Energy Ocean, June 3-5, 2014 in Atlantic City, NJ, is the leading industry event dedicated to promoting the development of clean, predictable and sustainable energy from the world’s oceans. Building on more than 10 years of continued success, Energy Ocean delivers the industry’s most comprehensive conference and exhibition covering the most important issues and opportunities facing each discipline of the industry today. As a NOIA member, Energy Ocean is offering you an exclusive 10% discount. Register with the VIP Code: NOIA10 to secure your future in the offshore renewable energy industry. Learn more about Energy Ocean today at www.energyocean.com
NO, the off-shore oil industry is not spiraling toward another BP oil spill
Not surprisingly, there is a whole other side to the condemnation recently expressed in the New York Times by former Minerals Management Service Director Liz Birnbaum and Jacqueline Savitz of Oceana regarding the safety of the offshore oil and natural gas industry since the Macondo incident of 2010.
I could not sit back and see the injustice to the hundreds of former MMS employees (now a part of the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement) by being painted with a broad brush of inaction.
That same brush unfairly disregards the yeoman efforts of the thousands of people employed by the oil and natural gas industry who work diligently every day, 365 days a year, to improve safety from the corporate board room to the worker on the drilling or production platform.
The Macondo event should have never occurred, which is why it is considered an accident, and there is never an excuse for loss of life or injury, however the positive from this tragedy is the re-invigorated emphasis on safety and enhanced clean-up capabilities developed following the spill.
An accident like Macondo is going to generate many commissions, presidential and otherwise, with myriad recommendations. Many of the hundreds of various recommendations have been adopted, most as recommended and some with modifications.
And, as federal regulators and industry experts sort through the remaining recommendations, some may no longer be applicable and others rendered moot due to implementation of new technology and standards.
The mere allegation that not all the recommendations have been adopted does not mean that the industry is not safer and more environmentally conscious today or spiraling down a path towards another Macondo.
There are new regulations requiring the use of safety and environmental management systems, new production systems requirements and the development of a safety culture.
The mass of new regulations far outweigh the recommendations of all the different commissions. The challenge is to assure that the massive regulatory reform increases safety and not just paper.
Concerning the Blow Out Preventer rule — since the BOP was apparently a Macondo culprit — the engineering, design and efficacy of BOPs have been thoroughly examined by regulators and industry experts from every angle.
Industry made some immediate changes to the use of BOPs and, while there is angst about the length of time it is taking to propose the rule, this is a rule that must be done right. This rule must reflect the newest in technology and capability.
If the federal regulators are working with industry and other interested parties, including manufacturers and engineering experts, to propose the best rule possible, it is worth the wait.
The crux of the recent Oceana-inspired opinion editorial in the Times is that the U.S. should not open up new areas to oil and natural gas exploration. I disagree. Oil and natural gas are, and will continue to be, mainstays in our energy portfolio.
Oil and natural gas provide a reasonably priced, abundant source of energy to power our homes and businesses, and fuel our vehicles and economy.
They are part of an energy base, including renewable and non-traditional fuels, that can help wean this generation off foreign imports of oil.
They support our manufacturing renaissance, which means more jobs and a better standard of living here in the United States.
Finally, their opinion editorial tees up a general condemnation of seismic operations. This is simply an attempt to stop production before it starts.
But the truth is that seismic testing has been done safely under the supervision of regulators for decades.
What’s more, seismic lays the groundwork to reduce the environmental impacts of drilling by taking an underground picture of oil and gas resources, helping reduce the number of dry wells.
Oceana has put a bull’s-eye on seismic in order to stop offshore oil and gas production by stopping seismic. Once again, science indicates that seismic can, and is, done safely and without deadly harm to marine mammals and fish.
That being said, the oil and natural gas industry has the obligation to develop those resources safely. You can never eliminate all risk, but accidents are preventable.
Science is the heart of the oil and gas industry and science will help us advance safety technology to prevent a future Macondo.
At this important time in our nation’s energy development, it is not the time to fight among ourselves, but to work together to see that all energy resources are developed safely and soundly.
Randall Luthi is president of the National Ocean Industries Association and a former director of the U.S. Minerals Management Service.
NOIA Elects Chairman John T. Rynd and Vice Chair Cindy B. Taylor
For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 10, 2014
Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463 or (703) 732-0801, nicolette@nullnoia.org
NOIA Elects Chairman John T. Rynd and Vice Chair Cindy B. Taylor
Washington, D.C. - The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) Board of Directors has elected John T. Rynd as Chairman of NOIA and Cindy B. Taylor as Vice Chair of NOIA for the upcoming 2014-2015 term. Rynd and Taylor assumed their positions at the NOIA Annual Meeting today in Washington, DC.
