82_FR_28207 82 FR 28090 - Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 Delivery

82 FR 28090 - Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 117 (June 20, 2017)

Page Range28090-28092
FR Document2017-12813

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office, is issuing this Notice to conduct an auction and sale from the Federal Helium Program, administered by the BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field Office. The Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to conduct an annual auction and sale of crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM will once again use the auction and sale process established in the Federal Register dated August 24, 2015, for a previous sale.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28090-28092]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12813]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]


Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 
Delivery

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Office, is issuing this 
Notice to conduct an auction and sale from the Federal Helium Program, 
administered by the BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field Office. The Helium 
Stewardship Act of 2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to conduct an annual 
auction and sale of crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM will once again 
use the auction and sale process established in the Federal Register 
dated August 24, 2015, for a previous sale.

DATES: This Notice is effective on June 20, 2017. The schedule for the 
auction and sale process is:

1. July 19, 2017--FY 2018 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
2. July 24, 2017--FY 2018 helium auction results published on the 
BLM Web site
3. July 28, 2017--Invoices for auction sent on or before this date; 
payments due 30 days from invoice
4. August 2, 2017--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium 
sale
5. August 17, 2017--Bids due from IFO
6. August 21, 2017--Award announcements published on the BLM Web 
site
7. August 25, 2017--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments 
due 30 days from invoice
8. September 30, 2017--Helium transferred to buyers' storage 
accounts

ADDRESSES: The July 19, 2017, helium auction will be held in the main 
conference room of the Amarillo Field Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 
500, Amarillo, TX 79101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field 
Manager, at 806-356-1000. Persons who use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339. The FRS 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

A. Purpose and Background:

    In October 2013, Congress passed the HSA. The HSA requires the 
Department of the Interior, through the BLM Director, to offer for 
auction and sale annually a portion of the helium reserves owned by the 
United States and stored underground at the Cliffside Gas Field, near 
Amarillo, Texas.
    On July 23, 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 HSA, definitions of terms used 
in the Notice, the reasons for the action, and a process for conducting 
the auctions and sales in FY 2014.
    On August 24, 2015, the BLM published a ``Notice of Final Action: 
Crude Helium Sale and Auction for Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery'' in the 
Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015 Final Notice). The 2015 Final 
Notice refined the process the BLM used in 2014 for conducting the 
auction and sale of crude helium. The BLM will use the process set 
forth in the 2015 Final Notice for the auction and sale of crude helium 
to occur in FY 2017 for FY 2018 delivery.
    Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices are available from the Helium 
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM helium Web site at 
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.

B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2018 Helium Auction and Sale

    Table 1 identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale 
in FY 2017 for FY 2018 delivery.

[[Page 28091]]



                                          Table 1--Projected Volumes for Auction and Sales for FY 2018 Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total
                                                       Forecasted                        remaining                           Volume
                                                       production     In-kind  sales     production         Volume       available  for       Volume
                 Fiscal year  (FY)                     capability       (sales to      available  for   available  for   non-allocated    available  for
                                                     (NITEC  study)  federal  users)   sale/ auction       auction            sale             sale
                                                                                        or  delivery
                                                            MMcf *             MMcf             MMcf             MMcf             MMcf             MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2018...........................................           1,059              159              900           500 **               40              360
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
** 55% of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).

C. FY 2018 Helium Auction

1.01 What is the minimum FY 2018 auction price and the FY 2018 sales 
price?

    The minimum FY 2018 auction 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 announce the FY 2018 sale price after 
the auction has concluded, and the BLM completes its analysis of the 
auction information. The BLM will use this information to publish the 
crude helium price for FY 2018. The BLM publishes this crude helium 
price, effective October 1, 2017, in order to provide a consistent 
index to the world-wide helium market.

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 2018 auction, 
will be added to the helium available for sale and will be offered in 
the FY 2019 sale.

1.03 When will the auction and sale take place?

    The BLM will offer helium for FY 2018 according to the following 
schedule:

    July 19, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
    July 24, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction results published on the 
BLM Web site
    July 28, 2017 Invoices for auction sent on or before this date; 
payments due 30 days from invoice
    August 2, 2017 Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium 
sale
    August 17, 2017 Bids due from IFO
    August 21, 2017 Award announcements published on the BLM Web 
site
    August 25, 2017 Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments 
due 30 days from invoice
    September 30, 2017 Helium transferred to buyers' storage 
accounts (in accordance with Section 1.08)

1.04 What is the auction format?

    The auction will be a live auction, held in the main conference 
room of the Amarillo Field Office at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, on July 
19, 2017. The address is 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 
79101. Anyone meeting the HSA definition of a qualified bidder may 
participate in the auction. The logistics for the auction and the pre-
bid qualification form is included in a document entitled, ``FY 2018 
Helium Auction Notice and Guide'' on the Helium Stewardship page of the 
BLM Helium Program Web site at www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. Questions related to the auction can be submitted by 
phone to the BLM at 806-356-1001.

1.05 Who is qualified to purchase helium at the auction?

    Only qualified bidders, as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9), may 
participate in and purchase helium at the auction. The BLM will make 
the final determination of who is a qualified bidder using the HSA's 
definition of a 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 
2018 auction?

    The BLM anticipates auctioning 500 MMcf in a total of 30 lots for 
delivery in FY 2018. The lots would be divided as follows:

    13 lots of 25 MMcf each;
    9 lots of 15 MMcf each; and
    8 lots of 5 MMcf each.

1.07 What must I do to bid at auction?

    The BLM has described the live auction procedures, including 
detailed bidding instructions and pre-bid registration requirements, in 
a document entitled, ``FY 2018 Auction Notice and Guide'' available on 
the BLM's helium page at www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. The ``FY 2018 Auction Notice and Guide'' is located in the 
Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM Federal Helium 
Program Web site.

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 2018 auction 
and sale to the buyer's storage accounts beginning on the first day of 
the month following receipt of payment.

D. FY 2018 Helium Sale

2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2018 sale?

    The crude helium sale will be separated into two distinct portions, 
a non-allocated portion and an allocated portion. The non-allocated 
portion will be ten percent of the total amount offered for sale for FY 
2018, and will be available to those storage contract holders who do 
not have ability to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal 
Helium Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) as of May 30, 2017. 
The allocated portion will be ninety percent of the total amount 
offered for sale for FY 2018, and will be available to 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)).

2.02 How will helium sold in the FY 2018 sale be allocated among those 
participating in the non-allocated sale?

    The non-allocated sale will be made available to all qualified 
offerors not eligible to participate in the allocated sales. The 
minimum volume that can be requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume 
available for the non-allocated portion of the sale is 40 MMcf. Any 
volumes not sold at auction will be distributed between the non-
allocated (10 percent)

[[Page 28092]]

and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any volumes not purchased at the 
non-allocated sale will be sold in the allocated portion.

2.03 How will the helium sold in the FY 2018 sale be allocated among 
the persons to accept delivery of crude helium from the Federal Helium 
Pipeline?

    Any person wishing to participate in the allocated portion of the 
FY 2018 sale needs to report its excess refining capacity and 
operational capacity a minimum of 14 calendar days prior to the sale, 
using the Excess Refining Capacity form. The form can be downloaded at 
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. The form is located in 
the Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the Web site. Each 
person participating in the sale will then be allocated a proportional 
share based upon that person's operational capacity.

2.04 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 www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. 
The steps are contained in a document entitled, ``How to Establish a 
Storage Contract and Pipeline Connection Point'' located in the Federal 
Helium Operations/Helium Storage page of the Web site. Reporting forms 
can be downloaded at the same Web site address. Reporting forms are 
located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM 
Federal Helium Program Web site, and show the requirements and due 
dates for each report. The length of time required to apply for and 
obtain access to the Federal Helium Pipeline can 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.

E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2018

3.01 When will I receive the helium that I purchase in a sale or win 
based on a successful auction bid?

    Helium purchased at the FY 2018 sale or won at the FY 2018 auction 
will be delivered starting September 30, 2017, 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 HSA gives priority to Federal in-kind helium (i.e., helium sold 
to Federal users) (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)(1)(D)) and (b)(3)). 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.

