Outer Continental Shelf operations: Miscellaneous corrections,

[Federal Register: February 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 36)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 9065-9066]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24fe99-4]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Parts 250, 256, 270, 282

Outer Continental Shelf Regulations

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Correcting amendments.

SUMMARY: This document corrects various regulations that were published in several Federal Registers and are codified in the July 1, 1998, edition of Title 30--Mineral Resources, Parts 200-699, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These regulations relate to operations, leasing, and nondiscrimination in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Many of the sections being corrected have been amended or redesignated several times. The primary dates of publication are: April 1, 1988 (53 FR 10690); June 29, 1979 (44 FR 38276); May 22, 1985 (50 FR 21048); and January 18, 1989 (54 FR 2067). The CFR references all of the Federal Register publication dates and page numbers that amended or redesignated each section.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 24, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kumkum Ray (703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The final rules that are being corrected affect persons holding leases and operating in the OCS, or who have violated the OCS Lands Act. The corrections cover a variety of miscellaneous administrative amendments resulting from the following:

(a) Recent redesignation of the entire 30 CFR 250 regulations (5/ 29/98, 63 FR 29477) makes citation references in other parts of the CFR incorrect. In addition, several citation references in 30 CFR 250 were overlooked in the redesignation rulemaking. This document corrects the redesignated regulatory citations.

(b) Changes to the 30 CFR 250, Subpart O, regulations on Training (2/5/97, 62 FR 5322), make obsolete the reference to a training standard in the Subpart D regulations on Drilling. This document deletes the reference to the obsolete training standard.

(c) Elimination of the former MMS OCS Atlantic regional office requires the removal of references to that Region. The area offshore the Atlantic Coast is now included with the OCS Gulf of Mexico Region. This document corrects references to the OCS Regions.

(d) Revised 30 CFR 250, Subpart N, regulations on OCS Civil Penalties (8/8/97, 62 FR 42688), contain typographical errors and an incorrect reference to ``alleged'' violations. This document corrects the errors and deletes the reference.

(e) Revisions to 30 CFR 256.52(c) in 1997 changed the status of operators' areawide bonds to exclude coverage of lessees (5/22/97, 62 FR 27955). This document returns the regulation to its historical position.

Need for Correction

As published, the final regulations contain errors or incorrect references that are misleading and need to be clarified.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

Continental shelf, Environmental impact statements, Environmental protection, Geological and geophysical data, Government contracts, Incorporation by reference, Investigations, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Oil and gas reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands--mineral resources, public lands--rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulphur development and production, Sulphur exploration, Surety bonds.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 256

Administrative practice and procedures, Continental shelf, Environmental Protection, Government contracts, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas exploration, Pipelines, Public lands--mineral resources, Public lands--rights-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surety bonds.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 270

Civil rights, Continental shelf, Environmental Protection, Government contracts, Oil and gas exploration.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 282

Continental shelf, Prospecting, Public lands--mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Research.

Accordingly, 30 CFR Parts 250, 256, 270, and 282 are revised by making the following correcting technical amendments:

PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

1. The authority citation for Part 250 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.

   Sec. 250.204 [Corrected]

2. In Sec. 250.204(b)(1)(vii), the citation ``250.139'' is revised to read ``250.909''.

   Sec. 250.413 [Corrected]

3. In Sec. 250.413, the first sentence in paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 250.413 Supervision, surveillance, and training.

   * * * * *

   (c) Lessee and drilling contractor personnel must be trained and qualified according to Subpart O of this part. * * *

   Sec. 250.604 [Corrected]

4. In Sec. 250.604, the citation ``250.67'' is revised to read ``250.417''.

   Sec. 250.900 [Corrected]

5. In Sec. 250.900(b), the citation ``250.131'' is revised to read ``250.901''.

   Sec. 250.901 [Corrected]

6. In Sec. 250.901(b)(3)(iv), the citation ``250.139'' is revised to read ``250.909''.

   Sec. 250.911 [Corrected]

7. In Sec. 250.911(b)(4)(ii), the citation ``250.137(a)(4)'' is revised to read ``250.907(a)(4)''.

   Sec. 250.1009 [Corrected]

8. In Sec. 250.1009, paragraph (b)(2) is revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 250.1009 General Requirements for a pipeline right-of-way grant.

