API: Industry Has Led Safety Improvements For Blowout Preventer

Proposed federal regulations released today for well control and blowout preventers (BOPs) follow upon wide-ranging work by industry to improve offshore safety, said American Petroleum Institute Upstream Group Director Erik Milito.

“We are reviewing the proposed rules and hope they will complement industry’s own efforts to enhance safety,” said Milito. “Improved standards for blowout preventers are one of the many ways industry has led the charge to make offshore operations even safer.”

API updated and strengthened its industry standard for BOPs in 2012 to prioritize consistent procedures, preventive maintenance, inspections and testing. Known as Standard 53, it is one of 224 API standards that address offshore oil and natural gas operations.

“A great deal of effort has been put into strengthening spill containment and response, but our first goal is always to prevent accidents from happening at all,” said Milito. “Our industry is committed to meeting the nation’s energy needs while maintaining safe and environmentally responsible operations.”

API created or revised more than 100 industry standards in the last five years to improve safety during exploration and production. Other steps taken by the oil and natural gas industry to enhance offshore safety include the creation of new systems for rapid spill response and the Center for Offshore Safety, founded in 2011 to foster a strong safety culture and share best practices.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.