OCTOBER 7, 2013 — ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE) has been accredited by the Center for Offshore Safety (COS) effective October 4, 2013 to conduct Safety and Environmental System Audits (SEMS).

The Center for Offshore Safety (COS) is an industry sponsored organization focused exclusively on offshore safety in the deepwater (water depths>1000 ft) Gulf of Mexico. The Center serves the U.S. offshore oil & gas industry with the purpose of adopting standards of excellence to ensure continuous improvement in safety and offshore operational integrity.

As an accredited audit provider, ABS QE offers safety and environmental management system audits to evaluate the implementation and maintenance of COS member companies' safety and environmental management systems throughout their offshore operations. The Safety and Environmental Management Systems program was developed to be implemented by operators, suppliers and contractors by November 15, 2013 in support of the COS's mission to promote and protect the environment, focusing exclusively on offshore safety in the deep-water (water depths > 1,000 ft.).

"We are excited by this important achievement. To be accredited in this first round by COS demonstrates our commitment to be a leader supporting this important mission of promoting improved environmental, health and safety performance in the Gulf of Mexico", said Dominic Townsend, Vice President of Americas for ABS QE.

Gulf of Mexico SEMS compliance must be verified by a third-party audit service provider, such as ABS QE, which will, in doing so, demonstrate the oil and gas industry's commitment of enhancing and continuously improving safety and environmental performance.