[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 241 (Friday, December 16, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74659-74663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24109]



[[Page 74659]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 250

RIN 1010-AD09


Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS)--Suspension of Operations (SOO) for Ultra-Deep Drilling

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: MMS is modifying its regulations which govern Suspensions of 
Operations (SOOs) for oil and gas leases on the OCS. The revision will 
allow MMS to grant an SOO a to lessee or operator to encourage the 
drilling of ultra-deep wells (i.e., wells below 25,000 feet true 
vertical depth below the datum at mean sea level). MMS is making this 
revision because of the added complexity and costs associated with 
planning and drilling an ultra-deep well. MMS expects that this 
revision will lead to increased drilling of ultra-deep wells and 
increased domestic production.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule becomes effective on January 17, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy C. White, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1665.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    When an oil and gas lease is issued on the OCS, the lessee has 
flexibility to schedule activities during the primary term, the 
prescribed term of years for which the lease was issued. At the end of 
the primary term, the lease can continue in force by production, 
drilling, or well-reworking operations as approved by the Regional 
Supervisor. When leaseholding operations (production, drilling, or 
well-reworking operations) are not maintaining the lease at the end of 
the primary term, if oil or gas was discovered, and if there is a 
commitment to produce, the operator may request a Suspension of 
Production (SOP), which stops the running of the lease term and 
prevents the lease from expiring. Before the discovery of oil or gas on 
a lease, MMS regulations at 30 CFR 250.172, 250.173, and 250.175 
authorize suspensions of operations, but only in limited circumstances. 
An SOO stops the running of the lease term and prevents the lease from 
expiring.
    Most leases have a primary term of 5 years, although a longer 
period (10 years) is provided in deep water. Some leases in 
intermediate depths have primary terms of 8 years, with a requirement 
to drill an initial well in the first 5 years. Under most 
circumstances, the primary lease term provides sufficient time to 
acquire and interpret geophysical information needed to determine the 
presence of oil or natural gas, drill a well, and for the operator to 
determine whether or not to continue with development and production. 
However, there are cases when a company recognizes that there is a 
potential hydrocarbon reservoir that is below 25,000 feet true vertical 
depth below the datum at mean sea level (TVD SS). The high cost of 
drilling an ultra-deep (below 25,000 feet TVD SS) well, along with the 
associated geologic and mechanical risks, warrants completing 
additional data analysis before drilling.
    In 2002, MMS amended the regulation at 30 CFR 250.175 to provide 
for an SOO if additional time was needed to allow a lessee to analyze 
areas beneath or adjacent to salt sheets. MMS added this provision in 
the belief that when a lessee conducts significant work, additional 
time may be warranted to allow the lessee to benefit from the work 
conducted. Lessees used the change to expand their exploration in areas 
affected by salt sheets. The rule included well-defined, specific 
criteria for determining when a lease is eligible for a suspension. 
Vertical depth is not a criteria under the existing rule.
    While the rule issued in 2002 encouraged drilling under salt 
sheets, that rule does not address situations where salt does not 
exist. Information from industry indicates that large accumulations of 
hydrocarbons may exist at depths greater than 25,000 feet TVD SS in 
water depths less than 800 meters. Many companies are reluctant to 
drill to these depths without additional data analysis.
    The current regulations (see 30 CFR 250.175(b)) allow the lessee or 
operator to request an SOO if: (1) By the end of the third year of the 
primary term, geophysical information was gathered that indicated the 
presence of a salt sheet; (2) all or a portion of a hydrocarbon-bearing 
formation may lie beneath or adjacent to the salt sheet; and (3) the 
salt sheet interferes with identifying the potential hydrocarbon-
bearing formation. In August 2004, MMS issued Notice to Lessee (NTL) 
No. 2004-G16, providing additional guidance for granting an SOO to 
lessees or operators who planned to drill a well beneath or adjacent to 
a salt sheet. The NTL allowed the lessee or operator planning to drill 
an ultra-deep well to request the SOO if this geophysical information 
was gathered by the end of the fifth year of the primary term, instead 
of at the end of the third year. In addition, the operator had to 
submit a reasonable working schedule leading to the commencement of 
drilling. This final rule will replace the NTL, and also allow the 
lessee or operator to request an SOO for ultra-deep exploration in 
areas where a salt sheet does not exist.
    Allowing a lessee additional time for this data analysis encourages 
companies to consider ultra-deep exploration. A successful development 
will generate more activity at lease sales and increase drilling on 
existing leases.
    MMS recognizes that a lessee knows the length of the lease term 
when it obtains a lease. When a lease expires, another lessee can 
acquire a new lease on the same tract. MMS considered these factors, 
and believes that the need to encourage drilling to significantly 
deeper depths warrants the final rule change. Successful wells benefit 
not only the companies that drilled the wells, but also the public by 
increasing domestic energy sources. In addition, the drilling of 
successful wells will encourage other companies to acquire leases and 
to pursue ultra-deep exploration in United States (U.S.) waters.

