[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44322-44327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17775]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
30 CFR Parts 203, 250, and 254
[Docket ID: BSEE-2025-0005; EEEE500000 245E1700D2 ET1SF0000.EAQ000]
RIN 1014-AA65
Restoration of Names That Honor American Greatness; Gulf of
America
AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE),
Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This final rule will, throughout the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement's regulations, rename the area formerly known
as the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) as the Gulf of America (GOA). The Gulf of
America is the U.S. Continental Shelf area bounded on the northeast,
north, and northwest by the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, and Florida and extending to the seaward boundary with Mexico
and Cuba.
DATES: This rule is effective on September 15, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Malstrom, Chief, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (202) 258-1518, or by email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background and Legal Authority
On January 20, 2025, the President signed Executive Order (E.O.)
14172, Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness. This E.O. directs
the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to take all appropriate
actions to rename as the ``Gulf of America'' the U.S. Continental Shelf
area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the States of
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and extending to
the seaward boundary with Mexico and Cuba in the area formerly named as
the Gulf of Mexico. BSEE is removing all references to the Gulf of
Mexico from its regulations. BSEE is updating all its references in the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to the Gulf of America or (GOA),
consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f. (a). BSEE is promulgating
this final rule to implement the directive of E.O. 14172 and for good
cause finds that a proposed rule is unnecessary pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B). Public notice and comment is unnecessary because this rule
makes minor technical amendments to conform the language of the
regulations with the directive of E.O. 14172. Updating the name for the
Gulf of America region imposes no substantive changes and does not
impact the public's rights or obligations. Accordingly, this final rule
is exempt from public notice and comment rulemaking requirements under
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an
integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an
indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for America's
early trade and global commerce. It is the largest gulf in the world,
and the United States coastline along this remarkable body of water
spans over 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres. Its
natural resources and wildlife remain central to America's economy
today. The bountiful geology of this basin has made it one of the most
prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14
percent of our Nation's crude-oil production and an abundance of
natural gas, and consistently driving new and innovative technologies
that have allowed us to tap into some of the deepest and richest oil
reservoirs in the world. The Gulf is also home to vibrant American
fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other
species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries
in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing
landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to
local American economies. The Gulf is also a favorite destination for
American tourism and recreation activities. Further, the Gulf is a
vital region for the multi-billion-dollar U.S. maritime industry,
providing some of the largest and most impressive ports in the world.
The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America's
future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing
economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation's economy
and its people.
II. Procedural Requirements
A. Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866 and 13563)
E.O. 12866 provides that the OMB Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. OIRA has
determined that this rule is not significant.
E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for
improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that
reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the
public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent
with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 further emphasizes that
regulations must be based on the best available science and that the
rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent
with these requirements, to the extent permitted by statute.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires an agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis for rules unless the agency certifies
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only to rules for
which an agency is required to first publish a proposed rule. (See 5
U.S.C. 603(a) and 604(a)). This rule is exempt from the requirement to
publish a proposed rule for notice and comment pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B). Thus, the RFA does not apply to this rulemaking.
[[Page 44323]]
C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
(1) Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more;
(2) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions; and
(3) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
This rule does not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or
Tribal governments, or the private sector of more than $100 million per
year. The rule does not have a significant or unique effect on State,
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. Therefore, a
statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.
E. Takings (E.O. 12630)
This rule does not effect a taking of private property or otherwise
have takings implications under E.O. 12630. Therefore, a takings
implication assessment is not required.
F. Federalism (E.O. 13132)
Under the criteria in section 1 of E.O. 13132, this rule does not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
federalism summary impact statement. To the extent that State and local
governments have a role in Outer Continental Shelf activities, this
rule will not affect that role. Therefore, a federalism summary impact
statement is not required.
G. Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)
This rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988.
Specifically, this rule:
(1) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be
written to minimize litigation; and
(2) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal
standards.
H. Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175 and Departmental Policy)
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its
government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes through a
commitment to consultation and recognition of their right to self-
governance and Tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this rule under
the Department of the Interior's consultation policy, Departmental
Manual Part 512 Chapters 4 and 5, and under the criteria in E.O. 13175.
