Xn Reply Refer To: RP-2-1 FEB 26 1985

Sun Exploration end Production Cojepeny Attention: Nr. Alfred B. derwood Post Office Boi 1501 Houston, Texes 77251

Gontl ee**:

Reference Is ned*- ta yonr Init ial Plan cf Explo-ation and Environmental Report received February 12, 1985, for Leese OCS-G 6784, Block 112, Grand Is le Aroa. This plaa incluoes the act iv i t ies proposed fur vei ls A through F.

In accordance uith 30 CFR 250.34, revised December 13, 1979, and ear letter dated January 29, 1979, this plan has heen deteralned to be complete es of February 26, 1985, end I s noo being considered for approval.

Tour plan control istober Is h-20f5 and should be referenced ia year corssunlca­t ion and correspondence concerning t>,.s plan.

bcc: Leese OCS-G 6704 (OPS-3-2) (FILE ROOM) CJPS-3-4 w/Publlc Info. Copy of the plan end ER (PUBLIC RECORDS ROOM)

00-6 — — -

PUTolbert:gcw:2/12/85 Disk 3b

Sincerely yours.

3m o.X. Solanas Regional Sanervisor **u1*s and Production

Office of Program Services

FEB 2 7 1985

Records Management . .Section

PLAN OF EXPLORATION

OCS G 6784

GRANO ISLE AREA SOUTH ADDITION BLOCK 112

SUN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY

Cintact:

A.B. Norwood Sun hxplorat ion and Production Coinpany

P.O. Box 1501 Houston, Texas 77251-1501

Phone: (713) 531-2158

GRAND ISLE AREA SOUTH ADDITION BLOCK 112

OCS G 6784

TABLE OF CON' JS

Descri p t jn of Work

Shallow Hazards Statements

Area Location Maps

Base Support Faci l i ty Data

V i c i n i t y Map

Environmental Safeguards

L i s t o f Mud Additives

Descr ipt ion of Dr i l l i ng Rig

A i r Qual i ty Computations

Geological and Geophysical Data

Environmental Report

Shallow Hazard Survey Report

SUN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY PLAN OF EXPLORATION GRAND ISLE AREA

SOUTH ADDITION BLOCK 112 OCS G 6784

This Exploration Plan for Grand Isle Bloclc 112 has been prepared 1n accordance with 30 CFP 250.34-1, Gulf of Mexico OCS Orders and Notice to Lessees No. 83-3.

This Block was leased in oune 1984. Geophysical activities have been conducted and the first exploratory well should begin as early as April 1, 1985 - subject to the availability of a drilling rig, approval of this Exploration Plan and the required permit to d r i l l .

Well Location Coordinates TVD

A 2500' FNL 5900' FEL 13000

B 500' FNL 6700' FEL 13000

C 4500' FNL 7400' FEL 13000

D 500' FNL 4100' FWL 13000

E 1100' FSL 6625' FWL 13000

Drilling Days

76

76

76

76

76

F 2400' FSL 5100' Fa 13000' 76

• 4,100' 5 °

7,400-

3,100

•6,623- 7 i

I N

Sue Exploration A Produotion Co .

OCS-G-8784 Grand Islo Blk. 112

Plan Of Exploration

8 . LaQrant 1 - 3 0 - 4 6

1" ; I O O O '

Subject SHALLOW HAZARDS AT PROPOSED WELLSITE GRAND ISLE AREA, SOUTH ADDITION, BLOCK 112 OCS-G 6784

Interoffice Correspondence

Date January 31, 1985

Location Gulf of Mexico and East Coast District

From Preston E. Chanay, J r .

