83_FR_29252 83 FR 29131 - Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery

83 FR 29131 - Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 121 (June 22, 2018)

Page Range29131-29134
FR Document2018-13469

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. The BLM will use the auction and sale process that was established for a previous sale in a Federal Register notice dated June 20, 2017.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29131-29134]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13469]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]


Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of auction and sale.

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

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

[[Page 29132]]

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. The BLM will use the auction and sale process that was 
established for a previous sale in a Federal Register notice dated June 
20, 2017.

DATES: The schedule for the auction and sale process is:

July 18, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
July 20, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction results published on the BLM 
website
July 25, 2018--Invoices for auction sent on or before this date; 
payments due 30 days from invoice
July 27, 2018--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium sale
August 3, 2018--Bids due from IFO
August 6, 2018--Award announcements published on the BLM website
August 10, 2018--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments due 30 
days from invoice
September 30, 2018--Helium transferred to buyers' storage accounts

If a high bidder does not submit its payment for helium won at auction 
by September 15, 2018, volumes will be offered for sale proportionally 
to the bidders who participated in the Conservation Helium Sale, but 
who did not receive their requested volume of helium.

ADDRESSES: The July 18, 2018, helium auction will be held in the main 
conference room of the Amarillo Field Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 
500, Amarillo, TX 79101. Supplementary documents referenced in this 
Notice are available at the BLM helium operations website at: 
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium, see the Helium 
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the website.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field 
Manager, telephone: 806-356-1000, email: [email protected]. 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 Final Notices 
for FY 2015 and FY2016 further refined the process the BLM used in FY 
2017 for conducting the auction and sale of crude helium. The BLM will 
use the process set forth in the June 20, 2017 Final Notice (82 FR 
28090) for the auction and sale of crude helium to occur in FY 2018 for 
FY 2019 delivery.
    All previous Final Notices are available from the Helium 
Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM helium website at 
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.

B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2019 Helium Auction and Sale

    Table 1 identifies the volumes to be offered for auction and sale 
in FY 2018 for FY 2019 delivery.

                                          Table 1--Projected Volumes for Auction and Sales for FY 2019 Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Forecasted     In-kind sales    Total remaining        Volume           Volume           Volume
                                                     production       (sales to         production      available for    available for    available for
                                                     capability     federal users)    available for        auction       non-allocated         sale
                Fiscal year (FY)                   (NITEC study)  -----------------  sale/auction or  -----------------       sale      ----------------
                                                 -----------------                       delivery                      -----------------
                                                                         MMcf      -------------------       MMcf                              MMcf
                                                       MMcf *                              MMcf                               MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2019.........................................             825              130            345 ***           240 **               10               95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* MMcf means one million cubic feet of gas measured at standard conditions of 14.65 per square inch atmosphere (psia) and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
** 70 percent of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).
*** Volumes offered fulfill the requirement of the HSA to reach Phase C.

C. FY 2019 Helium Auction

    1.01 What is the minimum FY 2019 auction price and the FY 2019 
sales price? The minimum FY 2019 auction price is $110 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 2019 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 2019. The BLM publishes this 
crude helium price, effective October 1, 2018, 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 
2019 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 2019 according to the following schedule:

July 18, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
July 20, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction results published on the BLM 
website
July 25, 2018--Invoices for auction sent on or before this date; 
payments due 30 days from invoice
July 27, 2018--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium sale
August 3, 2018--Bids due from IFO
August 6, 2018--Award announcements published on the BLM website
August 10, 2018--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments due 30 
days from invoice
September 30, 2018--Helium transferred to buyers' storage accounts (in 
accordance with Section 1.08)

If the high bidder does not submit its payment for helium won at 
auction by September 15, 2018, volumes will be offered for sale 
proportionally to the bidders who participated in the Conservation 
Helium Sale, but who did

[[Page 29133]]

not receive their requested volume of helium.
    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 p.m. Central Time, on July 19, 2018. 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 2019 Helium Auction Notice and 
Guide'' on the Helium Stewardship page of the BLM Helium Program 
website 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-
1000.
    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 2019 auction? The BLM anticipates auctioning 240 MMcf in a total of 
14 lots for delivery in FY 2019. The lots would be divided as follows:
    6 lots of 25 MMcf each; and
    5 lots of 15 MMcf each; and
    3 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 2019 
Auction Notice and Guide'' available on the BLM's helium page at 
www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. The ``FY 2019 Auction 
Notice and Guide'' is located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA 
Implementation page of the BLM Federal Helium Program website.
    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 won in the FY 2019 auction or purchased at the FY 2019 sale 
to the buyer's storage accounts on September 30, 2018.

