms to demonstrate returns they have difficulty proving today. Predictive analytics is delivering benefits today Based on publicly available evidence, 57 of the world’s 100 largest oil and gas firms are using, or have plans to use, predictive analytics. Over half of these companies (34) report that their use of such tools has had a positive impact of varying degrees. Within the top 100, evidence of predictive adoption and use is most extensive upstream, in oil-field equipment and services, exploration and production. It is the largest firms in terms of revenue and market capitalisation (mainly integrated oil and gas companies) that appear to have advanced furthest with the technology.

• 34 of these 57 companies are using or have plans to use predictive analytics

Fields of application are widening beyond reservoir performance Several large oil and gas companies have put predictive analytics to good use upstream, earning returns from improved performance of unconventional wells. Maintenance, safety and production control are newer areas of adoption. Companies are exploring future uses of predictive tools in combination with emerging technology capabilities such as machine vision4 and behavioural analytics. Use cases in other industries may hold potential in oil and gas Industry firms are scanning the health, aerospace, financial services and other industries for examples of predictive analytics use in equipment diagnostics, prognostics and maintenance, pricing and risk management. Other relevant use cases include machine vision in the automotive, sport and healthcare industries; behavioural models in the retail and financial services industries; and enhanced route optimisation used by transport and logistics firms. Data quality issues hamper predictive analytics use, but these can be surmounted Data quality and availability are viewed as the chief impediments to the use of predictive analytics in the industry. Oil and gas companies collect masses of data, but often can only access a small portion of it.

Standardising disparate sources of data can also be difficult. Experts say, however, that data quality need not be perfect, and that workarounds are possible. Using advanced data science, for example, companies can filter data to overcome quality problems.

New data sources are gradually becoming available Accessing the external data and expertise needed to make predictive analytics work requires oil and gas firms to widen the scope of their interaction. For example, the world’s technology giants support open platforms for developing algorithms, as well as data lakes and cloud platforms that provide great analytics power. Some executives interviewed for this study say their firms are benefiting from access to data and expertise on such platforms.

• Companies using predictive analytics are benefiting by:

– $325,000 per rig using machine learning to predict drill-bit locations
– saving costs of $7 million on gas pipelines in the eastern US through predicting failures

• Research proves predictive analytics are being tested and applied in:

– machine learning to improve safety improvement capabilities
– in unconventional wells to change management attitude
– behavioural modelling to reduce the frequency of safety incidents
– exploring fully automated drilling platforms
– automated analysis of subsurface data
– designing the ‘rig of the future’.

• Respondents believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) is unlikely to be applied beyond niche applications for another three (3) years.

The research sought the insights and opinions of leaders across the sector, such as: Eric Abecassis, CIO, Schlumberger, Stephen Ashley Manager, Digital Transformation Solution Centre, Oil & Gas Technology Centre, Willem van Asperen Director, applied artificial intelligence, PA Consulting Group, Richard Barclay Manager, Advanced analytics, ConocoPhillips, Margery Connor Leader, Data science capability and Technology, Chevron, Daniel Jeavons General manager – data science, Shell, Michael Jones Senior director of strategy and M&A, Halliburton Digital Solutions, Adam Judelson Founder and CEO, Cognotient, Neil Kavanagh Chief science & technology manager, Woodside Petroleum, Narayan Laksham Founder and CEO, 4casting Systems, Joel Meltzner CEO and president, i4 Insight, and Morten Møller Pedersen Deputy asset manager, Maersk Drilling.

“This report makes clear that the oil and gas industry still has much to do to lay a solid foundation for using predictive technologies effectively,” says Nial McCollam, Chief Technology Officer of LR. “Companies will do this by solving data quality and standardisation issues, and establishing the external relationships that will give them access to the large volumes of data they need.”

Making the most of data requires more than advanced analytics tools and skilled data scientists. The report reinforces the fundamental need to successfully collect and transmit data to help with better decision making. McCollam says: “Recent advances in data analytics technologies – predictive analytics in particular – and networked sensors offer companies the opportunity to greatly widen and systematize the scope of their forecasting to include operational processes up and down the value chain.”

Adoption: a myth or a reality?

Contributors to the report highlight the critical areas for predictive analytics including demand forecasting, oil and gas trading, spare parts inventory management, transport route optimisation, process control and facility management.

“The Technology Radar report finds that many of the industry’s largest companies are actively developing predictive capabilities using internal and external resources,” says McCollam. “At least one-third of the top 100 industry players by size are generating a beneficial impact from using this technology. Sure, there is a long way to go, but adoption and new ways of thinking and working is becoming a reality.”

By using large volumes of historic seismic and production data, existing and new sensors, and powerful algorithms, companies have unlocked insights not previously available to them, which has boosted efficiency and productivity, reduced downtime, and earned them demonstrable returns along the way. Unconventional wells, mainly in North America, have been the biggest early beneficiaries of predictive analytics to date.

What does the future hold?

Predictive analytics are now coming to bear in asset maintenance – human and equipment. McCollam says: “Foreseeing and preventing events that lead to injury, loss of life or environmental damage is a key part of predictive analytics – and even more so in driving efficiencies and enhancing performance.”

“The ability to predict erosion and lifespans of equipment such as drills, pumps and other rig equipment promises considerable savings. And we are also seeing companies begin to experiment with predictive analytics in behavioural modelling to help identify symptoms of unsafe human behaviour, and predicting when certain behaviour traits are likely to create high-risk situations.”

“Along with our clients and partners, we believe that the use of predictive analytics can lead to both improved performance and enhanced safety and better risk management. Encouragingly, the findings of this special edition of the LR Technology Radar show that this potential is beginning to convert into reality.

The report highlights how the experience of predictive analytics used in consumer markets can provide better insights into how more accurate predictions are generated when multiple sets of data from different sources are layered up.

“Distilling these lessons can only help oil and gas companies to adapt using cases perfected elsewhere, and inspire us to develop innovative ones of our own. However, the report also highlights that governments, regulators and industry leaders have a critical part to play by fostering environments in which oil and gas companies can share data with confidence, and without fear that the data that is shared will be turned against them from an environmental performance or safety perspective.”

This is the fourth year LR has conducted its award-winning Technology Radar research. Whilst earlier editions have focused on macro energy insights of the oil and gas sector and low carbon power generation, this time around, the research concentrates on predictive analytics in oil and gas, with a focus on operation performance, safety, technology, analytics design, machine learning, human behaviour, policy, safety, public appetite and acceptance.

The 2018 Technology Radar Oil & Gas report is published as of November 12, 2018.
Go to www.lr.org/predictiveanalytics to download the 2018 Technology Radar Oil & Gas report and findings.

About Lloyd’s Register (LR)

Started out in 1760 as a marine classification society. Today, one of the world’s leading providers of professional services for engineering and technology – improving safety and increasing the performance of critical infrastructures for clients in over 75 countries worldwide. The profits generated fund the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charity which supports science and engineering-related research, education and public engagement around everything they do. All of this helps us stand by the purpose that drives their purpose of Working together for a safer world.

In a world of increasing complexity – overloaded with data and opinion – we know that our clients need more than technology to succeed. They need an experienced hand. A partner to listen, cut through the noise and focus on what really matters to them and their customers. Our engineers and technical experts are dedicated to assurance. That means a commitment to embracing new technology, and a deep-rooted desire to drive better performance. So we consider our customers’ needs with diligence and empathy, then use our expertise and over 250 years’ experience to deliver the smart solution for everyone.

After all, there are some things technology can’t replace.

About the Technology Radar series

Global research, sector insights and in-country reports and industry surveys form part of the Technology Radar series managed by the energy business of LR. The reports combine LR’s expert knowledge with third-party insights, to provide data-driven findings on the role of innovation, technology, safety and sustainability in the current and future energy industry.

Our role at LR is to ensure that we provide that independent viewpoint help government, energy producers, manufacturers, regulators and policymakers to the energy industry extract energy safely, and to deliver energy sustainably, with minimal risk to people and to the environment, and in socially responsible ways. We recognise that true value can be created by nurturing stakeholder relationships, based on trust and understanding.

LR is addressing the industry’s most significant technology and sustainability challenges by interacting and working with energy stakeholders on an ongoing basis. Through interviews with senior industry practitioners and surveys of energy professionals, the Technology Radar series provides a compelling insight into the latest industry thinking, trends and insights.

Source: Lloyd’s Register for graphics and content

#techradar

Find out why Statoil changed its name to Equinor

Tina Olivero — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 13:12:33 +0000

The world sat back and wondered why such a world-class brand like Statoil would change its name. The answer came in the word “Change”. Life is about change and Statoil’s vision included the relentless commitment to embracing change, as it stands, as it is!

In a world that’s ever-changing, Statoil saw a future of change as a natural part of life and progress. Even a big oil company like Statoil changes and Equinor represents that change in action. Evolving from an oil and gas company to a broad energy company, Equinor is the result of a powerful company that is always searching for a better version of themselves.

Statoil’s strategy presented in 2017, will deepen in core areas and develop new growth options internationally. In this light Statoil as one of the world’s most carbon-efficient producers of oil and gas, will develop its low carbon advantage further. Statoil is building a material industrial position within the renewable energy sector and expects to invest 15-20% of total CapEx in new energy solutions by 2030. So the short answer to the name change is…. the company has a new vision a new vision. A vision the reflects safety, high value and low carbon.

What does Equinor mean?

The name Equinor is formed by combining “equi”, the starting point for words like:
equal,
equality and
equilibrium,

and “nor”, signalling a company proud of its Norwegian origin.

Change in modern-day energy systems: The new energy mix

Chair of the board in Statoil, Jon Erik Reinhardsen

“The world is changing, and so is Statoil. The biggest transition our modern-day energy systems have ever seen is underway, and we aim to be at the forefront of this development. Our strategy remains firm. The name Equinor reflects ongoing changes and supports the always safe, high value and low carbon strategy we outlined last year,” says chair of the board in Statoil, Jon Erik Reinhardsen.

President and CEO, of Equinor Eldar Sætre.

“Statoil has for almost 50 years served us well. Looking towards the next 50 years, reflecting on the global energy transition and how we are developing as a broad energy company, it has become natural to change our name. The name Equinor captures our heritage and values, and what we aim to be in the future,” says former Statoil’s President and CEO Eldar Sætre. President and CEO, of Equinor Eldar Sætre.

“Equinor is a powerful expression of who we are, where we come from and what we aspire to be. We are a values-based company, and equality describes how we want to approach people and the societies where we operate. The Norwegian continental shelf will remain the backbone of our company, and we will use our Norwegian heritage in our positioning as we continue growing internationally within both oil, gas and renewable energy,” says Sætre.

BAY DU NORD AND EQUINOR: Always Safe, High Value, Low Carbon

Equinor Canada is executing the Bay du Nord project offshore Newfoundland and their new name reflects their commitment to shaping the future in a safe and competitive way. Their motto is Always Safe, High Value and Low Carbon. Those distinctions are a context for the delineation of the Equinor Bay du Nord project. This project means $3.5 billion in revenue and 11,000 years of employment for Newfoundland and Labrador.

President and CEO of Equinor, Eldar Sætre.

Offshore Newfoundland Record Breaking Land Sale Results

Tina Olivero — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:20:32 +0000

Record bids for exploration licenses offshore have been received as a result of the most recent calls for bids in the Eastern Newfoundland Region and Jeanne d’Arc Regions, both located in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area.

In total, there was a record cumulative total of $1.38 billion in bids and a record single bid of $621 million from BHP Billiton Petroleum in the Eastern Newfoundland region.

In less than 7 per cent of the province’s offshore, there is a combined resource potential of 49.2 billion barrels of oil and 193.8 trillion cubic feet of gas.

There have been eight new entrants in the past two years and $3.9 billion in recent exploration work commitments.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) announced the results of Call for Bids NL18-CFB01 (Exploration Licences, Eastern Newfoundland Region), Call for Bids NL18-CFB02 (Exploration Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region) and Call for Bids NL18-CFB03 (Production Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region). The results include a record cumulative successful bid amount of $1,386,273,936 and a record single successful bid amount of $621,021,200.

Exploration Licences

For Call for Bids NL18-CFB01 (Exploration Licences, Eastern Newfoundland Region) and Call for Bids NL18-CFB02 (Exploration Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region), the sole criterion for selecting a winning bid is the total amount the bidder commits to spend on exploration of the parcel during Period I (the first period of a nine-year licence). The minimum acceptable bid for each parcel is $10,000,000 in work commitments.

Call for Bids NL18-CFB01 (Exploration Licences, Eastern Newfoundland Region)

Call for Bids NL18-CFB01 (Exploration Licences, Eastern Newfoundland Region) offered 16 parcels totalling 3,941,046 hectares.

2018 CALL FOR BIDS RESULTS NL18-CFB01 (EXPLORATION LICENCES, EASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND REGION)
PARCEL	HECTARES	SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS	SUCCESSFUL BID AMOUNT
Parcel 8	269 799	BHP Billiton Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation (100%)	$621,021,200
Parcel 12	273 579	BHP Billiton Petroleum (New Ventures) Corporation (100%)	$201,021,200
Parcel 14	159 036	Equinor Canada Ltd. (70%) Husky Oil Operations Limited (30%)	$32,231,981
Parcel 15	253 608	Equinor Canada Ltd. (60%) Suncor Energy Offshore Exploration Partnership (40%)	$480,000,000
Total Successful Bid Amount			$1,334,274,381

Call for Bids NL18-CFB02 (Exploration Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region)

Call for Bids NL18-CFB02 (Exploration Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region) offered one parcel totalling
142,448 hectares.

2018 CALL FOR BIDS RESULTS NL18-CFB02 (EXPLORATION LICENCES, JEANNE D’ARC REGION)
PARCEL	HECTARES	SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS	SUCCESSFUL BID AMOUNT
Parcel 1	142 448	Suncor Energy Offshore Exploration Partnership (40%) Husky Oil Operations Limited (30%) Equinor Canada Ltd. (30%)	$51,999,555
Total Successful Bid Amount			$51,999,555

Production Licence

No bids were received for Call for Bids NL18-CFB03 (Production Licence, Jeanne d’Arc Region).

Subject to bidders satisfying the requirements specified in Call for Bids NL18-CFB01 and NL18-CFB02 and upon receiving Ministerial approvals, the Board will issue the new exploration licences in January 2019.

These Calls for Bids parcels are included in the 2014 Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The SEA examines the environmental effects which may be associated with a plan, program or policy proposal and allows for the incorporation of environmental considerations at the earliest stages of program planning. SEA involves a broader-scale environmental assessment (EA) that considers the larger ecological setting and consultation with a wide array of stakeholders. The Board is discussing with the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador potential new approaches to environmental assessments, details of which will be released as they become available.

Assessments of regional and/or site-specific issues will be completed before any work can begin within the licence area. The timing, spatial extent, and nature of proposed oil and gas activities, in addition to mitigations already prescribed by legislation, will determine the level of additional restriction or mitigation that may be required. Any additional measures would be determined during the project-specific environmental assessment and/or other regulatory approval processes.

Offshore safety and environmental protection are paramount in all Board decisions. No physical activity may occur on these licences without an operations authorization. The C-NLOPB will not approve any offshore petroleum-related activity until an Operator demonstrates that it has met all legislative and regulatory requirements and has reduced risks to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable.

Any parties interested in receiving email notifications on Scheduled Land Tenure related announcements can contact Shannon Bulger at sbulger@cnlopb.ca.

Source: CNLOPB and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

REAL-TIME GAS READINGS: Wearables, Connectivity, People Protection

Tina Olivero — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 16:50:39 +0000

CONNECTED SAFETY ALERTS SAVE LIVES

Gas alert, gas alert! Those are words you hope you never hear. Hazards left unchecked put people in danger. Your best chain of defence against unimaginable outcomes and explosions is to ensure that gas detection and monitoring is well thought out and executed in your organization.

Are you prepared?

Poisonous gas puts people at risk. Are you prepared?

WHO USES GAS DETECTORS?

At an industrial facility, on oil rigs, in manufacturing facilities, processing units, and throughout the firefighting sector, gas detection has become common place as a foundation of safety! And with good reason, our team’s safety depends on a working environment gas monitoring is a priority and sensors that alert you to the presence of gas leaks are readily available.

Gas detection and monitoring devices can be found in industrial plants, refineries, manufacturing plants, fumigation facilities, paper pulp mills, aircraft and shipbuilding facilities, hazmat operations, waste-water treatment facilities, vehicles manufacturers, distilleries, indoor air testing and even in our homes. Applications are varied and wide.

PORTABLE GAS DETECTORS

Portable detectors are used to monitor the atmosphere around workers on the job and are either hand-held or worn on clothing or on a belt/harness for convenience sake. These gas detectors transmit warnings via audible and visible signals, such as alarms and flashing lights, when dangerous levels of gas vapours are detected and they may be monitored at another location especially in the case of remote gas monitoring.

FIXED GAS DETECTORS

Fixed type gas detectors may be used for detection of one or more gas types and are generally mounted near the process area of a plant or control room, or an area to be protected, such as a residential bedroom. Industrial sensors are usually installed on fixed type mild steel structure and a cable connects the detectors to a SCADA system for continuous monitoring.

HOW DO GAS DETECTORS WORK?

Gas detection equipment is used to detect a gas leak or other emissions and can interface with a control system so a process can be automatically shut down. A gas detector can sound an alarm to operators in the area where the leak is occurring, giving workers the opportunity to leave safely. There are many gases that can be harmful and it’s your job to understand those hazards and mitigate them if you play a role in your companies safety regime.

HOW DO GAS DETECTORS WORK?

Gas leak detection is the process of identifying potentially hazardous gas leaks by sensors and alarms that alert people when a dangerous gas has been detected. Exposure to toxic gases can also occur in operations such as painting, fumigation, fuel filling, construction, excavation of contaminated soils, landfill operations, entering confined spaces, so it is important to ensure the right type of gas detectors are used with the right application.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GAS DETECTORS?

Common sensors include combustible gas sensors, photoionization detectors, infrared point sensors, ultrasonic sensors, electrochemical gas sensors, and semiconductor sensors. More recently, infrared imaging sensors have come into use.

CEO, Lee Parmiter of EnviroMed Detection Services in St. John’s, Newfoundland says, “At the end of the day, we want to ensure people to come home safe to their families. Gas monitoring is essential, and gas leaks must be detected so that hazardous environments are eliminated. Gas detectors can be used to detect combustible, flammable and toxic gases, and oxygen depletion so they are essential in the infrastructure of most industrial companies and any business really that has processing facilities.”

WHAT IS GAS LEAK DETECTION ALL ABOUT?

Gas leak detection is the process of identifying potentially hazardous gas leaks by sensors. These sensors usually employ an audible alarm to alert people when a dangerous gas has been detected. Today technology is so advanced that systems not only alert to a gas leak but also alert incidences and failures in systems. We have vastly advanced the gas detection world with the advancement of new tracking and monitoring devices.

Gas leak detection is essential in your facility.

HOW TO SELECT YOUR GAS DETECTOR

How to select the gas detector primarily depends on your operation, and it’s functions. You will want to consider what systems will ensure the safety of workers and help your company save time and money.

Lee Parimeter says, “There are several models with constantly evolving technologies are available on the market. It is therefore essential to understand the available features and options to make an informed decision. Understanding the systems that are out there and ensuring your system is right for your facility is key.”

SELECTING THE RIGHT SYSTEM
5 KEY POINTS FOR GAS DETECTION & MONITORING THAT YOU MUST KNOW

According to Don Galman of Honeywell Analytics, selecting the right gas detection considers the following, “There are many gas detection products on the market that might appear to be the same, but a closer inspection of specification, functionality, and features reveals major differences in what products can do and the potential value they can offer. Similarly, individual applications are also unique in their respective designs, needs and processes undertaken.

1. DO A RISK ASSESSMENT

Before beginning to consider gas detection equipment, a risk assessment needs to be conducted. Any company employing staff should conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards, and these can include potential gas, vapour or Oxygen deficiency risks. If gas hazards are identified, gas detection is applicable as a risk reduction method.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIME OBJECTIVE

Depending on the processes being undertaken and the gases being detected, remote or off-site alarm notification plus event data logging/reporting may also be required for Health and Safety management records. Another factor impacting on the need for enhanced reporting functions might be regulatory compliance or a condition of insurance.

3. ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Having identified the primary objective, the suitable equipment is selected by asking a number of key questions. These fall into three broad categories:

• The gases to be detected and where they may come from

• The location and environmental conditions where detection is to take place

• The ease of use for operators and routine servicing personnel

Identify the gases to be detected and where they may come from

The risk assessment should identify the gases to be detected; however, experienced gas detection equipment manufacturers and their approved distributors are often able to help in this process, based on their experience of similar applications. However, it is important to remember that it is the end user’s responsibility to identify all potential hazards.

It is also essential to identify the potential source of a gas release as this helps determine the number and location of detectors required for a fixed gas detection system.

4. CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT

The performance, accuracy, and reliability of any gas detection equipment will be affected by the environmental conditions it is subjected to. Temperature, humidity and pressure levels at the location all have a direct bearing on the type of equipment that should be selected. Additional factors such as potential variations resulting from a production process itself, diurnal/nocturnal fluctuations and seasonal changes may also affect the type of device which is suitable.

5. UNDERSTAND THE PRODUCT

The next area of consideration relates to additional product functionality. Aspects like wiring configuration are important, especially when retrofitting into an existing application. If the apparatus is being integrated into a separate safety system, certain communication protocols may also be required such as HART®, Lonworks or Modbus®.

Consideration will also need to be given regarding the requirement for local displays on transmitter units, and local configuration of the unit and gas displays may also be a useful addition.

MEASURE EASE OF USE AND MAINTAINABILITY

Routine maintenance is another important consideration. Some gases and vapours can be detected with a number of different sensing technologies, e.g., Hydrocarbon gases with catalytic beads or Non-dispersive Infrared NDIR. Catalytic beads do not provide fail-to-safety operation and therefore can require a high frequency of routine maintenance; however, NDIR based solutions tend to have a higher initial purchase price but may require less routine maintenance. In-house resource to undertake such routine maintenance needs to be identified, and in the absence of such a resource, budgeting for third-party maintenance is an important factor in selecting the right equipment.”

ENVIROMED DETECTION SYSTEMS

EnviroMed Detection Services, located in St. John’s Newfoundland has been serving the industrial based businesses in the region for 30 + years. EnivroMed is a safety/environmental instrumentation company specializing in the sale, installation, and servicing of life-saving detection instrumentation. As an ISO 9001:2008-certified, a full-service laboratory, EnviroMed offers repairs, N.I.S.T. traceable calibrations, maintenance, service and training on most of the equipment it provides today.

In addition to its specialization in gas detection equipment, EnviroMed also sells, rents and leases a wide variety of products in the areas of Gas Detectors, Water, Soil & Noise Monitors, Ambient Air, Indoor Air Quality, Meteorology, and other specialty areas related to safety/environmental instrumentation.

EnviroMed’s expertise and instrumentation inventory assist in providing an additional three-month labor warranty on most equipment purchased, refurbished, or calibrated at its facility. All installations, stationary or portable, must meet our quality assurance/quality control program, verified by a preventative maintenance schedule. Working closely with our clients, EnviroMed continues meeting today’s environmental challenges while understanding industry’s regional and economic requirements.

CEO, Lee Parmiter says, “The complexities of choosing, installing and maintaining gas detectors can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a full-service detection and monitoring company that ensures we support our customers in the best possible way. We work every day to ensure that people onsite, in confined spaces and requiring a high level of protection, get what they need.

The Blackline G7 Gas Detection Safety Monitor reports back to your head monitoring office. The Blackline G7 is state-of-the-art technology and is Ideal for remote location monitoring.

DON’T FEEL UP TO THE JOB OF SELECTING YOUR GAS DETECTOR?

For many people not directly involved in the gas detection and monitoring sector of their industry, the whole process can be overwhelming. Lee Parmiter says, “EnviroMed Detection Systems, with their gas detection consulting specialization, take the headache out of assessing and implementing your safety worksite systems. Are you bump testing? Did everything calibrate and is it up to date? Know who’s safe and not safe on site? Does your team know how your systems work and are they compliant right now, in the field today? Can I locate a person in the field in real time if something goes wrong? These are the safety questions that EnviroMed will take care of you.”

With the EnviroMed locally serviced and supported wireless real-time monitoring system, sensor deterioration and other unit shortfalls are relayed in real-time through the customer’s choice of media and with an established protocol to its operators and supervisors for appropriate recall and the avoidance of false alarms creating unnecessary downtime expense in operations. Lee says, Our products are new state-of-the-art systems that are fit for the times, for example, EnviroMed G7 Gas Detection Tracking and Monitoring System covers all the bases of your situation. In my 35+ years of using, servicing and promoting safety in gas detection applications, this system hits a ‘grand slam home run’!

For more information go to www.EnviroMed.ca

YES, I WOULD LIKE A FREE CONSULT WITH ENVIROMED ABOUT MY GAS DETECTION AND MONITORING SYSTEM

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World-Class Oil Destination: Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 14:53:02 +0000

PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY – By Tina Olivero

The absolute most important factor that will ensure the long-term success of the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador is developing the oil and gas industry. Every economic indicator to date has confirmed that.

Our ability to attract oil companies to explore, drill and produce oil and gas offshore is the key. Just like every business that has a product to sell, it’s a marketing strategy first and a successful sales initiative second.

We Build Castles In The Sea

Newfoundlanders are powerful sea-faring people. For the last 20 + years, we have built castles in the sea that have drilled below the seabed to extract petroleum which lies in rock formations. Given our climate, sea conditions, harsh environment and offshore challenges, we can readily say that our work to date has been done by the minds of genius!

OPPORTUNITY: 4 Key indicators

1

Investors, oil companies, industry leaders and decision-makers, all over the world need to know that Newfoundland and Labrador has a track record of unprecedented success with 4 world-class, oil-producing, mega-projects.

2

Newfoundland also has one of the strongest and most skilled platform building and operating workforces, in the world.

3

Offshore Newfoundland is one of the most lucrative places in the world to invest.

4

With a Canadian energy strategy, we have the power to be owners and explorers of our own projects as well.

So how do we do let the world know about the opportunities? How do we invest in our own platforms and oil projects and be “entrepreneurial” minded as a province and a people?
These are the questions that shape the opportunities of today.

We build castles in the sea. From gravity base to topsides, we advance world-class, $billion oil mega-projects!

If I was the leadership responsible for economic development offshore, I’d hire Target Marketing. That visionary company took everything that was amazing about the province and put Newfoundland and Labrador on the world map with unprecedented marketing campaigns for tourism. We should do the same for oil and gas.

We need to jump, scream, holler and sing from the rooftops about the truth! The truth that the annual global survey of petroleum-sector executives released by the Fraser Institute says that Newfoundland and Labrador is top-ranked as the fourth most attractive jurisdiction in the world – to invest in.

Ranked #4 – In the world!

The solution for the offshore industry is clear. Unite with the federal government and ensure that what happened in Norway would also happen to Canada. Imagine having our own investment fund worth over a $trillion because of the strategic development of our oil and gas industry. That is a “Canadian” initiative and it is possible.

We need to be out-thinking, out-smarting, out-performing other oil regions of the world. We can do that by putting aside political differences and uniting as one people, one province, one country, with one agenda! The UK did it! The United Arab Emirates did it. Norway did it. In fact, the Norway Oil Fund, established in 1990, invested surplus revenues of the Norwegian petroleum sector with phenomenal success. To date it has over US$1 trillion in assets, including 1.3% of global stocks and shares, making it the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. Canada weigh in!

Acting right now will ensure we avail of the 5-year window that we now have to take the lead. With the advancement of technology and new energy regimes, it really is, now or never.

The more we explore for oil, the more oil we will find. Canada could be a world leader in country-owned oil projects!

Powerhouse Platform of Resource Potential

Thanks to the seismic work of Nalcor, through its proprietary Nalcor Exploration Strategy System (NESS), we have a very clear understanding of our resource potential offshore. NESS is a culmination of information from multiple sources, studies and reports that have been united on an interactive map enabling users to display, filter and analyze a vast array of data and information in one location. It’s a powerhouse platform full of resource potential. There are many stories to share within that system, with over 650 leads, prospects and new basin areas. How we frame those stories will be the foundation for who we attract to the region.

NESS

Nalcor Exploration Opportunities

Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador are considered one of the best frontier regions in the world today with over 20 basins, significant new basin areas, and now over 650 leads and prospects defined as a result of ongoing seismic work. But what’s it all worth if we don’t have a lineup of explorers ready to drill? I think it’s time to take the bull by the horns!

The North Sea, for example, has over 2000 + wells drilled for exploration and as a result, they are one of the most lucrative oil and gas regions of the world. Comparatively offshore Newfoundland has less than 200 exploration wells drilled to date. We must explore to increase the probability of finding oil. We have a 4:1 exploration to find ratio and therefore our number one goal is to drill and explore more and therefore find more oil producing wells.

Right now we have a handful of rigs offshore Newfoundland. Comparatively, there are about 184 offshore rigs in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (United States) 175 rigs. It’s time to think big, really big, and up our game!

We have world-class oil reserves, a world-class workforce and a top investment climate. We have unprecedented opportunities and potential. We are open for business and globally advanced in the energy sector. We are ready to go. What more do we want….. Jam on it?

Sources: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nalcor Energy, Frazer Institute, The OGM
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AOMS: New Facility for Occupational Rehabilitation

Tina Olivero — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:59:40 +0000

It’s been forty years since the inception of Atlantic Offshore Medical Services (AOMS), an occupational medical facility created by the O’Shea family. A diverse and entrepreneurial family, the O’Shea’s have committed their efforts toward the growth and success of AOMS throughout Atlantic Canada, in the past across Canada and Internationally. Through the AOMS medical facility headquartered in St. John’s, AOMS has provided occupational medical services to all of the industry, most notably the Offshore oil and gas industry, and has become one of the preferred provider of offshore medical services for major oil companies operating in Eastern Canada.

Dr. Ciaran O’Shea, a co-founder of AOMS, has acted as the Director of Occupational Health and Medicine providing Governance for all medical operations while his wife and owner, Laura O’Shea, overseeing day to day operations until their son Liam took over the day to day operations. Dr. O’Shea said, “We are proud of the clients that we have in this region and are honoured that they continue to seek our services and advice. We work hard with our clients every day to maintain our title as a Best in Class in Oil and Gas service provider.”

Having safe, healthy workers is key to any oil and gas company or contractor, and therefore the treatment of offshore workers medically has to be thorough and diverse. The vision for AOMS is to provide medical solutions that embrace a full range of physiotherapy and occupational services utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and advanced therapies.

Liam O’Shea, Chief Executive Officer of AOMS, explains their offerings, “We have an established network of designated physicians across the island of Newfoundland and in Labrador, and in other provinces throughout Canada, as well as abroad. AOMS physicians perform pre-employment medicals and independent medical assessments on behalf of our oil and gas clients. We are extremely excited about the expansion of our business to include our new Rehabilitation Suite. Our services now include outpatient physiotherapy services and occupational rehabilitation services. We feel that the introduction of physiotherapy and occupational rehabilitation services in collaboration with the occupational physician management will greatly enhance the currently available models in the Province. Our model will also serve the public, and the Occupational physician will collaborate with the treating GP whenever possible to engage all primary health care providers and get the patient back to work/full fitness expeditiously and safely. The true collaboration between occupational physician, third party care practitioners and treating GP’s should be the model from our perspective here at AOMS. Finally, AOMS also will be offering tele-health solutions to any individuals that are in remote environments or rural areas across the island, but this is a conversation that our Physio and Occ Rehab clinic team will have with you!”

Rehabilitation Clinic
Treatment of Orthopaedic conditions including: Low Back Pain, neck pain, whiplash, post-surgical rehabilitation, osteoarthritis, sciatica, tennis elbow, sport-related injury, overuse injury, plantar fasciitis, jumpers knee, Achilles tendonitis, general strength, and conditioning programs.

New Clinic Services & Equipment
Occupational Rehabilitation: AOMS is now offering a full suite of Occupational Rehabilitation services including Functional Capacity Evaluations, Targeted Functional Evaluations, Work Site Occupational Rehabilitation, Work Station Reviews, Adjudication Assessments, Physical Demands Analysis, and the Progressive Goal Attainment Program for the treatment of pain-related disability.

Specialized Equipment: 
TDX spinal mechanical traction: a specialized mechanical traction device offering the latest technology in spinal traction to assist with back pain, herniated discs, spinal movement disorders and other disorders of the spine.

Shockwave Therapy:
AOMS has acquired a Shockwave Medical Device from Shockwave Canada that has been shown through peer-reviewed scientific studies to improve clinical outcomes for the following conditions significantly: Achilles tendonitis, tendonitis of the elbow, wrist, and hand, plantar fasciitis, patella tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, calcific tendonitis of the shoulder and frozen shoulder. Clinical improvements typically seen in shockwave treatment include decreased recovery time, reduced pain, decreased movement loss, decreased the lost time from employment and sporting activities and decreased time delay for return to full function. Tendonitis, one of the common on-the-job complaints.

More information on AOMS services

Wavefront: Enhanced Oil Recovery

Tina Olivero — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 09:30:05 +0000

WAVEFRONT COMMENCES POWERWAVE

Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc., the global leader in the advancement of dynamic fluid injection technology for oil and gas well stimulation and Improved/Enhanced oil (“IOR/EOR”) recovery is pleased to announce the Company, through its local distributor, has commenced the previously announced Powerwave well stimulation campaign in India.

The 10-well stimulation campaign involving both water injecting and oil producing wells has an approximate value of US $258,000. A post-Powerwave stimulation injection test completed on the first water injection well indicated that the water injection rate exceeded previous stimulation outcomes which utilized other methods but the same chemical formulations. An additional four wells have been modeled and operationally programmed to be completed. Mobilization of equipment for a second Powerwave-driven acid stimulation is on-going.

“We are happy to have started the Powerwave program in India and are very pleased with initial results on the water injection well,” said Wavefront President and CEO, Brett Davidson. “We continue to receive international interest for Wavefront’s leading edge Powerwave custom stimulation approach and believe the Company will be adding to its growing roster of distributors in key oil-producing regions in the near term.”

View video here:

About Wavefront

Wavefront is a technology-based world leader in fluid injection technology for improved/enhanced oil recovery and groundwater restoration. Wavefront publicly trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol WEE and on the OTCQX under the symbol WFTSF. The Company’s website is www.onthewavefront.com.

Newfoundland’s Offshore: Time to take the BULL BY THE HORNS!

Tina Olivero — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 09:00:37 +0000

In Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope, he said that his role as the president was a great responsibility and his drive came from great discontent.

I thought a lot about that and realized that discontent comes from the disparity between where we are and where we can be. It’s that uncomfortable edge that has an annoying call that just won’t quit. There’s a reason for it. When it comes to Newfoundland’s offshore oil exploration and production rate, there is that same level of discontent. A disparity between where we are and where we could be.

Most other oil nations of the world have far surpassed our drilling success in the same amount of time. Places like Norway and Abu Dhabi are booming and have their own investment funds which will secure their future. It took a national mindset with state-owned oil companies to get there. Underdeveloped countries like Guyana are setting out at a record pace. Check out Guyana

What’s stopping us?

Back in 1992 when John Crosbie, Cabot Martin, and other esteemed business community members, took the bull by the horns they invited the federal government to invest in our first offshore oil project, Hibernia. The federal government became a critical partner to ensure the project went ahead. That one move alone, ultimately became the catalyst for our offshore industry as it exists today. Government driven, that was entrepreneurial minded. We need more of that.

The Hibernia oil platform looked like it was never going to happen in the early 1990s when project stakeholder, Gulf, pulled out of the project. At the time, the Canadian government had already offered $2.7 billion in loan guarantees and grants and then went on to further take an equity stake in the project. It proved to be an undeniably profitable move. The government still owns its stake in the Hibernia project and has done so for twenty years. In 2017, the government garnished $75 million in profit. The overall project picture is positive for the nation with $1.8-billion in dividends garnished since oil started flowing in 1997 which is an average of about $100-million a year. Investing in further offshore projects simply makes good business sense.

Fast forward to today. While I’m really proud of our four world-class oil-producing projects, I am also discontent with the disparity between our resource potential and our resource output. I’ve seen other oil regions of the world far surpass our drilling and finding ratio’s offshore. Not because we don’t have oil. We do. We are 1.5 times the size of the North Sea. And by all indicators have just as much oil, or more.

Newfoundland could have been as lucrative as the North Sea. So why aren’t we? Some say it’s political. Others say it’s regulatory issues. Some say it’s the cost of labour and unions. Everyone has an opinion as to why we aren’t there yet. But where do those opinions get us? They get us a whole pile of reasons and justifications as to “why not” and don’t really advance us. What we really need is the team that will make it happen regardless of the challenges. The answer to our success is having people make it happen. Those who are willing to go beyond the status quo, like John Crosbie did, all those years ago, and make the “damn thing” happen. Get the job done.

That’s the attitude and leadership we need to drive exploration and drilling offshore. We need to get the federal and provincial government to step in like we did so many years ago and built our own oil exploration programs. Offering seismic data for other companies to become stronger, profitable and global in our region is one thing. Exploring and producing ourselves is another. We could be the “owners” of our own drill bits. And friggin’ well, why not?

Oil exploration is the key to oil industry growth in the region.

Oil Potential: The difference between a ‘have’ and ‘have-not’ province.

We have accumulated 60 years of data offshore, identified 650 leads and prospects and analyzed 112 offshore wells. All that data is available on the Nalcor Ness system designed to inform, educate and attract investors. Lets use that important information and invest in ourselves.

We have 20+ basins offshore Newfoundland and Labrador with very strong oil indicators. We could be so much further ahead. The conversation that it’s still “early days” doesn’t feel so good when we look at the North Sea having drilled 6000 + wells in about the same amount of time. Compared to the North Sea, offshore Newfoundland is 1.5 times bigger and we have drilled less than 200 wells offshore Newfoundland.

With 20 + basins, does it mean that we could potentially be 20 times the offshore industry we have now? I feel it right down to my fog-filled bones; the answer is yes. Imagine 20 oil-producing basins with 3 or 4 oil projects producing in each one. An industry 20 times that of what it is today. Now that’s a game worth playing.

In this part of the world, we build castles in the sea. Giant concrete castles that bring oil to the surface. The greatest technological advances in the world happened here. The greatest minds are here. We don’t need the transfer of technology from other regions any longer. We are the technology.

With all that potential the only difference between being a “have” and a “have not” province is the decision and leadership to do so. Shag the deficit, lets rise above all that and be profitable as a province and a nation, with energy.

Offshore Newfoundland: Nalcor Energy has identified 20+ basins. Graphic: Nalcor Energy

Invest in ourselves

Why are we waiting for other companies to invest offshore Newfoundland when we should be putting much more skin in the game and further investing in ourselves. That’s what entrepreneurs do; they take a huge, massive leap of faith and jump. That’s what the Feds did with Hibernia, and it worked to the tune of $billions in royalties for Canada and Newfoundland. That’s what Danny Williams was doing when he was in office creating equity for the province in our own projects. Thanks to the foresight of the Mulrooney government all those years ago, that initial federal investment paid off in spades. All indicators suggest that when it comes to oil and gas, investing in ourselves works. Newfoundland and Labrador has enjoyed yearly royalty returns of as much as $2.8 billion from the offshore oil industry. Imagine what that figure could be if we owned majority shares in our projects. All indicators point to one thing “do it yourself”.

That’s what Norway did with Statoil (STATE OIL). Today, it is a national oil company of stellar, record performance. Statoil was formed by the 2007 merger of Statoil with the oil and gas division of Norsk Hydro. As of 2017, the Government of Norway is the largest shareholder with 67% of the shares, while the rest is public stock. The ownership interest is managed by the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Newly named Equinor, Statoil has evolved with a new brand and identity that embraces the new energy era. “The world is changing, and so is Statoil. The biggest transition our modern-day energy systems have ever seen is underway, and we aim to be at the forefront of this development. Our strategy remains firm. The name Equinor reflects ongoing changes and supports the always safe, high value and low carbon strategy we outlined last year,” says chair of the board in Statoil, Jon Erik Reinhardsen.

We can wait for the oil price to be right, we can wait for other companies to explore but it’s slow going bye’s. Slow as molasses, and it costs us our potential and global advantage. When I think about the 40,000+ Canadians who lost their jobs because of the oil price drop, you quickly realize that we have not secured our own future in Canada. We have not created a scenario of success regardless of market trends and outside influences. Provincially, we have not created the “no fail” solution for our offshore industry. Why haven’t we, when clearly the best insurance we have, is in developing our own resources ‘with’ our own resources?

Focus on what ‘can’ be done

We know that we have 25.5 billion barrels of oil and 20.6 trillion cubic feet of gas potential. Let’s get the stuff out of the seabed now because there is no promise of tomorrow. Let’s find that oil and double, triple or quadruple our current discoveries. We need to be like pirates going for the gold. Driven beyond driven. Not only does it take the tremendous seismic work that Nalcor did, to make oil and gas happen at the rate it should, but it also takes us having the guts to put our money where our mouth is and invest in ourselves, explore for oil ourselves, find oil ourselves. Forget fighting over Muskrat Falls project overruns. Focus on what ‘can be done’. It’s the fastest route to success.

Five years is the window of opportunity that we have for oil and gas exploration and infrastructure development before things dramatically change. Things like world oil demand in developing countries, world oil markets changing, pipeline access and security, established shipping lanes to market, global trade alliances, developing oil nations, the emergence of new energy and exponential technological advances will all impact our ability to succeed with oil and gas. We have five years to become the ‘owners of our destiny’. I’m afraid the 2030 plan may be a little too late.

Oil exploration and production have a lot of moving variables. We have to be strategic and laser sharp focused like the oil companies and get in there and make it happen. You have to ask yourself, are we going to act and be globally competitive and overcome oil market variables or are we going to sit around fighting with each other about policies and procedures and environmental agendas of nay-sayers. Do we have time for that?

We need to be a ‘hotbed’ of oil discoveries in this regions because success breeds success. We could have the entire world’s eyes on us as we show the world how to succeed with our resources. That’s exactly what Norway did with oil and gas and their fishery. That’s what Silicone Valley did with Technology. That’s what Dubai did with real estate. It’s a business play, and we can be in that game.

If we are not leaders, we will be followers

If we are not leaders, we will be followers, and we will feel the “direct impact of being a follower” and all the angst and loss that comes with it. Money loss, taxes loss, medical system loss, lifestyle loss, job loss, pension security loss, health, and wellbeing loss. We already saw it happen with the oil price drop and it wasn’t pretty. Imagine if we lose our oil foothold globally as the number three oil resource-rich nation in the world. We won’t be talking about oil environmental policy then, because we’ll be busy fighting for a job to pay the rent.

It seems like the federal focus is on new energy which is great and will provide us with a sustainable future. But people who work in the energy business know that new energy won’t happen without oil and gas. Oil and gas is the bridge to new energy. You can’t have one without the other. Oil and gas is the foundation of everything else we do. Oil is the one resource that makes every other industry work. Think of transport. Think plastics.

With an idealistic view, as honorable as it may have seemed at the time, Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, had the vision of a zero-free carbon city until they realized it wasn’t possible without oil and gas. Let global experiences be our teacher.

The entrepreneurial mindset

When I started The OGM magazine six years before we had any oil in this province, I had no resources, no money, and no experience. But I created something from nothing. All guts as they say. No major credit to me because I’m not the only one. The majority of businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are small to medium-sized companies who all did the exact same thing. We, as Newfoundlanders are bullish for business. We are hearty people, full of guts and determination. We had to be, we came from the fishery. That level of stamina and our “make it happen” attitude is our greatest resource.

I am now 55 years of age and have lived my life through the eyes of the oil and gas industry. I am informed and experienced enough to know that we aren’t even close to where we could be as an oil and gas nation and as a new energy provider. I want to be proactive and secure our future and the future of our companies and families. This is the place where the new energy mix arises. Where oil and gas will remain the leader in energy consumption overall. It is a time of exponential technological advancement. It is a time to strategically make it happen. It’s now or never. It’s bull by the horns.

Sources, Graphics and Pictures:
ExxonMobil, Equinor, Nalcor Energy, Masdar, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Adventure Lights: Illuminating the way

Tina Olivero — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 09:00:07 +0000

Little did he know at the time, that his love of sports and adventure would lead to his destiny as the President of one of Canada’s most innovative up-and-coming companies, Adventure Lights. There’s something about Tim Ford. He’s got ‘that thing’. You know what I’m talking about. That thing that hits you in your belly and has your intuition whisper quietly, “This guy has it figured out. He is going to build an empire and make a huge impact in the world.”Already a financial success and retired in his mid-thirties, Tim was searching for a new avenue to pursue. He found his passions in skiing and sailing, often found himself in remote and secluded locations, often alone. On solo adventures, one couldn’t help but think, “What if something went wrong and I wasn’t able to be found?”

That’s when the light came on.

A fascinating story

It all started when Tim created lights for an expeditionary Adventure Race Team. That team raced across northern Africa in an elite sailing event. The team was made up of Military Special Operations personnel who could envision the direct applications of the lights to their line of work in the military. And so the story goes…

The seed of Tim’s vision grew into a great Canadian Maple Tree. Today the branches of Tim’s vision are far reaching into areas that need light the most. Areas like search and rescue, military operations, law enforcement, public safety, industrial safety, outdoor recreational adventures and nautical adventures. Adventure Lights products are a necessary complement to any adventurous activity and are essential to well being and security in most tactical, industrial and adventurous situations.

Adventure Lights Inc.

There’s nothing like having the right tool in your greatest time of need. That’s what Adventure Lights products have become. Tim says, “Adventure Lights Inc. is a Canadian company whose products are recognized for their extreme durability and outstanding performance. Our trademark, “Extreme Products for Extreme Conditions®” is part of our mission statement – to make versatile and unique products that can be consistently relied upon to deliver outstanding performance.”

The team of Adventure Lights Inc. is comprised of experts in portable lighting product design, electronic and mechanical engineering, molding, manufacturing, financial management, and marketing. They deliver Adventure Lights products to the world in all it’s various markets.

Where do Adventure Lights fit into your operation?

Imagine being able to set down your chopper in a remote location where there were no lights set up previously. That’s the type of versatility that portable lights provide. These products are critical to military operations as well as oil and gas operations in terms of safety regimes. Being on the job can be dangerous. From low light situations to bad weather, Adventure Lights products will assist people in being seen. In some cases, that makes the difference between life and death. Adventure Lights products help protect industrial companies’ employees from accidents and injury with an excellent array of safety products designed to meet the rugged standards of industrial business in all its many forms, from confined space to remote locations and emergency situations. Bad weather is often experienced in offshore oil operations, and Adventure Lights products assist with being seen in the most extreme conditions. Because they are waterproof and shockproof, these lights are durable in extreme conditions and help prevent certain accidents, as well as increase the likelihood of people being found if lost at sea during an accident.

The global product line of lights offered by Adventure Lights is now vast, selling to naval, land and sea, air, mining, oil and gas, forestry, outdoor sports sectors and more. You will find Adventure lights on: Canadian Forces Navy and Army life jackets, Canadian and US life rafts and retrofits, submarine escape suit lights, pilot ejection seat emergency lights, US Navy Navair emergency location lights for pilot ejection seats, France’s military and first response for man-portable landing zones for aircraft and helicopters, and many more applications.

What’s next?

In 2018/19 Adventure Lights Inc. are finalizing man overboard lights and smart beacon technology that meet entirely new levels of safety with technical automation. In 2019, the ‘Smart Beacon Platform” will be augmented for real-time location applications New incoming technology for Adventure Lights products also includes damage control systems for ships as well as armored circuits for very low temperature, high-pressure situations.that also require advanced security. It is clear that as users of Adventure Lights products continue to find new applications, the company continues to expand its portfolio.

Adventure lights and you

Where do you need more light in your organization? If something went wrong, where would you need light the most? If you looked out at night during operations, could you easily identify your people and their functions? These are the questions of the day and Adventure Lights has answers.

Nalco Champion In Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 09:00:42 +0000

“I am from Lawn, Newfoundland and I have worked in the oil and gas service industry for the past 18 years. In May 2011, while working in Angola I met Ryan Olson, who is currently Canadian Regional Manager of Oil Sands and Heavy Oil for Nalco Champion. During our conversation, I asked him, “Why isn’t Nalco Champion operating in St. John’s, Newfoundland?” I had been working in Angola for about 5 years and was up for a change. That conversation was the conception of Nalco Champion, upstream in eastern Canada,” said Frank Brockerville, District Account Manager, Nalco Champion.

NALCO CHAMPION

Nalco Champion is an Ecolab company with one million customer locations; within more 40+ industries in over 170 countries. They are a mammoth company and are now located in Newfoundland. A strategic partnership between Nalco Champion and local company Alpha Chemicals, came together to supply the Hebron project with production chemicals and other chemical associated services. “The strategic partnership didn’t happen overnight, said Paul Rawding, Vice President, Alpha Chemical Limited. This has been in the making for decades and it all culminated with us winning the Hebron contract, making Nalco Champion a company that is now firmly rooted in Newfoundland.”

CHEMICAL OPERATIONS

Nalco Champion’s current focus is the execution of our ExxonMobil Hebron oil field chemicals program. The project ensures asset integrity, flow assurance, and oil/water separation to meet regulatory and fiscal requirements. That’s a lot of chemical movement and it requires a lot of safety structure to execute. With this base of product and service offerings, Nalco Champion is now well poised for other contracts that will arise in the oil and gas industry. Offshore Newfoundland represents a world-class resource with an estimated 60 billion BOE. There is a lot more business in the future.

Oilfield speciality chemicals are risky business and require the utmost of professionalism and safety for pristine operations. Nalco Champion was up for the task. To execute the Hebron project a facility operation was needed on the ground floor for the local supply and service of chemicals in St. John’s Newfoundland. District Manager and Director of Technology for Nalco Champion in Eastern Canada, Christopher Morrison says, “Internally, our supply chain adheres to “Zero Defect Delivery” standards. Externally, our chemicals are used to ensure facility asset integrity so that there are no breaches of containment. As well we provide flow assurance and oil/water separation ensuring environmental compliance in the environmentally sensitive Grand Banks. From manufacturing through supply chain, to our offshore personnel, all staff is trained in the safe handling of production chemicals.”

CHEMICAL SAFETY

When it comes to people, first and foremost, Nalco Champion new hires have to embrace and live Nalco Champion’s “Goal Zero” safety philosophy. They believe that zero accidents, incidents, and environmental releases are achievable.

Frank Brockerville says, “There many tools and methods in our arsenal to help us achieve our safety goals. I believe that safety policies and procedures have to be strictly adhered to, no “shortcuts”. I believe that a strong safety culture is developed over time by a positive discussion around safety during daily operational toolbox talks (everyone has a voice in safety), routine safety audits/safety meetings and incorporating safety lessons learned into daily routines.”

THE FUTURE

Garrett Rogers, Area Manager of Oilfield Chemicals for Nalco Champion says, “We know there will be a lot more drilling offshore Newfoundland with the exploration and production programs that are happening. It’s an exciting time when you realize that more oil discoveries are happening. Just last week we had another oil find.”

Being a part of Newfoundland, its culture, workforce, and future are most important to Nalco Champion. Garrett says, “We see an opportunity for Nalco Champion to grow with customers in this region. Our goal is to have a strong local footprint and capabilities that enable us to bring our global expertise and leading technology to Newfoundland’s oil and gas customers.”

Ross O’Dell, Nalco Champion, VP OFC North America says, “At Nalco Champion, we have a division focused solely on deepwater CapEx projects and ongoing support for the production from new oil through the mature field. We like being alongside the best operators, in growing markets, in the most challenging environments. We are excited to have set up operations to bring world-class support to the deepwater oil and gas industry here in Newfoundland.”

Ross says, “Talent is a big priority for Nalco Champion around the world. Talent will fuel our future growth. That is why we are focused on attracting, hiring, and retaining outstanding teams. We also like to hire and develop talent from the communities in which we work while giving strong support from our global network of experts. We believe that we are enhanced by having diverse and inclusive teams.”

