Notice to Lessees (NTLs)

This NTL provides guidance on BSEE's interpretation of 30 CFR 250.132(a)(2), which requires lessees and operators to provide helicopter landing sites and refueling facilities to helicopters BSEE uses to regulate offshore operations.

Explains regulations authorizing emergency landings and refueling requirements of BSEE helicopters at lessee platforms in GOM.

This NTL is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and superseded NTL No. 2007-G12, Contact with District Offices and Pipeline Section Outside Regular Work Hours, effective April 4, 2007.  It updates the New Orleans, Houma, Lake Charles, and Lake Jackson District Offices addresses and also the Pipeline Section Address for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR).  Lastly, it also restates the after-hours flaring/venting contact information for the Resource Conservation Section (previously named the Rate Control Section) contained in NTL No. 2012-N04, Flaring and Venting Requests, in order to consolidate the BSEE GOMR after-hours contacts into a single NTL.

Updates contact information at district offices and pipeline section, and how to contact BSEE with after hours request for venting and flaring of gas.

This NTL provides a new address and contact information for the Lake Jackson District office.

This NTL supersedes NTL 2008-G22, effective November 19, 2008 and provides schedules for release of well data and information that is submitted to BSEE as described in NTL 2010-G02, effective March 3, 2010.

Announces release of well geological data and interpreted geological and geophysical information as provided at 30 CFR 250.197(b) for current leases and those no longer in effect.

This NTL provides a new address and contact information for the Lake Charles District office.

This national NTL eliminates the expiration dates on certain existing NTLs published on the BSEE website.  This NTL also clarifies that, until BSEE revises, reissues, or withdraws the published NTLs, they will continue to apply regardless of any stated expiration dates.

Clarifies policy that prior NTLs will not automatically expire until BSEE issues a superseding NTL, or the NTL is expressly revised or withdrawn.  Existing NTLs will continue in effect regardless of their expiration date.

This NTL supersedes NTL No. 2007-G15, effective May 14, 2007. This NTL updates the information and guidance about obtaining access to the eWell Permitting and Reporting System (eWell) and attaches and updated eWell Permitting and Reporting System Application Manual. (See NTL No. 2014-N03A for the manual).

Updates for e-Well Permitting and Reporting System and Manual, with availability of e-Well access for Alaskan and Pacific regions with secure website applications in lieu of paper forms.

This NTL provides new addresses for the New Orleans and Houma District offices (Office of District Field Operations) as well as the address and contact information for the recently formed Measurement Inspection Office (Office of Production and Development).

Provides new address and telephone information for the Houma and New Orleans District Offices, and the Measurement Inspection Unit.

Offers guidance on procedures to follow when required to install flare/vent meters at your facility.  Clarifies that current regulations do not mandate metering of lease use gas and that estimates of lease gas volumes may be reported as such.

Clarifies the definitions of sidetrack and bypass wells, and provides guidance for naming subsea well completions; makes minor formatting changes and includes guidance document statement.

Notifies lessees and operators that BOEM and BSEE may be required, in a writing, to conduct Notifies POCS lessees and operators of policy allowing for limited suspension of certain testing requirements for standby flaring equipment and pressure safety relief values when such tests coincide with an emergency health event that activates local air emission abatement measures. These measures include shutdown or suspension of industrial sources as identified by the state of California.  MMs authorizes pre-approval of suspensions of testing standby equipment and safety relief valves during or in anticipation of 2nd or 3rd stage episodes to reduce air pollution.

Provides notice of inspection results and discovery of bypass around natural gas royalty meter, and need to make lessees aware of policies regarding proving/calibration and site security requirements of various meter/tank status classifications such as active, inactive, terminated.

Explains regulations for electronically submitting semiannual well test results for each producing completion using Form MMS-128.

Clarifies policies and procedures for submitting Oil Spill Financial Responsibility documents; adds new definitions to 30 CFR 253.3; provides guidance on how to determine if a facility is covered by the certificate of financial responsibility requirements. 

This Notice to Lessees and Operators is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. It supersedes NTL No. 96-10, dated December 5, 1996. It provides contact and Paperwork Reduction Act information, updates regulatory citations, adds a definition, and makes minor technical amendments.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. It provides guidance to ensure that the design of new OCS platforms and related structures fully considers the specific environmental conditions at the platform location as required by 30 CFR 250.900(a).

Announces accident investigation results of pipeline damage caused by workboats dragging grappling hooks to try and retrieve a mooring buoy and its chain.  Reiterates warning sign criteria in prior NTL will remain in effect, and reminds lessees and operators that all signage must be properly displayed to boat traffic and maintained in legible condition.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued to address certain safety concerns and questions recently brought to our attention with respect to cranes installed on fixed offshore platforms. Regulations at 30 CFR 250.108 address cranes and other material handling equipment on fixed offshore platforms. Section 250.108(a)(l) incorporates by reference the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice for Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes (API RP 2D), Fourth Edition, into the Minerals Mangement Service (MMS) regulations. Section 250.1 08(a)(2) requires that inspection, testing, and maintenance records must be kept at the OCS facility for at least 2 years.

