[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR203.61]

[Page 21]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 
PART 203--RELIEF OR REDUCTION IN ROYALTY RATES--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart B--OCS Oil, Gas, and Sulfur General
 
Sec. 203.61  How do I assess my chances for getting relief?

    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 250, subpart A, or be on a lease that 
has allocated production under an approved unit agreement.
    (a) To request a nonbinding assessment, you must:
    (1) Submit a draft application in the format and detail specified in 
guidance from the MMS regional office for the GOM;
    (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.
    (b) You must wait at least 90 days after receiving our assessment to 
apply for relief under Sec. 203.62.
    (c) 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.

    Effective Date Note: At 63 FR 2619, Jan. 16, 1998, Sec. 203.61 was 
revised. This section contains information collection and recordkeeping 
requirements and will not become effective until approval has been given 
by the Office of Management and Budget.