Rule2026-04135

Offshore Downhole Commingling Regulatory Updates

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
March 2, 2026
Effective
March 2, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentSafety and Environmental Enforcement Bureau

Abstract

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) downhole commingling regulations consistent with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). These revisions update the regulations to ensure consistency with the OBBB when BSEE reviews a request for downhole commingling.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 40 (Monday, March 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9998-10001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04135]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

30 CFR Part 250

[Docket ID: BSEE-2025-0134; EEEE500000--256E1700D2--ET1SF0000.EAQ000]
RIN 1014-AA68


Offshore Downhole Commingling Regulatory Updates

AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Direct final rule; response to comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through 
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising 
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) downhole commingling regulations 
consistent with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). These revisions 
update the regulations to ensure consistency with the OBBB when BSEE 
reviews a request for downhole commingling.

DATES: Effective March 2, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirk Malstrom, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (202) 258-1518, or by email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99ebfcfeead9fbeafcfcb7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f0e7e5f1c2e0f1e7e7ace5edf4">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. 
Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of 
hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or 
TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals 
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within 
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in 
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department published a direct final rule 
(DFR), ``Offshore Downhole Commingling Regulatory Updates,'' in the 
Federal Register on August 13, 2025 (90 FR 38935). The final rule 
became effective on October 14, 2025. In relevant part, the DFR stated 
that, if significant adverse comments were received by September 12, 
2025, the Department would publish notice in the Federal Register and 
either withdraw the rule or issue a new rule that responded to the 
comments. The Department is hereby providing notice that it received a 
significant adverse comment regarding the DFR and is responding to that 
comment in this DFR.

Executive Summary

    This DFR revises the regulatory provisions in 30 CFR 250.1158 in 
response to the applicable OBBB provisions, Public Law 119-21, which 
the President signed into law on July 4, 2025. The Outer Continental 
Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
(Secretary) to promulgate regulations that carry out the provisions in 
OCSLA. Those regulations include provisions that require lessees to 
safely produce any oil, gas, or both at rates consistent with 
applicable law and orders to assure the maximum rate of production that 
may be sustained without loss of ultimate recovery of oil, gas, or both 
under sound engineering and economic principles. BSEE performs 
technical analyses for downhole commingling to ensure that production 
methods meet OCSLA's requirement for ultimate recovery and safety. This 
rule revises BSEE regulations to reflect the offshore commingling 
language in the OBBB regarding safety and ultimate recovery and to 
clarify how BSEE will apply the OBBB's standards when reviewing 
commingling requests.

Table of Contents:

I. Background
    A. Statutory and Regulatory Authority and Responsibilities
    B. Purpose and Summary of the Rulemaking
    C. Response to Comments on Direct Final Rule
II. Procedural Matters

I. Background

A. Statutory and Regulatory Authority and Responsibilities

    The Department's authority for this DFR is derived from OCSLA, 
codified at 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356a. OCSLA, enacted in 1953 and 
substantially revised in 1978, authorizes the Secretary to regulate and 
administer mineral and oil and gas exploration, development, and 
production operations on the OCS. The Secretary has delegated authority 
to perform certain of these functions to BSEE under Secretary's Order 
3299.\1\
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    \1\ <a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/3299a2-establishment_of_the_bureau_of_ocean_energy_management_the_bureau_of_safety_and_environmental_enforcement_and_the_office_of_natural_resources_revenue.pdf">https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/3299a2-establishment_of_the_bureau_of_ocean_energy_management_the_bureau_of_safety_and_environmental_enforcement_and_the_office_of_natural_resources_revenue.pdf</a>.
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    To carry out its responsibilities, BSEE regulates offshore oil and 
gas and mineral operations to enhance the safety of oil and gas and 
mineral exploration, development, and production on the OCS, and to 
implement advancements in technology. BSEE also conducts onsite 
inspections to ensure compliance with regulations, lease terms, and 
approved plans and permits. Detailed information concerning the BSEE-
administered regulations and guidance to the offshore oil and gas and 
mineral industries may be found on BSEE's website at: <a href="https://www.bsee.gov/protection">https://www.bsee.gov/protection</a>.
    BSEE administers a regulatory program that covers a wide range of 
OCS facilities and activities that offshore operators \2\ perform 
throughout the OCS. See 30 CFR part 250. This DFR is applicable to 
requests for BSEE approval of downhole commingling operations.
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    \2\ The regulations at 30 CFR part 250 generally apply to ``a 
lessee, the owner or holder of operating rights, a designated 
operator or agent of the lessee(s)'' (30 CFR 250.105 (definition of 
``you'') and ``the person actually performing the activity to which 
the requirement applies'' (30 CFR 250.146(c)). For convenience, this 
preamble will refer to these regulated entities as ``operators'' 
unless otherwise indicated.
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B. Purpose and Summary of the Rulemaking

