[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53793-53798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21488]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 250

[Docket ID: MMS-2008-OMM-0023]
RIN 1010-AD50


Technical Changes to Production Measurement and Training 
Requirements

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would revise the production measurement 
regulations to establish meter proving,

[[Page 53794]]

meter verification/calibration, and well test requirements after 
hurricanes and other events beyond the control of the lessee. This 
rulemaking would eliminate some reporting burden on industry, and it 
would eliminate the need for MMS to grant waivers to the reporting 
requirements in certain situations. The proposed rule would also add 
new definitions providing clarity in the training regulations, which 
should lead to improved training of Outer Continental Shelf workers.

DATES: Submit comments by November 17, 2008. The MMS may not fully 
consider comments received after this date. Submit comments to the 
Office of Management and Budget on the information collection burden in 
this rule by October 17, 2008. This does not affect the deadline for 
the public to comment to MMS on the proposed regulations.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the rulemaking by any of the 
following methods. Please use the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 
1010-AD50 as an identifier in your message. See also Public 
Availability of Comments under Procedural Matters.
    <bullet> Use the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Under the tab ``More Search Options,'' click 
Advanced Docket Search, then select ``Minerals Management Service'' 
from the agency drop-down menu, then click ``submit.'' In the Docket ID 
column, select MMS-2008-OMM-0023 to submit public comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available for this rulemaking. 
Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for 
accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after 
the close of the comment period, is available through the site's ``User 
Tips'' link. The MMS will post all comments received in response to 
this proposed rulemaking on the Portal.
    <bullet> Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the 
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Attention: Regulations and 
Standards Branch (RSB); 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4817. Please reference ``Technical Changes to Production 
Measurement and Training Requirements, 1010-AD50'' in your comments and 
include your name and return address.
    <bullet> Send comments on the information collection in this rule 
to: Interior Desk Officer 1010-AD50, Office of Management and Budget; 
202-395-6566 (fax); e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e887819a89b78c878b838d9ca887858ac68d8798c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4abadb6a59ba0aba7afa1b084aba9a6eaa1abb4eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>. Please also send 
a copy to MMS at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Ensele, Regulations and 
Standards Branch, at (703) 787-1583.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed rule revises two subparts in 
30 CFR part 250: Subpart L, Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface 
Commingling, and Security; and Subpart O, Well Control and Production 
Safety Training. The revisions to subpart L are minor, and should 
result in savings to lessees and to MMS. The revisions to subpart O are 
also minor, and are meant to clarify existing requirements. The 
following is a brief description of the revisions:

Revisions to Subpart L--Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface 
Commingling, and Security

    The current regulations in subpart L require lessees to provide:
    <bullet> Monthly meter provings of all liquid hydrocarbon royalty 
meters to determine the meter factor;
    <bullet> Monthly provings of liquid allocation meters if they 
measure 50 or more barrels per day, per meter, and quarterly if they 
measure less than 50 barrels per day, per meter;
    <bullet> Monthly calibration of all gas meters; and
    <bullet> Bimonthly (every two months) well tests for allocation 
purposes.
    When production resumes following a force majeure event, additional 
time is often needed to accomplish the above-mentioned regulatory 
compliance actions. This proposed rule would provide up to 15 days 
following production start-up to accomplish these tasks in those 
instances where the interruption was caused by a force majeure event. 
This would reduce the number of waiver requests immediately following 
the restoration of production and accordingly result in minor savings 
to industry.
    A force majeure event in this case would be an event beyond the 
control of the lessee such as war, act of terrorism, crime, or act of 
nature such as a hurricane, which would prevent the lessee from 
operating the wells and meters on its Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) 
facility. The lessee would be required to conduct the actions listed 
above within 15 days of the meter or well being returned to service.
    This proposed revision would eliminate the need for lessees to 
request the waiver currently required, but only in the case of force 
majeure events. This would result in minor savings to industry by 
eliminating paperwork, and it would eliminate the need for MMS to 
respond to the requests for waivers.
    A new definition for the term force majeure event would be added to 
Sec.  250.1201. In addition, this proposed rulemaking would revise 
Sec.  250.1202(d)(3), Sec.  250.1202(k)(3) and (k)(4), Sec.  
250.1203(c)(1), and Sec.  250.1204(b)(1) by adding language that would 
require the lessee to conduct the actions in each subsection within 15 
days of resuming production operations after a force majeure event 
precluded those actions.

