[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 155 (Friday, August 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41105-41111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19827]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Outer Continental Shelf, Western Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas 
Lease Sale 155

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service.

ACTION: Final notice of sale.

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    1. Authority. This Notice is published pursuant to the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, (1988)), and 
the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR Part 256).
    2. Filing of Bids. Sealed bids will be received by the Regional 
Director (RD), Gulf of Mexico Region, Minerals Management Service 
(MMS), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. 
Bids may be delivered in person to that address during normal business 
hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Standard Time (c.s.t.)) until the Bid 
Submission Deadline at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, 1995. 
Hereinafter, all times cited in this Notice refer to c.s.t. unless 
otherwise stated. Bids will not be accepted the day of Bid Opening, 
Wednesday, September 13, 1995. Bids received by the RD later than the 
time and date specified above will be returned unopened to the bidders. 
Bids may not be modified or withdrawn unless written modification or 
written withdrawal request is received by the RD prior to 10 a.m. 
Tuesday, September 12, 1995. Bid Opening Time will be 9 a.m., 
Wednesday, September 13, 1995, at the downtown Hilton Hotel (Poydras 
Street at the Mississippi River) New Orleans, Louisiana. All bids must 
be submitted and will be considered in accordance with applicable 
regulations, including 30 CFR Part 256. The list of restricted joint 
bidders which applies to this sale appeared in the Federal Register at 
60 FR 14777, published on March 20, 1995.
    3. Method of Bidding. (a) Submission of Bids. A separate signed bid 
in a sealed envelope labeled ``Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 
155, not to be opened until 9 a.m., c.s.t., Wednesday, September 13, 
1995'' must be submitted for each block bid upon. The sealed envelope 
and the bid should contain the following information: The company name, 
Gulf of Mexico Company Number (GOM Company Number), area number and/or 
name (abbreviations acceptable), and the block number of the block bid 
upon. In addition, the total amount bid must be in whole dollar 
amounts.
    Bidders must submit with each bid one-fifth of the cash bonus, in 
cash or by cashier's check, bank draft, or certified check, payable to 
the order of the U.S. Department of the Interior--Minerals Management 
Service. For identification purposes, the following information must 
appear on the check or draft: Company name, GOM Company Number, and the 
area and block bid on (abbreviation acceptable). No bid for less than 
all of the unleased portions of a block will be considered.
    All documents must be executed in conformance with signatory 
authorizations on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office. 
Partnerships also need to submit or have on file a list of signatories 
authorized to bind the partnership. Bidders submitting joint bids must 
state on the bid form the proportionate interest of each participating 
bidder, in percent to a maximum of five decimal places, e.g., 33.33333 
percent. Other documents may be required of bidders under 30 CFR 
256.46. Bidders are warned against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860 
prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.
    (b) Submission of Statement Regarding Certain Geophysical Data. 
Each company submitting a bid, or participating as a joint bidder in 
such a bid, shall submit, prior to the Bid Submission Deadline 
specified in paragraph 2 of this Notice, a statement or statements 
identifying any processed or reprocessed pre and post stack depth 
migrated geophysical data in their possession or control pertaining to 
each and every block on which they are participating as a bidder. The 
existence, 

