[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 33 (Friday, February 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7917-7921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3664]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

[Docket No. MMS-2008-OMM-0038]


MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0050, Pipelines and 
Pipeline Rights-of-Way, Revision of a Collection; Submitted for Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a revised information collection (1010-0050).

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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 revise an approval of the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, subpart J, Pipelines 
and Pipeline Rights-of-Way. 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 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You should submit comments directly to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
the Department of the Interior (1010-0050), either by fax (202) 395-
6566 or e-mail ([email protected]).
    Please also send a copy to MMS by either of the following methods:
     http://www.regulations.gov. Under the tab More Search 
Options, click Advanced Docket Search, then select Minerals Management 
Service from the agency drop-down menu, then click submit. In the 
Docket ID column, select MMS-2008-OMM-0038 to submit public comments 
and to view supporting and related materials available for this 
submission. Information on using Regulations.gov, including 
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing 
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through 
the site's User Tips link. Submit comments to Regulations.gov by March 
23, 2009. The MMS will post all comments.
     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 1010-0050 in your subject line and include your 
name and return address.

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 regulation and forms that require 
the subject collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way.
    Forms: MMS-149--Assignment of Federal OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way 
Grant and MMS-2030--Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pipeline Right-of-Way 
Grant Bond.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0050.
    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 manage the mineral resources of the OCS. Such rules and 
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease, 
right-of-use and easement, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW). 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 1334(e) 
authorizes the Secretary to grant ROWs through the submerged lands of 
the OCS for pipelines `` * * * for the transportation of oil, natural 
gas, sulphur, or other minerals, or under such regulations and upon 
such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, * * * including 
(as provided in section 1347(b) of this title) assuring maximum 
environmental protection by utilization of the best available and 
safest technologies, including the safest practices for pipeline 
burial. * * *''
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25, 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
confer

[[Page 7918]]

special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is required 
to charge the full cost for services that provide special benefits or 
privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond 
those that accrue to the public at large. Pipeline ROWs and assignments 
are subject to cost recovery, and MMS regulations specify filing fees 
for applications.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
part 250, subpart J. Responses are submitted to MMS on occasion and are 
mandatory or they are required to obtain or retain a benefit. No 
questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The MMS protects proprietary 
information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), 
its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 250.197, Data 
and information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection.
    The MMS uses the information collected under subpart J to ensure 
that lessees and pipeline ROW holders design, install, maintain, and 
operate pipelines in a safe manner. The MMS needs information 
concerning the proposed pipeline and safety equipment, inspections and 
tests, and natural and manmade hazards near the proposed pipeline 
route. The MMS field offices use the information collected under 
subpart J to review pipeline designs prior to approving an application 
for an ROW or lease term pipeline to ensure that the pipeline, as 
constructed, will provide for safe transportation of minerals through 
the submerged lands of the OCS. They review proposed pipeline routes to 
ensure that the pipeline would not conflict with any State requirements 
or unduly interfere with other OCS activities. The MMS field offices 
review proposals for taking pipeline safety equipment out of service to 
ensure alternate measures are used that will properly provide for the 
safety of the pipeline and associated facilities (platform, etc.). They 
review notification of relinquishment of an ROW grant and requests to 
abandon pipelines to ensure that all legal obligations are met and 
pipelines are properly abandoned. The MMS inspectors monitor the 
records concerning pipeline inspections and tests to ensure safety of 
operations and protection of the environment and to schedule their 
workload to permit witnessing and inspecting operations. Information is 
also necessary to determine the point at which DOI or Department of 
Transportation (DOT) has regulatory responsibility for a pipeline and 
to be informed of the identified operator if not the same as the ROW 
holder.
    The MMS uses two forms associated with this collection. They are 
forms:
    MMS-149--Assignment of Federal OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant. The 
MMS uses the information to track the ownership of pipeline ROWs. The 
MMS will use this information to update the corporate database, which 
is used to determine what leases are available for a Lease Sale and the 
ownership of all OCS leases.
    MMS-2030--Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant 
Bond.

