[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39739-39742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14476]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection (OMB Control Number 1010-0114).

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are submitting to OMB for review and approval an information collection 
request (ICR) for the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 
30 CFR part 250, subpart A, General, and associated forms and Notices 
to Lessees and Operators (NTLs).

DATES: Submit written comments by July 10, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments directly to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
the Department of the Interior (1010-0114), 725 17th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20503. Mail or hand-carry a copy of your 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, 
telephone (703) 787-1600. You may also contact Alexis London to obtain 
a copy at no cost of the forms and regulations that require the subject 
collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart A, General.
    Forms: MMS-132, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Evacuation and 
Production Curtailment Statistics, Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR); MMS-
1132, Designation of Operator; MMS-1832, Notification of Incidents of 
Noncompliance (INCs).
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    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. Section 1332(6) requires that 
``operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a 
safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, 
and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood 
of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical 
obstructions to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or 
other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to 
property or endanger life or health.''
    Federal policy and statutes require us to recover the cost of 
services that confer special benefits to identifiable non-Federal 
recipients. Section 250.165 requires a State lessee to pay a fee when 
applying for a right-of-use and easement on the OCS. The Independent 
Offices Appropriation Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), OMB Circular A-25, and the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996) authorize agencies to collect these fees to reimburse us for the 
cost to process applications or assessments. This fee is the same as 
that required for filing pipeline right-of-way applications as 
specified in Sec. 250.1010(a).
    This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping elements of 
the 30 CFR part 250, subpart A, General regulations and related forms 
and NTLs that clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects 
of the regulations. 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 part 2). MMS OCS Regions use 
the information collected under subpart A to ensure that operations on 
the OCS are carried out in a safe and pollution-free manner, do not 
interfere with the rights of other users on the OCS, and balance the 
development of OCS resources with the protection of the environment.
    Frequency: The frequency is ``on occasion'' for most of the 
requirements in subpart A. The form MMS-132 is

[[Page 39740]]

submitted daily during the period of emergency.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately one 
State and 130 Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The 
estimated annual ``hour'' burden for this information collection is a 
total of 22,467 burden hours. The following chart details the 
individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the 
burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in 
the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual 
and customary and took that into account in estimating the burdens.

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                                                                                                         Annual
 Citation  30 CFR part 250 subpart A   Reporting or recordkeeping      Hour     Average annual number    burden
       and related forms/NTLs                  requirement            burden                             hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104; Form MMS-1832..................  Appeal orders or decisions; appeal INCs--burden included with            0
                                       30 CFR 290 (1010-0121)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109(a);110..........................  Submit welding, burning, and          2  170 plans.............        340
                                       hot tapping plans.
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115; 116............................  Request determination of              3  125...................        375
                                       well producibility; submit
                                       data & responses
                                       information; notify MMS of
                                       test.
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118; 119; 121; 124..................  Apply for injection or               10  10 applications.......        100
                                       subsurface storage of gas.
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130-133; Form MMS-1832..............  Submit ``green'' response             2  1,500 forms (4245           3,000
                                       copy of form MMS-1832                    actual INCs).
                                       indicating date violations
                                       (INCs) corrected.
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                                      Request reconsideration from      \1/2\  215 requests..........        108
                                       issuance of an INC.
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                                      Request waiver of 14-day          \1/2\  425 waivers...........        213
                                       response time..
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                                      Notify MMS before returning       \1/4\  2,190 notices.........        548
                                       to operations if shut-in.
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133.................................  Request reimbursement for             1  request...............          1
                                       food, quarters, and
                                       transportation provided to
                                       MMS representatives (OCS
                                       Lands Act specifies
                                       reimbursement; no requests
                                       received in many years;
                                       minimal burden).
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135 MMS internal process............  Submit Performance                   40  8 plans...............        320
                                       Improvement Plan for
                                       enforcement actions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140.................................  Request various oral              \1/4\  200 requests..........         50
                                       approvals not specifically
                                       covered elsewhere in
                                       regulatory requirements.
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141.................................  Request approval to use new          20  15 requests...........        300
                                       or alternative procedures,
                                       including BAST not
                                       specifically covered
                                       elsewhere in regulatory
                                       requirements.
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142.................................  Request approval of                   2  50 requests...........        100
                                       departure from operating
                                       requirements not
                                       specifically covered
                                       elsewhere in regulatory
                                       requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143; 144; 145; Form MMS-1123........  Submit designation of             \1/4\  1,280 forms...........        320
                                       operator & report change of
                                       address or notice of
                                       termination; submit
                                       designation of local agent.
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150; 151; 152; 154(a)...............  Name and identify                     2  155 new or replacement        310
                                       facilities, etc., with                   signs.
                                       signs.
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150; 154(b).........................  Identify wells with paint or          1  1,415 new wells.......      1,415
                                       signs.
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160; 161............................  OCS lessees: Apply for new            5  30 applications.......        150
                                       or modified right of use
                                       and easement to construct
                                       and maintain off-lease
                                       platforms, artificial
                                       islands, and installations
                                       and other devices.
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165.................................  State lessees: Apply for new          5  1 application.........          5
                                       or modified right-of-use
                                       and easement to construct
                                       and maintain off-lease
                                       platforms, artificial
                                       islands, and installations
                                       and other devices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
166.................................  State lessees: Furnish surety bond--burden included with 30 CFR          0
                                       256 (1010-0006)
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168; 170; 171; 172; 174; 175; 177;    Request suspension of                10  250 requests..........      2,500
 180(b), (d).                          operations or production;
                                       submit schedule of work
                                       hours leading to
                                       commencement.
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                                      Submit progress reports on            2  1,070 reports.........      2,140
                                       suspension of operations or
                                       production as condition of
                                       approval.
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[[Page 39741]]

