Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition: Outer Continental Shelf through 2004-2005:Resource evaluation program rept

摘要

This report addresses the general role of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Resource Evaluation Program (REP) in geological and geophysical (G&G) data acquisition and permitting activities. The 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). 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 (1998).