[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4480-4481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2383]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Subpart D, Drilling Operations
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, DOI.
ACTION: Notice of request for reinstatement of information collection;
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) invites the
general public and other Federal agencies to comment on a request to
reinstate a previously approved collection of information contained in
30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling Operations. MMS has added new
requirements which will increase the reporting burden; and, reduced
recordkeeping hours due to corrected re-estimates. MMS will request
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate
this collection of information.
DATES: Submit written comments by April 8, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Mail Stop 4700; 381 Elden
Street; Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817; Attention: Chief, Engineering and
Standards Branch.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Radford, Engineering and Standards Branch, Minerals Management
Service, telephone (703) 787-1144.
[[Page 4481]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Abstract
1. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1331 et
seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior to preserve, protect, and
develop oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS);
make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as
rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resources development with
protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the
public a fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) of
the OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1332) requires that ``operations in the Outer
Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained
personnel using technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to
prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control,
fires, spillages, physical obstruction to other users of the waters or
subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the
environment or to property, or endanger life or health.'' To carry out
these responsibilities, the Director of the MMS has issued rules
governing drilling operations in the OCS. To perform these duties, MMS
needs to collect information from lessees in the OCS. This information
is in the form of descriptions of the drilling site, procedures, and
equipment as described in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling
Operations.
2. The MMS prepared a proposed rule to amend Subpart D,
Sec. 250.67, Hydrogen sulfide, to revise the requirements for
preventing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releases and protecting human
safety. Also proposed were requirements for visual and audible warning
systems, personnel protection, training, (H2S) and sulphur dioxide
(SO2) detection and monitoring, and H2S flaring. The proposed
rule was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 1995 (60 FR
25178). Comments were due July 10, 1995. MMS did not receive any
comments pertaining to the Subpart D information collection
requirements in this proposed rule.
3. MMS will use the information to ascertain the condition of a
drilling site for the purpose of mitigating hazards inherent in
drilling operations. If MMS did not collect the information, we could
not determine whether lessees are properly providing for the safety of
operations and the protection of the environment. Specifically, we
could not:
a. Review drilling plans to ensure that the drilling unit is fit
for the intended purpose.
b. Review expected oceanographic and meteorological conditions to
use when evaluating the integrity of the drilling unit (this
information is submitted only if it is not otherwise available).
c. Review shallow hazard survey data to ensure that the lessee will
not encounter geologic conditions which present a hazard to operations.
d. Review welding and burning plans to ensure the safety of
operations.
e. Review casing data to ensure the adequacy of casings for
anticipated conditions.
f. Review well records to ascertain whether hydrocarbons have been
encountered and whether H2S has been encountered.
4. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements and number of
respondents vary for each section. The estimates below are based on an
average.
Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Frequency: On occasion; varies by section.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 125.
Estimate of Burden: Reporting average of 19 annual hours per
response; recordkeeping average of 140 annual hours per recordkeeper.
Estimate of Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Reporting burden
estimate = 2,371 hours; recordkeeping burden estimate = 17,533.
Estimated combined total of 19,904.
Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour Burdens:
Based on $25 per hour, the total cost to lessees is estimated to be
$497,600.
Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
Type of Request: Reinstatement.
OMB Number: 1010-0053.
Form Number: N/A.
Comments: MMS will summarize written responses to this notice for
inclusion in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.
1. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)), MMS specifically solicits responses to the following
questions: (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for
the proper performance of MMS' functions and will it be useful? (b) Are
the estimates of the burden of the proposed collection reasonable? (c)
Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, clarity, or
usefulness of the information to be collected? (d) Is there a way to
minimize the information collection burden on those who are to respond,
including through the use of appropriate automated electronic,
mechanical, or other forms of information technology?
2. In addition, the Paperwork Reduction Act requires agencies to
estimate the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers
resulting from the collection of information. MMS needs your comments
on this item. Your response should split the cost estimate into two
components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component; and (b) an
annual operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.
The estimates should take into account costs associated with
generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information.
Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factor
including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of
capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which
costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other
items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing
computers and software, monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing
equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, estimates should
not include purchases of equipment or services made: (a) prior to
October 1, 1995; (b) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements
not associated with the information collection; (c) for reasons other
than to provide information or keep records for the government; or (d)
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
Bureau Clearance Officer: Arthur Quintana (703) 787-1239.
Dated: January 29, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-2383 Filed 2-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M
