[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68814-68817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28278]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

[Docket ID No. BOEM-2010-0055]


BOEMRE Information Collection Activity: 1010-0149, Platforms and 
Structures, Extension of a Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement 
(BOEMRE), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a renewal of an information collection (1010-0149).

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

DATES: Submit written comments by January 10, 2011.

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

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods 
listed below.
     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2010-0055 then click 
search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments

[[Page 68815]]

and view supporting and related materials available for this 
collection. BOEMRE will post all comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry 
comments to the 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 1010-0149 in your comment and include your name and return address.

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 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 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.''
    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 OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the 
full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the 
Department of the Interior's (DOI) implementing policy, BOEMRE is 
required to charge fees 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. Platform applications are 
subject to cost recovery, and BOEMRE regulations specify service fees 
for these requests.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
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 I, 
Platforms and Structures, and the associated supplementary notices to 
lessees and operators (NTLs) intended to provide clarification, 
description, or explanation of these regulations.
    Regulations at 30 CFR 250 implement these statutory requirements. 
We use the information submitted under Subpart I to determine the 
structural integrity of all offshore platforms and floating production 
facilities and to 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 fixed and floating 
platforms and structures are structurally sound and safe for their 
intended use to ensure safety of personnel and pollution prevention. 
More specifically, the information is used 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.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its 
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30 
CFR 250.197, Data and information to be made available to the public or 
for limited inspection. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. 
Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: On occasion, annual.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators, their certified 
verification agents (CVAs), and third-party reviewers.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 108,933 hours. 
The following chart details the individual components and respective 
hour burden estimates of this ICR. In calculating the burdens, we 
assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal 
course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary 
and took that into account in estimating the burden.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Hour burden
   Citation: 30 CFR 250 Subpart I and     Reporting and/or recordkeeping requirement ---------------------------
              related NTLs                                                               Non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       General Requirements for Platforms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b), (c), (e); 901(b); 905; 906;       Submit application, along with reports/     60.
 910(c), (d); 911(c), (g); 912; 913; 919.  surveys and relevant data, to install new  $21,075 PVP.
                                           platform or floating production facility   $3,018 fixed structure.
                                           or conversion of existing platform for     $1,536 caisson/well
                                           new purpose or significant changes to       protector.
                                           approved applications, including use of    $3,601 modifications.
                                           alternative codes, rules, or standards;
                                           CVA changes; pay.gov confirmation
                                           receipt; 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 BOEMRE and/or USCG. Re/Submit
                                           application for major modification(s)/
                                           repairs to any platform; pay.gov
                                           confirmation receipt; and related
                                           requirements.

[[Page 68816]]

 
900(b)(5)...............................  Submit application for conversion of the    24.
                                           use of an existing mobile offshore
                                           drilling unit.
900(c)..................................  Notify BOEMRE within 24 hours of damage     16.
                                           and emergency repairs and request
                                           approval of repairs.
900(e)..................................  Re/Submit platform installation date and    .5.
                                           the final as-built location to the
                                           Regional Supervisor within 45 days after
                                           platform installation.
901(a); NTLs............................  Submit CVA documentation under API RP 2RD,  100.
                                           API RP 2SK, and API RP 2SM.
901(a); NTLs............................  Submit hazards analysis documentation       600.
                                           under API RP 14J.
903*....................................  Record original and relevant material test  100.
                                           results of all primary structural
                                           materials; retain records during all
                                           stages of construction. Compile, retain,
                                           and provide location/make available to
                                           BOEMRE 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.
903(c); 905(k)..........................  Submit certification statement [a           0.
                                           certification statement is not considered
                                           information collection under 5 CFR
                                           1320.3(h)(1); the burden is for the
                                           insertion of the location of the records
                                           on the statement and the submittal to
                                           BOEMRE--this statement submitted with the
                                           application].
905(i)..................................  Provide a summary of safety factors         .25.
                                           utilized in the design of the platform.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Platform Verification Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
911(d); 916(c); 917(c); 918(c)..........  Submit complete schedule of all phases of   40.
                                           design, fabrication, and installation
                                           with required information; also submit
                                           Gantt Chart with required information.
911(e); 914.............................  Submit nomination; qualification statement  16.
                                           and required documentation for CVA.
912(a)..................................  Submit design verification plans with your  Burden covered under 1010-
                                           DPP or DOCD.                                0151.
916(c)..................................  Submit interim and final CVA reports and    200.
                                           recommendations on design phase.
917(a), (c).............................  Submit interim and final CVA reports and    100.
                                           recommendations on fabrication phase,
                                           including notices to BOEMRE and operator/
                                           lessee of fabrication procedure changes
                                           or design specification modifications.
918(c)..................................  Submit interim and final CVA reports and    60.
                                           recommendations on installation phase.
919(a)..................................  Develop in-service inspection plan and      50.
                                           keep on file.
919(a)..................................  Submit annual (November 1 of each year)     80.
                                           report on inspection of platforms or
                                           floating production facilities, including
                                           summary of testing results.
919(b) NTL..............................  After an environmental event, submit to     12 (initial)
                                           Regional Supervisor initial report         12 (update).
                                           followed by updates and supporting
                                           information.
919(c) NTL..............................  Submit results of inspections.............  120.
920(a)..................................  Demonstrate platform is able to withstand   20.
                                           environmental loadings for appropriate
                                           exposure category.
920(c)..................................  Submit application and obtain approval      40.
                                           from the Regional Supervisor for
                                           mitigation actions (includes operational
                                           procedures).
920(e)..................................  Submit a list of all platforms you          40.
                                           operate, and appropriate supporting data,
                                           every 5 years or as directed by the
                                           Regional Supervisor.
920(f)..................................  Obtain approval from the Regional           40.
                                           Supervisor for any change in the platform.
900 thru 921............................  General departure and alternative           10.
                                           compliance requests not specifically
                                           covered elsewhere in Subpart I
                                           regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified four non-hour paperwork cost burdens for this collection. 
These costs are submitted with specific applications under Sec.  
250.905(l) and are as follows: $21,075 for a platform verification 
program, $3,018 for a fixed structure, $1,536 for a Caisson/Well 
Protector, and $3,601 for a modification.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and 
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning each proposed collection of information * * *''. Agencies 
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to 
perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) 
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, 
usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) 
minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Agencies must also estimate the non-hour paperwork cost burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total 
capital and startup cost components or annual operation, maintenance, 
and purchase of service components. You should describe the methods you 
use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage 
facilities. You should

[[Page 68817]]

not include estimates for equipment or services purchased: (i) Before 
October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements not associated with 
the information collection; (iii) for reasons other than to provide 
information or keep records for the Government; or (iv) as part of 
customary and usual business or private practices.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public Comment Procedures: 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.
    BOEMRE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz 
(703) 787-1025.

    Dated: November 1, 2010.
Doug Slitor,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010-28278 Filed 11-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P