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As of Oct. 1, 2025, the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) has become the Department of Conservation and Energy (C&E). We appreciate your patience as we transition over the coming months. If you cannot find the information needed on this website, please visit our DENR Archive Website or contact us at info@la.gov.
Natural Resources Trust Authority
The Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) was created by ACT 727 of the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. It serves as a true finance arm for the agency, as part of the structure of the State Mineral and Energy Board, with an overarching mission of developing a strategic plan to identify financial challenges facing the energy industry and natural resources-related projects.
A key function of the NRTA is to provide guidance and oversight for helping create financial instruments that provide appropriate funding for plugging and abandonment obligations for operators whose wells are orphaned.
For those wells that have or will become orphaned, the Louisiana Legislature passed Act 16 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session abolished the Oilfield Site Restoration Commission and moved the oversight authority to the NRTA effective July 1, 2025.
Financial Security
To enhance efficiency, consistency, and transparency in the administration of financial securities, the Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA) is implementing a centralized process for the management of all financial security matters.
Effective immediately, NRTA will assume responsibility for the administration and processing of all financial securities. All submissions, correspondence, and inquiries related to financial securities should be directed to NRTA@la.gov. This includes, but is not limited to:
- New security submissions
- Amendments and modifications
- Renewals and extensions
- Replacements and cancellations
- Adjustments to security amounts
- Claims-related correspondence and inquiries
- Any other matters related to financial security instruments
For questions or further guidance regarding this update, please contact Tanner Magee, Executive Director, Natural Resources Trust Authority, at Tanner.Magee2@la.gov.
All mail inquiries sent to this address will be routed internally and responded to in a timely manner.
Mailing Address:
Natural Resources Trust Authority
Attn: John Day, Deputy Director
617 N. Third St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802We appreciate your cooperation and support as we implement this change.
Financial Security Documents
All required forms and instructions are available below. To avoid delays or rejection of your submittals, banks and surety companies must use the current, approved NRTA forms. Using outdated or incorrect forms will result in the return of your documents.
- FS-APCC Application for Plugging Credits
- FS-APCCO Transfer of Plugging Credits
- FS- AMD_EX-A Exhibit "A" - Add wells to new/existing policy
- FS-CDMW Pledge of Certificate of Deposit
- FS-ExMax Exhibit "A" - Max Financial Security - Blanket
- FS-LCMW Irrevocable Letter of Credit
- FS-ICDA Irrevocable Cash Deposit Agreement
- FS-PBMW Performance Bond
- OR-1 OR-1 Online User Guide
- SOCI Surface Owner Contact Information - required for all wells included in operator change amendments
- 9604 Site Specific Trust Account Form (pdf)
- 9604-1 Site Specific Trust Account Re-assessment
Financial Security Rulemaking
The Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy (“C&E”) is proposing to amend LAC 43:XIX.101 and 104 concerning financial security for oil and gas wells. The proposed rule amendments carries forward the substance of the Emergency Rule effective July 21, 2026 by defining “Regulated Financial Institution,” updating department and officer terminology, and authorizing a written certification issued by the Louisiana Natural Resources Trust Authority as an additional means of satisfying financial-security requirements. The proposed rule will be published as a Notice of Intent in the Louisiana Register on September 20, 2026. C&E anticipates the effective date for the proposed rule will on January 20, 2027.
Inquiries on this proposed rule may be directed to Blake Canfield, Executive Counsel, by email to Blake.Canfield@la.gov or by mail to the following address:
Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy
Attn: Blake Canfield
617 North Third Street, 11th Floor
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
Interested persons may submit written comments concerning the proposed rule to the above-mentioned mailing address or via email. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received no later than October 20, 2026, by 4:30 PM. A public hearing will be held if requested in accordance with R.S. 49:961(B). If a qualifying request is received, C&E will provide notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing in accordance with law.
Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association (LORA)
Notice
As of May 2, 2025, the Department of Conservation and Energy (C&E) no longer recognizes the Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association (LORA) as a financial institution acceptable to provide financial instruments to meet the financial security requirements of LAC 43.XIX.104.
All financial instruments previously issued by LORA will be administered by the Louisiana Natural Resources Trust Authority (NRTA). Until further notice, C&E will continue to recognize these instruments as acceptable to meet the financial security obligations of LAC 43.XIX.104 under the terms previously agreed to in writing by LORA and the well operator. However, renewal payments must be remitted directly to the NRTA.
C&E no longer authorizes or accepts any new instruments or expansion of current financial security instruments previously issued by LORA.
If Operators choose not to renew with the NRTA their financial security instrument previously issued by LORA, then they will need to secure appropriate financial security from an acceptable financial institution to meet the requirements of LAC 43:XIX.104.
May 2026 letter to former LORA participants taken on by NRTA to assure them that NRTA will continue to administer financial security instruments for them until they can find something in the private sector.