Copies of approved drilling permits can be viewed by accessing the public eWell query Application for Permit to Drill (APD, AST, ABP). Instructions for using the query tool are available to assist you. Track the status of Gulf of Mexico permits.

The OCS is all submerged lands lying seaward of state coastal waters which are under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act assigns the Secretary of the Interior the responsibility for the administration of mineral exploration and development of the OCS. The Act empowers the Secretary to grant leases to the highest qualified responsible bidder on the basis of sealed competitive bids and to formulate regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. The Act, as amended, provides guidelines for implementing an OCS oil and gas exploration and development program.

BSEE is involved in the approval of oil and gas plans, facilities, and operations. The process includes reviews where there is much emphasis on design, operations, and maintenance. While BSEE monitors compliance with the regulations throughout the permitting process and operations, nothing compares to having BSEE personnel in the field to ensure operators are complying with the regulations.

Throughout the drilling and production phases, the BSEE inspects the operations to ensure compliance with regulations, lease terms and statutes. This further ensures operational safety and pollution prevention. It also requires that drilling personnel be trained in well control. On average in recent years on the Federal OCS, the BSEE has conducted between 20,000 and 25,000 inspections annually.

BSEE operates a newly established National Offshore Training Program whose initial focus is keeping experienced inspectors current on new technologies and processes, and ensuring that new inspectors are given the proper foundation for carrying out their duties rigorously and effectively.

Immediate cessation/control of the release or discharge and immediate corrective action is required, which may entail anything from a single process or unit of operation to a total shut-in of a facility. Only after the problem which caused the release or discharge is corrected may operations resume. The lessee must control and remove the pollutant at their own expense, or if necessary it may be done for them at their expense. The lessee retains any responsibility for the release or discharge. Administrative, civil, or criminal action may be initiated by the EPA, BSEE, USCG, or other appropriate agency depending on the circumstances of the release or discharge. If the source of pollution is unknown, further action may be required, depending on the severity.

Archaeological resource means any material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years of age and that are of archaeological interest. Archaeological interest means capable of providing scientific or humanistic understanding of past human behavior, cultural adaptation, and related topics through the application of scientific or scholarly techniques, such as controlled observation, collection, analysis, interpretation, and explanation.

Federal law requires that agencies consider the effects of an undertaking on significant archaeological resources. Significant archaeological resources are those archaeological resources that meet the criteria of Suwanee.gif (12410 bytes)significance for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places as defined in 36 CFR 60.4.

Blocks determined to have a high probability for containing an historic shipwreck require survey at a 50-meter line spacing. Blocks with a high probability for prehistoric sites require survey at a 300-meter line spacing. Some blocks where our research tells us shipwrecks may exist are too deep for magnetometer survey. In these blocks, a standard 300-meter survey is required using a side-scan sonar.

That information is now available on the MMS archaeology web page, Archaeology Survey Blocks. Click on the lease area, then search for your block.

Generally, these reports are considered proprietary information owned by the previous lessee. Once a lease has expired or the block has been relinquished, the MMS archaeologists purge copies of the old reports from their files. We suggest that you contact the previous lessee and ask them for a copy of the report.

Yes; however, these previously prepared reports must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the block report is in compliance with GOMR’s NTL 2005-G07 and MMS’s 30 CFR 250, 256, 260, and 281. We suggest that these previously submitted archaeological surveys be resubmitted well in advance of any plans for exploration or development for the block. Surveys conducted before February 17, 1992, were probably surveyed at a 150-meter line spacing interval. If your block is in a prehistoric high probability area, chances are that the report may only need an updated review of the old data. If, however, the block falls in an area that now requires a 50-meter line spacing, you’ll probably have to conduct a new survey. In most cases, MMS does not accept in-filling of lines over a previously shot 150-meter grid.

Blocks that were leased prior to December 1973 and have OSC-G numbers lower than 2440 did not have either an archaeological lease stipulation or NTL requiring a specific survey line spacing interval. All blocks leased before December 1973 were said to be “grandfathered,” meaning they were never required to have an archaeological survey and analysis performed on them. On October 21, 1994, the MMS published the final archaeological rule 30 CFR 250, 256, 280, and 281in the Federal Register. This final rule provided a regulatory mechanism and authority to implement the GOMR’s NTL 91-02 (now NTL 2005-G07) and revoked the former practice of “grandfathering previously unsurveyed leases that fall within high-probability areas for archaeological resources.” GOMR requires that lessees for these formerly “grandfathered” leases submit an “as-built” plat of the subject lease block that will include all existing facilities and pipelines and the location of the proposed plan of exploration or development. The MMS will review these proposed plans, on a case-by-case basis, to determine if previous seafloor disturbance obviates the need for an archaeological survey.

