ABS Group has been selected by Brazil’s Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP) to develop the country’s “Operational Safety Regulation for Exploration and Production Operations.” ANP ranked the bid on: (1) Specific experience of consultants; (2) Adequacy of the proposed work plan and methodology; and (3) Qualification and competence of key staff. The contract calls for the development of a comprehensive regulatory model to address all aspects of operational safety throughout field life for Brazil’s offshore exploration and production.

Experts from ABS Group and government officials from Australia, Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States will be invited to participate and present regulatory models used in these countries. During Stage 1, ABS Group will perform a thorough assessment of international regulations, drawing on its global expertise while considering regulatory concepts applied in other Latin American countries, including Venezuela and Mexico.

Stage 2 will analyze existing Brazilian regulations, including specific rules, international codes and agreements, with an assessment of overall effectiveness. During Stage 3, ABS Group will write a first draft of Brazil’s offshore operation safety model. ABS Group also will consider procedures for inspection, identifying both successful and unsuccessful inspection experiences, both internationally and in Brazil, while considering necessary costs and resources. Using the model selected, during Stage 4, the ABS Group team will determine the scope and methods for regulatory sanctions. Stage 5 calls for the drafting of a detailed regulatory model for Brazil’s E&P operational safety, incorporating agreements reached throughout the project stages and workshops.