I MAY 16 1984

In Rep1:--K-ejfer To: UP-2.1

Gulf Oil Exploration and Production Company

Attrition: Mr. ft. L. Me< - r t »ost Office Box <U590 *ew Orleans, Louisiana . . .

Gentl men:

Reference Is made to your Initial Plan jf Exploration and Environmental Report received Hay 2. 1964, for Lease OCS-6 5536, Block 263 f South Tiaoalier Area. Tn1s plan Includes the activities proposed for Wells At ft, C, and 0.

In accordance with 30 CFR 250.34, revised December 13, 1979, end our lett<?r dated January ?9, 1979, this plan has been de termi ned to be complete as of May 16, 1934, and is now being considered for approval.

Your plan control number 1s 8-1658 and should be referenced in ymr conaunica­tion and correspondence concerning this plan.

bcc: Lease OCS-G 5636 (OPS-4) (FILE ROOM) r9P5-»-w/Publ1c Info. Copy of the plan art ER (PUBLIC RECORDS ROOM) (Or±-^

S1 ncerely yours,

(ORIG. SGD.) RALPH J. MELANCON

<qrr 0. W. Solanas * ' Regional Supenriscr

(teles an?'. Production

WW1111anison:gt<:5/2/82 Disk 3b

P> S M o ' v | t h P O B o » 6 1 5 0 0

L ; : r . r X " , , r ' ' ' A p r i l 3 0 , 1 9 8 4 • N . * O r l . . n . L A 7 0 i e i

Re jiinal Supervisor MINERAIS MANAGE «. , t Rules and Production 11 ^ K t

U . S . Depar tment K pf t he I n t e r i o r M i n e r a l s Management Serv ice £ JO^i G u l f of Mex ico , OCS Region Post O f f i c e Box 7944

M e t a i r i e , LA 70010-7944 RUUs AND PRODUCTION

Dear S i r : Plan of Exploration Block 268, OCS-G-5636 South Timbalier Area Offshore, Louisiana

Gulf Oil Corporation plans t o d r i l l four (4) wildcat wells on the subject block. The wells are A, B, C and D. Gulf w i l l act as the operator of the lease.

Well "A" w i l l be a s t r a i g h t hole at a s i t e 5150 feet from the north l i n e and 4900 f e e t from the west l i n e of the block. We propose t o begin work w i t h the Vanguard I type r i g between June and August, 1984. As a dry hole the operation should l a s t about 150 days. As a producer about 180 days w i l l be required.

Well "B" w i l l be a s t r a i g h t hole at a s i t e 5600 feet from the south l i n e and 6200 f e e t from the east l i n e of the block. As a dry hole the operation should l a s t about 105 days. As a producer about 135 days should be required.

Well "C" w i l l be a s t r a i g h t hole at a s i t e 650 feet from the north l i n e and 4500 f e e t from the west l i n e of the block. As a dry hole the operation should l a s t about 145 days. As a producer about 175 days shouid be required.

Well "D" w i l l be a s t r a i g h t hole at a s i t e 1700 feet from the south l i n e and 2200 f e e t from the east l i n e of the block. As a dry hole the operation should l a s t about 100 days. As a producer about 130 days should be required.

The r i g w i l l be equipped and operated i n compliance w i t h OCS Order Nos. 2, 5 and 7. A l i s t of the d r i l l i n g mud components and additives i s included among the enclosures t o t h i s l e t t e r . Other enclosures i l l u s t r a t e the lo c a t i o n of t h i s t e s t r e l a t i v e t o the block l i n e s and shoreline. _ Office of

urogram Ser«/j c e s

A D I V I S I O N O r O U L F O I L C O R P O R A T I O N

MAV 1 7 1984

R e c o r d | e ^ n a g c m e n t

Regional Supervisor - 2 - A p r i l 30, 1984

Our sites r w i l l be about 68 miles from L e e v i l l e , LA. Our operation w i l l be [serviced by boats and helicopters using e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t i e s **• Morgan ( c i t y and Ue_eyille. The helicopters w i l l ifse the PHI he l i p o r t s / a t Morgan City and L e e v i l l e . The boats w i l l u t i l i z e e x i s t i n g <iock f a c i l i t i e s maintained by Gulf- Our o i l s p i l l con­tingency plan i s on M l e w i t h your o f f i c e . Gulf i s a member of Clean Gulf Associates (CCA). CGA maintains equipment at Grand I s l e LA about 73 miles frcm t h i s l o c a t i o n . The response time w i t h i n a 100 mile radius i s 12 hours.

