In Reply Refer Tot FO-2-1 Ju ly 6. 19*7

KOCH Exploration Company Attent ion fir. T. FcUoa. 650 Po,ar«s Street Me» Orleans, Louis iana 70130

Gentl seem

Reference l i eede to your In i t io ) P*l«n of Explorat ion i M Envtronaental Report recolved Juno 22, 1987, for L—a» UCS-G *426. Mock 774* VorsiMton A.««a. Th is pi OH Inc I uooo tho a c t i v i t i e s propotod for Wells A through C .

Xn accordance with 30 <TR 250.34, revised -icuufcer 13, L979, ono our l e t t e r do tec January 29* 1979, th is plan I s Herat-, datotr.ilnod to ho eoatptoto and Is nov boi i:, conslaoroo for approval.

Your plan control rumour H W-7720 ar»c *;>ou)0 oo referenced 1n your csMMIcat ion and corrc*pon«i«nct concern 1n<,, t h i s plan.

S'nc- rtt|y yours*

(Orig. Sgd.) A. Donald Giroir

..-j 0 . J . i<our<jeo1s Keg!ona1 Supervisor F lo ld Oporatlons

bcci Loaso OCS-0 G 8426 (OPS-3-2) (F ILE n.0011) C*TS-ar4 «/PttoLlC I n f u . Copy of tho plan and ER (PUBLIC RECORDS)

ADGobart i cck I ft/25/871 po*COH

it . - • -

|njc, motion Sorv»«aa

I f K O C H %%%%% I XFLOH A TIP* COMPAN V

June 2?, 1987

20»0 POYDRAS CENTER 660 POYDRAS STREET N E * ORLEANS LOUISIANA 70130 PH 504-522-9651

S. Dspt. or the Interior Minerals Mann. Tent Serviee 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 701?

Attention: Mr. Daniel Bourgeois Regional Supervisor Office of Field Operations

Gentlemen:

Enclosed please find nine (9) copies of the I n i t i a l Plan of Exploration with aaaoclated Ehvlronmnetal Report, Air Quality Review and Coaatal Zone Conolatency Statement for Leaae OCS-0-8126, Vermilion Area Block 27«. Five (5) copies of the subject reports are for "Proprietary" information purposes and four (H) copies contain "Public Information"; a l l coplea being marked accordingly.

Excluded from the Public Information coplea are certain geologic discussions, depth of wells and structure maps.

Koch Exploration Company Intends to commence d r i l l i n g operations on or about September 1, l<?fl7. Should further information be required, please contact Mr. ClHy Pi l le ' of this o f f i ce at telephone 501/^22-9521.

RE: I n i t i a l Plan of Exploration OCS-Q-R126, Block 271 Vermilion Area Offshore Louisiana

Sincerely,

William T. Folsom Operations Muiager

enclosures

VrTP:JAC:Je

EXECUTIVE OFFICES WICHITA KANSAS 87201 TOST OFFICE BOX 2256 TELEPHONE 316-832-8800

TTIAL PUN OF EXPLORATION

VERMILION AREA BLOCK 27*

OCS-O-8426

Kr n Exploration Company (Koch) aa operator of the subject block, submits this proposed Ini t ia l Plan of Exploration in accordance with the regulatlona contained within Ti t le 30 CPR 250.3" as follows:

1. Schedule of Operations

In order to delineate the hydrocarbon potential and 1 Imitations of this block, Koch proposes to d r i l l three (3) wells from the same surface location ln Venrlllc- Block 271.

Well "A" wi l l be spudded on or about September 1, 1987 subject to the approval of this Plan of ' .xploratlon and Issuance of the required Permit to D r i l l . The spud dates fo the remaining wella have not been scheduled; however, dr i l l ing ahoulo be completed by December, 1987. Each well should take approximately ? c days to d r i l l .

I t should be emphasized that this schedule lb tentative ln the meaning of 30 CPR 250.31-l(a). Additional expiratory d r i l l i n g muat be predicated upon the need to further define structures and/or reservoir limitations. In addition to the d r i l l i n g of the well(a), other activities which may be conducted under this Plan would be the setting of a well protector structure, a seafloor template, a velocity survey ln a wellbore, and soi l borings.

Transportation frcm the existing onshore f a c i l i t i e s ln Cameron, Louisiana, to Block 271 w i l l involve the uae of one supply boat making three trips per week, one crew boat making three trips per week, and one helicopter making seven tripe per week.

2. p r i l l i n g Equipment

The propoaed wella w i l l be dr i l led with a typical Jack-up d r i l l i ng r i g . Schematics for the Diverter and BOP stack are enclosed herewith as Attachment I .

