Proposed Rule2026-03476
Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Revisions to the 2023 Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentSafety and Environmental Enforcement Bureau
Abstract
The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising certain regulatory provisions published in the 2023 final well control rule for drilling, workover, completion, and decommissioning operations. BSEE is proposing revisions to clarify certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements. This rule would reduce duplicative submissions and provide consistency and clarity of information available for BSEE review.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8397-8402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03476]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
30 CFR Part 250
[Docket ID: BSEE-2026-0100; EEEE500000-256E1700D2-ET1SF0000.EAQ000]
RIN 1014-AA63
Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental
Shelf--Revisions to the 2023 Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control
Rule
AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising
certain regulatory provisions published in the 2023 final well control
rule for drilling, workover, completion, and decommissioning
operations. BSEE is proposing revisions to clarify certain reporting
and recordkeeping requirements. This rule would reduce duplicative
submissions and provide consistency and clarity of information
available for BSEE review.
DATES: To ensure your comments are considered, BSEE must receive your
comments on this proposed rule by March 25, 2026. BSEE may not fully
consider comments received after this date. Though this proposed rule
does not affect the currently approved information collection, you may
submit comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on the
information collection burden under control number 1014-0028 by March
25, 2026. The deadline for comments on the information collection
burden does not affect the deadline for the public to comment to BSEE
on the proposed regulations.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rulemaking by any of
the following methods. Please use the regulation identifier number
(RIN) 1014-AA63 as an identifier in your message.
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. In
the entry entitled, Enter Keyword or ID, enter BSEE-2026-0100 then
click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and
view supporting and related materials available for this rulemaking.
BSEE may post all comments submitted.
<bullet> Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Attention:
Regulations and Standards Branch, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling,
Virginia 20166. Please reference ``Revisions to the 2023 Blowout
Preventer Systems and Well Control Rule, 1014-AA63'' in your comments
and include your name and return address.
Public Availability of Comments--Before including your address,
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly
available at any time. In order for BSEE to withhold from disclosure
your personal identifying information, you must identify any
information contained in your comment submittal that, if released,
would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your personal
privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful
consequence(s) of the disclosure of the information, such as
embarrassment, injury, or other harm. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we
[[Page 8398]]
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Malstrom, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (202) 258-1518, or by email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#89fbeceefac9ebfaececa7eee6ff"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="710314160231130214145f161e07">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in
the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
This proposed rule would revise certain regulatory provisions that
were published in the 2023 final rule entitled ``Oil and Gas and Sulfur
Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf--Blowout Preventer Systems
and Well Control Revisions,'' 88 FR 57334 (August 23, 2023) (2023 WCR).
On January 20, 2025, the President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14154
``Unleashing American Energy,'' which revoked E.O. 13990 ``Protecting
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the
Climate Crisis,'' and directed the removal of regulations that impose
an undue burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic
energy resources.
In response to E.O. 14154, the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary) issued Secretary's Order (S.O.) 3418 ``Unleashing American
Energy,'' which directed all Assistant Secretaries to ``review all
agency actions and submit an action plan'' that includes steps that
``as appropriate, will be taken to suspend, revise, or rescind
documents,'' including the 2023 WCR, to address the potential burden to
industry.\1\
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\1\ Secretary's Order 3418, sec. 4., Feb. 3, 2025.
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This proposed rule would revise select provisions of the 2023 WCR
that, consistent with and as authorized by the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (OCSLA), would achieve the objectives of E.O. 14154 and S.O.
3418. BSEE proposes narrowly focused revisions that would streamline
certain submission requirements and procedures for operators seeking
BSEE approval to use a blowout preventer (BOP). The proposed rule
would:
<bullet> Clarify the submittal requirements for failure data,
<bullet> Modify the timeframes for commencing a failure analysis,
and
<bullet> Clarify the recordkeeping requirements for independent
third-party qualifications.
BSEE will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2023 WCR
and all BSEE regulations for any necessary and appropriate rulemakings
in the future.
Table of Contents
I. Background
A. BSEE Statutory and Regulatory Authority and Responsibilities
B. Purpose and Summary of the Rulemaking
II. Section-by-Section Discussion of Proposed Changes
III. Procedural Matters
I. Background
A. BSEE Statutory and Regulatory Authority and Responsibilities
The Department's authority for this rule is derived from OCSLA,
codified at 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356a. OCSLA, enacted in 1953 and
substantially revised in 1978, authorizes the Secretary to lease the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for mineral development and to regulate
OCS oil and gas exploration, development, and production operations.
