5320 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

NADA 141–074 that provides for the use

of TrexonilTM Sterile Injection (50

milligrams of naltrexone hydrochloride

per milliliter) as an antagonist to

carfentanil citrate immobilization in

free-ranging or confined elk and moose

(Cervidae). The NADA is approved as of

December 23, 1996, and the regulations

are amended in part 522 (21 CFR part

522) by adding new § 522.1465 to reflect

the approval. The drug product is

available on a prescription basis. The

basis of approval is discussed in the

freedom of information summary.

Under section 512(c)(2)(F)(i) of the

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

(the act) (21 U.S.C. 360b(c)(2)(F)(i)), this

approval qualifies for 5 years of

marketing exclusivity beginning

December 23, 1996, because no active

ingredient of the drug (including any

ester or salt of the active ingredient) has

been previously approved in any other

application filed under section 512(b)(1)

of the act.

In accordance with the freedom of

information provisions of 21 CFR part

20 and 514.11(e)(2)(ii), a summary of

safety and effectiveness data and

information submitted to support

approval of this application may be seen

in the Dockets Management Branch

(HFA–305), Food and Drug

Administration, 12420 Parklawn Dr.,

rm. 1–23, Rockville, MD 20857, between

9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday.

The agency has carefully considered

the potential environmental effects of

this action. FDA has concluded that the

action will not have a significant impact

on the human environment, and that an

environmental impact statement is not

required. The agency’s finding of no

significant impact and the evidence

supporting that finding, contained in an

environmental assessment, may be seen

in the Dockets Management Branch

(address above) between 9 a.m. and 4

p.m., Monday through Friday.

List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 522

Animal drugs.

Therefore, under the Federal Food,

Drug, and Cosmetic Act and under

authority delegated to the Commissioner

of Food and Drugs and redelegated to

the Center for Veterinary Medicine, 21

CFR part 522 is amended as follows:

PART 522—IMPLANTATION OR

INJECTABLE DOSAGE FORM NEW

ANIMAL DRUGS

1. The authority citation for 21 CFR

part 522 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Sec. 512 of the Federal Food,

Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b).

2. New § 522.1465 is added to read as

follows:

§ 522.1465 Naltrexone hydrochloride

injection.

(a) Specifications. Each milliliter of

sterile aqueous solution contains 50

milligrams of naltrexone hydrochloride.

(b) Sponsor. See 053923 in

§ 510.600(c) of this chapter.

(c) Conditions of use in elk and

moose—(1) Amount. 100 milligrams of

naltrexone hydrochloride for each

milligram of carfentanil citrate

administered. One-quarter of the dose

should be administered intravenously

and three-quarters of the dose should be

administered subcutaneously.

(2) Indications for use. As an

antagonist to carfentanil citrate

immobilization in free-ranging or

confined elk and moose (Cervidae).

(3) Limitations. Available data are

inadequate to recommend use in

pregnant animals. Avoid using during

breeding season. Do not use in domestic

food-producing animals. Do not use in

free-ranging animals for 45 days before

or during hunting season. Federal law

restricts this drug to use by or on the

order of a licensed veterinarian.

Dated: January 28, 1997.

Michael J. Blackwell,

Deputy Director, Center for Veterinary

Medicine.

[FR Doc. 97–2869 Filed 2–4–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160–01–F

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

30 CFR Part 250

RIN 1010–AB99

Training of Lessee and Contractor

Employees Engaged in Oil and Gas

and Sulphur Operations in the Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service

(MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: Their rule amends MMS

regulations governing the training of

lessee and contractor employees

engaged in oil and gas and sulphur

operations in the OCS. MMS is making

this amendment to simplify the training

options and to provide the flexibility to

use alternative training methods.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 7, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Joseph Levine, Information and Training

Branch, at (703) 787–1033.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

November 2, 1995, MMS published the

proposed rule in the Federal Register

(60 FR 55683). During the 90-day

comment period that ended on January

31, 1996, MMS held a workshop. The

workshop held on December 6, 1995, in

New Orleans, Louisiana, received

excellent participation from industry

and training schools. We are

highlighting the comments we received

for the proposed rule in the ‘‘Response

to Comments’’ section.

Response to Comments

MMS received 28 comments on the

proposed rule. We appreciate the

suggestions and comments that we

received. We also appreciate the

positive comments on our new ‘‘plain

English’’ style of writing regulations.

We reviewed all of the comments, and

in some instances, we revised the final

language based on these comments.

MMS grouped the major comments and

organized them by regulation paragraph

number or subject as highlighted in the

comment table.

COMMENT TABLE

Requirement/subject Comment MMS response

250.210 ...................................... ‘‘Alternative Training’’ definition is restrictive ............... Disagree—MMS is not limiting the methods, we’re

only giving examples by using the term ‘‘such as.’’

250.210, 250.217, 250.222 ....... Typographical errors appear in the Federal Register .. Agree—We noted and corrected the errors.

250.214 (a) and (b) ................... MMS should add a 60-day grace period to the training limits.Disagree—MMS wants to eliminate the cost and confusion caused by using the training ‘‘windows’’ of

the past.

250.214(c) .................................. The ‘‘combination courses’’ have too many hours ...... Disagree—Although the hours have slightly increased, we moved small tubing training to well

workover.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 5321

COMMENT TABLE—Continued

Requirement/subject Comment MMS response

250.214 ...................................... MMS needs a transition table for the training requirements since each student is on a different cycle.Agree—MMS added a table to ensure the smoothest

transition to the new training requirements

[250.214(d)].