 
177(a)..............................  Conduct site-specific study;         80  1 study/report........         80
                                       submit results. No
                                       instances requiring this
                                       study in several years--
                                       could be necessary if a
                                       situation occurred such as
                                       severe damage to a platform
                                       or structure caused by a
                                       hurricane or a vessel
                                       collision.
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177(b), (c), (d); 182; 183, 185; 194  Various references to submitting new, revised, or modified               0
                                       exploration plan, development and production plan, or
                                       development operations coordination document, and related
                                       surveys and reports--burden included with 30 CFR 250, subpart
                                       B (1010-0049).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
180(a), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j).....  Notify and submit report on       \1/2\  1,500 reports.........        750
                                       various leaseholding
                                       operations and lease
                                       production activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
180(a), (b), (c)....................  When requested, submit                6  20 submissions........        120
                                       production data to
                                       demonstrate production in
                                       paying quantities to
                                       maintain lease beyond
                                       primary term.
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180(e)..............................  Request more than 180 days            3  5 requests............         15
                                       to resume operations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
181(d); 182(b), 183(b)(2)...........  Request termination of               20  2 requests............         40
                                       suspension and cancellation
                                       of lease (no requests in
                                       recent years for
                                       termination/cancellation of
                                       a lease; minimal burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
184.................................  Request compensation for             50  1 request.............         50
                                       lease cancellation mandated
                                       by the OCS Lands Act (no
                                       qualified lease
                                       cancellations in many
                                       years; minimal burden
                                       compared to benefit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
190.................................  Submit requests,              .........  ......................          0
                                       applications, and notices
                                       under various regulations--
                                       burden included with
                                       applicable requirement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
191.................................  Report accidents, deaths,             7  135 reports...........        945
                                       serious injuries, fires,
                                       explosions and blowouts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
191(a)..............................  Report spills of oil--burden included with 30 CFR 254 (1010-             0
                                       0091).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
192; Form MMS-132...................  Daily report of evacuation            1  620 reports or forms..        620
                                       statistics for natural
                                       occurrence/hurricane (form
                                       MMS-132 in the GOMR) when
                                       circumstances warrant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
193.................................  Report apparent violations       1\1/2\  2 reports.............          3
                                       or non-compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194 NTL exception requests..........  Request departures from               1  95 requests...........         95
                                       conducting archaeological
                                       resources surveys and/or
                                       submitting reports in GOMR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194(c)..............................  Report archaeological                 1  1 report..............          1
                                       discoveries (only one
                                       instance in many years;
                                       minimal burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
195.................................  Submit data/information for post-lease geological and                    0
                                       geophysical activity and request reimbursement--burden
                                       included with 30 CFR 251 (1010-0048).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal--Reporting..........................................................  11,492................     15,014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108(a)..............................  Retain records of crane               2  2,540 recordkeepers...      5,080
                                       inspection, testing, and
                                       maintenance for 2 years;
                                       crane operator
                                       qualifications 4 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109(b)..............................  Retain welding, burning, and      \1/2\  4,225 operations......      2,113
                                       hot tapping plan and              hour
                                       approval for the life of
                                       the facility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
132(b)(3)...........................  Make available all records            1  130 lessees/operators.        260
                                       related to inspections not
                                       specifically covered
                                       elsewhere in regulatory
                                       requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal--Recordkeeping......................................................  6,895.................     7,453
Total Hour Burden............................................................  18,387................     22,467
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: The 
application filing fee required in Sec. 250.165 is the only paperwork 
cost burden identified for the subpart A regulations. This filing fee 
is currently set at $2,350.
    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

[[Page 39742]]

collection of information, you are not obligated to respond.
    Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.) 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.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on November 26, 
2001, we published a Federal Register notice (66 FR 59024) announcing 
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided 
the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 250.199 provides 
the OMB control numbers for the information collection requirements 
imposed by the 30 CFR part 250 regulations and forms. That regulation 
also informs the public that they may comment at any time on these 
collections of information and provides the address to which they 
should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these 
efforts. The required PRA public disclosure and comment statements are 
displayed on forms MMS-132, MMS-1123, and MMS-1832.
    If you wish to comment in response to this notice, send your 
comments directly to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the 
information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to 
ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by 
July 10, 2002.
    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 25, 2002.
E.P. Danenberger
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 02-14476 Filed 6-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P