Resource Evaluation

Program Report

Geological &

Geophysical

Data Acquisition

Outer Continental Shelf

Through 2002

U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service

Resource Evaluation Division

OCS Report

MMS 2004-003
Resource Evaluation

Program Report

Geological &

Geophysical

Data Acquisition

Outer Continental Shelf

Through 2002

U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service Herndon, Virginia

Resource Evaluation Division 2004

OCS Report

MMS 2004-003

By George Dellagiarino

 Patricia Fulton

 Keith Meekins

 David Zinzer
iii

Contents 

Abbreviations ............................................................................................................v 

Introduction...............................................................................................................1 

Permits, Data Acquisition, and Reimbursement....................................................3 

Geophysical Data Surveys........................................................................................3 

 Common Depth Point, 3-D, 4-D, Gravity, and Magnetic Surveys........................3 

Geological Data Collection.......................................................................................4 

 Bottom Sampling and Shallow Coring ..................................................................4 

 Deep Stratigraphic Tests........................................................................................4 

G&G Data Release....................................................................................................5 

Analysis of Present MMS Data Coverage on the OCS..........................................5 

 Mileage/Blocks .....................................................................................................5 

 Geological and/or Geophysical Exploration Permits............................................6 

 Expenditures .........................................................................................................6 

Comparisons to Industry..........................................................................................7 

Selected References.................................................................................................16 

Appendix..................................................................................................................17 

 Alaska Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures..............................19 

 Atlantic Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures ............................23 

 Gulf of Mexico Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures ................27 

 Pacific Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures..............................31 

Glossary ...................................................................................................................35 

Figure 

 1. Federal Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area ...............................................2 
iv

Tables 

1. Summary of estimates of CDP (2-D) seismic miles in MMS inventory 

 through FY 2002 by planning area ........................................................................9 

2. Summary of 2-D seismic data acquisition for FY 1968-2002 .............................10 

3. Summary of 3-D seismic data acquisition for FY 1968-2002 .............................10 

4. Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition by data 

 type and region, FY 1968-2002 ...........................................................................11 

5. Total number of permits issued for geological and geophysical 

 exploration ...........................................................................................................12 

6. Summary of total annual expenditures by MMS for geological and 

 geophysical data acquisition by region, FY 1968-2002 (in dollars)....................13 

7. Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition expenditures 

 by data type and region, FY 1968-2002...............................................................14 

8. Summary of average cost per mile by MMS for 2-D seismic data, 

 FY 1968-2002 ......................................................................................................15 
v

Abbreviations 

CDP Common depth point seismic data 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

COST Continental Offshore Stratigraphic Test 

DOI Department of the Interior 

DST Deep stratigraphic test (well) 

FY Fiscal Year 

G&G Geological and geophysical 

GOM Gulf of Mexico 

GRAV Gravity data 

HRD High-resolution seismic data 

MAG Magnetic data 

MMS Minerals Management Service 

OCS Outer Continental Shelf 

OCSLA Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

RE Resource Evaluation 

REP Resource Evaluation Program 

SEG Society of Exploration Geophysicists 

2-D Two-dimensional seismic data 

3-D Three-dimensional seismic data 

4-D Four-dimensional seismic data 
1

Introduction 

This report addresses the general role of the MMS Resource Evaluation Program (REP) in 

geological and geophysical (G&G) data acquisition and permitting activities. 

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) administers the provisions of the Outer Continental 

Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) through regulations found at Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The regulations govern permitting, data acquisitions and release, leasing, and 

postlease operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The OCS is divided into planning 

areas for administrative purposes as shown in figure 1. 

With regard to the REP, authority has been vested in the Secretary of the Interior under 30 CFR 

Part 251 to regulate prelease G&G exploration for oil, gas, and sulphur resources on the OCS. 

Part 251 applies not only to G&G exploration but to scientific research as well. The purpose of 

these regulations is to prescribe (1) when a permit or the filing of a notice is required to conduct 

G&G activities on the OCS and (2) operating procedures for conducting exploration, as well as 

requirements for disclosing data and information, conditions for reimbursing permittees for 

certain costs, and other conditions under which exploration shall be conducted. Similar regulations addressing prelease prospecting activities for minerals other than oil, gas, or sulphur can be 

found in 30 CFR Part 280. 

In this report, the totals for permits issued, mileage acquired, and expenditures reflect the overall 

trends of oil and gas pricing, limitations of areas due to offshore moratoria, and the shift of 

industry emphasis to foreign theatres. Also reflected is the trend among the MMS regions with 

diminished leasing activity to obtain digital tapes of in-house analog data for data release which 

has commenced with the expiration of proprietary terms beginning in 2001 as discussed by 

Fulton. 
2

Washington/Oregon

NorthernCalifornia

CentralCalifornia

Southern

California

Western Central Eastern

Gulf of Mexico

Chukchi Sea

Navarin Basin

Aleutian Basin

Bowers Basin

St. Matthew-Hall

Beaufort Sea

Hope Basin

Aleutian Arc

St. George

Basin

Shumagin

Kodiak

Gulf of Alaska

North

Aleutian

Basin

Norton Basin

Cook Inlet Hawaii

Figure 1. Federal Outer Continental Shelf Planning Area

MMS 02/04

Note:The maritime boundaries and between the planning areas, anot prejudice or affect United 
3

Permits, Data Acquisition, and Reimbursement 

The permits, issued by the Resource Evaluation (RE) regional supervisors, set forth the specific 

requirements for each data-gathering activity, which includes the area where the data are collected, the timing of the data-gathering activity, approved equipment and methods, and other similar 

detailed information relevant to each specific permit. The primary source of the G&G data used 

by the REP is the oil and gas industry, which conducts exploration, development, and production 

activities on OCS lands. While the MMS does not perform any direct data-collection activities, 

it does issue permits to industry for collecting prelease G&G data. Lessees and operators are 

also required by regulations to provide data from their leases to MMS. The MMS has access to 

the permitted data and information as a condition set forth in the permit. The MMS selectively 

obtains copies from these activities. Data from prelease permits constitute approximately 90 

percent of the MMS database. Reimbursement for data collected by permittees and lessees in 

their normal conduct of business is for only the cost of data reproduction. However, if industry 

has collected data in areas not under MMS jurisdiction, e.g., State waters or adjacent foreign 

waters, and MMS selects such data, MMS pays the significantly higher “market price” for 

obtaining such data. 

Geophysical Data Surveys 

Common Depth Point, 3-D, 4-D, Gravity, and Magnetic Surveys 

A large percentage of the geophysical data in the MMS inventory is two-dimensional (2-D) 

common depth point (CDP) seismic information collected along a survey line. Also known as 

common midpoint or common reflection point data, it is derived from a common location in the 

ocean subbottom where sound waves originating from various positions of the seismic (sound) 

source near the ocean surface are reflected back toward the surface. Estimates of the amount of 

these data in the MMS inventory by planning area are shown in table 1. 