250.219 ...................................... Clarify that temporary employees need training or a

trained individual (not necessarily a supervisor) to

supervise them.

Agree—Although MMS did not mean to imply that the

trained individual must be classified as a supervisor, we adopted the suggestion.

250.220 ...................................... Change ‘‘* * * (who can evaluate their work) * * *’’

to ‘‘* * * (who is capable of evaluating the impact

of the work done’’.

Agree.

250.222 ...................................... Is the only self-paced training that MMS allows computer-based?.No, computer-based is only one form of self-paced

training.

250.225(a)(2) ............................. Delete ‘‘* * * (instructors must complete training from

an approved training organization) * * *’’.

Agree.

250.225(j) ................................... Specify simulator requirements for workovers ............. Agree.

250.226(a) ................................. Schools should not need to maintain training records

for 5 years because of the new training period.

Disagree—MMS may need 5 years of data and we

wish to have the maximum under the statute of limitations.

250.228(a) ................................. MMS should specify that the instructor should only

run one simulator and have teams of three or less.

Agree.

250.229 Table (a) number 21 ... Include drilling supervisors in the functions ................. Agree.

250.229 ...................................... One commenter wanted MMS to significantly expand

the elements in well-servicing training and well

workover.

Disagree—Considering the special nature of well

servicing and workover, we feel that it is not appropriate to expand their training at this time.

No refresher training .................. Keep refresher training for well control because refreshers contain course flexibility to cover recent

field developments.

Disagree—MMS deleted the refresher requirement

and made the basic course more frequent. With

more frequent basic courses you can still have the

flexibility to cover field developments. Also, MMS

does not prohibit refresher training.

Open-book tests ........................ Clarify the policy on open-versus closed-book tests ... Agree—We now specify that we allow open regulations and a formula sheet without examples for

well-control tests (§ 250.227(a)(5)).

Third-parties ............................... The majority of comments was against MMS having

third-parties accredit schools. Those against having

third-parties accredit schools cited additional costs,

potential conflicts of interest, and additional management layers as their main concerns.

MMS agrees with the comments and elected not to

have a third-party accredit training programs. Instead, we plan to move into a performance-based

training program through a future rulemaking.

Testing-out ................................. MMS should allow employees to take and pass a test

in lieu of taking training.

Disagree—MMS and much of industry sees value in

taking training even if an employee can pass the

test. A future rulemaking will address performance

measures.

Also, MMS is changing the term

‘‘certify’’ to ‘‘accredit’’ in this final rule

because it is more accurate in the

context of schools.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

This rule is not a significant rule

under E.O. 12866.

E.O. 12988

The Department of the Interior (DOI)

certified to the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) that this rule meets

the applicable civil justice reform

standards provided in sections 3(a) and

3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of

1995

DOI determined and certifies

according to the Unfunded Mandates

Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that

this rule will not impose a cost of $100

million or more in any given year on

State, local, and tribal governments, or

the private sector.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

DOI determined that this rule will not

have a significant effect on a substantial

number of small entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule has been examined under

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

and has been found to contain no new

reporting and information collection

requirements. OMB approved the

existing information collection

requirements under OMB Control No.

1010–0078. An agency may not conduct

or sponsor, and a person is not required

to respond to, a collection of

information unless it displays a

currently valid OMB control number.

The reporting burden is estimated to

average 13.5 hours per response.

Responses are mandatory. Proprietary

data are covered under 30 CFR 250.18.

Send comments regarding any aspect

of this collection of information,

including suggestions for reducing the

burden, to the Information Collection

Clearance Officer; Minerals

Management Service; Mail Stop 2053;

381 Elden Street; Herndon, Virginia

20170–4817 and to the Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs;

OMB; Attention: Desk Officer for the

Department of the Interior (1010–0078),

725 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

20503.

Takings Implication Assessment

DOI determined that this rule does

not represent a governmental action

capable of interfering with

constitutionally protected rights. Thus,

DOI does not need to prepare a Takings

Implication Assessment pursuant to

E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and

Interference with Constitutionally

Protected Property Rights.

National Environmental Policy Act

DOI determined that this rule does

not constitute a major Federal action

significantly affecting the quality of the

human environment, therefore, an
5322 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Environmental Impact Statement is not

required.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

Continental shelf, Environmental

impact statements, Environmental

protection, Government contracts,

Incorporation by reference,

Investigations, Mineral royalties, Oil

and gas development and production,

Oil and gas exploration, Oil and gas

reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public

lands—mineral resources, Public

lands—rights-of-way, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Sulphur

development and production, Sulphur

exploration, Surety bonds.

Dated: January 27, 1997.

Sylvia V. Baca,

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and

Minerals Management.

For the reasons stated in the

preamble, the Minerals Management

Service (MMS) is amending 30 CFR part

250 to read as follows:

PART 250—OIL AND GAS AND

SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE

OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

1. The authority citation for part 250

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1334.

2. MMS is revising Subpart O to read

as follows:

Subpart O—Training

Sec.

250.209 Question index table.

250.210 Definitions.

250.211 What is MMS’s goal for well

control and production safety systems

training?

250.212 What type of training must I

provide for my employees?

250.213 What documentation must I

provide to trainees?

250.214 How often must I provide training

to my employees and for how many

hours?

250.215 Where must I get training for my

employees?

250.216 Where can I find training

guidelines for other topics?

250.217 Can I get an exception to the

training requirements?

250.218 Can my employees change job

certification?

250.219 What must I do if I have temporary

employees or on-the-job trainees?

