BSEE safety rule goes to OMB

The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has sent proposed new regulations for drilling on the outer continental shelf to the president’s Office of Management and Budget for review, prior to release for public comment. Called the Blowout Prevention Systems and Well Control Rule, the regulations address well design, well control, safe drilling margins, casing, cementing, real-time monitoring and subsea containment, according to information on the OMB website.

The proposed rule addresses issues raised by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the website says.

- Alan Bailey