Revisions to Subpart O--Well Control and Production Safety Training

    The regulations in subpart O have been in effect since August 2000. 
Since that time, MMS has conducted over 3,000 interviews with offshore 
workers, conducted 118 audits of training programs, and administered 6 
tests of offshore workers. Initially, the interviews showed that the 
offshore workers understood their specific jobs from a training point 
of view. More recent interviews (since mid-2006), which were conducted 
with a new interview form that posed more probing questions, indicated 
that the workers had a poorer understanding of MMS regulations and the 
training requirements.
    The audits were conducted by MMS between October 2002 and December 
2007 and resulted in the issuance of 71 incidents of noncompliance 
(INCs). The majority of the INCs were related to the contractor 
workforce (48 percent) and to recordkeeping and documentation (32 
percent). In general, the audits indicated a lack of understanding of 
the requirements for training of contractor personnel and periodic 
training of all personnel. To address this lack of understanding, we 
have added a definition of periodic, which includes a reminder that the 
lessee is responsible for defining the interval for periodic training. 
We have also added a definition of contractor so that there is no doubt 
about which personnel need to be trained.
    The MMS administered 6 tests of offshore workers during 2006, 3 
production safety tests and 3 well-control tests. The grades ranged 
from 39 percent to 76 percent correct. The MMS considers 70 percent a 
passing grade. Of the 6 employees tested, 5 failed this test. The 
results indicated a lack of understanding of MMS requirements and a 
lack of understanding of how to perform the calculations needed in 
their jobs. Both of these problems could be corrected by improved 
periodic training conducted by the lessee.
    In this rulemaking, MMS is proposing four minor changes to subpart 
O. The proposed rule would revise the definition of production safety 
in Sec.  250.1500, and add definitions for

[[Page 53795]]

periodic and contractor to that section. The fourth change removes 
Sec.  250.1502. Section 250.1502 was intended to give lessees and 
operators a transition period for complying with the new regulations. 
Since this transition period has been completed for more than 5 years, 
we are removing the section from the regulation.
    The MMS is proposing to add language to the definition of 
production safety to include separation, dehydration, compression, 
sweetening, and metering operations. There have been indications that 
some offshore personnel did not include those operations in training 
for production safety. This new definition makes it very clear that 
those operations are included in production safety.
    The MMS is proposing to add a definition of periodic. As discussed 
previously, there has been a problem with compliance with the periodic 
training requirements. In the definition, we stress that each lessee 
must specify the intervals for periodic training of personnel and 
periodic assessment of training needs.
    The MMS is also proposing to add a definition of contractor to the 
regulations so that there is no question as to which contractor 
personnel must be trained in well-control and production safety.

Procedural Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order (E.O.) 12866)

