0051-07ss

Supporting Statement for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

30 CFR 250, Subpart L, Oil and Gas Production Measurement,

Surface Commingling, and Security

OMB Control Number 1010-0051

OMB Expiration Date: 30 June 2007

Terms of Clearance: None

General Instructions

A Supporting Statement, including the text of the notice to the public required by 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(i)(iv) and its actual or estimated date of publication in the Federal Register, must accompany each request for approval of a collection of information. The Supporting Statement must be prepared in the format described below, and must contain the information specified in Section A below. If an item is not applicable, provide a brief explanation. If this employs statistical methods, then Section B of the Supporting Statement must be completed. OMB reserves the right to require the submission of additional information with respect to any request for approval.

Specific Instructions

A. Justification

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq. and 43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prescribe rules and regulations to administer leasing of the OCS. Such rules and regulations will apply to all operations conducted under a lease. Operations on the OCS must preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in a manner that is consistent with the need to make such resources available to meet the Nation’s energy needs as rapidly as possible; to balance orderly energy resource development with protection of human, marine, and coastal environments; to ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS; and to preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. The Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.) at section 1712(b)(2) prescribes that an operator will “develop and comply with such minimum site security measures as the Secretary deems appropriate, to protect oil or gas produced or stored on a lease site or on the Outer Continental Shelf from theft.”

These authorities and responsibilities are among those delegated to the Minerals Management Service (MMS). This information collection request addresses the regulations at 30 CFR part 250, subpart L, Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface Commingling, and Security, and the associated supplementary notices to lessees and operators (NTLs) intended to provide clarification, description, or explanation of these regulations.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. [Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.]

MMS uses the information collected under subpart L to ensure that the volumes of hydrocarbons produced are measured accurately, and royalties are paid on the proper volumes. Specifically, MMS needs the information to:

• Determine if measurement equipment is properly installed, provides accurate measurement of production on which royalty is due, and is operating properly;

• Obtain rates of production data in allocating the volumes of production measured at royalty sales meters, which can be examined during field inspections;

• Ascertain if all removals of oil and condensate from the lease are reported;

• Determine the amount of oil that was shipped when measurements are taken by gauging the tanks rather than being measured by a meter;

• Ensure that the sales location is secure and production cannot be removed without the volumes being recorded; and

• Review proving reports to verify that data on run tickets are calculated and reported accurately.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden [and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements].

Currently, MMS receives 43 percent of all information pertaining to this collection electronically.

The Gulf Region accepts submissions of run tickets, proving reports, and gas volume statements electronically. The MMS Offshore Minerals Management (OMM) program is moving to fully implement the Government Paperwork Elimination Act with re-engineered business processes. The MMS is re-engineering the OMM full complement of business processes and related information collection burdens incrementally, which began with the pre-implementation effort in FY 2002 and will continue through FY 2008. The first component was the Public Commenting System implemented in July 2004.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information collected is unique to each lease, and similar information is not available from other sources. The Department of the Interior and the US Coast Guard have a Memorandum of Understanding that defines the respon­sibilities of their agencies with respect to activities in the OCS. These are effective in avoiding duplication of regulations and reporting requirements.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This collection of information does not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. In general, companies need large technical and financial resources and experience to safely conduct offshore activities. However, approximately 70 percent of the lessees and operators may have less than 500 employees and would be considered small businesses. The burden on any small entity subject to these regulations cannot be reduced to accommodate them without sacrificing accurate production measurement and royalty reporting.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If MMS did not collect the information, we could not carry out the mandates of the OCS Lands Act and the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act. Specifically, MMS could not review applications for commingling to ensure that royalties are properly measured; review reports of meter malfunctions to ensure that proper corrective action is being taken; review meter proving reports as the need arises to verify the accuracy of measurements; verify wire-seal numbers, as necessary, to ensure security of hydrocarbons; review reports of theft or mishandling to determine corrective action to be taken; etc. If MMS collected the information less frequently, it would not provide sufficient checks on the accuracy of production measure­ment and royalty reporting.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

(a) requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly.

Respondents are required to submit copies of some data on a monthly basis (refer to Section A.12). If respondents submitted the information less frequently, it would not provide sufficient checks on the accuracy of production measurement and royalty reporting. The burden is minimal as respondents submit copies of readily available data.

(b) requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it.

Not applicable in this collection.

(c) requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document.

Not applicable in this collection.

(d) requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than 3 years.