250.220 What must manufacturer’s

representatives in production safety

systems do?

250.221 May I use alternative training

methods?

250.222 What is MMS looking for when it

reviews an alternative training program?

250.223 Who may accredit training

organizations to teach?

250.224 How long is a training

organization’s accreditation valid?

250.225 What information must a training

organization submit to MMS?

250.226 What additional requirements must

a training organization follow?

250.227 What are MMS’s requirements for

the written test?

250.228 What are MMS’s requirements for

the hands-on simulator and well test?

250.229 What elements must a basic course

cover?

250.230 If MMS tests employees at my

worksite, what must I do?

250.231 If MMS tests trainees at a training

organization’s facility, what must occur?

250.232 Why might MMS conduct its own

tests?

250.233 Can a training organization lose its

accreditation?

Subpart O—Training

§ 250.209 Question index table.

The table in this section lists

frequently asked training questions and

the location for the answers. The

subjects are grouped as follows:

(a) General training requirements—

§§ 250.211 through 250.216.

(b) Departures from training

requirements—§§ 250.217 through

250.222.

(c) Training program accreditations—

§§ 250.223 through 250.229 and

§ 250.233.

(d) MMS testing information—

§§ 250.230 through 250.232.

Frequently asked questions CFR citation

What is MMS’s goal for well control and production safety systems training? ................................................................................... § 250.211

What type of training must I provide for my employees? ................................................................................................................... § 250.212

What documentation must I provide to trainees? ................................................................................................................................ § 250.213

How often must I provide training to my employees and for how many hours? ................................................................................ § 250.214

Where must I get training for my employees? .................................................................................................................................... § 250.215

Where can I find training guidelines for other topics? ......................................................................................................................... § 250.216

Can I get an exception to the training requirements? ......................................................................................................................... § 250.217

Can my employees change job certification? ...................................................................................................................................... § 250.218

What must I do if I have temporary employees or on-the-job trainees? ............................................................................................ § 250.219

What must manufacturer’s representatives in production safety systems do? ................................................................................... § 250.220

May I use alternative training methods? ............................................................................................................................................. § 250.221

What is MMS looking for when it reviews an alternative training program? ....................................................................................... § 250.222

Who may accredit training organizations to teach? ............................................................................................................................ § 250.223

How long is a training organization’s accreditation valid? .................................................................................................................. § 250.224

What informaiton must a training organization submit to MMS? ........................................................................................................ § 250.225

What additional requirements must a training organization follow? .................................................................................................... § 250.226

What are MMS’s requirements for the written test? ............................................................................................................................ § 250.227

What are MMS’s requirements for the hands-on simulator and well test? ......................................................................................... § 250.228

What elements must a basic course cover? ....................................................................................................................................... § 250.229

If MMS tests employees at my worksite, what must I do? ................................................................................................................. § 250.230

If MMS tests trainees at a training organization’s facility, what must occur? ..................................................................................... § 250.231

Why might MMS conduct its own tests? ............................................................................................................................................. § 250.232

Can a training organization lose its accreditation? ............................................................................................................................. § 250.233

§ 250.210 Definitions.

Terms used in this subpart have the

following meaning:

Alternative training methods means

self-paced or team-paced training that

may use a computer-based system such

as compact disc interactive (CDI),

compact disc read only memory

(CDROM), or Laser Discs.

Completed training means that the

trainee successfully met MMS’s

requirements for that training.

Employees means direct employees

and contract employees of lessees.

Floorhands means rotary helpers,

derrickmen, or their equivalent.

I or you means the lessee or contractor

engaged in oil, gas or sulphur operations

in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Installing means both installing the

original equipment and replacing the

equipment.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 5323

Lessee means the person,

organization, agent, or designee

authorized to explore, develop, and

produce leased deposits.

Maintaining means preventive

maintenance, routine repair, and

replacing defective components.

Operating means testing, adjusting,

calibrating, and recording test and

calibration results for the equipment.

Production safety systems employee

means employees engaged in installing,

repairing, testing, maintaining, or

operating surface or subsurface safety

devices and the platform employee who

is responsible for production operations.

Supervisors means the driller,

toolpusher, operator’s representative, or

their equivalent.

Training means a basic or an

advanced class in well control for

drilling, well completion/well

workover, well servicing, and

production safety systems.

Training organization means a party

approved by MMS to teach well control

for drilling, well completion/well

workover, and well servicing, and

production safety systems.

Well-completion/well-workover (WO)

well control includes small tubing

operations.

Well-servicing (WS) well control

means snubbing and coil tubing.

Well-workover rig means a drilling rig

used for well completion/well

workover.

§ 250.211 What is MMS’s goal for well

control and production safety systems

training?

The goal is to ensure that employees

who work in the following areas receive

training that results in safe and clean

operations:

(a) Drilling well control;

(b) WO well control;

(c) WS well control; and

(d) Production safety systems.

§ 250.212 What type of training must I

provide for my employees.

You must provide training for your

employees according to the table in this

section.

Type of employee Training requirements Comments

Drilling floorhand .................. Drilling well-control course.1

Complete a well-control drill at the job site within the

time limit prescribed by company operating procedures.2.

You must log the time it took to complete each drill in

the driller’s log and furnish the time to the floorhand.

Participate in well-control drills under subpart D of this

part.2.

You must record the date and time it took to complete

each drill in the driller’s log.

Receive copy of a drilling well-control manual.2

Drilling supervisor ................. Drilling well-control course.1

Qualify to direct well-control operations.1

WO floorhands ..................... WO well-control course.1

Complete the qualifying test consisting of a well-control

drill at the job site within the time limit set by company procedures.2.

