Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 Delivery, 28090-28092 [2017-12813]
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28090
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices
Permit No. TE–839960
Applicant: John Dicus, Black Canyon
City, Arizona
The applicant requests a permit
renewal to take (survey by pursuit) the
Quino checkerspot butterfly
(Euphydryas editha quino) and Delhi
Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas
terminatus abdominalis) in conjunction
with survey activities throughout the
range of the species for the purpose of
enhancing the species’ survival.
Permit No. TE–29992C
Applicant: Dominic Vitali, Stockton,
California
The applicant requests a new permit
to take (harass by survey, capture,
handle, release, collect adult vouchers,
and collect branchiopod cysts) the
Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta
conservatio), the longhorn fairy shrimp
(Branchinecta longiantenna), and the
vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus
packardi) in conjunction with survey
activities throughout the range of the
species in California for the purpose of
enhancing the species’ survival.
Permit No. TE–177903
Applicant: Kathryn Simon, Redlands,
California
The applicant requests a permit
renewal and amendment to take (harass
by survey, capture, handle, mark, and
release) the San Bernardino Merriam’s
kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami
parvus) in conjunction with survey
activities throughout the range of the
species in California for the purpose of
enhancing the species’ survival.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Permit No. TE–30023C
Applicant: Joshua Zinn, La Mesa,
California
The applicant requests a new permit
to take (harass by survey, capture,
handle, release, collect adult vouchers,
and collect branchiopod cysts) the
Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta
conservatio), the longhorn fairy shrimp
(Branchinecta longiantenna), the
Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus
woottoni), the San Diego fairy shrimp
(Branchinecta sandiegonensis), and the
vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus
packardi) in conjunction with survey
activities throughout the range of the
species in California for the purpose of
enhancing the species’ survival.
Public Comments
We invite public review and comment
on each of these recovery permit
applications. Comments and materials
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:01 Jun 19, 2017
Jkt 241001
we receive will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at the address
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
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.
7. August 25, 2017—Invoices for sale sent on
or before; payments due 30 days from
invoice
8. September 30, 2017—Helium transferred
to buyers’ storage accounts
The July 19, 2017, helium
auction will be held in the main
conference room of the Amarillo Field
Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500,
Amarillo, TX 79101.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Krijgsman,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region, Sacramento, California.
Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field
Manager, at 806–356–1000. Persons who
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. The
FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, to leave a message. You will
receive a reply during normal business
hours.
[FR Doc. 2017–12786 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
A. Purpose and Background:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX
L4053RV]
Notice of Crude Helium Auction and
Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 Delivery
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary), through the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) New Mexico State
Office, is issuing this Notice to conduct
an auction and sale from the Federal
Helium Program, administered by the
BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field
Office. The Helium Stewardship Act of
2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to
conduct an annual auction and sale of
crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM
will once again use the auction and sale
process established in the Federal
Register dated August 24, 2015, for a
previous sale.
DATES: This Notice is effective on June
20, 2017. The schedule for the auction
and sale process is:
SUMMARY:
1. July 19, 2017—FY 2018 helium auction
held in Amarillo, Texas
2. July 24, 2017—FY 2018 helium auction
results published on the BLM Web site
3. July 28, 2017—Invoices for auction sent on
or before this date; payments due 30 days
from invoice
4. August 2, 2017—Invitation for offers (IFO)
posted for helium sale
5. August 17, 2017—Bids due from IFO
6. August 21, 2017—Award announcements
published on the BLM Web site
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In October 2013, Congress passed the
HSA. The HSA requires the Department
of the Interior, through the BLM
Director, to offer for auction and sale
annually a portion of the helium
reserves owned by the United States and
stored underground at the Cliffside Gas
Field, near Amarillo, Texas.
On July 23, 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 HSA, definitions of terms
used in the Notice, the reasons for the
action, and a process for conducting the
auctions and sales in FY 2014.
On August 24, 2015, the BLM
published a ‘‘Notice of Final Action:
Crude Helium Sale and Auction for
Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery’’ in the
Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015
Final Notice). The 2015 Final Notice
refined the process the BLM used in
2014 for conducting the auction and
sale of crude helium. The BLM will use
the process set forth in the 2015 Final
Notice for the auction and sale of crude
helium to occur in FY 2017 for FY 2018
delivery.
Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices
are available from the Helium
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page
of the BLM helium Web site at
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-andminerals/helium.