Comments on the Rule

    MMS published a proposed rule on February 14, 2005 (70 FR 7451). 
The public comment period ended on March 16, 2005. MMS received ten 
sets of comments on the proposed rule. The comments came from two 
private citizens, five oil and natural gas production companies 
(ExxonMobil, Chevron, Newfield, Murphy, and Shell), and three sets of 
comments that represent various aspects of the offshore oil and natural 
gas industry. The International Association of Drilling Contractors 
(IADC) and the International Association of Geophysical Contractors 
(IAGC) sent separate comments. The American Petroleum Institute (API), 
Domestic Petroleum Council (DPC), Independent Petroleum Association of 
America (IPAA), Offshore Operators Committee (OOC), and U.S. Oil and 
Gas Association (USOGA) sent one set of comments. Some commenters 
agreed with the need to encourage ultra-deep drilling and supported the 
change. Some commenters did not support the proposed change. Some 
commenters made recommendations about the rule and its implementation. 
You may view these comments on MMS' Public Connect on-line commenting 
system at: https://ocsconnect.mms.gov.

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General Comments

    Comment: A private citizen wanted to know how we decided to use 
25,000 feet TVD SS as the threshold, and why 20,000 feet TVD SS was not 
used.
    Response: Approximately 4\1/2\ times as many wells are drilled to 
20,000 feet or greater TVD SS than are drilled to depths of 25,000 feet 
or greater TVD SS. The drilling of wells to depths of 25,000 feet TVD 
SS or greater presents a myriad of technological drilling challenges to 
the operator warranting an SOO.
    Comment: A private citizen expressed concern that the rule would 
allow for lease extensions off the coast of California. The commenter 
stated that the documentation provided was legally inadequate to 
determine the location and extent of the proposed activities. The 
commenter stated opposition to the rule if it involves the California 
coast.
    Response: The rule meets all of the necessary legal requirements. 
The purpose of this rule is to allow an SOO in very limited 
circumstances. Currently, the conditions for applying for an SOO under 
this rule exist only in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Region; but the rule 
is applicable to all areas of the OCS.
    Comment: Two of the oil and natural gas production companies 
suggested that MMS consider longer primary lease terms. One of these 
comments suggested 10-year lease terms on all new GOM leases. The other 
suggested that MMS grant an extension to the primary lease term for 
ultra-deep exploration. This would be done by a process similar to the 
request for the SOO.
    Response: The issue of longer primary lease terms is beyond the 
scope of this rule. MMS considered issuing longer primary lease terms 
for ultra-deep exploration, and discussed this option in the preamble 
of the proposed rule. However, it is not feasible because when leases 
are issued it is difficult to know which ones may be suitable for 
ultra-deep drilling. MMS believes that allowing lessees and operators 
to apply for an SOO adequately addresses the issue.
    Comment: Two of the oil and natural gas production companies 
suggested changes to the wording of the rule to ensure that it is clear 
that the rule covers hydrocarbon bearing formations when only a portion 
of the formation lies below 25,000 feet TVD SS. Also, they suggested 
that the wording is inconsistent between Sec.  250.175(c)(2) and (3).
    Response: MMS considered this comment, but we did not change the 
wording in the final rule. We recognize that a hydrocarbon-bearing 
formation may lie below 25,000 feet TVD SS and extend to a depth less 
than 25,000 feet TVD SS. However, the primary focus of this rule is to 
encourage the drilling of ultra-deep wells below 25,000 feet TVD SS by 
granting an SOO for additional geological or geophysical analysis 
before drilling such wells. Although Sec.  250.175(c)(2) allows the 
required initial seismic work to indicate that ``all or a portion of'' 
the potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation is below 25,000 feet TVD 
SS, the objective of granting a suspension is to identify a potential 
hydrocarbon-bearing geologic structure or stratigraphic trap with a 
target drilling depth below 25,000 feet TVD SS. New Sec.  250.175(c)(3) 
