2024-14856. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way

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Department of the Interior

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

1. [Docket ID BSEE-2023-0012; EEEE500000 245E1700D2 ET1SF0000.EAQ000; OMB Control Number 1014-0016]

AGENCY:

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of information collection; request for comment.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to renew an information collection.

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Please provide a copy of your comments to Nikki Mason, BSEE ICCO, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166; or by email to [e-mail]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1014-0016 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request additional information about this ICR, contact Nikki Mason at 703-787-1607 or by email at [e-mail]. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 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.

A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on June 16, 2023 [88 FR 39462]. No comments were received.

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following:

(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility;

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response.

Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Abstract: Lessees and pipeline ROW holders design the pipelines that they install, maintain, and operate. To ensure those activities are performed in a safe manner, BSEE needs information concerning the proposed pipeline and safety equipment, inspections and tests, and natural and manmade hazards near the proposed pipeline route. BSEE uses the information to review pipeline designs prior to approving an application for an ROW or lease term pipeline to ensure that the pipeline, as constructed, will provide for safe transportation of minerals through the submerged lands of the OCS. BSEE reviews proposed pipeline routes to ensure that the pipelines would not conflict with any State requirements or unduly interfere with other OCS activities. BSEE reviews proposals for taking pipeline safety equipment out of service to ensure alternate measures are used that will properly provide for the safety of the pipeline and associated facilities (platform, etc.). BSEE reviews notifications of relinquishment of ROW grants and requests to decommission pipelines for regulatory compliance and to ensure that all legal obligations are met. BSEE monitors the records concerning pipeline inspections and tests to ensure safety of operations and protection of the environment and to schedule witnessing trips and inspections. Information is also necessary to determine the point at which DOI or Department of Transportation (DOT) has regulatory responsibility for a pipeline and to be informed of the identified operator if not the same as the pipeline ROW holder.

BSEE-0149—Assignment of Federal OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant

BSEE uses the information to track the holder-ship of pipeline ROWs; as well as use this information to update the corporate database that is used to determine what leases are available for a Lease Sale and the ownership of all OCS leases.

The form asks the pipeline ROW holder to provide:

—Part A—Assignment

—the legal description of the pipeline ROW grant being assigned,

—what specifically the pipeline ROW holder is selling, assigning, or transferring,

—the company name and number of each assignor and assignee,

—the percentage interest conveyed, and

—the percentage interest received.

—Part B—Certification and Acceptance

—assignor(s) signature, name, title, and date, and

—assignee(s) signature, name, title, and date.

If we approve the assignment, the authorized BSEE official signs and dates the form, and the assignment becomes effective on the date specified by us.

Form BSEE-0135—Designation of Right-of-Way Operator

BSEE uses the information to identify who has the authority to act on the ROW grant holder's behalf to fulfill obligations under the OCS Lands Act; as well as BSEE may provide to the designated ROW operator written or oral instructions in securing compliance with the ROW grant in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The form asks the pipeline ROW holder to provide:

—Pipeline ROW Grant Number

—Regional Office

—Name and address of Operator

—ROW grant description, including ROW and Pipeline Segment Numbers

—Identified ROW pipeline operator and GOM ID number

—Signatory name, title, and date.

Title of Collection:30 CFR 250, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way (ROW).

OMB Control Number: 1014-0016.

Form Number: Forms BSEE-0149—Assignment of Federal OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant, and Form BSEE-0135—Designation of Right-of-Way Operator.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents include Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and/or operators and holders of pipeline rights-of-way.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: Currently there are approximately 550 Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and holders of pipeline rights-of-way. Not all the potential respondents will submit information in any given year, and some may submit multiple times.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 2,802.

Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 30 minutes to 107 hours, depending on activity.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 34,206.

Respondent's Obligation: Submissions are mandatory or are required to obtain or retain a benefit.

Frequency of Collection: Submissions are generally on occasion.

Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $1,344,916.

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.

The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Kirk Malstrom,

Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch.