Interior Department Docket BSEE-2015-0002 Final Rule

2016-08921: Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control

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Summary

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is finalizing new regulations to consolidate into one part the equipment and operational requirements that are found in various subparts of BSEE's regulations pertaining to offshore oil and gas drilling, completions, workovers, and decommissioning. This final rule focuses on blowout preventer (BOP) and well-control requirements, including incorporation of industry standards and revision of existing regulations, and adopts reforms in the areas of well design, well control, casing, cementing, real-time well monitoring, and subsea containment. The final rule also addresses and implements multiple recommendations resulting from various investigations of the Deepwater Horizon incident. This final rule will also incorporate guidance from several Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) and revise provisions related to drilling, workover, completion, and decommissioning operations to enhance safety and environmental protection.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

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