Xn Reply Pefer Tot PP-2-1 Conoco Inc. At tout ion i hr. D. L. By ere Post Office Ecu 51266 Lafayette, Tcuiniana 70505 Contleswjni Pol or once ie Dade to vour Initio! Plan ot Eaploratlon and Environmental Report race! vac Dec en-be r 16, 1965, for Laaaa OCS-G (340, Eloca 119, Cardan Banks Aran. This plan includes tha active tos propoaad tor Wall Ko. 1. ln accorek ... vith 30 CPP 250.34, revised December 13, 1979, and out letter bated January 29, 1979, this plan has baan determined to ba conplete aa of Decesibor 30, 1985, and la now bo iny conaidarad for approvai. Tour plan control nrafcai ls n-2367 ond should bo rafarancad in your coooun ica tion and correspondence concerning thia plan. 6incerely yours. Acting Regional Superv oor Pulae ano Production KJTolber 11rbr112/30/85 Disk la Office of Prccrs.Tj Cervices JAN 0 6 1388 Information SerAces Section
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Xn Reply Pefer Tot PP-2-1
Conoco Inc. At tout ion i hr. D. L . By ere Post Office Ecu 51266 Lafayette, Tcuiniana 70505
Contleswjni
Pol or once ie Dade to vour Init io! Plan ot Eaploratlon and Environmental Report race! vac Dec en-be r 16, 1965, for Laaaa OCS-G (340, Eloca 119, Cardan Banks Aran. This plan includes tha active tos propoaad tor Wall Ko. 1.
ln accorek ... vith 30 CPP 250.34, revised December 13, 1979, and out letter bated January 29, 1979, this plan has baan determined to ba conplete aa of Decesibor 30, 1985, and la now bo iny conaidarad for approvai.
Tour plan control nrafcai ls n-2367 ond should bo rafarancad in your coooun ica tion and correspondence concerning thia plan.
6incerely yours.
Acting Regional Superv oor Pulae ano Production
KJTolber 11rbr112/30/85 Disk la
Office of Prccrs.Tj Cervices
JAN 0 6 1388
Information Ser Aces Section
Cconcco) /V - 2x7
Production OtpvHnitnt L j ' i v t t te D'vjwn
Conoco Inc P 0 Bo» 51266 UfsvtJte, LA 70508 13181 236-SOOO
'tssrwm savin December 6, 1985
CC 16 1935
Minerals Management Serv ice P. 0. Bex 7VA4 M e t a i r i t , LA 70010
A t t e n t i o n : Regional Supe rv i so r , O f f i c e f o r Rules and Product ion
Cent Lemon:
I n i t i a l Plan of E x p l o r a t i o n , Garden Banka Block 119, QCS-C634Q
Enclosed are the r e q u i r e d copies o f our I n i t i a l Plan cf E x p l o r a t i o n f o r Garden Banks Block 119 (OCS-C6340). Five copies ccnta'.n p r o p r i e t a r y i n fo rou t i on and are so marked. A l l geophys ica l data f o r t h i s w e l l w i l l be sent d i r e c t l y to the Lake Charles D i s t r i c t O f f i c e . I f any a d d i t i o n a l information is needed you can c a l l me a t (318) 236-5078 or Bob Soptei at (318) 236-5080.
Yours verv t r u l y ,
D. L . Byers Coord inator Environmental A f f a i r s
RJStnh Enclosures
RS/105
DtCl fi 1985 INITIAL PLAN OF EXPLORATION W w B f ^
GARDEN BANKS BLOCK 119. 0CS-C6340 I , T-
This i n i t i a l plan of exploration provides for tha d r i l l i n g of one (1) wall, N'o. 1, on 0CS-G6340, Catdan Banks Block 119. Individual wsll iniormation ia aa follows:
Proposed Proposed Wsll Surface Bottom Hols Anticipated Days Co No. Location Location PTD Spud Pats D r i l l
I 2600*FNL* Fsbruary 1. 90 4025'FVL 1986
Ths fabrication and i n s t a l l a t i o n of platforms, producing f a c l l i c l s s , and pipslinss ls contlngsnt upon chs succsss of th i s w a i l .
