The Department of Interior (DOI) announced the start of a phased plan to establish the Marine Minerals Administration, bringing together the functions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).
The DOI said its intent in creating the Marine Minerals Administration is to improve coordination and increase efficiency across offshore leasing, permitting, inspections, and environmental oversight while maintaining all existing regulatory protections and safety standards.
“The Department is applying what we’ve learned over the past decade to deliver clearer coordination, better service to the public, and stronger, more integrated oversight of offshore energy development,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
BOEM and BSEE replaced the Minerals Management Service in 2011 after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 and resulting in the largest offshore oil spill in US history. BOEM was responsible for overseeing the development of oil and gas on the US Outer Continental Shelf, and BSEE was tasked with enforcing safety and environmental regulations.
The DOI said the move will be a phased transition, with internal activities slated to begin soon. It added that all current regulatory responsibilities, and protections will remain in place throughout the transition, with no disruption to permitting, environmental reviews, or enforcement activities.