Refuge oil drillers' paperwork gets routine extension nod
Published Date: 9/2/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an existing information collection without change.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Information Collection Renewed Without Change
The Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing the existing information collection for non‑Federal oil and gas operations on National Wildlife Refuge System lands without changing it. That renewal continues the reporting and recordkeeping duties that generate an estimated 864 annual responses and 15,640 total annual burden hours. You (businesses that conduct oil and gas exploration on refuges) must keep complying with the same forms and timelines already in place.
Large Financial Assurance Requirement
Before starting operations, operators must submit financial assurance in the amount specified by the Service and show proof of liability insurance. The notice lists a total estimated annual non‑hour burden cost of $2,250,000 associated with financial assurances. You (operators) must provide these assurances before operations begin.
Lengthy Permit Application Workloads
Applying for an operations permit requires extensive information and is estimated to take up to 140 hours per hard‑copy application (23 annual hard‑copy responses produce 3,220 hours) or 105 hours per ePermit application (22 annual ePermit responses produce 2,310 hours). The permit application includes detailed maps, engineering plans, waste handling, water use, and reclamation cost estimates.
Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical Disclosure
If operations include hydraulic fracturing, operators must report the true vertical depth of the well, total water volume used, and a detailed description of the base fluid and each additive. That description must include trade name, supplier, purpose, ingredients, Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number, and maximum ingredient concentrations (percent by mass). Operators must also provide a chemical disclosure upload to FracFocus as required.
Rapid Accident and Wildlife Reporting Deadlines
Operators must notify the Service within 24 hours of any injuries to or mortality of fish, wildlife, or threatened/endangered plants. Operators must notify the Service immediately of any accidents causing serious personal injury, death, fires, or spills and submit a written accident report within 90 days of the accident. Third‑party monitors also must report to the Service on compliance.
Operator Transfer and Plugging Timeline Rules
When rights transfer, the transferring operator must notify the Service within 30 calendar days and provide names, addresses, and the effective date. The acquiring operator must provide documentation within 30 days and submit an operations permit application within 90 calendar days of the transfer. Operators may apply to keep a well shut‑in for up to 5 years by submitting an operations permit or permit modification with specified supporting information.
Confidentiality Claims and Recordkeeping Rules
An operator may claim certain submitted information as confidential but must submit an affidavit supporting the claim and may be required to provide withheld information to the Service. Operators must retain withheld information until the Service releases the operator's financial assurance or for 7 years after completion of operations. If chemical identities are withheld, the operator must still provide a generic chemical name no less descriptive than what was provided to EPA.
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