Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program MAA104000, 30886-30892 [2017-13998]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 126 / Monday, July 3, 2017 / Notices
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion
when applying for training at NCTC.
Estimated Annual Number of
Respondents: 250.
Estimated Total Annual Responses:
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Estimated Time per Response: 10
minutes.
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III. Comments
We invite comments concerning this
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• Whether or not the collection of
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and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents.
Comments that you submit in
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summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this IC. Before
including your address, phone number,
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identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment, including your
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IV. Authorities
The authorities for this action are the
Government Employees Training Act (5
U.S.C. 4101 et seq.); Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42
U.S.C. 2000d–2000d–7); Executive
Order 11348 (‘‘Providing for the further
training of Government employees’’), as
amended by Executive Order 12107
(‘‘Relating to the Civil Service
Commission and labor-management in
the Federal Service’’) (see 5 CFR 410,
subpart C, ‘‘Establishing and
Implementing Training Programs’’); and
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
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Dated: June 27, 2017.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–13911 Filed 6–30–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[BOEM 2017–0050]
Request for Information and
Comments on the Preparation of the
2019–2024 National Outer Continental
Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
MAA104000
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for information and
comments.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM) is soliciting
information and requesting comments
on the preparation of a new five-year
National Outer Continental Shelf Oil
and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS
Program) for 2019–2024 pursuant to the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands
Act. Upon completion, the National
OCS Program for 2019–2024 will
replace the National OCS Program for
2017–2022 (2017–2022 Program), which
was approved on January 17, 2017, and
will succeed the National OCS Program
for 2012–2017 on July 1, 2017.
DATES: BOEM must receive all
comments and information by August
17, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments and
information via the Federal internet
commenting system at https://
www.regulations.gov by following the
instructions in the ‘‘Public Comment
Procedure’’ section of this notice. Mail
comments and information, including
all privileged or proprietary
information, by U.S. mail to Ms. Kelly
Hammerle, National Program Manager,
BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop
VAM–LD, Sterling, VA 20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Kelly Hammerle, National Program
Manager, at (703) 787–1613 or by email
at [add email address].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq., declares that it is the
policy of the United States that the OCS,
as ‘‘a vital national resource reserve,’’
should be available for ‘‘expeditious and
orderly development, subject to
environmental safeguards’’ and
consistent with maintaining
competition and other national needs.
SUMMARY:
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43 U.S.C. 1333(3). Section 18 of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344, requires the
Department of the Interior (DOI) to
invite and solicit information from
interested and affected parties during
the preparation of a National OCS
Program. The 2017–2022 Program was
approved on January 17, 2017, and will
succeed the 2012–2017 Program on July
1, 2017. BOEM is soliciting information
on the preparation of a new National
OCS Program for 2019–2024 to, upon
completion, replace the 2017–2022
Program.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary) to prepare and periodically
revise and maintain an oil and gas
leasing program to implement the Act’s
policies. The program must contain a
schedule of proposed lease sales
(including as precisely as possible, the
size, timing, and location of leasing
activity) which the Secretary determines
‘‘will best meet national energy needs
for the five year period following its
approval. . . .’’ Section 18 also requires
the completion of a multi-step process
of public consultation and analysis
before the Secretary may approve a new
National OCS Program. The process
includes the following steps: (1)
Issuance of a Request for Information
and Comments (RFI); (2) development of
a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), (3)
development of a Proposed Program, (4)
development of a Proposed Final
Program (PFP); and (5) Secretarial
approval of the Program. Following this
RFI, the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on both the
DPP and the Proposed Program
documents.
This RFI requests comments on all 26
OCS Planning Areas, including the areas
that are restricted from leasing by
Presidential withdrawal or
Congressional moratorium, as discussed
below. BOEM requests information and
comments from States, local and tribal
governments, Native American and
Native Alaskan organizations, Federal
agencies, environmental and other
public interest organizations, the oil and
gas industry, non-energy industries,
other interested organizations and
entities, and the general public, for use
in the preparation of the 2019–2024
National OCS Program. BOEM is
seeking a wide array of information,
including, but not limited to,
information associated with the
economic, social, and environmental
values of all OCS resources, as well as
the potential impact of oil and gas
exploration and development on other
OCS resources, and on the marine,
coastal and human environments.
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The National OCS Program sets forth
the proposed schedule of lease sales for
the subsequent five-year period, and
enables the Federal Government, States,
industry, and other interested parties to
begin planning for the later steps in the
leasing process. The Secretary decides
whether to proceed with each specific
lease sale on the schedule included in
an approved National OCS Program
only after meeting all the requirements
of the OCS Lands Act and other
applicable statutes.
The initiation of a new National OCS
Program development process at this
time is a key aspect of the
implementation of President Donald J.
Trump’s America-First Offshore Energy
Strategy, as outlined in Executive Order
(E.O.) 13795 of April 28, 2017 (82 FR
20815, May 3, 2017), and Secretary’s
Order 3350 of May 1, 2017, issued by
Secretary of the Interior Ryan K. Zinke.
Section 2 of E.O. 13795 states that it is
United States policy to encourage
energy exploration and production,
including on the OCS, to maintain the
Nation’s global energy leadership and
‘‘foster energy security and resilience for
the benefit of the American people,
while ensuring that any such activity is
safe and environmentally responsible.’’
Secretary’s Order 3350 calls for
enhancing opportunities for energy
exploration, leasing, and development
of the OCS, establishing regulatory
certainty for OCS activities, and
enhancing conservation stewardship,
thereby providing jobs, energy security,
and revenue for the American people.
As required by E.O. 13795, DOI will
cooperate as appropriate and consistent
with applicable law with the
Department of Defense (DOD) and the
Department of Commerce on a number
of issues, including issues pertaining to
this National OCS Program development
process.
The OCS is a significant source of oil
and gas to the Nation’s energy supply.
As of May 2017, BOEM administered
over 3,000 active oil and gas leases
covering 16 million OCS acres.
Production from these leases generates
billions of dollars in revenue for the
Federal Treasury and State
governments, while supporting
hundreds of thousands of jobs. In fiscal
year 2016, oil and gas leases on the OCS
accounted for approximately 18 percent
of domestic oil production and 4
percent of domestic natural gas
production. The offshore areas of the
United States also are estimated to
contain significant quantities of
resources in yet-to-be-discovered fields.
