LOW RISK SEEN IN TEST OFF NORTH CAROLINA

An environmental review panel has raised no serious objections to Mobil Oil Corp.'s plans to drill a wildcat off North Carolina.

The Minerals Management Service and North Carolina Gov. James Martin named the panel to review scientific and socioeconomic data relating to Mobil's plan to drill its Manteo prospect, 45 miles offshore (OGJ, July 22, 1991, p. 21).

Panel Chairman John Costlow said, "On the basis of our review, the probability of any significant environmental effects from a single well is extremely low. We have recommended only socioeconomic studies and an expanding survey of bottom dwelling organisms in the vicinity of the Manteo drillsite prior to drilling the first exploratory well."

Costlow is a marine biologist and former director of Duke University's marine laboratory at Beaufort, N.C.

Interior Sec. Manuel Lujan said, "I am pleased with the findings of the panel. The agreement with Gov. Martin 2 1/2 years ago pledged a detailed review of the possible environmental effects of offshore exploration. The governor demanded assurances, and this report should resolve our mutual concerns. No exploratory well proposal has been studied as extensively as this one."

MMS has begun work on some of the panel's recommendations, including concerns abut the oil spill risk analysis model, certain ecological data, and the need for more socioeconomic information.

MMS Director Scott Sewell said his agency will proceed on Mobil's permits for the wildcat as the studies are completed. MMS has set aside funds for the studies this year.

The socioeconomic studies will include a base case characterization analysis, community studies, aesthetic and perceptual issue analysis, infrastructure issue analysis, and a socioeconomic monitoring study. All except the latter are expected to be complete in 1 year.

The bottom survey will determine the geographic extent of the biological community in the vicinity of the drillsite. If more than 5% of the surface area of this community could be covered by drilling related discharges, the panel recommended a follow up study of recovery time for the affected community.

Costlow's committee also recommended ecological studies of "The Point," an area off the North Carolina coast, and of the Sargassum sea weed community if the Manteo wildcat leads to further drilling.