You must record the date and time it took to complete

each drill in the operations log.

Participate in weekly well-control drills under subparts

E and F of this part.2

Receive a well-control manual.2

WO supervisors .................... WO well-control course.1

Qualify to direct well-control operations.1

WS work crews .................... At least one crew member is trained in WS well control.1.Trained employee must be in work area at all times

during snubbing or coil tubing operations.

At least one crew member must be qualified to direct

well-control operations.1

Production safety systems

employees.

Must complete training that enables them to install,

test, maintain, & operate subsurface safety devices.1

Employees who work in well

completion operations before or during tree installation.

Either WO well-control course or drilling well-control

course.1

1Employee may not work in the OCS unless this requirement is met.

2Employee must complete this requirement before exceeding 6 months of cumulative employment.

§ 250.213 What documentation must I

provide to trainees?

You must give your employees

documents that show they have

completed the training course(s)

required for their job. The employees

must carry the documents or keep them

at the job site.

§ 250.214 How often must I provide

training to my employees and for how many

hours?

(a) You must ensure that applicable

employees complete basic or advanced

well-control training at least every 2

years. For example, if your employees

complete a well-control course on

October 31, 1998, they must again

complete the training by October 31,

2000.

(b) You must ensure that applicable

employees complete basic or advanced

production safety systems training at

least every 3 years. For example, if your

employees complete production safety

systems training on October 31, 1998,

they must again complete the training

by October 31, 2001.

(c) You must ensure that your

employees have at least the amount of

training listed in the table in

§ 250.214(c). The maximum number of

hours per day of well control or

production safety instruction time is 9

hours.
5324 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

TRAINING HOURS

Basic/advanced course

Surface option, minimum hours

Subsea option, minimum

hours 1

No options,

minimum

hours

Drilling (D) ................................................................................................................................................ 28 32 ....................

Well Completion/Workover (WO) ............................................................................................................. 32 36 ....................

Well Servicing (WS) ................................................................................................................................. .................... .................... 18

Combination D/WO .................................................................................................................................. 40 44 ....................

Combination D/WS ................................................................................................................................... 44 48 ....................

Combination WO/WS ............................................................................................................................... 48 52 ....................

Combination D/WO/WS ............................................................................................................................ 55 59 ....................

Production Safety Systems ...................................................................................................................... .................... .................... 30

1The subsea option includes the minimum hours from the surface option plus 4 hours.

(d) For the first training course after March 7, 1997, you must ensure that your employee follows the following

transition schedule table for well control.

WELL CONTROL TRANSITION

If your employees Then the employees must

A. Completed a basic course on or after [insert date 365 days prior to

the effective date of the rule] or

A. Complete an appropriate basic course within 2 years to maintain

certification, or

B. Completed a basic course before [insert date 365 days prior to the

effective date of the rule].

B. Complete an appropriate basic course by [insert date 365 days after

the effective date of the rule].2

1Example A: If the effective date of this regulation is November 1, 1996, and your employees completed a basic course in Drilling and

Workover/Completion well control on December 9, 1995, your employees must complete a basic Drilling and Workover/Completion well-control

course by December 9, 1997. 2Example B: If the effective date of this regulation is November 1, 1996, and your employees completed a basic course in Well Servicing

[snubbing option] well control on November 15, 1994, your employees must complete a basic course in Well Servicing [snubbing option] by November 1, 1997.

(e) For the first training course after March 7, 1997, you must ensure that your employee follows the following

transition schedule table for production.

PRODUCTION TRANSITION

If your employees Then your employees must

A. Completed a basic course on or after [insert date 545 days prior to

the effective date of the rule], or

A. Complete a basic course within 3 years to maintain certification, or

B. Completed a basic course before [insert date 545 days prior to the

effective date of the rule]

B. Complete a basic course by [insert date 545 days after the effective

date of the rule].

(f) After your employee completes the

transition training specified in

paragraph (d) or (e) of this section, the

training cycle will be 2 years for well

control and 3 years for production

training (as shown in § 250.214 (a) and

(b)).

§ 250.215 Where must I get training for my

employees?

You must provide training by a

training organization or program

approved by MMS.

§ 250.216 Where can I find training

guidelines for other topics?

You can find guidelines in the

subparts shown in the following table:

Topic

Subpart

of part

250

Pollution control .............................. C

Crane operations ............................ A

Topic

Subpart

of part

250

Welding and burning ...................... D

Hydrogen sulfide ............................ D

§ 250.217 Can I get an exception to the

training requirements?

MMS may grant an exception to well

control or production safety systems

training if:

(a) MMS determines that the

exception won’t jeopardize the safety of

your personnel or create a hazard to the

environment; and

(b) You need the exception because of

unavoidable circumstances that make

compliance infeasible or impractical.

§ 250.218 Can my employees change job

certification?

Only if you ensure that the employees

complete training for the new job before

entering on duty.

§ 250.219 What must I do if I have

temporary employees or on-the-job

trainees?

You must ensure that temporary

employees and on-the-job trainees

complete the appropriate training unless

a trained individual is directly

supervising the employee.

§ 250.220 What must manufacturer’s

representatives in production safety

systems do?

A manufacturer’s representative who

is working on company supplied

equipment must:

(a) Receive training by the

manufacturer to install, service, or

repair the specific safety device or safety

systems; and

(b) Have an individual trained in

production safety systems (who is also

capable of evaluating the impact of the

work done) accompany her/him.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 5325

§ 250.221 May I use alternative training

methods?

