Bureau of Land Management April 4, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On February 8, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that would reduce waste of natural gas from venting, flaring, and leaks during oil and natural gas production activities on onshore Federal and Indian leases. The proposed rule would also clarify when produced gas lost through venting, flaring, or leaks is subject to royalties, and when oil and gas production used on site would be royalty-free. The proposed rule would replace existing provisions related to venting, flaring, and royalty-free use of gas contained in the 1980 Notice to Lessees and Operators of Onshore Federal and Indian Oil and Gas Leases, Royalty or Compensation for Oil and Gas Lost (NTL-4A), which is over 3 decades old. Today's Federal Register Notice extends the public comment period for 14 days beyond the initial comment period deadline.