GSP Magazine, July 2014

www.gspoffshore.com ISSUE: July 2014

urn t a S P S G for sets out ic the Arct

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS GSP expands OSV fleet with three new DPS 2 platform supply vessels

GSP Magellan will join the fleet of offshore jack up drilling rigs

Construction Vessels: Heavy Lift and Civil Engineering Operations

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contents 3 SCF BLACK SEA REGATTA 2014 Comes to an End 7 GSP PARTICIPATED IN THE 21ST WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS GSP SPONSORED THE CONFERENCE „From Made In to Made By Romania“ 9 GSP, Partner of the Holiday Popular Race 10 VEGA HOTEL HOSTED the Energy Breakfast Club 12 DISCOVERING THE SCENIC ROMANIA 14 GSP AND ATELIER MEDIA Launch the Safety Induction Movie for all the Rigs 15 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE PAYBACK - Taking Invention and Innovation Way 18 UPETROM 1 MAI, Over a Century of Tradition in Oilfield Equipment Production 20 GSP SATURN Sets Out for the Arctic

26 GSP EXPANDS OSV FLEET with Three New DPS 2 Platform Supply Vessels 27 GSP MAGELLAN Will Join the Fleet of Offshore Jack Up Drilling Rigs 28 CONSTRUCTION VESSELS Heavy Lift and Civil Engineering Operations 32 GSP TRAINING CENTER: The Drilling Well Control Program 36 GSP- YOUR EMPLOYER OF CHOICE 37 MEET YOUR TRAINER, Cristian Craciun 40 IWCF EUROPEAN REGIONAL BRANCH MEETING 43 GSP LAUNCHES THE JUNIOR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM: Onshore Careers Starting Point 40 New Educational Opportunities for Offshore Success Careers

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SCF Black Sea Regatta 2014 Comes to an End

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The closing ceremonies of the SCF Black Sea Regatta, between the 24th and 27th of May were hosted for the first time by the Port of Constanta. The SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta competition took place between the 30th of April and the 27th of May on the route Varna– Novorossiysk – Sochi – Constanta.

The event in Constanta was organized by Navigator Yacht Club (NYC) in partnership with the Naval Academy and the Constanta Port Administration, under the aegis of Sail Training International (STI). The main partners of the event were Vega Hotel, Grup Servicii Petroliere, EximBank and Pepsi; other partners of the event were Vega Travel, Sea Protect Group, UGM Energy. At the end of the SCF Black Sea Regatta race across the Black Sea, the entire participating fleet remained in the Port of Constanta where sports competitions, concerts, onboard visits and public & private events were organized.

Romania was represented

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at the first tall ships regatta organized exclusively in the Black Sea by two tall ships, the training vessel Mircea, the class A vessel celebrating 75 years of activity in the Romanian Navy service, and Adornate, the class B sailing ship of the Vega Hotel.

The Black Sea Regatta closing ceremonies, the way they reflect in figures are worth mentioning: 13 sails docked along one kilometer of quay, over 1000 crew members from over 20 nationalities, 300 volunteers (from Navigator Yacht Club, Vega Hotel, and the Naval Academy “Mircea cel Batran�), and a budget of 500.000 euro collected from the sponsors contributions.

During the three days

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of ceremonies, sports competitions and concerts, the Port of Constanta attracted 115,000 visitors (40,000 the first day, Saturday the 24th of May, 50,000 the second day, Sunday the 25th of May, and 25,000 visitors the third day, Monday the 26th of May).

The crew parade and final prize ceremony of the SCF Black Sea Regatta took place in Constanta on Sunday, 25th of May. The crews of the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta fleet paraded through the port and across the city, to the Archaeological Park,for the final prize giving ceremony of the month-long event. There to present the awards were Robin Snouck

Hurgronje, Race Chairman, Sail Training international, Rear Admiral Vergil Chitac, Commander of the Naval Academy and Mr. Gabriel Comanescu, President of Navigator Yacht Club.

Prizes were awarded as follows: Special prizes Best Class A ship in crew parade - Mircea (Romania) Best Class B, C vessel in crew parade - Akela (Russia) Ship making best contribution to sports activities - Nadezhda (Russia) Ship that has sailed the greatest distance during the race series - Sedov (Russia) Vessel showing greatest determination during the race series - Atyla (Netherlands)

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Class prizes for Race 2 Class A 1st on corrected time Royal Helena (Bulgaria) 2nd on corrected time Nadezhda (Russia) 3rd on corrected time - Mir (Russia) Class B 1st on corrected time Johanna Lucretia (UK) 2nd on corrected time - Bodrum (Turkey) 3rd on corrected time - Adornate (Romania) Class C 1st on corrected time Akela (Russia) 2nd on corrected time - Sea Adventure (Bulgaria) Additional prizes for Race 2 Sail Training International Communications Prize for Race 2 - Royal Helena (Bulgaria) Best use of Social Media during the regatta - Dora Elena Simion, second year student of marine engineering on Mircea Special Sail Training International Award Having contributed significantly to the success of the Regatta by their whole-hearted participation, as the communications vessel for both races and also as start ship for Race 2 - Running on Waves (Malta) Line honors First vessel to cross the finish line in Race 2 elapsed time of three days, nine hours, 25 minutes and 29 seconds - Akela (Russia) 1st Overall on Corrected time -

Johanna Lucretia (UK) Prizes for the Race Series - awarded

by Sail Training International Series Trophy for Class C Akela (Russia) Series Trophy for Class B Johanna Lucretia (UK) Series Trophy for Class A Nadezhda (Russia) overall series winner Akela (Russia) Sail Training International SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta Friendship Trophy was awarded to the ship that, in the opinion of the captains and crews of all the ships taking part in the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta series, has contributed most towards international friendship and understanding throughout the Regatta. The much coveted Sail Training

International Friendship Trophy was awarded to Netherlands vessel Atyla, as voted by the crews of the other vessels in the fleet.

The results in the sports competitions were as follows Tug of War 1st Mircea 2nd Sedov 3rd Nadezhda Relay Race 1st Mircea 2nd Sedov 3rd Akela Weighing Anchor 1st Bodrum 2nd Nadezhda 3rd Akela Rowing Race 1st Nadezhda 2nd Adornate 3rd Royal Helena On the 27th of May the fleet of Tall Ships in the SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta set sail from

The fleet has covered approximately 800 nautical miles in order to deliver its sail training message of international friendship and understanding.

The organizing committee of the SCF Black Sea Regatta in Constanta at the closing ceremonies

Constanta, in search of new sea adventures. The event started in Varna, Bulgaria, and the tall ships raced to Novorossiysk, Russia, sailed on to Sochi and finally raced to Constanta, Romania.

The fleet has covered approximately 800 nautical miles in order to deliver its sail training message of international friendship and understanding.

STI is a British not-forprofit organization which, for over half a century is undertaking activities related to „sail training“.

Thus, young people are faced with many challenges, both physical and emotional, but, under the guidance of experienced instructors, they are able to learn the skills of teamwork, discipline and responsibility. Most of those who engage in this activity, consider it an experience that profoundly changed their life. The STI Regatta’s main sponsor is Sovcomflot, the largest shipping company in the Russian Federation.

NYC is a non-profit organization in Romania, which promotes and undertakes water sports activities. NYC has covered all the costs arising out of the contract with STI, of the funds raised from members of the organization and the sponsors. The partners mentioned above will help with infrastructure, logistics and other non-financial resources available to them.

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GSP Participated in the 21st World Petroleum Congress The event took place in Moscow, between the 15th and 19th of June and there were over 5000 registered delegates. The exhibition generously spread over more than 55,000 sq. m. creating the opportunity for the most influential industry leaders worldwide to meet, 600 expert presentations and speeches to be given in the presence of over 500 industry CEOs and thousands of specialists.

Organized around

the theme “Responsibly Energizing a Growing World”, the 21st World Petroleum Congress approached the theme of the world population increase and the global need to access to affordable, safe and reliable sources of energy will be a key factor in promoting economic development and wellbeing for humankind.

Oil and natural gas will continue to be the world’s leading energy resource for the foreseeable future.

Meeting future demand in

a sustainable and socially responsible manner will require massive investments, leading edge technologies, the highest skilled human resources, and superior ethical business practices.

Producers, consumers, governments and societies need to cooperate responsibly to develop all energy resources. To do so, the industry has to energize its professionals; in particular the youth, to become even more innovative in ensuring future growth.

GSP Sponsored the Conference „From Made In to Made By Romania“

The event took place on the 3rd of June, being initiated as a partnership between cursdeguvernare. ro and the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and is part of a series of conferences on major themes regarding assessment and evolution prospects of the Romanian economy.

The conference “From made in to made by Romania” facilitates the meeting of representatives

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of the academic world and business actors aiming to help a workable diagnose of the comparative advantages of Romanian economy in the global market context, the role foreign investments play in accelerating competitiveness, complimentarity of domestic sources, the part foreign investments play in improving productivity, in making a better use of the resources and making the transition from the

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philosophy of the transition to the market economy, that of ‘made in Romania’ to ‘made by Romania’, the next level approach.

The conference highlighted the fact that local antrepreneurs have overcome the challenge of resources and experience, the results they’ll continue to register being designed to continue to strengthen the business climate.

There’s a major business thinking shift Romanian

players demonstrated, from temporarry to long term business opportunities.

The conference brought into the public attention the national brands, the acute need for serious funding of research.

GSP considers the support provided to the event as proof of the care and high interest in sustaining the progress of the local business environment.

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GSP, Partner of the Holiday Popular Race GSP supported the ‘get fit’ invitation addressed by the Radio Constanta Studio to the local community on the 1st of June. The shore of the Tabacarie lake provided the 4.7 kilometers route for the 200 participants in the race.

The race route enjoyed high interest, the lake being one of the city attractions.

Among the other supporters of the 1st of June 47th edition of the event were the Sana Sport Association, the Natural Sciences Museum and the Sports and Youth Directorate in Constanta.

The start of the race was given by the national champion in the 10,000 and 5,000 meters races, Ilie

GSP is fully supporting the vision of the event organizers, that of raising the awareness on the importance of exercising, health and promoting regular exercising as a common concern among the masses.

Floroiu. The 47th edition winners were Elena Uratu for the women competition and Sabin Vasile, in the men competition. Special awards went to the youngest and eldest participants in the race: Maria Teodora Paun – 8 years old, Erik Ghimpetean – 4 years and 10 months old, Nina Bajdechi – 57 years old and Ion Gheorghe – 78 years old.

GSP is fully supporting the vision of the event organizers, that of raising the awareness on the importance of exercising, health and promoting regular exercising as a common concern among the masses.

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FIVE STAR EVENTS IN ENERGY:

Vega Hotel Hosted the Energy Breakfast Club

Dozens of professionals in the energy sector, representatives of the key energy market players active both in the conventional and renewable energy market, have gathered in the 11th of June at the sea side, in an unconventional but productive networking event, in order to further asses the status of the existing projects and find the best opportunities for their companies.

