Under the Clinton Admin MMS Lowered BOP Testing Regulations Requirements for Big Oil

[KissMy]

Gulf of Mexico Activities and OCS Regulatory Trends - March 27, 1998

1998 Minerals Management Service (MMS)

BOP Testing

A study to investigate the performance of blowout prevention (BOP) equipment on offshore drilling rigs was referenced at last year's seminar. The MMS was joined by the Offshore Operators Committee, American Petroleum Institute, National Ocean Industries Association, International Association of Drilling Contractors, and Independent Petroleum Associates of America in funding the BOP Performance Study. The study concluded that no statistical difference in failure rates exists between BOP's tested every seven days and those tested between the 8- to 14-day interval.

The MMS has prepared a Final Rule to implement the findings of the BOP study, specifically allowing operators to test BOP equipment at intervals not to exceed 14 days between tests. The Final Rule should be published by June 1998. As guidance for BOP testing and maintenance, API Recommended Practice 53 will be included by reference in the Subpart D rewrite.

Safety and Pollution Prevention Equipment

A Final Rule regarding quality assurance for safety and pollution prevention equipment (SPPE) used in OCS wells and facilities was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 1997, and became effective on October 7, 1997. The rule allows the use of noncertified valves for as long as the device functions properly. It further addresses under what criteria a noncertified valve must be replaced with a certified valve. After April 1, 1998, an operator may no longer install a noncertified SPPE that is in his inventory.

 

[Oscar Wao]

U.S. Minerals Management Service peeled-back testing requirement in 1998 under the Clinton Administration

new procedures and rules may be needed, including certifying blowout preventers by an independent group of experts. He also said the agency may revise its peeled-back testing requirement of 1998, when it replaced a weekly regimen with biweekly pressure tests...

...In 1999, right after that rule change, an MMS-commissioned report by a research group identified 117 blowout preventer failures at deep-water rigs within the previous year. These breakdowns created 3,638 hours of lost time — a 4 percent chunk of drilling time.

In 2004, an engineering study for federal regulators said only 3 of 14 new devices could shear pipe, as sometimes required to check leaks, at maximum rated depths. Only half of operators accepting a newly built device tested this function during commissioning or acceptance, according to the report.

"This grim snapshot illustrates the lack of preparedness in the industry to shear and seal a well with the last line of defense against a blowout," the report warned.

Two years later, a trade journal's article still noted that shearing preventer's "may also have difficulty cutting today's high-strength, high toughness drill pipe" at deep wells.

A Republican controlled Congress...hmmm, maybe this was Newt's Contract to Destroy America.

Newt left in 1998.

 

[KissMy]

Who is in bed with Big Oil?

Obama & Dems took millions from BP oil who they allowed to drill the OCS & kill the marine life in the gulf.

Obama & the Democrats killed bio-fuels that Bush & Republicans started.

Obama invested Billions in Petro-Bross OCS drilling.

George Bush banned drilling of the OCS by executive order.

Obama & the Democrats opened the OCS to Off Shore Drilling.

Clinton allowed the federal government's "cozy" relationship with oil companies. The Minerals Management Service, the federal agency that oversees offshore drilling, has long been criticized for being too close to industry.

Less than 0.5% of the $787 Billion Democrat stimulus money goes to alternative fuels.

Big Oil companies like Exxon & Chevron have paid zero federal income tax under the Obama administration, yet they receive federal subsidies.

Big Oil companies Exxon & Chevron paid higher taxes under the Bush administration.

Democrats Lied & The Little Fishies Died.

Obama Jokes While The Gulf Croaks.

Democrats Point Fingers While Stench of Dead Gulf Lingers.

 

[KissMy]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByEFK56Csts"]Whitehouse Partnered with BP[/ame]

 

[MaggieMae]

So the OP shows that regulation is good, lowering restriction leads to catastrophes.

Maybe in your mind. But what the OP shows us that liberal claims of "big oil" in the pocket of GOP is just stupid, blind and hypocritical.

Awefully selective of you to have missed that.

Why do you people keep up this stupid argument. There is plenty of proof that Big Oil has ALWAYS been in bed with the Republican party. If they donated more this last election cycle to Obama, it was because it would have been really really dumb to put their money into the loser because it was a given that Democrats were going to win, regardless which candidate one the presidency.

You can search this site and actually find the figures, but I'll let you do that since I really don't give a shit. But here's your general answer on this page:

OpenSecrets

 

[MaggieMae]

Democrats Lied & The Little Fishies Died.

Obama Jokes While The Gulf Croaks.

Democrats Point Fingers While Stench of Dead Gulf Lingers.