F. Background Documents

    Supplementary documents referenced in this Notice are available at 
the BLM helium operations Web site at: www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. They are located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA 
Implementation page of the Web site, and include the following 
documents:

    a. This Federal Record Notice for Fiscal year 2018 Delivery;
    b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
    c. FY 2018 Helium Auction Notice and Guide;
    d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for information only);
    e. Determination of Fair Market Value Pricing of Crude Helium;
    f. Storage Fees;
    g. Required Forms for Helium Reporting; and
    h. 2014 and 2015 Federal Records Notices for Helium Auctions and 
Sales.

    Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113-40) codified to various 
sections in 50 U.S.C. 167-167q.

Amy Lueders,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-12813 Filed 6-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P



                                                28090                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices

                                                Permit No. TE–839960                                    we receive will be available for public                7. August 25, 2017—Invoices for sale sent on
                                                                                                        inspection, by appointment, during                        or before; payments due 30 days from
                                                Applicant: John Dicus, Black Canyon                                                                               invoice
                                                                                                        normal business hours at the address
                                                City, Arizona                                                                                                  8. September 30, 2017—Helium transferred
                                                                                                        listed in the ADDRESSES section of this
                                                  The applicant requests a permit                                                                                 to buyers’ storage accounts
                                                                                                        notice.
                                                renewal to take (survey by pursuit) the                    Before including your address, phone                ADDRESSES:   The July 19, 2017, helium
                                                Quino checkerspot butterfly                             number, email address, or other                        auction will be held in the main
                                                (Euphydryas editha quino) and Delhi                     personal identifying information in your               conference room of the Amarillo Field
                                                Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas                   comment, you should be aware that                      Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500,
                                                terminatus abdominalis) in conjunction                  your entire comment—including your                     Amarillo, TX 79101.
                                                with survey activities throughout the                   personal identifying information—may                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                range of the species for the purpose of                 be made publicly available at any time.                Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field
                                                enhancing the species’ survival.                        While you can ask us in your comment                   Manager, at 806–356–1000. Persons who
                                                Permit No. TE–29992C                                    to withhold your personal identifying                  use a telecommunications device for the
                                                                                                        information from public review, we                     deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
                                                Applicant: Dominic Vitali, Stockton,                    cannot guarantee that we will be able to               Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. The
                                                California                                              do so.                                                 FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
                                                  The applicant requests a new permit                   Robert Krijgsman,                                      a week, to leave a message. You will
                                                to take (harass by survey, capture,                                                                            receive a reply during normal business
                                                                                                        Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
                                                handle, release, collect adult vouchers,                Region, Sacramento, California.                        hours.
                                                and collect branchiopod cysts) the                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2017–12786 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
                                                Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                 A. Purpose and Background:
                                                conservatio), the longhorn fairy shrimp
                                                (Branchinecta longiantenna), and the                                                                              In October 2013, Congress passed the
                                                vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus                                                                          HSA. The HSA requires the Department
                                                                                                        DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                packardi) in conjunction with survey                                                                           of the Interior, through the BLM
                                                activities throughout the range of the                  Bureau of Land Management                              Director, to offer for auction and sale
                                                species in California for the purpose of                                                                       annually a portion of the helium
                                                enhancing the species’ survival.                        [LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX
                                                                                                        L4053RV]                                               reserves owned by the United States and
                                                Permit No. TE–177903                                                                                           stored underground at the Cliffside Gas
