MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0068-30 CFR Part 250, Subpart M, Unitization, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 37472-37475 [E8-14892]
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37472
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Notices
at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at
ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons
who use a telecommunication device
(TTD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, to contact the Bureau of Land
Management.
Ramona Chinn,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E8–14713 Filed 6–30–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AA–6696–E, AA–6696–A2; AK–964–1410–
KC–P]
Alaska Native Claims Selection
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of decision approving
lands for conveyance.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR
2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an
appealable decision approving lands for
conveyance pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act will be
issued to St. George Tanaq Corporation.
The lands are in the vicinity of Unalaska
Island, Alaska, and are located in:
Hillary Woods,
Land Law Examiner, Land Transfer
Adjudication I.
[FR Doc. E8–14851 Filed 6–30–08; 8:45 am]
Seward Meridian, Alaska
T. 53 S., R. 81 W.,
Secs. 2, 3, and 4;
Secs. 9, 10, 15, and 16.
Containing 4,480 acres.
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
T. 77 S., R. 122 W.,
Secs. 2, 4, 5, and 11.
Containing 2,099.84 acres.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
T. 78 S., R. 124 W.,
Secs. 5 to 8, inclusive;
Sec. 10;
Secs. 15 to 22 inclusive;
Sec. 29.
Containing 6,385.33 acres.
T. 80 S., R. 130 W.,
Sec. 5.
Containing approximately 640 acres.
T. 80 S., R. 131 W.,
Sec. 3;
Secs. 4, 9, 10, and 11;
Secs. 14, 15, and 16;
Secs. 21, 22, and 23;
Secs. 27, 28, 29, and 32;
Sec. 33.
Containing approximately 7,100 acres.
[Docket No. MMS–2007–OMM–0075]
MMS Information Collection Activity:
1010–0068—30 CFR Part 250, Subpart
M, Unitization, Extension of a
Collection; Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Review; Comment Request
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an
information collection (1010–0068).
AGENCY:
T. 81 S., R. 132 W.,
Secs. 4 and 5;
Sec. 6.
Containing approximately 775 acres.
Aggregating approximately 21,480 acres.
The subsurface estate in these lands
will be conveyed to The Aleut
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Jun 30, 2008
Corporation when the surface estate is
conveyed to St. George Tanaq
Corporation. Notice of the decision will
also be published four times in the
Anchorage Daily News.
DATES: The time limits for filing an
appeal are:
1. Any party claiming a property
interest which is adversely affected by
the decision shall have until July 31,
2008 to file an appeal.
2. Parties receiving service of the
decision by certified mail shall have 30
days from the date of receipt to file an
appeal.
Parties who do not file an appeal in
accordance with the requirements of 43
CFR Part 4, Subpart E, shall be deemed
to have waived their rights.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may
be obtained from: Bureau of Land
Management, Alaska State Office, 222
West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage,
Alaska 99513–7504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The
Bureau of Land Management by phone
at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at
ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons
who use a telecommunication device
(TTD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–
8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, to contact the Bureau of Land
Management.
Jkt 214001
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 M, Unitization.
This notice also provides the public a
second opportunity to comment on the
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paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
DATE: Submit written comments by July
31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You should submit
comments directly to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior (1010–0141),
either by fax (202) 395–6566 or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov).
Please also send a copy to MMS by
either of the following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Under
the tab ‘‘More Search Options,’’ click
Advanced Docket Search, then select
‘‘Minerals Management Service’’ from
the agency drop-down menu, then click
‘‘submit.’’ In the Docket ID column,
select MMS–2007–OMM–0075 to
submit public comments and to view
supporting and related materials
available for this rulemaking.
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. The MMS
will post all comments.
• 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–
0068’’ 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 250, Subpart M,
Unitization.
OMB Control Number: 1010–0068.
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
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Notices
ensure the public a fair and equitable
return on the resources of the OCS; and
to preserve and maintain free enterprise
competition. Section 1334(a) specifies
that the Secretary ‘‘provide for the
prevention of waste and conservation of
the natural resources of the [O]uter
Continental Shelf, and the protection of
correlative rights therein’’ and include
provisions for ‘‘unitization, pooling, and
drilling agreements.’’