The event was organized by energynomics.ro, the complete communication line dedicated to the Romanian energy sector with 4 main trademark channels: www. energynomics.ro (the website for the for the managers

and professionals in the Romanian energy industry), Energy Minute (a bridgetype short audio-video program, aired 10 times a day by The Money Channel television), energynomics. ro Magazine (200 pages, bilingual a quarterly freely distributed directly to over 5.000 managers and professionals in the Romanian energy industry and its related sectors), and energynomics.ro Events.

Grup Servicii Petroliere, partner in organizing the event, had the opportunity to meet customary contractual partners such as Sterling Resources, ICPE SA, Liebherr România, and Siveco and representatives of other energy key players

such as SGS România, Vestas România, Rompetrol Rafinare, Monsson, Inov Electric, Marsh România, Flash Lighting Services, Soroment.

Among the participants there were as well high profile officials from the relevant regulatory agencies (NAMR, ANRE, and Minister for Environment) and representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Romania.

The participants at the Energy Breakfast Club in Vega auditorium approached the following aspects on the event agenda: Black Sea explorations – status and challenges O&G transportation – connecting the dots

Industry impact – expertise and partnership Financing the future energy infrastructure Offshore energy – current technologies and know-how Regulation – encouraging investments while protecting the environment Access to Energy Breakfast Club was opened to all professionals in the Romanian energy industry and related sectors.

The proceedings within the informal Energy Breakfast Club meeting provided the energy specialists the opportunity to keep themselves up to date with the latest information and the most influential views on one the hot topics of the moment.

GSP SUPPORTS THE LAUNCH OF TWO NEW EDITORIAL RELEASES. COLLECTORS BE ADVISED! We have the pleasure to introduce to our readers’ two editorial releases, the album “Visit of Tsar Nicholas II to Constanta” and the anniversary philatelic catalogue “Mircea, the Symbol of the Romanian Navy, 75 Years”.

The first newly released publication highlights a memorable history moment the city of Constanta witnessed at the beginning of the past century.

An exquisite collection of collected postcards, event pictures and press cuts were put together

by Gabriel Octavian Nicolae and Marian Mosneagu, preserving the magnificent event for posterity.

Passionate collectors will also enjoy the catalogue dedicated to Mircea, the school vessel celebrating this year three quarters of a century servicing the

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Romanian Navy cadets.

Both publishing projects got GSP’s support. GSP continues this way to sustain the efforts dedicated authors make to preserve the spirit and cultural values of the community.

Collectors are invited to express their interest in the publications at public.relations@gspoffshore.com

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Discovering the Scenic Romania The Union of GSP’s employees has invited its members to embark in a pursuit of connecting with some of the Romanian historical, spiritual and cultural destinations. The three days trip to Sibiu was one of the most inspired events, attracting a large number of employees. The participants left the central operational facility in Constanta Port on Friday, the 6th of June.

GSP’s travelers made the first stop in Selimbar, Sibiu County. They had the opportunity to visit Sibiu in the first day of the 21st edition of the International Theater Festival. Our colleagues explored the the old medieval town, visited the Stairs Passage, a 13th century architectural masterpiece with twin staircases and archways which connects the lower and upper parts of the medieval fortress, Sibiu Towers and the Council’s Tower, the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.

The trip continued with the visit of the Sighisoara Medieval Fortress and its Clock Tower, the Corvin Castle in Hunedoara and the Prislop Monastery, the Turda Salt Mine, the Alba Carolina Citadel, the Romanian Reunification Cathedral and the 1918 Union Hall in Alba Iulia.

The trip managed to answer all individual needs of the participants. The better way to understand how the union project blended networking, spare time cultural activities, entertainment, and individual quests for spiritual recollection is by letting our colleagues’ voices be heard:

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LILIANA NICULAE, CFO Assistant: “Sibiu is a wonderful city with loads of cultural objectives expecting their guests.

The 21st edition of the International Theater Festival opening night made the visit more attractive with the street events. I especially enjoyed visiting the Prislop Monastery,

taking the opportunity to better understand the figure of father Arsenie Boca in a time we so much need to reconnect with the spiritual values and charge our spirits and souls. The trip was a great opportunity to interact with our colleagues in a more casual and relaxed way. The transport and accommodation solutions

Daniela Fintina and Daniela Valeanu turned out to be the trip photographers, so here are some of the pictures they selected and submitted to the editors.

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were excellent, they fully shown the organization efforts behind a successful event. And I cannot conclude without saying that the visit to the Turda Salt Mine was as spectacular as I expected, including this objective in the program was highly inspired as it enters the list of top 25 unbelievable travel destinations in the world.”

ADRIAN GHE. ALEXE, Emergency Situations Manager: “The atmosphere along the entire trip was excellent and I consider the union project a successful one. It proved flawless organization, all the participants agreed on it. I only hope the series of union initiatives of the kind to multiply, creating more opportunities for us to network. The trip proves a beneficial action facilitating the development of closer ties and resulting in improved collaboration.”

DANIELA VALEANU, Legal Advisor: “It was an enjoyable experience!

We had the opportunity to revisit places we love and to discover some other sites absolutely wonderful.

I took lots of pictures for later recollection, and I know they will provide me comfort for a long time.

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The trip also provided us an excellent opportunity for better knowing each other, outside the professional sphere, and I count very much on the positive outcome this will have facilitating our future collaboration in work related interactions.”

LUMINITA STEFAN, Economist, Accounting Compartment: “I found the opportunity to visit the Prislop Monastery highly appealing. I went on the trails my late readings put me, as I read about father Arsenie Boca. The visit of the monastery, to which I had the chance to add visits of other religious sites, was a good opportunity to meditate. I thank the organizers and the colleague who had the initiative, Isabela Suta. Sibiu is always

a nice destination and attending the Metropolitan Cathedral religious service on Sunday was a moment I’ll remember. I also liked visiting the Corvin Castle in Hunedoara. My only regret is that the trip was too short: time passes too fast with great company and many beauties to be seen.”

DANIELA FANTINA, Design Engineer, Offshore Construction Engineering Compartment: “It was a well organized trip: the time was excellently spent and the objectives in the program carefully chosen.

It answered spiritual needs of some of the participants by providing the chance to visit the Prislop Monastery – the resting place of Arsenie Boca, and the cultural curiosities of others by including objectives such

as the Alba Iulia Citadel or Corvin Castle, and added a little bit of adventure for all when stopping for a visit at the Turda Salt Mine. And I consider that visiting Sibiu in the first day of the theater festival offered us lots of pleasant moments to be remembered with the open air concerts, acrobatics, dance shows taking place in the medieval town, among historic buildings and chic coffees.”

GABRIELA CORLEANCA, Economist, Accounting Compartment: “We wondered for three days on the most interesting medieval route in Romania.

The imposing Corvin Castle was one destination I was happy to visit during this trip: it opened the door for the visitors into the

15th century. The castle was built by Iancu de Hunedoara and it remained over the centuries an imposing medieval witness construction, adorned with towers and turrets, with exquisite stone sculptures.

The museum collection gathered impressive pieces of furniture, weaponry and armor, jewels. Alba Iulia was another interesting destination as the city is considered to be among the seven Romania’s wonders as here we enjoyed visiting the remains of Apullum, the ancient Roman town, of the medieval city and the fortified bastion Alba Carolina discovering the mint, the Saxon stronghold and the platform with three 18th century cannons which are still used to salute the guard on Sunday ceremonies.”

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GSP and Atelier Media Launch the Safety Induction Movie for all the Rigs Following the long term collaboration with Atelier Media resulting in a spread of video projects, the need for using Atelier Media top quality capabilities in the field of HSE related training was coming naturally.

After various video projects related to GSP`s activities, delivered under the collaboration with Atelier Media, it was now time for another successful project, in the field of HSE training.

The first step was to develop a specific drilling rig Safety Induction video, based upon a scenario made by the drilling business unit HSE specialists, to be used onboard all company’s drilling rigs.

This video has been delivered by Atelier Media firstly in English

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and Russian. The Spanish version will follow soon as to cover all existing GSP’s drilling operating areas.

The intention is to extend such training videos and so asset specific safety induction videos will continue to be developed in order to cover all company’s assets, offshore and onshore.

Simultaneously with with the safety induction videos, a short animation to show actions during potential emergency response situations has been developed and delivered to our project team and Client in Russia. The high quality of this animation has shown there are solid grounds to successfully develop specific training videos, following the international trend of using animation

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instead of real characters for this type of training tools.

These videos will address all HSE and operational aspects of company’s business.

“It is a wonderful assignment to supervise the development of the video training content”, declares Constantin Gheorghe, Chief Corporate HSE Officer. “It is a rewarding task for all personnel involved in this project, highlighting the experience on the operational side and the excellent video production skills on Atelier Media side. Our video training joined taskforce elaborates the essentials for an impacting induction program. At its conclusion, this collaboration will result in a friendly and easy to

understand training movies series, helping all personnel fully grasp lessons to be learnt content, through a cost effective and impacting solution.”

Alin Vintila, the manager of Atelier Media declared for GSP Magazine: “We are constantly taking on the challenges GSP is providing us and manage to deliver what the client needs. This helps us improve our production skills and experience in the offshore business which is a different ball game than media production for other business sectors.

Thanks to our long term working collaboration with GSP, we are now able to meet the media production services requirements of an international company.”

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Professional Experience Payback - Taking Invention and Innovation Way

MEET CORNEL PACURETU, CREATOR OF THE MECHANICAL DEVICE DESIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE UPPER SEGMENT OF THE RIGS’ LEGS. And you’re invited to get acquainted with the project by inventor’s own words. You’ll learn this way the why and when, the advantages and more about the favorable climate and support his idea received within the company: “The invention consists in producing an entirely mechanical device designed to facilitate the removal of the last segment of the rig’s legs whenever necessary.

The operation, the way it was performed before, was time consuming, employed welding works on the rig’s legs, leading to the deterioration of the material after repeated operations, mobilized greater specialized personnel and depended on the weather conditions. There have been unfavorable situations when the process lasted up to 25 days and the costs were very high.

The simplified solution I came to immediately received full support of the technical top management. I considered teaming up with an experienced engineering designer in order to give the go to producing the

mechanical devices in time for the top section removal scheduled for GSP Saturn.

The mechanical devices are entirely reusable, do not involve any welding and the removal operation is no more weather dependant.

GSP Saturn

The 2007 project Lamprell Shipyard provided for GSP Jupiter was the solution for a while. It has its downturns: we perform these operations in various locations worldwide, unfavorable weather

conditions may extend the operation very much as welding on special steel employs a complex technology with preheating, tempering and many other operations.

I was involved in all the removal operations the company carried out for the drilling fleet and I observed that the repeated welding resulted in damaging the rig’s legs material. The rig legs are of capital importance for the offshore installation integrity during operation, there’s not the place to take risks and a better solution had to be found.

Experience pays, the idea of a fully mechanical system not based on welding started to incubate in my mind while I was involved in the GSP Uranus upgrade and reclassification project.

First I figured out the concept solution, and then the moment came to give life to the idea. It took courage! From my part, it took courage to initiate the concept, for the technical management to approve the project execution and

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testing, for the experienced engineer I approached and invited, to actually give shape to the concept I created.

I followed the project during the fabrication as well, and Ion Serban, the design engineer I collaborated with, monitored the entire factory project to see it observes all the engineering requests. The invention resulted in a reusable device we successfully tested in the Netherlands for GSP Saturn.

