[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21395-21399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9196]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
[Docket ID No. BOEM-2011-0010]
BOEMRE Information Collection Activity; 1010-0141, Subpart D, Oil
and Gas Drilling Operations, Extension of a Collection; Comment Request
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
(BOEMRE), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of extension of an information collection (1010-0141).
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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
BOEMRE is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will
submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and
approval. The information collection request (ICR) concerns the
paperwork requirements related to oil and gas drilling operations, and
related forms.
DATES: Submit written comments by June 14, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607. You may also contact Cheryl Blundon
to obtain a copy, at no cost, of the regulations and the forms that
require the subject collection of information.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods
listed below.
Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the
entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2010-0010 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 [email protected]. Mail or hand-carry
comments to the 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations.
BOEMRE Form(s): MMS-123, MMS-123S, MMS-124, MMS-125, MMS-133, MMS-
133S, and MMS-144.
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 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 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, 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
modification approvals are subject to cost recovery, and BOEMRE
regulations specify service fees for these requests.
This authority and responsibility are among those delegated to
BOEMRE. The regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart D, concern oil and gas
drilling operations and are the subject of this collection. This
request also covers the related Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs)
that BOEMRE issues to clarify, supplement, or provide additional
guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
Regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart D, implement these statutory
requirements. We use 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:
Application for Permit To Drill (APD), Forms MMS-123 and MMS-123S
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 plan and equipment for drilling, sidetracking or
bypass operations. This includes the adequacy of the proposed casing
design, casing setting depths, drilling fluid (mud), 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
[[Page 21396]]
information submitted on forms MMS-123 and MMS-123S.
Application for Permit To Modify (APM), Form MMS-124
The information on this form is used to evaluate and approve the
adequacy of the equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee
plans to use during such post APD modifications or operations as
plugging back or temporary abandonment where the well bore will be
reentered and completed or permanently plugged. 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 MMS-124.
End of Operations Report, Form MMS-125
BOEMRE uses this information to ensure that we have accurate and
up-to-date data and information on wells and leasehold activities under
our 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 MMS-125 is updated and
resubmitted in the event the well status changes. The information keeps
us aware of the status of drilling and completion operations. 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 MMS-125.
Well Activity Report, Forms MMS-133 and MMS-133S
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 is following the approved
APD. The information is also used for review of an APM (form MMS-124).
With the information collected on form MMS-133 available, the reviewers
can analyze the proposed revisions (i.e., revised grade of casing or
deeper casing setting depth) and make a quick and informed decision on
the request. 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 MMS-133 and MMS-133S.
Rig Movement Notification Report, Form MMS-144
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 MMS-144 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.
It is noted that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) also requires
notification of rig movement and that there is some duplication of
information reported. Therefore, there are some data elements in the
form that are ``optional'' for BOEMRE reporting purposes, since we do
not need this information. These optional data elements in the form
satisfy any concerns in reporting rig movement information to both
BOEMRE and the USCG.
Out of the seven forms associated with this collection, we have
made some minor editorial changes for clarity purposes to forms MMS-123
and MMS-123S and we have added plug information to be submitted via
form MMS-125. The information is on the schematic that is submitted as
an attachment to the form.
We 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 2). No items of a
sensitive nature are collected. Responses are mandatory.
Frequency: Frequency of response is generally on occasion, weekly,
monthly, semi-annually, annually, and varies by section.
Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 147,014 hours.
The following chart details the individual components and respective
hour burden estimates of this ICR. 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.
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Hour burden
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart D and Reporting and recordkeeping -------------------------------------------
NTL(s) requirement Non-hour cost burdens
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General Requirements
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402(b)............................... Request approval to use blind 0.25.
or blind-shear ram or pipe
rams and inside BOP.
403.................................. Notify BOEMRE of drilling rig 0.1.
movement on or off drilling
location.
In Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 6 mins.
rig movements reported on
Form MMS-144.
404.................................. Perform operational check of 0.25.
crown block safety device;
record results (weekly).
408, 409............................. Apply for use of alternative 5.
procedures and/or departures
not requested in BOEMRE
forms (including discussions
with BOEMRE or oral
approvals).
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[[Page 21397]]
Apply for a Permit to Drill
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410-418, 420(a)(6); 423(b)(3), Apply for APD/revised APD 6.
