Introduction:
Nearly seventy years ago, the petroleum industry revolutionized reservoir production by bridging the gap between land and water. Accomplished by modification of land based drilling systems and naval warfare ships, the development of offshore drilling ushered in the era of “Big Oil”. This 70 year journey has led the industry to the brink of 10, 400 ft water depth formation (1) and marked it as a leader of innovation and technology.
Nearly seventy years ago, the petroleum industry revolutionized reservoir production by bridging the gap between land and water. Accomplished by modification of land based drilling systems and naval warfare ships, the development of offshore drilling ushered in the era of “Big Oil”. This 70 year journey has led the industry to the brink of 10, 400 ft water depth formation (1) and marked it as a leader of innovation and technology.
Objective:
To create maps which support our theory that with the progression of technology, regulations, and increasing demand for petroleum, drilling for oil in ultra deeper water (greater than 5000 ft.) is possible and probable within the near future. The maps will present the correlation between oil production, water depth, and mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) used in the Gulf of Mexico from the 1950’s to present day. The correlation will then be linked to the major technological breakthroughs in MODU design and equipment over that time span.
To create maps which support our theory that with the progression of technology, regulations, and increasing demand for petroleum, drilling for oil in ultra deeper water (greater than 5000 ft.) is possible and probable within the near future. The maps will present the correlation between oil production, water depth, and mobile offshore drilling units (MODU) used in the Gulf of Mexico from the 1950’s to present day. The correlation will then be linked to the major technological breakthroughs in MODU design and equipment over that time span.
Methodology:
The highly debated topic of sustainable energy and foreign oil dependency has led us to examine U.S. petroleum sources that have not been explored. Government regulations and environmental lobbyists restrict the oil prospects in Alaska, which limits the production of petroleum in that region. Reservoirs in places such as Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and West Texas face many of the same limitations, as well as economic and technological restraints. We believe the sandstone reservoirs in the ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico have the resources to provide the U.S. with sustainable energy and reduce foreign dependency.
The highly debated topic of sustainable energy and foreign oil dependency has led us to examine U.S. petroleum sources that have not been explored. Government regulations and environmental lobbyists restrict the oil prospects in Alaska, which limits the production of petroleum in that region. Reservoirs in places such as Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and West Texas face many of the same limitations, as well as economic and technological restraints. We believe the sandstone reservoirs in the ultra-deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico have the resources to provide the U.S. with sustainable energy and reduce foreign dependency.
Theory:
The production and MODU movement in the Gulf of Mexico over the past 60 years will demonstrate that as technology and MODU designs evolve, the possibility of drilling at greater depths will increase. We believe there will be distinct changes in MODU locations and production, which will indicate a technological breakthrough. The phenomena will provide an opportunity to link the advances in drilling techniques and/or rig design and water depth progression. The correlation will then support our theory that with time and new innovations, previously unattainable resources will be attainable.
The production and MODU movement in the Gulf of Mexico over the past 60 years will demonstrate that as technology and MODU designs evolve, the possibility of drilling at greater depths will increase. We believe there will be distinct changes in MODU locations and production, which will indicate a technological breakthrough. The phenomena will provide an opportunity to link the advances in drilling techniques and/or rig design and water depth progression. The correlation will then support our theory that with time and new innovations, previously unattainable resources will be attainable.
This is a computer-enhanced multibeam bathymetry map of the northwestern and northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf and slope. The continental slope surface reflects an array of intraslope basins, sites of thick accumulations of sediment, surrounded by higher relief features in the form of ridges and domes that are the expressions of salt masses in the shallow subsurface. Major lease areas established by the Minerals Management Service are superimposed on the image and important features, like the Sigsbee Escarpment at the base of the slope, are labeled. Figure courtesy of Harry H. Roberts. (oceanexplorer.noaa.gov)