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To view expired or superseded NTLs, select a different NTL status and select submit.
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.
Active
Plans and Information, Pollution Prevention and Control
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.
Active
Production Measurement, Surface Commingling & Security
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.
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Plans and Information, Pollution Prevention and Control
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.
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.
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.
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Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Plans and Information
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.
Describes inspections to conduct and reports to prepare to address known and potential damages to OCS facilities including platforms, subsea production safety systems, and pipelines caused by Hurricane Isaac before striking land on Aug. 29, 2012.
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Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Plans and Information, Platforms and Structures
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.
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 supersedes NTL No. 2008-G03, dated April 14, 2008. It clarifies current policy by describing how Distric Managers will determine the appropriate intervals for the pollution inspection you conduct for unmanned facilities and by explained that you may conduct some of these inspections "visually" instead of by physically boarding the facility.
Clarifies how BSEE will determine appropriate intervals for inspecting unmanned facilities and in what circumstances 'visual' inspection may be substituted for physically boarding the facility.
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.
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.
Active
Administrative / Office and Program Contact Information
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 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 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 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 supersedes NTL No. 2011-G01. 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, and makes minor administrative amendments.
Guidance on how to submit records of evacuation results, production shut-in measures, facility damages, and pollution reports, both via email and electronically.
Active
General Requirements, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports
This NTL is being issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103, and 250.300, to provide information on the Offshore Operators Committee (OOC) marine trash and debris awareness training video and slide show. This NTL also provides the mailing and email addresses for submitting annual training reports. This NTL supersedes and replaces NTL No. 2012-GO1, effective January 1, 2012, on this subject and applies to all existing and future oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico OCS unless and until expressly superseded.
Provides BSEE email and physical address to submit annual training reports for prevention of marine debris discharge from platforms and vessels in ocean waters
Effective June 1, 2015, the U.S. Treasury lowered the maximum dollar amount allowed for a credit card collection. The maximum amount that can be charged to a credit cared in one day has been lowered from $49,999.99 to $24,999.99; this change affects Pay.gov credit card payments. The ACH (electronic check) remittance is to be used for payments greater than $24,999.99.
Lowers amount that can charged on credit card transactions for purposes of paying fees to BSEE.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) provides notification of a change of address for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Headquarters Offices from Herndon, VA to Sterling, VA. Phone numbers for this office remain unchanged. This NTL also clarifies that, until BSEE revises, reissues, or withdraws published NTLs that reference the former BSEE Headquarters Offices at 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170, such references shall be deemed to apply to its office at 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
Address change of BSEE Headquarters from 381 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170 to 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
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Administrative / Office and Program Contact Information
This National Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) provides information and guidance about the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) electronic Production Facility Safety System Application submittal and tracking system.
Provides option to submit electronic records of production system safety compliance data to Gulf Region.
This NTL provides guidance and clarification of the regulations related to cementing requirements and the steps necessary to address indications or identification of an inadequate cement job.
Clarifies regulations for cementing requirements and the steps necessary to address indications of inadequate cement job.
Describes process for regulated entities to use electronic methods for responding to INCs, request time extensions, and rescissions with curative measures undertaken in lieu of submitting paper copies if INCS and letters.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes NTL Nos. 2010-G02, 2010-P03, and related guidance on this subject. Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is issuing this NTL to clarify and provide more detail about how to submit well records required by the Records and Reporting regulations at 30 CFR 250.740 – 250.745 (new section numbers as of July 28, 2016) for all OCS.
Clarify how to submit well records to BSEE with appropriate dates, locations, and region-specific requirements, using the eWell electronic well permitting system
Guidance on how to conduct inspections of fixed platforms, floating structures, moored MODUs, and pipelines and report surveys of damages, including a structural analysis for planned repairs.
Active
Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Platforms and Structures
Guidance on how to conduct inspections of fixed platforms, floating structures, moored MODUs, and pipelines and report surveys of damages, including a structural analysis for planned repairs.
