[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13869-13870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7591]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[WO-310-1310-01-24-1A]


Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0135

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is announcing its intention to request 
extension of approval for the collection of information from operators 
and operating rights owners of Federal and Indian (except Osage) oil 
and gas leases who submit a Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells (Form 
3160-5). BLM uses the information collected to approve proposed 
operations and ensure compliance with granted approvals.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by May 28, 1996 to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Management Team (420), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Room 401 LS, Washington, 
D.C. 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: !WO[email protected]. Please 
include ``Attn: 1004-0135'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    Comments may be hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
    Comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours (7:45 A.M. to 4:15 P.M., Monday 
through Friday).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Gamble, Compliance Team, 
Fluids Group, (202) 452-0340.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12(a), BLM is 
required to provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning a 
collection of information contained in published current rules to 
solicit comments on (a) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    In accordance with the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 
of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as 
amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.); the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired 
Lands of 1947, as amended (30 U.S.C. 351-359); the various Indian 
leasing acts; and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), BLM's regulations at 43 CFR 
3162.3-2 require oil and gas operators on Federal and restricted Indian 
lands to submit Form 3160-5, Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells, in 
order to obtain authority to perform specific additional operations on 
a well and to report the completion of such work. In addition, 43 CFR 
3162.5-1 provides authority to require the operator to exercise 
diligence when disposing of produced waters. The specific data required 
on these forms concerns modifications to existing wells or construction 
requirements of produced water disposal pits. The regulation at 43 CFR 
3162.3-2 divides the proposed action into three categories based on the 
nature of the impact. Some actions require submitting the form for 
approval prior to beginning work and again after completion of 
operations; other actions require submission only after completion; and 
still others do not require reporting.
    All data is delivered to BLM by the operator or its agent. The data 
pertains to modifying operations conducted under the terms and 
provisions of an oil and gas lease (a contractual agreement between a 
lessee and the United States) for Federal or restricted Indian lands. 
The compilation of this data enables oversight and approval prior to 
any modifications to existing wells. In the case of a produced water 
disposal pit approval, this data provides the technical aspects of pit 
design to allow for sufficient water containment, thereby preventing 
unnecessary releases of produced water into the environment.
    BLM estimates that approximately 34,000 notices will be filed 
annually with an estimated completion time of 25 minutes each, for a 
total annual burden of 14,166 hours. Respondents are operators and 
operating rights owners of Federal and Indian (except Osage) oil and 
gas leases. The frequency of response is variable depending on the type 
of activities conducted at oil and gas wells and on operational 
circumstances.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3160-5 by contacting the person identified under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also become part of the public record.


[[Page 13870]]

    Dated: March 25, 1996.
Annetta L. Cheek,
Chief, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-7591 Filed 3-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P