Forms EIA-23, 23P and 64A, ``Oil and Gas Reserves Surveys''

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Energy Information Administration

Forms EIA-23, 23P and 64A, ``Oil and Gas Reserves Surveys''

AGENCY: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of the Proposed Extension of the Forms EIA-23, ``Annual

Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,'' EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas Well

Operator List Update Report,'' and EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the

Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production,'' and solicitation of

comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Energy Information Administration (EIA), as part of its

continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden (required

by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. No. 96-511, 44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq.), conducts a presurvey consultation program to provide the

general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to

comment on proposed and/or continuing reporting forms. This program

helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired

format, reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are clearly

understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents

can be properly assessed.

Currently, EIA is soliciting comments concerning the proposed

extension of the Forms EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas

Reserves,'' EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas Well Operator List Update Report,''

and EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids

Production.'' It is proposed that Forms EIA-23P and EIA 64A be extended

without modification. For large operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the

form will be modified to also collect estimates of reserves and

production associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and

nonconventional gas. This proposed modification reflects the growing

importance to U.S. oil and gas supplies of enhanced oil recovery and

nonconventional gas. To offset the incremental burden associated with

this proposed modification, the requirement to report indicated

additional reserves on Form EIA-23 will be discontinued. For small

operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the form will be extended without

modification.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by May 6, 1994.

If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it

difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice,

you should advise the contact listed below of your intention to do so

as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Paul Chapman, Energy Information

Administration, Dallas Field Office, 1114 Commerce Street, room 804,

Dallas, Texas 75242-2899, Telephone (214) 767-2200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Mr. Paul

Chapman at the address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

II. Current Actions

III. Request for Comments

I. Background

In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Energy

Administration Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-275) and the Department of

Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. No. 95-91), the Energy Information

Administration is obliged to carry out a central, comprehensive, and

unified energy data and information program. As part of this program,

EIA collects, evaluates, assembles, analyzes, and disseminates data and

information related to energy resource reserves, production, demand,

and technology, and related economic and statistical information

relevant to the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the

near and longer term future for the Nation's economic and social needs.

Operators of crude oil and natural gas wells are the target

respondents of the Form EIA-23 and operators of natural gas plants are

the target respondents of the Form EIA-64A. The amount of crude oil,

associated-dissolved and nonassociated natural gas, and lease

condensate production and reserves by field are requested of major oil

and gas well operators. In addition a selected sample of small

operators provides production and reserves of crude oil, natural gas

and lease condensate at a State level on the Form EIA-23. The amount of

natural gas processed, natural gas liquids produced, the resultant

shrinkage of the natural gas, and the amount of natural gas used in

processing are requested of natural gas plant operators. In response to

Public Law 95-91 Section 657, estimates of U.S. oil and gas reserves

are to be reported annually. These estimates are essential to the

development, implementation, and evaluation of energy policy and

legislation. Data will be used directly in the annual publication U.S.

Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Reserves, and

incorporated in a number of other publications and analyses. Secondary

publications which use the data include the Annual Energy Review,

Annual Energy Outlook, Petroleum Supply Annual, and Natural Gas Annual.

II. Current Actions

This notice is for a proposed three-year extension of the Forms

EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,'' EIA-23P,

``Oil and Gas Well Operator List Update Report,'' and EIA-64A, ``Annual

Report of the Origin of Natural Gas Liquids Production,'' until

December 31, 1997. Forms EIA-23P and EIA-64A will be extended without

modification. For large operators reporting on Form EIA-23, the form

will be modified to also collect estimates of reserves and production

associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and nonconventional gas.

Implementation of this proposed modification is contingent upon the

availability of resources required to make the EIA-23 data system

capable of handling the new data. To offset the incremental respondent

burden associated with reporting enhanced oil recovery and

nonconventional gas reserves and production, and to focus the survey

more effectively on proved reserves, the requirement for large

operators to report indicated additional reserves (a reserves category

that is not proved) will be discontinued. For small operators reporting

on Form EIA-23, the form will be extended without modification.

Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment

on the actions discussed in item II. The following general guidelines

are provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please indicate

to which form(s) your comments apply.

As a potential respondent:

A. Are the instructions and definitions clear and sufficient? If

not, which instructions require clarification?

B. Can the data be submitted using the definitions included in the

instructions?

C. Can data be submitted in accordance with the response time

specified in the instructions? Would it be possible for you to submit

the data as much as two months earlier?

D. Public reporting burden for this data collection is estimated to

range from 62 to 333 hours per response for the field level (i.e.,

large operator) version of Form EIA-23, ``Annual Survey of Domestic Oil

and Gas Reserves'' and reporting burden is estimated to average 8 hours

per response for the State level (i.e., small operator) version of Form

EIA-23. Public reporting burden is estimated to average 5.9 hours per

response for the Form EIA-64A, ``Annual Report of the Origin of Natural

Gas Liquids Production.'' Public reporting burden is estimated to

average 0.25 hours per response for the Form EIA-23P, ``Oil and Gas

Well Operator List Update Report.'' How much time, including time for

reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and

maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the

collection of information, do you estimate will be required for you to

complete and submit the required form?

E. What is the estimated dollar cost of completing this form,

including the direct and indirect costs associated with the collection?

F. How can the form be improved?

G. Do you know of any other Federal, State, or local agency that

collects similar data? If you do, specify the agency, the data

element(s), and the means of the collection.

As a potential user:

A. Can you use data at the levels of detail indicated on the form?

In particular, can you use the proposed data on reserves and production

associated with enhanced oil recovery methods and nonconventional gas?

B. For what purpose would you use the data? Please be specific.

C. Would you be adversely affected by discontinuation of indicated

additional reserves data from the EIA-23 field form?

D. How could the form be improved to better meet your specific

needs?

E. Are there alternative sources of oil and gas reserves data and

do you use them? What are their strengths or deficiencies?

EIA is also interested in receiving comments on any other aspect of

the data collection forms or the need for the information contained in

the Oil and Gas Reserves Surveys.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the form; they also

will become a matter of public record.

Statutory Authorities

Sections 3506(a) and (c)(1), Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, as

amended, Pub. L. No. 96-511, 44 U.S.C. 3506(a) and (c)(1).

Issued in Washington, DC, March 31, 1994.

Yvonne M. Bishop,

Director, Statistical Standards, Energy Information Administration.

[FR Doc. 94-8245 Filed 4-5-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P