OCS Report

 MMS 2000-071

Resource Evaluation

Program Report

Geological

& Geophysical

Data Acquisition

Outer Continental Shelf

Through 1999

By George Dellagiarino,

Patricia Fulton, Keith Meekins,

and David Zinzer

U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service Herndon, Virginia

Resource Evaluation Division 2000
ii
iii

Contents

Acronyms and Abbreviations........................................................................... v

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bibliography.................................................................................................... 12

Appendix ......................................................................................................... 13

 Alaska Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures......................... 15

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

 Gulf of Mexico Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures ........... 23

 Pacific Tables for Data Acquisitions, Permits, Expenditures......................... 27

Glossary........................................................................................................... 31

Illustration

1. Federal Outer Continental Shelf planning areas.............................................. 2
iv

Tables

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

 through FY 1999 by planning area ................................................................. 5

2. Summary of 2-D seismic data acquisition for FY 1968-1999.......................... 6

3. Summary of 3-D seismic data acquisition for FY 1968-1999.......................... 6

4. Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition by data

 type and region, FY 1968-1999......................................................................7

5. Total number of permits issued for geological and geophysical

 exploration..................................................................................................... 8

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

 geophysical data acquisition by region, FY 1968-1999 (in dollars)................. 9

7. Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition expenditures

 by data type and region, FY 1968-1999....................................................... 10

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

 FY 1968-1999............................................................................................. 11
v

Acronyms and 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 Magnetics 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 then 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 in preparation for data release commencing

with the expiration of proprietary terms in 2001 as discussed by Fulton (1998).

3

Permits, Data Acquisition, and Reimbursement

The permits, issued by the Resource Evaluation (RE) Regional Supervisors, set

forth the specific details for each data-gathering activity, which include 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 datacollection 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, Gravity, Magnetic, 3-D, and 4-D Surveys

A large percentage of the geophysical data in the MMS inventory is twodimensional (2-D) common depth point (CDP) seismic information. 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.

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.

While the main use of three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data is still in reservoir

development, the evolution of 3-D seismic data and information in conjunction
4

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 to delineate, in

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

conditions associated with the occurrence of natural gas and oil.

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 10 years.

Deep Stratigraphic Tests

A deep stratigraphic test, as defined in 30 CFR 251, means “drilling which

involves the penetration into the sea bottom of more than 50 feet (15.2 meters) of

consolidated rock or a total of more than 300 feet (91.4 meters).” These wells are

also 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 (1991).
5

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

MMS Inventory Through FY 1999 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

137,000

454,000

309,000

900,000

Pacific

Southern Calif.

Central California

Northern Calif.

Wash./Oregon

 Total

85,000

21,000

19,000

 8,000

133,000

 Figures may vary by 1-2%.
6

Table 2. Summary of 2-D Seismic Data Acquisition

for FY 1968-1999

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

 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

1,662,850

Figures may vary by 1-2%.

Table 3. Summary of 3-D Seismic Data Acquisition

for FY 1968-1999

FY Total Blocks

1968-1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

 Total

0

1,563

1,420

1,826

1,470

3,129

3,460

3,226

16,094

Figures may vary by 1-2%.
7

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

Type and Region, FY 1968-1999

Data Type Region Mileage *

2-D Seismic Alaska

Atlantic

Gulf of Mexico

Pacific

Total

440,179

189,858

899,972

132,841

1,662,850

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

306,247

110,150

803,029

3-D Seismic Alaska

Atlantic

Gulf of Mexico

Pacific

Total

10

0

16,043

41

16,094

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.

bl = Blocks

Figures may vary 1-2%.
8

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

 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

 11,259

---

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

8,460

---

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

440

---

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

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

797

---

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

6

---

 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

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

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

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established

Figures may vary 1-2%.
9

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

Geophysical Data Acquisition by Region, FY 1968-1999 (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

 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

57,928,984

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

 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

56,203,402

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

15,286,715

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

150,364,384

* 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. All figures have been rounded.

