[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64237-64241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25322]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Number 1010-0114]


Information Collection: General and Oil and Gas Production 
Requirements in the Outer Continental Shelf; Submitted for OMB Review; 
Comment Request

ACTION: 30-Day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    MMAA104000
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is notifying the public that 
we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR 
pertains to the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 
Part 550, Subparts A and K, General and Oil and Gas Production 
Requirements. This notice provides the public a second opportunity to 
comment on the paperwork burden of this collection.

DATE: Submit written comments by November 27, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or 
[email protected] (email). Please provide a copy of your 
comments to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Arlene 
Bajusz, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden Street, HM-3127, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170 (mail) or [email protected] (email). 
Please reference ICR 1010-0114 in your comment and include your name 
and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at [email protected] (email) or (703) 
787-1025 (phone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    Title: 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil and 
Gas Production Requirements.
    Forms: BOEM-0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, BOEM-1832.
    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 
administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations in 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; 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and coastal environments; ensure the public a fair and 
equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and 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 techniques 
sufficient to prevent or minimize . . . loss of well control . . . 
physical obstructions to 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is 
required to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or 
privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond 
those that accrue to the public.
    This ICR covers 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil 
and Gas Production Requirements, which deal with regulatory 
requirements of oil, gas, and sulphur operations on the OCS. This 
request also covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs)

[[Page 64238]]

that BOEM issues to clarify and provide guidance on some aspects of our 
regulations.
    The BOEM uses the information collected under the Subpart A and K 
regulations to ensure that operations in the OCS are carried out in a 
safe and environmentally sound manner, do not interfere with the rights 
of other users in the OCS, and balance the protection and development 
of OCS resources. Specifically, we use the information collected to:
     Determine the capability of a well to produce oil or gas 
in paying quantities or to determine the possible need for additional 
wells resulting in minimum royalty status on a lease.
     Provide lessees/operators greater flexibility to comply 
with regulatory requirements through approval of alternative equipment 
or procedures and departures if they demonstrate equal or better 
compliance with the appropriate performance standards.
     Ensure that subsurface storage of natural gas does not 
unduly interfere with development and production operations under 
existing leases.
     Record the designation of an operator authorized to act on 
behalf of the lessee/operating rights owner and to fulfill their 
obligations under the OCS Lands Act and implementing regulations, or to 
record the local agent empowered to receive notices and comply with 
regulatory orders issued (Form BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator). 
This form requires the respondent to submit general information such as 
lease number, name, address, company number of designated operator, and 
signature of the authorized lessee. With this renewal, BOEM is adding a 
line for the signator's name and title and clarifying explanations and 
terminology. We are also introducing instructions on how to fill out 
the form specific to the Gulf of Mexico Region to better facilitate the 
processing of the form, given the volume of form submissions and 
inquiries that the Gulf Region receives. We estimate the instructions 
will increase the time from 15 to 30 minutes to read and fill out the 
form; however, we believe the instructions will reduce the number of 
basic questions and result in faster processing time for respondents.
     Determine if an application for right-of-use and easement 
complies with the OCS Lands Act, other applicable laws, and BOEM 
regulations; and does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of 
any other lessee.
     Provide for orderly development or disqualification of 
leases to determine the appropriateness of lessee/operator performance.
     Approve requests to cancel leases and ascertain if/when 
the Secretary may cancel leases.
     Ensure the protection of any discovered archaeological 
resources.
     Regulate production rates from sensitive reservoirs (Form 
BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report). BOEM engineers and 
geologists use the information for rate control and reservoir studies. 
The form requests general information about the reservoir and the 
company, volumetric data, and fluid analysis and production data. To 
assist respondents in filling out the form, BOEM is introducing 
instructions to clarify data entries. We expect the instructions to 
reduce or eliminate the number of form revisions in the future, 
although it could initially add 30 minutes to the form burden to read 
them.
     Manage reservoirs in our efforts to conserve natural 
resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative rights, including the 
Government's royalty interest (Form BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure 
Survey Report). Specifically, BOEM uses the information in reservoir 
evaluations to determine maximum production and efficient rates and to 
review applications for downhole commingling to ensure that action does 
not harm ultimate recovery or undervalued royalties. The form requests 
information about the well and operator; test data information such as 
shut-in time, bottomhole temperature, kelly bushing elevation; and 
bottomhole pressure points that consist of measured depth(s), true 
vertical depth(s), pressure(s), and pressure gradient(s). With this 
renewal, BOEM is adding a line to record the distance between the kelly 
bushing and tubing-head flange and is modifying some wording for 
clarification. We expect no change to the hour burden as a result.
     Determine that respondents have corrected any Incidents of 
Non-Compliance (INCs), Form BOEM-1832, identified during compliance 
reviews. The BOEM issues this form to the operator and the operator 
then corrects the INC(s), signs and returns the form to the BOEM 
Regional Supervisor. To accommodate the split of regulatory 
responsibilities from the former Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 
Regulation, and Enforcement, BOEM will be revising this form to reflect 
BOEM's compliance authority and will obtain OMB approval under a 
separate submission.
    We will protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
part 2), 30 CFR part 252, and 30 CFR 550.197, ``Data and information to 
be made available to the public or for limited inspection.'' 
Proprietary information concerning geological and geophysical data will 
be protected according to 43 U.S.C. 1352. No items of a sensitive 
nature are collected. Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: Primarily on occasion; monthly.
    Description of Respondents: Federal oil and gas and sulphur 
lessees/operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this collection is 30,635 hours. The following 
table 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Non-hour cost burdens
                                    Reporting or     -----------------------------------------------------------
Citation 30 CFR 550 Subpart A      recordkeeping                                  Average number
    and related forms/NTLs          requirement              Hour burden            of  annual     Annual burden
                                                                                    responses          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Authority and Definition of Terms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104; 181; Form BOEM-1832.....  Appeal orders or          Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c)                  0
                                decisions; appeal
                                INCs; request
                                hearing due to
                                cancellation of
                                lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 64239]]