    OCSLA authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations that carry 
out the provisions in OCSLA. In part, OCSLA requires lessees to safely 
produce any oil, gas, or both at rates consistent with applicable law 
and orders to assure the maximum rate of production that may be 
sustained without loss of ultimate recovery of oil, gas, or both under 
sound engineering and economic principles. 43 U.S.C. 1344(a) and (g).
    Under OBBB section 50102, the ``Secretary of the Interior shall 
approve a request of an operator to commingle oil or gas production 
from multiple reservoirs within a single wellbore completed on the 
outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of America Region unless the 
Secretary of the Interior determines that conclusive evidence 
establishes that the commingling--(1) could not be conducted by the 
operator in a safe manner; or (2) would result in an ultimate recovery 
from the applicable reservoirs to be reduced in comparison to the 
expected recovery of those reservoirs if they had not been 
commingled.''
    BSEE performs technical analyses for downhole commingling to ensure 
that production methods meet OCSLA's requirement for ultimate recovery. 
This rule revises the BSEE regulations to align with the offshore 
commingling language in the OBBB to ensure that commingling will be 
conducted in a safe manner and the operation will not reduce ultimate 
recovery.

C. Response to Comments on Direct Final Rule

Comment Summary
    BSEE received a comment expressing concern with its decision to 
issue a DFR rather than a notice of proposed

[[Page 9999]]

