federal register - U.S. Government Printing Office

Recommendations

Info

Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 28 / Tuesday, February 11, 1997 / Proposed Rules6153Information means geological andgeophysical data that have beenanalyzed, processed, or interpreted.Interpreted geological informationmeans knowledge, often in the form ofschematic cross sections, 3-dimensionalrepresentations, and maps, developedby determining the geologicalsignificance of geological data andanalyzed geologic information.Interpreted geophysical informationmeans knowledge, often in the form ofseismic cross sections, 3-dimensionalrepresentations, and maps, developedby determining the geologicalsignificance of geophysical data andprocessed geophysical information.Lease means:(1) Any form of authorization whichis issued under section 8 or maintainedunder section 6 of the Act and whichauthorizes exploration for, and/ordevelopment and production of,minerals; or(2) The area covered by suchauthorization, whichever is required bythe context.Lessee has the same meaning asprovided in 30 CFR 250.2.Marine environment means thephysical, atmospheric, and biologicalcomponents, conditions, and factorsthat interactively determine the qualityof the marine ecosystem in the coastalzone and in the OCS.Minerals means oil, gas, sulphur,geopressured-geothermal and associatedresources, and all other minerals whichare authorized by an Act of Congress tobe produced from ‘‘public lands’’ asdefined in section 103 of the FederalLand Policy and Management Act of1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).Notice means a written statement ofintent to conduct geological orgeophysical scientific research related tooil, gas, and sulphur in the OCS otherthan under a permit.Oil, gas, and sulphur means oil, gas,sulphur, geopressured-geothermal, andassociated resources.Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) meansall submerged lands lying seaward andoutside the area of lands beneathnavigable waters as defined in section 2of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C.1301), and of which the subsoil andseabed appertain to the United Statesand are subject to its jurisdiction andcontrol.Permit means the contract oragreement, other than a lease, issuedpursuant to this part, under which aperson acquires the right to conduct inthe OCS:(1) Geological exploration for mineralresources;(2) Geophysical exploration formineral resources;(3) Geological scientific research; or(4) Geophysical scientific research inaccordance with appropriate statutes,regulations, and stipulations.Permittee means the personauthorized by a permit issued pursuantto this part to conduct activities in theOCS.Person means a citizen or national ofthe United States; an alien lawfullyadmitted for permanent residence in theUnited States as defined in section 8U.S.C. 1101(a)(20); a private, public, ormunicipal corporation organized underthe laws of the United States or of anyState or territory thereof; andassociations of such citizens, nationals,resident aliens, or private, public, ormunicipal corporations, States, orpolitical subdivisions of States oranyone operating in a manner providedfor by treaty or other applicableinternational agreements. The term doesnot include Federal agencies.Processed geological or geophysicalinformation means data collected undera permit and later processed orreprocessed. Processing involveschanging the form of data so as tofacilitate interpretation. Processingoperations may include, but are notlimited to, applying corrections forknown perturbing causes, rearranging orfiltering data, and combining ortransforming data elements.Reprocessing is the additionalprocessing other than ordinaryprocessing used in the general course ofevaluation. Reprocessing operationsmay include varying identifiedparameters for the detailed study of aspecific problem area.Secretary means the Secretary of theInterior or a subordinate authorized toact on the Secretary’s behalf.Shallow test drilling means drillinginto the sea bottom to depths less thanthose specified in the definition of adeep stratigraphic test.Third Party means any person otherthan a representative of the UnitedStates or the permittee, including allpersons to whom the permittee sold,licensed, traded, or otherwisetransferred data or information acquiredunder a permit.Violation means a failure to complywith any provision of the Act, or aprovision of a regulation or order issuedunder the Act, or any provision of alease, license, or permit issued underthe Act.You means a person who inquiresabout or obtains a permit or files anotice to conduct geological orgeophysical exploration or scientificresearch related to oil, gas, and sulphurin the OCS.§ 251.2 Purpose of this part.(a) To allow you to conduct G&Gactivities in the OCS related to oil, gas,and sulphur on unleased lands or onlands under lease to a third party.(b) To ensure that you carry out G&Gactivities in a safe and environmentallysound manner so as to prevent harm ordamage to, or waste of, any naturalresources (including any mineraldeposit in areas leased or not leased),any life (including fish and otheraquatic life), property, or the marine,coastal, or human environment.(c) To inform you of your legal andcontractual obligations.§ 251.3 Authority and applicability of thispart.MMS authorizes you to conductexploration or scientific researchactivities under this part in accordancewith the Act, the regulations in thispart, orders of the Director/RegionalDirector, and other applicable statutes,regulations, and amendments.(a) This part does not apply to G&Gexploration conducted by or on behalfof the lessee on a lease in the OCS. Referto 30 CFR part 250 if you plan toconduct G&G activities related to oil,gas, or sulphur under terms of a lease.(b) Federal agencies are exempt fromthe regulations in this part.(c) G&G exploration or G&G scientificresearch related to minerals other thanoil, gas, and sulphur is covered byregulations at 30 CFR part 280.§ 251.4 Types of G&G activities thatrequire permits or notices.(a) Exploration. You must have anMMS-approved permit to conduct G&Gexploration, including deepstratigraphic tests, for oil, gas, orsulphur resources. If you conduct bothgeological and geophysical exploration,you must have a separate permit foreach.(b) Scientific research. You may onlyconduct G&G scientific research relatedto oil, gas, and sulphur in the OCS afteryou obtain an MMS-approved permit orfile a notice.(1) Permit. You must obtain a permitif the research activities you propose toconduct involve:(i) Using solid or liquid explosives; or(ii) Drilling a deep stratigraphic test.(2) Notice. Any other G&G scientificresearch that you conduct related to oil,gas, and sulphur in the OCS requiresyou to file a notice with the RegionalDirector at least 30 days before youbegin. If circumstances preclude a 30-day notice, you must provide oral noticeand followup in writing. You must alsonotify MMS in writing when youconclude your work.
6154 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 28 / Tuesday, February 11, 1997 / Proposed Rules§ 251.5 Applying for permits or filingnotices.(a) Permits. You must submit theoriginal and three copies of the MMSpermit application form (Form MMS–327). The form includes names ofpersons, type, location, purpose, anddates of activity, and environmental andother information.(b) Disapproval of permit application.If MMS disapproves your applicationfor a permit, the Regional Director willstate the reasons for the denial and willadvise you of the changes needed toobtain approval.(c) Notices. You must sign and date anotice and state:(1) The name(s) of the person(s) whowill conduct the proposed research;(2) The name of any other person(s)participating in the proposed research,including the sponsor;(3) The type of research and a briefdescription of how you will conduct it;(4) The location in the OCS, indicatedon a map, plat, or chart, where you willconduct research;(5) The proposed dates you project foryour research activity to start and end;(6) The name, registry number,<strong>register</strong>ed owner, and port of registry ofvessels used in the operation;(7) The earliest time you expect tomake the data and information resultingfrom your research activity available tothe public;(8) Your plan of how you will makethe data and information you collectedavailable to the public;(9) That you and others involved willnot sell or withhold for exclusive usethe data and information resulting fromyour research; and(10) At your option, you may submit(as a substitute for the material requiredin paragraphs (c)(7), (c)(8), and (c)(9) ofthis section) the nonexclusive useagreement for scientific researchattachment to Form 327.(d) Filing locations. You must applyfor a permit or file a notice at one of thefollowing locations:(1) For the OCS off the State ofAlaska—the Regional Supervisor forResource Evaluation, MineralsManagement Service, Alaska OCSRegion, 949 East 36th Avenue,Anchorage, Alaska 99508–4302.(2) For the OCS off the Atlantic Coastand in the Gulf of Mexico—the RegionalSupervisor for Resource Evaluation,Minerals Management Service, Gulf ofMexico OCS Region, 1201 ElmwoodPark Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana70123–2394.(3) For the OCS off the coast of theStates of California, Oregon,Washington, or Hawaii—the RegionalSupervisor for Resource Evaluation,Minerals Management Service, PacificOCS Region, 770 Paseo Camarillo,Camarillo, California 93010–6064.§ 251.6 Obligations and rights under apermit or a notice.While conducting G&G exploration orscientific research activities under anMMS permit or notice:(a) You must not:(1) Interfere with or endangeroperations under any lease, or right-ofway,or permit issued or maintainedunder the Act;(2) Cause harm or damage to life(including fish and other aquatic life) orto the marine, coastal, or humanenvironment;(3) Cause harm or damage to propertyor to any mineral (in areas leased or notleased);(4) Cause pollution;(5) Disturb archaeological resources;(6) Create hazardous or unsafeconditions; or(7) Interfere with or cause harm toother uses of the area.(b) You must immediately report tothe Regional Director if you:(1) Detect hydrocarbon occurrences;(2) Detect environmental hazardswhich imminently threaten life andproperty; or(3) Adversely affect the environment,aquatic life, archaeological resources, orother uses of the area where you areconducting exploration or scientificresearch activities.(c) You must also consult andcoordinate your G&G activities withother users of the area, such as thefishing, marine transportation, oil andgas, and geophysical survey industries,U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, etc.(d) You must use the best availableand safest technologies that the RegionalDirector determines to be economicallyfeasible.(e) You may not claim any oil, gas,sulphur, or other minerals you discoverwhile conducting operations under apermit or notice.