Information Collection Activities: Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request, 50320-50324 [2015-20369]
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50320
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices
Woodland—Larchmere Commercial Historic
District, 12019–13165 Larchmere, 2618 N.
Moreland, Cleveland, 15000560
Hutchinson County
First National Bank, Freeman, 394 S. Main
St., Freeman, 15000564
Highlands, New Jersey 07732, 917–829–
0425, email John_Warren@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Committee was established (Federal
Register, Vol. 77, April 3, 2012, p.
20046) to provide advice to the
Secretary of the Interior, through the
Director of the National Park Service, on
the development of a reuse plan and on
matters relating to future uses of certain
buildings at the Fort Hancock and
Sandy Hook Proving Ground National
Historic Landmark which lie within the
Gateway National Recreation Area.
The new Committee Web site,
https://www.forthancock21.org, includes
summaries from all prior meetings. All
Committee meetings are open to the
public.
Jerauld County
Harmony Friends Church, 225th St. & 372nd
Ave., Wessington Springs, 15000565
Dated: August 12, 2015.
Alma Ripps,
Chief, Office of Policy.
Minnehaha County
Terrace Park and Japanese Gardens, 1100 W.
4th St., Sioux Falls, 15000566
[FR Doc. 2015–20441 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
Franklin County
South High School, 345 E. Deshler Ave.,
Columbus, 15000561
Hamilton County
Bon Air Flats, (Apartment Buildings in Ohio
Urban Centers, 1870–1970 MPS) 615 Maple
Ave., Cincinnati, 15000562
Mohawk Place Historic District, 241–290
McMicken Ave., 2009–2024 Mohawk Pl.,
218–256 Mohawk St., 2026 Central Pkwy.,
Cincinnati, 15000563
SOUTH DAKOTA
BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P
[FR Doc. 2015–20455 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–51–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement
National Park Service
[NPS–NERO–GATE–18926; PPNEGATEB0,
PPMVSCS1Z.Y00000]
Amended Meeting Schedule for the
Gateway National Recreation Area Fort
Hancock 21st Century Advisory
Committee
National Park Service, Interior.
Amended notice of meetings.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. Appendix 1–16), notice is hereby
given of a change in the meeting
schedule of the Gateway National
Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st
Century Federal Advisory Committee
September 11, 2015, meeting to
September 18, 2015, at the Monmouth
County Library, Eastern Branch, located
at 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, New
Jersey 07702 which was published in
the Federal Register, Vol. 80, April 2,
2015, p. 17475.
The September 18, 2015, meeting will
begin at 9:00 a.m. (EASTERN), with a
public comment period at 11:30 a.m.
(EASTERN). This meeting is open to the
public. The October 23, 2015, meeting
announced in the same notice, is
cancelled.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Warren, External Affairs Officer,
Gateway National Recreation Area,
Sandy Hook Unit, 26 Hudson Road,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
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[Docket ID BSEE–2015–0008; OMB Control
Number 1014–0005; 14XE1700DX
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]
Information Collection Activities: Relief
or Reduction in Royalty Rates;
Submitted for Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment
Request
ACTION:
30-day Notice.
To comply with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is
notifying the public that we have
submitted to OMB an information
collection request (ICR) to renew
approval of the paperwork requirements
in the regulations under Relief or
Reduction in Royalty Rates. This notice
also provides the public a second
opportunity to comment on the revised
paperwork burden of these regulatory
requirements.
SUMMARY:
You must submit comments by
September 18, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either
fax (202) 395–5806 or email (OIRA_
Submission@omb.eop.gov) directly to
the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer
for the Department of the Interior (1014–
0005). Please provide a copy of your
comments to BSEE by any of the means
below.
DATES:
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• Electronically go to https://
www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,
enter BSEE–2015–0008 then click
search. Follow the instructions to
submit public comments and view all
related materials. We will post all
comments.
