Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Western Planning Area (WPA) Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, 70473-70478 [2011-29340]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 219 (Monday, November 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70473-70478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29340]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Western Planning Area (WPA) Gulf of 
Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final notice of sale.

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

SUMMARY: On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, BOEM will open and publicly 
announce bids received for the blocks offered in WPA Oil and Gas Lease 
Sale 218, in accordance with provisions of the OCS Lands Act (OSCLA) 
(43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, as amended) and the regulations issued thereunder 
(30 CFR Part 556). The Final NOS 218 Package (Package) contains 
information essential to potential bidders, and bidders are charged 
with the knowledge of the documents contained in the Package.
    Sale 218 includes five changes from WPA Sale 210 in August 2009: 
(1) BOEM revised the initial period of the lease term for blocks in 
water depths of 400 meters to less than 1,600 meters, (2) the minimum 
bonus bid has increased for blocks in water depths of 400 meters or 
deeper, (3) no deepwater royalty suspension provisions will be offered 
for leases issued from this sale, (4) bids submitted for blocks within 
the U.S.-Mexico ``Boundary Area'' will be held unopened until on or 
before 30 days following a Transboundary Agreement is executed or June 
14, 2012, as explained below, and (5) the lease form has been revised.

DATES: Public bid reading for the WPA Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218 will 
begin at 9 a.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at the Louisiana 
Superdome, 1500 Sugarbowl Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. All 
times referred to in this document are local New Orleans times, unless 
otherwise specified.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties can obtain a Package by contacting BOEM 
at: Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Unit, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 
70123-2394, (504) 736-2519 or (800) 200-GULF, https://www.gomr.boem.gov.
    Filing of Bids: Bidders must submit sealed bids to the Regional 
Director (RD), BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, 
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70123-2394, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on normal 
working days, and from 8 a.m. to the Bid Submission Deadline of 10 a.m. 
on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, the day before the lease sale. If bids 
are mailed, please address the envelope containing all of the sealed 
bids as follows:
    Attention: Chief, Leasing and Financial Responsibility Section, 
BOEM, Gulf of Mexico Region, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394, Contains Sealed Bids for WPA Oil and Gas Lease 
Sale 218, Please Deliver to Ms. Nancy Kornrumpf, 6th Floor, 
Immediately.

    Please Note: 1. Bidders mailing bid(s) are advised to call Ms. 
Nancy Kornrumpf at (504) 736-2726 or Ms. Cindy Thibodeaux at (504) 
736-2809 immediately after putting their bid(s) in the mail. If the 
RD receives bids later than the time and date specified above, he 
will return those bids unopened to bidders. Should an unexpected 
event such as flooding or travel restrictions be significantly 
disruptive to bid submission, BOEM may extend the Bid Submission 
Deadline. Bidders may call (504) 736-0557 or access our BOEM Gulf of 
Mexico Internet Web site at: https://www.gomr.boem.gov for 
information about the possible extension of the Bid Submission 
Deadline due to such an event.
    2. Blocks or portions of blocks beyond the United States (U.S.) 
Exclusive Economic Zone are offered based upon provisions of the 
1982 Law of the Sea Convention, and could be subject to a 
continental shelf delimitation agreement between the United States 
and Mexico. Bidders are advised to refer to the Bids on Blocks Near 
U.S.-Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf Boundary portion of this 
document for detailed information pertaining to the opening of bids 
affecting blocks in this area.

    Areas Offered for Leasing: In WPA Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, BOEM 
is offering to lease all blocks and partial blocks listed in the 
document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' included in the Final 
NOS 218 Package. All of these blocks are shown on the following leasing 
maps and Official Protraction Diagrams (OPD's):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Texas Map Numbers 1 Through 8
                                      (These 16 maps sell for $2.00 each.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TX1.........................................  South Padre Island Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX1A........................................  South Padre Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX2.........................................  North Padre Island Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX2A........................................  North Padre Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX3.........................................  Mustang Island Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX3A........................................  Mustang Island Area, East Addition (revised September 3, 2002).
TX4.........................................  Matagorda Island Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX5.........................................  Brazos Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX5B........................................  Brazos Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX6.........................................  Galveston Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX6A........................................  Galveston Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX7.........................................  High Island Area (revised November 1, 2000).
TX7A........................................  High Island Area, East Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX7B........................................  High Island Area, South Addition (revised November 1, 2000).
TX7C........................................  High Island Area, East Addition, South Extension (revised November
                                               1, 2000).
TX8.........................................  Sabine Pass Area (revised July 1, 2011).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Louisiana Map Numbers 1A, 1B, and 12
                                       (These 3 maps sell for $2.00 each.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LA1A........................................  West Cameron Area, West Addition (revised February 28, 2007).
LA1B........................................  West Cameron Area, South Addition (revised February 28, 2007).
LA12........................................  Sabine Pass Area (revised February 28, 2007).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 70474]]