 
                                              Performance Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115; 116.....................  Request determination  5........................  90 responses...             450
                                of well
                                producibility; make
                                available or submit
                                data and
                                information; notify
                                BOEM of test.
119..........................  Apply for subsurface   10.......................  3 applications.              30
                                storage of gas; sign
                                storage agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  93 responses...             480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Cost Recovery Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125; 126; 140................  Cost Recovery Fees;     Cost Recovery Fees and related items are                0
                                confirmation receipt      covered individually throughout this
                                etc; verbal                             subpart
                                approvals and
                                written request to
                                follow. Includes
                                request for refunds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Designation of Operator
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143..........................  Report change of          Not considered information collection                 0
                                name, address, etc.             under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143(a-c); 144; 145; Form BOEM- Submit designation of  1........................  2,584 forms....           2,584
 1123.                          operator (Form BOEM-
                                1123--form takes 30
                                minutes); report
                                updates; notice of
                                termination; submit
                                designation of
                                agent. Request
                                exception. NO FEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143(a-d); 144; 145; Form BOEM- Change designation of  1........................  930 forms......             930
 1123.                          operator (Form BOEM-
                                1123--form takes 30
                                minutes); report
                                updates; notice of
                                termination; submit
                                designation of
                                agent; include
                                pay.gov confirmation
                                receipt. Request
                                exception. SERVICE
                                FEE.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       $175 fee x 930 = $162,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186(a)(3); NTL...............  Apply for user            Not considered information collection                 0
                                account in TIMS                 under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)
                                (electronic/digital
                                form submittals).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  3,514 responses           3,514
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $162,750 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Compliance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101; 135; 136; Form BOEM-1832  Submit response and    2........................  94 submissions.             188
                                required information
                                for INC, probation,
                                or revocation of
                                operating status.
                                Notify when
                                violations corrected.
                               Request waiver of 14-  1........................  1..............               1
                                day response time or
                                reconsideration.
135; 136.....................  Request reimbursement  1.5......................  2 requests.....               3
                                for services
                                provided to BOEM
                                representatives
                                during reviews;
                                comment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  97 responses...             192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Special Types of Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125(c); 140..................  Request various oral   1........................  100 requests...             100
                                approvals not
                                specifically covered
                                elsewhere in
                                regulatory
                                requirements.
141; 101-199.................  Request approval to    20.......................  100 requests...           2,000
                                use new or
                                alternative
                                procedures; submit
                                required information.
142; 101-199.................  Request approval of    2.5......................  100 requests...             250
                                departure from
                                operating
                                requirements not
                                specifically covered
                                elsewhere in
                                regulatory
                                requirements; submit
                                required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  300 responses..           2,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 64240]]

