[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29772-29774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12050]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2013-0001; OMB Control Number 1014-0010; 134E1700D2 
EEEE500000 ET1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Decommissioning Activities, 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (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 renewal to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart Q, 
Decommissioning Activities.

DATES: You must submit comments by July 22, 2013.

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-2013-0001 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; BSEE; Regulations and Standards 
Branch; Attention: Nicole Mason; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, 
Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference ICR 1014-0010 in your comment and 
include your name and return address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0010.
    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 that Act related to 
mineral resources on the OCS.
    In addition to the general authority of OCSLA, section 301(a) of 
the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 
1751(a), grants authority to the Secretary to prescribe such rules and 
regulations as are reasonably necessary to carry out FOGRMA's 
provisions. While the majority of FOGRMA is directed to royalty 
collection and enforcement, some provisions apply to offshore 
operations. For example, section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 
1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose substantial civil penalties for failure 
to permit lawful inspections and for knowing or willful preparation or 
submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or 
other information. The Secretary has delegated some of the authority 
under FOGRMA to BSEE.
    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. Applications for 
permits to drill and modification approvals are subject to cost 
recovery, and BSEE regulations specify service fees for these requests.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated BSEE. 
The regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart Q, concern decommissioning of 
platforms, wells, and pipelines, as well as site clearance and platform 
removal and are the subject of this collection. This request also 
covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that BSEE 
issues to clarify, supplement, or provide additional guidance on some 
aspects of our regulations.
    Regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, implement these statutory 
requirements. We use the information for the following reasons:
     To determine the necessity for allowing a well to be 
temporarily abandoned, the lessee/operator must demonstrate that there 
is a reason for not permanently abandoning the well, and the temporary 
abandonment will not constitute a significant threat to fishing, 
navigation, or other uses of the seabed. We use the information and 
documentation to verify that the lessee is diligently pursuing the 
final disposition of the well, and the lessee has performed the 
temporary plugging of the wellbore.
     The information submitted in initial decommissioning plans 
in the Alaska and Pacific OCS Regions will permit BSEE to become 
involved on the ground floor planning of platform removals anticipated 
to occur in these OCS regions.
     Site clearance and platform or pipeline removal 
information ensures that all objects (wellheads, platforms, etc.) 
installed on the OCS are properly removed using procedures that will 
protect marine life and the environment during removal operations, and 
the site cleared so as not to conflict with or harm other uses of the 
OCS.
     Decommissioning a pipeline in place is needed to ensure 
that it will not constitute a hazard to navigation and commercial 
fishing operations, unduly interfere with other uses of the OCS, or 
have adverse environmental effects.
     The information is necessary to verify that 
decommissioning activities comply with approved applications and 
procedures and are satisfactorily completed.
    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.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 19,613 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 29773]]