In its 2016 National Assessment
(https://www.boem.gov/NationalAssessment-2016), BOEM reported that
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the mean estimate of undiscovered,
technically recoverable oil and gas
resources in the U.S. OCS consist of
89.87 billion barrels of oil and 327.49
trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Assessment for all OCS areas is
available at https://www.boem.gov/
National-Assessment-2016/. No sales
are scheduled in the Arctic in the 2017–
2022 Program.
Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
In March 2017, BOEM held the last of
12 lease sales in the GOM scheduled in
the 2012–2017 Program. That Program
included annual sales in the Central and
Western GOM and two sales in the
portion of the Eastern GOM not subject
to the Congressional moratorium
pursuant to the Gulf of Mexico Energy
Security Act (GOMESA). These sales
have generated approximately $3.4
billion in high bids.
Lease Sale 248 in the Western GOM
was held on August 24, 2016. Pursuant
to this sale, BOEM awarded 24 leases to
the 3 companies that submitted bids,
totaling over $18 million in high bids.
Lease Sale 247 in the Central GOM was
held on March 22, 2017. The sale
generated almost $275 million in high
bids for 163 blocks by 28 companies.
Lease Sale 226, held on March 23, 2016,
offered for lease all available unleased
acreage in the Eastern GOM, except for
those whole and partial OCS blocks
deferred by the GOMESA. No bids were
received for Sale 226.
BOEM is also moving forward in the
prelease sale process for the early sales
scheduled in the recently approved
2017–2022 Program, which is effective
July 1, 2017, and includes ten regionwide lease sales in the area of the GOM
not under Congressional moratorium or
otherwise unavailable for leasing. For
more information on the lease sale
schedule, visit: https://www.boem.gov/
Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/
Five-Year-Program/Lease-SaleSchedule/2012-2017-Lease-SaleSchedule.aspx. These scheduled lease
sales will not be impacted by the
preparation of the 2019–2024 National
Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
Leasing Program.
Atlantic
Data suggests that portions of the
Atlantic OCS may contain significant oil
and gas resource potential (see 2016
National Assessment cited above);
however, current geological and
geophysical (G&G) information
regarding that potential is based on data
collected in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Tremendous advances in
instrumentation and technology for the
acquisition and analysis of G&G data
have been made in the intervening
decades.
In recognition of these advances in
G&G data acquisition technology and
the need to better understand the scope
of existing resources, BOEM published,
on July 23, 2014 (79 FR 42815), a Record
of Decision for the Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement for
Atlantic G&G activities, which
established a path forward for G&G
activities off the Mid- and South
Atlantic coast. BOEM is currently
evaluating several G&G permit
applications. With the initiation of a
new Program development process and,
with it, the renewed potential for a lease
sale in the Atlantic region, BOEM may
receive new G&G permit applications in
the near future. The last lease sale held
in the Atlantic OCS was in 1983.
Alaska
The last sale in the 2012–2017
Program is scheduled for June 21, 2017,
in the northern portion of the Cook Inlet
Planning Area offshore Alaska. The
2017–2022 Program also schedules a
sale in the northern portion of the Cook
Inlet Planning Area in 2021. Prelease
sale steps will begin in the next year.
The Arctic holds substantial oil and
gas potential. In 2016, BOEM estimated
Undiscovered Technically Recoverable
Oil and Gas Resources (UTRR) in the
Chukchi Sea Planning Area to be 29
billion barrels of oil equivalent (BBOE)
and in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area
to be 13 BBOE. The 2016 National
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Pacific Region
The four planning areas off the Pacific
coast were not included for potential
leasing in the 2017–2022 Program.
Eleven OCS oil and gas lease sales were
held in the Pacific Region between 1963
and 1984. A total of 470 leases were
issued in the 11 sales. Today, there are
43 producing leases and 23 oil and gas
platforms, all offshore southern
California. In Fiscal Year 2016,
production from these leases generated
$31.2 million in revenue to the federal
treasury from a total of $234 million in
sales value from crude oil and natural
gas. As a result of Congressional
moratoria, subsequent presidential
action, and consistent and united
opposition by the States of Washington,
Oregon, and California to any activity
off their coasts, the Pacific OCS has not
been included in any National OCS
Program since the 1987–1992 Program.
Areas Made Unavailable by
Congressional or Presidential Action
With the enactment of GOMESA,
Congress placed off-limits to OCS oil
and gas leasing activities, through June
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30, 2022, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
within 125 miles of Florida; all of the
Eastern Gulf of Mexico east of 86
degrees, 41 minutes West longitude; and
a portion of the Central Gulf of Mexico
within 100 miles of Florida (see Figure
2).
The North Aleutian Basin Planning
Area in Alaska was withdrawn from
future leasing consideration for a time
period without specific expiration by
President Barack Obama on December
16, 2014, pursuant to section 12(a) of
the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a).
All National Marine Sanctuaries were
withdrawn from leasing, for a time
period without a specific expiration, by
President William J. Clinton on June 12,
1998. Pursuant to E.O. 13795, President
Trump withdrew marine sanctuaries
that were designated as of July 14, 2008,
from disposition by leasing. On
September 15, 2016, President Obama
designated the first marine national
monument in the Atlantic Ocean off the
coast of New England as the Northeast
Canyons and Seamounts Marine
National Monument, prohibiting
exploring for, developing, or producing
oil and gas or minerals, or undertaking
any other energy exploration or
development activities within the
monument.
In the DPP, BOEM will analyze all 26
OCS Planning Areas, including areas
that may be currently unavailable for
leasing. An area that is currently
unavailable for leasing could still be
part of a National OCS Program, but
could not be offered for sale until
Congress and/or the President, as
applicable, makes it available.
National Energy Needs
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires that the Secretary consider
national energy needs in formulating the
National OCS Program. In developing
the National OCS Program, BOEM will
present an analysis of the contribution
of OCS oil and natural gas to the U.S.
economy and the Nation’s anticipated
energy needs. The analysis will include
discussions of the U.S. Energy
Information Administration’s
projections of national energy needs in
the Annual Energy Outlook, the
potential contribution of OCS oil and
natural gas production in meeting those
needs, alternative sources to OCS
production, and considerations relating
to national and regional energy markets.
BOEM invites comments from anyone
who would like to submit information
related to the Nation’s future energy
needs or national and regional energy
markets for consideration in
determining the appropriate size,
timing, and location of OCS oil and gas
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lease sales for the new National OCS
Program.