                                                                                                        Notice of Crude Helium Auction and                     Field, near Amarillo, Texas.
                                                Applicant: Kathryn Simon, Redlands,                                                                               On July 23, 2014, the BLM published
                                                                                                        Sale for Fiscal Year 2018 Delivery
                                                California                                                                                                     a ‘‘Final Notice for Implementation of
                                                  The applicant requests a permit                       AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,                   Helium Stewardship Act Sales and
                                                renewal and amendment to take (harass                   Interior.                                              Auctions’’ in the Federal Register (79
                                                by survey, capture, handle, mark, and                   ACTION: Notice.                                        FR 42808) (2014 Final Notice). The 2014
                                                release) the San Bernardino Merriam’s                                                                          Final Notice contained information
                                                kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami                        SUMMARY:    The Secretary of the Interior              about the HSA, definitions of terms
                                                parvus) in conjunction with survey                      (Secretary), through the Bureau of Land                used in the Notice, the reasons for the
                                                activities throughout the range of the                  Management (BLM) New Mexico State                      action, and a process for conducting the
                                                species in California for the purpose of                Office, is issuing this Notice to conduct              auctions and sales in FY 2014.
                                                enhancing the species’ survival.                        an auction and sale from the Federal                      On August 24, 2015, the BLM
                                                                                                        Helium Program, administered by the                    published a ‘‘Notice of Final Action:
                                                Permit No. TE–30023C                                    BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field                         Crude Helium Sale and Auction for
                                                Applicant: Joshua Zinn, La Mesa,                        Office. The Helium Stewardship Act of                  Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery’’ in the
                                                California                                              2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to                         Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015
                                                                                                        conduct an annual auction and sale of                  Final Notice). The 2015 Final Notice
                                                  The applicant requests a new permit                   crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM
                                                to take (harass by survey, capture,                                                                            refined the process the BLM used in
                                                                                                        will once again use the auction and sale               2014 for conducting the auction and
                                                handle, release, collect adult vouchers,                process established in the Federal
                                                and collect branchiopod cysts) the                                                                             sale of crude helium. The BLM will use
                                                                                                        Register dated August 24, 2015, for a                  the process set forth in the 2015 Final
                                                Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta                  previous sale.
                                                conservatio), the longhorn fairy shrimp                                                                        Notice for the auction and sale of crude
                                                                                                        DATES: This Notice is effective on June                helium to occur in FY 2017 for FY 2018
                                                (Branchinecta longiantenna), the
                                                Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus                 20, 2017. The schedule for the auction                 delivery.
                                                woottoni), the San Diego fairy shrimp                   and sale process is:                                      Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices
                                                (Branchinecta sandiegonensis), and the                  1. July 19, 2017—FY 2018 helium auction                are available from the Helium
                                                vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus                      held in Amarillo, Texas                             Stewardship, HSA Implementation page
                                                packardi) in conjunction with survey                    2. July 24, 2017—FY 2018 helium auction                of the BLM helium Web site at
                                                activities throughout the range of the                     results published on the BLM Web site               www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-
                                                                                                        3. July 28, 2017—Invoices for auction sent on          minerals/helium.
                                                species in California for the purpose of                   or before this date; payments due 30 days
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                enhancing the species’ survival.                           from invoice                                        B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2018
                                                Public Comments                                         4. August 2, 2017—Invitation for offers (IFO)          Helium Auction and Sale
                                                                                                           posted for helium sale
                                                  We invite public review and comment                   5. August 17, 2017—Bids due from IFO                     Table 1 identifies the volumes to be
                                                on each of these recovery permit                        6. August 21, 2017—Award announcements                 offered for auction and sale in FY 2017
                                                applications. Comments and materials                       published on the BLM Web site                       for FY 2018 delivery.