NALCO CHAMPION FACILITY – GRAND OPENING

The brand new facility in White Hills includes the Nalco Champion office, warehousing, and chemical lab. It is a state-of-the-art operation designed for handling chemical operations.

June 21st marks the grand opening and guests will join team members for a showing of the facility and learn about the vision for expansion.

Guests will take a tour of the facility and will discover that it was designed by high-level, world-renowned, fire and safety specialists, RJ Bartlett Engineering, who adhere to or exceed US and Canadian fire regulations and specifications. It’s an incredible world-class chemicals handling site.

From idea to completion, the St. John’s Nalco Champion facility is now a reality. Frank Brockerville says, “Congratulations to all those involved in making this a success and for elevating Nalco Champion to be a leading chemical provider in Eastern Canada.”

Spotlight On: Dave Billard & Aker Solutions Canada

Tina Olivero — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 09:00:45 +0000

AKER SOLUTIONS CANADA

Dave Billard is a local Newfoundlander with a world of experience in the offshore. He formerly worked with TCO, Chevron and was also the Director of Engineering for the mega-Hebron project that is currently operating offshore Newfoundland.

With the foundation of his career in senior engineering roles in the oil and gas sector, Dave found himself working abroad but when he got the call to work at home with Aker Solutions Canada, like all Newfoundlanders, he jumped at the chance.

Dave is excited about his new role as the Country Manager for Aker Solutions Canada and how it will unfold. Dave says, “I oversee the St. John’s office, Edmonton office and we are doing work in Fort Mac as well. I am proud to say that 95% of our team are Newfoundlanders.”

In Canada, Aker Solutions currently has multiple clients offshore Newfoundland and is prospering in the region. Dave says, “I’m responsible for the success and profitability of the Canadian operations and we plan to expand our operations here even further in the subsea sector. It’s an exciting time for us.”

AKER SOLUTIONS: GLOBAL

Aker Solutions is a 177-year-old Norwegian company. They have 14,000 + employees around the globe, they operate in 20 countries with 52 office locations. From subsea to surface and concept to decommissioning, Aker Solutions technical expertise and partnerships provide energy companies with what they need to succeed. Combined with Aker Solutions long history of engineering in the most challenging environments, their approach delivers high-performance results for customers and shareholders worldwide. Aker Solutions leadership team realizes that it’s an international game we are all playing in the offshore. Their strategy is to have local people employed at home where possible, making Dave a perfect fit for Aker Solutions Canada. The company CEO, Luis Araujo is not Norwegian, he is Brazilian. It is very much a multi-national game.

OIL PRICE

When asked about the price of oil and how it has impacted operations Dave said, “We are all challenged to reduce, reduce, reduce. Further reduction is not sensible. Reductions can only go so far because quality and safety can be compromised if we lack the appropriate resources. We also can’t continue to do things too fast or we will reduce the quality of our output. Quality solutions take time and focus.”

REGULATORY REGIME

In terms of new regulations for operators offshore Newfoundland, Dave says, “We can’t afford to wait for regulations to change, nor speculate that they will be detrimental. We have a regulatory regime now and we simply operate from there. I believe regulation changes will usually support better structures moving forward. We can’t come at this from a place of fear, rather a place of collaboration and continuity. If change happens we address that change as it comes. Right now we have solid policies and procedures in place and we follow them.”

INVESTMENT

Attracting companies to explore for oil offshore Newfoundland is critical. Dave says, “The work that Nalcor has done in terms of making data available to allow oil companies to understand the full potential of the region is the foundation of our success. We should build on the mindset of cooperation.

West White Rose: Project Update At Argentia

Tina Olivero — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 09:00:59 +0000

The West White Rose project in Newfoundland, Canada includes the construction of a concrete structure and topsides. With its co-venture partners, Husky Energy is developing West White Rose with a concrete gravity (CGS) supported wellhead platform which is an innovative technology for the region and a proven concept around the world. This project introduces an established and innovative technology for developing small fields for the outlying areas of large fields to the local oil and gas industry, offshore Newfoundland.

Husky is the first to bring this CGS technology to Newfoundland and Labrador. The platform is a fixed drilling rig, which will produce oil and tie it back to the existing SeaRose FPSO. The benefits of this technology include; improved drilling efficiency, reduced weather downtime which is important in harsh conditions, lower operating costs and greater resource recover.

Total project cost to first oil is $3.2 billion and total project costs over the life of the project are $5.2 billion. Much of this project cost will be spent with local and Canadian companies who are successful bidders on the work. Procurement opportunities for West White Rose can be found at HuskyEnergy.com. Significant financial benefits will come to the province including project royalties and corporate income tax.

The total platform height is 241 metres and the total CGS weight equals 210,100 tonnes. The Argentia Graving Dock where it is being built was completed in May of 2015 and is approximately 25 meters deep. This allows the CGS to be constructed completely in the dry dock. The total in-province person-hours is expected to be approximately 10 million. The project requires between 700 and 800 workers at the Argentia site during the peak construction phase.

More than 18 million person-hours will be utilized for the wellhead platform operations, creating approximately 250 new platform jobs as well as indirect employment for approximately 1,500 people. Extension of life of the field for the SeaRose FPSO will result in more than 11 million person-hours of additional work and continued employment for the crew of the SeaRose.

Project construction for West White Rose continues to advance at three main sites: Marystown, and Argentia, Newfoundland and Ingleside, Texas. First steel for the Topsides was cut in April 2018. The living quarters are progressing in Marystown currently.

In Argentia, supporting infrastructure has been installed such as piping infrastructure, the concrete batch plant, offices and more. Test pours have been completed and we will start pouring concrete later this year.

There are currently about 300 workers on the Argentia site and this is expected to peak at 700-800 workers over the summer of 2018.

Like many of the White Rose oil discoveries, this project will be a prosperous success for Husky Energy and it’s partners, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Canada. It’s a winner. Congratulations!

Maximize Water Injectivity Offshore U.K

Tina Olivero — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 09:00:33 +0000

Cleansorb, a leading provider of chemical well treatments that enhance hydrocarbon production for the international oil and gas industry, today announced it is helping a major operator to enhance recovery from a maturing field offshore U.K.

As part of field redevelopment, effective drilling damage removal in new water injector wells is critical to achieving target injection rates without fracturing the reservoir. Openhole injector wells with sand screens are being treated with ORCA™ for WBM to remove water-based mud drilling damage. The operator is aiming to extend the life of this 20-year old field for an additional 20 years or more with these injection and associated production wells.

Injector wells hit target injection rates following ORCA treatment

Already, six injector wells have been treated with ORCA for WBM to thoroughly remove carbonate/polymer DIF filter cake from the reservoir wellbore face before starting water injection. Without this, residual drilling damage was predicted to prevent water injection under matrix conditions, resulting in pressure build-up and unwanted fracturing of the formation. Upon starting water injection, each of the six ORCA treated injector wells have hit their respective target injection rates at well below formation fracture pressure. In addition, this was achieved without back flowing wells prior to injection, saving this valued customer time and money.

“The ORCA for WBM mud damage removal treatments carried out on these injector wells offshore U.K. are achieving one of the precise benefits we developed the ORCA treatment line to achieve: maximizing drilling damage removal to improve injectivity in injection wells, especially where matrix injection is required,” said Ian Mckay, Director & Co-founder of Cleansorb. “As with all of our well treatment formulations, ORCA improves well productivity with minimal risk to personnel, the environment and equipment. This ongoing offshore U.K. treatment programme is a perfect example, providing further evidence that this field-proven technology performs reliably, boosting well performance, safely and cost-effectively.”

Looking ahead, two more injector wells on this particular field redevelopment are scheduled for treatment in 2018. Satisfied with the increased injectivity it has realized from the ORCA treatment programme, the operator is assessing possible use of ORCA for other future field developments.

Delivering results around the world

The proprietary chemistry of ORCA for WBM dissolves drilling fluid filter cakes and other acid soluble damage caused by water-based drilling fluids. It is used in a wide range of types of completions in oil and gas production wells, as well as water and gas injection wells. As a result, ORCA for WBM has been used to treat hundreds of wells across every major oil and gas operating region in the world.

The Cleansorb approach to optimizing injectivity

With the price of oil having remained low over the past few years, operators are shying away from constructing new wells in frontier areas, often opting to maximize output from existing producing fields.

Injection wells have a dual role to play in helping operators squeeze more production from their assets. Following years of production, injectors provide pressure support to aging reservoirs as formation pressure falls. In EOR applications, strategically located wells may be repurposed as injectors or new injector wells may be drilled. Water or engineered fluids are then injected to drive hydrocarbon deposits towards producing wells.

In both of these instances, using a well to deliver fluids to the formation – rather than extracting fluids from the formation – brings a unique set of challenges to be overcome. Fluids must be able to be injected uniformly along the target interval. Any barriers to injection can cause unwanted injection pressure build-up that risks fracturing the reservoir rock, affecting fluid placement and efficient “sweeping” of hydrocarbon from the reservoir. Drilling mud residues from the near wellbore area can also be pushed out into the formation, adversely affecting the injectivity of the well.

Given the growing importance of injection wells to future oil production, it’s clear that addressing drilling damage with an effective wellbore clean-up strategy is critical to maximizing injectivity. The key to uniform drilling damage removal lies in the comprehensive removal of this damage across the entire injection interval.

The conventional approach is to spot acids in the wellbore to break down mud filter cake. HCl acid-based treatments dissolve any carbonate component that may be present as drilling cuttings fines from the formation or added at surface as a weighting agent. However, achieving this uniformly across long intervals is problematic, if not impossible. Also, water-based reservoir drill-in fluids typically include biopolymers, such as starch, cellulose and xanthan, and many operators are finding that these polymeric components cannot be tackled effectively by acid alone.

After reviewing the specific chemical composition of a drill-in fluid and the downhole conditions where it will be used, Cleansorb technicians select an ORCA treatment fluid formulation specifically for this application. Selected ORCA formulations are tested in the lab at reservoir temperature to confirm they effectively disrupt mud cakes prepared from corresponding drill-in fluid samples.

Then, the effectiveness of proposed ORCA formulations is typically quantified by operators using regain permeability coreflood tests. These compare the permeability of reservoir rock core plugs: In their original state before treatment; After applying a drill-in fluid squeeze to the core face to simulate drilling damage and then treating this under reservoir conditions with the selected ORCA fluid formulation.

By measuring the regain permeability, operators can confirm the target permeability required to achieve target injection rates. As this validation work occurs before well treatments take place, Cleansorb’s approach increases treatment efficiency while reducing the risk of failure.

Source:

www.cleansorb.com

Atlantic Petroleum Show – June 20, 2018

Tina Olivero — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 16:06:16 +0000

The Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show returns to Mile One Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador on June 20 – 21, 2018, with a refreshed focus on energy education.

“It is time to reimagine the traditional trade show and focus on education and training for the energy industry,” says Wes Scott, President and CEO of EventWorx Corporation, which purchased the Show from dmg events in 2017.

Scott says exhibitors want to see more of the right people attending, and the right attendees want access to more education, training, live demonstrations and networking options. “We have spent a lot of time talking to exhibitors and attendees, to help us shape a new focus to a more grass-roots approach,” says Scott.

“A lot of business still needs to be done face-face – large contracts in the energy sector are built on relationships and fostered by face-face interactions. We look forward to generating a refreshed platform for both companies and individuals to get together to find innovative supply chain solutions.”

Like the industry it supports, the upcoming Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show is evolving to include clean technologies, renewables and environmental technologies. For the first time in the Show’s history, for example, the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association will be hosting a new clean technology pavilion.

Kieran Hanley, Executive Director of the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association, (NEIA), says the association’s new clean technology pavilion will include members with environmental, clean and renewable technologies. NEIA is celebrating its 25th year in 2018.

“What we want to do through participation in the Show is to start telling the story about the connection between cleantech and oil and gas, and continue to build that story and encourage others to really get involved and explore opportunities in that space,” says Hanley.

The pavilion is important as it begins to shift the Show from primarily an offshore oil and gas event, towards becoming Canada’s east coast premier all-energy event.

“We’re a not-for-profit association of businesses that are involved in the development of cleantech and the growth of the green economy here in Newfoundland & Labrador,” says Hanley. “The Government of Canada is now aggressively supporting clean technology, environmental sustainability. Newer studies have shown that if Canada is to gain a competitive advantage in the clean technology business it’s likely going to be related to our natural resource sectors,” says Hanley. “NEIA sees a real opportunity for Atlantic Canada to leverage its expertise in ocean industries and ocean technology to really become competitive globally in the clean technology space. And of course, from a Newfoundland & Labrador perspective…we see a great opportunity to really become leaders on a global scale in terms of how clean technology can apply to oil and gas.”

Curtis Jerrom, President of DHVI (Downhole Video & Intervention), is a long-time supporter of Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show. DHVI, a Calgary-based company supplies the oil and gas sector in Canada with downhole video camera and calliper inspection services for leak detection, fishing assistance, fluid entry surveys and mechanical failures.

Jerrom has been exhibiting at the show for 12 years. “One of the things I like about Newfoundland it’s a different type of oilfield environment. They’re down-to-earth people. They’re easy to talk to. They still do business the old way. They like to do meetings face-to-face,” says Jerrom, adding the Show is a great place for him to get exposure for his company. “We’re bringing new technology. By the time we get to that Show, we’ll have our latest and greatest camera sitting in that Show for the first time.”

The Show is proudly held in conjunction with the Newfoundland & Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association’s (Noia) annual conference.

“People don’t want to just come and walk the aisles – they don’t have time for that,” says Scott. “They need solutions to their challenges and have questions answered. Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show will allow for that real connection and collaboration.”

Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show will attract 125 exhibiting companies and over 2,000 attendees. Fresh content on the Show floor includes the “Meet the Experts” Series – a parade of experts on a variety of different topics across the supply chain, which allows attendees to get questions answered during scheduled meet-ups. Live, interactive demonstrations and ample networking events will add more value to the Show experience. Networking experiences include the VIP Industry Reception with live entertainment, food and refreshing cocktails from the Martini Ice Bar; The Fish and Chips Day on the Show Floor on June 21, and Craft Beer Tasting to close out the last two hours of the Show on June 21.

Investment: A Must For Oil and Gas Demand

Tina Olivero — Wed, 30 May 2018 09:00:31 +0000

New IOGP report tracks production in seven regions

Oil & gas demand is stable or rising in all regions of the world, meaning additional investments are needed for production to keep up. Growing indigenous requirements reduce volumes available for exports in many regions, IOGP’s new Global Production Report shows.

The report establishes an IOGP Production Indicator© (PI) – the level at which a region is able to meet its own oil or gas demand – for seven regions across the world. A PI higher than 100% means the region produces more than it needs to meet its own requirements and so can export.

The main conclusion of the report is that demand growth and the annual depletion rate of 6% of existing fields are driving the need for investment to gain additional volumes. Such investment will depend on regional and local policies that encourage responsible resource development.

The Report’s data shows three distinct groups of regions when it comes to supply/demand balance: net importers (Europe, Asia Pacific) self-sufficient ones (Central & South America and North America), and those that are net exporters of oil & gas (Africa, CIS and the Middle-East).

However, the rising demand trend – for natural gas in particular – could well turn a number of exporting regions into net importers in the coming years, including major exporting regions such as Africa and Central & South America.

“Clearly, oil & gas demand growth remains strong across the globe. The question is how we mobilize the investments necessary to make up for the depletion of existing fields and to meet this rising demand responsibly over the long term” says IOGP Executive Director, Gordon Ballard.

Production Report

You can access the IOGP Global Production Report by clicking here: https://www.iogp.org/production-report-2018/

Dr. Ellen Wald: Arabian Kingdom’s Profit & Power

Tina Olivero — Thu, 24 May 2018 15:48:37 +0000

Dr. Ellen Wald is the author of Saudi, Inc.: The Arabian Kingdom’s Pursuit of Profit and Power. She is also the President of Transversal Consulting where she provides expert advice on global situations that influence the energy market. Dr. Wald has expertise in policy, wars, diplomacy, the stock market, oil pricing, and innovation and how they impact the future of the energy industry. We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Ellen Wald.

The OGM: How is the Saudi royal family working to create unity globally?

Dr. Ellen Wald: The Saudi royal family, known as al Saud, is most concerned with its geopolitical priorities of 1. Counteracting the power reach of Iran and 2. Making money.

For the first goal, it has prioritized its relationship with the U.S., but it is also hoping that Europe, Canada, and others will side with them and with the U.S. against Iran. There are credible rumours and some clear evidence that the threat of Iran has also brought Saudi Arabia into an official relationship with Israel, but we will have to wait to see where that goes.

To pursue the second goal, profit, Saudi Arabia has built friendships across the globe but most notably in East Asia. This, however, has been pursued mostly by the national oil company, Aramco, with some assistance from the Oil Ministry and the king.

The OGM: Please explain the intricacies and vision of the Saudi royal family for Aramco and how this will impact offshore oil and gas exploration and production around the globe.

Dr. Ellen Wald: Historically, al Saud saw an independent and healthy oil industry as a vital component of its rule. There is a saying there that “oil is a gift from God,” and revenue from a well-run oil industry has been the reason that the country has modernized and prospered and the reason that al Saud has maintained a stable monarchy.

Now there are signs that the rulers may wish to exert greater influence over the direction of Aramco. However, so far Aramco has been able to maintain its independence and has consistently led the way in Exploration and Production investment.

I have been told by Aramco executives that they do not plan to purchase oil rights outside of the kingdom anytime soon, but they will invest in any and all opportunities within Saudi borders and off the Saudi coastline.

The OGM: How will Aramco’s vision impact the price of oil?

Dr. Ellen Wald: Aramco itself does not run the oil ministry, which is a government agency. However, since 1995 the oil minister has always been a former Aramco CEO, so they say that Aramco has significant influence. Aramco does not need higher oil prices right now, because the company is profiting well and still investing for the future. Some analysts speculate that Saudi Arabia wants higher prices in anticipation of an Aramco IPO, but the Saudis have provided no evidence for this theory to date.

The OGM: What are the three most impactful initiatives of Saudi Vision2030?

Dr. Ellen Wald: One part of Vision2030 is to bring more foreign businesses into the kingdom to create jobs and build an entrepreneurial atmosphere. For a country that was once extremely insular, this is part of a decades-long trend to open to the international community. Still, there are questions about how global corporations will mix with an authoritarian and religious society on a larger scale.

Vision2030 also incorporates a new plan for the sovereign wealth fund. Called the Public Investment Fund Program, this plan would see the fund grow to two or three trillion dollars while investing in a mix of projects, including foreign business operations in Saudi Arabia, Saudi-run businesses, and global startups. Part of this plan is to promote job opportunities in Saudi Arabia, but it is a significant dedication of capital to a program that—as of now—has not described how it will financially help the people or the government budget.

Vision2030 also incorporates centrally planned development areas, most notably Neom. Neom is intended to be a 10,230 square mile industrial and tech city in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Plans call for it to be powered by renewable energy and be open to people of all countries and faiths. Still, the concept is only in its infancy and it is unclear how much of the vision will actually be realized.

The OGM: How will technology play a role in the Aramco vision?

Dr. Ellen Wald: For a while now Aramco has been a major technological innovator, much like Exxon or BP. In the 1990s, Aramco built its Shaybah facility, which is still seen as cutting-edge upstream technology. When the company takes journalists or dignitaries on tours of its facilities, it stops to show off the top innovations such as its carbon capture vehicles or its nanotechnology. Aramco has also been exploring alternative energies since the 1970s when it was still partially American-owned. Back then the company was using solar panels to power desert installations, and the company outwardly maintains a devotion to developing effective alternative energy. It sees itself as an energy company, not just an oil company. It is evident that Aramco is devoting significant research and development funds to developing new energy technologies and, in particular, those that can increase the life of Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves.

The OGM: How will globalization play a role in oil developments with Aramco?

Dr. Ellen Wald: In 1986, Aramco first invested in an international downstream facility, with a partial ownership of what is today Motiva. Since then, Aramco has expanded its downstream operations, most notably in East Asia. Oil is a globalized business by its nature, but Aramco’s strategy has focused significantly on customers, distribution channels, and downstream partnerships over the last 15 years. Aramco is still far behind the largest IOC’s in terms of downstream capacity, but the company’s strategy continues to focus on developing midstream and downstream assets.

The OGM: How will the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) grow to the predicted $2 trillion in the next 2-7 years?

Dr. Ellen Wald: It is a mystery how the PIF will grow to $2 trillion or more in such a short time, and it is unlikely to happen. In September of 2017, the PIF had assets of less than $225 billion. One possibility is to give government shares of Aramco to the PIF. This would immediately grow the size of the PIF, but unless the PIF sells more shares in Aramco after the IPO, those assets cannot be invested in anything new. (Note that even the most generous projections only see a $100 billion sale for the five percent of shares that would be issued in an IPO).

Another possibility is to take cash from the state treasury, but that would be difficult since the government has run a deficit in recent years. The last option would be to grow the PIF through returns, but the government claims to be seeking returns of between four and five percent annually, which will not create that kind of growth.

The OGM: What’s the smartest thing Canada and the US could do right now to advance oil and gas exploration and production?

Dr. Ellen Wald: The U.S. and Canada need to incentivize E&P investment. Most IOCs are behind in their CapEx spending, meaning we may not have enough production in the coming years. Building better transportation infrastructure is also necessary as transportation costs eat into the profits of each barrel produced.

The OGM: Are there plans to align Aramco with further opportunities in the US and Canada?

Dr. Ellen Wald: Aramco goes where the profit opportunities are. Aramco already owns the largest refinery in the United States, as well as innovation centers across the continent, and a venture capital arm that invests in startups here. Aramco claims it does not yet foresee investing in oil rights outside of Saudi Arabia, but they have indicated an interest in investing in natural gas assets in North America.

If Aramco is going to be the IOC it sees itself as, then it will be open to working with any U.S. or Canadian opportunity. Aramco knows from its American past and American heritage, that there are few better partners than U.S. and Canadian companies.

The OGM: Where is the price of oil headed?

Dr. Ellen Wald: Ali al-Naimi, the former Aramco CEO and Saudi oil minister, once said that only Allah (God) knows where the price of oil is going. That said, I believe the drop in prices from 2014 to 2017 was the result of overproduction. Of course, the impetus for the actual drop was the decision by Saudi Arabia in June and November 2014 to allow for essentially unlimited production from OPEC.

Saudi Arabia did not want to enact OPEC cuts that it alone would suffer for while the rest of OPEC cheated and non-OPEC producers (Russia, North America, and others) increased production to make up for Saudi reductions. Now, Aramco and Saudi Arabia have achieved what they wanted—they forced the weaker producers in US shale and Venezuela to cut production involuntarily and they forced the rest of OPEC (and even non-OPEC partners like Russia) to comply with new cuts. There is no reason, at this point, for any producer to seek lower prices. The question is whether demand or geopolitics will force prices up.

When it comes to understanding Saudi Arabia and Aramco’s goals, it is important to look at their past. One must understand what drove them to success and what they are planning for in the future.

Approved: Offshore Wind Farm in MA, USA

Tina Olivero — Thu, 24 May 2018 15:44:29 +0000

Vineyard Wind: Selected to Lead Mass Offshore Wind Industry

Power Generation

Vineyard Wind has leased a 160,000-acre area south of Martha’s Vineyard and 14 miles from the nearest shore. The location was determined through a multi-year, inter-governmental task force process, which carefully considered scientific data and public input. The offshore wind project will consist of an array of wind turbines, spaced at least eight-tenths of a mile apart, that are each capable of generating over 8 MW of power. Power from the turbines is collected by an offshore substation.

Energy Transmission

Submarine cables will be installed along a carefully designed route from the project site to a landing point on shore, buried up to six feet below the sea floor. The route has been designed after an extensive geological survey of the area to avoid as many sensitive areas as possible. The upland cables will be buried along proposed routes in either Yarmouth or Barnstable.

Connection To The New England Grid

From the onshore cable landing site, the route will extend to the grid connection point inland. The route will run underground primarily along public roads, but also includes segments within other previously disturbed corridors such as an existing utility right-of-way. After the initial installation, all maintenance work will be accessed via installed manholes.

Two route options are under consideration: one in Yarmouth and one in Barnstable. Both route options have variants that offer additional benefits or can help further reduce costs.

Vineyard Wind, which seeks to build the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States, released the following statement in response to today’s announcement by the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs) that the company’s proposed 800 megawatts (MW) wind farm and electricity transmission project will advance as a preferred solution in the Massachusetts Green Communities Act Section 83C RFP for offshore wind energy projects.

Vineyard Wind is a joint venture of Avangard Renewables, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE: AGR) which is majority owned by Iberdrola S.A., and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) each of which owns 50 percent of Vineyard Wind.

“Vineyard Wind’s partners are eager to deliver an offshore wind project that will provide the Commonwealth with abundant clean energy resources for decades to come,” said Laura Beane, President and CEO of Avangard Renewables. “Today’s announcement serves to further illustrate the AVANGRID companies’ commitment to delivering value and opportunity in a region that is determined to address complex energy challenges through significant investments in clean energy infrastructure. Avangard Renewables is excited to play a substantial role in the Vineyard Wind joint venture, which is poised to support hundreds of Operations and Maintenance jobs and create thousands of construction jobs while launching an exciting new industry in Massachusetts.”

“The Vineyard Wind team is honoured to be chosen to provide clean wind energy for communities across Massachusetts,” said Torsten Lodberg Smed, Senior Partner with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. “CIP is committed to continuing to move forward with our plan to make Vineyard Wind the first operational large-scale offshore wind project in the United States. Backed by the proven global leadership of our joint venture partners in the global and domestic offshore wind sector across three continents, our team will deliver a utility-scale offshore wind project that will stimulate tremendous economic development opportunity on Cape Cod, the Islands and the South Coast.”

Under Massachusetts law, the selection of Vineyard Wind by the EDCs and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) allows all parties to begin negotiations to secure all necessary transmission services and power purchase agreements to facilitate the delivery of offshore wind electricity to Massachusetts customers. Once satisfactory contract terms are secured, those documents will be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for formal review as set forth in the in the 83C process.

