46
In Aepiy Befar Toi P04M JW IT. t Baplaraeiaa fartaera, LTD. o^^t aj^fcae** o\^Daa^a* a^J^a} a?e9a( 4^eaa^^J)a) ^L^L^ foot Off ioo ios 51)66 Lafayette, fovteiaaa T0506-1366 Haferenoo lo route to your Initio! flea of BxpleratU* ono oooooaoayloc inforantloo rooelved Mao 13, 1fM v far '—ri m i fctAfi Mlf, Blook* 656, 660, and 661, Veat Caan IMI Aroa. tola plaa laelaaoa tte aoUvltleo propoaad far Velio A and B in Bleak 656, Velio A, B, end C la Blook 660, aad Valla A, 6, ead C la Blook 661. la aooordacoo v i t a 30 CTl 250*33, tale plan l a haraby deened eoaeUttae nad l a now being eonsldered for approval. Tear plaa ati h r aaalail le fi Tflin eal abould bo referenced la your eatlea ead oorreapooiaiii ona nam let tale plan. aiaoe*%ly youre, . ., ...J Giroir B. J. f i e l d Operatlona boot Uaaa OCS-G 6606 (0T»~B-4) (Fira BOOH) OCM 6611 (IfkVH) (fXLI BOCM) OCM 6612 (OM-3-t) (FILE BOOH) JOPS-3-4 W Pubilo Info. Copy af the alaa >• info. (PUBLIC BB00BD6) MB Iaa%aa<aoa;t06/n/66i| faVtOffJe

J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

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Page 1: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

In Aepiy Befar Toi P04M J W I T . t

Baplaraeiaa fartaera, LTD. o^ t aj^fcae** o\ Daa a* a^J^a} a?e9a( 4^eaa^^J)a) L L

foot Off ioo ios 51)66 Lafayette, fovteiaaa T0506-1366

Haferenoo lo route to your Init io! flea of BxpleratU* ono oooooaoayloc inforantloo rooelved Mao 13, 1fM v far ' — r i m i fctAfi M l f , Blook* 656, 660, and 661, Veat Caan IMI Aroa. tola plaa laelaaoa tte aoUvltleo propoaad far Velio A and B in Bleak 656, Velio A, B, end C la Blook 660, aad Valla A, 6, ead C la Blook 661.

la aooordacoo vita 30 CTl 250*33, tale plan la haraby deened eoaeUttae nad la now being eonsldered for approval.

Tear plaa ati h r aaalail le fi Tflin eal abould bo referenced la your eatlea ead oorreapooiaiii ona nam let tale plan.

aiaoe*%ly youre,

. ., ...J Giroir

B. J .

field Operatlona

boot Uaaa OCS-G 6606 (0T»~B-4) (Fira BOOH) OCM 6611 ( I f k V H ) (fXLI BOCM) OCM 6612 (OM-3-t) (FILE BOOH)

JOPS-3-4 W Pubilo Info. Copy af the alaa >• info. (PUBLIC BB00BD6)

MB Iaa%aa<aoa;t06/n/66i|

faVtOffJe

Page 2: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

Unocal Oil A O M Dtvtolon Unocal Cofporation 1016 Harding Stroot P.O. Box 51368, O.CS Lafayotto Louiaiana 70506-1386 Taiapnona (316) 232-9724

UNOCAL® C5

X . . , June 10, 1988

U. S. Deportment of the Interior Minerals Management Service 1201 Elmwood Perk Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiena 70123

RE: Plan of Exploration Leases OCS-G 6609, OCS-G 6611 and OCS-G 6612 West Cameron Blocks 658, 660, and 661 Offshore, Louisiana

Gentlemen:

Enclosed for your approval is Union Exploration Partners, LTD.'s Plan of Exploration for eight (8) walls in West Cameron Block 658, 660, and 661, Offshore, Louisiana. As directed, five (5) of the nine (9) copies attached include proprietary information.

Yours very truly,

UNION EXPLORATION PARTNERS, LTD., BY: Union Oil Company of California,

Managing Generel Partner

Ted Russell District Drilling Superintendent

JTR/cv

Enclosures

cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 Uke Charles, Loulslene 70605

BEST AVAILABLE COPY

Page 3: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

UNION EXPLORATION PARTNERS, LID. PLAN OF EXPLORATION

OCS-G 6609, 6611, AID 6612 WEST CAMERON BLOCK 658. 660. AND 661

GENERAL

In accordance vith tha Oil and Gaa Operating Ragulationa 30 CFR 250.3A amended Septeaber 14, 1979, and with the Outer Continental Shelf Und Acts Aaendaants of 1978. Public Uw 95-372, Union Exploretion Pertners, Ltd. respectfully sub-aits the following initial Plen of Exploretion for approval.

SECTION 250.34-1 (a)(l)(i)

Drilling operetions in West Cameron Blocks 658, 660, 661, Uases OCS-G 6609, 6611, and 6612, could begin on or about October 1, 1988. This start-up date will be dependent on the hydrocarbon market and rig availability. If the wells are drilled as planned and the drilling program is continuous, the project should take 315 days to complete. A breakdown of the estimated time to drill eech veil is as follows:

WC 658 OCS-G 6609, Well No. A 30 Days OCS-G 6609, Well No. B 30 Days

wc 660 OCS-G 6611, Well No. A 45 Days OCS-G 6611, Well No. B 25 Days OCS-G 6611, Well No. C AO Days

wc 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well No. B 45 Days OCS-G 6612, Well No. C 50 Deys

Total 1 (All Wells) 315 Dsys

SECTION 250.34-1 (e)(1)(H)

The wells will be drilled with a seal-submersible rig, Zappata Offshore Company - Saratoga, or a comparable rig (see Attachment I ) . TMs rig is s diesel-electric drilling unit which is equipped with pans/sumps to collect pollutants. Tho pollutants will be contained and properly disposed of. The drilling operations will be serviced from Union's Shore Bese located at Intracoastal City, Louisiana. This facility, coaprised of approximately 22 acres, is located edjacent to the Vermilion River 1/2 mile north of the intersection of the Intracoastal Canal and the Verallion River. The facility consists of en office coaplex, pipe yard, fuel end storage tanks, loading and unloading dock, and general storage area for production and drilling equipment and supplies. Union Explorations Partners, Ltd. maintains a support transportation pool consisting of five (5) helicopters and seven (7) offshore boats. Baaa personnel ere on 24-hour duty and ere ln communication (telephone/radio) with e l l offshore Banned platforms end drilling xigs. Attachment I I shows West Caaeron Blocks 658, 660, and 661, relative to the shoreline of Louisiana.