This sxplorstory v s l l w i l l bs d r l l l s d by a Semisubmersible d r i l l i n g r i g similar to the Penrod 73. Drip pans ars installed undar a l l squlpmsnt which could be s sourcs of pollution. No wasts products which contain o i l w i l l be disposed of into Gulf of Msxico watsrs. Domestic wastes w i l l bs trsatsd by onboard sanitation treatment f a c i l i t i e s . Thess watsrs plus formation and d r i l l watsrs w i l l bs disposed of at tha slta ln accordance with applicable Fsdsrsl Regulations.
Cardan Banks Block 119 is located approximately 116 miles from i t s closest point onshore (South of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana Operations w i l l be ssrvsd by Conoco's shore bases which ars located Camsron and Morgan c i t y , Louisiana. Thsss shors basts serve tha following purposes: 1) loading point for t o o l s , equipment and machinery to be delivered to our offshore locations; 2) crew change and transportation base; and 3) temporary storage for materials and equipment. Tha bases are equipped with ths nscsssary loading docka and cranes for convenient and ssfs opsrstions. F u l l time dispatchers are employed at Cameron ln order to maintain 24 hour contact with offshora psrsonnsl.
Safety ln d r i l l i n g operation w i l l ba accomplished through: 1) adsquately daaigned casing programs; 2) tha uss of blowout prsvsntsrs and aaaociatad w a l l equipment of adequate preaaura rating to contain anticipated pressures; 3) the use of s u f f i c i e n t mud volumes to inj u r s control of tha well; 4) the use of mud monitoring equipment; and 5) the use of suparvlaory personnel properly trained i n praaaure control. Fire d r i l l s , abandon ship d r i l l s , the installation and use of required navigational aids and l i f e -saving equlpaent and a l l othar shipboard safety requirements w i l l ba conducted pursuant to Coaat Guard regulations.
Conoco Inc. is a member of Clean Gulf Associates (CGA) • CGA ls a cooperat i v e designed to own and maintain a large inventory of u i i s p i l l clean-up equ^ment. This cqulpoant and tha necessary marins supervisors for use in en advisory capacity are available to member companies during s p i l l eventa. Major equlpaent items available through CGA ara fast responsn open sas and bay skimmers, high volume open aaa skimmer systems, shallow wster skimmer systems, snd an inventory of known resources available for emergency o i l
s p i l l clean-up and control. Our updated Accidental Discharge Contingency Plai< was appro/ed by the MMI on March 14, 1985.
As per the Air Quality Regulations '0 CFR 250.57 (Federal Register March 7, 1960), Attachment I ia a l i s t of L--ejected emissions during thc propossd operations. Emissions from each f a c i l i t y were estimated from EPA AP-42 n.d a l l calculations were based on worst possible caaaa. Actual emissions .ire expected tn be considerably below those estimated. Attachment I I is a sche.nat.c of the d r i l l i n g operations and indicates the height of salaslms abov.? . r * level.
The period of time the f a c i l i t y w i l l be polluting ls based on the rime achedule as shown above. D r i l l i n g operations ara expected to laat 90 days. During this time emissions are based on the following factors:
Rig: 12.280 HP (Four EMD Model 16-645E9B dlesels each at 3070 HP each) 24 hrs/day and 7 days/week.
Standby Boat: 24 hra/day and 7 days /weak. Work Boat: 24 hrs/day and 4 days/week. Tug Boat: 2-4500 HP dlesels 24 hrs/day for 4 days to tow r i g
ln and out. Welding: 1-50 HP diesel nnlng 4 hra/day to power welding
u n i t . Cementing: 2-200 HP diesels to powsr unit running 28 hrs/well, Crane: 2-110 HP dlesels to power crane running 4 hrs/day. Helicopters: 3 flights/day.
Using the above estimates, the table in Attachmant I waa compiled. Also Included ln this table are the maximum allowable emissions. These values were baaed on exemption formulas ln the Federal Register and the d r i l l i n g operations being 116 miles from the nearest >iore as shown in Attachment I I . Conaiderlng this information, we do n i plan to I n s t a l l air quality p o l l u t i o n controls.
A structure map, cross ssction, location pla t , shallow hazards survey, and a l i a t of drilling/completion f l u i d s ars attached.
