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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7797-7798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4193]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burden, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies to 
comment on a proposal to extend and revise the currently approved 
collection of information discussed below. The Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (PRA) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by April 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Rules Processing, Minerals 
Management Service, Mail Stop 4700, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alexis London, Rules Processing, Minerals Management Service, telephone 
(703) 787-1600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart O, Training of Lessee and 
Contractor Employees Engaged in Oil and Gas and Suphur Operations in 
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
    Abstract: The OCS Lands Act (OCSLA) and its Amendments of 1978 give 
the Secretary of the Interior the responsibility to preserve, protect, 
and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS 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 resources of the OCS; and 
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 1332(6) of 
the OCSLA states that ``operations in the outer Continental Shelf 
should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained personnel using 
technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent or 
minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well control, fires, 
spillages, physical obstruction to other users of the waters or subsoil 
and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the 
environment or to property, or endanger life or health.''
    To do this, MMS has issued regulations governing OCS oil and gas 
and sulphur lease operations The rules governing training of lessee and 
contractor personnel operating in the OCS are prescribed in 30 CFR Part 
250, Subpart O. The MMS needs the information collected under subpart O 
to ensure that lessee and contractor personnel are properly trained in 
the use of equipment and procedures in drilling, well completion/
workover, well servicing, and production operations. Trained workers 
are necessary to avoid hazards inherent in these operations. The MMS 
uses the information to ensure that personnel receive the minimum 
training necessary for safety of operations and protection of the 
environment. We also use the information to evaluate training programs 
for technical accuracy and to verify that they incorporate appropriate 
instruction and testing activities.
    The MMS just recently revised the subpart O regulations and 
published a final rule on February 5, 1997 (62 FR 5320). The effective 
date of the final rule is March 7, 1997. The amended regulations 
simplify the training options and provide flexibility to use 
alternative training methods. The rule was rewritten in ``plain 
English.'' The revision made no significant changes to the information 
collection requirements. During the proposed rulemaking process, only 
one comment was received with respect to the information collection 
aspects of the rule. The commenter(s) contended that schools should not 
need to continue maintaining training records for 5 years because of 
the new training period. The MMS disagreed and kept the 5-year 
retention period in the regulations in order to have the maximum time 
to review records under the statute of limitations.
    Proprietary or confidential information will be protected according 
to the Freedom of Information Act and 30 CFR 250.18, Data and 
information to be made available to the public. Personal information 
will be protected according to the Privacy Act. The collection does not 
include items of a sensitive nature. The requirement to response is 
mandatory.
    Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas and sulphur 
lessees and training organizations.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 130 lessees and 54 training 
organizations.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 3,947 burden hours. Based on $35 per hour, 
the cost to respondents is $138,145.
    Estimated Other Annual Costs to Respondents: MMS has identified no 
other cost burdens on respondents for providing this information.
    OMB Number: 1010-0078.
    Comments: The MMS will summarize written responses to this notice 
and address them in its submission for OMB approval. All comments will 
become a matter of public record. We will also consult with a 
representative sample of respondents. The estimates shown above are 
those currently approved by OMB for this collection of information.

[[Page 7798]]

As a result of the consultations and comments we receive, we will make 
any necessary adjustments for our submission to OMB. In calculating the 
burden, MMS assumes that respondents perform many of the requirements 
and maintain records in the normal course of their activities. MMS 
considers these to be usual and customary. Commenters are invited to 
provide information if they disagree with this assumption and they 
should tell us what the burden hours and costs imposed by this 
collection of information are.
    (1) The MMS specifically solicits comments on the following 
questions:
    (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
proper performance of MMS's functions, and will it be useful?
    (b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed 
collection reasonable?
    (c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, 
clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected?
    (d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated electronic; mechanical, or other forms of information 
technology?
    (2) In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total 
annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the 
collection of information. The MMS needs your comments on this item. 
Your response should split the cost estimate into two components:
    (a) Total capital and startup cost component and
    (b) Annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of service 
component.
    Your estimates should consider the costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose or provide the information. You should describe the methods 
you use to estimate major cost factors including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collecting information; monitoring, sampling, drilling, 
and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, your 
estimates should not include equipment or services purchase: (1) Before 
October 1, 1995; (2) to comply with requirements not associated with 
the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide 
information or keep records for the Government; or (4) as part of 
customary and usual business or private practices.
    Bureau Clearance Officer: Caole A. deWitt, (703) 787-1242.

    Dated: February 13, 1997.
E.P. Danenberger,
Chief, Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 97-4193 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M
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