Apache Deepwater LLC Page F-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX F 

WASTES AND DISCHARGES INFORMATION 

(A) PROJECTED GENERATED WASTES 

Table 1, “Wastes You Will Generate, Treat and Downhole Dispose or Discharge to the GOM”

is included in this section as Attachment F-1. 
Please specify if the amount reported is a total or per well amount.

Type of Waste Composition Projected Amount Discharge rate Discharge Method Answer yes or 

no

Will drilling occur ? If yes, you should list muds and cuttings

EXAMPLE: Cuttings wetted with synthetic 

based fluid 

Cuttings generated while 

using synthetic based 

drilling fluid. X bbl/well X bbl/day/well discharge overboard No

Spent Drilling Fluids

Synthetic-based drilling 

muds 6,045 NA Re-use in mud system. No

Spent Drilling Fluids Water based drilling fluid

37,763 31,645

Discharged at mudline 

prior to BOP and riser 

installation No

Washed Cuttings from water based hole 

interval

Cuttings coated with water 

based drilling mud

2,079 1,742

Discharged at mudline 

prior to BOP and riser 

installation No

Washed Drill cuttings from synthetic based 

hole interval Drill cuttings

3,400 50

Treated using solids 

control equipment and 

discharged overboard 

using shunt line No

Synthetic based drilling fluid adhering to 

washed drill cuttings

Synthetic based drilling 

fluid

136 4.50

Shunt through a 

downpipe to 25’ below 

the water’s surface No

Will humans be there? If yes, expect conventional waste

EXAMPLE: Sanitary waste water

Sanitary waste from living 

quarters X bbl/well X bbl/hr/well chlorinate and discharge overboard No

Sanitary Waste

Treated human body waste 

from toilets 4,579 3.6 USCG approved MSD No

Domestic Waste

Gray water (laundry, 

galley, lavatory)

11,321 8.900

Discharged overboard. 

Any associated food 

waste will be processed 

using an approved 

grinder. No

Is there a deck? If yes, there will be Deck Drainage

Deck Drainage

Platform washings and 

rainwater 12,720 10 bbls/hr (depend on 

rainfall)

Oily water is treated in 

Oily Water Separator No

Will you conduct well treatment, completion, or workover? If yes, only fill in those associated with your activity. 

Well treatment fluids NA NA NA NA NA

Well completion fluids

Brine, spent acid, prop 

sand and debris 3,000 bbls/well 750 bbl/hr maximum Discharged overboard No

Workover fluids NA NA NA NA NA

Miscellaneous discharges. If yes, only fill in those associated with your activity. 

Desalination unit brine water

Rejected water from water 

maker unit 21,200 gal 400 gal/day Cuttings Chute No

Blowout prevent fluid

Stackmagic 200/0/5% 

glycol based on 2% 

mixture with potable water

71.4 bbls 1.7 bbls/day Discharged from BOP 

near mudline No

Ballast water

Uncontaminated seawater 

used to maintain proper 

draft

185,500 3,500 bbls/day

Discharged overboard No

Excess cement Cement slurry

657 657 bbls/day

Discharged at the 

mudline during 

cementing conductor 

casing. No

Firewater Bypass

Seawater with no addition 

of chemicals 6,921 kbbls 130,600 bbls/day Discharged overboard No

Cooling water

Seawater with no addition 

of chemicals 6,921 kbbls 130,600 bbls/day Discharged overboard No

Will you produce hydrocarbons? If yes fill in for produced water.

Produced water Formation water N/A N/A N/A No

Will you be covered by an individual or general NPDES permit ? General

TABLE 1. WASTES YOU WILL GENERATE, TREAT AND DOWNHOLE DISPOSE OR DISCHARGE 

TO THE GOM

Projected 

Downhole 

Disposal

Projected generated waste Projected ocean discharges 

NOTE: If you will not have a type of waste, enter NA in the row. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page G-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX G 

AIR EMISSIONS INFORMATION 

(A) EMISSIONS WORKSHEETS AND SCREENING QUESTIONS 

 Screen Procedures for EP’s Yes No 

Is any calculated Complex Total (CT) Emission amount (tons) associated with your 

proposed exploration activities more than 90% of the amounts calculated using the 

following formulas: CT = 3400D2/3 for CO, and CT = 33.3D for the other air pollutants 

(where D = distance to shore in miles)? 

 x 

Do your emission calculations include any emission reduction measures or modified 

emission factors? 

 x 

Are your proposed exploration activities located east of 87.5° W longitude? x 

Do you expect to encounter H2S at concentrations greater than 20 parts per million (ppm)? x 

Do you propose to flare or vent natural gas for more than 48 continuous hours from any 

proposed well? 

 x 

Do you propose to burn produced hydrocarbon liquids? x 

There are no existing facilities or activities co-located with the currently proposed activities, 

therefore the Complex Total Emissions are the same as the Plan Emissions and are provided in 

the table below. 

Air Pollutant 

Plan 

Emission 

Amounts1

(tons) 

Calculated 

Exemption 

Amounts2

(tons) 

Calculated 

Complex Total 

Emission 

Amounts3

(tons) 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 274.41 87251.82 274.41 

Particular matter (PM) 36.68 4329.00 36.68 

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 167.78 4329.00 167.78 

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 1257.71 4329.00 1257.71 

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) 37.84 4329.00 37.84 

1

For activities proposed in your EP, list the projected emissions calculated from the worksheets. 2

List the exemption amounts for your proposed activities calculated by using the formulas in 30 CFR 250.303(d). 3

List the complex total emissions associated with your proposed activities calculated from the worksheets. 

This information was calculated by: 

Judy Davidson 

281.578.3388 

Judy.davidson@jccteam.com 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX H 

OIL SPILLS INFORMATION 

(A) OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANNING 

Apache Deepwater LLC (BOEM Operator Number 03165) Regional Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) was 

submitted on August 26, 2011 and most recently updated on September 1, 2011. All proposed activities and 

facilities in this EP will be covered by the Regional OSRP in accordance with 30 CFR 254. 

 (B) SPILL RESPONSE SITES 

Primary Response Equipment Location Preplanned Staging Location 

Houma, Louisiana Houma, Louisiana 

Fourchon, Louisiana 

(C) OSRO INFORMATION 

Apache Deepwater’s primary equipment provider is Clean Gulf Associates (CGA). The Marine Spill Response 

Corporation’s (MSRC) STARS network will provide closest available personnel, as well as an MSRC 

supervisor to operate the equipment. 

(D) WORST-CASE SCENARIO COMPARISON 

Category Regional OSRP 

WCD 

EP

WCD 

Type of Activity Exploratory Exploratory

Facility Location (Area/Block) GC 867 GC 867 

Facility Designation D D 

Distance to Nearest Shoreline 

(miles) 133 133 

Volume 

 Storage Tanks (Total)

Uncontrolled blowout 

Total Volume 

166,525 166,525 

Type of Oil(s) 

(crude, condensate, diesel) Crude Crude 

API Gravity 30 30 

Apache Deepwater has determined that the worst-case scenario from the activities proposed in this EP does 

supersede the worst-case scenario from our approved Regional OSRP. Apache Deepwater’s OSRP was revised 

to indicate the new worst-case discharge and submitted for approval on September 1, 2011. Apache 

Deepwater’s OSRP Certification Letter was approved on September 8, 2011. 

As a member of CGA, Apache Deepwater has the capability to respond, to the maximum extent practicable, to a 

worst-case discharge, or a substantial threat of such a discharge, resulting from the activities proposed in this 

EP.

Explanation Of The Selection Of Reservoirs Used To Determine WCD 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-6 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Included as Attachment H-2 is Nodal Analysis data. 

SPILL RESPONSE DISCUSSION 

For the purpose of NEPA and Coastal Zone Management Act analysis, the largest spill volume originating from 

the proposed activity would be a well blowout during drilling operations, estimated to be 166,525 barrels of 

crude oil with an API gravity of 30°. 

Land Segment and Resource Identification

Trajectories of a spill and the probability of it impacting a land segment have been projected utilizing 

information in the BOEM Oil Spill Risk Analysis Model (OSRAM) for the Central and Western Gulf of 

Mexico available on the BOEM website. The results are shown in Figure 1. The BOEM OSRAM identifies a 

3% probability of impact to the shorelines of Cameron Parish and/or Plaquemines Parish, LA within 30 days. 

Cameron Parish includes the east side of Sabine Lake, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, Calcasieu Lake, 

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (inland) and Grand Lake. Cameron Parish also includes the area along the 

coastline from Sabine Pass to Big Constance Lake in Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. This region is composed of 

open public beaches, marshlands and swamps. It serves as a habitat for numerous birds, finfish and other 

animals, including several rare, threatened and endangered species. Plaquemines Parish includes Barataria Bay, 

the Mississippi River Delta, Breton Sound and the affiliated islands and bays. This region is an extremely 

sensitive habitat and serves as a migratory, breeding, feeding and nursery habitat for numerous species of 

wildlife. Beaches in this area vary in grain particle size and can be classified as fine sand, shell or perched shell 

beaches. Sandy and muddy tidal flats are also abundant. 

Response
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-7 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Apache Deepwater LLC will make every effort to respond to the Worst Case Discharge as effectively as 

practicable. A description of the response equipment under contract to contain and recover the Worst Case 

Discharge is shown in Figure 2. 

Using the estimated chemical and physical characteristics of crude oil, an ADIOS weathering model was run on 

a similar product from the ADIOS oil database. The results indicate 12% or 19,983 barrels of crude oil would 

be evaporated/dispersed within 24 hours, with 146,542 barrels remaining. 

