[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 18 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4027-4030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1289]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0086).

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS 
is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. 
The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart P, ``Sulphur 
Operations.''

DATE: Submit written comments by March 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods 
listed below. Please use the Information

[[Page 4028]]

Collection Number 1010-0086 as an identifier in your message.
     E-mail MMS at [email protected]. Identify with 
Information Collection Number 1010-0086 in the subject line.
     Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with Information Collection 
Number 1010-0086.
     Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381 
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 
``Information Collection 1010-0086'' in your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon 
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the 
subject collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart P, Sulphur Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0086.
    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 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 that 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 5(a) of the OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary to 
prescribe rules and regulations ``to provide for the prevention of 
waste, and conservation of the natural resources of the Outer 
Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein'' 
and to include provisions ``for the prompt and efficient exploration 
and development of a lease area.'' These authorities and 
responsibilities are among those delegated to the Minerals Management 
Service (MMS) to ensure that operations in the OCS will meet statutory 
requirements; provide for safety and protection of the environment; and 
result in diligent exploration, development, and production of OCS 
leases. This information collection request addresses the regulations 
at 30 CFR Part 250, subpart P, Sulphur Operations, and the associated 
supplementary Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) intended to 
provide clarification, description, or explanation of these 
regulations.
    Regulations at 30 CFR part 250 implement these statutory 
requirements. MMS uses the information collected to ascertain the 
condition of drilling sites for the purpose of preventing hazards 
inherent in drilling and production operations and to evaluate the 
adequacy of equipment and/or procedures to be used during the conduct 
of drilling, well-completion, well-workover, and production operations. 
For example, MMS uses the information to:
     Ascertain that a discovered sulphur deposit can be 
classified as capable of production in paying quantities.
     Ensure accurate and complete measurement of production to 
determine the amount of sulphur royalty payments due the United States; 
and that the sale locations are secure, production has been measured 
accurately, and appropriate follow-up actions are initiated.
     Ensure that the drilling unit is fit for the intended 
purpose.
     Review expected oceanographic and meteorological 
conditions to ensure the integrity of the drilling unit (this 
information is submitted only if it is not otherwise available).
     Review hazard survey data to ensure that the lessee will 
not encounter geological conditions that present a hazard to 
operations.
     Ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting plans.
     Ensure the adequacy of casing for anticipated conditions.
     Review log entries of crew meetings to verify that crew 
members are properly trained.
     Review drilling, well-completion, and well-workover 
diagrams and procedures to ensure the safety of the proposed drilling, 
well-completion, and well-workover operations.
     Review production operation procedures to ensure the 
safety of the proposed production operations.
     Monitor environmental data during operations in offshore 
areas where such data are not already available to provide a valuable 
source of information to evaluate the performance of drilling rigs 
under various weather and ocean conditions. This information is 
necessary to make reasonable determinations regarding safety of 
operations and environmental protection.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its 
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30 
CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be made available to the 
public.'' No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are 
mandatory.
    Frequency: Varies by section, but information concerning drilling, 
well-completion, and well-workover operations and production is 
collected only once for each particular activity.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 1 
Federal OCS sulphur lessee.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The 
currently approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 903 
hours. The following chart details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. 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.

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                                            Reporting and recordkeeping
           Citation 30 CFR 250                      requirement                         Hour burden
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1600....................................  Submit exploration or            Burden in subpart B (1010-0151).
                                           development and production
                                           plan.
1603(a).................................  Request determination whether    1
                                           sulphur deposit can produce in
                                           paying quantities.
1604(f).................................  Check traveling-block safety     \1/4\
                                           device for proper operation
                                           weekly and after each drill-
                                           line slipping; enter results
                                           in log.
1605; 1617; 1618; 1619(b); 1622.........  Submit forms MMS-123             Burden in subpart D (1010-0141).
                                           (Application for Permit to
                                           Drill), MMS-124 (Application
                                           for Permit to Modify), Form
                                           MMS-125 (End of Operations
                                           Report).
1605(b)(3)..............................  Submit data and information on   4
                                           fitness of drilling unit.

