Oil and gas operators regularly delay decommissioning offshore platforms and wells, leaving idle enormous amounts of industry infrastructure in violation of federal rules, according to a pair of reports released Tuesday by Congress’ top watchdog.
The Government Accountability Office found that 2,700 wells and 500 platforms are past due for dismantling and decommissioning in the Gulf of Mexico, alone. It also found that the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement — a branch of the Interior Department that regulates offshore energy development — is failing to enforce decommissioning deadlines.
News article on 20 February 2024 by Heather Richards from eenews.net
For further reading, please visit eenews.net >> GAO slams failed oil and gas decommissioning