[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12277-12282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06219]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0006; Docket ID: BOEM-2019-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; 30 CFR Parts 550, 556, 
560, Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proposing to renew an 
information collection request.

[[Page 12278]]


DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
May 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Anna Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, 
Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 1010-0006 in the subject line of your 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by email, or by telephone at 703-
787-1025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of BOEM; (2) Will this information be processed and used in a 
timely manner; (3) Is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) How might 
BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (5) How might BOEM minimize the burden of this 
collection on the respondents, including minimizing the burden through 
the use of information technology?
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB for approval of this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personally identifiable information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. In order for BOEM to withhold from disclosure 
your personally identifiable information, you must identify any 
information contained in the submittal of your comments that, if 
released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your 
personal privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful 
consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, 
injury, or other harm. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personally identifiable information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Abstract: The information collection request concerns the paperwork 
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 550, part 556, and 
part 560, Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental 
Shelf.
    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 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; 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. Also, the Energy 
Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) prohibits certain lease 
bidding arrangements (42 U.S.C. 6213(c)).
    The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the 
Omnibus Appropriations Act (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 
provide special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, BOEM is required to charge the full cost for 
services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable 
non-Federal recipient above and beyond those that accrue to the public 
at large. Approval of transfer of a lease or interest are subject to 
cost recovery, and BOEM regulations specify the filing fee for these 
transfer applications.
    This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
of BOEM regulations at 30 CFR part 550, subpart J, Pipelines and 
Pipeline Rights-of-Way; 30 CFR part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and 
Gas in the OCS; 30 CFR part 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing; as well as 
the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that clarify and 
provide additional guidance on some aspects of these regulations. This 
ICR also concerns the use of forms to process bonds, transfer interest 
in leases, and file relinquishments.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Department of the 
Interior's implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and under 
regulations at 30 CFR 580.70 and applicable sections of 30 CFR parts 
550 and 552 promulgated pursuant to Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(OCSLA) at 43 U.S.C. 1352(c).
    Title of Collection: Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer 
Continental Shelf (30 CFR part 550, part 556, and part 560).
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0006.
    Form Number:
     BOEM-0150, Assignment of Record Title Interest in Federal 
OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0151, Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in 
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0152, Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease,
     BOEM-2028, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Mineral Lessee's 
or Operator's Bond,
     BOEM-2028A, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Mineral Lessee's 
or Operator's Supplemental Bond, and
     BOEM-2030, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pipeline Right-
of-Way Grant Bond.
    Type of Review: Renewal of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees 
and/or operators.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 10,307 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 19,054 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or Required to Obtain or Retain 
a Benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion or annual.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: $766,053.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
burden estimate for the renewal will be 19,054 hours, which reflects a 
decrease of 400 hour burdens. A reduction of 80 hours is related to 
respondents' submission of designation of operator form (Form BOEM-
1123); this burden is now captured in OMB control number 1010-0114. And 
the remaining reduction of 320 hours is for activities within 30 CFR 
part 556, subpart B that are not considered information collection 
activities under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4), but were previously counted as 
information collection activities.

[[Page 12279]]

    The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR.

                                                                      Burden Table
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Average number of annual
      30 CFR Part 550 Subpart J         Reporting requirement *            Hour burden                   responses               Annual burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Non-Hour Cost Burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
550.1011(a).........................  Provide surety bond (Form    GOM 0.25...................  52.........................  13
                                       BOEM-2030) and required
                                       information.
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      ...........................  Pacific 3.5................  3..........................  11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 550, Subpart J, Total..............................................................  55.........................  24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                                                                  Average number of annual
      30 CFR Part 556 and NTLs          Reporting requirement *            Hour burden                   responses               Annual burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Non-hour cost burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104(b)..............................  Submit confidentiality       0.25.......................  500........................  125
                                       agreement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106.................................  Cost recovery/service fees;   Cost recovery/service fees and associated documentation  0
                                       confirmation receipt.          are covered under individual reqts. throughout part.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107.................................  Submit required                             Burden covered in 560.500.                 0
                                       documentation
                                       electronically through
                                       BOEM-approved system;
                                       comply with filing
                                       specifications, as
                                       directed by notice in the
                                       Federal Register in
                                       accordance with 560.500.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107.................................  File seals, documents,       10 min.....................  400........................  67
                                       statements, signatures,
                                       etc., to establish legal
                                       status of all future
                                       submissions (paper and/or
                                       electronic).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  900........................  192
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201-204.............................  Submit nominations,             Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4).    0
                                       suggestions, comments, and
                                       information in response to
                                       Request for Information/
                                       Comments, draft and/or
                                       proposed 5-year leasing
                                       program, etc., including
                                       information from States/
                                       local governments, Federal
                                       agencies, industry, and
                                       others.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202-204.............................  Submit nominations &         4..........................  69.........................  276
                                       specific information
                                       requested in draft
                                       proposed 5-year leasing
                                       program, from States/local
                                       governments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  69.........................  276
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
301; 302............................  Submit response & specific      Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4).    0
                                       information requested in
                                       Requests for Industry
                                       Interest and Calls for
                                       Information and
                                       Nominations, etc., on
                                       areas proposed for
                                       leasing; including
                                       information from States/
                                       local governments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(d)..............................  Request summary of interest  1..........................  5..........................  5
                                       (nonproprietary
                                       information) for Calls for
                                       Information/Requests for
                                       Interest, etc..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
305; 306............................  States or local governments  4..........................  25.........................  100
                                       submit comments,
                                       recommendations, other
                                       responses on size, timing,
                                       or location of proposed
                                       lease sale. Request
                                       extension; enter agreement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 12280]]

