Information Collection: General Oil and Gas and Sulphur and Production Requirements in the Outer Continental Shelf; Proposed Collection for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0114; MMAA104000]

Information Collection: General Oil and Gas and Sulphur and Production Requirements in the Outer Continental Shelf; Proposed Collection for OMB Review; Comment Request

ACTION:

60-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 550, Subparts A,

General;

and K, and

Oil and Gas Production Requirements,

as well as the associated forms. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1010-0114 to this information collection.

DATES:

Submit written comments by November 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Please send your comments on this ICR to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Anna Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166 (mail); or

anna.atkinson@boem.gov;

or 703-787-1209 (fax). Please reference OMB Control Number 1010-0114 in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anna Atkinson, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis at 703-787-1025 for a copy of the ICR or the forms.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OMB Control Number:

1010-0114.

Title:

30 CFR 550, Subpart A,

General,

and Subpart K,

Oil and Gas Production Requirements.

Forms:

• 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.

Abstract:

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 [O]uter 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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is required to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those that accrue to the public.

This information collection request addresses regulations at 30 CFR 550, Subpart A, General, and Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production Requirements, which deal with regulatory requirements of oil, gas, and sulphur 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 our regulations, and forms BOEM-0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, and BOEM-1832.

The BOEM uses the information collected under the Subparts A and K 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, we use 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 or disqualification of leases to determine the appropriateness of lessee/operator performance.

• 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. Specifically, BOEM uses the information in reservoir evaluations to determine maximum production and efficiency rates and to review applications for downhole commingling to ensure that action does not harm ultimate recovery or undervalued royalties. 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 lessee. With this renewal, BOEM will add a signature line on the form to allow for the signature of the company designated as the operator. Also, the current instructions for completing form BOEM-1123 apply only to the Gulf of Mexico region. BOEM would like to require the form to be completed in the same way for all regions, so BOEM has deleted all references to the Gulf of Mexico in the instructions.

• 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 the BOEM Regional Supervisor.

We will protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), it's implementing regulations (43 CFR 2), 30 CFR 252, and 30 CFR 550.197, “Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection.” Proprietary information concerning geological and geophysical data will be protected according to 43 U.S.C. 1352. No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are mandatory.

Frequency:

Primarily on occasion; monthly.

Description of Respondents:

Oil and gas and sulphur lessees/operators.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:

The currently approved annual burden for this collection is 30,635 hours.

The following table details the individual BOEM components and respective hour burden estimates.

Burden Breakdown

Citation 30 CFR 550

subpart A and related forms/NTLs

Reporting or recordkeeping

requirement

Non-hour cost burdens

Hour burden

Average number of annual

responses

Annual burden hours

Authority and Definition of Terms

104; 181; Form BOEM-1832

Appeal orders or decisions; appeal INCs; request hearing due to cancellation of lease

Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2), (c).

0

Performance Standards

115; 116

Request determination of well producibility; make available or submit data and information; notify BOEM of test

5

90 responses

450

119

Apply for subsurface storage of gas; sign storage agreement

10

3 applications

30

Subtotal

93 responses

480

Cost Recovery Fees

125; 126; 140

Cost Recovery Fees; confirmation receipt etc; verbal approvals and written request to follow. Includes request for refunds

Cost Recovery Fees and related items are covered individually throughout this subpart.

0

Designation of Operator

143

Report change of name, address, etc

Not considered information collection under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).

0

143(a-c); 144; 146; Form BOEM-1123

Submit designation of operator (Form BOEM-1123—form takes 30 minutes); report updates; notice of termination; submit designation of agent. Request exception. NO FEE

1

2,584 forms

2,584

143(a-d); 144; 146; Form BOEM-1123

Change designation of 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

1

930 forms

930

$175 fee × 930 = $162,750

186(a)(3); NTL

Apply for user account in TIMS (electronic/digital form submittals)

Not considered information collection under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).

0

Subtotal

3,514 responses

3,514

$162,750 non-hour cost burden.

Disqualification

101; 135; 136; Form BOEM-1832

Submit response and required information for INC, probation, or revocation of operating status. Notify when violations corrected

2

94 submissions

188

Request waiver of 14-day response time or reconsideration

1

1

1

135; 136

Request reimbursement for services provided to BOEM representatives during reviews; comment

1.5

2 requests

3

Subtotal

97 responses

192

Special Types of Approval

125(c); 140

Request various oral approvals not specifically covered elsewhere in regulatory requirements

1

100 requests

100

141; 101-199

Request approval to use new or alternative procedures; submit required information

20

100 requests

2,000

142; 101-199

Request approval of departure from operating requirements not specifically covered elsewhere in regulatory requirements; submit required information

2.5

100 requests

250

Subtotal

300 responses

2,350

Right-of-use and Easement

160; 161; 123

OCS lessees: Apply for 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

9

26 applications

234

160(c)

Establish a Company File for qualification; submit updated information, submit qualifications for lessee/bidder, request exception

Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-0006).

