Outer Continental Shelf, Western Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 155

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Outer Continental Shelf, Western Gulf of Mexico, Oil and Gas

Lease Sale 155

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service.

ACTION: Final notice of sale.

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1. Authority. This Notice is published pursuant to the Outer

Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, (1988)), and

the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR Part 256).

2. Filing of Bids. Sealed bids will be received by the Regional

Director (RD), Gulf of Mexico Region, Minerals Management Service

(MMS), 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394.

Bids may be delivered in person to that address during normal business

hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Standard Time (c.s.t.)) until the Bid

Submission Deadline at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, 1995.

Hereinafter, all times cited in this Notice refer to c.s.t. unless

otherwise stated. Bids will not be accepted the day of Bid Opening,

Wednesday, September 13, 1995. Bids received by the RD later than the

time and date specified above will be returned unopened to the bidders.

Bids may not be modified or withdrawn unless written modification or

written withdrawal request is received by the RD prior to 10 a.m.

Tuesday, September 12, 1995. Bid Opening Time will be 9 a.m.,

Wednesday, September 13, 1995, at the downtown Hilton Hotel (Poydras

Street at the Mississippi River) New Orleans, Louisiana. All bids must

be submitted and will be considered in accordance with applicable

regulations, including 30 CFR Part 256. The list of restricted joint

bidders which applies to this sale appeared in the Federal Register at

60 FR 14777, published on March 20, 1995.

3. Method of Bidding. (a) Submission of Bids. A separate signed bid

in a sealed envelope labeled ``Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale

155, not to be opened until 9 a.m., c.s.t., Wednesday, September 13,

1995'' must be submitted for each block bid upon. The sealed envelope

and the bid should contain the following information: The company name,

Gulf of Mexico Company Number (GOM Company Number), area number and/or

name (abbreviations acceptable), and the block number of the block bid

upon. In addition, the total amount bid must be in whole dollar

amounts.

Bidders must submit with each bid one-fifth of the cash bonus, in

cash or by cashier's check, bank draft, or certified check, payable to

the order of the U.S. Department of the Interior--Minerals Management

Service. For identification purposes, the following information must

appear on the check or draft: Company name, GOM Company Number, and the

area and block bid on (abbreviation acceptable). No bid for less than

all of the unleased portions of a block will be considered.

All documents must be executed in conformance with signatory

authorizations on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office.

Partnerships also need to submit or have on file a list of signatories

authorized to bind the partnership. Bidders submitting joint bids must

state on the bid form the proportionate interest of each participating

bidder, in percent to a maximum of five decimal places, e.g., 33.33333

percent. Other documents may be required of bidders under 30 CFR

256.46. Bidders are warned against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860

prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.

(b) Submission of Statement Regarding Certain Geophysical Data.

Each company submitting a bid, or participating as a joint bidder in

such a bid, shall submit, prior to the Bid Submission Deadline

specified in paragraph 2 of this Notice, a statement or statements

identifying any processed or reprocessed pre and post stack depth

migrated geophysical data in their possession or control pertaining to

each and every block on which they are participating as a bidder. The

existence,

[[Page 41106]]

extent, and type of such data must be clearly identified. In addition,

the statement shall certify that no such data is in their possession

for any other blocks on which they participate as a bidder. The

statement shall be submitted in an envelope separate from those

containing bids and shall be clearly marked; an example of a preferred

format for the statement and the envelope is included in the document

titled ``Trial Procedures for Access to Certain Geophysical Data in the

Gulf of Mexico.'' Only one statement per bidder is required for each

sale, but more than one may be submitted if desired, provided that all

tracts bid on by that company are covered in the one or more

statements.

Paragraph 14(j), Information to Lessees, contains additional

information pertaining to this requirement.

4. Bidding, Yearly Rental, and Royalty Systems. The following

bidding, yearly rental, and royalty systems apply to this sale:

(a) Bidding Systems. All bids submitted at this sale must provide

for a cash bonus in the amount of $25.00 or more per acre or fraction

thereof.

(b) Yearly Rental. All leases awarded will provide for a yearly

rental payment of $5 per acre or fraction thereof.

(c) Royalty Systems. All leases will provide for a minimum royalty

of $5 per acre or fraction thereof. The following royalty systems will

be used in this sale.

(1) Leases with a 12\1/2\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate

applies to blocks in water depths of 400 meters or greater; this area

is shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms, and Bidding Systems map

applicable to this Notice (see paragraph 13). Leases issued on the

blocks offered in this area will have a fixed royalty rate of 12\1/2\

percent.

(2) Leases with a 16\2/3\-Percent Royalty. This royalty rate

applies to blocks in water depths of less than 400 meters (see

aforementioned map). Leases issued on the blocks offered in this area

will have a fixed royalty rate of 16\2/3\ percent.