Regulations implementing these
responsibilities are under 30 CFR Part
250, Subpart M, Unitization. Responses
are mandatory and generally on
occasion or they are required to obtain
or retain a benefit. No questions of a
‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked. The MMS
protects information considered
proprietary according to the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its
implementing regulations (43 CFR 2),
and 30 CFR 250.197, ‘‘Data and
information to be made available to the
public or for limited inspection,’’ and 30
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M
protecting correlative rights including
the government’s interests. We need to
review all pertinent data before
determining competitiveness of a
reservoir or deciding that compelling
unitization will achieve the desired
results.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of
Respondents: Approximately 130
respondents (Federal oil and gas OCS
lessees).
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Hour’’ Burden: The
estimated annual ‘‘hour’’ burden for this
information collection is a total of 4,913
hours. The following chart details the
individual components and estimated
hour burdens. 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.
CFR Part 252, ‘‘OCS Oil and Gas
Information Program.’’
The MMS Regional Supervisor must
approve any lessee’s proposal to enter
an agreement to unitize operations
under two or more leases. We must also
approve modification of a unit
agreement when changes in
circumstances warrant. We encourage
unitization of operations on OCS leases
where unitized operations will further
exploration of prospective geological
structures; increase the ultimate
recovery of oil and gas or sulphur
reserves; lead to more efficient
operation of leases and reservoirs; and/
or is necessary to protect correlative
rights. Unitization can be particularly
beneficial in high-cost, high-risk OCS
areas. Lessees submit consolidated
Exploration Plans and Development and
Production Plans for a unit area. We use
the information to ensure that
operations under the proposed unit
agreement will result in preventing
waste, conserving natural resources, and
Reporting requirement
37473
Average number annual
responses
Hour burden
Annual burden
hours
Non-hour cost burdens
Requests
1301(d), (f)(3), (g)(1),
(g)(2)(ii).
Request suspension of production or operations ......
1302(b) ..............................
1304(d) ..............................
Request preliminary determination on competitive
reservoir.
Request compulsory unitization, including submitting
unit agreement, unit operating agreement, initial
plan of operation, and supporting data; serving
non-consenting lessees with documents.
Request hearing on required unitization ...................
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
1304(b) ..............................
Burden covered in 1010–0114.
0
39
1 request ..........................
39
161
1 request ..........................
161
1
1 request ..........................
1
........................
3 responses .....................
201
39
1 request ..........................
39
39
1 plan ...............................
39
8
54 revs/mods ...................
432
Submittals
1302(b) ..............................
1302(c), (d) .......................
1303; 1304 ........................
Submit concurrence or objection on competitiveness
with supporting evidence.
Submit joint plan of operations, supplemental plans,
or a separate plan if agreement cannot be
reached.
*Submit revisions or modifications to unit agreement, unit operating agreement, plan of operation,
change of unit operator, etc.
$760 fees × 54 revisions/modifications = $41,040.
1303; 1304 ........................
1304(e) ..............................
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
1304(e) ..............................
*Submit initial, and revisions to, participating area ...
Submit statement at hearing on compulsory unitization.
Pay for and submit three copies of verbatim transcript of hearing.
48
5
24 submissions ................
1 statement ......................
1,152
5
1
1 submission ....................
1
Court reporter and 3 transcript copies for 1 hearing = $500.
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
82 responses ...................
$41,540 non-hour cost burdens
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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37474
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Notices
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M
Reporting requirement
Average number annual
responses
Hour burden
Annual burden
hours
Non-hour cost burdens
General
1301 ..................................
General description of requirements .........................
1303 ..................................
Apply for voluntary unitization, including submitting
unit agreement, unit operating agreement, initial
plan of operation, and supporting data; request for
variance from model agreement and other related
requirements.
Burden included in the following sections.
169
18 apps/plans ..................
0
3,042
$10,700 fee × 18 applications/plans = $192,600.
Due to ongoing litigation in the Pacific Region, respondents
did not submit burden data.
