) d.w. solans*exploratory drilling is scheduled to begin about october 15, 1983. our scheduled...
TRANSCRIPT
In Reply R To: OS-?-?
Shell Offshore Ire. .cp oo i ,00 Attention: F. A» Glevlano Pott Office 3* 60159 •tew Orleans, uoulslen* 70160
Gentleneni
Reference Is male to your Initial Plen of Exploration and fnvironmental Repor" received September 4, 1983, for Leases OCS- G W03 and 5206, Blocks 947 end 903. Ewing Bank Area end Block 356 Ship Shoal Area. This plan Include* the drllHnq of four wells.
In accordance with 30 CFR 250.34, revise < ')ec*»nber 13, 1979, end our letter dat«1 tonmry 29* 1979, this plan has 'j*en determined tc he complete as of SepttrftQor 23, 1983, and 1s now being considered for approval.
Vour plan control nmh*r Is N-1314 end should be referenced In your communication and correspondence concerning this plen.
Sincerely yours.
(WQ.$&C\) D.W. Solans*
0. 14. Solanas Reqlonal Supervisor Offshore Operations .>upport
bcc: Lease OCS-G 5803 (OMS-2-3) Lease OCS-G 5206 (OMS-2-3) [OMS-2-2 w/Public j'nfo. Copy of the plan and ER
HHekmatdoost:gtJ:9/23/83 01 sk 3b
# Shell Offshore Inc A Subwdwry ot Srwi CM Company
One Shail Square P. O. Box 801 " i N i w O f l N i u Louisiana 70160
; Offahora Fast f Production Division r.
SEP 09 (983
Gentlemen:
Regional Supervisor Offahore Operations Support Minerals Management Service P. 0. Box 7944 Metairie, LA 70010
SUBJECT: PLAN OF EXPLORATION SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
Shell Offshore Inc. herewith submits for your approval a plan of exploration (POE) for the captioned leaae.
Thia plan is submitted in accordance with 30 CFR 250.34, effective December 13, 1979, and subsequent guidelines.
This plan consists of a series of attachments de. ribing details of our intended operations. The attachments we desire t be exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act are marked "Confidential."
Drilling and other operations will be conducted under the applicable provisions of OCS Orders I , 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 12 and other applicable regulations, orders end notices including those regarding the avoidance of potential dri l l ing hazards and in th? interest of safety and pollution prevention and control.
The drilling rig we intend to use, the semisubmersible rig Zapata Saratoga, has previously been approved for use in the Gulf of Mexico and is presently Leing operated by Shell in Green Canyon Block 65.
A search for cultural resources prior to dri l l ing ia not required for thia leaae.
We would appreciate your approval of our POE as soon as possible.
" Swnent Support
LC83244013
4 m
, J
Should youtrequire addit ional information, please contact H. 0. Amadon at 588-6338 or D. L. Forsander at 588-6314.
1
Yours very truly, •- \
F. A. Glav ano
Production Administration Hanager
DLF:MCJ
Attachments cc: Dis t r i c t Supervisor
Houma Dis t r i c t Minerals Management Service P. 0. Box 10145 Houma, LA 70361
LC83244013
INDEX OF ATTACHMENTS PLAN OF EXPLORATION
SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOALBLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA .
ATTACHMENT NO. OF NO. *- DESCRIPTION COPIES
i 1 - . . ' ' • " i • • ' "
1 Index of Attachments 9
2 Description of Ac t iv i t i e s 9
3 Schedule of Ac t iv i t i e s 9
4 Plat, rfaee Locations of Wells 9
5 Plat, Proposed Well Locations and Depths 5*
6 Map, Structure 5*
7 Cross Section, NW-SE 5*
8 Anticipated Stratigraphic l. ct ion 5*
9 Report, Shallow D r i l l i n g Hazards 5* **
10 Plat, Bathymetry, Shallow Hazards 5* **
11 Description, Shallow Geophysical Survey Equipment 9
12 L i s t , D r i l l i n g Mud Components and Additives 9
13 Comments, S p i l l Prevention, Control and
Countermeasure Plan 9
14 Table, Clean Gulf Equipment 9
15 Air Emissions Data 9
16 Description, Onshore Support F a c i l i t y 9
17 Support Vessels, Description, Travel Frequency 9
18 Plat, Lease V i c i n i t y & Transportation Routes 9
19 Cer t i f i ca te of Consistency, Louisiana 9
20 Environmental Report 9 Attachment 1
* "Confidential" ** W i l l be submitted in a few days.
LC83244012
{ DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES j PLAN OF EXPLORATION S
I ] SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 —r • ' SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK'356
I / " OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
i K- I The'planned wells are designed to tes t a seismic anomaly i n Pleistocene beds. Four locations may -be required. The alphabetical order of the locations does not necessarily indicate the d r i l l i n g order. Geopressures requiring protective casing are expected at about 5,500 fee t . 1
The wells w i l l be d r i l l e d , evaluated and either abandoned or suspended i n such a way as to create no obstruction to f i s h i n g and navigation. I f fur ther explorat i o n and/or development/production are to be undertaken thereafter , supplemental plans w i l l be submitted.
LC83244012
Attachment 2
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES PLAN OF EXPLORATION
SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SftELl OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
Exploratory dri l l ing is scheduled to begin about October 15, 1983. Our scheduled starting date may vary from this, depending upon dri l l ing rig availabil ity and the outcome of other wells we are dri l l ing , or plan to d r i l l .
Dr i l l ing each of the proposed locations is expected to require about 40 days. Thus, i f c i l locations are drilled, this entire exploratory program would require about 160 days.
LC83244012
Attachment 3
SHALLOW GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY EQUIPMENT PLAN OF EXPLORATION
1 1 SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947. l&ffiLL OCS-G 5206, SH IP SHOAL BLOCK 356
1 j OFFSHORE LOUISIANA i
J K, | The following equipnent was used in the shallow hazards surveys done in preparation for this plan:
1. Raydist Radio Range Positioning System.
2. E.G.&.C. Model SMS 960 Dual Channel Side Scan.
3. O.R.E. 3.5-7 kHz Sub-Bottom Profiler.
4. High Resolution Sparker at 400 joules.
LC83244012
Attachment 11
DR1LLIN1 MUD COMPONENTS & ADDITIVES PLAN OF EXPLORATION
SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
I . ITEMS USED ON A KCUTINE BASIS:
TRADE NAME S DELTA MUD IMCO BAROID MILCHEM MAGCOBAR DESCRIPTION
DEL-BAR IMCO BAR BARITE/BAROID BARITE/MILBAR BARITE/MAGCOBAR BARITE (BARIUM SULFATE) DEL-GEL IMCO GEL AQUAGEL MILGEL MAGCOGEL BENTONITE DF.L-LIG IMCO LIG CARBONOX LIGCO TANNATHIN LIGNITE CLCLS RD-11. Q-BROXIN UNI CAL SPERCENE BLENDED LIGNOSULFONATE CAUSTIC SODA CAUSTIC SODA CAUSTIC SODA CAUSTIC SODA CAUSTIC SODA SODIUM HYDROXIDE ALUMINUM ALUMINUM ALUMINUM ALUMINUM ALUMINUM ALUMINUM STEARATE J STEARATE STEARATE STEARATE STEARATE STEARATE r '
•> LIME LIME LIME LIME LIME CALCIUM HYDROXIDE CLS IMCO THIN CC-16 LIGCON XP-20 BLENDED LIGNITE/CAUSTIC SODA ASH SODA ASH SODA ASH SODA ASH SODA ASH SODIUM CARBONATE BICARB BICARB BICARB BICARB BICARB BICARBONATE OF SODA - POLY RX - CHEMTROL-X RESINEX SELECTED POLYMER BLEND DEL-DET IMCO MD CON DET. M.D. D-D DETERGENT DE-FOAMER FOAMBAN DEFOAMER W.O. DEFOAM MAGCONOL DEFOAMER (USUALLY ALCOHOL BASED) - - AKTAFLOS - - NONIONIC MUD SURFACTANT CMC CMC CMC CMC CMC SODIUM CARBOXY METHYL CELLULOSE - IMCO LOID IMPERMEX MILSTARCH MY LO JEL PREGELATINIZED STAPCH CYPAN OR WL-100 CYPAN OR WL-100 CYPAN OR WL-100 CYPAN OR WL-100 CYPAN OR WL-100 SODIUM POLYACRYLATE - PERMLOID DEXTRID PERM-LOSE POLY SAL ORGANIC POLYMER DRISPAC DRISPAC DRISPAC DRISPAC DRISPAC POLYANIONIC CELLULOSE GYP GYP GYP GYP GYP GYPSUM (PLASTER OF PARIS) HKE/SL'PERDRIL HME/SUPERDRIL HME/SUPERDRIL HME/SUPERDRIL HME/SUPERDRIL GILSONITE (TREATED) - NATURAL HYDROCARBON BLACK MAGIC 8LACK MAGIC BLACK MAGIC BLACK MAGIC BLACK MAGIC MUD CONCENTRATE FOR SPOTTING FLUID SUPERMIX (SH) SUPERMIX (SFT) SUPERMIX (SFT) SUPERMIX (SFT) SUPERMIX (SF )
DML IV LUBRIKLEEN TOKQ TRIM LUBRISAL MAGOLUBE ORGANIC LUBRICANT DEL-MICIA IMCO MYCA MICA TEX MIL-MICA MAGO-MICA MICA-FLAKES DEL-PLUG IMCO PLUG WALL-NUT MIL PLUG NUT PLUG GROUND WALNUT OR-OTHER NUT HULLS SODIUM CHROMATE SODIUM CHROMATE SODIUM CHROMATE SODIUM CHROMATE SODIUM CHROMATE SODIUM CHROMATE
Attachment 12
LC832AA012
DRILLING HUD COMPONENTS & ADDITIVES (Continued)
TRADE NAMES DELTA MUD
IRONITE
SEPARAN SALT SAPP
KCL MF-1 BEN-EX
IMCO
IRONITE
SEPARAN SALT SAPP
KCL MF-1 BEN-EX
BAROID
IRONITE
SEPARAN SALT SAPP
KCL MF-1 BEN-EX
MILCHEM
IRONITE MIL CARD SEPARAN SALT SAPP SHALE TROL KCL MF-1 BEN-EX
MAGCOBAR
IRONITE
SEPARAN SALT SATP
KCL MF-1 BEN-EX
DESCRIPTION
SYNTHETIC IRON OXIDE, HS SCAVENGER H-S SCAVENGER (ZINC CARBONATE) POLYACRYLAMIDE POLYHER SODIUM CHLORIDE SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE ORGANO/ALUMINUM COMPOUND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (POTASSIUM) SELECTIVE FLOCULANT .' 4 CLAY EXTENDER ?
I I . OIL BASE MUD ADDITIVES:
DEL-VERT, CONC DEL-VERT I I DEL-K DEL-G DELTONE OX IVERT MENTOR-28
KEN-X
KEN-THIN KEN X CONC KEN-GEL KEN-OX MENTOR-28
INVERMUL
DRILL TREAT GEL TONE LIME MENYUR-28
CARBO-TEC L CARBO-MUL
CARBO-GEL LIME MENTOR-IJ
VERTOIL/OIL FAZE SE-11
DV-22 VG-69 LIME MENTOR-28
PRIHARY EMULSIFIER SECONDARY EMULSIFIER DISPENSANT HIGH TEMP. STABLIZER, FILTRATE CONTROL VISCOSIFIER WEIGHT SUSPENDING AGENT CALCIUM HYDROXIDE LOW TOXICITY MINERAL OIL (DIESEL SUBSTITUTE)
I I I . METHOD OF DISPC'AL:
All nud additives w i l l be disposed of overboard into the Gulf of Mexico after dilution of fresh or seawater. w i l l be transported to land for disposal.
Any fluid containing free o i l
Attachment 12 (Cont'd)
LC83244012
Si*ILL PREVENTION, CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURE PLAN ""PLAN OF EXPLORATION
"SKAL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA ,
Shell's latest revisions to i t s " S p i l l Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan" were approved by the MMS cn October 8, 1982. The exploratory d r i l l i n g plans proposed herewith w i l l re ly pr imar i ly on the s p i l l equipment stored at the Clean Gulf Associates bases i n Grand Isle and Venice, Louisiana. A l i s t of available equipment at these bases plus other bases from which additional equipment can be drawn, i s attached (AtMchment 14^. Section I I of the submitted plan l i s t s the preventive measures to be taken to minimize o i l sp i l l s and the reporting procedures to be followed i n the event that one occurs. Section VI provides a deta i led discussion of the clean-up procedures to be i n i t i a t e d , including a l i s t i n g of the personnel that uake up the clean-up organization. The training of these perronnel i s summarized in Section X I I . Assuming two hours to load out equipment and a 12-knot cruising speed, a fast response unit can normally be on location in 9 hours.
J \ j
LC83244012
Attachment 13
CLEAN-GULF EQUIPMENT PLAN OF EXPLORATION
SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
(1) From MAFLA Area (Participation Area No. 2) (2) Stored at Communication Systems, Gretna, LA
EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL
1. High Volume Open Sea Skimmer (HOSS)
2. Fast Response Unit Model I
(FRU)
3. Fast Response Unit Model 17
4. Shallow Water Skimmer w/2
50 bbl. Barges
5. Bennett 3b" Boom
6. Uniroyal 36" Boom
7. Helicopter Spray System
w/Oil Herder
8. Bird Scarers
9. VfatP" Fowl Rehabilitation Center
10. Olea I I I Skimming Unit
GRAND ISLE
1
1
1,0*10'
1,000'
1
24
1
1
BASES
VENICE
1
1
1,000'
1,000'
24
HOUMA
(1)
GALVESTON INTRACOASTAL CITY CAMERON TEXAS CITY. 4 ROCKPORT • MOBILE
1,000'
24
1,000'
1
12
1,000'
12
Attachment 14
LC83244012
CLEAN-GULF EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)
