Energy companies and contractors working in the Gulf of Mexico are governed by a continually evolving and, occasionally, inconsistent regulatory framework. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the post-Deepwater Horizon oil spill energy regulator for the offshore industry, has greatly expanded its scope and level of activity in the last two years. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard is creating regulations to govern critical control and safety systems for the offshore sector. Although BSEE and the USCG have agreements concerning their joint jurisdiction over operations in the Gulf of Mexico, their regulatory approaches are not entirely consistent. The ability to respond to these changing and diverse regulations is even more challenging in the current energy market where companies are focused on cost control measures.
Scope of BSEE and USCG
These evolving regulatory schemes impact a wide range of entities working offshore, including exploration and production companies and service contractors, as well as owners and operators of vessels, ranging from deepwater drilling and intervention vessels to offshore support boats. BSEE and USCG regulations have similar goals to minimize loss of life, damage to property, pollution and protecting critical industrial control systems; however, these agencies are enacting different regulations to oversee these common risks.
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