Federal Register #RIN 1082AA05

Proposed Regulatory Revisions for Arctic OCS Exploratory Drilling Equipment and Operations

This opportunity involves proposed regulatory changes for exploratory drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), led by the Department of the Interior through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). - Government Buyer: - Department of the Interior - Sub-agencies: BSEE and BOEM - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named in the proposed rule. - Products/Equipment Referenced: - Subsea Isolation Device (SSID): - Must provide full well shut-in independently of the blowout preventer (BOP) - Features include dual shear rams, redundant control systems, subsea accumulators, side inlets for intervention, ROV intervention equipment, and installation below the BOP - Relief Rig: - Secondary drilling rig required for rapid response to well control incidents - Must be capable of drilling a relief well and completing abandonment operations within 45 days of a loss of well control - Access requirements may be adjusted based on geological hazard assessments - Cranes for Artificial Islands: - Must comply with ASME B30.5-2021 safety standards for design, construction, inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation - Notable Requirements: - Expands the Arctic OCS definition to include additional planning areas - Revises BOP real-time monitoring requirements - Updates suspension of operations provisions to address seasonal constraints - Focuses on reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining safety and environmental protection - No specific part numbers, quantities, or procurement of goods/services are requested, as this is a regulatory revision.

Description

The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is proposing revisions to regulations governing exploratory drilling and related operations on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The proposed rule aims to reduce unnecessary burdens on stakeholders while ensuring safe and environmentally responsible energy exploration. Key changes include modifications to blowout preventer (BOP) real-time monitoring requirements, new provisions for crane operations on artificial islands, and updates to suspension of operations and production regulations. The rule also revises parts of the Exploration Plan (EP) and Development and Production Plan (DPP) regulations implemented by BOEM.

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