Feds Renew Royalty Reporting Rules for Big Oil Companies
Published Date: 3/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue wants to keep collecting info from oil and gas companies to make sure they pay the right royalties to the U.S. They’re asking for public comments by May 4, 2026, and this renewal won’t change the money or timing but keeps the rules clear. If you’re involved in federal oil and gas leases, this affects you!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Mandatory royalty reporting burden
If you hold a Federal oil or gas lease, ONRR is renewing authority to collect information to verify proper royalty reporting and payments. ONRR estimates 120 Federal lessees/designees and 7 States will submit 139 responses annually, averaging 71.32 hours per response for a total estimated 9,913 annual burden hours (OMB Control No. 1012-0005).
Info required to get marginal-property relief
If you seek prepayment, accounting, or auditing relief for a qualifying Federal marginal property, you must submit information under 30 CFR part 1204 to obtain that relief. The rule cites sections including 1204.202, 1204.203, 1204.205, 1204.206, and 1204.209–1204.211 and makes providing information a condition to receive the benefit.
File ONRR-4393 to exceed allowance caps
A lessee may file form ONRR-4393 (Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation) with supporting documentation to request exceeding transportation and processing allowance caps for oil and gas produced prior to January 1, 2017. ONRR revised the form's general instructions to align with current regulations and updated the mailstop number.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08652 — Major Portion Prices and Due Date for Additional Royalty Payments on Gas Produced From Indian Lands in Designated Areas That Are Not Associated With an Index Zone
If you produce gas on certain Indian lands that don’t follow a price index, you need to know the official prices for 2024 and pay any extra royalties by July 31, 2026. This update affects gas producers on these lands, setting clear prices and deadlines to avoid late fees. Pay on time or watch interest pile up!
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2026-06794 — Agency Information Collection Activities: 30 CFR Part 1220, OCS Net Profit Share Payment
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2025-06982 — Major Portion Prices and Due Date for Additional Royalty Payments on Gas Produced From Indian Lands in Designated Areas That Are Not Associated With an Index Zone
If you produce gas from Indian lands in special areas without a price index, this update tells you the main prices for 2023 and when you need to pay any extra royalties. It affects gas producers and helps make sure everyone pays the right amount on time. Get ready to check your payments and deadlines so you don’t miss out!
2026-00023 — States' Decisions on Participating in Accounting and Auditing Relief for Federal Oil and Gas Marginal Properties
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