The MMS uses this information to ensure compliance of Federal 
regulations by the surety and ROW holder guaranteeing that funds be 
made available to complete existing and future obligations.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 
potential Federal oil or gas or sulphur lessees and/or operators; as 
well as 88 pipeline right-of-way holders.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is 76,864. 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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Non-hour cost burdens * (cost recovery fees)
 Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart J         Reporting &       -------------------------------------------------------
       and related NTL(s)             recordkeeping                            Average number of   Annual burden
                                       requirement            Hour burden      annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Lease Term (L/T) Pipeline (P/L) Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(1); 1004(b)(5); 1007(a)  Submit application and   145...............  201-new L/T P/L             29,145
                                  all required                                 applications.
                                  information and
                                  notices to install new
                                  L/T P/L.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                               $3,283 x 201 L/T P/L applications = $659,883
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(1); 1007(b)............  Submit application and   35................  131 modifications.           4,585
                                  all required
                                  information and
                                  notices to modify a L/
                                  T P/L.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                               $1,906 x 131 L/T P/L applications = $249,686
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal................................................................  332 responses.....          33,730
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $909,569 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Right of Way (ROW) P/L Applications and Grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(2), (d); 1004(b)(5);     Submit application and   170...............  102-new ROW grant           17,340
 1007(a); 1009(a); 1011(a);       all required                                 and P/L
 1015; 1016.                      information and                              applications.
                                  notices for new P/L
                                  ROW grant and to
                                  install a new ROW P/L.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $2,569 x 102 applications = $262,038
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 7919]]

 
1000(b)(2), (3); 1007(b); 1017.  Submit application and   48................  162 modifications.           7,776
                                  all required
                                  information and
                                  notices to modify a P/
                                  L ROW grant and to
                                  modify an ROW P/L
                                  (includes route
                                  modifications,
                                  cessation of
                                  operations, partial
                                  relinquishments, hot
                                  taps, and new and
                                  modified accessory
                                  platforms).
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $3,865 x 162 applications = $626,130
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(3); 1010(h); 1019;       Submit application and   7.................  128                            896
 1017(b)(2).                      all required                                 relinquishments.
                                  information and
                                  notices to relinquish
                                  P/L ROW grant.
1011(a)........................  Provide surety bond      GOM \1/4\.........  50 forms..........            12.5
                                  using form MMS-2030.
                                                          Pacific 3.5.......  3 forms...........            10.5
1015...........................  Submit application and   18................  26 conversions....             468
                                  all required
                                  information and
                                  notices for ROW grant
                                  to convert a lease-
                                  term P/L to an ROW P/L.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      $219 x 26 applications = $5,694
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
1016...........................  Request opportunity to   2.................  1 request.........               2
                                  eliminate conflict
                                  when an application
                                  has been rejected.
1018...........................  Submit application and   16................  201 assignments...           3,216
                                  all required
                                  information and
                                  notices for assignment
                                  of a pipeline ROW
                                  grant using Form MMS-
                                  149 (burden includes
                                  approximately 30
                                  minutes to fill out
                                  form).
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $186 x 201 P/L ROW requests = $37,386
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal................................................................  673 responses.....          29,721
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $931,248 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Notifications and Reports
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1004(b)(5).....................  In lieu of a continuous  36................  1 submittal.......              36
                                  volumetric comparison
                                  system, request
                                  substitution; submit
                                  any supporting
                                  documentation if
                                  requested/required.
1008(a)........................  Notify MMS before        \1/2\.............  546 notices.......             273
                                  constructing or
                                  relocating a pipeline.
1008(a)........................  Notify MMS before        \1/2\.............  750 notices.......             375
                                  conducting a pressure
                                  test.
1008(b)........................  Submit L/T P/L           17................  149 reports.......           2,533
                                  construction report.
1008(b)........................  Submit ROW P/L           17................  112 reports.......           1,904
                                  construction report.
1008(c)........................  Notify MMS of any        \1/2\.............  600 notices.......             300
                                  pipeline taken out of
                                  service.
1008(d)........................  Notify MMS of any        \1/5\.............  5 notices.........               1
                                  pipeline safety
                                  equipment taken out of
                                  service more than 12
                                  hours.
1008(e)........................  Notify MMS of any        2.................  205 notices.......             410
                                  repair and include
                                  procedures.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       $360 x 205 notices = $73,800
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
1008(e)........................  Submit repair report...  3.................  205 reports.......             615
1008(f)........................  Submit report of         30................  5 reports.........             150
                                  pipeline failure
                                  analysis.
1008(g)........................  Submit plan of           12................  4 plans/reports...              48
                                  corrective action and
                                  report of any remedial
                                  action.
1008(h)........................  Submit the results and   \1/8\.............  2,500 results.....           312.5
                                  conclusions of pipe-to-
                                  electrolyte potential
                                  measurements.
1010(c)........................  Notify MMS of any        4.................  2 notices.........               8
                                  archaeological
                                  resource discovery.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1010(d)........................  Notify MMS of P/L ROW         Not considered IC under 5 CFR                   0
                                  holder's name and                      1320.3(h)
                                  address changes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Subtotal...............................................................  5,084 responses...       \3\ 6,966
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $73,800 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(c)(2).....................  Identify in writing P/L  \1/4\.............  4 submissions.....               1
                                  operator on ROW if
                                  different from ROW
                                  grant holder.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 7920]]

