Current Regulations

All leasing and operations on the Federal offshore are governed by laws and regulations that ensure safe operations and preservation of the environment, while balancing the Nation's needs for energy development. The Bureau enforces compliance with these regulations and periodically updates rules to reflect advancements in technology and new information. This section provides access to the rules being developed, public participation in rulemaking, and compliance requirements. 

• Federal Register Notices – the Federal regulatory process and Federal Register notices on Bureau regulatory actions.
• Notices to Lessees (NTLs) – informal communications with operators and contractors that further clarify regulations
• Safety Alerts -  tools to inform the offshore oil and gas industry of the circumstances surrounding an incident or a near miss and recommendations that should help prevent the recurrence of such an incident on the OCS.
• Regulations.gov – a U.S. government web site that enables the public to review and submit comments on Federal documents.