[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2010)] [Notices] [Pages 54164-54175] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2010-22049] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement [Docket No. MMS-2008-MRM-0031] Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of an extension of a currently approved information collection (OMB Control Number 1010-0136). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in 30 CFR parts 202, 204, 206, and 210. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. We consolidated this ICR and ICR 1010-0090, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification, in order to facilitate program wide review of Federal oil and gas valuation. The new title of this ICR is ``30 CFR Parts 202, 204, 206, and 210, Federal Oil and Gas Valuation.'' DATES: Submit written comments on or before October 4, 2010. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments by either FAX (202) 395-6566 or e- mail ([email protected]) directly to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (OMB Control Number 1010-0136). Please also submit a copy of your comments on this ICR to BOEM by any of the following methods. Please use ``ICR 1010-0136'' as an identifier in your comment.Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter MMS-2008-MRM-0031, and then click search. Follow the instructions to submit public comments. The BOEM will post all comments. Mail comments to Hyla Hurst, Regulatory Specialist, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O. Box 25165, MS 61013B, Denver, Colorado 80225. Please reference ICR 1010-0136 in your comments. Hand-carry comments or use an overnight courier service. Our courier address is Building 85, Room A-614, Denver Federal Center, West 6th Ave. and Kipling St., Denver, Colorado 80225. Please reference ICR 1010-0136 in your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hyla Hurst, telephone (303) 231-3495, or e-mail [email protected]. You may also contact Hyla Hurst to obtain copies, at no cost, of (1) the ICR, (2) any associated forms, and (3) the regulations that require the subject collection of information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR Parts 202, 204, 206, and 210, Federal Oil and Gas Valuation. OMB Control Number: 1010-0136. Bureau Form Number: Forms MMS-4377 and MMS-4393. Abstract: The Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for mineral resource development on Federal and Indian lands and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Secretary is required by various laws to manage mineral resource production from Federal and Indian lands and the OCS, collect the royalties and other mineral revenues due, and distribute the funds collected in accordance with applicable laws. Public laws pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands are posted on our Web site at http://www.mrm.boemre.gov/Laws_R_D/PublicLawsAMR.htm. [[Page 54165]] I. General Information When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, develop, produce, and dispose of minerals from Federal or Indian lands, that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share in an amount or value of production from the leased lands. The lessee is required to report various kinds of information to the lessor relative to the disposition of the leased minerals. Such information is generally available within the records of the lessee or others involved in developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling of such minerals. II. Information Collections We use the information collected in this ICR to ensure that royalty is accurately valued and appropriately paid on oil and gas produced from Federal onshore and offshore leases. Please refer to the burden hour table for all reporting requirements and associated burden hours. All data submitted is subject to subsequent audit and adjustment. A. Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Regulations The valuation regulations at 30 CFR part 206, subparts C and D, mandate that companies collect and/or submit information used to value their Federal oil and gas, including (1) transportation and processing allowances; and (2) regulatory allowance limitation information. Companies report certain data on Form MMS-2014, Report of Sales and Royalty Remittance (OMB Control Number 1010-0139). The information requested is the minimum necessary to carry out our mission and places the least possible burden on respondents. If BOEM does not collect this information, both Federal and state governments may incur a loss of royalties. Transportation and Processing Regulatory Allowance Limits Lessees may deduct the reasonable, actual costs of transportation and processing from Federal royalties. These allowances are reported on Form MMS-2014. Request To Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation, Form MMS-4393 Lessees may request to exceed regulatory limitations. Upon proper application from the lessee, BOEM may approve an oil or gas transportation allowance in excess of 50 percent or a gas processing allowance in excess of 66\2/3\; percent on Federal leases. Form MMS- 4393 is used for both Federal and Indian leases to request to exceed allowance limitations. This ICR covers only Federal leases; therefore we have not included burden hours for Form MMS-4393 for Indian leases in this ICR. Burden hours for Form MMS-4393 for Indian leases are included in OMB Control Number 1010-0103. B. Accounting and Auditing Relief for Marginal Properties In 2004, we amended our regulations to comply with section 7 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996. The regulations provide guidance for lessees and designees seeking accounting and auditing relief for qualifying Federal marginal properties. Under the regulations, both BOEM and the state concerned must approve any relief granted for a marginal property. C. Stripper Oil Royalty Rate Reduction Program Under 43 CFR 3103.4-2, the Stripper Oil Royalty Rate Reduction Program (Stripper Oil Program) was established by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the surface management agency for Federal onshore leases. The Minerals Revenue Management (MRM), who administered the Stripper Oil Program for BLM, approved royalty rate reductions for operators of stripper oil properties for applicable sales periods from October 1, 1992, through January 31, 2006. Effective February 1, 2006, the reduced royalty rates under this program were terminated. This change is not currently reflected in the CFR; however, BLM is processing a final rule to remove this citation from the regulations. For production through January 31, 2006, reporters used Form MMS- 4377, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification, to notify MRM of royalty rate changes. Although the royalty rate reductions were terminated, MRM continues to verify previously submitted notifications and may require the operator to submit an amended Form MMS-4377. III. OMB Approval We are requesting OMB approval to continue to collect this information. Not collecting this information would limit the Secretary's ability to discharge his/her duties and may also result in loss of royalty payments. Proprietary information submitted to BOEM under this collection is protected, and no items of a sensitive nature are included in this information collection. For information collections relating to valuation requirements, responses are mandatory. For the remaining information collections in this ICR, responses are required to obtain a benefit. Frequency: Annually and on occasion. Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: 120 Federal lessees/designees and 7 states for Federal oil and gas valuation; and 150 lessees/lessors for the Stripper Oil Program. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: 9,378 hours. We have not included in our estimates certain requirements performed in the normal course of business and considered usual and customary. The following chart shows the estimated burden hours by CFR section and paragraph: Respondents' Estimated Annual Burden Hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average number 30 CFR 202, 204, 206, and 210 Reporting and recordkeeping requirement Hour burden of annual Annual burden responses hours -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 202--ROYALTIES Subpart C--Federal and Indian Oil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 202.101....................................... 202.101 Oil volumes are to be reported in barrels Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. of clean oil of 42 standard U.S. gallons (231 cubic inches each) at 60 [deg]F * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54166]] Subpart D--Federal Gas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 202.152(a) and (b)............................ 202.152(a)(1) If you are responsible for reporting Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. production or royalties you must: (i) Report gas volumes and British thermal unit (Btu) heating values, if applicable, under the same degree of water saturation; (ii) Report gas volumes in units of 1,000 cubic feet (mcf); and (iii) Report gas volumes and Btu heating value at a standard pressure base of 14.73 pounds per square inch absolute (psia) and a standard temperature base of 60 [deg]F * * *. (b) Residue gas and gas plant product volumes shall be reported as specified in this paragraph * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 204--ALTERNATIVES FOR MARGINAL PROPERTIES Subpart C--Accounting and Auditing Relief -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.202(b)(1)................................. 204.202(b) To use the cumulative royalty reports 40 1 40 and payments relief option, you must do all of the following: (1) Notify MMS in writing by January 31 of the calendar year for which you begin taking your relief * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.202(b)(2) and (b)(3)...................... 204.202(b)(2) Submit your royalty report and Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. payment * * * by the end of February of the year following the calendar year for which you reported annually * * *. If you have an estimated payment on file, you must submit your royalty report and payment by the end of March of the year following the calendar year for which you reported annually; (3) Use the sales month prior to the month that you submit your annual report and payment * * * for the entire previous calendar year's production for which you are paying annually * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.202(b)(4), (b)(5), (c), (d)(1), (d)(2), 204.202(b) To use the cumulative royalty reports Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. (e)(1), and (e)(2). and payments relief option, you must * * * (4) Report one line of cumulative royalty information on Form MMS-2014 for the calendar year * * * and (5) Report allowances on Form MMS-2014 on the same annual basis as the royalties for your marginal property production. (c) If you do not pay your royalty by the date due in paragraph (b) of this section, you will owe late payment interest * * * from the date your payment was due under this section until the date MMS receives it * * *. (d) If you take relief you are not qualified for, you may be liable for civil penalties. Also you must: (1) Pay MMS late payment interest determined under 30 CFR 218.54 * * * (2) Amend your Form MMS-2014 * * * (e) If you dispose of your ownership interest in a marginal property for which you have taken relief * * * you must: (1) Report and pay royalties for the portion of the calendar year for which you had an ownership interest; and (2) Make the report and payment by the end of the month after you dispose of the ownership interest in the marginal property. If you do not report and pay timely, you will owe interest * * * from the date the payment was due * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54167]] 204.203(b), 204.205(a) and (b), and 204.203(b) You must request approval from MMS * * 200 1 200 204.206(a)(3)(i) and (b)(1). * before taking relief under this option. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.208(c)(1), (d)(1), and (e)................ 204.208(c) If a State decides * * * that it will 40 7 280 or will not allow one or both of the relief options * * * within 30 days * * * the State must: (1) Notify the Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management, MMS, in writing, of its intent to allow or not allow one or both of the relief options * * * (d) If a State decides in advance * * * that it will not allow one or both of the relief options * * * the State must: (1) Notify the Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management, MMS, in writing, of its intent to allow one or both of the relief options * * * (e) If a State does not notify MMS * * * the State will be deemed to have decided not to allow either of the relief options * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.209(b).................................... 