[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86008-86013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28542]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Number 1010-0114]


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

ACTION: 30-day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

MMAA104000
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is notifying the public that 
we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR 
pertains to the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 
550, Subparts A, General; and K, Oil and Gas Production Requirements, 
as well as associated forms. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
has assigned control number 1010-0114 to this information collection. 
This notice provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the 
paperwork burden of this collection.

DATES: Submit written comments by December 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or 
[email protected] (email). Please provide a copy of your 
comments to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna 
Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, 135-
C10, Sterling, Virginia 20166 (mail) or [email protected] (email). 
Please reference ICR 1010-0114 in your comment and include your name 
and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at [email protected] (email) or (703) 
787-1025 (phone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 provide 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. In order to obtain and 
renew an OMB control number, Federal agencies are required to seek 
public comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities 
(see 5 CFR 1320.8(d) and 1320.12(a)).
    As required at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the BLM published a 60-day notice 
in the Federal Register on September 16, 2016 (81 FR 63799), and the 
comment period ended November 15, 2016. BOEM received no 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 . . .'' BOEM now requests comments to: (a) 
Evaluate whether the collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate 
the accuracy of the burden estimates; (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. Please send comments as directed under ADDRESSES and DATES. 
Please refer to OMB control number 1010-0114 in your correspondence.
    The following information pertains to this request:
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    Title: 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil and Gas 
Production Requirements.
    Forms:

[[Page 86009]]

     BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report;
     BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report;
     BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator; and
     BOEM-1832, Notification of Incidents of Non-Compliance.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended 
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations in the OCS must 
preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a 
manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources 
available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and coastal environments; ensure the public a fair and 
equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and preserve and maintain 
free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) states that ``operations 
in the [O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner 
by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, and techniques 
sufficient to prevent or minimize . . . loss of well control . . . 
physical obstructions to users of the waters or subsoil and seabed, or 
other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment or to 
property or endanger life or health.''
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 
1996), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is 
required to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or 
privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond 
those that accrue to the public.
    This ICR covers 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil 
and Gas Production Requirements, which deal with regulatory 
requirements of oil, gas, and sulphur operations on the OCS. This 
request also covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) 
that BOEM issues to clarify and provide guidance on some aspects of our 
regulations, and forms BOEM-0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, and BOEM-1832.
    The BOEM uses the information collected under the Subpart A and K 
regulations to ensure that operations in the OCS are carried out in a 
safe and environmentally sound manner, do not interfere with the rights 
of other users in the OCS, and balance the protection and development 
of OCS resources. Specifically, we use the information collected to:
     Determine the capability of a well to produce oil or gas 
in paying quantities or to determine the possible need for additional 
wells resulting in minimum royalty status on a lease.
     Provide lessees/operators greater flexibility to comply 
with regulatory requirements through approval of alternative equipment 
or procedures and departures if they demonstrate equal or better 
compliance with the appropriate performance standards.
     Ensure that subsurface storage of natural gas does not 
unduly interfere with development and production operations under 
existing leases.
     Record the designation of an operator authorized to act on 
behalf of the lessee/operating rights owner and to fulfill their 
obligations under the OCS Lands Act and implementing regulations, or to 
record the local agent empowered to receive notices and comply with 
regulatory orders issued (Form BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator). 
This form requires the respondent to submit general information such as 
lease number, name, address, company number of designated operator, and 
signature of the authorized lessee and designated operator. With this 
renewal, BOEM is adding a signature line for the designated operator. 
We also updated the form instructions by removing references to the 
Gulf of Mexico, so this form can be used nationally.
     Determine if an application for right-of-use and easement 
complies with the OCS Lands Act, other applicable laws, and BOEM 
regulations; and does not unreasonably interfere with the operations of 
any other lessee.
     Provide for orderly development or disqualification of 
leases to determine the appropriateness of lessee/operator performance.
     Approve requests to cancel leases and ascertain if/when 
the Secretary may cancel leases.
     Ensure the protection of any discovered archaeological 
resources.
     Regulate production rates from sensitive reservoirs (Form 
BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report). BOEM engineers and 
geologists use the information for rate control and reservoir studies. 
The form requests general information about the reservoir and the 
company, volumetric data, and fluid analysis and production data.
     Manage reservoirs in our efforts to conserve natural 
resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative rights, including the 
Government's royalty interest (Form BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure 
Survey Report). Specifically, BOEM uses the information in reservoir 
evaluations to determine maximum production and efficient rates and to 
review applications for downhole commingling to ensure that action does 
not harm ultimate recovery or undervalued royalties. The form requests 
information about the well and operator; test data information such as 
shut-in time, bottomhole temperature, kelly bushing elevation; and 
bottomhole pressure points that consist of measured depth(s), true 
vertical depth(s), pressure(s), and pressure gradient(s).
     Determine that respondents have corrected any Incidents of 
Non-Compliance (INCs), Form BOEM-1832, identified during compliance 
reviews. The BOEM issues this form to the operator and the operator 
then corrects the INC(s), signs and returns the form to the BOEM 
Regional Supervisor.
    We will protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
2), 30 CFR 252, and 30 CFR 550.197, ``Data and information to be made 
available to the public or for limited inspection.'' Proprietary 
information concerning geological and geophysical data will be 
protected according to 43 U.S.C. 1352. No items of a sensitive nature 
are collected. Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: Primarily on occasion; monthly.
    Description of Respondents: Federal oil and gas and sulphur 
lessees/operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this collection is 30,635 hours. The following 
table 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 86010]]