Clean Water Act and Regulations Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). As amended in 1977 (P.L. 95-217), this law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA is the principle law governing pollution control and water quality of the Nation's waterways and is primarily overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CWA establishes conditions and permitting for discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry and set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. Regulations governing the NPDES program are contained in 40 CFR Part 122. Through a 1984 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of the Interior (DOI) and EPA and a 2012 MOU between the USCG and BSEE and all associated Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), the three agencies cooperate and coordinate regarding the oversight of pollution prevention for oil and gas activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Regulations Those submerged lands under U.S. jurisdiction seaward of state coastal waters are considered the Outer Continental Shelf and fall under Federal jurisdiction. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 (OSCLA), and subsequent amendments in later years, outlines the federal responsibility over the OCS. Regulations which BSEE uses to carry out the` water quality related responsibilities under the OCSLA are contained in various areas throughout federal regulations. The specific pollution prevention regulations are located in 30 CFR Part 250.300 (Subchapter C) – Pollution Prevention and Control. The USCG also has federal responsibilities under OCSLA. The MOUs and MOAs between BSEE and the USCG are in place to delineate and facilitate coordination of the activities of the USCG and BSEE in environmental protection.

Regulations cover all pollution that occurs as a result of the operations conducted by, or on behalf of, a lessee that damages or threatens to damage life, property, mineral deposits, or the marine, coastal , and/or human environments. Water pollutants include produced oil, sand, drilling fluids and cuttings, manufactured or processed hydrocarbons, chemicals, and waste water. Rain water, fresh water, or sea water mixed with any of these constituents is considered a pollutant. Some cooling water intake structures are also regulated under NPDES permits to minimize environmental damage. The most current NPDES Permit for the Offshore Oil and Gas Program are: EPA Region 4 NPDES General Permit EPA Region 6 NPDES General Permit EPA Region 6 NPDES General Permit – Coastal Waters of Texas EPA Region 6 NPDES General Permit Modification – Coastal Waters of Texas EPA Region 9 NPDES General Permit EPA Region 10 NPDES General Permit – Beaufort Sea EPA Region 10 NPDES General Permit – Chukchi Sea

Generally, non-planned releases or discharges on the OCS are reported to the National Response Center (NRC). Reporting should be done by the responsible party or may also be reported by anyone who notices evidence of a release or discharge, such as a sheen. In fact, all lessees and operators are required to report any evidence of a sheen or unauthorized release or discharge. Many unauthorized releases or discharges are simultaneously reported to EPA. Releases which are planned and are authorized under an NPDES permit are monitored for compliance with the regulations and the permit and reported to EPA regularly. BSEE inspections of offshore facilities sometimes reveal releases or discharges or potentials for release or discharge. In these cases, immediate correction and, when appropriate, enforcement action is initiated and follow-up inspection or reporting to BSEE and/or EPA may be required.

The Department of the Interior’s Rigs-to-Reefs policy encourages the reuse of obsolete oil and gas facilities as artificial reefs and describes the conditions under which DOI would waive OCSLA platform removal requirements. The decision to pursue donation of a decommissioned platform to a coastal State under the Rigs-to-Reefs process is optional and completely at the discretion of the lessee. The Department’s Rigs-to-Reefs policy is implemented by BSEE and BOEM, which administer different provisions of the OSCLA.

These platform removal waiver conditions include:

• The structure must become part of a State artificial reef program that complies with the criteria in the National Artificial Reef Plan
• The appropriate State agency acquires a Rivers and Harbors Act section 10 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and accepts title and liability for the reefed structure once removal and reefing operations are concluded
• The reefing proposal complies with BSEE Regional Engineering, Stability, and Environmental Reviewing Standards and Reef-Approval Guidelines, as well as consistent with the best management practices and cleanup standards in national guidance prepared by EPA and the Maritime Administration regarding the preparation of vessels intended for use as artificial reefs
• The operator satisfies U.S. Coast Guard navigational safety requirements
• The structure does not pose an unreasonable impediment to future mineral and energy development

Yes, implementation of the Rigs-to-Reefs policy provides benefits for the marine environment when a platform used as an artificial reef has been prepared appropriately and has been placed in a designated artificial reef site. Platforms as artificial reefs can benefit the environment by enhancing fish habitat, for the sponsoring State and community by enhancing recreational opportunities, tourism, and commercial fishing, and for structure owners through cost savings and beneficial reuse of platforms that otherwise would become scrap metal and material.

