[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8245]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 6, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration

 

Forms EIA-23, 23P and 64A, ``Oil and Gas Reserves Surveys''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the Proposed Extension of the Forms EIA-23, ``Annual 
Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,'' EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas Well 
Operator List Update Report,'' and EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the 
Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production,'' and solicitation of 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA), as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required 
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. No. 96-511, 44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), conducts a presurvey consultation program to provide the 
general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to 
comment on proposed and/or continuing reporting forms. This program 
helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired 
format, reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are clearly 
understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents 
can be properly assessed.
     Currently, EIA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
extension of the Forms EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas 
Reserves,'' EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas Well Operator List Update Report,'' 
and EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids 
Production.'' It is proposed that Forms EIA-23P and EIA 64A be extended 
without modification. For large operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the 
form will be modified to also collect estimates of reserves and 
production associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and 
nonconventional gas. This proposed modification reflects the growing 
importance to U.S. oil and gas supplies of enhanced oil recovery and 
nonconventional gas. To offset the incremental burden associated with 
this proposed modification, the requirement to report indicated 
additional reserves on Form EIA-23 will be discontinued. For small 
operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the form will be extended without 
modification.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by May 6, 1994.
    If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it 
difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, 
you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so 
as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Paul Chapman, Energy Information 
Administration, Dallas Field Office, 1114 Commerce Street, room 804, 
Dallas, Texas 75242-2899, Telephone (214) 767-2200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Mr. Paul 
Chapman at the address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background
II. Current Actions
III. Request for Comments

I. Background

    In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Energy 
Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-275) and the Department of 
Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91), the Energy Information 
Administration is obliged to carry out a central, comprehensive, and 
unified energy data and information program. As part of this program, 
EIA collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates data and 
information related to energy resource reserves, production, demand, 
and technology, and related economic and statistical information 
relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the 
near and longer term future for the Nation's economic and social needs.
    Operators of crude oil and natural gas wells are the target 
respondents of the Form EIA-23 and operators of natural gas plants are 
the target respondents of the Form EIA-64A. The amount of crude oil, 
associated-dissolved and nonassociated natural gas, and lease 
condensate production and reserves by field are requested of major oil 
and gas well operators. In addition a selected sample of small 
operators provides production and reserves of crude oil, natural gas 
and lease condensate at a State level on the Form EIA-23. The amount of 
natural gas processed, natural gas liquids produced, the resultant 
shrinkage of the natural gas, and the amount of natural gas used in 
processing are requested of natural gas plant operators. In response to 
Public Law 95-91 Section 657, estimates of U.S. oil and gas reserves 
are to be reported annually. These estimates are essential to the 
development, implementation, and evaluation of energy policy and 
legislation. Data will be used directly in the annual publication U.S. 
Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Reserves, and 
incorporated in a number of other publications and analyses. Secondary 
publications which use the data include the Annual Energy Review, 
Annual Energy Outlook, Petroleum Supply Annual, and Natural Gas Annual.

II. Current Actions

    This notice is for a proposed three-year extension of the Forms 
EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,'' EIA-23P, 
``Oil and Gas Well Operator List Update Report,'' and EIA-64A, ``Annual 
Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production,'' until 
December 31, 1997. Forms EIA-23P and EIA-64A will be extended without 
modification. For large operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the form 
will be modified to also collect estimates of reserves and production 
associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and nonconventional gas. 
Implementation of this proposed modification is contingent upon the 
availability of resources required to make the EIA-23 data system 
capable of handling the new data. To offset the incremental respondent 
burden associated with reporting enhanced oil recovery and 
nonconventional gas reserves and production, and to focus the survey 
more effectively on proved reserves, the requirement for large 
operators to report indicated additional reserves (a reserves category 
that is not proved) will be discontinued. For small operators reporting 
on Form EIA-23, the form will be extended without modification.
    Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment 
on the actions discussed in item II. The following general guidelines 
are provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please indicate 
to which form(s) your comments apply.
    As a potential respondent:
    A. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If 
not, which instructions require clarification?
    B. Can the data be submitted using the definitions included in the 
instructions?
    C. Can data be submitted in accordance with the response time 
specified in the instructions? Would it be possible for you to submit 
the data as much as two months earlier?
    D. Public reporting burden for this data collection is estimated to 
range from 62 to 333 hours per response for the field level (i.e., 
large operator) version of Form EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil 
and Gas Reserves'' and reporting burden is estimated to average 8 hours 
per response for the State level (i.e., small operator) version of Form 
EIA-23. Public reporting burden is estimated to average 5.9 hours per 
response for the Form EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the Origin of Natural 
Gas Liquids Production.'' Public reporting burden is estimated to 
average 0.25 hours per response for the Form EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas 
Well Operator List Update Report.'' How much time, including time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information, do you estimate will be required for you to 
complete and submit the required form?
    E. What is the estimated dollar cost of completing this form, 
including the direct and indirect costs associated with the collection?
    F. How can the form be improved?
    G. Do you know of any other Federal, State, or local agency that 
collects similar data? If you do, specify the agency, the data 
element(s), and the means of the collection.
    As a potential user:
    A. Can you use data at the levels of detail indicated on the form? 
In particular, can you use the proposed data on reserves and production 
associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and nonconventional gas?
    B. For what purpose would you use the data? Please be specific.
    C. Would you be adversely affected by discontinuation of indicated 
additional reserves data from the EIA-23 field form?
    D. How could the form be improved to better meet your specific 
needs?
    E. Are there alternative sources of oil and gas reserves data and 
do you use them? What are their strengths or deficiencies?
    EIA is also interested in receiving comments on any other aspect of 
the data collection forms or the need for the information contained in 
the Oil and Gas Reserves Surveys.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form; they also 
will become a matter of public record.

Statutory Authorities

    Sections 3506(a) and (c)(1), Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as 
amended, Pub. L. No. 96-511, 44 U.S.C. 3506(a) and (c)(1).

    Issued in Washington, DC, March 31, 1994.
Yvonne M. Bishop,
Director, Statistical Standards, Energy Information Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-8245 Filed 4-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P