Safety features w i l l include well control and blowout prevention equipment as described ln OCS Order No. 2. The appropriate l i f e raf ts , l i f e Jackets, r ing buoys, etc. aa prescribed by the U. S. Coast Ouard w i l l be maintained on the f a c i l i t y at a l l tlmea.

INFORMATION

3. Location jf Veils

The approximate locations of tha three 13) vallc proposed in this Plan aa vai l aa thalr p. osed depths, ara shown on tha accompanying Location Plat, anclosad herewith aa Attachment I I , and ara described aa follova:

TOTAL DEPTH •A" Surface: 1480' FSL t 6£>30' FEL TVD: 11, IOC

* f Surface: U60' FSL I 6630' FEL TVD: e£00'

•C Surface: 1460' FSL t 6630* FEL TVD: 9100*

Water depth ln thia bl< ck la approximately 165 feat.

4. GeoloQlcal/Oaophyalcal.Information

A structure map vhich illustrates Koch's current interpretation of Verailion Block 274 i s anclosad herewith as Attachment 111.

A Shallow Drilling Hazards Report covering tha surface location of the veils proposed in this Plsn is enclosed herewith as Attachment IV.

5. Archaeological Information

An Archaeological Survey vac not required vith the Shallow Hazards Survey Report for Vermi.'lon Dlock 274. It has been determined that there ara no magnetic anomalies or cultural resources vithin 500 feet of the proposed vail location.

6. Onehortr Facilitlea

The service baae for thia area v i l l be Cameron, Louisiana. Thia v i l l be an established fa c i l i t y that v i l l require no modifications.

7. Pollutlon_Preventlen_Informatlon

Pollution prevention control meaeuraa v i l l be ln accordance with OCS dei No. 7. Koch has on f i l e vith the fKS an Oil Spill Contingency Plan

for the Gulf of Mexico. ln the event of a s p i l l , this Plan v i l l be actuated. Koch is a memhrt of Clean Guif Associates vhich provides s p i l l containment rqulpmrnt and clean-up equipment at five Hallibuiton Service

BEST AVAILABLE COPY

Baees on th* Gulf i w i t i Galveston and Rockport ln Texas; Grand I e l e , Venice and Int racoasta l C i t y ln Louisiana. I f a s p i l l should occur f roa the propoaed operationa, the equipaent located at Caaeron, Louisiana vould be ut i l i zed f i r s t , v i t h additional equipaent moved ln froa other bases , i f neceaaary. Faet boat reaponae v i th o i l booa, akiaaera, puap ond atorsga tanka vould requ i re approxiaatsly 10-12 hours, including preparat ion t iae. A heavy equipaent system reaponae vould require apprc . instoly 20-26 houra, including six hours preparation t iae.

D r i l l cuttlnga and exceoa d r i l l i n g fluida v i l l be diapoaad of in accordance with app l icab le environmental ragulat iona. Tha d r i l l i n g f l u i d components snd a d d l t i . e s to be uaad are enclosed herevith aa Attachaent V.

E n c l o s e d are copies of the f o l l o v i n g inforaation:

ATTACHMENT NO.

I I I I I I IV V

Rig Information Location Plata (Veil t Vicinity) Structure Map Shallow Drilling Hazard Report List of Mud Components snd Additives

Also enclosed are the aaaoclated Environmental Report, Air Quality Raviev and Coaatal Zone Conaiatency Stateaent for Louisiana.

DIVERTER STACK

1. Rucker Shafer 2K" 2,000* KL Shaft! A 9 . • B t T A D , 1. CAMERON 6*6 BALI VAI Y[ ?000 PSI ASSY. #01^004-7-11 M t t l t teuatorftdi. #1-302.7HY0. OPERATOR

ATTACHMENT I BEST AVAILABLE COPY m vi fir H WH:UI PAM is. Dfclll UOOIt-WKiflt HOOT I DS?».-2K-OA Torn Mi'nri« r-iriri I M * | V m i DTiARC-3

BOP STACK

i

CHOKE SIDE FRONT VIEW

BEST MMLABLE COPY

EQUIPMENT LIST I . U - t / r - 5 , 0 0 0 PSI CAW RON U N 'D' ANNULAR B.O.P.

?. n-s/i -io.oori PSI CAKCRON DOJtit UNIT TYPF. • r e.o.r.

3. 13-S/ f -l0,000 PSI CAKtROK SINClt UNIT TYN "IT b.O.P.

4 . 3-1/U'.10.000 PSI CAWRD'i STUDDED lARCH T(C *7e r -H« R1NC CROOVl.

f . 3 »/W -H',0(i[- I M CAT!RON TYN ' I * NVUP.AUI H ONPMDI OAll V/l I.ISA HKf. GMiPVl .