I f the t e s t i s successful, i t w i l l be l e f t w i t h a buoyed casing stub covered by a protective dome. The stub w i l l f a c i l i t a t e the i n s t a l l a t i o n of a platform t o accommodate surface producing equip­ment and possible a d d i t i o n a l d r i l l i n g . O i l t h a t may be discovered w i l l be barged, at least i n i t i a l l y . We w i l l seek a pi p e l i n e connec­t i o n for gas. I f the well i s not a success, i t w i l l be abandoned according t o the terms of OCS Order No. 3. Any a d d i t i o n a l d r i l l i n g t h a t is proposed subsequent t o t h i s tes*- w i l l be described by a new plan.

Gulf has c o l l e c t e d the data required by the Notice t o Lessees and Operator No. 83-3 ( d r i l l i n g hazards). These data are being forwarded t o you under separate cover. An a i r emissions statement i s also attached. We have evaluated the Data and f i n d no evidence of any shallow hazards t o d r i l l i n g . Please contact t h i s o f f i c e f o r any additional information you may require.

GULF OIL CORPORATION

By ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ < r z ^ ^ / -R. L . Meinert

Explora t ion Operations Manager

AMM/cdc

Enclosures:

Shoreline V i c i n i t y Plat Location P la t L i s t of Mud Addi t ives A i r Emission Data Rig Descr ip t ion Consistency C e r t i f i c a t i o n Anomaly Pla t S i t e Clearance Le t t e r f o r Shallow

D r i l l i n g Hazards Environmental Report Public Notice C e r t i f i c a t i o n

SHORELINE VICINITY PLAT

SCALE • 'it « J?

MILES

650' © LOC. C

4500

4900'

O IO

IO

LOC. A

©

268

6ULF OCS 5636

6200' LOC. B

o o m

—©

2200'

PAN-AM OCS 1289

LOC. D

©-©

O o

SHELL i 1

12,343* ©

10,000'

SOUTH TIMBALIER BLK. 268 LOCATION MAP

6000

FEET

© LOC. C 268

205'

SULF LOC. A ocs 5636

© . 210'

" LOC. B

© -215'

PAN-AM OCS 1289

<© SHELL _ 1 0 ' 0 0 0 '

o c s i 2 9 i f / M 1

12,343'

SOUTH TlMBAUER BLK. 268 BATHYMETRY MAP mm m

I 6000

L O C . D

©

FEET

DRILLING MUD COMPONENTS AND ADDITIVES

bentonlte * clay

Ben-ex f locculant and clay extend

starch non*fermenting

Drispac polyanionic celulose

bar i te barium sulphate

defoamer alcohol base

Desco organic thinner

L1gno Sulfonate dispersive agent

bT 268

Projected Air Emissions

Major Sources

Emissions in (lbs/day) tons per year

CO VOC NOx SO2

Power onboard drilling vessel (Total footage . d r i l l e d - 33,180 (36.40) 6.64 (13.46) 2.46 (168.19) 30.70 (11.18) 2.04 (12.00) 2.19

IT.) Based on 60 hp hr/ft from Table 4-3, -Atmospheric Emissions from Offshore Oil and Gas Development and Production", EPA No. 450/3-77-026, June 1977.

(2) Emission factors from Table,3.3 3-1, "Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors", Third Edition, EPA Report AP-42, August, 1977.

