[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17431-17434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7254]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

[Docket ID No. BOEM-2010-0055]


BOEMRE Information Collection Activity: 1010-0149, Subpart I, 
Platforms and Structures, Renewal of a Collection; Submitted for Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement 
(BOEMRE), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of an information collection (1010-0149).

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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 I, 
Platforms and Structures, 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 April 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by either fax (202) 395-5806 or e-mail 
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9a6a0bba8b6ada6aaa2acbda986848bc78c8699c78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b0402190a140f0408000e1f0b242629652e243b652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>) directly to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of 
the Interior (1010-0149). Please also submit a copy of your comments to 
BOEMRE by any of the means below.
    <bullet> Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
entry titled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2010-0055 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.
    <bullet> E-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcdfd4d9cec5d092ded0c9d2d8d3d2fcded3d9d1ced992dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6c5cec3d4dfca88c4cad3c8c2c9c8e6c4c9c3cbd4c388c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>. Mail or hand-carry 
comments to: Department of the Interior; Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Regulation and Enforcement; Attention: Cheryl Blundon; 381 
Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 
ICR 1010-0149 in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, (703) 787-1607. To see a copy of the entire ICR 
submitted to OMB, go to http://www.reginfo.gov (select Information 
Collection Review, Currently Under Review).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR 250, Subpart I, Platforms and Structures.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0149.
    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 manage the mineral resources of the OCS. Such rules and 
regulations apply to all operations conducted under a lease, right-of-
use and easement, or pipeline right-of-way. Operations on the OCS must 
preserve,

[[Page 17432]]

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 43 U.S.C. 1356 requires the issuance of ``* * * regulations 
which require that any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or 
structure * * * (2) which is used for activities pursuant to this 
subchapter, comply * * * with such minimum standards of design, 
construction, alteration, and repair as the Secretary * * * establishes 
* * * .'' Section 43 U.S.C. 1332(6) also states ``operations in the 
[O]uter Continental Shelf should be conducted in a safe manner * * * to 
prevent or minimize the likelihood of * * * physical obstruction to 
other users of the water 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 that 
accrue to the public at large. Platform applications are subject to 
cost recovery, and BOEMRE regulations specify service fees for these 
requests.
    These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to 
BOEMRE to ensure that operations in the OCS will meet statutory 
requirements; provide for safety and protection of the environment; and 
result in diligent exploration, development, and production of OCS 
leases. This ICR addresses the regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart 
I, Platforms and Structures, and the associated supplementary notices 
to lessees and operators (NTLs) intended to provide clarification, 
description, or explanation of these regulations.
    Responses are mandatory or required to obtain or retain a benefit. 
No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. BOEMRE will protect 
proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 
U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2), 30 CFR 250.197 
(Data and information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection), and 30 CFR part 252 (OCS Oil and Gas Information Program).
    BOEMRE uses the information submitted under Subpart I to determine 
the structural integrity of all OCS platforms and floating production 
facilities and to ensure that such integrity will be maintained 
throughout the useful life of these structures. We use the information 
to ascertain, on a case-by-case basis, that the fixed and floating 
platforms and structures are structurally sound and safe for their 
intended use to ensure safety of personnel and prevent pollution. More 
specifically, we use the information to:
    <bullet> Review data concerning damage to a platform to assess the 
adequacy of proposed repairs.
    <bullet> Review applications for platform construction 
(construction is divided into three phases--design, fabrication, and 
installation) to ensure the structural integrity of the platform.
    <bullet> Review verification plans and third-party reports for 
unique platforms to ensure that all nonstandard situations are given 
proper consideration during the platform design, fabrication, and 
installation.
    <bullet> Review platform design, fabrication, and installation 
records to ensure that the platform is constructed according to 
approved applications.
    <bullet> Review inspection reports to ensure that platform 
integrity is maintained for the life of the platform.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil and gas OCS lessees and their Certified Verification Agents and/or 
other third-party reviewers of production facilities.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The estimated 
annual hour burden for this information collection is a total of 
116,341 hours. The following table details the individual components 
and estimated hour burdens. In calculating the burdens, we assumed that 
respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of their 
activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took that 
into account in estimating the burden.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Non-Hour cost burdens*
    Citation 30 CFR 250     Reporting and/or recordkeeping requirement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart I and related NTLs                                                    Hour burden        Average No. of annual reponses    Annual  burden hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           General Requirements for Platforms
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900(b), (c), (e); 905;      Submit application, along with reports/     102                      105 applications                10,710
 906; 910(c), (d); 911(c),   surveys and relevant data, to install new
 (g); 912; 913; 919;         platform or floating production facility
 NTL(s)                      or significant changes to approved
                             applications, including use of
                             alternative codes, rules, or standards;
                             CVA changes; and Platform Verification
                             Program (PVP) plan for design,
                             fabrication and installation of new,
                             fixed, bottom-founded, pile-supported, or
                             concrete-gravity platforms and new
                             floating platforms. Consult as required
                             with BOEMRE and/or USCG. Re/Submit
                             application for major modification(s)/
                             repairs to any platform; and related
                             requirements.
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    $21,075 x 1 PVP = $21,075
                                                                                              $3,018 x 15 fixed structure = $45,270
                                                                                          $1,536 x 27 Caisson/Well Protector = $41,472
                                                                                          $3,601 x 62 modifications/repairs = $223,262
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(b)(4)                   Submit application for approval to convert  60                       5 applications                  300
                             an existing platform to a new purpose.
900(b)(5)                   Submit application for conversion of the    120                      2 applications                  240
                             use of an existing mobile offshore
                             drilling unit.

