In Reply Rtftr To: rP-2-1 - 10

Luton Cces>ea>. U.S.A. Attention: Hr. Fred A. Ealand Rett Office Baa 4279 Howaton. Tesas 77210

fientlcesen:

Reference It wade to your Ini t ia l Plaa of Explorstion and Environnental Report received Fabreary 6. 1986. for Lease OCS-C 581C. Block 991. Eking Bank Araa. This plan leel sees the act iv i t ies proposed fer Wells A Uiroeon E.

In accordance wltt. 30 CFR 250.34. revised Decanter 13. 1979. and ear latter dated January 29. 1979. tL1s plan has been deternined to be conplete as of Feb rne ry 7. 1986. ano Is now being considered for approval.

Tour plan control neater is N-2402 and shoe Ie be referenced 1n your cucssunIcation snd correspondence concerning this plan.

Sincerely yours.

(Orig. Sgd.) A. Donald Giroir

Actios, Regional Snpervlscr Raits and Production

bcc: Lease OCS-6 5M6 (OPS-3-2) (FILE ROOM) ( OPS-3-4 v/Rnbllc Info. Copy of the plan and ER (PUBL.REC.)

MJTolbert:ucw:2/7/86 Disk la

Proejsrn Services

FEB 1 3 1986

InCortnetlon Services Section

EXXON CORPORATION

BLOCK 9 9 1 . EWING BANK AREA

GULF OF MEXICO

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION l l PLAN DESCRIPTION

SECTION 2 : DRILLING EQUIPMENT

SECTION 3: GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS, AND SHALLOW DRILLING HAZARDS REPORT

SECTION 4 : LOCATION

SECTION 5: OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY

SECTION 6 : MUD ADDITIVES

LECTION 7 : PERMITS

SECTION 8: PROPRIETARY DATA

"FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION"

mmmu mmmm snrwi

FEB Ofi 1996

p • • ' - '»• •> PfCC ICTIC.1

INITIAL PLAN OF EXPLORATION

BLOCK ?91, EWING H Q nH4

GULT QF MEXICO

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

This I n i t i s l P lsn o f Explors t ion f o r Ewing Bank Araa, Block 991, OCS-G 5816, consists o f from ons t o f i v o posaibla w a l l s ss shown bslow:

Wall Antlcipatfd Location A 6200 'FNL 6 6675'FWL

B 2190 'FNL 6 7085'FWL

C 3400'FNL 6 5930'FWL

D 5450 'FNL 6 6200'FWL

E 6600 'FNL 6 720'FWL

I n tha avant a d d i t i o n a l aeiamic surveys sre conducted i n the area, a conventional ocean-going seismic survey veaeel equipped w i t h an appropriate hydrophone cable and non-dynamite energy source ( e . g . , a i r gun) vould be uaed.

D r i l l i n g on Wel l "A" ia planned t o commence about March 7, 1986 end v i l l requi re about 143 daya t o complete.

D r i l l i n g of subsequent v e i l s N B N throueh " E" i s contingsnt on the reaul ta o f v e i l N A M and other geological data vh ich v i i i be developed. I t i s est iaa ted t h a t the propoaed p r o j e c t could take as lone* as 25.8 conth4 t o complete t ak ing i n t o conaidarat ion those fac to r s v h i c h appaar t o be p red ic t ab le at t h i s t i a e . The proposed time f r s ae snd sequence of e c t i v i t i e e v i l l be a f fec ted by r i g a v a i l a b i l i t y , permit a c q u i s i t i o n , d r i l l i n g r e s u l t s , snd numerous other f a c t o r s .

BLOCK tfjL aaa 1MB hjut GULF OF MEXICO

QrTSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 21 DRILLING EQUIPMENT

A. DESCRIPTION

We intend to u t i l i z e the Zapata Yorktovn d r i l l i n g veasel or n i n i l a r equipaent. Thia r ig i a a 200' X 260' nnni-subnnrtibln d r i l l i n g veasel. The Yorktovn i s dasignsd to withstand sny forsssssbls vsathsr conditiona ln tha Gulf of Msxico. A schematic of the diverter systea and Hat ing of blovout prevention equipaent v i t h a configuration schematic and dsscriptivs brochure for th i s r i g have been f i l e d previously v i t h the MMS, Gulf of Mexico (GOM) .

B. EMERGENCY PLAN

Our plan for abandoning the location, in case of an energency ouch aa a v s l l kick, v i l l vary in accordance vith the aeverity of the occasion.

Tranaportation v i l l bs svsilable to evacuate peraonnel froa tne rig and area as nssd bs. Appropriate U. S. Coaat Guard prescribed l i f e refts, jackets end ring buoys will bs providsd.

C. SAFETY FEATURES

Safety fasturss v i l l include veil control and blovout prevention equipnent to comply vith OCS Order No. 2.

D. POLLUTION PLAN

Washed cutt inga and table scraps v i l l bs disposed of into the Gulf. Pol lut ion prevention and control fas turss v i l l prevent contamination, in accordance v i t h OCS Order No. 7. The veassl i s equipped v i t h drip pane and coaning, and such v i l l bs maintained. The r ig haa a USCG approved ssvage unit i n s t a l l e d .

BLOCK 991, EWING. BANK AREA

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 2 : DRILLING EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

E. PROJECTED GASEOUS EMISSIONS

Projected emissions from the Zapata Yorktovn are from four sources: pover generation engines, emergency generator, cranes, and atorage tank vapors. Equipment in use and the location of the emission dischargs are shown in ths attached calculations and skstch. The attached table shows projected emissions for f a c i l i t i e s in th i s Plan. Five v a l l a aay be d r i l l e d fron this block.

The shortest distance to shors fron any point on ths leaaa i s 70.9 miles. Ths a i r enissions calculations containsd hsrein sre bassd o.. thst distance - and therefore present a conservative analysis. I t i s not anticipatsd that s i l dsscribed v e i l s v i l l be d r i l l e d in the sams year.

Based on the exenptlon formulas shown in 30 CFR 250.57-1(d) and thn attachnd calculations, i t ia believed the f a c i l i t i e s propossd in th i s Plan of Exploration are exempt fron further a i r quality reviev. Onahore f a c i l i t i e n arn dnncribnd in Section 4; they are not nev nor are they to be modified.

FORWARD -

AUXILIARY GEM. EXHAUST AT SO1

MAIN DECK PLAN ZAPA'iA YORKTOMN

Note: Heights sbove see et d r l g . draf t

CALCULATION OF PROJECTED EMISSIONS ZAPATA YORXTOWN

BLOCK 991 EWING BANK

2. E l e c t r i c Power Generation consisting of three EMD MD16E8 1950 rated horsepower, 2-Cycle, Roots blown dieeel anginas d r i v i n g 1400 KW 600 Vo l t gsnsrstors.

Average Fuel use i s 73.2 barrels (3C4 gel lons) per dsy.

Emiss ion factors provided by the Electro-Motive Division of the Generel Motors Corp. for ths MD16E8 sngine at f u l l load (1950 HP) sre as follows:

l b . / 1 0 3 g s l . of No. 2 d ssel

TSP 13.0 NO x 597.5 CO 88.7 VOC (HC) 19.4 S 0 2 * 28.5

* Bssed on sulfur content cf 0.2 percent (by weight) in Mo. 2 diesel f u e l .

Example Celculetions

NO x for E lec tr i c Powe: Generstion (Sourcs - lb. /dsy)

397.5 lb.N0 x X 3.074 A 0 3 gsl - 1836.7 lb.NO x

lo3gel. dsy dsy

NO x for E lec tr i c Power Generstion ( F s c i l i t y - Tons/veil)

1836.7 lb.M) x X 260 day X 1 Tons - 238.77Tons NOx

dsy w a l l 2000 l b . well

ZZ. Emergency Power generstor sngine i s a C s t e r p i l l s r D-353-JWAC 4 90 horsepower d ieee l engine. Dnlt l s opersted for two hours ones esch week.

