Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Civil Penalties, 12719-12721 [05-4994]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 15, 2005 / Notices
For
further information and/or to have your
name added to our mailing list, contact
Lon Kelly, telephone (907) 474–2368.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RMP
for the White Mountains National
Recreation Area was signed in 1986.
The planning area is approximately 60
miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska,
and encompasses approximately
1,000,000 acres of public lands within
the recreation area and approximately
20,000 acres of public lands outside of
the Recreation Area. There are
approximately 160 acres of private lands
within the Recreation Area. A recent
evaluation of the RMP found issues
related to several existing land use plan
allocations that will require an
amendment to the RPM in order to be
changed. These resource use allocations
include: (1) Areas designated for offhighway vehicle use are not meeting
RMP objectives and need to be
reevaluated, (2) two transportation
corridors were prescribed in the RMP
but only one corridor was established.
The second corridor was replaced by the
Nome Creek Gateway project. The plan
should be updated to reflect the change,
(3) there are other issues affecting this
planning area including, (a) federally
managed lands exist within the
planning area boundaries but were not
included in or covered by the RMP, (b)
there has been a change in Federal
subsistence regulations since the RMP
was completed, (c) ownership patterns
in the area have changed due to the
completion of State and native
selections, and (d) fire management
policy. Other issues may be considered
depending on public input. Additional
issues to be addressed in this
amendment can be submitted to the
BLM by interested agencies, groups, and
individuals throughout the planning
process. Documents pertinent to this
amendment may be examined at the
Northern Field Office located in
Fairbanks, Alaska. Comments, including
names and street addresses of
respondents, will be available for public
review at the Northern Field Office
during regular business hours 7:45 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except holidays, and may be published
as part of the EA. Individual
respondents may request
confidentiality.
If you wish BLM to withhold your
name or street address from public
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:31 Mar 14, 2005
Jkt 205001
review or from disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act, you must
state this prominently at the beginning
or your written comment. Such requests
will be honored to the extent allowed by
law. All submissions from organizations
and businesses, and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
available for public inspection in their
entirety.
Robert Schneider,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05–5018 Filed 3–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Civil
Penalties
Minerals Management Service
(MMS).
ACTION: Notice summarizing OCS civil
penalties paid, January 1, 2004, through
December 31, 2004.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice provides a listing
of civil penalties paid January 1, 2004,
through December 31, 2004, for
violations of the OCS Lands Act
(OCSLA). The goal of the MMS OCS
Civil Penalties Program is to assure safe
and clean operations on the OCS.
Through the pursuit, assessment, and
collection of civil penalties and referrals
for the consideration of criminal
penalties, the program is designed to
encourage compliance with OCS
statutes and regulations. The purpose of
publishing the penalties summary is to
provide information to the public on
violations of special concern in OCS
operations and to provide an additional
incentive for safe and environmentally
sound operations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joanne McCammon (Acting Program
Coordinator), 703–787–1292.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)
strengthened section 24 of the OCSLA
Amendments of 1978. Subtitle B of OPA
90, titled ‘‘Penalties,’’ increased the
amount of the civil penalty from a
maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of
$20,000 per violation for each day of
noncompliance. More importantly, in
PO 00000
Frm 00075
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12719
cases where a failure to comply with
applicable regulations constitutes or
constituted a threat of serious,
irreparable, or immediate harm or
damage to life (including fish and other
aquatic life); property; any mineral
deposit; or the marine, coastal, or
human environment; OPA 90 provided
the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
with the authority to assess a civil
penalty without regard to the
requirement of expiration of a period of
time allowed for corrective action.
On August 8, 1997, MMS published
new regulations (62 FR 42668)
implementing the civil penalty
provisions of the OCSLA. Written in
‘‘plain English,’’ the new question-andanswer format provides a better
understanding of the OCS civil penalty
process. In addition, the provisions of
OPA 90 require the Secretary to adjust
the maximum civil penalty to reflect
any increases in the Consumer Price
Index. The new rule increased the
maximum civil penalty to $25,000 per
violation, per day. Please note,
subsequent to publishing the new
regulations, MMS made several
corrections and amendments, including
the appeals procedures. These were
published at 63 FR 42711, 8/11/98; 64
FR 9066, 2/24/99; 62 FR 9065, 2/24/99,
and 64 FR 26257, 5/13/99.
