Bromwich launches investigative/compliance team

Michael Bromwich, director of the new Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOE), is establishing an investigations and review unit that will help to expedite his reform initiatives for offshore oil and gas development.

“The new unit will provide us the capacity to investigate allegations of misconduct, to provide unified and coordinated monitoring of compliance with laws and regulations, and to respond swiftly to emerging and urgent issues on a Bureau-wide level and in the industry,” Mr Bromwich said.

The unit has the following functions and capabilities:

• Investigation of allegations of misconduct. A key component of the planned reforms is establishing the ability to promptly respond to allegations or evidence of misconduct by BOE employees, as well as by members of industry.

This capacity is intended as a complement to the work of the Interior Department Inspector General (IG) office. The unit will coordinate with the IG’s office on matters it investigates, will pursue investigations with the IG’s consent and knowledge, and will advise the IG of the status and results of its investigations. The new team also will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the BOE’s internal auditing, regulatory oversight and enforcement systems.

• Response to high-priority issues. The compliance and monitoring unit will provide the BOE with the ability to respond quickly to emerging issues and major events. The unit will be responsible for swiftly responding to and assessing significant incidents, including spills.

• Implementing the re-organization. The planned re-organization will be conducted under a strict time table that will involve maintaining clear lines of communication among BOE personnel and outside consultants responsible for implementing the re-organization; coordinating the collection and transfer of significant volumes of data and information; and process management. The team will support project managers in providing centralized planning, coordination and oversight.