We have determined that this final rule has no substantial direct
effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations, and that consultation under the
Department of the Interior's Tribal and ANCSA consultation policies is
not required.
I. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule does not contain information collection requirements, and
a submission to the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) is not required.
J. National Environmental Policy Act
This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is not required
because, as a regulation of an administrative nature, this rule is
covered by a categorical exclusion (see 43 CFR 46.210(i)). BSEE also
determined that the rule does not implicate any of the extraordinary
circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require further
analysis under NEPA. Therefore, a detailed statement under NEPA is not
required.
K. Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)
This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition
in E.O. 13211. Therefore, a statement of energy effects is not
required.
List of Subjects
30 CFR Part 203
Continental shelf, Indians--lands, Oil and gas exploration, Public
lands--mineral resources, Sulfur.
30 CFR Part 250
Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf,
Environmental impact statements, Environmental protection, Government
contracts, Investigations, Oil and gas exploration, Penalties,
Pipelines, Continental Shelf--mineral resources, Continental Shelf--
rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur.
30 CFR Part 254
Continental shelf, Environmental protection, Intergovernmental
relations, Oil and gas exploration, Oil pollution, Pipelines, Public
lands--mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
This action by the Assistant Secretary is taken herein pursuant to
an existing delegation of authority.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, BSEE amends 30 CFR parts
203, 250, and 254 as follows.
PART 203--RELIEF OR REDUCTION IN ROYALTY RATES
0
1. The authority citation for 30 CFR part 203 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396 et seq.; 25 U.S.C. 396a et seq.; 25
U.S.C. 2101 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.;
30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 42
U.S.C. 15903-15906; 43 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.; 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.;
and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
0
2. Amend Sec. 203.0 by revising the definitions of ``Authorized
field''; ``Development project'', ``Eligible lease'', ``Expansion
project'', and ``Pre-Act'' to read as follows:
Sec. 203.0 What definitions apply to this part?
Authorized field means a field:
(1) Located in a water depth of at least 200 meters and in the Gulf
of America-(GOA) west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude;
(2) That includes one or more pre-Act leases; and
(3) From which no current pre-Act lease produced, other than test
production, before November 28, 1995.
* * * * *
Development project means a project to develop one or more oil or
gas reservoirs located on one or more contiguous leases that have had
no production (other than test production) before the current
application for royalty relief and are either:
(1) Located in a planning area offshore Alaska; or
(2) Located in the GOA in a water depth of at least 200 meters and
wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude, and were issued
in a sale held after November 28, 2000.
* * * * *
Eligible lease means a lease that:
(1) Is issued as part of an OCS lease sale held after November 28,
1995, and before November 28, 2000;
(2) Is located in the Gulf of America in water depths of 200 meters
or deeper;
(3) Lies wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude; and
[[Page 44324]]
(4) Is offered subject to a royalty suspension volume.
* * * * *
Expansion project means a project that meets the following
requirements:
(1) You must propose the project in a (BOEM) Development and
Production Plan, a BOEM Development Operations Coordination Document
(DOCD), or a BOEM Supplement to a DOCD, approved by the Secretary of
the Interior after November 28, 1995.
(2) The project must be located on either:
(i) A pre-Act lease in the GOA, or a lease in the GOA issued in a
sale held after November 28, 2000, located wholly west of 87 degrees,
30 minutes West longitude; or
(ii) A lease in a planning area offshore Alaska.
(3) On a pre-Act lease in the GOA, the project:
(i) Must significantly increase the ultimate recovery of resources
from one or more reservoirs that have not previously produced
(extending recovery from reservoirs already in production does not
constitute a significant increase); and
(ii) Must involve a substantial capital investment (e.g., fixed-leg
platform, subsea template and manifold, tension-leg platform, multiple
well project, etc.).
(4) For a lease issued in a planning area offshore Alaska, or in
the GOA after November 28, 2000, the project must involve a new well
drilled into a reservoir that has not previously produced.
(5) On a lease in the GOA, the project must not include a reservoir
the production from which an RSV under Sec. Sec. 203.30 through 203.36
or Sec. Sec. 203.40 through 203.48 would be applied.