On November 28, 2003, MMS
published a new regulation (68 FR
61622) adjusting the maximum civil
penalty assessment to comply with the
Department of Labor’s Consumer Price
Index. The maximum amount is now
$30,000 per violation per day.
Between August 18, 1990, and
January 2005, MMS initiated 504 civil
penalty reviews. Operators have paid
397 civil penalties for a total of
$13,234,792 in fines. Seventy cases were
dismissed; 5 cases were merged; and 32
cases are under review.
On September 1, 1997, the Associate
Director of Offshore Minerals
Management issued a notice informing
lessees and operators of Federal oil, gas,
and sulphur leases on the OCS that
MMS will annually publish a summary
of OCS civil penalties paid. The annual
summary will highlight the identity of
the party, the regulation violated, and
the amount paid. The following table
provides a listing of the penalties paid
between January 1, 2004, and December
31, 2004.
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
12720
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 15, 2005 / Notices
2004 CIVIL/CRIMINAL PENALTIES—SUMMARY ALL PENALTIES PAID IN CALENDAR 2004 (1/1/2004–12/31/2004)
[The following acronyms are used in this table: SCSSV (surface controlled subsurface safety valve); SSV (surface safety valve); PSHL (pressure
safety high/low); LSH (level safety high); INC (incident of non-compliance); ESD (emergency shutdown device); H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide)]
Penalty paid
and date paid
Operator name and Case No.
Violation and date(s)
Dominion Exploration & Production,
Inc., G–2002–049.
A fire resulted during a welding operation when operator failed to
properly protect equipment containing hydrocarbons. Equipment
was located on a lower deck immediately beneath welding site.
8/14/02–8/14/02 .....................................................................................
8/15/02–8/15/02 .....................................................................................
The operating company was conducting operations without an H2S
Contingency Plan and with a confirmed presence of H2S in concentrations and volumes that could potentially result in atmospheric
concentrations of 20 ppm or more of H2S.
10/29/02–10/29/02 .................................................................................
The sump pump ABH–1460 was isolated from the sump tank by a
closed valve, rendering the pump inoperable.
1/29/03–1/29/03 .....................................................................................
Relay for the departing gas pipeline (KAH–0056) PSHL pilots was
found pinned out of service.
3/17/03–3/17/03 .....................................................................................
The Rig’s Gas Detection System was bypassed with ongoing drilling
operations being conducted.
TDC Energy LLC (Island Operators
Co., Inc.), G–2003–005.
Pogo Producing
2003–007.
Company,
G–
Murphy Exploration & Production
Company, G–2003–009.
BP America Production Company
(Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.),
G–2003–010.
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., G–2003–011
Devon Louisiana Corporation, G–
2003–012.
Helis Oil & Gas Company, LLC, G–
2003–014.
El Paso Production GOM Inc., G–
2003–015.
GOM Shelf LLC (Production Systems, Inc.), G–2003–017.
BP Exploration & Production Inc.,
G–2003–018.
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Production
Management Industries, LLC),
G–2004–001.
Union Oil Company of California
(Coastal Production Services,
Inc.), G–2004–002.
Comstock Offshore, LLC, G–2004–
004.
Anadarko E&P Company LP (Island Operators Co. Inc.), G–
2004–006.
Walter Oil & Gas Corporation, G–
2004–007.
Murphy Exploration & Production
Company—USA, G–2004–008.
Newfield Exploration Company, G–
2004–009.
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:31 Mar 14, 2005
3/1/03–3/18/03 .......................................................................................
Gas detector protecting the generator building was found in the bypass position.
3/7/03–3/10/03 .......................................................................................
The production process group by-pass selector valve was found in
the by-pass mode.
9/13/02–9/13/02 .....................................................................................
Surface-controlled subsurface safety valve for Well B–1 was blocked
out of service.
5/29/03–5/30/03 .....................................................................................
The LSH on the 3rd stage suction scrubber was bypassed and was
not flagged or monitored.
6/12/03–6/13/03 .....................................................................................
Pollution resulted due to an inoperable drain sump system .................
6/19/03–6/24/03 .....................................................................................
6/24/03–6/24/03 .....................................................................................
A fire occurred involving the as-built diverter system leading to damage to property and the environment. The diverter system was not
installed as in the approved plan, had inadequate supports, added
right angle turns at the ends, and did not provide for downwind diversion.
8/6/02–8/9/02 .........................................................................................
