[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15961-15962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-8833]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of request to extend a currently approved information
collection; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) invites the
public and other Federal agencies to comment on a request to extend a
currently approved collection of information contained in regulations
governing platforms and structures in the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS). MMS will request approval
[[Page 15962]]
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend this
collection of information.
DATES: Submit written comments by June 10, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Department of the
Interior; Minerals Management Service; Mail Stop 4700; 381 Elden
Street; Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817; Attention: Chief, Engineering and
Standards Branch.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alexis London, Engineering and Standards Branch, Minerals Management
Service, telephone (703) 787-1562.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Abstract: 1. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), at 43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq., requires the Secretary of the Interior to
preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS; make
such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly
as possible; balance orderly energy resources development with
protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the
public and fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; and
preserve and maintain free enterprise competition. Section 30(a) of the
OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1356) requires the issuance of ``* * * regulations
which require that any vessel, rig, platform, or other vehicle or
structure--* * * (2) which is used for activities pursuant to this
subchapter, comply, * * * with such minimum standards of design,
construction, alteration, and repair as the Secretary or the Secretary
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating establishes; *
* * '' To carry out these responsibilities, the Director of MMS has
issued rules governing structural safety of platforms and structures
used in the OCS. These rules and the associated information collection
requirements are contained in 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart I, Platforms and
Structures.
2. MMS OCS Regions use the information collected to determine the
structural integrity of all offshore structures and to ensure that such
integrity will be maintained throughout the useful life of these
structures. If we did not collect the information, we could not:
a. Review information concerning damage to a platform to assess the
adequacy of proposed repairs.
b. Review plans for platform construction (construction is divided
into three phases--design, fabrication, and installation) to ensure the
structural integrity of the platform.
c. Review verification plans and reports for unique platforms to
ensure that all nonstandard situations are given proper consideration
during the design, fabrication, and installation phases of platform
construction.
d. Review platform design, fabrication, and installation records to
ensure that the platform is constructed according to approved plans.
e. Review inspection reports to ensure that platform integrity is
maintained for the life of the platform.
3. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements and number of
respondents vary for each section. The estimates below are based on an
average.
Description of Respondents: Federal OCS oil and gas lessees.
Frequency: On occasion; varies by section.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 130.
Estimate of Burden: Reporting average of 22.4 annual hours per
response; recordkeeping average of 50 annual hours per recordkeeper.
Estimate of Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Reporting burden
estimate = 12,605; recordkeeping burden estimate = 6,000. Estimated
combined total of 18,605.
Estimate of Total Annual Cost to Respondents for Hour Burdens:
Based on $35 per hour, the total cost to lessees is estimated to be
$651,175.
Estimate of Total Other Annual Costs to Respondents: Unknown.
Type of Request: Extension.
OMB Number: 1010-0058.
Form Number: N/A.
Comments: MMS will summarize written responses to this notice and
include them in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become
a matter of public record.
1. MMS specifically solicits comments on the following questions:
(a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper
performance of MMS' functions and will it be useful? (b) Are the
estimates of the burden 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 through the use of appropriate automated electronic,
mechanical, or other forms of information technology?
2. In addition, the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 requires
agencies to estimate the total annual cost burden to respondents or
recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. MMS needs
your comments on this item. Your response should split the cost
estimate into two components: (a) total capital and startup cost
component and (b) annual operation, maintenance and purchase of
services component. Your estimates should consider costs associated
with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the
information. You should include descriptions of methods used to
estimate major cost factors, including system and technology
acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount
rate(s), and period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and
startup 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. Generally, your estimates should not include equipment or
services purchased: before October 1, 1995; to achieve regulatory
compliance with requirements not associated with the information
collection; for reasons other than to provide information or keep
records for the Government; or as part of customary and usual business
or private practices.
Bureau Clearance Officer: Carole A. deWitt (703) 787-1242.
Dated: April 2, 1996.
Henry G. Bartholomew,
Deputy Associate Director for Operations and Safety Management.
[FR Doc. 96-8833 Filed 4-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M