Issued Letters of Authorization: Oil and Gas Industry Geophysical Survey Activity in the Gulf of Mexico
Issued Letters of Authorization: Oil and Gas Industry Geophysical Survey Activity in the Gulf of Mexico
Letters of Authorization (LOAs) have been issued to the entities listed below for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Please visit the Incidental Take Authorization: Oil and Gas Industry Geophysical Survey Activity in the Gulf of Mexico page for information on the Incidental Take Regulations which allow for the issuance of these LOAs.
Beginning on June 21, 2022, to facilitate the processing of applications related to deep penetration seismic (airgun) surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will initiate the processing of the Letter of Authorization (LOA) or Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) application once the companion Geological and Geophysical (G&G) permit application has been submitted to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
Issued Authorizations
The following authorizations are currently active.
| Applicant | Project Title | Documents | Effective Dates |
| Echo Offshore, LLC | 2024 Vermillion and Eugene Island Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 25 pages) | 8/21/2024 - 12/31/2024 |
| CCG | 2024 Garden Banks Keathley Canyon OBN Survey #2 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 12 pages) | 8/15/2024 - 7/31/2025 |
| Echo Offshore LLC | 2024 South Marsh | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 22 pages) | 5/22/2024 - 12/31/2024 |
| CGG | 2024 Garden Banks Keathley Canyon OBN Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 12 pages) | 5/10/2024 - 12/31/2024 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | 2024 Appomattox OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 8 pages) | 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 |
| bp Exploration and Production Inc. | 2024 Atlantis OBN and DAS | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 31 pages) | 4/27/2-24 - 9/15/2024 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Vita 4D OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) | 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 |
| WesternGeco | Engagement 7 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 7 pages) | 5/1/2024 - 4/30/2025 |
| Murphy Exploration and Production Company | 2024 Green Canyon OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 5 pages) | 4/1/2024 - 10/31/2024 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Perdido 4D OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 8 pages) | 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 |
| bp Exploration and Production Inc. | Thunder Horse OBN DAS | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 32 pages) | 4/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Mars/Ursa 4D OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) | 7/1/2024 - 6/30/2025 |
| LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. | Mississippi Canyon Area Block 509, 629, and 589 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) | 3/1/2024 - 4/19/2026 |
| LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. | Keathley Canyon Block 871/872 Survey | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page)
Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) | 3/1/2022 - 12/31/2026 |
| Echo Offshore LLC | Vermillion 2D HR | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 24 pages) | 12/1/2023 - 12/31/2024 |
| Echo Offshore LLC | Eugene Island | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 23 pages) | 11/1/2023 - 12/31/2024 |
| Murphy Exploration & Production Company | Atwater Valley BSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 14 pages) | 11/1/2023 - 10/30/2024 |
| WesternGeco | Engagement 5 | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page) Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 7 pages) | 10/17/2023 - 7/31/2024 |
| bp Exploration and Production Inc. | Keltics South Zero Offset VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 30 pages) | 11/1/2023 - 7/31/2024 |
| Cantium, LLC | Bay Marchand Area | Issued LOA (pdf, 13 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 26 pages) | 2/1/2024 - 1/31/2025 |
| WesternGeco (transferred by TGS) | Engagement-5 | Updated Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Transfer Request (pdf, 1 page)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6pages) | 9/29/2023 - 9/28/2024 |
| LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. | Keathley Canyon 686 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) | 9/21/2023 - 12/31/2025 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | 2023 West of Mars OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 367 pages) | 7/21/2023 - 4/30/2024 |
| LLOG Exploration Company | Alaminos Canyon Block 380 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) | 7/1/2023 - 7/5/2025 |
| LLOG Exploration Company | Keathley Canyon 829/785 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA application (pdf, 9 pages) | 5/12/2023 - 12/31/2024 |
| CGG Inc. | Walker Ridge and Green Canyon | Federal Register for Second Modification Second Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Second Extension (pdf, 1 page)
Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 11 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 231 pages) | 5/1/2023 - 10/17/2024 |
| LLOG Exploration Company, LLC | Keathley Canyon 736 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) | 1/1/2023 - 12/31/2024 |
| bp Exploration & Production Inc | Zero Offset VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 30 pages) Monitoring Report (Year 1) (pdf, 106 pages) | 7/13/2021 - 4/19/2026 |
| bp Exploration & Production Inc. | 3D DAS VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 30 pages) | 7/13/2021 - 4/19/2026 |
Withdrawn Authorizations
The following authorizations were withdrawn.