5. Equal Opportunity. The certification required by 41 CFR 60-

1.7(b) and Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended

by Executive Order No. 11375 of October 13, 1967, on the Compliance

Report Certification Form, Form MMS-2033 (June 1985), and the

Affirmative Action Representation Form, Form MMS-2032 (June 1985) must

be on file in the Gulf of Mexico regional office prior to lease award

(see paragraph 14(e)).

6. Bid Opening. Bid opening will begin at the bid opening time

stated in paragraph 2. The opening of the bids is for the sole purpose

of publicly announcing bids received, and no bids will be accepted or

rejected at that time. If the Department is prohibited for any reason

from opening any bid before midnight on the day of bid opening, that

bid will be returned unopened to the bidder as soon thereafter as

possible.

7. Deposit of Payment. Any cash, cashier's checks, certified

checks, or bank drafts submitted with a bid may be deposited by the

Government in an interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury during

the period the bids are being considered. Such a deposit does not

constitute and shall not be construed as acceptance of any bid on

behalf of the United States.

8. Withdrawal of Blocks. The United States reserves the right to

withdraw any block from this sale prior to issuance of a written

acceptance of a bid for the block.

9. Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids. The United States

reserves the right to reject any and all bids. In any case, no bid will

be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder,

unless:

(a) the bidder has complied with all requirements of this Notice

and applicable regulations;

(b) the bid is the highest valid bid; and

(c) the amount of the bid has been determined to be adequate by the

authorized officer.

No bonus bid will be considered for acceptance unless it provides

for a cash bonus in the amount of $25.00 or more per acre or fraction

thereof. Any bid submitted which does not conform to the requirements

of this Notice, the OCS Lands Act, as amended, and other applicable

regulations may be returned to the person submitting that bid by the RD

and not considered for acceptance.

10. Successful Bidders. Each person who has submitted a bid

accepted by the authorized officer will be required to execute copies

of the lease, pay the balance of the cash bonus bid along with the

first year's annual rental for each lease issued, by electronic funds

transfer in accordance with the requirements of 30 CFR 218.155, and

satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR 256, Subpart I, as amended.

See Federal Register at 58 FR 45255, published August 27, 1993.

11. Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams. Blocks offered

for lease may be located on the following Leasing Maps or Official

Protraction Diagrams which may be purchased from the Gulf of Mexico

regional office (see paragraph 14(a)):

(a) Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Texas, Nos. 1 through 8.

This is a set of 16 maps which sells for $18.00.

(b) Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams. These

diagrams sell for $2.00 each.

NG 14-3 Corpus Christi (rev. 01/27/76)

NG 14-6 Port Isabel (rev. 01/15/92)

NG 15-1 East Breaks (rev. 01/27/76)

NG 15-2 Garden Banks (rev. 10/19/81)

NG 15-4 Alaminos Canyon (rev. 04/27/89)

NG 15-5 Keathley Canyon (rev. 04/27/89)

NG 15-8 (No Name) (rev. 04/27/89)

12. Description of the Areas Offered for Bids. (a) Acreages of

blocks are shown on Leasing Maps and Official Protraction Diagrams.

Some of these blocks, however, may be partially leased, or transected

by administrative lines such as the Federal/State jurisdictional line.

Information on the unleased portions of such blocks, including the

exact acreage, is included in the following document available from the

Gulf of Mexico regional office; this document is also included in the

Final Notice of Sale package sent by this office:

Western Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 155--Final. Unleased Split Blocks

and Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular Portions

Under Lease.

(b) Blocks which have recently become available for leasing:

Attention is drawn to the following update list which is included as a

matter of convenience for interested parties. This update list reflects

blocks which have become available since the publication of the

Preliminary Final Notice of Sale 155. Any questions on this may be

directed to Ms. Patricia Bryars, phone (504) 736-2763.

Update List: Matagorda Island Area block 602; Brazos Area blocks

501 and 506; Galveston Area blocks 332, 383, 392, and 393; High Island

Area, East Addition, South Extension block A-341; and Garden Banks Area

blocks 166, 208, 210, 211, 252, 299, 342, and 381.

(c) Blocks not available for leasing: The areas offered for leasing

include all those blocks shown on the OCS Leasing Maps and Official

Protraction Diagrams listed in paragraph 11 (a) and (b), except for

those blocks or partial blocks already under lease and those blocks or

partial blocks listed in (1), (2), and (3) below. A list of Western

Gulf of Mexico blocks currently under active lease is included at the

end of this Notice.

(1) Flower Garden Banks area: No bids will be accepted on the

following blocks at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary:

High Island Area, East Addition, South Extension, blocks A-375 and A-

398.

(2) Navy Mine Warfare Training area: No bids will be accepted on

the

[[Page 41107]]

following blocks located off Corpus Christi which have been identified

by the Navy as needed for testing equipment and training mine warfare

personnel: Mustang Island Area blocks 793, 799, and 816.

(3) Blocks not available for leasing due to appeals: The lease

status of the following blocks are currently under appeal and therefore

these blocks are unavailable for leasing in this sale: Galveston Area,

South Addition, block A-125; and Brazos Area block 578.

13. Lease Terms and Stipulations.

(a) Leases resulting from this sale will have initial terms as

shown on the Stipulations, Lease Terms, and Bidding Systems Map

applicable to this Notice and will be on Form MMS-2005 (March 1986).

Copies of the map and lease form are available from the Gulf of Mexico

regional office (see paragraph 14(a)).

(b) The applicability of the stipulations which follow is as shown

on the map described in paragraph 13(a) and as supplemented by

references in this Notice.

Stipulation No. 1--Topographic Features

(This stipulation will be included in leases located in the areas so

indicated in the Biological Stipulation Map Package associated with

this Notice and which is available from the Gulf of Mexico regional

office (see paragraph 14(a))

The banks that cause this stipulation to be applied to blocks of

the Western Gulf are:

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No activity zone defined by isobath

Bank name (meters)

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Shelf Edge Banks:

West Flower Garden Bank \1\...... 100 (defined by \1/4\ \1/4\ \1/4\

system)

East Flower Garden Bank \1\...... 100 (defined by \1/4\ \1/4\ \1/4\

system)

MacNeil Bank..................... 82

29 Fathom Bank................... 64

Rankin Bank...................... 85

Geyer Bank....................... 85

Elvers Bank...................... 85

Bright Bank \2\.................. 85

McGrail Bank \2\................. 85

Rezak Bank \2\................... 85

Sidner Bank \2\.................. 85

Parker Bank \2\.................. 85

Stetson Bank..................... 62

Appelbaum Bank................... 85

Low Relief Banks \3\:

Mysterious Bank.................. 74, 76, 78, 80, 84

Coffee Lump...................... Various

Blackfish Ridge.................. 70

Big Dunn Bar..................... 65

Small Dunn Bar................... 65

32 Fathom Bank................... 52

Claypile Bank \4\................ 50

South Texas Banks \5\:

Dream Bank....................... 78, 82

Southern Bank.................... 80

Hospital Bank.................... 70

North Hospital Bank.............. 68

Aransas Bank..................... 70

South Baker Bank................. 70

Baker Bank....................... 70

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Flower Garden Banks--In paragraph (c) a ``4-Mile Zone'' rather than

a ``1-Mile Zone'' applies.

\2\ Central Gulf of Mexico bank with a portion of its ``1-Mile Zone''

and/or ``3-Mile Zone'' in the Western Gulf of Mexico.

\3\ Low Relief Banks--Only paragraph (a) applies.

\4\ Claypile Bank--Paragraphs (a) and (b) apply. In paragraph (b)

monitoring of the effluent to determine the effect on the biota of

Claypile Bank shall be required rather than shunting.

\5\ South Texas Banks--Only paragraphs (a) and (b) apply.

(a) No activity including structures, drilling rigs, pipelines, or

anchoring will be allowed within the listed isobath (``No Activity

Zone'' as shown in the aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map

Package) of the banks as listed above.

(b) Operations within the area shown as ``1,000-Meter Zone'' in the

aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted

by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom

through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more

than 10 meters, from the bottom.

(c) Operations within the area shown as ``1-Mile Zone'' in the

aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted

by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids to the bottom

through a downpipe that terminates an appropriate distance, but no more

than 10 meters, from the bottom. (Where there is a ``1-Mile Zone''

designated, the ``1,000-Meter Zone'' in paragraph (b) is not

designated.)

(d) Operations within the area shown as ``3-Mile Zone'' in the

aforementioned Biological Stipulation Map Package shall be restricted

by shunting all drill cuttings and drilling fluids from development

operations to the bottom through a downpipe that terminates an

appropriate distance, but no more than 10 meters, from the bottom.

Stipulation No. 2--Military Areas

(This stipulation will be included in leases located within the Warning

Areas as shown on the map described in paragraph 13(a))

(a) Hold and Save Harmless

Whether compensation for such damage or injury might be due under a

theory of strict or absolute liability or otherwise, the lessee assumes

all risks of damage or injury to persons or property, which occur in,

on, or above the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), to any persons or to

any property of any person or persons who are agents, employees, or

invitees of the lessee, its agents, independent contractors, or

subcontractors doing business with the lessee in connection with any

activities being performed by the lessee in, on, or above the OCS, if

such injury or damage to such person or property occurs by reason of

the activities of any agency of the United States Government, its

contractors or subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents or

employees, being conducted as a part of, or in connection with, the

programs and activities of the command headquarters listed in the

following table.

Notwithstanding any limitation of the lessee's liability in Section

14 of the lease, the lessee assumes this risk whether such injury or

damage is caused in whole or in part by any act or omission, regardless

of negligence or fault, of the United States, its contractors or

subcontractors, or any of its officers, agents, or employees. The

lessee further agrees to indemnify and save harmless the United States

against all claims for loss, damage, or injury sustained by the lessee,

or to indemnify and save harmless the United States against all claims

for loss, damage, or injury sustained by the agents, employees, or

invitees of the lessee, its agents, or any independent contractors or

subcontractors doing business with the lessee in connection with the

programs and activities of the aforementioned military installation,

whether the same be caused in whole or in part by the negligence or

fault of the United States, its contractors, or subcontractors, or any

of its officers, agents, or employees and whether such claims might be

sustained under a theory of strict or absolute liability or otherwise.

(b) Electromagnetic Emissions

The lessee agrees to control its own electromagnetic emissions and

those of its agents, employees, invitees, independent contractors or

subcontractors emanating from individual designated defense warning

areas in accordance with requirements specified by the commander of the

command headquarters listed in the following table to the degree

necessary to prevent damage to, or unacceptable interference with,

Department of Defense flight, testing, or operational activities,

conducted within individual designated warning areas. Necessary

[[Page 41108]]

monitoring control, and coordination with the lessee, its agents,

employees, invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors, will be

effected by the commander of the appropriate onshore military

installation conducting operations in the particular warning area;

provided, however, that control of such electromagnetic emissions shall

in no instance prohibit all manner of electromagnetic communication

during any period of time between a lessee, its agents, employees,

invitees, independent contractors or subcontractors and onshore

facilities.

(c) Operational

The lessee, when operating or causing to be operated on its behalf,

boat, ship, or aircraft traffic into the individual designated warning

areas shall enter into an agreement with the commander of the

individual command headquarters listed in the following list, upon

utilizing an individual designated warning area prior to commencing

such traffic. Such an agreement will provide for positive control of

boats, ships, and aircraft operating into the warning areas at all

times.

W-228--Chief, Naval Air Training, Naval Air Station, Office No. 206,

Corpus Christi, Texas 78419-5100, Telephone: (512) 939-3862/3902

W-602--Headquarters ACC/DOSR, Detachment 1, Operations Headquarters,

U.S. Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113-5550, Telephone:

(402) 294-2334

Stipulation No. 3--Operations in the Naval Mine Warfare Area

(This stipulation will apply to leases located in Mustang Island Area,

East Addition, blocks 732, 733, and 734)

(a) The placement, location, and planned periods of operation of

surface structures on this lease during the exploration stage are

subject to approval by the Regional Director (RD), Minerals Management

Service Gulf of Mexico Region, after the review of the operator's

Exploration Plan (EP). Prior to approval of the EP, the RD will consult

with the Commander, Mine Warfare Command, in order to determine the

EP's compatibility with scheduled military operations. No permanent

structures nor debris of any kind shall be allowed in the area covered

by this lease during exploration operations.

(b) To the extent possible, sub-seafloor development operations for

resources subsurface to this area should originate outside the area

covered by this lease. Any above-seafloor development operations within

the area covered by this lease must be compatible with scheduled

military operations as determined by the Commander, Mine Warfare

Command. The lessee will consult with and coordinate plans for above-

seafloor development activities (including abandonment) with the

Commander, Mine Warfare Command. The Development Operations

Coordination Document (DOCD) must contain the locations of any

permanent structures, fixed platforms, pipelines, or anchors planned to

be constructed or placed in the area covered by this lease as part of

such development operations. The DOCD must also contain the written

comments of the Commander, Mine Warfare Command on the proposed

activities. Prior to the approval of the DOCD, the RD will consult with

the Commander in order to determine the DOCD's compatibility with

scheduled military operations.

For more information, consultation, and coordination, the lessee

must contact: Commander, Mine Warfare Command, 325 Fifth Street, SE.,

Corpus Christi, Texas 78419-5032, Phone: (512) 939-4895.

14. Information to Lessees. (a) Supplemental Documents. For copies

of the various documents identified as available from the Gulf of

Mexico regional office, prospective bidders should contact the Public

Information Unit, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park

Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, either in writing or by

telephone at (800) 200-GULF or (504) 736-2519. For additional

information, contact the Regional Supervisor for Leasing and

Environment at that address or by telephone at (504) 736-2759.

(b) Navigation Safety. Operations on some of the blocks offered for

lease may be restricted by designation of fairways, precautionary

zones, anchorages, safety zones, or traffic separation schemes

established by the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to the Ports and Waterways

Safety Act (33 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.), as amended.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) permits are required for

construction of any artificial islands, installations, and other

devices permanently or temporarily attached to the seabed located on

the OCS in accordance with section 4(e) of the OCS Lands Act, as

amended.

For additional information, prospective bidders should contact Lt.

Commander Ken Parris, Assistant Marine Port Safety Officer, 8th Coast

Guard District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, New Orleans, Louisiana

70130, (504) 589-6901. For COE information, prospective bidders should

contact Mr. Dolan Dunn, Chief Evaluation Section, Regulatory Branch,

Post Office Box 1229, Galveston, Texas 77553, (409) 766-3935.

