[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14980-14984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6411]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

[Docket ID No. BOEM-2011-0009]


BOEMRE Information Collection Activity: 1010-0185, Increased 
Safety Measures for Oil and Gas Drilling, Well-Completion, and Well-
Workover Operations, Renewal 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 (1010-0185).

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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, ``Increased Safety 
Measures for Oil and Gas Drilling, Well-Completion, and Well-Workover 
Operations,'' and related documents. This notice also provides the 
public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these 
regulatory requirements.

DATES: Submit written comments by April 18, 2011.

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 (1010-0185). 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 BOEM-

[[Page 14981]]

2011-0009 then click search. Follow the instructions to submit public 
comments 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: 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 1010-0185 in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. To see a copy of the entire ICR 
submitted to OMB, go to http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information 
Collection Review, Currently Under Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Increased Safety Measures for Oil and Gas 
Drilling, Well-Completion, and Well-Workover Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0185.
    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 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, 
or 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 1332(6) states that ``operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well trained 
personnel using technology, precautions, and other techniques 
sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of 
well control, fires, spillages, physical obstructions to other users of 
the waters or subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause 
damage to the environment or to property or endanger life or health.''
    The interim rule (75 FR 63346), effective October 14, 2010, 
implemented certain safety measures outlined in the Secretary of the 
Interior's report entitled, ``Increased Safety Measures for Energy 
Development on the Outer Continental Shelf'' (Safety Measures Report), 
dated May 27, 2010. The President requested that the Department of the 
Interior develop this report as a result of the Deepwater Horizon 
incident on April 20, 2010. On June 2, 2010, the Secretary of the 
Interior directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement (BOEMRE) to adopt the recommendations contained in the 
Safety Measures Report and to implement them as soon as possible.
    This information collection (IC) request concerns the regulations 
that amend certain drilling requirements. This includes requirements 
related to subsea and surface blowout preventers (BOPs), well casing 
and cementing, secondary intervention, unplanned disconnects, record 
keeping, well completion, and well plugging. It also covers the related 
Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that the BOEMRE issues to 
clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of the 
regulations.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under multiple 
subparts in 30 CFR part 250. Responses are mandatory and are submitted 
on occasion. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BOEMRE 
protects information considered proprietary according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
part 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.''
    BOEMRE collects the information to address various recommendations 
from the Secretary's report that were incorporated into the 
regulations. These regulatory requirements: ensure sufficient 
redundancy in the BOPs; promote the integrity of the well and enhance 
well control; and facilitate a culture of safety through operational 
and personnel management. They also improve the safety of offshore oil 
and gas drilling operations in Federal waters and promote human safety 
and environmental protection while requiring OCS lessees and operators 
to follow best industry practices for well control. This collection 
references Applications for Permit to Drill and Modify (Forms MMS-123 
and MMS-124) but does not change the forms.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 44,731 
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 & recordkeeping                                     Average No. of  annual
       Citation 30 CFR 250                requirement                  Hour burden                     responses                 Annual burden hours
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                                                                        Subpart D
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408; 409; 410-418; 420(a)(6);      Apply for permit to drill/ 6............................  700..........................  4,200
 423(b)(3), (c)(1); 449(j),         revised APD that
 (k)(1); plus various references    includes any/all
 in subparts A, B, D, E, H, P, Q.   supporting documentation/
                                    evidence [test results,
                                    calculations,
                                    verifications,
                                    procedures, criteria,
                                    qualifications, etc.]
                                    and requests for various
                                    approvals required in
                                    subpart D (including
                                    Sec.  Sec.   250.423,
                                    424, 427, 432, 442(c),
                                    447, 448(c), 449(j),
                                    (k), 451(g), 456(a)(3),
                                    (f), 460, 490(c)(1),
                                    (2)) and submitted via
                                    Application for Permit
                                    to Drill.
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416(g)(2)........................  Provide 24 hour advance    10 mins......................  6 notifications..............  1
                                    notice of location of
                                    shearing ram tests or
                                    inspections; allow
                                    BOEMRE access to witness
                                    testing, inspections and
                                    information verification.
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[[Page 14982]]

