30 CFR § 550.203 - Where can wells be located under an EP, DPP, or DOCD?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t30/s550.203"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "30 CFR § 550.203 - Where can wells be located under an EP, DPP, or DOCD?"
title_number: 30
title_name: "Mineral Resources"
section_number: "550.203"
section_name: "Where can wells be located under an EP, DPP, or DOCD?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE"
part_number: "550"
part_name: "OIL AND GAS AND SULFUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "30 U.S.C. 1751; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 43 U.S.C. 1334."
regulatory_source: "76 FR 64623, Oct. 18, 2011, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "550"
---


# 550.203 Where can wells be located under an EP, DPP, or DOCD?

The Regional Supervisor reviews and approves proposed well location and spacing under an EP, DPP, or DOCD. In deciding whether to approve a proposed well location and spacing, the Regional Supervisor will consider factors including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Protecting correlative rights;

(b) Protecting Federal royalty interests;

(c) Recovering optimum resources;

(d) Number of wells that can be economically drilled for proper reservoir management;

(e) Location of drilling units and platforms;

(f) Extent and thickness of the reservoir;

(g) Geologic and other reservoir characteristics;

(h) Minimizing environmental risk;

(i) Preventing unreasonable interference with other uses of the OCS; and

(j) Drilling of unnecessary wells.