MMS sets up electronic forms for wells

Allen Baker

Petroleum News contributing writer

The Minerals Management Service has set up a new system to allow oil companies active in the Gulf of Mexico to submit several forms electronically to speed approvals, starting in June.

As part of a government reengineering effort, MMS will allow the electronic filing of permits to drill or modify wells, well activity reports, end of operation reports, and rig movement notifications.

Johnnie Burton, director of the agency, said a study indicates the new eWell permitting and reporting system will cut processing time by 50 percent, reducing expensive rig waiting time. MMS handles about 20,000 such applications annually.

“Industry has been a willing partner to help improve the design of the system,” said Chris Oynes, regional MMS director for the Gulf of Mexico. “Operators volunteered to test the system over many months, and through their input, many facets of the application were modified to enhance the ease of operation.”

The system will ensure security of proprietary data while providing real-time public access to data that are part of the public record, according to Oynes.

Lessees will receive an application manual this month with directions on gaining access to the system, while training sessions are planned this summer. More than 50 companies have already signed up for the training, according to MMS.

The new system goes into effect on June 1, and the agency expects 100 percent participation within a year.