Information Collection Activities: Oil and Gas Production Requirements; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 12772-12776 [2013-04297]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Notices
According to Section 104(e)(1) of the
Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974, HUD is responsible for
reviewing grantees’ compliance with
applicable requirements and their
continuing capacity to carry out their
programs. Grant funds are made
available to states and units of general
local government, Indian tribes, and
insular areas, unless provided otherwise
by supplemental appropriations statute,
based on their unmet disaster recovery
needs.
The recent Hurricane Sandy
supplemental appropriation (Pub. L.
113–2) provides funding for Hurricane
Sandy disaster recovery efforts and
other eligible events in 2011, 2012 and
2013. The appropriation directs the
Department to address these efforts in
areas of greatest unmet need. The
Department estimates that this will add
40 new grants to the portfolio currently
overseen by the Disaster Recovery and
Special Issues Division in the Office of
Block Grant Assistance. This revision
updates the previously approved DRGR
PRA information collection to account
for the increase in burden hours
associated with these new CDBG–DR
grants. Information collection
requirements for NSP and NSP–TA
grants will remain unchanged from the
previously approved collection.
Agency form numbers, if applicable:
SF–424 Application for Federal
Assistance.
Members of affected public: DRGR is
used to monitor CDBG–DR, NSP, and
NSP–TA grants, as well as several
programs that do not fall under the
Office of Block Grant Assistance.
Separate information collections have
been submitted and approved for these
programs. CDBG–DR and NSP grant
funds are made available to states and
units of general local government,
Indian tribes, and insular areas, unless
provided otherwise by supplemental
appropriations statute. NSP–TA grant
funds are awarded on a competitive
basis and are open to state and local
governments, as well as non-profit
groups and consortia that may include
for-profit entities.
Estimation of the total numbers of
hours needed to prepare the
Information collection including
number of respondents, frequency of
response, and hours of response:
Community Development Block Grant
Disaster Recovery (CDBG–DR) Grants:
The DRGR system has approximately 72
open CDBG disaster recovery grants. An
additional 40 grants are anticipated as a
result of the Hurricane Sandy
appropriation. HUD requires each
grantee to report their performance into
the system quarterly. In addition,
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grantees submit vouchers for drawdown
of funds as needed. Some grantees have
more than one open grant under
different appropriation rules and are
required to report on grants separately.
For average sized grantees (<$100m in
grant funds), the Department estimates 9
hours for quarterly reporting in DRGR.
Larger grantees with funds in excess of
$100M+ require a substantially greater
number of reporting activities, thus
averaging approximately 57 hours per
quarter. The estimated annual total
number of hours for Disaster Grant
reporting is 11,485 for the first year of
this collection (which includes one-time
only submissions) and 10,977 for the
second year (recurring reporting only).
Status of the proposed information
collection: This notice precedes a
continuation of the existing burden hour
request.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended.
Dated: February 14, 2013.
Mark Johnston,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013–04173 Filed 2–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement
[Docket ID BSEE–2012–0015; OMB Number
1014–0019]
Information Collection Activities: Oil
and Gas Production Requirements;
Submitted for Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment
Request
ACTION:
30-day Notice.
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
Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production
Requirements. This notice also provides
the public a second opportunity to
comment on the revised paperwork
burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATES: You must submit comments by
March 27, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either
fax (202) 395–5806 or email
(OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov)
directly to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention:
Desk Officer for the Department of the
Interior (1014–0019). Please provide a
SUMMARY:
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copy of your comments to BSEE by any
of the means below.
• Electronically: go to https://
www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled,
Enter Keyword or ID, enter BSEE–2012–
0015 then click search. Follow the
instructions to submit public comments
and view all related materials. We will
post all comments.
