[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 184 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65399-65403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22844]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)

[Docket ID BSEE-2016-0012; OMB Number 1014-0025; 16XE1700DX EEEE500000 
EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Application for Permit Drill 
(APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and All 
Supporting Documentation; 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 30 CFR 250 where it 
pertains to an Application for Permit Drill (APD, Revised APD), 
Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all supporting documentation.

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-2016-0012 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 1014-0025 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, Application for Permit to Drill (APD, Revised 
APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all supporting 
documentation.
    Form(s): BSEE-0123 and -0123S.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0025.
    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

[[Page 65400]]

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. Applications for permits to drill and 
modification approvals 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 stipulate the various requirements 
that must be submitted with forms BSEE-0123 (Application for Permit to 
Drill) and BSEE-0123S (Supplemental APD Information Sheet), and the 
numerous submittals included with them; and are the subject of this 
collection.
    This request also covers 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.
    BSEE uses the information to ensure safe drilling operations and to 
protect the human, marine, and coastal environment. Among other things, 
BSEE specifically uses the information to ensure: The drilling unit is 
fit for the intended purpose; the lessee or operator will not encounter 
geologic conditions that present a hazard to operations; equipment is 
maintained in a state of readiness and meets safety standards; each 
drilling crew is properly trained and able to promptly perform well-
control activities at any time during well operations; compliance with 
safety standards; and the current regulations will provide for safe and 
proper field or reservoir development, resource evaluation, 
conservation, protection of correlative rights, safety, and 
environmental protection. We also review well records to ascertain 
whether drilling operations have encountered hydrocarbons or H2S and to 
ensure that H2S detection equipment, personnel protective equipment, 
and training of the crew are adequate for safe operations in zones 
known to contain H2S and zones where the presence of H2S is unknown.
    Also, we use the information to determine the conditions of a 
drilling site to avoid hazards inherent in drilling operations. 
Specifically, we use the information to evaluate the adequacy of a 
lessee's or operator's plan and equipment for drilling, sidetracking, 
or deepening operations. This includes the adequacy of the proposed 
casing design, casing setting depths, drilling fluid (mud) programs, 
cementing programs, and blowout preventer (BOP) systems to ascertain 
that the proposed operations will be conducted in an operationally safe 
manner that provides adequate protection for the environment. The BSEE 
also reviews the information to ensure conformance with specific 
provisions of the lease. In addition, except for proprietary data, BSEE 
is required by the OCSLA to make available to the public certain 
information.
    The information on the forms is as follows:

BSEE-0123

    Heading: BSEE uses the information to identify the type of proposed 
drilling activity for which approval is requested.
    Well at Total Depth/Surface: Information utilized to identify the 
location (area, block, lease, latitude and longitude) of the proposed 
drilling activity.
    Significant Markers Anticipated: Identification of significant 
geologic formations, structures and/or horizons that the lessee or 
operator expects to encounter. This information, in conjunction with 
seismic data, is needed to correlate with other wells drilled in the 
area to assess the risks and hazards inherent in drilling operations.
    Question/Information: The information is used to ascertain the 
adequacy of the drilling fluids (mud) program to ensure control of the 
well, the adequacy of the surface casing compliance with EPA offshore 
pollutant discharge requirements, and the shut-in of adjacent wells to 
ensure safety while moving a rig on and off a drilling location; as 
well as ensure the worst case discharge scenario information reflects 
the well and is updated if applicable. This information is also 
provided in the course of electronically requesting approval of 
drilling operations via eWell.

BSEE-0123S

    Heading: BSEE uses this information to identify the lease operator, 
rig name, rig elevation, water depth, type well (exploratory, 
development), and the presence of H2S and other data which is needed to 
assess operational risks and safety.
    Well Design Information: This engineering data identifies casing 
size, pressure rating, setting depth and current volume, hole size, mud 
weight, blowout preventer (BOP) and well bore designs, formation and 
BOP test data and other criteria. The information is utilized by BSEE 
engineers to verify operational safety and ensure well control to 
prevent blowouts and other hazards to personnel and the environment. 
This form accommodates requested data collection for successive 
sections of the borehole as drilling

