[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68079-68082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27074]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2013-0004; OMB Number 1014-0004; 134E1700D2 EEEE500000 
ET1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Oil and Gas Well-Completion 
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 E, Oil and Gas Well 
Completion 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 (1014-0004). 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-2013-0004 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-
0004 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 E, Oil and Gas Well-Completion 
Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0004.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations necessary 
for the administration of the leasing provisions of that Act related to 
mineral resources on the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease, right-of-way, or a right-of-use 
and easement. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop 
oil and gas resources in the OCS 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 resources 
development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal 
environment; ensure the public a fair and equitable return on OCS 
resources; 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.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart E, concern oil and 
gas well-completion operations and are the subject of this collection. 
This request also covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators 
(NTLs) that BSEE issues to clarify, supplement, or provide additional 
guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
    The BSEE analyzes and evaluates the information and data collected 
to ensure that planned well-completion operations will protect 
personnel and natural resources. They use the analysis and evaluation 
results in the decision to approve, disapprove, or require modification 
to the proposed well-completion operations. Specifically, BSEE uses the 
information to ensure (a) compliance with personnel safety training 
requirements; (b) crown block safety device is operating and can be 
expected to function to avoid accidents; (c) proposed operation of the 
annular preventer is technically correct and provides adequate 
protection for personnel, property, and natural resources; (d) well-
completion operations are conducted on well casings that are 
structurally competent; and (e) sustained casing pressures are within 
acceptable limits.
    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: Weekly, monthly, biennially, and vary by section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or 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 40,183 
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

[[Page 68080]]

usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the 
burden.

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                                      Reporting and                                                Annual burden
  Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart E       recordkeeping         Hour burden       Average number of        hours
                                       requirements                            annual responses      (rounded)
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                                                    Requests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
502..............................  Request an           5.5................  35 exceptions......             193
                                    exception to
                                    shutting in
                                    producible wells
                                    before moving a
                                    well-completion
                                    rig or related
                                    equipment.
512..............................  Request              11.................  28 field rules.....             308
                                    establishment,
                                    amendment, or
                                    cancellation of
                                    well-completion
                                    field rules.
500-531..........................  General departure    3.5................  165 requests.......             578
                                    and alternative
                                    compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically
                                    covered elsewhere
                                    in Subpart E
                                    regulations.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  228 responses......           1,079
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                                                     Records
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
506..............................  Record dates and     1..................  360 completions x 2             720
                                    times of well-                            meetings = 720.
                                    completion
                                    operations safety
                                    meetings.
511..............................  Record results       1.5................  360 completions x 2           1,080
                                    weekly of                                 recordings = 720.
                                    traveling-block
                                    safety device in
                                    operations log.
514(d)...........................  Request approval     3.75...............  106 requests.......             398
                                    from the District
                                    Manager to
                                    displace kill-
                                    weight fluids to
                                    an underbalanced
                                    state; submit
                                    detailed written
                                    procedures with
                                    your APM.
515(e)(2)(ii)....................  Allow BSEE access    1.15...............  21 notifications...              24
                                    to witness
                                    testing,
                                    inspections, and
                                    information
                                    verification.
                                    Notify District
                                    Manager at least
                                    72 hours prior to
                                    shearing ram tests.
517(a)...........................  Record all your BOP  1.25...............  360 completions x 4           1,800
                                    test pressures.                           recordings = 1,440.
517(c), (i)......................  Record time, date,   6..................  360 completions x 4           8,640
                                    and results of all                        recordings = 1,440.
                                    pressure tests,
                                    crew drills,
                                    actuations, and
                                    inspections of the
                                    BOP in driller's
                                    report.
517(d)(8)........................  Function test ROV    10.................  17 wells...........             170
                                    interventions on
                                    your subsea BOP
                                    stack; document
                                    all test results;
                                    make available to
                                    BSEE upon request.
517(d)(8)(ii) & (iii)............  Notify District      0.75...............  17 notifications...              13
                                    Manager at least
                                    72 hours prior to
                                    stump/initial test
                                    on seafloor;
                                    document all test
                                    results and make
                                    them available to
                                    BSEE upon request.
517(d)(9)........................  Function test        0.75...............  17 completions.....              13
                                    autoshear and
                                    deadman on your
                                    subsea BOP stack
                                    during stump test;
                                    document all test
                                    results; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
517(e)...........................  Record reason for    0.75...............  34 recordings......              26
                                    postponing BOP
                                    test in driller's
                                    report.
517(g)(l)........................  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.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
517(g)(2)........................  Request alternative  Burden covered under 1014-0022                         0
                                    method to inspect
                                    a marine riser.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
517(h)...........................  Document the         1.5................  99 rigs............             149
                                    procedures used
                                    for BOP
                                    maintenance;
                                    record results;
                                    maintain records
                                    for 2 years; make
                                    available to BSEE
                                    upon request.
517(i)(1)-(3)....................  Record BOP test      3..................  362 completions x 4           4,344
                                    pressure on                               recordings = 1,448.
                                    pressure charts;
                                    onsite rep certify
                                    and sign/date
                                    reports; document
                                    sequential order
                                    of BOP/auxiliary
                                    testing, pressure,
                                    and duration of
                                    each test.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  6,112 responses....          20,149
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[[Page 68081]]