D. L. Byers Coordinator Environmental Affairs
RS:cjw Attachments
RS/A5
PROJECT EMISSIONS GARDEN BANKS 119; WELL NO. 1; OCS-C6340
POUNDS PER DAY OP OPERATORS
Pollutant D r i l l i n g Rig 12,280 HP
Boat w/200 KW
Generator
Helicopter 3TOL Cycles Two Engines
Tugboat 2-4500 HP Diesels
Crane 2-110 HP Diesels
Ceaent 2-200 HP Diesels
Welding 1-50 HP Diesels
604.37 6.20 1.08 442.94 1.80 19.68 .41
TSP 649.16 0.00 1.50 475.77 1.94 21.14 .44
9088.28 32.20 3.42 6660.79 27.14 296.04 6.17
j 1966.96 14.30 34.20 1441.59 5.87 64.08 1.33
VOC 727.06 4.10 3.12 532.86 2.17 23.68 .49
Total Emissions (Tons)
Year S02 TSP NO CO x VOC
1986 28.62 30.35 426.39 94.31 34.35
Max. Allow. 3862.8 3862.8 3862.8 80869.40 3862.8
Not* 1; Max. Allow (Tons Par Year) - 3400D for CO
33.3D for SOj, TSP, HO , VOC, where D - 116 alias
Note 2: H.P. x hrs run/day x g/HP hr - f/day, where g/HP hr comes froe; table 33.3/ of EPA AP-42, Compilation of Mr Pollution Emission Factors
RS/A5
JEFFERSON DAVIS
I W BATON
V SAINT 1 \ MARTIN \
4—L
~i—k
srM-srf TTT
-4TT
«7
I 1 T "Tp H : '1
TTT •••••• IL ; : ::
44^
lib Wiles
mm
m
CONOCO INC VICINITY PUT
S OCIr ifl
WELL NO.1 M" TASHKENT 3L-(t)
t
• • ' F 1 1 P 1 1 I ' ' 1 ? • rmmtrn • * i • . ' ! ' . ' " • " ' ' 3 » I i l ' ' L C L ' F •
Neatest CG-A base would be C a m i o n OC InWaCoasVoA C i f y
o Well No.1
FWL
G6 US CONOCO IHC t-OCvriovi PLAT
BLOCK vf\ ocs-*t4*0 VftLV. MO.l SCM.E: l''=2oOO
ShFETY FMWNY
OCS-G to to v/ELL NO. 1
The following is a l i s t of d r i l l i n g and completion fluids that may be used i n this plan.
There w i l l be no in tent ional discharge of hazardous material <n v io la t i on cf EPA or DOI regulations. D r i l l i n g mud w i l l be disposed of on s i te provided i t is not o i l based and
provided i t complies wi th EPA's permitting procedures and guidel ines.
PRODUCT
AKTAF 10-S
Aluminun S tea rate
Areo Seal
AZ-32
Bactron KM-7
Barite
Basco-50
Basco Bestos
Benex
Bentonite
Bex
Bicarbonate of Soda
B i t Lube
Breakers
Bridge Heal
3uffer
Calcium Bromide
Calcium Carbonate
OESCRIPTICN
Mixed Oxyethylated Phenols, Nonylphenols and Potassium Hydroxide
Aluminum Salts reacted with Stearic Acid
Shredded Cellophane
Vegetable O i l base with Hydroxyetnyl Cellulose type Polymer with Aldehyde
Corrosion Inhibicor with bacterial prcperto.es
Barium Sulfate
>toriferrrenting starch
Shredded Cellophane
Anhydride Co-polymer
Wyoming Bentonite
Synthetic Polymers and Carbonates
Sodium Bicarbonate
High pressure lubricant with Potassium Hydroxide and Sulfurized Phenols
Cellulose Enzymes, Sodium Persulfate
Calcium Lvgnosulfonates, Calcium Carbonates and Esterated Polysaccaharide
Sodium Acetate
Calcium Bromide
Calcium Carbonate
Revised 10-79
CcUcisa Chloride
Carbo Free
Caztoonox
Caustic Soda
CC - 16
f i l l n ie.ni
Cement
Cheroerol-X
Circe tex
CL/CLS
Clay
Q C
Con Det
Cor trcai 126
Cortron R-66
Cm trail PD-14
Cartror. HD-2202
Cortron SD-2264
Cottonseed Oil
CQ
Crcpoac 609
Cronox 2Z5
CY Ben
Calcium Chloride
Crganccriilic Clay with t a l l Oil atulsif ier
Lignite Material
Sodium Hydroxide
Solubilized Sodium Salt of Lignitic Humic Acid Power
Shredded Cellophane
Mixture of Calcium Aluminates and Silicates
Cautized lignite base with an Organo Aerylate Composition
Blend of sized carbonates
Chrome Lignite - Chrome Ligncsulf anate
Sub-Bentonite
Sodium Carboxymethyl CaJ lulose