A slightly larger and faster growing percentage of geophysical data and information in the MMS 

inventory is three-dimensional (3-D) seismic information. By collecting data along parallel, 

closely-spaced survey lines, spatial relationships are determined in three dimensions. 

Magnetic surveys measure the magnetic field or a component (such as the vertical component) 

at a series of different locations over an area of interest usually to locate concentrations of 

magnetic anomalies or to determine depth to basement. 

Gravity surveys produce measurements of the gravitational field at a series of different locations 

over an area of interest. The objective in exploration work is to map density differences that 

may indicate different rock types. Gravity data usually are displayed as anomaly maps. 

The evolution of 3-D seismic data and information in conjunction with interactive computer 

workstations has made it possible to more closely define and assess the potential for oil and gas 

occurrence on the OCS, especially with regard to subsalt prospects. The 3-D information is used 
4

to delineate, in greater detail than that of traditional 2-D information, subsurface geologic 

conditions associated with the occurrence of oil and gas. 

As 3-D seismic technology evolved, the use of 3-D reflection techniques not only portrayed 

subsurface structure and stratigraphy but revealed information about fluids within the subsurface. Three dimensional seismic surveys that are shot over the same area at different times can 

detect, where present, changes from one fluid to another, e.g., oil to water, fluid flows, and 

pressure changes. 

Thus, timelapse 3-D seismic surveys, known more commonly as 4-D seismic surveys, have 

been used to monitor fluid movement in producing reservoirs where changes in fluid content 

are imaged with seismic techniques over a period of time. Its chief use to date has been 

reservoir management, e.g., determining where and how long to drain hydrocarbon-bearing 

areas and to monitor gas injection or steam or water flooding during enhanced recovery 

operations. 

The proprietary term for geophysical information (i.e., seismic sections, etc.) purchased by 

MMS is 25 years; for raw geophysical data it is 50 years. 

Geological Data Collection 

Bottom Sampling and Shallow Coring 

Bottom samples are obtained by dropping a weighted tube to the ocean floor and recovering it 

with an attached wire line; they can also be obtained from dredging. Shallow coring is performed by conventional rotary drilling equipment to obtain a near-surface sample of the rocks 

of the seabed. The proprietary term for these kinds of geological information is ten years. 

Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

A deep stratigraphic test, as defined in 30 CFR 251, means, “drilling that involves the penetration into the sea bottom of more than 500 feet (152 meters).” These wells are known as 

Continental Offshore Stratigraphic Test (COST) wells and are drilled primarily to gather 

geological information. Conversely, shallow test drilling, as defined in the same regulations, 

means, “drilling into the sea bottom to depths less than those specified in the definition of a 

deep stratigraphic test.” Three COST wells have encountered hydrocarbons: the COST B-3 

(Atlantic), Point Conception No.1 (California), and the Norton COST No. 2 (Alaska). The 

proprietary term for a COST well is 25 years or, if a lease sale is held in the area, 60 days after 

the issuance of a lease within 50 geographic miles of the test. A discussion of the cost well 

program is described by Dellagiarino. 
5

G&G Data Release 

Regulations, promulgated in 1976, require all prelease G&G information be held proprietary 

for 25 years, and then be released to the public. Hence, the first data sets were released in 2001. 

These data sets are in southern Alaska, Southern California through Washington/Oregon, the 

North, Mid, and South Atlantic planning areas, and in Eastern, Central, and Western Gulf of 

Mexico areas. Notices on the availability of these data may be found at the regional links to the 

MMS homepage at http://www.mms.gov. 

Analysis of Present MMS Data Coverage on the OCS 

Mileage/Blocks 

A leading indicator of the amount of OCS oil and gas activity is the number and associated 

mileage of prelease exploration permits that MMS issues to industry each year. Between 1968 

and the early 1990’s, industry has shot and recorded approximately 500,000 line miles of CDP 

data each year on the OCS. Of that data, the MMS has selected and acquired approximately 

50,000 line miles of those CDP data each year for the REP. Since the early 1990’s, the MMS, 

as well as industry, has increased its acquisition of 3-D seismic data in concert with the development and use of interactive workstations. Table 1 shows the CDP (2-D) seismic data coverage, 

by region and planning area, that MMS has in its inventory. The grid coverage is not uniform 

over the planning areas. Tables 2, 3, and 4 summarize MMS data acquisitions through 2002. It 

should be noted that 3-D seismic information in the MMS inventory is just about equal to the 

2-D holdings in that 33,000 blocks of 3-D information equates to about 1.5 million miles of 

conventional seismic information. 

The MMS has not acquired all of the permit data shot and recorded by industry because of 

budget restrictions on reimbursing the permittees for data reproduction and some processing; 

the lack of the necessary personnel to manage, interpret, and analyze this large volume of data, 

as well as the need for media storage capacity; and, primarily, the redundancy of data shot on the 

OCS by different companies. However, in some areas in which MMS has previously obtained 

2-D or 3-D seismic information, MMS will acquire new information that is derived from data 

acquired more recently with state-of-the-art equipment and methods, or from previously 

acquired data that are reprocessed using more modern techniques. 

The regions formerly spent funds on prelease high-resolution data (HRD), as these data were 

acquired under exclusive contract rather than under permit. A change in policy in 1982 altered 

this situation. Under the previous program, MMS directly acquired prelease, tract-specific, 

shallow hazards data. Under the areawide leasing program, the detailed shallow hazards 

analysis function was shifted to the postsale phase, and the responsibility for site-specific 

hazards data collection was placed on the lessee as a condition to obtain a drilling permit. If 

industry chooses to conduct prelease hazards surveys, G&G permits must be obtained from the 

MMS. Shallow hazards survey data and information are available to the MMS under terms of 

permit or lease and regulations. This practice has continued under the focused leasing approach 

adopted in 1984. 
6

Geological and/or Geophysical Exploration Permits 

As mentioned, the number of permits issued by the MMS and the areas for which the permits are 

issued are leading indicators of oil and gas activity on the OCS. Table 5 presents the statistics of 

G&G exploration permitting for the OCS since 1960, with a differentiation between geological 

permits and geophysical permits from 1969 to 2001. 

