Notice – FD -OCS-EPA-R4012-M1

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4

Notice of Final Determination of Permit Issuance

for Outer Continental Shelf Air Permit OCS-EPA-R4012-M1

Statoil Gulf Services, LLC

On July 9, 2014, the Region 4 office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency requested 

public comment on a draft Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) air permit modification for Statoil Gulf 

Services, LLC (Statoil). This permit modification revises OCS air quality permit OCS-EPA-R4012 that 

the EPA previously issued to Statoil on October 28, 2013 for the DeSoto Canyon area project. The 

permit will regulate air pollutant emissions from either the Transocean Discoverer Americas drillship or 

the Maersk Developer drill rig and support vessels, which Statoil intends to operate within its DeSoto 

Canyon area lease locations on the OCS in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 160 miles southeast of the 

mouth of the Mississippi River and greater than 200 miles southwest of Panama City, Florida. The 

exploratory drilling operation will last up to 180 days per year at multiple locations within the lease 

blocks for approximately 5 to 10 years.

The permit incorporates the applicable requirements from the federal Prevention of Significant 

Deterioration preconstruction and title V operating permit programs, New Source Performance 

Standards, and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, as required by the OCS Air 

Quality Regulations at 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 55.

The EPA prepared a preliminary determination and statement of basis document, as well as a summary 

fact sheet that explains the permit modifications. These documents, the public notice, the application, 

and all supporting documentation are available on the EPA Region 4’s website at: 

http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/permits/ocspermits/ocspermits.html. 

During the public comment period, which commenced on July 9, 2014, and ended on 

August 8, 2014, the EPA received no comments. Since no requests for a public hearing were received, 

the hearing was canceled due to insufficient interest.

The Final Determination document summarizes the minor changes made to the revisions offered for 

public comment. These changes are included in the administrative record for the Statoil permit and 

available at the website listed above. The administrative record is available at www.regulations.gov

(docket # EPA-R04-OAR-2014-0510).

After consideration of the expressed view of all interested persons, the pertinent federal statutes and 

regulations, the application and supplemental information submitted by the applicant, and additional 

material relevant to the application and contained in the administrative record, the EPA has made a final 

determination in accordance with title 40 CFR part 55 to issue an air permit to construct and operate to 

Statoil for the proposed exploratory drilling operation in the DeSoto Canyon OCS area lease blocks. The 

final permit does not differ significantly from the draft permit offered for public comment. 

The final permit and additional supporting information are available at 

http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/permits/ocspermits/ocspermits.html. Copies of the final permit are 

available for inspection during normal business hours (please call in advance for available viewing 
Notice – FD -OCS-EPA-R4012-M1

times) at the EPA Region 4 Office and are also available upon request to Ms. Rosa Yarbrough at: 

yarbrough.rosa@epa.gov; (404) 562-9643; or in writing to: EPA Region 4, APTMD; ATTN: Ms. Rosa 

Yarbrough; 61 Forsyth Street, SW; Atlanta, GA 30303.

Petitions to the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) to review any condition on this final action must 

be filed by September 15, 2014. Petitions for review may only be made with respect to any changes 

from the draft to the final permit decision or other grounds that were not reasonably foreseeable during 

the public comment period on the draft permit revisions. The petition must include a statement of the 

reason for requesting review by the EAB including demonstration that any issues being raised could not 

be raised during the public comment period to the extent required by 40 CFR part 124 and, when 

appropriate, a showing that the conditions in question are based on 1) a finding of fact or conclusion of 

law which is clearly erroneous, or 2) an exercise of discretion or an important policy consideration 

which the EAB should, in its discretion, review. The address for the EAB depends on the method of 

delivery, as follows:

All documents that are sent through the U.S. Postal Service (except by Express mail) address to:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Clerk of the Board, Environmental Appeals Board (MC 1103B)

Ariel Rios Building

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20460-0001

All documents that are hand-carried in person, delivered via courier, mailed by U.S. Postal Express mail, 

or delivered by a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier (e.g., Federal Express or UPS) deliver or address to:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Clerk of the Board, Environmental Appeals Board

Ronald Reagan Building, EPA Mail Room

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20004

Documents that are hand-carried may be delivered to the Clerk of the Board from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 

p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Documents that are sent to the EAB’s hand-delivery address through the U.S. 

Postal Service (except by Express Mail) will be returned to the sender and shall not be considered as 

filed.

Please see 40 CFR § 124.19, 40 CFR § 71.11 and visit http://www.epa.gov/eab/ for more information 

regarding the procedure for appeals to the EAB, including instructions for electronic filing.

Please bring this announcement to the attention of all persons who you know would be interested in the 

matter.