[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 180 (Friday, September 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63799-63803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22355]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0114; MMAA104000]


Information Collection: General Oil and Gas and Sulphur and 
Production Requirements in the Outer Continental Shelf; Proposed 
Collection for OMB Review; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) 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 the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under 30 CFR 550, Subparts A, General; and K, and Oil and 
Gas Production Requirements, as well as the associated forms. The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1010-
0114 to this information collection.

DATES: Submit written comments by November 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this ICR to the BOEM 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166 
(mail); or [email protected]; or 703-787-1209 (fax). Please 
reference OMB Control Number 1010-0114 in your comment and include your 
name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at 703-787-1025 for a copy of the ICR or the 
forms.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    Title: 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil and Gas 
Production Requirements.
    Forms:
     BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report;
     BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report;
     BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator; and
     BOEM-1832, Notification of Incident(s) of Noncompliance.
    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 the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations in 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 techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize . . . loss of well 
control . . . 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.''
    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 Office of Management and Budget (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 (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) 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.
    This information collection request addresses regulations at 30 CFR 
550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production 
Requirements, which deal with regulatory requirements of oil, gas, and 
sulphur operations on the OCS. This request also covers the related 
Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that BOEM issues to clarify and 
provide guidance on some aspects of our regulations, and forms BOEM-
0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, and BOEM-1832.
    The BOEM uses the information collected under the Subparts A and K 
regulations to ensure that operations in the OCS are carried out in a 
safe and environmentally sound manner, do not interfere with the rights 
of other users in the OCS, and balance the protection and development 
of OCS resources. Specifically, we use the information collected to:
     Determine the capability of a well to produce oil or gas 
in paying quantities or to determine the possible need for additional 
wells resulting in minimum royalty status on a lease.
     Provide lessees/operators greater flexibility to comply 
with regulatory requirements through approval of alternative equipment 
or procedures and departures if they demonstrate equal or better 
compliance with the appropriate performance standards.
     Ensure that subsurface storage of natural gas does not 
unduly interfere with development and production operations under 
existing leases.
     Determine if an application for right-of-use and easement 
complies with the OCS Lands Act, other applicable laws, and BOEM 
regulations; and does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of 
any other lessee.
     Provide for orderly development or disqualification of 
leases to determine the appropriateness of lessee/operator performance.
     Approve requests to cancel leases and ascertain if/when 
the Secretary may cancel leases.
     Ensure the protection of any discovered archaeological 
resources.
     Form BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report, is 
used to regulate production rates from sensitive reservoirs. BOEM 
engineers and geologists use the information for rate control and 
reservoir studies. The form requests general information about the 
reservoir and the company, volumetric

[[Page 63800]]