• Email cheryl.blundon@bsee.gov, fax
(703) 787–1546, or mail or hand-carry
comments to the Department of the
Interior; Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement;
Regulations and Standards Branch;
ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
Please reference ICR 1014–0005 in your
comment and include your name and
return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787–1607, to
request additional information about
this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR
submitted to OMB, go to https://
www.reginfo.gov (select Information
Collection Review, Currently Under
Review).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 203, Relief or Reduction
in Royalty Rates.
OMB Control Number: 1014–0005.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1337, as
amended by the OCS Deep Water
Royalty Relief Act (DWRRA), Public
Law 104–58 and the Energy Policy Act
of 2005, Public Law 109–058, gives the
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) the
authority to reduce or eliminate royalty
or any net profit share specified in OCS
oil and gas leases to promote increased
production. The DWRRA also
authorized the Secretary to suspend
royalties when necessary to promote
development or recovery of marginal
resources on producing or nonproducing leases in the Gulf of Mexico
(GOM) west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes
West longitude.
Section 302 of the DWRRA provides
that new production from a lease in
existence on November 28, 1995, in a
water depth of at least 200 meters, and
in the GOM west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude qualifies for
royalty suspension in certain situations.
To grant a royalty suspension, the
Secretary must determine that the new
production or development would not
be economic in the absence of royalty
relief. The Secretary must then
determine the volume of production on
which no royalty would be due in order
to make the new production from the
lease economically viable. This
determination is done on a case-by-case
basis. Production from leases in the
same water depth and area issued after
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices
November 28, 2000, also can qualify for
royalty suspension in addition to any
that may be included in their lease
terms.
In addition, Federal policy and statute
require us to recover the cost of services
that confer special benefits to
identifiable non-Federal recipients. The
Independent Offices Appropriation Act
(31 U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Circular A–25, and
the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub.
L. 104–134, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26,
1996) authorize the Bureau of Safety
and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
to collect these fees to reimburse us for
the cost to process applications or
assessments.
Regulations at 30 CFR part 203
implement these statutes and policy and
require respondents to pay a fee to
request royalty relief. OMB approved
the information collection burden under
this collection 1014–0005. Section
203.3(a) states that, ‘‘We will specify the
necessary fees for each of the types of
royalty-relief applications and possible
BSEE audits in a Notice to Lessees. We
will periodically update the fees to
reflect changes in costs, as well as
provide other information necessary to
administer royalty relief.’’
Responses are mandatory and are
required to obtain or retain a benefit. No
questions of a sensitive nature are
asked. BSEE will protect information
from respondents considered
proprietary under the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and
DOI’s implementing regulations (43 CFR
2) and under regulations at 30 CFR
203.61, How do I assess my chances for
getting relief? and 30 CFR 250.197, Data
and information to be made available to
the public or for limited inspection.
The information collected under this
subpart is used to make decisions on the
economic viability of leases requesting a
suspension or elimination of royalty or
net profit share. These decisions have
enormous monetary impact on both the
lessee and the Federal Government.
Royalty relief can lead to increased
production of natural gas and oil,
50321
creating profits for lessees, and royalty
and tax revenues for the Federal
Government that they might not
otherwise receive. We could not make
an informed decision without the
collection of information required by 30
CFR part 203.
Frequency: On occasion and as
required by regulations.
Description of Respondents: Potential
respondents comprise OCS Federal oil,
gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The
estimated annual hour burden for this
information collection is a total of 724
hours. The following chart details the
individual components and estimated
hour burdens. In calculating the
burdens, we assumed that respondents
perform certain requirements in the
normal course of their activities. We
consider these to be usual and
customary and took that into account in
estimating the burden.
BURDEN TABLE
Application/audit fees (rounded)
Citation 30 CFR 203 and
related NTL(s)
Reporting or recordkeeping requirement +
Average number of
annual responses
Hour burden
2; 3; 4; 70 ..........................
These sections contain general references to submitting reports, applications, requests, copies,
demonstrating qualifications, for BSEE approval—burdens covered under specific requirements
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
0
Royalty Relief for Ultra-Deep Gas Wells and Deep Gas Wells on Shallow Water Leases
31(c) ..................................
