[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16121-16122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8721]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
30 CFR Parts 202 and 216
RIN 1010-AC23
Amendments to Standards for Reporting and Paying Royalties on Gas
and the Gas Analysis Report
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service proposes to amend its
regulations requiring operators in the Gulf of Mexico Region to report
gas at the standard conditions of 14.73 psia (instead of 15.025 psia)
and adjusted to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This change will make the
regulations consistent with proposed changes to 30 CFR Part 250.
MMS also proposes to change the requirement for submitting Form
MMS-4055, Gas Analysis Report (GAR), from a semiannual basis to
submitting a GAR when requested by MMS. This reduction of reporting
will help satisfy the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 by eliminating reports that are no longer used.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 5, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: David S. Guzy, Chief, Rules and
Procedures Staff, Royalty Management Program, Minerals Management
Service, P.O. Box 25165, MS 3101, Denver, Colorado 80225-0165; courier
delivery to Building 85, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225;
or e-Mail David__Guzy@smtp.mms.gov. Comments received will be posted on
the Internet at http://www.rmp.mms.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are limiting the comment period to 30
days because this proposal is a minor wording change to the existing
regulations, and it parallels the proposed offshore rule.
The intention of the amendments is to keep the regulations in parts
202 and 216 relating to royalty consistent with those relating to
offshore minerals management and to reduced reporting requirements on
the public.
MMS is seeking comments on the applicable industry standards and
practices regarding the pressure at which gas should be measured.
Please comment on whether reporting gas measurement at the standard
pressure of 14.73 psia is appropriate or whether some other pressure
should be adopted.
The principal author of this proposed rulemaking is Lawrence K.
Barker of the Compliance Verification Division, Lakewood, Colorado.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Department certifies that this proposed rule will not have a
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.). This
proposed rule would revise RMP's rules for reporting gas at the same
standards as Offshore Minerals Management's rules.
Executive Order 12630
The Department certifies that this proposed rule does not represent
a governmental action capable of interference with constitutionally
protected property rights. Thus, a Takings Implication Assessment need
not be prepared under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.''
Paperwork Reduction Act
This proposed rule has been examined under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995; no new reporting and information collection requirements
are included. The current information collection requirements have been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C.
Sec. 3501 et seq., and assigned Clearance Number 1010-0040.
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule does not meet the criteria for a significant
rule requiring review by OMB.
Executive Order 12988
The Department has certified to OMB that this proposed rule meets
the applicable reform standards in section 3 (a) and (b)(2).
Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995
The Department has determined and certifies that this proposed rule
will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on
local, tribal, State governments, or the private sector.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
We have determined that this proposed rulemaking is not a major
Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment, and a detailed statement under section 192(2)(c) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) is not
required.
List of Subjects
30 CFR Part 202
Coal, Continental shelf, Geothermal energy, Government contracts,
Indian
[[Page 16122]]
lands, Mineral royalties, Natural gas, Petroleum, Public lands-mineral
resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
30 CFR Part 216
Coal, Continental shelf, Geothermal energy, Government contracts,
Indian lands, Mineral royalties, Natural gas, Penalties, Petroleum,
Public lands-mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: March 27, 1997.
Bob Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR Parts 202 and 216
are proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 202--ROYALTIES
1. The authority citation for part 202 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; 25 U.S.C. 396 et seq., 396a et
seq., 2101 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq., 351 et seq., 1001 et
seq., 1701 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 43 U.S.C. 1301 et seq., 1331 et
seq., 1801 et seq.
Subpart D--Federal and Indian Gas
2. Section 202.152(a)(1) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 202.152 Standards for reporting and paying royalties on gas.
(a)(1) If you are responsible for reporting production or
royalties, you must:
(A) Report gas volumes and Btu heating values, if applicable, under
the same degree of water saturation as stated in your sales contract;
(B) Report gas volumes in units of 1,000 cubic feet (mcf); and
(C) Report gas volumes and Btu heating value at a standard pressure
base of 14.73 psia and a standard temperature base of 60 degrees
Fahrenheit.
* * * * *
PART 216--PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING
1. The authority citation for part 216 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; 25 U.S.C. 396 et seq., 396a et
seq., 2101 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 181 et seq., 351 et seq., 1001 et
seq., 1701 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 3716, 3720A, 9701; 43 U.S.C. 1301 et
seq., 1331 et seq., 1801 et seq.
Subpart B--Oil and Gas, General
2. Section 216.54 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 216.54 Gas Analysis Report.
When requested by MMS, any operator must file a Gas Analysis Report
(GAR) (Form MMS-4055) for each sale or transfer meter. The form must
contain accurate and detailed gas analysis information. This
requirement applies to offshore, onshore, or Indian leases.
(a) MMS may request a GAR when you sell gas or transfer gas for
processing before the point of royalty computation.
(b) When MMS first requests this report, the report is due within
30 days. If MMS requests subsequent reports, they will be due no later
than 45 days after the month covered by the report.
[FR Doc. 97-8721 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