rulemaking, which provides for the traditional opportunity for public 
notice and comment. The commenter expressed concern with the OBBB. The 
comment specifically stated that OBBB section 50102 shifts or 
eliminates the operator's responsibility to ensure proposed commingling 
operations demonstrate that safety, environmental, and resource 
conservation risks have been fully considered and effectively mitigated 
by requiring BSEE approval unless BSEE proves conclusively that the 
operation could not be conducted safely or that resource recovery would 
be reduced.
    The commenter asserted that an opportunity for notice and comment 
is necessary to ensure that section 50102 is implemented in a manner 
that minimizes safety, environmental, and resource conservation risks. 
The commenter cited BSEE's commingling fact sheet that acknowledges 
that crossflow risks may exist when there are large pressure 
differences between commingled reservoirs or fluid compatibility risks 
that may be present if fluids from different reservoirs are unsafely 
mixed, causing well integrity and efficiency issues. The commenter 
questioned whether an independent assessment of Gulf of America 
downhole commingling safety and resource recovery risks should be 
conducted before finalizing a rule that mandates approval of all 
applications. The commenter also questioned what criteria BSEE will use 
in determining that there is ``conclusive evidence'' that a commingling 
request would be unsafe or would reduce ultimate resource recovery.
    Aside from these risk concerns, the commenter also referenced an 
April 2025 commingling policy whose development was informed by a 
University of Texas (UT) study of the unique Paleogene fields in the 
Gulf of America. The policy implemented new parameters for downhole 
commingling in the Paleogene (Wilcox) reservoirs, expanding the 
allowable pressure differential between commingled intervals from 200 
psi to 1500 psi. The commenter posed certain questions in relation to 
that study. For example, does BSEE have evidence that supports the 
applicability of the study results to other fields? What are BSEE's 
plans for such a study and other related research? What operational 
boundaries does the rule impose, like the 1500 psi pressure 
differential threshold in the April 2025 policy, for safe downhole 
commingling and optimal reservoir management?
    Finally, the commenter also posed general questions about BSEE's 
commingling program. For example, how will BSEE ensure that production 
from each interval is accurately measured and accounted for? How will 
BSEE ensure that long term production benefits are not sacrificed in 
the interest of accelerated downhole commingling payouts?
    The commenter believed that the public should provide input on both 
the technical issues and regulatory policy implications of the OBBB 
mandate, including recommending implementation policies that would most 
effectively mitigate operational risks.
    Therefore, the commenter recommended that the downhole commingling 
rule should be published in draft form with a comment period of at 
least 90 days. The commenter also recommended that BSEE consider 
hosting a public forum during the comment period to present research on 
downhole commingling and to accept input on mitigations and 
implementation policies.
BSEE Response
    BSEE disagrees with the commenter's assertion about the overall 
effect and impact this final rule will have on safety or resource 
conservation. The rule does not eliminate operator responsibility. 
Instead, it aligns existing regulations with the statutory mandate of 
OBBB section 50102, which requires approval of commingling requests 
unless conclusive evidence shows the operation would be unsafe or 
reduce ultimate recovery.
    Operators must still ensure proposed commingling operations 
demonstrate that safety, environmental, and resource conservation risks 
have been fully considered and effectively mitigated. More 
specifically, this final rule does not change requirements in Sec.  
250.1167 related to the technical data operators must submit to obtain 
BSEE's approval for downhole commingling. The operator must submit 
various types of information about its commingling proposal, including 
maps (e.g., geologic and geographic), seismic data, well logs, 
engineering data, and other types of information about the proposal 
(e.g., economic analysis and explanation for how maximum recovery will 
be achieved). Operators must also comply with all other applicable 
regulations in 30 CFR part 250, including, but not limited to, 
regulations that address drilling operations (subpart D), well-
completion operations (subpart E), and production safety systems 
(subpart H), all of which address operational safety and environmental 
protection.
    In addition, this DFR does not relieve the operator from complying 
with Sec.  250.107, ``What must I do to protect health, safety, 
property, and the environment?,'' which addresses the need to protect 
health, safety, property, and the environment by performing all 
operations in a safe and workmanlike manner, maintaining all equipment 
and work areas in a safe condition, and utilizing recognized 
engineering practices that reduce risks to the lowest level 
practicable. Operators also must still comply with Sec.  250.106. 
``What standards will the Director use to regulate lease operations?,'' 
which addresses the need to promote orderly exploration, development, 
and production, prevent injury or loss of life, and prevent damage to 
or waste of any natural resource, property, or the environment. 
Collectively, compliance with these regulations help ensure operators 
demonstrate, and BSEE confirms, that a commingling proposal is safe, 
protects the environment, and ensures resource conservation.
    BSEE disagrees with the commenter's suggestion that an independent 
assessment of Gulf of America downhole commingling safety and resource 
recovery risks be performed before issuing a final rule. This DFR only 
revises the regulations to conform to the statutory requirement in the 
OBBB. The OBBB's mandate remains in effect regardless of whether this 
DFR is issued. Therefore, conducting an independent assessment will not 
change the statutory mandate. As outlined in the OBBB and BSEE 
regulations, BSEE will continue its mission to ensure safe operations 
and welcomes the suggestion to conduct an independent assessment, which 
it will consider in the future. BSEE will also continue to evaluate 
commingling risks and ensure the commingling request comply with 
applicable regulations.
    With respect to the UT study that helped inform the development of 
the April 2025 commingling policy, BSEE is not applying the results of 
that study outside of the Paleogene (Wilcox) reservoirs, which was the 
limit of the study's scope. However, BSEE is interested in evaluating 
the study's applicability or methodology to other geologic provinces. 
As referenced in BSEE's downhole commingling fact sheet,\3\ $500,000 
has been allocated for further study to ensure commingling policies 
remain effective and aligned with the latest science and industry 
practices. And while the UT study was helpful in establishing 
implementation policies that address specific developments, it would 
not be

