80_FR_33661 80 FR 33548 - Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery

80 FR 33548 - Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 113 (June 12, 2015)

Page Range33548-33550
FR Document2015-14487

The purpose of this action is to inform the public that the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), will conduct a Phase B sale and auction of crude helium for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 delivery. For purposes of the Phase B sale, the BLM is seeking comments regarding the methods BLM should use to arrive at the sale price of the helium; the auction format BLM should follow in selling helium; who will be allowed to purchase helium; and the process BLM should follow for allocating helium.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 113 (Friday, June 12, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33548-33550]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14487]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]


Notice of Proposed Action: Crude Helium Sale and Auction for 
Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purpose of this action is to inform the public that the 
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), will 
conduct a Phase B sale and auction of crude helium for Fiscal Year (FY) 
2016 delivery. For purposes of the Phase B sale, the BLM is seeking 
comments regarding the methods BLM should use to arrive at the sale 
price of the helium; the auction format BLM should follow in selling 
helium; who will be allowed to purchase helium; and the process BLM 
should follow for allocating helium.

DATES: Comments regarding the helium sale and auction must be received 
by the BLM on or before July 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit your comments in one of two ways. You may 
mail comments to Bureau of Land Management, Amarillo Field Office, 801 
S. Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79101, Attention: Helium Sale and 
Auction; or email them to blm_nm_amfo_spo@blm.gov with ``Helium Sale 
and Auction'' in the subject line.

[[Page 33549]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Jolley, Amarillo Field Manager, 
at 806-356-1002. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to 
leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: In October 2013, Congress passed the Helium Stewardship 
Act of 2013 (the ``Act''), Public Law 113-40. Beginning in FY 2014, the 
Act requires the Department of the Interior, through the BLM Director, 
to offer for sale and auction annually a portion of the helium reserves 
owned by the United States and stored underground in the Cliffside Gas 
Field, which is near Amarillo, Texas. 50 U.S.C. 167d(b).
    On July 22, 2014, the BLM published a ``Final Notice for 
Implementation of Helium Stewardship Act Sales and Auctions'' in the 
Federal Register, (79 FR 42808) (``2014 Final Notice''). The 2014 Final 
Notice contained information about the Act, definitions of terms used 
in the Notice, the reasons for the action, and a process for conducting 
the auctions and sales in FY 2014. The 2014 Final Notice is available 
at the BLM helium operations Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.
    Comments requested: The BLM is specifically seeking comments on 
elements of the FY 2016 sale and auction that differ from the process 
described the 2014 Final Notice. These include:
    a. The process for arriving at the price for helium to be sold at 
the Phase B auction and sale, as described in section 1.01 of this 
Notice;
    b. The format of the auction, as described in section 1.04 of this 
Notice;
    c. Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B 
sale, as described in section 2.01 of this Notice; and
    d. The process for allocating helium for the FY 2016 Phase B sale, 
as described in section 2.02 of this Notice.
    Any comments regarding the sale or auction will be reviewed by the 
BLM State Director or other authorized official of the Department of 
the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify the sale or auction. 
After consideration of comments on this notice and comments on a 
proposed new form of the helium storage contract, the BLM will publish 
a final notice of the FY 2016 sale and auction. Before including your 
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying 
information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire 
comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made 
publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to 
withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Volumes Offered in the FY 2016 Helium Auction and Sale: Table 1 
identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale in FY 2015 
for FY 2016 delivery.

                                      Table 1--Projected Volumes for Phase B Auction and Sale for FY 2016 Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Total remaining
                                      Forecasted         In-kind sales        production                          Previously sold in
        Fiscal year (FY)              production       (sales to Federal  available for sale/  Volume available    FY 2014 Advanced    Volume available
                                   capability (NITEC        users)            auction or          for auction            sale              for sale
                                        study)                                 delivery
MMcf *                                         MMcf                MMcf                MMcf                MMcf                MMcf                MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2016 * *.....................              1,310                 160               1,150           * * * 300         * * * * 250                 600
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
* * Delivery for FY 2016 sales and auctions will be subject to a new storage contract beginning October 1, 2015.
* * * 25% of total production capacity after deducting In-Kind (rounded).
* * * * In accordance with the Act, 250 MMcf of FY 2016 volumes were offered in FY 2014.

