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The Challenge
Mexico's National Agency for Industrial Safety and Environmental
Protection of the Hydrocarbons Sector (ASEA) sought HSE's respected
and world-leading experience as an offshore regulator; the country
was moving away from a model of self-regulation within the national
oil company to having an independent regulator.
In 2013 the Mexican Congress had approved a bill to allow
private-sector companies to pursue enterprises in the national oil
and gas sector for the first time since 1938. This 'Energy Reform'
enabled Mexico's institutional framework to be strenghthened,
promoting the successful opening-up of the sector.
In this context ASEA was created as a decentralised
administrative body of the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT). It
is an independent regulator that oversees the Mexican oil and gas
industry, safeguarding workers, the public and the environment.
This project was funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth
Office's Prosperity Fund.
The Solution
This knowledge transfer project included independent review of
management arrangements, sharing elements of good regulatory
practice and identifying health and safety training needs. As part
of this we held workshops for ASEA staff and supported industry
engagement events in Mexico. The success of the project led to
follow-up support to provide training focussed on major accident
hazard awareness and prevention. This included working visits to
HSE's Science and Research Centre in Buxton and to Aberdeen, where
a number of UK companies shared their expertise.
The Outcome
Our collaboration strengthened cooperation, coordination and
information sharing around safety and environmental protection in
the Mexican oil and gas sector. We helped enable the new regulator
in their development, oversight and enforcement processes, thereby
safeguarding workers, the public and the environment.
Further information on HSE's approach to the control of major
accident hazard sites, both onshore and offshore, can be found on
the COMAH pages.
For more information on our international work visit our International Leader in Health and
Safety page.
To get in touch, email us at Business.Enquiries@hse.gov.uk
This case study was featured on page 41 of the
2017 Annual Science Review.