Curierul - July 2010

C urierul www.gspdrilling.com June - July 2010

The jacket load-out and installation successfully completed in Akcakoca field

GSP goes drilling in deeper waters with GSP 31 GSP Training Centre hosted in June the IWCF board meeting GSP Orion – new oil recovery and oil transfer equipment

www.gspoffshore.com, the new GSP website

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Content 4 news 10 Offshore construction, Akcakoca Project: the completion of the jacket load-out operation 24 Premiere: The highest steel jacket fabricated for the Black Sea is currently installed on the location in Akcakoca field 26 GSP Orion - new equipment for the recovery and the transfer of oil recovered from the sea surface 28 EMSA reports fewer ship accidents in European Union during 2009 30 GSP BIGFOOT 3 36 Project Manager Aron Petru received his D.E.Sc. with the Thesis „The Hydraulics of the Hyperbaric Processes“ in 1994 37 Short history of saturation diving in Romania 38 GSP NEPTUN, the heavy lift floating crane 42 DRILLING REPORT 44 GSP goes drilling in deeper waters with GSP 31, the modular drilling rig, exceeding the operating limit of 90 meters water depth 48 GSP Training Centre hosted in June the IWCF Board meetinG 50 PROFESSIONAL PROFILE, Mihai Spanoche, Electronic Engineer 54 THE „CADET“ PROGRAM

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www.gspoffshore.com – The new GSP website

GSP has launched the new website, www.gspoffshore.com. It reflects more accurately the company’s new profile, providing a wide range of information on GSP’s development and activities.

The new domain name, „gspoffshore“ better reflects the fact that GSP has ceased to be a company specializing only in offshore drilling services and marine services: the extended integrated services offer allows GSP to meet the increasing and more and more diversified services demand, exhaustively introducing the offshore services specialization and the extension of competences within our company. GSP has, this way, the opportunity to respond to the market needs with complete packages of services.

The new site contains more information on GSP’s services offer, adding them to up to date information about activities and events in our company. Launching the new website meets the need to adequately inform in regards of the company’s growth over the recent years.

GSP clients and partners will have access through the new website, to information which gives a clear and complete picture of the services span and the ongoing activities, of the fleet, of the continuously developing operational bases and GSP’s operating areas. The new website, www.gspoffshore.com, also presents up to date information on strategy and policy, integrated management system, certifications and affiliations, as well as a comprehensive overview of issues related to occupational health and safety, environmental protection and quality.

The new site is an important communication tool providing real opportunity to maintain continuous contact with our audiences. Our new site, www.gspoffshore.com, through interactive tools and spaces dedicated to career and Media Center provides valuable information on career opportunities within the area of integrated services for the offshore industry and supplies a rich gallery of photos and movies documenting GSP’s operations, news, press releases, presentations, and the corporate magazine “Curierul GSP”.

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March 31, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 1 Naming Ceremony took place in GSP Shipyard in Constanta Sud – Agigea Port

March 22, 2010

GSP Prince, DSV & ROV vessel and the DP3 pipelay barge C Master headed to the Russian waters to perform pipeline installation works within Olympia project The pipelay barge C Master left the Constanta Sud – Agigea Port at 7:40 a.m., heading to the Russian waters.

The same day, GSP Prince started at 7:40 p.m. the journey to Tuapse in order to perform the subsea survey assisting the installation of the subsea pipelines within the Olympia project.

GSP Prince will perform the subsea survey with a new ROV, Triton XLR. This equipment represents the latest generation of custom made remote operated vehicles for surveys and light subsea installation works.

GSP Prince, DSV & ROV support vessel

GSP hosted the naming ceremony of the shallow water pipelay & heavy lift barge on Wednesday, the 31st of March. The ceremony took place in GSP’s Shipyard, Mol 1S, berth PL8 Portul Constanţa Sud – Agigea. The event was attended by a large number of Romanian as well as international representatives and leaders of banks, petroleum and shipping companies, harbor authorities, naval registries of shipping. The ceremony continued with a reception at Vega***** Hotel, in Mamaia. GSP Bigfoot 1, the shallow water pipelay & heavy lift barge, classified under ABS register, with the class notation A1 Derrick / Lay barge, M, ES, UWILD, represents an 85 USD mil investment project carried out under GSP’s management. The Company completed the reconversion in order to further develop the technical vessels fleet designated to support the offshore construction services. The fleet of technical vessels includes GSP Bigfoot 1(pipelay & heavy lift), GSP Bigfoot 2 (semisubmersible barge), GSP Bigfoot 3 (300 men accommodation & work barge), heavy lift crane barges GSP Neptun (1800 tons) and GSP Granit, and ocean going cargo barges, these adding to the offshore mobile drilling rigs, and the offshore support vessels (AHTS, OSR, DSV, ROV & geotechnical survey, crew and MEDEVAC).

April 8, 2010

C Master has reached the standard installation speed of 2400 meters/day subsea pipelay, already completing the first 12 kilometers C Master performs the pipelay operations within the Olympia project, along the Dzhubga – Lazarevskoe – Sochi (DSL) shoreline.

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development project of Akcakoca gas reserve.

GSP Bigfoot 1 will install a subsea pipeline, approximately 7 km long, 12” in diameter, realizing the connections to the existing 12” offshore trunk pipelines, for transportation of the natural gas to the Cayagzi Plant, near Akcakoca. The tie-in to the offshore trunk pipeline will be realized via a wye fitting connection. GSP previously completed the pre-installation subsea survey.

GSP Bigfoot 1 is programmed to conclude the subsea pipelay operation in a two weeks time frame. The technical vessel will be accompanied by two AHTS offshore support vessels, GSP Vega and Amber II. The offshore construction project also includes the installation of a steel jacket, 101 m and 1600 t, and of the largest modular double decked platform in the Black Sea. Both steel works were realized in GSP’s Shipyard, in Constanta Sud – Agigea, as part of the same contract.

The technical vessel performed the sea

The DP3 pipelay barge has reached the normal pipelay speed of 2,4 kilometers per day, with a 252 members of the marine and operational crews onboard.

The pipelay operation is preceded by a subsea survey performed by GSP Prince.

The ROV support vessel already reported the completion of 16% of the pre-lay survey using the Triton XLR, the most advanced robotic vehicle engineered to execute subsea survey and light subsea construction works.

GSP Phoenix provides offshore support services within the Olympia project, as supply vessel.

April 12, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 1 set sail towards Akcakoca field in Turkey The shallow water pipelay & heavy lift barge will perform pipelay works in the western part of the Black Sea, on the Turkish continental shelf. The operation enters in the offshore construction works package for the second phase of TPAO’s GSP Bigfoot 1, shallow water pipelay and heavy lift barge

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GSP Alcor, the newest GSP offshore support vessel

trials in the Black Sea starting with the 8th of April. The newbuild and classification of the vessel were technologically rich processes. GSP Bigfoot 1 was equipped with the most modern navigation, power generation and pipelay systems, in GSP’s constant pursuit of perfect performance.

The sea trials of the technical vessel were conducted in order to measure the performance and general seaworthiness of GSP Bigfoot 1, speed, maneuverability and directional stability, equipment and safety features.

The sea trials were monitored onboard by the maritime crew, the ABS representative, GSP’s management members. The American Bureau of Shipping, the classification society, supervised the entire newbuild process in order to issue the class certificate. GSP Bigfoot 1 successfully completed the sea trials; all the tested equipment as well as the vessel’s features confirmed the full engineered potential.

April 19, 2010

GSP Alcor arrived in Constanta Port The vessel is the latest offshore support vessel entering the company’s fleet.

GSP Alcor is an AHTS Offshore Support Vessel, classified under ABS register, class notation A1E Offshore Support Vessel, Fire Fighting Class 1 + AMS + DPS-1, offshore support towing, fire fighting and antipollution vessel, built in 2009. The AHTS will perform offshore supply transport and stand-by operations in the offshore oil and gas fields on the Romanian continental shelf of the Black Sea. April 19, 2010

GSP Alcor entered under contract with OMV Petrom GSP Alcor wil perform offshore support services, transport, supply, and stand by operations on the Romanian continental shelf. The new AHTS, DP1 vessel is servicing the offshore fixed and mobile rigs, under a contract with OMV Petrom.

GSP’s fleet for the DLS offshore construction project on the Russian continental shelf received the visit of beneficiary and press representatives at the completion of the first 30 kilometers out of its total length of 159,5 kilometers April 20, 2010 GSP ensures the management of

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GSP Phoenix, GSP Prince, C-Master, as well as many other fleet units for the DLS offshore construction (Dzhubga –Lazarevskoye – Sochi) in the Russian national waters. The beneficiary of the project, Gazprom, introduced the offshore construction project to the media on the 20th of April. The event was attended by 70 press representatives from Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

GSP Phoenix, the crew vessel for the offshore constructions project along the Dzhubga – Lazarevskoye – Sochi Russian shore, provided the press representatives transfer from Tuapse onboard C-Master, the pipelay vessel.

The press representatives were invited to a technical tour of the pipelay barge, having the opportunity to see key pieces of equipment such as welding stations,

DLS project, the focal point of interest for the international media representatives

NDT (non destructive inspection stations), tensioners, beveling machine and stinger.

The technical tour was completed with a visit of C-Master. The media representatives had the opportunity of learning about the subsea pipelay installation technologies, details regarding the project and the fleet mobilized for the pipeline installation and offshore support. The visit was followed by a press conference where GSP and Gazprom officials: Matvei Geller, Chief of special projects at Gazprom; Andrey Baturin, Deputy General Director for Public Relations; Oleg Sergeev, General Director - Peter Gaz; David Owen, supervisor of the C-Master pipelaying barge; Radu Petrescu, Corporate Communications Manager – GSP, answered the press questions. GSP also mobilized for this project GSP Bigfoot 1, the 2010 built pipelay and heavy lift barge, to perform the shallow water pipelay installation within the DLS offshore constructions project. GSP Bigfoot 1 completed on the 24th of April the scheduled pipelay operation within the Akcakoca offshore construction project. GSP Prince, the offshore support DSV & ROV performs pre-lay survey and debris clearance along the subsea gas pipe corridor.

April 26, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 1 successfully completed the pipelay operation in Ackakoca field GSP Bigfoot 1 completed the two weeks pipelay operation, consisting in the installation of a 7 km long and 12 inches in diameter gas pipe to connect Akcakoca drilling platform to the main gas pipe. The pipelay installation is part of the offshore construction project for the second development phase of Akcakoca gas reserve. GSP Licorn performed ROV support for the as-lay and pipeline integrity survey, the pipeline being seen inside the lay corridor. The pipelay and heavy lift barge GSP Bigfoot 1, having 195 crew members onboard, both

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May 21, 2010

marine and operational, was assisted by two AHTS vessels, one of them being GSP Vega. The convoy including GSP Bigfoot 1 - pipelay and heavy lift, GSP Queen - AHT, and GSP Licorn - ROV support vessel left Akcakoca field on the 24th of April, reaching Constanta, on the Romanian continental shelf two days later, on the 26th.

New offshore drilling operations of GSP Jupiter in the Black Sea for Melrose Resources

May 3, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 1 left towards the Russian shore for pipelay operations

GSP Jupiter heading to the new drilling location

GSP Jupiter, the cantilever jackup offshore drilling rig, will operate on the Bulgarian continental shelf for Melrose Resources.

The contract to drill the Kavarna East prospect will start in Jully, 2010. The structure lies between Kavarna and Kaliakra gas reserves, the offshore reserve being estimated at 12 billion

GSP Bigfoot 1left GSP Shipyard heading to Russia. The shallow water pipelay & heavy lift barge shall perform pipelay operations under the DLS (Dzhubga – Lazarevskoye – Sochi) contract, in the Russian national waters. The pipelay barge is accompanied by GSP Queen, AHTS DP2 offshore support vessel.

GSP Bigfoot 1, the 2010 built pipelay and heavy lift barge completed on the 24th of April the scheduled pipelay operation within the Akcakoca offshore construction project. The barge represents an 85 US$ investment GSP completed in 2010.

May 20, 2010

GSP Jupiter performs subsea tree installation for Melrose Resources GSP Jupiter shall install the Kaliakra subsea tree at the end of June.

The operation completes the Galata development project where GSP is the EPIC contractor for the installation of the subsea pipelines connecting the subsea wells Kaliakra and Kavarna to the Galata platform. GSP’s operations enter Melrose’s conversion project of Galata gas field in an offshore storage facility.

GSP Bigfoot 1, the shallow water pipelay and heavy lift barge, at the moment operating in the Russian national waters under DLS contract, will start work on the flow lines simultaneously with GSP Jupiter operation.

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cubic feet (bcf). GSP Jupiter shall also operate for Kaliakra East as part of the same field operational program. Kaliakra East reserve is estimated at 50 bcf.

June 4, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 3, the 300 men accommodation & work barge, left GSP Shipyard heading towards Akcakoca field, Western Black Sea The ABS classified barge, built in 2009, is mobilized within the Akcacoca offshore construction project.

The technical vessel is equipped with a 12 man portable saturation diving system rated 300 msw (meters of seawater) and a heavy lift offshore crane (500 tons).