(c) Offshore Pipelines. Bidders are advised that the Department of

the Interior and the Department of Transportation have entered into a

Memorandum of Understanding, dated May 6, 1976, concerning the design,

installation, operation, and maintenance of offshore pipelines. Bidders

should consult both Departments for regulations applicable to offshore

pipelines.

(d) 8-Year Leases. Bidders are advised that any lease issued for a

term of 8 years will be cancelled after 5 years, following notice

pursuant to the OCS Lands Act, as amended, if within the initial 5-year

period of the lease, the drilling of an exploratory well has not been

initiated; or if initiated, the well has not been drilled in

conformance with the approved exploration plan criteria; or if there is

not a suspension of operations in effect. Bidders are referred to 30

CFR 256.37 and the MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Letter to Lessees of

February 13, 1995.

(e) Affirmative Action. Revision of Department of Labor regulations

on affirmative action requirements for Government contractors

(including lessees) has been deferred, pending review of those

regulations (see Federal Register of August 25, 1981, at 46 FR 42865

and 42968). Should changes become effective at any time before the

issuance of leases resulting from this sale, section 18 of the lease

form (Form MMS-2005, March 1986), would be deleted from leases

resulting from this sale. In addition, existing stocks of the

affirmative action forms described in paragraph 5 of this Notice

contain language that would be superseded by the revised regulations at

41 CFR 60-1.5(a)(1) and 60-1.7(a)(1). Submission of Form MMS-2032 (June

1985) and Form MMS-2033 (June 1985) will not invalidate an otherwise

acceptable bid, and the revised regulations' requirements will be

deemed to be part of the existing affirmative action forms.

(f) Ordnance Disposal Areas. Bidders are cautioned as to the

existence of two inactive ordnance disposal areas in the Corpus Christi

and East Breaks areas, shown on the map described in paragraph 13(a).

These areas were used to dispose of ordnance of unknown composition and

quantity. These areas have not been used since about 1970. Water depths

in the Corpus Christi area range from approximately 600 to 900 meters.

Water depths in the East Breaks area range from approximately 300 to

[[Page 41109]]

700 meters. Bottom sediments in both areas are generally soft,

consisting of silty clays. Exploration and development activities in

these areas require precautions commensurate with the potential

hazards.

(g) Archaeological Resources. Bidders are advised that a Final Rule

regarding archaeological resources was published in the Federal

Register on October 21, 1994 (59 FR 53091), granting specific authority

to each MMS Regional Director to require archaeological surveys and

reports (under 30 CFR 250, 256, 260, and 281) and the submission of

these reports to the Regional Director prior to exploration,

development and production, or installation of lease-term or right-of-

way pipelines. MMS Notice to Lessees (NTL) 91-02 (Outer Continental

Shelf Archaeological Resources Requirements for the Gulf of Mexico OCS

Region) published in the Federal Register on December 20, 1991 (50 FR

66076) effective February 17, 1992, specifies survey methodology,

linespacing, and archaeological report writing requirements for lessees

and operators in the Gulf of Mexico Region.

Two additional documents are available from the MMS Gulf of Mexico

Region Public Information Office (see paragraph 14(a)):

``List of Lease Blocks Within the High-Probability Area for

Historic Period Shipwrecks on the OCS'' dated January 30, 1995. This

list supersedes the list promulgated by the MMS Letter to Lessees (LTL)

of November 30, 1990.

``List of Lease Blocks Within the High-Probability Area for

Prehistoric Archaeological Resources on the OCS'' dated January 30,

1995.

Implementation of this Final Rule and NTL 91-02 obviates the need

for the Protection of Archaeological Resources Stipulation required for

previous issues.

(h) Proposed Rigs to Reefs. Bidders are advised that there are OCS

artificial reef sites and planning sites for the Gulf of Mexico. These

are generally located in water depths of less than 200 meters. While

all existing and proposed sites require a permit from the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers, this ``Rigs to Reefs'' program is implemented

through State sponsorship through the following State Coordinators:

Alabama Mr. Walter M. Tatum, (334) 968-7578

Louisiana Mr. Rick Kasprzak, (504) 765-2375

Mississippi Mr. Mike Buchanan, (601) 385-5860

Texas Ms. Jan Coulbertson, (713) 474-2811

For more information, on artificial reef sites, prospective bidders

should contact the above listed State Artificial Reef Coordinators for

their areas of interest.

(i) Proposed Lightering Zones. Bidders are advised that the U.S.

Coast Guard has proposed designating certain areas of the Gulf of

Mexico (60 FR 1958 of January 5, 1995), as lightering zones for the

purpose of permitting single hull vessels to off-load oil within the

U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Such designation may have implications

for oil and gas operations in the areas. Additional information may be

obtained from Lieutenant Commander Stephen Kantz, Project Manager, Oil

Pollution Act (OPA 90) Staff, at (202) 267-6740.