• Email: cheryl.blundon@bsee.gov,
fax (703) 787–1546, or mail or handcarry comments to: Department of the
Interior; BSEE; Regulations and
Standards Branch; Attention: Cheryl
Blundon; 381 Elden Street, HE3313;
Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817. Please
reference 1014–0019 in your comment
and include your name and return
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787–1607, to
request additional information about
this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR
submitted to OMB, go to https://
www.reginfo.gov (select Information
Collection Review, Currently Under
Review).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart K, Oil and
Gas Production Requirements.
Form(s): BSEE–0126 and -0128.
OMB Control Number: 1014–0019.
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 mineral resources
on the OCS. Such rules and regulations
will apply to all operations conducted
under a lease, right-of-way, or a right-ofuse and easement. 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Notices
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.’’
In addition to the general authority of
OCSLA, section 301(a) of the Federal
Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act
(FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants
authority to the Secretary to prescribe
such rules and regulations as are
reasonably necessary to carry out
FOGRMA’s provisions. While the
majority of FOGRMA is directed to
royalty collection and enforcement,
some provisions apply to offshore
operations. For example, section
109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 1719(c)(2)
and (d)(1), impose substantial civil
penalties for failure to permit lawful
inspections and for knowing or willful
preparation or submission of false,
inaccurate, or misleading reports,
records, or other information. The
Secretary has delegated some of the
authority under FOGRMA to BSEE.
The Independent Offices
Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L.
104–133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996), and OMB Circular A–25,
authorize Federal agencies to recover
the full cost of services that confer
special benefits. Under the Department
of the Interior’s implementing policy,
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement (BSEE) is required to
charge the full cost for services that
provide special benefits or privileges to
an identifiable non-Federal recipient
above and beyond those that accrue to
the public at large. Several requests for
approval required in Subpart K are
subject to cost recovery and BSEE
regulations specify service fees for these
requests.
In addition, BSEE also issues various
Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and Operators
to clarify and provide additional
guidance on some aspects of the
regulations, as well as forms to capture
the data and information. The current
Subpart K regulations specify the use of
forms BSEE–0126 (Well Potential Test
Report) and BSEE–0128 (Semiannual
Well Test Report). We have included a
certification statement, on both forms, to
state that false submissions are subject
to criminal penalties. Also, we clarified
some sections of Form BSEE–0126.
These clarifications pose minor edits
and they are as follows: In Block No. 88,
TYPE OF REQUEST, we added the word
‘Reestablish’; in Block No. 108, we
revised what read ‘API @ 60° F’ to now
read as ‘API @ 14.73 PSI & 60° F’; and
in Block No. 109, we revised what read
‘SP GR GAS’ to now read as ‘SP GR GAS
@ 14.73 PSI & 60°F’.
Regulations implementing these
responsibilities are under 30 CFR part
250, subpart K. Responses are
mandatory or are required to obtain or
retain a benefit. No questions of a
sensitive nature are asked. The BSEE
protects information 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 inspection, 30 CFR Part 252,
OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
The information collected under
Subpart K is used in our efforts to
conserve natural resources, prevent
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waste, and protect correlative rights,
including the Federal Government’s
royalty interest. Specifically, BSEE uses
the information to:
• Evaluate requests to burn liquid
hydrocarbons and vent and flare gas to
ensure that these requests are
appropriate;
• Determine if a maximum
production or efficient rate is required;
and,
• Review applications for downhole
commingling to ensure that action does
not result in harm to ultimate recovery.
We collect the information required
under this Subpart for reservoir,
reserves, and conservation analyses,
including the determination of
maximum production rates (MPRs)
when necessary for certain oil and gas
completions and 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.
Frequency: On occasion, daily,
monthly, semi-annual, annual, and as
required by regulations.
Description of Respondents: Potential
respondents comprise OCS Federal oil,
gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The
estimated annual hour burden for this
information collection is a total of
20,312 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.
Non-hour cost burdens
30 CFR 250 Subpart K and
related NTLs
Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
Hour
burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
WELL TESTS/SURVEYS and CLASSIFYING RESERVOIRS
1151(a)(1), (c); 1167 ..........
1152(d) ...............................
