BSEE Oversees Arctic Oil Spill Response Exercise

May 29, 2012

Officials from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) participated in an all-day table top exercise designed to simulate the response to a well blowout in the Chukchi Sea. The exercise, planned over the past several months, included representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the State of Alaska and the North Slope Borough, as well as officials from Shell.
 
BSEE will conduct a series of planned and unannounced exercises and inspections throughout the year to test industry’s ability to meet the conditions of their oil spill response plans and effectively respond to a potential spill in the Arctic, in the event that exploratory drilling activities are approved. The bureau will also continue to participate in joint exercises, such as yesterday’s event, to evaluate and improve communication and coordination among federal and state partners and the company.

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