Hornbeck Offshore and Marine Spill Response Corporation Announce Contract to Increase Response Capability in Gulf of Mexico

COVINGTON, La., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. (NYSE: HOS) and Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) announced today that they have entered into a long-term agreement for spill response services in the Gulf of Mexico.  Two U.S.-flagged 370 class multi-purpose support vessels (MPSVs) owned by Hornbeck Offshore are being retained by MSRC and equipped with dedicated spill response capability.  

The HOS Centerline and HOS Strongline are 370-ft. vessels with 24,000 bbls of recovered oil capacity (30,000 bbls of total liquid storage capacity) based out of Port Fourchon, LA.  Each vessel is being outfitted with dedicated skimming systems, ocean boom and a support boat.  The navigational systems on each vessel are also being enhanced with x-band and infrared oil spill detection systems that may increase the ability of the vessel crew to conduct skimming operations during times of adverse weather, low visibility and night operations.  

This contract is a continuation of the relationship that MSRC has developed with HOS as a part of MSRC's "Deep Blue" expansion program to significantly enhance the response capability in the Gulf of Mexico.  MSRC has also expanded its capability to include a manned equipment site in Port Fourchon, LA, at Hornbeck Offshore's primary shore base facility, HOS Port.  This facility will also house a spill response school to enhance responder training.

HOS Chairman, President & CEO, Todd Hornbeck commented, "We are excited to be selected by MSRC and are confident that this additional response capability in the Gulf of Mexico contributes to the region's commitment to safe and environmentally sound exploration and production activities.  We believe these vessels will be the largest spill response vessels in the U.S. fleet and among the largest in the world."

MSRC President & CEO, Steve Benz added, "We are pleased to have this working partnership with Hornbeck Offshore.  HOS utilized a number of their resources during the Deepwater Horizon incident, and the knowledge and experience they gained will fit very nicely with MSRC's extensive capability in the Gulf Coast."

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. is a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore supply vessels in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and in select other domestic and international markets, and is a leading short-haul transporter of petroleum products through its coastwise fleet of ocean-going tugs and tank barges in the northeastern U.S., the domestic Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes and in Puerto Rico.  Hornbeck Offshore owns a fleet of 80 vessels primarily serving the energy industry.

MSRC's "Deep Blue" program is funded by members of the Marine Preservation Association with exploration, development or production operations in the Gulf of Mexico.  These companies: BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Murphy, Nexen, Shell and Statoil, are committed to funding the most extensive surface spill response capability in the Gulf of Mexico and have the ability to cite MSRC in response plans and have access to the significant MSRC capabilities in the event of a response.  

For more information on MSRC or the "Deep Blue" expansion program please contact Judith Roos at (703) 326-5617.

SOURCE Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.