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 said on Wednesday that its Director Abigail Ross Hopper and ASEA’s Executive Director Carlos de Regules signed the agreement at the bureau’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Hopper said: “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.”
The bureau added that 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.
“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 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; and periodic exchanges of information.
Also, the two organizations will cooperate through training of staff; participation as observers in activities related to each country’s respective authorities; and organization of bilateral events and visits.