Regulations last checked for updates: May 17, 2024

Title 30 - Mineral Resources last revised: May 15, 2024
§ 585.626 - What must I include in my COP?

(a) You must submit the results of the following surveys for the proposed site(s) of your facility(ies). Your COP must include the following information:

Information: Report contents: Including:
(1) Shallow hazardsThe results of the shallow hazards survey with supporting dataInformation sufficient to determine the presence of the following features and their likely effects on your proposed facility, including:
(i) Shallow faults;
(ii) Gas seeps or shallow gas;
(iii) Slump blocks or slump sediments;
(iv) Hydrates; or
(v) Ice scour of seabed sediments.
(2) Geological survey relevant to the design and siting of your facilityThe results of the geological survey with supporting dataAssessment of:
(i) Seismic activity at your proposed site;
(ii) Fault zones;
(iii) The possibility and effects of seabed subsidence; and
(iv) The extent and geometry of faulting attenuation effects of geologic conditions near your site.
(3) BiologicalThe results of the biological survey with supporting dataA description of the results of biological surveys used to determine the presence of live bottoms, hard bottoms, and topographic features, and surveys of other marine resources such as fish populations (including migratory populations), marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea birds.
(4) Geotechnical surveyThe results of your sediment testing program with supporting data, the various field and laboratory test methods employed, and the applicability of these methods as they pertain to the quality of the samples, the type of sediment, and the anticipated design application. You must explain how the engineering properties of each sediment stratum affect the design of your facility. In your explanation, you must describe the uncertainties inherent in your overall testing program, and the reliability and applicability of each test method(i) The results of a testing program used to investigate the stratigraphic and engineering properties of the sediment that may affect the foundations or anchoring systems for your facility.
(ii) The results of adequate in situ testing, boring, and sampling at each foundation location, to examine all important sediment and rock strata to determine its strength classification, deformation properties, and dynamic characteristics.
(iii) The results of a minimum of one deep boring (with soil sampling and testing) at each edge of the project area and within the project area as needed to determine the vertical and lateral variation in seabed conditions and to provide the relevant geotechnical data required for design.
(5) Archaeological resourcesThe results of the archaeological resource survey with supporting dataA description of the historic and prehistoric archaeological resources, as required by the NHPA (16 U.S.C. 470et. seq.), as amended.
(6) Overall site investigationAn overall site investigation report for your facility that integrates the findings of your shallow hazards surveys and geologic surveys, and, if required, your subsurface surveys with supporting dataAn analysis of the potential for:
(i) Scouring of the seabed;
(ii) Hydraulic instability;
(iii) The occurrence of sand waves;
(iv) Instability of slopes at the facility location;
(v) Liquefaction, or possible reduction of sediment strength due to increased pore pressures;
(vi) Degradation of subsea permafrost layers;
(vii) Cyclic loading;
(viii) Lateral loading;
(ix) Dynamic loading;
(x) Settlements and displacements;
(xi) Plastic deformation and formation collapse mechanisms; and
(xii) Sediment reactions on the facility foundations or anchoring systems.

(b) Your COP must include the following project-specific information, as applicable.

Project information: Including:
(1) Contact informationThe name, address, e-mail address, and phone number of an authorized representative.
(2) Designation of operator, if applicableAs provided in § 585.405.
(3) The construction and operation conceptA discussion of the objectives, description of the proposed activities, tentative schedule from start to completion, and plans for phased development, as provided in § 585.238.
(4) Commercial lease stipulations and complianceA description of the measures you took, or will take, to satisfy the conditions of any lease stipulations related to your proposed activities.
(5) A location platThe surface location and water depth for all proposed and existing structures, facilities, and appurtenances located both offshore and onshore, including all anchor/mooring data.
(6) General structural and project design, fabrication, and installationInformation for each type of structure associated with your project and, unless BSEE provides otherwise, how you will use a CVA to review and verify each stage of the project.
(7) All cables and pipelines, including cables on project easementsLocation, design and installation methods, testing, maintenance, repair, safety devices, exterior corrosion protection, inspections, and decommissioning.
(8) A description of the deployment activitiesSafety, prevention, and environmental protection features or measures that you will use.
(9) A list of solid and liquid wastes generatedDisposal methods and locations.
(10) A listing of chemical products used (if stored volume exceeds Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reportable quantities)A list of chemical products used; the volume stored on location; their treatment, discharge, or disposal methods used; and the name and location of the onshore waste receiving, treatment, and/or disposal facility. A description of how these products would be brought onsite, the number of transfers that may take place, and the quantity that will be transferred each time.
(11) A description of any vessels, vehicles, and aircraft you will use to support your activitiesAn estimate of the frequency and duration of vessel/vehicle/aircraft traffic.
(12) A general description of the operating procedures and systems(i) Under normal conditions.
(ii) In the case of accidents or emergencies, including those that are natural or manmade.
(13) Decommissioning and site clearance proceduresA discussion of general concepts and methodologies.
(14) A listing of all Federal, State, and local authorizations, approvals, or permits that are required to conduct the proposed activities, including commercial operations(i) The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and any other applicable authorizations, approvals, or permits, including any Federal, State or local authorizations pertaining to energy gathering, transmission or distribution (e.g., interconnection authorizations).
(ii) A statement indicating whether you have applied for or obtained such authorization, approval, or permit.
(15) Your proposed measures for avoiding, minimizing, reducing, eliminating, and monitoring environmental impactsA description of the measures you will use to avoid or minimize adverse effects and any potential incidental take before you conduct activities on your lease, and how you will mitigate environmental impacts from your proposed activities, including a description of the measures you will use as required by this part and 30 CFR part 285, subpart H.
(16) Information you incorporate by referenceA listing of the documents you referenced.
(17) A list of agencies and persons with whom you have communicated, or with whom you will communicate, regarding potential impacts associated with your proposed activitiesContact information and issues discussed.
(18) ReferenceA list of any document or published source that you cite as part of your plan. You may reference information and data discussed in other plans you previously submitted or that are otherwise readily available to BOEM.
(19) Financial assuranceStatements attesting that the activities and facilities proposed in your COP are or will be covered by an appropriate bond or security, as required by §§ 585.515 and 585.516.
(20) CVA nominations for reports required in 30 CFR part 285, subpart GCVA nominations for reports in 30 CFR part 285, subpart G, as required by § 285.706, or a request for a waiver under § 285.705(c).
(21) Construction scheduleA reasonable schedule of construction activity showing significant milestones leading to the commencement of commercial operations.
(22) Air quality informationAs described in § 585.700.
(23) Other informationAdditional information as required by BOEM.
authority: 43 U.S.C. 1337.
source: 88 FR 6430, Jan. 31, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 30 CFR 585.626