Offshore staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the US Department of Energy (DOE) have announced a funding opportunity for up to $40 million, over a five-year period, for the operation and maintenance of the Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI 2.0) to support improvements in safety and environmental sustainability in offshore energy E&P.
OESI was originally envisioned as an entity that would facilitate research and development on, and implementation of, operational improvements in offshore drilling safety and environmental protection, blowout containment, and oil spill prevention and response.
Through a five-year project agreement, the agencies will jointly support an R&D program related to offshore oil, natural gas, wind, and marine hydrokinetic energy production, with a focus on safety, environmental monitoring, and operational improvements.
OESI 2.0 will expand the scope of OESI to include offshore renewable energy development considerations, as well as oil and gas production and development considerations, through a collaborative initiative involving government, academia, and scientific experts.
The recipient institution receiving the award will be responsible for managing the OESI, providing input on yearly objectives, and conducting certain work to further the attainment of those objectives.
While the OESI will operate independently of BSEE and DOE, both agencies will be substantially involved in the institute through a joint steering committee (JSC), which will include representatives from each agency with expertise related to oil and gas, offshore wind, and marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies. The JSC will provide input to OESI on its technology roadmaps and annual plans, as well as review and approve its major deliverables.
“Our nation’s energy, economic, and national security rely on our all-of-the-above approach to producing safe, reliable, and resilient energy,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “Through federal collaboration and a cross-sector approach, we can increase support for offshore energy production while protecting our workers and the marine environment.”
For more information on the funding opportunity, visit https://www.grants.gov/.
11/23/2020
