[Federal Register: June 30, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 36894-36897]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn08-107]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
[Docket No. MMS-2007-OMM-0078]
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0041 Oil and Gas
Production Rates, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0041).
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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 30 CFR part 250, subpart K, Oil
and Gas Production Rates, and related documents. This notice also
provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork
burden of these regulatory requirements.
DATES: Submit written comments by July 30, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You should submit comments directly to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for
the Department of the Interior (1010-0041), either by fax (202) 395-
6566 or e-mail (OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov).
Please also send a copy to MMS by either of the following methods:
http://www.regulations.gov. Under the tab ``More Search
Options,'' click Advanced Docket Search, then select ``Minerals
Management Service'' from the agency drop-down menu, then click
``submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select MMS-2007-OMM-0078 to submit
public comments and to view supporting and related materials available
for this rulemaking. Information on using Regulations.gov, including
instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing
the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through
the site's ``User Tips'' link. The MMS will post all comments.
Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference
``Information Collection 1010-0041'' in your subject line and mark your
message for return receipt. Include your name and return address in
your message text.
[[Page 36895]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. 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 part 250, subpart K, Oil and Gas Production Rates.
Forms: MMS-126, MMS-127, MMS-128, and MMS-140.
OMB Control Number: 1010-0041.
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 (Secretary) to prescribe rules and
regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and
regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease.
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 5(a) of the OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary to
prescribe rules and regulations ``to provide for the prevention of
waste, and conservation of the natural resources of the Outer
Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein''
and to include provisions ``for the prompt and efficient exploration
and development of a lease area.''
Section 1334(g)(2) states `` * * * the lessee shall produce such
oil or gas, or both, at rates * * * to assure the maximum rate of
production which may be sustained without loss of ultimate recovery of
oil or gas, or both, under sound engineering and economic principles,
and which is safe for the duration of the activity covered by the
approved plan.''
In addition, MMS also issues various Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and
Operators to clarify and provide additional guidance on some aspects of
the regulations, as well as various forms to capture the data and
information. The current subpart K regulations specify the use of forms
MMS-126 (Well Potential Test Report), MMS-127 (Sensitive Reservoir
Information Report), MMS-128 (Semiannual Well Test Report) and form
MMS-140 (Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report). Form MMS-140 is used in
the Gulf of Mexico OCS Region (GOMR) for submitting the results of
static bottomhole pressure surveys required under Sec. 250.1104(c).
Regulations implementing these responsibilities are under 30 CFR
part 250. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain or retain a
benefit. No questions of a ``sensitive'' nature are asked. The MMS
protects information considered proprietary under the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR
2), and under regulations at 30 CFR part 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.''
Proprietary information concerning geological and geophysical data will
be protected according to 43 U.S.C. 1352.
The information collected under subpart K is used in our efforts to
conserve natural resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative
rights, including the Government's royalty interest. Specifically, MMS
uses the information to:
Evaluate requests to burn liquid hydrocarbons and vent and
flare gas to ensure that these requests are appropriate;
To determine if a maximum production or efficient rate is
required; and,
To review applications for downhole commingling to ensure
that action does not result in harm to ultimate recovery.
Forms are also submitted to MMS and their purposes are:
Form 126--Well Potential Test Report--The MMS uses this information
for reservoir, reserves, and conservation analyses, including the
determination of maximum production rates (MPRs) when necessary for
certain oil and gas completions. This requirement implements the
conservation provisions of the OCS Lands Act and 30 CFR part 250. The
information obtained from the well potential test is essential to
determine if an MPR is necessary for a well and to establish the
appropriate rate. It is not possible to specify an MPR in the absence
of information about the production rate capability (potential) of the
well.
Form MMS-127, Sensitive Reservoir Information Report--The MMS uses
this information to determine whether a rate-sensitive reservoir is
being prudently developed. This represents an essential control
mechanism that MMS may use to regulate production rates from sensitive
reservoirs. Occasionally, the information available on a reservoir,
early in its producing life, may indicate it to be non-sensitive, while
later and more complete information would establish the reservoir as
being sensitive. Production from a well completed in the gas cap of a
sensitive reservoir requires approval from the Regional Supervisor. The
information submitted on this form provides reservoir parameters that
are revised at least annually or sooner if reservoir development
results in a change in reservoir interpretation. The engineers and
geologists use the information for rate control and reservoir studies
Form MMS-128, Semiannual Well Test Report--The MMS uses this
information to evaluate the results of well tests to determine if
reservoirs are being depleted in a manner that will lead to the
greatest ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons. This information is
collected to determine the capability of hydrocarbon wells and to
evaluate and verify an operator's approved maximum production rate if
assigned. The form was designed to present current well data on a
semiannual basis to permit the updating of permissible producing rates,
and to provide the basis for estimates of currently remaining
recoverable gas reserves.