I’m proud my idea resulted in a series of advantages which enjoyed appreciation of all parts involved in the rig’s preparative for the new contract: The operation would take from 10 to 12 days with the old device in favorable weather and up to 25 days in adverse weather conditions; now, the operation was completed in 3 and half days! That’s a significant time cut, don’t you agree?

And please add to this the fact that rig’s legs are handled safely and the steel isn’t exposed to quality degrading risk because of repeated welding operations: we have eliminated it completely!

The operation isn’t weather sensitive with the new mechanical devices we tested.

The reusable mechanical device, composed of 12 pieces, may be employed to the entire rig fleet whenever necessary, conservation

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in delivering technically rewarding solutions for problems the company confronted with.”

CORNEL PACURETU:

Cornel Pacuretu, Work-team Coordinator

„The reusable mechanical device, composed of 12 pieces, may be employed to the entire rig fleet whenever necessary, conservation demands being minimal. Easy and safe to use, practically with unlimited life, the system may be employed without a team of 16 welders we previously mobilized for a similar operation when using the Lamprell Shipyard solution.“ demands being minimal.

Easy and safe to use, practically with unlimited life, the system may be employed without a team of 16 welders we previously mobilized for a similar operation

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when using the Lamprell Shipyard solution.

And do I have reasons to be satisfied? I think, seeing the invention is 100% operational, I have the right to feel proud that my long experience resulted

1975 marks the first contact of Cornel Pacuretu with the offshore oil and gas ‘new world’ in Romania at the time. A strategic branch, carefully watched by the state authorities, enjoying special attention from the Romanian president of the era, the newborn economic activity gathered together the top performers in the onshore oil industry and best in class engineering graduates. Cornel started by taking part in the construction of the first Romanian MODU, Gloria, the old lady of the Black Sea in Galati Shipyard.

One year and a half lasted the rig’s construction and while talking about that experience, certain emotion makes Cornel voice sound different. After the Galati Shipyard experience, Cornel worked for IFLGS Bucharest (Drilling and Special Geological Operations Enterprise), the Offshore Drilling Company and then Petromar. In 1974 Cornel worked on the largest onshore drilling installation designed and built by 1 May oilfield equipment plant in Ploiesti, F500. Although it was designed to drill up to 10.000 meters, it has been certified for 8.001 meters in unfavorable terrain. From

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1969 until 1974 Cornel was well site supervisor on various onshore perimeters.

Cornel Pacuretu decided to remain in the offshore oil and gas industry as he found activities onboard MODUS and the newly born economic activity at the time more challenging.

He is now among the few valuable role models for company’s cadets and younger colleagues. His experience comes in handy when new projects are initiated and project teams confront with various challenges. His impressive business card makes him equally important for the company as a mentor of the younger offshore professionals as getting to know Cornel one discovers a unique blend of skills and in-depth knowledge of the industry.

ION SERBAN

graduated in 1978 from the Transilvania University where he specialized in engineering within the Faculty of Machinery Construction Technology.

His entire career was encompassed by the oilfield production in Ploiesti where he was employed by the oilfield equipment producer 1 Mai, to further become with the stakeholders change Upetrom 1 Mai Ploiesti. Ion Serban has started as a technologist in one of the Ploiesti based oilfield equipment plant’s production lines.

Being highly passionate for

engineering design, when his interest was discovered and his qualities unveiled, he was transferred within the engineering design department covering various positions.

In 2006 he had the first contacts with GSP: at the time he was assigned the task of providing engineering support for a mechanical system to be used for the operations of removal of the last segment of the offshore drilling rigs legs, based on a concept design supplied

by Lamprell Shipyard.

About the collaboration with Cornel Pacuretu for the invention tested on GSP Saturn, Ion Serban relates: “The system Lamprell Shipyard supplied back then was a disposable one and it was my task to make it into a reusable one.

After that first professional collaboration with GSP, I was involved in several other engineering structures and mechanical systems design projects for the GSP Prometeu, GSP Saturn and GSP Uranus

About the collaboration with Cornel Pacuretu for the invention tested on GSP Saturn, Ion Serban relates: “The system Lamprell Shipyard supplied back then was a disposable one and it was my task to make it into a reusable one. After that first professional collaboration with GSP, I was involved in several other engineering structures and mechanical systems design projects for the GSP Prometeu, GSP Saturn and GSP Uranus rigs.“ Ion Serban, Engineering Designer

rigs. I continued my collaboration with GSP after my retirement as well.

The most recent project requiring my engineering design skills and oilfield equipment knowledge was the project Cornel Pacuretu initiated. As project promoter, he involved me in the design engineering and factory production of the system he invented.

This mechanical system is a totally new approach of the removal operation of the last segment of the rigs’ legs: the idea came as an original solution when the previous system used showed it may, due to several welding connections, result in material damage of the legs material (cracks). Cornel Pacuretu approached me for the engineering work as a result of our previous collaborations. Cornel has vouched the entire work, from the original idea through engineering and fabrication, based on his vast professional experience.

The project was challenging, I like to be professionally challenged: the satisfaction was huge when we saw the upper sections of the rig’s legs lowered and positioned on the quay in Ijmuiden, the Netherland.

I feel great being part of this success, knowing that I was part of the project and that people have trusted and supported our team effort.”

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UPETROM 1 Mai, Over a Century of Tradition in Oilfield Equipment Production F-500 is one of the long series of technological successes the oilfield producer 1 Mai has registered starting with 1908. 1 Mai, nowadays UPETROM 1 Mai is the witness of the way the world evolved over the last century, fueled by oil.

F-500 is just one of the top class drilling installations designed and built in Ploiesti; it continued a long series of technical performances and we take

the opportunity to mention a few here: In 1964 the oilfield producer is awarded the gold medal in Leipzig International Fair with 3 DH-250 drilling installation;the

series on international awards continues and the drilling rigs register at the International Fair in Argentina a record breaking drilling depth, 5300 meters.

F-400 and 4 DH-400 represented the 1 Mai

F-500 is one of the long series of technological successes the oilfield producer 1 Mai has registered starting with 1908.

oilfield equipment plant in 1968 in another world fair in the German Democratic Republic where they reached another depth record, of 7050 meters.

F-320 continues the series of high performance drilling installations, the project being intended for depths exceeding 6000 meters.

F-500, produced in 19751976, leaves the factory being intended to reach drilling depths up to 10000 meters.

GSP Saturn Sets Out for the Arctic New opportunities open for GSP, as the company reaches the new energy frontier in the Arctic. GSP’s operations in the Pechora Sea will contribute to safely grow the commercial interest in offshore oil and gas in the Arctic, the region being for a great number of years in the spotlight of researchers: in 2008 a revised hydrocarbon assessment of the Arctic indicated 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil resources (90 billion barrels) and 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas resources (1,669 trillion cubic feet) lie in the region; of this, 84% are offshore.

GSP Saturn headed towards the European high North, the rig being drytowed by the heavy load carrier XIA ZHI YUAN 6. GSP’s MODU will provide offshore drilling services in Pechora Sea, in the south eastern part of the Barents Sea, under a two year contract with Gazpromneft-Sakhalin for drilling operations in the far north Russian waters.

Previously, GSP Saturn carried out operations in the North Sea for Wintershall.

The first well to be spud in the two year program is the North-Dolginskaya No3 well on the Dolginskoye oil field. The exploration well results will be crucial for the Gazprom Neft Arctic plans.

GSP Saturn drilling campaign will employ advanced innovative technology, including environmentally safe water-based drilling fluid system. А rotary control system will be used for drilling on the Arctic shelf, which will speed up drilling and reduce drilling mud.

Any mud produced will be shipped back to the mainland to be recycled in

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line with the zero-discharge policy. In addition, an innovative borehole management system from one of the world’s leading hydrodynamic survey companies will be used for the first time in Russia to improve reliability and quality of work. This technology will speed up the study of the oil reservoir and enable high-quality measurements to be taken with maximum safety and efficiency. This will be the first time that some of this technology has ever been used in Russia. The GSP Saturn is fully authorized to drill on the Arctic shelf. It has undergone cutting-edge refurbishment in 2009 which included fitting drilling and marine equipment and equipping

the platform for operation in northern latitudes under severe wind and wave conditions. The Saturn meets the latest international standards for industrial and environmental safety and has held Dutch and Danish permits to drill on the Arctic shelf since 2009.

GSP Saturn headed towards the European high North, the rig being dried-towed on deck of the heavy lift vessel XIA ZHI YUAN 6 of COSCOHT. GSP’s MODU will provide offshore drilling services in Pechora Sea, in the south eastern part of the Barents Sea, under a two year contract with Gazpromneft-Sakhalin for drilling operations in the Russian Arctic continental shelf. Prior to this contract

The GSP Saturn is fully authorized to drill on the Arctic shelf.

It has undergone cutting-edge refurbishment in 2009 which included fitting drilling and marine equipment and equipping the platform for operation in northern latitudes under severe wind and wave conditions.

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GSP Saturn carried out operations in the North Sea for Wintershall and then undergone an extensive preparation phase.

The Dolginskoye field lies close to Prirazlomnoye oil field, where Gazprom Neft already operates a production platform.

GSP Saturn will drill an exploration well in the northern part of the field.

With estimated reserves of close to 1 billion barrels of oil, Dolginskoye is a major asset, production being expected to start in 2020 approximately.

The Arctic region is at the moment the largest project associated for the offshore oil and gas industry. The Pechora Sea operations were facilitated by the first Russian Arctic strategy, released in 2013 and going up to 2020. The Russian Arctic region is considered important for national security, economic growth, and improvement of jobs and quality of life. The strategy focuses on regional infrastructure and the development of gas deposits in the continental shelf.

Russia has the greatest potential for Arctic offshore

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oil and gas, with 52% of all assessed oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the region. By 2020, Russia intends to study and develop the offshore fields in the Barents, Pechora, and Kara Seas as well as in the Yamal and Gydan Peninsulas.

The far north operations are not a first for GSP. The offshore hydrocarbon production has already commenced in the Kirinskoye gas field in the Sea of Okhotsk in October 2013. Back in 2011, the Kirinskoye gas field was the theater of subsea survey and diving services GSP provided under a contract with JSC Mezhregiontruboprovodstroy (MRTS). GSP operated from mid August 2011 onwards, supplying personnel and equipment: a 25 member diving team, a 9 member ROV team and Triton XLX and Mohican ROVs

MEET YVON DAVID, PROJECT MANAGER FOR PECHORA SEA OPERATIONS It is for the second time in his career that Yvon David meets Romanian oilfield operations. Back in 1997, from March to December, Yvon worked was Rig Manager (Rig Supervisor) for Forasol and worked for Shell Romania Drilling, being in charge of well operation.

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Yvon David sums up over 39 years of experience at all levels in Rigs Operations and Logistics on Offshore and Onshore drilling units, being in charge for the well in turnkey operations and logistical support for all operations.

He’s not new to the low temperature environment with a long experience in Kazakhstan, Caspian Sea operations and Tierra del Fuego in extreme south of Argentina.