 
                             Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams
                                     (These 7 diagrams sell for $2.00 each.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NG14-03.....................................  Corpus Christi (revised November 1, 2000).
NG14-06.....................................  Port Isabel (revised November 1, 2000).
NG15-01.....................................  East Breaks (revised November 1, 2000).
NG15-02.....................................  Garden Banks (revised February 28, 2007).
NG15-04.....................................  Alaminos Canyon (revised November 1, 2000).
NG15-05.....................................  Keathley Canyon (revised February 28, 2007).
NG15-08.....................................  Sigsbee Escarpment (revised February 28, 2007).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Please note: A CD-ROM (in ARC/INFO and Acrobat (.pdf) format) 
containing all of the GOM leasing maps and OPD's, except for those 
not yet converted to digital format, is available from BOEM Gulf of 
Mexico Region Public Information Unit for a price of $15. These GOM 
leasing maps and OPD's are also available for free online in .pdf 
and .gra format at https://www.gomr.boem.gov/homepg/lsesale/map_arc.html.

    For the current status of all GOM WPA leasing maps and OPD's, 
please refer to 66 FR 28002 (published May 21, 2001), 67 FR 60701 
(published September 26, 2002), and 72 FR 27590 (published May 16, 
2007). In addition, Supplemental Official OCS Block Diagrams (SOBD's) 
for these blocks are available which contain the U.S. 200 Nautical Mile 
Limit line and the U.S.-Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf Boundary 
line. These SOBD's are also available from BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region 
Public Information Unit. For additional information, please call the 
Mapping and Automation Section at (504) 736-5768.
    All blocks are shown on these leasing maps and OPD's. The available 
Federal acreage of all whole and partial blocks in this lease sale is 
shown in the document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' included 
in the Final NOS 218 Package. Some of these blocks may be partially 
leased or deferred, or transected by administrative lines such as the 
Federal/state jurisdictional line. A bid on a block must include all of 
the available Federal acreage of that block. Also, information on the 
unleased portions of such blocks is found in the document ``Western 
Planning Area, Lease Sale 218, December 14, 2011--Unleased Split Blocks 
and Available Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular 
Portions Under Lease or Deferred'' included in the Final NOS 218 
Package.
    Areas Not Available for Leasing: The following whole and partial 
blocks are not offered for lease in this sale:
    Whole blocks and portions of blocks that lie within the boundaries 
of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary at the East and 
West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank (the following list includes 
all blocks affected by the Sanctuary boundaries):

High Island, East Addition, South Extension (Leasing Map TX7C)
Whole Block: A-398
Portions of Blocks: A-366*, A-367*, A-374*, A-375, A-383*, A-384*, A-
385*,
A-388, A-389, A-397*, A-399, A-401

    *Leased

High Island, South Addition (Leasing Map TX7B)
Portions of Blocks: A-502, A-513
Garden Banks (OPD NG15-02)
Portions of Blocks: 134, 135

    Whole blocks and portions of blocks that lie within the former 
Western Gap and lie within the 1.4 nautical mile north of the 
continental shelf boundary between the United States and Mexico:

Keathley Canyon (OPD NG15-05)
Portions of Blocks: 978 through 980
Sigsbee Escarpment (OPD NG15-08)
Whole Blocks: 11, 57, 103, 148, 149, 194
Portions of Blocks: 12 through 14, 58 through 60, 104 through 106, 150

    Blocks currently under appeal (although currently unleased, the 
following blocks are under appeal and bids will not be accepted):
Garden Banks (NG15-02)
Blocks 623 and 624

