Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery, 33548-33550 [2015-14487]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 33548 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices • Fax: 801–977–4397 or • Mail: BLM–SLFO, 2370 South Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley City, Utah 84119 Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the SLFO located at 2370 South Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley City, Utah 84119. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Schuller, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, telephone 801–977–4377; address BLM–SLFO, 2370 South Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley City, Utah 84119; email: blm_ut_sl_comments@ blm.gov. Contact Ms. Schuller to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM SLFO, Salt Lake City, Utah, intends to prepare an RMP amendment with an associated EA for the Eastern Lake Mountains area, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The planning area is located in Utah County, Utah, and encompasses approximately 8,124 acres of public land. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for the plan amendment area have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local government agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues identified to date include: target shooting, public health and safety, and protection of cultural resources. Preliminary planning criteria include: • The RMP amendment will address BLM-administered lands only. • The RMP amendment will make land use planning decisions specific to potential closure or restrictions of target shooting to determine the desired future condition and uses of these public lands. • The RMP amendment will utilize a collaborative and multi-jurisdictional approach to determine the desired future condition of public lands. • The RMP amendment will comply with NEPA, FLPMA, and other applicable laws, executive orders, regulations and policy. • The RMP amendment will recognize valid and existing rights. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:05 Jun 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Interested parties may submit comments by the close of the 30-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the public involvement process under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources. The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request, or be requested by the BLM, to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in the plan, and will place them into one of three categories: 1. Issues to be resolved in the plan amendment; 2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; or 3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment. The BLM will explain in the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EA why an issue was placed in category two or PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 three. The public is also encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns. The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be involved in the planning process: outdoor recreation, archaeology, rangeland management, wildlife, fire management, realty, and hazardous materials. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Lance C. Porter, Acting Associate State Director. [FR Doc. 2015–14296 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV] Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The purpose of this action is to inform the public that the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), will conduct a Phase B sale and auction of crude helium for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 delivery. For purposes of the Phase B sale, the BLM is seeking comments regarding the methods BLM should use to arrive at the sale price of the helium; the auction format BLM should follow in selling helium; who will be allowed to purchase helium; and the process BLM should follow for allocating helium. DATES: Comments regarding the helium sale and auction must be received by the BLM on or before July 13, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments in one of two ways. You may mail comments to Bureau of Land Management, Amarillo Field Office, 801 S. Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79101, Attention: Helium Sale and Auction; or email them to blm_nm_ amfo_spo@blm.gov with ‘‘Helium Sale and Auction’’ in the subject line. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\12JNN1.SGM 12JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Jolley, Amarillo Field Manager, at 806–356–1002. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: In October 2013, Congress passed the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 (the ‘‘Act’’), Public Law 113–40. Beginning in FY 2014, the Act requires the Department of the Interior, through the BLM Director, to offer for sale and auction annually a portion of the helium reserves owned by the United States and stored underground in the Cliffside Gas Field, which is near Amarillo, Texas. 50 U.S.C. 167d(b). On July 22, 2014, the BLM published a ‘‘Final Notice for Implementation of Helium Stewardship Act Sales and Auctions’’ in the Federal Register, (79 FR 42808) (‘‘2014 Final Notice’’). The 2014 Final Notice contained information about the Act, definitions of terms used in the Notice, the reasons for the action, and a process for conducting the auctions and sales in FY 2014. The 2014 Final Notice is available at the BLM helium operations Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Comments requested: The BLM is specifically seeking comments on elements of the FY 2016 sale and auction that differ from the process described the 2014 Final Notice. These include: a. The process for arriving at the price for helium to be sold at the Phase B auction and sale, as described in section 1.01 of this Notice; b. The format of the auction, as described in section 1.04 of this Notice; c. Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale, as described in section 2.01 of this Notice; and d. The process for allocating helium for the FY 2016 Phase B sale, as described in section 2.02 of this Notice. 33549 Any comments regarding the sale or auction will be reviewed by the BLM State Director or other authorized official of the Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify the sale or auction. After consideration of comments on this notice and comments on a proposed new form of the helium storage contract, the BLM will publish a final notice of the FY 2016 sale and auction. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 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. Volumes Offered in the FY 2016 Helium Auction and Sale: Table 1 identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale in FY 2015 for FY 2016 delivery. TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR PHASE B AUCTION AND SALE FOR FY 2016 DELIVERY Fiscal year (FY) Forecasted production capability (NITEC study) In-kind sales (sales to Federal users) Total remaining production available for sale/auction or delivery Volume available for auction Previously sold in FY 2014 Advanced sale Volume available for sale MMcf * MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf FY 2016 * * ........... 1,310 160 1,150 * * * 300 * * * * 250 600 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES * MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. * * Delivery for FY 2016 sales and auctions will be subject to a new storage contract beginning October 1, 2015. * * * 25% of total production capacity after deducting In-Kind (rounded). * * * * In accordance with the Act, 250 MMcf of FY 2016 volumes were offered in FY 2014. FY 2016 Helium Auction 1.01 What is the minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction price and minimum FY 2016 Phase B sales price, and how were those prices determined? Under the Act (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)), there are two occasions when helium is sold in Phase B: A public auction for qualified bidders (‘‘Phase B auction’’) and a sale of helium to persons who have the ability to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium System (‘‘Phase B sale’’). The minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction reserve price is $100 per Mcf (one thousand cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 psia and 60 degrees Fahrenheit). The BLM will calculate the FY 2016 Phase B sale price using the weighted average price of the crude helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B auction. If there are no successful sales during the FY 2016 Phase B auction, all helium VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:05 Jun 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 volume offered in the auction will be added to the Phase B sale at a marketbased survey price or calculated average price under 50 U.S.C. 167d (b)(7)(B) or (C), respectively. 1.02 What will happen to the helium offered but not sold in the helium auction? Any volume of helium offered but not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B auction will be added to the 600 MMcf available for sale and will be offered for sale in the FY 2016 Phase B sale. 1.03 When will the sale and auction take place? The BLM intends to offer helium for FY 2016 according to the following tentative schedule. This schedule may be adjusted based upon the timing of the required notices and complexity of comments received. August 18, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 August 19, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction results published on the BLM Web site August 24, 2015 Phase B Helium Sale September 30, 2015 Revenues from auction and sale due to the BLM 1.04 What is the auction format? The auction will be a live auction, held at the Amarillo Field Office in Amarillo, Texas. The procedures for the auction and the pre-bid qualification form will be available after publication of a Final Notice. The Final Notice will include a web link. Please call BLM at 806–356– 1001 if you have any questions relating to the auction. 1.05 Who is qualified to purchase helium at the Phase B auction? Only ‘‘qualified bidders,’’ as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9), may participate in and purchase helium at the Phase B auction. The BLM will make the final determination of who is a qualified bidder using the Act’s definition of a E:\FR\FM\12JNN1.SGM 12JNN1 33550 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices qualified bidder, regardless of whether or not that person was previously determined to be a qualified bidder. 1.06 How many helium lots does the BLM anticipate offering at the FY 2016 Phase B auction? The BLM anticipates auctioning 300 MMcf in a total of 18 lots for FY 2016. The lots would be divided as follows: (8) lots of 25 MMcf each (5) lots of 15 MMcf each (5) lots of 5 MMcf each 1.07 What must I do to bid at auction? The BLM will describe the live auction procedures, including detailed bidding instructions and pre-bid registration requirements, on its Web page at a web link that will be included in the Final Notice. The Final Notice will contain information regarding the time and location of the auction, process for notification of winning bidders, payments, and how to make such payments. 1.08 When will helium that is purchased at sale or won at auction be available in the purchaser’s storage account? The BLM will transfer the volumes purchased in the FY 2016 Phase B auction and sale to the buyers’ storage accounts beginning on the first day of the month following receipt of payment. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FY 2016 Phase B Helium Sale 2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale? Any person (including individuals, corporations, partnerships, or other entities) with the ability to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) may purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale. 2.02 How will the helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale be allocated among the persons with the ability to take helium? Any person desiring to participate in the FY 2016 Phase B sale needs to report its excess refining capacity and operational capacity by August 14, 2015 using the Excess Refining Capacity form, which can be downloaded at https://www.blm.gov/nm/ heliumreporting. Each person participating in the sale will then be allocated a proportional share based upon that person’s operational capacity. 2.03 How does a person apply for access to the Federal Helium Pipeline for the purpose of taking crude helium? The steps for taking crude helium are provided in the BLM’s Helium Operations Web site at https:// www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Reporting forms show the due dates for each report, and can be found at https:// www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting. The VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:05 Jun 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 length of time required to apply for and obtain access to the Federal Helium Pipeline will vary based on the person’s plans for plant construction, pipeline metering installation, and other variables. The BLM is available to provide technical assistance, including contact information for applying for access and meeting any applicable National Environmental Policy Act requirements. 2.04 What will happen if one or more persons request an amount other than the person’s share of the volume offered for sale? If one or more persons requests less than its share or their shares, any other person(s) that request(s) more than its share or their shares will be allowed to purchase the excess volume based on the proportionate shares of operational capacity of all persons requesting more than their initial shares. 2.05 What will happen if the total amount requested by persons is less than the 600 MMcf offered in the FY 2016 Phase B sale? Any excess volume not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale will be available for future sale or auction. 2.06 Do you have a hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B Sale would be conducted? A hypothetical example of how the Phase B Sale will be conducted is available at the Helium Operations Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Delivery of Helium in FY 2016 3.01 When will I receive helium that I purchase in a sale or win based on a successful auction bid? Helium purchased at the FY 2016 sale or won at the FY 2016 auction will be delivered starting October 1, 2015, in accordance with the crude helium storage contract. The intent is to ensure delivery of all helium purchased at sale or auction up to the BLM’s production capability for the year. 3.02 How will the BLM prioritize delivery? The Act, at 50 U.S.C. 167d(b)(1)(D) and (b)(3), gives priority to Federal In-Kind helium (i.e., helium sold to Federal users). After meeting that priority, the BLM will make delivery on a reasonable basis, as described in the crude helium storage contract, to ensure storage contract holders who have purchased or won helium at auction have the opportunity during the year to have that helium produced or refined in monthly increments. Background Documents Supplementary documents referenced in this Notice are available at the BLM helium operations Web site at: https:// PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 www.blm.gov/nm/helium, and include the following: a. Table of Projected Volumes for Sales and Auctions for Delivery for FY 2017–FY 2021 (informational); b. Hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B Sale would be conducted (informational); c. The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, 50 U.S.C. 167; d. FY 2014 Helium Auction Notice; e. Helium Storage Contract; and f. Required forms for helium reporting. Authority: The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, Public Law 113–40, codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C. 167–167q. Sheila K. Mallory, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2015–14487 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNMA00000 L16400000.PN0000] Notice of Relocation: Change of Street Address for Albuquerque District and Rio Puerco Field Offices Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management, Albuquerque District and Rio Puerco Field Offices located at 435 ˜ Montano NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico is relocating to 100 Sun Avenue NE., Suite 330, Albuquerque, New Mexico. SUMMARY: The Albuquerque District and Rio Puerco Field Offices are scheduled to move June 26, 2015, through June 28, 2015, and will be open for business on Monday, June 29, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danette Herrera, Administrative Officer, at (505) 761–8952, BLM Albuquerque District Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM will meet its goals of improving overall efficiency and reducing costs by colocating with the USDA Forest Service. DATES: E:\FR\FM\12JNN1.SGM 12JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33548-33550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14487]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]

Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for
Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purpose of this action is to inform the public that the
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), will
conduct a Phase B sale and auction of crude helium for Fiscal Year (FY)
2016 delivery. For purposes of the Phase B sale, the BLM is seeking
comments regarding the methods BLM should use to arrive at the sale
price of the helium; the auction format BLM should follow in selling
helium; who will be allowed to purchase helium; and the process BLM
should follow for allocating helium.

DATES: Comments regarding the helium sale and auction must be received
by the BLM on or before July 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments in one of two ways. You may
mail comments to Bureau of Land Management, Amarillo Field Office, 801
S. Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79101, Attention: Helium Sale and
Auction; or email them to blm_nm_amfo_spo@blm.gov with ``Helium Sale
and Auction'' in the subject line.

[[Page 33549]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Jolley, Amarillo Field Manager,
at 806-356-1002. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to
leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In October 2013, Congress passed the Helium Stewardship
Act of 2013 (the ``Act''), Public Law 113-40. Beginning in FY 2014, the
Act requires the Department of the Interior, through the BLM Director,
to offer for sale and auction annually a portion of the helium reserves
owned by the United States and stored underground in the Cliffside Gas
Field, which is near Amarillo, Texas. 50 U.S.C. 167d(b).
On July 22, 2014, the BLM published a ``Final Notice for
Implementation of Helium Stewardship Act Sales and Auctions'' in the
Federal Register, (79 FR 42808) (``2014 Final Notice''). The 2014 Final
Notice contained information about the Act, definitions of terms used
in the Notice, the reasons for the action, and a process for conducting
the auctions and sales in FY 2014. The 2014 Final Notice is available
at the BLM helium operations Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.
Comments requested: The BLM is specifically seeking comments on
elements of the FY 2016 sale and auction that differ from the process
described the 2014 Final Notice. These include:
a. The process for arriving at the price for helium to be sold at
the Phase B auction and sale, as described in section 1.01 of this
Notice;
b. The format of the auction, as described in section 1.04 of this
Notice;
c. Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B
sale, as described in section 2.01 of this Notice; and
d. The process for allocating helium for the FY 2016 Phase B sale,
as described in section 2.02 of this Notice.
Any comments regarding the sale or auction will be reviewed by the
BLM State Director or other authorized official of the Department of
the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify the sale or auction.
After consideration of comments on this notice and comments on a
proposed new form of the helium storage contract, the BLM will publish
a final notice of the FY 2016 sale and auction. Before including your
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire
comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made
publicly available at any time. While you may 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.
Volumes Offered in the FY 2016 Helium Auction and Sale: Table 1
identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale in FY 2015
for FY 2016 delivery.

Table 1--Projected Volumes for Phase B Auction and Sale for FY 2016 Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total remaining
Forecasted In-kind sales production Previously sold in
Fiscal year (FY) production (sales to Federal available for sale/ Volume available FY 2014 Advanced Volume available
capability (NITEC users) auction or for auction sale for sale
study) delivery
MMcf * MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2016 * *..................... 1,310 160 1,150 * * * 300 * * * * 250 600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
* * Delivery for FY 2016 sales and auctions will be subject to a new storage contract beginning October 1, 2015.
* * * 25% of total production capacity after deducting In-Kind (rounded).
* * * * In accordance with the Act, 250 MMcf of FY 2016 volumes were offered in FY 2014.

FY 2016 Helium Auction

1.01 What is the minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction price and minimum
FY 2016 Phase B sales price, and how were those prices determined?
Under the Act (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)), there are two occasions when helium
is sold in Phase B: A public auction for qualified bidders (``Phase B
auction'') and a sale of helium to persons who have the ability to
accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium System (``Phase
B sale'').
The minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction reserve price is $100 per Mcf
(one thousand cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of
14.65 psia and 60 degrees Fahrenheit). The BLM will calculate the FY
2016 Phase B sale price using the weighted average price of the crude
helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B auction. If there are no successful
sales during the FY 2016 Phase B auction, all helium volume offered in
the auction will be added to the Phase B sale at a market-based survey
price or calculated average price under 50 U.S.C. 167d (b)(7)(B) or
(C), respectively.
1.02 What will happen to the helium offered but not sold in the
helium auction? Any volume of helium offered but not sold in the FY
2016 Phase B auction will be added to the 600 MMcf available for sale
and will be offered for sale in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.
1.03 When will the sale and auction take place? The BLM intends to
offer helium for FY 2016 according to the following tentative schedule.
This schedule may be adjusted based upon the timing of the required
notices and complexity of comments received.

