Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2005/02/14/05-2747.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-10 06:34:09
Document Index: 69305059

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1312', '§ 804', 'art 250', 'art 1308', 'ART 1308', 'art 1308', '§ 1308', 'art 1308', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'ART 250', 'art 250', '§ 250', '§ 250', 'art 52', 'art 300', 'art 300']

Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-Suspension of Operations (SOO's) for Ultra-Deep Drilling, 7451-7455 [05-2747] :: Minerals Management Service :: Department Of The Interior :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of The Interior Minerals Management Service Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-Suspension of Operations (SOO's) for Ultra-Deep Drilling, 7451-7455 [05-2747]
Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-Suspension of Operations (SOO's) for Ultra-Deep Drilling, 7451-7455 [05-2747]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 29 / Monday, February 14, 2005 / Proposed Rules zopiclone must be in compliance with part 1312 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Criminal Liability. Any activity with zopiclone not authorized by, or in violation of, the Controlled Substances Act or the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act occurring on or after finalization of this proposed rule would be unlawful. Regulatory Certifications Executive Order 12866 In accordance with the provisions of the CSA (21 U.S.C. 811(a)), this action is a formal rulemaking ‘‘on the record after opportunity for a hearing.’’ Such proceedings are conducted pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557 and, as such, are exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Executive Order 12866, section 3(d)(1). Regulatory Flexibility Act The Deputy Administrator, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), has reviewed this proposed rule and by approving it certifies that it will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Eszopiclone products will be prescription drugs used for the short term treatment of insomnia. Handlers of eszopiclone also handle other controlled substances used to treat insomnia which are already subject to the regulatory requirements of the CSA. Executive Order 12988 This regulation meets the applicable standards set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform. Executive Order 13132 This rulemaking does not preempt or modify any provision of State law; nor does it impose enforcement responsibilities on any State; nor does it diminish the power of any State to enforce its own laws. Accordingly, this rulemaking does not have federalism implications warranting the application of Executive Order 13132. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $115,000,000 or more in any one year, and will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:08 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1995 This rule is not a major rule as defined by § 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign based companies in domestic and export markets. 7451 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service 30 CFR Part 250 RIN 1010–AD09 Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)— Suspension of Operations (SOO’s) for Ultra-Deep Drilling Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The MMS proposes to modify its regulations at 30 CFR 250.175, which govern SOO’s for oil and gas leases on Administrative practice and the OCS. The proposed revision will procedure, Drug traffic control, allow MMS to grant SOO’s to lessees or Narcotics, Prescription drugs. operators who plan to drill ultra-deep wells. MMS proposes this revision Under the authority vested in the because of the added complexity and Attorney General by section 201(a) of costs associated with planning and the CSA (21 U.S.C. 811(a)), and drilling an ultra-deep well. MMS delegated to the Administrator of DEA expects that this revision will lead to by Department of Justice regulations (28 increased drilling of ultra-deep wells CFR 0.100), and redelegated to the and increased domestic production. Deputy Administrator pursuant to 28 DATES: MMS will consider all comments CFR 0.104, the Deputy Administrator received by March 16, 2005. MMS may hereby proposes that 21 CFR part 1308 not fully consider comments received be amended as follows: after March 16, 2005. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments PART 1308—SCHEDULES OF on the rulemaking by any of the CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES following methods listed below. Please [AMENDED] use the RIN 1010–AD09 as an identifier in your message. See also Public 1. The authority citation for 21 CFR Comment Policy under Procedural part 1308 continues to read as follows: Matters. Authority: 21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b) • MMS’s Public Connect on-line unless otherwise noted. commenting system, https:// ocsconnect.mms.gov. Follow the 2. Section 1308.14 is proposed to be instructions on the Web site for amended by adding a new paragraph submitting comments. (c)(51) to read as follows: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the § 1308.14 Schedule IV. instructions on the Web site for * * * * * submitting comments. (c) * * * • E-mail MMS at (51) Zopiclone ................................. 2784 rules.comments@mms.gov. Use the RIN in the subject line. * * * * * • Fax: 703–787–1093. Identify with Dated: February 9, 2005. RIN. Michele M. Leonhart, • Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Minerals Deputy Administrator. Management Service; Attention: Rules [FR Doc. 05–2884 Filed 2–11–05; 8:45 am] Processing Team (RPT); 381 Elden BILLING CODE 4410–09–P Street, MS–4024; Herndon, Virginia 20170–4817. Please reference ‘‘Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)— Suspension of Operations (SOO’s) for Ultra-deep Drilling— AD09’’ in your comments. You may also send comments on the information collection aspects of this rule directly to the Office of List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 1308 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM 14FEP1 7452 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 29 / Monday, February 14, 2005 / Proposed Rules Management and Budget (OMB) via: OMB e-mail: (OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov); mail or hand carry to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior (1010–AD09) or by fax (202) 395–6566. Please also send a copy to MMS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy C. White, Regulations and Standards Branch at (703) 787–1665. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background When an oil and gas lease is issued on the OCS, the lessee has flexibility to schedule activities during the primary term. At the end of the primary term, the lease can continue in force only by production, suspension, drilling, or well-reworking operations as approved by the Regional Supervisor. MMS regulations at 30 CFR 250.172, 250.173, and 250.175 authorize SOO’s before the discovery of oil or gas only in limited circumstances. Generally, when a lease reaches the end of the primary term, the lessee must be producing or conducting other leaseholding operations to extend the lease beyond its primary term. When leaseholding operations are not maintaining the lease at the end of the primary term, the operator may request a Suspension of Production (SOP) if oil or gas was discovered, and if there is a commitment to proceed to development and production. Most leases have a primary term of 5 years, although a longer period (10 years) is provided in deep water. Some leases in intermediate depths have primary terms of 8 years, with a requirement to drill an initial well in the first 5 years. Under most circumstances, the primary lease term provides sufficient time to acquire and interpret geophysical information needed to determine the presence of oil or natural gas, drill a well, and for the operator to determine whether or not to continue with development and production. However, there are cases when a company recognizes that there is a potential hydrocarbon reservoir below 25,000 feet true vertical depth subsea (TVD SS). The high cost of drilling a well to such depths warrants completing additional data analysis before drilling. In 2002, MMS amended the rules at 30 CFR 250.175 (67 FR 44357, July 2, 2002) to provide for an SOO if additional time is needed to allow a lessee to analyze areas beneath or adjacent to salt sheets. MMS adopted this provision in the belief that when a lessee conducts significant work, VerDate jul<14>2003 16:08 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 additional time may be warranted to allow the lessee to benefit from the work conducted. Lessees used the change to expand their exploration in deep areas affected by salt sheets. The rule included well-defined, specific criteria for determining when a lease is eligible for a suspension. In establishing the new provision for an SOO, there was some fear that the rule would be used as a means of avoiding diligence. Thus far, this has not been a problem—in large part due to the use of well-defined specific criteria for eligibility. While the rule issued in 2002 encouraged drilling under salt sheets, that rule does not address situations where salt does not exist. Information from industry indicates that large accumulations of hydrocarbons may exist at depths greater than 25,000 feet TVD SS in water depths less than 800 meters. Many lessees are reluctant to spend the money to drill to these depths without sufficient data analysis. The current regulations (see 30 CFR 250.175(b)) allow the lessee or operator to request an SOO if: (1) By the end of the third year of the primary term, geophysical information was gathered that indicated the presence of a salt sheet; (2) all or a portion of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation may lie beneath or adjacent to the salt sheet; and (3) the salt sheet interferes with identifying the potential hydrocarbonbearing formation. In August 2004, MMS issued NTL No. 2004–G16, providing additional guidance for granting SOO’s to lessees or operators who planned to drill an ultra-deep well beneath or adjacent to a salt sheet. The NTL allowed the lessee or operator planning to drill an ultra-deep well to request the SOO if this geologic information was gathered by the end of the fifth year of the primary term, instead of at the end of the third year. In addition, the operator had to submit a reasonable working schedule leading to the commencement of drilling. This proposed rule will replace the NTL, and also allow the lessee or operator to request an SOO in areas where a salt sheet does not exist. Allowing a lessee additional time for this data analysis encourages companies to consider ultra-deep exploration. A successful development will generate more activity at lease sales and increase drilling on existing leases. MMS recognizes that a lessee knows the length of the lease term when it obtains a lease. When a lease expires, another lessee can acquire a new lease of the same tract and receive a new 5year term to explore. MMS considered these factors, and believes that the need to encourage drilling to significantly PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 deeper depths warrants the proposed rule change. Successful wells benefit not only the companies that drilled the wells, but also the public by increasing domestic energy sources. In addition, the drilling of successful wells will encourage other companies to acquire leases and to pursue ultra-deep exploration in U.S. waters. Proposed Regulation MMS is proposing to amend the regulations that govern oil and gas leases to allow an SOO in limited situations to encourage drilling ultradeep wells to depths of at least 25,000 feet TVD SS. This rule would allow lessees or operators to apply for SOO’s under the following circumstances: • The lease has either a 5-year primary term, or an 8-year primary term with a requirement to drill within the first 5 years; • The lessee or operator has plans to drill an ultra-deep well (at least 25,000 feet TVD SS) on the lease; • Before the end of the fifth year of the primary term, the lessee or operator must have acquired and interpreted geophysical information that indicates that all or a portion of a potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation is ultradeep and includes full 3–D depth migration over the entire lease area. • Before requesting the suspension, the lessee or operator has conducted, or is conducting, additional data processing or interpretation of the geophysical information with the objective of identifying a potential ultradeep hydrocarbon-bearing formation. • The lessee or operator demonstrates that additional time is necessary to complete current processing