International oil producers are forming a special group to respond to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and research ways to prevent such an event occurring again.
"We remain driven to provide - safely and sustainably - the oil and gas that people the world over will need for decades to come," said Michael Engell-Jensen, executive director of the London-based International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (OGP). "As part of that effort, OGP will work with all relevant stakeholders with a view to regaining public confidence in our industry."
OGP, which represents major oil companies and trade associations, said following a meeting with European Commission authorities in Brussels that a "Global Industry Response Group" would identify and gather work being done by members and national regulators in response to the Gulf oil spill.
The response group will focus on results from official investigations currently under way. It will also identify other questions raised by the incident, with particular emphasis on subsea well control, oil containment at the well and cleanup techniques for major oil spills. The new group will also review offshore operating procedures and equipment, audit inspections, oil spill liabilities and financial provisions and possible changes to regulations and legislation.
The association said the new group could also become involved in overseeing research projects prompted by the findings from the incident.
The Brussels Commission is considering new rules to regulate offshore drilling in European waters.
BP and other oil majors belong to the OGP, as well as national trade associations like the American Petroleum Institute and upstream service providers. OGP member companies account for more than half of the world's oil production and a third of natural gas production, the association said. The association represents the industry in UN affiliates and other international organizations.
"In the aftermath of 11 lives lost, 17 people injured, continuing damage to the environment and disruption to people's livelihoods, our objective must be to incorporate lessons learned from the Gulf incident into risk management policies…wherever the oil and gas exploration and production industry works," Engell-Jensen said.
By. Darrell Delamaide for OilPrice.com
Darrell Delamaide is a writer, editor and journalist with more than 30 years' experience. He is the author of three books and has written for… More
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