The board of directors of the American Petroleum Institute (API) has formally endorsed the industry’s steps to create a Center for Offshore Safety. The center is being created to promote the highest level of safety for offshore operations, through an effective program that addresses management practices, communication and teamwork. The board directed API to work with other industry stakeholders to further develop the operational framework and timeline for the center to enhance industry safety and environmental performance. The Center for Offshore Safety will draw on the lessons learned from successful, existing safety programs like the chemical industry’s Responsible Care program, the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations, the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program, and the Safety Case Regime for international operators. The plan is to apply the best elements of these programs to accommodate the unique challenges of offshore oil and natural gas operations, and will rely on independent auditing and review by third-party certifiers, according to API. The Center will be based in Houston and will be open to all companies that operate in deepwater exploration and production. The focus of the center will be based on API’s Recommended Practice 75, covering safety and environmental management systems.