Minor Sources

Includes helicopter landings and takeoff, one trip per day? supply and crew boats at dockside, one trip per dayi fuel storage and transfer; leading and unloading operations; and incineration of waste paper (average 750 lbs/mo.) for duration of project of 620 days.

Emission in tons/year

CO VQC NOx S0 2 TSP

Minor-Sources * 5.60 1.20 2.90 0.70 0.50

Total a l l Sources 12.24 3.66 33.60 2.74 2.69

Emission Exemption (tons per year)

CO Exemption - E • j400 D2/3» NOx, VOC, SO2, TSP Exemption - E - 33.3 D

D - Distance from shore - 65 miles

CO E - fcon»{ NOx, VOC, S0 2 TSP E - 216 5 tons 54,965

• The projected air emissions during the drilling of the Four proposed wexls are considered balow the exemption levels for each of the pollutants1 hence no further air quality reviews are indicated.

No new f a c i l i t i e s will be installed at the onshore bases.

South Timbalier Block 268

Rig Description

The specific d r i l l i n g r i g t h a t w i l l d r i l l the proposed weils i n South Timbalier Block 268 has not been selected.

The r i g w i l l have B.O.P. equipment, s a n i t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s , curbes, drains, and a l l other equipment required f o r p o l l u t i o n prevention and personnel safety. D r i l l i n g a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be conducted i n compliance w i t h a l l O.C.S. Orders.

When the r i g i s selected, a l l p e r t i n e n t information w i l l be presented f o r approval t o the Geological Survey with Form 9-331 (Permit t o D r i l l ) .

• ftn t* T » P Qf 0 » - ' l t *

MOBILE DRILLING PLATFORM

To K C o m » o n T 6w»f Oil C f f M ' t t f e n • M ' - C i t i t * * \

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT i

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

Exploration Type of Plan'

South Timbalier Block 268 Area and Block

OCS-G-5636 Lease Number

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described in detail in this Plan comply with

Loui: lana approved Coastal Management Prograra(s) and w i l l be

conducted i n a manner consistent with such Program(s).

Gulf Oil Exploration & Production Company Lessee or Operator

Certifying OfficiaT

April 30, 1984 Date

<NOM*LT MAP

Figure 5

ST 268

p s Morvtth P o Bo«eieeo I...O**<<ONuwji A p r i l 2 7 , 1984 on.«n, LA-roiei H I * 0 « . l » H i n i l . » *

I

| I ; Mineral Management Service Office f o r Rules and Production P.' 0. Box 7944 Metairie, Louisiana 70010 Attention: Mr. D. W. Solanas

Re: shallow Hazards Clearance from High Resolution Geophysical Data. South Timbalier Area, Block 268, OCS-G-5636 Wells A, B, C and D. Gulf of Mexico.

Gentlemen:

We have examined the high r e s o l u t i o n geophysical da»,a in the v i c i n i t y of Gulf's four proposed wildcat locations on t h i s lease and f i n d t h a t there are no shallow hazards at these l o c a t i o n s .

Well A B C D

Water Depth Location Proposed TD 705.5 Ft. 5150'FNL, 4900'FWL 15,000 Ft. 212 6 Ft. 5600'FSL, 6200'FEL 13,360 Ft. 196.0 Ft. 650'FNL, 4500'FWL 15,000 Ft. 222.8 Ft. 1700'FSL, 2200,FEL 13,000 Ft.

Very t r u l y yours.

W. H. Murphy Manager-Technical

V7HM:nn

A D I V I S I O N O f G U I ' O I L C O R P O R A T I O N

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

Bxploration Type of Plan

South Timbalier,Block 268 Area and Block

QCS-fi-^6 36 Lease Number

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described in detai l in t h i s Plan comply with

Louisiana approved Coastal Management Program(s) and w i l l be conducted

i n a manner consistent with such Program(s).

Arrangements have been made with the State-Ti.nes in Baton Rouge,

Louisiana to publish a public notice of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s no

l a t e r than Monday, May 7, 1984.

