[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13872-13874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6494]


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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 of an information collection (1010-0051).

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we 
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information 
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart L, Oil and 
Gas Production Measurement, Surface Commingling, and Security.

DATES: Submit written comments by April 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments either by fax (202) 395-6566 or e-
mail ([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department 
of the Interior (1010-0051). 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. If you wish to e-mail your comments to 
MMS, the address is: [email protected]. Reference Information 
Collection 1010-0051 in your subject line and mark your message for 
return receipt. Include your name and return address in your message 
text.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Rules Processing Team, 
(703) 787-1600. You may also contact Arlene Bajusz to obtain a copy, at 
no cost, of the regulations that require the subject collection of 
information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart L, Oil and Gas Production Measurement, 
Surface Commingling, and Security.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0051.
    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 (Secretary) to preserve, protect, and develop 
oil and gas resources in the OCS. This must be 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-
resources development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal 
environment; ensure the public a fair and equitable return on OCS 
resources; and preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. The 
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701, et 
seq.) at section 1712(b)(2) prescribes that an operator will ``develop 
and comply with such minimum site security measures as the Secretary 
deems appropriate, to protect oil or gas produced or stored on a lease 
site or on the Outer Continental Shelf from theft.'' These authorities 
and responsibilities are among those delegated to MMS under which we 
issue regulations governing oil and gas and sulphur operations in the 
OCS. This information collection request addresses the regulations at 
30 CFR Part 250, Subpart L, Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface 
Commingling, and Security, and the associated supplementary notices to 
lessees and operators intended to provide clarification, description, 
or explanation of these regulations.
    MMS uses the information collected under Subpart L to ensure that 
the volumes of hydrocarbons produced are measured accurately and that 
royalties are paid on the proper volumes. Specifically, MMS needs the 
information to:
     Determine if measurement equipment is properly 
installed, provides accurate measurement of production on which royalty 
is due, and is operating properly;
     Obtain rates of production data in allocating 
the volumes of production measured at royalty sales meters, which can 
be examined during field inspections;
     Ascertain if all removals of oil and condensate 
from the lease are reported;
     Determine the amount of oil that was shipped 
when measurements are taken by gauging the tanks rather than being 
measured by a meter;
     Ensure that the sales location is secure and 
production cannot be removed without the volumes being recorded; and
     Review proving reports to verify that data on 
run tickets are calculated and reported accurately.

[[Page 13873]]

