Federal Register: December 31, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 250)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-32094
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Environmental statements; availability, etc.:
DOCUMENT ACTION: ROD on the use of FPSO systems.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Proposed Use of Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) Systems on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf, Western and Central Planning Areas
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The MMS has completed a ROD for the EIS on the proposed use of FPSO systems in the deepwater areas (generally beyond 650 feet or 200 meters water depth) of the Western and Central Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf.
SUMMARY:
Gulf of Mexico OCS—; Floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) systems,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The MMS has examined the concept of allowing the use of FPSOs in the Central and Western GOM Planning Areas and found no compelling environmental reason why development and production plans proposing to use this method of production should not be submitted by the oil and gas industry for evaluation by the agency. The EIS prepared for MMS under contract found that FPSO systems do not pose a greater threat to the environment than do currently accepted development and production systems, given that proper mitigation measures, keyed to the specific proposed operations and location, be applied. Further technical and environmental evaluation will be required for specific FPSO proposals. The MMS will evaluate the potential emissions and impacts of any proposed use of an FPSO within 100 km of the Breton NWA, and will impose emission restrictions and mitigation requirements to ensure that no significant air quality impacts to the Class I area occurs from any proposed FPSO operations. Any proposed FPSO operations that are not within the range of operations evaluated in the programmatic EIS will require more extensive technical and environmental review to demonstrate equivalence to what was investigated by the EIS.
The MMS will defer to U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) jurisdiction and will
not accept proposals for the use of FPSOs within the Lightering
Prohibited Areas established by USCG (33 CFR Part 156 Subpart C) for 2
years. The 2year period will allow additional discussions with USCG on
the potential use and impacts of FPSO operations within the Lightering
Prohibited Areas. The time will allow for a fuller discussion of what
measures might be necessary to protect the environment should FPSOs be
considered for use within the Lightering Prohibited Areas, and review
of the applicability of the environmental assessment completed 10 years
ago by USCG in support of the rulemaking that established the
Lightering Prohibited Areas. The MMS will continue to work with USCG to delineate jurisdictional
[[Page 67543]]
issues based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
The ROD is the last step in the National Environmental Policy Act
process. The ROD summarizes the proposed action and the alternatives
evaluated in the EIS, the conclusions of the EIS impact analyses, and other information considered in reaching the decision.
Dated: December 13, 2001.
Carolita U. Kallaur,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 0132094 Filed 122801; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310MRP
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Questions regarding the ROD should be directed to Ms. Deborah Cranswick, Leasing and Environment, at (504) 7362744. The mailing address is Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 701232394.