Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program, 34349-34356 [2014-14039]
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Gene Seidlitz,
District Manager, Winnemucca District.
[FR Doc. 2014–13997 Filed 6–13–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MAA104000]
Request for Information and
Comments on the Preparation of the
2017–2022 Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Request for Information and
Comments.
AGENCY:
Section 18 of the OCS Lands
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) requires the
Department of the Interior (DOI) to
invite and solicit information from
interested and affected parties during
the preparation of a Five Year OCS Oil
and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year
Program). The current Five Year
Program became effective on August 27,
2012, and will expire on August 26,
2017 (2012–2017 Program). BOEM
intends to prepare a new Five Year
Program to succeed the current one and
cover the period from July 2017 to June
2022 (2017–2022 Program).
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires the completion of a multi-step
process of public consultation and
analysis before the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) may approve a new
Five Year Program. The process
required by section 18 of the OCS Lands
Act includes the following steps: (1)
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SUMMARY:
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Issuance of a Request for Information
and Comments (RFI); (2) development of
a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), a
Proposed Program (PP), and a Proposed
Final Program (PFP); and (3) Secretarial
approval of a Final Program. During the
development of the new Five Year
Program, BOEM will prepare a
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS), pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., in order
to inform program decisions. The public
will have opportunities to comment on
the DPP, the Draft PEIS, and the PP.
DATES: BOEM must receive all
comments and information by July 31,
2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Kelly Hammerle, Five Year Program
Manager, at (703) 787–1613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM
requests information and comments
from States, local and tribal
governments, Native American and
Native Alaskan organizations, Federal
agencies, environmental and fish and
wildlife organizations, the oil and gas
industry, non-energy industries, other
interested organizations and entities,
and the general public, for use in the
preparation of the 2017–2022 Program.
BOEM is seeking a wide array of
information including, but not limited
to, information associated with the
economic, social, and environmental
values of all OCS resources, as well as
the potential impact of oil and gas
exploration and development on other
resource values of the OCS and the
marine, coastal and human
environments.
The Five Year Program sets forth the
proposed schedule of lease sales for the
subsequent five-year period, and
enables the Federal Government, States,
industry, and other interested parties to
begin planning for the later steps in the
leasing process. The Secretary decides
whether to proceed with a specific lease
sale on the schedule included in an
approved Five Year Program only after
meeting all the requirements of the OCS
Lands Act, NEPA, and other applicable
statutes.
The preparation and subsequent
approval of a new Five Year Program is
a key aspect for the implementation of
President Barack Obama’s all-of-theabove energy strategy. The strategy
includes expanding the safe and
responsible production of U.S. domestic
oil and gas supplies, both offshore and
onshore, and seeking out regulatory and
oversight efficiencies, so as to create a
more efficient and predictable oil and
gas leasing environment for government,
industry and other stakeholders.
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34349
The OCS is a significant contributor of
oil and gas to the Nation’s energy
supply. As of May 2014, BOEM
administered over 6,200 active oil and
gas leases covering nearly 34 million
OCS acres. Production from these leases
generates billions of dollars in revenue
for the Federal Treasury and State
governments while supporting
hundreds of thousands of jobs. In 2013,
oil and gas leases on the OCS accounted
for approximately 18 percent of
domestic oil production and 5 percent
of domestic natural gas production. The
offshore areas of the United States also
are estimated to contain significant
quantities of resources in yet-to-bediscovered fields. BOEM estimates that
the undiscovered, technically
recoverable oil and gas resources in the
United States’ OCS consist of 89.93
billion barrels of oil and 404.52 trillion
cubic feet of natural gas.
BOEM currently is implementing the
2012–2017 Program, which makes
available for oil and gas leasing, subject
to environmental safeguards, OCS areas
with the greatest resource potential.
Together, these areas contain more than
75 percent of the undiscovered,
technically recoverable oil and gas
resources estimated to exist in the
United States OCS.
Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
BOEM has held five lease sales in the
GOM since the approval of the 2012–
2017 Program, including annual sales in
the Central and Western GOM and a
single sale in the portion of the Eastern
GOM not subject to the Congressional
moratorium and made available for
leasing by Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act (GOMESA). These sales
have generated over $2.295 billion in
high bids.
Lease Sale 229 in the Western GOM
was held on November 28, 2012. In this
sale, 13 companies submitted 131 bids
totaling over $133 million in high bids.
Lease Sale 227 in the Central GOM was
held on March 20, 2013. The sale
generated over $1.2 billion in high bids
for 320 blocks by 52 companies. Lease
Sale 233 in the Western GOM was held
on August 28, 2013. The sale generated
over $102 million in high bids for 53
blocks by 12 companies. Lease Sales 225
in the Eastern GOM and Sale 231 in the
Central GOM were held on March 19,
2014. No bids were received for Sale
225. Lease Sale 231 garnered over $870
million in high bids on 326 lease blocks
by 42 companies.
BOEM is also moving forward in the
prelease sale process for the remaining
sales scheduled in the current Program,
which includes annual lease sales in the
Central and Western GOM and an
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additional lease sale in the Eastern GOM
in 2016. For more information on lease
sales, visit: https://www.boem.gov/Oiland-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/FiveYear-Program/Lease-Sale-Schedule/
2012-2017-Lease-Sale-Schedule.aspx.
The Gulf of Mexico continues to
experience successes in oil and gas
exploration and development. Since
June 2012, operators have announced
nine new discoveries, all located in the
Central Planning Area, in lease blocks
belonging to the Mississippi Canyon,
Green Canyon, Garden Banks, Walker
Ridge, and Sigsbee Escarpment
protraction areas. More information on
new activities can be found at: https://
www.boem.gov/Five-Year-ProgramAnnual-Progress-Report-2013/.
Alaska
DOI also is moving forward with
overseeing safe and responsible offshore
oil and gas exploration in frontier areas,
including certain areas in the Arctic.
The Arctic holds substantial oil and gas
potential, but also presents unique
environmental and operational
challenges. Offshore exploration in the
Arctic must occur in a way that is safe,
responsible, and respectful of the Alaska
Native communities that depend on the
ocean for subsistence.
To address these concerns, the current
Program laid out a regionally-tailored,
targeted leasing strategy in the Arctic
that differs from the area-wide leasing
model that is appropriate for the GOM,
and is designed to result in a more
focused leasing configuration that offers
areas with the most promising oil and
gas resource potential while also
protecting areas with environmentally
sensitive habitats and important social
and cultural uses, including subsistence
hunting and fishing activity.
Guided by this strategy, BOEM has
begun the presale process by issuing the
Call for Information (Call) for Chukchi
Lease Sale 237 and Cook Inlet Lease
Sale 244, both scheduled for 2016. The
Call is an early step in the offshore oil
and gas planning process and does not
indicate a final decision about any areas
that may be offered for oil and gas
leasing in the future. BOEM will make
decisions about potential areas for
leasing after evaluating industry interest
in the resource potential of specific
areas, continuing its development and
analysis of scientific information and
traditional knowledge regarding
environmental issues and potential
conflicts with uses such as subsistence
hunting and fishing, and conducting
thorough environmental reviews and
consultations under the National
Environmental Policy Act and other
laws. BOEM also will coordinate closely
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with other relevant Federal agencies, the
State of Alaska and local governments,
Alaska Native tribes and organizations,
and stakeholders throughout this
process.