* * * * *
Pre-Act lease means a lease that:
(1) Results from a sale held before November 28, 1995;
(2) Is located in the GOA in water depths of 200 meters or deeper;
and
(3) Lies wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 203.1 by revising paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) to read
as follows:
Sec. 203.1 What is BSEE's authority to grant royalty relief?
* * * * *
(b) Under 43 U.S.C. 1337(a)(3)(B), we may reduce, modify, or
eliminate any royalty or net profit share to promote development,
increase production, or encourage production of marginal resources on
certain leases or categories of leases. This authority is restricted to
leases in the GOA that are west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West
longitude, and in the planning areas offshore Alaska.
(c) Under 43 U.S.C. 1337(a)(3)(C), we may suspend royalties for
designated volumes of new production from any lease if:
(1) Your lease is in deep water (water at least 200 meters deep);
(2) Your lease is in designated areas of the GOA (west of 87
degrees, 30 minutes West longitude);
(3) Your lease was acquired in a lease sale held before the DWRRA
(before November 28, 1995);
(4) We find that your new production would not be economic without
royalty relief; and
(5) Your lease is on a field that did not produce before enactment
of the DWRRA, or if you propose a project to significantly expand
production under a Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD)
or a supplementary DOCD, that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) approved after November 28, 1995.
(d) Under 42 U.S.C. 15904-15905, we may suspend royalties for
designated volumes of gas production from deep and ultra-deep wells on
a lease if:
(1) Your lease is in shallow water (water less than 400 meters
deep) and you produce from an ultra-deep well (top of the perforated
interval is at least 20,000 feet TVD SS) or your lease is in waters
entirely more than 200 meters and entirely less than 400 meters deep
and you produce from a deep well (top of the perforated interval is at
least 15,000 feet TVD SS);
(2) Your lease is in the designated area of the GOA (wholly west of
87 degrees, 30 minutes west longitude); and
(3) Your lease is not eligible for deep water royalty relief.
0
4. Amend Sec. 203.2 by revising paragraphs (b) through (g) in the
table to read as follows:
Sec. 203.2 How can I obtain royalty relief?
* * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have a lease . . . And if you . . . Then we may grant you . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
(b) Located in a designated GOA deep Propose an expansion project and can A royalty suspension for a minimum
water area (i.e., 200 meters or demonstrate your project is production volume plus any
greater) and acquired in a lease uneconomic without royalty relief, additional production large enough
sale held before November 28, 1995, to make the project economic (see
or after November 28, 2000, Sec. Sec. 203.60 through
203.79).
(c) Located in a designated GOA deep Are on a field from which no current A royalty suspension for a minimum
water area and acquired in a lease pre-Act lease produced (other than production volume plus any
sale held before November 28, 1995 test production) before November additional volume needed to make
(Pre-Act lease), 28, 1995, (Authorized field,) the field economic (see Sec. Sec.
203.60 through 203.79).
(d) Located in a designated GOA deep Propose a development project and A royalty suspension for a minimum
water area and acquired in a lease can demonstrate that the suspension production volume plus any
sale held after November 28, 2000, volume, if any, for your lease is additional volume needed to make
not enough to make development your project economic (see Sec.
economic, Sec. 203.60 through 203.79).
(e) Where royalty relief would Are not eligible to apply for end-of- A royalty modification in size,
recover significant additional life or deep water royalty relief, duration, or form that makes your
resources or, offshore Alaska or in but show us you meet certain lease or project economic (see Sec.
certain areas of the GOA, would eligibility conditions, 203.80).
enable development,
(f) Located in a designated GOA Drill a deep well on a lease that is A royalty suspension for a volume of
shallow water area and acquired in not eligible for deep water royalty gas produced from successful deep
a lease sale held before January 1, relief and you have not previously and ultra-deep wells, or, for
2001, or after January 1, 2004, or produced oil or gas from a deep certain unsuccessful deep and ultra-
have exercised an option to well or an ultra-deep well, deep wells, a smaller royalty
substitute for royalty relief in suspension for a volume of gas or
your lease terms, oil produced by all wells on your
lease (see Sec. Sec. 203.40
through 203.49).
