Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) are formal documents that provide clarification, description, or interpretation of a regulation or OCS standard; provide guidelines on the implementation of a special lease stipulation or regional requirement; provide a better understanding of the scope and meaning of a regulation by explaining BSEE interpretation of a requirement; or transmit administrative information such as current telephone listings and a change in BSEE personnel or office address. Letters to Lessees and Operators (LTLs) and Information to Lessees and Operators (ITLs) are also formal documents that provide additional information and clarification, or interpretation of a regulation, OCS standard, or regional requirement, or provide a better understanding of the scope and meaning of a regulation by explaining BSEE interpretation of a requirement.
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This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-G21, issued on December 26, 2000. The table below summarizes the changes. The purpose of this NTL is to provide guidance on preparing EP’s and DOCD’s that are required by current 30 CFR 250, Subpart B regulations. (Although this NTL becomes effective on August 29, 2002, we will continue to accept EP’s and DOCD’s prepared according to the guidance in NTL No. 2000-G21 until November 29, 2002.)
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has scheduled two half-day workshops to discuss the upcoming revisions of the MMS forms for well applications and reporting. The Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional (GOMR) Office will host the workshops in New Orleans on September 19 and in Houston on September 26
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).
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in cooperation with the Global Petroleum Research Institute (GPRI) and the Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) of Texas A&M University, announces an afternoon workshop on Deepwater Well Intervention on August 15, 2002, in Houston Texas. The workshop provides an opportunity to hear from the project managers of the Texas A&M Deepwater Well Intervention Joint Venture.
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.
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2001-G02, effective March 1, 2001. It provides a new drilling window schedule and redefines one of the groups of leases (Group E) covered under the program.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and in accordance with 30 CFR 250.416(c)(3). It provides clarification and guidance for submitting the open hole information required by Items Nos. 14 through 20 of the Weekly Activity Report (Form MMS-133). Please be advised that the MMS is proposing to revise the Weekly Activity Report form and published the proposed form in the Federal Register on May 1, 2002 (67 FR 21718). Therefore, this NTL provides interim guidance pending comments and finalization of the revised form.
The Minerals Management Service is sponsoring the International Workshop: Fire & Blast Considerations in the Future Design of Offshore Facilities, to be held on June 12-14, 2002 in Houston, Texas. The offshore engineering community relies on recommended practices and standards to characterize and design facilities for hydrocarbon explosions and fires. A vast amount of research has been completed, leading in some instances to fire and blast design practices that are different from that found in current guidelines. The workshop will also discuss the current work to update API RP 2A for fire and blast, as well as the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association project to update the UK Health and Safety Executive's fire and blast guidance document.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in June 1998 implemented the gas production verification program. Currently, 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 (formerly 30 CFR 250.183), Gas Measurement, we require you to submit copies of the monthly gas volume statements for sales meters used to determine gas sold and/or transferred for the months of February and March 2002.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-G06, effective February 4, 2000, on this subject and makes minor technical amendments. It provides guidance and conveys the current MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) procedures on SCADA systems. SCADA systems have varied designs and applications.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 98-06, dated August 10, 1998, and Letters to Lessees and Operators dated November 30, 1990, March 17, 1995, and September 5, 1995, and makes technical amendments and updates cited regulatory authorities.
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 NTL supersedes NTL 99-04N and amends the guidelines for applying for royalty relief. As we stated in earlier NTLs on royalty relief, we expect to periodically update these guidelines to reflect our experience in processing applications. This update makes these guidelines consistent with the new regulations for discretionary deepwater royalty relief which we published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2002 (67 FR 1862).
The 2002 Minerals Management Service (MMS) Industry Awards Program and Luncheon are scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2002, at the Hotel Inter-Continental Houston. This is the 19th year that MMS has honored outstanding companies for their exemplary safety and pollution prevention records, and the fourth year for our industry awards program.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is sponsoring the "2nd International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations," April8-10, 2002, in Houston, Texas. This workshop (HFW2002) will build oli the information presented at the 1st International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations which was sponsored by MMS in 1996. HFW2002 provides the opportunity for regulatory agencies, certification bodies, and industry to discuss and review human factors tools that can be applied effectively to improve safety, quality, and reliability of offshore operations and reduce incidents. White papers from the working groups at the 2 ~ day workshop will discuss the folluwing issues: Inclusion of Human Factors in Incident Investigation Reduction of Human Error in New Systems Reduction of Human Error in Existing Systems Solving Human Factor Issues as Applied to the Workforce Using Human Factor Principles in Management Practices and Policies Effective Application of Behavioral Based Processes
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 99-N03 and issues the latest version of form MMS-131, Performance Measures Data. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued NTL 99-N03 to collect data on an annual basis on form MMS-131 related to a set of performance measures developed by a joint Government/ industry workgroup.