FY 2016 Helium Auction

    1.01 What is the minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction price and minimum 
FY 2016 Phase B sales price, and how were those prices determined? 
Under the Act (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)), there are two occasions when helium 
is sold in Phase B: A public auction for qualified bidders (``Phase B 
auction'') and a sale of helium to persons who have the ability to 
accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium System (``Phase 
B sale'').
    The minimum FY 2016 Phase B auction reserve price is $100 per Mcf 
(one thousand cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 
14.65 psia and 60 degrees Fahrenheit). The BLM will calculate the FY 
2016 Phase B sale price using the weighted average price of the crude 
helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B auction. If there are no successful 
sales during the FY 2016 Phase B auction, all helium volume offered in 
the auction will be added to the Phase B sale at a market-based survey 
price or calculated average price under 50 U.S.C. 167d (b)(7)(B) or 
(C), respectively.
    1.02 What will happen to the helium offered but not sold in the 
helium auction? Any volume of helium offered but not sold in the FY 
2016 Phase B auction will be added to the 600 MMcf available for sale 
and will be offered for sale in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.
    1.03 When will the sale and auction take place? The BLM intends to 
offer helium for FY 2016 according to the following tentative schedule. 
This schedule may be adjusted based upon the timing of the required 
notices and complexity of comments received.

August 18, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
August 19, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B helium auction results published on the 
BLM Web site
August 24, 2015 Phase B Helium Sale
September 30, 2015 Revenues from auction and sale due to the BLM

    1.04 What is the auction format? The auction will be a live 
auction, held at the Amarillo Field Office in Amarillo, Texas. The 
procedures for the auction and the pre-bid qualification form will be 
available after publication of a Final Notice. The Final Notice will 
include a web link. Please call BLM at 806-356-1001 if you have any 
questions relating to the auction.
    1.05 Who is qualified to purchase helium at the Phase B auction? 
Only ``qualified bidders,'' as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9), may 
participate in and purchase helium at the Phase B auction. The BLM will 
make the final determination of who is a qualified bidder using the 
Act's definition of a

[[Page 33550]]

qualified bidder, regardless of whether or not that person was 
previously determined to be a qualified bidder.
    1.06 How many helium lots does the BLM anticipate offering at the 
FY 2016 Phase B auction? The BLM anticipates auctioning 300 MMcf in a 
total of 18 lots for FY 2016. The lots would be divided as follows:

(8) lots of 25 MMcf each
(5) lots of 15 MMcf each
(5) lots of 5 MMcf each

    1.07 What must I do to bid at auction? The BLM will describe the 
live auction procedures, including detailed bidding instructions and 
pre-bid registration requirements, on its Web page at a web link that 
will be included in the Final Notice. The Final Notice will contain 
information regarding the time and location of the auction, process for 
notification of winning bidders, payments, and how to make such 
payments.
    1.08 When will helium that is purchased at sale or won at auction 
be available in the purchaser's storage account? The BLM will transfer 
the volumes purchased in the FY 2016 Phase B auction and sale to the 
buyers' storage accounts beginning on the first day of the month 
following receipt of payment.