BEST AVAII ABU

Page 4: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

PLAN OP EXPLORATION OCS-G 6609. 6611 AND 6612 WEST CAMERON BLOCKS 658.660, AND 661 PAGE 2

SECTION 250.34-1 (a)(1)(H) CONTINUED)

Union Exploration Partners, Ltd. hss filed sn Oil Sp i l l Contingency Plan vith the United States Department of the Interior, Minerels Management Service in accordance vith OCS Order No. 7. This plen contains the names and telephone number of corapany personnel vho v i l l form en emergency response team in the event of an o i l s p i l l . This plsn contains procedures for reporting a s p i l l and for responding to s reported s p i l l .

Union Exploration Partners, Ltd. is a member of Clean Gulf Associates. This association provides for the purchase and maintenance of equipment and mate­rials for use by its members in cleaning up of an o i l s p i l l . Equipment is presently located at Galveston and Freeport, Texas; Cameron, Intracoastal City, and Grand Isle, and Venice, Louisiana. Some of the equipment available includes a shallov water skimmer system vith s AO-barrel storage capacity, a fast response open sea and bay system vith tvo (2) 180-barrel tanks used in skimming and storing, and a high volume open sea skimmer vith 1,000-barrel storage capacity. The amount of time required to get to the s p i l l area v i l l vary on location of work boats for immediate charter. The time may vary anywhere from a minimum of five (5) hours to a maximum of 24 hours.

SECTIONS 250.3A-1 ( a ) ( i l l ) and 250.34-1 (a)(v)

Exploratory Drilling Plans for each location and Shallov Hazards Reports covering a l l locations (see Attachment I I I ) exe enclosed. This attachment includes an Archeological Statement, a Shallov Drilling Hazards Statement, and a Structure Map indicating the v e i l locetions. Tvo (2) copies of the Shallov Hazards Survey covering the subject blocks vere mailed December 9, 1985 to the Minerals Management Service in Metairie, Louisiana along vith one (1) copy going to the Minerals Management Service District office in Lake Charles, Lo.iisiana. Copies of the high resolution survey data from the lines closest to the proposed veil locations are attached to the copy of this Plan of Exploration for the Minerals Management Service in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

SECTION 250.34-1 (a)(lv)

The folloving table gives the surface and botton hole locetion, the true verticel depth, and the measured depth for eoch veil:

Lease snd Well Surface Location/Bottom Hole Locetion

OOG 6609 Well No. A 4,100' FNL end 700' FWL of W. C. Blk. 658

OCS-G 6609 Well No. B 3,AOO• FSL and 700' FWL of W. C. Blk. 658

OCS-G 6611 Woll No. A 2,350' FSL and 1,050' FWL of W. C. Blk. 660

JEST AVAILABLE COPY B E S T AVAIIABLL

Page 5: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

PLAN OF EXPLORATION OCS-G 6609, 6611 AND 6612 WEST CANERON BLOCKS 658,660, AND 661 PAGE 3

OCS-G 6611 Well No. B

OCS-G 6611 Well No. C

700* PSL end 3,800' FWL of W. C. Blk. 660 1,000' FNL end 6,900' FEL of W. C. Blk. 660

OCS-G 6612 Well No. C

OCS-G 6612 Well No. A

OCS-G 6612 Well No. B

3,550' FSL end W. C. Blk. 661 5,925' FSL end W. C. Blk. 661 4,975' FIL and W. C. Blk. 661

2,725'

3,650

3,600'

FEL of

FEL of

FEL of

Attachments IV, V, and VI are plats which show the proposed surface and bottom hole location for each well detailed in this initial Plan of Exploration.

The water depths at the proposed well locations range from 405' to 515'.

SECTION 250.34-1 (a)(vi) AND SECTION 250.34-1 (&)(2)(l)

An Environmental Report (see Attachment VII) including an Air Quality Review and Coastal Zone Management Consistency Certification is submitted in accordance with the guidelines establirhed for preparing Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Reports and pursuant to the provision of 30 CVR Section

Attachment VIII is a detailed l i s t of mud components and additives, including the common trede name of each.

JTR/cv

Attachments

250.34-3.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY

Page 6: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

Zapata Off-Shore Company

ZAPATA SARATOGA

ATTACHMENT I

Page 7: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well
Page 8: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

Sernisubrnersiblo

ZAPATA SARATOGA Nominal water depth rating 2,000'

Drilling Eojulpment

Registered

Overall Length Overall Width Depth Operating Draft Natural

Heave Period Natural

Pitch Period Natural

Roll Period Cranes

Anchoring System

Towing Speed in Calm Sea

Drilling Water Potable Water Fuel Oil Liquid Mud Total Bulk Mud

and Cement Sack Storage Sewage Treating

System Desalinization

umt

Survival

Semisubmersible with six stabilizing columns U S A. Built 1976 st Avondale Shipyard. New Orleans. Louisiana 260' 200' 80' 43'

21 sec.

30 sec.

34 soc One Manitowoc Model 135. 120' boom. 55 ton capacity at 30' radius One Manitowoc Model 135. 80' boom. 56 ton capacity at 30' radius One Manitowoc Model 70. 110' boom. 28 ton capacity at 30' radius

Eight Vicinsy Offdrill 40.000 lb. anchors with eight 2.500' lengths of 2 * " steel stud length chain and eight 4.500' lengths of 2 V wire rope Four Skagit double drum wildcat windlasses rated at 440.000 Ib. tension with release up to 900.000 Ib. tension

6 knots with 10,000 bhp sea tug

8.800 bbls. 1.225 bbls. 6.800 bbls 1.700 bbls.

10.200 cu.«. 6.000 sacks

Rod Fox. 5.000 GPO

Aqua Chem S300. 300 gph capacity (1) ono standby unit. Designed to accon^nodete S-61 helicopter Ouarters for 82 persons

Two Brucker survival capsules, self-righting life boat

Drawworks

Main Power Plant

»umps

Rotary Riser Pipo

Equipment

Rated to 25.000' Oilwell Model E-3000 dnven by two EMD D79MB dc electric motors rated at 800 hp each

Three EMD-16-645-E8 diesel engines rated at 1.950 bhp at 900 rpm. with three EMD Model A-20-N6 ac generators. ABS rated and cer­tified for 1.400 kw Ross Hill SCR system Two Oilwell A1700-PT triplex pumps, each driven by two EMD D79MD eiectnc motors Oilwell 49ft"

2.000 of 21" OD x 20" ID. 40' stroke slip ioint: nser tensioning system by Rucker

BOP Equipment Cameron 18 V single stack system with two 10,000 psi wp Cameron type U double ram preventers, and two Rucker-Shaffer 21 % " spherical preventers

Substructure Derrick Inc. welded rigid frame to support 160/ derrick

Derrick 160' x 40/ x 40* designed to accommodate a motion compen­sator and automated pipe racking s/stem

Pipo Racking System

Drill String Compensator System

Mud Mixing Pumps

Cementing Unit Drill Collars and

Dril Pipe

BJ three-arm elect!o-hydraulic vertical racking system

Rucker-Shaffer 18' stroke

Fi%o 6" x 8" centrifugals Halliburton 9WOO x 3"ID x 3V collars; 8 "00 x 2 % ID x 3V collars; 6V*""00 x 2%"ID x 3V collars; 5 "00. 19.50 lb.. Grade E. Renge 2; 5 •OD. 19.50 *>.. Grade G. Ranged

Page 9: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

ZAPATA SARATOGA

Page 10: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well
Page 11: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

a m\

s

.A 1

TOO' /

658

TOO' B

8 J

W. C . B L K . 6 5 8 OFFSHORE , LOUISIANA

ATTACHMENT IV

O' 2000' 4000' 6000'

Page 12: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

MOO' _ 8

li

660

W. C . B L K . 6 6 0 OFFSHORE , LOUISIANA

ATTACHMENT V

O' 2000' 4000' OOOO'

Page 13: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

661

t r t r

W. C . BLK. 661 OFFSHORE 9 LOUISIANA

ATTACHMENT VI

O' 2000' 4000' 6000'

Page 14: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

r ~ \ ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION

ANO

AIR QUALITY REVIEV

GULF OF MEXICO

FOR

WEST CAMERON AREA BLOCKS 658 (6-6609), 660 (G 5611) A 661 (G-6612)

SUBMITTED TO:

NR. TED RUSSEL

DISTRICT DRILLING SUPERINTENDENT

UNION EXPLORATION PARTNERS, LTD.

P. 0. BOX 51388

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA 70505

(318/232-9724)

JUNE 7, 1988

PREPARED BY:

JOHN E. CHANCE A ASSOCIATES, INC.

REGULATORY A ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION

PROJECT NO. 88-8089

ATTACHMENT Vll

Page 15: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

Table of Contents

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

Page

I. Title Page 1

Table of Contents 11

List of Figures Iv

II. Description of the Proposed Action 1

A. Travel Nodes, Routes, and Frequencies 3

B. Support Base and New Personnel 3

C. New Support Facilities 4

D. New or Unusual Technology 4

E. Location of the Proposed Activities 5

III. Description of the Affected Environment and Impacts .... 6

A. Physical and Environmental .. 6

1. Commercial Fishing 6

2. Shipping 11

3. Recreation 12

4. Cultural Resources 13

5. Ecologically Sensitive Features 13

6. Existing Pipelines and Cables 14

7. Other Mineral Uses 14

8. Ocean Dumping 14

11

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( " ^

9. Endangered or Threatened Species 15

B. Socio-Economic Impacts 16

IV. Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 17

V. Literature Cited 21

Coastal Zone Management Consistency Certificate 23

AIR QUALITY REVIEW

1. Title Page 25

I. General Information 26

II. Total Emissions for Drilling 26

I I I . Project Suamary, Total Emissions 27

IV. Findings of A1r Quality Review 28

V. Methodology 28

VI. References 28

111

Page 17: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

LIST Of FIGURES

FIGURE Page

1---V1c1n1ty Nap of Most Cameron Arta Blocks 658, 660, 661.. 2

Page 18: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

II. Otscrlptlon of tht Propostd Action

This roport addresses tht activity propostd by Union Exploration

Partntrs, Ltd., for West Cameron Arta Blocks 6S8 (OCS-G-6609), 660

(OGS-G-6611), and 661 (UCS-G-6612). Tht approximate location of tht

activity Is prtstnted in Figure 1, a general vicinity nap of the Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS) lease areas off the coast of Louisiana.

It Is anticipated that a semi-submersible type rig Mill be moved on

location and eight wells will be drilled. The activities proposed by Union

Exploration Partners, Ltd., for these blocks are Included in the attached

Plan of Exploration.

The proposed activities will be carried out by Union Exploration

Partners, Ltd., with a guarantee of the following:

1. The best available and safest technologies will be utilized

throughout the project. This Includes meeting all applicable

requirements for equipment types, general project layout,

safety systems, equipment and monitoring systems.

2. All operations will be covered by N.N.S. approved Oil Spill

Contingency Plan.

3. All applicable Federal, State, and local requirements

regarding air emissions, water quality, and discharge for

1

%John Em ChmWWB ox Mssoomp §nOm

Page 19: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

MISSISSIPPI

TEXAS

ro

SAST • • £ * « •

BAB.

M I N I M i l l MBA M U M CAM VOI AMA

•OUTM

JOHN E. CHANCE 0 ASSOC.. INC

UNION EXPL. PARTNERS LTO

VICINITY MAP BLKS S S t . S 6 0 . A S I

WEST CAMERON AREA

40 r-H I

Page 20: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

tht propostd activities, as wtll as any othor permit conditions,

will be compiled with.

A. Travel Nodes, Routes, and Frequencies

Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., will operate out of their service

base facilities established In Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Jnlon

Exploration Partners, Ltd., anticipates using one helicopter, one supply

boat, and one crew boat to support their West Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660,

and 661 activities.

The helicopter and the crew boat will both travtl to tht location a

total of seven tints per per week and the supply boat will travel to the

location a total of two times per week. It Is anticipated that the

transportation vessels will utilize the most direct route from the

Intracoastal City, Louisiana service base. Because a vessel supporting

these exploration activities, as outlined In the Plan of Exploration, may be

scheduled for other stops in the area, the exact route for each vessel on

each particular trip cannot bt predetermined.

B. Support Base and New Personnel

Union Exploration Partntrs, Ltd., will utilize support bast facilities

established In Intracoastal City, Louisiana. Tht Intracoastal City,

3

John E. Chmnom A Ammmm* Inc.