or interpretation of existing geophysical data or information; acquire, process, or interpret new geologic and/or geophysical data or information, that would impact the decision to drill the same geologic structure or stratigraphic trap; or drill into the potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation identified as a result of the activities conducted in previous paragraphs. Leases issued with 10-year primary terms are not included in this proposed rule because MMS feels that 10 years is sufficient to explore and develop such deep prospects. Other Possible Solutions MMS considered using current regulations to grant suspensions for ultra-deep drilling. However, MMS determined that the current regulations regarding SOO’s and SOP’s are not adequate to address ultra-deep drilling in all situations. An SOP applies only when there is a commitment to produce E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM 14FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 29 / Monday, February 14, 2005 / Proposed Rules proven reserves, as required by 30 CFR 250.171. An SOO may be requested under 30 CFR 250.175(a) for situations where a delay in lease holding operations occurs because of situations that are beyond the control of the company, such as weather and accidents. If the target depth for potential drilling is beneath or adjacent to a salt sheet, an SOO may be requested under 30 CFR 250.175(b). Also, pursuant to 30 CFR 250.180(e), NTL 2000–G22 provides for a lease term extension by allowing additional time beyond the 180-days between lease holding operations to refine subsalt imaging techniques and to process and interpret the imaging. None of these regulations addresses granting a suspension to allow for the additional time involved in the planning for drilling an ultra-deep well not associated with a salt sheet. MMS also considered longer primary lease terms as a way to provide more time to companies that drill to deep depths. However, when leases are issued it is impossible to determine which ones may be suitable for ultradeep drilling. Questions MMS is interested in comments on this proposed rule from any interested parties. The questions on which MMS seeks comments include: • Is the proposed rule easy to read and understand? • Is the proposed rule well organized? You can send your responses to these questions and other comments to MMS by any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES paragraph. Procedural Matters Public Comment Policy: All submissions received must include the agency name and Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Our practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their address from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent’s identity, as allowable by the law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. Except for proprietary information, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as VerDate jul<14>2003 16:08 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866) This document is not a significant rule as determined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is not subject to review under Executive Order 12866. The major economic effect of the proposed rule would involve business decisions made by oil and gas producers. MMS expects that a project to drill an ultra-deep well will need to compete with other high risk projects in deep water or in other countries. By increasing the potential benefits resulting from drilling high risk, ultradeep wells, lessees would be more likely to drill these wells in the U.S. instead of drilling in other high risk areas. These decisions are based on marginal cost and benefit differences among projects, and are driven by many factors. Whether this rule is issued is only one of the factors. Lessees or operators will not request a suspension unless it is in their financial interest. Therefore, this proposed rule change would not impose a cost on the lessee or operator. There are other financial considerations that would result directly from this proposed rule. Drilling a well to 25,000 or more feet TVD SS is a significant occurrence, and MMS does not anticipate an immediate drastic increase in drilling to that depth. This proposed rule change, combined with any applicable deep-gas royalty relief, would be expected to increase drilling activities into areas deeper than 25,000 feet TVD SS. Ultra-deep drilling activity is expected to gradually increase in subsequent years. MMS estimates that this proposal would result in 10 suspension requests per year, averaged over the 5 years following the effective date of a final rule; and that most of the requests will be in water depths of less than 200 meters. MMS economic analysis assumes that a suspension will result, on average, in each suspended lease remaining active for 2 years longer than without the suspension. Of the leases in water depths of less than 200 meters that expired in 2000, approximately half received new bids within 2 years, with an average high bid of approximately $556,000. The delayed expiration of the leases for which SOO’s are requested under this proposed change will result in a delay in reoffering the tracts. If the anticipated 10 leases that would have expired without a suspension were to be offered PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 7453 in a lease sale, MMS estimates that five would receive bids at an average of $556,000 per lease, for a total of $2,780,000. This proposed rule is estimated to result in a 2-year delay in the receipt of that $2,780,000 in bonus revenues. However, this delay in receiving releasing revenues would be partially offset by increased government revenue due to the continued collection of rents. The extra rent generated by the anticipated suspended leases will be $500,000 ($5.00 rent per acre × 5,000 acres × 10 leases × 2 years). The greater potential effect of this proposed rule is the additional royalties collected if large reservoirs of hydrocarbons are discovered in ultra-deep areas, as well as the effect of success on bonuses and rents in future lease sales. The presently quantifiable effects of this proposed rule are small compared to the potential for an increase in energy production. There are more than 3,000 active leases in water depths less than 200 meters. In any given year, this change is expected to affect less than 0.35 percent of those leases. The main effect of this proposed rule would be the potential impact on