FY 2016 Phase B Helium Sale

    2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B 
sale? Any person (including individuals, corporations, partnerships, or 
other entities) with the ability to accept delivery of crude helium 
from the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) may 
purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.
    2.02 How will the helium sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale be 
allocated among the persons with the ability to take helium? Any person 
desiring to participate in the FY 2016 Phase B sale needs to report its 
excess refining capacity and operational capacity by August 14, 2015 
using the Excess Refining Capacity form, which can be downloaded at 
http://www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting. Each person participating in the 
sale will then be allocated a proportional share based upon that 
person's operational capacity.
    2.03 How does a person apply for access to the Federal Helium 
Pipeline for the purpose of taking crude helium? The steps for taking 
crude helium are provided in the BLM's Helium Operations Web site at 
http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Reporting forms show the due dates for 
each report, and can be found at http://www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting. 
The length of time required to apply for and obtain access to the 
Federal Helium Pipeline will vary based on the person's plans for plant 
construction, pipeline metering installation, and other variables. The 
BLM is available to provide technical assistance, including contact 
information for applying for access and meeting any applicable National 
Environmental Policy Act requirements.
    2.04 What will happen if one or more persons request an amount 
other than the person's share of the volume offered for sale? If one or 
more persons requests less than its share or their shares, any other 
person(s) that request(s) more than its share or their shares will be 
allowed to purchase the excess volume based on the proportionate shares 
of operational capacity of all persons requesting more than their 
initial shares.
    2.05 What will happen if the total amount requested by persons is 
less than the 600 MMcf offered in the FY 2016 Phase B sale? Any excess 
volume not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale will be available for 
future sale or auction.
    2.06 Do you have a hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B 
Sale would be conducted? A hypothetical example of how the Phase B Sale 
will be conducted is available at the Helium Operations Web site at: 
http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.

Delivery of Helium in FY 2016

    3.01 When will I receive helium that I purchase in a sale or win 
based on a successful auction bid? Helium purchased at the FY 2016 sale 
or won at the FY 2016 auction will be delivered starting October 1, 
2015, in accordance with the crude helium storage contract. The intent 
is to ensure delivery of all helium purchased at sale or auction up to 
the BLM's production capability for the year.
    3.02 How will the BLM prioritize delivery? The Act, at 50 U.S.C. 
167d(b)(1)(D) and (b)(3), gives priority to Federal In-Kind helium 
(i.e., helium sold to Federal users). After meeting that priority, the 
BLM will make delivery on a reasonable basis, as described in the crude 
helium storage contract, to ensure storage contract holders who have 
purchased or won helium at auction have the opportunity during the year 
to have that helium produced or refined in monthly increments.

Background Documents

    Supplementary documents referenced in this Notice are available at 
the BLM helium operations Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium, 
and include the following:
    a. Table of Projected Volumes for Sales and Auctions for Delivery 
for FY 2017-FY 2021 (informational);
    b. Hypothetical example of how the FY 2016 Phase B Sale would be 
conducted (informational);
    c. The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, 50 U.S.C. 167;
    d. FY 2014 Helium Auction Notice;
    e. Helium Storage Contract; and
    f. Required forms for helium reporting.

    Authority: The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, Public Law 113-
40, codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C. 167-167q.

Sheila K. Mallory,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-14487 Filed 6-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P



