Offshore Oil and Gas:
Final Annual Report on Shut-In and Flaring Wells
RCED-86-224: Published: Sep 12, 1986. Publicly Released: Sep 12, 1986.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO presented its final annual report to Congress on the methodology the Department of the Interior uses in allowing offshore oil and gas wells to be suspended from production or to burn off natural gas.
GAO found that: (1) in past years, Interior relied primarily on shut-in and flaring well data, which well operators submitted to it, and its Minerals Management Service (MMS) inspectors verified through onsite inspections; (2) Interior requires operators to report monthly on the status of shut-in and flaring wells; (3) MMS inspectors verify shut-in and flaring well status through onsite platform checks and reviews of platform records; and (4) MMS inspectors routinely inspect platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. GAO believes that: (1) Interior's methodology for allowing oil and gas wells to be shut in or to flare natural gas was reasonable; and (2) the elimination of Interior's reporting requirement will not diminish its responsibility for administering mineral exploration and development and conserving offshore natural resources.
Aug 2, 2018
North American Energy Integration:
Information about Cooperation with Canada and Mexico and among U.S. AgenciesGAO-18-575: Published: Aug 2, 2018. Publicly Released: Aug 2, 2018.-
Nuclear Supply Chain:
DOE Has Not Used Its Enhanced Procurement Authority but Is Assessing Potential UseGAO-18-572R: Published: Aug 2, 2018. Publicly Released: Aug 2, 2018.
Aug 1, 2018
-
Management Report:
Actions Needed to Improve National Nuclear Security Administration Contract Document ManagementGAO-18-246R: Published: Aug 1, 2018. Publicly Released: Aug 1, 2018.
Jul 24, 2018
-
Strategic Petroleum Reserve:
Observations on the Emergency StockpileGAO-18-675T: Published: Jul 24, 2018. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2018.
Jun 28, 2018
-
Strategic Petroleum Reserve:
DOE Needs to Strengthen Its Approach to Planning the Future of the Emergency StockpileGAO-18-477: Published: May 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Jun 28, 2018.
May 24, 2018
-
Energy Storage:
Information on Challenges to Deployment for Electricity Grid Operations and Efforts to Address ThemGAO-18-402: Published: May 24, 2018. Publicly Released: May 24, 2018.
Apr 18, 2018
-
Gas Pipeline Safety:
Stakeholders' and Officials' Views on Federal Odorizing RequirementsGAO-18-409: Published: Apr 18, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 18, 2018.
Apr 5, 2018
-
Coal Mine Reclamation:
Federal and State Agencies Face Challenges in Managing Billions in Financial AssurancesGAO-18-305: Published: Mar 6, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 5, 2018.
Mar 20, 2018
-
Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
Additional Action Needed to Improve Process for Billing LicenseesGAO-18-318: Published: Mar 8, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 20, 2018.
Mar 14, 2018
-
Department of Energy:
Continued Actions Needed to Address Management ChallengesGAO-18-438T: Published: Mar 14, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2018.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Energy
- Air Quality
- Climate Change Funding and Management
- Climate Change Response
- Department of Energy's Contract Management for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management - High Risk Issue
- Disposal of High-Level Nuclear Waste
- Energy Management in DOD Facilities
- Energy-Water Nexus
- Federal Oversight of Commercial Nuclear Power
- Federal Oversight of Electricity Markets and Infrastructure
- Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands
- Improving Federal Programs that Serve Tribes and Their Members - High Risk Issue
- Iran Sanctions
- Limiting the Federal Government's Fiscal Exposure by Better Managing Climate Change Risks - High Risk Issue
- Management of Federal Oil and Gas Resources - High Risk Issue
- Managing Natural Resources
- Native American Issues
- Petroleum and Alternative Fuels
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Understanding Climate Change
Explore our other Key Issues here
