[Federal Register: October 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 196)]
[Notices]
[Page 57957-57960]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11oc07-87]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0086).
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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we
are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information
collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork
requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, subpart P, Sulphur
Operations. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity
to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by November 13, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments either by fax (202) 395-6566 or e-
mail (OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department
of the Interior (1010-0086). Mail or hand carry a copy of your comments
to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Management Service;
Attention: Cheryl Blundon; Mail Stop 4024; 381 Elden Street; Herndon,
Virginia 20170-4817. If you wish to e-mail your comments to MMS, the
address is: rules.comments@mms.gov. Reference Information Collection
1010-0086 in your subject line and mark your message for return
receipt. Include your name and return address in your message text.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations that require the
subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart P, Sulphur Operations.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0086.
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 (Secretary) to preserve, protect, and develop
sulphur resources on the OCS; make such resources available to meet the
Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy
resources development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal
environments; ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the
resources offshore; and preserve and maintain free enterprise
competition. Section 5(a) of the OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary
to prescribe rules and regulations ``to provide for the prevention of
waste, and conservation of the natural resources of the Outer
Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein''
and to include provisions ``for the prompt and efficient exploration
and development of a lease area.'' These authorities and
responsibilities are among those delegated to MMS under which we issue
regulations to ensure that operations in the OCS will meet statutory
requirements; provide for safety and protection of the environment; and
result in diligent exploration, development, and production of OCS
leases. This information collection request addresses the regulations
at 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart P, Sulphur Operations, and the associated
supplementary notices to lessees and operators intended to provide
clarification, description, or explanation of these regulations.
The MMS uses the information collected to ascertain the condition
of drilling sites for the purpose of preventing hazards inherent in
drilling and production operations and to evaluate the adequacy of
equipment and/or procedures to be used during the conduct of drilling,
well-completion, well-workover, and production operations. For example,
MMS uses the information to:
Ascertain that a discovered sulphur deposit can be
classified as capable of production in paying quantities.
Ensure accurate and complete measurement of production to
determine the amount of sulphur royalty payments due the United States;
and that the sale locations are secure, production has been measured
accurately, and appropriate follow-up actions are initiated.
Ensure that the drilling unit is fit for the intended
purpose.
Review expected oceanographic and meteorological
conditions to ensure the integrity of the drilling unit (this
information is submitted only if it is not otherwise available).
Review hazard survey data to ensure that the lessee will
not encounter geological conditions that present a hazard to
operations.
Ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting plans.
Ensure the adequacy of casing for anticipated conditions.
Review log entries of crew meetings to verify that crew
members are properly trained.
Review drilling, well-completion, and well-workover
diagrams and procedures to ensure the safety of the proposed drilling,
well-completion, and well-workover operations.
Review production operation procedures to ensure the
safety of the proposed production operations.
Monitor environmental data during operations in offshore
areas where such data are not already available to provide a valuable
source of information to evaluate the performance of drilling rigs
[[Page 57958]]
under various weather and ocean conditions. This information is
necessary to make reasonable determinations regarding safety of
operations and environmental protection.
Responses are mandatory. No questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are
asked. MMS will protect proprietary information according to 30 CFR
250.197, ``Data and information to be made available to the public or
for limited inspection'', and 30 CFR Part 252, ``OCS Oil and Gas
Information Program.''
Frequency: The frequency varies by section, but is generally on
occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 1
Federal OCS sulphur lessee.
Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
following chart details the components of the hour burden for the
information collection requirements in subpart P--an estimated total of
903 burden hours. In estimating the burdens, we assumed that
respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their
activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that
into account in estimating the burden.
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Reporting and Annual
Citation 30 CFR 250 recordkeeping Hour burden Average No. of burden
requirement annual reponses hours
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Submittals/Notifications
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1600............................ Submit exploration or Burden included in (1010-0151) 0
development and
production plan.
1605; 1617; 1618; 1619(b); 1622. Submit forms MMS-123 Burden included in (1010-0141) 0
(Application for Permit
to Drill), MMS-124
(Application for Permit
to Modify), form MMS-
125 (End of Operations
Report).
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1605(b)(3)...................... Submit data and 4.................. 1 submission...... 4
information on fitness
of drilling unit.
1605(d)......................... Submit results of 1.................. 1 submission...... 1
additional surveys and
soil borings upon
request*.
-----------------------------------------
1605(f)......................... Submit application for Burden included in (1010-0149) 0
installation of fixed
drilling platforms or
structures.
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1608............................ Submit well casing and 5.................. 1 plan............ 5
cementing plan or
modification.
1619(c), (d), (e)............... Submit copies of 1.................. 8 submissions..... 8
records, logs, reports,
charts, etc., upon
request.
1628(b), (d).................... Submit application for 4.................. 1 application..... 4
design and installation
features of sulphur
production facilities
and fuel gas safety
system; certify new
installation conforms
to approved design.
1630(a)(5)...................... Notify MMS of pre- ................... 2 notifications... 1
production test and
inspection of safety
system and commencement
of production.