    Note: Bids on Blocks Near the U.S.-Mexico Maritime and 
Continental Shelf Boundary. Due to ongoing negotiations with the 
Government of Mexico on a Transboundary Agreement, bids submitted on 
any block in the ``Boundary Area'' as defined below will be 
segregated from bids submitted on blocks outside the Boundary Area. 
Bids submitted on blocks outside the Boundary Area will be opened on 
the date scheduled for sale, as is normally the practice. Bids 
submitted on blocks in the Boundary Area will not be opened on the 
date scheduled for the sale, but may be opened at a later date. On 
or before 30 days following execution of a Transboundary Agreement 
or June 14, 2012, whichever occurs first, the Secretary of the 
Interior will determine whether it is in the best interest of the 
United States either to open bids for Boundary Area blocks or to 
return the bids unopened.

    BOEM will notify bidders at least 30 days prior to bid opening. 
Bidders on these blocks may withdraw their bids at any time after such 
notice and prior to 10 a.m. (New Orleans local time) of the day before 
bid opening. If BOEM does not give notice by 30 days after execution of 
a Transboundary Agreement or by June 14, 2012, whichever occurs first, 
BOEM will return the bids unopened. This will provide time for 
companies to make decisions regarding the next annual Western Gulf of 
Mexico Planning Area lease sale proposed for 2012, which may also offer 
blocks in this area. BOEM reserves the right to return these bids at 
any time. BOEM will not disclose which blocks received bids or the 
names of bidders in this area unless and until the bids are opened.
    In the event the Secretary decides to open bids on blocks in the 
Boundary Area, BOEM will notify such bidders of the agreement and will 
describe the terms under which leases in the Boundary Area will be 
issued. The bidders will have 20 days from the date of the notice to 
inform BOEM whether they will withdraw their bids on blocks in the 
Boundary Area or to reaffirm their interest in such a lease subject to 
the new terms that are necessary to implement the United States' 
obligations under the Transboundary Agreement.
    BOEM currently anticipates that blocks in the Boundary Area that 
are not awarded as a result of Lease Sale 218 would be reoffered in the 
following lease sale for the Western Planning Area, tentatively 
scheduled for later in 2012.
    ``Transboundary Agreement,'' refers to a possible agreement between 
the United Mexican States and the United States of America that may be 
approved by both governments after October 21, 2011 and before June 15, 
2012, and that addresses identification and unitization of 
transboundary hydrocarbon reservoirs, allocation of production, 
inspections, safety, and environmental protection.
    ``Boundary Area,'' means an area comprised of the entirety of any 
and all blocks in the Western Planning Area, that are located or 
partially located within three nautical miles of the maritime and 
continental shelf boundary with Mexico, as that maritime boundary is 
delimited in the November 24, 1970 Treaty to Resolve Pending Boundary 
Differences and Maintain the

[[Page 70475]]

Rio Grande and Colorado River as the International Boundary, the May 4, 
1978 Treaty on Maritime Boundaries between the United Mexican States 
and the United States of America, and the June 9, 2000 Treaty on the 
Continental Shelf between the Government of the United Mexican States 
and the Government of the United States of America. The following 
blocks comprise the Boundary Area:
Port Isabel Blocks--914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 
924, 945, 946, 947, 948, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 965, 
966, 967, 968, 989, 990, 991, and 992
Alaminos Canyon Blocks--881, 882, 883*, 884*, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889*, 
890*, 891, 892, 893*, 894*, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899*, 900*, 901*, 902*, 
903*, 904*, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 925, 926, 927*, 
928*, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939*, 940*, 
941, 942*, 943*, 944*, 945*, 946, 947*, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 
954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 992, 993, 
994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 
1007, 1008, and 1009
Keathley Canyon Blocks--925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 
934, 935, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 
and 981
Sigsbee Escarpment Blocks--11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 103, 
104, 105, 106, 148, 149, 150, and 194
South Padre Island Blocks--1154, 1163, 1164, 1165, and 1166*
South Padre Island, East Addition Blocks--1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 
1160, 1161, 1162, A 78, A 79, A 80, A 81, A 82, A 83, A 84, A 85, A 86, 
A 87, A 89, and A 90