The MMS tracks G&G permits by calendar year. (Tables A-2, A-6, A-10, and A-14 show total 

permits per region.) They demonstrate that most OCS oil and gas activity has been in the Gulf 

of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico has issued 82 percent of all permits and is followed by the 

Alaska Region with 9 percent. The Pacific Region has issued 7 percent of the permits, followed 

by the now defunct Atlantic Region with about 2 percent. However, since 1994, activities in the 

Atlantic have been assigned to the Gulf of Mexico Region. With the addition of these responsibilities, the percentage of total permits for the Gulf of Mexico Region increases to 85 percent. 

These statistics correlate extremely well with the dominant position of the Central and Western 

Gulf of Mexico Planning Areas in OCS oil and gas activities. 

It should be noted that since 1969, approximately 95 percent of the permits issued were for 

geophysical exploration and that geological exploration permits accounted for only 5 percent. 

While the total number of 3-D permits compared to all permits issued is rather small (8 percent) 

when compared with the total geophysical permits issued, over the past 10 years, 3-D permits 

have averaged 49 percent of all geophysical permits. Permits for deep stratigraphic test wells or 

COST wells account for about 2 percent of the geological permits. 

The overall trends in permitting for all the regions are similar and reflect fluctuations in the price 

and supply of petroleum. Some regional differences can be detected that are related to leasing 

moratoria, operating conditions, and hydrocarbon discoveries. Leasing moratoria and adverse 

weather conditions decrease exploration activity. 

Expenditures 

The MMS records financial and procurement transactions by fiscal year. All figures and tables 

involving MMS data acquisition from permittees are based on a fiscal year that begins on 

October 1 and extends through the following September 30. 

Tables 6 and 7 show the total expenditures for G&G data since 1968 for those data presented in 

table 4. Tables 6 and 7 show the distribution of G&G expenditures by region. The Gulf of 

Mexico and Alaska had the largest portion of the expenditures with 39 percent each. Alaska has 

over twice the offshore area of the other three regions combined. On the other hand, the Gulf of 

Mexico with over 95 percent of OCS production possesses the largest database. 

The Atlantic Region (12 percent of the expenditures) and the Pacific (10 percent) are compareable. The Pacific Region has the smallest slice of the expenditures for G&G data because much 

of the California OCS and offshore Washington and Oregon have been under moratoria since the 

1980’s. 
7

The Gulf of Mexico Region’s dominant role in establishing the offshore industry is apparent by 

its acquisition of the majority of the data before 1976 and more so since 1990. Between 1976 

and 1989, a significant portion of the MMS geological and geophysical data acquisition budget 

has been expended by the Alaska Region, which oversees most of the OCS lands. However, 

since the 1990’s and up through the present, most of the MMS geological and geophysical data 

acquisition budget has been allocated for data in the Gulf of Mexico. 

There were large values for the average cost per mile for data in the Alaska Region from the late 

1970’s into the 1990’s and for the Atlantic Region in 1980’s. The Alaska Region purchased a 

great deal of data shot in State waters, where a Federal permit is not applicable. Thus, the reimbursement did not fall under the provisions of the OCSLA, and MMS was required to pay full 

market price for these data. The price varied from $1,500 to $6,000 per mile and is reflected in 

the unusually high average cost per mile shown in table 8. 

The Atlantic Region contracted for several sets of exclusive high-resolution data that were used 

for sales and hazards studies. The high price of exclusive high-resolution data, some well over 

$450 per mile, increased the average cost per mile in the Atlantic Region that year. 

Overall, the early to mid-1980’s saw a dramatic increase in expenditures by MMS as more 

reprocessed data were acquired to address areawide leasing and a more aggressively proposed 

5-year OCS leasing schedule. However, due to regulatory changes in reimbursement procedures 

in 1986, the cost per mile has dropped dramatically. With a less aggressive 5-Year Leasing 

Schedule and new exploration theatres worldwide, total expenditures have decreased from the 

1980’s to the present. 

Comparisons to Industry 

Industry has tended to acquire more data than MMS. However, of the data shot by industry in 

the Alaska OCS, MMS has acquired approximately 90 percent. Alaska remains a large frontier 

area with limited data coverage by industry, a fact that necessitates MMS to acquire as much of 

these data as feasible. In recent years, the Gulf of Mexico has acquired the most 3-D surveys 

and the most large 2-D surveys. However, MMS does not acquire the volume that industry 

obtains to reprocess. 

The MMS acquired more data in the Atlantic Region than industry in 1976 and 1983. Before 

1976, the MMS database was limited because industry had shown very little interest in leasing 

this frontier area, although industry had been acquiring geophysical data. During the period 

1976 to 1984, MMS not only acquired most of the industry data, but purchased much of the 

pre-1976 data. Since 1985, there has been less activity, reflecting a decrease in industry interest. 
8

Some of the reasons MMS does not acquire all the data held by industry are as follows: 

• redundancy of data, because industry does not share it 

• difference in data quality 

• budgetary constraints 

• personnel limitations for data reduction and interpretations 

• data storage, retrieval and display limitations 

In conclusion, totals for mileage acquired, permits issued, and expenditures reflect the overall 

trends of oil and gas pricing, limitations of areas due to offshore moratoria, and a shift of 

industry emphasis to foreign theatres. 
9

Table 1. Summary of Estimates of CDP (2-D) Seismic Miles in 

MMS Inventory Through FY 2002 by Planning Area (Rounded off 

to Nearest 1,000 Miles)

Planning Area Estimated Mileage

Alaska

Gulf of Alaska 

Cook Inlet 

Kodiak 

Shumagin 

North Aleutian 

St. George Basin 

Aleutian Arc 

Bowers Basin 

Aleutian Basin 

St. Matthew-Hall 

Norton Basin 

Navarin Basin 

Hope Basin 

Chukchi Sea 

Beaufort Sea 

 Total

36,000 

21,000 

23,000 

10,000 

43,000

50,000 

< 500 

<1,000 

<1,000 

10,000 

25,000 

55,000 

 9,000 

95,000 

 61,000

440,000 

Atlantic

North Atlantic 

Mid-Atlantic 

South Atlantic 

Straits of Florida 

 Total

69,000 

60,000 

54,000 

 7,000

190,000

Gulf of Mexico

Eastern GOM 

Central GOM 

Western GOM 

 Total

159,000 

458,000 

355,000

972,000

Pacific

Southern California 

Central California 

Northern California 

Wash./Oregon 

 Total

85,000 

21,000 

19,000 

 8,000

133,000

 Figures may vary by 1-2%. 
10

Table 2. Summary of 2-D Seismic Data Acquisition 

for FY 1968-2002

FY Total Miles

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total

269,814 

108,922 

42,808 

54,426 

31,489 

19,400 

69,904 

79,961 

120,743 

89,853 

71,521 

47,287 

113,680 

78,920 

53,494 

85,280 

40,513 

49,191 

25,482 

7,138 

8,930 

 33,296 

39,682 

90,981 

30,135 

64,710 

 6,668 

 1,506 

1,735,734

 Figures may vary by 1-2% for Tables 2 and 3. 