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
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2001-G06, effective July 26, 2001, on this subject. It makes technical amendments to the information you include in approval requests for a firefighting system using chemicals in lieu of a water system.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-N03. It restates Minerals Management Service policy during the transition period of the revised 30 CFR 250, Subpart 0, training regulations published in the Federal Register on August 14, 2000 (65 FR 49485). This NTL also addresses questions and concerns that have been raised regarding § 250.1504 on alternative training methods.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 99-G21, “Platform Removal Applications,” dated September 13, 1999; and NTL 99-G08, “Removing Underwater Casing Stubs,” dated May 10, 1999. It changes current policy regarding the explosive removal of well casings and casing stubs, provides information on Federal requirements for protecting endangered and threatened species and marine mammals, adds and modifies information to be included in structure removal method applications, and makes minor technical amendments.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulations (30 CFR 250.11 02(b )(3)) require lessees/operators to conduct well tests at least once every 6 months for each producing completion and submit the results on form MMS-128, Semiannual Well Test Report. Currently, most operators comply with this requirement by completing and submitting numerous paper copies of form MMS-128. Following a successful pilot program, MMS is now prepared to accept these data electronically from all interested operators.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2001-G05, effective June 20, 2001, on this subject. It makes technical amendments regarding approvals and inoperable firewater systems.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulation at 30 CFR 250.803(b)(8)(i) requires that you equip each OCS platform with a firewater system that provides needed protection in all areas where production-handling equipment is located. However, under 30 CFR 250.803(b)(8)(iii), you may use a fire prevention and control system that uses chemicals only in lieu of a firewater system if the appropriate Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) District Supervisor determines that the use of a chemical system provides equivalent fire protection and control for personnel egress.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued according to 30 CFR 250.103 and provides guidance with regard to remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys and reports in deepwater areas (water depths greater than 400 meters) of the Gulf of Mexico. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) has developed a strategy to ensure sound National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for postlease activities in deepwater areas of the Central and Western Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE NTL No.2000-N07 Issue Date: November 9, 2000 Effective Date: May 1, 2001 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Well Naming and Numbering Standards When this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) t
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.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in June 1998 implemented the gas production verification program. Currently, the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) will continue to focus only on verifying production for the sales (royalty) meters.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-G08, effective March 1, 2000. It provides a new drilling window schedule. The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR), after consultation with the U.S. Air Force, established a drilling window program in 1991 for exploratory activities on oil and gas leases that were obtained through Lease Sales
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 99-G15, dated June 30, 1999. It makes minor technical amendments, changes the second workshop date, and changes the information reporting date. The Environmental Protection Agency recently promulgated new, more stringent ambient air quality standards for ozone and is drafting regulations dealing with regional haze. These regulations will require State agencies to perform modeling for ozone and regional haze for use in their State Implementation Plans.
The 2000 Minerals Management Service (MMS) Industry Awards Program and Luncheon are scheduled for Wednesday, April 4, 2001, at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, Texas. This is the 19th year that MMS has honored outstanding companies for their exemplary safety and pollution prevention records, and the third year for our industry awards program.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 2000-G10, issued April 27, 2000, effective on May 30, 2000, and makes minor technical amendments, primarily to Appendix F. The following table summarizes the items affected by the changes:
The current geophysical processing and imaging technology may require longer than normal timeframes to provide an accurate image of a potential subsalt objective. The application of 3D pre-stack depth migration technology is critical to successful subsalt imaging and potential hydrocarbon reservoir identification. If circumstances warrant, this NTL would allow you to maintain your lease past its term by granting additional time, pursuant to 30 CFR 250.180(e), to refine subsalt imaging techniques as well as the processing and interpretation of such imaging. This lease extension applies to a Gulf of Mexico lease that has a subsalt objective as evidenced by either geophysical imaging or geologic information, or both, provided to us by you.
The Minerals Management Service will hold a 1-day workshop on Damage Assessment of Synthetic Moorings. The recently issued API Recommended Practice on Synthetic Moorings (API RP2 SM) addresses the design of synthetic mooring lines, such as polyester ropes, for offshore floating facilities. However, that Recommended Practice does not provide specific guidelines regarding the assessment and mitigation of rope that is damaged during installation or service. In 1999, the MMS initiated a program through the Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) to develop guidelines to assess and mitigate damage of polyester mooring lines to support its use on deepwater oil and gas facilities. A comprehensive, multiphase plan was initiated to provide information for the development of practical engineering guidelines. Work on the initial phases is underway through the efforts of MMS, OTRC, Stress Engineering Services, and the Center for Engineering Applications of Composites.
