[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39463-39465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12905]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2023-0007; EEEE500000 234E1700D2 ET1SF0000.EAQ000; OMB 
Control Number 1014-0018]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Oil and Gas Drilling 
Operations

AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to 
renew an information collection.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
August 15, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by either of the following methods listed below:
     Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2023-0007 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email [email protected], fax (703) 787-1546, or mail or 
hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: 
Nikki Mason; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please reference 
OMB Control Number 1014-0018 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Nikki Mason by email at [email protected] or 
by telephone at (703) 787-1607. 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. You may also view the ICR at 
http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1), all information collections

[[Page 39464]]

require approval under the PRA. We 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 our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on 
new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This 
helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements 
and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public 
understand our information collection requirements and provide the 
requested data in the desired format.
    We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our 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.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB 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 information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Abstract: The BSEE uses the information to ensure safe drilling 
operations and to protect the human, marine, and coastal environment. 
Among other things, BSEE specifically uses the information to ensure: 
the drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; the lessee or 
operator will not encounter geologic conditions that present a hazard 
to operations; equipment is maintained in a state of readiness and 
meets safety standards; each drilling crew is properly trained and able 
to promptly perform well-control activities at any time during well 
operations; compliance with safety standards; and the current 
regulations will provide for safe and proper field or reservoir 
development, resource evaluation, conservation, protection of 
correlative rights, safety, and environmental protection. We also 
review well records to ascertain whether drilling operations have 
encountered hydrocarbons or H2S and to ensure that H2S detection 
equipment, personnel protective equipment, and training of the crew are 
adequate for safe operations in zones known to contain H2S and zones 
where the presence of H2S is unknown.
    This ICR includes three forms. The forms use and information 
consist of the following:

End of Operations Report, BSEE-0125

    This information is used to ensure that industry has accurate and 
up-to-date data and information on wells and leasehold activities under 
their jurisdiction and to ensure compliance with approved plans and any 
conditions placed upon a suspension or temporary probation. It is also 
used to evaluate the remedial action in the event of well equipment 
failure or well control loss. The Form BSEE-0125 is updated and 
resubmitted in the event the well status changes. In addition, except 
for proprietary data, BSEE is required by the OCS Lands Act to make 
available to the public certain information submitted on BSEE-0125.
    Information on the form:
    Heading--ascertain the well name, status of completion/abandonment, 
and operator name.
    Well at Total Depth--ascertain the lease No., area name, block No., 
and the latitude/longitude at total depth.
    Well Status Information--ascertain well status data and measured/
true vertical depth of the well.
    Well at Producing Zone--ascertain the location and latitude/
longitude of the producing zone.
    Perforated Interval(s) This Completion--ascertain well measured/
true vertical depth at the top and bottom of intervals perforated for 
production.
    Hydrocarbon Bearing Intervals--identify the top and bottom of 
hydrocarbon bearing intervals penetrated by the well and the type 
hydrocarbon (oil/gas) present.
    List of Significant Markers Penetrated--to make structural 
correlations, in conjunction with seismic data, with other wells 
drilled in the area. Anticipated marker areas not penetrated (i.e., not 
present) also provide valuable reservoir information.
    Subsea Completion--Identify wells that are completed with the 
wellhead (tree) at the ocean floor (mud line). This data is needed to 
ascertain that the wellhead is protected from being damaged and that 
the location is marked with a buoy.
    Abandonment History of Well (Casing & Obstruction)--ensure that, 
upon permanent plugging, the casing is cut and removed to an elevation 
below the ocean floor (mud line) to eliminate any hazard to navigation 
(fishing, trawling) unless otherwise protected and/or the location 
marked with a buoy.

Well Activity Report, BSEE-0133 and -0133S

    The BSEE uses this information to monitor the conditions of a well 
and status of drilling operations. We review the information to be 
aware of the well conditions and current drilling activity (i.e., well 
depth, drilling fluid weight, casing types and setting depths, 
completed well logs, and recent safety equipment tests and drills). The 
engineer uses this information to determine how accurately the lessee 
anticipated well conditions and if the lessee or operator is following 
the other approved forms that were submitted. With the information 
collected on BSEE-0133 available, the reviewers can analyze the 
proposed revisions (e.g., revised grade of casing or deeper casing 
setting depth) and make a quick and informed decision on the request.
    In addition, except for proprietary data, BSEE is required by the 
OCS Lands Act to make available to the public certain information 
submitted on Forms BSEE-0133 and -0133S.

BSEE-0133

    General Information--Identifies the well name, lease operator, name 
of the contractor and rig or unit conducting drilling or remedial work, 
the water depth and the elevation.
    Current Well Bore Information--This information is used to identify 
the well, surface location, and dates operations are initiated and 
concluded. Also identified is the bottom hole location, measured and 
true vertical depth of the well, drilling fluid (mud) weight, and 
blowout preventer test information needed to evaluate approval or 
modification applications to ensure safety and environmental 
protection.
    Well Bore Historical Information--Identifies the dates drilling is 
initiated and completed or the well is abandoned, and final measured 
and true vertical depths reached. This

[[Page 39465]]

information is needed to evaluate modification applications to ensure 
safety and protection of the environment.
    Casing/Liner/Tubing Record--Identifies casing/liner/tubing hole 
size, pipe size, weight, grade, test pressures, setting depths, and 
cement volumes. This information is used to evaluate modification 
applications and to ascertain that operations are conducted in a safe 
manner as approved.
    Well Activity Summary--This narrative summary provides the details 
of daily operations needed to confirm that operations are being 
conducted consistent with approved plans.
    Open Hole Log Date--Serves to identify whether open hole logs, 
formation samples and surveys have been conducted so as to trigger the 
submittal of Form BSEE-0133S.
    Significant Well Events--Serves to identify significant events, 
hazards or problems encountered during well operations and to provide 
narrative information detailing those events which occurred. BSEE needs 
this information in the assessment and approval of other well 
operations in the area that may encounter the same or similar hazards, 
risks or problems. Provides narrative information concerning any 
significant events. Attachments may be required, if necessary.

BSEE-0133S

    General Information--Identifies the well number/name, operator 
name, sidetrack/bypass number, and contact name/telephone/email.
    Open Hole Tools, Mud Logs, and Directional Surveys--Identifies the 
dates and types of open hole operations, logs, tests, or surveys 
conducted; the service company(s) conducting the operations; and the 
top and bottom of those formations logged or surveyed. Serves as an 
inventory to ensure that BSEE receives the data from all open hole 
logs/tests/surveys conducted. Open hole data is utilized in the 
determination of oil and gas recoverable reserves and production 
limits. As permitted by the regulations, the data is also made 
available to the public.
    Identify Other Open Hole Data Collection--Identifies the conduct of 
other specific analyses, samples and surveys and requires the narrative 
description of any other surveys conducted.
    Title of Collection: 30 CFR 250 subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling 
Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0018.
    Form Number: Forms BSEE-0125, End of Operations Report, BSEE-0133, 
Well Activity Report, and BSEE-0133S Supplemental.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents include Federal 
OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and/or operators and holders of 
pipeline rights-of-way.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: Currently there are 
approximately 555 Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and holders 
of pipeline rights-of-way. Not all the potential respondents will 
submit information in any given year, and some may submit multiple 
times.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 63,744.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 15 minutes to 
23 hours, depending on activity.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 83,993.
    Respondent's Obligation: Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency of Collection: Submissions are generally on occasion, 
daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, and varies by section.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $16,000.
    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.).

Kirk Malstrom,
Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch.
[FR Doc. 2023-12905 Filed 6-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P