[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