[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9420-9427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02701]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management


Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (CPA) Outer Continental 
Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 227

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final Notice of Sale.

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SUMMARY: On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, BOEM will open and publicly 
announce bids received for blocks offered in CPA Sale 227, in 
accordance with the provisions of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA, 43 U.S.C. 
1331-1356, as amended) and the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR 
part 556). The CPA 227 Final Notice of Sale (NOS) package (Final NOS 
Package) contains information essential to potential bidders, and 
bidders are charged with knowing the contents of the documents 
contained in that package. The Final NOS Package is available at the 
address and Web site below.

DATES: Public bid reading for CPA Sale 227 will begin at 9 a.m., 
Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 
Sugarbowl Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. The lease sale will be 
held in the St. Charles Club Room on the second floor (Loge Level). 
Entry to the Superdome will be on the Poydras Street side of the 
building through Gate A on the Ground Level; parking will be available 
at Garage 6. All times referred to in this document are local New 
Orleans time, unless otherwise specified.
    Bid Submission Deadline: BOEM must receive all sealed bids between 
8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on normal working days, and from 8 a.m. to the Bid 
Submission Deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, the day 
before the lease sale. For more information on bid submission, see 
Section VII ``Bidding Instructions'' of this document.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties can obtain a Final NOS Package by 
contacting the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Region at: Gulf of Mexico Region 
Public Information Office, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 
Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, (504) 736-
2519 or (800) 200-GULF.

    Or by visiting the BOEM Web site: http://www.boem.gov/About-BOEM/BOEM-Regions/Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Index.aspx.

Table of Contents

    This Final NOS includes the following sections:

I. Lease Sale Area
II. Statutes and Regulations
III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions
IV. Lease Stipulations
V. Information to Lessees
VI. Maps
VII. Bidding Instructions
VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions
IX. Forms
X. The Lease Sale
XI. Delay of Sale

[[Page 9421]]

I. Lease Sale Area

    Areas Offered for Leasing: In CPA Sale 227, BOEM is offering to 
lease all blocks and partial blocks listed in the document ``List of 
Blocks Available for Leasing'' included in the Final NOS Package. All 
of these blocks are shown on the following leasing maps and Official 
Protraction Diagrams (OPDs):

Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Louisiana Map Numbers 1 through 
12

    (These 30 maps sell for $2.00 each.)

LA1 West Cameron Area (Revised July 1, 2011)
LA1A West Cameron Area, West Addition (Revised February 28, 2007)
LA1B West Cameron Area, South Addition (Revised February 28, 2007)
LA2 East Cameron Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA2A East Cameron Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA3 Vermilion Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA3A South Marsh Island Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA3B Vermilion Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA3C South Marsh Island Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA3D South Marsh Island Area, North Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA4 Eugene Island Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA4A Eugene Island Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA5 Ship Shoal Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA5A Ship Shoal Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA6 South Timbalier Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA6A South Timbalier Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA6B South Pelto Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA6C Bay Marchand Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA7 Grand Isle Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA7A Grand Isle Area, South Addition (Revised February 17, 2004)
LA8 West Delta Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA8A West Delta Area, South Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA9 South Pass Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA9A South Pass Area, South and East Additions (Revised November 1, 
2000)
LA10 Main Pass Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA10A Main Pass Area, South and East Additions (Revised November 1, 
2000)
LA10B Breton Sound Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA11 Chandeleur Area (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA11A Chandeleur Area, East Addition (Revised November 1, 2000)
LA12 Sabine Pass Area (Revised July 1, 2011)

Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams

    (These 19 diagrams sell for $2.00 each.)

NG15-02 Garden Banks (Revised February 28, 2007)
NG15-03 Green Canyon (Revised November 1, 2000)
NG15-05 Keathley Canyon (Revised February 28, 2007)
NG15-06 Walker Ridge (Revised November 1, 2000)
NG15-08 Sigsbee Escarpment (Revised February 28, 2007)
NG15-09 Amery Terrace (Revised October 25, 2000)
NG16-01 Atwater Valley (Revised November 1, 2000)
NG16-02 Lloyd Ridge (Revised August 1, 2008)
NG16-04 Lund (Revised November 1, 2000)
NG16-05 Henderson (Revised August 1, 2008)
NG16-07 Lund South (Revised November 1, 2000)
NG16-08 Florida Plain (Revised February 28, 2007)
NH15-12 Ewing Bank (Revised November 1, 2000)
NH16-04 Mobile (Revised July 1, 2011)
NH16-05 Pensacola (Revised February 28, 2007)
NH16-07 Viosca Knoll (Revised November 1, 2000)
NH16-08 Destin Dome (Revised February 28, 2007)
NH16-10 Mississippi Canyon (Revised November 1, 2000)
NH16-11 De Soto Canyon (Revised August 1, 2008)

    Please Note: These GOM leasing maps and OPDs are available for 
free online in .pdf and .gra formats at http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Mapping-and-Data/Official-Protraction-Diagrams.aspx.