Table 3. Summary of 3-D Seismic Data Acquisition 

for FY 1968-2002

FY Total Blocks

1968-1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total

0 

1,563 

1,420 

1,826 

1,470 

3,129 

3,460 

3,226 

6,161 

 3,602 

 7,182

33,039
11

Table 4. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition by Data 

Type and Region, FY 1968-2002 

Data Type Region Mileage *

2-D Seismic Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 440,179 

 189,858 

 972,856 

 132,841

 1,735,734 

High Resolution Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 59,855 

 49,509 

 145,768 

 30,582

 285,714 

CDP Interpretations Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 84,683 

 44,801 

 139,418 

 42,365

 311,267 

Gravity and Magnetics Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 370,849 

 15,783 

 590,331 

 110,150

 1,087,113 

3-D Seismic Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 33 

 0 

 32,954 

 52

 33,039 

Deep Stratigraphic 

Tests

Alaska 

Atlantic 

Gulf of Mexico 

Pacific 

Total

 14 

 5 

 3 

 2

 24

 * 3-D seismic is measured in blocks and Deep Stratigraphic Test units are wells drilled. 

 Figures may vary 1-2%. 
12

Table 5. Total Number of Permits Issued for Geological and Geophysical Exploration

Year A B C D E F G

1960-1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total

2,353 

258 

213 

210 

220 

339 

357 

510 

420 

452 

342 

276 

318 

394 

502 

574 

543 

398 

211 

298 

313 

249 

251 

170 

141 

147 

133 

104 

 136 

159 

157 

111 

80 

 110 

 80

 11,529

--- 

249 

203 

205 

210 

321 

345 

487 

400 

436 

329 

265 

302 

383 

490 

542 

518 

382 

207 

282 

289 

237 

241 

156 

137 

135 

117 

92 

120 

139 

143 

98 

73 

103 

 75

8,711

--- 

9 

10 

5 

10 

18 

12 

23 

20 

16 

13 

11 

16 

11 

12 

32 

25 

16 

4 

16 

24 

12 

9 

12 

3 

11 

16 

11 

16 

20 

14 

13 

5 

7 

 5

457

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

3 

7 

4 

2 

0 

1 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

24

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

16 

18 

38 

32 

42 

45 

47 

57 

45 

53 

70 

53 

50 

 59 

69 

59 

44 

32 

 33 

 20

882

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

2 

1 

1 

0 

1 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0

8

--- 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

3

5

A=Total Number of Geological, Geophysical, and Strategic Minerals Permits 

B=Number of Geophysical Permits 

C=Number of Geological Permits 

D=Number of Geological Permits Issued for Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

E=Number of Geophysical Permits Issued for 3-D Seismic Data 

F=Number of Permits Issued for Strategic (Nonenergy) Minerals 

G=Number of Permits Issued for 4-D Seismic Data 

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established 

Figures may vary 1-2%. 
13

Table 6. Summary of Total Annual Expenditures by MMS for Geological and Geophysical Data 

Acquisition by Region, FY 1968-2002 (in dollars) 

FY Alaska Atlantic

 Gulf of 

 Mexico Pacific Total

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total

3,162,548 

3,496,607 

450,161 

3,421,269 

6,240,687 

6,972,885 

6,842,045 

1,864,661 

5,673,514 

4,751,354 

3,676,375 

2,904,246 

2,579,190 

1,382,560 

389,960 

 886,402 

539,986 

99,797 

322,410 

582,132 

379,395 

 283,764 

204,655 

278,606 

543,775 

354,448 

 67,324 

 762,911

59,113,667

361,686 

2,504,710 

2,287,390 

906,989 

232,085 

4,469,762 

1,530,898 

1,945,270 

1,738,427 

1,580,008 

318,261 

87,307 

438,792 

71,510 

259,629 

150 

2,790 

1,932 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

 18,737,596 

9,414,042 

3,281,698 

3,764,678 

1,842,701 

1,573,094 

4,388,508 

1,168,618 

2,943,602 

3,802,409 

4,246,742 

2,959,989 

1,834,553 

1,840,609 

1,078,713 

913,481 

865,083 

1,003,066 

794,104 

1,014,853 

760,245 

628,752 

 1,697,494 

1,180,893 

1,804,694 

1,400,781 

2,053,285 

 1,283,496 

 944,923

60,485,106

1,443,987 

581,670 

1,147,968 

416,463 

2,272,407 

1,412,062 

866,656 

1,996,271 

1,312,596 

1,286,598 

861,687 

363,564 

939,558 

114,168 

96,354 

0 

31,000 

0 

26,700 

11,806 

21,125 

 40,867 

19,594 

10,264 

13,350 

7,148 

0 

 0

15,293,863

 14,891,780* 

 9,914,882* 

 7,719,974* 

 6,587,422 

 11,020,298* 

 17,243,217 

 10,408,217 

 8,749,804 

 12,526,946 

 11,864,702 

 7,816,312 

 5,189,670 

 5,798,149 

 2,646,951 

 1,659,424 

 1,751,635 

 1,576,842 

 1,490,798** 

 1,363,963 

 1,454,183** 

 1,142,817** 

 2,022,125 

 1,471,967** 

 2,094,400** 

 1,957,906 

 2,414,881*** 

 1,350,820*** 

 1,707,834** 

 155,837,920 

* Included in the budget for these years were General Account funds that were transferred to the 

U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Marine Geology, for G&G data acquisition. These accounts included $509,517 

in the interval between FY 1968-1975, $50,197 in FY 1976, $69,777 in FY 1977, and $702,025 in FY 1979. 

** Included in the budget for these years were funds that were used for special projects related to G&G activities. 

In FY 1992, $494,965 was obligated toward the purchase of geologic interpretive workstations and $100,000 was 

obligated toward the initiation of the Offshore Northern Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Atlas Series. In FY 1994, 

$100,000 was again obligated toward the preparation of the Offshore Northern Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Atlas, 

and in FY 1995, $100,000 was obligated toward the completion of the Atlas, and $13,545 was obligated toward 

finalization of a well log data conversion contract in the Gulf of Mexico. In FY 1997, $5,000 was obligated towards 

the curation of Atlantic well samples. In FY 1998, $836 was obligated toward updating the MMS AAPG CD-ROM 

investment. In FY 2002, funds were obligated towards a T-3 Data Access Line, Gravity/Magnetics Interpretations, 

JIP hydrates participation, and the Earth Model Project. 

*** Includes $353,111 carried over by the Gulf of Mexico from 1999 and $228,496 carried over from 2000. 

All figures are rounded and may vary by 1-2%. 
14

Table 7. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition 

Expenditures by Data Type and Region, FY 1968-2002 

Data Type Expenditures ($)*

Alaska

2-D Seismic 

High Resolution 

CDP Interpretations 

Gravity and Magnetics 

3-D Seismic 

 Total

40,944,258 

11,125,798 

439,793 

1,026,956 

 1,469,139

55,005,944 

Atlantic

2-D Seismic 

High Resolution 

CDP Interpretations 

Gravity and Magnetics 

3-D Seismic 

 Total

7,791,438 

9,751,232 

55,274 

2,902 

 0

17,600,846 

Gulf of Mexico

2-D Seismic 

High Resolution 

CDP Interpretations 

Gravity and Magnetics 

3-D Seismic 

 Total

31,742,577 

12,729,139 

856,526 

539,804 

 8,785,584

54,653,630 

Pacific

2-D Seismic 

High Resolution 

CDP Interpretations 

Gravity and Magnetics 

3-D Seismic 

 Total

9,553,194 

3,696,394 

72,175 

534,363 

 27,925

13,884,051

* The MMS has had additional expenditures through its G&G data acquisition budget 

for other general purchases such as field tapes, special processing, navigation tapes, 

interpretive hardware and software for evaluation purposes, geological studies, and 

acquisition of digital tapes of in-house analog data. 

Figures may vary 1-2%. 
15

Table 8. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by 

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data, FY 1968-2002 

FY Average Cost ($/Mile)

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002

 33.60 

 34.90 

 30.00 

 73.60 

 99.70 

 91.50 

 100.70 

 107.00 

 102.50 

 121.10 

 105.90 

 102.00 

 48.30 

 32.70 

 26.10 

 18.00 

 19.86 

 7.49 

 13.33 

 75.84 

 22.02 

 39.04 

 5.45 

 3.18 

 1.40 

 1.29 

68.61/1.34* 

2.11*

Note: Totals reflect average cost per mile for all CDP 

information acquired, both State and Federal. Average 

costs reflect only those dollars assigned to the bureauwide 

G&G budget and do not reflect monies allocated from 

regional funds. 

* The $68.61 total includes the cost for data in Cuban waters 

at the market price. The average cost per line mile for data 

in Federal waters is $1.34. The $2.11 total includes velocity 

models for depth data. 

Figures may vary 1-2%. 
16

Selected References 

Dellagiarino, George, 1991, The Offshore Deep Stratigraphic Test Well Program, 

U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, OCS Report 

MMS 90-0028, 36 p. 

Dellagiarino, George, Fulton, Patricia, Meekins, Keith, and Zinzer, David, 2002, 

Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, A 25-Year Retrospective, 1976-2001, 

U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, OCS Report 

MMS 2002-079, 46 p. 

Dellagiarino, George, and Meekins, Keith, 1998, The Resource Evaluation Program: 

Structure and Mission on the Outer Continental Shelf, U.S. Department of the Interior, 

Minerals Management Service, OCS Report MMS 98-0028, 43 p. 

Fulton, Patricia, 1998, Prelease Permits for Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer 

Continental Shelf, U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, 

OCS Report MMS 98-0009, 119 p. 

Geophysics, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Geophysics: The Leading Edge of Exploration, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, 

 Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Robinson, E.S., and Coruh, C., 1988, Basic Exploration Geophysics, John Wiley and 

 Sons, 562 p. 

Wood, Larry C., 1982, “Imaging the Subsurface” in Concepts and Techniques in Oil 

 and Gas Exploration, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 

 pgs. 45-90. 
17

Appendix 

Alaska

A-1 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition 

by fiscal year for Alaska ....................................................................................................19

A-2 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical 

exploration in Alaska .........................................................................................................20 

A-3 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and 

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for Alaska 

(in dollars)..........................................................................................................................21 

A-4 Summary of average cost per mile by MMS for 2-D seismic data 

by fiscal year for Alaska (in dollars)..................................................................................22 

Atlantic

A-5 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition 

by fiscal year for the Atlantic.............................................................................................23 

A-6 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical 

exploration in the Atlantic .................................................................................................24 

A-7 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and 

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for the 

Atlantic (in dollars)............................................................................................................25 

A-8 Summary of average cost per mile by MMS for 2-D seismic data 

by fiscal year for the Atlantic (in dollars)..........................................................................26 

Gulf of Mexico

A-9 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition 

by fiscal year for the Gulf of Mexico.................................................................................27 

A-10 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical 

exploration in the Gulf of Mexico .....................................................................................28 

A-11 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and geophysical 

 data acquisition by fiscal year for the Gulf of Mexico (in dollars)....................................29 
18

A-12 Summary of average cost per mile by MMS for 2-D seismic data 

 by fiscal year for the Gulf of Mexico (in dollars)..............................................................30 

Pacific

A-13 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition 

by fiscal year for the Pacific ..............................................................................................31 

A-14 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical 

exploration in the Pacific ...................................................................................................32

A-15 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and 

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for the 

Pacific (in dollars)..............................................................................................................33 

A-16 Summary of average cost per mile by MMS for 2-D seismic data 

by fiscal year for the Pacific (in dollars)............................................................................34 
19

Alaska Tables 

Table A-1. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition by Fiscal Year for Alaska

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

70,306 

37,785 

11,952 

28,524 

8,538 

10,109 

35,430 

16,624 

51,903 

30,961 

30,270 

21,603 

49,532 

14,963 

3,136 

8,557 

3,964 

0 

1,893 

2,422 

737 

 315 

382 

273 

0 

0 

0 

 0

440,179 

5,500 

19,163 

5,606 

0 

5,412 

7,703 

4,590 

0 

0 

7,904 

0 

1,600 

470 

1,741 

166 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

59,855 

32,819 

30,164 

21,700 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

84,683 

55,710 

0 

23,470 

36,625 

25,465 

0 

14,969 

0 

0 

5,850 

0 

0 

80,826 

0 

9,543 

11,046 

1,500 

0 

0 

102,845 

3,000 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

370,849 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 3* 

 0 

 7* 

 

 12* 

 0 

 11*

 33* 

1 

4 

4 

0 

0 

1 

0 

2 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

14 

Note: * Acquisition for 3-D seismic data are measured in blocks; all other acquisitions in this table are 

measured in miles. The DST dates are assigned based upon completion dates and are measured in terms 

of wells completed. All other data are measured in terms of miles. 
20

Table A-2. Number of Permits Issued for Geological and Geophysical Exploration in 