Informs lessees and operators of requirements and procedures for notifying MMS of changes in leases, pipelines, or ROW ownership or operatorship whether by name change or merger.

Provides information on reporting requirements for submittals made to satisfy regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart L (30 CFR 250.1202 -- 250.1204).  States preferred method of submittal is e-mail.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) clarifies current policy and procedures by specifying your responsibilities as a lessee in implementing MMS 's performance-based training regulation, 30 CFR 250 Subpart 0 Well Control and Production Safety Training. Since going into etiect October 15, 2002, MMS has monitored industry compliance with this rule by conducting numerous audits, interviews, and tests at both the company level and on an individual basis. The majority of agency efforts have focused on the use of audits. If, during an audit, the MMS audit team finds a deficiency in a lessee's training plan, an Incident of Noncompliance (INC) is issued.

Clarifies procedures for appeal of decisions and orders issued by MMS.  Contains advice for both informal resolution and formal appeal.

Notifies lessees and operators of fees for pre-production royalty relief applications and possible audits, as part of DOI policy to encourage production of marginal resources.

Minerals Management Service (MMS) is offering a royalty relief program for hurricane projects in the Gulf of Mexico OCS pursuant to 30 CFR 203.1. To expedite the application review process, MMS will assume the pre-qualification requirements stated at 30 CFR 203.80 are met by applicants making requests under this initiative. Applications will be considered if the approval of royalty relief would meet the objective of the endof-life program (see 30 CFR 203.51, 203.83 and 203.84). End-of-life program guidelines for processing applications have been modified to accommodate characteristics unique to hurricane projects. This NTL provides guidance for preparing a complete application. "Hurricane project" is defined as a proposal to correct damage caused by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. A project may consist of wells, platforms, pipelines, or other structures which were producing or capable of producing before the hurricane from one or more oil and gas reservoirs, located on one or more leases. The incentive is intended to encourage the production of marginal oil and gas reserves that are shut in due to hurricane damage, and for which resumption of production would not be economical in the absence of royalty relief.

Notice to protect Federal production of minerals against loss or theft.  Reminds operators and platform and rig personnel that "theft or mishandling" includes tampering with or bypassing any component of the royalty measurement facility, and falsifying production measurements. 

Clarifies that a request for suspension received after the lease term has expired will be interpreted as a request for lease reinstatement, and that OCSLA does not give MMS authority to revive or reinstate lessees after they have expired.  A Memorandum by SOL supports this result. 

Under Section (b)(7) of 43 U.S.C 1337 (Section 8(b)(7) of the OCS Lands Act, as amended), each offshore lease issued after September 18, 1978, has a 20 percent small refiner offer provision. Under this provision, lessees must offer small or independent refiners 20 percent of the crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids produced on each lease, at the market value and point of delivery applicable to Federal royalty oil. This 20 percent set aside is in addition to the amounts available under the Federal royalty oil program.

Guidance on how to implement monitoring programs to minimize risks of vessel strikes of protected species and report observations of injured or dead animals.   In place of formal observer program, the NTL provides guidelines to identify and avoid injury to marine mammals and sea turtles by reducing speed and maintaining appropriate distances from protected species.

Provides guidance and information on preparing and submitting regional Oil Spill Response Plans for owners and operators of oil handling, storage, or transportation facilities located seaward of the coast line.

This NTL is intented to provide clarification about the type of information you may provide for compliance with written follow-up report requirements in 30 CFR 254.46(b)(2).

Clarifies what types of information should be provided to BSEE in in written, follow up reports for oil spills or releases from platforms, vessels, or pipelines, schedules for submitting information.

This NTL provides you with specific instructions for requesting reimbursement when you provide meals, quarters, and transportation to BSEE representatives inspecting your lease facilities and operations.

Describes how lessees and operators may request reimbursement for meals, lodging, and transportation provided to BSEE inspectors and enforcement personnel.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-Way Holders (NTL) is intended for owners or operators of oil handling, storage, or transportation facilities located seaward of the coast line. It clarifies what the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) considers a significant change in your Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) worst case discharge (WCD) scenario that requires you to submit a revised OSRP for BSEE approval.

Clarifies what BSEE considers a significant change in Oil Spill Response Plans (OSRPs) and worst case discharge (WCD) scenario that requires lessees and operators to submit a revised OSRP.