Vineyard Wind is the only offshore wind farm developer to begin both the state and federal permitting processes by filing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) and Construction and Operations plan in December 2017. Vineyard Wind’s early timeline was designed to maximize the abundant environmental, economic and energy benefits associated with utility-scale wind energy for Bay State residents and businesses. Vineyard Wind will continue to refine the project design and approach as it receives additional comments from regulators and stakeholders. Vineyard Wind received a significant volume of substantive and productive comments from the fishing industry, residents on Cape Cod and the Islands, environmental organizations, as well as regional economic and community-based stakeholders, during the initial ENF comment period.

Vineyard Wind has been especially focused on receiving input from the fishing industry and has already held more than 100 meetings with fishermen or fishing organizations since 2016. Input from those meetings is reflected within the project design as part of a broad-based effort to ensure that offshore wind facilities and the fishing sector thrive together in the decades ahead.

With the passage of An Act to Promote Energy Diversity in 2016, Massachusetts required the state’s EDCs to procure 1,600 megawatts (MW) of clean, offshore wind energy within the next decade, resulting in intense competition among offshore wind leaseholders for long-term contracts with utilities in Massachusetts. The addition of 1,600 MW of low-carbon wind generation capacity will provide enough clean, homegrown energy to power the equivalent of more than 750,000 Massachusetts homes every year.

Vineyard Wind recently took another significant step in its effort to build the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States by submitting the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) with state regulators. The filing advances the company’s proposal to construct an 800-megawatt (MW) wind farm 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard while maintaining Vineyard Wind’s early timetable to begin construction in 2019 and become operational by 2021. When completed, the Vineyard Wind project will reduce Massachusetts’ carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year, the equivalent of removing 325,000 cars from state roads.

Vineyard Wind’s proposal committed $15 million to three initiatives designed to make Massachusetts the centre of the American offshore wind industry. The commitment includes a $10 million Wind Accelerator Fund to accelerate the development of an offshore wind supply chain, businesses, and infrastructure in the Bay State by attracting investments to upgrade or create necessary facilities and/or infrastructure. The $2 million Windward Workforce program will recruit, mentor, and train residents of Massachusetts, particularly southeast Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, for careers in the Commonwealth’s new offshore wind as part of an effort to build a skilled offshore wind workforce centred in southeastern Massachusetts. The $3 million Marine Mammals and Wind Fund will fund development and demonstration of innovative methods and technologies to enhance protections for marine mammals as the offshore wind industry continues to grow.

Source & Photo: www.vineyardwind.com

OIL PRICE: $70 and Rising

Tina Olivero — Tue, 22 May 2018 15:24:24 +0000

OIL PRICE

The biggest influencer on oil price is supply and demand. When world oil supply is high oil prices most often go down. When the supply of oil is low and demand is high, oil prices often go up.

Supply and demand are impacted by population, politics, economics and a range of other factors. Let’s take a look…

POPULATION

Our ever-expanding global population and the importance of energy in developing countries creates higher oil demand.

Just how much will oil and gas be impacted by population growth? Oil demand is expected to increase by close to 100 million barrels of oil equivalent a day (mboe/d) between 2015 and 2040. That figure remains even with renewable energy coming on stream. It’s not an either-or situation – it’s both.

OPEC

OPEC stands for The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC is a consortium consisting of 13 of the world’s major oil-exporting nations including Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Venezuela.

OPEC manages the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil on the world market. The goal is to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries. OPEC countries act together as if they were a single producer and is able to fix price for oil without unnecessary competition and market disparity.

Oil Production and Consumption

Because of so many oil influencers, even OPEC doesn’t always get it right. In 2014 OPEC maintained its production level of oil despite lowering demand in Europe and China. The result was an oil excess in the market and a falling oil price which had a negative impact on the world.

In 2015, US shale oil producers steadily increased and pushed US oil production to 9.4 million mbpd, reducing the OPEC market share. The result was an increased supply of oil in the world oil market and a historic drop in oil price which we have all just experience. It also created a shale oil boom for oil producers in the US simultaneously. Things ebb and flow.

IMPACT OF LOW OIL PRICE

The direct impact of low oil prices spans far and wide. It affects oil producers, major contractors, suppliers, supporting industries and the people who work in them. To give you an example of how hard-hitting low oil prices can be, consider this: In 2015, oil exploration and production declined significantly. The number of drilling rigs declined 44 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

How did that impact the world’s oil exploration, production, drilling progress, oil supply, companies, and employees? The magnitude was staggering. Of the more than 440,000 layoffs that happened globally during the recent depressed oil price regime, it is estimated that:

178,466 or 40 percent of those jobs were lost in the United States;

124,000 or 28 percent of the layoffs were from the UK North Sea,

and 46,000 people or 10 percent lost their jobs in Canada.

The employment situation that resulted from the low oil was a global tragedy.

Job loss has a domino effect in terms of; spin-off business in the oil and gas sector, overall economics, individual spending, household income, individual health and well being, family health, quality of life and many other socio-economic impacts. It was tragic and may have been prevented with stronger, global collaboration.

The ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ Combats low oil price

To combat low oil prices and its impact on the energy sector and the world, on November 30, 2016, OPEC extended production cuts to 1.2 million barrels per day to the end of 2018. This ensured that high demand and lower production would drive the price of oil back up.

Reacting to the global demise, on December 2016, a decision of the 11 non- OPEC producing nations also agreed to voluntarily make production adjustments over the same time period as OPEC. The drawdown of the stock overhang and bring the oil market rebalancing forward. These adjustments by a total of 24 participating nations, now known as the ‘Declaration of Cooperation’, have since been renewed to the end of March 2018. The price of oil rose to that it is today. $70 and rising. It worked.

OTHER INFLUENCING FACTORS

Seasonal weather conditions impact oil based on consumption. For example, winter’s colder weather results in higher energy consumption which in turn increases oil demand.

The dollar price impacts the price of oil. When the dollar declines, oil revenues decline and simultaneously costs go up. Recession impacts the price of oil. In a domino effect, the most likely scenario of a recession is an economic decline, that leads to a spending decline, an oil consumption decline and then an oil price decline.

Natural disasters impact the price of oil. For example, Hurricane Katrina affected 19% of the US oil supply in 2005 causing prices to climb $3 per barrel.

Political dynamics impact the price of oil. In January 2013, oil prices rose when Iran played war games near the Straits of Hormuz causing a potential threat to this oil shipping lane. Based on a perceived decrease in supply, by February 8, oil had reached $118.90/barrel. That sent gas prices to $3.85 a gallon by February 25, 2013. The strait of Hormuz transports oil and gas from Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Any disruption to this region will have significant effects upon global crude prices, given the impact on supply.

Today, we are experiencing a number of factors impacting oil and gas price; The volatility in Venezuela impacts oil as Washington is considering sanctions against Venezuela. There is an increase in demand for Nigerian oil, however, there are ongoing Nigerian domestic problems causing an unstable exploration and production climate. China has been at unrest in the South China Sea. Before this article is published there will be more.

We will always have political influence on oil production so it’s really about how we unite to mitigate and manage them. Political variables and circumstance change constantly and come with their own set of policies, negotiations, and cultural discourse. They move with time and leadership. We can understand the regional implications of political influence on oil and gas but it’s now time to look at the big picture overall and make global political decisions simultaneously understanding regional influence. Media could be paramount in achieving this.

The Oil Price Spike: Being Smarter

The current upward spike in oil price is a great indicator of how variables merge and create changes rapidly. We’ve seen a dramatic increase in price in a matter of months. The game is unpredictable at best, economically devastating at worst. But without oil, life as we know it would come to a screeching halt. Not having oil as an energy source, is not an option. So these are the times of global perspective, unity among nations and energy collaboration for the good of all. This era demands that we be smart with oil and gas and use it for it’s highest good. We must use oil to bridge non-renewables to renewable energy sources. Oil and gas will bring in new energy as it is the foundation of that energy play. It willfuel new energy into existence.

We need to be ensured of energy supply with a cleaner energy source for the survival of our growing population and our beautiful planet.

Right now, the oil price is hovering between $75 – $80 per barrel. We will never perfect the oil price game because there are too many moving parts. But we can lessen the degree of impact and mitigate risk.

Our global goal should be to unite where possible, make global production decisions that benefit all, mitigate natural disasters and climate change where possible by ensuring our planet is clean and safe.

Given that every person on the planet is impacted by oil and gas, we need to make global decisions rather than local ones. The Declaration of Cooperation is one step closer to global unity. Next, it’s to harness the potential of developing nations and bring them into the equation in an inclusive and energy conscious way.

If we have learned anything from the recent oil price decline and it’s impacting global demise, it is that values of cooperation and unity are not soft skills and fluffy ideals, they are the foundation of our future.

Our oil and gas plan moving forward is clear; take careful consideration of as many oil and gas impacting variables as possible and when all is considered, then and only then, take the best action forward.

Just as it is our duty to ensure we have clean air to breathe on a pristine planet, it is also our duty as a global energy consuming world to ensure it’s availability. They work together.

Holistically, we must leave our people, places and things in better shape than we found them.

Source: OPEC.org

ISource, Charts, Graphs: www.OPEC.org

Is ergonomics on helicopters a priority?

Tina Olivero — Thu, 17 May 2018 09:00:59 +0000

The results of a ground-breaking project into the body sizes of UK offshore workers on board various helicopter crafts has been recognised with an award for outstanding contribution to ergonomics.

The three-month study was a joint project by Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Step Change in Safety, in response to a mandate from the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure offshore workers were sitting adjacent to windows through which they could make an emergency escape.

The project involved measuring the shoulders of a 75,000 strong workforce to establish how many were designated as ‘XBR’ or ‘extra broad’. With these figures in mind, the team would be able to advise eating logistics which maximised the probability of successful escape, following concerns about window egress in an emergency situation.

Following the project’s completion, the team has been awarded the William Floyd Award from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, for outstanding and innovative contributions to the field.

The study was led by Dr Arthur Stewart, from RGU’s School of Health Sciences, who has previously been recognised for his ongoing work into the size and shape of the North Sea offshore workforce.

Speaking about this latest work, Dr Stewart said: “With the size of the workforce being so vast, I devised ‘train the trainer’ and ‘train the measurer’ teaching packages, which gave us a group of over 1000 individuals capable of gathering the measurements for us, within specified quality assurance targets.

“Thanks to their hard work, we were able to discover that approximately 3% of offshore workers had a shoulder breadth exceeding 55.9cm, reaching XBR status and we could then examine the safety implications of their seat positioning within the different models within the helicopter fleet.”

Dr Stewart worked collaboratively throughout the project with Emily Taylor, a senior business analyst from Step Change in Safety, who oversaw a range of aspects of the work, including being the central liaison with industry stakeholders such as the CAA and helicopter operators.

Her work also included the marketing and promotion of the scheme directly to the workforce and licensing of equipment required.

Emily said: “At Step Change in Safety, collaborating with organisations and the wider oil and gas industry is what we do daily in order to improve safety and effect change. Sticking to our ethos we came together with each organisation to deliver this important project.

“Collaboratively, we identified a specific issue, created a simple more sustainable solution which was easy to roll out, with minimal disruption to the user and the sector. We wanted this to work for the workforce.”

Also playing a key role was RGU MRes graduate Robert Ledingham, from Survitec, who was seconded to the project after previously working with Dr Stewart on his size and shape study.

Robert oversaw logistics for the study and organised a number of training events for measures, is one of the trainers himself.

Following the project’s success, Robert said: “It was a great privilege to be part of this project, working with a diverse team of industry and academic professionals. Being able to continue the work I undertook during my Masters of Research project and apply the findings to a real-world health and safety application was a rare and fortunate opportunity of which I am proud.”

The team accepted their award at an event held at Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole Hotel which hosted the 2018 Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors Annual Conference last week.

Dr Stewart added: “I think this award goes some way to prove the strength of interdisciplinary work across different sectors and the important strides we can make in terms of improving the safety of our vital workforce as they travel to and from offshore installations.”

Aasta Hansteen: The first of its kind and the largest in the world!

Tina Olivero — Thu, 03 May 2018 09:00:17 +0000

When Statoil began developing a field based on the gas discoveries Luva, Haklang and Snefrid, the field was called Luva. It was a revolutionary field on the Norwegian continental shelf—300 km from shore, in 1300 metres of water, with strong winds, strong currents and sub-zero temperatures on the seabed. Perhaps it was just these tough weather conditions that inspired then minister of Oil and Energy in Norway, Ola Borten Moe, to name the field after an inspiring and tough woman Aasta Hansteen.

WHO WAS AASTA HANSTEEN?

A trailblazer is one who beats a path for others to follow. A pioneer and visionary are Aasta Hansteen who laid the foundation for a new world to come in Norway. BORN IN 1824, in Norway, she achieved many ‘firsts,’ holding the distinction of being Kristiania’s first educated female portrait painter, the first Norwegian woman to deliver public lectures, the first woman to publish in the Nynorsk language, and a pioneer of the Norwegian women’s movement. Our enduring image of Aasta Hansteen has been of an impassioned, eccentric, umbrella-brandishing reformer.

She was born into a wealthy family in what was then called Kristiania—later Oslo—at a time when society women were expected to be mere decorations. They were to be seen and not heard. She graduated in Copenhagen and Düsseldorf and was the only woman chosen to represent Norway at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1855.

SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE CHURCH

Aasta Hansteen was both seen and heard. She fought the fight—both for the Nynorsk language and for women’s rights. She wrote articles, pamphlets and books where she championed women’s rights.

In her 1871 essay “The Position of Women in the World” she took issue with the widespread Christian belief that women’s subordinate position was determined by God. On the contrary, she argued, women were also created equal, a vision she expounded in her book “The Woman Created in God’s Image” published in 1878. Here, she challenged what she saw as the male tyranny perpetuated by the church, coming into conflict with theologians and ultimately withdrawing her membership of the state church.

CHALLENGED THE DECORUM OF THE DAY

Hansteen held a series of lectures in Kristiania, Copenhagen, and Stockholm at a time when it was considered sensational and inappropriate for women to speak publicly. She raised furore by going to cafes and conducting a social life that was considered immoral and indecent for women of her class and background at the time.

AASTA HANSTEEN PLATFORM

Aasta Hansteen is a Spar FPSO platform, the first of its kind on the Norwegian Shelf and the largest in the world. The platform is now in place on the Aasta Hansteen field in the Norwegian Sea. The facility will be operated from Harstad by Statoil’s business cluster Operations North.

By means of SATOS, procedures and checklists will be available in digital form in the control room, on tablets used in the field, and from the onshore operations centre in Harstad. Everyone will be able to see how much of a procedure has been completed and what remains to be done. This will ensure a speedy start-up after a shutdown and contribute to the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

SATOS is already being used in Statoil on the Mariner (UK) and Johan Sverdrup fields.

RECORD-BREAKING DIMENSIONS

Like it’s namesake, the Aasta Hansteen development has challenged industry norms. Deepwater, far from shore, harsh weather. Most things are extreme about the Aasta Hansteen field—including the platform itself. A gigantic, floating column—literally a spar buoy—with a platform deck on top, connected to subsea templates in 1300 metres of water, where gas streams up from the reservoir. A testament to Statoil’s extensive operational experience and the industry’s technological development over time.

The Aasta Hansteen field has set many records. Never before has equipment been installed at depths of 1300 metres on the Norwegian continental shelf. Over a period of four summers, subsea templates, risers, pipeline connections and not least 17 suction anchors with a grand total of 42,500 metres of anchor lines.

POLARLED PIPELINE

The 482-km long pipeline, Polarled, will transport the gas from the Aasta Hansteen field south to Nyhamna in Møre and Romsdal. From there, the gas will be transported onwards to the European market. Polarled is equipped with several connection points en route so as to be able to collect gas from new fields.

The Aasta Hansteen platform is the first in Norway of its kind, and the largest in the world, weighing in at 70,000 tonnes. It’s also the first in the world with a storage tank—because, in the Aasta Hansteen field, there is not only gas—there is also condensate (a low-density mixture of hydrocarbon liquids).

SINKING” INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION

In the summer of 2017, the hull arrived in Sunnhordland in Norway. Then came the moment of truth in Klosterfjorden: the seacocks were opened, allowing lower part of the hull to fill with water, rising slowly into its vertical position as it did so. For the engineers, it was a moment of triumph: everything went according to plan. Now, most of the enormous hull is hidden below water—forevermore. The platform deck, or topsides, arrived on December 10th—fittingly enough, Aasta Hansteen’s birthday—before being floated over the hull and joined together.

Source & Photos: Statoil, Wikipedia, Aasta Hansteen. Store Norske Leksikon, SNL, the Norwegian language encyclopaedia.

Decommissioning consortium with unique approach

Tina Olivero — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 11:13:15 +0000

Collaborative Oil Players

A collaborative supply chain approach to global decommissioning is launched, offering an end-to-end solution from industry leaders, to reduce the decommissioning burden, risk and cost for operators.

The new global decommissioning consortium, which includes Lloyd’s Register (LR), WorleyParsons, and Ardent, brings together 350 years of collective experience to reduce the interfaces, costs and risks of decommissioning for the oil and gas industry.

This consortium includes leading experts to cover all aspects of decommissioning, from late life management to planning, readiness for removal, execution, waste management and monitoring post removal. The consortium has the unique capability to take well operatorship, duty-holdership and title of offshore structures, in addition to providing independent third-party assurance.

“This consortium offers a new, collaborative approach to decommissioning for operators,” highlights Steve Gilbert, Director of Asset Management and Decommissioning from LR. “It represents a fundamental step change for the industry, aligning assurance, project management, and safe, fit-for-purpose removal and disposal.

“Decommissioning can be daunting; the cost uncertainty, the colossal project scope and the unknown long-term liabilities. The consortium helps to reduce the overall cost, time and liability burden for operators and allows them to focus resources on more fruitful activity, knowing that their decommissioning project is in safe hands. As experts in asset and risk management, and a number one provider of verifications services, this approach will assure safety, efficiency and reputation.”

Set to deliver results

Peter Pietka, Ardent CEO, says: “We bring to the consortium over 150 years of maritime retrieval experience, as a global leader in salvage and wreck removal. Through our expertise, we are in the unique position of being able to apply techniques and learnings from other sectors such as marine wreck removal, to improve how to tackle the increasingly important challenge of decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure.”

Global spending on oil and gas decommissioning is expected to be $13bn per year by 2040. The consortium is set to deliver smarter decommissioning activities with end to end project management and execution for operators in Europe, Asia and Americas that include best practices from other sectors such as float and tow, used widely in salvage.

Offering considerably more technical value for operators than rival partnerships, the members of the consortium have a proven track record across all areas of late life and decommissioning. It can ensure project efficiency, regulatory compliance and cost certainty in the execution of decommissioning activities, wherever in the world the assets may be.

John Cox, Global Decommissioning Lead, WorleyParsons, says: “The value for industry is that our combined expertise covers the full decommissioning lifecycle. We have the unique capability to become well duty holders and take title of offshore structures plus we offer independent assurance throughout the decommissioning process. This consortium provides a new benchmark in cost-effective decommissioning activities, with safety and peace of mind for the operator.

About Lloyd’s Register (LR)

We started out in 1760 as a marine classification society. Today, we’re one of the world’s leading providers of professional services for engineering and technology – improving safety and increasing the performance of critical infrastructures for clients in over 75 countries worldwide. The profits we generate fund the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a charity which supports science and engineering-related research, education and public engagement around everything we do. All of this helps us stand by the purpose that drives us every single day: Working together for a safer world.

In a world of increasing complexity – overloaded with data and opinion – we know that our clients need more than technology to succeed. They need an experienced hand. A partner to listen, cut through the noise and focus on what really matters to them and their customers. Our engineers and technical experts are dedicated to assurance. That means a commitment to embracing new technology, and a deep rooted desire to drive better performance. So we consider our customers’ needs with diligence and empathy, then use our expertise and over 250 years’ experience to deliver the smart solution for everyone.

After all, there are some things technology can’t replace.

About WorleyParsons

WorleyParsons delivers projects, provides expertise in engineering, procurement and construction and offers a wide range of consulting and advisory services. We cover the full lifecycle, from creating new assets to sustaining and enhancing operating assets, in the hydrocarbons, mineral, metals, chemicals and infrastructure sectors. Our resources and energy are focused on responding to and meeting the needs of our customers over the long term and thereby creating value for our shareholders. WorleyParsons is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange [ASX:WOR]. Further information on WorleyParsons is available on the Internet at www.worleyparsons.com and www.advisian.com.

About Ardent

We deliver safe, economical and innovative solutions to our customers in the offshore and shipping sectors. We are specialists in Emergency Preparedness & Response, Wreck Removal, Offshore Decommissioning and Subsea Services, With bases around the world, we have the resources and the network of ships and equipment for any decommissioning project. Our vision is to protect the interest of our customers and the environment through applied ingenuity. Discover more at https://www.ardentglobal.com.

Exciting Changes Coming to the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show

Tina Olivero — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:17:35 +0000

For more than twenty years, the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show has been a forerunner in gathering the industry together. In recent years, the decline of the industry has forced companies to reimagine how they do business – and the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show is no exception. Since purchasing the event from dmg events in 2017, Wes Scott of EventWorx Corporation says, “It is time to reimagine exhibitions, we simply do not want continue to run the event in the same format. Much like energy companies are doing, we are reinventing the ourselves, how we operate and what we offer our customers.” Service providers (the exhibitors) want the right people attending, and attendees want access more education, training, live demonstrations and networking options.

“We have spent a lot of time talking to exhibitors and attendees, to help us shape a new focus, to a more grass-roots approach,” said Scott. The event, the premier energy exhibition for East Coast Canada, runs June 20-21 at Mile One Centre in St. John’s; and is held in conjunction with Noia’s Oil & Gas Conference.

One of the things Scott and his team are focusing on is the expectations that attendees have, which has changed over the years. “What people want from an event like the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show is evolving. They don’t want to just come and walk the aisles – they don’t have time for that. They need solutions to their business challenges; and with that they want many more educational choices. They need to be able to come to an event and have their questions answered, and problems solved. Business, maintenance and operational efficiencies are key.”

The event will attract 120 exhibiting companies, with emphasis on educating attendees in an interactive, dynamic format, and the Meet the Experts series. Attendees will have access to a parade of experts on a variety of different topics across the supply chain. Informal discussions and interactive demonstrations between the service companies and the attendees will replace the usual doldrums of walking a trade show booth-to-booth.

There a number of new features at the show including:

the Newfoundland & Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) Clean Technology Pavilion, featuring ten of the province’s best environmental businesses;
the Interactive Demonstration Lounge, where exhibitors can meet with their customers to show their equipment and services in action;
the Meet the Expert series, featuring experts are available to meet to discuss business and technical challenges on a variety of topics;
and the VIP Industry Reception on June 20, where invited VIPs, guests, delegates and exhibitors can enjoy live entertainment, great food, and refreshing cocktails from our soon to be famous Martini Ice Bar. who hosted on the Exhibition Floor, free to everyone for qualified industry registrants.

“Business still needs to be done face-face – we can’t always hide behind email or the internet. We look forward to generating a refreshed platform for both companies and individuals to get together to find innovative supply chain challenges.”

As most people in the industry know, we publish the Oil and Gas Magazine (The OGM). As well we provide our clients with business development consulting and marketing solutions for the new digital era.

The OGM

“What I enjoy most about my work is being able to surprise and delight clients by developing show-stopping projects and we plan to do just that at the next Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show. Each year at the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show we spend a lot of time getting creative with our booth. We brainstorm and ensure that we provide an “experience” for our clients when they stop to visit us at Mile 1 Stadium”, says Tina Olivero, Publisher of The OGM.

“We appreciate the effort people made to visit us and in return, we provide an experience that delights attendees. One that makes people stop, join in, engage and feel good about interacting with our company and our products. For example last year we had a beautiful white, sleek, Jaguar automobile, in our booth. Imagine yourself in that. We had a draw for people to win that Jag for a weekend get-a-way! What fun! We had all kinds of social media around it and it really took off, pardon the pun! It was a hit, people were taking their pictures with the Jag and so excited to win that adventure prize.”

Tina explains, “This year we have something really special happening at our booth that corresponds to the times. Given that West White Rose is going to be such a lucrative world-class project, this year we will be profiling that project and all its opportunities for our people. Celebrating industry, the environment and the arts we have merged those sectors into one theme: “The Art of Business”. We have partnered with a Dave Pye who operates the stained glass company SGO Designer Glass. Dave and his designers have constructed a full, wall-size stained glass mural, which will be on display as the backdrop of our booth. We then transferred that beautiful piece of work onto the front cover of The OGM for our summer edition which will be distributed at the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show. Seen in the graphic below this beautiful wall-sized mural incorporates the harmonious integration of man and nature, industry and art. It’s exciting and it’s beautiful. This amazing wall-sized original piece of work will be on silent auction at the show and everyone visiting our booth will get a complimentary copy of The OGM magazine with the artwork on the cover. We are extremely pleased to be profiling our industry, our people, our art, and our industry at ACPS this June. Drop by our booth and perhaps you might we the very lucky bidder that takes this extraordinary piece of art back to your home or office”, explained Tina Olivero.

The Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show takes place at Mile One Centre and is hosted in partnership with the Noia Oil & Gas Conference. Join us June 20-21, 2018. For more information, visit https://atlanticcanadapetroleumshow.com/

Who attended ACPS last year?
Check out this inclusive feature in The OGM of last years powerful participants!

_______________________________________________________________________

YES I WANT TO STAND OUT AT ACPS!

Tina Olivero

YES, I WANT MARKETING & SALES SOLUTIONS!

If you would like assistance with your booth, communications collateral, brochures, advertising, presentations or any other sales/marketing initiative, we can support you.

[contact-form-7]

Carbon Neutral: Environmentally Conscious Leaders

Tina Olivero — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 13:49:03 +0000

Today’s cities are responsible for almost 80% of the world’s energy consumption and 75% of its carbon emissions. In keeping with carbon reduction objectives the world over, creating sustainable cities makes good sense. The number of people living in urban areas is set to double to 6.5 billion by 2050. Rapid urbanization presents us with massive sustainability challenges that can be best met by adopting a radically new approach towards developing the cities of the future.

Carbon Neutral

What’s all the buzz about Carbon footprints and why are we in pursuit of a carbon neutral goal?

The answer is simple. We are no longer willing to sit around and watch the planet die of pollution. People are becoming conscious about the earth like never before. Climate Change is the catalyst but so is our own desire to do and be better. A fundamental commitment to create a sustainable future for our kids. We are moving into the era or environmental responsibility and ensuring a sustainable future. It’s simple – we give a damn!

Calculate your companies carbon footprint and offset what you emit! Turn emissions into trees!

The Post-Carbon Economy

In an effort to reduce carbon emissions the global consensus believes that we can do two things to make it happen. Reduce carbon emissions and if you can’ fully reduce them, purchase carbon credits to offset carbon emissions. The combination of both allows us to fulfil the goal of being a carbon neutral, company, organization, town or city.

Said in another way, Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount to offset it or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. Best practice for organizations and individuals seeking carbon neutral status entails reducing and/or avoiding carbon emissions first so that only unavoidable emissions are offset.

Carbon offsetting is the process of paying others to remove carbon dioxide emitted from the atmosphere by methods such as planting trees or funding ‘carbon projects’ that lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions, or by buying carbon credits to remove them through carbon trading. These practices are often used in parallel, together with energy conservation measures to minimize energy use overall.

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

I lived in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East for three years. Abu Dhabi is progressively well known as one of the worlds great oil and gas developing nations. What’s not as commonly known is how progressive they are in renewable energy. My home was situated just outside Abu Dhabi in a place called Khalifa City. Out my front window, I overlooked what is touted as one of the most progressive Carbon reduction projects in the world – Masdar City.

Masdar is a testament to how fresh innovative ideas and collaboration can create eco-friendly outcomes. Masdar is home to some of the greatest minds on the planet when it comes to sustainable energy and it is now the Middle East’s largest exporter of renewable energy.

Masdar City was hooked into the public system and by 2016 it achieved incredibly advanced renewable energy solutions. The home of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) is housed in Masdar, along with a major graduate research university – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. A visit to Masdar City takes approximately 60-90 minutes, including the driverless vehicle experience in our personal rapid transit system and a comfortable walk through the city.

Today, Masdar is powered by 54 acres of solar panels with additional panels on the roofs. There are now light switches or water taps in the city; movement sensors control lighting and water to cut electricity consumption by over 50%. Approximately 80% of the water used will be recycled and wastewater will be reused as grey water for crop irrigation.

You get the picture. Not only companies, but entire cities are emerging with the goal of becoming net zero, and it’s happening fast.

Greener Buildings In Canada

Today, LEED v4 is the most rigorous green building rating system in the world. From improving energy performance to emphasizing human health and integrative building design, LEED is encouraging project teams to operate beyond the status quo and create new and innovative green building solutions.

Canadians are stepping up, with over 350 registered projects to date and the early adopters have proven their abilities and helped drive change in the industry including greater manufacturer transparency and disclosure.
From buildings to operational efficiencies, to our overall green footprint, the game of energy efficiency and carbon reduction is changing at exponential rates. It’s proving to be a place of job creation, economic savings and environmental sustainability. That’s the good news.

For more information on LEED:
LEED video

Eaight Avenue Place, Calgary, Alberta has earned LEED Platinum Status: Featuring a winter garden, green roof, thermal monitoring and control. Source: Flickr

A Greener Oil and Gas Industry: Sharp Management + Aker Solutions

Offshore Newfoundland, Aker Solutions is breaking ground by progressively committing to a carbon neutral goal. Aker Solutions is the first company operating in Newfoundland’s oil and gas sector to purchase carbon credits from Sharp Management, that are generated from wastewater treatment facilities in Appleton-Glenwood and Stephenville.

“We don’t have to wait for someone to tell us what to do. Carbon neutrality is the right thing to do”, said Dave Billard, Newfoundland’s Aker vice-president and general manager. Aker of St. John’s is currently assessing operations and predicts they will purchase between 100 and 200 equivalent offsets along with other green goals that will allow them to achieve a carbon neutral status.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s First Carbon Offset Project

Glenn Sharp, President of Sharp Management is planning information sessions for companies interested in environmentally conscious action. The goal of Sharp Management is to assess companies and allow them to purchase credits if need be. Working with the oil and gas industry, municipalities and construction, Sharp Management is poised to offer carbon reduction solutions before it is even mandated in the province.  Glenn Sharp says, “For the first three months, the carbon credits are selling for $25 per tonne and are offered exclusively to Newfoundland and Labradorian companies. After that three month period, we will be offering carbon credits internationally. I’m excited that Aker has taken the first step and has become a leader in environmental initiatives such as this carbon reduction program. We’re looking to work with other companies like Aker Solutions that wish to follow suit and make a difference in the environment. We predict many companies will be interested in doing the right thing before it is legislated.”

Glenn Sharp (left) presents an official Newfoundland Climate and Ecosystems Conservancy Project carbon credit to Aker Solutions Canada HSE manager Melissa English-Barbour and vice-president and general manager Dave Billard. Credit: The Telegram/SaltWire Network

The Newfoundland Climate and Ecosystems Conservancy Project (NCECP) is publicly listed on the CSA Clean Projects Registry and has been 3rd party verified under the ISO-14064-2 by Fournier Toupin CPA Inc. The project mitigates greenhouse gas by engineering wetland systems for wastewater treatment, thereby offsetting carbon. Treating wastewater and sludge from municipalities eliminates environmental impacts of discharging raw wastewater and produces fewer greenhouse gases (GHG). A first for the province.
You can calculate your carbon footprint at www.carbonzero.ca/projects/ncecp and you can also contact Sharp Management for an assessment.

It takes a provincial commitment to ensure a sustainable energy future and working together in our own unique ways will achieve that goal. An expression of unity and collaboration, the goal of carbon zero is an objective that we can all get behind and be proud of. It is our future after all.

Tina Olivero: The Greatest Brands In Industry Entrust Us With Their Message

Tina Olivero — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 20:11:58 +0000

With over 30 years of global energy experience, The OGM is pleased to profile their portfolio of world class clients. Clients who come from every corner of the planet with one goal in mind – develop business that supports the production and supply of sustainable energy! From operators, major contractors, suppliers and the support base, The OGM has found a home for people wanting to bridge the communication gap and get their message to exact, precise market.

Publisher and CEO, Tina Olivero says, “Creating a globa publication that bridges to readers and buyers around the globe is what we do. Perhaps our client wants to attract investors or garnish new hires from around the world, we pride ourselves in finding creative ways to make that happen. We love the challenge of using new programmatic technology and algorithms to bridge the gap between the seeker and the solution. It’s a creative process that bridges the business development gap for our clients. I’m hoping in the not too distant future there won’t be any such thing as marketing, just ‘direct to sale’. That would make life alot easier for everyone. We have the solution that’s the closest thing to it!”

The OGM network spans over .5 million viewers online and has special print distribution for exhibitions and subscribers. It’s world class presentation puts it in a league unto itself. It’s credible, positive and always focused on connecting and uniting the industry. The game of business takes a tribe of committed and dedicated people and The OGM has the privilege of working with those people every day.

Take a video adventure through some of The OGM’s great brands and realize just how many companies entrust their message with The OGM.

Ask us about programmatic solutions where we can reach people who searched for your product or services by broadcasting out to over 2000 other magazines, thereby reaching 1-2 MILLION viewers in a month! The results are simply the most cost effective in comparison to any other medium on earth. Programmatic solutions are the future folks, so learn everything you can about it.

LEARN ABOUT PROGRAMMATIC NATIVE CONTENT
Find out more on programmatic native content right here:

SEE PROGRAMMATIC IN ACTION
See how our clients used programmatic native content to fill up their CAD training program with strategic content, a multi-media mix, and a lead generator.

HERE’S WHAT OUR CLIENT HAD TO SAY:
“Rounding up students for our CAD training was a real challenge and to be hones, we were getting nowhere. After several months of spending huge sums on traditional advertising, in came Tina Olivero from The OGM who completely revamped our marketing approach. It felt a bit like Gordon Ramsey Boot Camp. But coming out the other side, we began to see real results. The problem flipped to being overwhelmed by responses! The winning formula Tina developed combined targetted social media with sponsored content. In simple terms, our internal team managed the social media messaging which included a link to the OGM article with a call to action. The key her was the combined effects of targeted social media messaging reinforced by the OGM article which was effectively a third-party recommendation. Three months on and we’re still up there on google with a constant stream of inquiries from around the globe. The world is suddenly much smaller!” Gareth Owen – Partner and General Manager, Metroworth & North Atlantic Technical.

Enjoy the ride!

Tina Olivero

GREAT BRANDS IN THE OGM

YES! I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE MY BUSINESS GOALS WITH THE OGM. Please contact me.

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EnviroMed G7 Changes The Game of Safety

Tina Olivero — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:03:25 +0000

Technology is expanding at exponential rates and has the capacity to make things happen faster and easier. In the world of safety that could never be more true, as new state-of-the-art solutions are emerging for industries around the globe.

Tracking and Responding

Technology has allowed our workplaces, remote locations and hazardous environments to be much safer. New detection, tracking and responding devices are taking over the scene and allowing us to feel much better about our workspaces and goals of zero incidences on the job. Technology is now working where it matters most – safety. With safety alerts, monitoring, tracking and full transparent communication, workplaces are now connected and much safer. Knowing who’s on your site, where people are, how they are, where evacuation needs to take place, real-time response, remote area access, real-time incidence response, and following leading indicators of “near misses”, are all possible with the new state-of-the-art G7 Blackline system.

Lee Parmiter, CEO of EnviroMed Detection Services says, “Technology mitigates risk. It’s that simple. New advances in detection and response are so effective these days that we reduce human error dramatically. For example, the Blackline G7, which is a real-time, state-of-the-art, electronic gas detection unit is far outperforming what humans can do in much less time. Detection and reporting are replacing human reporting. Extensive gas detection training is no longer necessary. These day’s people have full access and communication in difficult places, remote locations and hazardous regions. This is the future of safety”

The G7 tracks workers and their performance and positioning. For example, if a worker trips, falls and goes down a G7 alert is triggered, transmitted and help is on the way within seconds. It’s all automated and immediate.

The G7 is breaking new ground through no motion detection, fall detection, missed check in’s, gas detection and just about anything you can think of on the job. It provides operator tracking, real-time tracking and communication, remote communication, third-party communication, in-house monitoring with two-way voice communications and on-the-spot Reporting. The system itself takes care of data logging so that follow-up and paperwork becomes a thing of the past.

Think Ahead

The G7 excels in proactive safety protocols. It provides an SOS Pull-Station Emergency feature for on the job emergency situations. It also allows for gas detection monitoring and “PREDETERMINED” maintenance execution which mitigates the possibility of accidents in the future.

Lee says, “offshore or on land this G7 devise works via satellite or cellular, allowing a full scope and range of communication, tracking and detection. We are extremely proud to be supplying such an advanced system to the industry because at the end of the day, our goal is the same goal as our clients – zero incidence. We sleep at night knowing that the technology we provide keeps people safe.”

Would you like to know about the upcoming Blackline G7 device for your company?

Let us know how to reach you and we will have an ENVIROMED representative contact you.

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[contact-form-7]

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Publisher & Content Strategist

Tina Olivero is the Publisher and Content Strategist for clients around the globe through TheOGM.com and The OGM magazine.

With a passion for progress and a sustainable high tech future, tina combines digital strategies into a conversation that builds your business.

SPEAK TO TINA:
To gain more insight into how content can support your business goals please contact:
tinaolivero@theogm.com

NOIA AWARDS: Bill Fanning and Stephen Edwards

Tina Olivero — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:34:22 +0000

Outstanding Contribution Award
Bill Fanning, Kvaerner Canada

The NOIA Outstanding Contribution Award recognized exemplary individuals who have influenced the development of our local oil and gas industry and who have demonstrated qualities of vision, integrity and leadership through their work and lives.

Noia awarded this honour to Bill Fanning, president and country manager for Kvaerner Canada. Bill is a senior oil and gas executive with over 30 years of international upstream oil and gas experience who has held many management positions throughout his career. For most of the first two decades, he worked with Mobil Oil Canada in western and east coast Canada. He moved on to work with HMDC and the Hibernia Project for 10 years, and since then has served as director of Atlantic XL Inc. (which he also co-founded), president and CEO of Spectrol Group and senior vice president and GM with SNC Lavalin. For the past six years, Bill has held his current position with Kvaerner Canada. Bill has also served six years on Noia’s Board of Directors and was a key leader in the development of Noia’s Redefining Oil strategy. He currently sits on Newfoundland and Labrador’s Oil & Gas Industry Development Council.

Rising Star Award
Stephen Edwards, ExxonMobil Canada

The Rising Star Award was launched in 2014 to recognize the talents of an impressive individual who are 40 years old or younger and have made remarkable strides in their role in the local oil and gas industry.

This year’s NOIA recipient was Stephen Edwards, P.Eng., engineering & HUC manager – Hebron Project with ExxonMobil Canada. Stephen has been directly involved in the Hebron project since joining the project team in 2010. His work over the past seven years has significantly and directly impacted design and operational decisions taken on the project and contributed to the project’s success, culminating in first oil on November 27, 2017.

Both Bill Fanning and Stephen Edwards were celebrated at Noia’s Industry Achievement Awards luncheon on Friday, March 9, 2018. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!

OFFSHORE NEWFOUNDLAND: JOINT REGULATION IS KEY

Tina Olivero — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 05:00:43 +0000

With environmental legislative changes expected to be taken over by the federal government, NOIA (Newfoundland Oil Industries Association) is calling on the federal government to ensure safety and environmental considerations remain under the governing authority of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). Has history been considered?

C-NLOPBstands for Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board and it is a locally based, St. John’s, Newfoundland, regulating authority. Jointly the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Federal Government of Canada, govern the region.

C-NLOPB is responsible for safety, environment, exploration and licencing, resource management and industrial benefits. Provincial and federal authority for regional offshore assessments would guarantee appropriate experience and understanding of the region and its hostile environment at sea.

THE OCEAN RANGER AND THE ATLANTIC ACCORD

The Ocean Ranger disaster saw the loss of 84 lives. This tragedy of epic proportion laid the foundation for a safer, more highly regulated and environmentally conscious, oil and gas culture. C-NLOPB and the Atlantic Accord were born out of the Ocean Ranger tragedy. Lest we forget.

Royal Commission on the Ocean Ranger Marine Disaster

THE OCEAN RANGER

THE QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Years of research, reporting and building our offshore health, safety and environment culture have accumulated to get Newfoundlands offshore industry to where it is today. All of which has been overseen by C-NLOPB’s governance.
Will health, safety and environment be compromised with a change in governing authority from local to national levels?
Will this impact our safety culture overall?
Will environmental regulations become cumbersome and at times out of context for offshore operations?
Will exploration companies want to invest in a system that keeps changing the environmental and safety assessment goal post?
These are some of the questions of the day.

REGULATORY ASSESSMENT

“The C-NLOPB’s excellent track record proves it has the expertise and experience required to conduct assessments and should be the designated regulated authority, as it was previously,” says Charlene Johnson, NOIA CEO. “The C-NLOPB is a reputable, arm’s length regulator that employs more than 85 experienced policy and operational experts dedicated to ensuring environmental protection. Located in close physical proximity to our offshore operations, they know the industry, have hands-on experience in the province’s harsh offshore environment and are best placed to take the lead role in environmental assessments.”

UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION

NOIA is asking the federal government to avoid unnecessary duplication of work with regard to exploration wells. Currently, under CEAA (2012), exploration wells in the first drilling program in an area set out in one or more exploration licenses require an environmental assessment. “NOIA believes that the C-NLOPB should be the Responsible Authority for this and exploration drilling programs that are adjacent to or overlapping each other should not require separate environmental assessments, as this is unnecessary duplication,” said Johnson.

JOINT MANAGEMENT

“The Atlantic Accords Acts have enabled the C-NLOPB to effectively regulate the offshore industry for over 30 years. Section 4 of the Accord Implementation Act specifically states that it takes precedence over any other act of parliament that applies to the offshore area or any regulations under the Act,” added Johnson. “The Atlantic Accord gave Newfoundland and Labrador equality with the federal government in the joint management of our resources and the law affirms that this principle should be upheld.”

Charlene Johnson, NOIA CEO

INVESTMENT UNCERTAINTY

Increasing bureaucracy does not enhance environmental protection, it only adds more time and uncertainty and reduces Newfoundland and Labrador’s ability to attract global investment. The concern here is that a federal takeover may muddy the waters and detract from exploration which would be stifling to the economy.

GROUND FLOOR GOVERNANCE

Commitment to its mandate is foremost at the helm of C-NLOPB’s operations. For example, the recent suspension of Husky Energy’s SeaRose FPSO operations because it unsafely handled an incident with icebergs last winter, clearly indicates the contrary. “The SeaRose FPSO should have disconnected and moved into safe space, away from the iceberg. They did not do that,” says Scott Tessier, chair, and CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). As a result, Husky operations were suspended this year to rectify the situation.

 THE PEOPLE HAVE A SAY

Johnson concluded saying, “The livelihood of thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians depends on a well-regulated offshore industry that is supported by a robust environmental assessment process and includes appropriate consultation with directly impacted groups. “Every resident of the province should be very concerned that decisions are about to be made that could erode the principles of joint management, increase centralization and jeopardize future development of the industry.”

DOES ONE SIZE REALLY FIT ALL?

Overall concerns for safety regimes, environmental processes and industry investment culminate to disagree with the approach of a federal regulatory body that falls under a “one-size-fits-all” banner.

The Atlantic Accord spun out of years of safety research and solutions from the Ocean Ranger disaster and beyond. The Accord has stood the test of time and been an exemplary model of governance supporting the industry for decades under the authority of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board.   Unless there’s some grand federal plan to improve upon what is already succeeding offshore Newfoundland, why would we rock the boat?

SOURCES: C-NLOPB, NOIA

Businesses Are Born at Startup

Tina Olivero — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:16:26 +0000

INDUSTRY ANNOUNCEMENT – FREE – FUN – INFORMATIVE – Friday 16th, 2017

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Businesses Are Born at Startup

Maybe I’ll just start a new sleep device to ensure people on rigs are ‘work safe’ and have enough sleep.

Maybe I’ll create a new type of Rutter that stops ROV’s on a dime.

Maybe I’ll create a new holographic design program for ships so we can see in the third and fourth dimensions.

Maybe I’ll develop a new way to connect with the masses on the internet and sell my products there.

Maybe I’ll design software for the Internet Of Things.

These are the things that entrepreneurs focused on at Startup Newfoundland and Labrador last November in Holyrood, Newfoundland.

Startup Weekend in Newfoundland and Labrador is all about the what if’s, the maybe’s, the imagination, the wondering, the invention, the visualization and the creation of things that make the world a better, more efficient place.

A Startup event is where people come together and begin to build an entirely new future in just 54 hours. The Techstars Startup Weekend allows participants with an entrepreneurial spirit to learn, network, connect, and Startup a new idea. Techstars Right now, all over the world, over 10,000 Community Leaders are currently building startup communities with Techstars.

Techstars Startup Weekend is run by local organizers in over 700 cities and 150 countries worldwide. Imagine the energy and the commitment to building business communities and supporting entrepreneurs around the globe. It’s unprecedented.

At Techstars Startup Weekend, entrepreneurs are immersed in the enclosed business environment that supports the startup magic to happen. Surrounded by smart, passionate people with a suite of tools and approaches, participants take crazy giant leaps forward to creating a business that started from nothing and materialized into everything.

In just 54 rigorous non-stop hours, participants experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure that make up the weekend at a startup. Startup is specifically designed so that entrepreneurs meet the very best mentors, investors, co-founders, and sponsors who are ready to help you get things started. Startup Newfoundland and Labrador The Fall 2017 Newfoundland and Labrador Startup was all about the sea, and what better place to ponder entrepreneurial questions about the ocean and its possibilities, than Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Startup event brought ideas to life in the world of marine and tech like never before. Posing real-world problems in the energy and ocean sectors, Startup participants put their talents together to develop solutions that would be sustainable and effective from the sea. It is like a mind race. What can we create? What will make a difference? What feels like a really good idea?

The excitement and creativity start to flow as participants pounce on what’s new and what’s possible!

The Startup entrepreneur takes an idea and turns it into action. At the end of the weekend, participants pitch to a team of judges that have a business background and resources to support that startup and quite possibly turn it into a $million if not $billion company. It’s happened.

On the first night, a room full of generated ideas begins to flow. The top ideas are posted on the board and participants get to vote on which ideas they would like to work on. The most popular ideas win and the weekend starts with teams who have chosen to work on an idea they love. It may not have even been their idea, but it’s an idea they can get behind. From there the rigorous process of defining the product or service, building out its features and creating a pitch deck for investment takes place.

The team with the best idea wins. Prizes align with business support solutions and included office space, marketing support, financial and legal services and much more. What a huge bonus to any company just out of the gate!

Stavros Messinis

Flown in from Greece, the veteran Startup Weekend Facilitator who volunteers with Tech Stars, Stavros Messinis shared his decades of Startup experience with participants. Stavros’s commitment is to economic empowerment, and he travels the world supporting great minds and great business Startups.

For this event, Stavros developed and delivered a clear guide for participants to follow that would allow them to bring an idea to pitch deck, in just two short days. A wealth of startup knowledge, Stavros shared his stories, direction, and wisdom with participants and guided them through the process of Startup in two days. He was brilliant.

Winning Formula

Over 100 people attended the Startup Newfoundland and Labrador event. The teams worked on their projects from Friday evening straight through to Sunday afternoon. The winning team was judged by an expert panel who selected “OceanWeb”. Their concept was an Internet of Things software device that enabled a logistical tracking solution for at-sea containers & en route supplies servicing offshore facilities. The well-deserving team members in a competitive Startup Weekend field are Gunnar Lehrling, Moustafa Elsisy, Sarah Loo Chin Moy, Tomisin Jenrola and Vineel Nagisetty. The team now qualifies for the Regional competition.

Other teams that worked smart, long and hard were:
Arena – an augmented reality tool for troubleshooting vessel systems when at sea;
HummingBird 1.0 – a novel variable pitch propeller design (epic 3D printed prototype!);
SleepWatch – a mariner sleep monitoring system and;
Amplify – an expert-affiliated marketing system.

Startups Take a Tribe Startups take a lot of organizing, planning, and work.

It takes a tribe to have a Start-up go successfully. It is a massive undertaking. Startup Newfoundland and Labrador was led by Startup advocate Roger Power who’s well seasoned in Startups in the province. He’s the behind the scenes guy who tirelessly designed the event from start to finish and gathered an esteemed volunteer community.

The Town of Holyrood

A major sponsor and the host of Startup Newfoundland and Labrador was the Town of Holyrood. A very fitting location given the theme of this event was Startups for the sea. Marjorie Gibbons spearheaded the hosting of the event and brought the entire event together with other volunteers like Gary Corbett, Nicole Evans, Cassandra Sharron, Elyse Summers and Tom Williamson. As well, community support came from entrepreneurship supports and sponsors like; IBEW, Marine Institute, The Telegram, Station Diner, ACOA, Buckle’s Contracting Limited, Memorial University, XXIX Venture Limited, ETC Gift Studio, HVAC Specialties, The Town of Holyrood, Chris Spurvey, Concierge Service, MUN – ETP, NEIA, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and The OGM.

Participants were supported by coaches, mentors, and judges including, Will Martin, Steve Hawko, Tom Williamson, Andy Fisher, Andrew Smith, Ken Bruce, Andrew Smith, Erin Stapleton, Will Gough, Peter Howell, Kieran Hanley, Randal Power, Jeff Brown, Liam Fannigan and Tina Olivero. Would you like to be more involved in Startups?

Here’s how to get involved:
http://communities.techstars.com/ canada/newfoundland–labrador-nl-canada/get-involved

Crosbie Group acquires 50% ownership in MacKinnon & Olding

Tina Olivero — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:59:32 +0000

Newfoundland based Crosbie Group Limited & Member Companies (Crosbie Group) and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based MacKinnon & Olding Limited (MacKinnon & Olding) are pleased to announce they have formed a partnership arrangement, creating one of the largest industrial maintenance companies in eastern Canada. Under the terms of the agreement, Crosbie Group has acquired a 50% ownership interest in MacKinnon & Olding.

Crosbie Group, through its offshore and onshore industrial maintenance companies Crosbie Salamis Limited and Atlantic Maintenance Services Limited respectively, employs in excess of 300 engineers, technicians and tradespeople, primarily in Newfoundland & Labrador. Crosbie Group’s investment in MacKinnon & Olding represents an important first step in its diversification strategy, broadening Crosbie Group’s market exposure and moving the company into new regions. MacKinnon & Olding has a long history of providing similar maintenance services, with a focus on the marine and defence markets in eastern Canada. Crosbie Group and MacKinnon & Olding, combined, will provide over 500 skilled professionals to the industrial maintenance space in eastern Canada.

“We are delighted to be partnering with MacKinnon & Olding” said Robert Crosbie, Chair of Crosbie Group. “This investment will give both companies the opportunity to share technology and expertise that will enhance our industrial maintenance service offering in the markets we serve.”

Robert Crosbie, Chair of Crosbie Group

“This partnership will further support the growth of our company,” said Don MacKinnon, President of MacKinnon & Olding. “It will allow us to build on our existing relationships and grow into new markets.” The transaction closed on November 15, 2017.

For more information on each company, visit their websites at www.crosbiegroup.com and www.mac-old.com.

About Crosbie Group Limited & Member Companies

Crosbie Group Limited & Member Companies (Crosbie Group) is a wholly owned and operated Newfoundland & Labrador based family business with its head office located in St. John’s, NL, Canada. Crosbie Group has a diverse portfolio of business interests which span offshore oil and gas, onshore industrial, construction and real estate sectors. Throughout Crosbie Groups’ business, the company’s priorities are always is the safety of its people, protecting the environment, being honest, sincere and professional, building relationships and providing superior client-focused solutions and developing our team to better support our clients. Crosbie Group draws on innovative practices, partner relationships and extensive experience to provide the highest standards of products and services.

About MacKinnon & Olding

MacKinnon & Olding (M & O) offers a complete soft trades solution focusing on five specialty services under one roof with more than 30 years experience in each division. Maintaining all certifications and meeting strict government guidelines have made M & O a trusted partner for a growing number of companies in need of quality and reliability. M & O remains the #1 marine contractor for the Canadian Navy on the east coast. An ISO company with COR- NSCSA certification, the company continues to build itself on its ability to deliver core services while maintaining the highest standards.

HIBERNIA: 20 years since first oil

Tina Olivero — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 09:00:39 +0000

Six years before first oil was spudded from Hibernia, The OGM was born. Back then it was called The Oil and Gas Magazine. Then it was shortened to the acronym OGM – like many oil and gas terms. These days that acronym has changed its meaning and has spun out into other sectors and is fondly referred to as Our Great Minds. Because that’s exactly what it takes to build castles in the sea. Castles like Hibernia, that attracted the worlds greatest talent to build a gravity base structure and topsides that was world class and super high tech.

It took five years to build and twenty years ago, Hibernia and its partners, including the Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. and its lead owner ExxonMobil Canada celebrated first oil November 17. Back then the building of the Hibernia platform itself was enough to spur an economic excitement, as the downtrodden Newfoundlanders at the time, had lost the cod fishery. A saving grace, the oil and gas industry was born through Hibernia. It was the catalyst for economic prosperity, the transfer of technology from all over the globe, and the very foundation that brought wealth to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Employing over 1,500 highly skilled professionals in a variety of professions, Hibernia continues to have a significant and positive impact on the industry and our economy. It was the reason that the Bull Arm site was built and remains a world-class fabrication facility. And every year since first oil, Hibernia has contributed millions of dollars to the economy through service contracts and sub-contract employment.

From research and development at Memorial, investment in the arts at the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, to support for our natural history at the Hibernia Interpretation Centre in Conception Bay South, Hibernia is not just an oil producer but an iconic Newfoundland and Labrador institution. We have so much to be proud of with Hibernia.

If it wasn’t for Hibernia, The OGM and all it’s 26 years of memories, people, teams and employees would not have existed. And the project continuously gives and gives to its people in the form of jobs, contracts, opportunities, skills and knowledge. Almost a year ago that Hibernia marked the tremendous milestone of having produced one billion barrels of oil from the field, with almost 700 million in reserve and possibly more.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is considered one of the best frontier regions in the world to explore, with over 20 basins and over 350 leads and prospects defined. Hebron is coming on stream and other developments are underway. West White Rose is now about to be built. Much like Hibernia that project offers $5.2 Billion in development opportunities to suppliers, companies and workers. As the projects build, we look forward to an industry flush with oil and gas. An industry that not only fuels our people and economy but also builds the bridge to new energy sustainable solutions.

Congratulations to Hibernia and its partners, including the Hibernia and Hibernia southern extension co-venturers, Chevron, Suncor, Statoil, Murphy, Canada Hibernia Holding Company and Nalcor. We look forward to your continued success and your continued participation in the many offshore projects to come. All we need now is another discovery!

NOIA-Hibernia Scholarship received by Mikayla Chislett

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 14:13:30 +0000

Presenter James Parmiter, of Noia Board of Directors, gives Mikayla Chislett of Heart’s Delight the Noia-Hibernia Scholarship! Mikayla is a Crescent Collegiate graduate who received her $1,000 award at the Noia Fall Seminar.

Following her graduation from high school with a cumulative average of 95 percent, Mikayla enrolled in Memorial University where she is currently studying engineering with the goal of working in the offshore oil & gas industry as an engineer.

The Noia-Hibernia scholarship was established in 1977 – the year the Hibernia platform was completed and started drawing oil. It is designed to foster the bright minds that will shape the future of our province’s oil and gas industry.

Valued at $1,000, the award is presented annually to a graduating high school student in Newfoundland and Labrador who is entering post-secondary studies with the intention of pursuing a petroleum-related career. It recognizes excellence in both academics and extra-curricular areas.

EDC REPORTS: Good news for Canadian Exporters

Tina Olivero — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 13:51:49 +0000

2017 was a remarkable year for Canadian exporters with 8% export growth, led by massive gains in the commodity space. The energy sector had the greatest impact on the value of Canada’s merchandise exports in 2017. Standing at CAD 77 billion and forecast to grow by an astounding 31%, energy is the key driver of overall export growth for Canada.   Total export growth including energy stands at 8% in 2017. While Alberta will experience the bulk of this growth, Newfoundland and Labrador will also reap the benefits of the Hebron project producing first oil.

Canada’s energy-producing provinces are benefiting from an oil price rebound and price stabilization well above levels seen in early 2016. Production is resuming and increasing as projects initiated before the collapse in oil prices come onstream. Overall the Canadian energy industry is looking up.

In Alberta, there is a strong recovery in oil exports from a year ago when wildfires curtailed output. Newfoundland and Labrador will also see double-digit export growth as the offshore Hebron oil platform are expected to begin operations at the end of 2017 and Vale’s Long Harbour processing facility begin ramping up production.

THE OGM + PETER HALL

Here at The OGM, I had the privilege of interviewing the esteemed export expert, Peter Hall. Peter joined Export Development Canada (EDC) in 2004 and brings with him over 25 years of experience in economic analysis and forecasting. Peter is responsible for overseeing EDC’s economic analysis, country risk assessment, and corporate research groups. In addition to preparing strategic advice for senior management at EDC. Peter confirms that the climate for exports is on the rise and Canadian companies should be aligned with globalization and export returns.

The OGM: What do you expect in terms of export and growth in 2017/18?
Peter Hall: We are still benefitting in 2017 from the rebound of commodity prices in the energy sector. They hit their floor in January of 2016 and have made their way up from there. There are a lot of things that don’t happen instantly when something like that occurs. Average pricing is really a big factor in terms of the double-digit increases we see in 2017.

Carrying forward, what we see next year, is projects that were on hold during this period were not actually cancelled. That’s the kind of thing that can happen when you get a major shake-up in oil prices like we had. Because those who are assessing projects are asking what is viable and what can be done, typically what we see happening is parties get around the table and look at contract prices and declare that there’s no way to make it work. That crisis kicks off a different conversation. Those who were depending on income streams from energy contracts find room to rewrite those contracts, making concessions and ultimately making the project work, because it’s a case of either doing some business or no business at all.

So all these doom and gloom stories we saw in the press, about how everything is in a tailspin and everything is a catastrophe is not the ultimate reality. It’s quite the opposite. Time and time again we have seen how the oil industry gets back on its feet and creates new opportunities and rapid rebound numbers. The outcome is that oil and gas companies are actually making money on much lower world oil prices, and are recovering decently.

The OGM: What are the key factors that are contributing to this recovery?
Peter Hall: The old adage says that necessity is the mother of invention. And that has been true with the oil price drop. It’s what leads us to innovation. But when you plunge into crisis-pricing you get something even better – you get transformation. The transformation we are seeing includes viable supply chain options, increased innovation and advances in technology, and capitalizing on the new digital economy. A past example of a critical innovation is the development of horizontal drilling techniques that lowered costs and optimized wells in unprecedented ways.

The OGM: What is the export potential for energy companies and suppliers? 
Peter Hall: While growth has struggled for many years beyond the last recession, we see a world that has huge oil demand. We forecast that activity is on the way up and the global economy is in true recovery. Evidence of pent-up demand exists in the United States and Western Europe. Emerging market populations may not all be growing, but hundreds of millions are getting wealthier, bringing a large boost to global demand. These are all factors. As well there is a re-inclusion of sectors of the population that have been left behind because of meagre growth in the post-recession years. Given all these factors, the growth that is budding in the US, Western Europe, and key emerging markets suggests that prices in the oil sector could actually be more robust than we expect them to be. Our forecasts show sustained growth over the next five years.

The OGM: How does globalization impact economics?
Peter Hall: I believe that one of the biggest impacts is an exaggerated business cycle. Globalization and technological advancement have produced longer longs, higher highs, and lower lows in the world economy. The problem with this is understanding exaggerated business cycles. It has taken a long time to include or re-include the Great Recession’s displaced workers. At long last, that’s happening. The US and Western Europe are indicating declining unemployment rates. Better yet, in the United States, we are seeing an about-face in jobs for millennials, which will greatly stimulate the economy. The reality is, the confidence in the United States economy is at some of its highest levels ever. In the US and Western Europe, these are the greatest times since the great recession.

That’s a good news story for oil demand overall. We’ve been waiting seven years for a true recovery, and I believe it is here now. And better times are ahead. We predict that this growth cycle could last anywhere from 3-8 more years. Some people may call me wildly optimistic for saying that, but if you accept the notion of exaggerated economic cycles, it’s easier to understand my perspective.

Learn more about going global in this informative, free webinar!

Spence Corrosion Canada: Expands into Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 13:32:32 +0000

It’s great news when you hear about companies expanding and investing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Branching out of Nisku Alberta, Norm Spence, President of Spence Corrosion Services Ltd. has seen the potential for expansion in Newfoundland and Labrador. With a new location in the city of St. John’s, Norm expects that his company will be hiring 40 – 100 people to facilitate contracts in the corrosion business in the oil and gas sector as well as other industries province-wide.

Gerry Sullivan the National Business Development Manager is radically supporting efforts in the region, bidding on contracts and setting up operations. He say’s it’s been an exciting time, a time of enormous work and commitment to enter and succeed in a new market. But it’s worth it. This summer Spense had an official launch and opening, announcing to industry their vision and intentions. Since then they have been diligently developing the infrastructure necessary for new contracts.

Currently working on projects in the province and positioned for new projects, Gerry Sullivan says, “It’s our time to build and grow in this region. We have been implementing an assertive business plan and we expect to support the corrosion challenges that come with offshore developments, weather conditions and other corrosion factors. We have a new office location on Job Street in St. John’s and I am excited about starting this endeavour from the ground up!”

Having secured a maintenance contract with the Hebron project and poised for West White Rose, Spence is committed to battling corrosion problems within major oil and gas projects.
Additionally, the company is working with Vale in the mining sector and are positioned for other diverse industrial sectors.

Corrosion is a part of industrial operations in any project and it’s also a challenge to mitigate risks associated with Corrosion. Spence Corrosion is designed to mitigate corrosion risk as well as prevent and maintain operations where corrosion is a factor.

Rob Strong: Grandfather of Newfoundland offshore oil industry

Tina Olivero — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 10:53:40 +0000

Rob Strong was developing Newfoundland’s offshore before many of us were even born.

He’s fondly known as the grandfather of our industry. He is knowledgeable, tenacious and a tell-it-like-he-sees-it kind of guy. Now offering his lifelong experience as a consultant to the industry, Rob Strong can be found with his fingers in just about every energy opportunity in the region. He also has his fingers in projects around the globe.

We were fortunate enough to get Rob’s perspective on the pressing energy concerns of this time. We invite you to read Rob’s thoughts on the emergence of an industry and the future of Offshore Newfoundland.

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What had you get involved in the oil and gas industry?

ROB STONG: It was the late 70’s and Hibernia had just been discovered. They were exciting times and I was lucky enough to get a job with Crosbie Offshore. Crosbie Offshore was deeply involved in many aspects of the offshore industry including the supply of offshore vessels. They were also involved in the providing goods and services to the industry, office buildings, catering and crewing was all part of the mix. You could not buy the learning experience that this gave me at the time.

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What was the most significant milestone that led to the oil and gas industry starting in Eastern Canada?

ROB STRONG: In my mind, there is only one answer to this question and that answer has to be the signing of the Atlantic Accord. Without the Accord, along with the Petroleum Incentives Program, there would not have been any Hibernia, Terra Nova, White Rose or Hebron or, at least, we in Newfoundland would not have played the significant role that we did.

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What was your involvement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association (NOIA)?

ROB STRONG: I was President of NOIA on at least two occasions and sat on the board for some 16 years. These were the very early days when Noia had no staff and a very small budget. Luckily, along came our first true Executive Director, Ruth Graham, who held it all together in the early days. We also had a very dedicated board to work with back then.

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What do you think the hot prospects are on the horizon for the oil and gas industry?

ROB STRONG: Offshore Newfoundland is an expensive area to work in and we need a major find to justify the high cost of doing business offshore Newfoundland. I used to think that deepwater offshore Newfoundland might be a hot prospect; however, with the drilling of several dry wells in recent years, my excitement for this area is dimming. I vividly remember the hype about the Flemish Pass a couple of years ago and people talking about billions and billions of barrels of oil. So far, Statoil has only been able to firm up some 300m barrels.

Obviously, it is important for drilling to happen in this basin offshore Newfoundland. We also have to have a highly competitive operating cost, as well as a very competitive regulatory regime. Oil companies demand clear direction as to the regulatory regime. For example, there is currently uncertainty as to who will have regulatory control over environmental matters. My feeling is that the CNLOPB has been doing an excellent job to date and to attempt to change the Board’s role now does indeed send a negative message to the industry.

What we need to focus on here, is the time between discovery and first oil. It needs to be shortened if we are to attract new activity. We have to remember that we work in a competitive environment and that we are not the only place in the world to drill for and produce oil.

  TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What do you think of the price of oil and its future price?

I am not overly optimistic on oil pricing insomuch as there is a glut of oil in the marketplace right now. That, combined with the shale (oil and/or gas) play, I feel as most people do that oil will stay in the $70 to $80 range for the foreseeable future. I hope I am wrong!

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM: What do you think of the Energy East Pipeline?

ROB STRONG – I am really disappointed in what has happened insomuch as Canada has limited access to the markets – either through an east-west pipeline or through BC to the West Coast. Combine that with the delay on starting Keystone and the current discussions regarding NAFTA, I think we all should be concerned about the situation.   I am disappointed in our Federal Government who seems intent upon placing barriers on the flow of oil and gas. And speaking of the Federal Government, I have to add my displeasure in what is happening vis-à-vis the CEAA business wherein some in Ottawa think that they are better equipped to provide environmental stewardship than the C-NLOPB. I feel we need better co-operation between Federal and Provincial levels of Government.

Newfoundland and Labrador should ensure that the rest of Canada is aware of the fact that we produce as much light sweet crude as we do. It’s significant.

Rob Strong at the 2017 Guyana Oil and Gas Conference

TINA OLIVERO – THE OGM – What’s happening in Guyana that has piqued your interest?

ROB STRONG – I have travelled to Guyana five times in the past year. I think that the Guyana/Suriname Basin has to be one of the hottest prospects in the world right now and they have just begun. With an initial discovery in 2015, they are talking about first oil in 2020 and that is just the start. There is already discussion of a second FPSO.

When you have seven wells and six have penetrated oil-bearing sands, it’s significant.
From discovery in 2015 and first oil in 2020, if that doesn’t excite someone in the oil and gas business, what will?

Guyana is a new frontier somewhat similar to where we were 40 years ago. They need so much help in not only understanding the industry but, more importantly, servicing the industry for the next 20 to 30 years.

With no proven oil reserves just over two and a half years ago, Guyana now has approximately three billion barrels of recoverable oil and this number is expected to further increase as the hunt for more petroleum intensifies. As well, neighbouring Suriname is expected to be as prolific as Guyana.

The country’s Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has told me that the most recent discovery by US super-major ExxonMobil off the Guyana coast pushed the declared reserves to around the three billion barrel mark.

Previous estimates by Exxon pointed to a ceiling of 2.75 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the Stabroek Block. This was before the Turbot discovery which was announced on October 5.

Although the company did not venture to declare the quantity of oil believed to have been discovered, it did say drilling encountered a reservoir of 75 feet (23 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone, pointing to quantities that would push the initial 2.75 billion barrels ceiling well over the 3 billion barrel mark.

In my view, more east coast Canadian companies should be aggressively looking at opportunities in Guyana. Yes, I know it is an underdeveloped country and has its frustrations but when one looks at the “size of the prize”, it has to be worth it.

Guyana Oil & Gas Play

Recycle Your Workwear: It’s The Right Thing To Do

Tina Olivero — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 09:28:05 +0000

The Brad Gushue Team taking the Brier 2017

What does curling have to do with recycling?

Well, nothing really.

But the latest green-innovation for industrial workwear has just raised a game-changing flag. It’s a new-age solution for industrial waste management that has captured the attention many including, World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Brad Gushue.

Brad Gushue won the 2006 Winter Olympics gold medal for curling. Brad and team Gushue took home Canada’s first Olympic gold in men’s curling and Newfoundland’s first gold medal in any sport. Since his Olympic experience, Brad has become a Canadian household name. He is currently the owner of several companies in Newfoundland including Orangetheory Fitness in St. John’s, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in St. John’s and Mt. Pearl, a he is a real estate investor and a public speaker. As well as an entrepreneur Brad is a strong supporter for innovative solutions that serve our people.

Brad recalls, “I met Tom Legare at a golf tournament near Red Deer, Alberta. We had a great time together and I could see Tom’s passion for his safety apparel business. As I learned more about his business I felt they were doing something really great. With everything going on in the world today, it is becoming more and more apparent that we need to take care of the place we live. We all need to start thinking about the world we are going to leave to our kids and our grandkids. If we can make use out of something that has been used before, we should do it. That’s what this project is all about. I admire this project because the end result is that the product they make is just as good, if not better, and everyone gets a chance to do that little bit extra to help.”

The new workwear solution – Recycled workwear

Recycling Industrial Workwear – It’s a really GREAT idea!

Most of us in the industrial business world, wear safety clothing but we don’t really take the time to think about where our safety gear goes after we are finished with it. Discarded Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) workwear is typically disposed of in landfills which mean that 85% of our collective apparel ends up creating mountains of clothes.

Workwear is often non-biodegradable, chemically treated, and potentially toxic. Discarded safety clothing usually ends up in the garbage and ultimately landfills. This makes industry and government huge contributors to industrial waste and to landfills. This is not only long-term harmful to the environment it also is expensive in terms of disposal costs!

Industrial waste accounts for about two-thirds of waste in landfills. Over the last 50 years since the development of man-made, fire resistant fibers and fabrics for workwear this type of industrial waste has had a big impact on landfills. Industrial workwear that is fire retardant or chemically treated also may also carry harmful chemicals that, over time, could also leach from the landfill and potentially be damaging to the environment.

The landfill disposal solution becomes a concern when you consider that landfills create Methane. Methane gas is far more dangerous to the environment than C02 emissions. Methane gas is 21 times more potent than CO2 and 22% of methane pollution in Canada comes from landfills. Reducing methane emissions is key in the fight to reduce greenhouse gases. If we reduce waste sent to landfills, we can reduce methane gases from being released into the environment.

Recycled inventory in various colours and sizes

Here’s the good news!

Recognizing that safety and fire resistant workwear is a potential hazard to the environment, Canadian entrepreneurs Ted Parker and Dave Kasper, set out to find a better solution for used work wear than landfills. The answer came in recycling. Taking old fire retardant work clothes and recycling them into brand new fire-resistant clothing. What a full-circle concept!

Through innovation, much persistence, significant investment, and extensive R&D efforts, the founders of General Recycled came up with a game-changing solution. A solution that allows companies and their employees to be “green” with work wear.

This is a recycling solution that is a win-win for all stakeholders involved:
1. It’s a win for the companies that purchased industrial clothing and now have a new green disposal solution.
2. It is a win for the environment that benefits from the reduction of methane and CO2 emissions.
3. It’s a win for future wearers of PPE clothing in that the recycled goods are equal to and or better than regular PPE work wear, meeting PPE safety clothing standards and demands.

It’s a practical, cost-effective, feel-good solution all the way around. Your company would be environmentally conscious!

Recycled Fire Resistant Jackets

Meeting standards

Recycle enthusiast Ted Parker said, “Rather than disposing of used garments and sending them to landfills, the technology that we have developed allows us to recycle the fiber from used coveralls and reprocess it into new ones. Based on thorough testing of the recycled fabric, it has been proven that the recycled material has the same properties and performance characteristics as that made from virgin aramid fibers, and meets or exceeds the North American “flash fire” and “arc flash” standards for personal protective equipment. (CGSB 155.20-2000, NFPA 70 E).”

Partners make perfect

Recycling technology was an exciting breakthrough in the research completed by General Recycled. The next step was to ensure they had a partner in the workwear apparel business that could elevate the solution into industrial sectors like the oil and gas industry. With consideration or the partner that was in the apparel business and had a Canada wide presence, Ted and Dave chose to partner with Apparel Solutions International.

Apparel Solutions International’s (ASI) has a 30-year history in the PPE clothing industry. CEO of Apparel Solutions, Thomas Legare said, “For many years I have pondered solutions for the accumulation of used PPE clothing. A few years ago I did extensive research and even approached the Alberta Government as to some possible solutions and at that time nothing was available. Two years ago we met Ted and Dave from General Recycled and saw that they did have a viable solution, we are delighted to partner with General Recycled to spread the good word, take on the challenge of further promoting the recycling of PPE and other clothing. We now need industry and government’s partnership for success.”

Through a unique combination of vision and talent these partners we were able to see a better future for PPE clothing, recycling, and industry. The process has enabled them to provide an environmentally responsible and economically sound closed loop cycle solution for fire-resistant workwear that meets industry standards.

Cofounder Dave Kasper said, “The formula for delivering this green project is built on key processes for creating recycled garments, through industry partnerships, we:
Collect, clean and shred
Reconstitute, creating fibre
Spin the fibre back into usable yarn
Weaving or knit and dye the fabric
Converting back into certified wearables and goods.”

When it feels right, do it!

When great minds like Tom Legare, Ted Parker, and Dave Kasper get together and make the world a better place, and when celebrity athletes like Brad Gushue embrace green initiatives like this, it makes us realize that we can all make a positive impact in our own way.

Clearly, we all play an important role in transforming the way we live and work. Ask yourself where your safety clothing is going in your organization and ensure you have a solution that is sustainable for your company and your community.

Recycling Workwear – It could be the next industry standard for clothing on the job!
____________________________________________________________________________

www.apparelsolutionsinternational.com

Yes! I’m very interested in my company recycling workwear.
Please contact me with details:

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Progressly: Process, Operations Management Game Changer

Tina Olivero — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:07:55 +0000

The process of business is no longer a process. It’s a progressive cloud solution.

Increasing efficiencies and productivity are the name of the game in the oil patch these days. With the oil price drop and no major price increase in sight, companies have had to re-invent themselves and find thier ‘new normal’ for operations.

For strategic energy companies, that new set-point includes embracing technology to increase operational capacity. Operational efficiencies of 20-50% gains are considered a significant contribution to profitability margins.

According to the 2017 PwC Oil and Gas Trends report, “Companies will explore new forms of technology deployment….Digitization should be a lever for innovation that improves productivity and efficiency in the field.” For instance, robotics are likely to become more commonplace in the industry, handling complex and repetitive tasks such as connecting pipes and replacing broken machinery, which in turn will reduce labor requirements. In some cases, technology will be acquired through partnerships. GE has announced an array of agreements with large and small oil companies to implement digital devices, databases, and sensors that could predict equipment breakdowns before they occur and expand exploration and production efficiency in deep sea and offshore oil platforms.” And then there are platforms…

Platforms going beyond oil rigs

Computer platforms are raging these days. They offer the exponential model of scale that every entrepreneur dreams of having. On the business to consumer platform scene think Uber, Airbnb, and Facebook. In the business to business platforms arena think Dropbox, Alibaba, DHgate, Global Sources, and more.

Powered by online technologies, cloud-based, game-changing platforms are sweeping across the global economy and changing everything we know about business. It’s exciting to think about what’s next…

Nick Candito – Founder and CEO of Progressly

An operations solution that is taking the oil patch by storm has bloomed out of Silicon Valley. It’s called Progressly. Progressly is the world’s first cloud-based Operational Performance Management solution, working on the premise that the process of business is no longer a process. It’s a progressive cloud solution.

Progressly is an all-inclusive centralizing platform that delivers real-time insights and an increase in efficiency by ensuring all company stakeholders are localized to a project. In other words, every process component is tied into the platform and therefore there is no lost information. Think about how much time we spend looking for stuff. Progressly fixes that.

You can better understand Progressly by seeing it as a solution that centralizes your own critical information, and delivers real-time operational feedback, all the while increasing efficiencies in a way that meets the growing demands of your own specific business – it’s customizable.

Progressly’s mission is to become the de-facto system of record for enterprise business processes. Enterprises today are plagued with difficult to use, antiquated business process solutions that hinder them to run their operations efficiently and effectively.

Nick Candito, founder and CEO of Progressly is a passionate leader who’s driven to build diverse products and teams that win. Nick says, “At Progressly, our vision is to empower every customer to innovate faster, perform better, and solve bigger problems than ever before. We see the opportunity for the energy sector to consolidate operations in new and innovative ways. Progressly takes that on.”

Ruslan Belkin

Progressly gained the interest of Silicon Valley Veteran Ruslan Belkin, who is a former Salesforce, Twitter and LinkedIn executive who believed that oil and gas companies today are hindered with difficult to use, siloed business systems that fail to simplify communication around processes and improve how businesses operate.

Now the Chief Technical Officer at Progressly, Ruslan said, “Progressly is poised to completely transform the way enterprises organize and execute their business processes and gain insights to improve business outcomes. I’m excited to join this incredible team that is deep-rooted in a culture built on transparency, execution, and teamwork.”

Nick Candito, acknowledges Belkin, “Ruslan provides strong vision and solid experience that will help us seize the opportunity to disrupt a market that’s long overdue for innovation. With this investment, we are in a great position to accelerate the adoption of our platform and help enterprises automate their processes that result in more profitable revenue, greater competitive advantage, and higher efficiency.”

Ruslan Belkin, Silicon Valley veteran and Chief Technical Officer at Progressly

Applications for your company operations

Nick says, “Progressly is the first SaaS platform that enables companies such as Valero, Comcast, and Shell to standardize and centralize processes with their operations. The platform provides powerful data-driven insights so teams can benchmark progress, improve the speed of collaboration, remove human error and manual activity and ultimately make better decisions about driving effective business change. Progressly currently integrates with existing productivity and collaboration tools including Outlook, SharePoint, Slack, Google Chrome, Confluence, and Jive.”

Integrating Progressly into your organization means you can:

Replace paper-based forms and spreadsheets with an easy to use web interface (no coding required)
Centralize health and safety activities to increase transparency and accountability
Improve safety and mitigate risks by reducing the time to action
Complete steps and capture data as work is done in real-time
Access data anytime, anywhere and on any device
Reduce operational costs by avoiding paperwork
and improve business performance overall

What do executives think about Progressly?