OCS Planning Areas To Be Considered
and Analyzed
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
requires that the National OCS Program
be based upon a consideration of a
comparative analysis of the oil- and gasbearing regions of the OCS. BOEM has
divided the OCS into 26 Planning Areas,
which are depicted in Figures 1 and 2.
The depicted maritime boundaries and
limits, as well as divisions between
planning areas, where shown, are for
planning and administrative purposes
only. Note that precise maritime
boundaries between the United States
and nearby or adjacent nations have not
been determined in all cases. These
depictions do not affect or prejudice in
any manner the position of the United
States, or its individual States, with
respect to the nature or extent of
internal waters or of sovereign rights or
jurisdiction.
This RFI requests information on all
26 planning areas, including areas
currently under moratorium,
withdrawn, or otherwise unavailable.
As set forth in more detail later in this
RFI, the information requested is wideranging, including information on other
uses of the sea, marine productivity, and
environmental sensitivity. Accordingly,
this RFI invites and provides an
opportunity for Governors of affected
States, local government, industry,
Federal agencies, and the general public
to provide suggestions and any other
information they believe BOEM should
evaluate for purposes of the 2019–2024
Program.
The information solicited in this RFI
will be considered in light of the factors
specified by section 18 of the OCS
Lands Act, which are discussed later
herein. Based upon consideration of the
analysis of those factors, the Secretary
will prepare the DPP and decide which
areas to include therein. Pursuant to
section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, areas
included in the DPP decision will be
subject to further analysis.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
As previously noted, the National
OCS Program preparation process will
follow all the procedural and
substantive requirements of section 18
of the OCS Lands Act. This RFI solicits
information and comments early in the
preparation process pursuant to section
18(c)(1) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(c)(1). BOEM will prepare a DPP
decision document based upon
consideration of the information and
comments received and analysis of the
principles and factors specified in
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section 18 of the OCS Lands Act. The
DPP decision document will present for
review and comment a preliminary
schedule of proposed lease sales and
potential decision options.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
provides that, for purposes of preparing
a National OCS Program, the Secretary
should take into consideration the
economic, social, and environmental
values of all OCS resources, as well as
the potential impact of oil and gas
exploration and development on other
resource values of the OCS and the
marine, coastal and human
environments. The eight factors that
must be considered in determining the
timing and location of leasing under the
National OCS Program are set forth in
section 18(a)(2) of the OCS Lands act, 43
U.S.C. 1344(a)(2). They are (1) existing
information on the geographical,
geological, and ecological characteristics
of OCS regions; (2) equitable sharing of
developmental benefits and
environmental risks among the various
regions; (3) the location of such regions
with respect to, and the relative needs
of, regional and national energy
markets; (4) the location of such regions
with respect to other uses of the sea and
seabed, including fisheries, navigation,
existing or proposed sea lanes, potential
sites of deepwater ports, and other
anticipated uses of the resources and
space of the OCS; (5) expressed industry
interest in the development of oil and
gas resources; (6) laws, goals, and
policies of affected States specifically
identified by governors; (7) the relative
environmental sensitivity and marine
productivity of different areas of the
OCS; and (8) environmental and
predictive information for different
areas of the OCS.
Section 18(a)(3) of the OCS Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(3), requires the
Secretary to obtain a proper balance
among the potential for environmental
damage, the potential for discovery of
oil and gas, and the potential for adverse
impact on the coastal zone, for which
the DOI will provide a cost-benefit
analysis, as appropriate, to supplement
qualitative consideration of these
factors. The OCS Lands Act also
requires that leasing activities assure the
receipt of fair market value for the lands
leased and rights conveyed by the
Federal Government in the OCS. Section
18(a)(4) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(a)(4).
Types of Information Requested
BOEM invites comments from anyone
who would like to submit information
and/or suggestions for consideration in
determining, among others things, the
appropriate size, timing, and location of
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potential OCS oil and gas lease sales
under the 2019–2024 Program. Please
note that BOEM invites all private and
public stakeholders, as well as the
general public, to comment or provide
any information that they believe
should be taken into consideration by
BOEM during the preparation of the
2019–2024 Program.
This request constitutes a general
solicitation of comments and does not
seek information about commenters,
other than that necessary for selfidentification. Therefore it is not subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44
U.S.C. 3501–3521. (Please refer to
implementing regulations at 5 CFR
1320.3(h)(4).)
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General Information Requested
BOEM would like to receive
comments and suggestions of national
or regional application that would be
useful in formulating the National OCS
Program. The types of information that
would be most useful in conducting the
analysis, pursuant to section 18 of the
OCS Lands Act, relate to the following
factors:
(1) National energy needs for the
period relevant to the new National OCS
Program (i.e., 2019 to 2024), in
particular, the role of OCS oil and gas
leasing and resulting exploration,
development and production activities
in achieving national energy policy
goals; the economic, social, and
environmental values of the renewable
and nonrenewable resources contained
in the OCS; and the potential impact of
oil and gas exploration and
development on other OCS resource
values and the marine, coastal, and
human environments;
(2) existing information concerning
geographical, geological, and ecological
characteristics of the OCS planning
areas and near shore and coastal
environments;
(3) equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks among
the various planning areas;
(4) location of planning areas with
respect to, and the relative needs of,
regional and national energy markets;
(5) other uses of the sea and seabed,
including commercial and recreational
fisheries; navigation; military activities;
existing or proposed sea lanes; potential
sites of deepwater ports (including
liquefied natural gas facilities); subsea
cables; satellite launch activities;
potential offshore wind, wave, current,
or other alternative energy sites; and
other anticipated uses of OCS resources
and locations;
(6) relative environmental sensitivity
and marine productivity of the different
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planning areas and/or a specific
section(s) of a given OCS planning area;
(7) environmental and predictive
information pertaining to offshore and
coastal areas potentially affected by OCS
oil and gas development including, but
not limited to, socio-cultural and
archaeological information; and
(8) methods and procedures for
assuring the receipt of fair market value
for lands leased.