GSP Bigfoot 3 shall install the supports of the snatch blocks and the outrigger within the project carried out by GSP. The diving trials were successfully completed before reaching the work location in Akcakoca field.

GSP completed the jacket load out operation in GSP Shipyard June 20, 2010 The jacket fabricated in GSP Shipyard for the second phase of the Akcakoca field development was lifted and loaded out onboard GSP Bigfoot 2. The steel construction, 101 meters long, was fabricated under an offshore construction contract for the Turkish Petroleum (TPAO).

The load out operation was carried out as planned, under the supervision of the project management team and the beneficiary’s representatives. For the load out operation GSP mobilized GSP Neptun, the heavy lift floating crane (1800 tons) for lifting and loading out the jacket; GSP Bigfoot 2, the semisubmersible barge; GSP Queen, the AHTS vessel assisting the heavy lift crane.

The last preparative are carried out onboard the semisubmersible barge, as the technical vessel prepares to head out towards the installation location, in Western Black Sea.

GSP Bigfoot 3, the offshore work and accommodation heavy lift barge in Akcakoca field

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June 21, 2010

GSP Bigfoot 3 completed the new template installation in Akcakoca field GSP Bigfoot 3, with the diving and subsea survey equipment onboard, successfully completed the operation of template installation. The existing template was removed and the divers further proceeded with the installation of new subsea template pin piles. The operation was carried out according to the installation schedule Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), the client company, and GSP, the offshore construction project (EPIC) contractor have agreed upon. GSP Bigfoot 3 was assisted by GSP Licorn and GSP Orion, PSVs. The new template was fabricated in GSP Shipyard. It was sea fastened onboard the technical vessel and transported to the location, in Western Black Sea, according to transportation engineering and the installation operation manuals.

The jacket is also prepared for transportation to Akcakoca field, the sea fastening activities being carried out in GSP Shipyard. Akcakoca platform will be set over the new mating template and the two existing wells.

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Offshore construction, Akcakoca Project: the completion of the jacket load-out operation

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GSP Shipyard has been the stage of an operation which, by the dimensions of the mobilized equipments, seemed to be imagined by the minds of giants. The steel jacket built in this GSP operational base was lifted from the execution location and loaded on GSP Bigfoot 2, the semi-submersible barge. The floating crane GSP Neptun, by far the most impressive equipment from this dock, could be seen from far away, from Constanta, competing only with the new steel construction destined for the second development stage of the natural gas reserve from western Black Sea Akcakoca field. As we were approaching GSP Shipyard, we understood that the raised booms of the cranes which were contouring even from the exit from Constanta Port, belonged to a fleet of heavy lift cranes concentrated in the same space. These are the lifting equipments that assisted GSP in the execution of both the jacket and the two decked modular platform for Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı (TPAO).

Following the road to the administrative offices of the southernmost GSP operations base, in Constanta Sud – Agigea Port, there can be distinguished its modernity compared to the rest of the buildings and onshore and offshore equipments. GSP Shipyard is a modern and alive place raised within an industrial landscape that seems stuck in a different era. For the eyes of the visitor not yet familiarized with this powerful contrast, occurs the idea that, for the area that he is passing through, the contagion would be beneficial: it would be less disturbing if the modernity and dynamism from the GSP Shipyard would extend to the entire harbour area. But for now it seems that nothing changes but this space. In the parking lot near the administrative offices a higher than usual number of cars were crowding, and from them there were descending a high number of persons carrying on their shoulders the responsibility for the success of the operation.

The constructors finished their job.

Mircea Cojocaru, foreman, tells us: “It is ready! We are now done. Each of the jacket’s components passed through my hands, as I supervised all the fitting and welding works. Checks were performed and the result of the constructor teams’ works, being adequate to the execution norms imposed by the Beneficiary through the contract, received all the necessary approvals. Today we are proud seeing how the giant built by us is loaded on GSP Bigfoot 2. We are proud that this construction bears our signatures, of all of us.”

Petrişor Mişcu, Engineer: „Seeing that the jacket is leaving today the location on which it was built, I am living a great happiness and also certain sadness. A part of us is leaving. A part of our time and our effort. Working on the construction of the jacket and of the topside helped us to form a team, to become the most powerful team specialized in the execution of special steel constructions. What can be seen in this base is an audacious project, carried out to face the special environment conditions. If it would have been an easy job, anybody could have done it. It is not simple at all. Nor easy. That is why we, GSP, were hired to execute this work.

I came here when all that can be seen today did not exist: all the stones were not yet here… I was here by the time when GSP Shipyard was established, during the period when the foundation works were carried out at this offices complex as well as the drilling works for the concrete piles which are now a part of the resistance structure of the heavy duty opened platform destined for the support of the steel constructions.

I have been here before the project’s zero hour. How to explain, I have had the chance to see how the site gained its contour, I have been a witness involved in the execution of the steel works, I have became, together with my colleagues, the member of a strong team, which has grown and has confirmed

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the professional value of each member.

It is true that the challenges have been tests which some of the men could not pass. I am thinking now, looking back, that practically the project had selected us, had chosen us. It may seem strange to the people not having enough information regarding the complexity of such work, that I say this. But this is how we feel here. We have lived here very hot days! We have confronted different problems to which we have found solutions and I now find that all we have lived here has been beautiful!

I came here on site accompanied by Dorin Munteanu, engineer within the development and investment department.

In the berth 34 headquarters there has been also a team of engineers who has been supporting our efforts as well as the Procurement Department’s team which has successfully carried out all the procurement operations, on both internal and external market. In time, a team has

grown and has consolidated here; you can count on each of its members. There are approximately 100 GSP employees to which one can add the teams of the subcontractors, Tigitrans being just one of them.

If I think today that we have achieved these things here in the period when the economic activity in the harbours areas has registered an accentuated descendent curve worldwide and even more accentuated at national level, I am happy to say that we have had no time to feel the crisis! It is very well. We have been growing during this period. I have the belief that if we have managed to successfully carry out our activity in a period marked by financial constraints, we shall be even more capable of growth within a more favourable economic climate. The only effect of the global crisis had been felt in the delay of supply of some materials and equipments. Here, the dedication which people have worked

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Petrişor Mişcu, Engineer

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with to recover these delays has proven beneficial. The entire merchandise was brought, almost entirely mainly from the international markets, from steel plates and pipes to the welding equipments and cranes; the determination which people have worked with to recover the delays provoked by the staggering of the delivery dates, has been saving for the works’ completion on time within each activities package. We have the faith that we shall continue to develop, that the projects which we shall be involved in shall be more and more complex, true challenges for the offshore constructions engineering. Within operations of this magnitude, I have to say that there had been challenges: the unfavourable weather had proven to be a hindrance.

It is the only factor whose negative influence we couldn’t attenuate. During winter, when the temperatures lowered under -21°C, the welding works had to be stopped. Special temperature conditions are necessary to execute the steel construction works for the offshore environment. We stopped in order to assure the project’s safety, to continue afterwards in optimal conditions. As far as I know, the project took in consideration the unfavourable weather as risk factor, but nobody could foresee that this winter would be the most difficult in the last 15 or 20 years. I have the experience of site works over several years and works could be carried out outdoors also during the winter, this being possible without sacrifices. But this year challenged us with record negative temperatures and people had made high efforts to recover those days and hours. Only through the team’s dedicated work the jacket is ready for loading. My duty has been to create optimum working conditions for all those working here. Thus I have come to know in detail the project’s big challenges, the small details of each operation, from the materials’ delivery, supply with spare parts and consumables, up to the problems of each of the team’s people.

I have worked to make sure that both

fitters, mechanics, welders, painters and all the other members of the execution teams, as well as the departmental and project management, can carry their activity smoothly. Here also, in GSP Shipyard, one can talk about steel fabrication or operations which are carried out with equipments such as GSP Neptun floating crane… We are surrounded by steel, by modern equipments which incorporate latest generation technologies… Well, the belief of a man who has been all along near the others signing this project is that mainly, when we talk about the Akcakoca project, we talk about people! Because they have made it all possible. Or, working with people, high degrees of attention and care are required. They can give everything if they are not distracted by problems, if they are supported in solving these when they occur. There may seem insignificant at the project’s scale, such aspects like the attainment of certificates or records, documenting the steps necessary to open a personal bank account or having a credit card issued, but the reality proves us that it isn’t so. We are not allowed to leave people to be crushed by this kind of small yet annoying concerns. All these aspects must be solved. It is true that we are facing some impressive results and what I have previously mentioned are just some commas. This grandiose achievement would not have been possible without solving the little things, the detail aspects.

I am very content of myself. I can say, without any conceit, that I am proud. I think that any of this team’s members feels the same. The project has confirmed the professional capacity, has valorised our knowledge and abilities and we have managed to grow, to learn more. I have enjoyed being a part of such team! Here we work in a team; the project’s challenges have proven us that we can count on each other.

What next? Other projects, of course!

And a well deserved vacation, but a short one, because at least I believe that what defines me mostly is the work: I am what I can achieve; I am best defined

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by the results of my work. Compared to my previous experiences, this project, with all its challenges, has given me a higher confidence in my personal and professional capacities.

For me the Akcakoca offshore construction project represents an experience which I consider the gateway to another level. We play in a different league at GSP Shipyard and we achieve here things that otherwise we would see only on Discovery. We are a part of that world capable to create structures and installations which make possible the hydrocarbon production activity in the subsea fields and it is not a thing to be ignored. What starts today is actually the installation process. Everything that was built onshore is taken over by the technical vessels and by the team of offshore installation at the offshore construction location. The work on this project is not yet completed but now we move to another stage. Until now, nothing of these dimensions has been built in our shipyards; we are here also to say that we are recording a first-timer of this nature.

The abroad experience that some of my colleagues have accumulated represents a capital that has proven extremely

useful within this project. The team has strengthened also through knowledge transfer, by transmitting operational information which has proven an excellent binder”.

Terence Glasspool, Construction Superintendent: „GSP Neptun shall

lift a load of approximately 1300 tons and shall load it on GSP Bigfoot 2 in order to transport it. This is mainly today’s operation. Actually, a part of the fabrication work’s result shall soon leave the GSP Shipyard in order to start the installation operation. Akcakoca field is expecting the jacket. All the tests had already been performed and there had been passed all the preparation stages for today’s operation. I am confident and happy to be able to attend. It is not my first project of this size. I had attended also projects such “John Books”, „Blacktip Wellhead Platform”, at 107 kilometres from the Australian shore, in Bonaparte basin, for Saipem, another offshore constructions project for New Zeeland as well as the construction and installation project of the Linda multi-slot platform for natural gas production, in Australia as well”.

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GSP Neptun, the heavy lift crane mobilized for the load-out operation of the jacket in GSP Shipyard

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TPAO representatives on site during the load-out operation of the jacket

Călin Marinescu, Vice-president of GSP: „I have been present on site during

drilling campaign and to tie back the two wells already existing.”

the works. I could say that today we are at the guerdoning of the efforts for the execution of this dissimilar construction, the jacket –the immerse structure which shall support the topside with two decks and afterwards the drilling installation.

The teams that have been involved in the fabrication works have today a true reason to feel proud. The fabrication process had been closely supervised and verified. There are unthinkable lengths of welding beads at this construction and everything had been checked with maximum exigency. Now it’s the turn of the offshore operations crews to take over the constructions executed onshore, to safely transport and to install them.

Akcakoca is currently very close to GSP Shipyard and the technical vessels have the honour to sign an offshore construction project considered strategic

by Turkish Petroleum and by the Turkish Government. Through the efforts of the people here, the Akcakoca field shall be able to deliver the natural gas from Akcakoca subsea deposit onshore, at Cayagzi, through the pipeline already installed by GSP Bigfoot 1. The GSP 31 drilling unit is going to be further installed on the platform in order to start the

Mihai Cârlan, Chief Offshore Construction Officer: „ The 101 meters

jacket was built in nine months. With this construction we practically crossed all seasons and we had extreme minus temperatures during winter. The construction recorded delays due to the recorded temperatures, this past winter proving to be one of the toughest ones and with the highest precipitations level in the last decades. Until now it has been managed to recover more than half of the delay caused by the weather conditions.

This was possible due to the mobilization of the people we have selected within these teams. There are here 120 people, all specialists, whose value has been validated also by their work within this project. The challenges and the extremely exigent standards imposed by the fabrication process for the offshore constructions domain have constituted in a tough selection process: there have remained only those who felt capable to compete, those with the accumulated abilities and knowledge. We have now here a strong team: its cohesion is given by the tough professionalism test to which all its members have been put to.

We are on the only location in this region

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dedicated to offshore constructions, and we are recording a premiere. No important project is easy. And the people respecting themselves as professionals treat each project with the same seriousness, regardless of significance and dimensions.

We have brought by our side specialists already having n impressive business card, who have formed themselves working in Romania or abroad, within other projects which have enriched and refined their baggage of knowledge and competences.

If such a project would have been an easy one, this project could have been carried out by anyone and absolutely anywhere.

But the offshore constructions engineering chooses the best and the boldest!

The completion of this project shall represent to us a new achievement to be added to the company’s business card. We know that other projects will follow: the regional market needs offshore constructions as the efforts are concentrating more and more to secure the supply of regional markets with energy and further, the European markets.