[[Page 41106]]
extent, and type of such data must be clearly identified. In addition, 
the statement shall certify that no such data is in their possession 
for any other blocks on which they participate as a bidder. The 
statement shall be submitted in an envelope separate from those 
containing bids and shall be clearly marked; an example of a preferred 
format for the statement and the envelope is included in the document 
titled ``Trial Procedures for Access to Certain Geophysical Data in the 
Gulf of Mexico.'' Only one statement per bidder is required for each 
sale, but more than one may be submitted if desired, provided that all 
tracts bid on by that company are covered in the one or more 
statements.
    Paragraph 14(j), Information to Lessees, contains additional 
information pertaining to this requirement.
    4. Bidding, Yearly Rental, and Royalty Systems. The following 
bidding, yearly rental, and royalty systems apply to this sale:
    (a) Bidding Systems. All bids submitted at this sale must provide 
for a cash bonus in the amount of $25.00 or more per acre or fraction 
thereof.
    (b) Yearly Rental. All leases awarded will provide for a yearly 
rental payment of $5 per acre or fraction thereof.
    (c) Royalty Systems. All leases will provide for a minimum royalty 
of $5 per acre or fraction thereof. The following royalty systems will 
be used in this sale.
    (1) Leases with a 12\1/2\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate 
applies to blocks in water depths of 400 meters or greater; this area 
is shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms, and Bidding Systems map 
applicable to this Notice (see paragraph 13). Leases issued on the 
blocks offered in this area will have a fixed royalty rate of 12\1/2\ 
percent.
    (2) Leases with a 16\2/3\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate 
applies to blocks in water depths of less than 400 meters (see 
aforementioned map). Leases issued on the blocks offered in this area 
will have a fixed royalty rate of 16\2/3\ percent.
    5. Equal Opportunity. The certification required by 41 CFR 60-
1.7(b) and Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended 
by Executive Order No. 11375 of October 13, 1967, on the Compliance 
Report Certification Form, Form MMS-2033 (June 1985), and the 
Affirmative Action Representation Form, Form MMS-2032 (June 1985) must 
be on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office prior to lease award 
(see paragraph 14(e)).
    6. Bid Opening. Bid opening will begin at the bid opening time 
stated in paragraph 2. The opening of the bids is for the sole purpose 
of publicly announcing bids received, and no bids will be accepted or 
rejected at that time. If the Department is prohibited for any reason 
from opening any bid before midnight on the day of bid opening, that 
bid will be returned unopened to the bidder as soon thereafter as 
possible.
    7. Deposit of Payment. Any cash, cashier's checks, certified 
checks, or bank drafts submitted with a bid may be deposited by the 
Government in an interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury during 
the period the bids are being considered. Such a deposit does not 
constitute and shall not be construed as acceptance of any bid on 
behalf of the United States.
    8. Withdrawal of Blocks. The United States reserves the right to 
withdraw any block from this sale prior to issuance of a written 
acceptance of a bid for the block.
    9. Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids. The United States 
reserves the right to reject any and all bids. In any case, no bid will 
be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder, 
unless:
    (a) the bidder has complied with all requirements of this Notice 
and applicable regulations;
    (b) the bid is the highest valid bid; and
    (c) the amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the 
authorized officer.
    No bonus bid will be considered for acceptance unless it provides 
for a cash bonus in the amount of $25.00 or more per acre or fraction 
thereof. Any bid submitted which does not conform to the requirements 
of this Notice, the OCS Lands Act, as amended, and other applicable 
regulations may be returned to the person submitting that bid by the RD 
and not considered for acceptance.
    10. Successful Bidders. Each person who has submitted a bid 
accepted by the authorized officer will be required to execute copies 
of the lease, pay the balance of the cash bonus bid along with the 
first year's annual rental for each lease issued, by electronic funds 
transfer in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 218.155, and 
satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR 256, Subpart I, as amended. 
See Federal Register at 58 FR 45255, published August 27, 1993.
    11. Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams. Blocks offered 
for lease may be located on the following Leasing Maps or Official 
Protraction Diagrams which may be purchased from the Gulf of Mexico 
regional office (see paragraph 14(a)):
    (a) Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Texas, Nos. 1 through 8. 
This is a set of 16 maps which sells for $18.00.
    (b) Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams. These 
diagrams sell for $2.00 each.

NG 14-3 Corpus Christi (rev. 01/27/76)
NG 14-6 Port Isabel (rev. 01/15/92)
NG 15-1 East Breaks (rev. 01/27/76)
NG 15-2 Garden Banks (rev. 10/19/81)
NG 15-4 Alaminos Canyon (rev. 04/27/89)
NG 15-5 Keathley Canyon (rev. 04/27/89)
NG 15-8 (No Name) (rev. 04/27/89)

    12. Description of the Areas Offered for Bids. (a) Acreages of 
blocks are shown on Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams. 
Some of these blocks, however, may be partially leased, or transected 
by administrative lines such as the Federal/State jurisdictional line. 
Information on the unleased portions of such blocks, including the 
exact acreage, is included in the following document available from the 
Gulf of Mexico regional office; this document is also included in the 
Final Notice of Sale package sent by this office:
    Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 155--Final. Unleased Split Blocks 
and Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular Portions 
Under Lease.
    (b) Blocks which have recently become available for leasing: 
Attention is drawn to the following update list which is included as a 
matter of convenience for interested parties. This update list reflects 
blocks which have become available since the publication of the 
Preliminary Final Notice of Sale 155. Any questions on this may be 
directed to Ms. Patricia Bryars, phone (504) 736-2763.
    Update List: Matagorda Island Area block 602; Brazos Area blocks 
501 and 506; Galveston Area blocks 332, 383, 392, and 393; High Island 
Area, East Addition, South Extension block A-341; and Garden Banks Area 
blocks 166, 208, 210, 211, 252, 299, 342, and 381.
    (c) Blocks not available for leasing: The areas offered for leasing 
include all those blocks shown on the OCS Leasing Maps and Official 
Protraction Diagrams listed in paragraph 11 (a) and (b), except for 
those blocks or partial blocks already under lease and those blocks or 
partial blocks listed in (1), (2), and (3) below. A list of Western 
Gulf of Mexico blocks currently under active lease is included at the 
end of this Notice.
    (1) Flower Garden Banks area: No bids will be accepted on the 
following blocks at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary: 
High Island Area, East Addition, South Extension, blocks A-375 and A-
398.
    (2) Navy Mine Warfare Training area: No bids will be accepted on 
the 

[[Page 41107]]
following blocks located off Corpus Christi which have been identified 
by the Navy as needed for testing equipment and training mine warfare 
personnel: Mustang Island Area blocks 793, 799, and 816.
    (3) Blocks not available for leasing due to appeals: The lease 
status of the following blocks are currently under appeal and therefore 
these blocks are unavailable for leasing in this sale: Galveston Area, 
South Addition, block A-125; and Brazos Area block 578.
    13. Lease Terms and Stipulations.
    (a) Leases resulting from this sale will have initial terms as 
shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms, and Bidding Systems Map 
applicable to this Notice and will be on Form MMS-2005 (March 1986). 
Copies of the map and lease form are available from the Gulf of Mexico 
regional office (see paragraph 14(a)).
    (b) The applicability of the stipulations which follow is as shown 
on the map described in paragraph 13(a) and as supplemented by 
references in this Notice.

