On 1 January 2020, the new International Maritime Organization’s new global sulphur standard for marine fuels will take effect.
On 10 December, the U.S. Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee hosted a hearing to examine the upcoming implementation of the regulation, 14.1.3 of MARPOL Annex IV (Global 0.50% Sulphur Limit). IADC submitted comments after the hearing to be included in the record, noting that IADC offshore oil and gas members are well positioned to implement measures to meet the 1 January 2020 IMO Low Sulphur fuel requirements. IADC’s comments went on to note that the vast majority of MODUs have already made the transition from higher Sulphur (2.6%) Residual Fuel Oil to very low Sulphur (0.07%) marine gas oil distillates. Further, while it is understood that IMO 2020 low Sulphur requirements will continue to test many in the maritime industry towards lessening the emissions footprint, the global offshore oil and gas industry will persist in far exceeding baseline expectations come 1 January 2020.
For more information about the new IMO Sulphur standard, please contact Jim Rocco at Jim.Rocco@iadc.org.