We have signals that we have already become an offshore constructions supplier preferred by the companies holding exploitation licenses in the Black Sea basin. They want us to install subsea pipelines of different diameters and lengths and we shall continue to further build jackets and platforms, some that may reach the dimensions of the one we see today loaded on the GSP Bigfoot 2 semi-submersible barge. We are currently involved in three offshore construction projects, in the territorial waters of Turkey, Russia and Bulgaria. It is possible that we soon extend our activity range with new operations within some potential projects on the shores of Ukraine and Mediterranean Sea. I must say that the Akcakoca project shall still mobilize human and naval forces and shall require our competences in the offshore constructions domain: the jacket load out operation is a stage. The next stages are equally important. The transport and the installation, the topside’s

endowment, the start up, all these are equally important. We shall celebrate only when we shall hand over the offshore construction to the Beneficiary. Until then we must continue our work with the same determination. It is true that there are emotions today, too. As well as happiness… If you look at the people who have done their job, the constructors: these are handing over today the torch to the teams of offshore operations and installation and they restlessly wait to start the work on a new project. But this is just a stage within the EPIC Project: the load-out and transport one. And today only the jacket load-out is carried out. The satisfaction will be even greater as we shall see the topside also loaded and leaving to Akcakoca, but let’s take them one by one.

The reward of our efforts shall also come soon. Each project is a school, we have learnt very much during this one and we await new projects”.

Mircea Cojocaru, foreman: „Almost all materials passed through my hands.

It would be easier to tell you what I haven’t touched than to tell you what I have worked with. I have coordinated the fitters’ and welders’ activity during the jacket fabrication works. I have 40 years of work, and if I count now the years I

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Mircea Cojocaru, foreman

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have dedicated to the offshore industry, these would be 25. I have worked at different companies rendering services for the offshore industry in the Black Sea region, and then I have worked in Dubai for several years. I can now say that I came back home. The team is made of many former colleagues of mine, which I have worked with in previous projects here or abroad. This project for me is a step forward. May God let others come! Now, at the completion of the fabrication works, looking back, it’s like it doesn’t seem to be so difficult… When we all gathered together, when we became a team which grew once with each new project stage, with each new activity package, we find that the work is completed. And it came out well! Everything that passes through my hand is a reason of pride. Wherever I have been, I signed on well done jobs.

Now, after so many years of working in the offshore industry, the results of my work are pretty much everywhere, wherever I laid my hand I left something well done”.

Gabriel Aniţei, crane operator: „The entire jacket came in containers, my work here has not resembled with anything I have previously done. There were so many lifting operations as well as positioning ones where the lifting has been done with two or more heavy lift cranes working simultaneously, that I do not have time to count. Each such operation was giving me even more confidence in myself. It is our pride, of the crane operators from GSP

„It is our pride, of the crane operators from GSP Shipyard that we had worked at the jacket and topside fabrication. There were two hundred ninety something containers, at some point we lost track but here is the result. Something can be seen further to out efforts.“ Gabriel Aniţei, crane operator

Shipyard that we had worked at the jacket and topside fabrication. There were two hundred ninety something containers, at some point we lost track but here is the result. Something can be seen further to out efforts. And there is one more thing I would like to say: there was not a period favourable to the port activities, for the shipyards. I arrived in GSP Shipyard further to some personnel downsizing at another company. I was going back home in the evening and I was hearing about other colleagues who didn’t have my chance.

For me, what went wrong to the former employer represented a chance; I would not leave this workplace. At GSP Shipyard I have not felt the crisis I was hearing talking about frequently on the streets or within my acquaintances circle. Here the team has continued to grow and I have faith that everything will continue to be OK!” Adrian Neagu, rigger: „Are you asking me which is my contribution to the jacket’s construction? Well, I have been everywhere I was needed. This jacket incorporates my work as well: at the rigging, the lifting and the positioning operation of each piece.

It is a job where attention and discipline are the words of the day. You must be a team player. And it is mandatory to be disciplined, I know I have said it before, but it is very important. And we think that in the place of the jacket that is leaving now, a similar construction will rise soon. We are doing our job with seriousness and this is the normal way: if we have good results and we do have because quality works have been executed here, we shall have works to do for a long time from now.”

Adrian Rusu, Safety Officer: „Supervising the jacket as well as the topside fabrication activities was in my duty. I was responsible with the labour’s safety for the fabrication process within Akcakoca project. I was restless. Being away for a few days, I was thinking that I wouldn’t have the chance to see the operation of jacket load-out on the barge.

I saw it growing slowly since its first components were mounted on the piles.

So I came back sad, being convinced

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that it left the steel fabrication location.

I am happy that today I can assist at this operation. I coordinated the HSEQ activities, the daily meetings with the teams responsible for each work (tool box meetings), and the weekly meetings with the supervisors in order to analyze the matters that occurred and to find corrective solutions, the supervision of personnel and of the activities on site in order to prevent any potential accident or incident.

Further to the good results that we had in our activity, as well as to the excellent collaboration with the team masters and the supervisors, we could say, analysing the results, that the fabrication activity is carried out by personnel possessing a high degree of awareness in regards of the significance of the protection and prevention measures. We have a culture of labour safety which honours all those involved in the activities here. My purpose is the one to make sure that each of those coming at work in the morning carries out his activity in maximum safety conditions and returns safe and healthy to his family.

I had worked in Dubai for one year, five years in Azerbaijan at Baku, on sites larger than this one, but even if you are responsible for the safety of 2000 people or 200 or 250 people working here everyday, it involves the same high level of attention, the same care. The results that we have recorded in the HSEQ domain during this project are the best lobbyer for a solid labour safety culture. And I am convinced that here, although there are aspects where improvement is welcomed, the people have understood that our objective is to assure that the activity is carried out safely in the interest of each of those involved: we have had no accident resulting in the loss of work capacity (LTI, Lost Time Injury).

GSP has brought here people who have proven to be very good professionals and a part of the foreign specialists that I am working with are former colleagues from the sites I have previously worked on abroad.�

Radu Georgescu, Engineer, Technical Vessels department: „GSP

Bigfoot 2 is going to move to the position that is currently occupied by the GSP Neptun floating crane. The floating crane shall move away from the quay holding the jacket it its hook towards the middle of the port basin and shall wait the positioning of the semi-submersible barge in order that that the jacket loading operation to take place.

The supports on which the construction is going to be positioned can already be seen on the deck. We shall take the jacket home, to Akcakoca field, as soon as the load’s sea fastening works shall be completed. We are already working in Akcakoca field. We have there the GSP Bigfoot 3 work and

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Adrian Rusu, Safety Officer

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accommodation heavy lift barge, with the SAT divers’ equipment onboard, and, from the information we have now, they are working at the removal of the old template and the installation of the new one. So the installation works within the Akcakoca project have already started.

The jacket’s installation shall be carried out also with the assistance of GSP Neptun, the 1800 tons floating crane. Previous to the operation we’re witnessing today, GSP Bigfoot 2 completed on Friday the last sea trials. The installations and equipment onboard work very well. For the jacket transport operation we are expecting favourable weather. Noble Denton, the surveying company, shall communicate us the wave and wind limits and we shall await a favourable weather period. And GSP Bigfoot 2 shall behave very well; the barge can load up to 15.000 tons. We think that it won’t even feel the 1300 jacket. It is true that we are talking about an offshore construction of great dimensions, but this barge can carry more than that! And I can hardly wait to see the entire technical vessels fleet out at sea in mission!”

Romulus Bratu, Chief Procurement Officer: „This site is one of the newest.

We started here from zero and in a very short time its infrastructure was created.

The equipments are all new and among the most modern ones. As a great deal of attention was given to the safety aspects even from the initial phase, GSP had called in IPTANA for the design of the resistance

„We are proud that we have contributed to a Romanian first: offshore constructions of this scale have not been carried out in Romania until now. I say this knowing closely the development of the offshore oil and gas industry.“ Romulus Bratu, Chief Procurement Officer

structure for the entire area occupied by GSP Shipyard, from the administrative building and the multipurpose workshop up to the heavy duty opened platform on which the modular two decks topside and the jacket were built. This was necessary due both to the mass which the steel constructions that are going to be built here shall have, and for the heavy lift crawler cranes’ traffic. Drilling works were carried out here and concrete piles were installed in the quay’s structure before the crushed stone was brought in order to arrange the working surface. Some logistic details are still to be solved, but we are ready to face an activity even more intense than the one carried out so far.

All the materials that are comprised in the structure of the two steel structures of high dimensions were supplied from Holland and Singapore, or this kind of procurement activity implies significant forces and a very good organization. We have proven that we have the necessary knowledge, that we can organize operations at this scale, but it is necessary to additionally develop the team. We are proud that we have contributed to a Romanian first: offshore constructions of this scale have not been carried out in Romania until now. I say this knowing closely the development of the offshore oil and gas industry. This jacket weights 1300 tons. It is also the equivalent of the Procurement Department’s efforts: absolutely everything that can be seen here had been supplied by my team.

The same happened for the contracted services, even since the initial stage of this operational base’s development.

According to the elaborated design, there were initiated the construction activities for both the jacket and the topside. We had had a supply plan which we had applied so that the production activities shouldn’t register delays. The Procurement Department has fulfilled its task to supply the basic materials, the consumables and the services so that the works’ execution to observe the schedule agreed with the Client. The operation being carried out as we speak is a reason of satisfaction for

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the people of the department which I am coordinating.

Nick Nemchik, Project Manager: „Today’s operation consists in the lifting of the jacket from the supports it was built on onshore and loading it on the GSP Bigfoot 2 semi-submersible barge. This operation officially marks the completion of the fabrication activity and the start of a new project stage, the installation one. Previously there were performed all the necessary tests for he equipments directly involved in the operation: the semi-submersible barge, the 1800 tons floating crane, the lifting gears, everything was very thoroughly organized.

We had presented to both the Client and the Insurer the plan for today’s operation and the procedure and these were agreed upon.

The operation’s details were established since yesterday, in a joint meeting with the Client, TPAO, the Surveyor, us, GSP - the Project and Operational Management, the representative of the engineering services Contractor, Overdick, practically all the involved parties. This morning we have briefly considered the most important aspects of the operation, we have checked once more that each participant knows very well what he has to do and we started to work, as you can see. As it can be seen, the preparations were done in accordance with the plan and in this moment the floating crane is moving away from the quay to make room for GSP Bigfoot 2 barge. Today’s operation implies a high degree of discipline and precision, the crews of the floating crane and the semisubmersible barge must synchronize extremely well and those onshore have the duty to supervise and to assist. It was established that the marine operation will be led by Ionel Margaritti, the Director of Technical Vessels Department, onboard the GSP Neptun. Ionel Margaritti shall be in command of the lifting operation of the jacket from the quay, shall command the operations of the crane and of the barge, as well as the activity of the AHT vessel assisting the crane barge, GSP Queen.

It was established as well that the entire communication during the operation

shall be carried out in English: this is justified by the fact that a high number of foreign specialists attend this operation and English is the only language spoken by all. The discipline is reflected also by the fact that, in accordance with the agreed procedure, no other orders are accepted but those of the two people: the coordinator of the marine operation and the onshore operation coordinator.

This morning we received the report sent from GSP Bigfoot 3 barge, located in Akcakoca. We can say that we are already recording progress in the second installation operation within this project.

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Nick Nemchik, Project Manager

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Before the template installation operation, which mobilized on location the divers’ teams and the saturation diving equipment as well as subsea ROV inspection, the seven kilometres of subsea pipeline were installed

by GSP Bigfoot 1 barge. So the jacket is not the first structure leaving towards the location. The works of removing the old template were already completed there on Saturday, and those of installing the new template built here in GSP Shipyard are close to completion. After the completion of the jacket installation works, the topside shall leave also in approximately two months.

When I came here I knew it would be a challenge, a test for my capacity to manage projects. Well, the challenge has been maybe more that I would have expected. In January 2009 there

wasn’t here absolutely anything of what one can see now. The technical vessels were then ongoing projects: some under construction, others under modernization and reclassification, and others under reactivation. We also had to face the obstacle of the unfavourable weather, the only that could not be completely overcome due to the winter with extreme temperatures and high precipitation quantities.

The people’s efforts are impressive. I would have wished it to be easier, but this wouldn’t come from the beginning. The project team is relatively small. But the Akcakoca Project has mobilized designing teams from Germany, the Netherlands and Romania.

Most people had been involved in the fabrication activity, here in GSP Shipyard. The management of the construction activities had been assured by specialists who have

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previously done this within other projects of similar dimensions in the oilfields all over the world: they have a relevant experience in the construction of such structures and their contribution to the smooth run of the activity has had a high significance.

I hope that all that have participated so far in this project have learnt enough to continue by themselves in the future. This project had been a school; this is said by many people I have discussed with. And it has not been easy, that’s why I am confident that many things have been learnt, that we have managed to assure a transfer of knowledge which shall prove its value and utility in the future. I have also learnt many new things during this project and I have been working in this filed for a very long time. The transfer of knowledge does happen. It is a process that has started once

with the first activities of the project, is happening as we speak and shall continue until the works’ completion and the hand over of the offshore construction to the Beneficiary, Turkish Petroleum. We have settled systems of work that have proven functional, the people have been trained and they have understood that these come in their assistance and for the good development of the activity, in the project administration activity and also in the fabrication process. And the knowledge transfer shall continue also during the future projects. There are people that have already learnt sufficiently in order to carry out the autonomously and responsibly the next activity, and others will come to learn besides them. This is beneficial for the industry, for the offshore constructions services in the region.�

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We made this achievement possible!

