in | f y Refer To; .

Shell Offshore Inc. Attention: Mr. G. D. V M i i g a n Post Office Box 60159 flew BKeans, Louisiana

Gentlemen:

Reference Is made to yoor Init ial Plan of Exploration and Environmental Report received Aoril 11. 1986. for Lease OCS-G 5715. Block 203. Main Pass Area. This plan Includes the activit ies pr osed for Wells A and 8.

Ii) accordance with 30 CFR 250.34. revised December 13. 1979. t our letter dated January 29. 1979. this plan has been determined to be complete as of April ?£• 198C. ar.J 1s now being considered for approval.

Your plan control nuaber 1s N-2451 and should be referenced In your coEsnunlcatlon ami correspondence concerning this plan.

Sincerely your?.

(Ong. Sgd.) A. Donald Giroir

Acting Regional Supervisor Rules and Production

bcc:. Lease OCS-G 5715 (OPS-3-2) (FILE ROOM) I OPS-3-4 w/Pub!1c Info. Copy of the plan and ER (PUBL.REC.)

D3-5

MJTolbert:gcw:4/ll/86 Disk U

Offfce of Program Serve**

APR 2^ 1986

formation Services

Shell Offshore Inc. A StfB»tf<mry|0< Sh*' OJ Company

ne Shell Square t 0 Boa 60156 New Orleent. Louisiana 70160

Offahore East Production Divialon

APR 111986

Regional Supervisor Offshore Rules and Production Minerals Management Service P. 0. Box 7944 Meta i r i e , LA 70010

Dear S i r :

SUBJECT: PLAN OF EXPLORATION SOI OCS-G 5715, MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISJISSIPPI

Shel l Offshore Inc. (SOI) herevith submits for your approval an I n i t i a l Plan of Exploration (POE) f o r the captioned lease.

This Plan ls submitted i n accordance w i t l 30 CFR 250.34, e f f ec t ive December 13, 1979, and subsequent guidelines.

This Plan consists of a series of attachments describing detai ls of our Intended operations. The attachments ve desire to be exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act are marked "Conf ident i a l . "

The d r i l l i n g r i g ve propose to use, the jack-up r i g G r i f f i n Alexander 7 has previously been approved fo r use l n the Gulf of Mexico.

A cu l tu ra l resources report that Included the northeast quarter of captioned lease vas submitted t o the MMS on July 18, 1984. The archaeological report vas prepared for SOI by Robert J. Floyd, Marine Archaeologist, of John E. Chance and Associates I nc .

D r i l l i n g and other operations v i l l be conducted under the applicable provisions of OCS Orders and other regulations, orders and notices including those regarding the avoidance of potent ia l d r i l l i n g hazards. Safety and p o l l u t i o n prevention and con t ro l v i l l be prime considerations during a l l operations.

We vould appreciate your approval of our POE as soon as possible. I t i s anticipated ve may v i sh to commence d r i l l i n g as early as June 1, 1986.

mat mm LC8608511W 0001.0.0

Should you require a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , please contact A. R. P icke t t at (504) 588-0198 or (504) 588-6312.

G. D. Heg l l l i gan D iv i s i on Production Admin i s t r a t ion Manager

ARP.GSJ

Attachments

cc : D i s t r i c t Supervisor (w/attachments) Metairie D i s t r i c t Minerals Management Service P. 0. Box 7966 Meta i r ie , LA 70010-7966

bcc: (w/attachments) D. B. Campo - 2638 A. J . Clarke - 2810 D. A. Holmes - 2802 N. M. Pasvantis - 2686 R. H. Peterson - 2818 T. M. Randolph - 2656 D. S. Ostendorf - 2573 R. M. Savage - 2691 P. R. S u l l i v a n - 2586 C. S. Voorhies - 2803 FILE - 2510

LC8608511W 0003.0.0

INDEX OF ATTACHMENTS PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ET AL. OCS-C 37T5» MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

I ATTACHMENT NO. OF

NO. h" DESCRIPTION COPIES

1 Index of Attachments 11

2 Descri on of Act iv i t ies 5*

3 Schedule of Act iv i t ies 11

4 Plat, Surface Location of Wells 11

5 Plat, Proposed Bottom-hole Locations a Depths 5*

6 Map, Structure, Middle Mic ne 5*

7 Cross Section, NE-SW 5*

8 L i s t , Dril l ing Mud Components and Additives 11 9 Comments, Spi l l Prevention, Control and 11

Countermeasure Plan

10 Comments, Air Emissions Data 11

11-A Description, Onshore Support Facil i ty 11

11-B Support Vessels, Description, Travel Frequency 11

12 Comments. Cultural Resources 11

13 Plat , Transportation Routes and Shore Base 11 Descript ion

14 Certificate of Consistency, Louisiana 11

15 Certificate of Consistency, Alabama 11

16 Shallov Hazards Report 3*

17 Environmental Report 11

* Confidential Attachment 1

LC8608511W 0004.0.0

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ET AL. OCS-C 5715, MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND ALABAMA

Exploratory dr i l l ing may commence as early as June 1, 1986, provided the jack-up dr i l l ing r ig Gri f f in Alexsnder 7 l s available. Dri l l ing each location Is expected to require sbout 70 dsys, thus l f a l l wells sre dri l led, the entire program would require about 140 days.

Attachment 3

LC86085UW 0006.0.0

Y » M l , 3 * 0 , 0 0

•LOCK 203 SOI €T AL

OCS-G S716

Y » 507,5tO,00

# PROPOSED SURFACE LOCATIONB

ATTACHMENT-4 SHELL OFFSHORE INC

IA SUSS 104ARY Of SHELL OIL COMPANY)

PROPOSED WELL LOCATIONS PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ETAL OCS-G 5716

MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI

0 2000' 4000' I I J

MUU.inc wop COMPORT*?* t ucmrn rua or annujicm

SOt TT AL. OCS-C S T U . MAIB M M HOOl 203 orr SHOW LQPirmu. nc MSSISSIPPI

i . ITEMS M O ow A ROUTINE BASIS•

T R A D E M M I

DEL-CEL DEL-LIC

ocu CAUSTIC SODA

ALUNOrUH

wee oasaupnoR

U M cu SBM ASS SICAMS

DSL-DCT " AM71

QC

CTPAB OS WL-100

DRISPAC CT? RHPVSUPERDRIL BLACK NACIC

SUPPJWII (srr) BWL IV DCL-HICIA

INCO BAI

uco ctx INOO UO R D - l l i CAOSTIC SODA

STEARATE UMB moo m * SODA ABB BICARB POLY BI INOO ND

CMC IMCO L O B

CTP AM 01 WL-100

HBJS.UUI DRISPAC CTP HNE/SUPRRDRTL BLACK NACIC

SUKBMZX (RPT) LUBRIRUBW OCO MICA

BASIS/BAROID

Q-BRORIM

CAOSTIC S AIUKUTUN

UMB CC-1A

MCARB

COR OCX.

