Analysis of the permitting processes associated with exploration of Federal OCS leases. Final report. Volume II. Appendices Page: 262 of 282

                                
F.2.6 Five Month Drilling Window (arctic waters only)

Exploratory drilling and testing and other
downhole exploratory activities will be limited to
the period November 1 through March 31, unless
the Supervisor determines that continued opera-
tions are necessary to prevent a loss of well
control or to ensure human safety. This stipulation
will remain in effect for two years following
issuance of this lease.
The purpose of this stipulation is to contain oil spills and protect wildlife and sea
mammals. Any oil spill occurring during the specified period should oruy affect the
surface of the ice and will therefore not contact the marine environment. In theory,
the spill can be contained and cleaned up before the ice breaks up, thus ensuring an
uncontaminated marine environment during the summer months, which are critical for
waterfowl nesting, wildlife movements and marine mammal migrations, including some
of the endangered whales, especially the bowhead. This stipulation originated very
early in the procedure for lease sale stipulation and was promulgated by a number of
Federal and State agencies at that time.
The time delays associated with this stipulation are-considerable. If an.exploratory well
took more than five months to complete, the process would be delayed at least seven
months and most likely more, since there, would be time required .to startup theswell
before drilling could be resumed.
There has been much controversy over this stioutiaron. The USG3 Anchorage field
office has been opposed to this stipulation from the very beginning, due to the major
delays it may cause in drilling and due to technical and safety reasons involved with
suspending the well at the end. of five months, leaving it, and re-entering it seven
months later. The petroleum industry voices similar concerns. 'Many others support an
even more limited drilling time. The stipulation will probably remain in its present
form or become more restrictive in future arctic sales.
F.2.7 Stipulations in Future OCS Lease Sale
The past practice of including a number of stipulations in OCS lease sales which may
apply to broad areas (such as the entire Gulf of Alaska or Arctic Alaska) is changing.

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