[Federal Register: December 26, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 246)]
[Notices]
[Page 73041-73043]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26de07-96]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2007-OMM-0075]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
[[Page 73042]]
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0068).
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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS
is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.
The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart M,
``Unitization.''
DATE: Submit written comments by February 25, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any either of the following
methods listed below.
Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov, select
``Minerals Management Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then
click ``submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select MMS-2007-OMM-0063 to
submit public comments and to view supporting and related materials
available. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions
for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket
after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's
``User Tips'' link. All comments submitted will be published and posted
to the docket after the closing period.
Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference
``Information Collection 1010-0068'' in your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the
subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart M, Unitization.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0068.
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 (Secretary) 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.
This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping elements of 30
CFR Part 250, Subpart M, Unitization. We will protect information from
respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom of Information Act
(5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR Part 2) and
under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be made
available to the public or for limited inspection.'' No items of a
sensitive nature are collected. Responses are required to retain a
benefit. The MMS OCS Regions use the information to determine whether
to approve a proposal to enter into an agreement to unitize operations
under two or more leases or to approve modifications when circumstances
change. The information is necessary to ensure that operations will
result in preventing waste, conserving natural resources, and
protecting correlative rights, including the Government's interests. We
also use information submitted to determine competitiveness of a
reservoir or to decide that compelling unitization will achieve these
results.
Frequency: The frequency of reporting is on occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130
Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
currently approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 5,884
hours. The following chart details the individual components and
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. In 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.
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Citation 30 CFR part 250 subpart M Reporting requirement Hour burden; fee burden
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1301................................. General description of requirements... Burden included in the following
sections.
1301(d), (f)(3), (g)(1), (g)(2), (ii) Request suspension of production or Burden covered in 1010-0114.
operations.
1302(b).............................. Request preliminary determination on 39
competitive reservoir.
1302(b).............................. Submit concurrence or objection on 39
competitiveness with supporting
evidence.
1302(c), (d)......................... Submit joint plan of operations, 39
supplemental plans, or a separate
plan if agreement cannot be reached.
1303................................. Apply for voluntary unitization, 161
including submitting unit agreement $10,700 fee.
or revision, unit operating
agreement, initial plan of operation,
and supporting data; request for
variance from model agreement and
other related requirements.
1304(b).............................. Request compulsory unitization, 161
including submitting unit agreement,
unit operating agreement, initial
plan of operation, and supporting
data; serving non-consenting lessees
with documents.
1303; 1304........................... Submit revisions or modifications to 7 Hrs--GOM.
unit agreement, unit operating 8 Hrs--POCS.
agreement, plan of operation, change $760 fee.
of unit operator, etc.*.
1303; 1304........................... Submit initial, and revisions to, 50
participating area*.
1304(d).............................. Request hearing on required 1
unitization.
1304(e).............................. Submit statement at hearing on 5
compulsory unitization.
1304(e).............................. Pay for and submit three copies of 1
verbatim transcript of hearing.
1304(f).............................. Appeal final order of compulsory Exempt under 5 CFR 1320(a)(2),
unitization. (c).
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1300-1304............................ General departure and alternative 1
compliance requests not specifically
covered elsewhere in subpart M
regulations.
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\*\ These requirements are specified in each Unit Agreement.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We
have identified two ``non-hour cost'' burdens for this collection.
Section 1303 requires fees for a voluntary unitization or unit
expansion and a fee for a unitization revision. 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: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section
3506(c)(2)(A) 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.
Agencies must also estimate the ``non-hour cost'' burdens to
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total
capital and startup cost components or annual operation, maintenance,
and purchase of service components. You should describe the methods you
use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage
facilities. You should not include estimates for equipment or services
purchased: (i) Before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements
not associated with the information collection; (iii) for reasons other
than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (iv)
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to
OMB.
Public Comment Procedures: 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: December 11, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-24928 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P