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 13, 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 Plan
E. 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. Bibliography
Noble 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.




OCS-G-28030

2

MISSISSIPPI CANYON 

LOCATION PLA

STAFF 

1

BP EXPL.

7265' 27091'

(F) 4496.97'

575.76'

S.L. F

OCS-G-32363

(H) 4546.97'

(G) 4446.97'

S.L. G

S.L. H

2BP1

29533'

(I) 4596.97'

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'

COORDINATES
6100'

6000'

OCS-G-28030

2

MISSISSIPPI CANYON 

BATHYMETRY P

STAFF 

1

BP EXPL.

27091' 7265'

(F) 4496.97'

575.76'

S.L. F

OCS-G-32363

(H) 4546.97'

(G) 4446.97'

S.L. G

S.L. H

2BP1

29533'

20'

N