35(a); 44(a); 47 .................
35(c), (d); 44(b), (d), (e) ....
35(d); 44(e) .......................
41(d) ..................................
35(a); 44(a); 47(a) .............
35(c), (d); 44(b), (d), (e) ....
46 ......................................
Request a refund of or recoup royalties from qualified ultra-deep wells.
Notify BSEE of intent to begin drilling and depth of
target.
Notify BSEE that production has begun, request
confirmation of the size of RSV—provide any/all
supporting documentation.
Request to extend the deadline for beginning production with required supporting documentation.
Request a refund of or recoup royalties from qualified wells >200 meters but <400 meters.
Notify BSEE of intent to begin drilling .......................
Notify BSEE that production has begun, request
confirmation of the size of RSV, provide any/all
supporting documentation (i.e., request to extend
deadline, credible activity schedule, etc).
Provide data from well to confirm and attest well
drilled was an unsuccessful certified well with
supporting documentation and request supplement (RSS).
1
1 request ..........................
1
1
2 notifications ...................
2
2
2 notifications ...................
4
4
1 request ..........................
4
1
1 request ..........................
1
1
2
2 notifications ...................
2 notifications ...................
2
4
8
1 response .......................
8
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
49(b) ..................................
Notify BSEE or decision to exercise option to replace one set of deep gas royalty suspension
terms for another set of such terms.
BSEE SOL requires that this reg text stay for legacy purposes only. Last time any respondent could use was
2004; hence, no burden.
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
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8 responses .....................
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices
BURDEN TABLE—Continued
Application/audit fees (rounded)
Citation 30 CFR 203 and
related NTL(s)
Reporting or recordkeeping requirement +
Average number of
annual responses
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
1 application every 10
years.
10
Hour burden
End of Life and Special Royalty Relief *
51; 83; 84; NTL .................
Application—leases that generate earnings that cannot sustain continued production (end-of-life
lease); required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
100
application 1/10 × $8,000 = $800 *; audit 1/10 × $12,500 =
$1,250
52 ......................................
55 ......................................
80; NTL .............................
Demonstrate ability to qualify/requalify for royalty relief or to re-qualify.
Renounce relief arrangement (end-of-life) (seldom, if
ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare letter).
Application—apart from formal programs for royalty
relief for marginal producing lease (Special Case
Relief); required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
1
1 response .......................
1
1
1 letter every 10 years ....
1
250
1 application every 10
years.
25
application 1/10 × $8,000 ** = $800 audit 1/10 × $12,500 =
$1,250
80; NTL .............................
Application—apart from formal programs for royalty
relief for marginal expansion project or marginal
non-producing lease (Special Case Relief); required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
1,000
1 application every 10
years.
100
application 1/10 × $19,500 ** = $1,950; audit 1/10 × $18,750
= $1,875
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
2 responses (rounded) ....
137
$7,925 fees
CPA Report
81; 83–90; 63 ....................
Required reports; extension justification ...................
Burden included with applications
0
1 CPA report × $45,000/10 each report = $4,500
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
1 response .......................
$4,500
Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRAA)
61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85–
89; NTL.
Application—preview assessment (seldom if ever
will be used as applicants generally opt for binding determination by BSEE instead) and required
supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
900
1 application every 10
years.
90
application 1/10 × $28,500 = $2,850
62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85–89;
NTL.
Application—leases in designated areas of GOM
deep water acquired in lease sale before 11/28/95
or after 11/28/00 and are producing (deep water
expansion project); required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
2,000
1 application every 10
years.
200
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
application 1/10 × $19,500 = $1,950
62; 64; 65; 203.71; 81; 83;
85–89; NTL.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Application—leases in designated areas of deep
water GOM, acquired in lease sale before 11/28/
95 or after 11/28/00 that have not produced (preact or post-2000 deep water leases); required
supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
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2,000
1 application every 10
years.