500 global executives over a span of two months were surveyed to discover how they are pursuing key initiatives in operational excellence and the problems they’re encountering in achieving their operational goals. 65 percent of the executives surveyed were in the energy sector. “The survey findings further validate that businesses are increasingly aligning their strategy with operational excellence to drive scalable, enterprise-wide transformation like never before,” said Nick Candito.

Survey findings concluded that “Organizations are seeking operational excellence and digital transformation – and getting IT aligned on business goals and driving excellence will be a key initiative to getting there,” Nick said. “It’s also important to have visibility of what’s going on across the whole business in real-time and then adapt as needed. Change doesn’t mean an overhaul of everything in one go, nor ripping and replacing existing software. It’s much easier for organizations to model and build flexibility and efficiency within their existing infrastructure.”

Would you like to learn more about Progressly solutions for your company?

Yes! I’m very interested in speaking with a representative at Progressly!
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Holyrood Blue Ocean Valley has an amazing vision!

Tina Olivero — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 12:06:23 +0000

As you drive out of the Town of Holyrood, Newfoundland, on the back of the welcome sign is a very powerful quote. It’s a quote by Abraham Lincoln that says, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Gary Corbett – Chief Administration Officer, Town of Holyrood

Nothing could be more fitting for the Town of Holyrood, Newfoundland where we have seen progress after progress of a committed and focused team creating a future that otherwise would not have happened.

At the helm of some of the most significant projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to date, is visionary Gary Corbett, who leads the team of the Town of Holyrood in unprecedented and sustainable ocean and business initiatives. Gary says, “The future is NOW. Holyrood is a place where you can discover ocean business and investment opportunities. It’s a hub for entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, innovators and companies who want to avail of accelerated growth and international competitiveness.”

Think innovation valley, cold ocean research, ocean innovation, start-up company hub, industrial/fabrication/manufacturing facilities, and new community commercial growth plans. These are the things that are firmly rooted in the vision for Holyrood and are all at various stages of development.

Modelled after some of the top world ocean research and innovation facilities in the world, the Holyrood Oceana is a cold ocean research and innovation hub that has the intention of being a mecca-centre for the great minds of ocean science and marine matters much like the worlds leading facility, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

The Blue Ocean Innovation Valley

The Holyrood Blue Ocean Innovation Valley plan includes:
The Beachhead Innovation Center & Suites – Start-up support for business.
The Blueocean Innovation Valley – An industrial, fabrication, manufacturing, and lay down.
The Stores at Holyrood – A 20-acre commercial development at the heart of the town centre.
The Oceana Cold Oceans Research & Innovation Hub – Cold Ocean Innovation & Research.

Holyrood Marine Facility

Today marks a significant milestone for Holyrood as the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, will celebrate the completion of the latest phase of construction of the Holyrood Marine Facility as well as announce their plans for future developments.

Attending this major milestone event will be Glenn Blackwood, vice-president, Memorial University (Marine Institute), Ken McDonald, MP for Avalon, Hon. Minister Christopher Mitchelmore, Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Gary Goobie, Mayor, Town of Holyrood and Gary Corbett, Chief Administration Officer, Town of Holyrood.

Take a tour?

Vessel tours, demonstrations in ocean technology and safety and survival will also take place today and the media and public are welcome to attend. Friday, October 6 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Holyrood Marine Facility, Northside Road, Holyrood, NL.

Would you like to learn more Holyrood investment & business opportunities?

Yes! I’m very interested in speaking with a representative from Holyrood!
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The world’s largest free trade agreement is now in effect

Tina Olivero — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 16:23:49 +0000

The world’s largest free trade agreement, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), comes into effect today. (September 21, 2017)

CETA will result in new opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador businesses as well as other Canadians, who will benefit from the immediate elimination of 98 percent of all tariffs on Canadian goods as well as a further one percent reduction over the next seven years.

CETA will provide Canadian companies with a first mover advantage over competitors from markets including the United States that do not have a trade agreement in place with the European Union.

The agreement will allow Canadian companies to establish customer relationships, networks, and joint projects first.

Overall, the elimination of tariffs will make Canadian products more competitive in the European Union, giving Canadian exporters a significant advantage over other exporters still facing tariffs. This will allow Canadian companies to expand or create new markets for their goods in the European Union.

What is CETA?

CETA : A Progressive Trade Agreement for the Middle Class

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will create jobs, strengthen economic relations and boost Canada’s trade with the world’s second-largest market. CETA is a progressive free trade agreement which covers virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU trade in order to eliminate or reduce barriers. For example, prior to CETA’s entry into force, only 25 percent of EU tariff lines on Canadian goods were duty-free. Upon CETA’s entry into force, the EU will remove tariffs on 98 percent of its tariff lines. Once CETA is fully implemented, the EU will have eliminated tariffs on 99 percent of its tariff lines.

Benefits of CETA

Examples of some of the benefits of CETA include:
· Elimination of tariffs on fish and seafood production, providing unprecedented access to the world’s most lucrative fish and seafood market;
· Elimination of tariffs on metal and mineral products creating new opportunities to export Newfoundland and Labrador’s considerable natural resources; and
· Tariff relief for manufacturers, as well as for businesses that provide forestry and wood products.

In the coming weeks, the Provincial Government will lead a series of information sessions to highlight the opportunities for local businesses to expand their reach into the European Union.

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s business community relies heavily on trade and greater access to the European Union will create exciting possibilities for economic growth. Our government is a partner of business and we are fully committed to working with local companies to help them capitalize on new opportunities and support job creation” said the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation said, “With the implementation of CETA today, our province is able to take advantage of the opportunities that this trade agreement brings, including significant reductions in tariffs on exports. The EU is Canada’s second-largest trade and investment partner and for important Newfoundland and Labrador sectors including fish, agriculture, and forestry, CETA offers significant new opportunities for growth and to move towards more value-added production. Our department is eager to work with businesses in our province to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Learn more
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

LiDAR Drones: The Exponential Efficiency Factor

Tina Olivero — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 13:44:23 +0000

When you consider the sun, and its powerful ability to light up the world, it’s not that far of a stretch to imagine the world where we harness light to enhance our experiences in the world. We’ve harnessed light with the invention of the light bulb. We have advanced with light into laser technology. And now we have moved forward into laser pulses that map our world in new and creative ways. This laser pulse mapping advancement has meant that companies looking to increase efficiencies of operation now have a solution that just might elevate results exponentially.

Drones operating offshore

How it works

Imagine being able to fly over a remote location and immediately see its potential for a real estate development project by mapping the terrain with exact precision.
Imagine capturing the full width, scope, and scale of an iceberg headed straight for your oil rig giving you all the information you need to change its course. Imagine using LiDAR information to help identify potential mineral deposits. Imagine assessing an environmental crisis by seeing it from a unique vantage point and being able to mitigate damages as a result. Imagine the freedom of being able to evaluate operations on a rig that would be otherwise daunting to humans because of variables like height and location.
Imagine being able to monitor pipelines with unprecedented accuracy. (See Video here)
Imagine building an oil platform, GBS or topsides, and having drone photo-progress and LiDAR reports on a regular basis that optimize efficiencies of operation.
It’s now all possible…

LiDAR Landscape Image

Drones with LiDAR

Mapping, measuring, manipulating and modifying, that’s what the “light inventors” had in mind when they created LiDAR for drones.

LiDAR on drones is a new technology that uses a laser light scanner to replicate the landscape that it measures. A laser scanner attached to a drone (or UAV) uses light pulses to observe, measure, picture and reproduce a scene. This is the fundamental principle behind LiDAR, but the applications are truly limitless.

Quickly being adopted by world leaders in oil and gas and engineering sectors, drones equipped with LiDAR have become one of the “next best things” for harnessing efficiencies and reducing projects costs all the while addressing safety measures at an entirely new level.

With Drones and LiDAR, the oil and gas industry can fly over an iceberg and measure with accuracy its height and full composition making it super easy to track, move or assess the best course of action to take with that iceberg. Because Drones are Unmanned, projects are less risky, more profitable and safer.

LiDAR can support global projects such as the construction of the West White Rose gravity base structure. This advanced technology would permit site location analysis, project development efficiencies, identify possible safety hazards, advance progress and processes, be an essential tool in situational monitoring, support asset management, enhance environmental assessment, as well as offer a critical vantage point for safety.

The applications of LiDAR are unlimited, and it depends on the ingenuity and creativity of a team to adapt the technology to its highest function and user-ability. Engineering teams who seek to architect, build and execute projects will utilize LiDAR in new and unique ways, ultimately saving time, money and lives.

RPM brings LiDAR to Newfoundland & Labrador

For the first time in history, unmanned aerial LiDAR will become airborne in Newfoundland, with the use of Drones. The brainchild of visionaries Claudette Hickey and Brian Lundrigan, owners of RMP Aerial Services, have adopted the LiDAR technology in the province. It is “the next best thing,” happening to large-scale construction and oil and gas projects.

LIDAR Technology in action

Brian says, “Drones and their payloads are becoming so incredibly advanced that they can support the construction and operation of offshore platforms more effectively and efficiently than before. ”

Brian proudly described a drone’s purpose offshore, “This past summer we completed our first mission of placing a GPS tracker on icebergs offshore. With the assistance of John Olivero and Rick Stanley of the Ocean Quest team, we were able to use our drones to position GPS trackers on the iceberg which allowed us to track that iceberg with phenomenal accuracy. We expect drone advances in the offshore to continue to improve and we predict they will be the foundation of operations in the coming years”.

RPM Aerial Services tracking icebergs

Claudette Hickey has dedicated her life to her company RPM. She’s committed to the advancement of this technology in our province and says, “We can define a Drone as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) combined with a ground control station. With applications far-reaching this technology has now proven itself a profitable solution for exploration and production in the oil and gas sector. We are extremely excited to work with the energy and construction industries to optimize project efficiencies. Some of the immediate applications we see with Drones include; assisting in offshore oil process efficiencies, asset monitoring, and maintenance, procedural efficiencies, iceberg tracking, elevating operation and production results, environmental integrity and assessment, safety regimes and reducing costs overall.”

Claudette says, “We envision the application for our drones to be in some leading industry sectors including; oil and gas, real estate, construction, and property restoration. LiDAR is so new that we haven’t even begun to understand the full capabilities of its applications in those sectors, but we are excited to discover them. Our core focus will be to provide Aerial Services for companies requiring high-end UAV services and to work on larger projects that want to save on project expenditures with the use of our drones and LiDAR.”

The drone hovering over a construction site used for video surveillance and industrial inspection.

RPM AERIAL INC.:
For more information on Drones and LiDAR in Atlantic Canada, please go to www.rpmaerialinc.ca

Oil Care = Health Care

Tina Olivero — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 19:32:37 +0000

What would happen if we took away a huge chunk of our health care services, closed many of our schools, reduced our number of teachers, reduced construction and maintenance on roads and highways, and downsized government and social services?

That’s the question people are “NOT” asking when it comes to the oil and gas industry in Canada.

Convenient Diversion

Rather than focusing on the impact of life ‘with less’ oil exploration and production, we find ourselves in other divergent conversations. Conversations like increasing provincial taxes, federal environmental regulation, and minority group concerns.

Oil has emerged as one of the most important commodities in modern day life. We use it for our cars, buses, planes, trains and other forms of transportation. We use oil to fuel the much-needed electricity that lights our homes. Oil is the foundation of our businesses, factories, and machines. And what most people don’t consider, is that oil and gas are the bridge to the renewable energy sector.

Oil is a raw material used to produce fertilizer which supports our food production and supply. Not only do we use oil fuel for cars, trucks, and planes but by-products from oil refining are used in the production of plastics and chemicals, as well as many lubricants, waxes, tars, and asphalts.

Gas provides electricity and is also used for cooking, heating homes and buildings, and gas remains a foundation for our day to day living.

Oil and gas fuel many industrial operations, including glass and steel foundries, aluminium or nickel smelters, and many manufacturing industries.

Gas takes the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transportation fuel that keeps Canada moving forward.

Oil is a fundamental component of plastics which is an integral part of computers, phones, appliances, homes, day to day products like razors and kitchenware.

Synthetic fibres for clothing such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester all use oil.

Oil and gas are essential for living the standard of life we have created for ourselves.

Ask the far more important questions

Think about a limited oil supply that impacts the gas for your car or the planes that take, or the clothes that you wear. Think about oil and how it is a big part of that phone in the palm of your hand. Think about a declining Canadain oil industry, and it impacts on the economy and our social systems.

Think about the loss of meaningful work, if the oil industry were to collapse in Canada. It would mean millions of people; directly, indirectly and supporting the oil and gas sector, that will be impacted.

What would that do to our social confidence, our sense of purpose, our family relations and community health? These are far more pressing considerations that need the attention of the Canadian public.

Oil companies thrive with strong HSE, not at the expense of HSE.

What we know for sure is that the oil and gas industry is so important to the world’s oil demand, it has elevated at exponential rates over the last 50 years. As a result, it attracts the top engineers, construction teams, oil companies and major contractors to build the world’s oil and gas industry and make it profitable.

I believe the biggest fallacy in the perception of oil companies is that profitability comes at the expense of health, safety, and environmental responsibility. Nothing could be further than the truth.

Every smart CEO knows that profitability comes “as a result” of health, safety, and environment (HSE) being the top agenda. After all, what is the cost of sickness on the job? What is the cost of loss of life? What is the cost of environmental cleanups?

All of this is considered by oil companies in their exploration and development plans. Rest assured HSE is at the very top of the majority of oil industry players agenda in Canada. So much so, in fact, that Canada is now one of the most highly regulated and safest oil and gas sectors in the world.

Those complaining about oil and gas should not interrupt the people who are doing it.

The truth about the oil and gas industry in Canada is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world is a story needs to be told and understood. The public, special interest groups and minority groups need to understand the vast impact of oil and gas on the country and then consider personal agendas and how they may be impacted.

Take for example the most recent development and construction of the Hebron platform in Newfoundland. Hebron is a mammoth gravity base structure and topsides platform that is designed to withstand the toughest conditions in the world in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the project it required upwards of 7000 people to build the Hebron platform and cost over $14 billion to construct it over a five-year period. It required a conscious safe workforce to accomplish this, with some of the greatest minds on the planet executing this engineering feat. Undeniably one of the highest safety records in the world, the Hebron project boasts 40 million hours, without any lost time injuries. That’s truly incredible for a project of this size and scale. Where’s that story in the mainstream media? Why is that not the top conversation above all the complaints?

If Canada were strategic about health, safety, and the environment, it would use the oil and gas industry as a ‘model example’ of how our other sectors should be operating. By adopting oil and gas best practices to our other resource sectors, we would most likely be the greenest, safest, most environmentally responsible place on earth. We would be an example for the rest of the world to follow. That should be the Canadian energy goal.

Hebron oil platform with supply ships

The Canadian Strategy

Given the oil price decline and the shift into an entirely new model of business, the time is ripe to adopt a vocal advantage about a thriving industry that includes the world’s greenest oil and the world’s most socially responsible oil.

In Canada, we don’t have to go outside the country to hire cheaper labour. Quite the contrary we hire, contract and work with local people. In Eastern Canada, it is written into the legislation. The Atlantic Accord which governs operations in Eastern Canada requires operators and contractors ensure local benefits, employment, and royalties. Which in turn means not only jobs, an educated workforce and a thriving economy, but it also means royalties and taxes of which make up the third largest sector in Canada’s GDP.

In Canada, the entire oil and gas industry is a fair trade. Fair trade and environmental stewardship are in the DNA of the oil and gas sector. That’s something to be proud of, to celebrate, to make known publicly in the face of a minority of naysayers and dramatists with secular agendas.

 Oil and Gas: The impact on Canada

Canada has proven oil reserves of 171 billion barrels, which means it’s number three in the world, behind only Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. That’s huge! The oil sands deposits in the province of Alberta account for more than 95% of the country’s reserves, and the remaining comes from areas like Eastern Canada where the offshore oil and gas industry is the primary driver of the economy in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.   Oil is so important to Canada that most of Canada’s oil exports are sent to the US at 77%. And in partnership, the United States accounts for 66% of Canada’s goods imports.

Oil and gas extraction in Canada is the one of the nation’s largest contributor to the GDP. Real estate is 13%, Manufacturing is 10.4%, and mining and oil and gas is 8.2%.

Canada’s oil and natural gas industry paid an average of $15 billion to federal, provincial and local governments in the form of taxes and royalties each year from 2013 to 2016. Those funds are a very important part of the pie that goes towards the roads you drive on, the teachers and schools who support your children, and your medical expenses to name a few.

Alberta’s upstream oil and natural gas sector delivered:
$2.9 billion in non-renewable resource revenues
$185 million in corporate income tax
$2.8 billion in personal income tax from direct and indirect employment
$1.25 billion in municipal property tax on upstream assets alone
Support for more than 20,000 businesses in Alberta, including 327 Aboriginal companies, representing about $4 billion in activity in 2015.

Who’s investing in Canada and why?

In 2016, Canada’s exploration and production (E&P) sector invested $37 billion of capital expenditures, a testament to their belief and long-term commitment to Canada. Land sales offshore Newfoundland in 2016, equalled $758 million and eight successful bidders offshore. The international interest from bids is impressive in the current global environment and is a testament to the confidence in Canada’s resources and stable political environment.

With low oil prices, the investment in companies and exploration has declined. The government of Canada and provincial governments that are smart and proactive will not only provide new investment options that mitigate investment risk but will decrease regulatory processes, so projects come on stream faster. That is a formula for success in a depressed oil price market.

7 new global investors in Newfoundland’s Offshore oil industry

Canada’s environmental review process

In June 2016 directed the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, there is to be an immediate review of Canada’s environmental assessment processes to regain public trust and help get resources to market. The reality is, the lack of trust in the public comes from a lack of knowledge not a lack of policy.

What works on land in Alberta will not work offshore Newfoundland

What works on land in Alberta will not work offshore Newfoundland. There’s no one cookie-cutter solution. Rather each industry sector should scout out best practices, adapt, implement and get on with it with strong approval goals. What would it mean to investment if we ensured large project approvals took 12 months. Do you think that would be attractive to foreign investment? That one move alone, coupled with our safe political culture, could put Canada at the top of the investment list for oil companies.

Federal timelines for major energy project reviews have been longer than 36 months, and many have been substantially longer. That’s bogging us down and creating uncertainty for oil companies who want to invest here. It also undermines companies who are already established here and have a stellar track record when it comes to health, safety and Environment.

In a time when oil price is down, and we have are the world third largest holder of oil resources on the one hand, and on the other, we have the potential to be the next ‘North Sea,’ in eastern Canada, can we afford to wait for over extended regulatory approvals?

The single most self-sabotaging thing we can do is bog down the natural process of oil and gas business with red tape and taxes. A booming economy encourages investment incentives and reduces tax risk. This, in turn, creates exponential growth which ultimately feeds the GDP and Canadian social systems.

Where is the NATIONAL Energy Plan?

Alberta’s oil patch is not recovering from the recent downturn as fast as other jurisdictions. Not to be ignored, the writing is on the wall. A fast, disruptive solution for Canada is required. Where is our Strategic National Energy Plan?

A new report by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers has proven that oil and gas companies have not ramped up capital spending in Alberta with the same pace as they have in the United States.

This puts Canada at a disadvantage given the fracking industry in the US is booming, and with Trump’s pro-oil policies, it’s only going to get stronger.

Canada needs to step up and compete otherwise there will be a lot more than 13 companies diverting spending from northern Alberta to U.S. projects.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, have identified 31 regulatory and policy areas it believes can be improved or streamlined to make Alberta more attractive for oil and gas investment. That’s where the focus needs to be. Let oil companies be responsible and recommend streamlined processes.

Oil companies have done a great job with health, safety and environment, so there is a foundation of proof already built in the industry that can naturally be transferred to processes and regulatory regimes. As well, the CAPP plan is touted to create thousands of jobs while generating $4.5 billion in gross domestic product and $200 million in additional income tax revenues. We can’t afford ‘not’ to adopt that level of industry intelligence into our bottom line.

We can’t afford to wait for a perfect storm, a crisis or even a Tsunami that comes in the form of localised narrow views or secular lobbyists.

When you consider that the energy industry in Canada is already made up of highly qualified and experienced people you have to ask yourself one question. Do I want the oil and gas industry implementing our health, safety, and environmental strategies or do I want politicians with limited oil and gas experience to do that for me?

Sources, Graphics & Pictures:
CAPP
NOIA
National Energy Board
Statistics Canada

Pruftechnik in St. John’s, Newfoundland

Tina Olivero — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:25:34 +0000

TODAY’S COMPANY FEATURE

With intelligent and precise measurement and testing systems, PRUFTECHNIK offers innovative solutions to customers in machine alignment, condition monitoring and nondestructive testing. They are driven to set global standards in precision measurement for the maintenance of rotating equipment and quality assurance.

Established in 1972 by Dieter Busch, PRUFTECHNIK is a family-owned business now under the second generation stewardship of Dr. Sebastian Busch. Even as an established market leader in our field, they have retained their medium-sized business roots and traditions. With a lean structure, we remain flexible and efficient. Customers can trust PRUFTECHNIK, as they pride themselves in being a reliable and competent partner—always available and responsive to client needs.

PRUFTECHNIK has twenty operational marketing, service, development and production locations—exporting to more than 70 countries and employing more than 600 people worldwide.

Atlantic Canada Petroleum Show

Recently Tom Burke and Simon Bourgeoise of the Quebec PRUFTECHNIK location joined members of the offshore community to meet in the heart of Canada’s offshore oil and gas industry. On June 21– 22 at Mile One Centre, in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador the Atlantic Canada Petroleum show took place. It was an opportunity to get deep into the local offshore opportunities, be hands-on with new technology driving innovation in the market and network with your current and future clients, business partners and associates.

At ACPS 150 key exhibitors aligned themselves for future contracts like White Rose Extension and the exploration plays to come.

White Rose Extension Project – Wellhead Platform

Together with its co-venture partners, Husky Energy is developing the West White Rose Extension with a concrete gravity structure. The predicted 3 $Billion wellhead platform will serve as a fixed drilling rig and will be located approximately 350 kilometres south-east of Newfoundland & Labrador, in the White Rose field.

The wellhead platform will consist of a concrete gravity structure and topsides, which will include drilling facilities, wellheads and support services such as accommodations, utilities, a flare boom and helideck. The primary function of the platform will be drilling.

For the offshore supply base, servicing the oil and gas industry in Eastern Canada, this and other exploration plays make this region a lucrative place to focus on business development.

Wood Group wins Husky White Rose engineering contract

Tina Olivero — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:43:33 +0000

HOUSTON, June 29, 2017

Husky Energy has awarded Wood Group a multi-million dollar contract to complete detailed engineering for the topsides of White Rose, a concrete gravity-based structure wellhead platform planned for offshore eastern Canada. The project includes procurement services and engineering design work.

The Wood Group team has identified several project innovations to significantly reduce engineering person-hours and realise other savings at White Rose.

Robin Watson, chief executive of Wood Group, said, “We are combining our global expertise and capabilities from St. John’s, Canada; Houston; Sandefjord, Norway; and Bogotá, Colombia to complete White Rose in the next 12 months with a clear focus on adding value and delivering cost savings and efficient project delivery.”

Wood Group is an international energy services company with around $5bn sales and operating in more than 40 countries. The Group designs, modifies, constructs and operates industrial facilities mainly for the oil & gas sector, right across the asset lifecycle. We enhance this with a wide range of specialist technical solutions including our world-leading subsea, automation and integrity solutions. Our real differentiators are our range of services, the quality of our delivery, the passion of our people, our culture and values. We are extending the scale and scope of our core services into adjacent industries. Visit Wood Group at www.woodgroup.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

White Rose Project Highlights:

Expected gross peak production rate of about 75,000 bbls/day, (52,500 bbls/day Husky working interest). The net project cost of $2.2 billion to first oil ($3.6 billion over project life), including about $180 million reflected in 2017 capital guidance. (Total cost of $5.2 billion over the project life.) Concrete gravity structure supported wellhead platform to include drilling facilities, utilities, support services, and accommodations for personnel. Significant direct employment, business and other industrial benefits provided to Newfoundland and Labrador, including more than $3 billion in provincial royalties, equity and taxes and more than 10 million person-hours of employment during the engineering and construction phases. The project is expected to create approximately 250 permanent platform jobs once operational.

A purpose-built graving dock at Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador was completed in 2015 to enable construction of the concrete gravity structure. Construction will commence in the fourth quarter of 2017. Following construction, the concrete gravity structure will be towed to the White Rose field where the platform’s topsides will be installed before connecting to the SeaRose via existing subsea infrastructure.

Completed Dry Dock in Argentia. The site for the Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS).

For further information contact:

press.office@woodgroup.com

Direct-drive permanent magnet shaft generator solution works for environmentally superior tanker

Jonathan Collings — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:40:23 +0000

WE Tech Solutions (WE Tech), a leading energy efficiency solutions provider in the marine industry, and The Switch, a technology specialist of permanent magnet machines for advanced marine drive trains, announce the operational success at sea of their first direct-drive permanent magnet shaft generator solution. Ternsund, the first in a line of four Terntank Rederi AS chemical/product tankers destined for the Baltic Sea, was delivered from the Chinese AVIC Dingheng Shipyard in late June. Terntank’s goal when building this vessel has been to use a completely new standard in environmentally friendly technology that enables the shipowner to cut emissions to a new level. Its second vessel will set sail soon.

To reach this challenging goal, Terntank Rederi AS was one of the first shipowners to choose WE Tech’s energy efficient shaft generator solution based on game-changing PM-based technology. “Today, after rigorous tests in China and making the voyage to Europe, we confirm that the WE Drive™ and the direct-drive PM shaft generator solution are operating according to design,” says Mårten Storbacka, Managing Director of WE Tech.

