[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4480-4481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2383]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service


Subpart D, Drilling Operations

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 information contained in 
30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling Operations. MMS has added new 
requirements which will increase the reporting burden; and, reduced 
recordkeeping hours due to corrected re-estimates. MMS will request 
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (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:
Andrew Radford, Engineering and Standards Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, telephone (703) 787-1144.

[[Page 4481]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract

    1. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1331 et 
seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior to preserve, protect, and 
develop oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); 
make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as 
rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resources development with 
protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the 
public a fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and 
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) of 
the OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1332) requires that ``operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained 
personnel using technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to 
prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, 
fires, spillages, physical obstruction 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.'' To carry out 
these responsibilities, the Director of the MMS has issued rules 
governing drilling operations in the OCS. To perform these duties, MMS 
needs to collect information from lessees in the OCS. This information 
is in the form of descriptions of the drilling site, procedures, and 
equipment as described in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling 
Operations.
    2. The MMS prepared a proposed rule to amend Subpart D, 
Sec. 250.67, Hydrogen sulfide, to revise the requirements for 
preventing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releases and protecting human 
safety. Also proposed were requirements for visual and audible warning 
systems, personnel protection, training, (H2S) and sulphur dioxide 
(SO2) detection and monitoring, and H2S flaring. The proposed 
rule was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 1995 (60 FR 
25178). Comments were due July 10, 1995. MMS did not receive any 
comments pertaining to the Subpart D information collection 
requirements in this proposed rule.
    3. MMS will use the information to ascertain the condition of a 
drilling site for the purpose of mitigating hazards inherent in 
drilling operations. If MMS did not collect the information, we could 
not determine whether lessees are properly providing for the safety of 
operations and the protection of the environment. Specifically, we 
could not:
    a. Review drilling plans to ensure that the drilling unit is fit 
for the intended purpose.
    b. Review expected oceanographic and meteorological conditions to 
use when evaluating the integrity of the drilling unit (this 
information is submitted only if it is not otherwise available).
    c. Review shallow hazard survey data to ensure that the lessee will 
not encounter geologic conditions which present a hazard to operations.
    d. Review welding and burning plans to ensure the safety of 
operations.
    e. Review casing data to ensure the adequacy of casings for 
anticipated conditions.
    f. Review well records to ascertain whether hydrocarbons have been 
encountered and whether H2S has been encountered.
    4. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements and number of 
respondents vary for each section. The estimates below are based on an 
average.
    Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
    Frequency: On occasion; varies by section.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 125.
    Estimate of Burden: Reporting average of 19 annual hours per 
response; recordkeeping average of 140 annual hours per recordkeeper.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Reporting burden 
estimate = 2,371 hours; recordkeeping burden estimate = 17,533. 
Estimated combined total of 19,904.
    Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour Burdens: 
Based on $25 per hour, the total cost to lessees is estimated to be 
$497,600.
    Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement.
    OMB Number: 1010-0053.
    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 
questions: (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 factor 
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) prior to 
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. 96-2383 Filed 2-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M