Notice2026-21158
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Application for Permit To Drill (APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and All Supporting Documentation
Primary source
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Published
October 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentSafety and Environmental Enforcement Bureau
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to renew an information collection.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65772-65775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21158]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
[Docket ID BSEE-2025-0299; EEEE500000-256E1700D2-ET1SF0000.EAQ000OMB
Control Number 1014-0025]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Application
for Permit To Drill (APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information
Sheet, and All Supporting Documentation
AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to
renew an information collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
November 16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this particular
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function. Please
provide a copy of your comments to Kelly Odom, Acting BSEE ICCO, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166; or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b1fad4ddddc89ffed5dedcf1d3c2d4d49fd6dec7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d992bcb5b5a0f796bdb6b499bbaabcbcf7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a>.
Please reference OMB Control Number 1014-0025 in the subject line of
your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information
about this ICR, contact Kelly Odom by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1c577970706532537873715c7e6f7979327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="400b252c2c396e0f242f2d00223325256e272f36">[email protected]</span></a>, or
by telephone at (703) 787-1775. Individuals in the United States who
are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may
dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States. You may also view the ICR at
<a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR
1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired
format.
A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on
April 24, 2026 (91 FR 22165). BSEE did not receive any comments on this
notice.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other
Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are
especially interested in public comment addressing the following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your address, phone number, email
address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal
identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Abstract: The regulations at 30 CFR part 250 pertain to Application
for Permit to Drill (APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information
Sheet, and all supporting documentation and are the subject of this
collection. This request also covers the related Notices to Lessees and
Operators (NTLs) that BSEE issues to clarify, supplement, or
[[Page 65773]]
provide additional guidance on some aspects of our regulations.
The BSEE uses the information to ensure safe drilling operations
and to protect the human, marine, and coastal environment. Among other
things, BSEE specifically uses the information to ensure: the drilling
unit is fit for the intended purpose; the lessee or operator will not
encounter geologic conditions that present a hazard to operations;
equipment is maintained in a state of readiness and meets safety
standards; each drilling crew is properly trained and able to promptly
perform well-control activities at any time during well operations;
compliance with safety standards; and the current regulations will
provide for safe and proper field or reservoir development, resource
evaluation, conservation, protection of correlative rights, safety, and
environmental protection. We also review well records to ascertain
whether drilling operations have encountered hydrocarbons or H2S and to
ensure that H2S detection equipment, personnel protective equipment,
and training of the crew are adequate for safe operations in zones
known to contain H2S and zones where the presence of H2S is unknown.
This ICR includes forms BSEE-0123 (APD) and BSEE-0123S
(Supplemental APD Information Sheet). The BSEE uses the information
from these forms to determine the conditions of a drilling site to
avoid hazards inherent in drilling operations. Specifically, we use the
information to evaluate the adequacy of a lessee's or operator's plan
and equipment for drilling, sidetracking, or deepening operations. This
includes the adequacy of the proposed casing design, casing setting
depths, drilling fluid (mud) programs, cementing programs, and blowout
preventer (BOP) systems to ascertain that the proposed operations will
be conducted in an operationally safe manner that provides adequate
protection for the environment. BSEE also reviews the information to
ensure conformance with specific provisions of the lease. In addition,
except for proprietary data, BSEE is required by the OCSLA to make
available to the public certain information submitted on Forms BSEE-
0123 and BSEE-0123S.
The forms consist of the following:
BSEE-0123
Heading: BSEE uses the information to identify the type of proposed
drilling activity for which approval is requested.
Well at Total Depth/Surface: Information used to identify the
location (area, block, lease, latitude and longitude) of the proposed
drilling activity.
Significant Markers Anticipated: Identification of significant
geologic formations, structures and/or horizons that the lessee or
operator expects to encounter. This information, in conjunction with
seismic data, is needed to correlate with other wells drilled in the
area to assess the risks and hazards inherent in drilling operations.
Question/Information: The information is used to ascertain the
adequacy of the drilling fluids (mud) program to ensure control of the
well, the adequacy of the surface casing compliance with EPA offshore
pollutant discharge requirements and the shut in of adjacent wells to
ensure safety while moving a rig on and off a drilling location, as
well that the worst case discharge scenario information reflects the
well and is updated if applicable. This information is also provided in
the course of electronically requesting approval of drilling operations
via eWell.
BSEE-0123S
Heading: BSEE uses this information to identify the lease operator,
rig name, rig elevation, water depth, type well (exploratory,
development), and the presence of H2S and other data which is needed to
assess operational risks and safety.
Well Design Information: This engineering data identifies casing
size, pressure rating, setting depth and current volume, hole size, mud
weight, BOP and well bore designs, formation and BOP test data, and
other criteria. The information is used by BSEE engineers to verify
operational safety and ensure well control to prevent blowouts and
other hazards to personnel and the environment. This form requests data
collection for successive sections of the borehole as drilling proceeds
toward total depth below each intermediate casing point.
