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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6214-6218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02195]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Number 1010-0006; MMAA104000]

Information Collection: Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the 
Outer Continental Shelf and Pipeline Rights of Way; Submitted for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

ACTION: 30-day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is notifying the public that 
we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information 
collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under 30 CFR Part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in 
the OCS; 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-
Way; and 30 CFR Part 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing. This notice provides 
the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of 
this collection.

DATES: Submit written comments by March 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments on this ICR to the Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior at OMB-OIRA at (202) 395-5806 (fax) or 
OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov (email). Please provide a copy of your 
comments to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, Arlene 
Bajusz, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 381 Elden Street, HM-3127, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170 (mail) or arlene.bajusz@boem.gov (email). 
Please reference ICR 1010-0006 in your comment and include your name 
and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Arlene Bajusz, Office of Policy, 
Regulations, and Analysis at arlene.bajusz@boem.gov (email) or (703) 
787-1025 (phone). You may review the ICR online at http://www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to review Department of the 
Interior collections under review by OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR Part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the 
OCS; 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; 
and 30 CFR Part 560 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing.
    Forms: BOEM-0150, 0151, 0152, 2028, 2028A, 2030.
    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; 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and coastal environments; ensure the public a fair and 
equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and preserve and maintain 
free enterprise competition. Also, the Energy Policy and Conservation 
Act of 1975 (EPCA) prohibits certain lease bidding arrangements (42 
U.S.C. 6213(c)).
    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 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-25 
authorize Federal agencies to recover the full cost of services that 
provide special benefits. Under the Department of the Interior's (DOI) 
implementing policy, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is 
required to charge the full cost 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. Instruments of 
transfer of a lease or interest are subject to cost recovery, and BOEM 
regulations specify the filing fee for these transfer applications.
    This notice concerns the reporting and recordkeeping requirements 
of BOEM regulations at 30 CFR 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in 
the OCS; 30 CFR 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way; 
30 CFR 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing; as well as the related Notices to 
Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that clarify and provide additional 
guidance on some aspects of these regulations. This ICR also concerns 
the use of the following forms to process bonds, transfer interest in 
leases, and file relinquishments:

[[Page 6215]]

     BOEM-0150, Assignment of Record Title Interest in Federal 
OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0151, Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in 
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease,
     BOEM-0152, Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease,
     BOEM-2028, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's Bond,
     BOEM-2028A, OCS Mineral Lessee's and Operator's 
Supplemental Bond,
     BOEM-2030, OCS Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant Bond.
    BOEM uses the information collected to determine if applicants are 
qualified to hold leases in the OCS, assign a qualification number to 
avoid respondent submission of information already on file, develop the 
semiannual List of Restricted Joint Bidders, ensure the qualification 
of transferees and track operators on leaseholds, document that a 
leasehold or geographical subdivision has been surrendered by the 
record title holder, and ensure that adequate funds are secured to 
complete existing and future bond obligations.
    We will protect information from respondents considered proprietary 
according to section 26 of the OCS Lands Act, the Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 
part 2 and 30 CFR 556.10(d)). No items of a sensitive nature are 
collected. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain a benefit.
    Frequency: On occasion or annual.
    Description of Respondents: Respondents comprise Federal oil, gas, 
or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
annual reporting burden estimate for this collection to be 17,882 
hours. The following table details the individual components and 
respective hour burden estimates of this ICR.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Non-Hour Cost Burdens **
Citation 30 CFR part 556 and     Reporting    ------------------------------------------------------------------
            NTLs               requirement *                               Average  number of    Annual  burden
                                                      Hour burden           annual  responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  All Subparts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts A, C, E, H, L, M...  None...........                  Not applicable.                  0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subparts G, H, I, J: 37; 53;  Request          Burden included with other approved collections  0
 68; 70; 71; 72; 73.           approval for        in 30 CFR Part 550 (Subpart A 1010-0114,
                               various            Subpart B 1010-0151) and in BSEE 30 CFR 250
                               operations or      (Subpart A 1014-0022, Subpart D 1014-0018).
                               submit plans
                               or
                               applications.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Subparts B through F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart B: All sections.....  Submit general        Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR       0
                               suggestions                       1320.3(h)(4).
                               and relevant
                               information in
                               response to
                               request for
                               comments on
                               proposed 5-
                               year leasing
                               program,
                               including
                               information
                               from States/
                               local
                               governments..
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Submit           4........................  69..................  276
                               suggestions
                               and specific
                               information in
                               response to
                               request for
                               comments on
                               proposed 5-
                               year leasing
                               program,
                               including
                               information
                               from States/
                               local
                               governments.**
                               *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart D: All sections.....  Submit general        Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR       0
                               response to                       1320.3(h)(4).
                               Call for
                               Information
                               and
                               Nominations on
                               areas for
                               leasing of
                               minerals in
                               specified
                               areas in
                               accordance
                               with an
                               approved
                               leasing
                               program,
                               including
                               information
                               from States/
                               local
                               governments.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Submit specific  4........................  80 (20 responses/     320
                               response to                                 sale x 2 sales/call
                               Call for                                    x 2 calls/year).
                               Information
                               and
                               Nominations on
                               areas for
                               leasing of
                               minerals in
                               specified
                               areas in
                               accordance
                               with an
                               approved
                               leasing
                               program,
                               including
                               information
                               from States/
                               local
                               governments.**
                               *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart F: 31...............  States or local  4........................  25 responses........  100
                               governments
                               submit
                               comments/
                               recommendation
                               s on size,
                               timing or
                               location of
                               proposed lease
                               sale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  174 responses.......  696 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 6216]]