Quite an interesting turn, operating for international companies in Romania in 1997, and now working for a Romanian company in the far north, for the offshore drilling project of NorthDolginskaya No3 well on the Dolginskoye oil field in Pechora Sea. Now Yvon is the man in charge of the Arctic drilling project of GSP Saturn. Yvon says he has a keen interest in continuing serving anywhere for any project where he feels his technical knowledge, experience, and work ethic would be a positive asset for his employer. Yvon sums up over 39 years of experience at all levels in Rigs Operations and Logistics on Offshore and Onshore drilling units, being in charge for the well in turnkey operations and logistical support for all operations. He’s not new to the low temperature environment with a long experience in Kazakhstan, Caspian Sea operations and

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Tierra del Fuego in extreme south of Argentina where at that time he was part of the team who broke the world record of horizontal well at 11,421 meters with Total Austral. He has also actively contributed to developed young and talented oil men along his career in the drilling business and endeavours to continue to do so in GSP. His long career in the international oil and gas industry has led him almost everywhere on the planet, as he worked for: Shell Spain, Elf Gabon and Nigeria, Eniepsa Spain, Petro South Africa, ONGC India, Total Indonesia, Pecten Tunisia, Chevron Gabon, Ashland Nigeria, Petromer Trend Iran Jaya Indonesia, ONGC Vietnam, Exxon Egypt, Shell Romania, Petrosen Senegal, Total Austral Argentina, Pakistan Premier, Pakistan Marigas, BP, Agip and Petronas, Exxon Mobil, Pride Forasol Kazakhstan, Aamco, Perenco and

Vaalco, Atlantic Oilfield Services Kurdistan, Chevron Base Nigeria, KS Drilling Dubai Corporate assigned to auditing new Jack up including ship yard in China and the list may continue.

HSE ASPECTS RELATED TO ARCTIC OPERATIONS

The major drawback for the Arctic reservoirs development resides in climatic constraints.

Drilling in the Arctic is confined to periods of time when open water is available. That is from July through October, only 120 operational days per year on average. Operators take into consideration the difficulty (impossibility) of cleaning oil spills underneath ice.

The minimum number of polar class offshore support vessels to assist the drilling rigs varies from 1 up to 7 and the requirement for a reasonable time to withdraw assets near the end of a drilling season. For the seasonal drilling campaigns in the Arctic there have been developed sets of recommendations specific for inspection, certification for well construction and blowout prevention. Arctic operations demand more stringent inspection and leak detection measures, for staff expertise and qualifications. All these are completed by the prohibition of discharge of cuttings, water, waste, mud,

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GSP Saturn, accommodation

and other materials that can be reasonably collected.

The current Governance Framework for Offshore Oil & Gas Activities in the Arctic includes: national laws, regulations and standards, international (general) regulations and standards (UNCLOS, MARPOL, London Convention) and international regional regulations and standards (OSPAR, Arctic Council, Arctic Oil Pollution Agreement), a vast series of bilateral agreements (Barents 2020 Research Project) and standards organizations – ISO 19906, CEN (EU). Industry and trade associations (OGP, API, IRF, SINTEF,

IFC, to name only a few selected instruments and organizations) have also contributed to the completion of the operational guidelines relevant for the Arctic.

Russia has several government agencies with oversight responsibility in the country’s offshore governance scheme, and within this structure, the country has over fifty legal documents and federal laws that apply to only one area of regulation—oil spill response.

“And we must add to these the existing standards for rig winterization, safety and environmental practices taking into consideration the varying characteristics

of ice, marine ecology, and weather patterns that may exist in different locations.

The preparative for the Arctic operations initiated the moment GSP assessed the market opportunity and entered the negotiation with the client”, declares Constantin Gheorghe, the Chief Corporate HSEQ Officer.

“From 2012 we had a series of discussions with our contractual partners, GSP complied with all the Gazprom Neft requirements, and our Integrated Management System was assesses and accepted. A great facilitator proved to be the HSE responsible for the Pechora Sea operations: as he is

an experienced Russian HSE professional, he led GSP’s IMS and project based documentation to meet the Russian governance framework related to the specific economic operations onto a common ground. The HSE coordinator in Russia was able to successfully lead us within the Russian offshore laws and regulations for over two months and onwards.

GSP Saturn was upgraded for the Arctic, communication and signage onboard is bilingual, English and Russian, which is fully normal, all the Pechora Sea Drilling Project Manual and appendixes are also

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GSP Saturn, Drilling Derrick and Top Drive details

bilingual. In fact the initiative of elaborating this Project Manual attracted a highly positive response from the client’s side, the full body of documentation including all project stages, from the rig’s mobilization to demobilization. From 2012 onwards the project team has supported several changes but it fully completed all its tasks, making proof of its members experience and professionalism. I hope that the two years preparative campaign GSP carried out until the actual mobilization has created the favorable conditions for successful

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operations. The drilling campaign for the NorthDolginskaya No3 well on the Dolginskoye oil field with GSP Saturn opens a new market dimension for GSP. The drilling management team’s experience produced its expected results and it is the moment to mention the positive outcome the excellent top down

collaboration of the HSEQ and drilling teams. I personally congratulate all the project team members for their professional conduct!”

GSP STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN THE PECHORA SEA Grup Servicii Petroliere

The drilling campaign for the North-Dolginskaya No3 well on the Dolginskoye oil field with GSP Saturn opens a new market dimension for GSP.

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was awarded a new contract

by Gazprom Neft Shelf – LLC. The company has mobilized GSP Falcon, the highly versatile DNV classed construction vessel into Pechora Sea, in the south eastern part of the Barents Sea. The 153 meters long vessel will provide accommodation and personnel transfer services offshore Russia for 30 days. Accommodation services are required during the Prirazlomnaya platform commissioning works for 160 offshore professionals. The vessel performed several subsea pipeline installation works

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in the North Sea, for Wintershall Noordzee B.V., Perenco, E.ON E&P UK LIMITED. GSP’s President and CEO, Gabriel Comanescu, said: “We are very pleased with the award of this second contract in Pechora Sea. It will further establish GSP’s reputation as a reliable partner for the offshore reserves development in the Arctic region. GSP is on track to achieve our long-term aspiration to intensify the presence and diversify the services we are fully qualified to offer in the region.”

Gazprom Neft Shelf – LLC holds a license for development of the Prirazlomnoye oil field, discovered in 1989 on the shelf of Pechora Sea. Its recoverable reserves total more than 70 mln. t.

The planned oil production level is about 6 mln. t.

GSP PROMETEU, HIRED BY TPAO TO CONTINUE DRILLING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ISTRANCA PERIMETER

GSP contracted new drilling services for the development of Istranca field, offshore Black Sea in Turkey. GSP Prometeu joins GSP Jupiter, the two MODUs providing drilling services for Turkish Petroleum Corporation (Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklıgı, TPAO).

GSP Prometeu commenced the offshore drilling operations in June on the Istranca 2 location. GSP Prometeu will drill two firm wells, with the extension possibility for one more optional well. Istranca perimeter witnessed GSP

operations in 2012, when GSP Jupiter drilled Istranca 1 well, on Black Sea block 3920. GSP Prometeu will carry out operations under the current contract until September.

The offshore operations will get all the necessary logistic support from the onshore base located in Eregli.

Istranca perimeter enters the Turkish strong geological prospects; the Akçakoca and Istranca areas being some of the most significant gas finds in the Black Sea and also the perimeters where GSP carried out operations within illustrative projects for the development opportunities the oil and gas industry in the Black Sea provides.

DRILLING OPERATIONAL NEWSWIRE

GSP`s drilling rigs continue to operate mainly under long term contracts.

Here’s the bird-eye view of GSP’s drilling services geographical spread and clients: The Gulf of Mexico: Three GSP MODUs operate for PEMEX: GSP Fortuna (until July 2016), GSP Atlas (until February 2016) and GSP Orizont (until February 2016); The Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea, offshore Turkey: Two GSP rigs operate for Turkish Petroleum (TPAO): GSP Jupiter in East Mediterranean Sea (until December 2014) and GSP Prometeu offshore Black Sea (until September 2014); The Black Sea, offshore Romania: GSP Uranus - OMV-Petrom, offshore Black Sea, Romania (until March 2016 options included).

Pechora Sea, offshore Russia: GSP Saturn – the Arctic Shelf of the Russian Federation (until December 2015);

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GSP Expands OSV Fleet with Three New DPS 2 Platform Supply Vessels Grup Servicii Petroliere acquired three 2014 built platform supply vessels.

The vessels shall be fitted with large open aft deck and accommodation forward.

The vessels are equipped with a duplex dynamic positioning system and comply with ABS firefighting class 1 (ABS +A1 (E) Offshore Support Vessel, UWILD, Fi Fi Class 1 + AMS + DPS-2).

Measuring 87.02 meters in length and 18.80 meters wide, the 5,000dwt vessels have a deck area of 1000 m2 and accommodations for 52 persons. The vessels are equipped for carriage of dry bulks, general supplies and liquid mud, general cargo on the open deck as well as special products.

The three new vessels names are GSP Altair, GSP Centaurus and GSP BUILT BY / YEAR Fujian Mawei, 2014 TYPE - DPS 2, FiFi 1 Diesel Electric Platform Supply Vessel CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY - ABS CLASSIFICATION ABS +A1 (E) Offshore Support Vessel ACCU,UWILD - FFV Class 1 + AMS +, DPS-2 . SPS L.O.A. (m) - 87.02 LENGTH BP (m) - 83.00 BEAM MOLDED(m) - 18.08 DEPTH TO MAIN DECK(m) - 07.40 DESIGN DRAFT (m) - 05.09 SPEED @ 5m Draft - 14.50 knots

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GENERATORS 4 x 1.825 [kW] 4 x 2.413 [HP] BOW THRUSTER (s) 910 Kw tunnel Thruster RETRACTABLE BOW THRUSTER (s) 800KW Azimuth DECK CRANE 2t @ 10M (GSP Pegasus: 100T AHC TTS KBC) ACCOMMODATION - SPS COMPLIANT 52 beds (GSP Pegasus: 60) DP System KONGSBERG C Pos DPS-2

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Pegasus. Two of the new vessels, GSP Altair and GSP Centaurus, will be taken over in July; the third one, GSP Pegasus, is scheduled to be handed over by mid August. GSP Pegasus is equipped with a DNV class offshore knuckle boom electro hydraulic crane, GPCFO 3200 – 20035, rated 100 tons, permanently fitting the vessel for subsea services. The active heave compensated (AHC) crane is designed to operate in extreme weather conditions, at ambient temperatures ranging between -20 and + 45°C. The new large PSVs built by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding, in south eastern China.

The acquisition of the three new platform supply vessels follows GSP’s development strategy. The company’s fleet will rise to 13 PSV of different types (AHTS, MEDEVAC, OSR, PSV, Safety Service and Crew Vessels) besides the seven MODUs and the construction vessels fleet.

GSP continues to expand its fleet and thus strengthen its leading position in the region as leading offshore marine services company by providing quality, cost effective service.

JULY 2014 GSP EXTENDS FLEET:

GSP Magellan Will Join the Fleet of Offshore Jack Up Drilling Rigs GSP announces its drilling fleet will be extended to eight offshore mobile drilling rigs in August 2014 with GSP Magellan.

GSP Magellan is an ABS

class Friede & Goldman L-780 Mod V drilling rig with three legs (496 ft. long, triangular).