    For the current status of all CPA leasing maps and OPDs, please 
refer to 66 FR 28002 (published May 21, 2001), 69 FR 23211 (published 
April 28, 2004), 72 FR 27590 (published May 16, 2007), 72 FR 35720 
(published June 29, 2007), 73 FR 63505 (published October 24, 2008), 
and 76 FR 54787 (published September 2, 2011).
    All blocks are shown on these leasing maps and OPDs. The available 
Federal acreage of all whole and partial blocks in this lease sale is 
shown in the document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' included 
in the Final NOS Package. Some of these blocks may be partially leased 
or deferred, or transected by administrative lines such as the Federal/
state jurisdictional line. A bid on a block must include all of the 
available Federal acreage of that block. Information on the unleased 
portions of such blocks is found in the document ``Central Planning 
Area, Lease Sale 227, March 20, 2013--Unleased Split Blocks and 
Available Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular 
Portions Under Lease or Deferred'' included in the Final NOS Package. 
For additional information, please call Mr. Lenny Coats, Chief of the 
Mapping and Automation Section, at (504) 736-1457.
    Areas Not Offered for Leasing: The following whole and partial 
blocks are not offered for lease in this sale:
    Whole and partial blocks deferred by the Gulf of Mexico Energy 
Security Act of 2006, Public Law 109-432:

Pensacola (OPD NH 16-05)

Whole Blocks: 751 through 754, 793 through 798, 837 through 842, 881 
through 886, 925 through 930, and 969 through 975

Destin Dome (OPD NH 16-08)

Whole Blocks: 1 through 7, 45 through 51, 89 through 96, 133 through 
140, 177 through 184, 221 through 228, 265 through 273, 309 through 
317, 353 through 361, 397 through 405, 441 through 450, 485 through 
494, 529 through 538, 573 through 582, 617 through 627, 661 through 
671, 705 through 715, 749 through 759, 793 through 804, 837 through 
848, 881 through 892, 925 through 936, and 969 through 981

DeSoto Canyon (OPD NH 16-11)

Whole Blocks: 1 through 15, 45 through 59, and 92 through 102
Partial Blocks: 16, 60, 61, 89 through 91, 103 through 105, and 135 
through 147

Henderson (OPD NG 16-05)

Partial Blocks: 114, 158, 202, 246, 290, 334, 335, 378, 379, 422, and 
423

    Blocks that are adjacent to or beyond the United States Exclusive 
Economic Zone in the area known as the northern portion of the Eastern 
Gap:

Lund South (OPD NG 16-07)

Whole Blocks: 128, 129, 169 through 173, 208 through 217, 248 through 
261, 293 through 305, and 349

Henderson (OPD NG 16-05)

Whole Blocks: 466, 508 through 510, 551 through 554, 594 through 599, 
637 through 643, 679 through 687, 722 through 731, 764 through 775,

[[Page 9422]]

807 through 819, 849 through 862, 891 through 905, 933 through 949, and 
975 through 992
Partial Blocks: 467, 511, 555, 556, 600, 644, 688, 732, 776, 777, 820, 
821, 863, 864, 906, 907, 950, 993, and 994

Florida Plain (OPD NG 16-08)

Whole Blocks: 5 through 24, 46 through 67, 89 through 110, 133 through 
154, 177 through 197, 221 through 240, 265 through 283, 309 through 
327, and 363 through 370

    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:

Amery Terrace (OPD NG 15-09)

Whole Blocks: 280, 281, 318 through 320, and 355 through 359
Partial Blocks: 235 through 238, 273 through 279, and 309 through 317

Sigsbee Escarpment (OPD NG 15-08)

Whole Blocks: 239, 284, and 331 through 341
Partial Blocks: 151, 195, 196, 240, 241, 285 through 298, and 342 
through 349

    Blocks that are deferred until measures to ensure the safety of 
planned decommissioning operations are completed:

Green Canyon (OPD NG15-03) Block 20

    Please Note: Bids on Blocks near the U.S.-Mexico Maritime and 
Continental Shelf Boundary.

