Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (WPA) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas; Lease Sale 238 (WPA Sale 238)

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 138 (Friday, July 18, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2014)

Notices

Pages 42041-42048

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2014-16962

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

MMAA104000

Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area (WPA) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas; Lease Sale 238 (WPA Sale 238)

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final notice of sale.

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SUMMARY: On Wednesday, August 20, 2014, BOEM will open and publicly announce bids received for blocks offered in WPA Sale 238 in accordance with the provisions of the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA, 43 U.S.C. 1331-1356, as amended) and the implementing regulations issued pursuant thereto (30 CFR parts 550 and 556).

The WPA 238 Final Notice of Sale (NOS) package (Final NOS Package) contains information essential to potential bidders, and bidders are charged with knowing the contents of the documents contained in the Final NOS Package. The Final NOS Package is available at the address and Web site below.

DATES: Public bid reading for WPA Sale 238 will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugarbowl Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. The lease sale will be held in the St. Charles Club Room on the second floor (Loge Level). Entry to the Superdome will be on the Poydras Street side of the building

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through Gate A on the Ground Level; parking will be available at Garage 6. All times referred to in this document are local times in New Orleans, unless otherwise specified.

BID Submission Deadline: BOEM must receive all sealed bids between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on normal working days, or from 8:00 a.m. to the Bid Submission Deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, the day before the lease sale. For more information on bid submission, see Section VII, ``Bidding Instructions,'' of this document.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties, upon request, may obtain a compact disc (CD-ROM) containing the Final NOS Package by contacting the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region (GOMR) at: Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394, (504) 736-2519 or (800) 200-GULF, or by visiting the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-238/.

Table of Contents

This Final NOS includes the following sections:

1. Lease Sale Area

2. Statutes and Regulations

3. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions

4. Lease Stipulations

5. Information to Lessees

6. MAPS

7. Bidding Instructions

8. Bidding Rules and Restrictions

9. Forms

10. The Lease Sale

11. Delay of Sale

1. Lease Sale Area

   Blocks Offered for Leasing

   In WPA Sale 238, BOEM is offering for lease all blocks and partial blocks in the document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' included in the Final NOS Package. All of these blocks are shown on the following leasing maps and Official Protraction Diagrams (OPDs):

   Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Texas Map Numbers 1 Through 8

   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 November 1, 2000)

   Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps--Louisiana Map Numbers 1A, 1B, and 12

   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 July 1, 2011)

   Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams

   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 July 1, 2013)

   NG15-08 Sigsbee Escarpment (revised July 1, 2013)

   NG 15-09 Amery Trace (revised July 1, 2013)

   Please Note: A CD-ROM (in ArcInfo and Acrobat (.pdf) format) containing all of the GOM leasing maps and OPDs, is available from the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office for a price of $15.00. These GOM leasing maps and OPDs also are available online for free in .pdf and .gra formats at http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Mapping-and-Data/Official-Protraction-Diagrams.aspx.

   For the current status of all WPA leasing maps and OPDs, please refer to 66 FR 28002 (May 21, 2001), 67 FR 60701 (September 26, 2002), 72 FR 27590 (May 16, 2007), 76 FR 54787 (September 2, 2011), and 79 FR 32572 (June 5, 2014). In addition, Supplemental Official OCS Block Diagrams (SOBDs) for blocks containing the U.S. 200-Nautical Mile Limit line and the U.S.-Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf Boundary line are available. These SOBDs also are available from the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office and on BOEM's Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Mapping-and-Data/Supplemental-Official-OCS-Block-Diagrams-SOBDs.aspx. For additional information, or to order the above referenced maps or diagrams, please call the Mapping and Automation Section at (504) 736-5768.

   All blocks being offered in the lease sale are shown on these leasing maps and OPDs. The available Federal acreage of each whole and partial block in this lease sale is shown in the document ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' included in the Final NOS 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 entitled ``Western Planning Area, Lease Sale 238, August 20, 2014--Unleased Split Blocks and Available Unleased Acreage of Blocks with Aliquots and Irregular Portions under Lease or Deferred,'' which is included in the Final NOS Package.

