[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65395-65399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22829]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2016-0014; OMB Control Number 1014-0011; 16XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Platforms and Structures; 
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 renewal to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart I, Platforms 
and Structures.

[[Page 65396]]


DATES: You must submit comments by November 21, 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-2016-0014 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 the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: 
Nicole Mason; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please reference 
ICR 1014-0011 in your comment and include your name and return address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart I, Platforms and Structures.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0011.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (OCSLA) at 43 
U.S.C. 1334 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 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. 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 which 
accrue to the public at large. Various applications, reports, and 
certifications for Platform Verification Program, fixed structure, 
Caisson/Well Protector, and modification repairs are subject to cost 
recovery, and BSEE regulations specify service fees for these requests.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart I, pertain to Platforms 
and Structures 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.
    Some responses are mandatory and some are required to obtain or 
retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BSEE 
will 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 part 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.
    The BSEE uses the information submitted under Subpart I to 
determine the structural integrity of all OCS platforms and floating 
production facilities and to ensure that such integrity will be 
maintained throughout the useful life of these structures. We use the 
information to ascertain, on a case-by-case basis, that the fixed and 
floating platforms and structures are structurally sound and safe for 
their intended use to ensure safety of personnel and prevent pollution. 
More specifically, we use the information to:
     Review data concerning damage to a platform to assess the 
adequacy of proposed repairs.
     Review applications for platform construction 
(construction is divided into three phases-design, fabrication, and 
installation) to ensure the structural integrity of the platform.
     Review verification plans and third-party reports for 
unique platforms to ensure that all nonstandard situations are given 
proper consideration during the platform design, fabrication, and 
installation.
     Review platform design, fabrication, and installation 
records to ensure that the platform is constructed according to 
approved applications.
     Review inspection reports to ensure that platform 
integrity is maintained for the life of the platform.
    Frequency: On occasion, as a result of situations encountered; and 
annually.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents include Federal 
OCS oil, gas, or sulfur 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 261,313 hours 
and $392,874 non-hour costs. 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.

[[Page 65397]]



                                                                    Burden Breakdown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Reporting and/or
  Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart I and          recordkeeping                   Hour burden              Average number of annual reponses   Annual burden
             related NTLs                    requirement *                                                                                    hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Non-hour cost burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           General Requirements for Platforms
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900(b), (c), (e); 901(b); 905; 906;    Submit application,       817...............................  100 applications..................           81,700
 910(c), (d); 911(c), (g); 912; 913;    along with reports/
 919; NTL(s).                           surveys and relevant
[PAP 904-908; PVP 909-918]...........   data, to install new
                                        platform or floating
                                        production facility or
                                        significant changes to
                                        approved applications,
                                        including but not
                                        limited to: Summary of
                                        safety factors utilized
                                        in design of the
                                        platform; use of
                                        alternative codes,
                                        rules, or standards;
                                        CVA changes; and
                                        Platform Verification
                                        Program (PVP) plan for
                                        design, fabrication,
                                        and installation of
                                        new, fixed, bottom-
                                        founded, pile-
                                        supported, or concrete-
                                        gravity platforms and
                                        new floating platforms.
                                        Consult as required
                                        with BSEE and/or USCG.
                                        Re/Submit application
                                        for major
                                        modification(s)/repairs
                                        to any platform and
                                        obtain approval; and
                                        related requirements.
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                $22,734 x 3 PVP = $68,202
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          $3,256 x 12 fixed structure = $39,072
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       $1,657 x 20 Caisson/Well Protector = $33,140
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       $3,884 x 65 modifications/repairs = $252,460
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b)(4)............................  Submit application for    105...............................  4 applications....................              420
                                        approval to convert an
                                        existing platform for a
                                        new purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b)(5)............................  Submit application for    120...............................  2 applications....................              240
                                        approval to convert an
                                        existing mobile
                                        offshore drilling unit
                                        (MODU) for a new
                                        purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(c)...............................  Notify BSEE within 24     7.................................  14 notices/requests; reports......               98
                                        hours of damage and
                                        emergency repairs and
                                        request approval of
                                        repairs. Submit written
                                        completion report
                                        within 1 week upon
                                        completion of repairs.
                                                                ------------------------------------                                    ----------------
                                                                 17................................                                                  238
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(e)...............................  Submit platform           19................................  140 submittals....................            2,660
                                        installation date and
                                        the final as-built
                                        location data to the
                                        Regional Supervisor
                                        within 45 days after
                                        platform installation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(e)...............................  Resubmit an application   58................................  6 applications....................              348
                                        for approval to install
                                        a platform if it was
                                        not installed within 1
                                        year after approval (or
                                        other date specified by
                                        BSEE).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901(b)...............................  Request approval for               Burden covered under 30 CFR 250, Subpart A, 1014-0022                        0
                                        alternative codes,
                                        rules, or standards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903..................................  Record original and       204...............................  111 lessees.......................           22,644
                                        relevant material test
                                        results of all primary
                                        structural materials;
                                        retain records during
                                        all stages of
                                        construction. Compile,
                                        retain, and provide
                                        location/make available
                                        to BSEE for the
                                        functional life of
                                        platform, the as-built
                                        drawings, design
                                        assumptions/analyses,
                                        summary of
                                        nondestructive
                                        examination records,
                                        inspection results, and
                                        records of repair not
                                        covered elsewhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903(c); 905(k).......................  Submit certification                 This statement is submitted with the application                           0
                                        statement [a
                                        certification statement
                                        is not considered
                                        information collection
                                        under 5 CFR
                                        1320.3(h)(1); the
                                        burden is for the
                                        insertion of the
                                        location of the records
                                        on the statement and
                                        the submittal to BSEE].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.........................  ........................  ..................................  377 responses.....................          108,348
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $392,874 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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[[Page 65398]]