1633(b)......................... Submit application for 2.................. 1 application..... 2
method of production
measurement.
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Subtotal.................... ........................ ................... 15................ 25
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Requests
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1603(a)......................... Request determination 1.................. 1 request......... 1
whether sulphur deposit
can produce in paying
quantities.
1605(e)(5)...................... Request copy of 1.................. 1 request......... 1
directional survey (by
holder of adjoining
lease)*.
1607............................ Request establishment, 8.................. 2 requests........ 16
amendment, or
cancellation of field
rules for drilling,
well-completion, or
well-workover.
1610(d)(8)...................... Request exception to ram- 1.................. 1 request......... 1
type blowout preventer
(BOP) system components
rated working pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)................ Request exception to 1.................. 1 request......... 1
water-rated working
pressure to test ram-
type and annular BOPs
and choke manifold.
1611(f); 1625(f)................ Request exception to 1.................. 1 request......... 1
recording pressure
conditions during BOP
tests on pressure
charts*.
1612............................ Request exception to 1.................. 1 request......... 1
Sec. 250.408
requirements for well-
control drills*.
1615............................ Request exception to 1.................. 1 request......... 1
blind-shear ram or pipe
rams and inside BOP to
secure wells.
1629(b)(3)...................... Request approval of 4.................. 1 request......... 4
firefighting systems;
post firefighting
system diagram.
1600 thru 1634.................. General departure and 2.................. 1 request......... 2
alternative compliance
requests not
specifically covered
elsewhere in subpart P.
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[[Page 57959]]
Subtotal.................... ........................ ................... 11................ 29
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Record/Retain
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1604(f)......................... Check traveling-block \1/4\.............. 1 lessee x 52 wks 26
safety device for x 2 rigs = 104.
proper operation weekly
and after each drill-
line slipping; enter
results in log.
1605(c)......................... Report oceanographic, 1.................. 1 report.......... 1
meteorological, and
drilling unit
performance data upon
request*.
1609(a)......................... Pressure test casing; 2.................. 1 lease x 60 tests/ 120
record time, conditions records = 60.
of testing, and test
results in log.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3).......... Record in driller's 10 minutes......... 1 lessee x 6 1
report the date, time, recordings = 6.
and reason for
postponing pressure
testings.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g)...... Conduct tests, 6.................. 1 lessee x 52 312
actuations, weeks = 52.
inspections,
maintenance, and crew
drills of BOP systems
at least weekly; record
results in driller's
report; retain records
for 2 years following
completion of drilling
activity.
1613(e)......................... Pressure test diverter 2.................. 1 lessee on 208
sealing element/valves occasion (daily/
weekly; actuate weekly during
diverter sealing drilling) x 2
element/valves/control rigs x 52 weeks =
system every 24 hours; 104.
test diverter line for
flow every 24 hours;
record test times and
results in driller's
report.
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1616(c)......................... Retain training records Burden covered under subpart O, 1010- 0
for lessee and drilling 0128
contractor personnel.
-----------------------------------------
1619(a)......................... Retain records for each 12................. 1 lessee.......... 12
well and all well
operations for 2 years.
1621............................ Conduct safety meetings 1.................. 1 lessee x 50 50
prior to well- meetings/records
completion or well- = 50.
workover operations;
record date and time.
1628(b), (d).................... Maintain information on 1.................. 1 lessee.......... 1
approved design and
installation features
for the life of the
facility.
1629(b)(1)(ii), (iv)............ Retain pressure- 12................. 1 lessee.......... 12
recording charts used
to determine operating
pressure ranges for 2
years.
1630(b)......................... Maintain records for 1.................. 1 lessee.......... 1
each safety device
installed for 2 years.
1631............................ Conduct safety device 1.................. 1 lessee x 52 104
training prior to train/ records x
production operations 2 rigs = 104.
and periodically
thereafter; record date
and time.
1634(b)......................... Report evidence of 1.................. 1 report.......... 1
mishandling of produced
sulphur or tampering or
falsifying any
measurement of
production.
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Subtotal.................... ........................ ................... 486............... 849
-----------------------------------------------------
Total Burden................ ........................ ................... 512............... 903
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* We included a minimal burden, but it has not been necessary to request these data and/or no submissions
received for many years.
Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost''
Burden: We have identified no ``non-hour cost'' burdens.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et
seq.) 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 to: (a) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to
perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b)
evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d)
minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on January 29,
2006, we published a Federal Register notice (72 FR 4027) announcing
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided
the required 60-day comment period. In addition, 250.199 displays the
OMB control numbers for the information collection requirements imposed
by the 30 CFR Part 250 regulations and forms. The regulation also
informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections
of information and provides the address to which they should send
comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts.
If you wish to comment in response to this notice, send your
comments directly to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of
this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the
information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to
ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by
November 13, 2007.
Public Comment Policy: Before including your address, phone number,
[[Page 57960]]
e-mail 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.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208-7744.
Dated: June 1, 2007.
William S. Hauser,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-19992 Filed 10-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P