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2008-- OCS Natural Gas
and Oil Program
Advance
Notice of Proposed Rules: (none yet)
Notice of Proposed Rules:
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Technical Changes to Production Measurement and Training
Requirements
(72
KB) Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD50
Federal Register Cite: Vol 73 No. 181, FR 53793
(9/17/08)
Summary: This proposed rule would revise the production
measurement regulations to establish meter proving, meter
verification/calibration, and well test requirements after
hurricanes and other vents beyond the control of the lessee. This
rulemaking would eliminate some reporting burden on industry, and it
would eliminate the need for MMS to grant waivers to the reporting
requirements in certain situations. The proposed rule would also add
new definitions providing clarity in the training regulations, which
should lead to improved training of Outer Continental Shelf workers.
Public Comments
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Extension of Comment Period
for Proposed Rule Allocation and Disbursement of Royalties, Rentals,
and Bonuses—Oil and Gas, Offshore
(54
KB) Regulatory Identifier
Number (RIN) 1010-AD46
Federal Register Cite: Vol 73, No. 145, FR 43673
(07/28/08)
Summary: The Minerals Management Service hereby gives notice
that it is extending the public comment period on a proposed rule,
which was published in the Federal Register on May 27, 2008,
with public comments due by July 28, 2008. The proposed rule would
amend the regulations on distribution and disbursement of royalties,
rentals, and bonuses to include the allocation and disbursement of
revenues from certain leases on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental
Shelf in accordance with the provisions of the Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act of 2006. (73 FR 30331, May 27, 2008).
Public Comments
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Alternative Energy and
Alternate Uses of Existing Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf
(1151 KB)
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD30
Federal Register Cite: Vol 73, No. 132, FR 39376
(07/09/08)
Summary: The MMS is proposing regulations
that would establish a program to grant leases, easements, and
rights-of-way (ROW) for alternative energy project activities on the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as well as for certain previously
unauthorized activities that involve the alternate use of existing
facilities located on the OCS; and would establish the methods for
sharing revenues generated by this program with nearby coastal
States. These regulations are also intended to ensure the orderly,
safe, and environmentally responsible development of alternative
energy sources on the OCS.
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Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental
Shelf-Requirements for Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment
(71 KB)
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010–AD45
Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 114, FR 33333 (06/12/2008)
Summary: The MMS proposes to incorporate
the Eleventh Edition of the American Petroleum Institute’s
Specification for Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment (API Spec 14A),
into the regulations. The rule also proposes that lessees and
operators provide supporting design verification information for
subsurface safety valves intended for use in high pressure high
temperature environments. The MMS proposes to incorporate the
Eleventh Edition of API Spec 14A because it updated the design
validation and functional testing requirements, incorporated new
design changes, and corrected ambiguous areas open to
misinterpretation. These proposed changes would ensure that lessees
and operators use the best available and safest technologies while
operating in the Outer Continental Shelf.
Public Comments
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Allocation and Disbursement of Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses-- Oil and Gas, Offshore
(60 KB) |
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD46 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 102
(05/27/2008)
Summary: The MMS proposes to amend the regulations on
distribution and disbursement of royalties, rentals, and bonuses to
include the allocation and disbursement of revenues from certain leases
on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf in accordance with the
provisions of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The
regulations would set forth the formula and methodology for calculating
and allocating revenues to the States of Alabama, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Texas and their eligible political subdivisions. This
proposed rule seeks to establish and ensure that the process for
implementing the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 provisions
and the resulting distribution of revenues is accurate, transparent, and
fully complies with our statutory responsibilities.
Public Comments
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD44 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 22, FR 6073
(02/01/2008)
Summary: The MMS proposes to amend its regulations for oil
and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf to implement a mandate
in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. This proposed
rule would (1) provide a credit to lessees who relinquish certain
eligible leases in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) define eligible leases as
those within 125 miles of the Florida coast in the Eastern Planning
Area and certain leases within 100 miles of the Florida coast in the
Central Planning Area; and (3) allow lessees to use the credits in
lieu of monetary payment for either a lease bonus bid or royalty due
on oil and gas production from most other leases in the Gulf of
Mexico or to transfer the credits to other Gulf of Mexico lessees
for their use.
Public Comments
Notices:
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Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Western Planning Area (WPA) Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and
Gas Lease Sale 207
(79 KB) Federal Register
Cite: Vol. 73, No. 138, FR 41111 (07/17/2008)
Summary: On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, the
MMS will open and publicly announce bids received for blocks offered
in WPA Oil and Gas Lease Sale 207, pursuant to the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331–1356, as amended) and the
regulations issued there `under (30 CFR Part 256). The Final Notice of
Sale 207 Package (FNOS 207 Package) contains information essential
to bidders, and bidders are charged with the knowledge of the
documents contained in the Package.