Fair Market Value Information
Requested
In developing the methods and
procedures for assuring the receipt of
fair market value for lands leased under
section 18(a)(4) of the OCS Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(4), BOEM sets lease
fiscal and temporal terms, and other
features relevant to bidding. Given
BOEM’s responsibility to ensure fair
market value for the U.S. Government,
BOEM is seeking information in
response to the following questions:
(1) If DOI continues leasing in the
Gulf of Mexico planning areas, are there
changes to lease terms that would better
meet the objectives of the OCS Lands
Act? Lease terms subject to change
include:
a. Minimum bids
b. Rental rates
c. Royalty rates, royalty structures
(e.g., flat or price-based)
d. Initial period (also known as
primary term) of the lease term and
extended initial period (such as, 7 years
plus 3 years more if drilling
commences)
(2) If DOI offers acreage for lease in
planning areas outside the Gulf of
Mexico, what fiscal terms for each
planning area would best meet the
objectives and limitations of the OCS
Lands Act regarding the lease terms
listed in items 1a. to 1d. above?
a. Is there an alternative design (e.g.,
auction-type design) that may be better
suited to achieve fair market value,
either by changing the bidding variable
or some other aspect of the competitive
lease sale?
b. Should the upcoming program
consider use of alternative and/or nontraditional fiscal terms, primary lease
terms, auction formats, or tract offering
sizes? Please state which of these
features of the leasing process merit
consideration for future use, where and
under what conditions those changes
might be useful, and explain why such
a change would be necessary or
beneficial, e.g., demonstrate that
exploration would not occur in selected
frontier areas without larger than
traditionally-sized tracts in lease sales.
Please note that BOEM is requesting
information on these topics to inform its
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continuing evaluation of market
conditions, available resources, bidding
patterns (if applicable), and
competitiveness of OCS lease terms
with respect to each proposed sale.
BOEM is asking for public input
regarding lease terms or potential
changes to lease terms concerning
acreage offered during the 2019–2024
Program.
Specific Information Requested
From States
For Coastal States, pursuant to section
18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(f)(5), and implementing
regulations at 30 CFR 556.202, BOEM
requests information concerning the
relationship between OCS oil and gas
activity and the States’ coastal zone
management programs that are being
developed, or are administered, under
section 305 or 306 of the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, as amended,
16 U.S.C. 1454, 1455. BOEM also
requests that non-coastal and Coastal
States submit information concerning
environmental risk and potential for
damage to coastal and marine resources
associated with OCS development,
information related to other uses of the
sea, and any information that is relevant
to equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks
associated with OCS oil and gas activity
(or the likely energy substitutes in the
absence of new OCS leasing). In
addition, for non-coastal and Coastal
States, information is requested on the
impacts of additional OCS leasing,
exploration and production and the
associated economic impact on the State
and national economies and citizens,
including impacts to employment,
existing and new industries, future
export potential, and state taxes.
From the Oil and Gas Industry
Pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(E) of the
OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(2)(E),
BOEM will take into account, during the
preparation of the National OCS
Program, the interest of oil and gas
producers in the development of oil and
gas resources, as indicated by
exploration or nomination. Industry
respondents should base this
information upon their expectations as
of 2017. For each planning area in
which industry respondents are
interested, they should submit
information concerning unleased
hydrocarbon potential, future oil and
gas price expectations, and other
relevant information that the industry
respondent uses in making OCS oil and
gas leasing decisions. BOEM requests
that industry respondents provide
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additional information, as specified
below:
(1) Indicate the OCS Planning Area(s)
where the industry respondent would
be interested in acquiring oil and gas
leases, regardless of whether the area
currently is unavailable. If more than
one Planning Area is of interest, rank all
areas of interest (including those now
being offered, if appropriate) in order of
preference.
(2) Indicate the number and timing of
lease sales in the period 2019–2024 that
would be appropriate for each Planning
Area. If only one lease sale in a Planning
Area is appropriate, indicate whether
that area should be considered for
leasing early or late in the five-year
schedule. If more than one lease sale in
a planning area is suggested, indicate
the preferred interval between lease
sales.
(3) Indicate the expected lead time to
production in areas that are not part of
the 2017–2022 Program or currently do
not have infrastructure or production,
relative to lead-times to new production
in previously leased areas like the
Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.
(4) In addition, BOEM requests
information on industry’s view of the
utility of region-wide sales in the Gulf
of Mexico as planned in the 2017–2022
National Program.
Section 18(g) of the OCS Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1344(g), authorizes
confidential treatment of privileged or
proprietary information. In order to
ensure security and confidentiality of
proprietary information to the
maximum extent possible, BOEM
requests that proprietary information
only be sent by U.S. mail. In addition
to prominently stating that proprietary
information is contained in the
comment at the beginning of the
submission, comments should be sent in
a plain outer envelope with an inner
envelope stating that proprietary
information is contained within.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
From the U.S. Department of Commerce
Pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(f)(5), and
implementing regulations at 30 CFR
556.202, BOEM requests information
concerning relationships between
affected States’ coastal zone
management programs and OCS oil and
gas activities. In coordination with this
RFI, BOEM will also send a letter to the
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Secretary of Commerce soliciting such
information.
From the U.S. Department of Energy
Pursuant to BOEM’s regulations at 30
CFR 556.202, BOEM requests
information concerning regional and
national energy markets, and
transportation networks, including the
role of exports. In coordination with this
RFI, BOEM will also send a letter to the
Secretary of Energy soliciting such
information.
From the U.S. Department of Defense
(DOD)
BOEM respects the needs of DOD in
their mission of protecting the United
States and continues to work closely
with DOD to understand and identify
potential measures to address any
conflicts on the OCS. Multiple use
challenges are a concern in many OCS
areas, in particular the military’s use of
portions of the Mid- and South Atlantic
Planning Areas. As in the past, BOEM
requests that DOD provide textual and
graphic information as to the areas
where oil and gas operations could be
carried out. BOEM and DOD are
committed to working through multiple
use challenges so that each of our
important missions is accomplished.
Such detailed cooperation already
occurs in the GOM and offshore
California. During preparation of the
2017–2022 Program, DOD identified 95
percent of the proposed Atlantic
Program Area as largely compatible with
oil and gas activities, as long as
appropriate mitigation measures are
applied.
Public Comment Procedure
BOEM will accept comments in one of
two formats: The internet commenting
system, regulations.gov, or regular U.S.
mail. Comments submitted by other
means may not be considered. BOEM’s
strong preference is to receive
comments via regulations.gov, except in
the event that a comment contains
information that is proprietary.
Comments should be submitted using
only one of these formats, and include
full names and addresses of the
individual submitting the comment(s).
Before including personal identifying
information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire
comment—including your personal
PO 00000
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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.