To Al B. Norwood

A high resolution mult i-sensor geophysical survey was conducted over the ent ire block by Marine Technical Services, Inc. during June 1984. The results indicate no shallow gas accumulation or seafloor condition which would interfere with operations from a semi-submersible d r i l l i n g vessel at any of the fo l lowing surface locations:

Location Coordinates

A B C D E F

2500' 500'

4500' 500'

1100' 2400'

FNL FNL FNL FNL FSL FSL

& S 5 & & &

5900' FEl., Block 112 6700' FEL, Block 112 7400' FEL, Block 112 4100' FWL, Block 112 6625' FWL, Block 112 5100' FEL, Block 112

PRESTON E. CHANEY, JR. Manager of Geophysics East Coast and Gulf o f Mexico D i s t r i c t

A Shallow Hazard Survey was completed in June 1984. Two copies of th is repor t are enclosed. One copy is being sent d i rec t l y to the MMS D is t r i c t O f f i c e .

i nil VV T immm

OTHER DATA AND INFORMATION

Sun w i l l utilize the existing Sabine Base site at Sabine Pass, Texas

and wi l l also lease existing facilities from a contractor In Dulac,

Louisiana to support these proposed operations.

This present (since 1973) offshore support terminal encompasses

a total area of 4.25 acres and includes an office building with small

inside storage area; pipe and equipment storage yard, boat dock, bulk

mud storage, diesel fuel storage, and bulk cement storage and a large

warehouse.

Travel routes for boats from Sabine Pass will be directly to the Sea

Buoy (18 miles) then directly to Grand Isle Block 112 surface location.

Travel routes for boats from Dulac will be via the Houma Navigational

Canal into the Gulf of Mexico then directly to Block 112. Sun will

u t i l ize the PHI facilities at Houma for helicopter transportation from

the Dulac area. Helicopters will use the most direct route feasible.

Boat and helicopter trips to Grand Isle Block 112 will probably occur

on an average of three trips per week to transport personnel and/or

supplies.

AIR QUALITY CALCULATIONS

An Air Quality Calculations report is attached. The results of this

report show that the amount of emissions expected for this activity

are below the exemption amount and that further review is not required

in accordance with 30 CFR 250.57-l(d).

fttfiWrtrim.riiw'r- • • m i r li-j i n i ."' - • ' [ - . I — M W

GRAND ISLE AREA BLOCK 112

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• l { IS I * I S IB IT IS

I .S . COAST GUARD PROPERTY

SUN of net IUI ioi *c.

• IMMQOU

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• ARtHOUU

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VICINITY MAP

10 10 10 40 so

SOI EXPLORATIQM I PROOUCTIOM CO.

SHIRE PASS USE SITE

SASINE PASS

vr tc to fa j i * " " " » - ..Tryif•

ENVIRONMENTAL-SAFEGUARDS

Sun Exploration and Production Company (Sun) w i l l adhere to a l l applicable environmental standards of the EPA, MMS and U.S. Coast Guard. Sun is a member of Clean Gulf Associates (CGA) and w i l l u t i l i z e the i r equipment and the manpower and expert ise of Peterson Maritime Services, Inc. as well as other spec ia l is ts in pol lut ion control and clean up as needed.

Existing o i l s p i l l cleanup equipment w i l l beach ^ c t ! , : and b i rd cleanii.g station are a l l w i th in a few hours ca l l in v event. >f a s p i l l . This equipment is maintained on standby and in a ready > >te at CGA locations at Grand I s l e , Louisiana; Houma, Louisiana; Intra Coastal C i ty , Louisiana; Cameron, Louisiana; Galveston, Texas and Rockport, Texas.

The average response t ines (including load-out and t ravel ) for the major pieces of o i l s p i l l containment and clean-up equipment available ( i . e . . Fast Response Skimmer Systems I and I I , Containment Boom, Radio System, Saucer Type Skimmers, Boat Spray System, e tc . ) are projected as fo l lows:

Location Hours

Cameron, Louisiana 35 Intra-Coastal C i t y , Louisiana 30 Galveston, Texas 30 Houma, Louisiana 22 Grand Is le, Louisiana 15 Venice, Louisiana 17 Rockport, Texas 40+

The response times f o r larger equipment (High Volume, Open Sec immer System - Hoss Barge) and/or smaller equipment w i l l vary considerably according to the point *»t i n , type of t ransportat ion, weather cordit ions etc.

A copy of Sun's Oi l Spi l i .ert Procedure fo r the Gulf of Mexico is on f i l e with the U.S. MMS o f f i ces in the Gulf of Mexico area. Sun intends tc u t i l i ze Peterson Maritime Services, Inc. for cleanup operations should an o i l sp i l l occur.

