[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15961-15962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8833]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of request to extend a currently approved information 
collection; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) invites the 
public and other Federal agencies to comment on a request to extend a 
currently approved collection of information contained in regulations 
governing platforms and structures in the Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS). MMS will request approval

[[Page 15962]]
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend this 
collection of information.

DATES: Submit written comments by June 10, 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:
Alexis London, Engineering and Standards Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, telephone (703) 787-1562.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Abstract: 1. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), at 43 
U.S.C. 1331 et seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior to 
preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the 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 and fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and 
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 30(a) of the 
OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1356) requires the issuance of ``* * * regulations 
which require that any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
structure--* * * (2) which is used for activities pursuant to this 
subchapter, comply, * * * with such minimum standards of design, 
construction, alteration, and repair as the Secretary or the Secretary 
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating establishes; * 
* * '' To carry out these responsibilities, the Director of MMS has 
issued rules governing structural safety of platforms and structures 
used in the OCS. These rules and the associated information collection 
requirements are contained in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart I, Platforms and 
Structures.
    2. MMS OCS Regions use the information collected to determine the 
structural integrity of all offshore structures and to ensure that such 
integrity will be maintained throughout the useful life of these 
structures. If we did not collect the information, we could not:
    a. Review information concerning damage to a platform to assess the 
adequacy of proposed repairs.
    b. Review plans for platform construction (construction is divided 
into three phases--design, fabrication, and installation) to ensure the 
structural integrity of the platform.
    c. Review verification plans and reports for unique platforms to 
ensure that all nonstandard situations are given proper consideration 
during the design, fabrication, and installation phases of platform 
construction.
    d. Review platform design, fabrication, and installation records to 
ensure that the platform is constructed according to approved plans.
    e. Review inspection reports to ensure that platform integrity is 
maintained for the life of the platform.
    3. 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: 130.
    Estimate of Burden: Reporting average of 22.4 annual hours per 
response; recordkeeping average of 50 annual hours per recordkeeper.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Reporting burden 
estimate = 12,605; recordkeeping burden estimate = 6,000. Estimated 
combined total of 18,605.
    Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour Burdens: 
Based on $35 per hour, the total cost to lessees is estimated to be 
$651,175.
    Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
    Type of Request: Extension.
    OMB Number: 1010-0058.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Comments: MMS will summarize written responses to this notice and 
include them in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become 
a matter of public record.
    1. MMS specifically solicits comments on 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 of 1995 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) total capital and startup cost 
component and (b) annual operation, maintenance and purchase of 
services component. Your estimates should consider costs associated 
with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the 
information. You should include descriptions of methods used to 
estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and 
startup 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, your estimates should not include equipment or 
services purchased: before October 1, 1995; to achieve regulatory 
compliance with requirements not associated with the information 
collection; for reasons other than to provide information or keep 
records for the Government; or as part of customary and usual business 
or private practices.
    Bureau Clearance Officer: Carole A. deWitt (703) 787-1242.

    Dated: April 2, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-8833 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M