THE inspection regime for North Sea drilling rigs is to be toughened up in the wake of the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, the UK government has announced.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said an urgent review of the safety and environmental protection measures governing the UK's oil and gas industry had deemed them to be "fit for purpose", but steps were now being taken to strengthen them further.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said the number of environmental inspections on drilling rigs was to be doubled and a new industry group would be asked to report on the UK's ability to prevent and respond to a potential spill.
Mr Huhne said the events unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico following the explosion at BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed 11 workers and left millions of gallons of oil spewing into the ocean, were "devastating".
And he maintained it was his responsibility to make sure the oil and gas industry maintained the highest practices in this country.
"It's clear our safety and environmental regulatory regime is fit for purpose," Mr Huhne said. "It is already among the most robust in the world and the industry's record in the North Sea is strong.
"But the Deepwater Horizon gives us pause for thought and, given the beginning of exploration in deeper waters west of Shetland, there is every reason to increase our vigilance.
He added: "Initial steps are already under way, including plans to double the number of annual environmental inspections to drilling rigs and the launch of a new industry group to look at the UK's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills.
"In addition, I will review our new and existing procedures as soon as the detailed analysis of the factors which caused the incident in the Gulf of Mexico are available."
NEWS BY:http://www.scotsman.com
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said an urgent review of the safety and environmental protection measures governing the UK's oil and gas industry had deemed them to be "fit for purpose", but steps were now being taken to strengthen them further.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said the number of environmental inspections on drilling rigs was to be doubled and a new industry group would be asked to report on the UK's ability to prevent and respond to a potential spill.
Mr Huhne said the events unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico following the explosion at BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, which killed 11 workers and left millions of gallons of oil spewing into the ocean, were "devastating".
And he maintained it was his responsibility to make sure the oil and gas industry maintained the highest practices in this country.
"It's clear our safety and environmental regulatory regime is fit for purpose," Mr Huhne said. "It is already among the most robust in the world and the industry's record in the North Sea is strong.
"But the Deepwater Horizon gives us pause for thought and, given the beginning of exploration in deeper waters west of Shetland, there is every reason to increase our vigilance.
He added: "Initial steps are already under way, including plans to double the number of annual environmental inspections to drilling rigs and the launch of a new industry group to look at the UK's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills.
"In addition, I will review our new and existing procedures as soon as the detailed analysis of the factors which caused the incident in the Gulf of Mexico are available."
NEWS BY:http://www.scotsman.com
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