DEC suspends review of Buccaneer spill plan


The Alaska Department of Environ-mental Conservation on Monday suspended its review of Buccaneer Alaska’s amended application for the Cosmopolitan site Oil Discharge Prevention and Contingency Plan, or C-plan. 

Buccaneer had filed an amended application to its Northwest Unit C-plan in upper Cook Inlet for the jack-up rig Endeavour-Spirit of Independence to drill at the Cosmopolitan site in lower Cook Inlet off Anchor Point. The Endeavour had planned to drill at the Northwest Unit, but the jack-up rig was not ready in time for the fall drilling period.

In a letter to Buccaneer, DEC told the company the amendment required additional information for reviewers to determine if the plan complied with state law and regulations. DEC said it would compile its request for additional information into a single document and send it to Buccaneer for its response. 

The review period will remain suspended until Buccaneer replies.