Justin Williams, Author at NOIA

NOIA offers its congratulations to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on his appointment of Liz Birnbaum to serve as the Director of the Department’s Minerals Management Service.

“I have known Liz Birnbaum for many years and worked with her in a number of capacities,” said NOIA President Tom Fry, himself a former Director of MMS.

“I believe that Liz’s experience on a wide range of different natural resources issues will be valuable to the tremendously important work of the Minerals Management Service.”

NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. The NOIA membership comprises more than 300 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance.

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NOIA Applauds Issuance of Exploratory Offshore Wind Leases

June 23, 2009 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Contact: Nicolette Nye or Michael Kearns

(202) 347-6900

NOIA Applauds Issuance of Exploratory Offshore Wind Leases

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) applauds the Department of the Interior for today issuing five exploratory leases for offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore New Jersey and Delaware.

“The leases announced today are a step in the right direction toward a modern national energy program, that will include both traditional and renewable offshore energy sources in areas of the OCS where they make sense,” said NOIA president Tom Fry.

“The vast energy resources on the OCS, including offshore wind, are vital to the nation’s economic prosperity. These projects will result in a better understanding of offshore wind resources off the Atlantic Coast, and once producing, will provide clean, renewable offshore energy and well-paying jobs for Americans,” Fry said.

NOIA and its member companies continue to support an “all-of-the-above” national energy program. NOIA is proud to have member companies that will be producing renewable energy on the OCS in the near future.

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MMS Proposes New SEMS Program

June 19, 2009 by Justin Williams

MMS Publishes Proposed Rule for Safety and Environmental Managment Systems for OCS Oil and Gas Operations

Public review and comment accepted through September 15, 2009

FR Notice: Proposed Rule for Safety and Environmental Management Systems for OCS Oil and Gas Operations

The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service recently published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to require offshore oil and gas operators to develop and implement a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) focusing on human behavior in addition to equipment regulation.

The public can comment on the proposed rule through September 15, 2009.

The SEMS would consist of four elements—Hazards Analysis, Management of Change, Operating Procedures, and Mechanical Integrity—that have not previuosly been covered by MMS regulations.

The proposed rule invited public comment from interested parties by one of two methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov). Under the tab ‘‘More Search Options,’’ click ‘‘Advanced Docket Search,’’ then select ‘‘Minerals Management Service’’ from the agency drop-down menu, then click “submit”. In the Docket ID column, select MMS-2008-OMM-0003 to submit public comments and to view supporting and related materials available for this rulemaking.

2. Mail or hand-carry comments to:

U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service

Attention: Regulations and Standards Branch

(RSB); 381 Elden Street, MS–4024,

Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817.

Please reference "Safety and Environmental Management Systems for Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Operations, 1010-AD15" in your comments and include your name and return address.

MMS Publishes Proposed Rule for Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas on the Outer Continental Shelf

June 10, 2009 by Justin Williams

MMS Publishes Proposed Rule for Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas on the Outer Continental Shelf

Public review and comment accepted through September 24, 2009

FR Notice - Proposed Rule for Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas on the OCS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service announced that it recently published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that simplifies language, eliminates some redundancies, and reorganizes existing regulations for leasing of sulphur or oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf. The proposed rule includes some changes to the Financial Accountability (bonding) requirements, but does not propose any major substantive revisions to the existing regulations. The public has 120 days to comment on the proposed rule.

Four major program components are included in the proposed rule:

· 5 –Year oil and gas leasing program

· Preparing for lease sales

· Issuing, maintaining and ending a lease

· Bonding and other financial accountability requirements

The proposed rule also includes the final rules published on September 12, 2008 (73 FR 52917) for credits for exchange of leases pursuant to the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.