204.209(b) If a property is no longer eligible for 6 1 6 relief * * * the relief for the property terminates as of December 31 of that calendar year. You must notify MMS in writing by December 31 that the relief for the property has terminated * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.210(c) and (d)............................ 204.210(c) * * * the volumes on which you report Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. and pay royalty * * * must be amended to reflect all volumes produced on or allocated to your lease under the nonqualifying agreement as modified by BLM * * *. Report and pay royalties for your production using the procedures in Sec. 204.202(b). (d) If you owe additional royalties based on the retroactive agreement approval and do not pay your royalty by the date due in Sec. 204.202(b), you will owe late payment interest determined under 30 CFR 218.54 from the date your payment was due under Sec. 204.202(b)(2) until the date MMS receives it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 204.214(b)(1) and (b)(2)...................... 204.214(b) If you pay minimum royalty on Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. production from a marginal property during a calendar year for which you are taking cumulative royalty reports and payment relief, and: (1) The annual payment you owe under this subpart is greater than the minimum royalty you paid, you must pay the difference between the minimum royalty you paid and your annual payment due under this subpart; or (2) The annual payment you owe under this subpart is less than the minimum royalty you paid, you are not entitled to a credit because you must pay at least the minimum royalty amount on your lease each year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accounting and Auditing Relief Subtotal......................................................................... 10 526 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 206--PRODUCT VALUATION Subpart C--Federal Oil -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.102(e)(1)................................. 206.102(e) If you value oil under paragraph (a) of AUDIT PROCESS. See note. this section: (1) MMS may require you to certify that your or your affiliate's arm's-length contract provisions include all of the consideration the buyer must pay, either directly or indirectly, for the oil. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54168]] 206.103(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3)............. 206.103 This section explains how to value oil 45 5 225 that you may not value under Sec. 206.102 or that you elect under Sec. 206.102(d) to value under this section. First determine whether paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section applies to production from your lease, or whether you may apply paragraph (d) or (e) with MMS approval. (a) Production from leases in California or Alaska. Value is the average of the daily mean ANS spot prices published in any MMS-approved publication during the trading month most concurrent with the production month * * *. (1) To calculate the daily mean spot price * * * (2) Use only the days * * * (3) You must adjust the value * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(a)(4)................................. 206.103(a)(4) After you select an MMS-approved 8 2 16 publication, you may not select a different publication more often than once every 2 years, * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(b)(1)................................. 206.103(b) Production from leases in the Rocky 400 2 800 Mountain Region. * * * (1) If you have an MMS- approved tendering program, you must value oil * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(b)(1)(ii)............................. 206.103(b)(1)(ii) If you do not have an MMS- 400 2 800 approved tendering program, you may elect to value your oil under either paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(b)(4)................................. 206.103(b)(4) If you demonstrate to MMS's 400 2 800 satisfaction that paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section result in an unreasonable value for your production as a result of circumstances regarding that production, the MMS Director may establish an alternative valuation method. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(c)(1)................................. 206.103(c) Production from leases not located in 50 10 500 California, Alaska or the Rocky Mountain Region. (1) Value is the NYMEX price, plus the roll, adjusted for applicable location and quality differentials and transportation costs under Sec. 206.112. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.103(e)(1) and (e)(2)...................... 206.103(e) Production delivered to your refinery 330 2 660 and the NYMEX price or ANS spot price is an unreasonable value. (1) * * * you may apply to the MMS Director to establish a value representing the market at the refinery if: * * * (2) You must provide adequate documentation and evidence demonstrating the market value at the refinery * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.105....................................... 206.105 If you determine the value of your oil Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. under this subpart, you must retain all data relevant to the determination of royalty value * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.107(a).................................... 206.107(a) You may request a value determination 40 10 400 from MMS * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.109(c)(2)................................. 206.109(c) Limits on transportation allowances. 8 2 16 (2) You may ask MMS to approve a transportation allowance in excess of the limitation in paragraph (c)(1) of this section * * *. Your application for exception (using Form MMS-4393, Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation) must contain all relevant and supporting documentation necessary for MMS to make a determination * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54169]] 206.110(a).................................... 