BASES
EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL
11. Hand Skimmer System
12. Absorbant Pads (Bales)
13 Incinerator Skid (2)
14. Communication Systear
15. Boat Sprcy System
16. Oil Herder (T.'tur,) 17. Dispersant (Exxon 9327) uivms)
18. Absorbant Recovery Syaten.
GRAND ISLE
1
1
1,100
1
VENICE
1
7
HOUMA
1,100
INTRACOASTAL GALVESTGH CITY CAMERON TEXAS i ITY, » ROu PORT _MOBILE
10
1
10
1
4
25
Machment 14 (Cont'd)
IX33?44UU
f DRILLING IHASE
A*v . >i. ONG DATA • I • P AN" IY fXPLORA'"JOf/
SHELL OCS-G j803, ?.WING BANK ~BI.PCr 947 SHELL OCS-0 >2Q6, 3Hir SHOAL 3LQCK 356"
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
Tible 4)2lof EPA5 s 450/3*7<-326 Report en t i t led "Atmospheric Emissions ,-oin L'7fshore y i l and Gas Development ad Productio?shows that fo r a typical d r i l l i n g r i g , 3,400, 1^900,-300 horsepower ar -equi-ed for (1) d r i l l i n g , (2) trippdug, casing ara coring and (3) surveys ?ad logs, respectively. Table 4.3 of t h i s same report piroides s i-ceua-i; of a 30-day, 10,000-foot well indicating a t o t a l horsepower usa?*: of 597,2*J i J. hr . I f i t is assumed that the same breakdown of r i g a c t i v i t y and power rec *ulaments is applicable to the proposed exploration program, then the t o t a l hr sepower usage fo r tbis p'.o.i. *.t w i l l be approximately 3,200,000 HF-hrs. Bas-d on the emission rates f o i o i l -f i r ed reciprocating engines (Table 4 . 4 j , t i i * u l l owing gaseous emissions would be generated during the 160 days d r i l l i n g a c t i v i t y .
Daily Total Project (160 Days)
NO, 0.284 45.5
so2 0.019 3.1
HC 0.009 1.5
CO 0.042 6.7
Particulates UNK UNK
WATER TRANSPORTATION
The horsepower usage of the vessels to be used i n conjunction with th i s operation are as fo l lows :
176 Ft. Cargo Vessel
2,400 hp X .80 load fac tor X 3 8 ^ > - X - ' - j j y 2 * X 5.33 months = S,534,000 hp-ax
80 ¥ t . Standby Vessel
16: hp X .80 load f a r t o r X 2 3
d ^ 8 , X 160 days = 486,000 hp-hr.
1,000 hp X .80 ^a«1 factor X X 160 days = 128,000 hp-hr.
TOTAL 6,148,000 hp-hr.
Attachment 15
LC83244012
Rased" on Table 4.A, the gaseous emissions generated by water transportation are as Follows:
• _ \ Emissions (Tons)
I. a i l y Tota l Pro jec t (160 Days)
NO K- 0. . v6 t 87.3
SO. 0.037 5.9
HC 0.018 2.9
CO 0.080 12.8
P a r t i c u l a t e s UNK
EXEMPTION CALCULATION FOR DRILLING ACTIVITIES
The proposed locati .s 68 miles from the nca' . t j t shoreline. Therefore, the emission exemption (E) f o r the various pollutants is as fol lows:
CO
NO x
so2
HC
Particulates
F = 3,400 ( 6 8 ) 2 / 3 = 5ft,644 tons/year
E = 33.3 (68) = 2,264 tons/year
Total yearly emissions from tht: d r i l i . i t . ^ operation ( D r i l l i n g anc water Transportation) are:
m JC
SO.
HC
CO
Particulates
Tons/f.&ar
132.*
0.0
4.4
19.5
UNK
The to ta l emission f o r any one pollutant iocs not e>c*fc«? the exemption totals above; consequently, the ivwir. * \ak 947/Ship Shoal .M56 E.iploration Plan is exempted conducting further A i r Qiu-1 ; tv i t * Lf»W,
Attachment 15 (Cont'd)
L:83244012
ONSHORE SUPPORT FACILI 1'Y PLAN OF EXPLORATION
SHELL OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
The onshore support base f o r t h i s exp lo r a to ry work w i l l be She l l ' s e x i s t i n g Venice Terminal. Th i s f a c i l i t y i s located on the Mis s i s s ipp i River near Venice, Louisiana, approximately ? c miles u p - r i v e r from the Gulf o£ Mexico. The phys ica l plant covers 14 ac es and includes 1,000 t ic«sar f e e t o f wa t e r f ron t , 3,000 square f e e t o f o f f i c e ace, 3,200 square f e e t o i personnel quarter ing space and 7,200 square f e e t >t covered w?.chouse area. Ore 45-ton crane and two fo rk trucks are used f o r mater ia l L'andixag operat ions. N*> e:;paas:on of the Venice Terminal w i l l be required f o r t h i s i c t . i v i t y . I n a d d i t i o n to tne above, tubu la r good? w i l l u s u a l l y be shipped by Li.'.d to Venice frow one o f the contract warehouses located i n Morgan - i t y , Louis iana , which w i l l also require no expans i o n . Also, whi le p e i .onnel •. ansported by he l i cop te r w i l l be picked up and returned to S h e l l ' s Venice Tp jmina l , bo th A i r Log i s t i c s and PHI operate bases a t Venice f o r r e f u e l i n g and maintenance. Refer to map, Attachment 18.
Lcas^ou
Attachment 16
SUPPORT VESSELS PLAN OF EXPLORATION
CA7.LI OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 ShiylL OCSrG 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
- OFFSHORE LOUISL HA
S7ZE 01 MOfJjiL. USE 1 TRIPS PER 'VEEK
176'± Cargo 3 or 4 i
80'-100' Standby N.A.
Bell 205, 206E *r 212 Ci:ew Change and Mis:. 18 to 22
Attachment 17
f ! • COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION
PLAN OF EXPLORATION Type of Plan •
EWING BANK BLOCK 947 ' " SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356
Aree and Block
! OCS-C 5803 OCS-G 5206 Leaoe Number
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described l n detail in thia Plan comply v i t h Louisiana' approved Coaatal Management Program and w i l l be conducted i n a manner consistent wich such Program.
Such findings are summarized on the f i n a l page of the attached Environmental Report (ER).
A request has been made to the o f f i c i a l state journal, the State Times, published in Baton Rouge, for publication on September 27, 1983 of our notice of exploration plans.