Anionic Surfactant
Amine Sulfi te
Filming Amine
Quaternary Amine
Corrosion Inhibitor with bacterial properties
Water soluble amine with amine sulf i te and oxygen scavengers
Vegetable Oil frcm cottBBS—d
Causticized Feu.udii.ume Lignosulf cante
Ethoxy lated Amine with IPA
Bthoxy Lated Amine with IPA
Co-polymer coataiaa Acrylamide
??DDXT TICK
Cypan
DD
Daknlite
Desco
Dextrid
Dowell F-75
Drillaid 420
Drilltzeat
Drispac
DUXBtODB
EDL-5
E-Z Mul
Ernulsite
Fiber Seal
F lo Tex
Foam Ban
Gal Tone
Id Fury
Gypsum
HAI 75
HDQ-48
HEC
Heals
Sodium Polyacylate with Acrylcnitrile
Aqueous blend with Diethanol Amides
North Dakota Lignite
Suifoallcylated Tannin contains chrcme
HOPOB i IHU Ling starch
Fluorochamical Quaternary of Methyl Iodide
Bentonite Extender and Selective Flocculen
Phospholipid Surfactant contains Lecithin
Polyanionic Cellulose
Lignitic Material
Mineral Oil Surf actant and Iscccopyl Alccfcu
Rfmlsifisr with Methanol and Malaic Anhydride
Caustic Lignite Ccnpound
Processed Cane Fiber
Blend of Lignosulf cnatss, Carbohydrates, and Carbonates
Octyl Tri-butyl Phosphate and Organic Silicone
Organo—Clay
Dagreaser, six more surfionic N-60 surfactant
Clacdum Sulfate
Iscprcpanol
Polymer Beads
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
Calcium Idejnosulfonate Calcium Carbonates
P333CC".
HME
Hytee
Imco Flc
Imco Phos
~cc SV5
Imco Thin
Iit-jMrmix
Jel Flax.
K-Flc
K-Lic
KCL
ROB
Kantoi KW-12
Kemhreak
Klaenup
Kwik Seal
LD-8
7 MttCB Flakes
Ligco
Ligcon
Ligcox
Lignite
Sthoxylated Ncnyl-phenol and Alkylated Phenol
Blend of Synthetic Polymers and sizad Carbonates
Hemlock Extract
Sodium Tetraphosphate
Sulfonated Alcohol Ether and Ethoxy Lated Alcohol
Sodium Hydroxide an_ Lignite
Pre-gelatinized starcr
Shredded Cellophane
Oxide Adduct of Glyosrine
Potassium Salt Lignitic Material
Potassium Ouoririe
Potassium Hydroxide
Corrosion innihi tor of. u - -.-..-oline salts and methanol
Calcium Lignosuirc t vt
Blend of SurfactA-...- , Sutyl-cellcsolve, and Monoemine drt/« r^nt compounds
Canfcination of grivrfvjas, end fibers
Aluminum salt ox a fatty add dispersed in Propoxylatec Oleyl Alcohol
Shredded Cejlophane
Lignite
Sodium Sell: of Lr'.gnitic Material
Lignite
Lignite
Calcium Hydroxide
Lubri Film
Lubri Glide
MD
Magcc Inhibitor 303
Magconol
yagcophos
Mica
Milcon
Milflo
Miltax
Mon Pac
Mud Cleanout Ada QCS)
Mu2 - Sv<«cy
My - Lo ~ Gml
Nylo Saal
Nut Pack
Nutplug
Hi. Cal
Oilrhr*
' - - Mix 110
Pal Mix 210
Pal Mix
\uminum Salt of an organo ra-__y add carp lex
Polystyrene Teflon Beads
Ethoxylated Alcohol with Sodium Silicate Buffer and Q C Viscosifier
Blend of Morpholine Amine type expounds with IPA
2- ethyl Hexanol. 2 ethylhexyl Alcoho"
Sod.'in Te^xaphosphate
li* "i .'lakes (Silicates)
He*v/ metal modified lignite - mrrll fieri with Zinc
BeraLvdc Bark Fxtract
Mica FLe'ies
Polyanionic Cexlulcoe
Hydrochloric a c J i . ' xsopropanol
Spacer
Com Starch
Ground Shrrdoad Nylon
*r? nr TUt
G w v ' - Inut shells
jalcium Hydroxide
Sodium TeLrsvlimitate
Cellulose type Polysaccharide
100% Tri-butyl Phosphata
Contains Alky?. P* ridine with lass than 2% Glutaraldehyde
Pal Mix 380
Pal Mix Extender
PEN 5A
Parana-thinz
1 strro-tone
Phtsnoseal
Pottssium Carbonate
Potassium Chloride
Prote.rto Mol B
Q^Brcocin
Qualbrach
Ray f lo
FD-111
Resins*
Rhe o ect)
Royal Seal
SA-53
Sa l t
Sa l t Gel
SAM-5
S.A.P.P.
