BSEE, NEB partner on Arctic safety

The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Canadian National Energy Board are partnering to promote Arctic offshore safety.

The agencies said Feb. 5 that a memorandum of understanding was signed by BSEE Director Jim Watson and NEB Chair and CEO Gaetan Caron in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4. The MOU encourages information sharing and cooperation between the regulators on government energy policy, regulatory development, specific energy projects and best practices.

“BSEE and NEB both have a shared commitment to reduce the risks associated with offshore drilling in the Arctic,” Watson said in a statement. He said the MOU “establishes a means for our two agencies to share data and experiences as expeditiously as possible so that we can identify and react effectively to industry-wide risks.”

Gaetan said the agreement “lays the groundwork for cooperation on matters of mutual interest between our two agencies, and it’s an important step in sharing best practices and supporting effective regulatory outcomes.”

The MOU is effective for five years and renewable every five years; it may be modified jointly or discontinued at any time by either participant.

—Petroleum News