[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 220 (Thursday, November 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64523-64525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24341]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

[Docket No. ONRR-2011-0021; DS63644000 DRT000000.CH7000 223D1113RT, OMB 
Control Number 1012-0002]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Indian Oil and Gas 
Valuation

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue (``ONRR''), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(``PRA''), ONRR is proposing to renew

[[Page 64524]]

an information collection. Through this Information Collection Request 
(``ICR''), ONRR seeks renewed authority to collect information for the 
collection, verification, and disbursement of oil and gas royalties 
owed to Indian lessors. ONRR uses forms ONRR-4109, ONRR-4110, ONRR-
4295, ONRR-4393, ONRR-4410, and ONRR-4411 as part of these information 
collection requirements.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on or 
before December 20, 2021.

ADDRESSES: All comment submissions must (1) reference ``OMB Control 
Number 1012-0002'' in the subject line; (2) be sent to ONRR before the 
close of the comment period listed under DATES; and (3) be sent through 
one of the following two methods:
     Electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Please 
visit https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search Box, enter the Docket 
ID Number for this ICR renewal (``ONRR-2011-0021'') to locate the 
document and click the ``Comment Now!'' button. Follow the prompts to 
submit your comment prior to the close of the comment period.
     Email Submissions: Please email your comments to 
[email protected] with the Control Number (``OMB Control 
Number 1012-0002'') listed in the subject line of your email. Email 
submissions must be postmarked on or before the close of the comment 
period.
    Docket: To access the docket to view ICR publications in the 
Federal Register, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search ``ONRR-
2011-0021.'' The docket will display renewal notices recently published 
in the Federal Register, publications associated with prior renewals, 
and applicable public comments received for this ICR.
    OMB ICR Data: You may also view information collection review data 
for this ICR, including past OMB approvals, at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRASearch. Under the ``OMB Control Number'' heading enter 
``1012-0002'' and click the ``Search'' button located at the bottom of 
the page. To view the ICR renewal or OMB approval status, click on the 
most recent entry. On the ``View ICR--OIRA Conclusion'' page, check the 
box next to ``All'' to display all available ICR information provided 
by OMB.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, please contact Linda Miller, Reference & Reporting 
Management, ONRR, by telephone (303) 231-3626, or by email to 
[email protected]. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired 
may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY 
assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq., and 5 CFR 1320.5, all information collections, as defined in 5 
CFR 1320.3, require approval by OMB. ONRR may not conduct or sponsor 
and you are not required to respond to a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, ONRR is inviting the public and other Federal agencies to 
comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of 
information in accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1). This 
helps ONRR to assess the impact of its information collection 
requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps 
the public understand ONRR's information collection requirements and 
provide the requested data in the desired format.
    ONRR is especially interested in public comments addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of ONRR's estimate of the burden for this 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of response.
    ONRR published a notice, with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information, in the Federal 
Register on April 21, 2021 (86 FR 20708). ONRR received seven comments 
from companies regarding the 60-Day Notice. Two commenters stated their 
general agreement with the contents of the ICR. A third commenter 
stated that the company had recently issued its first Indian royalty 
payment in February and it is still getting familiar with ONRR's 
reporting and payments processes. A fourth commenter stated that the 
company did not have any feedback in response to the 60-Day Notice. 
Three other commenters declined to provide any comments.
    Comments that you submit in response to this 30-Day Notice are a 
matter of public record. ONRR will include or summarize each comment in 
its request to OMB to approve this ICR. 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 in formation--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask ONRR in your comment to 
withhold information from public review, ONRR cannot guarantee that it 
will be able to do so.
    Abstract: (a) General Information: ONRR collects, accounts for, and 
verifies natural resource and energy revenues due to states, American 
Indians, and the U.S. Treasury. See U.S. Department of the Interior 
Departmental Manual, 112 DM 34.3 (Sept. 9, 2020). ONRR collects various 
information for this purpose. The information collections that ONRR 
covers in this ICR are found at 30 CFR part 1202, subparts C and J, 
which pertain to Indian oil and gas royalties; part 1206, subparts B 
and E, which govern the valuation of oil and gas produced from leases 
on Indian lands; and part 1207, which pertains to recordkeeping. These 
records are essential to ensure that Indian Tribes and individual 
Indian mineral owners receive all royalties and other revenues owed on 
the minerals removed from their lands. All data reported is subject to 
subsequent audit and adjustment.
    (b) Information Collections: This ICR covers the paperwork 
requirements under 30 CFR parts 1202, 1206, and 1207 as follows:
    (1) Indian Oil: Regulations at 30 CFR part 1206, subpart B, govern 
the valuation for royalty purposes of oil produced from Indian oil and 
gas leases (Tribal and allotted). These regulations require a lessee to 
file form ONRR-4110, Oil Transportation Allowance Report, when its oil 
transportation allowance includes costs incurred under non-arm's-length 
or no-contract transportation situations. ONRR and Tribal audit 
personnel use the information collected on this form to help verify 
that the lessee correctly reported its transportation allowance within 
regulatory allowance limitations and reported and paid the correct 
amount of royalties.
    (2) Indian Gas: Regulations at 30 CFR part 1206, subpart E, govern 
the valuation for royalty purposes of natural gas produced from Indian 
oil and gas leases (Tribal and allotted). These regulations require 
reporting on ONRR forms 4109, 4295, 4410, and 4411 as follows:

[[Page 64525]]

     A lessee must file form ONRR-4109, Gas Processing 
Allowance Report, when its processing allowance includes costs incurred 
under non-arm's-length or no-contract processing situations. ONRR and 
Tribal audit personnel use the information collected on this form to 
verify that the lessee correctly reported its processing allowance 
within regulatory allowance limitations and reported and paid the 
correct amount of royalties.
     A lessee must file form ONRR-4295, Gas Transportation 
Allowance Report, when its gas transportation allowance includes costs 
incurred under non-arm's-length or no-contract transportation 
situations. ONRR and Tribal audit personnel use the information 
collected on this form to verify that a lessee correctly reported its 
transportation allowance within regulatory allowance limitations and 
reported and paid the correct amount of royalties.
     A lessee must file form ONRR-4410, Accounting for 
Comparison [Dual Accounting], to certify for an Indian oil and gas 
lease when dual accounting is not required (part A) or to make an 
election for actual dual accounting as defined in 30 CFR 1206.176 or 
alternative dual accounting as defined in 30 CFR 1206.173 when dual 
accounting is required (part B).
     A lessee uses form ONRR-4411, Safety Net Report, when it 
sells gas production from an Indian oil or gas lease in an ONRR-
designated index zone beyond the first index pricing point. The safety 
net calculation establishes the minimum value, for royalty purposes, of 
natural gas production from Indian oil and gas leases. This reporting 
requirement helps ensure that Indian lessors receive all royalties due 
and aids ONRR compliance efforts.
    (3) Indian Oil and Gas: Regulations at 30 CFR 1206.56(b)(2) and 
1206.177(c)(2) and (c)(3) allow a lessee to submit form ONRR-4393, 
Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation, to request to exceed 
the 50-percent-of-royalty-value-transportation-allowance limitation for 
Indian oil and gas leases. This form and other documentation required 
by the regulations provide ONRR with data necessary to approve or deny 
the request.
    The requirement to report is mandatory for form ONRR-4410, 
Accounting for Comparison [Dual Accounting], and for form ONRR-4411, 
Safety Net Report, when applicable. A lessee uses ONRR forms 4109, 
4110, 4295, and 4393 in order to obtain the benefit of a transportation 
or processing allowance.
    Title of Collection: Indian Oil and Gas Valuation, 30 CFR parts 
1202, 1206, and 1207.
    OMB Control Number: 1012-0002.
    Bureau Form Numbers: Forms ONRR-4109, ONRR-4110, ONRR-4295, ONRR-
4393, ONRR-4410, and ONRR-4411.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 146 Indian lessees.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 146.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 8.85 hours.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,299 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: Annual and on occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: ONRR identified no 
``non-hour cost'' burden associated with this collection of 
information.
    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 PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.).

Kimbra G. Davis,
Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2021-24341 Filed 11-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4335-30-P