Sl iX-5
sr-x Soda Ash
Glucose Base Polymer
Buffer-inorcanic Alkaline Phosr*"**-ti
Methanol
Aluminum Chrome agncsulfonate
Organo-Clay
laminated Th' ctoseL Plastic
Potassium ja:.r5T>«fc2
Potassium Chiariek
Blend of attapulgite clay, magnesium oxide, and coconut diethanolamine
rerrochtomt Ligr * .donate
Tannin from QuebrLc'x) Bark
Bemlcck Sark Extract
Bl smart Ij.gnosulfor n* contains Bichromate
CA> •Tu^lywar of a :.11iionated lignite and d Ittaacl TarmdOM^ydm
Chrome IJ.^osu.U:nate
Groundup Movie Film
Aliphatic Carroxylic Acids
Sodium Chloride
At.-apulgite Clay
Spaaxr
Sodi'j-i .;w . 2 /^/rophosphete
.-tanionv: g'^aacUHL
. ignite Sorflub* Sirfaetant
Sodium Citbonate
??30CCT
Scdium Bichromate
Sodium Chrcrate
Spacer Mi/
Speed D r i l l
Spersene
Stab-Vis
S t a i i -
S t a b l e r
Starch
Super-Col
Super Lig
SuperdrlU
Supertron 52
•i i irfactart
Surfcote
Synergic
'lanco
Taruiathin
Tannex
Therm X
l a i c a l
Uni f lov
VC-10
Vis co 938
D55CCTTIQK
Sodiux Dichromate
Sodium Chroroate
Oleic Acid, Pr:m?,.y Oleylamide Dimerized Oleic Ac J and Free Fatty Acid
Ta l l O i l Soap Etoolsifier
Chrome Lignosulfcnate
Chrome Lignosulfonate
Chrome Lignite
Nonferroenting Starch
Pre-gelatini;4id Starch
Hydrcphilic Organo-Clay Complex
Lignite
Gilsonite Compound with Causticized Lignite
9% Ccoodiamine with Sodium Sulfits . Methyl Alcholo and imidazaline Alcohol
Oxyethalated Phenols
O i l soluble Amine Dodecyl Benezine Sulfonate
Potassium Sodium Si l ica te with a Tamin
Causticized Lignita-Ouer^cho
Lignite
Ouebracho Extract
Sodium Stearete
Chrome modified Sodium Lignosulfonate
Gilsonite
Modified XlgncouUcrate with Chrome
Par t ia l ly Quaternized Foly amine i n IPA and Water Solution
whale (Balaenoptera bo rea l i s ) , sperm whale (Physeter catodon), Kemp's r id ley
t u r t l e (Lepidochelys kempi i ) , green t u r t l e (Chelonia mydas), hawksalll
t u r t l e (Eretmochelys Imbr ica ta ) , leatherback t u r t l e (Dermochelys corlacea)
John C Chanco & Assoc., Ino. 17
and loggerhead tur t le (Caretta caret ta) (U.S.O. I . , Region IV Endangered
Species Notebook).