B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2018
Helium Auction and Sale
Table 1 identifies the volumes to be
offered for auction and sale in FY 2017
for FY 2018 delivery.
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices
TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR AUCTION AND SALES FOR FY 2018 DELIVERY
Forecasted
production
capability
(NITEC
study)
Total
remaining
production
available
for sale/
auction or
delivery
Volume
available
for
auction
Volume
available
for
non-allocated
sale
Volume
available
for sale
MMcf *
MMcf
MMcf
MMcf
MMcf
MMcf
1,059
Fiscal year
(FY)
In-kind
sales
(sales to
federal
users)
159
900
500 **
40
360
FY 2018 ...................................................
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
** 55% of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).
C. FY 2018 Helium Auction
1.01 What is the minimum FY 2018
auction price and the FY 2018 sales
price?
The minimum FY 2018 auction 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 announce
the FY 2018 sale price after the auction
has concluded, and the BLM completes
its analysis of the auction information.
The BLM will use this information to
publish the crude helium price for FY
2018. The BLM publishes this crude
helium price, effective October 1, 2017,
in order to provide a consistent index to
the world-wide helium market.
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 2018 auction, will be
added to the helium available for sale
and will be offered in the FY 2019 sale.
1.03 When will the auction and sale
take place?
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
The BLM will offer helium for FY
2018 according to the following
schedule:
July 19, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction
held in Amarillo, Texas
July 24, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction
results published on the BLM Web site
July 28, 2017 Invoices for auction sent on
or before this date; payments due 30
days from invoice
August 2, 2017 Invitation for offers (IFO)
posted for helium sale
August 17, 2017 Bids due from IFO
August 21, 2017 Award announcements
published on the BLM Web site
August 25, 2017 Invoices for sale sent on
or before; payments due 30 days from
invoice
September 30, 2017 Helium transferred to
buyers’ storage accounts (in accordance
with Section 1.08)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:01 Jun 19, 2017
Jkt 241001
1.04 What is the auction format?
The auction will be a live auction,
held in the main conference room of the
Amarillo Field Office at 1:00 p.m.
Central Time, on July 19, 2017. The
address is 801 South Fillmore, Suite
500, Amarillo, TX 79101. Anyone
meeting the HSA definition of a
qualified bidder may participate in the
auction. The logistics for the auction
and the pre-bid qualification form is
included in a document entitled, ‘‘FY
2018 Helium Auction Notice and
Guide’’ on the Helium Stewardship page
of the BLM Helium Program Web site at
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-andminerals/helium. Questions related to
the auction can be submitted by phone
to the BLM at 806–356–1001.
1.05 Who is qualified to purchase
helium at the auction?
Only qualified bidders, as defined in
50 U.S.C. 167(9), may participate in and
purchase helium at the auction. The
BLM will make the final determination
of who is a qualified bidder using the
HSA’s definition of a 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 2018
auction?
The BLM anticipates auctioning 500
MMcf in a total of 30 lots for delivery
in FY 2018. The lots would be divided
as follows:
13 lots of 25 MMcf each;
9 lots of 15 MMcf each; and
8 lots of 5 MMcf each.
Frm 00049
Fmt 4703
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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 2018 auction and
sale to the buyer’s storage accounts
beginning on the first day of the month
following receipt of payment.
D. FY 2018 Helium Sale
2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase
helium in the FY 2018 sale?
The crude helium sale will be
separated into two distinct portions, a
non-allocated portion and an allocated
portion. The non-allocated portion will
be ten percent of the total amount
offered for sale for FY 2018, and will be
available to those storage contract
holders who do not have ability to
accept delivery of crude helium from
the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined
in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) as of May 30, 2017.
The allocated portion will be ninety
percent of the total amount offered for
sale for FY 2018, and will be available
to 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)).
2.02 How will helium sold in the FY
2018 sale be allocated among those
participating in the non-allocated sale?
1.07 What must I do to bid at auction?
The BLM has described the live
auction procedures, including detailed
bidding instructions and pre-bid
registration requirements, in a
document entitled, ‘‘FY 2018 Auction
Notice and Guide’’ available on the
BLM’s helium page at www.blm.gov/
programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.
PO 00000
The ‘‘FY 2018 Auction Notice and
Guide’’ is located in the Helium
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page
of the BLM Federal Helium Program
Web site.