    *Leased

    Statutes and Regulations: Each lease is issued pursuant to the OCS 
Lands Act (OCSLA) of August 7, 1953; 43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., as 
amended, (hereinafter called ``the Act'') and is subject to the Act, 
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and other statutes and 
regulations in existence upon the Effective Date of the lease, and 
those statutes enacted (including amendments to the Act or other 
statutes) and regulations promulgated thereafter, except to the extent 
they explicitly conflict with an express provision of this lease. It is 
expressly understood that subsequent amendments to the Act, other 
statutes, and regulations which do not explicitly conflict with an 
express provision of the lease may be made and that the Lessee bears 
the risk that such amendments may increase or decrease the Lessee's 
obligations under the lease. BOEM will use a new lease form (BOEM Form 
2005 (October 2011)) to convey leases offered in this sale. The new 
lease form may be viewed on the BOEM Web site at: https://www.gomr.boem.gov/homepg/boemforms/FormBOEM-2005.pdf. The lease form 
will be amended to conform with the specific terms, conditions and 
stipulations applicable to the individual lease. Addressed below are 
the terms, conditions, and stipulations applicable to this sale.
    Lease Terms and Conditions: Initial periods, extensions of initial 
periods, minimum bonus bid amounts, rental rates, escalating rental 
rates for leases with an approved extension of the initial 5-year 
period, royalty rate, minimum royalty, and royalty suspension 
provisions, if any, applicable to this sale are noted below. Related 
areas are depicted on the map ``Final, Western Planning Area, Lease 
Sale 218, December 14, 2011, Lease Terms and Economic Conditions,'' for 
leases resulting from this lease sale.
    Initial Periods: Initial periods are summarized in the following 
table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Water depth in  meters                                       Initial periods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to <400...................................  5 years extended to 8 years if a well is spudded during the
                                               initial 5-year period targeting hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet
                                               true vertical depth (TVD) subsea (SS).
400 to <800.................................  5 years extended to 8 years if a well is spudded during the
                                               initial 5-year period.
800 to <1,600...............................  7 years extended to 10 years if a well is spudded during the
                                               initial 7- year period.
1,600+......................................  10 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Extensions of Initial Periods:
    1. The 5-year initial period for a lease in water depths of less 
than 400 meters may be extended to 8 years if a well, targeting 
hydrocarbons below 25,000 feet TVD SS, is spudded within the 5-year 
initial period. The 3-year extension will be granted in cases where the 
well is drilled to a target below 25,000 feet TVD SS and may also be 
granted in cases where the well targets but does not reach a depth 
below 25,000 feet TVD SS due to mechanical or safety reasons.
    In order for the 5-year initial period to be extended to 8 years, 
the lessee is required to submit to the Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) GOM Regional Supervisor for Production 
and Development, within 30 days after completion of the drilling 
operation, a letter providing the well number, spud date, information 
demonstrating the target below 25,000 feet TVD SS, and if applicable, 
any safety or mechanical problems encountered that prevented the well 
from reaching a depth below 25,000 feet TVD SS. The Regional Supervisor 
must concur in writing that the conditions have been met to extend the 
initial period 3 years. The Regional Supervisor will provide written 
confirmation of any lease extension within 30 days of receipt of the 
letter provided.
    A lease that has earned a 3-year extension by spudding a well 
during the 5-year initial period with a hydrocarbon target below 25,000 
feet TVD SS, confirmed by BSEE, will not be eligible for a suspension 
for that same period under the regulations at 30 CFR 250.175 because 
the lease is not at risk of expiring.
    2. The 5-year initial period for a lease in water depths of 400 
meters to less than 800 meters issued from this sale will be extended 
to 8 years if a well is spudded within the initial 5-year period; 
otherwise, the lease expires on its own terms.
    In order for the 5-year initial period to be extended to 8 years, 
the lessee is required to submit to the appropriate BSEE District 
Manager, within 30 days after spudding a well, a letter providing the 
well number, spud date, and requesting confirmation of a 3-year 
extension of the initial period. The District Manager will review the 
request and make a determination. A written response will be sent to 
the lessee documenting the District Manager's decision within 30 days 
of receipt of the request. For an extension to be granted, the District 
Manager must concur in writing that the conditions have been met to 
extend the initial period 3 years.
    3. The 7-year initial period for a lease in water depths of 800 
meters to less than 1,600 meters issued from this sale will be extended 
to 10 years if a well is spudded within the initial 7-year period; 
otherwise, the lease expires on its own terms.
    In order for the 7-year initial period to be extended to 10 years, 
the lessee is