Endangered and threatened species expected to occur In the v i c i n i t y of
the onshore ba«es are bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the brown
pel ican (Pelecanus occ iden ta l i s ) , and American a l l i g a t o r (Al l igator
mlss lss lpplenslsHU.S.O.I . . Region IV Endangered Species Notebook). The
brown pelican was a common resident of Louisiana but t h i s species became
v i r t u a l l y ext inct 1n the l a te 1950's (F r i t t s et a l . , 1983). By I960, the
est imated Louisiana population of brown pelicans was four birds (NFUL,
1980). Re-establishment of a breeding population 1n Louisiana has met with
vary ing success (Fr i t t s et a l . , 1983). The a c t i v i t i e s proposed by Conoco
Inc. are expected to have no Impacts on the brown pel ican. The American
a l l i g a t o r 1s c lassi f ied as threatened in Louisiana due to s imi la r i t y of
appearance. This species Is nei ther endangered nor threatened b io log ica l ly
In Louisiana and a -egu1 ed harvest Is permitted under State law (U.S.O. I . ,
Region IV Endanger*:.. * es Notebook). No Impacts on American a l l iga tors
are expected. The pres*. ce of marine mammals 1n coastal Louisiana Is
considered sporadic and probably no resident populations ex is t . I t 1s
u n l i k e l y that onshore or explorat ion ac t i v i t i es re la ted to Garden Banks Area
Block 118 and 119 w i l l have any e f f ec t on the previously named species.
B. Socio-Economic Impacts
In accordance with DOI/NMS guidelines (OS-7-01), dated November 20,
1980, the I n i t i a l OCS Oata Base Report w i l l be developed for submission on
John E. Chanco et Assoc., Inc. 13
r or before the prescribed due date. Subsequent Environmental Reports
provided by Conoco Inc. w i l l address this dara and related activity Impacts
as required.
John E. Chance & Assoc.. Inc. 19
_
IV. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
The greatest threat to the natural environment Is caused by Inadequate
operational safeguards that may cause or contribute to an o i l sp i l l or e l l
blowout. These accidents can be great ly reduced 1n number by utH1:1ng
t ra ined operational personnel and employing a l l avai lable safety am
po l l u t i on control systems. These measures are standard operating procedure
for Conoco Inc. . Conoco Inc. has an approved Oil Sp i l l Contingency Plan.
I t should be noted that most large crude o i l and ref ined products
s p i l l s have occurred during t ransportat ion and not during d r i l l i n g or
production operations. Furthermore, the probabi l i ty of an o i l sp i l l
occurr ing during exploration d r i l l i n g operations Is low (Danenberger, 1976).
Transportation and r iver runof f contr ibute an estimated 34.9 percent and
26.2 percent , respectively, to the hydrocarbon contamination of the world's
oceans whi le offshore production a c t i v i t i e s account for only 1.3 percent
'Nat ional Academy of Sciences, 1975). Natural seeps of petroleum and
natural gas, which occur throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico (Zo Be l l ,
1954; Geyer, 1979), contr ibute an estimated 9.8 percent to the contamination
of the wor ld 's oceans (National Academy of Sciences, 1975). Addi t ional ly ,
I t was noted in the executive summary of a recent study of petroleum
production platforms In the centra l Gulf of Mexico (Bedlnger, 1981), that
natural disturbance: ( I . e . r i v e r f looding and storms) -an more greatly
a f f ec t normal biological communities that the current Industr ia l development
of the Louisiana OCS. The preceding discussion Is not intended to minimize
the s igni f icance of major o i l s p i l l s result ing frora petroleum exploration
John E. Chance & Assoc., Snc. 20
and production ac t i v i t ies out 1s provided to establ ish a perspective
r e l a t i v e to their probable occurrence.
Thirteen of the f o r t y - s i x blow-outs on the OCS between 1971 and 1978
were associated with explorat ion d r i l l i n g a c t i v i t i e s , none of which released
any o i l to the marine environment (Danenberger, 1980). The IXTOC I sp i l l of
1979, however, demonstrates that advanced d r i l l i n g technology and available
safety and pollut ion control systems are not i n f a l l i b l e . Most sp i l l s are
subjected to Immediate containment and cleanup e f f o r t s . The ult imate fate
of o i l sp i l l ed in the marine environment is generally considered to be one
or a combination of the fo l l ow ing : evaporation and decomposition in the
atmosphere, dispersal In the water column, Incorporation in to sediments, and
ox ida t ion by chemical or b io log ica l means (National Academy of Sciences,
1975).
