OCS Scientific Committee Meeting Summary - Pacific OCS Region
Update
For the Pacific OCS Region, the California Offshore Oil and Gas Energy Resources study
was completed in January of 2000, and the final report was released and distributed to
interested parties. This report is a detailed treatment of the onshore physical
infrastructure associated with the processing and transport of offshore oil and gas. The
focus is on existing production on developed leases and the possible future production
scenarios from 36 undeveloped leases in Federal and State waters. Staffs in Santa Barbara
and Ventura counties are already using information from the study for planning purposes
and MMS staff is using the information in writing environmental documents for plans
submitted for undeveloped leases off Southern California.
Since the last SC meeting, an operator of several major platforms in the Santa Barbara
Channel completed the drilling of a second directional well into the Sacate Field from
Platform Heritage. These two wells allow Exxon to tap into the field which contain
approximately 71 million barrels of oil and 207 billion cubic feet of gas reserves.
Production from this unit is approximately 60,000 barrels per day.
Last November the MMS approved operator suspension requests for nine undeveloped units and
one lease. During the suspension period, the operators will conduct the necessary
technical surveys and environmental analyses that will allow them to properly revise
existing or develop new plans for exploration and development. As part of the process, the
MMS is committed to carrying out its obligations under the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) including the preparation of all appropriate NEPA documents. The State of
California will have the opportunity to review revisions to existing plans and any new
plans in their entirety to ensure that proposed oil and gas activities are consistent with
the requirements of their coastal management program.
On November 17, 2000, the MMS issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for five to
eight delineation wells on undeveloped leases and a cumulative analysis of the effects of
offshore development and production and other non-energy activities.
In addition, the MMS is acting as an advisory participant to a Joint Review Panel for the
development of an Environmental Impact Report with the California Coastal Commission for
the possible development of oil in the Tranquillon Ridge Field in State waters. To date
there is no State lease for this area.
Another area of activity off California is the issue of platform decommissioning. Several
of the older platforms will have reached their end of life over the next several years,
and MMS is working with the State and others to look at various decommissioning options
including the potential for conversion to artificial reefs.
The MMS is a member of the Interagency Decommissioning Working Group (IDWG) which reviews
critical issues and appropriate mitigation measures for the decommissioning of
offshore oil and natural gas facilities. The California State Lands Commission is
another major member of the group with a number of facilities in State waters that will
eventually require abandonment. The IDWG periodically holds workshops on decommissioning
issues and routinely meets every two months.
For more information, contact Julie Reynolds.