   For additional information, please call Mr. Lenny Coats, Chief of the Mapping and Automation Section, at (504) 736-1457.

   Blocks Not Offered for Leasing

   The following whole and partial blocks are not offered for lease in this sale:

   Whole and partial blocks that lie within the boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary) in the East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank. The following list identifies 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

   High Island, South Addition (Leasing Map TX7B)

   Portions of Blocks: A-502, A-513

   Garden Banks (OPD NG15-02)

   Portions of Blocks: 134, 135

   * Leased.

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   Blocks That Lie Within the Former Western Gap and Within 1.4 Nautical Miles North of the Continental Shelf Boundary (1.4-Nautical Mile Buffer) Between the United States and Mexico

   The United States and Mexico exchanged instruments of ratification in January 2001, and a Continental Shelf Boundary treaty entered into force in the Western Gap area of the GOM. The treaty states that, at the earliest, exploration or development within 1.4 nautical miles of the Continental Shelf Boundary would occur after January 2011. On June 23, 2010, the United States and Mexico mutually agreed to extend this period for an additional three years. The treaty provision was to remain in effect until January 17, 2014, but, by exchange of diplomatic notes on January 17, 2014, the United States and Mexico have extended the prohibition on exploration and development in the 1.4-nautical mile buffer until July 17, 2014, or until the day the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico (Agreement) enters into force, whichever is sooner. The Agreement (described below), negotiated between and signed by the United States and Mexico on February 20, 2012, received Congressional approval and the President's signature but required a further exchange of diplomatic notes to allow it to enter into force. The United States and Mexico exchanged diplomatic notes on May 19, 2014, indicating that the Agreement will enter into force on July 18, 2014. As such, whole and partial blocks in the 1.4-nautical mile buffer area will be offered for lease in WPA Sale 238.

   Bids on Blocks Near the U.S.-Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf Boundary

   The following definitions apply to this section: ``Agreement'' refers to the transboundary agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States that addresses identification and unitization of transboundary hydrocarbon reservoirs, allocation of production, inspections, safety, and environmental protection. A copy of the Agreement can be found at http://www.boem.gov/BOEM-Newsroom/Library/Boundaries-Mexico.aspx.``Boundary Area'' means an area comprised of any and all blocks in the WPA that are wholly or partially located within 3 statute miles of the Maritime and Continental Shelf Boundary with Mexico, as that Maritime Boundary is delimited in the November 23, 1970, Treaty to Resolve Pending Boundary Differences and Maintain the 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.

   Bidders should refer to Stipulation No. 5 in the Stipulations section of the Final NOS Package, which will be applicable to leases issued for blocks in the Boundary Area. The following whole and partial blocks comprise the entire Boundary Area (not all of which may be available under WPA Sale 238).

   Port Isabel (NG14-06) Blocks--914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 945, 946, 947, 948, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 989, 990, 991, and 992

   Alaminos Canyon (NG15-04) 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,* 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 (NG15-05) 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 (NG15-08) Blocks--11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 103, 104, 105, 106, 148, 149, 150, and 194.

   South Padre Island (TX1) Blocks--1154, 1163, 1164, 1165, and 1166

   South Padre Island, East Addition (TX1A) 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

2. Statutes and Regulations

   Each lease is issued pursuant to OCSLA, and is subject to OCSLA, implementing regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and other applicable statutes and regulations in existence upon the effective date of the lease, as well as those applicable statutes enacted and regulations promulgated thereafter, except to the extent that the after-enacted statutes and regulations explicitly conflict with an express provision of the lease. Each lease also is subject to amendments to statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, OCSLA, that do not explicitly conflict with an express provision of the lease. The lessee expressly bears the risk that such new or amended statutes and regulations (i.e., those that do not explicitly conflict with an express provision of the lease) may increase or decrease the lessee's obligations under the lease.

3. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions

   Lease Terms

   OCS Lease Form

   BOEM will use Form BOEM-2005 (October 2011) to convey leases resulting from this sale. This lease form may be viewed on the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/About-BOEM/Procurement-Business-Opportunities/BOEM-OCS-Operation-Forms-BOEM-2005.aspx. The lease form will be amended to conform with the specific terms, conditions, and stipulations applicable to the individual lease. The terms, conditions, and stipulations applicable to this sale are set forth below.

   Initial Periods

   Initial periods are summarized in the following table:

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   Water depth (meters) Initial period

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   0 to $25.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths less than 400 meters

   $100.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths 400 meters or deeper

   BOEM will not accept a bonus bid unless it provides for a cash bonus in the amount equal to, or exceeding, the specified minimum bid of $25.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths less than 400 meters, and $100.00 per acre or fraction thereof for blocks in water depths 400 meters or deeper.

   Rental Rates

   Annual rental rates are summarized in the following table:

   Rental Rates per Acre or Fraction Thereof

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   Water depth (meters) Years 1- Years 6, 7, and 8+

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   0 to 18.75 percent

   Minimum Royalty Rate

   $7.00 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in water depths less than 200 meters

   $11.00 per acre or fraction thereof per year for blocks in water depths 200 meters or deeper

   Royalty Suspension Provisions

   The issuance of leases with royalty suspension volumes (RSVs) or other forms of royalty relief is authorized under existing BOEM regulations at 30 CFR part 560. The specific details relating to eligibility and implementation of the various royalty relief programs, including those involving the use of RSVs, are codified in BSEE regulations at 30 CFR part 203. In this sale, the only royalty relief program being offered, which involves the provision of RSVs, relates to the drilling of ultra-deep wells in water depths of less than 400 meters, as described below.

   Royalty Suspension Volumes on Gas Production From Ultra-Deep Wells

   A lease issued as a result of this sale may be eligible for RSV incentives on gas produced from ultra-deep wells pursuant to 30 CFR part 203. These regulations implement the requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Under this program, certain wells on leases in less than 400 meters of water depth completed to a drilling depth of 20,000 feet TVD SS or deeper may receive an RSV of 35 billion cubic feet of natural gas. This RSV incentive is subject to applicable price thresholds set forth in the regulation at 30 CFR part 203.

4. Lease Stipulations

   One or more of the following stipulations may be applied to leases

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   issued as a result of this sale. The detailed text of these stipulations is contained in the ``Lease Stipulations'' section of the Final NOS Package.

   (1) Topographic Features

   (2) Military Areas

   (3) Law of the Sea Convention Royalty Payment

   (4) Protected Species

   (5) Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico

5. Information to Lessees

   The Information to Lessees (ITL) clauses provide detailed information on certain issues pertaining to this oil and gas lease sale. The detailed text of these ITL clauses is contained in the ``Information to Lessees'' section of the Final NOS Package:

   (1) Navigation Safety

   (2) Ordnance Disposal Areas in the WPA

   (3) Existing and Proposed Artificial Reefs/Rigs-to-Reefs

   (4) Lightering Zones

   (5) Indicated Hydrocarbons List

   (6) Military Areas in the WPA

   (7) Safety Zones for Certain Production Facilities

   (8) Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Inspection and Enforcement of Certain Coast Guard Regulations

   (9) Potential Sand Dredging Activities in the WPA

   (10) Notice of Arrival on the Outer Continental Shelf

   (11) Bidder/Lessee Notice of Obligations Related to Criminal/Civil Charges and Offenses, Suspension, or Debarment

6. Maps

   The maps pertaining to this lease sale may be found on the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-238. The following maps also are included in the Final NOS Package:

   Lease Terms and Economic Conditions Map

   The lease terms and economic conditions and the blocks to which these terms and conditions apply are shown on the map entitled ``Final, Western Planning Area, Lease Sale 238, August 20, 2014, Lease Terms and Economic Conditions,'' which is included in the Final NOS Package.