Commenting via Internet
Internet comments should be
submitted via the Federal internet
commenting system at https://
www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests
that commenters follow these
instructions to submit their comments
via this Web site:
(1) In the search tab on the main page,
search for BOEM–2017–0050.
(2) Locate the document, then click
the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ link either on
the Search Results page or the
Document Details page. This will
display the Web comment form.
(3) Enter the submitter information
and type the comment on the Web form.
Attach any additional files (up to
10MB). (BOEM cannot ensure the
security or confidentiality of
information sent via the internet;
therefore, information that is proprietary
should be provided by U.S. mail as
provided in the ‘‘From Oil and Gas
Industry’’ section of this RFI.)
(4) After typing the comment, click
the ‘‘Preview Comment’’ link to review.
Once satisfied with the comment, click
the ‘‘Submit’’ button to send the
comment.
Information on using Regulations.gov,
including instructions for accessing
documents, submitting comments, and
viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through
the site’s ‘‘User Tips’’ link.
Commenting via Regular Mail
Mail comments and information on
the 2019–2024 Program to Ms. Kelly
Hammerle, National Program Manager,
BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop
VAM–LD, Sterling, VA 20166.
BOEM will post all comments to
regulations.gov, subject to the
limitations described in this section.
Dated: June 28, 2017.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30886-30892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13998]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[BOEM 2017-0050]
Request for Information and Comments on the Preparation of the
2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
MAA104000
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Request for information and comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is soliciting
information and requesting comments on the preparation of a new five-
year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
(National OCS Program) for 2019-2024 pursuant to the Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Lands Act. Upon completion, the National OCS Program for
2019-2024 will replace the National OCS Program for 2017-2022 (2017-
2022 Program), which was approved on January 17, 2017, and will succeed
the National OCS Program for 2012-2017 on July 1, 2017.
DATES: BOEM must receive all comments and information by August 17,
2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments and information via the Federal internet
commenting system at https://www.regulations.gov by following the
instructions in the ``Public Comment Procedure'' section of this
notice. Mail comments and information, including all privileged or
proprietary information, by U.S. mail to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National
Program Manager, BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAM-LD, Sterling,
VA 20166.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National Program
Manager, at (703) 787-1613 or by email at [add email address].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act,
43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., declares that it is the policy of the United
States that the OCS, as ``a vital national resource reserve,'' should
be available for ``expeditious and orderly development, subject to
environmental safeguards'' and consistent with maintaining competition
and other national needs. 43 U.S.C. 1333(3). Section 18 of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344, requires the Department of the Interior
(DOI) to invite and solicit information from interested and affected
parties during the preparation of a National OCS Program. The 2017-2022
Program was approved on January 17, 2017, and will succeed the 2012-
2017 Program on July 1, 2017. BOEM is soliciting information on the
preparation of a new National OCS Program for 2019-2024 to, upon
completion, replace the 2017-2022 Program.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) to prepare and periodically revise and maintain an
oil and gas leasing program to implement the Act's policies. The
program must contain a schedule of proposed lease sales (including as
precisely as possible, the size, timing, and location of leasing
activity) which the Secretary determines ``will best meet national
energy needs for the five year period following its approval. . . .''
Section 18 also requires the completion of a multi-step process of
public consultation and analysis before the Secretary may approve a new
National OCS Program. The process includes the following steps: (1)
Issuance of a Request for Information and Comments (RFI); (2)
development of a Draft Proposed Program (DPP), (3) development of a
Proposed Program, (4) development of a Proposed Final Program (PFP);
and (5) Secretarial approval of the Program. Following this RFI, the
public will have additional opportunities to comment on both the DPP
and the Proposed Program documents.
This RFI requests comments on all 26 OCS Planning Areas, including
the areas that are restricted from leasing by Presidential withdrawal
or Congressional moratorium, as discussed below. BOEM requests
information and comments from States, local and tribal governments,
Native American and Native Alaskan organizations, Federal agencies,
environmental and other public interest organizations, the oil and gas
industry, non-energy industries, other interested organizations and
entities, and the general public, for use in the preparation of the
2019-2024 National OCS Program. BOEM is seeking a wide array of
information, including, but not limited to, information associated with
the economic, social, and environmental values of all OCS resources, as
well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration and development
on other OCS resources, and on the marine, coastal and human
environments.
[[Page 30887]]
The National OCS Program sets forth the proposed schedule of lease
sales for the subsequent five-year period, and enables the Federal
Government, States, industry, and other interested parties to begin
planning for the later steps in the leasing process. The Secretary
decides whether to proceed with each specific lease sale on the
schedule included in an approved National OCS Program only after
meeting all the requirements of the OCS Lands Act and other applicable
statutes.
The initiation of a new National OCS Program development process at
this time is a key aspect of the implementation of President Donald J.
Trump's America-First Offshore Energy Strategy, as outlined in
Executive Order (E.O.) 13795 of April 28, 2017 (82 FR 20815, May 3,
2017), and Secretary's Order 3350 of May 1, 2017, issued by Secretary
of the Interior Ryan K. Zinke. Section 2 of E.O. 13795 states that it
is United States policy to encourage energy exploration and production,
including on the OCS, to maintain the Nation's global energy leadership
and ``foster energy security and resilience for the benefit of the
American people, while ensuring that any such activity is safe and
environmentally responsible.'' Secretary's Order 3350 calls for
enhancing opportunities for energy exploration, leasing, and
development of the OCS, establishing regulatory certainty for OCS
activities, and enhancing conservation stewardship, thereby providing
jobs, energy security, and revenue for the American people. As required
by E.O. 13795, DOI will cooperate as appropriate and consistent with
applicable law with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department
of Commerce on a number of issues, including issues pertaining to this
National OCS Program development process.
The OCS is a significant source of oil and gas to the Nation's
energy supply. As of May 2017, BOEM administered over 3,000 active oil
and gas leases covering 16 million OCS acres. Production from these
leases generates billions of dollars in revenue for the Federal
Treasury and State governments, while supporting hundreds of thousands
of jobs. In fiscal year 2016, oil and gas leases on the OCS accounted
for approximately 18 percent of domestic oil production and 4 percent
of domestic natural gas production. The offshore areas of the United
States also are estimated to contain significant quantities of
resources in yet-to-be-discovered fields. In its 2016 National
Assessment (https://www.boem.gov/National-Assessment-2016), BOEM
reported that the mean estimate of undiscovered, technically
recoverable oil and gas resources in the U.S. OCS consist of 89.87
billion barrels of oil and 327.49 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Gulf of Mexico (GOM)
In March 2017, BOEM held the last of 12 lease sales in the GOM
scheduled in the 2012-2017 Program. That Program included annual sales
in the Central and Western GOM and two sales in the portion of the
Eastern GOM not subject to the Congressional moratorium pursuant to the
Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA). These sales have generated
approximately $3.4 billion in high bids.
