Drilling Permit Application Hurdles for Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Exploration

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to provide insight into a few of the dominant hurdles applicants experience when preparing information for review by the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) when applying for a permit to drill. Numerous requirements for the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) exist that can present a complex task of aligning documentation and information across multiple process participants that are not always apparent at the outset. The included information will follow the general path that exists in BSEE APD development, including 30 CFR §250.410, which defines some of those numerous requirements. The paper will include BSEE requirements in 30 CFR §250.410-16, -18 "How do I obtain approval to drill a well?" the BSEE APD Development Phase Flow-chart, 30 CFR §250.731 "BOP Systems and … Components", §250.713 "if I plan to use a MODU", and additional required compliance statements, and explain how the sources of information can differ from project to project and within groupings of defined requirement sets (BSEE 2016). The paper will also include a brief review of requirements set out by other parts of 30 CFR §250, not specifically delineated as part of the APD, but specifically required for execution.