Century Exploration Houston LLC BP-Yosemite No.1 and up to 6 Additional Directionally Drilled Wells

Big Thicket National Preserve » Century Exploration Houston LLC BP-Yosemite No.1 and up to 6 Additional Directionally Drilled Wells » Document List

Dear Reader,

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to assess the potential resource impacts related to the drilling of Century Exploration Houston, LLC's (Century) proposed BP-Yosemite no.1 well and up to 6 additional wells from a well pad outside of the Preserve to bottomhole sites under Big Thicket National Preserve's (Preserve) Beaumont Unit located in Hardin County.

The purpose of the analysis is twofold: 1) carry out compliance responsibilities under various statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 2) determine whether the directional well qualifies for an exemption under §9.32(e) of the NPS nonfederal oil and gas regulations at 36 CFR Part 9, Subpart B. An exemption may be issued if the NPS determines that the operation poses no significant threat of damage to park resources.

The NPS prepared this EA in compliance with NEPA to provide the decision-making framework that 1) explores a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to minimize the degree of these impacts. The NPS has chosen Alternative B, which allows for the drilling of the BP-Yosemite no. 1 well and up to 6 additional wells from a drilling pad outside of the Preserve to bottomhole locations under the Beaumont Unit, as its preferred alternative. The NPS believes this alternative would fulfill its park protection mandates while allowing Century to exercise their property right interests.

The NPS encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process. I invite you to voice your ideas, comments, or concerns about this effort. If you wish to make a comment on the EA, you may post comments online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bith, or by mail or hand-delivery to the letterhead address. Comments must be entered into the web-based system or post-marked by November 24, 2014 to be accepted.

Any questions, or requests for a hard copy of the document, should be addressed to Ken Hyde at 409-951-6820 or ken_hyde@nps.gov.

Sincerely,



Edward Comeau
Acting Superintendent


Contact Information

Ken Hyde
Chief of Resources Management
Big Thicket National Preserve
6044 FM 420
Kountze, TX 77625
ken_hyde@nps.gov
409-951-6820