The thesis requirement of the Energy and Mineral Resources program serves as the culmination of the student's education. Many topics lend themselves to group projects in which students investigate components of a larger issue. These projects foster a team approach as students exchange information and ideas. Exploration is based on a floating conical drilling unit.
Production is based on a concrete Tension Leg Platform concept, with subsea completion.
Storage will be in a seafloor facility and transportation will be by ice-breaking tanker. The comparison of US laws and the third United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty with respect to deepsea mining. Quantification and evaluation of propsed joint venture agreements are presented. Analysis and evaluation of US ocean mining policy over the last three decades. Also to forecast American Persian Gulf policy in the post cold war years.