[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72761-72766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29645]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 250

[Docket ID: BOEM-2010-0033]
RIN 1010-AD53


Production Measurement Documents Incorporated by Reference

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: BOEMRE proposes to incorporate by reference 15 new production 
measurement industry standards into the regulations governing oil, gas, 
and sulphur operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Incorporation of 
the production measurement standards provides industry with up-to-date 
guidance for measuring oil and gas production volumes. This will result 
in more efficient measurement of oil and gas production.

DATES: Submit comments by January 25, 2011. BOEMRE may not fully 
consider comments received after this date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the rulemaking by any of the 
following methods. Please use the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 
1010-AD53 as an identifier in your message. See also Public 
Availability of Comments under Procedural Matters.
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In 
the entry titled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter docket ID BOEM-2010-
0033 then click search. Under the tab ``View By Docket Folder'' you can 
submit public comments and view supporting and related materials 
available for this rulemaking. BOEMRE will post all comments.
    <bullet> Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and 
Enforcement; Attention: Regulations and Standards Branch (RSB); 381 
Elden Street, MS-4024, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference 
``Production Measurement Documents Incorporated by Reference, 1010-
AD53'' in your comments and include your name and return address.

Availability of Incorporated Documents for Public Viewing

    When a copyrighted technical industry standard is incorporated by 
reference into our regulations, BOEMRE is obligated to observe and 
protect that copyright. BOEMRE provides members of the public with Web 
site addresses where these standards may be accessed for viewing--
sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. The decision to charge a 
fee is decided by standard developing organizations. The American 
Petroleum Institute (API) will provide free online public access to 160 
key industry standards, including a broad range of technical standards 
once changes to the API Web site are complete. The standards represent 
almost one-third of all API standards and will include all that are 
safety-related or have been incorporated into Federal regulations, 
including the standards in this rule. The newly accessible standards 
will be available for review, and hardcopies and printable versions 
will continue to be available for purchase. We are proposing to 
incorporate both API and American Gas Association (AGA) standards, and 
the addresses to these Web site locations are:
    API Standard/Document Contact IHS at 1-800-854-7179 or 303-397-7956 
Local and International, http://www.global.ihs.com and; AGA Standard/
Document 1-800-699-9277--Toll free in US & Canada http://www.techstreet.com/contact.tmpl.
    For the convenience of the viewing public who may not wish to 
purchase or view these proposed documents online, they may be inspected 
at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, 
381 Elden Street, Room 3313, Herndon, Virginia 20170; phone: 703-787-
1587; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 
For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    These documents, if incorporated in the final rule, will continue 
to be made available to the public for viewing when requested. Specific 
information on where these documents can be inspected or purchased can 
be found at

[[Page 72762]]

