[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21718-21729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10772]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collections; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension and revision of information collection 
forms.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are inviting comments on forms MMS-123, MMS-123S, MMS-124, MMS-125, and 
MMS-133. The current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of 
these forms expires in September 2002. MMS has retitled and revised the 
forms, which we will submit to OMB for approval. The modifications are 
an integral part of the new ``E-Forms Permit Process'' we are 
developing to provide an electronic option for drilling and well 
permitting and information submission.

DATE: Submit written comments by July 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Rules Processing 
Team; Mail Stop 4024; 381 Elden Street; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis London, Rules Processing Team, 
Engineering and Operations Division, telephone (703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   
    Titles--OMB Control Numbers: The new titles of the revised forms 
are listed with the current titles shown in parenthesis.
    Form MMS-123, Permit to Drill a Well (Application for Permit to 
Drill (APD))--1010-0044.
    Form MMS-123S, Permit to Drill Supplemental Information Sheet 
(Supplemental APD Information Sheet)--1010-0131.
    Form MMS-124, Permit to Modify a Well (Sundry Notices and Reports 
on Wells--1010-0045.
    Form MMS-125, End of Operations Report (Well Summary Report)--1010-
0046.
    Form MMS-133, Well Activity Report (Weekly Activity Report)--1010-
0132.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must 
preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a 
manner which is consistent with the need to make such resources 
available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and 
equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and 
maintain free enterprise competition.
    This notice pertains to the MMS forms listed previously that are 
used to submit information required under 30 CFR 250, subpart D, 
Drilling Operations; subpart E, Well-Completion Operations; subpart F, 
Well-Workover Operations; subpart G, Abandonment of Wells; and subpart 
P, Sulphur Operations. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a 
``sensitive'' nature are asked. MMS will protect proprietary 
information according to 30 CFR 250.196 (Data and information to be 
made available to the public), 30 CFR part 252 (OCS Oil and Gas 
Information Program), and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) 
and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2).
    To implement the Government Paperwork Elimination Act and to 
streamline data collection, MMS is developing systems to provide 
electronic options for lessees and operators to use in submitting 
information and requesting approvals. This year, we expect to begin 
pilot testing the electronic submission of drilling and well 
information in a new ``E-Forms Permit Process.'' In developing this 
system, we have determined that some revisions are needed to the 
drilling and well information forms discussed in this notice. The new 
titles and changes to the paper forms are intended to acquaint the 
users with, and duplicate as closely as possible, the E-Forms Permit 
Process, which we anticipate will be fully implemented in FY 2003. 
Although initially the E-Forms Permit Process will be an alternative to 
submitting the paper forms, we expect that eventually it will eliminate 
the paper forms. As indicated,

