[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54366-54369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22190]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Management, Regulation and Enforcement

[Docket No. MMS-2010-OMM-0012]


BOEMRE Information Collection Activity: 1010-0086, Sulphur 
Operations, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement 
(BOEMRE), 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), 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 P, Sulphur 
Operations. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity 
to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by October 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or e-mail 
([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of 
the Interior (1010-0086). Please also submit a copy of your comments to 
BOEMRE by any of the means below.
     Electronically: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter docket ID MMS-2010-OMM-0012 
then click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments 
and view supporting and related materials available for this 
collection. The BOEMRE will post all comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry 
comments to: Department of the Interior; Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Regulation and Enforcement; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381 
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 
ICR 1010-0086 in your comment 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 regulations that require the 
subject collection of information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 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 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. Operations on the 
OCS must preserve, protect, and develop mineral 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 Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) 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 ICR 
addresses the regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart P, Sulphur Operations, 
and any associated supplementary Notices to Lessees and Operators 
(NTLs) intended to provide clarification, description, or explanation 
of these regulations.
    Currently, BOEMRE regulates one sulphur lease on the OCS, but it is 
not active. Therefore, this information collection and its relevant 
hours represent one respondent.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
250, subpart P. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a sensitive 
nature are asked. The BOEMRE protects information considered 
proprietary according to 30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be 
made available to the public or for limited inspection,'' and the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing 
regulations (43 CFR 2).
    The BOEMRE uses the information collected to ascertain the 
condition of drilling sites for the purpose of preventing hazards 
inherent in sulphur 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. The BOEMRE 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.
     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 or 
operator will

[[Page 54367]]

not encounter geological conditions that present a hazard to 
operations.
     Ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting plans; the 
drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; and 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, well-workover diagrams 
and procedures, as well as production operation procedures to ensure 
the safety of the proposed sulphur drilling, well-completion, well-
workover and proposed production operations.
     Monitor environmental data during sulphur 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.
    Frequency: Occasional; varies by section.
    Description of Respondents: Currently there are no active OCS 
sulphur lease operators. Our estimates are based on expected responses 
for one potential respondent.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 903 
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 and
      Citation 30 CFR 250             recordkeeping           Hour burden      Average number of   Annual burden
                                       requirement                              annual reponses        hours
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                                            Submittals/Notifications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1600; 1617.....................  Submit exploration or       Burden covered under (1010-0151)                  0
                                  development and
                                  production plan.
1617; 1618; 1619(b); 1622......  Submit forms MMS-123        Burden covered under (1010-0141)                  0
                                  (Application for
                                  Permit to Drill), MMS-
                                  124 (Application for
                                  Permit to Modify),
                                  Form MMS-125 (End of
                                  Operations Report).
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
1605(b)(3).....................  Submit and/or resubmit   4.................  1 submission......               4
                                  data and information
                                  on fitness of drilling
                                  unit.
1605(d)........................  Submit results of        1.................  1 submission......               1
                                  additional surveys and
                                  soil borings upon
                                  request*.
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1605(f)........................  Submit application for      Burden covered under (1010-0149).                 0
                                  installation of fixed
                                  drilling platforms or
                                  structures.
1608...........................  Submit well casing and   5.................  1 plan............               5
                                  cementing plan or
                                  modification.
1619(c), (d), (e)..............  Submit copies of         1.................  8 submissions.....               8
                                  records, logs,
                                  reports, charts, etc.,
                                  upon request.
1628(b), (d)...................  Submit application for   4.................  1 application.....               4
                                  design and
                                  installation features
                                  of sulphur production
                                  facilities and fuel
                                  gas safety system;
                                  certify new
                                  installation conforms
                                  to approved design.
1630(a)(6).....................  Notify BOEMRE of pre-    ..................  2 notifications...               1
                                  production test and
                                  inspection of safety
                                  system and
                                  commencement of
                                  production.
1633(b)........................  Submit application for   2.................  1 application.....               2
                                  method of production
                                  measurement.
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    Subtotal................................................................  15 responses......              25
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                                                    Requests
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1603(a)........................  Request determination    1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  whether sulphur
                                  deposit can produce in
                                  paying quantities.
1605(e)(5).....................  Request copy of          1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  directional survey (by
                                  holder of adjoining
                                  lease)*.
1607...........................  Request establishment,   8.................  2 requests........              16
                                  amendment, or
                                  cancellation of field
                                  rules for drilling,
                                  well-completion, or
                                  well-workover.
1610(d)(7+8)...................  Request exception to     1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  ram-type blowout
                                  preventer (BOP) system
                                  components rated
                                  working pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)...............  Request exception to     1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  water-rated working
                                  pressure to test ram-
                                  type and annular BOPs
                                  and choke manifold.
1611(f); 1625(f)...............  Request exception to     1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  recording pressure
                                  conditions during BOP
                                  tests on pressure
                                  charts.*
1612...........................  Request exception to     1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  Sec.  Sec.   250.408/
                                  250.462 requirements
                                  for well-control
                                  drills.*
1615...........................  Request exception to     1.................  1 request.........               1
                                  blind-shear ram or
                                  pipe rams and inside
                                  BOP to secure wells.
1629(b)(3).....................  Request approval of      4.................  1 request.........               4
                                  firefighting systems;
                                  post firefighting
                                  system diagram.
1600 thru 1634.................  General departure and/   2.................  1 request.........               2
                                  or alternative
                                  compliance requests
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  subpart P.
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    Subtotal................................................................  11 responses......              29
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                                                  Record/Retain
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1604(f)........................  Check traveling-block    \1/4\.............  1 lessee x 52 wks               26
                                  safety device for                            x 2 rigs = 104.
                                  proper operation
                                  weekly and after each
                                  drill-line slipping;
                                  enter results in log.
1605(c)........................  Report oceanographic,    1.................  1 report..........               1
                                  meteorological, and
                                  drilling unit
                                  performance data upon
                                  request.*