The Department of the Interior’s BSEE reviews each Rigs-to-Reefs proposal to ensure that:

• Reef material (i.e., platform jackets or the substructures of fixed platforms) will be stable and not endanger nearby infrastructure or protected resources
• Rigs-to-Reefs sites are free from all potentially hazardous or nonstructural material, and that all submerged decks and their components and equipment have been or will be removed from the seafloor
• Rigs-to-Reefs sites do not hinder future operations allowable under the OCSLA
• Rigs-to-Reefs sites do not lead to avoidable conflicts with other users of the OCS. Additionally, for a platform to be approved as an artificial reef, it must be sited within an approved State reefing area or reef planning area

Decommissioning is the process of ending offshore oil and gas operations at an offshore platform and returning the ocean and seafloor to its pre-lease condition. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and implementing regulations establish decommissioning obligations to which an operator must commit when they sign an offshore lease under the OCSLA, including the requirement to apply for and obtain a permit for subsequent removal of platforms. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leases typically require the operator to remove seafloor obstructions, such as offshore platforms, within one year of lease termination, or prior to termination of the lease if either the operator or the Department of the Interior deems the structure unsafe, obsolete, or no longer useful for operations. The OCSLA regulatory and lease requirements for decommissioning offshore platforms are designed to minimize the environmental and safety risks inherent in leaving unused structures in the ocean, and to reduce the potential for conflicts with other users of the Federal OCS (i.e., commercial fishing/aquaculture, military activities, transportation industry, other oil and gas/renewable energy operations, etc.). Decommissioning an offshore platform generally entails: Plugging all wells supported by the platform and severing the well casings 15 feet below the mudline; Cleaning and removing all production and pipeline risers supported by the platform; Removing the platform from its foundation by severing all bottom-founded components at least 15 feet below the mudline; Disposing the platform in a scrap yard or fabrication yard, or placing the platform at an artificial reef site; and Performing site clearance verification at the platform location to ensure that no debris or potential obstructions to other users of the OCS remain. OCSLA regulations administered by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) require that operators obtain approval of the platform removal methodology prior to removal of the platform through an application process. To satisfy National Environmental Policy Act obligations, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) prepares a site-specific environmental assessment for each removal application on behalf of BSEE. BSEE ensures the assessment is adequate and imposes any necessary protective mitigation measures as conditions of permit approval.

Since 1986, the Department of the Interior has approved over 550 Rigs-to-Reefs proposals and has denied six. The reasons for denying a reefing proposal were mainly due to proximity to OCS infrastructure, especially active oil or gas pipelines. Additionally, BSEE has denied reefing proposals where the proposed reef site was located in a potential mudslide area and where the proposed site was located outside of a reef planning area.

In October 2010, BSEE published Notice to Lessee (NTL) 2010-G05, “Decommissioning Guidance for Wells and Platforms” (sometimes referred to as the “Idle Iron” policy) to clarify existing regulations that apply when a well or platform is “no longer useful for operations,” and needs to be plugged (in the case of a well) or removed (in the case of platforms and other structures). NTL 2010-G05 clarifies that BSEE orders wells that were not useful (had not produced for five years) at the time the NTL was published to be plugged by October 2013. Any well that became “idle” or not useful for lease operations subsequent to the NTL’s publication is expected to be plugged no later than 3 years after the well became “idle.” The NTL also clarifies that BSEE will enforce the decommissioning of platforms considered “idle” or no longer useful at the time the NTL was published by October 2015. Any platform that became “idle” or not useful for lease operations subsequent to the NTL’s publication is expected to be decommissioned no later than 5 years after the platform became “idle.” Platforms affected by the “Idle Iron” NTL are decommissioned in accordance with OCSLA regulations as described in Q1. The final disposition of the material may be a scrap yard, fabrication yard, or an artificial reef site. In the wake of several destructive hurricanes between 2004 and 2008 that severely damaged active and inactive oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico, BSEE published the “Idle Iron” policy so that inactive facilities and structures would not litter the Gulf of Mexico or threaten increased risks to the marine environment and navigation. Inactive wells and platforms are susceptible to the adverse effects of severe weather. Inactive platforms may topple during storms and cause significant environmental contamination (such as the release of hydrocarbons to the surrounding waters), damage operating infrastructure, and result in new navigation and safety hazards.