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Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 76, FR 21152
(04/18/2008)
Summary: On November 6, 2007, the Minerals Management Service
(MMS) published in the Federal Register (72 FR 214, pp. 62673–62675) a
request for information and nominations of areas for leases authorizing
alternative energy resource assessment and technology testing activities
pursuant to subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act, as amended. We
received over 40 nominations of areas for limited leases authorizing
such activities relating to wind, wave, and ocean current energy
resources on the OCS. The MMS has considered the nominations in light of
relevant criteria for proceeding with the issuance of leases. As
required by subsection 8(p), MMS must issue such leases on a competitive
basis unless we determine after public notice that there is no
competitive interest. Subsection 8(p) also requires MMS to coordinate
and consult with relevant Federal agencies and affected State and local
governments concerning the issuance of OCS alternative energy leases.
This Notice provides the required public notice of proposed leases by
announcing the nominations that MMS has decided to process as a priority
and inquiring as to the existence of any competitive interest in these
nominated areas. Also, with this announcement we intend to inform all
interested and affected parties of these nominations and invite comments
and information—including information on environmental issues and
concerns—that will be useful in our consideration of the nominated areas
for the issuance of limited alternative energy leases.
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Notice
Summarizing Outer Continental Shelf Civil Penalties Paid from January 1,
2007, through December 31, 2007
(58 KB) Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 63, FR 17378 (04/01/2008)
Summary: This notice provides a listing of civil penalties
paid from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007, for violations of
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The goal of the MMS Outer
Continental Shelf Civil Penalties Program is to assure safe and clean
operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. Through the pursuit,
assessment, and collection of civil penalties and referrals for the
consideration of criminal penalties, the program is designed to
encourage compliance with applicable statutes and regulations. The
purpose of publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to
the public on violations of special concern in Outer Continental Shelf
operations and to provide an additional incentive for safe and
environmentally sound operations.
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Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee; Notice and Agenda for Meeting
(53 KB) |
Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 35, FR 9586
(02/21/2008)
Summary: The OCS Policy Committee will meet at
the Washington Dulles Crowne Plaza Hotel in Herndon, Virginia.
Dates: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 6, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 1, FR 209
(01/02/2008)
Summary: The MMS will hold OCS Oil and Gas Lease
Sale 193 on February 6, 2008, in accordance with provisions of the OCS
Lands Act
(43 U.S.C. 1331– 1356, as amended), the implementing regulations
(30 CFR 256), and the OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2007– 2012.
Final Rules:
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Allocation and Disbursement of
Royalties, Rentals, and Bonuses—Oil and Gas, Offshore
(97 KB) Regulatory Identifier Number
(RIN) 1010-AD46
Federal Register Cite: Vol 73, No. 247, FR 78622
(12/23/2008)
Effective Date of Final Rule: January 22, 2009
Summary: The MMS is amending the regulations on distribution
and disbursement of royalties, rentals, and bonuses to include the
allocation and disbursement of revenues from certain leases on the
Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf in accordance with the
provisions of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The
regulations set forth the formula and methodology for calculating
and
allocating revenues to the States of Alabama, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Texas, their eligible political subdivisions, and
the Land and Water
Conservation Fund from the 181 Area in the Eastern Planning Area
and 181 South Area in the Gulf of Mexico. The Secretary of the
Interior will begin to disburse these revenues beginning on or
before March 31, 2009.
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Royalty
Relief—Ultra-Deep Gas Wells and Deep Gas Wells on Leases in the Gulf
of Mexico; Extension of Royalty Relief Provisions to Leases Offshore
of Alaska
(225 KB) Regulatory Identifier Number
(RIN) 1010-AD33 Federal Register Cite: Vol 73, No. 223, FR 69490
(11/18/08)
Effective Date of Final Rule: December
18, 2008
Summary: This final rule amends existing deep gas royalty
relief regulations to reflect statutory changes enacted in the
Energy Policy Act of 2005. It provides additional royalty relief for
certain ultra-deep wells on Outer Continental Shelf leases in
shallow water in the Gulf of Mexico. It extends both the existing
and the additional deep gas royalty relief to Outer Continental
Shelf leases in deeper water than before. Finally, this final rule
applies discretionary royalty relief procedures that have been used
by deepwater leases in the Gulf of Mexico to leases offshore of
Alaska. |
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Revisions to Subpart
AGeneral; Subpart IPlatforms and Structures; and Subpart
JPipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way
(78 KB) Regulatory Identifier Number
(RIN) 1010-AD18 Federal Register Cite: Vol 73, No. 211, FR 64541
(10/30/08)
Summary: The MMS is amending its regulations to require
lessees, lease operators, and pipeline right-of-way holders to
submit a report if a facility or pipeline is damaged by a hurricane
or other natural phenomena. The final rule also requires operators
to provide assessment information on the structural integrity of
Outer Continental Shelf platforms; information on the use of
unbonded flexible pipe for pipelines; and additional information
when installing pipeline risers on floating platforms. The rule also
incorporates an industry-developed standard concerning the
in-service inspection of mooring hardware for floating drilling
units. These changes will allow MMS to better regulate the safety of
the oil and gas infrastructure, and to promptly assess damage
resulting from hurricanes or other natural phenomena.
