Deep water drilling – reports published

The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee published the report of its inquiry into deep water drilling and the implications from the Gulf of Mexico incident in April 2010.

The Committee initiated an inquiry to find out about the safety and environmental regulation of oil and gas operations on the UK continental shelf (UKCS) – especially in the deep water areas to the West of the Shetlands. OSD Head, Steve Walker gave evidence to the Committee on 26 October 2010. The full report, published on 6 January 2011, can be accessed on the Parliament website.

HSE has welcomed the Committee's report and will take forward consideration of the specific recommendations in our area.

In addition, the US Presidential 'National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling'  released its National Oil Spill Commission report on 11 January 2011. It can be viewed or downloaded from the Oil Spill Commission website.