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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BSEE Extends Public Comment Period for Notice on Aviation Safety on Fixed Offshore Facilities

Washington— The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced today a 30-day extension to the public comment period for the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on improving the safety of helideck and aviation fuel operations on fixed offshore facilities. The comment period was scheduled to conclude on November 24, 2014 but comments will now be accepted through Dec​ember​ 24, 2014.

BSEE is seeking comments on whether it should consider incorporating in its regulations certain industry and international standards for the design, construction and maintenance of offshore helidecks, as well as standards for aviation fuel quality, storage and handling. BSEE is also soliciting information on past accidents or other incidents involving helidecks, helicopters or aviation fuel on or near fixed OCS facilities.

BSEE is responsible for the regulation of offshore facilities engaged in oil and gas operations. The ANPR begins BSEE’s process for deciding whether to propose any new regulations to address safety issues related to helidecks and aviation fuel storage and handling on fixed offshore facilities.

The public is invited to submit comments by December 24, 2014, by any of the following methods:

  • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled Enter Keyword or ID, enter BSEE-2014-0001, then click search.
  • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Attention: Regulations Development Branch; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817.

Comments should reference 'Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Helideck and Aviation Fuel Safety for Fixed Offshore Facilities, 1014–AA22' and include the full name of the commenter and a return address. Any comments that have already been submitted do not to be resubmitted, although supplemental comments may be submitted, if desired, by the December 24, 2014 due date.

The comment period extension notice can be viewed in the Federal Register’s Reading Room here.