Conduct well production test; submit Form BSEE–
0126 (Well Potential Test Report) and supporting information within 15 days after end of test period.
Conduct well production test; submit Form BSEE–
0128 (Semiannual Well Test Report) and supporting
information within 45 days after end of calendar
half-year.
Request extension of time to submit results of semiannual well test.
Request approval to conduct well testing using alternative procedures.
Provide advance notice of time and date of well tests.
Subtotal .......................
........................................................................................
1151(a)(2), (c); 1167 ..........
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1151(b) ...............................
1152(b), (c); ........................
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3 ..............
1,210 forms ......................
3,630
0.1 to 3* ...
11,136 GOM forms ...........
60 POCS forms
2,836
0.5 ...........
13 requests .......................
7
0.75 .........
5 requests .........................
4
0.5 ...........
12 notices .........................
6
..................
12,616 responses .............
6,483
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Notices
Non-hour cost burdens
30 CFR 250 Subpart K and
related NTLs
Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
Hour
burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
APPROVALS PRIOR TO PRODUCTION
1156; 1167 ..........................
Request approval to produce within 500 feet of a unit
or lease line; submit supporting information/documentation; notify adjacent operators and provide
BSEE proof of notice date.
5 ...............
15 requests .......................
75
$3,608 × 15 requests = $54,120
1156(b); 1158(b) .................
1157; 1167 ..........................
Notify adjacent operators submit letters of acceptance
or objection to BSEE within 30 days after notice; include proof of notice date.
Request approval to produce gas-cap gas in an oil
reservoir with an associated gas cap, or to continue
producing an oil well showing characteristics of a
gas well with an associated gas cap; submit producing an oil well showing characteristics of a gas
well with an associated gas cap; submit supporting
information.
.5 .............
15 letters ...........................
8
12 ............
48 requests .......................
576
$4,592 × 48 requests = $220,416
1158; 1167 ..........................
Request approval to downhole commingle hydrocarbons; submit supporting information; notify operators and provide proof of notice date.
6 ..............
30 applications .................
180
$5,357 × 30 applications = $160,710
Subtotal .......................
........................................................................................
..................
108 responses ..................
839
$435,246 non-hour costs
FLARING, VENTING, and BURNING HYDROCARBONS
Request approval to flare or vent natural gas or exceed specified time limits/volumes; submit evaluation/documentation; report flare/vent information due
to blow down of transportation pipelines within 72
hours after incident.
1,146 requests/reports .....
860
1160(b); 1164(b)(1), (2) ......
H2S Contingency, Exploration, or Development and Production Plans and, Development Operations Coordination Documents–burdens covered under 1014–0018 and BOEM’s 1010–0151.
Monitor air quality and report—burdens covered under 1010–0057.
0
1162; 1163(e) .....................
Request approval to burn produced liquid hydrocarbons; demonstrate no risk and/or submit documentation re transport. If approval needed, submit
documentation with relevant information re hydrocarbons burned under the approval.
3
1163 ....................................
Initial purchase or replacement of gas meters to
measure the amount of gas flared or vented. This is
a non-hour cost burden.
1163(a)(1) ...........................
Notify BSEE when facility begins to process more than
an average of 2,000 bopd per month.
32 notices .........................
32
1163(b); ..............................
Report to ONRR hydrocarbons produced, including measured gas flared/vented and liquid hydrocarbon burned—burden covered under 1012–0004.
0
1163(a), (c), (d) ..................
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1160; 1161; 1163(e) ...........
Maintain records for 6 years detailing on a daily and
monthly cumulative basis gas flaring/venting, liquid
hydrocarbon burning; and flare/vent meter recordings; make available for inspection or provide copies
upon request.
1164(c) ................................
Submit monthly reports of flared or vented gas containing H2S.
Subtotal .......................
........................................................................................
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0.75 .........
0.5 ...........
6 requests/reports ............
54 meters @ $77,000 each—$4,158,000
1 ...............