The rig’s cantilever envelope is 58 ft. x 30 ft.

The MODU operates in water depths up to 350 ft and has a 10,400 kips maximum variable load (drilling). The drilling rig has a quarters’ capacity

of 116 persons.

GSP enforces through drilling fleet extension the shallow water market position.

GSP MAGELLAN TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL Design: Friede & Goldman L-780 Mod V Builder: Far East Levingstone (FELS) Singapore Year Built: 1992 Classification: ABS Flag: Vanuatu Overall Dimensions: 317 ft. x 241.6 ft.

Hull dimensions: 228 ft x 222 ft x 31 ft Legs (3): 496.5 ft. long triangular Accommodation: 116 persons Max. Drill Depth: 30,000 ft Operating Water Depth: 350 ft.

Cantilever Envelope: 58 ft. x 30 ft. without extension 65 ft x 30 ft with extension Max. Variable Load: (drilling)10,400 kips Helideck: 83ft x 83ft rated for Sikorsky s61 / s92 Ocean Transit Draft: 19ft (deepest) Operating Conditions: Max Wave height: 58ft @15 sec.

Max Wind velocity: 70 knots Max surface current velocity: 1.5 knots Storm Conditions: Max Wave height: 81ft @15 sec.

Max Wind velocity: 100 knots Max surface current velocity: 0 knots DRILLING EQUIPMENT Derrick: 161 ft. x 40 ft. x 40 ft. Dreco, with a static hook load capacity of 1,600,000 lbs. with sixteen lines Drawworks: National-Oilwell E-3000, 3,000 hp, driven by three GE 752 DC motors, with hydraulic disc brakes and a Baylor 7838 auxiliary electric brake Rotary Table: National-Oilwell 49-1/2 in., hydraulic motor driven, non-drilling Top Drive: Varco BJ TDS-4S with one GE 752 hi-torque DC motor, rated to 45,000 ft.-lbs @ 110 rpm., complete with an open-loop cooling system, PH-85 pipehandler and dolly retract system Pipe Handling: Varco BJ PHM-3i, 30,000 ft. drill pipe racking capacity, complete with integrated iron roughneck capable of

braking connections up to 20 ft. above floor Mud Pumps: Three National Oilwell 14-P-200, 2,000 hp triplex pumps, each driven by two GE 752 hi-torque DC traction motors, rated to 7,500 psi with plungers and hi-pressure liners Solids Control: Four Axiom AX-1 shale shakers POWER EQUIPMENT Main Power: Four Caterpillar 3606 diesel engines, 2,500 hp, driving four Kato 2,280 kva generators Power Distribution: Five Ross Hill SCR units, each rated at 2,500 amps, powering eleven GE 752 DC motors STORAGE CAPACITIES Liquid Mud: 3,250 bbl.

Base Oil: 876 bbl.

Brine: 2,243 bbl.

Bulk Mud: 8,700 cu. ft.

Bulk Cement: 8,700 cu. ft.

WELL CONTROL EQUIPMENT Diverter: Drill Quip 500 psi, 47-1/2 in. fixed diverter with two 16 in. discharge lines and two 14 in. hydraulically operated ball valves.

21-1/4 in. BOP: One Hydril type GL 5,000 psi annular preventer, one Hydril 5,000 psi double ram preventer and one Hydril 5,000 psi single ram preventer 13-5/8 in. BOP: One Hydril type GX 10,000 psi annular preventer and two Hydril 15,000 psi double ram preventers CRANES Pedestal Cranes: Three Sea King SK3500 cranes, with 120 ft. booms, rated for 40.5 MT at 25 ft. radius SPECIAL FEATURES CTU: 600 kips conductor tensioning unit positioned below the cantilever beams, provides tension at any point within the drilling envelope BOP Handling: 200 kips bridge crane, with telescoping lifting forks, allows the BOP to be placed anywhere within a three dimensional envelope of the wellhead and handling area

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JULY 2014

CONSTRUCTION VESSELS

Heavy Lift and Civil Engineering Operations

GSP Bigfoot 2 mobilizes for new works at the new cable-stayed bridge across the Danube – Black Sea Channel at the 0+540 km GSP Bigfoot 2 is a heavy lift and semi-submersible ocean going deck cargo barge, classified under Lloyd’s Register EMEA, class notation + 100A1 submersible pontoon, maximum operating depth 12.26 meters to bottom of keel, deck strengthened for 9.275 tons per square meter, LOA 122,45m, built in 1977 in Japan, rebuilt in GSP’s North Production Facility – Midia Base. The construction vessel currently carries out dry heavy marine transportation – offshore drilling rigs, offshore production structures and modules such as jackets, topsides, other heavy floating and non floating cargoes, using the float on / float off method, other offshore installation works.

The vessel continues operations as per client’s request for the construction of the new cable-stayed bridge across the Danube – Black Sea Channel at the 0+540 km: On the 23rd of March the vessel mobilized for the installation on location of the P2 pillar head parts; on the right shore of the Danube-Black Sea Channel, downstream the Agigea lock. Operation’s preparative works started on the 22nd, with crew mobilization and gravity

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GSP Granit performing heavy lift operation at the new cable stayed bridge across the Black Sea Channel

ballast system execution.

Two cranes were loaded on the deck of the construction vessel, one of them being a heavy lift LR 1300 GSP crawler crane. The construction vessel was positioned on the work location along the right channel shore, downstream the lock and the installation of the two steel structures was carried out on the 23rd and 24th of March.

GSP Neptun performs new heavy lift operation GSP Neptun is an 1800 t floating crane, built in 1998. Lifting speed / load 1.8 m/min, lifting speed / unload 3.6 m/min, lifting height 76.00 m. Length (L.O.A.) 83m, width 44

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m, gross tonnage 7502 T. Accommodation: 16 persons. The crane barge carries out operations related to offshore construction – platform installation, rebuilding and removal, civil engineering works, and port load-in/ load-out operations.

On the 19th of May the heavy lift crane barge carried a heavy lift operation in Nord Marine account: the crane performed a direct transshipment operation with two reactors from a barge to a vessel.

The two reactors weighed 210 tons, respectively 275 tons and the heavy lift operation was performed in

berth 118/119, in Constanta Sud – Agigea Port.

GSP Granit operates within the project of the new cable-stayed bridge across the Danube – Black Sea Channel at the 0+540 km GSP Granit is a 100 t floating crane, built in 1973, length 40,66m, width 20.02m, effective motor power 2 x 331 kW. GSP Granit has had the busiest operational agenda over the last three months: Ú The heavy lift crane barge performed in March heavy lift operations in the GSP Uranus account for GSP Shipyard, performing the flare positioning onto the rig in berth PL8, Constanta Sud Agigea Port. Ú On the 10th of April, as well as other sic days in May, the crane barge performed the installation operations of the T3, T3’, T4, T4’, T5’ deck segments of the new cable-stayed bridge across the Danube – Black Sea Channel at the 0+540 km, downstream the Agigea channel lock; Ú The heavy lift crane has also provided lifting operations in berth 33 for OMV Petrom; Ú The first half of June finds the crane GSP Granit operating under a contract with ARGOS, Cernavoda.

The crane barge loaded out onboard a barges a series of 100 tons concrete blocks which will be used for the construction and reinforcement of the Constanta Port north pier.

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GSP Training Center: The Drilling Well Control Program Established in 2009, GSP Training Center is fully committed to excellence and to sustaining the performance of the Oil and Gas professionals. The center provides training services in the areas of Drilling (Well Control, EDS, TDS, Cyber Chair Drilling), ROV Operations and Safety (Rig Pass).

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www.gspoffshore.com

JULY 2014

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GSP Training Center aims to improve the operational performance of its clients, be they industry specialists, people in search of a new career, or National and International Oil and Gas Companies, by developing and delivering IWCF, IADC, and IMCA certified courses. The training offer is designed around core disciplines of the oil and gas industry bringing the working professionals’ careers to the next level.

GSP Training Center provides the best learning experience by uniquely combining state of the art simulation technologies, and staff expertise, experience and passion, to deliver measurable job performance improvement.

GSP Training Center has been audited and accredited

by IWCF in 2009, and re-accredited in 2013. GSP Training Center provides the following drilling courses: Ú I.W.C.F. – Introductory Level Well Control (Drilling Well Control Program – Level 2) Ú I.W.C.F. – Well Control Surface BOP – Supervisor and Driller Level (Drilling Well Control Program – Level 3 & 4) Ú Drilling – Operating Driller Cyber Chair X-COM (Drill SIM 6000) – includes the Top Drive Systems (TDS) and Electronic Drilling System (EDS) modules The objectives of the drilling courses are to

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increase awareness and to ensure a better knowledge of the operational aspects of drilling. The achievement of these objectives supports the decision making process during operation. The drilling crew has the opportunity to familiarize with all the risks assessment related issues. The personnel will be able to plan corrective actions having the capacity to take the safest and most appropriate measures, being able to act applying quickly and accurately the necessary measures.

GSP Training Center fully meets all the IWCF requirements in respect of program objectives, structure, examination, practical assessment,

equipment, principles and procedures, invigilation, accreditation of certification:

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Ú The program is aimed at persons in well control critical positions on drilling installations and onshore roles. Ú Candidates are required to complete an IWCF accredited training course prior to sitting assessment. Ú Course content will be taught according to the IWCF syllabus and will prepare candidates for the IWCF examinations and assessment. Ú Assessment for Level 2 consists of - Written testing.

IWCF Courses schedule for the second semester of 2014 IWCF: Well Control – Introductory level (Drilling Well Control Program – Level 2) Course Dates: 28 July – 01 August 2014.

25 – 29 August 2014.

27 – 31 October 2014.

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Ú Assessment for Level 3 and 4 consists of: - Practical assessment using simulator equipment - Written testing Ú Certificates for Level 2 are valid for 5 years. Ú Certificates for Level 3 and 4 are valid for 2 years.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Candidates may choose to undertake either Surface BOP operations or Combined Surface and Subsea operations. Ú Level 2 (equivalent to the old Introductory level) Ú Level 3 (equivalent to the old Driller level) Ú Level 4 (equivalent to the old Supervisor level)

EXAMINATIONS

The programs comprise separate sets of tests for Surface BOP operations and Combined Surface and Subsea BOP operations.

The accredited centre must nominate the program and level at which each candidate is to be certified.

Only one type of assessment is allowed for each candidate at a certification session.

To obtain a certificate, candidates must achieve a minimum mark of 70% in each section of the test program.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT Candidates will undergo

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practical assessment as part of the IWCF certification process.

Assessment is normally conducted in pairs of a Driller level candidate and a Supervisor level candidate. Ú Set up for drilling. Ú Recognize a drilling break and positive kick. Ú Perform the shut-in within the shortest possible time in accordance with the appropriate procedure. Ú Complete the kill sheet and kill the well using the designated procedure.

(Wait & Weight or Driller’s Method). Ú Bring the pump up to kill speed maintaining constant bottom hole pressure. Ú Operate the remote choke and make adjustments in accordance with the time delay to maintain constant bottom hole pressure. Ú Complete the well kill operation.

EQUIPMENT

Each candidate is required to complete a written test paper that includes multiple choice problem questions, the identification of equipment components and operating procedures; using diagrams and schematics.

