Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension and revision of a currently approved

information collection.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and

respondent burden, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies to

comment on a proposal to extend and revise the currently approved

collection of information discussed below. The Paperwork Reduction Act

of 1995 (PRA) provides that 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 Office of Management and Budget

(OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Rules Processing, Minerals

Management Service, Mail Stop 4700, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia

20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alexis London, Rules Processing, Minerals Management Service, telephone

(703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart O, Training of Lessee and

Contractor Employees Engaged in Oil and Gas and Suphur Operations in

the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Abstract: The OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) and its Amendments of 1978 give

the Secretary of the Interior the responsibility to preserve, protect,

and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS consistent with the need

to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as

rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resource development with

protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; ensure the

public a fair and equitable return on resources of the OCS; and

preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) of

the OCSLA states that ``operations in the outer Continental Shelf

should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained personnel using

technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent or

minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires,

spillages, physical obstruction 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.''

To do this, MMS has issued regulations governing OCS oil and gas

and sulphur lease operations The rules governing training of lessee and

contractor personnel operating in the OCS are prescribed in 30 CFR Part

250, Subpart O. The MMS needs the information collected under subpart O

to ensure that lessee and contractor personnel are properly trained in

the use of equipment and procedures in drilling, well completion/

workover, well servicing, and production operations. Trained workers

are necessary to avoid hazards inherent in these operations. The MMS

uses the information to ensure that personnel receive the minimum

training necessary for safety of operations and protection of the

environment. We also use the information to evaluate training programs

for technical accuracy and to verify that they incorporate appropriate

instruction and testing activities.

The MMS just recently revised the subpart O regulations and

published a final rule on February 5, 1997 (62 FR 5320). The effective

date of the final rule is March 7, 1997. The amended regulations

simplify the training options and provide flexibility to use

alternative training methods. The rule was rewritten in ``plain

English.'' The revision made no significant changes to the information

collection requirements. During the proposed rulemaking process, only

one comment was received with respect to the information collection

aspects of the rule. The commenter(s) contended that schools should not

need to continue maintaining training records for 5 years because of

the new training period. The MMS disagreed and kept the 5-year

retention period in the regulations in order to have the maximum time

to review records under the statute of limitations.

Proprietary or confidential information will be protected according

to the Freedom of Information Act and 30 CFR 250.18, Data and

information to be made available to the public. Personal information

will be protected according to the Privacy Act. The collection does not

include items of a sensitive nature. The requirement to response is

mandatory.

Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas and sulphur

lessees and training organizations.

Frequency: On occasion.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 130 lessees and 54 training

organizations.

Estimated Annual Burden: 3,947 burden hours. Based on $35 per hour,

the cost to respondents is $138,145.

Estimated Other Annual Costs to Respondents: MMS has identified no

other cost burdens on respondents for providing this information.

OMB Number: 1010-0078.

Comments: The MMS will summarize written responses to this notice

and address them in its submission for OMB approval. All comments will

become a matter of public record. We will also consult with a

representative sample of respondents. The estimates shown above are

those currently approved by OMB for this collection of information.

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As a result of the consultations and comments we receive, we will make

any necessary adjustments for our submission to OMB. In calculating the

burden, MMS assumes that respondents perform many of the requirements

and maintain records in the normal course of their activities. MMS

considers these to be usual and customary. Commenters are invited to

provide information if they disagree with this assumption and they

should tell us what the burden hours and costs imposed by this

collection of information are.

(1) The MMS specifically solicits comments on the following

questions:

(a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the

proper performance of MMS's functions, and will it be useful?

(b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed

collection reasonable?

(c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality,

clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected?

(d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on

those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate

automated electronic; mechanical, or other forms of information

technology?

(2) In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total

annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the

collection of information. The MMS needs your comments on this item.

Your response should split the cost estimate into two components:

(a) Total capital and startup cost component and

(b) Annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of service

component.

Your estimates should consider the costs to generate, maintain, and

disclose or provide the information. 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, sampling, drilling,

and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, your

estimates should not include equipment or services purchase: (1) Before

October 1, 1995; (2) to comply with requirements not associated with

the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide

information or keep records for the Government; or (4) as part of

customary and usual business or private practices.

Bureau Clearance Officer: Caole A. deWitt, (703) 787-1242.

Dated: February 13, 1997.

E.P. Danenberger,

Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.

[FR Doc. 97-4193 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M