38474 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Proposed Rules

You must keep records relating to . . . until . . .

(a) Drilling .................................................................................................. 90 days after you complete drilling operations

(b) Casing and liner pressure tests, diverter tests, and BOP tests .......... 2 years after the completion of drilling operations

(c) Completion of a well or of any workover activity that materially alters

the completion configuration or affects a hydrocarbon-bearing zone.

you permanently plug and abandon the well or until you forward the

records with a lease assignment.

§ 250.469 Must I submit copies of well

logs?

You must submit copies (field or final

prints of individual runs) of logs or

charts of electrical, radioactive, sonic,

and other well-logging operations;

directional-and vertical-well surveys;

velocity profiles and surveys, and

analysis of cores to MMS. Each Region

will provide specific instructions for

submitting well logs and surveys.

* * * * *

4. In § 250.515, paragraph (b) is

revised to read as follows:

§ 250.515 Blowout prevention equipment.

* * * * *

(b) The minimum BOP system for

well-completion operations must meet

the appropriate standards from the

following table:

When . . . the minimum BOP stack must include . . .

(1) The expected pressure is less than 5,000 psi ................................... three preventers consisting of: an annular, one set of pipe rams, and

one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(2) The expected pressure is 5,000 psi or greater or you use multiple

tubing strings.

four preventers consisting of: an annular, two sets of pipe rams, and

one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(3) You handle multiple tubing strings simultaneously ............................ four preventers consisting of: an annular, one set of pipe rams, one set

of dual pipe rams, and one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(4) You use a tapered drill string ............................................................. at least one set of pipe rams that are capable of sealing around each

size of drill string. If the expected pressure is greater than 5,000 psi,

then you must have at least two sets of pipe rams that are capable

of sealing around the larger size drill string. You may substitute one

set of variable bore rams for two sets of pipe rams.

(5) It is one year from the final rule effective date ................................... at least one set of blind-shear rams.

* * * * *

5. In § 250.615, paragraph (b) is

revised to read as follows:

§ 250.615 Blowout prevention equipment.

* * * * *

(b) The minimum BOP system for

well-workover operations with the tree

removed must meet the appropriate

standards from the following table:

When . . . the minimum BOP stack must include . . .

(1) The expected pressure is less than 5,000 psi ................................... three preventers consisting of: an annular, one set of pipe rams, and

one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(2) The expected pressure is 5,000 psi or greater or you use multiple

tubing strings.

four preventers consisting of: an annular, two sets of pipe rams, and

one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(3) You handle multiple tubing strings simultaneously ............................ four preventers consisting of: an annular, one set of pipe rams, one set

of dual pipe rams, and one set of blind or blind-shear rams.

(4) You use a tapered drill string ............................................................. at least one set of pipe rams that are capable of sealing around each

size of drill string. If the expected pressure is greater than 5,000 psi,

then you must have at least two sets of pipe rams that are capable

of sealing around the larger size drill string. You may substitute one

set of variable bore rams for two sets of pipe rams.

(5) It is one year from the final rule effective date ................................... at least one set of blind-shear rams.

Hydrogen Sulfide

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 00–15546 Filed 6–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 166

[CGD08–00–012]

RIN 2115–AA98

Anchorage Regulation; Sabine Pass,

TX, Gulf of Mexico

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to

create a new anchorage area on the

eastern side of the Sabine Pass Safety

Fairway, opposite the Sabine Bank

Offshore (North) Anchorage area in the

Gulf of Mexico south of Sabine Pass.

This will help alleviate the need for inbound deep draft vessels to cross the

Sabine Pass Safety Fairway and navigate

around a charted shallow area just to the

southeast of the North anchorage. This

proposal will allow deep draft vessels to

enter and depart Sabine Bank

anchorages on a safer, lower risk course.

DATES: Comments and related material

must reach the Coast Guard on or before

August 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments

and related material to Commanding

Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Proposed Rules 38475

Office, Federal Building, 2875 Jimmy

Johnson Blvd., Port Arthur, Texas

77640–2099, or you may deliver

comments at the same address between

8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except Federal holidays. The

telephone number is (409) 723–6501.

The Captain of the Port maintains the

public docket for this rulemaking.

