Shell marked delivery of a special Offshore Supply Vessel for its deep water operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the company said in its press release. 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 92 metres 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 refuelling. 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.”