Defines data exchange format for submitting directional surveys in digital form via compact disc, including use of 12-digit API number and appropriate MMS contact information, as required by 30 CFR 250 Subpart D.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. It instructs lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way holders to collect production activities information (facility, equipment, fuel usage, etc.) for use in the 2008 Gulfwide Emissions Inventory. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) derives its authority for requiring emissions monitoring and reporting at 30 CFR 250.303(k), 30 CFR 250.304(a) and (g), and 30 CFR 250.282.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. It provides guidance for and more detail about the requirements for submitting a change to the designated operator of an OCS lease. As part of this guidance, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is announcing that it will no longer approve Designations of Operator that involve designating an operator for individual wells or multiple wells.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and supersedes NTL No. 2006-G19, effective October 25, 2006, on this subject. It provides clarification on using the eWell Permitting and Reporting System to report hurricane and tropical storm effects information, specifies the information included in the various hurricane and tropical storm reports, updates contact information, and updates a regulatory citation.

Announces changes in prior NTL 2000-G20 to broaden scope to cover all high-density Deepwater benthic communities, defines Deepwater as 300 meters not 400 meters, increases the separation distance from muds and cuttings discharge from 1500 to 2000 feet and clarifies conditions of approval, and provides for additional 1000-foot buffer area around benthic communities beyond maximum anchor areas.  Clarifies that the NTL applies to pipe-lay vessels and chains, with option to reduce the distance requirements if no benthic communities actually exist in areas of impact.

Provides and consolidates guidance for avoidance and protection of biologically sensitive features and areas (e.g., coral reefs) when conducting OCS operations in water depths of less than 300 meters (984 feet).   Clarifies requirements to review existing and future EPs and DOCDs for "bottom disturbances" caused by use of anchors, chains, cables, wire ropes and pipelines, and to observe "no activity zones" identified by NOAA Fisheries.  The NTL is more protective because it changes the applicable water depth for protective measures from 400 meters to 300 meters.

Notice to industry that USAF communication seven GOM towers require clear lines of sight from one to another, and be kept free of electromagnetic interference.  To accomplish these goals, no activities will be allowed within a 500-radius of towers sites, or within 100 feet of the centerline of a line of sight between the towers.

Provides guidance and instructions on disposal of E&P waste, worker safety when handling waste, and contents of applications to dispose of or store E&P wastes.   Includes worker safety guidelines for handling NORM waste when above background levels, and requires written disclosure of the lease number, area, block, and well number of any disposal wells.

Provides clarification on procedures for conducting ancillary activity, including at least 15 days' written notice to the regional office before initiating ancillary activity such as  deploying air guns or seismic arrays in water depths of 200 meters or greater; creating bottom disturbances, independent of water depth, including ocean bottom cable surveys, and time lapse (4D) surveys; and geotechnical evaluation involving piston/gravity-coring or the recovery of sediment specimens by grab-sampling or other similar technique, and dredging of the seafloor.

Clarifies definitions of sidetrack and bypass and provides instructions, exhibits, and guidance for naming subsea wells, completions, and wellbores.  Makes administrative and formatting changes to prior NTL.

Updates policy on platform inspection intervals, including guidance on conducting corrosion assessments, regulatory and document references and revises contact information for Gulf Regional office of Structural and Technical Support.

Describes inspections to conduct and reports to prepare to address known and potential damages to OCS platforms and other floating structures (above and below waterline), disruption to and resumption of production operations, MODUs, subsea production safety systems, and pipelines caused by future Hurricanes or major storms.  

Provides guidance on submitting alternate procedure and equipment departure requests from regulations at 30 CFR 250 Subpart J, focusing on pipeline pre-testing applications for valves,  pumps, and redundant pressure safety devices associated with  subsea tiebacks.

Clarifies policy for lessees and operators that revise EPs and DOCDs to change approved anchor patterns or anchor areas, and provides guidance for sidetrack wells.  Sets forth information to be submitted with change requests, including types of drilling rigs, vessels, or platforms, the surface location, whether the mineral is oil or gas, and emission of air pollutants during drilling and production.  Changes of anchor locations of 500 feet or more require advance approval of anchor array patterns.

Provides guidance on use of SCADA systems for electronic monitoring of facilities and operating conditions, including wind speeds and downstream components (flowlines, pipelines, and separators located between the hydrocarbon sources and sensing points).  Sets forth approval conditions for when a SCADA system will be permitted to shut-in and restart essential operations.

Guidance on how to avoid compromising the structural integrity of platforms prior to relocation; applies to both fixed and floating platform rigs.  If the platform rig trips any of the platform assessment initiators listed API RP 2A-WSD, the operator must perform a platform assessment in accordance with 30 CFR 250.920(s).

Updates regulatory citations; adds guidance for level safety high (LSH) sensors on atmospheric vessels, including design and maintenance criteria for the sensor bridle to prevent fluids of different densities from impacting sensor functionality.

Provides guidance on how to install pressure safety high sensors or provide over-pressure and under-pressure  protection to vessels in accord with API Recommended Practice 14C.  Defines the term production train to include vessels not separated by pressure control valves or extensive piping that would cause a drop across a system of more than 10% or 50 psi, whichever is greater.