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Premiere: The highest steel jacket fabricated for the Black Sea is currently installed on the location in Akcakoca field July 2, 2010: the steel jacket’s installation process is carried out since the first hours of the morning.

Within the offices in GSP’s operational base in berth 34, Constanta Port, news travels fast. The same thing is happening in the offices in Bucharest: „New photographs were sent from the operation.“, „We talked on the phone with the coordinator of the lifting operation.“, „The sea is calm and there’s a long enough period of favorable weather; it gives us the advantage of safely working, especially since the area is well known as an extremely difficult one: the sea easily becomes agitated.“ It is an operation which managed to keep all personnel out of breath.

Akçakoca is closer today. The geography of great emotions simultaneously experienced by hundreds of people is different from that one studied in school and presented on the maps.

The operation preparative consisted of hard work for planning, for the implementation and qualification of the transport and installation procedures; it implied working closely with the Customer and the Surveyor, reviewing for so many times it entirely, in every single action, until learning it by heart.

Mihai Carlan, Chief Offshore Construction Officer, offers us details

about the stages of the operation: “The installation of the jacket is carried out in maximum safety conditions. We are

very pleased with the way it went so far.

Currently, the jacket was downloaded from the semi-submersible barge Bigfoot GSP 2, the technical vessel which transported the steel structure from GSP Shipyard on location, in Akçakoca field, for installation. The steel jacket, 101 meters long and weighing 1,300 tons is now afloat. This confirms the accuracy of buoyancy calculations made by our design engineers. The lifting equipment fitted on the jacket for the load out and download operations was detached.

The up-and-down operation of the jacket will be performed with the help of controlled flooding through the jacket legs after removal of the buoyancy bags and with the lifting slings (lifting equipment) connected at the top of the steel structure. The controlled flooding operation and as well as the control of the air flow removed from the jacket legs will be achieved using the robotic underwater vehicle (ROV) Triton XLX controlled from the ROV support vessel GSP Queen.

Once the jacket will be vertically erected the operation of approaching it to the matching template previously installed at the bottom of the sea will start. . already installed. In the moment the jacket will stand in vertical position, the steel structure will be at a distance of 50 meters from the new template.

The template was installed with SAT divers, assisted from GSP Bigfoot 3, the first technical vessel mobilized and arrived on the location, for the

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installation operations provided in the installation schedule within the offshore construction project for the second development stage of the Akçakoca subsea natural gas field in western Black Sea, for the Turkish National Petroleum Company (TPAO).

The operation of fixing the jacket is performed through guided lowering, from the actual height of 10 meters above the template and the two guidance pillars installed on it. The entire operation will be monitored by the ROV Triton XLX. The remote operated vehicle will transmit real time input from the subsea location.

When the guiding cones will guide the jacket on top of the installed pillars set on the template, the jacket will start the descending movement to fit the matching template, at the mud line. The lifting slings (lifting equipment) will be detached from the top of the jacket and the piling operation will start (operation consisting in the introduction of the pillars through the jacket legs, in order to secure and strengthen the offshore construction).

For the proper conduct of this operation, GSP has mobilized a fleet of significant size offshore Akcakoca, comprising: GSP Bigfoot 3, an accommodation and work barge for offshore operations, GSP Neptun, heavy lift crane (1800 tones), GSP Bigfoot 2, semi-submersible heavy lift transport barge, GSP Queen, ROV support vessel, GSP Licorn, supply ship, Boa Magnitor, AHT, Agat, AHT, P4 flattop ocean going transport barge, and Aran.

The effective jacket installation and the consolidation of the offshore construction is ensured by an impressive manpower mobilization: over 350 people with special training, maritime and operational staff, people with excellent training in the area of offshore construction installation, specialized in carrying out complex marine operations.

They have one among the highest safety awareness levels.

The pillars and the conductors will be

installed within 20 days. The next step is to load-out, transport and install the two decks platform (top side) fabricated in GSP Shipyard in Agigea. The topside will be loaded out by GSP Neptun onboard the semi-submersible barge GSP Bigfoot 2 and transported on the location. For the installation operation the heavy lift floating crane GSP Neptun will be mobilized again in Akcakoca field.“

The preparative schedule the installation of the jacket included: • Jacket buoyancy calculation • Jacket installation procedure and approval • Jacket unload procedure • New template installation on location with GSP • Bigfoot 3 and SAT divers • Lifting equipment certification • Jacket load out operation onboard GSP Bigfoot 2 • Welding procedures qualification for the welding operations to be carried out in the Akçakoca field • Testing and certification of welders for offshore welding activities • Determine the timetable and criteria for safe operation taking into account weather • Procurement and transport of necessary supplies and equipment for the operation • Fleet mobilization • Human resources mobilization

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Ackakoca field, the jacket installation completed

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GSP Orion new equipment for the recovery and the transfer of oil recovered from the sea surface GSP Orion is Oil Spill Recovery dedicated vessel for interventions in cases of oil pollution in the Black Sea. The ship activity in such situations is coordinated by the European Maritime Safety Agency - EMSA. The ship has the capacity to store onboard 1334 m3 of oil recovered from the sea being endowed with special equipment to collect the oil in open sea. The network of specialized OSR vessels EMSA coordinates ensures effective intervention throughout the EU maritime borders.

EMSA manages a fleet of specialized intervention assistance and intervention ships and coordinates the support services in cases of oil pollution at sea. Vessels belonging to this fleet are permanently prepared for possible mobilization on request, when the dimensions of the pollution exceed the capabilities of the pollution response of the affected country. EMSA manages CleanSeaNet, the satellite monitoring system for surveillance and identification of possible oil spills in EU waters. The satellite monitoring service provides detailed information and launches to the EU Member States in cases of oil pollution, ensuring the exact and effective transmission of satellite images to help determine the precise size and location of the incident and the exact location of the oil spill.

EMSA operates in close collaboration with all the Member States of the European Union, as well as with the Technical Advisory Group (CTG MPPR) and the regional cooperation agreements, in order to disseminate best practices and cutting-edge information on maritime safety and environmental protection.

GSP Orion is part of network of

specialized vessels coordinated by EMSA for intervention in cases of oil pollution in the open sea from November 2008 when GSP and EMSA representatives have signed in Lisbon the contract for providing the intervention force in the Black Sea.

Echipamentul de recuperare a hidrocarburilor la bordul GSP Orion include: Sweeping arms One set of LAMOR rigid 1 2 m sweeping arms with two power packs Booms Two 250 m reels of LAMOR Heavy Duty booms Skimmer One LAMOR brush skimmer with a power pack Slick detection One Miros slick detection system Additional equipment Gas detector, Mini Lab, Flashpoint tester, Portable cleaning machine GSP Orion – date tehnice IMO number: 81 0251 7 Flag state: Isle of Man Port of registry: Douglas Type: Offshore supply vessel Built: 1 983 Length: 60.00 m Breadth: 1 6.80 m Max draft: 6.20 m

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DWT: 3003 Ton Gross Tonnage: 1 599 Ton Net Tonnage: 654 Ton Storage capacity: 1 334 m³ Heating capacity: 1 700 kW Flash Point: >60º Main Engine: 3861 kW Propeller: 2 x 2000 BHP Bow Thruster: 2 X 900 BHP Max. speed: 1 2 knots Classification Society: DNV In June 2010 the ship was equipped with the TransRec 150 Oil Recovery system. This equipment is designed to recover spilled oil from the sea surface during operations in carried out in all weather conditions as long as the discharged hydrocarbons are still floating. TransRec 150 Oil Recovery System is able to operate regardless of the viscosity degree of the spilled hydrocarbons, allows operations to be carried out in low visibility conditions and at night. The operator is in a secure location on board and the oil spill recovery equipment is remotely controlled. The new equipment also presents the advantage of storing all information during the oil recovery from the sea surface, allowing the position control of the skimmer.

The new equipment entering the oil spill recovery endowment of GSP Orion represents a comprehensive solution for recovering the spilled oil, transferring and uploading it.

The performance and the multifunctional design make the TransRec 150 system the most powerful equipment for this type of intervention at sea. The equipment is composed of modular containers being designed to allow easy installation on board the OSR intervention vessels. All the control and monitoring functions can be operated by one person, via a remote control desk. The cranes may be controlled from the local control panels as well.

TransRec system 150 is intended for the following operations: • Recovery of hydrocarbons from the sea surface, • Transfer of the recovered hydrocarbons, • Emergency download of hydrocarbons.

The system was designed and manufactured in accordance with classification society rules for operating in Risk II Areas, corresponding to the deck area of the intervention vessels suitable for cases of oil pollution during the recovery operations of oil accidentally discharged into the sea.

The standard unit can be equipped with different types of skimmers, to ensure the optimal recovery of products with different viscosity degrees, regardless of weather conditions.

TransRec 150, due to its compact design, can also be safely

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transported safely on land.

The remote radio control of the TransRec 150 system allows the operator to act from different locations onboard the ship, such as the bridge of the vessel, ensuring safe operation in maximum safety conditions for the entire personnel, during adverse weather operations, away from the open deck of the ship.

The crane functions can be controlled by the operator from the local control panel of the TransRec 150. The skimmers can be controlled locally in situations when the main radio panel is out of order.

The efficiency of the oil recovery operations depends greatly on the time window available for intervention.

For operation at night or in poor visibility, the skimmers are equipped with devices measuring the viscosity of the spilled oil recovered from the sea surface as well as devices that can measure the concentrations of hydrocarbons in water. The information from these devices is transmitted to the operator at the radio control panel.

In light of these real time data, the operator is able to intervene in order to optimize the recovery operation.

The system has the capacity to store information regarding: the total volume of oily material recovered from the sea surface, the percentage of oil recovered.

GSP Orion benefits of the most efficient equipment which currently exists, this guaranteeing the most effective intervention in case of oil spill accident resulting in pollution of the open sea. The system is flexible and allows the use of different configurations, depending on the nature of the intervention.

TransRec 150 is designed and manufactured by FRAMO Engineering.

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EMSA reports fewer ship accidents in European Union during 2009 On the 20th of May, in the context of the EU Maritime Day event in Gijón, Spain, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has launched the Maritime Accident Review 2009.

The review, which looks at shipping in and around EU waters, shows a 19.5% drop in total accidents, and 17% drop in the number of ships involved in accidents in 2009 in comparison to the market boom years of 2007/2008, although the number was still significantly higher than in 2006.

According to the figures within the Maritime Accident Review 2009, loss

of life and pollution were substantially reduced too. Anyway, EMSA signals the risk of reversing the descending trend after analisyng the first results in 2010 as the maritime traffic intensifies.

EMSA’s Maritime Accident Review gives the maritime industry an annual opportunity to assess the accidents occurring in and around European waters, and to assess too whether measures taken to improve maritime safety are having an effect.

In figures, there were 626 vessels involved in 540 accidents during 2009 The Maritime Accident Review 2009

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reports that 626 vessels were involved in 540 accidents (sinkings, collisions, groundings, fires/explosions and other accidents). This compares with 754 vessels in 670 accidents in 2008, 762 in 715 accidents in 2007 and 535 in 505 accidents in 2006. Although 2009 saw a significant reduction from the 2008 and 2007 figures, the number of vessels involved in accidents was still 17% higher than in 2006. EMSA also reported that 52 seafarers lost their lives on ships operating in and around EU waters in 2009 (compared with 82 in both 2008 and 2007 and 76 in 2006).

With respect to accidental pollution, the estimate of the amount of oil spilled in reported accidents in and around EU waters once again reduced, this time to 1500-2000 tonnes (in comparison with 2000-3000 tonnes in 2008 and 70008000 tonnes in 2007). The figures from the EMSA CleanSeaNet satellite-based pollution monitoring system show that the number of pollution incidents confirmed after verifications by Member States was down from 232 in 2008 to 194 in 2009.

The review, which looks at shipping in and around EU waters, shows a 19.5% drop in total accidents, and 17% drop in the number of ships involved in accidents in 2009 in comparison to the market boom years of 2007/2008.

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GSP BIGFOOT 3 GSP Bigfoot 3 has started working in Akcakoca field after the completion of the modernization process carried out in GSP Shipyard under GSP management.

The barge, built in 2009, was endowed with a Liebherr hydraulic diesel offshore crane, BOSS 14000-500 D Litronic type, ABS certified, and with saturation diving equipment.

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The saturation diving system allows the diving and working at high water depths. The divers are pressurised in barochambers up to a pressure called storage depth, with approximately 10 m lower than the pressure corresponding to the working depth, then they are transported to this depth with the help of the bell, where they work in three shifts.

