BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region 1
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Conducts all oil and gas leasing and resource management functions on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. Responsible for 430 million acres in 7 planning areas. Central and Western Gulf planning areas remain the Nation s primary offshore source of oil and gas. As of September 1, 2015, there are 4,904 Gulf oil and gas leases covering 26,476,042 acres. Gulf accounts for about 16% of US crude oil production and 6% percent of US domestic gas production. Over 45% of total US refining capacity is located along the Gulf coast as well as 51% of gas processing capacity. Manages renewables and marine minerals in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama areas.
Oil and Gas Lease Sales Sale-related lease terms and conditions are designed to assure receipt of fair market value, diligent exploration/development of leases, and environmentally clean and safe operations. Typical GOM sale schedule includes two lease sales in a normal year (covering Central and Western Gulf of Mexico) with an occasional additional (i.e. third sale) in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Recent GOM sale results March 2015 Central Gulf of Mexico Sale Offered 7,788 tracts covering covering 41.2 million acres Leased 161 tracts covering approx. 880 thousand acres Accepted high bonus bids of $533.1 million August 2015 Western Gulf of Mexico Sale Offered 4,083 tracts covering 21.9 million acres Leased 33 tracts covering 190 thousand acres Accepted High bonus bids of $22.7 million Remaining Sales on Current 5-Year Lease Sale Schedule Area Year Western Gulf 2016 Central Gulf 2016, 2017 Eastern Gulf 2016 3
Oil and Gas Leases 4
Office of Environment Responsible for Resource analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Applies NEPA in the pre and post lease Oil and Gas, Marine Minerals and Renewable Energy Programs. Analyzes impacts to biological, physical, chemical and social resources including protected species, marine and coastal habitats, archeological sites, commercial and recreational activities and marine mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates. Conducts consultations under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Air Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, etc.
Gulf of Mexico Region Concerns Environmental Concerns Baseline changes as a result of DWH Understanding of deep water environments Fate of oil and dispersants in the marine environment Possible effects of noise on marine mammals, fish, etc. NRDA & RESTORE Act Coordination Environmental Coordination with Mexico Multiple-use conflicts with increasing OCS activities Key Environmental Analyses Supplemental EIS for Lease Sales 226 (EPA), 241, 247 (CPA), 248 (WPA) EIS for GOM Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Activities EIS for Atlantic Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Activities Key Environmental Studies Deepwater Coral Sites Impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Long Term Study of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Simulation Modeling of Ocean Circulation and Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) 6
Expanded Long-Term Environmental Monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico OCSLA specifies monitoring to provide time-series for identifying changes in environmental quality. Post-DWH need identified for expanded Gulf long-term monitoring to inform changing baselines. Since 1973 the Flower Garden Banks LTM has been BOEM s Star Gulf monitoring program. Our goal is development of new ecosystem-based monitoring approaches. Flower Garden Banks: NEW Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site 7
Long-Term Monitoring Collaboration Offshore Operators Committee Interest in expanded use of Oil and Gas infrastructure for observing backbone (e.g., SERPENT). Recently requested a task under this Committee on Strategies for Ecosystem-Based Monitoring. Image Courtesy U-Vic 8
International One Gulf Initiatives Coordinating on Ocean Energy Active Partners: Ongoing Mexico and U.S. collaborations for safe and responsible development of oil and gas in Gulf of Mexico. Transboundary Agreement: Framework for joint development of crossboundary reservoirs. Environmental Programs: U.S. committed to further work with Mexico, and possibly Cuba, to build upon safety, environmental regulation, and joint science programs in the Gulf. 9
International One Gulf Initiatives Coordinating on Ocean Energy Environmental Studies Program: Numerous joint studies with Mexican scientists have been completed during the last 10 years in Physical Oceanography. Moving forward, working towards increased coordination on interdisciplinary studies in biology, physical/chemical, and social sciences. Aiming for first comprehensive, Gulfwide protected species surveys through the new GoMMAPPS Program. Mooring on UNAM s R/V Justo Sierra. Watercolor by Antoine Badan 10
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative The GOMRI is an independent scientific research program and is separate from the Natural Resources Damages Assessment process. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GOMRI) Research Board recently announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select research activities involving Research Consortia. The objectives of the GOMRI are to investigate the impacts of the oil, dispersed oil, and dispersant on the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico and affected coastal States. The ultimate goal of the GOMRI is to improve society s ability to understand, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of petroleum pollution and related stressors of the marine and coastal ecosystems, with an emphasis on conditions found in the Gulf of Mexico. Knowledge accrued will be applied to restoration and to improvement of the long-term environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico.
Applied Science for Informed Decisions 12
Questions Thank You! 13