[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66066-66070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26334]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0006: MMAA104000]


Proposed Information Collection for OMB Review; Comment Request: 
Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf and 
Pipeline Rights of Way

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is inviting comments on a 
collection of information that we will submit to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information 
collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under 30 CFR 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the 
OCS; 30 CFR 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; and 
30 CFR 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing.

DATES: Submit written comments by January 3, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this ICR 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); or 703-787-1209 (fax). 
Please reference ICR 1010-0006 in your comment and include your name 
and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at (703) 787-1025 to request a copy of the 
ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0006.
    Title: 30 CFR Part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the 
OCS; 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; 
and 30 CFR Part 560 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing.
    Forms: BOEM-0150, 0151, 0152, 2028, 2028A, 2030.
    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 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; 
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. Also, the Energy Policy and Conservation 
Act of 1975 (EPCA) prohibits certain lease bidding arrangements (42 
U.S.C. 6213(c)).
    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 
provide special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is 
required to charge the full cost for services that provide special 
benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above 
and beyond those that accrue to the public at large. Instruments of 
transfer of a lease or interest are subject to cost recovery, and BOEM 
regulations specify the filing fee for these transfer applications.
    This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
of BOEM regulations at 30 CFR Part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and 
Gas in the OCS; 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline 
Rights-of-Way; 30 CFR Part 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing; as well as the 
related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that clarify and 
provide additional guidance on some aspects of these regulations. This 
ICR also concerns the use of forms to process bonds, transfer interest 
in leases, and file relinquishments.
     BOEM-0150, Assignment of Record Title Interest in Federal 
OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0151, Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in 
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0152, Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease,
     BOEM-2028, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's Bond,
     BOEM-2028A, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's 
Supplemental Plugging and Abandonment Bond,
     BOEM-2030, OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant Bond.
    BOEM uses the information collected to determine if applicants are 
qualified to hold leases in the OCS, to assign a qualification number 
to avoid respondent submission of information already on file; develop 
the semiannual List of Restricted Joint Bidders; ensure the 
qualification of transferees and track operators on leaseholds; 
document that a leasehold or geographical subdivision has been 
surrendered by the record title holder; and ensure that adequate funds 
are secured to complete existing and future bond obligations.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
according to section 26 of the OCS Lands Act, the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
part 2), 30 CFR 556.10(d). No items of a sensitive nature are 
collected. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain a benefit.
    Frequency: On occasion or annual.
    Description of Respondents: Respondents comprise Federal oil, gas, 
or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
annual reporting burden estimate for this collection to be 16,235 
hours. The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR.

[[Page 66067]]



                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Non-hour cost burdens
 Citation 30 CFR part 556 and                            -------------------------------------------------------
             NTLs                Reporting requirement *                     Average number of    Annual burden
                                                             Hour burden      annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  All Subparts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts A, C, E, H, L, M.....  None....................  Not applicable.                       0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts G, H, I, J: 37; 53;    Request approval for various operations or submit plans or      0.
 68; 70; 71; 72; 73.             applications.
                                Burden included with other approved collections in 30 CFR Part
                                 550 (Subpart A 1010-0114, Subpart B 1010-0151) and in BSEE 30
                                 CFR 250 (Subpart A 1014-0022, Subpart D 1014-0018).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Subparts B through F
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Subpart B: All sections.......  Submit general              Not considered IC as defined in 5   0.
                                 suggestions and                    CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                 relevant information in
                                 response to request for
                                 comments on proposed 5-
                                 year leasing program,
                                 including information
                                 from States/local
                                 governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Submit suggestions and    4................  64...............  256.
                                 specific information in
                                 response to request for
                                 comments on proposed 5-
                                 year leasing program,
                                 including information
                                 from States/local
                                 governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart D: All sections.......  Submit general response     Not considered IC as defined in 5   0.
                                 to Call for Information            CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                 and Nominations on
                                 areas for leasing of
                                 minerals in specified
                                 areas in accordance
                                 with an approved
                                 leasing program,
                                 including information
                                 from States/local
                                 governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Submit specific response  4................  14 responses/sale  224.
                                 to Call for Information                      x 2 sales/call x
                                 and Nominations on                           2 calls/year =
                                 areas for leasing of                         56.
                                 minerals in specified
                                 areas in accordance
                                 with an approved
                                 leasing program,
                                 including information
                                 from States/local
                                 governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart F: 31.................  States or local           4................  10 responses.....  40.
                                 governments submit
                                 comments/
                                 recommendations on
                                 size, timing or
                                 location of proposed
                                 lease sale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  130 responses....  520 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart G: 35; 46(d), (e).....  Establish a Company File  2................  104 responses....  208.
                                 for pre-qualification;
                                 submit updated
                                 information, submit
                                 qualifications for
                                 lessee/bidder, request
                                 exception.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41; 43; 46(g).................  Submit qualification of   2................  100 responses....  200.
                                 bidders for joint bids
                                 and statement or report
                                 of production, along
                                 with supporting
                                 information/appeal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44; 46........................  Submit bids and required  5................  2,000 bids.......  10,000.
                                 information.
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47(c).........................  File agreement to accept  3\1/2\...........  2 agreements.....  7.
                                 joint lease on tie bids.
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47(e)(1), (e)(3)..............  Request for                 Not considered IC as defined in 5   0.
                                 reconsideration of bid             CFR 1320.3(h)(9).
                                 rejection.
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47(f), (i); 50................  Execute lease (includes   1................  852 leases.......  852.
                                 submission of evidence
                                 of authorized agent and
                                 request for dating of
                                 leases; lease
                                 stipulations).
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    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  3,058 responses..  11,267 hours.
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[[Page 66068]]