(j) Statement Regarding Certain Geophysical Data. Pursuant to

Sections 18 and 26 of the OCS Lands Act, as amended, and the

regulations issued thereunder, MMS has a right of access to certain

geophysical data and information obtained or developed as a result of

operations on the OCS. MMS is sensitive to the concerns expressed by

industry regarding the confidentiality of individual company work

products and client lists and the potential burden of responding to a

myriad of requests from MMS pertaining to the existence and

availability of these types of reprocessed geophysical data. To resolve

the concerns of both industry and MMS with respect to such cases, MMS

has worked with industry to develop the requirements contained within

paragraph 3(b) Method of Bidding above. These requirements are being

imposed on a trial basis to determine their effectiveness and are

subject to modification in future sales.

The details of this requirement are specified in the document

``Trial Procedures for Access to Certain Geophysical Data in the Gulf

of Mexico,'' which is provided in the Sale Notice package and which is

available upon request from the MMS Gulf of Mexico Region Public

Information Office (see paragraph 14(a)). In brief, these requirements

include:

1. In the period for ninety (90) days after the sale, bidders will

allow MMS to inspect such data within seven (7) days of a written

request from MMS, and upon further written request will transmit to

MMS, within ten (10) working days, such data. After this ninety day

period, a response time of thirty (30) days following an MMS written

request will be considered adequate.

2. Successful bidders must retain such data for three (3) years

after the sale, and unsuccessful bidders must retain such data for six

(6) months after the sale, for possible acquisition by MMS.

For the six (6) month period after the sale, based on a review of

the allowable cost of data reproduction to MMS for three-dimensional

and two-dimensional data sets, the company providing the reprocessed

data will be reimbursed at a rate of $480 per block or part thereof for

three-dimensional data and $2 per line mile for two-dimensional data.

Afterwards, reimbursement will be subject to the terms and conditions

of 30 CFR 251.13(a).

All geophysical data and information obtained and reviewed by MMS

pursuant to these procedures shall be held in the strictest confidence

and treated as proprietary in accordance with the applicable terms of

30 CFR 251.14.

For additional information, contact the MMS Gulf of Mexico Regional

Office of Resource Evaluation at (504) 736-2720.

(k) Information about Indicated Hydrocarbons. Bidders are advised

that MMS makes available, about 3 months prior to a lease sale, a list

of unleased tracts having well bores with indicated hydrocarbons. Basic

information relating to production, well bores, and pay range for each

tract is included in the list. The list is available from the Public

Information Unit, Minerals Management Service, 1201 Elmwood Park

Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394; telephone (800) 200-GULF

or (504) 736-2519.

(1) Minimizing Oil and Gas Structures Near the Flower Garden Banks.

Bidders are reminded of Notice to Lessees and Operators (NTL) 85-8,

``Minimizing Oil and Gas Structures in the Gulf of Mexico,'' dated

November 26, 1985. Section II of the NTL sets forth the MMS' policy

with regard to the minimization of structures for drilling,

development, and production on OCS leases. The policy requires that

such structures including lease-term pipelines be placed in a manner

that causes minimum interference with other significant uses of the

OCS. Please be advised that the MMS will strictly adhere to this policy

when reviewing Exploration Plans and Development Operations

Coordination Documents which propose the use or installation of such

structures within the ``Four-Mile Zone'' and adjacent areas surrounding

[[Page 41110]]

the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Cynthia Quarterman,

Director, Minerals Management Service.

Approved: August 4, 1995.

Bob Armstrong,

Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.

Western Gulf of Mexico Leased Lands

June 21, 1995

Descriptions of blocks listed represent all Federal acreage leased

unless otherwise noted.

South Padre Island

1030, 1040, 1052, 1059, 1060, 1063, 1064, 1069, 1073, 1111, 1112, 1122,

1125, 1134, 1151, 1166

North Padre Island

897, 908, 956, 957, 967, 968, 969, 976, 989

North Padre Island, East Addition

892, 911, 913, 970, 974, 975, 990, 993, 995, 996, 1011, 1014, 1018, A-

6, A-8, A-10, A-12, A-23, A-27, A-28, A-38, A-42, A-43, A-45, A-46, A-

48, A-55, A-59, A-64, A-69, A-70, A-72, A-75, A-76, A-86, A-87

Mustang Island

737, 738, 739, 740, 742, 743, 752, 754, 756, 757, 758, 759, 762, 763,

767, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 789, 791, 801, 803,

804, 805, 806, 807, 810, 812, 813, 814, 824, 826, 828, 829, 831, 833,

838, 842, 843, 846, 847, 848, 851, 855, 858, 859, 868, 873, 875, 876,

879, A-1, A-2, A-5, A-6, A-7, A-10, A-11, A-12, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17,

