Atlantic Permit Application E14-009

The following document is a Geological and Geophysical (G&G) permit application from Spectrum Geo, 

Inc. to conduct an offshore marine two-dimensional (2D) deep penetration seismic survey on the 

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

Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. 

Spectrum Geo, Inc. will use one seismic survey vessel to conduct this survey. Marine 2D seismic surveys 

use an airgun array (active sound source) when acquiring data. The sound waves emitted by the source 

penetrate the subsurface and are reflected off the different subsurface rock layers back up to receivers 

towed behind the survey vessel. This type of survey is used to acquire subsurface data to study the 

regional geology over a large area. They are favored for regional work because they can acquire the 

necessary data quicker and more economically than other survey types. This is because of the relatively 

large data acquisition grid size used. The information acquired is then used to determine potential areas 

of interest, as well as areas that are not of interest, for further exploration. The survey data will be 

acquired following a grid pattern. The outline on the public information map shows the extent of the 

survey grid with some exaggeration of the actual size and location to help protect survey confidentiality. 

The survey grid size sailed by the survey vessel depends on several factors, but principally the data 

resolution required. Typical 2D seismic survey grids, for the Atlantic surveys, range from roughly a 2.5 mi 

x 2.5 mi grid up to a 50 mi x 70 mi grid.

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

Regulations.gov web site for a period of 30 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 

Gul f o f Mexico OCS Region 

(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 ShelfLands 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) 

Spectrum Geo Inc 6oM OCS REGION HI 

BOEM 

Name of Applicant RELEASABLE 

16225 Park Ten Place JUL 2-4 ZOU 

Number and Street 

Houston, Texas 77084 New Orteans. LA 

OH-bHQRE RESOURCE EVAUMDOH 

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 

BOEM 

JLH. 1 8 2014 

New Orteans, LA 

RESOURCE 

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: 

t B l Date: (Qjl -3ol'ZO/tf 

For m BOEM-0327 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Page 5 of 13 
A. General Information 

1. The activity will be conducted by: 

To Be Determined 

Service Company Name 

Address 

City, State, Zip 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 

PQJ. Spectrum Geo Inc 

Purchaser(s) of the Data 

16225 Park Ten Place 

Address 

Houston, Texas 77084 

City, State, Zip 

(281) 647 0602 

Telephone/FAX Numbers 

Houston_ops®spectrumasa.com 

E-Mail Address 

2. The purpose of the activity is: 

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): 

2D seismic survey wit h ai r gun array.(See attached Appendix 1 fo r mitigatio n measures) 

4. The expected commencement date is: 

The expected completion date is: 

February 1, 2015 

February 1, 2016 

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

Knut Fostad / Mike Saunders 

May be contacted at: 

Spectrum Geo Inc / 16225 Park Ten Place / Houston, TX 77084 

Telephone (Local) usp 647 0602 (Marine)

 TB D 

mike.saundersSspectrumasa.com 

Email Address: Radio call sign TBD 

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) 

TBD TBD TBD 

7. The port from which the vessel(s) will operate is: TBD (various) 

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

GPS wit h Integrate d Navigation System 

(Spectra or equivalent) 

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):

 streame r 

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

CSEM, etc.) 

2D Seismic, Gravit y and Magnetometer Data 

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-0327 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may nol be used.) Page 7 of 13 
4,000 in3 t o 4,920 in3 ai r gun array 

Operaiing Pressure: 2.000 psi 

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. 

Print Name: R^hie Miller 

SIGNED A P _ DATE I±3UU=I ^Q/Y 

TITL E President 

COMPANY NAME:

 Spectru m Geo 'l n c 

TO BE COMPLETED BY BOEM 

PermitNo. P ' ' ^ w

 Assigned by 

of BOEM 

This application is hereby: 

a. J Accepted 

b. Retumed for reasons in the attached 

SIGNED<^<^ /-^Crr&^ Q TITLE Regional Supervisor DATE 7^^--/ ^ 

For m BOEM-032 7 (January 2012 - Supersedes all previous versions of this form which may not be used.) Pag e 8 of 13 
US 200 Nautical Mile Limit

Georgia

Virginia

Florida

North Carolina

South Carolina

Kentucky

West Virginia

Tennessee

3

Legend

US Atlantic

E14-009

Planning Areas

Planning Areas

State/Federal Line

50 km seaward of the fedstate line

US 200 Nautical Mile Limit