Alaska

Year A B C D E F

1960-1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

75 

31 

40 

27 

17 

33 

47 

82 

69 

33 

9 

32 

41 

54 

85 

103 

70 

63 

18 

18 

13 

17 

19 

7 

7 

11 

3 

1 

 6 

5 

2 

2 

1 

 0 

 1

1,042 

--- 

28 

36 

26 

17 

32 

44 

74 

61 

29 

8 

30 

36 

49 

79 

80 

62 

56 

17 

14 

9 

14 

15 

4 

6 

10 

3 

1 

 6 

4 

2 

2 

1 

 0 

 1

856 

--- 

3 

4 

1 

0 

1 

3 

8 

8 

4 

1 

2 

5 

5 

6 

23 

8 

7 

1 

4 

4 

3 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

106 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

4 

4 

0 

0 

1 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

14 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

1 

 5 

0 

2 

2 

1 

0 

 0

14 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0

5 

A=Total Number of Geological, Geophysical, and Strategic Minerals Permits 

B=Number of Geophysical Permits 

C=Number of Geological Permits 

D=Number of Geological Permits Issued for Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

E=Number of Geophysical Permits Issued for 3-D Seismic Data 

F=Number of Permits Issued for Strategic (Nonenergy) Minerals 

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established 
21

Table A-3. Summary of Expenditures by MMS for Geological and Geophysical Data 

Acquisition by Fiscal Year for Alaska (in dollars)

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992* 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001* 

2002 

 Total 

2,803,939 

1,628,153 

271,035 

2,956,280 

2,180,700 

1,086,423 

5,231,130 

1,817,736 

5,673,514 

4,118,626 

3,669,129 

2,780,556 

2,301,780 

1,339,007 

347,872 

832,476 

518,613 

0 

139,117 

579,129 

167,170 

 113,071 

195,855 

192,947 

0 

0 

0 

 0

40,944,258 

119,700 

1,598,789 

36,473 

0 

2,019,512 

5,789,936 

1,531,458 

0 

0 

19,238 

0 

950 

400 

3,425 

5,917 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

11,125,798 

160,832 

268,961 

10,000 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

439,793 

7,515 

0 

49,450 

408,679 

125,148 

0 

69,286 

0 

0 

27,072 

0 

0 

249,951 

0 

21,851 

51,681 

15,573 

0 

0 

0 

750 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0

1,026,956 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

358,155

348,073

 0

 762,911

1,469,139

NA 

NA 

NA 

0 

0 

NA 

0 

NA 

NA 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

 --- 

* In FY 1992, the Alaska Region spent funds from the G&G budget as well as regional funds to 

acquire digital copies of data already in their inventory and did not acquire any new or additional data. 

In FY 2001, the Region spent funds to acquire digital copies of seismic information already in their 

inventory as well as a paleontological study. 

Note: NA represents “not applicable” as no G&G funds are used to acquire information from a DST. 

Where no DST was completed, a zero is entered into the expenditure column. 
22

Table A-4. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by 

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data by Fiscal Year for Alaska 

(in dollars)

Year Average Cost ($/Mile)

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

39.88 

43.09 

22.68 

103.64 

255.41 

107.47 

147.65 

109.34 

109.31 

133.03 

121.21 

128.71 

46.47 

89.49 

110.93 

97.29 

130.85 

0 

73.48 

239.18 

475.85 

358.96 

512.71 

706.77 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Note: Totals reflect average cost per mile for all CDP 

information acquired, both State and Federal. Average 

costs reflect only those dollars assigned to the bureauwide 

G&G budget and do not reflect monies allocated from 

regional funds. 

Zero indicates G&G dollars were not spent on CDP 

information. 
23

Atlantic Tables 

Table A-5. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the 

Atlantic

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

41,958 

25,211 

21,032 

14,281 

6,877 

585 

9,950 

19,074 

30,077 

9,386 

1,640 

424 

2,356 

827 

2,730 

31 

1,042 

2,377 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

189,858 

1,740 

23,867 

6,100 

0 

0 

10,660 

7,142 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

49,509 

11,802 

29,822 

3,177 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

44,801 

14,267 

1,076 

 440 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

15,783 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0

0 

0 

2 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

5 

Note: The DST dates are assigned based upon completion dates and are measured in terms of wells 

completed. All other data are measured in terms of miles. 
24

Table A-6. Number of Permits Issued for Geological and Geophysical Exploration in 

the Atlantic

Year A B C D E F

1960-1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

45 

7 

4 

4 

4 

4 

2 

29 

35 

20 

17 

9 

15 

17 

11 

10 

6 

2 

3 

2 

4 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

 0 

2 

0 

 0 

1 

0 

 0

255 

--- 

7 

3 

4 

4 

4 

2 

23 

28 

20 

13 

9 

15 

16 

11 

10 

6 

1 

2 

0 

4 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

1 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

 184 

--- 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

7 

 0 

4 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

1 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

24 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

3 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

5 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

0 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

1 

0 

0

2 

A=Total Number of Geological, Geophysical, and Strategic Minerals Permits 

B=Number of Geophysical Permits 

C=Number of Geological Permits 

D=Number of Geological Permits Issued for Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

E=Number of Geophysical Permits Issued for 3-D Seismic Data 

F=Number of Permits Issued for Strategic (Nonenergy) Minerals 

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established 
25

Table A-7. Summary of Expenditures by MMS for Geological and Geophysical Data 

Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the Atlantic (in dollars)

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

309,029 

196,687 

242,868 

581,562 

119,250 

51,096 

179,682 

1,882,723 

1,718,584 

1,500,298 

287,135 

87,307 

438,792 

71,510 

120,042 

150 

2,790 

1,933 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

7,791,438 

4,900 

2,256,167 

1,968,513 

0 

0 

4,278,448 

1,243,204 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

9,751,232 

--- 

45,282 

9,992 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

55,274 

--- 

2,902 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

 2,902 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

0 

0 

NA 

NA 

0 

NA 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

0 

Note: The abbreviation NA represents “not applicable” as no G&G funds are used to acquire 

information from a DST. Where no DST was completed, a zero is entered into the expenditure column. 

No expenditures are available for CDP interpretations or gravity and magnetic data for 1968-1975. 
26

Table A-8. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by 

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data by Fiscal Year for the 

Atlantic (in dollars)

Year Average Cost ($/Mile)

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

7.37 

7.80 

11.55 

40.72 

17.34 

87.34 

18.06 

98.70 

57.14 

159.85 

175.08 

205.91 

186.24 

86.47 

43.97 

4.84 

2.68 

0.81 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Note: Totals reflect average cost per mile for all CDP 

information acquired, both State and Federal. Average 

costs reflect only those dollars assigned to the bureauwide 

G&G budget and do not reflect monies allocated from 

regional funds. 

Dashed lines indicate no funding for that year. 
27

Gulf of Mexico Tables 

Table A-9. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the 

Gulf of Mexico

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

143,458 

31,474 

4,485 

7,188 

11,681 

4,758 

16,454 

28,700 

26,290 

40,828 

31,430 

22,616 

43,073 

56,265 

43,121 

76,692 

35,507 

46,814 

23,589 

4,416 

8,193 

 32,797 

39,300 

90,708 

30,135 

64,710 

 6,668 

 1,506

972,856 

88,549 

9,367 

18,119 

8,275 

5,018 

15,940 

500 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

145,768 

120,038 

19,380 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

139,418 

19,670 

56,272 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

178,305 

52,000 

284,084 

0 

 0

590,331 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1,563* 

1,420* 

1,826* 

 1,458* 

3,105* 

3,452* 

3,219* 

6,138* 

 3,602* 

 7,171* 

32,954* 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

 3 

Note: *Acquisitions for 3-D seismic data are measured in blocks; all other acquisitions in this table 

are measured in miles. 

The DST dates are assigned based upon completion dates and are measured in terms of wells 

completed. 

Figures may vary by 1-2%. 
28

Table A-10. Number of Permits Issued for Geological and Geophysical Exploration in 

the Gulf of Mexico

Year A B C D E F G

1960-1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

2,071 

207 

166 

179 

198 

272 

284 

353 

292 

368 

278 

211 

231 

283 

344 

416 

411 

300 

170 

258 

263 

232 

227 

163 

134 

136 

130 

102 

 130 

152 

155 

109 

78 

 110 

 79

9,492 

--- 

204 

162 

175 

188 

264 

275 

348 

289 

361 

278 

204 

225 

280 

341 

416 

408 

295 

169 

252 

251 

223 

222 

152 

131 

125 

114 

91 

 114 

134 

141 

96 

72 

 103 

 74

7,177 

--- 

3 

4 

4 

10 

8 

9 

5 

3 

7 

0 

7 

6 

3 

3 

0 

3 

5 

1 

6 

12 

9 

5 

11 

3 

11 

16 

11 

 16 

18 

14 

13 

5 

 7 

 5

243 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0

3 

--- 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

16 

18 

38 

32 

42 

45 

47 

57 

45 

53 

68 

52 

49 

 54 

69 

57 

42 

31 

 33 

 20

868 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0

1 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

 1 

0 

0 

0 

3

5 

A=Total Number of Geological, Geophysical, and Strategic Minerals Permits 

B=Number of Geophysical Permits 

C=Number of Geological Permits 

D=Number of Geological Permits Issued for Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

E=Number of Geophysical Permits Issued for 3-D Seismic Data 

F=Number of Permits Issued for Strategic (Nonenergy) Minerals 

G=Number of Permits Issued for 4-D Seismic Data 

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established 

Figures may vary by 1-2%. 
29

Table A-11. Summary of Expenditures by MMS for Geological and Geophysical Data 

Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the Gulf of Mexico (in dollars) 

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999* 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

5,255,068 

1,489,665 

579,583 

330,183 

492,299 

388,329 

939,506 

2,936,727 

3,678,684 

3,999,326 

2,768,574 

1,600,031 

1,824,927 

1,075,515 

885,748 

704,670 

289,266 

376,893 

200,407 

26,946 

21,535 

 1,151,587 

44,103 

96,771 

42,227 

83,359 

 457,463 

 3,185

31,742,577 

2,795,562 

514,141 

3,072,088 

1,438,856 

949,697 

3,926,990 

31,805 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

12,729,139 

722,442 

134,084 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

856,526 

129,500 

385,234 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

12,000 

3,000 

10,070 

0 

 0

539,804 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

537,908 

647,592 

592,223 

 526,471 

1,150,050 

1,289,773 

1,154,577 

1,816,038 

 729,196 

 341,756

8,785,584 

NA 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

NA 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

 --- 

Note: The abbreviation NA represents “not applicable” as no G&G funds are used to acquire 

information from a DST. Where no DST was completed, a zero is entered into the expenditure column. 

In FY 1999, the Gulf of Mexico Region also spent funds to acquire digital copies of data and information 

that were already in their inventory or purchased as two differing displays. 

Figures may vary by 1-2%. 
30

Table A-12. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by 

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data by Fiscal Year for the Gulf 

of Mexico (in dollars)

Year Average Cost ($/Mile)

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 36.63 

 47.33 

 129.23 

 45.94 

 42.15 

 81.62 

 57.10 

 102.33 

 139.93 

 97.96 

 88.09 

 70.75 

 42.37 

 19.12 

 20.54 

 9.19 

 8.14 

 8.05 

 8.49 

 6.10 

 2.63 

 35.11 

 1.01 

 1.07 

 1.40 

 1.29 

68.61/1.34* 

2.11* 

Note: Totals reflect average cost per mile for all CDP 

information acquired, both State and Federal. Average 

costs reflect only those dollars assigned to the bureauwide 

G&G budget and do not reflect monies allocated from 

regional funds. 

* The $68.61 total includes the cost for data in Cuban waters 

at the market price. The average cost per line mile for data 

in Federal waters is $1.34. The $2.11 total includes velocity 

models for depth data. 

Figures may vary by 1-2-%.
31

Pacific Tables 

Table A-13. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the 

Pacific

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

14,092 

14,452 

5,339 

4,433 

4,393 

3,948 

8,070 

15,563 

12,473 

8,678 

8,181 

2,644 

18,719 

6,865 

4,507 

0 

0 

0 

0 

300 

0 

 184 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

132,841 

9,971 

2,429 

5,979 

1,155 

6,578 

4,470 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

30,582 

15,552 

2,288 

24,525 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

42,365 

87,637 

1,851 

3,950 

0 

0 

0 

3,662 

13,050 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

110,150 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

 12* 

 21* 

 8* 

 0 

 11* 

 0 

 0

52* 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

2 

Note: *Acquisitions for 3-D seismic data are measured in blocks; all other acquisitions in this table 

are measured in miles. 

