In Reply R To: OS-?-?

Shell Offshore Ire. .cp oo i Attention: F. A» Glavlano Pott Office 3X 60159 •tew Orleans, uoulslen* 70160

Gentlemen!

Reference Is «MI> to your Initial Plan of Exploration end fnvironmental Repor" received September 4, 1983. for Leases %nOJ and 5206, Blocks 947 end 903. Ewing Bank Area end Block 356 Ship Shoal Area. This plan Include* the dri l l inq of four wells*

In accordance with 30 CFR 250.34, revised !)ecember 13. 1979, end our letter datel January 29* 19791 thl* plan has *>*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 he referenced In your communica­tion and correspondence concerning this plen.

Sincerely yours.

(WQ.$&C\) D.W. Solans*

0. 14. Solanas Reoional 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 01sk 3b

# Shell Offshore Inc A Subwdwry ot Shun CM Company

One Shail Square P. O. Sox 801M) NewOrteeru Louisiana 70160

; Offahora Faat f Product/on Division r.

SEP 0 9 (983

Gentlemen:

Regional Supervisor Offahore Operationa Support Minerals Management Service P. 0. Box 7944 hVtairie, 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, ordera 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, haa previously been approved for uae 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 lease.

We would appreciate your approval of our POE as soon as possible.

r**_om«r of ^ " Swnent Support

LC83244013

4 m

, J

Should youtrequire addit ional information, pleaae contact H. 0. Amadon at 588-6338 of 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

• • — i — i I

{ 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 SftELj OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

Exploratory d r i l l i n g i s scheduled to begin about October 15, 1983. Our scheduled starting date may vary from t h i s , depending upon d r i l l i n g rig a v a i l a b i l i t y and the outcome of other wells we are d r i l l i n g , or plan to d r i l l .

D r i l l i n g each of the proposed locations i s expected to require about 40 days. Thus , i f c i l locations are d r i l l e d , 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 uaed in the shallow hazards surveys done in prepara­tion for this plan:

1. Raydiat Radio Range Poaitioning 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 MUD COMPONENTS & ADDITIVES (Continued)

T R A D E 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 SAPP

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 MENTOR-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

OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 SHELL OCS-G 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA ,

Shel l ' s l a t e s t r ev i s ions to i t s " S p i l l Prevention, Cont ro l and Countermeasure Plan" were approved by the MMS cn October 8, 1982. The exploratory d r i l l i n g plans proposed herewi th w i l l r e l y p r i m a r i l y on the s p i l l equipment stored at the Clean Gulf Associates bases i n Grand I s l e and Venice, Louisiana. A l i s t o f available equipment at these bases p lus other bases from which a d d i t i o n a l equip­ment can be drawn, i s attached (AtMchment 14^. Sect ion I I of the submitted plan l i s t s the prevent ive measures to be taken to minimize o i l s p i l l s and the reporting procedures to be fo l lowed i n the event t h a t one occurs. Section V I provides a d e t a i l e d discussion o f the clean-up procedures to be i n i t i a t e d , including a l i s t i n g o f the personnel t h a t uake up the clean-up organ iza t ion . The t r a i n i n g o f these perronnel i s summarized i n Sect ion X I I . Assuming two hours to load out equipment and a 12-knot c ru i s ing speed, a f a s t response u n i t can normally be on l oca t i on i n 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. WatP" 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 System

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)

JX33?44UU

f DRILLING IHASE

A*v . »,.3¥S DATA • I • P AN" fXPL0RA'"JOf/

SHELL OCS-G j803, ?.WING BANK ~BI.PCr 947 SHELL OCS-0 >206, dKir SHOAL SLOCK 356"

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

Tible 4)2lof EPA5 s 450/3*7i•326 Report en t i t led "Atmospheric Emissions ,-oin L'7fshore y i l and Gas Developnent 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) t r ipping, casing ara coring and (3) surveys ?ad logs, respectively. Table 4.3 of t h i s same report provides s sc.*ua-i; cf a 30-day, 10,000-foot well indicating a t o t a l horsepower usa?*: of 597,20i »*• 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 tec *~rements 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?j 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 - ' ^ f 8 1 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. t fac tor X X 160 days = 128,000 hp-hr.

TOTAL 6,148,000 hp-lir.

Attachment 15

LC83244012

Rased" on Table 4.A, the gaseous emissions generated by water transportation are as Follows:

• _ \ Emissions (Tons) 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

V = 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. * ;nk 947/Ship Shoal .M56 E.iploration Plan is exempted conducting further A i r Qw>l ; tv <<e« 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. No expansion of the Venice Terminal w i l l be required f o r t h i s t 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 personnel •. 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 Terminal , both 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.

Attachment 16

SUPPORT VESSELS PLAN OF EXPLORATION

•:\l?.Ll OCS-G 5803, EWING BANK BLOCK 947 ShiylL OC rG 5206, SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 356

- OFFSHORE LOUISI/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 Crew 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-C 5206 Leaoe Number

The proposed a c t i v i t i e a deacribed i n detail in thia Plan comply v i t h Louiaiana' approved Coastal 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 OJ O r-I

OCS-G 5 8C?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 , 3 1 8 , 3 2 4 . 2 8 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 0 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

(BTT8j67"TRL 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 - i

( 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 I 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 ^

Shell Offshore Inc. plans to conduct exploratory

a c t i v i t i e s i n Ewing Bank Area Block 947 and Ship Shoal Area

Block 356. Helicopters and boats w i l l move supplies and

personnel t o and frora the offshore and onshore loc a t i o n s .

Helicopters 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 servicing only

the oroposed lease area, h e l i c o p t e r s and boat i l normally

take the most d i r e c t route, weather and t r a g i c conditions

permitting (see Figure 1).

(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 SOCIfr-ECONC-MlC DATA BASE REP6RT

The support base w i l l be located i n Venice, Louisiana.

The base i s capable of providing the services necessary f o r

the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . No new f a c i l i t i e s c. 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 a f t e r the

Minerals Management Service and the States of Alabama,

Louisiana, and Mississippi 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.

( 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 f o r 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^PS

( 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 tecl hnoiogy w i l l be used

time.

• I • 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS

i

(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

J |1) CommVggjal 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 thiee 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 tho 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

season Vc. u t i o n i n the h a b i t s o f each o f these s p e c i e s .

Mycteroperca microlepis) compose the commercial hook and l i n e

fishery of the northern Gulf of Mexico. These fishes may be

|taken over .irregular 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 pompano (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

(LincLafl 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 on 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 zoopla ih ton 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 , Pristipornoides

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 GraeCe (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 ••~t*T 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 km of shore, with only a

small percentage occurrtnn 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

onshore 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 ^re 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

aflfect 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 specie.-; 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 area (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 |ojischarge oL d r i l l i n g muds and cu t t ings and"air

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 ot i the ichthy^of auna 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 fXsh^s 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

Managcr-Ji 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

22

wmmrn