Deepwater Horizon joint investigation team releases final report

A joint investigation team (JIT) comprising the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) and the US Coast Guard has released the final report into the explosion on Deepwater Horizon and the subsequent loss of life and oil spill.

The report comprises Volume I, covering the areas of investigation under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard; Volume II, covering the areas of the investigation under BOEMRE jurisdiction; and a supplement to Volume I – the Final Action Memo from Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Bob Papp.

The JIT was formed in April 2010 by a convening order of the Departments of the Interior and Homeland Security to investigate the causes of the incident and to make recommendations for safe oil and gas activity on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The JIT held seven sessions of public hearings, received testimony from more than 80 witnesses and experts, and reviewed a large number of documents and exhibits pertaining to all aspects of the investigation.

Volume I, released on 22 April 2011, includes findings on five aspects of the disaster under Coast Guard jurisdiction – including the explosions on Deepwater Horizon; the resulting fire; evacuation; the flooding and sinking of the rig; and the safety systems on it and those of its owner, Transocean.

The Coast Guard’s final action memo describes actions directed by Admiral Papp as a result of the JIT’s work. Volume II includes findings on the causes, both direct and contributing, of the Macondo blowout and the resulting explosion and fire aboard Deepwater Horizon.

In Volume II, the JIT details evidence produced during the investigation and concludes that BP, Transocean and Halliburton’s conduct in connection with the Deepwater Horizon disaster violated a number of federal offshore safety regulations. Volume II also includes recommendations for the continued improvement of the safety of offshore operations.

“In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, BOEMRE launched the most aggressive and comprehensive reforms to offshore oil and gas regulation and oversight in US history,” said the bureau in a statement. “The reforms strengthen requirements for everything from well design and workplace safety to corporate accountability.

“An additional rule, which will be made available for public comment in the coming weeks, will incorporate additional safety requirements that are related to the findings of the investigation.” OSJ