   Stipulations and Deferred Blocks Map

   The blocks to which one or more lease stipulations may apply are shown on the map entitled ``Final, Western Planning Area, Lease Sale 238, August 20, 2014, Stipulations and Deferred Blocks,'' which is included in the Final NOS Package.

7. Bidding Instructions

   Instructions on how to submit a bid, secure payment of the advance bonus bid deposit (if applicable), and what information must be included with the bid are as follows:

   Bid Form

   For each block bid upon, a separate sealed bid shall be submitted in a sealed envelope (as described below) and must include the following:

   Total amount of the bid in whole dollars only;

   Sale number;

   Sale date;

   Each bidder's exact name;

   Each bidder's proportionate interest, stated as a percentage, using a maximum of five decimal places (e.g., 33.33333 percent);

   Typed name and title, and signature of each bidder's authorized officer;

   Each bidder's qualification number;

   Map name and number or Official Protraction Diagram (OPD) name and number;

   Block number; and

   Statement acknowledging that the bidder(s) understand that this bid legally binds the bidder(s) to comply with all applicable regulations, including payment of one-fifth of the bonus bid amount on all apparent high bids.

   The information required on the bid(s) is specified in the document ``Bid Form'' contained in the Final NOS Package. A blank bid form is provided therein for convenience and may be copied and completed with the necessary information described above.

   Bid Envelope

   Each bid must be submitted in a separate sealed envelope labeled as follows:

   ``Sealed Bid for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 238, not to be opened until 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2014'';

   Map name and number or OPD name and number;

   Block number for block bid upon; and

   The exact name and qualification number of the submitting bidder only.

   The Final NOS Package includes a sample bid envelope for reference.

   Mailed Bids

   If bids are mailed, please address the envelope containing the sealed bid envelope(s) as follows: Attention: 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 238 Please Deliver to Ms. Cindy Thibodeaux or Ms. Kasey Couture, 2nd Floor, Immediately

   Please Note: Bidders mailing bid(s) are advised to call Ms. Cindy Thibodeaux at (504) 736-2809, or Ms. Kasey Couture at (504) 736-2909, immediately after putting their bid(s) in the mail. If BOEM receives bids later than the Bid Submission Deadline, the BOEM Regional Director (RD) will return those bids unopened to bidders. Please see ``Section XI. Delay of Sale'' regarding BOEM's discretion to extend the Bid Submission Deadline in the case of an unexpected event (e.g., flooding or travel restrictions) and how bidders can obtain more information on such extensions.

   Advance Bonus Bid Deposit Guarantee

   Bidders that are not currently an OCS oil and gas lease record title holder or designated operator, or those that ever have defaulted on a one-fifth bonus bid deposit, by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or otherwise, must guarantee (secure) the payment of the one-fifth bonus bid deposit prior to bid submission using one of the following four methods:

   Provide a third-party guarantee;

   Amend an areawide development bond via bond rider;

   Provide a letter of credit; or

   Provide a lump sum payment in advance via EFT.

   For more information on EFT procedures, see Section X of this document entitled ``The Lease Sale.''

   Affirmative Action

   Prior to bidding, each bidder should file Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Representation Form BOEM-2032 (October 2011) and Equal Opportunity Compliance Report Certification Form BOEM-2033 (October 2011) with the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Adjudication Section. This certification is required by 41 CFR part 60 and Executive Order No. 11246, issued September 24, 1965, as amended by Executive Order No. 11375, issued October 13, 1967. Both forms must be on file for the bidder(s) in the GOM Region Adjudication Section prior to the execution of any lease contract.

