Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for 2011 Ancillary Activities 

Marine Surveys in the Chukchi Sea Outer Continental Shelf 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Alaska 

Region is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed ancillary activities by 

Statoil USA E&P Inc. (Statoil) on the Chukchi Sea outer continental shelf (OCS) during the 2011 

open-water season. Statoil’s proposed ancillary activities include seismic surveying for site 

clearance and shallow hazards, and shallow coring for geotechnical evaluation data and 

information for future Exploration Plan (EP) or Development and Production Plan (DPP) (30 

CFR 250.207). The ancillary activities would be conducted from August through November 

2011. 

Activity Description Duration Vessel(s) 

Shallow Hazards & Site 

Clearance Survey 

Side scan sonar 

Multibeam echo sounder 

4 x 10 cu. in. airgun cluster 

1 x 10 cu. in. airgun 

Shallow sub-bottom profiler 

60 days 

M/V Duke or 

similarly equipped 

vessel 

Geotechnical Soil 

Investigation 

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) 

Dual frequency side scan sonar 

Multibeam echo sounder 

Dual frequency sub-bottom profiler 

14 days 

M/V Fugro Synergy 

or similarly equipped 

vessel

BOEMRE has 30 days to review Statoil’s proposed ancillary activities (30 CFR 250.207(a) and 

30 CFR 250.208). 

This Notice of Preparation, as well as Statoil’s Notice of Intent for Ancillary Activities for 2011 

in the Chukchi Sea, and Statoil’s Plan of Operations are posted on the BOEMRE website with 

other additional information at http://www.alaska.boemre.gov. The documents are also available 

for review at 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska. Copies are available by 

calling (907) 334-5200 (8:30am – 4:30 pm Alaska Daylight Time). 

In addition, the following National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents address 

issues and potential effects of seismic surveys and ancillary activities. BOEMRE will use 

the information in these documents in the preparation of the Environmental Assessment 

(EA). 

 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 (OCS 

EIS/ES MMS 2007-026), May 2007. 

 Draft EIS for Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas Oil and Gas Lease Sales 

209, 212, 217, and 221 (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2008-0055), November 2008. 

 EA for Statoil’s 2010 3D/2D seismic survey in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area (OCS 

EIS/EA BOEMRE 2010-020), June 2010. 

These documents are available on the BOEMRE website at 

http://www.alaska.boemre.gov/ref/eis_ea.htm. 

The issues and resources identified by the technical analysts for consideration in preparation of 

the EA include the effects from seismic survey sound, vessel presence, and bottom disturbing 

activities on bowhead whale migration; marine fish and essential fish habitat; marine wildlife 
including marine mammals, birds, lower trophic organisms, and threatened and endangered 

species; subsistence activities; and archaeological resources. 

This notice provides an opportunity for the public to provide input that may inform the decisionmaking process, including issues or information regarding environmental impacts that should be 

considered in the preparation of the EA, prior to a decision being made by the Responsible 

Official(s). BOEMRE will accept comments through Thursday, June 16, 2011. 

Comments may be submitted in either of the following two ways: 

1. Mail or Delivery: Enclose comments in an envelope labeled “Comments on the Statoil 

Proposed Ancillary Activities, Chukchi Sea OCS, 2011” and send to: 

Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment 

BOEMRE Alaska OCS Region 

3801 Centerpoint Dr., Ste 500 

Anchorage, AK 99503-5820 

2. Federal eRulemaking Portal: Access this Notice of Preparation at Regulations.gov and 

search docket number BOEM-2011-0052. Click on the orange button labeled “Submit a 

Comment.” 

BOEMRE cautions that, before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 

personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire 

comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any 

time. While you may ask BOEMRE (prominently at the beginning of your submission) to 

withhold your personal identifying information from public view, BOEMRE cannot guarantee 

that it will be able to do so. BOEMRE will not consider anonymous comments. 

Information on the Statoil Application for a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of 

polar bears and Pacific walrus from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available at 

http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/itr.htm. Similar information on the Statoil Application for 

an Incidental Harassment Authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service is available 

at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm