[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31576-31580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11074]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[OMB Control Number 1010-0006; Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0016]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Leasing of Sulfur or 
Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is proposing to renew an 
information collection with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments, which must be 
received by BOEM on or before July 25, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) by mail to the BOEM Information Collection Clearance Officer, 
Anna Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, 
Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfaea1a1aee1aebba4a6a1bca0a18fada0aaa2e1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b5a55555a155a4f5052554854557b59545e56155c544d">[email protected]</span></a>. Please 
reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1010-
0006 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Atkinson by email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfaea1a1aee1aebba4a6a1bca0a18fada0aaa2e1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="22434c4c430c4356494b4c514d4c62404d474f0c454d54">[email protected]</span></a> or by telephone at 703-787-1025. Individuals in 
the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside of the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States. 
You may also view the ICR and its related documents by searching the 
docket number BOEM-2017-0016 at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, BOEM provides the general public and other Federal 
agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps BOEM assess the 
impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the 
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand BOEM's 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format.
    BOEM is soliciting comments on the proposed ICR described below. 
BOEM is especially interested in public comments addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of BOEM; (2) what can BOEM do to ensure that this information 
is processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the burden estimate 
accurate; (4) how might BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (5) how might BOEM minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including minimizing the 
burden through the use of information technology?
    Comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. BOEM will include or summarize each comment in its ICR 
to OMB for approval of this information collection. You should be aware 
that your entire comment--including your address, phone number, email 
address, or other personally identifiable information included in your 
comment--may be made publicly available. You may request that BOEM 
withhold from disclosure your personally identifiable information. Your 
request must identify any information contained in your comment that, 
if released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your 
personal privacy. You also must briefly describe any possible harmful 
consequences of disclosure of that information, such as embarrassment, 
injury, or other harm. While you can ask in your comment that your 
personally identifiable information be withheld from public disclosure, 
BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so under the law.
    BOEM protects proprietary information in accordance with the 
Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), the Department of the 
Interior's (DOI) implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2), and BOEM's 
regulations at 30 CFR parts 550 and 552 promulgated pursuant to the 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1352(c)).
    Title of Collection: Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer 
Continental Shelf (30 CFR part 550, part 556, and part 560).
    Abstract: This ICR concerns the paperwork requirements in the 
regulations under 30 CFR part 550, part 556, and part 560 and the 
related notices to lessees and operators (NTL). This ICR also concerns 
the use of forms to process bonds, transfer interest in leases, and 
file relinquishments.
    The OCS Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), authorizes 
the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and regulations to 
administer leasing of the OCS and 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; 
balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, 
marine, and coastal environments; ensure the public a fair return on 
the resources of the OCS; and preserve and maintain free enterprise 
competition. Also, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
prohibits certain lease bidding arrangements (42 U.S.C. 6213(c)).
    OMB Control Number: 1010-0006.
    Form Number:
    <bullet> BOEM-0150, ``Assignment of Record Title Interest in 
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease'';
    <bullet> BOEM-0151, ``Assignment of Operating Rights Interest in 
Federal OCS Oil and Gas Lease'';
    <bullet> BOEM-0152, ``Relinquishment of Federal OCS Oil and Gas 
Lease'';

[[Page 31577]]

    <bullet> BOEM-2028, ``Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Mineral 
Lessee's or Operator's Bond'';
    <bullet> BOEM-2028A, ``Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Mineral 
Lessee's or Operator's Supplemental Bond''; and
    <bullet> BOEM-2030, ``Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pipeline Right-
of-Way Grant Bond''.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Federal oil, gas, or sulfur lessees 
and operators.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 21,826 responses.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 21,935 hours.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory or required to obtain or retain 
a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion or annual.
    Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $766,053.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: We expect the 
burden estimate for the renewal will be 21,935 hours with 21,826 
responses, which reflects an increase of 2,881 hours and 11,628 
responses. One hour of the increase accounts for Alaska's surety bond 
submission (30 CFR 550.1011), which was not previously included in the 
annual burden hours. The remaining increase of 2,880 annual burden 
hours accounts for submissions of documents under 30 CFR 556.715 and 
556.808. Under the current 1010-0006, BOEM accounted for the burden 
hours to file the requisite fees but did not account for the burden 
hours to submit the requisite documents.
    The following table details the individual components and 
respective burden hour estimates of this ICR.