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      Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart Q                  Reporting requirement                    Hour burden
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                                                     General
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1700 thru 1754..........................  General departure and alternative           3.
                                           compliance requests not specifically
                                           covered elsewhere in subpart Q
                                           regulations.
1703; 1704..............................  Request approval for decommissioning......  Burden included below.
1704(g); 1707(d); 1712; 1715; 1716;       Submit form BSEE-0124 to plug wells;        Burden covered under 1014-
 1717; 1721(a), (d), (f), (g); 1722(a),    provide subsequent report; request          0018.
 (b), (d); 1723(b); 1743(a).               alternate depth departure; request
                                           procedure to protect obstructions above
                                           seafloor; report within 30 days, results
                                           of trawling; certify area cleared of
                                           obstructions; remove casing stub or mud
                                           line suspension equipment and subsea
                                           protective covering; other departures;
                                           and all supporting or additional
                                           information required.
1705....................................  Submit a description of your Blowout        15.
                                           Preventer (BOP) and its components;
                                           schematic drawings; independent third
                                           party verification and all supporting
                                           information (evidence showing appropriate
                                           licenses, has expertise/experience
                                           necessary to perform required
                                           verifications, etc.) with your
                                           Application for Permit to Modify (APM).
1705(e)(2)(ii)..........................  Allow BSEE access to witness testing,       0.25.
                                           inspections, and information
                                           verification. Notify District Manager at
                                           least 72 hours prior to shearing ram
                                           tests.
1706(a).................................  Request approval of well abandonment        0.25.
                                           operations; procedures indicating how the
                                           annular preventer will be utilized and
                                           how pressure limitations will be applied
                                           during each mode of pressure control,
                                           with your APM.
1706(f)(4)..............................  Request approval of the District Manager    1.
                                           to conduct operations without downhole
                                           check values; describe procedures/
                                           equipment in APM.
1707(a)(2)..............................  Request approval from District Manager to   0.25.
                                           test all BOP system components to rated
                                           working pressure; annular BOP less than
                                           70 percent rated working pressure.
1707(b)(2)..............................  State reason for postponing test in         0.25.
                                           operations logs.
1707(b)(2)..............................  Request approval from District Manager for  0.25.
                                           alternate test frequencies if condition/
                                           BOP warrant.
1707(f).................................  Request alternative method to record test   0.25.
                                           pressures.
1707(f).................................  Record test pressures during BOP and        1.
                                           coiled tubing on a pressure chart or w/
                                           digital recorder; certify charts are
                                           correct.
1707(g).................................  Record or reference in operations log all   0.5.
                                           pertinent information listed in this
                                           requirement; make all documents
                                           pertaining to BOP tests, actuations and
                                           inspections available for BSEE review at
                                           facility for duration of well abandonment
                                           activity; retain all records for 2 years
                                           at a location conveniently available for
                                           the District Manager.
1707(h)(1)..............................  Submit test procedures with your APM for    1.
                                           District Manager approval.
1707(h)(1)(ii)..........................  Document all ROV intervention test          0.5.
                                           results; make available to BSEE upon
                                           request.
1707(h)(2)(ii)..........................  Document all autoshear and deadman          0.25.
                                           function test results; make available to
                                           BSEE upon request.
1708(a), (b)............................  Document BOP inspection and maintenance     1.
                                           procedures used; record results of BOP
                                           inspections and maintenance actions;
                                           maintain records for 2 years or longer if
                                           directed by BSEE; make available to BSEE
                                           upon request.
1708(a).................................  Request alternative method to inspect       0.25.
                                           marine risers.
1709....................................  Request approval from the District Manager  2.
                                           to displace kill-weight fluids in an
                                           unbalanced state; submit detailed written
                                           procedures with your APM.
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                                           Permanently Plugging Wells
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1711....................................  Required data if permanently plugging a     0.
                                           well. Requirement not considered
                                           Information Collection under 5 CFR
                                           1320.3(h)(9).
1712(f), (g); 1721(h)...................  Submit with your APM, archaeological and    Burden covered under 1014-
                                           sensitive biological features;              0018.
                                           professional engineer certification.
1712(g); 1721(h)........................  Submit evidence from the Registered         1.
                                           Professional Engineer/firm of the well
                                           abandonment design and procedures; plugs
                                           in the annuli meet requirements of Sec.
                                           250.1715; 2 independent barriers etc; has
                                           the expertise and experience necessary to
                                           perform the verification(s), submit with
                                           the APM.
1713....................................  Notify BSEE 48 hours before beginning       0.5.
                                           operations to permanently plug a well.
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                                            Temporary Abandoned Wells
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1721(e); 1722(e), (h)(1); 1741(c).......  Identify and report subsea wellheads,       U.S. Coast Guard
                                           casing stubs, or other obstructions; mark   requirements.
                                           wells protected by a dome; mark location
                                           to be cleared as navigation hazard.
1722(c), (g)(2).........................  Notify BSEE within 5 days if trawl does     1.
                                           not pass over protective device or causes
                                           damages to it; or if inspection reveals
                                           casing stub or mud line suspension is no
                                           longer protected.
1722(f), (g)(3).........................  Submit annual report on plans for re-entry  2.5.
                                           to complete or permanently abandon the
                                           well and inspection report.
1722(h).................................  Request waiver of trawling test...........  2.
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                                     Removing Platforms and Other Facilities
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1726; 1704(a)...........................  Submit initial decommissioning application  20.
                                           in the Pacific and Alaska OCS Regions..

[[Page 29774]]

 
1725; 1727; 1728; 1730; 1704(b).........  Submit final application and appropriate    22.
                                           data to remove platform or other subsea
                                           facility structures (including alternate
                                           depth departure) or approval to maintain,
                                           to conduct other operations, or to
                                           convert to artificial reef.
                                          ..........................................  $4,342 fee.
1725(e).................................  Notify BSEE 48 hours before beginning       0.5.
                                           removal of platform and other facilities.
1729; 1704(c)...........................  Submit post platform or other facility      9.
                                           removal report; supporting documentation;
                                           signed statements, etc.
1731(c).................................  Request deferral of facility removal        1.
                                           subject to RUE issued under 30 CFR 556.
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                            Site Clearance for Wells, Platforms, and Other Facilities
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1740; 1741(g)...........................  Request approval to use alternative         15.
                                           methods of well site, platform, or other
                                           facility clearance; contact pipeline
                                           owner/operator before trawling to
                                           determine its condition.
1743(b); 1704(f)........................  Verify permanently plugged well, platform,  5.
                                           or other facility removal site cleared of
                                           obstructions; supporting documentation;
                                           and submit certification letter.
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                                            Pipeline Decommissioning
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1750; 1751; 1752; 1754; 1704(d).........  Submit application to decommission          10.
                                           pipeline in place or remove pipeline
                                           (Lease Term (L/T) or Right-of-Way (ROW)).
                                          ..........................................  $1,059 L/T decommission
                                                                                       fee.
                                          ..........................................  $2,012 ROW decommission
                                                                                       fee.
1753; 1704(e)...........................  Submit post pipeline decommissioning        3.
                                           report.
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    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified three non-hour paperwork cost burdens for this collection. 
Respondents pay cost recovery fees when removing a platform or other 
facility under Sec.  250.1727 for $4,342, or for decommissioning a 
pipeline under Sec.  250.1751(a)--L/T for $1,059 or a ROW for $2,012. 
The fees are required to recover the Federal Government's processing 
costs, and we have not identified any others. We estimate a total 
reporting non-hour cost burden of $1,677,782 for 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.
    BSEE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Cheryl Blundon (703) 
787-1607.

    Dated: May 14, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-12050 Filed 5-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310&ndashVH-P