Comments and material received from

the public, as well as documents

indicated in this preamble as being

available in the docket, will become part

of this docket and will be available for

inspection or copying at the same

address, dates and times.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Marlow,

Waterways Management, Coast Guard

Marine Safety Office Port Arthur,

telephone (409) 723–6509, extension

239.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate in

this rulemaking by submitting

comments and related material. If you

do so, please include your name and

address, identify the docket number for

this rulemaking (CGD08–00–012),

indicate the specific section of this

document to which each comment

applies, and give the reason for each

comment. Please submit all comments

and related material in an unbound

format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches,

suitable for copying. If you would like

to know they reached us, please enclose

a stamped, self-addressed postcard or

envelope. We will consider all

comments and material received during

the comment period. We may change

this proposed rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

We do not now plan to hold a public

meeting. But you may submit a request

for a meeting by writing to Commanding

Officer U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety

Office at the address under ADDRESSES

explaining why one would be

beneficial. If we determine that one

would aid this rulemaking, we will hold

one at a time and place announced by

a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

In 1997, the in-bound tank vessel

CROSBY ran aground just outside the

Sabine Bank Offshore (North)

Anchorage area located in the Gulf of

Mexico, approximately 13 miles south

of Sabine Pass, TX. This vessel was

carrying over 650,000 barrels of crude

oil. Although no oil was spilled, the

result could have been disastrous. The

subsequent investigation revealed that

the vessel’s master crossed the safety

fairway and was attempting to navigate

into the North anchorage. However, a

strong westerly current began pushing

the CROSBY toward the shallow area

southeast of the anchorage area. The

master was unable to maneuver away

from the shallows and the vessel

grounded. Four tugboats took 15 hours

to refloat the CROSBY.

The proposed new anchorage east of

the Sabine Bank Offshore (North)

Anchorage is necessary to reduce the

risk of a grounding. The proposed

location for a new anchorage is free of

shallow areas immediately surrounding

it. In-bound petroleum laden deep draft

vessels invariably have need to anchor

and wait for daylight transit. If an

anchorage is created on the eastern side

of the Sabine Pass Safety Fairway, deep

draft vessels will not need to cross the

safety fairway to anchor, and will avoid

passing close to the shallow area

southeast of the North anchorage. This

significantly reduces navigational risks

to deep draft shipping.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

The regulation creates a new

anchorage in an area bounded by rhumb

lines joining points at:

Latitude Longitude

29°26′06′′ N ............... 93°38′52′′ W.

29°26′06′′ N ............... 93°37′00′′ W.

29°24′06′′ N ............... 93°37′00′′ W.

29°24′06′′ N ............... 93°38′52′′ W.

With this proposal, the new Sabine

Bank Offshore (East) Anchorage will

include deeper waters surrounding the

anchorage boundaries, while

maintaining an effective area of safety

for deep draft vessels. This proposed

regulation is designed to reduce risk of

deep draft vessel groundings and

promote safety of maritime commerce in

the Port Arthur Captain of the Port

Zone.

Regulatory Evaluation

This proposed rule is not a

‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under

section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866

and does not require an assessment of

potential costs and benefits under

section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office

of Management and Budget has not

reviewed it under that Order. It is not

significant under the regulatory policies

and procedures of the Department of

Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040,

February 26, 1979).

We expect the economic impact of

this proposed rule to be so minimal that

a full Regulatory Evaluation under

paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies

and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.

There are no fees, permits, or

specialized requirements for the

maritime industry to utilize this

anchorage area. The regulation is solely

for the purpose of advancing safety of

maritime commerce.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

(5 U.S.C. 601–612), we considered

whether this proposed rule would have

a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities.

The term ‘‘small entities’’ comprises

small businesses, not-for-profit

organizations that are independently

owned and operated and are not

dominant in their fields, and

governmental jurisdictions with

populations of less than 50,000.

The Coast Guard certifies under 5

U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule

would not have a significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small

entities.

This proposed rule should have

minimal economic impact on vessels

operated by small entities. There are no

restrictions for entry or use of the

proposed anchorage targeting small

entities. Fairway anchorage regulations

found in 33 CFR 166.200 apply equally

to large and small entities. The

proposed regulation creates only a new

anchorage area, it does not govern its

usage. The proposed location is no

farther offshore or closer to shore than

the existing North anchorage.

If you think that your business,

organization, or governmental

jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity

and that this rule would have a

significant economic impact on it,

please submit a comment (see

ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it

qualifies and how and to what degree

this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

This proposed rule is not foreseen to

affect small entities.

Under section 213(a) of the Small

Business Regulatory Enforcement

Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121),

we want to assist small entities in

understanding this proposed rule so that

they can better evaluate its effects on

them and participate in the rulemaking.

If the rule would affect your small

business, organization, or governmental

jurisdiction and you have questions

concerning its provisions or options for

compliance, please contact the entity

listed in ADDRESSES.

Collection of Information

This proposed rule would call for no

new collection of information under the

38476 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Proposed Rules

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 3501–3520.).

Federalism

We have analyzed this proposed rule

under E.O. 13132 and have determined

that this rule does not have implications

for federalism under that Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) governs

the issuance of Federal regulations that

require unfunded mandates. An

unfunded mandate is a regulation that

requires a State, local, or tribal

government or the private sector to

incur direct costs without the Federal

Government’s having first provided the

funds to pay those costs. This proposed

rule would not impose an unfunded

mandate.

