Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) of Federal Oil and Gas Leases in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Gulf of Mexico (GOM) OCS Region

Participation in Post-Mortem Hurricane Initiatives

NOTE: NTL 2006-N07 is available for download in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).

The purpose of this NTL is to encourage active participation by OCS operators in MMS and industry efforts to gather hurricane damage and failure data.  Operators are also requested to assist with other cooperative programs that are assessing potential storm forces, updating design criteria, and preparing for future hurricanes. 

Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita caused substantial damage to GOM production facilities, drilling rigs, and pipelines.  On October 24, 2005, MMS issued NTL 2005-G20, requiring the inspection of approximately 90 percent of GOM OCS facilities.  The resulting damage assessments and reports are being analyzed by MMS personnel, contract engineering firms, and the API Hurricane Evaluation Assessment Team (HEAT).  The four HEAT workgroups (metocean, data gathering, assessment/analyses, and results) are using these data to update facility design and assessment criteria.  The damage and performance information is critical to the successful completion of these HEAT projects. 

To date, only 12 operators have provided the requested data to HEAT.  Incomplete reporting could limit the effectiveness of the HEAT workgroups and affect important decisions regarding design criteria and operating procedures.  OCS Operator participation in the API-MMS-Coast Guard Hurricane Preparedness and Readiness Conference (November 1-2, 2006, New Orleans) was also disappointing.  More than ¾ of the OCS operators opted not to send representatives to this important event.

Preparation for hurricanes is not limited to internal company programs, but also includes active involvement in cooperative projects that are essential to successful GOM operations.  The MMS requests that all operators participate fully in these projects.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement

This NTL does not impose any information collection requirements be submitted to MMS subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this NTL, please contact Mr. Jason Mathews of the Accident Investigation Board by calling (847) 735-0326 or by e-mail at jason.mathews@mms.gov.

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                                                                        Chief, Offshore Regulatory Programs