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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42538-42540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16990]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID: BSEE-2013-0003; OMB Control Number 1014-0006; 13XE1700DX 
EX1SF0000.DAQ000 EEEE500000]

Information Collection Activities: Sulphur Operations, Proposed 
Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the 
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is inviting 
comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The 
information collection request (ICR) concerns a renewal to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under, Subpart P, Sulphur 
Operations.

DATES: You must submit comments by September 16, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods 
listed below.
     Electronically: go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2013-0003 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
     Email nicole.mason@bsee.gov. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to the Department of the Interior; BSEE; Regulations and Standards 
Branch; Attention: Nicole Mason; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, 
Virginia 20170-4817. Please reference ICR 1014-0006 in your comment and 
include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Mason, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1605 to request additional information 
about this ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart P, Sulphur Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0006.
    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 necessary 
for the administration of the leasing provisions of that Act related to 
mineral resources on the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to 
all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must 
preserve, protect, and develop mineral 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 5(a) of the OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary to 
prescribe rules and regulations ``to provide for the prevention of 
waste, and conservation of the natural resources of the Outer 
Continental Shelf, and the protection of correlative rights therein'' 
and to include provisions ``for the prompt and efficient exploration 
and development of a lease area.'' These authorities and 
responsibilities are among those delegated to BSEE 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.
    In addition to the general rulemaking authority of the OCSLA at 43 
U.S.C. 1334, section 301(a) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty 
Management Act (FOGRMA), 30 U.S.C. 1751(a), grants authority to the 
Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as are reasonably 
necessary to carry out FOGRMA's provisions. While the majority of 
FOGRMA is directed to royalty collection and enforcement, some 
provisions apply to offshore operations. For example, section 108 of 
FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect 
lease sites for the purpose of

[[Page 42539]]

determining whether there is compliance with the mineral leasing laws. 
Section 109(c)(2) and (d)(1), 30 U.S.C. 1719(c)(2) and (d)(1), impose 
substantial civil penalties for failure to permit lawful inspections 
and for knowing or willful preparation or submission of false, 
inaccurate, or misleading reports, records, or other information. 
Because the Secretary has delegated some of the authority under FOGRMA 
to BSEE, 30 U.S.C. 1751 is included as additional authority for these 
requirements.
    This ICR addresses the regulations at 30 CFR 250, subpart P, 
Sulphur Operations, and any associated supplementary Notices to Lessees 
and Operators (NTLs) intended to provide clarification, description, or 
explanation of these regulations.
    Currently, there are no active sulphur lease operations on the OCS. 
Therefore, this ICR and its relevant hours represent one potential 
respondent.
    Regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart P, implement these 
statutory requirements. The BSEE uses the information collected to 
ascertain the condition of drilling sites for the purpose of preventing 
hazards inherent in sulphur drilling and production operations and to 
evaluate the adequacy of equipment and/or procedures to be used during 
the conduct of drilling, well-completion, well-workover, and production 
operations. The BSEE uses the information to:
     Ascertain that a discovered sulphur deposit can be 
classified as capable of production in paying quantities.
     Ensure accurate and complete measurement of production to 
determine the amount of sulphur royalty payments due the United States; 
and that the sale locations are secure, production has been measured 
accurately, and appropriate follow-up actions are initiated.
     Ensure the adequacy and safety of firefighting plans; the 
drilling unit is fit for the intended purpose; and the adequacy of 
casing for anticipated conditions.
     Review drilling, well-completion, well-workover diagrams 
and procedures, as well as production operation procedures to ensure 
the safety of the proposed sulphur drilling, well-completion, well-
workover and proposed production operations.
     Monitor environmental data during sulphur operations in 
offshore areas where such data are not already available to provide a 
valuable source of information to evaluate the performance of drilling 
rigs under various weather and ocean conditions. This information is 
necessary to make reasonable determinations regarding safety of 
operations and environmental protection.
    The BSEE 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. No items of a sensitive nature are 
collected. Responses are mandatory.
    Frequency: Occasional and varies by section, but information 
concerning drilling, well-completion, and well-workover operations and 
production is collected only once for each particular activity.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 1 
Federal OCS sulphur lessee.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 903 hours. The 
following chart details the individual components and respective hour 
burden estimates of this ICR. In calculating the burdens, we assumed 
that respondents perform certain requirements in the normal course of 
their activities. We consider these to be usual and customary and took 
that into account in estimating the burden.

