DAT£ 7 - / S " - f r 3

TO: OMS-2-2

FROM: 05.-2*2

u Office of

Plan of Exploration Devei opment/Product Ion and Environmental Report. Support

Lease OCS-G j H 7 Control No. N- 1 3 J O .

. H o r v a t h

E*plaratton Managar 9mm Orlaaoe Araa

September 2, 1963

puty Minerals Manager Offahore Operations Support V. S. Department of the I n t e r i o r Minerals Managenent Service Gulf of Mexico, OCS Region Post Of f i ce Box 7944 Metairie, LA 70010-7944

P>, O • • > « 1 8 9 0

N a w O r l M M . L A

RECEIVED • - ' 2 fcjj

4kv •WPOtT y

Dear S i r :

Plan of Exploration Block 311, OCS-G-5647 South Tinbal ler Area Offshore, Louisiana

Culf O i l Corporation plans to d r i l l 5 wildcat wel l s on the subject block. The wells are A, B, C, D and E .

Well "A" w i l l be a straight hole at a s i t e 6400 feet fron the south l ine and 600 feet fron the west l ine of the block. We propose to begin work with the Diamond M. Century type r ig between October 1 and December 31, 1983. As a dry hole the operation ahould l a s t about 80 days. As s producer about 110 days w i l l be required.

Well "B" w i l l be a straight hole at a s i t e 2000 feet from thc north l ine and 600 feet fron the west l ine of the block. As a dry hole the operation should last about 75 d iys . As a producer about 105 days should be required.

Vei l "C" w i l l be a strs lght hole at a s i t e 1000 feet fron the south l ine and 600 feet fron the west l ine of the block. As a dry hole the operation should last about 80 days. As a producer about 110 days should be required.

Well "D" w i l l be a straight hole at a s i t e 3000 feet fron the south l ine and 600 feet fron the west l ine of the block. Aa a dry hole the operation should last about SO days. As a producer about 110 days should be required.

W*ll " E " w i l l be a strs ight hole at a s i t e 4000 feet fron the north l ine and 2000 feet fron the east l ine of the block. As a dry hole the operation ahould last about 90 days. As a producer about 120 days should be required.

The r ig w i l l be equipped and operated in compliance with OCS Order Nos. 2, 5 and 7. A H a t of d r i l l i n g nud ccnponents and additives i s Included among the enclosures to th i s l e t ter . Other enclosures I l l u s t r a t e the location of this test r e la t ive to the block l i n e s and shoreline.

wgement * O I V I A I O M o r o o t r o u C O « » O « * T I O N

Deputy Minerals Manager Septeaber 2, 1983

t Our sites w i l l be ebout 78 miles from Leeville, La. Our operation wi l l be scr-I vjlced by boats and helicopters using existing fac i l i t i e s at Morgan City and ' liaevllle. The helicopters w i l l use the PHI heliports at Morgan City and

Leeville. The boats wi l l ut i l ize existing dock f a c i l i t i e s maintained by Oulf. Our oil sp i l l montingency plan l s on f i l e wi«h your office. Culf i s a member of Clean Gulf Associates (CGA). CGA maintains equipment st Grand Is le La about 81 miles from this location. The response time within a 100 mile radius ls 12 hours.

I f the test l s successful, i t w i l l be left with a buoyed casing stub covered by s protective dome. The stub w i l l facil itate the installation of a platform to accomodate surface producing equipment and possible additional dr i l l ing . Oil that may be discovered wi l l be barged, at least i n i t i a l l y . Ve w i l l seek a pipeline connection for gas. I f the well i s not a success l t w i n be abandoned according to the terms of OCS Order No. 3. Any additional dri l l ing that i s propoaed subsequent to these tests w i l l be described by a new plan.

Gulf has collected the data required by the No tine to Lessees and Operators No. 75-8 (dri l l ing hasards). This data are being forwarded to you under se-perste cover. An air emissions statement l s also attached. Ve have evaluated the data and find no evidence of any shallow hasards to dri l l ing. Please contsct this off ice for any additional Information you may require.

