Operations
Oil and Gas Operations Regulations (43 CFR 3160) These regulations govern operations associated with the exploration, development and production of oil and gas on federal and Indian lands.
Indices of Federal Oil and Gas Regulations
Onshore Oil and Gas Orders Onshore Oil and Gas Orders implement and supplement the regulations found at 43 CFR 3160 for conducting oil and gas operations on Federal or Indian lands.
Notice-To-Lessees (NTL) Notice-to-Lessee(s) implement and supplement the regulations found at 43 CFR Part 3160 for conducting oil and gas operations.
Drilling Operations on Federal and Indian Lands
- Drilling on Federal and Indian Lands
Instructions on obtaining approval to drill for oil and gas. - Best Management Practices for Oil and Gas Development on the Public Lands
Best Management Practices (BMPs) demonstrate practical ideas which may eliminate or minimize adverse impacts from oil and gas development to public health and the environment, landowners, and natural resources; enhances the value of natural and landowner resources; and reduces conflict. - Surface Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development
Provides a link to the Gold Book on surface operating standards for oil and gas exploration and development, Standard Environmental Colors Chart, Road Standards, and Migratory Bird Guidance. - Coal Bed Natural Gas Drilling on Federal and Indian Lands
Miles City Field Office Guidance Document for Coal Bed Natural Gas APDs and Project Plans of Development (POD) on federal and Indian lands for the northern portion of the Powder River Basin located in Montana. - Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Coal Bed Natural Gas
Provides a link to the Western Governors' Association (WGA) Best Management Practices (BMPs) Handbook for Coal Bed Natural Gas. These BMPs demonstrate practical ideas of conducting Coal Bed Natural Gas operations, which may eliminate or minimize adverse impacts from CBNG development to public health and the environment, landowners, and natural resources; enhances the value of natural and landowner resources; and reduces conflict.
Production and Abandonment
The following links contain Onshore Oil and Gas Orders (OOGOs), Notice-to-Lessees (NTLs), and BLM Manual Guidance that outlines the procedures needed to file applications for operations.
Operations on Private (Fee) and State Lands
For operations on private (fee), and state lands in the Montana/Dakotas, the state oil and gas regulatory agencies should be contacted. The following are the websites link to these regulatory agencies:
Montana - Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation |
North Dakota - North Dakota Industrial Commission |
South Dakota - South Dakota Board of Minerals and Environment |