The U.S. Bureau of Security and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has issued a letter to lessees, operators, and contractors engaged in approved actions on the outer continental shelf (OCS) reminding the trade of “its current decommissioning obligations and BSEE’s dedication to making sure that trade well timed decommissions OCS power infrastructure”.
“The well timed decommissioning of offshore typical and renewable power infrastructure(s) by the OCS power trade is crucial for security and environmental safety on the OCS,” the BSEE acknowledged within the letter.
“BSEE laws set up when decommissioning obligations accrue and when OCS power infrastructure have to be decommissioned. Infrastructure that have to be decommissioned consists of wells, platforms, pipelines, and different services operated underneath the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) and its implementing laws,” it added.
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“Infrastructure not decommissioned by trade inside the time specified within the laws poses a possible menace to the atmosphere and doubtlessly will increase monetary liabilities if infrastructure is later destroyed or broken (by, for instance, a hurricane),” it continued.
“The fee, time, and dangers concerned in eradicating storm-damaged infrastructure are considerably greater than when belongings haven’t been broken as of the time of decommissioning. Accordingly, well timed decommissioning leads to elevated security and environmental safety and decreased monetary burden for trade and the American taxpayer,” it went on to state.
Within the letter, the BSEE mentioned it has enforced, and can proceed to implement, decommissioning necessities as quickly as decommissioning obligations change into due.
“BSEE may even proceed to assessment its laws and insurance policies to make sure that it’s utilizing all instruments out there underneath its statutory and regulatory authority to make sure well timed decommissioning,” it added.
“BSEE encourages all firms with decommissioning obligations to decommission OCS power infrastructure inside the regulatory timeframes. BSEE additionally encourages trade to start out planning now for future decommissioning obligations to make sure well timed entry to decommissioning tools, correctly educated personnel, and operational readiness throughout favorable climate circumstances,” the BSEE continued within the letter.
Rigzone has requested the American Petroleum Institute (API) for touch upon the BSEE letter. On the time of writing, the API has not but responded to Rigzone’s request.
Roughly 1,885 lively manufacturing platforms exist on the OCS with greater than 60 % of those services greater than 25 years previous, a decommissioning web page on the BSEE web site states, including that, over the previous decade, the offshore power trade has averaged 127 platform removals per 12 months.
“Platforms typically encompass two components for decommissioning functions: the topside (the construction seen above the waterline) and the substructure (the components between the floor and the seabed, or mudline),” the BSEE website states.
“Typically the topsides that include the operational parts are taken to shore for recycling or re-use. The substructure is mostly severed 15 toes beneath the mudline, then eliminated and delivered to shore to promote as scrap for recycling or refurbished for set up at one other location,” it provides.
In a launch posted on its website again in April, the U.S. Division of the Inside (DOI) famous that “the prices to decommission oil and fuel services on the OCS are substantial”, including that, “if firms fail to satisfy their decommissioning obligations, these prices fall to American taxpayers”.
The BSEE works to advertise security, shield the atmosphere, and preserve sources offshore by way of vigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement, in line with the group’s web site, which highlights that the physique is a part of the DOI.
The DOI protects and manages the nation’s pure sources and cultural heritage; gives scientific and different details about these sources; and honors its belief duties or particular commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities, the DOI’s website states.
To contact the creator, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
