Emerging Technologies

The Emerging Technologies Branch (ETB) identifies, develops and incorporates those new or emerging technologies with the potential to address and mitigate safety issues along America's Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

While assessing new technologies, the ETB considers how technologies may be applied and integrated into BSEE’s regulatory programs to promote safety, conserve resources, and protect the environment. Technology reviews may be necessary because of the development of a new regulation, the modification of an existing requirement, the development and subsequent incorporation of a consensus-based standard, the issuance of a Notice to Lessees, or changes to permit conditions or approvals.

Once evaluated, if approved, these technologies may be integrated into regulatory programs and initiatives, and used offshore.

The Branch has three independent, but related sections:

• The Best Available and Safest Technologies (BAST) Section develops and implements a nationally recognized process for implementing provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for the use of BAST. See the BSEE BAST Presentation for more information.
   
• The Contract Support Section (CSS) supports the research element of the ETB. The section's contract representatives identify, fund, and administer research contracts that assess safety-related technologies, and perform applied research in support of BSEE’s regulatory programs. Learn more about submitting research proposals, the CSS,  and Technology Assessment Program.

• The Systems Reliability Section (SRS) observes and oversees the quality-assurance and quality-control testing of offshore equipment. The section assesses equipment and systems for fitness of service, or/and to determine the root causes of incidents and near-miss events.

Together, these efforts support BSEE’s regional offices and headquarters, as part of the Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.