13 ............
892 platforms (gas flare/
vent).
.5 ..............
3 ..............
60 liquid hydrocarbon .......
3 operators × 12 mos. =
36.
30
108
..................
2,172 responses ...............
12,629
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11,596
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Notices
Non-hour cost burdens
30 CFR 250 Subpart K and
related NTLs
Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
Hour
burden
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
$4,158,000 non-hour costs
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1165 ....................................
Submit proposed plan and supporting information for
enhanced recovery operations.
1165(c) ................................
1166 ....................................
12 ............
16 plans ............................
192
Submit periodic reports of volumes of oil, gas, or other substances injected, produced, or produced for a second time—burden covered under ONRR’s 1012–0004.
Alaska Region only: submit annual reservoir management report and supporting information.
1 ...............
0
100
20 .............
1.5 ...........
1 (req’d by State, we get
copy).
1 new develop- ment not
State lands..
3 annual revisions ............
5 submissions ...................
100 ...........
1
60
8
1150–1167 ..........................
General departure or alternative compliance requests
not specifically covered elsewhere in Subpart K.
Subtotal .......................
........................................................................................
..................
26 responses ....................
361
Total Burden .........
........................................................................................
..................
14,922 responses .............
20,312
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$4,593,246 non-hour cost burdens
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden:
We have identified four non-hour cost
burdens associated with the collection
of information for a total of $4,593,246.
Three are service fees required to
recover the Federal Government’s
processing costs of certain submissions.
The fourth cost is an IC equipment
expenditure. They are as follows:
§ 250.1156 requires a service fee when
submitting a request for approval to
produce within 500 feet of a unit or
lease line—$3,608.
§ 250.1157 requires a service fee when
submitting a request for approval
before producing gas-cap gas from
each completion in an oil reservoir
known to have an associated gas cap,
or to continue producing if an oil
reservoir is not initially known to
have an associated gas cap, but begins
to show characteristics of a gas well—
$4,592.
§ 250.1158 requires a service fee for
submitting a request for approval to
downhole commingle hydrocarbons—
$5,357.
§ 250.1163 requires respondents to
purchase and install gas meters to
measure the amount of gas flared or
vented gas for those that produce
more than 2,000 bopd and do not
already have a meter or need to
replace a meter—$77,000.
We have not identified any other nonhour cost burdens associated with this
collection of information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) provides that
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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
collection is necessary or useful; (b)
evaluate the accuracy 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
technology.
To comply with the public
consultation process, on September 26,
2012, we published a Federal Register
notice (77 FR 59209) 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 part 250, subpart K 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
received one comment in response to
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the Federal Register. We offer the
following in response: the commenter
states that we are not following the
OMB guidance for reducing reporting
and paperwork burdens. In our opinion,
we believe that the commenter’s
proposal would not be ‘‘reducing
reporting and paperwork burden’’. That
is, it appears the commenter is
suggesting that operators submit flare/
vent records to BSEE via ‘‘Web page,
tablet device, or smartphone’’. If that is
the case, we would be increasing the
reporting burden as industry is NOT
now required to submit such
information to BSEE, i.e., operators only
have to maintain the records on the
facility and make them available during
offshore inspections. Of course, new
regulations would be needed to require
such submittals to BSEE and we would
not pursue such a requirement as
operators report this information
monthly to ONRR on the OGOR reports
(which are submitted electronically). As
far as reducing ‘‘paperwork burdens’’,
we don’t believe that is applicable
under the commenter’s proposal either
as industry can store their records
offshore in an electronic system as long
as they are available for offshore
inspection.
Relating to the Items on BSEE–0126,
the commenter is correct. The items
containing the ‘‘q’’, are simply a ‘‘check
box’’ on the physical form.
Public Availability of Comments:
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at
50 CFR 17, the Act provides for permits,
and requires that we invite public
comment before issuing these permits.
