83_FR_37974 83 FR 37825 - Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery

83 FR 37825 - Notice of Crude Helium Auction and Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 149 (August 2, 2018)

Page Range37825-37827
FR Document2018-16685

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 June 20, 2017, for a previous sale.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37825-37827]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16685]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX L4053RV]


Notice of 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 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 June 20, 2017, for a previous sale.

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

Helium Auction

    August 31, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
    September 4, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction results published on the 
BLM website
    September 5, 2018--Invoices for auction sent on or before this 
date; payments due 15 days from invoice

Helium Sale

    August 31, 2018--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium sale
    September 4, 2018--Bids due from IFO
    September 4, 2018--Award announcements published on the BLM website
    September 5, 2018--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments 
due 15 days from invoice

Helium Delivery

    September 30, 2018--Helium transferred to buyers' storage accounts
    If payment is not received by September 20, 2018, volumes will be 
re-offered for sale to all over bidders, proportionally, on September 
21, 2018. Subsequently, for these re-offered volumes to count toward 
October 1, 2018 allocation percentages, payment must be received by 
September 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The August 31, 2018, helium auction will be held in the main 
conference room of the Amarillo Field Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 
500, Amarillo, TX 79101. The BLM's Federal Helium Program HSA 
Implementation page website is located at https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/helium/federal-helium-operations. Questions related 
to the auction can be submitted by phone to the BLM at 806-356-1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field 
Manager, at 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, which 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 2018 for FY 2019 delivery.
    Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices are available from the BLM's 
HSA Implementation Page website (see ADDRESSES). Search under the 
``Documents and Reports'' link.

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          Volume          Volume          Volume
                                                            production       (sales to       remaining     available for   available for   available for
                                                            capability    federal users)    production        auction     non- allocated       sale
                                                           (NITEC study) ----------------  available for ----------------      sale      ---------------
                    Fiscal year (FY)                     ----------------                  sale/ auction                 ----------------
                                                                                            or delivery
                                                              MMcf *           MMcf      ----------------      MMcf            MMcf            MMcf
                                                                                               MMcf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2019.................................................             825             155         300 ***          210 **               9              81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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.


[[Page 37826]]

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.
    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:

Helium Auction

    August 31, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction held in Amarillo, Texas
    September 4, 2018--FY 2019 helium auction results published on the 
BLM website
    September 5, 2018--Invoices for auction sent on or before this 
date; payments due 15 days from invoice

Helium Sale

    August 31, 2018--Invitation for offers (IFO) posted for helium sale
    September 4, 2018--Bids due from IFO
    September 4, 2018--Award announcements published on the BLM website
    September 5, 2018--Invoices for sale sent on or before; payments 
due 15 days from invoice

Helium Transfer

    September 30, 2018--Helium transferred to buyers' storage accounts 
(in accordance with Section 1.08)
    If payment is not received by September 20, 2018, volumes will be 
re-offered for sale to all over-bidders, proportionally, on September 
21, 2018. Subsequently, for these re-offered volumes to count toward 
October 1, 2018 allocation percentages, payment must be received by 
September 28, 2018.
    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 August 31, 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 BLM's HSA Implementation Page website (see ADDRESSES). 
Click on the ``Federal Register Notices'' link.
    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. Payment must be 
received not later than the close of business September 20, 2018.
    1.06 How many helium lots does the BLM anticipate offering at the 
FY 2019 auction? The BLM anticipates auctioning 210 MMcf in a total of 
12 lots for delivery in FY 2019. The lots would be divided as follows:
    5 lots of 25 MMcf each; and
    5 lots of 15 MMcf each; and
    2 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,'' which is available on the BLM's HSA 
Implementation Page website (see ADDRESSES). Click on the ``Federal 
Register Notices'' link.
    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 2019 auction and 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 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 9 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 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 from the BLM's HSA Implementation Page website (see 
ADDRESSES). Click on the links for ``Crude Helium Auctions & Sales'' 
and then ``FY 2019 Refiner Estimated Excess Capacity.'' 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 HSA Implementation Page website 
(see ADDRESSES). The steps are contained in a document entitled, ``How 
to Establish a Storage Contract and Pipeline Connection Point.'' Click 
on the link for ``Helium Storage.'' Reporting forms can be downloaded 
from the same website address, click on the link for ``Documents and 
Reports.'' The forms 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

[[Page 37827]]

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 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's HSA Implementation Page website (see ADDRESSES) and include 
the following documents:
    a. This Federal Register Notice for Fiscal year 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.