[[Page 70476]]

required to submit to the appropriate District Manager, within 30 days 
after spudding a well, a letter providing the well number, spud date, 
and requesting confirmation of a 3-year extension of the initial 
period. The District Manager will review the request and make a 
determination. A written response will be sent to the lessee 
documenting the District Manager's decision within 30 days of receipt 
of the request. For an extension to be granted, the District Manager 
must concur in writing that the conditions have been met to extend the 
lease term 3 years.
    Minimum Bonus Bid Amounts: A bonus bid will not be considered for 
acceptance unless it provides for a cash bonus in the amount of $25 or 
more per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths of less 
than 400 meters, or $100 or more per acre or fraction thereof for 
blocks in water depths of 400 meters or deeper; to confirm the exact 
calculation of the minimum bonus bid amount for each block, see ``List 
of Blocks Available for Leasing,'' contained in the Final NOS 218 
Package. Please note that bonus bids must be in whole dollar amounts 
(i.e., BOEM will disregard partial dollar amounts).
    Rental Rates: Annual rental rates are summarized in the following 
table:

                                    Rental Rates per Acre or Fraction Thereof
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Water depth in meters                Years 1-5                   Years 6, 7, and 8+
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 to < 200......................................        $7.00  $14.00, $21.00, $28.00.
200 to < 400....................................        11.00  22.00, 33.00, 44.00.
400 to < 800....................................        11.00  16.00.
800+............................................        11.00  16.00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Escalating Rental Rates for Leases with an Approved Extension of 
the Initial Period: Any lease in water depths less than 400 meters and 
granted a 3-year extension beyond the 5-year initial period as provided 
above will pay an escalating rental rate as shown above. The escalating 
rental rates after the 5th year for blocks in less than 400 meters will 
become fixed and no longer escalate if another well is spudded during 
the 3-year extended term of the lease that targets hydrocarbons below 
25,000 feet TVD SS, and BOEM concurs that such a well has been spudded. 
In this case, the rental rate will become fixed at the rental rate in 
effect during the lease year in which the additional well was spudded.
    Royalty Rate: 18.75 percent.
    Minimum Royalty: $7.00 per acre or fraction thereof per year for 
blocks in water depths of less than 200 meters and $11.00 per acre or 
fraction thereof per year for blocks in water depths of 200 meters or 
deeper.
    Royalty Suspension Provisions: Leases with royalty suspension 
volumes (RSV), are authorized under existing BSEE rules at 30 CFR part 
203 and BOEM rules at 30 CFR part 560.

Deep and Ultra-Deep Gas Royalty Suspensions

    A lease issued as a result of this sale may be eligible for royalty 
relief for deep and ultra-deep wells pursuant to 30 CFR 203.0 and 30 
CFR 203.30-203.49. The regulations provide deep gas incentives in two 
ways. First, they provide an RSV of 35 billion cubic feet of natural 
gas for certain wells completed in a drilling depth category (20,000 
feet TVD SS or deeper) for leases in 0 to less than 400 meters of 
water. Second, they offer RSVs to leases in 200 to less than 400 meters 
of water that are the same as the RSVs that were previously offered in 
shallower water i.e., in zero to 200 meters of water. These RSV 
incentives are conditional on applicable price thresholds and require 
that wells completed from 15,000 to 20,000 feet TVD SS on leases in 200 
to less than 400 meters of water must begin production before May 3, 
2013.