WEG/RLM/ec

Enclosures:

Shoreline Vicinity plat Location Plats Lis t of Mud Additives Air Emission Data Rig Dsscription Consistency Certification Anomaly Plat Site Clearance Letter For Shallow

Drilling Hasards Environmental Report

GULF OIL GORPORATION

R. L . Melnert Exploration Operations Manager

SHORELINE VICINITY PLAT

SCALE

I T T ? " ' " MILES

S0UTHTIMBAUERBLK.S11 BATHYMETRY MAP

FEET

DRILLING MUD COMPONENTS AND ADDITIVES

bentonlte

Ben-ex

starch

Drispac

barite

defoamer

Desco

Ligno Sulfonate

clay

flocculant and clay extender

non-fermenting

polyanionic celulose

barium sulphate

alcohol base

organic thinner

dispersive agent

Projected Air Emissions

Major Sources

Emissions in (lbs/day) tons per year

CO VOC NOx S02 TSP

Power onboard d r i l l i n g vessel — -(Total footage d r i l l e d - 43,000' (47.2) 8.6 (17.4) 3.2 (218) 39.8 (14.5) 2.6 (15.6) 2.8

(1) Based on 60 hp h r / f t fron 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 i d i t i o n , EPA Report"

AP-42, August, 1977.

Minor Sources

Includes helicopter landings and takeoff, one t r i p per day; supply end crew boats at dockside, one t r i p per day; fuel storage and transfer; loading and unloading operations; and incineration of waste paper (average 750 lbs/mo.) for duration of project of 365 days.

Emission in tons/year

CO VOC NOx SO 2 TSP

Minor Sources 5.6 1.2 2.9 0.7 0.5

Total a l l Sources 14.2 4.4 42.7 -.3 ~ 3.3

Emission Exemption (tons per year)

CO Exemption - E - 3400 D /3; NOx, VOC, SO2, TSP Exemption - E - 33.3 D

D - Distance from shore • 65 miles

CO E »54,944tons; NOx, VOC, S02 TSP E » 2164 tons

The projected a i r emissions during the d r i l l i n g of the proposed wells for a period of 365 days are considered below the exemption levels for each of the pollutants; hence no further a i r quality reviews are indicated.

Onshore Sources

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

Diamond M Century

tM Classification AB*> * Al (E) Length 2~0 ft Beam 173 ft Hulls (2)

Beam 35 ft Depth 25 ft ' /

Main Deck 85 ft I Pux Rack 9b It Drill Floor 118 25ft Natural Period

Heave 16.42 sec Roll 31 75 sec Pitch 28.26 sec

Propulasoo Two 1500 hp Thrusters

Cranes Two Link Belt ABS 238, 50-ton

Heliport For S-61 N helicopter Equipment List

Drill inp Equipment

Derrick Ac Substructure

Drawworks

Mud Pumps

Mixing Pumps

Prime Movers

Rotary

Travel Block Hook Swivel Shale Shaker Drill Pipe Drill Collars Blowout Preventers

Accumulator Diverter Desander

Desilter

Degasser AC-DC System Emergency Generator Riser

Riser Tensioners Guide Line Tensioners Choke Manifold

160-ft Pyramid. 1.000.000 Ib with Continental EMSCO crown bkxk. 50 ft x 50 ?( x 33 25 ft welded superstructure Oilwell E-3000. two EMD L V 9 DC motors. Baylor 7838 electric brake. I W in wire line Two Oilwell POO PT Tnplex Two EMD D-79 DC motors each pump Three Mission 5 x 6 centrifugals with 75 hp electric motors Two GM EMD MD 16E-8 diesel. 2200 hp. each driving EMD A 20-6 1500-kw AC generators One GM EMD MD 8 E-8 diesel. 1100 hp. driving EMD A 20-6. 709BW AC ger.rrators Oilwell 37 to-in with Oilwell RT 2010 transmission. EMD D-79 DC motor Oilwell 650-ton with alignment guide BJ 5500 dynaplex Oilwell PC 650 Hutchinson-Hayes Rhumba 102 4V6-in Grades E and S-135 6-in and 7*-in plus 21 joints hevi-wate drill pipe One Shaffer 18*-in . 5000 psi annular Two Cameron Type " V double units. 18*-In.. 10.000 pal One Collet connector, hydraulic. 18* -in 10.000 psi 660-gal. 3000 psi Koomey Regan KFDH-3 Demco. six 8-in cones with 50-hp 5 x 6 Mission pump Demco 416-H Siltmaster with 50-hp 5 x 6 Mission pump wellco 5200 IPS/Baylor 6-unit SCR. each 750 v. 1000 amp CAT D334 with l"M-kw AC generator 700-ft. 20-in Came on x-52 integral choke ana kill line One Collet connector, hydraulic, 18*-In.. 10.000 psi. Three 20-ln Riser pup joints, 40 ft. 20 ft and 10ft, RCK connector ends One Telescoping loint One ball joint 18*-in . 5000 psi One bell nipple Pour Rucker 80,000-lb. 50-ft stroke Four Rucker 16,000-lb, 40-ft stroke 10.000 psi WP