Respondents must retain certain records for more than 3 years. Under § 250.1202(l)(3), respondents must retain calibration charts for inventory tanks for as long as the tanks are in use. The history of calibration is necessary for MMS to ensure that tanks are properly measured and calibrated. The tanks are calibrated when they are new and whenever changes are made. Under § 250.1203(f)(4), respondents must retain documentation on measuring or estimating the volume of gas lost or used on a lease for a minimum of 7 years. The extended document retention period is necessary because those documents may be required during audit and the audit cycle is 7 years.

(e) in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study.

Not applicable in this collection.

(f) requiring the use of statistical data classification that has been reviewed and approved by OMB.

There are no special circumstances with respect to 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2)(v) through (viii) as the collection is not a statistical survey and does not use statistical data classification.

(g) that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use.

This collection does not include a pledge of confidentiality not supported by statute or regulation.

(h) requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information’s confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

This collection does not require proprietary, trade secret, or other confidential information not protected by agency procedures.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency’s notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice [and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past 3 years] and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported. [Please list the names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers of persons contacted.] Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years – even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

As required in 5 CFR 1320.8(d), MMS published a 60-day review and comment notice in the Federal Register on October 3, 2006 (71 FR 58429). Also, 30 CFR 250.199 explains that MMS will accept comments at any time on the information collection requirements and burdens of our 30 CFR part 250 regulations and associated forms. We display the OMB control numbers and provide the address for sending comments to MMS. We received one comment in response to the Federal Register notice and it was not germane. We received no unsolicited comments.

During the comment period, MMS regional offices consulted with the respondents listed below on the burden of collecting this information. Their input is reflected in A.12.

Energy Partners, Inc., Karen Vanacor, Regulatory Compliance Supervisor, 504-799-4822

201 St. Charles Ave., Suite #3400, New Orleans, LA 70170

Hydro Gulf of Mexico, Tom Becnel, Regulatory Affairs Manager, 703-356-7534

1200 Smith Street, Suite #800, Houston, TX 77002

Walter Oil & Gas, Judy Archer, Regulatory Coordinator, 713-659-1222

1100 Louisiana, Suite #200, Houston, TX 77002

ExxonMobil, Gizella Miskolczi, Revenue Accountant, 703-680-7968

P. O. Box 4496, Houston, TX 77210-4496

ExxonMobil, Brian Chapman, Regulatory Analyst, 281-654-1941

P. O. Box 4358, Houston, TX 77210

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

We will not provide payment or gifts to respondents in this collection.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

We protect proprietary information according to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and its implementing regulations (43 CFR 2), 30 CFR 250.197, “Data and information to be made available to the public,” and 30 CFR part 252, “OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.”

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

The collection does not include sensitive or private questions.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

(a) Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

(b) If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

(c) Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.

MMS estimates there are approximately 130 respondents (Federal oil and gas or sulphur lessees). The frequency of response varies by section. We estimate the annual paperwork burden is 8,533 burden hours. Based on $65 per hour, the hour burden cost to respondents is $554,645. Refer to the chart below for a breakdown of the burden hours and fees.