You're a poet and didn't know it But don't quit your day job.

Kiss My Katrina. Pay back ignorant one?

 

[FireFly]

So the OP shows that regulation is good, lowering restriction leads to catastrophes.

Maybe in your mind. But what the OP shows us that liberal claims of "big oil" in the pocket of GOP is just stupid, blind and hypocritical.

Awefully selective of you to have missed that.

Why do you people keep up this stupid argument. There is plenty of proof that Big Oil has ALWAYS been in bed with the Republican party. If they donated more this last election cycle to Obama, it was because it would have been really really dumb to put their money into the loser because it was a given that Democrats were going to win, regardless which candidate one the presidency.

You can search this site and actually find the figures, but I'll let you do that since I really don't give a shit. But here's your general answer on this page:

OpenSecrets

From your source BP 2010 Contributions 43% or $48,800 went to Democrats and 56% or $63,541 went to Repubs for a total of $112,591 for boath parties. TEA party got zero contributions.

 

[MaggieMae]

Maybe in your mind. But what the OP shows us that liberal claims of "big oil" in the pocket of GOP is just stupid, blind and hypocritical.

Awefully selective of you to have missed that.

Why do you people keep up this stupid argument. There is plenty of proof that Big Oil has ALWAYS been in bed with the Republican party. If they donated more this last election cycle to Obama, it was because it would have been really really dumb to put their money into the loser because it was a given that Democrats were going to win, regardless which candidate one the presidency.

You can search this site and actually find the figures, but I'll let you do that since I really don't give a shit. But here's your general answer on this page:

OpenSecrets

From your source BP 2010 Contributions 43% or $48,800 went to Democrats and 56% or $63,541 went to Repubs for a total of $112,591 for boath parties. TEA party got zero contributions.

No shit. Glad you comprehended the link. The tea party was around during the campaign?

 

[FireFly]

Why do you people keep up this stupid argument. There is plenty of proof that Big Oil has ALWAYS been in bed with the Republican party. If they donated more this last election cycle to Obama, it was because it would have been really really dumb to put their money into the loser because it was a given that Democrats were going to win, regardless which candidate one the presidency.

You can search this site and actually find the figures, but I'll let you do that since I really don't give a shit. But here's your general answer on this page:

OpenSecrets

From your source BP 2010 Contributions 43% or $48,800 went to Democrats and 56% or $63,541 went to Repubs for a total of $112,591 for boath parties. TEA party got zero contributions.

No shit. Glad you comprehended the link. The tea party was around during the campaign?

The TEA party was here for 2010 election. The other 2 parties are in the pocket of BP Oil yet you point fingers at one.

 

[FireFly]

Obama Getting a Free Pass on the BP Oil Disaster?

"I think you could argue that Obama is getting a bit of a free pass. I mean if George W. Bush was in office, people would be screaming, 'Oh, he's in the pockets of the oil industry,' " Aaron tells Henry in the accompanying segment. "The Obama administration, they did sit on their hands a couple of days," he adds.

Today the WSJ reports the U.S. was not prepared for a major offshore oil spill. The Environmental Protection Agency says it's assessing the ecological effect of the 600,000 gallons of chemicals that BP has sprayed into the Gulf of Mexico to break up the oil so far, WSJ reports.

As the oil makes its way inland, U.S. Department Secretary Ken Salazar said the U.S. would "push BP out of the way" if it didn't stop the leak and adequately clean up.

 

[KissMy]

On Obama & the Democrats watch their government U.S. Minerals Management Service employees assigned to inspect offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, accepted gifts from oil companies, used government computers to view pornography, and used illegal drugs instead of inspecting or regulating BP oil violated their safe & sound drilling practices.

MMS Employees Took Gifts, Viewed Porn, Report Finds.

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Minerals Management Service employees, some of whom were assigned to inspect offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, accepted gifts from oil and gas companies and used government computers to view pornography, the Interior Department said...

...probe of the agency that found illegal drug use and inappropriate sexual relationships between staff and industry contacts in an MMS office in Lakewood, Colorado.

“This deeply disturbing report is further evidence of the cozy relationship between some elements of MMS and the oil and gas industry,” Salazar said in a statement.

 

[MaggieMae]

On Obama & the Democrats watch their government U.S. Minerals Management Service employees assigned to inspect offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, accepted gifts from oil companies, used government computers to view pornography, and used illegal drugs instead of inspecting or regulating BP oil violated their safe & sound drilling practices.

MMS Employees Took Gifts, Viewed Porn, Report Finds.

