CONOCO HAS ITS FIRST DOUBLE HULLED TANKER

Conoco Inc. has christened the first of four double hulled crude oil tankers it expects to have working in the Gulf of Mexico by yearend 1993.

Conoco plans to use the 95.000 dwt tanker, christened Patriot, to transport crude from Venezuela and Mexico to its 167,000 b/sd refinery near Lake Charles, La. The ship is expected to arrive in the Gulf of Mexico in late March or early April from the shipyard at Koje Island, South Korea, of Samsung Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Co., Seoul.

"Launching this ship in less than 2 years required a massive undertaking by Samsung Shipbuilding and the Conoco project team," said Constantine S. Nicandros, president and chief executive officer of Conoco.

Samsung is to deliver another double hulled tanker to Conoco by yearend 1992.

Converting to double hulled tankers is part of a nine point environmental initiative Conoco unveiled in April 1990. Some specialists estimate double hulled tankers could prevent 90-95% of oil spills involving tankers.

Conoco has four single hulled oil tankers operating worldwide: two very large crude carriers and two tankers comparable to the Patriot in size. Those vessels will be phased out of operation during this decade. Nicandros said Patriot's completion is an important first step in Conoco's plan to convert its fleet to double hulled tankers by the end of the century.

Patriot's outer and inner hulls are 16.5 mm thick. Space between hulls varies from 2 to 2.4 m. Operated under Liberian registry by Spanish and Filipino crewmen, the 800 ft long by 138 ft wide tanker can transport as much as 692,000 bbl of oil in seven compartments with capacities ranging from 19,000 to 80,000 bbl. Vessel draft is 30 ft empty and 45 ft fully loaded.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

Conoco has begun implementing all nine environmental initiatives announced in April 1990. Since then, Conoco has:

Reduced by 47% toxic air emissions reportable in 1990 under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, exceeding more than 2 years ahead of schedule its pledge to reduce toxic air emissions and hazardous solid wastes one-third by 1993.
Supported creation of citizen advisory councils in Denver, Lake Charles, Billings, Mont., and Ponca City, Okla., where its four major U.S. refineries are located.
Added five double hulled barges to its inland marine fleet, in addition to starting conversion of its tanker fleet to double hulled vessels. Conoco also supported legislation requiring use of double hulled tankers in U.S. waters by 2015.
Replaced single walled storage tanks at 64 company operated service stations with double containment systems consisting of double walled tanks, protective casing around piping, and modern leak detection equipment. Conoco has pledged to install double containment systems at all company operated U.S. outlets by yearend 1993.
Introduced regular RXL gasoline to replace leaded regular gasoline and Super Diesel II low sulfur fuel as part of its commitment to develop cleaner burning motor fuels. Conoco also is converting its fleet vehicles to run on propane and has installed propane refueling equipment at service stations in Colorado, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Increased specific environmental actions by instructing line managers to include environmental goals among their annual objectives, encouraging other employees to set measurable environmental goals for themselves whenever possible, and rewarding efforts appropriately.
Selected two research subjects for its 1991-92 environmental fellowship program in which professionals from other industries work with Conoco researchers on projects.
Funded studies of forests in Gabon as part of increased emphasis on understanding the environmental effects of developing oil and gas fields.
Expanded to offices in Ponca City and London a program that is recycling 55% of the 200 tons/month of paper, plastic, office, and landscaping waste generated at its Houston headquarters. Conoco aims to recycle 100% of headquarters wastes by 1993.