Through authorities vested by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) and Executive Order 12777, the Minerals Management Service
(MMS) is responsible for oil spill planning, preparedness, and select
response activities for facilities located seaward of the
coastline
(175.60 KB PDF file).
Covered are fixed and
floating facilities engaged in exploration, development, and production
activities that involve any form of liquid hydrocarbon. Pipelines that
transport oil to or between platforms, or to onshore locations are also
under MMS jurisdiction. Deepwater ports are regulated by the Maritime
Administration under the
Deepwater Ports Act, as amended.
The MMS Oil Spill Program was established to
oversee planning and preparedness activities of operators of regulated
facilities in offshore waters. The goal of the program is to ensure that,
during a response, those who will operate oil spill response equipment
or serve on management teams are prepared to do so in a manner that prevents
or minimizes safety hazards to responders and the public, and negative
impacts to the natural or built environments. In carrying out its
responsibilities, MMS has developed enforcement actions called
potential incidents of non-compliance
(PINCs) that are assessed when oil spill prevention, planning,
preparedness and response practices are found to be deficient. In cases
where infractions are minor and pose no immediate threat or hazard, warnings
are issued. In more severe cases, however, PINCs can lead to the shut in of
facilities and civil and/or criminal penalties.
The MMS Oil Spill Program covers three primary areas.
The
links below contain more details on the program or links to oil spill
prevention, planning, preparedness, response, and recovery resources.
Questions related to MMS oil spill planning and preparedness policies and
procedures should be directed to
program
contacts at the appropriate headquarters and/or regional office.
Reports of oil spills should be directed to district and/or regional
offices in keeping with current MMS emergency reporting requirements.
Planning
– Requirements for and information on Oil Spill Response Plans
(OSRPs) and oil spill financial responsibility (OSFR) for covered facilities
in both State and Federal offshore waters.
Preparedness
– Information on MMS unannounced oil spill drills, unannounced
equipment inspections, training, and exercises for response personnel and
equipment.
Response –
Roles of the operator, the federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC), and MMS
throughout a spill response from a regulated facility.
Resources
– Laws, regulations, policies, organizations, and data related to oil
spill prevention, planning, preparedness, response, and recovery in the
U.S. and its territorial waters.
Last Updated:
11/13/2008,
03:24:54 PM