energy and domestic production if a large reservoir of hydrocarbons is discovered. (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. (2) This proposed rule would not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. Issuance of a suspension for a lease does not interfere with the ability of other agencies to exercise their authority. (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. This change will have no effect on the rights of the recipients of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs. (4) This proposed rule would not raise novel legal or policy issues. Regulatory Flexibility (RF) Act The Department certifies that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the RF Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This proposed change would affect lessees and operators of leases in the OCS. This includes about 130 different companies. These companies are generally classified under the North E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM 14FEP1 7454 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 29 / Monday, February 14, 2005 / Proposed Rules American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 211111, which includes companies that extract crude petroleum and natural gas. For this NAICS code classification, 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. This proposed rule would not create a cost to any small companies, since it provides a suspension only when one is requested. Small companies could be affected by the delay in the expiration of leases and the availability of the tract to be leased again. As discussed earlier, this would be a very small portion of the available leases. The proposed rule would not affect the ability of a small company to participate in OCS exploration, development, and production. Comments are important. The Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 Regional Fairness Boards were established to receive comments from small business 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 retaliation. Disciplinary action for retaliation by an MMS employee may include suspension or termination from employment with the Department of the Interior. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) This is not a major rule under the SBREFA (5 U.S.C. 804(2)). This proposed rule: (a) Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. (b) Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions. (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. This proposed rule is not expected to have a significant effect. As discussed under procedural matters, Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866), each year this change is estimated to increase rental receipts by $500,000, offsetting a 2-year delay in VerDate jul<14>2003 16:08 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 receipt of $2,780,000 in bonus revenues. This amount is not a significant effect for companies that do business on the OCS. sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Executive Order. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 MMS analyzed this proposed rule using the criteria of the NEPA and 516 Departmental Manual, Chapter 2, and concluded that the preparation of an environmental analysis which would result in the issuance of a FONSI or the preparation of an environmental impact statement would not be required. The PRA provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information and assigns a control number, you are not required to respond. The revisions to 30 CFR part 250 subpart A refer to, but do not change, information collection requirements in current regulations. OMB has approved the referenced information collection requirements under OMB control number 1010–0114, current expiration date of October 31, 2007. The proposed rule would impose no new paperwork requirement, and an OMB form 83–I submission to OMB under the PRA is not required. Federalism (Executive Order 13132) With respect to Executive Order 13132, the proposed rule would not have Federalism implications. It 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 change would not affect that role. Takings (Executive Order 12630) With respect to Executive Order 12630, the proposed rule would not have significant Takings implications. A Takings Implication Assessment is not required. The rulemaking is not a governmental action capable of interfering with constitutionally protected property rights. Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211) This is not a significant rule and is not subject to review by OMB under Executive Order 13211. The proposed rule may potentially increase energy supplies, but given the uncertainty associated with the drilling of successful wells, the effect on energy supply, distribution, or use is not considered to be significant at this time. Thus, a Statement of Energy Effects is not required. Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988) With respect to Executive Order 12988, the Office of the Solicitor has determined that this proposed rule would not unduly burden the judicial system, and meets the requirements of PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 Unfunded Mandate Reform Act (UMRA) of 1995 (Executive Order 12866) 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 UMRA (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required. This is because the proposal would not affect State, local, or tribal governments, and the effect on the private sector is small. List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 250 Continental shelf, Environmental impact statements, Environmental protection, Government contracts, Investigations, Mineral royalties, Oil and gas development and production, Oil and gas exploration, Oil and gas reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands—mineral resources, Public lands—right-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulphur development and production, Sulphur exploration, Surety bonds. Dated: February 2, 2005. Rebecca W. Watson, Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management. For the reasons stated in the preamble, MMS proposes to amend 30 CFR 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: 43 U.S.C. 1331, et seq. 2. In § 250.175, add a new paragraph (c) to read as follows: § 250.175 When may the Regional Supervisor grant an SOO? * * * * * (c) The Regional Supervisor may grant an SOO for drilling below 25,000 feet true vertical depth, subsea (TVD SS), E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM 14FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 29 / Monday, February 14, 2005 / Proposed Rules when all of the following conditions are met: (1) The lease was issued with a primary lease term of: (i) 5 years; or (ii) 8 years with a requirement to drill within 5 years. (2) Before the end of the fifth year of the primary term, you or your predecessor in interest must have acquired and interpreted geophysical information that: (i) Indicates that all or a portion of a potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation lies below 25,000 feet TVD SS; and (ii) Includes full 3-D depth migration over the entire lease area. (3) Before requesting the suspension, you have conducted or are conducting additional data processing or interpretation of the geophysical information with the objective of identifying a potential hydrocarbonbearing formation below 25,000 feet TVD SS. (4) You demonstrate that additional time is necessary to: (i) Complete current processing or interpretation of existing geophysical data or information; (ii) Acquire, process, or interpret new geophysical and/or geological data or information that would impact the decision to drill the same geologic structure or stratigraphic trap, as determined by the Regional Supervisor, identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this section; or (iii) Drill into the potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation identified as a result of the activities conducted in paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this section. [FR Doc. 05–2747 Filed 2–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 52 [R06–OAR–2005–TX–0004; FRL–7872–6] Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plans; Texas; Revision to the Rate of Progress Plan for the Houston/Galveston (HGA) Ozone Nonattainment Area Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) Post–1999 Rate of Progress (ROP) Plan, the 1990 VerDate jul<14>2003 16:08 Feb 11, 2005 Jkt 205001 Base Year Inventory, and the Motor Vehicle Emissions Budgets (MVEB) established by the ROP Plan, for the Houston Galveston (HGA) ozone nonattainment Area submitted November 16, 2004. The intended effect of this action is to approve revisions submitted by the State of Texas to satisfy the reasonable further progress requirements for 1-hour ozone nonattainment areas classified as severe and demonstrate further progress in reducing ozone precursors. We are proposing to approve these revisions in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act). DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Mr. Thomas Diggs, Chief, Air Planning Section (6PD–L), Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733. Comments may also be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/ courier by following the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Guy Donaldson, Air Planning Section (6PDL), Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733, telephone (214) 665–7242; fax number (214) 665– 7263; e-mail address donaldson.guy@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the final rules section of this Federal Register, EPA is approving the State’s SIP submittal as a direct final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial submittal and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the direct final rule. If no adverse comments are received in response to this action rule, no further activity is contemplated. If EPA receives adverse comments, the direct final rule will be withdrawn and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this proposed rule. EPA will not institute a second comment period. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time. Please note that if EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment. For additional information, see the direct final rule which is located in the rules section of this Federal Register. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 7455 Dated: February 2, 2005. Richard E. Greene, Regional Administrator, Region 6. [FR Doc. 05–2792 Filed 2–11–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 300 [FRL–7869–3] National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of intent to delete the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company Superfund site from the National Priorities List. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IX announces the intent to delete the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company Superfund Site (Site) from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comment on this proposed action. The NPL constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR part 300 which is the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), which EPA promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended. EPA and the State of California, through the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), have determined that the remedial action for the Site has been successfully executed. DATES: Comments concerning the proposed deletion of this Site from the NPL may be submitted on or before March 16, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Vicki Rosen, Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region IX (SFD–3), 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105–3901, (415) 972–3244 or 1–800–231–3075. Information Repositories: Repositories have been established to provide detailed information concerning this decision at the following address: U.S. EPA Region IX Superfund Records Center, 95 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105–3901, (415) 536– 2000, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901, (831) 758–7311. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Bowlin, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA Region IX (SFD–7– E:\FR\FM\14FEP1.SGM 14FEP1
[Pages 7451-7455]
[FR Doc No: 05-2747]
(OCS)--Suspension of Operations (SOO's) for Ultra-Deep Drilling
SUMMARY: The MMS proposes to modify its regulations at 30 CFR 250.175,
which govern SOO's for oil and gas leases on the OCS. The proposed
revision will allow MMS to grant SOO's to lessees or operators who plan
to drill ultra-deep wells. MMS proposes this revision because of the
added complexity and costs associated with planning and drilling an
ultra-deep well. MMS expects that this revision will lead to increased
drilling of ultra-deep wells and increased domestic production.