states that the objective of additional data processing or 
interpretation of geophysical information must be to identify a 
potential hydrocarbon-bearing geologic structure or stratigraphic trap 
below 25,000 ft. TVDSS. The lessee must demonstrate that it has 
conducted additional data processing or interpretation with that 
objective.
    Comment: A commenter asked if the rule would allow MMS to grant an 
SOO on multiple leases that share an individual prospect, geological 
structure, or stratigraphic trap, without forming units.
    Response: MMS may grant an SOO on multiple leases without the 
leases being unitized if the leases share a common geological structure 
or stratigraphic trap. Lessees or operators may also request an SOO for 
units. The lessee or operator must file a separate request for an SOO 
on each lease or unit, and must meet all other conditions of the 
regulations.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that MMS add the following 
activities to Sec.  250.175(c)(4) for further clarification: (1) Allow 
additional time to properly design and plan the well and (2) acquire a 
suitable drilling rig.
    Response: The regulations already allow a reasonable time to begin 
drilling operations, including time for designing and planning the well 
and acquiring a drilling rig. We did not make the suggested change.
    Comment: One commenter discussed the possible need for additional 
suspensions after the well is drilled. Additional time would be needed 
to evaluate these wells before an operator would commit to develop the 
well as required for an SOP.
    Response: Section 250.175(c)(4)(ii), as proposed, allows for an SOO 
to be granted to ``acquire, process, or interpret new geophysical or 
geologic data or information.'' Therefore, under this rule additional 
suspensions could be granted for a reasonable time period to allow 
geologic well data to be evaluated.
    Comment: Two commenters expressed concern about the impact the rule 
will have on industries that support drilling operations in the GOM. 
Some support industries rely on regular drilling and lease turnovers. 
These industries have made investments based on the current regulatory 
scheme, and by changing these regulations MMS will be impacting 
drilling activities and lease turnover rates. They contend that MMS 
should reconsider the rulemaking because of these impacts.
    Response: MMS did not change the rule because we do not believe 
that this rule will have a substantial impact on drilling activities or 
lease turnover rates. The rule will impact a very small percentage of 
leases. In the preamble of the proposed rule, MMS estimated that it 
would receive less than 10 requests for suspensions each year. There 
are more than 4,300 active leases in the areas that are eligible for 
suspensions under this rule. This change is expected to affect less 
than 0.23 percent of leases in the eligible areas. This rule change, 
combined with any applicable deep-gas royalty relief, is expected to 
gradually increase drilling activities into areas deeper than 25,000 
feet TVD SS.
    Comment: There was one suggestion that the rule apply only to 
leases issued after the effective date of the rule.
    Response: In order for the rule to have the maximum impact and help 
meet current energy demands, the rule will apply to existing and new 
leases.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern about the length of time 
for which the SOO would be issued. The commenter suggested that MMS 
include provisions to ensure that the SOO is issued for the minimum 
amount of time needed for the lessee or operator to complete the 
activities.
    Response: MMS will require the lessee or operator to submit 
measurable ``milestones'' to verify that it is completing the work 
within a reasonable timeframe. We did not change the rule.
    Comment: One industry group requested that MMS modify the rule to 
``Provide assurance that MMS will rigorously pursue the execution of 30 
CFR 250.170(e)'' which sets the terms and condition for terminating 
suspensions.
    Response: MMS did not incorporate the suggested change. We have an 
effective mechanism in place to monitor all lease suspensions and may 
terminate any suspension if it determines that the circumstances which 
justified the suspension no longer exist.
    Comment: A commenter requested that MMS ``[E]nsure that the lessee 
or operator has bona fide plans to drill an

