Mapping Areas of Hard Bottom and Other Important Bottom Types: Outer Continental Shelf and Upper Continental Slope

Publication Title: Mapping Areas of Hard Bottom and Other Important Bottom Types: Outer Continental Shelf and Upper Continental Slope

Subject: Marine Geology
Marine Benthic Communities
Outer Continental Shelf; Hard Bottom

CSE Reference: Roberts HH, Coleman JM, Peele RH (Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA). 2005. Mapping areas of hard bottom and other important bottom types: Outer Continental Shelf and upper continental slope. New Orleans (LA): US Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service. 45 p. Obligation No.: 1435-01-99-CA-30951-17800. Report No.: OCS Study MMS 2005-067. URL: https://espis.boem.gov/Final%20Reports/3231.pdf

Abstract: As the petroleum industry moves into deeper and deeper waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico continental slope, it is important to locate and map areas of seafloor features like faults and areas of hard bottom that may constitute risks that may impact drilling, locating production platforms, laying pipelines, and related activities. Because of continued success in finding hydrocarbons in deep water using 3-D seismic and improved processing techniques, the northern Gulf of Mexico OCS is clearly the most actively expanding and deepwater oil and gas province in the world. In addition, subsalt and ultra-deep subsurface opportunities are initiating a new wave of exploration on the shelf and at the shelf edge. For these reasons, it is extremely important to locate and understand the risks associated with the spectrum of geohazards that occur within the OCS region. This project was designed to convert existing seafloor maps compiled from high-resolution seismic profiles, side-scan sonar data, and bathymetry acquired in 182 OCS lease blocks to MMS-approved GIS format for use in geohazards evaluations.