[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14040-14042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5953]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Central and Western Gulf of
Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sales for Years 2012-2017
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement
(BOEMRE), Interior.
ACTION: Call for information and nominations.
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SUMMARY: This Call for Information and Nominations (hereinafter
referred to as ``Call'') is the initial step in a single multisale
process covering all lease sales in the Central and Western Gulf of
Mexico (GOM) Planning Areas to be included in the OCS Oil and Gas
Leasing Program for 2012-2017. Ten lease sales are specifically covered
by this Call: five in the Central GOM Planning Area and five in the
Western GOM Planning Area. Concurrent with this Call, BOEMRE is
preparing a multisale Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) covering the
same ten sales in the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas. For each
of the ten individual lease sales associated with this Call, BOEMRE
will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), and the Coastal Zone
Management Act (CZMA).
DATES: Nominations and comments must be received at the address
specified below no later than 30 days following publication of this
document in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carrol Williams, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Gulf of Mexico OCS
Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394,
telephone (504) 736-2803.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 1, 2008, BOEMRE initiated the 5-
year oil and gas leasing program preparation process with publication
of a Request for Information (RFI) on a program to cover the 2010-2015
time period, two years earlier than the usual cycle. On January 16,
2009, BOEMRE announced the release of the Draft Proposed Program (DPP)
and Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for 2010-2015. On February 10,
2009, Secretary Salazar extended the comment period on the DPP to
September 21, 2009, and later conducted four regional meetings to
provide additional opportunities for input by all stakeholders.
On December 1, 2010, the Secretary announced the OCS Oil and Gas
Strategy as part of President Obama's comprehensive energy plan for the
country. This strategy will guide the next steps in preparation of the
new 2012-2017 program. As part of this strategy, on January 4, 2011,
BOEMRE published a Notice of Scoping Meetings on the EIS modifying the
OCS areas to be scoped for inclusion in the 5-year EIS (76 FR 376). The
planning areas are the Western and Central GOM, as well as the area of
the Eastern GOM not included in the Congressionally-mandated drilling
moratorium; and the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Cook Inlet, which
are located off Alaska.
This multisale Call covers only the lease sales in the Central and
Western GOM Planning Areas that will be included in the OCS Oil and Gas
Leasing Program for 2012-2017. On February 9, 2011, BOEMRE published a
Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS on the 2012-2017 oil and gas leasing
proposals in the Western and Central Planning Areas of the GOM (76 FR
7228).
This Call is the sixth issuance of a Gulf of Mexico OCS Region
multisale Call. In 1996, BOEMRE implemented two multisale Call
processes for lease sales in the Central and Western GOM Planning
Areas, respectively, in association with the 1997-2002 OCS Oil and Gas
Leasing Program. In the 2002-2007 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program,
BOEMRE implemented one multisale Call process for Central and Western
GOM Planning Areas lease sales and one multisale Call process for
Eastern GOM Planning Area lease sales. BOEMRE issued one multisale Call
process for Central and Western GOM Planning Area lease sales in the
2007-2012 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
Call for Information and Nominations
1. Authority
This Call is published pursuant to OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.)
and implementing regulations (30 CFR part 256).
2. Purpose of Call
The purpose of the Call is to gather information for the following
proposed OCS Lease Sales in the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas.
Lease Sale numbers for the last two years of this 5-year Program have
not been determined and are listed as to be determined (TBD):
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Lease sale, OCS planning area Sale year
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Sale 229, Western GOM...................... 2012
Sale 231, Central GOM...................... 2013
Sale 233, Western GOM...................... 2013
Sale 235, Central GOM...................... 2014
Sale 238, Western GOM...................... 2014
Sale 241, Central GOM...................... 2015
Sale TBD, Western GOM...................... 2015
Sale TBD, Central GOM...................... 2016
Sale TBD, Western GOM...................... 2016
Sale TBD, Central GOM...................... 2017
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BOEMRE seeks information and nominations on oil and gas leasing,
exploration, development and production within the Central and Western
GOM Planning Areas from all interested parties. This early planning and
consultation step ensures that all interests and concerns are
communicated to the Department of the Interior for its future decisions
in the leasing process pursuant to section 18 of OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1344)
and implementing regulations (30 CFR part 256).
BOEMRE requests responses regarding proposed sales in both the
Central and Western GOM Planning Areas. Areawide lease sale proposals
in the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas are very similar.
Accordingly, this multisale process addresses decisions for all ten
lease sales in both the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas.
Pursuant to section 18 of OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1344) the Secretary of
the Interior is developing the 5-year Program for 2012-2017; therefore,
this Call should
[[Page 14041]]
not be construed as a prejudgment by the Secretary concerning any area
to be made available for leasing under the 2012-2017 5-year Program.
In addition, this Call does not indicate a preliminary decision to
lease in the areas described below. Final delineation of each area for
possible leasing will be made later in compliance with applicable laws
(e.g., NEPA, OCSLA, CZMA) and established departmental procedures.
3. Description of Areas
The areas of this Call include the entire Central and Western GOM
Planning Areas, except for those exclusions listed below in Item 4
(Areas Excluded from this Call).
The Central GOM Planning Area is bounded on the north by the
Federal-State boundary offshore Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The eastern boundary of the Central GOM Planning Area begins at the
offshore boundary between Alabama and Florida and proceeds
southeasterly to 26.19 degrees North latitude, thence southwesterly to
25.6 degrees North latitude. The western boundary of the Central GOM
Planning Area begins at the offshore boundary between Texas and
Louisiana and proceeds southeasterly to 28.43 degrees North latitude,
thence south southwesterly to 27.49 degrees North latitude, thence
south southeasterly to 25.80 degrees North latitude. The Central GOM
Planning Area is bounded on the south by the maritime boundary with
Mexico as established by the ``Treaty Between The Government of The
United States of America and The Government of The United Mexican
States on The Delimitation of The Continental Shelf in The Western Gulf
of Mexico Beyond 200 Nautical Miles,'' which took effect in January
2001, and by the limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in the area
east of the continental shelf boundary with Mexico. The Central GOM
Planning Area available for nominations and comments at this time
consists of approximately 66.45 million acres, of which approximately
40.85 million acres are currently unleased.
The Western GOM Planning Area is bounded on the west and north by
the Federal/State boundary offshore Texas. The eastern boundary begins
at the offshore boundary between Texas and Louisiana and proceeds
southeasterly to 28.43 degrees North latitude, thence south
southwesterly to 27.49 degrees North latitude, thence south
southeasterly to 25.80 degrees North latitude. The Western GOM Planning
Area is bounded on the south by the maritime boundary with Mexico as
established by the ``Treaty Between The Government of The United States
of America and The Government of The United Mexican States on The
Delimitation of The Continental Shelf in The Western Gulf of Mexico
Beyond 200 Nautical Miles,'' which took effect in January 2001. The
Western GOM Planning Area available for nominations and comments at
this time consists of approximately 28.58 million acres, of which
approximately 19.45 million acres are currently unleased.
A standard Call for Information Map depicting the Central and
Western GOM Planning Areas on a block-by-block basis is available
without charge from: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and
Enforcement, Public Information Office (MS 5034), 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or telephone: 1-800-200-
GULF. The map is also available via the BOEMRE Web site at: http://www.boemre.gov.
4. Areas Excluded From This Call
A. The entire Central GOM Planning Area will be considered for
possible leasing except:
1. Blocks that were previously included within the Eastern GOM
Planning Area and are within 100 miles of the Florida coast.
2. Blocks east of the Military Mission line (86 degrees, 41 minutes
west longitude) under an existing moratorium until 2022, as a result of
the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (December 20, 2006).
3. Blocks that are beyond the United States Exclusive Economic Zone
in the area known as the northern portion of the Eastern Gap.
4. Whole and partial blocks that lie within the 1.4 nautical mile
buffer zone north of the maritime boundary between the United States
and Mexico.
B. The entire Western GOM Planning Area will be considered for
possible leasing except:
1. Whole and partial blocks within the boundary of the Flower
Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
2. Whole and partial blocks that lie within the 1.4 nautical mile
buffer zone north of the continental shelf boundary between the United
States and Mexico.
5. Instructions on Call
Indications of interest and comments must be received no later than
30 days following publication of this document in the Federal Register.
Comments must be submitted in envelopes labeled ``Nominations for
Proposed 2012-2017 Lease Sales in the Central and Western Gulf of
Mexico'' or ``Comments on the Call for Information and Nominations for
Proposed 2012-2017 Lease Sales in the Central and Western Gulf of
Mexico'' and submitted to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
Regulation and Enforcement, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Leasing
Activities Section, (Attention: Mr. Carrol Williams), 1201 Elmwood Park
Boulevard (Mail Stop 5422), New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394. You may
also submit comments on the Call via e-mail to
[email protected]. You should include ``Comments on the Call
for Proposed 2012-2017 Lease Sales'' in the subject line of your
message.
The standard Call for Information Map delineates the Call area that
has been identified by BOEMRE as having potential for the discovery of
accumulations of oil and gas. Respondents are requested to indicate
interest in and comment on any or all of the Federal acreage within the
boundaries of the Call area that they wish to have included in each of
the proposed lease sales in the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas.
Indications of interest and/or comments must be submitted to the Gulf
of Mexico Region's Leasing Activities Section (Attention: Mr. Carrol
Williams), at the previously-noted address.
Respondents indicating interest should outline the areas of
interest along block lines and rank the areas in which they have
expressed interest according to priority of their interest (e.g.,
priority 1 [high], 2 [medium], or 3 [low]), specifically indicating
blocks by priority. Areas where interest has been indicated, but on
which respondents have not indicated priorities will be considered
priority 3 (low).
Respondents may also submit a list of blocks nominated by Official
Protraction Diagram and Leasing Map designations to ensure correct
interpretation of their nominations. Official Protraction Diagrams and
Leasing Maps can be purchased from the Public Information Office.
Also, BOEMRE seeks comments from all interested parties about
particular geological, environmental (including natural disasters),
biological, archaeological and socioeconomic conditions or conflicts,
or other information that affect the potential leasing and development
of particular areas, or possible conflicts between future OCS oil and
gas activities that may result from the proposed sales and State
Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). These comments should identify
specific CMP policies of concern, the nature of the conflict foreseen,
and proposed means to avoid or mitigate potential conflicts.
[[Page 14042]]
Comments may refer to both broad areas or may refer to particular
blocks.
6. Information from Call
Information submitted in response to this Call will be used for
several purposes, including identifying and prioritizing areas with
potential for oil and gas development as well as determining possible
environmental effects and potential conflicts in the Call area. The
areas nominated in the proposed sales, their respective rankings, and
comments will be analyzed to make a preliminary determination of the
potential advantages and disadvantages of oil and gas exploration and
development to the region and the Nation. Comments collected will be
used to develop proposed actions and alternatives in the EIS scoping
process, to develop lease terms and conditions to ensure safe offshore
operations, and to assess potential conflicts between offshore gas and
oil activities and a State CMP.
7. Existing Information
BOEMRE routinely assesses the status of information acquisition
efforts and the quality of the information base for potential decisions
on tentatively scheduled lease sales. As a result of this continually
ongoing assessment, it has been determined that the status of the
existing and extensive data available for planning, analysis, and
decision making is adequate.
An extensive environmental studies program has been underway in the
GOM since 1973. The emphasis, including continuing studies, has been on
environmental characterization of biologically sensitive habitats,
physical oceanography, ocean-circulation modeling, and ecological
effects of oil and gas activities.
A complete listing of available study reports, and information for
ordering copies, can be obtained from the Public Information Office
referenced above. The reports may also be ordered, for a fee, from the
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service,
5301 Shawnee Road, Springfield, Virginia 22312, or telephone (703) 605-
6000 or (800) 553-6847. In addition, a program status report for
continuing studies in this area can be obtained from the Chief,
Environmental Sciences Section (MS 5430), Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Regulation and Enforcement, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, or telephone
(504) 736-2752, or via the BOEMRE Web site at: http://www.gomr.boemre.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/studiesprogram.html.
8. Tentative Schedule
Milestones for Multisale EIS for Proposed 2012-2017 Central and Western
GOM Planning Area Sales
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Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare a February 2011.
Multisale EIS.
Call for Information and Nominations........ March 2011.
Comments received on NOI.................... March/April 2011.
Comments received on Call................... April 2011.
Area Identification Decision................ May/June 2011.
Draft EIS published......................... Summer 2011.
Public Hearings on Draft EIS................ Fall 2011.
Final EIS................................... Spring 2012.
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9. Sale Milestones
The following is a list of tentative milestone dates applicable to
lease sales covered by this Call:
Sale-specific Milestones for Proposed 2012-2017 Central and Western GOM Planning Area Sales
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Request for Information to Begin Lease Sale 12 months before each lease sale.
Specific Process.
Environmental Review Completed..................... 5 to 7 months before each lease sale.
Proposed Notice and CZM Consistency Determination.. 5 months before each lease sale.
Final Notice of Sale............................... 1 month before each lease sale.
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Finally, the tentative months for GOM lease sales during 2012-2017
are:
Central GOM Sales: March of each year.
Western GOM Sales: November 2012. August of each year thereafter.
Dated: February 28, 2011.
Michael R. Bromwich,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy, Management, Regulation and
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2011-5953 Filed 3-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P