The Federal Government has funded decades of research to examine the impact and relationship between oil and gas platforms, the marine ecosystem, and fisheries. The following topics have been addressed:

• The habitat value of oil and gas platforms
• The impact to species upon removal
• Fishing impacts at platforms
• Fisheries and fouling assemblage assessments have been performed on several platforms
• Recruitment of larval, juvenile, and adult fishes to oil and gas platforms
• Energetics of fishes at platforms and deep water environments
• Evaluation and comparison of productivity at both natural and artificial reefs
• Platforms as artificial reefs and site fidelity, home range, and movement of fishes at artificial reefs
• In addition to these previous studies, BOEM is sponsoring a comprehensive study to evaluate the potential impacts from removing the platforms. Findings from this study are expected to be released in near future.

In general, under OCSLA and DOI’s implementing regulations, non-producing platforms must be removed because they can create serious safety, environmental, and navigational risks. Abandoned platforms may deteriorate, making them more susceptible to structural failure, or can be toppled by hurricanes, potentially damaging neighboring active infrastructure. Under certain circumstances, a platform may remain in place for the creation of an artificial reef; this is known as reefing-in-place, which differs from abandonment of the platform.

The Gulf of Mexico OCS currently has 11 designated reefing areas. In addition, BSEE is currently working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop two new artificial reef planning areas off the coast of Corpus Christi. The State of Texas has designated a large reefing area in the High Island OCS area where the reefing option is available for obsolete oil and gas structures subject to the terms and conditions of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers general permit. There are also 17 additional existing designated Rigs-to-Reefs sites outside of the High Island General Permit reefing area located along the Texas coast. The State of Louisiana has developed nine artificial reef planning areas on the Federal OCS for Rigs-to-Reefs proposals along its coast. There are also 17 special artificial reef sites established under the State’s artificial reef plan that are outside of the planning areas and that have space available for more oil and gas structures to be reefed. The State of Louisiana’s Artificial Reef Plan has designated offshore waters deeper than 400ft as a deep water planning area. To date, eight structures have been reefed in deep water. The Department of the Interior has designated the Federal OCS waters off the State of Mississippi as a reef planning area. To date eight Mississippi reef sites have been developed.

OCSLA regulations require the operator to sever bottom-founded objects and their related components at least 15 feet below the mudline before removal. Platform operators typically use one of two primary options to sever structures attached to the sea bottom- “mechanical severance” or “explosive severance” methods. BSEE regulations do not mandate which method or tool is to be used, as not all cutting options work in every single situation. The operators use their knowledge of the facility, its components, and other parameters in coordination with their contractors to determine which method should be used. Neither method creates debris on the seafloor. “Mechanical severance” options include abrasive-water jets, sand-cutters, diamond-wire saws, carbide-cutters, shears, and guillotine saws. Mechanical methods are used in approximately 35% of all removal operations. Mechanical severance proceeds more slowly than “explosive severance" options, and may involve use of additional personnel (including divers) and/or additional equipment. Historically, the slower speed and use of additional personnel, including divers, has resulted in more injuries and higher costs when compared to explosive severance. “Explosive-severance” options rely on the use of specially-designed bulk or shaped-charges attached to the platform. Charges are made up of explosive material with specific properties (i.e. velocity, density, brisance, specific energy, and weight strength) to produce enough stress upon detonation to completely sever the platform’s bottom-founded components. These bottom-founded components are typically steel, pipe-like targets of varying diameters and wall thickness, depending on the platform’s configuration and location on the OCS. An explosive charge is generally deployed from above the water surface inside the pipe-like target and set at a depth 15-25 feet below the seabed. Implementing OCSLA regulations allow the use of charges with explosive weights up to 500 lbs. Successful severance is typically effective, however, with charges from 50 – 200 lbs. in explosive weight. As noted, explosive severance options requires fewer people and has historically resulted in fewer human injuries and lower costs compared to mechanical severance.