    This proposed rule is not a significant rule as determined by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is not subject to review 
under E.O. 12866.
    (1) This proposed rule would not have an annual effect of $100 
million or more on the economy. It would not adversely affect in a 
material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or communities. The revisions to the production measurement 
regulations would only have a very small positive effect on industry in 
the event of a hurricane or other incident beyond the control of the 
lessee. The revised and new definitions in the training regulations 
could cause some lessees and operators to revise their training plans. 
The MMS estimates that 50 of the potential 130 lessees and/or operators 
have already modified their training plans and will not be affected by 
the proposed changes to the definitions in subpart O. The remaining 80 
operators would have to modify their training plans. Of those 80 
operators, MMS estimates that 56 are small businesses, and that 24 are 
large companies. The majority of small operators have an off-the-shelf 
type training plan. The MMS estimates that a modification to this type 
of plan would cost about $500. The large companies would most likely 
revise their training plans in-house at a slightly lower cost than 
revising an off-the-shelf plan. For the purpose of estimating the total 
cost to industry, MMS will use the higher estimate. The total cost for 
revising training plans to industry would be $500 multiplied by 80 
operators, which would equal $40,000. The cost to retrain the employees 
from the 80 companies would be about $200 per person. This is based on 
the price of a typical 3-day production operations safety course 
costing $600 per person (i.e., $200 per person per day). Adding 1 day 
to the course would be necessary to cover the operations mentioned in 
the revised definition of production operations. The MMS estimates that 
4 employees per company would need the additional day of training, so 
the additional cost would be $200, multiplied by 4 employees per 
company, multiplied by 80 companies, which would equal $64,000. The 
total cost to industry from the subpart O changes would be $40,000 plus 
$64,000, which would equal $104,000. Therefore, this proposed rule 
would not have a significant economic effect on industry.
    (2) This proposed rule would not create a serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency.
    (3) This proposed rule would not alter the budgetary effects of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or 
obligations of their recipients.
    (4) This proposed rule would not raise novel legal or policy 
issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this proposed rule 
would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of 
small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.).
    The production measurement changes proposed in the rule would 
affect lessees and operators of leases in the OCS. This could include 
about 130 active Federal oil and gas lessees. Small lessees that 
operate under this rule fall under the Small Business Administration's 
(SBA) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 
211111, Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas Extraction, and 213111, 
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells. For these NAICS code classifications, a 
small company is one with fewer than 500 employees. Based on these 
criteria, an estimated 70 percent of these companies are considered 
small. This proposed rule, therefore, would affect a substantial number 
of small entities.
    The proposed changes to subpart L would not have a significant 
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities because the 
effects would only occur if a facility is rendered out-of-service 
because of a hurricane or other event out of the control of the lessee. 
The overall effects would be very minor, but positive since the 
proposed rule temporarily relieves the lessee of specific reporting 
requirements related to metering and well tests.
    The revised and new definitions in the training regulations in 
subpart O could cause some lessees and operators to revise their 
training plans. The MMS estimates that 80 operators would have to 
modify their training plans due to the proposed changes to the 
definition of production operations. Of the 80 operators, MMS estimates 
that 56 are small businesses. This is a substantial number of small 
operators. The majority of small operators have off-the-shelf type 
training plans. The MMS estimates that a modification to this type of 
plan would cost about $500. The total cost to the small operators would 
be $500 multiplied by 56 operators, which would equal $28,000. The cost 
to retrain the employees from the 56 companies would be about $200 per 
person. This is based on the price of a typical 3-day production 
operations safety course costing $600 per person. Adding one day to the 
course would be necessary to cover the operations mentioned in the 
revised definition of production operations. The MMS estimates that 4 
employees per company would need the additional day of training, so the 
additional cost would be $200, multiplied by 4 employees per company, 
multiplied by 56 companies, which would equal $44,800. The total cost 
to small businesses due to the changes in the subpart O regulations 
would be $28,000 plus $44,800, which would equal $72,800. Therefore, 
this proposed rule would not have a significant economic effect on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    Your comments are important. The Small Business and Agriculture 
Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards were 
established to receive comments from small businesses about Federal 
agency enforcement actions. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate the 
enforcement activities and rate each agency's responsiveness to small 
business. If you wish to comment on the actions of MMS, call 1-888-734-
3247. You may comment to the Small Business Administration without fear 
of

[[Page 53796]]

retaliation. Disciplinary action for retaliation by an MMS employee may 
include suspension or termination from employment with the DOI.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    The proposed rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2) of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This proposed rule:
    a. Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more. The effects of the subpart L changes are minor, but positive, 
and would only occur if there were a hurricane or other event beyond 
the lessee's control that would cause the temporary shut-in of a 
facility. The effects on small business of the subpart O changes are 
approximately $73,000.
    b. Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions. As stated above, any effects from the 
subpart L changes would be positive for the industry and the Federal 
government, and the effects from the subpart O changes would be minor.
    c. Would not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. The 
effects would be a result of temporary relief of reporting requirements 
and minor changes in training requirements, so there would be no 
adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with 
foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This proposed rule would not impose an unfunded mandate on State, 
local, or tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 
million per year. The proposed rule would not have a significant or 
unique effect on State, local, or tribal governments or the private 
sector. A statement containing the information required by the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.

Takings Implication Assessment (E.O. 12630)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 12630, this proposed rule does not have 
significant takings implications. The proposed rule is not a 
governmental action capable of interference with constitutionally 
protected property rights. A Takings Implication Assessment is not 
required.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13132, this proposed rule does not have 
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment. This proposed rule would not substantially and 
directly affect the relationship between the Federal and State 
governments. To the extent that State and local governments have a role 
in OCS activities, this proposed rule would not affect that role. A 
Federalism Assessment is not required.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This proposed rule complies with the requirements of E.O. 12988. 
Specifically, this rule:
    (a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) requiring that all 
regulations be reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and be 
written to minimize litigation; and
    (b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) requiring that all 
regulations be written in clear language and contain clear legal 
standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes (E.O. 13175)

