26 Miss. Code. R. 3-1.9 - APPROVAL PROCEDURE FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF PLATFORMS, FIXED AND MOBILE STRUCTURES AND ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS

The operator shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of this rule in the installation and operation of all platforms, fixed and mobile structures and artificial islands, including all facilities installed on a platform or structure whether or not operated or owned by the operator.

1. The following requirements are applicable to all platforms:

A. General Design

The design and engineering of platforms, fixed structures and artificial islands shall include consideration of such factors as water depth, surface and subsurface soil conditions, wave and current forces, wind forces, total equipment weight and other pertinent geological, geographical, environmental and operational conditions.

B. Application

The operator shall submit, in duplicate, the following to the Supervisor for approval:

(1) Design Features

Information relative to design features on an 8- 1/2" x 11" plat or plats showing the platform dimensions, plan and two elevations, number and location of well slots and water depth. In addition, the plat shall include:

(a) Nominal size and thickness range of piling.

(b) Nominal size and thickness range of jacket column leg.

(c) Nominal size and thickness range of deck column leg.

(d) Design piling penetration.

(e) Maximum bearing and lateral load per pile in tons.

(f) Identification data which shall be the lease number, block number, county and operator.

(g) The following certification signed and dated with the title of the company representative:

"Operator certifies that this platform has been certified by a registered professional engineer and that the structure will be constructed, operated and maintained as described in the application, and any approved modification thereto. Certified plans are on file at the State Oil and Gas Board's located at 500 Greymont Avenue, Suite E, Jackson, Mississippi.

(2) Non-design Features

Information relative to non-design features including the following:

(a) Primary use intended, including drilling, production of oil, gas and associated sulphur.

(b) Personnel and personnel transfer facilities including living quarters, boat landings and heliport.

(c) Type of deck, such as steel or wood, and whether coated with protective material.

(d) Method of protection from corrosion.

(e) Production facilities, including separators, treaters, storage tanks, compressors, line pumps and metering devices, except that when initially designed and utilized for drilling, this information may be submitted prior to installation.

(f) Safety, waste and pollution control equipment and features.

(g) Other information when required.

C. Certified Plan

Detailed structural plans certified by a registered professional engineer [See Rule OS-9 (1)(g)] shall be on file and maintained by the operator or his designee.

2. Waste, Safety and Pollution Control Equipment and Procedures

A. The following requirements shall apply to all platforms:

(1) The following shut-in devices shall be installed and maintained in an operating condition on all pressurized vessels and water separation facilities when such vessels and separation facilities are in service. The operator shall submit records to the Supervisor semi-annually showing the present status and past history of each device including dates and details of inspection, testing, repairing, adjustment and reinstallation:

(a) All sensors shall be equipped to permit testing with an external pressure source. All separators shall be equipped with high- low pressure shut-in sensors, low level shut- in controls and a relief valve. High liquid level control devices shall be installed when the vessel can discharge to a flare.

(b) All pressure surge tanks shall be equipped with a high and low pressure shut-in sensor, a high level shut-in control, flare line and relief valve.

(c) Atmospheric surge tanks shall be equipped with a high level shut-in sensor.

(d) All other pressured hydrocarbon-handling pressure vessels shall be equipped with high- low pressure shut-in sensors, high-low level shut-in controls and relief valves, unless determined to be otherwise protected.

(e) Pilot-operated pressure relief valves shall be equipped to permit testing with an external pressure source. Spring-loaded pressure relief valves shall either be bench- tested or equipped to permit testing with an external pressure source. A relief valve shall be set no higher than the designed working pressure of the vessel. The high pressure shut-in sensor shall be set no higher than five percent (5%) below the rated or designed working pressure, and the low pressure shut-in sensor shall be set no lower than ten percent (10%) below the lowest pressure in the operating pressure range on all vessels with a rated or designed working pressure of more than 400 psi. On lower pressure vessels, the above percentages shall be used as guidelines for sensor settings considering pressure and operating conditions involved; except that sensor settings shall not be within five (5) psi of the rated or designed working pressure or the lowest pressure in the operating pressure range.