As of April 2019, there are approximately 1,862 platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

The underwater detonation of explosives does result in a shock-wave and acoustic energy that can kill or harm marine species (i.e., fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals). In addition, underwater detonation may disrupt or damage marine life established on, at, or near the platform structure. Operators, therefore, are required to mitigate risks to protected species and all decommissioning operations must comply with a variety of Federal laws and regulations designed to protect endangered and threatened species as well as marine mammals. Mitigation activities typically include the use of passive acoustic monitoring and extensive surface and aerial monitoring before and after detonations to ensure that marine mammals and sea turtles are and remain clear of impact zones. Over the past 28 years, there have been no recorded adverse impacts to marine mammals and six recorded sea turtle mortalities. Fish kills from explosive-severance activities do occur in various levels depending on the location and how long the platform has attracted marine life. Localized fish kills for species such as red snapper have been observed as a result of explosive removals. Available information indicates that the overall impact of explosive removals is limited and should not undermine current stock status or recovery strategies of managed species. (See Estimation of Fisheries Impacts Due to Underwater Explosives Used to Sever and Salvage Oil and Gas Platforms in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

As of January 1, 2017, 515 platforms have been converted to permanent artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. This includes:

• Louisiana - 350
• Texas - 145
• Mississippi - 12
• Alabama - 5
• Florida - 3

Rigs-to-Reefs is a process, managed by Federal and State agencies, by which operators choose to donate – rather than scrap – decommissioned oil and gas platforms to coastal States to serve as artificial reefs under the National Artificial Reef Plan. Decommissioned structures are typically toppled in place, partially removed near the surface, or towed to existing reef sites or reef planning areas. The decommissioned platforms, like artificial reefs and natural hard surfaces underwater, attract various encrusting organisms such as barnacles and bivalves which colonize on them and, in turn, attract fish and other marine life as found on natural reefs.

As of September 2012, at least 359 of the 2,996 platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are expected to be decommissioned before the end of 2013.

This approximation is based on the number of existing platforms on expired leases.

• Proposed Disposition for Platforms Expected to Be Decommissioned OCS Platforms off the Coast of Louisiana OCS Platforms off the Coast of Texas Number of Platforms Expected to be Removed in the GOM in the Next Year Onshore Disposal 126 28 154
• Moved to Designated Reef Area 18 15 33
• Reef-in-Place 5 1 6
• No Platform Removal Application Received by BSEE to Date 124 42 166
• TOTAL 273 86 359

The National Artificial Reef Plan provides guidance on various aspects of artificial reef use, including types of construction materials, and planning, siting, designing, and managing of artificial reefs for the benefit of aquatic life. The Department of Commerce, under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), developed the National Artificial Reef Plan in order to guide understanding of the many facets of artificial reef development and use, including the roles of Federal, State, and local governments. Required under the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984, NOAA most recently updated the Plan in 2007 (in coordination with Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commissions, as well as interested State and Federal agencies). The Plan is intended to respond to the information needs of a wide variety of users, including reef regulators, fishery and environmental managers, prospective donors of reef material, government officials, and the general public by facilitating effective artificial reef programs and performance monitoring. The Plan emphasizes the use of the most recent and best information available, establishes standard terminology to improve communication between parties interested in reefs, and assists in developing more uniform permitting procedures and clear guidance on materials acceptable for construction of marine artificial reefs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for permitting the placement of decommissioned platforms as artificial reefs under section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The Plan also encourages the States to develop plans for artificial reefs in State waters and to participate in the planning for reefs in nearby Federal waters.

The term "essential fish habitat" or EFH is defined under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and refers to waters and substrate necessary for fish to spawn, breed, feed or grow to maturity. Essential fish habitats are those necessary to maintain fish production consistent with a sustainable fishery and the managed species’ contribution to a healthy ecosystem. The MSA provides for conservation and management of Federal fisheries and requires Federal fishery management plans to describe and identify essential fish habitat for managed fish species, to minimize to the extent practicable adverse effects on such habitat caused by fishing, and to identify other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of such habitat.