 
                                                    Subpart I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart I: 52(f)(2), (g)(2)...  Submit authority for      2................  10 submissions...  20.
                                 Regional Director to
                                 sell Treasury or
                                 alternate type of
                                 securities.
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53(a), 53(b); 54..............  OCS Mineral Lessee's and  \1/4\............  124 responses....  31.
                                 Operator's Bond (Form
                                 BOEM-2028).
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53(c), (d), (f); 54(e)........  Demonstrate financial     3\1/2\...........  165 submissions..  578 (rounded).
                                 worth/ability to carry
                                 out present and future
                                 financial obligations,
                                 request approval of
                                 another form of
                                 security, or request
                                 reduction in amount of
                                 supplemental bond
                                 required.
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54............................  OCS Mineral Lessee's and  \1/4\............  136 responses....  34.
                                 Operator's Supplemental
                                 Plugging & Abandonment
                                 Bond (Form BOEM-2028A).
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55............................  Notify BOEM of any lapse  1................  3 notices........  3.
                                 in previous bond/action
                                 filed alleging lessee,
                                 surety, or guarantor is
                                 insolvent or bankrupt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56............................  Provide plan/             12...............  1 submission.....  12.
                                 instructions to fund
                                 lease-specific
                                 abandonment account and
                                 related information;
                                 request approval to
                                 withdraw funds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57............................  Provide third-party       19...............  45 submissions...  855.
                                 guarantee, indemnity
                                 agreement, financial
                                 information, related
                                 notices, reports, and
                                 annual update; notify
                                 BOEM if guarantor
                                 becomes unqualified.
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57(d)(3); 58..................  Notice of and request     \1/2\............  378 requests.....  189.
                                 approval to terminate
                                 period of liability,
                                 cancel bond, or other
                                 security.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59(c)(2)......................  Provide information to    16...............  5 responses......  80.
                                 demonstrate lease will
                                 be brought into
                                 compliance.
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    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  867 responses....  1,802 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart J
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart J: 62; 63; 64; 65; 67.  File application and      2 forms @ 30 min   1,680              1,680.
                                 required information      ea = 1 hr.         applications/
                                 for assignment or                            forms.
                                 transfer for approval/
                                 comment on filing fee
                                 (Forms BOEM-0150 and
                                 BOEM-0151).
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            1,680 Title/Rights (Transfer) Assignments @ $198 =
                                                                                 $332,640.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
63; 64(a)(8)..................  Submit non-required       0................  2,995 documents..  0.
                                 documents, for record
                                 purposes, which
                                 respondents want BOEM
                                 to file with the lease
                                 document. [Accepted on
                                 behalf of lessees as a
                                 service, BOEM does not
                                 require nor need the
                                 filings].
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          2,995 @ $29 = $86,855.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
64(a)(7)......................  File required             1................  700 filings......  700.
                                 instruments creating or
                                 transferring working
                                 interests, etc., for
                                 record purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  5,375 responses..  2,380 hours.
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                               $419,495 non-hour cost burdens.
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[[Page 66069]]

 
                                                    Subpart K
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart K: 76; 92(a)..........  File written request for  1................  240                240.
                                 relinquishment (Form                         relinquishments.
                                 BOEM-152).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77(c).........................  Comment on lease          1................  1 comment........  1.
                                 cancellation (BOEM
                                 expects 1 in 10 years).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  241 responses....  241 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart N
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart N: 92(a)..............  Request a bonus or        1................  1 request........  1.
                                 royalty credit; submit
                                 supporting
                                 documentation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95............................  Request approval to       1................  1 request........  1.
                                 transfer bonus or
                                 credit to another
                                 party; submit
                                 supporting information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................  ........................  .................  2 responses......  2 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 556 Total..........  ........................  .................  9,673 responses..  16,212 hours.
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                                          $419,495.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                  Reporting requirement                     Average number of    Annual burden
      30 CFR 550 Subpart J                  *               Hour burden      annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
550.1011(a)....................  Provide surety bond     GOM 0.25.........  50 forms.........  12.5.
                                  (Form BOEM-2030) and
                                  required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Pacific 3.5......  3 forms..........  10.5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 550, Subpart J Total  ......................  .................  53 responses.....  23 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                                            Average number of    Annual burden
    Citation 30 CFR Part 560      Reporting requirement     Hour burden      annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
124(a).........................  Request BOEM to         Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2),      0.
                                  reconsider field        (c).
                                  assignment of a lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reporting............  ......................            9,726 Responses.            16,235 Hours.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     $419,495 Non-Hour Cost Burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BOEM may require electronic filing of certain submissions.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: 
Sections 556.63 and 556.64 require respondents to pay service fees when 
submitting a request for transfer of record title interest or operating 
rights interest ($198) and to file documents for record purposes ($29). 
The service fees are required to recover the Federal Government's 
processing costs. These fees reflect the recent adjustment for 
inflation that became effective February 2, 2013 (78 FR 5836, 1/28/13).
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) requires each agency ``. . . to provide notice . . . and 
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning each proposed collection of information . . .''. Agencies 
must specifically solicit comments on: (a) Whether or not the 
collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the burden 
estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden on 
respondents.
    Agencies must also estimate the non-hour cost burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total 
capital and startup costs or annual operation, maintenance, and 
purchase of service costs. You should describe the methods you use to 
estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring,

[[Page 66070]]

and record storage facilities. You should not include estimates for 
equipment or services purchased: (a) Before October 1, 1995; (b) to 
comply with requirements not associated with the information 
collection; (c) for reasons other than to provide information or keep 
records for the Government; or (d) as part of customary and usual 
business or private practices.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public 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: October 25, 2013.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2013-26334 Filed 11-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P