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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION
| NTL No.
99-G12 |
Effective Date: June 7,
1999 |
NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS
OF FEDERAL OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR
LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION
Increased Level II Underwater
Structural Inspection Intervals
Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.912(a), underwater structural inspections
(Level II surveys) of all platforms in the Gulf of Mexico OCS are required every
five years unless the Regional Supervisor, Field Operations, Gulf of Mexico OCS
Region (GOMR) approves the use of an inspection interval that exceeds five
years. The purpose of this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is to describe
the GOMR policy for approving such increased inspection intervals.
The GOMR will approve a Level II survey interval for unmanned platforms up to
the 10-year limit recommended in API RP 2A, "Recommended Practice for Planning,
Designing, and Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms - Working Stress Design,"
Nineteenth Edition, August 1, 1991, Section 14, Surveys, in those instances
where the following can be demonstrated:
- You are in compliance with all structural
inspection requirements for all of your platforms in the Gulf of Mexico OCS.
- You have performed at least one Level II
survey on the platform.
- The platform is in good structural
condition according to the results of both the Level I and Level II surveys on
record with the GOMR.
- The platform is a low-consequence facility
as defined by API RP 2A, Twentieth Edition, Supplement 1, December 1996,
Section 1.7.2c.
In applying for an increased Level II survey interval, you must submit a
request letter to the Regional Supervisor, Field Operations, during the year the
inspection is required. The letter must include a complete description of the
platform including lease number, area, block, and name and MMS complex
identification number, as well as your justification for the low- consequence
status of the platform. You must attach to the letter a summary of the findings
of the most recent Level I and Level II surveys (including cathodic potential
readings). You must submit the increased inspection interval request in
sufficient time for the GOMR to process the request before the reporting year
ends.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement
The collection of information referred to in this NTL provides clarification,
description, or interpretation of requirements contained in 30 CFR 250, subpart
I. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection
requirements in these regulations and assigned OMB control number 1010-0058.
This NTL does not impose additional information collection requirements subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Contact
If you have any questions on the NTL, please contact the GOMR, Field
Operations at (504) 736-2845.
Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director