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200
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices
BURDEN TABLE—Continued
Application/audit fees (rounded)
Citation 30 CFR 203 and
related NTL(s)
Reporting or recordkeeping requirement +
Average number of
annual responses
Hour burden
Annual burden
hours
(rounded)
application 1/10 × $34,000 = $3,400 *; audit 1/10 × $37,500
= $3,750
69; NTL .............................
Application—short form to add or assign pre-Act
lease and required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
40
1 application every 10
years.
4
application 1/10 × $1,000 = $100
70; 81; 90; 76(c), (e); NTL
Submit post-production development report; extension justification. # Reserve right to audit (1 audit
every 10 years) after production starts to confirm
cost estimates of the application; include payment
confirmation receipt.
50
1 report * every 10 years
5
# 1 audit 1/10 × $18,750 = $1,875
74; 75; 76(d); NTL ............
Redetermination and required supporting documentation; include payment confirmation receipt.
500
1 redetermination every
10 years.
50
application 1/10 × $16,000 = $1,600 *
77 ......................................
Renounce relief arrangement (deep water) (seldom,
if ever will be used; minimal burden to prepare
letter).
79 ......................................
Request reconsideration of BSEE field designation
79(c); 76(b) .......................
Request extension of deadline to start construction
81; 83–90 ..........................
Required reports; extension justification ...................
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
1
1 letter every 10 years ....
1
This was a regulatory requirement for
leases issued prior to 1995
2
0
1 request every 10 years
1
Burden included with applications
........................
3 responses .....................
0
551
$15,525 fees
Recordkeeping
81(d) ..................................
Retain supporting cost records for post-production
development/fabrication reports (records retained
as usual/customary business practice; minimal
burden to make available at BSEE request).
8
2 recordkeepers ...............
16
Subtotal ......................
....................................................................................
........................
2 recordkeepers ...............
16
Total Annual Burden
....................................................................................
........................
16 Responses ..................
724
$27,950 Fees
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
+ In the future, BSEE may require electronic filing of some submissions.
* CPA certification expense burden also imposed on applicant.
** These applications currently do not have a set fee since they are done on a case-by-case basis.
Note: Applications include numerous items such as: Transmittal letters, letters of request, modifications to applications, reapplications, etc.
Estimated Reporting and
Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden:
We have identified several non-hour
cost burdens associated with the
collection of information for a total of
$27,950.
Under § 203.3, we charge lessees
(respondents) applying for royalty relief
an amount that covers the cost of
processing their applications and
auditing financial data when necessary
to determine the proposed
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19:14 Aug 18, 2015
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development’s economic situation. As
previously discussed, these fees may be
revised as necessary to recover our costs
in processing royalty relief applications.
This submission includes these audits
and their associated fees. Since there
have been no applications approved in
the last 14 years under our formal
programs for deepwater royalty relief or
end of life, the estimated number of
submittals is one every 10 years; but we
include the audit and their respective
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fees due to the potential situation
arising.
We estimate this cost burden to be
approximately $23,450 annually. Refer
to the burden table for a breakdown.
Under § 203.81, a report prepared by
an independent certified public
accountant (CPA) must accompany the
application and post-production report
(expansion project, short form, and
preview assessment applications are
excluded). The OCS Lands Act
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50324
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices
applications will require this report
only once; the DWRRA applications will
require this report at two stages—with
the application and post-production
development report for successful
applicants. We estimate an average cost
for a report is $45,000 and that one CPA
certification, during the information
collection extension period, will be
necessary if the applications are
approved. This annual cost burden is
$45,000/10 years = $4,500.
Therefore, the total of the two burdens
is estimated at $27,950. We have not
identified any other non-hour cost
burdens associated with this collection
of information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,) provides that
an agency may not conduct or sponsor
a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number. Until OMB approves a
collection of information, you are not
obligated to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,)
requires each agency ‘‘ . . . to provide
notice . . . and otherwise consult with
members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information . . . ’’
Agencies must specifically solicit
comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
collection is necessary or useful; (b)
evaluate the accuracy of the burden of
the proposed collection of information;
(c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) minimize the burden
on the respondents, including the use of
technology.
