Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals:
Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)
Notices
Pages 50240-50245
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2011-20558
Page 50240
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
Docket ID No. BOEM-2011-0010
BOEMRE Information Collection Activity: 1010-0141, Oil and Gas
Drilling Operations, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
(BOEMRE), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0141).
SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under ``Oil and Gas Drilling
Operations,'' and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements and associated forms.
DATES: Submit written comments by September 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or e-mail
(OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov) directly to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1010-0141). Please also submit a copy of your comments to
BOEMRE by any of the means below.
Electronically: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2011-0010 then click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this collection. BOEMRE will post all comments.
E-mail: cheryl.blundon@boemre.gov. Mail or hand-carry comments to: Department of the Interior; Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Regulation and Enforcement; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference
ICR 1010-0141 in your comment and include your name and return address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. To see a copy of the entire ICR submitted to OMB, go to http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information
Collection Review, Currently Under Review). You may also contact Cheryl
Blundon to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and forms that require the subject collection of information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR subpart 250, subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling
Operations.
Forms: BOEMRE Forms 0123, 0123S, 0124, 0125, 0133, 0133S, and 0144.
Note: Per Secretarial Orders 3299 and 3022, on October 1, 2011, the operation and inspection functions of BOEMRE will be transferred to a new bureau, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).
Therefore, after October 1, these forms will be designated as BSEE forms; e.g., BOEMRE Form 0123 will be designated as Form BSEE 0123.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0141.
Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended
(43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of mineral resources on the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease, right-of-way, or a right-of-use and easement. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) states that
``operations in the Outer Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner by well trained personnel using technology, precautions, and other techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, spillages, physical obstructions 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.''
The Independent Offices Appropriations Act (31 U.S.C. 9701), the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill (Pub. L. 104-133, 110 Stat. 1321, April 26, 1996), and OMB Circular A-25, authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the
Department of the Interior's implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) is required to charge fees for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which accrue to the public at large. Applications for permits to drill and to modify drilling plans are subject to cost recovery, and BOEMRE regulations specify service fees for these requests.
It should be noted that over the past year, various regulations and/or NTLs regarding safety operations on the OCS have been initiated as a result of investigations, recommendations, and reports on the
Deepwater Horizon event. Specifically, the subpart D regulatory requirements from the Increased Safety Measure for Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf, AD68 (75 FR 66632) rulemaking, are incorporated into this collection.
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR part 250, subpart D. Responses are mandatory. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BOEMRE will protect proprietary information according to 30 CFR 250.197, ``Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited inspection,'' 30 CFR part 252,
``OCS Oil and Gas Information Program,'' and the Freedom of Information
Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2).
BOEMRE uses the information to ensure safe drilling operations and to protect the human, marine, and coastal environment. Among other things, BOEMRE specifically uses the information to ensure: The drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; the lessee or operator will not encounter geologic conditions that present a hazard to operations; equipment is maintained in a state of readiness and meets safety standards; each drilling crew is properly trained and able to promptly perform well-control activities at any time during well operations; compliance with safety standards; and the current regulations will provide for safe and proper field or reservoir development, resource evaluation, conservation, protection of correlative rights, safety, and environmental protection. We also review well records to ascertain whether drilling operations have encountered hydrocarbons or H2S and to ensure that
H2S detection equipment, personnel protective equipment, and training of the crew are adequate for safe operations in zones known to contain H2S and zones where the presence of H2S is unknown.
The following forms are also submitted to BOEMRE under subpart D.
The forms and their purposes are:
Page 50241
Application for Permit To Drill, BOEMRE Forms 0123 and 0123S
BOEMRE uses the information from these forms to determine the conditions of a drilling site to avoid hazards inherent in drilling operations. Specifically, we use the information to evaluate the adequacy of a lessee's or operator's plan and equipment for drilling, sidetracking, or deepening operations. This includes the adequacy of the proposed casing design, casing setting depths, drilling fluid (mud) programs, and cementing programs to ascertain that the proposed operations will be conducted in an operationally safe manner that provides adequate protection for the environment. BOEMRE also reviews the information to ensure conformance with specific provisions of the lease. In addition, except for proprietary data, BOEMRE is required by the OCS Lands Act to make available to the public certain information submitted on Forms 0123 and 0123S.
Application for Permit To Modify, BOEMRE Form 0124
The information on this form is used to evaluate and approve the adequacy of the equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee or operator plans to use during drilling plan modifications, changes in major drilling equipment, and plugging back. In addition, except for proprietary data, BOEMRE is required by the OCS Lands Act to make available to the public certain information submitted on Form 0124.
