In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2023
36 Months From Approved
02/29/2020
5,302
0
7,567
18,323
0
30,635
165,492
0
165,492
This information collection request
concerns the paperwork requirements in the regulations in 30 CFR
part 550, Subparts A and K, which deal with regulatory requirements
of oil, gas, and sulphur operations on the OCS. This request also
covers the related Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTLs) that BOEM
issues to clarify and provide guidance on some aspect of our
regulations, and forms BOEM-0127, BOEM-0140, BOEM-1123, and
BOEM-1832. 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 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 in 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 resources 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. Section
1332(6) states that “operations in the [O]uter Continental Shelf
should be conducted in a safe manner by well-trained personnel
using technology, precautions, and techniques sufficient to prevent
or minimize the likelihood of blowouts, loss of well
control…physical obstruction to other users of the waters or
subsoil and seabed, or other occurrences which may cause damage to
the environment or to property, or endanger life or health.” The
BOEM will collect the information to ensure that operations in the
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are carried out safely and in an
environmentally sound manner, do not interfere with the rights of
other users in the OCS, and balance the protection and development
of OCS resources. Respondents are Outer Continental Shelf Federal
and State oil, gas or sulphur lessees.
The current annual burden hours
for this collection are 30,635 hours. BOEM proposes to reduce
annual burden hours to 18,323 hours, which is a decrease of 12,312
annual burden hours. The annual burden hour reduction is related to
adjustments in 30 CFR 550, subpart K, and include: • For 30 CFR
550.1153, the regions re-evaluated the annual burden hours for
static bottomhole pressure surveys. The average hour burden based
on industry feedback is 15 hours instead of 14 hours. Also, BOEM on
average reviews approximately 400 Bottomhole Pressure Surveys per
year instead of 1,161 surveys. The 2017 OMB approved annual burden
hours included 3 years of data instead of annual data. Therefore,
BOEM is reducing the number of respondents to correct this error.
The annual burden hours for 30 CFR 55.1153 is decreasing from
16,254 hours to 6,000 hours (-10,254 hours). • For 30 CFR
550.1153(d), BOEM is increasing the hour burden from 1 to 5 based
on industry feedback. BOEM is currently reviewing fewer departures
annually than previously recorded (decreasing number of departures
from 200 to 100). With the increase in hour burdens and the
decrease in respondents, the overall annual burden hour for 30 CFR
550.1153(d) will increase to 500 hours (+300 hours). • For 30 CFR
550.1154 and 550.1167, BOEM is changing the hour burden from 1 to 5
hours based on industry feedback. However, the number of
respondents is dropping by 2/3rds (from 15 requests to 5 requests).
Therefore, the annual burden hour change will increase slightly to
from 15 hours to 25 hours (+10 hours). • For 30 CFR 550.1155, based
on outreach input, BOEM is increasing the hour burden for form
BOEM–0127 from 3 hours to 6 hours. However, BOEM previously
overestimated the number of forms submitted. BOEM is reducing the
number of forms collected from 2,012 to 610 forms; therefore, the
overall annual burden hours will decrease from 6,036 hours to 3,660
hours (-2,376 hours). • For 30 CFR 550.1153–1167, BOEM is
increasing the respondents from 2 to 10 requests. With changes in
technology, operators are installing permanent downhole gauges in
wells. These gauges show continuous readings of the downhole
pressure. Operators are submitting this type of data, as
alternative compliance, to meet the bottomhole pressure
requirement, so BOEM has seen a slight increase in respondents. The
increase in respondents has caused the annual burden hours to
increase from 2 to 10 hours (+8 hours).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form BOEM-1123 550.143-145 - Designation of Operator - Form BOEM-1123
2019-27079_30 day notice_12.17.19.pdf
30 CFR 550, Subpart A & K Reg Text Oct 19 2016.docx
550.115-116; 119 - Performance Standards