[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 174 (Monday, September 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47317-47321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19314]



[[Page 47317]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0114; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, 
General, and Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production Requirements 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 (ICR) with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
November 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this 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 1010-0114 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, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM 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.
    BOEM is soliciting comments on the proposed ICR 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) what can BOEM do to ensure that this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the burden estimate 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 submitted in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in our 
request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of 
this ICR. You should be aware that your entire comment--including your 
address, phone number, email address, or other 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.
    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 
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).
    Abstract: This ICR addresses regulations at 30 CFR 550 Subparts A 
and K, which deal with regulatory requirements of oil, gas, and sulphur 
operations on the OCS. This request also covers the related Notice 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 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; 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. Section 1332(6) states that ``operations in the [Outer] 
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 other 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 the Office of Management and Budget 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.
    BOEM uses the information collected under these 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, BOEM uses 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.
     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 of oil and gas resources 
while protecting the environment.
     Determine the appropriateness of disqualification of a 
lessee/operator based on performance.

[[Page 47318]]

     Approve requests to cancel leases and ascertain if/when 
the Secretary may cancel leases.
     Ensure the protection of any discovered archaeological 
resources.
     Form BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report, is 
used to regulate production rates from sensitive reservoirs. 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.
     Form BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report, is used 
to manage reservoirs in our efforts to conserve natural resources, 
prevent waste, and protect correlative rights, including the 
Government's royalty interest. 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).
     Form BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator, records 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. 
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 representative of the lessee.
     Form BOEM-1832, Notification of Incidents of Non-
Compliance (INC), is used to determine that respondents have corrected 
any Incidents of Non-Compliance 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 BOEM.
    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 
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: 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, 
Oil and Gas Production.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    Form Number:
     BOEM-0127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report;
     BOEM-0140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report;
     BOEM-1123, Designation of Operator; and
     BOEM-1832, Notification of Incident(s) of Noncompliance.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Oil and gas and sulphur lessees/
operators.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 5,302 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 18,323 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion, monthly.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: $165,492.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The current 
annual burden hours for this collection are 30,635 hours. BOEM proposes 
to reduce annual burden hours to 18,323 hours, which is a decrease of 
12,312 annual burden hours. The annual burden hour reduction is related 
to adjustments in 30 CFR 550 subpart K.
     For 30 CFR 550.1153, the regions re-evaluated the annual 
burden hours for static bottomhole pressure surveys. The average hour 
burden based on industry feedback is 15 hours instead of 14 hours. 
Also, BOEM on average reviews approximately 400 Bottomhole Pressure 
Surveys per year instead of 1,161 surveys. The 2017 OMB approved annual 
burden hours included 3 years of data instead of annual data. 
Therefore, BOEM is reducing the number of respondents to correct this 
error. The annual burden hours for 30 CFR 55.1153 is decreasing from 
16,254 hours to 6,000 hours (-10,254 hours).
     For 30 CFR 550.1153(d), BOEM is increasing the hour burden 
from 1 to 5 based on industry feedback. BOEM is currently reviewing 
fewer departures annually than previously recorded (decreasing number 
of departures from 200 to 100). With the increase in hour burdens and 
the decrease in respondents, the overall annual burden hour for 30 CFR 
550.1153(d) will increase to 500 hours (+300 hours).
     For 30 CFR 550.1154 and 550.1167, BOEM is changing the 
hour burden from 1 to 5 hours based on industry feedback. However, the 
number of respondents is dropping by 2/3rds (from 15 requests to 5 
requests). Therefore, the annual burden hour change will increase 
slightly to from 15 hours to 25 hours (+10 hours).
     For 30 CFR 550.1155, based on outreach input, BOEM is 
increasing the hour burden for form BOEM-0127 from 3 hours to 6 hours. 
However, BOEM previously overestimated the number of forms submitted. 
BOEM is reducing the number of forms collected from 2,012 to 610 forms; 
therefore, the overall annual burden hours will decrease from 6,036 
hours to 3,660 hours (-2,376 hours).
     For 30 CFR 550.1153-1167, BOEM is increasing the 
respondents from 2 to 10 requests. With changes in technology, 
operators are installing permanent downhole gauges in wells. These 
gauges show continuous readings of the downhole pressure. Operators are 
submitting this type of data, as alternative compliance, to meet the 
bottomhole pressure requirement, so BOEM has seen a slight increase in 
respondents. The increase in respondents has caused the annual burden 
hours to increase from 2 to 10 hours (+8 hours).
    The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Reporting or
Citation 30 CFR 550 Subpart A and        recordkeeping         Hour burden    Average number of    Annual burden
        related forms/NTLs                requirement                          annual responses        hours
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                                                       Non-hour cost burdens
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                                       Authority and Definitions of Terms
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104; 181; Form BOEM-1832.........  Appeal orders or            Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2),                0
                                    decisions; appeal INCs;                  (c)
                                    request hearing due to
                                    cancellation of lease.
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[[Page 47319]]

