la Raply « i f i r Yo: RrV2*l |

' I 1 aaed an Oil Corporation Attention Mr* J . M . Able* 350 Cienborcaflh, Suita 240 "oustofe T xes 77067

Cuntlaaven

Reference fs mom to your Ini t ial Plaa of Exploration ana Envlrrinnental Raport racal vad 2mm 19. 1986, aaanOad Juna 20, 190c, for Laaaa OCS-G 6606, Block 101, Main Paaa Araa. Thla plan Include* tha actlvltlaa propoaad for wall . A and B.

Ir. accordance »1th 30 CPR 250.34, rav 1 aod Decenber 13, 1979, aad oar letter datad January 29, 1979, tMa plan haa baaa deternlned ta bo conplete aa af Jana 2C, 1966, aad 1s nov being considered for approval.

Yoor plaa control nunber l i N-2469 aad ahouic ba rafaraacad 1n your onnnunIcation and correepondeece concerning this plan.

Slacaraly youra.

(Orig. Sgd.) A. Donald Giroir

A. Dona "id C1ro1r Daputy Rayloaa1 Suparvlaor Rulee and Production

bcc: Laaaa OCS-6 6806 (OPS-3-2) (FILE ROOM) /QPS-3-A if/Public Info. Copy of tho plan and ER (PUBL.REC.)

DO-5

ADGoberttan*/:6/20/86 sama6S06 Olsk la

PLAN OP EXPLORATION

I

OCS-G 6808

MAIN PASS BLOCK 101

OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

SAMEDAN OIL CORPORATION

Date Of P r e p a r a t i o n : Juna 18, 1986

CONTACT

Mr. B i l l P o i 1 l i o n or

Mr. J . M. AbLea Samedan O i l Corpora t ion 350 Glenborough, S u i t a 240 Houston Texas 77067 T a l . ( 7 1 3 ) 872-5391

1

INDEX

EXPLORATION PLAN

DESI

1.

iCRjl

r a l

ON

2* Exploration Act iv i t i e s and I Geophysical Equipment Ut i l i s ed

SCHEDULE

RESULTS OP GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

1 • Shallow Hasards Raport

2* Archaeological Survay

3. Structura Ma pa (CONFIDENTIAL)

4. Nell Surface Location, TVD, BHL

LOCATION

1. Vic ini ty nap (Lease Block Relat ive to Shore Line)

2. Description of Onshore Support Base F a c i l i t y

3. Surface Location on Proposed Wells

OIL SPILL CLEAN-UP INFORMATION

1. Oil S p i l l Plan

2* Clean Gulf Associates

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. U s t of Mud Additives

2. Nater Dapth *

3. Description of Drilling Rig

A. General B. Environmental Safeguards

(1) Genaral (2) Environmental Safeguards in the Design (3) Training of Personnel and Procedures

C . Safety Features

4. Emi ss i on E Report

5* Coastal Zona Manageaent Consistency Cer t i f i ca t ion

DESCRIPTION j

1 • General

S Pass Block ...101 ln the Gulf of Mexico wee acquired in OCS Leasa Sale Part I , in April 1984 by Getty Oil Conpany (predecessor to Texaco ) for a bonus amount of $1,313,130*00. Texaco and Samedan have

entered into an agreement whereby Samedan nay earn an interest in the sofih half of Main Pass Block 101 by drilling a well which qualif iaa as an Ordar Mo. 4. Samedan, as Oparator, plana to conduct exploratory operations as outlined in this Plan.

i

The search for and possible production of hydrocarbon minerals fron this area is part of Samedan's overall progran in the search for oi l and gas in tha Gulf of Mexico. Manpower requirements wi l l be covered with the existing Samedan organization. Onahore support required for the offshore operations in the block wi l l be fron Venice, Louisiana and the staff of Samedan's Houston Offshore Office.

Samedan plana to d r i l l and requests your approval for the following wellst

WELL W0. A

Surface Locations 650' PSL fi 1400' PEL of Block 101 Proposed Bottomhole Location x * Proposed Total Depthi 7000'

WELL HO. B

Surface Location: 650' PSL fi 1400' PEL of Block 101 Proposed Bottomhole Locaticn: • Proposed Total Depth: 7000'

2 • Exploration Activities and Geophysical Equi patent Utilised

Samedan has reviewed the seisnic data available at present and plans to d r i l l two (2) exploratory wells under this plan to gain mora detailed and specific information on the geology of the leaae area .

Samedan's dri l l ing operationa ara contracted out. The work wil l be done with a jack-up dr i l l ing unit (Section P .3) .

Sateedan considers thla information confidential and exempt fron public disclosure. This inf or nation is includad in tha MMS copies only.

Actual exploration a c t i v i t i e s carried out in the well bore w i l l be decided during the d r i l l i n g progran depending on the findinga. A selection w i l l be nade fron the fol lowing acti vi t laa conmon ly used by Samedan.

• • .Logqing Progran ISP-Sonic with SP/GR FDC-CNL/GR/Callper High Resolution Dipmeter

v wel l 'Velocity Survey at T . D . Repeat Formation Tester

^ . . . . ,Thermal Decay Log

. • . D r i l l Stan Test • • .Coring and Sidewall Coras . . .Nell Sanplea . . .Mud Log

SCHEDULE

Spud OCS-G 6808 Well No. A approximately July 15, 1986. Spud OCS-G 6808 Wall No. B approximately September 1, 1986. Complete d r i l l i n g operations on Well No. B approximately October 15, 1986.

RESULTS OF GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SCIENCES

1 • Shsllow Hazards Report

Samedan's geophysi c i s t i hsve reviewed surveys of the area and have concluded that no unusual shallow d r i l l i n g hazards ex is t for the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . Shallow Hasards Reports for the proposed surface location i s attached.

2 . Archaeologica 1 Survey

An Archaeological Survay Report has bean performed. The results of ths survey show no evidence of nan nade ar t i f ac t s in tha area.

8HAIL0W HAZARDS DRILLING WORT

AREA1

DATE: June 16, 1986

Main Pass Block 101

WELL: tpCS-G 6808 Wall No. A

SURFACE LOCATION: 650* FSL & 1400' FEL of Main Pass Block 101

DATA REVIEWED

A . Archaeological and Hazards Study performed by John E . Chance and Associatea for Getty O i l Company in September 1984.

1 • High Resolution Data a . ) ORE Pinger Prof i ler b. ) Side Scan Sonar c . ) Proton Magnetometer d. ) Hydroahock Watar Gun

2 . CDP Seismic Data over area a . ) LD529 l i n a ahot by Western Geophysical in 1974 b. ) 108-12 l i n e shot by Teledyne in 1981

CONCLUSION

I have examined tha above mentioned data in the area of the "A" location and have found no shallow gaa or other hazarda to d r i l l i n g .

3. Structure Map • I

The appropriate atructura aap ia attached indicating well locations. Saaedan considers th i s information CONFIDENTIAL, and exempt from disc lo­sure. Thia* information ia includad in the f ive (5) Minerals ilanagement Service copies of the Plan of Exploration only.

4. Well Surface Location, TVD and BHL

A map showing well aurface location for the wella is attached The well bottomhole locations and TVD'a are aa follows»

t

WELL •! TVD BOTTOMHOLE

A i 7000' B 7000^

*Samedan considers this information confidential and exempt from public disclosure. This information is included i n the MMS copies only.

OCS-6-6808 IOI

OCS-Isoo

/ ta . i to '

/ /

3

SAMEDAN OIL CORR

MAIN PASS BLK. IOI LOCATION PLAT

• i •

D. LOCATION

1. V ic in i ty Map ( L — • Block)

A location map showing ths lesse block re lat ive to tiie shoreline and opera­tiona base is.' attached.

»

SAMEDAN OIL CORPORATION

MAIN PASS OFFSHORE LOUISIANA

BLK. IOI VICINITY MAP

2* Deacription of Onshore Support Base Faci l i i , • I

Onshore support for Samedan's offshore d r i l l i n g operations w i l l be provided froa Venice, Louisiana where transportation of supplies and personnel w i l l bet coordinated. Technical and operational support for the d r i l l i n g opera­tions w i l l be provided by Samedan's Houston Offshore Divis ion. The sup­porting s ta f f in the Houston o f f i c e consists of approximately 45 persons

overing a l l d i s c ip l ines for conducting o i l anc* gas, 6perations; exploration r i l l i n g , production, construction and administration.

K. I

3 • Surfsce Location of Propoaed Wells

The surface locations of the propoaed wells are as shown on the map referenced in Section C.4 of this Plan.

E . Oil S p i l l Clean-Up Information

1 . Oil S p i l l Plan

Samedan has a Diaaster Contingency Plan vrhich has been approved by the Area Supervisor of the Minerals Management Service. The plan describes proce­dures for action in dealing with rny major d isasters , such as o i l s p i l l s , f . res , blowouts, e t c . I t describes in deta i l :

. . . Duties to be performed when a disaster occurs, with an indication of p r i o r i t y .

