National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi issued the following statement on the final Well Control Rule announced today by the Department of the Interior:

“The oil and gas industry and Federal regulators share a common goal: safe, efficient and environmentally responsible development of energy resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. NOIA applauds the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) for acknowledging that the 2016 Well Control Rule (WCR), while well intentioned, was flawed with technical problems that actually detracted from the goal of safe operations. BSSE’s final revisions, which leave the original rule largely intact, further manage risks and better protect workers and the environment, making drilling safer.

NOIA President Randall Luthi

“Crafted to focus on ways to improve safety and allow companies to meet requirements in a safe, verifiable and practical manner, the new rule will result in a stronger regulatory process. The narrowly focused revisions incorporate adaptive guidelines and innovative technology and will standardize the process for departures, or alternative compliance.

“The final rule establishes a logical and collaborative process targeting the shared goal of zero accidents and incidents. In the end, nothing is more important to the oil and gas industry or the regulator than the safety of our people and environmental protection of our waters and coasts.”