The Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) Program was developed by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) 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.

MMS Inspector Awards
At the Industry Awards Program on April 17th, 2007, awards were also presented to eleven MMS Offshore Inspectors. The awards were given in recognition of safety achievements while performing inspection duties over the last 10 years with no OSHA-recordable or lost-time injuries.

MMS Associate Director Chris Oynes, Regional Supervisor, Office of Field Operations Rishi Tyagi (Pacific), and Acting Regional Director Lars Herbst (GOM),  presented awards to MMS Offshore Inspectors. Pictured from left to right are Rishi Tyagi, Freddie Mosely, Chris Oynes, Tom Basey, Lars Herbst, Jerry Freeman, Jim Hail, Leo Dartez, Henry Hite, Wayne Webster, Randy Howell, and Ralph Vasquez. (Not pictured Bernie Fink and R.B. Tate.)

Click here to see the National SAFE Awards

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 Minerals Management Service Director and a citation signed by the Regional Director.

U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Pacific OCS Region Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) Recipients
2008
Venoco Inc 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. 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 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
DCOR Platforms Habitat, B & C California District	Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Platform Heritage Camarillo District
2004
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Platform Heritage Camarillo District	Plains Exploration & Production Platforms B and C Camarillo District
2003
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Platforms Harmony and Heritage Camarillo District	Nuevo Energy Company Platforms A, B and C Camarillo District
Arguello Inc. Production Department Platform Harvest Santa Maria District
2002
ExxonMobil Production Company Platform Heritage Camarillo District
2001
Arguello Inc. Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo Santa Maria District	Torch Operating Company Torch Rig Services Drilling/Production Contractor Platforms Henry & Hillhouse Camarillo District
ExxonMobil Production Company Platform Harmony Camarillo District	POOL Offshore Drilling Contractor Platforms Harvest, Hermosa & Hidalgo Santa Maria District
2000
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company Platform Heritage Camarillo District
1999
ExxonMobil Production Company Drilling and Production - Platform Heritage Camarillo District	Torch Operating Company Production Contractor for Nuevo Energy Company Platform Gilda Camarillo District
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Drilling Contractor for ExxonMobil Production Company Platform Heritage Camarillo District	Torch Operating Company Production - Platform Irene Santa Maria District
1998
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Production Operations Camarillo District
1997
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Production & Drilling Operations Camarillo District	Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Production & Drilling Operations Santa Maria District
1996
Dual Drilling Drilling & Workover Operations Santa Maria District	Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. Production Operations Santa Maria District
1995
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Drilling and Production Harmony & Heritage Camarillo District	Unocal Corporation Production Operations Platform Henry Camarillo District
1994
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Production and Drilling Platform Harmony Santa Maria District
1993
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Operations Platforms Harmony and Heritage Camarillo District	Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Production & Drilling Santa Maria District
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Production Camarillo District
1992
Unocal Production Camarillo District	Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. Production Santa Maria District
1991
Exxon Company, U.S.A. Production Camarillo District	Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Production Santa Maria District
Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. Production Santa Maria District
1990
Texaco Inc. Production Camarillo District
1989
Shell Western E&P, Inc. Production Ventura District	Union Oil Company of California Production Santa Maria District
Shell Western E&P, Inc. Production Ventura District
1988
Shell California Production, Inc. Production Ventura District	Sun Exploration and Production Co. 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

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 MMS Offshore Inspection Program provides the basic source of information for evaluation of candidates for the SAFE. Criteria considered in making the recommendation(s) 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 MMS 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.