. . . Assignment of duty and a designation of authority.

. . . Commun i c a t ion and reporting requirements (company and outside agencies)•

Attached i the Minerals Management Service approval for Samedan O i l Corporation's Disaster Contingency Plan.

»

U N I T E D S T A T E S DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR MINERALS MANAGEMENT S E R V I C E

O U L F O F M E X I C O O C S R K O I O N PJQ. B O X 7 * 4 4

In ly Refer Tol |*P-2 fcy 2 9s;:

Samedan 011 Corporation Attention: Ms. Annal isa M. Taylor 350 Glenborough, Sui te 240 Houston, Texes 77067

Gentlemen:

Your let ter dated May 19, 1986, transmitted seven copies of your 011 Sp i l l Contingency P l a n ' s Modification. The modification has been approved 1n compliance with Paragraph 3.2 of OCS Order No. 7. I t has been f i led 1n th is o f f i c e anci copies have been sent to our D i s t r i c t Of f l e a s .

P lease furnish seven copies of further modifications to your 011 Sp i l l Contingency Plan.

Sincerely yours.

A. Donald G1ro1r Deputy Regional Supervisor Rules and Production

2. Clean Culf Associates J

As a as aba r of tha Claan OX I f Associates, Sanedan haa access to tha various area of Uw Gulf of Mexico. An inventory of tha avai lable equlpaent along with response t iae i s attached.

1

CLEAN GULP ASSOCIATES

i

Clean Gulf Associates i s s non-profit orqanization formed by companies

operating in the O/utJer Continental ,Shelf. Their purpose i s to provide, a stock-/

p i l e of o i l s p i l l containment and clean-up equipment for use by member (and

non-member) companies Clean Gulf Associates contracted with 1iburton

Services in Harvey, Louisiana, to supply equipment, materials and personnel

needed to contain and clean-up s p i l l s in the Gulf of Mexico. At the present

time clean-up systems are maintained at f ive bases located at Grand I s l e ,

Venice, Intrs -co*sta l C i t y , Cameron, and Morgan C i t y . These systems include:

f a s t response open sea/bay, high volume open sea, shallow water and auxi l iary

shallow water skimmer systems, beach cleanup equipment, and helicopter spray

systems. Also avai lable are waterfowl rehabi l i tat ion unita, bird scarers, and

communication systema. In addition, offahora operators from the upper Texaa

Coaat to the Missis- ippl Delta region, maintain a large inventory of 177 boats,

64 helicopters and 103 fixed-wing a i r c r a f t that can be put to use on short

no t i ce .

A aore detailed inventory of avai lable equipment and materials

fo l lows.

CLEAN GULP ASSOCIATES

Available Equipnent and Materials

1 . 1 rr 'aatf R

Barge-Mounted, high Volune, Open Sea Skinner Systea (HOS6 Barge)

2. Fast/ Response, Skid-Mounted, Skinner Systen

3 . 50 bbl . Oil Storage Barge

4 .

5 .

6.

7 .

8 .

9 .

1 0 .

1 1 .

1 2 .

1 3 .

1 4 .

1 5 .

36' Bennett or Uniroyal Boon per 100' with Basksts and Anchoring Systsns

Mini Past Response, Skid-Mounted Skinner Systsn (for stand-by on platforns and dr i l l ing veaaela) whether skinning or not.

Saucer Type Skimmer

200 GPM Centrifugal , Portable Punp 3"

100 GPM Air Diaphragm Punp 2"

Helicopter Spray Systen

Bird Scarers - Set of 24

Waterfowl Rehabil i tat ion Station w/20 kw Generator

20 kw Generator

Polyurethane Poem Generation System

175 CFM Air Coapressor

40 CFM Air Compressor

Grand Isle

Responss Time

3 days

Venice, Intracoastal 12 hours City, Galveston, Caneron, Rockport, Grand Isle

Venice, Grand lala, 24 hours Intracoastal City

Venice, Grsnd Isle, 24 hours Intracoastal City, Galveaton, Rockport

24 hours

Venice, Grand Islo, 24 hours Intracoastal City

Venice, Grand Isle, 12 hours Intracoastal City

Venice, Grand Isle, 12 hours Intracoaatal City

Venice, Grand Isle, 3 hours Intracoastal City

Venice, Grand Isle, 3 hours Intracoastal City

Grande Isle applicable only to Shallow water

Grande Isle 12 houjs

Venice, Grand Isle 12 hours Intracoartal City

Grand Isle 12 hours

Venice, Grand Isle, 12 hours Intracoastal City

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ,

1 . L i l t Of Mud Additives i

A l i s t of cemv-.ily uaed aud additives u t i l i s ed by Samedan i s attached. Particular care l a exercised by Samedan to minimise disruption of the environment. These d r i l l i n g mud additives are selected to prevent a laa ting impact on ItHe surroundings: '

COMMONLY USED MUD ADDITIVES

D r i l l i n g Mud Coaponents That May Ba ut i l i zed Offshore

Product Trad Trade Common Nana

I . Weight Materials and V i s c o s i f i e r s

MIL-BAR* * bari te

MILGELR bentonite

SALT WATER G E L R attapulgite

I I . Dispersants (Thinners)

UNI-CAL

X I I . F i l trat ion Control Additives

.R

lignosulfonate

LIGCON

CHEMITROLRX

I V . Chemicals

Caustic Soda

Soda Ash

Bicarb of Soda

MIL-LIME

V . Specialty Additives

LD-8*

Aluainua Staarata

NOXYGEN™

NOXYGENTML

L U B R I - S A L T M

causticized l ign i te

polymer-treated l ignite

caust ic

soda ash

bicarb

lima

defoamer

defoamer

oxygen scavenger

oxygen scavenger

lubricant

Chemical Trade* Name

barium sulfate

bentonite

attapulgite clay

sodium lignosulfonate

NaOH treated l ignite

polymer-treated l igni te

sodium hydroxide

sodium carbonate

sodium bicarbonate

calcium hydroxide

non-hydrocarbon defoamer

aluminum staarata

catalysed, sodium s u l f i t e pwd

catalyzed ammonium biosulf i te solution

biodegradable,non-polluting vegetable o i l

Product Trade Name Common Name Chemical Trade Name

SUPER SHALE-TROL* 2 0 2

MILCHEM**0,

.roliJ

Shale-Trol

d r i l l i n g detergent

V I . Loae of C i r c u l a t i o n Addi t ives

MIL-PLUG* ' U M

MILMICA* L C M

Kwik-Seal LCM

Aliuminum organic ac id complex

d r i l l i n g f l u i d datergent ,

ground nut shel ls

f l a k e mica

combination of granules, f l a k e s , and f i b e r s

2. lUtir Depth: • I

The water depth for our aurface locations i s approximately SO feet.

3• Description of Dr i l l ing Rig

A. General ——— .

Dril l ing pperations wil l ' be conducted by a contractor under supervision of the s tpf f of Samedan'•. Houston Offshore Div i s ion . The contractor wi l l supply the personnel required for the operationa, and a s e l f -contained jack-up d r i l l i n g un i t , complete with l i v i n g quarters. The dr i l l ing contract requires the contrsctor to perform the operations in accordance with Samedan's standards for safety and protection of the environment. A Samedan representative w i l l supervise a l l a c t i v i t i e s . The general arrangement of a jach-up d r i l l i n g unit and complete inven­tory of equipment provided by the contractor are attached.

CLASS III, JACK-UP DRILLING PLATFORM

C14&& ITKr v e » . t l wi l l be c lassed A I S * A l . n o n s t f f ^ o p a l l e d . se!l-a»t waling

datM.ng u n i i l o r 3 0 0 t o o t m a x i m u m w a l e * d e p t h by t h t A m e r i c a n B u r e a u

of -Sh.pp.09 .

* B A t G f N U U EQUIPMENT . . I

ItwCTM OVMAli

• LAA* OVIIAU

MUU DtPT* {mmXdmmX •

star t m

TVPT itOJI

IPG LIMCTMJ OVffAU

SOi UNS

MUMftU UCS

SyaPOlT rOOTiwG.

JACKING P>ff0

MUD CAPACJ1Y

.tat H.

. in K

. Bf H,

. 11 Pv. ah* taoawp

tOPLwM*. t t H ha

Bt t l . klfh

ttjMMlhM

aot tt. Ph» Paaaaaj

CfMfMi C A O A C I T V

aun n a AMM a u .

P O I A t l l WAI f t . _ . «00 tfcAV

D l till US WAT fa U O f i AkAv

TOTAI UA>iAf^f« 1S00 Tmm

DttTIUATlOM OMTT SOD R A A *

DU*WK1 PUMP*. . . . , ,

CIANE*.

OOPi. pa* M M

C W . P L

. T - a 4S IAA t-A tAh D'.«»#t P«» ti—1

aaooaiMO S W I M - C M * (1) N.Hor.»t taahh aVw** •viftA* AAA* K~* OJ • AVWAI W U C S * w.lK SO MP <•••••»• «»cfc wiiK U»#l mtcKawinw •» «»cV dt*m mmi m+mf*f mpm*»**i W A n . PAMT »SO0 t h a»*aA* •AtK»f| a#e A***'>4ra.

