Shell took delivery of an offshore supply vessel for its deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), from Harvey Gulf International Marine.
The Harvey Energy is 302 ft. 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 mi. radius. From there the Harvey Energy will go to Shell’s platforms, such as the new Olympus production platform, bringing equipment and drilling fluids.
According to Shell, the vessel is the first of its kind in the region to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and diesel. Two more LNG-fueled vessels are expected to follow. LNG fuel is a new alternative for vessel operators in the GoM responding to new sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions regulations, as part of the North American Emission Control Area.
“Shell is delighted to be the customer of this innovative vessel,” said John Hollowell, Shell deepwater, upstream Americas executive VP. “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.”
“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," says Shane Guidry,Harvey Gulf CEO and chairman. "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.”