Spill Response GC 867 Barrels of Oil 

WCD Volume 166,525 

Less 12% natural evaporation/dispersion 19,983 

Remaining volume 146,542 

Oil addressed by aerial dispersants 7,540 

Oil addressed by in-situ burning 7,327 

Figure 2 outlines equipment, personnel, materials and support vessels as well as temporary storage equipment 

available to respond to a spill of 166,525 barrels. The list estimates individual times needed for procurement, 

load out, travel time to the site and deployment. Figure 2 also indicates how operations will be supported. 

If aerial dispersants are utilized, 8 sorties (9,600 gallons) from two of the DC-3 aircrafts and 4 sorties (8,000 

gallons) from the Basler aircraft should disperse approximately 7,327 barrels of product. If the conditions are 

favorable for in-situ burning, the proper approvals have been obtained and the proper planning is in place, insitu burning of oil may be attempted. Using estimates based on the Deepwater Horizon spill of 2010, up to 5% 

or 6,437 barrels of the total daily Worst Case Discharge volume could be burned. Slick containment boom 

would be immediately called out and on-scene as soon as possible. Offshore response strategies may include 

attempting to skim utilizing the HOSS Barge, nine Fast Response Units, two Aqua Guard Triton RBS 

skimmers, and eleven sets of Koseq skimming arms, with a total derated skimming capacity of 318,609 barrels. 

Temporary storage associated with skimming equipment equals 31,700 barrels. If additional storage is needed, 

an 80,000 barrel storage barge, an 83,937 barrel storage barge, an 86,948 barrel storage barge, and a 107,285 

barrel storage barge may be mobilized and centrally located to provide temporary storage allowing the 

skimmers to stay in the area of operations as much as possible. Safety is first priority. Air monitoring will be 

accomplished and operations deemed safe prior to any containment/skimming attempts. 

If the spill went unabated, shoreline impact in Cameron Parish, Louisiana and/or Plaquemines Cameron Parish, 

Louisiana would depend upon existing environmental conditions. Shoreline protection would include the use of 

CGA’s near shore and shallow water skimmers with a totaled derated skimming capacity of 54,753 barrels. 

Temporary storage associated with skimming equipment equals 1,861 barrels. If additional storage is needed, an 

86,948 barrel storage barge may be mobilized and centrally located to provide temporary storage allowing the 

skimmers to stay in the area of operations as much as possible. Onshore response may include the deployment 

of shoreline boom on beach areas, or protection and sorbent boom on vegetated areas. Master Service 

Agreements with Oil Mop, AMPOL, and USES will ensure access to 160,000 feet of 18” shoreline protection 

boom. Figure 2 outlines individual times needed for procurement, load out, travel time to the site and 

deployment. Strategies would be based upon surveillance and real time trajectories that depict areas of potential 

impact given actual sea and weather conditions. The State of Louisiana Initial Oil Spill Response Plan for 

Cameron Parish, Plaquemines Parish, and Unified Command would be consulted to ensure that environmental 

and special economic resources would be correctly identified and prioritized to ensure optimal protection. 

Shoreline protection strategies depict the protection response modes applicable for oil spill clean-up operations. 

The State of Louisiana Initial Oil Spill Response Plan provides detailed shoreline protection strategies for this 

area, and it describes necessary action to keep the oil spill from entering Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, based on 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-8 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

the assumption that removal of the released oil will be much easier and less damaging to fragile coastal 

ecosystems if done in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Supervisory personnel have the option to modify 

the deployment and operation of equipment allowing a more effective response to site-specific circumstances. 

Apache Deepwater LLC’s contract Spill Management Team holds a copy of the State of Louisiana Initial Oil 

Spill Response Plan. 

Initial Response Considerations 

Actual actions taken during an oil spill response will be based on many factors to include but not be limited to: 

• Weather 

• Equipment and materials availability 

• Ocean currents and tides 

• Location of the spill 

• Product spilled 

• Amount spilled 

• Environmental risk assessments 

• Trajectory and product analysis 

• Well status, i.e., shut in or continual release 

Apache Deepwater LLC will take action to provide a safe, aggressive response to contain and recover as much 

of the spilled oil as quickly as it is safe to do so. In an effort to protect the environment, response actions will be 

designed to provide an “in-depth” protection strategy meant to recover as much oil as possible as far from 

environmentally sensitive areas as possible. Safety will take precedence over all other considerations during 

these operations. 

Upon notification of a spill, the following actions will be taken: 

• Information will be confirmed 

• An assessment will be made and initial objectives set 

• OSROs and appropriate agencies will be notified 

• ICS 201, Initial Report Form completed 

• Initial Safety plan will be written and published 

• Unified Command will be established 

o Overall safety plan developed to reflect the operational situation and coordinated objectives 

o Areas of responsibility established for Source Control and each surface operational site 

o On-site command and control established 

Offshore Response Actions 

Equipment Deployment

Surveillance 

• Surveillance Aircraft: within two hours of QI notification, or at first light

• Provide trained observer to provide on site status reports 

• Provide command and control platform at the site if needed 

• Continual surveillance of oil movement by remote sensing systems, aerial photography and visual 

confirmation 

• Continual monitoring of vessel assets using vessel monitoring systems 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-9 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Dispersant application assets 

• Put ASI on standby 

• With the FOSC, conduct analysis to determine appropriateness of dispersant application 

• Gain FOSC approval for use of dispersants on the surface 

• Deploy aircraft in accordance with a plan developed for the actual situation 

• Coordinate movement of dispersants, aircraft, and support equipment and personnel 

• Confirm dispersant availability for current and long range operations 

• Start ordering dispersant stocks required for expected operations 

Containment boom 

• Call out early and expedite deployment to be on scene ASAP 

• Ensure boom handling and mooring equipment is deployed with boom 

• Provide continuing reports to vessels to expedite their arrival at sites that will provide for their most 

effective containment 

• Use Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) to deploy and maintain boom 

Dedicated off-shore skimming systems 

General 

• Deployed to the highest concentration of oil 

• Assets deployed at safe distance from aerial dispersant and in-situ burn operations 

CGA HOSS Barge 

• Use in areas with heaviest oil concentrations 

• Consider for use in areas of known debris (seaweed, and other floating materials) 

CGA FRUs 

• To the area of the thickest oil 

• Use as far off-shore as allowed 

T&T Koseq Skimming Systems 

• To the area of the thickest oil 

• Use as far off-shore as allowed 

• VOOs with a minimum of 2,000 bbls storage capacity 

Storage Vessels 

• Establish availability of CGA contracted assets 

• Early call out (to allow for tug boat acquisition and deployment speeds) 

• Phase mobilization to allow storage vessels to arrive at the same time as skimming systems 

• Position as closely as possible to skimming assets to minimize offloading time 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-10 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) 

• Use Apache Deepwater LLC’s contracted resources as applicable 

• Industry vessels are usually best for deployment of Vessel of Opportunity Skimming Systems (VOSS) 

• Acquire additional resources as needed 

• Consider use of local assets, i.e. fishing and pleasure craft 

• Expect mission specific and safety training to be required 

• Plan with the US Coast Guard for vessel inspections 

In-situ Burn assets 

• Determine appropriateness of in-situ burn operation in coordination with the FOSC and affected SOSC 

• Determine availability of fire boom and selected ignition systems 

• Start ordering fire boom stocks required for expected operations 

• Contact boom manufacturer to provide training if required 

• Determine assets to perform on water operation 

• Build operations into safety plan 

• Conduct operations in accordance with an approved plan 

Near Shore Response Actions 

Timing 

• Put near shore assets on standby and deployment in accordance with planning based on the actual 

situation, actual trajectories and oil budgets 

• VOO identification and training in advance of spill nearing shoreline if possible 

• Outfitting of VOOs for specific missions 

• Deployment of assets based on actual movement of oil 

Considerations 

• Water depth, vessel draft 

• Shoreline gradient 

• State of the oil 

• Use of VOOs 

• Distance of surf zone from shoreline 

Equipment Deployment 

Surveillance 

• Provide trained observer to direct skimming operations 

• Continual surveillance of oil movement by remote sensing systems, aerial photography and visual 

confirmation 

• Continual monitoring of vessel assets 

Dispersant Use 

• Generally will not be approved within 3 miles of shore or with less than 10 meters of water depth 

• Approval would be at Regional Response Team level (Region 6) 

Vessel Deployment 

Dedicated Near Shore skimming systems 

• FRVs 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-11 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

• Egmopol and Marco SWS 

• Operate with aerial spotter directing systems to observed oil slicks 

VOO 

• Use Apache Deepwater LLC’s contracted resources as applicable 

• Industry vessels are usually best for deployment of Vessel of Opportunity Skimming Systems (VOSS) 

• Acquire additional resources as needed 

• Consider use of local assets, i.e. fishing and pleasure craft 

• Expect mission specific and safety training to be required 

• Plan with the US Coast Guard for vessel inspections 

• Operate with aerial spotter directing systems to oil patches 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-12 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Shoreline Protection Operations 

Response Planning Considerations 

• Environmental risk assessments (ERA) to determine priorities for area protection 

• Time to acquire personnel and equipment and their availability 

• Previous contingency planning contained in the appropriate Area Contingency Plan, and 

currently (Feb 2011) for Louisiana, The State of Louisiana Initial Oil Spill Response Plan, Deep 

Water Horizon, dated 2 May 2010 (La. OSRP)

Actions 

Placement of boom 

• Position boom in accordance with the ERA based on the actual situation or the appropriate ACP 

• Assess timing of booming operations to ensure it is where it needs to be at time of impact. Consider: 

o Trajectories 

o Weather forecast 

o Oil Impact forecast 

o Verified spill movement 

o Boom, manpower and vessel (shallow draft) availability 

o Near shore boom and support material, (stakes, anchors, line) 

Beach Preparation 

Considerations and Actions 

• Use of a 10 mile go/no go line to determine timing of beach cleaning 

• Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Team Reports and recommendations 

• Determination of Archeological sites and gaining authority to enter 

• Monitoring of tide tables and weather to determine extent of high tides 

• Pre cleaning of beaches by moving waste above high time lines to minimize waste 

• Staging of equipment and housing of response personnel as close to the job site as possible to maximize 

on-site work time 

• Boom tending, repair, replacement and security (use of local assets may be advantageous) 

• Constant awareness of weather and oil movement for resource redeployment as necessary 

• In-situ burn may be considered when marshes have been impacted 

• Passive clean up of marshes should considered and appropriate stocks of sorbent boom and/or sweep 

obtained 

• Earthen berms and shoreline protection boom may be considered to protect sensitive inland areas 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-13 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Decanting Strategy 

Recovered oil and water mixtures will typically separate into distinct phases when left in a quiescent state. 