Gulf Oi l Exploration & Production Company Lessee or Operator

C e r t i f y i n g O f f i c i a l R. F . Thomas

Date

Environmental Report (Exp lo ra t ion )

f o r

Block 248, Block 267, Block 268,

OCS-G-5628 OCS-G-5635 OCS-G-5636

Lessee

Gulf O i l Exploration and Production Company

Contact Person:

Mr. L. R. Henry P. 0. Box 61590 New Orleans, LA 70161 (504) 569-3430

('2) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION

(a) TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES

Train sport at ion of m a t e r i a l , supplies and personnel between South r 1

Timba liter Blocks 248, 267 and 268 and the bases at, L e e v i l l e and Morgan

C i t y , jquisiana w i l l be by boat and hel i c o p t e r . Boats from L e e v i l l e

terminal w i l l t r a v e l to the d r i l l s i t e v i a Bayou Lafourche o u t l e t

through the Gulf of Mexico. Boats from the Morgan City terminal w i l l

t r a v e l to the d r i l l s i t e v i a the Atchafalaya River o u t l e t through the

Gulf of Mexico t o the d r i l l s i t e . Helicopters w i l l generally t r a v e l

t h e most d i r e c t route from PHI bases at L e e v i l l e and Morgan City

t o the d r i l l s i t e , although weather conditions may sometimes a l t e r

t h i s route. Helicopter f l i g h t s t r a n s f e r r i n g crew members t o and

from the d r i l l s i t e w i l l be done weekly. I f severe weather conditions

p r o h i b i t these f l i g h t s , the crews w i l l be t r a n s f e r r e d by crew boats.

Other service company and operator personnel t r a v e l may require

approximately 10 round t r i p f l i g h t s of the h e l i c o p t e r ( B e l l 206 and

212 models) per week. The supply boat w i l l make d a i l y runs from L e e v i l l e

o r Morgan C i t y t o the d r i l l s i t e .

(b) SUPPORT BASE

The onshore support base f o r any proposed d r i l l i n g operations

on Block 248, 267 and 268 w i l l be from the e x i s t i n g Gulf docks at

Le e v i l l e and Morgan City, Louisiana. No enlargement or cnanges i n

these f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be needed t o accommodate the proposed d r i l l i n g

a c t i v i t y . Approximately 40 r i g crew members, and supervisory personnel

w i l l be required on each seven day tour. In a d d i t i o n , about 25 other

service company people w i l l be required during the course of the d r i l 1 ' ag

operation.

Radio dispatchers working on 12 hour s h i f t s w i l l be located at

the shore bases. Other personnel located at each shore base

- 1 -

include a shore base supervisor and three t r a n s p o r t a t i o n supervisors

t o handle the l o a d i n g and t r a n s f e r of supplies and material onto

workboats f o r use at the d r i l l s i t e . Workboats require a crew of

f i v e people Jiormally working tours of 7 t o 14 days.

(c ) NEW SUPPORT FACILITY,

I t i s not known i f the proposed exploratory e f f o r t w i t h i n

t h e project area w i l l be productive of o i l and/or gas; however,

i t would not be expected t h a t any ad d i t i o n a l expansion of the

onshore bases would be needed i n any event since the e x i s t i n g

f a c i l i t i e s are not being operated at f u l l capacity.

(d) DESCRIPTION OF NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY

There w i l l not be any new techniques or unusual technology

required in c a r r y i n g out the proposed d r i l l i n g operation.

(e) MAP OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY WITH RESPECT TO STATE'S COASTAL ZONE

A shoreline v i c i n i t y p l a t showing the loca t i o n of the p r o j e c t

area with respect t o the c o a s t l i n e of the State of Louisiana

i s attached. Also attached i s a p l a t showing the l o c a t i o n

o f the d r i l l s i t e s w i t h i n Block 248, 267, or 268.

( f ) FOR PLANS OF DEVELOPMENT/PRODUCTION, THE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION

OF OIL AND GAS

The proposed a c t i v i t y i s t o conduct an exploratory i n v e s t i g a t i o n

f o r o i l and gas. I f hydrocarbons are discovered, a development/

production plan w i l l be submitted at th a t time describing the

p l a n s for t r a n s p o r t i n g o i l and gas to shore and to markets on the

mainland.

(3) DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACT

(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

(1) Commercial Fishing

- 2 -

I ' 11

The lease s i t e - i s approximately 68 statute miles offshore

Louisiana in water depths ranging 200 t o 220 f e e t . i

Byj far the most productive fishery region ,in the Gulf of Mexico

i n termfe of pound-s of catch i s i n Grid Zone 15 o f f Atchafalaya Bay.

G r i d Zones 16 and 17 t o the west are the next most productive areas Vv.

i n t h e northern Gulf. These three zones make-up nearly 6 6% of a l l

t h e poundage caught i n the Gulf f o r the years 1968 - 1974. Commercial

landings in the Gulf accounted f o r 36% of the t o t a l U.S. catch on a

poundage basis and 26% of the d o l l a r value of such catches durina

1982 (USDC, NMFS, 1983).

The Gulf f i s h e r y i s dominated by the s h e l l f i s h e r i e s ; i . e . ,

shrimp, crabs, and oysters w i t h small amounts of clam and scallops.

The d o l l a r value i s twice t h a t of the f i n f i s h harvest although

t h e f i n f i s h landings are much greater. The shrimp f i s h e r y

i n the Gulf includes brown, white and pink shrimp and are taken

almost exclusively by trawl f i s h i n g i n water depths from 6 t o 250

f e e t . The catch i n 1982 from Louisiana and Mi s s i s s i p p i waters was

90.5 m i l l i o n pounds valued at $188.2 m i l l i o n and 10.2 m i l l i o n pounds

valu e d at $21.2 m i l l i o n r e s p e c t i v e l y (USDC, NMFS, 1983).

These species of shrimp spawn i n the open ocean and undergo a

s e r i e s of l a r v a l phases in the plankton, followed by migration i n

t h e post-larval phase to an estuarine nursery area, then r e t u r n t o

t h e ocean as ad u l t s .

The blue crab makes up 98% of the crab harvest f o r the

G u l f Region (R i l e y , 1970). I t s l i f e cycle i s s i m i l a r t o the shrimp

i n t h a t i t undergoes the planktonic, estuarine, and open ocean

phases. Gravid females migrate t o the open Gulf and release t h e i r

eggs i n the spring and summer months. The adult crabs are found

i n the estuarines and thus in l a n d from the leased area.

South T imba l i e r Ar^a i s also an important commercial f i s h i n g

ground for f i n f i s h . Among the more important species o f f Lafourche

Par ish coast-. i nc lude the red drum, black drum, sea t r o u t , and

f lounder . jThese f i s h species are usva l ly taken near shore. Sea

t r o u t , both S i l v e r and whi te , aro bottom f i s h i n the Northern Gulf

and are usual ly taken b^*bottom t r a w l s . Other important species

inc lude red snapper and grouper which are taken by hook and l i n e

i n water dep*'.is f rom 5' t o 1000*. The A t l a n t i c croaker i s an

abundant f i s h e r y i n Louis iana 's estuarine water. The F lo r ida

pompano i s an inshore f i s h taken i n the surf or at passes and i s

seasonally abundant from January t o A p r i l i n shrimping areas.

Annual landings of commercial f i s h e r i e s o f f the coasts of

Lafourche, St . Mary, Terrebonne and Jef fe rson Parishes t o t a l

337.2 m i l l i o n pounds per year valued at 38.7 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s .

The project area i s outside the l i m i t s f o r the pink shrimp harvest

area and the menhaden harvest area. However, i t i s w i t h i n the outer

l i m i t s fo r other important f i s h e r y areas such as the brown and white

shrimp harvest area, the roya l red shrimp harvest area, and the

f i n f i s h harvest area. ( U . S . D . I . , FREIS, 1983, Visual No. 4)

The proposed d r i l l i n g opera t ion may 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 t empora r i ly due t o

discharges of d r i l l mud and c u t t i n g s . Such a change i n water

q u a l i t y may cause some species t o avoid the area surrounding the

d r i l l s i t e du r ing t h i s per iod whi le ac t ive d r i l l i n g operations

a re underway. Once d r i l l i n g i s completed the popula t ion should

r e t u r n to the area .

Some larvae and eggs of c e r t a i n species could also be adverse­

l y af fec ted i n the immediate area of the d r i l l s i t e due t o tem­

porary degradation o f water q u a l i t y . This c o n d i t i o n would be short

- 4 -

terra and would not be expected t o have any measurable e f f e c t on

any fi s h e r y . _ ,

The impact from the discharge of d r i l l c u ttings would be to

smother sessile benthic organisms i n the area around the w e l l .

Studies navel shown that these deposits are quickly re-coionized

(Zingula, 19/5|) . Also, heavy solids contained i n d r i l l mud d i s ­

charges may also be deposited on the bottom as a l i g h t coating

which may have some temporary adverse e f f e c t . These areas appar­

en t l y are q u i c k l y repopulated i n d i c a t i n g no persista n t t o x i c i t y of

the mud sediments. (Reign et a l , 1980; G i l b i l l a e et a l , 1980)

An o i l s p i l l could also cause water q u a l i t y degradation due

t o the i n t r o d u c t i o n of possible toxins i n t o the water column.

Most adult f i s h , however, would probably avoid such areas and

no s i g n i f i c a n t or persiste n t d i r e c t e f f e c t on f i s h population

would be expected. Any s p i l l would be subject t o immediate con­

tainment and clean-up. O i l s p i l l s have a low p r o b a b i l i t y of

occurring during exploratory d r i l l i n g . (Dannenberger, 1976)

(2) Shipping

South Timbalier Blocks 248, 267 and 268 are not near any

designated shipping safety fairway or anchorage area. (U.S.D.I.,

FREIS, 1983, Visual 11)

(3) Small Craft Pleasure Boating, Sport Fishing, and Recreation

Studies have shown t h a t f i s h which would normally be scattered

throughout large areas are often concentrated i n small areas

surrounding petroleum platforms and are a t t r a c t e d by the food

and shelter which the s t r u c t u r e o f f e r s . Many of the f i s h species

t h a t congregate around petroleum structures are prime sport f i s h i n g

targets i n c l u d i n g snapper, grouper, mackerels, cobia, etc. I t i s

believed, too, the new a r t i f i c i a l reefs have l i t t l e , i f any,

- 5 -

e f f e c t on the c a r r y i n g capacity or the size d i s t r i b u t i o n of f i s h

on the natural reefs (Stone - 1979). I t could, therefore, be

assumed that the q u a l i t y and quan t i t y of offshore f i s h i n g would

be further enhance by any increase in petroleum structures on the

OCSi IAs a r e s u l t , , these structures provide botn sport and commercial

fishermen an area with an abundant f i s h population. The Gulf of

Mexic'o Fishery Management Council (G.M.F.M.C) recently published

data i n d i c a t i n g t h a t red snapper stocks were on the decline and

t h i s condition was possibly due t o over f i s h i n g by the recreational

f i s h e r (1980 b ) . The GMFMC report suggested the p o s s i b l i t y , too,

t h a t the apparent decline i n snapper population may not be a real

one but rather the population spread out over greater areas due t o the

increasing number of platforms being i n s t a l l e d . According t o the

r e p o r t , natural reef f i s h i n g h a b i t a t in the Gulf provides approximately

39,000 KM2. The habitat provided by 2,000 petroleum platforms,

assuming an area of 50 meters by 50 meters each, would provide

2

another 5,000 KM of habita t .