30 CFR 250.198, Documents Incorporated by Reference.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wilbon Rhome, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, at (703) 787-1587.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BOEMRE uses standards, specifications, and 
recommended practices developed by standard-setting organizations and 
the oil and gas industry as a means of establishing requirements for 
activities in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This practice, known 
as incorporation by reference, allows BOEMRE to incorporate the 
requirements of technical documents into the regulations at 30 CFR 
250.198 without increasing the volume of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR). BOEMRE currently incorporates by reference the 
requirements found in 97 documents into the offshore operating 
regulations.
    The regulations found at 1 CFR part 51 govern how BOEMRE and other 
Federal agencies incorporate the requirements found in various 
documents by reference. Agencies can only incorporate by reference 
through publication in the Federal Register. Agencies must also gain 
approval from the Director of the Federal Register for each publication 
incorporated by reference. Incorporation by reference of a document or 
publication is limited to the edition of the document or publication 
cited in the regulations. This means that newer editions, amendments, 
or revisions to documents already incorporated by reference in 
regulations are not part of BOEMRE regulations.
    In some cases, BOEMRE may not agree with a standard or a specific 
section in a standard. As a result, a standard may not be included in 
the regulations at all or only a portion may be included. This review 
process is conducted by BOEMRE's Subject Matter Experts and Independent 
Reviewers as necessary. Standards that are considered for incorporation 
are subject to a side-by-side comparison of similar standards also 
under consideration for proposed incorporation into BOEMRE's 
regulations. Once this process is complete, we make a final 
determination whether incorporating a standard(s) will fully address 
our regulatory concerns. This is accomplished by a final review of the 
proposed standard and the regulation that it would be incorporated 
into. Based on this review criteria, BOEMRE then makes a final 
determination either to accept or reject the standard(s) proposed for 
incorporation.
    BOEMRE is proposing to incorporate the requirements found in 15 
measurement documents (i.e., 12 American Petroleum Institute (API) and 
3 American Gas Association (AGA) documents) to add the most current and 
updated measurement standards to provide industry with up-to-date 
guidance for measurement technology. The incorporation of these new 
standards will ensure that lessees use the best available and most 
accurate technologies while operating in the OCS.
    Measurement documents were chosen for incorporation into the 
regulations based on the latest technological advances introduced in 
these standards and highlighted in the synopsis below. BOEMRE, in 
cooperation with independent reviewers from industry and academia, 
reviews and comments on the contents of these documents. Additionally, 
since this is a proposed rulemaking, public comments that we receive 
from the regulated industry are considered an unbiased and independent 
review and may be included in the final rule.
    BOEMRE constantly participates in the reviews, revisions, and 
updates of standards to determine if new versions should be 
incorporated into our regulations. This may be necessary because of 
changes in technology, environmental concerns, or incidents or trend in 
incidents. Also, we may request that a standard writing body develop a 
new standard based on incident analysis or due to the introduction of 
new technologies, such as deepwater operations and floating production 
systems.
    BOEMRE has reviewed the following requirements in these listed 
documents and proposes they be incorporated into the regulations at 30 
CFR Part 250 to ensure that industry uses the best available and most 
accurate measurement technologies. BOEMRE review shows that the 
decision to use these standards will not impose additional costs on the 
offshore oil and gas industry.
    A summary of BOEMRE's review of the documents is provided below:
    <bullet> AGA Report No. 7--Measurement of Natural Gas by Turbine 
Meters; Revised February 2006:
    This standard applies to the installation, calibration, and 
operation of axial-flow turbine flow meters for measurement of natural 
gas, typically 2-inch and larger bore diameter, in which the entire gas 
stream flows through the meter rotor. Typical applications include 
measuring single-phase gas flow found in production, process, 
transmission, storage, and distribution and end-use gas measurement 
systems.
    <bullet> AGA Report No. 9--Measurement of Gas by Multipath 
Ultrasonic Meters; Second Edition, April 2007:
    This standard describes the optimum conditions and best practices 
for multipath ultrasonic transit-time flow meters used for the 
measurement of natural gas. Multipath ultrasonic meters have at least 
two independent pairs of measuring transducers (acoustic paths). 
Typical applications include measuring the flow of gas through 
production facilities, transmission pipelines, storage facilities, 
distribution systems, and large end-use customer meter sets. BOEMRE 
currently requires multipath ultrasonic meters used for gas royalty or 
allocation measurement to contain at least three independent pairs of 
measuring transducers.
    <bullet> AGA Report No. 10--Speed of Sound in Natural Gas and Other 
Related Hydrocarbon Gases; January 2003:
    This standard contains information for computation of speed of 
sound in natural gas and other related hydrocarbon gases. Procedures 
are included for computation of several related gas properties, 
including heat capacity, enthalpy, and the critical flow coefficient 
for sonic nozzles.
    At the request of API, Standard 2551, Measurement and Calibration 
of Horizontal Tanks, First Edition, 1965; reaffirmed March 2002, has 
been withdrawn and divided into two separate standards as discussed 
below:
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 2.2E--Calibration of Horizontal 
Cylindrical Tanks --Part 1: Manual Methods, First Edition, April 2004:
    This standard specifies manual methods for the calibration of 
nominally horizontal cylindrical tanks, installed at a fixed location. 
It is applicable to horizontal tanks up to 4 meters in diameter and 30 
meters in length. The methods are applicable to insulated and non-
insulated tanks, either when they are above ground or underground. The 
methods are applicable to pressurized tanks, and to both knuckle-dish-
end and flat-end cylindrical tanks as well as elliptical and spherical 
head tanks. Information is also provided to address tanks over and 
above these dimensions.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 2.2F--Calibration of Horizontal 
Cylindrical Tanks --Part 2: Internal Electro-optical Distance-Ranging 
Method, First Edition, April 2004:
    This standard specifies a method for the calibration of horizontal 
cylindrical tanks having diameters greater than 2 meters by means of 
internal measurements using an electro-optical distance-ranging 
instrument, and for the subsequent compilation of tank-capacity