The unavoidable adverse impacts that w i l l occur as a resul t of the
exp lora t ion d r i l l i ng and discharging of d r i l l i n g f l u i ds and treated sewage
w i l l be few in nu-.Jer and temporary 1n nature. The primary adverse impacts
Include a localized degradation of water and a i r qual i ty in the v i c i n i t y of
the d r i l l i n g s i t e , the potent ia l obstruction to commercial and recreational
f i s h i n g vessels, and the d isrupt ion and/or k i l l i n g of benthic and/or pelagic
organisms during location of the d r i l l i n g r ig and during disposal of muds,
c u t t i n g s , and domestic wastes and sewage.
John *?. Chance & Assoc* inc. 21
r Discharging from the d r i l l s i t e Is inevitable during OCS operations,
p a r t i c u l a r l y during explorat ion. Any materials that may contain o i l or
other hazardous materials, and therefore would have a much greater adverse
Impact on the environment, w i l l not be discharged In ten t iona l l y . Any
discharging w i l l be done pursuant to a l l DOI and EPA regulat ions. The
discharges to be disposed overboard as a resul t of the exploration ac t i v i t y
w i l l Include domestic waste and sewage that 1s treated on the r i g before
discharging and d r i l l cu t t ings-
The environmental fate and e f fec ts of d r i l l i n g muds and cutt ings has
been extensively addressed 1n a recent symoslum (See Ayers et a l . , 1980 for
de ta i l ed discussions). The discharging of d r i l l cut t ings and water-based
mud w i l l resul t in an Increase in water t u r b i d i t y , bur ial of benthic
organisms, and possible toxic e f f ec t s on marine organisms in the Immediate
v i c i n i t y of the d r i l l i ng r i g . A reduction In photosynthetlc ac t i v i t y and
plankton populations can also be expected as a resu l t of discharging. I t Is
expected, however, that pelagic and benthic organisms w i l l repopulate the
area rap id ly after discharging I f the effects are minimal and Intermit tent
as expected.
Offshore act iv i t ies generate a small but s ign i f i can t amount of a i r
p o l l u t a n t s ; therefore, the de te r io ra t ion of a i r qual i ty 1s unavoidable In an
OCS operation area. In most Instances, these emissions a f fec t only the
Immediate exploration a c t i v i t y s i t e and are rapidly dissipated by the
atmosphere depending upon c l ima t i c condit ions. An A i r Quality Review Report
has been performed for Garden Banks Area Block 118 and 119 and Is included
John tZ Chance & Assoc* Inc. 22
as an attachment to this Environmental Report.
Commercial and recreat ional f ish ing would be affected by OCS
development, but pr imari ly 1n terms of inconvenience and interference.
Although the unavoidaole adverse Impacts could Include some smothering of
s h e l l f i s h , snagging of trawl ne ts , reduction of area presently used for
un res t r i c ted f ishing, and minimal f i n f i s h k i l l i n g , commercial f ishing
a c t i v i t i e s would not be s i g n i f i c a n t l y ef fected, except In the unl ikely event
of an o i l s p i l l . An o i l s p i l l could resul t in serious economic losses due
to the contamination of commercial f ish species.
There is a remote p o s s i b i l i t y that offshore areas of h i s t o r i c a l ,
c u l t u r a l , or biological s ign i f icance could be damaged or destroyed by OCS
exp lo ra t ion operations. Visual No. 11 from the Regional Environmental
Impact Statement (U.S.D. I . , 1983) Indicates that no archeological, c u l t u r a l ,
or n l s t o r l c areas are In the v i c i n i t y of Garden Banks Area Block 118 ar.d
119. Conoco Inc. w i l l make every e f f o r t to avoid disturbing any
h i s t o r i c a l l y , cu l t u ra l l y , or b io log i ca l l y s ign i f i can t feature.
John E. Chat.GO 6 Assoc* Inc. 23
LITERATURE CITED
American Fisheries Society 1980 A List of Common and Sc ien t i f i c Names of Fishes from the United
States and Canada (Fourth Edi t ion) . Special Publication No. 12. Betnesda, Maryland. 174 pp.
Ayers, R. C , N. L. Richards and J . R. Gould 1980 Proceedings of a symposium. Research on environmental fate
and effects of d r i l l i n g f lu ids and cu t t i ngs . Washington, D.C. 1,122 pp.
