[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58549-58553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23149]


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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; 
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 30-day Notice.

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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 Subpart Q, Decommissioning 
Activities. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity 
to comment on the revised paperwork burden of these regulatory 
requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by October 24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email 
([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department 
of the Interior (1014-0010). Please provide a copy of your comments to 
BSEE by any of the means below.
     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, 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]:[email protected], 
fax (703) 787-1546, or mail or hand-carry comments to: Department of 
the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; 
Regulations and Standards Branch; Attention: Nicole Mason; 381 Elden 
Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 1014-
0010 in your comment and include your name and return address.

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

[[Page 58550]]

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.''
    In addition to the general rulemaking authority of the OCSLA at 43 
U.S.C. 1334, 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 108 of 
FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect 
lease sites for the purpose of determining whether there is compliance 
with the mineral leasing laws. 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. Because the Secretary has delegated some of the 
authority under FOGRMA to BSEE, 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as 
additional authority for these requirements.
    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. Respondents pay 
cost recovery fees when removing a platform or other facility, or for 
decommissioning a pipeline least term or a right-of-way.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to the 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (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, varies by section, and annual.
    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 29,437 
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.

                                                Burden Breakdown
                             [L/T = Lease Term Burden Breakdown ROW = Right of Way]
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                                                                              Non-Hour Cost Burdens
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
   Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart Q       Reporting requirement                                       Annual burden
                                                                   Hour        Average No. of          hours
                                                                  burden     annual  responses       (Rounded)
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                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1700 thru 1754....................  General departure and               4  175 requests.........             700
                                     alternative compliance
                                     requests not specifically
                                     covered elsewhere in
                                     Subpart Q regulations.
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1703; 1704........................  Request approval for             Burden included below.                    0
                                     decommissioning.
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[[Page 58551]]

 
1704(g); 1707(d); 1712; 1715;       Submit form BSEE-0124 to          Burden covered under                     0
 1716; 1717; 1721(a), (d), (f),      plug wells; provide                 1014[dash]00181
 (g); 1722(a), (b), (d); 1723(b);    subsequent report;
 1743(a).                            request 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.
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1705..............................  Submit a description of            29  250 submittals.......           7,250
                                     your 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 APM.
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1705(e)(2)(ii)....................  Allow BSEE access to              0.5  10 submittals........               5
                                     witness testing,
                                     inspections, and
                                     information verification.
                                     Notify District Manager
                                     at least 72 hours prior
                                     to shearing ram tests.
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1706(a)...........................  Request approval of well          0.5  250 requests.........             125
                                     abandonment 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.
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1706(f)(4)........................  Request approval of the             1  20 requests..........              20
                                     District Manager to
                                     conduct operations
                                     without downhole check
                                     values; describe
                                     procedures/equipment in
                                     APM.
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1707(a)(2)........................  Request approval from             0.5  10 requests..........               5
                                     District Manager to test
                                     all BOP system components
                                     to rated working
                                     pressure; annular BOP
                                     less than 70 percent
                                     rated working pressure.
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1707(b)(2)........................  State reason for                  0.5  30 responses.........              15
                                     postponing test in
                                     operations logs.
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1707(b)(2)........................  Request approval from            0.75  10 requests..........               8
                                     District Manager for
                                     alternate test
                                     frequencies if condition/
                                     BOP warrant.
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1707(f)...........................  Request alternative method        0.5  20 requests..........              10
                                     to record test pressures.
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1707(f)...........................  Record test pressures               1  250 records/                      250
                                     during BOP and coiled                  certifications.
                                     tubing on a pressure
                                     chart or w/digital
                                     recorder; certify charts
                                     are correct.
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1707(g)...........................  Record or reference in              1  250 records..........             250
                                     operations log all
                                     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.
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1707(h)(1)........................  Submit test procedures              1  75 submittals........              75
                                     with your APM for
                                     District Manager approval.
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1707(h)(1)(ii)....................  Document all ROV                  0.5  75 records...........              38
                                     intervention test
                                     results; make available
                                     to BSEE upon request.
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1707(h)(2)(ii)....................  Document all autoshear and        0.5  75 records...........              38
                                     deadman function test
                                     results; make available
                                     to BSEE upon request.
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1708(a), (b)......................  Document BOP inspection             1  75 records...........              75
                                     and maintenance
                                     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.
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1708(a)...........................  Request alternative method        0.5  5 requests...........               3
                                     to inspect marine risers.
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[[Page 58552]]

