Technology
Assessment &
Research (TA&R)
Program Introduction
The TA&R Program is a research element
encompassed by BOEMRE Regulatory Program. The TA&R Program supports research
associated with operational safety and pollution prevention as well as oil spill response
and cleanup capabilities. The TA&R Program was established in the 1970's to
ensure that industry operations on the Outer Continental Shelf incorporated the use of the
Best Available and Safest Technologies (BAST) subsequently required through the 1978 OCSLA
amendments and Energy Policy Act of 2005. The TA&R Program is comprised
of three functional research activities:
The TA&R Program has four primary objectives:
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Technical
Support
Providing engineering support to the Bureau decision makers in evaluating
industry operational proposals and related technical issues and ensuring
that these proposals comply with applicable regulations, rules, and
operational guidelines and standards.
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Technology
Assessment
Investigating and assessing industry applications of
technological innovations and promoting the use of the best available and safest technologies in Bureau regulations, rules and operational guidelines.
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Research
Catalyst
Promoting leadership in the fields of operational safety
and pollution prevention in offshore energy extraction activities, and oil spill response and cleanup research activities.
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International Regulatory
Providing international cooperation for Research and
Development initiatives to enhance the safety of offshore energy extraction activities
and the development of appropriate regulatory program elements worldwide. |
The TA&R Program operates through contracts with
universities, private firms, and government laboratories to assess safety-related
technologies and to perform necessary applied research.
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