0

160; 165; 123

State lessees: Apply for 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

5

1 application

5

$2,742 state lease fee × 1 = $2,742.

166

State lessees: Furnish surety bond; additional security if required

Burden covered under 30 CFR 556 (1010-0006).

0

Subtotal

27 responses

239

$2,742 non-hour cost burden.

Primary Lease Requirements, Lease Term Extensions, and Lease Cancellations

181(d); 182(b), 183(a)(b)

Request termination of suspension, cancellation of lease, lesser lease term (no requests in recent years for termination/cancellation of a lease; minimal burden)

20

1 request

20

182; 183, 185; 194

Various references to submitting new, revised, or modified exploration plan, development/production plan, or development operations coordination document, and related surveys/reports

Burden covered under 30 CFR 550, subpart B (1010-0151).

0

184

Request compensation for lease cancellation mandated by the OCS Lands Act (no qualified lease cancellations in many years; minimal burden compared to benefit)

50

1 request

50

Subtotal

2 responses

70

Information and Reporting Requirements

186(a)

Apply to receive administrative entitlements to eWell/TIMS system for electronic submissions

Not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1).

0

186; NTL

Submit information, reports, and copies as BOEM requires

10

125

1,250

135; 136

Report apparent violations or non-compliance

1.5

2 reports

3

194; NTL

Report archaeological discoveries. Submit archaeological and follow-up reports and additional information

2

6 reports

12

194; NTL

Request departures from conducting archaeological resources surveys and/or submitting reports in GOMR

1

2 requests

2

194

Submit ancillary surveys/investigations reports, as required

Burden covered under 30 CFR 550 Subpart B (1010-0151).

0

196

Submit data/information for G&G activity and request reimbursement

Burden covered under 30 CFR 551 (1010-0048).

0

197(b)(2)

Demonstrate release of G&G data would unduly damage competitive position

1

1

1

197

*Submit confidentiality agreement

1

1

1

Subtotal

137 responses

1,269

Recordkeeping

135; 136

During reviews, make records available as requested by inspectors

2

7 reviews

14

Subtotal

7 responses

14

Citation 30 CFR 550 subpart K and related forms

Well surveys and classifying reservoirs

Hour burden

Average number of annual

responses

Annual burden hours

1153

Conduct static bottomhole pressure survey; submit Form BOEM-0140 (Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report) (within 60 days after survey)

14

1,161 surveys

16,254

1153(d)

Submit justification, information, and Form BOEM-0140, to request a departure from requirement to run a static bottomhole survey

1

200 survey departures

200

1154; 1167

Submit request and supporting information to reclassify reservoir

1

15 requests

15

1155; 1165(b); 1166; 1167

Submit Form BOEM-0127 (Sensitive Reservoir Information Report) and supporting information/revisions (within 45 days after certain events or at least annually). AK Region: submit BOEM-0127 and request MER

3

2,012 forms

6,036

1153-1167

Request general departure or alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in regulatory requirements

1

2

2

1165

Submit proposed plan for enhanced recovery operations to BSEE

Burden covered under BSEE 30 CFR 250 (1014-0019).

0

Subtotal

3,390 responses

22,507

Total Burden

7,567 responses

30,635

$165,492 non-hour cost burdens.

Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden:

We have identified two non-hour cost burdens. Section 550.143 requires a fee for a change in designation of operator ($175). Section 550.165 requires a State lessee applying for a right-of use and easement in the OCS to pay a cost recovery application fee ($2,742). These fees reflect the recent adjustment for inflation that became effective February 2, 2013 (78 FR 5836, 1/28/13).

Public Disclosure Statement:

The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501,

et seq.

) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond.

Comments:

Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 3506(c)(2)(A) requires each agency “. . . to provide notice . . . and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information . . .”. Agencies must specifically solicit comments on: (a) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of our burden estimates; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden on respondents.

Agencies must also estimate the non-hour cost burdens to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total capital and startup costs and annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of service costs. You should describe the methods you use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage facilities. You should not include estimates for equipment or services purchased: (a) Before October 1, 1995; (b) to comply with requirements not associated with the information collection; (c) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (d) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to OMB.

Public Availability of Comments:

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.

Dated: September 12, 2016.

Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,

Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.

[FR Doc. 2016-22355 Filed 9-15-16; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P