    Under the criteria in E.O. 13175, we have evaluated this proposed 
rule and determined that it has no potential effects on federally 
recognized Indian tribes. There are no Indian or tribal lands in the 
OCS.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    This proposed rule contains a collection of information that is 
being submitted to OMB for review and approval under Sec.  3507(d) of 
the PRA. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and 
respondent burdens, MMS invites the public and other Federal agencies 
to comment on any aspect of the reporting and recordkeeping burden. If 
you wish to comment on the information collection aspects of this 
proposed rule, you may send your comments directly to OMB (see the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice). Please identify your comments with 
1010-AD50. Send a copy of your comments to the Regulations and 
Standards Branch (RSB), Comments; 381 Elden Street, MS-4024; Herndon, 
Virginia 20170-4817. You may obtain a copy of the supporting statement 
for the new collection of information by contacting the Bureau's 
Information Collection Clearance Officer at (202) 208-7744.
    The 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 OMB control number. The OMB is 
required to make a decision concerning the collection of information 
contained in these proposed regulations between 30 to 60 days after 
publication of this document in the Federal Register. Therefore, a 
comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB 
receives it by October 17, 2008. This does not affect the deadline for 
the public to comment to MMS on the proposed regulations.
    The title of the collection of information for the rule is 
``Technical Changes to Production Measurement and Training 
Requirements.''
    Respondents include approximately 130 Federal OCS oil and gas 
lessees and/or operators. Responses to this collection are mandatory. 
The frequency of reporting is on occasion. The information collection 
does not include questions of a sensitive nature. The MMS will protect 
information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) 
and its implementing regulations (43 CFR part 2) and 30 CFR 250.197, 
``Data and information to be made available to the public or for 
limited inspection.''
    The collection of information required by the current 30 CFR part 
250, subpart L regulations, Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface 
Commingling, and Security, is approved under OMB Control Number 1010-
0051, expiration 7/31/10 (8,533 hours). The proposed regulation would 
not impose any new information collection burdens. However, it does 
reduce the number of general departure requests for Sec.  
250.1204(b)(1). When the rule becomes effective, we will submit to OMB 
a justification for non-substantive change to make an adjustment 
decrease to the paperwork burden.
    The collection of information required by the current 30 CFR part 
250 subpart O regulations, Well Control and Production Safety Training, 
is approved under OMB Control Number 1010-0128, expiration 8/31/09 
(2,106 hours). The proposed rule would require some lessees and/or 
operators to modify their current training programs due to the proposed 
changes to the definitions in subpart O. We estimate that this would be 
a one-time paperwork burden on 24 operators who will modify their 
programs in-house for a total of 144 burden hours. Those operators who 
purchase their off-the-shelf training programs will incur costs to 
modify the programs. This is considered a regulatory cost of doing 
business and is not a paperwork burden.

[[Page 53797]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Average
   Citation 30  CFR part 250           Reporting &                               number of       Annual burden
           subpart O                  recordkeeping           Hour burden         annual             hours
                                       requirement                               responses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1503(b), (c)...................  Develop training plans.  60................               2  120
                                  Note: Existing lessees/
                                  respondents already
                                  have training plans
                                  developed. This number
                                  reflects development
                                  of plans for any new
                                  lessees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1503(b), (c)...................  NEW: Modify training     6.................              24  144
                                  program (one time
                                  burden for in-house
                                  operator
                                  modifications).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1503(c)........................  Maintain copies of       \1/4\ hour (plan).             136  34
                                  training plan and       ..................                  ..................
                                  employee training       12.26 hours                         1,667 (rounded)
                                  documentation/record     (record).
                                  for 5 years. Note: We
                                  receive approx. 20,020
                                  records per year. (5
                                  minutes per record x
                                  20,020 employee
                                  records/136 companies
                                  = 12.26 hours per
                                  company).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1503(c)........................  Upon request, provide    5.................              31  155
                                  MMS copies of employee
                                  training documentation
                                  or provide copy of
                                  training plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1507(b)........................  Employee oral interview  \1/6\ hr..........             600  100
                                  conducted by MMS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1507(c), (d); 1508; 1509.......  Written testing          Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(7)     0
                                  conducted by MMS or
                                  authorized
                                  representative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1510(b)........................  Revise training plan     6.................               4  24
                                  and submit to MMS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
250.1500-1510..................  General departure or     2.................               3  6
                                  alternative compliance
                                  requests not
                                  specifically covered
                                  elsewhere in subpart O.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Burden............................................................   800 Responses  2,250 Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The MMS specifically solicits comments on the following questions:
    (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for MMS to 
properly perform its functions, and will it be useful?
    (b) Are the estimates of the non-hour burden costs 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 the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology?
    In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total annual 
reporting and recordkeeping ``non-hour cost'' burden resulting from the 
collection of information. We have not identified any, and we solicit 
your comments on this item. For reporting and recordkeeping only, your 
response should split the cost estimate into two components:
    (a) Total capital and start-up 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 start-
up costs include, among other items, computers and software you 
purchase to prepare for collecting information; monitoring, sampling, 
drilling, and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. 
Generally, your estimates should not include equipment or services 
purchased:
    (1) Before October 1, 1995;
    (2) To comply with requirements not associated with the information 
collection;
    (3) For reasons other than to provide information or keep records 
for the Government; or
    (4) As part of customary and usual business or private practices.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This proposed rule does not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The MMS 
has analyzed this rule under the criteria of the National Environmental 
Policy Act and 516 Departmental Manual (DM) 2.3, and 516 DM 2, Appendix 
1.10, and determined that it falls within the categorical exclusion for 
``regulations * * * that are of an administrative, financial, legal, 
technical, or procedural nature as it is an administrative, procedural, 
and/or technical rule.'' The MMS completed a Categorical Exclusion 
Review for this action and concluded that the rulemaking does not 
involve extraordinary circumstances set forth in 516 DM 2, Appendix 2; 
therefore, preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental 
impact statement will not be required.

Data Quality Act

    In developing this proposed rule, we did not conduct or use a 
study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Data 
Quality Act (Pub. L. 106-554, app. C Sec.  515, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-
153-154).

Effects on the Energy Supply (E.O. 13211)

    This proposed rule is not a significant energy action under the 
definition in E.O. 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not 
required.

[[Page 53798]]

Clarity of This Regulation

    We are required by E.O. 12866, E.O. 12988, and by the Presidential 
Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This 
means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that you find unclear, which sections or sentences are 
too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, 
etc.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250

    Administrative practice and procedure, Continental shelf, Oil and 
gas exploration, Public lands--mineral resources, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 14, 2008.
Foster L. Wade,
Deputy Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, Minerals Management Service 
(MMS) proposes to amend 30 CFR part 250 as follows:

PART 250--OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER 
CONTINENTAL SHELF

    1. The authority citation for part 250 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334.

    2. Amend Sec.  250.1201 by adding the definition of Force majeure 
event in alphabetical order as follows:


Sec.  250.1201  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Force majeure event--an event beyond your control such as war, act 
of terrorism, crime, or act of nature which prevents you from operating 
the wells and meters on your OCS facility.
* * * * *
    3. Amend Sec.  250.1202 by revising paragraphs (d)(3), (k)(3), and 
(k)(4) as follows:


Sec.  250.1202  Liquid hydrocarbon measurement.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Prove each operating royalty meter to determine the meter 
factor monthly, but the time between meter factor determinations must 
not exceed 42 days. When a force majeure event precludes the required 
monthly meter proving, meters must be proved within 15 days after being 
returned to service;
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (3) Prove allocation meters monthly if they measure 50 or more 
barrels per day per meter. When a force majeure event precludes the 
required monthly meter proving, meters must be proved within 15 days 
after being returned to service; or
    (4) Prove allocation meters quarterly if they measure less than 50 
barrels per day per meter. When a force majeure event precludes the 
required quarterly meter proving, meters must be proved within 15 days 
after being returned to service;
* * * * *
    4. Amend Sec.  250.1203 by revising paragraph (c)(1) as follows:


Sec.  250.1203  Gas measurement.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Calibrate meters monthly, but do not exceed 42 days between 
calibrations. When a force majeure event precludes the required monthly 
calibration, meters must be calibrated within 15 days after being 
returned to service;
* * * * *
    5. Amend Sec.  250.1204 by revising paragraph (b)(1) as follows:


Sec.  250.1204  Surface commingling.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Conduct a well test at least once every 2 months unless the 
Regional Supervisor approves a different frequency. When a force 
majeure event precludes the required bimonthly (or other frequency 
approved by the Regional Supervisor) well test, wells must be tested 
within 15 days after being returned to service;
* * * * *
    6. Amend Sec.  250.1500 by adding the definitions Contractor and 
Periodic in alphabetical order and by revising the definition of 
Production safety to read as follows:


Sec.  250.1500  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Contractor means anyone performing work for the lessee. However, 
these requirements do not apply to contractors providing domestic 
services to the lessee or other contractors. Domestic services include 
janitorial work, food and beverage service, laundry service, 
housekeeping, and similar activities.
* * * * *
    Periodic means occurring or recurring at regular intervals. Each 
lessee must specify the intervals for periodic training and periodic 
assessment of training needs in their training programs.
    Production safety includes safety in production operations, as well 
as the installation, repair, testing, maintenance, and operation of 
surface or subsurface safety devices. Production operations include, 
but are not limited to, separation, dehydration, compression, 
sweetening, and metering operations.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E8-21488 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P


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