                                                  33548                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices

                                                     • Fax: 801–977–4397 or                                  You may submit comments on issues                   three. The public is also encouraged to
                                                     • Mail: BLM–SLFO, 2370 South                         and planning criteria in writing to the                help identify any management questions
                                                  Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley                      BLM at any public scoping meeting, or                  and concerns that should be addressed
                                                  City, Utah 84119                                        you may submit them to the BLM using                   in the plan. The BLM will work
                                                     Documents pertinent to this proposal                 one of the methods listed in the                       collaboratively with interested parties to
                                                  may be examined at the SLFO located                     ADDRESSES section above. Interested                    identify the management decisions that
                                                  at 2370 South Decker Lake Boulevard,                    parties may submit comments by the                     are best suited to local, regional, and
                                                  West Valley City, Utah 84119.                           close of the 30-day scoping period or                  national needs and concerns.
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam                    within 15 days after the last public                     The BLM will use an interdisciplinary
                                                  Schuller, Planning and Environmental                    meeting, whichever is later.                           approach to develop the plan
                                                  Coordinator, telephone 801–977–4377;                       The BLM will utilize and coordinate                 amendment in order to consider the
                                                  address BLM–SLFO, 2370 South Decker                     the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill               variety of resource issues and concerns
                                                  Lake Boulevard, West Valley City, Utah                  the public involvement process under                   identified. Specialists with expertise in
                                                  84119; email: blm_ut_sl_comments@                       section 106 of the National Historic                   the following disciplines will be
                                                  blm.gov. Contact Ms. Schuller to have                   Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as                 involved in the planning process:
                                                  your name added to our mailing list.                    provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The                    outdoor recreation, archaeology,
                                                  Persons who use a telecommunications                    information about historic and cultural                rangeland management, wildlife, fire
                                                  device for the deaf (TDD) may call the                  resources within the area potentially                  management, realty, and hazardous
                                                  Federal Information Relay Service                       affected by the proposed action will                   materials.
                                                  (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the                 assist the BLM in identifying and                        Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR
                                                  above individual during normal                          evaluating impacts to such resources.                  1610.2.
                                                  business hours. The FIRS is available 24                   The BLM will consult with Native
                                                  hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a                  American tribes on a government-to-                    Lance C. Porter,
                                                  message or question with the above                      government basis in accordance with                    Acting Associate State Director.
                                                  individual. You will receive a reply                    Executive Order 13175 and other                        [FR Doc. 2015–14296 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  during normal business hours.                           policies. Tribal concerns, including                   BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This                         impacts on Indian trust assets and
                                                  document provides notice that the BLM                   potential impacts to cultural resources,
                                                  SLFO, Salt Lake City, Utah, intends to                  will be given due consideration.                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                  prepare an RMP amendment with an                           Federal, State, and local agencies,
                                                  associated EA for the Eastern Lake                      along with tribes and other stakeholders               Bureau of Land Management
                                                  Mountains area, announces the                           that may be interested in or affected by               [LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX
                                                  beginning of the scoping process, and                   the proposed action that the BLM is                    L4053RV]
                                                  seeks public input on issues and                        evaluating, are invited to participate in
                                                  planning criteria. The planning area is                 the scoping process and, if eligible, may              Notice of Proposed Action: Crude
                                                  located in Utah County, Utah, and                       request, or be requested by the BLM, to                Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal
                                                  encompasses approximately 8,124 acres                   participate in the development of the                  Year 2016 Delivery
                                                  of public land. The purpose of the                      environmental analysis as a cooperating                AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,
                                                  public scoping process is to determine                  agency.                                                Interior.
                                                  relevant issues that will influence the                    Before including your address, phone
                                                                                                                                                                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                  scope of the environmental analysis,                    number, email address, or other
                                                  including alternatives, and guide the                   personal identifying information in your               SUMMARY:   The purpose of this action is
                                                  planning process. Preliminary issues for                comment, you should be aware that                      to inform the public that the Department
                                                  the plan amendment area have been                       your entire comment—including your                     of the Interior, Bureau of Land
                                                  identified by BLM personnel; Federal,                   personal identifying information—may                   Management (BLM), will conduct a
                                                  State, and local government agencies;                   be made publicly available at any time.                Phase B sale and auction of crude
                                                  and other stakeholders. The issues                      While you can ask us in your comment                   helium for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016
                                                  identified to date include: target                      to withhold your personal identifying                  delivery. For purposes of the Phase B
                                                  shooting, public health and safety, and                 information from public review, we                     sale, the BLM is seeking comments
                                                  protection of cultural resources.                       cannot guarantee that we will be able to               regarding the methods BLM should use
                                                     Preliminary planning criteria include:               do so.                                                 to arrive at the sale price of the helium;
                                                     • The RMP amendment will address                        The minutes and list of attendees for               the auction format BLM should follow
                                                  BLM-administered lands only.                            each scoping meeting will be available                 in selling helium; who will be allowed
                                                     • The RMP amendment will make                        to the public and open for 30 days after               to purchase helium; and the process
                                                  land use planning decisions specific to                 the meeting to any participant who                     BLM should follow for allocating
                                                  potential closure or restrictions of target             wishes to clarify the views he or she                  helium.
                                                  shooting to determine the desired future                expressed. The BLM will evaluate
                                                  condition and uses of these public                                                                             DATES: Comments regarding the helium
                                                                                                          identified issues to be addressed in the
                                                  lands.                                                  plan, and will place them into one of                  sale and auction must be received by the
                                                     • The RMP amendment will utilize a                   three categories:                                      BLM on or before July 13, 2015.
                                                  collaborative and multi-jurisdictional                     1. Issues to be resolved in the plan                ADDRESSES: You may submit your
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  approach to determine the desired                       amendment;                                             comments in one of two ways. You may
                                                  future condition of public lands.                          2. Issues to be resolved through policy             mail comments to Bureau of Land
                                                     • The RMP amendment will comply                      or administrative action; or                           Management, Amarillo Field Office, 801
                                                  with NEPA, FLPMA, and other                                3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan             S. Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX
                                                  applicable laws, executive orders,                      amendment.                                             79101, Attention: Helium Sale and
                                                  regulations and policy.                                    The BLM will explain in the Draft                   Auction; or email them to blm_nm_
                                                     • The RMP amendment will                             RMP Amendment/Draft EA why an                          amfo_spo@blm.gov with ‘‘Helium Sale
                                                  recognize valid and existing rights.                    issue was placed in category two or                    and Auction’’ in the subject line.


