scholarly journals A Boundary Delineation System for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Douglas L. Vandegraft
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
Outer Continental Shelf ◽  
Early Computer ◽  
Mapping System ◽  
Oil And Gas Resources

Federal government mapping of the offshore areas of the United States in support of the development of oil and gas resources began in 1954. The first mapping system utilized a network of rectangular blocks defined by State Plane coordinates which was later revised to utilize the Universal Transverse Mercator grid. Creation of offshore boundaries directed by the Submerged Lands Act and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act were mathematically determined using early computer programs that performed the required computations, but required many steps. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has revised these antiquated methods using GIS technology which provide the required accuracy and produce the mapping products needed for leasing of energy resources, including renewable energy projects, on the outer continental shelf. (Note: this is an updated version of a paper of the same title written and published in 2015).

scholarly journals Do Oil and Gas Lease Stipulations in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Need Expansion to Better Protect Vulnerable Coral Communities? How Low Relief Habitats Support High Coral Biodiversity

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa Faye Nuttall ◽  
Emma L. Hickerson ◽  
Raven D. Blakeway ◽  
George P. Schmahl ◽  
Paul W. Sammarco
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽  
Biological Communities ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Support Resource

The continental shelf of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico harbors extensive reefs and banks that support diverse coral reefs and mesophotic communities. Mesophotic communities range in depth from 40 to 200 m and, in this region, foster some of the densest coral forests [aggregations of mesophotic octocoral, antipatharian, and branching stony coral communities] reported in published literature (10.23 ± 9.31 col/m2). The geologic features underlying the exposed substrates that harbor mesophotic communities are targeted for extensive hydrocarbon exploration and extraction, as they often contain oil and/or natural gas. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management regulates offshore energy development in the United States and is tasked with protecting sensitive biological communities from impacts related to oil and gas activities. This study analyzed alpha and beta diversity of mesophotic coral forests on fourteen topographic banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The objective of the study was to examine differences in structure and community in relation to lease stipulations established by the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management. It was determined that dense and diverse mesophotic coral forests and carbonate producers exist in present regulatory zones that prohibit oil and gas activities; however, the coral communities exist in higher densities, diversity, and richness in low relief substrates outside of these regulatory zones. Our findings suggest low relief hard substrates serve as important habitat for mesophotic coral forests; thus, we suggest the expansion of current stipulations should be considered to provide better protection to vulnerable coral communities on low relief features. Furthermore, additional studies to refine the relationship between low relief structures and biodiversity are needed to develop more meaningful habitat definitions to support resource management and improve resource protection in the future.

scholarly journals A Multifaceted Approach to Advance Oil Spill Modeling and Physical Oceanographic Research at the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 542
Author(s):  
Zhen Li ◽  
Caryn Smith ◽  
Christopher DuFore ◽  
Susan F. Zaleski ◽  
Guillermo Auad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
United States Bureau ◽  
Ocean Energy ◽  
Outer Continental Shelf ◽  
Oil Spill Modeling ◽  
Oceanographic Research

The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) at the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is funded by the United States Congress to support BOEM’s mission, which is to use the best available science to responsibly manage the development of the Nation’s offshore energy and mineral resources. Since its inception in 1973, the ESP has funded over $1 billion of multidisciplinary research across four main regions of the United States Outer Continental Shelf: Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic, Alaska, and Pacific. Understanding the dynamics of oil spills and their potential effects on the environment has been one of the primary goals of BOEM’s funding efforts. To this end, BOEM’s ESP continues to support research that improves oil spill modeling by advancing our understanding and the application of meteorological and oceanographic processes to improve oil spill modeling. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, BOEM has invested approximately $28 million on relevant projects resulting in 73 peer-reviewed journal articles and 42 technical reports. This study describes the findings of these projects, along with the lessons learned and research information needs identified. We also present a path forward for BOEM’s oil spill modeling and physical oceanographic research.

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