[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 203 (Thursday, October 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72612-72615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25371]



[[Page 72612]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2016-0005; OMB Control Number 1014-0010; 17XE1700DX 
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Decommissioning Activities; 
Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment 
Request

ACTION: 30-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 notifying the 
public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request 
(ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under Subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities. This notice 
also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the revised 
paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by November 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email 
([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of 
the Interior (1014-0010). Please provide a copy of your comments to 
BSEE by any of the means below.
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2016-0005 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     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 1014-0010 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. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to 
http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently 
Under Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0010.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act 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, the Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement (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. Respondents pay cost recovery fees when removing a platform 
or other facility, or for decommissioning a pipeline lease term or a 
right-of-way.
    This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to 
BSEE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, concern decommissioning 
of platforms, wells, and pipelines, as well as site clearance and 
platform removal and are the subject of this collection. This request 
also covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that 
BSEE issues to clarify, supplement, or provide additional guidance on 
some aspects of our regulations.
    Responses to this collection are mandatory and are generally 
submitted on occasion, depending on the requirement. No questions of a 
sensitive nature are asked. BSEE will protect any confidential 
commercial or proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's implementing regulations (43 
CFR 2); section 26 of OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1352); 30 CFR 250.197, Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection; and 30 CFR part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
    The BSEE uses the information collected under Subpart Q primarily 
for the following reasons:
     To determine the necessity for allowing a well to be 
temporarily abandoned, the lessee/operator must demonstrate that there 
is a reason for not permanently plugging the well, and the temporary 
abandonment will not interfere with fishing, navigation, or other uses 
of the OCS. We use the information and documentation to verify that the 
lessee/operator is diligently pursuing the final disposition of the 
well and has performed the temporary plugging of the wellbore.
     To ensure the information submitted in initial 
decommissioning plans in the Alaska and Pacific OCS Regions will permit 
BSEE to become involved in the initial planning stages of platform 
removals anticipated to occur in these OCS regions.
     To ensure that all objects (wellheads, platforms, etc.) 
installed on the OCS are properly removed using procedures that will 
protect marine life and the environment during removal operations, and 
the site cleared so as not to conflict with or harm other uses of the 
OCS.
     To ensure that information regarding decommissioning a 
pipeline in place will not constitute a hazard to navigation and 
commercial fishing

[[Page 72613]]

operations, unduly interfere with other uses of the OCS, such as sand 
resource areas for coastal restoration projects, or have adverse 
environmental effects.
     To verify that decommissioning activities comply with 
approved applications and procedures and are satisfactorily completed.
     To evaluate and approve the adequacy of the equipment, 
materials, and/or procedures that the lessee or operator plans to use 
during well modifications and changes in equipment, etc.
     To help BSEE better estimate future decommissioning costs 
for OCS leases, rights-of-way, and rights of use and easements. BSEE's 
future decommissioning cost estimates may then be used by BOEM to set 
necessary financial assurance levels to minimize or eliminate the 
possibility that the government will incur abandonment liability. The 
information will assist BSEE and BOEM in meeting their stewardship 
responsibilities and in their roles as regulators.
    Frequency: Generally on occasion, annual, 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 estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 15,524 
hours and $1,686,396 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.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Non-hour cost burdens
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
  Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart Q     Reporting requirement*                                         Annual burden
                                                               Hour burden    Average number of        hours
                                                                               annual responses      (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1704(g); 1706(a), (f); 1712;       These sections contain    APM burden covered under 1014-0026.
 1715; 1716; 1721(a),(d), (f)-      references to
 (g); 1722(a), (b), (d); 1723(b);   information, approvals,
 1743(a); Sub G.                    requests, payments,
                                    etc., which are
                                    submitted with an APM,
                                    the burdens for which
                                    are covered under its
                                    own information
                                    collection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1700 thru 1754...................  General departure and     Burden covered under Subpart A 1014-              0
                                    alternative compliance                   0022
                                    requests not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in Subpart Q
                                    regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1703; 1704.......................  Request approval for             Burden included below                      0
                                    decommissioning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1704(i), (j).....................  Submit to BSEE, within                 1  820 summaries/                  820
                                    120 days after                            additional
                                    completion of each                        information.
                                    decommissioning
                                    activity, a summary of
                                    expenditures incurred;
                                    any additional
                                    information that will
                                    support and/or verify
                                    the summary.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  820 responses......       820 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Permanently Plugging Wells
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1712.............................  Required data if               Requirement not considered                   0
                                    permanently plugging a    Information Collection under 5 CFR
                                    well.                               1320.3(h)(9).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1713.............................  Notify BSEE 48 hours                 0.5  725 notices........             363
                                    before beginning
                                    operations to
                                    permanently plug a well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  725 responses......       363 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Temporary Abandoned Wells
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1721(f)..........................  Install a protector       Burden covered under Subpart I 1014-              0
                                    structure designed                       0011
                                    according to 30 CFR
                                    250, Subpart I, and
                                    equipped with aids to
                                    navigation. (These
                                    requests are processed
                                    via the appropriate
                                    Platform Application,
                                    30 CFR 250 Subpart I by
                                    the OSTS.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1721(e); 1722(e), (h)(1); 1741(c)  Identify and report          U.S. Coast Guard requirements.                 0
                                    subsea wellheads,
                                    casing stubs, or other
                                    obstructions; mark
                                    wells protected by a
                                    dome; mark location to
                                    be cleared as
                                    navigation hazard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1722(c), (g)(2); 1704(h).........  Notify BSEE within 5                   1  11 notices.........              11
                                    days if trawl does not
                                    pass over protective
                                    device or causes
                                    damages to it; or if
                                    inspection reveals
                                    casing stub or mud line
                                    suspension is no longer
                                    protected.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 72614]]

 
1722(f), (g)(3)..................  Submit annual report on              2.5  98 reports.........             245
                                    plans for re-entry to
                                    complete or permanently
                                    abandon the well and
                                    inspection report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1722(h)..........................  Request waiver of                    1.5  4 requests.........               6
                                    trawling test.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  113 responses......       262 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Removing Platforms and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1725(a)..........................  Requests to maintain the  Burden covered under Subpart I 1014-              0
                                    structure to conduct                     0011
                                    other activities are
                                    processed, evaluated
                                    and permitted by the
                                    OSTS via the
                                    appropriate Platform
                                    Application process, 30
                                    CFR 250 Subpart I.
                                    (Other activities
                                    include but are not
                                    limited to activities
                                    conducted under the
                                    grants of right-of-ways
                                    (ROWs), rights--of-use
                                    and easement (RUEs),
                                    and alternate rights-of-
                                    use and easement
                                    authority issued under
                                    30 CFR 250 Subpart J,
                                    30 CFR 550.160, and/or
                                    30 CFR 585, etc.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1725(e)..........................  Notify BSEE 48 hours                 0.5  175 notices........              88
                                    before beginning
                                    removal of platform and
                                    other facilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1726; 1704(a)....................  Submit initial                        20  1 application......              20
                                    decommissioning
                                    application in the
                                    Pacific and Alaska OCS
                                    Regions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1727; 1728; 1730; 1703; 1704(b);   Submit final application              28  240 applications...           6,720
 1725(b).                           and appropriate data to
                                    remove platform or
                                    other subsea facility
                                    structures (This
                                    included alternate
                                    depth departures and/or
                                    approvals of partial
                                    removal or toppling for
                                    conversion to an
                                    artificial reef.).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                        $4,684 fee x 240 = $1,124,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1729; 1704(c)....................  Submit post platform or              9.5  175 reports........           1,663
                                    other facility removal
                                    report; supporting
                                    documentation; signed
                                    statements, etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  591 responses......     8,491 Hours
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                                                               $1,124,160 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Site Clearance for Wells, Platforms, and Other Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1740; 1741(g)....................  Request approval to use            12.75  30 requests/                    383
                                    alternative methods of                    contacts.
                                    well site, platform, or
                                    other facility
                                    clearance; contact
                                    pipeline owner/operator
                                    before trawling to
                                    determine its condition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1743(b); 1704(f), (h)............  Verify permanently                     5  200 certifications.           1,000
                                    plugged well, platform,
                                    or other facility
                                    removal site cleared of
                                    obstructions;
                                    supporting
                                    documentation; and
                                    submit certification
                                    letter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  230 Responses......     1,383 Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Pipeline Decommissioning
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1750; 1751; 1752; 1754; 1704(d)..  Submit application to                 10  213 L/T                       2,130
                                    decommission pipeline                     applications.
                                    in place or remove
                                    pipeline (L/T or ROW).
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $1,142 L/T decommission fee x 213 = $243,246
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                         10  147 ROW                       1,470
                                                                              applications.
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                               $2,170 ROW decommissioning fees x 147 = $318,990
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1753; 1704(e)....................  Submit post pipeline                 2.5  242 reports........             605
                                    decommissioning report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 72615]]

 
    Subtotal.....................  ........................  ..............  602 responses......     4,205 hours
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                $562,236 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             3,081 responses....    15,524 hours
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden.................  ........................  ..............    $1,686,396 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BSEE may require electronic filing of some submissions.
L/T = Lease Term.
ROW = Right of Way.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: BSEE 
has identified three non-hour paperwork cost burdens for this 
collection. Respondents pay cost recovery fees when removing a platform 
or other facility under Sec.  250.1727 for $4,684, or for 
decommissioning a pipeline under Sec. Sec.  250.1751(a) and 
250.1752(a)--L/T for $1,142 or a ROW for $2,170. We estimate a total 
reporting non-hour cost burden of $1,686,396 for this collection. Refer 
to the table above for the specific non-hour paperwork cost burden 
breakdown. 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.
    Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.,) 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.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on May 19, 2016, we 
published a Federal Register notice (81 FR 31660) announcing that we 
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the 
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec.  250.199 provides the 
OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed 
by the 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q regulations. The regulation also informs 
the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of 
information and provides the address to which they should send 
comments. We received no comments in response to the Federal Register 
notice.
    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.

Keith Good,
Senior Advisor, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-25371 Filed 10-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P