AKTtPLOB

CMC

CTPAS OS WL-100 Dotmio DRISPAC CTP HNR/SUPBRDRIL BLACK NACIC

SOPRBMU (SPT) TORQ TRIM NICA TRI

BAAITK/MAOCOBAR

CMC MILSTARCH KtW-TOOL

MILPAC CTP SBALK-CARD NILSPOT LUBRISAL MIL-WICA

T/JTKATHTB

8 PERCENT,

CAOSTIC SODA

ALOMXMOM STRAVRTS

LINR IP-20 SODA ARR BICARR tBs mot D-D

CMC NT LO JTL CTPAS OR WL-100 POLT SAL DR.SPAC CTP

RME/SVPERDRIL BLMOK NACIC

auPRRNIR (SPT) MACOLIJBR NAOO-MTCA

UC-THIRZ AQUA-TBIMZ CAOTTIC SOOA

UMS UC-TMIRZ C SODA ARB BICARR STRBR-I D-TERG I-POAM

CMC STARCH

CTP AH

POLTMACIC DRISPAC CTPSltl NWR SOPRRDRIL •LACK NACIC

POLT-LUBR •ICA

BARXTR (BARIOM SULPATR)

LICRTTt BLENDED LICRDSVLPWUTE SODIUM RTDSJGKIDI ALUNTROM BTtARATI

CALCTBM BTDBORDS BLBNDRD LI QTTTE/CAUSTIC SODIIM CABSORATR BICARBONATE OP SODA SELECTED POLTNBR ILRND

3BVOAMBR (OSQALLT AIXOROL BASED) ROR10RIC NUD SDRPACTART SOOIOM CARBOXT NPJTRTL C P i n L O g

PRRCKLATIRTZRO STARCH SODIUM POLTACRTLATt

ORGANIC POLYMER POLTAR10R1C c n i a i i P g CTPSUM (PLASTER OP PARIS) ClLSOMrTK (TREATED) - NATURAL RTDROCARBOH PRS) CONCENTRATE POR BPUII1RC PLUTD

ORGANIC LOBRICART mCA-PLAKRB

LC8608311U 0024.0.0

2

DRILLING HDD CUHPOHSMfTJ k ADO m m (Coetleued)

T R A D ! R A M I !

CBBMMAUOT

DEL-PLUG SODIUM OfROMATR i RON r r t

SEPARA* SALT SAPP

KCL MP-1 R E R - a

OCO BAROID MILPARK HACCOSAR DESCRIPfIOR

I MOO PLUG SODIUM fl

SALT SAPP

KCL MF-1

BEM-EX

WALL-ROT SODIUM I WRITS

SEPARAR SALT SAPP

ECL NP-1 B E R - a

NIL PLUG SODIUN CHROMATE IRONITE NIL CARD SEPARAN SALT SAPP SHALE TROL KCL MP-l BEN-EX

ROT PLUC SODIUM CHROMATE IAORTTE

SALT SAPP

KCL MP-l

STRATA-PLUG SODIUM CHROMATE IKORTIE I /Bib SEPARAN SALT SAPP

KCL OB-PLOC BEN-E1

CROUND WAUR71 OR OTHER NUT BOLLS SODIUN CNRONATB STNTNET1C IRON ORIDR, I I SCAVRRC I I SCAVENGER (ZINC CuiotUXtl POLTACRTLAMIDR POLTNER SODIUM CNLORXDR SODIUN ACID PTBOfMOSrHATt ONCANO/ALUMINUN COMPOUND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (POTMBSTUM) SELECTIVE PLOCOLANT CLAY

I I . OIL BASE MUD ADDITIVES:

DEL-VERT, CORC DEL-VERT I I DEL-E DEL-C ORLTOHE OXIVERT CLEANSPOT

KEN-X

KRN-THIR KBN K CONC KEM-CEL

ESN-OR NE:rroR-2B

IRVERMDL

DRILL TREAT CEL TONE LINE MENTOR-28

CARBO-TEC L CARBO-HUL SURP-OOTE CARBO-TROL A-* CARBO-CBL LIMB

I-2S

DEL DWA

PA VC-M LINE HENTOR-2B

ONN1VRRT-E SA S l

UMR OLC OIL

PRIMARY EMULS1PIER SEODREMRY BNBLS1PIEB DISPRRSART MICH TEMP. STABLIEER, PILTRAXR CONTROL VISCORIPIRR WEICNT SUSPRRDINC ACRNT CALCIUM RYDROREDE LOW TORI C m NINERAL OIL (DIESEL

SUBSTITUTE)

I I I . OP DISPOSAL I

A l l mmm a*M)ltl*ea v i l l mm 4 l » f m t e l overboard Into the Oulf of R a l e o after dilution ef freih er eeawetar. Any f luid containing free e l l w i l l lm Cranaported co lend for diapoaal.

LC860851IV 0025.0.0

SPILL PREVENTION, CONTROL AND COUNTERMEASURE PLAN PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ET AL. OCS-G 5715, MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

Ka

SOI's latest revisions to i t s "Spil l Prevention, Control and Uuuntermeasure Plan" ver* approved by the MMS on Decenber 17, 1985. The dri l l ing plans proposed herewith v i l l rely primarily on the sp i l l equipment stored st the Clean Gulf Associates bases in Grand Is le and Venice, Louisiana. Section 111 of the submitted plans l i s t s available equipment at these bases plus other bases from which additional equipment can be drawn. Section I I l i s t s the preventive measures to be taken to minimize o i l spi l ls snd the reporting procedures to be followed in the event that one occurs. Section VI provides a detailed discussion of the clean-up procedures to be initiated, Including a listing of the personnel that make up the clean-up organization. The training of these personnel i s summarized in Section X I I . Assuming two hours to load out equipment and a 12-knot cruising speed, a fast response unit csn normally be on location in 7 hours.

Attachment 9

LC8608511W 0007.0.0

AIR EMISSIONS DATA PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ET AL. OCS-G 5713, MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

DRILLING PHASE

Table 4.2 of EPA's 450/3-77-026 Report entitled "Atmospheric Emissions from Offshore Oil and Gas Development and Production" shows that for a typical drilling r i g , 3,400, 1,900, 300 horsepower are required fox (1) drilling, (2) tripping, casing and coring and (3) surveys and logs, respectively. Table 4.3 of this same report provides a scenario of a 30-day, .0,000-foot well indicating a total horsepower usage of 597,200 HP-hr. I f i t is assumed that the same breakdown of rig activity and power requirements ls applicable to the proposed r'lan, then the total horsepower usage for this project will be approximately 2,800,000 HP-hrs. Based on the emission rates f*r oil-fired reciprocating engines (Table 4.4), the following gaseous emissons vould be generated during the 140 days drilling activity.