Semi-Submersible Drilling Unit

Water Depth Capacity 600 ft Drilling Depth Capacity 30.000 ft

Year Of Obstruction 1973

Draft CaaakiiHi

p a Ugrmhip ?,m IT 20 h Ocean To* ejrfO Lt ijaa ST a tx Field Mmc lo.aoii LT l USO ST 90 ft Dnlling 15.000 LT 2240 ST

Miscellaneous Quarter- •

64-man • 6-man hospital (expansion space available)

Bulk Tanks 9120 ft* (23.887sx) Sack Storage 3500 sx Fuel 5100 bbl Potable Water 400 bbl Drilling Water 9800 bbl Mud Tanks 1575 bbl

fire Extinguishers One lot portable, CO, flood system One 500-lb dry chemical

Life jackets Per USGS Regulations

Capsules Two 28-man lirucker

Anchoring Eight 2V4 in x 3800 ft anchor chains, each with 30.000-lb anchor Eight tension recorders

Inhume:.: Martin Decker four-channel recorder Hietman flow show and pit volume totalizer with pump stroke counters Honeywell RS 5 acoustic position indicator Weather instruments. SSB A FV radio

5

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

OCS-G-5647 Cease Numoer

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described in de.a i l 1n th is Plan comply with

Lou i s i ana approved Coastal Managenent Proorarn(s) and w i l l be

conducted in a manner consistent wi th such Program(s).

G u l f n - i l F v n l n r a r i n n ^ P r n H - i r M o n Company Lessee or Operator

September 2, 1983

•>. • H o r v i l h )

MFLOiATiop MANAGER September 2, 1983 NCW ORLEANS AREA

Mineral Management Service Area O f f i c e f o r Operations Support P. O. Box 7944 M e t a i r i e , Louis iana 70010 A t t e n t i o n : Mr. D. W. Solanas

Mineral Management Service Lake Charles D i s t r i c t 3727 Ryan S t ree t Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 A t t e n t i o n : Mr. Robert H. Darrow

Re: Multi-Sensor Engineering Survey West Cameron Area, Block 505 OCS-G-5337, Wells A, B, C, D, E Gulf o f Mexico

Gentlemen:

We have reviewed the high resolution geophysical data in the vicinity of the Gulf'8 five proposed wildcats on this leese and find that there are no shallow hazards at these locations. Because the Sparker data indicate the possible existence of small gas pockets within 1000 feet of locations A and B, we have initiated multichannel processing of profiles in the vicinity of these locations to better define the anomalies.

WELL WATER DEPTH LOCATION

A 396' 6400*rSL, 600'FWL B 372* 2000'FNL, 600'FWL C 422' 1000'FSL, 600'FWL D 412' 3000'FSL, 600'FWL E ^403*- 4000'FNL, 2000'FEL

3S3 Very truly yours,

PSH/dmg

W>. o B O . a i e » o O r l M K . L \ 7 0 l « i

* O i v i f t iO ta * U l » Oi t . f O » » O t » » i O N

1

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(1) Environmental Report (Exploration)

for %

South Timbalier Area % Block 311, OCS G-5647 * Blook 312, OCS G-5648 Block 319, OCS G-5651 >̂

Lessee ^

i

Gulf O i l Exploration end Production Company lj[

September 2, 1983

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

Transportation of material, supplies »nd personnel between

otith Timballei; Blocks 311, 312 and 319 bases at Leeville and Morgan

City, Louisiana w i l l be by boat and helicopter. Boats from Leeville

terminal wixl travel to the d r i l l site via Bayou Lafourche outlet

through the Gulf of Mexico. Boats from the Morgan City terminal

w i l l travel to the d r i l l site via the Atchafalaya River outlet

through the Gulf of Mexico to the d r i l l site. Helicopters will

generally travel the most direct route from PHIs bases at Leeville

and Morgan City to the d r i l l site, although weather conditions may

sometimes alter this route. Helicopter flights transferring crew

members to and from the d r i l l site will be done weekly. If severe

weather conditions prohibit these flights, the crews will be trans­

ferred by crew boats. Other aervice company and operator personnel

travel may require approximately 10 round trip flights of the heli­

copter (Bell 206 and 212 models) per week. The supply boat will

make daily runs from Leeville or Morgan City to the d r i l l site.