SHELL OFFSHORE INC. Operator
V. A. Harris, Division Manager Safety and Environmental Conservation
Date
Attachment 19
1820 —
BLK. 356 SHELL
OCS-G 5 206
253'-.
m
SHIP SHOAL AREA
cn CM o r-I
OCS-G S8L?3* Y * 10,183,120.00'
• 3 0 8 BLK. 9 47
SHELL
O C S - G 5 8 0 3
EWING BANK AREA
X* 2, 318,324.28 Y « 10,173,476.89*
o o
o
w
N
X
, . 1 o. , . , . . .o .oo ' ATTACHMENT 4
SHELL OFFSHORE INC. (A SUBSIDIARY OF SHELL OIL COMPANY)
PROPOSED WELL LOCATIONS PLAN OF EXPLORATION
PROPOSED WELL LOCATIONS SHELL OCS - G 5 8 0 3 B L K . 9 4 7 SHELL O C S - G 5 2 0 6 BLK. 356
E W I N G BANK B L K . 9 4 7 SHIP S H O A L B L K . 3 5 6
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
0 2 0 0 0 ' 4 0 0 0 ' 1 I I
> o X s m z-H Z
AMOCO O C S - G - 6 9 0 8
AMOCO OCS-G-5811
OA
907
Bo
I
Locations:
(A) 2260' FNL and 2800' FEL
(BTT8j6TTRL and 3380' FEL
(C) 1100' FNL and 3650' FEL
951
908
AMOCO O C S - G - 6 9 0 9
96^
AMOCO O C S - G - 5 8 1 2
Water Depth
508'
512'
495'
1" 4.000'
AMOCO PROD CO. NEW ORLEANS REGION SPIDER MAP EWING BANK 907
CSA- rr 1. TITLE PAGE
P. O. Box 3609 Tequesta, Florida 33458
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (PLAN OF EXPLORATION)
GULF OF MEXICO: OFFSHORE LOUISIANA EWING BANK AREA
BLOCK 947 (OCS-G 5803) SHIP SHOAL AREA
BLOCK 356 (OCS-G 5206) SHELL OFFSHORE INC. ^ " " " l
MR. RICK MASSELINK ASSOCIATE ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST
SHELL OFFSHORE INC. ONE SHELL SQUARE F.O. BOX 60159
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70160 TELEPHONE: (504) 588-6468
"Applied Marine Science and Technology"
9 SEPTEMBER 1983
.. J
1 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. TITLE-PAGE
! LIST OF FIGURES
2. DESCRiPTiON OF THE PROPOSED ACTION
(a) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES AND FREQUENCY FOR MOVING SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL TO AND PROM THE OFFSHORE ACTIVITY SITE AND THE ONSHORE BASES
(b) IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPORT BASES AND NUMBER AND TYPES OF NEW WORKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES. REFERENCE IS ALSO MADE TO THE MOST CURRENT UPDATE OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA BASE REPORT
(C) IDENTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER, LOCATION, AND SIZE OF ANY NEW SUPPORT FACILITIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
(d) DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY AFFECT COASTAL WATERS
(e) MAPS SHOWING LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO EACH OF THE AFFECTED STATES' COASTAL ZONES
( f ) FOR PLANS OF DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION, THE MEANS PROPOSED TO TRANSPORT OIL AND GAS TO SHORE FROM THE LEASE AREA AND THE ROUTES TO BE FOLLOWED AND THE ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF OIL AND GAS TO BE MOVED ALONG SUCH ROUTES
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS
(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
(1) COMMERCIAL FISHING
(2) SHIPPING
(3) SMALL CRAFT PLEASURE BOATING, SPORT FISHING, AND RECREATION
PAGE
i
i v
1
3
4
4
4
9
10
•J
1 I
*' • J
i i i
. ! •
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
J
r ' PAGE
j I (4) CULTURAL RESOURCES • 10
( 5 ) ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE FEATURES I J
( 6 ) EXISTING PIPELINES AND CABLES 16
( 7 ) OTHER MINERAL USES 16
( 8 ) OCEAN DUMPING A C T I V I T I E S 16
( 9 ) ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES 16
(b ) SOCIO-ECONOMIC 17
4 . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 1 8
( a ) SUMMARY OF THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 1 8
(b ) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 1 8
5. REFERENCES 2 0
6. FINAL STATEMENT 2 2
I ' I.
I V
* 1 " LIST OF FIGUtfEo
FIGURE PKSCRIFTIOM PAGC
1 lj GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF H? ING BANK feR^A BLOCK 947 AND SkiP SHOAL AREA BLOCK 356 RELATIVE TO THE
/ LOUISIANA COASTAL ZONE. 2
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF EWING BANK BLOCK 947 AND SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356 RELATIVE TO WING BANK. 14
1
• ! •
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION t
\ ( A ) D E S C R I P T I O N OF PROPOSED T R A V E L MODES AND ROUTES AND
"FREQUENCY FOR MOVING SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL TO AND FROM T H E OFFSHORE. A C T I V I T Y S I T E AND T H E ONSHORE B A S E ^
Shel l Of f shore Inc . plans to conduct explora tory ** !
a c t i v i t i e s i n Ewing Bank Area Block 947 and Ship Shoal Area
Block 356. Hel icopters and boats w i l l move supplies and
personnel to and frora the o f f s h o r e and onshore l o c a t i o n s .
Hel icopters w i l l make 18 to 22 round t r i p s per week, and
boats w i l l make 14 round t r i p s per month. I f se rv ic ing only
the oroposed lease area, he l i cop t e r s and boat i l normally
take the roost d i r e c t rou te , weather and t r a g i c condi t ions
pe rmi t t ing (see Figure 1 ) .
( B ) I D E N T I F I C A T I O N OF SUPPORT BASES AND NUMBER AND T Y P E S OF
NEW WORKERS A S S O C I A T E D W I T H T H E PROPOSED A C T I V I T I E S .
R E F E R ENCE I S ALSO MADE TO T H E MOST CURRENT UPDATE OF T H E
SOCIO-ECONC-MIC DATA BA£E REP6RT
The support base w i l l be located i n Venice, Louisiana.
The base i s capable of providing the services necessary for
the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . No new f a c i l i t i e s <workers w i l l
be needed f o r the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . The * i l t i a l OCS
Socio-Economic Data Base Report w i l l be developed after the
Minerals Management Service and the States of Alabama,
Louisiana, and Mississippi have id e n t i f i e d the specific
parameters to be addressed i n these semiannual reports.
( C ) I D E N T I F I C A T I O N OF T H E NUMBER, L O C A T I O N , AND S I Z E OF ANY
NEW SUPPORT FACILITIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR T H E PROPOSED A C T I V I T I E S
No new support f a c i l i t i e s w i l ] be needed for the
proposed a c t i v i t i e s .
J
3
DITS'^-IC'TXQN OF ANY NEW T E C K N I Q U L S OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY
TBAT'MA 4: A F F E C T C O A S T A L WAT»"P-S
( t J MAPS S LOWING LOCATION OF THL PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN
RBLAT"V^N TO EACfl 6¥~TKF"AFFECTED STATES' | COASTAL ZONES
Figure 1 shows the loca. ion o£ the proposed a c t i v i t i e s
i n r e l a t i o n t o each of the affected States' coastal zones.
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l take place i n waters adjacent t o the State of Louisiana.
( f ) FOR PLANS OF DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION, THE MEANS PROPOSED TO TRANSPORT OIL AND GAS TO SHORE FROM THE LEASE AREA AND THE ROUTES TO BE FOLLOWED AND THE ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF OIL AND GAS TO BE MOVED ALONG SUCH ROUTES
This Plan i s explo r a t o r y . No o i l or gas w i l l be
produced f o r sale from these proposed a c t i v i t i e s at t h i s
Nc nlfev' techniques '"vj.-sual t ed hnoiogy w i l l be used
time.
