[B]Shell, Harvey Gulf partner for first LNG powered Offshore Supply Vessel[/B]
03/05/2015
Shell and Harvey Gulf International have combined to put in service, the first LNG powered Offshore Supply Vessel which will bring supplies to many of Shell’s Gulf of Mexico assets, such as the new Olympus platform.
Today, Shell marked delivery of a special Offshore Supply Vessel for its deep water operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel, chartered from specialist company Harvey Gulf International Marine, is the first of its kind in the region to run on both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and diesel. Two more LNG-fuelled vessels are expected to follow. LNG fuel is a new alternative for vessel operators in the Gulf of Mexico responding to new sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions regulations, as part of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA).
The ‘Harvey Energy’ is 302 foot long and operates on three dual-fuel Wärtsilä engines. It will run on 99% LNG fuel and will be able to operate for around seven days before refueling. It will load from Harvey Gulf’s new LNG bunkering facility at their terminal at Port Fourchon. Port Fourchon is Louisiana’s southernmost port, with more than 600 oil and gas drilling rigs and platforms located within a 40-mile radius. From there the ‘Harvey Energy’ will go to Shell’s platforms, such as the new Olympus production platform, bringing equipment and drilling fluids.
“Shell is delighted to be the customer of this innovative vessel,” said John Hollowell, Executive Vice President, Deep Water, Shell Upstream Americas. “It is a pleasure to partner with Harvey Gulf on this pioneering project. Shell’s investment underlines our confidence in LNG becoming a bigger part of the global fuel mix.”
Christian Buelow, General Manager Downstream LNG Americas, added, “I’m pleased to see this first-of-its-kind vessel operating in North America. Shell continues to look in to the commercial opportunity of supplying LNG fuel to customers in the region – both marine and road transport customers.”
Harvey Gulf International Marine’s CEO and Chairman, Shane Guidry, noted, “Harvey Gulf is excited to share these historical maritime events with Shell, The ‘Harvey Energy’ and her sister ships exemplify Harvey Gulf’s commitment to Shell and our customers to bring the best available environmentally friendly technology to the market. We understand the environmental regulatory issues facing our customers and this new build program’s focus has been to work closely with them to address and mitigate these issues.”
[U]Notes to Editors :[/U]
The HARVEY ENERGY was built by the Gulf Coast Shipyard in Mississippi.
It will meet the stringent requirements of the ABS “ENVIRO+, Green Passport” notation, making them the most environmentally friendly Offshore Supply Vessels in Gulf of Mexico.
In addition to using LNG as a fuel, the OSV will also use high efficient Gadinia 40 as its engine oil.
Shell’s support helped launch Greenstream and Green Rhine, the world’s first 100% LNG-powered barges to carry goods along Europe’s River Rhine.
Shell will be the first customer of a new, dedicated LNG for transport infrastructure announced in July 2014 by the GATE terminal.
Shell plans to build a specialized LNG bunker vessel in the port of Rotterdam with a capacity of around 6,500 cubic meters to facilitate ship to ship transfer operations.
Shell Shipping & Maritime manages 44 LNG carriers – around 11% of the world’s LNG fleet - making Shell one of the largest LNG carrier operators.