(b) SUPPORT BASE

The onahore support base for any propoaed drilling operations

on Blks 311, 312 and 319 will be from the existing Gulf dock at

Leeville and Morgan City, Louisiana. No enlargement or changes in

these facilities w i l l be needed to accommodate the proposed drilling

a c tivity. Approximately 40 rig crew members, and supervisory personnel

w i l l be required on each sevm day tour. In addition, about 25

other service company people will be required during the course

of the drilling operation.

Radio dispatchers working on 12 hour shifts will be located at

the shore bases. Other personnel located at each the shore base

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include a shore base supervisor and three transportation supervisors

to handle the loading and transfer of supplies and material onto

workb'oats for use at the d r i l l site. Workboats require a crew of

It is not known if the proposed exploratory effort within

the project area will be productive of oil and/or gas; however,

i t would not be expected that any additional expansion of the

onshore bases would be needed in any event since the existing

facilities are not being operated at full capacity,

(d/ DESCRIPTION OF NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOGY

There will not be any new techniques or unusual technology

required in carrying out the proposed drilling operation.

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

A shoreline vicinity plat showing the location of the project

area with respect to the coastline of the State of Louisiana

i s attached. Also attached is a plat showing the location

of the d r i l l site within Block 311.

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

OF OIL AND GAS

The proposed activity la to conduct an exploratory investigation

for oil and gas. If hydrocarbons are discovered, a development/

production plan will be submitted at that time describing the

plana for transporting oil and gas to shore and to markets on the

mainland.

(3) DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTEP ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACT

(•) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

(1) Commercial Fishing

normally working tours of 7 to 14 days.

(c) NEW PPORT FACILITY

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The lease s i t e i s approximately 65 statute miles offshore

Louis iana in water depths ranging 360 to 530 feet . j

The Gulf fishery is dominated by the shell fisheries; i.e.,

shrimp, cribi, and oysters with small amounts of clam and scallops.

The dollar value is twice that of the finfish harvest although

the finfish landings are much greater. The shrimp fishery

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

almost exclusively by trawl fishing in water depths from 6 to 250

feet. The catch in 1980 from Louisiana waters was 88.7 million

pounds valued at $99.3 million.

These species of shrimp spawn in the open ocean and undergo a

series of larval phases in the plankton, followed by migration in

the post-larval phase to an estuarine nursery area, then return to

the ocean as adults.

The crab is also an im. ortant commerial fishery offshore

Louisiana. The blue crab makes up 98Z of the crab harvest for the

Gulf Region (Riley, 1970). Its l i f e cycle ls similar to the shrimp

in that lt undergoes the planktonic, estuarine, and open ocean

phases. Gravid females migrate to the open Gulf and release their

eggs ln the spring and summer months. The adult crabs ar< found

in the estuarines and thus inland from the leased area.

South Timbalier Area is also an important commercial fishing

ground for finfish. Among the more important species off Lafourche

Parish coast include the red drum, black drum, sea trout, and

flounder. These f i j h species are usually taken near shore. Sea

trout, both silver and white, are bottom fish ln the Northern Gull

and are usually taken by bottom trawls. Other important species

3

V , • • *

include red snapper and grouper which are taken by hook and line

i n water deths from 5' to 1000*. The Atlantic croaker la an i

abundant fishery i n Louisiana s estuarine water. The Florida

pompjaAo is an irtshpre fish taken i n tho surf or "at passes and is

seasonally abundan. from January to April i n shrimping areas.

Annual landings of commercial fisheries o ff the coasts of

Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Jefferson Parishes t o t a l

337.2 million pounds for year valued at 38.7 m i l l i o n dollars.

