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2001 -- OCS Natural Gas and Oil Program

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda (2001)

Department of the Interior, Semiannual Regulatory Agenda Regulatory Information Number: Federal Register Cite: 66 FR 25510 (5/14/2001)

Notice of Proposed Rules (2001)

	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)--Fixed and Floating Platforms and Documents Incorporated by Reference Date Published: Thursday, December 27, 2001 Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC85 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 66, No. 248, FR 66851 Summary: MMS is proposing to amend regulations to address floating offshore platforms that, until now, have not been expressly covered. These floating production systems (FPSs) are variously described as column-stabilized units (CSUs); floating production, storage and offloading facilities (referred to by industry as "FPSOs"); tension-leg platforms (TLPs); spars, etc. We are also incorporating into our regulations a body of industry standards pertaining to FPSs, and this will save the public the costs of developing separate, and in many cases unnecessarily duplicative, government standards. However, it will increase costs to industry by making certain independent third-party reviews mandatory, particularly by requiring hazards analyses for all new FPSs. Public Comments
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the OCS--Document Incorporated by Reference--API 510 Date Published: Thursday, December 27, 2001 Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC95 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 66, No. 248, FR 66848 Summary: MMS is proposing to add a document to be incorporated by reference into our regulations governing oil and gas and sulphur operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This revision will ensure that lessees use the best available and safest technologies while operating in the OCS. The new document, API 510, is titled "Pressure Vessel Inspection Code: Maintenance Inspection, Rating, Repair, and Alteration." Public Comments
	Revision of Requirements Governing Surety Bonds for Outer Continental Shelf Leases

Date Published:  Monday, January 8, 2001
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC68
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 66, No. 5, FR 1277

Summary: The MMS is proposing to modify requirement governing surety bonds for activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). These changes will codify the terms and conditions under which a surety will be relieved of responsibility when MMS terminates the period of liability of a bond. Codifying these terms and conditions is necessary to clarify the responsibilities of the lessee and the surety after the lease expires.

Public Comments

	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf--Procedures for Dealing with Sustained Casing Pressure Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC83 Federal Register Cite: 66 FR 56620 (11/9/2001)
	Safety Measure and Procedures for Pipeline Modifications and Repairs Date Published:  Tuesday, August 28, 2001 Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC75 Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 66, No. 167, FR 45236 Summary: The proposed rule pertains to any pipeline modification or repair that involves cutting into a pipeline or opening a pipeline at a flange. It requires that all lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way holders submit in writing the measures they plan to take and the procedures they plan to follow to ensure the safety of offshore workers and to prevent pollution before beginning any repair. Eventually, all pipeline valves leak internally, and this poses a potential safety problem to offshore workers during pipeline modifications or repairs, because hydrocarbons and pressure differentials in pipelines can pose a significant hazard of fire and explosion. Public Comments
	Document Incorporated by Reference--American Petroleum Institute's Specification 2C for Offshore Cranes  Date Published:  Thursday, July 19, 2001 Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC82 Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 66, No. 139, FR 37611 Summary: The MMS is proposing to incorporate by reference the Fifth Edition of the American Petroleum Institute's Specification for Offshore Cranes (API Spec 2C) into its regulations. The MMS is proposing this action to establish a minimum design standard for new cranes installed on OCS fixed platforms to be equipped with anti-two block safety devices. This proposed rule would ensure that OCS lessees use the best available and safest technologies for the design and construction of cranes used on the OCS. Public Comments
	30 CFR Chapter II, Review of Existing Regulations Extension of comment period to March 28, 2001. Regulatory Information Number: Federal Register Cite: 66 FR 11241 (2/23/2001)
	Revision of Requirements Governing Surety Bonds for Outer Continental Shelf Leases Date Published:  Monday, January 8, 2001 Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC68 Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 66, No. 5, FR 1277 Summary: The MMS is proposing to modify requirement governing surety bonds for activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). These changes will codify the terms and conditions under which a surety will be relieved of responsibility when MMS terminates the period of liability of a bond. Codifying these terms and conditions is necessary to clarify the responsibilities of the lessee and the surety after the lease expires. Public Comments