ASRC plans Chukchi seismic activity

Vessel Mount Mitchell to arrive in Chukchi Sea on July 1, with survey operations beginning around July 15 and limited to 100 days

Tamar Ben-Yosef

Arctic Sounder Writer

A subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corp. proposes a plan for seismic activities in the Chukchi Sea, raising concerns that the work might disturb bowhead whales.

ASRC Energy Service’s Marine Services plans to check for shallow hazards and dangerous conditions on the seafloor such as shallow gas pockets, which are required by the Minerals Management Services prior to exploration well drilling on Alaska’s outer continental shelf.

The announcement was made public during the company’s presentation to members of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission from Barrow, Point Hope and Wainwright in Barrow on Feb. 7-11.

Jana Lage, ASRC Energy’s OCS Program Development manager, presented a PowerPoint presentation of the company’s plans. Presenting with her and answering questions was Maggie Ahmaogak, a co-worker and former Whaling Commission executive director.

In addition to geophysical surveys, MMS also requires archeological assessment surveys that will discover the existence of any historic or prehistoric resources including manmade objects or structures such as shipwrecks or submerged airplanes.

These surveys will use echo sounders, side-scan sonar, seismic systems and a magnometer that will cover a grid over the sea floor to depths of 2,625 to 3,281 feet.

Much of the technology used for the type of testing AEC will perform includes machinery emitting decibels substantially higher than the suggested limit for baleen and beluga whales.

The plan calls for the vessel Mount Mitchell to arrive in the Chukchi Sea on July 1, with survey operations beginning around July 15 and limited to 100 days.

Cheryl Rosa, a wildlife veterinarian and research biologist for the North Slope Department of Wildlife Management, said there is not enough baseline data on the anatomy of the bowhead whales to know how such frequencies as will be used will affect them.

“Animals will usually move away from the sound,” Rosa said.

“Our concerns lie with the realm of the whales doing things they need to do to exist like feed and mate. They may stay and put themselves at risk,” she said.

ASRC responds

Q: Does Arctic Slope Regional Corp.’s participation in the Chukchi Sea oil development indicates the corporation’s support of offshore drilling?

A: ASRC has a history of opposition to offshore development, but it is evident that offshore development will take place regardless of our opposition.

As offshore development progresses, our subsidiary, Arctic Slope Energy Services, is positioning itself to participate in the process for the maximum benefit of our shareholders.

Q: If so — what advantages are there for the shareholders to have these tests done by AEC rather than another, nonlocal entity?

A: The advantages include a locally owned company performing the work, providing employment opportunities for North Slope residents, and utilizing the traditional knowledge and skills of our people while out on the marine vessels.

Equally as important are the reduced impacts by using one service provider to serve all leaseholders.

Q: What weight do shareholder opinions have on ASRC’s decision-making process?

A: The opinions of our shareholders are important to ASRC, and we take them into consideration.

Shareholders have several access points in which to provide their opinions. For example, we conduct annual shareholder meetings in the villages; we have an established shareholder communications committee comprised of representatives from our shareholder population; through direct communication; and, through the ASRC board of directors.

Management considers shareholder opinions as it works to achieve the goals set forth by the ASRC Board of Directors.

Q: In what way does ASRC act as a watchdog, so to speak, for its shareholders when facing the big oil companies?

A: ASRC has a long history in the oil industry, and the lessons of our past positioned us to effectively represent our shareholders today and to establish the necessary framework for our shareholders of the future.

We consistently advocate for a seat at the table to ensure that our shareholder economic and subsistence needs are addressed.

ASRC management raises concerns and provides information to the industry with the intent of engaging in constructive dialogue that provides benefits to our shareholders.

Q: Have the lease areas to be tested by AES been determined yet?

A: The lease areas to be tested by AES have not been determined at this time. The ASRC Energy Services Incidental Harassment Authorization application submitted to U.S. Mineral Management Service is for the entire Chukchi Lease Area, but specific locations will not be known until MMS Lease Sale 193 is finalized and leases are awarded to successful bidders.

Prior to commencing operations, AES is required to notify MMS, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the specific locations where the surveys will take place.

Q: The testing instruments AEC will use far exceed the tolerable kHz levels listed for whales. What measured with AEC use to prevent damages or disturbances to the marine mammals?

A: There are two types of equipment that will be used in this process, sonar and the seismic profiling equipment.

While the proposed sonar equipment to be used for this project generates high-energy sounds, we are informed that the frequencies within which it operates is beyond the effective hearing range for bowhead whales.

The proposed sonar equipment, some of the time, may operate within the hearing range of baleen whales.

To minimize impact, AES will place marine mammal observers on the vessels to ensure that marine mammals are at a safe distance during survey activities.

If they are swimming near the shutdown radius, the seismic and sonar surveys will be temporarily suspended to ensure marine mammals are not exposed to sound levels considered injurious.

Currently AES is working with the appropriate agencies to obtain the necessary permits and authorization to perform this type of work.

Arctic Energy Services has been active on the North Slope conducting outreach to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, prior to conducting any work.

The company established a marine mammal monitoring and mitigation plan, which includes:

• Conducting the proposed surveys after the spring bowhead whale migration and subsistence hunts;

• Locating the surveys more than 60 nautical miles from the nearest subsistence village;

• The use of safety radii and shutdown protocols to ensure that observed mammals are not exposed to sound energy in excess of 160 decibels;

• Inupiat and biologically trained marine mammal observers on duty during operations to monitor for marine mammals in the area of operation;

• Participation in the industry-sponsored passive acoustic monitoring system; and

• Participation in the Communications and Call Center Program.