1304(f) ...............................
Appeal final order of compulsory unitization .............
Exempt as defined in 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2),
(c).
0
1300–1304 ........................
General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart M regulations.
1
2 requests ........................
2
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
20 responses ...................
3,044
$192,600 non-hour cost burden
Total Burden ..............
....................................................................................
........................
105 responses .................
4,913
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
$234,140 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
Burden: There are three non-hour costs
associated with this information
collection. The estimated non-hour cost
burden is $234,140. Section 250.1303
has two fees requiring respondents to
pay a filing fee when applying for a
voluntary unitization proposal or unit
expansion, and a fee for unitization
revision. The filing fees are required to
recover the Federal Government’s
processing costs. Section 250.1304(d)
provides an opportunity for parties
notified of compulsory unitization to
request a hearing; therefore, section
250.1304(e) requires the party seeking
the compulsory unitization to pay for
the court reporter and copies of the
verbatim transcript of the hearing. It
should be noted there have been no
such hearings in the recent past, and
none are expected in the near future. We
estimate that the burden would be less
than $500 to reproduce the copies and
hire the reporter. 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Jun 30, 2008
Jkt 214001
collection of information, you are not
obligated to respond.
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 December 26,
2007, we published a Federal Register
notice (72 FR 73041) announcing that
we would submit this ICR to OMB for
approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In
addition, § 250.199 provides the OMB
control number for the information
collection requirements imposed by the
30 CFR 250 regulations. The regulation
also informs the public that they may
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comment at any time on the collections
of information and provides the address
to which they should send comments.
We received one comment in response
to these efforts from a private citizen, B.
Sachau, and the comment was not
germane to the paperwork burden of
this collection.
If you wish to comment in response
to this notice, you may send your
comments 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 July 31, 2008.
Public Availability of Comments:
Before including your address, phone
number, 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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 1, 2008 / Notices
April 23, 2008.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E8–14892 Filed 6–30–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS–2008–OMM–0007]
MMS Information Collection Activity:
1010–0141, 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart
D, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations,
Extension of a Collection; Submitted
for Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Review; Comment Request
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an
information collection (1010–0141).
AGENCY:
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 Part 250, Subpart D, Oil and Gas
Drilling Operations. This notice also
provides the public a second
opportunity to comment on the
paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
You should submit
comments directly to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior (1010–0141),
either by fax (202) 395–6566 or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov).
Please also send a copy to MMS by
either of the following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov. Under
the tab ‘‘More Search Options,’’ click
Advanced Docket Search, then select
‘‘Minerals Management Service’’ from
the agency drop-down menu, then click
‘‘submit.’’ In the Docket ID column,
select MMS–2008–OMM–0007 to
submit public comments and to view
supporting and related materials
available for this rulemaking.
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. The MMS
will post all comments.
• 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
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:01 Jun 30, 2008
Jkt 214001
reference ‘‘Information Collection 1010–
0141’’ 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 and forms that require the
subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Oil
and Gas Drilling Operations.
Forms: MMS–123, MMS–123S, MMS–
124, MMS–125, MMS–133, and MMS–
133S.
OMB Control Number: 1010–0141.
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 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 1332(6) states that
‘‘operations in the Outer Continental
Shelf should be conducted in a safe
manner by well-trained personnel using
technology, precautions, and other
techniques sufficient to prevent or
minimize the likelihood of blowouts,
loss of well control, fires, spillages,
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.’’
Regulations implementing these
responsibilities are under 30 CFR part
250, subpart D. Responses are
mandatory or are required to obtain or
retain a benefit. No questions of a
‘‘sensitive’’ nature are asked. The 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,’’ 30
CFR part 252, ‘‘OCS Oil and Gas
Information Program,’’ and the Freedom
of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its
implementing regulations (43 CFR part
2).
