1006 

 120 



facilities may easily be located so as to result in a positive net impact. 

 Indeed, possible economic benefits are quite substantial. An increase in 

 associated manufacturing would primarily serve to promote economic 

 activity in a given area. Similarly, refineries and gas processing plants 

 bring significant economic benefits by lowering energy prices and at- 

 tracting new industry. (A region can choose not to locate refineries — 

 New England presently has no refining capacity) . 



To conclude, essentially all onshore impacts resulting from OCS 

 development will occur within the coastal zone or planning area. Non- 

 coastal areas of coastal states and interior states will suffer few im- 

 pacts, and indeed may receive positive benefits. 



II. OCS FACILITIES NEEDED AND SITING REQUIREMENTS 



A. Onshore service and supply * 



Offshore operations must be supplied and serviced from onshore 

 locations. These bases provide the facilities — materials, transport, 

 catering, etc. — necessarv to keep rigs and supply vessels operational. 

 During exploratory drilling, a single rig requires on the average 1,000 

 tons of supplies per month. Production drilling needs are even greater, 

 averaging 25,000 tons per year. 



The particular facilities involved include the following: 



1. Berths, from 100 to 250 feet in length. 



2. Quays, to accommodate both heavy and lengthy loads. 



3. Storage for fuel oil. water, drilling cements and muds. 



4. Open and warehouse storage. 



5. Helicopter landing pad. 



In addition to providing the preceding facilities, a supply base 

 must have: 



1. An all weather harbor, operable at all states of the tide. 



2. Deep water wharves, at least 18 feet and preferably also rail 

 access. 



3. A nearby population center to provide labor, services, and 

 supplies. 



It is obvious that all these facilities will be located on or very near 

 (within a mile') the shore. The phvsical extent of the impacts would 

 lAclude primarilv the facility itself, the surrounding waters, and the 

 adjacent population center. 



B. Platform fahrication 



An often nearlected facet of OCS operation is that of platform 

 construction. The Council on Environmental Quality estimated that 

 by 1985 some 38 new offshore platforms may be required on the 

 Atlantic coast and 19 on the Alaskan coast.^ 



In spite of this, the CEQ concluded that "platform fabrication is 

 not expected to have a major impact on the east and west coasts." * 



The platforms themselves are of two types: conventional steel, and 

 the experimental concrete design. Although concrete platforms are 

 initially more expejisive, their manufacturers claim that they are 

 easier to install, can withstand severe weather conditions, and can 

 provide needed offshore storage. 



• This section draws from Roval Scottish Geographical Society, 1973, "Scotland and OH", 

 pp. 40-52 



T Council on Environmental Quality, 1974, "OCS Oil and Gas and Environmental Assess- 

 ment", np. 7-1. 7-70. 



8 CEQ, pp. 7-12. 



