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Safety Awards

The Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) Program was developed by the Bureau to recognize and commend operating companies and contractors that expend extra effort in conducting their operations in a safe and pollution-free manner by adhering to all regulatory requirements, employing trained and motivated personnel and going beyond mere compliance. Operators considered for this recognition take extra steps to enhance operational safety and environmental protection. Voluntary progression toward a Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) approach such as development and implementation of American Petroleum Institute recommended Practice (API RP) 75 and API RP 14J is an example of such proactive behavior.

View National SAFE Awards

Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) Recipients

2009 - none presented
2008
Venoco IncPDF
Platforms Gail and Grace
Office of Field Operations
Camarillo District
Pictured from left: Phil Schroeder, MMS Pacific Region's Camarillo District Office Supervisor, with Venoco's Field Forman Tony Martinez and Joe Hollis, and MMS Regional Director Ellen Aronson.
2007
Pacific Energy Resources, Ltd. PDF
Production Operations on Platforms Ellen-Elly & Eureka
California District
Pictured from left: Phil Schroeder, MMS Pacific Region's Camarillo District Office Supervisor, with Pacific Energy Resources, Ltd. CEO and Executive Chair, Vladimir Katic and Operation Manager Steve Liles.
2006
ExxonMobil Production Company PDF
Drilling & Production Operations at Platform Heritage
California District
Pictured from left: Ellen Aronson, MMS Pacific Regional Director, ExxonMobil Drilling Superintendent Mike Walker and OIMS Regulatory Superintendent Rocky Ortega and MMS Supervisory Inspector Ralph Vasquez.
2005

DCORPDF
Platforms Habitat, B & C

California District

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.PDF
Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

2004

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.PDF
Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

Plains Exploration & ProductionPDF
Platforms B and C

Camarillo District

2003

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.PDF
Platforms Harmony and Heritage

Camarillo District

Nuevo Energy CompanyPDF
Platforms A, B and C

Camarillo District

Arguello Inc. Production DepartmentPDF
Platform Harvest

Santa Maria District

2002

ExxonMobil Production CompanyPDF
Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

2001

Arguello Inc.PDF
Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo

Santa Maria District

Torch Operating CompanyPDF
Torch Rig Services
Drilling/Production Contractor
Platforms Henry & Hillhouse

Camarillo District

ExxonMobil Production CompanyPDF
Platform Harmony

Camarillo District
POOL OffshorePDF
Drilling Contractor
Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo

Santa Maria District

2000

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.PDF
Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

1999

ExxonMobil Production CompanyPDF
Drilling and Production - Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

Torch Operating CompanyPDF
Production Contractor for Nuevo Energy Company
Platform Gilda

Camarillo District

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.PDF
Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company
Platform Heritage

Camarillo District

Torch Operating CompanyPDF
Production - Platform Irene

Santa Maria District

1998

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Production Operations
Camarillo District

1997

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Production & Drilling Operations
Camarillo District
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.PDF
Production & Drilling Operations

Santa Maria District

1996

Dual DrillingPDF
Drilling & Workover Operations

Santa Maria District

Texaco Exploration & Production,
Inc.
PDF
Production Operations

Santa Maria District

1995

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Drilling and Production
Harmony & Heritage

Camarillo District

Unocal CorporationPDF
Production Operations
Platform Henry

Camarillo District

1994

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Production and Drilling
Platform Harmony

Santa Maria District

1993

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Operations
Platforms Harmony and Heritage

Camarillo District

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.PDF
Production & Drilling

Santa Maria District

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.PDF
Production

Camarillo District

1992

UnocalPDF
Production

Camarillo District
Texaco Exploration & Production,
Inc.
PDF

Production

Santa Maria District

1991

Exxon Company, U.S.A.PDF
Production

Camarillo District
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.PDF
Production

Santa Maria District
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc.
Production
Santa Maria District

1990

Texaco Inc.PDF
Production
Camarillo District

1989

Shell Western E&P, Inc.PDF
Production

Ventura District

Union Oil Company of CaliforniaPDF
Production
Santa Maria District

Shell Western E&P, Inc.PDF
Production

Ventura District

1988

Shell California Production, Inc.PDF
Production

Ventura District
Sun Exploration and Production Co.PDF
Production
Ventura District

1987

Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production
Ventura District
Union Oil Company of California
Production
Ventura District

1986

Shell California Production, Inc.
Production
Ventura District

Texaco U.S.A.
Production
Ventura District

1985

Shell California Production, Inc.
Drilling
Ventura District

Shell California Production, Inc.
Production
Ventura District

Sun Exploration and Production Co.
Drilling
Ventura District

1984

Exxon Company, U.S.A.
Production
Ventura District

Sun Exploration and Production Co.
Drilling
Santa Maria District
Union Oil Company of California
Production
Ventura District

1983

Global Marine Drilling Company
Drilling
Ventura District
Shell California Production, Inc.
Production
Ventura District

PRESENTATION OF THE AWARD

The Pacific OCS Region's SAFE awards are presented annually to the winner at public events such as the American Petroleum Institute Energy Information Night and Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Awards Banquet. The award is a plaque signed by the Bureau Director and a citation signed by the Regional Director.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Pacific OCS Region's District Office evaluates the performance of all operating companies, including drilling contractors through the inspection program. The District annually compile all inspection data results. Based on that data and other performance-related factors, the District Office select SAFE winners each year. All District winners each year are automatically considered in the selection of the National SAFE winner.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The Offshore Inspection Program provides the basic source of information for evaluation of candidates for the SAFE. Criteria considered in making the recommendations for the award follow:

  • Record of Events: Control of fires, pollution containment, well control, number of fatalities.
  • Operational Safety: Concern by management for personnel safety as reflected in (1) operational guidelines and instructions to field personnel in safe operating practices, (2) actual operational safety awareness by operating personnel, and (3) actual implementation of that policy in the field at the work site.
  • Training Program: Exemplary training program that reflects awareness of safety and attention to personal qualifications of lessee or company employees.
  • Operational Consideration: Age of platform/rig, overall condition of platform/rig, maintenance of equipment, and housekeeping.
  • Administrative Review: Accuracy, completeness, and availability of required records.
  • Pollution Prevention: Demonstrated performance on record of pollution control and prevention.
  • Regulatory Awareness: Evidence that appropriate regulations are available and that field personnel are aware of regulatory requirements.
  • Cooperation: Overall recognition by field management as to the importance of the inspection program and evidence of full cooperation with personnel in the timely completion of inspections.
  • Technology: Significant development and utilization of new technology and practices.
  • One-Time Events: Evidence of errands of mercy, acts of heroism, accident prevention, and efficient actions during emergency conditions.