[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 38 (Friday, February 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4256]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 25, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Outer Continental Shelf, Central Gulf of Mexico, Gas and Oil
Lease Sale 147
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice Of sale.
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1. Authority. This Notice is published pursuant to the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, (1988)), and
the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR part 256).
2. Filing of Bids. Sealed bids will be received by the Regional
Director (RD), Gulf of Mexico Region, Minerals Management Service, 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Bids may be
delivered in person to that address during normal business hours (8
a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Standard Time (c.s.t.) until the bid submission
deadline at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 1994. Hereinafter, all times
cited in this Notice refer to c.s.t. unless otherwise stated. Bids will
not be accepted the day of bid opening, Wednesday, March 30, 1994. Bids
received by the RD later than the time and date specified above will be
returned unopened to the bidders. Bids may not be modified or withdrawn
unless written modification or written withdrawal request is received
by the RD prior to 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 1994. Bid opening time
will be 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 30, 1994, at the Sheraton Hotel, 500
Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. All bids must be submitted and
will be considered in accordance with applicable regulations, including
30 CFR part 256. The list of restricted joint bidders which applies to
this sale appeared in the Federal Register at 58 FR 52505, published on
October 8, 1993.
3. Method of Bidding. A separate signed bid in a sealed envelope
labeled ``Sealed Bid for Gas and Oil Lease Sale 147, not to be opened
until 9 a.m., c.s.t., Wednesday, March 30, 1994,'' must be submitted
for each block bid upon. The sealed envelope and the bid should contain
the following information: the company name, qualification number, area
number and/or name (abbreviations acceptable), and the block number of
the block bid upon. In addition, the total amount bid must be in whole
dollar amounts.
Bidders must submit with each bid one-fifth of the cash bonus, in
cash or by cashier's check, bank draft, or certified check, payable to
the order of the U.S. Department of the Interior-- Minerals Management
Service. For identification purposes, the company name and company
qualification number should also appear on the check or draft together
with the bid block identification (abbreviations acceptable). No bid
for less than all of the unleased portions of a block will be
considered.
All documents must be executed in conformance with signatory
authorizations on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office.
Partnerships also need to submit or have on file a list of signatories
authorized to bind the partnership. Bidders submitting joint bids must
state on the bid form the proportionate interest of each participating
bidder, in percent to a maximum of five decimal places, e.g., 33.33333
percent. Other documents may be required of bidders under 30 CFR
256.46. Bidders are warned against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860,
prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.
4. Bidding, Yearly Rental, and Royalty Systems. The following
bidding, yearly rental, and royalty systems apply to this sale:
(a) Bidding Systems. All bids submitted at this sale must provide
for a cash bonus in the amount of $25 or more per acre or fraction
thereof.
(b) Yearly Rental. All leases awarded will provide for a yearly
rental payment of $5 per acre or fraction thereof.
(c) Royalty Systems. All leases will provide for a minimum royalty
of $5 per acre or fraction thereof. The following royalty systems will
be used in this sale.
(1) Leases with a 12\1/2\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate
applies to blocks in water depths of 400 meters or greater; this area
is shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms and Bidding Systems Map
applicable to this Notice (see paragraph 13). Leases issued on the
blocks offered in this area will have a fixed royalty rate of 12\1/2\
percent.
(2) Leases with a 16\2/3\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate
applies to blocks in water depths of less than 400 meters (see
aforementioned Map). Leases issued on the blocks offered in this area
will have a fixed royalty rate of 16\2/3\ percent.
5. Equal Opportunity. The certification required by 41 CFR 60-
1.7(b) and Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended
by Executive Order No. 11375 of October 13, 1967, on the Compliance
Report Certification Form, Form MMS-2033 (June 1985), and the
Affirmative Action Representation Form, Form MMS-2032 (June 1985) must
be on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office prior to lease award
(see paragraph 14(e)).
6. Bid Opening. Bid opening will begin at the bid opening time
stated in paragraph 2. The opening of the bids is for the sole purpose
of publicly announcing bids received, and no bids will be accepted or
rejected at that time. If the Department is prohibited for any reason
from opening any bid before midnight on the day of bid opening, that
bid will be returned unopened to the bidder as soon thereafter as
possible.
7. Deposit of Payment. Any cash, cashier's checks, certified
checks, or bank drafts submitted with a bid may be deposited by the
Government in an interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury during
the period the bids are being considered. Such a deposit does not
constitute and shall not be construed as acceptance of any bid on
behalf of the United States.
8. Withdrawal of Blocks. The United States reserves the right to
withdraw any block from this sale prior to issuance of a written
acceptance of a bid for the block.
9. Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids. The United States
reserves the right to reject any and all bids. In any case, no bid will
be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder,
unless:
(a) The bidder has complied with all requirements of this Notice
and applicable regulations;
(b) The bid is the highest valid bid; and
(c) The amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the
authorized officer.
No bonus bid will be considered for acceptance unless it provides
for a cash bonus in the amount of $25 or more per acre or fraction
thereof. Any bid submitted which does not conform to the requirements
of this Notice, the OCS Lands Act, as amended, and other applicable
regulations may be returned to the person submitting that bid by the RD
and not considered for acceptance.
10. Successful Bidders. Each person who has submitted a bid
accepted by the authorized officer will be required to execute copies
of the lease, pay the balance of the cash bonus bid along with the
first year's annual rental for each lease issued, by electronic funds
transfer in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 218.155, and
satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR 256, Subpart I, as amended.
See Federal Register at 58 FR 45255, published August 27, 1993.
11. Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams. Blocks offered
for lease may be located on the following Leasing Maps or Official
Protraction Diagrams which may be purchased from the Gulf of Mexico
regional office (see paragraph 14(a)):
(a) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leasing Maps--Louisiana Nos. 1
through 12. This is a set of 29 maps which sells for $32.
(b) Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams. These
diagrams sell for $2.00 each.
NH 15-12 Ewing Bank (Dec. 2, 1976).
NH 16-4 Mobile (Feb. 23, 1993).
NH 16-7 Viosca Knoll (Dec. 2, 1976).
NH 16-10 Mississippi Canyon (Dec. 2, 1976).
NG 15-3 Green Canyon (Dec. 2, 1976).
NG15-6 Walker Ridge (Dec. 2, 1976).
NG 15-9 (No Name) (Apr. 27, 1989).
NG 16-1 Atwater Valley (Nov. 10, 1983).
NG 16-4 Lund (Aug. 22, 1986).
NG 16-7 (No Name) (Apr. 27, 1989).
(c) A complete set of all the above OCS Leasing Maps and Official
Protraction Diagrams is available on microfiche for $5.00 per set.
12. Description of the Areas Offered for Bids.
(a) Acreages of blocks are shown on Leasing Maps and Official
Protraction Diagrams. Some of these blocks, however, may be partially
leased, or transected by administrative lines such as the Federal/State
jurisdictional line. Information on the unleased portions of such
blocks, including the exact acreage, is included in the following
document available from the Gulf of Mexico regional office:
Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 147--Final. Unleased Split Blocks
and Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular Portions
Under Lease.
(b) Blocks which have recently become available for leasing since
December 17, 1993: Attention is drawn to the following update list
which is included as a matter of convenience for interested parties.
Any questions on this may be directed to Ms. Patricia Bryars, Phone
(504) 736-2763.
Update List: West Cameron Blocks 245 and 272; West Cameron, South
Addition Block 656; East Cameron Block 165; Eugene Island Blocks 135
and 155; Ship Shoal, South Addition Block 279; South Timbalier Blocks
142 and 186; Bay Marchand Block 5; Main Pass, South & East Addition
Block 257; Mobil Block 859; Mississippi Canyon Block 681; Green Canyon
Blocks 38, 56, 83, 111, 113, 156, 260, 281, 299, 422, 457, 499, 500,
501, 629, and 630; Atwater Valley Blocks 134, 178, 179, 210, 222, and
397.
(c) Blocks not available for leasing: The areas offered for leasing
include all those blocks shown on the OCS Leasing Maps and Official
Protraction Diagrams listed in paragraph 11(a), (b), and (c), except
for those blocks or partial blocks already under lease. Descriptions of
blocks listed represent all Federal acreage leased unless otherwise
noted.
Sabine Pass
3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15.
West Cameron
17 18(SW\1/4\), 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38,
39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 47(NW\1/4\), 48, 49, 53, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61,
63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82,
83, 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 104, 108, 109,
110, 111, 114, 115, 116, 118, 128, 130, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139,
141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 151, 153, 165, 167, 168,
169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182,
183, 184, 186, 187, 191, 192(S\1/2\), 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198,
201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 221, 222, 224,
225, 226, 228, 229, 230, 231, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 246, 247,
248, 249, 250, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264,
265, 266, 269, 276, 277, 279, 280, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286.
West Cameron, West Addition
155, 161, 163, 164, 287, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 298, 299,
301, 305, 306, 310, 312, 313, 315, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 331, 332,
333, 334, 337, 338, 340, 342, 343, 344, 347, 351, 352, 360, 363, 365,
367, 368, 369, 370, 379, 380, 385, 386, 391, 392, 400, 401, 404, 405,
406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 416, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427,
431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 442, 444.
West Cameron, South Addition
445, 446, 447, 450, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 463, 464, 466, 469,
470, 471, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 482, 483, 485, 486,
487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 498, 499, 504, 505,
507, 509, 510, 513, 514, 517, 518, 523, 524, 527, 528, 529, 531, 532,
533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 542, 543, 547, 548, 551, 552,
553, 554, 556, 557, 559, 560, 561, 563, 564, 565, 566, 570, 571, 572,
574, 575, 576, 580, 583, 584, 586, 587, 588, 592, 593, 594, 596, 600,
601, 604, 605, 606, 607, 609, 613, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 624,
625, 628, 630, 633, 634, 635, 639, 642, 643, 645, 648, 653, 654, 657,
660, 663.
East Cameron
2, 9, 11, 12, 14(E\1/2\ NW\1/4\; NE\1/4\) (Landward of 8(g) Line),
15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42,
44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,
66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 83, 87, 89, 92, 96, 98, 99,
101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 120,
122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 131, 132, 134, 135, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142,
143, 144, 145, 148, 149, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 160, 161,
171, 172, 176, 185, 187, 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, 194, 195(S\1/2\),
196, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204(N\1/2\ N\1/2\), 205, 211, 213,
214, 215, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232,
233, 234, 235.
East Cameron, South Addition
240, 242, 243, 245, 251, 254, 255, 256, 259, 260, 261, 263, 264,
265, 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283,
284, 285, 286, 287, 289, 297, 298, 299, 300, 302, 303, 306, 307, 311,
312, 313, 314, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 327, 328, 330,
331, 332, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 346, 351, 352, 353, 354, 356,
359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 377, 378.
Vermilion
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54,
55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 75, 78, 80, 82,
83, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103,
104(SE\1/4\; N\1/2\; E\1/2\ SW\1/4\; E\1/2\ W\1/2\ SW\1/4\), 107, 108,
109, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 129, 130, 131,
132, 133, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 152, 155, 156, 157, 159, 160,
161, 162, 164, 166, 167, 168, 171, 172, 175, 178, 179, 180, 182, 185,
186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200,
201, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218(E\1/2\
NW\1/4\ SE\1/4\; NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ SE\1/4\; E\1/2\ SE\1/4\), 219, 220,
221, 222, 223, 225(E\1/2\ NE\1/4\; NE\1/4\ SE\1/4\), 226, 227, 230,
232, 233, 237, 241, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 251.
Vermilion, South Addition
252, 253, 255, 256, 257, 258, 261, 262, 265, 266, 267, 268, 270,
271, 272, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 284, 286, 287, 288,
289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 304,
305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 320, 321, 324, 325,
326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 336, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 347,
348, 349, 351, 355, 359, 360, 362, 363, 365, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371,
377, 378, 379, 380, 385, 386, 394, 395, 397, 398, 400, 401, 404, 407,
410, 411, 412, 413.
South Marsh Island, North Addition
207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219,
220 (Landward of lease 0310 stip. Line), 221 (Landward of lease 0310
stip. Line), 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230 (Landward of
lease 0310 stip. Line), 231 (Landward of lease 0310 stip. Line), 232,
233, 234, 235 (Landward of lease 0310 stip. line; and portion more than
3 marine leagues swd. of a line connecting Tiger Pt. & Shell Keys),
236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241 (Landward of lease 0310 stip. Line), 242
(Landward of lease 0310 stip. Line), 243, 244, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253,
255, 256, 257, 258, 260, 261, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271,
273, 274, 275, 281, 282, 285, 286, 287, 288.
South Marsh Island
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23,
25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49,
50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 66, 68, 69, 70.
South Marsh Island, South Addition
71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 85, 87, 90, 91, 92, 94,
95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 102, 103, 106, 107, 108, 109, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 125, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132, 133,
134, 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147, 149, 150, 151,
154, 155, 156, 158, 160, 161, 164, 165, 168, 169, 171, 172, 173, 174,
175, 176, 179, 180, 181, 182, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 192, 193,
194, 195, 197, 198, 199, 204, 205.
Eugene Island
10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 38, 39, 41, 42,
43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62,
63, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85,
86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93(E\1/2\), 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 105,
106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113A, 113B, 116(E\1/2\), 117, 118, 119,
120, 125, 126, 128, 128A, 129, 133, 136, 138, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147,
148, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 163, 164, 167, 170, 172,
173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186,
187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202,
203, 204, 205, 206, 208, 211, 212, 214(W\1/2\W\1/2\E\1/2\; W\1/2\),
215, 217, 218, 219, 222, 224, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 236, 237, 238,
240, 242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253(NE\1/4\; E\1/
2\NW\1/4\; NW\1/4\NW\1/4\; E\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\), 254(S\1/2\),
255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 262, 265, 266.
Eugene Island, South Addition
267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 281,
282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287(S\1/2\; S\1/2\N\1/2\), 289, 292, 293, 294,
295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301(S\1/2\), 304, 305, 306, 307, 308,
309, 310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324,
325, 326, 327, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339,
340, 341, 342, 343, 348, 349, 350, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 358, 359,
360, 361, 363, 364, 365, 367, 368, 370, 371, 372, 374, 380, 383, 384,
385, 386, 388, 389, 392.
Ship Shoal
13(S\1/2\SE\1/4\), 14(S\1/2\S\1/2\), 15, 25(Seaward of Zone 2
line), 26(SE\1/4\), 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 49,
52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 63, 64(W\1/2\), 65, 66, 68, 69, 71(W\1/2\), 72, 75,
76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 84, 86, 87, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 97, 98, 99, 100,
101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
117(N\1/2\), 118(N\1/2\), 119, 120, 122, 123, 126, 128, 129, 130, 133,
134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150, 153,
154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 163, 164, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171,
172, 175, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 189, 190, 191, 193,
197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 214,
215, 216, 218, 219, 220, 222, 223, 224, 225(N\1/2\), 227, 229, 230,
233, 235.
Ship Shoal, South Addition
237, 238, 239, 240, 242, 243, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252,
253, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 268, 269, 270,
271, 272, 273, 274, 276, 277, 278, 280, 281, 287, 288, 290, 291, 292,
293, 294, 295, 296, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 307, 309, 311, 312, 313,
314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330,
331, 333, 334, 335, 339, 340, 341, 343, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353,
356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 364, 366, 368.
South Timbalier
10, 11, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27(N\1/2\; N\1/2\SW\1/4\),
28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 63, 66,
67, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86(N\1/2\),
87, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 124, 127, 128,
129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 138, 143, 144, 146, 147, 148,
149, 151, 152, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 169, 170,
171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 182, 184, 185, 187,
188(NW\1/4\), 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199,
200, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210.
South Timbalier, South Addition
214, 215, 217, 219, 221, 223, 225, 226, 229, 231, 236, 238, 239,
240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 255, 258, 259,
260, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 269, 271, 272, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279,
280, 281, 282, 283, 285, 287, 289, 290, 291, 292, 295, 296, 297, 300,
301, 302, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 316, 319, 320.
South Pelto
1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22,
23, 24.
Bay Marchand
2, 3.
Grand Isle
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44(N\1/2\), 45, 46, 47, 48,
49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, 65, 66, 69, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83,
85.
Grand Isle, South Addition
86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 106, 108,
110, 111, 113, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121.
West Delta
17, 18, 19, 20, 21(S\1/2\ N\1/2\ S\1/2\; S\1/2\ S\1/2\), 22, 23,
24, 26, 27, 28(N\1/2\; N\1/2\ S\1/2\), 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,
37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61,
62, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 85, 86, 87,
88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104,
105, 106, 107, 108, 109.
West Delta, South Addition
110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 117, 118, 121, 122, 123, 126, 128,
129, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 149, 152
South Pass
6, 17(Seaward of the 4th Supp.Decree to 1 ft. swd. of 3rd
Supp.Decree), 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, 50, 51, 52(Seaward of 8(g) Line), 54, 55, 56(Landward of line 3
geographical miles swd. of 65 Decree Line), 57(Swd. of 75 Decree Line
to 1 ft. swd. of 3rd Supp. Decree; and 1 ft swd. of 3rd Supp. Decree to
3 geog. miles swd. of 1st Supp. Decree), 58, 59, 60, 61.
South Pass, South & East Addition
62, 63, 64, 65, 66(Seaward of 65 Decree Line), 67, 68, 70, 71, 72,
74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 82, 83, 86, 87, 88, 89, 92, 93, 94, 96.
Main Pass
7, 18, 19, 20, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 55, 57, 58, 59,
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 78, 86, 87, 88, 90,
91(N\1/2\; SE\1/4\; SW\1/4\ in Zone 1), 92, 93(Seaward of 8(g) Line),
94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100(N\1/2\; N\1/2\ N\1/2\ S\1/2\; SE\1/4\ NE\1/
4\ SE\1/4\; E\1/2\ SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\), 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 (SW\1/4\
SE\1/4\ NE\1/4\; S\1/2\ SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\; S\1/2\ S\1/2\ NW\1/4\; SW\1/
4\; W\1/2\ SE\1/4\; W\1/2\ E\1/2\ SE\1/4\), 107, 108, 110, 111, 112,
114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127(N\1/
2\), 129, 131, 132, 133, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148,
149, 151, 152(Seaward of 65 Decree Line), 153.
Main Pass, South & East Addition
154, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170,
171, 172, 173, 175, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 186, 187, 188,
189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 198, 199, 201, 202, 208, 209, 210,
214, 216, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 233,
234, 236, 237, 242, 243, 244, 248, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256,
258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 265, 272, 273, 274, 276, 280, 281, 283, 286,
287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300,
301, 303, 304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315.
Breton Sound
39, 41, 42, 43, 53(W\1/2\ Portion Seaward of 75 Decree Line), 54,
55, 56.
Chandeleur
9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 (Seaward of
8(g) Line), 31, 34.
Chandeleur, East Addition
36, 37, 38, 40, 41.
Mobile
778, 779, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 826, 827, 828, 830, 860,
861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874,
904, 905, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918,
945, 947, 948, 949, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961,
962, 990, 1002, 1003.
Viosca Knoll
22, 24, 27, 29, 31, 32, 35, 38, 68, 69, 73, 74, 76, 79, 117, 118,
124, 155, 156, 157, 158, 161, 170, 201, 202, 203, 204, 206, 207, 208,
209, 212, 213, 250, 251, 252, 253, 256, 294, 295, 296, 297, 340, 341,
343, 344, 346, 390, 427, 428, 429, 430, 474, 518, 519, 520, 564, 565,
609, 692, 693, 694, 695, 697, 698, 734, 736, 740, 741, 742, 772, 773,
774, 779, 780, 783, 784, 785, 786, 814, 815, 817, 818, 822, 823, 825,
826, 827, 829, 830, 861, 862, 863, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 899,
900, 903, 905, 906, 907, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 944, 945, 947,
953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 988, 989, 990, 992, 993, 994, 996,
997, 999, 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003.
Ewing Bank
305, 306, 347, 350, 438, 481, 482, 526, 570, 658, 701, 702, 743,
744, 745, 746, 781, 782, 783, 784, 788, 789, 790, 824, 825, 826, 828,
833, 867, 868, 869, 871, 872, 873, 874, 878, 879, 903, 906, 908, 910,
911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 920, 921, 922, 923, 938, 944,
947, 948, 949, 950, 952, 954, 955, 958, 959, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965,
966, 983, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 991, 993, 994, 995, 996, 1000, 1001,
1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1010, 1011.
Mississippi Canyon
20, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41,
63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85,
108, 109, 114, 123, 124, 125, 127, 128, 129, 148, 149, 150, 151, 161,
162, 163, 166, 167, 168, 169, 173, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 199,
204, 205, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 240, 243,
244, 245, 247, 248, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 265, 267,
268, 280, 281, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 296, 299, 300, 301, 302,
305, 309, 311, 312, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 333, 335, 338, 339,
340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 348, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358,
363, 365, 378, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 392, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401,
402, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 436, 437, 441, 443, 444, 445, 447,
448, 449, 450, 470, 471, 474, 475, 476, 480, 481, 485, 486, 487, 489,
490, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 514, 515, 516,
517, 520, 521, 522, 524, 529, 530, 531, 533, 537, 538, 539, 551, 553,
554, 555, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 568, 573, 574, 575, 576,
577, 583, 584, 585, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 603, 605, 606, 607, 608,
612, 613, 617, 619, 620, 621, 624, 627, 628, 630, 638, 639, 643, 647,
656, 657, 661, 663, 667, 673, 674, 676, 677, 678, 682, 686, 687, 688,
692, 694, 695, 698, 705, 706, 707, 711, 714, 717, 718, 720, 721, 724,
725, 726, 727, 728, 730, 731, 732, 734, 738, 739, 749, 750, 755, 757,
758, 760, 762, 763, 764, 765, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775,
776, 777, 778, 802, 803, 804, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 818, 819,
831, 832, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856,
868, 875, 876, 885, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896,
897, 898, 899, 900, 911, 912, 928, 929, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937,
938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 955, 956, 972, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981,
982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 992, 993, 999, 1000.
Green Canyon
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35,
37, 39, 40, 41, 45, 46, 50, 52, 53, 54, 58, 60, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 72,
73, 78, 79, 81, 82, 89, 90, 92, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 114,
115, 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 128, 129, 135, 136, 137,
140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 146, 149, 155, 158, 159, 160, 161, 163, 165,
166, 167, 169, 170, 177, 179, 180, 181, 184, 185, 195, 198, 199, 200,
201, 202, 203, 205, 208, 209, 210, 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 221,
223, 224, 225, 228, 235, 236, 237, 238, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245,
246, 247, 248, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 268, 269,
272, 273, 274, 278, 279, 282, 285, 286, 287, 288, 290, 295, 296, 297,
298, 300, 301, 303, 309, 311, 312, 314, 317, 318, 325, 326, 329, 330,
333, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 353, 354, 355, 356, 369, 372, 373, 377,
378, 379, 383, 384, 385, 386, 398, 399, 400, 403, 404, 405, 406, 415,
416, 417, 421, 426, 427, 429, 430, 431, 437, 446, 447, 448, 454, 459,
460, 461, 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475,
481, 486, 487, 491, 497, 498, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 512, 513,
514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 531, 533, 534, 535, 540, 541, 543,
544, 545, 546, 550, 552, 553, 554, 556, 557, 558, 559, 562, 563, 564,
578, 579, 587, 588, 589, 590, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 631,
632, 636, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 673, 674, 679, 680,
681, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 706, 712, 713, 714, 723, 724, 725, 726,
735, 736, 737, 756, 757, 758, 766, 767, 775, 776, 801, 802, 810, 816,
825, 826, 844, 845, 854, 859, 860, 863, 864, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873,
905, 913, 915, 955, 958, 999, 1001.
Atwater Valley
1, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 51,
52, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 84, 90, 91,
92, 93, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 112, 113, 114,
115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 127, 128, 135, 136, 137, 141, 142, 143, 145,
146, 150, 151, 152, 153, 157, 158, 160, 161, 162, 163, 180, 181, 182,
189, 190, 223, 224, 225, 226, 233, 234, 256, 261, 266, 267, 268, 276,
277, 284, 310, 311, 312, 313, 321, 327, 334, 343, 370, 371, 377, 378,
379, 401, 405, 406, 414, 415, 441, 444, 445, 446, 450, 457, 488, 489,
490, 573, 574, 575, 617, 618.
Walker Ridge
22, 45, 46, 66, 120, 121, 164, 197, 198, 205, 663, 678, 707, 723,
766.
13. Lease Terms and Stipulations
(a) Leases resulting from this sale will have initial terms as
shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms and Bidding Systems Map
applicable to this Notice and will be on Form MMS-2005 (March 1986).
Copies of the map and lease form are available from the Gulf of Mexico
regional office (see paragraph 14(a)).
(b) The applicability of the stipulations which follow is as shown
on the Map described in paragraph 13(a) and as supplemented by
references in this Notice.
Stipulation No. 1--Protection of Archaeological Resources
(This stipulation will apply to all blocks offered for lease in
this sale. Bidders should also refer to paragraph 14(h) of this Notice
for specific survey requirements. See also paragraph 14(j).)
(a) ``Archaeological resource'' means any prehistoric or historic
district, site, building, structure, or object (including shipwrecks);
such term includes artifacts, records, and remains which are related to
such a district, site, building, structure, or object (16 U.S.C.
470w(5)). ``Operations'' means any drilling, mining, or construction or
placement of any structure for exploration, development, or production
of the lease.
(b) If the Regional Director (RD) believes an archaeological
resource may exist in the lease area, the RD will notify the lessee in
writing. The lessee shall then comply with subparagraphs (1) through
(3).
(1) Prior to commencing any operations, the lessee shall prepare a
report, as specified by the RD, to determine the potential existence of
any archaeological resource that may be affected by operations. The
report, prepared by an archaeologist and a geophysicist, shall be based
on an assessment of data from remote-sensing surveys and of other
pertinent archaeological and environmental information. The lessee
shall submit this report to the RD for review.
(2) If the evidence suggests that an archaeological resource may be
present, the lessee shall either:
(i) Locate the site of any operation so as not to adversely affect
the area where the archaeological resource may be; or
(ii) Establish to the satisfaction of the RD that an archaeological
resource does not exist or will not be adversely affected by
operations. This shall be done by further archaeological investigation,
conducted by an archaeologist and a geophysicist, using survey
equipment and techniques deemed necessary by the RD. A report on the
investigation shall be submitted to the RD for review.
(3) If the RD determines that an archaeological resource is likely
to be present in the lease area and may be adversely affected by
operations, the RD will notify the lessee immediately. The lessee shall
take no action that may adversely affect the archaeological resource
until the RD has told the lessee how to protect it.
(c) If the lessee discovers any archaeological resource while
conducting operations on the lease area, the lessee shall report the
discovery immediately to the RD. The lessee shall make every reasonable
effort to preserve the archaeological resource until the RD has told
the lessee how to protect it.
Stipulation No. 2--Topographic Features
(This stipulation will be included in leases located in the areas
so indicated in the biological block package associated with this
Notice which is available from the Gulf of Mexico regional office. See
paragraph 14(a).)
The banks which cause this stipulation to be applied to blocks of
the Central Gulf are:
No Activity Zone Defined by Isobath:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank name Meters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
McGrail Bank................................................... 85
Bouma Bank..................................................... 85
Rezak Bank..................................................... 85
Sidner Bank.................................................... 85
Rankin Bank.................................................... 85
Sweet Bank[1].................................................. 85
Sackett Bank[2]................................................ 85
Ewing Bank..................................................... 85
Diaphus Bank[2]................................................ 85
Parker Bank.................................................... 85
Jakkula Bank................................................... 85
Bright Bank.................................................... 85
Geyer Bank[3].................................................. 85
MacNeil Bank[3]................................................ 82
Alderdice Bank................................................. 80
Fishnet Bank[2]................................................ 76
29 Fathom Bank................................................. 64
Sonnier Bank................................................... 55
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Only paragraph (a) of the stipulation applies.
[2] Only paragraphs (a) and (b) apply.
[3] Western Gulf of Mexico bank with a portion of its ``3-Mile
Zone'' in the Central Gulf of Mexico.
(a) No activity including structures, drilling rigs, pipelines, or
anchoring will be allowed within the listed isobath (``No Activity
Zone'' as shown in the aforementioned biological block package) of the
banks as listed above.
(b) Operations within the area shown as ``1,000-Meter Zone'' in the
aforementioned biological block package shall be restricted by shunting
all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom through a downpipe
that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more than 10 meters,
from the bottom.
(c) Operations within the area shown as ``1-Mile Zone'' in the
aforementioned biological block package shall be restricted by shunting
all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom through a downpipe
that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more than 10 meters,
from the bottom. (Where there is a ``1-Mile Zone'' designated, the
``1,000-Meter Zone'' in paragraph (b) is not designated.)
(d) Operations within the area shown as ``3-Mile Zone'' in the
aforementioned biological block package shall be restricted by shunting
all drill cuttings and drilling fluids from development operations to
the bottom through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance,
but no more than 10 meters, from the bottom.
Stipulation No. 3--Live Bottoms
(To be included only on leases in the following blocks: Main Pass
Area, South and East Addition, Blocks 190, 194, 198, 219-226, 244-266,
276-290; Viosca Knoll, Blocks 473-476, 521, 522, 564, 565, 566, 609,
610, 654, 692-698, 734, 778.)
For the purpose of this stipulation, ``live bottom areas'' are
defined as seagrass communities; or those areas which contain
biological assemblages consisting of such sessile invertebrates as sea
fans, sea whips, hydroids, anemones, ascidians, sponges, bryozoans, or
corals living upon and attached to naturally occurring hard or rocky
formations with rough, broken, or smooth topography; or areas whose
lithotope favors the accumulation of turtles, fishes, and other fauna.
Prior to any drilling activities or the construction or placement
of any structure for exploration or development on this lease,
including, but not limited to, anchoring, well drilling, and pipeline
and platform placement, the lessee will submit to the Regional Director
(RD) a live bottom survey report containing a bathymetry map prepared
using remote sensing techniques. The bathymetry map shall be prepared
for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of live bottoms
which could be impacted by the proposed activity. This map shall
encompass such an area of the seafloor where surface disturbing
activities, including anchoring, may occur.
If it is determined that the live bottoms might be adversely
impacted by the proposed activity, the RD will require the lessee to
undertake any measure deemed economically, environmentally, and
technically feasible to protect the pinnacle area. These measures may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) the relocation of operations; and
(b) the monitoring to assess the impact of the activity on the live
bottoms.
Stipulation No. 4--Military Areas
(This stipulation will be included in leases located within the
Warning Areas and Eglin Water Test Areas 1 and 3, as shown on the Map
described in paragraph 13(a).)
(a) Hold and Save Harmless
Whether compensation for such damage or injury might be due under a
theory of strict or absolute liability or otherwise, the lessee assumes
all risks of damage or injury to persons or property, which occur in,
on, or above the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to any persons or to any
property of any person or persons who are agents, employees, or
invitees of the lessee, its agents, independent contractors, or
subcontractors doing business with the lessee in connection with any
activities being performed by the lessee in, on, or above the OCS, if
such injury or damage to such person or property occurs by reason of
the activities of any agency of the U.S. Government, its contractors or
subcontractors, or any of their officers, agents or employees, being
conducted as a part of, or in connection with the programs and
activities of the command headquarters listed in the following table.
Notwithstanding any limitation of the lessee's liability in section
14 of the lease, the lessee assumes this risk whether such injury or
damage is caused in whole or in part by any act or omission, regardless
of negligence or fault, of the United States, its contractors or
subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents, or employees. The
lessee further agrees to indemnify and hold and save harmless the
United States against all claims for loss, damage, or injury sustained
by the lessee, or to indemnify and hold and save harmless the United
States against all claims for loss, damage, or injury sustained by the
agents, employees, or invitees of the lessee, its agents, or any
independent contractors or subcontractors doing business with the
lessee in connection with the programs and activities of the
aforementioned military installation, whether the same be caused in
whole or in part by the negligence or fault of the United States, its
contractors, or subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents, or
employees and whether such claims might be sustained under a theory of
strict or absolute liability or otherwise.
(b) Electromagnetic Emissions
The lessee agrees to control its own electromagnetic emissions and
those of its agents, employees, invitees, independent contractors or
subcontractors emanating from individual designated defense warning
areas in accordance with requirements specified by the commander of the
command headquarters listed in the following table to the degree
necessary to prevent damage to, or unacceptable interference with,
Department of Defense flight, testing, or operational activities,
conducted within individual designated warning areas. Necessary
monitoring control, and coordination with the lessee, its agents,
employees, invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors, will be
effected by the commander of the appropriate onshore military
installation conducting operations in the particular warning area;
provided, however, that control of such electromagnetic emissions shall
in no instance prohibit all manner of electromagnetic communication
during any period of time between a lessee, its agents, employees,
invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors and onshore
facilities.
(c) Operational
The lessee, when operating or causing to be operated on its behalf,
boat or aircraft traffic in the individual designated warning areas
shall enter into an agreement with the commander of the individual
command headquarters listed following this paragraph, upon utilizing an
individual designated warning area prior to commencing such traffic.
Such an agreement will provide for positive control of boats and
aircraft operating in the warning areas at all times.
W-155-A; W-155-B; (For Agreement)--Chief, Naval Air Training, Naval
Air Station, Office No. 206, Corpus Christi, Texas 78419-5100,
Telephone: (512) 939-3862/3902.
W-155-A; W-155-B; (For Operational Control)--Fleet Area Control &
Surveillance, Facility (FACSFAC), Operations, Naval Air Station
Pensacola, Florida 32508, Telephone: (904) 452-2735/4671.
W-92--Naval Air Station, Air Operations Department, Air Traffic
Division/Code 52, New Orleans, Louisiana 70146-5000, Telephone: (504)
393-3100/3101.
W-453--Air National Guard--CRTC, Gulfport/ACMI, Scheduling Office,
Gulfport, Mississippi 39507, Telephone: (601) 867-2433.
Eglin Water Test Areas 1 and 3--Air Force Development Test Center,
Plans and Programs Department, Directorate of Plans, Eglin AFB, Florida
32542, Telephone: (904) 882-3899/9757.
14. Information to Lessees
(a) Supplemental Documents. For copies of the various documents
identified as available from the Gulf of Mexico regional office,
prospective bidders should contact the Public Information Unit,
Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70123-2394, either in writing or by telephone at (504) 736-
2519. For additional information, contact the Regional Supervisor for
Leasing and Environment at that address or by telephone at (504) 736-
2759.
(b) Navigation Safety. Operations on some of the blocks offered for
lease may be restricted by designation of fairways, precautionary
zones, anchorages, safety zones, or traffic separation schemes
established by the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to the Ports and Waterways
Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.), as amended, and the Deepwater Port
Act (33 U.S.C. 1501-1524). Bidders are advised that the U.S. Coast
Guard published a notice of petition for rulemaking to expand the
existing safety zone around the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (57 FR 2236
published on January 21, 1992).
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) permits are required for
construction of any artificial islands, installations, and other
devices permanently or temporarily attached to the seabed located on
the OCS in accordance with section 4(e) of the OCS Lands Act, as
amended.
For additional information, prospective bidders should contact Lt.
Commander Ken Parris, Assistant Marine Port Safety Officer, 8th Coast
Guard District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, New Orleans, Louisiana
70130, (504) 589-6901. For COE information, prospective bidders should
contact Mr. Ron Ventola, CELMN-OD-S, Post Office Box 60267, New
Orleans, Louisiana 70160-0267, (504) 862-2255.
(c) Offshore Pipelines. Bidders are advised that the Department of
the Interior and the Department of Transportation have entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding, dated May 6, 1976, concerning the design,
installation, operation, and maintenance of offshore pipelines. Bidders
should consult both Departments for regulations applicable to offshore
pipelines.
(d) 8-Year Leases. Bidders are advised that any lease issued for a
term of 8 years will be cancelled after 5 years, following notice
pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, as amended, if within the initial 5-year
period of the lease, the drilling of an exploratory well has not been
initiated, or if initiated, the well has not been drilled in
conformance with the approved exploration plan criteria, or if there is
not a suspension of operations in effect. Bidders are referred to 30
CFR 256.37.
(e) Affirmative Action. Revision of Department of Labor regulations
on affirmative action requirements for Government contractors
(including lessees) has been deferred, pending review of those
regulations (see Federal Register of August 25, 1981, at 46 FR 42865
and 42968). Should changes become effective at any time before the
issuance of leases resulting from this sale, section 18 of the lease
form (Form MMS-2005, March 1986), would be deleted from leases
resulting from this sale. In addition, existing stocks of the
affirmative action forms described in paragraph 5 of this Notice
contain language that would be superseded by the revised regulations at
41 CFR 60-1.5(a)(1) and 60-1.7(a)(1). Submission of Form MMS-2032 (June
1985) and Form MMS-2033 (June 1985) will not invalidate an otherwise
acceptable bid, and the revised regulations' requirements will be
deemed to be part of the existing affirmative action forms.
(f) Ordnance Disposal Areas. Bidders are cautioned as to the
existence of two inactive ordnance disposal areas in the Mississippi
Canyon area, shown on the Map described in paragraph 13(a). These areas
were used to dispose of ordnance of unknown quantity and composition.
Water depths range from approximately 750 to 1,525 meters. Bottom
sediments in both areas are soft, consisting of silty clays.
Exploration and development activities in these areas require
precautions commensurate with the potential hazards.
The U.S. Air Force has released an indeterminable amount of
unexploded ordnance throughout Eglin Water Test Areas 1 and 3. The
exact location of the unexploded ordnance is unknown, and lessees are
advised that all lease blocks included in this sale within these water
test areas should be considered potentially hazardous to drilling and
platform and pipeline placement.
(g) Communications Towers. The Department of Defense, U.S. Air
Force, has installed seven military communications towers in the
Chandeleur/Mobile/Viosca Knoll area which support Air Combat
Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI). This project may impose certain
restrictions on gas and oil activities in that area since no activity
can take place within 500 feet of a tower site, and unobstructed lines
of sight must be maintained between towers. The seven towers are
located within Mobile, Blocks 769, 819, and 990; Viosca Knoll, Block
116; and Chandeleur Area, Blocks 33 and 61; and Chandeleur Area, East
Addition, Block 39. Information and maps of the specific locations and
line of sight crossings for ACMI towers may be obtained from Mr.
Wallace Williams, Minerals Management Service, Telephone (504) 736-
2772.
(h) Archaeological Resources. Bidders are advised of the Notice to
Lessees (NTL) affecting the historic shipwreck survey requirement
published in the Federal Register on December 20, 1991, pages 66076-
66082 with an effective date of February 17, 1992. This NTL details the
survey methodology, including a more intensive survey with line spacing
50 meters apart, and report writing requirements. A Letter to Lessees
(LTL) of November 30, 1990 lists those blocks identified as having a
high probability for encountering historic shipwrecks. Copies of both
the NTL and LTL are available from the MMS Public Information Unit. See
paragraph 14(a).
(i) Proposed Rigs to Reefs. Bidders are advised that there are OCS
artificial reef sites and planning sites for the Gulf of Mexico. These
are generally located in water depths of less than 200 meters. While
all existing and proposed sites require a permit from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, this ``Rigs to Reefs'' program is implemented
through State sponsorship through the following State Coordinators:
Alabama: Mr. Wallace M. Tatum (205) 968-7578
Louisiana: Mr. Rick Kaspzrac (504) 765-2375
Mississippi: Mr. Mike Buchanan (601) 385-5860
Texas: Ms. Jan Coulbertson (713) 474-2811
For more information on artificial reef sites, prospective bidders
should contact the above listed State Artificial Reef Coordinators for
their areas of interest.
(j) Archaeological Surveys and Reports. Bidders are advised that a
Proposed Rule has been published in the Federal Register dated Tuesday,
October 12, 1993, which proposes to grant specific authority to each
MMS Regional Director to require archaeological surveys and reports
(under 30 CFR 250.26). This proposed rule specifically states the
authority of MMS and conditions for requiring lessees or operators to
conduct archaeological resource surveys and submit the reports prior to
exploration, development and production, or installation of pipelines.
This rule, when adopted, may apply to all blocks leased in this sale.
(k) Proposed Right of Use and Easement for Chandeleur Blocks 27 and
30. Bidders are advised that a right of use and easement may be granted
for portions of Chandeleur Area Blocks 27 and 30 for gas storage
purposes. The areas being considered are generally in the southernmost
quarter of the federal portion of Chandeleur Area Block 27 and the W\1/
2\ NW\1/4\; NW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ portion of Chandeleur Area Block 30. For
additional information, contact the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional
Supervisor for Production and Development at (504) 736-2675.
Dated: February 18, 1994.
Tom Fry,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
Approved
Bob Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 94-4256 Filed 2-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P