This report catalogs the current and historical geological and geophysical (G&G) data permitting activities and G&G data purchases of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Resource Evaluation Program. The report includes G&G data and information associated with both oil and gas activities and marine and strategic minerals activities, but does not include an inventory of G&G data associated with renewable energy activities.
BOEM’s regulations (30 CFR § 551) govern the process for pre-lease G&G exploration for oil, gas, and sulphur resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Part 551 applies to both G&G exploration and scientific research. The purpose of these regulations is to prescribe when a permit or the filing of a notice is required to conduct G&G activities on the OCS, the operating procedures for conducting exploration activities, requirements for disclosing data and information, conditions for reimbursing permittees for certain costs, and other conditions under which exploration must be conducted. Similar regulations addressing pre-lease prospecting activities for minerals other than oil, gas, or sulphur can be found in 30 CFR § 580.
This report focuses primarily on the aggregation and summary of administrative data, such as the totals for permits issued, data acquired, and expenditures for these data. These items are influenced by a number of factors, including overall trends of oil and gas prices, access to OCS acreage, and the shift of industry investment to international and onshore opportunities.
Current BOEM G&G Data Inventory Report
OCS Report BOEM 2025-034
Previous BOEM G&G Data Inventory Reports
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Through 2023
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Through 2022
OCS Report BOEM 2022-037
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2021
By Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2021-038
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2020
By Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2020-031
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2019
By Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2019-041
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2018
By Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2018-04
Geological & Geophysical Data Inventory, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2017
By Kumkum Ray And Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2017-02
Geological & Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2016
By Kumkum Ray And Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2016-05
Geological & Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2015
By Kumkum Ray and Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2015-05
Geological & Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2012-2013-2014
By Kumkum Ray and Paul Godfriaux
OCS Report BOEM 2012-068
Geological & Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2009-2010-2011.
By George Dellagiarino and Obediah Racicot.
MMS G&G Data Inventory Reports
Geological & Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2006-2007-2008, By George Dellagiarino and Joseph Maloney.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2004-2005. G. Dellagiarino, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 2007 U.S. DOI. 42 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2002. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and. D. Zinzer. 2004 u.s. doi. 44 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition. A 25-Year Retrospective 1976 - 2001. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 2002 U.S. DOI. 46 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 2000. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 2001 U.S. DOI. 33 p
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 1999. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 2000 U.S. DOI. 32 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 1998. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 1999 U.S. DOI. 32 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition, Outer Continental Shelf Through 1997. G. Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, K. Meekins, and D. Zinzer. 1998 U.S. DOI. 32 p.
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition. A Twenty-Year Retrospective 1976-1996. G.Dellagiarino, P. Fulton, and D. Zinzer. 1997 U.S. DOI. 39 p.