EMISSIONS (TONS)

Daily Yearly (140 days)

N0x 0.284 40.0

S0 2 0.019 2.7

HC 0.009 1.3

CO 0.042 5.9

Particulates UNK UNK

WATER TRANSPORTATION r

The horsepower usage of the two vessels to be used in conjunction with tbls operation are as follows: 176 Ft. Cargo Vessel

2,400 hp X .80 load factor X 1 8 , 6 b r ' X U t r iP S- X 4.67 months - 2,300,000 HP-hr. trip month

Attachment 10

LC8608511W 0008.0.0

I <

80 Ft. Standby Vessel

165 hp X .80 load factor / 2 3

d ^s ' X 140 daya - 430,000 HP-hr.

1,000 hp X .80 load factor X 1 X 140 days - 100,000 HP-hr.

TOTAL 2,840.000 HP-hr.

Based on Table 4.4, the gaseous emissions generated by vater transportation are as f o l l ovs :

EMISSIONS (TONr> Dally Y e a i a y s )

N0x 0.29 40.0

S02 0.02 2.7

HC 0.01 1.3

CO 0.04 5.9

Part iculates UNK UNK

Attachment 10 (Cont'd.)

LC8608511W 0009.0.0

• ! •

EXEMPTION CALCULATION FOR DRIiLINC, ACTIVITIES

The proposed location la 26 miles from the nearest shoreline. Therefore, the emission exemption (E) for the various pol? jcr..nt6 ls as follows:

CO E - 3,400 (26) 2' 3 - 30,000 toos/y*ar

NIT x

S0 2 E - 33.3 '26) - 6'c tons/year

HC

Particulates

Total project emissions for the 140-day schedule irom the drilling operations (Drilling and Water Transportation) are:

Tons

NOx 80.0

so2 5.4

HC 2.6

CO 11.8

Particulates 'JNK

The total emission for any one polluts^t des not exceed tb* exemption totala above; consequently, n further air qua1 luy review i s required f r che eaissions from the opei tions ln connacclor. vith this Plan.

Attachment 10 (Cont'd)

LC86085UV 0010.0.0

ONSHORE gUPPQP.T FACILITY PLAN OF ift LOriATION

SOI ET AL. OCS-G 5/15, MAIN PAS'S B. 20^ OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI £1

_ \

The onshore support base for this activity v i l l be '.01', exiatlng Venice Terminal. This K*facility is located on the Mississippi River near Venice, Loulslena, approximately 35 miles upriver iron rhe *>•#£ of Mexico. The physical plant covers 14 acres and Includes 1,000 *lr*»ar feet of vatar front, 3,000 square feet of office space, 3,200 square feat of personnel quartering space and 7,200 square feet of covered warehouse area. One 45-ton crane and tvo fork trucks are used for mater. 1 handling operations. No expansion of the Venice Terminal v i l l be required for this activity. In addition to tho above, tubular goods v i l l usually be shipped by land to Venice frcm one of M contract warehouses located in Morgan City, Loulalana, vhich v i l l aia - r«*«t.«:lra no expansion. Als«̂ » while personnel transported by helicopter v i l l b picked up and returned to SCI's Venice Terminal, both Air Logletic8 and PHI operate bases at Venice for refueling and maintenance.

I

Attachment 11-A

LC8b08511V 00". 0.0

i /

sopposr VESSLLS PUIS. OF EXPLORATIC*:

BLOCK 203 SCI ET AL. OCS-C 5715, MAI' OFFSHORE LOUISIANA A*0 MlSfei^IPI1!

• ITEM

Bott

Boat

Helicopter

SIZE OR MODEL USE

176*1 Cargo

80*-100' Standby

Bell 205, 206B or 212 Crev Change arid Misc

TRIPS PER WEEK

3 or 4

N-A.

18 to 22

LCC606511W 001..0.0

Atfvhment 11-B

I

. J -

COMMENTS, CULTURAL RESOURCES PLAN OF EXPLORATION

SOI ET AL. OC -• 5715, MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 OFfg-cwkE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

\ i

An Arrh.o^ogVcal Assessment for this Plan bas been prepared by John E. Chance enu Aseoc, Inc . , of Lafayette, Loulalana, and submitted to the MMS on July 16,

Tiie aurvey vas conducted in the Main Pass Area ior the touches t quarter of Block 183, tbe southwest quarter of Block 184, the northenei ^tartar of Block 203, and tbe northvesc quarter of Block 202. Tbis Plan adJreeses the northeast quarter of Block 203, vhich Includes L e a t ions A and B ln the assessment ataa of Main Paaa Block 203.

The water deplhs in this region preclude the possibility of any ahlp having run aground, and the geophyalcal data do not offer any strong evidence of shipwrecks in tbe portions of the leases covered by tbis su.vey.

The ne - - surface soils vere depooiteri vithin a pro-delta aarine environment which "Id not have been inhabited by prehiatoric humans at the time of deposit A' ! . The vi4t)* divergent foreset bedding does not exhibit evidence of subaerially aggraded delta plain or distributary stream courses vith natural eubaeriai levees. Regional geologic literature auggeata that a ful ly developed, nubaerial delta did not occur in thia portion of Main Paae, md the upper 100 feet of Holocene (Recent) deposits offer l i t t l e potential for tbe occurrence or recovery of prehistoric archeological reaourcea. The deeply bv.ned Pleistocene horizon vhich directly underlies the thick Holocene topstratum vaa subaerially exposed during tbe Late Wisconsin lov aea level cycle and could bave been Inhabited by Paleo-lndians prior to marine twinagreet/lon. Tb« deep vater and 100 foot aeet lon of Bolor.tH*. overburden atop r'ut *leietcc*ne tells v ir tual ly eliminate the possibility of t > covering any prehistoric .vita**! resources in this eree.

The MMS (lS-2-Vj In their letter dated Auguat 17, 1984, indicated the eforesentlootd Archealoglcal Aaaeasment satisfied tbe requirement s of Notice to Lea-ees rfttJ Operators No. 75-3 (Revision No. 1) and no pr*.clems %• th Cultursl Resourc**t2x* found.

Attachment 12

LC86C8511W 0025.0.0

_ _ — _ — » WATER ROUTE — AIR ROUTE

ATTACHMENTS

(A SUBSIOiAri r C« •^ f l€ ,.L OIL COl^AJfTI

LEASE V I C I N I T Y & TRANSPORTATION ROUTES

PLAN OF EXPLORATION COI E T A L O W 5715

MAIN PASS BL'JCK 203 OFFSHORE LOUISIANA, MlSSlSS!**!

0 3 6 9 12

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION Type of Plen

MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 Areas and Blocks

SOI ET AL. OCS-G 5715 Lease Numbers

The proposed act iv i t ies described in detail fn this Plan comply with Louisiana's spproved Coastal Resource*-. Program and wi l l be conducted in a manner consistent with such Program.

