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Title: Gulf of Mexico Sales 139 and 141: Central and western planning areas

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6091616

This environmental impact statement (EIS) addresses two proposed Federal actions, lease Sales 139 and 141, that will offer for lease Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) areas that may contain economically recoverable oil and gas resources. The lease sales are proposed for 1992 and include lease blocks in the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (CPA) and Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (WPA). Approximately 9700 blocks will be available for lease under the two proposed actions; only a small percentage is expected to be actually leased. On average, 432 blocks in the Central Gulf and 279 blocks in the Western Gulf have been leased in individual Gulf of Mexico OCS lease sales since 1984. Of the blocks that will be leased as a result of the two proposed actions, only a portion will be drilled and will likely result in subsequent production. The analytical methods used in this EIS have been formulated over a period of years and are based on the methodology outlined within the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The first step of the analysis is the identification of significant environmental and socioeconomic resources through the scoping process. A range of impact levels is then defined for each of the significant resources to be analyzed. A range of energy resource estimates is derived from geologic and economic assumptions and a range of alternatives to the proposed action is established. Estimated levels of exploration and development actively are assumed for the purposes of the analysis. A scoping process was used to obtain information and comments on the proposed actions and the potential environmental effects from diverse interests, including the affected States, Federal agencies, the petroleum industry, environmental and public interest groups, and concerned individuals.

Research Organization:
Minerals Management Service, New Orleans, LA (United States). Gulf of Mexico OCS Regional Office
Sponsoring Organization:
DOI; Department of the Interior, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
6091616
Report Number(s):
OCS/EIS/EA/MMS-91-0054-Vol.2; ON: TI92004694
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English