Agency Information Collection Activities: Federal Oil and Gas Valuation, 49760-49762 [2019-20473]

Download as PDF 49760 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2019 / Notices informing the public of the assessment process. The NPS received no comments on either the press release or the subsequent notice. Given that no lands at Big South Fork NRRA currently eligible for wilderness consideration, no wilderness study will be undertaken pursuant to Management Policies Section 2.2.2 to develop a recommendation to Congress for wilderness designation. Dated: August 5, 2019. Robert A. Vogel, Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2019–20559 Filed 9–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–SERO–OBRI–NPS0027212; PPSESEROC3, PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000] Determination of Eligibility for Consideration as Wilderness Areas, Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park Service, Interior. Notice of determination of wilderness eligibility for lands in Obed Wild and Scenic River. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964, and in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies (2006), Section 6.2.1, the NPS has completed a Wilderness Eligibility Assessment to determine if lands within Obed Wild and Scenic River (Obed WSR) meet criteria indicating eligibility for preservation as wilderness. Based on the assessment, the NPS has concluded that the assessed lands: (1) Are not predominantly roadless and undeveloped; (2) are not greater than 5,000 acres in size or of sufficient size as to make practicable their preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (3) do not meet the wilderness character criteria listed in the Wilderness Act and NPS Management Policies (2006). As a result of these findings, the NPS has determined that lands within the Obed WSR do not warrant further study for possible designation as wilderness. ADDRESSES: A map of the lands assessed is on file at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Headquarters, 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, Tennessee 37841. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas, Obed Wild and Scenic River, by phone at 423–569–9778, via email at OBRI_Superintendent@nps.gov, or by jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Sep 20, 2019 Jkt 247001 mail at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, Tennessee 37841. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Obed WSR comprises approximately 5,530 acres on the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Tennessee. The wild and scenic designation encompasses 45 miles of the Obed River and its tributaries, including Clear Creek, Daddys Creek, and the Emory River. Of the total acreage within the boundary, only about 2,664 acres, in noncontiguous tracts, are owned in fee by the Federal government. The Primary Eligibility Criteria found in Section 6.2.1.1 of NPS Management Policies was reviewed to evaluate Obed WSR’s wilderness eligibility. Based on this review, the NPS has determined that none of the acreage administered by the NPS at Obed Wild and Scenic River is eligible for designation as wilderness. While parts of the wild and scenic river are roadless, undeveloped, and appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, no single area is over 5,000 acres in size or is of sufficient size to make practicable its preservation and use as wilderness in an unimpaired condition. Areas owned in fee by the NPS are interspersed with lands owned by the State of Tennessee and by private parties. The fragmentation of the NPS fee lands and their small size precludes their effective management as wilderness. A public notice announcing the NPS’s intention to conduct this eligibility assessment was placed in the Federal Register on December 20, 2016. A previous press release had been issued to local media on August 22, 2016 informing the public of the assessment process. The NPS received no comments on either the press release or the subsequent notice. Given that lands at Obed WSR are not eligible for wilderness consideration, a wilderness study will not be prepared pursuant to Management Policies Section 2.2.2. [Docket No. ONRR–2012–0006; DS63644000 DR2000000.CH7000 190D1113RT; OMB Control Number 1012–0005] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: September 5, 2019. Robert A. Vogel, Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2019–20560 Filed 9–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Office of Natural Resources Revenue Agency Information Collection Activities: Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is proposing to renew an information collection with revisions. ONRR seeks renewed authority to collect information pertaining to (1) the Federal oil and gas valuation regulations, which include transportation and processing regulatory allowance limits; and (2) the accounting and auditing relief for marginal properties. SUMMARY: You must submit your written comments on or before November 22, 2019. DATES: You may submit comments on this Information Collection Request (ICR) to ONRR by using one of the following three methods (please reference ‘‘ICR 1012–0005’’ in the subject line of your comments): 1. Electronically go to https:// www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter ‘‘ONRR– 2012–0006’’ and then click ‘‘Search.’’ Follow the instructions to submit public comments. ONRR will post all comments. 2. Email comments to Mr. Armand Southall, Regulatory Specialist, at armand.southall@onrr.gov. 3. Hand-carry or mail comments, using an overnight courier service, to ONRR. Our courier address is Building 85, MS 64400B, Denver Federal Center, West 6th Ave. and Kipling St., Denver, Colorado 80225. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on technical issues, contact Mr. Peter Christnacht, Royalty Valuation, ONRR, telephone at (303) 233–2225, or email to Peter.Christnacht@onrr.gov. For other questions, contact Mr. Armand Southall, telephone at (303) 231–3221, or email to Armand.Southall@onrr.gov. You may also contact Mr. Southall to obtain copies (free of charge) of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated forms, and (3) the regulations requiring the subject collection of information. ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2019 / Notices In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. We are soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues mentioned in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1): (1) Is the collection necessary to perform the proper functions of ONRR; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might ONRR enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might ONRR minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. ONRR will post all comments, including names and addresses of respondents, at https:// www.regulations.gov. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as your address, phone number, email address, or other PII in your comment(s), you should be aware that your entire comment, including PII, may be made available to the public at any time. While you can ask us, in your comment, to withhold your PII from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We also will post the ICR at https://www.onrr.gov/ Laws_R_D/FRNotices/ICR0136.htm. jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Abstract The Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior is responsible for mineral resource development on Federal and Indian lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under various laws, the Secretary is charged to (1) manage mineral resources production from Federal and Indian lands and the OCS; (2) collect the royalties and other mineral revenues due; and (3) distribute the funds collected. We have posted the laws pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands and the OCS VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Sep 20, 2019 Jkt 247001 at https://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/ PubLaws/index.htm. The Secretary also has a trust responsibility to manage Indian lands and seek advice and information from Indian beneficiaries. ONRR performs the minerals revenue management functions for the Secretary and assists the Secretary in carrying out the Department’s trust responsibility for Indian lands. General Information When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, develop, produce, and sell, or otherwise dispose of, minerals from Federal or Indian lands, that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share of the production’s value. The lessee, or its designee, must report various kinds of information to the lessor relative to the disposition of the leased minerals. Such information is generally available within the records of the lessee or others involved in developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling such minerals. Information collections that we cover in this ICR are found at title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts: • 1202, subparts C and D, which pertain to Federal oil and gas royalties. • 1204, subpart C, which pertains to accounting and auditing relief for marginal properties. • 1206, subparts C and D, which pertain to Federal oil and gas product valuation. All data reported is subject to subsequent audit and adjustment. In March 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated ONRR’s 2017 Repeal rule of its 2016 Consolidated Federal Oil & Gas and Federal & Indian Coal Valuation Reform rule. By vacating ONRR’s 2017 Repeal rule, the Court reinstated ONRR’s 2016 Consolidated Federal Oil & Gas and Federal & Indian Coal Valuation Reform rule, originally published on July 1, 2016 (81 FR 43338) (2016 Valuation Rule), with its original effective date of January 1, 2017. We have not revised the burden hours because a lessee could potentially revise reporting periods prior to January 1, 2017 (i.e., periods under the old rule). Information Collections ONRR, acting for the Secretary, uses the information that we collect to ensure that lessees accurately value and appropriately pay all royalties based on the oil and gas produced from Federal onshore and offshore leases. ONRR and other Federal government entities, including the Bureau of Land Management, and the State PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49761 governmental entities, use the information for audit purposes, and for evaluating the reasonableness of product valuation or allowance claims that lessees submit. Please refer to the Data section for the estimated total burden hours. A. Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Regulations The valuation regulations at 30 CFR part 1206, subparts C and D, mandate that lessees collect and/or submit information used to value their Federal oil and gas, including (1) transportation and processing allowances and (2) regulatory allowance limit information. Lessees report certain data on form ONRR–2014, [Report of Sales and Royalty Remittance] (OMB Control Number 1012–0004, Royalty and Production Reporting). The information that we request is the minimum necessary to carry out our mission and places the least possible burden on respondents. If ONRR does not collect this information, both Federal and State governments may incur a loss of royalties. Transportation and Processing Regulatory Allowance Limits: Lessees may deduct the reasonable, actual costs of transportation and processing from Federal royalties. The lessees report these allowances on form ONRR–2014. For oil and gas, regulations establish the allowable limit on transportation allowance deductions at 50 percent of the value of the oil or gas. For gas only, regulations establish the allowable limit on processing allowance deductions at 662⁄3 percent of the value of each gas plant product. B. Accounting and Auditing Relief for Marginal Properties In 2004, we amended our regulations to comply with section 7 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996. These regulations provide guidance for lessees and designees seeking accounting and auditing relief for qualifying Federal marginal properties. Under the regulations, both ONRR and the State concerned must approve any accounting and auditing relief granted for a marginal property. OMB Approval We will request OMB approval to continue to collect, from companies, lessees, and designees, information used (1) to value their Federal oil and gas, including transportation and processing allowances, and (2) to request accounting and auditing relief approval for qualifying Federal marginal properties. Not collecting this