A-19, A-20, A-22, A-26, A-27, A-31, A-32, A-33, A-38

Mustang Island, East Addition

733, 735, 736, A-51, A-52, A-53, A-57, A-58, A-61, A-65, A-85, A-86, A-

95, A-96, A-97, A-110, A-111, A-112, A-121, A-122, A-124, A-152, A-153

Matagorda Island

487, 518, 519, 520, 526, 527, 528, 529, 555, 556, 557, 564, 565, 566,

568, 569, 586, 587, 588, 589, 591, 592, 604, 605, 606, 616, 617, 618,

619, 620, 622, 623, 624, 631, 632, 633, 634 (Seaward of 8(g) Line),

635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 656, 657, 658, 663,

664, 665, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 676, 678, 679, 680,

681, 682, 683, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 696, 697, 699, 700, 701, 703,

704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, A-4,

A-5, A-7, A-8

Brazos

341, 342, 364, 365, 375, 376, 377, 378, 396, 397, 398, 399, 411, 412,

413, 415, 416, 417, 431, 432, 434, 435 (Seaward of 8(g) Line), 436,

437, 439, 450, 451, 452 (E\1/2\), 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459,

466, 468, 469, 470, 471, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 488, 490, 491, 493,

494, 495, 496, 498, 502, 504, 507, 509, 514, 515, 517, 531, 532, 536,

537, 538, 539, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 549, 550, 552, 570, 572,

575, 577, 579, 580, 581, 585, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, A-1, A-2, A-3,

A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-17, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, A-

25, A-31, A-37, A-38, A-39, A-42, A-43

Brazos, South Addition

A-46, A-47, A-48, A-51, A-52, A-53, A-61, A-62, A-65, A-66, A-69, A-70,

A-71, A-75, A-76, A-77, A-84, A-85, A-101, A-102, A-104, A-105, A-106,

A-131, A-132, A-133

Galveston

144, 152, 180, 182, 189, 190, 191, 192, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 222,

223, 227, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 244, 252, 255, 256, 257, 258,

265, 266, 267, 268, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 281, 283, 285, 286, 288,

289, 290, 294, 295 (S\1/2\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\; NW\1/4\NE\1/4\; W\1/2\SW\1/

4\NE\1/4\; NE\1/4\SW\1/4\NE\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\NE\1/4\; W\1/2\; W\1/

2\NW\1/4\SE\1/4\; S\1/2\SE\1/4\), 296 (NE\1/4\; NE\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\;

S\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\; N\1/2\SW\1/

4\; NE\1/4\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\SE\1/4\; N\1/

2\SW\1/4\SE\1/4\; SE\1/4\SE\1/4\), 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303,

312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 327,

328, 329, 330, 333, 334, 343, 344, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 353, 357,

358, 359, 360, 362, 363, 380, 385, 386, 390, 391, 394, 395, 418, 420,

421, 428, 429, 465, A-2, A-3, A-10, A-15, A-16, A-18, A-20, A-21, A-24,

A-34, A-35, A-39, A-40, A-41, A-42, A-49, A-50, A-86, A-96, A-101, A-

105, A-110, A-111

Galveston, South Addition

A-122, A-142, A-143, A-144, A-145, A-188, A-192, A-194, A-213, A-215,

A-218, A-248

High Island

19, 21, 22, 34, 36, 47, 52, 53, 66, 69, 71, 72, 73, 86, 90, 92, 93, 95,

105, 109, 110, 111, 115, 116, 117, 131, 134, 135 (N\1/2\; N\1/2\S\1/2\;

SW\1/4\SW\1/4\; W\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; NE\1/4\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\; N\1/2\S\1/

2\SE\1/4\), 136 (E\1/2\; E\1/2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\; S\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\),

137, 138 (N\1/2\), 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 153, 154, 155 (W\1/2\),

156, 158, 159, 160, 161 (NW\1/4\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\; S\1/2\NE\1/4\NW\1/4\;

W\1/2\NW\1/4\; SE\1/4\NW\1/4\; NE\1/4\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\; W\1/2\NE\1/

4\SW\1/4\; NW\1/4\SW\1/4\; NW\1/4\SW\1/4\SW\1/4\), 162, 163, 164, 165,

169, 170, 176, 177, 179, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202,

205, 206, 207, 208, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 234, 235, 236, 261, 262,

263, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-9, A-10, A-12, A-16, A-18, A-19, A-20,

