The National Park Service (NPS) has drafted a plan to allow BNP Petroleum Corp. to drill five more natural gas wells at the Padre Island National Seashore in Texas; however, the draft plan acknowledges that the best way to protect the barrier island is to prohibit drilling all together.

BNP, a private producer headquartered in Corpus Christi, TX, has worked with state and federal officials for several years to drill at least eight gas wells on the environmentally sensitive island (see Daily GPI, Nov. 25, 2002). Oil and gas drilling has been conducted on Padre Island since 1951, and a total of 73 operations have occurred within the boundaries of the park

However, companies interested in exploration and production have faced stiff opposition from stakeholders, environmental groups and some Texas lawmakers in the past few years. Padre Island is a permanent and seasonal home to several endangered and threatened species, including the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. BNP was finally granted a permit to drill one well in September following legal opposition by the Sierra Club. BNP plans to begin operations on the additional wells in early 2005.

Currently, BNP has oil and gas leases covering 67,440 acres on Padre Island and in the adjacent Laguna Madre. It also has options covering about 30,000 surface acres on Padre Island National Seashore.

The protected seashore holds an estimated 60-80 MMcf of natural gas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Historically, the federal park has produced more than 1.7 Tcfe, according to officials.

The NPS’s 124-page environmental assessment, issued in November, details dozens of restrictions designed to protect the 130,400-acre park, which is considered the longest remaining barrier island in the world. However, the agency acknowledged that it may not ban drilling because federal law requires the park service to grant access to minerals below the public seashore.

According to the draft, prohibiting drilling on the island would “provide the greatest protection of area and park resources and values” and also meet five of six goals in the National Environmental Protection Act. Drilling with restrictions would have a big effect on the environment and meet four of the goals, it said.

As long as the plan is followed, damage from drilling operations should be negligible, according to Colin Campbell, superintendent of the Padre Island National Seashore.

“This environmental assessment outlines very strict and balanced mitigating measures that if followed will limit the impacts to the seashore,” Campbell said.

The public has until Dec. 22 to comment on the plan. After the public comment period ends, the restrictions may be changed, but the plan is not expected to be drastically altered. More information on the draft plan, “Environmental Assessment BNP Petroleum Corp., Dunn-Peach # 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Wells,” may be obtained from the NPS Resource Management office in Corpus Christi at (361) 949-8175.

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