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To view expired or superseded NTLs, select a different NTL status and select submit.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 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.
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 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 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).
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), along with six oil and gas companies, is planning a controlled deepwater release of oil and gas in the deep waters of the Norwegian Sea. The objectives of this study (called Deepspill) are to gather field data to calibrate computer models that predict oil and gas behavior and transport when oil and gas are released at the seafloor through the water column; to test the scalability of laboratory experiments; and to field test the suitability of various underwater surveillance systems for monitoring and tracking underwater releases.
The purpose of this Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is to provide information concerning new and simplified filing procedures in obtaining a determination of well producibility, and subsequent placement of the lease into a minimum-royalty status (effective with the date of the determination).
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.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and supersedes NTL No. 97-07, dated March 1, 1997, on this subject. It makes minor technical corrections; updates regulatory citations; adds standard conditions for well workovers, completions, and recompletions; and provides for the use of a new form for reporting rig movements.
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and supersedes NTL No. 2000-G15, effective September 6, 2000, on this subject. It provides a backup method for you to provide hurricane evacuation and production curtailment statistics if the primary method is not functioning.
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 being issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 to update the marine trash and debris awareness training, recordkeeping and certification requirements. This NTL supersedes and replaces NTL No. 2003-G06, effective February 15, 2003, on this subject and applies to all existing and future oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico OCS.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is issuing this NTL to update the criteria MMS uses to determine when a supplemental bond is required to cover potential lease abandonment liability. The NTL has been revised to: 1) increase the allowable cumulative lease abandonment liability amount of a lessee as a percentage of its net worth provided other financial criteria are met; 2) remove the current ratio from the criteria used to determine the financial strength of a lessee; 3) allow a lessee to request the MMS to consider a percentage of a lessee’s proved producing reserves in the calculation of its net worth; 4) reduce the initial payment amount a lessee is required to contribute to a lease-specific abandonment escrow account; and 5) extend the time for a lessee to meet supplemental bond requirements after notice from the MMS.
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.
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.
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.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) issued NTL No. 2003-G08, effective June 5, 2003, pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103, to explain how you implement seismic survey mitigation measures, including special ramp-up procedures and protected species observation and reporting. That NTL applied to all seismic operations throughout the Gulf of Mexico OCS in waters greater than 200 m (656 ft) in depth. The measures contained therein apply to all on-lease seismic surveys you conduct under 30 CFR 250.201 and all off-lease seismic surveys you conduct under 30 CFR 251.
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).
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. 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 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.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION NTL No. 2007-G06 Effective Date: April 1, 2007 Expiration Date: June 1, 2008 NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION Drilling Windows, Eastern Gu
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103 and supersedes NTL No. 2006-G19, effective October 25, 2006, on this subject. It provides clarification on using 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 updates a regulatory citation.
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
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 .
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
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.
Active
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.
Active
Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS)
Guidance on protection of personnel from effects of hydrogen sulfide gas, mitigation of property and environmental damage caused by H2S, and detection of H2S, and a collection of standards for compliance with gas monitoring and safety requirements.
Active
Oil & Gas Production Safety Systems, Plans and Information, Pollution Prevention and Control
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 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.
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
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.
Active
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
Active
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
This NTL provides information on using BSEE’s electronic reporting system to report incidents, spills, and pipeline damage informationandspecifies the information that shouldbe included in the various required oral and written reports. In addition to providing general guidance applicable to all BSEE Regions, this NTL also provides guidance on requirements for reporting spills and incidents specific to the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Incident and spill reporting requirements are found in BSEE regulations at30 CFR Part 250, Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf,and 30 CFR Part 254, Oil-Spill Response Requirements for Facilities Located Seaward of the Coast Line. Sections 250.186 –250.190 provide detailed information and reporting requirements
Reporting requirements related to pipeline repairs are located in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart J. Pursuant to 30 CFR 250.1008(e), you must notify the BSEE Regional Supervisor before you repair a pipeline, or as soon as practicable, and submit payment of the service fee listed in 30 CFR 250.125.
Describes BSEE’s electronic reporting system for incidents, spills, and pipeline damage; states what information should be included in oral and written reports
