Proposed Rule
Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Procedures for Dealing With Sustained Casing Pressure
A Proposed Rule by the Minerals Management Service on 07/10/2003
Minerals Management Service
1010-AC83
List of Subjects in 30 CFR 250
Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
Delay of final rulemaking.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) in the Federal Register titled "Procedures for Dealing With Sustained Casing Pressure" on November 9, 2001. Based on comments received, the MMS is delaying development of a final rule until after publication of a "Recommended Practice" document now being developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The document will provide procedures for dealing safely with sustained casing pressure in wells. MMS believes that incorporation of this "Recommended Practice" document into MMS regulations will help ensure environmentally and operationally safe operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
For regulatory information concerning this announcement: Larry Ake, Engineering and Operations Division, at (703) 787-Start Printed Page 410911600. For technical information concerning the current MMS sustained casing pressure program: Gulf of Mexico OCS Region: Jim Grant, Technical Assessment and Operations Support Section, at (504) 736-2843. Pacific OCS Region: Nabil Masri, Chief, Office of Facilities, Safety and Enforcement, at (805) 389-7581.
Sustained casing pressure (SCP) is pressure between the casing and the well's tubing, or between strings of casing, that rebuilds after being bled down. If left uncontrolled, this SCP can represent an ongoing safety hazard and can cause harm or damage to human life, the marine and coastal environment, and property.
The MMS received 18 letters commenting on the NPR. Among these letters were comments from industry organizations that proposed a different method of regulating sustained casing pressure on the OCS.
In their comments, the offshore oil and gas industry, through the Offshore Operator's Committee and the API, proposed working with MMS on the development of a "Recommended Practice" (RP) document for dealing with sustained casing pressure. During the development of this document, MMS and industry would jointly contract and administer a risk assessment of SCP. This risk assessment would help determine when SCP represents a significant risk and help ensure that regulatory requirements are applied when necessary. This is a goal that will help both industry and the MMS while ensuring protection of life, property, and the environment.
These industry comments made a persuasive argument that an independent risk assessment, coupled with the development of the industry RP, would achieve the goals of safe and environmentally sound operations, while not being unduly burdensome on industry or government regulators. Consequently, MMS has decided to delay the development of a final rule and wait until the RP is developed and adopted by industry. MMS may then incorporate all, or portions of the RP, into the regulations.
A revised notice of proposed rulemaking will be published when the RP is available for public review. MMS will re-open the comment period at that time prior to development of a final rule that incorporates the RP into MMS regulations.
The RP is scheduled to be published in late 2004. Until the RP is incorporated into regulations, MMS will maintain its current SCP program.
Start List of Subjects
Continental shelf
Mineral royalties
Oil and gas development and production
Oil and gas exploration
Oil and gas reserves
Public lands-mineral resources
Public lands-rights-of-way
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
Sulphur development and production
Sulphur exploration
End List of Subjects Start Authority
Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.
End Authority Start Signature
Dated: July 2, 2003.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 03-17422 Filed 7-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P