[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66078-66079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27633]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BOEM-2011-0087]


Notice of Industry Workshop on Technical and Regulatory 
Challenges in Deep and Ultra-Deep Outer Continental Shelf Waters

AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), 
Interior.

ACTION: Announcement of Industry Workshop.

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SUMMARY: BSEE is announcing the Effects of Water Depth Workshop. This 
workshop with industry will offer a blend of technical presentations 
and interactive peer review discussions expected to help identify Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) challenges and technologies associated with oil 
and gas exploration and production at various water depths. This 
workshop will also identify approaches to address the water depth issue 
through regulations, standards, and practices designed to safeguard 
personnel, operations, and the environment.

DATES: The workshop will be held on November 2 and 3, 2011, between 8 
a.m. and 5 p.m. Early sign-in begins November 1, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held at the San Luis Hotel, 5222 
Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77551. Lodging at the San Luis Hotel is 
available for Workshop participants.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Else, Technology 
Assessment and Research Program, (703) 787-1769 or by e-mail: 
[email protected] or Mr. Joseph Braun at (630) 252-5574 or by e-
mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary intent of this workshop is to 
support BSEE's goal of ensuring safe and environmentally sound offshore 
oil and gas exploration and production in deep and ultra-deep OCS 
waters. Through this workshop, BSEE will obtain feedback and analysis 
from stakeholders related to drilling, production technologies, 
operations, spill prevention, emergency response, and cleanup. In 
addition, the two-day workshop will offer a structured venue for 
consultation among offshore deepwater oil and gas industry and 
regulatory experts in order to:
    (a) Identify the effects of water depth and related issues on 
equipment and operations; and
    (b) Identify approaches to address the water depth issue through 
regulations, standards, and practices designed to safeguard personnel, 
operations and the environment.
    This workshop will assist in improving existing regulations and 
develop new regulations under the authority of the BSEE, which assumed 
regulatory responsibility for safety and environmental protection over 
OCS oil and gas operations effective October 1, 2011. The workshop will 
also provide an opportunity to identify approaches industry can use to 
address water depth issues, such as the development of new standards or 
improvements in existing standards. Domestic energy reserves are 
vitally important to the Nation's economic strength. BSEE is committed 
to helping ensure environmental protection and human safeguards during 
exploration and development of these energy reserves. This workshop is 
a critical step in clearing a path forward for responsible deep water 
development.
    Registration: Registration fees will be approximately $425.00 per 
person to cover food, refreshments, and administrative costs. 
Attendance at this workshop is by invitation only. To apply, please 
visit BSEE's workshop webpage at http://www.boemre.gov/tarworkshops/EWD/Apply.htm. You will be redirected to the U.S. Department of Energy, 
Argonne National Lab's webpage to complete your application 
electronically and will be contacted by Argonne National Lab staff, who 
have been contracted to provide workshop registration services.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement

    This Federal Register Notice does not refer to or impose any 
information

[[Page 66079]]

collection subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

    Dated: October 17, 2011.
Robert P. LaBelle,
Acting Deputy Director, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2011-27633 Filed 10-21-11; 8:45 am]
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