[[Page 72763]]

tables. This method is known as the internal electro-optical distance-
ranging (EODR) method.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 4--Proving Systems, Section 8--Operation 
of Proving Systems; First Edition, November 1995; Reaffirmed March 
2007:
    This standard provides information on operating meter provers in 
single-phase liquid hydrocarbons, though much of the information 
provided is applicable to other fluids. It is intended for use as a 
reference manual for operating proving systems.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 5--Metering, Section 6--Measurement of 
Liquid Hydrocarbons by Coriolis Meters; First Edition, October 2002; 
Reaffirmed March 2008:
    This standard is applicable to custody transfer applications for 
liquid hydrocarbons. Topics covered are:
    <bullet> Applicable API standards used in the operation of Coriolis 
meters,
    <bullet> Proving and verification using both mass- and volume-based 
meters, and
    <bullet> Installation, operation, and maintenance.
    The mass- and volume-based calculation procedures for proving and 
quantity determination are included in this document. Additionally the 
Coriolis meter is capable of simultaneously determining density; 
however, this document does not address its use as a stand-alone 
densitometer.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 5--Metering, Section 8--Measurement of 
Liquid Hydrocarbons by Ultrasonic Flow Meters Using Transit Time 
Technology; First Edition, February 2005:
    This standard defines the application criteria for Ultrasonic Flow 
Meters (UFMs) and addresses the appropriate considerations regarding 
the liquids to be measured. Also, this document addresses the 
installation, operation, and maintenance of UFMs in liquid hydrocarbon 
service. This standard only pertains to spool type, two or more path 
ultrasonic flow meters with permanently affixed transducer assemblies. 
While this document was specifically written for custody transfer 
measurement, other acceptable applications may include allocation 
measurement, check meter measurement, and leak detection measurement.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 11--Physical Properties Data, Section 1--
Temperature and Pressure Volume Correction Factors for Generalized 
Crude Oils, Refined Products, and Lubricating Oils; May 2004; Addendum 
1, September 2007:
    This standard provides the algorithm and implementation procedure 
for the correction of temperature and pressure effects on density and 
volume of liquid hydrocarbons which fall within the categories of crude 
oil, refined products, or lubricating oils. Natural gas liquids and 
liquid petroleum gases are excluded from consideration in this 
standard. The combination of density and volume correction factors for 
both temperature and pressure is collectively referred to in this 
standard as a Correction for Temperature and Pressure of a Liquid. The 
temperature portion of this correction is termed the Correction for the 
effect of Temperature on Liquid, also historically known as Volume 
Correction Factor. The pressure portion is termed the Correction for 
the effect of Pressure on Liquid.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 3--Proving 
Reports; First Edition, October 1998; Reaffirmed 2009:
    This standard provides standardized calculation methods for the 
determination of meter factors under defined conditions, regardless of 
the point of origin or destination or units of measure required by 
governmental customs or statute. The criteria contained here will allow 
different entities using various computer languages on different 
computer hardware (or by manual calculations) to arrive at identical 
results using the same standardized input data. This document also 
specifies the equations for computing correction factors, including the 
calculation sequence, discrimination levels, and rules for rounding to 
be employed in the calculations. No deviations from these specified 
equations are permitted, since the intent of this document is to 
establish a rigorous standard.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 4--
Calculation of Base Prover Volumes by the Waterdraw Method; First 
Edition, December 1997; Reaffirmed 2009:
    This standard provides standardized calculation methods for the 
quantification of liquids and the determination of base prover volumes 
under defined conditions, regardless of the point of origin or 
destination or units of measure required by governmental organizations. 
The criteria contained in this document allows different individuals, 
using various computer languages on different computer hardware (or 
manual calculations), to arrive at identical results using the same 
standardized input data. Part 4 of this standard discusses the 
calculation procedures for the waterdraw calibration method. It is 
important to point out that this publication rigorously specifies the 
equations for computing correction factors, rules for rounding, the 
sequence of the calculations, and discriminations levels of all numbers 
to be used in these calculations. No deviations from these 
specifications are permitted since the intent of this document is to 
serve as a rigorous standard.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 5--
Calculation of Base Prover Volume by Master Meter Method; First 
Edition, September 2001; Reaffirmed October 2006:
    This standard provides standardized calculation methods for the 
quantification of liquids and the determination of base prover volumes 
under defined conditions, regardless of the point of origin or 
destination or units of measure required by governmental customs or 
statute. The criteria contained in this document allow different 
entities using various computer languages on different computer 
hardware (or manual calculations) to arrive at identical results using 
the same standardized input data. Part 5 of this standard discusses the 
calculation procedures required to determine the base prover volume by 
the master meter method. This document also specifies the equations for 
computing correction factors, rules for rounding, including the 
calculational sequence, and discrimination levels to be employed in the 
calculations. No deviations from these specified equations are 
permitted, since the intent of this document is to establish a rigorous 
standard.
    <bullet> API MPMS, Chapter 21--Flow Measurement Using Electronic 
Metering Systems, Section 2--Electronic Liquid Volume Measurement Using 
Positive Displacement and Turbine Meters; First Edition, June 1998:
    This standard provides guidance for effective utilization of 
electronic liquid measurement systems for custody transfer measurement 
of liquid hydrocarbons. The guidance applies to systems using turbine 
or positive displacement meters. The procedures and techniques 
discussed in the document are recommended for use with new measurement 
applications. Liquid measurement using existing equipment and 
techniques not in compliance with this standard may have