?. 3 1/W Ili.OCtri ISI |R**.lt((iN l f l l 'ICC CM I M l VI

utc ft OS "HEBEHT " XH.ftftl.ftBft.Ilft' Y . 5 17,582.8'7'

< UJ or <

O OLZ Ul 2E <

< Ul OL <

or ui >

«0 _ .-I • - I o

CENTER OF 274

X> 1,699,035.340' Y« - 73,30 3.455' 289

ATTACHMENT I I

KOCH EXPLORATION COMPAN'

VERMILION 274 8 289

V I C I N I T Y PLAT

8-ftT

KOCH EXPLORATION CO. OCS-6-$426

274

PWO». SUSF LOC 1480' r s i . 8830' FEL

•

Y * 8 0 , 884 . 479 '

ATTACHMENT I I

KOCH EXPLORATION COMPANY

V E R M I L I O N 2 7 4

LOCATION PLAT

SCALE ( " • 2 0 0 0 * - • 7

SHALLOW HAZARDS REPOrtT VERMILION BLOCK 27*

OCS-0-8*26 WELLS A - C

Surface Loca t ion : 1180' PSL & 6630' PEL of Block 27*

The propoaed surface l oca t i on Is t o t c l l y w i t h i n the In terpre ted o u t l i n e of a burled channel (Hazard Map>. An u n i d e n t i f i e d magnet ic anomaly i s present 850' ESE of t h i s s i t e (Hazard Map).

An examination of migrated r e l a t i v e amplitude p ropr ie t a ry ^DP s e i s m i c data (1985 Western* showed no f a u l t i n g present at the near surface nor high amplitude events ( b r i g h t spots) tha t e x h i b i t the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s normally associated wi th shallow gas w i t h i n 2000' of the proposed loca t ion (see also rteport, pg. 10 and pg . 15).

D i s t r i c t Geophyslclst

WPB/Je

JAEV#91

ATTACHMENT IV

DP J LL I KG HUD COHFOKEHT S

C3HH0K CHEHICAL OF. CHEHICAL TfcAl'E KA»":

A l u n i n u r S t e a r a t e "AXTAFLO-S" B a r i t e Calcium Car ite Calcium Chi xc Celclt'i* n Calcic i >u. c Carbox; . t h y i C r - i l u l o 6 e C a u s t i c P o t a s h C a u r t i c Soda Chi ore L i g m .e Chrome L i g n o s u l f o n a t e D r i l l i n g D e t e r g e n t 'E-Pal* F F : ; o c h r o r e L i g n o r u l f o n a t e Gel

Gypsum Lignite Lignosulfonate •Rud Sweep" "HOR-REX" "Shale-Trol" Sapp Soda Ash Sodium B i c a r b o n a t e Sodluir C a r b o x y m e t h y l C e l l u l o s e Sodium C h l o r i d e Sodiur. C h r o m a t e S ta rch "TX-9010" •TOR©-Trim" "B lack H a g i c " •Elack H a g i c S u p e r m i x " Piesel

• j t l f l a k e " niCA

Tip* Lax* •V ul]-Niit * V. ...f I ||.< i r

ATTACHMENT V

r-ESTnlrTICK .OF H/.TTFIAL

Alumin » Otearste Konionic Surfactant Barium Sulfate (BaSo4) Aragonlte <CaCo3) Hydrophiiite (CaC12) lim* fCuirk) Anhydrite «CaS04) Carboxymethyl Cellulose Potassium Hydrp\e Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Chroma Lignite Chrome Lignosulfonate Soap Kor.-toxic, biodegradable defoar?r Derived from wood pulr Sodium mentirorillonite, bentonite, attapulgite CaSo4.2H20 Lignite Lignosulfonate Cerent Pre-flush Hydroloyzed Cereal solid Organo-aluminum complex Srdium Acid "yrophosphate Sodium Carbonate KaMCOS Sodium CBTboxynethyl Cellulose KaCl KeCr04.10H20 Corn Starch FicdegradaLle d r i l l i n g lubricant Biodegradable d r i l l i n g lubricant Oil base rud cone. Sacked concentrated o i l baae mud Uetd to mix certain loss-circula­tion p i l l s i l a r t l c f o i l , shredded cellophane L^F:-cirrulat Jon materiel Surfactant mixed with diesel Gi fiunri walnut r h r l l e I Cf r j rr uJat lr>i. m.trrle]

,EST AVAILABLE COPY

PROJECTED AIR EMISSION SCHEDULE FOR EXPLORATION > ROJFCT

GENERAL INFORMATION

Loea;ion ot F a d l i l y :

Clstance Of fshore : Name ot rtlg/Platform: Operator:

Contact Person: 7ot*.l We11 Footage t o b.» j n l ed : [»..*c D r i l l i n g W i l l Beg in .

Vermi l ion A r t , Block 274 OCS-G 8426 71 mi les Jack jp Koch Exp lo ra t i on Compa.-.y 650 Poydras. #2050 New Or leans, Louis iana 70130 Mr. Clav P111« 32.200 ' Storember 1, 19P7

MAJOR SOURCE (OFFSHORE)

Power used abc.jrrf d r i l l i n g vesse l ; approximate f o o U q j *•. 1 : v.-. 3 ^ , 2 0 0 ' . *

P ro jec ted Emissions .- L • ( l o u / d a y* * ) t f>n ; /ye»r

\ bc t f . ee i 987

CC (170) 6 . V . y j (54) 2 . 0 i

2 NOX (799) Zh.O: VOC (64) 2.«2 TSP (57) 2.13

Based on 60 h p h r / f t . f r on Table A - 3 , -ospher lc Emissions ' n n j \ fshore 011 and Gas Development and Product ion r.«-A No. 4 5 0 / V 7 7 - 0 c 6 , o jna , 1977.

Emission f a c t o r s fro..i T , b l e 3 . 3 . 3 - 1 , "Comp i la t i on ot A i r P o l l u t a n t •Lnmlon F a c t o r s : , Th i rd " d i t on, EPA Report AP-42, ".uguat. 1977.

P r o j s c t e d A1r . " I s s l o n s Koch Explorat.on Company V e r m i l i o n Area f l a c k 274

Page 2

MINOR SOURCES (OFFSHORE \

I n c l u d i n g h e l l c o p t . r land ing and t * k e - o f f (7 t r1os /wyek) : supply boat ( 3 t r i ps /week ) ; orew boat (3 t r i p s / w e ' s ' ) : and load ing a id un load ing ope ra t i ons ; and i n c i n e r a t i o n of waste ,<aper (average 750 pounds o f waste per month ) .

P ro jec ted t r .s.c >»ns Emitted ( tons /yeat ]

Suhstancc 1987

CO .43 SO .01

2 NOX . J . VOC TSP ,'*2

* Tafc ' - , 3 .2 .1-3 . 3 . 2 . 3 - 1 , and 2 . 1 , " C o m p i l a t , : . o* A i r P o l l u t a n t mission FOL 'O . -S " , Th i rd E d l . l o . . . t?A Report AP-42. Ai»i s , 1977.

T0TAL ALL SOURCES (TC- ./tZ.%

1987 CC SO NOX VOC TSP 2

Major 6.58 2.03 Z9.95 2.42 2.13 Minor _;_43 . 01 .06 . 04 .02 Total 6.81 - .04 307oT 2.46 CTS"

ONSHORE SCJRCES

These s lould be about t he same as minor sources unless new f a c i l i t i e s are i n s t a l l e d at the onshore base. No a d d i t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s are requ i red or p 1 anr^d at t h i s t i m e .

EMISSION EXEMPTION DETERMINATION

2/3 2/3 p v CO: E - 3400D - 3*00 ( 71) - 58,298 tons /year ror NOX, VOC, TSP & SO : t « 33.3D - 33.3 (71) - 2364 tons /yea r

2

As per D0I/MMS r e g u l a t i o n s , t h i s f a c i . i t y 1s exen.pt from f u r t h e r a i r q u a l i t y rev iew AS i t ha* been determined t ha t i t s opera t ions w i l l not have s i g n i f i c a n t adverse onvircnmenta1 Impact on a i r q u a l i t y .

ENVJ RONHENTAL REPORT

FEDERAL LEASE OCS-G 6426 VERMILION AREA, BLOCK 274

OFFSHORE VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA

THE FOLLOW iN?* ENVIRONHENTAL REPORT WAS Fntf «F.FD BV J. COI HOR CONSULTING FOR KOCi1 CXFLC I I ^ N COHPANV FOR COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY DETER/.RATION BY THE STATE OF OL.ISIAKA ON OPERATIONS FROPCSED '.0 BE CONDUCTED l h THE INITIAL PLAN OF EXF: JON FOR LEASE OGS-G 6426. FOR INiU.RIES REGARDING THIS REPORT PLi-A.-r: J .INTACT:

hOCH EXPLORATION COKFANY

650 POYDRAS, SUITE 2050

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130

ATTENTION: HR. CLAY PILIE

"UNE, 1?£7

i .4..** Pr_CONTENT^

T I T L E PAGE

TABLE OF COKTENTS

I . DESCRIFT10K Or PROPL'ED ACTION

A. DESCRIPTION OF PROF VsiZ TRAVEL MODES, ROUTES /ND F KEOL'ENLY ONSHORE SUPPORT SYSTEMS NEW OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY

• . VICINITY MAP E. PROPOSED MEANS TO TRANSPORT 01.. AND GAS TO SHORE

X I . DESCRIPTION OF AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

A. COMMERCIAL FISHIKP B. SH i PFI KG C. PLEASURE EOATING, r "JRT FISHING AND RECREATION D. FOTENTIAL OR KNOWN CJLTURAL RESOUPJES E. ECOLOGICAL!.V SENSITIVE FEATURES F. FIPEL1NES AND CABLES G. OTHER MINERAL USES H. OCEAN DUMPING I . ENDANGERED OF THREATENED SPECIES AMD CRITICAL

I I I . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONHENTAL EFFECTS

A. WATER C *LITY B. EFFECTS OF KARINE ORGANISMS C. WETLANDS AND BEACH D. AIR QUALITY E. COMMERCIAL FISHING F. SHIP NAVIGATION G. CoLTUKAL LTSOURCES

H. RECREATION Ah' AESTHETIC VALUES

I V . SUMMARY

REFERENCES

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

ROUTES, QUANTITIES

HABITAT

NO. 1 • • )C JMTY MAP

l )

Boating in L o u i s i a n a ' s coastal areas i c moat o f t e n r e l a t ed t o rec rea t iona l ' i s h l n g . Water s k i i n g snd s a i l i n g are growing i n popular t y , e s p e c i a l l y l n estuar lne lakes near South L o ; ' s l a m ' s maj'-i urban r e n t e r s .

Hunting i s a popu la r rec rea t i ona l a c t i ^ . t y i n Louis iana. ' i e t y o l water f o * l a re taken throughoj t the co . i s t a l marahes. fher * are <hree s* ate » . i d l i f e refuges ar.d numerous i ; ta te and federa l L.c j logical ]> s e n s i t i v e land areaE onshore i r o * the area of operat ion.

Wjt'i the except lor . of Grand I s l e and v i c i n i t y a'.d a s t r e t c h of beach ar.-fc .n Camercn P a r i s h , (Peveto/Coir i tance/0ce*n View Beaches, Ho l l y Beach, Hackberry Beach) Louisiana has very l i m i t e d beach area su i tab le f o r r e c r e a t i o n . Host of i t i a very nsrrow, of poor rec rea t iona l q u a l i t y and gene 'a l l y i n a c c e s s i b l e by automobi le, soae of the h ighest q u a l i t y beach areas in c o a s t a l Louis iana are found along the b a r r i e r i s l a n d s chain o f f Terrebonne Par iah.

Several a d d i t i o n a l s i g n i f i c a n t r e c r e s t i z . n l resources -e found along t h * Gulf Coast . Louisiana has ornamenta l gardens, scenic roads, l i v e r s , and t r t . l i s . No adverse impacts are a n t i c i p a t e d .

D. POTENTIAL OR KNOWN CULTURAL RESOURCES

Y » r n l i o n 274 l i e s o u t s i d e the T j l t u r a l Resource S e n s i t i v i t y Derarcat ion L ine (USDI, 1979, Visual 1 ) , ..nd t h e r e f o r e , f a l l s i n an area where c u l t u r a l resources are not l i k e l y t o he found. An archaeological su rvey » a not requi red f o r Ve rm i l i on 274, ..rvever, Koch Exy lo ra t i o r Company agrees the- i f any s i t e , s t r u c t u r e , or ob> t f t o i h i s t o r i c a l or archaeological s i g n i f i c a n c e should be dlacovered dur ing any opera t ion , the f i n d i n g s w i l l immediately be reported to the Reg iona l Di rector and everv reasonable e f f o r t v i l l be made to preserve and pro tec t the c u l t u r a l reaource from damage u n t i l the Regional D i r e c t o r has given d i r e c t i o n aa to i t a p reserva t io r .

E. ECOLOGICALLY . J N i l T I V E FEATURES

There «re no areas o f p a r t i c u l a r concern w i t h i n Vermi l ion 274. The clceest t c . o g r a p h i c a l high i s t.ie Sonn ier Bank located approx i ­mately 12 s i l e e t o t h e Southveet. However, t he re are severa l areas of environmental concern that l i e onshore f rom the le»<se s i t s . There include (1) Sabine Pass Lighthouse S t a t e Commemi r a t l v e Area, (2) Po-jl J. Rt iney W i l d l i f e Refuce. <3> R o c k e f e l l e r Stt i e Wi ld l i fe -Refuge, (4) L o u i c i a r i l S ta te W i l d . i f e Refuge, and (5) Ruther ford BpBch State Park and o ther r e c r e . t i o n a l be»"-.iee.

Clean Gul l Assoc ia tes has pi spared and d i s t r i b u t e d t o aembers, aapa of the c o a s t l i n e o f t he Gulf of Hexico l i s t i n g env i ronmenta l ly sens i t i ve areas onshore and near-shore v h i c h s i g h t be a f f e c t e d by an accidenta l hydrocarbon releaae.

Since the e n t i r e c o a s t l i n e of the s t s t e o f Lou is iana can be considered e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y sens i t i ve i n v s r y i n g degrees, there i s no benef i t seen In l i s t i n g a l l the majoi bays and w i l d l i f e refuges along the roas t . No adverse impacts are a n t i c i p s t e d .

F. PIPELINES AND CABLES

There ara no p i p e l i n e s or cables c ross ing Block 274.

G. OTHER MINERAL 'SES

The a c t i v i t i e s proposed f o r Vermi l ion 274 v i l l hsve no d i r e c t o r I nd i rec t impact on o t h e r mineral uses.

H. OCEAN DUMPING

Ocean dumping i s p r o h i b i t e d l n t h i a area.

I . ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT

Five f ede ra l l y l i s t e d endangered whale spec ies occur w i t h i n the Central Gulf . These i nc lude f i n , humpback, r i g h t , s e i , snd sperm whales. Genera l l y , theae large cetaceans i n h a b i t the c o n t i n e n t a l slope and deep ocean ic va te rs , occas iona l l y they are s ighted nearshore (Schmid ly , 1981). Sperm whales have been s ighted nesr the Louisiana Delta and o f f s h o r e Brownsv i l le ( F r i t t s et s i . , 1983).

Red wolf hybr ids occur along the Gulf coast i n Cameron Par ish , Louisiana and J e f f e r s o n County, Texas, f o r a l l p r a c t i c a l purposes, pure-blood red wolves are ex t inc t i n tha w i l d (HcCarley and Car ley , 1979).

Four f ede ra l l y l i s t e d endangered t u r t l e spec ies (Kemp's r i d l e y , green, hawksb i l l , and leatherback t u r t l e s ) snd one threatened species ( loggerhead t u r t l e ) occur l n the Gu l f o f Hexico.

The American a l l i g a t o r occurs genera l ly th roughout the Cent ra l Gulf coasta l areas. The a l l i g a t o r i s l i s t e d as endangered throughout i t s range except i n t h e c o s s t a l areas of F l o r i d s snd Texas vliere i t i s l i s t e d ar th rea tened and i n Louisiana vhere i t l a l i s t e d as "threatened by s i m i l a r i t y of appearance".

The red-cockaded woodpecker occurs p r i m a r i l y i n mature open p ine fo res t throughout t h e E a e t r i n and Cent ra l Gu l f area and i n t o eas te rn Texas.

Arctic peregrine falcons migrate along the eastern roast of Florida, the Florida Kays, and the Gulf coast of Texas. Some peregrine falcons overwinter along the Gulf coastal areas.

The endangered eskiao curlew's northward migration corridor crosses the Louisiana and Texas coastal areas.

Brown Felican's occur along the coast of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Bbld eagles inhabit several Guli coastal counties.

These species may be affected by the development of coastal lands and/or the occurrence of o i l s p i l l s which may affect the species directly or through t h e i r food sources. Since the proposed activitiea include no plans for the development of the coastal landa, the impact on endangered or threatened species i s primarily based on the occurrence of o i l s p i l l s .

On pages I I I - 5 through I I I - 7 2 of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for OCS Sale No. 47 there i s a discussion of the factors for estimating the significance of o i l s p i l l s snd their impsrts. The impacts on various endangered and threatened apecies w i l l depend on the nature of the s p i l l , leather conditions, proximity of s p i l l to species, tolerance for o i l of species, and the response time and effectiveness of the o i l s p i l l cleanup and containment servies. Given these variable, the impact on the various endangered or threatened species v i l l vary from l i t t l e or no effect to serious.

The experience of o i l and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico indicate that there i s a small probability of an occurrence of an o i l a p i l l . The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for OCS Sale A-62 and 62 indicates on page 71 that 'the aggregate 15 year s p i l l rate is .0003 percent of the t o t s l volume produced". Tsble 7, page 73, of the DESI indicates thst there has been only 30 incidents

. of o i l s p i l l s for t h i e 15 year period. The probability re-sins low because ol the level of technology used by the o i l end gas industry to insure safe and responsible operations.

Koch Exploration Company as a prudent operator, v i l l take the necessary measures to reduce the probability of o i l s p i l l s . Koch Exploration Company's proposed exploratory operations on Block 274 should pose no threat to any endangered or threatened species.

D r i l l i n g a c t i v i t i e s v i l l temporarily reduce vater quality adjacent to the location. Thie »i)l increase t u r b i d i t y ir. a plume dovn-cur-rent fiom the work s i t e . Released waters arid P minor o i l s p i l l c"»'j]d a Iro contribute t- water quality degradation.

I I I . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

A. VATER OUALITY

B. EFFECTS ON MARINE ORGANISMS

Some organism* w i l l ba killed and aoae will be temporarily functionally Impaired aa a reault of exploratory opera.iona. The moat affected groups will be plankton and benthos umedlately around the drilling rig. Damage v i l l be both mechanical and toxicologlcal. Discharge of hole cuttings v i l l damage plankton vithin the plume and buty some of the less mobile benthic fauna. These impacts are considered to be localized, short term and reversible at tha population level.

An oil s p i l l could e l f ' " t a broad spectrum of marine organiams. Ho/ever, moat effects would be localized and short term. Any effects on mammals and turtles vould be significant.

C. WETLANDS AND BEACH

In the unlikely event of s s p i l l occurring snd reaching shore, organisms in vetland and beach habitats could be killed or functionally impaired. Human community disruption could slso occur. Although a l l such effects vould be localized, any effects on endangered species and/or critical habitats vould be significant.

D. AIR DUALITY

The air quality at the lease site v i l l be degraded temporarily during operations, but should return to normal once operations are measurably completed. Offshore activities probably v i l l not affect onshore air quality. Air quality at the onshore base v i l l be only insignificantly reduced by onahore activitiea. Any such effect v i l l be temporary.

E. COMMERCIAL FISHING

Of the various types of fishing gear ln use in the OCS areas, travls have the greatest chance for operational conflicts with o i l and gas activities. Losses may, however, be compensated under the Fishermen's Contingency Fund or other legal routes. Trsvl nets can be anagged on underwater stubs causing damage or loss of the nets. In addition, i t is conceivable that snags could damage underwater production equipment of pipelines causing a s p i l l of o i l or gss. Because safety equipment is installed, vhich shuts ln production when a loss of pressure occurs, the likelihood of a major s p i l l resulting thereby is considered very small. Less frequently, large objects which were lost overboard from petroleum industry boats, pipeline lay barges, and platforms are caught by fishing gear resulting in damage to the gear and/or i t s catch of fish; however, occurrence of this type of incident ic lov. Also, commercial fishermen would probably not harvest flEh in the area of an o i l

s p i l l , as s p i l l e d o i l c o u l d coa t or c o n t a m i n a t e - c o m m e r c i a l f i s h s p e c i e s r e n d e r i n g t h e m u n m a r k e t a b l e . O t h e r u n a v o i d a b l e a d v e r s e i m p a c t s i n c l u d e i o e s c f f i s h space caused by i n s t a l l a t i o n o f u n b u r i e d p i p e l i n e s , r i g s , p l a t f o r m s , or by o t h e r O C S - r e l a t e d s t r u c t u r e s . T h e r e may be some l o c a l i z e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r s h o r e f a c i l i t i e s . The** ) e f f e c t s and any e f f e c t t h a t t h e e x p l o r a t o r y o p e r a t i o n s w i l l h a v e or. s t o c k s o f i m p o r t a n t s p e c i e s a i e c o n s i d e r e d m i n o r .

F . SHIP NAVIGATION

V e r y l i t t l e i n t e r f e r e n c e can be e x p e c t e d b e t w e e n t h e r i g and m a r i n e v e s s e l s u t i l i z e d d u r i n g d r i l l i n g o p e r a t i o n s and s h i p s t h a t use e s t a b l i s h e d f a i r w a y s . However, a t n i g h t and d u r i n g r o u g h w e a t h e r , f o g , and heavy s e a s , s h i p s no t u s i n g e s t a b l i s h e d f a i r w a y s c o u l d c o l l i d e w i t h t h e r i g .

G. CULTURAL RESOURCES

T h e r e l a o n l y a s m a l l p r o b a b i l i t y t h a t an unknown c u l t u r a l r e s o u r c e e x i s t s i n t h e l e a s e a r e a .

H. RECREATION

The r i g may r e p r e s e n t an o b s t a c l e t o some s p o r t f i s h e r m e n , b u t such an e f f e c t i s e x p e c t e d t o be n e g l i g i b l e and n o t p e r m a n e n t .