E s t ime ted fuel use i s 27.4 gsiions par hour

Page 2

Emiss ion factor* providsd by ths Engins Divis ion of ths C a t e r p i l l a r Tractor Co. for ths D353-JWAC engine s t f u l l load (490 BP) srs ss fol lows:

l b . / 1 0 3 g s l . of Wo. 2 d i s s s l

TSP 2.19 NOx 241.23 CC 16.08 VOC (HC) 8.0 S 0 2 « 28.51

* Bsssd on aulfur content of 0.2 psrcsnt (by weight) in No. 2 d i s s s l f u s l .

Ex amp l a Calculationa

NOx f o r Emergency Gsnsrstor (Sourcs - lb . /dsy) - Aa abovs

WOx f o r Emergency Gsnsrstor (Fec i l i t y - Tona/Vsll)

13.22 l b . W0X X3"* dsy* X 1 Tons -0.24 Tons MOg Jey well 2000 l b . well

* These srs intsrmittsnt opsrations reault ing in f luctuating emissions. Emergency generator la operated 2 houra per week or 37 times during a 260 dsy we l l .

2ZI. Cranes srs equipped with Caterpi l lar D-3f3-JWAC d i s s s l engines r a t a d s t 490 horsepower. Average use amounts to one crane f o r eight houra par day.

F u e l consumption i s 219 gallons for 8 hours.

E-nission factora providsd by ths Caterp i l lar Tractor Co. are tha asms ss ln I I above.

Example Calculations

MOx for crane engines (Sourcs - lb . /dsy) - Aa above 21

NO x f e r crans uae ( F a c i l i t y - Tons/well)

32.88 lb.MOx X 260 dsy X I " 6.87 Tons WOx

oay weTT 20"0"0~ weU

Page 3

ZV. Tank v t p o r i result from d i e s e l o i l sto.*.?*. Total storage c a p a c i t y ia 2400 bbl . (30-day supply) while dal ly consumption i s 7 8.6 bbl . Refueling i s performed sbout ones per week. Evaporat ive emission fac tors for Mo. 2 d i e s s l f u s l s r s obtsinad fross EPA AP-42 Ssction 4.3 Storage of Petroleum Liquids , T a b l a 4.3-4.

Breathing Loas 0.0039 l b . / 1 0 3 g s l . /d sy

Working Loss 0.023 l b . / 1 0 3 gsl./throughout

Example Celculetlons

Avarags Storsd Volume

2400 bb l - 3.5 dsys (78.C bbl . ) - 2125 bbl - 89.25 X 10 3 g s l .

dsy

D a i l y consumption

78.6 b b l . - 3.300 X 10 3 g a l .

Breathing Loas 0.0039 l b . VOC X 89.25 10 3 gal . - 0.35 l b . VOC

10 3 gal./day day

Working Loaa

0.023 l b . VOC X 3.300 10 3 gal thru - 0.08 l b . VOC 10 3 gal.th.ru. day day

T o t a l vapor lose • 0.43 l b . VOC Bay

Exemption Celculetlons

E f o r WOK, TSP, VOC and S0 2 - (33. J) (70.9) " 2361 */***•

E for CO • (3400) ( 70. 9 ) " 58243 T / y r .

suusa I . Hi in Po-er(?)

urner. m 3074 *

I I . l w r « n c y ( 3 ) Generator 2 hours per M M *

I I I . Cr*nes(»i B hours .-er My 219 <jod

IV. Vapor loss!* ) 21?* M l SlOTMB 3AU sH NM

SO

so

60

40

/ATA IA VUkUUM PKUJUUD IHISSIOTj

BLOCK 991 EWING BANK

CMOJtCHU (MISSIONS ( I )

UIVAIIUN \uj ^w no, voc co » » l Iti./My TM?!' lb./My I/Hell lb./My I/Me 11 In./My I / W i l Ib./day I/We I

8/ 6 11.4 40.0 5.2 1836./ 238.7 S9.6 7.7 2J2.1 3S.S

1.6 < a i 0.1 < 0 . 1 1J.2 0.2 0.4 < 0 . 1 0.9 < o . i

b.2 0.8 U.b 0.1 W.B 8.9 1.8 0.2

0.1 0.1

i.s o.s

EiMPt tM £ a l t * 0 -70.9 a t . 2361 2361 2361 2361 S8243

WHS: (11 S M attached calculat ions. {?) Based on continuous Miss ion for a280 day |3l Based on operation of — r i m c y cjent-rator 2 Hours per MM*, or 37 tines for a 260day M i l . (4) Based on a»eraoe oper at ton of OM cr«ne B hours per day.

BLOCK 991. EWTUG BANK AREA

cuLr or WEXICO

0FFSH0R2 LOUISIANA

SECTION 3: GEOLOC XL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS. AND SHALLOW HAZARDS REPORT

A l l anticipated gauphyaical vork preparatory to i n i t i a t i o n of exploratory d r i l l i n g operation haa been cor.pl eted.

The v a t e r depth on Block 991, Eving Bank Area, varies f r o a 530 feet t o 1380 f e e t . Tne " c u l t u r a l resource" a t i p u l a t i o n vas not invoked.

Pursuant t o Notice t o Lessees and Operators No. 83-3, datsd Ssptsmber 7, 1983, and t o 3C CFR 250.34 and jC CFR 250.11, ve have examine i a v a i l a b l e high r e s o l u t i o n geophysical data, seismic CDP and br i g h t apot i n f o r n a t i o n , v e l o c i t y da.a, and geologic data f o r p o t e n t i a l l y dangerous shallov and deep d r i l l i n g hazards. Ths locationa ars a l l considered t o bs at s i t s s vhich can bs d r i l l e d s a f s l y v i t l proper v s l l planning and prudent d r i l l i n g procedures.

1 991, HI v BANK AREA

CVLF QF HEXICV

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 4: LOCATION

A. LOCATION MAP OF BLOCK AND SHORELINE.

Please see attached.

B. DESCRIPTION OF ONSHORE SUPPOR ' BASE FACILITIES.

Wa intend to uae exiating support f a c i l i t i e s at Fourchon, Louiaiana. A l l f a c i l i t i e e are conaidered adequate; no acquisit ions for f a c i l i t y expansions are contemplated.

Other than an Exxon dispatcher, i f required, i t i s not anticipated that additional eaployeea v i l l be required to aan thia f a c i l i t y . No additional employments are forecast at th i s time, and inpact on housing, service'-., and public f a c i l i t i s s i s sxpsctsd to be ainimal. Tha number of persons on the d r i l l i n g vesssl v i l l generally be between 55 and 70.

At current exploration ac t iv i ty l eve l s . vs antic ipate about 20 boat t r i p a and 25 helicopter f l i g h t a per month fron these f a c i l i t i e s . Ths decks are approxinately ten n i l s s fron open vater , and once boats sntsr opsn vater, thay v i l l travel ths most pract ica l , d irec t route to the r i g . A l l helicopter f l ights fo i lov the noet prac t i ca l and d irect route to che r i g . The subject leaae ia approximately 33 miles southvest of Fourchon, Louisiana.

C. LOCATION MAP OF BLOCK WITH WELL LOCATIONS

See attached.

• CALC

1//C/N/TV MAP BA*KA*£A BLOCK 991 GULF OF Mex/co

Exxon Company,U.S.A. IA DIVISION o* EXXON CORPORATION,

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT N E W O R L E A N S

* « Corr, IMCtt MCI C M H v i u n JOB NO. U U NO

rwirifo s-'-es JOB NO. U U NO

V: 1 0 . t t t . > t o 0 0

7oas'

59JO'

btOO*

4,6 T S - '

TtC'

V: 10.1 * 3 . 4 4 0 0 0

6C8

9 4 7

Exxon

ShtPI OCS <i 5803

991

O.CS.-CSS 16

Odoco 21 O.CS.-G 3S79

NIC

THTT

O . C S . - G 5816 EWINQ BANK BLK. 991 FIELD

OULF OF MEXICO ,

Ex \on Company, U.S.A. (DIV S O N Of EXXON CORPORATION) P R O D U C T I O N D E P A R T M E N T

NEW O R L E A N S * * Cvrrr r**ooo- JG4 HO. r lU NO

OAT, 4-So-BS

JG4 HO. r lU NO

BLOCK 991, EWING BANK AREA

CULT OF MEXICO

QFFSHOPE LOUISIANA

SECTION 5: OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY

Procedures for preventing, reporting, and cleaning up o i l a p i l l or waste materials ars includsd in contingsncy manuals dsveloped by Exxon's Southeastern Division o f f i c e and revisions approved January 9, 1985, by tha O i l and Gas Supervisor, Gulf of Mexico, Minerals Management Service. A l l procedures, personnel t r a i n i n g , e d equipment are designed to be in compliance with OCS Order No. 7.