 
                                              Performance Standards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115; 116.........................  Request determination of               5  90 responses.......             450
                                    well producibility;
                                    make available or
                                    submit data and
                                    information; notify
                                    BOEM of test.
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119..............................  Apply for subsurface                  10  3 applications.....              30
                                    storage of gas; sign
                                    storage agreement.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  93 responses.......             480
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                                               Cost Recovery Fees
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125; 126; 140....................  Cost Recovery Fees;          Cost Recovery Fees and related                 0
                                    confirmation receipt        items are covered individually
                                    etc.; verbal approvals         throughout this subpart
                                    and written request to
                                    follow. Includes
                                    request for refunds.
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                                             Designation of Operator
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143..............................  Report change of name,         Not considered information                   0
                                    address, etc.            collection under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143(a-c); 144; Form BOEM-1123....  Submit designation of                  1  2,584 forms........           2,584
                                    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; Form BOEM-1123....  Change designation of                  1  930 forms..........             930
                                    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)........................  Apply for user account         Not considered information                   0
                                    in TIMS (electronic/     collection under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1)
                                    digital form
                                    submittals).
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    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-day               1  1..................               1
                                    response time or
                                    reconsideration.
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135; 136.........................  Request reimbursement                1.5  2 requests.........               3
                                    for services provided
                                    to BOEM representatives
                                    during reviews; comment.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  97 responses.......             192
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                                            Special Types of Approval
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125(c); 140......................  Request various oral                   1  100 requests.......             100
                                    approvals not
                                    specifically covered
                                    elsewhere in regulatory
                                    requirements.
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141; 101-199.....................  Request approval to use               20  100 requests.......           2,000
                                    new or alternative
                                    procedures; submit
                                    required information.
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142; 101-199.....................  Request approval of                  2.5  100 requests.......             250
                                    departure from
                                    operating requirements
                                    not specifically
                                    covered elsewhere in
                                    regulatory
                                    requirements; submit
                                    required information.
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[[Page 47320]]

 
    Subtotal...............................................................  300 responses......           2,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Right-of-Use and Easement
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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 File    Burden covered under 30 CFR 556                 0
                                    for qualification;                   (1010-0006)
                                    submit updated
                                    information, submit
                                    qualifications for
                                    lessee/bidder, request
                                    exception.
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160; 165; 123....................  State lessees: Apply for               5  1 application......               5
                                    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
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166..............................  State lessees: Furnish      Burden covered under 30 CFR 556                 0
                                    surety bond; additional              (1010-0006)
                                    security if required.
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    Subtotal...............................................................  27 responses.......             239
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                                          $2,742 non-hour cost burden
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                   Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations
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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 for              50  1 request..........              50
                                    lease cancellation
                                    mandated by the OCS
                                    Lands Act (no qualified
                                    lease cancellations in
                                    many years; minimal
                                    burden).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...............................................................  2 responses........              70
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                                     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 2015-N01................  Submit information,                   10  125................           1,250
                                    reports, and copies as
                                    BOEM requires (as
                                    related to worst case
                                    discharge and blowout
                                    scenarios).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
135; 136.........................  Report apparent                      1.5  2 reports..........               3
                                    violations or non-
                                    compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194; NTL 2011-JOINT-G01..........  Report archaeological                  2  6 reports..........              12
                                    discoveries. Submit
                                    archaeological and
                                    follow-up reports and
                                    additional information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194; NTL 2011-JOINT-G01..........  Request departures from                1  2 requests.........               2
                                    conducting
                                    archaeological
                                    resources surveys and/
                                    or submitting reports
                                    in GOMR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
194..............................  Submit ancillary surveys/   Burden covered under 30 CFR 550                 0
                                    investigations reports,         Subpart B (1010-0151)
                                    as required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 47321]]

 
196..............................  Submit data/information     Burden covered under 30 CFR 551                 0
                                    for G&G activity and                 (1010-0048)
                                    request reimbursement.
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197(b)(2)........................  Demonstrate release of                 1  1..................               1
                                    G&G data would unduly
                                    damage competitive
                                    position.
197(c)...........................  Submit confidentiality                 1  1..................               1
                                    agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...............................................................  137 responses......     1,269 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  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 and      Well surveys and                       Average number of    Annual burden
          related forms             classifying reservoirs     Hour burden     annual responses        hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153.............................  Conduct static                        15  400 surveys........           6,000
                                    bottomhole pressure
                                    survey; submit Form
                                    BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole
                                    Pressure Survey Report).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153(d)..........................  Submit justification,                  5  100 survey                      500
                                    information, and Form                     departures.
                                    BOEM-0140, to request a
                                    departure from
                                    requirement to run a
                                    static bottomhole
                                    pressure survey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1154; 1167.......................  Submit request and                     5  5 requests.........              25
                                    supporting information
                                    to reclassify reservoir.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167........  Submit Form BOEM-0127                  6  610 forms..........           3,660
                                    (Sensitive Reservoir
                                    Information Report) and
                                    supporting information/
                                    revisions (within 45
                                    days after the
                                    beginning of
                                    production, discovering
                                    that the reservoir is
                                    sensitive, the
                                    reservoir is classified
                                    as sensitive, or when
                                    reservoir parameters
                                    are revised. SRI's must
                                    be submitted annually).
                                    AK Region: submit BOEM-
                                    0127 and request MER.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1153-1167........................  Request general                        1  10.................              10
                                    departure or
                                    alternative compliance
                                    requests not
                                    specificallycovered
                                    elsewhere in regulatory
                                    requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1165.............................  Submit proposed plan for    Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR                0
                                    enhanced recovery                  250 (1014-0019)
                                    operations to BSEE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...............................................................  1,125 responses....          10,195
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total Burden.......................................................  5,302 Responses....          18,323
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $165,492 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. 2019-19314 Filed 9-6-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P