Effective Date: April 15, 1998
Recission Date: November 2, 1998

Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) of Federal Oil, Gas,
and Sulphur Leases in the Outer Continental Shelf

Reminder Concerning Periodic Inspection of Platforms

NTL98-7N is also available for download in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).

The purpose of this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is to remind operators of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases that API RP 2A was first incorporated by reference into Minerals Management Service (MMS) operating regulations in 1988; and the 10-year (maximum) period during which a Level III survey must be performed for fixed platforms will end this year.  Therefore, for manned platforms that have not received a Level III survey since 1988, such a survey must be performed and reported on by November 1, 1998, as a part of the required Annual Inspection Report.

The MMS operating regulations under 30 CFR Part 250, '250.142, require that, "All platforms installed in the OCS shall be inspected periodically in accordance with the provisions of API RP 2A, section 14, Surveys." Section 250.142 also requires: "A report shall be submitted annually on November 1 to the Regional Supervisor stating which platforms have been inspected in the preceding 12 months, the extent and area of inspection, and the type of inspection employed, i.e., visual, magnetic particle, ultrasonic testing."

Section 14.3 of API RP 2A defines four levels of surveys, and table 14.4.2 provides survey intervals for the four levels. Table 14.4.2 specifies that the time intervals between Level III surveys should not exceed from 6 to 10 years for manned platforms and from 11 to 15 years for unmanned platforms. Level III surveys consist of an underwater visual inspection of preselected areas or areas of known or suspected damage based on the results of Level II surveys. Such areas must be sufficiently cleaned of marine growth to permit thorough inspection.

The information collection provisions referred to in this notice are intended to provide clarification, description, or interpretation of requirements in 30 CFR 250, subpart I. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements in these regulations and assigned OMB Control Number 1010-0058. This notice does not impose additional information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This NTL is also on the MMS worldwide website at http://www.mms.gov.

Dated:  April 8, 1998

Carolita U. Kallaur (signed)
Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

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