Sun w i l l not dispose of well f lu ids containing free o i l into the Gulf of Mexico. Any f l u i d containing free o i l w i l l be brought to shore for proper disposal. A l l so l i d wastes w i l l be disposed of as per OCS Oraer No. 7. Sun's personnel w i l l be instructed in the techniques of equipment maintenance and operation re la t ive to po l lu t ion prevention, and pol lut ion inspections w i l l be performed as per OCS Order No.7.

Sun's base of operations in case of an o i l s p i l l is the emergency response center in our o f f i ces at Houston, Texas. Field personnel w i l l be dispatched from our base support f a c i l i t y at Sabine Pass, Texas.

OCS G 6784

GRAND ISLE BLOCK 112

DKILLING MUD MATERIALS

Trade Names (Magcobar)

Salt Gel Magcogel Magcobar XP-20 Spersenr Caustic Soda Drispac Aluminum Sterate Bicarbonate of Soda Nut Plug Magco-Mica Soda ftivh CMC HEC l-cphite DD XC Polymer

Tanathin MC Quer-arhc Ben-Ex

W0-3C (Mi /cer,' Bitwise v Mud & Chem) Disp'iaif • V.;or Mud A Chem) Clean Spe* 'Delta)

Black Hagic* - Sack Fishing

Generic Name

Attapulgite Bentonite Barite Chrome Lignite Chrome Lignosulfonat* Caustic Soda Polyanionic Cellulose Aluminum Sterate Bicarbonate of Sooa Walnut Hulls Mica Soda Ash Carbonxy-methy Cellulose Hydroxy-ethyl Cellulose Graphite Dri l l ing Detergent Carbohydr* e ftiorcV, •

Visc- js i f i -r Lig'-He Lignosulfonate Vinyl Acetate-Maleic

AnhyeVide Copolync Graded Calcium Ca'-bor.ate Mineral Oil w/surfactant Mineral Oil b/gilsonite Minera". 011 w/a^ide

emulsifier, fa t ty adds, and wetting a^nt

Diesel w/alr-blcvin asphalt, Calcium Hydroxidi fat ty acids, surfactant

* l f tMs material is used, ,? wi l l be hauled to shore ior disposal.

Or i l l i ig mud w i l l be utilized on well-bywell basis with the excess being dumped overboard.

1C4/6 . - (7)

DESCRIPTION OF DRTLLING RIC

The d r i l l i n g r i g to oe used has not been contract,- a, iio«fever Sun intends to use i semi-submersll»lt such aa the "Ocean Scout" which l s described herein.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

i'he "Ocean Scout" i s a semi-submersible (\nrest-tcted c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ) d r i l l i n g p l a tform b u i l t i n I f f 4 by Bethlehem bUual Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland f o r ODECO, i n c . , New Orleans, Louisiana.

The d r i l l i n g p l a tform cor. st i . s c f two par*, l e l rectangular sh. oe hulls spaced 150 k-0" on centers, w i t h lour tv vner coluns and *n upper watertight h u l l ?.*pr.orted by th'' covner columns, f o u r intermediate columns, four transversa 1 -;Wi.a«.<l trusses and two incline-' l o n g i t u d i n a l trusses.

Tr-. ui i l l f l o o r i s si.poorted by a horse « ss and two c o l t trusses «c the 127'-6" l e v , I .

DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS•

The platform i s capable o. o r i l l i n g l n wat T depts up t o 600 f t . ut.^'-O" to 51*»-0" d r a f t s and w i t h nominal modif i c a - l o n r deeper water depths can be obtained.

S t a b i l i t y of the "Ocean Scout" has been approved by the American Bureau of Shipping. The st r u c t u r e i s designed f o r Gulf of Mexico sea conditions (68 f t . wave height - 15 second period) a t a nominal d r a f t of *l8 f t .

Approximate n a t u r a l motion periods w i t h f u l l deck load are as follows:

"OCEAN F.COUT"

Roll Pitch Heave

31.0 (seconds) 25.0 (seconds) 17.0 (seconds)

QUARTERS:

Accommodation" j~e provided f o r a crew o f 59 men i n a i r c o n d i t i o n e d quarter-;.