The non-allocated sale will be made
available to all qualified offerors not
eligible to participate in the allocated
sales. The minimum volume that can be
requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume
available for the non-allocated portion
of the sale is 40 MMcf. Any volumes not
sold at auction will be distributed
between the non-allocated (10 percent)
E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM
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28092
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices
and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any
volumes not purchased at the nonallocated sale will be sold in the
allocated portion.
2.03 How will the helium sold in the
FY 2018 sale be allocated among the
persons to accept delivery of crude
helium from the Federal Helium
Pipeline?
Any person wishing to participate in
the allocated portion of the FY 2018 sale
needs to report its excess refining
capacity and operational capacity a
minimum of 14 calendar days prior to
the sale, using the Excess Refining
Capacity form. The form can be
downloaded at www.blm.gov/programs/
energy-and-minerals/helium. The form
is located in the Helium Stewardship,
HSA Implementation page of the Web
site. Each person participating in the
sale will then be allocated a
proportional share based upon that
person’s operational capacity.
2.04 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 www.blm.gov/
programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.
The steps are contained in a document
entitled, ‘‘How to Establish a Storage
Contract and Pipeline Connection
Point’’ located in the Federal Helium
Operations/Helium Storage page of the
Web site. Reporting forms can be
downloaded at the same Web site
address. Reporting forms are located in
the Helium Stewardship, HSA
Implementation page of the BLM
Federal Helium Program Web site, and
show the requirements and due dates
for each report. The length of time
required to apply for and obtain access
to the Federal Helium Pipeline can 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.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2018
3.01 When will I receive the helium
that I purchase in a sale or win based
on a successful auction bid?
Helium purchased at the FY 2018 sale
or won at the FY 2018 auction will be
delivered starting September 30, 2017,
in accordance with the crude helium
storage contract. The intent is to ensure
delivery of all helium purchased at sale
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:01 Jun 19, 2017
Jkt 241001
or auction up to the BLM’s production
capability for the year.
3.02 How will the BLM prioritize
delivery?
The HSA gives priority to Federal inkind helium (i.e., helium sold to Federal
users) (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)(1)(D)) and
(b)(3)). 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.
F. Background Documents
Supplementary documents referenced
in this Notice are available at the BLM
helium operations Web site at:
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-andminerals/helium. They are located in
the Helium Stewardship, HSA
Implementation page of the Web site,
and include the following documents:
a. This Federal Record Notice for Fiscal
year 2018 Delivery;
b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
c. FY 2018 Helium Auction Notice and
Guide;
d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for
information only);
e. Determination of Fair Market Value
Pricing of Crude Helium;
f. Storage Fees;
g. Required Forms for Helium Reporting;
and
h. 2014 and 2015 Federal Records Notices
for Helium Auctions and Sales.
Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–
40) codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C.
167–167q.
Amy Lueders,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017–12813 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
Notice Pursuant to the National
Cooperative Research and Production
Act of 1993—Node.js Foundation
Notice is hereby given that, on May
26, 2017, pursuant to Section 6(a) of the
National Cooperative Research and
Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301
et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), Node.js Foundation
(‘‘Node.js Foundation’’) has filed written
notifications simultaneously with the
Attorney General and the Federal Trade
Commission disclosing changes in its
membership. The notifications were
filed for the purpose of extending the
Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages
under specified circumstances.
Specifically, SafetyCulture, Townsville,
AUSTRALIA; and ∧Lift Security,
Richland, WA, have been added as
parties to this venture.
Also, StrongLoop, Inc., San Mateo,
CA, has withdrawn as a party to this
venture.
No other changes have been made in
either the membership or planned
activity of the group research project.
Membership in this group research
project remains open, and Node.js
Foundation intends to file additional
written notifications disclosing all
changes in membership.
On August 17, 2015, Node.js
Foundation filed its original notification
pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act. The
Department of Justice published a notice
in the Federal Register pursuant to
Section 6(b) of the Act on September 28,
2015 (80 FR 58297).
The last notification was filed with
the Department on March 6, 2017. A
notice was published in the Federal
Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the
Act on March 27, 2017 (82 FR 15239).
Patricia A. Brink,
Director of Civil Enforcement, Antitrust
Division.
