The U.S. Department of Interior has issued increased safety measures for energy development on the outer continental shelf. One of these new regulations calls for an immediate recertification of subsea blowout preventer stacks by an independent, third-party. The Interior Department requires that:

  • Blowout preventers stop the flow of oil when activated;
  • The well design has proper casing or cement lining; and
  • The driller has certified it has conducted all necessary tests and is in compliance with all regulations.

Oil companies have complained about the lack of clarity over the new rules. "To support the industry with guidance and a tool for the recertification, DNV has issued a Recommended Practice for recertification of blowout preventers and well control equipment for the U.S. outer continental shelf," says Elisabeth Tørstad, DNV chief operating officer, Americas and Sub-Saharan Africa.

DNV supports the U.S. authorities' requirement for recertification. "We recommend that a major overhaul and inspection of blowout preventers and well control equipment used for drilling, completion, work-over and well intervention operations should be performed at least every five years. By doing this on a regular basis, the operator is able to verify and document that the equipment's condition and properties are within the specified acceptance criteria as well as the specified recognized codes and standards," Tørstad concluded.

Oslo-based DNV is a global provider of services for managing risk, with safeguarding life, property and the environment as its purpose. DNV has had a specific Recommended Practice for recertification of well control equipment on the Norwegian Shelf.

Offshore