When separation occurs, the relatively clean water phase can be siphoned or decanted back to the recovery point 

with minimal, if any, impact. Decanting therefore increases the effective on-site oil storage capacity and 

equipment operating time. FOSC/SOSC approval will be requested prior to decanting operations. This practice 

is routinely used for oil spill recovery. 

CGA Equipment Limitations 

The capability for any spill response equipment, whether a dedicated or portable system, to operate in differing 

weather conditions will be directly in relation to the capabilities of the vessel the system in placed on. Most 

importantly, however, the decision to operate will be based on the judgment of the Unified Command and/or the 

Captain of the vessel, who will ultimately have the final say in terminating operations. Skimming equipment 

listed below may have operational limits which exceed those safety thresholds. As was seen in the Deepwater 

Horizon (DWH) oil spill response, vessel skimming operations ceased when seas reached 5-6 feet and vessels 

were often recalled to port when those conditions were exceeded. Systems below are some of the most up-todate systems available and were employed during the DWH spill. 

Boom 3 foot seas, 20 knot winds 

Dispersants Winds more than 25 knots 

Visibility less than 3 nautical miles 

Ceiling less than 1,000 feet. 

FRU 8 foot seas 

HOSS Barge/OSRB 8 foot seas 

Koseq Arms 8 foot seas 

OSRV 4 foot seas 

Environmental Conditions in the GOM

Louisiana is situated between the easterly and westerly wind belts, and therefore, experiences westerly winds 

during the winter and easterly winds in the summer. Average wind speed is generally 14-15 mph along the 

coast. Wave heights average 4 and 5 feet. However, during hurricane season, Louisiana has recorded wave 

heights ranging from 40 to 50 feet high and winds reaching speeds of 100 mph. Because much of southern 

Louisiana lies below sea level, flooding is prominent. 

Surface water temperature ranges between 70 and 80 ̊F during the summer months. During the winter, the 

average temperature will range from 50 and 60 ̊F. 

The Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November. 97% of all tropical 

activity occurs within this window. The Atlantic basin shows a very peaked season from August through 

October, with 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the minor (Saffir-Simpson Scale categories 1 and 2) 

hurricane days, and 96% of the major (Saffir-Simpson categories 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days occurring then. 

Maximum activity is in early to mid September. Once in a few years there may be a hurricane occurring "out of 

season" - primarily in May or December. Globally, September is the most active month and May is the least 

active month. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-14 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

FIGURE 1 

TRAJECTORY BY LAND SEGMENT 

Trajectory of a spill and the probability of it impacting a land segment have been projected 

utilizing Apache Deepwater LLC’s WCD and information in the BOEM Oil Spill Risk 

Analysis Model (OSRAM) for the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico available on the 

BOEM website using 30 day impact. The results are tabulated below. 

Area/Block OCS-G Launch 

Area 

Land Segment and/or 

Resource 

Conditional 

Probability (%) 

within 30 days 

Green Canyon 867 

D 

133 miles from shore 

G33858 C46 Matagorda County, TX 

Brazoria County, TX 

Galveston County, TX 

Jefferson County, TX 

Cameron Parish, LA 

Vermilion Parish, LA 

Terrebonne Parish, LA 

Lafourche Parish, LA 

Plaquemines Parish, LA 

1 

1 

2 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-15 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)WCD Scenario– BASED ON WELL BLOWOUT DURING DRILLING OPERATIONS (133 miles from s166,525 bbls of crude oil API Gravity 30° 

FIGURE 2 – Equipment Response Time to GC 867, D 

Dispersants/Surveillance 

Dispersant/Surveillance Dispersant Capacity (gal) Storage Capacity Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Travel to site 

CGA 

Basler 67T 2000 NA 2 Houma 1 1 0.9 

ASI 

DC 3 1200 NA 2 Houma 1 1 1.1 DC 3 1200 NA 2 Houma 1 1 1.1 Aero Commander NA NA 2 Houma 1 1 0.9 

Offshore Response 

Offshore Equipment No 

Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Required From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Hrs to GOM T

S

CGA 

HOSS Barge 43000 4000 3 Tugs 8 Houma 4 0 5 

T&T Marine (available through contract with CGA) 

Koseq Skimming Arms (3) 53487 6000 3 Utility 18 Leeville 4 12 1 Koseq Skimming Arms (2) 35658 4000 2 Utility 12 Venice 4 12 1 Koseq Skimming Arms (1) 17829 2000 1 Utility 6 Fourchon 4 12 1 Koseq Skimming Arms (5) 89145 10000 5 Utility 30 Galveston 4 12 1 

Recovered Oil Storage No 

Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Required From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Hrs to GOM T

S

K-Sea Operating (available through contract with CGA) 

PACIFIC 996165 NA 80000 1 Tug 6 Venice 4 12 4 DBL 76 1212984 NA 83937 1 Tug 6 Venice 4 12 4 DBL 81 1132231 NA 86948 1 Tug 6 Venice 4 12 4 DBL 101 1119760 NA 107285 1 Tug 6 Venice 4 12 4 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-16 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Staging Area: Fourchon 

Offshore Equipment With 

Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Travel to Staging T

CGA 

FRU (1) + 100 bbl Tank (2) 3770 200 1 Utility 6 Belle Chasse 1 2 2.5 FRU (1) + 100 bbl Tank (2) 3770 200 1 Utility 6 Galveston 1 2 7 FRU (3) + 100 bbl Tank (5) 11310 500 1 Utility 6 Houma 1 2 1 FRU (1) + 100 bbl Tank (2) 3770 200 1 Utility 6 Ingleside 1 2 9.5 FRU (1) + 100 bbl Tank (2) 3770 200 1 Utility 6 Lake Charles 1 2 4 FRU (2) + 100 bbl Tank (4) 7540 400 1 Utility 6 Venice 1 2 4 Aqua Guard Triton RBS (2) 45560 4000 2 Utility 12 Galveston 4 12 7 

Offshore Equipment With 

Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Travel to Staging T

CGA 

42” Auto Boom (5000’) NA NA 10 Crew 20 Belle Chasse 1 2 2.5 42” Auto Boom (5000’) NA NA 10 Crew 20 Galveston 1 2 7 42” Auto Boom (5000’) NA NA 10 Crew 20 Houma 1 2 1 42” Auto Boom (2500’) NA NA 6 Crew 12 Ingleside 1 2 9.5 42” Auto Boom (5000’) NA NA 10 Crew 20 Lake Charles 1 2 4 42” Auto Boom (2500’) NA NA 6 Crew 12 Pascagoula 1 2 4 1000’ Hydro-Fire Boom (In-Situ) NA NA 8 Utility 40 Harvey 1 4 2.75 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-17 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Nearshore Response 

Nearshore Equipment No 

Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Required From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Hrs to GOM 

CGA 

46’ FRV 5000 65 NA 4 Galveston 1 0 0 46’ FRV 5000 65 NA 4 Houma 1 0 2 46’ FRV 5000 65 NA 4 Lake Charles 1 0 1 46’ FRV 5000 65 NA 4 Venice 1 0 1 Trinity SWS 21500 249 NA 4 Morgan City 1 2 2 

K-Sea Operating (available through contract with CGA) 

DBL 82 1137538 NA 86948 1 Tug 6 Venice 4 12 4 

Staging Area: Fourchon 

Nearshore and Inland 

Skimmers With Staging EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Load Out Travel to Staging T

De

CGA 

SWS Egmopol 3000 100 NA 3 Galveston 1 2 7 SWS Egmopol 3000 100 NA 3 Houma 1 2 1 SWS Marco 3588 34 NA 3 Houma 1 2 1 SWS Marco 3588 20 NA 3 Lake Charles 1 2 4 Rope Mop 77 2 0 3 Belle Chasse 1 2 2.5 RO Storage Barge NA 249 Towed 0 Galveston 1 2 7 RO Storage Barge NA 249 Towed 0 Houma 1 2 1 RO Storage Barge NA 249 Towed 0 Lake Charles 1 2 4 RO Storage Barge NA 249 Towed 0 Venice 1 2 4 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-18 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Shoreline Protection 

Staging Area: Cameron 

Shoreline Protection Boom VOO Persons Req. Storage/Warehouse Location Hrs to Procure Hrs to Load Out Travel to Staging Travel to Deployment Site 

USES (available through MSA) 

6000’ 18” Boom 5 Crew 14 Meraux, LA .5 .5 4.75 2 5000’ 18” Boom 3 Crew 8 Mobile, AL .5 .5 6 2 1000’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Geismar, LA .5 .5 3.5 2 4500’ 18” Boom 3 Crew 8 Houston, TX .5 .5 2.5 2 4000’ 18” Boom 2 Crew 6 Venice, LA .5 .5 6.25 2 2000’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Jackson, MS .5 .5 5.75 2 2000’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Southaven, MS .5 .5 8.75 2 1000’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Nashville, TN .5 .5 12.25 2 1500’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Birmingham, AL .5 .5 9.25 2 1000’ 18” Boom 1 Crew 3 Biloxi, MS .5 .5 5.5 2 