D. FY 2019 Helium Sale

    2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase helium in the FY 2019 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 
2019, and will be available to those storage contract holders who do 
not have the 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, 
2018. The allocated portion will be 90 percent of the total amount 
offered for sale for FY 2019, 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 2019 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 10 MMcf. Any volumes not sold at auction will be 
distributed between the non-allocated (10 percent) 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 2019 sale be allocated 
among the persons who have operational capacity to accept delivery of 
crude helium from the Federal Helium Pipeline? Any person wishing to 
participate in the allocated portion of the FY 2019 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 website. 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 website 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 website. Reporting forms can be 
downloaded at the same website address. Reporting forms are located in 
the Helium Stewardship, HSA Implementation page of the BLM Federal 
Helium Program website, 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 2019

    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 2019 
sale or won at the FY 2019 auction will be delivered starting September 
30, 2018, 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 helium at sale 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 website at: www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium. They are located in the Helium Stewardship, HSA 
Implementation page of the website, and include the following 
documents:
    a. This Federal Register Notice for FY 2019 Delivery;
    b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
    c. FY 2019 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. FY 2014 through FY 2018 Federal Register Notices for Helium 
Auctions and Sales.


[[Page 29134]]


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

Aden L. Seidlitz,
Bureau of Land Management, Acting State Director, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 2018-13469 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Notices                                                  29131

                                               DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                  training. Through the work of the IMO’s                Public Participation and Request for
                                               SECURITY                                                Sub-committee on Human Element,                        Comments
                                                                                                       Training and Watchkeeping,                                We view public participation as
                                               Coast Guard                                             amendments to the STCW Convention                      essential to effective policy
                                               [Docket No. USCG–2018–0278]                             and Code were developed to define the                  development, and will consider all
                                                                                                       training requirements supporting the                   comments and material received during
                                               Notice of Policy Implementing the 2016                  implementation of the Polar Code.                      the comment period. If you submit a
                                               Amendments to STCW in Support of                        These amendments provide minimum                       comment, please include the docket
                                               the Polar Code                                          standards of competence, sea service                   number for this action, and indicate the
                                                                                                       and training requirements for                          specific section of CG–MMC Policy
                                                     Coast Guard, DHS.
                                               AGENCY:
                                                                                                       certification at the basic and advanced                Letter No. 02–18 to which your
                                                     Notice of policy; request for
                                               ACTION:
                                                                                                       levels. They also contain transitional                 comment applies. Please make your
                                               comments.                                               provisions for mariners with experience                comments as specific as possible, and
                                               SUMMARY:   The Coast Guard is                           operating in polar waters to meet the                  include any applicable supporting data
                                               announcing the availability of CG–MMC                   new requirements. These amendments                     or other information, such as cost
                                               Policy Letter No. 02–18 titled                          enter into force on July 1, 2018. After                information, you may have.
                                               ‘‘Guidelines for Qualifications of                      this date, deck officers on ships                         We encourage you to submit
                                               Personnel for Issuing STCW                              operating in polar waters will be                      comments through the Federal
                                               Endorsements for Basic and Advanced                     required to have a Merchant Mariner                    eRulemaking Portal at http://
                                               Polar Code Operations.’’ This policy                    Credential (MMC) endorsement in Basic                  www.regulations.gov, using the
                                               provides guidance for the issuance of                   or Advanced Polar Code operations.                     instructions on that website. If your
                                               Merchant Mariner Credential                                                                                    material cannot be submitted using
                                                                                                          To address the gap between the time
                                               endorsements in accordance with the                                                                            http://www.regulations.gov, contact the
                                                                                                       the Polar Code entered into force
                                               International Convention on Standards                                                                          person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                                                                       (January 2017) and the time the
                                               of Training, Certification and                                                                                 CONTACT section of this document for
                                                                                                       supporting STCW amendments enter
                                               Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as                                                                           alternate instructions. Additionally, if
                                                                                                       into force (July 2018), the Coast Guard                you go to the online docket and sign up
                                               amended, for Basic and Advanced Polar                   provided CG–OES Policy Letter No. 01–
                                               Code Operations. This policy is effective                                                                      for email alerts, you will be notified
                                                                                                       16, ‘‘Guidelines for Training of                       when comments are posted or if a final
                                               today, but the Coast Guard requests                     Personnel on Ships Subject to the Polar
                                               public comments on it.                                                                                         rule is published.
                                                                                                       Code’’ (81 FR 7552, Feb. 12, 2016).                       We accept anonymous comments. All
                                               DATES: This policy is effective on June
                                                                                                          CG–OES Policy Letter No. 01–16 was                  comments received will be posted
                                               22, 2018.
                                                  Comments and related material must                   an interim measure to ensure there                     without change to http://
                                               be received by the Coast Guard on or                    would be sufficiently trained U.S.                     www.regulations.gov and will include
                                               before September 20, 2018.                              mariners by the time the Polar Code                    any personal information you have
                                                                                                       entered into force. The Coast Guard did                provided. For more about privacy and
                                               ADDRESSES: Policy Letter No. 02–18 is
                                                                                                       not issue endorsements to mariners who                 the docket, visit http://
                                               available in docket number USCG–                                                                               www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice.
                                                                                                       completed training in accordance with
                                               2018–0278 on http://
                                                                                                       that policy.                                             Authority: We issue this notice of policy
                                               www.regulations.gov. You may also
                                               submit comments identified at that                         Cognizant of the approaching date                   availability under the authority of 5 U.S.C.
                                                                                                       that the STCW amendments enter into                    552(a) and 46 U.S.C. 7101.
                                               same online docket. See the ‘‘Public
                                               Participation and Request for                           force, the Coast Guard will issue STCW                   Dated: June 19, 2018.
                                               Comments’’ portion of the                               endorsements in Basic and Advanced                     Jeffrey G. Lantz,
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for                   Polar Code Operations to mariners who                  Director of Commercial Regulations and
                                               further instructions on submitting                      have voluntarily fulfilled the STCW                    Standards.
                                               comments.                                               requirements and who request the                       [FR Doc. 2018–13465 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am]
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:     For                endorsement. CG–MMC policy letter                      BILLING CODE 9110–04–P