As of September 2012, the States of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and California have passed specific legislation to establish programs for building artificial reefs from oil and gas platforms. To date, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources have administered State artificial reef plans, including ongoing offshore Rigs-to-Reefs programs. The artificial reef coordinators from these States assess the interest of their respective States in acquiring oil or gas structures offered for artificial reef development, work with the structure operator (or agent) in securing any permit required under statutes administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (including Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act), negotiate an agreement for a structure donation, and accept title and responsibility on behalf of the State for the structure as a permanent State-approved artificial reef. The California Department of Fish and Game has an active artificial reef program and recently enacted Rigs-to-Reefs legislation. As of September 2012, however, no platforms have been reefed off of California. Please see the next section, “Reefing in the Gulf of Mexico,” for state-by-state facts and figures.

Regional Fishery Management Councils (Councils) are responsible for proposing essential fish habitat designations to NOAA for approval. NOAA reviews and determines if proposed essential fish habitat designations meet regulatory criteria for approval. Councils are composed of Federal and State marine resource agency representatives, as well as private citizens who are knowledgeable about fishery conservation and management and who are nominated by State governors and approved by the Secretary of Commerce. NOAA supports regional fishery management, including efforts to describe and identify essential habitat for every life stage of each federally managed species using the best available scientific information. The Councils and NOAA have designated a variety of aquatic habitats – including wetlands, coral reefs, hard bottom communities, seagrasses, and the pelagic environment – as EFH.

States have taken a leadership role in the development of artificial reef programs. Both the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (TX, LA, MS, AL, and FL) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, and FL) have artificial reef subcommittees. These Commissions and their subcommittees play a coordinating role for State efforts to develop and implement artificial reef programs. Representatives from the Department of the Interior and NOAA serve on each of these committees, providing a mechanism for the Federal Government to engage with States on artificial reef issues, including Federal Rigs-to-Reefs policy issues. In effect, the States have been responsible for implementing the National Artificial Reef Plan, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and collecting information necessary for updating guidance in the Plan, and for strengthening provisions of the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984.

The recreational fishing and diving communities asked the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to consider designating oil and gas platforms as EFH. These communities value the structures for the recreational fishing and diving opportunities the structures provide that would be lost if the structures are removed from the water. In response to this request, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council discussed the matter at their August 2012 meeting. Based on this discussion, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council decided to appoint an ad hoc Advisory Panel comprised of members of the oil and gas industry, members of state artificial reef programs, and recreational and commercial fishing interests to review the issue in the near future.

A reefing area, or reef planning area, is a designated area within which artificial reefs can be located once the appropriate permits have been obtained and the platforms have been appropriately prepared.

By definition, EFH must be necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. Essential fish habitats are those necessary to maintain a sustainable fishery and the managed species’ contribution to a healthy ecosystem. In order for NOAA to approve a Council’s proposal to designate oil and gas structures as EFH, a Council would need to demonstrate a linkage between the habitat functions and one or more major life history stages of one or more species managed under the MSA. Currently, there are no oil and gas structures in any U.S. waters designated as EFH.

Proper development and implementation of an artificial reef program requires an understanding of the applicable legal, ecological, social, and economic aspects of developing and maintaining artificial reefs. Thus, each State program’s methods to establish reef planning areas tend to differ. In general, most reef planning areas are established through some form of exclusion mapping and inclusion mapping followed by public hearings. Exclusion mapping identifies areas where parties should not attempt to establish artificial reefs for any of a variety of reasons including navigation fairways, mudslide-prone areas, present oil and gas exploration or infrastructure (pipeline corridors), traditional trawl grounds, archaeological sites, restricted military zones, and existing live bottom or marine protected areas. By contrast, inclusion mapping would take into account the use patterns of recreational fishermen and divers along with locations of harbors, public boat launches and available reefing material, such as oil and gas platforms, in order to identify areas best suited for artificial reef development. After suitable planning areas are identified, public hearings are typically held to gather additional information from concerned user-groups to further delineate appropriate artificial reef site planning areas. The final step is to add the reef planning areas to the State artificial reef plan.

If a Council designates and NOAA approves the designation of an oil and gas structure (or other artificial structures) as EFH, NOAA and the Council are required to consider actions to minimize the adverse impacts of fishing activities on such EFH. Additionally, a Federal agency would be required to consult with NOAA if that Federal agency proposes to authorize, fund, or undertake an activity that may adversely affect the designated EFH. If a Federal agency proposes to remove an oil and gas structure which had been designated as EFH, NOAA would be required to provide recommendations to the Federal action agency (in this case, DOI) to conserve the EFH, minimize the adverse impacts of the proposed removal, and/or compensate for any adverse impacts of the removal. NOAA’s EFH conservation recommendations are advisory in nature and do not displace the jurisdiction, responsibilities, and regulatory oversight roles of BOEM, BSEE or the USACE which apply to these structures.