Since 2008, Rynd has been the Chief Executive Officer and President, Hercules Offshore, Inc., a publicly traded global provider of offshore contract drilling and liftboat services headquartered in Houston, Texas. He also serves on the company’s board of directors, and served as NOIA Vice Chairman for the 2013 -2014 term.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of NOIA. This is a critical time for the offshore energy industry, as we move to expand our access to undeveloped offshore acreage,” said Rynd. “I look forward to working alongside our member companies, NOIA leadership, and regulators to advance the mission of NOIA to promote the safe development of offshore energy for the continued growth and security of the United States.”
Taylor has been President and CEO of Oil States International, Inc., since 2007. She also serves on the company’s board of directors. Oil States International is a publicly traded diversified oilfield services company, also based in Houston.
“I consider it a great honor and privilege to assume an expanded leadership role with NOIA. I look forward to working with the organization and its member companies as we move into the first phases of developing the next 5-year offshore leasing plan with the Department of the Interior,” said Taylor.
NOIA President Randall Luthi said, “NOIA is focused every single day on expanding access to the energy resources of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf. This is vitally important work with the potential to create more well-paying jobs, generate critical revenue for the government, and improve our domestic energy supply. With the stakes so high, I can think of no better leadership team for NOIA than John Rynd and Cindy Taylor. Their combined experience, knowledge of the industry and ability to advocate before key policymakers, will leverage our reach and impact as an association. We look forward to the coming year.”
Rynd has served in various executive level positions since joining Hercules Offshore in 2005. Prior to joining the Company; Rynd spent 11 years with Noble Drilling Services, Inc., where he served in a variety of management roles, including Vice President Investor Relations and Vice President Marketing and Contracts. Mr. Rynd also served in various management roles at Chiles Offshore, culminating in Vice President of Marketing. During 10 years of service for Rowan Companies Inc., he served in various roles of increasing levels of responsibility on offshore rigs. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Taylor has served at Oil States since 2000, first as Senior VP, CFO and Treasurer, then President and COO, followed by her CEO appointment in 2007. Prior to Oil States, she was CFO of L.E. Simmons & Associates, a private equity firm specializing in oilfield service investments, the VP Controller of Cliffs Drilling Company, and she held various positions with Ernst & Young LLP. She holds a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Luthi also thanked outgoing Chairman Dick Alario, Chairman, President and CEO of Key Energy Services for his leadership of NOIA from 2013-2014. Under his watch, NOIA expanded its membership to over 325 members and co-commissioned a study indicating that opening up the Atlantic offshore to oil and natural gas development could provide 280,000 jobs, $24 billion per year to the economy and supply 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent to the United States. Dick will remain active on the NOIA board of directors.
About Hercules Offshore, Inc.
Hercules Offshore is a leading global provider of offshore contract drilling and liftboat services, with operations in most of the major shallow water hydrocarbon producing provinces in the world. We own and operate one of the largest jackup rig and liftboat fleets worldwide. Our diverse and unique fleet is capable of providing services such as oil and gas exploration and development drilling, well service, platform inspection, maintenance and decommissioning operations in shallow water markets. Headquartered in Houston, Hercules Offshore, is an ISO 9001:2008 certified corporation. Learn more at http://www.herculesoffshore.com.
About Oil States International, Inc.
Oil States International, Inc. is a diversified oilfield services company and is a leading integrated provider of remote site accommodations with prominent market positions in the Canadian oil sands and the Australian mining regions. Oil States is also a leading manufacturer of products for deepwater production facilities and subsea pipelines as well as a provider of completion services and land drilling services to the oil and gas industry. Oil States is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OIS. Learn more at https://www.oilstatesintl.com
About NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises over 300 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy. Learn more at www.noia.org.
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Danos Wins NOIA Safety in Seas – Culture of Safety Award
For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 10, 2014
NOIA Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463 or (703) 732-0801, nicolette@nullnoia.org
Danos Contact: Nicole Williams, (985) 693-3313, Nicole.Williams@nulldanos.com
Danos Wins NOIA Safety in Seas (SIS) Culture of Safety Award
Washington, D.C. - The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) today presented Danos with the 2014 NOIA Safety in Seas (SIS) Culture of Safety Award. Danos won the Culture of Safety Award for the company’s commitment to safety throughout the organization. As a values-driven company, Danos is able to achieve this by establishing safety as one of its core values. The award was presented at the NOIA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
“To be consistently innovative and to consistently achieve world class safety results is possible only if innovation and safety are ingrained in the values and culture of a business. Any operational and financial success is meaningless if we don’t succeed in safety,” said Paul Danos, Danos Executive Vice President.
