Offshore Drilling Chiefs Meet with Industry to Discuss Safety

The Interior Department is taking an increase in the number of recent offshore safety incidents seriously. According to reports, federal regulators have been busy meeting with Texas offshore oil and gas industry representatives to discuss safety issues.

According to the Interior Department, the Chief of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement recently met with oil and gas industry officials in Texas. The focus was on drilling safety in the shallow Gulf of Mexico waters. Chief James Watson has been spearheading efforts to respond appropriately to the well blowout that occurred on the Walter Oil and Gas A-3 recently off the coast of Louisiana.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has already begun an investigation into the incident in which there was a blowout in the well, followed quickly by a fire. Fortunately, all crew members were evacuated before the fire could cause any offshore injuries. However, the fire was quickly followed by a minor leak at the scene.

According to a statement by the Interior Department, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has begun an investigation into the causes of this incident, and the agency believes that this episode serves as a reminder that the offshore oil and gas drilling industry must recommit itself to offshore safety on a top-priority basis. Other officials are also set to meet with industry executives.

Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management Tommy Beaudreau is also set to meet with offshore oil and gas drilling companies in the Gulf Of Mexico. The focus of the discussions has been the need to prioritize safety above all else and the need to reduce the risk of incidents like these in the future.

The Texas offshore injury attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers represent offshore oil rig and platform workers who have been injured in accidents in the Gulf of Mexico.