[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 97 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31660-31664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11829]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

[Docket ID BSEE-2016-0005; OMB Control Number 1014-0010; 16XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Decommissioning Activities, 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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 renewal to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart Q, 
Decommissioning Activities.

DATES: You must submit comments by July 18, 2016.

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-2016-0005 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.

[[Page 31661]]

     Email [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to the Department of the Interior; BSEE; Regulations and Standards 
Branch; Attention: Nicole Mason; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, 
Virginia 20166. Please reference ICR 1014-0010 in your comment and 
include your name and return address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0010.
    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.
    Section 1332(6) states that ``operations in the [O]uter 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 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.
    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. Respondents pay 
cost recovery fees when removing a platform or other facility, or for 
decommissioning a pipeline lease term or a right-of-way.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, concern decommissioning 
of platforms, wells, and pipelines, as well as site clearance and 
platform removal 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.
    Regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, implement these statutory 
requirements. We use the information for the following reasons:
     To determine the necessity for allowing a well to be 
temporarily abandoned, the lessee/operator must demonstrate that there 
is a reason for not permanently abandoning the well, and the temporary 
abandonment will not constitute a significant threat to fishing, 
navigation, or other uses of the seabed. We use the information and 
documentation to verify that the lessee is diligently pursuing the 
final disposition of the well, and the lessee has performed the 
temporary plugging of the wellbore.
     The information submitted in initial decommissioning plans 
in the Alaska and Pacific OCS Regions will permit BSEE to become 
involved on the ground floor planning of platform removals anticipated 
to occur in these OCS regions.
     Site clearance and platform or pipeline removal 
information ensures that all objects (wellheads, platforms, etc.) 
installed on the OCS are properly removed using procedures that will 
protect marine life and the environment during removal operations, and 
the site cleared so as not to conflict with or harm other uses of the 
OCS.
     Decommissioning a pipeline in place is needed to ensure 
that it will not constitute a hazard to navigation and commercial 
fishing operations, unduly interfere with other uses of the OCS, or 
have adverse environmental effects.
     Verify that decommissioning activities comply with 
approved applications and procedures and are satisfactorily completed.
     The information is used to evaluate and approve the 
adequacy of the equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee 
or operator plans to use during well modifications and changes in 
equipment, etc.
     The information will help BSEE better estimate future 
decommissioning costs for OCS leases, rights-of-way, and rights of use 
and easements. BSEE's future decommissioning cost estimates may then be 
used by BOEM to set necessary financial assurance levels to minimize or 
eliminate the possibility that the government will incur abandonment 
liability.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its 
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. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. 
Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    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 currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 29,437 hours 
and $2,152,644 non-hour costs. In this submission, we are requesting a 
total of 29,318 burden hours and $2,154,320 non-hour cost burdens. 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.

[[Page 31662]]



                                                Burden Breakdown
                                     [L/T = Lease Term, ROW = Right of Way]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Non-hour cost burdens
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
  Citation 30 CFR 250  Subpart Q     Reporting requirement                                         Annual burden
                                                               Hour burden    Average number of        hours
                                                                               annual responses      (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1704(g); 1706(a), (f); 1707(d),    These sections contain        APM burden
 (h) 1709; 1712; 1715; 1716;        references to             covered under
 1717; 1721(a),(d), (f)-(h);        information, approvals,       1014-0026
 1722(a), (b), (d); 1723(b);        requests, payments,
 1743(a);.                          etc., which are
                                    submitted with an APM,
                                    the burdens for which
                                    are covered under its
                                    own information
                                    collection.
1700 thru 1754...................  General departure and                  4  175 requests.......             700
                                    alternative compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in Subpart Q
                                    regulations.
                                                            -------------------------------------
1703; 1704.......................  Request approval for             Burden included below                      0
                                    decommissioning.
                                                            -------------------------------------
1704(h), (i).....................  Submit to BSEE, within                 1  820 summaries/                  820
                                    120 days after                            additional
                                    completion of each                        information.
                                    decommissioning
                                    activity, a summary of
                                    expenditures incurred;
                                    any additional
                                    information that will
                                    support and/or verify
                                    the summary.
1705.............................  Submit a description of               29  250 submittals.....           7,250
                                    your blowout preventer
                                    (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.).
1705(e)(2).......................  Allow BSEE access to                 0.5  10 submittals......               5
                                    witness testing,
                                    inspections, and
                                    information
                                    verification. Notify
                                    District Manager at
                                    least 72 hours prior to
                                    shearing ram tests.
1707(a)(2).......................  Request approval from                0.5  10 requests........               5
                                    District Manager to
                                    test all BOP system
                                    components to rated
                                    working pressure;
                                    annular BOP less than
                                    70 percent rated
                                    working pressure.
1707(b)(2).......................  State reason for                     0.5  30 responses.......              15
                                    postponing test in
                                    operations logs.
1707(b)(2).......................  Request approval from               0.75  10 requests........               8
                                    District Manager for
                                    alternate test
                                    frequencies if
                                    condition/BOP warrant.
1707(f)..........................  Request alternative                  0.5  20 requests........              10
                                    method to record test
                                    pressures.
1707(f)..........................  Record test pressures                  1  250 records/                    250
                                    during BOP and coiled                     certifications.
                                    tubing on a pressure
                                    chart or w/digital
                                    recorder; certify
                                    charts are correct.
1707(g)..........................  Record or reference in                 1  250 records........             250
                                    operations log all
                                    pertinent information
                                    listed in this
                                    requirement; make all
                                    documents pertaining to
                                    BOP tests, actuations
                                    and inspections
                                    available for BSEE
                                    review at facility for
                                    duration of well
                                    abandonment activity;
                                    retain all records for
                                    2 years at a location
                                    conveniently available
                                    for the District
                                    Manager.
1708(a), (b).....................  Document BOP inspection                1  75 records.........              75
                                    and maintenance
                                    procedures used; record
                                    results of BOP
                                    inspections and
                                    maintenance actions;
                                    maintain records for 2
                                    years or longer if
                                    directed by BSEE; make
                                    available to BSEE upon
                                    request.
1708(a)..........................  Request alternative                  0.5  5 requests.........               3
                                    method to inspect
                                    marine risers.
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  1,905 responses....           9,391
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                                           Permanently Plugging Wells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1711.............................  Required data if               Requirement not considered                   0
                                    permanently plugging a    Information Collection under 5 CFR
                                    well.                                1320.3(h)(9)
                                                            -------------------------------------
1713.............................  Notify BSEE 48 hours                 0.5  700 notices........             350
                                    before beginning
                                    operations to
                                    permanently plug a well.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  700 responses......             350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31663]]