Stipulation No. 1--Topographic Features

(This stipulation will be included in leases located in the areas so 
indicated in the Biological Stipulation Map Package associated with 
this Notice and which is available from the Gulf of Mexico regional 
office (see paragraph 14(a))

    The banks that cause this stipulation to be applied to blocks of 
the Western Gulf are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     No activity zone defined by isobath
             Bank name                             (meters)             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shelf Edge Banks:                                                       
  West Flower Garden Bank \1\......  100 (defined by \1/4\ \1/4\ \1/4\  
                                      system)                           
  East Flower Garden Bank \1\......  100 (defined by \1/4\ \1/4\ \1/4\  
                                      system)                           
  MacNeil Bank.....................  82                                 
  29 Fathom Bank...................  64                                 
  Rankin Bank......................  85                                 
  Geyer Bank.......................  85                                 
  Elvers Bank......................  85                                 
  Bright Bank \2\..................  85                                 
  McGrail Bank \2\.................  85                                 
  Rezak Bank \2\...................  85                                 
  Sidner Bank \2\..................  85                                 
  Parker Bank \2\..................  85                                 
  Stetson Bank.....................  62                                 
  Appelbaum Bank...................  85                                 
Low Relief Banks \3\:                                                   
  Mysterious Bank..................  74, 76, 78, 80, 84                 
  Coffee Lump......................  Various                            
  Blackfish Ridge..................  70                                 
  Big Dunn Bar.....................  65                                 
  Small Dunn Bar...................  65                                 
  32 Fathom Bank...................  52                                 
  Claypile Bank \4\................  50                                 
South Texas Banks \5\:                                                  
  Dream Bank.......................  78, 82                             
  Southern Bank....................  80                                 
  Hospital Bank....................  70                                 
  North Hospital Bank..............  68                                 
  Aransas Bank.....................  70                                 
  South Baker Bank.................  70                                 
  Baker Bank.......................  70                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Flower Garden Banks--In paragraph (c) a ``4-Mile Zone'' rather than 
  a ``1-Mile Zone'' applies.                                            
\2\ Central Gulf of Mexico bank with a portion of its ``1-Mile Zone''   
  and/or ``3-Mile Zone'' in the Western Gulf of Mexico.                 
\3\ Low Relief Banks--Only paragraph (a) applies.                       
\4\ Claypile Bank--Paragraphs (a) and (b) apply. In paragraph (b)       
  monitoring of the effluent to determine the effect on the biota of    
  Claypile Bank shall be required rather than shunting.                 
\5\ South Texas Banks--Only paragraphs (a) and (b) apply.               

    (a) No activity including structures, drilling rigs, pipelines, or 
anchoring will be allowed within the listed isobath (``No Activity 
Zone'' as shown in the aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map 
Package) of the banks as listed above.
    (b) Operations within the area shown as ``1,000-Meter Zone'' in the 
aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted 
by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom 
through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more 
than 10 meters, from the bottom.
    (c) Operations within the area shown as ``1-Mile Zone'' in the 
aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted 
by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom 
through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more 
than 10 meters, from the bottom. (Where there is a ``1-Mile Zone'' 
designated, the ``1,000-Meter Zone'' in paragraph (b) is not 
designated.)
    (d) Operations within the area shown as ``3-Mile Zone'' in the 
aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted 
by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids from development 
operations to the bottom through a downpipe that terminates an 
appropriate distance, but no more than 10 meters, from the bottom.

Stipulation No. 2--Military Areas

(This stipulation will be included in leases located within the Warning 
Areas as shown on the map described in paragraph 13(a))
(a) Hold and Save Harmless

