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Bill117th CongressFiled Apr 19, 2021Energy
H.R. 2643

Offshore Pipeline Safety Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house (Dec 14, 2022)

Offshore Pipeline Safety Act

This bill establishes requirements to address the environmental risks of decommissioned oil and gas pipelines on the seafloor.

Specifically, the bill requires the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to finalize regulations proposed in 2007 related to offshore pipelines. The regulations must require owners of oil and gas pipelines to provide for biannual, third-party inspections of pipelines and to equip pipelines with leak detection systems or devices. Further, the BSEE must issue regulations to charge an annual fee on such owners for the purpose of providing the BSEE with funds to decommission or remove offshore pipelines in the event the owner files for bankruptcy.

When determining whether to permit an owner to decommission such pipelines, the BSEE must consider the navigational hazards, any interferences with other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf, and the environmental impacts of the pipelines.

In addition, the BSEE must continually monitor the condition and location of all oil and gas pipelines that have been decommissioned and remain in place. If the BSEE identifies an exposed segment of any active or decommissioned pipeline, then it must either remove the pipeline from the ocean or ensure it is properly decommissioned and does not pose a threat. If a segment of any active pipeline is exposed or shifts, then the BSEE must resecure the segment to the sea floor.

What just happenedDec 14, 2022

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 456.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26](D-CA)Sponsor
11 cosponsors11 D
Read on Congress.gov
11cosponsors1committees11actions9subjects
  1. Dec 14, 2022CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 456.

  2. Dec 14, 2022CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-633.

    Natural Resources Committee
  3. Dec 14, 2022Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-633.

    Natural Resources Committee
  4. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.

    Natural Resources Committee
  5. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  6. Oct 13, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  7. May 13, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  8. May 10, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  9. Apr 19, 2021IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  10. Apr 19, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  11. Apr 19, 2021IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to HouseDec 14, 20227

Offshore Pipeline Safety Act

This bill establishes requirements to address the environmental risks of decommissioned oil and gas pipelines on the seafloor.

Specifically, the bill requires the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to finalize regulations proposed in 2007 related to offshore pipelines. The regulations must require owners of oil and gas pipelines to provide for biannual, third-party inspections of pipelines and to equip pipelines with leak detection systems or devices. Further, the BSEE must issue regulations to charge an annual fee on such owners for the purpose of providing the BSEE with funds to decommission or remove offshore pipelines in the event the owner files for bankruptcy.

When determining whether to permit an owner to decommission such pipelines, the BSEE must consider the navigational hazards, any interferences with other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf, and the environmental impacts of the pipelines.

In addition, the BSEE must continually monitor the condition and location of all oil and gas pipelines that have been decommissioned and remain in place. If the BSEE identifies an exposed segment of any active or decommissioned pipeline, then it must either remove the pipeline from the ocean or ensure it is properly decommissioned and does not pose a threat. If a segment of any active pipeline is exposed or shifts, then the BSEE must resecure the segment to the sea floor.

Introduced in HouseApr 19, 2021

Offshore Pipeline Safety Act

This bill establishes requirements to address the environmental risks of decommissioned oil and gas pipelines on the seafloor.

Specifically, the bill requires the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to finalize regulations proposed in 2007 related to offshore pipelines. The regulations must require owners of oil and gas pipelines to provide for biannual, third-party inspections of pipelines and to equip pipelines with leak detection systems or devices. Further, the BSEE must issue regulations to charge an annual fee on such owners for the purpose of providing the BSEE with funds to decommission or remove offshore pipelines in the event the owner files for bankruptcy.

When determining whether to permit an owner to decommission such pipelines, the BSEE must consider the navigational hazards, any interferences with other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf, and the environmental impacts of the pipelines.

In addition, the BSEE must continually monitor the condition and location of all oil and gas pipelines that have been decommissioned and remain in place. If the BSEE identifies an exposed segment of any active or decommissioned pipeline, then it must either remove the pipeline from the ocean or ensure it is properly decommissioned and does not pose a threat. If a segment of any active pipeline is exposed or shifts, then the BSEE must resecure the segment to the sea floor.

Offshore Pipeline Safety Act — Informed