Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Offshore Energy – General’ Category

Florida Invites Input on Regulatory Framework

Posted in drilling, Florida, gas, Offshore Energy - General, oil, tagged , , , on March 9, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The Florida Legislature may soon decide whether to lift the 20 year ban on oil and gas exploration and production in State waters.

As part of  the review process, the State has prepared a list of questions on the management and regulation of offshore oil and gas resources.   Responses to these questions will help define the general terms of the regulatory regime that the State would follow if the ban is lifted.

The State is inviting input on any or all of the questions.  Please email your responses to adam.blalock@myfloridahouse.gov by the close of business on Monday, March 15.  Response should be limited to no more than 500 words per question.

Read Full Post »

California Commentary: Part I – The Case for Increasing Offshore Production

Posted in California, gas, Offshore Energy - General, oil, seeps, tagged , , on March 7, 2010| 1 Comment »

The case for increasing production offshore California is relatively straightforward:

  1. The oil is there and production could be increased relatively quickly.
  2. Because of existing infrastructure and advances in extended reach drilling technology, additional offshore facility needs would be minimal.
  3. The safety and environmental record, while not perfect, has been exceptional.  (Opponents and supporters of California offshore production should fully agree on one point: We must never forget the 1969 blowout, and must challenge operating practices that make these type of incidents possible.)
  4. An effective regulatory regime is in place.
  5. Both the State and Federal governments need the revenue.
  6. Importing 50+% of our petroleum is detrimental to our economy and has significant national security implications.
  7. 25 years of offshore leasing moratoria demonstrated that you don’t reduce domestic consumption by restricting domestic production.
  8. Because of common infrastructure and support service needs, offshore oil and gas operations are complementary to (and may accelerate) wind and hydrokinetic energy development.

Read Full Post »

Interview with Magne Ognedal

Posted in Interviews, Norway, Offshore Energy - General, tagged , , , , on February 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Magne Ognedal

BOE is pleased and honored that Magne Ognedal, Director General of the Petroleum Safety Authority – Norway, has agreed to the blog’s first interview.  Magne is an internationally recognized authority on offshore safety and regulatory policy.  He has been a leader of the International Regulators’ Forum since its inception in 1994, has assisted governments with emerging offshore energy programs, and served as program and steering committee chair for major international conferences.   He was recently appointed by the King’s cabinet to a second 6-year term as Director General.  I’m sure you will be interested in Magne’s candid and informative comments about offshore safety, regulatory policy, and international cooperation.

I am glad Norway is one Kingdom!

Update: See Magne’s 10 February comments about offshore safety and PSA’s report- Safety Status and Signals, 2009-2010.  For an e-book version (nice work by Ole-Johan Faret!) click here.

Read Full Post »

ICRARD

Posted in IRF, offshore, Offshore Energy - General, tagged , , , on February 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The acronym is awkward but the International Committee on Regulatory Authority Research and Development is a great source of information about offshore safety and pollution prevention research.  If you need more information about a design, operational, or management issue, there’s a good chance that an ICRARD member has conducted a relevant study.  Go to the ICRARD site and give it a try!

Read Full Post »

Kudos to Denmark

Posted in Offshore Energy - General, tagged , , on February 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Dan Field, North Sea Danish Sector

BOE applauds Denmark, not just for its leadership in conservation and wind energy, but also for its commitment to offshore oil and gas production.  Denmark (population 5.4 million) currently produces approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day from fields in the Danish sector of the North Sea.  On a population basis, this is the equivalent of 14.4 million bopd for the US (310 million people), more than 10 times current US offshore production and more than double total US (onshore and offshore) production.   Does the US need to be more like Denmark?  Yes, we need to produce more and consume less!

Read Full Post »

Snow Mas!

Posted in Offshore Energy - General, Uncategorized, tagged , on February 3, 2010| 3 Comments »

No mas!

Like Roberto Duran in the famous “no mas” fight with Sugar Ray Leonard,  the DC area has proven to be no match for the relentless winter of 2009-10.  In offshore facilities design terms, we have experienced two 100-year storms, multiple lesser storms, and lots of snow fatigue!

Powered by Renewable Energy

At BOE headquarters, our low-carbon, renewable energy snow removal system has been seriously tested by the record snowfall, and the planners didn’t take snow-piles (mountains?) into account when they designed our “smart growth” community.

This winter has definitely given a boost to telecommuting advocates.  Commuting in these conditions makes little sense for the typical office worker who can work from home.  Businesses and government need to fully incorporate telecommuting into their business plans so they can continue operations during snow and other emergencies.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts