[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 209 (Monday, October 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 54538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27104]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Vastar Resources 
Inc.'s Proposed Deepwater Development Plan Offshore Louisiana (Horn 
Mountain 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 60 miles offshore 
Louisiana in Mississippi Canyon, Blocks 126 and 127.
    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 from 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MMS GOM Region received an Initial 
Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) from Vastar 
Resources Inc. (Vastar) that proposes to develop and produce 
hydrocarbon reserves located in Mississippi Canyon, Blocks 126 and 127. 
The DOCD was assigned a plan control number of N-7195 and the project 
is referred to as the Horn Mountain Project. Vastar will drill, 
complete, and produce a total of 10 wells in the subject blocks. All of 
the wells will share a common surface location (a truss spar floating 
production system) in Mississippi Canyon, Block 127.
    The Horn Mountain 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 106 feet in 
diameter and has an overall length of 555 feet. During the proposed 
operations, approximately 35-50 personnel may be engaged in designated 
activities.
    The water depth at the truss spar location is approximately 5,423 
feet. The project will use an existing onshore support base in Venice, 
Louisiana, to support the proposed activities.
    Oil and gas produced at the Horn Mountain project will be 
transported off lease by right-of-way pipelines. These pipelines will 
connect with existing offshore infrastructure for final transport to 
shore.
    The proposed action analyzed in the EA will be the development plan 
as proposed by Vastar. 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 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: September 28, 2001.
Chris C. Oynes,
Regional Director, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region.
[FR Doc. 01-27104 Filed 10-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P