HELICOr ?fR DECK:

T i i 'OAicopter d^ck has a cl«»ar landing are*1, o f 67 f t . X \\$ f t . anc w i l l accommodate an S-61 he l i cop t e r .

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:

Main power l s provided by three (3) EMD d ie se l engines, Model S-16 615, each r a t ed 1950 HP at 900 RPM. Two (2) engines, each d r i v ' • two (2) 1600 KWDC generators and one (1> 600/1000 KWAC gene.- .or. One (1) engine d r i v i n g two (2) 1600 KWDC gener­a t o r s .

MOCRING f t J ^ M :

The "Ocean Scout" i s he ld on l oca t i on by eight. (8) 30,000 l b . S t a to ar r i i T s . Each anchor l s equipped w i t h 21, ;0 f t . o f 2 1/2" die:.oner Jtud l i n k cha in , break te?t 7H.000 l u . , proof t e s t *I92. 0w lbs . A d d i t i o n a l chain can be added slnoe leaker voiumn l s avai lable .

Ther.* are Tour Bendix-Skaglt double drum anchor windlasses. Each windlass ls d7>lven by a Westinghouse Model 370 DZ, 1000 HP D.C. e l ec t r i c t r a c t i o n motor, rated 181,000 l b s . p u l l at s t a l l . The band brakes have a s t a t i c orake r a t i n g o f 276,000 l b s . Releasable .-haIn stoppers are also I n s t a l l e d .

The attached diagram shows a t y p i c a l anchor pat tern f o r the "Ocean Sc&ut".

*

I MA M H 0 I ,••*•".•»£ LAUNCH

. I LC"FA DECK

COwTfcOL hOOr-. Df CK A d i

DRILLING DRAFT IS ' -C fABL

OCFAN SCOUT BG * RD PROF (STB*D. SIDE)

OUTBOARD P R O F I L E

TYPICAL £"|GHT PJ/MT SPREAD M O O R I N G S Y S T E M , F O R

S E M I S U B M E R S I B L E R I G

Scale \**lQOO' KJHay* : *U2QI47.

OllUm -XLou* *k©' ' o f Water

TYPICAL DIVERTER SYSTEM BASED

OOECO - OCEAN SCOUT

ON TUE

©

Flow Line To Shale Shaker

Regan type KIDS diverter

(^2^ Telescopic Joint

12" Diverter Line

( V ) ISO psi WECO gate valv«

X©

1 To

Starboard

»

AIR QUALITY CALCULATIONS FOR DRILLING OPERATIONS

GRAND ISLE 112

Using the ODECO "Ocean Scout" as a typical semi-submersible d r i l l i n g r i g . Equipment Includes:

3 EMD S-16-645 rated 1950 BHP ft 900 RPM 1 Lister SR-2Z rated 12 BHP ft 1800 RPM 2 GM 6-7IN rated 238 BHP ft 2100 RPM 1 GM 3-53 rated 68 BHP ft 2100 RPM 2 6M 8V-71 rated 318 BHP ft 2100 RPM

Fuel Consumption:

A. Dr i l l ing operations

B. Non d r i l l i ng operations

C. Transportation

Total Fuel Usage

Projected Emissions:

5008 gal/day

2454 gal/day

1250 gal/day

8712 gal/day

Particulates (TSP) 8712 gal x ]365 days x (*33.5 lb ) x (ton)

day x y r . 1000 gal 2000 lb « 53.26 tons

year

Sulphur Oxides (SOx) 8712 x 365 x *31.2 x 1 - 49.6 tons

1000 2000 year

Nitrous Oxides (NOx) 8712 x 365 x *469 x 1 - 745.68 tons

1000 2000 year

Hydrocarbons (HC) 8712 x 365 x *37.5 x 1 - 59.62 tons

1000 2000 year

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 8712 x 365 x *102 x 1 » 162.17 tons

1000 2000 year

* A i r emission factors obtained from EPA-42 Appendix C, Supplement 9.

Block G.I. 112 is 52 miles from Pt. "Belle" (nearest land).

