Atlantic Permit Application E14-010

The following document is a Geological and Geophysical (G&G) permit application from TDI-Brooks 

International, Inc. to conduct an offshore marine High Resolution Geophysical (HRG) survey on the 

Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. This survey will be conducted offshore Florida, 

Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. 

TDI-Brooks will use two survey vessels to conduct the survey. This marine HRG survey will use two

active non-airgun sound sources when acquiring data (multi-beam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiler). 

Multi-beam bathymetry data is typically used to map the topography of the seafloor. The equipment 

operates similar to a common depth recorder (single beam). The sub-bottom profiler uses sound energy 

generated by an electromechanical device (transducer). The sound waves emitted by the transducer 

penetrate the very shallow sub-bottom and are reflected off the different sediment layers back up to 

the receiver (transducer). This is similar to a depth recorder except the energy penetrates a shallow 

portion of the sub-bottom. The survey data will be acquired using a data acquisition line spacing that, 

for this kind of survey, is typically several kilometers. The survey line spacing sailed by the survey vessel 

depends on several factors, but principally the data resolution required. The outline on the public 

information map shows the extent of the survey with some exaggeration of the actual size and location 

to help protect survey confidentiality. 

This Atlantic G&G permit application will be available for public review and comment on the 

Regulations.gov web site for a period of 10 calendar days starting on March 30, 2015. The application is 

placed on Regulations.gov after BOEM has received all of the pertinent application information from the 

permit applicant and before the completion of BOEM’s environmental review process. As part of 

BOEM’s environmental review process for G&G permit applications, BOEM will consider potential 

impacts to local and regional resources. This environmental review process will tier from the

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) prepared for G&G activities on the Mid-Atlantic 

and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The G&G PEIS described and evaluated the potential 

environmental impacts associated with reasonably foreseeable G&G survey activities in Federal waters 

overlying the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including potential effects 

on many resources such as marine mammals (e.g. north Atlantic right whales), sea turtles, and 

commercial and recreational fishing. The G&G PEIS also evaluated mitigation measures to reduce 

potential impacts of G&G activities on marine resources, such as marine mammal exclusion zones near 

airgun operations, and time-area closures. BOEM will require permit applicants to comply with 

applicable mitigation measures based on the results of the site-specific environmental analysis 

conducted for each Atlantic G&G permit application. BOEM will review the comments received during 

the public comment period for this permit applications and will take them into consideration during the 

environmental review process.

Please note that the G&G activities proposed under these Atlantic G&G permit applications will also be 

subject to additional public review and comments as part of the review processes undertaken by both 

State and Federal agencies. One of the Federal agencies that will review the proposed activities will be 

the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The review is required as part of NMFS’ statutory and 

regulatory obligations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Its statutes, regulations and guidelines 

govern NMFS’ authorization processes and public comment review periods. Additionally, States also 

have an opportunity to review the activities proposed under these permit applications as part of their 

federally-approved Coastal Zone Management Programs (CZMP) if it has been determined that the 

activity to be authorized under BOEM’s G&G permit may have an impact on their coastal resources. 
Please note that each State has its own process for public review and comment under its approved 

CZMP. 
Attachment 1 

UNITED STATES 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT 

Atlantic CCS 

(Insert Appropriate Regional Office) 

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO CONDUCT GEOLOGICAL OR GEOPHYSICAL 

EXPLORATION FOR MINERAL RESOURCES OR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 

ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 

(Section 11, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of August 7, 1953, as amended on September 18, 1978, 

by Public Law 95-372, 92 Statute 629, 43 U.S.C. 1340; and 30 CFR Parts 251 and 551) 

TDI-Brooks International, Inc. 

Name of Applicant 

14391 South Dowling Road 

Number and Street 

College Station, Texas 77845 

City, State, and Zip Code 

Application is made for the following activity: (check one) 

Geological exploration for mineral resources 

Geological scientific research 

x

 Geophysical exploration for mineral resources 

Geophysical scientific research 

Submit: Original plus three copies, totaling four copies, which include one digital copy, and one public 

information copy. 

To be completed by BOEM 

Permit Number: Date: 

Form BOEM-0327 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) 
A. General Information 

1. The activity will be conducted by: 

TDI-Brooks International 

Service Company Name 

14391 South Dowling Rd. 

Address 

College Station TX 77845 

City, State, Zip 

979-693-3446 / 979-693-6389 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 

drjmbrooks@aol.com 

E-Mail Address 

2. The purpose of the activity is: 

For TDI-Brooks International 

Purchaser(s) of the Data 

14391 South Dowling Rd. 

Address 

College Station TX 77845 

City, State, Zip 

979-693-3446 / 979-693-6389 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 

drjmbrooks@aol.com 

E-Mail Address 

Mineral exploration 

Scientific research 

3. Describe your proposed survey activities (i.e., vessel use, benthic impacts, acoustic sources, etc) 

and describe the environmental effects of the proposed activity, including potential adverse effects 

on marine life Describe what steps are planned to minimize these adverse effects (mitigation 

measures). For example: 1) Potential Effect; Excessive sound level Mitigation; Soft Start, 

MMOs, mammal exclusion zone or 2) Potential Effect; Bottom disturbance; Mitigation; ROV 

deployment/retrieval of bottom nodes) (use continuation sheets as necessary or provide a separate 

attachment): 

See attachment 'A.3 proposed activities' 

The expected commencement date is: December 2014 

TU j i .. J » December 2015 The expected completion date is: 

The name of the individual(s) in charge of the field operation is: 

Dr. James Brooks, Dr. Les Bender. Mr. Michael Kullman 

May be contacted at: 

TDI-Brooks International. Inc. 