DATES: MMS will consider all comments received by March 16, 2005. MMS
may not fully consider comments received after March 16, 2005.
following methods listed below. Please use the RIN 1010-AD09 as an
identifier in your message. See also Public Comment Policy under
E-mail MMS at rules.comments@mms.gov. Use the RIN in the
Fax: 703-787-1093. Identify with RIN.
reference ``Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations on the Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS)--Suspension of Operations (SOO's) for Ultra-deep Drilling--
AD09'' in your comments.
this rule directly to the Office of
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Management and Budget (OMB) via: OMB e-mail: (OIRA--
DOCKET@omb.eop.gov); mail or hand carry to the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, OMB Attention: Desk Officer for the Department
of the Interior (1010-AD09) or by fax (202) 395-6566. Please also send
a copy to MMS.
flexibility to schedule activities during the primary term. At the end
of the primary term, the lease can continue in force only by
production, suspension, drilling, or well-reworking operations as
approved by the Regional Supervisor. MMS regulations at 30 CFR 250.172,
250.173, and 250.175 authorize SOO's before the discovery of oil or gas
Generally, when a lease reaches the end of the primary term, the
lessee must be producing or conducting other leaseholding operations to
extend the lease beyond its primary term. When leaseholding operations
are not maintaining the lease at the end of the primary term, the
operator may request a Suspension of Production (SOP) if oil or gas was
discovered, and if there is a commitment to proceed to development and
potential hydrocarbon reservoir below 25,000 feet true vertical depth
subsea (TVD SS). The high cost of drilling a well to such depths
warrants completing additional data analysis before drilling.
In 2002, MMS amended the rules at 30 CFR 250.175 (67 FR 44357, July
2, 2002) to provide for an SOO if additional time is needed to allow a
lessee to analyze areas beneath or adjacent to salt sheets. MMS adopted
this provision in the belief that when a lessee conducts significant
work, additional time may be warranted to allow the lessee to benefit
from the work conducted. Lessees used the change to expand their
exploration in deep areas affected by salt sheets. The rule included
well-defined, specific criteria for determining when a lease is
eligible for a suspension. In establishing the new provision for an
SOO, there was some fear that the rule would be used as a means of
avoiding diligence. Thus far, this has not been a problem--in large
part due to the use of well-defined specific criteria for eligibility.
water depths less than 800 meters. Many lessees are reluctant to spend
the money to drill to these depths without sufficient data analysis.
bearing formation. In August 2004, MMS issued NTL No. 2004-G16,
providing additional guidance for granting SOO's to lessees or
operators who planned to drill an ultra-deep well beneath or adjacent
to a salt sheet. The NTL allowed the lessee or operator planning to
drill an ultra-deep well to request the SOO if this geologic
information was gathered by the end of the fifth year of the primary
term, instead of at the end of the third year. In addition, the
operator had to submit a reasonable working schedule leading to the
commencement of drilling. This proposed rule will replace the NTL, and
also allow the lessee or operator to request an SOO in areas where a
salt sheet does not exist.