1E4/382 - (1)

SUMMARY OF EXEMPTION

CALCULATION INFORMATION

POLLUTANT FORMULA D(ni les) "E" (T/yr) PROJECTED EMISSIONS(T/yr)

EMISSIONS £E?

TSP E-33.3D 52 1,731.6 53.26 yes

so2 E-33.3D 52 1,731.6 49.6 yes

E*33.3D 52 1,731.6 745.68 yes

HC E-33.30 52 1,731.6 59.62 yes

CO E«3400D 2/3 52 47,368 162.17 yes

1E4/382 - (2)

Sun Exploration and Production Company, as Operator, believes this

Information submitted separately from Exploration Plan for CCS G 6784

Grand Isle Block 112 to be exempt from disclosure. Sun requests

that the data and Information enclosed herewith be dispersed for use

only by the United States Govemment.

Geological information provided includes:

1. Structural maps.

2. Cross Section.

The exploratory wel ls, proposed TD 13,000' TVD, 1n Grand Isle Block 112, OCS-G-6784, are targeted to test the potential of the Pleistocene Trim A and Trim B sands, as wel l as possible Lentic I sands seen in area wel l control. These sands and associated structures w i l l be tested on the northern flanks of a l a t e piercement sa l t feature.

D r i l l i ng Days

76

76

76

76

76

76

Well Location Coordinates TVD

A 2500* FNL 5900' FEL 13000'

B 500' FNL 6700* FEL 13000'

C 4500' FNL 7400' FEL 1M0D'

D 500' FNL 4100' FWL 13000'

E 1100' FSL 6625' FWL 13000'

F 2400' FSL 5100' FEL 13000'

-1 m m i * I I i

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

PLAN OF EXPLORATION OCS G-6784

GRANO ISLE AREA, SOUTH ADDITION LEASE BLOCK NO. 112

Sun Exploration and Production Coinpany

February 11, 1985

Contact: A. B. Norwood Conservation Manager Sun Exploration and Production Company P.O. Box 1501 Houston, Texas 77251 Phone: 713/531-2158

t

1C4/712

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page 1

Table of Contents i i

1.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION 1

2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS 2

2.1 Physical and Environmental Parameters 2

2.1.1 Commercial Fishing 2

2.1.2 Shipping 2

2.1.3 Small Cra f t Pleasure Boating, Sport Fishing,

and Recreation 3

2.1.4 Cultural Resources 3

2.1.5 Ecological ly Sensitive Areas 3

2.1.6 Exist ing Pipelines/Cables 4

2.1.7 Other Mineral Uses 4

2.1.8 Ocean Dumping Grounds *

2.1.9 Endangered/Threatened Species *

2.2 Socioeconomic Parameters 4

3.0 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE

PROPOSED ACTION 6

4.0 GUARANTEE 7

5.0 REFERENCES 8

1.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

A "Plan of Exploration" for Grand Isle Area, South Addition, Lease Bloclc No. 112 (Sun Exploration and Production Company, 1985) is being submitted concurrently with this "Environmental Report" Ly Sun Exploration and Production Company. Please refer to that report for a description of the proposed exploration activities for the referenced lease block. Additional data, required by the "Guidelines For Preparation of An Environmenta1 Report for Coastal Management Consistency Determination by the State r Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi'' (U.S.G.S., 1980), 1s presented tne following paragraphs.

Sun Exploration and Production Company presently lias a support base at Sabine Pass, Texas (approximately 217 miles from the site), and an existing major mud company facility at Dulac, Louisiana (approx­imately 65 miles from the site) will be used for exploration activities. These facilities are described 1n the exploration plan. No new support facilities or new workers 1 anticipated as a result of the proposed activity.

Helicopters, work boats, and crew boats will be utilized for transporting personnel and supplies to the area from Sabine Pass, Texas and Dulac, Louisiana. A helicopter will make one to two trips daily during drilling operations. A crew boat or supply boat will make one trip per day on an average. The route travelled will normally be direct from the base to the drilling site.

A contingency plan for preventing, reporting, and cleaning up spills of oil or waste materials 1s presented 1n the Plan of Explora­tion (Sun Exploration and Production Company, 1985) in the section entitled "Environmental Safeguards." Additionally, Sun Exploration and Production Company's Oil Spill Alert Procedure for the Gulf of Mexico 1s on file with the Minerals Management Service (M.M.S.) offices 1n the Gulf of Mexico area.

Calculations of air pollutant emissions are presented in the Plan of Exploration (Sun Exploration and Production Company, 1985). A l i s t of drilling mud materials to be utilized is also presented in that report, along with the project vicinity map.

There will be no other new or unusual activity associated with the project.

(1)

2.0 DISCRETION OF - ECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS

A description o the affected environment in the area of Grand Isle South Addition, Lease Bloclc No. 112, is presented 1n the "Final Regional Environmental Impact Statement, Gulf of Me*?™" (U.S.O.I., M.M.S., 1983). Please refer to that documer where adc -tional data for the project area is required. The following settlors contain a brief summary of the physical, environmental, and socic»co-nomic parameters of the area.

2.1 Physical and Environmental Parameters

2.1.1 Commercial Fishing

Fisheries resources provide a viable industry in \* ' " , l f of Mexico, with a :979 value of $530.1 million (U.S.D.I., 15-31). The major fishing ports near tho lease block are Dulac-Chauvln a-d Cameron, Louisiana. The fisher> . f the Gulf of Mexico are dcmi ated by estaurine associated sh* fisheries: shrimp, crab, and oystfr* (with smaller amounts of ind scallops). The western Gulf shrlm) ilshery 1s comprised mainly o"* irown and white shrimps. Louisiana contributes nearly half the oyscer̂ harvested in the Gulf annually. The major finfisheHes in the western Gulf are for industrial fish.is, with menhaden dominating the area from Mississippi through che irea off Galveston, Texas (U.S.D.I., 1978).

In Louisiana, shrimp (primori'y brown and white) constitutes the most important fishery, followed by menhaden and oyster fishery. Shrimp and oysters are estuarine associated species and are centered on the mud and sand bottoms off the coast of Louisiana. Menhaden occur 1n the shallow waters, with about 03 percent of this Wishing occurring within 10 miles of shore. Grani Isle Area, South Addition Block No. 112 is located approximately 50 miles fron land and 1s near the approximate outer limits of brown and white shrimp harvest areas and major finfish grounds (U.S.D.I., M.M.S., 1983) Due to this distance, 1t 1s unlikely that operations will Interfere with commercial fishing.

Commercial and sport fishing in tht area of the proposed platform wil l be enhanced due to the creation of an art i f icial reef which pro­vides shelter for marine l i f e .

2.1.2 Shipping

Gulf shipping is both intercoastal and international, with barges and supertankers competing for harbor and river space. In the oper Gulf, ships have to compete with barges, fishing vessels, oil and gas platforms, supp1. boats, and recreational vessels; however, accidents are rare and sa-?ty fairways are well known. A more detailed descrip­tion of shipping <n the area is presented in Section I I . C.I.E., Transportation, pages 11-57 through 11-64, of the final EIS for Lease Sale No. 51 (U.S.u.i., 1978),

The possibility that a ship will collide with the platform Is minimal, since the platform and associated activities will be located

(2)

outs ide of fairways and t r a n s i t lanes. Grand Is le Area South A d d i t i o n , Lease Block 112, i s located approximately 2 miles from the nearest fairway (U.S.D. I . , M.M.S., 19C3).

c .1 .3 Small Craft Pleasure Boating, Sport Fishing, and Recreation

The northern Gulf of Mexico coastal zone 1s a major recreational aroa f o r saltwater f ish ing and beach-oriented a c t i v i t i e s . Shell f ishlng and small boat pleasure boating are also major recreational a c t i v i t i e s . Boats 16 feet or greater are po ten t ia l l y capable of venturing offshore.

The proposed ac t i v i t y w i l l tak»- p\.;> approximately 50 miles from shore. Due to th is d istance, I t i t u r i U t l y that th is area w i l l be vised f o r recreational purposes or that operations in the area w i l l

n : .er fere with recreational a c t i v i t i e s .

2 1.4 Cultural Resources

There are no known cu l tu ra l resources in the area of the proposed s i t e and the potential f o r occurrence of cul tural resources in the area 1s low. Lease st ipulat ions do not require an archaeological survey to be performed; however, a geophysical survey performed in July, 1984 ( ' i r l n e Technical Sources, Inc. 1984) did not Indicate any anomalies In the area.