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Minerals Management Service employees, some of whom were assigned to inspect offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, accepted gifts from oil and gas companies and used government computers to view pornography, the Interior Department said.

probe of the agency that found illegal drug use and inappropriate sexual relationships between staff and industry contacts in an MMS office in Lakewood, Colorado.

“This deeply disturbing report is further evidence of the cozy relationship between some elements of MMS and the oil and gas industry,” Salazar said in a statement.

Hey, stupid, do you think nobody actually READS the full article? Left this part out, I see:

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ordered a broader investigation today into ethics violations at the agency that oversees offshore oil drilling after a report found lapses by staff in the Lake Charles, Louisiana, office between 2000 and 2008.

The major violations and transgressions within the agency occurred between 2003 and 2006, when your guy was at the helm.

http://www.doioig.gov/upload/Smith REDACTED FINAL_080708 Final with transmittal 9_10 date.pdf

 

[KissMy]

Witness: BP took 'shortcuts' before well blowout

COVINGTON, La. – Senior managers complained oil giant BP was "taking shortcuts" by replacing heavy drilling fluid with saltwater in the well that blew out, triggering the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to witness statements obtained by The Associated Press.

Truitt Crawford, a roustabout for drilling rig owner Transocean Ltd., told Coast Guard investigators about the complaints. The seawater, which would have provided less weight to contain surging pressure from the ocean depths, was being used to prepare for dropping a final blob of cement into the well.

"I overheard upper management talking saying that BP was taking shortcuts by displacing the well with saltwater instead of mud without sealing the well with cement plugs, this is why it blew out," Crawford said in his statement...

...Meanwhile, the statements from workers ahead of a hearing in New Orleans Wednesday and a congressional memo about a BP internal investigation of the blast indicated warning signs were ignored. Tests less than an hour before the well blew out found a buildup of pressure that was an "indicator of a very large abnormality," BP's investigator said, according to the congressional memo.


There were other signs of problems, including an unexpected loss of fluid from a pipe known as a riser five hours before the explosion, which the memo said could have indicated a leak in the blowout preventer, a huge piece of equipment that should have shut down the well in case of an emergency. BP has cited its failure as a contributor to the blast.

 

[Care4all]

Obama Getting a Free Pass on the BP Oil Disaster?

"I think you could argue that Obama is getting a bit of a free pass. I mean if George W. Bush was in office, people would be screaming, 'Oh, he's in the pockets of the oil industry,' " Aaron tells Henry in the accompanying segment. "The Obama administration, they did sit on their hands a couple of days," he adds.

Today the WSJ reports the U.S. was not prepared for a major offshore oil spill. The Environmental Protection Agency says it's assessing the ecological effect of the 600,000 gallons of chemicals that BP has sprayed into the Gulf of Mexico to break up the oil so far, WSJ reports.

As the oil makes its way inland, U.S. Department Secretary Ken Salazar said the U.S. would "push BP out of the way" if it didn't stop the leak and adequately clean up.

Should they have KNOWN that BP was LYING TO THEM those first few days, saying that the explosion did NOT CAUSE A LEAK of any significance? that is what BP reported the first few days....there was no disaster, other than the blow up of the rigg and eleven men being killed....ALL was UNDER CONTROL according to BP firefoxe?

care

 

[Care4all]

Witness: BP took 'shortcuts' before well blowout

COVINGTON, La. – Senior managers complained oil giant BP was "taking shortcuts" by replacing heavy drilling fluid with saltwater in the well that blew out, triggering the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to witness statements obtained by The Associated Press.

Truitt Crawford, a roustabout for drilling rig owner Transocean Ltd., told Coast Guard investigators about the complaints. The seawater, which would have provided less weight to contain surging pressure from the ocean depths, was being used to prepare for dropping a final blob of cement into the well.

"I overheard upper management talking saying that BP was taking shortcuts by displacing the well with saltwater instead of mud without sealing the well with cement plugs, this is why it blew out," Crawford said in his statement...

...Meanwhile, the statements from workers ahead of a hearing in New Orleans Wednesday and a congressional memo about a BP internal investigation of the blast indicated warning signs were ignored. Tests less than an hour before the well blew out found a buildup of pressure that was an "indicator of a very large abnormality," BP's investigator said, according to the congressional memo.


There were other signs of problems, including an unexpected loss of fluid from a pipe known as a riser five hours before the explosion, which the memo said could have indicated a leak in the blowout preventer, a huge piece of equipment that should have shut down the well in case of an emergency. BP has cited its failure as a contributor to the blast.

if this can be verified as true, then BP should be sued from here to high heaven, by those family members of the DEAD first and then by those living off of the land and seas that they have destroyed, through their negligence.

