Alaska Region G&G Survey 18-02

TGS-NOPEC

Beaufort Sea, 2018

SUMMARY

TGS-NOPEC submitted an application for a permit to conduct geophysical exploration for mineral resources using an ocean bottom node system to collect 3D seismic data survey over the waters of the Beaufort Sea OCS Planning Area, Alaska. The proposed program was to start July 15 and be completed by October 31, 2019. TGS withdrew their permit application on May 28, 2019. Survey Area Map

CHRONOLOGY

2019
May 28 TGS informed BOEM that no activity would take place in 2019 and requested to withdraw their permit application. BOEM closed the permit application. No permit was issued.
2018
Dec 18 TGS submitted a request to modify their permit application to reflect a change in survey design and acquisition. TGS requests to modify their seismic source from a single 620 cu in airgun array to a 680 cu in airgun array for use in shallow water (less than 13 feet deep) and a 1,240 cu in airgun array for use in water depths greater than 13 feet.
Jul 6

TGS has requested to change the activity dates to the corresponding dates (July 1-Oct 31) of 2019.

May 21

Comment period on EA closes.
    May 11

    BOEM opens a public comment period for an EA to be prepared relating to G&G permit application 18-02. TGS’s proposed seismic survey would acquire data on approximately 620 square miles of OCS waters under BOEM jurisdiction. The survey would be conducted in phases, over multiple years (2018 – 2020) between approximately July 1 and Oct. 31. 

    BOEM will prepare an EA specific to the permit application and is inviting the public to comment on issues that should be considered. Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, May 21, 2018. To comment, go to: regulations.gov
    Apr 09

    The application submitted by TGS-NOPEC, to BOEM’s Alaska Region for a permit is deemed complete.

    The proposed survey is designated OCS Permit 18-02.  Review of the proposed activity begins, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and additional information on the proposed survey.
    Apr 03

    BOEM received an Application for a Permit to Conduct Geophysical (G&G) Exploration for Mineral Resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from TGS-NOPEC.  TGS plans to conduct a 3D OBN seismic data acquisition program in the Beaufort Sea OCS Planning Area, Alaska.