data, and fluid analysis and production data.
     Form BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report, is used 
to manage reservoirs in our efforts to conserve natural resources, 
prevent waste, and protect correlative rights, including the 
Government's royalty interest. Specifically, BOEM uses the information 
in reservoir evaluations to determine maximum production and efficiency 
rates and to review applications for downhole commingling to ensure 
that action does not harm ultimate recovery or undervalued royalties. 
The form requests information about the well and operator; test data 
information such as shut-in time, bottomhole temperature, kelly bushing 
elevation; and bottomhole pressure points that consist of measured 
depth(s), true vertical depth(s), pressure(s), and pressure 
gradient(s).
     Form BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator, records the 
designation of an operator authorized to act on behalf of the lessee/
operating rights owner and to fulfill their obligations under the OCS 
Lands Act and implementing regulations, or to record the local agent 
empowered to receive notices and comply with regulatory orders issued. 
This form requires the respondent to submit general information such as 
lease number, name, address, company number of designated operator, and 
signature of the authorized lessee. With this renewal, BOEM will add a 
signature line on the form to allow for the signature of the company 
designated as the operator. Also, the current instructions for 
completing form BOEM-1123 apply only to the Gulf of Mexico region. BOEM 
would like to require the form to be completed in the same way for all 
regions, so BOEM has deleted all references to the Gulf of Mexico in 
the instructions.
     Form BOEM-1832, Notification of Incidents of Non-
Compliance (INC), is used to determine that respondents have corrected 
any Incidents of Non-Compliance identified during compliance reviews. 
The BOEM issues this form to the operator and the operator then 
corrects the INC(s), signs and returns the form to the BOEM Regional 
Supervisor.
    We will protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), it's implementing regulations (43 CFR 
2), 30 CFR 252, and 30 CFR 550.197, ``Data and information to be made 
available to the public or for limited inspection.'' Proprietary 
information concerning geological and geophysical data will be 
protected according to 43 U.S.C. 1352. No items of a sensitive nature 
are collected. Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: Primarily on occasion; monthly.
    Description of Respondents: Oil and gas and sulphur lessees/
operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual burden for this collection is 30,635 hours.
    The following table details the individual BOEM components and 
respective hour burden estimates.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Non-hour cost burdens
 Citation 30 CFR 550  subpart A        Reporting or      -------------------------------------------------------
     and related forms/NTLs           recordkeeping                          Average number of     Annual burden
                                       requirement          Hour burden      annual  responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Authority and Definition of Terms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104; 181; Form BOEM-1832.......  Appeal orders or          Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).               0
                                  decisions; appeal
                                  INCs; request hearing
                                  due to cancellation of
                                  lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Performance Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115; 116.......................  Request determination                 5  90 responses..........             450
                                  of well producibility;
                                  make available or
                                  submit data and
                                  information; notify
                                  BOEM of test.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
119............................  Apply for subsurface                 10  3 applications........              30
                                  storage of gas; sign
                                  storage agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  93 responses..........             480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Cost Recovery Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125; 126; 140..................  Cost Recovery Fees;       Cost Recovery Fees and related items                0
                                  confirmation receipt      are covered individually throughout
                                  etc; verbal approvals                this subpart.
                                  and written request to
                                  follow. Includes
                                  request for refunds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Designation of Operator
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143............................  Report change of name,    Not considered information collection               0
                                  address, etc.                  under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143(a-c); 144; 146; Form BOEM-   Submit designation of                 1  2,584 forms...........           2,584
 1123.                            operator (Form BOEM-
                                  1123--form takes 30
                                  minutes); report
                                  updates; notice of
                                  termination; submit
                                  designation of agent.
                                  Request exception. NO
                                  FEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143(a-d); 144; 146; Form BOEM-   Change designation of                 1  930 forms.............             930
 1123.                            operator (Form BOEM-
                                  1123--form takes 30
                                  minutes); report
                                  updates; notice of
                                  termination; submit
                                  designation of agent;
                                  include pay.gov
                                  confirmation receipt.
                                  Request exception.
                                  SERVICE FEE.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63801]]

 
                                                                         $175 fee x 930 = $162,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186(a)(3); NTL.................  Apply for user account    Not considered information collection               0
                                  in TIMS (electronic/           under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).
                                  digital form
                                  submittals).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  3,514 responses.......           3,514
                                                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                                              $162,750 non-hour cost burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Disqualification
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101; 135; 136; Form BOEM-1832..  Submit response and                   2  94 submissions........             188
                                  required information
                                  for INC, probation, or
                                  revocation of
                                  operating status.
                                  Notify when violations
                                  corrected.
                                 Request waiver of 14-                 1  1.....................               1
                                  day response time or
                                  reconsideration.
135; 136.......................  Request reimbursement               1.5  2 requests............               3
                                  for services provided
                                  to BOEM
                                  representatives during
                                  reviews; comment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  97 responses..........             192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Special Types of Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125(c); 140....................  Request various oral                  1  100 requests..........             100
                                  approvals not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
141; 101-199...................  Request approval to use              20  100 requests..........           2,000
                                  new or alternative
                                  procedures; submit
                                  required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
142; 101-199...................  Request approval of                 2.5  100 requests..........             250
                                  departure from
                                  operating requirements
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements; submit
                                  required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  300 responses.........           2,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Right-of-use and Easement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 161; 123..................  OCS lessees: Apply for                9  26 applications.......             234
                                  new or modified right-
                                  of-use and easement to
                                  construct and maintain
                                  off-lease platforms,
                                  artificial islands,
                                  and installations and
                                  other devices; include
                                  notifications and
                                  submitting required
                                  information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160(c).........................  Establish a Company      Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-               0
                                  File for                                0006).
                                  qualification; submit
                                  updated information,
                                  submit qualifications
                                  for lessee/bidder,
                                  request exception.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 165; 123..................  State lessees: Apply                  5  1 application.........               5
                                  for new or modified
                                  right-of-use and
                                  easement to construct
                                  and maintain off-lease
                                  platforms, artificial
                                  islands, and
                                  installations and
                                  other devices; include
                                  pay.gov confirmation
                                  and notifications.
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                          ..............   $2,742 state lease fee x 1 = $2,742.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
166............................  State lessees: Furnish   Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-               0
                                  surety bond;                            0006).
                                  additional security if
                                  required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  27 responses..........             239
                                                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                                               $2,742 non-hour cost burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63802]]