Staging Area: Fourchon 

Shoreline Protection 

Boom VOO Persons Req. Storage/Warehouse Location Hrs to Procure Hrs to Load Out Travel to Staging Travel to Deployment Site 

AMPOL (available through MSA) 

42,000’ 18” Boom 16 Crew 40 New Iberia, LA 2 2 3.5 2 20,000’ 18” Boom 8 Crew 20 New Orleans, LA 2 2 2.75 2 

AMPOL (available through MSA) 

10,000’ 18” Boom 4 Crew 10 New Iberia, LA 1 1 3.5 2 10,000’ 18” Boom 4 Crew 10 Houston, TX 1 1 7 2 10,000’ 18” Boom 4 Crew 10 Port Arthur, TX 1 1 5.75 2 20,000’ 18” Boom 8 Crew 20 Belle Chasse, LA 1 1 3 2 10,000’ 18” Boom 4 Crew 10 Port Allen, LA 1 1 3.5 2 10,000’ 18” Boom 4 Crew 10 Houma, LA 1 1 2 2 15,000’ 18” Boom 6 Crew 14 Gretna, LA (Warehouse) 2 2 2.75 2 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page H-19 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)Staging Area: Fourchon 

Beach Boom EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Travel to Staging T

De

CGA 

Beach Boom (2000’) NA NA NA 6 Galveston 1 2 7 Beach Boom (1000’) NA NA NA 4 Ingleside 1 2 9.5 Beach Boom (2000’) NA NA NA 6 Pascagoula 1 2 4 

Wildlife Response EDRC Storage Capacity VOO Persons Req. From Hrs to Procure Hrs to Loadout Travel to Staging T

De

CGA 

Wildlife Support Trailer NA NA NA 2 Houma 1 2 1 Bird Scare Guns (24) NA NA NA 2 Belle Chasse 1 2 2.5 Bird Scare Guns (12) NA NA NA 2 Galveston 1 2 7 Bird Scare Guns (24) NA NA NA 2 Houma 1 2 1 Bird Scare Guns (12) NA NA NA 2 Ingleside 1 2 9.5 Bird Scare Guns (24) NA NA NA 2 Lake Charles 1 2 4 Bird Scare Guns (24) NA NA NA 2 Pascagoula 1 2 4 

Response Asset Total 

Offshore EDRC 318,609 Offshore Recovered Oil Storage 389,870 Nearshore / Shallow Water EDRC 54,753 Nearshore / Shallow Water Recovered Oil Storage 88,709 
GC 823/867 N-9583 Parmer EP - Apache Deepwater, LLC 

Apache Deepwater, LLC, N-9583, GC 823/867, IEP, is providing the following response to your 

request for “time to contain the worst case discharge”. Based on the assumption of a 12 hour spill 

volume, and per the response strategies as outlined in Appendix H of the EP, the estimated time to 

contain to the maximum extent practicable within the limitations of available technology, physical 

limitations of personnel and equipment, and environmental conditions is 10 days.

Timeline for Response to WCD in GC 823/867

 

Product: Crude @ 300 API Gravity 

WCD: 166,525 bbls (24 hours) 

 83,263 bbls (12 hours) 

 Miles from shore: 133 Miles 

 

1. Formula for volume spilled during first 12 hours

a. 166,525/24 = 6,939 bph x 12 hrs = 83,263 bbls

b. Using Adios

 i. Evaporated and dispersed = 6,661 bbls

ii. Remaining volume = 76,602 bbls

 

2. Three dispersant aircraft with a load capacity of 4,400 gals (3 hour initial deployment/4 hour 

re-load and deployment considering daylight hours) allow for a daily dispersant capability of 

7,540 bbls. 

3. The HOSS Barge is estimated to arrive on location within 26 hours and has an effective 

de-rated capacity of 43,000 bbls per day. 

4. If offshore containment boom was deployed, the maximum containment achievable 

within the limitations of available technology, physical limitations of 

personnel and equipment, and environmental conditions, when responding to a worst case 

discharge is based on a rate of boom deployment at 500’/ hour. Initial arrival of boom on 

location is estimated at 16 hours; therefore containment will begin at an estimated 17 hours 

and continue during daylight hours only until all necessary boom is deployed. CGA has 

25,000 feet of 42” auto boom available. Working daylight hours only (12 hours per day), the 

25,000’ of auto boom could be deployed within 4.5 days of arrival on scene. 

5. Assuming no response, trajectory analysis indicates a 3 percent probability of impact to 

shorelines of Cameron Parish, Louisiana and/or Plaquemines Cameron Parish, Louisiana 

within 30 days. Onshore response may include the deployment of shoreline boom on beach 

areas, or protection and sorbent boom on vegetated areas. Apache Deepwater, LLC, 

maintains MSAs with OSROs with access to 160,000 feet of 18” shoreline protection boom. 

This boom could be on location in one day and deployed within 4 days of activation. 

Apache Deepwater LLC Page I-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX I 

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING INFORMATION 

(A) MONITORING SYSTEMS 

There are no environmental monitoring systems currently in place or planned for the proposed 

activities.

(B) INCIDENTAL TAKES 

There is no reason to believe that any of the endangered species or marine mammals as listed in 

the ESA will be “taken” as a result of the operations proposed under this plan. 

To date, it has been documented that the use of explosives and/or seismic devices can affect 

marine life. Operations proposed in this plan will not be utilizing either of these devices. 

(C) FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are not located in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine 

Sanctuary; therefore, the requested information is not required in this EP. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page J-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX J 

LEASE STIPULATIONS INFORMATION 

Exploration activities are subject to the following lease stipulations attached to Green Canyon 

Blocks 823 and 867. 

Military Warning Area (MWA)

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are located within designated MWA-92. The Naval Air 

Station, Air Operations Department in New Orleans, Louisiana, will be contacted in order to 

coordinate and control the electromagnetic emissions during the proposed operations. 

Marine Protected Species

The Marine Protected Species Stipulation is meant to reduce the potential taking of marine 

protected species. Apache Deepwater will operate in accordance with NTL 2007-G04, to 

minimize the risk of vessel strikes to protected species and report observations of injured or dead 

protected species, and the prevention of intentional and/or accidental introduction of debris into 

the marine environment.
Apache Deepwater LLC Page K-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX K 

ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES INFORMATION 

(A) MEASURES TAKEN TO AVOID, MINIMIZE, AND MITIGATE IMPACTS 

Not applicable for the operations proposed in this EP. 

(B) INCIDENTAL TAKES

Apache Deepwater will adhere to the requirements as set forth in the following documents, as 

applicable, to avoid or minimize impacts to any of the species listed in the ESA as a result of the 

operations conducted herein: 

• NTL 2007-G04, “Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Dead Protected Species Reporting 

• NTL 2007-G03, “Marine Trash and Debris Awareness and Elimination” 

• NTL 2007-G02, “Implementation of Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected 

Species Observer Program” 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page L-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX L 

SUPPORT VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT INFORMATION 

(A) GENERAL 

The most practical, direct route from the shorebase as permitted by weather and traffic 

conditions will be utilized. 

Type Maximum Fuel 

Tank Capacity 

Maximum 

Number in Area 

at Any Time 

Trip 

Frequency or 

Duration 

Crew Boat 620 bbls 1 2 per week 

Supply Boat 4800 bbls 1 2 per week 

Helicopters 560 bbls 1 3 per week 

Anchor Handling Vessel 1500 bbls 1 4 days 

Tug Boat 3000 bbls 1 2 day 

(B) DIESEL OIL SUPPLY VESSELS 

Size of Fuel Supply 

Vessel 

Capacity of Fuel 

Supply Vessel 

Frequency of Fuel 

Transfers 

Route Fuel Supply 

Vessel Will Take 

210’ 4800 bbls 1 per week Shortest route from 

Fourchon to GC 823 

and 867. 

*Please note the actual vessels have not yet been contracted. 

(D) SOLID AND LIQUID WASTE TRANSPORTATION 

Table 2, “Wastes You Will Transport and/or Dispose of Onshore” is included in this section as 

Attachment L-1. 

(E) VICINITY MAP 

Enclosed as Attachment L-2 is a vicinity map showing the location of the activities proposed 

herein relative to the shoreline with the distance of the proposed activities from the shoreline and 

the primary route(s) of the support vessels and aircraft that will be used when traveling between 

the onshore support facilities and the drilling unit. 

 
Please specify whether the amount reported is a total or per well.

Solid and Liquid Wastes 

transportation 

Type of Waste Composition Transport Method Name/Location of Facility Am

Will drilling occur ? If yes, fill in the muds and cuttings.

EXAMPLE: Synthetic-based drilling fluid or mud internal olefin, ester

Below deck storage tanks on offshore support vessels

Newport Environmental Services Inc., Ingleside, TX X bbl/

Spent synthetic-based drilling fluids and cuttings internal olefin, ester

Transport to shorebase in cuttings boxes on supply vessel

US Liquids of LouisianaFourchon, LA 700 b

Will you produce hydrocarbons? If yes fill in for produced sand.

Produced Sand

Will you have additional wastes that are not permitted for discharge? If yes, fill in the appropriate rows. 