[[Page 72764]]

a higher uncertainty than liquid measurement based on the 
recommendations contained in this document.
    <bullet> API MPMS Chapter 21--Flow Measurement Using Electronic 
Metering Systems, Addendum to Section 2--Flow Measurement Using 
Electronic Metering Systems, Inferred Mass; First Edition, August 2000; 
Reaffirmed February 2006:
    This standard specifically covers inferred mass measurement systems 
utilizing flow computers as the tertiary flow calculation device and 
either turbine or displacement type meters, working with on-line 
density meters, as the primary measurement devices. The procedures and 
techniques discussed in this document are required for use with new 
measurement applications. Liquid measurement using existing equipment 
and techniques, not in compliance with this standard, may have a higher 
uncertainty than liquid measurement based on the recommendations 
contained in this document.
    <bullet> API RP 86, Recommended Practice for Measurement of 
Multiphase Flow; First Edition, September 2005:
    This recommended practice addresses how the user measures 
(multiphase) flow rates of oil, gas, water, and any other fluids that 
are present in the effluent stream of a single well. This requires the 
definition not only of the methodology that is to be employed, but also 
the provision of evidence that this methodology will produce a quality 
measurement in the intended environment. It is intended that this 
recommended practice be used in conjunction with other similar 
documents to guide the user toward good measurement practice in 
upstream hydrocarbon production applications. The term upstream refers 
to those measurement points prior to, but not including, the custody 
transfer point.

Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order (E.O.) 12866)

