Delta Site

Japan Drilling Company, Ltd.

Per request of Shigehito Uetake, please find the following:

Table of regulations governing drilling operations on the United States OCS.

Selected links to US Code of Federal Regulations governing the OCS

Download selected volumes of 29 CFR, 40 CFR, and 46 CFR from this site. Files (zipped) range in size from 1363KB - 5693KB.

Table of links to online catalogs for pertinent standards and guidelines.

Recognized research vessels are treated differently than vessels drilling for oil and gas. The procedure for designating a vessel as a research vessel is outlined in 46 CFR 3.10-1.

If the designated research vessel will be operating beyond US coastal waters (12 miles off Texas, 3 miles everywhere else), it must meet SOLAS as interpreted by its flag state. If it will be operating inside US coastal waters it must also comply with customs and port state control.

The requirements governing US flag oceanographic research vessel can be found in Subchapter U - General Provisions, Inspection and Certification, and Construction and Arrangement.

Although there are a number of federal agencies concerned with the OCS, the primary agency will be the US Coast Guard. They should be the first point of contact since the OCMI for your area of operations will determine whether your vessel may be designated an oceanographic research vessel. The USCG has an extensive website. LCmdr. Josh Peters (jcpeters@comdt.uscg.mil or 202-267-0496) or LCmdr. David Hawes (dhawes@msomorgancity.uscg.mil or 504-380-5305) will be able to provide excellent guidance.

Attached please find the report re: UK/Norwegian waters.