UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE
GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

NOTICE TO LESSEES AND OPERATORS OF FEDERAL OIL, AND GAS LEASES IN THE
OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, GULF OF MEXICO OCS REGION

Static Casing Pressures Less than 100 psig

This Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) is issued pursuant to 30 CFR 250.103.  It establishes a minimum threshold for reporting sustained casing pressures to the Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region.

Effective immediately, all wells with static casing pressures less than or equal to 100 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) are exempt from the provisions for sustained casing pressure reporting set forth in 30 CFR 250.517(c).  This applies to all fixed platform wells, subsea wells, and hybrid wells.  Static casing pressure is defined as the maximum stable pressure (unchanging) observed on any non-structural casing on a producing, shut-in, or temporarily abandoned well.  Static casing pressure may be self-imposed, thermal, or sustained casing pressure. 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement

The information collection referred to in this NTL is intended to provide clarification, description, or interpretation of requirements contained in 30 CFR 250, Subpart E, Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations.  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements in these regulations under OMB control number 1010-0067.  This NTL does not impose additional information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Contacts

Please contact Mr. Russell Hoshman by e-mail at russell.hoshman@mms.gov or by telephone at (504) 736-2627, or send inquires to the Minerals Management Service, Technical Assessment and Operations Support Section (MS 5220), 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 with any questions regarding the reporting of sustained casing pressure.

Original signed


Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director