(c)(1); 449(j), (k); 456(j); plus that includes any/all $1,959 application fee.
various references in subparts A, B, supporting documentation/ MMS-123S 1.5+.*
D, E, H, P, Q.. 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 MMS-123 (APD) and MMS-
123S (Supplemental APD
Information Sheet), and
supporting information and
notices to BOEMRE.
410(b); 417(b)....................... Reference to Exploration Plan, Development and Production Plan,
Development Operations Coordination Document (30 CFR 250, subpart B)--
burden covered under 1010-00151.
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416(g)(2)............................ Provide 24 hour advance 10 mins.
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 additional 4.
information on case-by-case
basis if sufficient
information is not available.
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417(c)............................... Submit 3rd party review of drilling unit according to 30 CFR 250, subpart
I--burden covered under 1010-0149.
418(e)............................... Submit welding and burning plan according to 30 CFR 250, subpart A--
burden covered under 1010-0114.
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Casing and Cementing Requirements
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420(b)(3)............................ Submit dual mechanical 30 mins.
barrier documentation after
installation.
421; 423; 428........................ Submit casing and cementing 2.
program and revisions or
changes..
423(b)(4), (c)(2).................... Perform pressure casing test; 30 mins.
document results and make
available to BOEMRE upon
request.
424.................................. Caliper, pressure test, or 4.
evaluate casing; submit
evaluation results; request
approval before resuming
operations or beginning
repairs (every 30 days
during prolonged drilling).
426.................................. Perform pressure test on all 2.
casing strings and drilling
liner lap; record results.
427(a)............................... Perform pressure-integrity 4.
tests and related hole-
behavior observations;
record results.
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Diverter System Requirements
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434; 467............................. Perform diverter tests when 2.
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.
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Blowout Preventer (BOP) System Requirements
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442(h)............................... Label all functions on all 30 mins.
panels.
442(i)............................... Develop written procedures 4.
for management system for
operating the BOP stack and
LMRP.
442(j)............................... Establish minimum Burden covered under 1010-0128.
requirements for authorized
personnel to operate
critical BOP equipment;
require training.
446(a)............................... Document BOP maintenance and 1.
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)............................ Test all ROV intervention 10.
functions on your subsea BOP
stack; document all test
results; make available to
BOEMRE upon request.
449(k)(2)............................ Function test autoshear and 30 mins.
deadman on your subsea BOP
stack during stump test;
document all test results;
make available to BOEMRE
upon request.
450; 467............................. Perform BOP pressure tests, 10.
actuations and inspections
when installed; at a minimum
every 14 days; as stated for
components; document and
record actions/results, sign
as correct.
450, 467............................. Function test annulars and 0.5.
rams; document results every
7 days between BOP tests
(biweekly), retain records
at facility for drilling
duration. Note: this test is
part of BOP test when BOP
test is conducted.
451(c)............................... Record reason for postponing 0.25.
BOP test (on occasion--
approx. 2/year).
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Drilling Fluid Requirements
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456(b), (i); 458(b).................. Record each drilling fluid 2.
circulation; test drilling
fluid, record results;
record daily inventory of
drilling fluid/materials;
test and recalibrate gas
detectors; record results
(on occasion, daily, weekly,
quarterly).
[[Page 21398]]
456(c)............................... Perform various calculations; 0.5.
post information (on
occasion, daily, weekly).
459(a)(3)............................ Request exception to 2.
procedure for protecting
negative pressure area.
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Other Drilling Requirements
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460; 465; 250.449(j), (k); 456(j) Submit revised plans, MMS-124 4.
plus various references in subparts changes, well/drilling $116 application fee.
A, D, E, F, H, P, and Q. records, procedures, MMS-125 1.6+.*
certifications that include
any/all supporting
documentation etc., and
request for various
approvals required in
subpart D on forms MMS-124
(APM) or MMS-125 (End of
Operations Report) and
supporting information.
460.................................. Submit plans for well testing 2.
and notify BOEMRE before
test.
461(a-b); 466(e); 468(a)............. Record and submit well logs, 1.5.
survey results, etc. 1.
Record and submit directional 1.
and vertical-well surveys. 1.
Record and submit velocity
profiles and surveys.
Record and submit core
analyses.
461(e)............................... Provide copy of well 1.
directional survey to
affected leaseholder.
