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BOEM spells out its Arctic mission Sees itself as a valued partner in managing federal offshore resources, and in scientific expertise and sustainable development ALAN BAILEY Petroleum News
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has published a document summarizing what the agency sees as its mission in the Arctic. The agency is responsible for managing offshore energy and mineral resources in federal lands of the outer continental shelf. In Arctic Alaska those lands primarily consist of the outer continental shelf of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. The agency says that it has a vision of being a valued partner in domestic and international Arctic matters relating to Arctic marine resource stewardship, scientific expertise and sustainable development.
The outer continental shelf of Alaska potentially holds more than 23 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and more that 108 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas, BOEM says. But the region also holds offshore renewable resources such as wind, wave and tidal energy, as well as significant resources in terms of gold; rare earth minerals; and sand and gravel. The agency says that since 1973 it has invested about $450 million in environmental and socioeconomic research in Alaska, and has completed more than 500 scientific reports. With traditional knowledge as part of the agency’s social science portfolio, BOEM actively consults with local and tribal governments, the agency says.
Agency goals BOEM has set itself several goals in support of its Arctic vision. It says that it promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of Arctic energy and mineral resources. It engages with the state of Alaska and interagency partners on Arctic domestic affairs and in support of the U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic Region. It also engages with indigenous peoples and organizations for the use of traditional knowledge in the stewardship of natural resources. The agency says that it establishes its Arctic expertise and experience for the furtherance of national and international Arctic science, policies and stewardship. And the agency supports the Department of State and other agencies in engaging in international work in the Arctic, including activities carried out in conjunction with the Arctic Council, BOEM says.
Other BOEM interactions in carrying out the agency’s mission include those with industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, local governments and international Arctic endeavors.
And as examples of BOEM-led projects, the agency cites the development in 2014 of guidelines for oil and gas safety systems management and safety management; the completion in 2013 of an Arctic marine shipping assessment; the completion in 2010 of an assessment of the effects and potential effects of oil and gas activities in the Arctic; and the preparation in 2009 of Arctic offshore oil and gas guidelines.
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