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Safety Award for Excellence

The Minerals Management Service is committed to safe and environmentally sound operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. The excellent record of Safety on the OCS reflects this commitment as well as to that of the offshore operators.

The Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) Program was developed by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) to recognize and commend operating companies and contractors that expend extra effort in conducting their operations in a safe and pollution-free manner by adhering to all regulatory requirements, employing trained and motivated personnel and going beyond mere compliance. Operators considered for this recognition take extra steps to enhance operational safety and environmental protection.

Voluntary progression toward a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) approach such as development and implementation of American Petroleum Institute recommended Practice (API RP) 75 and API RP 14J is an example of such proactive behavior.

SELECTION PROCESS

The MMS Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Regional Office has two Districts: the Camarillo District (formerly the Ventura District) and the Santa Maria District.

The MMS District Offices evaluate the performance of all operating companies, including drilling contractors, in their specific Districts through the inspection program. The Districts annually compile all inspection data results. Based on those data and other performance-related factors, the District Offices select District SAFE winners each year.

All District winners each year are automatically considered in the selection of the National SAFE winner.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The MMS Offshore Inspection Program provides the basic source of information for evaluation of candidates for the SAFE. Criteria considered in making the recommendation(s) for the award follow:

  • Record of Events: Control of fires, pollution containment, well control, number of fatalities.
  • Operational Safety: Concern by management for personnel safety as reflected in (1) operational guidelines and instructions to field personnel in safe operating practices, (2) actual operational safety awareness by operating personnel, and (3) actual implementation of that policy in the field at the work site.
  • Training Program: Exemplary training program that reflects awareness of safety and attention to personal qualifications of lessee or company employees.
  • Operational Consideration: Age of platform/rig, overall condition of platform/rig, maintenance of equipment, and housekeeping.
  • Administrative Review: Accuracy, completeness, and availability of required records.
  • Pollution Prevention: Demonstrated performance on record of pollution control and prevention.
  • Regulatory Awareness: Evidence that appropriate regulations are available and that field personnel are aware of regulatory requirements.
  • Cooperation: Overall recognition by field management as to the importance of the inspection program and evidence of full cooperation with MMS personnel in the timely completion of inspections.
  • Technology: Significant development and utilization of new technology and practices.
  • One-Time Events: Evidence of errands of mercy, acts of heroism, accident prevention, and efficient actions during emergency conditions.

PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD

The Pacific OCS Region's SAFE awards are presented annually to the winner at public events such as the American Petroleum Institute Energy Information Night and Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Awards Banquet. The award is a plaque signed by the Minerals Management Service Director and a citation signed by the Regional Director.

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service

Pacific OCS Region

Safety Award for Excellence Recipients

 
2002 POCSR SAFE Award, presented in May 2003

2002
ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Heritage
Camarillo District

Awards from previous years

2001
POOL Offshore
Drilling Contractor
Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo
Santa Maria District

2001
Arguello Inc.
Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo
Santa Maria District

2001
ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Harmony
Camarillo District

2001
Torch Operating Company
Torch Rig Services
Drilling/Production Contractor
Platforms Henry & Hillhouse
Camarillo District

2000
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Heritage
Camarillo District

1999
ExxonMobil Production Company
Drilling and Production - Platform Heritage
Camarillo District

1999
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Heritage
Camarillo District

1999
Torch Operating Company
Production Contractor for Nuevo Energy Company
Platform Gilda
Camarillo District

1999
Torch Operating Company
Production - Platform Irene
Santa Maria District

1998
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production Operations - Camarillo District

1997
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production & Drilling Operations - Camarillo District

1997
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Production & Drilling Operations - Santa Maria District

July 1996 - December 31, 1996
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc.
Production Operations - Santa Maria District

July 1995 - December 31, 1995
Dual Drilling
Drilling & Workover Operations
Santa Maria District

January 1995 - December 1995
Unocal Corporation
Production Operations - Platform Henry
Camarillo District

January 1995 - December 1995
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Drilling and Production - Harmony & Heritage
Camarillo District

January 1994 - December 31, 1994
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production and Drilling - Platform Harmony
Santa Maria District

July 1993 - December 1993
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Operations - Platforms Harmony and Heritage
Camarillo District

July 1993 - December 1993
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Production & Drilling - Santa Maria District

January 1993 - June 1993
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Production - Camarillo District

July 1992 - December 1992
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc.
Production - Santa Maria District

July 1992 - December 1992
Unocal
Production - Camarillo District

July 1991 - December 1991
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc.
Production - Santa Maria District

July 1991 - December 1991
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Production - Santa Maria District

July 1991 - December 1991
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production - Camarillo District

July 1990 - December 1990
Texaco Inc.
Production - Camarillo District

July 1989 - December 1989
Union Oil Company of California
Production - Santa Maria District

July 1989 - December 1989
Shell Western E&P, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

January 1989 - June 1989
Shell Western E&P, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

July 1988 - December 1988
Sun Exploration and Production Co.
Production - Ventura District

January 1988 - June 1988
Shell California Production, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

July 1987 - December 1987
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production - Ventura District

January 1987 - June 1987
Union Oil Company of California
Production - Ventura District

July 1986 - December 1986
Texaco U.S.A.
Production - Ventura District

January 1986 - June 1986
Shell California Production, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

July 1985 - December 1985
Shell California Production, Inc.
Drilling - Ventura District

July 1985 - December 1985
Shell California Production, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

January 1985 - June 1985
Sun Exploration and Production Co.
Drilling - Ventura District

July 1984 - December 1984
Sun Exploration and Production Co.
Drilling - Santa Maria District

July 1984 - December 1984
Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production - Ventura District

January 1984 - June 1984
Union Oil Company of California
Production - Ventura District

January 1983 - June 1983
Shell California Production, Inc.
Production - Ventura District

July 1983 - December 1983
Global Marine Drilling Company
Drilling - Ventura District

Page content last updated 4/2/2004
Page last published 10/1/2004