[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.


[[Page 15963]]

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

[[Page 15964]]
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