[FR Doc. 2017–12816 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
Notice Pursuant to the National
Cooperative Research and Production
Act of 1993—Cooperative Research
Group on Mechanical Stratigraphy and
Natural Deformation in the Permian
Strata of Texas and New Mexico:
Implications for Exploitation of the
Permian Basin
Notice is hereby given that, on May
17, 2017, pursuant to Section 6(a) of the
National Cooperative Research and
Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301
et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), Southwest Research
Institute—Cooperative Research Group
on Mechanical Stratigraphy and Natural
Deformation in the Permian Strata of
Texas and New Mexico: Implication for
Exploitation of the Permian Basin
(‘‘Permian Basin’’) has filed written
notifications simultaneously with the
Attorney General and the Federal Trade
Commission disclosing changes in its
membership. The notifications were
filed for the purpose of extending the
Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of
antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages
under specified circumstances.
Specifically, Pioneer Natural Resources
E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28090-28092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12813]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]
Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2018
Delivery
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office, is issuing this
Notice to conduct an auction and sale from the Federal Helium Program,
administered by the BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field Office. The Helium
Stewardship Act of 2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to conduct an annual
auction and sale of crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM will once again
use the auction and sale process established in the Federal Register
dated August 24, 2015, for a previous sale.
DATES: This Notice is effective on June 20, 2017. The schedule for the
auction and sale process is:
1. July 19, 2017--FY 2018 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
2. July 24, 2017--FY 2018 helium auction results published on the
BLM Web site
3. July 28, 2017--Invoices for auction sent on or before this date;
payments due 30 days from invoice
4. August 2, 2017--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium
sale
5. August 17, 2017--Bids due from IFO
6. August 21, 2017--Award announcements published on the BLM Web
site
7. August 25, 2017--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments
due 30 days from invoice
8. September 30, 2017--Helium transferred to buyers' storage
accounts
ADDRESSES: The July 19, 2017, helium auction will be held in the main
conference room of the Amarillo Field Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite
500, Amarillo, TX 79101.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field
Manager, at 806-356-1000. Persons who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339. The FRS 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
A. Purpose and Background:
In October 2013, Congress passed the HSA. The HSA requires the
Department of the Interior, through the BLM Director, to offer for
auction and sale annually a portion of the helium reserves owned by the
United States and stored underground at the Cliffside Gas Field, near
Amarillo, Texas.
On July 23, 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 HSA, definitions of terms used
in the Notice, the reasons for the action, and a process for conducting
the auctions and sales in FY 2014.
On August 24, 2015, the BLM published a ``Notice of Final Action:
Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery'' in the
Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015 Final Notice). The 2015 Final
Notice refined the process the BLM used in 2014 for conducting the
auction and sale of crude helium. The BLM will use the process set
forth in the 2015 Final Notice for the auction and sale of crude helium
to occur in FY 2017 for FY 2018 delivery.
Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices are available from the Helium
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM helium Web site at
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.
B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2018 Helium Auction and Sale
Table 1 identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale
in FY 2017 for FY 2018 delivery.
[[Page 28091]]
Table 1--Projected Volumes for Auction and Sales for FY 2018 Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Forecasted remaining Volume
production In-kind sales production Volume available for Volume
Fiscal year (FY) capability (sales to available for available for non-allocated available for
(NITEC study) federal users) sale/ auction auction sale sale
or delivery
MMcf * MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2018........................................... 1,059 159 900 500 ** 40 360
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
** 55% of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).
C. FY 2018 Helium Auction
1.01 What is the minimum FY 2018 auction price and the FY 2018 sales
price?
The minimum FY 2018 auction 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 announce the FY 2018 sale price after
the auction has concluded, and the BLM completes its analysis of the
auction information. The BLM will use this information to publish the
crude helium price for FY 2018. The BLM publishes this crude helium
price, effective October 1, 2017, in order to provide a consistent
index to the world-wide helium market.
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 2018 auction,
will be added to the helium available for sale and will be offered in
the FY 2019 sale.
