Offshore oil and gas producers and their contractors and suppliers had questions when the US Minerals Management Service issued new safety requirements in its June 8 notice to lessees. Judging by the number of e-mails from OGJ readers, the biggest of those involved independent, third-party certifications."Who is the 'Third Party' for independent verification?" one asked. "What constitutes a third party and how and by whom are the third parties certified?" another inquired.Most trade association officials were equally befuddled. "There are a number of third-party inspection requirements," noted Andy Radford, senior policy advisor for offshore issues at the Ame...