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F. Inspection Forms

MMS inspections of drilling rigs involved a complete inspection as set out
in a PINC list – which was, as described in the previous section, used as a
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checklist of items that inspectors checked during an inspection. The PINC list
was not a comprehensive list of all potential violations.

Inspectors recorded certain information on an inspection form, including
identifying data about the rig, lease and operator, but they did not record what
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testing was conducted during the inspection, unless a violation was identified.
All information on INCs issued as a result of inspections was captured in a
central MMS database, regardless of whether the district’s inspection forms were
originally in electronic or paper form. The Panel found that not all MMS districts
used the same inspection form, and that the forms varied in length across the
districts.

G. MMS Deepwater Horizon Inspections at MC 252

While the Deepwater Horizon was on location at MC 252, MMS performed
three drilling inspections on the rig. These inspections occurred on February 17,

March 3, and April 1. MMS inspectors, Bob Neal and Eric Neal, identified no
major deficiencies and issued no INCs during these inspections.

The last inspection was completed by Eric Neal, an inspector who had
been with the agency since 2003. Even though Neal had previously participated
in 73 drilling inspections, he testified that he was “[o]nly in training” for drilling
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inspections. During the last inspection of the Deepwater Horizon, Neal used the
PINC guidelines to assist him during his inspection and found no basis to issue
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any INCs. The Panel found no evidence that the MMS inspections of the
Deepwater Horizon conducted in 2010 were incomplete. The Panel found no

evidence that the MMS inspections of the Deepwater Horizon while on location at
Macondo were a cause of the blowout.

406 Testimony of Robert Neal, Joint Investigation Hearing, May 11, 2010, at 350‐351; Testimony of
Eric Neal, Joint Investigation Hearing, May 11, 2010 at 326.
407 Eric Neal testimony at 326‐329; 334‐336.
408 Eric Neal testimony at 316.
409 Id. at 325, 336.

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