This section of information is provided as a convenient collection of regulatory material related to Floating Production, Storage and Offshore Loading (FPSO's). No FPSO's have yet been approved by MMS for operation in the Gulf of Mexico.

MMS released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the potential use of FPSO's in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico in February 2001.  A decision to allow FPSO's as a programmatic decision was made by MMS on January 2, 2002.  (See News Release).  A recent speech discussed the regulatory system for FPSO's in the Gulf.  This addressed FPSO's at the programmatic level i.e. generally in the Gulf of Mexico.  

Documents that have this symbol are in Adobe Acrobat's pdf format. These files can be downloaded, read and printed using the free Acrobat Reader.

Recommendations and Record of Decision - Proposed Use of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems On the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Western and Central Planning Areas
FPSO Environmental Impact Statement Frequently Asked Questions

     News Releases

Minerals Management Service Approves Development Plans for First Use of Floating Production Storage Offloading Facility in Gulf of Mexico    (April 29, 2008)

Clarification on the Disposition of Associated Gas Related to Oil Production from a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) in the Gulf of Mexico Region  (October 21, 2002)

MMS Reaches Decision about FPSO's in Gulf of Mexico  (January 2, 2002)

Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Proposed Use of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, Western and Central Planning Areas  (February 2001)

MMS Announces the Availability of the Final EIS on Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems, and Completion of the Comparative Risk Analysis  (February 9, 2001)

Proposed Use of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Systems on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, Final Environmental Impact Statement MMS 2000-090  (February 2001)

Comparative Risk Analysis of Deepwater Production Systems  (February 2001)

     Speeches

"Status of Regulatory System for the use of FPSO's in the GOM", by MMS Regional Director Chris C. Oynes, March 13, 2001
"Regulation of FPSO's in the Gulf of Mexico OCS", Speech at OTC May 6, 1998, by MMS Regional Director Chris Oynes

     Other

FPSO Risks - United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive Study OTO 97055, October 1997, "Close Proximity Study"

(11.9 MB)

Proceedings of an FPSO Workshop held on April 16, 1997, MMS Report 98-0019

Frequency Analysis of Accidental Oil Releases from FPSO Operations in the Gulf of Mexico - Final Report, January 2001

Comparative Risk Analysis for Deepwater Production Systems - Final Project Report, January 2001.