DNV to Provide SEMS Audits to Gulf of Mexico Drilling Operators

DNV Business Assurance has received approval to begin providing SEMS audits to oil and gas drilling operators in the Gulf of Mexico and other areas of the US outer continental shelf.

SEMS is the Safety and Environmental Management Systems program developed by the Center for Offshore Safety (COS) and made mandatory in 2011 by the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Initially established as a set of industry best practices, SEMS compliance must be verified by a third-party auditor, such as DNV. Non-compliant operators risk losing their exploration and drilling privileges in governed waters.

DNV was recently notified by COS of its provisional accreditation for SEMS auditing, with full accreditation pending upcoming on-site visits by COS during DNV initial customer audits.

“This is a key achievement for us,” says Mike Chaudron, Director of Sales for DNV Business Assurance. “We have developed a best in class SEMS program, with highly experienced auditors and Subject Matter Experts. Deep water operators will benefit from DNV’s extensive experience in the energy sector to ensure the requirements of SEMS are being enforced. Our SEMS teams are eager to begin work both onshore and offshore.”

DNV has long been a pioneer in assessments and certifications within the oil and gas industry. Its SEMS initiative draws from the company’s deep expertise in environmental and safety auditing as well as subject matter expertise in deep water process safety management and blowout prevention.