[[Page 17433]]

 
900(c)                      Notify BOEMRE within 24 hours of damage     4                        12 notices/requests; reports    48
                             and emergency repairs and request          20                                                       240
                             approval of repairs. Submit written
                             completion report within 1 week upon
                             completion of repairs.
900(e)                      Submit platform installation date and the   20                       140 submittals                  2,800
                             final as-built location data to the
                             Regional Supervisor within 45 days after
                             platform installation.
900(e)                      Resubmit an application for approval to     50                       5 applications                  250
                             install a platform if it was not
                             installed within 1 year after approval
                             (or other date specified by BOEMRE).
903                         Record original and relevant material test  160                      130 lessees                     20,800
                             results of all primary structural
                             materials; retain records during all
                             stages of construction. Compile, retain,
                             and provide location/make available to
                             BOEMRE for the functional life of
                             platform, the as-built drawings, design
                             assumptions/analyses, summary of
                             nondestructive examination records,
                             inspection results, and records of repair
                             not covered elsewhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903(c); 905(k)              Submit certification statement [a              This statement is submitted with the application.     0
                             certification statement is not considered
                             information collection under 5 CFR
                             1320.3(h)(1); the burden is for the
                             insertion of the location of the records
                             on the statement and the submittal to
                             BOEMRE].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905(i)                      Provide a summary of safety factors         .25                      331 summaries                   83 (rounded)
                             utilized in the design of the platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 730 responses                   35,471 hours
                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Sub$331,079 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Platform Verification Program
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
911(c-e);                   Submit complete schedule of all phases of   130                      5 schedules                     650
912(a-c); 914;               design, fabrication, and installation
                             with required information; also submit
                             Gantt Chart with required information and
                             required nomination/documentation for CVA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
912(a)                      Submit design verification plans with your              Burden covered under 1010-0151.              0
                             DPP or DOCD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
913(a)                      Resubmit a changed design, fabrication, or  60                       2 plans                         120
                             installation verification plan for
                             approval.
916(c)                      Submit interim and final CVA reports and    250                      10 reports                      2,500
                             recommendations on design phase.
917(a), (c)                 Submit interim and final CVA reports and    150                      10 reports                      1,500
                             recommendations on fabrication phase,
                             including notices to BOEMRE and operator/
                             lessee of fabrication procedure changes
                             or design specification modifications.
918(c)                      Submit interim and final CVA reports and    130                      10 reports                      1,300
                             recommendations on installation phase.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Subtotal                                             37 responses                    6,070 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Inspection, Maintenance, and Assessment of Platforms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
919(a)                      Develop in-service inspection plan and      130                      130 lessees                     16,900
                             keep on file. Submit annual (November 1
                             of each year) report on inspection of
                             platforms or floating production
                             facilities, including summary of testing
                             results.
919(b)                      After an environmental event, submit to     25                       150 reports                     3,750
NTL                          Regional Supervisor initial report         (initial)                90 reports                      1,350
                             followed by updates and supporting         15 (update)
                             information.
919(c)                      Submit results of inspections.............  150                      200 results                     30,000
NTL
920(a)                      Demonstrate platform is able to withstand   30                       400 occurrences                 12,000
                             environmental loadings for appropriate
                             exposure category.
920(c)                      Submit application and obtain approval      40                       200 submittals                  8,000
                             from the Regional Supervisor for
                             mitigation actions (includes operational
                             procedures).
920(e)                      Submit a list of all platforms you          100                      130 operators/5 years = 26 per  2,600
                             operate, and appropriate supporting data,                            year
                             every 5 years or as directed by the
                             Regional Supervisor.
920(f)                      Obtain approval from the Regional           50                       2                               100
                             Supervisor for any change in the platform.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 17434]]

 
                                            Subtotal                                             1,198 responses                 74,700 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    General Departure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900 thru 921                General departure and alternative           10 hours                 10 requests                     100 hours
                             compliance requests not specifically
                             covered elsewhere in Subpart I
                             regulations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 1,975 Responses                 116,341 Hours
                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          TOTAL$331,079 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The non-hour cost burdens associated with this ICR relate to cost recovery fees. These fees are based on actual monies received in FY2010 thru the
  Pay.gov system.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified four paperwork non-hour cost burdens associated with the 
collection of information. The costs are specifically broken out in the 
burden table. The non-hour costs are for: installation under the 
Platform Verification Program; installation of fixed structures under 
the Platform Approval Program; installation of Caisson/Well Protectors; 
and modifications and/or repairs. We have not identified any other non-
hour cost burdens associated with this collection of information. We 
estimate a total reporting non-hour cost burden of $331,079.
    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 November 9, 
2010, we published a Federal Register notice (75 FR 68814) 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. 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 one comment in response to these efforts. 
The comment received was from another government agency, and it did not 
affect the paperwork burden, but was in support of the collection of 
such information.
    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 
April 28, 2011.
    Public Availability of Comments: Before including your address, 
phone number, email 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: February 15, 2011.
Doug Slitor,
Acting Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-7254 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P


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