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

Richard T. Cardinale,
Acting Deputy Director, Operations.
[FR Doc. 2018-16685 Filed 8-1-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P



                                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 149 / Thursday, August 2, 2018 / Notices                                                   37825

                                               Meridian, in the County of San Diego, State                        Helium Auction                                         deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
                                               of California, according to official plat                                                                                 Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. The
                                               thereof.                                                            August 31, 2018—FY 2019 helium
                                                                                                                      auction held in Amarillo, Texas                    FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
                                                  The above described lands contain a total                                                                              a week, to leave a message. You will
                                               of 520 acres, more or less, which are subject                       September 4, 2018—FY 2019 helium
                                               to all valid rights, reservations, rights-of-way,                      auction results published on the                   receive a reply during normal business
                                               and easements of record.                                               BLM website                                        hours.
                                                  This proclamation does not affect title to                       September 5, 2018—Invoices for                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               the lands described above, nor does it affect                          auction sent on or before this date;
                                               any valid existing easement for public roads                           payments due 15 days from invoice                  A. Purpose and Background
                                               and highways, public utilities, railroads,
                                               pipelines, or any other valid easement or                          Helium Sale                                               In October 2013, Congress passed the
                                               rights-of-way or reservation of record.                                                                                   HSA, which requires the Department of
                                                                                                                   August 31, 2018—Invitation for offers
                                                                                                                                                                         the Interior, through the BLM Director,
                                                 Dated: July 9, 2018.                                                 (IFO) posted for helium sale
                                                                                                                   September 4, 2018—Bids due from                       to offer for auction and sale annually a
                                               John Tahsuda,                                                                                                             portion of the helium reserves owned by
                                               Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary—Indian                            IFO
                                                                                                                   September 4, 2018—Award                               the United States and stored
                                               Affairs Exercising the Authority of the                                                                                   underground at the Cliffside Gas Field
                                               Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.                                    announcements published on the
                                                                                                                      BLM website                                        near Amarillo, Texas.
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–16584 Filed 8–1–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                   September 5, 2018—Invoices for sale                      On July 23, 2014, the BLM published
                                               BILLING CODE 4337–15–P
                                                                                                                      sent on or before; payments due 15                 a ‘‘Final Notice for Implementation of
                                                                                                                      days from invoice                                  Helium Stewardship Act Sales and
                                                                                                                                                                         Auctions’’ in the Federal Register (79
                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                         Helium Delivery                                        FR 42808) (2014 Final Notice). The 2014
                                               Bureau of Land Management                                            September 30, 2018—Helium                            Final Notice contained information
                                                                                                                       transferred to buyers’ storage                    about the HSA, definitions of terms
                                                                                                                       accounts                                          used in the Notice, the reasons for the
                                               [LLNM006200 L99110000.EK0000 XXX                                     If payment is not received by                        action, and a process for conducting the
                                               L4053RV]
                                                                                                                  September 20, 2018, volumes will be re-                auctions and sales in FY 2014.
                                               Notice of Crude Helium Auction and                                 offered for sale to all over bidders,                     On August 24, 2015, the BLM
                                               Sale for Fiscal Year 2019 Delivery                                 proportionally, on September 21, 2018.                 published a ‘‘Notice of Final Action:
                                                                                                                  Subsequently, for these re-offered                     Crude Helium Sale and Auction for
                                               AGENCY:   Bureau of Land Management,                               volumes to count toward October 1,                     Fiscal Year 2016 Delivery’’ in the
                                               Interior.                                                          2018 allocation percentages, payment                   Federal Register (80 FR 51304) (2015
                                               ACTION: Notice of auction and sale.                                must be received by September 28,                      Final Notice). The 2015 Final Notice
                                                                                                                  2018.                                                  refined the process the BLM used in
                                               SUMMARY:    The Secretary of the Interior                          ADDRESSES: The August 31, 2018,                        2014 for conducting the auction and
                                               (Secretary), through the Bureau of Land                            helium auction will be held in the main                sale of crude helium. The BLM will use
                                               Management (BLM) New Mexico State                                  conference room of the Amarillo Field                  the process set forth in the 2015 Final
                                               Office, is issuing this Notice to conduct                          Office, 801 South Fillmore, Suite 500,                 Notice for the auction and sale of crude
                                               an auction and sale from the Federal                               Amarillo, TX 79101. The BLM’s Federal                  helium to occur in FY 2018 for FY 2019
                                               Helium Program, administered by the                                Helium Program HSA Implementation                      delivery.
                                               BLM New Mexico, Amarillo Field                                     page website is located at https://                       Both the 2014 and 2015 Final Notices
                                               Office. The Helium Stewardship Act of                              www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-                       are available from the BLM’s HSA
                                               2013 (HSA) requires the BLM to                                     minerals/helium/federal-helium-                        Implementation Page website (see
                                               conduct an annual auction and sale of                              operations. Questions related to the                   ADDRESSES). Search under the
                                               crude helium. Accordingly, the BLM                                 auction can be submitted by phone to                   ‘‘Documents and Reports’’ link.
                                               will once again use the auction and sale                           the BLM at 806–356–1000.
                                               process established in the Federal                                                                                        B. Volumes Offered in the FY 2019
                                                                                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                               Register dated June 20, 2017, for a                                                                                       Helium Auction and Sale:
                                                                                                                  Samuel R.M. Burton, Amarillo Field
                                               previous sale.                                                     Manager, at telephone: 806–356–1000,                     Table 1 identifies the volumes to be
                                               DATES: The schedule for the auction and                            email: sburton@blm.gov. Persons who                    offered for auction and sale in FY 2018
                                               sale process is:                                                   use a telecommunications device for the                for FY 2019 delivery.

                                                                               TABLE 1—PROJECTED VOLUMES FOR AUCTION AND SALES FOR FY 2019 DELIVERY
                                                                                                              Forecasted             In-kind             Total            Volume             Volume          Volume
                                                                                                              production              sales           remaining          available          available       available
                                                                                                               capability           (sales to         production        for auction         for non-         for sale
                                                                                                                (NITEC               federal           available                            allocated
                                                                 Fiscal year (FY)                                study)               users)           for sale/                               sale
                                                                                                                                                      auction or
                                                                                                                                                       delivery            MMcf                              MMcf
                                                                                                                MMcf *               MMcf                                                    MMcf
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                            MMcf

                                               FY 2019 ...................................................               825                   155            300 ***             210 **                9               81
                                                 * 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.



                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014       17:06 Aug 01, 2018        Jkt 244001     PO 00000   Frm 00043   Fmt 4703    Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\02AUN1.SGM    02AUN1


                                               37826                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 149 / Thursday, August 2, 2018 / Notices

                                               C. FY 2019 Helium Auction                               qualified bidder may participate in the               helium from the Federal Helium
                                                  1.01 What is the minimum FY 2019                     auction. The logistics for the auction                Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C.
                                               auction price and the FY 2019 sales                     and the pre-bid qualification form is                 167(2)).
                                               price? The minimum FY 2019 auction                      included in a document entitled, ‘‘FY                    2.02 How will helium sold in the FY
                                               price is $110 per Mcf (one thousand                     2019 Helium Auction Notice and                        2019 sale be allocated among those
                                                                                                       Guide’’ on the BLM’s HSA                              participating in the non-allocated sale?
                                               cubic feet of gas measured at standard
                                                                                                       Implementation Page website (see                      The non-allocated sale will be made
                                               conditions of 14.65 psia and 60 degrees
                                                                                                       ADDRESSES). Click on the ‘‘Federal                    available to all qualified offerors not
                                               Fahrenheit). The BLM will announce
                                                                                                       Register Notices’’ link.                              eligible to participate in the allocated
                                               the FY 2019 sale price after the auction
                                                                                                          1.05 Who is qualified to purchase                  sales. The minimum volume that can be
                                               has concluded, and the BLM completes
                                                                                                       helium at the auction? Only qualified                 requested is 1 MMcf. The total volume
                                               its analysis of the auction information.
                                                                                                       bidders, as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(9),              available for the non-allocated portion
                                               The BLM will use this information to
                                                                                                       may participate in and purchase helium                of the sale is 9 MMcf. Any volumes not
                                               publish the crude helium price for FY
                                                                                                       at the auction. The BLM will make the                 sold at auction will be distributed
                                               2019.
                                                                                                       final determination of who is a qualified             between the non-allocated (10 percent)
                                                  1.02 What will happen to the helium
                                                                                                       bidder using the HSA’s definition of a                and the allocated sale (90 percent). Any
                                               offered but not sold in the helium
                                                                                                       qualified bidder, regardless of whether               volumes not purchased at the non-
                                               auction? Any volume of helium offered,
                                                                                                       or not that person was previously                     allocated sale will be sold in the
                                               but not sold in the FY 2019 auction, will
                                                                                                       determined to be a qualified bidder.                  allocated portion.
                                               be added to the helium available for sale                                                                        2.03 How will the helium sold in the
                                               and will be offered in the FY 2019 sale.                Payment must be received not later than
                                                                                                       the close of business September 20,                   FY 2019 sale be allocated among the
                                                  1.03 When will the auction and sale
                                                                                                       2018.                                                 persons to accept delivery of crude
                                               take place? The BLM will offer helium                                                                         helium from the Federal Helium
                                               for FY 2019 according to the following                     1.06 How many helium lots does the
                                                                                                       BLM anticipate offering at the FY 2019                Pipeline? Any person wishing to
                                               schedule:                                                                                                     participate in the allocated portion of
