[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64526-64529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25433]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2013-0003; OMB Number 1014-0006; 134E1700D2 EEEE500000 
ET1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Sulphur Operations; 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 P, Sulphur Operations. 
This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on 
the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by November 29, 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 (1014-0006). 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-2013-0003 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email [email protected]@boemre.gov, 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 1014-0006 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 P, Sulphur Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0006.
    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 
mineral 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.
    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.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
part 250. Responses are mandatory and/or required to obtain or retain a 
benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The BSEE will 
protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2); 30 CFR 
250.197, Data and information to be made available to the public or for 
limited inspection; and 30

[[Page 64527]]

CFR part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    The BSEE uses the information collected to ascertain the condition 
of drilling sites for the purpose of preventing hazards inherent in 
sulphur drilling and production operations and to evaluate the adequacy 
of equipment and/or procedures to be used during the conduct of 
drilling, well-completion, well-workover, and production operations. 
The BSEE uses the information to:
     Ascertain that a discovered sulphur deposit can be 
classified as capable of production in paying quantities.
     Ensure accurate and complete measurement of production to 
determine the amount of sulphur royalty payments due the United States; 
and that the sale locations are secure, production has been measured 
accurately, and appropriate follow-up actions are initiated.
     Ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting systems; 
the drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; and the adequacy of 
casing for anticipated conditions.
     Review drilling, well-completion, well-workover diagrams 
and procedures, as well as production operation procedures to ensure 
the safety of the proposed sulphur drilling, well-completion, well-
workover and proposed production operations.
     Monitor environmental data during sulphur operations in 
offshore areas where such data are not already available to provide a 
valuable source of information to evaluate the performance of drilling 
rigs under various weather and ocean conditions. This information is 
necessary to make reasonable determinations regarding safety of 
operations and environmental protection.
    Frequency: Submissions are on occasion and generally vary by 
section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS sulphur lessees.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 903 
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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Reporting and
 Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart P        recordkeeping           Hour burden      Average number of   Annual burden
                                       requirement                              annual reponses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Submittals/Notifications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1600; 1617.....................  Submit exploration or       Burden covered under (1010-0151)                  0
                                  development and
                                  production plan, under
                                  30 CFR 550, Subpart B.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1605(b)(2), (3)................  Make drilling units      4..................  1 submission.....               4
                                  available for
                                  inspection; submit and/
                                  or resubmit data and
                                  information on fitness
                                  of drilling unit.
1605(d)........................  Submit results of        1..................  1 submission.....               1
                                  additional surveys and
                                  soil borings upon
                                  request.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1605(f)........................  Submit application for      Burden covered under (1014-0011)                  0
                                  installation of fixed
                                  drilling platforms or
                                  structures.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1608(a), (c)...................  Submit well casing and   5..................  1 plan...........               5
                                  cementing plan or
                                  modification.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1617; 1622(b)..................  Submit form BSEE-0123       Burden covered under (1014-0018)                  0
                                  (Application for
                                  Permit to Drill), and
                                  all supporting
                                  documentation.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1618; 1619(b); 1622(a), (c)....  Submit form BSEE-0124       Burden covered under (1014-0018)                  0
                                  (Application for
                                  Permit to Modify), and
                                  all supporting
                                  documentation.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1619(b); 1622(c)...............  Submit form BSEE-0125       Burden covered under (1014-0018)                  0
                                  (End of Operations
                                  Report); and all
                                  supporting
                                  documentation.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1619(c), (d), (e)..............  Submit copies of         1..................  8 submissions....               8
                                  records, logs,
                                  reports, charts, etc.,
                                  upon request.
1628(b), (d)...................  Submit application for   4..................  1 application....               4
                                  design and
                                  installation features
                                  of sulphur production
                                  facilities and fuel
                                  gas safety system;
                                  certify new
                                  installation conforms
                                  to approved design.
1630(a)(6).....................  Notify BSEE of pre-      0.5................  2 notifications..               1
                                  production test and
                                  inspection of safety
                                  system and
                                  commencement of
                                  production.
1633(b)........................  Submit application for   2..................  1 application....               2
                                  method of production
                                  measurement.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................................  15 responses.....              25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Requests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1603(a)........................  Request determination    1..................  1 request........               1
                                  whether sulphur
                                  deposit can produce in
                                  paying quantities.
1605(e)(5).....................  Request copy of          1..................  1 request........               1
                                  directional survey (by
                                  holder of adjoining
                                  lease).
1607...........................  Request establishment,   8..................  2 requests.......              16
                                  amendment, or
                                  cancellation of field
                                  rules for drilling,
                                  well-completion, or
                                  well-workover.