8/6/02–8/9/02 .........................................................................................
While cleaning a low pressure separator, the Confined Space Entry
policy was not completely followed which resulted in an explosion
and flash fire that injured four employees.
6/14/02–6/15/02 .....................................................................................
Rusted out hole in grating and missing toe (kick) plates in two locations.
Regulation(s) violated (30 CFR)
$28,000
2/11/04
........................
........................
$25,000
5/7/04
250.107
250.113
........................
$10,000
3/12/04
........................
$10,000
6/29/04
........................
$25,000
2/3/04
250.417(f)
........................
$20,000
1/15/04
........................
$30,000
4/1/04
........................
$10,000
2/4/04
........................
$12,000
1/9/04
........................
$35,000
3/4/04
........................
........................
$190,000
7/6/04
250.300(b)
250.1004
250.410(e)(3)
250.803(c)
250.803(c)
250.803(c)
250.803(c)
250.300(b)
250.300(a)
........................
........................
$50,000
8/2/04
250.409(d)(1)
250.415
........................
$35,000
7/26/04
250.107(a)
5/9/03–5/9/03 .........................................................................................
Tubing plugs for Well 01 and Well 01D were found leaking on March
31, 2002. Not repaired until September 18, 2002.
3/31/02–9/18/02 .....................................................................................
Subsurface safety valve in Well C–21 was found leaking and left in
service without being repaired or replaced for 129 days.
........................
$172,000
7/9/04
........................
$96,750
8/20/04
250.107
7/29/02–12/4/02 .....................................................................................
The Operator failed to implement the H2S Contingency Plan while
performing operations on a well with a confirmed presence of H2S
in concentrations and volumes that could potentially result in atmospheric concentrations of 20 ppm or more of H2S.
12/3/03–12/4/03 .....................................................................................
The SCSSV, which was being used as a tubing plug, was found in
the open position with the hydraulic control line pressured up.
3/30/04–3/31/04 .....................................................................................
The LSH on the 2nd stage scrubber was found in the bypassed
mode rendering it inoperable. It was not flagged or being monitored.
3/29/04–4/1/04 .......................................................................................
........................
$40,000
9/1/04
250.804(a)(1)
........................
$15,000
10/22/04
........................
$12,000
11/8/04
........................
250.490(f)(1–13)
Jkt 205001
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
250.804(a)(1)
250.801(f)
250.803(c)
12721
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 15, 2005 / Notices
2004 CIVIL/CRIMINAL PENALTIES—SUMMARY ALL PENALTIES PAID IN CALENDAR 2004 (1/1/2004–12/31/2004)—
Continued
[The following acronyms are used in this table: SCSSV (surface controlled subsurface safety valve); SSV (surface safety valve); PSHL (pressure
safety high/low); LSH (level safety high); INC (incident of non-compliance); ESD (emergency shutdown device); H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide)]
Penalty paid
and date paid
Operator name and Case No.
Violation and date(s)
Murphy Exploration & Production
Company—USA, G–2004–010.
The required surface safety valve (SSV–2) for Well CA–7 was found
capped in the open position and inadvertently left bypassed for 8
days.
3/25/04–4/1/04 .......................................................................................
The main safety panel for the Water Bath Heater, the Fired Component, and the Water Bath Pump was found in the bypassed position and it was not flagged or being monitored by personnel.
6/21/04–6/21/04 .....................................................................................
Aera was issued INC G–110 on 7/12/02 after a pipeline riser leak
and oil spill. Aera appealed to IBLA. Through the DOI Solicitor,
Aera proposed to settle the appeal with a payment of $25,000.
MMS accepted Aera’s offer on 1/22/04. The INC was not withdrawn and Aera paid $25,000 as a civil penalty.
Apache Corporation (Island Operators Co. Inc.), G–2004–015.
Aera Energy LLC., P–2004–001 ....
Regulation(s) violated (30 CFR)
$40,000
10/21/04
........................
$5,000
12/22/04
250.803(c)
........................
$25,000
2/4/04
250.803(c)
250.107(a)
Total Penalties Paid: 1/1/04–12/31/04
21 Cases: $885,750
The purpose of publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to the public on violations of special concern in OCS operations and
to provide an additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations.
Dated: February 15, 2005.
Thomas A. Readinger,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals
Management.