End of Operations Report, BOEMRE Form 0125
This information is used to ensure that they have accurate and up- to-date data and information on wells and leasehold activities under their jurisdiction and to ensure compliance with approved plans and any conditions placed upon a suspension or temporary prohibition. It is also used to evaluate the remedial action in the event of well equipment failure or well control loss. Form 0125 is updated and resubmitted in the event the well status changes. In addition, except for proprietary data, BOEMRE is required by the OCS Lands Act to make available to the public certain information submitted on Form 0125.
Well Activity Report, BOEMRE Forms 0133 and 0133S
BOEMRE uses this information to monitor the conditions of a well and status of drilling operations. We review the information to be aware of the well conditions and current drilling activity (i.e., well depth, drilling fluid weight, casing types and setting depths, completed well logs, and recent safety equipment tests and drills). The engineer uses this information to determine how accurately the lessee anticipated well conditions and if the lessee or operator is following the approved Application for Permit to Drill (Form 0123). The information is also used for review of an APM (Form 0124). With the information collected on Form 0133 available, the reviewers can analyze the proposed revisions (e.g., revised grade of casing or deeper casing setting depth) and make a quick and informed decision on the request.
Rig Movement Notification Report, BOEMRE Form 0144
As activity increased over the years in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), the rig notification requirement became essential for BOEMRE inspection scheduling and has become a standard condition of approval for certain permits. BOEMRE needs the information on Form 0144 to schedule inspections and verify that the equipment being used complies with approved permits. In reporting rig movements respondents have the option of submitting the form or using a web-based system for electronic data submissions. The information on this form is used primarily in the GOM to ascertain the precise arrival and departure of all rigs in OCS waters in the GOM. The accurate location of these rigs is necessary to facilitate the scheduling of inspections by BOEMRE personnel.
Out of the seven forms associated with this collection, we have made some minor editorial changes for clarity purposes to Forms 0123 and 0123S and we have added plug information to be submitted via Form 0125. The information is on the schematic that is submitted as an attachment.
Frequency: On occasion, annual; and as required in the permit.
Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 215,624 hours. The following chart details the individual components and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that into account in estimating the burden.
Non-hour cost burdens*
Reporting and
----------------------------------------------------
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart D
recordkeeping
Annual burden and NTL(s)
requirement
Hour Burden
Average number of
hours annual responses
(rounded)
General Requirements
402(b)........................... Request approval to use
0.5 6 requests.........
3 blind or blind-shear ram or pipe rams and inside BOP. 403.............................. Notify BOEMRE of
0.1 20 notices.........
2 drilling rig movement on or off drilling location.
In GOM, rig movements
0.2 151 forms..........
31 reported on Form 0144. 404.............................. Perform operational
0.25 80 drilling rigs x
1,040 check of crown block
52 weeks = 4,160. safety device; record results (weekly).
408, 409......................... Apply for use of
Burden covered under 1010-0114.
0 alternative procedures and/or departures not requested in BOEMRE forms (including discussions with BOEMRE or oral approvals).
Subtotal............................................................... 4,337 Responses....
1,076
Page 50242
Apply for a Permit To Drill
410-418, 420(a)(6); 423(b)(3),
Apply for permit to
100 372 forms..........
37,200
(c)(1); 449(j), (k); 456(j);
drill, sidetrack, plus various references in
bypass, or deepen a subparts A, B, D, E, H, P, Q.
well that includes any/ all supporting documentation/evidence
test results, calculations, verifications, procedures, criteria, qualifications, etc.
and request for various approvals required in subpart D (including
Sec. Sec. 250.424; 425; 427; 428; 432; 442(c); 447; 448(c); 451(g); 460; 490(c)) and submitted via
BOEMRE Forms 0123
(Application for Permit to Drill) and 0123S
(Supplemental APD
Information Sheet).
$1,959 fee x 372 = $728,748
410(b); 417(b)................... Reference to Exploration Plan, Development and Production
0
Plan, Development Operations Coordination Document (30 CFR 250, subpart B)--burden covered under 1010-00151.
416(g)(2)........................ Provide 24 hour advance
0.25 100 notifications..
25 notice of location of shearing ram tests or inspections; allow
BOEMRE access to witness testing, inspections, and information verification. 417(a), (b)...................... Collect and report
5 30 report..........
150 additional information on case-by-case basis if sufficient information is not available.
417(c)........................... Submit 3rd party review of drilling unit according to 30 CFR
0 250, subpart I--burden covered under 1010-0149.
418(e)........................... Submit welding and burning plan according to 30 CFR 250,
0 subpart A--burden covered under 1010-0114.
Subtotal............................................................... 502 Responses...... 37,375 Hours
$728,748 Non-Hour Cost
Burdens
Casing and Cementing Requirements
420(b)(3)........................ Submit dual mechanical
0.75 308 submittals.....
