Articles for IAGC

The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC), has proposed amendments to Commission Rule B-42 Seismic Rules and Regulations. Most of the current language of Rule B-42 has been retained and re-formatted for ease of use. However, they have proposed changes that are more than just adding clarity and that will have a potential detrimental economic impact to seismic operators. The IAGC submitted comments to the AOGC on behalf of the members on May 1, 2008 challenging the need to increase the... [More Info]

As reported in the IAGC March 2008 Newsletter on March 5, 2008 IAGC and CAGC sent a letter to CNSOPB expressing our displeasure with their latest proposal. On April 18, 2008 the CNSOPB responded stating that the Board had decided to defer its policy decision on non-exclusive seismic data until the end of 2008 and instructed the staff to suspend discussions with the IAGC and CAGC so as to allow the provincial government to pursue a broader initiative regarding offshore geoscience research... [More Info]

Effective 1 May 2008, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) issued NTL 2008-G04 Information Requirements for Exploration Plans and Development Operations Coordination Documents. This NTL provides guidance on the information requirements for OCS plans required by 30 CFR 250, subpart B. Specifically, the NTL provides additional guidance on the information requirements regarding compliance with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal... [More Info]

On 5 May 2008, the non-governmental organization EarthJustice filed a lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injuction against Minerals Management Service (MMS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in an effort to stop marine seismic surveys from occuring in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in the summer and fall 2008. The plaintiffs include the Native Village of Point Hope, Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands (REDOIL), the Alaska Wilderness League, the Center for... [More Info]

As part of a larger consultation to avoid deliberate disturbance of marine European protected species, the United Kingdom’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) revised their Guidelines for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey and the latest draft is now available for review by the public. The entire consultation document, The deliberate disturbance of marine European Protected Species: Guidance for English and Welsh territorial waters and the UK offshore... [More Info]

On 26-28 March 2008, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) convened the “Review of Scientific Information on the Impacts of Seismic Sound on Fish, Invertebrates, and Marine Mammals Workshop II, 2008.” In preparation for the Workshop, LGL, Ltd. prepared a summary report for DFO, Updated Review of Scientific Information on Impacts of Seismic Survey Sound on Marine Mammals, 2004-present. According to the DFO website, the workshop focused on the review of research studies and science... [More Info]

IAGC, in coordination with the Irish Offshore Operators Association (IOOA) and the Joint OGP/IAGC Sound & Marine Life Task Force, continues to participate in discussions regarding the July 2007 implementation of Code of Practice for the Protection of Marine Mammals during Acoustic Seafloor Surveys in Irish Waters. The IOOA sent additional letters to the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD) outlining Industry’s concerns regarding mitigation... [More Info]

In 2004, MMS completed the Geological and Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and then requested preliminary rulemaking (i.e., NMFS promulgation of regulations) for the incidental take of marine mammals resulting from G&G activities in the Gulf of Mexico. The G&G EA was submitted as supporting documentation. However, NMFS determined that an EA was not sufficient and commenced the drafting... [More Info]

In March 2008 IAGC twice met with MMS, once about visual observer activity and the second about perceived NTL violations. (See separate article on MMS / NMFS Visual Observer Program). MMS is under direction to pursue, where appropriate, enforcement actions associated with 30 CFR 251 permits. Their efforts in this regard are resulting in greater scrutiny of Section 251 permit compliance, including Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) reports under NTL 2007-G02. Through these discussions we have... [More Info]

On 26 March 2008, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) convened a workshop, MMS Gulf of Mexico Region: Seismic Survey Mitigations and the Protected Species Observer Program. The morning session was limited to participation by representatives from MMS, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and 3rd party Marine Mammal Observer companies only. In the afternoon, representatives from Industry and other interested parties were invited to participate. IAGC staff,... [More Info]

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) reviews and revises as necessary measures which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the world. These measures (1) provide for the complete protection of certain species, (2) designate specified areas as whale sanctuaries, (3) set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken, (4) prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling; and (5) prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves. In... [More Info]

Due to difficulties with the previous version of OSPAR’s Draft Preliminary Comprehensive Overview of the Impacts of Anthropogenic Underwater Sound in the Marine Environment, the UK assumed the lead in overseeing revision and completion of the document. The new version of the document has been divided into ‘modules’ and Norway and OGP volunteered to draft the module regarding seismic surveys. In early March 2008, the Draft Module 7: Seismic Surveys was circulated to members of the Joint OGP /... [More Info]

On 13 February 2008, representatives from the Norwegian Fishery Union met with the Norwegian Minister of Oil and Energy to discuss recent conflicts between Norwegian fishermen and seismic operations. Information reported by the local media indicated that the Fishery Union gave a very biased review of the situation at this meeting. One news report quoted Reidar Nilsen, head of the Fishery Union, as stating that fish are scared more than 35 nautical miles away from seismic vessels and that the... [More Info]

The IAGC Marine Seismic Operations: An Overview CD-ROM is nearing completion and is expected to be available by the beginning of May 2008. The design layout for the CD label and case is currently being finalized. Final animations are being incorporated into the CD in the appropriate format. Please visit the IAGC FTP site to view example animations. Instructions to access FTP site: 1. Using Internet Explorer, go to ftp://ftp.iagc.org/ 2. From the toolbar at the top of the... [More Info]

In recent months IAGC and its members have had several conversations with MMS regarding the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) systems as a mitigation tool during seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. The current NTL, Implementation of Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program, encourages the use of experimental PAM. However, recent changes in seismic survey guidelines in other countries and the anticipated release (late 2008) of the NMFS Draft EIS for... [More Info]

A joint team of Canadian and American researchers proposed a project, BATHOLITHS, to geologically map the Coast Mountain region in an attempt to better understand the complex structure of the earth’s crust (please refer to earlier IAGC newsletter article on this topic). However, the use of seismic sources in the project raised concerns for conservation groups, scientists, First Nations, and fishermen in the region. The Living Oceans Society (LOS) successfully convinced the National Sciences... [More Info]

2008 is the third and final year of the current OGP E&P Sound & Marine Life Joint Industry Program (JIP). Therefore, current JIP members discussed the possibility of extending the JIP for an additional 3 years during the Executive Committee 12-13 February 2008 and in another meeting 3 April 2008. In general, JIP member representatives attending those meetings agreed that the research funded by the JIP is critical for Industry to continue operations and that the JIP should be extended. By the... [More Info]

The Technology Assessment & Research (TAR) Program of Offshore Minerals Management has awarded Stress Engineering Services Inc. a contract to research methods to reduce noise from seismic vessels. The technical effort will focus on discovering and validating by proof-of-concept testing a method and equipment for affecting lateral noise reduction in the marine environment due to seismic operations. For more information, please visit http://www.mms.gov/tarprojects/608.htm.

In March 2008, OGP and IAGC jointly published the paper, Fundamentals of Underwater Sound (Report No. 406). Another report, Overview of Marine Seismic Operations, is currently undergoing final review with an expected publication date of July 2008. In addition, the Task Force has formed a working group, led by David Hedgeland (PGS), to review and identify issues with the JNCC consultation, The deliberate disturbance of marine European Protected Species: Guidance for English and Welsh... [More Info]

The American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Marine Wildlife Issues Group (MWIG) meets approximately once a month via teleconference to discuss and address U.S. issues related to the broader E&P Industry and the marine environment. IAGC is an active member of MWIG. Current issues addressed by MWIG include: Proposed ESA listing of the Polar Bear NOAA Fisheries proposed expansion and addition to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advocating the importance of the... [More Info]