[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
