[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40311-40312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20141]



[[Page 40311]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for Office 
of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of a currently approved information 
collection (OMB Control Number 1010-0086).

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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 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.

DATE: Submit written comments by August 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments and suggestions directly to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for 
the Department of the Interior (1010-0086), 725 17th Street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20503. Send a copy of your comments to the Minerals 
Management Service, Attention: Rules Processing Team, Mail Stop 4024, 
381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis London, Engineering and 
Operations Division, Minerals Management Service, telephone (703) 787-
1600. You may obtain copies of the supporting statement and collection 
of information by contacting MMS's Information Collection Clearance 
Officer at (202) 208-7744.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 30 CFR part 250, subpart P, Sulphur Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0086.
    Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
1331 et seq.), as amended, requires the Secretary of the Interior to 
preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS; make 
such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly 
as possible; balance orderly energy resource development with 
protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the 
public a fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and 
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. To carry out these 
responsibilities, MMS has issued regulations at 30 CFR part 250, 
subpart P, Sulphur Operations, of that part contains requirements and 
procedures for sulphur drilling, well-completion, and well-workover 
operations and production in the OCS.
    The MMS uses the information collected under subpart P to ensure 
that sulphur operations and production in the OCS are carried out in a 
manner that is safe and pollution free. If respondents submit 
proprietary information, it will be protected under 30 CFR 250.118, 
Data and information to be made available to the public. No items of a 
sensitive nature are collected. The requirement to respond is 
mandatory.
    Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Currently there is 
only one active Federal OCS sulphur lease operator.
    Frequency: On occasion, varies by section (see charts below).
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: 978 
burden hours (see charts below).
    Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Cost'' Burden: None.

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                                                                                                                                                 Annual 
  Citation 30 CFR 250 subpart P               Reporting requirement                    Average number per year           Burden per reqmnt.      burden 
                                                                                                                                                 hours  
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1600............................  Submit exploration or development and                                                                                 
                                   production plan.                                                                                                     
(1)Burden in collection for 30    0...........................................                                                                          
 CFR 250, subpart B (1010-0049)                                                                                                                         
1603(a).........................  Request determination whether sulphur         1 request...........................  1 hour.................          1
                                   deposit can produce in paying quantities.                                                                            
1605(b)(3)......................  Submit data and information on fitness of     4 submissions.......................  4 hours................         16
                                   drilling unit.                                                                                                       
1605(c).........................  Report oceanographic, meteorological, and                                                                             
                                   drilling unit performance data upon request.                                                                         
(1)It has not been necessary to   0...........................................                                                                          
 request these data                                                                                                                                     
1605(d).........................  Submit results of additional surveys and                                                                              
                                   soil borings upon request.                                                                                           
(1)It has not been necessary to     ..........................................                                                                          
 request these data                                                                                                                                     
1605(e)(5)......................  Request copy of directional survey (by                                                                                
                                   holder of adjoining lease).                                                                                          
(1)It has not been necessary to   0...........................................                                                                          
 request these data                                                                                                                                     
1605(f).........................  Submit application for installation of fixed                                                                          
                                   drilling platforms or structures.                                                                                    
(1)Burden in collection for 30    0...........................................                                                                          
 CFR 250, subpart I (1010-0058)                                                                                                                         
1607............................  Request establishment, amendment, or          2 requests..........................  8 hours................         16
                                   cancellation of field rules for drilling,                                                                            
                                   well completion, or well workover.                                                                                   
1608............................  Submit well casing and cementing plan or      2 plans.............................  5 hours................         10
                                   modification.                                                                                                        
1610(d)(8)......................  Request exception to ram-type blowout                                                                                 
                                   preventer (BOP) system components rated                                                                              
                                   working pressure.                                                                                                    
(1)No requests in recent years    0...........................................                                                                          
1611(b); 1625(b)................  Request exception to water-rated working      50 requests.........................  \1/2\ hour.............         25
                                   pressure to test ram-type and annular BOPs                                                                           
                                   and choke manifold.                                                                                                  
1611(f); 1625(f)................  Request exception to recording pressure                                                                               
                                   conditions during BOP tests on pressure                                                                              
                                   charts.                                                                                                              
(1)No requests in recent years    0...........................................                                                                          
1612............................  Request exception to Sec.  250.408                                                                                    
                                   requirements for well-control drills.                                                                                
(1)No requests in recent years    0...........................................                                                                          
1615............................  Request exception to blind-shear ram or pipe  1 request...........................  1 hour.................          1
                                   rams and inside BOP to secure wells.                                                                                 
1617; 1618; 1619(b); 1622.......  Submit forms MMS-123 (Application for Permit                                                                          
                                   to Drill), MMS-124 (Sundry Notices and                                                                               
                                   Reports on Wells), Form MMS-125 (Well                                                                                
                                   Summary Report).                                                                                                     
(1)Burden in collection for       0...........................................                                                                          
 forms: MMS-123 (1010-0044), MMS-                                                                                                                       
 124 (1010-0045), and MMS-125                                                                                                                           
 (1010-0046)                                                                                                                                            
1619(c), (d), (e)...............  Submit copies of records, logs, reports,      8 submissions.......................  1 hour.................          8
                                   charts, etc., upon request.                                                                                          
1628(b), (d)....................  Submit application for design and             1 application.......................  4 hours................          4
                                   installation features of sulphur production                                                                          
                                   facilities and fuel gas safety system;                                                                               
                                   certify new installation conforms to                                                                                 
                                   approved design.                                                                                                     

