UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

NTL No. 97-18
August 18, 1997

NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL AND GAS LEASES
ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

Timely Submittal of Deepwater Royalty Relief Applications

This Notice to Lessees and Operators informs operators that deepwater royalty relief applications must be submitted timely to allow the Minerals Management Service (MMS) the maximum time, in accordance with the deepwater royalty relief regulations (30 CFR 203), to deem an application complete, evaluate the application, and make a final determination before the expiration or termination date of the lease. The MMS has 20 working days to deem an application complete, followed by a 180-day period for evaluation and final action. A royalty relief application received late in the lease term is not justification for the granting of Suspensions of Production or Operations for leases or units included in a field. Initial suspension requests, or any extensions thereof, will be considered for approval consistent with suspension regulations (30 CFR 250, Subpart A) and procedures, and independent of any royalty relief application.

The collection of information referred to in this Notice provides clarification, description, or interpretation of requirements contained in 30 CFR 203 and 30 CFR 250, Subpart A. The Office of Management and Budget has approved the collection of information required by these regulations and assigned OMB Control Numbers 1010-0071 and 1010-0030, respectively. This Notice does not impose additional information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Please direct any questions concerning this matter to Mr. Kevin J. Karl at (504) 736-2632.

(signed) Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director

Return to Notices to Lessees and Operators