Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) Promotes Safe and Environmentally Sound Operations Offshore

In 2004, API issued RP75, "Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) for Offshore Operations and Facilities." This recommended practice is a fit-for-purpose tool for integrating safety management into a variety of offshore operations.

The first comprehensive safety and environmental management standard of its kind in the world, RP75 reflects the contributions of many industry offshore safety and operational experts with hundreds of years of experience in the oil and gas industry; government agencies, such as MMS and the Coast Guard; and industry trade groups, including API, the Offshore Operators Committee, the National Ocean Industries Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, and the International Association of Drilling Contractors. The program was created to cover activities, procedures and operating hardware. It was designed to be flexible and responsive and to be a permanent part of a company’s culture, objectives and operations. Many offshore operators and contractors, including all API oil company members, have created safety and environmental management programs that follow the recommendations in RP75.

SEMP starts with an assessment of operating and design requirements and a hazards analysis. It requires establishment of safe operating procedures, work practices, and management-of-change procedures, and associated training. It calls for procedures that ensure that the design, fabrication, installation, testing, inspection, monitoring and maintenance of equipment meet safe (minimum) standards. In addition, it recommends periodic auditing of safety programs—and requires emergency response and incident investigation to help mitigate harm and prevent future mistakes.