Section 18.75.045. Operating requirements for exploration and production facilities.

	(a)  In addition to the applicable requirements of 18 AAC 75.007 - 18 AAC 75.025, the owner or operator of an exploration or production facility shall collect and store oil produced during a formation flow test or other drilling operation in a manner that prevents the oil from entering the land or waters of the state.  
	(b)  In state waters, a marine structure used for drilling must be inspected for fatigue and structural integrity as required by 30 C.F.R. Part 250, Subpart I, revised as of July 1, 2001 and adopted by reference. The inspection must be conducted after installation of the structure and before drilling or production operations begin. The owner or operator shall submit to the department a report of the inspection results and any corrective actions taken.  
	(c)  Closure valves for pipelines leaving marine structures must be located at a protected location that isolates the pipeline from the structure if a discharge or other emergency occurs and must function both manually and remotely as part of an emergency shutdown system.  
	(d)  The owner or operator of an exploration or production facility shall provide, at a minimum,  
		(1) containment and collection devices such as drip pans and curbs for offshore exploration or production wells; and  
		(2) wellhead sumps for exploration or production wells located onshore or on artificial islands or ice islands; for exploration or production wells drilled and completed after December 30, 2008 and located onshore or on artificial islands or ice islands, wellhead sumps shall be designed and installed to be sufficiently impermeable.  
	(e)  A marine structure used for oil production, other than an artificial island, must have a sufficiently impermeable deck with catch tanks or other devices adequate to contain, collect, and divert spilled oil. The catch tank must have adequate storage capacity to contain anticipated and accidental discharges of oil and high-liquid-level alarms that will immediately notify the operator if a high liquid level develops.  
	(f)  Aboveground oil storage tanks, including bulk fuel tanks, must meet the applicable requirements of 18 AAC 75.065, 18 AAC 75.066, and 18 AAC 75.075.  
	(g)  Piping associated with an exploration or production facility must meet the applicable requirements of 18 AAC 75.047 and 18 AAC 75.080.  

Authorities

46.03.020;46.04.030;46.04.070

Notes

Authority

AS 46.03.020 AS 46.04.030 AS 46.04.070

History

Eff. 5/14/92, Register 122; am 12/30/2006, Register 180