May 2, 2019 IPAA: Final Well Control Rule Increases Offshore Worker Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representing the independent producers that develop 90 percent of America’s oil and natural gas wells, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) President and CEO Barry Russell issued the following statement today on the release of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) final improved Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control regulations (Well Control Rule):
“The BSEE revisions to the Obama-era well control rule are common sense and will go far to increase the safety of all those who work in the offshore. Over the past several years, IPAA and the broader oil and natural gas industry have worked closely with the U.S. Department of the Interior to support the effective and thorough regulation of America’s offshore sector, standards, and safety programs. Offshore producers highlighted how the Obama-era rule was overly prescriptive and bound companies with a one-size-fits all approach at the expense of safety by constraining quick decision-making. The changes in the new rule allow for producers to be nimbler, with more adaptive guidelines based on the most up-to-date insights and innovative technology in the offshore exploration and development field. IPAA supports BSEE’s efforts to modernize regulations for an ever-improving offshore industry that places the protection of its workers, the environment, and coastal communities first.”
Background: IPAA and six other organizations submitted comments to the Interior Department last August on the proposed regulatory revisions. IPAA has been following the Well Control Rule and contributing the perspective of independent producers since the rule’s initial proposal – see 2015 op-ed by IPAA President and CEO Barry Russell.
About the Independent Petroleum Association of America
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) is a national upstream trade association representing thousands of independent oil and natural gas producers and service companies across the United States. Independent producers develop 90 percent of the nation’s oil and natural gas wells. These companies account for 83 percent of America’s oil production, 90 percent of its natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) production, and support over 4.5 million American jobs. Learn more about IPAA by visiting www.ipaa.org and following @IPAAaccess on Twitter.
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