    Whether compensation for such damage or injury might be due under a 
theory of strict or absolute liability or otherwise, the lessee assumes 
all risks of damage or injury to persons or property, which occur in, 
on, or above the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), to any persons or to 
any property of any person or persons who are agents, employees, or 
invitees of the lessee, its agents, independent contractors, or 
subcontractors doing business with the lessee in connection with any 
activities being performed by the lessee in, on, or above the OCS, if 
such injury or damage to such person or property occurs by reason of 
the activities of any agency of the United States Government, its 
contractors or subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents or 
employees, being conducted as a part of, or in connection with, the 
programs and activities of the command headquarters listed in the 
following table.
    Notwithstanding any limitation of the lessee's liability in Section 
14 of the lease, the lessee assumes this risk whether such injury or 
damage is caused in whole or in part by any act or omission, regardless 
of negligence or fault, of the United States, its contractors or 
subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents, or employees. The 
lessee further agrees to indemnify and save harmless the United States 
against all claims for loss, damage, or injury sustained by the lessee, 
or to indemnify and save harmless the United States against all claims 
for loss, damage, or injury sustained by the agents, employees, or 
invitees of the lessee, its agents, or any independent contractors or 
subcontractors doing business with the lessee in connection with the 
programs and activities of the aforementioned military installation, 
whether the same be caused in whole or in part by the negligence or 
fault of the United States, its contractors, or subcontractors, or any 
of its officers, agents, or employees and whether such claims might be 
sustained under a theory of strict or absolute liability or otherwise.

(b) Electromagnetic Emissions

    The lessee agrees to control its own electromagnetic emissions and 
those of its agents, employees, invitees, independent contractors or 
subcontractors emanating from individual designated defense warning 
areas in accordance with requirements specified by the commander of the 
command headquarters listed in the following table to the degree 
necessary to prevent damage to, or unacceptable interference with, 
Department of Defense flight, testing, or operational activities, 
conducted within individual designated warning areas. Necessary 

[[Page 41108]]
monitoring control, and coordination with the lessee, its agents, 
employees, invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors, will be 
effected by the commander of the appropriate onshore military 
installation conducting operations in the particular warning area; 
provided, however, that control of such electromagnetic emissions shall 
in no instance prohibit all manner of electromagnetic communication 
during any period of time between a lessee, its agents, employees, 
invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors and onshore 
facilities.

(c) Operational

    The lessee, when operating or causing to be operated on its behalf, 
boat, ship, or aircraft traffic into the individual designated warning 
areas shall enter into an agreement with the commander of the 
individual command headquarters listed in the following list, upon 
utilizing an individual designated warning area prior to commencing 
such traffic. Such an agreement will provide for positive control of 
boats, ships, and aircraft operating into the warning areas at all 
times.

W-228--Chief, Naval Air Training, Naval Air Station, Office No. 206, 
Corpus Christi, Texas 78419-5100, Telephone: (512) 939-3862/3902
W-602--Headquarters ACC/DOSR, Detachment 1, Operations Headquarters, 
U.S. Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113-5550, Telephone: 
(402) 294-2334

Stipulation No. 3--Operations in the Naval Mine Warfare Area

(This stipulation will apply to leases located in Mustang Island Area, 
East Addition, blocks 732, 733, and 734)

    (a) The placement, location, and planned periods of operation of 
surface structures on this lease during the exploration stage are 
subject to approval by the Regional Director (RD), Minerals Management 
Service Gulf of Mexico Region, after the review of the operator's 
Exploration Plan (EP). Prior to approval of the EP, the RD will consult 
with the Commander, Mine Warfare Command, in order to determine the 
EP's compatibility with scheduled military operations. No permanent 
structures nor debris of any kind shall be allowed in the area covered 
by this lease during exploration operations.
    (b) To the extent possible, sub-seafloor development operations for 
resources subsurface to this area should originate outside the area 
covered by this lease. Any above-seafloor development operations within 
the area covered by this lease must be compatible with scheduled 
military operations as determined by the Commander, Mine Warfare 
Command. The lessee will consult with and coordinate plans for above-
seafloor development activities (including abandonment) with the 
Commander, Mine Warfare Command. The Development Operations 
Coordination Document (DOCD) must contain the locations of any 
permanent structures, fixed platforms, pipelines, or anchors planned to 
be constructed or placed in the area covered by this lease as part of 
such development operations. The DOCD must also contain the written 
comments of the Commander, Mine Warfare Command on the proposed 
activities. Prior to the approval of the DOCD, the RD will consult with 
the Commander in order to determine the DOCD's compatibility with 
scheduled military operations.
    For more information, consultation, and coordination, the lessee 
must contact: Commander, Mine Warfare Command, 325 Fifth Street, SE., 
Corpus Christi, Texas 78419-5032, Phone: (512) 939-4895.
    14. Information to Lessees. (a) Supplemental Documents. For copies 
of the various documents identified as available from the Gulf of 
Mexico regional office, prospective bidders should contact the Public 
Information Unit, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park 
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, either in writing or by 
telephone at (800) 200-GULF or (504) 736-2519. For additional 
information, contact the Regional Supervisor for Leasing and 
Environment at that address or by telephone at (504) 736-2759.
    (b) Navigation Safety. Operations on some of the blocks offered for 
lease may be restricted by designation of fairways, precautionary 
zones, anchorages, safety zones, or traffic separation schemes 
established by the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to the Ports and Waterways 
Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.), as amended.
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) permits are required for 
construction of any artificial islands, installations, and other 
devices permanently or temporarily attached to the seabed located on 
the OCS in accordance with section 4(e) of the OCS Lands Act, as 
amended.
    For additional information, prospective bidders should contact Lt. 
Commander Ken Parris, Assistant Marine Port Safety Officer, 8th Coast 
Guard District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70130, (504) 589-6901. For COE information, prospective bidders should 
contact Mr. Dolan Dunn, Chief Evaluation Section, Regulatory Branch, 
Post Office Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77553, (409) 766-3935.
    (c) Offshore Pipelines. Bidders are advised that the Department of 
the Interior and the Department of Transportation have entered into a 
Memorandum of Understanding, dated May 6, 1976, concerning the design, 
installation, operation, and maintenance of offshore pipelines. Bidders 
should consult both Departments for regulations applicable to offshore 
pipelines.
    (d) 8-Year Leases. Bidders are advised that any lease issued for a 
term of 8 years will be cancelled after 5 years, following notice 
pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, as amended, if within the initial 5-year 
period of the lease, the drilling of an exploratory well has not been 
initiated; or if initiated, the well has not been drilled in 
conformance with the approved exploration plan criteria; or if there is 
not a suspension of operations in effect. Bidders are referred to 30 
CFR 256.37 and the MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Letter to Lessees of 
February 13, 1995.
    (e) Affirmative Action. Revision of Department of Labor regulations 
on affirmative action requirements for Government contractors 
(including lessees) has been deferred, pending review of those 
regulations (see Federal Register of August 25, 1981, at 46 FR 42865 
and 42968). Should changes become effective at any time before the 
issuance of leases resulting from this sale, section 18 of the lease 
form (Form MMS-2005, March 1986), would be deleted from leases 
resulting from this sale. In addition, existing stocks of the 
affirmative action forms described in paragraph 5 of this Notice 
contain language that would be superseded by the revised regulations at 
41 CFR 60-1.5(a)(1) and 60-1.7(a)(1). Submission of Form MMS-2032 (June 
1985) and Form MMS-2033 (June 1985) will not invalidate an otherwise 
acceptable bid, and the revised regulations' requirements will be 
deemed to be part of the existing affirmative action forms.
    (f) Ordnance Disposal Areas. Bidders are cautioned as to the 
existence of two inactive ordnance disposal areas in the Corpus Christi 
and East Breaks areas, shown on the map described in paragraph 13(a). 
These areas were used to dispose of ordnance of unknown composition and 
quantity. These areas have not been used since about 1970. Water depths 
in the Corpus Christi area range from approximately 600 to 900 meters. 
Water depths in the East Breaks area range from approximately 300 to 

[[Page 41109]]
700 meters. Bottom sediments in both areas are generally soft, 
consisting of silty clays. Exploration and development activities in 
these areas require precautions commensurate with the potential 
hazards.
    (g) Archaeological Resources. Bidders are advised that a Final Rule 
regarding archaeological resources was published in the Federal 
Register on October 21, 1994 (59 FR 53091), granting specific authority 
to each MMS Regional Director to require archaeological surveys and 
reports (under 30 CFR 250, 256, 260, and 281) and the submission of 
these reports to the Regional Director prior to exploration, 
development and production, or installation of lease-term or right-of-
way pipelines. MMS Notice to Lessees (NTL) 91-02 (Outer Continental 
Shelf Archaeological Resources Requirements for the Gulf of Mexico OCS 
Region) published in the Federal Register on December 20, 1991 (50 FR 
66076) effective February 17, 1992, specifies survey methodology, 
linespacing, and archaeological report writing requirements for lessees 
and operators in the Gulf of Mexico Region.
    Two additional documents are available from the MMS Gulf of Mexico 
Region Public Information Office (see paragraph 14(a)):
    ``List of Lease Blocks Within the High-Probability Area for 
Historic Period Shipwrecks on the OCS'' dated January 30, 1995. This 
list supersedes the list promulgated by the MMS Letter to Lessees (LTL) 
of November 30, 1990.
    ``List of Lease Blocks Within the High-Probability Area for 
Prehistoric Archaeological Resources on the OCS'' dated January 30, 
1995.
    Implementation of this Final Rule and NTL 91-02 obviates the need 
for the Protection of Archaeological Resources Stipulation required for 
previous issues.
    (h) Proposed Rigs to Reefs. Bidders are advised that there are OCS 
artificial reef sites and planning sites for the Gulf of Mexico. These 
are generally located in water depths of less than 200 meters. While 
all existing and proposed sites require a permit from the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, this ``Rigs to Reefs'' program is implemented 
through State sponsorship through the following State Coordinators:

Alabama Mr. Walter M. Tatum, (334) 968-7578
Louisiana Mr. Rick Kasprzak, (504) 765-2375
Mississippi Mr. Mike Buchanan, (601) 385-5860
Texas Ms. Jan Coulbertson, (713) 474-2811