(4) C u l t u r a l Resources

The leased area i s outside the high p r o b a b i l i t y l i n e s f o r

p r e h i s t o r i c and h i s t o r i c c u l t u r a l resources (U.S.D.I., FREIS, 1983,

Visual No. 11). A c u l t u r a l resources survey as specified i n Lease

S t i p u l a t i o n No. 1 was not required t o be run over the leased area

(Letter to Lessee from MMS, July 1983). Most known h i s t o r i c a l

c u l t u r a l resources are located much closer t o shore than the

p r o j e c t area. Approximately 82% of known shipwrecks are located

w i t h i n 10 kilometers of shore, w i t h only a small percentage occurring

f u r t h e r out on the continental shelf (U.S.D.I., 1979, page 91). The

p o s s i b i l i t y of p r e h i s t o r i c c u l t u r a l resources would also be remote.

- 6 -

si-nce the leased area i s submerged at a much greater depth (more

than 65 meters) than the - 45 meter sea l e v e l c-cnerally accepted

as'inhabitable by t e r r e s t i a l f l o r a and fauna, including

pirehistoric man., about 12,000 B.P.

II / (5) E c o l o g i c a l l y Sensitive Features

There are-no b i o l o g i c a l l y s ensitive features or area of

p a r t i c u l a r concern i n the p r o j e c t area. The Diaphus Bank, a

designated b i o l o g i c a l l y s e n s i t i v e area, i s located approximately

fourteen s t a t u t e miles south soutwest of Block 267. The Ewing Bank,

another designated b i o l o i i c a l l y sensitive area, i s located

approximately twenty-six miles t o the southwest of Block 267. The

Diaphus Bank i s one of four banks that has been categorized by

Bright and Rizak (1981) as being somewhat less diverse and pro­

ductive. A DOI funded study by the National Academy of Science i s

looking i n t o the fate and e f f e c t s of d r i l l i n g muds and c u t t i n g s

i n marine waters and the r e s u l t s of t h i s study may cause a re­

evaluation of current d r i l l i n g r e s t r i c t i o n s on not only these

four banks but a l l other banks as w e l l . (U.S.D.I., FREIS, pages

78 - 86)

The e n t i r e Louisiana coastal zone has been included i n the

state's coastal zone management area. As such, any proposed OCS

a c t i v i t y must be reviewed by the state's CZM and, as provided by

Federal law, such a c t i v i t y must be consistent with the state's

management plan before a permit f o r the p r o j e c t can be issued by

the responsible Federal agency.

(6) E x i s t i n g Pipeline and Cables

There are no pipelines or no known cables crossing the

project area. (U.S.D.I., FREIS, 1983, Visual No. 7)

1 /

(7) Other Mineral- Uses

There are no known mineral resources i n the leased area

other than; possible o i l and gas deposits. i

(8) j flcean Dumping A c t i v i t i e s

The leased area i s not located w i t h i n any EPA designated v..

ocean dumping s i t e or any i n t e r i m dumping s i t e . ( U . S . D . I . , FREIS,

1983, V i sua l 1 1 ) .

(9) Endangered or Three t e n Species

Seven s p e c i e s o f marine mammals t h a t have been s i g h t e d i n

t h e Gulf o f Mexico have been c l a s s i f i e d as endangered spec ies

(Fede ra l R e g i s t e r , 1975) . These are t h e sperm whale , r i g h t whale ,

humpback w h a l e , s e i whale , f i n whale , b lue whale , and t h e west

I n d i a n manatee.

Five s p e c i e s o f marine t u r t l e s t h a t occur i n t he G u l f area

a r e also on t h o endangered o r t h r e a t e n e d species l i s t . These are

t h e loggerhead, green A t l a n t i c R i d l e y , h a w k s b i l l , ard t h e

l e a t h e r b a c k . A c c ^ t i i n g t o H i l d e o r a n d , an ma jo r f e e d i n g area f o r

t h e A t l a n t i c R~. _ > f f t h e L o u i s i a n a coast and r e p o r t s

have i n d i c a t e d t h a t p o r t u n i d c r ab comprises a l a r g e p o r t i o n o f t he

d i e t of the specimen examined.

