NOIA Closely Reviewing Proposed BOP/Well Control Regulations

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 13, 2015
Contact:  Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463, nicolette@nullnoia.org

NOIA Closely Reviewing Proposed BOP/Well Control Regulations

Washington, D.C. – NOIA President Randall Luthi issued the following statement on the proposed bop/well control regulations announced today by the Department of the Interior:

“The Federal regulators promised a big rule, and at more than 200 pages, they certainly delivered.  We are currently reviewing the proposed rule, line by line and word by word. We are keenly interested in the proposed design and function changes for blow out preventers, requirements for dual shear rams, real time monitoring, testing schedules for exploration, workover and decommissioning operations and the hot stab requirements. We are concerned that reasonable and necessary time is allowed for proposed design and manufacturing modifications and that third party certifications are a useful tool for verifying safety measures and not merely an increase in a bureaucratic process.

“Safety is the first priority offshore, and industry will always strive to continue improving.  Transparent, thorough and two-way communications between the regulator and industry will greatly enhance all efforts for safe and clean operations.  We look forward to providing our feedback and comments to the regulators, but are concerned that 60 days may not be an adequate amount of time in which to sufficiently review and develop meaningful comments on such a detailed and voluminous proposed rule.”

ABOUT NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf.  NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises more than 325 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy.