Energy Tomorrow Blog
API Continues to Lead on Safety During Pandemic
api standards program safety standards safety regulations
John D. Siciliano
Posted August 27, 2020
Despite the pandemic, API has moved forward with dozens of new safety standards, covering everything from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to pipelines, to manufacturing specifications for offshore wells – ensuring that safety and scientific rigor, through API’s standards program, remain front and center.
We have used this challenging time to help ensure that the natural gas and oil industry is focused on safely and sustainably meeting both the domestic and global need for energy through API’s world-class standards program.
Offshore Energy: 10 Key Ways Operations Have Been Strengthened
safe operations safety standards offshore drilling safety bsee regulations spill
Erik Milito
Posted April 17, 2019
With the Trump administration nearing release of a new five-year offshore leasing plan for oil and natural gas, offshore energy has never been safer or stronger – thanks to initiatives and technologies designed to enhance worker safety and protect the environment. (See this post dispelling offshore energy myths.) Below, 10 important developments that have strengthened the vitally important work of harnessing America’s offshore energy.
1. Center for Offshore Safety
The Center for Offshore Safety (COS) is an industry-led initiative to promote continuous safety improvement for offshore drilling, completions and operations through effective leadership, communication, teamwork, disciplined management systems and independent third-party auditing and certification.
Safe Digging Month: Call 8-1-1 First
811 safety regulations infrastructure
Kate Lowery
Posted April 15, 2019
Every 6 minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone dug without first calling 811 – the number you can call for free, from anywhere in the country, to verify that it’s safe to dig.
The goal is to keep everyone safe by ensuring that there are no below-ground utility lines that could be unintentionally damaged.
April is Safe Digging Month, an annual campaign to remind homeowners and contractors to call 811 before starting a home project that involves digging.
Industry Commitment to Regulatory Compliance Never Goes on Furlough
regulations safety standards government industry standards
Mark Green
Posted January 28, 2019
The reopening of the federal government is welcome news for everyone. As one of the country’s most regulated sectors, the natural gas and oil industry urged resolution, recognizing the important federal role in our nation’s energy sector – including infrastructure project review, issuing permits and other activities.
That said, we’ll point out that during the shutdown, industry operated safely and efficiently each and every day, providing the natural gas and oil that support economic expansion, deliver valuable benefits to consumers, strengthen U.S. security and help advance progress on climate and environmental goals.
Industry’s commitment to regulatory compliance was unaffected by the shutdown, including regulation by EPA, the Bureau of Land Management, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies – as well as state regulations.
U.S. Energy Production Up, Emissions Down
crude oil production us energy security emission reductions epa ghg regulations
Mark Green
Posted October 23, 2018
Two stat lines capture the essence of modern natural gas and oil development:
First, the United States produced a record 11 million barrels of oil per day (mbd) in September, 2.2 mbd more than September 2017, according to API’s latest Monthly Statistical Report (MSR). It’s a remarkable output number, given where domestic production was less than two decades ago.
Second point: Just as remarkable is the fact the United States’ world leadership in natural gas and oil production is accompanied by world leadership in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Industry Supports Smarter, More Effective Regulation
Mark Green
Posted April 24, 2018
It’s a myth in Washington that when regulating energy, more is better. Sometimes, it’s just more, as in more burdensome – potentially hindering safe and responsible energy development that strengthens our country’s security and boosts its economy. Two facts: Natural gas and oil are well regulated, and our industry supports smart, effective regulation.
Ozone, Economic Risks and Needed Regulatory Reform
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Mark Green
Posted April 21, 2017
BLM Rule Could Impact Production, Revenues to Governments
natural gas ghg regulations policy
Reid Porter
Posted February 23, 2017
When the U.S. Senate returns to work, repealing the Bureau of Land Management’s “venting and flaring rule” should be a top priority. The redundant and technically flawed rule, which went into effect last month, could negatively impact production – some say it already has. The House has voted for repeal under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and the Senate should follow the House’s lead.
The States and the Right Regulatory Approach
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Mark Green
Posted July 12, 2016
The sound approach to energy regulation in the U.S. – one that provides appropriate oversight to oil and natural gas development without unnecessarily impeding progress – continues to be a major theme at the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) annual conference in Washington.
Tesoro President and CEO Gregory J. Goff raised the point with his Day 1 keynote speech, calling for transparency, fairness and accountability in federal regulation:
“Consumers, companies and the economy all benefit when government policies are well-reasoned and balanced. America is blessed with an abundance of affordable, reliable energy. It must not be squandered. Allowing the forces of the free market to operate will continue to benefit society. Government should be a facilitating partner in this positive economic force, not a roadblock to it.”
Innovation, Science, and Fracking
hydraulic fracturing ghg emission reduction regulations drinking water energy production horizontal drilling carbon emissions
Erik Milito
Posted June 9, 2016
Competitive forces and industry innovation continue to drive technological advances and produce clean-burning natural gas, which has led to reducing carbon emissions from power generation to their lowest level in more than 20 years, making it clear that environmental progress and energy production are not mutually exclusive.