To comply with the public
consultation process, on May 22, 2015,
we published a Federal Register notice
(80 FR 29740) announcing that we
would submit this ICR to OMB for
approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In
addition, § 203.5 provides the OMB
Control Number for the information
collection requirements imposed by the
30 CFR 203 regulations. The regulation
also informs the public that they may
comment at any time on the collections
of information and provides the address
to which they should send comments.
We received no comments in response
to the Federal Register notice, nor did
we receive any unsolicited comments.
Public Availability of Comments:
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
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19:14 Aug 18, 2015
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to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Dated: August 4, 2015.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015–20369 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–VH–P
below in writing at least 30 days before
the hearing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rebecca A. Womeldorf, Secretary,
Committee on Rules of Practice and
Procedure of the Judicial Conference of
the United States, Thurgood Marshall
Federal Judiciary Building, One
Columbus Circle NE., Suite 7–240,
Washington, DC 20544, Telephone (202)
502–1820.
JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE
UNITED STATES
Hearings of the Judicial Conference
Advisory Committees on the Federal
Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and
the Federal Rules of Evidence
Dated: August 12, 2015.
Rebecca A. Womeldorf,
Secretary, Committee on Rules of Practice
and Procedure, Judicial Conference of the
United States.
[FR Doc. 2015–20254 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
Federal Register citation of previous
announcement: 80 FR 48120.
AGENCY: Judicial Conference of the
United States, Advisory Committees on
the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy,
Procedure and the Federal Rules of
Evidence.
ACTION: Revised Notice of Proposed
Amendments and Open Hearings.
The Advisory Committees on
the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
Procedure and the Federal Rules of
Evidence have proposed amendments to
the following rules: Bankruptcy Rules
1001 and 1006. Evidence Rules 803 and
902.
The text of the proposed rules
amendments and the accompanying
Committee Notes can be found at the
United States Federal Courts’ Web site
at: https://www.uscourts.gov/rulespolicies/proposed-amendmentspublished-public-comment.
All written comments and suggestions
with respect to the proposed
amendments may be submitted on or
after the opening of the period for
public comment on August 14, 2015,
but no later than February 16, 2016.
Written comments must be submitted
electronically, following the
instructions provided at the Web site
address provided above. In accordance
with established procedures, all
comments submitted are available for
public inspection.
Public hearings are scheduled to be
held on these proposed amendments as
follows:
• Bankruptcy Rule 1006 in
Washington, DC, on January 22, 2016,
and in Pasadena, CA, on January 29,
2016;
• Rules of Evidence 803 and 902 in
Phoenix, AZ, on January 6, 2016, and in
Washington, DC, on February 12, 2016.
Those wishing to testify should
contact the Secretary at the address
SUMMARY:
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BILLING CODE 2210–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[OMB Number 1110–0052]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed eCollection
eComments Requested; Extension
Without Change, of a Previously
Approved Collection Applicant
Information Form (1–783)
Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Department of Justice.
ACTION: 60-day notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Justice
(DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI), Criminal Justice Information
Services (CJIS) Division, will be
submitting 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.
DATES: Comments are encouraged and
will be accepted for 60 days until
October 19, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have additional comments
especially on the estimated public
burden or associated response time,
suggestions, or need a copy of the
proposed information collection
instrument with instructions or
additional information, please contact
Gerry Lynn Brovey, Supervisory
Information Liaison Specialist, FBI,
CJIS, Resources Management Section,
Administrative Unit, Module C–2, 1000
Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, West
Virginia 26306 (facsimile: 304–625–
5093).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written
comments and suggestions from the
public and affected agencies concerning
the proposed collection of information
are encouraged. Your comments should
address one or more of the following
four points:
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50320-50324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20369]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
[Docket ID BSEE-2015-0008; OMB Control Number 1014-0005; 14XE1700DX
EEEE500000 EX1SF0000.DAQ000]
Information Collection Activities: Relief or Reduction in Royalty
Rates; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review;
Comment Request
ACTION: 30-day Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is notifying the
public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request
(ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the
regulations under Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates. This notice
also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the revised
paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATES: You must submit comments by September 18, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or email
(OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of
the Interior (1014-0005). Please provide a copy of your comments to
BSEE by any of the means below.