 
    Subtotal..................................................................................  30.........................  105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart D
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
400-402; 405........................  Establish file for           2..........................  107........................  214
                                       qualification; submit
                                       evidence/certification for
                                       lessee/bidder
                                       qualifications. Provide
                                       updates; obtain BOEM
                                       approval & qualification
                                       number.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403(c)..............................  Request hearing on            Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
                                       disqualification.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403; 404............................  Notify BOEM if you or your   1.5........................  50.........................  75
                                       principals are excluded,
                                       disqualified, or convicted
                                       of a crime--Federal non-
                                       procurement debarment and
                                       suspension requirements;
                                       request exception; enter
                                       transaction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
405.................................  Notify BOEM of all mergers,   Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).  0
                                       name changes, or change of
                                       business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  157........................  289
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart E
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500; 501............................  Submit bids, deposits, and   5..........................  2,000......................  10,000
                                       required information,
                                       including GDIS & maps; in
                                       manner specified. Make
                                       data available to BOEM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500(e); 517.........................  Request reconsideration of    Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
                                       bid decision.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
501(e)..............................  Apply for reimbursement....          Burden covered in 1010-0048, 30 CFR 551.          0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
511(b); 517.........................  Submit appeal of listing on   Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
                                       restricted joint bidders
                                       list; appeal bid decision.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
513; 514............................  File statement and detailed  2..........................  100........................  200
                                       report of production. Make
                                       documents available to
                                       BOEM.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
515.................................  Request exemption from        Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
                                       bidding restrictions;
                                       submit appropriate
                                       information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
516.................................  File agreement on            3.5........................  2..........................  7
                                       determination of lessee
                                       following BOEM's notice of
                                       tie bid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
520; 521; 600(c)....................  Execute lease (includes      1..........................  852........................  852
                                       submission of evidence of
                                       authorized agent/
                                       completion and request
                                       effective date of lease);
                                       submit required data and
                                       rental.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
520(b)..............................  Provide acceptable bond for  0.25.......................  1..........................  1
                                       payment of a deferred
                                       bonus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  2,955......................  11,060
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Subparts F, G, H
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart F, G, H.....................       References to requests of approval for various operations or submit plans or      0
                                         applications. Burden included with other approved collections for BOEM 30 CFR 550
                                        (Subpart A 1010-0114; Subpart B 1010-0151) and for BSEE 30 CFR 250 (Subpart A 1014-
                                                                    0022; Subpart D 1014-0018)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
701(c); 716(b); 801(b); 810(b)......  Submit new designation of                  Burden covered in 1010-0114.                0
                                       operator (Form BOEM-1123).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
700-716.............................  File application and         1..........................  1,414......................  1,414
                                       required information for
                                       assignment/transfer of
                                       record title/lease
                                       interest (Form BOEM-0150)
                                       (includes sale, sublease,
                                       segregation exchange,
                                       transfer); request
                                       effective date/
                                       confidentiality; provide
                                       notifications.
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 12281]]