                                               information about this policy, contact                  No. 02–18 provides information on how
                                               Cathleen Mauro CG–MMC–1 by phone                        to request the endorsement. These
                                               at (202) 372–1449 or by email at                        endorsements are not currently                         DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                               Cathleen.B.Mauro@uscg,mil.                              mandated by Coast Guard regulation;
                                                                                                       however, since the United States is                    Bureau of Land Management
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                       signatory to the STCW Convention,
                                               International Maritime Organization                                                                            [LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX
                                                                                                       vessel owners and operators should be                  L4053RV]
                                               (IMO) adopted the International Code
                                                                                                       aware that their vessels are subject to
                                               for Ships Operating in Polar Waters,
                                                                                                       foreign port state control actions                     Crude Helium Auction and Sale for
                                               commonly referred to as the Polar Code,
                                                                                                       including detention if mariners are not                Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery
                                               to address safety and environmental
                                                                                                       compliant with the STCW Convention
                                               requirements for ships and the level of                                                                        AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,
                                                                                                       and Code.
                                               training required for deck officers                                                                            Interior.
                                               serving on them. The Polar Code came                       The policy letter is effective today,               ACTION: Notice of auction and sale.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               into force on January 1, 2017.                          and the National Maritime Center is
                                                  The International Convention on                      now accepting applications for Polar                   SUMMARY:    The Secretary of the Interior
                                               Standards of Training, Certification and                Code Operations endorsements. We                       (Secretary), through the Bureau of Land
                                               Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as                    request public comments on the policy                  Management (BLM) New Mexico State
                                               amended, (STCW) Convention and Code                     letter, including the instructions for                 Office, is issuing this Notice to conduct
                                               is the instrument that provides the                     requesting endorsements, so that we                    an auction and sale from the Federal
                                               international standards for seafarer                    may improve the letter if needed.                      Helium Program, administered by the


