[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80679-80682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27501]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2016-0007; OMB Number 1014-0006; 17XE1700DX EEEE500000 
EX1SF0000.DAQ000]


Information Collection Activities: Sulfur Operations; 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 P, Sulfur Operations. This notice also 
provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork 
burden of these regulatory requirements.

DATES: You must submit comments by December 16, 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 (1014-0006). Please provide a copy of your comments to 
BSEE by any of the means below.
     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
search for BSEE-2016-0007. 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: Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; 
Attention: Kelly Odom; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please 
reference 1014-0006 in your comment and include your name and return 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Odom, Regulations and Standards 
Branch, (703) 787-1775, 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: 

[[Page 80680]]

    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart P, Sulfur Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0006.
    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 mineral 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.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR 
part 250. 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 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 collected under subpart P to:
     Ascertain that a discovered sulfur deposit can be 
classified as capable of production in paying quantities.
     ensure accurate and complete measurement of production to 
determine the amount of sulfur royalty payments due the United States; 
and that the sale locations are secure, production has been measured 
accurately, and appropriate follow-up actions are initiated.
     ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting systems; 
the drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; and the adequacy of 
casing for anticipated conditions.
     review drilling, well-completion, well-workover diagrams 
and procedures, as well as production operation procedures to ensure 
the safety of the proposed sulfur drilling, well-completion, well-
workover and proposed production operations.
     monitor environmental data during sulfur operations in 
offshore areas where such data are not already available to provide a 
valuable source of information to evaluate the performance of drilling 
rigs under various weather and ocean conditions. This information is 
necessary to make reasonable determinations regarding safety of 
operations and environmental protection.
    Frequency: Submissions are on occasion and generally vary by 
section.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
OCS sulfur lessees.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 897 
hours. 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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Annual
    Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart P      Reporting and recordkeeping     Hour       Average number of      burden
                                               requirement            burden       annual reponses       hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1605(b)(3); 1617; 1622(b)...........  These sections contain          APD burden covered under 1014-           0
                                       references to information,                  0025
                                       approvals, requests,
                                       payments, etc. which are
                                       submitted with an APD, the
                                       burdens for which are
                                       covered under its own
                                       information collection.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1618(a), (b); 1619(b); 1622(a), (b),  These sections contain          APM burden covered under 1014-           0
 (c).                                  references to information,                  0026
                                       approvals, requests,
                                       Payments etc., which are
                                       submitted with an APM, the
                                       burdens for which are
                                       covered under its own
                                       information collection.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1600; 1617..........................  Submit exploration or          Burden covered under (1010-0151)          0
                                       development and production
                                       plan, under 30 CFR 550,
                                       Subpart B.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1603(a).............................  Request determination                 1  1 request.............          1
                                       whether sulfur deposit can
                                       produce in paying
                                       quantities.
1604(f).............................  Check traveling-block safety       0.25  1 lessee x 52 wks x 2          26
                                       device for proper operation              rigs = 104.
                                       weekly and after each drill-
                                       line slipping; enter
                                       results in log.
1605(c).............................  Report oceanographic,                 1  1 report..............          1
                                       meteorological, and
                                       drilling unit performance
                                       data upon request.
1605(d).............................  Submit results of additional          1  1 submission..........          1
                                       surveys and soil borings
                                       upon request.
1605(e)(5)..........................  Request copy of directional           1  1 request.............          1
                                       survey (by holder of
                                       adjoining lease).
                                                                   -----------------------------------

[[Page 80681]]

