Joint Offshore Pipeline Regulation between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Transportation

Date Published:  Thursday, October 2, 1997
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC39
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 62, No. 191, FR 51614

Summary: This proposed rule would implement a provision of the December 10, 1996, Memorandum of Understanding between the Departments of the Interior and Transportation. Under this MOU, the two departments jointly regulate OCS pipelines. As specified in the MOU, MMS regulations would pertain to all OCS oil or gas pipelines located upstream of the points at which operating responsibility for the pipelines transfer from a producing operator to a transporting operator.

Public Comments

Blowout Preventer (BOP) Testing Requirements for Drilling and Completion Operations

Date Published:  Tuesday, July 15, 1997
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC37
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 62, No. 135, FR 37819

Summary:  MMS proposes to revise the testing requirements in its regulations for blowout preventer (BOP) systems used in drilling and completion operations. The revision would allow a lessee up to 14 days between BOP pressure tests. MMS bases this revision on the results of a recently completed study of BOP performance. This study concluded that no statistical difference exists in failure rates for BOP's tested between 0 and 7 day intervals and between 8- and 14-day intervals. MMS estimates that the revised testing timeframe could save industry $35 to $46 million a year without compromising safety.

Public Comments

Oil Spill Financial Responsibility for Offshore Facilities

Date Published:  Monday, May 5, 1997
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC33
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 62, No. 86, FR 24375

Summary: This notice extends to August 22, 1997, the deadline for submitting comments on the proposed rule on Oil Spill Financial Responsibility for Offshore Facilities.  Also, this notice announces the MMS will hold a public workshop on the proposed rule on June 5, 1997, at New Orleans, Louisiana.

Public Comments

Oil Spill Financial Responsibility for Offshore Facilities; Correction -
A Correction has been issued to this proposed rule.

Date Published:  March 25, 1997
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC33
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 62 No. 63, FR 14052

Summary: MMS proposes new requirements for demonstrating oil spill financial responsibility for cleanup and damages from oil discharges due to oil exploration, production, and associated pipeline facilities. This rule implements the authority of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

Public Comments

Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf

Date Published:  Tuesday, February 11, 1997
Regulatory Information Number:  1010-AC10
Federal Register Cite:  Vol. 62, No. 28, FR 6149

Summary: MMS proposes to revise the regulations that specify how to conduct G&G exploration and research for oil, gas, and sulphur in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) under a permit and to expand the provisions governing research by requiring everyone conducting G&G scientific research in the OCS without a permit to file a notice with MMS. These revisions respond to changes in technology and practice.

Public Comments