                                                                                                       auction? The BLM anticipates
                                               Helium Auction                                          auctioning 210 MMcf in a total of 12 lots             the FY 2019 sale needs to report its
                                                August 31, 2018—FY 2019 helium                         for delivery in FY 2019. The lots would               excess refining capacity and operational
                                                   auction held in Amarillo, Texas                     be divided as follows:                                capacity a minimum of 14 calendar days
                                                September 4, 2018—FY 2019 helium                          5 lots of 25 MMcf each; and                        prior to the sale, using the Excess
                                                   auction results published on the                       5 lots of 15 MMcf each; and                        Refining Capacity form. The form can be
                                                   BLM website                                            2 lots of 5 MMcf each.                             downloaded from the BLM’s HSA
                                                September 5, 2018—Invoices for                            1.07 What must I do to bid at auction?             Implementation Page website (see
                                                   auction sent on or before this date;                The BLM has described the live auction                ADDRESSES). Click on the links for
                                                   payments due 15 days from invoice                   procedures, including detailed bidding                ‘‘Crude Helium Auctions & Sales’’ and
                                                                                                       instructions and pre-bid registration                 then ‘‘FY 2019 Refiner Estimated Excess
                                               Helium Sale                                             requirements, in a document entitled,                 Capacity.’’ Each person participating in
                                                August 31, 2018—Invitation for offers                  ‘‘FY 2019 Auction Notice and Guide,’’                 the sale will then be allocated a
                                                   (IFO) posted for helium sale                        which is available on the BLM’s HSA                   proportional share based upon that
                                                September 4, 2018—Bids due from                        Implementation Page website (see                      person’s operational capacity.
                                                   IFO                                                 ADDRESSES). Click on the ‘‘Federal                       2.04 How does a person apply for
                                                September 4, 2018—Award                                Register Notices’’ link.                              access to the Federal Helium Pipeline
                                                   announcements published on the                         1.08 When will helium that is                      for the purpose of taking crude helium?
                                                   BLM website                                         purchased at sale or won at auction be                The steps for taking crude helium are
                                                September 5, 2018—Invoices for sale                    available in the purchaser’s storage                  provided in the BLM’s HSA
                                                   sent on or before; payments due 15                  account? The BLM will transfer the                    Implementation Page website (see
                                                   days from invoice                                   volumes purchased in the FY 2019                      ADDRESSES). The steps are contained in
                                                                                                       auction and sale to the buyer’s storage               a document entitled, ‘‘How to Establish
                                               Helium Transfer                                         accounts on September 30, 2018.                       a Storage Contract and Pipeline
                                                 September 30, 2018—Helium                                                                                   Connection Point.’’ Click on the link for
                                                    transferred to buyers’ storage                     D. FY 2019 Helium Sale
                                                                                                                                                             ‘‘Helium Storage.’’ Reporting forms can
                                                    accounts (in accordance with                          2.01 Who will be allowed to purchase               be downloaded from the same website
                                                    Section 1.08)                                      helium in the FY 2019 sale? The crude                 address, click on the link for
                                                 If payment is not received by                         helium sale will be separated into two                ‘‘Documents and Reports.’’ The forms
                                               September 20, 2018, volumes will be re-                 distinct portions, a non-allocated                    show the requirements and due dates
                                               offered for sale to all over-bidders,                   portion and an allocated portion. The                 for each report. The length of time
                                               proportionally, on September 21, 2018.                  non-allocated portion will be ten                     required to apply for and obtain access
                                               Subsequently, for these re-offered                      percent of the total amount offered for               to the Federal Helium Pipeline can vary
                                               volumes to count toward October 1,                      sale for FY 2019, and will be available               based on the person’s plans for plant
                                               2018 allocation percentages, payment                    to those storage contract holders who do              construction, pipeline metering
                                               must be received by September 28,                       not have ability to accept delivery of                installation, and other variables. The
                                               2018.                                                   crude helium from the Federal Helium                  BLM is available to provide technical
                                                 1.04 What is the auction format? The                  Pipeline (as defined in 50 U.S.C. 167(2))             assistance, including contact
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               auction will be a live auction, held in                 as of May 30, 2018. The allocated                     information for applying for access and
                                               the main conference room of the                         portion will be 90 percent of the total               meeting any applicable National
                                               Amarillo Field Office at 1:00 p.m.                      amount offered for sale for FY 2019, and              Environmental Policy Act requirements.
                                               Central Time, on August 31, 2018. The                   will be available to any person
                                               address is 801 South Fillmore, Suite                    (including individuals, corporations,                 E. Delivery of Helium in FY 2019
                                               500, Amarillo, TX 79101. Anyone                         partnerships, or other entities) with the               3.01 When will I receive the helium
                                               meeting the HSA definition of a                         ability to accept delivery of crude                   that I purchase in a sale or win based