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all of the forms have been retitled and the data fields renumbered. We 
have eliminated some data fields that were either duplicative or no 
longer needed, renamed some sections and data fields, relocated data 
fields from one form to another, and added some data fields. It should 
be noted that the added data fields should not impose any additional 
burden on respondents as they previously included the information in 
accompanying attachments, and are not actually new information.
    Additionally, on several of the forms, the well location field is 
changed to accommodate the more up-to-date NAD 83 format, which will be 
used in the E-Forms Permit Process. Respondents generally use location 
data in NAD 83 format, and must now convert the data in their MMS 
submissions to the NAD 27 format. This is burdensome for them and 
inaccurate for MMS because they can use different conversion factors in 
their submittals. (The Gulf of Mexico OCS Region will update its 
current policy discussed in NTL No. 99-G17 on this subject when OMB 
approves these forms.)
    The modified forms are published as appendices 1 through 5 to this 
notice. The following explains how we use the information collected on 
each form. In addition to the general modifications previously 
discussed, the significant changes proposed for each form individually 
are explained.
     Forms MMS-123 and MMS-123S. MMS uses the information 
submitted to determine the conditions of a drilling site to avoid 
hazards inherent in drilling operations. District Offices use the 
information to evaluate the adequacy of a lessee's drilling, well-
completion, well-workover, and well-abandonment plans and equipment to 
determine if the proposed operations will be conducted in an 
operationally safe manner with adequate protection for the environment. 
Except for proprietary data, the OCS Lands Act requires MMS to make 
available to the public the APD information. Changes to the forms 
include:
    Proposal to Drill (form MMS-123)--This data field replaces the 
first item on the current form MMS-123 and specifies the three types 
(new well, sidetrack, bypass) of drilling procedures for permitting. 
Sidetrack and bypass drilling procedures are currently submitted on 
form MMS-124. The modified form MMS-123 will now include all drilling 
procedures that invoke a change in the American Petroleum Institute 
(API) well number. The MMS engineer will assign the approved API well 
number for both sidetracks and bypasses, as well as new wells.
    Well Name, Sidetrack No., and Bypass No. (both forms)--These 
identifiers are added to help eliminate confusion with regard to well 
naming and numbering.
    Plan Identification No. (form MMS-123)--Before drilling a new well, 
it must be covered under an approved plan. This new data field 
corresponds with the E-Forms Permit Process. Identifying the plan will 
aid the MMS engineer in obtaining information from the Plan to 
determine if the general plan and drilling location (surface and 
bottomhole) have been analyzed and approved.
    List of Significant Markers Anticipated (form MMS-123)--This 
information is currently immersed in the drilling prognosis attached to 
the form. Operators are required by regulations to state the 
``estimated depths to the top of significant marker formations'' (30 
CFR 250.414(f)(5)(iii)). The addition of this section transfers the 
information from the detailed open-format drilling prognosis currently 
included in the attachments.
    H2S Designation and Activation Plan Depth (form MMS-
123S)--Wells containing H2S are only about 1 percent of the 
total but pose such a significant threat that MMS and Industry should 
take extra precautions in defining the presence of H2S-
bearing formations throughout the OCS. Adding these data fields will 
allow MMS inspectors to verify that H2S safety equipment is 
in place prior to drilling through potential H2S zones.
    Drilling Fluid Information (form MMS-123S)--We replaced the entire 
drilling fluid information/statements section with a simple one-line 
``Yes'' or ``No'' question.
    Eliminated Data Fields--We have eliminated as many of the data 
fields as possible on form MMS-123 to reduce duplication with form MMS-
123S, and eliminated several that are not used in approval processing. 
The form MMS-123 data fields removed are: Field Name, Unit No., OPD 
No., Surface and Bottom Location, Rig Name, Rig Type, Water Depth, 
Elevation at KB, Total Depth, Type of Well, Contact Name, and Contact 
Telephone No. In addition, we removed data fields for Area/Block and 
Approximate Date Work Will Start from form MMS-123S.
     Form MMS-124. 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, 
well-workover, and well-abandonment operations. We use the information 
to ensure that levels of safety and environmental protection are 
maintained. We review the information concerning requests for approval 
or subsequent reporting of well-completion, well-workover, or 
abandonment operations to ensure that procedures and equipment are 
appropriate for the anticipated conditions. Changes to the form 
include:
    Well Name, Sidetrack No., and Bypass No.--Approval for these 
``initial'' drilling activities are currently requested on form MMS-124 
but will be transferred to the revised form MMS-123. ``Modifications'' 
will continue to be submitted on form MMS-124 and the assigned well 
name and numbers identified.
    Rig Name or Primary Unit--Primary unit was added to include 
wireline units, coil tubing units, and snubbing units, which may be 
used in lieu of a rig to complete the permitted operation. The E-Forms 
Permit Process will include the identification of the type of equipment 
movement onto platforms, which are designated by type and are not named 
as with rig.
    Proposed or Completed Work--Some operations that require approval 
are modified to reflect current policy. Plugback to Sidetrack/Bypass 
defines plugback as abandonment of a sidetrack/bypass. Modify 
Perforations (changing the length interval previously approved) 
eliminates the operation of ``adding perforations.'' Acidize with Coil 
Tubing defines that this operation need only be permitted when using a 
coil tubing unit. Bullheading (pumping down the tubing) acid into a 
well no longer requires a permit.
    Eliminated Data Fields--We have eliminated three data fields (Field 
Name, Unit No., and OPD No.) that are not used in approval processing.
     Form MMS-125. 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. Changes to the form include:
    Well Name, Sidetrack No., and Bypass No.--These identifiers are 
added to help eliminate confusion with regard to well naming and 
numbering.
    Kick Off Point (KOP)--The addition of this data field transfers the 
information now located on the well schematic that is part of an 
attachment to the form. The KOP from the original well to a sidetrack 
or bypass indicates at what depth a new unique wellbore begins. This is 
critical since open hole data are collected, tracked, and verified by

