Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 24/12/1997

Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf

This rule revises MMS' regulations and expands the Notice requirement to include all oil, gas, and sulphur related G&G scientific research not conducted under a permit. The revisions also update the addresses for applying for a permit or filing a Notice, standardize definitions, describe the procedures for protecting archaeological resources, reflect changes in technology, and clarify the obligations of third parties who obtain G&G data and information collected under a permit. These revisions are being made because there have been instances of commercial G&G exploration being conducted by academia without a permit, the addresses for all the MMS regions have changed, changes in technology need to be incorporated, and permittees and third parties have questioned MMS access to certain G&G data and information that were collected under a permit and further processed by third parties. The modifications will enable MMS to better ensure safe use and environmental protection of the outer continental shelf (OCS) for all G&G related operations, expedite permit applications and Notices to MMS, and make the regulatory language clearer and more understandable. MMS also believes that it is nece