A-21, A-22, A-23, A-24, A-25, A-26, A-36, A-37, A-42, A-44, A-45, A-46,

A-52, A-53, A-60, A-61, A-62, A-63, A-64, A-68, A-73, A-77, A-78, A-83,

A-87, A-100, A-125, A-127, A-128, A-129, A-130, A-133

High Island, South Addition

A-417, A-421, A-422, A-438, A-441, A-442, A-443, A-444, A-446, A-447,

A-448, A-451, A-462, A-465, A-466, A-467, A-468, A-469, A-471, A-472,

A-474, A-475, A-477, A-479, A-486, A-488, A-489, A-490, A-491, A-493,

A-494, A-496, A-497, A-498, A-499, A-500, A-501, A-510, A-511, A-512,

A-513, A-515, A-517, A-518, A-519, A-520, A-521, A-523, A-528, A-530,

A-531, A-532, A-535, A-536, A-537, A-538, A-539, A-540, A-544, A-545,

A-546, A-547, A-548, A-549, A-550, A-551, A-552, A-553, A-555, A-556,

A-557, A-560, A-561, A-562, A-563, A-564, A-568, A-570, A-571, A-572,

A-573, A-574, A-576, A-577, A-582, A-583, A-586, A-587, A-588, A-589,

A-590, A-591, A-595, A-596

High Island, East Addition

38, 39, 45, 46, 74, 75, 76, 85, 118, 119, 120, 128, 129, 130, 166, 167,

A-168, A-169, A-170, A-171, A-172, A-173, A-174, A-175, A-176, A-177,

A-180, A-187, A-192, A-200, A-201, A-217, A-218, A-224, A-231, A-243,

A-245, A-246, A-247, A-250, A-253, A-257, A-258, A-259

High Island, East Addition, South Extension

A-260, A-261, A-262, A-263, A-266, A-269, A-270, A-271, A-272, A-273,

A-276, A-279, A-280, A-281, A-282, A-283, A-285, A-286, A-287, A-288,

A-291, A-292, A-300, A-301, A-302, A-303, A-305, A-309, A-310, A-312,

A-313, A-314, A-315, A-316, A-317, A-323, A-325, A-326, A-327, A-330,

A-331, A-332, A-334, A-335, A-339, A-340, A-342, A-343, A-345, A-346,

A-347, A-348, A-349, A-350, A-351, A-352, A-355, A-356, A-359, A-360,

A-362, A-365, A-368, A-369, A-370, A-371, A-372, A-373, A-376, A-378,

A-379, A-380, A-382, A-384, A-385, A-386, A-389, A-391, A-392, A-393,

A-395, A-396, A-397, A-402, A-403

Sabine Pass

17, 18, 40

East Breaks

109, 110, 112, 117, 122, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 165, 167,

168, 169, 173, 197, 209, 212, 213, 237, 238, 256,

[[Page 41111]]

294, 295, 296, 303, 305, 329, 330, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 386, 388,

389, 390, 402, 403, 430, 431, 473, 474, 475, 506, 507, 518, 520, 562,

563, 564, 565, 566, 593, 598, 599, 602, 604, 605, 607, 608, 609, 637,

638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 653, 654,

683, 684, 685, 686, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 728, 729, 732, 739, 740,

741, 783, 784, 785, 901, 902, 904, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949,

987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 994

Garden Banks

21, 22, 26, 28, 29, 65, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 83, 84, 85, 102,

103, 115, 117, 119, 120, 127, 128, 134, 135, 136, 140, 141, 142, 147,

158, 159, 161, 162, 164, 165, 171, 172, 180, 184, 186, 189, 190, 191,

192, 201, 202, 203, 209, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 224, 225, 235, 236,

237, 240, 248, 254, 255, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 265, 269, 278, 279,

280, 281, 282, 287, 290, 291, 298, 300, 302, 304, 319, 322, 323, 343,

344, 345, 371, 379, 382, 386, 387, 388, 389, 405, 406, 416, 419, 420,

423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 463, 464, 468, 469,

470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 498, 499, 506, 507, 508, 512,

513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 520, 535, 543, 544, 550, 554, 555, 556, 557,

558, 559, 562, 563, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 607, 608, 612, 639,

644, 645, 646, 653, 656, 683, 694, 697, 727, 738, 739, 740, 741, 754,

767, 768, 769, 772, 782, 783, 784, 785, 803, 804, 806, 812, 826, 833,

848, 849, 850, 877, 885, 902, 903, 919, 920, 921, 929, 930, 938, 939,

940, 947, 963, 964, 974, 975

Port Isabel

39, 40, 81, 82, 125, 126, 130, 131, 174, 175, 216, 218, 393, 436, 437,

438, 481, 482, 483, 519, 520, 524, 525, 526, 527, 563, 564, 568, 569,

570, 571, 572, 610, 611, 613, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 696, 697, 698,

700, 701, 740, 741

Alaminos Canyon

20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 65, 192, 236, 237, 261, 280, 305, 336, 337,

380, 398, 441, 442, 485, 489, 490, 491, 529, 533, 534, 556, 557, 558,

599, 600, 601, 602, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 687, 691, 719, 720, 726,

730, 731, 734, 735, 736, 763, 764, 766, 767, 770, 774, 775, 780, 781,

810, 811, 813, 814, 818, 827, 854, 856, 857, 900, 901, 903, 904, 947,

951, 954

Keathley Canyon

6, 7, 133, 134, 156, 157, 158, 159, 177, 178, 179, 199, 201, 202, 221,

243, 245, 246, 324, 583, 584

[FR Doc. 95-19827 Filed 8-10-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P