 
                                            Temporary Abandoned Wells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1721(e); 1722(e), (h)(1); 1741(c)  Identify and report          U.S. Coast Guard requirements                  0
                                    subsea wellheads,
                                    casing stubs, or other
                                    obstructions; mark
                                    wells protected by a
                                    dome; mark location to
                                    be cleared as
                                    navigation hazard.
                                                            -------------------------------------
1722(c), (g)(2)..................  Notify BSEE within 5                   1  10 notices.........              10
                                    days if trawl does not
                                    pass over protective
                                    device or causes
                                    damages to it; or if
                                    inspection reveals
                                    casing stub or mud line
                                    suspension is no longer
                                    protected.
1722(f), (g)(3)..................  Submit annual report on              2.5  95 reports.........             238
                                    plans for re-entry to
                                    complete or permanently
                                    abandon the well and
                                    inspection report.
1722(h)..........................  Request waiver of                    1.5  5 requests.........               8
                                    trawling test.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  110 responses......             256
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Removing Platforms and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1726; 1704(a)....................  Submit initial                        20  2 applications.....              40
                                    decommissioning
                                    application in the
                                    Pacific and Alaska OCS
                                    Regions.
1725; 1727; 1728; 1730; 1704(b)..  Submit final application              28  327 applications...           9,156
                                    and appropriate data to
                                    remove platform or
                                    other subsea facility
                                    structures (including
                                    alternate depth
                                    departure) or approval
                                    to maintain, to conduct
                                    other operations, or to
                                    convert to artificial
                                    reef.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                        $4,684 fee x 327 = $1,531,668
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
1725(e)..........................  Notify BSEE 48 hours                 0.5  277 notices........             139
                                    before beginning
                                    removal of platform and
                                    other facilities.
1729; 1704(c)....................  Submit post platform or              9.5  277 reports........           2,632
                                    other facility removal
                                    report; supporting
                                    documentation; signed
                                    statements, etc.
1731(c)..........................  Request deferral of                 1.75  50 request.........              88
                                    facility removal
                                    subject to RUE issued
                                    under 30 CFR 556.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  933 responses......          12,055
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                       $1,531,668 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Site Clearance for Wells, Platforms, and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1740; 1741(g)....................  Request approval to use            12.75  75 requests/contact             956
                                    alternative methods of
                                    well site, platform, or
                                    other facility
                                    clearance; contact
                                    pipeline owner/operator
                                    before trawling to
                                    determine its condition.
1743(b); 1704(f).................  Verify permanently                     5  299 verifications..           1,495
                                    plugged well, platform,
                                    or other facility
                                    removal site cleared of
                                    obstructions;
                                    supporting
                                    documentation; and
                                    submit certification
                                    letter.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  374 responses......           2,451
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Pipeline Decommissioning
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1750; 1751; 1752; 1754; 1704(d)..  Submit application to                 10  226 applications...           2,260
                                    decommission pipeline
                                    in place or remove
                                    pipeline (L/T or ROW).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $1,142 L/T decommission fee x 226 = $258,092
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                         10  168................           1,680
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                               $2,170 ROW decommissioning fees x 168 = $364,560
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
1753; 1704(e)....................  Submit post pipeline                 2.5  350 reports........             875
                                    decommissioning report.
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  744 responses......           4,815
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31664]]

 
                                                                        $622,652 non-hour cost burdens
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden.............  ........................  ..............  4,766 Responses....          29,318
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                               $2,154,320 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified three non-hour paperwork cost burdens for this collection. 
Respondents pay cost recovery fees when removing a platform or other 
facility under Sec.  250.1727 for $4,684, or for decommissioning a 
pipeline under Sec.  250.1751(a)--L/T for $1,142 or a ROW for $2,170. 
The fees are required to recover the Federal Government's processing 
costs, and we have not identified any others. We estimate a total 
reporting non-hour cost burden of $2,154,320 for this collection.
    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 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.
    BSEE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Nicole Mason, (703) 
787-1607.

    Dated: May 13, 2016.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-11829 Filed 5-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P