[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 7086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3467]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 206

RIN AC09


Workshops To Discuss Specific Issues Regarding the Existing 
Rule--Establishing Oil Value for Royalty Due on Federal Leases

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public workshops.

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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is giving notice of four 
public workshops to discuss specific issues regarding the existing 
Federal oil royalty valuation regulations at 30 CFR Part 206 for crude 
oil produced from Federal leases.

DATES: The public workshop dates are:
    Workshop 1--Denver, Colorado, on March 4, 2003, beginning at 8:30 
a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., Mountain time.
    Workshop 2--Houston, Texas, on March 5, 2003, beginning at 8:30 
a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., Central time.
    Workshop 3--Washington, DC, on March 6, 2003, beginning at 8:30 
a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., Eastern time.
    Workshop 4--Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 6, 2003, beginning at 
8:30 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., Mountain time.

ADDRESSES: The workshop locations are:
    Workshop 1 will be held at the Minerals Management Service, Denver 
Federal Center, 6th Avenue and Kipling Street, Building 85, Auditoriums 
A-D, Denver, Colorado, 80226-0165, telephone number (303) 231-3302.
    Workshop 2 will be held at Minerals Management Service, 4141 North 
Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas 77032, telephone number (281) 
987-6800.
    Workshop 3 will be held at the Main Interior Building, 1849 C 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240 (South Penthouse Room), telephone 
number, (202) 208-3512.
    Workshop 4 will be held at the Wyndham Albuquerque, 2910 Yale 
Boulevard SE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, telephone number (505) 
843-7000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Knueven, Minerals Management 
Service, Minerals Revenue Management Program, P.O. Box 25165, MS 320B2, 
Denver, Colorado 80225-0165, telephone (303) 231-3316, fax number (303) 
231-3781, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MMS continues to evaluate the effectiveness 
and efficiency of its regulations. We believe that the Federal oil 
valuation rule is working well and accomplishes its objective of 
ensuring a fair return on federal resources. However, with our 3 years 
of experience with the current rule and our 5-year experience with the 
royalty-in-kind program, we have identified certain technical issues 
needing a more thorough review.
    Accordingly, MMS is seeking public comment and recommendations on 
the following specific issues: (1) The timing and application of 
published indices, (2) the calculation of location and quality 
differentials where lessees do not have that information, (3) allowable 
transportation costs, (4) the rate of return allowed for calculating 
actual costs under non-arm's-length transportation agreements, and (5) 
how lessees value and report crude oil disposed of under joint 
operating agreements.
    Because we believe the current rule is working well and is not in 
need of extensive revision, we request that workshop participants focus 
their comments on the specific issues identified above. However, if 
there are other significant issues, participants may address those in 
their comments, if time permits.
    The workshops will be open to the public without advance 
registration. Public attendance may be limited to the space available. 
We encourage a workshop atmosphere; members of the public are 
encouraged to participate.
    For building security measures, each person may be required to 
present a picture identification to gain entry to the meetings.

    Dated: February 5, 2003.
Lucy Querques Denett,
Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management.
[FR Doc. 03-3467 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P