[[Page 74661]]

ultra-deep well, by specifying in the rule requirements for evidence 
such as signed AFEs, signed and binding contracts for drilling rigs or 
ships capable of drilling to such depths, etc.''
    Response: MMS will require specific information, as determined by 
the Regional Supervisor, which supports the lessee or operator's 
exploration plans, including any plans to drill an ultra deep well, on 
a case-by-case basis.
    Comment: A commenter requested that MMS limit the number of 
suspensions of operations that would be available under a given lease 
or prospect to one extension regardless of the various expiration dates 
of the adjacent leases covered by the prospect.
    Response: MMS does not agree with this suggestion and will not 
limit the number of suspensions available under a given lease or 
prospect. However, the lessee or operator must file a separate request 
for each SOO, and each request must meet all of the criteria to receive 
approval.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that MMS should limit the extent 
of the area that is subject to the SOO where possible.
    Response: The Regional Supervisor will determine the area subject 
to the SOO on a case-by-case basis.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that MMS require the lessee/
operator to sever their rights above 25,000 feet TVD to secure the SOO.
    Response: The lessee was awarded the lease through a competitive 
bidding process. Each lessee acquired an interest in the entire 
property. The lessee or operator may pursue the right to explore, 
develop, and produce, without waste, anywhere on the lease. MMS will 
not jeopardize this right.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that this rule is in violation of 
Executive Order 12630--Takings, because of the possible economic impact 
the rule could have on some businesses associated with the offshore oil 
and natural gas industry. These companies invested money based on the 
MMS's regulatory program and this rule represents a change to that 
program that may slow some activities.
    Response: MMS reviewed Executive Order 12630--Takings, and 
determined that the rule does not violate that order.
    Comment: One commenter requested that MMS define the ``SS'' in 
``TVD SS'' as ``sub-seafloor,'' so that the water column would not be 
included in the depth.
    Response: TVD SS is ``the true vertical depth below the datum at 
mean sea level,'' (see regulations at Sec.  203.0). MMS will continue 
to use the term ``datum at mean sea level'' in this rule, to be 
consistent with other provisions of existing regulations and common 
practices of depth measurement.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the wording of the rule is 
inconsistent and that Sec.  250.175(c)(3) should use ``structure or 
trap'' instead of ``formation.'' This section requires that the lessee 
or operator either has conducted or is conducting additional data 
processing or interpretation of the geophysical information to identify 
the potential ultra-deep hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The commenter 
contends that Sec.  250.175(c)(2) already requires that the operator or 
lessee have the information that indicates there is a potential 
formation already established.
    Response: MMS agrees and changed Sec.  250.175(c)(3) to read 
``geophysical information with the objective of identifying a potential 
hydrocarbon-bearing geologic structure or stratigraphic trap lying 
below 25,000 feet TVD SS.'' While Sec.  250.175(c)(2) focuses on the 
type of data required and the initial interpretation of that data, new 
Sec.  250.175(c)(3) refers to additional information and a more 
complete interpretation that may lead to the drilling of a well below 
25,000 feet TVD SS.
    Comment: An industry group expressed concern because drilling 
contractors must finance their fleets on the basis of reliable 
government drilling programs which by finite license terms afford the 
certainty that leases either will be drilled or dropped and re-offered 
to operators with the appetite and resources to develop them.
    Response: Granting an SOO under this rule is only one very small 
part of the overall scenario. Fleet financing is largely dependent and 
driven by global competition, market demands, and the aggressiveness of 
the industry to explore and develop leases. There are more than 4,300 
active leases in the areas that are eligible for suspensions under this 
rule. In any given year, MMS estimates that it will receive no more 
than 10 requests for suspensions under this rule. This change is 
expected to affect less than 0.23 percent of leases in the eligible 
areas.
    Comment: A comment from an industry group stated that MMS seems to 
be accelerating the transformation of OCS leases into virtual long-term 
purchases. They urged MMS to reconsider this proposal, and to take note 
of its implications for the economic viability of the offshore 
contractor infrastructure put at risk by increasingly unreliable 
primary lease terms.
    Response: This is not the case. As appropriate drilling rigs become 
available and drilling technology advances, the need for this type of 
suspension will decline. The exploration and development of leases is 
actively monitored by MMS, and mechanisms are in place to urge the 
lease operator to either develop the lease or it will expire. There are 
more than 4,300 active leases in the areas that are eligible for 
suspensions under this rule. In any given year, MMS estimates it will 
receive no more than 10 requests for suspensions under this rule. This 
change is expected to affect less than 0.23 percent of leases in the 
eligible areas.

