[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 23727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11579]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Kerr-McGee's 
Proposed Deepwater Development Plan Offshore Texas (Nansen Project)

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 117 miles offshore 
Texas in East Breaks, Blocks 602 and 646. This EA is being prepared in 
accordance with MMS's comprehensive deepwater strategy approach, which 
includes the preparation of comprehensive EA's, referred to as Grid 
EA's, in each of 17 grids in deepwater areas of the Central and Western 
Gulf of Mexico. This comprehensive deepwater strategy is described in 
detail at http:/www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/ea_grid/NEPADWSTRATEGY.PDF.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Gulf of 
Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123-2394, Mr. Ed Richardson, telephone (504) 736-2605.

SUPPLEMENTAL 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 reference to the most recent Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the Gulf of Mexico Western Planning Area for 
Lease Sales 171, 174, 177, and 180 and by tiering to related 
environmental documents, this EA concentrates on environmental issues 
specific to the proposed action.
    The MMS Gulf of Mexico Region received an Initial Development 
Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) from Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas 
Corporation (Kerr-McGee) that proposes to develop and produce 
hydrocarbon reserves located in East Breaks, Blocks 602 and 646. The 
DOCD was assigned a plan control number of N-7045 and the project is 
referred to as the Nansen Project. Kerr-McGee will complete and produce 
a total of 12 wells that were drilled under previously-approved 
Exploration Plans for the subject blocks. No new drilling operations 
are proposed as a part of this DOCD. All of the wells, except the three 
subsea wells, will share a common surface location (a truss spar 
floating production system) in East Breaks, Block 602.
    The Nansen truss spar is a manned floating production facility that 
will be permanently anchored on location by a 9-leg, taut catenary 
system composed of conventional wire, chain, and anchor piles. The hull 
portion of the spar measures approximately 90 feet in diameter and has 
an overall length of 543 feet. No hydrocarbons will be stored in the 
hull of the spar. The spar is not drilling rig capable; however, a 
1,000-hp completion/workover platform rig will be installed and used 
for the initial completion operations. If any additional drilling would 
be necessary, a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) would be utilized. 
The spar will have a 20-person permanent accommodation unit installed. 
Temporary, portable quarters for up to 48 people may be provided.
    The water depth at the truss spar location is approximately 3,675 
feet. The project will use an existing onshore support base in Sabine 
Pass, Texas, to support the production activities. During completion or 
workover operations, either the onshore base in Sabine Pass, Texas, or 
an existing onshore base in Galveston, Texas, will be used to support 
these activities.
    Oil and gas produced at the Nansen project will be transported off 
lease by third-party owned and operated right-of-way pipelines.
    The proposed action analyzed in the EA will be the development plan 
as proposed by Kerr-McGee. Alternatives will include the proposed 
action with additional mitigation measures 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 Comment

     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 5410), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. Comments must be submitted no later 
than 30 days from the publication of this Notice.

    Dated: April 26, 2001.
Chris C. Oynes,
Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region.
[FR Doc. 01-11579 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P