[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 161 (Friday, August 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50559-50560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21111]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-310-1310-PB-01-24 1A]


Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Number 1004-
0136

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intention to request 
renewal of an existing approval to collect certain information from oil 
and gas operators who submit an Application for Permit to Drill (Form 
3160-3). The information allows BLM to review technical and 
environmental factors in the process of approving proposed oil and gas 
drilling operations.

DATES: Comments on the proposed information collection must be received 
by October 17, 2000 to assure consideration of them.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Regulatory Affairs Group (630), 
Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Room 401LS, Washington, 
DC 20240.
    Comments may be sent via Internet to: [email protected]. Please 
include ``Attn: 1004-0136'' and your name and return address in your 
Internet message.
    You may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    BLM will make comments 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, Fluid Minerals Group, 
(202) 452-0338.

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 proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
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. BLM will receive and analyze any comments sent in response 
to this notice and include them with its request for approval from the 
OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
    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. The 
regulations at 43 CFR 3162.3-1 require an oil and gas well operator to 
submit an Application for Permit to Drill (Form 3160-3) for each well 
at least 30 days before any drilling operations or surface disturbances 
are commenced. On the form, respondents are requested to provide 
information describing the proposed activities, including the type of 
well and work anticipated, the operator's identity and address, surface 
and bottom-hole location of the proposed action, and various kinds of 
technical data, depending on the type of activity proposed.
    The data submitted is used for agency review and approval of 
proposed drilling operations. The review ensures that all actions are 
in accordance with policies and regulations and are conducted in a 
technically and environmentally sound manner. Specifically, BLM uses 
the information to review technical and environmental factors germane 
to each well, reservoir management, engineering and environmental 
compliance, and to ensure that drilling is conducted in compliance with 
existing spacing orders. BLM uses technical data about the drilling for 
both permit approval and subsequent on-the-ground review and inspection 
after actual drilling begins. BLM gathers information on prospective 
production of resources so that all potential impacts can be evaluated 
during the approval process.
    If BLM did not collect the information, there would be no assurance 
that drilling and associated activities, when and if authorized, are 
technically and environmentally feasible and ensure proper conservation 
of the resources. The information submitted provides a basis for BLM to 
evaluate the proposed well's feasibility and, in turn, determine 
whether the

[[Page 50560]]

application should be disapproved or approved and, if approved, whether 
any special conditions of approval should be made part of the permit.
    BLM also requires operators to prepare certain items such as 
drilling plans, diagrams and maps, and contingency plans. Operators 
generally submit these items as attachments to Form 3160-3 in 
accordance with 43 CFR 3162.3-1. We have included the burden hours for 
such attachments in OMB approval number 1004-0134, which covers all 
nonform requirements of 43 CFR Part 3150.
    Based on BLM's experience administering the onshore oil and gas 
program, the public reporting burden for the information collected is 
estimated to average 30 minutes per response to supply the requested 
information. Respondents are operators of oil and gas wells. The 
frequency of response is variable depending on operating circumstances. 
The number of responses per year is estimated to total 4000, and the 
estimated total annual burden on new respondents is 2000 hours. BLM is 
specifically requesting your comments on its estimate of the amount of 
time that it takes to prepare a response.
    Any interested member of the public may request and obtain, without 
charge, a copy of Form 3160-3 by contacting the person identified under 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in 
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments 
will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 15, 2000.
Shirlean Beshir,
BLM Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-21111 Filed 8-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M