On Tuesday, March 29, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued several refinements to deepwater drilling rules and subsea well containment procedures.
In response to concerns from operating companies, the BOEMRE has addressed contradictions in permitting requirements that arose from adopting the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) guidelines for well design. Spill containment requirements were categorized into three types, with distinct response requirements for each. Most importantly, the calculated discharge rate for a particular well will be based on the “cap and flow” capacity of the spill containment solution, rather than the total maximum discharge rate for an open hole.
“The BOEMRE has provided valuable clarification on how drilling permit applications are evaluated for spill response preparedness,” said Owen Kratz, CEO of Helix Energy Solutions Group. “This mutual exchange of information and technology between regulators and industry allows Helix to further tailor its response capabilities specifically for deepwater and exploratory wells. Using the well integrity and collection capability criteria provided, operators can give the BOEMRE the background it needs to continue issuing drilling permits with confidence.”
Photo courtesy Helix
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 108,984 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew says he’s been working with President-elect Donald Trump on crafting an executive order aimed at “halt[ing] offshore wind turbine activities” along the East Coast. “These...
HELSINKI, Jan 16 (Reuters) – The Eagle S tanker seized by Finnish authorities on suspicion of ripping up subsea cables will not face a separate criminal investigation into whether its fuel cargo violates sanctions...
The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has awarded 53 new production licenses on its continental shelf as part of its annual APA 2024 licensing round, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining...
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 108,984 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
