[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15962-15964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8834]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of request to extend five currently approved information
collections; 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
public and other Federal agencies to comment on a request to extend
five currently approved collections of information. These collections
are contained in regulations governing oil, gas, and sulphur operations
on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). MMS will request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend these collections
of information.
DATES: Submit written comments by June 10, 1996.
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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), 43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
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;
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition; and ensure that the
extent of oil and natural gas resources of the OCS is assessed at the
earliest practicable time. To carry out these responsibilities, the
Secretary has authorized the Director of MMS to issue rules governing
oil and gas and sulphur operations in the OCS. These rules and the
associated information collection requirements are contained in 30 CFR
Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling Operations; Subpart E, Well-Completion
Operations; Subpart F, Well-Workover Operations; Subpart G, Abandonment
of Wells; Subpart K, Production Rates; and Subpart P, Sulphur
Operations. Various sections of these subparts require lessees to
submit several MMS forms.
2. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Director
from carrying out the mandate of the OCSLA and implementing the
provisions contained in 30 CFR Part 250. The following explains how MMS
uses the information collected and the consequences if MMS did not
collect the information.
a. Form MMS-123, Application for Permit to Drill: MMS uses the
information to determine the conditions of a drilling site in order to
avoid hazards inherent in drilling operations and to decide whether the
drilling operations are safe and environmentally sound. If MMS did not
collect this information, we could not ensure that drilling operations
were planned to minimize the risks to personnel and the environment.
b. Form MMS-124, Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells: MMS District
Supervisors use the information to evaluate the adequacy of the
equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee plans to use
for drilling, production, well-completion, and well-workover
operations. These include deepening and plugging back and well-
abandonment operations, including temporary abandonments where the
wellbore will be reentered and completed or permanently abandoned. If
MMS did not collect this information, we could not review lessee plans
to require changes to drilling procedures or equipment to ensure that
levels of safety and environmental protection are maintained. Nor could
we review information concerning requests for approval or subsequent
reporting of well-completion or well-workover operations to ensure that
procedures and equipment are appropriate for the anticipated
conditions.
c. Form MMS-125, Well Summary Report: MMS District Supervisors use
the information to ensure that they have accurate data on the wells
under their jurisdiction and to ensure compliance with approved plans.
It is also used to evaluate remedial action in well-equipment failure
or well-control loss situations.
d. Form MMS-126, Well Potential Test Report and Request for Maximum
Production Rate (MPR): MMS District Supervisors use this form to
determine the MPR for an oil or gas well. The form contains information
concerning the conditions and results of a well-potential test. This
requirement carries out the conservation provisions of the OCSLA and 30
CFR Part 250. Failure to collect this information could result in waste
of energy resources in the OCS by production at imprudent rates,
jeopardizing the ultimate full recovery of hydrocarbons.
e. Form MMS-128, Semi-annual Well Test Report: MMS Gulf of Mexico
and Pacific Regional Supervisors use this information to evaluate the
results of well tests to find out if reservoirs are being depleted in a
way that will lead to the greatest ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons.
The form is designed to present current well data on a semiannual basis
to allow the updating of permissible producing rates and to provide the
basis for estimates of currently remaining recoverable gas reserves.
Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 130 for each form.
Frequency: Forms MMS-123, MMS-124, MMS-125, and MMS-126 are on
occasion; Form MMS-128 is semiannual.
Estimate of Annual Burden:
MMS-123 1,014 responses 2 hrs per response = 2,028 hours
MMS-124 9,958 responses 1 hr per response = 9,958 hours
MMS-125 2,119 responses 1 hr per response = 2,119 hours
MMS-126 4,043 responses 1 hr per response = 4,043 hours
MMS-128 1,716 responses 2 hrs per response = 3,432 hours
Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour Burdens:
Based on an estimated cost of $35 or $30 per hour:
MMS-123 2,028 hours $35 per hour = $70,910
MMS-124 9,958 hours $35 per hour = $348,530
MMS-125 2,119 hours $35 per hour = $74,165
MMS-126 4,043 hours $30 per hour = $121,290
MMS-128 3,432 hours $30 per hour = $102,960
Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
Type of Request: Extensions.
OMB Number (Form Numbers): 1010-0044 (MMS-123); 1010-0045 (MMS-
124); 1010-0046 (MMS-125); 1010-0039 (MMS-126); 1010-0018 (MMS-127);
1010-0017 (MMS-128).
Comments: MMS will summarize written responses to this notice for
inclusion in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a
matter of public record.
1. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 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) a total capital and startup cost
component and (b) an annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of
services component. Your
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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, estimates should not include
purchases of equipment or services made: 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) 878-1242.
Dated: April 2, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-8834 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M