Onshore Oil and Gas Operations; Federal and Indian Oil and Gas Leases; Site Security

On July 13, 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to establish minimum standards for site security at oil and gas facilities located on Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) lands. This proposed rule would replace Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 3, Site Security (Order 3), with new regulations that would be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. It includes provisions intended to ensure that oil and gas produced from Federal and Indian oil and gas leases are properly and securely handled, to ensure accurate measurement, production accountability, and royalty payments, and to prevent theft and loss. The changes proposed as part of this proposed rule would allow the BLM to strengthen its policies governing production verification and accountability by updating Order 3's requirements to address changes in technology and industry practices that have occurred in the 25 years since Order 3 was issued, and to respond to recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office with respect to the BLM's production verification efforts. This notice extends the public comment period for 28 days beyond the initial comment-period deadline on the proposed rule.