Deepwater Royalty Suspensions

    No deepwater royalty suspension provisions will be offered for 
leases issued from this sale.
    Lease Stipulations: The map ``Final, Western Planning Area, Lease 
Sale 218, December 14, 2011, Stipulations and Deferred Blocks'' depicts 
those blocks on which one or more of four lease stipulations apply: (1) 
Topographic Features; (2) Military Areas; (3) Law of the Sea Convention 
Royalty Payment; (4) Protected Species. The texts of the stipulations 
are contained in the document ``Lease Stipulations, Western Planning 
Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, Final Notice of Sale'' included in 
this Final NOS 218 Package. In addition, the ``List of Blocks Available 
for Leasing,'' contained in the Final NOS 218 Package identifies for 
each listed block the lease stipulations applicable to that block.
    Information to Lessees: The Final NOS 218 Package contains 
``Information To Lessees'' document that provides information on 
certain issues pertaining to this oil and gas lease sale.
    Method of Bidding: For each block bid upon, a bidder must submit a 
separate signed bid in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope 
should be labeled ``Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 218, not to 
be opened until 9 a.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2011.'' The submitting 
company's name, its GOM company number, the map name, map number, and 
block number should be clearly identified on the outside of the 
envelope.
    The sealed bid should list the total amount of the bid in a whole 
dollar amount, as well as, the sale number, the sale date, the 
submitting company's name, its GOM company number, the map name, map 
number, and the block number clearly identified. The information 
required on the bid(s) and the bid envelope(s) are specified in the 
document ``Bid Form and Envelope'' contained in the Final NOS 218 
Package. A blank bid form has been provided therein for convenience and 
may be copied and filled in. The Final NOS 218 Package includes a 
sample bid envelope for reference.
    The Final NOS 218 Package also includes the Telephone Numbers/
Addresses of Bidders Form. BOEM requests that bidders provide this 
information in the suggested format prior to or at the time of bid 
submission. The Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders Form should not 
be enclosed inside the sealed bid envelope.
    BOEM published a list of restricted joint bidders for this lease 
sale in the Federal Register at 76 FR 67759 on November 2, 2011. Please 
also refer to joint bidding provisions at 30 CFR 556.41 for additional 
information. All bidders must execute all documents in conformance with 
signatory authorizations on file in BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region 
Adjudication Section. Designated signatories must be authorized to bind 
their respective legal business entities (e.g., a corporation, 
partnership, or LLC) and must have an incumbency certificate setting 
forth the authorized signatories on file with the

[[Page 70477]]

GOM Region Adjudication Section. Bidders submitting joint bids must 
include on the bid form the proportionate interest of each 
participating bidder, stated as a percentage, using a maximum of five 
decimal places (e.g., 33.33333 percent) with total interest equaling 
100 percent. BOEM may require bidders to submit other documents in 
accordance with 30 CFR 556.46. BOEM warns bidders against violation of 
18 U.S.C. 1860 prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of 
bidders. Bidders are advised that BOEM considers the signed bid to be a 
legally binding obligation on the part of the bidder(s) to comply with 
all applicable regulations, including payment of one-fifth of the bonus 
bid on all high bids. A statement to this effect must be included on 
each bid form (see the document ``Bid Form and Envelope'' contained in 
the Final NOS 218 Package).
    Withdrawal of Bids: Once submitted, bid(s) may not be withdrawn 
unless the RD receives a written request for withdrawal from the 
company who submitted the bid(s), prior to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 
13, 2011. This request must be typed on company letterhead and must 
contain the submitting company's name, its company number, the map 
name/number and block number of the bid(s) to be withdrawn. The request 
must be in conformance with signatory authorizations on file in BOEM 
Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Section. Signatories must be 
authorized to bind their respective legal business entities (e.g., a 
corporation, partnership, or LLC) and must have an incumbency 
certificate setting forth the authorized signatories on file with BOEM 
GOM Region Adjudication Section. The name and title of said signatory 
must be typed under the signature block on the withdrawal letter. Upon 
the RD's, or his designee's, approval of such requests, he will 
indicate his approval by affixing his signature and date to the 
submitting company's request for withdrawal.
    Rounding: The following procedure must be used to calculate the 
minimum bonus bid, annual rental, and minimum royalty: Round up to the 
next whole acre if the block acreage contains a decimal figure prior to 
calculating the minimum bonus bid, annual rental, and minimum royalty 
amounts. The appropriate rate per acre is applied to the whole (rounded 
up) acreage.
    The bonus bid must be in whole dollar amounts and greater than or 
equal to the minimum bonus bid. The appropriate minimum bid per-acre 
rate is applied to the whole (rounded up) acreage and the resultant 
calculation is rounded up to the next whole dollar amount if the 
calculation results in any cents. The minimum bonus bid calculation, 
including all rounding, is shown in the document ``List of Blocks 
Available for Leasing'' included in the Final NOS 218 Package.
    Bonus Bid Deposit: Each bidder submitting an apparent high bid must 
submit a bonus bid deposit to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue 
(ONRR) equal to one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for each such bid. 
All payments must be electronically deposited into an interest-bearing 
account in the U.S. Treasury (account information provided in the 
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) instructions found on the BOEM Web site 
at: https://gomr.boem.gov/homepg/lsesale/218/EFT-Inst-June 20-2011.pdf) 
by 11 a.m. Eastern Time the day following bid reading (no exceptions). 
Under the authority granted by 30 CFR 556.46(b), BOEM requires bidders 
to use electronic funds transfer procedures for payment of one-fifth 
bonus bid deposits for Lease Sale 218, following the detailed 
instructions contained on the Payment Information Web page that may be 
found on the ONRR Web site at: https://www.onrr.gov/FM/PayInfo.htm. 
Acceptance of a deposit does not constitute and shall not be construed 
as acceptance of any bid on behalf of the United States. If a lease is 
awarded, ONRR requests that only one transaction be used for payment of 
the four-fifths bonus bid amount and the first year's rental.

