§203.61. How do I assess my chances for getting relief?
30 C.F.R. § 203.61
You may ask for a nonbinding assessment (a formal opinion on whether a field would qualify for royalty relief) before turning in your first complete application on an authorized field. This field must have a qualifying well under 30 CFR part 550, subpart A, or be on a lease that has allocated production under an approved unit agreement.
To request a nonbinding assessment, you must—
Submit a draft application in the format and detail specified in guidance from the BSEE regional office for the GOA;
Propose to drill at least one more appraisal well if you get a favorable assessment; and
Pay a fee under § 203.3.
You must wait at least 90 days after receiving our assessment to apply for relief under § 203.62.
This assessment is not binding because a complete application may contain more accurate information that does not support our original assessment. It will help you decide whether your proposed inputs for evaluating economic viability and your supporting data and assumptions are adequate.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 90 FR 44325, Sept. 15, 2025]
Authority
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.
Source
Source: 76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, as amended at 90 FR 44325, Sept. 15, 2025]