BSEE renews focus on contractors

Contractor scrutiny: BSEE warns service companies not exempt

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Kathrine Schmidt

 16 August 2012 18:32 GMT

US regulators have again put offshore contractors on notice that they, not just a project's operator, can receive violations and penalties for safety or environmental hazards on the job.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement released a interim policy document on the subject for inspectors on 15 August.

Historically, operators and lessees have borne full responsibility and taken fines and violation notices for any problems on their job.

But that precedent became a bone of contention during the Macondo disaster, with operator BP, rig contractor Transocean and cementing provider Halliburton at each other's throats over blame for the rig blowout and explosion that killed 11 men and became the worst offshore spill in US history.

"While the primary focus of…

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