Notice to Lessees (NTLs)

Clarifies the process for establishing a designated safe welding area for each particular rig as part of a written Welding Plan; updates terminology for "welding" and contact information for submitting welding plans to District Supervisors of MMS.

Updates prior NTL to specify requirement to submit pipeline location data on compact disks, and revokes aspects of NTL No. 98-09 that facilitated submission of "as-Built" location data before the construction report.

Describes functional responsibility by District and Regional offices for all MMS regulations beginning with General Requirements.

Guidance on evaluation of tie-downs on OCS production platforms to secure drilling and workover rigs, permanent equipment, and facilities during Hurricane season.  This NTL is based on industry document API Recommended Practice 2TD, and efforts to reduce tie-down failures during heavy storms. 

Updates regulatory citations pertaining to operations on floating drilling rigs, and the disconnect of marine risers during routine function test of blind-shear rams, based on recent 'near miss' event that could have threatened loss of well control.  Requires changes to control panel to ensure that LMRP disconnect process occurs only in response to deliberate acts.

Notice to specify the location of the choke and kill lines serving blowout preventer (BOP) stacks. Only those regulations pertaining to Oil & Gas Drilling Operations currently specify the exact location of choke lines as above the bottom ram in the stack.  MMS reiterates that no approvals of APMs will be made for any type of oil and gas drilling or well operations.  States District offices may approve installations of kill lines only below the bottom ram, upon submission of schematic drawing of BOP stack and MMS design evaluation. 

Updates terminology and contact information, identifies permissible well-workover operations with tree installed that are defined as 'routine'.   Reiterates that all 'non-routine' well-workover operations may not be performed without MMS approval, including acidizing, while clarifying that acidizing operations using the 'bulkheading' method is considered routine where no change occurs in the wellbore configuration.  Acidizing operations using a Coiled Tubing unit are considered non-routine.

Notice to operators and pipeline right-of-way holders regarding the goals of coastal restoration, beach nourishment, and levee construction to mitigate erosion, flooding, and land loss in coastal Louisiana.  Adopts safeguards of OCS sediment policy as authorized by Marine Minerals Program. States that future requests for decommissioning-in-place (DIP) of pipelines in such designated sediment reserves are discouraged.     

Clarifies information requirements for EPs, DPPs, and DOCDs across all OCS areas and in both shallow water (less than 500 feet) and Deepwater (over 500 feet).  Authorizes performance of rig-related workovers and certain drilling activity for which an APD is already approved, without submitting additional information.   Provides examples of new information required by BOEMRE in six attachments. 

Describes data elements, parameters and reports, and computer modeling or spreadsheets that are required in a complete application for project royalty relief in conjunction with notice issued in November 2008 (73 FR 69490).  Supplements original guidelines in Deep Water Royalty Relief Act of 1996.

Clarifies reporting requirements for natural gas liquids and retrograde condensate that are recovered from qualified deep gas production.

Notice that failure to maintain lease holding operations may result in termination of a lease or unit by operation of law.   A suspension of production that is not resumed within 180 days and in "paying quantities" or in approved drilling or workover operations will result in legal forfeiture of the lease.   Clarifies terms "paying quantities" and provides for lease holding reviews by GOMR. 

Outer Continental  Shelf (OCS) Inspection Program - March 1, 2008

Clarifies the policy on availability and inspection of electronically stored records for tests of installed surface and subsurface  safety devices "at the lessee's field office nearest to the OCS facility or other locations convenient to the District Manager" within the meaning of 30 CFR 804(b) and 1630(b).  Encourages use of electronic record systems to manage inspections and follow-up activity via request for alternate compliance procedure under 30 CFR 250.141. 

Guidance on how to maintain equipment and materials necessary to ensure the protection of personnel, equipment, natural resources and the environment.  Defines managed pressure drilling consistent with IADC and UBO Committees; states the NTL will be "reviewed for revision when the IADC completes its recommended practice for MPD, surface BOPs and subsea BOPs."  

Describes information requirements for shallow water hazards reports and how these hazards apply to lift and jack-up boats, specifies group intervals for acquiring medium penetration seismic profiler information, and allows MODU or other vessels. to depart a location without fully raising its legs where no contact with pipelines may occur.   

Authority The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) hereby directs lessees and operators of each affected OCS lease in the Gulf of Mexico to collect and report facility, equipment, fuel usage, and other activity information during the period January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005. The authorities for these requirements include, but are not limited to, 30 CFR 250.303(k), 30 CFR 250.304(g), 30 CFR 250.203(o), and 30 CFR 250.204(s). Purpose and Need for NTL The MMS and Gulf Coast States need information for the year 2005 on OCS production activities in the Western Gulf of Mexico (that portion of the OCS west of 87o 30' West longitude), which will coincide with the 2005 State emission inventories, for input into ozone and regional haze models.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators is a reminder that, pursuant to 30 CFR 203.48, lessees of shallow-water leases issued with deep gas royalty relief provisions may exercise an option to replace these provisions with the deep gas royalty relief provisions in 30 CFR 203.0 and 30 CFR 203.40 through 203.47. Pursuant to 30 CFR 203.48(b), a written notification of your decision must be sent to the Regional Supervisor for Production and Development before September 1, 2004, or 180 days after your lease is issued, whichever is later.

