American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2016 - 81

words that "there has been no documented
scientific evidence of noise from air guns
used in G&G seismic activities adversely
affecting marine animal populations or
coastal communities."
Lacking Justification
According to BOEM, the types of surveys the draft PEIS assesses include deeppenetration and high-resolution seismic,
electromagnetic, magnetic, gravity, remote-sensing, and geological and geochemical sampling. Among the mitigations
the bureau has evaluated are protected
species observers on each boat, mandatory
vessel avoidance of marine mammals, and
startup/shutdown rules that apply when
observing marine mammals in the area.
Radford says API is particularly dismayed about mitigation measures that
propose to halt operations for dolphins,
which he describes as unjustified.
Moreover, he suggests those are not
the only restrictions that seem to lack a
scientific basis. "Proposed minimum separation distances for seismic surveys running
concurrently are not justifiable either-
something that BOEM acknowledged in
the Atlantic Seismic Final EIS," Radford
remarks. "BOEM's analysis in that environmental review document concluded that
the proposed 25-mile separation distance
would reduce potential impacts to marine
mammals only slightly, and noted that
there was 'uncertainty' surrounding its effectiveness as a mitigation measure."
Also problematic is BOEM's desire
to shrink the number of Gulf seismic
surveys altogether, he states. "We also
are deeply troubled by proposals to reduce
the overall number of seismic surveys in
the Gulf of Mexico by 10 and 25 percent,"
Radford details.
Moreover, he continues, BOEM's
method for calculating takes demands
more scrutiny. "Historically, the models
have been overly conservative and do not
take into account the effective mitigation
measures used by industry," Radford assesses. "The result is astronomically and
unrealistically high numbers for potential
takes that are then misused and sensationalized by groups opposed to energy production. The modeling should accurately
reflect the best science and research, and
our operational experience, which indicates
that seismic surveys have little to no impact
on marine wildlife populations."
BOEM says the target date for completing the PEIS is September 2017. The
proposed project area evaluated is BOEM's
Western, Central and Eastern Gulf planning
areas, as well as adjacent state waters.
The PEIS can be found on line at
http://www.boem.gov/GOM-G-G-PEIS/.
❒

ARTICLE REPRINTS
THE SMART MARKETING TOOL

Leverage AOGR's communications
professional reprints and e-prints designed
with four-color custom presentations!
Order a quality reproduction of an article in
an organized format with the addition of
your advertisement and/or company logo
along with other company information.
We can deliver from 1,000 to 10,000 copies, or more!

THE MARKETING TOOL THAT
SIMPLY MAKES SENSE!
For more information, to order reprints,
please contact NORA MOTA MAGILL:
North America:

1-800-847-8301 International: 001-316-788-6271
E-mail: nmotamagill@aogr.com

www.aogr.com
DECEMBER 2016 81
American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2016