 
420(b)(3)........................  Submit dual mechanical     30 mins......................  700 submittals...............  350
                                    barrier documentation
                                    after installation.
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423(a)...........................  Request approval of other  Burden covered under 1010-0141                                0
                                    pressure casing test
                                    pressures per District
                                    Manager.
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423(b)(4), (c)(2)................  Perform pressure casing    30 mins......................  700 drilling ops x 5 tests     1,750
                                    test; document results                                    per ops = 3,500 tests.
                                    and make available to
                                    BOEMRE upon request.
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442(c)...........................  Request alternative        Burden covered under 1010-     .............................  0
                                    method for the             0141.
                                    accumulator system.
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442(h)...........................  Label all functions on     30 mins......................  30 panels....................  15
                                    all panels;.
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442(i)...........................  Develop written            4............................  30 procedures................  120
                                    procedures for
                                    management system for
                                    operating the BOP stack
                                    and LMRP.
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442(j)...........................  Establish minimum          Burden covered under 1010-0128                                0
                                    requirements for
                                    authorized personnel to
                                    operate critical BOP
                                    equipment; require
                                    training.
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446(a)...........................  Document BOP maintenance   1............................  105 rigs.....................  105
                                    and inspection
                                    procedures used; record
                                    results of BOP
                                    inspections and
                                    maintenance actions;
                                    maintain records for 2
                                    years; make available to
                                    BOEMRE upon request.
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449; 450; 467....................  Function test annular and  Burden covered under 1010-0141                                0
                                    rams; document results
                                    every 7 days between BOP
                                    tests (biweekly). Note:
                                    part of BOP test.
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449(j)(2)........................  Test all ROV intervention  10...........................  110 wells....................  1,100
                                    functions on your subsea
                                    BOP stack; document all
                                    test results; make
                                    available to BOEMRE upon
                                    request.
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449(k)(2)........................  Function test autoshear    30 mins......................  110 wells....................  55
                                    and deadman on your
                                    subsea BOP stack during
                                    stump test; document all
                                    test results; make
                                    available to BOEMRE upon
                                    request.
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456(i)...........................  Record results of          Burden covered under 1010-0141                                0
                                    drilling fluid tests in
                                    drilling report.
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456(j)...........................  Submit detailed step by    2............................  110 wells....................  220
                                    step procedures
                                    describing displacement
                                    of fluids with your APD/
                                    APM [this submittal
                                    obtains District Manager
                                    approval].
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460; 465; 449(j), (k)(1);          Submit revised plans,      4............................  4,057........................  16,228
 516(d)(8), (d)(9); 616(h)(1),      changes, well/drilling
 (2); plus various references in    records, procedures,
 subparts A, D, E, F, H, P, and Q.  certifications that
                                    include any/all
                                    supporting documentation
                                    etc., submitted via
                                    Application for Permit
                                    to Modify.
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  .........................  .............................  9,458 responses..............  24,144 hours
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                                                                        Subpart E
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516(d)(8)........................  Submit test procedures     Burden covered under 1010-0141                                0
                                    with your APM for
                                    approval.
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516(d)(8)........................  Function test ROV          10...........................  110 wells....................  1,100
                                    interventions on your
                                    subsea BOP stack;
                                    document all test
                                    results; make available
                                    to BOEMRE upon request.
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516(d)(9)........................  Function test autoshear    30 mins......................  1,048 completions............  524
                                    and deadman on your
                                    subsea BOP stack during
                                    stump test; document all
                                    test results; make
                                    available to BOEMRE upon
                                    request.
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[[Page 14983]]

 
516(g)(l)........................  Document the procedures    7 days x 12 hrs/day = 84.....  105 rigs/once every 3 years =  2,940
                                    used for BOP                                              35 per year.
                                    inspections; record
                                    results; maintain
                                    records for 2 years;
                                    make available to BOEMRE
                                    upon request.
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516(g)(2)........................  Request alternative        Burden covered under 1010-0067                                0
                                    method to inspect a
                                    marine riser.
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516(h)...........................  Document the procedures    1............................  105 rigs.....................  105
                                    used for BOP
                                    maintenance; record
                                    results; maintain
                                    records for 2 years;
                                    make available to BOEMRE
                                    upon request.
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  .........................  .............................  1,298 responses..............  4,669 hours
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                                                                        Subpart F
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
616(h)(l)........................  Test all ROV intervention  10 hours.....................  1,226 workovers..............  12,260
                                    functions on your subsea
                                    BOP stack; document all
                                    test results; make
                                    available to BOEMRE upon
                                    request.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
616(h)(2)........................  Function test autoshear    30 mins......................  1,226 workovers..............  613
                                    and deadman on your
                                    subsea BOP stack during
                                    stump test; document all
                                    test results; make
                                    available to BOEMRE upon
                                    request.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
617(a)(l)........................  Document the procedures    7 days x 12 hrs/day = 84.....  105 rigs/once every 3 years =  2,940
                                    used for BOP                                              35 per year.
                                    inspections; record
                                    results; maintain
                                    records for 2 years;
                                    make available to BOEMRE
                                    upon request.
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617(a)(2)........................  Request approval to use    Burden covered under 1010-0067                                0
                                    alternative method to
                                    inspect a marine riser..
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617(b)...........................  Document the procedures    1............................  105 rigs.....................  105
                                    used for BOP
                                    maintenance; record
                                    results; maintain
                                    records for 2 years;
                                    make available to BOEMRE
                                    upon request.
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  .........................  .............................  2,592 responses..............  15,918 hours
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                                                                        Subpart Q
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1712(f), (g); 1721(h)............  Submit with your APM,      Burden covered under 1010-0141                                0
                                    archaeological and
                                    sensitive biological
                                    features; professional
                                    engineer certification.
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1721(e)..........................  Identify and report        USCG requirements                                             0
                                    subsea wellheads, casing
                                    stubs, or other
                                    obstructions.
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total....................  .........................  .............................  13,348 Responses.............  44,731 Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 October 14, 
2010, we published a Federal Register notice (75 FR 63346) associated 
with the IFR 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 received multiple 
comments in response to the IFR; however, BOEMRE is

[[Page 14984]]

extending the comment period and will continue to accept comments on 
the IFR and this information collection. Therefore, all comments 
received to date, and those that may be received during the extended 
comment period, will be considered, addressed, and consolidated in the 
final rulemaking, and we will revise this collection of information 
accordingly.
    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 
April 18, 2011.
    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.
    BOEMRE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz 
(703) 787-1025.

    Dated: March 3, 2011.
Doug Slitor,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-6411 Filed 3-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P