[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19348-19352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08264]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

[Docket ID BSEE-2015-0003; OMB Control Number 1014-0016; 15XE1700DX 
EX1SF0000.DAQ000 EEEE500000]


Information Collection Activities: Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-
of-Way (ROW); Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: 60-day notice.

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

SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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 revision to the 
paperwork requirements in the regulations under Subpart J, Pipelines 
and Pipeline Rights-of-Way (ROW).

DATES: You must submit comments by June 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods 
listed below.
    <bullet> Electronically go to http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter BSEE-2015-0003 then click search. Follow the 
instructions to submit public comments and view all related materials. 
We will post all comments.
    <bullet> Email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6d5ded3c4cfda98d4dac3d8d2d9d8f6d4c5d3d398d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fc9f94998e8590d29e908992989392bc9e8f9999d29b938a">[email protected]</span></a>. Mail or hand-carry comments 
to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement; Regulations and Standards Branch; ATTN: Cheryl Blundon; 
45600 Woodland Rd., Sterling, VA 20166. Please reference ICR 1014-0016 
in your comment and include your name and return address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Blundon, Regulations and 
Standards Branch at (703) 787-1607 to request additional information 
about this ICR.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-
of-Way (ROW).
    Form(s): BSEE-0149.
    OMB Control Number: 1014-0016.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act at (43 U.S.C. 
1334), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and 
regulations to necessary for the administration of the leasing 
provisions of the Act related to mineral resources on the OCS. Such 
rules and regulations apply to all operations conducted under a lease, 
pipeline right-of-way (ROW), or a right-of-use and easement. Section 
1334(e) authorizes the Secretary to grant ROWs through the submerged 
lands of the OCS for pipelines ``. . . for the transportation of oil, 
natural gas, sulphur, or other minerals, or under such regulations and 
upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary, . . . 
including (as provided in Section 1347(b) of this title) assuring 
maximum environmental protection by utilization of the best available 
and safest technologies, including the safest practices for pipeline 
burial. . . .''
    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

[[Page 19349]]

FOGRMA, 30 U.S.C. 1718, grants the Secretary broad authority to inspect 
lease sites for the purpose of 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.
    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 OMB Circular A-25 authorize Federal agencies to recover the 
full cost of services that confer special benefits. Under the 
Department of the Interior's (DOI) implementing policy, the Bureau of 
Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is required to charge fees 
for services that provide special benefits or privileges to an 
identifiable non-Federal recipient above and beyond those which accrue 
to the public at large. Pipeline and assignment applications are 
subject to cost recovery, and BSEE regulations specify the service 
fees.
    Regulations implementing these responsibilities are among those 
delegated to BSEE. The regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart J, pertain 
to pipelines and pipeline rights-of-way (ROWs), a form, and related 
Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and Operators.
    We use the information to ensure that lessees and pipeline ROW 
holders design the pipelines that they install, maintain, and operate 
are performed in a safe manner. BSEE needs information concerning the 
proposed pipeline and safety equipment, inspections and tests, and 
natural and manmade hazards near the proposed pipeline route. BSEE uses 
the information to review pipeline designs prior to approving an 
application for an ROW or lease term pipeline to ensure that the 
pipeline, as constructed, will provide for safe transportation of 
minerals through the submerged lands of the OCS. BSEE reviews proposed 
pipeline routes to ensure that the pipelines would not conflict with 
any State requirements or unduly interfere with other OCS activities. 
BSEE reviews proposals for taking pipeline safety equipment out of 
service to ensure alternate measures are used that will properly 
provide for the safety of the pipeline and associated facilities 
(platform, etc.). BSEE reviews notifications of relinquishment of ROW 
grants and requests to decommission pipelines for regulatory compliance 
and to ensure that all legal obligations are met. BSEE monitors the 
records concerning pipeline inspections and tests to ensure safety of 
operations and protection of the environment and to schedule witnessing 
trips and inspections. Information is also necessary to determine the 
point at which DOI or Department of Transportation (DOT) has regulatory 
responsibility for a pipeline and to be informed of the identified 
operator if not the same as the pipeline ROW holder.
    We use the information in Form BSEE-0149, Assignment of Federal OCS 
Pipeline Right-of-Way Grant, to track the holdership of pipeline ROWs; 
as well as use this information to update the corporate database that 
is used to determine what leases are available for a Lease Sale and the 
ownership of all OCS leases. However, we made a minor revision to this 
form. Under Part A--Assignment--we added in the under legal 
description, ``and any accessory information''. Under Sec.  250.1012, 
pipeline ROW grants can include accessories. Therefore, when 
transferring a Pipeline ROW grant, the description of the pipeline ROW 
grant should identify everything. This will help facilitate BSEE's 
review when an application has been submitted.
    No questions of a sensitive nature are asked. We will protect 
information from respondents considered proprietary under the Freedom 
of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 
CFR part 2); also under regulations at 30 CFR 250.197, Data and 
information to be made available to the public or for limited 
inspection, and 30 CFR 252, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas 
Information Program. Responses are mandatory or are required to obtain 
or retain a benefit.
    Frequency: On occasion and as a result of the requirements.
    Description of Respondents: Potential respondents comprise Federal 
oil, gas, or sulphur lessees and/or operators.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: The currently 
approved annual reporting burden for this collection is 55,072 burden 
hours and $1,824,851 non-hour cost burden. In this submission, we are 
requesting a total of 36,564 burden hours and $1,508,968 non-hour cost 
burdens. 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.

                                                  Burden Table
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Non-hour cost burdens
                                    Reporting &      -----------------------------------------------------------
Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart J      recordkeeping                                  Average no. of   Annual burden
      and related NTL(s)           requirement *             Hour burden              annual           hours
                                                                                    responses        (rounded)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Lease Term (L/T) Pipeline (P/L) Applications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(1); 1004(b)(5);        Submit application     92.......................  61-new L/T P/L            5,612
 1007(a).                       and all required                                  applications.
                                information and
                                notices to install
                                new L/T P/L.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $3,541 x 61 L/T P/L applications = $216,001
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(1); 1007(b)..........  Submit application     30.......................  102                       3,060
                                and all required                                  modifications.
                                information and
                                notices to modify a
                                L/T P/L.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                             $2,056 x 102 L/T P/L applications = $209,712
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(1);..................  Submit an application    Burden covered under 1014-0010, 30 CFR                 0
                                to decommission a                   250, Subpart Q.
                                lease-term pipeline.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19350]]

 
    Subtotal...................................................................  163 responses..           8,672
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        $425,713 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Right of Way (ROW) P/L Applications and Grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(2), (d); 1004(b)(5);   Submit application     107......................  62-new ROW                6,634
 1007(a); 1009(a); 1015; 1016.  and all required                                  grant and P/L
                                information and                                   applications.
                                notices for new P/L
                                ROW grant and to
                                install a new ROW P/
                                L.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $2,771 x 62 applications = $171,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(2), (3); 1007(b);      Submit application     45.......................  190                       8,550
 1017.                          and all required                                  modifications.
                                information and
                                notices to modify a
                                P/L ROW grant and to
                                modify an ROW P/L
                                (includes route
                                modifications,
                                cessation of
                                operations, partial
                                relinquishments, hot
                                taps, and new and
                                modified accessory
                                platforms).
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $4,169 x 190 applications = $792,110
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1000(b)(3); 1010(h);           Submit application       Burden covered under 1014-0010, 30 CFR                 0
 1017(b)(2)(ii); 1019.          and all required                    250, Subpart Q.
                                information and
                                notices to
                                relinquish P/L ROW
                                grant.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1015.........................  Submit application     15.......................  15 conversions.             225
                                and all required
                                information and
                                notices for a P/L
                                ROW grant to convert
                                a lease-term P/L to
                                an ROW P/L.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $236 x 15 applications = $3,540
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1016.........................  Request opportunity    5........................  1 request......               5
                                to eliminate
                                conflict when an
                                application has been
                                rejected.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1018.........................  Submit application     13.......................  275 assignments           3,575
                                and all required
                                information and
                                notices for
                                assignment of a
                                pipeline ROW grant
                                using Form BSEE-0149
                                (burden includes
                                approximately 30
                                minutes to fill out
                                form).
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 $201 x 275 P/L ROW requests = $55,275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  543 responses..          18,989
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       $1,022,727 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Notifications and Reports
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1004(b)(5)...................  In lieu of a           35.......................  1 submittal....              35
                                continuous
                                volumetric
                                comparison system,
                                request
                                substitution; submit
                                any supporting
                                documentation if
                                requested/required.
1007(a)(4)(i)(A); (B); (C)...  Provide specified      4........................  20 submittals..              80
                                information in your
                                pipeline application
                                if using unbonded
                                flexible pipe.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1007(a)(4)(i)(D).............  Provide results of      For risers, this verification is included               0
                                third party IVA         in the CVA analysis. For jumpers, it is
                                review in your                       not required.
                                pipeline application
                                if using unbonded
                                flexible pipe.
1007(a)(4)(ii)...............  Provide specified      25.......................  40 applications           1,000
                                information in your
                                pipeline application.
1008(a)......................  Notify BSEE before     \1/2\....................  62 notices.....              31
                                constructing or
                                relocating a
                                pipeline.
1008(a)......................  Notify BSEE before     \1/2\....................  87 notices.....              44
                                conducting a
                                pressure test.
1008(b)......................  Submit L/T P/L         18.......................  28 reports.....             504
                                construction report.
1008(b)......................  Submit ROW P/L         19.......................  17 reports.....             323
                                construction report.
1008(c)......................  Notify BSEE of any     \1/2\....................  415 notices....             208
                                pipeline taken out
                                of service.
1008(d)......................  Notify BSEE of any     \1/2\....................  2 notices......               1
                                pipeline safety
                                equipment taken out
                                of service more than
                                12 hours.
1008(e)......................  Notify BSEE of any     3........................  156 notices....             468
                                repair and include
                                procedures.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     $388 x 156 notices = $60,528
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 19351]]

 
1008(e)......................  Submit repair report.  4........................  132 reports....             528
1008(f)......................  Submit report of       \1/2\....................  4 reports......               2
                                pipeline failure
                                analysis.
1008(g)......................  Submit plan of         13.......................  19 plans/                   247
                                corrective action                                 reports.
                                and report of any
                                remedial action.
1008(h)......................  Submit the results     1........................  794 results....             794
                                and conclusions of
                                pipe-to-electrolyte
                                potential
                                measurements.
1010(c)......................  Notify BSEE of any     5........................  1 notices......               5
                                archaeological
                                resource discovery.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1010(d)......................  Notify BSEE of P/L      Not considered IC under 5 CFR 1320.3(h).                0
                                ROW holder's name
                                and address changes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  1,778 responses           4,270
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $60,528 non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     General
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(c)(2)...................  Identify in writing P/      Cover by applicable applications                    0
                                L operator on ROW if
                                different from ROW
                                grant holder.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000(c)(3)...................      Mark specific point on P/L where operating responsibility                   0
                                transfers to transporting operator or depict transfer point on a
                                  schematic located on the facility. One-time requirement after
                                  final rule published; now part of application or construction
                                            process involving no additional burdens.
                              -----------------------
1000(c)(4)...................  Petition BSEE for      5........................  1 petition.....               5
                                exceptions to
                                general operations
                                transfer point
                                description.
1000(c)(8)...................  Request BSEE           1........................  1 request......               1
                                recognize valves
                                landward of last
                                production facility
                                but still located on
                                OCS as point where
                                BSEE regulatory
                                authority begins
                                (none received to
                                date).
1000(c)(12)..................  Petition BSEE to       40.......................  1 petition.....              40
                                continue to operate
                                under DOT
                                regulations upstream
                                of last valve on
                                last production
                                facility (one
                                received to date).
1000(c)(13)..................  Transporting P/L       40.......................  1 petition.....              40
                                operator petition to
                                DOT and BSEE to
                                continue to operate
                                under BSEE
                                regulations (none
                                received to date).
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1004(c)......................  Place sign on safety                 See footnote 1                             0
                                equipment identified
                                as ineffective and
                                removed from service.
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
1000-1019....................  General departure and  2........................  200 requests...             400
                                alternative
                                compliance requests
                                not specifically
                                covered elsewhere in
                                subpart J
                                regulations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  204 responses..             486
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Recordkeeping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000-1008....................  Make available to      5........................  128 lease-term              640
                                BSEE design,                                      P/L operators.
                                construction,
                                operation,
                                maintenance,
                                testing, and repair
                                records on lease-
                                term P/Ls.\2\
1005(a)......................  Inspect P/L routes     2 per month = 24.........  128 lease-term            3,072
                                for indication of                                 P/L operators.
                                leakage,\1\ record
                                results, maintain
                                records 2 years.\2\
1010(g)......................  Make available to      5........................  87 P/L ROW                  435
                                BSEE design,                                      holders.
                                construction,
                                operation,
                                maintenance,
                                testing, and repair
                                records on P/L ROW
                                area and
                                improvements.\2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal...................................................................  343 responses..           4,147
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Hour Burdens.........................................................  3,031 responses          36,564
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Non-Hour Cost Burdens........$1,508,968 non-hour cost burdens........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These activities are usual and customary practices for prudent operators.
\2\ Retaining these records is usual and customary business practice; required burden is minimal to make
  available to BSEE.
* In the future, BSEE will be allowing the option of electronic reporting for certain requirements.


[[Page 19352]]

    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Non-Hour Cost Burden: We have 
identified seven non-hour cost burdens, all of which are the cost 
recovery fees required under 30 CFR 250, Subpart J. However, the actual 
fee amounts are specified in 30 CFR 250.125, which provides a 
consolidated table of all of the fees required under the 30 CFR 250 
regulations. The total of the non-hour cost burden (cost recovery fees) 
in this IC request is an estimated $1,508,968.
    The non-hour cost burdens required in 30 CFR 250, Subpart J (and 
respective cost-recovery fee amount per transaction) are required 
under: Sec.  250.1000(b)--New Pipeline Application (lease term)--
$3,541, Sec.  250.1000(b)--Pipeline Application Modification (lease 
term)--$2,056, Sec.  250.1000(b)--Pipeline Application Modification 
(ROW)--$4,169, Sec.  250.1008(e)--Pipeline Repair Notification--$388, 
Sec.  250.1015(a)--Pipeline ROW Grant Application--$2,771, Sec.  
250.1015(a)--Pipeline Conversion from Lease Term to ROW--$236, Sec.  
250.1018(b)--Pipeline ROW Assignment--$201.
    We have not identified any other non-hour cost burdens associated 
with this collection of information.
    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.

Douglas W. Morris,
Chief, Office of Offshore Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-08264 Filed 4-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P


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