 
1000(c)(3).....................     Mark specific point on P/L where operating responsibility                  0
                                  transfers to transporting operator or depict transfer point on
                                     a schematic located on the facility. One-time requirement
                                      after final rule published; now part of application or
                                       construction process involving no additional burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(c)(4).....................  Petition MMS for         5.................  1 petition........               5
                                  exceptions to general
                                  operations transfer
                                  point description.
1000(c)(8).....................  Request MMS recognize    1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  valves landward of
                                  last production
                                  facility but still
                                  located on OCS as
                                  point where MMS
                                  regulatory authority
                                  begins (none received
                                  to date).
1000(c)(12)....................  Petition MMS to          40................  1 petition........              40
                                  continue to operate
                                  under DOT regulations
                                  upstream of last valve
                                  on last production
                                  facility (one received
                                  to date).
1000(c)(13)....................  Transporting P/L         40................  1 petition........              40
                                  operator petition to
                                  DOT and MMS to
                                  continue to operate
                                  under MMS regulations
                                  (none received to
                                  date).
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1004(c)........................  Place sign on safety                See footnote \1\                          0
                                  equipment identified
                                  as ineffective and
                                  removed from service.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1007(a)(4).....................  Submit required          150...............  12 submissions....           1,800
                                  documentation for
                                  unbonded flexible pipe.
1000-1019......................  General departure and    2.................  175 requests......             350
                                  alternative compliance
                                  requests not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in subpart J
                                  regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal................................................................  195 responses.....           2,237
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000-1008......................  Make available to MMS    5.................  130 lease-term P/L             650
                                  design, construction,                        operators.
                                  operation,
                                  maintenance, testing,
                                  and repair records on
                                  lease-term P/Ls \2\.
1005(a)........................  Inspect P/L routes for   2 per month = 24..  130 lease-term P/L           3,120
                                  indication of leakage                        operators.
                                  \1\, record results,
                                  maintain records 2
                                  years \2\.
1010(g)........................  Make available to MMS    5.................  88 P/L ROW holders             440
                                  design, construction,
                                  operation,
                                  maintenance, testing,
                                  and repair records on
                                  P/L ROW area and
                                  improvements \2\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal................................................................  348 responses.....           4,210
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Hour Burden.....................................................  6,632 responses...          76,864
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Non-Hour Cost Burden.......$1,914,617 non-hour cost burdens.....
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These activities are usual and customary practices for prudent operators.
\2\ Retaining these records is usual and customary business practice; required burden is minimal to make
  available to MMS.
\3\ Rounded.
* Due to rulemaking (August 25, 2008, 73 FR 49942) cost recovery fees increased, effective 9/24/08.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified seven non-hour cost burdens, all of which are cost recovery 
fees. However, note that the actual fee amounts are specified in 30 CFR 
250.125, which provides a consolidated table of all of the fees 
required under the 30 CFR 250 regulations. The non-hour cost burden 
(cost recovery fees) total in this ICR is an estimated $1,914,617.
    The non-hour cost burdens required in 30 CFR 250, subpart J (and 
respective cost-recovery fee amount per transaction) are required as 
follows:
     Sec.  250.1000(b)--New Pipeline Application (lease term)--
$3,283
     Sec.  250.1000(b)--Pipeline Application Modification 
(lease term)--$1,906
     Sec.  250.1000(b)--Pipeline Application Modification 
(ROW)--$3,865
     Sec.  250.1008(e)--Pipeline Repair Notification--$360
     Sec.  250.1015(a)--Pipeline ROW Grant Application--$2,569
     Sec.  250.1015(a)--Pipeline Conversion from Lease term to 
ROW--$219
     Sec.  250.1018(b)--Pipeline ROW Assignment--$186
    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

[[Page 7921]]

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 September 15, 
2008, we published a Federal Register notice (73 FR 53274) 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 part 250, subpart J regulation. 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 23, 2009.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, e-mail 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: January 27, 2009.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E9-3664 Filed 2-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P