206.110(a) * * *. You must be able to demonstrate AUDIT PROCESS. See note. that your or your affiliate's contract is at arm's length * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.110(d)(3)................................. 206.110(d) If your arm's-length transportation 20 2 40 contract includes more than one liquid product, and the transportation costs attributable to each product cannot be determined * * * (3) You may propose to MMS a cost allocation method * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.110(e).................................... 206.110(e) If your arm's-length transportation 20 1 20 contract includes both gaseous and liquid products, and the transportation costs attributable to each product cannot be determined from the contract, then you must propose an allocation procedure to MMS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.110(e)(1) and (e)(2)...................... 206.110(e)(1) * * * If MMS rejects your cost Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. allocation, you must amend your Form MMS-2014 * * * (2) You must submit your initial proposal, including all available data, within 3 months after first claiming the allocated deductions on Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.110(g)(2)................................. 206.110(g) If your arm's-length sales contract 5 1 5 includes a provision reducing the contract price by a transportation factor, * * * (2) You must obtain MMS approval before claiming a transportation factor in excess of 50 percent of the base price of the product. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.111(g).................................... 206.111(g) To compute depreciation, you may elect 30 1 30 to use either * * *. After you make an election, you may not change methods without MMS approval * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.111(k)(2)................................. 206.111(k)(2) You may propose to MMS a cost 30 1 30 allocation method on the basis of the values * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.111(l)(1) and (l)(3)...................... 206.111(l)(1) Where you transport both gaseous and 20 1 20 liquid products through the same transportation system, you must propose a cost allocation procedure to MMS * * *. (3) You must submit your initial proposal, including all available data, within 3 months after first claiming the allocated deductions on Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.111(l)(2)................................. 206.111(l)(2) * * * If MMS rejects your cost Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. allocation, you must amend your Form MMS-2104 for the months that you used the rejected method and pay any additional royalty and interest due. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.112(a)(1)(ii)............................. 206.112(a)(1)(ii) * * * under an exchange 80 1 80 agreement that is not at arm's length, you must obtain approval from MMS for a location and quality differential * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.112(a)(1)(ii)............................. 206.112(a)(1)(ii) * * * If MMS prescribes a 20 2 40 different differential, you must apply * * *. You must pay any additional royalties owed * * * plus the late payment interest from the original royalty due date, or you may report a credit * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54170]] 206.112(a)(3) and (a)(4)...................... 206.112(a)(3) If you transport or exchange at 80 4 320 arm's length (or both transport and exchange) at least 20 percent, but not all, of your oil produced from the lease to a market center, determine the adjustment between the lease and the market center for the oil that is not transported or exchanged (or both transported and exchanged) to or through a market center as follows: * * * (4) If you transport or exchange (or both transport and exchange) less than 20 percent of your crude oil produced from the lease between the lease and a market center, you must propose to MMS an adjustment between the lease and the market center for the portion of the oil that you do not transport or exchange (or both transport and exchange) to a market center * * *. If MMS prescribes a different adjustment * * *. You must pay any additional royalties owed * * * plus the late payment interest from the original royalty due date, or you may report a credit * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.112(b)(3)................................. 206.112(b)(3) * * * you may propose an alternative 80 4 320 differential to MMS * * *. If MMS prescribes a different differential * * *. You must pay any additional royalties owed * * * plus the late payment interest from the original royalty due date, or you may report a credit * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.112(c)(2)................................. 206.112(c)(2) * * * If quality bank adjustments do 80 2 160 not incorporate or provide for adjustments for sulfur content, you may make sulfur adjustments, based on the quality of the representative crude oil at the market center, of 5.0 cents per one- tenth percent difference in sulfur content, unless MMS approves a higher adjustment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.114....................................... 206.114 You or your affiliate must use a separate Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. entry on Form MMS-2014 to notify MMS of an allowance based on transportation costs you or your affiliate incur. ----------------------------------------------------- MMS may require you or your affiliate to submit AUDIT PROCESS. See note. arm's-length transportation contracts, production agreements, operating agreements, and related documents * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.115(a).................................... 206.115(a) You or your affiliate must use a Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. separate entry on Form MMS-2014 to notify MMS of an allowance based on transportation costs you or your affiliate incur. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.115(c).................................... 