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices                                                 33549

                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         FR 42808) (‘‘2014 Final Notice’’). The                        Any comments regarding the sale or
                                                  Robert Jolley, Amarillo Field Manager,                   2014 Final Notice contained                                auction will be reviewed by the BLM
                                                  at 806–356–1002. Persons who use a                       information about the Act, definitions of                  State Director or other authorized
                                                  telecommunications device for the deaf                   terms used in the Notice, the reasons for                  official of the Department of the Interior,
                                                  (TDD) may call the Federal Information                   the action, and a process for conducting                   who may sustain, vacate, or modify the
                                                  Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–                       the auctions and sales in FY 2014. The                     sale or auction. After consideration of
                                                  8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a                   2014 Final Notice is available at the                      comments on this notice and comments
                                                  day, 7 days a week, to leave a message.                  BLM helium operations Web site at:                         on a proposed new form of the helium
                                                  You will receive a reply during normal                   http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.                              storage contract, the BLM will publish
                                                  business hours.                                            Comments requested: The BLM is                           a final notice of the FY 2016 sale and
                                                                                                           specifically seeking comments on                           auction. Before including your address,
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                           elements of the FY 2016 sale and                           phone number, email address, or other
                                                     Background: In October 2013,                          auction that differ from the process
                                                  Congress passed the Helium                                                                                          personal identifying information in your
                                                                                                           described the 2014 Final Notice. These                     comment, you should be aware that
                                                  Stewardship Act of 2013 (the ‘‘Act’’),                   include:
                                                  Public Law 113–40. Beginning in FY                                                                                  your entire comment—including your
                                                                                                             a. The process for arriving at the price                 personal identifying information—may
                                                  2014, the Act requires the Department of                 for helium to be sold at the Phase B
                                                  the Interior, through the BLM Director,                                                                             be made publicly available at any time.
                                                                                                           auction and sale, as described in section                  While you may ask us in your comment
                                                  to offer for sale and auction annually a                 1.01 of this Notice;
                                                  portion of the helium reserves owned by                                                                             to withhold your personal identifying
                                                                                                             b. The format of the auction, as
                                                  the United States and stored                                                                                        information from public review, we
                                                                                                           described in section 1.04 of this Notice;
                                                  underground in the Cliffside Gas Field,                    c. Who will be allowed to purchase                       cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                  which is near Amarillo, Texas. 50 U.S.C.                 helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale, as                     do so.
                                                  167d(b).                                                 described in section 2.01 of this Notice;                     Volumes Offered in the FY 2016
                                                     On July 22, 2014, the BLM published                   and                                                        Helium Auction and Sale: Table 1
                                                  a ‘‘Final Notice for Implementation of                     d. The process for allocating helium                     identifies the volumes to be offered for
                                                  Helium Stewardship Act Sales and                         for the FY 2016 Phase B sale, as                           auction and sale in FY 2015 for FY 2016
                                                  Auctions’’ in the Federal Register, (79                  described in section 2.02 of this Notice.                  delivery.

                                                                       TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR PHASE B AUCTION AND SALE FOR FY 2016 DELIVERY
                                                                                                                              Total remaining
                                                                              Forecasted                                                                                        Previously
                                                                                                       In-kind sales            production                 Volume                                    Volume
                                                      Fiscal year              production                                                                                         sold in
                                                                                                         (sales to             available for              available                                 available
                                                         (FY)                  capability                                                                                        FY 2014
                                                                                                      Federal users)           sale/auction              for auction                                 for sale
                                                                             (NITEC study)                                                                                    Advanced sale
                                                                                                                                or delivery

                                                         MMcf *                   MMcf                     MMcf                    MMcf                    MMcf                      MMcf            MMcf

                                                  FY 2016 * * ...........         1,310                     160                    1,150                  * * * 300              * * * * 250          600
                                                    * MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahr-
                                                  enheit.
                                                    * * Delivery for FY 2016 sales and auctions will be subject to a new storage contract beginning October 1, 2015.
                                                    * * * 25% of total production capacity after deducting In-Kind (rounded).
                                                    * * * * In accordance with the Act, 250 MMcf of FY 2016 volumes were offered in FY 2014.


                                                  FY 2016 Helium Auction                                   volume offered in the auction will be                      August 19, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B
                                                     1.01 What is the minimum FY 2016                      added to the Phase B sale at a market-                        helium auction results published on
                                                  Phase B auction price and minimum FY                     based survey price or calculated average                      the BLM Web site
                                                  2016 Phase B sales price, and how were                   price under 50 U.S.C. 167d (b)(7)(B) or                    August 24, 2015 Phase B Helium Sale
                                                  those prices determined? Under the Act                   (C), respectively.                                         September 30, 2015 Revenues from
                                                  (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)), there are two                                                                                     auction and sale due to the BLM
                                                                                                             1.02 What will happen to the helium
                                                  occasions when helium is sold in Phase                   offered but not sold in the helium                            1.04 What is the auction format? The
                                                  B: A public auction for qualified bidders                auction? Any volume of helium offered                      auction will be a live auction, held at
                                                  (‘‘Phase B auction’’) and a sale of helium               but not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B                        the Amarillo Field Office in Amarillo,
                                                  to persons who have the ability to                                                                                  Texas. The procedures for the auction
                                                                                                           auction will be added to the 600 MMcf
                                                  accept delivery of crude helium from                                                                                and the pre-bid qualification form will
                                                                                                           available for sale and will be offered for
                                                  the Federal Helium System (‘‘Phase B                                                                                be available after publication of a Final
                                                                                                           sale in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.                          Notice. The Final Notice will include a
                                                  sale’’).
                                                     The minimum FY 2016 Phase B                             1.03 When will the sale and auction                      web link. Please call BLM at 806–356–
                                                  auction reserve price is $100 per Mcf                    take place? The BLM intends to offer                       1001 if you have any questions relating
                                                  (one thousand cubic feet of gas                          helium for FY 2016 according to the                        to the auction.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  measured at standard conditions of                       following tentative schedule. This                            1.05 Who is qualified to purchase
                                                  14.65 psia and 60 degrees Fahrenheit).                   schedule may be adjusted based upon                        helium at the Phase B auction? Only
                                                  The BLM will calculate the FY 2016                       the timing of the required notices and                     ‘‘qualified bidders,’’ as defined in 50
                                                  Phase B sale price using the weighted                    complexity of comments received.                           U.S.C. 167(9), may participate in and
                                                  average price of the crude helium sold                                                                              purchase helium at the Phase B auction.
                                                  in the FY 2016 Phase B auction. If there                 August 18, 2015 FY 2016 Phase B                            The BLM will make the final
                                                  are no successful sales during the FY                     helium auction held in Amarillo,                          determination of who is a qualified
                                                  2016 Phase B auction, all helium                          Texas                                                     bidder using the Act’s definition of a


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                                                  33550                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 113 / Friday, June 12, 2015 / Notices

                                                  qualified bidder, regardless of whether                 length of time required to apply for and               www.blm.gov/nm/helium, and include
                                                  or not that person was previously                       obtain access to the Federal Helium                    the following:
                                                  determined to be a qualified bidder.                    Pipeline will vary based on the person’s                 a. Table of Projected Volumes for
                                                    1.06 How many helium lots does the                    plans for plant construction, pipeline                 Sales and Auctions for Delivery for FY
                                                  BLM anticipate offering at the FY 2016                  metering installation, and other                       2017–FY 2021 (informational);
                                                  Phase B auction? The BLM anticipates                    variables. The BLM is available to                       b. Hypothetical example of how the
                                                  auctioning 300 MMcf in a total of 18 lots               provide technical assistance, including                FY 2016 Phase B Sale would be
                                                  for FY 2016. The lots would be divided                  contact information for applying for                   conducted (informational);
                                                  as follows:                                             access and meeting any applicable                        c. The Helium Stewardship Act of
                                                  (8) lots of 25 MMcf each                                National Environmental Policy Act                      2013, 50 U.S.C. 167;
                                                  (5) lots of 15 MMcf each                                requirements.                                            d. FY 2014 Helium Auction Notice;
                                                  (5) lots of 5 MMcf each                                   2.04 What will happen if one or                        e. Helium Storage Contract; and
                                                                                                          more persons request an amount other                     f. Required forms for helium
                                                    1.07 What must I do to bid at
                                                                                                          than the person’s share of the volume                  reporting.
                                                  auction? The BLM will describe the live
                                                                                                          offered for sale? If one or more persons
                                                  auction procedures, including detailed                                                                           Authority: The Helium Stewardship Act of
                                                                                                          requests less than its share or their
                                                  bidding instructions and pre-bid                                                                               2013, Public Law 113–40, codified to various
                                                                                                          shares, any other person(s) that
                                                  registration requirements, on its Web                                                                          sections in 50 U.S.C. 167–167q.
                                                                                                          request(s) more than its share or their
                                                  page at a web link that will be included
                                                                                                          shares will be allowed to purchase the                 Sheila K. Mallory,
                                                  in the Final Notice. The Final Notice
                                                                                                          excess volume based on the                             Acting State Director.
                                                  will contain information regarding the
                                                                                                          proportionate shares of operational                    [FR Doc. 2015–14487 Filed 6–11–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  time and location of the auction, process
                                                                                                          capacity of all persons requesting more                BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
                                                  for notification of winning bidders,
                                                                                                          than their initial shares.
                                                  payments, and how to make such                            2.05 What will happen if the total
                                                  payments.                                               amount requested by persons is less
                                                    1.08 When will helium that is                                                                                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                          than the 600 MMcf offered in the FY
                                                  purchased at sale or won at auction be                  2016 Phase B sale? Any excess volume                   Bureau of Land Management
                                                  available in the purchaser’s storage                    not sold in the FY 2016 Phase B sale
                                                  account? The BLM will transfer the                      will be available for future sale or
                                                  volumes purchased in the FY 2016                                                                               [LLNMA00000 L16400000.PN0000]
                                                                                                          auction.
                                                  Phase B auction and sale to the buyers’                   2.06 Do you have a hypothetical                      Notice of Relocation: Change of Street
                                                  storage accounts beginning on the first                 example of how the FY 2016 Phase B                     Address for Albuquerque District and
                                                  day of the month following receipt of                   Sale would be conducted? A                             Rio Puerco Field Offices
                                                  payment.                                                hypothetical example of how the Phase
                                                                                                          B Sale will be conducted is available at               AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,
