[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 15511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8617]



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


Reinstatement of Previously Approved Information Collection; OMB 
Approval Number 1004-0137

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 well operators concerning operations that were performed on 
each well, using the Well Completion or Recompletion Report and Log 
(Form 3160-4). BLM uses the information to ensure recording of an 
accurate, up-to-date, and detailed description of well completion or 
recompletion operations and compliance with approved plans for 
conservation of the resource and protection of the environment.

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: 1004-0137'' 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, 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 has 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 3162.4-1(b) require an oil and gas well 
operator to submit the Well Completion or Recompletion Report and Log 
(Form 3160-4) within 30 days after well completion. The information 
reported by the operator includes type of work, surface and subsurface 
location, start and completion dates, producing interval, casing, date 
of first production, and initial well potential. The operator certifies 
the accuracy and completeness of the information by signature and date.
    BLM uses the information for royalty considerations and inspection 
and reservoir management purposes. Technical data provide means to 
evaluate the appropriateness of specific drilling and completion 
techniques. The data enables BLM to monitor the engineering aspects of 
production and the legal requirements of lease obligation to develop 
the resource.
    In its entirety, the data submitted is used for agency technical 
evaluation of operations performed on a well and initial well 
performance. The form documents that operations were carried out in 
accordance with the terms and provisions of the lease and in 
technically and environmentally safe manners.
    Based on its experience administering the onshore oil and gas 
program, BLM estimates that approximately 2,200 forms are filed 
annually and that it takes an average of one hour for a respondent to 
supply the requested information. The information collected is already 
maintained by the respondents for their own recordkeeping purposes and 
must only be entered on the form. The frequency of response is variable 
depending on the type of activity conducted at oil and gas wells and 
operating circumstances, but averages two responses per respondent per 
year. Respondents are operators of oil and gas wells. The estimated 
total annual burden is 2,200 hours.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3160-4 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.

    Dated: April 2, 1996.
Annetta L. Cheek,
Chief, Regulatory Management Team.
[FR Doc. 96-8617 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P