BSEE develops standards and regulations to enhance operational safety and environmental protection in connection with the exploration, development and production of offshore oil and natural gas on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The responsibilities of the bureau include permitting, inspections, development of offshore regulatory policy, and the development of training courses for agency personnel. BSEE's Technology Assessment Program (TAP) supports research regarding operational safety and environmental protection related to offshore oil and natural gas exploration and development, and is an important part of BSEE's safety program.

TAP was previously known as the Technology Assessment & Research Program.

TAP's primary objectives include:

• Technology Assessment: Investigating and assessing industry applications of technological innovations to enable the bureau to promote the use of Best Available and Safest Technologies (BAST) through regulations, rules and operational guidelines.
• Research Catalyst: Promoting leadership in the fields of operational safety and environmental protection associated with offshore energy development activities.
• Technical Support: Providing technical engineering support to the bureau's decision makers in evaluating industry operational proposals and related technical issues, and ensuring that these proposals comply with all applicable regulations, rules, operational guidelines and standards.
• International Regulatory Cooperation: Providing support for international research and development initiatives to enhance the safety of offshore energy development activities and the development of appropriate regulatory program elements worldwide.

These objectives are met through the program's functional research activities which focus on the development of new concepts, operational procedures, and technologies to meet the physical and economic challenges imposed by the operating environments associated with OCS oil and gas work.