Changes Between the Proposed and Final Regulation

    MMS made only minor wording changes to the final rule, based on the 
comments received. In Sec.  250.175(c), the wording was changed from 
``for drilling'' to ``conduct additional geological and geophysical 
(G&G) data analysis which may lead to the drilling.'' This was done to 
clarify that the SOO can be used for the additional data analysis 
needed to prepare for the drilling of a well below 25,000 feet TVD SS.
    In Sec.  250.175(c)(3) and (4)(iii), MMS changed the word 
``formation'' to ``geologic structure or stratigraphic trap.'' Section 
250.175(c)(2) requires an initial interpretation of the data that 
indicates a potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Section 
250.175(c)(3) requires additional data processing and information 
interpretation that may lead to drilling a well below 25,000 feet TVD 
SS. MMS changed the wording in Sec.  250.175(c)(4)(iii) for 
consistency.

Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866)

    This is not a significant rule as determined and is not subject to 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    The major economic effect of the final rule will involve business 
decisions made by oil and gas producers. MMS expects that a project to 
drill an ultra-deep well will need to compete with other high-risk 
projects in deep water or in other countries. By increasing the 
potential benefits resulting from drilling high-risk, ultra-deep wells, 
lessees will be more likely to drill these wells in the U.S. instead of 
drilling in other high-risk areas.
    These decisions are based on marginal cost and benefit differences 
among projects, and are driven by many factors. This final rule is only 
one of the factors. Lessees or operators will not request a suspension 
unless it is in their financial interest. Therefore, this final rule

[[Page 74662]]

