[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5561-5563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2363]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID No. BSEE-2011-0006; OMB Control Number 1014-NEW]


Information Collection Activities: Oil, Gas, and Sulphur 
Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf, Subpart A, General; 
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 60-day Notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), BSEE 
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 a revision to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under ``Oil, Gas, and Sulphur 
Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf,'' Subpart A, General.

DATES: Submit comments by April 3, 2012.

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 BSEE-2011-0006 then click 
search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view all 
related materials. We will post all comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement; Regulations Development Branch; Attention: Nicole Mason; 
381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please 
reference ICR 1014-NEW in your comment and include your name and return 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Mason, Regulations Development 
Branch at (703) 787-1605 to request additional information about this 
ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, Oil, Gas, and Sulphur Operations in the 
Outer Continental Shelf, Subpart A, General.
    Form(s): BSEE-0132, BSEE-0143, and BSEE-1832.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-NEW.
    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 necessary 
for the administration of the leasing provisions of the Act related to 
mineral resources on the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease, right-of-way, or a right-of-use 
and easement. 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 [O]uter 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 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 implementing policy, Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is required to charge fees for 
services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable 
non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public 
at large. A request for approval required in Subpart A is subject to 
cost recovery, and BSEE regulations specify a service fee for this 
request.
    This ICR covers 30 CFR 250, Subpart A, General. This request also 
covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that BSEE 
issues to clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of 
our regulations. To accommodate the split of regulations from the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement to BSEE, 
BSEE is requesting OMB approval of the already approved burden hours 
that were previously under 1010-0114 to reflect BSEE's new 1014 
numbering system.
    Frequency: On occasion; monthly, or varies by section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We estimate that 
the reporting burden for this collection will be approximately 50,859 
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.

[[Page 5562]]



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                                                                                                Hour burden
    Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart A and         Reporting or recordkeeping requirement     -----------------------
           related forms/NTLs                                                              Non-hour cost burden
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                                        Authority and Definition of Terms
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104; Form BSEE-1832.....................  Appeal orders or decisions; appeal INCs         0
                                           [exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c)].
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                                              Performance Standards
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109(a); 110.............................  Submit welding, burning, and hot tapping plans  2
118; 121; 124...........................  Apply for injection of gas; use BSEE-approved   10
                                           formula to determine original gas from
                                           injected/stored.
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                                               Cost Recovery Fees
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125; 126................................  Cost Recovery Fees; confirmation receipt etc;   0
                                           verbal approvals pertaining to fees [cost
                                           recovery fees and related items are covered
                                           individually throughout this subpart].
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                                                      Forms
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130-133.................................  Submit ``green'' response copy of Form BSEE-    2
                                           1832 indicating date violations (INCs)
                                           corrected.
145.....................................  Submit designation of agent and local agent     1
                                           for Regional Supervisor's and/or Regional
                                           Director's approval.
186(a)(3); NTL..........................  Apply to receive administrative entitlements    0
                                           to eWell (electronic/digital form submittals)
                                           [not considered information collection under
                                           5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)].
192.....................................  Daily report of evacuation statistics for       1.5
                                           natural occurrence/hurricane (GOMR Form BSEE-
                                           0132 (form takes 1 hour)) when circumstances
                                           warrant; inform BSEE when you resume
                                           production.
192(b)..................................  Use Form BSEE-0143 to submit an initial damage  3
                                           report to the Regional Supervisor.
192(b)..................................  Use Form BSEE-0143 to submit subsequent damage  1
                                           reports on a monthly basis until damaged
                                           structure or equipment is returned to
                                           service; immediately when information
                                           changes; date item returned to service must
                                           be in final report.
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                                            Inspection of Operations
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130-133.................................  Request reconsideration from issuance of an     2
                                           INC.
                                          Request waiver of 14-day response time........  1
                                          Notify BSEE before returning to operations if   1
                                           shut-in.
133.....................................  Request reimbursement for food, quarters, and   1.5
                                           transportation provided to BSEE
                                           representatives (no requests received in many
                                           years; minimal burden).
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                                                Disqualification
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135 BSEE internal process...............  Submit PIP under BSEE implementing procedures   40
                                           for enforcement actions.
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                                            Special Types of Approval
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140.....................................  Request various oral approvals not              1
                                           specifically covered elsewhere in regulatory
                                           requirements.
140(c)..................................  Submit letter when stopping approved flaring    0
                                           with required information.
141; 198................................  Request approval to use new or alternative      20
                                           procedures, along with supporting
                                           documentation if applicable, including BAST
                                           not specifically covered elsewhere in
                                           regulatory requirements.
142; 198................................  Request approval of departure from operating    2.5
                                           requirements not specifically covered
                                           elsewhere in regulatory requirements, along
                                           with supporting documentation if applicable.
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                      Naming and Identifying Facilities and Wells (Does Not Include MODUs)
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150; 151; 152; 154(a)...................  Name and identify facilities, artificial        3
                                           islands, MODUs, helo landing facilities etc.,
                                           with signs.
150; 154(b).............................  Name and identify wells with signs............  2
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                                                   Suspensions
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168; 170; 171; 172; 174; 175; 177;        Request suspension of operation or production;  10
 180(b), (d).                              submit schedule of work leading to             $1,968 fee
                                           commencement; supporting information; include
                                           pay.gov confirmation receipt.
                                          Submit progress reports on SOO or SOP as        3
                                           condition of approval.
172(b); 177(a)..........................  Conduct site-specific study; submit results;    100
                                           request payment by another party. No
                                           instances requiring this study in several
                                           years--could be necessary if a situation
                                           occurred such as severe damage to a platform
                                           or structure caused by a hurricane or a
                                           vessel collision.
177(b), (c), (d)........................  Various references to submitting new, revised,  0
                                           or modified exploration plan, development/
                                           production plan, or development operations
                                           coordination document [burden covered under
                                           BOEM's 30 CFR 550, subpart B, 1010-0151].
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                   Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
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180(a), (h), (i),.......................  Notify and submit report on various             2
                                           leaseholding operations and lease production
                                           activities.