The transfer is done under pressure until the work’s completion, and after that the decompression starts, according to the procedure foreseen in the Saturation Diving Manual. The saturation is the phenomenon of dissolving the inert gas/ gases from the breathing mix in the body’s tissues, phenomenon which happens over a period of time, further to the difference between the partial pressure of the nitrogen dissolved in the body’s tissues at the atmospheric pressure and the partial pressure of the inert gas/gasses from the mix inhaled by divers at the storage depth pressure.

The saturation is characterized by the saturation period, particular to each tissue of the human body. For saturation dives there is considered the human tissue with the longest saturation period (240 to 300 minutes experimentally chosen by different diving schools). This means that in approximately 30-36 hours we can consider the body saturated in inert gas (meaning that the tension of the inert gas dissolved in the tissues is approximately equal with the partial pressure of the inert gas from the mix inhaled by the diver).

A saturation diving system manufactured

by LexMar was installed onboard the GSP Bigfoot 3 barge. Its capacity is of 12 people. It is endowed with the diving bell resistant to internal and external pressure, which allows the under-pressure transfer of the divers from the barochambers (storage depth) to the working depth, and to bring them back to surface. The barochambers, resistant to an internal pressure of 30 bars, allow the divers to stay and rest in good conditions and to treat the potential decompression accidents.

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Ansamblul de scufundare in saturatie are in componenta: 12 MAN 300 MSW RATED PORTABLE SATURATION DIVING SYSTEM TWIN LOCK DDC 2 x 2.3mtr ID - 6 man „ALPHA“, inclusive off in each unit: MAIN LOCK 1IMCA/ABS compliant PVHO Built to ASME PVHO section VIII, Div 1 complete with: Set of all penetrators, external and internal piping, fittings, non return valves etc -1 1 Medical / Food Lock 250mm x 300mm long c/w Safety Interlock -1 Table c/w Bench Seats – SS -1 Bunks - SS c/w storage facilities -6 Bunk lights 24 vdc with individual on/off switches -6 Mattresses (fire retardant) -6 Overhead Lights - 24 vdc -4 CCTV Camera -1 PVHO View ports -3 Certified Electrical & Comms Penetrators

-5 BIBS and associated manifolds incorporating overboard dump exhaust via dome loaded regulator -7 Emergency Lung Powered Scrubbers - Model LME-ELS-01 -6 CO2 Scrubber - Model LME-CS-01 capable for 6 persons -2 LME-CCU-03 combined scrubber and conditioning Unit - 2 330mtr Caisson Gauge -2 PPO2 Analyser -1 Draeger CO2 Analyser Tubes -1 Comm’s Box -1 Emergency Comms Battery operated (UPS) / SPT -1 Hyperbaric Fire Extinguisher -1 Internal plumbing and electrical wiring to IMCA Standards -1 Basic entertainment system, consisting of 9 vdc ring main & LAN connection at each bunk -1 Circulating Fans - Chamber Blower Model LME-CB-01 - 2 ENTRY LOCK 2 X 2.3mtr ID - Entry Lock „ALPHA“ 1 x IMCA/ABS compliant PVHO complete with: Set of all penetrators, external and internal piping, fittings, non return valves flow fuses etc Hyperbaric Toilet - SS c/w Safety Interlock External Sanitation Holding Tank connected to relevant chamber penetrator Wash Basin – SS

Shower supplied with potable hot & cold water from one of two Potable Water Units -1 Overhead Lights - 24 vdc -1 CCTV Camera -1 BIBS and associated manifolds incorporating overboard dump exhaust via dome loaded regulator - 3 330mtr Caisson Gauge -1 PVHO View port -1 Certified Electrical & Comms Penetrators -3 CO² Scrubber - Model LME-CS-01 -1 Comm’s Box -1 Emergency Comms Battery operated (UPS) / SPT -1 Hyperbaric Fire Extinguisher -1 COME OUT CHAMBER 1 X 2.3mtr ID - 3 man „BRAVO“ IMCA/ABS compliant PVHO complete with: Set of all penetrators, external and internal piping, fittings, non return valves flow fuses etc -1 Hyperbaric Toilet - SS c/w Safety Interlock -1 External Sanitation Holding Tank connected to relevant chamber penetrator -1 Wash Basin – SS -1 Shower supplied with potable hot & cold water from one of two Potable Water Units -1 Overhead Lights - 24 vdc -1 CCTV Camera -1 BIBS and associated manifolds incorporating overboard dump exhaust via dome loaded regulator -3 330mtr Caisson Gauge -1 PVHO View port -1 Certified Electrical & Comms Penetrators -3 CO² Scrubber - Model LME-CS-01 -1 Comm’s Box -1 Emergency Comms Battery operated (UPS) / SPT -1 Hyperbaric Fire Extinguisher -1

-1 -1 -1 -1

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TUP/WET POT 1 X ABS classed, ASME PVHO Chamber Skid / LARS 1 X Combined 3 man Come Out Chamber skid base incorporating; „A“ Frame, Clump winch, Bell winch & Umbilical winch, Hyd Dual power pack BELL LARS Dual Electric Hydraulic Power Packs, approx 320 lts/min @ 200 bar maximum - 1 LARS Control Panel in Dog house Depth monitoring and umbilical supplied emergency breathing apparatus -1 12 ton SWL „A“ frame c/w bell latching frame and Bell under Trolley -1 1.5 ton Clump Weight -1 Constant Tension MBU Winch for 350 meters of umbilical - 1 Main Bell Winch with constant tension facility -1

Panel c/w DVD audio recorders -1 Thru Water Comms unit (Top side) -1 Sound Powered Telephone -1 Umbilical supplied over pressure breathing mask with comms -1 ELCB protection for bell electrical supply -2 Gauges for divers depth monitoring (Cross over valve for Diver 3 depth monitoring via bell external depth gauge) -2 Gauges for bell depth monitoring (Internal & external depth) - 2 Gauge for bell trunk depth monitoring -1

SAT CONTROL PANELS 1 x DDC Gas supply and control panel including: Gas management panel with Tescom regulators, non return valves, 1/4 turn and rising stem valves as required -1 O2 Analyzers. 6 designated for chamber compartments, 1 designated for gas supply. All with Hi Lo alarm -6 CO2 Analyzers for chamber compartments -4 Comms Panel c/w 2 x 3 Diver unscrambler radio -1 Emergency Comms system UPS or otherwise battery powered -1 DIVER BELL 3 MAN 24 vdc Electrical power control panel -1 4.53m3 Negative Buoyant 3-Diver Bell -1 220 vac to 24 vdc Step down Transformers -1 2-Diver „LESGAZ“ BOU (Bell Onboard Unit) - Part of LESGAZ Metabolic O2 Make-up Panel -1 Reclaim Unit -1 BIBS/Treatment Gas Supply Panel -1 Through Water Communications unit -1 -4 Divers External Water Trap (EWT) - Part of LESGAZ Reclaim Unit Chamber CCTV Monitors & Internal Cameras Umbilical supplied over pressure breathing -1 mask with comms -2 350mtr Fibron Main Bell Umbilical -1 Depth gauges to monitor depth of every chamber Divers Excursion umbilicals. 2 x 50 meters and one x 55 compartment and Bell & SPHL trunkings -1 meters. 2 c/w cctv & reclaim, 1 without.

-3 Entertainment Panel Onboard gas cylinders -8 Onboard Battery box -1 MACHINERY CONTAINER – No. 1 Bell external lights in 2 banks of 2 -4 Modified 20ft Container, coated internally with ceramic Diver Helmets, Suits, Belts, Gloves, Weights, thermal insulation c/w -1 Boots, Knives, etc -7 24,000btu split AC unit -1 LME Hyperbaric Environmental Control Units Model LMECOMBINED DIVE CHAMBER / CONTROL MODULE HECU-05 -4 1 x Modified 20ft Container c/w: Electric Bell Divers Hot Water Unit - Model LME-HWE-01 Marine windows and Manway door -1 (81KW) approved units -2 Dual Split 24,000 btu AC unit and Fully insulated -1 Potable Water Unit - Model LME-PWU-02 -2 Bell & 3 Diver Control panel -1 -1 Gas supply panel with 2 regulated HP gas supplies and reclaim Electrical supply & Distribution Box’s gas supply management WORKSHOP / SPARES CONTAINER (20FT) 2- Diver Reclaim Management Panel (RMP) - part of LESGAZ C/w 2 work benches 2 double above bench lockers, 2 x bench Reclaim Unit -1 Vise, electrical sockets, 3 x triple stores racks Analyser Panel c/w 3 x CO², 3 x O² Analysers. Oxygen monitor Lights and 18,000btu dual split A/C unit fitted with Hi Lo alarm -2 Divers Hot Water Temp’ Control / Alarm & Temp’ control - 1 MACHINERY CONTAINER No. 2 CCTV Monitor for connection to bell internal camera -1 Modified 20ft Container, coated internally with Comms Panel c/w 2 x 3 Diver unscrambler radio Fitted with ceramic thermal insulation, c/w -1 Round Robin system -1

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24,000btu split AC unit -1 LESGAZ 2 - Diver Reclaim System Model LME-RC-02 (6 x Haskel Pump Units) -1 MACHINERY CONTAINER No. 3 Modified 20ft Container, coated internally with ceramic thermal insulation, c/w 24,000btu split AC unit Gas Mixing Compressor System (Helium & Oxygen) Gas Mixing Bottle Rack

-1 -1 -1 -1

GAS STORAGE BANKS Racks and/or skids to store the following gas supplies Helium - 3,000m3 Oxygen - 540m3 Mixed Gas - 600m3 Air - 90m3 SYSTEM CONNECTIONS Complete lot of hydraulic hoses and cables for the operation of the system

-1

-1

15 MAN HRC ABS classed, Asme PVHO Section VIII PVHO, fitted out with: Seats with harness’s, Helmets - 15 Lung Powered CO2 Scrubbers - Model LME-ELS-01 - 15 Overboard Dump BIBS - 16 Onboard gas cylinders racks -1 Onboard Battery pods -2 Comms system, both main and emergency units -1 Chamber Conditioning Units Model LME-CCU-03 -3 CO2 Scrubbers - Model LME-CS-01 -3 Protection Lifting Frame, C/W Certified lifting and towing slings -1 Positive Buoyancy package -1 Hydraulic operated skid base -1 Connecting spool piece and Clamp -1 HRC LARS Davit Launch System

-1

HRC “FLYAWAY UNIT” Module c/w Control panel with Analyzers,Radio, Lights Power AC unit, Stepdown Transformers, HECU Mini Chiller -1 Lifting Slings and Test certificates Built in compliance with IMCA Cu o valoare de 11 milioane de dolari, echipamentul de scufundare în saturaţie este un produs de top care încorporează cele mai sigure şi mai moderne

tehnologii în domeniu.

Barja GSP Bigfoot 3 a fost echipată cu o macara offshore de mare tonaj cu certificat de clasă ABS. Investiţia atinge valoarea de 6 milioane de euro.

DIESEL - HYDRAULIC ROPE LUFFING BOS-TYPE OFFSHORE CRANE BOS 14000-500 D Litronic, Installation: Offshore work & accommodation barge GSP Bigfoot 3 DESIGN CRITERIA Rules, Regulations, ABS „Guide for Certification of Lifting Appliances“, 2006 Certification Authority ABS Design Temperature -10° C Ambient Temperature -10 / +45° C Relative Humidity up to 100% Distance Mean Sea Level to Slew Bearing about 19 metres Max. Wind Speed / Crane Operation 18 m/sec Max. Gust Boom / Stowed 63 m/sec Max. Barge Inclination 2.5° Design Life 25 years MAIN HOISTING GEAR Winch LEBUS type Max. hoisting capacity 500t Spooling capacity max. winch capacity of 1029m Reeving 10-fall (for 500t SWL) Hoisting speed with 500t SWL 3.6 m/min (last layer) Hoisting speed with empty Hook 12.5 m/min (last layer) Brake Systems dynamic braking: hydraulic system static braking: internal spring loaded multi disc brake Max. Working Radii 54m AUX. HOISTING GEAR Winch LEBUS type Max. Hoisting Capacity 50t Wind Rope Capacity max. winch capacity of 380m Reeving 2-fall Hoisting speed with 100% SWL 27.5 m/min (last layer) Hoisting speed with empty Hook 66.0 m/min (last layer) Brake System dynamic braking: hydraulic system static braking: internal spring loaded multi disc brake Max. Working Radii 59.3m Personnel Transfer yes, max. 3 metric tones SLEWING GEAR Slewing speed with no load at max. radius 0.67 rpm Slewing speed with full load at max. radius 0.28 rpm Slewing range 360° unlimited Slew Bearing 3-row-roller-bearing

