1 DR. NEFF: In the sediments? They are fairly low, even though it 



2 is in the delta area, maybe polycyclic aromatics of a few tenths of a 



3 part per million, so the signal to noise ratio, if we were seeing an 



4 accumulation there, we could detect it very easily. 



5 MR. LANE: On the physical smothering effects and anchoring, since 



6 we are talking about benthic communities, and to tie it back to the 



7 existing drilling stipulations, technological constraints, is there any 



8 problem with a 200 meter set-back from the canyon rims, in terms of 



9 exploratory drill ing? 



10 Would the physical smothering be unlikely outside of 200 meters 



11 from an exploratory or development production? 



12 DR. NEFF: That's the experience so far, as far as I know, that if 



13 you get much beyond a few hundred meters, you don't get a pile 



14 accumulating on the bottom. That's what it takes. We are talking 



15 several centimeters to really effectively smother major benthic 



16 communities. 



17 DR. AYERS: You could give yourself a little more leeway, 500 



18 meters. 



19 MR. LANE: Even 500, from an oil producing technology standpoint, 



20 wouldn't be a problem for exploration or drilling? 



21 DR. AYERS: I don't think so. If you're going to build a 



22 platform, you know, and go to all that trouble, you want to be able to 



23 move it around a little bit to support that 500 meters. 



24 MR. LANE: Anchoring. How far from the platforms, drill ships and 



25 semisubmersibles do the anchors usually go laterally away? 



26 DR. AYERS: Would you say about a mile? 



27 DR. RAY: Typically about a mile, chain and/or cable. I think it 



28 would be more or less, depending on the bottom type you are dealing 



29 with. 



30 MR. LANE: A mile in diameter or a mile radius? 



31 DR. RAY: Radius. 



32 DR. COOPER: So, a given platform could have physical cables and 



33 anchors out in a circular area roughly of about 2 miles in diameter or 



34 something? 



267 



