Final Well-Control Regulation Rules from BSEE
The final well-controloffshore rules have eventually been released in Washington, D.C. This was officially reported by Sally Jewell, the state secretary of the Interior Department, and Brian Salerno, the director of BSEE (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement).
What Are the Objectives?
According to the governmental report, the basic objective of the well-control release implies the decrease of the potential offshore blowouts. The statement sounds reasonable enough to believe that the mission will be accomplished properly. However, the critics of the US government point out that these regulation rules can do more harm than good by reducing the security of offshore employees and the environment in general. The situation can eventually result in the worsening of the overall development of the US offshore sector.
What makes the critics so sure about the negative consequences of new regulation rules? There is no definite answer to this question. The representatives of the Interior Department, in their turn, underline that the decision to release the offshore well-control regulation rules was not adopted out of a sudden. Instead, they have thoroughly analyzed the current situation in the industry, the causes of the recent Deepwater Horizon issue as well as the recommendations of the specialists, who are aware of the situation. Furthermore, the Department has held several meetings with industry experts, manufacturers of the equipment, and even environmental companies and governmental agencies to be able to carry out the well-grounded decision.
The Final Well-Control Regulation Rule: What Is It All About?
In accordance with the Interior report, the rule focuses on the control of the well design elements, equipment requirements and other control issues and regulations associated with the extraction and production of oil and gas in the USA. The final rule covers the information related to the well-control systems and equipment as well as the preventative blowout measures and improvement of design, real-time observation, cementing and other actions that contribute to the enhancement of well-control functions.
The director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Brian Salerno, believes that they have made everything possible to prevent the potentially dangerous and even life-threatening well control blowouts and incidents. This is what makes the BSEE regulation rules the most advanced and consistent offshore safety control aspects, which ensure environmental safety.
Among the most effective measures specified in the final well-control regulation rules, one can mention the improvement of the reliability of the equipment that helps prevent blowouts, implementation of advanced and well-tested technologies, which make it possible to observe and control all the drilling operations as well as introduction of systems that are specially developed to protect the health and lives of employees and safety of the environment in general. All these measures help minimize the potential risks, which have always been associated with oil and gas production and extraction.
It should also be mentioned that the basic features of the newly released rules are the control of the real-time site observation info, secure oil and gas drilling margins, equipment reviews made by third party representatives, extra blowout prevention features etc. The new changes in well control process comply with the advanced industry practices, equipment standards and other business specifications.
What Do the API Representatives Say?
While the changes and innovations reported by the BSEE experts seem very persuasive and effective, the API (American Petroleum Institute) representatives are not so sure about the safety issues. Having reviewed the final well-control regulation rules, they have concluded that some positions may trigger potential technical problems and, thus, may result in the increased risks of offshore operations. With this purpose, they are going to make sure the implemented technical changes are justified and can ensure the maximum safety of offshore operations.
About BSEE
BSEE or the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is a governmental agency, which undergoes the jurisdiction of the US Department of the Interior. The organization was founded in 2011 by the State Secretarial Order. The agency holds responsibility for ensuring the safety and protection of the environment. They have the legal right to control, inspect, investigate, analyze and even suspend or cancel events that may pose danger to the oversee and environmental safety in general. The local US offices of the BSEE are found in Alaska, Anchorage, New Orleans, California and Camarillo. There are also a few regional offices found along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
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