The ability of an offshore facility owner/operator to respond effectively to an oil spill is directly related to the preparedness state of the equipment listed in their Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP). Therefore, BSEE monitors the preparedness and readiness levels of oil spill response equipment owned or contracted by offshore facilities owners/operators. BSEE personnel periodically check the equipment listed within each OSRP to ensure that it is properly maintained, ready to be operated, and performs as specified by the manufacturer. In conducting their inspections, Oil Spill Preparedness Division (OSPD) staff review the maintenance and exercise records for listed response equipment, and regularly travel across the Gulf of Mexico, California, and Alaska to visit storage depots and other deployment sites in person.

The U.S. Coast Guard has a similar equipment inspection responsibility for their regulations related to Vessel Response and Marine Transportation Related Waterfront Facilities. Consequently, BSEE and USCG personnel periodically conduct joint inspections of oil spill response equipment storage and deployment sites when possible. This partnership creates an informative exchange of ideas and data and reduces the administrative burden on oil spill removal organizations who are contracted to support spill response plan holders.