Electronically go to https://www.regulations.gov. In the
Search box, enter BSEE-2015-0008 then click search. Follow the
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials.
We will post all comments.
Email cheryl.blundon@bsee.gov, fax (703) 787-1546, or mail
or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of
Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch;
ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166. Please
reference ICR 1014-0005 in your comment and include your name and
return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607, to request additional information
about this ICR. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to
https://www.reginfo.gov (select Information Collection Review, Currently
Under Review).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR 203, Relief or Reduction in Royalty Rates.
OMB Control Number: 1014-0005.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1337, as amended by the OCS Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRRA),
Public Law 104-58 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-
058, gives the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) the authority to
reduce or eliminate royalty or any net profit share specified in OCS
oil and gas leases to promote increased production. The DWRRA also
authorized the Secretary to suspend royalties when necessary to promote
development or recovery of marginal resources on producing or non-
producing leases in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude.
Section 302 of the DWRRA provides that new production from a lease
in existence on November 28, 1995, in a water depth of at least 200
meters, and in the GOM west of 87 degrees, 30 minutes West longitude
qualifies for royalty suspension in certain situations. To grant a
royalty suspension, the Secretary must determine that the new
production or development would not be economic in the absence of
royalty relief. The Secretary must then determine the volume of
production on which no royalty would be due in order to make the new
production from the lease economically viable. This determination is
done on a case-by-case basis. Production from leases in the same water
depth and area issued after
[[Page 50321]]
November 28, 2000, also can qualify for royalty suspension in addition
to any that may be included in their lease terms.
In addition, Federal policy and statute require us to recover the
cost of services that confer special benefits to identifiable non-
Federal recipients. The Independent Offices Appropriation Act (31
U.S.C. 9701), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25, and
the Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, April
26, 1996) authorize the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
(BSEE) to collect these fees to reimburse us for the cost to process
applications or assessments.
Regulations at 30 CFR part 203 implement these statutes and policy
and require respondents to pay a fee to request royalty relief. OMB
approved the information collection burden under this collection 1014-
0005. Section 203.3(a) states that, ``We will specify the necessary
fees for each of the types of royalty-relief applications and possible
BSEE audits in a Notice to Lessees. We will periodically update the
fees to reflect changes in costs, as well as provide other information
necessary to administer royalty relief.''
Responses are mandatory and are required to obtain or retain a
benefit. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BSEE will
protect information from respondents considered proprietary under the
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and DOI's implementing
regulations (43 CFR 2) and under regulations at 30 CFR 203.61, How do I
assess my chances for getting relief? and 30 CFR 250.197, Data and
information to be made available to the public or for limited
inspection.
The information collected under this subpart is used to make
decisions on the economic viability of leases requesting a suspension
or elimination of royalty or net profit share. These decisions have
enormous monetary impact on both the lessee and the Federal Government.
Royalty relief can lead to increased production of natural gas and oil,
creating profits for lessees, and royalty and tax revenues for the
Federal Government that they might not otherwise receive. We could not
make an informed decision without the collection of information
required by 30 CFR part 203.
Frequency: On occasion and as required by regulations.
Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise OCS
Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 724
hours. The following chart details the individual components and
estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that
respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their
activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that
into account in estimating the burden.
Burden Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application/audit fees (rounded)
Reporting or ----------------------------------------------------
Citation 30 CFR 203 and related recordkeeping Annual burden
NTL(s) requirement + Hour burden Average number of hours
annual responses (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2; 3; 4; 70...................... These sections contain general references to submitting 0
reports, applications, requests, copies, demonstrating
qualifications, for BSEE approval--burdens covered under
specific requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royalty Relief for Ultra-Deep Gas Wells and Deep Gas Wells on Shallow Water Leases
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31(c)............................ Request a refund of or 1 1 request.......... 1
recoup royalties from
qualified ultra-deep
wells.