[[Page 44325]]
(g) Located in a designated GOA Drill and produce gas from an ultra- A royalty suspension for a volume of
shallow water area, deep well on a lease that is not gas produced from successful ultra-
eligible for deep water royalty deep and deep wells on your lease
relief and you have not previously (see Sec. Sec. 203.30 through
produced oil or gas from an ultra- 203.36).
deep well,
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
5. Amend Sec. 203.30 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.30 Which leases are eligible for royalty relief as a result
of drilling a phase 2 or phase 3 ultra-deep well?
* * * * *
(a) The lease is located in the GOA wholly west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude in water depths entirely less than 400 meters
deep.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 203.31 by revising paragraph (d) introductory text to
read as follows:
Sec. 203.31 If I have a qualified phase 2 or qualified phase 3 ultra-
deep well, what royalty relief would that well earn for my lease?
* * * * *
(d) The following examples illustrate how this section applies.
These examples assume that your lease is located in the GOA west of 87
degrees, 30 minutes West longitude and in water less than 400 meters
deep (see Sec. 203.30(a)), has no existing deep or ultra-deep wells
and that the price thresholds prescribed in Sec. 203.36 have not been
exceeded.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 203.40 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.40 Which leases are eligible for royalty relief as a result
of drilling a deep well or a phase 1 ultra-deep well?
* * * * *
(a) The lease is located in the GOA wholly west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude in water depths entirely less than 400 meters
deep.
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec. 203.49 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.49 May I substitute the deep gas drilling provisions in this
part for the deep gas royalty relief provided in my lease terms?
(a) You may exercise an option to replace the applicable lease
terms for royalty relief related to deep-well drilling with those in
Sec. 203.0 and Sec. Sec. 203.40 through 203.48 if you have a lease
issued with royalty relief provisions for deep-well drilling. Such
leases:
(1) Must be issued as part of an OCS lease sale held after January
1, 2001, and before April 1, 2004; and
(2) Must be located wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West
longitude in the GOA entirely or partly in water less than 200 meters
deep.
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec. 203.60 by revising the section heading to read as
follows:
Sec. 203.60 Who may apply for royalty relief on a case-by-case basis
in deep water in the Gulf of America or offshore of Alaska?
0
10. Amend Sec. 203.61 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.61 How do I assess my chances for getting relief?
* * * * *
(a) To request a nonbinding assessment, you must:
(1) Submit a draft application in the format and detail specified
in guidance from the BSEE regional office for the GOA;
(2) Propose to drill at least one more appraisal well if you get a
favorable assessment; and
(3) Pay a fee under Sec. 203.3.
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec. 203.62 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.62 How do I apply for relief?
* * * * *
(b) Your application for royalty relief offshore Alaska or in deep
water in the GOA must include an original and two copies (one set of
digital information) of:
(1) Administrative information report;
(2) Economic viability and relief justification report;
(3) G&G report;
(4) Engineering report;
(5) Production report; and
(6) Cost report.
* * * * *
0
12. Amend Sec. 203.69 by revising paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as
follows:
Sec. 203.69 If my application is approved, what royalty relief will I
receive?
* * * * *
(e) If neither paragraph (c) nor (d) of this section apply, the
minimum royalty suspension volumes are as shown in the following table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The minimum royalty suspension
For . . . volume is . . . Plus . . .
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) RS leases in the GOA or leases A volume equal to the combined 10 percent of the median of the
offshore Alaska, royalty suspension volumes (or the distribution of known recoverable
volume equivalent based on the data resources upon which BSEE based
in your approved application for approval of your application from
other forms of royalty suspension) all reservoirs included in the
with which BSEE issued the leases project.
participating in the application
that have or plan a well into a
reservoir identified in the
application,
(2) Leases offshore Alaska or other A volume equal to 10 percent of the
deep water GOA leases issued in median of the distribution of known
sales after November 28, 2000, recoverable resources upon which
BSEE based approval of your
application from all reservoirs
included in the project
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 44326]]
(f) If your application includes pre-Act leases in different
categories of water depth, we apply the minimum royalty suspension
volume for the deepest such lease then assigned to the field. We base
the water depth and makeup of a field on the water-depth delineations
in the ``Lease Terms and Economic Conditions'' map and the ``Fields
Directory'' documents and updates in effect at the time your
application is deemed complete. These publications are available from
the BSEE Gulf of America Regional Office.