                                                Burden Breakdown
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Reporting                                 Average number of    Annual burden
 30 CFR part 550, subpart J       requirement *           Hour burden         annual responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
550.1011(a).................  Provide surety bond   Gulf of Mexico 0.25...                    52              13
                               (Form BOEM-2030)     Pacific 3.5...........                     3              11
                               and required
                               information.
                                                    Alaska 1..............                     1               1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 550, Subpart J, Total..........................................                    56              25
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               Reporting requirement                          Average number of    Annual burden
  30 CFR part 556, and NTLs              *                 Hour burden        annual responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Non-hour cost burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104(b).......................  Submit                                 0.25                   500             125
                                confidentiality
                                agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106..........................  Cost recovery and      Cost recovery and service fees and                       0
                                service fees;         associated documentation are covered under
                                confirmation receipt. individual requirements throughout part.**
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107..........................  Submit required        Burden covered in 30 CFR 560.500.                        0
                                documentation
                                electronically
                                through BOEM-
                                approved system;
                                comply with filing
                                specifications, as
                                directed by notice
                                in the Federal
                                Register in
                                accordance with 30
                                CFR 560.500.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107..........................  File seals,                         10 min.                   400              67
                                documents,
                                statements,
                                signatures, etc., to
                                establish legal
                                status of all future
                                submissions (paper
                                or electronic).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                   900             192
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201-204......................  Submit nominations,    Not considered an information collection                 0
                                suggestions,          (IC) as defined in 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4).
                                comments, and
                                information in
                                response to requests
                                for information or
                                comments, draft or
                                proposed 5-year
                                leasing program,
                                etc., including
                                information from
                                States and local
                                governments, Federal
                                agencies, industry,
                                and others.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202-204......................  Submit nominations &                      4                    69             276
                                specific information
                                requested in draft
                                proposed 5-year
                                leasing program,
                                from States and
                                local governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                    69             276
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart C
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
301; 302.....................  Submit response &      Not considered IC as defined in 5 CFR                    0
                                specific information  1320.3(h)(4).
                                requested in
                                requests for
                                industry interest
                                and calls for
                                information and
                                nominations, etc.,
                                on areas proposed
                                for leasing;
                                including
                                information from
                                States and local
                                governments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(d).......................  Request summary of                        1                     5               5
                                interest
                                (nonproprietary
                                information) for
                                calls for
                                information and
                                requests for
                                interest, etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
305; 306.....................  States or local                           4                    25             100
                                governments submit
                                comments,
                                recommendations,
                                other responses on
                                size, timing, or
                                location of proposed
                                lease sale. Request
                                extension; enter
                                agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                    30             105
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31578]]

 
                                                    Subpart D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
400-402; 405.................  Establish file for                        2                   107             214
                                qualification;
                                submit evidence and
                                certification for
                                lessee and bidder
                                qualification.
                                Provide updates;
                                obtain BOEM approval
                                & qualification
                                number.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403(c).......................  Request hearing on     Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                disqualification.     1320.3(h)(9).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403; 404.....................  Notify BOEM if you or                   1.5                    50              75
                                your principals are
                                excluded,
                                disqualified, or
                                convicted of a
                                crime--Federal non-
                                procurement
                                debarment and
                                suspension
                                requirements;
                                request exception;
                                enter transaction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
405..........................  Notify BOEM of all     Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                mergers, name         1320.3(h)(1).
                                changes, or change
                                of business.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                   157             289
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500; 501.....................  Submit bids,                              5                 2,000          10,000
                                deposits, and
                                required
                                information,
                                including GDIS &
                                maps; in manner
                                specified. Make data
                                available to BOEM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
500(e); 517..................  Request                Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                reconsideration of    1320.3(h)(9).
                                bid decision.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
501(e).......................  Apply for              Burden covered in OMB Control Number 1010-               0
                                reimbursement.        0048, 30 CFR 551.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
511(b); 517..................  Submit appeal of       Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                listing on            1320.3(h)(9).
                                restricted joint
                                bidders list; appeal
                                bid decision.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
513; 514.....................  File statement and                        2                   100             200
                                detailed report of
                                production. Make
                                documents available
                                to BOEM.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
515..........................  Request exemption      Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                from bidding          1320.3(h)(9).
                                restrictions; submit
                                appropriate
                                information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
516..........................  File agreement on                       3.5                     2               7
                                determination of
                                lessee following
                                BOEM's notice of tie
                                bid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
520; 521; 600(c).............  Execute lease                             1                   852             852
                                (includes submission
                                of evidence of
                                authorized agent,
                                completion of steps
                                leading to lease
                                execution, and
                                request adjusted
                                effective date of
                                lease); submit
                                required data and
                                rental.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
520(b).......................  Provide acceptable                     0.25                     1               1
                                bond for payment of
                                a deferred bonus.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                 2,955          11,060
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Subparts F, G, H
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
700-716......................  File application and                      1                 1,414           1,414
                                required information
                                for assignment or
                                transfer of record
                                title or any other
                                lease interest (Form
                                BOEM-0150) (includes
                                sale, sublease,
                                segregation
                                exchange, transfer);
                                request effective
                                date and
                                confidentiality;
                                provide
                                notifications.**
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $198 fee x 1,414 forms = $279,972
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
715(a); 808(a)...............  File required                             1                 2,369           2,369
                                instruments creating
                                or transferring
                                working interests,
                                etc., for record
                                purposes.**
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $29 fee x 2,369 filings = $68,701
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
715(b); 808(b)...............  Submit ``non-                           .25                11,518           2,880
                                required''
                                documents, for
                                record purposes that
                                respondents want
                                BOEM to file with
                                the lease document.
                                (Accepted on behalf
                                of lessees as a
                                service; BOEM does
                                not require nor need
                                them.)
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  $29 fee x 11,518 filings = $334,022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
800-810......................  File application and                      1                   421             421
                                required information
                                for assignment or
                                transfer of
                                operating interest
                                (Form BOEM- 0151)
                                (includes sale,
                                sublease,
                                segregation
                                exchange, severance,
                                transfer); request
                                effective date;
                                provide
                                notifications.**
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $198 fee x 421 forms = $83,358
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                15,722           7,084
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 31579]]