    This proposed rule is a significant rule as determined by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is subject to review under 
E.O. 12866.
    (1) This proposed rule would not have an annual effect of $100 
million or more on the economy. It would not adversely affect in a 
material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal 
governments or communities. The primary purpose of this proposed rule 
is to add the most current and updated measurement standards so that 
lessees may use new measurement technology. BOEMRE believes that these 
new standards will provide guidance to lessees and operators and would 
not result in any additional costs.
    (2) This proposed rule would not create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency 
because it does not harm other agencies, nor does it hinder other 
agencies from taking action.
    (3) This proposed rule would not materially alter the budgetary 
effects or entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights or obligations of their recipients. The benefits of the proposed 
changes in this rule justify the negligible cost incurred by the 
offshore oil and gas industry. The minor cost to the industry in most 
cases would be minor equipment modification or replacement, some 
additional training and the purchase price of the new document. 
Additionally, these benefits would add the most current and updated 
measurement standards to provide industry with up-to-date guidance for 
measurement technology. Requiring compliance with the standards in the 
new editions of these documents incorporated by reference would assure 
the use of the best available and most accurate measurement 
technologies for operations on the OCS.
    (4) This proposed rule would raise novel, legal, or policy issues 
arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the 
principles set forth in E.O. 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this proposed rule 
would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of 
small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.).
    This proposed rule would affect lessees and operators of oil and 
gas leases in the OCS. This includes approximately 130 active Federal 
oil and gas lessees. Lessees that conduct business under this rule are 
coded under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 211111, Crude Petroleum 
and Natural Gas Extraction, and 213111, Drilling Oil and Gas Wells. For 
these NAICS code classifications, a small company is defined as one 
with fewer than 500 employees. BOEMRE estimates that approximately 70 
percent of the 130 lessees and operators that explore for and produce 
oil and gas on the OCS meet the definition of a small company. This 
rule, which proposes to incorporate 15 new standards, would not have a 
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small companies 
because the newly incorporated standards would not impose significant 
costs or burdens on any lessees or operators. Therefore, the primary 
economic effect of this rule on small business would be the nominal 
cost associated with the purchase of the standards.
    Your comments are important. The Small Business and Agriculture 
Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards were 
established to receive comments from small businesses about Federal 
agency enforcement actions. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate the 
enforcement activities and rate each agency's responsiveness to small 
business. If you wish to comment on the actions of BOEMRE, call 1-888-
734-3247. You may comment to the Small Business Administration without 
fear of retaliation. Allegations of discrimination/retaliation filed 
with the Small Business Administration will be investigated for 
appropriate action.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The proposed rule is not a major rule under the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.). This 
proposed rule:
    a. Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more. The main purpose of this rule would be to add industry 
standards to provide industry with up-to-date guidance in the use of 
new measurement technology.
    b. Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions. The cost to comply with the rule would 
be the same as current requirements.
    c. Would not have a significant adverse effect on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or ability of U.S.-
based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. The 
requirements would apply to all entities operating on the OCS.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This proposed rule would not impose an unfunded mandate on State, 
local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 
million per year. The proposed rule would not have a significant or 
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private 
sector. A statement containing the information required by the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is not required.

[[Page 72765]]

Takings Implication Assessment (E.O. 12630)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 12630, this proposed rule does not have 
significant takings implications. The proposed rule is not a 
governmental action capable of interference with constitutionally 
protected property rights. A Takings Implication Assessment is not 
required.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13132, this proposed rule does not have 
federalism implications. This proposed rule would not substantially and 
directly affect the relationship between the Federal and State 
governments. To the extent that State and local governments have a role 
in OCS activities, this proposed rule would not affect that role. A 
Federalism Assessment is not required.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be 
written to minimize litigation; and
    (b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13175, we have evaluated this proposed 
rule and determined that it has no potential effects on Federally 
recognized Indian Tribes. There are no Indian or Tribal lands in the 
OCS nor Tribally owned businesses subject to the regulation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed revisions do not contain any information collection 
and do not require a submission to the Office of Management and Budget 
for review and approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

    This rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is not required 
because the rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. This rule is 
excluded from the requirement to prepare a detailed statement because 
it falls within BOEMRE categorical exclusion covering the ``Issuance 
and modification of regulations, Orders, Standards, Notices to Lessees 
and Operators. Guidelines and field rules for which the impacts are 
limited to administrative, economic, or technological effects and the 
environmental impacts are minimal'' are categorically excluded under 
516 Departmental Manual 15.4(C)(1). We have also determined that the 
rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances listed in 
43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under the National 
Environmental Policy Act.

Data Quality Act

    In developing this rule, we did not conduct or use a study, 
experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data Quality Act 
(Pub. L. 106-554, app. C Sec.  515, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-153-154).

Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This rule is not a significant energy action under the definition 
in E.O. 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by E.O. 12866, E.O. 12988, and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are 
too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, 
etc.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

    Continental shelf, Incorporation by reference, Public lands--
mineral resources, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: November 18, 2010.
Ned Farquhar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, BOEMRE proposes to amend 30 
CFR part 250 as follows:

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

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

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.