1.03 When will the auction and sale take place?
The BLM will offer helium for FY 2018 according to the following
schedule:
July 19, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
July 24, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction results published on the
BLM Web site
July 28, 2017 Invoices for auction sent on or before this date;
payments due 30 days from invoice
August 2, 2017 Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium
sale
August 17, 2017 Bids due from IFO
August 21, 2017 Award announcements published on the BLM Web
site
August 25, 2017 Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments
due 30 days from invoice
September 30, 2017 Helium transferred to buyers' storage
accounts (in accordance with Section 1.08)
1.04 What is the auction format?
The auction will be a live auction, held in the main conference
room of the Amarillo Field Office at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, on July
19, 2017. The address is 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX
79101. Anyone meeting the HSA definition of a qualified bidder may
participate in the auction. The logistics for the auction and the pre-
bid qualification form is included in a document entitled, ``FY 2018
Helium Auction Notice and Guide'' on the Helium Stewardship page of the
BLM Helium Program Web site at www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. Questions related to the auction can be submitted by
phone to the BLM at 806-356-1001.
1.05 Who is qualified to purchase helium at the auction?
Only qualified bidders, as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9), may
participate in and purchase helium at the auction. The BLM will make
the final determination of who is a qualified bidder using the HSA's
definition of a 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
2018 auction?
The BLM anticipates auctioning 500 MMcf in a total of 30 lots for
delivery in FY 2018. The lots would be divided as follows:
13 lots of 25 MMcf each;
9 lots of 15 MMcf each; and
8 lots of 5 MMcf each.
1.07 What must I do to bid at auction?
The BLM has described the live auction procedures, including
detailed bidding instructions and pre-bid registration requirements, in
a document entitled, ``FY 2018 Auction Notice and Guide'' available on
the BLM's helium page at www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. The ``FY 2018 Auction Notice and Guide'' is located in the
Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM Federal Helium
Program Web site.
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 2018 auction
and sale to the buyer's storage accounts beginning on the first day of
the month following receipt of payment.
D. FY 2018 Helium Sale
2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2018 sale?
The crude helium sale will be separated into two distinct portions,
a non-allocated portion and an allocated portion. The non-allocated
portion will be ten percent of the total amount offered for sale for FY
2018, and will be available to those storage contract holders who do
not have ability to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal
Helium Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) as of May 30, 2017.
The allocated portion will be ninety percent of the total amount
offered for sale for FY 2018, and will be available to 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)).
2.02 How will helium sold in the FY 2018 sale be allocated among those
participating in the non-allocated sale?
The non-allocated sale will be made available to all qualified
offerors not eligible to participate in the allocated sales. The
minimum volume that can be requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume
available for the non-allocated portion of the sale is 40 MMcf. Any
volumes not sold at auction will be distributed between the non-
allocated (10 percent)
[[Page 28092]]
and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any volumes not purchased at the
non-allocated sale will be sold in the allocated portion.
2.03 How will the helium sold in the FY 2018 sale be allocated among
the persons to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium
Pipeline?
Any person wishing to participate in the allocated portion of the
FY 2018 sale needs to report its excess refining capacity and
operational capacity a minimum of 14 calendar days prior to the sale,
using the Excess Refining Capacity form. The form can be downloaded at
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. The form is located in
the Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the Web site. Each
person participating in the sale will then be allocated a proportional
share based upon that person's operational capacity.
2.04 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 www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.
The steps are contained in a document entitled, ``How to Establish a
Storage Contract and Pipeline Connection Point'' located in the Federal
Helium Operations/Helium Storage page of the Web site. Reporting forms
can be downloaded at the same Web site address. Reporting forms are
located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM
Federal Helium Program Web site, and show the requirements and due
dates for each report. The length of time required to apply for and
obtain access to the Federal Helium Pipeline can 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.
E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2018
3.01 When will I receive the helium that I purchase in a sale or win
based on a successful auction bid?
Helium purchased at the FY 2018 sale or won at the FY 2018 auction
will be delivered starting September 30, 2017, 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 HSA gives priority to Federal in-kind helium (i.e., helium sold
to Federal users) (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)(1)(D)) and (b)(3)). 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.
F. Background Documents
Supplementary documents referenced in this Notice are available at
the BLM helium operations Web site at: www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. They are located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA
Implementation page of the Web site, and include the following
documents:
a. This Federal Record Notice for Fiscal year 2018 Delivery;
b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
c. FY 2018 Helium Auction Notice and Guide;
d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for information only);
e. Determination of Fair Market Value Pricing of Crude Helium;
f. Storage Fees;
g. Required Forms for Helium Reporting; and
h. 2014 and 2015 Federal Records Notices for Helium Auctions and
Sales.
Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113-40) codified to various
sections in 50 U.S.C. 167-167q.
Amy Lueders,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-12813 Filed 6-19-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P