Trash & debris (Recyclables)

Plastic, Paper, Aluminum, Glass

Storage bins on supply boat or crew boat

Waste Management7170 Brannon RoadSulphur, LA 63,60

Trash and debris (Non-recyclables)

Non-hazardous Trash and Debris NonRecyclables Transport in DOT containers on supply boats to shorebase 

Newpark EnvironmentalFourchon, LA 3,180 

Chemical product wastes

Paint, solvents, unused chemicals, etc

Transport in DOT containers on supply boats to shorebase 

Safety Kleen SystemBaton Rouge, LA 79.5 b

Used Oil Used Oil & Glycol

Transport in DOT containers on supply boats to shorebase 

Safety Kleen SystemBaton Rouge, LA 53 bb

Batteries

Batteries, lamps, glass, mercury

Transport in DOT containers on supply to shorebase

Lamp Environmental Industries, Inc.Hammond, LA 3.5 bb

Oily rags, absorbent pads

Oil Filters, rags, pads, empty drums, cooking oil

Transport in DOT containers on supply to shorebase

Safety Kleen SystemBaton Rouge, LA

8.8 bb

Waste D

TABLE 2. WASTES YOU WILL TRANSPORT AND /OR DISPOSE OF ONS

NOTE: If you will not have a type of waste, enter NA in the row. 

Projected generated waste
!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

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! !! !

!! !!

!!

Dulac

Venice

Fourchon

Cocodrie

Grand Isle

River Ridge

Fort Jackson

Green Canyon Atwater Valley

Ship Shoal

South Timbalier

Mississippi Canyon

Walker Ridge

West Delta

Ewing Bank

Lund

Grand Isle

Ship Shoal South

South Timbalier South

West Delta South

South Pelto

Terrebonne Lafourche

Plaquemines

Jefferson

Apache Corporation Vicinity Map

Green Canyon 823 - 867

G

C

8

2

3: ~13

0

4. Mile

s to

S

h

ore

G

C

8

6

7: ~13

3

4. Mile

s to

S

h

ore

G

C823: ~136

Mile

s to

Fo

urc

h

o

n, LA

S

h

ore

ba

s

e

G

C867: ~139

Mile

s to

Fo

urc

h

o

n, LA

S

h

ore

ba

s

e

GC823

GC867
Apache Deepwater LLC Page M-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX M 

ONSHORE SUPPORT FACILITIES INFORMATION 

(A) GENERAL 

Apache Deepwater will utilize the following onshore facility to provide supply and service for 

the proposed operations.

Name of Shorebase Location Existing/New/Modified 

Martin Fuel Dock Port Fourchon, LA Existing 

(B) SUPPORT BASE CONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION 

There will be no new construction of an onshore support base, nor will we expand the existing 

shorebase as a result of the operations proposed in this Exploration Plan. 

(C) WASTE DISPOSAL 

Table 2, “Wastes You Will Transport and/or Dispose of Onshore” is included in Appendix L as 

Attachment L-1.
Apache Deepwater LLC Page N-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX N 

COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (CZMA) INFORMATION 

Relevant enforceable policies were considered in certifying consistency for Louisiana. A 

certificate of Coastal Zone Management Consistency for the state of Louisiana is enclosed as 

Attachment N-1. 

Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-1 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

APPENDIX O 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS (EIA) 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 

OCS-G 33854 and 33858

(A) Impact Producing Factors 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS WORKSHEET 

Environment 

Resources 

Impact Producing Factors (IPFs) 

Categories and Examples 

Refer to recent GOM OCS Lease Sale EIS for a more complete list of IPFs 

Emissions 

(air, noise, 

light, etc.) 

Effluents 

(muds, 

cutting, other 

discharges to 

the water 

column or 

seafloor) 

Physical 

disturbances to the 

seafloor (rig or 

anchor 

emplacements, 

etc.) 

Wastes sent 

to shore for 

treatment 

or disposal 

Accidents 

(e.g., oil 

spills, 

chemical 

spills, H2S 

releases) 

Discarded 

Trash & 

Debris 

Site-specific at Offshore 

Location 

Designated topographic features (1) (1) (1) 

Pinnacle Trend area live bottoms (2) (2) (2) 

Eastern Gulf live bottoms (3) (3) (3) 

Benthic communities (4) 

Water quality X X X 

Fisheries X X X 

Marine Mammals X(8) X X(8) X 

Sea Turtles X(8) X X(8) X 

Air quality X(9) 

Shipwreck sites (known or 

potential) 

 (7) 

Prehistoric archaeological sites (7) 

Vicinity of Offshore Location 

Essential fish habitat X X X(6) 

Marine and pelagic birds X X X 

Public health and safety (5) 

Coastal and Onshore 

Beaches X(6) X 

Wetlands X(6) 

Shore birds and coastal nesting 

birds 

 X(6) X 

Coastal wildlife refuges X 

Wilderness areas X 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-2 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Footnotes for Environmental Impact Analysis Matrix 

1) Activities that may affect a marine sanctuary or topographic feature. Specifically, if the well or platform site or any 

anchors will be on the seafloor within the: 

o 4-mile zone of the Flower Garden Banks, or the 3-mile zone of Stetson Bank; 

o 1000-m, 1-mile or 3-mile zone of any topographic feature (submarine bank) protected by the Topographic 

Features Stipulation attached to an OCS lease; 

o Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) criteria of 500 ft. from any no-activity zone; or 

o Proximity of any submarine bank (500 ft. buffer zone) with relief greater than 2 meters that is not protected by the 

Topographic Features Stipulation attached to an OCS lease. 

2) Activities with any bottom disturbance within an OCS lease block protected through the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) 

Stipulation attached to an OCS lease. 

3) Activities within any Eastern Gulf OCS block where seafloor habitats are protected by the Live Bottom (Low-Relief) 

Stipulation attached to an OCS lease. 

4) Activities on blocks designated by the BOEM as being in water depths 300 meters or greater. 

5) Exploration or production activities where H2S concentrations greater than 500 ppm might be encountered. 

6) All activities that could result in an accidental spill of produced liquid hydrocarbons or diesel fuel that you determine 

would impact these environmental resources. If the proposed action is located a sufficient distance from a resource that 

no impact would occur, the EIA can note that in a sentence or two. 

7) All activities that involve seafloor disturbances, including anchor emplacements, in any OCS block designated by the 

BOEM as having high-probability for the occurrence of shipwrecks or prehistoric sites, including such blocks that will 

be affected that are adjacent to the lease block in which your planned activity will occur. If the proposed activities are 

located a sufficient distance from a shipwreck or a prehistoric site that no impact would occur, the EIA can note that in 

a sentence or two. 

8) All activities that you determine might have an adverse effect on endangered or threatened marine mammals or sea 

turtles or their critical habitats. 

9) Production activities that involve transportation of produced fluids to shore using shuttle tankers or barges. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-3 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

(B) Analysis 

Site-Specific at Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 

Proposed operations consist of the drilling, completion, and potential testing and TA of seven 

locations. Operations will be conducted with a semisubmersible. 

1. Designated Topographic Features 

Potential IPFs on topographic features include physical disturbances to the seafloor, effluents, and 

accidents. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are 66 miles from the 

closest designated Topographic Features Stipulation Block (Diaphus Bank); therefore, no adverse 

impacts are expected. 

Effluents: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are 66 miles from the closest designated Topographic 

Features Stipulation Block (Diaphus Bank); therefore, no adverse impacts are expected. 

Accidents: It is unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface spill would occur from the 

proposed activities (refer to statistics in Item 5, Water Quality). Oil spills cause damage to benthic 

organisms only if the oil contacts the organisms. Oil from a surface spill can be driven into the water 

column; measurable amounts have been documented down to a 10 m depth. At this depth, the oil is 

found only at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than the amount shown to have an 

effect on corals. Because the crests of topographic features in the Northern Gulf of Mexico are found 

below 10 m, no oil from a surface spill could reach their sessile biota. Oil from a subsurface spill is not 

applicable due to the distance of these blocks from a topographic area. The activities proposed in this 

plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in 

Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions and wastes sent to shore for disposal) from the proposed 

activities, which could impact topographic features. 

2. Pinnacle Trend Area Live Bottoms 

Potential IPFs on pinnacle trend area live bottoms include physical disturbances to the seafloor, 

effluents, and accidents. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are 184 miles from 

the closest live bottom (pinnacle trend) area; therefore, no adverse impacts are expected. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-4 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

Effluents: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 is 184 miles from the closest live bottom (pinnacle 

trend) area; therefore, no adverse impacts are expected. 

Accidents: It is unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface spill would occur from the 

proposed activities (refer to statistics in Item 5, Water Quality). Oil spills have the potential to foul 

benthic communities and cause lethal and sublethal effects on live bottom organisms. Oil from a 

surface spill can be driven into the water column; measurable amounts have been documented down to 

a 10 m depth. At this depth, the oil is found only at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower 

than the amount shown to have an effect on marine organisms. Oil from a subsurface spill is not 

applicable due to the distance of these blocks from a live bottom (pinnacle trend) area. The activities 

proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information 

submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions and wastes sent to shore for disposal) from the proposed 

activities which could impact a live bottom (pinnacle trend) area. 

3. Eastern Gulf Live Bottoms 

Potential IPFs on Eastern Gulf live bottoms include physical disturbances to the seafloor, effluents, and 

accidents. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are not located in an 

area characterized by the existence of live bottoms, and this lease does not contain a Live-Bottom 

Stipulation requiring a photo documentation survey and survey report. 

Effluents: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are not located in an area characterized by the 

existence of live bottoms; therefore, no adverse impacts are expected. 