Such findings sre surr^arized on the f inal page of the attached Environmental Report (ER).

A request is being made to the o f f i c i a l state journal. The Statea Times, published in Baton Rouge, for publication on A / i ^ J t 2 £ , 1986 of our notice of exploration plans.

SHELL OFFSHORE INC. (SOI) Operstor

T. K. Corcoran, Division Manager Safety and Environmental Conservation

* /ftfg f Date

Attachment 14

LC8608511W 0013.0.0

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION Type ofiPlan

MAIN PASS BLOCK 203 Areas and Blocks

SOI ET AL. OCS-G 5715 Lease Numbers

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described in detsil in this Plsn comply with Mississippi's approved Coastal Resources Progrsm snd w i l l be conducted in a manner consistent with such Program.

Such findings sre summarized on the final page of the attached Environmental Report (ER).

SHELL OFFSHORE INC. (SOI) Operator

T. K. Corcoran, Divialon Manager Safety and Environmental Conservation

Date'

Attachment 15

LC8608511W OO1A.0.0

T I T L E PAGE

icociates, P. 0. Box 3609 J u p i t e r / T e q u e s t a , F l o r i d a 33458

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (PLAN OF EXPLORATION)

GULF OF MEXICO: OFFSHORE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

MAIN PASS AREA BLOCK 183 (OCS-G 5711) BLOCK 184 (OCS-G 5712) BLOCK 20 2 (OCS-G 5714) BLOCK 20 3 (OCS-G 5715) BLOCK 208 (OCS-G 57 16) SHELL OFFSHORE INC.

19 JULY 1984

MR. T. M. RANDOLPH STAFF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

SHELL OFFSHORE INC. ONE SHELL SQUARE P.O. BOX 60159

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70160 TELEPHONE: (504) 588-6468

"Applied Science und Technology"

• , J

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 1

1 . TITLE PAGE ' • i

LIST OF FIGURES i v

2 . SUMMARY 1

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION 4 (a) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES 4

AND FREQUENCY FOR MOVING SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL TO AND FROM THE OFFSHORE ACTIVITY SITE AND THE ONSHORE BASES

(b) IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPORT BASES AND NUMBER AND 4 TYPES OF NEW WORKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES. REFERENCE IS ALSO MADE TO THE MOST CURRENT UPDATE OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA BASE REPORT

(c) IDENTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER, LOCATION, AND 4 SIZE OF ANY NEW SUPPORT FACILITIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

(d) DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL 6 TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY AFFECT COASTAL WATERS

(e) MAPS SHOWING LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED 6 ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO EACH OF THE AFFECTED STATES' COASTAL ZONES

( f ) FOR DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS COORDINATION 6 DOCUMENTS, 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

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS 7

(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL 7

(1) COMMERCIAL FISHING 7

(2) SHIPPING 12

(3) SMALL CRAFT PLEASURE BOATING, SPORT 12 FISHING, AND RECREATION

i ?. i.

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

PAGE

(4>-CULTURAL RESOURCES ' • 13

(5) ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE FEATURES 1 5

(6) EXISTING PIPELINES AND CABLES 18

(7) OTHER MINERAL USES 18

(8) OCEAN DUMPING ACTIVITIES 18

(9) ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES 18

(b) SOCIOECONOMIC 20

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 21

(a) SUMMARY OF THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 21

(b) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE 21 IMPACTS

REFERENCES 2 3

FINAL STATEMENT 25

1

2. SUMMARY

This summary has been designed f» comply w i t h NTL 80-6

dated -2- June 1980 and o u t l i n e s the Eavi*ronmental Report f o r

Main Pass Area Blocks 183, 184, 202, 203, and 208 dated 19

July 1984.

S h e l l Offshore I n c . plans to conduct e x p l o r a t o r y

a c t i .'.ies i n Blocks 183, 184, 202, 203, and 208. The

propos.eci a c t i v i t i e s w i l i take place i n waters adjacent to the

States o f l o u i s i a n a and M i s s i s s i p p i . The onshore support

base f o r th? proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be l o c a t e d i n Venice,

Louisiana. This !.«ase i s capable o f p r o v i d i n g the s e r v i c e s

necessary f o r the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . No new workers w i l l

be needed. H e l i c o p t e r s and boats w i l l move s u p p l i e s to and

from the o f f s h o r e and onshore l o c a t i o n s by n o r m a l l y f o l l o w i n g

the most d i r e c t r o u t e . No new techniques or unusual

technology w i l l be used d u r i n g the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

The propone- re l o c a t e d w i t h i n some of the

most p r o d u c t i v e f i s r m . j grounds i u the G u l f of Mexico.

P l a n k t o n i c eggs and l a r v a l stages o f 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 h a r v e s t i s taken inshore o f the lease

area but g r a v i d females and p l a n k t o n i c larvae may occur

seasonally 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 important f i s h i n g grounds. Oue

to a net i n s h o r e - o f f s h o r e movement, i t i s probable t h a t many

demersal s h e l f f i s h spec* s .nay OCCUJ *-h- lease area c»L

some phase of t h e i r l i f e cycles. Eggs and larvae of various i

commercially important c i s h species are probably also present

jn the lease area on occasion. ,

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are Located approximately 1£ km

(10 NM) southeast of a fairway and are rated as having

minimal p o t e n t i a l impact on shipping.

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located inside the H i f r o r i c

and P r e h i s t o r i c C u l t u r a l Resources High P r o b a b i l i t y Lines.

An archeological survey was required f o r t h i s lease area.

The survey was performed i n the southeast corner of Block

183, the southwest corner of Block 184, the northeast corner

of Block ?03, and the northwest orner of Block 202. The

blocks shov l i t t l e p o t e n t i a l for the occurrence or recovery

OL p r e h i s t o r i c archeological resources.

None of tho proposed a c t i v i t i e s i n the lease area should

have any e f f e c t upon Louisiana's or Mississippi's "Special

Management Areas" or on offshore t e r r e s t r i a l areas of

ecological s i g n i f i c a n c e , remnant coastal banks, or oyster

grounds.

The lease area i n not located i n an area designated f o r

ocean dumping, contains no known mineral resources other than

o i l and gas, and i s void of e x i s t i n g p i p e l i n e s or cables.

No c r i t i c a l habitat f o r endangered or threatened species

of sea t u r t l e s or cetaceans i s known to e x i s t i n the lease

area.

3

Discharge of d r i l l i n g muds and cu t t i n g s w i l l adversely

affect the environment. These impacts w i l l be temporary, i

however, and w i l l be l i m i t e d t o an ex t r eme ly STiall a r ea . A l '

d i scharges w i l l comply w i t h a l l a p p l i c a b l e MMS and EPA

r e q u i r e m e n t s .