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 149 / Thursday, August 2, 2018 / Notices                                                 37827

                                               on a successful auction bid? Helium                     and Pension Benefit Plans (the Council),              nomination by an organization, by an
                                               purchased at the FY 2019 sale or won                    consisting of 15 members appointed by                 authorized representative of the
                                               at the FY 2019 auction will be delivered                the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) as             organization. The Department
                                               starting September 30, 2018, in                         follows:                                              encourages you to include additional
                                               accordance with the crude helium                           • Three representatives of employee                supporting letters of nomination. It will
                                               storage contract. The intent is to ensure               organizations (at least one of whom                   not consider self-nominees who have no
                                               delivery of all helium purchased at sale                shall be a representative of an                       supporting letters.
                                               or auction up to the BLM’s production                   organization whose members are                           Nominations, including supporting
                                               capability for the year.                                participants in a multiemployer plan);                letters, should:
                                                  3.02 How will the BLM prioritize                        • three representatives of employers                  • State the person’s qualifications to
                                               delivery? The HSA gives priority to                     (at least one of whom shall be a                      serve on the Council (including any
                                               Federal in-kind helium (i.e., helium sold               representative of employers maintaining               particular specialized knowledge or
                                               to Federal users) (50 U.S.C.                            or contributing to multiemployer plans);              experience relevant to the nominee’s
                                               167d(b)(1)(D)) and (b)(3)). After meeting                  • one representative each from the                 proposed Council position);
                                               that priority, the BLM will make                        fields of insurance, corporate trust,                    • state that the candidate will accept
                                               delivery on a reasonable basis, as                      actuarial counseling, investment                      appointment to the Council if offered;
                                               described in the crude helium storage                   counseling, investment management,                       • include which of the five positions
                                               contract, to ensure storage contract                    and accounting; and                                   (representing groups or fields) you are
                                               holders who have purchased or won                          • three representatives from the                   nominating the candidate to fill;
                                               helium at auction have the opportunity                  general public (one of whom shall be a                   • include the nominee’s full name,
                                               during the year to have that helium                     person representing those receiving                   work affiliation, mailing address, phone
                                               produced or refined in monthly                          benefits from a pension plan).                        number, and email address;
                                               increments.                                             No more than eight members of the                        • include the nominator’s full name,
                                                                                                       Council shall be members of the same                  mailing address, phone number, and
                                               F. Background documents
                                                                                                       political party.                                      email address;
                                                 Supplementary documents referenced                       Council members must be qualified to                  • include the nominator’s signature,
                                               in this Notice are available at the BLM’s               appraise the programs instituted under                whether sent by email or otherwise.
                                               HSA Implementation Page website (see                    ERISA. Appointments are for three-year                   Please do not include any information
                                               ADDRESSES) and include the following                    terms. The Council’s prescribed duties                that you do not want publicly disclosed.
                                               documents:                                              are to advise the Secretary with respect                 The Department will contact
                                                 a. This Federal Register Notice for                   to carrying out his functions under                   nominees for information on their
                                               Fiscal year 2019 Delivery;                              ERISA, and to submit to the Secretary,                political affiliation and their status as
                                                 b. The HSA (50 U.S.C. 167);                           or his designee, related                              registered lobbyists. Anyone currently
                                                 c. FY 2019 Helium Auction Notice                      recommendations. The Council will                     subject to federal registration
                                               and Guide;                                              meet at least four times each year.                   requirements as a lobbyist is not eligible