All candidates are allowed one hour to complete this section.

PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES

Each candidate is required to complete a written test

paper comprising multiple choice problems and Kill Sheet calculations. All candidates are allowed between 1½ and 2 ½ hours to complete this section depending on the options taken.

INVIGILATION

Independent Invigilators registered and approved by the IWCF conduct the Principles and Procedures and Equipment written test.

GSP TRAINING CENTER – IWCF COURSES SCHEDULE FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER OF 2014 IWCF: Well Control – Introductory level (Drilling Well Control Program – Level 2) - Course Dates: ¾ 28 July – 01 August 2014. Registration deadline: 21 July 2014 ¾ 25 – 29 August 2014.

Registration deadline: 18 August 2014. ¾ 27 – 31 October 2014.

Registration deadline: 20 October 2014.

COURSE CONTENT: Introductory training designed to give potential well control candidates a basic understanding of well control theory, practices and equipment. Successful completion of IWCF Introductory level testing leads to IWCF certification valid for five years.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of this course,

delegates should be able to demonstrate familiarity with an understanding of the equipment, principles and procedures associated with rotary drilling well control in preparation for IWCF Well Control testing at Introductory level.

CERTIFICATE: International Well Control Forum (IWCF) Certificate.

The certificate is valid for 5 years and is renewable.

COURSE DURATION: 5 days, as follows: 4 course days, 1 exam day PREREQUISITES: Roughneck experience.

EMPHASIS: The course “Well Control - Introductory Level” allows all personnel working in drilling operations to acquire theoretical knowledge related to well control, well fluids pressures, blowout prevention methods and equipment.

METHOD OF TRAINING: Theoretical part, in classroom.

TARGET GROUPS: derrick men, roughneck, floorhand, and drilling operations personnel who are attending a well control course for the first time.

IWCF: Well Control Surface BOP – Supervisor and Driller Level (Drilling Well Control Program – Level 3 & 4) - Course dates: ¾ 18 – 22 August 2014.

Registration deadline: 11 August 2014. ¾ 15 – 19 September 2014.

Registration deadline: 8

September 2014.

COURSE CONTENT: The curriculum is designed for both the training of the participants in re-acting efficiently and preventing a kick from developing into a blowout, and to offer them assistance in obtaining an IWCF certificate.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The candidates shall gain theoretical knowledge about well control and shall master practical skills necessary to apply the theoretical knowledge in blowout prevention and well control.

CERTIFICATE: International Well Control Forum (IWCF) Certificate.

COURSE DURATION: 5 days, as follows: 4 course days, 1 exam day REQUIREMENTS: Basic drilling knowledge.

EMPHASIS: The course “Well Control – Surface BOP – Supervisor and Driller level” allows all personnel working in drilling operations to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge related to well control, well fluids pressures, blowout prevention methods and equipment.

METHOD OF TRAINING: Theoretical part, in classroom. Practical part, with the use of DrillSIM 6000 simulator.

TARGET GROUPS: drilling superintendent, drilling supervisors, drilling engineers, tool pushers, tour pushers, drillers, assistant drillers, derrick men.

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Meet Your Trainer, Cristian Craciun The readers of GSP Magazine are mainly oil and gas professionals, and many of them may have been Cristian Craciun`s trainees at least once. Cristian delivers Well Control training together with cyber based drilling, Top Drive and Electronic Drive Systems. He is the most dedicated and passionate well control trainer dedicated for the past few years to the improvement of the well control competence of the personnel involved with all oil and gas well operations. He counts on valuable hands-on experience, both for domestic and international oil and gas companies.

In 2008, when GSP Jupiter upgrade and reclassification project was over, Cristian Craciun was in charge of the X Com driller’s command onboard. It was then he discovered his trainer’s vocation: “While operating offshore one has to make sure that there’s someone else there fully capable to take over your job. This is the reason why I started to share my knowledge. And offshore drilling is more than every other work environment a knowledge sharing culture. Drillers are open minded and safety oriented, responsible persons. And a key to one’s own and group safety is to show and share what you have learned. Learning, training and certification processes improve this culture. We know training goals are consistently achieved not only through high certification rates, but through onboard systematic auditing processes and monitoring. Well control training and certification is a key part of a jigsaw puzzle; we contribute to the overall safety of offshore operations. And it takes experience and

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responsibility to identify where there’s still room for improvement.

Once I decided to become a trainer I knew I should endorse support towards consistent application of the well control standards in force, to be fully supportive for those oil and gas professionals willing to take a step forward in their careers. I advocate for making the offshore industry safer, I take my role here seriously and I know I’ll continue to work as a dedicated trainer for many years ahead.

As a trainer, I know there are many factors to be considered when starting a new session: scope of the training, competence, human factors, and individual experience of the candidates, international standards, well control case studies, reliability of equipments (blow out preventers) and technology. Well control training, examination and certification is permanently improved by training content (technical and behavioral) and training methods (and here the

Cristian Craciun, Drilling and Well Control Trainer, GSP Training Center

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role based instruction is of capital importance).

Training in well control helps individuals understand and recognize potential hazards, risks management and specific situations awareness.

Offshore operations compel staff to know the right thing to do in specific situations, to act accordingly, and the industry authorizes and expects no less from each drilling crew member. The best description of the offshore work culture is safety first, shut-in when the case and then investigate, never the other way around.

Drillers don’t seek for permission to shut-in when well control situations occur!

Well control training includes barrier management and risk management, leading to the improvement of well influx detection and immediate response. I design training sessions based on the start assessment in order to identify the best suited way to meet for each group of trainees the Well Control course objectives as per IWCF syllabus. Well Control training is adapted to better suit the well

JULY 2014

DrillSIM 6000, GSP Training Center

operation, rig type and role of all persons involved with well operations.

The scenario based simulator training in GSP Training Center is the most evolved well control training possible; we’ve started with a little over 10% success rate of the candidates.

I critically assessed my own performance as a trainer, wondering if there’s something wrong with my method while that result was within the scores registered worldwide.

Looking back I have all the reasons to be satisfied now, the results we currently register with our candidates being of over 80% success rate. GSP Training Center

has made his entrance among the world class well control training providers in 2009, and it is our team’s objective to contribute to the development of the oil and gas professional community by providing excellent training.”

Constantin Gheorghe, the Chief Corporate HSEQ Officer tells us: “Having Cristian Craciun as a trainer is a plus for GSP Training Center. You see, most of the well control facilities count on trainers who do not possess Cristian’s experience; they have all the theoretical and simulation technology prerequisite, but they lack the operational field experience. Cristian

came here, in the drilling simulator room when he decided to become a trainer after a great number of years in which he acquired valuable professional experience. He knows what real drilling is about, he spent over 15 years offshore, onboard drilling rigs and had the opportunity to get acquainted with all the various driller’s cabins, he worked on a great number of well projects and knows that each drilling project is unique. That valuable experience is a fragment of the knowledge he is capable to pass on to the candidates, it is his advantage among his well control and cyber chair drilling training peers.

His advantage stays in his professional background: his real-life hands-on experience!

Before taking over the trainer position within GSP Training Center, Cristian has worked offshore onboard various drilling rigs for 18 years.

And he acknowledges through his personal experience as well the importance personal experience plays in training for success. The trainees’ qualification statistics speak about his applied training skills, he approaches each session and group with the same interest and dedication and he developed his own method to spot the candidates fit

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for advancement in career, those entering on the fast lane to key offshore management positions. He takes training seriously and expects the same for the candidates: “GSP Training Center provides up-to-the-minute well control training, with top simulation technologies providing visual and sensorial information: it is a fully immersive level of realism. The software suites we employ are upto-the-date as well and I find a solid reason to be happy while working with such an advanced piece of technology as the cyber chair simulator in GSP Training Center. Planning the training sessions, objectively assessing the groups at the start and performing on the way monitoring, encouraging self evaluation and self improvement are the secret ingredients of being a successful trainer. And simulation technology learning works! Count on it! The results are in front of you: the candidates I train operate worldwide: in the North Sea and Mediterranean, in the Black Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, they get ready to cross the arctic barrier as well.

I had the opportunity to train Romanians as well as Japanese oil men, Russians and English, Dutch and Turkish, Greek and Tunisian drillers. Training in well control, when well executed, has the capacity

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Cadet program recruited came here directly from the university. The blended learning and training method supports real time professional orientation and progress and there’s no replacement for the hands-on training. On-the-job training is of capital importance. to cross cultural and language barriers.”

INDUCTION TRAINER FOR THE CADET PROGRAM IN 2014

“This year for the first time I was assigned the induction session organized for the cadets soon to become assistant drillers and drillers. It is somehow overwhelming to approach this new role. Of course that at the moment I saw myself offshore, onboard an offshore support vessel approaching the rig for the first time there wasn’t anything to let me imagine I’ll become a trainer one day. But I go back to that moment each time I am assigned as induction trainer for the cadets for instance and it helps me guide them. Offshore industry professionals require both knowledge and skills to perform safely and efficiently. It is important to realize that all skills are built on the foundation of knowledge and that effective training techniques for knowledge are not the same as those for skills.

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And experience helps identifying the knowledge component needed in certain skill teaching. The perfect amount in this knowledge-skill blend is supported by experience.

The same blend counts for the trainees, for the candidates, for the cadets: simulation technology is great, it pays back by providing results but without hands-on experience, without field/ rig individual experience it may be useless. For the drilling cadets for instance, the newly implemented program takes into consideration the simulation training, faceto-face classroom training and field experience. Most part of the graduates the Cadet program recruited came here directly from the university. The blended learning and training method supports real time professional orientation and progress and there’s no replacement for the hands-on training. On-thejob training is of capital importance. Our cadets have to be familiar with all the logistic support needed onshore as well as with all

the processes onboard the rig. To become a driller or an offshore installation manager takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight.

One has to learn by experiencing each process and position in a drilling team.

Technology offers unique benefits; it continues to build on theoretical and hands-on training.

Technology provides real time data on how well trainees perform and where there are still gaps to be closed. Technology may as well bring training to the trainee, not only the trainee to training. We employ Drill SIM 20, the smaller simulator when training takes place outside the training facility.

There are advantages to be considered for each component of the training mix; the overall conclusion would be that combining the three, simulation training, face-to-face classroom training and field experience is best. The mix facilitates the perfect amount of interaction with peers and instructors and mentors, developing the ability to connect with the professional environment, simulation facilitates cadets coming across different contents, situations, and case studies, while handson training facilitates the cadets to apply when the case the right piece of knowledge or the right skill.”

JULY 2014

GSP- Your Employer of Choice!

GSP participated in the job fair organized by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for the Maritime Industry. The job fair addressed both employers with business in the naval industry in the region and candidates and took place on the 9th of July 2014, in S2 Hall, Ovidius University, on 124 Mamaia Boulevard, starting with 10 a.m.

GSP’s Sr. recruitment specialist Alina Puiu and Cristian Meheleanu, Human Resources Manager at GSP Shipyard provided the candidates valuable insights on GSP’ operations and engineering needs highlighting the career opportunities the company offers to specialists in the offshore industry.

The idea of the job fair was launched by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for the Maritime Industry during the visit of the

ARACIS Commission for the curricula systems periodic assessment.