The Secretary has delegated authority to perform certain of these
functions to BSEE under S.O. 3299.\2\
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\2\ <a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/3299a2-establishment_of_the_bureau_of_ocean_energy_management_the_bureau_of_safety_and_environmental_enforcement_and_the_office_of_natural_resources_revenue.pdf">https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/3299a2-establishment_of_the_bureau_of_ocean_energy_management_the_bureau_of_safety_and_environmental_enforcement_and_the_office_of_natural_resources_revenue.pdf</a>.
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To carry out its responsibilities, BSEE regulates OCS oil and gas
operations to enhance the safety of exploration for and development of
oil and gas, to ensure those operations protect the environment, and to
implement advancements in technology. BSEE also conducts onsite
inspections to ensure compliance with regulations, lease terms, and
approved plans and permits. Detailed information concerning the BSEE-
administered regulations and guidance to the OCS oil and gas industry
may be found on BSEE's website at: <a href="https://www.bsee.gov/guidance-and-regulations">https://www.bsee.gov/guidance-and-regulations</a>.
BSEE's regulatory program covers a wide range of OCS facilities and
activities--including drilling, completion, workover, production,
pipeline, and decommissioning operations--that offshore operators \3\
perform throughout the OCS. See 30 CFR part 250. This rule is
applicable to these listed operational activities (e.g., drilling,
completion, and workovers) that involve certain BOP operations,
capabilities, or functionalities.
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\3\ The BSEE-administered regulations at 30 CFR part 250
generally apply to ``a lessee, the owner or holder of operating
rights, a designated operator or agent of the lessee(s)'' (30 CFR
250.105 (definition of ``you'')) and ``the person actually
performing the activity to which the requirement applies'' (30 CFR
250.146(c)). For convenience, this preamble will refer to these
regulated entities as ``operators,'' unless otherwise indicated.
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B. Purpose and Summary of the Rulemaking
After the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010, BSEE adopted several
recommendations from multiple investigation teams to improve the safety
of offshore operations. Subsequently, on April 29, 2016, BSEE published
the 2016 BOP and well control final rule, 81 FR 25888 (2016 WCR). The
2016 WCR consolidated the equipment and operational requirements for
well control into one part of the regulations; enhanced BOP and well
design requirements; modified well-control requirements; and
incorporated certain industry technical standards.
Although the 2016 WCR addressed a significant number of issues that
were identified during the analyses of the Deepwater Horizon incident,
BSEE recognized that BOP equipment and systems continue to improve and
that well control processes also evolve. Therefore, after the 2016 WCR
took effect, BSEE continued to engage with the offshore oil and gas
industry, standards development organizations, and other stakeholders.
During these engagements, BSEE identified issues, and stakeholders
expressed a variety of concerns regarding the implementation of the
2016 WCR. BSEE completed a review of the 2016 WCR and, on May 15, 2019,
published the 2019 BOP and well control revisions, 84 FR 21908 (2019
WCR).
The 2019 WCR left most of the 2016 WCR unchanged, but revised
certain BOP requirements for well design, well control, casing,
cementing, real-time monitoring, and subsea containment. Following 2019
WCR publication, BSEE continued to engage with stakeholders to gather
information to ensure that industry was effectively implementing the
governing regulatory requirements.
On January 20, 2021, the President issued E.O. 13990, ``Protecting
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the
Climate Crisis.'' The accompanying ``President's Fact Sheet: List of
Agency Actions for Review'' included the 2019 WCR on a list of rules
the President instructed DOI to review for potential revisions to
promote and protect public health and the environment. That review
confirmed that the 2019 WCR contained many provisions that help ensure
that federally regulated OCS oil and gas operations are conducted
safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.
On January 20, 2025, the President issued E.O. 14154, which
rescinded E.O.
[[Page 8399]]
13990 and directed the removal of regulations that impose an undue
burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy
resources. The accompanying S.O. 3418 included the 2023 WCR on a list
of rules that the President instructed DOI to review and revise,
consistent with and as authorized by the OCSLA, to alleviate potential
burdens on industry and to further E.O. 14154 objectives.
BSEE proposes narrowly focused revisions that would improve certain
submission requirements and procedures for operators seeking BSEE
approval to use a BOP. Specifically, the revisions would (1) clarify
the submittal requirements for failure data; (2) modify the timeframes
for commencing a failure analysis; and (3) clarify the recordkeeping
requirements for independent third-party qualifications.