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Royalty
Relief for Deepwater Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leases—Conforming Regulations to Court Decision
(244 KB)
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD29 Federal Register Vol. 73, No. 195,
FR 58467 (10/07/08)
Summary: This rule amends 30 CFR parts 203 and 260 to conform
the regulations to the decision of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Santa Fe Snyder Corp., et al. v.
Norton. That decision found that certain provisions of the MMS
regulations interpreting section 304 of the Deep Water Royalty
Relief Act are contrary to the requirements of the statute. The MMS
will determine lessees’ royalty under leases subject to Deep Water
Royalty Relief Act section 304, for both past and future periods, in
a manner consistent with the Fifth Circuit’s decision in the Santa
Fe Snyder case and this rule. Effective Date: This rule is effective
November 6, 2008. |
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Bonus or Royalty Credits for Relinquishing Certain Leases Offshore
Florida
(66 KB) Regulatory Identifier Number
(RIN) 1010-AD-44 Federal Register Cite: Vol 73 No. 178, FR 52917
(9/12/08)
Summary: This final rule amends regulations for oil and gas
leases on the Outer Continental Shelf to implement a mandate in the
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. These amendments (1)
provide a credit to lessees who relinquish certain eligible leases
in the Gulf of Mexico; (2) define eligible leases as those within
125 miles of the Florida coast in the Eastern Planning Area, and
certain leases within 100 miles of the Florida coast in the Central
Planning Area; and (3) allow lessees to use the credits in lieu of
monetary payment for either a lease bonus bid or royalty due on oil
and gas production from most other leases in the Gulf of Mexico, or
to transfer the credits to other Gulf of Mexico lessees for their
use. |
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Electronic Payment of Fees
for Outer Continental Shelf Activities
(86 KB) Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD43
Federal Register Cite: Vol 73. No. 165, FR 49943
(08/25/08)
Summary: This final rule requires that all
lessees, operators, permittees, and right-of-way holders pay all
fees for processing plans, applications, and permits electronically.
This rule will aid industry in payment processing and reduce payment
processing errors. This rule will improve MMS processing efficiency
and facilitate the correction of industry payment errors. The MMS
will not accept checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks for
payment of fees after the effective date of this final rule. The
final rule also adjusts certain cost recovery fees for inflation.
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Open and Nondiscriminatory Movement of Oil and Gas as Required by
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
(114 KB) |
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD17 Federal Register
Cite: Vol. 73, No. 118, FR 34630 (06/18/2008)
Summary: The Minerals Management Service (MMS)
is promulgating new regulations that establish a process for a shipper
transporting oil or gas production from Federal leases on the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) to follow if it believes it has been denied open
and nondiscriminatory access to pipelines on the OCS. The rule provides
MMS with tools to ensure that pipeline companies provide open and
nondiscriminatory access to their pipelines.
Regulatory Identifier Number (RIN) 1010-AD48
Federal Register Cite: Vol. 73, No. 73, FR 20166
(04/15/2008) Summary: The direct final rule will incorporate by
reference three American Petroleum Institute hurricane bulletins
into MMS’s regulations. The three bulletins supplement the
American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice 2A-WSD,
Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing, and Constructing
Fixed Offshore Platforms—Working Stress Design, which contains
engineering design principles and good practices for new
platforms and assessments of existing platforms. These bulletins
are needed to increase survivability during hurricane events by
imposing more stringent design and assessment criteria for both
new and existing structures located within particular Gulf of
Mexico areas. By increasing survivability during hurricane
conditions, fewer platforms will be damaged, thereby, protecting
critical oil and gas resources and making those resources
available after hurricane events.
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Last Updated:
12/23/2008,
12:58 PM
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