[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46992-46996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16386]


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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; 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 through an 
information collection request (ICR) to renew Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) information collection control number 1010-0114 with 
revisions.

[[Page 46993]]


DATES: Public comments must be received by BOEM on or before September 
30, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this ICR by mail or commercial 
delivery service 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: Contact Anna Atkinson by email at 
[email protected], or by telephone at 703-787-1025. Individuals in 
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside of the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States. 
You may also view the ICR and its related documents by searching the 
docket number BOEM-2017-0016 at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

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 its information collection requirements and minimize the 
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format.
    BOEM is soliciting comments on the proposed ICR described below. 
BOEM is especially interested in public comments 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 
is 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 its ICR 
to OMB for approval of this information collection. You should be aware 
that your entire comment--including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personally identifiable information included in your 
comment--may be made publicly available at any time. Even if BOEM 
withholds your information in the context of this ICR, your submission 
is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If your submission 
is requested under the FOIA, your information will only be withheld if 
a determination is made that one of the FOIA's exemptions to disclosure 
applies. Such a determination will be made in accordance with the 
Department of the Interior's (DOI) FOIA regulations and applicable law.
    In order for BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your 
personally identifying information, you must identify, in a cover 
letter, 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 consequence of the disclosure of information, such as 
embarrassment, injury, or other harm.
    Note that BOEM will make available for public inspection all 
comments, in their entirety, submitted by organizations and businesses 
or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of 
organizations or businesses.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with FOIA (5 
U.S.C. 552), DOI's implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and 30 CFR 
parts 550 and 552 promulgated pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf 
Lands Act (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
    Title of Collection: ``30 CFR part 550, subpart A, General, and 
Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production in the Outer Continental Shelf.''
    Abstract: This ICR addresses regulations under 30 CFR part 550, 
subparts A and K, which deal with regulatory requirements of oil, gas, 
and sulfur 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 its regulations, and forms BOEM-
0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, and BOEM-1832.
    The OCS Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), authorizes 
the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of the OCS and all operations conducted under a 
lease. Leasing on the OCS must balance orderly energy resource 
development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal 
environments; ensure the public a fair return on the resources of the 
OCS; and preserve and maintain free enterprise competition.
    BOEM uses the information collected under these regulations to 
ensure that leasing and operations on the OCS are carried out in a safe 
and environmentally sound manner, do not interfere with the rights of 
other users on 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 and operators greater flexibility to 
comply with regulatory requirements through approval of alternative 
equipment or procedures or to depart from regulatory requirements, 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 a right-of-use and 
easement grant 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 or operator based on performance.
     Ascertain if circumstances exist which warrant 
cancellation of leases.
     Ensure the protection of any discovered archaeological 
resources.
     Regulate production rates from sensitive reservoirs based 
on information submitted on Form BOEM-0127, ``Sensitive Reservoir 
Information (SRI) Report.'' BOEM engineers and geologists use the 
information for rate control and reservoir studies. The form requests 
general information about the reservoir, the company, volumetric data, 
and fluid analysis and production data.
     Manage reservoirs based on information submitted on Form 
BOEM-0140, ``Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report,'' in order 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

[[Page 46994]]

pressure points that consist of measured depths, true vertical depths, 
pressures, and pressure gradients.
     Record the designation of an operator through Form BOEM-
1123, ``Designation of Operator,'' authorized to act on behalf of the 
lessee and any operating rights owner to fulfill their obligations 
under the OCS Lands Act and implementing regulations. The form also is 
used 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.
     Provide operator notice of violations through Form BOEM-
1832, ``Notification of Incidents of Noncompliance [INC].'' The BOEM 
issues this form to the operator. The operator corrects the INCs 
included on the form, signs to confirm corrective action has been 
taken, and returns the form to BOEM.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0114.
    Form Number:
     BOEM-0127, ``Sensitive Reservoir Information (SRI) 
Report;''
     BOEM-0140, ``Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report;''
     BOEM-1123, ``Designation of Operator;'' and
     BOEM-1832, ``Notification of Incidents of Noncompliance.''
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Federal oil, gas, or sulfur lessees 
and operators.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 5,621 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 27,849 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 for this collection is 18,323 hours and 5,302 responses. 
BOEM proposes to increase the annual burden to 27,849 hours and 5,621 
responses. BOEM conducted public outreach where industry recommended 
increasing the numbers for static bottomhole pressure surveys and 
sensitive reservoir information reports. Based on industry 
recommendations, BOEM is asking OMB for approval of an additional 9,526 
annual burden hours and 319 responses.
    The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR.