    Note:  Certain bid submitters (i.e., those that are NOT 
currently an OCS mineral lease record title holder or designated 
operator OR those that have ever defaulted on a one-fifth bonus bid 
payment (EFT or otherwise)) are required to guarantee (secure) their 
one-fifth bonus bid payment prior to the submission of bids. For 
those who must secure the EFT one-fifth bonus bid payment, one of 
the following options may be used: (1) Provide a third-party 
guarantee; (2) amend bond coverage; (3) provide a letter of credit; 
or (4) provide a lump sum payment in advance via EFT. The EFT 
instructions specify the requirements for each option.

    Withdrawal of Blocks: The United States reserves the right to 
withdraw any block from this lease sale prior to issuance of a written 
acceptance of a bid for the block.
    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 the bidder has complied with all requirements of this Notice, 
including those set forth in the documents contained in the associated 
Final NOS 218 Package and applicable regulations; the bid is the 
highest valid bid; and the amount of the bid has been determined to be 
adequate by the authorized officer. Any bid submitted that does not 
conform to the requirements of this Notice, the Act, and other 
applicable regulations may be returned to the bidder submitting that 
bid by the RD and not be considered for acceptance. The Attorney 
General may also review the results of the lease sale prior to the 
acceptance of bids and issuance of leases for anti-trust issues.
    To ensure that the Government receives a fair return for the 
conveyance of lease rights for this lease sale, high bids will be 
evaluated in accordance with BOEM bid adequacy procedures. A copy of 
current procedures, ``Modifications to the Bid Adequacy Procedures'' at 
64 FR 37560 on July 12, 1999, can be obtained from the BOEM Gulf of 
Mexico Region Public Information Unit or via the BOEM Gulf of Mexico 
Region Internet Web site at: https://www.gomr.boem.gov/homepg/lsesale/174/174BIDAD.PDF. In the existing bid adequacy procedures, water depth 
categories in the Gulf of Mexico are specified as (1) less than 800 
meters and (2) 800 meters or more. Per 64 FR 37560, if different water 
depth categories are used for a Gulf of Mexico sale, they will be 
specified in the sale's final notice. For Sale 218, the water depth 
categories are specified as (1) less than 400 meters and (2) 400 meters 
or more.
    Successful Bidders: The BOEM requires each company that has been 
awarded a lease to execute all copies of the lease (Form BOEM-2005 
(October 2011), as amended), pay by EFT the balance of the bonus bid 
amount and the first year's rental for each lease issued in accordance 
with the requirements of 30 CFR 218.155; and satisfy the bonding 
requirements of 30 CFR part 556, subpart I, as amended.
    Affirmative Action: The BOEM requests that, prior to bidding, the 
bidder file Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Representation Form 
BOEM 2032 (October 2011) and Equal Opportunity Compliance Report 
Certification Form BOEM 2033 (October 2011) in the BOEM Gulf of Mexico 
Region Adjudication Section. This certification is required by 41 CFR 
part 60 and Executive Order No. 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended 
by Executive Order No. 11375 of October 13, 1967. In any event, prior 
to the execution of any lease contract, both forms are required to be 
on file for the bidder in the GOM Region Adjudication Section.
    Geophysical Data and Information Statement: Pursuant to 30 CFR 
251.12,

