Against the backdrop of a growing public demand for clean, renewable energy, offshore wind power has emerged as an attractive component of the global energy transition. While the promise of wind energy is compelling, careful and deliberate management is necessary to protect people and the environment. Addressing this critical challenge requires a robust framework to guide the safe development and operation of offshore wind projects.

In response to this need, the American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released the first edition of API Recommended Practice 75W, “Safety and Environmental Management System for Offshore Wind Operations and Assets” (API RP 75W). This landmark standard leverages API’s extensive experience with offshore oil and natural gas development to provide a comprehensive framework for safety and environmental integrity in offshore wind operations.

From lease evaluation to decommissioning, API RP 75W’s goal is to prevent incidents by establishing robust procedures and protocols, advancing the highest standards of safety and environmental integrity in offshore wind operations.

Expert Guidance

The development of API RP 75W was driven by the proliferation of offshore wind operations. According to a 2023 Department of Energy report, the U.S. offshore wind energy pipeline grew 15% from 2022, with 13 coastal states having announced plans to procure massive amounts of offshore wind over the coming decades. Given this rapid expansion, in 2022, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which oversees and regulates offshore energy operations on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, identified the need for a safety framework specifically tailored to the offshore wind sector. And it reached out to API and the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) for assistance.

API was consulted for its established expertise in standards development, and the work of the Center for Offshore Safety, who has established guidance for auditing, implementing and maintaining Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS).

“BSEE has been working with offshore wind developers and standards development organizations for over a decade to develop offshore wind standards,” said Kevin Sligh, Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, whose agency sought the support of API and the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) in developing the standard. “BSEE shares API’s dedication and commitment to fostering a clean energy future, one where safety is the No.1 priority for the offshore wind industry and workers on the Outer Continental Shelf.”

In response to the BSEE, API and OOC agreed to collaborate on aligning their existing management systems with the needs of the emerging offshore wind industry. They formalized their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in September 2022, highlighting their intent to leverage the knowledge and practices in offshore oil and natural gas to establish a new standard for the offshore wind industry. Their cooperation led to the creation of a rigorous standard that lays a solid foundation for safety practices in an emerging energy industry.

"This is the first of hopefully many cross-industry collaborative efforts to capture lessons learned and share them across all forms of offshore energy development including carbon sequestration,” said Evan Zimmerman, OOC Executive Director. “OOC greatly appreciates the collaboration on targeted standards like RP 75W with API. OOC also greatly appreciates the important participation from ACP and G+ that help ensure that these standards do not create conflicts or duplicate efforts that pull resources away from other standards development activities in the offshore energy sector."

API RP 75W parallels the approach detailed in API RP 75, 4th edition, “Recommended Practice for a Safety and Environmental Management System for Offshore Operations and Assets” (API RP 75), which has guided safety management in the offshore oil and natural gas industry for more than 30 years. The new standard was developed to address the unique challenges posed by offshore wind operations and incorporates examples specific to the industry.

The development of API RP 75W was a collaborative effort involving BSEE, the OOC, and industry stakeholders, including representatives from the wind energy sector. This diverse participation ensured that the standard would be inclusive for all stakeholders, fostering widespread adoption.

Key Features and Principles

API RP 75W provides a comprehensive framework for managing safety and environmental risks throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind projects. This includes risk assessment and procedures for safe work management as well as safe work practices, management of change, emergency preparedness and incident investigation.

The standard is performance-based, encouraging a proactive approach to safety and environmental management, and is organized around four core principles:

  • Commitment: Demonstrate leadership and commitment to safety and environmental protection throughout an organization.
  • Risk Management: Identify, assess and manage risks to prevent incidents and protect the environment.
  • Human Performance: Recognize the importance of human factors in safety and environmental management and incorporate these considerations into all aspects of the SEMS.
  • Continual Improvement: Regularly review and improve safety and environmental practices to adapt to new challenges and advancements in technology.

Significance of API RP 75W

Following a transparent, consensus-building approach to standards development, API published API RP 75W in July 2024. The standard is a first for the offshore wind industry and addresses its unique operational and environmental challenges. Its significance extends beyond current offshore wind projects, potentially shaping future renewable energy standards across the industry. This highlights the value that a robust SEMS offers various energy operations.

Additionally, the standard can be used globally for offshore wind operations, a significant advantage as the offshore wind industry continues to expand across different regions, each with its own regulatory requirements and operational challenges.

Future Impact

API RP 75W represents a landmark standard for the offshore wind industry, providing a comprehensive framework to manage safety and environmental risks. Its collaborative and transparent development process enhances its credibility and ensures it meets the diverse needs of a wide range of industries involved.

By setting a high bar for safety and environmental integrity, API RP 75W strengthens safety and environmental performance for offshore wind operations, addressing industry’s immediate needs while positioning it for future growth and sustainability.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.