[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26419-26421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8837]


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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,'' and 
related documents. This notice also provides the public a second 
opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory 
requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by June 8, 2007.

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: Cheryl Blundon; 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: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (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 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 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. 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 
the Minerals Management Service (MMS). 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 (NTLs) 
intended to provide clarification, description, or explanation of these 
regulations.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
part 250. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a ``sensitive'' 
nature are asked. MMS will protect proprietary information according to 
30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be made available to the 
public,'' and 30 CFR Part 252, ``OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.''
    MMS uses the information collected under subpart L to ensure that 
the volumes of hydrocarbons produced are measured accurately, and 
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.
    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 8,533 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.

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                                    Reporting or                            Average number
 Citation 30 CFR 250  subpart      recordkeeping       Hour burden minutes     of annual     Annual burden hours
              L                     requirement                                responses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Fees
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1202(a)(1), (b)(1);            Submit application     11..................             363  3,993
 1203(b)(1);1204(a)(1).         for liquid
                                hydrocarbon or gas
                                measurement
                                procedures or
                                changes; or for
                                commingling of
                                production or
                                changes.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 26420]]

 
                                                             $1,200 simple fee x 57 applications = $68,400
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                          $3,550 complex fee x 306 applications = $1,086,300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subtotal                363 responses                          3,993
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     $1,154,700 fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1202(a)(4)...................  Copy & send pipeline   45 minutes..........              21  16
                                (retrograde)
                                condensate volumes
                                upon request.
1202(c)(4)*..................  Copy & send all        1 minute............          24,450  408 (rounded)
                                liquid hydrocarbon
                                run tickets monthly.
1202(d)(5)*..................  Copy & submit liquid   2 minutes...........           9,870  329
                                hydrocarbon royalty
                                meter proving
                                reports monthly &
                                request waiver as
                                needed.
1202(f)(2)*..................  Copy & submit          10 minutes..........             102  17
                                mechanical-
                                displacement prover
                                & tank prover
                                calibration reports.
1202(l)(2)*..................  Copy & submit royalty  15 minutes..........              12  3
                                tank calibration
                                charts before using
                                for royalty
                                measurement.
1202(l)(3)*..................  Copy & submit          15 minutes..........               4  1
                                inventory tank        5 minutes...........             115  10 (rounded)
                                calibration charts
                                upon request; retain
                                charts for as long
                                as tanks are in use.
1203(b)(6), (8), (9)*........  Copy & submit gas      2 minutes...........          21,792  726 (rounded)
                                quality and volume    30 minutes..........              48  24
                                statements monthly
                                or as requested
                                (most will be
                                routine; few will
                                take longer).
1203(c)(4)*..................  Copy & submit gas      5 minutes...........              44  4 (rounded),
                                meter calibration     1 minute............          19,290  322 (rounded)
                                reports upon
                                request; retain for
                                2 years.
1203(e)(1)*..................  Copy & submit gas      30 minutes..........               4  2
                                processing plant
                                records upon request.
1203(f)(5)...................  Copy & submit          30 minutes..........              24  12
                                measuring records of
                                gas lost or used on
                                lease upon request.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subtotal               75,776 responses                        1,874
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1202(c)(1), (2); 1202(e)(4);   Record observed data,    Respondents record these items as   0
 1202(h)(1), (2), (3), (4);     correction factors &    part of normal business records &
 1202(i)(1)(iv),                net standard volume      practices to verify accuracy of
 (2)(iii);1202(j).              on royalty meter and       production measured for sale
                                tank run tickets.                    purposes
                               Record master meter
                                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
                                tickets..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1202(d)(4)...................  Request approval for   1...................              35  35
                                proving on a
                                schedule other than
                                monthly.
1204(a)(2)...................  Provide state          1...................               1  1
                                production
                                volumetric and/or
                                fractional analysis
                                data upon request.
1205(a)(2)...................  Post signs at royalty  1...................              85  85
                                or inventory tank
                                used in royalty
                                determination
                                process.
1205(a)(4)...................  Report security        15 minutes..........               2  1 (rounded)
                                problems (telephone).
1200 thru 1205...............  General departure and  1...................              60  60
                                alternative
                                compliance requests
                                not specifically
                                covered elsewhere in
                                subpart L.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subtotal                183 responses                            182
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1202(e)(6)...................  Retain master meter    1 minute............           1,420  24 (rounded)
                                calibration reports
                                for 2 years.
1202(k)(5)...................  Retain liquid          1 minute............          10,875  182 (rounded)
                                hydrocarbon
                                allocation meter
                                proving reports for
                                2 years.
1203(f)(4)...................  Document & retain      1 minute............           4,045  68 (rounded)
                                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  2 minutes...........          57,400  1,914 (rounded)
                                for 2 years.
1205(b)(3), (4)..............  Retain seal number     2...................           8,870  296 (rounded)
                                lists for 2 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subtotal               82,610 responses                  2,484 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Total Hour and Fee Burden                                 158,932  8,533
                                                                            ..............  $1,154,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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.


[[Page 26421]]

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We 
have identified two paperwork ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with 
this collection of information (see Hour and Fee Burden table). One is 
a $1,200 simple fee and the other is a $3,550 complex fee for a total 
of $1,154,700.
    Simple fee applications are to temporarily reroute production (for 
a duration not to exceed six months); production tests prior to 
pipeline construction; departures related to meter proving, well 
testing, or sampling frequency.
    Complex fee applications are for creations of new facility 
measurement points (FMPs); association of leases or units with existing 
FMPs; inclusion of production from additional structures; meter updates 
which add buy-back gas meters or pigging meters; other applications 
which request deviations from the approved allocation procedures.
    The application filing fees are required to recover the Federal 
Government's processing costs. We have not identified any other ``non-
hour cost'' burdens associated with this 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 October 3, 2006, 
we published a Federal Register notice (71 FR 58429) 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 received 
one comment in response to these efforts, but it was not germane to the 
paperwork requirements.
    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 June 8, 2007.
    Public Comment Procedures: The 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. The MMS will 
honor the request to the extent allowable by the 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: April 6, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
 [FR Doc. E7-8837 Filed 5-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P