[Federal Register: August 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 169)]
[Notice]
[Page 50382-50387]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au07-125]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0114).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart A, General,
and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second
opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by October 1, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments either by fax (202) 395-6566 or
email (OIRA--DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department
of the Interior (1010-0114). Mail or hand carry a copy of your comments
to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service;
Attention: Cheryl Blundon; Mail Stop 4024; 381 Elden Street; Herndon,
Virginia 20170-4817. If you wish to email your comments to MMS, the
address is: rules.comments@mms.gov. Reference Information Collection
1010-0114 in your subject line and mark your message for return
receipt. Include your name and return address in your message text.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and forms that require
the subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR part 250, Subpart A, General.
Forms: MMS-132, MMS-1123, MMS-1832.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to
administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must
preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a
manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources
available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human,
marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and
equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and
maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) states that
``operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a
safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions,
and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood
of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical
obstructions to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or
other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to
property or endanger life or health.''
The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25,
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that
confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI)
implementing policy, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is required
to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or privileges
to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which
accrue to the public at large.
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR
part 250, subpart A, General. This request also covers the related
Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that MMS issues to clarify and
provide additional guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
Responses are mandatory. No questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are
asked. We protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR
part 2), and 30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and
[[Page 50383]]
information to be made available to the public or for limited
inspection.''
The MMS uses the information collected under the Subpart A
regulations to ensure that operations on the OCS are carried out in a
safe and pollution-free manner, do not interfere with the rights of
other users on the OCS, and balance the protection and development of
OCS resources. Specifically, we use the information collected to:
Review records of formal crane operator training, rigger
training, crane operator qualifications, crane inspections, testing,
and maintenance to ensure that lessees perform operations in a safe and
workmanlike manner and that equipment is maintained in a safe
condition. The MMS also uses the information to make certain that all
new and existing cranes installed on OCS fixed platforms must be
equipped with anti-two block safety devices, and to assure that uniform
methods are employed by lessees for load testing of cranes.
Review welding, burning, and hot tapping plans,
procedures, and records to ensure that these activities are conducted
in a safe and workmanlike manner by trained and experienced personnel.
Provide lessees greater flexibility to comply with
regulatory requirements through approval of alternative equipment or
procedures and departures to regulations if they demonstrate equal or
better compliance with the appropriate performance standards.
Determine the capability of a well to produce oil or gas
in paying quantities or to determine the possible need for additional
wells resulting in minimum royalty status on a lease. If a well does
not yield hydrocarbons in sufficient quantity to warrant continued
operation and production, MMS uses the information to verify the claim
and to release the lessee from lease obligations. Conversely, the
information is used to extend the term of the lease if additional wells
will warrant continued operation and production.
Ensure that injection of gas promotes conservation of
natural resources, prevents waste, and that subsurface storage of
natural gas does not unduly interfere with development and production
operations under existing leases.
Ensure the appropriateness of reimbursing lessees for
costs incurred in reproducing geological and geophysical (G&G) data and
information for submission to MMS and processing or reprocessing G&G
information in a form and manner other than that normally used in the
conduct of a lessee's business, or to determine the proper
reimbursement of costs incurred during inspections.
Record the designation of an operator authorized to act on
behalf of the lessee and to fulfill the lessee's obligations under the
OCS Lands Act and implementing regulations, or to record the local
agent empowered to receive notices and comply with regulatory orders
issued (Form MMS-1123).
Determine if an application for right-of-use and easement
serves the purpose specified in the grant when conducting exploration,
development, and production activities or other operations on or off
the lease; is maintained for such purposes; and does not unreasonably
interfere with the operations of any other lessee.
Provide for orderly development of leases through the use
of information to determine the appropriateness of lessee requests for
suspension of operations, including production. For example, MMS needs
the information to determine that a suspension is necessary to: (1)
Ensure proper lease development, (2) allow time to construct or
negotiate use of transportation facilities, (3) allow reasonable time
to enter into a sales contract, (4) allow for unavoidable situations,
(5) avoid continued operations resulting in premature abandonment of a
producing well(s) that would be uneconomic, (6) comply with the
National Environmental Policy Act or to conduct an environmental
analysis, (7) install equipment for safety and environmental
protection, (8) allow time for inordinate delays encountered in
obtaining required permits or consents, (9) comply with judicial
decrees, or (10) avoid activities that pose a threat of serious,
irreparable, or immediate harm.