206.115(c) MMS may require you or your affiliate AUDIT PROCESS. See note. to submit all data used to calculate the allowance deduction * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subpart D--Federal Gas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152 (b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(iii)............. 206.152(b)(1)(i) * * * The lessee shall have the AUDIT PROCESS. See note. burden of demonstrating that its contract is arm's-length * * *. (iii) * * * When MMS determines that the value may be unreasonable, MMS will notify the lessee and give the lessee an opportunity to provide written information justifying the lessee's value. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152(b)(2)................................. 206.152(b)(2) * * * The lessee must request a 80 1 80 value determination in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section for gas sold pursuant to a warranty contract; * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54171]] 206.152(b)(3)................................. 206.152(b)(3) MMS may require a lessee to certify AUDIT PROCESS. See note. that its arm's-length contract provisions include all of the consideration to be paid by the buyer, either directly or indirectly, for the gas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152(e)(1)................................. 206.152(e)(1) Where the value is determined Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the lessee shall retain all data relevant to the determination of royalty value * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152(e)(2)................................. 206.152(e)(2) Any Federal lessee will make AUDIT PROCESS. See note. available upon request to the authorized MMS or State representatives, to the Office of the Inspector General of the department of the Interior, or other person authorized to receive such information, arm's-length sales and volume data for like-quality production sold, purchased or otherwise obtained by the lessee from the field or area or from nearby fields or areas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152(e)(3)................................. 206.152(e)(3) A lessee shall notify MMS if it has 10 10 100 determined value pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.152(g).................................... 206.152(g) The lessee may request a value 40 5 200 determination from MMS * * *. The lessee shall submit all available data relevant to its proposal * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(b)(1)(i) and (b)(1)(iii).............. 206.153(b)(1)(i) * * * The lessee shall have the AUDIT PROCESS. See note. burden of demonstrating that its contract is arm's-length * * *. (iii) * * * When MMS determines that the value may be unreasonable, MMS will notify the lessee and give the lessee an opportunity to provide written information justifying the lessee's value. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(b)(2)................................. 206.153(b)(2) * * * The lessee must request a 80 1 80 value determination in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section for gas sold pursuant to a warranty contract; * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(b)(3)................................. 206.153(b)(3) MMS may require a lessee to certify AUDIT PROCESS. See note. that its arm's-length contract provisions include all of the consideration to be paid by the buyer, either directly or indirectly, for the residue gas or gas plant product. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(e)(1)................................. 206.153(e)(1) Where the value is determined Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the lessee shall retain all data relevant to the determination of royalty value * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(e)(2)................................. 206.153(e)(2) Any Federal lessee will make AUDIT PROCESS. See note. available upon request to the authorized MMS or State representatives, to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior, or other persons authorized to receive such information, arm's-length sales and volume data for like-quality residue gas and gas plant products sold, purchased or otherwise obtained by the lessee from the same processing plant or from nearby processing plants. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(e)(3)................................. 206.153(e)(2) A lessee shall notify MMS if it has 10 2 20 determined any value pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) or (c)(3) of this section * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.153(g).................................... 206.153(g) The lessee may request a value 80 15 1,200 determination from MMS * * *. The lessee shall submit all available data relevant to its proposal * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54172]] 206.154(c)(4)................................. 206.154(c)(4) * * * A lessee may request MMS 40 1 40 approval of other methods for determining the quantity of residue gas and gas plant products allocable to each lease * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.156(c)(3)................................. 206.156(c)(3) Upon request of a lessee, MMS may 40 3 120 approve a transportation allowance deduction in excess of the limitation prescribed by paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section * * *. An application for exception (using Form MMS-4393, Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation) must contain all relevant and supporting documentation necessary for MMS to make a determination * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(a)(1)(i).............................. 206.157(a) Arm's-length transportation contracts. AUDIT PROCESS. See note. (1)(i) * * * The lessee shall have the burden of demonstrating that its contract is arm's-length * * *. ----------------------------------------------------- The lessee must claim a transportation allowance Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. by reporting it on a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(a)(1)(iii)............................ 