For shallow-water leases issued from 2001 through 2003, the royalty suspension provisions in the lease instrument define deep gas as any gas production from a completion in a new gas reservoir (one not previously produced on any current lease) with the top of the perforated interval 15,000 feet or greater subsea. The reference to “completion” in this definition includes completions in both new and sidetrack wells. Accordingly, the lease instrument grants a 20 BCF royalty suspension volume (RSV) not only to new wells, but also to sidetrack wells.

Beginning in 2001, shallow-water (less than 200 meters) leases in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico were issued with royalty suspension provisions for deep gas production. For a lease to earn a royalty suspension volume of 20 BCF of deep gas production, a well must be drilled to and completed in a new deep gas reservoir with production commencing within the first 5 years of the life of the lease. Deep gas is defined as any gas production from a completion with the top of the perforated interval 15,000 feet or greater TVD subsea.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and provides links to the addresses and telephone numbers of the individual command headquarters for the military warning and water test areas in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE GULF OF MEXICO REGION NTL No. 2007-G22 Effective Date: June 25, 2007 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS (NTL) OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF (OCS), GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION Suspensions of Operations for Subsalt and Ultradee

This Notice to Pipeline Right-of-way (ROW) Holders (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.101(a) and 30 CFR 250.103 and in accordance with 15 CFR 930.53(d) to provide notice and assistance regarding your compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Federal consistency regulations when submitting OCS ROW pipeline applications to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR). This NTL supersedes NTL No. 2002-G15, effective December 20, 2002.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 to provide clarification and guidance for pipeline riser design, fabrication, and installation under the platform verification program specified in 30 CFR 250.909 through 918.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION NTL No. 2007-G08 Effective Date: April 2, 2007 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION Using a Motion Compensator when Conducting Coiled Tubing O

The purpose of this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is to provide information concerning new filing procedures in obtaining a determination of well producibility (effective with the date of the determination). This necessitates the replacement of NTL No. 2000-G04 Effective Date January 28, 2000. Changes in the lease addendums beginning with lease OCS G-22500 (Lease Sale 178) no longer transfer a lease into minimum royalty status when a well qualifies in accordance with 30 CFR 250.115 or 30 CFR 250.116. These leases remain in rental status and the annual rental payments for future lease years become payable at the end of the lease year, until the start of royalty bearing production. In the lease year that royalty bearing production begins, royalties become payable in accordance with the lease instrument which specifies the royalty rate and minimum royalty requirements.

Archaeological resources are any material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years of age and that are of archaeological interest. Material remains include physical evidence of human habitation, occupation, use or activity including the site, location, or context in which such evidence is situated. Items of archaeological interest are those that may provide scientific or humanistic understanding of past human behavior, cultural adaptation, and related topics through the application of scientific or scholarly techniques.

This NTL is issued to clarify the timing for submitting a request tor a lease or unit suspension. Authority and Background Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.171, "You must submit your request tor a suspension to the Regional Supervisor, and MMS must receive the request before the end of the lease tenn (i.e., end of primary term, end of the 180-day period following the last leaseholding operation, and end of a current suspension)."

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. It establishes guidelines for new mudline suspension wells drilled and completed as dry tree tiebacks to the surface or converted to subsea wells after October 25, 2006. This NTL only applies to wells drilled from bottom-supported drilling rigs on the Gulf of Mexico shelf.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 98-05, dated July 1, 1998, on this subject. It reminds operators of the new notification and confirmation requirement for “eligible” leases, which was established in the final rulemaking revising the 30 CFR part 260 regulations (66 FR11512, published February 23, 2001). It also makes other minor changes and updates regulatory citations. We previously issued NTL 98-05 in response to questions concerning deepwater royalty relief for eligible leases.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to regulations at 30 CFR 250. 194; 30 CFR 250.201; 30 CFR 250.203;30 CFR 250.204: 30 CFR 250.1007(a)(5) and 30 CFR 250. 1010(c) and supersedes NTL OO-A03, dated February 7, 2000.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in June 1998 implemented the gas production verification program. The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) will continue to focus only on verifying production for the sales (royalty) meters. Under the requirements of 30 CFR 250.1203(b)(6) and (b)(8), you must provide MMS (when requested) with copies of the monthly gas volume statements for those meters used to determine gas sold and/or transferred. Unlike the previous sampling process, the Regional Supervisor is now requesting monthly gas volume statements from all operators starting January 2004 to be submitted on a monthly basis. You must submit these statements by the last day of the month following production to Mr. Paul Marsh at 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70123. Please also provide the name and telephone number of your contact person. Failure to submit your gas volume statements in the time frame requested will result in the issuance of an Incident of Non-Compliance.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) informs lessees and operators that the Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR), Office for Production and Development will now be performing economic and conservation evaluations of requests to abandon producing zones and to bypass a zone upon the initial completion or recompletion. These evaluations will ensure that economic zones are not prematurely abandoned and confirm that no significant hydrocarbon bearing zones are being bypassed to the detriment of ultimate recovery. This NTL also specifies the average production rates above which additional information must be submitted before you abandon a zone pursuant to 30 CFR 250.1712(a), or recomplete to a new zone pursuant 30 CFR 250.613(c).