Lease Sale 248 in the Western GOM was held on August 24, 2016.
Pursuant to this sale, BOEM awarded 24 leases to the 3 companies that
submitted bids, totaling over $18 million in high bids. Lease Sale 247
in the Central GOM was held on March 22, 2017. The sale generated
almost $275 million in high bids for 163 blocks by 28 companies. Lease
Sale 226, held on March 23, 2016, offered for lease all available
unleased acreage in the Eastern GOM, except for those whole and partial
OCS blocks deferred by the GOMESA. No bids were received for Sale 226.
BOEM is also moving forward in the prelease sale process for the
early sales scheduled in the recently approved 2017-2022 Program, which
is effective July 1, 2017, and includes ten region-wide lease sales in
the area of the GOM not under Congressional moratorium or otherwise
unavailable for leasing. For more information on the lease sale
schedule, visit: https://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Five-Year-Program/Lease-Sale-Schedule/2012-2017-Lease-Sale-Schedule.aspx. These scheduled lease sales will not be impacted by the
preparation of the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and
Gas Leasing Program.
Alaska
The last sale in the 2012-2017 Program is scheduled for June 21,
2017, in the northern portion of the Cook Inlet Planning Area offshore
Alaska. The 2017-2022 Program also schedules a sale in the northern
portion of the Cook Inlet Planning Area in 2021. Prelease sale steps
will begin in the next year.
The Arctic holds substantial oil and gas potential. In 2016, BOEM
estimated Undiscovered Technically Recoverable Oil and Gas Resources
(UTRR) in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area to be 29 billion barrels of oil
equivalent (BBOE) and in the Beaufort Sea Planning Area to be 13 BBOE.
The 2016 National Assessment for all OCS areas is available at https://www.boem.gov/National-Assessment-2016/. No sales are scheduled in the
Arctic in the 2017-2022 Program.
Atlantic
Data suggests that portions of the Atlantic OCS may contain
significant oil and gas resource potential (see 2016 National
Assessment cited above); however, current geological and geophysical
(G&G) information regarding that potential is based on data collected
in the 1970s and early 1980s. Tremendous advances in instrumentation
and technology for the acquisition and analysis of G&G data have been
made in the intervening decades.
In recognition of these advances in G&G data acquisition technology
and the need to better understand the scope of existing resources, BOEM
published, on July 23, 2014 (79 FR 42815), a Record of Decision for the
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Atlantic G&G
activities, which established a path forward for G&G activities off the
Mid- and South Atlantic coast. BOEM is currently evaluating several G&G
permit applications. With the initiation of a new Program development
process and, with it, the renewed potential for a lease sale in the
Atlantic region, BOEM may receive new G&G permit applications in the
near future. The last lease sale held in the Atlantic OCS was in 1983.
Pacific Region
The four planning areas off the Pacific coast were not included for
potential leasing in the 2017-2022 Program. Eleven OCS oil and gas
lease sales were held in the Pacific Region between 1963 and 1984. A
total of 470 leases were issued in the 11 sales. Today, there are 43
producing leases and 23 oil and gas platforms, all offshore southern
California. In Fiscal Year 2016, production from these leases generated
$31.2 million in revenue to the federal treasury from a total of $234
million in sales value from crude oil and natural gas. As a result of
Congressional moratoria, subsequent presidential action, and consistent
and united opposition by the States of Washington, Oregon, and
California to any activity off their coasts, the Pacific OCS has not
been included in any National OCS Program since the 1987-1992 Program.
Areas Made Unavailable by Congressional or Presidential Action
With the enactment of GOMESA, Congress placed off-limits to OCS oil
and gas leasing activities, through June
[[Page 30888]]
30, 2022, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida; all
of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico east of 86 degrees, 41 minutes West
longitude; and a portion of the Central Gulf of Mexico within 100 miles
of Florida (see Figure 2).
The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area in Alaska was withdrawn from
future leasing consideration for a time period without specific
expiration by President Barack Obama on December 16, 2014, pursuant to
section 12(a) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a).
All National Marine Sanctuaries were withdrawn from leasing, for a
time period without a specific expiration, by President William J.
Clinton on June 12, 1998. Pursuant to E.O. 13795, President Trump
withdrew marine sanctuaries that were designated as of July 14, 2008,
from disposition by leasing. On September 15, 2016, President Obama
designated the first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean off
the coast of New England as the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine
National Monument, prohibiting exploring for, developing, or producing
oil and gas or minerals, or undertaking any other energy exploration or
development activities within the monument.
In the DPP, BOEM will analyze all 26 OCS Planning Areas, including
areas that may be currently unavailable for leasing. An area that is
currently unavailable for leasing could still be part of a National OCS
Program, but could not be offered for sale until Congress and/or the
President, as applicable, makes it available.
National Energy Needs
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the Secretary
consider national energy needs in formulating the National OCS Program.
In developing the National OCS Program, BOEM will present an analysis
of the contribution of OCS oil and natural gas to the U.S. economy and
the Nation's anticipated energy needs. The analysis will include
discussions of the U.S. Energy Information Administration's projections
of national energy needs in the Annual Energy Outlook, the potential
contribution of OCS oil and natural gas production in meeting those
needs, alternative sources to OCS production, and considerations
relating to national and regional energy markets. BOEM invites comments
from anyone who would like to submit information related to the
Nation's future energy needs or national and regional energy markets
for consideration in determining the appropriate size, timing, and
location of OCS oil and gas lease sales for the new National OCS
Program.
OCS Planning Areas To Be Considered and Analyzed
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act requires that the National OCS
Program be based upon a consideration of a comparative analysis of the
oil- and gas-bearing regions of the OCS. BOEM has divided the OCS into
26 Planning Areas, which are depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The depicted
maritime boundaries and limits, as well as divisions between planning
areas, where shown, are for planning and administrative purposes only.
Note that precise maritime boundaries between the United States and
nearby or adjacent nations have not been determined in all cases. These
depictions do not affect or prejudice in any manner the position of the
United States, or its individual States, with respect to the nature or
extent of internal waters or of sovereign rights or jurisdiction.
