The Minerals Management Service (MMS) proposes to require operators to develop and implement a Safety and Environmental Management System to address oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. The Safety and Environmental Management System would consist of four elements that, until now, have not been covered in our regulations:
- Hazards Analysis,
- Management of Change,
- Operating Procedures, and
- Mechanical Integrity
The MMS analyzed accident panel investigation reports, incident reports, and incidents of noncompliance and determined that the root cause of most safety and environmental accidents and incidents is one or more of these four elements. The MMS believes that requiring operators to implement a Safety and Environmental Management System will reduce the risk and number of accidents, injuries, and spills during Outer Continental Shelf activities.
The proposed rule would apply to pipelines regulated by the MMS, as well as to other types of production facilities.
Comments on the proposed rule are due by September 15, 2009. Please use the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD15 as an identifier in your message.
For questions on technical issues contact David Nedorostek, Safety and Enforcement Branch at david.nedorostek@mms.gov or (703) 787-1029.
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