The two specializations, Naval Systems and Equipment and Equipment and Port Facilities have maintained the ARACIS accreditation, successfully passing the commissions’ evaluation. The professors of the faculty, under the coordination of eng. Ionel Nicolae PhD Prof, the dean, dedicate significant efforts to the insertion of the graduates in workforce market both by adjusting the curricula to the industry needs and by organizing events where employers and candidates can meet.

The job fair aims to becominga regular opportunity for the students to meet their future employees. The graduates together with the 3rd and 4th year students took this chance to assess the employment opportunities

in the local market The event took place under the patronage of the Ministry of National Education and the organizers of this edition were Eng. Mihaela-Greti Chitu PhD, eng. Melat Bormambet PhD, eng.

Alexandru Pintilie PhD, Mirela Cotrumba PhD. Mihaela Greti Chitu PhD declared: “We see a greater interest from the market to aspects relating to our academic programs. It is good, in fact it is an excellent sign which provides the needed impulse to develop new master curricula. The offshore industry is a vast and complex domain and the need of specialized workforce will grow. And the universities in Constanta are already competing in launching master programs to answer the actual market demand. It is a beneficial competition, a constructive challenge among academia

representatives, in the end it will result in a comprehensive offer covering all the varied aspects of this domain. We may assure our students, the future generations that we’ll be here of our care in providing the best climate to grow generations of engineers well anchored in the realities of the industry, and in order to achieve our purpose we’re determined to continue building strong partnerships with the companies carrying out businesses in this domain.”

Cristian Meheleanu, HR Manager at GSP Shipyard has said: “The invitation to take part in the job fair was welcomed by us as we’re doing our best to select top professionals the regional market may provide. We definitely hope to develop long term collaboration with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for the Maritime Industry.”

Alina Puiu, recruitment specialist & Cristian Meheleanu, GSP Shipyard HR Manager meeting the candidates Mihaela Greti Chitu PhD, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for the Maritime Industry

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GSP Training Center: participants in the IWCF European Regional Branch Meeting

IWCF European R egional Branch Meeting For the second time since the establishment in 2009, GSP Training Center is the meeting place for IWCF International and European key representatives.

International Well Control Forum is a non-profit organization aiming to improve competency globally to prevent the recurrence of a major incident via promoting and promulgating well

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control knowledge, establishing uniform training, assessment and certification programs which are accepted globally by all operators, contractors and regulatory bodies.

IWCF encourages a step change improvement in the competence and behaviours of personnel throughout the oil exploration and production industry via developing enhanced well

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control training. IWCF sets the international standard for well control training, all its actions and further development plans being taken and designed to improve well control competency and performance by developing and administering well control training, assessment and certification programs for personnel employed in the well operations sector

of the oil and gas industry.

Since 1992, IWCF has certified over 160,000 people in almost every continent through 210 accredited training centers.

GSP Training Center housed the proceedings of the IWCF European Branch Meeting, between the 28-29 May. The meeting reunited representatives of Well Training & Finance Ltd., MOL Hungarian Oil

JULY 2014

& Gas Plc., and University of Miskolc, Hungary, MB Drilling Overseas (Cyprus) Ltd., OMV Austria Exploration & Production GmbH, Turkiye Petrolleri A.O. Arastirma Merkezi, Malaga Drilling School S.L., Crosco Integrated Drilling & Well Services Co. Ltd., Uchebnyi Tsentr Trud i Bezopasnost, Apave Mare Ltd. (ex Adriamare Consulto Ltd.), Petroleum and Gas University of Ploiesti and Grup Servicii Petroliere oil and gas & training professionals.

Mr. Constantin Gheorghe, GSP Chief HSEQ Officer opened the ERB meeting proceedings. In his welcoming speech, he reminded the audience that GSP Training Center has entered the map of IWCF certified training providers in 2009, and in 2010 the training facility organized the IWCF International Board meeting. Mr. Imre Federer, Chairman and representative of the Well Training & Finance Ltd., in Hungary, introduced the European Branch Meeting agenda to the participants into the main themes of the European Branch meeting, reviewed the past decisions of IWCF International Board and organization progress.

The meeting agenda entailed presentations related to the new IWCF structure, forward strategy, discussions on the finalized L2-4 syllabus and examinations,

progressions through levels 2-4, resit procedures, well control and well services technology based discussions.

European Regional Branch represents, according to 2013 statistics, 11,5% of the worldwide IWCF candidates, 19056 professionals. IWCF has 248 members worldwide, the membership breakdown structure (as per 2013) including: 25 oil and gas operators (10%); 25 drilling contractors (10%); 161 training providers (65%); well service and other consultants 37 (15%).

Romania, with two IWCF training centers, made in terms of the steadily growing number of IWCF candidates the top 15 worldwide last year, registering 651 candidates. This result brings Romanian oil and gas industry among the oil and gas heavy weight workforce pools, among United Kingdom (1762), India (1367), Egypt (1217), Oman (1189), Australia (1081), Norway (977), United States (947), Russia (924), China (867), United Arab Emirates (763), Spain (678), Canada (585), France (563), Italy (453).

Within the IWCF European Branch member states, Romania (651 candidates) is overcame only by Spain (678), being followed at far distance by Croatia (256), Hungary (217), Turkey (127), Poland (121), Kazakhstan (94), and

Austria (37).

Offshore oilmen are a profession apart, they are alone in a clas of their own and IWCF certification is mandatory in terms of safe operation. IWCF is the organization built around the self assumed mission of providing quality assured, independently verified standards for well control training, assessment and certification. The new developments in the industry led to the decision of further investing in the training enhancement for new IWCF assessors and instructors, supporting their continued mission to improve safety in the oil and gas sector. The stricter IWCF’s assessors training will improve the way candidates are evaluated throughout their training.

ERB Meeting in GSP Training Center participants took the opportunity to discuss the changes and developments: New modified IWCF certification procedures approved and introduced from January 1st, 2014.

New modified and extended syllabi for Levels 2, 3 & 4 for Drilling Well Control approved and introduced from February 1st, 2014.

New re-sits procedures for Levels 2, 3 & 4 for Drilling Well Control approved and introduced from February 1st, 2014.

The progressive teaching rule for Levels 2, 3 & 4 for Drilling Well Control

approved and to be introduced from September 1st, 2014.

New modified and extended syllabi for Levels 2, 3 & 4 for Well Intervention Pressure Control approved in Dec 2013 and introduced from April 1st, 2014.

All above discussed changes and modifications fulfil the Recommendations in the Report 476/2012 for enhancements to well control training, examination and certification of the Association of Oil and Gas Producers. IWCF training, now compliant with OGP 476, had made a step forward, being the most advanced with regard to syllabi and examsThe IWCF Mission Statement approved.

Imre Federer, Chairman, took the oportunity to explain for the audience which are IWCF strategic goals: To implement and promote the IWCF Mission Statement in all oil and gas industry related organizations, institutions, companies and individuals.

To continue being engaged in a sustained and targeted PR campaign to all IWCF members and industry stakeholders.

To remain a membership organization, aiming at broadening its membership to have right mix of stakeholders including: Operators, Drilling Contractors, Well Services

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Companies and Training Providers.

To continue its activity as a non-profit entity.

To continue the implementation of the OGP 476 Recommendations as being critical to stay ahead of IADC WellCAP and WCI. To further develop the Well Intervention Pressure Control programmes and certifications.

To prepare and introduce new accreditation programs e.g. Enhanced Renewals, HPHT, CSG and/or MPD. To continue improving its quality through better and more comprehensive training programs, more demanding certification procedures, continuous monitoring and auditing of training activities etc.

To continue works aiming at improving its IT infrastructure to further enhance its service and offerings to all IWCF members (benefits would include online centre booking tool, question bank development, online exams etc.).

The 2014 IWCF developments were discussed with the European Regional Branch members as well, the most important being the change of the IWCF legal status, change of the IWCF internal structure, (current Board of Directors to be replaced by the Board of Trustees) fforward Strategy Group, Technical Taskforce Groups, and further implementation of OGP 476

The IWCF is currently reviewing its internal structure in order to: become representative of members and stakeholders; be able to make faster progress in important initiatives; be more effective in analysing problems and taking decisions.

Present conclusions and suggestions aim at: more active involvement of all oil & gas industry representatives, i.e. operators, drilling contractors, well service companies, training providers, consultants, specialists etc. creating a Board of Trustees instead of the existing Board of Directors consisting of members of the above mentioned

industry representatives from IWCF members and IWCF branches The IWCF European Regional Branch Meeting participants left the event with the revitalized belief that quality of training is one of the key factors to maintain and raise standards of well control education and to secure the iwcf mark worldwide.

The meeting in GSP Training Center provided ERB members the opportunity to take a fresh look at what is taught, how it is taught and the tools used to assess and assure the competency of those involved in well operations.

Proceedings of the IWCF European Regional Branch Meeting

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JULY 2014

GSP Launches the Junior Professional Program: Onshore Careers Starting Point GSP launched the Junior Professional Program as a result of a strategic approach of human resources development. A few years after successfully supporting the offshore personnel development and smooth generation change through the Cadet program, this year GSP launched a new program designed to answer the need of top skilled onshore specialists. The Junior Professional Program is a clear vehicle designed to boost young graduates’ careers. The program has the potential to drive GSP’s business and to provide community appealing job opportunities to the graduates confronting with workforce market reserve to their lack of experience.

GSP provides a wide range of opportunities to the graduates, and they enumerated many reasons why they wish to come and work for GSP, the company being for years the employer of choice for the regional workforce pool. And by the regional workforce pool we refer here mainly to the graduates of Constanta universities to which are added on constant basis the Petroleum University in Ploiesti and the Bucharest universities. GSP addressed over the last 5 years, before launching the Junior Professional Program for onshore jobs, mainly the marine engineering and oil industry related graduates’ pool with the Cadet program. Now, with the Junior Professional Program, GSP unveils the advantages young professionals may access while working for GSP, and the most important is the opportunity to

accede behind the scenes of a globally operating company, with the possibility to move to the top of the organization.

The first twelve professional juniors were accepted this summer in the program, and they started the first threemonth training period within the company’s human resources and economic departments.

The first weeks will be spent by the juniors in the scheduled induction and rotation stages in various positions of the departments they have been assigned for. While you’re reading these lines the second round of the Junior Professional Program is prepared, to support the career start of IT&C and other departments’ future onshore specialists.

The Junior Professional Program has awakened the interest of a great number of candidates, the first 12 junior professionals being

the best suited choices in terms of academia results and interest in building a profession within a company with such operational particulars as GSP. The recruitment and selection were based on transparent and impartial processes, designed by an experienced team before launching the program. It was an open competition among the bachelor and master degrees graduates, the evaluation of all applications and preparation of the long list of candidates being a thorough process.

The selected juniors are expected to become shortly a positive drive for change.

The candidates were advised on all the stages of the Junior Professional Program and they are well aware of the fact their appointments and assignments for the next three months will build the foundation of their careers.