[FR Doc. 05–4994 Filed 3–14–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of the Attorney General
[Docket No. OAG 107; A.G. Order No. 2760–
2005]
RIN 1105–AB08
Guidelines for the PROTECT Act
Amendments to the Jacob Wetterling
Crimes Against Children and Sexually
Violent Offender Registration Act
Department of Justice.
Notice; Proposed guidelines.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The United States Department
of Justice is publishing Proposed
Guidelines to implement amendments
to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against
Children and Sexually Violent Offender
Registration Act enacted by the
PROTECT Act.
DATES: Comments must be received by
May 16, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to
David J. Karp, Senior Counsel, Office of
Legal Policy, Room 4509, Main Justice
Building, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20530. Comments
may also be submitted by the Internet at
OLPREGS@USDOJ.GOV. Electronically
submitted comments must include
Docket No. OAG 107 in the subject box.
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:31 Mar 14, 2005
Jkt 205001
Section
170101 of the Violent Crime Control and
Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L.
103–322, 108 Stat. 1796, 2038 (codified
at 42 U.S.C. 14071) contains the Jacob
Wetterling Crimes Against Children and
Sexually Violent Offender Registration
Act (the ‘‘Wetterling Act’’). The
Wetterling Act provides standards for
state sex offender registration and
community notification programs, and
directs the Attorney General to issue
guidelines for such programs. The main
set of current Wetterling Act guidelines
was published on January 5, 1999, in
the Federal Register (64 FR 572, with
corrections at 64 FR 3590), and a
supplementary set of guidelines for the
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act
amendment to the Wetterling Act was
published on October 25, 2002, in the
Federal Register (67 FR 65598). States
that fail to comply with the Wetterling
Act’s standards (as implemented and
explained in the Attorney General’s
guidelines) are subject to a mandatory
10% reduction of the formula grant
funding available under the Edward
Byrne Memorial State and Local Law
Enforcement Assistance Program (42
U.S.C. 3756), which is administered by
the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the
Department of Justice.
Subsequent to the publication of the
current Wetterling Act guidelines, the
Wetterling Act was amended by sections
604 and 605 of the Prosecutorial
Remedies and Other Tools to end the
Exploitation of Children Today Act of
2003, or PROTECT Act, Pub. L. 108–21,
117 Stat. 650, 688 (2003). These
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
amendments provide that the means by
which a State provides information to
the public concerning registered sex
offenders must include an Internet site,
and add child pornography production
and distribution offenses to the list of
crimes against children for which
registration is required under the
Wetterling Act’s standards.
Supplementary guidelines are necessary
to take account of the PROTECT Act
amendments to the Wetterling Act.
Section 604 of the PROTECT Act,
relating to Internet sites for sex offender
information, states that ‘‘[e]ach State
shall implement the amendment made
by this section within 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act’’—i.e., by
April 29, 2006—‘‘except that the
Attorney General may grant an
additional 2 years to a State that is
making a good faith effort to implement
the amendment.’’ The amendment in
section 605 of the PROTECT Act,
relating to registration for child
pornography production and
distribution offenses, took effect at the
time of its enactment, i.e., on April 30,
2003.
Proposed Guidelines
I. Internet Sites for Sex Offender
Information
The community notification
provisions of the Wetterling Act that
predate the PROTECT Act—paragraph
(1) and the first sentence of paragraph
(2) of 42 U.S.C. 14071(e)—have both
permissive and mandatory aspects. The
permissive aspect appears in paragraph
(1), which makes it clear that the Act
E:\FR\FM\15MRN1.SGM
15MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12719-12721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Civil Penalties
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS).
ACTION: Notice summarizing OCS civil penalties paid, January 1, 2004,
through December 31, 2004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice provides a listing of civil penalties paid January
1, 2004, through December 31, 2004, for violations of the OCS Lands Act
(OCSLA). The goal of the MMS OCS Civil Penalties Program is to assure
safe and clean operations on the OCS. Through the pursuit, assessment,
and collection of civil penalties and referrals for the consideration
of criminal penalties, the program is designed to encourage compliance
with OCS statutes and regulations. The purpose of publishing the
penalties summary is to provide information to the public on violations
of special concern in OCS operations and to provide an additional
incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne McCammon (Acting Program
Coordinator), 703-787-1292.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90)
strengthened section 24 of the OCSLA Amendments of 1978. Subtitle B of
OPA 90, titled ``Penalties,'' increased the amount of the civil penalty
from a maximum of $10,000 to a maximum of $20,000 per violation for
each day of noncompliance. More importantly, in cases where a failure
to comply with applicable regulations constitutes or constituted a
threat of serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to life
(including fish and other aquatic life); property; any mineral deposit;
or the marine, coastal, or human environment; OPA 90 provided the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) with the authority to assess a
civil penalty without regard to the requirement of expiration of a
period of time allowed for corrective action.
