BORDELON MARINE
SUPPORTING THE DIVERSIFICATION OF OIL AND GAS Powered by Inside America
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BORDELON MARINE
I PROFILE
Based on the coast of Louisiana, Bordelon Marine has been providing international offshore support and subsea services for almost 45 years. Thanks to the versatility of its vessels, the company is in the process of diversifying into new sectors. President & CEO Wes Bordelon explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside America. Report by Imogen Ward. 34 Inside america
aving triumphed within the oil and
H
renewables and environmental disaster
gas sector since Bordelon Marine
response, providing it with a dynamic and
was first established in 1979, the
diverse customer base.
in new work.
The versatile Stingray
company has recently noticed an uptick “Our primary market is the oil and gas
In 2011, Bordelon Marine diversified into
space, supporting light construction
shipbuilding with the establishment of its
and IMR work,” President & CEO Wes
subsidiary Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders.
Bordelon explained. “However, with the
With this development came a brand-
recent development of the U.S. wind and
new shipyard built specifically for the
space industries, our available markets
construction of the company’s new
have expanded.”
deepwater vessel, Stingray260.
Over the years, Bordelon Marine has
Currently housing a fleet of three
built up a solid reputation as a privately
Stringray260s, Bordelon Marine values
held vessel owner and operator. As time
these vessels for their adaptability
progressed, the company expanded its
within the market.
capabilities from its initial focus in oil and
“The Stringray260 was designed to be
gas. This enabled the company to explore
versatile, and that is really the essence
various industries, such as military,
of why we have had such great success
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BORDELON MARINE
I PROFILE
with these vessels,” said Mr. Bordelon.
These range from 150 to 180 feet and provide
“When compared to other examples of
a variety of support services, including
light construction vessels currently
construction, decommissioning, explo-
available, the Stingray provides a more
ration, production, and wind farm support.
cost-effective option without sacrificing
Other services in Bordelon Marine’s
the high spec performance that our
offering feature a comprehensive range
subsea customers require.”
of subsea surveyance, maintenance
Exemplifying the capabilities of its Stingray vessels, on a recent project
and inspection, as well as ROV and mobilization services.
Bordelon Marine was able to support node deployment and recovery, in
A collaborative enterprise
a more efficient manner than the standard
Each contract undertaken by Bordelon
larger MPSVs. The Stingray’s convenient
Marine is very much a team effort – from
size was utilized alongside two work
the company’s crucial supply chain to its
class ROVs and a 60-ton subsea AHC
diligent employees.
crane, which allowed for the lowest day rate and fuel consumption.
“Reliable supply chain partners are critical in our daily operations,” said Mr. Bordelon,
Also included in the company’s fleet is one
“especially when it comes to shipbuilding:
survey vessel and six mini supply vessels.
there are thousands of complicated widgets
38 Inside america
(both big and small) that need to come
parency, and the promise to act in an
together, on time and in a well-engineered
ethical way towards employees, the
order. Without a reliable supply chain net-
community, and the environment.
work and engaged technical partners, this is simply impossible.” The same can be said for everyone that
“At Bordelon, we truly believe in this philosophy and try to create a culture where people can thrive.”
works at Bordelon Marine. Whether on land or out at sea, the company is committed
Exploring new sectors
to developing a positive and supportive
As industry-wide trends focus on the
environment that nurtures and motivates
topic of renewables and green energy,
the passion of all its workforce.
Bordelon recently made the decision to
“A modern company needs to have
expand its capabilities once again.
a genuinely supportive culture that can
According to Mr. Bordelon, the diversifi-
address issues like ‘work life balance’,
cation to wind was quite a simple process:
professional growth, and training,” Mr.
“The wind industry has very similar infras-
Bordelon continued. “This is only achiev-
tructure needs as oil and gas, from survey,
able through communication, trans-
inspection, cable laying, and topside and
Inside america 39
40 Inside america
BORDELON MARINE
I PROFILE
subsea construction. Many of these
road that is vastly untraveled, Bordelon
scopes have been common practice in
believes that a commitment from all
this space for decades.”
industry players is required. However, this
Because of these similarities, the
does not come without its challenges.
company has been able to transition its
“Sustainability requires a genuine com-
vessels without too many complications.
mitment to renewable methods, changes
“The true advantage of our Stingray
in future vessel designs, and an acceptance
design is in its ability to support a variety of
of the higher costs that comes with those
work at a lower cost point without sacri-
new systems. It also requires more stringent
ficing technical performance,” Mr. Bordelon
operating procedures to ensure account-
said. “We can provide the state of the art
ability and follow through over time,”
features of a large construction vessel
Mr. Bordelon explained. “The move
in a much smaller and more affordable
towards sustainability has affected the
package. The Stingray’s value becomes
oil and gas industry in a variety of ways.
increasingly apparent over time and after multiple jobs.”
“In the near term, it’s been mostly about the economics, with budgets being
In line with this new focus, Bordelon is
re-allocated to wind and other renew-
implementing a stronger commitment to
ables. But in the long term, the changes
sustainability. Fully aware that it is a long
will be much broader and far reaching,
42 Inside America
affecting operating procedures, equipment
“The oil and gas industry will continue to
and the fundamental standards across
thrive for the foreseeable future, and the
the spectrum of business. Ultimately,
US wind market will eventually take root and
I believe this will be a good thing “
grow over time,” Mr. Bordelon concluded.
With the focus on green energy
“When combined, these industries should
becoming increasingly prevalent, the
provide a robust market for marine service
oil and gas industry has also witnessed
companies going forward. It’s a great
a shortage of competent workers entering
time to be in the boat business, and we
the industry. However, despite this chal-
look forward to utilizing our current fleet
lenge, Bordelon Marine has confidence
and our shipyard to build next generation
when it comes to the future.
vessels for these future markets.”
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