Even though e x i s t i n g r e g u l a t i o n s and o r d e r s p r o h i b i t i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l i t t e r i n g o f t h e m a r i n e env i ronmen t w i t h t r a s h , o f f s h o r e o i l snd gaa o p e r a t i o n s i n v o l v i n g men, machines, e q u i p m e n t , and s u p p l i e s i s bound t o r e s u l t l n some l i t t e r i n g o f t he o c e a n . Human n a t u r e and a c c i d e n t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h o f f s h o r e o p e r a t i o n s w i l l c o n t r i b u t e some f l o a t a b l e d e b r i s t o t h e ocesn e n v i r o n m e n t v h i c h v i l l e v e n t u a l l y come a s h o r e on ma jo r r e c r e a t i o n a l beaches.

The e f f e c t s t h a t n o r m a l o p e r a t i o n s o r a m i n o r o i l s p i l l v o u l d h s v e on any f i s h s t o c k s i m p o r t a n t t o s p o r t f i s h e r m e n s r e a l s o c o n s i d e r e d t o be n e g l i g i b l e .

A minor o i l s p i l l a n d / o r n o n - p e t r o l e u m f l o a t i n g d e b r i s c o u l d f o u l beaches i n s h o r e o f t h e l e a s e a rea . The f o u l i n g o f t h e beaches v o u l d be an a e s t h e t i c d e t r i m e n t t h a t e r u l d a d v e r s e l y s f f e c t r e c r e a t i o n . Any e f f e c t s on b e e c h r e c r e a t j o r c o u l d a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t t o u r i s m a n d , c o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e l o c a l aconite;-.

SUMMARY

The* propoaed a c t i v i t y v i l l ba car r ied out and completed v i t h tha g u a r a n t e e of the f o l l o v i n g i tems.

A. The beet a v a i l a b l e and safest techno log ies v i l l be u t i l i z e d throughout the p r o j e c t . Thus includes meet ing a l l app l i cab le requirements f o r equipment types, genera l p r o j e c t layout , sa fe t y systems, and equipment and monitor ing systems.

B. A l l operat ions a re covered by a Minera ls Management Serv ice approved O i l S p i i : Cont ingency Plan.

C. A l l app l icab le F e d e r a l , State and Local requi rements regard ing a i r emission and va te r 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 v e i l as any other permi t c o n d i t i o n a , v i l l be compl ied v i t h .

D. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described i n d e t a i l i n the Plan of Exp lo ra t ion v i l l comply v i t h Lou is iana 's Coasta l Management Program and v i l l be conducted i n a manner c o n s i s t e n t v i t h such Progrsm.

REFERENCES

1. Flnal_Environmental _Iapact_Statement, Proposed Oi l arid Gas Lease Salea 94, 96 and 102, Gulf of Hexico OCS Region, OCS EIS, HHS 64-0057.

2. Flnel_Environe.entaI_Impact_StBtement, Proposed Oi l and Gas Lease Sales 94, 96 and 102, Gulf of Hexico OCS Region, OCS EIS, HHS 64-0057, visuals.

3. Fisheries of the_United States, 1985, A p r i l , 1966.

4. The Ecology_of.Petroleum Platforms in the .Northwestern Gulf of Hexico: A_Corrrunlty Prof l i e . Bureau of Land Henagement Open F i le Report 82-03, Ju ly , 1982.

3. Environaenta.._Report West_Caaeron_Area_Blocks_516 and 524, Harch, 1987.

6. BLK Draft Environmental Impact Statement, OCS Oil and Gas Lease Salea A-62 and 62.

7. BLH Final Environmental Impact Statement, OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sales A-62 and 62.

8. BLH Final Environmental. Impact Statement, OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 47.

COASTAL ZONE JUN AGEHEMT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

INITIAL PLAN OF EXPLORATION

VERMILION AREA. BLOCK 274

OCS-G 6426

The proposed activities described ln detail in this Plsn comply vith Louisiana's approved Coastsl Management Prograa and v i l l be conducted ln a aannei consistent vith sucn Progrsa.

Arrsngaaents have been aa<<e vith th* State-Tiaes ln Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to publiah notice of th* \ opoaed activities no later thsn July 9, 1967.

KOCH EXPLORATION COMPANY Lessee or Operator

Certifying Official

June 22. 1987 Date

USC ft OS " H E O E R T "

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CENTER OF 274 I

X» 1,699,035.340' Y • " 7 3 , 305.455' t t!

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ATTACHMENT I

KOCH EXPLORATION COMPANY

VERMILION 274 8 289

V I C I N I T Y r L A T

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