The project area i s outside the lim i t s for the harvest of pink,

brown, and white shrimp, as well as the menhaden harvest area. The

p r o j e c t area, however, is within other important fishery areas such

as che royal red shrimp and 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 operation may degrade the water quality

i n the iipniediate v i c i n i t y of the d r i l l site temporarily due to

discharges of d r i l l mud and cuttings. Such a change i n water

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

d r i l l site during this period while active d r i l l i n g operations

are underway. Once d r i l l i n g is completed the population should

r e t u r n to the area.

Some larvae and eggs of certain species could also be adverse­

l y affected in the immediate area of the d r i l l s i t e due to tem­

porary degradation of water quality. Thia condition would be short

term and would not be expected to have any measurable effect on

any fishery. /

The impact from the discharge of d r i l l cuttings would be to

smother sessile benthic organisms i n the area around the well.

4

1 • . «

Studies have ahown that these deposits are quickly re-colonized

(Zingula, 1*975). Also', heavy solids contained in d r i l l mud dis­

charges may, also be deposited on the bottom as a light coating

which .ay Have some temporary adverse effect. These areas appar­

ently are) cJuickly repopulated indicating no persistant toxicity of

the mud sedimentF. (Reigh et a l , 1980; Gilbillae et a l , 1980)

An oil s p i l l could also cause water quality degradation due

to the introduction of possible toxins into the water column.

Most adult fish, however, would probably avoid such areas and

no significant or persistent direct effect on fish population

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

tainment and clean-up. Oil spills have a low probability of

occurring during exploratory drilling. (Dannenberger, 1976)

(2) Shipping

South Timbalier Blks. 311, 312 and 319 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 that fish which would normally be scattered

throughout large areas are often concentrated in small areas

surrounding petroleum platforms and are attracted by the food

and shelter which the structure offers. Many of the fish species

that congregate around petroleum structures are prime sport fishing

targets including snapper, grouper, mackerels, cobia, etc. It is

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

effect on the carrying capacity or the size distribution of fish

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

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assumed that the qual'ity and quantity of offshoie fishing would

be further, enhance by any increase in petroleum structures on the

OCS. As d result, these structures provide both sport and commercial

fisherme^ijan area wfcht an abundant fish population. * The Gulf of

Mexico Fishery Management Council (G.M.F.M.C) recently published

data indicating that red snapper stocks were on the decline and

this condition was possibly due to over fishing by the recreational

fisher (1980 b). The GMFMC report suggested the posoiblity, too,

that the apparent decline in snapper population may not be a real

one but rather the population spread out over greater areas due to

increasing numbers at platforms being installed. According to the

report, natural reef fishing habitat 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

another 5,000 KM2 of habitat.

(4) Cultural Resources

The leased area is outside the high probability lines for

prehistoric and historic cultural resources (U.S.O.I., FREIS, 1983,

Visual No. 11). A cultural resources survey as specified in Lease

Stipulation No. 1 was not required to be run over the leased area

(Letter to Lessee from MMS, July 1983). Most known historical

cultural resources are located much closer to shore than the project

area. Approximately 82Z of known shipwrecks are located within 10

kilometers of shore, with only a small percentage occurring further

out on the continental shelf (U.S.D.I., 1979, page 91). The

possibility of prehistoric cultural resources would also be remote

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, 1

since , the leased iarea ia submerged at a much greater depth (more

than 115 meters) than the - 45 meter sea level generally accepted

as inhabitable by t erres t ia l f l o r a and fauna,,including

particular concern in the project area. The Diaphus Bank, a

designated bio logical ly sens i t ive area, i s located approximately

f ive statute miles west of Block 319. The so called "3 Mile Zone"

around the Bank does not extend into the project area but does

extend into the blocks immediately west of Blocks 312 and 319.

