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President Obama announced that he has requested $222.1 million for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
for fiscal year 2014, which would provide critically needed resources
to strengthen the agency’s offshore regulatory programs. The proposal,
which represents a $24.8 million increase over the 2012 enacted level,
would enable BSEE to carry out its responsibilities for oil spill
response planning and safety inspections; investigations, environmental
enforcement and compliance; as well as production permitting and
development.
As the Administration works to expand domestic energy production
through the President’s all-of-the-above strategy, BSEE continues to
take the necessary steps to provide effective oversight of oil and gas
development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, helping lead the
offshore oil and gas industry toward a culture of safety and
environmental responsibility.
“The President’s 2014 request will enable BSEE to keep pace with a
dynamic industry as operators continue to pursue new technologies that
enable them to develop our nation’s energy resources in deeper water and
frontier areas,” said BSEE Director Jim Watson. “The President’s
request provides the necessary resources for BSEE to institutionalize
the regulatory reforms put into place following the Deepwater Horizon
explosion and oil spill and continue to build upon the organizational
requirements necessary to ensure offshore oil and gas activities are
conducted safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.”
The President’s request will be offset by $124.0 million from
offsetting collections, including $65.0 million from inspection fees,
$50.6 million from rental receipts and $8.4 million through cost
recovery fees.
BSEE continues to promote a strong safety culture across the offshore
oil and gas industry beginning with the introduction of a hybrid
regulatory system, which incorporates for the first time
performance-based standards with prescriptive regulations. BSEE improved
the Safety and Environmental Management System program (SEMS)
requirements through the recently finalized SEMS II rule. Operators will
be required to implement these strengthened requirements in 2014, and
BSEE staff will be working with them throughout the audit and review
process to ensure compliance.
Promoting the use of information, including Real Time Monitoring (RTM),
to enhance safety and environmental protection is a key priority for
BSEE in 2014. Many companies already use RTM technology and dedicated
offsite facilities to monitor their offshore oil and gas operations. The
Bureau is actively reviewing the use of various forms of RTM in its
regulatory processes as BSEE seeks to better fulfill its mission.
Additionally, the Bureau is developing a strategic, risk-based approach
to compliance and enforcement.
The budget request also provides the necessary resources to BSEE’s
Alaska Region as companies begin looking to develop oil and gas
resources in this frontier area. The request builds independent and
dependable inspection capabilities to support expanded drilling
activities in addition to building the critical engineering capacity for
permitting operations.
The Bureau will continue focusing its efforts on recruiting and
training a diverse and talented workforce. In 2014, the Bureau will
expand recruitment and retention programs and develop cutting edge
training curricula.
The FY 2014 request is a continuation of the Obama Administration’s
plan to complete the reorganization of the former Minerals Management
Service and establish a base operating level consistent with the
recommendations from the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon
Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling and the National Academy of
Engineering.
Post to be found at:
http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/Presidents-FY-2014-Budget-Request-for-BSEE-Strengthens-Offshore-Drilling-Oversight-2013-04-11/
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