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                                               29132                                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Notices

                                               BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field                                   not receive their requested volume of                     On July 23, 2014, the BLM published
                                               Office. The Helium Stewardship Act of                            helium.                                                a ‘‘Final Notice for Implementation of
                                               2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to                                   ADDRESSES: The July 18, 2018, helium                   Helium Stewardship Act Sales and
                                               conduct an annual auction and sale of                            auction will be held in the main                       Auctions’’ in the Federal Register (79
                                               crude helium. The BLM will use the                               conference room of the Amarillo Field                  FR 42808) (2014 Final Notice). The 2014
                                               auction and sale process that was                                Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500,                 Final Notice contained information
                                               established for a previous sale in a                             Amarillo, TX 79101. Supplementary                      about the HSA, definitions of terms
                                               Federal Register notice dated June 20,                           documents referenced in this Notice are                used in the Notice, the reasons for the
                                               2017.                                                            available at the BLM helium operations                 action, and a process for conducting the
                                               DATES:  The schedule for the auction and                         website at: www.blm.gov/programs/                      auctions and sales in FY 2014.
                                               sale process is:                                                 energy-and-minerals/helium, see the                       On August 24, 2015, the BLM
                                                                                                                Helium Stewardship, HSA                                published a ‘‘Notice of Final Action:
                                               July 18, 2018—FY 2019 helium auction                                                                                    Crude Helium Sale and Auction for
                                                                                                                Implementation page of the website.
                                                  held in Amarillo, Texas                                                                                              Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery’’ in the
                                                                                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                               July 20, 2018—FY 2019 helium auction                                                                                    Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015
                                                  results published on the BLM website                          Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field
                                                                                                                Manager, telephone: 806–356–1000,                      Final Notice). The Final Notices for FY
                                               July 25, 2018—Invoices for auction sent                                                                                 2015 and FY2016 further refined the
                                                                                                                email: sburton@blm.gov. Persons who
                                                  on or before this date; payments due                                                                                 process the BLM used in FY 2017 for
                                                                                                                use a telecommunications device for the
                                                  30 days from invoice                                                                                                 conducting the auction and sale of
                                                                                                                deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
                                               July 27, 2018—Invitation for offers (IFO)                                                                               crude helium. The BLM will use the
                                                                                                                Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. The
                                                  posted for helium sale                                                                                               process set forth in the June 20, 2017
                                                                                                                FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
                                               August 3, 2018—Bids due from IFO                                 a week, to leave a message. You will                   Final Notice (82 FR 28090) for the
                                               August 6, 2018—Award announcements                               receive a reply during normal business                 auction and sale of crude helium to
                                                  published on the BLM website                                  hours.                                                 occur in FY 2018 for FY 2019 delivery.
                                               August 10, 2018—Invoices for sale sent                                                                                     All previous Final Notices are
                                                                                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  on or before; payments due 30 days                                                                                   available from the Helium Stewardship,
                                                  from invoice                                                  A. Purpose and Background                              HSA Implementation page of the BLM
                                               September 30, 2018—Helium                                          In October 2013, Congress passed the                 helium website at www.blm.gov/
                                                  transferred to buyers’ storage accounts                       HSA. The HSA requires the Department                   programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.
                                               If a high bidder does not submit its                             of the Interior, through the BLM
                                                                                                                                                                       B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2019
                                               payment for helium won at auction by                             Director, to offer for auction and sale
                                                                                                                                                                       Helium Auction and Sale
                                               September 15, 2018, volumes will be                              annually a portion of the helium
                                               offered for sale proportionally to the                           reserves owned by the United States and                  Table 1 identifies the volumes to be
                                               bidders who participated in the                                  stored underground at the Cliffside Gas                offered for auction and sale in FY 2018
                                               Conservation Helium Sale, but who did                            Field near Amarillo, Texas.                            for FY 2019 delivery.