There are three methods for converting a non-producing platform into an artificial reef: (1) partially remove the platform; (2) topple the platform in place; and (3) tow-and-place the platform into a reefing area. Note that partial removal and toppling in place are methods of “reefing in place.” Partial removal typically relies on non-explosive means to cut the platform at levels of no less than 85 feet below the mean waterline. Compared to toppling in place, partial removals result in higher reef profiles and less trauma and loss of platform uses by associated reef organisms. Toppling in place, as the name implies, uses non-explosive or explosive severance to cut piles and lay the jacket on its side [see Q4 above]. The tow-and-place platform method entails removing the platform from the seafloor and towing it to a designated reefing area.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has broad authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to protect natural resources of the OCS. With the reorganization of the Department of the Interior’s Mineral Management Service, the role of DOI in Rigs-to-Reefs was split, as follows: Within DOI, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is responsible for regulatory, safety, environmental and conservation compliance for the development of the nation’s offshore oil and gas and renewable energy resources. BSEE ensures the regulatory requirements for decommissioning of oil and gas platforms are met. These regulations allow the appropriate conversion of decommissioned platforms to artificial reefs when such platforms are permitted for that purpose by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), also within DOI manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources. BOEM’s role in Rigs-to-Reefs is to conduct the environmental review required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act for the removal of obsolete structures in support of the removal permit issued by BSEE. BOEM analyzes the environmental and cultural effects of BSEE’s action in issuing the permit through the mechanism of a Site-Specific Environmental Assessment and may impose actions to mitigate those effects, both at the removal site and the reefing location if that is proposed outside the approved reefing areas. In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, which provides funding to the States to undertake sport fish restoration and boating access projects. Money for this program is collected from excise taxes on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels. The program provides reimbursement to State fish and wildlife agencies for 75% of the cost of eligible projects, subject to the overall annual funding apportionment to each state, which is determined by a formula in the Act. Costs to State fish and wildlife agencies for artificial reef projects designed to provide or improve recreational fish habitat are eligible for reimbursement under the program. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits certain structures or work in or affecting navigable waters of the United States pursuant to section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 to prevent obstruction to navigation by artificial islands, installations, and other devices. Also under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, USACE regulates certain activities, such as the placement of dredged or fill material (which includes the placement of an artificial reef), in the waters of the United States. USACE permitting applies to placement of decommissioned platforms under State Rigs-to-Reefs programs on the OCS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews proposed reefing projects to ensure that only acceptable material is used as artificial reef material and that the placement of these materials on the ocean floor will not violate Federal laws or regulations that protect the marine environment. EPA is consulted for applications for USACE permits for placement of artificial reefs, and confirms authorization of sites to receive certain materials for the purpose of enhancing the aquatic environment. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) implements the National Artificial Reef Plan, working with State and Federal agencies to promote responsible and effective artificial reef use based on the best scientific information available. NOAA serves in a consultative role for activities such as providing comments on the creation, siting, and permitting of artificial reefs as well as standards for the transfer, cleaning, and preparation of certain reef materials. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NOAA approval of the Regional Fishery Management Council essential fish habitat designation is required, and NOAA provides advisory conservation recommendations to federal agencies on actions that may adversely affect essential fish habitat, including individual lease sales, the removal of oil and gas platforms, and the creation of artificial reefs. Under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA consults under section 7 on Federal actions that may affect listed species. A programmatic consultation for Outer Continental Shelf Federal waters was completed in August 2006. The Marine Mammal Protection Act directs NOAA to allow, upon request, the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals within a specified geographical region if certain findings related to negligible impacts and subsistence use are made. NOAA promulgated regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to explosive removal of offshore structures on June 19, 2008. These five year regulations remain in effect through July 19, 2013. The most recent MMPA Letter of Authorization under these regulations is effective from March 16 2012 through March 15, 2013. The U.S. Coast Guard's responsibility in the proper removal of decommissioned platforms addresses the safety, security, and efficiency of marine navigation. Coast Guard regulations provide that any solid structure must have a minimum clearance of 85 feet and be marked with navigational buoys.