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           Citation 30 CFR 250              Reporting and recordkeeping requirement           Hour burden
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                                            Submittals/Notifications
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1600; 1617..............................  Submit exploration or development and       Burden covered under (1010-
                                           production plan, under 30 CFR 550,          0151).
                                           subpart B.
1617; 1618; 1619(b); 1622...............  Submit forms BSEE-0123 (Application for     Burden covered under (1014-
                                           Permit to Drill), BSEE-0124 (Application    0018).
                                           for Permit to Modify), BSEE-0125 (End of
                                           Operations Report).
1605(b)(2), (3).........................  Make drilling units available for           4.
                                           inspection; submit and/or resubmit data
                                           and information on fitness of drilling
                                           unit.
1605(d).................................  Submit results of additional surveys and    1.
                                           soil borings upon request.
1605(f).................................  Submit application for installation of      Burden covered under (1014-
                                           fixed drilling platforms or structures.     0011).
1608(a), (c)............................  Submit well casing and cementing plan or    5.
                                           modification.
1619(c), (d), (e).......................  Submit copies of records, logs, reports,    1.
                                           charts, etc., upon request.
1628(b), (d)............................  Submit application for design and           4.
                                           installation features of sulphur
                                           production facilities and fuel gas safety
                                           system; certify new installation conforms
                                           to approved design.
1630(a)(6)..............................  Notify BSEE of pre-production test and      30 minutes.
                                           inspection of safety system and
                                           commencement of production.
1633(b).................................  Submit application for method of            2.
                                           production measurement.
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                                                    Requests
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1603(a).................................  Request determination whether sulphur       1.
                                           deposit can produce in paying quantities.
1605(e)(5)..............................  Request copy of directional survey (by      1.
                                           holder of adjoining lease).
1607....................................  Request establishment, amendment, or        8.
                                           cancellation of field rules for drilling,
                                           well-completion, or well-workover.
1610(d)(7+8)............................  Request exception to ram-type blowout       1.
                                           preventer (BOP) system components rated
                                           working pressure.
1611(b); 1625(b)........................  Request exception to water-rated working    1.
                                           pressure to test ram-type and annular
                                           BOPs and choke manifold.
1611(f); 1625(f)........................  Request exception to recording pressure     1.
                                           conditions during BOP tests on pressure
                                           charts; certify by representative.
1612....................................  Request exception to Sec.   250.462         1.
                                           requirements for well-control drills.
1615....................................  Request exception to blind-shear ram or     1.
                                           pipe rams and inside BOP to secure wells.

[[Page 42540]]

 
1629(b)(3)..............................  Request approval of firefighting systems;   4.
                                           post firefighting system diagram.
1608(b), (c); 1629(b)(3); 1600-1634.....  General departure and/or alternative        2.
                                           compliance requests not specifically
                                           covered elsewhere in subpart P.
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                                                  Record/Retain
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1604(f).................................  Check traveling-block safety device for     15 minutes.
                                           proper operation weekly and after each
                                           drill-line slipping; enter results in log.
1605(c).................................  Report oceanographic, meteorological, and   1.
                                           drilling unit performance data upon
                                           request.
1609(a).................................  Pressure test casing; record time,          2.
                                           conditions of testing, and test results
                                           in log.
1611(d)(3); 1625(d)(3)..................  Record in driller's report the date, time,  10 minutes.
                                           and reason for postponing pressure
                                           testing.
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g)..............  Conduct tests, actuations, inspections,     6.
                                           maintenance, and crew drills of BOP
                                           systems at least weekly; record results
                                           in driller's report; certify by
                                           representative; retain records for 2
                                           years following completion of drilling
                                           activity.
1613(d).................................  Pressure test diverter sealing element/     2.
                                           valves weekly; actuate diverter sealing
                                           element/valves/control system every 24
                                           hours; test diverter line for flow every
                                           24 hours; record test times and results
                                           in driller's report.
1616(c).................................  Retain training records for lessee and      Burden covered under 1014-
                                           drilling contractor personnel.              0008.
1619(a); 1623(c)........................  Retain records for each well and all well   12.
                                           operations for 2 years; calculate well-
                                           control fluid volume and post near
                                           operators' station.
1621....................................  Conduct safety meetings prior to well-      1.
                                           completion or well-workover operations;
                                           record date and time.
1628(b), (d)............................  Maintain information on approved design     1.
                                           and installation features for the life of
                                           the facility.
1629(b)(1)(ii)..........................  Retain pressure-recording charts used to    12.
                                           determine operating pressure ranges for 2
                                           years.
1630(b).................................  Maintain records for each safety device     1.
                                           installed for 2 years; make available for
                                           review.
1631....................................  Conduct safety device training prior to     1.
                                           production operations and periodically
                                           thereafter; record date and time.
1634(b).................................  Report evidence of mishandling of produced  1.
                                           sulphur or tampering or falsifying any
                                           measurement of production.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: There 
are no non-hour cost burdens associated with this collection.
    Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) 
provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. 
Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated 
to respond.
    Comments: Before submitting an ICR to OMB, PRA section 
3506(c)(2)(A) requires each agency ``. . . to provide notice . . . and 
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning each proposed collection of information . . .''. Agencies 
must specifically solicit comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the 
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.
    Agencies must also estimate the non-hour paperwork cost burdens to 
respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of 
information. Therefore, if you have other than hour burden costs to 
generate, maintain, and disclose this information, you should comment 
and provide your total capital and startup cost components or annual 
operation, maintenance, and purchase of service components. For further 
information on this burden, refer to 5 CFR 1320.3(b)(1) and (2), or 
contact the Bureau representative listed previously in this notice.
    We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them 
in our submission for OMB approval. As a result of your comments, we 
will make any necessary adjustments to the burden in our submission to 
OMB.
    Public Comment Procedures: Before including your address, phone 
number, 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.
    BSEE Information Collection Clearance Officer: Cheryl Blundon, 
(703) 787-1607.

    Dated: June 27, 2013.
Robert W. Middleton,
Deputy Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-16990 Filed 7-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
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