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Offshore vessels in the Gulf of Mexico have become more energy efÞ cient in recent years and are polluting less because of changes in engines, bunker fuels and building materials. At the same time, Gulf of Mexico builders have responded to meet new regulations, customer needs. At Harvey Gulf International Marine in New Orleans, Environmental Compliance Coordinator Nicole Eddlemon said Òadoption of energy-saving vessels in the U.S. is driven by North American Emission Control Area or ECA regulations, initiated by the Obama Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and by strict air permits for Ômajor sourceÕ oil rigs, customers striving to be greener and vessel operators wanting to save money on energy.Ó If thatÕs a mouthful; itÕs also all true. All vessels within 200 miles of the U.S. coast must comply with the EPAÕs August 1 rules for low-sulfur fuel use, said Chad Verret, Senior Vice President for Alaska & Deepwater Operations at Harvey Gulf International. ÒThe marine fuel theyÕre selling at Port Fourchon is now low-sulfur diesel.Ó TOUGHER STANDARDS ? NO PROBLEM , SAYS HARVEY GULFAllowable sulfur content in diesel has declined to 10,000 parts per million, and in 2015 it drops to 1,000 ppm. The non-ECA, global limit is currently 35,000 ppm. But, Harvey GulfÕs Verret insists, ÒThis new EPA rule doesnÕt affect our liquid natural gas boats because LNG contains almost no sulfur. The LNG OSVs weÕre delivering next year to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico market, for instance, are not affected.ÓMuch of todayÕs energy-saving focus is on engines. ÒOur companyÕs latest, delivered vessels have diesel electric TIER II engines that reduce emissions and optimize fuel consumption because of an improved engine power conÞ guration,Ó Eddlemon said. ÒWe delivered three 300Õ class multipurpose offshore supply vessels, DPS-2 diesel electric, in 2011 and 2012, and have chartered each of them.Ó The company delivered the Harvey Supporter in December 2011, Harvey Sisuaq in April 2012 and Harvey Champion in August 2012. The New Normal for GOM Offshore Vessels? The New Normal for GOM Offshore Vessels? By Susan Buchanan VESSEL ABOVE: The RiverHawk AMPSeptember 201228 MNMNSept2012 Layout 18-31.indd 28MNSept2012 Layout 18-31.indd 288/30/2012 2:51:38 PM8/30/2012 2:51:38 PM
