[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 24, 1995)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 54465] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-26301] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service 30 CFR Part 250 RIN 1010-AB52 Safety Requirements Governing Production Platforms and Pipelines agency: Minerals Management Service, Interior. action: Proposed rule; withdrawal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- summary: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) withdraws the proposed rule governing production platforms and pipelines in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The major provision of the proposed rule was to require shutdown valves (SDV) on departing pipelines. MMS anticipates reviewing all its regulations governing offshore pipelines in the near future following the completion of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Transportation (DOT). MMS has decided that this issue can be better addressed during that review and subsequent rulemaking. for further information contact: William S. Hauser, Engineering and Standards Branch, telephone (703) 787-1600. supplementary information: By Federal Register Notice dated May 16, 1994 (59 FR 25377), MMS proposed revising certain design and safety equipment requirements for production platforms and pipelines in the OCS. MMS proposed the regulations following an internal review of the circumstances that led to the 1988 Piper Alpha platform fire in the North Sea and a 1989 pipeline and platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico. The proposed rule would have required lessees to install SDV's on all new and major modifications of existing pipelines departing from production platforms. The proposed rule would not have required lessees to retrofit all existing pipelines because installation of the valves in pipelines which are being used in ongoing operations can pose a safety hazard. Ten oil and natural gas producers, two oil and gas companies, one Government agency, one consultant, and four trade organizations representing oil and gas producers, pipeline companies, and drilling contractors commented on the proposed rule. The comments addressed a number of technical and engineering considerations. Commenters also pointed out that in some cases the purpose of the SDV could be achieved by flow safety valves which are being used by a majority of OCS lessees. The DOI and DOT are in the process of revising the MOU that establishes each department's responsibilities for offshore pipelines. Upon completion of the MOU, MMS and DOT will examine the regulatory requirements for all offshore pipelines under their jurisdictions, including the requirements contained in the previously proposed rulemaking. This comprehensive review will likely lead to a revision and restructuring of the current pipeline rules in Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. Accordingly, MMS is withdrawing the proposed rule and will wait until the MOU is completed, and the new responsibilities are delineated, so that it can develop comprehensive and consistent pipeline rules. In the interim, MMS is working cooperatively with offshore operators to ensure that the principles in the proposed rule are followed and that the safety of offshore operations is not compromised. The withdrawal of the rule will not diminish the safety of offshore operations. MMS and industry have been working cooperatively to ensure that all new pipeline construction and major modifications of existing pipelines are consistent with the standards and practices of the proposed rule. (As noted, the retrofitting of existing operating pipelines is generally not recommended for safety reasons.) The efforts to ensure offshore safety include the development of the American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice for the Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for OCS Operations and Facilities (API RP 75). This recommended practice addresses a broad range of safety and environmental hazards in the design, construction, startup, operation, inspection, and maintenance of drilling and production facilities in the OCS including those covered in the proposed rule. MMS is actively monitoring the adoption and implementation of API RP 75 by OCS operators. Dated: October 9, 1995. Sylvia V. Baca, Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 95-26301 Filed 10-23-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M