The poss ib i l i t y of a s p i l l of any naturs and magnitude haa been contemplated by the Clean Gulf Associatss (CGS). This organization has a membership of almost every operator in ths Gulf of Mexico, including Exxon. CGA maintains s p i l l and containment equipment at atrategic locat ions along ths coast, snd aa a member of ths organization, this equipment i s immediately available to Exxon. A l i s t of the principal items of auch equipment i s includsd in Section I I I of tho CGA "Oil S p i l l Contingency Manual".

Raaponae time in the event of an emergency on thia specif ic lease:

1. Approximately 70 minutes by hel icoptsr.

2. Approximately 11 hours by Clean Gulf from i t s base at Grand I s l e , Louiaiana, where fast response systsas are located.

BLOCK 991. EWING BANK AREA

SVLT Of MEXICO

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 6: HUD ADDITIVES

A. BASIC MU COMPONENTS

B a r i t e ( B a r i u m S u l f a t e ) Bentonite (Sodium Montmori l lonite C l a y ) Lignoaul fonate (Chroae L i g n o s u i f o n a t e ) L ign i t e (Leonard i t e -Brovn Coal ) Cauatic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)

B. MUD ADDITIVES

Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) SAPP (Sodium A c i d Pyrophosphate) Sodiua B i c a r b o n a t s Lime (Calc ium Hydroxide)

C. SPECIAL PURPOSE ADDITIVES

F r i c t i o n R e d u c e r s :

L u b r a - G l i d e (Copolymer Beads) Torq-Trim (vegetable O i l Basa)

Loet C i r c u l a t i o n M a t e r i e l :

Mica

Nut H u l l s

Spec ia l F l u i d - L o s s Control Agents :

CMC ( C a r b o x y m e t h y l C e l l u l o s e )

Defoam ing Agents : Aluainua S t e a r a t e Maconol ( 2 - e t h y l Hexanol)

D. MATERIALS SPOTTED IN HOLE BUT NOT DISCHARGED TO OCEAN

Pips Lax (Sfa^Cha Baae) Black Magic ( O i l Baae) O i l f a z e ( C l a y s , r e s i n s , E m u l s i f i e r s , and F a t t y

Acids)

BLQCK 991. BBMfl BANK AREA

GULF OF MEXICO

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 7: PERMITS

A. Required State Permits: None

B. Required Federal Permits: Coaatal Zone Management Review:

The a c t l v l t l e a deecribed i n d e t a i l i n t h i s Plan of E x p l o r a t i o n and the a c t i v i t i e s author ized by r e l a t e d Federal permits and licenaea coaply w i t h the Louis iana Coaatal Management Prograa and w i l l be conducted i n a Banner cone l a t en t w i t h t h i a prograa. The p r i n c i p a l Federal Permits ars l i s t s d bslow:

MMS A p p l i c a t i o n f o r Psrmit t o D r i l l :

I t i s s n t i c i p a t e d the MMS, Fora 9-33ic w i l l be f i l e d about February 27, 1986, pursusnt t o t h i s Plsn o f Explora t ion .

Environmental Protect ion Agency Nat ional P o l l u t a n t Discharge System (NPDES) General Pe ra i t - TX 0085642

Le t t e r o f request t o bs covsrsd under general permit submitted Juns 28, 1983.

Corps of Engineers, v. s, Any. Nationwide perait effective July 22, 1982.

In addition to activities authorizsd by ths above permits, Exxon will conduct certain supporting functions pursuant to varioua additional Federal permits, licsnsss, snd spprovals, such aa those authorized by the Federal Communications Commission snd ths Fsdsrsl Aviation Administration. All such activities coaply with ths Louisisns Coaatal Management Program snd will bs conductsd in a manner consistsnt with this program.

BLOCK 991. EWING BANK AREA

GULF OF MEXICO

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SECTION 8: PROPRIETARY DATA

One location plat, a structural map and two schematic cross sections with expected depth Barker formations are attached.

A table describing well perait depths i s shown below.

Exxon consldsrs ths data in thia Ssction to bs proprietary and txtrcpt from diwcloeurs undtr tht rrttdoa al Information Act LS U.S.c, 5_5_2j and iapltffitntipq rtgulatlon (43 CFR Part 21.

"FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION"

COASTAL ZONE MMIoMMBn

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION.

INITIAL PLAN Of EXPLORATION

Eying Bank hlMMj BlocK 991

OCS-G 5816

Tha propoaad activitiaa dascribad in detail in this ^lan coaply with Louisiana'a approvsd Coastal Zona Management Progran and will bs conductsd in a Banner consistent with such Prograa.

Arrangements have been Bade with the State-Tines in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to publish a public notion of thn propossd activities no later than February 12, 1986.

EXXON CORPORATION Lessee or Operator

Certifying Official

February 6. 1986 Date

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT.

The proposed activity w i l l be carried out and completed with the guarantee of the following items:

1. The best available and safety technologies, as set forth in the Gulf of Mexico Region OCS Orders, w i l l bs u t i l i z s d throughout the project. This includss meeting s i l applicable requirements for equipment types, general project layout, safety systems, and equipment and monitoring syetsmc.

2. A l l operations w i l l be covered by a MMS approved Oil S p i l l Contingency Plan.

3. A l l applicable Federal, Stato, and local requirements regarding a i t emissio: s and watsr quality and dischargs for tha proposed a c t i v i t i e s , as wsll as any other permit conditiona, w i l l be complied with.

Due to the nature and location of the proposed d r i l l i n g operationa to ba conducted pursuant to ths Plan of Exploration, and bassd on the impact assessments contained in the Environmental Report, Exxon submits that no adverse impacts on coaatal rssourcea can reaaonably be expected to occur. Likewise a c t i v i t i e s conductsd pursuant to t h i s Plan of Exploration ars not sxpsctsd to advsrssly af f s c t or impact land or watsr uses within the coastal zone. The Federal consistency provisions of ths Coastal Zona Management Act only apply to OCS a c t i v i t i e s which affect land or water uses within the coas t a l zons. Ths term "affecting land or water uaes" i s not dsfinad by statute, regulation, or j u d i c i a l decree. To the extent that the statutory language ia unclear, Exxon reserves tho right to seek future c l a r i f i c a t i o n aa circumstances aay require.

( 1 ) T I T L E PAGE

ccociates, 7 5 9 Parkway S t r e e t J u p i t e r / T e q u e s t a , F l o r i d a

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (PLAN OT EXPLOPVriON)

GUI OF MEXICO: OFFSHORE LOUISIANA EWING BANK AREA

BLOCK 9 9 1 (OCS-G 58 I f )

EXXON CORPORATION

5 FEBRt'ARY 1986

M r . W. R. W*rnack Exxon Corepat ... U . S . A .

