Offshore oil drilling started off the coast of California in 1896. However, clear federal rules for offshore drilling were not put in place until Congress passed the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in 1953. Even after that law was passed, safety rules were not always strongly enforced.
After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the government changed how it oversaw offshore drilling. The old agency was shut down and replaced with two separate agencies: the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, each with its own role in managing and enforcing offshore drilling rules.
BOEM is in charge of managing offshore energy projects. This includes leasing areas for drilling, studying natural resources, reviewing and approving oil and gas plans, overseeing offshore wind and other renewable energy projects, and studying environmental impacts under federal law.
BSEE focuses on safety and rule enforcement. It creates and enforces safety and environmental rules, issues permits for offshore drilling and production, conducts inspections, runs offshore regulatory programs, responds to oil spills, and provides training and environmental compliance programs.
Companies that drill for oil and gas offshore must follow all state and federal safety rules. These rules cover every part of the job, including exploring for oil, drilling, producing it, storing it, and transporting oil and gas products. The goal of these laws is to keep workers safe and prevent serious accidents.
If a company breaks these rules and someone gets hurt, they can be held responsible. A Houston offshore injury lawyer can review what happened, look at whether safety laws were violated, and help injured workers seek money for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
The Drilling Safety Rule
The drilling safety rule sets clear steps to help prevent dangerous blowouts. Companies must properly cement and line the well with casing, and they must use the right type and amount of drilling fluids to control pressure underground.
They are also required to use safety devices called blowout preventers. These devices are designed to quickly stop the flow of oil and gas if something goes wrong.
In addition, offshore operators must have outside experts review their well design, how the well is built, and the systems used to control pressure and flow. This extra review is meant to catch problems before they lead to serious accidents.
The rule was created after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. According to the head of BSEE, the rule makes permanent several important safety standards that were first put in place soon after the spill. The rule was also shaped by feedback from industry groups and by the findings from the many investigations that followed the disaster.
When Houston Oil Rig Operators Ignore Safety Audits
Offshore oil companies can get in a lot of trouble if they don’t follow safety rules or break them on purpose. This could mean civil penalties like big fines and lawsuits, and in some cases, even criminal charges.
Civil Consequences
One of the first things that can happen when a business breaks safety rules is that it can be fined a lot of money. If a business doesn’t follow oil rig safety rules, the US government can give it big fines.
Also, the company could be sued. The Jones Act lets injured workers and their families file claims. Environmental groups can also sue if the violations caused harm.
These lawsuits can lead to claims for a lot of money. If workers get hurt, their companies may have to pay for their medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If someone dies, they might also have to pay the family for their loss. They may have to pay for the cleanup and the money they lost because they spilt something or hurt the environment in some other way.
Criminal Consequences
If a company breaks safety rules, whether on purpose or by mistake, and that causes a serious accident or environmental disaster, it can face criminal charges. The company itself, and even its top leaders, can be charged.
The charges might include crimes like manslaughter, criminal negligence, or breaking environmental laws. If the leaders are found guilty, they could go to jail, especially if someone died or the damage to the environment was very serious.
Additional Consequences
When a business breaks safety rules, the damage isn’t just legal. It can hurt its reputation a lot. The company’s stock price could drop, investors could lose faith, and its brand could suffer for years.
In some cases, the company could lose its licenses or permits to do business. That can make it stop working completely, which hurts profits and can mess up its plans for the future.
If you were hurt in an oil rig fire or explosion, and the accident happened because your company broke federal safety rules, you may be able to recover money for your losses. This can include compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. In some cases, you may also be able to seek extra damages meant to punish the company for serious wrongdoing.
After you get the medical care you need, the next step is to talk to an experienced offshore injury lawyer. A good Houston offshore injury lawyer can look over what happened, explain your rights, and help you protect your claim.
Injured on a Houston Oil Rig? Call Parks Law
An accident at sea can change your life in a flash. You shouldn’t have to deal with medical bills, lost wages, and legal stress all by yourself. Getting the right legal help can really help you get better.
Call a Houston offshore injury lawyer at Parks Law at (713) 979-3500 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. We can explain your options in plain language and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.