 
                                                    Subpart G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart G: 35; 46(d), (e)...  Establish a      2........................  107 responses.......  214
                               Company File
                               for pre-
                               qualification;
                               submit updated
                               information,
                               submit
                               qualifications
                               for lessee/
                               bidder,
                               request
                               exception.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41; 43; 46(g)...............  Submit           2........................  100 responses.......  200
                               qualification
                               of bidders for
                               joint bids and
                               statement or
                               report of
                               production,
                               along with
                               supporting
                               information/
                               appeal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44; 46; 47..................  Submit bids and  5........................  2,000 bids..........  10,000
                               required
                               information,
                               including GDIS
                               & maps in
                               manner
                               specified.
                               Make available
                               to BOEM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47(c).......................  File agreement   31/2.....................  2 agreements........  7
                               to accept
                               joint lease on
                               tie bids.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47(e)(1), (e)(3)............  Request for      Not considered IC as       ....................  0
                               reconsideratio   defined in 5 CFR
                               n of bid         1320.3(h)(9).
                               rejection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47(f), (i); 50..............  Execute lease    1........................  852 leases..........  852
                               (includes
                               submission of
                               evidence of
                               authorized
                               agent and
                               request for
                               dating of
                               leases; lease
                               stipulations).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  3,061 responses.....  11,273 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart I: 52(f)(2), (g)(2).  Submit           2........................  12 submissions......  24
                               authority for
                               Regional
                               Director to
                               sell Treasury
                               or alternate
                               type of
                               securities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53(a), 53(b); 54............  OCS Mineral      \1/3\....................  135 responses.......  45 (rounded)
                               Lessee's and
                               Operator's
                               Bond (Form
                               BOEM-2028).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53(c), (d), (f); 54(e)......  Demonstrate      3\1/2\...................  166 submissions.....  581
                               financial
                               worth/ability
                               to carry out
                               present and
                               future
                               financial
                               obligations,
                               request
                               approval of
                               another form
                               of security,
                               or request
                               reduction in
                               amount of
                               supplemental
                               bond required.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54..........................  OCS Mineral      1/4......................  141 responses.......  35
                               Lessee's and
                               Operator's
                               Supplemental
                               Plugging &
                               Abandonment
                               Bond (Form
                               BOEM-2028A).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55..........................  Notify BOEM of   1........................  4 notices...........  4
                               any lapse in
                               previous bond/
                               action filed
                               alleging
                               lessee,
                               surety, or
                               guarantor is
                               insolvent or
                               bankrupt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56..........................  Provide plan/    12.......................  2 submission........  24
                               instructions
                               to fund lease-
                               specific
                               abandonment
                               account and
                               related
                               information;
                               request
                               approval to
                               withdraw funds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57..........................  Provide third-   19.......................  46 submissions......  874
                               party
                               guarantee,
                               indemnity
                               agreement,
                               financial
                               information,
                               related
                               notices,
                               reports, and
                               annual update;
                               notify BOEM if
                               guarantor
                               becomes
                               unqualified.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57(d)(3); 58................  Notice of and    1/2......................  378 requests........  189
                               request
                               approval to
                               terminate
                               period of
                               liability,
                               cancel bond,
                               or other
                               security.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 6217]]