 
                                                              Platform Verification Program
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
911(c-e); 912(a-c); 914;.............  Submit complete schedule  173...............................  5 schedules.......................              865
                                        of all phases of
                                        design, fabrication,
                                        and installation with
                                        required information;
                                        also submit Gantt Chart
                                        with required
                                        information and
                                        required nomination/
                                        documentation for CVA,
                                        or to be performed by
                                        CVA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
912(a)...............................  Submit design                      Burden covered under 30 CFR 550, Subpart B, 1010-0151                        0
                                        verification plans with
                                        your DPP or DOCD..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
913(a)...............................  Resubmit a changed        87................................  2 plans...........................              174
                                        design, fabrication, or
                                        installation
                                        verification plan for
                                        approval.
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916(c)...............................  Submit interim and final  230...............................  10 reports........................            2,300
                                        CVA reports and
                                        recommendations on
                                        design phase.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
917(a), (c)..........................  Submit interim and final  183...............................  10 reports........................            1,830
                                        CVA reports and
                                        recommendations on
                                        fabrication phase,
                                        including notices to
                                        BSEE and operator/
                                        lessee of fabrication
                                        procedure changes or
                                        design specification
                                        modifications.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
918(c)...............................  Submit interim and final  133...............................  10 reports........................            1,330
                                        CVA reports and
                                        recommendations on
                                        installation phase.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.........................  ........................  ..................................  37 responses......................            6,499
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Inspection, Maintenance, and Assessment of Platforms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
919(a)...............................  Develop in-service        171...............................  117 lessees.......................           20,007
                                        inspection plan and
                                        keep on file. Submit
                                        annual (November 1 of
                                        each year) report on
                                        inspection of platforms
                                        or floating production
                                        facilities, including
                                        summary of testing
                                        results.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
919(b) NTL...........................  After an environmental    45 (initial)......................  150 reports.......................            6,750
                                        event, submit to
                                        Regional Supervisor
                                        initial report followed
                                        by updates and
                                        supporting information.
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 30 (update).......................  90 reports........................            2,700
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
919(c) NTL...........................  Submit results of         159...............................  200 results.......................           31,800
                                        inspections,
                                        description of any
                                        damage, assessment of
                                        structure to withstand
                                        conditions, and
                                        remediation plans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
920(a)...............................  Demonstrate platform is   130...............................  400 occurrences...................           52,000
                                        able to withstand
                                        environmental loadings
                                        for appropriate
                                        exposure category.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
920(c)...............................  Submit application and    153...............................  200 applications..................           30,600
                                        obtain approval from
                                        the Regional Supervisor
                                        for mitigation actions
                                        (includes operational
                                        procedures).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
920(e)...............................  Submit a list of all      94................................  112 operators/5 years = 23 lists              2,162
                                        platforms you operate,                                        per year.
                                        and appropriate
                                        supporting data, every
                                        5 years or as directed
                                        by the Regional
                                        Supervisor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
920(f)...............................  Obtain approval from the  64................................  2 approvals.......................              128
                                        Regional Supervisor for
                                        any change in the
                                        platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.........................  ........................  ..................................  1,182 responses...................          146,147
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    General Departure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900 thru 921.........................  General departure and     29................................  11 requests.......................              319
                                        alternative compliance
                                        requests not
                                        specifically covered
                                        elsewhere in Subpart I
                                        regulations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.........................  ........................  ..................................  11 responses......................              319
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 65399]]

 
        Total Burden.................  ........................  ..................................  1,607 Responses...................          261,313
                                                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                $392,874 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BSEE will be allowing the option of electronic reporting for certain requirements.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified four non-hour cost burdens, which are service fees required 
to recover the Federal Government's processing costs of certain 
submissions for various platform applications/installations. The 
platform fees are as follows: $22,734 for installation under the 
Platform Verification Program; $3,256 for installation of fixed 
structures under the Platform Approval Program; $1,657 for installation 
of Caisson/Well Protectors; and $3,884 for modifications and/or repairs 
(see Sec.  250.125). 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 $392,874.
    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 non-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 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.
    BSEE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Nicole Mason, (703) 
787-1607.

    Dated: September 16, 2016.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-22829 Filed 9-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P