II. Section-by-Section Discussion of Proposed Changes
The Department is proposing to revise the following regulations:
Subpart G--Well Operations and Equipment
What are the general requirements for BOP systems and system
components? (Sec. 250.730)
This section of the existing regulations includes requirements for
the design, installation, maintenance, inspection, repair, testing, and
use of BOP systems and system components. This section also requires
compliance with certain provisions of API standard 53 and several
related industry standards and requires operators to use failure
reporting procedures.
Proposed revisions to paragraph (c): BSEE proposes to revise
paragraph (c) by removing, throughout the paragraph, the requirement to
submit the failure reports to BSEE if BSEE has designated a third party
to collect the data and reports. BSEE also proposes to revise paragraph
(c)(2) to ensure that the operator starts a failure investigation and
analysis within 120 days of the failure instead of within 90 days.
Explanation of proposed revisions to paragraph (c): BSEE's proposed
revisions to paragraph (c) would reduce the regulatory burden on
operators by simplifying the failure reporting procedures. The proposed
revisions would no longer require operators to submit certain duplicate
written notices, failure analyses, reports, and data identified in
paragraphs (c)(1)-(4). BSEE expects that the simplified reporting
requirements will alleviate regulatory burdens on operators without any
negative impact on safety and environmental protection, while still
allowing BSEE access to the equipment failure results and trends.
Additionally, BSEE proposes to extend the amount of time an
operator has to start an investigation and a failure analysis by 30
days. This revision would still allow the operator to conduct the
failure analysis within an appropriate timeframe while balancing safe
operations and regulatory requirements. This revision does not affect
the BOP equipment operational requirements. However, this revision
would reduce the potential burden of bringing the BOP equipment to the
surface prematurely. Based on BSEE's experience with the applicable BOP
operations and routine interactions with the equipment operators since
implementation of the 2023 WCR, BSEE is proposing to revise these
provisions to be consistent with the 2019 WCR provisions.
What are the independent third-party requirements for BOP systems and
system components? (Sec. 250.732)
This section of the existing regulations describes the required
qualifications of an independent third party. It also identifies the
circumstances in which an operator must use an independent third party
to satisfy certification, verification, or reporting requirements.
Proposed revisions to paragraph (b): BSEE proposes to revise
paragraph (b) by requiring the operator to keep the independent third-
party qualifications for the life of the project and make them
available to BSEE upon request so that BSEE may review the independent
third-party accreditation and qualifications to ensure that it has
sufficient capabilities to perform the required functions. In
comparison, the current regulations require the operator to submit the
qualifications to BSEE and states that BSEE will evaluate them.
Explanation of proposed revisions to paragraph (b): The proposed
revision to paragraph (b) would remove the default requirement for
operators to submit the independent third-party qualifications to BSEE
and instead would require such submissions only in response to a
request from BSEE. BSEE expects that the proposed revision would
provide regulatory relief to the industry by significantly reducing the
number of required administrative tasks. These revisions would not
limit BSEE's oversight of the independent third parties, as BSEE would
still be able to verify the qualifications as necessary. BSEE also
anticipates that the regulatory change will not have negative impacts
on the safety of offshore operations or environmental protection.
III. Procedural Matters
Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866 and 13563)
E.O. 12866 provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA) in the OMB will review all significant rules. Under E.O.
12866, OIRA must determine whether a regulatory action is significant
and, therefore, subject to E.O. 12866 requirements and review by OMB.
Section 3(f) of E.O. 12866 defines a ``significant regulatory action''
as one that is likely to result in a rule that:
<bullet> Has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or
more, or adversely affects in a material way the economy, a sector of
the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities
(also referred to as ``economically significant'');
<bullet> Creates serious inconsistency or otherwise interferes with
an action taken or planned by another agency;
<bullet> Materially alters the budgetary impacts of entitlement
grants, user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of
recipients thereof; or
<bullet> Raises novel legal or policy issues for which centralized
review would meaningfully further the President's priorities, or the
principles set forth in E.O. 12866.
BSEE retained an outside contractor to prepare an economic analysis
to assess the anticipated economic impact of this proposed rule,
including the potential costs and benefits. The following discussion
summarizes the economic analysis; a complete copy of the economic
analysis can be viewed at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> (use the keyword/ID
``BSEE-2026-0100'').