    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) and 
30 CFR Part 252 (OCS Oil and Gas Information Program).
    Frequency: The frequency varies by section, but is primarily 
monthly or on occasion.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 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 7,433 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 burden.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Average No.
   Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart L      Reporting or recordkeeping    Hour burden       annual       Annual burden
                                             requirement             (minutes)       responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1202(a)(1), (b)(1).................  Submit application for                    8             120             960
                                      liquid hydrocarbon
                                      measurement procedures or
                                      changes.
1202(a)(4).........................  Copy & send pipeline                     45              21              16
                                      (retrograde) condensate
                                      volumes upon request.
1202(c)(4)*........................  Copy & send all liquid                    1          23,800             397
                                      hydrocarbon run tickets
                                      monthly.
1202(d)(4).........................  Request approval for                      1              25              25
                                      proving on a schedule
                                      other than monthly.
1202(d)(5)*........................  Copy & submit liquid                      2           9,835             328
                                      hydrocarbon royalty meter
                                      proving reports monthly &
                                      request waiver as needed.
1202(f)(2)*........................  Copy & submit mechanical-                10             102              17
                                      displacement prover & tank
                                      prover calibration reports.
1202(l)(2)*........................  Copy & submit royalty tank               15              12               3
                                      calibration charts before
                                      using for royalty
                                      measurement.
1202(l)(3)*........................  Copy & submit inventory                  15               4               1
                                      tank calibration charts
                                      upon request.
1203(b)(1).........................  Submit application for gas                8              75             600
                                      measurement procedures or
                                      changes.
1203(b)(6), (8), (9)*..............  Copy & submit gas quality                 2          21,696             723
                                      and volume statements                   30              24              12
                                      monthly or as requested
                                      (most will be routine; few
                                      will take longer).
1203(c)(4)*........................  Copy & submit gas meter                   5              34               3
                                      calibration reports upon
                                      request.
1203(e)(1)*........................  Copy & submit gas                        30               4               2
                                      processing plant records
                                      upon request.
1203(f)(5).........................  Copy & submit measuring                  30              22              11
                                      records of gas lost or
                                      used on lease upon request.
1204(a)(1).........................  Submit application for                    8             195           1,560
                                      commingling of production
                                      or changes.
1204(a)(2).........................  Provide state production                  1               1               1
                                      volumetric and/or
                                      fractional analysis data
                                      upon request.
1205(a)(2).........................  Post signs at royalty or                  1              75              75
                                      inventory tank used in
                                      royalty determination
                                      process.
1205(a)(4).........................  Report security problems                 15               2               1
                                      (telephone).
1200 thru 1205.....................  General departure and                     1              50              50
                                      alternative compliance
                                      requests not specifically
                                      covered elsewhere in
                                      Subpart L.
                                                                 -----------------
    Subtotal--Reporting............  ...........................  ..............          56,098           4,785
                                                                 -----------------
1202(c)(1), (2) 1202(e)(4)           Record observed data,        Respondents record these items               0
 1202(h)(1), (2), (3), (4)            correction factors & net      as part of normal business
 1202(i)(1)(iv), (2)(iii) 1202(j).    standard volume on royalty   records & practices to verify
                                      meter and rank run tickets.     accuracy of production
                                     Record master meter            measured for sale purposes
                                      calibration runs.
                                     Record mechanical-
                                      displacement prover,
                                      master meter, or tank
                                      prover proof runs.
                                     Record liquid hydrocarbon
                                      royalty meter malfunction
                                      and repair or adjustment
                                      on proving report; record
                                      unregistered production on
                                      run ticket.
                                     List Cpl and Ctl factors on
                                      run rickets.
1202(e)(6).........................  Retain master meter                       1           1,170              20
                                      calibration reports for 2
                                      years.
1202(k)(5).........................  Retain liquid hydrocarbon                 1          10,850             181
                                      allocation meter proving
                                      reports for 2 years.
1202(l)(3).........................  Retain liquid hydrocarbon                 5             110               9
                                      inventory tank calibration
                                      charts for as long as
                                      tanks are in use.
1203(c)(4).........................  Retain calibration reports                1          18,860             314
                                      for 2 years.

[[Page 13874]]

 
1203(f)(4).........................  Document & retain                         1           4,030              67
                                      measurement records on gas
                                      lost or used on lease for
                                      2 years at field location
                                      and minimum 7 years at
                                      location of respondent's
                                      choice.
1204(b)(3).........................  Retain well test data for 2               2          52,900           1,763
                                      years.
1205(b)(3), (4)....................  Retain seal number lists                  2           8,810             294
                                      for 2 years.
    Subtotal--Recordkeeping: 130
     Recordkeepers.
                                                                 -----------------
    Total Hour Burden..............  ...........................  ..............         152,828          7,433
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*Respondents gather this information as part of their normal business practices. MMS only requires copies of
  readily available documents. There is no burden for testing, meter reading, etc.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We 
have identified no ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with the 
collection of information.
    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: 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 19, 
2003, we published a Federal Register notice (68 FR 65305) 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 number for the information collection requirements 
imposed by the 30 CFR 250 regulations. The regulation also informs the 
public that they may comment at any time on the collections of 
information and provides the address to which they should send 
comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts.
    If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send 
your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. 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 April 23, 2004.
    Public Comment Policy: MMS's practice is to make comments, 
including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public 
review during regular business hours. If you wish your name and/or 
address to be withheld, you must state this prominently at the 
beginning of your comment. MMS will honor the request to the extent 
allowable by the law; however, anonymous comments will not be 
considered. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, will be made available for public 
inspection in their entirety.
    MMS Federal Register Liaison Officer: Denise Johnson, (202) 208-
3976.

    Dated: March 1, 2004.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 04-6494 Filed 3-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-W