    2. Amend Sec.  250.198 by:
    a. Removing paragraph (h)(75) and redesignating paragraphs (h)(76) 
through (h)(80) as (h)(75) through (h)(79) respectively;
    b. Adding new paragraphs (h)(80) through (h)(91); and
    c. Adding new paragraph (l) to read as follows:


Sec.  250.198  Documents incorporated by reference.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (80) API MPMS Chapter 2.2E--Calibration of Horizontal Cylindrical 
Tanks--Part 1: Manual Methods, First Edition, April 2004, Order No. 
HX202E01; incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(l)(4);
    (81) API MPMS Chapter 2.2F--Calibration of Horizontal Cylindrical 
Tanks--Part 2: Internal Electro-optical Distance-Ranging Method, First 
Edition, April 2004, Order No. HH202F01; incorporated by reference at 
Sec.  250.1202(l)(4);
    (82) API MPMS, Chapter 4--Proving Systems, Section 8--Operation of 
Proving Systems; First Edition, November 1995; reaffirmed March 2007, 
Order No. H04081; incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3), 
(f)(1);
    (83) API MPMS, Chapter 5--Metering, Section 6--Measurement of 
Liquid Hydrocarbons by Coriolis Meters; First Edition, October 2002; 
reaffirmed March 2008, Order No. H05061; incorporated by reference at 
Sec.  250.1202(a)(3);
    (84) API MPMS, Chapter 5--Metering, Section 8--Measurement of 
Liquid Hydrocarbons by Ultrasonic Flow Meters Using Transit Time 
Technology; First Edition, February 2005; Product No. H050801; 
incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3);

[[Page 72766]]

    (85) API MPMS Chapter 11--Physical Properties Data, Section 1--
Temperature and Pressure Volume Correction Factors for Generalized 
Crude Oils, Refined Products, and Lubricating Oils; May 2004, Addendum 
1 September 2007, Product No. H11013; incorporated by reference at 
Sec.  250.1202(a)(3), (g);
    (86) API MPMS, Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 3--Proving 
Reports; First Edition, October 1998; reaffirmed 2009, Product No. 
H12023; incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3), (g);
    (87) API MPMS, Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 4--
Calculation of Base Prover Volumes by the Waterdraw Method, First 
Edition, December 1997; reaffirmed 2009, Order No. H12042; incorporated 
by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3), (g);
    (88) API MPMS, Chapter 12--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, 
Section 2--Calculation of Petroleum Quantities Using Dynamic 
Measurement Methods and Volumetric Correction Factors, Part 5--
Calculation of Base Prover Volume by Master Meter Method; First 
Edition, September 2001; reaffirmed October 2006, Product No. H12025; 
incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3), (g);
    (89) API MPMS, Chapter 21--Flow Measurement Using Electronic 
Metering Systems, Section 2--Electronic Liquid Volume Measurement Using 
Positive Displacement and Turbine Meters; First Edition, June 1998; 
Order No H21021; incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1202(a)(3);
    (90) API MPMS, Chapter 21--Flow Measurement Using Electronic 
Metering Systems, Addendum to Section 2--Flow Measurement Using 
Electronic Metering Systems, Inferred Mass; First Edition, August 2000; 
reaffirmed February 2006; Order No. H2102A; incorporated by reference 
at Sec.  250.1203(b)(4);
    (91) API RP 86, Recommended Practice for Measurement of Multiphase 
Flow; First Edition, September 2005; Product No. G08601; incorporated 
by reference at Sec.  250.1201, Sec.  250.1202 (a)(3), and Sec.  
250.1203(a)(2).
* * * * *
    (l) American Gas Association (AGA Reports), 400 North Capitol 
Street, NW., Suite 450, Washington, DC 20001, http://www.aga.org; 
phone: (202) 824-7000;
    (1) AGA Report No. 7--Measurement of Natural Gas by Turbine Meters; 
Revised February 2006; AGA Catalog No. XQ0601; incorporated by 
reference at Sec.  250.1203(a)(2);
    (2) AGA Report No. 9--Measurement of Gas by Multipath Ultrasonic 
Meters; Second Edition, April 2007; AGA Catalog No. XQ0701; 
incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1203(a)(2);
    (3) AGA Report No. 10--Speed of Sound in Natural Gas and Other 
Related Hydrocarbon Gases; May 2003; AGA Catalog No. XQ0310; 
incorporated by reference at Sec.  250.1203(a)(2).

[FR Doc. 2010-29645 Filed 11-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-W-P