    The following definitions apply to this section:
    ``Agreement'' refers to the agreement between the United Mexican 
States and the United States of America that addresses identification 
and unitization of transboundary hydrocarbon reservoirs, allocation of 
production, inspections, safety, and environmental protection. A copy 
of the Agreement can be found at http://www.boem.gov/BOEM-Newsroom/Library/Boundaries-Mexico.aspx.
    ``Boundary Area'' means an area comprised of any and all blocks in 
the CPA that are located or partially located within three statute 
miles of the maritime and continental shelf boundary with Mexico, as 
that maritime boundary is delimited in the November 24, 1970 Treaty to 
Resolve Pending Boundary Differences and Maintain the Rio Grande and 
Colorado River as the International Boundary; the May 4, 1978 Treaty on 
Maritime Boundaries between the United Mexican States and the United 
States of America; and the June 9, 2000 Treaty on the Continental Shelf 
between the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government 
of the United States of America.
    The Agreement was signed on February 20, 2012, but has not yet 
entered into force. Bids submitted on any available block in the 
``Boundary Area'' (as defined previously) may be segregated from bids 
submitted on blocks outside the Boundary Area. Bids submitted on 
available blocks outside the Boundary Area will be opened on the date 
scheduled for sale. Bids submitted on available blocks in the Boundary 
Area may not be opened on the date scheduled for the sale, but may be 
opened at a later date. Within 30 days after the approval of the 
Agreement such that its terms to enter into force, or by September 30, 
2013, whichever occurs first, the Secretary of the Interior will 
determine whether it is in the best interest of the United States 
either to open bids for available Boundary Area blocks or to return the 
bids unopened. In the event the Secretary decides to open bids on 
available blocks in the Boundary Area, BOEM will notify such bidders at 
least 30 days prior to opening such bids, and will describe the terms 
of the Agreement under which leases in the Boundary Area will be issued 
as applicable. Bidders on these blocks may withdraw their bids at any 
time after such notice up until 10 a.m. of the day before bid opening. 
If BOEM does not give notice within 30 days of approval of the 
Agreement as described above, or by September 30, 2013, whichever comes 
first, BOEM will return the bids unopened. This timing will allow 
potential bidders to make decisions regarding the next annual CPA lease 
sale (anticipated in 2014), which may also offer blocks in this area. 
BOEM currently anticipates that blocks in the Boundary Area that are 
not awarded as a result of CPA Sale 227 would be reoffered in the next 
CPA lease sale. BOEM reserves the right to return these bids at any 
time. BOEM will not disclose which blocks received bids or the names of 
bidders in this area unless and until the bids are opened.
    The following whole and partial blocks comprise the entire Boundary 
Area (not all of which are available under CPA Sale 227):

Sigsbee Escarpment--151, 152, 195, 196, 197, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 
284, 285, 286, 287, 288*, 289*, 290*, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 
297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 
336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349
Amery Terrace--118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 
161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 
175, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 
206, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 232, 233, 234, 
235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 265, 266, 267, 271, 272, 
273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 
314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359
Lund South--133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 
177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 
191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 
205, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 
245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 293, 294, 295, 296

    * Leased.

II. Statutes and Regulations

    Each lease is issued pursuant to OCSLA, regulations promulgated 
pursuant thereto, other applicable statutes and regulations in 
existence upon the effective date of the lease, and those applicable 
statutes enacted (including amendments to OCSLA or other statutes) and 
regulations promulgated thereafter, except to the extent they 
explicitly conflict with an express provision of the lease. Amendments 
to existing statutes and regulations, including but not limited to 
OCSLA, as well as the enactment of new statutes and promulgation of new 
regulations that do not explicitly conflict with an express provision 
of the lease, will apply to leases issued as a result of this sale. 
Moreover, the lessee expressly bears the risk that such new statutes 
and regulations (i.e., those that do not explicitly conflict with an 
express provision of the lease) may increase or decrease the lessee's 
obligation under the lease.

III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions

Lease Terms

OCS Lease Form
    BOEM will use Form BOEM-2005 (October 2011) to convey leases 
resulting from this sale. This lease form may be viewed on the BOEM Web 
site at http://www.boem.gov/About-BOEM/Procurement-Business-Opportunities/BOEM-OCS-Operation-Forms/BOEM-2005.aspx. The lease form 
will be amended to conform with the specific terms, conditions, and 
stipulations applicable to the individual lease.
Initial Periods
    Initial periods are summarized in the following table:

[[Page 9423]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Water depth in meters                                       Initial periods
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0 to < 400..........................................  Standard initial period is 5 years; the lessee may earn an
                                                       additional 3 years (i.e., for an 8-year extended initial
                                                       period), if a well is spudded targeting hydrocarbons
                                                       below 25,000 feet True Vertical Depth Subsea (TVD SS)
                                                       during the first 5 years of the lease.
400 to < 800........................................  Standard initial period is 5 years; the lessee will earn
                                                       an additional 3 years (i.e., for an 8-year extended
                                                       initial period), if a well is spudded during the first 5
                                                       years of the lease.
800 to < 1,600......................................  Standard initial period is 7 years; the lessee will earn
                                                       an additional 3 years (i.e., for a 10-year extended
                                                       initial period), if a well is spudded during the first 7
                                                       years of the lease.
1,600 +.............................................  10 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) The standard initial period for a lease in water depths of less 
than 400 meters issued from this sale is 5 years. If the lessee spuds a 
well targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVD SS within the first 5 
years of the lease, then the lessee may earn an additional 3 years, for 
an 8-year extended initial period. The lessee will earn the 8-year 
extended initial period in cases where the well is drilled to a target 
below 25,000 feet TVD SS, or the lessee may earn the 8-year extended 
initial period in cases where the well targets, but does not reach, a 
depth below 25,000 feet TVD SS due to mechanical or safety reasons, 
where sufficient evidence is provided. In order to earn the 8-year 
extended initial period, the lessee is required to submit a letter to 
the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) GOM Regional 
Supervisor for Production and Development (RSPD) within 30 days after 
completion of the drilling operation. The letter must include: (1) The 
well number; (2) spud date; (3) information demonstrating a target 
below 25,000 feet TVD SS and whether that target was reached; and (4) 
if applicable, any safety, mechanical, or other problems encountered 
that prevented the well from reaching a depth below 25,000 feet TVD SS. 
The RSPD must concur in writing that the conditions have been met in 
order for the lessee to earn the 8-year extended initial period. The 
RSPD will provide a written response within 30 days of receipt of the 
lessee's letter.
    A lessee who earns an 8-year extended initial period by spudding a 
well with a hydrocarbon target below 25,000 feet TVD SS during the 
first 5 years of the lease, confirmed by the RSPD, will not be eligible 
for a suspension for that same period under the regulations at 30 CFR 
250.175 because the lease is not at risk of expiring.
    (2) The standard initial period for a lease in water depths of 400 
meters to less than 800 meters issued from this sale is 5 years. The 
lessee will earn an additional 3 years, for an 8-year extended initial 
period, if the lessee spuds a well within the first 5 years of the 
lease.
    In order to earn the 8-year extended initial period, the lessee is 
required to submit to the appropriate BSEE District Manager, within 30 
days after spudding a well, a letter providing the well number and spud 
date, and requesting concurrence that the lessee has earned the 8-year 
extended initial period. The BSEE District Manager will review the 
request and make a written determination within 30 days of receipt of 
the request. The BSEE District Manager must concur in writing that the 
conditions have been met by the lessee to earn the 8-year extended 
initial period.
    (3) The standard initial period for a lease in water depths of 800 
meters to less than 1,600 meters issued from this sale will be 7 years. 
The lessee will earn an additional 3 years, for a 10-year extended 
initial period, if the lessee spuds a well within the first 7 years of 
the lease.
    In order to earn the 10-year extended initial period, the lessee is 
required to submit to the appropriate BSEE District Manager, within 30 
days after spudding a well, a letter providing the well number and spud 
date, and requesting concurrence that the lessee earned the 10-year 
extended initial period. The BSEE District Manager will review the 
request and make a written determination within 30 days of receipt of 
the request. The BSEE District Manager must concur in writing that the 
conditions have been met by the lessee to earn the 10-year extended 
initial period.
    (4) The standard initial period for a lease in water depths of 
1,600 meters or greater issued from this sale will be 10 years.

Economic Conditions

Minimum Bonus Bid Amounts
     $25.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water 
depths of less than 400 meters.
     $100.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water 
depths of 400 meters or deeper.
    BOEM will not accept a bonus bid unless it provides for a cash 
bonus in the amount equal to, or exceeding, the specified minimum bid 
of $25.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of 
less than 400 meters, and $100.00 per acre or fraction thereof for 
blocks in water depths of 400 meters or deeper.
Rental Rates
    Annual rental rates are summarized in the following table:

                                    Rental Rates per Acre or Fraction Thereof
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Water depth in meters                 Years 1-5                     Years 6, 7 & 8+
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to < 200....................................           $7.00  $14.00, $21.00 & $28.00
200 to < 400..................................           11.00  $22.00, $33.00 & $44.00
400 +.........................................           11.00  $16.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 9424]]

Escalating Rental Rates for Leases With an 8-Year Extended Initial 
Period in Water Depths of Less Than 400 Meters
    Any lease in water depths less than 400 meters that earns an 8-year 
extended initial period will pay an escalating rental rate as shown 
above. The rental rates after the fifth year for blocks in less than 
400 meters will become fixed and no longer escalate if another well is 
spudded targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVD SS after the fifth 
year of the lease, and BSEE concurs that such a well has been spudded. 
In this case, the rental rate will become fixed at the rental rate in 
effect during the lease year in which the additional well was spudded.
Royalty Rate
     18.75 percent.
Minimum Royalty Rate
     $7.00 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in 
water depths of less than 200 meters.
     $11.00 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in 
water depths of 200 meters or deeper.
Royalty Suspension Provisions
    Leases with royalty suspension volumes (RSVs) are authorized under 
existing BSEE regulations at 30 CFR part 203 and BOEM regulations at 30 
CFR part 560.
Deep and Ultra-Deep Gas Royalty Suspensions
    A lease issued as a result of this sale may be eligible for RSV 
incentives for deep and ultra-deep wells pursuant to 30 CFR part 203, 
implementing requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. These RSV 
incentives are conditioned upon applicable price thresholds.
     Certain wells on leases in 0 to less than 400 meters of 
water depth completed to a drilling depth of 20,000 feet TVD SS or 
deeper may receive an RSV of 35 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
     Certain wells on leases in 200 to less than 400 meters of 
water depth completed to a drilling depth from 15,000 to 20,000 feet 
TVD SS that begin production before May 3, 2013, may receive smaller 
RSV incentives.

IV. Lease Stipulations

    One or more of the following stipulations will be applied to leases 
resulting from this sale as applicable. The detailed text of these 
stipulations is contained in the Lease Stipulations section of the 
Final NOS Package.

(1) Topographic Features
(2) Live Bottoms
(3) Military Areas
(4) Evacuation
(5) Coordination
(6) Blocks South of Baldwin County, Alabama
(7) Law of the Sea Convention Royalty Payment
(8) Protected Species
(9) Below Seabed Operations
(10) Agreement between the United States of America and the United 
Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the 
Gulf of Mexico

V. Information to Lessees

    The ``Information to Lessees'' (ITL) clauses provide detailed 
information on certain issues pertaining to this oil and gas lease 
sale. The detailed text of these ITL clauses is contained in the 
``Information to Lessees'' section of the Final NOS Package:

(1) Navigation Safety
(2) Ordnance Disposal Areas
(3) Communications Towers
(4) Existing and Proposed Artificial Reefs/Rigs to Reefs
(5) Lightering Zones
(6) Indicated Hydrocarbons List
(7) Military Areas
(8) Safety Zones for Certain Production Facilities
(9) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Inspection 
and Enforcement of Certain Coast Guard Regulations
(10) Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites
(11) Potential Sand Dredging Activities
(12) Below Seabed Operations
(13) Commercial Waste Disposal Areas
(14) Air Quality Permits
(15) Notice of Arrival on the Outer Continental Shelf
(16) Bids on Blocks near U.S.-Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf 
Boundary

VI. Maps

    The following maps are included in the Final NOS Package; they also 
may be found on the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/sale-227/.

Lease Terms and Economic Conditions Map

    The lease terms and economic conditions and the blocks to which 
these terms and conditions apply are shown on the map ``Final, Central 
Planning Area, Lease Sale 227, March 20, 2013, Lease Terms and Economic 
Conditions'' included in the Final NOS Package.

Stipulations and Deferred Blocks Map

    The blocks on which one or more lease stipulations apply are shown 
on the map, ``Final, Central Planning Area, Lease Sale 227, March 20, 
2013, Stipulations and Deferred Blocks Map,'' included in the Final NOS 
Package.

VII. Bidding Instructions

    Instructions on how to submit a bid, secure payment of the advance 
bonus bid deposit (if applicable), and what information must be 
included with the bid are as follows:

Bid Form

    For each block bid upon, a separate sealed bid shall be submitted 
in a sealed envelope (as described below) and must include the 
following:
     Total amount of the bid in whole dollars only;
     Sale number;
     Sale date;
     Each bidder's exact name;
     Each bidder's proportionate interest, stated as a 
percentage, using a maximum of five decimal places (e.g., 33.33333%);
     Typed name and title, and signature of each bidder's 
authorized officer;
     Each bidder's GOM company number;
     Map name and number or OPD name and number;
     Block number; and
     Statement acknowledging that the bidder(s) understand that 
this bid legally binds the bidder(s) to comply with all applicable 
regulations including payment of one-fifth of the bonus bid amount on 
all apparent high bids.
    The information required on the bid(s) is specified in the document 
``Bid Form'' contained in the Final NOS Package. A blank bid form has 
been provided therein for convenience and may be copied and completed 
with the necessary information described above.