[[Page 10000]]

beneficial to incorporate such a prescription in the regulations as 
circumstances may be different in other development areas. It is more 
appropriate for BSEE to evaluate each commingling request on a case-by-
case basis to address site-specific conditions for safe downhole 
commingling and optimal reservoir management.
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    \3\ <a href="https://www.bsee.gov/sites/bsee.gov/files/2025-05/Commingling%20Fact%20Sheet%202025.pdf">https://www.bsee.gov/sites/bsee.gov/files/2025-05/Commingling%20Fact%20Sheet%202025.pdf</a>.
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    With respect to accurate production measurements, BSEE will still 
apply its oil and gas measurement requirements in 30 CFR subpart L, 
which address ongoing well-monitoring, surveillance, and reporting to 
ensure accurate production accounting. Operators must obtain 
measurement approval from BSEE before commencing production. BSEE will 
continue to ensure appropriate measurement for royalty purposes and 
reporting.
    With respect to concerns about the lack of opportunity to provide 
public input, BSEE did not use notice and comment rulemaking consistent 
with the Administrative Procedure Act, which allows agencies to skip 
notice-and-comment procedures if the rule is deemed noncontroversial 
and technical in nature. This DFR's scope was to ensure consistency 
with the OBBB when BSEE reviews a request for downhole commingling.
    As discussed above, this rule does not relieve BSEE of its 
obligation to carry out the provisions in OCSLA, including provisions 
that require lessees to safely produce any oil, gas, or both at rates 
consistent with applicable law and orders to assure the maximum rate of 
production that may be sustained without loss of ultimate recovery of 
oil, gas, or both under sound engineering and economic principles. Nor 
does it relieve the operator's obligation to comply with other 
requirements in BSEE's regulations for lease operations. BSEE has 
evaluated the commenter's concerns about public comment and, due to the 
nature of the updates in this rule to be consistent with the OBBB, BSEE 
will not withdraw the rule. However, BSEE agrees that a public forum or 
workshop may improve stakeholder overall understanding of commingling 
operations and may consider hosting downhole commingling outreach at a 
later time.
Comment Summary
    Another commenter generally supported the alignment with the OBBB 
and recommended that BSEE ensure that safety standards and 
environmental protections remain the highest priority in all 
commingling approvals. The commenter also suggested that clear guidance 
for industry compliance and transparent public reporting would also 
strengthen confidence in this rule.
BSEE Response
    BSEE agrees with the commenter's concerns. BSEE is committed to 
maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental 
stewardship. As previously discussed, BSEE will continue to review each 
commingling request on a case-by-case basis to ensure that each 
operator's proposal maximizes resource recovery while minimizing risks 
to human safety and the environment. As part of that review process, 
BSEE will consider how advanced monitoring technologies, such as 
intelligent completions, which allow for real-time control of each 
reservoir zone, could enable operators to independently monitor each 
reservoir's performance, ensuring that higher-pressure zones do not 
suppress lower-pressure ones, which could cause inefficiency or well 
damage. And looking ahead, BSEE is working to update its overall 
downhole commingling guidance to ensure that all stakeholders are 
involved in the ongoing dialogue regarding best practices. BSEE will 
consider how this collaborative approach may achieve greater 
transparency to the public.

II. Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866) and Improving Regulation 
and Regulatory Review (E.O. 13563)

    E.O. 12866 provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will review 
all significant rules. OIRA has determined that this DFR is not 
significant.
    E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866, while calling 
for improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, reduce uncertainty, and use the best, most innovative, 
and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563 
directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens 
and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where 
these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory 
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that agencies must base 
regulations on the best available science and that the rulemaking 
process must allow for public participation and an open exchange of 
ideas. BSEE developed this DFR in a manner consistent with these 
requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601-612) requires an 
agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for all rules 
unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The RFA 
applies only to rules for which an agency is required to first publish 
notice of a proposed rule. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a) and 604(a). The RFA does 
not apply because the Department is not required to publish a notice of 
proposed rulemaking for this DFR.

Congressional Review Act

    This DFR is not a major rule under the Congressional Review Act, 5 
U.S.C. 804(2). Specifically, the DFR: (1) will not have an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) will not cause a 
major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, 
Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or 
(3) will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in 
domestic and export markets.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This DFR would not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
Tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million per 
year. The rule would not have a significant or unique effect on State, 
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector. The rule merely 
revises the offshore commingling regulations to implement requirements 
in the OBBB. Therefore, a statement containing the information required 
by Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not 
required.