 
                                                   Submittals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
505; 513; 516(a); 526............  Submit Forms BSEE-   Burden included under 1014-0018.                       0
                                    0123, BSEE-0123S,
                                    BSEE-0124, and
                                    BSEE-0125 and all
                                    accompanying
                                    information to
                                    conduct well-
                                    completion
                                    operations;
                                    request written
                                    approval.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
515..............................  Submit a             17.................  292 submittals.....           4,964
                                    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.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
517(d)(8), (9)...................  Submit test          Burden covered under 1014-0018.                        0
                                    procedures with
                                    your APM for
                                    approval and
                                    relevant
                                    supporting data.
                                                       ------------------------------------------
518(b)...........................  Submit results of    4.75...............  25 results.........             119
                                    casing pressure
                                    testing,
                                    calipering, and
                                    other evaluations
                                    (every 30 days
                                    during prolonged
                                    operations);
                                    notify BSEE if
                                    sustained casing
                                    pressure is
                                    observed on a well.
526(a); 527......................  Submit notification  2..................  68 actions.........             136
                                    of corrective
                                    action.
526(a); 530(a)...................  Submit a corrective  14.................  68 plans...........             952
                                    action plan;
                                    notify BSEE after
                                    completion of
                                    corrected action
                                    within 30 days.
526(b); 528......................  Submit a casing      9..................  484 requests.......           4,356
                                    pressure request;
                                    any additional
                                    information as
                                    needed.
530(b)...........................  Submit the casing    2.5................  54 submittals......             135
                                    pressure
                                    diagnostic test
                                    data within 14
                                    days.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  991 responses......          10,662
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                                                   Post/Retain
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
514(c)...........................  Post the number of   1.5................  741 postings.......           1,112
                                    stands of drill
                                    pipe/collars that
                                    may be pulled and
                                    equivalent well-
                                    control fluid
                                    volume.
517(i)(6)........................  Retain all records   2.5................  362 records........             905
                                    including pressure
                                    charts, driller's
                                    report, referenced
                                    documents
                                    pertaining to BOP
                                    tests, actuations,
                                    and inspections at
                                    the facility for
                                    duration of the
                                    activity.
517(i)(7)........................  After completion of  2.75...............  362 records........             996
                                    well, retain all
                                    records for 2
                                    years at location
                                    conveniently
                                    available to BSEE.
524..............................  Retain records of    1.75...............  3,017 records......           5,280
                                    casing pressure
                                    and diagnostic
                                    tests for 2 years
                                    or until the well
                                    is abandoned.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ...................  ...................  4,482 responses....           8,293
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Hour Burden............  ...................  ...................  11,813 Responses...          40,183
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 48893) 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.

[[Page 68082]]

We display the OMB control number and provide the address to which they 
should send comments. We have received one comment in response to these 
efforts; however, it was not germane to the paperwork burdens of this 
ICR.
    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. 2013-27074 Filed 11-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P