[[Page 54368]]

 
1609(a)........................  Pressure test casing;    2.................  1 lessee x 60                  120
                                  record time,                                 tests/records =
                                  conditions of testing,                       60.
                                  and test results in
                                  log.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3).........  Record in driller's      10 minutes........  1 lessee x 6                     1
                                  report the date, time,                       recordings = 6.
                                  and reason for
                                  postponing pressure
                                  testings.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g).....  Conduct tests,           6.................  1 lessee x 52                  312
                                  actuations,                                  weeks = 52.
                                  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.
1613(d)........................  Pressure test diverter   2.................  1 lessee (daily/               208
                                  sealing element/valves                       weekly during
                                  weekly; actuate                              drilling) x 2
                                  diverter sealing                             rigs x 52 weeks =
                                  element/valves/control                       104.
                                  system every 24 hours;
                                  test diverter line for
                                  flow every 24 hours;
                                  record test times and
                                  results in driller's
                                  report.
1616(c)........................  Retain training records  Burden covered      0.................
                                  for lessee and           under 1010-0128.
                                  drilling contractor
                                  personnel.
1619(a); 1623(c)...............  Retain records for each  12................  1 lessee..........              12
                                  well and all well
                                  operations for 2
                                  years; calculate well-
                                  control fluid volume
                                  and post near
                                  operators' station.
1621...........................  Conduct safety meetings  1.................  1 lessee x 50                   50
                                  prior to well-                               meetings/records
                                  completion or well-                          = 50.
                                  workover operations;
                                  record date and time.
1628(b), (d)...................  Maintain information on  1.................  1 lessee..........               1
                                  approved design and
                                  installation features
                                  for the life of the
                                  facility.
1629(b)(1)(ii).................  Retain pressure-         12................  1 lessee..........              12
                                  recording charts used
                                  to determine operating
                                  pressure ranges for 2
                                  years.
1630(b)........................  Maintain records for     1.................  1 lessee..........               1
                                  each safety device
                                  installed for 2 years;
                                  make available for
                                  review.
1631...........................  Conduct safety device    1.................  1 lessee x 52                  104
                                  training prior to                            train/records x 2
                                  production operations                        rigs = 104.
                                  and periodically
                                  thereafter; record
                                  date and time.
1634(b)........................  Report evidence of       1.................  1 report..........               1
                                  mishandling of
                                  produced sulphur or
                                  tampering or
                                  falsifying any
                                  measurement of
                                  production.
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    Subtotal................................................................  486 responses.....             849
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    Total Burden............................................................  512 responses.....            903
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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 paperwork non-hour cost burdens associated with the 
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 March 30, 2010, 
we published a Federal Register notice (75 FR 15718) 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 regulations also inform the public 
that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and 
provide 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 
October 7, 2010.
    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.
    BOEMRE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz 
(703) 787-1025.


[[Page 54369]]


     Dated: August 30, 2010.
Doug Slitor,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010-22190 Filed 9-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P