P . O . Box 4279 H o u s t o n , Texas 77210-4279 T e l e p h o n e : ( 7 1 3 ) 591-5390

Applied Science and Technology'

l i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

( 1 ) T I T L E PAGE i

L I S T OF FIGURES l v

( 2 ) DESCRIPTION OF THE PROk-OSEJ ACTION 1

( a ) D e s c r i p t i o n o f P r o p o s e d T r a v e l Modes a n d Routes and 1 Frequency f o r M o v i n g S u p p l i e s and P e r s o n n e l t o and f r o m t h e O f f s h o r e A c t i v i t y S i t e and t h e Onshore Bases

( b ) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f S u p p o r t Bases and Nuinber and Types o f New i Workers A s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e P r o p o s e d A c t i v i t i e s . R e f e r e n c e I s A] so Made t o t h e Most C u r r e n t U p d a t e o f t h e S o c i o e c o n o m i c Data Base R e p o r t

( c ) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e Number, L o c a t i o n , and S i z e o f Any New ] Suppor t F a c i l i t i e s T h a t W i l l Need To Be P r o v i d e d f o r t h e Proposed A c t i v i t i e s

( d ) D e s c r i p t i o n o f Any New Techn iques o r U n u s u a l T e c n n o l o g y T h a t 1 May A f f e c t C o a s t a l W a t e r s

( e ) Maps Showing L o c a t i o n o f t h e P r o p o s e d A c t i v i t i e s l n R e l a t i o n 1 t o Each o f t h e A f f e c t e d S t a t e s ' C o a s t a l Zones

( f ) Por Deve lopmen t O p e r a t i o n s C o o r d i n a t i o n Documents , t h e Means 3 Proposed t o T r a n s p o r t O i l and Gas t o Shore f r o m t h e Lease Area and t h e R o u t e s To Be F o l l o w e d and t h e E s t i m a t e d Q u a n t i t i e s o f O i l a n d Gas To Be Moved a l o n g Such Routes

( 3 ) DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS 4

( a ) P h y s i c a l and E n v i r o n m e n t a l 4

( i ) C o m m e r c i a l F i s h i n g 4

( i i ) S h i p p i n g 7

( i l l ) S m a l l C r a f t P l e a s u r e B o a t i n g , S p o r t F i s h i n g , and 7 R e c r e a t i o n

( i v ) C u l t u r a l R e s o u r c e s 8

( v ) E c o l o g i c a l l y S e n s i t i v e F e a t u r e s g

( v l ) E x i s t i n g P i p e l i n e s and C a b l e s 10

( v i i ) O t h e r M i n e r a l Uses 10

i i i

TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

PAGE . v i i i ) Ocaan Dumping A c t i v i t i e s 10

( i x ) E n d a n g e r e d o r T h r e a t e n e d S p e c i e s 10

,o) S o c i o e c o n o m i c 11

( 4 ) UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS 12

(a ) Summary o f t h e U n a v o i d a b l e A d v e r s e I m p a c t s 12

(b ) S t a t e m e n t C o n c e r n i n g t h e U n a v o i d a b l e A d v e r s e I m p a c t s 12

( 5 ) REFERENCES 1 3

( 6 ) FINDINGS 15

i v

L IST Of FIGURES

FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE

1 LOCATION OF EWING BANK AREA BLOCK 991 RELATIVE TO THE 2 LOUISIANA COASTAL ZONE (ADAPTED FROM: USDOI, MMS, 1 9 8 4 ) .

( 2 ) DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

( a ) D e s c r i p t i o n o f P r o p o a a d T r a v e l Modes and P o u t e s and F requency f o r

M o v i n g S u p p l i e s and P e r s o n n e l t o snd f r o m t h e O f f s h o r e A c t i v i t y S i t e

a n d t h e Onshore Bases

Exxon Coapany, U . S . A . (a d i v i s i o n o f Exxon C o r p o r a t i o n ) p l a n s t o

c o n d u c t e x p l o r a t o r y a c t i v i t i e s i n Ewing Bank A r e a B l o c k 9 9 1 . H e l i c o p t e r s

a n d b o a t s w i l l move s u p p l i e s and p e r s o n n e l t o and f r o a t h e o f f s h o r e and

o n a h o r e l o c a t i o n s . H e l i c o p t e r s w i l l aake a p p r o x i m a t e l y 25 r o u n d t r i p s

p e r m o n t h and boats w i l l make a p p r o x i m a t e l y 20 r o u n d t r i p s pe r m o n t h . I f

s e r v i c i n g o n l y the p r o p o s e d l e a s e a r e a , h e l i c o p t e r s and b o a t s w i l l

n o r m a l l y t a k e the most d i r e c t r o u t e , wea the r and t r a f f i c c o n d i t i o n s

p e r m i t t i n g (see F i g u r e 1 ) .

( b ) I d e n t i f I c a t i o n o f S u p p o r t B i a e s and Number and Types o f New Worke r s

A s s o c i a t e d J l t h t h e P r o p o s e d A c t i v i t i e s . R e f e r e n c e i s A l s o Made t o

t h e Most C u r r e n t U p d a t e o f t h e S o c i o e c o n o m i c D a t a Base R e p o r t

The suppor t base w i l l be l o c a t e d l n F o u r c h o n , L o u i s i a n a . The base

i s c a p a b l e of p r o v i d i n g t h e s e r v i c e s nece s sa ry f o r t h e p r o p o s e d

a c t i v i t i e s . No new f a c i l i t i e e o r w o r k e r s w i l l be needed f o r l h a p r o p o a e d

a c t i v i t i e s . The i n i t i a l OCS S o c i o e c o n o m i c D a t a Baae R e p o r t w i l l be

d e v e l o p e d a f t e r t h e MMS and t h e S t a t e s o f A labama , L o u i s i a n a , and

M i s s i s s i p p i have i d e n t i f i e d t h e s p e c i f i c p a r a m e t e r s t o be a d d r e s s e d i n

t h e s e semiannual r e p o r t s .

( c ) I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e Number, L o c a t i o n , and S i t e o f Any New S u p p o r t

F a c i l i t i e s T h a t W i l l Need t o be P r o v i d e d f o r t h e P roposed

A c t i v i t i e s

No new s u p p o r t f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be needed f o r t h e p r o p o s e d

a c t i v i t i e s .

( d ) d e s c r i p t i o n o f Any New T e c h n i q u e s o r U n u s u a l T e c h n o l o g y That May

A f f e c t C o a s t a l W a t e r s

No new t e c h n i q u e s o r u n u s u a l t e c h n o l o g y w i l l be used d u r i n g t h e

p r o p o s e d a c t i v i t i e s .

( e ) Maps Showing L o c a t i o n o f t h e P roposed A c t i v i t i e s l n R e l a t i o n t o Each

o f the A f f e c t e d S t a t e s ' C o a s t a l Zones

F i g u r e 1 shows t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e p r o p o s e d a c t i v i t i e s i n r e l a t i o n

t o e a c h of the a f f e c t e d S t a t e s ' c o a s t a l z o n e s . The p r o p o s e d a c t i v i t i e s

w i l l t a k e p l ace i n w a t e r s a d j a c e n t t o t h e S t a t e o f L o u i s i a n a .

U t - l I I I . l I I I I I J

•OUtM U > M H

4LANO MOMTM ADOITON

• OUTM MAMIH

ISLANO

»OWTM »oonio«

•OtfTM MAM|M

ISLANO

tOUTM ADOlTCN

i 1 • H i "

(uOCMf ISLANO

lUOfNC «L*MO

lOVJ'M A DOIT ON

ff (OUTM T

W OtLTA '

Wf«T D C L T A J0«TM AOO'TON I

i i—Lr

» - » t M O A l

• O U T H A D D I T I O N i o i /TM *00>TlON SCALE IN MI.ES

10 20 30 40

0 30 60 furiNO BAN. SCALE IN KILOMETERS

OMCCN CANYON • 1

OIASIANA COASTAL ZONE

FIGURE 1 . L O C A T I O N O f EWINQ BANK AREA B L O C K S S I RELAT IVE TO THE LOUISIANA COASTAL ZONE (ADAPTED F R O M : USOOI.

MMS. 1 S S 4 ) .

J

( f ) Fox Develop—nt Operations Coordination Documents, tha Home Proposed to Transport O i l snd Gss to Shore frow the Lesse Ares snd t h a Routes To Be Followed snd the Estimated Quant i t ies of O i l snd Gas to be Moved along Such Routes

T h i s Plan i s exploratory. Mo o i l or gas w i l 1 be produced for sale

f r o a these proposed s c t i v i t l e s at this t i a e .