Additionally, DOI has continued its
coordination efforts through the
Interagency Working Group on
Coordination of Domestic Energy
Development and Planning in Alaska,
which was established in July 2011
through Executive Order 13580 and
chaired by DOI. The Working Group has
taken the lead on coordinating and
finding efficiencies in the permitting
process of energy projects across
relevant Federal agencies.
Ongoing scientific studies and
potential exploration in the coming
years will inform leasing decisions for
potential Arctic lease sales scheduled
for the remainder of the 2012–2017
Program and future Five Year Programs.
and development activities could be
expected to proceed in an orderly
manner. The exclusion of the Pacific
coast in the 2012–2017 Program is
consistent with the long-standing
interests of west coast states, as framed
in an agreement that the governors of
California, Washington, and Oregon
signed in 2006. This agreement
expressed the governors’ opposition to
oil and gas development off their coasts.
Eleven OCS oil and gas lease sales
have been in the Pacific Region between
1963 and 1984. As a result of
congressional moratoria and, later,
presidential action, the Pacific OCS has
not been included in any Five Year
Program since the 1987–1992 Program.
A total of 470 leases were issued in
these 11 sales, and today, there are 43
producing leases and 23 oil and gas
platforms (with six operators), all
offshore southern California.
Atlantic
While the three Atlantic planning
areas are not included in the 2012–2017
Program, DOI is pursuing a specific
strategy to evaluate potential future
offshore oil and gas leasing in these
areas. On February 27, 2014, BOEM
completed a Programmatic EIS (PEIS)
that evaluates the potential
environmental impacts of proposed
geological and geophysical (G&G)
activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic
(hereinafter, the PEIS). The preparation
of the PEIS is part of a region-specific
strategy to responsibly develop new
information about the significance and
location of oil and gas resources in the
area. The PEIS provides critical
information to support renewable
energy and marine mineral G&G
surveying. BOEM also has been working
to identify and evaluate potential
conflicts with other uses of these areas,
particularly military activities. Any new
data resulting from G&G activities
performed in the Atlantic, as well as
input received from stakeholders,
including the general public, will
provide BOEM with additional
information to inform decisions
concerning, potential leasing activities
in the Atlantic.
National Energy Needs
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires that the Secretary consider
national energy needs in formulating the
Five Year Program. In developing the
Five Year Program, BOEM will present
an analysis of the Nation’s anticipated
energy needs. The analysis will include
discussions of the U.S. Department of
Energy’s (DOE) projections of national
energy needs in the Annual Energy
Outlook (AEO), the potential
contribution of OCS oil and natural gas
production in meeting those needs,
alternatives to OCS production, and
considerations relating to regional
energy needs. BOEM invites comments
from anyone who would like to submit
information related to the Nation’s
future energy needs for consideration in
determining the appropriate size,
timing, and location of OCS oil and gas
leasing for the new Five-Year Program.
Pacific Region
The four planning areas off the Pacific
coast were not included for potential
leasing in the 2012–2017 Program. This
determination was consistent with the
requirements of section 18 of the Act,
which gives priority leasing
consideration to areas where the
combination of previous experience;
local, state, and national laws and
policies; and expressions of industry
interest indicate that potential leasing
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OCS Planning Areas To Be Considered
and Analyzed
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires that the Five Year Program be
based upon a consideration of a
comparative analysis of the oil- and gasbearing regions of the OCS. BOEM has
divided the OCS into 26 Planning Areas,
which are depicted in Figures 1 and 2.
The depicted maritime boundaries and
limits, as well as divisions between
planning areas, where shown, are for
planning and administrative purposes
only. Note that precise maritime
boundaries between the United States
and nearby or adjacent nations have not
been determined in all cases. These
depictions do not affect or prejudice in
any manner the position of the United
States, or its individual States, with
respect to the nature or extent of
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internal waters or of sovereign rights or
jurisdiction.
Through the enactment of GOMESA,
Congress, through June 30, 2022, placed
off-limits to OCS oil and gas leasing,
activities the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
within 125 miles of Florida; all of the
Eastern Gulf of Mexico east of 86
degrees, 41 minutes West longitude; and
a portion of the Central Gulf of Mexico
within 100 miles of Florida (see Figure
2).
The North Aleutian Basin, which
includes the rich and vital fishing
resources of Bristol Bay, was withdrawn
from leasing consideration by the
President in a statement on March 31,
2010, pursuant to section 12(a) of the
OCS lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a). The
withdrawal expires on July 1, 2017.
Barring any further action, the North
Aleutian Basin will be available for
consideration in the 2017–2022
Program.
This notice requests information on
all 26 planning areas, including areas
currently under moratorium or
otherwise withdrawn. As set forth in
more detail later in this notice, the
information requested is wide-ranging,
including information on other uses of
the sea, marine productivity, and
environmental sensitivity. Accordingly,
this notice invites and provides an
opportunity for Governors of affected
States, local government, industry,
Federal agencies, and the general
public, to provide suggestions and any
other information they consider BOEM
should evaluate for purposes of the
2017–2022 Program. The information
solicited in this RFI will be considered
in light of the factors specified by
section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, which
are discussed later in this notice. Based
upon consideration of the analysis of
those factors, the Secretary will prepare
the DPP and decide which areas to
include therein. Pursuant to section 18
of the OCS Lands Act, areas included in
the DPP will be subject to further
analysis as required under applicable
law including, but not limited to, the
environmental review process required
under NEPA.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
As previously noted, the Five Year
Program preparation process will follow
all the procedural and substantive
requirements of section 18 of the OCS
Lands Act. This notice solicits
information and comments early in the
preparation process pursuant to section
18(c)(1) of the OCSLA. BOEM will
prepare a DPP based upon consideration
of the information and comments
received and analysis of the principles
and factors specified in section 18 of the
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OCSLA. The DPP will present for
review and comment a preliminary
schedule of proposed lease sales and
potential decision options.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
provides that, for purposes of preparing
a Five Year Program, the Secretary
should take into consideration the
economic, social, and environmental
values of all OCS resources, as well as
the potential impact of oil and gas
exploration and development on other
resource values of the OCS and the
marine, coastal and human
environments. The eight factors that
must be considered in determining the
timing and location of leasing under the
Five Year Program are set forth in
section 18(a)(2) of the OCS Lands act, 43
U.S.C. 1344(a)(2). They include: (1) The
existing information on the
geographical, geological, and ecological
characteristics of OCS regions; (2)
equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks among
the various regions; (3) the location of
such regions with respect to, and the
relative needs of regional and national
energy markets; (4) the location of such
regions with respect to other uses of the
sea and seabed, including fisheries,
navigation, existing or proposed sea
lanes, potential sites of deepwater ports,
and other anticipated uses of the
resources and space of the OCS; (5)
expressed industry interest in the
development of oil and gas resources;
(6) laws, goals, and policies of affected
States specifically identified by
governors; (7) the relative
environmental sensitivity and marine
productivity of different areas of the
OCS; and (8) environmental and
predictive information for different
areas of the OCS.
