EIA-182 Protocol

EIA-182: Domestic Crude Oil First Purchase Report

Cognitive Interviews Protocol – Round One

February 2016

(This protocol is a guide – the questions presented here won’t necessarily be asked exactly as worded in the protocol or in this order. It is important to note that not all questions will be asked in every interview.)

Research Goals:

• To understand the reporting habits of respondents reporting Baaken/Argus Sour Crude

Part A – Introduction

• Introduce observers and their background

Purpose of Phone Call:

Let me start by telling you a little about what we will be doing today:

• We are asking you some questions about your reporting habits of Baaken /Agnus Sour Crude

• We are attempting to clear up some data problems that we are having on the EIA-182

• You were selected because you currently complete the EIA-182 form and work in a region that is known to have North Dakota Baaken/Argus Sour Crude streams.

• There are no right or wrong answers, and if something doesn’t make sense to you or you have any questions, please ask. It is important for us to know both things that work and don’t work so we can improve the form.

• Before we get started, I'd like to audio record this interview so I don't have to later rely on my memory. This session is confidential, which means only persons directly related to this project can listen to your tapes, and the recordings are erased once our report is written. The report combines information from all of our interviews and contains no information that personally identifies you or the company at which you work. Is it okay if I record this interview?

• Do you have any questions?

Part B- North Dakota Baaken/Argus Sour

• Are you familiar with North Dakota Baaken Crude/Argus Sour Crude oil?

• Does your company deal with of any Baaken Crude/Argus Sour Crude oil?

• How does your company keep records of its purchases of Baaken Crude/Argus Sour Crude?

  • How do you report that information on the survey form?

  • If needed, Where do you report that information on the survey form?

    • (If reported in “Other”) Besides Baaken/Argus Sour, are other crude streams also reported in North Dakota Other/Gulf Coast Other?

    • (If yes) What percentage of the Other category would you estimate is comprised of Baaken/Argus Sour Crude?

    • (If reported in the North Dakota Sweet category or another Gulf Coast category), Besides Baaken/Argus Sour, are other crude streams reported in this stream code?

    • (If yes) What percentage of the Stream code you mentioned would you estimate is made up of Baaken/Argus Sour Crude?

• How easy or difficult would it be for you to report your Baaken/Argus Sour separately {from (category mentioned)}?

• How does your company keep records of that domestic crude oil purchases?

• How long does it currently take you to complete and file a monthly report on the EIA-182 Survey?

• Are there any other types of crude or crude oil grades that your company purchases on a regular basis that are not listed on the EIA-182 form?

• How do you report that information on the survey form?

• Where do you report that information on the survey form?

  • (If reported in “Other”), Are other crude products, other than the one just mentioned, also reported in Other?

  • What percentage of the Other Category would you estimate is made up of the non-listed crude product?

• How easy or difficult would it be for you to report these crude streams separately?

Part C – Background Information

Lastly, let’s talk about your company(s):

• How long has this company been in business?

• What is the primary function of your company?

• What kinds of activities occur at this company?

• What is your title?

• How long have you been at this company?

• What are your responsibilities?

• Are you in charge of government reporting?

  • (If needed) Do you complete any regulatory forms, State and/or Federal?

  • (If needed) Do you complete any other EIA forms?

• Do you generally have the data needed to report for these forms, or do you work with others to gather this data?

• How do you usually submit these other reports? (electronically, fax, mail, email)

• Do you fill out these other forms manually or automatically?

• How many EIA-182 forms do you complete?

• How much time does it take you to complete each form?

• Of the amount of time it takes to complete the report, how much of that time is spent gathering data necessary to report?

Wrap Up

• Overall, what do you think of this survey?

• Is there any information not being asked on this form that you would find useful?

• Do you have any suggestions to improve this survey?

Thank you for your time today