2 .1 .5 Ecologically Sensit ive Areas

The Gulf of Mexico coastal zone includes publ ic ly owned areas such as national seashores, parks, beaches, and w i l d l i f e land'., as well as specially designated preservation areas, such as h is tor ic and natura l sites and landmarks, wilderness areas, w i l d l i f e sanctuaries, and scenic r ivers. A c t i v i t i e s in the area of the proposed s i te are regulated by Louisiana's Coastal Zone Management Program. A more de ta i led description of parks and refuges in the Gulf area is presented 1n the f inal EIS for Lease Sale No. 51 , Section I I . C L E . (1 ) ; how­ever , there are no parks or refuges in the v l d n i t y of the proposed a c t i v i t y and the proposed a c t i v i t y is not expected to af fect such an area.

Lease Block 112 is located approximately 50 miles from shore. Due to t h i s distance, routine operations w i l l not a f fec t Louisiana's sensi­t i v e coastal areas. I t Is also unl ikely that a blowout or o i l s p i l l would occur which would reach these sensitive areas. In the event of a non-routine incident, such as a blowout or an o i l s p i l l , p r i o r i t y w i l l be given to protection of sensi t ive areas.

The hard bottom area nearest Grand Is le Area, South Addit ion, Lease Block 112 Is Sackett Bank, approximately 30 miles from the Block, (U.S.D.I., M.M.S., 1983). Routine operat ic 3 are not l i ^ l y to a f f e c t this bank. In the event of a blowout or o i l s p i l l , p r i o r i t y w i l l be given to protection of these banks.

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2.1.6 Existing Pipelines/Cables

There are no known pipel ines in th is block.

2 .1 .7 Other Mineral Uses

There are no known mineral deposits of commercial importance w i t h i n the lease bloc', and potent ial is low for impacts to mining a c t i v i t i e s occurring outside the lease block.

2 .1 .8 Ocean Dumping Grounds

There are no known ocean dumping sites in the area of the proposed s i t e . 2 .1 .9 Endangered/Threatened Species

Several federally designated endangered species occur, ei ther on a pennanent or t ransi t ional bas is , wi thin the region of Grand Is le Area South Addition, Lease Block No. 112 (U.S.D. I . , 1979). These species Include the s e i , f i n , b lue, r i g h t , and sperm whales, which occur 1n the central and western Gulf of Mexico. The red wolf may be found along the Lulf coast 1n Chambers and Jeffer.on Counties, Texas, and Cameron and Vermilion °ar1shes, Louisiana. Addi t ional ly, popula­t i o n s of whooping cranes, bald eagles, hrown pe 1 leans, Attwater's p r a i r i e chickens, American a l l i g a t o r s , and Kemp's Ridley sea tur t les are known to nest in the coastal areas of the western Gulf of Mexico.

The potential f o r Impact from thir, project on these endangered species i * low, since the pro.nseti ac t i v i t y w i l l take place approxi­mately 50 miles from shore. In the event of a non-routine Incident, sue! as a blowout or o i l s p i l l , p r i o r i t y w i l l be given to the protec­t i o n of any endangered species in the area.

2.2 Socioeconomic Parameters

Economic ac t i v i t y in the Gulf coastal area is dependent upon i t s abundance of natural resources, including o i l and gas and support i ndus t r i es , commercial f i s h i n g , and recreation and tourism. Major t ransportat ion systems, such as the Mississippi River, are the basis f o r port ac t i v i t y , which is s ign i f icant to l oca l , regional, and nat ional economies. A more detai led description of the socioeconomic environment is presented in Section I I I . C . of the f ina l EIS for Lease Sales A66 and 66 (U .S .D . I . , 1980).