The e f f e c t s o f a p o s s i b l e o i l s p i l l shou ld have no

o v e r a l l c u m u l a t i v e or l o n g - t e r m e f f e c t on the env i ronmen t . A

s p i l l wou ld be handled a c c o r d i n g t o an o i l s p i l l con t ingency

plan approved by the MMS. Thus, i t . . l i k e l y t h a t a s p i l l

would o c c u r d u r i n g o p e r a t i o n s and a f f e c t any nearshore o r

onshore a reas or r e sources .

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s covered by t h i s Plan shou ld have

no s i g n i f i c a n t impact on endangered s p e c i e s , c r i t i c a l

h a b i t a t , w e t l a n d s , c u l t u r a l r e so u rce s , r e c r e a t i o n a l

a c t i v i t i e s , s h o r e l i n e a e s t h e t i c s , or o t h e r l and uses.

To t h e bes t o f our knowledge , *~ • e t o f f i n d i n g s

inc luded i n t h e Env i ronmen ta l Repoc; and Plan i n d i c a t e s t h a t

each o f t h e proposed a c t i v i t i e s , t h e i r a s s o c i a t e d f a c i l i t i e s ,

and e f f e c t s a re 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 L o u i s i a n a and M i s s i s s i p p i -

approved C o a s t a l Zone Management Programs. 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 Management Program as o u t l i n e d i n USDC and LDNR

(1980) and MDWC and USDC ( 1 9 8 0 ) .

i ;

•' • . I '

4

• ! • 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

(a) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES AND FREQUENCY FOR MOVING SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL TO AND FROM THE OFFSHORE ACTIVITY SITE~N^ THB ONSHORE~A">SS

Shell Offshore Inc. plans t o conduct exploratory

a c t i v i t i e s i n Ma:i Pass Area Blocks 183, 184, 202, 203, and

208. Helicopters and boats w i l l move supplies and personnel

to and from the offshore and onshore loc a t i o n s . Helicopters

w i l l make approximately 18 t o 22 round t r i p s per week, and

boats w i l l make approximately 14 round t r i p s per month. I f

servicing only the proposed lease area, hel i c o p t e r s and boats

w i l l normally take the most d i r e c t route, weather and t r a f f i c

conditions p e r m i t t i n g (see Figure 1).

(b) IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPORT BASES AND NJMBER AND TYPES OF NEW WORKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES. REFERENCE IS Xo~MADE VO THE MOST CURRENT UPDATE OP THE SOCIOECONOMIC TATA BASE REPORT

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 or workers w i l l

be needed f o r the proposed a c t i r i L i e s . The i n i t i a l OCS

Socioeconomic Data Base Report w i l l be developed a f t e r the

MMS 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 to be addressed i n

these semiannual reports.

(c) IDENTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER, LOCATION, AND SIZE OF ANY NEW SUPPORT FACILITIES THAT WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIVITTg?

No new support f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be needed f o r the

proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

GRAND ISLE

FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF MAIN PASS AREA BLOCKS 183. 184, 202, 203. AND 206 RELATIVE TO THE LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI COASTAL ZONES.

(d) DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY AFFECT COASTAL WATERS

No new techniques o r unusual technology w i l l be used

duri|i<| the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

(e) MAPS SHOWING LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO>EACH OF THE AFFECTED STATES' COASTAL ZONES

Figure 1 shows the l o c a t i o n o f 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 a f f e c t e d S t a t e s ' c o a s t a l zones.

The proposed activities will take place in waters adjacenc to

the States o f Louisiana and M i s s i s s i p p i .

( f ) FOR DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS COORDINATION DOCUMENTS, THE MEANS PROPOSED TO TRANSPORT OJL 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 e x p l o r a t o r y . No o i l o r gas w i l l be

produced f o r sal e from these proposed a c t i v i t i e s a t t h i s

time.

• ! • 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS

( a ) >l.rSICAL. AND ENVIRONMENTAL

(1 ) - - Commercial 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 q grounds in the Gulf of Mexico.

National Marine Fisheries Service Zone 11, which includes the

lease area, accounted f o r approximately 5% of the commercial

fis h e r i e s harvest from the western ^nd c e n t r a l Gulf of Mexico

(USDO\, BLM, 1981, Visual No. 5; USDOI, MMS, 1983, Visual No.

4). Gu: «" waters account f o r approximately 30% of the t o t a l

annual l.S *. isheries harvest (USDC, 1982).

The Gulf fishery i s dominated by the s h e l l f i s h

r'is i t i 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 three or four times more than the greater

volume of f i n f i s h catch (USDOI, BLM, 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 f o r

the northern Gulf coast area onshore from the lease area.

The s i r imp fishery i n the Gulf of Mexico includes the

brown (Pc ...teus aztecus) , white (P. s e t i f e r u s ) , and pink

iP. duorarum) shrimps. These species are taken almost

exclusively by trawls i n depths ranging from approximately 2

to 73 m (6 t o 240 f t ) . These shrimps are estuarine-dependent

species which spawn in the open ocean, go through a series of

larv a l phases in the plankton, migrate during the p o s t - l a r v a l

phase to the * tuarine nursery areas, and then re t u r n t o the

open Gulf as adults. The USDOI, BLM (1977, Visual No. 5)

indicates the seasonal v a r i a t i o n i n the habits of each of

these species. The lease area is located w i t h i n the major

shrimp spawning grounds and migration routes i n the northern

Gulf (USDOI, MMS, 1983, Visual No. 4). 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 m i l a r to t'»e shrimps' i n that i t has planktonic,

estuarine, and open octan phases. Adults spend most of t h e i r

l i v e s in the estuaries; thus, the blue crab harvest i s taken

inshore of the lease area. Gravid females migrate to the

open Gulf to release t h e i r eggs during spring and summer.

Consequently, gravid females and planktonic larvae may occur

seasonally 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

important f i n f i s h f i s h i n g grounds (USDOI, MMS, 1983, Visual

No. 4). Three species of menhaden known from the Gulf make

up the major " i n f i s h tonnage taken. These are Brevoortia

patronus, B. g u n t e r i , and B. s m i t h i . Brevoortia patronus

comprises most of the Gulf catch. Purse seining i s the major

capture method used i n 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 grouper ( i . e . , the red grouper Rpinephelus morio and gag

Mycteroperca microlepis) compose the commercial hook-and-line

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

taken over i r r e g u l a r bottom areas in depths of 2 to 305 m (5

'to 1,000 f t ) ' (TerEco Corporation, 1976,).

The s t r i p e d mullet (Mugil cephalus) is generally found

in nearshore areas such as harbors, e s t u a r i e s , bays, and

along beaches. I t is 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 thi- most abundant j u v e n i l e commercial

f i s h taken i n estuaries. Croaker is 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 in

nearshore areas.

The red drum (Sciaenops o c e l l a t u s ) i s taker

predominantly in nearsl or» hab.tats, as are the shiepshead

(Archcsargus prohatocepha^us), flounders, and the black drum

(Pogonias cromis). •

Seatrouts, including the spotted (Cynoscion nebulosus),

the s i l v e r (C. nothus), and the sand (C. arenarius), are

important t o the bottom f i s h f i s h e r i e s i n the northern Gulf - —. • (Lindall eb a l . , 1972). They are usually taken i n offshore

areas withv..bottom trawls.

TerEco Corporation (1976) describes some a d d i t i o n a l f i s h

species of the northern Gulf which are important to

commercial and/or sport fishermen and t h e i r predominant

method of capture. Most of the northern Gulf fishes are

temperate, w i t h some incursions from Caribbean fauna. They

exhibit 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 to oceanographic conditions (USDOI, MMS, 1983,

p. 174). Many of the coastal species (e.o., the croaker,

Micropogonias undulatus* are estuarine-dependent, because

estuaries or coastal marshes are a c r i t i c a l h a bitat during

some phase of t h e i r l i f e cycles. Rogers (1977) postulated a

net inshore-offshore movement f o r many demersal shelf f i s h

species. Thus, i t i s probable that many of these species may

occur in ̂ he lease area at some phase of t h e i r l i f e cycles.

Eggs and larvae (ichthyoplankton) of various

commercially important f i s h species are probably also present

i n the lease area on occasion. Sixty-nine f i s h species have

been i d e n t i f i e d from zooplankton samples taken along the

northern Gulf coast. Dominant taxa were the f a m i l i e s

Sparidae, Lutjanidae, T r i g l i d a e , Serranidae, and

Synodontidae. Stenotomus caprinus, Pristipomoides

aqui lonar i s . Prionotus pa ra l a tu s , Serranus atrobranchus, and

Synodus foetens were the most important species (Chittenden

and Moore, 1976). Because the m a j o r i t y of ichthyoplankters - —- •

are at the mercy of water movements, t h e i r d i s t r i b u t i o n s vary

considerably w i t h space and time. The primary factors

influencing ichthyoplankton i n the northern Gulf are the Loop

Current, the Mississippi River, and loca l r u n o f f . Due to

"patchiness" i n d i s t r i b u t i o n s , presence and abundance of

ichthyoplankton at any given instance cannot be predicted.

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s probably w i l l temporarily

degrade the water q u a l i t y i n the immediate v i c i n i t y of the

d r i l l s i t e due t o discharqes 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 species to avoid the area.

Commercial f i s h i n g may be a f f e c t e d temporarily. The

situati o n should revert to normal as soon as d r i l l i n g i s

completed. Cumulative e f f e c t s of increasing o i l and gas

a c t i v i t i e s o f f the northern Gulf coast on annual catches are

as yet unknown. However, there are no data t o indicate that

o i l and gas a c t i v i t i e s are responsible f o r any decline i n

annual catches (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 181).

Any o i l s p i l l that would impact the seafloor could

conceivably k i l l benthlc organisms such as shrimps or cause a

variety of sub l e t h a l e f f e c t s . The p o t e n t i a l long-term

effects of a s p i l l on the benthos are unclear because r e s u l t s

of hydrocarbon analyses are inconclusive (USDOI, BLM, 1979,

p. 160).

12

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

presents may be k i l l e d or f u n c t i o n a l l y impaired. However,

most adult f i s h e s encountering a s p i l l and associated t o x i c

water would probably e x h i b i t avoidance behavior. This e f f e c t

would be temporary and fishes should return 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 persis t e n t 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 quickly

replenish any affected ichthyoplankton populations once the

s p i l l has dispersed. Any s p i l l would be handled according to

an o i l s p i l l contingency plan approved by the MMS.

(2) Shipping

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are loc?' 3 ipproximately

18 km (10 NM) southeast of a fairway (USD*.. .-IS, 1 983,

Visual No. 11). The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are rated as having

minimum p o t e n t i a l impact on shipping as they are greater than

5 km (2.6 NM) from a fairway (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 145). The

offshore s t r u c t u r e w i l l be equipped with a l l safety equipment

required by thr Coast Guard and the MMS to a l e r t ships

of i t s presence 1 weather conditions.

(3) Small Pleasure Bogting, Sport Fishing, and Recreation

D i t t o n and Graefe (1978) determined that o i l and

gas s t r u c t u r e s are the most popular offshore recreation

• . »

13

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 t h a t f i s h e d

o f f s h o r e i n t h e i r study area. C e r t a i n p l e a s u r e boats ( i . e . ,

s a i l b o a t s , p leasure y a c h t s , and/or open ocean r a c i n g power # mmm t>

boats) may be r-1 l o n e l y inconvenienced oy hav inq t o maneuver

around .the o f f s h o r e s t r u c t u r e and i t s support v e s s e l s . This

inconvenience i s considered extremely minor as o f f s h o r o

s t r u c t u r e s can be avoided and ample maneuvering room i s

a v i l a b l e .

Any s p o r t s f i s h i n g which might occur i n the lease area

could be t e m p o r a r i l y a f f e c t e d by d e g r a d a t i o n o f water 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 t y c o u l d cause

some d e s i r a b l e species t o avoid the immediate lease area.

However, any such e f f e c t s are expected t o be temporary and

l o c 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. P o p u l a t i o n s should r e t u r n t o normal once

d r i l l i p - i s completed.

(4) C u l t u r a l Rr^curces

C o a s t a l Environments, I n c . (1977) has i d e n t i f i e d

two types o f c u l t u r a l resources which may be found i n the

northern G u l f o f 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 p r e v i o u s l y undescribed human c i v i l i z a t i o n s (USDOI,

MMS, 198 pp. 220-240). Approximately 82% o f the known

shipwrecks are l o c a t e d w i t h i n 10 km (5 NM) o f shore, w i t h

only a s m a l l percentage o c c u r r i n g on the OCS (USDOI, BLM,

1979, p. 9 1 ) . Known submarine a r c h e o l o g i c a l s i t e s are

extremely r a r e , w i t h none being i d e n t i f i e d to date i n Federal

o f f '-or. l e a s i n g areas (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 91).

proposed a c t i v i t i e s are l o c a t e d i n s i d e the H i s t o r i c

anc . i s t o r i c C u l t u r a l Resources High P r o b a b i l i t y Lines

(USDOI, MWS, 1983, V i s u a l No. 11) and t h e r e f o r e are i n a

l a r g e o f f s h o r e area where h i s t o r i c and p r e h i s t o r i c resources

are considered l i k e l y t o be found. An A r c h e o l o g i c a l Survey

was r e q u i r e d f o r Main Pass Area Blocks 183, 184, 202, 203,

and 208. The r e s u l t s o f the survey f o r Blocks 183, 184, 202,

and 203 are summarized below. The r e s u l t s o f the survey f o r

Block 208 w i l l be conducted and submitted w i t h a separate

Plan o f E x p l o r a t i o n a t a l a t e r date.