462(a)............................... Prepare and post well control 3.
drill plan for crew members.
462(c)............................... Perform well-control drills; 1.
record results (2 crews
weekly).
463(b)............................... Request field drilling rules 2.5.
be established, amended, or
canceled.
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Applying for a Permit To Modify and Well Records
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466, 467............................. Retain drilling records for 1.5.
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, submit MMS-133 1+.*
drilling activity reports MMS-133S 1+.*
weekly on forms MMS-133
(Well Activity Report) and
MMS-133S (Bore Hole Data)
and supporting information.
468(c)............................... In the Pacific and Alaska OCS 1.
Regions during drilling
operations, submit daily
drilling reports.
N/A in GOM...................
469.................................. As specified by region, 1.5.
submit well records,
paleontological
interpretations or reports,
service company reports, and
other reports or records of
operations.
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Hydrogen Sulfide
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490(c), (d).......................... Submit request for 2.
reclassification of H2S
zone; notify BOEMRE if
conditions change.
490(f); also referenced in 418(d).... Submit contingency plans for 25.
operations in H2S areas (16
drilling, 5 work-over, 6
production).
490(g)............................... Conduct H2S training; post 4.
safety instructions;
document training on
occasion and annual
refresher (approx. 2/year).
490(h)(2)............................ Conduct weekly drills and 2.
safety meetings; document
attendance for drilling,
well completion, well
workover at facility until
operations completed;
production attendance
documentation for 1 year
nearest field office.
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490(i)............................... Display warning signs--no burden as facilities would display warning
signs and use other visual and audible systems.
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490(j)(7-8).......................... Test H2S detection and 4.
monitoring sensors during
drilling; record testing and
calibrations on occasion,
daily during drilling
(approx. 12 sensors per rig).
490(j)(7-8).......................... Test H2S detection and 3.5.
monitoring sensors every 14
days during production;
record testing and
calibrations (approx. 30
sensors/5 platforms +
approx. 42 sensors/23
platforms).
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490(j)(12)........................... Propose alternatives to minimize or eliminate SO2 hazards--submitted with
contingency plans--burden covered under 250.490(f).
490(j)(13)(vi)....................... Label breathing air bottles--no burden as supplier normally labels
bottles; facilities would routinely label if not.
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490(l)............................... Notify (phone) BOEMRE of Oral--0.2.
unplanned H2S releases Written--4.
(approx. 2/year).
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490(o)(5)............................ Request approval to use drill 2.
pipe for well testing.
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490(q)(1)............................ Seal and mark for the presence of H2S cores to be transported--no burden
as facilities would routinely mark transported cores.
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490(q)(9)............................ Request approval to use gas 2.
containing H2S for
instrument gas.
[[Page 21399]]
490(q)(12)........................... Analyze produced water 2.8.
disposed of for H2S content
and submit results to BOEMRE
on occasion (approx. weekly).
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Miscellaneous
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400-490.............................. General departure or 2.
alternative compliance
requests not specifically
covered elsewhere in subpart
D.
NTL.................................. Voluntary submittal to USCG .25.
read only access to the
EPIRB data for their moored
drilling rig fleet before
hurricane season.
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* The hour burdens are an average of the estimate due to the fact that a large percentage of the submittals are
reported electronically, which in some cases takes less time than the percentage of the submittals that are
reported in paper form.
Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: The
currently approved non-hour cost burden for this collection is
$1,789,340. We have identified two non-hour cost burdens. Section
250.410(d) requires a fee ($1,959) for an APD. Section 250.460 requires
a fee ($116) for an APM the drilling application. We have not
identified any other non-hour paperwork 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: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section
3506(c)(2)(A) 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.
Agencies must also estimate the non-hour paperwork cost burdens to
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of
information. Therefore, if you have costs to generate, maintain, and
disclose this information, you should comment and provide your total
capital and startup cost components or annual operation, maintenance,
and purchase of service components. You should describe the methods you
use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase
to prepare for collecting information, monitoring, and record storage
facilities. You should not include estimates for equipment or services
purchased: (i) Before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements
not associated with the information collection; (iii) for reasons other
than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (iv)
as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to
OMB.
Public Comment Procedures: 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: April 7, 2011.
Sharon Buffington,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-9196 Filed 4-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P