Global change likely to follow Coast Guard rule making

摘要

In the five years since the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico, a spotlight has shone brightly on risk mitigation. A problem with the Macondo well resulted in the semi-submersible exploding, catching fire and sinking, and 4 million barrels of oil escaped into the sea. Although DP practices were not to blame for the accident, the industry reviewed operational practices from top to bottom. Everyone, from the operators to offshore specialists, was affected by the major disaster. Federal regulators began taking a more intense, comprehensive view of all aspects of offshore operations, and the US administration urged the US Coast Guard to develop regulations for the sector. As a result, a few months ago, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) based on existing guidelines from industry organisations such as the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). In doing so, it is set to become the first regulatory body in the world to develop regulations directly affecting the DP sector. This development will have a global impact, and the offshore industry can expect increased co-operation between regulatory bodies as a result.