Additionally, the delivery of Terntank’s second vessel, Ternfjord, has been planned for September 12, 2016, now that its sea trials have been successfully completed. “WE Tech’s shaft generator solution is working well on both Ternsund and Ternfjord. Terntank has set huge expectations on this technology and believes that this will be the future for the shipping industry,” says Tryggve Möller, Chairman of the Board of Terntank Rederi AS and Managing Director of Tärntank Ship Management AB. The next two ships will be delivered in October 2016 and January 2017.

With the WE Drive™ and the direct-drive PM shaft generator solution from WE Tech, the energy efficiency of the machinery on Ternsund reaches unmatched levels in the marine industry. WE Drive™ allows the shaft generator to operate over the full main engine speed range while generating electricity for the vessel’s electrical network with high efficiency.

With the WE Drive™ and the direct-drive permanent magnet shaft generator in Power Take Out (PTO) mode, the available power for the vessel’s electrical network is up to 780 kW, generated by a fuel-efficient two-stroke, low-pressure, dual-fuel main engine. In this mode, the auxiliary generators are not running. In Power Take In (PTI) mode, the WE Drive™ converts auxiliary generator power to propulsion power by employing the direct-drive permanent magnet shaft generator as a motor, with a maximum rated output of 1,000 kW.

According to Mika Koli, Business Development Manager from The Switch: “The market has now recognised that a PM shaft generator is the most energy-efficient way to generate power in a vessel.” The choice of The Switch PMM 1000 shaft generator, the most common model delivered to date, is very suitable for this type of tanker. It is installed directly on the propeller line and allows very high energy efficiency, especially in part loads.

For more information please contact:

Jonathan Collings | Managing Partner | Alesia Communications

FR +33 (0) 652 694 221 | Skype jonathancollings1 | Alesia, the specialist renewable energy and marine PR Agency

Kevin Costner Is Into Smart Membranes For Sustainable Water

Tina Olivero — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:00:46 +0000

In 2009, famed actor and environmentalist Kevin Costner and Eric Hoek, then a professor of engineering at UCLA, joined forces to develop a system aimed at cleaning up oil and gas contaminated water.

In 2010, this system was put to a different kind of test when it was used to clean up the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout this process, Costner and Hoek forged a strong alliance that continues to this day with Water Planet, Inc., a Los Angeles-based company that sells the world’s first smart membrane products.

Just a year after the BP spill, Hoek and his colleague Subir Bhattarcharjee, now Water Planet’s Chief Technology Officer, co-founded the company, with Costner and his long-time business partner Rod Lake as the company’s founding investors.

In just over five years, Water Planet has achieved remarkable and rapid success in commercialising two leading-edge water treatment technologies and is a finalist in the prestigious Global Water Awards as the Breakthrough Water Technology Company of the Year.

To put Water Planet’s accomplishment into perspective, the process of taking a water treatment technology from R&D to the marketplace typically takes a decade or more. Moreover, most technology advancements in the conservative water treatment industry are evolutionary, not disruptive, in nature.

But Water Planet already has orders for scores of systems that incorporate its revolutionary IntelliFlux® artificial intelligence based control software in projects from North America to the Middle East. In addition, its PolyCera® membranes have broken new ground by merging the robustness of rugged but costly ceramic membranes – able to treat the most challenging waters – at the much lower cost of polymeric membranes.

Today, Water Planet is pioneering the use of true artificial intelligence, or machine learning, in the water treatment industry.

”Artificial intelligence brings features that society has grown accustomed to in other areas of their lives to the water industry. The complex mathematics that goes into optimizing a water filtration process can’t be calculated offline by humans fast enough to be helpful,” said Hoek.

“Computers excel at rapid computations, including compiling waves of information and performing integration, derivatives, or logarithmic fits. Our experience already shows significant cost savings by using artificial intelligence to optimize membrane systems, which helps deliver more water at less cost,” he added.

In keeping with “Why Wastewater,” the theme of this year’s World Water Day, both Costner and Hoek remain deeply committed to advancing water sustainability through reuse.

“It took an environmental disaster to make the connection with Eric and now Water Planet, but I am proud to be involved with a team that is poised to make a fundamental difference for a world seeking solutions to ensure our water future,” Costner said.

About Water Planet

Based in Los Angeles, California, Water Planet (www.waterplanet.com) sells the world’s first smart membrane products, which enable the most reliable and cost-effective approach to industrial water reuse. PolyCera^® robust & easy-to-clean ultrafiltration membranes and IntelliFlux^® self-adaptive flux optimization for ultrafiltration membranes mean more water and less cost.

Drones

Tina Olivero — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 02:30:31 +0000

Cyberhawk Innovations, the world leader in aerial inspection and survey using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), otherwise known as drones, has welcomed Oil & Gas UK’s new guidelines on the use of drones in offshore environments.

Cyberhawk played a key role in the drafting of the ‘Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Management Standards and Guidelines’, which were produced by Oil & Gas UK in conjunction with a working group. As well as Cyberhawk, this group included duty holders who have used UAS, industry and aviation safety experts and a limited number of additional UAS operators.

Cyberhawk was the first company to operate UAS in the North Sea back in early 2012, and has been one of the most significant contributors to the development of the guidelines.

Company founder Malcolm Connolly, the only person in the working group with first-hand experience of operating UAS offshore, said: “The creation of these guidelines marks a step-change for the offshore inspection industry and reflects the fact that the vast majority of oil and gas operators, both offshore as well as onshore, are now using UAS. This has driven the need for an industry-specific set of standards.

“The UK offshore sector already boasts stringent safety and operating standards for other areas of aviation. The introduction of these guidelines marks an important milestone within the sector and a recognition that adoption of UAS technology will continue to grow with a clearer set of guidelines to work to.

“Training and competency play a key role in the new guidelines, as does the reliability of equipment being used and the track record and experience of the UAS operator in question. These guidelines significantly exceed the current minimum requirements set out by the UK CAA for general commercial UAS operations, which is a crucial factor in allowing the continued use of drones to improve the offshore inspection industry.”

“We are particularly pleased that Oil & Gas UK sought to involve the UAS operators themselves, which we believe has made a fundamental impact when compared with other industry specific UAS guidelines which have been produced elsewhere.”

With much success and accolades, Cyberhawk has had the good fortune to be recognized at both the 2012 and the 2016 Oil & Gas UK Awards, where its UAS inspection solutions were named winners of the SME Business Innovation and Efficiency category.

Health, safety, and environment director at Oil & Gas UK, Mick Borwell, said: “[UAS] technology is particularly attractive for its use in improving safety. For example, sending unmanned aircraft instead of people into confined spaces to conduct inspections reduces risk, and is also effective and efficient.”

Borwell said, “The guidelines have evolved from lessons learned in recent years and provide information about best practice, procedures and the certification needed to be compliant with UAS regulations. They are an important piece of work addressing the application of a new technology to the offshore environment which will help to ensure operations in the North Sea remain as safe as they can be.”

IBM: The Weather Company Predicts Conditions For Smart Rigs

Tina Olivero — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:23:56 +0000

Weather causes businesses to lose over half a trillion dollars every year, and up until now, we seem to have been at the mercy of the weather, rather than harnessing it or working within it.   Now we are finding better, more profitable ways to manage weather conditions. Innovative companies across all industries are learning how to harness climate impacts to improve decision-making and drive better business outcomes.

The Weather Company, an IBM Business predicts weather and optimizes performance. That’s a novel concept that is about to make smart rigs happen.

Think laterally. Did you ever imagine that there would be mini-weather-forecasting stations around the globe? What about an oil rig becoming a weather station?

That’s the latest innovation happening at IBM’s Weather Company, these days. This latest innovation is the opportunity to harness innovation and allow oil companies the ability to turn their offshore oil platforms into smart rigs.

When an oil company harnesses this technology, they have an on-rig, weather stations that forecast weather events in real time. The result? Better performance, better prediction, better operations and higher safety.

REDUCING CLAIMS FOR INSURANCE

Many applications exist where weather forecasting improves business. For example, to improve customer satisfaction and reduce claims, a property insurance company sends out weather alerts based on hyperlocal forecasts so clients can take action to avoid/minimize property damage due to severe weather. The company is also reducing the number of fraudulent claims by using historical weather data for verification.

UNDERSTANDING WEATHER’S IMPACT ON SPORTS SALES

A Europe sports retailer uses weather analytics to understand better sales impacts on 500 stores to boost sales, predict demand, enhance supply chain management, improve staffing, and optimize product placement.

HYPERLOCAL FORECASTS VIA GOVERNMENT

A government has upgraded its weather service to The Weather Company’s data and alerts to provide more accurate, hyperlocal forecasts to its citizens to improve safety.

OIL RIGS TURN INTO SMART PLATFORMS

The Weather Company, an IBM Business, is a company working closely with some oil companies to help them turn their rigs into ‘smart’ platforms that are better able to predict weather and its impact on their billion dollar assets. Through a holistic approach, The Weather Company is helping offshore operations centers, carefully analyze the weather, provide weather alerting, operate rig-based radar, and employ cognitive computing tools to improve their efficiency and output where the weather is concerned.  Mr. Jim Menard is the General Manager of Enterprise at The Weather Company. Jim joined The Weather Company in 1987 and has held management positions in both their Boston and San Francisco offices. Previously an on-camera meteorologist in the Tampa Bay area. Jim was the first to introduce computer graphic visualizations to television weather presentations. Additionally, he has implemented a variety of leading edge efforts such as aviation and energy forecasting and has been at the forefront of developing weather applications for both mobile and web, throughout his career.

Jim says, “Oil companies are turning their offshore oil platforms into ‘intelligent’ rigs, helping to compensate for a dramatic decline in the number of operational oil rigs. And they’re doing it in many creative ways. One such way is through advanced weather forecasting and cognitive computing tools that enable them to increase their operational capacity significantly.”

Oil companies are looking for new ways to optimize rig performance. If they are as successful as they hope, we will likely see a continued drop in the number of offshore rigs, with an inversely proportional rise in the operational capacity of each rig.

Jim explains the fundamentals, “Our goal is to break technology and bring it to do something good. That means harnessing technology and utilizing advanced Weather radars to see storms in detail. Regardless of location, remote access is no longer a limitation when the weather station is on the rig that you are working on”.

The mini weather radar is designed to be mounted on a platform and is a system that is about the size of a human. The dish is relatively small and transportable. Doppler radars are used to see the changes, advances, and intensity of weather. Computer algorithms immediately notify users of severe weather, which allows for response and real-time solutions. This system ensures that emergency preparedness, safety, and efficiencies are obtained, at optimal levels on a rig.

Companies are using weather insight to accurately predict outages, storms and other work inhibitors such as wave action. This system allows rig personnel to proactively allocate and deploy resources which ultimately saves lives and reduces cost.

On-demand forecasting is becoming the mainstream of operations for safety at sea. Rigs availing of the technology will have an incredible advantage that serves to keep people informed, safer and ultimately more protected. As well, with billions of dollars of assets onboard having a Weather predicting solution could prove to be a wise decision for rig owners.

To learn more:
https://business.weather.com/industry-solutions/energy

Remembering Flight 491 Tragedy – Service takes place March 12.

Tina Olivero — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:42:28 +0000

Noia Remembers Flight 491 Tragedy

Sunday, March 12 marks the eighth anniversary of the Flight 491 tragedy. Today, the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association (Noia) remembers the victims of this terrible accident.

“On behalf of Noia’s membership and our Board of Directors, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those who lost their lives as a result of this tragedy,” said Andrew Bell, Chair of Noia’s Board of Directors. “While this terrible accident occurred eight years ago, its impact is still strongly felt by all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, especially those involved in the offshore industry.”

On March 8, 2009, Flight 491 crashed off the province’s shores while enroute to the SeaRose FPSO in the White Rose oil field and Hibernia platform in the Hibernia oilfield. Noia representatives will join members of the general public at the Eighth Annual Cougar Flight 491 Memorial Service “Remembering and Living with Hope” which is taking place on Sunday, March 12 at Corpus Christi Church, 260 Waterford Bridge Rd., St. John’s. There will be pre-service music at 6:30 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

“March 12 will forever mark a dark day in the province’s history,” added Robert Cadigan, Noia President and CEO. “This tragic event serves to remind us of the risks taken by those who make a living from the province’s harsh offshore waters as well as the strong safety culture which is now a hallmark of the industry.”

Source: NOIA,
Photo: HUSKY ENERGY

Integrated logistics thrives at the Port of Argentia

Tina Olivero — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:00:55 +0000

Argentia, Newfoundland, supports the port area with an abundance of lay down and storage space. There are over 180 hectares available to provide the right service for businesses who avail of a globally strategic location. That’s why Integrated Logistics invested in operations in Argentia.

Integrated logistics provides traditional stevedoring or marine base style solutions, and manages project cargo, from ship hold all the way through to installation. This approach has allowed Integrated Logistics to expand from their “launch pad” terminal in Argentia to completing projects in Long Harbour, Long Pond, Bull Arm, Come-by-Chance, Goose Bay and, most recently, our first project in Corner Brook.

Andrew Short the General Manager of Integrated Logistics says, “We identified Argentia as our “launch pad” terminal. In our start-up phase, Argentia had everything that we were looking for. It has great existing quay infrastructure, significant back lands, and space for further developments. We believe that with the space available and the location in the province it is well suited for future success; many businesses can benefit from the advantages of being this close to ocean transport. Argentia has a lot of growth opportunity without infringing on residential dwellings. Internally we believe Argentia has too many great qualities not to grow its industrial capacity. We have worked with all three of the province’s recent mega projects, Vale Long Harbour Construction, Hebron in Bull Arm, and with freight for the Muskrat Falls and the Island Transmission Link projects.”

Andrew said, “The Argentia site is adjacent to many of the province’s most developed industrial sites. Marystown Ship Yard, Bull Arm Fabrication Center, Long Harbour Processing Plant, and the North Atlantic Refinery are all in the region, and hopefully, we can add Husky’s Drydock Facility to that list soon. Sometimes we forget that Argentia is also only 90 minutes by road from the largest consumer market in Newfoundland.” He added, “If you look at Argentia as a global site, first we look at all of the benefits of being Canadian: the political stability and legal structure will allow for foreign investment. Then consider the size of the site, with great marine infrastructure, room for growth and zero infringements on residential space. This makes it quite a unique site, as many ports need to find a balance between industrial operations and residents. Argentia has fewer constraints.”

Client Base

Integrated Logistics (IL) has a client base catagorized into 3 different groups. First is the primary natural resource developers: Mining, Oil and Gas, Forestry, and Fishing. These companies are typically moving the largest volumes of materials, and marine transport is most often part of the solution. If these companies have long-term needs they will look for a direct relationship with their service providers. This is typically the approach taken by IL to support operations. For these customers, there is no limit to the solutions or investments IL can make to support long-term operations. To date, they have focused most of their attention on the Mining, and Oil and Gas Sectors.

Secondly, IL works with resource developers that have special projects or seasonal needs. Companies typically hire a global freight forwarder or engineering group to manage that work. Integrated Logistics will then operate as a subcontractor either in the port or anywhere in the supply chain that it is asked to contribute. Due to the globalization of the transportation industry, IL participates in more marketing missions in Europe, and the USA than in Newfoundland. For these customers, they can apply global knowledge and combine it with the local market expertise for the right solution.

The third type of client is the local transportation providers who offer complementary services. With almost every major project there is some sort of cargo. The Integrated Logistics team works with road transport, crane providers, and heavy lift specialists. In some projects, they are the lead for the project, while in others, their suppliers are the lead and IL subcontracts the project.

Andrew explains, “We know our local logistics providers are our long-term partners in success in this industry. We try to be mindful that we might be king of the cargo today, but tomorrow we may be asking our subcontractors for a chance to quote.”

Having extensive experience working at the Port of Argentia, Andrew sees the many applications it may support. He explains, “I believe that large scale manufacturing is best suited for Argentia. Manufacturing activities that are large enough to seize the economic the benefits of having marine transport at the door step, 24-hour operations, and large land footprints. Husky’s assessment of the area has helped to prove the site’s worthiness for a large project construction. My personal view is that, as Newfoundlanders, we need to leverage our energy resources to get the most out of Argentia and similar sites. I understand energy producers need to sell their products on the market, but what if the province could divert some to a site like Argentia to support large-scale manufacturing. We all know that to sell our energy to a reseller it has to be below the end consumer rate. Can we sell some energy to large-scale manufacturing at those reduced rates? What’s the economic impact of another employer with 500 direct jobs? Personally, I believe that jobs and the population growth that employment creates will grow the province, not a particular rate per Kilowatt hour.”

“If the people marketing Argentia, could promote the site with a potential for reduced electrical rates and bulk fueling rates from the refinery next door, we would be surprised at what global manufacturers would be interested in that. Of course, there is a great future for general cargo, but Argentia is different than most ports. Most often people compare Argentia to smaller mainland ports, and these are pressured for land resources to expand services for a very large population. Argentia has a significant land area with a small island-wide population, which is why I believe, “cheaper than full price energy” is needed. Once we attract some large scale manufactures, industrial cargoes for the entire region will start to consolidate. Then general cargoes will follow. Many times the transportation industry is asked to consider using a particular port, or other infrastructure, but transportation does not create cargo. The industry figures out how to best service the economic engines that demand it. Let’s create another engine or two in Argentia, and similar areas in our province,” he says.

Andrew concludes, “Like many other Newfoundland companies, we are pretty happy to say that our days and projects are fairly different each time. Certainly, the large projects have some predictability to them, but the marine transport industry exposes Integrated Logistics teams to a lot of different projects. When you combine the different ports, cargoes and customers there is always something different. One of our-long term employees (who is quite a personality) said after finishing a project. “I am not going to say everything is perfect here, but there is always something interesting happening or something I never thought I would be doing. Over the last 7 years, we have had a lot of unique project cargos spread over the province, which has been great for us. We know we are coming to a slower period for the bigger construction projects, but as they begin to operate, and Oil and Gas exploration continue we believe there will be more interesting projects to come.”

Port of Argentia: Serving the world

Tina Olivero — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 11:00:35 +0000

You only need to take a site tour with Ray Greene the Marketing Coordinator of the Port of Argentia, to understand the magnitude and depth of what’s happening there.

Globally strategic and locally connected, this port offers a heavy industrial location for business on the southeastern portion of the Island of Newfoundland, in Placentia Bay.

Formerly the site of a U.S. Naval Base, Argentia has been redeveloped with a diverse group of port users and tenants involved in marine transportation, manufacturing, information technology, construction, offshore oil, mining and other sectors.

With a strategic location near the main shipping lanes between North America and Europe, Argentia offers well-maintained infrastructure, a highly skilled local workforce, and significant cost advantages.

The port supports a multitude of industrial sectors in marine, heavy, oil and gas, research and Information Technology.

Currently, the port supports:

Marine Freight: The port users include an international shipping line, Eimskip, connecting Western Europe and Iceland with Argentia, Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Northeastern United States.

Heavy Industrial: The Northside Industrial Park, surrounds the Port of Argentia Dock Lands, and is a prime location for heavy industrial projects with over 400 hectares of developed flat land ideally suited for fabrication, warehousing and marshalling yards.

Medium to light industrial: The Southside Industrial Park, a 800-hectare site, offers serviced lots, competitive pricing, broadband Internet connection, government incentives, and close proximity to a year-round marine transportation hub that provides access to North America and European markets.

Oil and gas: Husky’s White Rose Extension Project (WREP) graving dock is complete on site. With access to Argentia harbour, the graving dock is ready to support the proposed wellhead platform concrete gravity structure (CGS) construction.

Research and development: Memorial University occupies acreage at the Port of Argentia performing several research projects measuring wind patterns and wave action in Placentia Bay.

Strategic location & Operations:

Placentia Bay, is the busiest commercial bay in the province which positions Argentia at the heart of the Newfoundland industrial scene. Argentia terminal has a strategic proximity to major operations in the province:

125 km from St. John’s, the main industrial and residential hub

95 km from the North Atlantic Oil Refinery and Offshore Oil Transhipment Facility

90 km from the Bull Arm Fabrication Facility, which is site for the Hebron mega project

38 km from Long Harbour and the Vale Inco Hydromet mega project

Close proximity to all Offshore Oil projects happening in the province

Marine Atlantic Ferry Service from North Sydney, NS to Argentia

The Port of Argentia, a premier heavy industrial seaport, that offers the following key features:

3 km/1.8 mile-long, ice-free harbour, with a wide turning basin

Over 600 metres/2000 feet of docking facilities with up to 11 metres/36 ft. draught

Certified by Transport Canada as ISPS compliant

40 hectares/100 acres of secured port land providing storage

Large multi-purpose cold storage facility

Stevedore crews trained in off-loading numerous types of cargo and certified to handle hazardous material, including explosives

Competitive rates for berthage and wharfage fees

Pilotage available upon request

Serves as provincial entry/exit point

For more information on the Port of Argentia and its state-of-the-art facitlity go to: PortOfArgentia.ca

Source: PortofArgentia.ca

Industry Leader: Mark Collett talks oil offshore

Tina Olivero — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 11:00:47 +0000

The OGM:

Where do you think the price of oil is going?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

Shale oil clearly has been a game changer, and I don’t think anyone fully understood the impact it would have on industry. Supply and demand are coming back into balance, so I don’t think that it’s a stretch to say that a long run price of around $70 over the next three or four years is possible.

The OGM:

Where is the Crosbie Group partnership plan?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

A secret to Crosbie Salamis’ success has been partnering with leading-edge, world-class companies, which have developed innovative approaches, technology, and expertise, which we see as having potential in this marketplace. Through a partnership, we actively seek out these innovations, adapt them for this region, and present them to our clients. It’s been a very successful strategy over the years, and to this day it remains a core tenet of our business. Several of our partners have been with us since the beginning of Crosbie Group’s entry into the oil and gas sector, and we have collaborated on some innovations that have benefitted our clients.

The OGM:

What do you think it will take for Newfoundland and Labrador to get to the next level of development offshore?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

Operators are looking at opportunities worldwide, and are taking a portfolio management approach to identify where to invest their capital. Newfoundland and Labrador has to be seen as a good place to invest, with a stable work environment, and attractive royalty regimes.

The team at Nalcor has made significant progress in providing essential information to attract companies to take an interest in the region. Their strategy of focusing on seismic activity and marketing the opportunities is clearly showing results.

At $50 oil I think we have ways to go before we see significant uptake in capital investment. Costs are coming down in the supply community, and innovation and technology will support development, but it will take time. As we move into deeper water, there’s a whole new set of challenges to be overcome, particularly around logistics. Overcoming those challenges takes time and resources. So I think with the continued marketing of the region by Nalcor, building on the interest in this region while these challenges are studied, and solutions are developed, we will see momentum pick up again, with time.

For a company like Crosbie Salamis, our focus has traditionally been to support operations and maintenance activity. If an offshore development project was sanctioned by an operator tomorrow, it’s at least four years before we would have an opportunity to pursue. So for us, in the meantime, it’s about continually looking for ways to add value to our existing clients, and perhaps taking a more serious look at diversification.

The OGM:

What’s your next big project?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

We’ve been very fortunate, particularly with regards to the Hebron project, as it gets ready to transition into operations. We’ve been awarded the deck services contract by ExxonMobil, and we’ve signed a contract to provide fabric maintenance services to the EPCM provider. We have similar agreements in place for fabric maintenance services with Terra Nova and White Rose, and we provide Deck Services and industrial cleaning and rope access services to Hibernia.

The OGM:

What could happen if we are not careful to have full and fair opportunity for local companies?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

For years I’ve heard people speak about what ‘full and fair opportunity’ means, and what it means to be ‘local,’ and it’s predominantly been during the project development phase. For the production phase of the projects here in the province, I’ve never really heard much debate or scrutiny of ‘local benefits’ as the industry here has been in somewhat of an uninterrupted growth mode for a couple of decades, and players in the industry have generally gotten along, with healthy competition and a lot of opportunities to pursue. But right now, with the downturn and the focus on cost, the industry is being tested in ways I don’t think we’ve ever seen in the province.

Market forces are driving reactions by different players in the industry, each one scrambling for their place in the value chain, trying to expand their base or move risk. That’s healthy, but if these reactions are left unchecked, there can be unintended consequences for the industry. We are seeing international Tier 1 contractors in the value chain, companies that have the same full and fair obligations as the operators, opting to self-perform traditionally locally sub-contracted services, with no requirement to show how they fairly arrived at that decision. Local companies are typically positioned as Tier 2 or Tier 3 contractors. Sometimes, an operator will decide to bundle the scope associated with several contracts into one large contract and then push the procurement and management of all lower Tier services onto the Tier 1 company. But if a Tier 1 company decides to self-perform the work that is typically executed by the local supply community, rather than tender and sub-contract that work, the local companies are shut out of the opportunity with no chance to compete. That sends a very significant rippling effect throughout the industry.

As a supply community, we’ve spent over 30 years building up pockets of expertise and established local companies that can provide their services, competitively, anywhere in the world. But if we leave the market to sort itself out, many of those truly local companies will be nudged out of the market by larger, multi-national players that have the financial wherewithal to ride out the downturn. I’m a capitalist at heart, but if we do keep going down this road, local companies, companies that are active members of the community and are headquartered here, that were here long before there was an oil industry in this province, will leave the industry.

The companies that were built locally since the industry started here, and depend entirely on oil and gas, I think you’ll see many of those companies go out of business altogether. If a decision to self-perform can be made by a Tier 1 contractor, without a 3rd party mechanism to ensure the principles of full and fair opportunity were adhered to, we risk an erosion of what local companies have spent over 30 years building. It’s already happening.

The government, the regulator, and the operators all have a part to play to ensure all companies participating in the value chain of the industry are fulfilling their obligations to provide full and fair opportunity to the local supply community.

The OGM:

What is the strategy for Crosbie Group moving forward?

Mark Collett, COO, Crosbie Group:

Crosbie Group will continue to do what we have done for over 100 years. We will adapt and innovate. We’ll look for new ways to add value for our clients. We’ll look for new markets for our services, outside of the province. We’ll probably get into other sectors to help balance out the risks inherent in a cyclical industry. And we’ll help support the oil and gas industry’s capabilities and promote the region as a good place to do business because it is.

VISIONARY ROB CROSBIE: Business Offshore

Tina Olivero — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 10:00:51 +0000

The OGM:

What strategies have you implemented at Crosbie Salamis to continue to win contracts and build the business in low oil dollar times?