API, Offshore Operators Committee to develop offshore wind energy standards
Offshore staff
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Petroleum Institute (API) and Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop standards and guidance for offshore wind energy development.
“The natural gas and oil industry has decades of offshore operating experience under highly technical and complex conditions,” said API Senior Vice President of Global Industry Services Anchal Liddar. “It’s a natural progression to apply this expertise to the wind sector and reinforces API’s leadership in developing standards to ensure safe and environmentally conscious operations across the broader energy industry.”
“Our members wanted to build on the significant effort put into API RP 75, 4th edition, by a broad range of offshore safety management experts and develop a similar standard on safety management systems (SMS) for offshore wind applications,” said OOC Executive Director Evan Zimmerman. “This collaboration will enable companies engaged in offshore oil and gas development to utilize the same management systems and associated interfaces for our rapidly growing offshore wind market.”
Under the MOU, both parties will leverage their expertise and existing natural gas and oil industry standards to develop a SMS standard for offshore wind operations and assets. The initial recommended practice (RP) would provide guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a SMS for U.S. offshore wind operations. As part of an ongoing relationship, the two groups plan to develop additional guidance and standards on offshore wind energy and other related topics.
The RP would build off API RP 75, Safety and Environmental Management System for Offshore Operations and Assets. Now in its fourth edition, API RP 75 provides systemic guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) for offshore natural gas and oil operations. The third edition of API RP 75 is incorporated into the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement regulations mandating that offshore natural gas and oil operators implement SEMS and have their SEMS audited by an independently accredited auditing firm.
09.14.2022