A permit granted by us under section
10(a)(1)(A) of the Act authorizes
applicants to conduct activities with
U.S. endangered or threatened species
for scientific purposes, enhancement of
survival or propagation, or interstate
commerce. Our regulations regarding
implementation of section 10(a)(1)(A)
permits are found at 50 CFR 17.22 for
endangered wildlife species, 50 CFR
17.32 for threatened wildlife species, 50
CFR 17.62 for endangered plant species,
and 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plant
species.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Applications Available for Review and
Comment
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.
Dated: January 29, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013–04297 Filed 2–22–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–VH–P
[FWS–R2–ES–2012–N301;
FXES11130200000–134–FF02ENEH00]
Endangered and Threatened Species
Permit Applications
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications;
request for public comment.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on the following applications
to conduct certain activities with
endangered or threatened species. The
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act), prohibits activities with
endangered and threatened species
unless a Federal permit allows such
activities. The Act and the National
Environmental Policy Act also require
that we invite public comment before
issuing these permits.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments must be received on or before
March 27, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Marty Tuegel, Section 10
Coordinator, by U.S. mail at Division of
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Room
6034, Albuquerque, NM at (505) 248–
6920. Please refer to the respective
permit number for each application
when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Endangered
Species Division, P.O. Box 1306,
Albuquerque, NM 87103; (505) 248–
6651.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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SUMMARY:
Public Availability of Comments
The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
prohibits activities with endangered and
threatened species unless a Federal
permit allows such activities. Along
with our implementing regulations in
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17:22 Feb 22, 2013
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We invite local, State, Tribal, and
Federal agencies, and the public to
comment on the following applications.
Please refer to the appropriate permit
number (e.g., Permit No. TE–123456)
when requesting application documents
and when submitting comments.
Documents and other information the
applicants have submitted with these
applications are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.
552).
Permit TE–022190
Applicant: Arizona-Sonora Desert
Museum, Tucson, Arizona.
Applicant requests an amendment to
a current permit for research and
recovery purposes to conduct
pollination on 36 individual adult
Arizona hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus
arizonicus) on Apache County and
Cochise County, Arizona.
Permit TE–103480
Applicant: Carianne Campbell, Tucson,
Arizona.
Applicant requests a renewal to a
current permit for research and recovery
purposes to conduct presence/absence
surveys of Sonora tiger salamander
(Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi), loach
minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), and
spikedace (Mega fulgida) within
Arizona.
Permit TE–92222A
Applicant: Elena Pinto-Torres, Austin,
Texas.
Applicant requests a new permit for
research and recovery purposes to
conduct presence/absence surveys of
golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroica
chrysoparia) and black-capped vireos
(Vireo atricapilla) within Texas.
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Permit TE–92364A
Applicant: Patricia Ramirez, Austin,
Texas.
Applicant requests a new permit for
research and recovery purposes to
conduct presence/absence surveys of
golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroica
chrysoparia) and black-capped vireos
(Vireo atricapilla) within Texas.
Permit TE–43777A
Applicant: Sea Life US, LLC, Grapevine,
Texas.
Applicant requests an amendment to
a current permit for husbandry and
holding of hawksbill sea turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata) within Sea
Life Aquarium, Grapevine, Texas.
Permit TE–92366A
Applicant: Kimley-Horn and Associates,
Inc., Dallas, Texas.
Applicant requests a new permit for
research and recovery purposes to
conduct presence/absence surveys of
interior least tern (Sterna antillarum)
within Texas.
Permit TE–92407A
Applicant: Raven Environmental
Services, Inc., Huntsville, Texas.
Applicant requests a new permit for
research and recovery purposes to
conduct presence/absence surveys of
red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides
borealis) within Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Virginia.
Permit TE–88519A
Applicant: Texas Tech University,
Lubbock,Texas.