Form MMS-140, Bottomhole Pressure Survey Report--The MMS uses the
information to effectively manage reservoirs in our efforts to conserve
natural resources, prevent waste, and protect correlative rights,
including the Government's royalty interest. Specifically, MMS uses the
information in reservoir evaluations to determine maximum production
and efficient rates; and to review applications for downhole
commingling to ensure that action does not result in harm to ultimate
recovery or undervalued royalties.
Frequency: On occasion, monthly, semi-annually, annually, and as a
result of situations encountered.
Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130
Federal oil and gas lessees.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: The
estimated annual ``hour'' burden for this information collection is a
total of 41,511 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.
[[Page 36896]]
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Reporting and
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart K recordkeeping Hour burden Average No. of Annual burden
requirement annual responses hours
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Non-Hour cost burdens
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Requests
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1101(b).......................... Request approval to 5 33 requests........ 165
produce within 500 feet
of a lease line.
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$3,300 fee x 33 requests = $108,900
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1101(c).......................... Request approval to 12 51 requests........ 612
produce gas cap of a
sensitive reservoir.
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$4,200 fee x 51 requests = $214,200
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1102(b)(6)....................... Request extension of .5 37 requests........ 19
time to submit results
of semiannual well test.
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1103(a).......................... Request approval of test .5 37 requests........ 19
periods of less than 4
hours and pretest
stabilization periods
of less than 6 hours.
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1105(a), (b)..................... Request special approval .5 1,007 requests..... 504
to flare or vent oil-
well gas.
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1105(c).......................... Request approval to burn .5 60 requests........ 30
produced liquid
hydrocarbons.
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Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 1,225 responses.... 1,349
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$323,100 non-hour cost burden
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Submittals
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1102............................. Submit form MMS-126..... 3 1,325 forms........ 3,975
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Submit form MMS-127..... 2.2 2,189 forms........ 4,816
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Submit form MMS-128 *... 0.5-3 13,000 forms in GOM 1,336 *
1,336 *.
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600 forms in POCS.. ..............
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1102(a)(5)....................... Submit alternative plan 1 1 plan............. 1
for overproduction
status--MMS is not
currently collecting
this information--this
is minimal burden
requirement.
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1103(c).......................... Provide advance notice .5 10 notices......... 5
of time and date of
well tests.
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1104(c).......................... Submit results of all 14 1,270 surveys...... 17,780
static bottomhole
pressure surveys
obtained by lessee.
Information is
submitted on form MMS-
140 in the Gulf of
Mexico Region.
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1105(f).......................... Submit monthly reports 2 3 operators x 12 72
of flared or vented gas mos. = 36.
containing H2S.
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1105(f).......................... H2S Contingency, Exploration, or Development and Production 0
Plans--burden covered under 1010-0141 and 1010-0049
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1106............................. Submit application to 6 48 applications.... 288
downhole commingle
hydrocarbons.
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$4,900 fee x 48 applications = $235,200
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1107(b).......................... Submit proposed plan for 12 14 plans........... 168
enhanced recovery
operations.
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1107(c).......................... Submit periodic reports 2 77 reports......... 154
of volumes of oil, gas,
or other substances
injected, produced, or
reproduced.
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1100-1107........................ General departure or 1 120 survey waivers. 120
alternative compliance
requests not
specifically covered
elsewhere in subpart K,
including bottomhole
pressure survey waivers
and reservoir
reclassification
requests.
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[[Page 36897]]
6 20 requests........ 120
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Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 18,710 responses... 28,835
$235,200 non-hour cost burden
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Recordkeeping
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1105(d), (e)..................... Maintain records for 2 13 869 platforms...... 11,297
years detailing gas
flaring or venting.
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1105(d), (e)..................... Maintain records for 2 .5 60 occurrences..... 30
years detailing liquid
hydrocarbon burning.
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Subtotal..................... ........................ .............. 929 responses...... 11,327
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Total Burden................. ........................ .............. 20,864 responses... 41,511
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$558,300 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
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*Reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 0.5 to 3 hours per form depending on the number of well
tests reported, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing
and reviewing the form. See breakdown for form MMS-128 above.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: We
have identified three non-hour cost burdens. Section 250.1101(b)
requires a fee for a gas cap production request. Section 250.1101(c)
requires a fee to produce within 500 feet of a lease line. Section
250.1106 requests a fee for a downhole commingling request. We estimate
a total reporting ``non-hour cost'' burden of $558,300 and 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 January 15,
2008, we published a Federal Register notice (73 FR 2522) 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
July 30, 2008.
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.
MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (202)
208-7744.
Dated: June 16, 2008.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-14768 Filed 6-27-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P