As the probe into the Gulf of Mexico oil spill continues, a number of organizations headed to boardrooms to brainstorm about consortiums, drilling regulations and safety game plans, all in the name of avoiding a repeat of the incident.

Eventually, initiatives from the sessions began to emerge. In July, Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell revealed plans to build and deploy a rapid-response system that will capture and contain oil in the event of a future well blowout in the deepwater Gulf.

Also, in early July, ...