Regulatory Concerns
The State of Alaska has some of the most stringent permitting requirements of any of the 50 states. The permitting process can take quite some time and needs to be complete prior to any drilling commencing. For your convenience, a list of permits and time frames is provided below.
Alaska Permit List
Exploration Drilling – Offshore Cook Inlet / State Lands – (no onshore infrastructure)
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources (Division of Oil & Gas)
- Plan of Operations (11 AAC 83.158) / Lease Bonding Requirements
- 50 day lead time to obtain approval
- ACMP Consistency Determination (15 CFR 930; 6 AAC 50)
- 50 day lead time to obtain approval
- Plan of Operations (11 AAC 83.158) / Lease Bonding Requirements
- Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission
- Permit to Drill (20 AAC 25.005) / Bonding Requirements (20 AAC 25.025)
- 30 day lead time to obtain approval
- Permit to Drill (20 AAC 25.005) / Bonding Requirements (20 AAC 25.025)
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (SPAR)
- Air Quality Construction Permit (18 AAC 50.302)
- 120 day lead time to obtain approval
- Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP) review of the Oil Discharge Prevention & Contingency Plan (ODPCP) for consistency with State Standards (6 AAC 50) / Certificate of Financial Responsibility (AS 46.04.040; 6 AAC 50); includes Solid Waste & Air and Water Quality Reviews
- 90 day lead time to obtain approval
- Air Quality Construction Permit (18 AAC 50.302)
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Habitat & Restoration (ACMP Review) (6 AAC 50)
- 50 day lead time to obtain approval
- Habitat & Restoration (ACMP Review) (6 AAC 50)
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources (State Historic Preservation Office)
- Section 106 Cultural Site Clearance (Nat’l. Historic Preservation Act) (16 USC 470-470t)
- 50 day lead time to obtain approval
- Section 106 Cultural Site Clearance (Nat’l. Historic Preservation Act) (16 USC 470-470t)
Federal Agency Authorizations / Permits
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
- Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation on Beluga Whales (ESA listing and CH designation) and Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA)
- Included in Plan of Operations – 50 day lead time to obtain approval
- Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation on Beluga Whales (ESA listing and CH designation) and Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA)
- United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- Nationwide Permit #8 (Section 10, River & Harbors Act)
- 120 day lead time to obtain approval
- Nationwide Permit #8 (Section 10, River & Harbors Act)
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
- National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit (Clean Water Act)
- 30 day lead time to obtain approval
- National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit (Clean Water Act)
Kenai Peninsula Borough Authorizations / Permit Requirements
- Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning & Zoning Department
- KPB CMP Enforceable Policies (6AAC 50)
- Included in ACMP – 90 day lead time to obtain approval
- Included in ACMP – 90 day lead time to obtain approval
- KPB CMP Enforceable Policies (6AAC 50)
Notes: Other permits or approvals “outside” of the exploration drilling permits – but needed.
- U.S. Coast Card
- USCG – Certificate of Inspection / Letter of Compliance
- USCG – Notice to Mariners (Need to notify them only)
- USCG Safety Zone
- U.S. EPA
- All support vessels must secure NOIs under the vessel general NPDES permits
- 30 day lead time to obtain approval
- All support vessels must secure NOIs under the vessel general NPDES permits
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
- USFWS/MMS – Lighting plan and bird strike avoidance