The decks of most platforms that are destined for artificial reefs are severed below the water line and the remaining support structure is comprised of structural steel. Therefore, no preparation or cleaning of the remaining superstructure is needed to ensure environmental protection. On rare occasions where decks also are proposed for reefing, the operator must demonstrate that the deck is clean and clear of all contamination and that the material is consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Maritime Administration’s National Guidance: Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs.

Yes, the individual designated as being in charge of a facility may authorize someone else to sign a JSA on their behalf. The individual designated as being in charge would be accountable for the signature applied on their behalf, and would remain responsible for approving the JSA to ensure that it complies with the regulations. If you intend to utilize this process, BSEE requires that it be fully documented in your SEMS, that the individual designated to be in charge and their authorized signatory are fully aware of the JSA requirements in your SEMS, and a record of this instance is maintained in accordance with the record keeping requirements. Regardless of who the individual designated to be in charge of the facility authorizes to sign the JSA on their behalf, the JSA must still be signed by all personnel involved in the activity and the immediate supervisor. (Answer last updated August 26, 2015)

Audit Report (30 CFR 250.1920(c))

Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.1920(c), “[y]ou must submit an audit report of the audit findings, observations, deficiencies identified, and conclusions to BSEE within 60 days of the audit completion date.”

BSEE interprets the elements that must be included in an audit report submitted to BSEE as follows:

Audit Findings are all of the information recorded by the auditor pursuant to COS-2-03 Sections 9.6 (Audit Reporting) and 9.7 (Audit Results). This information includes Audit Results, as defined in COS-2-03 Section 3.3 (Nonconformities, Concerns, and Opportunities for Improvement) and Good Practices (see COS-02-03 Section 9.7.1). BSEE considers Good Practices to include areas of conformance as well as program strengths (e.g., an aspect of a management system that an auditor believes is being implemented exceptionally well).
Observations are the factual support underlying every Audit Finding. Observations may include a listing of, or excerpts from, documents reviewed, descriptions of activities witnessed, and/or documentation of personnel interviews.
Deficiencies are shortcomings or points of weakness or vulnerability that threaten the success of the management system. BSEE considers deficiencies to encompass both Nonconformities and Concerns as defined in COS-2-03 Section 3.3. BSEE considers Concerns to be deficiencies because the auditor has concluded that additional or modified controls must be put in place to maintain the effectiveness of the management system or one of its elements and to avoid the manifestation of new nonconformities.
Conclusions are assessments by the auditors of the state of the design and implementation of the management system and its individual elements. They should take into account how well the management system design conforms to the 30 CFR Part 250 Subpart S SEMS regulatory requirements, as well as the effectiveness, competency, and consistency of its implementation.
BSEE’s interpretation of the reporting requirements above is based on guidance that is incorporated by reference into the BSEE regulations (specifically the COS-2-03 Requirements for Third-party SEMS Auditing and Certification of Deepwater Operations, incorporated at 30 CFR 250.198(n)(2) and 250.1920(a)), common usage of the relevant terms, and a recognition of how they are used within standard auditing practices such as ISO 17021, Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems.

Corrective Action Plan (CAP) (30 CFR 250.1920(d))

Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.1920(d), “[y]ou must provide BSEE with a copy of your CAP for addressing the deficiencies identified in your audit within 60 days of the audit completion date. Your CAP must include the name and job title of the personnel responsible for correcting the identified deficiency(ies). The BSEE will notify you as soon as practicable after receipt of your CAP if your proposed schedule is not acceptable or if the CAP does not effectively address the audit findings.” BSEE defines a CAP in 30 CFR 250.1903 as “a scheduled plan to correct deficiencies identified during an audit and that is developed by an operator following the issuance of an audit report.”

As stated above, BSEE interprets deficiencies to include all Nonconformities and Concerns as defined in Section 3.3 of COS-2-03. Accordingly, your CAP must address corrective actions for both Nonconformities and Concerns. Furthermore, Section 250.1920(d) requires the “name and job title of the personnel responsible for correcting the identified deficiency(ies)” to be part of the CAP. Finally, in order for BSEE to assess “if your proposed schedule is not acceptable or if the CAP does not effectively address the audit findings,” BSEE requires that the CAP describe the actions that will be taken to address the deficiency(ies) and include a schedule for carrying out those actions.