| Applicant | Project Title | Documents | Effective Dates |
| Chevron U.S.A. Inc | Mississippi Canyon Area: Block 937 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 18 pages) Withdrawal Letter (pdf, 1 page) | 9/1/2023 - 9/30/2024 |
| Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Big Foot 2 VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 10 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 4/20/2023 - 11/20/2023 |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Horn Mountain West VSP Survey | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 19 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page)
Issued LOA (pdf, 19 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 84 pages) | 10/1/2022 - 6/1/2023 |
| Woodside Energy, LLC. | East Breaks Block 699 VSP Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 21 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 12/15/2022 - 6/15/2023 |
| BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. | Borehole/VSP Survey in Green Canyon Block 124 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 27 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 3/5/2022 - 9/7/2022 |
| Fugro U.S.A. Marine, Inc. | 3DUUHR Sparker Survey Mississippi Canyon Block 20 | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 12 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 12/1/2021 - 11/30/2022 |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Yellowfin Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 19 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 9/18/2021 - 3/17/2022 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | 4D Stones Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 5 pages) Withdrawal Request (pdf, 1 page) | 10/1/2021 - 3/31/2022 |
Expired Authorizations
The following authorizations are expired.
| Applicant | Project Title | Documents | Effective Dates |
| ExxonMobil Corporation | High Island and Galveston Surveys | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 16 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 91 pages) | 8/18/2023 - 4/1/2026 *This survey was completed on April 6, 2024. |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | 2024 Orange VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 66 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 124 pages) | 5/15/2024 - 11/15/2024 |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | MC40 Ocotillo | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 92 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 107 pages) | 1/15/2024 - 7/15/2024 |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Green Canyon K2 3D OBN Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 7 pages) Revised Cover Letter (pdf, 1 page) Monitoring Report (pdf, 208 pages) | 9/1/2023 - 8/31/2024 *This survey was completed on February 13, 2024. |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Stones Block WR 508 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 403 pages) | 3/7/2023 - 3/31/2024 *This survey was completed on January 15, 2024. |
| Chevron U.S. A Inc. | Jack OBN 2023 | Year 2 Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Year 2 Request (pdf, 2 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA application (pdf, 10 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 252 pages) | 1/5/2024 - 2/19/2024 |
| WesternGeco | Engagement-4 OBN Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 7 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 338 pages) | 4/12/2023 - 4/1/2024 *This survey was completed on August 17, 2023. |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Coulomb 2023 OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA application (pdf, 6 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 302 pages) | 9/1/2023 - 4/19/2024 *This survey was completed on November 5, 2023. |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Garden Banks Survey | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page) Monitoring Report (pdf, 461 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) | 10/1/2022 - 9/15/2023 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Olympus Well | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 212 pages) | 2/7/2023 - 1/31/2024 |
| Telesis Geophysical Services, LLC | Eugene Island Geohazards | Issued LOA (pdf, 15 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 33 pages) Notice That Activity Was Not Conducted (pdf, 1 page) | 9/1/2021 - 11/1/2021 |
| Murphy Exploration and Production Company | Walker Ridge Block 425 | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 13 pages) | 6/14/2023 - 9/13/2023 |
| LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. | Zero Offset/VSP Survey in Mississippi Canyon Block 814 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 9 pages) No work Letter (pdf, 1 page) | 8/1/2022 - 8/31/2023 |
| Echo Offshore, LLC | Main Pass Area Block 91 | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page) Monitoring Report (pdf, 108 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA application (pdf, 19 pages) | 1/23/2023 - 12/31/2025 *This survey was completed on July 22, 2023. |
| TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company | Amendment 2 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 28 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 16 pages) | 9/15/2022 - 9/14/2023 *This survey was completed on April 22, 2023. |