• I • 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS
i
(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
J | 1 ) Comme'Ec i a 1 Fishing
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located w i t h i n some of
the most productive f i s h i n g grounds in the Gulf of Mexico.
Natior 1 Marine Fisheries Service Zone 14, which includes the
lease area, accounted f o r approximately 7% of the commercial
f i s h e r i e s harvest from the western and c e n t r a l Gulf of Mexico
(USDI, 1981, Visual No. 5; USDI, 1983, Visual No. 4). Gulf
waters account for approximately 30% of the t o t a l annual U.S.
fis h e r i e s harvest (USDC, 1982).
The Gulf fishery i s dominated by the s h e l l f i s h
f i s h e r i e s . Shrimps, crabs, and oysters (wit h smaller amounts
of clams and scallops) are the most valuable f i s h e r i e s and
are usually worth thi.ee or four times more than the greater
volume of f i n f i s h catch (USDI, 1979). The USDC (1982) l i s t s
the annual commercial f i s h e r i e s landings s t a t i s t i c s for the
northern Gulf -?oast area onshore from the lease area.
The shrimp f i s h e r y i n t h * Gulf of Mexico includes the
brown (Penaeus aztecus), white (P. s e t i f e r u s ) , and pink
(P. duorarum) shrimps. These species are taken almost
exclusively by trawls i n depths tanging from approximately 6
to 240 f t . These shrimps are estuarine-dependent species
which spawn i n the open ocean, go through a series of l a r v a l
phases i n the plankton, migrate during the p o s t - l a r v a l phase
5
to the estuarine nursery areas, and then re t u r n to the open
Guif as a d u l t s . The USDI (1977, Visual No. 5) indicates the
The leasf area is located outside the major shrimp spawning
grounds and migration routes i n the northern iGulf (USDI,
1983, Visual No. <»). Planktonic eggs and l a r v a l stages of
a l l commercially important shrimp species may occur
p e r i o d i c a l l y i n the lease area.
The blue crab (CallInectes sapidus) makes up 98% of the
crab harvest i n the Gulf of Mexico ( R i l e y , 1970). i t s l i f e
cycle i s s i i - i i l d ' * to the shrimps' i n that i t has planktonic,
estuarine, and or cr. ocean phases. Adults spend most of t h e i r
l i v e s i n t 'va estuaries; thus, the blue crab harvest i s taken
p r i m a r i l y ... i shore of the lease area. Gravid females migrate
to the open '.-ulf to release t h e i r eggs during spring and
summer. Consequently, gravid females and planktonic larvae
may occur s e a s o r ^ l l y i n the lease area.
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located w i t h i n commercially
xmporta-it f i n f i s h f i s h i n g grounds (LG?£, 1983, Visual No. 4 ) .
Three species of menhaden known from the Gulf make up the
major f i n f i s h t< ;.iage taken. These are Brevoortia patronus,
B. g u n t e r i , and B. sm i t h i . Brevoortia patronus comprises
most of the Gulf catch. Purse seining *8 the major capture
method used i r , t h i s f i s h e r y ( L i n d a l l et a l . , 1972).
Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) and various species
of g::ouper ( i . e . , the red grouper Epinephelus morio and gag
s e a s o n Vc. u t i o n i n the hab i t s of each o f these species.
Mycteroperca microlepis) compose the commercial hook and l i n e
fishery of the northern Gulf of Mexico. These fishes may be
|taken over vrr'egular bottom areas i n depths-of 5 to 1 ,000 f t
(TerEco Corporation, 1976).
1 The s t r i p e d mullet (Mug i l cephalus) i s generally found
i n nearshore areas such as harbors, estuaries, bays, and
along beaches. I t i s a schooling f i s h and i s generally taken
with seines and trawls.
The A t l a n t i c croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) i s an
abundant f i s h i n estuarine waters. Perret et a l . (1971)
reported croaker to be the most abundant j u v e n i l e commercial
f i s h taken i n estuaries. Croaker i s harvested and marketed
both as a food f i s h and as an i n d u s t r i a l bottom f i s h ( L i n d a l l
et a l . , 1972).
The F l o r i d a poinpano (Trachinotus carolinus) i s p r i m a r i l y
an inshore f i s h that i s taken mostly in the surf or at
passes. I t i s seasonally abundant (January to A p r i l ) i n
shrimping areas.
The Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) migrates
seasonally along the Gulf coast. I t i s generally taken i n
nearshore areas.
The red drum (Sciaenops ocel.1.atus) i s taken
predominantly i n nearshore h a b i t a t s , as are the sheepshead
(Archosargus probatocephalus), flounders, and the black drum
(Pogonias cromis).
• I •
Sea t rou t s , including the spotted (Cynoscion nebulosus),
the s i l v e r (C. nothus), and the sand (C. a renar ius) , are
important t o the bottom f i s h f i s h e r i e s i n the northern Gulf
(Lind^afl e t u l . , 1972). They are i l l y taken in o f f s h o r e
areas w i t h bottom " t rawls . •
TerEco Corporat ion (1976) describes some a d d i t i o n a l f i s h
species o f the northern Gulf which are important to
commercial and/or spoi f ishermen and t h e i r predominant
method of c a p t u r e . Most o f the northern Gulf f i shes are
temperate, w i t h some incurs ions from Caribbean fauna. They
exhibi t seasonal d i s t r i b u t i o n and abundance f l u c t u a t i o n s
related t o oceanographic cond i t ions (USDI, 1983, p . 174).
Many of the coas ta l species ( e . g . , the croaker, Micropogonias
undulatus) are estuarine-dependent, because estuaries or
coastal marshes are a c r i t i c a l habi ta t during some phase of
the i r l i f e c y c l e s . Rogers (1977) postula ted a net
inshore-of fshore movement f o r many demersal shel f f i s h
species. Thus, i t i s probable tha t many o f these species may
o c u r in the lease area at some phase of t h e i r l i f e cyc les .
Eggs and larvae ( ich thyoplankton) o f various
commercially important f i s h species are probably also present
in the lea3«^ area cn o c c a ~ i o r . S ix ty -n ine f i s h species hava
been i d e n t i f i e d from zooplankton samplas taken along the
northern G u l f coast . Dominant haxft were the f a m i l i e s
Sparidae, L u t j a n i d a e , T r i g l i d a e , Serranidae, and
Synodontidae. Stenotomus capr inus , Pris t ipomoides
8
a q u i l o n a r i s , P r i o n o t u s p a r a l a t u s , Serranus a t rob ranchus , and
a t the mercy o f wate r movements, t h e i r d i s t r i b u t i o n s va ry
c o n s i d e r a b l y w i t h space and t i m e . The p r i m a r y "'actors
i n f l u e n c i n g i c h t h y o p l a n k t o n i n the n o r t h e r n G u l f are the Loop
Cur ren t , the M i s s i s s i p p i R i v e r , and l o c a l r u n o f f . Due t o
"pa tch iness" i n d i s t r i b u t i o n s , presence and abundance o f
i c h t h y o p l a n k t o n a t any g i v e n i n s t ance cannot be p r e d i c t e d .
The p roposed a c t i v i t i e s p r o b a b l y w i l l t e m p o r a r i l y
degrade the w a t e r q u a l i t y i n the immediate v i c i n i t y o f the
d r i l l s i t e due t o d i scha rges o f d r i l l i n g f l u i d s and c u t t i n g s .
This may cause c e r t a i n f i s h spec ies to a v o i d the a rea .
Commercial f i s h i n g may be a f f e c t e d t e m p o r a r i l y . The
s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d r e v e r t t o normal as soon as d r i l l i n g i s
completed. C u m u l a t i v e e f f e c t s o f i n c r e a s i n g o i l and gas
a c t i v i t i e s o f f the n o r t h e r n G u l f coast on annual catches are
as ye t unknown. However, t h e r e i s no ev idence t o l i n k o i l
and gas a c t i v i t i e s w i t h d e c l i n i n g y i e l d per hec ta re o f sea
bottom (USDI , 1979, p . 1 8 2 ) .
Any o i l s p i l l t h a t wou ld impact the s e a f l o o r c o u l d
conce ivab ly k i l l b e n t h i c organisms such as shrimps or cause a
v a r i e t y o f s u b l e t h a l e f f e c t s . The p o t e n t i a l long- ter ra
e f f e c t s o f a s p i l l on the benthos are u n c l e a r because r e s u l t s
o f hydrocarbon analyses a re i n c o n c l u s i v e (USDI, 1979,
p . 160).
Synodus , foe tens were the most i m p o r t a n t spec ies ( C h i t t e n d e n __a ^
and Molore, 1 9 7 6 ) . Since the m a j o r i t y o f i c h t h y o p l a n k t e r s are - »
9
• ' '
An o i l s p i l l would temporarily degrade water q u a l i t y and
introduce t o x i n s i n t o the water. Ichthyoplankton, i f
preserlt, may be k i l l e d or f u n c t i o n a l l y impaired.. However,
most a o i l t f i shes encountering a s p i l l and associated t o x i c
water would probab>y e x h i b i t avoidance behavior. This e f f e c t
would be temporary and fishes should re t u r n to the area a f t e r
dispersal of the s p i l l . No s i g n i f i c a n t or persistent d i r e c t
effects from an o i l s p i l l on f i s h populations would be
expected. Recruitment from surrounding areas should quick 1y
replenish any affected ichthyoplankton populations once the
s p i l l has dispersed. Any s p i l l would be subjected to
immediate containment and cleanup e f f o r t s according to an o i l
s p i l l contingency plan approved by the Minerals Management
Service.
(2) Shipping
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located approximately
1.3 NM north of the northern Gulf coast fairway (USDI, 1983,
Visual No. 11). The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are rated as having
maximum p o t e n t i a l impact on shipping since they are less than
2.6 ™ (5 km) from a fairway (USDI, 1979, p. 145).
The offshore structure w i l l be equipped with a l l safety
equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard and the
Minerals Managment Service t o a l e r t ships of t h e i r presence
i n a l l weather conditions.
10
• ! • (3) Small C r a f t Pleasure Boat ing, Sport F ish ing , and
j Recreation i
\ Ditton and Graefe (1978) determined that o i l and
gasj f^tructures~are the most popular offshore recreation
d e s t i n a t i o n areas, a t t r a c t i n g 87% of the boats that fished K. <
offshore i n t h e i r study area. Certain pleasure boats ( i . e . ,
s a i l b o a t s , pleasure yachts, and/or open ocean racing power
boats) may be s l i g h t l y inconvenienced by having to maneuver
around the offshore s t r u c t u r e and i t s support vessels. This
inconvenience is considered extremely minor since offshore
structures can be avoided and ample maneuvering room is
availa b l e .
Any sports f i s h i n g which might occur i n the lease area
could be temporarily affected by degradation of ^ a r q u a l i t y
during d r i l l i n g . Such a change i n water q u a l i v -»ld cause
some desirable species t o avoid the immediate lease area.
However, any such e f f e c t s are expected to be temporary and
loc a l i z e d and should not a f f e c t any f i s h e r y p o t e n t i a l i n the
area as a whole. Populations should return to normal once
d r i l l i n g i s completed
(4) C u l t u r a l R -es
Coastal Env " . t s , Inc. (1977) has i d e n t i f i e d
two types of c u l t u r a l resources which may be found i n the
northern Gulf of Mexico area: (1) h i s t o r i c c u l t u r a l resources
or shipwrecks and (2) p r e h i s t o r i c c u l t u r a l resources or
traces o f previously undescribed human c i v i l i z a t i o n s (USDI,
1983, pp. 228-240). Approximately 82% of the known
shipwrecks are located w i t h i n 10 kin of shore, with only a
small percentage occurrtnu on the outer continental shelf
(USDI,/ 1979, p. ? t ; . Known submarine archeological s i t e s are
extremely rare, with none being i d e n t i f i e d i t o date in Federal
offshore leasing areas (USDI, 1979, p. 91).
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located outside the C u l t u r a l
Resource S e n s i t i v i t y Demarcation Line (USDI, 1983, Visual No.
11) and therefore are located in a large offshore area where
h i s t o r i c and p r e h i s t o r i c resources fcr. • considered u n l i k e l y to
be found. An Archeological Survey war not required f o r t h i s
lease area.
(5) Ecologically Sensitive Features
jnshore of the lease area. The Louisiana Coastal Zone
Management Pr< ,. un has been developed by the State to
regulate the s i g n i f i c a n t la; and water a c t i v i t i e s between
the outer l i m i t of the coastal waters and land up to the
I n t r a c o a s t a l Waterway and/or the 1 0 - f t contour. Land uses
which are regulated are those that ha^e a d i r e c t and
s i g n i f i c a n t impact on th-2 coastal area r e q u i r i n g a State
permit, and those which ate required by Federal law to be
consistent with t;ie management program (USDC and LDNR, 1980).
The program provides f o r the p r o t e c t i o n of b*achf:s, dune~>,
wetlands, submerged grass b«ds, b a r r i e r islands, oyster
reefs, c u l t u r a l rerources, water q u a l i t y , a i r q u a l i t y .
Several areas of environmental concern are located
b i o l o g i c a l resources, and w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t . Unique
ecolocical features include zoological, botanical, and
qeolLoaical formations c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of coastal processes
FT (USDCf and " 1980; Burk and Associates, Inc., 1975).
Biologica Vsitive areas of the northt-central Gulf area
include esLja.ine and coastal ecosystems comprised of s a l t
marshes, oyster beds, grass beds, b a r r i e r beaches, and dunes
(Coastal Environments, Inc., 1980). These coastal ecosystems
contain nursery areas f o r many species of economic importance
as w e l l as ha b i t a t , rookeries, major over-wintering s i t e s ,
and nesting areas for many endangered and threatened species,
such as the southern bald eagle, brown pelican, golden eagle,
osprey, red cockaded woodpecker, American peregrine falcon,
and various marine t u r t l e s (USDI, 1979, Visual No. 3; Coastal
Environments, Inc., 1980; USDC and LDNR, 1980).
There are two e x i s t i n g "Special Management Areas"
designated by the Louisiana Coastal Management Program (USDC
and LDNR, 1980, pp. 104-108). These areas are the "Louisiana
Offshore O i l Port" (LOOP or Superport) and the "Marsh Island
W i l d l i f e Refuge and Game Preser"« " " Ke lease area i s
located 96 NM south-southeast of Marsh Island W i l d l i f e Refuge
and Game Preserve and 65 NM southwest of the LOOP. None of
the proposed a c t i v i t i e s i n t h i s lease area should have any
e f f e c t upon the Special Management Areas.
Conspicuous 'areas of environmental concern for Louisiana
are depicted by the USDI ( 1979, Visual Nos. 1 and 4) and the
USDC an<9 LDNR ( 1980, Figure No. D-1).
The c o a s t a l zone area i s also of recreational importance
to residents and t o u r i s t s . Most recreational a c t i v i t i e s t
focus on the area's water resources which include beaches,
boating areas, and f i s h i n g areas.
There are two offshore areas of designated b i o l o g i c a l
s i gnificance i n the v i c i n i t y of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .
Ewing Bank Area Block 947 and Ship Shoal Area Block 356 are
located approximatley 9 NM west-southwest of Diaphus Bank.
According t o the Minerals Management Service a portion of
Ewing Bank Block 947 i s w i t h i n the "3 Mile Zone" of Ewing
Bank and i s subject to the conditions of the b i o l o g i c a l lease
S t i p u l a t i o n No. 2. This s t i p u l a t i o n states that for
a c t i v i t i e s o ccurring w i t h i n the "3 Mile Zone" the operator
has the o p t i o n of shunting a l l d r i l l c u t t i n g s and f l u i d s t o
the bottom through a downpipe that terminates no more than
10 m from the bottom, or conducting an environmental
monitorii.g plan designed t o assess the e f f e c t s of o i l and gas
exploration and development operations on the b i o t i c
communities of the nearby bank (USDI, 1983). The proposed
exploratory a c t i v i t i e s i n Ewing Bank Area Plock 947 by Shell
Offshore I n c . w i l l be located i n the area of the block
outside of the "3 Mile Zone" where the b i o l o g i c a l S t i p u l a t i o n
No. 2 does not apply (Figure 2 ) .
15
• I * The proposed explora tory a c t i v i t i e s w i l l not a f f e c t any
•remnant coas ta l bank or oys te r grounds. j i
While o i l s p i l l s during d r i l l i n g operations are rare
/(Danenberger, 1976), the p o s s i b i l i t y of a s p i l l does e x i s t . I
O i l f o u l i n g i n any coastal area could d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y
affect a v a r i e t y of species, including threatened or
endangered species or species important to commercial and
sport f i s h e r i e s . Direct e f f e c t s on biota would include
fouling ( p a r t i c u l a r l y b i r d s ) , suffocation ( p a r t i c u l a r l y
fishes and t u r t l e s ) , and t o x i c i t y from contact or from the
ingestion o f o i l or contaminated food. Any of these e f f e c t s
could be l e t h a l , cause weakening, or cause a greater
s u s c e p t i b i l i t y t o predation., S i g n i f i c a n t ecological or
economic impacts could also r e s u l t from the f o u l i n g of oyster
beds and h a b i t a t s . I n d i r e c t e f f e c t s would include the
des uction of c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s , especially breeding and
nursery areas. Any e f f e c t s on endangered or threatened
species would be s i g n i f i c a n t .
O i l f o u l i n g of the coastal area could also have a^;erse
socio-economic e f f e c t s . Tourism i s an important part of Gulf
coast economies. Removal of beach or other coastal areas
from r e c r e a t i o n a l use by o i l f o u l i n g would s i g n i f i c a n t l y
decrease tourism in the a f f e c t e d area and cause loss of
income and a v a r i e t y of r i p p l e e f f e c t s i n l o c a l economies.
Any s p i l l would be subjected to immediate containment
and cleanup e f f o r t s , according t o an o i l s p i l l contingency
plan approved by the Minerals Management Service. I f a s p i l l
did'occur during operations, i t seems u n l i k e l y that i t would
a fif ect any nearshore or onshore areas or resources.
I :~;« ' • " 1 I (6) Existing Pipelines and Cables
There*«are no e x i s t i n g p i p elines or cables in the
lease area (MMS, 1983).
( 7) Other Mineral Uses
Other t h - i i p o t e n t i a l o i l and gas reserves, there
are no known mineral resources in the lease area.
( 8) Ocean Dumping A c t i v i t i e s
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are not located in an area
designated for ocean dumping a c t i v i t i e s .
(9) Endangered or Threatened Species
The USDI (1979, p. 45) considers possible impacts
of lease a c t i v i t i e s on endangered species in t h i s area of the
Gulf to be tempora y, l o c a l i z e d , and chance occurrences,
has judged the p o t e n t i a l impacts on endangered spec:-*3 v Le
remote p o s s i b i l i t i e s without major p o t e n t i a l fot. d i r e c
e f f e c t s on any single species. In a d d i t i o n , i t TI&J been
determined that lease a c t i v i t i e s w i l l not r e s u l t i h the
destruction or modification of designated c r i t i c a l habitats
or p o t e n t i a l c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s . Onshore f a c i l i t i e s are
located i n a previously developed area and pose no new or
a d d i t i o n a l threat to endangered or threatened species.
Approximately s i x endangered species of cetaceans occur
in the Gulf of Mexico. They are the blue whale (Balaenoptera
musculiis), f i n whale (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae), r i g h t whale (Eubalaena g l a c i a l i s ) ,
s e i whale (Balaenoptera boreal i s ) , and"sperm whale (Physeter
catodon)..* Generally, most of these larger cetaceans occur i n
con t i n e n t a l shelf, slope, or deep 1oceanic waters (USDI,
1981). The status and migration patterns of these species i n
the Gulf of Mexico are unknown (Lehman, 1982
Several endangered or threatened sjnec ie; of . ea t u r t l e s ,
i n c l u d i n g the Kemp's r i d l e y (Lepidoche•ys kempii), hawksbill
(Eretmochelys i m b i r c a t a ) , leatherba-k (Dermochelys coriacea),
loggerhead (Caretta c a r e t t a , , and gceen (Chelonia mydas), may
occasionally v i s i t the le.se area.
The primary danger tc marine t u r t l e s would be possible
c o l l i s i o n s with boats. Adult t u r t l e s , especially
loggerheads, seem to be a t t r a c t e d to offshore structures for
feeding and esting (USDI, 1979, p. 165) increasing the
p r o b a b i l i t y of c o l l i s i o n s . No c r i t i c a l habitat f o r any of
these species i s known t o e x i s t i n the leane aroa (USDI,
1979, pp. 73-74).
(b) SOCIO-ECONOMIC
The i n i t i a l OCS Socio-Economic Data Base Report w i l l be
developed a f t e r the Minerals Management Service and the
States of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mis s i s s i p p i have i d e n t i f i e d
the s p e c i f i c parameters t o be addressed i n these semiannual
reports. No new personnel w i l l be needed f o r the proposed
activ i t i e s .