The Minerals Management Service will hold a 1-day workshop on Damage Assessment of Synthetic Moorings. The recently issued API Recommended Practice on Synthetic Moorings (API RP2 SM) addresses the design of synthetic mooring lines, such as polyester ropes, for offshore floating facilities. However, that Recommended Practice does not provide specific guidelines regarding the assessment and mitigation of rope that is damaged during installation or service. In 1999, the MMS initiated a program through the Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) to develop guidelines to assess and mitigate damage of polyester mooring lines to support its use on deepwater oil and gas facilities. A comprehensive, multiphase plan was initiated to provide information for the development of practical engineering guidelines. Work on the initial phases is underway through the efforts of MMS, OTRC, Stress Engineering Services, and the Center for Engineering Applications of Composites.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 98-11, effective August 10, 1998, and is being issued to make technical amendments. The purpose of this NTL is to provide a consistent and comprehensive approach to protecting high-density chemosynthetic communities from damage caused by oil and gas activities.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION NTL No. 2000-G18 Effective Date: November 21, 2000 Expiration Date: November 30, 2001 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION Meteorolo
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 99-G14, dated June 30, 1999. It makes minor technical amendments, refers to the Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) internet website, and amends the data collection and reporting period for the emissions inventory. Some interests are concerned that emissions from OCS activities may be significantly affecting the air quality of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge/Wilderness Area (BWA), a Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class I Area.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 98-10N. On August 14, 2000, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) published in the Federal Register (65 FR 49485) final regulations revising 30 CFR 250, Subpart O, Well Control and Production Safety Training. The MMS has distributed the published final rulemaking to lessees and operators and the training schools.
This NTL Expired on September 30, 2003 OMB Control Number 1010-0049 Expiration Date: September 30, 2003 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE NTL No. 2000-N05 Effective Date: October 1, 2000 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 98-8N. We have increased the number of copies of a DWOP that lessees/operators (you) should submit but have made no other substantive changes. This NTL continues to address all deepwater development projects (water depths greater than 1,000 feet) and all projects utilizing subsea production technology. Projects that rely solely on the use of conventional fixed-leg platforms for development do not need a DWOP. NTL 98-8N provided a new set of guidelines that were structured to be more user friendly and to answer many of your commonly asked questions.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE NTL No. 2000-N04 Effective Date: September 15, 2000 Recision Date: April 1, 2001 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Guidelines for Crane and Rigging Operations on Fixed Offshore OCS F
This NTL clarifies how the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) will implement the requirements for general lease surety bonds contained in 30 CFR 256, Subpart I. These securities are necessary to ensure that you fully comply with regulatory and lease requirements to include rents, royalties, environmental damage and clean-up activities not related to oil spills, abandonment and site-clearance, and other lease obligations.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 98-04, dated June 8, 1998. It provides regulatory citations and makes minor technical amendments. Under 30 CFR 250.192, you must submit statistics regarding evacuation of personnel and curtailment of production due to hurricanes, tropical storms, or other natural disasters to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR). The MMS GOMR uses this information to inform the U. S. Coast Guard of rescue needs and oil spills and to notify the news media and interested public entities who monitor shut-in production.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act as amended requires the prompt and efficient exploration and development of your leased block. As such, you are expected to explore, develop and commence production within the initial period of any offshore Federal lease. However, under certain criteria, you may request a lease or unit suspension, which extends the term of the lease or unit. For the purposes of this document, all references made to a lease may also apply to a unit.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL 98-22, dated October 5, 1998. It updates regulatory authorities, makes minor technical changes, and revises contact numbers. Introduction The regulations at 30 CFR 250 and 30 CFR 254 require you to obtain various drilling, production, and pipeline approvals from and make notifications to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR). The purpose of this NTL is to describe the procedures you can use when you must contact a GOMR district office or the GOMR Pipeline Section to fulfill these requirements at times other than during regular office hours. Direct calls and telefaxes regarding drilling or production activities to the appropriate GOMR district office. See the Attachment to this NTL for description of the areas of responsibility for the various GOMR district offices. Please note that you must make your contacts regarding activities in the Corpus Christi Subdistrict to the Lake Jackson District. Direct calls and telefaxes regarding OCS pipeline operations to the GOMR Pipeline Section.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-G09, dated March 29, 2000, on this subject. It makes minor technical amendments and corrects some cited authorities. 1. 30 CFR 250.802(b). Exclusion of pressure safety high (PSH) and pressure safety low (PSL) sensors on downstream vessels in a production train As specified in American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 14C, Section A.4, you must install a PSH sensor to provide over-pressure protection for a vessel.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) in June 1998 implemented the gas production verification program. Currently, 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 (formerly 30 CFR 250.183), Gas Measurement, we require you to submit copies of the monthly gas volume statements for sales meters
Pollution Inspection Intervals for Unmanned Facilities
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2000-G05, dated February 2, 2000, and makes minor technical amendments. According to 30 CFR 250.301(a), you must inspect production facilities daily or at intervals approved or prescribed by the District Supervisor to determine if pollution is occurring. Under this authority, the appropriate Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) District Supervisor may use the following matrix and evaluation code to determine the pollution inspection interval for an individual unmanned facility.
The Minerals Management Service will hold a 2-day workshop to assess worldwide operational experiences for FPSOs on June 7 & 8, 2000, in Houston, Texas. The objectives of the workshop are to (1) promote an open and comprehensive discussion of experiences and concerns based on FPSO operations worldwide, (2) identify operational and regulatory issues and successful practices that have resulted from this experience, and (3) identify mitigation measures or technology needs to address these concerns. The MMS has contracted the Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC) at Texas A&M University to organize the workshop on our behalf. The event will be cosponsored by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the industry organization, DeepStar.