(a) You may receive a 1-year

provisional approval from MMS to use

alternative training methods that may

involve team or self-paced training

using a computer-based system.

(b) You may receive up to 3 additional

years (4 years total) from MMS to use

alternative training methods (through

onsite reviews).

§ 250.222 What is MMS looking for when it

reviews an alternative training program?

(a) The alternative training must teach

methods to operate equipment that

result in safe and clean operations.

(b) MMS will determine, through

onsite MMS reviews and unannounced

audits during the provisional period, if

the:

(1) Training environment is

conducive to learning;

(2) Trainees interact effectively with

the moderator or training administrator,

(3) Trainees function as a team (for

well control only); and

(4) Tests are challenging and cover all

important safety concepts and practical

procedures to ensure safety.

(c) MMS may also speak with the

trainees to determine if the trainees felt

the training met their needs for their job.

§ 250.223 Who may accredit training

organizations to teach?

MMS may accredit a training

organization or program.

§ 250.224 How long is a training

organization’s accreditation valid?

An accreditation is valid for a

maximum of 4 years. A training

organization may apply to MMS before

the fourth anniversary of the effective

accreditation date. The training

organization must state the changes

(additions and deletions) to the last

approved training curriculum and plan.

§ 250.225 What information must a training

organization submit to MMS?

(a) Two copies of the detailed plan

that includes the:

(1) Curriculum;

(2) Names and credentials of the

instructors;

(3) Mailing and street address of the

training facility and the location of the

records;

(4) Location for the simulator and

lecture areas and how the training

organization separates the areas;

(5) Presentation methods (video,

lecture, film, etc.);

(6) Percentage of time for each

presentation method;

(7) Testing procedures and a sample

test; and

(8) List of any portions of the course

that cover the subsea training option

instead of the surface training option.

(b) Two copies of the training manual.

(c) A cross-reference that relates the

requirements of this supbart to the

elements in the program.

(d) A copy of the handouts.

(e) A copy of the training certificate

that includes the following:

(1) Candidate’s full name;

(2) Candidate’s social security

number,

(3) Name of the training school;

(4) Course name (e.g., basic WS wellcontrol course);

(5) Option (surface or subsea);

(6) Training completion date;

(7) Job classification (e.g., drilling

supervisor); and

(8) Certificate expiration date.

(f) Course outlines identified by:

(1) Name (e.g., ‘‘WS well-control

course’’);

(2) Type (basic or advanced); and

(3) Option (surface or subsea).

(g) Time (hours per student) for the

following:

(1) Teaching;

(2) Using the simulator (for well

control);

(3) Hands-on training (for production

safety systems); and

(4) Completing the test (written and

simulator).

(h) Special instruction methods for

students who respond poorly to

conventional training (including oral

assistance).

(i) Additional materials (for the

advanced training option) such as

advanced training techniques or case

studies.

(j) Information on the 3–D simulator

or test wells:

(1) Capability for surface and/or

subsea drilling well control, WO and

completion training;

(2) Capability to simulate lost

circulation and secondary kicks; and

(3) Types of kicks.

§ 250.226 What additional requirements

must a training organization follow?

(a) The training organization must

keep training records for each trainee for

5 years. For example, if a trainee

completed a well-control course in

1996, the training organization may

destroy the records at the end of the

year 2001. The training organization

must keep the following trainee record

information:

(1) Daily attendance record including

complete student sign-in sheet and

makeup time;

(2) Written test and retest (including

simulator test);

(3) Evaluation of the trainee’s

simulator test or retest;

(4) ‘‘Kill sheets’’ for simulator test or

retest; and

(5) Copy of the trainee’s certificate.

(b) Keep records of the training

program for 5 years. The 5-year

timeframe starts with the program

approval date. For example, if a training

program was accredited in 1995, at the

end of the year 2000, the training

organization may destroy the records for

1995. Keep the following training record

information:

(1) Complete and current training

program plan and a technical manual;

(2) A copy of each class roster; and

(3) Copies of schedules and schedule

changes.

(c) Supply trainees with current

copies of Government regulations on the

training subject matter.

(d) Provide a certificate to each

trainee who successfully completes

training.

(e) Ensure that the subsea training

option has an additional 4 hours of

training and covers problems in well

control when drilling with a subsea

blowout preventer (BOP) stack

including:

(1) Choke line friction determinations;

(2) Using marine risers;

(3) Riser collapse;

(4) Removing trapped gas from the

BOP after controlling a well kick; and

(5) ‘‘U’’ tube effect as gas hits the

choke line.

(f) Ensure that trainees who are absent

from any part of a course make up the

missed portion within 14 days after the

end of the course before providing a

written or simulator test to the trainee.

(g) Ensure that classes contain 18 or

fewer candidates.

(h) Furnish a copy of the training

program and plan to MMS personnel for

their use during an onsite review.

(i) Submit the course schedule to the

approving organization after approval of

the training program, annually, and

before any program changes. The

schedule must include the:

(1) Name of the course;

(2) Class dates;

(3) Type of course; and

(4) Course location.

(j) Provide all basic course trainees a

copy of the training manual.

(k) Provide all advanced course

trainees handouts necessary to update

the manuals the trainee has as a result

of previous training courses.