Any dr i l l ing ac t iv i ty within the "3 Mile Zone" is res tr ic ted by

the requirements of Lease St ipulat ion No. 2. The Diaphus Bank

i s one of four banks that has been categorized by Bright and

Rizak (1981) as being somewhat less diverse and productive and

the question s t i l l remains as to whether the Bank deserves the

protection required by the "3 Mile Zone" r e s t r i c t i o n s . A DOI

funded study by the National Academy of Science i s looking into

the fate and ef fects of d r i l l i n g muds and cuttings in marine

waters and the results of th i s study may cause a re-evaluation of

current d r i l l i n g res tr ic t ions on not only these four banks but

a l l other banks as wel l . ( U . S . D . I . , FREIS, pages 78 - 86)

The ent ire Louisiana coastal zone has been Included in the

8tate'8 coastal zone management area. As such, any proposed OCS

act iv i ty must be reviewed by the state's CZM and, as provided by

Federal law, such act iv i ty must be consistant with the state*s

management plan before a permit for the project can be issued by

the responsible Federal agency.

t5) Ecological ly Sensit ive Features

There are no" biological ly sensitive features or area of

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(6) Existtrig'Pipeline and Cables

There are no pipelines or no known cables crossing the project

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

i f ) Other Mineral Uses

There are no known mineral resources i n the leased area I

other than possible o i l and gas deposits.

(8) Ocean Dumping A c t i v i t i e s

The leased area is not located within any EPA designated ocean

dumping s i t e or any interim dumping s i t e . (U.S.D.I., FREIS, 1983,

Visual 11).

(9) Endangered or Threaten Species

Seven species of marine mammals that have been sighted in the

Gulf of Mexico have been classified as endangered species (Federal

Register, 1975). These are the sperm whale, right whale, humpback

whale, sei whale, f i n whale, blue whale, and the West Indian manatee.

Five species of marine t u r t l e s that occur i n the Gulf area are

also on the endangered or threatened species l i s t . These are the

loggerhead, green Atlantic Ridley, hawksbill, and the leatherback.

According to Hildebrand, a major feeding area for the Atlantic

ridley may be off the Louisiana coast and reports have indicated

that portunid crab comprises a large portion of the diet of the

specimen examined.

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The leatherback', also listed as an endangered ...pedes,

ranges widely throughout the Gulf of Mexico and western North

Atlantic as far north as Nova Scotia. The species, has also

been ob-jejrved in invhqre waters during certain periods of the year

in areas where j e l l y f i s h are found in abundance, presumably I

which they follow and feed upon.

Any impact of the proposed activity on marine mammals and

turtles cannot be accurately assessed but would appear to be some­

what dependent upon the probability of an oil s p i l l , the population

s i z e and distribution of the species, as well as the size and location

of the area impacted by the spilled o i l .

(b) SOCIO-ECONOMIC

No new personnel or othe. significant changes that might other­

wise affect the coastal communities are contemplated by the proposed

exploration effort.

(4) UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACT

Most of the unavoidable adverse impacts are of a temporary

nature and the environment should be completely restored soon after

d r i l l i n g operations have ceased. Discharges of d r i l l mud and cuttings

may cause some water quality degradation while drilling. Similarly,

the deposition of d r i l l cuttings on the ocean floor could smother

sessile benthic organisms but these, too, should quickly re-colonize.

Air quality wi l l be temporarily degraded due to emissions from the

exhaust of diesel engines and possibly hydrocarbon vapors from

diesel storage tanks. Any hydrocarbons vented to the atmosphere

while testing the well may also cause some degradation of air

quality. Any'blowout of a well which caught f i r e may also

introduce Into the atmosphere large amounts of carbon particulates,

and other pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. In

r^oit cases, Suqh a condition would be dissiplted rather quickly by

climatic conditions and would not ^eriously impair air quality at

thie shoreline.

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

the 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 technology that

would tend to mitigate these minimal and temporary adverse impacts

can be expected within the foreseeable future.

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(5) REFBRENCES

Recal Geophysics, Incorporated, July, 19Q3, A High Resolution > Geophysical Survey of South Timbalier Blocks 311, 312 and 319, | Houston, TX.

bajnnenberger-, £. P., 1976, Oil Spills, 1971'- 1975, Gulf of Mexico ' 1 Outer Continental Shelf, Geological Survey

United States^Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and Minerals Management Service, various, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale

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

(6) STATEMENT

The proposed activity will be carried out and completed with

the guarantee of the following items:

(1) The best available and safest technologies will be utilized

throughout the project. This includes meeting a l l applicable re­

quirements for equipment types, general project layout, safety

system?, and equipment and monitoring systems.

(2) All operations will be covered by an MMS approved oil s p i l l

contingency plan.

(3) All applicable Federal, State, and Local requirements regard­

ing air emissons and water quality and discharge for the proposed

activities, as well as any other permit conditions, will be complied

with.

SFC i Upp°rt

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