Inspection Fee Collection

Section 22 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1348) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)

Inspection fees

(1)

Establishment

The Secretary of the Interior shall collect from the operators of facilities subject to inspection under subsection (c) non-refundable fees for such inspections— (A)at an aggregate level equal to the amount necessary to offset the annual expenses of inspections of outer Continental Shelf facilities (including mobile offshore drilling units) by the Secretary of the Interior; and (B)using a schedule that reflects the differences in complexity among the classes of facilities to be inspected. (2)

Ocean Energy Safety Fund

There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the Ocean Energy Safety Fund (referred to in this subsection as the Fund), into which shall be deposited all amounts collected as fees under paragraph (1) and which shall be available as provided under paragraph (3). (3)

Availability of fees

Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, all amounts deposited in the Fund— (A)shall be credited as offsetting collections; (B)shall be available for expenditure for purposes of carrying out inspections of outer Continental Shelf facilities (including mobile offshore drilling units) and the administration of the inspection program under this section; (C)shall be available only to the extent provided for in advance in an appropriations Act; and (D)shall remain available until expended. (4)

Adjustment for inflation

For each fiscal year beginning after fiscal year 2020, the Secretary shall adjust each dollar amount specified in this subsection for inflation based on the change in the Consumer Price Index from fiscal year 2020. (5)

Annual fees

Annual fees shall be collected under this subsection for facilities that are above the waterline, excluding drilling rigs, and are in place at the start of the fiscal year. Fees for fiscal year 2020 shall be— (A)$11,500 for facilities with no wells, but with processing equipment or gathering lines; (B)$18,500 for facilities with 1 to 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells; and (C)$34,500 for facilities with more than 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells. (6)

Fees for drilling rigs

Fees shall be collected under this subsection for drilling rigs on a per inspection basis. Fees for fiscal year 2020 shall be— (A)$33,500 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of 500 feet or more; and (B)$18,500 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of less than 500 feet. (7)

Fees for non-rig units

Fees shall be collected under this subsection for well operations conducted via non-rig units as outlined in subparts D, E, F, and Q of part 250 of title 30, Code of Federal Regulations, on a per inspection basis. Fees for fiscal year 2020 shall be— (A)$13,260 per inspection for non-rig units operating in water depths of 2,500 feet or more; (B)$11,530 per inspection for non-rig units operating in water depths between 500 and 2,499 feet; and (C)$4,470 per inspection for rigs operating in water depths of less than 500 feet. (8)

Billing

The Secretary shall bill designated operators under paragraph (5) annually, with payment required within 30 days of billing. The Secretary shall bill designated operators under paragraph (6) within 30 days of the end of the month in which the inspection occurred, with payment required within 30 days after billing.