[[Page 4029]]

 
1605(c).................................  Report oceanographic,            1
                                           meteorological, and drilling
                                           unit performance data upon
                                           request.*.
1605(d).................................  Submit results of additional     1
                                           surveys and soil borings upon
                                           request.*.
1605(e)(5)..............................  Request copy of directional      1
                                           survey (by holder of adjoining
                                           lease).*.
1605(f).................................  Submit application for           Burden in subpart I (1010-0149).
                                           installation of fixed drilling
                                           platforms or structures.
1607....................................  Request establishment,           8
                                           amendment, or cancellation of
                                           field rules for drilling, well-
                                           completion, or well-workover.
1608....................................  Submit well casing and           5
                                           cementing plan or modification.
1609(a).................................  Pressure test casing; record     2
                                           time, conditions of testing,
                                           and test results in log.
1610(d)(8)..............................  Request exception to ram-type    1
                                           blowout preventer (BOP) system
                                           components rated working
                                           pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)........................  Request exception to water-      1
                                           rated working pressure to test
                                           ram-type and annular BOPs and
                                           choke manifold.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3)..................  Record in driller's report the   10 minutes
                                           date, time, and reason for
                                           postponing pressure testings.
1611(f); 1625(f)........................  Request exception to recording   1
                                           pressure conditions during BOP
                                           tests on pressure charts.*.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g)..............  Conduct tests, actuations,       6
                                           inspections, maintenance, and
                                           crew drills of BOP systems at
                                           least weekly; record results
                                           in driller's report; retain
                                           records for 2 years following
                                           completion of drilling
                                           activity.
1612....................................  Request exception to             1
                                           requirements for well-control
                                           drills.*.
1613(e).................................  Pressure test diverter sealing   2
                                           element/valves weekly; actuate
                                           diverter sealing element/
                                           valves/ control system every
                                           24 hours; test diverter line
                                           for flow every 24 hours;
                                           record test times and results
                                           in driller's report.
1615....................................  Request exception to blind-      1
                                           shear ram or pipe rams and
                                           inside BOP to secure wells.
1616(c).................................  Retain training records for      Burden in subpart O (1010-0128).
                                           lessee and drilling contractor
                                           personnel.
1619(a).................................  Retain records for each well     12
                                           and all well operations for 2
                                           years.
1619(c), (d), (e).......................  Submit copies of records, logs,  1
                                           reports, charts, etc., upon
                                           request.
1621....................................  Conduct safety meetings prior    1
                                           to well-completion or well-
                                           workover operations; record
                                           date and time.
1628(b), (d)............................  Submit application for design    4
                                           and installation features of
                                           sulphur production facilities
                                           and fuel gas safety system;
                                           certify new installation
                                           conforms to approved design.
1628(b), (d)............................  Maintain information on          1
                                           approved design and
                                           installation features for the
                                           life of the facility.
1629(b)(1)(ii), (iv)....................  Retain pressure-recording        12
                                           charts used to determine
                                           operating pressure ranges for
                                           2 years.
1629(b)(3)..............................  Request approval of              4
                                           firefighting systems; post
                                           firefighting system diagram.
1630(a)(5)..............................  Notify MMS of pre-production     .....................................
                                           test and inspection of safety
                                           system and commencement of
                                           production.
1630(b).................................  Maintain records for each        1
                                           safety device installed for 2
                                           years.
1631....................................  Conduct safety device training   1
                                           prior to production operations
                                           and periodically thereafter;
                                           record date and time.
1633(b).................................  Submit application for method    2
                                           of production measurement.
1634(b).................................  Report evidence of mishandling   1
                                           of produced sulphur or
                                           tampering or falsifying any
                                           measurement of production.
1600 thru 1634..........................  General departure and            2
                                           alternative compliance
                                           requests not specifically
                                           covered elsewhere in subpart P.
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* We included a minimal burden, but it has not been necessary to request these data and/or no submissions
  received for many years.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We 
have identified no ``non-hour cost'' burdens for this collection.
    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 ICR 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

[[Page 4030]]

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.
    Agencies must also estimate the ``non-hour cost'' burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. 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. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage 
facilities. 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 information or keep records for the Government; or (iv) 
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public Comment Procedures: MMS's practice is to make comments, 
including names and addresses of respondents, available for public 
review. 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 
this request to the extent allowable by law; however, anonymous 
comments will not be considered. 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. In addition, 
you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This 
rationale must demonstrate that disclosure ``would constitute an 
unwarranted invasion of privacy.'' Unsupported assertions will not meet 
this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, 
this information will be released. 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 Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202) 
208-7744.

    Dated: January 17, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
 [FR Doc. E7-1289 Filed 1-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P