                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Non-hour cost burdens
Citation  30 CFR 550  Subpart A       Reporting or      --------------------------------------------------------
     and related  forms/NTLs          recordkeeping                         Average number of    Annual burden
                                       requirement          Hour  burden     annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Authority and Definition of Terms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104; 181; Form BOEM-1832.......  Appeal orders or        Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c)  0
                                  decisions; appeal
                                  INCs; request hearing
                                  due to cancellation
                                  of lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Performance Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115; 116.......................  Request determination   5................  90 responses.....  450
                                  of well
                                  producibility; make
                                  available or submit
                                  data and information;
                                  notify BOEM of test.
119............................  Apply for subsurface    10...............  3 applications...  30
                                  storage of gas; sign
                                  storage agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  93 responses.....  480
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Cost Recovery Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125; 126; 140..................  Cost Recovery Fees;     Cost Recovery Fees and related items  0
                                  confirmation receipt    are covered individually throughout
                                  etc; verbal approvals              this subpart.
                                  and written request
                                  to follow. Includes
                                  request for refunds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Designation of Operator
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143............................  Report change of name,       Not considered information       0
                                  address, etc.                  collection under 5 CFR
                                                                     1320.3(h)(1).
                                                        --------------------------------------
143(a-c); 144; 145; Form BOEM-   Submit designation of   1................  2,584 forms......  2,584
 1123.                            operator (Form BOEM-
                                  1123--form takes 30
                                  minutes); report
                                  updates; notice of
                                  termination; submit
                                  designation of agent.
                                  Request exception. NO
                                  FEE.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
143(a-d); 144; 145; Form BOEM-   Change designation of   1................  930 forms........  930
 1123.                            operator (Form BOEM-
                                  1123--form takes 30
                                  minutes); report
                                  updates; notice of
                                  termination; submit
                                  designation of agent;
                                  include pay.gov
                                  confirmation receipt.
                                  Request exception.
                                  SERVICE FEE.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                               $175 fee x 930 = $162,750
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
186(a)(3); NTL.................  Apply for user account       Not considered information       0
                                  in TIMS (electronic/           collection under 5 CFR
                                  digital form                       1320.3(h)(1).
                                  submittals).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  3,514 responses..  3,514
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                                $162,750 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Compliance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101; 135; 136; Form BOEM-1832..  Submit response and     2................  94 submissions...  188
                                  required information
                                  for INC, probation,
                                  or revocation of
                                  operating status.
                                  Notify when
                                  violations corrected.
                                 Request waiver of 14-   1................  1................  1
                                  day response time or
                                  reconsideration.
135; 136.......................  Request reimbursement   1.5..............  2 requests.......  3
                                  for services provided
                                  to BOEM
                                  representatives
                                  during reviews;
                                  comment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  97 responses.....  192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 86011]]

 
                                            Special Types of Approval
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125(c); 140....................  Request various oral    1................  100 requests.....  100
                                  approvals not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
141; 101-199...................  Request approval to     20...............  100 requests.....  2,000
                                  use new or
                                  alternative
                                  procedures; submit
                                  required information.
142; 101-199...................  Request approval of     2.5..............  100 requests.....  25
                                  departure from
                                  operating
                                  requirements not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements; submit
                                  required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  300 responses....  2,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Right-of-use and Easement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160; 161; 123..................  OCS lessees: Apply for  9................  26 applications..  234
                                  new or modified right-
                                  of-use and easement
                                  to construct and
                                  maintain off-lease
                                  platforms, artificial
                                  islands, and
                                  installations and
                                  other devices;
                                  include notifications
                                  and submitting
                                  required information.
                                                        --------------------------------------
160(c).........................  Establish a Company        Burden covered under 30 CFR 556    0
                                  File for                            (1010-0006)
                                  qualification; submit
                                  updated information,
                                  submit qualifications
                                  for lessee/bidder,
                                  request exception.
                                                        --------------------------------------
160; 165; 123..................  State lessees: Apply    5................  1 application....  5
                                  for new or modified
                                  right-of-use and
                                  easement to construct
                                  and maintain off-
                                  lease platforms,
                                  artificial islands,
                                  and installations and
                                  other devices;
                                  include pay.gov
                                  confirmation and
                                  notifications.
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $2,742 state lease fee x 1 = $2,742
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
166............................  State lessees: Furnish     Burden covered under 30 CFR 556    0
                                  surety bond;                        (1010-0006).
                                  additional security
                                  if required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  27 responses.....  239
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                                 $2,742 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
181(d); 182(b), 183(a)(b)......  Request termination of  20...............  1 request........  20
                                  suspension,
                                  cancellation of
                                  lease, lesser lease
                                  term (no requests in
                                  recent years for
                                  termination/
                                  cancellation of a
                                  lease; minimal
                                  burden).
                                                        --------------------------------------
182; 183, 185; 194.............  Various references to     Burden covered under 30 CFR 550,    0
                                  submitting new,                Subpart B (1010-0151)
                                  revised, or modified
                                  exploration plan,
                                  development/
                                  production plan, or
                                  development
                                  operations
                                  coordination
                                  document, and related
                                  surveys/reports.
                                                        --------------------------------------
184............................  Request compensation    50...............  1 request........  50
                                  for lease
                                  cancellation mandated
                                  by the OCS Lands Act
                                  (no qualified lease
                                  cancellations in many
                                  years; minimal burden
                                  compared to benefit).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  2 responses......  70
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 86012]]

