[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66309-66310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31990]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service


Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of workshop.

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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is reviewing blowout 
preventer (BOP) testing and maintenance requirements for operations in 
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This notice announces a workshop to 
discuss the results of the recently completed study on BOP performance. 
MMS will also discuss potential changes to the current BOP testing and 
maintenance requirements.

DATES: January 15, 1997, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the Minerals Management 
Service's Gulf of Mexico regional office, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
Room 115, New Orleans, Louisiana.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William S. Hauser, Engineering and Technology Division, MS 4700, 
Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-
4817, telephone (703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MMS will hold a workshop on January 15, 
1997, to discuss the results of the recently completed study on BOP 
performance. This study, commissioned by MMS and five oil and gas trade 
organizations, examined BOP test data from wells drilled on the OCS 
during the last 6 months. The primary purpose for the study was to 
examine the performance of BOP equipment over varying test intervals.
    Under the current regulations, a lessee must test BOP equipment and 
systems at least once a week but not to exceed 7 days between tests. 
However, the offshore oil and gas industry has asked MMS to revise the 
regulations to allow a lessee to test BOP equipment and systems on a 
14-day interval. MMS will

[[Page 66310]]

use this study in determining if the longer BOP testing interval will 
afford an equal or better degree of protection, safety, or performance 
than the current requirement.
    MMS will also discuss potential changes to the current BOP testing 
and maintenance requirements. MMS plans to issue these new BOP 
requirements in mid-February 1997.
    MMS encourages all interested parties to attend the workshop and 
participate in the discussions. Persons or organizations that want to 
make a presentation at the workshop must contact William S. Hauser 
prior to the workshop.

Preliminary Agenda

 Welcome and Introduction
 Tetrahedron, contractor for the study, will discuss the study 
and present the findings
 Questions and comments on the study
 MMS discussion of potential new BOP testing and maintenance 
requirements
 Questions and comments on requirements
 Additional presentations, as appropriate.

    Registration: There is no registration fee for this workshop. 
However, to assess the probable number of participants, MMS requests 
participants to register with William S. Hauser by calling (703) 787-
1613 or FAX (703) 787-1093 prior to the meeting. Seating is limited and 
will be on a first-come-first-seated basis.

    Dated: December 11, 1996.
Robert E. Brown,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Management.
[FR Doc. 96-31990 Filed 12-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M