35(a); 44(a); 47................. Notify BSEE of intent to 1 2 notifications.... 2
begin drilling and
depth of target.
35(c), (d); 44(b), (d), (e)...... Notify BSEE that 2 2 notifications.... 4
production has begun,
request confirmation of
the size of RSV--
provide any/all
supporting
documentation.
35(d); 44(e)..................... Request to extend the 4 1 request.......... 4
deadline for beginning
production with
required supporting
documentation.
41(d)............................ Request a refund of or 1 1 request.......... 1
recoup royalties from
qualified wells >200
meters but <400 meters.
35(a); 44(a); 47(a).............. Notify BSEE of intent to 1 2 notifications.... 2
begin drilling.
35(c), (d); 44(b), (d), (e)...... Notify BSEE that 2 2 notifications.... 4
production has begun,
request confirmation of
the size of RSV,
provide any/all
supporting
documentation (i.e.,
request to extend
deadline, credible
activity schedule, etc).
46............................... Provide data from well 8 1 response......... 8
to confirm and attest
well drilled was an
unsuccessful certified
well with supporting
documentation and
request supplement
(RSS).
----------------------------------------------------
49(b)............................ Notify BSEE or decision BSEE SOL requires that this reg text stay for
to exercise option to legacy purposes only. Last time any respondent
replace one set of deep could use was 2004; hence, no burden.
gas royalty suspension
terms for another set
of such terms.
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 8 responses........ 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 50322]]
End of Life and Special Royalty Relief *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51; 83; 84; NTL.................. Application--leases that 100 1 application every 10
generate earnings that 10 years.
cannot sustain
continued production
(end-of-life lease);
required supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $8,000 = $800 *; audit 1/10 x
$12,500 = $1,250
----------------------------------------------------
52............................... Demonstrate ability to 1 1 response......... 1
qualify/requalify for
royalty relief or to re-
qualify.
55............................... Renounce relief 1 1 letter every 10 1
arrangement (end-of- years.
life) (seldom, if ever
will be used; minimal
burden to prepare
letter).
80; NTL.......................... Application--apart from 250 1 application every 25
formal programs for 10 years.
royalty relief for
marginal producing
lease (Special Case
Relief); required
supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $8,000 ** = $800 audit 1/10 x
$12,500 = $1,250
----------------------------------------------------
80; NTL.......................... Application--apart from 1,000 1 application every 100
formal programs for 10 years.
royalty relief for
marginal expansion
project or marginal non-
producing lease
(Special Case Relief);
required supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $19,500 ** = $1,950; audit 1/10
x $18,750 = $1,875
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 2 responses 137
(rounded).
------------------------------------
.............. $7,925 fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPA Report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81; 83-90; 63.................... Required reports; Burden included with applications 0
extension justification.
----------------------------------------------------
1 CPA report x $45,000/10 each report = $4,500
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 1 response......... $4,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep Water Royalty Relief Act (DWRAA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61; 62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89; Application--preview 900 1 application every 90
NTL. assessment (seldom if 10 years.
ever will be used as
applicants generally
opt for binding
determination by BSEE
instead) and required
supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $28,500 = $2,850
----------------------------------------------------
62; 64; 65; 71; 83; 85-89; NTL... Application--leases in 2,000 1 application every 200
designated areas of GOM 10 years.
deep water acquired in
lease sale before 11/28/
95 or after 11/28/00
and are producing (deep
water expansion
project); required
supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $19,500 = $1,950
----------------------------------------------------
62; 64; 65; 203.71; 81; 83; 85- Application--leases in 2,000 1 application every 200
89; NTL. designated areas of 10 years.
deep water GOM,
acquired in lease sale
before 11/28/95 or
after 11/28/00 that
have not produced (pre-
act or post-2000 deep
water leases); required
supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
[[Page 50323]]
application 1/10 x $34,000 = $3,400 *; audit 1/10 x
$37,500 = $3,750
----------------------------------------------------
69; NTL.......................... Application--short form 40 1 application every 4
to add or assign pre- 10 years.
