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.
To view expired or superseded NTLs, select a different NTL status and select submit.
This NTL supersedes NTL 98-29 and associated addendums to continue the task of cleaning up our historical data for wells in the GOMR. In doing so, every effort has been made to minimize the burden on industry in accomplishing this goal.
The primary objective of Historical Well Data Cleanup (HWDC) is to obtain missing data for wellbores that have not been assigned API numbers by the MMS. We are looking for any records that would have been submitted to MMS. These range from very straightforward to extremely complex, depending on the types of problems encountered during drilling operations. Having complete and accurate documentation of all drilling activities is the goal, and operator cooperation is an essential part of locating missing information for the cleanup of data from these wells.
Offers guidance on procedures regarding the permitting process for decommissioning platforms, pipelines and other related oil and gas facilities. Notifies industry that 30 CFR 250.107 safety and health measures, including maintaining equipment and work areas in safe condition, remains in effect during decommissioning.
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.
Rescinded
Pollution Prevention and Control, Well Operations and Equipment (Subpart G)
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.
Active
General Requirements, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2002-G10, effective September 4, 2002, on this subject. It makes minor technical corrections; updates regulatory citations; adds standard conditions for well operations associated with drilling, workovers, completions, recompletions, temporary abandonment, and permanent plugging; and includes a guidance document statement.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2004-G04, dated March 7, 2004. It makes minor technical amendments and includes a guidance document statement.
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.
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) provides guidance on evaluating and managing wells that have casing pressure and supersedes the Letter to Lessees and Operators (LTL) titled Policy Concerning Sustained Casing Pressure, dated January 13, 1994, and NTL No. 2005-G09, Static Casing Pressure Less than 100 psig, effective June 1, 2005. The policy changes set forth in this NTL significantly reduce the paperwork burden concerning the reporting of casing pressure conditions, the number of departure requests, and the frequency of casing pressure diagnostic testing.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2009-G08, effective June 1, 2009, on this subject. It changes the expiration date, provides a warning regarding failure to follow the guidance and requirements in the NTL, and revises the Paperwork Reduction Act statement.
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.
Title: Accidental Disconnect of Marine Drilling Risers
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes expired NTL No. 2008-G08, effective May 19, 2008, on this subject. It provides guidance on using either e-mail or 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 makes minor administrative amendments.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) provides guidance and requirements for: 1. Outfitting all mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) that are moored, including jackup rigs, with multiple global positioning system (GPS) transponders that are installed and operational by July 01, 2009; and 2. Providing the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) with access to real-time GPS location data; and 3. Contacting the MMS GOMR Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) office when a MODU moves off location during a storm event.
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.
Active
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Platforms and Structures, Pollution Prevention and Control
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.
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.
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.
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.
Guidance on provision of synthetic mooring systems in DWOPs, considered a non-conventional technology regardless of water depth. The design should conform to API Recommended Practice 2SM and operators must comply with 30 CFR 250.292(c) for design, fabrication, and installation information on the mooring system.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has scheduled a half-day public workshop to review the status of the 30 CFR 250 Subpart O - Well Control and Production Safety Training testing program.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2008-G15 and extends the terms of that NTL until March 31, 2009. Due to force majeure events, such as hurricanes, which cause disruption to OCS operations, we are implementing a temporary measure related to the requirements for meter provings, gas meter calibrations, and well testing.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued to implement a temporary policy for granting lease extensions in cases where you cannot complete the necessary assessment work in order to commit to the restoration of production from your lease or unit prior to lease expiration. In cases where the assessment has been completed and there is a firm commitment to restore production in paying quantities, a Suspension of Production (SOP) should be requested.
Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.1014, a pipeline right-of-way (ROW) will expire if the associated pipeline is not properly maintained or is not being used for the purpose for which the grant was made. However, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) recognizes that many ROW pipelines sustained damage from Hurricanes Gustav and/or Ike and, for that reason, cannot at this time be properly maintained or used for the purposes for which the respective grants were made.
Accordingly, any pipeline ROW associated with a pipeline that cannot be properly maintained or used for the purpose for which the grant was made due to damage caused by either Hurricane Gustav or Hurricane Ike will not expire for either of those reasons during the one-year period beginning November 20, 2008.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) provides the availability date of well data and information submitted to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) as described in NTL 2006-G16, effective July 15, 2006. Release of data and information to the public is required by 30 CFR 250.197. MMS collects, verifies, and stores data and information by the well’s unique 12-digit American Petroleum Institute (API) number assigned by the MMS. MMS uses the data and information collected to make informed regulatory decisions based on complete and accurate well records.
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) supplements NTL No. 2008-G18, effective September 25, 2008. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is issuing this NTL pursuant to the regulatory standards set forth in 30 CFR 250.106(b) and (c) to elaborate on the reports you need to prepare and the meetings you need to conduct with the MMS GOMR because of known and potential damage to OCS platforms caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
This NTL is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulations at 30 CFR 250.194, 250.207(b), and 250.1007(a)(5) require OCS lessees and operators and pipeline ROW holders to conduct surveys within areas of high archaeological potential and to submit the results to MMS. This NTL constitutes the written notice referenced in these regulations.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2008-G16, effective September 11, 2008. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is issuing this NTL pursuant to 30 CFR 250.106(b) and (c) to elaborate on the inspections you need to conduct and the plans and reports you need to prepare because of known and potential damage to OCS facilities caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike before they struck land on September 1, 2008, and September 13, 2008, respectively.
Due to tlscal year-end closeout, MMS will disable Pay.Gov forms from 12:01 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2008; to 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2008. This outage will aflect Pay.Gov interactive payments made through eWelL
Due to force majeure events, such as hurricanes, which cause disruption to OCS operations, we are implementing a temporary measure related to the requirements for meter provings, gas meter calibrations, and well testing. Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.142, departures are granted to the requirements contained in 30 CFR 250.1202(d)(3), 1202(k)(3), 1202(k)(4), 1203(c)(1), and 1204(b)(1) subject to the following stipulations:
When a force majeure event precludes the required meter proving/calibration in accordance with 30 CFR 250.1202(d)(3), 1202(k)(3), 1202(k)(4), or 1203(c)(1), meters must be proved/calibrated within 15 days after being returned to service.
When a force majeure event precludes the required bimonthly well test (or other testing frequency approved by the Regional Supervisor) in accordance with CFR 250.1204(b)(1), well tests must be conducted within 15 days after production is restored.
Please note that you are not required to contact this office to obtain departure approvals under this NTL.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) supersedes NTL No. 2008-G14, effective September 8, 2008. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is issuing this NTL pursuant to 30 CFR 250.106(b) and (c) to elaborate on the inspections you need to conduct and the plans and reports you need to prepare because of known and potential damage to OCS facilities caused by Hurricane Gustav before it struck land on September 1, 2008.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) is issuing this Notice to Lessees and Operators and Pipeline Right-of-way Holders (NTL) pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and 30 CFR 250.106(b) and (c) to describe the inspections you need to conduct and the plans and reports you need to prepare because of the known and potential damage to OCS facilities caused by Hurricane Gustav before it struck land on September 1, 2008.
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.
Active
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Platforms and Structures
