[Federal Register: January 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 10)]
[Notices]
[Page 2522-2523]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja08-92]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2007-OMM-0078]
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0041 (30 CFR 250,
Subpart K) Oil and Gas Production Rates, Extension of a Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0041).
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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS
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 250, Subpart K, Oil and
Gas Production Rates.
DATE: Submit written comments by March 17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods
listed below.
Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov, select
``Minerals Management Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then
click ``submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select MMS-2007-OMM-0078 to
submit public comments and to view supporting and related materials
available. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions
for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket
after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's
``User Tips'' link. All comments submitted will be published and posted
to the docket after the closing period.
Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference
``Information Collection 1010-0041'' in your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and the forms that
require the subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production Rates.
Form(s): MMS-126, MMS-127, MMS-128, and MMS-140.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0041.
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 prescribe rules and
regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease.
Operations on 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 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.''
Section 1334(g)(2) states ``* * * the lessee shall produce such oil
or gas, or both, at rates * * * to assure the maximum rate of
production which may be sustained without loss of ultimate recovery of
oil or gas, or both, under sound engineering and economic principles,
and which is safe for the duration of the activity covered by the
approved plan.''
These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to
the Minerals Management Service (MMS). The regulations at 30 CFR 250,
subpart K, concern oil and gas production rates, and are the subject of
this collection.
In addition, MMS also issues various Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and
Operators to clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of
the regulations, as well as various forms to capture the data and
information. The current subpart K regulations specify the use of forms
MMS-126 (Well Potential Test Report), MMS-127 (Sensitive Reservoir
Information Report), MMS-128 (Semiannual Well Test Report), and MMS-140
(Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report).
The forms and their purposes are:
Form MMS-126, Well Potential Test Report
The MMS uses this information for various environmental, reservoir,
reserves, and conservation analyses, including the determination of
maximum production rates (MPRs) when necessary for certain oil and gas
completions.
Form MMS-127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report
The MMS uses this information to determine whether a rate-sensitive
reservoir is being prudently developed.
Form MMS-128, Semiannual Well Test Report
The MMS uses this information to evaluate the results of well tests
to determine if reservoirs are being depleted in a manner that will
lead to the greatest ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons.
Form MMS-140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report
The MMS uses the information in our efforts to conserve natural
resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative rights, including the
Government's royalty interest.
We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its
implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and under regulations at 30
CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be made available to the public
or for limited use.'' No items of a sensitive nature are collected.
Responses are required to obtain or retain benefits.
Frequency: On occasion, monthly, semi-annually, annually and as a
result of situations encountered.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130
Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
currently approved annual reporting burdens totaled for the
consolidated collection is 43,065 hours. The following chart details
the individual components and respective hour burden estimates of this
ICR. In calculating 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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Hour burden
Citation 30 CFR 250 Requirement ---------------------
Subpart K and NTL(s) Fee burden
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1101(b), (f) Request approval to 5
produce within 500 feet $3,300 fee
of a lease line..
1101(c), (f)............ Request approval to 12
produce gas cap of a $4,200 fee
sensitive reservoir.
1102.................... Submit form MMS-126..... 0.2
Submit form MMS-127 and 1.5
appropriate supporting
information.
Submit form MMS-128..... 0.5-3
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1102(a)(5).............. Submit alternative plan for overproduction
status--MMS is not currently collecting this
information.
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1102(b)(6).............. Request extension of 0.5
time to submit results
of semiannual well test.
1103(a)................. Request approval of test 0.5
periods of less than 4
hours and pretest
stabilization periods
of less than 6 hours.
1103(c) Provide advance notice 0.5
of time and date of
well tests.
1104(c)................. Submit results of all 1
static bottomhole
pressure surveys
obtained by lessee.
Information is
submitted on form MMS-
140 in the Gulf of
Mexico Region.
1105(a), (b)............ Request special approval 0.5
to flare or vent oil-
well gas.
1105(c)................. Request approval to burn 0.5
produced liquid
hydrocarbons.
1105(f)................. Submit monthly reports 2
of flared or vented gas
containing H2S.
1106.................... Submit application to 6
commingle hydrocarbons $4,900 fee
produced from multiple
reservoirs and inform
other lessees having an
interest.
1107(b)................. Submit proposed plan for 12
enhanced recovery
operations.
1107(c)................. Submit periodic reports 2
of volumes of oil, gas,
or other substances
injected, produced, or
reproduced.
1100-1107............... General departure or 1
alternative compliance 6
requests not
specifically covered
elsewhere in subpart K,
including bottomhole
pressure survey waivers
and reservoir
reclassification
requests.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting Subtotal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1105(d), (e)............ Maintain records for 2 13
years detailing gas
flaring or venting.
1105(d), (e)............ Maintain records for 2 0.5
years detailing liquid
hydrocarbon burning.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We
have identified three non-hour cost burdens for this collection (see
table above). Section 250.1101(f) requires a fee for a gas cap
production request. Section 250.1101(f) requires a fee to produce
within 500 feet of a lease line request. Section 250.1106 requires a
fee for a downhole commingling request. We have not identified any
other ``non-hour cost'' burdens associated with this collection of
information.
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 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.
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 cost components or annual operation, maintenance,
and purchase of service components. 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: (i) Before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements
not associated with the information collection; (iii) for reasons other
than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (iv)
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 Comment Procedure: 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.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz, (202)
208-7744.
Dated: December 21, 2007.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-616 Filed 1-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P