Federal Register #2026-16815

Modification of Letter of Authorization for Incidental Take of Marine Mammals During Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

NOAA, part of the Department of Commerce, has issued a modification to the Letter of Authorization (LOA) for bp Exploration and Production Inc. regarding geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Department of Commerce - OEM/Vendor: - bp Exploration and Production Inc. - Products/Services Requested: - No products or commercial services are being procured - Regulatory authorization for incidental take of marine mammals during geophysical survey activities - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Compliance with mitigation, monitoring, and reporting standards under the Marine Mammal Protection Act - Updated take estimates for various marine mammal species - Authorization is limited to small numbers of marine mammals relative to their populations - LOA period extended due to delayed survey start - No contract value or procurement competition; this is a regulatory authorization, not a purchase

Description

This notice announces the modification of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to bp Exploration and Production Inc. for the incidental take of marine mammals during geophysical survey activities related to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America (GOA). The modification extends the LOA's effective period to October 1, 2026, due to a delayed survey start. The notice includes updated take estimates and confirms that the authorized take is consistent with regulatory findings and involves only small numbers of marine mammals relative to their populations.

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