D U A I I I C S — c , w . , . n r LMftatl W afcaaialaoiial av»~w I * • n t - n « o d » ' r $< p t ' . M t . . • — . . . . . . .

DRU U N G EQUIPMENT

osAwwoacs-o-u^a rsooo «t • — • v . >Ut<i»< V > p n i , tMctwA^f t a ' aW*«cta» • a t " a a t l at«a*> * * i hw > V i " *-•'» Bna.

P U M P t - 7 - » CB a i - r f l 1*00 PV T»ipV« # W

W « — • x t — m • » / « a—

PLATFORM DESCRIPTION

. . . . . . . «

Tha platform measure* ,201 foet Ung. hat a beam of 171 feet .end » 22 feet deep. The

vena l ahall be • triangle ahape with a 50* a 2 f ah* on fhe stern through which the drifting

cpersliem w i l l be conducted. Tfte general rfimemion* wt l l bs sa fo l low*

• • PLATPORM

IPMCTH OVERALL (Molded) [ TOfO9

BEAM OVERALL (Molded) l T t t T HULL DEPTH . 22* 1 1 " NORAAAL MUU DRAFT 12 f t . HEUCOPTER DEOC J Jor Sftorsky S-61 DESIGNED iY. . ._ T * "Vm - T T ..r. t e ving Hon Shipbuilding Co.

IMS TYPE - Square Truss LENGTH OVERALL... —.dOS Feet. PI uft Footing CROSS SECTION .......Square SIZE (Cross Section) _ . — 2 T O o r d Centers — NUMBER O f LEGS . Three AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOOTINGS.... _ . .4e" Diameler

JACKING SYSTEM

NUMBER OF PINIONS PER LEG 12 CAPACTTY OF EACH PINION 192 Tons JecVing

950 Tom Holding TOTAL NOMINAL JACKING CAPACITY 6.900 Tons JACKING SPEED (up)— 1 H. Per Minute JACKING SPEED (down) 1 Ft. Per Minute TYPE CONTROl Electric CONTROL LOCATION '. : .Control House JACK SAFFTY FEATURES— Electric Failsafe

AAecheniams HUU A N D JACK HOUSES with Foundation*

(Weight) ; 2500 Torn MACHINERY AND EOUIPMENT irtrhjrfsx)

Jacks (Weight) 2200 Tom JACKS DESIGNED OY National Supply DMslon.

ARMCO Steel Corporation

FEATURES OF JACKING SYSTEM

CENERAL ARRANGEMENT Th* feck ing system Is an ele\3rc*-mecHenice! rack and parlor drive comprised ef all gear boxes, two for etch log. • •ch whh sla: In-fividuat electric geer

• K. inoiers end gtar trolns terminating et tbx pinions, which ride • doubh) toothed reck on the leg chord. The pinions trt errtnp>d in pair* to that the spreading force* between ond race end pinion* trt cancelled out within the reck »nd gear box, end t#e net tra nami rted into tht. leg structure.

CAPACITY The rtted jacking capacitv for this system 6900 short tons at approximately 1XI ft7min.

The etctic holding capadty for this system 13L600 short Jon*.

GEARING AR gears, pinions end ahem ere heat trotted alloy steel rvnntng on r ff-tVtction bearings. Aft gearing except final raduction tnd dimbing pinion nat In oil-tight cases.

MOTOR BRAKI • Each gear motor includes t motor mounted fait safe spring set disc brake rated for t minimum of 200% m o w torque. Release mechanism can be operated independently of motor operation to permit manual torquing through a shaft extension.

CONTROLS Tht controls trt a push button system, opereted from • single remote Con­trol Console. Etch leg cen bt operated individually or til legs simultan­eously. Controllers'for eech leg are provided in drip-proof enclosures which sre mounted in motor control centers located st each leg.- Each group ef motors serving a leg will bt supplied power through a separate circuit breaker in the vessels main switchboard.

Control Console— The control console will have ene (T) indicalor light for each jacking motor whh the Tights »rrenged the same ts the mraor locations on tht platform. Etch Tight will burn steady when power is supplied to its respective motor a rd the light will flash when Us motor la overloaded.

\ will have a set of fferse-S*op4ower push-buttons for each lag. IB tho be one (1) emergency atop pushbutton (panic button) for

shutting drwn al! jacking motors et once. A key operated switch will be provided for turning on end off the power to the control consols to prevent unauthorized persons from starting the feck motors. There will bt three ( 9 waft meters, one 0 ) «or eaoh leg. to indicate

- powsr tMpplisd to ell the motors en e leg. ' . A * Incfirttmetor wfll ba installed In tha console fe indies* level or mt of

level of the platform. -

ACCESSIBILITY Any dimbing pinion, final eVhre gear. •rYMermedittt gearbox, er gev -anoior may be removed for inspection or replacement without disturbing any pinions er their driving akmenfs above er below.

r L A i i - U K / V l r l r l lNfc j , VENTILATION & LIGHTING SYSTEMS

0 « ^ >—"w

R#frip*rent System

Compressed Air -

U g Wi thdrawal Jel Piping

f i re Bilge & Bellest Sysiem

Bulk M u d A Cornet*

Plumbing Dreins

Deck D r e W

P I P I N O

Engine Coaling

Engine Exhaust Piping "

Fuel Oil Piping .

Hydrsufic Piping-

lube OO Piping

High Pressure Mud Piping

Mud Suction Piping

Mud Mixing Piping

Potable Water

Drill ing Water

Salt Water Service

Vent. I Sound*

Remote Tank Gauging

VENTILATION Generel ATI rnochinery spaces ere mechanically ventilated. Ouertsrs ere centrel ly heated end eh conditioned.

LIGHTING Generol All lighting equipment shall be designed lor operation st 120 volts. A. C single phase. 60 hertz. The vessel shall be'adequately lighted-throughout with marine type fixtures ef a style particularly designed for the location and services required. ¥

AUXILIARY MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

• • e - _ e . e

• v «• % —V. . . . . • AUXIUARY MACHINERY A EQUIPMENT

CRANES Two CZ) 45 Ten link teh Revolving Genes IXEPWEU PUMPS „ t .J Two (2) 3200 GPM WATER DISTILLATION UNIT : O n t (1) Meco 200 WELDING EQUIPMENT Two (2) 400 Amp. Machines

OTHER EQUIPMENT

t— CD tstCPeiP**.

» ts ss»

LIVING

aair-conditioned tying quarters art provided to house 54 persons. Tho

f que/ ton ont* h tub divided an Ihh manner:

- Two (3) single men rooms wMi pri vs te bom. ( -Ono (1) tour mon room wlm private beth. Twelve (12) tour mon crew rooms. Two (2) toilet end shower sei cot le eccommodete >. J ^ . One 0 ) lounge equipped wtlh drven, eesy choirs, cerd teble end bookcase. Two (2) office*, drilling ofTest end Compsny Representative's office. One (1) fully-equipped meet room end e i electric galley, complete whh

ws Ik-in freezer end chill lem. One (1) four-men hospital wtth complete firsf-eld equipment. One (1) change, room end Uundry combination.

MAIN POWER PLANTS— Two (2) General Motors CMD 16-64 S-f I Diesel engines driving

1500 KW.600 Voh AC Generators. One (1) Genera? Motors CMD t-eiS-f I Diesel Engine driving

700 KW. 450 Voh AC Generator.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT One (1) Rescue loat (four men). Three (3) 25-mon capadty Rfe rafts.

%

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS One (1) fog sig-vel.ng device.

" One f l ) *«w*t aide band radio. _ ... One 0 ) Marine radio talopmwo.

CLASS 111

Th» t e v i n g s t o n JscV-Up i t des igned to wHhstsnd burr ico no condit ions In

tttt Goff of Mea ice. A breakdown of specific design features b told btlow.

. \ / Mosimum tottl wttof depth Irscluding tidt 300 ft.

' w Mealmum wave t«tgba , SO f t

Maaimum crest elevation sbove bottom.. 335 fL

• Wove period ' i 13 sec. .

Mesimom wind . 125 mph tTsoveting speed M i t . perhr.

A i r OOP \ m L m , . t ^ m \ J J m m ^ ^ } j - 3 5 f t ,

Mesimom leg ponotrotiofi — "25 f t

CAPACITIES : : LIQUID & BULK -

* * • . • • •

ouAMtrrr

F u a O t , . — . 4.000 bbL

DRILLING WATER. L. 5.400 bbL

POTABLE WATER. 1 ' ' , 900 bbL

BULK MUD ' „••'., 3.000 cu. I t

ACTIVE MUD. ™ .... 7D7 bbL .

' RESERVE MUD J.. 353 bbL

BULK CEMENT \ . _ 3.000 cu. f t

SACK STORAGE. 1.760 cu. f t

DRIU PIPE " I 1.000,000 Lbs.