 
                                      ...........................                            $198 fee x 1,414 forms = $279,972.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
715(a); 808(a)......................  File required instruments    1..........................  2,369......................  2,369
                                       creating or transferring
                                       working interests, etc.,
                                       for record purposes.
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      ...........................                            $29 fee x 2,369 filings = $68,701.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
715(b); 808(b)......................  Submit ``non-required''                               $29 fee x 11,518 filings = $334,022.
                                       documents, for record
                                       purposes that respondents
                                       want BOEM to file with the
                                       lease document. (Accepted
                                       on behalf of lessees as a
                                       service; BOEM does not
                                       require nor need them.).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
800-810.............................  File application and         1..........................  421........................  421
                                       required information for
                                       assignment/transfer of
                                       operating interest (Form
                                       BOEM-0151) (includes sale,
                                       sublease, segregation
                                       exchange, severance,
                                       transfer); request
                                       effective date; provide
                                       notifications.
                                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      ...........................                             $198 fee x 421 forms = $83,358.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  4,204......................  4,204
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $766,053
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Subpart I
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(a)-(e); 901; 902; 903(a)........  Submit OCS Mineral Lessee's  0.33.......................  135........................  45
                                       and Operator's Bond (Form
                                       BOEM-2028); execute bond.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(c), (d), (f), (g); 901(c), (d),   Demonstrate financial worth/ 3.5........................  166........................  581
 (f); 902(e).                          ability to carry out
                                       present and future
                                       financial obligations,
                                       request approval of
                                       another form of security,
                                       or request reduction in
                                       amount of supplemental
                                       bond required on BOEM-
                                       approved forms. Monitor
                                       and submit required
                                       information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(e); 901; 902; 903(a)............  Submit OCS Mineral Lessee's  0.25.......................  141........................  35
                                       and Operator's
                                       Supplemental Plugging &
                                       Abandonment Bond (Form
                                       BOEM-2028A); execute bond.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(f), (g).........................  Submit authority for         2..........................  12.........................  24
                                       Regional Director to sell
                                       Treasury or alternate type
                                       of securities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901.................................  Submit EP, DPP, DOCDs......   IC burden covered in 1010-0151, 30 CFR 550, Subpart B.   0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901(f)..............................  Submit oral/written comment   Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
                                       on adjusted bond amount
                                       and information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903(b)..............................  Notify BOEM of any lapse in  1..........................  4..........................  4
                                       bond coverage/action filed
                                       alleging lessee, surety,
                                       or guarantor is insolvent
                                       or bankrupt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
904.................................  Provide plan/instructions    12.........................  2..........................  24
                                       to fund lease-specific
                                       abandonment account and
                                       related information;
                                       request approval to
                                       withdraw funds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905.................................  Provide third-party          19.........................  46.........................  874
                                       guarantee, indemnity
                                       agreement, financial and
                                       required information,
                                       related notices, reports,
                                       and annual update; notify
                                       BOEM if guarantor becomes
                                       unqualified.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905(d)(3); 906......................  Provide notice of and        0.5........................  378........................  189
                                       request approval to
                                       terminate period of
                                       liability, cancel bond, or
                                       other security; provide
                                       required information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
907(c)(2)...........................  Provide information to       16.........................  5..........................  80
                                       demonstrate lease will be
                                       brought into compliance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  889........................  1,856
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 12282]]

 
                                                                        Subpart K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1101................................  Request relinquishment       1..........................  247........................  247
                                       (Form BOEM-0152) of lease;
                                       submit required
                                       information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1102................................  Request additional time to   1..........................  1..........................  1
                                       bring lease into
                                       compliance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1102(c).............................  Comment on cancellation....   Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(9).  0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..................................................................................  248........................  248
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        30 CFR 556 Total............  ...........................  ...........................  9,452......................  18,230
                                                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
                                      ...........................  ...........................               $766,053 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                                                                  Average number of annual
             30 CFR 560                 Reporting requirement *            Hour burden                   responses               Annual burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
560.224(a)..........................  Request BOEM to reconsider        Requirement not considered IC under under 5 CFR
                                       field assignment of a                             1320.3(h)(9).
                                       lease.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
560.500.............................  Submit required              1..........................  800........................  800
                                       documentation
                                       electronically through
                                       BOEM-approved system;
                                       comply with filing
                                       specifications, as
                                       directed by notice in the
                                       Federal Register (e.g.,
                                       bonding info.).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 560 Total..........................................................................  800........................  800
                                                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------
        Total Reporting for Collection........................................................  10,307.....................  19,054
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $766,053 non-hour cost burdens.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BOEM may require electronic filing of certain submissions.

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

 Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2019-06219 Filed 3-29-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P