Include an ROV survey plan as an integral part of each Exploration Plan (EP) that proposes activities in the deepwater area of the Central Planning Area, the Western Planning Area, and a portion of the Eastern Planning Area of the Gulf of Mexico. Submit also an ROV survey plan with the first Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) proposing a surface structure in each of 18 grid areas. (See Attachment No. 1, Grid Map for ROV Surveys, which shows the 18 established grid areas.) Include the following information in each ROV survey plan:

1. a statement that you are familiar with the ROV survey and reporting provisions of this NTL;
    
2. a brief description of the survey you plan to conduct, including timeframes, proposed transects, and the equipment you will use; and
    
3. a statement that you will make biological and physical observations as described in this NTL and the ROV survey form during two periods of operations:
   1. Prespudding (survey performed from the facility) and
       
   2. Postdrilling (prior to facility removal).

The GOMR will notify you in the approval letter for your EP or DOCD whether or not you will need to actually conduct the ROV survey you propose. The GOMR will base this decision on whether the grid area that contains your proposed activities has already received adequate ROV survey coverage.

Before you submit an EP, you may consult the aforementioned Internet address for information about the location and status of previously conducted and ongoing ROV surveys. When MMS determines that sufficient ROV information has been gathered for a particular grid, the website will indicate that all subsequent EP’s proposing activities in that grid need not contain an ROV survey plan. If that is the case, provide a statement indicating this information in your EP in lieu of the ROV survey plan.

Performing an ROV Survey

1. Perform a visual survey of the seafloor in the vicinity of your proposed well or well cluster (template) site using an ROV equipped with video imaging capabilities.
    
2. For each well or well cluster site, conduct this ROV survey on two separate occasions, one immediately before you begin your activities and the other immediately after you complete all activities at the site.
    
3. Run the ROV along at least six transects. Make sure that each of the six excursions extends at least 100 meters from the launch point and that at least one transect passes directly over or very near the well or well cluster site. We suggest that the transect pattern consist of track lines located at 60-degree intervals.
    
4. Videotape the seafloor continuously during the entire survey. You may want to obtain additional imagery, such as scanning sonar, that may help depict bottom conditions.
    
5. Run the ROV close enough to the seafloor so that you can observe and identify relatively small animals and features (one inch and larger) on the resulting videotape. When you encounter each type of animal for the first time, stop the ROV momentarily so that you can take close-up video footage. Try also to get close-up images of each bottom type and other interesting features on the videotape as they are encountered. Additional detail concerning how to conduct the surveys, along with answers to common questions, can be found on the website mentioned above.

Recording Information from Your ROV Surveys

Use the ROV Survey Report (Form MMS-141) or a reasonable facsimile to record basic biological and physical information from your observations of the videotape during both of the ROV survey excursions (see Attachment No. 2). If you prefer, you can download a copy of this form from the aforementioned website. Log all major events, including transect starts and stops, and visual sightings of deepwater animals and bottom conditions on the ROV Survey Log Sheet on page 2 of Form MMS-141. No scientific expertise is required to do this; simply do the best job possible. In describing your observations, you can refer to the pictures of many common deep-sea animal groups and seafloor types on pages 3 and 4 of Form MMS-141, or just provide simple descriptions.

We have found that the seafloor is generally a rather featureless plain with relatively few visible animals and minimal currents. Ensure that you provide an account of the types of animals you do encounter and the appearance of the seafloor, such as color and texture. We are interested in all observations of animals, indications of currents such as ripple marks, and bottom types. Of particular interest is your observation of any hardbottom areas or outcrops with attached animals.

For additional information on the appearance of chemosynthetic communities, consult the following websites:  http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/chemo/chemo.html and http://www.bio.psu.edu//cold_seeps/index.html

Show the time and counter number for each of these observations. Show the tracks in the survey report with transect numbers, times, and bearings indicated so that video images may be later located in relation to the well or well cluster site and using the videotape timelines.

Submitting the Results of an ROV Survey

Submit the completed Form MMS-141 or facsimile to the GOMR within 60 days after you complete the final ROV survey. Submit also, all of the videotapes and any other imagery you may have obtained, such as ROV scanning sonar data, that could help depict bottom conditions. Mail the form and videotapes/sonar data to the address below:

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Office of Field Operations
Attention: Plans Section (MS 5230)
1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard
New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Statement

The information collection referred to in this NTL provides clarification, description, or interpretation of requirements contained in 30 CFR 250, Subpart B. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements for these regulations and assigned OMB Control No. 1010-0049. This NTL does not impose additional information collection requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Contacts

Contact Mr. Nick Wetzel ((504) 736-2419) of the GOMR Plans Section if you have any questions concerning ROV survey plans or EP’s and DOCD’s. Contact either Dr. Robert Rogers ((504) 736-2898) or Mr. Greg Boland ((504) 736-2740) of the GOMR Environmental Sciences Section if you have any questions regarding ROV surveys and reporting.

Chris C. Oynes
Regional Director

Attachments