change will not impose a net cost on the lessee or operator.
    There are other financial considerations that will result directly 
from this final rule. Drilling a well to 25,000 or more feet TVD SS is 
a significant occurrence, and MMS does not anticipate an immediate 
drastic increase in drilling to that depth. This rule change, combined 
with any applicable deep-gas royalty relief, is expected to gradually 
increase drilling activities into areas deeper than 25,000 feet TVD SS.
    MMS estimates that this rule will result in 10 suspension requests 
per year, averaged over the 5 years following the effective date of a 
final rule; and that most of the requests will be in water depths of 
less than 200 meters. MMS' economic analysis assumes that a suspension 
will result, on average, in each suspended lease remaining active for 2 
years longer than without the suspension. Of the leases in water depths 
of less than 200 meters that expired in 2000, approximately half 
received new bids within 2 years, with an average high bid of 
approximately $556,000. The delayed expiration of the leases for which 
suspensions are requested under this rule will result in a delay in 
reoffering the tracts. If the anticipated 10 leases that would have 
expired without a suspension were to be offered in a lease sale, MMS 
estimates that five would receive bids at an average of $556,000 per 
lease, for a total of $2,780,000. This final rule is estimated to 
result in a 2-year delay in the receipt of that $2,780,000 in bonus 
revenues.
    However, this delay in receiving re-leasing revenues will be 
partially offset by increased government revenue due to the continued 
collection of rents. The extra rent generated by the anticipated 
suspended leases will be $500,000 ($5.00 rent per acre x 5,000 acres x 
10 leases x 2 years). The greater potential effect of this final rule 
is the additional royalties collected if large reservoirs of 
hydrocarbons are discovered in ultra-deep areas, as well as the effect 
of success on bonuses and rents in future lease sales.
    The presently quantifiable effects of this final rule are small 
compared to the potential for an increase in energy production. There 
are more than 4,300 active leases in the areas that are eligible for 
suspensions under this rule. In any given year, MMS estimates that it 
will receive no more than 10 requests for suspensions under this rule. 
This change is expected to affect less than 0.23 percent of leases in 
the eligible areas. The main effect of this final rule is the potential 
impact on energy and domestic production if a large reservoir of 
hydrocarbons is discovered.
    (1) This final rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million 
or more on the economy. It will not adversely affect in a material way 
the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities.
    (2) This final rule will not create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. 
Issuance of a suspension for a lease does not interfere with the 
ability of other agencies to exercise their authority.
    (3) This final rule would not alter the budgetary effects of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or 
obligations of their recipients. This change will have no effect on the 
rights of the recipients of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs.
    (4) This final rule will not raise novel legal or policy issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Department certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities 
under the RFA (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
    This change will affect lessees and operators of leases in the OCS. 
This includes about 130 different companies. These companies are 
generally classified under the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) code 211111, which includes companies that extract crude 
petroleum and natural gas. For this NAICS code classification, a small 
company is one with fewer than 500 employees. Based on these criteria, 
an estimated 70 percent of these companies are considered small. This 
final rule, therefore, will affect a substantial number of small 
entities.
    This final rule will not create a cost to small companies since it 
provides a suspension only when one is requested. Small companies could 
be affected by the delay in the expiration of leases and the 
availability of the tract to be leased again. As discussed earlier, 
this is a very small portion of the available leases. The final rule 
will not affect the ability of a small company to participate in OCS 
exploration, development, and production.
    Comments are important. The Small Business and Agriculture 
Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards were 
established to receive comments from small business about Federal 
agency enforcement actions. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate the 
enforcement activities and rate each agency's responsiveness to small 
business. If you wish to comment on the actions of MMS, call 1-888-734-
3247. You may comment to the Small Business Administration without fear 
of retaliation. Disciplinary action for retaliation by an MMS employee 
may include suspension or termination from employment with the 
Department of the Interior.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)

    This is not a major rule under the SBREFA (5 U.S.C. 804(2)). This 
final rule:
    (a) Will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more.
    (b) Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions.
    (c) Will not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995

    This final rule will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, 
local, or tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 
million per year. The final rule will not have a significant or unique 
effect on State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. A 
statement containing the information required by the UMRA (2 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) is not required. This is because the proposal will not 
affect State, local, or tribal governments, and the effect on the 
private sector is small.

Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    With respect to Executive Order 12630, the final rule will not have 
takings implications. A Takings Implication Assessment is not required. 
The rulemaking is not a governmental action capable of interfering with 
constitutionally protected property rights.

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    With respect to Executive Order 13132, the final rule will not have 
federalism implications. It will not substantially and directly affect 
the relationship between the Federal and state governments. To the 
extent that state and local governments have a role in OCS activities, 
this final change will not affect that role.