 
1709..............................  Request approval from the         2.5  40 requests..........             100
                                     District Manager to
                                     displace kill-weight
                                     fluids in an unbalanced
                                     state; submit detailed
                                     written procedures with
                                     your APM.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  1,620 responses......     8,967 hours
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                                           Permanently Plugging Wells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1711..............................  Required data if               Requirement not considered                  0
                                     permanently plugging a      Information Collection under 5
                                     well.                              CFR 1320.3(h)(9).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1712; 1721(h).....................  Submit with your APM all     Burden covered under 1014-0018                0
                                     documentation for this
                                     requirement; professional
                                     engineer certification.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1712(g); 1721(h)..................  Submit evidence from the          1.5  250..................             375
                                     Registered 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.
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1713..............................  Notify BSEE 48 hours              0.5  700 notices..........             350
                                     before beginning
                                     operations to permanently
                                     plug a well.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  950 responses........       725 hours
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                                            Temporary Abandoned Wells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1721(e); 1722(e), (h)(1); 1741(c).  Identify and report subsea   U.S. Coast Guard requirements.                0
                                     wellheads, casing stubs,
                                     or other obstructions;
                                     mark wells protected by a
                                     dome; mark location to be
                                     cleared as navigation
                                     hazard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1722(c), (g)(2)...................  Notify BSEE within 5 days           1  10 notices...........              10
                                     if trawl does 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           2.5  95 reports...........             238
                                     plans for re-entry to
                                     complete or permanently
                                     abandon the well and
                                     inspection report.
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1722(h)...........................  Request waiver of trawling        1.5  5 requests...........               8
                                     test.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  110 responses........       256 hours
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                                     Removing Platforms and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1726; 1704(a).....................  Submit initial                     20  2 applications.......              40
                                     decommissioning
                                     application in the
                                     Pacific and Alaska OCS
                                     Regions.
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1725; 1727; 1728; 1730; 1704(b)...  Submit final application           28  327 applications.....           9,156
                                     and appropriate 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 x 327 = $1,419,834*
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1725(e)...........................  Notify BSEE 48 hours              0.5  277 notices..........             139
                                     before beginning removal
                                     of platform and other
                                     facilities.
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1729; 1704(c).....................  Submit post platform or           9.5  277 reports..........           2,632
                                     other facility removal
                                     report; supporting
                                     documentation; signed
                                     statements, etc.
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1731(c)...........................  Request deferral of              1.75  50 request...........              88
                                     facility removal subject
                                     to RUE issued under 30
                                     CFR 556.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  933 responses........    12,055 hours
                                   ----------------------------------------

[[Page 58553]]

 
                                       $1,419,834 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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                            Site Clearance for Wells, Platforms, and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1740; 1741(g).....................  Request approval to use         12.75  75 requests/contact..             956
                                     alternative methods of
                                     well site, platform, or
                                     other facility clearance;
                                     contact pipeline owner/
                                     operator before trawling
                                     to determine its
                                     condition.
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1743(b); 1704(f)..................  Verify permanently plugged          5  299 verifications....           1,495
                                     well, platform, or other
                                     facility removal site
                                     cleared of obstructions;
                                     supporting documentation;
                                     and submit certification
                                     letter.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  374 responses........     2,451 hours
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                                            Pipeline Decommissioning
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1750; 1751; 1752; 1754; 1704(d)...  Submit application to            7.75  530 applications.....           4,108
                                     decommission pipeline in
                                     place or remove pipeline
                                     (L/T or ROW).
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $1,059 L/T decommission fee x 350 = $370,650*
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $2,012 ROW decommission fee x 180 = $362,160*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1753; 1704(e).....................  Submit post pipeline              2.5  350 reports..........             875
                                     decommissioning report.
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    Subtotal.............................................................  880 responses........     4,983 hours
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $732,810 non-hour cost burdens
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    Total Burden.........................................................  4,867 Responses......    29,437 hours
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       $2,152,644 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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* Cost recovery monies collected are based on actual submittals through Pay.gov for FY 2012.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified three non-hour paperwork cost burdens for this collection. 
We estimate a total reporting non-hour cost burden of $2,152,644 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. We have not identified any other non-
hour cost burdens.
    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 
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.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on May 21, 2013, we 
published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 29772) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides the 
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR 250 regulations. The 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 have 
received one comment in response to these efforts, but it was not 
germane to the paperwork burden associated with this information 
collection.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    BSSE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Cheryl Blundon (703) 
787-1607.

    Dated: August 26, 2013.m
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-23149 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P