Title of Collection: 30 CFR part 250, Application for Permit to
Drill (APD, Revised APD), Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all
supporting documentation.
OMB Control Number: 1014-0025.
Form Number: Forms BSEE-0123 and BSEE-0123S.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Potential respondents include Federal
OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and/or operators and holders of
pipeline rights-of-way.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: Currently there are
approximately 555 Federal OCS oil, gas, and sulfur lessees and holders
of pipeline rights-of-way. Not all the potential respondents will
submit information in any given year, and some may submit multiple
times.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 10,820.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 1 hour to 20
hours, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 49,446.
Respondent's Obligation: Most responses are mandatory while others
are to obtain and/or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: Submitted generally on occasion and as
required in the regulations.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $299,876.
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Annual
Citation 30 CFR 250; Application Reporting or Average number of burden
for Permit to Drill (APD) recordkeeping requirement Hour burden responses hours
* (rounded)
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Non-hour cost burden
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Subparts A, C, D, E, G............ Apply for permit to 1.............. 122 applications.... 122
drill, sidetrack,
bypass, or deepen a well
submitted via Forms BSEE-
0123 (APD) and BSEE-
0123S (Supplemental
APD). (This burden
represents only the
filling out of the
forms, the requirements
are listed separately
below.).
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$2,458 fee x 122 = $299,876.
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Subparts D, E, G.................. Obtain approval to revise 1.............. 677 submittals...... 677
your drilling plan or
change major drilling
equipment by submitting
a Revised APD and
Supplemental APD [no
cost recovery fee for
Revised APDs]. (This
burden represents only
the filling out of the
forms, the requirements
are listed separately
below).
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[[Page 65774]]
Subtotal.................................................................. 799 responses....... 799
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$299,876 non-hour cost burdens.
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Subpart A
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125............................... Submit evidence of your Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(1). 0
fee for services receipt.
197............................... Written confidentiality Exempt under 5 CFR 1320.5(d)(2). 0
agreement.
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Subpart C
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300(b)(1), (2).................... Obtain approval to add R-1............ 1 request........... 1
petroleum-based
substance to drilling
mud system or approval
for method of disposal
of drill cuttings, sand,
& other well solids,
including those
containing NORM.
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Subtotal for C............................................................ 1 response.......... 1
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Subpart D
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408; 414(h)....................... Request approval of Burden covered under subpart A, 1014- 0
alternate procedures or 0022.
equipment during
drilling operations.
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409............................... Request departure R-5............ 370 approvals....... 1,850
approval from the
drilling requirements
specified in this
subpart; identify and
discuss.
410(b); 713....................... Reference well and site- R-10........... 1 submittal......... 10
specific information in
case it is not approved
in your Exploration
Plan, Development and
Production Plan,
Development Operations
Coordination Document
Burdens pertaining to
EPs, DPPs, DOCDs are
covered under BOEM 1010-
0151.
410(d)............................ Submit to the District R-3............ 380 submittals...... 1,140
Manager: An original and
two complete copies of
APD and Supplemental
APD; separate public
information copy of
forms per Sec. 250186.
411; 412.......................... Submit plat showing R-3............ 380 submittals...... 1,140
location of the proposed
well and all the plat
requirements associated
with this section.
411; 413; 414; 415; 420........... Submit design criteria R-12........... 707 submittals...... 8,484
used and all description
requirements; drilling
prognosis with
description of the
procedures you will
follow; and casing and
cementing program
requirements.
411; 416; 731..................... Submit diverter and BOP R-5............ 380 submittals...... 1,900
systems descriptions and
all the regulatory
requirements associated
with this section.
411; 713.......................... Provide information for 10............. 682 submittals...... 6,820
using a MODU and all the
regulatory requirements
associated with this
section.
411; 418.......................... Additional information R-5............ 380 submittals...... 1,900
required when providing
an APD include, but not
limited to, rated
capacities of drilling
rig and equipment if not
already on file;
drilling fluids program,
including weight
materials; directional
plot; H2S contingency
plan; welding plan; and
information we may
require per
requirements, etc.
414(c)............................ Request preapproval to R-3............ 15 requests......... 45
use alternative
equivalent downhole mud
weight prior to
submitting APD.
420(a)(7)......................... Include signed registered R-1............ 1,034 certifications 1,034
professional engineer
certification and
related information.
423(c)............................ Submit for approval 3.............. 527 procedures & 1,581
casing pressure test criteria.
procedures and criteria
On casing seal assembly
ensure proper
installation of casing
or liner (subsea BOP's
only).
428(b)............................ Submit to District R-8............ 1 submittal......... 8
Manager for approval
revised casing setting
depths or hole interval
drilling depth; include
certification by PE.
428(k)............................ Submit a description of R-1............ 1 submittal......... 1
the plan to use a
valve(s) on the drive
pipe during cementing
operations for the
conductor casing,
surface casing, or liner.
432............................... Request departure from 1.............. R-53 requests....... 53
diverter requirements;
with discussion and
receive approval.
