1998 Year of the Ocean Ocean Energy and Minerals 



biological integrity of waterways; to protect and enhance air quality; and to protect and promote 

 conservation of plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened. 



With respect to development on the OCS, environmental impacts may vary in intensity 

 due to such factors as different methods of transportation (pipeline or tanker) and distances from 

 the shoreline. To address this and protect workers and the environment, the MMS tailors special 

 stipulations as required into leases sold to companies developing the resources. Concerns raised 

 by coastal states and communities, fishing groups, and other federal agencies are likewise 

 addressed. Some concerns may require a study of the impact on local marine life. Studies may 

 lead to requirements for special operating procedures covering such areas as training of personnel 

 and the handling of waste discharges of mud and cuttings. Making existing regulations clearer is 

 yet another approach used to safeguard the environment. 



Technological Improvements 



Over the last half century, significant technological improvements in operational safety 

 on the OCS have occurred. Today, for example, computer systems monitor platform operations. 

 Advances in blowout preventers and increased safety inspections have allowed the search for oil 

 and gas to continue into deeper water without compromising safety. 



Nevertheless, major concerns about operational maintenance and oil-spill prevention and 

 clean-up remain. Continuous inspections and replacement of platform components and safety 

 equipment are helping to relieve these concerns and ensure efficient and safe operation. Updated 

 training and oil-spill contingency plans now allow for quick response and effective cleanup of a 

 spill if it occurs. Remote sensing technology is being used to monitor oil slick movements more 

 accurately. 



Another way human and environmental safety has improved for OCS operations is 

 through the implementation of the MMS's Safety and Environmental Management Program 

 (SEMP) and the U.S. Coast Guard's Prevention Through People program. The SEMP advocates 

 a voluntary, but systematic approach, to safety management by every company operating on the 

 OCS and uses the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice 75 as the operating 

 standard. This program supplements the traditional, compliance-based regulations of the MMS 

 and further enhances its ability to prevent accidents that cause human injury and illness or 

 environmental damage. Through SEMP, the MMS is working collaboratively with the offshore 

 industry to refocus efforts on company safety and environment performance in addition to 

 regulatory compliance. The Prevention Through People program initiated by the U.S. Coast 

 Guard is intended to help elevate worker awareness of human involvement in accidents and to 

 reduce the human error factor. This program differs from SEMP because it deals with vessels 

 that are not stationary or fixed. Through these two programs, the federal government can better 

 identify problem areas and heighten safety for both workers and the environment. 



D-9 



