[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]



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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.

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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