ANDREEA DORCU, the Corporate Human Resources Officer said in her speech at the opening of the program: “GSP constantly recruits professional and general service staff, and also hires consultants where specialized programmatic and administrative expertise is needed, and offers with the newly launched Junior Professional Program development guidance and mentorship. We have designed this program based on the need GSP has to help its own specialists

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grow. You see, there’re a lot of particularities when dealing with such a vast array of services, from offshore drilling and marine services, to crewing and offshore construction; quite a lot of angles to be covered with fully competent and skilled personnel. The operational realities, the fact that GSP carries out operations worldwide demands the onshore support operations to observe quite a multitude of regulatory frames, depending of the type of operation and the country where it takes place. It is not an easy task to identify the right person for the jobs we offer because of the particulars of our business. This is why the best way we see is growing internally the workforce, training juniors to bring GSP further. Our HR department knows best that it takes time to grow each employee to his or her maximum competence level.

The continuous development of the company resulted in the need of human resources and the recruitment efforts couldn’t fully cover all the specific positions opened along the time, mainly because of the particular requirements of the jobs. The actual workforce pool cannot provide the necessary selection base for GSP’s needs in terms of niche specialization. Growing

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internally the professionals GSP needs is the best solution we see: training you, the juniors present here today as a result of an elaborate selection process and the series of juniors to come, encouraging internal promotions of those colleagues showing they possess the ‘success’ factor. Having reliable and competent personnel takes different amount of time from one department to another. The top results our juniors registered during their studies guarantee GSP has selected the ‘best in class’ candidates to support their further development. We’re determined to develop the most competent workforce and we’ll further sustain their career growth.”

The scope of the Junior Professional Program is the selection and recruitment of fresh graduates in order to train and coach them into the areas of competence according to openings or development needs of the company, based on the medium term

assessment of departments’ personnel needs, in order to effectively, timely and quality response to Departments’ demands for filling in the vacancies.

“During the first days, an induction program was arranged in order to allow the juniors to get an overall picture of the company and processes.

We invited representatives of all departments to give short presentations and at the end of the induction days at least we count they’ll orient themselves through the Integrated Management System vast literature”, added Andreea Dorcu. “The general frame of the program was completed in March and the following months we made a few adjustments of the program as a result of the consultations we conducted with the beneficiary departments.

The launch was decided for the conclusion of the academic year, as it is indeed our objective to provide opportunities to the young professionals. The

GSP, by selecting young graduates and supporting their development, found a new way to enforce the existing relations we have into our communities.

Constanta is the hot spot of the Black Sea oil and gas industry and having this learning by doing program is the best solution for the alert development we witness!

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induction week coming to its end, for the following interval, their tasks will be assigned as per the decision of beneficiary departments.

Juniors’ feedback is highly important during the entire program. It will entail both their own experience during the stages they complete and the mentors’ performance while guiding them through processes and tasks. Another important aspect of the program launched now is also part of our CSR program: GSP, by selecting young graduates and supporting their development, found a new way to enforce the existing relations we have into our communities.

Constanta is the hot spot of the Black Sea oil and gas industry and having this learning by doing program is the best solution for the alert development we witness! The young professionals we selected will definitely add value to GSP’s business.”

The HR Department checks and provides support to departments to ensure that procedures are complied with (carrying out the recruitment, selection and hiring process according to company procedures - recruitment applications, interview and recruitment report, etc.) and communicates and maintains a permanent connection with the manager of the operational department.

JULY 2014

Fanel Hahui, GSP’s Deputy CEO meets the first series of graduates selected for GSP Junior Professional Program

MARIA GAROFIL, HR Manager & Psychologist conducted the personality and psychological evaluation of the candidates within the selection process for the short-list candidates. She is also involved in the regular annual evaluation for GSP staff who works under the

following conditions: work at height (engineers), occasionally go onboard drilling rigs or ships (engineers, Superintendent, Operations Manager), work under voltage (electrical technicians), or drive a company’s car or a private car for business.

Maria gave us additional insights about the Junior Professional Program: “It takes vision and knowledge to elaborate such a program and to carry it on. It is our advantage that the program was designed by people who know best the human resources development needs within our company.

We’re now living the vision of creating a program to last and to influence the

company’s future.

The first phase of the program, designed to last 3 months, has as main objective the assessment of the activity within this period in respect of the following aspects: Integration in the existing team; General work related attitude; Involvement in finalizing the given tasks.

The second phase of the Junior Professional Program, designed to last six months, has as main objective the assessment of the professional activity in respect of the following aspects: Professional knowledge gained;

Quality of work performed.

For instance, the graduates of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Psychology Specialization, with or without a Psychologist License or students undergoing a Master’s program will be assessed for their proven communication skills, diplomacy, conscientiousness and work orientation, adaptability, ability to learn and understand technical terms and specific technical activities, conflict management skills, the ability to manage relationships with difficult/ sharp personalities.

The human resources

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Paul Nichiforov, GSP Shipyard General Manager and the HR and Finance Juniors in an informal meeting

juniors have to take under consideration the choice they have to make at one point in their careers. This is the purpose of the rotation to the different posts within all the compartments.

The human resources domain is a very vast one; one cannot specialize in all competence areas.

Therefore they’ll get acquainted to recruitment, HR management, compensations and benefits, training and personal development, employment law, health and safety, HR communication, HR acquisitions, conflict resolution. The fact that GSP is a large size employer provides the opportunity to rotate on specialized positions, the juniors having the chance

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to gain extensive niche experience. The program counts on the mentors to help the process and smooth the pathway to becoming great and competent professionals, the best version of themselves. And the juniors are expected to transform the organization as well.”

Andreea Dorcu and Maria Garofil told us that, in order to ensure the highest objectivity of the selection and recruiting process, the selection committee was formed by Andreea Dorcu, Corporate Human Resources Officer, Maria Garofil, Human Resources Manager, Alina Puiu, Recruitment Specialist, and Marian Stefan, HR Manager, GSP Shipyard.

For the human resources, the targeted number of cadets accepted into the

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program is of 4, and the targeted number of cadets retained after the end of the program is of 2 or 3. The human resources department juniors had to meet the following primary selection criteria included: Graduation and License Degree grades of minimum 8.50 / 9.00; grades over 8.50 in Organizational Psychology, Psychodiagnosis and Psychology of Personality; Graduation and License Degree grade of minimum 8.50 / 9.00; grades over 8.50 in Organizational Psychology, Psychodiagnosis and Psychology of Personality ; Good knowledge of English – minimum 80%; Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point); The candidates’ selection

was powered by announcing the launch of the program through advertising on dedicated job sites. It was followed by the selection of the CVs that match the grade selection criteria and an initial phone interview with the candidates, the psychological testing of the candidates (personality evaluation using specific psychological methods and tests), the English language competence test (minimum score of 80% required in order to pass to the next stage of the selection process), and professional knowledge tests. The final part of the selection program consisted in faceto-face interviews with the members of the Selection Committee. Afterwards the hiring decision was taken based on the test results.“

JULY 2014

New Educational Opportunities for Offshore Success Careers Offshore oil and gas reserves are increasingly important sources of energy, as well as a significant driver of the international economy.

There are billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas predicted to lie within the waters of the Black Sea alone, including off the coast of Romania. Constanta Maritime University launches the first Offshore Oil and Gas Engineering Master of Science Program.

The program is designed to support with top class specialists the future South East Europe oil and gas industry development.

ADVANCED ENGINEERING IN THE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY is a multidisciplinary program that implies a large cooperation between Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.

The two-year Master of Science Program in Offshore Oil and Gas Industry is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the offshore industry. The study program gives the candidates a foundation in engineering design and basic engineering subjects,

regarding construction, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, facilities, systems and equipment specific to the offshore industry, both offshore structures and vessels serving the offshore industry. The program prepares students for careers in the international oil and gas industry and gives knowledge in specific activities related to maintenance and repair in the industry offshore platforms on ships and marine structures.

Constanta Maritime University has created a modern energy engineering education, consisting of classroom lectures and hands-on software lessons for renewable energy. The program is the next step in

an international outreach effort resulting in Constanta Maritime University emerging as the Energy University. The curriculum for offshore engineering provides the scientific and technical skills necessary to create the first generation of trained offshore and subsea engineering specialists.

The Master of Science Program addresses practicing engineers and recent bachelor’s degree holders in any engineering discipline.

However, applicants with engineering degrees in mechanical, civil, marine, manufacturing, production, chemical process, mechatronics, etc., with a strong focus on technology, engineering and management of

The Master of Science Program addresses practicing engineers and recent bachelor’s degree holders in any engineering discipline.

However, applicants with engineering degrees in mechanical, civil, marine, manufacturing, production, chemical process, mechatronics, etc., with a strong focus on technology, engineering and management of physical assets and technical production processes will be given preference.

physical assets (machines, equipment, processes, production plants, etc.) and technical production processes will be given preference. Also candidates with relevant industrial experience may be given preference: Chief Officers on Offshore ships, Chief Officer/Driving Mate – PSV, Master – AHTS, Master - ROV/PSV, 3rd Engineers, Chief Engineers, DP Officer, Offshore Structural Engineer, Offshore Construction Engineer, Senior Electrical Engineer, Offshore Pipeline Design, Field Service Engineer, Chief Engineers in Jack up Barge.

The program is developed around the following modules: Construction Technology Offshore, Dynamic Position Operation and Maintenance Management, Materials Technology in Offshore Industry, Reliability and Diagnosis in Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, Offshore Energy Systems, Fatigue Strength of the Offshore Oil and Gas Structures, Advanced Design of Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, FEM Design on Offshore Oil and Gas Structures, Underwater Technologies,

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Submarine Pipelines Technology, Management of Offshore Renewable Technology, Risk Analysis and Risk Management, Special and Offshore Drilling, Management and Marketing in the Offshore Industry, Non Destructive

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Testing in the Offshore Industry.

This program also provides an excellent basis and preliminary intellectual skills training on the gradual approach of research, development and innovation claimed

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by further studies in the third cycle - doctoral current profession for those who wish to pursue a career in education or research or in the offshore industry. The program ensures professionalization in marine engineering

and navigation through specialized engineering skills and management aimed mainly at the offshore industry - marine structures, specialized ships, machinery, equipment, systems and specific equipment.

JULY 2014

contributors BENOIT CARAYOL, Drilling Managing Director ANDREEA DORCU, Corporate HR Officer CONSTANTIN GHEORGHE, Corporate HSEQ Officer CORNEL PACURETU, Work-team Coordinator CRISTIAN CRACIUN, Drilling and Well Control Trainer

Let us know what you think about the content of the new issue of GSP Magazine!

Do you want to become a magazine contributor?

Please address your editorial contribution proposals to: public.relations@gspoffshore.com.

GSP’s Public Relations and Corporate Communication Department is the sole owner and copyright holder of the magazine content. Please contact the editorial team in order to request the rights to use any portion of texts, photographs, charts or to request for in-depth details on the contained features. The editorial team and the contributors hold the entire responsibility for the magazine`s content.

Magazine Coordinator – SANDA GABRIELA MURTAZA - sanda.murtaza@gspoffshore.com Contributing Editor – CORINA MIHAELA SAMOILA - corina.samoila@gspoffshore.com

GSP Magazine (Print) ISSN 2286 – 3028 ISSN–L 2286 – 3028 GSP Magazine (Online) ISSN 2286 – 3036 ISSN-L 2286 – 3028

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