Interior's Report of Shut-In or Flaring Wells Unnecessary, but Oversight Should Continue
RCED-83-10
Published: Oct 05, 1982. Publicly Released: Oct 05, 1982.
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Highlights
GAO reported on the methodology used by the Secretary of the Interior in allowing Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) wells to be shut-in or flaring natural gas, as required by law.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should consider repealing section 15(1)(d) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended, and sections 601(1) and (b) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978. These repeals would abolish the requirement for Interior's annual report on OCS shut-in and flaring wells as well as for the GAO annual evaluation of Interior's methodology and reporting to Congress. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Recommendation contained in later report RCED-84-19. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct MMS to reinstitute procedures to compare Interior's onsite inspection reports with operator-reported shut-in data, at least on a selective basis, to verify the information being reported by operators. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct MMS to reinstitute procedures for monitoring for excessive emergency gas flaring. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct MMS to verify on a timely basis that gas flaring ceases when it is expected to cease. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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