(l) When each course ends, send MMS

a letter and a class roster. The class

roster must contain the following

information for each trainee:

(1) Name of training organization;

(2) Course location (e.g., Thibodeaux,

Louisiana);

(3) Trainee’s full name;
5326 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

(4) Name of course (e.g., Drilling well

control or WS well control);

(5) Course type (i.e., basic or

advanced training);

(6) Options (e.g., subsea);

(7) Date trainee completed course;

(8) Name(s) of instructor(s) teaching

the course;

(9) The trainee’s social security

number;

(10) Trainee’s employer;

(11) Actual job title of trainee;

(12) Job of each awarded certificate;

and

(13) Test scores (including course

element scores) for each successful

trainee.

(m) Ensure that test scores for

combination training have a separate

score element for each designation and

for each option. For example, training in

subsea drilling and in WO would have

separate test scores for the drilling, WO,

and for the subsea portion.

§ 250.227 What are MMS’s requirements

for the written test?

(a) The training organization must:

(1) Administer the test at the training

facility;

(2) Use 70 percent as a passing grade

for each course element (drilling, well

completion, etc.);

(3) Ensure that the tests are

confidential and nonrepetitive;

(4) Offer a retest, when necessary,

using different questions of equal

difficulty;

(5) Allow open-book regulations and

a formula sheet (without examples) for

well control only; and

(6) Allocate no more than the

following amount of time to the

minimum instruction time: 1 hour for a

single course, 2 hours for a combination

of two basic courses, or 2.5 hours for a

combination of three or more courses.

(b) A trainee who fails a retest must

repeat the training and pass the test in

order to work in the OCS in their job

classification.

§ 250.228 What are MMS’s requirements

for the hands-on simulator and well test?

(a) The training organization must

ensure that:

(1) The test simulates a surface BOP

(or subsea stack for the subsea option)

and the simulator is 3–D with actual

gauges and dials.

(2) The instructor runs only one

simulator and has a maximum of three

students in each team.

(3) The simulator test time allocated

to the minimum instruction time is 1

hour per course (i.e., 2 hours for a

combination of two basic courses, etc.).

(4) The trainees are able to:

(i) Kill the well before removing the

three;

(ii) Determine slow pump rates;

(iii) Recognizes kick warnings sings;

(iv) Shut in a well

(v) Complete kill sheets;

(vi) Initiate kill procedures;

(vii) Maintain appropriate bottomhole

pressure;

(viii) Maintain constant bottomhole

pressure;

(ix) Recognize and handle unusual

well-control situations;

(x) Control the kick as it reaches the

choke line; and

(xi) Determine if kick gas or fluids are

removed.

(5) In the subsea option, the trainees

are able to:

(i) Determine choke line friction

pressures for subsea BOP stacks; and

(ii) Discuss and demonstrate

procedures such as circulating the riser

and removing trapped gas in a subsea

BOP stack.

(6) Offer a retest, when necessary,

using different questions of equal

difficulty.

(b) A trainee who fails a retest must

repeat the training and pass the test to

work in the OCS in their job

classification.

§ 250.229 What elements must a basic

course cover?

See Table (a) of this section for well

control and Table (b) of this section for

production safety systems. The checks

in Table (a) indicate the required

training elements that apply to each job.

Tables (a) and (b) follow:

TABLE (a).—WELL CONTROL

Elements for basic training

Drilling WO

WS

Super Floor Super Floor

1. Hands-on:

Training to operate choke manifold ............................................................................... ✔ ✔

Training to operate stand pipe ...................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Training to operate mud room vales ............................................................................. ✔

2. Care, handling & characteristics of drilling & completion fluids ....................................... ✔ ✔

3. Care, handling & characteristics of well completion/well workover fluids & packer fluids ✔ ✔ ✔

4. Major causes of uncontrolled fluids from a well including:

Failure to keep the hole full ........................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Swabbing effect ............................................................................................................. ✔ ✔

Loss of circulation .......................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Insufficient drilling fluid density ...................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Abnormally pressured formations .................................................................................. ✔ ✔

Effect of too rapidly lowering of the pipe in the hole .................................................... ✔ ✔

5. Importance & instructions of measuring the volume of fluid to fill the hole during trips .. ✔ ✔

6. Importance & instructions of measuring the volume of fluid to fill the hole during trips

including the importance of filing the hole as it relates to shallow gas conditions.

✔

7. Filling the tubing & casing with fluid to control bottomhole pressure .............................. ✔

8. Warning signals that indicate kick & conditions that lead to a kick ................................. ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

9. Controlling shallow gas kicks and using diverters ........................................................... ✔

10. At least one bottomhole pressure well control method including conditions unique to

a surface subsea BOP stack.

✔ ✔

11. Installing, operating, maintaining & testing BOP & diverter systems ............................. ✔

12. Installing, operating, maintaining & testing BOP systems ............................................. ✔

13. Government regulations on:

Emergency shutdown systems ...................................................................................... ✔

Production safety systems ............................................................................................ ✔

Drilling procedures ......................................................................................................... ✔

Wellbore plugging & abandonment ............................................................................... ✔ ✔ ✔

Pollution prevention & waste management ................................................................... ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 5327

TABLE (a).—WELL CONTROL—Continued

Elements for basic training

Drilling WO

WS

Super Floor Super Floor

Well completion & well workover requirements (Subparts E & F of 30 CFR part 250) ✔ ✔

14. Procedures & sequentials steps for shutting in a well:

BOP system ................................................................................................................... ✔ ✔ ✔

Surface/subsurface safety system ................................................................................ ✔

Choke manifold .............................................................................................................. ✔ ✔

15. Well control exercises with a simulator suitable for modeling well completion/well

workover.

✔

16. Well control exercises with a simulator suitable for modeling drilling ............................ ✔

17. Instructions & simulator or test well experience on organizing & directing a well killing

operation.

