The Trump administration has weakened the “Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule” that was created to prevent offshore drilling accidents and related oil spills. This reckless move underscores the risks of expanding offshore oil drilling in U.S. waters. 

Nine years ago, the world watched in horror as the BP Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing eleven workers and triggering one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. For 87 straight days, oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico, devastating marine life and coastal economies before officials could contain the blowout. Now, the federal government has repealed many of the very protections that were created in response to this disaster.

On May 2nd, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced a revised Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule that loosens requirements for offshore oil and gas operations. Specifically, the new regulations weaken federal standards on well design, well control, casing, cementing, real-time monitoring and subsea containment – all of which are critical factors in preventing offshore drilling accidents. 

But perhaps the greatest cause for concern is that the repealed rules were established based on lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. In the aftermath of the BP oil spill, President Obama convened the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to provide recommendations to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future. Their final report pulled no punches, concluding the accident was a result of “systemic failures” in the offshore oil industry and that government reform was urgently needed.

Based on the commission’s recommendations, the “Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule” was finalized by federal regulators in 2016. At the time, the action was heralded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as “the most aggressive and comprehensive reforms to offshore oil and gas regulation and oversight in U.S. history.” More to the point, the reforms worked: according to government statistics, incidents involving loss of well control have declined dramatically since the rule took effect, including zero cases in 2017.

However, the oil and gas industry does not appear to be a fan of regulations that it perceives as burdensome and unnecessary. Since the adoption of these safety rules, the industry has pushed hard for their repeal, spending millions of dollars on lobbying, campaign donations, and public relations. And with the Trump administration prioritizing support for expanded oil and gas development, the industry has found itself a natural ally.

While the Surfrider Foundation is certainly no proponent of offshore oil drilling, we strongly believe that existing operations must be carried out with the utmost safety and environmental precautions. This includes protecting both the safety of workers, as well as the marine and coastal environment. The heartbreaking images of oil-soaked birds, fish, dolphins, and turtles from the Gulf oil spill must continue to serve as a reminder for why stringent regulations for offshore drilling are needed.

Last year, Surfrider joined thousands of groups and individuals in submitting comments to the Department of Interior against this ill-advised proposal. Our comments emphasized the importance of safety standards and government oversight to ensure that the lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster are not forgotten. Unfortunately, our input was not heeded.

With offshore drilling now even more dangerous, Surfrider urges all of our supporters to speak out against new oil rigs off our coasts. The Trump administration has proposed expanding oil and gas development to over 90% of U.S. waters, putting our marine environment and coastal communities at unnecessary risk. While recent reports suggest the process may be delayed, it's critical that we continue to fight to defend our coasts. Please visit the links below to make your voice heard!

OFFSHORE WORKER SAFETY TIPS

To avoid safety issues and emergencies, offshore workers should keep a number of safety tips in mind. If these fail and you suffer an injury, the best thing you can do is call the Houston maritime accident lawyers of The Krist Law Firm, P.C. at (281) 306-5723.

OFFSHORE WORKER SAFETY TIPS

Working offshore is tough and can be dangerous. However, by following all safety regulations and recommendations, you can drastically decrease the risk of an accident, injury, or fatality. Also, consider these additional tips:

• Never forgo protective gear. When you are working offshore, your protective gear is essential. Whether you are supposed to wear gloves, eye protection, respiratory masks, or hardhats, do not get lazy or overly comfortable. It can be easy to think that after performing the same task hundreds of times that you can forget a protective item once in a while. However, this is when disaster strikes. Never allow yourself or your coworkers to get lax about safety gear.
• Consider nothing a minor hazard. When you and other workers view an issue as a “minor hazard” you are more likely to let it go instead of correcting it immediately. However, when you are on a rig or vessel offshore, nothing is minor. Seemingly small mistakes or problems can lead to devastating circumstances. By developing the mindset that nothing is a minor hazard, you give every issue the attention it deserves.
• Locate underlying problems. If the same safety issue keeps coming up, stop fixing it in the short term and look into the underlying problem. For instance, if there is clutter, debris, or cords in a walkway that should be clear, do not stop at cleaning it up. Find out who is making the mess and why the walkway is remaining this way. It may be that one or more workers needs additional training or there is a lack of necessary supervision.
• Consistently inspect tools and equipment. Your jobs heavily rely on tools, equipment, and machinery that are safe and in working order. However, keeping your implements in shape requires vigilance, consistent inspections, and maintenance. If you or others let these tasks fall to the side, broken tools can become dangerous and increase the risk of injury.
• Do not use equipment for which you lack training or certification. After years on the job, it is easy to believe you can pick up new tools, machinery, or vehicles without official training. However, your experience may not be enough and you could lack the knowledge necessary to use this equipment safely. If there are new items you want to be able to use, ask your supervisor for the proper training. If there are vehicles you want to operate, ask for the proper training and obtain the necessary licenses. This protects you and your coworkers from dangerous accidents.
• Promote a safety culture. The best way to ensure you are always working in a safe environment is to promote a culture of safety and accountability on your rig. If you and everyone you work with believes in following the rules and looking out for one another, including identifying and correcting hazards, then you all can avoid common safety issues.