    For more information, on artificial reef sites, prospective bidders 
should contact the above listed State Artificial Reef Coordinators for 
their areas of interest.
    (i) Proposed Lightering Zones. Bidders are advised that the U.S. 
Coast Guard has proposed designating certain areas of the Gulf of 
Mexico (60 FR 1958 of January 5, 1995), as lightering zones for the 
purpose of permitting single hull vessels to off-load oil within the 
U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Such designation may have implications 
for oil and gas operations in the areas. Additional information may be 
obtained from Lieutenant Commander Stephen Kantz, Project Manager, Oil 
Pollution Act (OPA 90) Staff, at (202) 267-6740.
    (j) Statement Regarding Certain Geophysical Data. Pursuant to 
Sections 18 and 26 of the OCS Lands Act, as amended, and the 
regulations issued thereunder, MMS has a right of access to certain 
geophysical data and information obtained or developed as a result of 
operations on the OCS. MMS is sensitive to the concerns expressed by 
industry regarding the confidentiality of individual company work 
products and client lists and the potential burden of responding to a 
myriad of requests from MMS pertaining to the existence and 
availability of these types of reprocessed geophysical data. To resolve 
the concerns of both industry and MMS with respect to such cases, MMS 
has worked with industry to develop the requirements contained within 
paragraph 3(b) Method of Bidding above. These requirements are being 
imposed on a trial basis to determine their effectiveness and are 
subject to modification in future sales.
    The details of this requirement are specified in the document 
``Trial Procedures for Access to Certain Geophysical Data in the Gulf 
of Mexico,'' which is provided in the Sale Notice package and which is 
available upon request from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public 
Information Office (see paragraph 14(a)). In brief, these requirements 
include:
    1. In the period for ninety (90) days after the sale, bidders will 
allow MMS to inspect such data within seven (7) days of a written 
request from MMS, and upon further written request will transmit to 
MMS, within ten (10) working days, such data. After this ninety day 
period, a response time of thirty (30) days following an MMS written 
request will be considered adequate.
    2. Successful bidders must retain such data for three (3) years 
after the sale, and unsuccessful bidders must retain such data for six 
(6) months after the sale, for possible acquisition by MMS.
    For the six (6) month period after the sale, based on a review of 
the allowable cost of data reproduction to MMS for three-dimensional 
and two-dimensional data sets, the company providing the reprocessed 
data will be reimbursed at a rate of $480 per block or part thereof for 
three-dimensional data and $2 per line mile for two-dimensional data. 
Afterwards, reimbursement will be subject to the terms and conditions 
of 30 CFR 251.13(a).
    All geophysical data and information obtained and reviewed by MMS 
pursuant to these procedures shall be held in the strictest confidence 
and treated as proprietary in accordance with the applicable terms of 
30 CFR 251.14.
    For additional information, contact the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional 
Office of Resource Evaluation at (504) 736-2720.
    (k) Information about Indicated Hydrocarbons. Bidders are advised 
that MMS makes available, about 3 months prior to a lease sale, a list 
of unleased tracts having well bores with indicated hydrocarbons. Basic 
information relating to production, well bores, and pay range for each 
tract is included in the list. The list is available from the Public 
Information Unit, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park 
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394; telephone (800) 200-GULF 
or (504) 736-2519.
    (1) Minimizing Oil and Gas Structures Near the Flower Garden Banks. 
Bidders are reminded of Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) 85-8, 
``Minimizing Oil and Gas Structures in the Gulf of Mexico,'' dated 
November 26, 1985. Section II of the NTL sets forth the MMS' policy 
with regard to the minimization of structures for drilling, 
development, and production on OCS leases. The policy requires that 
such structures including lease-term pipelines be placed in a manner 
that causes minimum interference with other significant uses of the 
OCS. Please be advised that the MMS will strictly adhere to this policy 
when reviewing Exploration Plans and Development Operations 
Coordination Documents which propose the use or installation of such 
structures within the ``Four-Mile Zone'' and adjacent areas surrounding 


[[Page 41110]]
the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Cynthia Quarterman,
Director, Minerals Management Service.
    Approved: August 4, 1995.
Bob Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
Western Gulf of Mexico Leased Lands