[[Page 65401]]

proceeds toward total depth below each intermediate casing point.
    Frequency: On occasion and as required by regulations.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise 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 47,800 hours 
and $862,104 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.
    [Note: In the burden table, a revised APD hour burden is preceded 
by the letter R]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Citation 30 CFR 250;          Reporting or                                                   Annual burden
application for permit to drill    recordkeeping      Hour burden    Average number of responses       hours
             (APD)                  requirement                                                      (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts A, D, E, H, P.........  Apply for permit                1  408 applications............             408
                                  to drill,
                                  sidetrack,
                                  bypass, or
                                  deepen a well
                                  submitted via
                                  Forms BSEE-0123
                                  (APD) and BSEE-
                                  0123S
                                  (Supplemental
                                  APD). (This
                                  burden
                                  represents only
                                  the filling out
                                  of the forms,
                                  the requirements
                                  are listed
                                  separately
                                  below).
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     $2,113 fee x 408 = $862,104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts D and E...............  Obtain approval                 1  662 submittals..............             662
                                  to revise your
                                  drilling plan or
                                  change major
                                  drilling
                                  equipment by
                                  submitting a
                                  Revised APD and
                                  Supplemental APD
                                  [no cost
                                  recovery fee for
                                  Revised APDs].
                                  (This burden
                                  represents only
                                  the filling out
                                  of the forms,
                                  the requirements
                                  are listed
                                  separately
                                  below).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  .................  ..............  1,070 responses.............           1,070
                                                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                                           $862,104 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125............................  Submit evidence           Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)                     0
                                  of your fee for
                                  services receipt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
197............................  Written                   Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)                     0
                                  confidentiality
                                  agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
409............................  Request departure               1  367 approvals...............             367
                                  approval from
                                  the drilling
                                  requirements
                                  specified in
                                  this subpart;
                                  identify and
                                  discuss.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
410(d).........................  Submit to the                 0.5  380 submittals..............             190
                                  District
                                  Manager: An
                                  original and two
                                  complete copies
                                  of APD and
                                  Supplemental
                                  APD; separate
                                  public
                                  information copy
                                  of forms per
                                  Sec.   250.186.
                                                             R-0.5  380 submittals..............             190
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411; 412.......................  Submit plat                     2  380 submittals..............             760
                                  showing location
                                  of the proposed
                                  well and all the
                                  plat
                                  requirements
                                  associated with
                                  this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411; 413; 414; 415.............  Submit design                11.5  707 submittals..............           8,131
                                  criteria used
                                  and all
                                  description
                                  requirements;
                                  drilling
                                  prognosis with
                                  description of
                                  the procedures
                                  you will follow;
                                  and casing and
                                  cementing
                                  program
                                  requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411; 416.......................  Submit diverter                 3  380 submittals..............           1,140
                                  and BOP systems
                                  descriptions and
                                  all the
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements
                                  associated with
                                  this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411; 417.......................  Provide                        10  682 submittals..............           6,820
                                  information for
                                  using a MODU and
                                  all the
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements
                                  associated with
                                  this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411; 418.......................  Additional                     19  380 submittals..............           7,220
                                  information
                                  required when
                                  providing an APD
                                  include, but not
                                  limited to,
                                  rated capacities
                                  of drilling rig
                                  and equipment if
                                  not already on
                                  file; quantities
                                  of fluids,
                                  including weight
                                  materials;
                                  directional
                                  plot; H2S;
                                  welding plan;
                                  and information
                                  we may require
                                  per
                                  requirements,
                                  etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
420(a)(6)......................  (i) Include                     3  1,034 certification.........           3,102
                                  signed
                                  registered
                                  professional
                                  engineer
                                  certification
                                  and related
                                  information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
423(b)(3)......................  Submit for                      3  527 procedures & criteria...           1,581
                                  approval casing
                                  pressure test
                                  procedures and
                                  criteria. On
                                  casing seal
                                  assembly ensure
                                  proper
                                  installation of
                                  casing or line
                                  (subsea BOP's
                                  only).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 65402]]