Takings Implication Assessment (E.O. 12630)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 12630, this DFR does not have 
significant takings implications. The rule is not a governmental action 
capable of interference with constitutionally protected property 
rights. Therefore, a takings implication assessment is not required.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13132, this DFR will not have federalism 
implications. This rule will not substantially and directly affect the 
relationship between the Federal and State governments. To the extent 
that State and local governments have a role

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in OCS activities, this rule will not affect that role. Therefore, a 
federalism assessment is not required.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This DFR complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (1) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be 
written to minimize litigation; and
    (2) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    BSEE strives to strengthen its government-to-government 
relationships with federally recognized Indian Tribes through a 
commitment to consultation with the Tribes and recognition of their 
right to Tribal self-governance and sovereignty. We are also respectful 
of our responsibilities for consultation with Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporations and the Native Hawaiian Community. 
BSEE is committed to compliance with E.O. 13175, ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (dated November 6, 2000), 
and DOI's policies and procedures on consultation with Indian Tribes, 
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations, and the Native 
Hawaiian Community (512 Departmental Manual 4, dated November 30, 2022, 
512 Departmental Manual 6, dated November 30, 2022, 513 Departmental 
Manual 1, dated January 16, 2025, 512 Departmental Manual 5, dated 
November 30, 2022, Departmental Manual 7, dated November 30, 2022, and 
513 Departmental Manual 2, dated January 16, 2025, respectively).
    BSEE evaluated this DFR under E.O. 13175 and the Department's 
consultation policies and procedures. BSEE determined that this DFR has 
no substantial direct effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes, 
ANCSA corporations, or the Native Hawaiian Community and that 
consultation under the Department's consultation policies is not 
required.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995

    This rule does not contain any new information collection 
requirements. Thus, a submission to OMB under the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq, is not required. BSEE may not conduct or sponsor, and you are 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1014-0019 which covers BSEE's Information Collection 
under 30 CFR part 250; Subpart K, ``Oil and Gas Production 
Requirements.''

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

    This DFR does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement 
under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is not required because this rule 
is covered by a categorical exclusion applicable to regulatory 
functions ``that are of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, 
or procedural nature.'' 43 CFR 46.210(i). In addition, BSEE determined 
that this DFR does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances 
listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under NEPA.

Data Quality Act

    In developing this DFR, we did not conduct or use a study, 
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act 
(Pub. L. 106-554, app. C, sec. 515, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-153-154).

Effects on the Nation's Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This DFR is not a significant energy action under the definition in 
E.O. 13211 because the rule is not a significant regulatory action 
under E.O. 12866, and it is not likely to have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Therefore, a 
statement of energy effects is not required.

Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by E.O. 12866, E.O. 12988, and by the Presidential 
memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (1) Be logically organized;
    (2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are 
too long, or the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

    Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf, 
Environmental impact statements. Environmental protection, Government 
contracts, Investigations, Mineral resources, Oil and gas exploration, 
Penalties, Pipelines, Outer Continental Shelf--mineral resources, Outer 
Continental Shelf--rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Sulphur operations.

Lanny E. Erdos,
Director, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement 
Exercising Authority of the Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals 
Management
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement amends 30 CFR part 250 as follows:

PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
1. The authority citation continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1751, 31 U.S.C. 9701, 33 U.S.C. 
1321(j)(1)(C), 43 U.S.C. 1334.

0
2. Amend Sec.  250.1158 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  250.1158  How do I receive approval to downhole commingle 
hydrocarbons?

    (a) Before you perforate a well, you must request and receive 
approval from the Regional Supervisor to commingle hydrocarbons 
produced from multiple reservoirs within a common wellbore. The 
Regional Supervisor will approve a request of an operator to commingle 
hydrocarbons unless he or she finds, based on conclusive evidence, that 
the commingling could not be conducted by the operator in a safe manner 
or that the commingling would reduce ultimate recovery from the 
applicable reservoirs. You must also include the service fee listed in 
Sec.  250.125, according to the instructions in Sec.  250.126, and the 
supporting information, as listed in the table in Sec.  250.1167, with 
your request.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2026-04135 Filed 2-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P


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