Applicant requests a renewal to a
current permit for research and recovery
purposes to conduct presence/absence
surveys and collect voucher specimens
of the following species within Texas
and New Mexico:
• Roswell springsnail (Pyrgulopsis
roswellensis)
• Koster’s springsnail (Juturnia kosteri)
• Pecos assiminea snail (Assiminea
pecos)
• Noel’s amphipod (Gammarus
desparatus)
Permit TE–93447A
Applicant: San Antonio Zoo, San
Antonio, Texas.
Applicant requests a new permit for
research and recovery purposes to
collect up to 500 individual Devils River
minnow (Dionda diabolic) from Pinto
Creek, Texas and relocate to the San
Antonio Zoo for husbandry and captive
propagation.
E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM
25FEN1
]]>Agencies
- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 37 (Monday, February 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12772-12776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04297]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
[Docket ID BSEE-2012-0015; OMB Number 1014-0019]
Information Collection Activities: Oil and Gas Production
Requirements; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Review; Comment Request
ACTION: 30-day Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production
Requirements. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity
to comment on the revised paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
DATES: You must submit comments by March 27, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email
(OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department
of the Interior (1014-0019). Please provide a copy of your comments to
BSEE by any of the means below.
Electronically: go to https://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry titled, Enter Keyword or ID, enter BSEE-2012-0015 then click
search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view all
related materials. We will post all comments.
Email: cheryl.blundon@bsee.gov, fax (703) 787-1546, or
mail or hand-carry comments to: Department of the Interior; BSEE;
Regulations and Standards Branch; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381 Elden
Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 1014-
0019 in your comment and include your name and return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607, to request additional information
about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to
https://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently
Under Review).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart K, Oil and Gas Production Requirements.
Form(s): BSEE-0126 and -0128.
OMB Control Number: 1014-0019.
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 mineral resources on the OCS. Such rules and
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease,
right-of-way, or a right-of-use and easement. 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
[[Page 12773]]
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.''
In addition to the general authority of OCSLA, section 301(a) of
the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C.
1751(a), grants authority to the Secretary to prescribe such rules and
regulations as are reasonably necessary to carry out FOGRMA's
provisions. While the majority of FOGRMA is directed to royalty
collection and enforcement, some provisions apply to offshore
operations. For example, section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C.
1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose substantial civil penalties for failure
to permit lawful inspections and for knowing or willful preparation or
submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or
other information. The Secretary has delegated some of the authority
under FOGRMA to BSEE.
The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996), and OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the
full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the
Department of the Interior's implementing policy, the Bureau of Safety
and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is required to charge the full
cost for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an
identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those that accrue
to the public at large. Several requests for approval required in
Subpart K are subject to cost recovery and BSEE regulations specify
service fees for these requests.
In addition, BSEE also issues various Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and
Operators to clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of
the regulations, as well as forms to capture the data and information.
The current Subpart K regulations specify the use of forms BSEE-0126
(Well Potential Test Report) and BSEE-0128 (Semiannual Well Test
Report). We have included a certification statement, on both forms, to
state that false submissions are subject to criminal penalties. Also,
we clarified some sections of Form BSEE-0126. These clarifications pose
minor edits and they are as follows: In Block No. 88, TYPE OF REQUEST,
we added the word `Reestablish'; in Block No. 108, we revised what read
`API @ 60[deg] F' to now read as `API @ 14.73 PSI & 60[deg] F'; and in
Block No. 109, we revised what read `SP GR GAS' to now read as `SP GR
GAS @ 14.73 PSI & 60[deg]F'.
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR
part 250, subpart K. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain
or retain a benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. The
BSEE protects information 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 inspection, 30 CFR
Part 252, OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.
The information collected under Subpart K is used in our efforts to
conserve natural resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative
rights, including the Federal Government's royalty interest.
Specifically, BSEE uses the information to:
Evaluate requests to burn liquid hydrocarbons and vent and
flare gas to ensure that these requests are appropriate;
Determine if a maximum production or efficient rate is
required; and,
Review applications for downhole commingling to ensure
that action does not result in harm to ultimate recovery.