✔ ✔

18. At least two simulator practice problems (rotate the trainees & have teams of 3 or

less members).

✔ ✔

19. Care, operation, & purpose [& installation (for supervisors)] of the well control equipment.✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

20. Limitations of the equipment that may wear or be subjected to pressure ..................... ✔ ✔ ✔

21. Instructions in well control equipment, including:

Surface equipment ........................................................................................................ ✔ ✔ ✔

Well completion/well workover, BOP & tree equipment ................................................ ✔ ✔ ✔

Downhole tools & tubulars ............................................................................................ ✔ ✔

Tubing hanger, back pressure valve (threaded/profile), landing nipples, lock

mandrels for corresponding nipples & operational procedures for each, gas lift

equipment & running & pulling tools operation.

✔ ✔

Packers .......................................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

22. Instructions in special tools & systems, such as:

Automatic shutdown systems (control points, activator pilots, monitor pilots, control

manifolds & subsurface systems).

✔

Flow string systems (tubing, mandrels & nipples, flow couplings, blast joints, & sliding sleeves).✔

Pumpdown equipment (purpose, applications, requirements, surface circulating systems, entry loops & tree connection/flange).✔

23. Instructions for detecting entry into abnormally pressured formations & warning signals.✔

24. Instructions on well completion/well control problems ................................................... ✔

25. Well control problems during well completion/well workover including:

Killing a flow .................................................................................................................. ✔

Simultaneous drilling, completion & workover operations on the same platform ......... ✔

Killing a producing well .................................................................................................. ✔

Removing the tree ......................................................................................................... ✔

26. Calculations on the following:

Fluid density increase that controls fluid flow into the wellbore .................................... ✔ ✔

Fluid density to pressure conversion & the danger of formation breakdown under the

pressure caused by the fluid column especially when setting casing in shallow formations.

✔

Fluid density to pressure conversion & the danger of formation breakdown under the

pressure caused by fluid column.

✔

Equivalent pressures at the casing seat depth ............................................................. ✔

Drop in pump pressure as fluid density increases; & the relationship between pump

pressure, pump rate, & fluid density.

✔ ✔

Pressure limitations on casings ..................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Hydrostatic pressure & pressure gradient ..................................................................... ✔ ✔

27. Unusual well control situations, including the following:

Drill pipe is off the bottom or out of the hole/work string is off the bottom or out of

the hole.

✔ ✔

Lost circulation occurs ................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Drill pipe is plugged/work string is plugged .................................................................. ✔ ✔

There is excessive casing pressure .............................................................................. ✔ ✔

There is a hole in drill pipe/hole in the work string/hole in the casing string ............... ✔ ✔

Multiple completions in the hole .................................................................................... ✔

28. Special well-control problems-drilling with a subsea stack (subsea students) includes:

Choke line friction determinations ................................................................................. ✔ ✔

Using marine risers ....................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Riser collapse ................................................................................................................ ✔ ✔

Removing trapped gas from the BOP stack after controlling a well kick ..................... ✔ ✔

‘‘U’’ tube effect as gas hits the choke line .................................................................... ✔ ✔

29. Mechanics of various well controlled situations, including:

Gas bubble migration & expansion ............................................................................... ✔ ✔

Bleeding volume from a shut-in well during gas migration ........................................... ✔ ✔

Excessive annular surface pressure ............................................................................. ✔ ✔

Differences between a gas kick & a salt water and/or oil kick ..................................... ✔ ✔
5328 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

TABLE (a).—WELL CONTROL—Continued

Elements for basic training

Drilling WO

WS

Super Floor Super Floor

Special well control techniques (such as, but not limited to, barite plugs & cement

plugs).

✔ ✔

Procedures & problems involved when experiencing lost circulation ........................... ✔ ✔

Procedures & problems involved when experiencing a kick while drilling in a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) environment.✔ ✔ ✔

Procedures & problems—experiencing a kick during snubbing, coil-tubing, or small

tubing operations and stripping & snubbing operations with work string.

✔ ✔

30. Reasons for well completion/well workover, including:

Reworking a reservoir to control production ................................................................. ✔ ✔

Water coning ................................................................................................................. ✔

Completing from a new reservoir .................................................................................. ✔ ✔

Completing multiple reservoirs ...................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Stimulating to increase production ................................................................................ ✔ ✔

Repairing mechanical failure ......................................................................................... ✔ ✔

31. Methods on preparing a well for entry:

Using back pressure valves .......................................................................................... ✔

Using surface & subsurface safety systems ................................................................. ✔ ✔

Removing the tree & tubing hangar .............................................................................. ✔ ✔ ✔

Installing & testing BOP & wellhead prior to removing back pressure valves & tubing

plugs.

✔ ✔

32. Instructions in small tubing units:

Applications (stimulation operations, cleaning out tubing obstructions, and plugback

and squeeze cementing).

✔

Equipment description (derrick & drawworks, small tubing, pumps, weighted fluid facilities, and weighted fluids).✔

BOP equipment (rams, wellhead connection, and check valve) .................................. ✔

33. Methods for killing a producing well, including:

Bullheading .................................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Lubricating & bleeding ................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Coil tubing ...................................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Applications (stimulation operations, initiating flow, & cleaning out sand in tubing) .... ✔

Equipment description (coil tubing, reel, injecting head, control assembly & injector

hosit).

✔

BOP equipment (tree connection or flange, rams, injector assembly & circulating

system).