(f) All sensors shall be equipped to permit testing with an external pressure source.

(g) All flare lines shall be equipped with a scrubber or similar separation equipment.

(2) The following remote and local automatic shut-in devices shall be installed and maintained in an operating condition at all times when the affected well (or wells) is producing. The operator shall submit records to the Supervisor semi-annually showing the present status and past history of each such device including dates and details of inspection, testing, repairing, adjustment and reinstallation.

(a) All wellhead assemblies shall be equipped with an automatic fail-close valve. Automatic safety valves temporarily out of service shall be flagged.

(b) All flowlines from wellheads shall be equipped with high-low pressure sensors located close to the wellhead. The pressure sensors shall be set to activate the wellhead valve in the event of abnormal pressures in the flowline.

(c) All headers shall be equipped with check valves on the individual flowlines. The flowline and valves from each well located upstream of, and including, the header valves shall withstand the shut-in pressure of that well, unless protected by a relief valve with connections to bypass the header and flow to an appropriate surge facility. If there is an inlet valve to a separator, the valve, flowline and all equipment upstream of the valve shall also withstand shut-in wellhead pressure, unless protected by a relief valve with connections to bypass the header.

(d) All pneumatic shut-in control lines shall be equipped with fusible material at strategic points.

(e) Remote shut-in controls shall be located on the helicopter deck and all exit stairway landings, including at least one (1) on each boat landing. These controls shall be quick- opening valves.

(f) All pressure sensors shall be tested for proper pressure settings monthly for at least four (4) months. At such time as the monthly results are consistent, a quarterly test shall be required for at least one (1) year. If these results are consistent, a longer period of time between testing may then be approved by the Supervisor. In the event any testing sequence reveals inconsistent results, the monthly testing sequence shall be reinstituted. Results of all tests shall be recorded and maintained in the field.

(g) All automatic wellhead safety valves shall be tested for operation weekly. All automatic wellhead safety valves shall be tested for holding pressure monthly. If these results are consistent, a longer period of time between pressure tests, not to exceed quarterly, may then be approved by the Supervisor. In the event that any pressure testing sequence, exceeding monthly, reveals inconsistent results, the monthly testing sequence shall be reinstituted. Results of all tests shall be recorded and maintained in the field.

(h) Check valves shall be tested for holding pressure monthly for at least four (4) months. At such time as the monthly results are satisfactory, a quarterly test shall be required for at least one (1) year. If these results are consistent, a longer period of time between testing may then be approved by the Supervisor. In the event any testing sequence reveals inconsistent results, the monthly testing sequence shall be reinstituted. Results of all tests shall be recorded and maintained in the field.

(i) A complete testing and inspection of the safety system shall be witnessed by a representative of the Board at the time production is commenced. Thereafter, the operator shall arrange for a test every six (6) months, notifying the Supervisor or his authorized representative such that a representative of the Board may be present during the test.

(j) A standard procedure for testing of safety equipment shall be prepared and posted in a prominent place on the platform.

(3) Curbs, gutters and drains shall be constructed in all deck areas in a manner necessary to collect all contaminants, unless drip pans or equivalent are placed under equipment and piped to a sump which will automatically maintain the oil at a level sufficient to prevent discharge of oil into the Gulf waters. Alternate methods to obtain the same results will be acceptable. These systems shall not permit spilled oil to flow into the wellhead area.

(4) An auxiliary electrical power supply shall be installed to provide emergency power capable of operating all electrical equipment to maintain safety of operation in the event the primary electrical power supply fails.

(5) The following requirements shall apply to the handling and disposal of all produced waste water. All waste water shall be disposed of by: (1) Injecting into an approved subsurface formation; or (2) Transporting said water ashore and disposing of it in a manner already approved under existing onshore regulations; or (3) Discharging into the waters offshore provided the water quality meets standards established by appropriate regulatory agencies and when approved by the Supervisor.