The OCS Lands Act requires the
Secretary to obtain a proper balance
among the potential for environmental
damage, the potential for discovery of
oil and gas, and the potential for adverse
impact on the coastal zone, for which
the DOI will provide a cost-benefit
analysis as appropriate to supplement
qualitative consideration of these
factors. The OCS Lands Act also
requires that leasing activities assure the
receipt of fair market value for the lands
leased and rights conveyed by the
Federal Government in the OCS.
Types of Information Requested
BOEM invites comments from anyone
who would like to submit information
and/or suggestions for consideration in
determining, among others, the
appropriate size, timing, and location of
potential OCS oil and lease sales under
the 2017–2022 Program. The type of
information being requested by BOEM
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34351
in this RFI is described below using
general and specific headings.
Regardless of these headings, please
note that BOEM invites all private and
public stakeholders, as well as the
general public, to comment or provide
any information that should be taken
into consideration by BOEM during the
preparation of the 2017–2022 Program.
General Information Requested
BOEM would like to receive
comments and suggestions of national
or regional application that would be
useful in formulating the Five Year
Program. The types of information that
would be most useful in conducting the
analysis, pursuant to section 18 of the
OCS Lands Act, relate to the following
factors:
(1) National energy needs for the
period relevant to the new Five Year
Program (i.e., July, 2017 to June, 2022),
in particular, the role of OCS oil and gas
leasing activities in achieving national
energy policy goals; the economic,
social, and environmental values of the
renewable and nonrenewable resources
contained in the OCS; and the potential
impact of oil and gas exploration and
development on other OCS resource
values and the marine, coastal, and
human environments;
(2) existing information concerning
geographical, geological, and ecological
characteristics of the OCS planning
areas and near shore and coastal
environments;
(3) equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks among
the various planning areas;
(4) location of planning areas with
respect to, and the relative needs of,
regional and national energy markets;
(5) other uses of the sea and seabed,
including fisheries; navigation; military
activities; existing or proposed sea
lanes; potential sites of deepwater ports
(including liquefied natural gas
facilities); potential offshore wind,
wave, current, or other alternative
energy sites; and other anticipated uses
of OCS resources and locations;
(6) relative environmental sensitivity
and marine productivity of the different
planning areas and/or a specific
section(s) of a given OCS planning area;
(7) environmental and predictive
information pertaining to offshore and
coastal areas potentially affected by OCS
oil and gas development including, but
not limited to, socio-cultural and
archaeological information; and
(8) methods and procedures for
assuring the receipt of fair market value
for lands leased.
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Fair Market Value Information
Requested
In developing the methods and
procedures for assuring the receipt of
fair market value for lands leased under
section 18(a)(4) of the OCS Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(4), BOEM sets lease
fiscal and temporal terms, and other
features relevant to bidding. Given
BOEM’s responsibility to ensure a fair
market value return to the U.S.
Government, BOEM is seeking
information in response to the following
questions:
(1) If DOI continues leasing in the
Gulf of Mexico planning areas, are there
changes to lease terms that will better
meet the objectives of the OCS Lands
Act? Lease terms subject to change
include:
a. Minimum bids
b. Rental rates
c. Royalty rates, royalty structures (e.g.,
flat or sliding scale)
d. Initial period (also known as primary
term) of the lease term and extended
initial period (such as 7 years plus 3
years more if drilling commences)
(2) If DOI offers acreage for lease in
planning areas outside the Gulf of
Mexico, what fiscal terms for each
planning area will best meet the
objectives and limitations of the OCS
Lands Act regarding the lease terms
listed in items 1a. to 1d. above?
a. Is there an alternative design, e.g.,
auction-type design that may be better
suited to achieve fair market value,
either by changing the bidding variable
or some other aspect of the competitive
lease sale?
b. Should the upcoming program
consider use of alternative and/or nontraditional fiscal terms, primary lease
terms, auction formats, or tract offering
sizes? Please state which of these
features of the leasing process merit
consideration for future use, where and
under what conditions those changes
might be useful, and explain why such
a change is necessary or beneficial, e.g.,
demonstrate that exploration would not
occur in selected frontier areas without
larger than traditionally-sized tracts in
lease sales.
Please note that BOEM is requesting
information on these topics, as well as
on the above fiscal topics, to inform its
continuing evaluation of market
conditions, available resources, bidding
patterns (if applicable), and
competitiveness of OCS lease terms
with respect to each proposed sale.
BOEM is asking for public input
regarding lease terms or potential
changes to lease terms concerning
acreage offered during the 2017–2022
Program. BOEM also invites
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commenters to respond to the following
questions:
(1) What do you think is the proper
role of OCS oil and gas leasing as part
of a comprehensive national energy
policy? How should the Five Year
Program be structured to fulfill this
role?
(2) Should areas not included in the
2012–2017 Five Year Program be
included in the new Five Year Program?
If so, what areas should be included and
what should be the proposed timeframe
for lease sales in these areas?
(3) Although OCS oil and gas leasing
typically is conducted through an
extensive, long-established process, are
there alternative ways to ensure
appropriate consultation and to
streamline the leasing procedures? How
might BOEM best meet the purpose of
the OCS Lands Act ‘‘to insure that the
extent of oil and gas resources of the
outer Continental Shelf is assessed at
the earliest practicable time?’’
(4) If new areas are leased for
exploration and potential development,
what short-term and long-term impacts
can be foreseen for the economies of
coastal communities?
(5) If new areas are considered for oil
and gas leasing, how should ecological
considerations be weighed against
national and local economic benefits?
(6) If new areas are not leased for
exploration and potential development,
what environmental impacts do you
foresee from other sources of energy?
(7) While increased domestic onshore
production is not expected to fully
replace imports of crude oil over the life
of the new Five Year Program, new
production, market factors, and other
forces have allowed U.S. refineries to
export more petroleum products than
the Nation imported in each of the last
few years. Should this affect decisions
as to size, timing, and location
(especially for frontier areas) of future
OCS oil and gas leasing?
(8) Increased onshore production also
could potentially lead to exports of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near
future. Should the potential for LNG or
other exports affect decisions as to size,
timing, and location (especially for
frontier areas) of future oil and gas
leasing?
Specific Information Requested
From States
For coastal States, pursuant to section
18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1344(f)(5)) and implementing
regulations at 30 CFR 556.20, BOEM
requests information concerning the
relationship between OCS oil and gas
activity and the States’ coastal zone
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management programs that are being
developed, or are administered, under
section 305 or 306 of the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, as amended,
(16 U.S.C. 1454, 1455). BOEM also
requests that non-coastal and coastal
States submit information concerning
environmental risk and potential for
damage to coastal and marine resources
associated with OCS development,
information related to other uses of the
sea, and any information that is relevant
to equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks
associated with OCS oil and gas activity
(or the likely energy substitutes in the
absence of new OCS leasing). In
addition, for non-coastal and coastal
States, information is requested on the
impacts of rising hydrocarbon product
prices and potential shortages on the
State and national economies and
citizens.
