Guidance

For all those working on offshore oil and gas facilities, safety and environmental protection is the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE’s) highest priority. No issue is too small or too great. A change in industry standards or practices, an incident or frequently required administrative actions may warrant a change in BSEE regulations or policies. New regulatory safeguards to improve safety or protect the environment can heighten drilling safety standards and help reduce the chances of a loss of well control, as well as adding new focus on new technologies, tools, containment capabilities, and processes and procedures in the event of an oil spill.

To carry out its responsibilities and mission, BSEE promulgates regulations for offshore oil and gas operations to promote safety, protect the environment, and conserve resources. BSEE’s regulatory program includes developing and implementing regulations, issuing guidance on those regulations, and assessment of industry and international standards for potential use in the regulations.

BSEE operations are governed by a wide variety of laws, regulations, and Executive Orders and are often informed by communications with the offshore industry. The Bureau enforces compliance with these regulations and periodically updates the rules to reflect advancements in technology and new information. This section provides access to BSEE regulations and guidance to the offshore industry, as well as information on standards incorporated by reference in BSEE’s regulations.