[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68082-68085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27073]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2013-0006; OMB Number 1014-0001; 134E1700D2 EEEE500000 
ET1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Oil and Gas Well-Workover 
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 F, Oil and Gas Well-
Workover Operations. 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 December 13, 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 (1014-0001). Please provide a copy of your comments to 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) by any of the 
means below.
     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2013-0006 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-
0001 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 Part 250, Subpart F, Oil and Gas Well-Workover 
Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0001
    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 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.
    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.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart F, Oil and Gas Well-
Workover Operations 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.
    The BSEE uses the information collected to analyze and evaluate 
planned well-workover operations to ensure that these operations result 
in personnel safety and protection of the environment. They use this 
evaluation in making decisions to approve, disapprove, or to require 
modification to the proposed well-workover operations. Specifically, 
BSEE uses the information collected to:
     Review log entries of crew meetings to verify that safety 
procedures have been properly reviewed.
     Review well-workover procedures relating to hydrogen 
sulfide (H2S) to ensure the safety of the crew in the event 
of encountering H2S.
     Review well-workover diagrams and procedures to ensure the 
safety of well-workover operations.
     Verify that the crown block safety device is operating and 
can be expected to function and avoid accidents.
     Verify that the proposed operation of the annular 
preventer is technically correct and will provide adequate protection 
for personnel, property, and natural resources.
     Verify the reasons for postponing blowout preventer (BOP) 
tests, verify the state of readiness of the equipment and ascertain 
that the equipment meets safety standards and requirements, ensure that 
BOP tests have been conducted in the manner and frequency to promote 
personnel safety and protect natural resources. Specific testing

[[Page 68083]]

information must be recorded to verify that the proper test procedures 
were followed.
     Assure that the well-workover operations are conducted on 
well casing that is structurally competent.
    Most responses are mandatory; while others are to obtain or retain 
benefits. The BSEE will protect proprietary information according to 
the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing 
regulations (43 CFR Part 2); 30 CFR 250.197, Data and information to be 
made available to the public or for limited inspection; and 30 CFR part 
252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    Frequency: On occasion, weekly, monthly, biennially, and varies by 
section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS oil, gas, and sulphur lessees and/or operators, and holders of 
pipeline rights-of-way.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 53,156 
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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Annual  burden
  Citation 30 CFR 250, Subpart F        Reporting           Hour burden       Average number of        hours
             and NTL                   requirement                             annual reponses       (rounded)
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                                                    Requests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
602..............................  Request exceptions   3.75...............  30 requests........             113
                                    prior to moving
                                    well-workover
                                    equipment.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
605; 613; 616(a), (f)(4); 617(d).  Request approval to  Burden covered under 1014-0018.                        0
                                    begin subsea well-
                                    workover
                                    operations; submit
                                    Forms BSEE-0124
                                    (include, if
                                    required,
                                    alternate
                                    procedures and
                                    equipment; stump
                                    test procedures
                                    plan) and BSEE-
                                    0125; and all
                                    supporting
                                    documentation.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
612..............................  Request              5..................  23 requests........             115
                                    establishment/
                                    amendment/
                                    cancellation of
                                    field well-
                                    workover rules.
614(d)...........................  Request approval     4..................  51 requests........             204
                                    from the District
                                    Manager to
                                    displace kill-
                                    weight fluids to
                                    an underbalanced
                                    state; submit
                                    detailed written
                                    procedures with
                                    your APM.
617(a)...........................  Request exception    26.................  270 requests.......           7,020
                                    to rated working
                                    pressure of the
                                    BOP equipment;
                                    request exception
                                    to annular-type
                                    BOP testing.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
618(a)(2)........................  Request approval to  Burden covered under 1014-0022.                        0
                                    use alternative
                                    method to inspect
                                    a marine riser.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
600-620..........................  General departure    34.................  409 requests.......          13,906
                                    and alternative
                                    compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically
                                    covered elsewhere
                                    in Subpart F
                                    regulations.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  783 responses......          21,358
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                                                     Posting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
614(b)...........................  Post number of       0.75...............  306 postings.......             230
                                    stands of drill
                                    pipe or workover
                                    string and drill
                                    collars that may
                                    be pulled prior to
                                    filling the hole
                                    and equivalent
                                    well-control fluid
                                    volume.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  306 responses......             230
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                                            Submittals/Notifications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
602..............................  Notify BSEE of any   Burden covered under 1014-0018                         0
                                    rig movement
                                    within Gulf of
                                    Mexico (Form BSEE-
                                    0144).
                                                       ------------------------------------------
615..............................  Submit a             22.75..............  440 submittals.....          10,010
                                    description of
                                    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.
615(e)(2)(ii)....................  Allow BSEE access    0.75...............  14 notifications...              11
                                    to witness
                                    testing,
                                    inspections, and
                                    information
                                    verification.
                                    Notify District
                                    Manager at least
                                    72 hours prior to
                                    shearing ram tests.

[[Page 68084]]

 
617(h)(1)(ii)....................  Notify District      0.5................  51 notifications...              26
                                    Manager at least
                                    72 hours prior to
                                    stump/initial test
                                    on seafloor.
619; NTL.........................  Notify BSEE if       2..................  508 notifications..           1,016
                                    sustained casing
                                    pressure is
                                    observed on a well.
619(b)...........................  Submit results of    5..................  25 reports.........             125
                                    pressure test,
                                    caliper, or
                                    otherwise evaluate
                                    tubing & wellhead
                                    equipment casing
                                    (every 30 days
                                    during prolonged
                                    operations);
                                    request written
                                    approval.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  1,038 responses....          11,188
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                                                 Record/Document
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606..............................  Instruct crew        1.75...............  612 workovers x 5             5,355
                                    members in safety                         meetings = 3,060.
                                    requirements of
                                    operations to be
                                    performed;
                                    document meetings;
                                    make available to
                                    BSEE for review.
611..............................  Document results     1.5................  351 workovers x 3             1,580
                                    weekly of                                 results = 1,053.
                                    traveling-block
                                    safety device in
                                    the operations log.
617(b)(2)........................  Record reason for    1.25...............  31 postponed tests.              39
                                    postponing BOP
                                    system tests in
                                    operations log.
617(f); 618(a)(1)................  Record test          2.75...............  440 workovers x 3             3,630
                                    pressures during                          recordings = 1,320.
                                    BOP and coiled
                                    tubing tests for
                                    well-workovers on
                                    a pressure chart
                                    or with a digital
                                    recorder; certify
                                    the information is
                                    correct.
617(g); 618(a)(1)................  Record time, date,   4.75...............  440 workovers x 3             6,270
                                    and results of all                        recordings = 1,320.
                                    pressure tests,
                                    actuations,
                                    inspections, and
                                    crew drills of the
                                    BOP system
                                    components and
                                    risers in the
                                    operations log
                                    during well-
                                    workovers; retain
                                    records for 2
                                    years; make
                                    available to BSEE.
617(h)(l)*.......................  Document all test    10.................  51 workovers.......             510
                                    results of your
                                    ROV intervention
                                    functions
                                    including how you
                                    test each ROV
                                    function; submit
                                    test procedures
                                    with your APM for
                                    District Manager
                                    approval; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
617(h)(2)*.......................  Document all         1..................  51 workovers.......              51
                                    autoshear and
                                    deadman test
                                    results; submit
                                    test procedures
                                    with your APM for
                                    District Manager
                                    approval; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
618(a)...........................  Document the         7 days x 12 hrs/day  99 rigs/once every            2,772
                                    procedures used      = 84.                3 years = 33 per
                                    for BOP                                   year.
                                    inspections;
                                    record results;
                                    maintain records
                                    for 2 years; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
618(b)...........................  Document the         1.75...............  99 rigs............             173
                                    procedures used
                                    for BOP
                                    maintenance;
                                    record results;
                                    maintain records
                                    for 2 years; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  7,018 responses....          20,380
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.................  ...................  ...................  9,145 Responses....          53,156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified no paperwork 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 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 August 12, 2013, 
we published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 48895) 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 250 regulations. We display the 
OMB control number and provide the address to which they should send 
comments. We received one comment in response to the Federal

[[Page 68085]]

Register notice. The comment was not germane to the paperwork burdens 
of 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: October 24, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-27073 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P