Act lease and required
supporting
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $1,000 = $100
----------------------------------------------------
70; 81; 90; 76(c), (e); NTL...... Submit post-production 50 1 report * every 10 5
development report; years.
extension
justification. #
Reserve right to audit
(1 audit every 10
years) after production
starts to confirm cost
estimates of the
application; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
# 1 audit 1/10 x $18,750 = $1,875
----------------------------------------------------
74; 75; 76(d); NTL............... Redetermination and 500 1 redetermination 50
required supporting every 10 years.
documentation; include
payment confirmation
receipt.
----------------------------------------------------
application 1/10 x $16,000 = $1,600 *
----------------------------------------------------
77............................... Renounce relief 1 1 letter every 10 1
arrangement (deep years.
water) (seldom, if ever
will be used; minimal
burden to prepare
letter).
----------------------------------------------------
79............................... Request reconsideration This was a regulatory requirement 0
of BSEE field for leases issued prior to 1995
designation.
----------------------------------------------------
79(c); 76(b)..................... Request extension of 2 1 request every 10 1
deadline to start years.
construction.
----------------------------------------------------
81; 83-90........................ Required reports; Burden included with applications 0
extension justification.
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 3 responses........ 551
------------------------------------
.............. $15,525 fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81(d)............................ Retain supporting cost 8 2 recordkeepers.... 16
records for post-
production development/
fabrication reports
(records retained as
usual/customary
business practice;
minimal burden to make
available at BSEE
request).
----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 2 recordkeepers.... 16
------------------------------------
Total Annual Burden........ ........................ .............. 16 Responses....... 724
------------------------------------
.............. $27,950 Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ In the future, BSEE may require electronic filing of some submissions.
* CPA certification expense burden also imposed on applicant.
** These applications currently do not have a set fee since they are done on a case-by-case basis.
Note: Applications include numerous items such as: Transmittal letters, letters of request, modifications to
applications, reapplications, etc.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have
identified several non-hour cost burdens associated with the collection
of information for a total of $27,950.
Under Sec. 203.3, we charge lessees (respondents) applying for
royalty relief an amount that covers the cost of processing their
applications and auditing financial data when necessary to determine
the proposed development's economic situation. As previously discussed,
these fees may be revised as necessary to recover our costs in
processing royalty relief applications.
This submission includes these audits and their associated fees.
Since there have been no applications approved in the last 14 years
under our formal programs for deepwater royalty relief or end of life,
the estimated number of submittals is one every 10 years; but we
include the audit and their respective fees due to the potential
situation arising.
We estimate this cost burden to be approximately $23,450 annually.
Refer to the burden table for a breakdown.
Under Sec. 203.81, a report prepared by an independent certified
public accountant (CPA) must accompany the application and post-
production report (expansion project, short form, and preview
assessment applications are excluded). The OCS Lands Act
[[Page 50324]]
applications will require this report only once; the DWRRA applications
will require this report at two stages--with the application and post-
production development report for successful applicants. We estimate an
average cost for a report is $45,000 and that one CPA certification,
during the information collection extension period, will be necessary
if the applications are approved. This annual cost burden is $45,000/10
years = $4,500.
Therefore, the total of the two burdens is estimated at $27,950. We
have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with
this collection of information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.,)
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated
to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et
seq.,) requires each agency `` . . . to provide notice . . . and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information . . . '' Agencies
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of
technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on May 22, 2015, we
published a Federal Register notice (80 FR 29740) announcing that we
would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the
required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 203.5 provides the
OMB Control Number for the information collection requirements imposed
by the 30 CFR 203 regulations. The regulation also informs the public
that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and
provides the address to which they should send comments. We received no
comments in response to the Federal Register notice, nor did we receive
any unsolicited comments.
Public Availability of Comments: 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.
Dated: August 4, 2015.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-20369 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