Page 21: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

Louisiana support bast 1s locattd approximately ont hundred forty-five

miles, ont hundred forty-nine miles, and ont hundred fifty-one Miles,

respectively, from West Caaeron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661.

Because helicopter and Marine faci l i t ies are currently available at the

service base and are presently and continuously Manned, no additional

onshore enp1oyMtnt Is expected to be generated as a result of these

activities.

The Initial OCS Socio-Economic Oata Base Report for the service base

facilities utilized by Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., will be prepared

for submission pursuant to the specific parameters to be established by the

DOI/MMS and scheduled to be Issued at a later date.

C. New Support Facilities

The proposed exploration activities for West Cameron Area Blocks 658,

660, and 661 will not require the development of any new support facil i t ies.

0. New or Unusual Technology

The exploration activities for West Cameron Area Blocks 658 , 660, and

661 will not warrant utilizing any new or unusual technology that may affect

coastal waters.

Page 22: J Giroir · JTR/cv Enclosures cct U. S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 620 Esplanade St., Suite 104 ... 661 OCS-G 6612, Well No. A 50 Daya OCS-G 6612, Well

E. Location of tho Propostd Activities

West Caatron Arta Blocks 658 , 660, and 661 art locattd approximately

ont hundred forty-five miles, ont hundred forty-nine miles, and ont hundred

fifty-one m<1es, respectively, froa Intracoastal City, Louisiana and

approxlaately one hundred twenty-two alios, one hundred twenty-five miles,

and one hundred twenty-six alios, respectively, froa the Louisiana coast of

Caaeron Parish. Figure 1 presents the legation of the blocks In relation to

the Louisiana coast, as well as the geographic relationship bttwttn West

Caaeron Area Blocks 658 , 660, and 661 and the other OCS lease areas.

5

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I I I . DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS

A. Physical and Environmental

1. Commercial Fishing

The Mississippi Delta area 1s known as the "Fertile Fisheries Crescent"

because It Is one of the oost productive commercia1 fishery grounds In the

world. As a result, Louisiana Is traditional»v me of the top states in the

nation In terms of commercial fisheries, wt. . «.J 1,834,884,407

pounds worth $118,754,742 in 1984 and 1,822,321,060 pounds worth

$109,765,223 in 1983 (USDC, NMFS, 1985). Ten species of finfish and

shellfish represen; 99 percent of Louisiana's commercial fishery landings:

brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus). white shrimp (£. setIferus). blue crab

(Callinectes sapidus), oysters (CriSSQStrgi YlrqlnlCi), Gulf menhaden

(Brevoortia patrongs), red snapper (Lut.lflnus campechanus), black drum

(P qonias cromis), red drum (Scianops ocellatus), spotted seatrout

(Cvnoscion nebulosus). and striped mullet (Mugil ceohalus). All but rne of

these species are estuarine dependant.

The most valuable species to Louisiana are the brown shrimp and white

shrimp, which together produce by far the greatest jhrlmp harvest in the

Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana shrimp fishermen harvested 106,681,071 pounds

(heads-on) of shrimp worth $143,116,739 in 1984 (USDC, NMFS, 1985).

Although harvest data for these species are not separated fer statistical

purposes, tho brown shrimp dominates tht Louisiana shrimp harvest, as It Is

6

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tht most abundant species in that region of tht gulf (White and Boudreaux,

1977). Both of thtst shrinp art tstuarlne dependent and havt siniiar lift

histories, with the major differences being the tine and location that the

various life stages begin and reach their naxinun levels. Generally,

spawning occurs offshore with the resulting larvae nlgratlng inshore to

develop In estuaries. Brown shrinp spawn fron Novenber to April in 30 to

120 meters of water, while white shrinp spawn fron Narch to October In 8 to

34 meters (Benson, 1982). Juvenile and adult brown shrinp migrate offshore

fron Nay to July, and white shrinp migrate between June and November

(Benson, 1982).

The proposed petroleum activities

have no Impact on the harvest of brown

beyond the outer limits of the harvest

1986, Visual No. 2).

In Uest Cameron Area are expected to

or white shrimp as these blocks are

area for these species (USDOI, MMS,

The Gulf menhaden or "pogy" fishery is Louisiana's second most valuable

fishery, accounting for 1,756,285,058 pounds worth $68,801,156 In 1984

(USDC, NMfS, 1985). Gulf menhaden spawn offshore from mid-October through

March in 40 to 140 meters of water, with the larvae subsequently moving Into

shallow, low salinity estuaries froa February to Nay (Benson, 1982). Here

in the shallow estuaries, the larvae metamorphose Into juveniles and change

from being carnivores to filter-feeding omnivores. The juveniles and

subadults migrate from the estuaries Into offshore water* from December

through February (Benson, 1982). The adults only rarely venture far

offshore (Hoese and Moore, J indeed, about 93 percent of the commercial

7

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fishing effort occurs within ton railes of short (US00I, MNS, 1983). Tht

activities as propostd art unllktiy to havo any averse tfftct on tho

menhaden fishing as West Cameron Arte Blocks 6S8, MO, and 661 lit outsido

tht "Principle Menhaden Harvest Arta" (USDOI, MNS, 1986, Visual No. 2).

Tht Easttm oysttr Is most abundant in the Gulf of Mexico from Aransas

Bay, Texas, to Apalachicola Bay, Florida (Beccasio et al., 1982). Louisiana

oystermen landed 13,488,274 pounds of oysters worth $24,476,569 In 1984,

making oysters Louisiana's third most valuable fishery (USDC, NMFS, 1985).

Oysters t„rive at salinities between 5 and 15 parts ptr thousand and wattr

dtpths of 2.5 to 8 meters (Beccasio et al., 1982). Oysters spawn inshore

during the summer, and the free-swimming larvae attach and develop in the

same estuarine habitat. The proposed activities In West Caaeron Area Blocks

659, 660, and 661 are not expected to have any Impact on the oyster fishery

in Louisiana.

The blue crab ranges from Nova Scotia to Uruguay and supports the

largest crab fishery In the United States (Narlne Experiment Station, 1973).

In 1984 , 29,692,067 pounds of crabs worth $8,395,002 wort landed In

Louisiana (USDC, NMFS, 1985). Blue crabs Inhabit shallow water and can be

found In high salinity sounds, bays, and channels where they spawn from

March through November, with a peak from May to September (Benson, 1982).

The resulting planktonic larvae pass through several molts and stages before

the juveniles drop to the bottom of the estuarine nurseries, where they

remain throughout the yeer (Benson, 1982). The fisheries for blue crabs Is

8

John EL Chmnom at Avmoo-, Ino.

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unllktiy to bt significantly affected by axploration activities In thtst

blocks as thty art offshore of tho coastal and estuarine waters In which

this fishery operates.

Rtd snapptr landings In Louisiana amounted to 1,487,456 pounds worth

$2,479,817 1n 1984 (USDC, NMFS, 1985). Snappers art demersal predatory fish

that art common ovtr or ntar banks, coral reefs and outcrops, submarInt

ridges, rocks, and, especially offshort Louisiana, man-made structures such

as shipwrecks and offshort drilling platforms (Benson, 1982; Hardy, 1978).

Red snapper spawn in the Gulf of Mexico from June to Mid-September, in water

depths of 16-37 meters, over bottoms of hard sand and shell with rocky reef

areas; spawning may actually take place at the surface (Hardy, 1978).

Little or no informatlo Is available about larval red snapper, but

juveniles are typically found Inshore in high salinity (24 to 40 ppt) water

9-91 meters In depth (Benson, 1982). The proposed activities should create

a suitable habitat for red snapper.

The drums (Sc'inldae) are one of the three most abundant families of

fishes in the Gulf of Mexico in terms or biomass, and they outnumber all

other families In the number of species (Hoese and Moore, 1977). Three

species of drum are commercially Important to Louisiana. These Include

black drum, red drum, and spotted seatrout. In 1984, Louisiana landed a

total of 5,557,259 pounds of drums worth $4,290,068 (USDC, NMFS, 1985). The

red drum fishery Is tht most valuable, accounting for 51 percent of the

total drum catch while the spotted seatrout and black drum account for equal

amounts of tha remainder.

9

•Man C Chmnom al Anxtoo-, ataou

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Typically, sclanlds art euryh-llne species that spawn In shallow

nearshore Gulf waters, producing larvae that enter coastal estuaries for

developaent (Benson, 1962; Johnson, 1978; Hoese and Moore, 1977). Spotted

seatrout spawn at night In deep channels and depressions adjacent to shallow

flats, grass beds, and bayous In the estuary, froa March to Septeaber with a

peak froa April through July (Benson, 1982). The larvae associate with

bottoa vegetation (predominantly sea grasses) or shell rubble In channel

bottoms (Johnson, 1978). The juveniles spend at least their first 6 to 8

weeks on the nursery grounds, usually within SO aeters of the shoreline,

urVI late fai • /ner they mo/* Into tne deepar parts of the estuary (Benson,

193?). Adult spotted seatrout rarely leave tha tstturlts (Benson, 1992).

Black drum spawn from February to April In or near tidal passes and in

open bays and estuaries (Benson, 1982). Tht larvae art transported to

shallow estuarine marshes, but may move to deeper estuarine wattrs or

shallow wattrs off sandy beaches as large juveniles (Johnson, 1978). Adult

migration 1s largely restricted to spring and fall movement through the

passes between estuaries and nearshore environments (Beccasio et al., 1982).

Red drum Inhabit estuaries and coastal waters out to 22 kilometers from

shore, at depths up to 40 maters (Becasslo et al., 1982). Spawning occurs

1n the fall and winter, primarily from September to November, and the larvae

are carried by currants Into shallow estuaries and bays whtrt thty tend tt

associate with seagrasses and marshes (Johnson, 1978). They usually reaain

In or near estuaries until thty art three years old, but some leave at the

end of their first year, migrating Into the Gulf In the fell (Benson, 1962).

10

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Louisiana harvested 3,157,215 pounds of mullet worth $999,936 In 1964

(USDC, NMFS, 1985). Mullets are one of the most abundant fishes In the Gulf

of Mexico (Hoese and Moore, 1977). Mullet have been observed In Alabama

Inland as far as 607 kilometers from thi: Gulf, and offshore as far as 80

kilometers and as deep as 1,385 meters (Benson, 1982). Mullet spawn from

October to Nay, and some females spawn more than once In a season (Benson,

1982). Larvae move Inshore 1n the spring and the juveniles are found In the

shallow areas of the estuaries. Offshore movement from the estuaries occurs

during the fall (Beccasio et a l . , 1982).

Overall, commercial fishermen have benefited from the growth of the

petroleum Industry in the OCS waters of the Guif of Mexico. While

technological Improvements have enabled commercial fishermen to Increase the

volume of landings, development of thi petroleum Industry has also had a

positive Impact on fishing. Because OCS petroleum development Is dependent

on extensive marine vessel utilization, harbors and ports have been

Improved, port access waterways have been expanded and Improved, and tho

availability and quality of marine assel maintenance and repair facilities

have Increased significantly. These Improvements have definitely had a

positive effect on fishermen (Lassiter, 1980).

2. Shipping

A designated shipping fairway Is located approximately one mile south

of West Cameron Area Blocks 660 and 661 and approximately three miles south

11

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of West Cameron Area Block 658. It Is unlikely that marine vessels

supporting these blocks will utilize the shipping fairway to gain access to

the support bese; therefore, it Is unlikely that the marine vessels will

have a significant effect on fairway traffic. The drilling rig and each of

the marine vessels will be equipped with all U. S. Coast Guard required

navigational safety aids.

3. Recreation

The open Gulf encompasses a broad expanse of saltwater which Is

utilized by numt-ous sports fishermen and a small but rapidly Increasing

number of SCUBA divers. Many fishermen charter boats to deep-sea fish and

sport dive in the northern Gulf. The states of Alabama, Mississippi, and

Louisiana support approximately 120 charter boats which conduct a majority

of their fishing activities In the waters of the OCS (USDOI, MMS, 1983).

Petroleum platforms in the northem Gulf provide recreation for fishermen

and scuba divers because they act as artificial reefs attracting and

establishing aquatic communities Including highly sought after food and

sport fishes. The reef effect created by petroleum platforms 1s well known

and 1s evidenced by the numerous private boat owrers who regularly visit

offshore facilities to harvest food and sport fishes.

Frequently, offrhore rigs and platforms serve as navigation points for

small commercial and recreational marine craft. Manned drilling rigs and

platforms can also provide a haven for small craft operators forced to

abandon their vessels during stones or following boat accidents. The

12

a*Bo%FB at OkmnkWB at AmBBOm eWo.

