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c \ f o f f -ixttto OCS Roc; l o r

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HQSUI DISPOSAL OVER T t c .

. HOM-060

" '«. *T......

HOKM •• » a l r . , # r a t x o r

Muat. Cda^.on Ar«A B l o c k 4 05,

I M A B C OCS-C 2280

D«K3a«bar 1992

00 * * * *

UMITIO STATES DEPARTMENT OF TBI INTERIOR

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

Oulf of Msxico OCS Ration

Hair Or 1 M M , Louisiana

FINAL

SITE-SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

NORM DISPOSAL OPERATION

NO. NORM-09C

As a s s—nt of tho Environstantal Iapact of tho Disposal of Producod v a i l sol ids v i t h NORM

in vast caaaron, Block 409 (Laaaa OCS-G 3380) by Enron O i l ft Oas Coapany

Data Submitted: Decoafeor, 1992 craeaencsaent Data: Decaaber, 1992

Prepared by Gary Rutherford

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

I have considered the not i f i ca t ion by Enron O i l t Gas Coapany to

diecherge produced wall aol ida v i th NORM in weet Caaaron,

Elock 405, (Laeee OCS-G 3280), SEA No. ES/SR NORM-060. Beeed on

the « vironaental analyaia and mitigation aaaauraa contained in

tha a i t e - epec i f i c anvironaantal asaesament, there ia no evidence

to ind icate that tha propoaad action v i l l s ign i f i cant ly (40 CFR

1S0S.27) affact ths qual i ty of tha huaan environaent i f tha

app l i ca t ion ia approved eubject to tha a i t iga t ive aaaauraa.

Preparation of an anvironaantal iapact atataaant i a not required.

i i

TABLE OF COETEBTS

FINDING OF BO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT j

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

X . DESCRIPTION OF TBE PROPOSAL AND NEED FOB TBE PROPOSAL

A. DESCRIPTION OF TRE PROPOSED ACTION NITH MITIGATION

B. NEED FOB TME PROPOSED ACTION

Z Z . ALTERNATIVES TO TBE PROPOSED ACTIOH

A. ONSHORE STORAGE

S. ONSHORE DISPOSAL

Z Z Z . ENVIRONMENTAL E F F E C T S , SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

A. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Gaology and Geologic Hasarda

2. Hater Quality

3. Air Quality

B. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. coaatal Habitata

2. Prot act ad, Endangered, and/or Threatened Spaclea a. Birda b . Nar ine Maaaala c . Saa T u r t l e a

3. S a n a i t i v a Marine H a b i t a t a

C. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Tranaportatlon Routaa

2. Military Use/Warning Areaa

3. Onehore Support Facilitiaa, Land Oaa, and Coaatal Coaaunitiaa and Servi<

MSB

4. Potential Be-expooure e.g., r e -d r i l l f o r m a t i o n 3

5. Human H e a l t h and S a f e t y 3

0. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 4

XV. PUBLIC OPINION 4

V . CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 4

V I . BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SPECIAL REFERENCES 5

V I I . PREPARERS 6

V I I I . APPSNDIX 7

A. A p p l i c a t i o n ( inc lud ing data on the a a t e r i a l ) 9

INTRODUCTION AMD BACKGROUND

The purpoee of this Site-Specific Environaentel asssssment (SBA) ie to asseee tho epecific impacts aeeociated with a propoeel to discharge produced well solids vith NORM froa Baat Caaaron, Block 405 "A" Platfora. The propoeed operation la looated 43 alias south of Caaeron Pariah, Louiaiana. Preparation of thia SBA haa allowed the deteraination of whether a Finding of Mo Significant lapect (PONSI) ia appropriate or whether further aaaeaaaent of the propoaal ia neceaaary.