231 barrier documentation after installation. 423(b)(4), (c)(2)................ Perform pressure casing
0.75 1,540 tests........
1,155 test; document results and make available to
BOEMRE upon request. 424.............................. Caliper, pressure test,
1 60.................
60 or evaluate casing; submit evaluation results; request approval before resuming operations or beginning repairs
(every 30 days during prolonged drilling). 426.............................. Record results of all
2 4,160 record
8,320 casing and liner
results. pressure tests. 427(a)........................... Record results of all
2 4,160 record
8,320 pressure integrity
results. tests and hole behavior observations re formation integrity and pore pressure.
Subtotal............................................................... 10,228 Responses...
18,086
Diverter System Requirements
434; 467......................... Perform diverter tests
2 616 Responses......
1,232 when installed and once every 7 days; actuate system at least once every 24-hour period; record results (average 2 per drilling operation); retain all charts/reports relating to diverter tests/ actuations at facility for duration of drilling well.
Blowout Preventer (BOP) System Requirements
442(h)........................... Label all functions on
-
33 panels..........
50 all panels. 442(i)........................... Develop written
8 33 procedures......
264 procedures for management system for operating the BOP stack and LMRP.
442(j)........................... Establish minimum
Burden covered under 1010-0128.
0 requirements for authorized personnel to operate critical BOP equipment; require training.
Page 50243
446(a)........................... Document BOP maintenance
3 80 records.........
240 and inspection procedures used; record results of BOP inspections and maintenance actions; maintain records for 2 years; make available to BOEMRE upon request. 449(j)(2)........................ Document all ROV
1 110 tests..........
110 intervention function test results; make available to BOEMRE upon request. 449(k)(2)........................ Document all autoshear
1 110 tests..........
110 and deadman on your subsea BOP systems function test results; make available to
BOEMRE upon request. 450; 467......................... Document and record BOP
11 80 test results....
880 pressure tests results, actuations and inspections; at a minimum every 14 days; as stated for components; sign as correct. Retain all records, including charts, report and referenced documents for the duration of drilling the well. 451(c)........................... Record reason for
0.25 80 records.........
20 postponing BOP test (on occasion--approx. 2/ year) in driller's report.
Subtotal............................................................... 526 Responses......
1,674
Drilling Fluid Requirements
456(b), (i)...................... Document/record in the
1 4,160 records......
4,160 driller's report everytime you circulate drilling fluid; results of drilling fluid tests. 456(c), (f)...................... Perform various
1 4,160 postings.....
4,160 calculations; post calculated drill pipe, collar, and drilling fluid volume; as well as maximum pressures. 458(b)........................... Record daily drilling
0.5 29,200 records.....
14,600 fluid and materials inventory in drilling fluid report.
459(a)(3)........................ Request exception to
Burden included under 1010-0114 procedure for protecting negative pressure area.
Subtotal............................................................... 37,520 Responses...
22,920
Other Drilling Requirements
460; 465; 449(j), (k); 456(j);
Submit revised plans
17 Form 0124 4,141....
70,397 plus various references in
(including but not subparts A, D, E, F, H, P, and Q. limited to, plugback; final surface location, water depth, rotary
Kelly bushing elevation; moving drill unit from wellbore w/o completing well, etc), well/drilling records, procedures, certifications that include any/all supporting documentation etc., and request for various approvals required in subpart D on BOEMRE
Forms 0124 (Application for Permit to Modify) or 0125 (End of
Operations Report) and supporting information.
$116 fee x 4,141 = $480,356
2 Form 0125 239......
478 460.............................. Submit plans and obtain
7 19 requests........
133 approval to conduct well test; notify
BOEMRE before test. 461(a-b); 466(e); 468(a)......... Record and submit well
3 281 logs/surveys...
843 logs and surveys run in the wellbore and/or charts of well logging operations (including but not limited to, etc.
Record and submit
1 281 reports........
281 directional and vertical-well surveys.
Record and submit
1 55 reports.........
55 velocity profiles and surveys.
Record and submit core
1 150 analyses.......
150 analyses. 461(e)........................... Provide copy of well
0.75 10 occasions.......
8 directional survey to affected leaseholder. 462(a)........................... Prepare and post well
0.5 308 plans..........
154 control drill plan for crew members. 462(c)........................... Record results of well-
1 8,320 results......
8,320 control drills. 463(b)........................... Request field drilling
2.5 3 requests.........
8 rules be established, amended, or canceled. 465(a)(1), 428, 449(j) & k(1),
Obtain approval to
35 381 submittals.....
