Offshore

As required by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the U.S. Department of the Interior has a well-established process in place for managing offshore oil and natural gas leasing, exploration and development. With multiple environmental analyses and opportunities for stakeholder input, this process helps to balance the nation’s need for energy with strong environmental safeguards.

In 2004, API issued RP75, "Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) for Offshore Operations and Facilities."

In response to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) incident, the U.S. oil and natural gas industry launched a comprehensive review of offshore safety.  Four Joint Industry Task Forces (JITFs) were assembled to focus on critical areas of GOM offshore activity:  the Joint Industry Offshore Operating Procedures Task Force, the Joint Industry Offshore Equipment Task Force, the Joint Industry Subsea Well Control and Containment Task Force, and the Joint Industry Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Task Force.

Deepwater permits in the Gulf of Mexico are currently being issued at less than half the rate compared with pre‐moratorium levels, and shallow water permits are being issued at rates 40 percent lower.

Oil and natural gas from federal lands and waters is critical to meeting the nation’s energy needs, providing approximately 30 percent of all oil and 38 percent of all natural gas produced in the United States.

The more than 4,000 oil and natural gas platforms operating in U.S. waters have an outstanding safety and environmental record.

Industry & Government Changes Post Macondo - A presentation by Executive Director, Center for Offshore Safety, Charlie Williams, to Oil Spill Commission Action. April 2012

More energy, good jobs and increased state revenue can be produced safely in offshore Virginia.

API has assembled a primer to show the safety and efficiency of developing America's vast oil and natural gas resources.

In addition to the developing technologies for exploration and production of oil and natural gas, new concepts in deepwater systems and facilities have emerged to make ultra-deepwater projects a reality.