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                                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices                                                  28091

                                                                                TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR AUCTION AND SALES FOR FY 2018 DELIVERY
                                                                                                                                                           Total
                                                                                                                Forecasted            In-kind           remaining                              Volume
                                                                                                                                                                            Volume
                                                                                                                production             sales            production                            available      Volume
                                                                     Fiscal year                                                                                           available
                                                                                                                 capability          (sales to           available                               for        available
                                                                        (FY)                                                                                                  for
                                                                                                                  (NITEC              federal            for sale/                          non-allocated    for sale
                                                                                                                                                                            auction
                                                                                                                   study)              users)           auction or                              sale
                                                                                                                                                         delivery

                                                                                                                  MMcf *              MMcf                   MMcf           MMcf               MMcf          MMcf

                                                FY 2018 ...................................................       1,059                159                   900            500 **               40           360
                                                  * 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.
                                                  ** 55% of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).


                                                C. FY 2018 Helium Auction                                          1.04 What is the auction format?                        The ‘‘FY 2018 Auction Notice and
                                                                                                                     The auction will be a live auction,                   Guide’’ is located in the Helium
                                                1.01 What is the minimum FY 2018                                                                                           Stewardship, HSA Implementation page
                                                auction price and the FY 2018 sales                                held in the main conference room of the
                                                                                                                   Amarillo Field Office at 1:00 p.m.                      of the BLM Federal Helium Program
                                                price?                                                                                                                     Web site.
                                                                                                                   Central Time, on July 19, 2017. The
                                                   The minimum FY 2018 auction price                               address is 801 South Fillmore, Suite                    1.08 When will helium that is
                                                is $100 per Mcf (one thousand cubic feet                           500, Amarillo, TX 79101. Anyone                         purchased at sale or won at auction be
                                                of gas measured at standard conditions                             meeting the HSA definition of a                         available in the purchaser’s storage
                                                of 14.65 psia and 60 degrees                                       qualified bidder may participate in the                 account?
                                                Fahrenheit). The BLM will announce                                 auction. The logistics for the auction
                                                                                                                   and the pre-bid qualification form is                     The BLM will transfer the volumes
                                                the FY 2018 sale price after the auction
                                                                                                                   included in a document entitled, ‘‘FY                   purchased in the FY 2018 auction and
                                                has concluded, and the BLM completes
                                                                                                                   2018 Helium Auction Notice and                          sale to the buyer’s storage accounts
                                                its analysis of the auction information.
                                                                                                                   Guide’’ on the Helium Stewardship page                  beginning on the first day of the month
                                                The BLM will use this information to                                                                                       following receipt of payment.
                                                publish the crude helium price for FY                              of the BLM Helium Program Web site at
                                                2018. The BLM publishes this crude                                 www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-                        D. FY 2018 Helium Sale
                                                helium price, effective October 1, 2017,                           minerals/helium. Questions related to
                                                                                                                   the auction can be submitted by phone                   2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase
                                                in order to provide a consistent index to                                                                                  helium in the FY 2018 sale?
                                                the world-wide helium market.                                      to the BLM at 806–356–1001.
                                                                                                                                                                             The crude helium sale will be
                                                1.02 What will happen to the helium                                1.05 Who is qualified to purchase
                                                                                                                                                                           separated into two distinct portions, a
                                                offered but not sold in the helium                                 helium at the auction?
                                                                                                                                                                           non-allocated portion and an allocated
                                                auction?                                                             Only qualified bidders, as defined in                 portion. The non-allocated portion will
                                                                                                                   50 U.S.C. 167(9), may participate in and                be ten percent of the total amount
                                                  Any volume of helium offered, but                                purchase helium at the auction. The                     offered for sale for FY 2018, and will be
                                                not sold in the FY 2018 auction, will be                           BLM will make the final determination                   available to those storage contract
                                                added to the helium available for sale                             of who is a qualified bidder using the                  holders who do not have ability to
                                                and will be offered in the FY 2019 sale.                           HSA’s definition of a qualified bidder,                 accept delivery of crude helium from
                                                1.03 When will the auction and sale                                regardless of whether or not that person                the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined
                                                take place?                                                        was previously determined to be a                       in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) as of May 30, 2017.
                                                                                                                   qualified bidder.                                       The allocated portion will be ninety
                                                  The BLM will offer helium for FY                                 1.06 How many helium lots does the                      percent of the total amount offered for
                                                2018 according to the following                                    BLM anticipate offering at the FY 2018                  sale for FY 2018, and will be available
                                                schedule:                                                          auction?                                                to any person (including individuals,
                                                   July 19, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction                                                                                    corporations, partnerships, or other
                                                                                                                     The BLM anticipates auctioning 500                    entities) with the ability to accept
                                                     held in Amarillo, Texas                                       MMcf in a total of 30 lots for delivery
                                                   July 24, 2017 FY 2018 helium auction                                                                                    delivery of crude helium from the
                                                                                                                   in FY 2018. The lots would be divided                   Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined in
                                                     results published on the BLM Web site                         as follows:
                                                   July 28, 2017 Invoices for auction sent on                                                                              50 U.S.C. 167(2)).
                                                     or before this date; payments due 30                            13 lots of 25 MMcf each;
                                                                                                                     9 lots of 15 MMcf each; and                           2.02 How will helium sold in the FY
                                                     days from invoice                                                                                                     2018 sale be allocated among those
                                                                                                                     8 lots of 5 MMcf each.
                                                   August 2, 2017 Invitation for offers (IFO)                                                                              participating in the non-allocated sale?
                                                     posted for helium sale
                                                                                                                   1.07 What must I do to bid at auction?                     The non-allocated sale will be made
                                                   August 17, 2017 Bids due from IFO
                                                                                                                     The BLM has described the live                        available to all qualified offerors not
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                   August 21, 2017 Award announcements
                                                     published on the BLM Web site                                 auction procedures, including detailed                  eligible to participate in the allocated
                                                   August 25, 2017 Invoices for sale sent on                       bidding instructions and pre-bid                        sales. The minimum volume that can be
                                                     or before; payments due 30 days from                          registration requirements, in a                         requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume
                                                     invoice                                                       document entitled, ‘‘FY 2018 Auction                    available for the non-allocated portion
                                                   September 30, 2017 Helium transferred to                        Notice and Guide’’ available on the                     of the sale is 40 MMcf. Any volumes not
                                                     buyers’ storage accounts (in accordance                       BLM’s helium page at www.blm.gov/                       sold at auction will be distributed
                                                     with Section 1.08)                                            programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.                    between the non-allocated (10 percent)