460(a)............................ Include your projected R-4............ 2 plans............. 8
plans if well testing
along with the required
information.
462(c)............................ Submit a description of R-8............ 1 submittal......... 8
your source control and
containment capabilities
to the Regional
Supervisor and receive
approval; all required
information.
490(c)............................ Request to classify an R-2............ 91 requests......... 182
area for the presence of
H2S.
Support request with R-10........... 73 submittals....... 730
available information
such as G&G data, well
logs, formation tests,
cores and analysis of
formation fluids.
Submit a request for 2.............. 4 requests.......... 8
reclassification of a
zone when a different
classification is needed.
Alaska Region: 410; 412 through Due to the difficulties 0.............. 1 request........... 0
418; 420; 456; 470; 472. of drilling in Alaska,
along with the shortened
time window allowed for
drilling, Alaska hours
are done here as stand-
alone requirements Also,
note that these specific
hours are based on the
first APD in Alaska in
more than 10 years.
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Subpart D subtotal........................................................ 5,083 responses..... 26,902
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Subpart E
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513............................... Obtain written approval R-20........... R-289 requests...... 5,780
to begin well completion
operations. If
completion is planned
and the data are
available you may submit
on forms.
Submit description of R-10........... 295 submittals...... 2,950
well-completion,
schematics, logs, any
H2S.
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Subpart E subtotal........................................................ 584 responses....... 8,730
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Subpart G
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701............................... Identify and discuss your Burden covered under subpart A, 1014- 0
proposed alternate 0022.
procedures or equipment.
[[Page 65775]]
702............................... Identify and discuss Burden covered under subpart A, 1014- 0
departure requests.. 0022.
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713(b)............................ Submit plat of the rig's R-1............ 1 submittal......... 1
anchor pattern for a
moored rig approved in
your EP, DPP, or DOCD.
713(e)............................ Provide contingency plan R-5............ 682 submittals...... 3,410
for using dynamically
positioned MODU and all
the regulatory
requirements associated
with this section.
713(g)............................ Describe specific current R-8............ 1 submittal......... 8
speeds when implementing
rig shutdown and/or move-
off procedures for water
depths >400 meters;
discussion of specific
measures you will take
to curtail rig
operations/move-off
location.
720(b)............................ Request approval to R-2............ 518 approval 1,036
displace kill-weight requests.
fluid; include reasons
why along with step-by-
step procedures.
721(g)(4)......................... Submit test procedures R-2............ 355 submittals...... 710
and criteria for a
successful negative
pressure test for
approval. If any change,
submit changes for
approval.
731............................... Submit complete R-10........... 129................. 1,290
description of BOP
system and components;
schematic drawings;
certification by ITP
(additional I3P if BOP
is subsea, in HTHP, or
surface on floating
facility); autoshear,
deadman, EDS systems;
733(b)............................ Describe annulus R-2............ 1 submittal......... 2
monitoring plan; and how
the well will be secured
if leak is detected.
734(b)............................ Submit verification R-4............ 1 report............ 4
report from ITP
documenting repairs &
that BOP is fit for
service.
734(c)............................ Submit revision, R-3............ 1 submittal......... 3
including all
verifications required,
before drilling out
surface casing.
737(a)............................ Request approval from R-4............ 358 casing/liner 1,432
District Manager to omit info.
BOP pressure test
Indicate which casing
strings and liners meet
the criteria for this
request.
737(b)(2)......................... Request approval of test 2.............. 353 requests........ 706
pressures (RAM BOPs).
737(b)(3)......................... Request approval of 2.............. 380 requests........ 760
pressure test (annular
BOPs).
737(d)(2)......................... Submit test procedures R-3............ 507 submittals...... 1,521
for approval for surface
BOP.
737(d)(3); (d)(4)................. Submit test procedures, 2.............. 507 submittals...... 1,014
including how you will
test each ROV
intervention function,
for approval (subsea
BOPs only).
737(d)(12)........................ Submit test procedures R-2............ 507 submittals...... 1,014
(autoshear and deadman
systems) for approval
Include documentation of
the controls/circuitry
system used for each
test; describe how the
ROV will be used during
this operation.
738(b)............................ Submit a revised permit 2.............. 50 submittals....... 100
with a written statement
from an independent
third party documenting
the repairs,
replacement, or
reconfiguration and
certifying that the
previous certification
in Sec. 250731(c)
remains valid.
738(m)............................ Request approval to use R-1............ 1 request........... 1
additional well control
equipment, including
BAVO report; as well as
other information
required by District
Manager.
738(n)............................ Submit which pipe/ R-2............ 1 submittal......... 2
variable bore rams have
no current utility or
well control purposes.
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Subpart G subtotal........................................................ 4,353 response...... 13,014
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Total Burden.......................................................... 10,820 responses.... 49,446
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$299,876 Non Hour Cost Burden.
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An agency may not conduct, or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Kirk Malstrom,
Chief, Regulations and Standards Branch.
[FR Doc. 2026-21158 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P
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