(a) You may request a valuation determination from ONRR regarding any oil produced. Your request must:

1. (1) Be in writing;
2. (2) Identify, specifically, all leases involved, all interest owners of those leases, the designee(s), and the operator(s) for those leases;
3. (3) Completely explain all relevant facts; you must inform ONRR of any changes to relevant facts that occur before we respond to your request;
4. (4) Include copies of all relevant documents;
5. (5) Provide your analysis of the issue(s), including citations to all relevant precedents (including adverse precedents); and
6. (6) Suggest your proposed valuation method.

(b) In response to your request, ONRR may:

1. (1) Request that the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget issue a valuation determination;
2. (2) Decide that ONRR will issue guidance; or

3. (3) Inform you in writing that ONRR will not provide a determination or guidance. Situations in which ONRR typically will not provide any determination or guidance include, but are not limited to, the following:

   (i) Requests for guidance on hypothetical situations

   (ii) Matters that are the subject of pending litigation or administrative appeals

(c)

1. (1) A valuation determination that the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget signs is binding on both you and ONRR until the Assistant Secretary modifies or rescinds it.
2. (2) After the Assistant Secretary issues a valuation determination, you must make any adjustments to royalty payments that follow from the determination and, if you owe additional royalties, you must pay the additional royalties due, plus late payment interest calculated under §§ 1218.54 and 1218.102 of this chapter.
3. (3) A valuation determination that the Assistant Secretary signs is the final action of the Department and is subject to judicial review under 5 U.S.C. 701-706.

(d) Guidance that ONRR issues is not binding on ONRR, delegated States, or you with respect to the specific situation addressed in the guidance.

1. (1) Guidance and ONRR's decision whether or not to issue guidance or request an Assistant Secretary determination, or neither, under paragraph (b) of this section, are not appealable decisions or orders under 30 CFR part 1290.
2. (2) If you receive an order requiring you to pay royalty on the same basis as the guidance, you may appeal that order under 30 CFR part 1290.

(g) ONRR or the Assistant Secretary generally will not retroactively modify or rescind a valuation determination issued under paragraph (d) of this section, unless:

1. (1) There was a misstatement or omission of material facts; or
2. (2) The facts subsequently developed are materially different from the facts on which the guidance was based.