[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10463-10465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3654]


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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 (1010-0149).

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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 I, Platforms 
and Structures. This notice also provides the public a second 
opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory 
requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by March 28, 2008.

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 (1010-0149). 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 
1010-0149 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 I, Platforms and Structures.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0149.
    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 43 U.S.C. 1356 requires the issuance of ``* * * regulations 
which require that any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
structure * * * (2) which is used for activities pursuant to this 
subchapter, comply * * * with such minimum standards of design, 
construction, alteration, and repair as the Secretary * * * establishes 
* * *'' Section 43 U.S.C. 1332(6) also states, ``operations in the 
[O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner * * * to 
prevent or minimize the likelihood of * * * physical obstruction to 
other users of the water or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences 
which may cause damage to the environment or to property, or endanger 
life or health.'' 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 I, Platforms and Structures, and the associated 
supplementary notices to lessees and operators (NTLs) intended to 
provide clarification, description, or explanation of these 
regulations.
    Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or retain a 
benefit. No questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are asked. The MMS will 
protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2), 30 CFR 
250.197 (Data and information to be made available to the public or for 
limited inspection), and 30 CFR part 252 (OCS Oil and Gas Information 
Program).
    The MMS OCS Regions use the information submitted under subpart I 
to determine the structural integrity of all offshore structures and 
ensure that such integrity will be maintained throughout the useful 
life of these structures. We use the information to ascertain, on a 
case-by-case basis, that the platforms and structures are structurally 
sound and safe for their intended use to ensure safety of personnel and 
pollution prevention. The information is also necessary to assure that 
abandonment and site clearance are properly performed. More 
specifically, we use the information to:
     Review data concerning damage to a platform to assess the 
adequacy of proposed repairs.
     Review plans for platform construction (construction is 
divided into three phases--design, fabrication, and installation) to 
ensure the structural integrity of the platform.
     Review verification plans and reports for unique platforms 
to ensure that all nonstandard situations are given proper 
consideration during the design, fabrication, and installation phases 
of platform construction.
     Review platform design, fabrication, and installation 
records to ensure that the platform is constructed according to 
approved plans.
     Review inspection reports to ensure that platform 
integrity is maintained for the life of the platform.
    Frequency: The frequency varies by section, but is generally ``on 
occasion'' or annual.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 
Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees.
    Estimated ``Hour'' Burden: The estimated annual ``hour'' burden for 
this information collection is a total of 60,260 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.

[[Page 10464]]



                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fee(s)
  Citation 30 CFR 250  Subpart I       Reporting and/or     ----------------------------------------------------
         and related NTLs                recordkeeping                          Average No. of     Annual burden
                                          requirement          Hour burden     annual reponses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       General Requirements for Platforms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b), (c), (e); 901(b), (c);     Submit application,                   60  304 applications...          18,240
 902; 903; 905; 906; 909; 910(c),   along with reports/
 (d); 911(c), (f); 912; 913.        surveys and relevant
                                    data, to install new
                                    platform or floating
                                    production facility or
                                    conversion of existing
                                    platform for new
                                    purpose or significant
                                    changes to approved
                                    applications, including
                                    use of alternative
                                    codes, rules, or
                                    standards; and Platform
                                    Verification Program
                                    (PVP) plan for design,
                                    fabrication and
                                    installation of new,
                                    fixed, bottom-founded,
                                    pile-supported, or
                                    concrete-gravity
                                    platforms and new
                                    floating platforms.
                                    Consult as required
                                    with MMS and/or USCG.
                                    Re/Submit application
                                    for major
                                    modification(s)/repairs
                                    to any platform and
                                    related requirements.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                          $19,900 x 5 PVP = $99,500
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $2,850 x 44 fixed structure = $125,400
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                $1,450 x 85 Caisson/Well Protector = $123,250
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $3,400 x 170 modifications = $578,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b)(5)........................  Submit application for                24  2 applications.....              48
                                    conversion of the use
                                    of an existing mobile
                                    offshore drilling unit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(c)...........................  Notify MMS within 24                  16  12 notices/requests             192
                                    hours of damage and
                                    emergency repairs and
                                    request approval of
                                    repairs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901(a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8); NTLs..  Submit CVA documentation             100   15 submissions....           1,500
                                    under API RP 2RD, API
                                    RP 2SK, and API RP 2SM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901(a)(10); NTLs.................  Submit hazards analysis              600  8 submissions......           4,800
                                    documentation under API
                                    RP 14J.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903 *............................  Record original and                  100  130 lessees........          13,000
                                    relevant material test
                                    results of all primary
                                    structural materials;
                                    retain records during
                                    all stages of
                                    construction. Compile,
                                    retain, and provide
                                    location/make available
                                    to MMS for the
                                    functional life of
                                    platform, the as-built
                                    drawings, design
                                    assumptions/analyses,
                                    summary of
                                    nondestructive
                                    examination records,
                                    inspection results, and
                                    records of repair not
                                    covered elsewhere.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  471................          37,780
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        $926,150
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Platform Verification Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
911(d); 914......................  Submit nomination and                 16  5 nominations......              80
                                    qualification statement
                                    for CVA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
916(c)...........................  Submit interim and final             200  15 reports.........           3,000
                                    CVA reports and
                                    recommendations on
                                    design phase.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
917(a), (c)......................  Submit interim and final             100  15 reports.........           1,500
                                    CVA reports and
                                    recommendations on
                                    fabrication phase,
                                    including notice of
                                    fabrication procedure
                                    changes or design
                                    specification
                                    modifications.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
918(c)...........................  Submit interim and final              60  15 reports.........             900
                                    CVA reports and
                                    recommendations on
                                    installation phase.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  50.................           5,480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Inspection, Maintenance, and Assessment of Platforms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
919(a)...........................  Develop in-service                    50  130 lessees........           6,500
                                    inspection plan and
                                    keep on file.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 10465]]

 
919(b)...........................  Submit annual (November               80  130 lessees........          10,400
                                    1 of each year) report
                                    on inspection of
                                    platforms or floating
                                    production facilities,
                                    including summary of
                                    testing results.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  260................          16,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                General Departure
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900 thru 921.....................  General departure and                 10  10 requests........             100
                                    alternative compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in Subpart I
                                    regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  791 Responses......          60,260
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  $926,150 Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The records required to be retained are such that respondents would keep them as usual and customary business
  practice. The burden would be to make them available to MMS for review.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We 
have identified four non-hour cost burdens (see Burden Breakdown). 
Section 250.905(k) requires four specific fees for various platform 
applications/installations. One fee is for installation under the 
Platform Verification Program; one fee is for installation of fixed 
structures under the Platform Approval Program; one fee is for 
installation of Caisson/Well Protectors; and one fee is for 
modifications and/or repairs. 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 June 25, 2007, 
we published a Federal Register notice (72 FR 34717) 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 and forms. 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. The 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 
March 28, 2008.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202) 
208-7744.

    Dated: December 20, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-3654 Filed 2-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P