   * * * * *

   (b) * * *

   (2) For the purpose of this paragraph, there are three areas:

   (i) The areas offshore the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast;

   (ii) The area offshore the Pacific Coast States of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii; and

   (iii) The area offshore the Coast of Alaska. * * * * *

   Sec. 250.1403 [Corrected]

9. Section 250.1403 is revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 250.1403 What is the maximum civil penalty?

   The maximum civil penalty is $25,000 per day per violation.

   [[Page 9066]]

   Sec. 250.1404 [Corrected]

10. In Sec. 250.1404, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:

    Sec. 250.1404 Which violations will MMS review for potential civil penalties?

    * * * * *

    (b) Violations that MMS determines may constitute, or constituted, a threat of serious, irreparable, or immediate harm or damage to life (including fish and other aquatic life), property, any mineral deposit, or the marine, coastal, or human environment; or * * * * *

    Sec. 250.1406 [Corrected]

11. In Sec. 250.1406, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:

    Sec. 250.1406 When will MMS notify me and provide penalty information?

    * * * * *

    (b) Information on the violation(s); and * * * * *

    PART 256--LEASING OF SULPHUR OR OIL AND GAS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

1. The authority citation for Part 256 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.

   Sec. 256.52 [Corrected]

2. In Sec. 256.52, paragraph (b) and the last sentence of paragraph (c) are revised to read as follows:

   Sec. 256.52 Bond requirements for an oil and gas or sulphur lease.

   * * * * *

   (b) For the purpose of this section, there are three areas. The area offshore the Atlantic Coast is included in the Gulf of Mexico. Areawide bonds issued in the Gulf of Mexico will cover oil and gas or sulphur operations offshore the Atlantic Coast. The three areas are:

   (1) The areas offshore the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coast;

   (2) The area offshore the Pacific Coast States of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii; and

   (3) The area offshore the Coast of Alaska.

   (c) * * * Your operator may use an areawide bond under this paragraph to satisfy your bond obligation. * * * * *

3. In paragraph 256.52(h)(2), the citation ``250.10'' is revised to read ``250.110.''

   Sec. 256.56 [Corrected]

4. In Sec. 256.56(a)(1), the citation ``250.110'' is revised to read ``250.700''.

   Sec. 256.70 [Corrected]

5. In Sec. 256.70, the citation ``250.13'' is revised to read ``250.113''.

   Sec. 256.73 [Corrected]

6. In Sec. 256.73, in paragraphs (a) and (b), the citation ``250.10'' is revised to read ``250.110''.

   Sec. 256.76 [Corrected]

7. In Sec. 256.76(a)(3), the citation ``250.12'' is revised to read ``250.112''.

   PART 270--NONDISCRIMINATION IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF

1. The authority citation for Part 270 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: Sec. 604, Pub. L. 95-372, 92 Stat 695 (43 U.S.C. 1863).

   Sec. 270.6 [Corrected]

2. In Sec. 270.6, the citations ``250.70, 250.71, 250.72, and 250.80'' are revised to read ``250.500, 250.501, 250.502, and 250.510''.

   Sec. 270.7 [Corrected]

3. In Sec. 270.7, the citations ``Secs. 250.81-1 and 250.80-2'' are revised to read ``30 CFR 250, subpart N''.

   PART 282--OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF FOR MINERALS OTHER THAN OIL, GAS, AND SULPHUR

1. The authority citation for Part 282 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.

   Sec. 282.28 [Corrected]

2. In Sec. 282.28(a), the citations ``250.26, 250.33(b)(19), 250.34(b)(12), and 250.45'', are revised to read ``250.126, 250.203(b)(19), 250.204(b)(12), and 250.303''.

   Dated: February 18, 1999. E. P. Danenberger, Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.

   [FR Doc. 99-4599Filed2-23-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P