Murphy Gets NOAA OK to Disturb Gulf Marine Mammals for Oil Surveys
Published Date: 2/18/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA just gave Murphy Exploration the green light to do geophysical surveys for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico from February to April 2025. This means they can accidentally disturb some marine mammals, but only in a way that won’t harm their populations. The move balances energy exploration with protecting ocean life, following strict rules and monitoring.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Murphy authorized to run Gulf seismic survey
NMFS issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Murphy Exploration allowing a walkaway vertical seismic profile (VSP) geophysical survey in Mississippi Canyon lease blocks OCS-G 22868/24064 (Blocks 300/255). The LOA is effective February 11, 2025 through April 30, 2025, authorizes about 7 days of survey work in modeling zone 7, and describes use of a 12-element, 2,400 cubic-inch airgun array (with modeling using a 4,130 in3 proxy).
Survey must follow mitigation, monitoring, reporting
The LOA and the implementing regulations (50 CFR 217.180 et seq.) require that permitted survey activity use the permissible methods of taking and meet mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements to effect the least practicable adverse impact. LOA issuance is contingent on those mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures being in place.
Authorized take limits set by species
The LOA authorizes specific numbers of incidental takes for listed marine mammals (examples: 38 sperm whales; 30 Kogia spp.; 21 beaked whales; 89 rough-toothed dolphins; 1,580 pantropical spotted dolphins; 589 striped dolphins; 343 "blackfish"). NMFS determined these authorized takes are of no more than small numbers relative to best abundance estimates (i.e., less than one-third of the best available abundance for each stock).
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Key Dates
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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just gave Viridien the green light to do geophysical surveys for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico from March to December 2025. This means they can accidentally disturb some marine mammals, but only in a way that won’t harm their populations. The move keeps energy exploration moving while protecting ocean life with strict rules and monitoring.
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