(a) Water discharged shall not create conditions which will adversely affect the public health or use of the waters (as defined by the Mississippi Bureau of Pollution Control) for the propagation of aquatic life, recreation, navigation or other legitimate uses not prohibited by high natural mineral content.

(6) A firefighting system shall be installed and maintained in an operating condition in accordance with the following:

(a) A fixed automatic water spray system shall be installed in all inadequately ventilated wellhead areas as these areas are defined in Paragraph 9 of API RP 500A. These systems shall be installed in accordance with the most current edition of National Fire Protection Association's Pamphlet No. 15.

(b) A firewater system of rigid pipe with fire hose stations shall be installed and may include a fixed water spray system. Such a system shall be installed in a manner necessary to provide needed protection in areas where production handling equipment is located. A firefighting system using chemicals may be considered for installation in certain platform areas in lieu of a firewater system in that area, if determined to provide equivalent fire protection control.

(c) Pumps for the firewater systems shall be inspected and test-operated weekly. A record of the tests shall be maintained in the field and submitted semi-annually to the Supervisor. An alternate fuel or power source shall be installed to provide continued pump operation during platform shutdown unless an alternate firefighting system is provided.

(d) Portable fire extinguishers shall be located in the living quarters and in other strategic areas.

(e) A diagram of the firefighting system showing the location of all equipment shall be posted in a prominent place on the platform and a copy submitted to the Supervisor.

(7) An automatic gas detector and alarm system shall be installed and maintained in an operating condition in accordance with the following:

(a) Gas detection systems shall be installed in all enclosed areas containing gas-handling facilities or equipment and in other enclosed areas which are classified as hazardous areas as defined in API RP 500B and the most current edition of the National Electric Code.

(b) All gas detection systems shall be capable of continuously monitoring for the presence of combustible gas in the areas in which the detection devices are located.

(c) The central control shall be capable of giving an alarm at some point below the lower explosive limit of one and three-tenths percent (1.3%) as shown in the Bureau of Mines Bulletin No. 503. This low level shall be for alarm purposes only.

(d) A high level setting of not more than four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) shall be used for shut-in sequences and the operation of emergency equipment.

(e) An application for the installation and maintenance of any gas detection system shall be filed with the Supervisor for approval.

The Application shall include the following:

(i) Type, location and number of detection or sampling heads.

(ii) Cycling, non-cycling and frequency information.

(iii) Type and kind of alarm, including emergency equipment, to be activated.

(iv) Method used for detection of combustible gas.

(v) Method and frequency of calibration.

(vi) A diagram of the gas detection system.

(vii) Other pertinent information.

(f) A diagram of the gas detection system showing the location of all gas detection points shall be posted in a prominent place on the platform.

(8) The following requirements shall be applicable to all electrical equipment and systems installed:

(a) All engines shall be equipped with low- tension ignition systems containing rigid connections and shielded wiring which shall prevent the release of sufficient electrical energy under normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a combustible mixture.

(b) All electrical generators, motors and lighting systems shall be installed, protected and maintained in accordance with the most current edition of the National Electric Code and APIRP 500A and B as appropriate.

(c) Marine-armored cable or metal-clad cable may be substituted for wire in conduit in any area.

(9) Sewage disposal systems shall be installed and used in all cases where sewage is discharged into the waters. Sewage is defined as human body wastes and the wastes from toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body wastes. Following sewage treatment, the effluent shall contain fifty (50) ppm or less of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), 150 ppm or less of suspended solids, and shall have a minimum chlorine residual of one (1.0) mg/liter after a minimum retention time of fifteen (15) minutes provided further that any sewage disposal system shall conform to any standard established by the Mississippi Bureau of Pollution Control.

B. The requirements of Sub-paragraphs 2.A(3), (4), (8) and (9) shall apply to all mobile drilling structures used to conduct drilling or workover operations.

Notes

26 Miss. Code. R. 3-1.9

MCA Section 53-1-17(3) (1972)