US to propel safety, tech, and risk mitigation to new highs, as OESI rolls out $16M research fund across offshore marine, wind, and oil & gas arenas

The U.S.-based Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI), funded by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to foster the technology and workforce development for safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective energy production, has issued a request for proposals (RFP), offering $16 million for research opportunities aimed at enhancing safety protocols across not only renewable energy, such as offshore marine and wind power, but also oil and gas sectors.

According to the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI’s) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), this push is part of OESI’s 2024 annual plan, targeting advancements in safety protocols, technology innovations, and risk management strategies.

Offshore energy experts are invited to submit proposals or volunteer as reviewers of submitted proposals, helping OESI push forward safety and sustainability across the industry, noted the BSEE. 

The institute expects to issue 30 to 40 awards, each worth up to $500,000, with recipients required to provide at least 20% in cost-sharing. Marine energy stands out with two primary areas of focus, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 

The first is small-scale marine energy solutions designed to boost the safety and sustainability of offshore wind and oil and gas operations. The second focuses on utility-scale marine energy technologies, leveraging lessons from wind and oil and gas sectors to enhance the security and sustainability of marine operations.

For oil and gas, the focus is on improving well-control events, early detection for containment loss, and maintaining infrastructure integrity in aging fields. Wind energy research will center on safe installation, operation, and decommissioning while minimizing human exposure to hazards.

The OESI’s RFP outlined criteria to ensure a transparent and consistent evaluation process for selecting research projects. Consortium members are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate a solid approach, defined outcomes, justified budgets, and measurable success metrics. An impartial review process will assess proposals using a merit-based scoring system aligned with the specific requirements of the solicitation.

OESI is a consortium involving industry, national labs, nongovernmental organizations, and academia with a mission to advance the technology and workforce for safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective energy production. BSEE’s role is to ensure that OESI’s efforts align with public sector priorities and the objectives set by its funding partners. The deadline for submissions is October 18, 2024. According to OESI, the anticipated award announcement will take place in January 2025.

In May 2023, the U.S.-based institute issued an RFP, also targeting small-scale marine energy solutions for offshore wind and oil & gas operations and utility-scale devices that enhance marine energy operations. 

Regarding the recent news from the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE), the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) issued a $112.5 million funding call to accelerate the demonstration of wave energy technologies through open water testing and system validation. This five-year investment aimed to fast-track the design, fabrication, and testing of various wave energy converters (WECs) designed to harness energy from ocean waves.