 
                   Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
181(d); 182(b), 183(a)(b)......  Request termination of               20  1 request.............              20
                                  suspension,
                                  cancellation of lease,
                                  lesser lease term (no
                                  requests in recent
                                  years for termination/
                                  cancellation of a
                                  lease; minimal burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
182; 183, 185; 194.............  Various references to       Burden covered under 30 CFR 550,                  0
                                  submitting new,                 subpart B (1010-0151).
                                  revised, or modified
                                  exploration plan,
                                  development/production
                                  plan, or development
                                  operations
                                  coordination document,
                                  and related surveys/
                                  reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
184............................  Request compensation                 50  1 request.............              50
                                  for lease cancellation
                                  mandated by the OCS
                                  Lands Act (no
                                  qualified lease
                                  cancellations in many
                                  years; minimal burden
                                  compared to benefit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  2 responses...........              70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Information and Reporting Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186(a).........................  Apply to receive              Not considered IC under 5 CFR                   0
                                  administrative                       1320.3(h)(1).
                                  entitlements to eWell/
                                  TIMS system for
                                  electronic submissions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186; NTL.......................  Submit information,                  10  125...................           1,250
                                  reports, and copies as
                                  BOEM requires.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135; 136.......................  Report apparent                     1.5  2 reports.............               3
                                  violations or non-
                                  compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194; NTL.......................  Report archaeological                 2  6 reports.............              12
                                  discoveries. Submit
                                  archaeological and
                                  follow-up reports and
                                  additional information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194; NTL.......................  Request departures from               1  2 requests............               2
                                  conducting
                                  archaeological
                                  resources surveys and/
                                  or submitting reports
                                  in GOMR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194............................  Submit ancillary             Burden covered under 30 CFR 550                  0
                                  surveys/investigations          Subpart B (1010-0151).
                                  reports, as required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
196............................  Submit data/information  Burden covered under 30 CFR 551 (1010-               0
                                  for G&G activity and                    0048).
                                  request reimbursement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
197(b)(2)......................  Demonstrate release of                1  1.....................               1
                                  G&G data would unduly
                                  damage competitive
                                  position.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
197............................  *Submit confidentiality               1  1.....................               1
                                  agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  137 responses.........           1,269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135; 136.......................  During reviews, make                  2  7 reviews.............              14
                                  records available as
                                  requested by
                                  inspectors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  7 responses...........              14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
 Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart K       Well surveys and                        Average number of     Annual burden
       and related forms          classifying reservoirs    Hour burden      annual  responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153...........................  Conduct static                       14  1,161 surveys.........          16,254
                                  bottomhole pressure
                                  survey; submit Form
                                  BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole
                                  Pressure Survey
                                  Report) (within 60
                                  days after survey).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153(d)........................  Submit justification,                 1  200 survey departures.             200
                                  information, and Form
                                  BOEM-0140, to request
                                  a departure from
                                  requirement to run a
                                  static bottomhole
                                  survey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63803]]

 
1154; 1167.....................  Submit request and                    1  15 requests...........              15
                                  supporting information
                                  to reclassify
                                  reservoir.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167......  Submit Form BOEM-0127                 3  2,012 forms...........           6,036
                                  (Sensitive Reservoir
                                  Information Report)
                                  and supporting
                                  information/revisions
                                  (within 45 days after
                                  certain events or at
                                  least annually). AK
                                  Region: submit BOEM-
                                  0127 and request MER.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153-1167......................  Request general                       1  2.....................               2
                                  departure or
                                  alternative compliance
                                  requests not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1165...........................  Submit proposed plan      Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250                0
                                  for enhanced recovery                (1014-0019).
                                  operations to BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .......................  ..............  3,390 responses.......          22,507
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden...........  .......................  ..............  7,567 responses.......          30,635
                                                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                                              $165,492 non-hour cost burdens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified two non-hour cost burdens. Section 550.143 requires a fee 
for a change in designation of operator ($175). Section 550.165 
requires a State lessee applying for a right-of use and easement in the 
OCS to pay a cost recovery application fee ($2,742). These fees reflect 
the recent adjustment for inflation that became effective February 2, 
2013 (78 FR 5836, 1/28/13).
    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 on: (a) Whether or not the 
collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of our burden 
estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden on 
respondents.
    Agencies must also estimate the non-hour cost burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total 
capital and startup costs and annual operation, maintenance, and 
purchase of service costs. You should describe the methods you use to 
estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage 
facilities. You should not include estimates for equipment or services 
purchased: (a) Before October 1, 1995; (b) to comply with requirements 
not associated with the information collection; (c) for reasons other 
than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (d) 
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
    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 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: September 12, 2016.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016-22355 Filed 9-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P