UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION
NTL No. 99-G11
Effective Date: June 7, 1999
NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR
LEASES IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION
Approval of Acidizing Operations
This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) supersedes the Letter to Lessees and Operators, dated November 19, 1993, on this subject. It updates regulatory citations and includes a statement on the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulation at 30 CFR 250.601 lists the well-workover operations conducted with the tree installed and that are defined as routine. According to 30 CFR 250.613, these routine well-workover operations can be conducted without MMS approval. On the other hand, any well-workover operation that is not routine cannot be conducted without MMS approval. Since it is not listed at 30 CFR 250.601, acidizing is one of those well-workover operations that requires prior MMS approval of Form MMS-124.
In practice, though, acidizing operations using the bullheading method are performed routinely and do not change the wellbore configuration. Therefore, the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region has determined that acidizing operations using the bullheading method are routine operations even though they are not listed at 30 CFR 250.601. Consequently, you do not need to obtain MMS approval before you can conduct such operations.
Please be advised, however, that acidizing operations using a coiled tubing unit are considered non-routine and do require prior MMS approval of Form MMS-124.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement
The information collection referred to in this NTL provides clarification, description, or interpretation of requirements contained in 30 CFR 250, subpart F, and on Form MMS-124. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements for subpart F and Form MMS-124 and assigned OMB Control Nos. 1010-0043 and 1010-0045, respectively. This NTL does not impose additional information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Contact
If you have any questions on this NTL, you may contact the GOMR, Field Operations, at (504) 736-2845.
Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director