Ptjtj MB. / «f 7

APPENDIX 5

TYPlCALi INVENTORY JACK-UP DRILLING UNIT

CONTRACTOR TO FURNISH:

SELF-ELEVATINC MOBILE OKFSHORE DRILLING PLATFORM

water \flm of operating during hurricane season to 250 feet of s t i l l

depth snd non-hurricane sesson to 326 faat coablned s t i l l watar depth., plus opener rat ion , not to exceed 300 feet of s t i l l wster depth.

2. Two ( 2 ) 750 HP esch Baylor thrusters .

3. The v e s s e l i s classed ABS A l .

4. Quarters ere central ly heated and a l l a i r conditioned, designed to accommodate 54 persons. Also includes ga l l ey , hospital and o f f i ce f a c i l i t i e s .

5. 62' x 68' helicopter deck designed for S-61.

6. Platforra s lo t 48' x 49 ' .

7. Mooring systen:

1 - National double drum, snd 2 - s ing le drum winches, with 50 HP •aotors each. 4 - 7500# ships anchors.

DRILLING EQUIPMENT

1. Drawworks - Oilwell E-3000, with 1-1/2" wire l i n e , and Baylor 7838 e l e c t r i c brake.

2. Pumps - 2 Oi lwe l l 1700 PT T r i p l e x .

3. Derr ick - 147' x 30' x 3 0 ' . 1,330,000# Continental Emsco.

4. Substructure - 30' x «»8' x 23' 6". 9 we l l pos i t ions .

5. lotary - O i lwe l l A-37-1/2".

6. Weight I n d i c a t o r . M/D Type E .

7. Wire L i n e Anchor. Ka t iona l Type " E " .

TOTAL CAPACITIES:

1. Bulk Mud 3 - 1000 c u . / f t . tanks

2. Bulk Ceaent 3 - 1000 c u . / f t . tanks

3. Sack Storage 1760 s q . f t .

4. Liquid Mud 1190 b b l s .

5. Liquid Mud-SSnd Trap 165 bb l t .

6. D r i l l i n g Water 5532 bbls .

7. Fuel O i l 4153 bble.

8. |Se|ttling/Separator Tanks (2) 82.4 bbls/eech tank

9. Potable Water 904 bble. K .

10. Personnel 54 een

TOTAL VARIABLE LOAD ALLOWED: 1500 tons

PLATFORM VENTILATION 6 LIGHTING

1. Vent i la t ion - A l l machinery spacer are mechanically vent i la ted .

2. Light ing - A l l l ighting 120V AC single phase, 60 Berts . A l l f ix tures sre a s r l n e type.

AUXILIARY MACHINERY 4 EQUIPMEN"]

1. Cranes - 2-45 ton Link volvlng cranes

2. 2 - 3200 GPM Deepwcll Pun*.*.

3. Meco 300 Wster D i s t i l l a t i o n Uni t .

A. Red Fox 5^00 Sewage Treatr_?nt P l a n t .

5. 2 - 400 AMP Welding Machine.

6. 2 - 300 GPM D r i l l Wster Pumps.

7. 2 - 350 GPM F i r e , Bilge . s l i e s t Puaps.

8. 3 - 75 HP Mud Mixing, D e s i l t l n g 6 Degsssing Pumps.

RENTAL ITEMS (Unit Rental Only Paid by Contractor)

e

1. 1 - E l e c t r i c Powered Dual Ceaentlng Unit - Hal l iburton.

2. 1 - Logging Unit .

MAIN POWER PLANTS

1. 2 - EMD 16-645-EIG Diese l Engines, dr iv ing 1500 KW 600V 11 Genera­

t o r s .

2. 1 - EMD 8-645-EIG Diesel Engines, dr iv ing 700 KW 480V AC G nerstors .

THYRISTORS 4 MOTORS

1. Baylor SCR Systea.

- 2 -

2. 7 - EMD-79 KB OC Mot,ors

2 - 7 " 2 - 5-172" 2 - 5- j 2 - 2-7/8" 2 - 2 ^ 8 -

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT ANP SERVICES ,

1. E ection of derrick.

2. Coring reel with sufficient wire line end swabbing equipment, except cups.

3. Desander, d e s i l t e r , degasser.

4. Mud pit agitators.

5. Hutchinson-Hayes shale shaker.

6. 12-ststlon telephone systea.

7. Marine radio, FM radio

8. Air CompFessors for r i g , a i r , dry ceaent and dry aud systems. s

9. Upper Relief cock snd 2 - 5 " 10,000 PSI Kelley valves.

10. Overshot and taper tsp to catch Contractor's dri l l ing string.

11. Two pair DB Rotary tongs.

12. Personnel nets and material transfer baskets.

13. Drift recorder - type that doea not show direction. 14. Tubing sweb j a r s , sinker bars, swivel rope socket, lubricate. Ir.h linn

pack off o i l River and swabbing unit with 15,000' wire l ine .

15. Recorder, 4-pea (Torque, wt., RPM*, pump pressure).

16. Welding services, equlpaent end supplies for noraal dr i l l ing , completing, and abandonaent operations.

17. Trucking service and other transportation, hauling or winching services, es required, to move Contrector's property to aad froa dock s i t e .

18. Baroid aud lab, coaplete.

19. All noraal r i g operating supplies.

70. Lubricants.

-3

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

1. 1 - Rescue Boat.

2* 3 - 2 5 msn capacity l i f e raf to*

Crown t i c .

U f a aad portable f i r e extinguishers.

5 . 250 gallon "Light Vate*" syr.tea. I

6. 25001 Dry powder systea.

7 . Fira hoses, e. »e t stretchers, and f i r s t eld supplies.

PRILL STRINC

1. 10,000' 4-1/2" " I " Range I I , inspected, plastic coated end fine particle herd-bend oo tool jo ints .

2 . 5000' 4-1/2" S-135 Range 71, inspected end plastic coated.

3 . 5 - 8" 0D x 2-3/4" - 3" ID D r i l l Col lars .

4 . 10 - 6-3/4" OD x 2-1/4 - 3" 10 D r i l l Co l l srs .

5. 35 joints 4-1/2" XH Hevl-Vate D r i l l Pipe, 42#/ft. with wear pert ln niddle of j o i n t .

6 . Kelly, Kelly spinner, subs, elevators, end s l ips for above d r i l l pipe end dr i l l co l lars .

7 . D r i l l pipe rubbers for d r i l l pipe while working In surface ceslng only.

BLOWOUT PREVENTERS

1. 1 - 21-1/4" Hydri l , Series 600.

2 . 1 - 13-5/8" Hydri l , Series 1500.

3 . 3 - 13-5/8" Caaeron Type "U", Series 1500.

4 . 1 - 10,0001 Choke Manifold, API.

5. 1 - oO gallon 3000 PSI Koomey Accumulator Unit, v i th reaote control.

6. Spools, adaptera, and flangea for blowout preventer* to connect to Coapany'• API wellheads.

7* Blowout Preventer Kernel 2 - 7-5/8" 4 - 3-1/2" 2 - 7-5/3"

>

B. Environmental .Safeguards

(1) Ganaral j

The goal of thia Exploration Plan ia the gathering of more information on the:geology of the leaae area, in a safe manner, with minimal disrup­tion |of- the environment. Various rules, regulations, codas, laws and practises hava baen developed over the years, whish will assist the operator to conduct operationa in this manner. OCS Order Number 7 speci­fically deals with tjhe environmental safeguards and safety of the drilling and production operations. The regulations are strictly adhered to by Samedan.

Environmental safeguards are built into the the operations in several ways: in the original design of equipment and system of operations, in the training of personnel, in the preparation of procedures for opera­tions and alao in the procedures and avsliability of equipment for reme­dial actiona in cases of emergencies.

Operations will be conducted under th? conditions described on the Application for Permit to Discharge on f i l e with the Minerals Management Service. Samedan conducts monthly tests to ensure that liquid wastes discharged into the Gulf of Mexico comply with E.P-A. Regulations.

(2) Environmental Safeguards in the Design

The drilling unit is built to prevent pollution of the Gulf of Mexico by utilising a system of curbs, gutters and aurface drains which direct a l l fluids to a containment system. This system recovers hydrocarbons before water ia discharged into tha Gulf of Mexico.

Liquid waate material, including aewage from the living quartara will ba treated in a Minerals Management Service approved aewage plant on the drilling unit prior to discharge into the ocean. Solid waate materials are compacted and transported to shore for disposal.

Drilling operationa are monitored by the Samedan representative oc. board. Mud and d r i l l cuttinga w i l l be treated to remove oil prior to discharge into the Gulf of Mexico. Items thst cannot ba treated pro­perly will be transported to shore for disposal.

(3) Training of Personnel and Procedures *

Regular training of operationa personnel is a necessary complement to the pollution prevention featurea in tha design of equipment and opera­tions. Operator awareness is achieved by regular training and enfor­cement of procedures. The drilling unit is inspected daily. A procedure for the reporting of and dealing with o i l spills haa been established by Samedan in eccordence with the requirements of OCS Ordar Number 7, which ia incorporated in Sassedsn "Disaster Contingency Plan".

C . Safety Feature* • I

Aa i s the case with the environmental safeguards, safety aspects nust ba a combination of design, oparator awareness and the a v a i l a b i l i t y of suitable emergency equipment. Over the years, the O i l Industry and the Federal Government has issued a considerable nunber of standards, recommejidid practices and laws governing minimum requir-jments. Design of equipment for Samedan's operationa requirea the application of a l l available standards in the s t r i c t e s t nanner. The nost important of these ara l i s t e d belowt*

» i

. ..OSHA ...OCS Orders of the Hinerals Management Service •••API Standards and Recommended Practices ...ASHE Codea ...ASTM Standards ...ANSI Standarda . . .AISC ...American Welding Society ...NFPA (NEC)

Safety systems are incorporated in the design of equipment and opera­tional procedurea aa required by the OCS Order a of the Minerala Management Service* OCS Order Number 2 s p e c i f i c a l l y provides detailed information on the d r i l l i n g operationa and Samed. adheres s t r i c t l y to these rules and regulations.

Automatic gaa and f i r e detection systems are incorporated in the unit to alarm operationa personnel in caae of emergencies. Equipment to deal with emergencies ( l i f e vests, r a f t s , buoys, f i r e extinguishing equipment, l i f e boats, e t c . ) i s located s tra teg ica l ly on tha d r i l l i n g unit . Frequent tra in ing ees a ion a ara held to keep operationa personnel a l e r t and famil iar with procedures and operating instructions for equipment.

SAMEDAN OIL CORPORATIOH

EMISSIONS REPORT

j MAIN PASS BLOCK 101

Samedan Oil has f i l e d a.v application for a "Perait to Discharge" in accordance wi th tt\f requirementa oft the Environmental Protection Agen'cy.

Emissions discharged Into the ocean w i l l be primarily d r i l l i n g f l u i d , washed w e l l cuttings, cooling Nfrater and sewage e f f luent . A l i these wastes w i l l be treated prior to discharge into the aaa to ensure a minimal impact ov. the environment. In cases where sat isfactory treating cannot be accomplished, waataa w i l l be col lected and brought to shore toi: disposal . The following f i g u r e s show approximate quantities for waataa in this category:

. . . D r i l l Cuttings 650 tons per wel l . . . D r i l l i n g F l u i d 7,000 barrels per well • • .Sanitary/Sewage Effluent 4,000 gallons per day • • .Cooling Watar 1,000,000 gallons per day

Emissions discharged into the air during the exploratory drilling phase will oe primarily associated with power generation. The following table lists emissions during the drilling operations (based upon Table 3.3.3-1 of EPA Publication AP-42)f

Emission Factor in g/hp-hr

N O j t s o x HC CO Particulates

14.0 0.93 1 .12 3.03 1.0

T o t a l amissions can be found u t i l i s i n g the formula presented in EPA Publication PB-272-268:

"Emission Rate - Emission Factor X Total Well Footage X 60 hp-hr/ft"

Two wel l s ara to be d r i l l e d in 1986 with to ta l footage of approximately 14,000 f e e t . The following emissions estimate (tons/yr) applies for the d r i l l i n g of the exploratory wallet

1986

M0X S0X HC CO Particulates

12.96 .86 1.04 2.81 93

The Rules snd Regulations define*] in the Pedersl Register 250.57 of March 7, 1980 require taat ing against the emission exemption amount as follows:

E - i,400D 2/3 for CO r and

E « 33.3D for total suspended particulates

|l " \ .on, a dial For this location, a distance of 30 miles applies. This makes the exemption

amount as follows: **

E • 32,826 Tons/yr. for CO and

E - 999 Tons/yr. for SO*, W0X# H C a n d particulates

The calcuiated amounts for both CO and the total suspended particulates are below the exenpeion amount. Therefore, further a i r quality review i s not required for the proposed exploration a c t i v i t i e s in the lease area.

I t i s d i f f i c u l t to quantify the exact contribution to the total emissions for transportation r e s u l t i .g from this Exploration Plan, since transportation requirements ara combined for Samedan's operations in the general area. Typical f igures for emissions of supply boats using 1,000 gallons per day ara as follows [baaed on EPA Emission Factors] :

•••NOx 270 lbs/day • • • s o x 27 lbs/day . . . C O 110 lbs/day . . .HC 50 lba/day . . . P a r t i c u l a t e s unknown

Typica l fuel consumption for helicopters i s as follows:

. . .Smal l Helicopter 30 gallons per hour f ly ing 10 gallons per landing and

take-off cycle

. . . U r g e Helicopter 100 gallons par hour f ly ing 25 cal ions par landing a.̂ d

take-off cycle

Assuming one landing and take-off cycle.per hour of f l y i n g , the following emissions would r e s u l t per hour:

Small Helicopter Large Helicopter

• • •*°x 1 lb/hour 3 lbs/hour • • • 8 0 x 1.5 lbs/hour 5 lbs/hour . . .CO 10 lbs/hour 30 Ibe/hour . ..HC 1 lb/hour 3 lbs /hour . . .Part icu lates 5 lbs /hour 15 lbs /hour

COpASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION

MAIN PASS BLOCK 101 OCS-G 6808

The proposed a c t i v i t i e s described in deta i l in this Plan comply with Louisiana and Miss i s s ippi ' s approved Coastal Management Program(s) and w i l l be conducted in manner consistent with auch Prog*.am(s) •

Arrangements have been made with the State-Times in Baton Rouge , Louisiana to publish a notice of the propoaed a c t i v i t i e s no la ter than June 25, 1996.

Samedan O i l Corporation

B i l l P o i l l i o n , Manager, Offshore D r i l l i n g and Production

June 18. 1986

. f

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT

POR COASTAL MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION

PLAN OF EXPLORATION

*• GULF OF MEXICO !

FOR

MAIN PASS BLOCK 101

OCS-G 6808

SAMEDAN OIL CORPORATION 350 GLENBOROUGH, SUITE 240 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77067

(713/872-5391)

JUNE 18, 1986

t

Table of Contents

J

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT-Page

l - l I . T i t l e Page . L • . 1

Table of Contents i l

L i s t of Figures i i i

L i s t of Tables iv

I I . Description of tne Proposed Action . . . . . . . . . . 1

A* Travel Modes, Routes and Frequencies 1

B. Support Base and New Peraonnel 2

C. New Support F a c i l i t i e a 2

D. New or Unusual Technology • • 2

E . Location of the Proposed Act iv i t i e s • • • 2

I I I . Description of the Affected Environment and Impacts . . . . . . 2

A. Physical and Environmental 2

1• Commercial Flahing 2

2. Shipping • • • • • . . . . . . . 4

3 . Recreation • • S

4. Cu l tura l Raaourcaa • • • 5

5 . Ecological ly Sensit ive Features 5

6. Ex is t ing Pipelines and Cables 5

7. Othar Mineral Uaaa 5

8. Oce.-n Dumping • • • • • • • 6

9. Endangered or Threatened Species 6

B. Socio-Economic Impacts • • • • • 6

IV. Onavoidable Adverse Iapacta • 7

V. Li terature Cited 9 i i

m

ALABAMA

CAST OfttfARS

AftCA

c -a-

[CM CAMVON •OOlLt SOUTN

VICINITY MAP

40 80mi

TABLE I

COMMON NAME

COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT SHELLFISH OF THE GULF OF MEXICO

SCIENTIFIC NAME HARVEST METHOD

SHRIMP:

Brown Shrimp

White Shrimp

Pink Shrimp

Seabob

Royal Red Shrimp

Rock Shrimp

Penaeus aztecus

P. set i ferus

P. duorarum

Xiphopenaeus Kroyeri

Hymenopenaeus robustus

Sicyonia brevirostr is

BT

BT

BT

BT

BT

BT

Blue Crab

Oysters

Callinectes sapidus

Craasostrea sp.

CT, BT, TL

OD, OT

BT Bottom Trawl CT Baited Crab Trap OD Oyster Dredge OT Oyster Tonga TL "Trotline"

i v

i ; i

<

TABLE 2

COMMON NAME

A CHECK L I S T OF COMMERCIAL & SPORT FISHES OF THE NORTHERN GULF OP MEXICO1

S C I E N T I F I C NAME2

Gulf Menhaden

Hardhead C a t f i s h

G a f f t o p s a i l C a t f i s h

Warsuw Grouper

Jewc,ish

Red Grouper

Rock Hind

F l o r i d a Pompano

Red Snapper

Sheepshead

Northern K i n g i a h

Block Drum

A t l a n t i c C r o a k e r

Spotted S e a t r o u t

Sand S e a t r o u t

Red Drum

Spot

Striped M u l l e t

King Mackeral

Brevoor t ia p « r t o n u s

A r m s f e l i s

Bagre marinus

Epinephelus n i g r i t u s

Epinephelus i t a j a r a

Epinephelus moric

Epinephelus a d s c e n s i o n i s

Trachinotus c a r o l i n u s

Lut janus campechanus

Archosargue probatocephalus

Ment i c i rrhus s a x a t i l i s

Pog->nias cromis

Micropogonias undulatus

Cynoscion nebulosus

Cynoscion a r e n a r l u s

Sciaenopa o c e l l a t u a

Le i sos toaus xanthurus

Mugil cephalus

Scomberomorus c a v a l l a

v

TABLE 2 (cont'd)

j A CHECK LTST OP COMMERCIAL 6 SPORT PISHES OP THE NORTHERN GULP OP MEXICO

r

Spanish Mackerel, Scomberomorus maculatus

Unclassified Flounders Paralichthys spp.

1 • Bae-d on landing s t a t i s t i c s coaplled by the National Marine Fisheries Service, New Orleana, Louisiana.

2* Scient i f ic nomenclature from American Fisheries Society (1380).

X , • Description of the Proposed Action

This report addresses tha exploration ac t iv i ty propoeed by Saae.1 tn O i l Cor­poration for Main Pass Block 101. OCS-G 6808. The approxi ma e location of the act iv i ty i a presented in Figure 1, a general v i c i n i t y nap of the Outer Continental Shelf leeee areas off the coaat of Louisiana.

Xt ia anticipated that a jaek-up r i g w i l l be moved on location and two explora­tory walla w i l l be d r i l l e d * Tha aurface looation for the propoaed wella and additional information regarding the spec i f i c s c t i v i t i e s proposed by Samedan for th i s block are included inf*"the attachad Plan of Exploration. The p. jposed a c t i ­v i t i e s w i l l ba carr ied out by Samedan wi.n a guaranty>e of the follov .ng:

1. The beat avai lable and safest technologies w i l l be c . i l i z e t throughout the project . Thia includes - -etlng a l l applicable requireaents for equipnent types, gene_*l project layout, so ety systems, equipnent and monitoring systens.

2. A l l oparatlona w i l l be covered by HMS approved O i l S p i l l Conta gency Plan.

3. A l l applicable Federal , State, and loca l requireaents regarding a i r emissions, water qual i ty and diacharga for tha propoaad a c t i v i t i e s , as well ea any othei perai t conditions, w i l l ba complied with.

A. Travel Modes, Routes and Frequencies

Samedan w i l l operate out of tha ir aervice baae f a c i l i t i e s establlahed in Venice, Louisiana. Saaedan anticipates uring one helicopter, one aupply boat and one crew boat to support their exploration a c t i v i t y . The helicopter w i l l travel to the location a to ta l of eight t ines per week. The aupply boat and craw boat w i l l travel to the location to a to ta l of seven tines per weak.

Xt i s anticipated that the transportation vessels w i l l u t i l i s e the nost d i r e c . route fron the Venice, Louisiana servioe base. Because the vessels supporting the Main Paaa Block 101 exploration a c t l v i t iee any be scheduled for other stops i n the area, the exac' route for eech veaael on eech particular t r i p cannot Le predetermined.

B . Support Beee and Bow Peraonnel

Samedan w i l l u t i l i s e support beee f a c i l i t i e s established in Venice, Louisiana. The Venice support baae ie located approximately seventy-five miles froa the ac t iv i ty s i t e .

Because helicopter end narine f e c i l i t i e e are currently eveileble et the service beee and are presently end continuously manned, no additional onahore employment ia expected to be generated ea a resul t of theee a c t i v i t i e s .

1

C . Wew Support F a c i l i t i e s ,

Tho proposed exploration act i vi t laa for Main Paas Block 101 w i l l not require the developaent of any . new support f e c i l i t i e e *

Tha exploration a c t i v i t i e s for Main Paaa Block 101 w i l l not warrant u t i l i z i n g any raw or unusual technology that nay a f f ec t coastal watera*

E . Location of the Proposed Act lv i t l ea

Main Fiss Block 101 i s located approximately th ir ty n i l e s fron the Louisiana shore. Figure 1 oreeents the location of the block in relat ion to the Louisiana and Mississippi roast aa well as the geographic relationship between Main Paas Slock 101 and other OCS leaae areas.

A* Physical and Environmental

1 • Commercial Fiehing

Commercial f i sh ing haa tradit ional ly provided an important economic baae for a majority of the coastal communities along tha Gulf of Mexico* In 1962, the Gulf CCK ,_al stataa landed 2*3 b i l l i on pounds of f i s h products representing a third of '-he nation's t o t a l , valued at over 600 n i i l i o n do l lar s . The f ive connsrcial f i sher i e s i the greatest econonic importance ara the shrimp, menhaden, oyster, industr ia l bo .ton f i s h and crab f i s h e r i e s *

Zn 1982, Gulf fishermen landed over 209*9 mil l ion pounda of shrinp representing 75 percent of the nation'a total and valued at over 425 n i i l i o n dollars* Tha northern Gulf shrimp f ishery i s comprised mainly of three species; the brc ehrinp (Penaeus axtecus) , the white shrimp (P. set i ferus) end the pink shr. o (P.duorarum). The smaller brc shrlnp represent approximately 60 percent of the shriap taken, the pink shr mp 10 percent, end the whits ahr inp account for a majority of the remainder. Three other'species, the rock shrimp, royal reds and the seabobs, are aleo taken commercially in the northern Oulf but together comprise less then 4 percent of the t o t a l shriap landings.

Preliminary s t a t i s t i c s compiled by the National Marina Fisheries Service i n d i ­cate that 76,953,733 pounda of ahrinp (heada-on) valued at over 130 n i i l i o n dol lars ware landed at Louisiana ports i n I9d3. I t should be noted that catch s t a t i s t i c s are recorded by tha area landed and do not necessarily indicete that the species were actual ly caught in waters adjacent to the porta where they were landed.

I I I . DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS

2

Most shriap ars taken by trawl and ara estuarine dependent in that they require actuaries during sone stage of their l i f e cycles. Mature shrimp leave the estuary for tha open Gulf where the/ spawn. The egge end subsequent larval sta­ges circulate freely in thn currents of the OCS end cen ba found in virtually e l l OCS waters. Young juveniles then enter the estuary to feed, nature and repeat'the cycle.

The Hain Pass Aree under consideration fa l l s v.thin the "high to moderate brown shrimplproductivity aree" (u .s .o . i . , F R E I S , Gulf of Mexico, 1983, Visual Mo. 4-1) wherein the possibility of shrimp fiehing activity exists. Sone documented iapacta of petroleua exploration and production on tha shriap fishery include the renoval of trawling space during tha dri l l ing and exploration phases and the possibility of fiehing geer conflicts with existing well heads. These «. l f l i c t s could result in loss of catch, loss of or damage to nota, vessel damage, and/or fiehing downtime looses. Additional discussion of the impacts on vhe connercial f iehing industry i s contained in the Pinel Regional Environmental Inpact Statement, Gulf of Mexico, Volume 1, pages 327 to 332 (U.S .D.I . , 1983).

The Gulf oyster fiehery provided over 40 percent of the oysters landed nationally i n 1982 totaling 24.2 Billion pounds - J meet worth over 38 Bill ion dollars. Moot Gul* oysters ere taken by oyster ciredging in estuarine and coastal waters within 5 miles of shore. According to National Marine Pisheries Service sta­t i e t i c s over 13 million pounds of oysters valued at over 17 Billion dollars were landed at Louisiana porta in 1983. The propoaad activities in Nain Paas Block 101 area ara not expected to have any impact on the oyster fishing in Louisiana.

Zn 1981 tha Gulf States elso landed 37.4 Bil l ion pounda of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) valued at over 8 a i l l lon dollars. Most were captured in "pots" (baited traps) in shallow estuarine or near shore waters. Blue crabs are eleo caught ualng "trotlines" (shallow, multibaited lines) and bottom trawls. Theee crabs are eetuerine dependent with planktonic egge and larval stages. Blue crab landings et Louisiana ports totaled over 18 a i l l lon pounda valued et over 18 ailllon dollars in 19G3, according to National Marine Fiaheriea Service Sta t i s t i c s . The fiehery for blue crabs w i l l r J t ba affected by exploration and production activities in this block ae i t io offehore of the ooaatal and eetuerine waters in which this fishery operates.

Table 1 presents e l i s t of comae*,cielly important shellf ish found in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Ti aanhaden or "Fogy" flehsry is the nation's second most valuable fiehery accounting for 1 .2 bi l l ion pounda valued et 47 a i l l lon dollars or r -ughly half of the total 1381 fieh poundage Landed tn the 0.8. Spurred by • Si percent increeee in aenhaden landings froa the Gulf coast states, the 0.8. had e record setting aenhaden catch in 1982. Gulf landings were 1.9 bi l l ion pounda worth over 72 Billion dollars. Four speclee ere said to comprise the aenhaden fiehery but the Oulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) accounts for aost of the catch. Menhaden are proceased into fieh neal, f ieh o i l end fieh solubles for industrial uae. Menhaden ere eetuerine dependent wich planktonic egge. Main Feaa Block 101 liee beyond the "Principal Menhaden Harvest Aree" (U.S.D.I . , PREIS, Oulf of Mexieo. 1983, visual Ko. 4-Z), therefore, negative impacts on nenhaden fiehing ara unlikely.

3

Industrial bottomfiahes maka up a large fishery in tha Gulf. Within thia group ara fishes takan on or vary near tha bottoa by ro aas rela 1 trawlers. The following fishes generally aeet unt for 95 to 3C percent of the industrial bot-toafish /Lrawl fishery: croaker, spot, send seatrout, si lver seatrout, cetfieh and longspins porgv (U.S.D.I . , 1963).

Many of the soeciee taken ln tha industrial bottomfish category spawn in of f shorel water*, and it* is possible that tha egge eight be adveraely affected by contact pith d r i l l cuttings and/or dr i l l ing aud i f they ware present near the r i g during such releases. Theee discherges aay aleo c uaa temporary relocation of adult* due to inundation of feeding ground at the' d r i l l a l ta . Flahing act i ­v i ty will be teaporerlly interrupted by the placeaent of the dri l l ing rig but no long ten effects ere anticipated ae a result of thie propoaal. Industrial bot­tomflsh ire usually eold as industrial tishmeal and fiah solubles, but this group also produces sone foodfish, pet food end fish protein concentrate.

Other species for which significant commercial fisheries exist include striped aullet , groupers, snappers and flounders. Mullet ara taken near ahorw and in eetuerine waters in seine nets, g i l l neta and eaat note Snappers and groupers ere token by hook and lina throughout the OCS wherever naturally occurring or man-made benthic features provide sufficient habitat. Flounders are alao caught commercially by hook and lina and ara takan saaaonally in very shallow eetuerine we ter by gig. Weakfishes, croakers, and drums ara alao takan commercially by hook Mid line ae fcodfishes. Table 2 presents a l i s t of commercially important industrial bottomfishes and sport fishes found in the Gulf of Mexico.

Overall, coeaercial fishermen have benefited froa the growth of the petroleum industry in the OCS weter of the Gulf of Mexico. *<nile technological improve­ments hsve enabled comma-oia1 fishermen to increaae the volume of landings, development of the petroleum lnduatry has slso had e positive impact on fishing. Because OCS petroleum developaent ia dependent on extensive marine vessel u t i l i ­sation, harbors and porta have been improved, port acceas waterways have baen expanded and improved, and the availabil ity and quality oi marine vessel main­tenance ard repair fec i l i t ies bave increased significantly. These improvements have definitely had a positive effect on fishermen (Lassiter, 1980).

2 . Shipping

A designated shipping fairway croeeee Nain Pees Block 101. Zt is l ikely thet tho vessels supporting the bloek w i l l ut i l i se the shipping fairway located within tha block to gain access to the support beae, however, i t ie unlikely thet the marine vansels wil l have eny significant effect on fairway t ra f f i c . Hie drilling rig end eaoh of the marine •vessels w i l l be equipped with e l l U.S. Coast Guard required navigational safety aids.

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3 . Recreation f .

The open Gulf encompasses a broad axpanae of saltwater which i s u t i l i z e d by numerous sports,fiahermen and a amall but rapidly increasing number of SCUBA d i v e r s . Many fishermen charter boata to deep-sea f i s h and sport diva in the northern Gulf. 'The atatea of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana support approximately 1120 charter boats which conduct a majority of their f i s h i n g a c t i ­v i t i e s in the Iwaters of the OCS* ( U . S . D . I . , 1983). Petroleum plattorms in the Ts-trthern Gulf provide recroatior for fishermen and scuba divers because they act ee a r t i f i c i a l reefs attracting and establishing aquatic communities including h ighly sought a f t e r food and sport f i s h e s . The reef e f fec t created by petroleum platforms i s well known and i s evidenced by the numerous boat owners who regu­l a r l y v i s i t offshore f a c i l i t i e s to harvest food and sport f i shes .

Frequently, offshore r ig and platforn I serve as navigation points for small com­me r c i a l and recreational narine c r a f t . Manned d r i l l i n g rigs and platforms can a l e o provide a haven for snai l c r a f t operatora forced to abandon thair vessels during t»i>rms or following boat accidents. The ins ta l l a t ion and use of naviga­t i o n a l aids, l i f e sav ing equipment and other aafety requirement* pursuant to Coaet Guard regulations are standard procedure for d r i l l i n g rigs and narine vaase ls ut i l ived by Samedan.

4 . Cultural Raaourcaa

V i s u e l No. 11 froa tha Regional Environmental Impact Statement ( U . S . * . . I . , 1983) indicates -hat .lain pass Block 101 f e l l a within the zones designated as areas with high probabil i t ies of h i s t o r i c a l or pre-h is tor ic cu l tura l raaourcaa. A c u l t u r a l assessment was performed for Main Pass Block 101. This report indica­tes that there w i l l be no s igni f icant impacta upon cu l tura l l y s ign i f i cant resource a.

5 • Ecologically Sensit ive Featurea

Nain Paas Block 101 iv located approximately 15 a i l e s froa the Delta national W i l d l i f e Refuge, 40 n i . e s fron the Delta National Wi ld l i f e Refuge and 53 a i i e a f r o a the Gulf lalands National Wi ld l i f e Refuge. There are no other known ecolo­g i c a l l y sensitive er -s near Main Pasa Block 101.

Zn genera?., l f e l l a c t i v i t i e s are executed as planned, encountering no unusual oircunstances, the environnentally sensit ive araae w i l l not ba af fected .

8 • Existing Pipel ine and Cablee

Ttie shallow .wizards survey perfomed for Texaco by John E . Chance end Associates and included ae an attachment to the Plen of Exploration, indicates that there a r e no faults , folds or high preaaure gaa deposits within ths area. SVaednn ia ewere of potentiel hasards and w i l l take e l l neceeaary precautions.

There are no known pipelines or cablee located on Main Paaa Block 101.

7 . Mineral Reaourcee

There are no other known mineral raaourcaa located in or near Main Pass Block 101.

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8 • Ocean Pimping i

The major sources of ocean dumping related to OCS petroleum exploration a c t i v i t y a r a dr i l l ing f l u i d a , or "muds" and d r i l l cuttings. After the exploratory d r i l l i n g in Main Pass Block 1010 i s complete, Samedan does anticipate dumpi ..g t h a i r excess water-based d r i l l i n g f lu ids (approximately 1440 bbls ) . I f any o i l -based mud is used during the d r i l l i n g operations, i t v i l l be returned* to the vendor for proper! dlapoaal at an Approved s i t e .

D r i l l cuttings are brought up by^the d r i l l i n g mud and range in , size from grains of sand to pebbles* These cuttings are separated and s i f t ed and then disposed overboard. Treated domestic wastes and d r i l l waters w i l l also be disposed at tha proposed d r i l l i n g s i t e . There w i l l be no intentional discharge of any o i ly or hazardoua materials in violation of DOI or EPA regulations.

Main Pass Block 101 i s not located within an approved E . P . A . disposal area or m i l i t a r y ordinance disposal area.

9 • Endangered or Threatened Species

Endangered or threatened species which might occur in Main Pass Block 101 Area ere blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), finbtck whale (Balaenoptera physalus, humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) se i whale (Balaenoptera borea l i s ) , sperm whale (Phseter catodon), Kemp's r idley tur t l e (Lepidochelys kempii), green t u r t l e (chelonia mydas), hawksbill t u r t l e (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback t u r t l e (Dermochelys coriaces) and loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta) ( U . S . D . I . , Rsgion IV Endangered Species Notebook).

Endangered and threatened species expected to occur in the v i c in i ty of the onshore base are bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentel is ) and American a l l iga tor (All igator mississippiensis) ( U . S . D . I . , Region IV Endangered Speciea Notebook). The brown pelican was a con-son resident of Louisiana but this species became v i r t u a l l y extinct in the the l a t e 1950's ( F r i t t s e t a l . , 1983). By 1960, the estimate Louisiana population of brown pelicans was four birds (NFWL, 1980). Re-establishment of a breeding population in Louisiana has met with varying success ( F r i t t s et a l . , 1963). The a c t i v i t i e s proposed by Samedan are expected to have no impact on the brown p e l i ­c a n . The Aaarican a l l i ga tor i s c l e s s i f i e d es threatened biological ly in Louisiana and a regulated harvest i s permitted under State law ( U . S . D . I . , Region ZV Endangered Species Notebook). No iapacta on American a l l igators are expected. The presence of marine mammals in coastal louisiana i s considered sporadic and probably no resident populations e x i s t . I t l s unlikely that onahore or exploration a c t i v i t i e s related to Main Pass Block 101 w i l l have any e f fec t on the previously named epecles.

