[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 120 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31547-31548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15746]



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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of renewal of information collection.

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

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 a currently approved collection of 
information for abandonment of wells on the Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS). The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) provides that an 
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Submit written comments by August 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Mail Stop 4700; 381 Elden 
Street; Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817; Attention: Chief, Engineering and 
Standards Branch.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alexis London, Engineering and Standards Branch, Minerals Management 
Service, telephone (703) 787-1562.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart G, Abandonment of Wells Abstract: 
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) gives the Secretary of 
the Interior (Secretary) the responsibility to preserve, protect, and 
develop oil and gas resources in the OCS consistent with the need to 
make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as 
rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resource development with 
protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; ensure the 
public a fair and equitable return on resources of the OCS; and 
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. The OCSLA Amendment 
of 1978 amended section 3(6) of the OCSLA to state that ``operations in 
the outer Continental Shelf should be conducted * * * using technology, 
precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent or minimize * * * 
physical obstruction to other users of the waters or subsoil and 
seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to the environment 
or to property, or endanger life or health.''
    To do this, the Secretary has authorized the Director of MMS to 
issue regulations governing OCS oil and gas and sulphur lease 
operations. The rules governing temporary abandonment of a drilling 
well are prescribed in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart, G Abandonment of 
Wells.
    In order for MMS to decide the necessity for allowing a well to be 
temporarily abandoned, the lessee/operator must show that there is a 
reason for not permanently abandoning the well and that the temporary 
abandonment is not a significant threat to fishing, navigation, or 
other uses of the seabed. If MMS did not collect the information, MMS 
could not determine: (a) The intent of the lessee, (b) if the final 
disposition of the well is being diligently pursued, (c) any deviations 
from the approved Exploration or Development and Production Plan, and 
(d) if the lessee/operator has documented the temporary plugging of the 
well and has marked the location.
    Lessees' proprietary information submitted with an abandonment plan 
will be protected according to the Freedom of Information Act and 30 
CFR 250.18. The collection does not include items of a sensitive 
nature. The requirement to respond is mandatory.
    Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 130 lessees making an estimated 
1,550 annual reports per year.
    Estimate of Burden: Average of one-half hour per response.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden Hours: 775 burden hours.
    Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Burden Hours: 
Based on $35 per hour, the total cost to lessees is estimated to be 
$27,125.
    Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents:

[[Page 31548]]

    There are no other known cost burdens to the respondents.
    Type of Request: Extension of currently approved collection.
    OMB Number: 1010-0079.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Comments: The MMS will summarize written responses to this notice 
and address them in its submission for OMB approval.
    All comments will become a matter of public record.
    (1) The MMS specifically solicits comments on the following 
questions:
    (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
proper performance of MMS's functions, and will it be useful?
    (b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed 
collection reasonable?
    (c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, 
clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected?
    (d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information 
technology?
    (2) In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total 
annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the 
collection of information. The MMS needs your comments on this item. 
Your response should split the cost estimate into two components:

(a) Total Capital and startup cost component and
(b) Annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of services component.

    Your estimates should consider the costs to generate, maintain, and 
disclose or provide the information. You should describe the methods 
you use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology 
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount 
rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup 
costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase 
to prepare for collection information; monitoring, sampling, drilling, 
and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, your 
estimates should not include equipment or services purchased: (1) 
before October 1, 1995; (2) to comply with requirements not association 
with the information collection; (3) for reasons other than to provide 
information or keep records for the Government; or (4) as part of 
customary and usual business or private practices.
    Bureau Clearance Officer: Carole A. deWitt, (703) 787-1242.

    Dated: June 13, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-15746 Filed 6-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M