We collect the information required under this Subpart for
reservoir, reserves, and conservation analyses, including the
determination of maximum production rates (MPRs) when necessary for
certain oil and gas completions and 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.
Frequency: On occasion, daily, monthly, semi-annual, annual, and as
required by regulations.
Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise OCS
Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 20,312
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 CFR 250 Subpart K and related NTLs Reporting and recordkeeping Annual burden
requirement Hour burden Average number of annual responses hours
(rounded)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WELL TESTS/SURVEYS and CLASSIFYING RESERVOIRS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1151(a)(1), (c); 1167................. Conduct well production test; 3..................... 1,210 forms.............................. 3,630
submit Form BSEE-0126 (Well
Potential Test Report) and
supporting information
within 15 days after end of
test period.
1151(a)(2), (c); 1167................. Conduct well production test; 0.1 to 3*............. 11,136 GOM forms......................... 2,836
submit Form BSEE-0128 60 POCS forms............................
(Semiannual Well Test
Report) and supporting
information within 45 days
after end of calendar half-
year.
1151(b)............................... Request extension of time to 0.5................... 13 requests.............................. 7
submit results of semi-
annual well test.
1152(b), (c);......................... Request approval to conduct 0.75.................. 5 requests............................... 4
well testing using
alternative procedures.
1152(d)............................... Provide advance notice of 0.5................... 12 notices............................... 6
time and date of well tests..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... ............................. ...................... 12,616 responses......................... 6,483
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 12774]]
APPROVALS PRIOR TO PRODUCTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1156; 1167............................ Request approval to produce 5..................... 15 requests.............................. 75
within 500 feet of a unit or
lease line; submit
supporting information/
documentation; notify
adjacent operators and
provide BSEE proof of notice
date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3,608 x 15 requests = $54,120
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1156(b); 1158(b)...................... Notify adjacent operators .5.................... 15 letters............................... 8
submit letters of acceptance
or objection to BSEE within
30 days after notice;
include proof of notice date.
1157; 1167............................ Request approval to produce 12.................... 48 requests.............................. 576
gas-cap gas in an oil
reservoir with an associated
gas cap, or to continue
producing an oil well
showing characteristics of a
gas well with an associated
gas cap; submit producing an
oil well showing
characteristics of a gas
well with an associated gas
cap; submit supporting
information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4,592 x 48 requests = $220,416
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1158; 1167............................ Request approval to downhole 6..................... 30 applications.......................... 180
commingle hydrocarbons;
submit supporting
information; notify
operators and provide proof
of notice date.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$5,357 x 30 applications = $160,710
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... ............................. ...................... 108 responses............................ 839
----------------------------------------------------------
$435,246 non-hour costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLARING, VENTING, and BURNING HYDROCARBONS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1160; 1161; 1163(e)................... Request approval to flare or 0.75.................. 1,146 requests/reports................... 860
vent natural gas or exceed
specified time limits/
volumes; submit evaluation/
documentation; report flare/
vent information due to blow
down of transportation
pipelines within 72 hours
after incident.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1160(b); 1164(b)(1), (2).............. H2S Contingency, Exploration, or Development and Production Plans and, Development Operations 0
Coordination Documents-burdens covered under 1014-0018 and BOEM's 1010-0151. Monitor air
quality and report--burdens covered under 1010-0057.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1162; 1163(e)......................... Request approval to burn 0.5................... 6 requests/reports....................... 3
produced liquid
hydrocarbons; demonstrate no
risk and/or submit
documentation re transport.
