Offshore staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The MMS is proposing amendments to its regulations for oil and natural gas production on the OCS. The MMS says the proposed rule, Oil and Gas Production Requirements, 1010-AD12, would eliminate most restrictions on production rates, and clarify flaring and venting limits.
According to the MMS, the proposed rule would require operators to install meters to measure all flared and vented natural gas separately on facilities that process more than 2,000 b/d of oil.
The propose rule, the MMS adds, also would eliminate some previous production requirements. They include the MMS' requirement for operators to establish maximum production rates (MPRs) for producing well completions and maximum efficient rates (MERs) for producing reservoirs, in OCS Order No. 11. However, the MMS would retain the authority to set MPRs and MERs when necessary.
The proposed rule also would clarify the approval process for operators for various operations.
The MMS is accepting comments on the proposed rule through June 4, 2007.
3/14/2007