§ 251.7 Test drilling activities under apermit.(a) Shallow test drilling. Before youbegin shallow test drilling under apermit, the Regional Director mayrequire you to:(1) Gather and submit seismic,bathymetric, sidescan sonar,magnetometer, or other geophysical dataand information to determine shallowstructural detail across and in thevicinity of the proposed test.(2) Submit information for coastalzone consistency certification accordingto paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of thissection and for protecting archaeologicalresources according to paragraph (b)(5)of this section.(3) Allow all interested parties theopportunity to participate in theshallow test according to paragraph (c)of this section and meet bondingrequirements according to paragraph (d)of this section.(b) Deep stratigraphic tests. You mustsubmit to the Regional Director at theaddress given in § 251.5, a drilling plan,an environmental report, and anapplication for permit to drill asfollows:(1) Drilling plan. The drilling planmust include:(i) The proposed type, sequence, andtimetable of drilling activities;(ii) A description of your drilling rig,indicating the important features withspecial attention to safety, pollutionprevention, oil-spill containment andcleanup plans, and onshore disposalprocedures;(iii) The location of each deepstratigraphic test you will conduct,including the location of the surface andprojected bottomhole of the borehole;(iv) The types of geophysical surveyinstruments you will use before andduring drilling;(v) Seismic, bathymetric, sidescansonar, magnetometer, or othergeophysical data and informationsufficient to evaluate seafloorcharacteristics, shallow geologichazards, and structural detail across andin the vicinity of the proposed test tothe total depth of the proposed test well;and(vi) Other relevant data andinformation that the Regional Directorrequires.(2) Environmental report. Theenvironmental report must include allof the following material:(i) A summary with data andinformation available at the time yousubmitted the related drilling plan.MMS will consider site-specific dataand information developed since themost recent environmental impactstatement or other environmentalimpact analysis in the immediate area.The summary must meet the followingrequirements:(A) You must concentrate on theissues specific to the site(s) of drillingactivity. However, you only need tosummarize data and informationdiscussed in any environmental reports,analyses, or impact statements preparedfor the geographic area of the drillingactivity.(B) You must list referenced material.Include brief descriptions and astatement of where the material isavailable for inspection.
Page 2 and 3:
IIFederal Register / Vol. 62, No. 2
Page 4 and 5:
IVFederal Register / Vol. 62, No. 2
Page 6 and 7:
VIFederal Register / Vol. 62, No. 2
Page 8 and 9:
6099Rules and RegulationsFederal Re
Page 12 and 13: Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 28
Page 112 and 113:
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 28
Page 114 and 115:
Page 116 and 117:
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
Page 122 and 123:
Page 124 and 125:
Page 126 and 127:
Page 128 and 129:
Page 130 and 131:
Page 132 and 133:
Page 134 and 135:
Page 136 and 137:
Page 138 and 139:
Page 140 and 141:
Page 142 and 143:
Page 144 and 145:
Page 146 and 147:
Page 148 and 149:
Page 150 and 151:
Page 152 and 153:
Page 154 and 155:
Page 156 and 157:
Page 158 and 159:
Page 160 and 161:
Page 162 and 163:
Page 164 and 165:
Page 166 and 167:
Page 168 and 169:
Page 170 and 171:
Page 172 and 173:
Page 174 and 175:
Page 176 and 177:
Page 178 and 179:
Page 180 and 181:
Page 182 and 183:
Page 184 and 185:
Page 186 and 187:
Page 188 and 189:
Page 190 and 191:
Page 192 and 193:
Page 194 and 195:
Page 196 and 197:
Page 198 and 199:
Page 200 and 201:
Page 202 and 203:
Page 204 and 205:
Page 206 and 207:
Page 208 and 209:
Page 210 and 211:
Page 212 and 213:
Page 214 and 215:
Page 216 and 217:
6308 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No
Page 218 and 219:
Page 220 and 221:
Page 222 and 223:
Page 224 and 225:
Page 226 and 227:
Page 228 and 229:
Page 230 and 231:
Page 232 and 233:
Page 234 and 235:
Page 236 and 237:
Page 238 and 239:
Page 240 and 241:
Page 242 and 243:
Page 244 and 245:
Page 246 and 247:
Page 248 and 249:
Page 250 and 251:
Page 252 and 253:
Page 254 and 255:
Page 256 and 257:
Page 258 and 259:
Page 260 and 261:
Page 262 and 263:
Page 264 and 265:
Page 266 and 267:
Page 268 and 269:
Page 270 and 271:
Page 272 and 273:
federal registerTuesdayFebruary 11,
Page 274 and 275:
Page 276 and 277:
Page 278 and 279:
Page 280 and 281:
Page 282 and 283:
Page 284 and 285:
Page 286 and 287:
Page 288 and 289:
Page 290 and 291:
Page 292 and 293:
Page 294 and 295:
Page 296 and 297:
Page 298 and 299:
Page 300 and 301:
Page 302 and 303:
Page 304 and 305:
Page 306 and 307:
Page 308 and 309:
Page 310 and 311:
Page 312 and 313:
Page 314 and 315:
Page 316 and 317:
Page 318 and 319:
Page 320 and 321:
Page 322 and 323:
Page 324 and 325:
Page 326 and 327:
Page 328 and 329:
Page 330 and 331:
Page 332 and 333:
Page 334 and 335:
Page 336 and 337:
Page 338 and 339:
Page 340 and 341:
Page 342 and 343:
Page 344 and 345:
Page 346 and 347:
Page 348 and 349:
Page 350 and 351:
iiFederal Register / Vol. 62, No. 2
Page 352:
ivFederal Register / Vol. 62, No. 2
show all

federal register - U.S. Government Printing Office

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?