Bid Envelope

    Each bid must be submitted in a separate sealed envelope labeled as 
follows:
     ``Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 227, not to be 
opened until 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013'' or if the bid is on a 
block in the U.S.-Mexico Maritime Boundary Area, ``Sealed Bid for Oil 
and Gas Lease Sale 227 U.S.-Mexico Maritime Boundary Bid, not to be 
opened until Transboundary Agreement is approved by Congress or 
September 30, 2013;''
     Map name and number or OPD name and number;
     Block number for block bid upon; and
     The exact name and GOM company number of the submitting 
bidder only.
    The Final NOS Package includes a sample bid envelope for reference.

[[Page 9425]]

Mailed Bids

    If bids are mailed, please address the envelope containing the 
sealed bid envelope(s) as follows:

    Attention: Leasing and Financial Responsibility Section, BOEM Gulf 
of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123-2394. Contains Sealed Bids for CPA Oil and Gas Lease Sale 227. 
Please Deliver to Ms. Cindy Thibodeaux or Ms. Kasey Couture, 2nd Floor, 
Immediately.

    Please Note: Bidders mailing bid(s) are advised to call Ms. 
Cindy Thibodeaux at (504) 736-2809, or Ms. Kasey Couture at (504) 
736-2909, immediately after putting their bid(s) in the mail. If 
BOEM receives bids later than the Bid Submission Deadline, the BOEM 
Regional Director (BOEM RD) will return those bids unopened to 
bidders. Should an unexpected event, such as flooding or travel 
restrictions be significantly disruptive to bid submission, BOEM may 
extend the Bid Submission Deadline. Bidders may call (504) 736-0557 
or access the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Regional Web site at http://www.boem.gov/About-BOEM/BOEM-Regions/Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Index.aspx for information about the possible extension of the Bid 
Submission Deadline due to such an event.

Advance Bonus Bid Deposit Guarantee

    Bidders that are not currently an OCS oil and gas lease record 
title holder or designated operator or those that ever have defaulted 
on a one-fifth bonus bid deposit, by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or 
otherwise, must guarantee (secure) the payment of the one-fifth bonus 
bid deposit prior to bid submission using one of the following four 
methods:
     Provide a third-party guarantee;
     Amend areawide development bond via bond rider;
     Provide a letter of credit; or
     Provide a lump sum payment in advance via EFT.
    For more information on EFT procedures, see ``The Lease Sale'' 
Section X of this document.

Affirmative Action

    BOEM requires that, prior to bidding, the bidder file Equal 
Opportunity Affirmative Action Representation Form BOEM-2032 (October 
2011) and Equal Opportunity Compliance Report Certification Form BOEM-
2033 (October 2011) in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication 
Section. This certification is required by 41 CFR part 60 and Executive 
Order No. 11246, issued September 24, 1965, as amended by Executive 
Order No. 11375, issued October 13, 1967. Please note that both forms 
are required to be on file for the bidder(s) in the GOM Region 
Adjudication Section prior to the execution of any lease contract.

Geophysical Data and Information Statement (GDIS)

    Pursuant to 30 CFR 551.12, BOEM has a right to access geophysical 
data and information collected under a permit in the OCS. Every bidder 
submitting a bid on a block in CPA Sale 227, or participating as a 
joint bidder in such a bid, must submit at the time of bid submission a 
GDIS in a separate and sealed envelope, identifying all proprietary 
data; reprocessed speculative data and/or any Controlled Source 
Electromagnetic surveys, Amplitude Versus Offset, Gravity or Magnetic 
data; or other information used as part of the decision to bid or 
participate in a bid on the block.

    Please Note: A bidder must submit the GDIS even if its joint 
bidder or bidders on a specific block also have submitted a GDIS. 
Any speculative data that has been reprocessed externally or ``in-
house'' is considered proprietary due to the proprietary processing 
and is no longer considered to be speculative. The GDIS should 
clearly state who did the reprocessing (e.g., external company name 
or ``in-house''). In addition, the GDIS should clearly identify the 
data type (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D, pre-stack or post-stack, and time 
or depth); areal extent (i.e., number of line miles for 2-D or 
number of blocks for 3-D) and migration algorithm (e.g., Kirchhoff 
Migration, Wave Equation Migration, Reverse Migration, Reverse Time 
Migration) of the data; velocity models used; and other requested 
metadata. The statement also must include the name; phone number, 
and full address of a contact person and an alternate who are both 
knowledgeable about the information and data listed and available 
for 30 days post-sale; the processing company; date processing was 
completed; owner of the original data set (who initially acquired 
the data); and original data survey name and permit number. Seismic 
survey information also should include the computer storage size, to 
the nearest megabyte, of each seismic data set and velocity volume 
used to evaluate the lease block in question. This will be used in 
estimating the reproduction costs for each data set during the 
requisition process prior to requesting data. BOEM reserves the 
right to query alternate data sets, to quality check, and to compare 
the listed and alternative data sets to determine which data set 
most closely meets the needs of the fair market value determination 
process.