This RFI requests information on all 26 planning areas, including
areas currently under moratorium, withdrawn, or otherwise unavailable.
As set forth in more detail later in this RFI, the information
requested is wide-ranging, including information on other uses of the
sea, marine productivity, and environmental sensitivity. Accordingly,
this RFI invites and provides an opportunity for Governors of affected
States, local government, industry, Federal agencies, and the general
public to provide suggestions and any other information they believe
BOEM should evaluate for purposes of the 2019-2024 Program.
The information solicited in this RFI will be considered in light
of the factors specified by section 18 of the OCS Lands Act, which are
discussed later herein. Based upon consideration of the analysis of
those factors, the Secretary will prepare the DPP and decide which
areas to include therein. Pursuant to section 18 of the OCS Lands Act,
areas included in the DPP decision will be subject to further analysis.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act
As previously noted, the National OCS Program preparation process
will follow all the procedural and substantive requirements of section
18 of the OCS Lands Act. This RFI solicits information and comments
early in the preparation process pursuant to section 18(c)(1) of the
OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(c)(1). BOEM will prepare a DPP decision
document based upon consideration of the information and comments
received and analysis of the principles and factors specified in
section 18 of the OCS Lands Act. The DPP decision document will present
for review and comment a preliminary schedule of proposed lease sales
and potential decision options.
Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act provides that, for purposes of
preparing a National OCS Program, the Secretary should take into
consideration the economic, social, and environmental values of all OCS
resources, as well as the potential impact of oil and gas exploration
and development on other resource values of the OCS and the marine,
coastal and human environments. The eight factors that must be
considered in determining the timing and location of leasing under the
National OCS Program are set forth in section 18(a)(2) of the OCS Lands
act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(2). They are (1) existing information on the
geographical, geological, and ecological characteristics of OCS
regions; (2) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and
environmental risks among the various regions; (3) the location of such
regions with respect to, and the relative needs of, regional and
national energy markets; (4) the location of such regions with respect
to other uses of the sea and seabed, including fisheries, navigation,
existing or proposed sea lanes, potential sites of deepwater ports, and
other anticipated uses of the resources and space of the OCS; (5)
expressed industry interest in the development of oil and gas
resources; (6) laws, goals, and policies of affected States
specifically identified by governors; (7) the relative environmental
sensitivity and marine productivity of different areas of the OCS; and
(8) environmental and predictive information for different areas of the
OCS.
Section 18(a)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(3),
requires the Secretary to obtain a proper balance among the potential
for environmental damage, the potential for discovery of oil and gas,
and the potential for adverse impact on the coastal zone, for which the
DOI will provide a cost-benefit analysis, as appropriate, to supplement
qualitative consideration of these factors. The OCS Lands Act also
requires that leasing activities assure the receipt of fair market
value for the lands leased and rights conveyed by the Federal
Government in the OCS. Section 18(a)(4) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(a)(4).
Types of Information Requested
BOEM invites comments from anyone who would like to submit
information and/or suggestions for consideration in determining, among
others things, the appropriate size, timing, and location of
[[Page 30889]]
potential OCS oil and gas lease sales under the 2019-2024 Program.
Please note that BOEM invites all private and public stakeholders, as
well as the general public, to comment or provide any information that
they believe should be taken into consideration by BOEM during the
preparation of the 2019-2024 Program.
This request constitutes a general solicitation of comments and
does not seek information about commenters, other than that necessary
for self-identification. Therefore it is not subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521. (Please refer to implementing
regulations at 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4).)
General Information Requested
BOEM would like to receive comments and suggestions of national or
regional application that would be useful in formulating the National
OCS Program. The types of information that would be most useful in
conducting the analysis, pursuant to section 18 of the OCS Lands Act,
relate to the following factors:
(1) National energy needs for the period relevant to the new
National OCS Program (i.e., 2019 to 2024), in particular, the role of
OCS oil and gas leasing and resulting exploration, development and
production activities in achieving national energy policy goals; the
economic, social, and environmental values of the renewable and
nonrenewable resources contained in the OCS; and the potential impact
of oil and gas exploration and development on other OCS resource values
and the marine, coastal, and human environments;
(2) existing information concerning geographical, geological, and
ecological characteristics of the OCS planning areas and near shore and
coastal environments;
(3) equitable sharing of developmental benefits and environmental
risks among the various planning areas;
(4) location of planning areas with respect to, and the relative
needs of, regional and national energy markets;
(5) other uses of the sea and seabed, including commercial and
recreational fisheries; navigation; military activities; existing or
proposed sea lanes; potential sites of deepwater ports (including
liquefied natural gas facilities); subsea cables; satellite launch
activities; potential offshore wind, wave, current, or other
alternative energy sites; and other anticipated uses of OCS resources
and locations;
(6) relative environmental sensitivity and marine productivity of
the different planning areas and/or a specific section(s) of a given
OCS planning area;
(7) environmental and predictive information pertaining to offshore
and coastal areas potentially affected by OCS oil and gas development
including, but not limited to, socio-cultural and archaeological
information; and
(8) methods and procedures for assuring the receipt of fair market
value for lands leased.
Fair Market Value Information Requested
In developing the methods and procedures for assuring the receipt
of fair market value for lands leased under section 18(a)(4) of the OCS
Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(a)(4), BOEM sets lease fiscal and temporal
terms, and other features relevant to bidding. Given BOEM's
responsibility to ensure fair market value for the U.S. Government,
BOEM is seeking information in response to the following questions:
(1) If DOI continues leasing in the Gulf of Mexico planning areas,
are there changes to lease terms that would better meet the objectives
of the OCS Lands Act? Lease terms subject to change include:
a. Minimum bids
b. Rental rates
c. Royalty rates, royalty structures (e.g., flat or price-based)
d. Initial period (also known as primary term) of the lease term
and extended initial period (such as, 7 years plus 3 years more if
drilling commences)
(2) If DOI offers acreage for lease in planning areas outside the
Gulf of Mexico, what fiscal terms for each planning area would best
meet the objectives and limitations of the OCS Lands Act regarding the
lease terms listed in items 1a. to 1d. above?
a. Is there an alternative design (e.g., auction-type design) that
may be better suited to achieve fair market value, either by changing
the bidding variable or some other aspect of the competitive lease
sale?
b. Should the upcoming program consider use of alternative and/or
non-traditional fiscal terms, primary lease terms, auction formats, or
tract offering sizes? Please state which of these features of the
leasing process merit consideration for future use, where and under
what conditions those changes might be useful, and explain why such a
change would be necessary or beneficial, e.g., demonstrate that
exploration would not occur in selected frontier areas without larger
than traditionally-sized tracts in lease sales.
