Seismic exploration of an oil and gas prospect off Anchor Point started early in October and is expected to continue for another three weeks. Under a contract from ConocoPhillips Alaska, Veritas Geophysical has been doing testing between a half mile and six miles along the coast from Happy Valley to the mouth of the Anchor River.

The 62-square-mile area is in state and federal offshore lease areas. The U.S. Minerals Management Service and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources issued permits for Veritas to conduct testing, with special conditions set regarding environmental concerns such as impacts on marine mammals.

The project was scheduled to start in September, but was delayed because of equipment problems, said Rick Trupp, permitting coordinator for Veritas. Under the permit, two contract vessels fire air guns producing sound up to 221 decibels. One of the ships tows 1.2-mile long streamer cables with hydrophones. By measuring how sound travels through the sea floor, scientists can determine possible oil and gas deposits.

The MMS permit requires observers to be on board to watch for whales and other marine mammal, and to stop when marine mammals are seen within a zone where animals would receive 160 decibels. At a community meeting in Anchor Point in August, Trupp said the air guns wouldn’t be heard on shore.

A third support vessel with observers on board watches for other ships and shuttles workers and supplies. Trupp said the project has been going on 24 hours a day. The project was scheduled for the fall to avoid conflicts with fishermen.

Bob Shavelson of Cook Inlet Keeper questioned how observers could see marine mammals at night. He said Veritas should have been required to get a take permit under the Marine Mammals Protection act.

“I don’t feel they’ve got all their permits, particularly in regard to marine mammals,” Shavelson said. “Seismic testing is showing an impact on whales.”

Trupp said the Veritas contract with ConocoPhillips is to produce raw seismic data. Interpretation and analysis will be done by ConocoPhillips staff, he said.

How that information is used and whether or not the oil company will begin development is yet to be determined, said Dawn Patience, a spokesperson for ConocoPhillips.

“This is just one step in the entire process,” she said.

Information on the MMS permit is available at its Web site at www.mms.gov/alaska/ref/PublicInfo/Cosmo-politan/Cosmo.HTM.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.