Washington: The US is convening a ministerial level meeting of 13 nations including India engaged in offshore drilling to discuss ways to reduce risks associated with offshore drilling around the world here April 14.
US Interior Ken Salazar announced in Rio de Janeiro that he is convening ministers and senior government officials of these countries "as part of a commitment to reduce the risks associated with offshore drilling around the world."
The Ministerial Forum on Offshore Drilling Containment would discuss the development of cutting-edge technologies for containing potential deepwater well blowouts on the outer continental shelves, he said.
"Those of us engaged in offshore energy exploration and production have a collective responsibility to strengthen our capabilities for containing potential deepwater blowouts and promoting international collaboration, research and development going forward," Salazar said.
"Just as we share oceans with our neighbours, we have an interest in sharing best practices for how all of us can develop our resources safely and responsibly," he said.
Two panels of experts from industry and academia will make presentations on the lessons learned from recent blowouts and offer suggestions for promoting cutting-edge containment capabilities in the future.
Ministers and senior officials from 13 countries and the European Union, along with representatives from industry, academia, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), have been invited to attend the Ministerial Forum.
Besides India, other participants are Brazil, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Russia, Canada, Israel, Netherlands, Angola and the European Union.
Salazar is meeting this week with Brazilian and Mexican officials to discuss cooperative efforts on safety in offshore energy development.
IANS