Please note that BOEM is requesting information on these topics to
inform its continuing evaluation of market conditions, available
resources, bidding patterns (if applicable), and competitiveness of OCS
lease terms with respect to each proposed sale. BOEM is asking for
public input regarding lease terms or potential changes to lease terms
concerning acreage offered during the 2019-2024 Program.
Specific Information Requested
From States
For Coastal States, pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands
Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(f)(5), and implementing regulations at 30 CFR
556.202, BOEM requests information concerning the relationship between
OCS oil and gas activity and the States' coastal zone management
programs that are being developed, or are administered, under section
305 or 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, 16
U.S.C. 1454, 1455. BOEM also requests that non-coastal and Coastal
States submit information concerning environmental risk and potential
for damage to coastal and marine resources associated with OCS
development, information related to other uses of the sea, and any
information that is relevant to equitable sharing of developmental
benefits and environmental risks associated with OCS oil and gas
activity (or the likely energy substitutes in the absence of new OCS
leasing). In addition, for non-coastal and Coastal States, information
is requested on the impacts of additional OCS leasing, exploration and
production and the associated economic impact on the State and national
economies and citizens, including impacts to employment, existing and
new industries, future export potential, and state taxes.
From the Oil and Gas Industry
Pursuant to section 18(a)(2)(E) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(a)(2)(E), BOEM will take into account, during the preparation of
the National OCS Program, the interest of oil and gas producers in the
development of oil and gas resources, as indicated by exploration or
nomination. Industry respondents should base this information upon
their expectations as of 2017. For each planning area in which industry
respondents are interested, they should submit information concerning
unleased hydrocarbon potential, future oil and gas price expectations,
and other relevant information that the industry respondent uses in
making OCS oil and gas leasing decisions. BOEM requests that industry
respondents provide
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additional information, as specified below:
(1) Indicate the OCS Planning Area(s) where the industry respondent
would be interested in acquiring oil and gas leases, regardless of
whether the area currently is unavailable. If more than one Planning
Area is of interest, rank all areas of interest (including those now
being offered, if appropriate) in order of preference.
(2) Indicate the number and timing of lease sales in the period
2019-2024 that would be appropriate for each Planning Area. If only one
lease sale in a Planning Area is appropriate, indicate whether that
area should be considered for leasing early or late in the five-year
schedule. If more than one lease sale in a planning area is suggested,
indicate the preferred interval between lease sales.
(3) Indicate the expected lead time to production in areas that are
not part of the 2017-2022 Program or currently do not have
infrastructure or production, relative to lead-times to new production
in previously leased areas like the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico.
(4) In addition, BOEM requests information on industry's view of
the utility of region-wide sales in the Gulf of Mexico as planned in
the 2017-2022 National Program.
Section 18(g) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1344(g), authorizes
confidential treatment of privileged or proprietary information. In
order to ensure security and confidentiality of proprietary information
to the maximum extent possible, BOEM requests that proprietary
information only be sent by U.S. mail. In addition to prominently
stating that proprietary information is contained in the comment at the
beginning of the submission, comments should be sent in a plain outer
envelope with an inner envelope stating that proprietary information is
contained within.
From the U.S. Department of Commerce
Pursuant to section 18(f)(5) of the OCS Lands Act, 43 U.S.C.
1344(f)(5), and implementing regulations at 30 CFR 556.202, BOEM
requests information concerning relationships between affected States'
coastal zone management programs and OCS oil and gas activities. In
coordination with this RFI, BOEM will also send a letter to the
Secretary of Commerce soliciting such information.
From the U.S. Department of Energy
Pursuant to BOEM's regulations at 30 CFR 556.202, BOEM requests
information concerning regional and national energy markets, and
transportation networks, including the role of exports. In coordination
with this RFI, BOEM will also send a letter to the Secretary of Energy
soliciting such information.
From the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
BOEM respects the needs of DOD in their mission of protecting the
United States and continues to work closely with DOD to understand and
identify potential measures to address any conflicts on the OCS.
Multiple use challenges are a concern in many OCS areas, in particular
the military's use of portions of the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning
Areas. As in the past, BOEM requests that DOD provide textual and
graphic information as to the areas where oil and gas operations could
be carried out. BOEM and DOD are committed to working through multiple
use challenges so that each of our important missions is accomplished.
Such detailed cooperation already occurs in the GOM and offshore
California. During preparation of the 2017-2022 Program, DOD identified
95 percent of the proposed Atlantic Program Area as largely compatible
with oil and gas activities, as long as appropriate mitigation measures
are applied.
Public Comment Procedure
BOEM will accept comments in one of two formats: The internet
commenting system, regulations.gov, or regular U.S. mail. Comments
submitted by other means may not be considered. BOEM's strong
preference is to receive comments via regulations.gov, except in the
event that a comment contains information that is proprietary. Comments
should be submitted using only one of these formats, and include full
names and addresses of the individual submitting the comment(s). Before
including 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.
Commenting via Internet
Internet comments should be submitted via the Federal internet
commenting system at https://www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests that
commenters follow these instructions to submit their comments via this
Web site:
(1) In the search tab on the main page, search for BOEM-2017-0050.
(2) Locate the document, then click the ``Submit a Comment'' link
either on the Search Results page or the Document Details page. This
will display the Web comment form.
(3) Enter the submitter information and type the comment on the Web
form. Attach any additional files (up to 10MB). (BOEM cannot ensure the
security or confidentiality of information sent via the internet;
therefore, information that is proprietary should be provided by U.S.
mail as provided in the ``From Oil and Gas Industry'' section of this
RFI.)
(4) After typing the comment, click the ``Preview Comment'' link to
review. Once satisfied with the comment, click the ``Submit'' button to
send the comment.
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User
Tips'' link.
Commenting via Regular Mail
Mail comments and information on the 2019-2024 Program to Ms. Kelly
Hammerle, National Program Manager, BOEM, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop
VAM-LD, Sterling, VA 20166.
BOEM will post all comments to regulations.gov, subject to the
limitations described in this section.
Dated: June 28, 2017.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
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