                                                                               TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR AUCTION AND SALES FOR FY 2019 DELIVERY
                                                                                                           Forecasted       In-kind sales       Total remaining         Volume             Volume        Volume
                                                                                                            production        (sales to           production           available          available     available
                                                                                                            capability         federal           available for            for                for           for
                                                                  Fiscal year                             (NITEC study)         users)          sale/auction or         auction         non-allocated     sale
                                                                     (FY)                                                                           delivery                                sale
                                                                                                             MMcf *               MMcf                                  MMcf                             MMcf
                                                                                                                                                     MMcf                                  MMcf

                                               FY 2019 ...............................................        825                 130               345 ***             240 **               10            95
                                                 * 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.
                                                 ** 70 percent of total production capacity after deducting in-kind (rounded).
                                                 *** Volumes offered fulfill the requirement of the HSA to reach Phase C.


                                               C. FY 2019 Helium Auction                                          1.02 What will happen to the helium                  July 27, 2018—Invitation for offers (IFO)
                                                  1.01 What is the minimum FY 2019                              offered but not sold in the helium                        posted for helium sale
                                               auction price and the FY 2019 sales                              auction? Any volume of helium offered,                 August 3, 2018—Bids due from IFO
                                               price? The minimum FY 2019 auction                               but not sold in the FY 2019 auction, will              August 6, 2018—Award announcements
                                               price is $110 per Mcf (one thousand                              be added to the helium available for sale                 published on the BLM website
                                               cubic feet of gas measured at standard                           and will be offered in the FY 2019 sale.               August 10, 2018—Invoices for sale sent
                                               conditions of 14.65 psia and 60 degrees                            1.03 When will the auction and sale                     on or before; payments due 30 days
                                               Fahrenheit). The BLM will announce                               take place? The BLM will offer helium                     from invoice
                                               the FY 2019 sale price after the auction                         for FY 2019 according to the following                 September 30, 2018—Helium
                                               has concluded, and the BLM completes                             schedule:                                                 transferred to buyers’ storage accounts
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               its analysis of the auction information.                         July 18, 2018—FY 2019 helium auction                      (in accordance with Section 1.08)
                                               The BLM will use this information to                               held in Amarillo, Texas                              If the high bidder does not submit its
                                               publish the crude helium price for FY                            July 20, 2018—FY 2019 helium auction                   payment for helium won at auction by
                                               2019. The BLM publishes this crude                                 results published on the BLM website                 September 15, 2018, volumes will be
                                               helium price, effective October 1, 2018,                         July 25, 2018—Invoices for auction sent                offered for sale proportionally to the
                                               in order to provide a consistent index to                          on or before this date; payments due                 bidders who participated in the
                                               the world-wide helium market.                                      30 days from invoice                                 Conservation Helium Sale, but who did


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Notices                                           29133