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Brake System dynamic braking: hydraulic system static braking: internal spring loaded multi disc brake LUFFING GEAR Winch LEBUS type Luffing speed from max. to min. radius (no load) 163sec Min. Boom Angle 15° during crane operation 0° with boom in rest position Brake System dynamic braking: hydraulic system static braking: internal spring loaded multi disc brake TUGGER WINCHES No. off 2 Line Pull 10to each Location near boom pivot bearing ELECTRIC SYSTEM Hazardous area rating Safe (unclassified) area Aux. Power supply 415V / 50Hz / 3 Ph (customer to confirm) Electric Power Transfer slip ring carrier Electric Cables LIEBHERR standard, marine cables, IEC 331 and 332 Heatings driver’s cabin, machinery compartment, switch cabinets Ventilation fan Lighting cabin, machinery room, access route Floodlights on the Boom 3x 400W Aircraft Warning Lights 1x boom head, 1x top of A-frame PRIME MOVER Type LIEBHERR V8 Diesel Engine Installed Power Output 2x 400KW @ 1900 rpm Starter electric 24VDC Diesel Tank painted carbon steel tank HYDRAULIC SYSTEM Pumps variable displacement, axial piston type Motors variable or fixed displacement, axial piston type or equal Hydraulic System closed loop Simultaneity of Motions 3 motions, full load and reduced speed Hydraulic Lining steel armoured hoses Hydraulic tank made from stainless steel SAFETY RELATED DEVICE Safe Load Indication System Litronic Load Moment Limiting Device Litronic Load Data Recorder Litronic Constant Tension System (CT) Litronic Automatic Overload Protection System (AOPS) Litronic Manual Overload Protection System (MOPS) electric/hydraulic

Emergency Lowering System (ELS) Hydraulic Limit Switch System for Hoisting Gear Electric Limit Switch System for Luffing Gear Electric Limit Switch System for Slewing Gear Electric Warning Horn Electric Slack Rope Protection System Litronic Acceleration Control (integrator) Litronic CRANE CONTROL SYSTEM Manufacturer/Type LIEBHERR/Litronic Data Logger LIEBHERR/Litronic Remote Fault Finding and Test System LIEBHERR/Litronic DRIVER’S CABIN Standard insulated, lit, heated, ventilated, electric window wiper and washing system, air-condition Type fully enclosed and sound proofed Windows tinted, laminated safety glass fitted in rubber frames Wipers 2-off electric driven parallel arm type wipers on front window and single arm type on roof window incl. washers Sun Visor 1-off adjustable sun visor for front and top window Insulation acoustic and thermal insulation on walls, rubber tiles on floor Door marine type door with window and day and night lock and latch Air-conditioning heating and cooling system for 18-25° C inside temperature, incl. demister for the front windows Operator’s Seat upholstered chair with arm rests incl. all direct controls Noise Level 75 dB(A) inside cabin with door and windows closed at full power take off Location right hand side of crane TESTING SAT (Site Acceptance Test) SAT to be carried out at yard with LIEBHERR’s engineer supervision PLATFORMS /WALKWAYS Boom walkway with handrail Superstructure access walkways and platforms A-Frame access and maintenance platform Pedestal Adapter circumferential platform PAINTING SYSTEM DATA Shotblasting to meet SA 2.5(ISO 8501, QSA 09.011.00) LIEBHERR painting system (crane only) as per LIEBHERR offshore standard WEIGHT Crane dry Weight, complete with Pedestal Adapter approx.

420to

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Project Manager Aron Petru received his D.E.Sc. with the Thesis „The Hydraulics of the Hyperbaric Processes“ in 1994.

The name of Aron Petru, the project manager for the installation and testing of the saturation diving equipment onboard GSP Bigfoot 3 (after other three systems installed along the years in Romania: the 200 msw rated equipment installed onboard the research vessel Emil Racovita, the diving equipment rated 300 msw installed onboard the research vessel Grigore Antipa and the 500 msw rated equipment installed within the hyperbaric laboratory of the Constanta Diving Centre) frequently appears as a member of the academic teams from

Ovidius and Mircea cel Batran Universities in Constanta, as well as appreciated author of studies and articles.

We introduce to you only a few titles: Aron PETRU, Respiratory mixtures used in diving. Publisher: Comandamentul Marinei Militare, Constanta, 1990 Aron PETRU, Rules regarding the diving preparative and execution. Publisher: Comandamentul Marinei Militare, Constanta, 1990 Aron PETRU, Mircea DEGERATU, Sergiu IONITA: The guide of the autonomous diver.

Publisher: Olimp-press, Bucuresti, 1991.

Gheorghe BADIU, Nicolae CIAMITRU, Aron PETRU: Hyperbaric physiology and patho-physiology. Publisher: Andrei Saguna Foundation Publishing House, Constanta, 1997 Mircea DEERATU, Aron PETRU, Sergiu IONITA: The diver’s handbook. Publisher: Per Omnes Artes, Bucuresti, 1999.

Mircea DEGERATU, Aron PETRU, Stefan GEORGESCU, Sergiu IONITA: Hyperbaric technologies for unitary and saturation diving. Publisher: Matrix Rom, Bucuresti, 2008 Mircea DEGERATU, Aron PETRU, Stefan GEORGESCU: Underwater breathing equipment. Publisher: Matrix Rom, Bucuresti, 2003 Degeratu, Mircea; Georgescu, Stefan; Petru, Aron; Alboiu, Nicolae. The exposure to pressure and the decompression of the military divers. In: Tehnica militara, nr. 1/2006. 2006. p.40-45 Petru, Aron; Bejan, Adrian; Suta, Cornel; Bejan, Valeria; Georgescu, Stefan. The rescue vest of the autonomous diver. Design alternatives. In: Tehnica militara, nr. 1/2006.

2006. p.40-45 D.E.Sc. Aron Petru coordinated 18 research themes, being the author of six

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research papers, of 34 scientific articles and 27 scientific communications with which he took part in 16 conferences and scientific communication sessions. He also holds 15 invention and innovation patents. As an engineering designer D.E.Sc. Aron Petru is the author of 24 upgrade and underwater intervention projects for the research vessels Grigore Antipa and Emil Racovita.

D.E.Sc. Aron Petru carried out studies regarding the main processes taking place during the divers submersion, in hyperbaric environment: the human body exposure to the external pressure corresponding to the immersion depth, the immersion at the working depth (compression), the divers stay at the working depth, and the return to atmospheric pressure (decompression), time frame during which the inert gas or gasses dissolved during the pressure exposure are eliminated.

Milestones: The decompression charts after air diving for unitary diving with air to the maximum depth of 60 meters, the decompression charts LH – 82, calculated and experimentally verified within the After diving decompression tables for diving air unit with compressed air at depths of up to 60 m, LH-82 decompression tables, calculated and verified experimentally in the Hyperbaric Laboratory within the Diving Center in Constanta, ensure a safe return to atmospheric pressure. There also have been tested the diving charts for diving gases mixtures (NITROX) used for the first time in the Black Sea during the installation of the jacket no.

1 at the Central Platform by Petromar.

These tables allowed divers to work underwater for a while more and with a shorter duration of decompression time frame. For the 500 msw diving record he calculated the charts and tested on animals, collaborating with medical research institutes (Cluj Napoca, Bucharest, Craiova) to succeed with the human diving 500msw, event taking place in 1984.

Short history of saturation diving in Romania 1981, July - The first saturation dive in Romania is carried out with very good results at the depth of 300 meters, within the “Pontus” series.

1982 – The Hyperbar Laboratory within the Constanta Divers Centre elaborates the LH-82 air decompression charts, for air dives up to 60 meters depths.

1983, February – A new national premiere takes place: the first saturation dive with mixes of nitrogen - oxygen (NITROX) is carried out at the depth of 25 meters, after a chart calculated by D.E.Sc. Aron Petru. This dive was shortly followed by another one, at the depth of 41 meters.

1983, 1st of June – A national record is registered once with the Pontus III dive, at the depth of 450 meters. For the first time, a collaboration contract is concluded with the Cluj Napoca Medicine and Pharmacy Institute: the team, coordinated by the Institute’s Rector, Dr. Ion Banciu, performs biochemical investigations.

1984, May – The divers from Constanta Divers Centre perform the subsea works of mounting the jacket at Gloria offshore drilling rig, at the depth of 48 meters.

1984, September – The Romanian divers perform, within the Hyperbar Laboratory from Constanta Diving Centre, a saturation dive at the depth of 500 meters. The technical assistance was assured by D.E.Sc. Aron Petru, the Dive Chief. The medical assistance was assured by a team of doctors from Constanta Diving Centre, at this dive attending also the representatives of Constanta Military Hospital, of Cluj Napoca Medicine and Pharmacy Institute and from Craiova University.

D.E.Sc. Aron Petru, Dive Chief for this experiment, believes that the simulated dive from September 25th – October 9th, 1984, had broadened the research perspectives both for other techniques and technologies specific to this profession.

1984, November – A raiser is installed at Gloria drilling rig, an L shaped pipe, with one 60 meters arm and the other one of 500 meters, on one of the jacket’s stands.

1985 – Divers teams from the Constanta Diving Centre, execute subsea works in order to install the subsea pipe at Gloria drilling rig.

1989 – The LH-89 surface decompression tables are elaborated by the Hyperbar Laboratory within Constanta Diving Centre. D.E.Sc. Aron Petru, researcher in the saturation diving domain and the author of “The surface decompression diving tables”,” The Tables of diving with air, with nitrox and saturation diving at 500 meters depth”.

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GSP NEPTUN, the heavy lift floating crane GSP Neptun, the floating crane with the highest lifting capacity in the Black Sea, had passed through a modernization and reclassification process. The project had been carried out under GSP Management. Bogdan Orozan, engineer, had coordinated the activities within the package for the crane reclassification from KRS 0C class (0 – for vessels with restricted operations area) to KRS 1 (for vessels which may operate without area restriction) due to the manufacturing and installation of the new floatability tanks (sponsons) on both boards, and the engineer Marius Petculescu has had the duty to monitor the repair works, the modernization of the accommodation and equipment installation. The technical documentation had been realized by Technomak and the modernization and reclassification process had been supervised by KRS (Korean Register of Shipping), a classification society member of IACS (International Association of Classification Societies), the class certificates being issued after the completion of works and performance of all the tests.

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The works foreseen in this modernization and reclassification project had taken place in Constanta Shipyard. Here, the block-sections for the floatability tanks were executed and the installation works took place. All the materials used for the works are ABS certified. The floatability and lifting tests took place in the presence of the representative of the classification society, KRS. Once with the installation of the new floatability tanks, the 1800 tons capacity floating crane’s draught had changed from 4.6 meters to 3.8 meters.

There had been issued the GSP Neptun floating crane’s Operation Manual and the program for the vessel’s ballasting depending on the lifted weight. Works of improvement for the towing system (towing & emergency towing) had also been performed on GSP Neptun.

New VHF radio-navigation equipments had been installed onboard the GSP Neptun floating crane.

After the completion of modernization and reclassification works, GSP Neptun had attended the activities scheduled in GSP Shipyard, amongst others: the installation of the 400 tons crane’s boom onboard the GSP Bigfoot 3 technical vessel and the installation of heliport on the GSP Bigfoot 1, subsea pipelines installation barge.

Only few of the major modernization and reclassification works are listed below: • Obtaining the approvals from KRS classification society;

Once with the installation of the new floatability tanks, the 1800 tons capacity floating crane’s draught had changed from 4.6 meters to 3.8 meters. There had been issued the GSP Neptun floating crane’s Operation Manual and the program for the vessel’s ballasting depending on the lifted weight.

• Acquisition of steel plates and profiles for the construction of 14 floatability tanks (sponsons); • Sandblasting and painting of steel plates metal and profiles before mounting them; • Docking of floating crane GSP NEPTUN (10.02.2010 – 14.04.2010) • Fabrication, assembling and mounting sponson tanks Stb & P (14 tanks) – cca 510 tons of steel • Manufactured and mounted on every sponson tank – scupper & sounding tub, ventilation pipe for tank, manhole, manhole cover, vertical ladder, bottom plug • Manufactured and mounted fender guard on top side of sponson tanks (P & Stb) • Manufactured by steel and mounted free board mark and drafts marks on sponson tanks – P & Stb • Pressure test of sponson tanks – 14 pcs • Radiographic inspection (RX) of welding for sponson tanks – 80 photos • Vacuum test for all welding between new sponson tanks and old ship • Manufactured by steel and mounted by welding name of the ship – P & Stb • Manufactured and mounted smith brackets for towing system in aft part of crane • Manufactured and mounted under deck stiffening for smith brackets • Mounted bollards on sponson tanks – 8 pcs (P & Stb) • Manufactured and mounted under deck stiffening for blollards • Magnetic particles examination for all bolards • Mounted stand roller on sponson tanks – 4 pcs (P & Stb) • Manufactured and mounted under deck stiffening for stand roller • Manufactured Delta plate 125 To for towing system • Hull treatment - Blasting SA2 and coating external area (Paint system by SIGMA COATINGS) • Inside sponson tanks – Blasting SA2 and coating (Paint system by SIGMA

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COATINGS) • Deck treatment on sponson tanks Blasting SA2 and coating (Paint system

by SIGMA COATINGS) • Treatment of the crane boom and tower – Washing LPFWJ, surface preparation standard ST3, coating (Paint system by SIGMA COATINGS) • Lowering the crane boom and checking the sheaves • Measured the clearance between sheaves and bolts for every sheave • Repair lubricating system of every bolt of block sheaves – renewed some pipes • Steel works – renewal of steel (frames, bottom longitudinals, bottom and side shell) – cca 21 tons of steel • Welded seams ultrasonic – 24 position • Sea chest (3 pcs) – Opening, cleaning HPFWJ, blasting, coating, anodes renewal, closing gratings.