On August 8, 1997, MMS published new regulations (62 FR 42668)
implementing the civil penalty provisions of the OCSLA. Written in
``plain English,'' the new question-and-answer format provides a better
understanding of the OCS civil penalty process. In addition, the
provisions of OPA 90 require the Secretary to adjust the maximum civil
penalty to reflect any increases in the Consumer Price Index. The new
rule increased the maximum civil penalty to $25,000 per violation, per
day. Please note, subsequent to publishing the new regulations, MMS
made several corrections and amendments, including the appeals
procedures. These were published at 63 FR 42711, 8/11/98; 64 FR 9066,
2/24/99; 62 FR 9065, 2/24/99, and 64 FR 26257, 5/13/99.
On November 28, 2003, MMS published a new regulation (68 FR 61622)
adjusting the maximum civil penalty assessment to comply with the
Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index. The maximum amount is now
$30,000 per violation per day.
Between August 18, 1990, and January 2005, MMS initiated 504 civil
penalty reviews. Operators have paid 397 civil penalties for a total of
$13,234,792 in fines. Seventy cases were dismissed; 5 cases were
merged; and 32 cases are under review.
On September 1, 1997, the Associate Director of Offshore Minerals
Management issued a notice informing lessees and operators of Federal
oil, gas, and sulphur leases on the OCS that MMS will annually publish
a summary of OCS civil penalties paid. The annual summary will
highlight the identity of the party, the regulation violated, and the
amount paid. The following table provides a listing of the penalties
paid between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2004.
[[Page 12720]]
2004 Civil/Criminal Penalties--Summary All Penalties Paid in Calendar 2004 (1/1/2004-12/31/2004)
[The following acronyms are used in this table: SCSSV (surface controlled subsurface safety valve); SSV (surface
safety valve); PSHL (pressure safety high/low); LSH (level safety high); INC (incident of non-compliance); ESD
(emergency shutdown device); H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide)]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Penalty paid Regulation(s) violated (30
Operator name and Case No. Violation and date(s) and date paid CFR)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dominion Exploration & Production, A fire resulted during a $28,000
Inc., G-2002-049. welding operation when 2/11/04
operator failed to properly
protect equipment
containing hydrocarbons.
Equipment was located on a
lower deck immediately
beneath welding site.
8/14/02-8/14/02............. .............. 250.107
8/15/02-8/15/02............. .............. 250.113
TDC Energy LLC (Island Operators The operating company was $25,000
Co., Inc.), G-2003-005. conducting operations 5/7/04
without an H2S Contingency
Plan and with a confirmed
presence of H2S in
concentrations and volumes
that could potentially
result in atmospheric
concentrations of 20 ppm or
more of H2S.
10/29/02-10/29/02........... .............. 250.417(f)
Pogo Producing Company, G-2003-007.. The sump pump ABH-1460 was $10,000
isolated from the sump tank 3/12/04
by a closed valve,
rendering the pump
inoperable.
1/29/03-1/29/03............. .............. 250.300(b)
Murphy Exploration & Production Relay for the departing gas $10,000
Company, G-2003-009. pipeline (KAH-0056) PSHL 6/29/04
pilots was found pinned out
of service.
3/17/03-3/17/03............. .............. 250.1004
BP America Production Company The Rig's Gas Detection $25,000
(Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.), System was bypassed with 2/3/04
G-2003-010. ongoing drilling operations
being conducted.
3/1/03-3/18/03.............. .............. 250.410(e)(3)
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., G-2003-011..... Gas detector protecting the $20,000
generator building was 1/15/04
found in the bypass
position.
3/7/03-3/10/03.............. .............. 250.803(c)
Devon Louisiana Corporation, G-2003- The production process group $30,000
012. by-pass selector valve was 4/1/04
found in the by-pass mode.
9/13/02-9/13/02............. .............. 250.803(c)
Helis Oil & Gas Company, LLC, G-2003- Surface-controlled $10,000
014. subsurface safety valve for 2/4/04
Well B-1 was blocked out of
service.