[[Page 64528]]

 
1610(d)(7), (8)................  Request exception to     1..................  1 request........               1
                                  ram-type blowout
                                  preventer (BOP) system
                                  components rated
                                  working pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)...............  Request exception to     1..................  1 request........               1
                                  water-rated working
                                  pressure to test ram-
                                  type and annular BOPs
                                  and choke manifold.
1611(f); 1625(f)...............  Request exception to     1..................  1 request........               1
                                  recording pressure
                                  conditions during BOP
                                  tests on pressure
                                  charts; certify by
                                  representative.
1612...........................  Request exception to     1..................  1 request........               1
                                  Sec.   250.462
                                  requirements for well-
                                  control drills.
1615...........................  Request exception to     1..................  1 request........               1
                                  blind-shear ram or
                                  pipe rams and inside
                                  BOP to secure wells.
1629(b)(3).....................  Request approval of      4..................  1 request........               4
                                  firefighting systems;
                                  post firefighting
                                  system diagram.
1608(b), (c); 1629(b)(3); 1600-  General departure and/   2..................  1 request........               2
 1634.                            or alternative
                                  compliance requests
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  Subpart P.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................................  11 responses.....              29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Record/Retain
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1604(f)........................  Check traveling-block    0.25...............  1 lessee x 52 wks              26
                                  safety device for                             x 2 rigs = 104.
                                  proper operation
                                  weekly and after each
                                  drill-line slipping;
                                  enter results in log.
1605(c)........................  Report oceanographic,    1..................  1 report.........               1
                                  meteorological, and
                                  drilling unit
                                  performance data upon
                                  request.
1609(a)........................  Pressure test casing;    2..................  1 lease x 60                  120
                                  record time,                                  tests/records =
                                  conditions of testing,                        60.
                                  and test results in
                                  log.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3).........  Record in driller's      0.17...............  1 lessee x 6                    1
                                  report the date, time,                        recordings = 6.
                                  and reason for
                                  postponing pressure
                                  testings.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g).....  Conduct tests,           6..................  1 lessee x 52                 312
                                  actuations,                                   weeks = 52.
                                  inspections,
                                  maintenance, and crew
                                  drills of BOP systems
                                  at least weekly;
                                  record results in
                                  driller's report;
                                  certify by
                                  representative; retain
                                  records for 2 years
                                  following completion
                                  of drilling activity.
1613(d)........................  Pressure test diverter   2..................  1 lessee (daily/              208
                                  sealing element/valves                        weekly during
                                  weekly; actuate                               drilling) x 2
                                  diverter sealing                              rigs x 52 weeks
                                  element/valves/control                        = 104.
                                  system every 24 hours;
                                  test diverter line for
                                  flow every 24 hours;
                                  record test times and
                                  results in driller's
                                  report.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1616(c)........................  Retain training records      Burden covered under 1014-0008                   0
                                  for lessee and
                                  drilling contractor
                                  personnel.
                                                         ----------------------------------------
1619(a); 1623(c)...............  Retain records for each  12.................  1 lessee.........              12
                                  well and all well
                                  operations for 2
                                  years; calculate well-
                                  control fluid volume
                                  and post near
                                  operators' station.
1621...........................  Conduct safety meetings  1..................  1 lessee x 50                  50
                                  prior to well-                                meetings/
                                  completion or well-                           records = 50.
                                  workover operations;
                                  record date and time.
1628(b), (d)...................  Maintain information on  1..................  1 lessee.........               1
                                  approved design and
                                  installation features
                                  for the life of the
                                  facility.
1629(b)(1)(ii).................  Retain pressure-         12.................  1 lessee.........              12
                                  recording charts used
                                  to determine operating
                                  pressure ranges for 2
                                  years.
1630(b)........................  Maintain records for     1..................  1 lessee.........               1
                                  each safety device
                                  installed for 2 years;
                                  make available for
                                  review.
1631...........................  Conduct safety device    1..................  1 lessee x 52                 104
                                  training prior to                             train/records x
                                  production operations                         2 rigs = 104.
                                  and periodically
                                  thereafter; record
                                  date and time.
1634(b)........................  Report evidence of       1..................  1 report.........               1
                                  mishandling of
                                  produced sulphur or
                                  tampering or
                                  falsifying any
                                  measurement of
                                  production.
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.................................................................  486 responses....             849
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.............................................................  512 responses....       903 Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified no non-hour cost burdens associated with the collection of 
information.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a

[[Page 64529]]

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 July 16, 2013, 
we published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 42538) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. Also, 30 CFR 250.199 explains that BSEE 
will accept comments at any time on the information collection 
requirements and burdens of our 30 CFR part 250 regulations. We display 
the OMB control number and provide the address to which they should 
send comments. We received two comments in response to the Federal 
Register notice; however, neither was germane to this information 
collection. These are not new regulatory requirements and only an 
estimate of minimal burden for a potential respondent.
    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: October 22, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-25433 Filed 10-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P