Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collections; Comment Request

Titles (OMB Control Numbers):

Form MMS-124, Sundry Notices and Reports on Wells (1010-0045) Form MMS-125, Well Summary Report (1010-0046) Form MMS-126, Well Potential Test Report and Request for Maximum Production Rate (MPR) (1010-0039) Form MMS-128, Semiannual Well Test Report (1010-0017)

Abstract: The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as amended, requires the Secretary of the Interior to preserve, protect, and develop oil and gas resources in the OCS; make such resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs as rapidly as possible; balance orderly energy resources development with protection of the human, marine, and coastal environment; ensure the public a fair and equitable return on the resources offshore; preserve and maintain free enterprise competition, and ensure that the extent of oil and natural gas resources of the OCS is assessed at the earliest practicable time. To carry out these responsibilities, we issue rules governing oil and gas and sulphur operations in the OCS. The regulations requiring the information collection forms that are the subject of this notice are 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Drilling Operations; Subpart E, Well-Completion Operations; Subpart F, Well- Workover Operations; Subpart G, Abandonment of Wells; Subpart K, Production Rates; and Subpart P, Sulphur Operations. Failure to collect this information would prevent the Director from carrying out the mandate of the OCS Lands Act. The following explains how we use the information collected and the consequences if we did not collect the information. a. Form MMS-124. MMS District Supervisors use the information to evaluate the adequacy of the equipment, materials, and/or procedures that the lessee plans to use for drilling, production, well-completion, well-workover, and well-abandonment operations. If we did not collect this information, we could not review lessee

plans to require changes to drilling procedures or equipment to ensure that levels of safety and environmental protection are maintained. Nor could we review information concerning requests for approval or subsequent reporting of well-completion or well-workover operations to ensure that procedures and equipment are appropriate for the anticipated conditions. b. Form MMS-125. District Supervisors use the information to ensure that they have accurate data on the wells under their jurisdiction and to ensure compliance with approved plans. It is also used to evaluate remedial action in well-equipment failure or well-control loss situations. c. Form MMS-126. MMS Regional Supervisors use the information to determine the MPR for an oil or gas well. The form contains information concerning the conditions and results of a well potential test. This requirement carries out the conservation provisions of the OCS Lands Act. Failure to collect this information could result in waste of energy resources in the OCS by production at imprudent rates, jeopardizing the ultimate full recovery of hydrocarbons. d. Form MMS-128. Regional Supervisors use this information to evaluate the results of well tests to find out if reservoirs are being depleted in a way that will lead to the greatest ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons. We designed the form to present current well data on a semiannual basis to allow the updating of permissible producing rates and to provide the basis for estimates of currently remaining recoverable gas reserves. We will protect proprietary information submitted according to the Freedom of Information Act; 30 CFR 250.118, ``Data and information to be made available to the public'; and 30 CFR Part 252, ``OCS Oil and Gas Information Program.'' No items of a sensitive nature are collected. Responses are mandatory. Estimated Number and Description of Respondents: Approximately 130 Federal OCS oil and gas or sulphur lessees. Frequency: Forms MMS-124, MMS-125, and MMS-126, are on occasion; Form MMS-128 is semiannual. Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Hour'' Burden: We previously estimated the following burdens for these forms:

Form MMS-124: 9,950 responses @ 1 hr per response = 9,950 hours Form MMS-125: 2,118 responses @ 1 hr per response = 2,118 hours Form MMS-126: 4,043 responses @ 1\1/4\ hr per response = 5,656 hours Form MMS-128: 1,716 responses @ 2 hrs per response = 3,432 hours

Estimated Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Cost'' Burden: We have identified no information collection cost burdens for these collections of information. Comments: We will summarize written responses to this notice and address them in our submission for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Based on your comments and our consultations with a representative sample of respondents, we will adjust the burden estimates as necessary in our submissions to OMB. In calculating the burden, we assume that respondents perform many of the requirements and maintain records in the normal course of their activities. We consider these usual and customary and take that into account in estimating the burden. (1) We specifically solicit your comments on the following questions: (a) Is the proposed collection of information necessary for us to properly perform our functions, and will it be useful? (b) Are the estimates of the burden hours of the proposed collection reasonable? (c) Do you have any suggestions that would enhance the quality, clarity, or usefulness of the information to be collected? (d) Is there a way to minimize the information collection burden on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology? (2) In addition, the PRA requires agencies to estimate the total annual reporting and recordkeeping ``cost'' burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. We need to know if you have costs associated with the collection of this information for either total capital and startup cost components or annual operation, maintenance, and purchase of service components. Your estimates should consider the costs to generate, maintain, and disclose or provide the information. You should describe the methods you use to estimate major cost factors, including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, discount rate(s), and the period over which you incur costs. Capital and startup costs include, among other items, computers and software you purchase to prepare for collecting information; monitoring, sampling, drilling, and testing equipment; and record storage facilities. Generally, your estimates should not include equipment or services purchased: (i) before October 1, 1995; (ii) to comply with requirements not associated with the information collection; (iii) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the Government; or (iv) as part of customary and usual business or private practices. MMS Information Collection Clearance Officer: Jo Ann Lauterbach, (202) 208-7744.

Dated. February 3, 1999. E.P. Danenberger, Chief, Engineering and Operations Division. [FR Doc. 99-3397 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P