Federal Register: June 21, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 119)
DOCID: FR Doc 06-5552
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Land Management Bureau
NM ID: [NM091-9941-EK-HE931]
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Extension of Approved Information Collection, OMB Control Number 1004-0180
DATES: You must submit your comments to BLM at the address below on or before August 21, 2006. BLM will not necessarily consider any comments received after the above date.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to extend an existing approval to collect information from owners and operators of heliumbearing
[[Page 35693]]
natural gas wells and transmission lines to evaluate the helium
resources. BLM uses Form 310012, Gas Well Data Survey of Helium
Bearing Natural Gas, to collect gas samples from natural gas wells.
This information allows BLM to determine and evaluate the extent of any
helium resources that may exist in natural gas.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
5 CFR 1320.12(a) requires BLM to provide a
60day notice in the Federal Register concerning a collection of information to solicit comments on:
(a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the
proper functioning of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of our estimates of the information collection
burden, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions we use;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and
(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Owners and operators of heliumbearing natural gas wells and transmission lines must submit Form 310012, Gas Well Data Survey of HeliumBearing Natural Gas, to provide for gas sampling and analysis we use to locate helium occurrences in natural gases. BLM carries out this program under 74 Stat. 920, Public Law 104273, Helium Privatization Act of 1996. The knowledge of helium occurrences is part of the Government's conservation program.
We request the following information on Form 310012;
(A) State and County: The geographical location is necessary to
identify the source of the gas sample. After the gas source is
identified, BLM uses this information to evaluate the potential for supplying helium.
(B) Field, Well Name, and API Number: This information identifies
the source of the gas sample. Each producing state assigns official
field designations to producing areas. BLM uses this information to
determine location and size of helium reserves. The well name is
registered with the state and identifies the specific well from where
the gas sample came. This information provides both the owner and BLM a
reference so that any further questions that arise concerning the gas
sample can be specifically referred to a certain well. Each well in the
United States is assigned a unique number based on guidelines from the
American Petroleum Institute (API). This number is essential to assure that wells with similar names are not confused.
(C) Location and Owner: We need the legal description of the
location of the well. This information will help to locate the well on
maps of the area and other features, both surface and subsurface, and
to determine helium reserves. The owner's name and address are
necessary to report analysis results and for further correspondence.
(D) Sampled By: This information provides the name of the person
taking the gas sample and allows verification of well and sampling
conditions if any questions arise concerning the gas sample.
(E) Date Completed and Date Sampled: This information refers to the
date the well was ready for production. This information is necessary
to determine if this is an older producing well or a recently completed
well. An older producing well will have production and pressure records
available within the company and at state agencies that are of great
value to evaluate the helium reserves. The date sampled is important
because we search the records to determine under what conditions the
gas sample was taken if any questions arise concerning the gas sample.
(F) Elevation: This information refers to the elevation of the
Kelly Bushing or ground level elevation on the drilling rig. This
information is necessary because most wireline logs, mud logs, and
other references to the depth of the well are made with the Kelly
Bushing data. The elevation will assist to classify the geologic
horizons penetrated by the well, and give some true depth in relation to sea level data.
(H) Name of Producing Formation and Geological Age of Producing
Formation: This information is necessary to classify the subsurface
source of the gas sample and to consider other producing zones in the field or area.
(I) Depth (Feet) of Producing Formation and Thickness (Feet): This
information is necessary to consider the producing zones with those in
other fields or wells. Thickness of the producing zone is an essential
factor to determine the volume of helium presently in a reservoir.
(J) ShutIn Wellhead Pressure and Open Flow: This information is
necessary to determine the reserves of helium and the adequacy of a
well to produce sufficient process gas to a helium extraction plant.
Shutin wellhead pressure is essential to estimate the helium reserves.
Open flow is the capacity of the well to produce gas. BLM uses this
information to determine if the process gas volumes are available.
Without this information, the location and development of helium reserves could not be done, longrange helium production and conservation could not be carried out, and an assured supply of helium to the Federal Government would not be available.
Based on our experience administering this program, we estimate the public reporting burden is 15 minutes per response to supply the required information. The respondents are owners and operators of heliumbearing natural gas wells and transmission lines. The frequency of response is annually. We estimate 200 responses per year and a total annual burden of 50 hours.
BLM will summarize all responses to this notice and include them in
the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.
Dated: June 9, 2006.
Ted R. Hudson,
Bureau of Land Management, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 065552 Filed 62006; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 431084M
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
You may contact Connie H. Neely, on (806) 3561027 (Commercial or FTS). Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service at 18008778330, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, to contact Ms. Neely.