BOEM releases 5 Beaufort seismic datasets

Kay Cashman

Petroleum News

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region said March 2 that it has released five 3D survey datasets from the Beaufort Sea, expanding public access to legacy geologic information supporting industry analysis, academic research and Alaska energy planning.

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BOEM said the release was in alignment with President Trump's Executive Order 14303, "Restoring Gold Standard Science."

"Making these legacy seismic datasets publicly available reflects our continued commitment to scientific integrity, transparency and responsible energy development," said Mick Bradway, acting director of BOEM's Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Region.

"These datasets support informed decision making by industry and government and also empower academic researchers and the public to better understand Alaska's offshore resources. We're proud to contribute to a stronger foundation for energy planning and stewardship in the Arctic," Bradway said.

The five datasets -- B-02-99-AK, B-05-98-AK, B-04-97-AK, B-03-96-AK and B-01-95-AK -- are available now at the National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys. (To access, click the tab labeled "Surveys," then click on the map near the Beaufort Sea. A list of nearby surveys will appear, with the most recent surveys at the top.)

BOEM said the surveys encompass five geological and geophysical exploration permits, 10 original or reprocessed SEG-Y files, nine survey areas and 232 square miles of Beaufort Sea lease areas.

These datasets are generally confidential when collected by private companies. When companies submit datasets to BOEM the agency keeps them confidential for a proprietary period -- currently 25 years -- after which BOEM may release certain geophysical data and information to the public.

Released datasets are in the public domain and have no restrictions on use or publication.

The National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys is a collaborative initiative between BOEM and the U.S. Geological Survey. It offers a public platform for accessing seismic data collected by or contributed to U.S. Department of the Interior agencies.

BOEM said it plans additional legacy seismic releases on a rolling basis.

--Petroleum News