[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73032-73035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25790]


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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; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget; 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) proposes this information 
collection request (ICR) to renew the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB's) Control Number 1010-0114.

DATES: Comments must be received by OMB no later than December 28, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit your written comments on this ICR to the OMB's desk 
officer for the Department of the Interior at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain within 30 days of publication of this notice. From the 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain landing page, find this information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under Review--Open for Public 
Comments'' or by searching for docket number BOEM-2017-0016. Please 
provide a copy of your comments by parcel delivery 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: 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 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.

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.
    Title of Collection: ``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 Outer Continental Shelf (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 receives fair market value for the 
resources of the OCS; and preserve and maintain market 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.
    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

[[Page 73033]]

 BOEM-1832, ``Notification of Incidents of Noncompliance.''

    Type of Review: Renewal 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 regarding the industry's 
recommendation to increase the number of static bottomhole pressure 
surveys, which is expected to cause an increase in 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 burden hour estimates of this ICR.

                                                                    Burden Breakdown
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  Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart A                                                                             Average number of  annual      Annual burden
     and 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;      Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).                                  0
                                   request hearing due to cancellation of
                                   lease.
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                                                                  Performance Standards
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115; 116........................  Request determination of well producibility;  5......................  90 responses...................             450
                                   make available or submit data and
                                   information; notify BOEM of test.
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119.............................  Apply for subsurface storage of gas; sign     10.....................  3 applications.................              30
                                   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; confirmation receipt      Cost Recovery Fees and related items are covered                       0
                                   etc.; verbal approvals and written request    individually throughout this subpart.
                                   to follow. Includes request for refunds.
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                                                                 Designation of Operator
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143.............................  Report change of name, address, etc.........  Not considered information collection under 5 CFR                      0
                                                                                 1320.3(h)(1).
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143(a-c); 144; Form BOEM-1123...  Submit designation of operator (Form BOEM-    1......................  2,584 forms....................           2,584
                                   1123--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-    1......................  930 forms......................             930
                                   1123--form takes 30 minutes); report
                                   updates; notice of termination; submit
                                   designation of agent; include pay.gov
                                   confirmation receipt. Request exception.
                                   SERVICE FEE.
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                                                                                                        $175 fee x 930 = $162,750
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186(a)(3).......................  Apply for user account in TIMS (electronic/   Not considered information collection under 5 CFR                      0
                                   digital form submittals).                     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  2......................  94 submissions.................             188
                                   INC, probation, or revocation of operating
                                   status. Notify when violations corrected.
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                                  Request waiver of 14-day response time for    1......................  1..............................               1
                                   reconsideration.
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135; 136........................  Request reimbursement for services provided   1.5....................  2 requests.....................               3
                                   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 approvals not            1......................  100 requests...................             100
                                   specifically 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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[[Page 73034]]

 
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- 9......................  26 applications................             234
                                   of-use 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;   Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-0006).                           0
                                   submit updated information, submit
                                   qualifications for lessee/bidder, request
                                   exception.
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160; 165; 123...................  State lessees: Apply for new or modified      5......................  1 application..................               5
                                   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.
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                                                                                                   $2,742 state lease fee x 1 = $2,742
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166; NTL 2015-N04...............  State lessees: Furnish surety bond;           Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-0006).                           0
                                   additional 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 suspension,            20.....................  1 request......................              20
                                   cancellation of 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          Burden covered under 30 CFR 550, Subpart B (1010-0151).                0
                                   exploration plan, development/production
                                   plan, or development 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  Not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).                            0
                                   to eWell/TIMS system for electronic
                                   submissions.
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186; NTL 2015-N01...............  Submit information, reports, and copies as    10.....................  125............................           1,250
                                   BOEM 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            1......................  2 requests.....................               2
                                   archaeological resources surveys and/or
                                   submitting reports in GOMR.
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194.............................  Submit ancillary surveys/investigations       Burden covered under 30 CFR 550 Subpart B (1010-0151).                 0
                                   reports, as required.
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196.............................  Submit data/information for G&G activity and  Burden covered under 30 CFR 551 (1010-0048).                           0
                                   request reimbursement.
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197(b)(2).......................  Demonstrate release of G&G data would unduly  1......................  1..............................               1
                                   damage competitive position.
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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     2......................  7 reviews......................              14
                                   requested by inspectors.
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    Subtotal...........................................................................................  7 responses....................              14
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[[Page 73035]]


                                                               Burden Breakdown--Continued
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  Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart K                                                                             Average number of  annual      Annual burden
        and related forms            Well surveys and classifying reservoirs          Hour burden                   responses                  hours
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1153............................  Conduct static bottomhole pressure survey;    19 GOM & Alaska........  330 surveys....................           6,270
                                   submit Form BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole Pressure   70 Pacific.............  70 surveys.....................           4,900
                                   Survey Report).
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1153(d).........................  Submit justification, information, and Form   9......................  120 survey departures..........           1,080
                                   BOEM-0140, to request a departure from
                                   requirement to run a static bottomhole
                                   pressure survey.
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1154; 1167......................  Submit request and supporting information to  8......................  5 requests.....................              40
                                   reclassify reservoir.
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1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167.......  Submit Form BOEM-0127 (Sensitive Reservoir    8 GOM..................  700 forms......................           5,600
                                   Information Report) and supporting           40 Pacific.............  39 forms.......................           1,560
                                   information/revisions (within 45 days after  2 Alaska...............  1 form.........................               2
                                   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 departure or alternative      10 GOM.................  10 departures..................             100
                                   compliance not specifically covered          1 Pacific..............  169 departures.................             169
                                   elsewhere in regulatory requirements.        0 Alaska...............  0..............................               0
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1165............................  Submit proposed plan for enhanced recovery    Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250 (1014-0019).                      0
                                   operations to BSEE.
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    Subtotal...........................................................................................  1,444 responses................          19,721
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        Total Burden...................................................................................  5,621 responses................          27,849
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      $165,492 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period on 
this proposed ICR was published on August 1, 2022 (87 FR 46992). BOEM 
did not receive any comments during that comment period.
    BOEM is again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR. 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 and will be available for public review on 
www.reginfo.gov. 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. Even if BOEM withholds your information in the 
context of this ICR, your comment is subject to the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA). If your comment is requested under the FOIA, 
your information will only be withheld if BOEM determines that a FOIA 
exemption to disclosure applies. BOEM will make such a determination in 
accordance with the Department of the Interior's (DOI's) FOIA 
regulations and applicable law.
    In order for BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your 
personally identifiable information, you must identify, in a cover 
letter, any information contained in 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 on www.reginfo.gov, 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 (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
    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.).

Karen Thundiyil,
Chief, Office of Regulations, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2022-25790 Filed 11-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P