Accidents: It is unlikely that an accidental surface or subsurface spill would occur from the 

proposed activities (refer to statistics in Item 5, Water Quality). Oil spills cause damage to live bottom 

organisms only if the oil contacts the organisms. Oil from a surface spill can be driven into the water 

column; measurable amounts have been documented down to a 10 m depth. At this depth, the oil is 

found only at concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than the amount shown to have an 

effect on marine invertebrates. Oil from a subsurface spill is not applicable due to the distance of these 

blocks from a live bottom area. The activities proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache 

Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions and wastes sent to shore for disposal) from the proposed 

activities which could impact an Eastern Gulf live bottom area. 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-5 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

4. Benthic Communities 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 is located in water depths 984 feet (300 meters) or greater. IPFs 

that could result in impacts to benthic communities from the proposed activities include physical 

disturbances to the seafloor. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 is approximately 35 

miles from a known benthic community site (Benthic Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867), listed in 

NTL 2009-G40. This Joint Initial Exploration Plan submittal includes the required maps, analyses, and 

statement(s). The proposed activities will be conducted in accordance with NTL 2009-G40, which will 

ensure that features or areas that could support high-density benthic communities will not be impacted. 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions, effluents, wastes sent to shore for disposal, or accidents) 

from the proposed activities which could impact benthic communities. 

5. Water Quality 

IPFs that could result in water quality degradation from the proposed operations in Green Canyon 

Blocks 823 and 867 include disturbances to the seafloor, effluents and accidents. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: Bottom area disturbances resulting from the 

emplacement of drill rigs, the drilling of wells and the installation of platforms and pipelines would 

increase water-column turbidity and re-suspension of any accumulated pollutants, such as trace metals 

and excess nutrients. This would cause short-lived impacts on water quality conditions in the 

immediate vicinity of the emplacement operations. 

Effluents: Levels of contaminants in drilling muds and cuttings and produced water discharges, 

discharge-rate restrictions and monitoring and toxicity testing are regulated by the EPA NPDES 

permit, thereby eliminating many significant biological or ecological effects. Operational discharges 

are not expected to cause significant adverse impacts to water quality. 

Accidents: Oil spills have the potential to alter offshore water quality; however, it is unlikely that an 

accidental surface or subsurface spill would occur from the proposed activities. Between 1980 and 

2000, OCS operations produced 4.7 billion barrels of oil and spilled only 0.001 percent of this oil, or 1 

bbl for every 81,000 bbl produced. The spill risk related to a diesel spill from drilling operations is 

even less. Between 1976 and 1985, (years for which data were collected), there were 80 reported 

diesel spills greater than one barrel associated with drilling activities. Considering that there were 

11,944 wells drilled, this is a 0.7 percent probability of an occurrence. If a spill were to occur, the 

water quality of marine waters would be temporarily affected by the dissolved components and small 

oil droplets. Dispersion by currents and microbial degradation would remove the oil from the water 

column and dilute the constituents to background levels. Historically, changes in offshore water quality 

from oil spills have only been detected during the life of the spill and up to several months afterwards. 

Most of the components of oil are insoluble in water and therefore float. The activities proposed in this 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-6 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional Oil Spill Response Plan (refer to information 

submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions, physical disturbances to the seafloor, and wastes sent to 

shore for disposal) from the proposed activities which could cause impacts to water quality. 

6. Fisheries 

IPFs that could cause impacts to fisheries as a result of the proposed operations in Green Canyon 

Blocks 823 and 867 include physical disturbances to the seafloor, effluents and accidents. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: The emplacement of a structure or drilling rig results in 

minimal loss of bottom trawling area to commercial fishermen. Pipelines cause gear conflicts which 

result in losses of trawls and shrimp catch, business downtime and vessel damage. Most financial 

losses from gear conflicts are covered by the Fishermen’s Contingency Fund (FCF). The emplacement 

and removal of facilities are not expected to cause significant adverse impacts to fisheries. 

Effluents: Effluents such as drilling fluids and cuttings discharges contain components and 

properties which are detrimental to fishery resources. Moderate petroleum and metal contamination of 

sediments and the water column can occur out to several hundred meters down-current from the 

discharge point. Offshore discharges are expected to disperse and dilute to very near background 

levels in the water column or on the seafloor within 3,000 m of the discharge point, and are expected to 

have negligible effect on fisheries. 

Accidents: An accidental oil spill has the potential to cause some detrimental effects on fisheries; 

however, it is unlikely that such an event would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, 

Water Quality). The effects of oil on mobile adult finfish or shellfish would likely be sublethal and the 

extent of damage would be reduced to the capacity of adult fish and shellfish to avoid the spill, to 

metabolize hydrocarbons, and to excrete both metabolites and parent compounds. The activities 

proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information 

submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no IPFs from emissions, or wastes sent to shore for disposal from the proposed activities 

which could cause impacts to fisheries. 

7. Marine Mammals 

GulfCet II studies revealed that cetaceans of the continental shelf and shelf-edge were almost 

exclusively bottlenose dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin. Squid eaters, including dwarf and pygmy 

killer whale, Risso’s dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, and Cuvier’s beaked whale, occurred most 

frequently along the upper slope in areas outside of anticyclones. IPFs that could cause impacts to 
Apache Deepwater LLC Page O-7 

Joint Initial Exploration Plan June, 2011 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 827 (OCS-G 33854 and OCS-G 33858)

marine mammals as a result of the proposed operations in Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 include 

emissions, effluents, discarded trash and debris, and accidents. 

Emissions: Noises from drilling activities, support vessels and helicopters may elicit a startle 

reaction from marine mammals. This reaction may lead to disruption of marine mammals’ normal 

activities. Stress may make them more vulnerable to parasites, disease, environmental contaminants, 

and/or predation (Majors and Myrick, 1990). There is little conclusive evidence for long-term 

displacements and population trends for marine mammals relative to noise. 

Effluents: Drilling fluids and cuttings discharges contain components which may be detrimental to 

marine mammals. Most operational discharges are diluted and dispersed upon release. Any potential 

impact from drilling fluids would be indirect, either as a result of impacts on prey items or possibly 

through ingestion in the food chain (API, 1989). 

Discarded trash and debris: Both entanglement in, and ingestion of debris have caused the death 

or serious injury of marine mammals (Laist, 1997; MMC, 1999). The limited amount of marine debris, 

if any, resulting from the proposed activities is not expected to substantially harm marine mammals. 

Operators are prohibited from deliberately discharging debris as mandated by MARPOL-Annex V and 

the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, and regulations imposed by various agencies 

including the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Apache Deepwater will operate in accordance with the regulations and also avoid accidental loss of 

solid waste items by maintaining waste management plans, manifesting trash sent to shore, and using 

special precautions such as covering outside trash bins to prevent accidental loss of solid waste. 

Special caution will be exercised when handling and disposing of small items and packaging materials, 

particularly those made of non-biodegradable, environmentally persistent materials such as plastic or 

glass. 

Informational placards will be posted on all vessels and facilities having sleeping or food preparation 

capabilities. All offshore personnel, including contractors and other support services-related personnel 

(e.g. helicopter pilots, vessel captains and boat crews) will be indoctrinated on waste procedures, and 

will view the video (or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation), “Think About It” (previously “All Washed 

Up: The Beach Litter Problem”). Thereafter, all personnel will view the marine trash and debris 

training video annually. Offshore personnel will also receive an explanation from Apache Deepwater 

management or the designated lease operator management that emphasizes their commitment to waste 

management in accordance with NTL No. 2007-G03. 

Accidents: Collisions between support vessels and cetaceans would be unusual events, however 

should one occur, death or injury to marine mammals is possible. Contract vessel operators can avoid 

marine mammals and reduce potential deaths by maintaining a vigilant watch for marine mammals and 

maintaining a safe distance when they are sighted. Vessel crews should use a reference guide to help 

identify the twenty-eight species of whales and dolphins, and the single species of manatee that may be 
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encountered in the Gulf of Mexico OCS. Vessel crews must report sightings of any injured or dead 

protected marine mammal species immediately, regardless of whether the injury or death is caused by 

their vessel, to the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline at (888) 404-3922, the NMFS 

Southeast Regional Office at (727) 824-5312, or the Marine Mammal Stranding Network at (305) 862-

2850. In addition, if the injury or death was caused by a collision with a contract vessel, the BOEM 

must be notified within 24 hours of the strike by email to protectedspecies@boemre.gov. If the vessel 

is the responsible party, it is required to remain available to assist the respective salvage and stranding 

network as needed. 

Oil spills have the potential to cause sublethal oil-related injuries and spill-related deaths to marine 

mammals. However, it is unlikely that an accidental oil spill would occur from the proposed activities 

(refer to Item 5, Water Quality). Oil spill response activities may increase vessel traffic in the area, 

which could add to changes in cetacean behavior and/or distribution, thereby causing additional stress 

to the animals. The effect of oil dispersants on cetaceans is not known. The acute toxicity of oil 

dispersant chemicals included in Apache Deepwater’s OSRP is considered to be low when compared 

with the constituents and fractions of crude oils and diesel products. The activities proposed in this 

plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s OSRP (refer to information submitted in accordance with 

Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including physical disturbances to the seafloor) from the proposed activities 

which could impact marine mammals. 

8. Sea Turtles 

IPFs that could cause impacts to sea turtles as a result of the proposed operations include emissions, 

effluents, discarded trash and debris, and accidents. GulfCet II studies sighted most loggerhead, 

Kemp’s ridley and leatherback sea turtles over shelf waters. Historically these species have been 

sighted up to the shelf’s edge. They appear to be more abundant east of the Mississippi River than 

they are west of the river (Fritts et al., 1983b; Lohoefener et al., 1990). Deep waters may be used by all 

species as a transitory habitat. 

Emissions: Noise from drilling activities, support vessels, and helicopters may elicit a startle 

reaction from sea turtles, but this is a temporary disturbance. 

Effluents: Drilling fluids and cuttings discharges are not known to be lethal to sea turtles. Most 

operational discharges are diluted and dispersed upon release. Any potential impact from drilling 

fluids would be indirect, either as a result of impacts on prey items or possibly through ingestion in the 

food chain (API, 1989). 