| CGG Inc. | East Breaks | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 10 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 178 pages) | 2/8/2023 - 11/30/2023 *Survey ended on 2/23/2023. |
| CGG | 3D OBN Survey of Green Canyon and Walker Ridge | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 11 pages) Letter of No Work (pdf, 1 page) | 9/1/2022 - 4/30/2023 |
| WesternGeco | Engagement 3 Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 37 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 225 pages) | 8/31/2022 - 4/18/2023 |
| Echo Offshore, LLC | Echo S Timbalier Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 22 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 77 pages) | 12/1/2022 - 5/31/2023 *This survey was completed on December 11, 2022. |
| Equinor Gulf of Mexico, L.L.C. | North Platte Field OBN Survey | Transferred Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Transfer Request Letter (pdf, 18 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 29 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 168 pages) | 4/20/2022 - 4/19/2023 *This survey was completed on November 28, 2022. |
| QuarterNorth Energy LLC | Green Canyon OCS Lease Block 39 | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 22 pages) Cancellation Letter (pdf, 1 pages) | 7/1/2022 - 12/31/2022 *This activity was not conducted. |
| bp Exploration & Production Inc. | Puma Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 31 pages) Letter of No Work (pdf, 1 page) | 1/1/2022 - 12/31/2022 |
| bp Exploration & Production Inc. | Mad Dog Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 31 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 192 pages) | 1/1/2022 - 12/31/2022 *This survey was completed on September 26, 2022. |
| Echo Offshore, LLC | Peregrine Surveys | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 47 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 61 pages) | 6/30/2022 - 11/30/2022 |
| Shell Offshore Inc | Appomattox OBN | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 8 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 269 pages) | 4/21/2022 - 12/31/2022 *This survey was completed on July 23, 2022. |
| Echo Offshore, LLC | South Pelto Lease Block 8 | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 21 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 55 pages) | 5/15/2022 - 11/30/2022* *This survey was completed on June 26, 2022. |
| bp Exploration & Production Inc. | Atlantis Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 31 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 40 pages) Appendices to the Monitoring Report (pdf, 261 pages) | 1/1/2022 - 12/31/2022* *This survey was completed on June 21, 2022. |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Ursa OBN Survey | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) Modified Application (pdf, 7 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 245 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) | 1/1/2022 - 8/31/2022 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Europa OBN Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 6 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 263 pages) | 1/1/2022 - 8/31/2022 |
| W&T Offshore, Inc. | Eugene Island Archeological and Geohazards Survey | Federal Register for Modification Modified Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) Request for Extension (pdf, 1 page) Monitoring Report (pdf, 56 pages)
Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 4 pages) | 2/1/2021 - 8/1/2022 |
| Taylor Energy Company, LLC | Mississippi Canyon block 20 2D Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 48 pages) | 8/15/2021 - 8/15/2022 |
| BHP Billiton Petroleum (Deepwater) Inc. | Green Canyon 564 VSP Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 14 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 20 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 99 pages) | 6/9/2022 - 1/31/2023 |
| Anadarko Petroleum Corporation | Holstein 4D Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 5 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 346 pages) | 1/15/2022 - 7/15/2022 |
| Western Geco | Engagement 2 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 8 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 284 pages) | 1/1/2022 - 4/30/2022 |
| Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Green Canyon Block 822 | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 25 pages) Notice That Activity Was Not Conducted (pdf, 1 page) | 8/1/2021 - 4/30/2022 |
| Equinor Gulf of Mexico L.L.C. | Walker Ridge Seismic Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 29 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 113 pages) | 1/10/2022 - 5/28/2022 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Perdido 4DHR Survey | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 5 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 207 pages) | 8/15/2021 - 12/15/2021 |
| Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Big Foot VSP | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 18 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 47 pages) Supplemental Appendices (pdf, 73 pages) | 8/1/2021 - 6/1/2022 |
| Shell Offshore Inc. | Leopard LISS Sea Trials | Issued LOA (pdf, 17 pages) LOA Application (pdf, 7 pages) Monitoring Report (pdf, 49 pages) Monitoring Report Appendix (pdf, 245 pages) | 7/15/2021 - 8/15/2021 |