✔

Snubbing ........................................................................................................................ ✔ ✔

Types (rig assist & stand alone) ................................................................................... ✔

Applications (running & pulling production or kill strings, resetting weight on packers,

fishing for lost wireline tools or parted kill strings & circulating cement or fulid).

✔

Equipment (operating mechanism, power supply, control assembly & basket, slip assembly, mast & counterbalance winch & access window).✔

BOP equipment (tree connection or flange, rams, spool, traveling slips, manifolds,

auxiliary—full opening safety valve inside BOP, maintenance & testing).

✔

34. The purpose & use of BOP closing units, including the following:

Charging procedures include precharge & operating pressure .................................... ✔ ✔

Fluid volumes (useable & required) .............................................................................. ✔ ✔

Fluid pumps ................................................................................................................... ✔ ✔

Maintenance that includes charging fluid & inspection procedures .............................. ✔ ✔

35. Instructions on stripping & snubbing operators & using the BOP system for working

pipe in or out of a wellbore under pressure.

✔

TABLE (b)—PRODUCTION SAFETY SYSTEMS

1. Government Regulations:

Pollution prevention & waste management

Requirements for well completion/well workover operations

2. Instructions in the following: (contained in, but not limited to, API RP 14C):

Failures or malfunctions in systems that cause abnormal conditions & the detection of abnormal conditions

Primary & secondary protection devices & procedures

Safety devices that control undesirable events

Safety analysis concepts

Safety analysis of each basic production process component

Protection concepts

3. Hands on training on safety devices covering, installing, operating, repairing or maintaining equipment:
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 24 / Wednesday, February 5, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 5329

TABLE (b)—PRODUCTION SAFETY SYSTEMS—Continued

High-low pressure sensors

High-low level sensors

Combustible gas detectors

Pressure relief devices

Flow line check valves

Surface safety valves

Shutdown valves

Fire (flame, heat, or smoke) detectors

Auxiliary devices (3-way block & bleed valves, time relays, 3-way snap acting valves, etc.)

Surface-controlled subsurface safety valves &/or surface-control equipment

Subsurface-controlled subsurface safety valves

4. Instructions on inspecting, testing & maintaining surface & subsurface devices & surface control systems for subsurface safety valves

5. Instructions in at least one safety device that illustrates the primary operation principle in each class for safety devices:

Basic operations principles

Limits affecting application

Problems causing equipment malfunction & how to correct these problems

A test for proper actuation point & operation

Adjustments or calibrations

Recording inspection results & malfunctions

Special techniques for installing safety devices

6. Instructions on the basic principle & logic of the emergency support system:

Combustible & toxic gas detection system

Liquid containment system

Fire loop System

Other fire detection systems

Emergency shutdown system

Subsurface safety valves

§ 250.230 If MMS tests employees at my

worksite, what must I do?

(a) You must allow MMS to test

employees at your worksite.

(b) You must identify your employees

by:

(1) Current job classification;

(2) Name of the operator;

(3) Name of the most recent basic or

advanced course taken by your

employees for their current job; and

(4) Name of the training organization.

(c) You must correct any deficiencies

found by MMS. Steps for correcting

deficiencies may include:

(1) Isolating problems by doing more

testing; and

(2) Reassigning employees or

conducting training (MMS will not

identify the employees it tests).

§ 250.231 If MMS test trainees at a training

organization’s facility, what must occur?

(a) Training organizations must allow

MMS to test trainees.

(b) The trainee must pass the MMSconducted test or a retest in order for

MMS to consider that the trainee

completed the training.

§ 250.232 Why might MMS conduct its own

tests?

MMS needs to identify the

effectiveness of a training program that

provides for safe and clean operations.

§ 250.233 Can a training organization lose

its accreditation?

Yes, an accredited organization can

lose its accreditation. MMS may revoke

or suspend an organization’s

accreditation for noncompliance with

regulations or conditions of its

accredited program, or assess civil

penalties under subpart N of this part.

[FR Doc. 97–2721 Filed 2–4–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–MR–M

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 250

RIN 1010–AC19

Unitization

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service

(MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule amends the

unitization regulations by removing the

two model unit agreements—one for

exploration, development, and

production units and the other for

development and production units. The

model agreements will be available from

the Regional Supervisor. The rule is

written in ‘‘plain English.’’ We take this

action to support the President’s

initiative to reform Government

regulations. Our objective is to shorten

the regulation and clarify the wording.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on

March 7, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judith M. Wilson, Engineering and

Standards Branch, telephone (703) 787–

1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The rules

on unitization in 30 CFR part 250,

implementing section 5(a)7 of the Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act

Amendments of 1978, are intended to

prevent waste (defined in § 250.2),

conserve natural resources (protection

of marine life was incorporated into

conservation in 1971; also refers to

deterring unnecessary facilities), and/or

protect correlative rights. The rules

include provisions to:

• Explain the authority and

requirements for unitization;

• Provide for compulsory or

voluntary unitization;

• Explain requirements for

competitive reservoir operations;

• Explain how a lessee may request a

determination of whether a reservoir is

competitive;

• Explain how to submit a joint

development and production plan;

• Explain the process for voluntary

unitization;

• Explain the process for compulsory

unitization; and

• Explain the role of a model

agreement.

This final rule does not intend any

substantive changes to the regulations. It

shortens existing regulations by

removing the model unit agreements.

The ‘‘plain English’’ clarifies the

existing rule.

There are two model unit

agreements—one for exploration,

development, and production units and

the other for development and

production units. The model agreements

will be available from the Regional

Supervisor. The Regional Supervisor