206.157(a)(1)(iii) * * * When MMS determines that AUDIT PROCESS. See note. the value of the transportation may be unreasonable, MMS will notify the lessee and give the lessee an opportunity to provide written information justifying the lessee's transportation costs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(a)(2)(ii)............................. 206.157(a)(2)(ii) * * * the lessee may propose to 40 1 40 MMS a cost allocation method on the basis of the values of the products transported * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(a)(3)................................. 206.157(a)(3) If an arm's-length transportation 40 1 40 contract includes both gaseous and liquid products and the transportation costs attributable to each cannot be determined from the contract, the lessee shall propose an allocation procedure to MMS * * *. The lessee shall submit all relevant data to support its proposal * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(a)(5)................................. 206.157(a)(5) * * * The transportation factor may 10 3 30 not exceed 50 percent of the base price of the product without MMS approval. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(b)(1)................................. 206.157(b) Non-arm's-length or no contract. (1) Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. The lessee must claim a transportation allowance by reporting it on a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014 * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(b)(2)(iv) and (b)(2)(iv) (A).......... 206.157(b)(2)(iv) * * * After a lessee has elected 100 1 100 to use either method for a transportation system, the lessee may not later elect to change to the other alternative without approval of the MMS. (A) * * * After an election is made, the lessee may not change methods without MMS approval * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(b)(3)(i).............................. 206.157(b)(3)(i) * * * Except as provided in this 100 1 100 paragraph, the lessee may not take an allowance for transporting a product which is not royalty bearing without MMS approval. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(b)(3)(ii)............................. 206.157(b)(3)(ii) * * * the lessee may propose to 100 1 100 the MMS a cost allocation method on the basis of the values of the products transported * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54173]] 206.157(b)(4)................................. 206.157(b)(4) Where both gaseous and liquid 100 1 100 products are transported through the same transportation system, the lessee shall propose a cost allocation procedure to MMS * * *. The lessee shall submit all relevant data to support its proposal * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(b)(5)................................. 206.157(b)(5) You may apply for an exception from 100 1 100 the requirement to compute actual costs under paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(c)(1)(i).............................. 206.157(c) Reporting Requirements. (1) Arm's- Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. length contracts. (i) You must use a separate entry on Form MMS-2014 to notify MMS of a transportation allowance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(c)(1)(ii)............................. 206.157(c)(1)(ii) The MMS may require you to AUDIT PROCESS. See note. submit arm's-length transportation contracts, production agreements, operating agreements, and related documents * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(c)(2)(i).............................. 206.157(c)(2) Non-arm's-length or no contract. (i) Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. You must use a separate entry on Form MMS-2014 to notify MMS of a transportation allowance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(c)(2)(iii)............................ 206.157(c)(2)(iii) The MMS may require you to AUDIT PROCESS. See note. submit all data used to calculate the allowance deduction * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.157(e)(2), (e)(3), and (f)(1)............. 206.157(e) Adjustments. (2) For lessees Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. transporting production from onshore Federal leases, the lessee must submit a corrected Form MMS-2014 to reflect actual costs, together with any payment, in accordance with instructions provided by MMS. (3) For lessees transporting gas production from leases on the OCS, if the lessee's estimated transportation allowance exceeds the allowance based on actual costs, the lessee must submit a corrected Form MMS-2014 to reflect actual costs, together with its payments, in accordance with instructions provided by MMS * * *. (f) Allowable costs in determining transportation allowances. * * * (1) Firm demand charges paid to pipelines. * * * if you receive a payment or credit from the pipeline for penalty refunds, rate case refunds, or other reasons, you must reduce the firm demand charge claimed on the Form MMS-2014 by the amount of that payment. You must modify Form MMS-2014 by the amount received or credited for the affected reporting period and pay any resulting royalty and late payment interest due; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.158(c)(3)................................. 206.158(c)(3) Upon request of a lessee, MMS may 80 8 640 approve a processing allowance in excess of the limitation prescribed by paragraph (c)(2) of this section * * *. An application for exception (using Form MMS-4393, Request to Exceed Regulatory Allowance Limitation) shall contain all relevant and supporting documentation for MMS to make a determination * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.158(d)(2)(i).............................. 206.158(d)(2)(i) If the lessee incurs 80 1 80 extraordinary costs for processing gas production from a gas production operation, it may apply to MMS for an allowance for those costs * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.158(d)(2)(ii)............................. 206.158(d)(2)(ii) * * * to retain the authority to Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. deduct the allowance the lessee must report the deduction to MMS in a form and manner prescribed by MMS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 54174]] 206.159(a)(1)(i).............................. 