Economic Analysis
This economic analysis evaluates the expected impacts of the
proposed rule compared with the baseline. Thus, the analysis evaluates
only activities, expenditures, and capital investments representing a
change from the baseline that would result if the provisions of the
proposed rule are finalized. BSEE expects the proposed rule would
provide cost relief to industry because it would simplify certain
submission requirements and procedures for operators seeking BSEE
approval to use a BOP. BSEE quantified and monetized the expected cost
savings using 2024 data.
This proposed rule would streamline certain submission requirements
and
[[Page 8400]]
procedures for operators seeking BSEE approval of operations that use a
BOP. Table 1 presents the total cost savings per year of the proposed
rule. As shown in the table, the estimated savings over the 10-year
period are $434,412 undiscounted, $381,679 discounted at 3-percent, and
$326,471 discounted at 7-percent.
Table 1--Total 10-Year Cost Savings Associated With Amendments to BOP and WC Regulations
[2025 dollars]
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Year Undiscounted Discounted at 3% Discounted at 7%
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2026.......................................... $43,441 $43,441 $43,441
2027.......................................... 43,441 42,176 40,599
2028.......................................... 43,441 40,948 37,943
2029.......................................... 43,441 39,755 35,461
2030.......................................... 43,441 38,597 33,141
2031.......................................... 43,441 37,473 30,973
2032.......................................... 43,441 36,381 28,947
2033.......................................... 43,441 35,322 27,053
2034.......................................... 43,441 34,293 25,283
2035.......................................... 43,441 33,294 23,629
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Total..................................... 434,412 381,679 326,471
Annualized................................ 43,441 38,168 32,647
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Note: Annualized costs are calculated by the annuity method.
BSEE welcomes comments on this analysis, including potential
sources of data or information on the costs and benefits of this
proposed rule.
E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866, while calling
for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, reduce uncertainty, and use the best, most innovative,
and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563
directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens
and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where
these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that agencies must base
regulations on the best available science and that the rulemaking
process must allow for public participation and an open exchange of
ideas. BSEE developed this proposed rule in a manner consistent with
these requirements.
OIRA determined this proposed rule is not a significant regulatory
action under E.O. 12866.
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Congressional Review Act
DOI certifies that this rule, if finalized, is unlikely to have a
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities
as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
(RFA).
The RFA requires agencies to analyze the economic impact of
regulations when there is likely to be a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities. Consideration must be given to
regulatory alternatives that could achieve the agency's goals while
minimizing burdens on small entities. Section 605 of the RFA allows an
agency to certify a rule, in lieu of preparing an analysis, if the
regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Further, the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121 (March 29, 1996),
as amended, requires agencies to produce compliance guidance for small
entities if the rule has a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and
Minerals Management, certifies that th11is rule, if finalized, will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities as defined under the RFA.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This proposed rule would not impose an unfunded mandate on State,
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100
million per year. The proposed rule would not have a significant or
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private
sector. A statement containing the information required by Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.
Takings Implication Assessment (E.O. 12630)
Under the criteria in E.O. 12630, this proposed rule would not have
significant takings implications. The rule is not a governmental action
capable of interference with constitutionally protected property
rights. A takings implication assessment is not required.
Federalism (E.O. 13132)
Under the criteria in E.O. 13132, this proposed rule would not have
federalism implications. This proposed rule would not substantially and
directly affect the relationship between the Federal and State
governments. To the extent that State and local governments have a role
in OCS activities, this proposed rule would not affect that role. A
federalism assessment is not required.
Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
This proposed rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988.
Specifically, this rule:
(1) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be
written to minimize litigation; and
(2) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)
BSEE strives to strengthen its government-to-government
relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes through a
commitment to consultation with the Tribes and recognition of Tribal
right to self-governance and sovereignty. BSEE is also respectful of
its responsibilities for consultation with Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations. BSEE is committed to compliance
with DOI's policy on consultation with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act corporations (512 Departmental Manual 4, dated
November 30, 2022, and 512
[[Page 8401]]
Departmental Manual 6, dated November 30, 2022, respectively), and
DOI's procedures for consultation with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act corporations (512 Departmental Manual 5, dated
November 30, 2022, and 512 Departmental Manual 7, dated November 30,
2022, respectively) to determine whether this proposed rule would have
substantial direct effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Based on BSEE's preliminary evaluation, BSEE determined that this
rule would not have substantial direct effects on federally recognized
Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and
federally recognized Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal government and federally
recognized Indian Tribes. Therefore, DOI's procedures for consultations
with Tribal Nations and ANCSA corporations do not require consultation.