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1629(b)(3)......................  Request approval of firefighting systems....  10 requests.........................  4 hours................         40
1630(a)(5)......................  Notify MMS of preproduction test and          4 notifications.....................  \1/2\ hour.............          2
                                   inspection of safety system and                                                                                      
                                   commencement of production.                                                                                          
1633(b).........................  Submit application for method of production   2 applications......................  2 hours................          4
                                   measurement.                                                                                                         
1634(b).........................  Report evidence of mishandling of produced    1 report............................  1 hour.................          1
                                   sulphur or tampering or falsifying any                                                                               
                                   measurement of production.                                                                                           
                                                                               --------------------------------------                         ----------
    Total reporting.............    ..........................................  86 Responses........................    .....................        128
1604(f).........................  Check traveling-block safety device for       1 lessee  x  52 weeks  x  2 rigs =    \1/4\ hour.............         26
                                   proper operation weekly and after each        104.                                                                   
                                   drill-line slipping; enter results in log.                                                                           
1605(g).........................  Retain records of crane operation             1 lessee............................  3 hours................          3
                                   inspection, testing, maintenance, and                                                                                
                                   operator qualifications for 2 years.                                                                                 
1609(a).........................  Pressure test casing; record time,            1 lessee  x  60 tests/records = 60..  2 hours................        120
                                   conditions of testing, and test results in                                                                           
                                   log.                                                                                                                 
1611(d)(3); 1625(c)(3)..........  Record in driller's report the date, time,    1 lessee  x  6 recordings =6........  10 minutes.............          1
                                   and reason for postponing pressure testings.                                                                         
1611(f), (g); 1625(f), (g)......  Conduct tests, actuations, inspections,       1 lessee  x  52 weeks = 52..........  6 hours................        312
                                   maintenance, and crew drills of BOP systems                                                                          
                                   at least weekly; record results in                                                                                   
                                   driller's report; retain records for 2                                                                               
                                   years following completion of drilling                                                                               
                                   activity.                                                                                                            
1613(e).........................  Pressure test diverter sealing element/       On occasion (daily/weekly during      2 hours................        208
                                   valves weekly; actuate diverter sealing       drilling) 2 rigs  x  52 weeks = 104.                                   
                                   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                                                                                
                                   drilling contractor personnel.                                                                                       
(1)Burden in collection for 30    0...........................................                                                                          
 CFR 250, subpart O (1010-0078)                                                                                                                         
1619(a).........................  Retain records for each well and all well     1 lessee............................  12 hours...............         12
                                   operations for 2 years.                                                                                              
1621............................  Conduct safety meetings prior to well-        1 lessee  x  50 meetings/records =    1 hour.................         50
                                   completion or well-workover operations;       50.                                                                    
                                   record date and time.                                                                                                
1628(d).........................  Maintain information concerning approved      1 lessee............................  1 hour.................          1
                                   design and installation features for the                                                                             
                                   life of the facility.                                                                                                
1629(b)(1)(ii) and (iii)........  Retain pressure-recording charts used to      1 lessee............................  12 hours...............         12
                                   determine operating pressure ranges for 2                                                                            
                                   years; post firefighting system diagram.                                                                             
1630(b).........................  Maintain records for each safety device       1 lessee............................  1 hour.................          1
                                   installed for 2 years.                                                                                               
1631............................  Conduct safety device training prior to       1 lessee  x  52 trainings/records  x  1 hour.................        104
                                   production operations and periodically         2 rigs = 104.                                                         
                                   thereafter; record date and time.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                              ----------
    Total recordkeeping.........    ..........................................    ..................................    .....................        850
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    Comments: Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
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 proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its 
duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) evaluate the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate 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 automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Send your comments directly to the offices listed under the 
addresses section of this notice. The OMB has up to 60 days to approve 
or disapprove the information collection but may respond after 30 days. 
Therefore, to ensure maximum consideration, OMB should receive public 
comments by August 27, 1998.
    MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, 
(202) 208-7744.

    Dated: June 30, 1998.
William S. Cook,
Acting Chief Engineering and Operations Division.
[FR Doc. 98-20141 Filed 7-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P