    The GDIS must also include entries for all blocks bid upon that did 
not use proprietary or reprocessed pre- or post-stack geophysical data 
and information as part of the decision to bid or to participate as a 
joint bidder in the bid. The GDIS must be submitted even if no 
proprietary geophysical data and information were used in bid 
preparation for the block. In the event a person (as defined at 30 CFR 
556.43) supplies any type of data to BOEM, that person must meet the 
following requirements to qualify for reimbursement:
    (1) Persons must be registered with the System for Award Management 
(SAM), formerly known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). 
Your CCR username will not work in SAM. A new SAM User Account is 
needed to register or update your entity's records. The Web site for 
registering is https://www.sam.gov.
    (2) Persons must be enrolled in the Department of Treasury's 
Internet Payment Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing. The person 
must enroll at the IPP (https://www.ipp.gov/) if it has not already 
done so. Access then will be granted to use IPP for submitting requests 
for payment. When a request for payment is submitted, it must include 
the assigned Purchase Order Number on the request.
    (3) Persons must have a current On-line Representations and 
Certifications Application at https://www.sam.gov.

    Please Note: The GDIS Information Table can be submitted 
digitally as an Excel spreadsheet on a CD or DVD. If you have any 
questions, please contact Ms. Dee Smith at (504) 736-2706, or Mr. 
John Johnson at (504) 736-2455.

Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders

    BOEM requests that bidders provide this information in the 
suggested format prior to or at the time of bid submission. This form 
shall not be enclosed inside the sealed bid envelope.

Additional Documentation

    BOEM may require bidders to submit other documents in accordance 
with 30 CFR 556.46.

VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions

Restricted Joint Bidders

    BOEM published in the Federal Register a List of Restricted Joint 
Bidders, which applies to this lease sale, at 77 FR 64826 on October 
23, 2012. Please refer to joint bidding provisions at 30 CFR 556.41 for 
additional restrictions.

Authorized Signatures

    All bidders must execute all documents in conformance with 
signatory authorizations on file in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region 
Adjudication Office. Designated signatories must be authorized to bind 
their respective legal business entity (e.g., a corporation, 
partnership, or LLC) and must have an incumbency

[[Page 9426]]

certificate setting forth the authorized signatories on file with the 
BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Office. Bidders submitting 
joint bids must include on the bid form the proportionate interest of 
each participating bidder, stated as a percentage, using a maximum of 
five decimal places (e.g., 33.33333 percent) with total interest 
equaling 100 percent.
    Bidders are advised that BOEM considers the signed bid to be a 
legally binding obligation on the part of the bidder(s) to comply with 
all applicable regulations, including payment of one-fifth of the bonus 
bid on all high bids. A statement to this effect must be included on 
each bid form (see the document ``Bid Form'' contained in the Final NOS 
Package).

Unlawful Combination or Intimidation

    BOEM warns bidders against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860, prohibiting 
unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.

Bid Withdrawal

    Bids may be withdrawn only by written request delivered to BOEM 
prior to the Bid Submission Deadline. The withdrawal request must be on 
company letterhead and must contain the bidder's name, its company 
number, the map name/number, and the block number(s) of the bid(s) to 
be withdrawn. The request must be in conformance with signatory 
authorizations on file in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication 
Office. Signatories must be authorized to bind their respective legal 
business entities (e.g., a corporation, partnership, or LLC) and must 
have: (1) An incumbency certificate and/or (2) specific power of 
attorney setting forth express authority to act on the business 
entity's behalf for purposes of bidding and lease execution under 
OCSLA. The name and title of the signatory must be typed under the 
signature block on the withdrawal letter. Upon the BOEM Regional 
Director's (RD), or his designee's, approval of such requests, he or 
she will indicate their approval by signing and dating the withdrawal 
request.

Bid Rounding

    The bonus bid amount must be stated in whole dollars. If the 
acreage of a block contains a decimal figure, then prior to calculating 
the minimum bonus bid, bidders must round up to the next whole acre. 
The appropriate minimum rate per acre is then applied to the whole 
(rounded up) acreage. If this calculation results in a fractional 
dollar amount, bidders must round up to the next whole dollar amount. 
The bonus bid amount must be greater than or equal to the minimum bonus 
bid. Minimum bonus bid calculations, including all rounding, for all 
blocks are shown in the document ``List of Blocks Available for 
Leasing'' included in the Final NOS Package.

IX. Forms

    The Final NOS Package includes forms, samples, and the preferred 
format for the following items. Bidders are strongly encouraged to use 
these formats; should bidders use another format, they are responsible 
for including all the information specified for each item in this Final 
NOS Package.

(1) Bid Form
(2) Sample Completed Bid
(3) Sample Bid Envelope
(4) Sample Bid Mailing Envelope
(5) Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders Form
(6) GDIS Form
(7) GDIS Envelope Form

X. The Lease Sale

Bid Opening and Reading

    Sealed bids received in response to the Final NOS will be opened at 
the place, date and hour specified in this Final NOS. The opening of 
the bids is for the sole purpose of publicly announcing and recording 
the bids received; no bids will be accepted or rejected at that time.

Bonus Bid Deposit for Apparent High Bids

    Each bidder submitting an apparent high bid must submit a bonus bid 
deposit to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Natural 
Resources Revenue (ONRR) equal to one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for 
each such bid. A copy of the notification of the high bidder's one-
fifth bonus liability may be obtained at the EFT Area outside the Bid 
Reading Room on the day of the bid opening, or it may be obtained on 
the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-227/ under the heading 
``Notification of EFT \1/5\ Bonus Liability.'' All payments must be 
deposited electronically into an interest-bearing account in the U.S. 
Treasury by 11 a.m. Eastern Time the day following bid reading (no 
exceptions). Account information is provided in the ``Instructions for 
Making Electronic Funds Transfer Bonus Payments'' found on the BOEM Web 
site identified above.
    BOEM requires bidders to use EFT procedures for payment of one-
fifth bonus bid deposits for CPA Sale 227, following the detailed 
instructions contained on the Payment Information Web page that may be 
found on the ONRR Web site at http://www.onrr.gov/FM/PayInfo.htm. 
Acceptance of a deposit does not constitute and shall not be construed 
as acceptance of any bid on behalf of the United States.

Withdrawal of Blocks

    The United States reserves the right to withdraw any block from 
this lease sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid for 
the block.

Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids

    The United States reserves the right to reject any and all bids. No 
bid will be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any 
bidder, unless the bidder has complied with all requirements of this 
Final NOS, including those set forth in the documents contained in the 
Final NOS Package and applicable regulations; the bid is the highest 
valid bid; and the amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate 
by the authorized officer. Any bid submitted that does not conform to 
the requirements of this Final NOS and Final NOS Package, OCSLA, or 
other applicable statute or regulation may be rejected and returned to 
the bidder. The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission 
will review the results of the lease sale prior to the acceptance of 
bids and issuance of leases for anti-trust issues. To ensure that the 
Government receives a fair return for the conveyance of leases from 
this sale, high bids will be evaluated in accordance with BOEM's bid 
adequacy procedures. A copy of current procedures, ``Modifications to 
the Bid Adequacy Procedures'' at 64 FR 37560 on July 12, 1999, can be 
obtained from the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office, 
or via the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Web site at http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/lsesale/bidadeq.html.

Lease Award

    BOEM requires each bidder awarded a lease to: (1) Execute all 
copies of the lease (Form BOEM-2005 (October 2011), as amended), (2) 
pay by EFT the balance of the bonus bid amount and the first year's 
rental for each lease issued in accordance with the requirements of 30 
CFR 218.155 and 556.47(f); and (3) satisfy the bonding requirements of 
30 CFR part 556, subpart I, as amended. ONRR requests that only one 
transaction be used for payment of the four-fifths bonus bid amount and 
the first year's rental.

XI. Delay of Sale

    The BOEM RD in the Gulf of Mexico Region has the discretion to 
change any date, time, and/or location specified in the Final NOS 
Package in case of a force

[[Page 9427]]

majeure event that the BOEM RD deems may interfere with the carrying 
out of a fair and proper lease sale process. Such events may include, 
but are not limited to, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, 
hurricanes, and floods), wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fire, strikes, 
civil disorder, or other events of a similar nature. In case of such 
events, bidders should call (504) 736-0557, or access the BOEM Web site 
at http://www.boem.gov for information about any changes.

    Dated: January 28, 2013.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2013-02701 Filed 2-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P