1.

Notifying Member: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Department of the Interior (DOI)

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Blowout preventer systems; Quality (ICS code(s): 03.120); Environmental protection (ICS code(s): 13.020); Equipment for petroleum and natural gas industries (ICS code(s): 75.180); Petroleum products and natural gas handling equipment (ICS code(s): 75.200)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf--Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control Revisions; (12 page(s), in English)

6.

Description of content: Proposed rule - The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is proposing to revise certain regulatory provisions published in the 2019 final well control rule for drilling, workover, completion, and decommissioning operations. BSEE is proposing these revisions to clarify blowout preventer (BOP) system requirements and to modify certain specific BOP equipment capability requirements. This proposed rule would provide consistency and clarity to industry regarding the BOP equipment and associated operational requirements necessary for BSEE review and approval and would further ensure operations are conducted safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment; Quality requirements

8.

Relevant documents: 87 Federal Register (FR) 56354, 14 September 2022; Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 250:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-14/html/2022-19462.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-09-14/pdf/2022-19462.pdf

This proposed rule is identified by Docket Number BSEE-2022-0009. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BSEE-2022-0009/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number. WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 14 November 2022. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with the regulator and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.

Previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/1367 are identified by the Docket Number BSEE-2018-0002. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BSEE-2018-0002/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Final date for comments: 14 November 2022

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone or fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/TBT/USA/22_6180_00_e.pdf