API and Joint Industry Task Force Reports on Offshore Safety Changes

In response to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) incident, the U.S. oil and natural gas industry launched a comprehensive review of offshore safety. Four Joint Industry Task Forces (JITFs) were assembled to focus on critical areas of GOM offshore activity: the Joint Industry Offshore Operating Procedures Task Force, the Joint Industry Offshore Equipment Task Force, the Joint Industry Subsea Well Control and Containment Task Force, and the Joint Industry Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Task Force. The JITFs were not involved in the review of the incident; rather they brought together Industry experts to identify best practices in offshore drilling operations and oil spill response; with the definitive aim of enhancing safety and environmental protection.

The JITFs worked with, and continue to work with the federal agencies involved in regulating offshore activities, the independent presidential commission (National Commission), the Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), members of Congress, and others as they considered the GOM incident and potential changes in Industry oversight.

Two industry task forces provided recommendations to the Department of the Interior on industry operating procedures and equipment in May 2010. Based on those recommendations, several new API standards are being developed and revised, an industry standard dealing with cementing operations, a recommended practice on deepwater well design construction, a bulletin for offshore operators and drilling contractors to employ a well construction interfacing document that would integrate all aspects of safety management systems and documents on BOP design, manufacture and operations.

Two other U.S. oil and natural gas industry task forces presented recommendations in September 2010 to the Department of the Interior on preventing oil spills, enhancing oil spill response and improving subsea well control. The recommendations are part of a comprehensive effort by the industry to strengthen all aspects of offshore safety, while continuing to produce energy and create jobs for Americans.

The ultimate goal for these JITFs is to improve well containment and intervention capability, spill response capability, and Industry drilling standards to form comprehensive safe drilling operations; not only through evaluation and revision of Industry guidelines and procedures, but also active engagement with regulatory processes.