[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15510-15511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8616]



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


Reinstatement of Previously Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0136

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 
reinstatement of approval for the collection of information from oil 
and gas operators who submit an Application for Permit to Drill, 
Deepen, or Plug Back (Form 3160-3). BLM uses the data submitted to 
review technical and environmental factors in the process of approving 
proposed oil and gas drilling operations.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by June 7, 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, 
DC 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: !WO[email protected]. Please 
include ``Attn: 1004-0136'' 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 L Street NW., Washington, DC.
    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.
    The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), as 
amended; the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 
351-359), as amended; the various Indian leasing acts; the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), as amended, 
and other environmental laws govern onshore oil and gas operations. 
BLM's implementing regulations are located at 43 CFR Part 3160. These 
regulations took their current form in 1982 (47 FR 47765, Oct. 27, 
1982) and have been amended many times, most recently in February (61 
FR 4752, Feb. 6, 1996).
    BLM's regulations at 43 CFR Part 3160 require an oil and gas well 
operator to submit an Application for Permit to Drill, Deepen, or Plug 
Back (Form 3160-3) for each well 30 days before any drilling operations 
or surface disturbances are commenced. On the form, respondents are 
requested to provide information describing the proposed activities, 
including the type of well and work anticipated, the operator's 
identity and address, surface and bottom-hole location of the proposed 
action, and various kinds of technical data depending on the type of 
activity proposed.
    BLM uses the information on Form 3160-3 to review technical and 
environmental factors germane to each well, reservoir management, 
engineering and environmental compliance, and to ensure that drilling 
is conducted in compliance with existing spacing orders. BLM uses 
technical data about the drilling for both permit approval and 
subsequent on-the-ground review and inspection after actual drilling 
begins. BLM gathers information on prospective production of resources 
so that all potential impacts can be evaluated during the approval 
process.
    Without the above information, there would be no assurance that 
drilling and associated activities, when and if authorized, are 
technically and environmentally feasible and ensure proper conservation 
of the resources. The information submitted provides a basis for BLM to 
evaluate the proposed well's feasibility and, in turn, determine 
whether the application should be disapproved or approved and, if 
approved, whether any special conditions of approval should be made 
part of the permit.
    BLM also requires operators to prepare certain items, such as 
drilling plans, diagrams and maps, as well as contingency plans. 
Operators generally submit these items as attachments to Form 3160-3 in 
accordance with 43 CFR 3162.3-1. BLM has included the burden hours for 
such attachments in OMB approval number 1004-0134 which covers all non-
form requirements of 43 CFR Part 3160.
    Based on its experience administering the onshore oil and gas 
program, BLM estimates that approximately 4,000 forms are filed 
annually and that it takes an average of 30 minutes for a respondent to 
supply the requested information. The frequency of response is variable 
depending on operating circumstances. Respondents are operators of oil 
and gas wells. The estimated total annual burden is 2,000 hours.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3160-3 by contacting the person identified under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

[[Page 15511]]

    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.

    Dated: April 2, 1996.
Annetta L. Cheek,
Chief, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-8616 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P