UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MEMORANDUM
To: Public Information (MS 5030) Plans Section, Office of Field Operations (MS 5231) Public Information copy of Exploration Plan Control # - R-05295 Type - Revised Exploration Plan Lease(s) - OCS-G28030 Block - 948 Mississippi Canyon Area OCS-G32363 Block - 949 Mississippi Canyon Area Operator - Noble Energy, Inc. Wells F, G, and H DP SEMISUBMERSIBLE Attached is a copy of the subject plan for public comments on issues that should be addressed in an Environmental Assessment. It has been deemed submitted as of this date and is under review for approval.

Michelle Griffitt Plan Coordinator Description - Rig Type - Subject: From: December 1 3 , 2011

## PUBLIC COPY October 6, 2011 

# Revised Exploration Plan

Lease OCS-G 28030 & 32363 Mississippi Canyon 948 & 949 Prospect Name: Gunflint Offshore: Louisiana and Mississippi

Submitted by: Noble Energy, Inc. 100 Glenborough Drive Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77067
Estimated start-up date: January 16, 2012

## Table of Contents Noble Energy, Inc. Revised Exploration Plan Lease OCS-G 28030 & 32363 Mississippi Canyon 948 & 949

A. Plan Contents a. Plan Summary b. Plan Information Form c. Location d. Safety and Pollution Prevention Features e. Storage Tanks and/or Production Vessels f. Additional Measures B. General Information a. Applications and Permits b. Drilling Fluids c. New or Unusual Technologies d. Bonding Statement e. Oil Spill Financial Responsibility (OSFR) f. Deepwater Well Control Statement g. Blowout Scenario C. Geological and Geophysical Information a. Geologic Description b. Structure Contour Maps c. Interpreted 3-D Seismic Lines d. Geological Structure Cross Section Maps e. Shallow Hazards Report f. Shallow Hazards Assessment g. High Resolution Seismic Lines h. Stratigraphic Column i. Time vs. Depth Table D. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Information a. Concentration b. Classification c. H2S Contingency PlanE. Biological, Physical, and Socioeconomic Information a. Chemosynthetic Communities Report b. Topographic Features Map c. Topographic Features Statement (Shunting) d. Live Bottoms (Pinnacle Trend) Map e. Live Bottoms (Low Relief) Map f. Potentially Sensitive Biological Features g. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Monitoring Survey Plan h. Threatened and Endangered Species Information, Critical Habitat, and Marine Mammal Information i. Archaeological Report F. Waste and Discharge Information a. Projected Generated Wastes & Projected Ocean Discharges G. Air Emissions Information H. Oil Spill Information a. Oil Spill Response Planning b. Spill Response Sites c. OSRO Information d. Worst-case Scenario Comparison e. Oil Spill Response Discussion I. Environmental Monitoring Information a. Monitoring Systems b. Incidental Takes c. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary J. Lease Stipulation Information K. Support Vessels and Aircraft Information a. General b. Diesel Oil Supply Vessels c. Solid and Liquid Wastes Transportation d. Vicinity Map L. Onshore Support Facilities Information a. General b. Support Base Construction or Expansion c. Waste Disposal M. Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Information N. Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) O. Administrative Information a. Exempted Information Description b. BibliographyNoble Energy, Inc. Page A-1

Revised Exploration Plan 10/6/2011 Mississippi Canyon 948 & 949 (OCS-G 28030 & 32363) 

## Section A Plan Contents A. Plan Summary Noble Energy, Inc. proposes to drill and complete three wells in Mississippi Canyon 948 & 949 utilizing a dynamically positioned semisubmersible rig and a subsea BOP. The anticipated spud date of the first well is January 1, 2012. Noble anticipates it will take approximately 100 days to drill and 60 days to complete each well. If commercial quantities of hydrocarbons are discovered, a Development Operations Coordination Document will be submitted for approval. B. Plan Information Form See attached OCS Plan Information Form – Form MMS-137, included as Attachment A-1

. C. Location Included as Attachment A-2 is a location map depicting the proposed surface locations of the new wells. Attachment A-3 is a bathymetry map showing the water depths at the surface location of each proposed well. Attachment A-4 is a regional seafloor rendering with bathymetry showing a 2000’ radius around the proposed wellsites. No anchors will be used for the proposed operations. D. Safety and Pollution Prevention Features A description of the drilling unit is included on the OCS Plan Information Form. Rig specifications will be made part of each Application for Permit to Drill. Safety features on the drilling unit will include well control, pollution prevention, and blowout prevention equipment as described in Title 30 CFR Part 250, Subparts C, D, E, and G; and as further clarified by BOEMRE Notices to Lessees, and current policy making invoked by the BOEMRE, Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard. Appropriate life rafts, life jackets, ring buoys, etc., will be maintained on the facility at all times. Pollution prevention measures include installation of curbs, gutters, drip pans, and drains on drilling deck areas to collect all contaminants and debris. E. Storage Tanks and/or Production All facility tanks of 25 barrels or more. Type of Storage Tank Type of Facility Tank Capacity (bbls) Number

of Tanks Total

Capacity (bbls) Fluid

Gravity (API) Fuel Oil (Marine Diesel) DP Semisubmersible 3,461 2 6,922 32.4° 4,634 2 9,268 32.4°

Total 16,190

F. Additional Measures Noble does not propose additional safety, pollution prevention, or early spill detection measures beyond those required by 30 CFR 250.

# 948

OCS-G-28030 2

1"=2000' 

## MISSISSIPPI CANYON 948, 949 LOCATION PLAT

9/2011 STAFF 1 BP EXPL.

7265' 27091'(F) 4496.97' 575.76' S.L. F

OCS-G-32363 

# 949(G) 4446.97'(H) 4546.97' S.L. G S.L. H

2BP1
29533'(I) 4596.97' Public Information



# N "G" S.L. X= 1,076,544.24

Y=10,173,726.97 Lat. 28 1' 27.59" Lon. 88 44' 53.57"
"F" S.L. X= 1,076,544.24 Y=10,173,776.97 Lat. 28 1' 28.09" Lon. 88 44' 53.58" MC 948 "H" S.L. X= 1,076,544.24 Y=10,173,826.97 Lat. 28 1' 28.58" Lon. 88 44' 53.59" WD 6030'

WD 6030' WD 6030' COORDINATES6100'

6000' 5900' 5800' 

# 948

OCS-G-28030 2

1"=2000' 

## MISSISSIPPI CANYON 948, 949 BATHYMETRY PLAT

9/2011 STAFF 1 BP EXPL.

7265' 27091'(F) 4496.97' 575.76' S.L. F

OCS-G-32363 

# 949(G) 4446.97'(H) 4546.97' S.L. G S.L. H

2BP1 29533'

20' Public Information



# N