[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20897-20905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08332]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2014-0004; OMB Control Number 1014-0018; 14XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Oil and Gas Drilling 
Operations; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-day Notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) 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 a revision to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart D, Oil and Gas 
Drilling Operations.

DATES: You must submit comments by June 13, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods 
listed below.
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2014-0004 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 
381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please 
reference ICR 1014-0018 in your comment and include your name and 
return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607 to request additional information 
about this ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations.
    Form(s): BSEE-0123, -0123S, -0124, -0125, -0133, -0133S, and -0144.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0018.
    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 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 OCS Lands 
Act 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 the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement (BSEE), 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as additional authority 
for these requirements.
    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, BSEE is required to 
charge fees 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. Well operation applications and reports 
are subject to cost recovery, and BSEE regulations specify service fees 
for these requests.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are among those 
delegated to BSEE. 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. The 
regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart D, pertain to governing oil and 
gas production, associated forms, and related Notices to Lessees (NTLs) 
and Operators. We use the information 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.

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    This ICR includes several forms. In this submission, we have 
included a certification statement on all the forms to state that false 
submissions are subject to criminal penalties. Additional minor changes 
to the forms are as follows:

Form BSEE-0123

    Question 17--facility name was added;
    Question 25--revised the citations for accuracy;
    Question 33--added a new question relating to digital BOP 
testing.

Form BSEE-0124

    Question 18 updated the regulatory citations.

Form BSEE-0125

    Question 34(a) Bottomhole Pressure (PSI), and
    Question 34(b) Bottomhole Temperature ([deg]F).

Form BSEE-0144

    Included Alaska and Pacific OCS Region contact information.
    Once this IC collection is approved, the revisions will be added to 
the forms and the eWell screen shot(s); the revised PRA statement will 
be posted on the eWell Web site.
    The forms use and information consist of the following:

Application for Permit To Drill, BSEE-0123 and -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, and cementing programs to ascertain that the proposed 
operations will be conducted in an operationally safe manner that 
provides adequate protection for the environment. The 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 OCS Lands Act to make available to the public certain information 
submitted on Forms 0123 and 0123S.

Application for Permit To Modify, BSEE-0124

    The information on this form is used to evaluate and approve the 
adequacy of the equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee 
or operator plans to use during drilling plan modifications, changes in 
major drilling equipment, and plugging back. In addition, except for 
proprietary data, BSEE is required by the OCS Lands Act to make 
available to the public certain information submitted on Form 0124.

End of Operations Report, BSEE-0125

    This information is used to ensure that industry has accurate and 
up-to-date data and information on wells and leasehold activities under 
their jurisdiction and to ensure compliance with approved plans and any 
conditions placed upon a suspension or temporary prohibition. It is 
also used to evaluate the remedial action in the event of well 
equipment failure or well control loss. The Form BSEE-0125 is updated 
and resubmitted in the event the well status changes. In addition, 
except for proprietary data, BSEE is required by the OCS Lands Act to 
make available to the public certain information submitted on BSEE-
0125.

Well Activity Report, BSEE-0133 and -0133S

    The BSEE uses this information to monitor the conditions of a well 
and status of drilling operations. We review the information to be 
aware of the well conditions and current drilling activity (i.e., well 
depth, drilling fluid weight, casing types and setting depths, 
completed well logs, and recent safety equipment tests and drills). The 
engineer uses this information to determine how accurately the lessee 
anticipated well conditions and if the lessee or operator is following 
the approved Application for Permit to Drill (BSEE-0123). The 
information is also used for review of an APM (BSEE-0124). With the 
information collected on BSEE-0133 available, the reviewers can analyze 
the proposed revisions (e.g., revised grade of casing or deeper casing 
setting depth) and make a quick and informed decision on the request.

Rig Movement Notification Report, Form BSEE-0144

    As activity increased over the years in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), 
the rig notification requirement became essential for BSEE inspection 
scheduling and has become a standard condition of approval for certain 
permits. The BSEE needs the information on BSEE-0144 to schedule 
inspections and verify that the equipment being used complies with 
approved permits. In reporting rig movements respondents have the 
option of submitting the form or using a web-based system for 
electronic data submissions. The information on this form is used 
primarily in the GOM to ascertain the precise arrival and departure of 
all rigs in OCS waters in the GOM. The accurate location of these rigs 
is necessary to facilitate the scheduling of inspections by BSEE 
personnel.
    It is noted that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) also requires 
notification of rig movement and that there is some duplication of 
information reported. Since we do not need this information however 
this does addresses USCG information. These optional data elements in 
the form satisfy any concerns in reporting rig movement information to 
both BSEE and the USCG.
    We will protect personally identifiable information about 
individuals according to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and DOIs 
implementing regulations (43 CFR 2). We protect proprietary information 
according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's 
implementing regulations (43 CFR 2); 30 CFR 250.197, Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection; and 30 CFR part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program. 
Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency: Responses are submitted generally on occasion, monthly, 
semi-annually, annually, and as a result of situations encountered 
depending upon the requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 216,211 hours. 
In this submission, we are requesting a total of 208,603 burden hours 
based on new estimates. The following chart details the individual 
components and respective hour burden estimates of this ICR. 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.
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BILLING CODE 4310-VH-C
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: The 
currently approved non-hour cost burden for this collection is 
$2,225,286. In this ICR, we have identified two non-hour cost burdens. 
Applications for Permit to Drill (APDs) require a fee ($2,113), and 
Applications for Permit to Modify (APMs) require a fee ($125). We have 
not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this 
collection of information, and we estimate a total reporting non-hour 
cost burden of $1,223,729.
    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 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

[[Page 20905]]

on the respondents, including the use of technology.
    Agencies must also estimate the non-hour paperwork cost burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have other than hour burden costs to 
generate, maintain, and disclose this information, you should comment 
and provide your total capital and startup cost components or annual 
operation, maintenance, and purchase of service components. For further 
information on this burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(1) and (2), or 
contact the Bureau representative listed previously in this notice.
    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 Comment Procedures: 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: April 8, 2014.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2014-08332 Filed 4-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P