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Installition and ust of navigational aids, lifesaving equipment, and othtr

saftty requirements pursuant to Coast Guard regulations are standard

procedure for drill rigs and marine vessels utilized by Union Exploration

Partners, Ltd.

4. Cultural Resources

Visual No. 4 from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (USDOI, NNS,

1986, Indicates that West Cameron Arta Blocks 658, 660, and 661 fall outside

tht zont designated as artas with a high probability of historic and

pre-historic cultural resources; therefore, It 1s unllktiy that thtrt will

bt any significant Impacts upon culturally significant features.

5. Ecologically Sensitive Features

Portions of West Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661 are located

within the one-mile and the three-mile zone of Bright Bank. If operation:

art conducted within the restrictive zones of <e bank, all cuttings and

fluids will be shunted.

The Intracoastal City, Louisiana support base which will be utilized as

the operations base for the West Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661

explorations activities Is located approximately twenty-three miles

northeast of Rockefeller State Refuge and approximately sixteen miles

northwest of Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge (USDOI, NNS, 1986, Visual No. 3).

13

«Jmn%M at tfmVmWOml at A%mmmmy a>naV '

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In general I f all activities are executed as planned, encountering no

unusual circumstances, the e.. 'ironmentally sensitive areas will not be

affected.

6. Existing Pipelines and Cables

A review of company f i le data Indicated that there are no known

pipelines or cables located In West Cameron Area Block 658, 660, and 661.

Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., Is not aware of any pipelines or cables

located in these blocks.

7. Other Mineral Uses

There are no other know; mineral resources located in or near West

Cameron Area Blocks 658 , 660, <jid 661.

6. Ocean Dumping

The major sources of ocean dumping related to OCS petroleum exploration

activity are drill ing fluids, or "muds," and dri l l cuttings. After the

exploratory dril l ing In West Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661 Is

completed, Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., does anticipate dumping their

exca water-based drilling fluids (approximately 700 bbls./well). If any

oi -based mud 1s used in the drilling operations, 1t wil? be transported to

shore for proper disposal.

14

John LW Chmnom at Ammoo*, Ino.

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Drill cuttings ir t brought up by tht drilling aud and range in size

froa grains of sand to pebbles. Thtst cuttings art separated and sifted and

then disposed overboard. Treated domestic wastes and dri l l wattrs will also

be disposed at the proposed drilling site. There will be no Intentional

discharge of *ny oily or hazardous materials In violation of DOI or EPA

regulatIons.

9. Endangered or Threatened Species

Endangered or threatened species which alght occur In West Caaeron

Area Blocks 658 , 660, and 661 are blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). humpback whale (Megaptera

novaeangliae). sel whale (Balaenoptera borealis). sperm whale (Phvseter

catodon). Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kemoii). green turtle

(Chelonia avdas). hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). leatherback

turtle (Permoche'iYS. coriaceaj and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)

(USDOI, Region IV Endangered Species Notebook).

Endangered and threatened species expected to occur In the vicinity of

the onshore bast art Arctic peregrine falcon (Falco oereorinus tundrius) and

American alligator (Alligator alssissipplonsis) (USDI, Region IV Endangered

Species Notebook). Arctic peregrine falcons are migrants through the area

and are not considered a coaponent of the resident bird population. The

American alligator Is classified as threatened in Louisiana due to

similarity of appearance. This species Is neither endangered nor threatened

biologically In Louisiana and a regulated harvest Is pend tted under Statt

15

J o h n Cm ChmYnoo at Asttoom, atari.

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Law (USDI, Region IV Endangered Species Notebook). No impacts on American

alligators art expected. Tht presence of marine mammals 1n coastal

Louisiana Is considered sporadic and probably no resident populations exist.

It Is unllktiy that onshore or exploration activities related to Uest

Cameron Area will have any effect on the previously named species.

B. Socio-Economic Impacts

In accordance with DOI/MMS guidelines (OS-7-01), dated November 20,

1980, the Initial OCS Data Base Report will be developed for submission on

or before the prescribed due date. Subsequent Environmental Reports

provided by Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., will address this data ai.d

related activity Impacts as requlnsl.

16

John tL Chmnom A ABBOO-, Arx

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IV. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

The greatest threat to the natural environment Is caused by Inadequate

operational safeguards that aay cause or contribute to an oil spill or well

blowout. These accidents can be greatiy reduced in nuaber by utilizing

trained operational personnel and employing all available safety and

pollution control systeas. These measures are standard operating procedure

for Union Exploration Partners, Ltd. Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., has

an approved 011 Spill Contingency Plan.

It should be noted that aost large crude oil and refined products

spills have occurred during transportation and not during drilling or

production operations. Furthermore, the probability of an oil spill

occurring during exploratory drilling operations Is low (Danenberger, 1976).

Transportation and river runoff contribute an estimated 34.9 percent and

26.2 percent, respectively, to the hydrocarbon contamination of the world's

oceans while offshore production activities account for only 1.3 percent

(National Academy of Sciences, 1975). Natural seeps of petroleum and

natural gas, which occur throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico (Zo Bell,

1954; Geyer, 1979), contribute an estimated 9.8 percent to the contamination

of the world's oceans (National Academy of Sciences, 1975). Additionally,

it was noted in the executive summary of a recent study of petroleum

production platforms In the central Gulf of Mexico (Bedinger, 1981), that

natural disturbances (I.e. river flooding and storms) can more greatly

affect noraal biological communities than the current Industrial developaent

of the Louisiana OCS. Tht preceding discussion Is not Intended to minimize

17

John £L Chmnce A Amsoo-, Inc.

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tht significance of major oil spills resulting from potroioua exploration

and production activities but is provided to establish a perspective

relative to their probable occurrence.

Thirteen of the forty-six blow-outs on the OCS between 1971 and 1978

were associated with exploratory drilling activities, none of which released

any oil to tho aWi.te environment (Danenberger, 1980). The IXTOC I spill of

1979, however, rctrates that advanced drilling technology and available

safety and pollut ivi control systems ar* not infallible. Nost spills are

subjected to immediate containment and cleanup efforts. The ultimate fate

of oil spilled in the marine environment 1s generally considered to be one

or a combination of the following: evaporation and decomposition in the

atmosphere, dispersal in the water column, incorporation Into sediments, and

oxidation by chemical or biological means (National Academy of Sciences,

1975).