 
                                            Right-of-use and Easement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 161; 123................  OCS lessees: Apply     9........................  26 applications             234
                                for new or modified
                                right-of-use and
                                easement to
                                construct and
                                maintain off-lease
                                platforms,
                                artificial islands,
                                and installations
                                and other devices;
                                include
                                notifications and
                                submitting required
                                information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160(c).......................  Establish a Company      Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-                 0
                                File for                                 0006)
                                qualification;
                                submit updated
                                information, submit
                                qualifications for
                                lessee/bidder,
                                request exception.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 165; 123................  State lessees: Apply   5........................  1 application..               5
                                for new or modified
                                right-of-use and
                                easement to
                                construct and
                                maintain off-lease
                                platforms,
                                artificial islands,
                                and installations
                                and other devices;
                                include pay.gov
                                confirmation and
                                notifications.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $2,742 state lease fee x 1 = $2,742
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
166..........................  State lessees:           Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-                 0
                                Furnish surety bond;                     0006)
                                additional security
                                if required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  27 responses...             239
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $2,742 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
181(d); 182(b), 183(a)(b)....  Request termination    20.......................  1 request......              20
                                of suspension,
                                cancellation of
                                lease, lesser lease
                                term (no requests in
                                recent years for
                                termination/
                                cancellation of a
                                lease; minimal
                                burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
182; 183, 185; 194...........  Various references to  Burden covered under 30 CFR 550, Subpart B               0
                                submitting new,                       (1010-0151)
                                revised, or modified
                                exploration plan,
                                development/
                                production plan, or
                                development
                                operations
                                coordination
                                document, and
                                related surveys/
                                reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
184..........................  Request compensation   50.......................  1 request......              50
                                for lease
                                cancellation
                                mandated by the OCS
                                Lands Act (no
                                qualified lease
                                cancellations in
                                many years; minimal
                                burden compared to
                                benefit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  2 responses....              70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Information and Reporting Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186(a).......................  Apply to receive       Not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)               0
                                administrative
                                entitlements to
                                eWell/TIMS system
                                for electronic
                                submissions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186; NTL.....................  Submit information,    10.......................  125............           1,250
                                reports, and copies
                                as BOEM requires.
135; 136.....................  Report apparent        1.5......................  2 reports......               3
                                violations or non-
                                compliance..
194; NTL.....................  Report archaeological  2........................  6 reports......              12
                                discoveries. Submit
                                archaeological and
                                follow-up reports
                                and additional
                                information.
194; NTL.....................  Request departures     1........................  2 requests.....               2
                                from conducting
                                archaeological
                                resources surveys
                                and/or submitting
                                reports in GOMR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194..........................  Submit ancillary        Burden covered under 30 CFR 550 Subpart B               0
                                surveys/                              (1010-0151)
                                investigations
                                reports, as required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
196..........................  Submit data/             Burden covered under 30 CFR 551 (1010-                 0
                                information for G&G                      0048)
                                activity and request
                                reimbursement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
197(b)(2)....................  Demonstrate release    1........................  1..............               1
                                of G&G data would
                                unduly damage
                                competitive position.

[[Page 64241]]

 
197..........................  Submit                 1........................  1..............               1
                                confidentiality
                                agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  137 responses..           1,269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135; 136.....................  During reviews, make   2........................  7 reviews......              14
                                records available as
                                requested by
                                inspectors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  7 responses....              14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                                           Non-hour cost burdens
 Citation 30 CFR 550  Subpart K      Well surveys and    -------------------------------------------------------
    and related  forms/NTLs       classifying reservoirs                       Average number of   Annual burden
                                                              Hour burden       annual responses       hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153...........................  Conduct static           14.................  1,161 surveys....          16,254
                                  bottomhole pressure
                                  survey; submit Form
                                  BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole
                                  Pressure Survey
                                  Report) (within 60
                                  days after survey).
1153(d)........................  Submit justification,    1..................  200 survey                    200
                                  information, and Form                         departures.
                                  BOEM-0140, to request
                                  a departure from
                                  requirement to run a
                                  static bottomhole
                                  survey.
1154; 1167.....................  Submit request and       1..................  15 requests......              15
                                  supporting information
                                  to reclassify
                                  reservoir.
1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167......  Submit Form BOEM-0127    3..................  2,012 forms......           6,036
                                  (Sensitive Reservoir
                                  Information Report)
                                  and supporting
                                  information/revisions
                                  (within 45 days after
                                  certain events or at
                                  least annually). AK
                                  Region: submit BOEM-
                                  0127 and request MER.
1153-1167......................  Request general          1..................  2................               2
                                  departure or
                                  alternative compliance
                                  requests not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1165...........................  Submit proposed plan      Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250                0
                                  for enhanced recovery                 (1014-0019)
                                  operations to BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................................  3,390 responses..          22,507
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.............................................................  7,567 responses..          30,635
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $165,492 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified two non-hour cost burdens. Section 550.143 requires a fee 
for a change in designation of operator ($175). Section 550.165 
requires a State lessee applying for a right-of use and easement in the 
OCS to pay a cost recovery application fee ($2,742). These fees reflect 
the recent adjustment for inflation that became effective February 2, 
2013 (78 FR 5836, 1/28/13). The total non-hour cost burden for this 
collection is estimated at $165,492.
    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 estimates; (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 June 17, 2013, 
BOEM published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 36244) announcing that 
we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. This notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. We received no comments in response to 
the notice; however, comments are accepted at any time.
    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.

    Dated: September 16, 2013.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2013-25322 Filed 10-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P