August 18, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
August 19, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction results published on the
BLM Web site
August 24, 2015 Phase B Helium Sale
September 30, 2015 Revenues from auction and sale due to the BLM

1.04 What is the auction format? The auction will be a live
auction, held at the Amarillo Field Office in Amarillo, Texas. The
procedures for the auction and the pre-bid qualification form will be
available after publication of a Final Notice. The Final Notice will
include a web link. Please call BLM at 806-356-1001 if you have any
questions relating to the auction.
1.05 Who is qualified to purchase helium at the Phase B auction?
Only ``qualified bidders,'' as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9), may
participate in and purchase helium at the Phase B auction. The BLM will
make the final determination of who is a qualified bidder using the
Act's definition of a

[[Page 33550]]

qualified bidder, regardless of whether or not that person was
previously determined to be a qualified bidder.
1.06 How many helium lots does the BLM anticipate offering at the
FY 2016 Phase B auction? The BLM anticipates auctioning 300 MMcf in a
total of 18 lots for FY 2016. The lots would be divided as follows:

(8) lots of 25 MMcf each
(5) lots of 15 MMcf each
(5) lots of 5 MMcf each

1.07 What must I do to bid at auction? The BLM will describe the
live auction procedures, including detailed bidding instructions and
pre-bid registration requirements, on its Web page at a web link that
will be included in the Final Notice. The Final Notice will contain
information regarding the time and location of the auction, process for
notification of winning bidders, payments, and how to make such
payments.
1.08 When will helium that is purchased at sale or won at auction
be available in the purchaser's storage account? The BLM will transfer
the volumes purchased in the FY 2016 Phase B auction and sale to the
buyers' storage accounts beginning on the first day of the month
following receipt of payment.

FY 2016 Phase B Helium Sale

2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B
sale? Any person (including individuals, corporations, partnerships, or
other entities) with the ability to accept delivery of crude helium
from the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) may
purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.
2.02 How will the helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale be
allocated among the persons with the ability to take helium? Any person
desiring to participate in the FY 2016 Phase B sale needs to report its
excess refining capacity and operational capacity by August 14, 2015
using the Excess Refining Capacity form, which can be downloaded at
https://www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting. Each person participating in the
sale will then be allocated a proportional share based upon that
person's operational capacity.
2.03 How does a person apply for access to the Federal Helium
Pipeline for the purpose of taking crude helium? The steps for taking
crude helium are provided in the BLM's Helium Operations Web site at
https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Reporting forms show the due dates for
each report, and can be found at https://www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting.
The length of time required to apply for and obtain access to the
Federal Helium Pipeline will vary based on the person's plans for plant
construction, pipeline metering installation, and other variables. The
BLM is available to provide technical assistance, including contact
information for applying for access and meeting any applicable National
Environmental Policy Act requirements.
2.04 What will happen if one or more persons request an amount
other than the person's share of the volume offered for sale? If one or
more persons requests less than its share or their shares, any other
person(s) that request(s) more than its share or their shares will be
allowed to purchase the excess volume based on the proportionate shares
of operational capacity of all persons requesting more than their
initial shares.
2.05 What will happen if the total amount requested by persons is
less than the 600 MMcf offered in the FY 2016 Phase B sale? Any excess
volume not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale will be available for
future sale or auction.
2.06 Do you have a hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B
Sale would be conducted? A hypothetical example of how the Phase B Sale
will be conducted is available at the Helium Operations Web site at:
https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.

Delivery of Helium in FY 2016

3.01 When will I receive helium that I purchase in a sale or win
based on a successful auction bid? Helium purchased at the FY 2016 sale
or won at the FY 2016 auction will be delivered starting October 1,
2015, in accordance with the crude helium storage contract. The intent
is to ensure delivery of all helium purchased at sale or auction up to
the BLM's production capability for the year.
3.02 How will the BLM prioritize delivery? The Act, at 50 U.S.C.
167d(b)(1)(D) and (b)(3), gives priority to Federal In-Kind helium
(i.e., helium sold to Federal users). After meeting that priority, the
BLM will make delivery on a reasonable basis, as described in the crude
helium storage contract, to ensure storage contract holders who have
purchased or won helium at auction have the opportunity during the year
to have that helium produced or refined in monthly increments.

Background Documents

Supplementary documents referenced in this Notice are available at
the BLM helium operations Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/nm/helium,
and include the following:
a. Table of Projected Volumes for Sales and Auctions for Delivery
for FY 2017-FY 2021 (informational);
b. Hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B Sale would be
conducted (informational);
c. The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, 50 U.S.C. 167;
d. FY 2014 Helium Auction Notice;
e. Helium Storage Contract; and
f. Required forms for helium reporting.

Authority: The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, Public Law 113-
40, codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C. 167-167q.

Sheila K. Mallory,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-14487 Filed 6-11-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P

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