The unavoidable adverse Impacts that will occur as a result » the

exploratory drilling and discharging of drilling fluids, and treated sewage

will be few In number and temporary in nature. The primary adverse impacts

Include a localized degradation of water and air quality In the vicinity of

the drilling site, the potential obstruction to commercial and recreational

fishing vessels, and the disruption and/or killing of benthic and/or pelagic

organisms during location of the drilling rig and during disposal of muds,

cuttings, and domestic wastes and sewage.

18

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Discharging froa tht drill site Is inevitable during OCS operations,

particularly during exploration. materials that aay contain oil or

othor hazardous materials, and therefore would have a auch greater adverse

lapact. on the environment, will not be discharged Intentionally. Any

discharging will be done pursuant to all DOI and EPA regulations. The

discharges to be disposed overboard as a result of the exploration activity

will Include domestic ste and sewage that 1s treated on the rig before

discharging, drill cuttings, and excess water-based aud.

The environaantal fate and effects of drilling auds and cuttings has

been extensively addressed In a recent symposium (St* Ayers et al., 1980 for

detailed discussions). The discharging of drill cuttings and water-based

aud will result the burial of benthic organisms and possible toxic effects

on aarine organisms in the immediate vicinity of the discharge. It is

expected, however, that pelagic and benthic organisms will repopulate the

area rapidly after discharging if the effects are minimal and intermittent

as expected.

Offshore activities generate a small but significant amount of air

pollutants due to the emissions of diesel engines; therefore, the

deterioration of air quality is unavoidable In an OCS operation area. In

aost Instances, these emissions affect only the immediate exploration

activity site and are rapidly dissipated by the atmosphere depending upon

climatic conditions. An Air Quality Review Report has been prepared for

vest Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661 and Is Included as an attachaent

to the Envlronmontal Report.

19

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Commercial and recreational fishing would be affected by OCS

development, but primarily in terms of inconvenience and interference.

Although the unavoidable adverse impacts could include some smothering of

shellfish, snagging cf trawl nets, reduction of area presently used for

unrestricted fishing, and minimal finfish killing, commercial fishing

activities would not be significantly effected, except in the unlikely event

of an oil spill. An oil spill would result in serious economic losses due

to the contamination of commercial fish species over a large area.

There is a remote possibility that offs!. areas of historical,

cultural, or biological significance could be damaged or destroyed by OCS

exploration operations. Visual No. 3 from the Final Environmental Impact

Statement (USDOI, MHS, 1986) indicates that no archeological, cultural, or

historic ?reas are in the vicinity of West Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and

661. Union Exploration Partners, Ltd., will make every effort to avoid

disturbing any historically, culturally, o** biologically significant

feature.

20

•John CL CHano9 A A&soomp Inc.

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LITERATURE CITED

Ayers, R. C, N. L. Richards and J. R. Gould 1980 Proceedings of a svmpcslua. Research on environmental fate

and effects of drilling fluids and cuttings. Washington, D.C. 1,122 pp.

Beccasio, A. D., N. Fotherlngham, A. E. Redfleld, et. al. 1982 Gulf coast ecological Inventory: user's guide and Information base.

Biological Services Program, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Sorvice, Washington, D.C: FWS/OBS 82/55. 191 pp.

Bedinger, C. A., Jr. 1981 Ecological investigations of petroleum production platforms in

the central Gulf of Mexico. Volume III: Executive Summary. Submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, New Orleans, Louisiana. Contract No. AA551-CT8-17. 29 pp.

Benson, N. G., ed. 1982 Life history requirements of selected finfish and shellfish In

Mississippi Sound and adjacent areas. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C: FWS/OBS-81/51. 97 pp.

Danenberger, E. P. 1976 Oil spi l ls , 1971 - 1975, Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf.

Geological Survey Clrct'1 741. 47 pp.

Danenberger, E. P. 1980 Outer Continental Shelf 011 and Gas Blowouts. U.S.G.S Open-File

Report. 80-101. 15pp.

Geyer, R. A. 1979 Naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps 1n the Gulf of Mexico and

Caribbean Sea. College Station, Texas: Texas AAM University Press.

Hardy, J . D. J r . 1978 Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Volume I I I :

Aphredoderidae through Rachycentrldae. U. S. F1sh and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D. C : FWS/OBS-78/12. 394 pp.

Hoese, H. D. and R. H. Moore 1977 Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Tr its AAM University Press,

College Station, Texas. 327 pp.

Johnson, G. D. 1978 Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Volume IV:

Carangldae through Eph1pp1dae. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D. C : FWS/OBS-78/112. 314 pp.

21

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Lassiter, Ronald C. 1900 Tho Georges Bank: Fish and Fuel. Ninth Annuel See Grant Lecture,

NIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Narlne Experiment Station 1973 Coastal and offshore anvironmental Inventory Cape Hateras to

Nantucket Shoals, narlne Publication Series No. 2, University of Rhode Island.

National \cademy of Sciences 197S Petroleum In tha marine environment. Washington, D.C. 107 pp.

U. S. Departmant of Commerce, National Narlne Fisheries Service 1985 Louisiana landings In 1904 and 1903. Unpublished report. National

Narlne Fisheries Service, New Orleans, LA.

U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service 197' Endangered and threatened species of the southeastern United States.

Region IV, Atlanta, Georgia (periodically updated).

U. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service 1903 Final Regional Environmental Impact Statement, Gulf of Mexico.

Vol. 1. Prepared by Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Metairie, Louisiana. 527 pp.

u. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service 1986 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed 011 and Gas Lease

Sales 110 and 112, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Prepared by Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, Louisiana.

White, C. J. and C. J. Boudreaux 1977 Development of an areal management concept for Gulf penaeld shrimp.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Technical Bulletin No. 22.

Zo Bell, C. E. 1954 Marine bacteria and fungi, Fisheries Bulletin 55 (89): 217 - 222.

22

«Jta*%rt H Grist* JO a) at A9MOa~, aYso.

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APPENOIX 1

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATE

23

Joim Em Chmnom M Amwoomj Sno.

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COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

EXPLORAIION

Typt of Plan

WEST CAMERON AREA BLOCKS 658 (6-6609), 660 (6-6611) A 661 (6-6612)

Arta and Block

Tht propostd activities described In detail in tht attached Plan of Exploration comply with Louisiana's approvod Coastal Management program and will bt conducted In a manner consistent with such Program.

