Regulations and Notice to Lessees (NTL) 

Onshore Oil and Gas Orders and the Code of Federal Regulation implement and supplement the oil and gas regulations found at 43 CFR 3160 for conducting oil and gas operations on federal and Indian lands. 

Regulations 

43 CFR 3171, which replaces Order 1: This regulation provides procedures for submitting an Application for Permit To Drill and all required approvals of subsequent well operations and other lease operations. 

43 CFR 3172, which replaces Order 2: This regulation provides requirements and standards for drilling and abandonment.

43 CFR 3173, which replaces Order 3, establishes standards to ensure that oil and gas are properly and securely handled to prevent theft and loss, and to enable accurate measurement and production accountability.

The BLM anticipated deploying an electronic application for operators to apply for FMPs in May 2017; however, due to unforeseen circumstances BLM’s deployment is delayed beyond May 2017, with no new target date set. The BLM will provide operators with a 30-day notice of the new effective date.

43 CFR 3174, which replaces Order 4, establishes minimum standards for the accurate measurement of all oil.

43 CFR 3175, which replaces Order 5, establishes minimum standards for the accurate measurement of gas.

43 CFR 3176, which replaces Order 6: This regulation provides the requirements and standards for conducting oil and gas operations in an environment known to or expected to contain hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas.

43 CFR 3177, which replaces Order 7: This regulation provides the methods and approvals necessary to dispose of produced water associated with oil and gas operations.

National Notices to Lessees (NTLs)

NTL 3A: Reporting of Undesirable Events  

Waste Prevention Rule

BLM finalized the Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation Rule—also known as the Waste Prevention Rule—in April 2024, combining and building on years of technological advances and best management practices. 

The rule is expected to generate more than $50 million in additional natural gas royalty payments each year and conserve billions of cubic feet of gas that might have otherwise been vented, flared, or leaked from operators. This conserved gas will be available to power American homes and industries.