30 CFR 550, 556, and 560, Leasing of Sulfur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf
Revision of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
03/10/2026
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
07/31/2027
22,112
22,090
22,033
22,012
766,053
766,053
The Department of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is amending its risk management and financial assurance regulations. The major proposed amendments in this rule include: (1) returning to the previous BOEM practice of considering the financial strength of jointly liable predecessor lessees; (2) revising the credit rating threshold for determining whether oil, gas, and sulfur lessees, right-of-use and easement grant holders, and pipeline right-of-way grant holders on the OCS are required to provide supplemental financial assurance above the required general financial assurance amount to ensure compliance with their Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act obligations; (3) revising the decommissioning estimate used to determine the amount of supplemental financial assurance required; and (4) revising the appeals bond provision related to the Interior Board of Land Appeals appeal procedures. This rule would reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil, gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the OCS.
US Code:
43 USC 1331 and 1801
Name of Law: Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
US Code:
31 USC 9701
Name of Law: Independent Offices Appropriations Act
US Code:
42 USC 6213(C)
Name of Law: Energy Policy and Conservation Act
Overall, this rule results in the following adjustments in hour burden, which leads to an overall increase of 21 annual burden hours:
â¢The Department is proposing to add a new paragraph (i) in section 556.901 to allow an lessee to provide a proposed installment schedule for supplemental financial assurance prior to the receipt of an official demand letter. BOEM is adding additional burden for the submission of this installment schedule. BOEM estimates an increase of 20 annual burden hours (20 responses x 1 hour burden).
â¢The Department is proposing a new section 556.908 to address instances where decommissioning will occur within one year of a new supplemental financial assurance demand, which would allow the Regional Director the discretion to accept third-party decommissioning contracts and/or decommissioning schedules from those entities in lieu of supplemental financial assurance. This is a new provision that may slightly increase annual burden hours. BOEM estimates an increase of 1 annual burden hours (2 responses x ½ hour burden).
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.
30 CFR Part 556 - Subpart K