acquire a new lease of the same tract and receive a new 5-year term to
explore. MMS considered these factors, and believes that the need to
encourage drilling to significantly deeper depths warrants the proposed
rule change. Successful wells benefit not only the companies that
drilled the wells, but also the public by increasing domestic energy
sources. In addition, the drilling of successful wells will encourage
other companies to acquire leases and to pursue ultra-deep exploration
MMS is proposing to amend the regulations that govern oil and gas
leases to allow an SOO in limited situations to encourage drilling
ultra-deep wells to depths of at least 25,000 feet TVD SS. This rule
would allow lessees or operators to apply for SOO's under the following
The lease has either a 5-year primary term, or an 8-year
primary term with a requirement to drill within the first 5 years;
The lessee or operator has plans to drill an ultra-deep
well (at least 25,000 feet TVD SS) on the lease;
Before the end of the fifth year of the primary term, the
lessee or operator must have acquired and interpreted geophysical
information that indicates that all or a portion of a potential
hydrocarbon-bearing formation is ultra-deep and includes full 3-D depth
migration over the entire lease area.
Before requesting the suspension, the lessee or operator
has conducted, or is conducting, additional data processing or
interpretation of the geophysical information with the objective of
identifying a potential ultra-deep hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
The lessee or operator demonstrates that additional time
is necessary to complete current processing or interpretation of
existing geophysical data or information; acquire, process, or
interpret new geologic and/or geophysical data or information, that
would impact the decision to drill the same geologic structure or
stratigraphic trap; or drill into the potential hydrocarbon-bearing
formation identified as a result of the activities conducted in
Leases issued with 10-year primary terms are not included in this
proposed rule because MMS feels that 10 years is sufficient to explore
and develop such deep prospects.
MMS considered using current regulations to grant suspensions for
ultra-deep drilling. However, MMS determined that the current
regulations regarding SOO's and SOP's are not adequate to address
ultra-deep drilling in all situations. An SOP applies only when there
is a commitment to produce
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proven reserves, as required by 30 CFR 250.171. An SOO may be requested
under 30 CFR 250.175(a) for situations where a delay in lease holding
operations occurs because of situations that are beyond the control of
the company, such as weather and accidents. If the target depth for
potential drilling is beneath or adjacent to a salt sheet, an SOO may
be requested under 30 CFR 250.175(b). Also, pursuant to 30 CFR
250.180(e), NTL 2000-G22 provides for a lease term extension by
allowing additional time beyond the 180-days between lease holding
operations to refine subsalt imaging techniques and to process and
interpret the imaging. None of these regulations addresses granting a
suspension to allow for the additional time involved in the planning
for drilling an ultra-deep well not associated with a salt sheet.
MMS also considered longer primary lease terms as a way to provide
more time to companies that drill to deep depths. However, when leases
are issued it is impossible to determine which ones may be suitable for
ultra-deep drilling.
MMS is interested in comments on this proposed rule from any
interested parties. The questions on which MMS seeks comments include:
Is the proposed rule easy to read and understand?
Is the proposed rule well organized?
You can send your responses to these questions and other comments
to MMS by any of the methods described in the ADDRESSES paragraph.
Public Comment Policy: All submissions received must include the
agency name and Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) for this rulemaking.
the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There
may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a
respondent's identity, as allowable by the law. If you wish us to
comments. Except for proprietary information, we will make all
This document is not a significant rule as determined by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) and is not subject to review under
The major economic effect of the proposed rule would involve
business decisions made by oil and gas producers. MMS expects that a
project to drill an ultra-deep well will need to compete with other
high risk projects in deep water or in other countries. By increasing
the potential benefits resulting from drilling high risk, ultra-deep
wells, lessees would be more likely to drill these wells in the U.S.
instead of drilling in other high risk areas. These decisions are based
on marginal cost and benefit differences among projects, and are driven
by many factors. Whether this rule is issued is only one of the
factors. Lessees or operators will not request a suspension unless it
is in their financial interest. Therefore, this proposed rule change
would not impose a cost on the lessee or operator.