   Geophysical Data and Information Statement (GDIS)

   The GDIS is composed of three parts:

   (1) The ``Statement'' page includes the company representatives' information and lists of blocks bid on that used proprietary data and those blocks bid on that did not use proprietary data;

   (2) The ``Table'' listing the required data about each proprietary survey used (see below); and

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   (3) The ``Maps'' being the live trace maps for each survey that are identified in the GDIS statement and table.

   Every bidder submitting a bid on a block in WPA Sale 238, or participating as a joint bidder in such a bid, must submit at the time of bid submission all three parts of the GDIS. A bidder must submit the GDIS even if a joint bidder or bidders on a specific block also have submitted a GDIS. Any speculative data that has been reprocessed externally or ``in-house'' is considered proprietary due to the proprietary processing and is no longer considered to be speculative.

   The GDIS must be submitted in a separate and sealed envelope, and identify all proprietary data; reprocessed speculative data, and/or any Controlled Source Electromagnetic surveys, Amplitude Versus Offset, Gravity, or Magnetic data; or other information used as part of the decision to bid or participate in a bid on the block. The bidder and joint bidder must also include a live trace map (e.g., .pdf and ArcGIS shape file) for each survey that they identify in the GDIS illustrating the actual areal extent of the proprietary geophysical data in the survey (see the ``Example of Preferred Format'' in the Final NOS Package for additional information).

   The GDIS statement must 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 who are available for 30 days after the sale date. The GDIS statement also must include entries for all blocks bid upon that did not use proprietary or reprocessed pre- or post-stack geophysical data and information as part of the decision to bid or to participate as a joint bidder in the bid. The GDIS statement must be submitted even if no proprietary geophysical data and information were used in bid preparation for the block.

   The GDIS table should have columns that clearly state the sale number; the bidder company's name; the block area and block number bid on; the owner of the original data set (i.e., who initially acquired the data); the industry's original name of the survey (e.g., E Octopus); the BOEM permit number for the survey; whether the data set is a fast track version; whether the data is speculative or proprietary; the data type (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D; pre-stack or post-

   stack; and time or depth); migration algorithm (e.g., Kirchhoff Migration, Wave Equation Migration, Reverse Migration, Reverse Time Migration) of the data; and areal extent of bidder survey (i.e., number of line miles for 2-D or number of blocks for 3-D). Provide the computer storage size, to the nearest gigabyte, of each seismic data and velocity volume used to evaluate the lease block in question. This will be used in estimating the reproduction costs for each data set, if applicable. The availability of reimbursement of production costs will be determined consistent with 30 CFR 551.13. The next column should state who reprocessed the data (e.g., external company name or ``in-

   house'') and when the date of final reprocessing was completed (month and year). If the data was sent to BOEM for bidding in a previous lease sale, list the date the data was processed (month and year) and indicate if AVO data was used in the evaluation. BOEM reserves the right to query about alternate data sets, to quality check, and to compare the listed and alternative data sets to determine which data set most closely meets the needs of the fair market value determination process. An example of the preferred format of the table may be found in the Final NOS Package, and a blank digital version of the preferred table may be accessed on the WPA Sale 238 sale page at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-238/.

   Pursuant to 30 CFR 551.12 and 30 CFR 556.32, as a condition of the sale, the BOEM Gulf of Mexico RD requests that all bidders and joint bidders submit the proprietary data identified on their GDIS within 30 days after the lease sale (unless they are notified after the lease sale that BOEM has withdrawn the request). This request only pertains to proprietary data that is not commercially available. Commercially available data is not required to be submitted to BOEM, and reimbursement will not be provided if such data is submitted by a bidder. The BOEM Gulf of Mexico RD will notify bidders and joint bidders of any withdrawal of the request, for all or some of the proprietary data identified on the GDIS, within 15 days of the lease sale. Pursuant to 30 CFR part 551 and as a condition of this sale, all bidders required to submit data must ensure that the data is received by BOEM no later than the 30th day following the lease sale, or the next business day if the submission deadline falls on a weekend or Federal holiday. The data must be submitted to BOEM at the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Resource Studies, MS 881A, 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70123-2304.

   BOEM recommends that bidders mark the submission's external envelope as ``Deliver Immediately to DASPU.'' BOEM also recommends that the data be submitted in an internal envelope, or otherwise marked, with the following designation: ``Proprietary Geophysical Data Submitted Pursuant to WPA Sale 238 and used during evaluation of Block .''

   In the event a person supplies any type of data to BOEM, that person must meet the following requirements to qualify for reimbursement:

   (1) Persons must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM), formerly known as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). CCR usernames will not work in SAM. A new SAM User Account is needed to register or update an entity's records. The Web site for registering is https://www.sam.gov.

   (2) Persons must be enrolled in the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) for electronic invoicing. The person must enroll in the IPP at https://www.ipp.gov/. Access then will be granted to use the 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) Persons must have a current On-line Representations and Certifications Application at https://www.sam.gov.

   Please Note: The GDIS Information Table must be submitted digitally, preferably as an Excel spreadsheet, on a CD or DVD along with the seismic data map(s). If bidders have any questions, please contact Ms. Dee Smith at (504) 736-2706, or Mr. John Johnson at (504) 736-2455. Bidders should refer to Section X of this document, ``The Lease Sale: Acceptance, Rejection, or Return of Bids,'' regarding a bidder's failure to comply with the requirements of the Final NOS, including any failure to submit information as required in the Final NOS or Final NOS Package.

   Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders

   BOEM requests that bidders provide this information in the suggested format prior to or at the time of bid submission. The suggested format is included in the Final NOS Package. The form must not be enclosed inside the sealed bid envelope.

   Additional Documentation

   BOEM may require bidders to submit other documents in accordance with 30 CFR 556.46.

8. Bidding Rules and Restrictions

   Restricted Joint Bidders

   BOEM published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2014, the most recent List of Restricted Joint Bidders at 79 FR 25615. Potential bidders are advised to refer to the Federal Register, prior to bidding, for the most current List of Restricted Joint Bidders in place at the time of the lease sale. Please refer

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   to joint bidding provisions at 30 CFR 556.41 for additional restrictions.

   Authorized Signatures

   All signatories executing documents on behalf of bidder(s) must execute the same in conformance with the BOEM qualification records. 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'' contained in this Final NOS Package).

   Unlawful Combination or Intimidation

   BOEM warns bidders against violation of 18 U.S.C. 1860, prohibiting unlawful combination or intimidation of bidders.

   Bid Withdrawal

   Bids may be withdrawn only by written request delivered to BOEM prior to the Bid Submission Deadline. The withdrawal request must be on company letterhead and must contain the bidder's name, its BOEM qualification number, the map name/number, and the block number(s) of the bid(s) to be withdrawn. The request must be executed in conformance with the BOEM qualification records. Signatories must be authorized to bind their respective legal business entities (e.g., a corporation, partnership, or LLC); they also must have an incumbency certificate and/or specific power of attorney setting forth express authority to act on the business entity's behalf for purposes of bidding and lease execution under OCSLA. The name and title of the signatory must be typed under the signature block on the withdrawal letter. Upon approval of the BOEM Gulf of Mexico RD, or the RD's designee, of such requests, the RD or RD's designee will indicate approval by signing and dating the withdrawal request.

   Bid Rounding

   The bonus bid amount must be stated in whole dollars. Minimum bonus bid calculations, including all rounding, for all blocks are shown in the document entitled ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing,'' which is included in the Final NOS Package. If the acreage of a block contains a decimal figure, then prior to calculating the minimum bonus bid, BOEM has rounded up to the next whole acre. The appropriate minimum rate per acre was then applied to the whole (rounded up) acreage. If this calculation resulted in a fractional dollar amount, the minimum bonus bid was rounded up to the next whole dollar amount. The bonus bid amount must be greater than or equal to the minimum bonus bid in whole dollars.

