Page 32: of Marine News Magazine (April 2012)

32MNApril 2012Demand is Growing in Deepwater Gulf of MexicoPhoto courtesy Greater LaFourche Port Commission OSVsBy Susan BuchananAs the feds issue more drilling permits for the Gulf, demand for offshore support vessels in the GOM deep- water sector has accelerated, industry members say. Anger about the government's spill-related, drilling moratorium- -which ended a year and a half ago--has given way to opti- mism recently. The region's shallow-water sector, never- theless remains slow and gives little cause for cheer. Paul Candies, president and chief executive of Otto Candies, LLC, in Des Allemands, La., said we're seeing good demand for large, high-quality OSVs now and for the next couple of years. The industry has seen the value of first-rate equipment--OSV and Construction/Dive Support/ROV vessels--and is willing to commit to some long-term contracts.? But he added we're not seeing much improvement in demand for midsize and small equipment.? Otto Candies is a marine transportation and offshore services company. TAKINGSTOCK :What's behind the renewed need for deepwater vessels? Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, said We've slowly, surely gotten back to work in Gulf. We're not at pre-Macondo levels yet but we're coming back. Today's count in the GOM is 43 rigs and that's up from 25 a year ago,? he said in late March. However, that compares with 148 rigs in 2001. Chett Chiasson, executive director of Port Fourchon in Louisiana, said the government has been approving more drilling permits, and BSEE, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, anticipates another ten rigs will be operating in the Gulf by the end of this year. That's good news for vessels.? Port Fourchon services 90 percent of all U.S. Gulf deepwater projects. Chiasson continued, Activity at Port Fourchon started to improve at the end of last year and has continued to get better. Port activity is 90 percent of what it was prior to the moratorium and that number is constantly rising.? He added enthusiasti- cally, you can feel the change in activity at the port. Things are looking up for our tenants. Companies have announced plans to build offshore vessels, and some are agreeing to build for the deep end as more rigs come on line. It takes a year and a half to get a rig on line.? ROBUST VOLUME GIVESWAYTO INCREASINGOPTIMISMShane Guidry, chairman and CEO of Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC in New Orleans, said in late March there are no boats available to rent, and it's the busiest I've seen it in two decades.? Separately and In Morgan City, David Barousse, business development director at Fleet Operators, Inc., agreed that OSV demand is on the rise. Vessel operators are very optimistic that 2012 will be busy because of the feedback they're receiv- ing from their customers? ? a mix of oil and gas operators