§ 206.56 - Transportation allowances—general.

(a) Where the value of oil has been determined under § 206.52 or § 206.53 of this subpart at a point (e.g., sales point or point of value determination) off the lease, MMS shall allow a deduction for the reasonable, actual costs incurred by the lessee to transport oil to a point off the lease; provided, however, that no transportation allowance will be granted for transporting oil taken as Royalty-In-Kind (RIK); or

(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the transportation allowance deduction on the basis of a sales type code may not exceed 50 percent of the value of the oil at the point of sale as determined under § 206.52 of this subpart. Transportation costs cannot be transferred between sales type codes or to other products.

(2) Upon request of a lessee, MMS may approve a transportation allowance deduction in excess of the limitation prescribed by paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The lessee must demonstrate that the transportation costs incurred in excess of the limitation prescribed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section were reasonable, actual, and necessary. An application for exception (using Form MMS-4393, Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation) must contain all relevant and supporting documentation necessary for MMS to make a determination. Under no circumstances may the value, for royalty purposes, under any sales type code, be reduced to zero.

(c) Transportation costs must be allocated among all products produced and transported as provided in § 206.57. Transportation allowances for oil shall be expressed as dollars per barrel.

(d) If, after a review or audit, MMS determines that a lessee has improperly determined a transportation allowance authorized by this subpart, then the lessee will pay any additional royalties, plus interest determined in accordance with 30 CFR 218.54, or will be entitled to a credit without interest.