Improve safety and environmental protection on the OCS,
through collection and analysis of accident reports to ascertain the
cause of the accidents and, to determine ways to prevent recurrences.
Ascertain when the lease ceases production or when the
last well ceases production in order to determine the 180th day after
the date of completion of the last production. This requirement is
expanded in the final rule to include reporting when lease production
is initiated, resumes before the end of the 180-day period after
production ceased, and when leaseholding operations occur during the
referenced 180-day interval. The MMS will use this information to
efficiently maintain the lessee/operator lease status.
Approve requests to cancel leases.
Be informed when there could be a major disruption in the
availability and supply of natural gas and oil due to natural
occurrences/hurricanes, to advise the U.S. Coast Guard in case of the
need to rescue offshore workers in distress, to monitor damage to
offshore platforms and drilling rigs, and to advise the news media and
interested public entities when production is shut in and when resumed.
The OCS operations produce more than one-quarter of the Nation's
natural gas and more than one-sixth of its oil, and it is essential to
know when production is interrupted. The Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR)
uses a reporting form for respondents to report evacuation statistics
when necessary (Form MMS-132, Evacuation Statistics). It is sent to
respondents at the onset of each ``hurricane season'' in the GOMR.
Allow operators who exhibit unacceptable performance an
incremental approach to improving their overall performance prior to a
final decision to disqualify an operator or to pursue debarment
proceedings through the execution of a performance improvement plan
(PIP). The Subpart A regulations do not address the actual process that
we will follow in pursuing the disqualification of operators under
Sec. Sec. 250.135 and 250.136. However, our internal enforcement
procedures include allowing such operators to demonstrate a commitment
to acceptable performance by the submission of a PIP.
Determine that respondents have corrected all Incidents of
Non-Compliance (INC)(s) identified during inspections (Form MMS-1832).
The MMS issues this form to the operator. The operator then corrects
the INC(s) and returns the form to the MMS Regional Supervisor no later
than 14 days.
Review records of crane inspection, testing, maintenance,
and crane operator qualifications to ensure that lessees perform
operations in a safe and workmanlike manner and maintain equipment in a
safe condition.
Frequency: The frequency is ``on occasion'' for most of the
requirements in Subpart A. The Form MMS-132 is submitted daily during
the period of emergency.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 1
State and 130 Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees.
Estimated Hour and Fee Burden: The estimated annual ``hour'' burden
for this information collection is a total of 36,239 hours. The
following chart details the individual components and estimated hour
burdens and fees. In
[[Page 50384]]
calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain
requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider
these to be usual and customary and took that into account in
estimating the burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee
Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart A Reporting or --------------------------------------------------------
and related forms/NTLs recordkeeping Average No. of Annual burden
requirement Hour burden annual responses hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authority and Definition of Terms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104; Form MMS-1832............. Appeal orders or Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c) 0
decisions; appeal
INCs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109(a); 110.................... Submit welding, 2................ 133 plans........ 266
burning, and hot
tapping plans.
115; 116....................... Request determination 5................ 90 responses..... 450
of well
producibility; submit
data & information;
notify MMS of test.
118; 119; 121; 124............. Apply for injection or 10............... 14 applications.. 140
subsurface storage of
gas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 237 responses.... 856
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125............................ Service Fees.......... Fees covered individually throughout 0
subpart.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
130-133; Form MMS-1832......... Submit ``green'' 2................ 1,529 forms...... 3,058
response copy of Form
MMS-1832 indicating
date violations
(INCs) corrected.
143; 144; 145; Form MMS-1123... Submit designation of 1................ 1,470 forms...... 1,470
operator (Form MMS-
1123--15 mins. only);
report change of
address; notice of
termination; submit
designation of local
agent.
