North Aleutian Basin (NAB) Information Status and Research Planning Meeting

North Aleutian Basin (NAB) Information Status and Research

Planning Meeting

Hilton Hotel, AnchorageNovember 28 - December 1, 2006

Paul Stang, Alaska Regional Supervisor for Leasing and Environment

Minerals Management ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

• The Outer Continental ShelfThe Outer Continental Shelf– off the coast beyond 3 milesoff the coast beyond 3 miles

• Oil and Gas Leasing, Regulation, Oil and Gas Leasing, Regulation, Monitoring, InspectionsMonitoring, Inspections

• Sand, gravel, gold, other minerals, Sand, gravel, gold, other minerals, • Energy from sun, wind, currents, Energy from sun, wind, currents,

waveswaves• Royalty Collection andRoyalty Collection and

DisbursementDisbursement

MMS Background: An Ocean & Mineral AgencyMMS Background: An Ocean & Mineral Agency

•EnvironmentalEnvironmental & Technical& Technical ResearchResearch

Preparation of the 5-YearPreparation of the 5-Year

OCS Oil and Gas Leasing OCS Oil and Gas Leasing

Program for 2007-2012Program for 2007-2012

2/062/06

** Request for Comments and InformationRequest for Comments and Information [45-day comment period][45-day comment period]

Draft Proposed ProgramDraft Proposed Program

[60-day comment period][60-day comment period]

>>> 8/06>>> 8/06

Proposed Program and Draft EIS Proposed Program and Draft EIS

[90-day comment period][90-day comment period]

Proposed Final Program and Final EISProposed Final Program and Final EIS

[60-day waiting period][60-day waiting period]

8/05 8/05

6/076/07

Final ApprovalFinal Approval

7/1/077/1/07

Current program ends Current program ends

New program beginsNew program begins

4/074/07

Sales in the 2007-2012 Proposed Program off Alaska

Beaufort Sea Cook Inlet 2009 and 2011 2009 and 2011

Chukchi Sea 2007, 2010 and 2012

North Aleutian Basin 2010 and 2012 (subject to Pres. Withdrawal)

Historic Sale 92 Area

• Last area sale was held in 1988

• Last EIS for NAB area was completed in 1985

• Last MMS study in the area was concluded in early 1990s

Proposed leasing is still contingent on …

• Inclusion in the Final 5-Year Program

• Removal of current Presidential Withdrawal

• Subsequent pre-sale decisions on whether to actually hold an individual sale in the NAB

OCS Oil and Gas EstimatesUndiscovered Technically Recoverable

Planning Area Barrels* of Oil Equivalent Fraction

95% Mean 5% that’s oil

Beaufort Sea 0.53 13.14 36.08 2/3**

Chukchi Sea 4.15 29.04 77.36 1/2**

N. Aleutian Basin 0.09 2.29 6.65 1/3**

Cook Inlet 0.06 1.23 3.47 4/5**

*Billions ** Approximate

Some Key Concerns raised in meetings on Aleutian Chain

• Effects of noise and oil spills on --

- Commercial fisheries year round

- Subsistence

- Endangered and Threatened Species

- Other Birds and Mammals• Right Whale & Stellar Sea Lion Critical Habitats• Economic Benefits - Jobs & Access to Fuel

Timing Est. of Information Needs for OCS Leasing / Operational Activities• Fall ’07 – Need Studies Info to Start Lease Sale EIS • 2008 – Start general monitoring in sale area• 2010 – Lease sale• 2011* – First Exploration Well & First Discovery• 2012* – Need Studies Info to Start DPP EIS• 2012* – Start Monitoring in Development Area• 2015* – Complete EIS, Approve DPP, Sanction Project • 2017* – Begin Development Construction at NAB site• 2020* – Start Oil Production• 2025* – Start Gas Production (LNG Export)

*earliest possible scenario

Contacts

[email protected] Regional Supervisor, 907- 334-5233 or -5230 Leasing & Environment

[email protected] Chief, Environmental 907-334-5281 Studies Section

[email protected] NAB Planning Meeting, 907-334-5283 COTR