                                                 d. 2016 Storage Contract (template for                   The terms of five Council members                  for appointment. Nominees should be
                                               information only);                                      expire at the end of this year. The                   aware of the time commitment for
                                                 e. Determination of Fair Market Value                 groups or fields they represent are as                attending meetings and actively
                                               Pricing of Crude Helium;                                follows:                                              participating in the work of the Council.
                                                 f. Storage Fees;                                         (1) Employee organizations;                        Historically, this has meant a
                                                 g. Required Forms for Helium                             (2) employers;                                     commitment of at least 20 days per year.
                                               Reporting; and                                             (3) actuarial counseling;                          The Department of Labor has a process
                                                 h. FY 2014 through FY 2018 Federal                       (4) investment counseling; and                     for vetting nominees under
                                               Register Notices for Helium Auctions                       (5) the general public.                            consideration for appointment.
                                               and Sales.                                                 The Department of Labor is                           Signed at Washington, DC, on July 30,
                                                 Authority: The HSA of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–              committed to equal opportunity in the                 2018.
                                               40) codified to various sections in 50 U.S.C.           workplace and seeks a broad-based and                 Preston Rutledge,
                                               167–167q.                                               diverse Council.                                      Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits
                                               Richard T. Cardinale,                                      If you or your organization wants to               Security Administration.
                                               Acting Deputy Director, Operations.
                                                                                                       nominate one or more people for                       [FR Doc. 2018–16571 Filed 8–1–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       appointment to the Council to represent
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–16685 Filed 8–1–18; 8:45 am]                                                                    BILLING CODE 4510–29–P
                                                                                                       one of the groups or fields specified
                                               BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P
                                                                                                       above, submit nominations to Larry
                                                                                                       Good, Council Executive Secretary,
                                                                                                       Frances Perkins Building, U.S.                        NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
                                               DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                                     Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
                                                                                                       Ave. NW, Suite N–5623, Washington,                    Advisory Committee for Mathematical
                                               Employee Benefits Security                              DC 20210, or as email attachments to
                                               Administration                                                                                                and Physical Sciences; Notice of
                                                                                                       good.larry@dol.gov. Nominations must                  Meeting
                                               Advisory Council on Employee Welfare                    be received on or before September 17,
                                                                                                       2018. Please allow three weeks for                      In accordance with the Federal
                                               and Pension Benefit Plans;
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                       regular mail delivery to the Department               Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–
                                               Nominations for Vacancies                                                                                     463, as amended), the National Science
                                                                                                       of Labor. If sending electronically,
                                                 Section 512 of the Employee                           please use an attachment in rich text,                Foundation (NSF) announces the
                                               Retirement Income Security Act of 1974                  Word, or pdf format. Nominations may                  following meeting:
                                               (ERISA), 88 Stat. 895, 29 U.S.C. 1142,                  be in the form of a letter, resolution or             NAME AND COMMITTEE CODE: Advisory
                                               provides for the establishment of an                    petition, signed by the person making                 Committee for Mathematical and
                                               Advisory Council on Employee Welfare                    the nomination or, in the case of a                   Physical Sciences (#66).


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Document Created: 2018-08-02 01:29:10
Document Modified: 2018-08-02 01:29:10
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, at 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 37825 

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