Telephone (Local) 979-693-3446 

Email Address: drjmbrooks@aol.com 

(Marine) VSAT +65 6602 8203 

Radio call sign H3RN. V4YI 

Form BOEM-0327 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Page 6 of 13 
6. The vessel(s) to be used in the operation is (are): 

Name (s) Registry Number(s) Registered owners) 

MV Teknik Perdana 735 3999 TL Geohydrographics 

R.V. Gyre 73189900 TDI-Brooks International, Inc. 

7. The port from which the vessel(s) will operate is: Jacksonville, FL 

8. Briefly describe the navigation system (vessel navigation only): 

All vessels utilize a mix of high quality marine GPS, gyrocompasses and radars for navigation 

B. Complete for Geological Exploration for Mineral Resources or 

Geological Scientific Research 

1. The type of operation(s) to be employed is: (check one) 

(a) Deep stratigraphic test, or 

(b) Shallow stratigraphic test with proposed total depth of , or 

(c) Other 

2. Attach a page-size plat showing: 1) The generalized proposed location for each test, where 

appropriate, a polygon enclosing the test sites may be used, 2) BOEM protraction areas; 

coastline; point of reference; 3) Distance and direction from a point of reference to area of 

activity. 

C. Complete for Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources or 

Geophysical Scientific Research 

1. The type(s) of operation(s) to be employed is (are): 

a) Acquisition method (OBN, OBC, Streamer): Hull mounted multibeam and sub-bottom sonar 

b) Type of acquisition: (High Resolution Seismic, 2D Seismic, 3D Seismic, gravity, magnetic, 

CSEM, etc.) 

High resolution multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiler survey 

2. Attach a page-size plat showing: 

a) The generalized proposed location of the activity with a representative polygon, 

b) BOEM protraction areas; coastline; point of reference, 

c) Distance and direction from a point of reference to area of activity. 

3. List all energy source types to be used in the operation(s): (Air gun, air gun array(s), sub-bottom 

profiler, sparker, towed dipole, side scan sonar, etc.). 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Pag e 7 of 13 
multibeam sonar, sub-bottom profiler 

4. Explosive charges will will not

 x be used. If applicable, indicate the type of 

explosive and maximum charge size (in pounds) to be used: 

Type Pounds Equivalent Pounds of TNT 

D. Proprietary Information Attachments 

Use the appropriate form on page 9 for a "geological" permit application or the form on page 11 for a 

"geophysical" permit application. You must submit a separate Form BOEM-0327 to apply for each 

geological or geophysical permit. 

E. Certification 

I hereby certify that foregoing and attached information are true and correct. 

„ . Michael Kullman Print Name: 

SIGNED DATE 10-13-14 

TITLE Specialist 

COMPANY NAME: TDI-Brooks International, Inc. 

TO BE COMPLETED BY BOEM 

Permit it No. Assigned by _ 

"l^e C Us^rh t H Date l l-M-Z O / f 

n f RHITM / 

of BOEM 

This application is hereby: 

OCS Rgg 

a. A Accepted X " BOEM 

b. Returned for reasons in the attached | OCT1620M 

NewOnoarw, LA 

jgSQURCt 

SIGNED^^V^/'{^^A TITLE Regional Supervisor DATE / d /^^ / 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Pag e 8 of 13 
80o

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unanone 

Noilh Carolina 

Columbia 

South Carolina 

Georgi. 

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Jacksonville 

Florida 

SO-O'O-W 

TDI-Brooks International, Inc. 

ONE East Coast MBES 

Blake Plateau 

Public Information Copy 

BOEM-0327 

50 

I 

100 

_ l _ 

200 

I 

GOM OCS REGION 

BOEM 

RELEASABLE 

20 20tt 

NSulical Miles 

OFFSHORENew Orleans, LA RESOURCE EVALUATION 
Attachment A.3 - Proposed Activities - Public Information 

Description of Proposed Survey and Equipment 

TDI-Brooks / ONE East Coast MBES program will conduct a regional multibeam 

(bathymetry, backscatter, water column) and sub-bottom profiler acquisition program over 

an area of approximately 90,434 square miles stretching from the east coast of Florida to 

North Carolina (see Figure 1). Water depths for the survey area will range from 

approximately 100m to over 5,000m. 

Charlorto ^JJ ^ I -

^ = ^ > ' .NI18--02 i 

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TDI-Brooks International, Inc. 

ONE East Coast MBES 

Blake Plateau 

Public Information Copy 

BOEM-0327 loo 

_ i _ 

200 Nautical Miles 

Figure 1. Proposed MBES survey area