Tackling millions of acres of ocean waters that make up the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is no mean feat and will only turn more challenging if not addressed in an optimised manner.

The United States Department of the Interior (DoI) is hence proactively initiating structural realignments so that resource leasing is done in an environmentally responsible manner. A clear administrative structure in place will eliminate regulatory friction while upholding safety standards.

Unification into Marine Minerals Administration

In a significant consolidation move of its offshore regulatory agencies for enhanced oversight across the OCS, the DoI has announced the unification of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) into a single Bureau -- the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA).

This move will simplify supervision of activities in the OCS due to effective administration from streamlined governance as MMA begins to operate as part of the DoI. 

MMA was formerly known as Minerals Management Service (MMS), whose operations were split across the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). While at BOEM MMS administered offshore energy and minerals leasing, resource evaluation and environmental review, at BSEE it was responsible for overseeing operational safety, environmental enforcement, resource conservation and regulatory compliance.

Strategic drivers for regulatory reform

When independently operating, a lot of complications hampered the operations of both Bureau. There were unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative systems that were only obstructing the DoI's capacity for strategic deployment, and could simply be done without. Reunification of BOEM and BSEE into a single Bureau will reduce overhead, enhance the deployment of subject matter expertise across the entire mission area and deliver stronger safety outcomes for the workers and communities who depend on safe and responsible OCS operations. It will allow DoI a holistic approach in addressing safety and environmental concerns throughout the OCS for all leasing, exploration, development, production and decommissioning processes, which will improve leadership decision-making.

The MMA will cover all aspects of DoI's offshore energy and mineral resource management and conservation, safety oversight, environmental enforcement and related activities on the OCS. The position will be spearheaded by a Director under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary – Land and Minerals Management (AS-LMM).