 
                                     Information and Reporting Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
186(a).........................  Apply to receive            Not considered IC under 5 CFR     0
                                  administrative                      1320.3(h)(1)
                                  entitlements to eWell/
                                  TIMS system for
                                  electronic
                                  submissions.
                                                        --------------------------------------
186; NTL.......................  Submit information,     10...............  125..............  1,250
                                  reports, and copies
                                  as BOEM requires.
135; 136.......................  Report apparent         1.5..............  2 reports........  3
                                  violations or non-
                                  compliance.
194; NTL.......................  Report archaeological   2................  6 reports........  12
                                  discoveries. Submit
                                  archaeological and
                                  follow-up reports and
                                  additional
                                  information.
194; NTL.......................  Request departures      1................  2 requests.......  2
                                  from conducting
                                  archaeological
                                  resources surveys and/
                                  or submitting reports
                                  in GOMR.
                                                        --------------------------------------
194............................  Submit ancillary           Burden covered under 30 CFR 550    0
                                  surveys/                       Subpart B (1010-0151).
                                  investigations
                                  reports, as required.
                                                        --------------------------------------
196............................  Submit data/               Burden covered under 30 CFR 551    0
                                  information for G&G                 (1010-0048).
                                  activity and request
                                  reimbursement.
                                                        --------------------------------------
197(b)(2)......................  Demonstrate release of  1................  1................  1
                                  G&G data would unduly
                                  damage competitive
                                  position.
197............................  Submit confidentiality  1................  1................  1
                                  agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  137 responses....  1,269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135; 136.......................  During reviews, make    2................  7 reviews........  14
                                  records available as
                                  requested by
                                  inspectors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................                          .................  7 responses......  14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Citation 30 CFR 550 Subpart K   Well surveys and        Hour burden......  Average number of  Annual burden
       and Related Forms          classifying                                annual responses. hours
                                  reservoirs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153...........................  Conduct static          14...............  1,161 surveys....  16,254
                                  bottomhole pressure
                                  survey; submit Form
                                  BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole
                                  Pressure Survey
                                  Report) (within 60
                                  days after survey).
1153(d)........................  Submit justification,   1................  200 survey         200
                                  information, and Form                      departures.
                                  BOEM-0140, to request
                                  a departure from
                                  requirement to run a
                                  static bottomhole
                                  survey.
1154; 1167.....................  Submit request and      1................  15 requests......  15
                                  supporting
                                  information to
                                  reclassify reservoir.
1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167......  Submit Form BOEM-0127   3................  2,012 forms......  6,036
                                  (Sensitive Reservoir
                                  Information Report)
                                  and supporting
                                  information/revisions
                                  (within 45 days after
                                  certain events or at
                                  least annually). AK
                                  Region: submit BOEM-
                                  0127 and request MER.
1153-1167......................  Request general         1................  2................  2
                                  departure or
                                  alternative
                                  compliance requests
                                  not specifically
                                  covered elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
                                                        --------------------------------------
1165...........................  Submit proposed plan    Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250  0
                                  for enhanced recovery               (1014-0019).
                                  operations to BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................  ......................  .................  3,390 responses..  22,507
                                                                           -------------------------------------
        Total Burden...........  ......................  .................  7,567 Responses..  30,635
                                                                           -------------------------------------
                                                                               $165,492 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 86013]]

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified two non-hour cost burdens. Section 550.143 requires a fee 
for a change in designation of operator ($175). Section 550.165 
requires a State lessee applying for a right-of use and easement in the 
OCS to pay a cost recovery application fee ($2,742). The total non-hour 
cost burden for this collection is estimated at $165,492.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Dated: November 21, 2016.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2016-28542 Filed 11-28-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P