30 CFR 250.1751: How do I decommission a pipeline in place?

You must do the following to decommission a pipeline in place:

(a) Submit a pipeline decommissioning application in triplicate to the Regional Supervisor for approval. Your application must be accompanied by payment of the service fee listed in § 250.125. Your application must include the following information:

(1) Reason for the operation;

(2) Proposed decommissioning procedures;

(3) Length (feet) of segment to be decommissioned; and

(4) Length (feet) of segment remaining.

(b) Pig the pipeline, unless the Regional Supervisor determines that pigging is not practical;

(c) Flush the pipeline;

(d) Fill the pipeline with seawater;

(e) Cut and plug each end of the pipeline;

(f) Bury each end of the pipeline at least 3 feet below the seafloor or cover each end with protective concrete mats, if required by the Regional Supervisor; and

(g) Remove all pipeline valves and other fittings that could unduly interfere with other uses of the OCS.