$150 fee x 1,470 = $220,500
192; Form MMS-132.............. Daily report of 1................ 1,800 reports or 1,800
evacuation statistics forms.
for natural
occurrence/hurricane
(Form MMS-132 in the
GOMR) when
circumstances
warrant; inform MMS
when you resume
production.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 4,799 responses.. 6,328
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$220,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of Operations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
130-133........................ Request 2................ 178 requests..... 356
reconsideration from
issuance of an INC.
Request waiver of 14- 1................ 510 waivers...... 510
day response time..
Notify MMS before .5............... 976 notices...... 488
returning to
operations if shut-in.
133............................ Request reimbursement 2................ 12 requests...... 24
for food, quarters,
and transportation
provided to MMS
representatives (OCS
Lands Act specifies
reimbursement; no
requests received in
many years; minimal
burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 1,676 responses.. 1,378
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disqualification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135 MMS internal process....... Submit PIP under MMS 40............... 4 plans.......... 160
implementing
procedures for
enforcement actions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Types of Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140............................ Request various oral 1................ 360 requests..... 360
approvals not
specifically covered
elsewhere in
regulatory
requirements.
141............................ Request approval to 20............... 33 requests...... 660
use new or
alternative
procedures, including
BAST not specifically
covered elsewhere in
regulatory
requirements.
[[Page 50385]]
142............................ Request approval of 3................ 62 requests...... 186
departure from
operating
requirements not
specifically covered
elsewhere in
regulatory
requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 455 responses.... 1,206
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naming and Identifying Facilities and Wells (Does Not Include MODUs)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150; 151; 152; 154(a).......... Name and identify 2................ 149 new/ 298
facilities, replacement
artificial islands, signs.
MODUs, etc., with
signs.
150; 154(b).................... Name and identify 1................ 1,016 new wells.. 1,016
wells with signs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 1,165 responses.. 1,314
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right-of-use and Easement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 161....................... OCS lessees: Apply for 10............... 60 applications.. 600
new or modified right-
of-use and easement
to construct and
maintain off-lease
platforms, artificial
islands, and
installations and
other devices;
including
notifications.
160(c)......................... Establish a Company Burden covered under 1010-0006 0
File for
qualification; submit
updated information,
submit qualifications
for lessee/bidder,
request exception.
165............................ State lessees: Apply 5................ 2 applications... 10
for new or modified
right-of-use and
easement to construct
and maintain off-
lease platforms,
artificial islands,
and installations and
other devices.
$2,350 state lease fee x 2 = $4,700
166............................ State lessees: Furnish Burden included with 30 CFR 256 0
surety bond. (1010-0006).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 62 responses..... 610
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suspensions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
168; 170; 171; 172; 174; 175; Request suspension of 10*.............. 325 requests*.... 3,250
177; 180(b), (d). operations or
production; submit
schedule of work
leading to
commencement*.
$1,800 fee x 325 = $585,000
Submit progress 3*............... 1,070 reports*... 3,210
reports on SOO or SOP
as condition of
approval*.
177(a)......................... Conduct site-specific 100.............. 1 study/report... 100
study; submit
results. No instances
requiring this study
in several years--
could be necessary if
a situation occurred
such as severe damage
to a platform or
structure caused by a
hurricane or a vessel
collision.
177(b), (c), (d); 182; 183, Various references to Burden included with 30 CFR 250, 0
185; 194. submitting new, Subpart B (1010-0151).
revised, or modified
exploration plan,
development/
production plan, or
development
operations
coordination
document, and related
surveys/reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 1,396 responses.. 6,560
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$585,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
180(a), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) Notify and submit 2................ 1,400 reports or 2,800
report on various notices.
leaseholding
operations and lease
production activities.
180(a), (b), (c)............... When requested, submit 6................ 70 submissions... 420
production data to
demonstrate
production in paying
quantities to
maintain lease beyond
primary term.
180(e)......................... Request more than 180 5................ 5 requests....... 25
days to resume
operations.
[[Page 50386]]
181(d); 182(b), 183(b)(2)...... Request termination of 20............... 2 requests....... 40
suspension and
cancellation of lease
(no requests in
recent years for
termination/
cancellation of a
lease; minimal
burden).