Bedinger, C. A., Jr . 1981 Ecological Invest igat ions of petroleum production platforms In
the central Gulf of Mexico. Volume I I I : Executive Summary. Submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, New Orleans, Louisiana. Contract No. AA551-CT8-17. 29 pp.
Danenberger, E. P. 1976 Oil sp i l l s , 1971 - 1975, Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf.
Geological Survey Ci rcu lar 741. 47 pp.
Danenberger, E. P. 1980 Outer Continental Shelf 011 and Gas Blowouts. U.S.G.S. Open-File
Report. 80-101. 15pp.
F r i t t s , T. H., A. B. I r v i ne , R. D. Jennings, L. A. Col lum, W. Hoffman, and M. A. McGehee
1983 Turtles, b i rds , and mammals In the northern Gulf of Mexico and nearby Atlantic waters. U. S. F1sh and Wi ld l i f e Service, Division of Biological Services, Washington, D. C FWS/OBS-82/65. 455 pp.
Gal l away, B. J . 1981 An ecosystem analysis of o i l and gas development on the Texas-
Louisiana continental shel f . U. S. Fish and Wi ld l i f e Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D. C. FWS/OBS-81/27. 89 pp.
Gal l away, B. J . and G. S. Lewbel 1982 The ecology of petroleum platforms In the northwestern Gulf of Mexico:
a community p r o f i l e . U. S. Fish and W i l d l i f e Service, Off ice of Biological Services, Washington, D. C. FWS/OBS-82/27. Bureau of Land Management, Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Of f ice , Open-File Report 82-03. XIV +92 pp.
Gallaway, B. J . , L. R. Mar t in , R. L. Howard, G. S. Boland, and G. D. Dennis 1981 Effects on a r t i f i c i a l reef and demersal f i sh and macrocrustacean
communities. Pages 237-293 in B. S. Middledi tch, ed. Environmental effects of of fshore o i l production. The Buccaneer Gas and Oil Field Study. Marine Science, Vol. 14. Plenum Press, New York, New York.
V J o h n E . C h a n c o st A m m o c * I n c . 24
Geyer, R. A. 1979 Naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea. College Station, Texa*. Texas A 4 M University Press.
National Academy of Sciences 1975 Petroleum 1n the marine env1rc« vjtnt. Washington, D.C. 107 pp.
National Fish and Wi ld l i fe Laboratory (NFV .) 1980 Selected vertebrate endangered \ic*es of the seacoast of the
United States: Brown Pelican, ea :-ern and Cal i fo rn ia subspecies. U. S. Fish and W i l d l i f e Service, Biological Services Program FWS/OBS- 80/01.40. 16 pp.
National Marine Fisheries Service 1984 Louisiana landing s t a t i s t i c s from personal communication with Lee
JSIA, NMFS, Mew Orleans, La.
U. S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Fish and Wi ld l i f e Service 1976 Endangered and threatened species of the southeastern United States.
Region IV, A t lan ta , Georgia (per iodical ly updated).
U. S. Department of t h i I n t e r i o r , Minerals Management Service 1933 Final Regional Environmental Impact Statement, Gulf of Mexico.
Vol. 1. Prepared by Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Me ta i r i e , Louisiana. 527 -^p.
Zo B e l l , C. E. 1954 Marine bacteria and fung i , Fisheries Bu l le t in 55 (89): 217 - 222.
John E. Chance A Assoc* inc. 25
APPENDIX 1
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATE
J o h n E . C h a n c o A A s s o c * I n c . 26
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION
EXPLORATION
Type of Plan
GARDEN BANKS AREA BLOCK 118 (OCS-G-6339) GAROEN BANKS AREA BLOCK 119 (OCS-G-634U)
Area and Block
Tne proposed ac t iv i t i es described In detail in the attached Plan of Exploration comply with Louisiana's approved Coastal Management program and wi l l be conducted In a manner consistent with such Program.
Arrangements have been made with the State Times in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to puollsh a Public Notice of the Proposed ac t i v i t y no ear l ie r than \2J1LIV •
CONOCO INC.
Lessee or Operator
Cert i fy ing O f f i c i a l - D. L. Byers Coordinator Environmental A f fa i rs