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No expansion of the e x i s t i n g shore base f a c i l i t y 1s expected as a r e s u l t of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . Addi t ional ly , there w i l l be no new employment as a result of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

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3.0 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

Unavoidable adverse e f f ec t s of the proposed action w i l l be minimal. They can bt. summarized as fol lows:

(1) the nonnal and rout ine ac t i v i t i es of o i l and gas e>olor-ation and development operations w i l l produce no s ign i ­f icant long-term adverse environmental e f fec ts , although in a few instances (pipeline construct ion, muds and cuttings d i sposa l , e t c . ) , short-term local adverse ef fec ts , such as an increase in a i r emissions and water turb id i ty dur ing d r i l l i n g operations, ma> *esult; and

(2) non-routine inc iden ts , such as blowouts and o i l s p i l l s , may produce s i gn i f i can t and longer-term adverse e f fec ts , depending on the location and size of the incident, but tlie l i ke l i hood of such an Incident occurring in or near an area where the ef fects would be s ign i f i can t ( in shal­low water, near a shore, in wetland, e t c . ) i s s ta t i s ­t i c a l l y very smal l .

The proposed project w i l l help to meet current energy demands wi thout continued dependence on foreign Imports. Because 1t w i l l contr ibute signif icant bene f i c ia l energy needs and economic gains for the United States, wi th only a negligible adverse ef fect on the environment, Sun Exploration and Production Company believes the pro ject is j u r t ; f i e d and should be approved as proposed.

4.0 GUARANTEE

The proposed a c t i v i t y w i l l be carried out and completed with the guarantee of the fo l lcwing i temr:

(1) the best ava i lab le and safest technologies w i l l be u t i ­l ized throughout the project . This i n c i t e s meeting a l l applicable requirements for equipment tyi>es, general p. j j e c t l ayou t , safety systems, and equipment and moni­toring systems;

(2) a l l operations w i l l be covered by a M.M.S.-approved o i l sp i l l contingency plan; and

(3) a l l appl icable Federal, State, and local requirements regarding a i r emissions and water qua l i ty and discharge for the proposed a c t i v i t i e s , as well as any other permit condit ions, w i l l be complied w i th .

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5.0 REFERENCES

Lelpper, D. F. 1954, Physical oceanography of the Gulf of Mexico. In : Gulf of Mexico, i t s o r i g i n , waters and marine l i f e . P. S. Galtsoff ( ed . ) . Fishery Bul le t in 89. F1sh and Wi ld l i f e Service, U. S. Dept. of the I n t . , Washington, D.C. 55: 199-138.

MTS 1984 A High-Resolution Geophysical Survey Report, Grand Isle Area, Block 112, Offshore Louisiana, OCS-G-6784.

Sin Exploration and Production Company. 1984. Plan of Exploration, Ship Shoal Area, South Addition Lease Block No. 282, July, 1984.

U.S. Department of I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management (U.S.D. I . ) . 1978. Proposed 1978 outer continental shelf o i l and gas lease sale, offshore western and central Gulf of Mexico, OCS Sale #51, draft environmental impact statement. Washington, D.C.

. 1979. Final environmental Impact statement; OCS Sale 58. Proposed 1979 OCS o i l and gas lease Sale 58: western and central Gulf o f Mexico. 2 vols. Washington, D.C. vo l . 1 .

. 1980. Final environmental Impact statement; OCS o i l and gas proposed 1981 Sales A66 and 66, prepared by the New Orleans Outer Continental Shelf Of f ice, New Orleans, Lousiana.

, 1981. Final environmental impact statement; propof-to OtS oi l and gas Sales 67 and 69; prepared by the New Orleans Outer Continental Shelf Of f ice , New Orleans, Louisiana.

U.S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Geological Survey. (U.S.G.S.). 1980. Guidelines f o r preparing an outer continental shelf environ­mental report fo . toastal Management Consistency Determina­tion by the States of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi , Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of I n t e r i o r , Minerals Management Service (U.S.D. I . , M.M.S.). 1983. Final regional environmental impact statements, Gulf of Mexico, volumes I and I I . Metair ie, Louisiana.

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COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION

GRAND ISLE BLOCK 112

OCS G 6784

The proposed activities described in detail 1n this Plan comply with Louisiana's approved Coastal Management Program and w i l l be conducted in a manner consistent with such programs.

Arrangements have been made with the State-Times in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to publish a public notice of the proposed activities no later than March 1, 1985.

Sun Exploration & Production Company