From Oil and Gas Industry
Pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(E) of the
OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(2)(E)),
the interest of oil and gas producers in
the development of oil and gas
resources, as indicated by exploration or
nomination, should be taken into
account during the preparation of the
Five Year Program. Industry
respondents should base this
information upon their expectations as
of 2014. For each planning area in
which industry respondents are
interested, they should submit
information concerning unleased
hydrocarbon potential, future oil and
gas price expectations, and other
relevant information that the industry
respondent uses in making OCS oil and
gas leasing decisions. BOEM requests
that industry respondents provide
additional information, as specified
below:
(1) Indicate the OCS Planning Area(s)
where the industry respondent would
be interested in acquiring oil and gas
leases, regardless of whether the area
currently is unavailable. If more than
one Planning Area is of interest, rank all
areas of interest (including those now
being offered, if appropriate) in order of
preference.
(2) Indicate the number and timing of
lease sales in the period 2017–2022 that
would be appropriate for each Planning
Area. If only one lease sale in a Planning
Area is appropriate, indicate whether
that area should be considered for
leasing early or late in the five-year
schedule. If more than one lease sale in
a planning area is suggested, indicate
the preferred interval between lease
sales.
(3) Indicate the lead time to
production in areas that are not part of
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the 2012–2017 Program or currently do
not have infrastructure or production,
relative to lead-times to new production
in previously leased areas like the
Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.
Section 18(g) of the OCS Lands Act
(43 U.S.C. 1344(g)) authorizes
confidential treatment of privileged or
proprietary information. In order to
protect the confidentiality of privileged
or proprietary information, industry
respondents should include such
information as an attachment to other
comments submitted, and should
clearly note that the attachment
contains privileged or proprietary
information, so that there is no
ambiguity about what portions of the
comments are confidential or
proprietary. Upon request, BOEM will
treat the privileged or proprietary
information that is attached to a
response as confidential from the time
of its receipt until five years after
approval of the 2017–2022 Program, in
a manner consistent with the Freedom
of Information Act. However, BOEM
will not treat as confidential any
aggregate summaries of privileged or
proprietary information, the names of
industry respondents, or comments not
containing this information. If
submitting comments or information in
hard copy, industry respondents should
affix the label ‘‘Contains Confidential
Information’’ on any envelope
containing privileged or proprietary
information.
From the U.S. Department of Commerce
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Pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(f)(5)) and
implementing regulations at 30 CFR
556.20, BOEM requests information
concerning relationships between
affected States’ coastal zone
management programs and OCS oil and
gas activities. In coordination with this
notice, BOEM will also send a letter to
the Secretary of Commerce soliciting
such information.
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From the U.S. Department of Energy
Pursuant to implementing regulations
at 30 CFR 556.16, BOEM requests
information concerning regional and
national energy markets, OCS
production goals, and on transportation
networks. In coordination with this
notice, BOEM will also send a letter to
the Secretary of Energy soliciting such
information.
Public Comment Procedure
BOEM will accept comments in one of
two formats: Internet commenting
system or regular mail. BOEM’s
preference is to receive comments via
the Internet commenting system.
Comments should be submitted using
only one of these formats, and include
full names and addresses of the
individual submitting the comment(s).
Comments submitted by other means
may not be considered. BOEM will not
consider anonymous comments. BOEM
will make available for public
inspection in their entirety, all
comments submitted by organizations
and businesses, or by individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives of organizations or
businesses.
BOEM’s practice is to make
comments, including the names and
addresses of individuals, available for
public review. An individual
commenter may ask that BOEM
withhold from the public record his or
her name, home address, or both, and
BOEM will honor such a request to the
extent allowable by law. If individuals
submit comments and desire
withholding of such information, they
must so state prominently at the
beginning of their submission.
Commenting via Internet
Internet comments should be
submitted via the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
BOEM requests that commenters follow
these instructions to submit their
comments via this Web site:
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(1) In the search tab on the main page,
search for BOEM–2014–0059.
(2) Locate the document, then click
the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ link either on
the Search Results page or the
Document Details page. This will
display the Web comment form.
(3) Enter the submitter information
and type the comment on the Web form.
Attach any additional files (up to
10MB). (Please do not forget to
separately attach, and note, any
privileged or proprietary information.)
(4) After typing the comment, click
the ‘‘Preview Comment’’ link to review.
Once satisfied with the comment, click
the ‘‘Submit’’ button to send the
comment.
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.
Commenting via Regular Mail
Mail comments and information on
the 2017–2022 Program to Ms. Kelly
Hammerle, Five Year Program Manager,
BOEM (HM–3120), 381 Elden Street,
Herndon, Virginia 20170.
Environmental comments relevant to oil
and gas development on the OCS should
be sent to Mr. James F. Bennett, Chief,
Division of Environmental Assessment,
BOEM (HM–3017), 381 Elden Street,
Herndon, Virginia 20170. If commenters
submit any privileged or proprietary
information to be treated as
confidential, they should mark the
envelope ‘‘Contains Confidential
Information.’’ BOEM will post all
comments, subject to the limitations
described above in this section.
Dated: May 22, 2014.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 115 / Monday, June 16, 2014 / Notices
34356
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 115 / Monday, June 16, 2014 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2014–14039 Filed 6–13–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–C
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–919]
Certain Archery Products and Related
Marketing Materials; Institution of
Investigation Pursuant to 19 U.S.C.
§ 1337
2000. General information concerning
the Commission may also be obtained
by accessing its internet server at https://
www.usitc.gov. The public record for
this investigation may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://edis.usitc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
Office of Unfair Import Investigations,
U.S. International Trade Commission,
telephone (202) 205–2560.
U.S. International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
Authority: The authority for institution of
this investigation is contained in section 337
of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, and
in section 210.10 of the Commission’s Rules
of Practice and Procedure, 19 CFR § 210.10
(2014).
Notice is hereby given that a
complaint was filed with the U.S.
International Trade Commission on May
9, 2014, under section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C.
§ 1337, on behalf of Bear Archery, Inc.
of Evansville, Indiana and SOP Services,
Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada. A letter
amending the complaint was filed on
May 27, 2014. The complaint, as
amended, alleges violations of section
337 based upon the importation into the
United States, the sale for importation,
and the sale within the United States
after importation of certain archery
products and related marketing
materials by reason of infringement of:
(1) Certain claims of U.S. Patent No.
RE38,096 (‘‘the ’096 patent’’); U.S.
Patent No. 6,978,775 (‘‘the ’775 patent’’);
and U.S. Patent No. 7,226,375 (‘‘the ’375
patent’’); and (2) U.S. Trademark
Registration No. 2,501,255 (‘‘the ’255
trademark’’) and U.S. Trademark
Registration No. 3,312,392 (‘‘the ’392
trademark’’). The complaint further
alleges that an industry in the United
States exists as required by subsection
(a)(2) of section 337.
