CFR > Title 30 - Mineral Resources > CHAPTER II—MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER B—OFFSHORE (parts 250 to 285) > PART 250—OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF > SUBPART Q—Decommissioning Activities (§250.1700 to §250.1754) > 250.1725—When do I have to remove platforms and other facilities?

250.1725—When do I have to remove platforms and other facilities?

(a) You must remove all platforms and other facilities within 1 year after the lease or pipeline right-of-way terminates, unless you receive approval to maintain the structure to conduct other activities. Platforms include production platforms, well jackets, single-well caissons, and pipeline accessory platforms. Other activities include those supporting OCS oil and gas production and transportation, as well as other energy-related or marine-related uses (including LNG) for which adequate financial assurance for decommissioning has been provided to a Federal agency which has given MMS a commitment that it has and will exercise authority to compel the performance of decommissioning within a time following cessation of the new use acceptable to MMS. The approval will specify:
(1) Whether you must continue to maintain any financial assurance for decommissioning; and
(2) Whether, and under what circumstances, you must perform any decommissioning not performed by the new facility owner/user.
(b) Before you may remove a platform or other facility, you must submit a final removal application to the Regional Supervisor for approval and include the information listed in § 250.1727.
(c) You must remove a platform or other facility according to the approved application.
(d) You must flush all production risers with seawater before you remove them.
(e) You must notify the Regional Supervisor at least 48 hours before you begin the removal operations.

Code of Federal Regulations

[67 FR 35406, May 17, 2002, as amended at 74 FR 19807, Apr. 29, 2009]