Active
Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Platforms and Structures
The purpose of this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is to provide updated information regarding BSEE’s assessment of civil penalties for violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and its implementing regulations. This NTL replaces NTL No. 2016-N05. Effective February 3, 2017, the maximum civil penalty amount will increase to $42,704 per day per violation in accordance with the authorities described below. BSEE has revised the Civil Penalty Assessment Matrix below to reflect the increased maximum civil penalty amount per day per violation. The increase in the OCSLA maximum civil penalty amount and the revised Civil Penalty Assessment Matrix apply to civil penalties assessed on and after February 3, 2017, even when the associated violation(s) predates February 3, 2017.
On April 27, 2016, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) issued Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) No. 2016-N03, Reporting Requirements for Decommissioning Expenditures on the OCS, to provide guidance and clarification regarding regulatory requirements pertaining to the submission of certified decommissioning expenditure summaries following the permanent plugging of any well, removal of any platform or other facility, and clearance and verification of any site. BSEE amended its regulations addressing decommissioning expenditure reporting, effective December 16, 2016, by including requirements for the submittal of certified summaries of decommissioning expenditures for right-of-way (ROW) and lease term pipelines. The additional requirements concerning the submission of certified decommissioning expenditures summaries are found at 30 CFR 250.1704(i).1 As a practical matter, BSEE recognizes, and prefers, that the operator submit the required summary of decommissioning costs on behalf of the lessees, the owners of operating rights, or the pipeline ROW holders. The summaries must be submitted within 120 days after completion of each decommissioning activity.
Provides guidance and clarification regarding submission of certified decommissioning cost expenditure summaries following permanent plugging of any well, removal of any platform or other facility, clearance and verification of any site, and decommissioning of pipeline segments.
Clarifies how BSEE may require more detailed information from regulated entities for grants or assignments of Pipeline Rights-of-Way, and particularly for assignment to multiple grant holders .
Identify ocean current data for planning, designing, and operating mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs), permanent floating production platforms, and their ancillary equipment (i.e., drilling risers, production risers, flowline and pipeline risers, tension leg platform (TLP) tendons, mooring systems). This data will allow BSEE to more accurately track loop currents and eddy currents.
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Plans and Information, Platforms and Structures, Well Operations and Equipment
Electronic submission of SEMS documents such as audit plans, audit reports, corrective action plans, performances measures data, and communications with BSEE regarding all submissions.
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Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS)
Clarifies guidance for requesting SOPs and SOOs as part of a demonstration of "commitment to production" when a project involves technology development (e.g., HPHT equipment) and how operators may justify exceptions to policy against granting suspensions for phased development.
Describes voluntary submissions pf plans and information prior to dates required by regulation, in order to aid BSEE's understanding of a DWOP, APD, or APM and thereby facilitate agency review of HPH well design, completion or intervention operations.
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General Requirements, Plans and Information, Well Operations and Equipment
Provides Guidance for use of well completion, well control & well intervention equipment, and trees and production equipment designed for high pressure/high temperature (HPHT) conditions
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Plans and Information, Well Operations and Equipment, Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems
Provides guidance for information needed to analyze alternate equipment requests for consider external hydrostatic pressure in the design and calculation of internal pressure containment capability of subsea equipment.
Active
General Requirements, Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems, Plans and Information, Platforms and Structures, Well Operations and Equipment
Describes areas affected by hurricane Barry and clarifies what inspections, plans, and reports are needed for assessing known and potential damage to OCS facilities.
Active
General Requirements, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Effects Reports, Plans and Information
Information and guidance to streamline the submittal and approval process for Deepwater Operations Plans (DWOPs) and conceptual plans between BSEE and stakeholders representing lessees and operators. Includes electronic exchange of information in with BSEE in TIMS platform
Information and guidance to streamline the submittal and approval of other operational notices and requests or reports such as lease suspensions, royalty relief, SEMs plans and performance, pipeline ROWs, and production measurement verification data, but excluding incident, oil spill, and permits request notifications which are part of NTL 2018-02.
Clarifies definitions of Max Anticipated Surface Pressure for completion; how to handle a gas reservoir isolated by cement behind the production casing; describes when to use an oil gradient or gas gradient to calculate certain anticipated pressures prior to production
Active
Oil and Gas Drilling Operations, Oil and Gas Well Completion Operations, Well Operations and Equipment