5/29/03-5/30/03............. .............. 250.803(c)
El Paso Production GOM Inc., G-2003- The LSH on the 3rd stage $12,000
015. suction scrubber was 1/9/04
bypassed and was not
flagged or monitored.
6/12/03-6/13/03............. .............. 250.803(c)
GOM Shelf LLC (Production Systems, Pollution resulted due to an $35,000
Inc.), G-2003-017. inoperable drain sump 3/4/04
system.
6/19/03-6/24/03............. .............. 250.300(b)
6/24/03-6/24/03............. .............. 250.300(a)
BP Exploration & Production Inc., G- A fire occurred involving $190,000
2003-018. the as-built diverter 7/6/04
system leading to damage to
property and the
environment. The diverter
system was not installed as
in the approved plan, had
inadequate supports, added
right angle turns at the
ends, and did not provide
for downwind diversion.
8/6/02-8/9/02............... .............. 250.409(d)(1)
8/6/02-8/9/02............... .............. 250.415
Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Production While cleaning a low $50,000
Management Industries, LLC), G-2004- pressure separator, the 8/2/04
001. Confined Space Entry policy
was not completely followed
which resulted in an
explosion and flash fire
that injured four employees.
6/14/02-6/15/02............. .............. 250.107(a)
Union Oil Company of California Rusted out hole in grating $35,000
(Coastal Production Services, and missing toe (kick) 7/26/04
Inc.), G-2004-002. plates in two locations.
5/9/03-5/9/03............... .............. 250.107
Comstock Offshore, LLC, G-2004-004.. Tubing plugs for Well 01 and $172,000
Well 01D were found leaking 7/9/04
on March 31, 2002. Not
repaired until September
18, 2002.
3/31/02-9/18/02............. .............. 250.804(a)(1)
Anadarko E&P Company LP (Island Subsurface safety valve in $96,750
Operators Co. Inc.), G-2004-006. Well C-21 was found leaking 8/20/04
and left in service without
being repaired or replaced
for 129 days.
7/29/02-12/4/02............. .............. 250.804(a)(1)
Walter Oil & Gas Corporation, G-2004- The Operator failed to $40,000
007. implement the H2S 9/1/04
Contingency Plan while
performing operations on a
well with a confirmed
presence of H2S in
concentrations and volumes
that could potentially
result in atmospheric
concentrations of 20 ppm or
more of H2S.
12/3/03-12/4/03............. .............. 250.490(f)(1-13)
Murphy Exploration & Production The SCSSV, which was being $15,000
Company--USA, G-2004-008. used as a tubing plug, was 10/22/04
found in the open position
with the hydraulic control
line pressured up.
3/30/04-3/31/04............. .............. 250.801(f)
Newfield Exploration Company, G-2004- The LSH on the 2nd stage $12,000
009. scrubber was found in the 11/8/04
bypassed mode rendering it
inoperable. It was not
flagged or being monitored.
3/29/04-4/1/04.............. .............. 250.803(c)
[[Page 12721]]
Murphy Exploration & Production The required surface safety $40,000
Company--USA, G-2004-010. valve (SSV-2) for Well CA-7 10/21/04
was found capped in the
open position and
inadvertently left bypassed
for 8 days.
3/25/04-4/1/04.............. .............. 250.803(c)
Apache Corporation (Island Operators The main safety panel for $5,000
Co. Inc.), G-2004-015. the Water Bath Heater, the 12/22/04
Fired Component, and the
Water Bath Pump was found
in the bypassed position
and it was not flagged or
being monitored by
personnel.
6/21/04-6/21/04............. .............. 250.803(c)
Aera Energy LLC., P-2004-001........ Aera was issued INC G-110 on $25,000
7/12/02 after a pipeline 2/4/04
riser leak and oil spill.
Aera appealed to IBLA.
Through the DOI Solicitor,
Aera proposed to settle the
appeal with a payment of
$25,000. MMS accepted
Aera's offer on 1/22/04.
The INC was not withdrawn
and Aera paid $25,000 as a
civil penalty.
.............. 250.107(a)
-------------------------------------
Total Penalties Paid: 1/1/04-12/31/04
21 Cases: $885,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The purpose of publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to the public on violations of special
concern in OCS operations and to provide an additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound
operations.
Dated: February 15, 2005.
Thomas A. Readinger,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 05-4994 Filed 3-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