The MMS needs the information to
ensure safe drilling operations and to
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37475
protect the human, marine, and coastal
environment. Among other things, MMS
specifically uses the information to
ensure: The drilling unit is fit for the
intended purpose; the lessee or operator
will not encounter geologic conditions
that present a hazard to operations;
equipment is maintained in a state of
readiness and meets safety standards;
each drilling crew is properly trained
and able to promptly perform wellcontrol activities at any time during
well operations; compliance with safety
standards; and the current regulations
will provide for safe and proper field or
reservoir development, resource
evaluation, conservation, protection of
correlative rights, safety, and
environmental protection. We also
review well records to ascertain whether
drilling operations have encountered
hydrocarbons or H2S and to ensure that
H2S detection equipment, personnel
protective equipment, and training of
the crew are adequate for safe
operations in zones known to contain
H2S and zones where the presence of
H2S is unknown.
The following forms are also
submitted to MMS under subpart D. The
forms and their purposes are:
Application for Permit To Drill, Forms
MMS–123 and MMS–123S
The MMS uses the information from
these forms to determine the conditions
of a drilling site to avoid hazards
inherent in drilling operations.
Specifically, the appropriate MMS
District Office uses the information to
evaluate the adequacy of a lessee’s plan
and equipment for drilling, sidetracking
or bypass operations. This includes the
adequacy of the proposed casing design,
casing setting depths, drilling fluid
(mud), and cementing programs to
ascertain that the proposed operations
will be conducted in an operationally
safe manner that provides adequate
protection for the environment. The
District Office also reviews the
information to ensure conformance with
specific provisions of the lease. In
addition, except for proprietary data,
MMS is required by the OCS Lands Act
to make available to the public certain
information submitted on forms MMS–
123 and MMS–123S.
Application for Permit To Modify,
Form MMS–124
The MMS uses the information on
this form to evaluate and approve the
adequacy of the equipment, materials,
and/or procedures that the lessee plans
to use during such post APD
modifications or operations as plugging
back or temporary abandonment where
the well bore will be reentered and
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37472-37475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14892]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2007-OMM-0075]
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0068--30 CFR Part 250,
Subpart M, Unitization, Extension of a Collection; 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 (1010-0068).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 M,
Unitization. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity
to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATE: Submit written comments by July 31, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You should submit comments directly to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for
the Department of the Interior (1010-0141), either by fax (202) 395-
6566 or e-mail (OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov).
Please also send a copy to MMS by either of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov. Under the tab ``More Search
Options,'' click Advanced Docket Search, then select ``Minerals
Management Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click
``submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select MMS-2007-OMM-0075 to submit
public comments and to view supporting and related materials available
for this rulemaking. 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. The MMS will post all comments.
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 1010-0068'' 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 250, Subpart M, Unitization.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0068.
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
[[Page 37473]]
ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the
OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section
1334(a) specifies that the Secretary ``provide for the prevention of
waste and conservation of the natural resources of the [O]uter
Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein''
and include provisions for ``unitization, pooling, and drilling
agreements.''
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR
Part 250, Subpart M, Unitization. Responses are mandatory and generally
on occasion or they are required to obtain or retain a benefit. No
questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are asked. The MMS protects
information considered proprietary according to the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR
2), and 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.''
The MMS Regional Supervisor must approve any lessee's proposal to
enter an agreement to unitize operations under two or more leases. We
must also approve modification of a unit agreement when changes in
circumstances warrant. We encourage unitization of operations on OCS
leases where unitized operations will further exploration of
prospective geological structures; increase the ultimate recovery of
oil and gas or sulphur reserves; lead to more efficient operation of
leases and reservoirs; and/or is necessary to protect correlative
rights. Unitization can be particularly beneficial in high-cost, high-
risk OCS areas. Lessees submit consolidated Exploration Plans and
Development and Production Plans for a unit area. We use the
information to ensure that operations under the proposed unit agreement
will result in preventing waste, conserving natural resources, and
protecting correlative rights including the government's interests. We
need to review all pertinent data before determining competitiveness of
a reservoir or deciding that compelling unitization will achieve the
desired results.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130
respondents (Federal oil and gas OCS lessees).