* * * * *
0
13. Amend Sec. 203.78 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.78 Do I keep relief approved by BSEE under this part for my
lease, unit or project if prices rise significantly?
* * * * *
(a) The following table shows the base price threshold for various
types of leases, subject to paragraph (b) of this section. Note that,
for post-November 2000 deepwater leases in the GOA price thresholds
apply on a lease basis, so different leases on the same development
project or expansion project approved for royalty relief may have
different price thresholds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For . . . The base price threshold is . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Pre-Act leases in the GOA, set by statute.
(2) Post-November 2000 deep water indicated in your original lease
leases in the GOA or leases agreement or, if none, those in
offshore of Alaska for which the the Notice of Sale under which
lease or Notice of Sale set a base your lease was issued.
price threshold,
(3) Post-November 2000 deep water the threshold set by statute for
leases in the GOA or leases pre-Act leases.
offshore of Alaska for which the
lease or Notice of Sale did not
set a base price threshold,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
14. Amend Sec. 203.80 by revising the introductory paragraph to read
as follows:
Sec. 203.80 When can I get royalty relief if I am not eligible for
royalty relief under other sections in the subpart?
We may grant royalty relief when it serves the statutory purposes
summarized in Sec. 203.1 and our formal relief programs, including but
not limited to the applicable levels of the royalty suspension volumes
and price thresholds, provide inadequate encouragement to promote
development or increase production. Unless your lease lies offshore of
Alaska or wholly west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude in the
GOA, your lease must be producing to qualify for relief. Before you may
apply for royalty relief apart from our programs for end-of-life leases
or for pre-Act deep water leases and development and expansion
projects, we must agree that your lease or project has two or more of
the following characteristics:
* * * * *
0
15. Amend Sec. 203.86 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 203.86 What is in a G&G report?
* * * * *
(a) Seismic data which includes:
(1) Non-interpreted 2D/3D survey lines reflecting any available
state-of-the-art processing technique in a format readable by BSEE and
specified by the deep water royalty relief guidelines;
(2) Interpreted 2D/3D seismic survey lines reflecting any available
state-of-the-art processing technique identifying all known and
prospective pay horizons, wells, and fault cuts;
(3) Digital velocity surveys in the format of the GOA region's
letter to lessees of 10/1/90;
(4) Plat map of ``shot points;'' and
(5) ``Time slices'' of potential horizons.
* * * * *
PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER
CONTINENTAL SHELF
0
16. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751, 31 U.S.C. 9701, 33 U.S.C.
1321(j)(1)(C), 43 U.S.C. 1334.
0
17. In Sec. 250.105:
0
a. Remove the definitions for ``Eastern Gulf of Mexico'' and ``Western
Gulf of Mexico''; and
0
b. Add the definitions in alphabetical order for ``Eastern Gulf of
America'' and ``Western Gulf of America''.
The additions read as follows:
Sec. 250.105 Definitions.
* * * * *
Eastern Gulf of America-means all OCS areas of the Gulf of America
the BOEM Director decides are adjacent to the State of Florida. The
Eastern Gulf of America-is not the same as the Eastern Planning Area,
an area established for OCS lease sales.
* * * * *
Western Gulf of America means all OCS areas of the Gulf of America
except those the BOEM Director decides are adjacent to the State of
Florida. The Western Gulf of America is not the same as the Western
Planning Area, an area established for OCS lease sales.
* * * * *
0
18. Amend Sec. 250.150 by revising the section heading to read as
follows:
Sec. 250.150 How do I name facilities and wells in the Gulf of
America Region?
0
19. Amend Sec. 250.154 by revising paragraph (a)(3) to read as
follows:
Sec. 250.154 What identification signs must I display?
(a) * * *
(3) Your identification sign must:
(i) List the name of the lessee or designated operator;
(ii) In the GOA-OCS Region, list the area designation or
abbreviation and the block number of the facility location as depicted
on OCS Official Protraction Diagrams or leasing maps;
(iii) In the Pacific OCS Region, list the lease number on which the
facility is located; and
(iv) List the name of the platform, structure, artificial island,
or mobile offshore drilling unit.
* * * * *
0
20. Amend Sec. 250.192 by revising paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) to
read as follows:
Sec. 250.192 What reports and statistics must I submit relating to a
hurricane, earthquake, or other natural occurrence?