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                                                28092                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 117 / Tuesday, June 20, 2017 / Notices

                                                and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any                or auction up to the BLM’s production                  antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages
                                                volumes not purchased at the non-                       capability for the year.                               under specified circumstances.
                                                allocated sale will be sold in the                                                                             Specifically, SafetyCulture, Townsville,
                                                                                                        3.02 How will the BLM prioritize
                                                allocated portion.                                                                                             AUSTRALIA; and ∧Lift Security,
                                                                                                        delivery?
                                                                                                                                                               Richland, WA, have been added as
                                                2.03 How will the helium sold in the                      The HSA gives priority to Federal in-                parties to this venture.
                                                FY 2018 sale be allocated among the                     kind helium (i.e., helium sold to Federal                 Also, StrongLoop, Inc., San Mateo,
                                                persons to accept delivery of crude                     users) (50 U.S.C. 167d(b)(1)(D)) and                   CA, has withdrawn as a party to this
                                                helium from the Federal Helium                          (b)(3)). After meeting that priority, the              venture.
                                                Pipeline?                                               BLM will make delivery on a reasonable                    No other changes have been made in
                                                                                                        basis, as described in the crude helium                either the membership or planned
                                                   Any person wishing to participate in
                                                                                                        storage contract, to ensure storage                    activity of the group research project.
                                                the allocated portion of the FY 2018 sale
                                                                                                        contract holders who have purchased or                 Membership in this group research
                                                needs to report its excess refining
                                                                                                        won helium at auction have the                         project remains open, and Node.js
                                                capacity and operational capacity a
                                                                                                        opportunity during the year to have that               Foundation intends to file additional
                                                minimum of 14 calendar days prior to
                                                                                                        helium produced or refined in monthly                  written notifications disclosing all
                                                the sale, using the Excess Refining
                                                                                                        increments.                                            changes in membership.
                                                Capacity form. The form can be
                                                                                                                                                                  On August 17, 2015, Node.js
                                                downloaded at www.blm.gov/programs/                     F. Background Documents
                                                                                                                                                               Foundation filed its original notification
                                                energy-and-minerals/helium. The form                      Supplementary documents referenced                   pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act. The
                                                is located in the Helium Stewardship,                   in this Notice are available at the BLM                Department of Justice published a notice
                                                HSA Implementation page of the Web                      helium operations Web site at:                         in the Federal Register pursuant to
                                                site. Each person participating in the                  www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-                       Section 6(b) of the Act on September 28,
                                                sale will then be allocated a                           minerals/helium. They are located in                   2015 (80 FR 58297).
                                                proportional share based upon that                      the Helium Stewardship, HSA                               The last notification was filed with
                                                person’s operational capacity.                          Implementation page of the Web site,                   the Department on March 6, 2017. A
                                                2.04 How does a person apply for                        and include the following documents:                   notice was published in the Federal
                                                access to the Federal Helium Pipeline                     a. This Federal Record Notice for Fiscal             Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the
                                                for the purpose of taking crude helium?                      year 2018 Delivery;                               Act on March 27, 2017 (82 FR 15239).
                                                                                                          b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
                                                  The steps for taking crude helium are                   c. FY 2018 Helium Auction Notice and                 Patricia A. Brink,
                                                provided in the BLM’s Helium                                 Guide;                                            Director of Civil Enforcement, Antitrust
                                                Operations Web site at www.blm.gov/                       d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for               Division.
                                                programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.                         information only);                                [FR Doc. 2017–12816 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          e. Determination of Fair Market Value
                                                The steps are contained in a document                        Pricing of Crude Helium;
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE P