B. 8ocic-Econoa\lc Iapacts

Aa deecrlbed in Section B ol this report, no expansion of the existing shore beee fec i l i t y i s expected as a result of this action. Therefore, no new employment is expected as a reault of the propoaad act ion .

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IV. QUA VOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

The .greatest threat to tha natural environment i s cauaed by inadequate opera­t i o n a l safeguards that may cause or contribute to an o i l a p i l l or well blowout. Theae accidents can ba greatly reduced in number by u t i l i s i n g trained opera­t i o n a l personnel and employing a l l avai lable aafety and pollution control systems. ,These measures are standard operating procedure for Samedan. Samedan haa an approved O i l S p i l l Contingency Plan. '

I t ahould ba noted that most large cr .'de o i l and refined product s p i l l s have occurred during transportation 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 s p i l l occurring during exploratory d r i l l i n g operationa i a low (Danenberger, 1976). Transportation and r iver runoff contribute an estimated 34.9 percent and 26.2 percent, reapectively, to the hydrocarbon contamination of the world's oceans while offshore production a c t i ­v i t i e s 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 B a l l , 1954; Geyer, 1979), contribute an estimated 9.8 percent to the contamination of the world's oceans (National Academy of Sciences, 1975). Additionally, i t waa noted in the executive summary of a recent study of j e t r o -leu-n production platforms in the central Gulf of Mexico (Bedinger, 1981), that natura l disturbances ( i . e . r iver flooding and storms) Cf.n more greatly a f fec t nori'tai biological communities •-nan tlie current industr ia l development of the Louiaiana OCS. Tha preceding discussion i s not intended to minimize the s i g n i f i ­cance of major o i l s p i l l s resulting from petroleum exploration and production a c t i v i t i e s but i s provided to establ ish a perspective re lat ive 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 asso­c ia ted with exploratory d r i l l i n g a c t l v i t l e a , noiie of which release any o i l to tha marine environment (Danenberger, 1980). The IXTOC I a p i l l of 1979, however, demonstrates that advanced d r i l l i n g technology and avai lable aafety and pollution contro l systems are not i n f a l l i b l e . Host s p i l l s are subjected to immaoiate con­tainment and cleanup e f f o r t s . The ultimate fate of o i l sp i l l ed in the marine environment i s general ly considered to ba one or * combination of the following: evaporation and decomposition in the atmosphere, d i spersa l ln the watar column, incorporation into sediments and oxldetion by chemical or biological meana (National Academy of Sciences, 1975).

Ttie unavoidable adverse iapacta that w i l l occur ae e resu l t of the exploratory d r i l l i n g and discharging of d r i l l i n g f lu ida and treated aewage w i l l be few i n number and temporary l n nature. The primary adverse iapacts include a loca i ized degredation of water a n l a i r quality in »the v i c i n i t y of the d r i l l i n g a l t a , tha potent ia l obstruction to commercial end recreational f lahing vessels, and the disruption ano/or x i l l i - i g of benthic and/or pelagic organisms during location of the d r i l l i n g r ig end during disposal of muds, cuttings and domestic weetea and sewage.

Discharge froa the d r i l l a l ta ia inevitable during OCS ope r a t i ono, par t i cu lar ly during explore den • Any materials thet aay contain o i i or other hazardous mater ia ls , and therefore wo* Id have a auch greater adverse lapact on the environ­ment, w i l l not be discharged intent ional ly . Any discharging w i l l be done pur­euent co a l l DOI and BPA regulatlona. The diachargee to be disposed overboard ee e result of tha explorotion ac t iv i ty w i l l Include domestic wests and eewege that ie treated on the r i g before discharging and d r i l l cuttinga and aud.

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The environmental fate and aff acts ot d r i l l i n g muds ar.d cuttinga has been exten­s i v e l y addrassad in recent syaposiusi {See Ayers et a l . , 1960 for detailed discuss ions) . The discharging of d r i l l cuttings and water-based aud w i l l reeult l n an, increase in water turbidity, bur ia l of benthic organisms and possible toxic • f f a c t a on asrina organisms in the immediate v i c i n i t y of the d r i l l i n g r i g . A reduction in photosynthetic ac t iv i ty and plankton populations can also be expected Sb a resu l t of discharging. I t i s expected, however, that pelagic and benthic organisms w i l l repopulate the area rapidly a f ter discharging i f the a f f a c i a are minimal and intermittent as expected.

*• 1 Offshore a c t i v i t i e s general a small but s ign i f i cant amount of a i r pollutants; therefore, the deterioration of a i r qual i ty i s unavoidable in an OCS operation a r e a . In most instances , these emissions af fect only the immediate exploration a c t i v i t y bite and «re rapidly dissipated by the atmosphere depending upon clima­t i c conditions.

Commercial and recreat ional fiahing would be affected by OCS development, but pr imari ly in terms of inconvenience and interference. Although, the unavoidable adverse impacts could include some smothering of s h e l l f i s h , snagging of trawl neta , reduction of area presently sed for unrestricted f ishing and minimal f i n ­f i s h k i l l i n g , commercial fishing a c t i v i t i e s would not be s igni f icant ly e f fects , except in the un l ike ly event of an o i l s p i l l . An o i l s p i l l could resuit in serious economic losses due to the eon ta mination of commercial f i sh species.

There is a remote poss i t l i t y tliat offthore areas of h i s t o r i c a l , cu l tura l or b io log ica l s igni f icance could be damaged os destroyed by OCS exploration opera­t i o n a . Visual No. 11 from the Regional Environmental Impact Statement ( U . S . D . I . , 1983) indicates thst no archaeological, cu l tura l or h i s tor ic arvaa are in the v i c i n i t y of Nain pass Block 101. Samedan w i l l make every e f fort to avoid disturbing any h i s t o r i c a l l y , c u l t u r a l l y , or biologically s ignif icant f ea ture .

8

LITERATURE CITED

i

American Fisher ies Society 1980 A l i a t oif Common and S c i e n t i f i c Names of Fishes from the United

Stataa land Canada (Fourth E d i t i o n ) . Special Publication No* 12. Bethesda,j Maryland. 174 pp.

Ayers, R. C . , M. L • Richards and^J. R. Gould 1980 Proceedings of a symposium. Research on environmental fete and

e f fecta of d r i l l i n g f l u i d s and cuttings. Washington, D.C. 1,122 pp.

Bedinger, C. A., Jr. 1981 Ecological investigations 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. AAS51-CT8-17. 29 pp.

Danenberger, E. P. 1976 Oil s p i l l s , 1971-1975, Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf.

Geological Survey Circular 741• 47 pp.

Danenberger, E. P. 1980 Outer Cc-. tinen tal Shell Oil and Gas Blowouts. U.S.G.S. Open-File

Report. 80-101. 15 pp.

Fritts, T. H., A. B. Irvine, R. D. Jennings, L. A. CoHum, w. Hoffman, and M. A. McGehee

1983 Turtles, birds and mammals in the northern Gulf of Mexico and nearby Atlantic waters. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-82/65. 455 pp.

Gallaway, B. J . 1981 The ecology cf petroleum platforms in the northwestern Gulf of Mexicot

a community prof l i t • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C. PWS/OBS-82/27. bureau of Land Manageaent, Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office, Open-File Raport 82-03. XIV +92 pp.

Gallaway, 3. J*, L. P.. Martin, R. L. Howard, G. s. Boland and 3. D. Dannie 1981 Effects on ar t i f i c i a l reef and dersal fish and aacrocrustacean com­

munities. Pages 237-293 in B. S. Middled!ten, ed. Environmental effects of offshore o i l productir .. The Buccaneer Gea and Oil Field Study. Marine Science, Vol. 14. Plenum Preaa, New xork. New York.

Geyer, R. A. 1979 Naturally occurring hydrocarbon aaapa l n tha Gulf of Mexico and

Carribean Sea. College Stat ion, Texaat Taxaa A C M University Press.

National Academy pf Sciences 1975 Petroleum in the narine environment. Washington, D.C. 107 pp.

National Fish and.Wildlife Laboratory (NFlfL) 1980 Selected vertebrate endangered species of the seacoast o'f the United

States11 Brown Pelican, eastern and C a l i f o r n i a subspecies. U.S . Pish and W i l d l i f e Serv ice^Bio log ica l Services Progran PWS/OBS-80/01.40. '6 pp. i

National Marine Fisheries Service 1984 Louisiana landing s t a t i s t i c s from personal communication with the

USIA, NMFS, New Orleana, Louisiana

U . S . Department of the Interior , F i sh and Wi ld l i fe Service 1976 Endangered and threatened species of rhe southeastern United States.

Region I V , Atlanta, Georgia (periodical ly updated).

U . S . Department of the Inter ior , Minerals Management Service 1983 Pinal Regional Environmental Impact Statement, Gulf of Mexico

Volume 1. Prepared by Minerals Management Service , Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Metairie, Lo i s iana . 527 pp.

Zo Be l l , C. E . 19*J4 Marine bacteria and fungi. Fisheries Bu l l e t in 55 (89): 217-222.

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