Federal Register #2026-15953

Proposed Regulatory Revisions for Arctic OCS Exploratory Drilling Equipment and Operations

This opportunity concerns a proposed regulatory revision for Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) exploratory drilling, led by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). - Government Buyer: - Department of the Interior - Sub-agencies: BSEE and BOEM - No specific OEMs or vendors are named, as this is a regulatory proposal, not a procurement. - Products/Systems Referenced: - Subsea Isolation Device (SSID): - Must achieve 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 staged to drill a relief well and abandon the original well within 45 days after loss of well control - Access requirements may be delayed 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 Arctic OCS definition to include areas north of 66°33' N latitude - Allows operators to use either an SSID or have access to a relief rig - Revises BOP real-time monitoring requirements - Modifies suspension of operations provisions due to seasonal constraints - Updates safety standards for cranes on artificial islands - Emphasizes reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining safety and environmental protection - No procurement of specific products or services is requested at this stage; the rule sets technical and operational standards for future Arctic OCS drilling activities.

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 real-time monitoring requirements, new provisions for crane operations on artificial islands, and updates to suspension of operations and production regulations. The proposal also revises parts of the Exploration Plan and Development and Production Plan regulations.

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