If approval needed, submit
documentation with relevant
information re hydrocarbons
burned under the approval.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1163.................................. Initial purchase or 54 meters @ $77,000 each--$4,158,000
replacement of gas meters to
measure the amount of gas
flared or vented. This is a
non-hour cost burden.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1163(a)(1)............................ Notify BSEE when facility 1..................... 32 notices............................... 32
begins to process more than
an average of 2,000 bopd per
month.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1163(b);.............................. Report to ONRR hydrocarbons produced, including measured gas flared/vented and liquid 0
hydrocarbon burned--burden covered under 1012-0004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1163(a), (c), (d)..................... Maintain records for 6 years 13.................... 892 platforms (gas flare/vent)........... 11,596
detailing on a daily and
monthly cumulative basis gas
flaring/venting, liquid
hydrocarbon burning; and
flare/vent meter recordings;
make available for
inspection or provide copies
upon request.
.5.................... 60 liquid hydrocarbon.................... 30
1164(c)............................... Submit monthly reports of 3..................... 3 operators x 12 mos. = 36............... 108
flared or vented gas
containing H2S.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... ............................. ...................... 2,172 responses.......................... 12,629
----------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 12775]]
$4,158,000 non-hour costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1165.................................. Submit proposed plan and 12.................... 16 plans................................. 192
supporting information for
enhanced recovery operations.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1165(c)............................... Submit periodic reports of volumes of oil, gas, or other substances injected, produced, or 0
produced for a second time--burden covered under ONRR's 1012-0004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1166.................................. Alaska Region only: submit 1..................... 1 (req'd by State, we get copy).......... 1
annual reservoir management
report and supporting
information.
100................... 1 new develop- ment not State lands...... 100
20.................... 3 annual revisions....................... 60
1150-1167............................. General departure or 1.5................... 5 submissions............................ 8
alternative compliance
requests not specifically
covered elsewhere in Subpart
K.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... ............................. ...................... 26 responses............................. 361
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Burden.................. ............................. ...................... 14,922 responses......................... 20,312
----------------------------------------------------------
$4,593,246 non-hour cost burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have
identified four non-hour cost burdens associated with the collection of
information for a total of $4,593,246. Three are service fees required
to recover the Federal Government's processing costs of certain
submissions. The fourth cost is an IC equipment expenditure. They are
as follows:
Sec. 250.1156 requires a service fee when submitting a request for
approval to produce within 500 feet of a unit or lease line--$3,608.
Sec. 250.1157 requires a service fee when submitting a request for
approval before producing gas-cap gas from each completion in an oil
reservoir known to have an associated gas cap, or to continue producing
if an oil reservoir is not initially known to have an associated gas
cap, but begins to show characteristics of a gas well--$4,592.
Sec. 250.1158 requires a service fee for submitting a request for
approval to downhole commingle hydrocarbons--$5,357.
Sec. 250.1163 requires respondents to purchase and install gas meters
to measure the amount of gas flared or vented gas for those that
produce more than 2,000 bopd and do not already have a meter or need to
replace a meter--$77,000.
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
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy 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
technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on September 26,
2012, we published a Federal Register notice (77 FR 59209) 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 part 250, subpart K 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 received one comment in response to the
Federal Register. We offer the following in response: the commenter
states that we are not following the OMB guidance for reducing
reporting and paperwork burdens. In our opinion, we believe that the
commenter's proposal would not be ``reducing reporting and paperwork
burden''. That is, it appears the commenter is suggesting that
operators submit flare/vent records to BSEE via ``Web page, tablet
device, or smartphone''. If that is the case, we would be increasing
the reporting burden as industry is NOT now required to submit such
information to BSEE, i.e., operators only have to maintain the records
on the facility and make them available during offshore inspections. Of
course, new regulations would be needed to require such submittals to
BSEE and we would not pursue such a requirement as operators report
this information monthly to ONRR on the OGOR reports (which are
submitted electronically). As far as reducing ``paperwork burdens'', we
don't believe that is applicable under the commenter's proposal either
as industry can store their records offshore in an electronic system as
long as they are available for offshore inspection.
Relating to the Items on BSEE-0126, the commenter is correct. The
items containing the ``[thgr]'', are simply a ``check box'' on the
physical form.
Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address,
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information
in your
[[Page 12776]]
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.
Dated: January 29, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-04297 Filed 2-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