• Anodes renewal on hull and sea chests – 1100 kg.

• Sea chest valves overhauling in place – open valve cover, clean, checking, lapping, coating, close with new gaskets – DN 450 - 5 pcs • Overboard valves overhauling in place - open valve cover, clean, checking, lapping, coating, close with new gaskets – 16 pcs • Sea chest valve filter – open filter cover, clean, checking, coating, close with new gaskets – 2 pcs • Verify protection for every hydraulic main engine – 3 pcs • Verify protection for every auxiliary engine – 2 pcs • Mounted echo sounder • Rearrangement of accommodation area • Remanufactured and mounted doors for accommodation area – 6 pcs • Rearrange all doors from accommodation area (10 pcs) to be with door sill 600 mm • Rearrange air pipe for all tanks of crane to be with 760 mm higher than main deck • Manufactured and mounted control tuggers – 2 pcs (P & Stb) • Mounting in every hook equalizer device for 900 To load – 2 pcs

• Inclining test of the crane • Load test of the crane • Obtaining the new class certificates (KRS), the statutory certificates (MMA, Marine Maltese Authority).

Engineer Marius Petculescu has briefly presented us the repairs schedule carried out onboard the 1800 tons floating crane.

It had taken into consideration all the crane’s sections.

Amongst the works carried out within the deck section, the most important were those of replacing the sealed doors and external hatches, those of raising the tanks’ ventilations to 760 from to the main deck level, the works of repositioning the accommodation access doors, the thresholds’ height being of 600 mm from the main deck level, the acquisition and replacement of cables for winches and operation, the performance of measurements between rolls and bolts at each of the crane’s rolls group, the checking of the hooks and of the load balancing systems, the revision of anchoring, positioning and operation installation, and the rearrangement of accommodation.

The checking and repairs works at the engine section included, amongst others: the revision of the hydraulic pumps, the replacement of fireproof and cooling system piping, the rearrangement of materials warehouses, the revision of valves, of the filters from the sea suction valves and of the overboard discharge valves.

At the electric section the MR and DG (diesel generators) protection circuits had been repaired, the VHF station’s feeder had been acquired, there had been checked the hydraulic installations’ electro-valves and the power cables routes had been restored in warehouses, luffing room and engine’s room.

GSP Neptun shall be mobilized for the installation works scheduled within the offshore construction works project for the Akcakoca field. Here, the 1800 tons floating crane shall attend the installation of 101 meters jacket and of the two decks modular topside.

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DRILLING REPORT GSP Jupiter

GSP Saturn

The mobile offshore drilling rig GSP Jupiter completed in mid May the operations carried out under the contract with Petrom. Petrom plans to revise the engineering study for wells and its implementation on the continental shelf of the Black Sea as well as the well intervention program to the existing wells.

The exploration and production well package as well as the workover program in question are very attractive for GSP. GSP Jupiter is preparing for a new drilling contract on the Bulgarian Black Sea continental shelf for Melrose Resources.

The mobile offshore drilling rig GSP Saturn is currently operating in the Mediterranean Sea. Japex is the client company. GSP Saturn is drilling one well under the contract, the completion being expected for late June, 2010.

GSP Atlas

GSP Atlas continues to operate under the contract with IOEC. Until recently, the mobile offshore drilling rig has conducted intervention operations at the existing wells. The well interventions were carried out in a time frame of 12 months.

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Perspectives – the 2nd semester of 2010 On the 4th of June GSP Atlas initiated the drilling operations for a new well on a new location.

GSP Orizont

The modernization and reclassification project of GSP Orizont, initiated in early 2010 within the Lamprell Shipyard in Sharjah is approaching the completion.

The drilling rig wil start operating under the IOEC contract.

GSP Prometeu

GSP Prometheus is currently in Constanta South - Agigea ready for a new contract.

The prospects for the second half of 2010 are presenting more favorably compared with the results we achieved during the first half of the current once the upgrade and reclassification project of GSP Orizont is completed and the drilling rig re/enters the service. Four out of the five GSP’s drilling rigs will be under contract. Certainly, with completion of the upgrade and reclassification and resume drilling in the contract to re Horizon GSP, GSP will have four of the five rigs in contract.

To these four offshore drilling rigs we may add GSP 31, the modular drilling rig which is expected to start operation under a TPAO contract.

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GSP goes drilling in deeper waters with GSP 31, the modular drilling rig, exceeding the operating limit of 90 meters water depth GSP 31 is a modular drilling rig. It can be used both for onshore and offshore drilling. The modules reach the maximum weight of 20 tones. The drilling rig GSP 31 has a bootstrap type drilling derrick. The modular drilling rig can be installed onboard fixed platforms (top sides) being assisted during operations by the work and accommodation heavy lift barge GSP Bigfoot 3.

The design of the modular drilling rig GSP 31 meets the following oil and gas industry codes and standards: : API Spec 4F - ‘Specification for Drilling and Well Servicing Structures’, 2nd Edition, 1 June 1995 API Spec 6A - ‘Valves and Well Head Equipment’, 17th Edition, February 1996 API Spec 7 - ‘Specification for Rotary Drilling Equipment’, 39th Edition, 1997 API Spec 7F - ‘Specification for Chains and Sprockets’, 5th Edition, 1993 API Spec 8C - ‘Specification for Drilling Production and Hoisting Equipment’, 3rd Edition, May 1998 API Spec 9A - ‘Specification for Wire Rope’, 24th Edition, May 1986 API Spec 16A - ‘Specification for Drill through Equipment’, 2nd Edition, 1997 API Spec 16C - ‘Specification for Choke and Kill Systems’, 1st Edition, 1993 API Spec 16D - ‘Specification for Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment’, 1st Edition, 1993 API RP-16E - ‘Recommended Practice for Design of Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment’, 2nd Edition, 1994 ASME B31.3 - ‘Chemical Plant and Petroleum Refinery Piping’, 1996 Edition AISC - ‘Specification for the Design, Fabrication and Erection of Structural Steel for Buildings’, 9th Edition API Recommend - ‘Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing Practice RP2ALRFD - Construction Fixed Offshore Platforms - Load and Resistance Factor Design’, 1st Ed. AWS D1.1 - ‘Structural Welding Code’, 16th Edition NACE MR-01-84 - ‘Material Requirements: Sulphide Stress Cracking Resistant Metallic Material for Oilfield equipment’.

NPD - Regulations for Petroleum Operations including Directions for Systematic Supervision of the Working Environment issued 1 June 1999.

GSP 31 drilling rig – configuration GSP Drilling 31 consists of two main modules, the drilling equipment (Drilling Equipment Sets, DES) and the drilling mud module (MM) which also includes the generators and the SCR. The modular drilling rig can be installed and disassembled with the support of the cranes onboard the fixed marine platform or with the crane onboard the multipurpose barge GSP Bigfoot 3.

Equipment control and monitoring of the modular drilling rig GSP 31 The toolpusher and the driller have control and monitoring access of the basic drilling operation from the consoles located within the Driller’s and Assistant Driller’s Cabin on the drill floor. Drilling equipment controls utilize „standard“ supplier’s control panels which are integrated into consoles. The following equipment can be controlled in this manner: Top Drive, Power Tong, Drawworks, Catheads, Mud Pump (c/w Supercharge Pump), BOP Control, Pipe Slips, Elevators, Pipe Conveyor, Pipe Handling Equipment, Mud Bucket.

In addition to the drilling equipment controls, instrumentation is provided to allow monitoring of drilling data. „For us, taking into consideration the prospect of the offshore oil and natural

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gas industry development in the Black Sea and adjacent regions is a time conducive to new investments. With GSP 31 modular rig, GSP will have the capability to drill wells in subsea fields located in greater than 90 meters water depths, in offshore oil and gas fields where there are fixed production platforms. The company has carefully assessed both the Black Sea market conditions, where the demand for drilling and well intervention services should be carried out at water depths beyond our actual operational limit of 90 meters and the overall financial climate; there has been considered the investment is fully justified. The acquisition of the modular drilling rig became justified, as the drilling rig is able to operate with the support of a technical vessel, GSP Bigfoot 3; a market opportunity has been presented to us to render offshore drilling services in Northern Turkey, in the Black Sea basin. The beneficiary of the first drilling services contract is going to be TPAO,” has declared Vasile Nicolae, Chief Drilling Officer.

90 meters currently represents the operational water depth limit for the five GSP’s mobile offshore drilling rigs on the continental shelf. The first contract for the modular drilling rig GSP 31 leads us in water depth of 95 meters. The contract will run for approximately six months, including drilling operations for two new wells and the tie back of two existing ones.

The modular drilling rig GSP 31 will be used during the first contract to drill onboard Ackakoca fixed platform, where both the jacket and the platform with two decks have been fabricated, installed and commissioned by GSP under the EPIC offshore construction project. The manufacturing process of this offshore construction took place in the GSP’s southern operational base, GSP Shipyard.

The upgrade process of GSP 31 will be carried out in GSP’s North Operational

Base – Midia. The major subcontractors for the upgrade project are UPETROM 1 Mai, Ploiesti, Euroned Engineering and ICPE Actel. The main components of the drilling rig will be modernized by the manufacturing companies. Thus, the Top Drive and the operation group were sent to Acker.

The upgrade of the drilling derrick from 200 up to 250 tons hook load and the increase of the operating temperature from -10 to -20 ° C will be made by DNV Houston. The

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electrical management system will be commissioned by the German company BENTEC. The engineering study and the design necessary to adapt the drilling rig onboard the fixed offshore platform will be realized by Euroned Engineering BV together with UPETROM Trading & Engineering.

Vasile Nicolae, the Chief Drilling Officer declares: „There are promising development prospects in the Black Sea region for the oil and gas industry. They envisage both the intensive exploitation of the hydrocarbon deposits identified on the continental shelf, at small water depths and the deep-sea drilling. GSP’s development strategy takes into account the development trend of the industry and prepares a comprehensive upgrade and newbuild program in order to meet the growing demand of the market All the Black Sea bordering countries are aware of the importance of securing the energy resources, and their national development policies, in line with the regional energetic policy, gives a special importance to the exploitation of the offshore oil and gas reserves. The offshore servicing contractor companies will be operating on the continental shelves of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine in the Black Sea basin.

GSP’s development of the services offer puts us on the most favorable position, our clients and potential clients highly appreciating our integrated offshore services packages. GSP has the ability to satisfy the most demanding needs; in addition to the drilling services with the offshore mobile platforms, and to the tender assist drilling and well interventions for the fixed offshore platforms, GSP comes up with an offer covering for all the other services: marine operations , supply, fabrication, load out, sea fastening and installation of marine construction, installation of submarine pipelines, hydro-technical constructions, project management for the offered service packages, training. The Black Sea region began to move from the periphery

to the center of international interest, but this takes place far too slowly in relation to our expectations. If before there have not been coherent energetic strategies in this region, the region itself has generated very viable strategies: the states around the Black Sea states have proved themselves perfectly capable of creating, through multilateral or bilateral agreements, organizations and effective tools to support the regional security, the environmental protection, and the economic development in the region.“ „Black Sea covers important deposits of oil, although the sea surface is not very large. The extent of the Black Sea represented a deterrent to investors when assessing opportunities to expand offshore operations here. Black Sea also represents a oil transport way from the Caspian Sea westward.

The energy market faces insufficient transport capacities. At this time there isn’t a way to meet the actual demand of the regional economies as well as the western ones. Yet the offshore industry develops by balancing the exploration, production and transportation capabilities. We cannot talk about growth in one of the above areas without the proportionate development of the other two. To this problematic aspect there’s a new one to be added: the transport infrastructure in the region cannot meet the needs.

The infrastructure development will play a key role in maintaining a low price of natural gas, making it an affordable energy resource. GSP, through the means of offering integrated services for the offshore industry can respond to requests coming from this area.

If we tend to look at long-term forecasts, the European Commission estimates the share of imports increased by 85% in 2030 only in regards of the natural gas. If there’s oil to be taken into account too, the estimated imports may reach the rate of 93%. Of course there is a great deal of uncertainty for such long-

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term forecasts, which may be influenced by variables such as natural gas prices.

However, renewable energy sources will not affect the crucial role that hydrocarbons will play during the next five or seven years. Although sustained because of the strategic importance, the development of unconventional energy sources will be a slow process.

Thinking for the future, GSP has proven that environmental protection can be aligned with profitable business, that the environmental policy does not reflect only a momentary state, but an essential component of the development strategy. Our industry has been forced to learn and understand the meaning of trade and environmental regulations quickly and through lessons maybe more dramatic than in other business areas. We’ll carry out an increased activity on the continental shelf of the Black Sea, we will move to deeper waters with our drilling activity, we ought to learn thoroughly and lessons on environmental protection and economics. And we must understand that they go together. We develop now, through newbuild and modernization, technical vessels; in the future we’ll build drilling rigs, we’ll develop the production capacity to ensure efficient operation with maximum safety for people and environment. In the same time we carry out a comprehensive human resources program, for training and certification, so we guarantee quality in all aspects. The engineering stages for the newbuild projects are in advanced stages and we are quite confident that we will be prepared to meet the new demands of the regional market.