The complainants request that the
Commission institute an investigation
and, after the investigation, issue a
general exclusion order or, in the
alternative, a limited exclusion order.
ADDRESSES: The complaint, except for
any confidential information contained
therein, is available for inspection
during official business hours (8:45 a.m.
to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the
Secretary, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Room
112, Washington, DC 20436, telephone
(202) 205–2000. Hearing impaired
individuals are advised that information
on this matter can be obtained by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal on (202) 205–1810. Persons
with mobility impairments who will
need special assistance in gaining access
to the Commission should contact the
Office of the Secretary at (202) 205–
Scope of Investigation: Having
considered the complaint, the U.S.
International Trade Commission, on
June 10, 2014, ordered that—
(1) Pursuant to subsection (b) of
section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended, an investigation be instituted
to determine whether there is a
violation of subsection (a)(1)(B) and/or
subsection (a)(1)(C) of section 337 in the
importation into the United States, the
sale for importation, or the sale within
the United States after importation of
certain archery products and related
marketing materials by reason of
infringement of: (1) One or more of
claims 1–3, 6–12, and 15–38 of the ’096
patent and claims 1–3, 16–22, 24–26,
29, 31, and 32 of the ’775 patent; and/
or (2) the ’255 trademark or the ’392
trademark, including whether an
industry in the United States exists as
required by subsection (a)(2) of section
337;
(2) For the purpose of the
investigation so instituted, the following
are hereby named as parties upon which
this notice of investigation shall be
served:
(a) The complainants are:
Bear Archery, Inc., 817 Maxwell
Avenue, Evansville, IN 47706;
SOP Services, Inc., 2325–B Renaissance
Drive, Suite 10, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
(b) The respondent is the following
entity alleged to be in violation of
section 337, and is the party upon
which the complaint is to be served:
Ningbo Topoint Outdoor Sports Co.,
Ltd., Build 3, No. 8, Dapuhe Road, Daqi
Town, Beilun District, Ningbo, Zhejiang,
China 315806.
(c) The Office of Unfair Import
Investigations, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Suite
401, Washington, DC 20436; and
(3) For the investigation so instituted,
the Chief Administrative Law Judge,
U.S. International Trade Commission,
shall designate the presiding
Administrative Law Judge.
AGENCY:
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SUMMARY:
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Responses to the complaint and the
notice of investigation must be
submitted by the named respondent in
accordance with section 210.13 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 19 CFR § 210.13. Pursuant to
19 CFR §§ 201.16(e) and 210.13(a), such
responses will be considered by the
Commission if received not later than 20
days after the date of service by the
Commission of the complaint and the
notice of investigation. Extensions of
time for submitting responses to the
complaint and the notice of
investigation will not be granted unless
good cause therefor is shown.
Failure of a respondent to file a timely
response to each allegation in the
complaint and in this notice may be
deemed to constitute a waiver of the
right to appear and contest the
allegations of the complaint and this
notice, and to authorize the
administrative law judge and the
Commission, without further notice to
the respondent, to find the facts to be as
alleged in the complaint and this notice
and to enter an initial determination
and a final determination containing
such findings, and may result in the
issuance of an exclusion order or a cease
and desist order or both directed against
the respondent.
By order of the Commission.
Dated: June 10, 2014.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2014–13927 Filed 6–13–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[OMB Number 1140–0096]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Proposed eCollection
eComments Requested; Environmental
Information
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives, Department of
Justice
ACTION: 30-day notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Justice
(DOJ), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval in accordance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The proposed information collection is
published to obtain comments from the
public and affected agencies. This
proposed information collection was
previously published in the Federal
Register Volume 79, Number 70, page
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34349-34356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14039]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[MAA104000]
Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the
2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Request for Information and Comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) requires the
Department of the Interior (DOI) to invite and solicit information from
interested and affected parties during the preparation of a Five Year
OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program (Five Year Program). The current Five
Year Program became effective on August 27, 2012, and will expire on
August 26, 2017 (2012-2017 Program). BOEM intends to prepare a new Five
Year Program to succeed the current one and cover the period from July
2017 to June 2022 (2017-2022 Program).
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires the completion of a multi-
step process of public consultation and analysis before the Secretary
of the Interior (Secretary) may approve a new Five Year Program. The
process required by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act includes the
following steps: (1) Issuance of a Request for Information and Comments
(RFI); (2) development of a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), a Proposed
Program (PP), and a Proposed Final Program (PFP); and (3) Secretarial
approval of a Final Program. During the development of the new Five
Year Program, BOEM will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., in order to inform program decisions.
The public will have opportunities to comment on the DPP, the Draft
PEIS, and the PP.
DATES: BOEM must receive all comments and information by July 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Five Year Program
Manager, at (703) 787-1613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEM requests information and comments from
States, local and tribal governments, Native American and Native
Alaskan organizations, Federal agencies, environmental and fish and
wildlife organizations, the oil and gas industry, non-energy
industries, other interested organizations and entities, and the
general public, for use in the preparation of the 2017-2022 Program.
BOEM is seeking a wide array of information including, but not limited
to, information associated with the economic, social, and environmental
values of all OCS resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and
gas exploration and development on other resource values of the OCS and
the marine, coastal and human environments.
The Five Year Program sets forth the proposed schedule of lease
sales for the subsequent five-year period, and enables the Federal
Government, States, industry, and other interested parties to begin
planning for the later steps in the leasing process. The Secretary
decides whether to proceed with a specific lease sale on the schedule
included in an approved Five Year Program only after meeting all the
requirements of the OCS Lands Act, NEPA, and other applicable statutes.
The preparation and subsequent approval of a new Five Year Program
is a key aspect for the implementation of President Barack Obama's all-
of-the-above energy strategy. The strategy includes expanding the safe
and responsible production of U.S. domestic oil and gas supplies, both
offshore and onshore, and seeking out regulatory and oversight
efficiencies, so as to create a more efficient and predictable oil and
gas leasing environment for government, industry and other
stakeholders.
The OCS is a significant contributor of oil and gas to the Nation's
energy supply. As of May 2014, BOEM administered over 6,200 active oil
and gas leases covering nearly 34 million OCS acres. Production from
these leases generates billions of dollars in revenue for the Federal
Treasury and State governments while supporting hundreds of thousands
of jobs. In 2013, oil and gas leases on the OCS accounted for
approximately 18 percent of domestic oil production and 5 percent of
domestic natural gas production. The offshore areas of the United
States also are estimated to contain significant quantities of
resources in yet-to-be-discovered fields. BOEM estimates that the
undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in the
United States' OCS consist of 89.93 billion barrels of oil and 404.52
trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
BOEM currently is implementing the 2012-2017 Program, which makes
available for oil and gas leasing, subject to environmental safeguards,
OCS areas with the greatest resource potential. Together, these areas
contain more than 75 percent of the undiscovered, technically
recoverable oil and gas resources estimated to exist in the United
States OCS.
Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
BOEM has held five lease sales in the GOM since the approval of the
2012-2017 Program, including annual sales in the Central and Western
GOM and a single sale in the portion of the Eastern GOM not subject to
the Congressional moratorium and made available for leasing by Gulf of
Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). These sales have generated over
$2.295 billion in high bids.
