Minerals Management Service Safety and Environmental Management Program: Evolution of the Concept

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulates oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities and facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The agency's regulatory objective is to ensure that OCS operations are safe and that marine and coastal environments are protected. The operating conditions, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico are changing as industry moves farther offshore into deeper water and as more small independent operators conduct drilling and production activities on the OCS. The MMS is currently investigating alternative strategies to promote safety and environmental protection during oil and gas and sulphur operations on the OCS. One alternative that MMS is considering would require OCS lessees and operators to develop, maintain, and operate under the control of a comprehensive Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP). As currently envisioned, SEMP would require each lessee or operator of one or more drilling or production facilities on the OCS to prepare a plan that describes its management policies and procedures to assure safety and environrnen td protection while conducting operations INTRODUCTION The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is the 14 federal agency responsible for carrying out the national policy for the development of oil and gas and sulphur resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Because of the complexity of offshore resource development, this responsibility is shared with other Federal agencies that have specific expertise and regulatory functions. The more prominent of these include the U.S. Coast Guard, Environment td Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Each agency establishes requirements and regulates specific aspects of oil and gas and sulphur development. The MMS is currently investigating alternative strategies to promote safety and environmental protection during OCS operations. This paper provides some background on MMS'S responsibilities and discusses a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) as an alternative strategy. MMS REGULATORY AND INSPECTION POLICIES The MMS promulgates and enforces regulations for leasing, as well as drilling and production operations on the OCS. The MMS bears significant responsibility in managing mineral resource development, and the scope of MMS'S regulations is broad, covering prelease activities to final abandonment. Safety of personnal and the protection of the environment are primary concerna. The OCS l-ands Act (OSCLA)states ill part, environment are primary concerns. The OCS Lands Act (OSCLA) states in part, Operations in the outer continental shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained personnel using technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical obstruction to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to property, or endanger life or health.1