13,335 456(j).
revise your drilling plan or change major drilling equipment by submitting a revised
Form 0123, Application for Permit to Drill and
Form 0123S,
Supplemental APD
Information Sheet [no fee for Revised APDs].
Page 50244
Subtotal............................................................... 14,188 Responses...
94,162
$480,356 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
Applying for a Permit To Modify and Well Records
466, 467......................... Retain drilling records
2.15 3,460 records......
7,439 for 90 days after drilling is complete; retain casing/liner pressure, diverter, and
BOP records for 2 years; retain well completion/well workover until well is permanently plugged/ abandoned or lease is assigned. 468(b); 465(b)(3)................ In the GOM OCS Region,
1 Form 0133 4,160....
4,160 submit drilling
Form 0133S 4,160...
4,160 activity reports weekly on Forms 0133 (Well
Activity Report) and 0133S (Bore Hole Data) and supporting information. 468(c)........................... In the Pacific and
1 14 wells x 365 days
1,022
Alaska OCS Regions
x 20% year = 1,022. during drilling operations, submit daily drilling reports.
N/A in GOM. 469.............................. As specified by region,
1.5 308 submissions....
462 submit well records, paleontological interpretations or reports, service company reports, and other reports or records of operations.
Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 13,110 Responses...
17,243
Hydrogen Sulfide
490(c), (d)...................... Submit request for
0.5 2 responses........
1 reclassification of H2S zone; notify BOEMRE if conditions change. 490(f); also referenced in 418(d) Submit contingency plans
30 26 plans...........
780 for operations in H2S areas (16 drilling, 5 work-over, 6 production). 490(g)........................... Post safety
4 26.................
104 instructions; document training; retain records at facility where employee works; train on occasion and/ or annual refresher
(approx. 2/year). 490(h)(2)........................ Document and retain
2 2,716..............
5,432 attendance for weekly
H2S drills and monthly safety mtgs until operations completed or for 1 year for production facilities at nearest field office.
490(i)........................... Display warning signs--no burden as facilities would display
0 warning signs and use other visual and audible systems.
490(j)(7-8)...................... Record H2S detection and
4 3,650 records......
14,600 monitoring sensors during drilling testing and calibrations; make available upon request.
490(j)(12)....................... Propose alternatives to minimize or eliminate SO2 hazards--
0 submitted with contingency plans--burden covered under Sec. 250.490(f).
490(j)(13)(vi)................... Label breathing air bottles--no burden as supplier normally
0 labels bottles; facilities would routinely label if not.
490(l)........................... Notify (phone) BOEMRE of
Oral 0.2 52 calls...........
11 unplanned H2S releases
(approx. 2/year).
Written 5 52 written reports.
260 490(o)(5)........................ Request approval to use
2 2 requests.........
4 drill pipe for well testing.
490(q)(1)........................ Seal and mark for the presence of H2S cores to be
0 transported--no burden as facilities would routinely mark transported cores.
490(q)(9)........................ Request approval to use
2 2 requests.........
4 gas containing H2S for instrument gas. 490(q)(12)....................... Analyze produced water
3 200 submittals.....
600 disposed of for H2S content and submit results to BOEMRE.
Subtotal............................................................... 6,728 Responses....
21,792
Page 50245
Miscellaneous
400-490.......................... General departure or
2 22.................
44 alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart D.
NTL.............................. Voluntary submit to USCG
.25 80.................
20 read only access to the
EPIRB data for their moored drilling rig fleet before hurricane season.
Subtotal............................................................... 102 Responses......
64
TOTAL BURDEN........................................................... 87,857 Responses...
215,624
$1,209,104 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have identified two non-hour cost burdens for this collection. When respondents submit an Application for Permit to Drill (BOEMRE Form 0123), they submit a $1,959 fee for initial applications only (there is no fee for revisions); and when respondents submit an Application for
Permit to Modify (BOEMRE Form 0124), they submit a $116 fee. Refer to the table in Section A.12 to see these specific fee breakdowns. We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection of information.
Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond.
Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) requires each agency ``* * * to provide notice * * * and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information * * *'' Agencies must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
To comply with the public consultation process, on April 15, 2011, we published a Federal Register notice (76 FR 21395) announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. In addition, Sec. 250.199 provides the
OMB control number for the information collection requirements imposed by the 30 CFR part 250 regulations and forms. The regulation also informs the public that they may comment at any time on the collections of information and provides the address to which they should send comments. We have received no comments in response to these efforts.
If you wish to comment in response to this notice, you may send your comments to the offices listed under the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public comments by
September 12, 2011.
Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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.
BOEMRE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz
(703) 787-1025.
Dated: July 20, 2011.
Doug Slitor,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
FR Doc. 2011-20558 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