 
1605(f).............................  Submit application for        Burden covered under (1014-0011).          0
                                       installation of fixed
                                       drilling platforms or
                                       structures.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1607................................  Request establishment,                8  2 requests............         16
                                       amendment, or cancellation
                                       of field rules for
                                       drilling, well-completion,
                                       or well-workover.
1608(a), (c)........................  Submit well casing and                5  1 plan................          5
                                       cementing plan or
                                       modification.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1608(b); (c); 1629(b)(3); 1600-1634.  General departure and/or      Burden covered under (1014-0022).          0
                                       alternate compliance
                                       requests not specifically
                                       covered elsewhere in
                                       Subpart P.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1609(a).............................  Pressure test casing; record          2  1 lease x 60 tests/           120
                                       time, conditions of                      records = 60.
                                       testing, and test results
                                       in log.
1610(d)(7), (8).....................  Request exception to ram-             1  1 request.............          1
                                       type blowout preventer
                                       (BOP) system components
                                       rated working pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)....................  Request exception to water-           1  1 request.............          1
                                       rated working pressure to
                                       test ram-type and annular
                                       BOPs and choke manifold.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3)..............  Record in driller's report         0.17  1 lessee x 6                    1
                                       the date, time, and reason               recordings = 6.
                                       for postponing pressure
                                       testings.
1611(f); 1625(f)....................  Request exception to                  1  1 request.............          1
                                       recording pressure
                                       conditions during BOP tests
                                       on pressure charts, certify
                                       by representative.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g)..........  Conduct tests, actuations,            6  1 lessee x 52 weeks =         312
                                       inspections, maintenance,                52.
                                       and crew drills of BOP
                                       systems at least weekly;
                                       record results in driller's
                                       report; certify by
                                       representative; retain
                                       records for 2 years
                                       following completion of
                                       drilling activity.
1612................................  Request exception to Sec.             1  1 request.............          1
                                       250.462 requirements for
                                       well-control drills.
1613(d).............................  Pressure test diverter                2  1 lessee (daily/weekly        208
                                       sealing element/valves                   during drilling) x 2
                                       weekly; actuate diverter                 rigs x 52 weeks = 104.
                                       sealing element/valves/
                                       control system every 24
                                       hours; test diverter line
                                       for flow every 24 hours;
                                       record test times and
                                       results in driller's report.
1615................................  Request exception to blind-           1  1 request.............          1
                                       shear ram or pipe rams and
                                       inside BOP to secure wells.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1616(c).............................  Retain training records for    Burden covered under 1014-0008.           0
                                       lessee and drilling
                                       contractor personnel.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1619(a); 1623(c)....................  Retain records for each well         12  1 lessee..............         12
                                       and all well operations for
                                       2 years; calculate well-
                                       control fluid volume and
                                       post near operator's
                                       station.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1619(b); 1622(c)....................  Submit form BSEE-0125 (End     Burden covered under 1014-0018)           0
                                       of Operations Report), and
                                       all supporting
                                       documentation.
                                                                   -----------------------------------
1619(c), (d), (e)...................  Submit copies of records,             1  8 submissions.........          8
                                       logs, reports, charts,
                                       etc., upon request.
1621................................  Conduct safety meetings               1  1 lessee x 50 meetings/        50
                                       prior to well-completion or              records = 50.
                                       well-workover operations;
                                       record date and time.
1628(b), (d)........................  Maintain information on               1  1 lessee..............          1
                                       approved design and
                                       installation features for
                                       the life of the facility.
1628(b), (d)........................  Submit application for                4  1 application.........          4
                                       design and installation
                                       features of sulfur
                                       production facilities and
                                       fuel gas safety system;
                                       certify new installation
                                       conforms to approved design.
1629(b)(1)(ii)......................  Retain pressure-recording            12  1 lessee..............         12
                                       charts used to determine
                                       operating pressure ranges
                                       for 2 years.
1629(b)(3)..........................  Request approval of                   4  1 request.............          4
                                       firefighting systems; post
                                       firefighting system diagram.
1630(a)(6)..........................  Notify BSEE of pre-                 0.5  2 notifications.......          1
                                       production test and
                                       inspection of safety system
                                       and commencement of
                                       production.
1630(b).............................  Maintain records for each             1  1 lessee..............          1
                                       safety device installed for
                                       2 years; make available for
                                       review.
1631................................  Conduct safety device                 1  1 lessee x 52 train/          104
                                       training prior to                        records x 2 rigs =
                                       production operations and                104.
                                       periodically thereafter;
                                       record date and time.
1633(b).............................  Submit application for                2  1 application.........          2
                                       method production
                                       measurement.
1634(b).............................  Report evidence of                    1  1 report..............          1
                                       mishandling of produced
                                       sulfur or tampering or
                                       falsifying any measurement
                                       of production.
                                                                   ---------------------------------------------
    Total Burden....................  ............................  .........  511...................        897
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 80682]]

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: There 
are no non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: 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 June 3, 2016, we 
published a Federal Register notice (81 FR 35798) 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 P 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 did not receive any comments in response to the Federal 
Register notice or unsolicited comments from respondents covered under 
these regulations.
    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.
    BSSE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Nicole Mason (703) 
787-1607.

Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-27501 Filed 11-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P