(a) * * *
(1) Submit the statistics by fax or email (for activities in the
BSEE GOA-OCS Region, use Form BSEE-0132) as soon as possible when
evacuation occurs. In lieu of submitting your statistics by fax or
email, you may submit them electronically in accordance with 30 CFR
250.186(a)(3);
(2) Submit the statistics on a daily basis by 11 a.m., as
conditions allow, during the period of shut-in and evacuation;
(3) Inform BSEE when you resume production; and
(4) Submit the statistics either by BSEE district, or the total
figures for your operations in a BSEE region.
* * * * *
0
21. Amend Sec. 250.743 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 250.743 What are the well activity reporting requirements?
(a) For operations in the BSEE Gulf of America (GOA) OCS Region,
you must submit Form BSEE-0133, Well Activity Report (WAR), to the
District Manager on a weekly basis. The reporting week is defined as
beginning on Sunday (12 a.m.) and ending on the following
[[Page 44327]]
Saturday (11:59 p.m.). This reporting week corresponds to a week
(Sunday through Saturday) on a standard calendar. Report any well
operations that extend past the end of this weekly reporting period on
the next weekly report. The reporting period for the weekly report is
never longer than 7 days, but could be less than 7 days for the first
reporting period and the last reporting period for a particular well
operation. Submit each WAR and accompanying Form BSEE-0133S, Open Hole
Data Report, to the BSEE GOA-OCS Region no later than close of business
on the Friday immediately after the closure of the reporting week. The
District Manager may require more frequent submittal of the WAR on a
case-by-case basis.
* * * * *
0
22. Amend Sec. 250.904 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 250.904 What is the Platform Approval Program?
(a) The Platform Approval Program is the BSEE basic approval
process for platforms on the OCS. The requirements of the Platform
Approval Program are described in Sec. Sec. 250.904 through 250.908 of
this subpart. Completing these requirements will satisfy BSEE criteria
for approval of fixed platforms of a proven design that will be placed
in the shallow water areas (<=400 ft.) of the Gulf of America OCS.
* * * * *
0
23. Amend Sec. 250.1010 by revising paragraph (f)(2) to read as
follows:
Sec. 250.1010 General requirements for pipeline right-of-way holders.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(2) Unless otherwise exempted by FERC pursuant to 43 U.S.C.
1334(f)(2), the holder shall:
(i) Provide open and nondiscriminatory access to a right-of-way
pipeline to both owner and nonowner shippers, and
(ii) Comply with the provisions of 43 U.S.C. 1334(f)(1)(B) under
which FERC may order an expansion of the throughput capacity of a
right-of-way pipeline which is approved after September 18, 1978, and
which is not located in the Gulf of America or the Santa Barbara
Channel.
* * * * *
0
24. Amend Sec. 250.1704 by revising paragraphs (a) and (c) in the
table to read as follows:
Sec. 250.1704 What decommissioning applications and reports must I
submit and when must I submit them?
* * * * *
Decommissioning Applications and Reports Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decommissioning applications and
reports When to submit Instructions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Initial platform removal In the Pacific OCS Include
application [not required in Region or Alaska information
the Gulf of America OCS Region]. OCS Region, required under
submit the Sec. 250.1726.
application to
the Regional
Supervisor at
least 2 years
before production
is projected to
cease.
* * * * * * *
(c) Final removal application Before removing a Include
for a platform or other platform or other information
facility. facility in the required under
Gulf of America Sec. 250.1727.
OCS Region, or
not more than 2
years after the
submittal of an
initial platform
removal
application to
the Pacific OCS
Region and the
Alaska OCS Region.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART 254--OIL-SPILL RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS FOR FACILITIES LOCATED
SEAWARD OF THE COAST LINE
0
25. The authority citation for part 254 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321.
0
26. Amend Sec. 254.7 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 254.7 How do I submit my OSRP to the BSEE?
* * * * *
(b) Send OSRPs for facilities in the Gulf of America-or Atlantic
Ocean to: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Oil Spill
Preparedness Division, Attention: GOA Section Supervisor, 1201 Elmwood
Park Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70123-2394.
* * * * *
Adam G. Suess,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2025-17775 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P