International Activities

The International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) is the preeminent gathering of oil spill experts from around the world. This biennial Conference hosts more than 1800 people from more than 50 countries who attend technical and policy presentations, special exhibits, and equipment demonstrations. MMS is a member of the IOSC Executive Committee. The Issue Paper Subcommittee of the IOSC (of which MMS is also a member) will conduct a two and a half-day workshop in London, UK, from November 12-14, 2002 at the International Maritime Organizations headquarters offices.

This project determines the effects of chemically dispersed and biodegraded oils. Research provided a quantitative assessment of the rate of biodegradation of the components under a range of conditions found in the UK and cold US waters. Decision makers will use this information when choosing appropriate response options. The UK partners are the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, the Department of the Environment for Rural Areas, and the Department of Trade and Industries.

This is a joint industry project (JIP) on FPSO roll actions/re-actions. This project provides a theoretical approach for the reduction of roll motions of FPSO's. The following tasks have been identified. Monitoring in-situ-roll behaviors of existing FPSO's in relation to the environmental conditions; Physical and numerical modeling; Investigation into design and devices to minimize roll.

This project was to develop and demonstrate a multifunctional system for monitoring pipelines in the field using currently available sensing and communications systems, including the CANMET MIC sensor and chemical sensors to measure pH and CO2 concentrations. The system will use a fiber-optics backbone, with a capability for data acquisition / management and decision making. The ISPIR system will integrate pipeline monitoring, sensing and communications, using fiber configurations and procedures.

Procured membership in the International Marine Contractors Association and specially for the Marine Division.

During the last 10 years, the offshore industry has shown an increasing interest in suction anchors so there is a need to calibrate safety factors for suction anchors. Suction anchors continued to be first choice, but drag-in plate anchors emerged as a potential alternative 5 years ago, especially by Petrobras in Brazil. This JIP objectives were:

Structural reliability analysis for calibration of a design code for design of suction anchors,

Develop design code for suction anchors and describe a model for use in the reliability analysis,

The U.S. MMS/DOT is sponsoring on offshore pipeline operations and integrity. The workshop took place February 26-28, 2003 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The objective was to bring together worldwide experience in operating and regulating offshore oil and gas activities in order to identify/disseminate pipeline issues and knowledge for continued safe and pollution free operations.

You can visit the website at http://www.projectconsulting.com/workshop2003/index.htm.

The APEC Workshop on Assessing and Maintaining the Integrity of Existing Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities was held in Beijing, China, October 9-11, 2000.

The workshop was the product of the APEC Marine Resources Conservation Working Group. It was held pursuant to the APEC Action Plan for the sustainability of the Marine Environment in which APEC recognized the value of reviewing the issue of the integrity of offshore oil and gas platforms in the APEC context.

The Minerals Management Service sponsored the 2nd International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations, April 8-10, 2002, in Houston, Texas. This workshop (HFW2002) will continue to build on the information presented at the 1st International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations which was sponsored by the MMS in 1996.

Presentations from the Seventh International Committee on Regulatory Authority Research and Development - WWW.ICRARD.ORG