June 21, 1995

    Descriptions of blocks listed represent all Federal acreage leased 
unless otherwise noted.
South Padre Island
1030, 1040, 1052, 1059, 1060, 1063, 1064, 1069, 1073, 1111, 1112, 1122, 
1125, 1134, 1151, 1166
North Padre Island
897, 908, 956, 957, 967, 968, 969, 976, 989
North Padre Island, East Addition
892, 911, 913, 970, 974, 975, 990, 993, 995, 996, 1011, 1014, 1018, A-
6, A-8, A-10, A-12, A-23, A-27, A-28, A-38, A-42, A-43, A-45, A-46, A-
48, A-55, A-59, A-64, A-69, A-70, A-72, A-75, A-76, A-86, A-87
Mustang Island
737, 738, 739, 740, 742, 743, 752, 754, 756, 757, 758, 759, 762, 763, 
767, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 789, 791, 801, 803, 
804, 805, 806, 807, 810, 812, 813, 814, 824, 826, 828, 829, 831, 833, 
838, 842, 843, 846, 847, 848, 851, 855, 858, 859, 868, 873, 875, 876, 
879, A-1, A-2, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, 
A-19, A-20, A-22, A-26, A-27, A-31, A-32, A-33, A-38
Mustang Island, East Addition
733, 735, 736, A-51, A-52, A-53, A-57, A-58, A-61, A-65, A-85, A-86, A-
95, A-96, A-97, A-110, A-111, A-112, A-121, A-122, A-124, A-152, A-153
Matagorda Island
487, 518, 519, 520, 526, 527, 528, 529, 555, 556, 557, 564, 565, 566, 
568, 569, 586, 587, 588, 589, 591, 592, 604, 605, 606, 616, 617, 618, 
619, 620, 622, 623, 624, 631, 632, 633, 634 (Seaward of 8(g) Line), 
635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 656, 657, 658, 663, 
664, 665, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 676, 678, 679, 680, 
681, 682, 683, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 696, 697, 699, 700, 701, 703, 
704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, A-4, 
A-5, A-7, A-8
Brazos
341, 342, 364, 365, 375, 376, 377, 378, 396, 397, 398, 399, 411, 412, 
413, 415, 416, 417, 431, 432, 434, 435 (Seaward of 8(g) Line), 436, 
437, 439, 450, 451, 452 (E\1/2\), 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 
466, 468, 469, 470, 471, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 488, 490, 491, 493, 
494, 495, 496, 498, 502, 504, 507, 509, 514, 515, 517, 531, 532, 536, 
537, 538, 539, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 549, 550, 552, 570, 572, 
575, 577, 579, 580, 581, 585, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, A-1, A-2, A-3, 
A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-17, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, A-
25, A-31, A-37, A-38, A-39, A-42, A-43
Brazos, South Addition
A-46, A-47, A-48, A-51, A-52, A-53, A-61, A-62, A-65, A-66, A-69, A-70, 
A-71, A-75, A-76, A-77, A-84, A-85, A-101, A-102, A-104, A-105, A-106, 
A-131, A-132, A-133
Galveston
144, 152, 180, 182, 189, 190, 191, 192, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 222, 
223, 227, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 252, 255, 256, 257, 258, 
265, 266, 267, 268, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 281, 283, 285, 286, 288, 
289, 290, 294, 295 (S\1/2\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; NW\1/4\NE\1/4\; W\1/2\SW\1/
4\NE\1/4\; NE\1/4\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; W\1/2\; W\1/
2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\; S\1/2\SE\1/4\), 296 (NE\1/4\; NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; 
S\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\SW\1/
4\; NE\1/4\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\; N\1/
2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\; SE\1/4\SE\1/4\), 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 
312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327, 
328, 329, 330, 333, 334, 343, 344, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 353, 357, 
358, 359, 360, 362, 363, 380, 385, 386, 390, 391, 394, 395, 418, 420, 
421, 428, 429, 465, A-2, A-3, A-10, A-15, A-16, A-18, A-20, A-21, A-24, 
A-34, A-35, A-39, A-40, A-41, A-42, A-49, A-50, A-86, A-96, A-101, A-
105, A-110, A-111
Galveston, South Addition
A-122, A-142, A-143, A-144, A-145, A-188, A-192, A-194, A-213, A-215, 
A-218, A-248
High Island
19, 21, 22, 34, 36, 47, 52, 53, 66, 69, 71, 72, 73, 86, 90, 92, 93, 95, 
105, 109, 110, 111, 115, 116, 117, 131, 134, 135 (N\1/2\; N\1/2\S\1/2\; 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\; W\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; NE\1/4\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\S\1/
2\SE\1/4\), 136 (E\1/2\; E\1/2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\; S\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\), 
137, 138 (N\1/2\), 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 153, 154, 155 (W\1/2\), 
156, 158, 159, 160, 161 (NW\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; 
W\1/2\NW\1/4\; SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; NE\1/4\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\; W\1/2\NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\; NW\1/4\SW\1/4\; NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\), 162, 163, 164, 165, 
169, 170, 176, 177, 179, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 
205, 206, 207, 208, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 261, 262, 
263, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-9, A-10, A-12, A-16, A-18, A-19, A-20, 
A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, A-25, A-26, A-36, A-37, A-42, A-44, A-45, A-46, 
A-52, A-53, A-60, A-61, A-62, A-63, A-64, A-68, A-73, A-77, A-78, A-83, 
A-87, A-100, A-125, A-127, A-128, A-129, A-130, A-133
High Island, South Addition
A-417, A-421, A-422, A-438, A-441, A-442, A-443, A-444, A-446, A-447, 
A-448, A-451, A-462, A-465, A-466, A-467, A-468, A-469, A-471, A-472, 
A-474, A-475, A-477, A-479, A-486, A-488, A-489, A-490, A-491, A-493, 
A-494, A-496, A-497, A-498, A-499, A-500, A-501, A-510, A-511, A-512, 
A-513, A-515, A-517, A-518, A-519, A-520, A-521, A-523, A-528, A-530, 
A-531, A-532, A-535, A-536, A-537, A-538, A-539, A-540, A-544, A-545, 
A-546, A-547, A-548, A-549, A-550, A-551, A-552, A-553, A-555, A-556, 
A-557, A-560, A-561, A-562, A-563, A-564, A-568, A-570, A-571, A-572, 
A-573, A-574, A-576, A-577, A-582, A-583, A-586, A-587, A-588, A-589, 
A-590, A-591, A-595, A-596
High Island, East Addition
38, 39, 45, 46, 74, 75, 76, 85, 118, 119, 120, 128, 129, 130, 166, 167, 
A-168, A-169, A-170, A-171, A-172, A-173, A-174, A-175, A-176, A-177, 
A-180, A-187, A-192, A-200, A-201, A-217, A-218, A-224, A-231, A-243, 
A-245, A-246, A-247, A-250, A-253, A-257, A-258, A-259
High Island, East Addition, South Extension
A-260, A-261, A-262, A-263, A-266, A-269, A-270, A-271, A-272, A-273, 
A-276, A-279, A-280, A-281, A-282, A-283, A-285, A-286, A-287, A-288, 
A-291, A-292, A-300, A-301, A-302, A-303, A-305, A-309, A-310, A-312, 
A-313, A-314, A-315, A-316, A-317, A-323, A-325, A-326, A-327, A-330, 
A-331, A-332, A-334, A-335, A-339, A-340, A-342, A-343, A-345, A-346, 
A-347, A-348, A-349, A-350, A-351, A-352, A-355, A-356, A-359, A-360, 
A-362, A-365, A-368, A-369, A-370, A-371, A-372, A-373, A-376, A-378, 
A-379, A-380, A-382, A-384, A-385, A-386, A-389, A-391, A-392, A-393, 
A-395, A-396, A-397, A-402, A-403
Sabine Pass
17, 18, 40
East Breaks
109, 110, 112, 117, 122, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 165, 167, 
168, 169, 173, 197, 209, 212, 213, 237, 238, 256, 

