The Gulf of America, historically known as the Gulf of Mexico, remains a crucial region for offshore energy production, with companies like bp leading the way in health, safety, and environmental (HSE) improvements.
In recent years, bp has taken significant steps to strengthen its safety culture, implement advanced technologies, and refine operational protocols to mitigate risks and enhance workplace safety.
bp’s approach to HSE in the Gulf of America is guided by its Operating Management System (OMS), which provides a consistent framework for managing health, safety, security, and environmental risks.
The OMS integrates bp’s safety leadership principles, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers’ (IOGP) Life-Saving Rules, and process safety fundamentals. These elements collectively drive a strong safety culture, ensuring that best practices are embedded across BP’s operations.
To reinforce this culture, bp has prioritised psychological safety among its workforce. Employees in operations are encouraged to voice concerns and report potential hazards without fear of retaliation.
Training sessions have been expanded to help employees integrate safety principles into their daily routines, fostering a more open and proactive approach to risk management.
Life-saving rules and digital solutions
The IOGP Life-Saving Rules address high-risk activities that account for the majority of serious industry incidents.
Since their adoption, bp has measured their effectiveness, conducting site visits and safety audits to assess compliance.
In 2024, operational safety teams visited production sites in Azerbaijan, refining facilities in Spain, and terminals and pipelines in the US to ensure adherence to these critical safety measures.
Technology plays a pivotal role in bp’s HSE advancements. Digital solutions such as the IRIS system (for health, safety, security, and environment reporting) and the LENS platform (for learning and knowledge-sharing) have enhanced BP’s ability to standardise processes and collaborate across sites.
Additionally, the company has deployed Nova, an integrated management tool that helps monitor risk controls and enforce safety measures.
Despite bp’s efforts, the company faced challenges in 2024, reporting a fatality and several life-changing injuries across its global operations.
These incidents have reinforced the need for continuous improvement in safety protocols. To address these concerns, bp has focused on leveraging lessons learned to prevent future occurrences, including a renewed emphasis on safe manual handling procedures and emergency response preparedness.
Process safety remains a priority, with bp implementing stricter mechanical integrity frameworks in refining and production activities.
The company has also integrated IOGP’s Process Safety Fundamentals, ensuring that risk awareness and operational reliability are at the forefront of daily activities.
bp’s offshore operations in the Gulf of America benefit from enhanced monitoring and AI-driven solutions.
In drilling activities, bp uses advanced surveillance systems that allow experts in Houston and Sunbury to detect early warning signs of potential hazards, enabling timely intervention.
Additionally, bp’s US onshore subsidiary, bpx energy, has adopted AI-powered driving safety measures, significantly reducing driver distraction and tailgating incidents.
Enhancing HSE standards in the Gulf of America
In drilling activities, bp uses advanced surveillance systems. (Image source: Canva)
