The U.S. Department of Interior recognized Devon Energy with a national award for its outstanding environmental and safety performance in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Minerals Management Service, which regulates offshore drilling and production for the Interior Department, presented its 2009 national SAFE (Safety Award for Excellence) award to Devon in the high-activity operator category. The announcement was made at the MMS awards luncheon in Houston in conjunction with the energy industry’s annual Offshore Technology Conference.
“This is a tremendous honor for our company and our employees,” said Tony Vaughn, Devon’s senior vice president for Gulf operations. “Our commitment to work safely while protecting the environment is our number one priority. It is gratifying to see that commitment recognized on such a grand scale.”
The SAFE program recognizes exceptional performance by Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas operators and contractors.
Selected companies are acknowledged for complying with regulatory requirements, employing trained and motivated personnel and taking extra steps to enhance the safety of their operations.
Earlier this year, the MMS honored Devon with its SAFE awards for high-activity operations in the Lake Charles and Lafayette districts. Both federal districts are off the coast of Louisiana.
Since 2002, Devon has received 10 district SAFE awards for high-activity operators – a record unsurpassed in the Gulf of Mexico. However, this was the first time Devon was a finalist for the national honor. This year’s other finalists were BP, ExxonMobil and Anadarko Petroleum.