Call for Inspection Units interested in obtaining approval to assess conformity with NOM-014-ASEA-2022

By Santamarina Steta

Executive Summary:

On October 31, 2023, the Call for Inspection Units interested in obtaining approval to evaluate compliance with Mexican Official Standard NOM-014-ASEA-2022 was published.
The Call for Proposals establishes the necessary requirements to obtain the “Third Party Approval” in the hydrocarbon sector.
The Third Party Approval plays a crucial role in the protection of natural resources, especially in the context of construction and maintenance of wells for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in sensitive areas such as agricultural and livestock areas and wastelands.

On October 31, 2023, the Official Federal Gazzette (“DOF” for its acronym in Spanish) published the Call for Inspection Units interested in obtaining approval to evaluate compliance with Mexican Official Standard NOM-014-ASEA-2022, environmental protection specifications for the construction and maintenance of wells for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in agricultural areas.

This publication cancels and replaces NOM-115-SEMARNAT-2003, which establishes the environmental protection specifications to be observed in the drilling and maintenance activities of land-based oil wells for exploration and production in agricultural, livestock and wasteland areas, outside protected natural areas or forest lands.

The Call for Proposals establishes the necessary requirements to obtain the “Third Party Approval” in the hydrocarbon sector. It is important that the promoter submits a simple and legible copy of its current Accreditation as Inspection Unit issued by an authorized Accreditation Entity, with scope in NOM-014-ASEA-2022.

The requirements are divided into general and technical, and detail the criteria for accreditation, training, and experience of personnel, as well as the submission of applications online or in person. The Agency will evaluate applications and may request additional information. In addition, it is emphasized that the interpretation of the requirements is the responsibility of the Agency. Forms and documents required for the process are provided online.

Likewise, the requirements to obtain approval as a Third Party in the hydrocarbon sector establish a defined standard, and applicants must meet requirements such as: training, experience and technical knowledge. The application submission and evaluation process is clearly transparent, and the Agency has the authority to make final decisions on approval.

The importance of the requirements to obtain approval as a Third Party in the hydrocarbon sector lies in several fundamental aspects:

Safety and Environmental Protection: In the hydrocarbon sector, it is critical to ensure the safety of operations and the protection of the environment. The requirements ensure that approved organizations and professionals have the necessary technical competence to assess and verify compliance with environmental regulations and standards, which helps to avoid accidents and minimize negative environmental impacts.

Quality Evaluation: The requirements ensure that Technical Manager, Inspector and Inspection Unit applicants have the technical capability and experience to perform assessments and verifications accurately and reliably. This ensures that the results are accurate and useful for both safety and environmental decision-making.

The Third Party Approval plays a crucial role in the protection of natural resources, especially in the context of construction and maintenance of wells for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons in sensitive areas such as agricultural and livestock areas and wastelands.

The requirements ensure that thorough assessments are carried out and appropriate measures are taken to minimize negative impacts on the natural environment. These requirements contribute to a safer and more sustainable operation of the hydrocarbon sector.

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