Surprise rig inspections in GoM

The U.S. Department of Interior sent more than 50 inspectors to conduct surprise safety inspections on some 40 Gulf of Mexico (GoM) platforms and drilling rigs, according to Jason Mathews, head of offshore safety management for the department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The results were still being compiled March 16, but inspectors found some serious problems, including potentially life-threatening ones. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke discussed plans for the inspection earlier in March after the safety bureau issued an alert to offshore O&G operators in the Gulf of Mexico. (Source: NY Times 03/18/18)