With its diverse services, Danos impacts the operations of the industry throughout many phases of work for a variety of customers. Adapting and partnering with peers to solve industry challenges, producing innovative safety programs, promoting a high performance culture and focusing on employee development are crucial elements in building the culture of safety. Steady company growth coupled with the safety performance over a sustained period of time proves Danos as an industry leader.
Hank Danos, Danos President and CEO said, “Our 67 years in business, along with a broad base of customers and employees spread around the world have positioned us to be able to have a material impact on the day to day safety of many people. This Culture of Safety Award recognizes the efforts of many over the course of time. The difference Danos employees make in the lives of the people in our industry is what we are most proud of as a company."
NOIA President Randall Luthi said, "The safety culture approach to conducting operations offshore is a core value industry-wide and is highly encouraged by regulators. I congratulate Danos on their passionate belief that their workers deserve the tools, knowledge, and support that allow them to return safely home at the end of every work day.”
Danos’ award-winning nomination was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Review Board, and an independent industry safety consultant.
Since 1978, NOIA has held the SIS awards competition to recognize those who have contributed to improving the safety of life in the offshore energy industry. Beginning this year, NOIA conferred two distinct safety awards. The Safety Practice Award recognizes specific technologies, approaches, methods or projects with direct and demonstrable impacts on improving safety. The Culture of Safety Award was added to the competition this year to honor overall organizational immersion in and commitment to safety, which has resulted in remarkable, measurable, and sustained safety performance over a prolonged period of time.
About Danos
For 67 years, Danos has served as a strategic partner to oil and gas operators across the globe. From production workforce, construction, coatings, fabrication to environmental services, Danos has the expertise, experience and resources to deliver consistent operating results. With more than 1,600 employees and operations offshore and in the shale plays, the world’s leading operators choose Danos. Learn more at www.danos.com.
About NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises over 300 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy. Learn more at www.noia.org.
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Noble Wins NOIA Safety in Seas – Safety Practice Award
For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 10, 2014
NOIA Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463 or (703) 732-0801, nicolette@nullnoia.org
Noble Contact: John S. Breed, (281) 276-6729, JBreed@nullnoblecorp.com
Noble Corporation PLC Wins NOIA Safety in Seas (SIS) Safety Practice Award
Washington, D.C. – The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) today named Noble Corporation (NYSE: NE) as the recipient of the 2014 Safety-in-Seas (SIS) Safety Practice Award. Noble was recognized for innovative safety leadership in offshore drilling and its commitment to employee training and development. The award was presented at the NOIA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
David W. Williams, Noble Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Receiving this award is a tribute to all Noble employees who every day focus on ensuring safe and environmentally responsible operations in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world. In a larger sense, it also is a reflection of the safety culture that is the cornerstone of our global operations.”
Noble was recognized for the company’s efforts to deliver consistent operational excellence, bridging the “experience gap” with a robust set of crew development and knowledge management processes. Noble is achieving this through enhanced new hire training, crew familiarization protocols, accelerated training programs, and an integrated simulation training environment.
Noble's award-winning nomination was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Review Board, and an independent industry safety consultant. The judges noted Noble’s continued outstanding safety and environmental performance while hiring hundreds of new employees and their enhanced crew development and knowledge management practices supporting stringent safety standards in its operations throughout the world.
NOIA President Randall Luthi said, "The offshore industry serves a vital role in meeting the nation's energy needs. Noble’s approach demonstrates the Company’s continued commitment to performing essential services while delivering an unparalleled record of safety and operational competency.
I congratulate Noble for their valuable contribution to the safety enhancement of the offshore drilling industry.”
Since 1978, NOIA has held the SIS awards competition to recognize those who have contributed to improving the safety of life in the offshore energy industry. Beginning this year, NOIA conferred two distinct safety awards. The Safety Practice Award recognizes specific technologies, approaches, methods or projects with direct and demonstrable impacts on improving safety. The Culture of Safety Award was added to the competition this year to honor overall organizational immersion in and commitment to safety, which has resulted in remarkable, measurable, and sustained safety performance over a prolonged period of time.
About Noble Corporation
Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 77 offshore drilling units (including two ultra-deepwater drillships and four high-specification jackup drilling rigs currently under construction), located worldwide. Additional information on Noble Corporation is available on the Company's Web site at http://www.noblecorp.com.
About NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises over 300 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy. Learn more at www.noia.org.
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