206.159(a) Arm's-length processing contracts. AUDIT PROCESS. See note. ----------------------------------------------------- (1)(i) * * *The lessee shall have the burden of Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. demonstrating that its contract is arm's-length * * *. The lessee must claim a processing allowance by reporting it on a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(a)(1)(iii)............................ 206.159(a)(1)(iii) * * * When MMS determines that AUDIT PROCESS. See note. the value of the processing may be unreasonable, MMS will notify the lessee and give the lessee an opportunity to provide written information justifying the lessee's processing costs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(a)(3)................................. 206.159(a)(3) If an arm's-length processing 20 1 20 contract includes more than one gas plant product and the processing costs attributable to each product cannot be determined from the contract, the lessee shall propose an allocation procedure to MMS * * *. The lessee shall submit all relevant data to support its proposal * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(b)(1)................................. 206.159(b) Non-arm's-length or no contract. (1) * Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. * * The lessee must claim a processing allowance by reflecting it as a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014 * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(b)(2)(iv) and (b)(2)(iv) (A).......... 206.159(b)(2)(iv) * * * When a lessee has elected 100 1 100 to use either method for a processing plant, the lessee may not later elect to change to the alternative without approval of the MMS. (A) * * * After an election is made, the lessee may not change methods without MMS approval * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(b)(4)................................. 206.159(b)(4) A lessee may apply to MMS for an 100 1 100 exception from the requirements that it compute actual costs in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(c)(1)(i).............................. 206.159(c) Reporting requirements--(1) Arm's- Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. length contracts. (i) The lessee must notify MMS of an allowance based on incurred costs by using a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(c)(1)(ii)............................. 206.159(c)(1)(ii) The MMS may require that a AUDIT PROCESS. See note. lessee submit arm's-length processing contracts and related documents * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(c)(2)(i).............................. 206.159(c)(2) Non-arm's-length or no contract. Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. (i) The lessee must notify MMS of an allowance based on incurred costs by using a separate line entry on the Form MMS-2014. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(c)(2)(iii)............................ 206.159(c)(2)(iii) Upon request by MMS, the lessee AUDIT PROCESS. See note. shall submit all data used to prepare the allowance deduction * * *. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 206.159(e)(2) and (e)(3)...................... 206.159(e) Adjustments. Burden covered under OMB Control Number 1010-0139. (2) For lessees processing production from onshore Federal leases, the lessee must submit a corrected Form MMS-2014 to reflect actual costs, together with any payment, in accordance with instructions provided by MMS. [[Page 54175]] (3) For lessees processing gas production from leases on the OCS, if the lessee's estimated processing allowance exceeds the allowance based on actual costs, the lessee must submit a corrected Form MMS-2014 to reflect actual costs, together with its payment, in accordance with instructions provided by MMS * * * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oil and Gas Valuation Subtotal.................................................................................. 117 8,672 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PART 210--FORMS AND REPORTS Subpart D--Special-Purpose Forms and Reports--Oil, Gas, and Geothermal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 210.155(a).................................... 210.155(a) General. Operators who have been 1.2 150 180 granted a reduced royalty rate by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) * * * must submit Form MMS- 4377, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification, under 43 CFR * * * NOTE: BLM terminated the benefits of this program and is processing a final rule to remove this program from the regulations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total........................................................................................................... 277 9,378 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: AUDIT PROCESS--The Office of Regulatory Affairs determined that the audit process is exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 because MRM staff asks non-standard questions to resolve exceptions. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-hour'' Cost Burden: We have identified no ``non-hour'' cost burden associated with the collection of information. Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) provides that 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. Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA requires each agency to ``* * * provide 60-day notice in the Federal Register * * * 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, we published a notice in the Federal Register on April 12, 2010 (75 FR 18525), announcing that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. The notice provided the required 60-day comment period. We received no comments in response to the notice. 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 October 4, 2010. Public Comment Policy: We will post all comments in response to this notice at http://www.mrm.boemre.gov/Laws_R_D/FRNotices/FRInfColl.htm. We also will post all comments, including names and addresses of respondents, at http://www.regulations.gov. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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 from public view your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer: Arlene Bajusz (703) 787-1025. Dated: August 26, 2010. Gregory J. Gould, Associate Director for Minerals Revenue Management. [FR Doc. 2010-22049 Filed 9-2-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-W-P