[[Page 41111]]
294, 295, 296, 303, 305, 329, 330, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 386, 388, 
389, 390, 402, 403, 430, 431, 473, 474, 475, 506, 507, 518, 520, 562, 
563, 564, 565, 566, 593, 598, 599, 602, 604, 605, 607, 608, 609, 637, 
638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 653, 654, 
683, 684, 685, 686, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 728, 729, 732, 739, 740, 
741, 783, 784, 785, 901, 902, 904, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 
987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 994
Garden Banks
21, 22, 26, 28, 29, 65, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 83, 84, 85, 102, 
103, 115, 117, 119, 120, 127, 128, 134, 135, 136, 140, 141, 142, 147, 
158, 159, 161, 162, 164, 165, 171, 172, 180, 184, 186, 189, 190, 191, 
192, 201, 202, 203, 209, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 224, 225, 235, 236, 
237, 240, 248, 254, 255, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 265, 269, 278, 279, 
280, 281, 282, 287, 290, 291, 298, 300, 302, 304, 319, 322, 323, 343, 
344, 345, 371, 379, 382, 386, 387, 388, 389, 405, 406, 416, 419, 420, 
423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 463, 464, 468, 469, 
470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 498, 499, 506, 507, 508, 512, 
513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 520, 535, 543, 544, 550, 554, 555, 556, 557, 
558, 559, 562, 563, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 607, 608, 612, 639, 
644, 645, 646, 653, 656, 683, 694, 697, 727, 738, 739, 740, 741, 754, 
767, 768, 769, 772, 782, 783, 784, 785, 803, 804, 806, 812, 826, 833, 
848, 849, 850, 877, 885, 902, 903, 919, 920, 921, 929, 930, 938, 939, 
940, 947, 963, 964, 974, 975
Port Isabel
39, 40, 81, 82, 125, 126, 130, 131, 174, 175, 216, 218, 393, 436, 437, 
438, 481, 482, 483, 519, 520, 524, 525, 526, 527, 563, 564, 568, 569, 
570, 571, 572, 610, 611, 613, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 696, 697, 698, 
700, 701, 740, 741
Alaminos Canyon
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 65, 192, 236, 237, 261, 280, 305, 336, 337, 
380, 398, 441, 442, 485, 489, 490, 491, 529, 533, 534, 556, 557, 558, 
599, 600, 601, 602, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 687, 691, 719, 720, 726, 
730, 731, 734, 735, 736, 763, 764, 766, 767, 770, 774, 775, 780, 781, 
810, 811, 813, 814, 818, 827, 854, 856, 857, 900, 901, 903, 904, 947, 
951, 954
Keathley Canyon
6, 7, 133, 134, 156, 157, 158, 159, 177, 178, 179, 199, 201, 202, 221, 
243, 245, 246, 324, 583, 584

[FR Doc. 95-19827 Filed 8-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P