                                               not receive their requested volume of                   portion. The non-allocated portion will                Implementation page of the BLM
                                               helium.                                                 be ten percent of the total amount                     Federal Helium Program website, and
                                                  1.04 What is the auction format?                     offered for sale for FY 2019, and will be              show the requirements and due dates
                                               The auction will be a live auction, held                available to those storage contract                    for each report. The length of time
                                               in the main conference room of the                      holders who do not have the ability to                 required to apply for and obtain access
                                               Amarillo Field Office at 1 p.m. Central                 accept delivery of crude helium from                   to the Federal Helium Pipeline can vary
                                               Time, on July 19, 2018. The address is                  the Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined                based on the person’s plans for plant
                                               801 South Fillmore, Suite 500,                          in 50 U.S.C. 167(2)) as of May 30, 2018.               construction, pipeline metering
                                               Amarillo, TX 79101. Anyone meeting                      The allocated portion will be 90 percent               installation, and other variables. The
                                               the HSA definition of a qualified bidder                of the total amount offered for sale for               BLM is available to provide technical
                                               may participate in the auction. The                     FY 2019, and will be available to any                  assistance, including contact
                                               logistics for the auction and the pre-bid               person (including individuals,                         information for applying for access and
                                               qualification form is included in a                     corporations, partnerships, or other                   meeting any applicable National
                                               document entitled, ‘‘FY 2019 Helium                     entities) with the ability to accept                   Environmental Policy Act requirements.
                                               Auction Notice and Guide’’ on the                       delivery of crude helium from the
                                               Helium Stewardship page of the BLM                      Federal Helium Pipeline (as defined in                 E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2019
                                               Helium Program website at                               50 U.S.C. 167(2)).                                        3.01 When will I receive the helium
                                               www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-                           2.02 How will helium sold in the FY                 that I purchase in a sale or win based
                                               minerals/helium. Questions related to                   2019 sale be allocated among those                     on a successful auction bid? Helium
                                               the auction can be submitted by phone                   participating in the non-allocated sale?               purchased at the FY 2019 sale or won
                                               to the BLM at 806–356–1000.                             The non-allocated sale will be made                    at the FY 2019 auction will be delivered
                                                  1.05 Who is qualified to purchase                    available to all qualified offerors not                starting September 30, 2018, in
                                               helium at the auction? Only qualified                   eligible to participate in the allocated               accordance with the crude helium
                                               bidders, as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9),                sales. The minimum volume that can be                  storage contract. The intent is to ensure
                                               may participate in and purchase helium                  requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume                  delivery of all helium purchased at sale
                                               at the auction. The BLM will make the                   available for the non-allocated portion                or auction up to the BLM’s production
                                               final determination of who is a qualified               of the sale is 10 MMcf. Any volumes not                capability for the year.
                                               bidder using the HSA’s definition of a                  sold at auction will be distributed
                                                                                                       between the non-allocated (10 percent)                    3.02 How will the BLM prioritize
                                               qualified bidder, regardless of whether
                                                                                                       and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any               delivery? The HSA gives priority to
                                               or not that person was previously
                                                                                                       volumes not purchased at the non-                      Federal in-kind helium (i.e., helium sold
                                               determined to be a qualified bidder.
                                                  1.06 How many helium lots does the                   allocated sale will be sold in the                     to Federal users) (50 U.S.C.
                                               BLM anticipate offering at the FY 2019                  allocated portion.                                     167d(b)(1)(D)) and (b)(3)). After meeting
                                               auction? The BLM anticipates                               2.03 How will the helium sold in the                that priority, the BLM will make
                                               auctioning 240 MMcf in a total of 14 lots               FY 2019 sale be allocated among the                    delivery on a reasonable basis, as
                                               for delivery in FY 2019. The lots would                 persons who have operational capacity                  described in the crude helium storage
                                               be divided as follows:                                  to accept delivery of crude helium from                contract, to ensure storage contract
                                                  6 lots of 25 MMcf each; and                          the Federal Helium Pipeline? Any                       holders who have purchased helium at
                                                  5 lots of 15 MMcf each; and                          person wishing to participate in the                   sale or won helium at auction have the
                                                  3 lots of 5 MMcf each.                               allocated portion of the FY 2019 sale                  opportunity during the year to have that
                                                  1.07 What must I do to bid at                        needs to report its excess refining                    helium produced or refined in monthly
                                               auction? The BLM has described the                      capacity and operational capacity a                    increments.
                                               live auction procedures, including                      minimum of 14 calendar days prior to                   F. Background Documents
                                               detailed bidding instructions and pre-                  the sale, using the Excess Refining
                                               bid registration requirements, in a                     Capacity form. The form can be                           Supplementary documents referenced
                                               document entitled, ‘‘FY 2019 Auction                    downloaded at www.blm.gov/programs/                    in this Notice are available at the BLM
                                               Notice and Guide’’ available on the                     energy-and-minerals/helium. The form                   helium operations website at:
                                               BLM’s helium page at www.blm.gov/                       is located in the Helium Stewardship,                  www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-
                                               programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.                    HSA Implementation page of the                         minerals/helium. They are located in
                                               The ‘‘FY 2019 Auction Notice and                        website. Each person participating in                  the Helium Stewardship, HSA
                                               Guide’’ is located in the Helium                        the sale will then be allocated a                      Implementation page of the website, and
                                               Stewardship, HSA Implementation page                    proportional share based upon that                     include the following documents:
                                               of the BLM Federal Helium Program                       person’s operational capacity.                           a. This Federal Register Notice for FY
                                               website.                                                   2.04 How does a person apply for                    2019 Delivery;
                                                  1.08 When will helium that is                        access to the Federal Helium Pipeline
                                                                                                       for the purpose of taking crude helium?                  b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);
                                               purchased at sale or won at auction be
                                               available in the purchaser’s storage                    The steps for taking crude helium are                    c. FY 2019 Helium Auction Notice
                                               account? The BLM will transfer the                      provided in the BLM’s Helium                           and Guide;
                                               volumes won in the FY 2019 auction or                   Operations website at www.blm.gov/                       d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for
                                               purchased at the FY 2019 sale to the                    programs/energy-and-minerals/helium.                   information only);
                                               buyer’s storage accounts on September                   The steps are contained in a document                    e. Determination of Fair Market Value
                                               30, 2018.                                               entitled, ‘‘How to Establish a Storage                 Pricing of Crude Helium;
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                                                                                                       Contract and Pipeline Connection
                                               D. FY 2019 Helium Sale                                  Point,’’ located in the Federal Helium                   f. Storage Fees;
                                                  2.01 Who will be allowed to                          Operations/Helium Storage page of the                    g. Required Forms for Helium
                                               purchase helium in the FY 2019 sale?                    website. Reporting forms can be                        Reporting; and
                                               The crude helium sale will be separated                 downloaded at the same website                           h. FY 2014 through FY 2018 Federal
                                               into two distinct portions, a non-                      address. Reporting forms are located in                Register Notices for Helium Auctions
                                               allocated portion and an allocated                      the Helium Stewardship, HSA                            and Sales.


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                                               29134                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2018 / Notices

                                                 Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–              period or 15 days after the last public                established ACECs as ‘‘avoidance areas’’
                                               40) codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C.           meeting, whichever is later. The BLM                   for new ROWs. The BLM proposes to
                                               167–167q.                                               will provide additional opportunities                  amend the ASFO RMP to: (1) Resolve
                                               Aden L. Seidlitz,                                       for public participation as appropriate.               the conflict between the designated
                                               Bureau of Land Management, Acting State                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                                                                                                                              Section 368 utility corridor and the
                                               Director, New Mexico.                                   on issues and planning criteria related                ACEC decisions; and (2) Determine
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–13469 Filed 6–21–18; 8:45 am]             to the Kanab Creek ACEC RMP                            whether to allow the proposed Lake
                                               BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P                                  amendment by any of the following                      Powell Pipeline outside of the utility
                                                                                                       methods:                                               corridor, and if so, change the visual
                                                                                                          • Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/               resource management class for that
                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                              epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_                  portion of the ACEC from Class II
                                                                                                       register.do.                                           (where changes to the landscape should
                                               Bureau of Land Management                                  • Email: BLM_AZ_ASFO_comments@                      be low) to either Class III or Class IV in
                                                                                                       blm.gov.                                               order to be compatible with utility
                                               [16X.LLUT920000.L71220
                                               0000.ER0000.LVTFJX496770.241A; AZA–                        • Fax: 435–688–3258.                                development.
                                               34941]                                                     • Mail: BLM, Arizona Strip Field                       The purpose of the public scoping
                                                                                                       Office, Attention: Lorraine Christian/                 process is to determine relevant issues
                                               Notice of Intent To Amend a Portion of                  Kanab Creek ACEC RMP Amendment,                        that will influence the scope of the
                                               the Arizona Strip Field Office Resource                 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George,                  environmental analysis, including
                                               Management Plan Related to the                          Utah 84790–6714.                                       alternatives, and guide the planning
                                               Kanab Creek Area of Critical                               Documents pertinent to this proposal                process. Preliminary issues for the RMP
                                               Environmental Concern, Arizona                          may be examined at the Arizona Strip                   amendment area have been identified by
                                                                                                       Field Office at the address above.                     BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local
                                               AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,                                                                           agencies; and other stakeholders. These
                                               Interior.                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                       Lorraine Christian, BLM Arizona Strip                  issues include: Cultural resources,
                                               ACTION: Notice of intent.                                                                                      specifically tribal resources and values;
                                                                                                       Field Manager, telephone: 435–688–
                                               SUMMARY:   In compliance with the                                                                              special status species; riparian habitat;
                                                                                                       3200; email: lmchrist@blm.gov. Contact
                                               National Environmental Policy Act of                                                                           visual resources; special designations
                                                                                                       Ms. Christian to have your name added
                                               1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the                                                                               (i.e., Kanab Creek ACEC); and lands and
                                                                                                       to our mailing list. Persons who use a
                                               Federal Land Policy and Management                                                                             realty, specifically the existing
                                                                                                       telecommunications device for the deaf
                                                                                                                                                              designated utility corridor—Corridor
                                               Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the                    (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
                                                                                                                                                              No. 113–116. The analysis will also
                                               Bureau of Land Management (BLM),                        Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