[[Page 74663]]

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

    With respect to Executive Order 12988, the Office of the Solicitor 
has determined that this final rule will not unduly burden the judicial 
system, and meets the requirements of Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the 
Executive Order.

Consultation with Indian tribes (E.O. 13175).

    Under the criteria in Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated this 
rule and determined that it has no potential effects on federally 
recognized Indian tribes because OCS operations do not take place on or 
near Indian lands.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995

    The PRA 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 and 
assigns a control number, you are not required to respond. The 
revisions to 30 CFR part 250 subpart A refer to, but do not change, 
information collection requirements in current regulations. OMB has 
approved the referenced information collection requirements under OMB 
control number 1010-0114, current expiration date of October 31, 2007. 
The final rule will impose no new paperwork requirements, and an OMB 
form 83-I submission to OMB under the PRA is not required.

Clarity of This Regulation

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations 
that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to make 
this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions such as 
the following:
    (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?
    (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that 
interferes with its clarity?
    (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity?
    (4) Is the description of the rule in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this preamble helpful in understanding the rule? What else 
can we do to make the rule easier to understand?
    Send a copy of any comments that concern how we could make this 
rule easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department 
of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. 
You may also e-mail the comments to this address: [email protected].

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969

    MMS analyzed this rule using the criteria of the NEPA and 516 
Departmental Manual, Chapter 2, and concluded that the preparation of 
an environmental analysis is not required.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211)

    This is not a significant rule and is not subject to review by OMB 
under Executive Order 13211. The final rule may potentially increase 
energy supplies, but given the uncertainty associated with the drilling 
of successful wells, the effect on energy supply, distribution, or use 
is not considered to be significant at this time. Thus, a Statement of 
Energy Effects is not required.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

    Continental shelf, Environmental impact statements, Environmental 
protection, Government contracts, Investigations, Mineral royalties, 
Oil and gas development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Oil 
and gas reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands-mineral resources, 
Public lands--right-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Sulphur development and production, Sulphur exploration, Surety bonds.

    Dated: December 2, 2005.
Chad Calvert,
Acting Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, MMS amends 30 CFR part 250 as 
follows:

PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF

0
1. The authority citation for Part 250 continues to read as follows:


    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331, et seq.

0
2. In Sec.  250.175, add a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  250.175  When may the Regional Supervisor grant an SOO?

* * * * *
    (c) The Regional Supervisor may grant an SOO to conduct additional 
geological and geophysical data analysis that may lead to the drilling 
of a well below 25,000 feet true vertical depth below the datum at mean 
sea level (TVD SS) when all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The lease was issued with a primary lease term of:
    (i) 5 years; or
    (ii) 8 years with a requirement to drill within 5 years.
    (2) Before the end of the fifth year of the primary term, you or 
your predecessor in interest must have acquired and interpreted 
geophysical information that:
    (i) Indicates that all or a portion of a potential hydrocarbon-
bearing formation lies below 25,000 feet TVD SS; and
    (ii) Includes full 3-D depth migration over the entire lease area.
    (3) Before requesting the suspension, you have conducted or are 
conducting additional data processing or interpretation of the 
geophysical information with the objective of identifying a potential 
hydrocarbon-bearing geologic structure or stratigraphic trap lying 
below 25,000 feet TVD SS.
    (4) You demonstrate that additional time is necessary to:
    (i) Complete current processing or interpretation of existing 
geophysical data or information;
    (ii) Acquire, process, or interpret new geophysical or geological 
data or information that would affect the decision to drill the same 
geologic structure or stratigraphic trap, as determined by the Regional 
Supervisor, identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section; 
or
    (iii) Drill a well below 25,000 feet TVD SS into the geologic 
structure or stratigraphic trap identified as a result of the 
activities conducted in paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4)(i) and 
(ii) of this section.

[FR Doc. 05-24109 Filed 12-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P