The Siemens Gamesa turbine components destined for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) demonstration project are being loaded onto Jan De Nul’s jack-up vessel Vole au vent in the Port of Halifax, Canada. The vessel first departed from Canada to the project site offshore Virginia on 20 May, carrying the monopiles and transition pieces. After installing both foundations, Vole au vent ret urned to Halifax. The jack-up is expected to have one more trip to complete the installation. The 12 MW CVOW demonstration project, located some 43km off the coast of Virginia Beach, is being developed by Ørsted and the U.S. Dominion Energy. The two Siemens Gamesa 6 MW turbines are expected to provide the operational, weather, and environmental experience needed for the 2.6 GW development in the adjacent 112,800-hectare lease site, expected to be operational by 2026. (Credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)

The UK’s Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has granted extensions to Egdon Resources for P1929 and P2304 licences offshore the UK.  Oil major Shell farmed into the two licences in late January. Namely, it agreed to acquire 70 per cent stakes in both licences. Egdon’s UK subsidiary would retain the remaining 30 per cent interests. Shell will also be appointed as the licence operator. OGA granted extensions for the P1929 and P2304 licences, which contain the Resolution and Endeavour gas discoveries respectively, to Egdon until 31 May 2020, subject to securing a farm-in agreement by 31 January – a condition fulfilled by the Shell farm-in. The other condition was demonstrating that the licensees were on track to deliver a future program of 3D seismic data acquisition across both licences. With both conditions now fulfilled, Egdon said on Monday that the initial term of the licences shall be extended to 31 May 2024 with amended work obligations. Namely, 400 square kilometres of 3D seismic must be acquired in P1929 and P2304 by 31 May 2021 or the operator will be forced to relinquish the licences. Also, one well in either P1929 or P2304 must be drilled to a depth of 1,700 metres true vertical depth subsea (TVDss), or 75 metres below the Base Permian Unconformity by 30 November 2022. (Credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)

Connector Subsea Solutions (CSS) has completed the acquisition of Isotek Oil and Gas. The acquisition adds Isotek’s remote welding technology to CSS’s existing range of subsea pipeline repair capabilities which are primarily focused on mechanical clamp and connector pipe joining solutions. The Isotek workforce which numbers 15 people is transferring over to CSS with immediate effect. I sotek, in partnership with CSS, has been a key supplier and development partner for Equinor’s Pipeline Repair System since its inception in the early 1990s. This collaboration developed control systems and equipment for the subsea repair and installation spread, and fully remote welding equipment for hot tappin. A number of tie-ins have also been completed, along with the development and qualification with DNV-GL. In 2019 the partnership celebrated the first fully remote hyperbaric welded tie-in which was completed on a 36” pipeline for the Johan Sverdrup field in Norway using equipment and technology developed and supplied by Isotek. (Credits: www.offshore-energy.biz)

June 8, 2020 On the occasion of World Oceans Day, NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) has launched the first known comprehensive CSR/ESG (Corporate Social Responsibility/Environment, Social, Governance) program designed expressly for the maritime industry, with its corresponding Maritime Sustainability Passport” (MSP) awarded to companies, organizations and indi viduals who meet the requirements of the platform. The program encompasses the three pillars of CSR/ESG corporate governance, environment and the human element.  The launch was designed to coincide with World Oceans Day. The first company to qualify for NAMEPA Maritime Sustainability Passport is Cargill.Its ocean transportation business successfully completed all three phases of the program, including supplying supporting documentation for its claims. Their submission was then evaluated by a team of assessors to determine whether they met the criteria of the CSR/ESG program and were eligible to receive NAMEPA MSP Certificate and Seal.Cargill successfully demonstrated to the assessors their eligibility to qualify for the Maritime Sustainability Passport. The maritime industry is rapidly recognizing the importance of demonstrating its commitment to sustainability stated NAMEPA Chairman Joe Hughes of the American Club.NAMEPA identified the need to provide the industry with a standard guideline of expectations relating to a company’s efforts in CSR/ESG. We are pleased to provide this tool for the industry to support its efforts towards sustainability. Cargill has made sustainable shipping a priority and an integral part of our business strategy,” remarked Jan Dieleman, Business Leader for Cargill Ocean Transportation.We are working with partners and other industry leaders to accelerate progress across the maritime sector, with a particular focus on decolonization. Our industry is changing at an unprecedented rate, with societal demands driving regulatory requirements driving technological change observed NAMEPA Co-Founder/Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker. With an operating climate that is increasingly transparent, industry needs to match that transparency and demonstrate its commitment to core values contained in the CSR/ESG program. The program contains a set of standards plus a toolkit for achieving them.Completion of the program results in the issuance of NAMEPA&rsquo Maritime Sustainability Passport, which is renewed annually.