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION Clarification of Eastern Gulf of Mexico Sale 181 Military Areas Stipulation The U.S. Department of the In

The purpose of this NTL is to convey to you the changing policies and procedures of the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) regarding downhole commingling of production from separate reservoirs in a wellbore as addressed in 30 CFR 250.1106 (formerly 30 CFR 250.176). These evolving policies are a direct result of the changing economic, technological, and operating environments present in today's offshore development and production activities

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 99-G02 and updates the economic assumptions published in it. These new economic assumptions update Section b of the Economic Viability and Relief Justification Report. We require the applicant (you) to use these assumptions when applying for deepwater royalty relief. Together with these new assumptions, you must use a new version of the economic model, as specified in the table below, for applications submitted after the effective date of this NTL (until future updates, see below).

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes the Letter to Lessees and Operators dated April 15, 1993, on this subject. It includes a statement on the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. As published in the Federal Register on May 1, 1991 (56 FR 20020), the Minerals Management Service (MMS) has prescribed an implementation plan for the conversion of the North American Datum (NAD) 27 to NAD 83. This NTL summarizes the phases for this conversion in the Gulf of Mexico.

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) amends Section 10 and Appendix H of the Attachment to NTL No. 98-30, titled “Guidelines for Preparing Regional Oil Spill Response Plans.” It makes minor technical amendments, establishes the Flower Garden Banks Oil Spill Planning Area and provides for obtaining real-time onsite meteorological information in the event of a spill there, and establishes two new types of worst case discharge scenarios.

This addendum to Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) No. 98-18, Change of Address for the Submittal of Certain Drilling Well Records in Accordance with 30 CFR 250.416, dated September 1, 1998, is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and notifies you of a change in the name and address of the agent receiving certain well records on behalf of the Minerals Management Service (MMS).

Clarifies the policy on availability and inspection of electronically stored records for tests of installed surface and subsurface  safety devices "at the lessee's field office nearest to the OCS facility or other locations convenient to the District Manager" within the meaning of 30 CFR 804(b) and 1630(b).  Encourages use of electronic record systems to manage inspections and follow-up activity via request for alternate compliance procedure under 30 CFR 250.141. 

The Chief, Office ofFacilities, Safety and Enforcement (OFSE) requires all Pacific OCS Region (POCSR) lessees or right-of-way applicants (you) to perform an analysis of seafloor and subsurface geologic and manmade hazards of all areas considered for production platforms and pipelines (30 CFR 250.242(b), 250.906 and 250.1007 (a)(5)). Hazards analysis is the process ofidentifying and evaluating conditions that might affect the safety ofproposed operations or conditions that might be affected by the proposed operations.

Provides clarification of regulatory requirements for safe and environmentally sound use of subsea pumping as a minerals recovery method in subsea development projects.  Sets forth information requirements for DWOPs (and revisions of DWOPs). Describes examples of equipment and procedures sufficient to meet current expectations of safe, protective operations.

Clarifies information regarding the interpretation of Hydrogen Sulfide presence determinations using NACE Standard MR0175-2003.  Restates adoption of the NACE standard as best available and safest technology [BAST] for when use of equipment to prevent sulfide cracking and stress corrosion is required at OCS worksites.

Clarifies that all pipeline location information is to be reported and submitted in North American Datum (NAD) 27, so as to ensure that surface location data and final location plats for drilling activities, wells, platforms and pipelines are sufficiently accurate.

Offers guidance for when you must shut-in producible wells during rig moves or move a skid or drilling unit between wells as supported by a platform.  The NTL describes various types of rigs and phases of rig movement, and specifies when wells must be shut in and how to delineate the documentation provided to MMS.

Updates prior NTL to specify requirement to use a checklist of information regarding jack-up rig fitness using Form MMS-123 to assure the rig is capable of performing at the proposed location.   Clarifies the MMS form is based on information provided at API Recommended Practice 95J.