184............................ Request compensation 50............... 1 request........ 50
for lease
cancellation mandated
by the OCS Lands Act
(no qualified lease
cancellations in many
years; minimal burden
compared to benefit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 1,478 responses.. 3,335
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information and Reporting Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186; 187; 188(a); 189; 190(c).. Report to the District Oral .5.......... 1,550............ 775
Manager immediately
via oral
communication and
written follow-up
within 15 calendar
days, incidents
pertaining to:
Fatalities; injuries;
LoWC; fires;
explosions; all
collisions resulting
in property or
equipment damage
>$25K; structural
damage to an OCS
facility; cranes;
incidents that damage
or disable safety
systems or equipment
(including
firefighting systems).
Written 4........ 1,535............ 6,140
187(d)......................... Report all spills of Burden covered with 30 CFR 254 (1010- 0
oil or other liquid 0091).
pollutants.
188(a)(5)...................... Report to District Oral burden covered under 1010-0141. 0
Manager hydrogen
sulfide (H2S) gas
releases immediately
by oral communication.
188(b); 190(a), (b)............ Provide written report 4................ 405.............. 1,620
to the District
Manager within 15
calendar days after
incidents relating
to: Injuries that
result in 1 or more
days away from work,
on restricted work,
or job transfer; gas
releases that
initiate equipment or
process shutdown;
property or equipment
damage >$25K;
operations personnel
to muster for
evacuation not
related to weather or
drills; any
additional
information required.
191............................ Submit written Exempt under 3 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), 0
statement/ (c).
compensation re:
accident
investigation.
193............................ Report apparent 1.5.............. 3 reports........ 5 (rounded)
violations or non-
compliance.
194 NTL exception requests..... Request departures 1................ 95 requests...... 95
from conducting
archaeological
resources surveys and/
or submitting reports
in GOMR.
194(c)......................... Report archaeological 10............... 2 reports........ 20
discoveries (only one
instance in many
years; minimal
burden)..
196............................ Submit data/ Burden included with 30 CFR 251 0
information for post- (1010-0048).
lease G&G activity
and request
reimbursement.
101-199........................ General departure or 2................ 21 requests...... 42
alternative
compliance requests
not specifically
covered elsewhere in
Subpart A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 3,611 responses.. 8,697
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108(e)......................... Retain records of 2................ 2,562 5,124
design and recordkeepers.
construction for life
of crane, including
installation records
for any anti-two
block safety devices;
all inspection,
testing, and
maintenance for at
least 4 years; crane
operator and all
rigger personnel
qualifications for at
least 4 years.
109(b)......................... Retain welding, .5............... 822 operations... 411
burning, and hot
tapping plan and
approval for the life
of the facility.
132(b)(3)...................... During inspections 2................ 130 lessees/ 260
make records operators.
available as
requested by
inspectors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.............................................................. 3,514 responses.. 5,795
[[Page 50387]]
Total Burden......................................................... 18,397 responses. 36,239 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$810,200 Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Due to the Amber Resources Company v U.S. litigation involving 36 suspended leases, operators in the Pacific
Region did not respond to our inquiry because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden:
There are three non-hour costs associated with this information
collection. The estimated non-hour cost burden is $810,200. Sections
250.143, 250.165, and 250.171 require respondents to pay filing fees
when submitting a change in designation of operator, a State lessee
applies for a right-of-use and easement, and for either a suspension of
operations or production request (SOO/SOP). The application filing fees
are required to recover the Federal Government's processing costs. We
have not identified any other ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with
this collection of information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated
to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et
seq.) requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information * * *'' Agencies
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to
perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b)
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on December 13,
2006, we published a Federal Register notice (71 FR 74937) announcing
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided
the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 250.199 provides
the OMB control number for the information collection requirements
imposed by the 30 CFR part 250 regulations and forms. The regulation
also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the
collections of information and provides the address to which they
should send comments. We received one comment in response to the
Federal Register notice and it was not germane to the IC.
If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send
your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this
notice. OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information
collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum
consideration, OMB should receive public comments by October 1, 2007.
Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address,
phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208-7744.
Dated: April 13, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on August 28, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-17278 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P