Lease Sale 229 in the Western GOM was held on November 28, 2012. In
this sale, 13 companies submitted 131 bids totaling over $133 million
in high bids. Lease Sale 227 in the Central GOM was held on March 20,
2013. The sale generated over $1.2 billion in high bids for 320 blocks
by 52 companies. Lease Sale 233 in the Western GOM was held on August
28, 2013. The sale generated over $102 million in high bids for 53
blocks by 12 companies. Lease Sales 225 in the Eastern GOM and Sale 231
in the Central GOM were held on March 19, 2014. No bids were received
for Sale 225. Lease Sale 231 garnered over $870 million in high bids on
326 lease blocks by 42 companies.
BOEM is also moving forward in the prelease sale process for the
remaining sales scheduled in the current Program, which includes annual
lease sales in the Central and Western GOM and an
[[Page 34350]]
additional lease sale in the Eastern GOM in 2016. For more information
on lease sales, visit: https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Five-Year-Program/Lease-Sale-Schedule/2012-2017-Lease-Sale-Schedule.aspx.
The Gulf of Mexico continues to experience successes in oil and gas
exploration and development. Since June 2012, operators have announced
nine new discoveries, all located in the Central Planning Area, in
lease blocks belonging to the Mississippi Canyon, Green Canyon, Garden
Banks, Walker Ridge, and Sigsbee Escarpment protraction areas. More
information on new activities can be found at: https://www.boem.gov/Five-Year-Program-Annual-Progress-Report-2013/.
Alaska
DOI also is moving forward with overseeing safe and responsible
offshore oil and gas exploration in frontier areas, including certain
areas in the Arctic. The Arctic holds substantial oil and gas
potential, but also presents unique environmental and operational
challenges. Offshore exploration in the Arctic must occur in a way that
is safe, responsible, and respectful of the Alaska Native communities
that depend on the ocean for subsistence.
To address these concerns, the current Program laid out a
regionally-tailored, targeted leasing strategy in the Arctic that
differs from the area-wide leasing model that is appropriate for the
GOM, and is designed to result in a more focused leasing configuration
that offers areas with the most promising oil and gas resource
potential while also protecting areas with environmentally sensitive
habitats and important social and cultural uses, including subsistence
hunting and fishing activity.
Guided by this strategy, BOEM has begun the presale process by
issuing the Call for Information (Call) for Chukchi Lease Sale 237 and
Cook Inlet Lease Sale 244, both scheduled for 2016. The Call is an
early step in the offshore oil and gas planning process and does not
indicate a final decision about any areas that may be offered for oil
and gas leasing in the future. BOEM will make decisions about potential
areas for leasing after evaluating industry interest in the resource
potential of specific areas, continuing its development and analysis of
scientific information and traditional knowledge regarding
environmental issues and potential conflicts with uses such as
subsistence hunting and fishing, and conducting thorough environmental
reviews and consultations under the National Environmental Policy Act
and other laws. BOEM also will coordinate closely with other relevant
Federal agencies, the State of Alaska and local governments, Alaska
Native tribes and organizations, and stakeholders throughout this
process.
Additionally, DOI has continued its coordination efforts through
the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy
Development and Planning in Alaska, which was established in July 2011
through Executive Order 13580 and chaired by DOI. The Working Group has
taken the lead on coordinating and finding efficiencies in the
permitting process of energy projects across relevant Federal agencies.
Ongoing scientific studies and potential exploration in the coming
years will inform leasing decisions for potential Arctic lease sales
scheduled for the remainder of the 2012-2017 Program and future Five
Year Programs.
Atlantic
While the three Atlantic planning areas are not included in the
2012-2017 Program, DOI is pursuing a specific strategy to evaluate
potential future offshore oil and gas leasing in these areas. On
February 27, 2014, BOEM completed a Programmatic EIS (PEIS) that
evaluates the potential environmental impacts of proposed geological
and geophysical (G&G) activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic
(hereinafter, the PEIS). The preparation of the PEIS is part of a
region-specific strategy to responsibly develop new information about
the significance and location of oil and gas resources in the area. The
PEIS provides critical information to support renewable energy and
marine mineral G&G surveying. BOEM also has been working to identify
and evaluate potential conflicts with other uses of these areas,
particularly military activities. Any new data resulting from G&G
activities performed in the Atlantic, as well as input received from
stakeholders, including the general public, will provide BOEM with
additional information to inform decisions concerning, potential
leasing activities in the Atlantic.
Pacific Region
The four planning areas off the Pacific coast were not included for
potential leasing in the 2012-2017 Program. This determination was
consistent with the requirements of section 18 of the Act, which gives
priority leasing consideration to areas where the combination of
previous experience; local, state, and national laws and policies; and
expressions of industry interest indicate that potential leasing and
development activities could be expected to proceed in an orderly
manner. The exclusion of the Pacific coast in the 2012-2017 Program is
consistent with the long-standing interests of west coast states, as
framed in an agreement that the governors of California, Washington,
and Oregon signed in 2006. This agreement expressed the governors'
opposition to oil and gas development off their coasts.
Eleven OCS oil and gas lease sales have been in the Pacific Region
between 1963 and 1984. As a result of congressional moratoria and,
later, presidential action, the Pacific OCS has not been included in
any Five Year Program since the 1987-1992 Program. A total of 470
leases were issued in these 11 sales, and today, there are 43 producing
leases and 23 oil and gas platforms (with six operators), all offshore
southern California.
National Energy Needs
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the Secretary
consider national energy needs in formulating the Five Year Program. In
developing the Five Year Program, BOEM will present an analysis of the
Nation's anticipated energy needs. The analysis will include
discussions of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) projections of
national energy needs in the Annual Energy Outlook (AEO), the potential
contribution of OCS oil and natural gas production in meeting those
needs, alternatives to OCS production, and considerations relating to
regional energy needs. BOEM invites comments from anyone who would like
to submit information related to the Nation's future energy needs for
consideration in determining the appropriate size, timing, and location
of OCS oil and gas leasing for the new Five-Year Program.
OCS Planning Areas To Be Considered and Analyzed
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the Five Year Program
be based upon a consideration of a comparative analysis of the oil- and
gas-bearing regions of the OCS. BOEM has divided the OCS into 26
Planning Areas, which are depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The depicted
maritime boundaries and limits, as well as divisions between planning
areas, where shown, are for planning and administrative purposes only.
Note that precise maritime boundaries between the United States and
nearby or adjacent nations have not been determined in all cases. These
depictions do not affect or prejudice in any manner the position of the
United States, or its individual States, with respect to the nature or
extent of
[[Page 34351]]
internal waters or of sovereign rights or jurisdiction.
Through the enactment of GOMESA, Congress, through June 30, 2022,
placed off-limits to OCS oil and gas leasing, activities the Eastern
Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida; all of the Eastern Gulf of
Mexico east of 86 degrees, 41 minutes West longitude; and a portion of
the Central Gulf of Mexico within 100 miles of Florida (see Figure 2).