BURDEN and FEE BREAKDOWN

Citation 30 CFR 250 Subpart L	Reporting or Recordkeeping Requirement	Hour Burden	Average No. of Annual Responses	Annual Burden Hours
		Fees
1202(a)(1), (b)(1); 1203(b)(1); 1204(a)(1)	Submit application for liquid hydrocarbon or gas measurement procedures or changes; or for commingling of production or changes.	11	363	3,993
		$1,200 simple fee x 57 applications = $68,400
		$3,550 complex fee x 306 applications = $1,086,300
Subtotal		363 responses		3,993 hours
		$1,154,700 fees
1202(a)(4)	Copy & send pipeline (retrograde) condensate volumes upon request.	45 minutes	21	16
1202(c)(4)*	Copy & send all liquid hydrocarbon run tickets monthly.	1 minute	24,450	408 (rounded)
1202(d)(5)*	Copy & submit liquid hydrocarbon royalty meter proving reports mon­thly & request waiver as needed.	2 minutes	9,870	329
1202(f)(2)*	Copy & submit mechanical-displacement prover & tank prover calibration reports.	10 minutes	102	17
1202(l)(2)*	Copy & submit royalty tank calibration charts before using for royalty measurement.	15 minutes	12	3
1202(l)(3)*	Copy & submit inventory tank calibration charts upon request; retain charts for as long as tanks are in use.	15 minutes 5 minutes	4 115	1 10 (rounded)
1203(b)(6), (8), (9)*	Copy & submit gas quality and volume statements monthly or as requested (most will be routine; few will take longer).	2 minutes 30 minutes	21,792 48	726 (rounded) 24
1203(c)(4)*	Copy & submit gas meter calibration reports upon request; retain for 2 years.	5 minutes 1 minute	44 19,290	4 (rounded) 322 (rounded)
1203(e)(1)*	Copy & submit gas processing plant records upon request.	30 minutes	4	2
1203(f)(5)	Copy & submit measuring records of gas lost or used on lease upon request.	30 minutes	24	12
Subtotal		75,776 responses		1,874 hours
1202(c)(1), (2); 1202(e)(4); 1202(h)(1), (2), (3), (4); 1202(i)(1)(iv), (2)(iii); 1202(j)	Record observed data, correction factors & net standard volume on royalty meter and tank run tickets. Record master meter calibration runs. Record mechanical-displace­ment prover, master meter, or tank prover proof runs. Record liquid hydrocarbon royalty meter malfunction and repair or adjust­ment on proving report; record unregistered production on run ticket. List Cpl and Ctl factors on run tickets.	Respondents record these items as part of normal business records & prac­tices to verify accuracy of production measured for sale purposes.		0
1202(d)(4)	Request approval for proving on a schedule other than monthly.	1	35	35
1204(a)(2)	Provide state production volumetric and/or fractional analysis data upon request.	1	1	1
1205(a)(2)	Post signs at royalty or inventory tank used in royalty determination process.	1	85	85
1205(a)(4)	Report security problems (telephone).	15 minutes	2	1 (rounded)
1200 thru 1205	General departure and alternative compliance requests not specifically covered elsewhere in subpart L.	1	60	60
Subtotal		183 responses		182 hours
1202(e)(6)	Retain master meter calibration reports for 2 years.	1 minute	1,420	24 (rounded)
1202(k)(5)	Retain liquid hydrocarbon allocation meter proving reports for 2 years.	1 minute	10,875	182 (rounded)
1203(f)(4)	Document & retain measurement records on gas lost or used on lease for 2 years at field location and minimum 7 years at location of respondent’s choice.	1 minute	4,045	68 (rounded)
1204(b)(3)	Retain well test data for 2 years.	2 minutes	57,400	1,914 (rounded)
1205(b)(3), (4)	Retain seal number lists for 2 years.	2 minutes	8,870	296 (rounded)
Subtotal		82,610 responses		2,484 hours
Total Hour and Fee Burden			158,932	8,533
			$1,154,700

*Respondents gather this information as part of their normal business practices. MMS only requires copies of readily available documents. There is no burden for testing, meter reading, etc.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual [non-hour] cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

(a) The cost estimate should be split into two components: (1) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (2) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information [including filing fees paid]. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

(b) If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burden and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

(c) Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance 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.

We estimate that the “non-hour cost” burden for this information collection is $1,154,700 (see table in A.12). These cost burdens are for filing fees associated with submitting requests for approval of:

• simple applications (applications to temporarily reroute production for a duration not to exceed 6 months; production tests prior to pipeline construction; departures related to meter proving, well testing, or sampling frequency ($1,200 per application x 57 applications))

• complex applications (creation of new facility measurement points (FMPs); association of leases or units with existing FMPs; inclusion of production from additional structures; meter updates which add buyback gas meters or pigging meters; other applications which request deviations from the approved allocation procedures ($3,550 per application x 306 applications)).

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal Government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 in a single table.

To analyze and review the informa­tion, the Government spends an average of 1 hour for each hour spent by respondents. The total estimated Government time is 8,533 hours. Based on a cost factor of $55 per hour, the total annual estimated burden on the Government is $469,315 (8,533 hours x 1 hour = 8,533 hours x $55 = $469,315).

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported.

For this collection of information, the current OMB inventory includes:

• 7,433 burden hours. This submission requests 8,533 burden hours. The adjustment increase of 1,100 hours is due to re-estimating the average number of annual responses and the amount of time required to respond based on consultations.

• $1,077,437 for non-hour cost burdens. This submission requests $1,154,700. The adjustment increase of $77,263 is due to re-estimating the average number of annual responses.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

MMS will not tabulate or publish the data.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

Not applicable, as this collection of information concerns requirements in regulations.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.

To the extent that the topics apply to this collection of information, we are not making any exceptions to the “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.”

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The agency should be prepared to justify its decision not to use statistical methods in any case where such methods might reduce burden or improve accuracy of results. If this employs statistical methods, the following documentation should be included in the Supporting Statement to the extent that it applies to the methods proposed.

This section is not applicable for this collection. We will not employ statistical methods in this information collection.

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