Arrangements havt been madt with tht Statt Times In Baton Rougt, Louisiana to publish a Public Notlct of tht proposed activity no later than 4uoe.2K.1998

UNION EXPLORATION PARTNERS, LTD.

Lessee or Operator

Certifying Official

Datt

V

24

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f

Air Quality Review For

West Caaeron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661 OCS-G-6609, 6611, and 6612

Union Exploration Partners, Ltd. P. 0. Box 51388

Lafayette, Louisiana 70505-1388

Subaltted to Ted J. Russell

District Drilling Superintendent

June 7, 1

PrepaYed by John E. Chance & Associates, Inc. Regulatory 6 Envlronaental Division

Project No. 8€

V

25

John Chmnom A Ammoo^ Ino.

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r Projected Emissions Schedule foi' Project

I . General Information

Location of Faculty - west Cameron Area Blocks 658, 660, and 661 Nama of Rig/Platform - Semi-submersible

Owner/Operator - Union Exploration Partners, Ltd. P. 0. Box 51388 Lafayette, Louisiana 70505-1388

Contact Person - Ted J. Russell 01 strict Orilling Superintendent

Project Start Oate - October 1, 1988 Project End Date - August 15, 1989

88,459 Feet to be Drilled 125 Niles Offshore

II. Total Emissions for Drilling

Total Time for Drilling 8 wells: 11 months

Projected Emissions (Tons/Month of Drilling)

Emitted Substance CO S02 N0X VOC TSP

Drilling Operations 2.21 0.83 8.36 0.36 0.73

A. Transportation Emissions, Drilling

Projected Emissions (Tons/Month of Drilling)

Emitted Substance CO S02 N0X VOC TSP

Crewboat 0.00 * 0.57 0.03 *

Supply Boat 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.00 *

Helicopter 0.10 0.01 ' 0.02 0.02 0.01

26

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6. Miscellaneous, Drilling

Projected Emissions (Total Tons)

Emitted Substance CO SO, »x VOC TSP

Tow Tugboat(s) 7.69 * 35.52 2.04 *

Cementing Skid 0.32 0.10 1.40 0.12 0.11

Crewboat horsepower of 2,500 Intracoastal City, Louisiana Waiting Time .5 hour(s) per trip

7 trip(s) per week

Supply Boat with 200 kw generator Intracoastal City, Louisiana Waiting Time 4 hours(s) per trip

2 tr1p(s) per week

Helicopters Intracoastal City, Louisiana

7 trip(s) per week

Towing Tugboat horsepower of 4,0u0 Working for 6 day(s)

Cementing Skid horsepower of 1,000 Working for .5 day(s) per well

III. Project Summary, Total Emissions

Emitted Substance CO S02 N0X VOC TSP

Allowable (tons/yr) 85000 4163 4163 4153 4163

Projected Emissions (Tons/Year)

Yeer 1 32.04 9.12 127.47 6.76 6.00

Total Emissions are comprised of all Drilling Emissions.

27

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Ill Project Summary, Total Cal ssions (cont'd.)

This aay Include the following which are not specified In each section:

- Welding machines and cranes utilized during construction and drilling operations.

- Crane(s), Generator(s), Heater Treater, and Compressor utilized during production.

IV. Findings of Air Quality Review

As per DOI-MMS regulations, this facility is exempt from further air quality review as It has been determined that Its operation will not have a significant adverse environmental Impact on air quality. Calculated emissions are for a worst case condition. Actual emissions from this project will probably be lower.

V. Methodology

Drilling - horsepower-hour/ft drilled method Boats - horsepower-hour method Helicopters - landing/takeoff (LTO) cycle method All Others - horsepower-hour method

VI. References

AThOSPHERIC EMISSIONS FROM OFFSHORE OIL DEVELOPMENT AND PROOUCTION, EPA-450/3-77-Q1* (June, 1977).

COMPILATION OF AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FACTORS, EPA Report AP-42 (September, 1985), 4th Edition.

* The EPA does not provide S02 and TSP emission factors for boat engines or TSP emissions for diesel powered electrical generators.

28

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BAROID

irold

Aquagel Zeogel

Q-Broxin

WATER-BASE LIGNOSULFONATE MUU SYSTEM COMPETITIVE NOP PRODUCTS

JflE. MAGCOBAR MILCHEM

Iaco Bar

Imco Gel Iaco Brinegel

Iaco Best

weighting Material

Magcobar Nil-Bar

Clays (VUcoslf lors)

Magcogel Sal t Gel

Mil-Gel Sal t Water Gel

Super Visbestos

Thinners

Iaco vr io Spersene Unical Carbonox Inco Lig Tannathin Ligco Sodiun Chroaate Sodiua Chroaate Sodiun Chroaate Sodiun Chroaate

Cellex Imco-CMC

Fiuij^ css otrtro oarrts

Magco-CMC Milchem CMC

DESCRIPTION

Barite (Barium Sulfate)

Wyoming Bentonite Attapulgite clay

for sa l t water auds.

Asbestos Material

Ferrochrone Lignosulfonate

Chrone Lignosulfonate Processed Lignite Sodiun Chromate

(Chrom Additive for CLS Products)

Sodiua Carboxy­methylcellulose

Llat Caustic Soda

S. A. P. P.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Line Caustic Soda

Alka l in i ty . pH Control Additives TTie CTi?

Caustic Soda Caustic Soda

.alcium Removers

Inco Phos (SAP?) S . A. P. P.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bicarbonate of Soda

Defoamer

S. A. P. P.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Hydrated Lime Sodiua Hydroxide

Sodiua Add Pyrophosphate

Sodiua Bicarbonate

Aluminum Stearate

Micatex Wall Nut

TRAflE NAME

OS

Drispac

Flosal

Aluminum Steara ts

Iaco Mica Iaco Plug

COMPANY

Aluminum Stearate

Aluminum Stearate

Lost Circulation Materials

Magco Mica Nut Plug

Mil Mica Mil Plug

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS

DESCRIPTION

Louisiana Mud

Dri l l ing Specia l t ies , Inc.

Dril l ing Specia l t ies , Inc.

Aluminum Stearate

Mica Flakes (Graded) Ground Walnut Hulls

(Graded)

Chrome Lignosulfonate - Thinner Polyanionic Cellulose - Fluid Loss

Control Asbestos Naterial - vi?-os1f1er

A T T A C H M E N T VIM