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To view expired or superseded NTLs, select a different NTL status and select submit.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 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. 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 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).
This NTL is being issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 to provide information on the marine trash and debris awareness training video and slide show, and both postal and e-mail addresses for submitting annual training reports. This NTL supersedes and replaces NTL No. 2003-G11, effective June 19, 2003, on this subject and applies to all existing and future oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico OCS.
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.
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.
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Oil and Gas Drilling Operations, Plans and Information, Platforms and Structures
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."
Guidance on required information to submit with Form MMS-123 and APDs to demonstrate the fitness of moored drilling rigs to conduct operations in the GOM OCS during hurricane season. States MMS will use API Recommended Practice 2SK, Appendix K, 3rd edition.
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Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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Oil and Gas Drilling Operations, Oil and Gas Well Completion Operations, Oil and Gas Well Workover Operations, Sulfur Production Operations
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.
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.
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.
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Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Platforms and Structures, Pollution Prevention and Control
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Decommissioning Activities, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations, Oil and Gas Well Completion Operations, Oil and Gas Well Workover Operations
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Platforms and Structures
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.
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Pollution Prevention and Control, Well Operations and Equipment
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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Production Measurement, Surface Commingling & Security
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.
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General Requirements, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way
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.