Taking of Private Property

This proposed rule would not effect a

taking of private property or otherwise

have taking implications under E.O.

12630, Governmental Actions and

Interference with Constitutionally

Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This proposed rule meets applicable

standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of

E.O. 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to

minimize litigation, eliminate

ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this proposed rule

under E.O. 13045, Protection of

Children from Environmental Health

Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not

an economically significant rule and

does not concern an environmental risk

to health or risk to safety that may

disproportionately affect children.

Environment

We considered the environmental

impact of this proposed rule and

concluded that, under figure 2–1,

paragraph 34, of COMDTINST

M16475.lC, this proposed rule is

categorically excluded from further

environmental documentation. A

Categorical Exclusion Determination

will be prepared in accordance with

paragraph 2.B.2, Figure 2–1, CE#34(f) of

COMDTINST M16475.1C. This rule

proposes creating a new anchorage area

to the east of the Sabine Bank Offshore

(North) Anchorage area. This new

anchorage would enhance the safety in

the waters offshore of Port Arthur, Texas

by allowing additional space and a safer

approach for deep draft vessels to

anchor.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 166

Anchorage grounds, Marine Safety,

Navigation (water), Waterways.

For the reasons discussed in the

preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to

amend 33 CFR part 166 as follows:

PART 166—SHIPPING SAFETY

1. The authority citation for part 166

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1223; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. In § 166.200, paragraph (d)(13)(iv)

is added to read as follows:

§ 166.200 Shipping safety fairways and

anchorage areas, Gulf of Mexico.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(13) * * *

(iv) Sabine Bank Offshore (East)

Anchorage Area. The area enclosed by

rhumb lines joining points at:

Latitude Longitude

29°26′06′′ N. 93°38′52′′ W.

29°26′06′′ N. 93°37′00′′ W.

29°24′06′′ N. 93°37′00′′ W.

29°24′06′′ N. 93°38′52′′ W.

Dated: May 31, 2000.

Paul J. Pluta,

Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 00–15514 Filed 6–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–15–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[FRL–6719–1]

National Oil and Hazardous

Substances Pollution Contingency

Plan, National Priorities List Update

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency.

ACTION: Notice of intent for partial

deletion of the Cimarron Mining

Superfund Site from the National

Priorities List.

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) Region 6 announces its

intent for partial deletion of the

Cimarron Mining Superfund Site from

the National Priorities List (NPL) and

requests public comment on this action.

All public comments regarding this

proposed action will be considered by

EPA. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to

section 105 of the Comprehensive

Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act

(CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is

codified as Appendix B to the National

Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution

Contingency Plan (NCP), 40 CFR part

300. The proposed partial deletion of

the Cimarron Mining Site is in

accordance with 40 CFR 300.425 (e) and

the Notice of Policy Change: Partial

Deletion of Sites Listed on the NPL.

EPA, in consultation with the New

Mexico Environment Department

(NMED), has determined that all

appropriate response actions under

CERCLA have been implemented to

protect human health, welfare, and the

environment at the portions of the site

for which deletion is being proposed.

This partial deletion includes all

portions of the Cimarron Operable Unit

(OU1) and the Sierra Blanca Operable

Unit (OU2) except for the long-term

ground water remedy at OU1.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by

July 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed

to: Ms. Petra Sanchez, Remedial Project

Manager (6SF–LT), U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Region 6 1445 Ross

Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733,

(214) 665–6686 or (800) 533–3508.

Information Repositories:

Comprehensive information on the site

has been compiled in a public deletion

docket which may be reviewed and

copied during normal business hours at

the following information repositories:

U.S. EPA Region 6 Library (12th Floor)

1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas

75202–2733

New Mexico Environment Department,

P.O. Box 26110, 11909 St. Francis Dr.,

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Carrizozo City Hall P.O. Box 247,

Carrizozo, New Mexico 88301

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Petra Sanchez, Remedial Project

Manager (6SF–LT), U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Region 6,1445 Ross

Avenue Dallas, Texas 75202–2733 (214)

665–6686, 1–800–533–3508.

Mr. David Henry, New Mexico

Environment Department, 1190 St.

Francis Dr., P.O. Box 26110, Santa Fe,

New Mexico 87503, (505) 827–0037.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents:

I. Introduction

II. NPL Deletion Criteria

III. Partial Deletion Procedures

IV. Basis for Intended Partial Site Deletion

I. Introduction

This document was prepared by EPA

Region 6 as Notice of Intent for Partial

Deletion (Notice or NOIPD) of the

Cimarron Mining Superfund Site (EPA

Site Spill No. 06B5; CERCLIS No.

NMD980749378), from the National