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
estimated annual ``hour'' burden for this information collection is a
total of 4,913 hours. The following chart details the individual
components and estimated hour burdens. 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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average number Annual burden
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart M Reporting requirement Hour burden annual responses hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requests
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1301(d), (f)(3), (g)(1), Request suspension of Burden covered in 1010-0114. 0
(g)(2)(ii). production or
operations.
----------------------------------------------------
1302(b).......................... Request preliminary 39 1 request.......... 39
determination on
competitive reservoir.
1304(b).......................... Request compulsory 161 1 request.......... 161
unitization, including
submitting unit
agreement, unit
operating agreement,
initial plan of
operation, and
supporting data;
serving non-consenting
lessees with documents.
1304(d).......................... Request hearing on 1 1 request.......... 1
required unitization.
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 3 responses........ 201
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submittals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1302(b).......................... Submit concurrence or 39 1 request.......... 39
objection on
competitiveness with
supporting evidence.
1302(c), (d)..................... Submit joint plan of 39 1 plan............. 39
operations,
supplemental plans, or
a separate plan if
agreement cannot be
reached.
1303; 1304....................... *Submit revisions or 8 54 revs/mods....... 432
modifications to unit
agreement, unit
operating agreement,
plan of operation,
change of unit
operator, etc.
----------------------------------------------------
$760 fees x 54 revisions/modifications = $41,040.
----------------------------------------------------
1303; 1304....................... *Submit initial, and 48 24 submissions..... 1,152
revisions to,
participating area.
1304(e).......................... Submit statement at 5 1 statement........ 5
hearing on compulsory
unitization.
1304(e).......................... Pay for and submit three 1 1 submission....... 1
copies of verbatim
transcript of hearing.
----------------------------------------------------
Court reporter and 3 transcript copies for 1
hearing = $500.
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 82 responses....... 1,668
----------------------------------------------------
$41,540 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 37474]]
General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1301............................. General description of Burden included in the following 0
requirements. sections.
----------------------------------------------------
1303............................. Apply for voluntary 169 18 apps/plans...... 3,042
unitization, including
submitting unit
agreement, unit
operating agreement,
initial plan of
operation, and
supporting data;
request for variance
from model agreement
and other related
requirements.
----------------------------------------------------
$10,700 fee x 18 applications/plans = $192,600.
----------------------------------------------------
Due to ongoing litigation in the Pacific Region,
respondents did not submit burden data.
----------------------------------------------------
1304(f).......................... Appeal final order of Exempt as defined in 5 CFR 0
compulsory unitization. 1320.4(a)(2), (c).
----------------------------------------------------
1300-1304........................ General departure and 1 2 requests......... 2
alternative compliance
requests not
specifically covered
elsewhere in subpart M
regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 20 responses....... 3,044
----------------------------------------------------
$192,600 non-hour cost burden
----------------------------------------------------
Total Burden................. ........................ .............. 105 responses...... 4,913
----------------------------------------------------
$234,140 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden:
There are three non-hour costs associated with this information
collection. The estimated non-hour cost burden is $234,140. Section
250.1303 has two fees requiring respondents to pay a filing fee when
applying for a voluntary unitization proposal or unit expansion, and a
fee for unitization revision. The filing fees are required to recover
the Federal Government's processing costs. Section 250.1304(d) provides
an opportunity for parties notified of compulsory unitization to
request a hearing; therefore, section 250.1304(e) requires the party
seeking the compulsory unitization to pay for the court reporter and
copies of the verbatim transcript of the hearing. It should be noted
there have been no such hearings in the recent past, and none are
expected in the near future. We estimate that the burden would be less
than $500 to reproduce the copies and hire the reporter. 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: 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 December 26,
2007, we published a Federal Register notice (72 FR 73041) announcing
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided
the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 250.199 provides
the OMB control number for the information collection requirements
imposed by the 30 CFR 250 regulations. 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 received one comment in response to these efforts from a
private citizen, B. Sachau, and the comment was not germane to the
paperwork burden of this collection.
If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send
your comments 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
July 31, 2008.
Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address,
phone number, 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.
[[Page 37475]]
April 23, 2008.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-14892 Filed 6-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