                                                                                                                                                              consider mitigation.
                                               Arizona Strip Field Office, St. George,                 contact the above individual during                       Preliminary planning criteria include:
                                               Utah, intends to amend a portion of the                 normal business hours. The FRS is                      (1) The BLM will continue to manage
                                               Arizona Strip Field Office (ASFO)                       available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,               the Kanab Creek ACEC in accordance
                                               Resource Management Plan (RMP)                          to leave a message or question with the                with FLPMA and other applicable laws
                                               related to the Kanab Creek Area of                      above individual. You will receive a                   and regulations; (2) The BLM will
                                               Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).                  reply during normal business hours.                    continue to manage Utility Corridor No.
                                               The BLM will incorporate the analysis                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                         113–116 in accordance with FLPMA
                                               for the RMP amendment into a Federal                    planning area is located in Coconino                   and other applicable laws and
                                               Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)                     and Mohave Counties, Arizona. Only a                   regulations; and (3) The amendment
                                               Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)                    small portion (900 acres) of the Kanab                 process will follow the FLPMA
                                               for the Lake Powell Pipeline Project.                   Creek ACEC would be affected by the                    planning process.
                                               FERC is the lead agency and the BLM                     proposed Lake Powell Pipeline route,                      You may submit comments on issues
                                               is a cooperating agency. FERC’s EIS will                but an RMP amendment is required in                    and planning criteria in writing to the
                                               analyze the proposed Lake Powell                        order to address inconsistencies                       BLM at any ASFO RMP amendment
                                               Pipeline Project and the proposed RMP                   between the management direction in                    public-scoping meeting, or you may
                                               amendment to consider allowing                          the current RMP, the proposed route for                submit them to the BLM using one of
                                               development of the Lake Powell                          the pipeline, and an existing utility                  the methods listed in the ADDRESSES
                                               Pipeline within the Kanab Creek ACEC.                   corridor designated under the Energy                   section above. You should submit
                                               By this notice the BLM is announcing                    Policy Act of 2005.                                    comments by the close of the 30-day
                                               the beginning of the scoping process to                    Approximately 1 mile of the proposed                scoping period or within 15 days after
                                               solicit public comments and identify                    pipeline would run within an existing                  the last public meeting, whichever is
                                               issues pursuant to BLM’s land use                       utility corridor, designated by the BLM                later.
                                               planning regulations.                                   pursuant to Section 368 of the Energy                     The BLM will coordinate the
                                               DATES: This notice initiates the public                 Policy Act of 2005, which overlaps a                   processes of fulfilling requirements of
                                               scoping process for the RMP                             portion of the ACEC. Approximately 0.5                 NEPA and Section 106 of the National
                                               amendment with an associated EIS.                       mile of the proposed pipeline would                    Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C.
                                               Comments on issues may be submitted                     run inside the ACEC, but outside the                   306108), as provided in 36 CFR
                                               in writing until July 23, 2018. The                     existing utility corridor; this pipeline               800.2(d)(3).
                                               date(s) and location(s) of any scoping                  route is proposed due to steep rugged                     The BLM will consult with Indian
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                                               meetings will be announced at least 15                  terrain which could be avoided by                      tribes on a government-to-government
                                               days in advance through local media,                    routing the pipeline outside of the                    basis in accordance with Executive
                                               newspapers, and the BLM website at:                     utility corridor. The ASFO RMP                         Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal
                                               http://www.blm.gov/arizona. In order to                 encourages new utility rights-of-way                   concerns, including impacts on Indian
                                               be included in the analysis, all                        (ROW) to be located within the utility                 trust assets and potential impacts to
                                               comments must be received prior to the                  corridor to the greatest extent possible.              cultural resources, will be given due
                                               close of the 30-day public scoping                      However, the ASFO RMP also                             consideration. Federal, State, and local


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Document Created: 2018-11-06 09:50:07
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 09:50:07
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 of auction and sale.
DatesThe schedule for the auction and sale process is:
ContactSamuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field Manager, telephone: 806-356-1000, email: [email protected] 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 Citation83 FR 29131 

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