umes to enable any leaks from the pipeline to be de-
tected as quickly as possible. 
SEC. 3. ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF DECOM-
MISSIONING PIPELINES. 
(a) STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF DECOMMIS-
SIONING PIPELINES VERSUS REMOVING PIPELINES.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Directors of the Bureau of 
Safety and Environmental Enforcement and the Bu-
reau of Ocean Energy Management shall jointly con-
duct a study to evaluate the environmental benefits 
and risks associated with decommissioning oil and 
gas pipelines in place on the sea floor compared to re-
moving such pipelines. Such study shall include— 
(A) an evaluation of pipelines that have 
been decommissioned in place, identifying de-
commissioned pipelines at high-risk of causing 
safety and environmental harm, causing obstruc-
tions, or otherwise unduly interfering with 
present or future uses of the outer continental 
shelf; and 
(B) recommendations on the best uses of the 
revenues generated by the annual pipelines fees 
as authorized by subsection (d). 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Directors shall 
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transmit a report to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate, detailing the findings and determinations of the 
study, including any recommendations for legislation. 
(b) REQUIRED CONSIDERATIONS IN REVIEWING DE-
COMMISSIONING APPLICATIONS.—In determining whether 
to permit an owner to decommission an oil or gas pipeline, 
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
shall fully consider whether the offshore oil and gas pipeline 
constitutes a hazard to navigation and commercial and rec-
reational fishing operations, unduly interferes with other 
uses of the outer continental shelf, or has adverse environ-
mental effects. 
(c) ONGOING MONITORING OF DECOMMISSIONED PIPE-
LINES.—The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforce-
ment shall continually monitor the condition and location 
of all oil and gas pipelines that have been decommissioned 
and remain in place, and shall maintain all relevant 
records of such monitoring. 
(d) ANNUAL PIPELINE OWNERS FEE.—Not later than 
180 after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau of 
Safety and Environmental Enforcement shall issue regula-
tions to assess an annual fee on owners of offshore oil and 
gas pipelines for the purpose of providing the Bureau with 
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funds to decommission or remove such pipelines in the event 
an owner files for bankruptcy. Such fee shall be no less 
than— 
(1) $10,000 per mile for such pipelines in water 
with a depth of 500 feet or greater; and 
(2) $1,000 per mile for pipelines in water depth 
of under 500 feet. 
SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT RELATING TO EXPOSED SEGMENTS 
OF OFFSHORE PIPELINES. 
If the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforce-
ment identifies any exposed segment of any active or decom-
missioned pipeline, the Bureau shall either remove the pipe-
line from the ocean or ensure it is properly decommissioned 
and does not pose a threat. If a segment of any active pipe-
line is exposed or shifts, the Bureau shall re-secure such seg-
ment to the sea floor. 
SEC. 5. COMPLETION OF STUDY RELATING TO ENVIRON-
MENT RISKS OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS USED 
IN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS. 
(a) COMPLETION OF STUDY.—The Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement shall complete a study ad-
dressing the risks to the environment of chemical products 
used in oil and gas operations including umbilical lines. 
In conducting the study, the Bureau shall seek input from 
chemical suppliers and the oil and gas industry. 
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(b) REPORT.—Not later than two years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall transmit a report 
of the findings and determinations in such study to Con-
gress, including any recommendations for legislation. 
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
No provision of this Act shall take effect without con-
sidering whether such action will result in a reduction of 
reef fish habitat. 
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Union Calendar No. 456 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2643 
[Report No. 117–633] 
A BILL 
To require the Bureau of Safety and Environ-
mental Enforcement to further develop, finalize, 
and implement updated regulations for offshore 
oil and gas pipelines to address long-standing 
limitations regarding its ability to ensure active 
pipeline integrity and address safety and environ-
mental risks associated with decommissioning, 
and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 14, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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