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Monday, 1 May 2006
Meeting the Challenge of Safely Developing the Energy Frontier
Robert Kramek, President and COO, ABS
Today’s exploration and production operators face ever-increasing technical challenges to bring energy to market as they move into deeper waters. To effectively support operators in the safe and economic pursuit of new energy sources, the role of classification has evolved, facilitating complex developments. Class now brings to the offshore arena new technologies and techniques for assessing and mitigating the risk associated with frontier projects.
Worldwide, the industry is looking to significantly boost its liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade over the next 20 years, creating greater demand for larger LNG carriers to carry more load greater distances.
The challenges are great. Safety can no longer be implied. It must be understood.
Speaker Profile
Robert E. Kramek is president and chief operating officer of ABS. Prior to his election to this position by the ABS Board, he served as president and chief operating officer of the ABS Americas division of the class society. Kramek joined ABS in 1998, after serving as commandant of the United States Coast Guard, from which he retired as a Four Star admiral. He is a naval architect and marine engineer and has received numerous military awards including several Distinguished Service medals and was recently inducted into the United Nations Maritime Hall of Fame. He graduated with honors from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Academy with a BS in engineering and attended postgraduate schools at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Alaska. He has received MS degrees in naval architecture and marine engineering, mechanical engineering and engineering management. Kramek also attended the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating with highest distinction.
