BLM Ditches Extra Oil Measurement Bureaucracy for Simplicity
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has decided not to move forward with a new rule that would have clarified oil and gas measurement rules for operators. This means oil and gas companies won’t face extra paperwork or costs from the proposed changes. The decision takes effect on December 22, 2025, and aims to keep things simpler and less costly for energy producers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No New Oil & Gas Measurement Rule
The Bureau of Land Management decided not to finalize proposed Notice to Lessees No. 5 (proposed Nov 14, 2024). That means oil and gas operators will not face the extra paperwork or compliance costs that the proposed NTL-5 would have clarified for 43 CFR part 3170; the decision takes effect on December 22, 2025.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12734 — Oil and Gas Leasing
The Bureau of Land Management is updating its oil and gas leasing rules to make sure public lands are well cared for while supporting American energy. These changes affect companies leasing land for oil and gas, adjusting bond amounts and royalty rules, and aim to simplify the leasing process. You’ve got until August 24, 2026, to share your thoughts before the new rules take shape!
2026-12738 — Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost From Onshore Federal and Indian Leases
The Bureau of Land Management is updating rules about royalties on oil and gas lost from onshore Federal and Indian leases. These changes make it easier for operators to follow the rules and speed up how royalties are figured out. If you’re involved, get your comments in by August 24, 2026, because this could affect how much money is paid or saved.
2026-09386 — Rescission of Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
The Bureau of Land Management is canceling the 2024 Conservation and Landscape Health Rule to make land use simpler and more balanced. This change helps local leaders make decisions, boosts access to public lands, and cuts red tape that slowed down projects. The new rule takes effect on June 11, 2026, affecting anyone who uses or manages federal lands, with no new costs expected.
2026-09387 — Revision of Regulations for Grazing Administration, Exclusive of Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management is updating rules for grazing on public lands (except Alaska) to better protect land health and improve how appeals are handled. Ranchers and land users will see clearer guidelines and have until July 13, 2026, to share their thoughts. These changes aim to keep lands healthy while making the process fairer and more efficient, with some deadlines for feedback coming up soon.
2026-13896 — Civil Monetary Penalties for Onshore Oil and Gas Operations and Coal Trespass
The Bureau of Land Management is keeping civil penalty amounts the same for 2026 for onshore oil, gas, and coal trespass operations—no price hikes this year! This affects companies working on public lands who might face fines if they break the rules. The freeze is because the government didn’t get the inflation data needed to update penalties on time.
2026-13503 — Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; Minnesota
The Bureau of Land Management is officially filing new land survey maps for parts of Cass County, Minnesota, to help transfer land under the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act. This filing will happen on August 5, 2026, unless someone objects by then. If you live nearby or have a stake, now’s the time to speak up—no money changes hands, but the land boundaries do!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23560 — Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725t, 725z, 725l, 725g, 725a and 725x); Comment Request; Revision
FERC is updating the rules for how power companies report important data to keep the electric grid safe and reliable. These changes affect generator owners, operators, and transmission folks who must follow new reporting steps. Comments on these updates are open until February 20, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts and stay tuned for possible cost or time impacts.
Next: 2025-23562 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Space-Based Data Collection System (DCS) Agreements
NOAA is updating its paperwork rules for the space-based data collection system that helps track weather and environmental info. They’re dropping the old Polar-Orbiting system and focusing on the GOES satellites instead. If you use or work with this data, you’ve got until February 20, 2026, to share your thoughts—no cost changes, just smoother info collection!