Discarded trash and debris: Both entanglement in, and ingestion of, debris have caused the death or 

serious injury of sea turtles (Balazs, 1985). The limited amount of marine debris, if any, resulting from 

the proposed activities is not expected to substantially harm sea turtles. Operators are prohibited from 
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deliberately discharging debris as mandated by MARPOL-Annex V and the Marine Plastic Pollution 

Research and Control Act, and regulations imposed by various agencies including the United States 

Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Apache Deepwater will 

operate in accordance with the regulations and also avoid accidental loss of solid waste items by 

maintaining waste management plans, manifesting trash sent to shore, and using special precautions 

such as covering outside trash bins to prevent accidental loss of solid waste. Special caution will be 

exercised when handling and disposing of small items and packaging materials, particularly those 

made of non-biodegradable, environmentally persistent materials such as plastic or glass. 

Informational placards will be posted on all vessels and facilities having sleeping or food preparation 

capabilities. All offshore personnel, including contractors and other support services-related personnel 

(e.g. helicopter pilots, vessel captains and boat crews) will be indoctrinated on waste procedures, and 

will view the video (or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation), “Think About It” (previously “All Washed 

Up: The Beach Litter Problem”). Thereafter, all personnel will view the marine trash and debris 

training video annually. Offshore personnel will also receive an explanation from Apache Deepwater 

management or the designated lease operator management that emphasizes their commitment to waste 

management in accordance with NTL No. 2007-G03. 

Accidents: Collisions between support vessels and sea turtles would be unusual events, however 

should one occur, death or injury to sea turtles is possible. Contract vessel operators can avoid sea 

turtles and reduce potential deaths by maintaining a vigilant watch for sea turtles and maintaining a 

safe distance when they are sighted. Vessel crews should use a reference guide to help identify the 

five species of sea turtles that may be encountered in the Gulf of Mexico OCS. Vessel crews must 

report sightings of any injured or dead protected sea turtle species immediately, regardless of whether 

the injury or death is caused by their vessel, to the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline 

at (888) 404-3922, the NMFS Southeast Regional Office at (727) 824-5312, or the Marine Mammal 

Stranding Network at (305) 862-2850. In addition, if the injury or death was caused by a collision with 

a contract vessel, the BOEM must be notified within 24 hours of the strike by email to 

protectedspecies@boemre.gov. If the vessel is the responsible party, it is required to remain available 

to assist the respective salvage and stranding network as needed. 

All sea turtle species and their life stages are vulnerable to the harmful effects of oil through direct 

contact or by fouling of their food. Exposure to oil can be fatal, particularly to juveniles and hatchlings. 

However, it is unlikely that an accidental oil spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to 

Item 5, Water Quality). Oil spill response activities may increase vessel traffic in the area, which 

could add to the possibility of collisions with sea turtles. The activities proposed in this plan will be 

covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional Oil Spill Response Plan (refer to information submitted in 

accordance with Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including physical disturbances to the seafloor) from the proposed activities 

which could impact sea turtles. 
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9. Air Quality 

The projected air emissions identified in Appendix G are not expected to affect the OCS air quality 

primarily due to distance to the shore or to any Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class I air 

quality area such as the Breton Wilderness Area. Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are beyond the 

200 kilometer (124 mile) buffer for the Breton Wilderness Area and is 130 miles from the coastline. 

Therefore, no special mitigation, monitoring, or reporting requirements apply with respect to air 

emissions. 

Accidents and blowouts can release hydrocarbons or chemicals, which could cause the emission of air 

pollutants. However, these releases would not impact onshore air quality because of the prevailing 

atmospheric conditions, emission height, emission rates, and the distance of Green Canyon Blocks 823 

and 867 from the coastline. There are no other IPFs (including effluents, physical disturbances to the 

seafloor, wastes sent to shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities which could 

impact air quality. 

10. Shipwreck Sites (known or potential) 

IPFs that could impact known or unknown shipwreck sites as a result of the proposed operations in 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 include disturbances to the seafloor. Green Canyon Blocks 823 

and 867 are not located in or adjacent to an OCS block designated by BOEM as having a high 

probability for occurrence of shipwrecks. Apache Deepwater will report to BOEM the discovery of 

any evidence of a shipwreck and make every reasonable effort to preserve and protect that cultural 

resource. There are no other IPFs (including emissions, effluents, wastes sent to shore for treatment or 

disposal, or accidents) from the proposed activities which could impact shipwreck sites. 

11. Prehistoric Archaeological Sites 

IPFs which could impact prehistoric archaeological sites as a result of the proposed operations in 

Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 include disturbances to the seafloor (structure emplacement) and 

accidents (oil spill). Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 are located outside the Archaeological 

Prehistoric high probability line. Apache Deepwater will report to BOEM the discovery of any object 

of prehistoric archaeological significance and make every reasonable effort to preserve and protect that 

cultural resource. 

Accidents: An accidental oil spill has the potential to cause some detrimental effects to prehistoric 

archaeological sites if the release were to occur subsea. However, it is unlikely that an accidental oil 

spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, Water Quality). The activities proposed 

in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional Oil Spill Response Plan (refer to 

information submitted in accordance with Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions, effluents, wastes sent to shore for treatment or disposal) 

from the proposed activities which could impact prehistoric archaeological sites. 
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Vicinity of Offshore Location 

1. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 

IPFs that could cause impacts to EFH as a result of the proposed operations in Green Canyon Blocks 

823 and 867 include physical disturbances to the seafloor, effluents and accidents. EFH includes all 

estuarine and marine waters and substrates in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Physical disturbances to the seafloor: The Live Bottom Low Relief Stipulation, the Live 

Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation, and the Eastern Gulf Pinnacle Trend Stipulation would prevent 

most of the potential impacts on live-bottom communities and EFH from bottom disturbing activities 

(e.g., anchoring, structure emplacement and removal). 

Effluents: The Live Bottom Low Relief Stipulation, the Live Bottom (Pinnacle Trend) Stipulation, 

and the Eastern Gulf Pinnacle Trend Stipulation would prevent most of the potential impacts on livebottom communities and EFH from operational waste discharges. Levels of contaminants in drilling 

muds and cuttings and produced-water discharges, discharge-rate restrictions, and monitoring and 

toxicity testing are regulated by the EPA NPDES permit, thereby eliminating many significant 

biological or ecological effects. Operational discharges are not expected to cause significant adverse 

impacts to EFH. 

Accidents: An accidental oil spill has the potential to cause some detrimental effects on EFH. Oil 

spills that contact coastal bays and estuaries, as well as OCS waters when pelagic eggs and larvae are 

present, have the greatest potential to affect fisheries. However, it is unlikely that an oil spill would 

occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, Water Quality). The activities proposed in this plan 

will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in Appendix 

H). 

There are no other IPFs (including emissions, or wastes sent to shore for treatment or disposal) from 

the proposed activities which could impact essential fish habitat. 

2. Marine and Pelagic Birds 

IPFs that could impact marine birds as a result of the proposed activities include air emissions, 

accidental oil spills, and discarded trash and debris from vessels and the facilities. 

Emissions: Emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from these activities are far below 

concentrations which could harm coastal and marine birds. 

Accidents: An oil spill would cause localized, low-level petroleum hydrocarbon contamination. 

However, it is unlikely that an oil spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, 

Water Quality). Marine and pelagic birds feeding at the spill location may experience chronic, 
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nonfatal, physiological stress. It is expected that few, if any, coastal and marine birds would actually 

be affected to that extent. The activities proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s 

Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in Appendix H). 

Discarded trash and debris: Marine and pelagic birds could become entangled and snared in 

discarded trash and debris, or ingest small plastic debris, which can cause permanent injuries and 

death. Operators are prohibited from deliberately discharging debris as mandated by MARPOL-Annex 

V and the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, and regulations imposed by various 

agencies including the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA). Apache Deepwater will operate in accordance with the regulations and also avoid accidental 

loss of solid waste items by maintaining waste management plans, manifesting trash sent to shore, and 

using special precautions such as covering outside trash bins to prevent accidental loss of solid waste. 

Special caution will be exercised when handling and disposing of small items and packaging materials, 

particularly those made of non-biodegradable, environmentally persistent materials such as plastic or 

glass. Informational placards will be posted on all vessels and facilities having sleeping or food 

preparation capabilities. All offshore personnel, including contractors and other support servicesrelated personnel (e.g. helicopter pilots, vessel captains and boat crews) will be indoctrinated on waste 

procedures, and will view the video (or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation), “Think About It” 

(previously “All Washed Up: The Beach Litter Problem”). Thereafter, all personnel will view the 

marine trash and debris training video annually. Offshore personnel will also receive an explanation 

from Apache Deepwater management or the designated lease operator management that emphasizes 

their commitment to waste management in accordance with NTL No. 2007-G03. Debris, if any, from 

these proposed activities will seldom interact with marine and pelagic birds; therefore, the effects will 

be negligible. 

There are no other IPFs (including effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, or wastes sent to 

shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities which could impact marine and pelagic 

birds. 

3. Public Health and Safety Due to Accidents. 

There are no IPFs (emissions, effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, wastes sent to shore for 

treatment or disposal or accidents, including an accidental H2S releases) from the proposed activities 

which could cause impacts to public health and safety. In accordance with NTL No.’s 2008-G04, 

2009-G27, and 2009-G31, sufficient information is included in Appendix C to justify our request that 

our proposed activities be classified by BOEM as H2S absent. 

Coastal and Onshore 

1. Beaches 

IPFs from the proposed activities that could cause impacts to beaches include accidents (oil spills) and 

discarded trash and debris. 
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Accidents: Oil spills contacting beaches would have impacts on the use of recreational beaches and 

associated resources. Due to the distance from shore (130 miles) and the response capabilities that 

would be implemented, no significant adverse impacts are expected. The activities proposed in this 

plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in 

Appendix H). 

Discarded trash and debris: Trash on the beach is recognized as a major threat to the enjoyment 

and use of beaches. There will only be a limited amount of marine debris, if any, resulting from the 

proposed activities. Operators are prohibited from deliberately discharging debris as mandated by 

MARPOL-Annex V and the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, and regulations 

imposed by various agencies including the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA). Apache Deepwater will operate in accordance with the regulations and also 

avoid accidental loss of solid waste items by maintaining waste management plans, manifesting trash 

sent to shore, and using special precautions such as covering outside trash bins to prevent accidental 

loss of solid waste. Special caution will be exercised when handling and disposing of small items and 

packaging materials, particularly those made of non-biodegradable, environmentally persistent 

materials such as plastic or glass. 

Informational placards will be posted on all vessels and facilities having sleeping or food preparation 

capabilities. All offshore personnel, including contractors and other support services-related personnel 

(e.g. helicopter pilots, vessel captains and boat crews) will be indoctrinated on waste procedures, and 

will view the video (or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation), “Think About It” (previously “All Washed 

Up: The Beach Litter Problem”). Thereafter, all personnel will view the marine trash and debris 

training video annually. Offshore personnel will also receive an explanation from Apache Deepwater 

management or the designated lease operator management that emphasizes their commitment to waste 

management in accordance with NTL No. 2007-G03. 

There are no other IPFs (emissions, effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, or wastes sent to 

shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities which could impact beaches. 

2. Wetlands 

Accidents: Oil spills could cause impacts to wetlands, however, it is unlikely that an oil spill would 

occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, Water Quality). Due to the distance from shore 

(130 miles) and the response capabilities that would be implemented, no impacts are expected. The 

activities proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to 

information submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (emissions, effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, or wastes sent to 

shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities which could impact wetlands. 
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3. Shore Birds and Coastal Nesting Birds 

Accidents: Oil spills could cause impacts to shore birds and coastal nesting birds. However, it is 

unlikely that an oil spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, Water Quality). 

Given the distance from shore (130 miles) and the response capabilities that would be implemented, no 

impacts are expected. The activities proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s 

Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in Appendix H). 

Discarded trash and debris: Coastal and marine birds are highly susceptible to entanglement in 

floating, submerged, and beached marine debris: specifically plastics. Operators are prohibited from 

deliberately discharging debris as mandated by MARPOL-Annex V and the Marine Plastic Pollution 

Research and Control Act, and regulations imposed by various agencies including the United States 

Coast Guard (USCG) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Apache Deepwater will 

operate in accordance with the regulations and also avoid accidental loss of solid waste items by 

maintaining waste management plans, manifesting trash sent to shore, and using special precautions 

such as covering outside trash bins to prevent accidental loss of solid waste. Special caution will be 

exercised when handling and disposing of small items and packaging materials, particularly those 

made of non-biodegradable, environmentally persistent materials such as plastic or glass. 

 

Informational placards will be posted on vessels and every facility that has sleeping or food 

preparation capabilities. All offshore personnel, including contractors and other support servicesrelated personnel (e.g. helicopter pilots, vessel captains and boat crews) will be indoctrinated on waste 

procedures, and will view the video (or Microsoft PowerPoint presentation), “Think About It” 

(previously “All Washed Up: The Beach Litter Problem”). Thereafter, all personnel will view the 

marine trash and debris training video annually. Offshore personnel will also receive an explanation 

from Apache Deepwater management or the designated lease operator management that emphasizes 

their commitment to waste management in accordance with NTL No. 2007-G03. 

There are no other IPFs (emissions, effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, or wastes sent to 

shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities that could cause impacts to shore birds 

and coastal nesting birds. 

4. Coastal Wildlife Refuges 

Accidents: An accidental oil spill from the proposed activities could cause impacts to coastal wildlife 

refuges. However, it is unlikely that an oil spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 

5, Water Quality). Due to the distance from shore (130 miles) and the response capabilities that would 

be implemented, no impacts are expected. The activities proposed in this plan will be covered by 

Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information submitted in Appendix H). 

There are no other IPFs (emissions, effluents, physical disturbances to the seafloor, or wastes sent to 

shore for treatment or disposal) from the proposed activities that could cause impacts to coastal 

wildlife refuges. 
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5. Wilderness Areas 

An accidental oil spill from the proposed activities could cause impacts to wilderness areas. However, 

it is unlikely that an oil spill would occur from the proposed activities (refer to Item 5, Water Quality). 

Due to the distance from the nearest designated Wilderness Area (175 miles) and the response 

capabilities that would be implemented, no significant adverse impacts are expected. The activities 

proposed in this plan will be covered by Apache Deepwater’s Regional OSRP (refer to information 

submitted in Appendix H).

6. Other Environmental Resources Identified 

(C) Impacts on your proposed activities. 

The site–specific environmental conditions have been taken into account for the proposed activities. 

No impacts are expected on the proposed activities from site-specific environmental conditions. 

(D) Environmental Hazards 

During the hurricane season, June through November, the Gulf of Mexico is impacted by an average of 

ten tropical storms (39-73 mph winds), of which six become hurricanes ( > 74 mph winds). Due to its 

location in the gulf, Green Canyon Blocks 823 and 867 may experience hurricane and tropical storm 

force winds, and related sea currents. These factors can adversely impact the integrity of the operations 

covered by this plan. A significant storm may present physical hazards to operators and vessels, 

damage exploration or production equipment, or result in the release of hazardous materials (including 

hydrocarbons). Additionally, the displacement of equipment may disrupt the local benthic habitat and 

pose a threat to local species. 

The following preventative measures included in this plan may be implemented to mitigate these 

impacts: 

1. Drilling & completion 

a. Secure well 

b. Secure rig / platform 

c. Evacuate personnel 

Drilling activities will be conducted in accordance with NTL No.’s 2008-G09, 2009-G10, and 2010-

N10 . 

2. Caisson Installation 

 Operator will not conduct caisson installation operations during Tropical Storm or 

 Hurricane threat. 

(E) Alternatives 

No alternatives to the proposed activities were considered to reduce environmental impacts. 
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(F) Mitigation Measures 

No mitigation measures other than those required by regulation will be employed to avoid, diminish, or 

eliminate potential impacts on environmental resources. 

(G) Consultation 

No agencies or persons were consulted regarding potential impacts associated with the proposed 

activities. Therefore, a list of such entities has not been provided. 

(H) Preparer(s) 

Evan Connolly 

J. Connor Consulting, Inc. 

16225 Park Ten Place, Suite 700 

Houston, TX 77084 

(281) 578-3388 

evan.connolly@jccteam.com 

(I) References 

Authors: 

American Petroleum Institute (API). 1989. Effects of offshore petroleum operations on cold water 

marine mammals: a literature review. Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute. 385 pp. 

Balazs, G.H. 1985. Impact of ocean debris on marine turtles: entanglement and ingestion. In: Shomura, 

R.S. and H.O. Yoshida, eds. Proceedings, Workshop on the Fate and Impact of Marine Debris, 26-

29 November 1984, Honolulu, HI. U.S. Dept. of Commerce. NOAA Tech. Memo. NOAA-TMNMFS-SWFC-54. Pp 387-429. 

Burke, C.J. and J.A. Veil. 1995. Potential benefits from regulatory consideration of synthetic drilling 

muds. Environmental Assessment Division, Argonne National Laboratory, ANL/EAD/TM-43 

Daly, J.M. 1997. Controlling the discharge of synthetic-based drilling fluid contaminated cuttings in 

waters of the United States. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water. Work Plan, 

June 24, 1997. 

Hansen, D.J. 198l. The relative sensitivity of seabird populations in Alaska to oil pollution. U.S. Dept. 

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska OCS Region, Anchorage. BLM-YK-ES-81-

006-1792. 

Laist, D.W. 1997. Impacts of marine debris: entanglement of marine life in marine debris including a 

comprehensive list of species with entanglement and ingestion records. In: Coe, J.M. and D.B. 
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Rogers, eds. Marine debris: sources, impacts, and solutions. New York, NY: Springer-Verlag. Pp. 

99-139 

Majors, A.P. and A.C. Myrick, Jr. 1990. Effects of noise on animals: implications for dolphins exposed 

to seal bombs in the eastern tropical Pacific purse-seine fishery–an annotated bibliography. NOAA 

Administrative Report LJ-90-06. 

Marine Mammal Commission. 1999. Annual report to Congress – 1998 

Piatt, J.F., C.J. Lensink, W. Butler, M. Kendziorek, and D.R. Nysewander. 1990. Immediate impact 

of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on marine birds. The Auk. 107 (2): 387-397 

Vauk , G., E. Hartwig, B. Reineking, and E. Vauk-Hentzelt. 1989. Losses of seabirds by oil pollution 

at the German North Sea coast. Topics in Marine Biology. Ros, J.D, ed. Scient. Mar. 53 (2-

3): 749-754 

Vermeer, K. and R. Vermeer, 1975 Oil threat to birds on the Canadian west coast. The Canadian 

Field-Naturalist. 89:278-298. 

Although not cited, the following were utilized in preparing this EIA: 

• Hazard Surveys 

• BOEM EIS’s: 

o GOM Deepwater Operations and Activities. Environmental Assessment. MMS 2000-001 

o GOM Central and Western Planning Areas Sales 166 and 168 Final Environmental Impact 

Statement. MMS 96-0058 
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APPENDIX P 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 

(A) EXEMPTED INFORMATION DESCRIPTION 

The proposed bottom-hole locations of the planned well have been removed from the public 

information copy of the EP as well as any discussions of the target objectives, geologic or geophysical 

data, and any interpreted geology. 

(B) BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Not applicable.