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wellbore. Assigning the open hole data to the correct wellbore is 
essential to reserve and resource estimations, conservation issues, 
fair market value determinations, and placing the wellbore in the 
proper field.
    Perforated Interval(s) this Completion--This section will include 
three data fields for information now included on supplemental 
attachments to form MMS-125. The data correspond to fields included in 
our database that MMS personnel now populate. The fields are: If Subsea 
Completion (Type of Protection), Buoy Installed, Tree Height Above 
Mudline.
    Acid, Fracture, Cement Squeeze, Plugging Program, Etc.--The data 
fields from this section on current form MMS-125 are relocated and 
modified or eliminated. The cement squeeze/plugging portion is 
relocated to the Abandonment History of Well section and modified to 
obtain more relevant abandonment information on the well that is now 
included on supplemental attachments to form MMS-125. The acid/fracture 
operations portion is eliminated.
    Abandonment History of Well--In addition to the relocated cement 
squeeze/plugging data, this section will include three data fields for 
information now included on supplemental attachments to form MMS-125. 
The fields are: If Stub (Type of Protection), Buoy Installed, Stub 
Height Above Mudline.
    Hydrocarbon Bearing Intervals--This section is renamed and includes 
slightly reworded data fields from the Summary of Porous Zones and 
Formation sections of the current MMS-125.
    List of Significant Markers--This section is simply renamed from 
the Geologic Markers section on the current MMS-125.
    Eliminated Data Fields--We have eliminated three data fields (Field 
Name, Unit No., and OPD No.) that are not used in approval processing. 
Because the data are already collected on form MMS-133, we also 
eliminated the sections on: Casing Record; Liner/Screen Record; and 
former ``item 77'' requiring a List of Electric and Other Logs Run, 
Directional Surveys, Velocity Surveys, and Core Analysis. The Tubing 
Record section is relocated to form MMS-133.
     Form MMS-133. District Office engineers review and use 
this information to: monitor the conditions of a well and status of 
drilling operations; be aware of the well conditions and current 
drilling activity (i.e., well depth, drilling fluid weight, casing 
types and setting depths, completed well logs, and recent safety 
equipment tests and drills); determine how accurately the lessee 
anticipated well conditions and if the lessee is following the approved 
APD; and analyze requests to revise an APD (i.e., revised grade of 
casing or deeper casing setting depth). Without this information, MMS 
would be unable to monitor drilling operations from off-site. The 
alternative to requiring drilling activity reports would be to conduct 
many more onsite inspections. However, the additional inspectors and 
helicopters to transport them would not be efficient or cost effective. 
Furthermore, lessees would likely experience delays in obtaining timely 
approvals to revise drilling plans because District Offices would not 
have current and complete information. Changes to the form include:
    Well Name, Sidetrack No., and Bypass No.--These identifiers are 
added to help eliminate confusion with regard to well naming and 
numbering.
    Rig Name or Primary Unit--Primary unit was added to include 
wireline units, coil tubing units, and snubbing units, which may be 
used in lieu of a rig to complete the permitted operation. The E-Forms 
Permit Process will include the identification of the type of equipment 
movement onto platforms, which are designated by type and are not named 
as with rigs.
    Casing/Liner/Tubing Record--This section was modified and includes 
data elements relocated from form MMS-125. This information will now be 
reported cumulatively on each form MMS-133 report and completed at the 
end of the well operation.
    Frequency: Forms MMS-123, MMS-123S, MMS-124, and MMS-125 are on 
occasion; form MMS-133 is weekly.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 
Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: We estimate 
the following burdens for submitting the paper copies of these revised 
forms. It should be recognized that when the new E-Forms Permit Process 
is fully implemented, it should result in reduced burden hours. 
However, these anticipated burden reductions are not yet determined, as 
they will depend on the upcoming pilot testing. The annual burden hours 
shown for each form were the totals previously estimated and approved 
by OMB.
    Form MMS-123: 2\1/2\ hours per form; annual burden of 4,078 hours.
    Form MMS-123S: 1\1/2\ hour per form; annual burden of 683 hours.
    Form MMS-124: 1\1/4\ hours per form; annual burden of 11,875 hours.
    Form MMS-125: 1 hour per form; annual burden of 2,275 hours.
    Form MMS-133: 1 hour per form; annual burden of 2,275 hours.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We 
have identified no ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with the 
subject forms.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an information collection request to 
OMB, PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) 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 clarity 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. We will summarize written responses to this notice and 
address them in our submission for OMB approval, including any 
appropriate adjustments to the estimated burdens.
    Agencies must estimate both the ``hour'' and ``non-hour cost'' 
burdens to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection 
of information. We have identified no non-hour cost burdens for the 
information collection aspects of the subject forms. Therefore, if you 
have costs to generate, maintain, and disclose this information, you 
should comment and provide your total capital and startup cost 
components or annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of service 
components. You should describe the methods you use to estimate major 
cost factors, including system and technology acquisition, expected 
useful life of capital equipment, discount rate(s), and the period over 
which you incur costs. You should not include estimates for equipment 
or services purchased: (i) before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with 
requirements not associated with the information collection; (iii) for 
reasons other than to provide

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information or keep records for the Government; or (iv) as part of 
customary and usual business or private practices.
    Public Comment Policy: Our practice is to make comments, including 
names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review 
during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that 
we withhold their home address from the record, which we will honor to 
the extent allowable by law. There may be circumstances in which we 
would withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by 
the law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must 
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we 
will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, 
(202) 208-7744.

    Dated: April 1, 2002.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.

Appendices 1-5: Forms MMS-123, 123S, 124, 125, and 133

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-W

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[FR Doc. 02-10772 Filed 4-30-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-C