18
• I •
4 . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
J
(a) SUMMARY OF THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS j |njischarge '63L d r i l l i n g muds and cu t t ings and" a i r
emissions du r ing d r i l l i n g operations w i l l adversely a f f e c t v.. •
marine organisms, water and a i r q u a l i t y , commercial f i s h i n g ,
and ship navigation as described by the USDI (1979,
pp. 229-23 I ) . These impacts are temporary, however, and w i l l
be l i m i t e d t o an extremely small area. They are j u s t i f i e d by
the national i n t e r e s t in discovering and developing badly
needed reserves of o i l and gas. During the exploration
operations, a l l discharges w i l l comply with a l l applicable
Minerals Management Service and Environmental Protection
Agency requirements. No s i g n i f i c a n t adverse impacts are
expected. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s covered by t h i s Plan
should not r e s u l t in unavoidable impacts on wetlands,
c u l t u r a l resources, r e c r e a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s , shoreline
aesthetics, or other land uses.
(b) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
None of the environmental consequences expected during
normal operations should produce s i g n i f i c a n t or cumulative
adverse environmental e f f e c t s . The e f f e c t s of a possible o i l
s p i l l should have no o v e r a l l cumulative or long-term e f f e c t
on the environment, except i n the possible event of
contamination of endangered marine species. A s p i l l would be
subjected t o containment and cleanup e f f o r t s , according to an
• I • o i l s p i l l contingency plan approved by the Minerals
Management Service. Thus, i t seems u n l i k e l y that a s p i l l r i
would Occur during operations and a f f e c t any nearshore or
I I onshore areas or resources. The information presented i n
t h i s Environmental Report indicates no clear-or present
reason not to proceed w i t h the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .
Withdrawal of the Plan would r e s u l t i n the loss of p o t e n t i a l
hydrocarbon production from t h i s area.
1 /
20
• I • 5. REFERENCES
i
Burtf an i Associates, Inc. 1975. Louisiana'coastal resources 1 | inventory^. • Vol. I . Geographic Areas of .Particular
j Concern. -New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chittenden, M. E., Jr. and D. Moore. 1976. Composition of i the ichthy^ofauna i n h a b i t i n g the 110i-m bathymetric
contour of the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River to the Rio Grande. Department of Marine Resources Information Center f o r Marine Research, Texas A&M University. 15 pp.
Coastal Environments, Inc. 1977. C u l t u r a l resources evaluation of the northern Gulf of Mexico. National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
Coastal Environments, Inc. 1980. CPA-2, Offshore Mississippi-Alabama-Florida, b i o l o g i c a l l y sensitive areas. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Danenberger, E. P. 1976. O i l s p i l l s , 1971-1975. Gulf of Mexico outer continental s h e l f . Geological Survey Cir c u l a r No. 741.
Ditton, R. B. and A. R. Graefe. 1978. Recreational f i s h e r y use of a r t i f i c i a l reefs on the Texas coast. Dept. of Recreational Parks, Texas A&M U n i v e r s i t y . 155 pp.
Lehman, J. 1982. Personal communication. Minerals Management Service, OCS O f f i c e , Metaire, Louisiana.
L i n d a l l , W. N., J r . , J. R. H a l l , J. E. Sykes, and E. L. Arnold, J r . 1972. Louisiana coastal zone: Analyses of resources and resource development need in connection with e s t u a r i n e ecology. Sections 10 and 13, Fishery Resources and t h e i r Needs. Report to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, New Orleans. Contribution No. 14-17-002-430. 323 pp.
Minerals Management Service. 1983. Personal communication. OCS O f f i c e , Metairie, Louisiana.
Perret, W. S . r B. B. B a r r e t t , W. R. Latapie, J. F. P i l l a r d , W. R. Mock, C. B. Adkins, W. J. Gaidry, and C. J. White. 1971. Cooperative Gulf o f Mexico Estuarine Inventory and Study Louisiana. Phase I , Area d e s c r i p t i o n and Phc.se IV, Biology. Louisiana W i l d l i f e and Fisheries Commission.
i
21
Riley, F. 1970. Fisheries of the United States, 1969. United States Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. C.F.S. No. 5300. 87 pp.
Rogers, R. M. , J r , 1977. Trophic i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s of Selected fXshes on the continental s h e l f o t the northern Culf of Mexico. Ph.D. d i s s e r t a t i o n , Texas A&M U n i v e r s i t y . 229 pp.
h. ;
TerEco Corporation. 1976. Ecological Aspects of the Upper Continental Slope of the Gulf of Mexico. A report to the Bureau of Land Management. Contract No. 08550-CT4-12.
United States Department of Commerce. 1982. Current Fisheries S t a t i s t i c s No. 8200. Fisheries of the United States, 1981. United States Department of Commerce, Natio n a l Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
United States Department of Commerce and Louisiana Depart 1 nt of Natural Resources. 1980. Louisiana Coastal Resources Program F i n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
United States Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1977. F i n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed 1977 Outer Continental Shelf O i l and Gas Lease Sale 47, Gulf of Mexico.
United States Department o f the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1979. F i n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed 1979 Outer Continental Shelf O i l and Gas Leese Sale 58A, Western and Central Gulf of Mexico. 181 pp.
United States Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1981. F i n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed 1981 Outer Continental Shelf O i l and Gas Lease Sales 67 and 69, Gulf of Mexico. 300 pp.
United States Department o f the I n t e r i o r , Minerals Management Service. 1983. F i n a l Regional Environmental Impact Statement. Gulf o f Mexico. 1,004 pp.
M ^ Offlca of d e m e n t Support
SEP 2 6)983
«*»tfs Management
• I •
6. FINAL STATEMENT
To the best of our knowledge, th'e set of f i n d i n g s
included-im the Environmental Report and Plan i n d i c a t e s that-
each of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s , t h e i r a s s ociated f a c i 1 i t s ,
and e f f e c t s are a l l c o n s i s t e n t w i t h and comply w i t h the
p r o v i s i o n s and g u i d e l i n e s o f the Louisisna-approved Coastal
Zone Management Program. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be
conducted i n a manner c o n s i s t e n t w i t h the Coastal Zone
Managers t Program as o u t l i n e d i n USDC and LDNR (1980) and
MDWC and JSDC ( 1980) .
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be c a r r i e d out and
completed w i t h the guarantee o f the f o l l o w i n g items:
1. The best a v a i l a b l e and s a f e s t t e c h n o l o g i e s w i l l be
u t i l i z e d throughout the p r o j e c t . This i n c l u d e s meeting a l l
a p p l i c a b l e requirements f o r equipment t y p e s , general p r o j e c t
l a y o u t , s a f e t y systems, and equipment and m o n i t o r i n g
systems.
2. A l l o p e r a t i o n s w i l l be covered by an o i l s p i l l
contingency p l a n approved by the Minerals Management
Service.
3. A l l a p p l i c a b l e F e d e r a l , S t a t e , and l o c a l
requirements r e g a r d i n g a i r emissions, water q u a l i t y , and
discharge f o r the proposed a c t i v i t i e s , as w e l l as any ot h e r
permit c o n d i t i o n s , w i l l be complied w i t h .
t
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