                                                entitled, ‘‘How to Establish a Storage                    f. Storage Fees;
                                                Contract and Pipeline Connection                          g. Required Forms for Helium Reporting;
                                                Point’’ located in the Federal Helium                        and                                               DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
                                                Operations/Helium Storage page of the                     h. 2014 and 2015 Federal Records Notices
                                                                                                                                                               Antitrust Division
                                                Web site. Reporting forms can be                             for Helium Auctions and Sales.
                                                downloaded at the same Web site                           Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–             Notice Pursuant to the National
                                                address. Reporting forms are located in                 40) codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C.          Cooperative Research and Production
                                                the Helium Stewardship, HSA                             167–167q.                                              Act of 1993—Cooperative Research
                                                Implementation page of the BLM                          Amy Lueders,                                           Group on Mechanical Stratigraphy and
                                                Federal Helium Program Web site, and                    State Director.                                        Natural Deformation in the Permian
                                                show the requirements and due dates                                                                            Strata of Texas and New Mexico:
                                                                                                        [FR Doc. 2017–12813 Filed 6–19–17; 8:45 am]
                                                for each report. The length of time                                                                            Implications for Exploitation of the
                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
                                                required to apply for and obtain access                                                                        Permian Basin
                                                to the Federal Helium Pipeline can vary
                                                based on the person’s plans for plant                                                                             Notice is hereby given that, on May
                                                construction, pipeline metering                         DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE                                  17, 2017, pursuant to Section 6(a) of the
                                                installation, and other variables. The                                                                         National Cooperative Research and
                                                                                                        Antitrust Division                                     Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301
                                                BLM is available to provide technical
                                                assistance, including contact                                                                                  et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), Southwest Research
                                                                                                        Notice Pursuant to the National
                                                information for applying for access and                                                                        Institute—Cooperative Research Group
                                                                                                        Cooperative Research and Production
                                                meeting any applicable National                                                                                on Mechanical Stratigraphy and Natural
                                                                                                        Act of 1993—Node.js Foundation
                                                Environmental Policy Act requirements.                                                                         Deformation in the Permian Strata of
                                                                                                           Notice is hereby given that, on May                 Texas and New Mexico: Implication for
                                                E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2018                        26, 2017, pursuant to Section 6(a) of the              Exploitation of the Permian Basin
                                                3.01 When will I receive the helium                     National Cooperative Research and                      (‘‘Permian Basin’’) has filed written
                                                that I purchase in a sale or win based                  Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301                 notifications simultaneously with the
                                                                                                        et seq. (‘‘the Act’’), Node.js Foundation              Attorney General and the Federal Trade
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                on a successful auction bid?
                                                                                                        (‘‘Node.js Foundation’’) has filed written             Commission disclosing changes in its
                                                  Helium purchased at the FY 2018 sale                  notifications simultaneously with the                  membership. The notifications were
                                                or won at the FY 2018 auction will be                   Attorney General and the Federal Trade                 filed for the purpose of extending the
                                                delivered starting September 30, 2017,                  Commission disclosing changes in its                   Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of
                                                in accordance with the crude helium                     membership. The notifications were                     antitrust plaintiffs to actual damages
                                                storage contract. The intent is to ensure               filed for the purpose of extending the                 under specified circumstances.
                                                delivery of all helium purchased at sale                Act’s provisions limiting the recovery of              Specifically, Pioneer Natural Resources


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Document Created: 2017-06-20 02:21:00
Document Modified: 2017-06-20 02:21:00
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
ActionNotice.
DatesThis Notice is effective on June 20, 2017. The schedule for the auction and sale process is:
ContactSamuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field Manager, at 806-356-1000. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800- 877-8339. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation82 FR 28090 

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