The North Aleutian Basin, which includes the rich and vital fishing
resources of Bristol Bay, was withdrawn from leasing consideration by
the President in a statement on March 31, 2010, pursuant to section
12(a) of the OCS lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a). The withdrawal expires
on July 1, 2017. Barring any further action, the North Aleutian Basin
will be available for consideration in the 2017-2022 Program.
This notice requests information on all 26 planning areas,
including areas currently under moratorium or otherwise withdrawn. As
set forth in more detail later in this notice, the information
requested is wide-ranging, including information on other uses of the
sea, marine productivity, and environmental sensitivity. Accordingly,
this notice invites and provides an opportunity for Governors of
affected States, local government, industry, Federal agencies, and the
general public, to provide suggestions and any other information they
consider BOEM should evaluate for purposes of the 2017-2022 Program.
The information solicited in this RFI will be considered in light of
the factors specified by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, which are
discussed later in this notice. Based upon consideration of the
analysis of those factors, the Secretary will prepare the DPP and
decide which areas to include therein. Pursuant to section 18 of the
OCS Lands Act, areas included in the DPP will be subject to further
analysis as required under applicable law including, but not limited
to, the environmental review process required under NEPA.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
As previously noted, the Five Year Program preparation process will
follow all the procedural and substantive requirements of section 18 of
the OCS Lands Act. This notice solicits information and comments early
in the preparation process pursuant to section 18(c)(1) of the OCSLA.
BOEM will prepare a DPP based upon consideration of the information and
comments received and analysis of the principles and factors specified
in section 18 of the OCSLA. The DPP will present for review and comment
a preliminary schedule of proposed lease sales and potential decision
options.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act provides that, for purposes of
preparing a Five Year Program, the Secretary should take into
consideration the economic, social, and environmental values of all OCS
resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration
and development on other resource values of the OCS and the marine,
coastal and human environments. The eight factors that must be
considered in determining the timing and location of leasing under the
Five Year Program are set forth in section 18(a)(2) of the OCS Lands
act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(2). They include: (1) The existing information
on the geographical, geological, and ecological characteristics of OCS
regions; (2) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and
environmental risks among the various regions; (3) the location of such
regions with respect to, and the relative needs of regional and
national energy markets; (4) the location of such regions with respect
to other uses of the sea and seabed, including fisheries, navigation,
existing or proposed sea lanes, potential sites of deepwater ports, and
other anticipated uses of the resources and space of the OCS; (5)
expressed industry interest in the development of oil and gas
resources; (6) laws, goals, and policies of affected States
specifically identified by governors; (7) the relative environmental
sensitivity and marine productivity of different areas of the OCS; and
(8) environmental and predictive information for different areas of the
OCS.
The OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary to obtain a proper balance
among the potential for environmental damage, the potential for
discovery of oil and gas, and the potential for adverse impact on the
coastal zone, for which the DOI will provide a cost-benefit analysis as
appropriate to supplement qualitative consideration of these factors.
The OCS Lands Act also requires that leasing activities assure the
receipt of fair market value for the lands leased and rights conveyed
by the Federal Government in the OCS.
Types of Information Requested
BOEM invites comments from anyone who would like to submit
information and/or suggestions for consideration in determining, among
others, the appropriate size, timing, and location of potential OCS oil
and lease sales under the 2017-2022 Program. The type of information
being requested by BOEM in this RFI is described below using general
and specific headings. Regardless of these headings, please note that
BOEM invites all private and public stakeholders, as well as the
general public, to comment or provide any information that should be
taken into consideration by BOEM during the preparation of the 2017-
2022 Program.
General Information Requested
BOEM would like to receive comments and suggestions of national or
regional application that would be useful in formulating the Five Year
Program. The types of information that would be most useful in
conducting the analysis, pursuant to section 18 of the OCS Lands Act,
relate to the following factors:
(1) National energy needs for the period relevant to the new Five
Year Program (i.e., July, 2017 to June, 2022), in particular, the role
of OCS oil and gas leasing activities in achieving national energy
policy goals; the economic, social, and environmental values of the
renewable and nonrenewable resources contained in the OCS; and the
potential impact of oil and gas exploration and development on other
OCS resource values and the marine, coastal, and human environments;
(2) existing information concerning geographical, geological, and
ecological characteristics of the OCS planning areas and near shore and
coastal environments;
(3) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and environmental
risks among the various planning areas;
(4) location of planning areas with respect to, and the relative
needs of, regional and national energy markets;
(5) other uses of the sea and seabed, including fisheries;
navigation; military activities; existing or proposed sea lanes;
potential sites of deepwater ports (including liquefied natural gas
facilities); potential offshore wind, wave, current, or other
alternative energy sites; and other anticipated uses of OCS resources
and locations;
(6) relative environmental sensitivity and marine productivity of
the different planning areas and/or a specific section(s) of a given
OCS planning area;
(7) environmental and predictive information pertaining to offshore
and coastal areas potentially affected by OCS oil and gas development
including, but not limited to, socio-cultural and archaeological
information; and
(8) methods and procedures for assuring the receipt of fair market
value for lands leased.
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Fair Market Value Information Requested
In developing the methods and procedures for assuring the receipt
of fair market value for lands leased under section 18(a)(4) of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(4), BOEM sets lease fiscal and temporal
terms, and other features relevant to bidding. Given BOEM's
responsibility to ensure a fair market value return to the U.S.
Government, BOEM is seeking information in response to the following
questions:
(1) If DOI continues leasing in the Gulf of Mexico planning areas,
are there changes to lease terms that will better meet the objectives
of the OCS Lands Act? Lease terms subject to change include:
a. Minimum bids
b. Rental rates
c. Royalty rates, royalty structures (e.g., flat or sliding scale)
d. Initial period (also known as primary term) of the lease term and
extended initial period (such as 7 years plus 3 years more if drilling
commences)
(2) If DOI offers acreage for lease in planning areas outside the
Gulf of Mexico, what fiscal terms for each planning area will best meet
the objectives and limitations of the OCS Lands Act regarding the lease
terms listed in items 1a. to 1d. above?
a. Is there an alternative design, e.g., auction-type design that
may be better suited to achieve fair market value, either by changing
the bidding variable or some other aspect of the competitive lease
sale?
b. Should the upcoming program consider use of alternative and/or
non-traditional fiscal terms, primary lease terms, auction formats, or
tract offering sizes? Please state which of these features of the
leasing process merit consideration for future use, where and under
what conditions those changes might be useful, and explain why such a
change is necessary or beneficial, e.g., demonstrate that exploration
would not occur in selected frontier areas without larger than
traditionally-sized tracts in lease sales.
Please note that BOEM is requesting information on these topics, as
well as on the above fiscal topics, to inform its continuing evaluation
of market conditions, available resources, bidding patterns (if
applicable), and competitiveness of OCS lease terms with respect to
each proposed sale. BOEM is asking for public input regarding lease
terms or potential changes to lease terms concerning acreage offered
during the 2017-2022 Program. BOEM also invites commenters to respond
to the following questions:
(1) What do you think is the proper role of OCS oil and gas leasing
as part of a comprehensive national energy policy? How should the Five
Year Program be structured to fulfill this role?