The DST dates are assigned based upon completion dates and are measured in terms of wells 

completed. 
32

Table A-14. Number of Permits Issued for Geological and Geophysical Exploration in 

the Pacific

Year A B C D E F

1960-1968 

1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 

1974 

1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

 Total 

162 

13 

3 

0 

1 

30 

24 

46 

24 

31 

38 

24 

31 

40 

62 

45 

56 

33 

20 

20 

33 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

740 

--- 

10 

2 

0 

1 

21 

24 

42 

22 

26 

30 

22 

26 

38 

59 

36 

42 

30 

19 

16 

25 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

494 

--- 

3 

1 

0 

0 

9 

0 

4 

2 

5 

8 

2 

5 

2 

3 

9 

14 

3 

1 

4 

8 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

84 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

2 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

0 

--- 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

0 

A=Total Number of Geological, Geophysical, and Strategic Minerals Permits 

B=Number of Geophysical Permits 

C=Number of Geological Permits 

D=Number of Geological Permits Issued for Deep Stratigraphic Tests 

E=Number of Geophysical Permits Issued for 3-D Seismic Data 

F=Number of Permits Issued for Strategic (Nonenergy) Minerals 

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established 
33

Table A-15. Summary of Expenditures by MMS for Geological and Geophysical Data 

Acquisition by Fiscal Year for the Pacific (in dollars)

Year 2-D HRD Interpretations Grav/Mag 3-D DST

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999* 

2000 

2001 

2002* 

 Total 

697,733 

486,139 

188,930 

137,754 

346,612 

249,048 

689,372 

1,918,891 

1,309,608 

1,262,030 

848,777 

356,700 

921,422 

93,748 

44,273 

0 

0 

0 

0 

443 

0 

 1,714 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

9,553,194 

175,000 

57,660 

752,400 

23,685 

1,588,695 

1,098,954 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

3,696,394 

49,617 

20,596 

1,962 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

72,175 

415,913 

17,275 

11,796 

0 

0 

0 

20,029 

69,350 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0

534,363 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

 0 

 0 

10,452 

13,479 

3,344 

0 

650 

0 

 0

27,925 

NA 

0 

0 

NA 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

 0 

0 

0 

0

 --- 

Note: The abbreviation NA represents “not applicable” as no G&G funds are used to acquire 

information from a DST. Where no DST was completed, a zero is entered into the expenditure column. 

In FY 1999 and 2002, the Pacific Region spent funds to acquire digital copies of data already in their 

inventory and did not acquire any new or additional data. 
34

Table A-16. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by 

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data by Fiscal Year for the 

Pacific (in dollars)

Year Average Cost ($/Mile)

1968-1975 

1976 

1977 

1978 

1979 

1980 

1981 

1982 

1983 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

49.51 

33.64 

35.39 

31.08 

78.90 

63.08 

85.42 

123.30 

105.00 

145.43 

103.75 

134.91 

49.22 

13.66 

9.82 

0 

0 

 --- 

0 

1.48 

0 

9.32 

0 

0 

0 

0 

--- 

--- 

Note: Totals reflect average cost per mile for all CDP 

information acquired, both State and Federal. Average 

costs reflect only those dollars assigned to the bureauwide 

G&G budget and do not reflect monies allocated from 

regional funds. 

Dashed line indicates no funding for that year. Zero 

indicates G&G dollars were not spent on CDP information. 
35

Glossary

Block - a geographically defined section of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) designated by a 

number on an official protraction diagram or leasing map prepared by the Minerals Management 

Service (MMS). A block is normally a 9-square-mile area (3 miles x 3 miles) consisting of 5,760 

acres. A single block is the smallest unit that can be leased for oil and gas exploration on the OCS. 

Common Depth Point - a common location in the ocean subbottom where sound waves originating 

from various positions of the seismic (sound) source near the ocean surface are reflected back toward 

the surface. The traces from different seismic profiles corresponding to the same reflection point are 

mathematically summed (stacked) for reflection points beneath the survey line. Also known as 

common midpoint or common reflection point. 

COST Wells - Continental Offshore Stratigraphic Test Wells - deep stratigraphic wells drilled to 

determine the geological character or stratigraphy of rock strata. These wells, which may be more 

than 20,000 feet deep, provide information that can be used by Government and industry to evaluate 

tracts to be offered in a lease sale. 

Fair Market Value - the amount in cash, or on terms reasonably equivalent to cash, for which in all 

probability the property would be sold by a knowledgeable purchaser who desired, but is not 

obligated, to buy. The market value that is sought is not merely theoretical or hypothetical, but 

represents, insofar as it is possible to estimate, the actual selling price. 

High-Resolution - a range of seismic frequencies above the normal range of frequencies used in 

exploration, with an improvement in resolution in the shallow portions of the subbottom but with less 

total penetration into the subbottom. 

Lease - any form of authorization that is used under section 8 or maintained under section 6 of the 

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and that authorizes exploration for and development and 

production of minerals or the area covered by that authorization, whichever is required of the context. 

Lease Sale - an MMS proceeding by which leases for certain OCS tracts are offered for sale by 

competitive bidding and during which bids are received, publicly announced, and recorded. 

Outer Continental Shelf - all submerged lands lying seaward and outside of the area of lands beneath 

navigable waters as defined in section 2 of the Submerged Lands Act and of which the subsoil and 

seabed appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control. 

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - law passed by Congress on August 7, 1953, and amended in 

1975, 1978, and 1985. 
36

Permit - the contract or agreement, other than a lease, approved for a specified period of not more 

than 1 year under which a person acquires the right to conduct (1) geological exploration for mineral 

resources, (2) geophysical exploration for mineral resources, (3) geological scientific research, or (4) 

geophysical scientific research. 

Planning Area - a subdivision of an offshore area used as the initial basis for considering blocks to be 

offered for lease in the DOI’s offshore oil and gas leasing program. 

Shallow Hazards - potential geological and manmade hazards to exploration on the OCS that are in 

the shallow portion of the subbottom. Examples include seismicity, active faults, shallow gas 

deposits, steep slopes, unstable soil conditions, pipelines, anchors, and sunken ships. Shallow hazards 

may occur in shallow or deep waters. 

The Department of the Interior Mission

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility 

for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering 

sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; 

preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; 

and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses 

our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best 

interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. 

The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities 

and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. 

The Minerals Management Service Mission 

As a bureau of the Department of the Interior, the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) 

primary responsibilities are to manage the mineral resources located on the Nation's Outer 

Continental Shelf (OCS), collect revenue from the Federal OCS and onshore Federal and Indian 

lands, and distribute those revenues. 

Moreover, in working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program 

administers the OCS competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally 

sound exploration and production of our Nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral 

resources. The MMS Minerals Revenue Management meets its responsibilities by ensuring the 

efficient, timely and accurate collection and disbursement of revenue from mineral leasing and 

production due to Indian tribes and allottees, States and the U.S. Treasury. 

The MMS strives to fulfill its responsibilities through the general guiding principles of: (1) being 

responsive to the public's concerns and interests by maintaining a dialogue with all potentially 

affected parties and (2) carrying out its programs with an emphasis on working to enhance the 

quality of life for all Americans by lending MMS assistance and expertise to economic 

development and environmental protection.