[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4481-4482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2382]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Reduction of Royalty or Net Profit Share
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, DOI.
ACTION: Notice of request for reinstatement of information collection;
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) invites the
general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a request to
reinstate a previously approved collection of
[[Page 4482]]
information contained in 30 CFR Part 203.50, concerning the reduction
of royalty or net profit share. MMS re-estimated the reporting burden
which resulted in a reduction in the annual burden previously approved
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). MMS will request approval
from the OMB to reinstate this collection of information.
DATES: Submit written comments by April 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Mail Stop 4700; 381 Elden
Street; Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817; Attention: Chief, Engineering and
Standards Branch.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marshall Rose, Chief, Economic
Evaluation Branch, Resource Evaluation Division, Minerals Management
Service, telephone (703) 787-1536.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Abstract: 1. The Secretary of the Interior issued regulations at 30
CFR 203.50 which contain provisions to reduce or eliminate any royalty
or net profit share on an entire leasehold or on any deposit, tract, or
portion thereof that is segregated for royalty purposes, in order to
promote increased production on a lease area through direct, secondary,
or tertiary recovery means.
2. In order for MMS to determine whether to eliminate royalty or
net profit share, the lessee must request relief filing an application
prepared in accordance with Sec. 203.50. The application must contain
sufficient scientific, geological, engineering, and financial
information to permit MMS to evaluate the need for relief.
Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Frequency: Annual.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 10 initial applications; 2 annual
renewals.
Estimate of Burden: 160 hours per initial application; 80 hours per
renewal of previously approved applications.
Estimate of Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Reporting burden
estimate=1,760 hours.
Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour
Burdens: Based on $25 per hour, the total cost to lessees is
estimated to be $44,000.
Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
Type of Request: Reinstatement.
OMB Number: 1010-0071.
Form Number: N/A.
Comments: MMS will summarize written responses to this notice for
inclusion in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.
1. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)), MMS specifically solicits responses to the following:
(a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper
performance of MMS functions and will it be useful? (b) Are the
estimates of the burden of the proposed collection reasonable? (c) Do
you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, clarity, or
usefulness of the information to be collected? (d) Is there a way to
minimize the information collection burden on those who are to respond,
including through the use of appropriate automated electronic,
mechanical, or other forms of information technology?
2. In addition, the Paperwork Reduction Act requires agencies to
estimate the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers
resulting from the collection of information. MMS needs your comments
on this item. Your response should split the cost estimate into two
components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component; and (b) an
annual operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
The estimates should take into account costs associated with
generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information.
Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors
including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of
capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which
costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other
items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing
computers and software, monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing
equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, estimates should
not include purchases of equipment or services made: (a) before October
1, 1995; (b) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not
associated with the information collection; (c) for reasons other than
to provide information or keep records for the government; or (d) as
part of customary and usual business or private practices.
Bureau Clearance Officer: Arthur Quintana, (703) 787-1239.
Dated: January 29, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-2382 Filed 2-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M