                                                  FY 2016 Phase B Helium Sale
                                                                                                          the Helium Operations Web site at:                     Interior.
                                                     2.01 Who will be allowed to                                                                                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                          http://www.blm.gov/nm/helium.
                                                  purchase helium in the FY 2016 Phase
                                                  B sale? Any person (including                           Delivery of Helium in FY 2016                          SUMMARY:  The Bureau of Land
                                                  individuals, corporations, partnerships,                   3.01 When will I receive helium that                Management, Albuquerque District and
                                                  or other entities) with the ability to                  I purchase in a sale or win based on a                 Rio Puerco Field Offices located at 435
                                                  accept delivery of crude helium from                    successful auction bid? Helium                         Montaño NE., Albuquerque, New
                                                  the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined                 purchased at the FY 2016 sale or won                   Mexico is relocating to 100 Sun Avenue
                                                  in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) may purchase                       at the FY 2016 auction will be delivered               NE., Suite 330, Albuquerque, New
                                                  helium in the FY 2016 Phase B sale.                     starting October 1, 2015, in accordance                Mexico.
                                                     2.02 How will the helium sold in the                 with the crude helium storage contract.
                                                  FY 2016 Phase B sale be allocated                                                                              DATES:  The Albuquerque District and
                                                                                                          The intent is to ensure delivery of all                Rio Puerco Field Offices are scheduled
                                                  among the persons with the ability to                   helium purchased at sale or auction up
                                                  take helium? Any person desiring to                                                                            to move June 26, 2015, through June 28,
                                                                                                          to the BLM’s production capability for                 2015, and will be open for business on
                                                  participate in the FY 2016 Phase B sale                 the year.
                                                  needs to report its excess refining                                                                            Monday, June 29, 2015.
                                                                                                             3.02 How will the BLM prioritize
                                                  capacity and operational capacity by                                                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                          delivery? The Act, at 50 U.S.C.
                                                  August 14, 2015 using the Excess                        167d(b)(1)(D) and (b)(3), gives priority to            Danette Herrera, Administrative Officer,
                                                  Refining Capacity form, which can be                    Federal In-Kind helium (i.e., helium                   at (505) 761–8952, BLM Albuquerque
                                                  downloaded at http://www.blm.gov/nm/                    sold to Federal users). After meeting                  District Office, Albuquerque, New
                                                  heliumreporting. Each person                            that priority, the BLM will make                       Mexico 87107. Persons who use a
                                                  participating in the sale will then be                  delivery on a reasonable basis, as                     telecommunications device for the deaf
                                                  allocated a proportional share based                    described in the crude helium storage                  (TDD) may call the Federal Information
                                                  upon that person’s operational capacity.                contract, to ensure storage contract                   Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
                                                     2.03 How does a person apply for                     holders who have purchased or won                      to contact the above individual during
                                                  access to the Federal Helium Pipeline                   helium at auction have the opportunity                 normal business hours. The service is
                                                                                                                                                                 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  for the purpose of taking crude helium?                 during the year to have that helium
                                                  The steps for taking crude helium are                   produced or refined in monthly                         to leave a message or question with the
                                                  provided in the BLM’s Helium                            increments.                                            above individual. You will receive a
                                                  Operations Web site at http://                                                                                 reply during normal business hours.
                                                  www.blm.gov/nm/helium. Reporting                        Background Documents                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM
                                                  forms show the due dates for each                         Supplementary documents referenced                   will meet its goals of improving overall
                                                  report, and can be found at http://                     in this Notice are available at the BLM                efficiency and reducing costs by co-
                                                  www.blm.gov/nm/heliumreporting. The                     helium operations Web site at: http://                 locating with the USDA Forest Service.


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Document Created: 2018-02-22 10:16:36
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 10:16:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionCrude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery
DatesComments regarding the helium sale and auction must be received by the BLM on or before July 13, 2015.
ContactRobert Jolley, Amarillo Field Manager, at 806-356-1002. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1- 800-877-8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation80 FR 33548 

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