U.S. and Mexico Further Offshore Cooperation

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Mexico’s Agency for Safety, Energy and Environment (ASEA) have signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information sharing on environmental matters related to offshore hydrocarbon activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper and ASEA’s Executive Director Carlos de Regules signed the agreement at BOEM’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Mexico and the U.S. have a long history of mutually beneficial cooperation on conservation, management and sustainable development of natural resources. Cooperation between BOEM and ASEA is in keeping with broader bilateral efforts for cooperation in the environmental and hydrocarbons sector between the two countries.

The Letter of Intent outlines ways the two agencies may coordinate, including:

•    Cooperation related to shared environmental objectives, including joint studies and research;
•    Application of science and management practices related to environmental protection;
•    Periodic exchanges of information;
•    Training of staff;
•    Participation as observers in activities related to each country’s respective authorities; and
•    Organization of bilateral events and visits.

“Formal cooperation between ASEA and BOEM is an important step towards creating a familiar regulatory framework in the Gulf of Mexico, which is essential to the successful implementation of Mexico’s Energy Reform,” said de Regules.

“The signing of this agreement is an important step in an increased level of environmental coordination and cooperation between our agencies on offshore oil and gas issues,” said Hopper. “It is critical that we work together to ensure the highest levels of environmental protection on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, treating our shared Gulf of Mexico as one ecosystem.”