MMS, Coast Guard revise cooperation pact to deal with LNG ports

Washington (Platts)--30Sep2004

The US Minerals Management Service and the US Coast Guard on Thursday revised
a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies on regulation of oil
and gas activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, done in part to deal with
the growing interest in building LNG import facilities. The MOU details how
the two agencies will work together to regulate offshore activities and
facilities to keep pace with an energy industry facing evolving technologies
and new engineering standards, the agencies said. MMS Director Johnnie Burton
and the Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Thomas Collins signed the new
MOU. 

The two agencies also signed a Memorandum of Agreement, which is the first in
a series of documents to outline agency responsibilities on specific technical
areas ranging from deepwater ports to oil spill response. MMS Associate
Director for Offshore Minerals Management Tom Readinger and the Coast Guards
Rear Admiral Thomas Gilmour, assistant commandant for marine safety, security
and environmental protection, signed the MOA.

That agreement is designed to reduce duplication of effort by developing
common, compatible regulations and policies and encouraging adoption of
similar codes and standards. The Coast Guard and MMS have already received at
least three applications from energy companies interested in building offshore
LNG importation facilities, and additional applications are expected in the
next few years.

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