[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14266-14271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05550]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2013-0008; EEEE500000 ET1SF0000.DAQ000; OMB Number 
1014-NEW]


Information Collection Activities: Application for Permit To 
Drill (APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all 
Supporting Documentation; 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) for approval of the paperwork requirements in 
the regulations under Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf pertaining to an Application for Permit to Drill 
(APD), a Revised APD, and all supporting documentation. This notice 
also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the revised 
paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. This ICR will 
separate out the hours and non-hour cost burdens associated with APDs 
from its currently approved IC into its own separate collection; it 
will also reflect more accurate burden estimates.

DATES: You must submit comments by April 14, 2014.

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-NEW). 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-2013-0008 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email [email protected], fax (703) 787-1546, or mail 
or hand-carry comments to: Department of the Interior; BSEE; 
Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 381 Elden 
Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 1014-NEW 
in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607, 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, Application for Permit to Drill (APD, Revised 
APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all supporting 
documentation.
    Form(s): BSEE-0123 and -0123S.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-NEW.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (OCSLA), 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. Section 1332(6) states that 
``operations in the Outer Continental Shelf should be conducted in a 
safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, 
and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood 
of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical 
obstructions to other users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or 
other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to 
property or endanger life or health.''
    In addition to the general authority of OCSLA, 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, 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. The Secretary has delegated some of the authority under 
FOGRMA to BSEE.
    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 OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the 
full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the 
Department of the Interior's implementing policy, the BSEE is required 
to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or privileges 
to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which 
accrue to the public at large. Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs) 
are subject to cost recovery and BSEE regulations specify a service fee 
for this request.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR part 250 stipulate the various 
requirements that must be submitted with an APD, Revised APD, and the 
supplemental APD information sheet. The forms and the numerous 
submittals that are included and/or attached to the forms are the 
subject of this collection. Currently, this information is collected 
under 30 CFR part 250, Subpart D, 1014-0018 (216,211 hour burdens/
$2,225,286 non-hour cost burdens; expiration 10/21/2014); but this 
request will separate out the hours and non-hour cost burdens 
associated with APDs into its own separate collection so that both 
industry and BSEE have a better understanding of the complexities 
associated with all the information that is submitted with these forms 
throughout the various subparts; and will reflect more accurate burden 
estimates.
    This request also covers any related Notices to Lessees and 
Operators (NTLs) that BSEE issues to clarify, supplement, or provide 
additional guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
    This ICR includes forms, APD, BSEE-0123 and Supplemental APD 
Information Sheet, BSEE-0123s. In this submission, we have included a

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certification statement on both forms to state that false submissions 
are subject to criminal penalties.
    Also, we clarified some sections of Form BSEE-0123 (Form BSEE-0123s 
remains the same). This poses minor edits and they are as follows:
    Question 17--facility name was added;
    Question 25--revised the citations for accuracy;
    Question 33--added a new question relating to digital BOP 
testing.
    Application for Permit to Drill, BSEE-0123 and Supplemental APD 
Information Sheet, BSEE-0123S.
    The BSEE uses the information from these forms to determine the 
conditions of a drilling site to avoid hazards inherent in drilling 
operations. Specifically, we use the information to evaluate the 
adequacy of a lessee's or operator's plan and equipment for drilling, 
sidetracking, or deepening operations. This includes the adequacy of 
the proposed casing design, casing setting depths, drilling fluid (mud) 
programs, cementing programs, and blowout preventer (BOP) systems to 
ascertain that the proposed operations will be conducted in an 
operationally safe manner that provides adequate protection for the 
environment. BSEE also reviews the information to ensure conformance 
with specific provisions of the lease. In addition, except for 
proprietary data, BSEE is required by the OCSLA to make available to 
the public certain information submitted on Forms BSEE-0123 and -0123S.
    The forms use and information consist of the following:
    BSEE-0123
    Heading: BSEE uses the information to identify the type of proposed 
drilling activity for which approval is requested.
    Well at Total Depth/Surface: Information utilized to identify the 
location (area, block, lease, latitude and longitude) of the proposed 
drilling activity.
    Significant Markers Anticipated: Identification of significant 
geologic formations, structures and/or horizons that the lessee or 
operator expects to encounter. This information, in conjunction with 
seismic data, is needed to correlate with other wells drilled in the 
area to assess the risks and hazards inherent in drilling operations.
    Question/Information: The information is used to ascertain the 
adequacy of the drilling fluids (mud) program to ensure control of the 
well, the adequacy of the surface casing compliance with EPA offshore 
pollutant discharge requirements and the shut in of adjacent wells to 
ensure safety while moving a rig on and off a drilling location, as 
well that the worst case discharge scenario information reflects the 
well and is updated if applicable. This information is also provided in 
the course of electronically requesting approval of drilling operations 
via eWell.
    BSEE-0123S
    Heading: BSEE uses this information to identify the lease operator, 
rig name, rig elevation, water depth, type well (exploratory, 
development), and the presence of H2S and other data which is needed to 
assess operational risks and safety.
    Well Design Information: This engineering data identifies casing 
size, pressure rating, setting depth and current volume, hole size, mud 
weight, BOP and well bore designs, formation and BOP test data, and 
other criteria. The information is utilized by BSEE engineers to verify 
operational safety and ensure well control to prevent blowouts and 
other hazards to personnel and the environment. This form accommodates 
requested data collection for successive sections of the borehole as 
drilling proceeds toward total depth below each intermediate casing 
point.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are among those 
delegated to BSEE. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or 
retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The 
BSEE protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's implementing regulations (43 
CFR part 2), and under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection, 30 CFR Part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    The information collected is used in our efforts to ensure safe 
drilling operations and to protect the human, marine, and coastal 
environment. Among other things, BSEE specifically uses the information 
to ensure: The drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; the 
lessee or operator will not encounter geologic conditions that present 
a hazard to operations; equipment is maintained in a state of readiness 
and meets safety standards; each drilling crew is properly trained and 
able to promptly perform well-control activities at any time during 
well operations; compliance with safety standards; and the current 
regulations will provide for safe and proper field or reservoir 
development, resource evaluation, conservation, protection of 
correlative rights, safety, and environmental protection. We also 
review well records to ascertain whether drilling operations have 
encountered hydrocarbons or H2S and to ensure that H2S detection 
equipment, personnel protective equipment, and training of the crew are 
adequate for safe operations in zones known to contain H2S and zones 
where the presence of H2S is unknown.
    Frequency: On occasion and as required by regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise OCS 
Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 20,312 
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.
BILLING CODE 4310-01-P

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BILLING CODE 4310-VH-C
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified one non-hour cost burden associated with this collection of 
information. When respondents submit an APD (BSEE-0123), they submit a 
$2,113 fee for initial applications only (there is no fee for a 
revision). We have

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not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this 
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 December 3, 
2013, we published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 72688) announcing 
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided 
the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides 
the OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements 
imposed by the regulations and forms. The regulation also informs the 
public that they may comment at any time on the collections of 
information and provides the address to which they should send 
comments. We received no comments in response to the Federal Register 
or any unsolicited comments.
    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: February 19, 2014.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2014-05550 Filed 3-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P