We believe that a viable and robust infrastructure represents the key of the coagulation of the Black Sea region.

Black Sea represents a key region for the energy security in the first half of the 21st century. GSP is committed to contribute to the changing face of the regional economies by providing the necessary

energy resources. In order to create wealth, we are aware we must contribute to creating a sound infrastructure, beyond the regional restrictions and limitations on access into the Black Sea or of other nature. Black Sea plays a critical role in ensuring the energy security of Europe.

The exploitation of significant oil or gas reserves in shallow or deep sea water depths can be further developed, like the realization of strategic projects to transport oil from more remote regions. Our role is to ensure the hydrocarbons way from the Black and Caspian seas to the consumer, to ensure energy security. GSP needs to prove the understanding of his role and act responsibly accordingly, as a vector of regional progress,” concluded Vasile Nicolae.

GSP will endow the offshore drilling rig GSP Saturn with modern blow out preventers GSP has decided to acquire new generation blow out preventers (BOP) for GSP Saturn. „This way we can be sure that we keep under control the phenomena which may occur because of pressure anomalies within the different rock formations through which the drilling equipment crosses during the well drilling,“ says Vasile Nicolae, Chief Drilling Officer.

The control of the eruptive phenomena is realized with special devices called blow out preventers (BOPs). The last generation blow out preventers are provided with variable ram seals, depending on the different types of pipes (different diameters) and cutting slips able to cut through the tubular material and completely seal the well.

These new generation devices allow the intervention to be completed in a very short time, of 3 up to 5 minutes, compared with traditional blow out preventers system where the similar intervention is performed in 3 up to 4 hours. The reaction time is a key factor with a significant importance as the investment is intended to improve the safety in operation.

GSP Jupiter has already been equipped with new blow out preventers, and the current investment envisages the mobile offshore drilling rig GSP Saturn.

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GSP Training Centre hosted in June the IWCF Board meeting Fanel Hahui, CEO of GSP: “It is an

honor for us to be hosting this event. We are aware the part the International Well Control Forum plays in the global oil & gas industry, as well as of the decisive contribution that this organization`s decisions safely conduct of our activities.

GSP will support all the Forum`s decisions and will continue to prove determination to build a strong partnership with IWCF.“ GSP Training Centre hosted for two days, June 23rd and 24th, the annual meeting of the IWCF Board (International

Well Control Forum - IWCF). This event has great significance for both GSP and the Training Centre. GSP Training Centre became last year an accredited IWCF training institution. This year we confirmed that the services offered here are internationally appreciated, both by direct beneficiaries as well as by the International Forum which sets the standards for well control activities (IWCF) that gave its endorsement and certified the center and the diplomas issued here. This meeting also represents

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the recognition of our Company: GSP services are already recognized for their quality standard. Organizing the annual meeting of the IWCF Board at GSP represents a confirmation of the prestige our company has in the offshore drilling industry. We are now a worldwide recognized company, top class participants in this extremely demanding industry.

All participants considered the meeting hosted by GSP Training Centre to have been very important, because strategic decisions have been taken here.

IWCF usually organizes two or three such meetings a year, the one held in Constanta being the second in 2010.

During these meetings strategic topics, of great importance for the Forum, are discussed. The decisions related to technical aspects are reserved for the regional IWCF branch meetings.

David Price, Chairman of IWCF

said: „From my point of view, we had the opportunity here to take a series of strategic decisions of great importance.

Certainly, the IWCF Board meeting held in Constanta, at the GSP Training Centre is a milestone, a turning point for the International Well Control Forum.

The positive results of the discussion we had here are also due to the fact that this environment inspired and motivated us.

GSP Training Centre is a beautiful place.

Every participant will agree. The location has been of great help: GSP Training

„GSP Training Centre has made a strong impression among participants.

They said they haven`t seen any other training center similar to the one in Constanta, with modern facilities and latest generation DrillSIM 6000 Simulator.“ Centre is the most favorable environment for discussing future development of IWCF.“ Gheorghe Constantin, HSEQ Director and host of the event told us:

„GSP Training Centre has made a strong impression among participants.

They said they haven`t seen any other training center similar to the one in Constanta, with modern facilities and latest generation DrillSIM 6000 Simulator.

The modernity and functionality of this facility for training and professional development have led participants to insist on discussing the future enforcement of minimum standard requirements for the equipment of IWCF training centers worldwide, even though not exactly compared to ours, but at least to set the minimum compulsory equipment standard for all the training centers, including a simulator for the practical assessment of the trainees.“

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PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Mihai Spanoche, Electronic Engineer Vasile Nicolae, the Chief Drilling Officer tells us about Mihai Spanoche: “He is a very capable young man. The Company decided to cover the expenses with the fees for his Master’s Degree at Northumbria University in the UK. He proved himself inclined for learning and professional development. It is an advantage to have him among us.“ Next, Vasile Nicolae offers us information on the professional development strategy

to support employees’ careers: “The Company has clearly established a fund to assist staff in achieving the career goals. When these employees’ personal goals are consistent with the major objectives of improving human resources, our people enjoy the full support of the Board. We take into consideration both short-term specialization and certification courses as well as long-term courses, Master’s and MBA programs.”

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Mihai Spanoche is introducing himself as it follows: „I am self-taught, I usually learn by myself, and working onboard an offshore drilling rig is challenging. During my daily activities I combine office work and physical activities. Working with industrial equipment entirely controlled by electronics was for me a professional opportunity. They are already three years since I am working onboard the offshore mobile drilling rig GSP Jupiter.

In this context I can say that the drilling technology has very much to gain by implementing the latest technologies from the improved safety point of view. My job is to ensure the proper functioning of the Driller’s Cabin, the Drilling Control Room.

This was provided by the Norwegian company Sense EDM. There are two X-Com chairs of the operators. It is not very different from the simulator we have installed within GSP Training Center.

My job description includes maintaining the smooth operation of the electronic controlled machinery onboard the drilling rig: Pipe Handler, Top Drive, EDS Iron Roughneck.“ R: Mihai, what made you choose the offshore drilling rig as your workplace?

M.S.: Actually, it’s a personal choice. It was a chance to be able to work with the most modern equipment, currently operated only onboard 22 offshore drilling rigs worldwide. It gives me great satisfaction when I swiftly solve the arising problems. It matters a great deal to like what you do and find satisfaction in the results of your work. I discovered the self-motivating function of the positive results: I am working since I was 18 years old and I have never chosen to do something I don’t like. The offshore drilling rig is a factory and the staff should be able to manage perfectly human, material and time resources in order to reach the optimum level. It is necessary to collaborate and to allow one another to show the professional ability of solving problems. A handful of people in remote locations in the middle of the sea, not in Spartan but in somewhat

„It was a chance to be able to work with the most modern equipment, currently operated only onboard 22 offshore drilling rigs worldwide. It gives me great satisfaction when I swiftly solve the arising problems. It matters a great deal to like what you do and find satisfaction in the results of your work.“ restrictive conditions need to master the art of communicating and interacting at professional and human levels so that things are carried out very well.

R.: Are there any moments in your career so far, along the years you spent working onboard the offshore drilling rig that you consider important, with an outstanding contribution to your professional development?

MS: I could quickly list a few: the fact that I had the opportunity to work on an offshore drilling rig where they were installed very modern and competitive drilling control systems gives me the greatest satisfaction. The second place is definitely held by the place I played in the commencement of the training activities within GSP Training Centre and the certification of GSP’s training facility - it could be considered a lateral step, a moment broadening my career horizon and my first meeting with the trainer position. For the future, yet not a very close future, I think training could be even a career option for me. A third milestone was the installation of the Driller’s Cabin onboard GSP Saturn and my encounter with the NOV Amphion drilling control system. Another special moment was the meeting with the first cadet in electronics who I had to personally guide: this happened about a year ago. Cosmin Munteanu is currently working onboard GSP Bigfoot1. I think I honorably succeeded in completing my

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task, since onboard GSP Jupiter there’s another cadet assigned directly under my guidance, Constantin Leagan. Currently, I am looking forward for the installation of the Driller’s Cabin onboard GSP Orizont: I will go there during the commissioning and testing of the equipment and I like the idea of being going among the few firstly operating a prototype Driller’s Cabin. It will be a first for its engineering designer - ICPE Actel as well as for the manufacturer - UPETROM 1 Mai, Ploiesti, for the team managing this upgrading and reclassification project, and for me as well.

R: Besides a very good theoretical training and experience, are there any other mandatory qualities that the members of a crew of an offshore drilling rig must have?

MS: Yes, certainly, and I would say that it is mandatory to have a high response level, that one always must be willing to learn. The rapid problem solving capacity, the high response speed matter very much. All crew members must possess master skills, to be able to find the best solutions and maintain the safety of operation at maximum possible level.

The first thing I’ve realized working away from the shoreline is that safety comes first. It is both an individual and collective responsibility. The latest technologies we use significantly mitigate risks that might

The first thing I’ve realized working away from the shoreline is that safety comes first. It is both an individual and collective responsibility. The latest technologies we use significantly mitigate risks that might arise either because of human error or because of undetected or unresolved faults. There is the guarantee that certain wrong maneuvers cannot be done.

arise either because of human error or because of undetected or unresolved faults. There is the guarantee that certain wrong maneuvers cannot be done. The fact that we work very closely with the drilling engineer, with the driller and the driller’s assistant is in our advantage. All the equipment onboard GSP Jupiter is electronically controlled by a complex system of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) and servers that continuously record the data. It is compulsory to understand operation beyond the narrow professionalization in electronics and IT. R: I understand that you continue studying and also thatyou have obtained very good results. What can you tell us about it?

MS: I am currently attending a Master’s Degree in United Kingdom. I’ve previously attended training courses at Siemens in the UK, too. The Master’s Studies are held within Northumbria University.

There are two reasons I chose this University: the first would be that the British educational system attracted and interested me ever since I understood that education is an opened market, and I received more information about educational system: I have colleagues studying in the United Kingdom in similar programs, other specialization areas.

The second reason is represented by the position Northumbria University occupies in the public UK Universities ranking, which is 7. The Master’s Degree in Computing & Information Technology has the duration of three years and aims to better define and deepen the knowledge gained during college. The experience I capitalized while working also turned out to play an important role in the projects I have realizes: I recently created a project website and I made a report related to the site I created. I employed the latest web accessibility and usability technologies for people with hearing or visual disabilities.

The project is based on my occupational field, which is drilling. The project came in the top five in this year rankings, being presented at the Student Show in June 2010.

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THE „CADET“ PROGRAM As it is well known, our company carries out a program initiated two years ago, that allows university graduates to get prepared to ensure the smooth generations change aboard the GSP`s platforms and ships.

The drilling department has currently eight cadets in training, who managed to acquire promising evaluation results.

The young trainees have graduated The Oil and Gas University of Ploiesti.

The training program for the toolpusher position is conducted along a three years timeframe, during which the cadets are trained and promoted to various positions inside the offshore drilling team. „Our Cadets, those from the drilling department,“ says Vasile Nicolae, Chief Drilling Officer, „are already in the second year, five of them being already confirmed for the driller position, other two are working as junior chief driller on GSP Saturn and GSP Jupiter with good results, and the latter being a cadet who will be confirmed on a position inside the drilling department after the assessment in July. „ There are currently cadets who within the Mechanic, IT, Electronic and HSE departments. They are as well getting prepared for the confirmation of their position or for a promotion. Vasile Nicolae, Chief Drilling Officer told us:

„The cadets confirm our expectations and the training program proves its effectiveness. I can especially refer to the young cadets from the drilling department, whose performance I have carefully monitored. They are ambitious and we believe that GSP will have in future very good specialists.

„The cadets confirm our expectations and the training program proves its effectiveness. I can especially refer to the young cadets from the drilling department, whose performance I have carefully monitored. They are ambitious and we believe that GSP will have in future very good specialists.”

The personell promoted by the „Cadet” Program Drilling Department:

Ştefan Băeţelu, assistant driller, GSP Jupiter Ionuţ Zidaru, driller, GSP Saturn Daniel Marinescu, driller, GSP Jupiter Sergiu Butnaru, driller, GSP Saturn Dănuţ Constantin, driller, GSP Saturn Marian Valentin Dinu, assistant driller, GSP Saturn Mechanical Department:

Adrian Vardarie, pumps unit mechanic, GSP Jupiter Electrical Department:

Bogdan Vasilescu, electrician, GSP Bigfoot 3 IT/ Electronical Department:

Cosmin Munteanu, electronist, GSP Bigfoot 1 HSE:

Adrian Mugurel Vasile, HSE officer, GSP Bigfoot 3 CADETS

Bogdan Săvescu,drilling cadet Mihai Dorobanţu, drilling cadet Bogdan Tudose, mechanic cadet Florin Stănescu, mechanic cadet Angel Dan, mechanic cadet mecanic Ion Stan, mechanic cadet mecanic Eideh Mohamed, mechanic cadet mecanic Constantin Leagăn, IT& electronic cadet Andrei Bancianu, HSE cadet Bogdan Dobrogeanu, HSE cadet Ştefan Dumitrescu, HSE cadet Cosmin Panait, HSE cadet Iulian Vasilache, HSE cadet

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