Shell Offshore Inc. says it has deployed a third liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered offshore supply vessel in Port Fourchon, La. The “Harvey Liberty,” chartered from specialist company Harvey Gulf International Marine, will join her sister ships, the “Harvey Energy” and “Harvey Power,” to support Shell’s deep-water operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
“The Harvey Liberty highlights our efforts to grow LNG as a fuel in the transport sector and is a welcome addition to our portfolio,” says Tahir Faruqui, Shell’s general manager of LNG for North America.
The Harvey Liberty runs on 99% LNG fuel and can operate for up to 15 days before refueling. Shell says the LNG-powered vessels enable their owners to meet sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions regulations in the North American Emission Control Area.
According to Shell, the Harvey Liberty is 302 feet long and operates on three dual-fuel Wärtsilä engines. The supply vessel will load from Harvey Gulf’s new LNG bunkering facility in Port Fourchon, where it will support Shell’s platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, transporting supplies, equipment and drilling fluids.