A

(3) DESCRIPTION OP THE AFFECTE! HNVIRONKENT AND IMPACTS

( a ) P h y l c a l and Envi ronmenta l

( i ) Commercial P i s h i n g

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are locatad south of some of the most

p r o d u c t i v e f i s h i n g grounds l n the Gulf of Mexico. Na t iona l Marine

F i s h e r i e s Service Zone 14, which borders '-he lease area ' s northern

boundary l i n e , accounted f o r approx iaa ta ly 7% of thn commercial f i she. i es

h a r v e s t f r o a the western and c e n t r a l Gulf of Mexico (USDOI, RLM, 1981,

V i s u a l No. 5; USDOI, MMS, 1984, V i sua l Nc. 4 - 1 ) . Gulf waters sccount f o r

approximate ly 30% of the t o t a } annual U.S. f i s h e r i e s harvest (USDC,

1982) .

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

c r a b s , and oysters ( w i t h s m a l l e r amounts of c laaa and sca l lops) ara t ha

most valuable f i s h e r i e s and are usual ly worth th raa or four times mora

their, the ^ r ea rn v o l u n j ' . f f i n f i s L catch -USJOI BIK, 1<»79). the USDC

(* a2) lis-. .- tlie annual commercial f i s h e r i e s l and ings s t a t i s t i c s i o r th«*

r o r t h o r n 3 j l f coast area onahore f r o a the lease a rea .

The shrlap f i s h e r y l n the Gul f of Mexico inc ludes the brown (Penaeu~

a r t e c u s ) , white (P. a e t i f e r u a ) , *nd pmk (P_. Juorarum) shr laps . These

spac les are taken almost e x c l u s i v e l y fay t r s w l s i n depths r i m i n g f rom

approximate ly 2 t o 73 m (6 t o 240 f t ) . These snrimpc are

eatuarlne-dependent spaclea which spawn in the open ocea i , go through a

s e r i e s of l a r v a l phases i n the plankton migra te d u r i n g the p o s t - l a r v a l

phaaa t o the es tuar ine nurse ry areas, • d then r e t u r n t o the open Gu l f as

a d u l t s . The USDOI, BLM (1977, V i ua l No. 5) i n d i c a t e s the seasonal

v a r i a t i o n ln the habit.* o f each of theso species . The lease araa i s

l o c a t e d outside the major shrimp spawning grounds and migrat ion routes i n

t h e northern Gulf (USDOI, MMS, 1984, V i s u a l No. 4 - 1 ) . Planktonic eggs

a r i l a r v a l stages of a l l commercial ly impor tant shrimp species may occur

p e r i o d i c a l l y in th lease area .

"he blue crab ( C a l l l n w c t e s sapldus) makes up 98% of the crsb harvest

l n t he Gulf of Mexico ( R i l e y , 1970). I t s l i f e c y c l e l s s i m i l a r t o the

s h r i m p s ' i n that i t has p l a n k t o n i c , e s tua r ine , and open ocean phases.

A d u l t s spend most of t h e i r l i v e s i n the e s t u a r i e s ; thus, the blue crab

5

h a r v e s t is taken p r i m a r i l y Inshore of the lease area. Gravid females

m i g r a t e to ths open Gu l f t o release t h e i r eggs d " r i n g s p r i n g snd summer.

Consequently, g r av id females and p lank ton ic la rvae may occur seasonally

l n the lease area.

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located ou t s ide commercial ly Important

f i n f i s h f i s h i n g grounds (USDOI, MMS. 1984, V i s u a l No. 4 - 1 ) . Three

apacles of menhaden known f r o m the Gulf make up the major f i n f i s h tonnage

t a k e n . These are B r e v o o r t i a pat ronus , B_. g u n t e r l , and B_. s a i t h 1.

m E r w ^ o o r t l a patronus comprises most of the Gu l f c a t c h . Purse sa in ing l s

ai t h e major capture method uaed l n t h i s f i s h e r y ( L i n d a l l e t a l . , 1972).

Red snapper ( L u t j a n u a campechanus) snd va r ious spaces sf grouper

J ( i . e . , the red grouper Eplnephelus mo r l o and gag Mycteroperca m i c r o l e p l s )

compose the coamercial hook-and-1 Ine f i s h e r y of the nor thern Gul f of

M a x i c o . These f l shaa may ba taken over i r r e g u l a r bo t t oa areaa l n depths

o f 2 t o 305 a (5 t o 1,000 f t ) (TerEco Corpo ra t i on , 1976).

The s t r iped m u l l e t ( M u g l l cephalus) l s g e n e r a l l y found i n nearnhore — a reas such as harbors, a a t u a r i e s , bays, and along beaches. I t l s a

i s c h o o l i n g f i s h and *s gen- ' . » l l y taken s*»h seines and t r a w l s .

«l The A t l a n t i c croak :r (Micropogonias undula tus) i s an abundant f i s h

l n eetuar lne ' a t e r s . Par r e t a t a l - (1971) repor ted croaker to be the

a o s t abundant j u v e n i l e commercial f i s h taken l a e s t u a r i e s . Croskei i s

ha rves t ed and marketed both as a food Cish and as an i dus . r i a l bottom

f i s h vL inda l l et a l . , 1972) .

The Florida pompano (Trach lno tus c a r o l l n u s ) i s p r i m a r i l y sn Inshore

f i a h t h s t is taken most ly i n the surf or s t passes. I t i s season / l iy

abundant (January t o A p r i l ) i n shrimping areas.

The Spanish mackerel (Scomberoraorus maculatus) migrs tes seasonally

a l o n g the Gulf coast. I t l s genera l ly taken i n nearshore areas.

The red drum (Sclaenops o c e l l a t u s ) i s taken predominantly l n

nearshore habi ta ts , as are che sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) ,

f l o u n d e r s , tnd the black drum (Pogonias c romi s ) .

Seatrouts, i n c l u d i n g the spot ted (Cynoscion nebulosus) , the s i l v e r

(C_. nothue) , and the sand (C_. a r e n a r i u s ) , are impor tant to the bottom

f i s h f i s h e r i e s i n tha n o r t h e r n Gu l f ( L i n d a l l et a l . , 1972). They are

u s u a l l y taksii i n o f f s h o r e areas w i t h bottom t r a w l s .

61 •a)

6

TerEco Corpora t ion (1976) describes some a d d i t i o n a l f i s h species of

t h e northern Gulf which are important to commercial and/or spor t

f i shermen and t h e i r predominant method of cap tu re . Nost of the nor thern

G u l f f ishes are tempera te , w i t h some i n c u r s i o n s f r o m Caribbean fauna .

They exh ib i t seasonal d i s t r i b u t i o n and abundance f l u c t u a t i o n s r e l a t e d t o

oceanographic c o n d i t i o n s (USDOI, MMS, 1984, p . 106). Many of the coas ta l

apacies ( e . g . , the c roake r , Mlcropogonias undu la tus ) a»*e

aatuarine-dependant, because es tuar ies or c o a s t a l marshes are a c r i t i c a l

h a b i t a t airing some phase of t h e i r l i f e c y c l e s . Rogers (1977) p o s t u l a t e d

a net inshore-of fshore movement f o r many demersal she l f f i s h species .

Thus , l t i s probable t h a t many of these species may occur i n the lease

araa at some phase of t h e i r l i f e cyc l e s .

Eggs and larvae ( i c h t h y o p l a n k t o n ) of va r ious commercially Important

f i a h species are p robab ly a l so present l n the lease area on occas ion .

S i x t y - n i n e f i s h species have been i d e n t i f i e d f rom zooplankton semples

t a k e n along the n o r t h e r n Gul f coast . Dominant taxa were the f a m i l i e s

Spar idae , Lut jan idae , T r i g l i d a e , Serranidae, and Synodontidae.

Stpnotogais caprlnus, FTl s t lpomoides aqul l o n a r l s , PL lonotus p a r a l a t u s ,

Sy.• ranus atrobrancjius, and Svno i t - t >etens wer t the « c r t impor ant.

speclea (Chittenden and Moore, 1976). Since the m a j o r i t y of

i c h t h y o p l mkters are a t t he mercy of water mrvements, t h e i r d i s t r i b u t i o n s

v r y considerably - i t h space and t i a e . Tne pr imary f^c t .or f i n f l u e n c i n g

i i - i i thyop lank t v. l n the n o r t h e r n Gulf are t l ie Loop Cu-ren t , the

M i s s i s s i p p i River, and l o c a l r u n o f f • Due to "patchinass" i n

d i s t r i b u t i o n s , prssence and abundance of i ch thyop l ank ton at any given

i n s t a n c e cannot be p r e d i c t e d .

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s probsbly w i l l t e m p o r a r i l y degrade the water

q u a l i t y i n the immediate v i c i n i t y of the d r i l l s i c e due to discharges of

d r i l l i n g f l u i d s and c u t t i n g s . This may cause c e r t a i n f i s h species t o

a v o i d the area. Commercial f i s h i n g may be a f f e c t e d tempoi r i l y . The

s i t u a t i o n should r e v e r t t o normal as soon as d r i l l i n g i s completed.

Cumula t ive e f f e c t s of i n c r e a s i n g o i l and gas a c t i v i t i e s o f f the nor the rn

G u l f coast on an.tual catches are as yet unknown. However, there are no

d a t a t o indicate t ha t o i l and gas a c t i v i t i e s are responsib le f o r any

d e c l i n e i n annual catches (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p . 181) .

7

Any o i l a p i l l t h a t would impact the s e a f l o o r could c vably k i l l

b e n t h i c organisms such as shrimp'* or cause s v a r i e t y of s u b l e t h a l

e f f e c t s . The p o t e n t i a l l o n g - t e r n e f f e c t s of a s p i l l on the benthos are

u n c l e a r because r e s u l t s o f hydrocarbon analyses are inconc lus ive (USDOI,

BLM, 1979, p. 160).

An o i l s p i l l would t e m p o r a r i l y degrade water q u a l i t y and in t roduce

t o x i n s i n t o the wa te r . Ich thyoplankton , i f p resen t , may be k i l l e d or

f u n c t i o n a l l y unpaired. However, most adul t f i s h e s encounter ing a - p i l l

and associated coxic water would probably e x h i b i t avoidance behavior .

T h i s e f f e c t would be temporary and f i shes should r e t u r n t o the area a f t e r

d i s p e r s a l of the s p i l l . No s i g n i f i c a n t or p e r s i s t e n t d i r e c t e f f e c t s f rom

an o i l s p i l l on f i s h p o p u l a t i o n s would be exj ec ted . Recruitment f rom

su r round ing areas should q u i c k l y replenish any a f f e c t e d i ch thyop lank ton

p o p u l a t i o n s once the s p i l l has dispersed. Any s p i l l would be handled

a c c o r d i n g to an o i l s p i l l contingency plan approved by the MMS.

( i i ) Shipping

The nor thern G u l f coast fa i rway runs d i agona l ly through Ewing

Bank Area Blo:k 991 (USDOI, MMS, 1984, V i s u a l No. 11 ) . The proposed

a c t i v i t i e s are r a t ed as hav ing maximum p o c e n t i a l impact on sh ipp ing as

t h a y are less -han 5 km (2 .6 n o i ) f rom a f a i r w a y (USDOI, ILM, 1979,

- . 145) . M l s t r u c t u r e s w i l l be located outs ide the sh ipping f a i r w a y .

T h i o f f sho re s t r u c t u r e w i l l oe equipped wj.th a l l s a fe ty equipment

r e q u i r e d by th Coast Guard and the MM'i t o a l e r t ships of i t s

p-raae.-'-e ir. a l l weather cond i t ion* .

( i i i ) Small C r a f t Pls / isurc Qo-<tlr..j, Sport wi sh ing , and Recreat ion

D i t t c n and Graefe ( 1973) determined t'..i*t c . l and • s t r u c t u r e s

a t e the most popular o ' " shore recrea t ion d e s t i n a t . o n areas, a t t r a c t i n g

8/% of the boats c' f i s h e d o f f sho re i n t n e i r study area. C e r t a i n

p l e a s u r e beats ( i . e . , s a i l b o a t s , pleasure yachts , and/or open ocean

r u l i n g power 'xtats) may be s l . ' g n t l y inconvenienced by having to maneuver

a r o u n d the of:shore s t r u c t u r e .nd i t s support vesse ls . * phls

inconvenience is cons ide red extremely minor as o f f s h o r e s t r u c t u r a l can be

a v o i d e d and ample maneuvering room i s a v a i l a b l e .

Any sports f i s h i n g which might occur l n the 'ease area could be

t e m p o r a r i l y a f f e c t e d by degradat ion of watar q u a l i t y du r ing d r i l l i n g .

8

Such a change in water q u a l i t y could cause tona des i rab le species t o

a v o i d t h * immediate leaae a raa . However, any such e f f e c t s are expected

t o be temporary snd l o c a l i s e d ard should not a f f e c t sny f i s h e r y p o t e n t i a l

i n t h e area as a whola• Popula t ion* ahould r e t u r n to noraal once

d r i l l i n q i s completed.

( i v ) Cu l tu ra l Resources

Coastal Environments , I nc . (1977) hss i d e n t i f i e d two types of

c u l t u r a l resources which may be found i n the nor thern Gulf of Mexico

a r e a : ( 1 ) h i s t o r i c c u l t u r a l resources or shipwrecks; and (2) p r e h i s t o r i c

c u l t u r a l resources or t r a ce s c f p rev ious ly undescribed human

c i v i l i s a t i o n s (USDOI, MMS, 1983, pp. 228-240). Approxiaa ta ly 82% of the

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

s m a l l percentage o c c u r r i n g on t h * OCS (USDOI, RLM, 1979, p . 9 1 ) . Known

submar ine archeological s i t e s are extremely r a r e , w i t h none being

i d e n t i f i e d to date i n Federa l o f f s h o r * l eas ing areas (USDOI, BLM, 1979,

p . 9 1 ) .

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located ou t s ide the H i s t o r i c and

P r e h i a t o r i c Cu l tu r a l Raaources High P r o b a b i l i t y Lines (USDCT, MMS, 1984,

V i s u a l No. 11) and t h e r e f o r e are i n a large o f f s h o r e area where h i s t o - l c

and p r e h i s t o r i c resources are considered u n l i k e l y to be found. An

a r c h e o l o g i c a l survev was not requi red f o r t h i s lease area.

( v ) Eco log ica l ly S e n s i t i v e Features

Several areas of environmental concern are located onshore of

t h e leaae area. The L o u i s i a n a Coastal Zone Management Prograa has been

d e v e l o p e d by the State t o regu la te the s i g n i f i c a n t land and water

a c t i v i t i e s between the o u t e r l i m i t of the coas ta l waters and land up t o

ch s I n t r a c o a s t a l Waterway and/or the 1 0 - f t con tour . Land uses which are

r e g u l a t e d are those t ha t have a d i r ec t and s i g n i f i c a n t impact on the

c a a t a l area r e q u i r i n g a S ta te permi t , and those which are requi red by

F e d e r a l law to bu c o n s i s t e n t w i t h the management program (USDC and LDNR,

1 9 8 0 ) . The program p rov ides f o r the p r o t e c t i o n of beaches, dunes,

w e t l a n d s , subaerged grass beds, b a r r i e r i s l a n d s , oyster r ee f s , c u l t u r a l

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

h a b i t a t . Unique e c o l o g i c a l f ea tu res include z o o l o g i c a l , b o t a n i c a l , and

g e o l o g i c a l formations c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of coas t a l processes (Burk and

9

A s s o c i a t e s , I n c . , 1975; USDC and LDNR, 1980). B i o l o g i c a l l y s e n s i t i v e

a reas o f the n o r t h - c e n t r a l Gu l f area include e s tua r ine and coas ta l

ecosystems comprised of s a l t marshes, oyster beds, grass beds, b a r r i o r

beaches , and dunes ( C o a s t a l Environments, I n c . , 198C). Theae coas ta l

ecosyetems contain nursery areas f o r many species of economic importance

aa w a l l as hab i t a t , r o o k e r i e s , major o v e r w i n t e r i n g s i t e s , and nes t ing

areaa f o r many endangered and threatened species , such as the southern

b a l d e a g l e , br w p e l i c a n , golden eagle, osprey.- red cockaded woodpecker,

A m e r i c a n peregrine f a l c o n , and var ious marine t u r t l e s (USDOI, BLM, 1979,

V i a u a i Mo. 3; Coastal Environments , I n c . , 1980; USDC and LDNR, 1980).

