Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) of Federal Oil, Gas,
and Sulphur Leases in the Outer Continental Shelf

International Workshop: Fire & Blast Considerations
in the Future Design of Offshore Facilities

NOTE: NTL 2002-N05 is available for download in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).

The Minerals Management Service is sponsoring the International Workshop: Fire & Blast Considerations in the Future Design of Offshore Facilities, to be held on June 12-14, 2002 in Houston, Texas. The offshore engineering community relies on recommended practices and standards to characterize and design facilities for hydrocarbon explosions and fires. A vast amount of research has been completed, leading in some instances to fire and blast design practices that are different from that found in current guidelines. The workshop will also discuss the current work to update API RP 2A for fire and blast, as well as the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association project to update the UK Health and Safety Executive’s fire and blast guidance document. White papers from the working groups at the 2½ day workshop will address the following issues:

	Philosophy and Management Processes
	Safe Design Practice
	Blast – Loads and Response
	Fire – Loads and Response
	Floating, Production and Storage Systems
	Exploration and Drilling Operations
	Regulation and Certification

MMS has contracted with MSL Consulting Engineering of Houston, Texas, to organize this workshop on our behalf. MMS is co-sponsoring the workshop because we recognize that fires and explosions play predominate roles in a majority of accidents and should be considered to improve overall safety of operations. MMS wants to work with industry to support a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences on how new fire and blast information and research might be implemented in future operations in a cost effective manner. We welcome and encourage your participation in this workshop.

Workshop Details

Where:                   Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas, USA (713-871-8181)
Date/Time:             June 12-14, 2002
Cost:                     $395
Who should attend: Industry leaders responsible for safety in the offshore environment; offshore facilities designers and managers; fire and blast engineers, safety engineers; regulatory and government leaders; offshore service providers; offshore equipment manufacturers; and certification body representatives.

Registration and Information Contacts: You may go to the Workshop web page at www.fireandblast2002.com for more information about the workshop and a complete agenda. To register or become a sponsor, please contact MSL Consulting Engineers at (713) 463-6180 or ktaylor@mslengineering.com. If you have any questions, you may contact MSL Consulting Engineers or Charles Smith, MMS Engineering and Operations Division, at (703) 787-1561.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) Statement: This NTL does not refer to or impose any information collection subject to the PRA.