Page 6: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2, 2010)

6 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

EDITOR’S NOTE

W hat a difference 8,760 hours (1 year, for those of you calculating) makes. Just 12 months ago on this spot we were discussing the potential expansion of offshore oil and gas devel- opment and exploration as “contentious”, based largely on the Democratic political party’s historical resistance in this regard. Twelve short months ago was also viewed as the economic abyss in what is widely re- garded as the most deep and broad economic meltdown in 100 years. Today the world is largely in recovery mode, with most critical economic indicators, chiefly industrial output and activity, on the upswing.

Late last month, as most of you already know, Ken Salazar, the U.S. Secretary of the interior, announced a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the nation’s en- ergy security via the expansion of oil and gas development and exploration on the U.S. Outer Continental shelf. The Administration’s strategy calls for: de- veloping oil and gas resources in new areas, such as the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, more than 125 miles from Florida’s coast; increasing oil and gas exploration in frontier areas, such as the Arctic Ocean and the Mid and South Atlantic Ocean; and protecting ocean areas that are dubbed “too special to drill,” such as Alaska’s

Bristol Bay. “The plan we are proposing calls for 4 more lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico by 2012 and, in the years beyond, would open up two-thirds of the oil and gas resources in the Eastern Gulf while protecting Florida’s coast and criti- cal military training areas,” Salazar said in announcing the plan. MMS estimates that the Gulf of Mexico contains 36-41.5 billion barrels of undiscovered, eco- nomically recoverable oil and 161-207 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, eco- nomically recoverable natural gas resources.

But the key phrase for many here is “we are proposing,” as there is still skep- ticism that the plans will pass Congressional and legal muster and come to fruition. Regardless, for those who doubted the willingness to open potentially lucrative new pockets of energy exploration, recent developments have provided perhaps the first step in what will become a marathon to maximize our coun- try’s resources, and in turn deliver a historic jolt to all in the marine industry.

Industry associations that have a direct interest in the developments, including the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and the Offshore Marine

Service Association (OMSA), roundly applauded the move for additional ac- cess, and even noting that such developments could have a positive effect on the development of renewable energy programs offshore as well.

On a personal note, it is with mixed emotion that I re- port Phil Kimball (pictured right) has announced his plans to retire from his post as executive director of the

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). During his 12-year tenure Phil has worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm for the benefit of the society and the industry. During my tenure with

Maritime Reporter I have found Phil to be an invalu- able resource of knowledge and insight, and a good friend as well. While I will miss our regular interac- tion, I wish him a long, healthy and prosperous retire- ment — and invite you to do the same — as he directs his boundless good spirit and effort to- wards matters of family, sailing and his beloved homestead in New Hampshire.

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