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

[[Page 46995]]

 
                                         Request waiver of 14-day response time or                         1  1.........................               1
                                          reconsideration.
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135; 136...............................  Request reimbursement for services provided to BOEM             1.5  2 requests................               3
                                          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 approvals not specifically                   1  100 requests..............             100
                                          covered elsewhere in regulatory requirements.
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141; 101-199...........................  Request approval to use new or alternative                       20  100 requests..............           2,000
                                          procedures; submit required information.
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142; 101-199...........................  Request approval of departure from operating                    2.5  100 requests..............             250
                                          requirements not specifically covered elsewhere in
                                          regulatory requirements; submit required
                                          information.
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    Subtotal................................................................................................  300 responses.............           2,350
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                                                                Right-of-use and Easement
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160; 161; 123; NTL 2015-N06............  OCS lessees: Apply for new or modified right-of-use               9  26 applications...........             234
                                          and easement to construct and maintain off-lease
                                          platforms, artificial islands, and installations
                                          and other devices; include notifications and
                                          submitting required information.
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160(c).................................  Establish a Company File for qualification; submit   Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-                   0
                                          updated information, submit qualifications for      0006).
                                          lessee/bidder, request exception.
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160; 165; 123..........................  State lessees: Apply for new or modified right-of-                5  1 application.............               5
                                          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; NTL 2015-N04......................  State lessees: Furnish surety bond; additional       Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-                   0
                                          security if required.                               0006).
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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 suspension, cancellation of               20  1 request.................              20
                                          lease, lesser lease term (no requests in recent
                                          years for termination/cancellation of a lease;
                                          minimal burden).
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182; 183, 185; 194.....................  Submitting new, revised, or modified exploration     Burden covered under 30 CFR 550, Subpart B               0
                                          plan, development/production plan, or development   (1010-0151).
                                          operations coordination document, and related
                                          surveys/reports.
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184....................................  Request compensation for lease cancellation                      50  1 request.................              50
                                          pursuant to the OCS Lands Act (no lease
                                          cancellations in many years; minimal burden).
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    Subtotal................................................................................................  2 responses...............              70
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                                                         Information and Reporting Requirements
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186(a).................................  Apply to receive administrative entitlements to      Not considered IC under 5 CFR                            0
                                          eWell/TIMS system for electronic submissions.       1320.3(h)(1).
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186; NTL 2015-N01......................  Submit information, reports, and copies as BOEM                  10  125.......................           1,250
                                          requires (as related to worst case discharge and
                                          blowout scenarios).
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135; 136...............................  Report apparent violations or non-compliance.......             1.5  2 reports.................               3
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194....................................  Report archaeological discoveries. Submit                         2  6 reports.................              12
                                          archaeological and follow-up reports and
                                          additional information.
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194....................................  Request departures from conducting archaeological                 1  2 requests................               2
                                          resources surveys and/or submitting reports in
                                          GOMR.
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194....................................  Submit ancillary surveys/investigations reports, as  Burden covered under 30 CFR 550 Subpart B                0
                                          required.                                           (1010-0151).
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196....................................  Submit data/information for G&G activity and         Burden covered under 30 CFR 551 (1010-                   0
                                          request reimbursement.                              0048).
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197(b)(2)..............................  Demonstrate release of G&G data would unduly damage               1  1.........................               1
                                          competitive position.
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[[Page 46996]]

 
197(c).................................  Submit confidentiality agreement...................               1  1.........................               1
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    Subtotal................................................................................................  137 responses.............           1,269
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                                                                      Recordkeeping
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135; 136...............................  During reviews, make records available as requested               2  7 reviews.................              14
                                          by inspectors.
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    Subtotal................................................................................................  7 responses...............              14
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 Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart K      Well surveys and                           Average number of   Annual burden
       and related forms         classifying reservoirs       Hour burden       annual responses       hours
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1153...........................  Conduct static          19 GOM..............  330 surveys......           6,270
                                  bottomhole pressure    70 Pacific..........  70 surveys.......           4,900
                                  survey; submit Form    0 Alaska............  0................               0
                                  BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole
                                  Pressure Survey
                                  Report).
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1153(d)........................  Submit justification,   9...................  120 survey                  1,080
                                  information, and Form                         departures.
                                  BOEM-0140, to request
                                  a departure from
                                  requirement to run a
                                  static bottomhole
                                  pressure survey.
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1154; 1167.....................  Submit request and      8...................  5 requests.......              40
                                  supporting
                                  information to
                                  reclassify reservoir.
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1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167......  Submit Form BOEM-0127   8 GOM...............  700 forms........           5,600
                                  (Sensitive Reservoir   40 Pacific..........  39 forms.........           1,560
                                  Information Report)    2 Alaska............  1 form...........               2
                                  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. SRIs
                                  must be submitted
                                  annually). AK Region:
                                  submit BOEM-0127 and
                                  request an MER for
                                  each producing
                                  sensitive reservoir.
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1153-1167......................  Request general         10 GOM..............  10 departures....             100
                                  departure or           1 Pacific...........  169 departures...             169
                                  alternative            0 Alaska............  0................               0
                                  compliance not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in
                                  regulatory
                                  requirements.
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1165...........................  Submit proposed plan    Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250                  0
                                  for enhanced recovery   (1014-0019).
                                  operations to BSEE.
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    Subtotal.................................................................  1,444 responses..          19,721
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        TOTAL BURDEN.........................................................  5,621 Responses..          27,849
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                                        $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 valid 
OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Signed:
Peter Meffert,
Acting Chief, Office of Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-16386 Filed 7-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P