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995
This proposed rule contains no changes to the existing information
collection requirements approved by OMB control number 1014-0028 for
regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart G. Consequently, BSEE is not
required to submit an information collection request to OMB for review
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
BSEE is analyzing the provisions of the proposed rule in compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) to determine whether it could have a significant impact
on the quality of the human environment. Environmental assessments were
prepared for the 2016 WCR, 2019 WCR, and 2023 WCR. Those prior NEPA
analyses informed the drafting process for this proposed rule, which
primarily proposes to restore provisions whose potential environmental
impacts BSEE analyzed in connection with those prior rules (some of
which were purely administrative in nature with no potential for
environmental impacts). Accordingly, BSEE anticipates that the
environmental assessments associated with the 2016 WCR, 2019 WCR, and
2023 WCR will substantially inform the NEPA process and compliance for
this rulemaking. We invite comments on this subject.
Data Quality Act
In developing this rule, BSEE did not conduct or use a study,
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act
(Pub. L. 106-554, app. C, sec. 515, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-153-154).
Effects on the Nation's Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)
This proposed rule is not a significant energy action under the
definition in E.O. 13211. The rule is not a significant regulatory
action under E.O. 12866, and it is not likely to have a significant
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. A
statement of energy effects is therefore not required.
Clarity of This Regulation
We are required by E.O. 12866, E.O. 12988, and by the Presidential
memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This
means that each rule we publish must:
(1) Be logically organized;
(2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
(4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that BSEE has not met these requirements, send comments
by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To help improve
this rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For
example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs
that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are too long, or the
sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful.
List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250
Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf,
Environmental impact statements, Environmental protection, Government
contracts, Investigations, Mineral resources, Oil and gas exploration,
Penalties, Pipelines, Outer Continental Shelf-mineral resources, Outer
Continental Shelf-rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur.
Lanny E. Erdos,
Director, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement
Exercising Authority of the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals
Management.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the
Interior amends 30 CFR part 250 as follows:
PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULFUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER
CONTINENTAL SHELF
0
1. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751, 31 U.S.C. 9701, 33 U.S.C.
1321(j)(1)(C), 43 U.S.C. 1334.
0
2. Amend Sec. 250.730 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 250.730 What are the general requirements for BOP systems and
system components?
* * * * *
(c) You must follow the failure reporting procedures contained in
API standard 53 (incorporated by reference in Sec. 250.198) and:
(1) You must provide a written notice of equipment failure to the
Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs (OORP) chief, unless BSEE has
designated a third party, as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this
section, and to the manufacturer of such equipment, within 30 days
after discovery and identification of the failure. If BSEE has
designated a third party, you must provide the written notice of
equipment failure to that third party, instead of sending it to the
OORP chief, and also to the manufacturer of such equipment within 30
days after the discovery and identification of the failure. A failure
is any condition that prevents the equipment from meeting the
functional specification.
(2) You must start an investigation and a failure analysis within
120 days of the failure to determine the cause of the failure and
complete the investigation and the failure analysis within 120 days
after initiation. You also must document the results and any corrective
action. You must submit the analysis report to the OORP chief, unless
BSEE has designated a third party as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of
this section, and the manufacturer. If you cannot complete the
investigation and analysis within the specified time, you must submit
an extension request detailing when and how you will complete the
investigation and analysis and submit it to BSEE for approval. You must
submit the extension request to the OORP chief.
(3) If the equipment manufacturer notifies you that it has changed
the design of the equipment that failed or if you have changed
operating or repair procedures as a result of a failure, then you must,
within 30 days of such changes, report the design change or modified
procedures in writing to the OORP Chief, unless BSEE has designated a
third party as provided in paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
[[Page 8402]]
(4) Submit notices and reports to the Chief, Office of Offshore
Regulatory Programs; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement;
45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166. BSEE may also designate
a third party to receive the data and reports. If BSEE designates a
third party, you must submit the data and reports to the designated
third party.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 250.732 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 250.732 What are the independent third-party requirements for
BOP systems and system components?
* * * * *
(b) The independent third party must be a technical classification
society, a licensed professional engineering firm, or a registered
professional engineer capable of providing the required certifications
and verifications. You must retain the independent third-party
qualifications for the life of the project and make them available to
BSEE upon request. BSEE may evaluate the independent third-party
qualifications to ensure they meet the regulatory requirements for
permit approval.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2026-03476 Filed 2-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 23, 2026.
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