There are two e x i s t i n g "Special Management Areas" designated by the

L o u i s i a n a Coastal Management Program (USDC and LDNR, 1980, pp. 104-108).

Thaae areas are the "Lou i s i ana Offshore O i l P o r t " (LOOP or Superport) and

t h e "Marsh Island W i l d l i f e Refuge and Game Preserve ." The lease area i s

l o c a t e d 183 km (99 nmi) south-southeas t of Marsh I s l a n d W i l d ' i f e Refuge

and Game Preserve and 122 km (66 nmi) southwest of the LOOP. None of the

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

S p e c i a l Management Areas.

Conspicuous areas of environmental concern f o r Louisiana are

d e p i c t e d by the USDOI, BLM ( 1979, Visua l Nos. 1 and 4) and the USDC and

LDNR ( 1980, Figure No. D-1) .

The coastal zone area i s a lso of r e c r e a t i o n a l importance to

r e s i d e n t s and t o u r i s t s . Most r ec rea t iona l a c t i v i t i e s focus on the area 's

w a t e r raaources which i n c l u d e beaches, boa t ing areas, and f i s h i n g areas.

The o n l y o f f shore areas o f designated b i o l o g i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e are Ewing

Bank l o c a t e d 10 km (5 nmi) n o r t h of the lease area, and Diaphus Bank

l o c a t e d 16 km (9 na l ) e a s t -no r theas t of the lease area (USDOI, MMS, 1984,

V i s u a l No. 4 - 1 ) . The proposed a c t i v i t i e s should have no e f f e c t on these

p r o t e c t e d ureas of b i o l o g i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e or on remnant coastal banks,

o r o y s t e r grounds.

W h i l e o i l s p i l l s d u r i n g d r i l l i n g operat ions are rare (Danenberger,

1976 ) , the p o s s i b i l i t y of a s p i l l does e x i s t . O i l f o u l i n g i n any coas ta l

a r ea c o u l d d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y a f f e c t a v a r i e t y of species, i n c l u d i n g

t h r e a t e n e d or endangered spocies or species impor tan t to commercia . and

s p o r t f i s h e r i e s . D i r e c t e f f e c t s on b io ta would inc lude f o u l i n g

10

( p a r t i c u l a r l y b i r d s ) , s u f f o c a t i o n ( p a r t i c u l a r l y f i she s and t u r t l e s ) , and

t o x i c i t y f r o a contact or f ron the inges t ion of o i l or c >ntaminated f o o d .

Any o f thss* e f f e c t s c o u l d be l e t h a l , cause weakening, or causa i greater

s u s c e p t i b i l i t y to p r e d a t i o n . S i g n i f i c a n t e c o l o g i c a l or economic impacts

c o u l d also resu l t f r o m the f o u l i n g of oys te r beds and h a b i t a t s . I n d i r e c t

e f f e c t s would Include the de s t ruc t i on of c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s , e s p e c i a l l y

b reed ing ar.d nursery a reas . Any e f f e c t s on endangered or threatened

species would be s i g n i f i c a n t .

O i l f o u l i n g of the coas t a l area could a l so have adverse

socioeconomic e f f e c t s . Tourism is an import anv par t o f Gulf coast

economies. Removal of beach or other coas ta l areas from r e c r e a t i o n a l uoe

by o i l f o u l i n g would s i g n i f i c a n t l y decrease t o u r i r a i n the a f f e c t e d area

and i anse loss of income and a va r i e ty of r i p p l e e f f e c t s i n l o c a l

economies.

Any s p i l l would be handled according t o an o i l s p i l l contingency

p l a n approved by the MMS. I f a s p i l l d i d occur dur ing opera t ions , l t '.»

u n l i k e l y that i t would a f f e c t any netrahore or onshore ar or

resources .

( v i ) E x i s t i n g P i p e l i n e s and Cables

There are no e x i s t i n g p ipe l i ne s or cables i n the lease area

(USDOI, MMS, 1986).

( v i i ) Other M i n e r a l Uses

Other t i n p o t e n t i a l o i l and gas reserves , there are no known

m i n e r a l resources i n the lease area,

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

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are not loca ted i n an area designated

f o r ocean dumping a c t i v i t i e s .

( i x ) Endangered or Threatened Species

The USDOI, BLM (1979, p . 45) cons iders possible impacts of

lease a c t i v i t i e s on endangered species i n t h i s area of the Gu l f t o be

temporary, l o c a l i z e d , and chance occurrences . I t has judged the

p o t e n t i a l impacts on endangered species to be remote p o s s i b i l i t i e s

w i t h o u t major p o t e n t i a l f o r d i r e c t e f f e c t s on any s ing le species . I n

a d d i t i o n , l t has been determined that lease a c t i v i t i e s w i l l not r e s u l t i r .

t h e obs t ruc t ion or m o d i f i c a t i o n of designated c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s or

11

,4 p o t e n t i a l c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s . Oishore f a c i l i t i e s are located i n a

a 1 :

-

:

3 • ii

prev ious ly deve . . ; area and pose no rew or a d d i t i o n a l th rea t t o

endangered o:" ' d ec ies .

i p p r o r l m . . idangered species of cetaceans occur i n the Gul f

of Mexico* 'i"u»i are the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) ' i n whale

(Balaenoptera p h y s a l u s ) , humpback whale (Megaptera novaeang. j e , , r i g h t

whale (Eubalaena g l a c i a l i s ) , sei whale (Balaenoptera b o r e a l i s ) , and sperm

whale (Physeter c a t o d o n ) . General ly, most of these la rger cetaceans

occur in con t inen ta l s h e l f , s lope, or deep oceanic waters (USDOI, B I '

19S1) The s ta tus and m i g r a t i o n pat terns of these species i n the Gu l f of

Mexico are unknown (Lenman, 1992).

Several endangered or threatened species of sea t u r t l e s , i n c l u d i n g

t h e Kemp's r i d l e y (Lep idoche lys fcHmpxi), h a w k s b i l l (Eretmochelys

l m b i r c a t a ) , a t r e rback (Dermochelys c o r i a c e a ) , loggerhead (Caret ta

c a r e t t a ) , and green (Che lon ia mydas), may o c c a s i o n a l l y v i s i t the lease

a rea .

The p.-imary danger t o marine t u r t l e s would be pcss io le c o l l i . ions

w i t h boats, adul t t u r t l e s , e spec ia l ly loggerheads, seem to be a t t r a c t e d

t o of fshore s t r u c t u r e s f o r feeding and r e s t i n g (USDOI, BLW, 1979, p . 165)

increas ing the p r o b a b i l i t y of c o l l i s i o n s . No c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t f o r any of

these species is known t o e x i s t ir the lease area (USDOI, BLM, 1979.

p p . 73-74).

(b ) Soc economic

]

] •j ml

a, The i n i t i a l OCS Socioeconomic Data Base Report w i l l be developed

•* a f t e r the MMS and the S t a t e s of Alabama, I u i s i a n a , and M i s s i s s i p p i have

ml i d e n t i f i e d the s p e c i f i c parameters to be addressed i r these semiannual

r e p o r t s . No new pe r sonne l w i l l be .ceded f o r the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .

12

(4) UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

(a) Summary of tha Unavoidable Adverse Impact*

Offahore s t r u c t u r e s w i l l r e a u l t i n minimal n a v i g a t i o n a l I n t e r f e r e n c e

to ships u s i r j e s t a b l i s h e d fairways. However, during t i a e s of reduced

v i s i b i l i t y , vessels have the greatest p o t e n t i a l to deviate f r o a

established fairways and impact o f f s h o r e s t r u c t u r e s (USDOI, BLM, 1979,

p. 230). Discharge of d r i l l i n g auds and c u t t i n g s and a i r emissions

during d r i l l i n g operations w i l l adversely a f f e c t aarine organisms, water

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

(1979, pp. 229-231). These impacts are temporary, however, and w i l l be

H a l t e d to an extremely small area. They are j u s t i f i e d by the n a t i o n a l

in t e r e s t i n d i s c o v e r i n g and developing badly needed reserves of o i l and

gas. During the explor-ttory operations, a l l discharges w i l l coaply w i t h

a l l applicable MMS and EPA requirements. No s i g n i f i c a n t adverse iapacts

«*re expected. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s covered by t h i s Plan should not

resu l t i n unavoidabls iapacts on wetlands, c u l t u r a l resources,

recreational a c t i v i t i e s , shoreline a e s t h e t i c s , or otner land uses.

(b) Statement Concerning the Unavoidable Adverse Impacts

None of the environmental consequences expected during normal

operations should produce l i g n l f lean", or cumulative adverse environmental

e f f e c t s . The e f f e c t s of a possible o i l s p i l l should have no o v e r a l l

cumulative or long-term e f f e c t on the environment, except i n the possible

event of contamination of endangered marire species. A s p i l l would be

handled according t o an o i l s p i l l contingency plan approved by the

MMS. Thus, l t l s u n l i k e l y that a s p i l l would occur during oparationa and

af f e c t any nearshore or onshore areas or resources. The proposed

a c t i v i t i e s should have no s i g n i f i c a n t Impact on endangered species or

c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t . Tha i n f o r a a t l o n presented i n t h i s Environmental Report

indicates no c l e a r or present reason not to proceed w i t h t h * proposed

a c t i v i t i e s . Withdrawal of the Plan would r e s u l t l n the loss of p o t e n t i a l

hydrocarbon production from t h i s area.

13

(5) REFERENCES

B u r k and Associates, I n c . 1975. Louisisns Coasts l Resource- I n v e n t o r y . V o l . X, Geographic areaa of p a r t i c u l a r concern. New Orleans, LA.

C h i t t e n d e n , M. I . , J r . , and D. Moore. 1976. Composit ion of the lchthyofauna i n h a b i t i n g the 110-a bathymecric contour of the Gul f o f Mexico, M i s s i s s i p p i R ive r to the Rio Grande. Departnent of Marina Raaources In fo rms ' . i on Center fo r Marine Research, Texaa A&M U n i v e r s i t y . 15 pp .

C o a a t a l Environments, I n c . 1977. C u l t u r a l resources eva lua t ion of the nor thern Gulf of Mex ico . Nat ional Park Se rv ice , Washington, D.C.

C o a a t a l Environaents, I n c . 1980. CPA-2, Of f sho re Mis s i s s i pp i -A labeaa -r l o r i d * , b i o l o g i c a l l y aena i t i va areaa. Baton Rouge, LA.

Danenberger, E- P. 1976. O i l s p i l l s , 1971-1975. Gul f of Mexico ou te r c o n t i p s n t a i s h e l f . USGS C l r c No. 741 .

D i t t o n , R. B. and A. R. G r a e f e . 1978. Recrea t iona l F ishery Use of A r t i f i c i a l Raefa on t h e Texas Coast. Department of Recrea t iona l Parka, Texas ASM U n i v e r s i t y . 155 pp.

Lehman, J . 1982 (persona l communication). U.S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Minerala Management Service Gu l f of Mexico OCS o f ' x c e , M e t a i r i e , LA.

L i n d a l l , W. V . , J r . , J . R. H a l l , J . E. Sykea, and E. L . Arnold , J r . 1972. Louiaiana Coaa ta l Zone: Analyses of Resources and Resource Developaent Needa l n Connection w i t h Ea tuar ina Ecology. Sections l u and 13, Fishery Reaourcea and t h e i r Needa. A repor t f o r the U.S. Army Corpa of Engineers , New Orleans, LA. C o n t r i b u t i o n No. 14-17-002-430. 323 pp .

P a r r e t , W. S., B. B. B a r r e t t , W. R. Latapie , J . F. Pi H a r d , W. R. Mock, C. B. Adkina W. J . Ga id ry , and C. J . Whi t e . 1971. Cooperat ive Gu l f of Mexico E s t u a r i n e Inventory and Study, Louia iana . Phaae I , Area Deacript lon and Phaae IV, Bio logy . Louis iana W i l d l i f e and F i s h e r i e s C o m m i s s i o n .

R i l e y , F. 1970. F i s h e r i e s of the United S t a t e s , 1969. U.S. Department t h e I n t e r i o r , Bureau o f Commercial F i s h e r i e s . C.F.S. No. 5300. 87 pp.

Rogers , R. M . , J r . 1977. Trophic i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s of selected f i s h e s on the con t inen ta l s h e l f of the nor thern Gul f of Mexico. Ph.D. d i sse r t t i o n , Tev%S A&M U n i v e r s i t y . 229 pp .

u

T e r E c o Corporation. 1976. Ecologica l Aspects of the Upper Continental Slope of th* Gulf of Mexico. A report for th* M.S. Departmer of the Inter ior , Bureau of Land Management Gulf of Mexico OCS O f f i c e , Naw Orleana, LA. Contract No. 08550-CT4-12.

U . S . Department of Commerce. 1982. Currant Plaherlaa S t a t l a t i c a No. 8200. Fleheriea of the United Statea, 1981. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Ocaanic and Atmospheric Administration.

U . S . Department of Commerce and Louisiana Department of Natural Raaources. 1980. Louia iana Coastal Raaources Prograa Pinal Environmental Impact Statement. Louiaiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1977. P inal Environment i l Impact Statement. Proposed 1977 Outer Continental S h e l f O i l and Gaa Leaae Sale 47, Gulf of Mexico.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1979. P i n a l Environmental Impact Statement. Propoaed 1979 Outer Continental S h a l f Oil and Gas Leaaa Sale S8A, Western and Central Gulf of Mexico. 181 pp.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Land Management. 1981. P inal Environmental Impact Statement. Propoaed 1981 Outer Continental S h e l f Oi l and Gaa Leaae Salea 67 and 69, Gulf of Mexico. 300 pp.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Minerala Management Service . 1983. F i n a l Regional Environmental Impact Stateaent. Gulf of Mexico. 1,004 pp.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Minerala Management Service . 1984. F i n a l Environmental Impact Stateaent. Propoaed O i l and Gaa Leaae S a l e a 94, 98, and 102. Gulf of Mexico. 752 pp.

U . S . Department of the I n t e r i o r , Minerala Management Service . 1986. ( P i p e l i n e Mapa). Gulf of Mexico OCS O f f i c e , Metairie , LA.

15

(6) FINDINGS

1) Exxon '* Plan of E x p l o r a t i o n (Secx. an-7) f o r OCS-G 5816 addresses a l l

o f the permits , l i c e n s e e , and clearances needed to conduct the

a c t i v i t i e s descr ibed l n the Plan.

2) To tha best of our knowledge, a l l of the data neceaaary f o r Coaatal

Zona Hi igement Review i s contained i n t h i a Environ-asntal Report and

the accompanying P l a n .

3) The propoaed d r i l l i n g a c t l v l t l e a are loca ted outs ide of the

Louiaiana Coaatal Z c and ar* not expected to a f f e c t any Specia l

Management Areas.

4) No s i g n i f i c a n t d e t r i m e n t a l impact i s l i k e l y t o occur t o watar or land

uses l n tha coas ta l zones aa a r eau l t of a c t i v i t i e s proposed i n the

Plan of E x p l o r a t i o n .

5 ) Each of the propoaed a c t i v i t i e s , t h e i r associa ted f a c i l i t i e s , and

t h e i r e f f e c t s are c o n s i s t e n t wi th the p r o v i s i o n s of the Louis iana

Coastal Management Program.