[[Page 5563]]

 
180(f), (g), (h), (i)...................  Submit various operations and production data   2
                                           to demonstrate production in paying            0.5
                                           quantities to maintain lease beyond primary
                                           term; notify BSEE when you begin conducting
                                           operations beyond its primary term.
180(e), (j).............................  Request more than 180 days to resume            4
                                           operations; notify BSEE if operations do not   0.5
                                           begin within 180 days.
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                                     Information and Reporting Requirements
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186; NTL................................  Submit information and reports as BSEE          10
                                           requires.
187; 188(a-b); 189; 190(a-c); 192; NTL..  Report to the District Manager immediately via  Oral 0.5
                                           oral communication and written follow-up       ......................
                                           within 15 calendar days, incidents pertaining  Written 2.5
                                           to: fatalities; injuries; LoWC; fires;
                                           explosions; all collisions resulting in
                                           property or equipment damage >$25K;
                                           structural damage to an OCS facility; cranes;
                                           incidents that damage or disable safety
                                           systems or equipment (including firefighting
                                           systems); include hurricane reports such as
                                           platform/rig evacuation, rig damage, P/L
                                           damage, and platform damage; operations
                                           personnel to muster for evacuation not
                                           related to weather or drills; any additional
                                           information required. If requested, submit
                                           copy marked as public information.
187(d)..................................  Report all spills of oil or other liquid        0
                                           pollutants [burden covered under 30 CFR 254,
                                           1014-0007].
188(a)(5)...............................  Report to District Manager hydrogen sulfide     0
                                           (H2S) gas releases immediately by oral
                                           communication [burden covered under 30 CFR
                                           250, subpart D, 1014-0018].
191.....................................  Submit written statement/Request compensation   0
                                           mileage and services for testimony re:
                                           accident investigation [exempt under 5 CFR
                                           1320.4(a)(2), (c)].
193.....................................  Report apparent violations or non-compliance..  1.5
194(c)..................................  Report archaeological discoveries.............  2
195.....................................  Notify District Manager within 5 workdays of    1
                                           putting well in production status (usually
                                           oral). Follow-up with either fax/email within
                                           same 5 day period (burden includes oral and
                                           written).
196.....................................  Submit data/information for post-lease G&G      0
                                           activity and request reimbursement [burden
                                           covered under BOEM's 30 CFR 551, 1010-0048].
197(c)..................................  Submit confidentiality agreement..............  1
101-199.................................  General departure or alternative compliance     2
                                           requests not specifically covered elsewhere
                                           in Subpart A.
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                                                  Recordkeeping
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108(e)..................................  Retain records of design and construction for   1.5
                                           life of crane, including installation records
                                           for any anti-two block safety devices; all
                                           inspection, testing, and maintenance for at
                                           least 4 years; crane operator and all rigger
                                           personnel qualifications for at least 4 years.
109(b); 113(c)..........................  Retain welding plan and drawings of safe-       1
                                           welding areas at site; designated person
                                           advises in writing that it is safe to weld.
132(b)(3)...............................  During inspections make records available as    2
                                           requested by inspectors.
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    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified one non-hour cost burden. Section 250.171 requests a cost 
recovery fee for either a Suspension of Operations or Production 
Request (SOO/SOP) for $1,968 per request. We estimate a total reporting 
non-hour cost burden of $3,268,848. We have not identified any other 
non-hour paperwork cost burdens associated with this collection.
    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 
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy 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 
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 other than hour burden 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. For further 
information on this burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(1) and (2), or 
contact the Bureau representative listed previously in this notice.
    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, 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.

    Dated: January 19, 2012.
Douglas W. Morris,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-2363 Filed 2-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P