Regulation of Prelease
Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Exploration
Overview
Geological and
Geophysical exploration consists of a number of well refined techniques for
data collection and their subsequent interpretations. G&G exploration is
done on a pre-lease as well as on a post-lease basis. It is a necessary step
towards reducing the risk and uncertainty that inevitably accompany the
costly process of drilling offshore wells. With the help of G& G exploration
techniques attempts are made to infer:
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whether the requisite geologic conditions for petroleum occurrence
exist; |
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where petroleum reservoirs are located, and
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the size of the reservoirs and the probable volumes of petroleum that
they may contain. |
Most of the information used by both the
Federal government and industry to estimate or infer the oil and gas
potential of an area is acquired by prelease G&G surveys. A considerable
amount of this information is collected by lessees or under prelease
exploration permits issued by the MMS to specialized data-collection firms
that sell or furnish the information to oil companies. MMS receives copies
of this information as a condition of the permits. Processing
and approval of exploration permits are responsibilities of the Resource
Evaluation Program and include:
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reviewing of
applications for permits and submission of notices for OCS geologic or geophysical
scientific research or exploration for mineral resources; |
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issuing
permits and agreements, including terms, conditions, and stipulations; |
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monitoring
permit activity; and |
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ensuring
that G&G activities are carried out in an environmentally safe
manner. |
The objective of this
component of the Resource Evaluation Program involves the development and
implementation of the regulations, rules, and procedures that must be
followed by any non-Federal party that collects prelease G&G data and
information on the OCS for purposes related to mineral exploration,
development, or production. The regulations governing prelease G&G
exploration activities for oil, gas, and sulphur are set forth at
30 CFR Part 251
(124 KB),
and those governing prospecting for minerals other than oil, gas and sulphur
is at
30 CFR Part 280. They govern the permitting, data acquisition, and
release of information by MMS. The regulations prescribe when a permit or a
notice is required, operating procedures, and conditions for release of data
and information. They also prescribe reimbursement to permittees for
reproduction costs of any data and information submitted to MMS. The permit
forms are region specific, and they are available through MMS regional
offices covering
Gulf of Mexico,
Alaska and the
Pacific regions and can be downloaded from those regions web pages.
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