2002 OCS Natural Gas and Oil Program

Advance Notice of Proposed Rules: (none)

Notice of Proposed Rules (2002)
 

	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf: Notice of Meeting/Workshop Federal Register Cite: 67 No. 218 FR 68685 (11/12/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf; Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf—Proprietary Terms and Data Disclosure Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC81 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 67, No. 137, FR 46942 (717/2002) Summary: This rule proposes to modify the start date for the 50-year proprietary term for geophysical data, and the start date for the 25-year proprietary term for geophysical information that MMS acquires pursuant to a permit issued under 30 CFR part 251. We propose to change the start of the proprietary terms from the date the data and information are submitted to the date the permit is issued. Although the lengths of the proprietary terms do not change, the net result is the total length of time that geophysical data and information, selected and retained by MMS, are held by MMS before public release will be less than under current practice. In addition, the rule would clarify that geological data and information, acquired under part 251 and submitted to MMS under part 250, retain proprietary terms under part 251. The rule also expands language that allows selective inspection of G&G data and information that MMS acquires under parts 250 and 251, and uses for specified purposes, by only those persons with a direct interest in related MMS decisions and issues. Public Comments
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the OCS—Plans and Information Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC47 Federal Register Cite: 67 No. 96 FR 35372 (5/17/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Plans and Information –  Notice of Extension of Comment Period for Subpart B Proposed Rule (to December 13, 2002) -- This document extends to December 13, 2002, the previous deadline of August 15, 2002, for submitting comments on the proposed rule published May 17, 2002 (67 FR 35372), that describes plan submittals for oil and gas exploration, development and production on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC47 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 136 FR 46616 (7/16/2002) Please be advised that a companion proposed Notice to Lessees & Operators (NTL) to implement the revised subpart B regulations for the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region is posted below for review and comment. Comments on both the proposed rulemaking and companion NTL are due by August 15, 2002. DRAFT Notice to Lessees & Operators--Information Requirements for Exploration Plans and Development Operations Coordination Documents Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Plans and Information Public Comments
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Fixed and Floating Platforms and Documents Incorporated by Reference Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC85 Federal Register Cite: 67 No. 60 FR 14902 (3/28/2002)
	Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing—Clarifying Amendments Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC94 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 67, No. 29, FR 6454 (2/12/2002) Summary: This document proposes clarifying amendments to regulations on OCS bidding systems. The proposed amendments make explicit that water depth and production timing on leases issued after 2000 and located in a field with leases issued earlier do not affect the way we determine the royalty suspension volume applicable to eligible leases on the field issued between 1966 and 2000. Public Comments
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Fixed and Floating Platforms and Documents Incorporated by Reference Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC85 Federal Register Cite: 67 No. 29 FR 6453 (2/12/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Suspension of Operations for Exploration Under Salt Sheets Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC92 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 67, No. 6, FR 1171 (1/9/2002) Summary: MMS proposes to modify regulations that govern suspensions of operations for oil and gas leases on the OCS. There are instances where oil and gas lessees begin timely analysis of geophysical data early in the lease term, but the analysis proves inconclusive because of problems caused by the existence of salt sheets underlying the seabed and overlying possible hydrocarbon deposits. In such cases, the proposed rule would allow lessees to apply for a suspension of operations (SOO) to complete the necessary geophysical analysis before drilling a well. To qualify for a suspension of operations, the lessee must show it has made and will continue to make substantial efforts and financial commitment to process and reprocess its geophysical data.
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the OCS--Procedures for Dealing with Sustained Casing Pressure Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC83 Federal Register Cite: Vol. 67, No. 2, FR 275 (J1/3/2002) Summary: This proposed rulemaking amends Subpart E (Oil and Gas Well- Completion Operations) of MMS operating regulations. It describes procedures for dealing with SCP in oil and gas wells on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Currently, lessees must request a departure from MMS regulations to operate a well that has SCP. When granting a departure, MMS requires that lessees perform periodic checks and evaluations to ensure that the pressure is not a danger to personnel, equipment, or the environment. This proposed rule will codify these procedures and ensure uniform regulatory practices among MMS regional offices. The proposed changes will also help ensure that lessees will continue to conduct operations in a safe manner. Public Comments

Notices (2002)
 

	Notice on Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sales List of Restricted Joint Bidders Federal Register Cite: 67 No. 211 FR 66416 (10/31/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf-Plans and Information: Extension of comment Period Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC47 Federal Register Cite:  (67, No. 136 FR 46616 (7/16/2002)
	Information Quality Guidelines Pursuant to Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 --The U.S. Department of the Interior, is issuing these proposed Information Quality Guidelines in order to comply with the guidance published   by the Office of Management and Budget in the Federal Register, Vol., 2, No. 67, dated January 2, 2002, and re-issued February 212, 2002, Vol. 67, No. 36, for implementing section 515(a) of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 20012 (Public Law 106-554; H.R. 5658).
	Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collections; Comment Request -- To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are inviting comments on forms MMS–123, MMS–123S, MMS– 124, MMS–125, and MMS–133. The current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of these forms expires in September 2002. MMS has retitled and revised the forms, which we will submit to OMB for approval. The modifications are an integral part of the new "E-Forms Permit Process" we are developing to provide an electronic option for drilling and well permitting and information submission. Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 84 FR 21718 (5/1/2002) Appendices 1–5: Forms MMS–123, 123S, 124, 125, and 133 -- For your convenience, copies of the individual forms are available on the following files: (all in MSWord format) Permit To Drill A Well -- Form MMS-123 replaces Application for Permit to Drill.   Permit To Drill A Well Supplemental Information Sheet -- Form MMS-123S replaces Supplemental APD Information Sheet.   Permit To Modify A Well -- Form MMS-124 replaces Sundry Notices and Reports on Well.   End Of Operations Report -- Form MMS-125 replaces Well Summary Report.   Well Activity Report -- Form MMS-133 replaces Weekly Activity Report.
	Workshop on Transferring Responsibility for Inspection and Enforcement of U.S. Coast Guard Regulations for Fixed Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf to the Minerals Management Service Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 55 FR 13193 (3/21/2002)

Final Rules (2002)
 

	Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing—Clarifying Amendments Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC94 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 177 FR 57737 (9/12/02)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Document Incorporated by Reference—API RP 14C Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC93 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 154 FR 51757 (8/9/02)
	Prospecting for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC48 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 137 FR 46855 (7/17/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Suspension of Operations for Exploration Under Salt Sheets Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC92 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 127 FR 44357 (7/02/2002)
	MMS Corrections to Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Decommissioning Activities Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC65 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 210 FR 66046 (11/06/02)
	Federal Register Corrections to Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Decommissioning Activities -- Subpart Q Rule Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 126 FR 44265 (7/1/2002)
	Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf—Decommissioning Activities Regulatory Information Number: 1010–AC65 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 96 FR 35398 (5/17/2002)
	Inspection Under, and Enforcement of, Coast Guard Regulations for Fixed Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf by the Minerals Management Service Regulatory Information Number: 2115-AG14 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 26 FR 5912 (2/7/2002)
	Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates—Deep Water Royalty Relief for OCS Oil and Gas Leases Issued After 2000 Regulatory Information Number: 1010-AC71 Federal Register Cite: 67, No. 10 FR 1862 (1/15/2002)