Z. DESCRIPTION OF THK PROPOSAL AMD NEED FOB THB PROPOSAL

A. DESCRIPTION OF THB PROPOSED ACTIOH WITH MITIGATIONS

Enron , v ceee to diacharge produced well eol Ida with NORM froa the Hc ameron, Bloclc 405 "A" Pletfora, (Leaae ocs-G 3280). snron haa atated that 2 barrele per year wi l l be diecharged froa thia platfora.

Nine or ten randoa corea wil l be taken froa the "cutting box" and than combined and mixed in a one-liter polyethylene bottle. Meaaureaenta of the radiation doae rate equivalent wi l l ba taken froa the center of the bottoa of the container and by taking measuremente on the aides by rotating the container 360 degrees, taking a measurement every 90 degreee.

Only produced well aolida with a reading of tot aore than 25 aicroreae par hour above background froa a l - l i t e r aaaple wil l ba allowed to be diecharged.

B. MEED FOB THE PROPOSED ACTION

The propoaed diapoaal of produced well aolida with NORM is s viable alternative to atoring tha material at an onehore s i t s .

I I . ALTERNATIVES TO TBE PROPOSED ACTION

A. ONSHORE STORAGE

An alternative to the propoaed action would be dieapproval of the disposal of produced well solido with NORM. This would raault in the asterial being shipped to shore and held at an onahora facility. Non-approval haa not been deteralned to be a va l id alternative.

B. ONSHORE DISPOSAL

An alternative to the propoaed action would be dieapproval of the disposal of produced well solids with NORM. This would

l

*

r e s u l t in the material being transported to ehore and dlapoaad in s land f i l l . Non-approval haa not boon determined to bs a va l id s l t e r n e t i v e .

ZZZ. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS, AHO OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

A. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Geology and Geologic Hazards

The propoaad NORM diapoaal operation i a not adjacent to an area of sediment i n s t a b i l i t y (aud flows, slumps, or s l i d e s ) . Geologic conditiona are not expected to hava an iapact on tha propoeed diapoaal operation (Handley, 19S0).

2. Hater Quality

lapacta are expected to be low as a raaul t of the propoaad a c t i v i t i e a .

3. Air Quality

Impacta ara axpected to be very low ao a reeult of tha propooed activitiea.

1. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Coaatal Habitata

Ho impacta are expected aa a raault of the propoeed a c t i v i t l e a .

2. Protected, Endangered, and/or Threatened Speciee

a. Birda

Sanaitiva areea have been delineated along the Texaa coast l ine where whooping cranes and brown pelicane could be adveraely impacted by the propoaed NORM diapoaal operation. The operator haa indicated that helicopter f l ight a and boat t r a f f i c would u t i l i ae a ahorebaae in Caaeron, Louiaiana.

b. Marine Maaaala

Pr l t ta at a l . (1983) conducted a e r i a l aurveya across a 9,514 square a l i a area of waters lying in the central GOH. Reaulta of theae eurveye indicate that the bottlenose dolphin l a by f a r the aoat l i k e l y aarine aaaaal to be encountered at the propoaed NORN disposal operation. The propoaed NORM diapoaal

2

operation io expected to novo only a low impact on aarino

c. Soa Turtloo

Dofinitivo inforaation on tho probability of encountering aea turtleo at the eitee during NORM diapoaal operationa ia eearce. I t ia unlikely that any eae turtlea wil l be affacted by theee propoeed operationa.

3. Sanaitiva Marina Habitata

Tha propoeed activity ia not near any aenaitive aarine habitata. Therefore, the eubject NORM diepoeel operation wi l l not iapact any aeneltive aarine habitata or their ree ident biota.

C. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Tranaportatlon Routaa

There ehould be no impacta to tha area. No produced ae l l aolida will ba treneportod by barge froa other locations to tho Heat Caaeron Bl^ck 409 "A" Platfora.

2. Military Use/Warning Areas

The propooed HORN disposal operation wi l l not taka plaee in a deelgnated ai l i tary uee/warning area.

3. Onahora Support Facil it ies, Land Uae, and Coaatal Communities and Services

The operator hae indicatad that Caaeron, Louiaiana, would be the ahore baae for the propoeed NORM diapoaal operationa. No iapacte ara axpected ae a reeult of the propoaed activitiee.

4. Potential Re-expoouro e.g., r e -dr i l l formation

Since there ie no injection of NORM into a formation, thia i a inaignlf leant to the operation.

5. Huaan Health and Safaty

Exiating legal and regulatory safety requireaente wi l l keep tha iapacts of the propooed work on huaan health and safety at a vary low leval. To avoid contact of the contaminated materiel long aleeve ahirta and glovea wil l be worn. Protective eye gogglee and dust type breathing aaaka should be worn as conditions require. Furthermore, the NORM aatarial wi l l be kept wet et a l l tiaea to prevent dust froa fora ing.

3

« . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

t n t m n V j f T ^ *** t o P">tected, threatened, and/or « w y r a d epecloo and potential lose of habitat to the sarin, environment are considered to bo minor. ™* • • * » • •

XV. PUBLIC OPINION

P « * o & ° o ^ t r o m » * " c - • r a u l t of tho

V. CONSULTATION AMD COORDINATION

S t o t e ' a ^ u r ^ i h ^ w i t h o t h m * Fodoral or - Z i S ^ Z i p r l ^ ^ PUS at

4

V I . BIBLIOGRAPHY AMD SPECIAL REFERENCE

F r i t t s , T.B., A,fj. I r v i \.h> Tannings, L.A. Collua, M. Hoffaan, snd N.A. CoGvr.* "9t-.j. Turtlss, birds, snd sa—aln ln ths northern Gulf of Max ice and nearby Atlantic waters. U.S. Fiah and wildlife Service, Diviaion of Biological Servicea, Waahington, D.C.

Handley, Lawrence R. , 19S0. oi l and Gee Development in the Mississippi delts mudslide area: Recognition of a geohasard inx Environmental Inforaation on Hurricanes, Deep Hater Technology end Mississippi Oelte Rude 1 idee in the Gulf of Hexico. United Stetee Dept. of the Interior/ Hinerala Manageaent Service. Metairie, Louiaiana.

V I I . PREPARERS

Author

Gory Rutherford - GeologieV.

Typiot

Alice Sue Kris

V I I I . APPENDIX

k . 'application

7

APPENDIX

APPLICATION

OIL ft GAS COMPANY f.6. cm 11SS Vuston. Taut m u - \ m (/.vsS3-*1»l

1, 19ft

(( DECO" Stt ^ M 8 5221

U.S. Otsirtstat tf tkt Inttrltr , im*. ?*S.T* r Pilnsrsls Nsnsotjstnt Service ^ fW^vrt 1201 ttsrsS hit 11*. Ntw Or1t«ns. Louisiana 70123-2394

Attn: Nr. usrrta W111 lesson

Nt: Appliesclon ftr Ovtrbosrd Dlsehsrgt t f Produc td stl l Solids

ssstltsjtn:

Enron Oil snd Gat Conpsny (Enron) In sccordancs with ITL dstsd Mivtnbtr 20, '990, tnt C1sr1f1cst1on Lttttr, dstsd Decenber 11, 199!, end tst CM JIPOCS ,'ernlt requests approval for ovtrbosrd discharge tf produced well ttl Ids tt tst lull owing least:

OCS-6 3280, Plstforo "A", West Ctseron 81*1 *05

Tho triplication ftr overboard dischsrgs of n, »vj'jced wtll sol Ids fer this Itsst 1s tt ichtd.

Should vou require additional information, pi ttst contact undersiuna* tt (713) 853-S721.

Vory truly yours,

ENRON OIL & CAS CONPANY

Cheryl P7. Nurphy * & Regulatory Coordinator

CPRtw

PiSNPtysj

tot Hrt af tha Cerea trap a# Ciwrey CaajaeW*

omm fit ft IAS COMPANY

APPLICATION m OVOtftOAW 01JCHMMC Of fltOOUCQ MELL Sf IDS

LOCAT IOM: OCS-6 3200, Platform "A\ Matt Cast • Bloch 406 MDt 69'

PREVAIL IRS CURA£NTI> Viva period: 1ft.0 Sac: Currtnt: 2.6 ft/stc at turfaca; Tides-Store: 4.3 fee*

•inAWtyBIMCTIftl Tf EKVIROMWEMTALLY SsMSITIVE nBEA(S) ( I f AMY) i M/A

List ether fKl1H1w fros which priseali w i l ssiIds art BttWffot that Mill aa trisspsrtso' U tnit discharge s lU t N/A

Estlssted fraausacy ft volume to ho discharged: 2 s»H/0ace(l) yoar

DISCHARGE BATE MILL NOT EXCESS 100 aJLS/DAV

pmiNINARY MkmWDmt OF EIPSIMBf BATES uft/hr:

Hal 1 pert (Background): .7

Exttr»:tl Production Train

FG Scrvactr .7 Produc Hon Soparstor .9 Sk1o»r 1.1 coaletctr 1.2 Contactor .7 FlowlIna .7 M l B-l MN 1.? fsll A 3/A-30 UN 8

Baser lotion and char acttrl sties of solids Sand and Sludge

Method of Discharges At surface acceding to attached procedure.

monitoring* 1. Dischsrge will taka place during daylight hours only.

2. Enron #111 adhere to EPA discharge r*q̂ 1 resents 1n MDCS Central remit GftS 260000.

010

Appl Ication fer Overboard Discharge of Produced Mell Solids Page Tee

SAMPLING* EOG w i l l ob ta in samples tha t a r e represen ta t i ve t f the NORN-contaelnated solids to be discharged and place the material le aapravad eaitt disposal collection containers, tf the discharge Is te be continuous rather than a oaa-tiae discharge, COS will combine ane • l x the representative samples lata a composite sample la a 1-1 Iter wide-south high-density polyethylene (er similar) container. The container will be packed as full as possible with the sa led material te ainieize air spaces and he capped. A label detail Ins the seen i lea information with sal Ids 10, date sample was taken and leeatlea of se i Ids to ba diseased wil l be attached te the container sad maintained at tha site. A copy wi l l be fassd to EOG's Houston Office and kept on f i l e at same.

The M i t e r sample wil l be measured f t r I ts radiation exposure rate with a Ludlua Nodal 3-97 detector designed to measure gsaas redlstlsa with s ranee a f st least 1 et/hr te ISO ut/nr. n s wil l calibrate said detector t t Intervalt att te exceed • tenths.

Taa representative 1- l i ter samples wil l bt obtained. The ceres wi l l bt mixed In cutting boxes snd placed I t a 1-11 t t r high-dans Uy polyethylene container aad lightly packed. Neasurements mill be taken at tha center af tht bottoa ef the container while it Is lying t t I ts t ide. Measurements w i l l also be made against the side t f tat contslner at tht longitudinal and vertical center by rotating tke container SSS* end tsking t measurement every 10*. Tht measurements t i l l than be averaged, documented, maintained at tht s i te , and made available uaee request tt tnt NMS Inspector.

Only eater aackoroond

aster 1 si reading ne greater than f | •IrrirSnataaW ser sty be dlschsrged overboerd.

ROTE: when quarterly sub-staples are taken, they wi l l bt analyzed fer Ra-228 and Ra 228 activity concentration in pCI/gr. Tht analysis method t i l l bt gamma-ray spectroscopy.

Based tn tht data provided by tht laboratory analysis, a quarterly cs l ul ation will be made te determine the total radius discharged to data. Should the total radium discharged surpass 50,000 mlcrorcurles, Enron t i l l notify tht MNS Regional Office, and t i l discharges wil l cease until an assessment t f tht area 1s coapleted.

on