Energy Tomorrow Blog
For Public Health, Safe Operations in Colorado – And Everywhere
colorado safe operations industry standards regulation emission reductions
Mark Green
Posted October 18, 2019
There’s nothing more important to our industry than protecting health and safety – of our skilled workers and the communities where they are engaged in supplying Americans with affordable energy for every aspect of modern life and economic well-being.
As energy companies, we know that maintaining the public’s trust and the permission to operate hinge on our ability to work safely and responsibly – caring for the environment, reducing our footprint and continually improving technologies and operations to reduce emissions.
This is the context as we consider a new report on the potential public health effects of natural gas and oil operations by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), using 2015 data to model impacts.
New Integrity Management Standards Increase Offshore Safety
api standards program offshore safety
Debra Phillips
Posted September 24, 2019
As the U.S. will soon become a net exporter of total energy, API is continuing to lead the way on safety and environmental protection through the development of key industry standards.
Globally, offshore energy development is poised to grow, with significant new finds spurring the construction of some of the largest floating offshore production facilities ever built.
Just this past month, API released a suite of new Integrity Management (IM) standards outlining how floating production platforms should function to improve operational efficiency, safety, and environmental protection.
Safe + Sound Operations Built on Industry Standards
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Sam Winstel
Posted August 14, 2019
API is proud to again partner with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to host the agency’s annual “Safe + Sound Week,” a nationwide event focused on raising awareness and understanding of the importance of safety and health programs in the workplace.
It’s an initiative the natural gas and oil industry fully appreciates and works continuously to advance. Safety is a core industry commitment. It’s fundamental to protecting our workers, the communities that host natural gas and oil development and the environment, each of which help sustain our permission to operate.
New Bolting Standard Advances Safety in Industry Operations
api standards program safe operations
Debra Phillips
Posted August 12, 2019
API’s new bolting standard recognizes the critical role that fittings, bolts, screws and other components play in the safe operation of the industry’s exploration and production activities around the world.
Our oil and natural gas companies are present in nearly every conceivable environment. From the icy cold of the tundra to the deserts and oceans, API members require durable steel components that won’t fail them in these tough conditions, while supporting safe and reliable operations.
That’s why we issued API TR 21RT1, “Materials Selection for Bolting.” The new standard makes it easier for companies to select the right equipment for certain environmental conditions.
Your Yard Needs Work? First, Call 8-1-1
Sam Winstel
Posted August 9, 2019
Do you know what’s below? If not, dial before you dig.
This Sunday, August 11th is National 8-1-1 Day, a date promoting the awareness of buried pipelines and utilities as you break ground on projects around your home. Careful consideration – and one quick call – can go a long way toward keeping you and your property safe.
API, RFA Team Up on New and Updated Gasoline-Ethanol Standards
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Debra Phillips
Posted May 16, 2019
Updated and new API standards that address the ethanol blended into the nation’s gasoline supply – developed in partnership with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) – will enhance the natural gas and oil industry’s ability to safely trade and/or ship its products.
Certainly, our industry has disagreed with RFA over policies and specific provisions related to the Renewable Fuel Standard’s mandates for increasing ethanol use in the nation’s gasoline. Even so, we agree on the need for technical standards to help ensure the safe transfer of products and work together to develop them.
Offshore Energy: 10 Key Ways Operations Have Been Strengthened
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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.
Enhanced Safety Standard Helps Protect Workers, Environment
api standards program workplace safety environmental impact
Mark Green
Posted February 20, 2019
Over API’s 100-year history – we complete our first century next month – we’ve created more than 700 standards to enhance the safety, efficiency and sustainability of natural gas and oil operations. The newest of these updates Recommended Practice 54 (RP 54), which sets procedures to advance and maintain a safe and healthy work environment in drilling and well servicing operations.
Specifically, the new edition of RP 54 (first developed in 1981) includes a section on flowback operations, which is important for safe well testing. It also includes revised requirements for process hazard assessment for facilities and sites and introduces formal risk assessments and expanded provisions for offshore operations.
Industry Commitment to Regulatory Compliance Never Goes on Furlough
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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.
EPA's Missed Opportunity with Proposed OOOOa Amendments
emission reductions methane production standards epa
Jessica Lutz
Posted November 14, 2018
The good news is that EPA’s proposed amendments to the 2016 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) OOOOa rule will continue the rule’s ability to effectively reduce volatile organic compound and methane emissions from all emission sources addressed in the previous administration’s rule. Methane is the primary component of natural gas – a key product for industry. Producers are incentivized to bring that product to consumers, making its capture a top priority from a business standpoint, in addition to the environmental considerations. Unfortunately, the proposed rule includes several missed opportunities, and could ultimately stifle innovative new technologies in emissions detection and increase the cost of energy for Americans.