The l e a t h e r b a c k , a l so l i s t e d aw an endangered s p e c i e s , ranges

w i d e l y t h r o u g h o u t the G u l f o f Mexico and wes te rn N o r t h A t l a n t i c

a s f a r n o r t h as Nova S c o t i a . The species has a l so been observed

i n inshore w a t e r s d u r i n g c e r t a i n p e r i o d s o f t he year i n areas

where j e l l y f i s h are found i n abundance, presumably which t h e y

f o l l o w and f e e d upon.

- 8 -

Any impact of the proposed a c t i v i t y on marine mammals and

t u r t l e s cannot be accurately assessed but would appear t o be

somewhat dependent upon the p r o b a b i l i t y of an o i l . s p i l l , the

size and l o c a t i o n of the area impacted by the s p i l l e d o i l .

'b) SOCTO-ECONOMIC

No new personnel or other s i g n i f i c a n t changes that might

otherwise a f f e c t the coastal communities are conte. plated by the

proposed exploration e f f o r t .

Most of the unavoidable adverse impacts are of a temporary

naturo and the environment should be completely restored soon

a f t e r d r i l l i n g operations have ceased. Discharges of d r i l l mud

anc! cuttings may cause some water q u a l i t y degradation while

d r i l l i n g . S i m i l a r l y , the deposition of d r i l l c u t t i n g s on the

ocean f l o o r could smother sessile benthic organisms but these, too,

should q u i c k l y re-colonize. A i r q u a l i t y w i l l be temporarily

degraded due t o emissions from the exhaust of diesel engines

and possibly degraded due t o emissions from the exhaust of

diesel engines and possibly hydrocarbon vapors from diesel storage

tanks. Any hydrocarbons vented to the atmosphere while t e s t i n g

the well may also cause some degradation of a i r q u a l i t y . Any

blowout of a well which caught f i r e may also introduce i n t o

the atmosphere large amounts of carbon p a r t i c u l a t e s , and other

po l l u t a n t s such a condition would be dissipated rather quickly by

cli m a t i c conditions and would not eariously impair a i r q u a l i t y at

the shoreline.

p j p u l a c size and-di^stribution of the species, as-well as the

(4) UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACT

- 9 -

Because of the c r i t i c a l need t o develop new energy reserves

f o r t h e economy and security of the United States, the proposed

a c t i v i t y should be implemented without delay. No new feasible

technologyj tjhat would -tend t o m i t i g a t e these minimal ahd temporary

adverse impacts can be expected w i t h i n the foreseeable f u t u r e .

(5) REFERENCES

Recal Geophysics, Incorporated, September, 1983, A High Resolution Geophysical Survey of South Timbalier Area,' Blocks 248, 267i and 268, Houston, TX

Dannenbdrger, E. P., 1976, O i l S p i l l s , 1971 - 1975, Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, Geological Survey

V..

United States Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management, and Minerals Management Service, Various, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Outer Continental Shelf O i l and Gas Lease Sale

United States Department of Commerce, 1980, Final Environmental Impact Statement for Louisiana Coastal Resources Program, Office of Coastal Zone Management, Washington, D.C.

United States Department of Commerce, A p r i l , 1983, Current Fishery S t a t i s t i c s No. 8300 Fisheries of the United States, 1982, National Marine Fisheries Services, Washington, D.C.

(6) STATEMENT

The proposed a c t i v i t y w i l l be carried out and completed with

the guarantee of the f o l l o w i n g items:

(1) The best ava i l a b l e and safest technologies w i l l be u t i l i z e d

throughout the p r o j e c t . This includes meeting a l l applicable re­

quirements f o r equipment types, general project layout, safety

systems, and equipment and monitoring systems.

(2) A l l operations w i l be covered by an MMS approved o i l s p i l l

contingency plan.

(3) n i l applicable Federal, State, and Local requirements regard­

ing a i r emissons and water q u a l i t y and discharge for the proposed

a c t i v i t i e s , as we l l as any other permit conditions, w i l l be complied

with.