9. Forms

   The Final NOS Package includes instructions, samples, and/or the preferred format for the following items. BOEM strongly encourages bidders to use these formats; should bidders use another format, they are responsible for including all the information specified for each item in the Final NOS Package.

   (1) Bid Form.

   (2) Sample Completed Bid.

   (3) Sample Bid Envelope.

   (4) Sample Bid Mailing Envelope.

   (5) Telephone Numbers/Addresses of Bidders Form.

   (6) GDIS Form.

   (7) GDIS Envelope Form.

10. The Lease Sale

    Bid Opening and Reading

    Sealed bids received in response to the Final NOS will be opened at the place, date, and hour specified in the DATES section of this document above. The opening of the bids is for the sole purpose of publicly announcing and recording the bids received; no bids will be accepted or rejected at that time.

    Bonus Bid Deposit for Apparent High Bids

    Each bidder submitting an apparent high bid must submit a bonus bid deposit to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) equal to one-fifth of the bonus bid amount for each such bid. A copy of the notification of the high bidder's one-

    fifth bonus liability may be obtained at the EFT Area outside the Bid Reading Room on the day of the bid opening, or it may be obtained on the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-238/ under the heading ``Notification of EFT 1/5 Bonus Liability.'' All payments must be deposited electronically into an interest-bearing account in the U.S. Treasury by 11:00 a.m. Eastern time the day following the bid reading (no exceptions). Account information is provided in the ``Instructions for Making Electronic Funds Transfer Bonus Payments'' found on the BOEM Web site identified above.

    BOEM requires bidders to use EFT procedures for payment of one-

    fifth bonus bid deposits for WPA Sale 238, following the detailed instructions contained on the ONRR Payment Information Web page at http://onrr.gov/ReportPay/payments.htm. Acceptance of a deposit does not constitute and shall not be construed as acceptance of any bid on behalf of the United States.

    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. No bid will be accepted, and no lease for any block will be awarded to any bidder, unless: (1) The bidder has complied with all requirements of the Final NOS, including those set forth in the documents contained in the Final NOS Package and applicable regulations; (2) the bid is the highest valid bid; and (3) 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 the Final NOS and Final NOS Package, OCSLA, or other applicable statute or regulation may be rejected and returned to the bidder. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will review the results of the lease sale for antitrust issues prior to the acceptance of bids and issuance of leases. To ensure that the Government receives a fair return for the conveyance of leases from this sale, high bids will be evaluated in accordance with BOEM's bid adequacy procedures. A copy of current procedures, ``Modifications to the Bid Adequacy Procedures,'' published at 64 FR 37560 on July 12, 1999, can be obtained from the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Public Information Office, or via the BOEM Gulf of Mexico Region Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Oil-and-Gas-Energy-Program/Leasing/Regional-Leasing/Gulf-of-Mexico-Region/Bid-Adequacy-Procedures.aspx.

    Lease Award

    BOEM requires each bidder awarded a lease to: (1) Execute all copies of the lease (Form BOEM-2005 (October 2011), as amended); (2) 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 556.47(f); and (3) satisfy the bonding requirements of 30 CFR part 556, subpart I, as amended. ONRR requests that only one transaction be used for payment of the four-fifths bonus bid amount and the first year's rental.

11. Delay of Sale

    The BOEM Gulf of Mexico RD has the discretion to change any date, time, and/or location specified in the Final

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    NOS Package in case of an event that the BOEM Gulf of Mexico RD deems may interfere with the carrying out of a fair and orderly lease sale process. Such events could include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods), wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fires, strikes, civil disorder, or other events of a similar nature. In case of such events, bidders should call (504) 736-

    0557, or access the BOEM Web site at http://www.boem.gov, for information regarding any changes.

    Dated: July 14, 2014.

    Walter D. Cruickshank,

    Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

    FR Doc. 2014-16962 Filed 7-17-14; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P