RPSEA's Ultra-Deepwater Technical Advisory Committees (TAC) focus on a particular ultra-deepwater technology area. The role of the TACs, with representation from subject matter experts who study and apply ultra-deepwater technologies in real field situations, is to identify current technology gaps and define the specific R&D efforts needed to address these gaps. As such, the TACs provide a bottom-up, end-user-driven program.

There are a total of six UDW TACs.

The UDW TACs are open to the public.

The ESR/MEO TAC’s focus is safety barrier testing and validation criteria, environmental and regulatory impact of emerging technologies, deepwater produced water management, the studying effects of changing weather patterns on hurricane severity, operational 3-D current forecast modeling capable of simulating the loop/eddies and modeling for strong near-bottom currents.

This committee also works and communicates with leading industry organizations, such as the OOC, API, NOAA and others.

The goals include improving safety and environmental compliance in all E&P technical areas, securing regulatory compliance as needed for technical advances, and improving knowledge and modeling capabilities of the GOM circulation for more accurate facility design criteria and reduced downtime during deepwater drilling operations.