Gulf of Mexico Offshore Renewable Energy Cooperative

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) industry is set to grow exponentially in the United States and globally; with one regional exception, the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). While there are some economic reasons for this, Excipio Energy think the GoM is currently an underutilized resource. Its potential as an energy provider aside, the GoM is ideally suited for testing prototypes. Advantages the GoM offers not found elsewhere include the following unique features:

• While the waters of GoM are considered a low energy environment compared to some locations, the Western GoM is one of the better areas for offshore wind, and the water column temperatures in some locations fit OTEC requirements.
• While tidal fluctuations are low, loop currents are a regular event in the Gulf and can hit tidal speeds, and major rivers flow into the Gulf.  
•  Many of the test locations on the East and West coasts with high energy potential are environmentally sensitive, with local communities wary of offshore development. The western GoM is not only friendly to offshore development but their local economies depend on it.
• There are 2000+ offshore platforms in the Gulf which could be repurposed as renewable/test hubs as they get taken offline.
• The cost of offshore construction in the GoM is a fraction of the cost on the US west or east coast.
• The capital cost of any offshore development is highly dependent on the harshness of the environment. The high-energy locations (big waves, fast currents) favored by many start-up ORE companies would be economically challenging even for a mature and profitable industry like oil and gas. For prototype testing however the low cost and development friendly location can outweigh the resource potential. After all, the objective is proof of concept not commercial power.

Excipio Energy would like to gauge the interest in creating the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Renewable Energy Cooperative (GoMOREC), whose goal is to bring to together likeminded companies and individuals to work towards a common vision of bringing more of the offshore renewable industry to the GoM region.

The objectives of GoMOREC are as follows:

1.     To organize all stakeholders who want to see sustainable ORE development in the GoM

2.     To encourage the growth of offshore renewable engineering, fabrication and construction industries in the GoM region to support the global ORE industry.

3.     To leverage the legacy of the offshore oil and gas industry in the GoM.

4.     To lobby for support of GoM ORE industry.

5.     To provide a public outreach function and database allowing individuals and localities to evaluate ORE projects based on facts and peer reviewed science.

6.     To actively counter misrepresentations and “fake news” regarding offshore renewable energy as it is identified.

7.     To promote international cooperation among nations bordering the GoM.

If you, or the company you work for, are interested please contact us via LinkedIn or join our Group: The Gulf of Mexico Offshore Renewable Energy Cooperative (GoMOREC).