UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

NTL No. 97-17
August 1, 1997

NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL, GAS AND SUPLHUR
LEASES ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

Containment Requirements for Bolted or Welded Stock Tanks

In response to inquiries by lessees, the purpose of this notice is to provide guidance concerning adequate measures for the prevention of pollution from bolted and welded storage tanks on OCS facilities in order to meet the requirement of 30 CFR 250.301(b)(3). The following policy has been adopted:

• Bolted or welded stock tanks may be installed on a solid deck area that is lipped and equipped with drains that are piped to sump.
• Bolted or welded stock tanks that are installed on grating or on a solid deck without a lip are to be installed in a solid containment pan or lipped area equipped with drains that are piped to sump.
• Containment pans or areas must have an inside diameter or dimension at least 3 feet greater than the diameter of the tank and have a containment lip at least 4 inches in height.
• Sumps to which deck containment areas or pans are piped must be properly operated and maintained in accordance with 30 CFR 250.301(b)(4).

This shall apply to all stock tanks installed more than 120 days after the effective date of this Notice to Lessees.

(signed) Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director

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