ESTIMATED UNDERWATER DETECTION RANGES OF 

 NOISE FROM OIL AND GAS PLATFORMS 



I . INTRODUCTION 



The oil and gas resources of the outer continental shelf (OCS) are an 

 important element of the energy plan of the United States, yet the development 

 of these resources must be accomplished with minimum adverse effects on the 

 coastal environment. High on the list of environmental concerns is the well 

 being of the ecosystem. 



Of the several agents which might impinge adversely on coastal animal 

 life, noise is a potential pollutant which has to date received "jery little 

 attention. Noise and vibration from offshore installations may be transmitted 

 into the sea and sea floor, and may propagate for long distances in the 

 underwater environment. It is known that uriderwatfr sound is important to 

 many marine organisms, particularly marine maiimals, such as the Cetacea 

 (Tavolga, 1964; Myrberg, 1978). Therefore, it is important that a systematic 

 study be made of the sounds radiated by OCS operations and of their potential 

 effects on undersea animal life. 



G-5 