An a r c h e o l o g i c c l survey was performed i n the southeast

corner o f Block 183, the southwest corner o f Block 184, the

no r t h e a s t corner of Block 203, and the northwest corner of

Block 202. The near-surface s o i l s l o c a t e d w i t h i n these

blocks were deposited w i t h i n a p r o - d e l t a marine environment

which c o u l d not have been i n h a b i t e d by p r e h i s t o r i c humans at

the time o f s o i l d e p o s i t i o n . Regional g e o l o g i c l i t e r a t u r e

suggests t h a t a f u l l y developed, s u b a e r i a l d e l t a d i d not

occur i n t h i s p o r t i o n of Main Pass, and the upper 30 m

(100 f t ) o f Holocene d e p o s i t s o f e r l i t t l e p o t e n t i a l For the

occurrence or recovery o f p r e h i s t o r i c a r c h e o l o g i v a l

resources. The deep water and 30-m ( 1 0 0 - f t ) s'?c ion o f

Holocene overburden atop th. P l e i s t o c e n e s o i l s v i r t u ' l y

e l i m i n a t e the p o s s i b i l i t y o f r e c o v e r i n g any p r e h i s t o r i c

c u l t u r a l resources i n t h i s area.

15

(5) E c o l o g i c a l l y Sens i t ive Features

Several areas o f environmental concern are located

onshore of the lease area. Louisiana and Mis s i s s ipp i have

developed Coasta l Zone Management Programs /:o regulate the

s i g n i f i c a n t l and and water a c t i v i t i e s between the outer l i m i t

of each S t a t e ' s coastal waters and land up to the

In t racoas ta l Waterway and/or the 1 0 - f t contour. Land uses

which a~e regu la ted are those that have a d i r e c t and

s i g n i f i c a n t impact on the coas ta l areas r e q u i r i n g a State

permit, and those which are required by Federal law to be

consistent w i t h the management programs (USDC and LDNR, 1980;

MDWC and USDC, 1980). The programs provide f o r the

protec t ion o f beaches, dunes, wetlands, submerged grass beds,

bar r ie r i s l a n d s , oyster r e e f s , c u l t u r a l resources, water

q u a l i t y , a i r q u a l i t y , b i o l o g i c a l resources, and w i l d l i f e

hab i ta t . Unique eco log ica l features include z o o l o g i c a l ,

botanica l , and geo log ica l formations c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of

coastal processes (USDC and LDNR, 1980; MDWC and USDC, 1980;

Burk and Assoc ia tes , 1975). B i o l o g i c a l l y s e n s i t i v e areas o f

the n o r t h - c e n t r a l Gulf area include estuarine 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, I n c . ,

1980). These coas ta l ecosystems contain nursery areas f o r

many species o f economic importance as w e l l as h a b i t a t ,

rookeries, major overwin te r ing s i t e s , and nest ing areas f o r

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

Erlv|ronments, " I n c . , 1980; USDC and LDNR, 1980; MDWC and USDC,

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 Preserve." The lease area i s

located away f r e t both of these areas. None of the proposed

a c t i v i t i e s i n the lease area should have any e f f e c t upon

either area.

Mi s s i s s i p p i designated three types of areas as current

or proposed "Special Management Areas": ( i ) i n d u s t r i a l and

port areas, ( i i ) shorefront access areas, and ( i i i ; n

waterfront (MDWC and USDC, 1980). Current Mississippi

"Special Management Areas" are depicted by the MDWC and USDC

(1980, Figure Nos. V I - 1 , VI-3, and VI-4). None of the

proposed a c t i v i t i e s i n the lease area should have any e f f e c t

upon these areas.

Conspicuous areas of environmental concern f o r Louisiana

and Mississippi are noted by the USDOI, BLM (1979, Visual

Nos. 1 and 4 ) , the USDC and LDNR (1980, Figure No. D-1), and

the MDWC and USDC (1980, Figure Nos. VI-2 and V I - 3 ) .

1979, Visual No. 3; Coastal

17

The coastal zone area i s also of recreational importance

to residents and t o u r i s t s . MoLit recreational a c t i v i t i e s

focus on the area's water resources, which include beaches,

Of f s h o r e , . t e r r e s t r i a l areas of p a r t i c u l a r ecological

significance to both Louisiana and Mississippi are the

barrier i s l a n d s of Breton National W i l d l i f e Refuge and Gulf

Island National Seashore. Submerged areas of c r i t i c a l

concern are the extensive oyster grounds o f f Plaquemines and

St. Bernard Parisnes, and the remnant coastal banks, which

are located o f f Mobile, Alabama (US 01, BLM, 1979, Visual

Nos. 4 and 5 ) .

While o i l s p i l l s during d r i l l i n g operations are rare

(Danenberger, 1976), che p o s s i b i l i t y of a s p i l l does e x i s t .

Oil f o u l i n g i n an 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 t o commercial and

sport f i s h e r i e s . Direct e f f e c t s on b i o t a would include

fouling ( p a r t i c u l a r l y b i r d s ) , s u f f o c a t i o n ( 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 to 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 . I n d i r e c t e f f e c t s would include the

destruction of c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t , especially breeding and

areas", and f i s h i n g areas.

, J

18

nursery* areas. Any e f f e c t s upon endangered or threat* ed

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 adverse

socioeconomic e f f e c t s . Tourism is an important part of Gulf

coast economies. Removal of beach or other coastal areas

from recreational 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 affected area, causing 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 in l o c a l economies.

Any o p i l l would be handled according to an o i l s p i l l

contingency plan approved by the MMS. I f a s p i l l did occur

during operations, i t seems u n l i k e l y that i t would a f f e c t any

nearshor- or onshore areas or resources.

(6) Existing Pipelines and Cables

There are no e x i s t i n g p i p e l i n e s or cables i i L'ie

lease area (USDOI, MMS, 1984).

(7) Other Mineral Uses

Other than p o t e n t i a l o i l and gas reserve.., there

are no known mineral resources i n 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 ^n area

designated for ocean dumping a c t i v i t i e s .

(9) Endangered or Threatened Species

The USDOI, BLM (1979, p. 45) considers possible

impacts of lease a c t i v i t i e s on endangered species i n t h i s

area of the Gulf to be temporary, l o c a l i z e d , and chance

occurrences. I t has judged the p o t e n t i a l impacts on

endangered species to be 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 f o r d i r e c t e f f e c t s on any single species. In

add i t i o n , i t has been determined that lease a c t i v i t i e s w i l l

c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s 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 . On: hoie

f a c i l i t i e s are located i n a previously develop d i ea and

pose no new or a d d i t i o n a l threat to endanger* i re ?ned

species.

Approximately s i x endangered spec es of cetaceans occ.u

in the Gulf of Mexico. They c. re th.? blue whale (Bal aenoptera

musculus) , f i n whale (BaJ ae optera ; 'hysai li 3 ) , h LUT! p_ack whale

(Megaptera novaeangliae), r .ght whaLe (Eubalaena g l a c i ^ i i s ) ,

sei whale ( Balaenoptera boreal i s ) , and sper.^i whale (r Myseter

catodon). Generally, most of these larger cetaceans occur in

continental s h e l f , slope, or deep oceanic waters (USDOI, BLM,

1981). The status and migration patterns of these species in

the Gulf of Mexico are unknown (Lehman, f>82).

Several endangered or threatened s sea t u r t l e s ,

including the Kemp's r i d l e y (Lepidochelys kempu), hawksbill

(Eretmochelys i m b i r c a t a ) , leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea),

loggerhead (Caretta c a r e t t a ) , and green (Chelonia mydas), may

occasionally v i s i t the lease area.

The primary danger t o 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 , e s p e c i a l l y

loggerheads, seem to be a t t r a c t e d to offshore structures f o r

feeding and r e s t i n g (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 165) increasing the

r e s u l t i n the d e s t r u c t i o n or m o d i f i c a t i o n of designated

20

• I * p r o b a b i l i t y o f c o l l i s i o n s . No c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t f o r any o f

these spec ies i s known t o e x i s t i n the lease area (USDOI,

BLM, 1979, p p . 7 3 - 7 4 ) . . •

(b) SOCIOECONOMIC

The i n i t i a l OCS Socioeco; omic Data Base Report w i l l be

developed a f t e r the MMS 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 to be

addressed i n these semiannual reports. No new personnel w i l l

be needed f o r the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

21

• ! • 5. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

(a) SUMMARY OF THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

Offshor-e- structures w i l l r e s u l t i n minimal navigational

interference t o ships using established fairways. However,

during times of reduced v i s i b i l i t y , vessels have the greatest

pot e n t i a l t o deviate from established fairways and impact

offshore s t r u c t u r e s (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 230). Discharge of

d r i l l i n g muds and cuttings and a i r emissions durinq d r i l l i n g

operations w i l l adversely a f f e c t marine organisms, water and

a i r q u a l i t y , and commercial f i s h i n g as described by the USDOI,

BLM (1979, pp. 229-230). These impacts are temporary,

however, and w i l l be l i m i t e d to 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 i n discovering

and developing badly needed reserves of o i l and gas. During

the e x p l o r a t i o n operations, a l l discharges w i l l comply w i t h

a l l applicable MMS and EPA 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 i n 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 a e s t h e t i c s , or other land uses.

(b) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

None o f 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 b

handled according to an o i l s p i l l contingency plan approved

by the 1 MMS. Thus, i t i s u n l i k e l y that a s p i l l would occur

during operations and a f f e c t any nearshore or onshore areas

or resources. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s should have no

s i g n i f i c a n t impact on endangered species or c r i t i c a l h a bitat

The information presented i n t h i s Environmental Report

indicates no clear or present reason not to proceed with 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.

6. REFERENCES

Burk and Associates, Inc. 1975. Louisiana coastal resources inventory. Vol. I . Geographic Areas of P a r t i c u l a r Concern. New Orleans, LA.

Chittenden, M. E., Jr. and D. Moore. 1976. Composition of the ichthyofauna i n h a b i t i n g the 110-m bathymetric contour of the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi River to the Rio Grande. Department of Marin" Resources Intormation Center f o r Marine Research, Texas A&M Universitv. 15 pp.

Coastal Environments, Inc. 1977. Cu 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 sens-.ive areas. Baton Rouge, LA.

Danenberger, E. P. 1976. O i l s p i l l s , 1971-1975. Gulf of Mexico outer c o n t i n e n t a l shelf. Geological Survey C i r 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. Department of Recreational Parks, Texas A&M Un 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, LA.

Lin 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 estuarine ecology. Sections 10 and 13, Fishery Resources and t h e i r Needs. Report to the U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers, New Orleans, LA. Contribution No. 14-17-002-430. 323 pp.

Mississippi Department of W i l d l i f e Conservation and U.S. Department of Commerce. 1980. Mississippi Coastal Program, NOAA Of f i c e o f Coastal Zone Management, Washington, D.C.

Perret, W. S., 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 of Mexico Estuarine Inventory and Study, Louisiana. Phase I , Area d e s c r i p t i o n . Phase IV, Biology. Louisiana W i l d l i f e and Fisheries Commission.

Riley, F. 1970. Fisheries of the United States, 1969. U.S. 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 I selecJted fishes on the continental sh*elf of the northern J Gulf erf'Mexico. Ph.D. d i s s e r t a t i o n , Texas A&M I U n i v e r s i t y . 229 pp.

•TerEco Corporation. 1976. Ecological Aspects of the Upper Continental Slope of the Gulf of Mexico. A report to the U.S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS O f f i c e , New Orleans, LA. Contract No. 08550-CT4-12.

U.S. Department of Commerce. 1982. Current Fisheries S t a t i s t i c s No. 8200. Fisheries of the United States, 1981. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospu?*ic Administration.

U.S. Departir. i n o f Commerce and Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. 1980. Louisiana Coastal Resources Program Fi n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 3aton Rouge, LA.

U.S. 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.

U.S. Jepartment of 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 Lease Sale 58A, Western and Central Gulf of Mexico. 181 pp.

U.S. 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.

U.S. Department of 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.

U.S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Minerals Management Service. 1984. Personal communication. OCS O f f i c e , Metarie, LA.

7. FINAL STATEMENT

To the best of our knowledge, the set of findings

included i n the Environmental Repgrt and Plan indicates that

each of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s , t h e i r associated f a c i l i t i e s ,

and* e f f e c t s are a l l consistent with and comply with the

provisions and guidelines of the Louisiana and Mis s i s s i p p i -

approved Coastal Zone Management Programs. The proposed

a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be conducted i n a marner conf i s t e n t with the

Coastal Zone Management Program as out l i n e d i n USDC and LDNR

(1980) and MDWC and USDC (1980).

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be r =jrried OJ: and

completed w i t h f i e guarantee of '_he fo l l o w i n g items

1. ne best available and safest technoIcoies w i l l be

u t i l i z e d throughout the p r o j e c t . This l u c 1 o'\3 -Pting a l l

applicable requirements for eg"\[ment ty; es . 3ait< . i project

layout, safety systems, and equipment 0:6 r i n g

systems.

2. A l l operations w i l l be cov red by an o i l s p i l l

contingency plan approved by the MMS.

3. A l l applicable Federal, State, and xocal

requirements regarding 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 we l l c.s any other

permit c o n d i t i o n s , w i l l be complied w i t h .