Figures may vary 1-2%.
10

Table 7. Summary of Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition

Expenditures by Data Type and Region, FY 1968-1999

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

358,155

53,894,960

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

31,198,570

12,729,139

856,526

529,734

 5,898,594

51,212,563

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

 27,275

13,883,401

 *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%.
11

Table 8. Summary of Average Cost Per Mile by

MMS for 2-D Seismic Data, FY 1968-1999

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

 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

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.

Figures may vary 1-2%.
12

Bibliography

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, 1999, Geological and Geophysical Data

Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 1998, U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service,

OCS Report MMS 99-0058, 32 p.

Dellagiarino, George, Fulton, Patricia, and Zinzer, David, 1997 , Geological and Geophysical Data

 Acquisition, A Twenty-Year Retrospective, 1976-1996, U.S. Department of the

 Interior, Minerals Management Service, OCS Report MMS 97-0035, 39 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.
13

Appendix

Table

Alaska

A-1 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition

by fiscal year for Alaska ...........................................................................15

A-2 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical

exploration in Alaska ..............................................................................16

A-3 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for Alaska

(in dollars) ...........................................................................................17

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

by fiscal year for Alaska (in dollars) .............................................................18

Atlantic

A-5 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition

by fiscal year for the Atlantic .....................................................................19

A-6 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical

exploration in the Atlantic ........................................................................20

A-7 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for the

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

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

by fiscal year for the Atlantic (in dollars) .......................................................22

Gulf of Mexico

A-9 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition

by fiscal year for the Gulf of Mexico ............................................................23

A-10 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical

exploration in the Gulf of Mexico ...............................................................24

A-11 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for the

Gulf of Mexico (in dollars) ........................................................................25

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) .............................................26
14

Pacific

A-13 Summary of geological and geophysical data acquisition

by fiscal year for the Pacific ......................................................................27

A-14 Number of permits issued for geological and geophysical

exploration in the Pacific ..........................................................................28

A-15 Summary of expenditures by MMS for geological and

geophysical data acquisition by fiscal year for the

Pacific (in dollars) ..................................................................................29

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

by fiscal year for the Pacific (in dollars) .........................................................30
15

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

 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

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

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

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

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*

10*

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

14

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

measured in miles. 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.
16

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

 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

1,040

---

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

854

---

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

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

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

13

---

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

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
17

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

 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

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

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

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

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

358,155

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

 ---

*In FY 1992, the Alaska Region spent funds from the G&G budget and Regional funds to acquire digital

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

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.
18

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

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

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.
19

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

 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

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

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

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

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

2

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 0

0

0

0

 0

0

0

 0

5

Note: 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-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

 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

254

---

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

 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

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

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

1

 0

0

0

 0

1

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-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

 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

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

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

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

 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

NA

NA

0

NA

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 0

0

0

 0

---

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.

No expenditures are available for CDP interpretations or gravity and magnetic data for 1968-1975.
22

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

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.
23

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

 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

899,972

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

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

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

306,247

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*

16,043*

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

 3

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

measured in miles.

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

Figures may vary by 1-2%.
24

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

 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

9,225

---

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

6,928

---

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

226

---

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

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

784

---

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

 1

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

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

Dashed lines = Individual breakouts not established

Figures may vary by 1-2%.
25

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*

 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

31,198,570

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

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

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

529,734

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

5,898,594

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

 ---

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.

* 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%.
26

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

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

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.

Figures may vary by 1-2-%.
27

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

 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

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

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

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

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

41*

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

2

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

measured in miles.

DST dates are assigned based upon completion dates and are measured in terms of wells completed.
28

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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
29

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*

 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

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

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

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

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

27,275

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

 ---

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.

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

and did not acquire any new or additional data.
30

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

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

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.
31

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 normally is 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. This 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.
32

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

in 1975, 1978, and 1985.

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.