E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1 49762 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 184 / Monday, September 23, 2019 / Notices jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES information would limit the Secretary’s ability to discharge fiduciary duties and may also result in the loss of royalty payments. We protect the proprietary information that we receive and do not collect items of a sensitive nature. ONRR requires lessees to respond to information collections relating to valuing Federal oil and gas, including transportation and processing allowances. ONRR also requires that lessees submit the allowance information to obtain benefits for claiming allowances on form ONRR– 2014. In addition, ONRR requires lessees to respond to information collections in regards to requesting approval for accounting and auditing relief. Data Title of Collection: Federal Oil and Gas Valuation—30 CFR parts 1202, 1204 and 1206. OMB Control Number: 1012–0005. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 120 Federal lessees/ designees and 7 States for Federal oil and gas. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 143. Estimated Completion Time per Response: The average completion time is 70.06 hours per response. The average completion time calculated by dividing the total estimated burden hours (10,018) by the estimated annual responses (143) from the table below. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 10,018 hours. Respondent’s Obligation: Submission of lessees’ information used for valuing Federal oil and gas, including transportation and processing allowances, to ONRR is mandatory. Lessees and designees requesting accounting and auditing relief for qualifying Federal marginal properties is required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: Annually and on occasion. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: We have identified no ‘‘nonhour’’ cost burden associated with the collection of information. We have not included in our estimates certain requirements that companies perform in the normal course of business and that ONRR considers usual and customary. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Sep 20, 2019 Jkt 247001 Authority: Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Gregory J. Gould, Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue. [FR Doc. 2019–20473 Filed 9–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4335–30–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 337–TA–1174] Certain Toner Cartridges, Components Thereof, and Systems Containing Same; Institution of Investigation U.S. International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission on August 19, 2019, under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, on behalf of Brother Industries, Ltd. of Japan, Brother International Corp. (U.S.A.) of Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Brother Industries (U.S.A., Inc.) of Bartlett, Tennessee. A supplement to the complaint was filed on August 20, 2019. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 based upon the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain toner cartridges, components thereof, and systems containing same by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 9,568,856 (‘‘the ’856 patent’’); U.S. Patent No. 9,575,460 (‘‘the ’460 patent’’); U.S. Patent No. 9,632,456 (‘‘the ’456 patent’’); U.S. Patent No. 9,785,093 (‘‘the ’093 patent’’); and U.S. Patent No. 9,846,387 (‘‘the ’387 patent’’). The complaint further alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by the applicable Federal Statute. The complainant requests that the Commission institute an investigation and, after the investigation, issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. ADDRESSES: The complaint, except for any confidential information contained therein, is available for inspection during official business hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Room 112, Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 terminal on (202) 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at (202) 205– 2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its internet server at https://www.usitc.gov. The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pathenia M. Proctor, The Office of Unfair Import Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, telephone (202) 205–2560. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority for institution of this investigation is contained in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337, and in section 210.10 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 19 CFR 210.10 (2019). Scope of Investigation: Having considered the complaint, the U.S. International Trade Commission, on September 17, 2019, ordered that— (1) Pursuant to subsection (b) of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, an investigation be instituted to determine whether there is a violation of subsection (a)(1)(B) of section 337 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, or the sale within the United States after importation of certain products identified in paragraph (2) by reason of infringement of one or more of claims 1–5, 10, and 12–15 of the ’093 patent; claims 1, 7–11, 15, and 16 of the ’460 patent; claims 1–7 and 9 of the ’856 patent; claims 1, 4–5, and 9 of the ’456 patent; and claims 1, 3, 5, 7–12, and 18 of the ’387 patent; and whether an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337; (2) Pursuant to section 210.10(b)(1) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 19 CFR 210.10(b)(1), the plain language description of the accused products or category of accused products, which defines the scope of the investigation, is ‘‘laser toner cartridges designed for use with Brother printers, fax machines, and Multi-Function Centers (‘MFCs’)’’; (3) For the purpose of the investigation so instituted, the following are hereby named as parties upon which this notice of investigation shall be served: (a) The complainants are: Brother Industries, Ltd., 15–1, Naeshirocho, Mizuho-ku Nagoya-shi, Aichiken, Japan 467–8561 E:\FR\FM\23SEN1.SGM 23SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49760-49762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20473]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

