[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 33109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-15458]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for TotalFinaElf 
Exploration and Production USA, Inc.'s (TotalFinaElf) and Williams 
Field Services--Gulf Coast Company, L.P. (Williams) Pipeline and 
Platform Applications (Canyon Express and Canyon Station Pipeline 
Applications)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Preparation of an environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is preparing an 
environmental assessment (EA) for a proposed deepwater development plan 
to develop and produce hydrocarbon reserves about 70 miles offshore 
Louisiana and 107 miles directly south of Alabama in Mississippi Canyon 
Block 348 (Camden Hills Prospect), Mississippi Canyon Block 305 
(Aconcagua Prospect), and DeSoto Canyon Blocks 133 and 177 (Kings Peak 
Prospect; in Eastern Planning Area).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123-2394, Mr. Alvin Jones, telephone (504) 736-1713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EA implements the tiering process 
outlined in 40 CFR 1502.20, which encourages agencies to tier 
environmental documents, eliminating repetitive discussions of the same 
issue. By use of tiering to the most recent final environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for the Gulf of Mexico Central Planning Area for Lease 
Sales 169, 172, 175, 178, and 182 and by referencing related 
environmental documents, this EA concentrates on environmental issues 
specific to the proposed action.
    The MMS GOM Region received a Pipeline Right-of-Way (ROW) 
Application that proposes to construct, maintain, operate, and 
transport hydrocarbon reserves located in Mississippi Canyon Blocks 
348, 305, and 217 and DeSoto Canyon Blocks 133 and 177. The Region also 
received a Right-of-Use and Easement Application for a hydrocarbon 
processing platform, which will receive production from the Camden 
Hills, Aconcagua, and Kings Peak Prospects and four exporting lines in 
Main Pass Block 261. The combined Applications are referred to as the 
Canyon Express/Station Pipeline Project. TotalFinaElf will complete and 
produce 10 wells that were drilled under previously approved 
Exploration Plans for the subject blocks. Williams' proposed platform 
would receive those hydrocarbon resources and export to existing 
pipelines. No new drilling operations are proposed as a part of this 
project.
    The Canyon Express portion, a ROW Application consists of 28 ROW 
and lease-term pipeline segments. The lengths of pipeline segments 
range from 60 feet to over 55 miles. The water depth ranges from 7,216 
feet in Mississippi Canyon Block 348 to 299 feet at the platform 
(``JP'') in Main Pass Block 261. Portions of the proposed Canyon 
Express pipelines are in (adjacent to the western flank of) the Eastern 
Planning Area. TotalFinaElf will use a support base located in 
Fourchon, Louisiana, to support pipelaying activities associated with 
the Canyon Express Project.
    Condensate and gas produced at the Camden Hills, Aconcagua, and 
Kings Peak Prospects will be transported to the proposed Platform in 
Main Pass Block 261.
    The Canyon Station portion, a Right-of-Use and Easement Application 
consists of a processing platform and four exporting pipelines all 
within the Central Planning Area. The water depth of the four departing 
pipelines range from 282 to 307 feet. The average length of the four 
exporting pipelines is 1.12 miles. The four exporting pipelines will 
terminate at subsea tie-in points on existing pipelines within Main 
Pass Block 261. Williams will initially use a support base in Venice, 
Louisiana, and switch operations to Mobile, Alabama, once production 
commences.
    The proposed action analyzed in the EA will be the development plan 
as proposed by TotalFinaElf and Williams. Alternatives will include the 
proposed action with additional mitigations and no action (i.e., 
disapproval of the plan). The analyses in the EA will examine the 
potential environmental effects of the proposal and alternatives.

Public Comments

    The MMS requests interested parties to submit comments regarding 
issues that should be addressed in the EA to Minerals Management 
Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Office of Leasing and Environment, 
Attention: Regional Supervisor (MS 5400), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Comments must be submitted no later 
than 30 days from the publication date of this Notice.

    Dated: June 7, 2001.
Chris C. Oynes,
Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region.
[FR Doc. 01-15458 Filed 6-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-U