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Chouest Appoints Fox to Lead Alaska Operations

Edison Chouest Offshore group has announced the appointment of Rick Fox to oversee Alaska operations

October 24, 2013 — The Edison Chouest Offshore group of companies (ECO) has announced the appointment of Rick Fox as senior vice president and general manager of Alaska operations. Fox will be responsible for leading all ECO vessel activities in the Arctic, as well as overseeing the operation of Chouest affiliates Fairweather, LLC, Deadhorse Aviation Center, Tulugaq, LLC and VDOS, LLC (Virtual Data Operations Support).

Founded as Edison Chouest Boat Rentals in Galliano, Louisiana, in 1960, ECO is recognized today as one of the most diverse and dynamic marine transportation solution providers in the world. ECO operates a fleet of over 200 highly specialized support vessels, ranging from 87 to 360 feet in length, serving a global customer base. Staying on the forefront of new technologies is an integral part of the Chouest business plan, as evidenced by recent advances in the areas of subsea support, integrated bridge systems and global satellite communications.

ECO has made a major commitment to support exploration and production activities in the Arctic. These efforts include the purchase of Fairweather, a leading provider of remote aviation, logistics and scientific support services to Alaska's natural resource industry, and partnering with the Kaktovic Iñupiat Corporation to build the Deadhorse Aviation Center, a multi-faceted aviation facility to support expanding operations on the North Slope. In August 2013, ECO acquired majority ownership of VDOS, a provider of manned and unmanned remote sensing and data collection services. In September 2013, ECO announced the formation of Tulugaq, LLC, a partnership between Fairweather, the Olgoonik Corporation and the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation, to provide additional airborne assets, bolstered by the purchase of a new Diamond DA42 optionally manned aircraft.

"Having Rick in charge of our activities in Alaska is a huge asset for us," said ECO President Gary Chouest. "Rick is very highly regarded in the industry and encompasses a vast knowledge of deepwater exploration, development and production. He has forged many strong relationships in Alaska and is a natural choice to lead our growing operations."

A cum laude graduate in mathematics from the University of Georgia, Fox joined Shell in 1975. He served as a drilling supervisor from 1979 to 1990, overseeing projects in the Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, Brazil, the North Sea and Alaska's Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Throughout the 1990s, Fox led several highly successful projects in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater frontier, including Auger, Ram Powell, Mensa, Popeye and Ursa. Fox and his teams received four Shell President's Awards for Team Excellence, including one for the Chukchi Sea exploration drilling program. In 2002, Fox was picked to lead Shell's operations capability strategy, where he was responsible for growing and developing the operating workforce and leadership for the Americas. Fox was named Alaska asset manager in 2006, taking a lead role in Shell's growing exploration and development activities in the Arctic. He is credited for bringing innovative ideology to the Arctic oil and gas industry and building relationships with the communities and villages of the North Slope. In 2010, Fox retired from a 35-year career with Shell and has since served as an adviser to Chouest's Fairweather and Deadhorse Aviation Center operations. Actively involved in his community, Fox serves on the board of United Way of Anchorage and volunteers for Covenant House Alaska and AK Child & Family.

For additional information, contact Kristi Acuff at 907-350-6397.