 
423(c)(3)......................  Submit test                   2.5  355 submittals..............             888
                                  procedures and
                                  criteria for a
                                  successful
                                  negative
                                  pressure test
                                  for approval. If
                                  any change,
                                  submit changes
                                  for approval.
                                                               R-4  1 change....................               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
432............................  Request departure               5  53 requests.................             265
                                  from diverter
                                  requirements;
                                  with discussion
                                  and receive
                                  approval.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
447(c).........................  Indicate which                  1  355 casing/liner info.......             355
                                  casing strings
                                  and liners meet
                                  the criteria of
                                  this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
448(b).........................  Request approval                2  353 requests................             706
                                  of test
                                  pressures (RAM
                                  BOPs).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
448(c).........................  Request approval                1  380 requests................             380
                                  of pressure test
                                  (annular BOPs).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
449(j).........................  Submit test                     2  507 submittals..............           1,014
                                  procedures,
                                  including how
                                  you will test
                                  each ROV
                                  intervention
                                  function, for
                                  approval (subsea
                                  BOPs only).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
449(k).........................  You must submit               2.5  507 submittals..............           1,268
                                  test procedures
                                  (autoshear and
                                  deadman systems)
                                  for approval.
                                  Include
                                  documentation of
                                  the controls/
                                  circuitry system
                                  used for each
                                  test; describe
                                  how the ROV will
                                  be utilized
                                  during this
                                  operation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
456(j).........................  Request approval              4.5  518 approval requests.......           2,331
                                  to displace kill-
                                  weight fluid;
                                  include reasons
                                  why along with
                                  step-by-step
                                  procedures.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
460(a).........................  Include your                   12  2 plans.....................              24
                                  projected plans
                                  if well testing
                                  along with the
                                  required
                                  information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
490(c)(2 thru 4)...............  (2) Request to                  3  91 requests.................             273
                                  classify an area
                                  for the presence
                                  of H2S.
                                 (3) Support                     3  73 submittals...............             219
                                  request with
                                  available
                                  information such
                                  as G&G data,
                                  well logs,
                                  formation tests,
                                  cores and
                                  analysis of
                                  formation fluids.
                                 (4) Submit a                    1  4 requests..................               4
                                  request for
                                  reclassification
                                  of a zone when a
                                  different
                                  classification
                                  is needed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Region: 410; 412 thru     Due to the                  2,800  1 request...................           2,800
 418; 420; 442; 444; 449; 456.    difficulties of
                                  drilling in
                                  Alaska, along
                                  with the
                                  shortened time
                                  window allowed
                                  for drilling,
                                  Alaska hours are
                                  done here as
                                  stand alone
                                  requirement.
                                  Also, note that
                                  these specific
                                  hours are based
                                  on the first APD
                                  in Alaska in
                                  more than 10
                                  years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subpart D subtotal.........  .................  ..............  8,417 responses.............          40,032
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
513............................  (a) Obtain                      3  288 requests................             864
                                  approval to
                                  begin well
                                  completion
                                  operations. If
                                  completion is
                                  planned and the
                                  data are
                                  available you
                                  may submit on
                                  forms.
                                                               R-6  1 request...................               6
                                 (b) Submit                   16.5  295 submittals..............           4,868
                                  description of
                                  well-completion,
                                  schematics,
                                  logs, any H2S;
                                  on form.
                                                              R-26  1 submittal.................              26
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
516(a).........................  Submit well-                    3  295 procedures..............             885
                                  control
                                  procedure
                                  indicating how
                                  the annular
                                  preventer will
                                  be utilized and
                                  the pressure
                                  limitations that
                                  will be applied
                                  during each mode
                                  of pressure
                                  control.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subpart E subtotal.........  .................  ..............  880 responses...............           6,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart H
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
807(a).........................  Submit detailed              3.75  1 submittal.................               4
                                  information that
                                  demonstrates the
                                  SSSVs and
                                  related
                                  equipment are
                                  capable of
                                  performing in
                                  HPHT.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subpart H subtotal.........  .................  ..............  1 response..................               4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 65403]]

 
                                                    Subpart P
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for Sulphur Operations, while there may be 45 burden hours listed, we have not had any sulphur leases
 for numerous years, therefore, we have submitted minimal burden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1605(b)(3).....................  Submit                          4  1 submittal.................               4
                                  information on
                                  the fitness of
                                  the drilling
                                  unit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1617...........................  (a) Request                     1  1 submittal.................               1
                                  approval before
                                  drilling a well.
                                 (b) Include rated               3  1 submittal.................               3
                                  capacities of
                                  the proposed
                                  drilling unit
                                  and of major
                                  drilling
                                  equipment.
                                 (c) Include a                  34  1 submittal.................              34
                                  fully completed
                                  Form BSEE-0123
                                  and the
                                  requirements of
                                  this section.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1622(b)........................  Submit                          3  1 submittal.................               3
                                  description of
                                  well-completion
                                  or workover
                                  procedures,
                                  schematic, and
                                  if H2S is
                                  present.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subpart P subtotal.........  .................  ..............  5 responses.................              45
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden...........  .................  ..............  10,373 responses............          47,800
                                                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                                                            $862,104 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified one non-hour cost burden associated with the collection of 
information for a total of $862,104. There is a service fee of $2,113 
required to recover the Federal Government's processing costs of the 
APD. We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated 
with this collection of information.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    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. 2016-22844 Filed 9-21-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P