There are other financial considerations that would result directly
from this proposed rule. Drilling a well to 25,000 or more feet TVD SS
is a significant occurrence, and MMS does not anticipate an immediate
drastic increase in drilling to that depth. This proposed rule change,
combined with any applicable deep-gas royalty relief, would be expected
to increase drilling activities into areas deeper than 25,000 feet TVD
SS. Ultra-deep drilling activity is expected to gradually increase in
subsequent years. MMS estimates that this proposal would result in 10
suspension requests per year, averaged over the 5 years following the
effective date of a final rule; and that most of the requests will be
in water depths of less than 200 meters. MMS economic analysis assumes
that a suspension will result, on average, in each suspended lease
remaining active for 2 years longer than without the suspension.
Of the leases in water depths of less than 200 meters that expired
in 2000, approximately half received new bids within 2 years, with an
average high bid of approximately $556,000. The delayed expiration of
the leases for which SOO's are requested under this proposed change
will result in a delay in reoffering the tracts. If the anticipated 10
leases that would have expired without a suspension were to be offered
in a lease sale, MMS estimates that five would receive bids at an
average of $556,000 per lease, for a total of $2,780,000. This proposed
rule is estimated to result in a 2-year delay in the receipt of that
$2,780,000 in bonus revenues.
However, this delay in receiving re-leasing revenues would be
10 leases x 2 years). The greater potential effect of this proposed
rule is the additional royalties collected if large reservoirs of
The presently quantifiable effects of this proposed rule are small
are more than 3,000 active leases in water depths less than 200 meters.
In any given year, this change is expected to affect less than 0.35
percent of those leases. The main effect of this proposed rule would be
the potential impact on energy and domestic production if a large
reservoir of hydrocarbons is discovered.
(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
(3) This proposed rule would not alter the budgetary effects of
(4) This proposed rule would not raise novel legal or policy
The Department certifies that this proposed rule would not have a
under the RF Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
This proposed change would affect lessees and operators of leases
in the OCS. This includes about 130 different companies. These
companies are generally classified under the North
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American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 211111, which
includes companies that extract crude petroleum and natural gas. For
this NAICS code classification, 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.
This proposed rule would not create a cost to any small companies,
since it provides a suspension only when one is requested. Small
companies could be affected by the delay in the expiration of leases
and the availability of the tract to be leased again. As discussed
earlier, this would be a very small portion of the available leases.
The proposed rule would not affect the ability of a small company to
participate in OCS exploration, development, and production.
This proposed rule is not expected to have a significant effect. As
discussed under procedural matters, Regulatory Planning and Review
(Executive Order 12866), each year this change is estimated to increase
rental receipts by $500,000, offsetting a 2-year delay in receipt of
$2,780,000 in bonus revenues. This amount is not a significant effect
for companies that do business on the OCS.
The proposed rule would impose no new paperwork requirement, and an OMB
With respect to Executive Order 13132, the proposed rule would not
have Federalism implications. It 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 change would not affect that role.
With respect to Executive Order 12630, the proposed rule would not
have significant Takings implications. A Takings Implication Assessment
is not required. The rulemaking is not a governmental action capable of
interfering with constitutionally protected property rights.
under Executive Order 13211. The proposed rule may potentially increase
has determined that this proposed rule would not unduly burden the
judicial system, and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of the Executive Order.
MMS analyzed this proposed rule using the criteria of the NEPA and
516 Departmental Manual, Chapter 2, and concluded that the preparation
of an environmental analysis which would result in the issuance of a
FONSI or the preparation of an environmental impact statement would not
This proposed rule would not impose an unfunded mandate on State,
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 UMRA (2
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required. This is because the proposal
would not affect State, local, or tribal governments, and the effect on
the private sector is small.
and gas reserves, Penalties, Pipelines, Public lands--mineral
resources, Public lands--right-of-way, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulphur development and production, Sulphur exploration,
For the reasons stated in the preamble, MMS proposes to amend 30
CFR 250 as follows:
(c) The Regional Supervisor may grant an SOO for drilling below
25,000 feet true vertical depth, subsea (TVD SS),
[[Page 7455]]
hydrocarbon-bearing formation below 25,000 feet TVD SS.
(ii) Acquire, process, or interpret new geophysical and/or
geological data or information that would impact the decision to drill
the same geologic structure or stratigraphic trap, as determined by the
Regional Supervisor, identified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this
(iii) Drill into the potential hydrocarbon-bearing formation
identified as a result of the activities conducted in paragraphs
(c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this section.
[FR Doc. 05-2747 Filed 2-11-05; 8:45 am]