 

[KissMy]

Nice Live Feed Video link from ROVs working on the oil well head

 

[KissMy]

From the live video feed link above the "Top Kill" does not seem to be working very well. They may need to use a "Junk Shot" with large debris to clog those holes.

 

[KissMy]

The White House is pulling out all the stops to defend oil spill handling to media.

The White House, continuing its effort to push back against negative media coverage of the government's handling of the oil spill, held an on-the-record meeting Wednesday between incident commander Thad Allen and several influential political columnists.

Among those on hand in the Roosevelt Room meeting were the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne and Eugene Robinson, the Wall Street Journal's Jerry Seib and Newsweek's Howard Fineman...

"I think they want to do what everybody in this city always wants to do: Get their side of the story across," he said. After a contentious briefing Friday at which reporters complained that their oil-spill questions weren't being answered, Allen joined Press Secretary Robert Gibbs in the briefing room Monday. Meanwhile, administration officials including Obama adviser David Axelrod have been hitting the cable airwaves.

And Thursday will be the next move by the White House to help shift the narrative: President Obama is scheduled to take about 10 questions from reporters at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Just Tuesday, the Washington Examiner's Byron York wrote how the president hadn't held a formal news conference since July 22. "A lot can happen in 307 days," he wrote, "which is far longer than George W. Bush or Bill Clinton ever went between news conferences."

CBS News Radio reporter Mark Knoller, the press corps' unofficial record-keeper, agrees that the July presser was the "last formal, prime-time White House news conference...

"I've never seen a president as reluctant to engage in a news conference setting," said Compton, who's covered seven presidents. Compton said it's a "dereliction of duty" for a president not to address breaking news. The lack of formal news conferences has been a consistent gripe among the White House press corps. ...

The White House scheduled that July news conference at a moment when there was increasing criticism in the press about the administration's health care plans. Similarly, Thursday's news conference comes amid some negative media coverage, including concerns even among Democratic commentators like James Carville that the government is mishandling the crisis.

 

[FireFly]

Obama administration blocked efforts to stop BP oil drilling before explosion

In 2009, the Obama administration intervened to support the reversal of a court order that would have halted offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Obama’s Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who has long had close ties to the industry, specifically cited BP’s Deepwater Horizon operation as one that should be allowed to go forward, according to a group involved in the court case.

A Washington DC Appeals Court ruled in April 2009 that the Bush administration’s five-year plan for offshore oil and gas drilling (covering 2007 to 2012) was not based on a proper review of the environmental impact of the drilling. Only days before the ruling, the Obama administration had granted BP a “categorical exclusion,” exempting it from an environmental impact study for the Deepwater Horizon project.

The American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry trade group, intervened to reverse the court order, and was backed by the administration.

Kierán Suckling, executive director and founder the Center for Biological Diversity, which was involved in the original lawsuit, told the World Socialist Web Site that Salazar “filed a special motion asking the court to lift the injunction, and he cited the BP drilling several times by name in the request.”

In July 2009, the court ruled that drilling in both the Gulf and off the coast of Alaska could continue, on the condition that the administration conduct a study of the potential environmental risks. This study has yet to be completed.

Salazar praised the decision at the time, saying it allowed the administration to go forward with “a comprehensive energy plan,” including the BP project and a sale of leases for drilling in the Gulf.

Even since the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon less than three weeks ago, the Interior Department’s Minerals Management Services (MMS) has continued to grant “categorical exclusions” to oil and gas companies, allowing them to bypass environmental studies.

The administration has publicly announced that no new offshore drilling grants will be issued until a review, to be completed by the end of the month. Nevertheless, at least 27 exemptions have been granted, including one for a BP exploration plan for drilling at more than 4,000 feet. Another exemption was granted to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation for an exploration plan at more than 9,000 feet. The Deepwater Horizon was drilling at about 5,000 feet.

“The same problems we saw under the Bush administration are continuing under Obama,” Suckling said. “The change in political parties has done very little in terms of corporate domination of the political system. Who got to vote on turning over our natural resources to private corporations? The whole system is corrupt from the bottom up.”

The Obama administration’s announcement earlier this year that he would expand offshore oil drilling was a clear sop for the oil industry, as was his earlier decision to appoint Salazar as Interior Secretary. Suckling noted that as a Senator for Colorado Salazar supported the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which expanded drilling. Salazar received money from BP, and when he became Interior Secretary he brought several BP officials on his staff.

 

[JimH52]

Yup, and Obama announced expanded off shore exploration after he was assured by the Oil Industry that technology would not let disasters, like we are seeing now, happen. That worked out well, didn't it. The bottom line for Oil is the dollar. The environment is not even in the top three.