[[Page 70478]]

BOEM has a right to access geophysical data and information collected 
under a permit in the OCS.
    Every bidder submitting a bid on a block in Sale 218, or 
participating as a joint bidder in such a bid, must submit at the time 
of bid submission a Geophysical Data and Information Statement (GDIS) 
in a separate and sealed envelope, identifying any enhanced or 
reprocessed geophysical data and information generated or used as part 
of the decision to bid or participate in a bid on the block (including 
the use of Controlled Source Electromagnetics, Gravity, etc.). The data 
identified in the GDIS should clearly identify whether the data or 
information are multi-client (speculative) data sets available directly 
from geophysical contractors or exclusive (proprietary) data sets 
specially processed for or by bidders. In addition, the GDIS should 
clearly identify the data type (2-D or 3-D, pre-stack or post-stack and 
time or depth); areal extent (i.e., number of line miles for 2-D or 
number of blocks for 3-D) and migration algorithm (Wave Equation 
Migration, Reverse Time Migration, etc.) of the data and information. 
The statement must also include the name, phone number and full address 
of a contact person, and an alternate, who are both knowledgeable about 
the information and data listed and available for 30 days post-sale, 
the processing company, date processing was completed, owner of the 
original data set (who initially acquired the data), original data 
survey name and permit number. BOEM reserves the right to query about 
alternate data sets and to quality check and compare the listed and 
alternative data sets to determine which data set most closely meets 
the needs of the fair market value determination process.
    The statement must also identify each block upon which the bidder 
submitted a bid or participated as a partner in a bid, but for which it 
did not use enhanced or reprocessed pre- or post-stack geophysical data 
and information as part of the decision to bid or to participate in the 
bid. The GDIS must be submitted, even if no enhanced geophysical data 
and information were used in bid preparation for the block.
    In the event a company supplies any type of data to BOEM, that 
company must meet the following requirements to qualify for 
reimbursement:
    1. The company must be registered with the Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR). The initial registration is valid for one year and 
must be updated annually thereafter. The Web site for registering is: 
https://www.ccr.gov. This is a requirement that was implemented on 
October 1, 2003, and requires all entities doing business with the 
Government to complete a business profile in the CCR. Payments are made 
electronically based on the banking information contained in the CCR. 
Therefore, if the company is not actively registered in the CCR, BOEM 
will not be able to reimburse or pay that company for any data 
supplied.
    2. Effective May 1, 2011, the Department of Interior is requiring 
all of its agencies and bureaus to use the Department of Treasury's 
Internet Payment Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing. The company 
must enroll at the IPP Web site if it has not already done so. Access 
will then be granted to use IPP for submitting requests for payment. 
When a request for payment is submitted, it must include the assigned 
Purchase Order Number on the request.
    3. In addition, the company must complete an on-line 
Representations and Certifications application at www.bpn.gov. Even 
though the company may have never provided this information previously, 
it must now do so in order to do business with the Government or 
receive reimbursement.

    Note: The GDIS Information Table can be submitted digitally on a 
CD or DVD as an Excel Spreadsheet.

    Force Majeure: The BOEM Regional Director of the GOM Region has the 
discretion to change any date, time, and/or location specified in the 
Final NOS 218 Package in case of a force majeure event that the RD 
deems may interfere with the carrying out of a fair and proper lease 
sale process. Such events may include, but are not limited to, natural 
disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods), wars, riots, and acts 
of terrorism, fire, strikes, civil disorder or other events of a 
similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (504) 736-
0557 or access our Web site at: https://www.gomr.boem.gov for 
information about any changes.

     Dated: November 8, 2011.
Tommy P. Beaudreau,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-29340 Filed 11-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P