 
                                                 $766,053
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(a)-(e); 901; 902; 903(a).  Submit form for OCS                    0.33                   135              45
                                mineral lessee's and
                                operator's bond
                                (Form BOEM-2028);
                                execute bond.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(c), (d), (f), (g);         Demonstrate financial                   3.5                   166             581
 901(c), (d), (f); 902(e).      worth and 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 on BOEM-
                                approved forms.
                                Monitor and submit
                                required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(e); 901; 902; 903(a).....  Submit form for OCS                    0.25                   141              35
                                mineral lessee's and
                                operator's
                                supplemental
                                plugging &
                                abandonment bond
                                (Form BOEM-2028A);
                                execute bond.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
900(f), (g)..................  Submit authority for                      2                    12              24
                                Regional Director to
                                sell Treasury or
                                alternate type of
                                securities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901..........................  Submit exploration     IC burden covered in separate approved                   0
                                plan, development     collection for 1010-0151, 30 CFR part 550,
                                and production plan,  subpart B.
                                development
                                operations
                                coordination
                                document.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
901(f).......................  Submit oral/written    Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                comment on adjusted   1320.3(h)(9).
                                bond amount and
                                information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
903(b).......................  Notify BOEM of any                        1                     4               4
                                lapse in bond
                                coverage and action
                                filed alleging
                                lessee, surety, or
                                guarantor is
                                insolvent or
                                bankrupt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
904..........................  Provide plan and                         12                     2              24
                                instructions to fund
                                lease-specific
                                abandonment account
                                and related
                                information; request
                                approval to withdraw
                                funds.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905..........................  Provide third-party                      19                    46             874
                                guarantee, indemnity
                                agreement, financial
                                and required
                                information, related
                                notices, reports,
                                and annual update;
                                notify BOEM if
                                guarantor becomes
                                unqualified.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
905(d)(3); 906...............  Provide notice of and                   0.5                   378             189
                                request approval to
                                terminate period of
                                liability, cancel
                                bond, or other
                                security; provide
                                required information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
907(c)(2)....................  Provide information                      16                     5              80
                                to demonstrate lease
                                will be brought into
                                compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                   889           1,856
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Subpart K
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1101.........................  Request                                   1                   247             247
                                relinquishment (Form
                                BOEM-0152) of lease;
                                submit required
                                information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1102.........................  Request additional                        1                     1               1
                                time to bring lease
                                into compliance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1102(c)......................  Comment on             Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                cancellation.         1320.3(h)(9).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotal..............................................................                   248             248
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 556 Total......................................................                 9,452          18,230
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $766,053 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               Reporting requirement                          Average number of    Annual burden
       30 CFR part 560                   *                 Hour burden        annual responses         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
560.224(a)...................  Request BOEM to        Requirement not considered IC under 5 CFR                0
                                reconsider field      1320.3(h)(9).
                                assignment of a
                                lease.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
560.500......................  Submit required                           1                   800             800
                                documentation
                                electronically
                                through BOEM-
                                approved system;
                                comply with filing
                                specifications, as
                                directed by notice
                                in the Federal
                                Register (e.g.,
                                bonding info.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    30 CFR 560 Total......................................................                   800             800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Reporting for Collection........................................                21,826          21,935
                              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $766,053 Non-Hour Cost Burdens
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* In the future, BOEM may require electronic filing of certain submissions.
** Cost recovery/service fees.

[[Page 31580]]

 
--For requests of approval for various operations or submission of plans or applications, the burdens are
  included with other OMB-approved collections: For BOEM, 30 CFR part 550 (subpart A, Control Number 1010-0114;
  subpart B, Control Number 1010-0151); and for BSEE, 30 CFR part 250 (subpart A, Control Number 1014-0022;
  subpart D, Control Number 1014-0018).
--All submission for designation of operator (Form BOEM-1123) under 30 CFR parts 550, 556, and 560 are captured
  in OMB Control Number 1010-0114.

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid 
OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Peter Meffert,
Acting Chief, Office of Regulations.
[FR Doc. 2022-11074 Filed 5-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P


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