 
59(c)(2)....................  Provide          16.......................  5 responses.........  80
                               information to
                               demonstrate
                               lease will be
                               brought into
                               compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  889 responses.......  1,856 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart J
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart J: 62; 63; 64; 65;    File             2 forms @ 30 min ea = 1    1,414 applications/   1,414
 67.                           application      hr.                        forms.
                               and required
                               information
                               for assignment
                               or transfer
                               for approval/
                               comment on
                               filing fee
                               (Forms BOEM-
                               0150 and BOEM-
                               0151).
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1,414 Title/Rights (Transfer) Assignments @ $198 = $279,972
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63; 64(a)(8)................  Submit non-      0........................  11,518 documents....  0
                               required
                               documents, for
                               record
                               purposes,
                               which
                               respondents
                               want BOEM to
                               file with the
                               lease
                               document.
                               [Accepted on
                               behalf of
                               lessees as a
                               service, BOEM
                               does not
                               require nor
                               need the
                               filings.].
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    11,518 @ $29 = $334,022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64(a)(7)....................  File required    1........................  2,369 filings.......  2,369
                               instruments
                               creating or
                               transferring
                               working
                               interests,
                               etc., for
                               record
                               purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  15,301 responses....  3,783 hours
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $613,994 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart K
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart K: 76; 92(a)........  File written     1........................  247 relinquishments.  247
                               request for
                               relinquishment
                               (Form BOEM-
                               152).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77(c).......................  Comment on       1........................  1 comment...........  1
                               lease
                               cancellation
                               (BOEM expects
                               1 in 10 years).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  248 responses.......  248 hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart N
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart N: 92(a)............  Request a bonus  1........................  1 request...........  1
                               or royalty
                               credit; submit
                               supporting
                               documentation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95..........................  Request          1........................  1 request...........  1
                               approval to
                               transfer bonus
                               or credit to
                               another party;
                               submit
                               supporting
                               information..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal............................................................  2 responses.........  2 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
                                 Reporting                                 Average  number of    Annual  burden
    30 CFR 550 Subpart J       requirement *          Hour burden           annual  responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
550.1011(a).................  Provide surety   GOM 1/4..................  52 forms............  13
                               bond (Form
                               BOEM-2030) and
                               required
                               information..
                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Pacific 3\1/2\...........  3 forms.............  11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL...............................................................  55 responses........  24 hours.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 6218]]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Reporting                                 Average  number of    Annual  burden
  Citation 30 CFR Part 560     requirement *          Hour burden           annual  responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
124(a)......................  Request BOEM to  Exempt under 5 CFR         ....................  0
                               reconsider       1320.4(a)(2), (c).
                               field
                               assignment of
                               a lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL REPORTING........................19,730 Responses               17,882 Hours........
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $613,994 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BOEM may require electronic filing of certain submissions.
** Fees are subject to modifications annually per inflation.
*** Existing requirement, previously overlooked.

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: 
$613,994.
    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 
collection is necessary or useful; (b) evaluate the accuracy 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 
technology.
    To comply with the public consultation process, on November 4, 
2013, BOEM published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 66066) announcing 
that we would submit this ICR to OMB for approval. This notice provided 
the required 60-day comment period. We received one comment, but it was 
not relevant to the information collection.
    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.

    Dated: January 24, 2014.
Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka,
Chief, Office of Policy, Regulations, and Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2014-02195 Filed 1-31-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
```