[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 52285-52286] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-26220] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice--Revision of a currently approved information collection (OMB Control Number 1010-0058). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposal to revise the currently approved collection of information discussed below. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. DATES: Submit written comments by October 30, 1998. ADDRESSES: Submit comments and suggestions directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1010-0058), 725 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20503. Send a copy of your comments to the Minerals Management Service, Attention: Rules Processing Team, Mail Stop 4024, 381 Elden Street Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis London, Engineering and Operations Division, Minerals Management Service, telephone (703) 787- 1600. You may obtain copies of the supporting statement and collection of information by contacting MMS' Information Collection Clearance Officer at (202) 208-7744. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart I, Platforms and Structures. OMB Control Number: 1010-0058. Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., gives the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) the responsibility to preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; ensure the public a fair and equitable return on offshore resources in the OCS; and preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Specifically, the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356) requires the issuance of ``* * * regulations which require that any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicles 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 * * * establishes; * * *'' The OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1332(6)) also states, ``operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner * * * to prevent or minimize the likelihood of * * * physical obstruction to other users of the water or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to property, or endanger life or health.'' To carry out these responsibilities, MMS has issued regulations at 30 CFR part 250. This collection of information pertains to subpart I, Platforms and Structures, and related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs). Respondents submit information on, and maintain records of, the design, fabrication, installation, use, and inspection of all platforms and structures on the OCS. The MMS regional offices use this information to ensure the structural integrity for the safe conduct of drilling, workover, and production operations, considering the specific environmental conditions at the platform location, and to ensure that such integrity will be maintained throughout the useful life of the [[Page 52286]] structures. We also use the information to ensure that any object (wellheads, platforms, etc.) installed in the OCS is properly removed and the site cleared so as not to conflict with or harm other users of the OCS. Proprietary information will be protected under 30 CFR 250.118, Data and information to be made available to the public. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. The requirement to respond is mandatory. Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 Federal oil and gas or sulphur lessees. Frequency: On occasion and annual. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: 24,743 reporting and 7,150 recordkeeping burden hours (see chart below). Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Cost'' Burden: None. Burden Breakdown ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burden per Annual Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart I & Requirement Average number per year reqmnt. burden related NTLs (hours) hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 900(b), (g); 901; 902; Submit application and 351 applications............. 24 8,425 909(b)(4)(iii). plans for new platform or major modifications and notice to MMS.. 900(e).......................... Request approval for 5 requests................... 12 60 major repairs of damage to platform and notice to MMS.. 900(f).......................... Request approval for 35 requests.................. 18.5 \1\ 648 reuse or conversion of use of existing fixed or mobile platforms. 903(a), (b)..................... Submit nominations for 24 nominations............... 5 120 Certified Verification Agent (CVA).. 903(a)(1), (2), (3)............. Submit interim and final 36 reports................... 200 7,200 CVA reports.. 912(a).......................... Request inspection 14 requests.................. 20 280 interval that exceeds 5 years.. 912(b).......................... Submit annual report of 130 lessees.................. 45 5,850 platforms inspected and summary of testing results.. 913(a), (b) Related NTLs........ Submit plan for platform 120 plans.................... 6 720 and structure removal and site clearance and exception requests.. 913(c) Related NTLs............. Submit results of 120 reports.................. 12 1,440 location clearance survey.. ----------------------------------------------------- Total Reporting............. ........................ 835 responses................ .......... 24,743 ===================================================== 909, 911, 912, 914.............. Recordkeeping 143 platform................. 50 7,150 Requirement: Maintain records on as-built structural drawings, design assumptions and analyses, summary of nondestructive examination records, inspection results, etc., for the functional life of the platform.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Rounded. Comments Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *'' Agencies must specifically solicit comments to: (a) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarify of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send your comments directly to the offices listed under the addresses section of this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by October 30, 1998. MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, (202) 208-7744. Dated: September 8, 1998. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Engineering and Operations Division. [FR Doc. 98-26220 Filed 9-29-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M