[Docket No. ONRR-2012-0006; DS63644000 DR2000000.CH7000 190D1113RT; OMB 
Control Number 1012-0005]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Federal Oil and Gas 
Valuation

AGENCY: Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is proposing to renew an 
information collection with revisions. ONRR seeks renewed authority to 
collect information pertaining to (1) the Federal oil and gas valuation 
regulations, which include transportation and processing regulatory 
allowance limits; and (2) the accounting and auditing relief for 
marginal properties.

DATES: You must submit your written comments on or before November 22, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this Information Collection 
Request (ICR) to ONRR by using one of the following three methods 
(please reference ``ICR 1012-0005'' in the subject line of your 
comments):
    1. Electronically go to https://www.regulations.gov. In the entry 
titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter ``ONRR-2012-0006'' and then click 
``Search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments. ONRR 
will post all comments.
    2. Email comments to Mr. Armand Southall, Regulatory Specialist, at 
[email protected].
    3. Hand-carry or mail comments, using an overnight courier service, 
to ONRR. Our courier address is Building 85, MS 64400B, Denver Federal 
Center, West 6th Ave. and Kipling St., Denver, Colorado 80225.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on technical issues, 
contact Mr. Peter Christnacht, Royalty Valuation, ONRR, telephone at 
(303) 233-2225, or email to [email protected]. For other 
questions, contact Mr. Armand Southall, telephone at (303) 231-3221, or 
email to [email protected] You may also contact Mr. Southall to 
obtain copies (free of charge) of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated 
forms, and (3) the regulations requiring the subject collection of 
information.

[[Page 49761]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed information collection 
request (ICR) described below. We are especially interested in public 
comment addressing the following issues mentioned in the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1): (1) Is 
the collection necessary to perform the proper functions of ONRR; (2) 
will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is 
the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might ONRR enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(5) how might ONRR minimize the burden of this collection on the 
respondents, including through the use of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. ONRR will post all comments, including names and 
addresses of respondents, at https://www.regulations.gov. We will 
include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this 
ICR. Before including your Personally Identifiable Information (PII), 
such as your address, phone number, email address, or other PII in your 
comment(s), you should be aware that your entire comment, including 
PII, may be made available to the public at any time. While you can ask 
us, in your comment, to withhold your PII from public view, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. We also will post the ICR at 
https://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/FRNotices/ICR0136.htm.

Abstract

    The Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior is 
responsible for mineral resource development on Federal and Indian 
lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under various laws, the 
Secretary is charged to (1) manage mineral resources production from 
Federal and Indian lands and the OCS; (2) collect the royalties and 
other mineral revenues due; and (3) distribute the funds collected. We 
have posted the laws pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and Indian 
lands and the OCS at https://www.onrr.gov/Laws_R_D/PubLaws/index.htm.
    The Secretary also has a trust responsibility to manage Indian 
lands and seek advice and information from Indian beneficiaries. ONRR 
performs the minerals revenue management functions for the Secretary 
and assists the Secretary in carrying out the Department's trust 
responsibility for Indian lands.

General Information

    When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, 
develop, produce, and sell, or otherwise dispose of, minerals from 
Federal or Indian lands, that company or individual agrees to pay the 
lessor a share of the production's value. The lessee, or its designee, 
must report various kinds of information to the lessor relative to the 
disposition of the leased minerals. Such information is generally 
available within the records of the lessee or others involved in 
developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling such 
minerals.
    Information collections that we cover in this ICR are found at 
title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts:
     1202, subparts C and D, which pertain to Federal oil and 
gas royalties.
     1204, subpart C, which pertains to accounting and auditing 
relief for marginal properties.
     1206, subparts C and D, which pertain to Federal oil and 
gas product valuation.
    All data reported is subject to subsequent audit and adjustment.
    In March 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of 
California vacated ONRR's 2017 Repeal rule of its 2016 Consolidated 
Federal Oil & Gas and Federal & Indian Coal Valuation Reform rule. By 
vacating ONRR's 2017 Repeal rule, the Court reinstated ONRR's 2016 
Consolidated Federal Oil & Gas and Federal & Indian Coal Valuation 
Reform rule, originally published on July 1, 2016 (81 FR 43338) (2016 
Valuation Rule), with its original effective date of January 1, 2017.
    We have not revised the burden hours because a lessee could 
potentially revise reporting periods prior to January 1, 2017 (i.e., 
periods under the old rule).

Information Collections

    ONRR, acting for the Secretary, uses the information that we 
collect to ensure that lessees accurately value and appropriately pay 
all royalties based on the oil and gas produced from Federal onshore 
and offshore leases. ONRR and other Federal government entities, 
including the Bureau of Land Management, and the State governmental 
entities, use the information for audit purposes, and for evaluating 
the reasonableness of product valuation or allowance claims that 
lessees submit. Please refer to the Data section for the estimated 
total burden hours.
A. Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Regulations
    The valuation regulations at 30 CFR part 1206, subparts C and D, 
mandate that lessees collect and/or submit information used to value 
their Federal oil and gas, including (1) transportation and processing 
allowances and (2) regulatory allowance limit information. Lessees 
report certain data on form ONRR-2014, [Report of Sales and Royalty 
Remittance] (OMB Control Number 1012-0004, Royalty and Production 
Reporting). The information that we request is the minimum necessary to 
carry out our mission and places the least possible burden on 
respondents. If ONRR does not collect this information, both Federal 
and State governments may incur a loss of royalties.
    Transportation and Processing Regulatory Allowance Limits: Lessees 
may deduct the reasonable, actual costs of transportation and 
processing from Federal royalties. The lessees report these allowances 
on form ONRR-2014. For oil and gas, regulations establish the allowable 
limit on transportation allowance deductions at 50 percent of the value 
of the oil or gas. For gas only, regulations establish the allowable 
limit on processing allowance deductions at 66\2/3\ percent of the 
value of each gas plant product.
B. Accounting and Auditing Relief for Marginal Properties
    In 2004, we amended our regulations to comply with section 7 of the 
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996. 
These regulations provide guidance for lessees and designees seeking 
accounting and auditing relief for qualifying Federal marginal 
properties. Under the regulations, both ONRR and the State concerned 
must approve any accounting and auditing relief granted for a marginal 
property.

OMB Approval

    We will request OMB approval to continue to collect, from 
companies, lessees, and designees, information used (1) to value their 
Federal oil and gas, including transportation and processing 
allowances, and (2) to request accounting and auditing relief approval 
for qualifying Federal marginal properties. Not collecting this

[[Page 49762]]

information would limit the Secretary's ability to discharge fiduciary 
duties and may also result in the loss of royalty payments. We protect 
the proprietary information that we receive and do not collect items of 
a sensitive nature.
    ONRR requires lessees to respond to information collections 
relating to valuing Federal oil and gas, including transportation and 
processing allowances. ONRR also requires that lessees submit the 
allowance information to obtain benefits for claiming allowances on 
form ONRR-2014. In addition, ONRR requires lessees to respond to 
information collections in regards to requesting approval for 
accounting and auditing relief.

Data

    Title of Collection: Federal Oil and Gas Valuation--30 CFR parts 
1202, 1204 and 1206.
    OMB Control Number: 1012-0005.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Businesses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 120 Federal lessees/
designees and 7 States for Federal oil and gas.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 143.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: The average completion time 
is 70.06 hours per response. The average completion time calculated by 
dividing the total estimated burden hours (10,018) by the estimated 
annual responses (143) from the table below.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 10,018 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Submission of lessees' information used 
for valuing Federal oil and gas, including transportation and 
processing allowances, to ONRR is mandatory. Lessees and designees 
requesting accounting and auditing relief for qualifying Federal 
marginal properties is required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: Annually and on occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: We have identified no 
``nonhour'' cost burden associated with the collection of information.
    We have not included in our estimates certain requirements that 
companies perform in the normal course of business and that ONRR 
considers usual and customary.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

    Authority:  Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

Gregory J. Gould,
Director, Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2019-20473 Filed 9-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4335-30-P
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