(2) Should areas not included in the 2012-2017 Five Year Program be
included in the new Five Year Program? If so, what areas should be
included and what should be the proposed timeframe for lease sales in
these areas?
(3) Although OCS oil and gas leasing typically is conducted through
an extensive, long-established process, are there alternative ways to
ensure appropriate consultation and to streamline the leasing
procedures? How might BOEM best meet the purpose of the OCS Lands Act
``to insure that the extent of oil and gas resources of the outer
Continental Shelf is assessed at the earliest practicable time?''
(4) If new areas are leased for exploration and potential
development, what short-term and long-term impacts can be foreseen for
the economies of coastal communities?
(5) If new areas are considered for oil and gas leasing, how should
ecological considerations be weighed against national and local
economic benefits?
(6) If new areas are not leased for exploration and potential
development, what environmental impacts do you foresee from other
sources of energy?
(7) While increased domestic onshore production is not expected to
fully replace imports of crude oil over the life of the new Five Year
Program, new production, market factors, and other forces have allowed
U.S. refineries to export more petroleum products than the Nation
imported in each of the last few years. Should this affect decisions as
to size, timing, and location (especially for frontier areas) of future
OCS oil and gas leasing?
(8) Increased onshore production also could potentially lead to
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near future. Should the
potential for LNG or other exports affect decisions as to size, timing,
and location (especially for frontier areas) of future oil and gas
leasing?
Specific Information Requested
From States
For coastal States, pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands
Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(f)(5)) and implementing regulations at 30 CFR
556.20, BOEM requests information concerning the relationship between
OCS oil and gas activity and the States' coastal zone management
programs that are being developed, or are administered, under section
305 or 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, (16
U.S.C. 1454, 1455). BOEM also requests that non-coastal and coastal
States submit information concerning environmental risk and potential
for damage to coastal and marine resources associated with OCS
development, information related to other uses of the sea, and any
information that is relevant to equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks associated with OCS oil and gas
activity (or the likely energy substitutes in the absence of new OCS
leasing). In addition, for non-coastal and coastal States, information
is requested on the impacts of rising hydrocarbon product prices and
potential shortages on the State and national economies and citizens.
From Oil and Gas Industry
Pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(E) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1344(a)(2)(E)), the interest of oil and gas producers in the
development of oil and gas resources, as indicated by exploration or
nomination, should be taken into account during the preparation of the
Five Year Program. Industry respondents should base this information
upon their expectations as of 2014. For each planning area in which
industry respondents are interested, they should submit information
concerning unleased hydrocarbon potential, future oil and gas price
expectations, and other relevant information that the industry
respondent uses in making OCS oil and gas leasing decisions. BOEM
requests that industry respondents provide additional information, as
specified below:
(1) Indicate the OCS Planning Area(s) where the industry respondent
would be interested in acquiring oil and gas leases, regardless of
whether the area currently is unavailable. If more than one Planning
Area is of interest, rank all areas of interest (including those now
being offered, if appropriate) in order of preference.
(2) Indicate the number and timing of lease sales in the period
2017-2022 that would be appropriate for each Planning Area. If only one
lease sale in a Planning Area is appropriate, indicate whether that
area should be considered for leasing early or late in the five-year
schedule. If more than one lease sale in a planning area is suggested,
indicate the preferred interval between lease sales.
(3) Indicate the lead time to production in areas that are not part
of
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the 2012-2017 Program or currently do not have infrastructure or
production, relative to lead-times to new production in previously
leased areas like the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.
Section 18(g) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344(g)) authorizes
confidential treatment of privileged or proprietary information. In
order to protect the confidentiality of privileged or proprietary
information, industry respondents should include such information as an
attachment to other comments submitted, and should clearly note that
the attachment contains privileged or proprietary information, so that
there is no ambiguity about what portions of the comments are
confidential or proprietary. Upon request, BOEM will treat the
privileged or proprietary information that is attached to a response as
confidential from the time of its receipt until five years after
approval of the 2017-2022 Program, in a manner consistent with the
Freedom of Information Act. However, BOEM will not treat as
confidential any aggregate summaries of privileged or proprietary
information, the names of industry respondents, or comments not
containing this information. If submitting comments or information in
hard copy, industry respondents should affix the label ``Contains
Confidential Information'' on any envelope containing privileged or
proprietary information.
From the U.S. Department of Commerce
Pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1344(f)(5)) and implementing regulations at 30 CFR 556.20, BOEM
requests information concerning relationships between affected States'
coastal zone management programs and OCS oil and gas activities. In
coordination with this notice, BOEM will also send a letter to the
Secretary of Commerce soliciting such information.
From the U.S. Department of Energy
Pursuant to implementing regulations at 30 CFR 556.16, BOEM
requests information concerning regional and national energy markets,
OCS production goals, and on transportation networks. In coordination
with this notice, BOEM will also send a letter to the Secretary of
Energy soliciting such information.
Public Comment Procedure
BOEM will accept comments in one of two formats: Internet
commenting system or regular mail. BOEM's preference is to receive
comments via the Internet commenting system. Comments should be
submitted using only one of these formats, and include full names and
addresses of the individual submitting the comment(s). Comments
submitted by other means may not be considered. BOEM will not consider
anonymous comments. BOEM will make available for public inspection in
their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and businesses,
or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of
organizations or businesses.
BOEM's practice is to make comments, including the names and
addresses of individuals, available for public review. An individual
commenter may ask that BOEM withhold from the public record his or her
name, home address, or both, and BOEM will honor such a request to the
extent allowable by law. If individuals submit comments and desire
withholding of such information, they must so state prominently at the
beginning of their submission.
Commenting via Internet
Internet comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests that commenters
follow these instructions to submit their comments via this Web site:
(1) In the search tab on the main page, search for BOEM-2014-0059.
(2) Locate the document, then click the ``Submit a Comment'' link
either on the Search Results page or the Document Details page. This
will display the Web comment form.
(3) Enter the submitter information and type the comment on the Web
form. Attach any additional files (up to 10MB). (Please do not forget
to separately attach, and note, any privileged or proprietary
information.)
(4) After typing the comment, click the ``Preview Comment'' link to
review. Once satisfied with the comment, click the ``Submit'' button to
send the comment.
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.
Commenting via Regular Mail
Mail comments and information on the 2017-2022 Program to Ms. Kelly
Hammerle, Five Year Program Manager, BOEM (HM-3120), 381 Elden Street,
Herndon, Virginia 20170. Environmental comments relevant to oil and gas
development on the OCS should be sent to Mr. James F. Bennett, Chief,
Division of Environmental Assessment, BOEM (HM-3017), 381 Elden Street,
Herndon, Virginia 20170. If commenters submit any privileged or
proprietary information to be treated as confidential, they should mark
the envelope ``Contains Confidential Information.'' BOEM will post all
comments, subject to the limitations described above in this section.
Dated: May 22, 2014.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
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[FR Doc. 2014-14039 Filed 6-13-14; 8:45 am]
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